Greer tried to bear the squeeze and stretch of the change silently, but her throat betrayed her. Screams echoed from her tree out into the night, no dreams blacking out the snaps and creaks of shifting bones, or nightmares leaving the taste of copper in her mouth. The tongue that twisted in her sharpening beak was a hawk's tongue, the arms that were thrown out in pain full-fledged wings. She had built her nest carefully and it kept her in despite her thrashing, but only just. Her skin cracked and tore and reshaped itself, finally settling itself like a satisfied raptor when it was all done. She lay sprawled in her bed of branches and leaves, breathing shallowly. It hurt to exist. She suspected she was crying, but her nerves were too fried too tell. Something big and warm appeared, rumbling in as soothing a manner as it could manage.
The captain settled down next to her to give companionship if he could. Greer closed her eyes and slept.
* * *
"Hey Grasshopper. Thanks for taking care of my cat." Sean smiled at her, always cheerful despite his being see-through. Whether this was a dream or not, he was a ghost. Damn.
"He didn't really give me much of a choice." she said, trying to return the expression past her beak and not really managing it. At least she was talking with her old, human voice.
"Still, it was nice of you. You could've tried to eat him or something." he was teasing her, and coming from him she didn't mind. He put his arm around her.
"I prefer prey that won't rip my face off." she responded lightly, leaning into him. "Are you dead?"
"Yeah." he said softly, admiring the view. "Did you build this all yourself?"
"Yeah." she said softly, admiring him. "Nesting instincts are strong in this one."
"You should go say hi to people."
"I don't think I physically can anymore."
They sat there for a long while, resting against the tree and enjoying the moment. Eventually Sean leaned over and kissed her forehead.
"I have to go."
"Are you going away for good?" Greer asked quietly, resting her head on his shoulder.
"I already have, Grasshopper." he gave her a sad smile, another kiss, and pulled away. "Take care of yourself, as well as my kitty cat."
"Okay." she nodded, sure her eyes were moist now. "You too."
He laughed, and she suddenly realized how much she missed that sound. "I promise. Don't forget to count bugs!"
* * *
When Greer woke up in the morning, she didn't want to move. It hurt too much. But the Captain was hungry and the hawk wanted to fly. Life went on.
