“What the hell!?” Nina reaches the big tree. Her fingers touch the woody surface. Angry tears in her eyes.
She had no idea she could do that. Whatever 'that' was.
"Finally!" a voice abruptly declares, causing Nina to jump, turn and punch the air in a reflex.
"It took you long enough," it continues as she frantically looks around to find its origin.
Panting, Nina starts to mumble, "I didn't mean to. I didn't know. What the devil was that? Was that even real? I hope the ducks are okay. I hope I didn't hurt them..."
"We're fine," the voice said, "No thanks to you. What the quack did you think would happen?"
"I," she said, her mouth hanging open. "I didn't... know... what would happen. Or... that you could talk. Could you always do that, or is it a side effect of my...whatever it was I did?"
Of course, we talk. Have you never heard us before?
A new voice joined the conversation from a nearby tree. And we thought you were just being rude."
"Rude is as rude does," a crow joined in.
This was all too much for Nina. "Okay, I'm REALLY sorry if I offended any of you with not knowing you talked. But can any of you tell me what the quack is—"
She cut herself off. She was sure she said 'hell'.
"What the quack?"
There it was again.
"Am I..." she swallowed hard.
"Oh, here we go," one of them said.
Nina was concerned now. "What's happening to me?"
"This happens every time a new druid enters the forest," said another.