On the third night of the journey, much-needed sleep was interrupted with a horrifying scream.
Ifalna, whom Jenova had previously identified as the unnoficial leader of this small group, burst out of her tent at an incredible pace. Jenova quickly followed behind her as they moved to the source of the scream. A group was gathered around another small tent, temporarily set up to guard against the winds of the night. Ifalna burst through the group while Jenova politely made her way after her. She could tell by the expression on every face that something was seriously wrong.
Jenova saw Ifalna holding a small child, the parents crying and grieving inexplicably. "What's wrong?" she asked.
Ifalna was on the verge of tears herself, panicked. She looked up in complete shock and horror. "The child... He's planet-deaf."
Jenova could only guess at the meaning of the word used, but while she didn't entirely understand what she meant by that, she knew it was bad. Very bad. There wasn't a dry eye anywhere around her.
Not knowing what to do with herself, she moved to where Ifalna stood and put a hand on her arm, a silent suggestion that they should go. Ifalna handed the child back to his parents and silently made her way through the crowd again, Jenova following closely behind.
Moments later, the two were back in the tent they were sharing with several others, now viewing the spectacle. Jenova sat her friend down, and implored her for an explanation.
Ifalna was engulfed in tears. "Normally..." she began. "When a child is born, the mother and father can communicate with them with their pyschic connection. This connection... Is how we in turn communicate with the planet. Usually the child will respond, giving an impression of what it needs or of comfort. This... This newborn child... Was silent." She finished with wracking sobs.
Jenova was at a loss for words. She shuffled over to sit next to Ifalna, and held her by the shoulders. She had the idea to ask 'why', but she knew she wouldn't like the answer, and Ifalna could sense this, refusing to look over at her friend thinking the glance would confirm it.
Jenova hung her head, and started sobbing herself. The answer was her.