She had been so consistent and persistently pacing that her companions had long grown board of watching her. The nocturnal marsupial had retreated inside the den while the board foraged a few yards away from her. Both creatures had tried to comfort or distract her, but nothing had helped. She had been a mess since she had realized her uncle had left. She knew what he had left to do and the sickening fears made her gut churn and knot. Today Uncle Ace was challenging her father to a death match. She had no doubts in her uncle's fighting ability, but the anxious part of her worried that her father would perhaps play dirty, have uncle ambushed, or something else ill would happen. The thought of loosing him was driving her crazy. Uncle and Ignis were the closest wolves in her life and she couldn't stand the thought of loosing either of them. So all she could do was pace and anxiously wait for his return, or word of ill news. She had already regretted that she hadn't insisted on coming along, but she wasn't sure how she would feel watching her father die. Honestly she didn't care to ever see the man ever again. He couldn't give her any answers the last time she had seen him so she had decided to completely abandon him and her relationship to him. Even though Acere was her uncle, he was also the father figure in her life. She didn't know how long she had paced, or how much longer she would need to pace until she got any news in any sort. For now her anxious form would continue to pace. speech action

He was returning home. Though he didn't return feeling like he had won a victory. His heart was still heavy, the pain of loss washing over him as he left Elias' still body under the ground. He would give him no sick cannibalistic ritual like the Ruina demons demanded. No burning. No ceremony for his death. Just a hole to lie in, and rot away. Forgotten...as things often were when time went on. He had washed himself clean of his brothers blood before returning to Winterfell, though his stoic demeanor remained. He couldn't deny that taking his brothers life hurt him. And while he thought he didn't have any emotion left for his demonic brother, he wasn't quite prepared with how wrong he'd been. He wouldn't regret his action, however. If anything, he still felt like he had shown Elias mercy by killing him. At least now he wouldn't suffer...and neither would anyone else. As soon as he stepped across the border, his foxes went off to go do some hunting while he headed to his den. Except he didn't quite make it before he caught sight of Actaea pacing around hers. He paused for a moment and watched her. He knew she was worried about him. That he might not return. He quietly walked towards her and stopped a few feet away, but said nothing. He was still wrapped up in his own emotions, and wasn't quite sure what to say right now. He didn't have to say anything though...his presence meant that the deed was done and over with. speech action

She had been wrapped up within her thoughts that she had failed to notice her uncle stopping to watch her for a few moments. She had even failed to hear his approach. It wasn't until she turned and paced towards him did her molten gaze caught the familiar form of her uncle's white fur. She would stop dead in her tracks, eyes roving his form as her healer instinct drove her to do and when she was satisfied that he was unharmed, rushed to him and pressed her dark head into his chest fur. She was relieved that he was back. Relieved that he was in one piece and relieved that he was still alive. Although this also meant that her father was now gone from this world which she was still uncertain how she actually felt about that. It had felt like so long since she had last seen him and the last time she had it was merely brief, leaving him in the dust like he had done to her. Actaea did not speak, but remained buried into her uncles chest as her worries began to melt away. She had no reason to worry now, he was here and he was fine. She inhaled deeply taking in his familiar scent and letting her mind settle fully before she would gently pull back and look to his face. "Are you...... Okay?" her voice was quiet, only for him to hear. She knew both him and her were not the best at speaking about their feelings, but somehow she felt her uncle was troubled even now that everything was finally over. speech action

It was only a matter of a few, short moments before she came up and pressed herself into his chest. He closed his eyes and laid his head over her neck, heart pounding hard against his chest as he stood there in silence. He was still processing things. And despite having come to terms with it after his talk with Heloise on the way, his heart still felt heavy about it. "Are you...... Okay?" Her voice as quiet, but he had no trouble hearing her. Okay was an understatement...he thought he had been ready to do what he did and rid the world of an evil like Elias...only...he hadn't anticipated just how hard it was after the fact. Elias had been his brother. And even though he had done unspeakable things and deserved nothing but death...the loss crushed him like a weight on his shoulders. "I'm...fine," He would say, voice almost a murmur. He had shed tears as he buried Elias in the battlefield. As he thought about the few good memories they had shared. Perhaps they could have had more good memories, but...Acere had brought it to a screeching halt. If only for the sake of saving those in the future that Elias might have harmed. "It was quick and as painless as possible...he's buried in the battlefield now." He cleared his throat, trying to keep the tears that pricked at his eyes at bay as he stepped back to look at her. "I'm sorry...it had to be done." He was trying to convince himself more than anything. And even if he did regret it, it was done. He couldn't go back and undo the past, and wasn't sure he even would if given the chance. speech action