The bright colored same had long since went on forgotten. Her son had left her. Blaise had gone as well, mad because she had not looked fo help. Even alois had left, looking for more than she now could give. She staggered from her den's clearing again. Her ribs could be counted easily from her outline, her hips stuck out just as much. She was destroyed the moment her life had started to fall apart. Beyond all help. Torin had been her light and now she was forgotten. She didnt know where she headed, just that it was slow and before she knew it she came to a stop before Torin's den. Her ears pressed. She was so cold. She was so alone. But she could hear him sleeping inside with others. She best not disturb him then. She turned and started toward another direction, stumbling with a huff of air. She was slow to correct herself but she moved again. This time she moved towards the scariest man she knew, yet he'd been a father figure even if he had never accepted her. She'd never been close to him but at least he might be awake at this ungodly hour. The walk was slow and she moved towards the den only to falter, her balance not the greatest now. She fell with an oof and this time she layed there. It was cold, her body shivering. Her gaze was glassy as she watched the den's entrance. Maybe she should sleep here for the night.... and move before Zell ever knew anything about her being there. She let out a sigh as she closed her eyes. Sleep sounded great right now. Walk, "Talk" Think

Things had been relatively...not so quiet lately what with all the new pups about. He was proud of his son for his accomplishments, and even more so when he brought children into the world. Zell was a grandfather now, and he enjoyed spending time with them. He was in his den tonight to avoid the cold night. As he got older, his bones ached more. While he didn't like to admit it, he knew he was old now and all there was left for him to do was accept it and train the younger generation. He hadn't done any training in a while, and with fresh young minds who seemed to all have the drive to actually learn, perhaps this was the turning point in his life. While his trips to the battlefield were less frequent, at least here he could still practice and work himself if he decided to do so. A muffled shuffling sound came from outside his den, causing the elder to perk up. Was it one of the pups coming to seek him out? A quick scent of the air told him it wasn't, and instead, it was the scent of someone he hadn't seen in a while nor expected to see let alone so close to his quarters. For so long he had his misgivings about the woman. Mostly for her irresponsibility and her lack of ambition and common sense. She never really seemed to want to do anything but cause trouble in some fashion, but as he got older he decided some time ago it wasn't his problem let alone holding onto resentment. Her problems were her own. Her troubles were her own. She had paid heavy prices for her choices. Rising to aching legs, Zell stepped out of his den to find Jewell lying a few feet away in the cold. It was dark out, and he was puzzled as to why she was here of all places so late. "Jewell, what are you doing out here?" He questioned though for once, his voice wasn't unkind. He sighed as he looked over her now frail form, "Come into my den where it's warmer. You're going to catch your death out here." He said. Softly this time. "Talk"

Sleep was sounding so good right now. Even though she was cold she felt like sleep would make it better. Sleep used to always make everything better. Though lately it didn't make the aches of her heart better. Blaise was gone, as was every one of her children. They were old enough now though that they could be safe in the world. Even if their pack had never found the one who fathered them they would be safe. Torin had forgot her existence long ago as had all of the pack. They wouldnt miss her, she knew. A voice, harsh but softer than she remembered roused her slightly. It was so far off. Zell sounded like he was underwater. He'd get no answer right now though. She'd been silent in the pack, only doing what she needed to do to do her own part, staying out of the way. Was he happy that she stayed out of the way? That she stayed inside the borders after her incident? That she stopped playing miniature faite? He must have hated her for so long now. Why though? His voice came back softer. Her dual toned eyes opening, the haze over them revealed alot about her current condition. "My chest hurts...." her voice was so soft and defeated. She'd never recovered from the death of naeva. She'd never recovered from her rape. She was broken in many ways. Even though he had never adopted her like faite had, he was the only one she knew to look towards now without Faite here. That's where her heart had began hurting. When faite abandoned them all. She'd been left without a parent again and no one had stepped up to fill that void in her life. She worked her way to her feet once more, wobbly as she was. She was told to go inside, she needed to move to keep from angering zell then. Only a few short steps towards the den and she was on the ground again. The edges of her vision were dark. Her breathing was ragged. She rearranged herself to be comfortable once more. "Don't tell Torin......" she was out of energy. Out of the will to move anymore. "Sorry da-zell...." she turned her eyes towards the wine marked male. She corrected herself, her hazed mind forgetting for the moment that he didnt like, nor want her. He'd be mad at her she knew. But for some reason she just didnt have the energy to care. She slowly lowered her eyes and let a sigh leave her as she slipped further into unconsciousness. It wasnt but a few minutes and her breathing halted, her body still and cold. Her mind was silent and body relaxed. -exit via death- Walk, "Talk" Think

His voice seemed to rouse her, keeping her from drifting off. Though he wouldn't admit it, he was worried about her. If Zell was anything, he was incredibly prideful and stubborn. It was hard for him to show anything other than a firm hand. That was how he showed he cared. Being hard on others. Though he knew that not everyone saw it that way...after the loss of his family. His mother, his father, his littermates...he had grown a stony exterior. And then after Faite abandoned him and the kids, and one by one his own kids disappearing or growing distant...well, it was safe to say he didn't know how to handle all of that. Only recently he and Torin and Kairi had mended their relationships. But...he had left out Jewell. He wasn't sure whether that had been on purpose or not. More than likely he felt like things between them had been far too gone to be able to fix. He resented her for a long, long time. All because of Faite. And did Jewell deserve any of that? No. He knew she didn't. In fact, maybe if he had been there for her a lot sooner, she would have been able to make it. Maybe he could have kept her from making bad choices. "My chest hurts..." His attention turned to her, the male sighing as he stepped closer. "Come into my den, please. I can help you in there," He would say again. He moved to help nudge her onto her feet, slowly walking by her side as she tried to make it to his den. Only she didn't quite make it, and instead she had only been able to make it a few short feet before collapsing at the entrance. Her voice was weak. Everything about her was frail and tired looking. He looked at her with sad blue eyes, the old man kicking himself for not making amends much, much sooner. But...it wasn't too late, was it? "Don't tell Torin..." He nodded at her request as he moved to her side, the old man uncharacteristically getting to his knees to lie down beside her. When he touched her, she felt cold. Her breathing was off, and she looked more unwell then he had ever seen her before. Despite her age, she looked like no more than a child all over again. "Ssshh, rest. I'm here," He tried to reassure her. "Sorry da-Zell..." He felt his throat tighten. His heart squeeze. He held her gaze for as long as she was able. The pale man gently rested his head over her shoulders as he curled up against her in an effort to keep her warm. "It's alright, Jewell..." He murmured. He breathed in a heavy sigh, knowing she likely didn't have long anymore..."I'm...sorry, for the way I treated you over the years. I should have been there for you..." He felt his throat tightening with emotion as he spoke. The feeling threatening to choke him. "You didn't deserve the way I treated you...nothing I say or do will ever fix how I was towards you, and I am truly, truly sorry..." If there was one thing he could do for her...was what he was doing now in this moment. Being there when nobody else was. And..."Please forgive me, Jewell Valentine." Perhaps that last act wouldn't matter. Or maybe it would matter to her in her last moments. Despite his constant pushing her away, he clearly regretted it all...and the only way he thought to try and make up for it all, was here and now. Giving her his last name and making her a part of his family. Making her his daughter. There was so much he wanted to say. Not just because he realized he had run out of time to say them, but because it had been long overdue. "I want you to know that it was never your fault...you were not at fault. I blamed you for so many things, but...it was unfair of me. No amount of apologies will undo the past, but I want you to know that...I love you like a daughter. You are my daughter...you always have been...I...I'm sorry that I failed you..." He closed his own eyes then. Moments passed before it felt like the world had gone deathly quiet. He opened his eyes, and suddenly he felt like things had changed in the blink of an eye. He didn't move from his position around her, but...he knew she had stopped breathing. The lump in his throat swelled up and he found himself crying silent tears. He didn't know if she had heard any of what he said or if he had been far too late...he could feel like he lost a piece of him just now...and mentally, he hated himself for taking so long to try and make amends. And now...it was too late. She asked him not to tell Torin. He likely wouldn't because the chances of Torin finding them in the morning were far from slim. He would remain with her through the night. It was the last thing he could offer her... "Talk"

Timeskip allowed by Dragon

I've learned to slam on the break before I even turn the key, before I make the mistake, before I lead with the worst of me. Torin slept through that night, unawares of the tragedy that would await him once the sun started it's slow ascent. Slowly Torin would extracate himself from his mate and the pile of puppies that were his sleeping children. The man would pull himself out into the early morning, stretching and yawning. A dull scent reached him and Torin finished shaking his pelt out and allowed his mind to start working on the smell. He frowned slightly as he realized it was the scent of his sister. Had Jewell tried to visit him last night? His frown deepening Torin started to follow his sister's trail, curious as it lead towards his father's den, wondering what could have drawn her towards the man she was most afraid of. He spotted the telltale colors of his sister and his father. He picked up his pace fearing the worst. Though nothing could prepare him for what he'd find, his father curled around Jewell's form. "Dad?" He asked tentativley, unsure what could ever draw his father to hold his adoptive sister so tenderly. "Jewell?" He settled onto his haunches at the side of his sister where his father wasn't blocking her. He tentatively reached out his muzzle to nose at her and was alarmed to find his sister long since cold and he stared wide eyed for a moment, his mind not comprehending what he was observing. Finally he moved forwards, falling more than anything, his face pushing into his sister's fur and a rattling breath finally escaped him as the reality of what he'd stumbled upon settled onto him. He wasn't crying, not yet, simply feeling the familiar numbness of grief settling over him. "Silent treatment" & Deep thoughts

Image by Lynx!