Set just after funeral: The turned earth was hard to look at. She should have been here. She should have been the one to stay. She would have done a better job of holding the Armada together, of being there for their children. He hated the swath of emotions sloshing about inside of him. Sick to his stomach, and heart-sore, he turned to his kids. Once the funeral had ended, he had sent the pack on their way, so the direct family of Zee and Azure could have a moment together. Sirius was the one who had always grabbed up the kids for bone-crunching cuddles at the drop of a hate, but emotional speeches? He could have used her guidance. “Does anybody have any words they would like to say about Zee?” he asked, forcing his voice to be strong enough to reach about the wolves before him. He stood at a loose ready stance before the overturned earth, prepared to pull any wolf that requested into a hug. "Speech"

Briar sat and watched the other wolves that had gathered for the funeral begin to filter away, feeling confused and numb. She wasn't sure what she was supposed to be feeling, but she was pretty sure this wasn't it. She looked at the mound of over turned dirt that now hid the horrific looking burned bones and was mostly just glad that she didn't have to look at them any more. Maybe it was because it hadn't looked at all like their bodies that it didn't seem real. Would she have had more of a reaction if she had actually seen her mother and brother laying there, motionless? Maybe so. But she'd never know because they were gone and this was all that was left of them. She pulled her gaze up to her father when he spoke, asking if they had anything they wanted to say about their mother. Her ears flicked uncertainly. What was there to even say? Nothing felt right. The talkative girl was all talked out. She thought about how she had comforted Artorias, how when words had failed her she had resorted to hugs and holding him. That felt more right. Getting up, she crossed the short distance between herself and her father, leaning into him quietly. As long as she still had him she knew everything would be okay. He always made things better, always knew the answers. "I miss her," she said softly and truthfully. Even though it still hadn't fully set in that this was real, she knew she'd miss her mother's presence in their den and around the pack. She shouldn't be gone, it didn't make sense that she was gone. "Briar" | "Marigold"

Indigo wasn’t sure what to feel or think, he was both filled and empty at the same time. He felt so relieved to be home again inside the Armada borders. Knowing his mother and brother were gone stripped him of any warmth and he leaned into Aslatiel for comfort. Numbness had taken hold and shock held him as the earth was opened up to swallow the remains of their loved ones. Again and again he saw the scene in his mind of his mother affectionately calling him her perfect flower.

When Sirius spoke again is when the tears truly fell. He cried for his mother, his brother, his grandmother, and even though she had been gone longer, for Rue. All of the loss he sustained. Iolaire, Meadow, the end of his childhood. Briar spoke up even more softly, her sentiments an echo of Indy’s own. Like his father he wasn’t sure that he could make himself utter any kind of speech beyond what his younger sister had said. All he knew was the hurt inside.