ooc: Set the night after the fight The immediate details following the fight had been a little hazy. He had come around in the middle of Valentine's little speech though had been still struggling to regain his breath and head had been pounding from colliding with the ground upon his collapse. His head was the worst thing now, still aching the bruises and cuts too mild too care about. To be honest it was his pride that hurt the most, he had lost the fight and now he had no idea where his children were. He had tried to nap, the rest was supposed to help his head though he had barely been able to sleep. Normally so defensive of his emotions he couldn't help but feel horribly guilty about the loss. Now his family were trapped and torn apart by the monster that ruled these lands, all because of a stupid mistake on his behalf. He could have won, he was sure but he had let his guard down for a moment in trying to bite Valentine's throat and it had instead cost him the fight. He would stir again, with a sigh shifting to his feet and shuffling to the entrance of the den. When had he gotten so soppy? Caesar had gotten them into this mess technically but he wouldn't fault the boy at all. He worried for him instead, and for Shakespeare and Colette, they were probably both scared. He hadn't been able to see the pair before Valentine had hidden the three kids somewhere, hadn't dared to ask Isolde if she had been allowed to inform them of everything or if they had to hear it from Caesar as the only one that had been present during the whole ordeal.

She had somehow found herself sleeping after the days events, though it was a light slumber, one that didn't leave you fully rested the next morning. She felt herself wake up every time Soliloquy moved, in her head she was hoping that it was one of their babies. As he fully awoke though she couldn't help but falling out of sleep too. She didn't want to think of the days events, losing her children had been one of the most difficult events of her life. Opening her eyes she'd watch as Soliloquy's form rose from her side, she'd never seen him so defeated before. She didn't know why their family had been so disrupted, what had she done that was so terrible? Allowed her son to go where he wished? She wasn't a great mom, but she couldn't deny the love she felt for them. Or the hurt from the separation. She'd find herself following Sol, her muzzle nudging softly at his haunch as she silently asked if he wished her company. ""

There had once been a time that Soliloquy had craved the den to be simply his and Isolde's once more, no squealing, grumbling, pushing and shoving just peace. They had been little pains much of the time but even Soliloquy found that without them the den was oddly empty. He had always suspected he would be a failure as a father, that the kids would hate him and wander off in the very similar manner that he had done to his own mother in fact. This wasn't a willing separation though, they had been taken from him all five of them prisoners now in this stupid pack. He knew Isolde wasn't sleeping too well either, the absence of the pups far too obvious. They were getting bigger, would have been kicked out to make space at some point or another there was no way they would share forever but it would have been a gradual development the family all would have prepared for, not something suddenly thrown upon them. Truth be told there was a part of him tempted to run, not sure what else to do with himself. He was frustrated and there was nothing to take that emotion out on. He hadn't meant to complete disturb Isolde, though he would hear her move now and suddenly feel her at his side as she joined him. He didn't know what he wanted to be honest. Ideally to be free, his family as safe and happy as they had been that morning before the fight. For Valentine to play no part in their lives, for the Range to have still belonged to the Destructions. It sadly wasn't a possibility right now. He'd take a deep breath, though it did nothing for his rising emotions, only prepare him for two simple words. "I'm sorry." He had failed them.

She couldn't help but figure that he was just as if not more confused and lost than she, they didn't have their pups and life had been completely turned upside down. Now more than ever she wished his comfort, and hoped dearly that Othello had gotten out after Valentine's call. She missed the woman even more now. She'd catch Soliloquy's eye and her thoughts of anyone but him would flee. She wasn't sure what to expect from his as he pulled in a deep breath. She wouldn't move for a long moment as he exhaled an apology. He was sorry. Her dark ears would fall to her skull as she moved to sit closer to him. She'd press into his form and push her head under his chin affectionately. "Don't be. You fought bravely." And he had. By a fluke he'd been brought down. ""

Soliloquy was not an emotional man. They would get the better of him at times, expelling themselves in rage, an angry fire of words that were usually directed towards his brother. Scorpion wasn't here to calm him down now though and though it had taken a lot, Soliloquy had been able to let out a genuine emotion, one other than lust or anger. Those two typically had no troubles finding their way into his words and actions, would easily have their message put across. The closest he had ever come to being open with Isolde had been that occasion he had tried to win her back after running off to have fun as Scorpion had advised him. So he had taken the advise a little wrong and gotten himself into trouble though he had explained some of his fears then, albeit in a less stressful environment. Emotions ate at him all the more tonight however, and though Isolde would commend him on his efforts it wouldn't lift his ego or spirits and there was no response at all that would leave him. Even affections would be reserved, no returning nuzzle as she snuggled into him, he sat there still and silent as he stared off into the distance, he had no idea what to do with himself.

She had to admit she hadn't expected much from Sol, but the feeling of him beside her helped ease her woes at least slightly. She had someone to curl up against. Though his stiffness would not go unnoticed either, this had been a huge blow and it seemed like Soliloquy was feeling it more seriously. She would sigh, sliding her form over his chest so she could sit on his other side. She'd lean into him again, not expecting anything back. The tiny girl would utter a sigh. She couldn't say anything to him to make him feel better, and her small features would remain silent. She wasn't sure their family could have been more broken than what it had been the night before, but after their day.. she didn't know if they'd ever have a chance at being whole again. ""

They weren't a picture perfect family. They certainly had their difficulties but they had been together, an effort had been made even by Soliloquy himself. Here he was a man who never thought he would make a decent father and yet had fought for his children, he may have lost but he had tried rather than simply walking away. That fact should have been a pleasant surprise, a twist that none could have really expected and yet he was certainly feeling a little down in the dumps. Isolde would understand he didn't want to talk. Soliloquy had always felt that words were never his strongest point and even now actions would fail him. Isolde would stay by him now though, still press herself against him and comfort him as best as she could. He would give into that contact, relaxing slightly into her touch though no words would be spoken and he still wouldn't look at her, leaving his head resting on top of hers.

She was impressed slightly by their ability to keep their little family together for so long, the both of them were wanderers. Soliloquy and Isolde both had left their parents at an early age what was to say that wouldn't be expected of their offspring? They should have been given the choice though, and even with Sol's daring attempt at protecting them they had still been pulled apart by Valentine's cruel grasp. She was powerless to do anything for Sol or her babies. Her petite chest would take in a breath of air as she let it out in a slow sigh her eyes would fill with tears. She'd never expected how much it would hurt to feel the absence of their offspring. Soliloquy relaxed slightly beside her as she treasured his presence, she'd nuzzle him slightly but would remain silent beside him. They'd failed their children, and now had to face those consequences. ""

It was more the circumstances than anything else that brought the pain to the situation. His ego was wounded and his family had been taken from him, their separation had been decided by a man who had no right to control such factors. He had no plans for how to fix the problems but somehow a solution would have to be reached. Could he perhaps fight him again? Soliloquy wasn't sure if Valentine would bother with that, he had what he wanted after all, though why he sought the need to steal others families was beyond him. Perhaps if he understood the reasons for his actions it might be easier to put an escape plan in motion. Not tonight though, it had been a long day and if wanted any success he had to rest at some point. "I'm going to try sleep." He informed Isolde, nuzzling her head briefly. His own head still hurt to be honest, a decent sleep, if he ever got one would hopefully rid him from the ache. Departing from her side, he'd make his way back into the empty den, maybe that was part of the problem, no matter how dysfunctional it was, this was meant to be a family den, it belonged to the children more than it did him.