rise again

Luce had never liked crowds, but it was hard to deny the fact that this was a gathering of Kleins, and thus demanded her presence. The summer hadn't been kind to her - her eyes were still reddened, as the change of the season was still new. She was looking forward to cooler months.

The thin Klein skirted the edges of the gathering, shiftily taking stock. This land had been properly claimed by Deathbelle, and although she was glad for it, she was still hesitant to rejoice. There would be time for celebrating after they had truly settled in. Lucretia had been travelling alone for a long time now, always avoiding the stink of rancid death. It would certainly be an adjustment to settle in to pack life - didn't they know to live in such close quarters was breeding grounds for disease and communicable illness? They would never survive without her help.

Spotting Deathbelle at the center of the crowd, Luce made an unceremonious beeline to her older sister's side. There had never been any "half" in her eyes. The way Belle carried herself was Klein down through the bone and into her bloodstream, and Luce had nothing but respect for her. Like a ghost, she appeared at Belle's side and muttered, "You'll need me." And it was true. If this pack had any hope of being healthy, Luce's expertise was required.