cheerful as an empty handed search party

Void shifted slightly as Gloom pressed against him. He held her against him, placing a forelead in front of her chest and shielding her body from the world with his own. She was scared and fearful, much like she had been before they left. He’d seen a glimpse of what she could truly look like, but she started to revert as soon as he introduced Plague. That guilt hung heaviest on his heart after returning to Abaven without anything to show for their time away. Spirit rounded out the trio, leaning into Gloom as well, both brothers were there for their frail sister.

They weren’t left to wait for very long, Theory’s dark form appeared on the border with no haste. She could read the room plainly, and yet she still asked after the results of their quest. Void averted his gaze momentarily, still struck by the reality of it all now that he had to say it. The man had to admit his failure when he had only been barely acknowledging the fact. Eulogy and Poltergeist were likely long dead and their efforts were wasted from the start.

When he looked back to his cousin Void’s eyes widened as he caught movement over the alpha’s shoulder. For a moment he didn’t believe his eyes, but she couldn’t have been anyone else. Poltergeist lived. As soon as she saw them she fell to the mud, Theory was forgotten as he nuzzled Glom carefully and pulled away from her to join with his long lost sister. ”Poltergeist,” he spoke her name softly, they hadn’t seen each other since childhood. ”Poltergeist.” All of their time away and she had just returned to their doorstep. Tears welled in his eyes, but Void resisted grabbing her right then and there. Instead he put a relatively clean paw to her shoulder, uncertain she would accept his touch.