how long will it be cute, all this crying in my room

Jay had spent her entire life knowing that her parents were far older than most wolves, and logistically wouldn't be around for most of their lives - so why did losing her mother hurt so badly? Realistically, it was surprising they'd both lived through their childhood and beyond, though due to their relatively sheltered upbringings Jay didn't really feel all that much like an adult. She was, sure, but life in Avalon was just so simple and easy that she hadn't really needed to do a lot of growing up.

Losing her mother felt like ripping off a bandage though, one she hadn't been quite ready for yet.

Visiting her grave felt hard too. Both of her parents had slowed down these last few seasons, and part of her brain seemed to want to keep existing like mom was still around. Just resting, just being reclusive, not actually gone. Maybe that was why she'd even been avoiding her dad, which Jay knew wasn't right but she didn't know how else to be.

Everything just seemed so hard, so gloomy, like her life had these dark grey storm clouds lingering overhead that seemed impossible to shake. She didn't even know how her siblings were faring - at least those that remained. Talking to them was hard. Thinking about how so many of them weren't here any didn't even know what had happened to mom made it all even harder, too. Almost made her feel angry, if she was capable of such an emotion.

Her paws had been moving idly, taking her across The Orchard, her movements aimless and without purpose. Coming across Finch's scent made her slow down, though she moved even more swiftly when she realized her sister was in distress. It was obvious even from a distance, and more apparent as she got closer.

"Finnie - are you okay?"