She always felt sad. No matter what she was doing Poem wasn’t sure she’d be able to smile again. Tears stung her eyes as she restrained them, her thoughts on Motif as she craved her sister’s presence. She couldn’t go to her mom, she was even more sad than Poem. Her aunt Vail’s death was hitting her hard. Poem also missed the she wolf who babysat her and her sister so often when they were young. She felt terrible for her pups, losing their mom, likely to lose their dad right after.

Dark ears fell to her skull as she lowered herself to the rock above the rapids. It was cold today, and cloudy. There was a fierce wind that would have liked to rip Poems fur from her skin. Edgar was grounded beside her, more than once having asked her if they could move somewhere with more cover. Poem hadn't moved all morning. She sighed heavily and placed her head on her paws, the water from the river splashed her lips and toes as her tears froze to her cheeks.

Motif's disappearance also weighed heavy on her mind, as well as how scarce Noir and Verse had made themselves. Perhaps Noir's absence was a blessing, given the current circumstances. He had always been... difficult. Shaye and Rhyme were burdened with responsibility. She had heard whispers that Vail had passed, although she hadn't been as close to the pale woman as Motif and Poem had been. Through it all, Theory still tried to smile. It was so difficult. Like the fire from the thicket still quietly raged in each and every one of them, but it was impossible to put out. So much had happened. Theory had tracked Poem's scent to the rapids. It felt like an eternity since they had last spoken, but logically she knew it hadn't been that long. A few weeks? That was still much too long. She approached quietly, her breath misting on the cold air. "Poem?" Theo said quietly. Her sister seemed caught in a private, internal war. Theory would gladly throw herself into the crossfire. "May I come lie with you?" Alouette alight beside her own brother and shuffled her wings, huddling close to him for warmth. "Speech"

The young Destruction hadn’t seen much of her only brother since the incident, mostly because the boy was on probation and not really allowed around her. Especially alone. It was odd, but not having to see him had made her feel a little better. She still wanted to confront him, wanted to ask him why he’d done it to her. Life hadn’t been easy for the pup even with her parents best efforts. She wanted to smile, but it seemed impossible.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her name on the cold air. She lifted her slate head and looked to see Theo behind her. Dark ears fell to her skull as she turned to welcome her sister beside her. She didn’t smile, but her tail beat against the ground in a slow wag. ”Yes, please.” Poem said as she gestured to the space beside her.

Edgar seemed to relax as his sister snuggled up beside him as well. The raven tried to cheer his mistress, but she was near inconsolable. Hopefully Theo could brighten her spirits. If there was anyone in Abaven who could do it, it was the eternally cheerful Theory.

Theory didn't want to offer something flimsy like words. Poem's sadness was too big for words. Instead, once she received her sister's consent, she padded right up close to her side and settled down next to her. From their close contact, a comforting warmth began to build. This was something real and tangible that she could give to her sister. Their ravens similarly found comfort in each other. Alouette turned her beak towards Edgar, hiding her face beneath her brother's wing. The cold autumn winds buffeted the four of them, but they were stalwart together against the chill. "I'll miss you. When you go to look for her," Theory said quietly, her voice halting and uncertain. The pack would feel empty with Poem and Motif gone. Noir was stonily leashed to Odysseus' side, and Verse seemed to hate her for how close she had become with Shaye. Theory tried not to take her siblings' feelings personally, but it was hard. Everything had gotten so complicated. "But I'll be waiting for you. When you and Motif come home, we'll have a celebration that will last for days." Could Noir and Verse pout through that? Probably. "Speech"

Poem felt good beside her sister, she hadn’t quite realized how cold she was until she had that shared warmth. There were no words spoken about the loss itself. There was no reason for them, Theo’s close presence was enough. She sighed softly into her sister’s side as Theory offered a few words. Poem smiled softly, she was going to miss Abaven and her sister dearly. She tried not to think about Noir much, and felt cut off and rejected by Verse. Theo was the only one she had right now, and it felt comforting to know she would be here waiting for when she returned with her own littermate.

”I’ll miss you too.” She told her honestly, wishing that she could bring her siblings along as well. Poem knew she wouldn’t be able to accompany their father is Theo hadn’t already stepped up and taken place as heir. ”You might want to wait a few days for us to rest first.” She chuckled, the most joyous noise she’d made since before Motif’s disappearance. Poem sighed and lost her smile. ”I still wish I knew why she hadn’t said anything to me before she left.” Poem’s gaze was suddenly lost in the rushing water again.

"It's okay. You can just fall asleep while we all celebrate around you," she joked quietly, nuzzling into Poem's side. They shared a closer bond than she had experienced with her other siblings and she valued the easy comfort and advice she provided. She had no doubt that when the time was right, they would be able to guide Abaven side by side. Part of her longed for that day, as if they could just bypass all the sadness in between. By there was no way to the other side except through. She considered Poem's words. No one really knew what Motif was going through. The past season had been hard on everyone. "I'm sure she wanted to," Theory reassured her. It wasn't like Motif to leave without speaking to her sister - which, of course, prompted sinister thoughts about why she had left without a word. Theory sighed and closed her eyes, focusing on the warmth and familiar scent of Poem beside her. "No matter what, I'll be here. Abaven will be here for you to return to." "Speech"