The glow of the rising sun spilled across the vale, casting warm light upon the somber preparations. The young Morningstar knelt in the center of their temporary camp, surrounded by the tools of his craft. A small clay pot simmered gently over a fire, its fragrant steam carrying the earthy notes of the herbal tea he was brewing. The psychedelic blend, a delicate mixture of elderflower, chamomile, mugwort, and psilocybin mushrooms was meant to guide the mourners into a state of reflection, connecting them to Vayne's spirit and the Summerlands.

His jaws gently reached for a bundle of dried herbs, their scents mingling with the smoke curling from the fire. "Lavender for peace," he murmured to himself, sprinkling the blossoms into the fire. "Rosemary for memory." He added those to the fire as well, adding to the aroma before he lifted the lid of the pot with deft paws, watching the colors swirl together, his mind heavy with thoughts of his brother.

Behind him stood a crafted statue, a life-sized effigy made to honor Vayne in place of his body. Though it's frame was simple (wooden and bound with twine) it bore a striking likeness to the departed. Even the spotting of his coat had been etched into the wood; Oath had spent hours adorning it, layering moss and intricate patterns with vines and flowers.

Now, he added the final touches. He knelt before the effigy, carefully affixing a carved wooden mask where the face would be. The mask bore etchings of the Judilian runes, representing Vayne's virtues and his connection to their shared faith. With steady paws, Oath secured a garland of marigolds around the effigy's shoulders, their bright orange petals standing out like tiny flames against the muted tones of the wood and vines.

As he worked, Oath's voice rose softly in a song, a hymn to the Summerlands that carried his hope that Vayne's spirit had found peace despite his body being unable to return to the earth. The melody wove through the air, blending with the crackle of the fire and the faint rustle of leaves.

"Cudros, shepherd of souls,
Guide the wayward to the light.
Through the veil, where shadows fall,
Lead them to the Summer bright.
In your wings, a peace profound,
In your gaze, rebirth is found.
Cudros, keeper of life's thread,
Bless the spirit of our dead."

This moment of preparation was as much for Oath's own heart as it was for the others who would gather to mourn.

"Speech"

Oath Morningstar

CODE BY SIN

Fairytale stood there for a few minutes, knowing that everyone was busy with Vayne’s funeral. Sure, the pale woman didn’t understand what had completely happened, no one really spoke about it as of late, and it had taken a toll upon Atreyu and everyone it seemed. What if the others worried that the band couldn’t keep them safe no more? It was a thought that often played in Fairytale’s thoughts, something that was and never would be true. She known or hoped that she known Atreyu well enough that she would put her life in the line of danger to protect those around her. It was a trying time today and the past couple of months have been for the entire band. The family made a heavy loss, and with that Fairy had worried for them all. Not only herself but all of them. The yearling had been gathering herbs and flowers, ones she known would help Vayne’s spirit find his way.

Death came with life a delicate balance between the love he offered and guidance. Sure, he was quiet, but that’s who she had come to know as Vayne. The silent shadow who was always alert and watching with a careful eye. She smiled when she had meant Atreyu and Oath’s brother, although he seemed a little off with Atreyu taking in the young woman. And then Oath, her gentle loving Morningstar boyfriend whom she adored with everything. Vayne was so careful with his family, and the love he showed them. It was unbelievable.

Allowing herself to advance closer to the group of family members, her pink pools landing upon that of the familiar figure of Oath, a smile creeped along her maw. Soon his voice echoed out, mixing together with the crackling fire and the rustle of leaves that scattered along the ground. She spoke silently into the fire while her eyes glanced towards the statue that the family had made in memory of their fallen brother.

She listened without words as she moved closer to Oath after placing her flowers near her paws, allowing her head to rub against Oaths shoulder. Trying to help ease the pain.

"Speech"

CODE BY SIN

Petra had been suffering the usual nightmares and flashbacks of her painful start in life, where she was disfigured and almost killed by the very demons that threatened with bring Judila down, yet with these last survivors escaping, Judila wasn't fully gone. The spark of their people was still alive, an spark that was now theirs to keep alive.

Yet death was still around, and to her beloved brother it had reached. She had been feeling empty, and that old sensation of failure was lingering deeply in her chest and soul.

She had hunted a doe, wanting to bring food for the funeral and to use it as her own offering to her departed sibling. Dragging it with her she arrived, finding Oath and Fairytale already there. Pain dug in her heart by the expressions of sadness in their faces. Her own expression cracking, her remaining eye tearing up as she placed her offering there in a flat rock.

"Petra Morningstar"

I will not bow, I will not break;
She still couldn't believe her brother was gone, she had failed to protect him from their most dangerous adversary yet. The giant worm had eaten him with a sickening fervor, the sounds it made as it had devoured Vayne had twisted her stomach and scarred her mind to the point that she would vomit if she did think on it for too long. She blamed herself for not stopping him in time, for not protecting him, for not throwing herself in front of him. Atreyu didn't understand why it had to be her brother to go, after all they had lost you would think the gods would take a bit of pity out on the Morningstar clan. He hadn't even made it to his second birthday! She found herself full of anger at Kiska and Cudros, for it must have been their plan and their worm that took her brother. Spotted tail lashed behind her as she made her way to where she could hear Oath's voice coming from, carrying her own collection of marijuana and psychedelics they could use to aid them on their walks. Each of them would probably want to take part in a walk with their brother, he would surely be busy tonight.

Jars clinking in her satchel as she lay it at Oath's paws, taking up the other side of him and offering a sad smile to Fairytale as she tried to help comfort Oath. Repeating the verse her colorful brother sang, Atreyu's voice rose and ebbed with a comforting sort of warmth to it, though the tones would bring a tear to anyone's eyes. Her song wasn't only for Vayne, but for all of the ancestors and the ones they had lost last year. She ran out of words, only able to howl sadly and softly to the statue that represented her downed brother. She looked over as movement caught her holographic eyes, catching sight of Petra as she brought the doe in. Moving to help her sister, Atreyu then makes her way to sit beside Petra and leans in to press her shoulder to her spotted sister's in support. They had all lost something, but they had gained something in the process. Vayne had left behind the impression of his personality. His quiet security, the way he looked after everyone...It was a sore loss they suffered, but Atreyu knew now she had to hone the skills of her band. Vayne's death would not be in vain, not while she had breath in her lungs.

"Talk." || Think || 'Hear.'

code by bird, art by resin