Novella had felt this pain before, the anguish and depression of losing someone close to you. As much as she had loved poor little Descant however, that pain simply couldn't compare to the ache within her now, the emptiness she moved with and sorrow carried heavy within her heart. It was unbelievable the idea of life without them and it still hadn't fully registered within her. As the Author of Threar she was expected to be responsible, to organise everyone for a funeral to mourn them and yet she couldn't stand the idea. She was going to break, she knew it. She had been the one to find them, curled up together so peacefully she had initially believed they were only sleeping. She couldn't remember how she'd come to the horrid realisation that it was not the case, and that they had gone. In fact much of the time since that discovery had gone past in a fuzzy blur, walking absent mindedly through her own life, sharing the bad news with the family she saw. Frith had helped her, though there was little he could do to help now, even with him at her side he simply wouldn't be able to make the pain of this day go away. Finally plucking up enough courage, a mournful howl would sound now, calling for the pack, the family anyone who had known and cared for Novel and Dutiron.

She was not far from her mother's position and so she arrived promptly to the call. Being the first to arrive, she dipped her head kindly as a greeting before finding an empty space to seat herself. She expected this to be another pack meeting, however she had a feeling it would be something different. The mood was somewhat different than that of a meeting. She was unaware of her grandparents' deaths as she had never met them personally. Their names and appearances she knew of yet in a way they were like strangers. Nevertheless, they were family, and she had shown some respect by showing up to their funeral. "Speech"

He would stand beside her loyally and supportively as she tried to collect her thoughts, obviously taking their deaths very hard. Not that he could blame her. Losing his mother had turned his world upside down, but it had also brought him to his wife. He'd nuzzle her softly as she brought her head back down from the summons. This would be the hardest part he hoped. After goodbye life would go on. It always did and it always would. He'd sigh softly as he sat back on his haunches, watching as Varda quickly found her way to the funeral. Would she realize what was going on? They were still a bit too young to have remembered their grandparents. They were rather young when Novel and Dutiron had grown ill. He would wink silently at his daughter, glad to be able to interact with his family once again, and sad to know that Novel and Dutiron never would again.

Myth had hid, her whole being fearful of the monster woman. She had seen her niece, the black and white girl now permanently scared, one eerie empty socket where her eye ought to have been and rumor spoke of the orange woman’s wrath, plain upon the young Destruction’s face. They had been too slow, her transfer to Thear had not happened in time and so woman had ended up stuck under the tyrannical rule of a woman she feared. A part of her wondered if the orange monster recognized her, if it had registered that once upon a time she had supported a claim for the throne… a time she regretted deeply. So she had kept her head down, ducked for cover whenever pawsteps sounded behind her. Still slowly they had started to trickle away. The dappled villainess didn’t seem too concerned with keeping an eye on her prisoners and more often than not Myth had found herself staring out across the border wondering if she could slip away too. Fear had driven her back from freedom each and every time. Now though? She had known that call, would know it anywhere and it had given her the boost of confidence she needed. One paw at a time she had fled, glancing over her shoulder till she was well beyond sight of the border. Then she had run, concern churning in her stomach as she sprinted for her sister. Finally she would arrive, paws carrying her over Thear’s border with no hesitation. Skidding to a halt she panted, mis-matched eyes roving over the small gathering. Finally she focused her gaze on her sister, her litter mate. "Novella?" She wheezed, concern lacing her tone. Briefly she wondered what sort of picture she painted, no doubt her pelt was unkempt and she hadn’t eaten in some time, stomach starting to recede behind visible ribs.    "Speech"

His mother had been out of sorts as of late. Initially Aslan had feared that perhaps she was getting ill now too, though she didn't separate herself from the family in the way that their father had done and so it seemed that it wasn't the case. Death wasn't something he understood yet, and as his grandparents had spent half of his life cooped up in a den to avoid spreading their illness, he certainly couldn't grasp the fact that he wasn't actually going to see them again. His mother would call now, the same sadness that consumed her lately evident in her voice and the troubled boy would make his way to the gathering, concerned for his mother and still rather confused about all that was happening. Silently he'd join the group, moving to his sister's side and sitting beside her.

Given that he was a rather unsociable fellow most of the time, Sorrel certainly wasn't quite aware of the fact that his grandparents had now gone. Novella had taken over taking them their herbs each day and that meant that unless for some reason she required him to visit them he didn't need to. Of course there wasn't anything he would have been able to do for them even if he had been visiting daily, their bodies had simply given up on them. Of course though for now though the Destruction-Gringoire boy remained oblivious to this fact and as the mournful howl would sound he initially would have no idea why. Did he need to go? He wasn't sure, it didn't sound like a typical meeting howl, for starters it was Destructions in general it called for, not simply the members of Threar. He couldn't really avoid it he decided, he was a part of the family, although it seemed rather reluctantly a majority of the time. And so, with Ellingham flying close by he made his way to the gathering. If the howl had seemed somewhat sad it was nothing in comparison to the feel in the air now, even Sorrel could pick up on the fact that something wasn't right. Only once before had he known this feeling to hover around the family and that had been when Descant died. He was no fool, a sickening feeling in his gut guessed that they'd lost more of the family. Frith was here, Féli was back on his feet and so it left only two logical people. His grandparents. He would say nothing but though he seemed uncaring at times, even Sorrel would pray his thoughts were wrong now.

The sound of Novella's voice alone would bring chills to the young Destruction girl, the way she asked for not only her pack but her family made Rhythm worry. Eagerly she would heed the call, her paws carrying her from Abaven's lands into the heart of Threar. Dark form would come across her family, seated somberly together. Grandmother and Grandfather were so far missing however. She too would feel the dark emotion boil at the pit of her stomach as she drew more near. Ears were folded at her skull as she slowly came to sit near to her aunt. She would sigh softly before reclining to her haunches and awaiting this news Novella called them together for. Simultaneously regretting and anticipating what she had to say. ""

Chord hadn't strayed far from the East as of late, wanting to stay close for those nieces and nephews, not wanting to be an entirely forgotten Uncle. Already he could feel the distance that had grown between himself and his siblings, it hurt but they'd been through so much more together whilst he wandered around. Still he couldn't give up that life though, it was safe to say that the young Destruction had commitment issues to an extent. His family were still important however and as the call for Destructions rang out through the lands, Chord would respond. It was serious, that much he could sense in the tone and the air when he finally arrived wasn't too much better either. It seemed many of the family were still missing, aunts and uncles hadn't yet appeared and even his own siblings hadn't all shown up. Quietly he would move to join Rhythm, affectionately bumping against her shoulder as he seated himself beside her. He wouldn't speak, though it didn't seem right to break this silence.

Legend would follow the sorrowful call that had been let out by his sister. Little did he know, that both his parents had passed. Though, as he arrived he could tell exactly that it had happened. The faces of everyone around, the tension that would pick up and let go, he knew. He hadn't spent... almost any time at all with either of his parents since his return. He had been caught up in hunting, training, and anything else besides staying with his ill parents. Right now he couldn't, but he knew that later he would hate himself for not being there. He went off young, he came back late. There was no need to set out to find his older siblings, he had everything he needed right here. He moved through the crowd trying to be quiet, but looking up at Novella and trying to search her eyes. He needed to hear it, from her, from anyone. He just needed someone to speak. But the look he tried to share with his sister, was not of pain or sorrow. It was of anger and hatred. And only Novella could have known why.  Walk "Talk" Think

ooc: I'll play this like more of the family have shown up then if you want to post them as having been on time you still can. Equally they can be late if you want Novella didn't think she could have gotten through any of this without Frith at her side. Honestly she was in awe of the man, when she had found him she hadn't suspected once that he might have been hiding the pain she was now feeling. He had lost his mother, his only family and she felt had coped far better than she had. He'd been alone initially then dragged back to some pack by a stranger and then put up with a lot of hassle from her family. Not once had he complained through all of that, not once had she seen him crumbling under the pressure. She knew full well it wasn't simply for lack of care, he was a very loving and loyal individual, so much stronger than she still thought she could ever hope to be. Of course he was at her side now as the family began to appear. Her children, nieces and nephews and her siblings. Myth's appearance was enough for her to nearly break down once more. Her poor little sister looked awful as it was and now Novella was going to bring this horrible news to her as well. It only made matters worse as well for Novella to see the state of her sister. She had hoped that Jupiter would be still caring for any member of Ludicael to some degree, prisoner or not. She hadn't seemed such a cruel leader when she had initially ruled the lands but then she had of course destroyed a home for a happy family, and what for? This? To completely break the wolves within it. This was nothing like the Myth she knew and it was all downhill from here. Still she would greet the girl, though she was hurt and filled with guilt, feeling so undeserving of title and family once more. Bass had tried to instil some faith in her, Frith the same but why? How could they call her a good leader when right next door her family was falling to this state? She couldn't watch for too long, though the brief gazes she met from Sorrel and Legend hurt her as well. They knew and she was about to bring that same pain to everyone, about to see so more of her family filled with the sorrowful looks. "I can't. I can't do it." She muttered softly, words only for Frith as she looked back up to her mate. He was there for support only though, this was something that she had to do really and the Author of Threar and daughter of Novel and Dutiron. "Some of you know that my parents, that Novel and Dutiron have been ill." She spoke louder now to address the family, it felt shaky but she hoped came across clear to them all. Perhaps from that simple statement and the overall tone of this gathering they would realise what was happening, all the same she would continue. She couldn't leave their deaths to be guesswork and there was still so much more that had to be said in memory of them. "But as hard as they fought it, they... they didn't win." Her voice was breaking now, she could feel that all too familiar lump within her throat once more and paused as much for herself as she did for everyone else.

The dark pelted man would stand stoically and dutifully beside Novella as the rest of her family and their pack would trickle in to the somber gathering. They were here to say good bye to the Matriarch and Patriarch of the Destruction family, this loss would forever echo through the generations, but life would continue. New generations would take their place, they only had to rely on he and his wife to raise the next one. Ever the confident one Frith was up to the challenge, they would just have to finish mourning first.

She would mumble little words of insecurity to him, and he would nuzzle her softly encouraging her as he always did. This would probably be one of the hardest tasks she would ever find herself completing, as an alpha as well as a Destruction. He would urger her on and shaky words would become offered to the family, he had no doubt every one of them would be reacting similarly to his pale wife. He would lean into her, lowering his head as she offered the news of their departure. He would pull her closer as she finished, offering his shoulder once more to cry on.

Novella could not know that Myth’s condition was more stress and self-inflicted than purely the orange woman’s doing. Those that had remained with the pack lands were doing much better than she was, though the lands were eerily silent as they silently agreed to avoid contact with the woman who no doubt prowled the lands watching them all. The normally energetic woman kept her head down, lifting it only a few times. Once to fix Legend with a pitiful stare, her brother seemed to have a grasp of what was happening and as she once more lowered her gaze the thoughts began to pour in. Wolves shifted around her, waiting. And already her mind was jumping to conclusions. Her parents weren’t here… Her parents weren’t here! Dread filled her up even before her sister began to speak. For a moment the fragil woman sat there, numb as Novella words poured over her, soaking in. Then a wail broke the silence, her legs seemed to collapse beneath her and she crumbled into a pathetic sobbing bundle. The whining grew louder with each breath, no words just sounds of grief. No, no no! Repeated over and over in her head. It was all so unfair. She had wanted to be there! She head wanted too look out for them but then the world had crashed down around her! Everything was wrong! Her parents had died and where had she been during their last few months of life? Hiding like a pup, too scared of a monster no one seemed able to banish! She should have been there!    "Speech"

 

It wasn't enough for him, she didn't say enough. Maybe it never would be enough... Instantly, Legend shut his eyes tight for what felt like days to him, though it wasn't even a minute. Hoping that when they would open again... He would wake from the nightmare. But when his sapphire optics opened slightly, they flashed around at the faces around him. They looked to his nephews and neices... To the family he held here... And finally, to Novella once again.  He fought back tears that would never come, but his expression had fled them all out.  Without another thought, he pushed through the last remaining wolves in front of him and came inches away from his sister who held the spotlight. It wasn't really "professional" or whatever you want to call it... But hell with that. Who cared. He looked to her and then dropped his head, offering himself as a shoulder to cry on... Or maybe he just really needed hers. Their parents had passed... It was all real; this was no dream. And only later would Legend see the light in it. His parents died side by side... Together... To love someone that much must be... Heartbreaking. Walk "Talk" Think

The illness was no secret. Frith too had been plagued by it for some time much to Aslan's displeasure. For a while it'd had almost seemed like a horrible game 'guess who'll get ill next' and it seemed none of them were quite able to shake the dreaded thing. He'd been hopeful that it was all over when his father had returned, though apparently mistaken. His brow would furrow into a soft frown, not quite able to fathom it still. Death was new to the young boy, and he could quite piece together what this lost battle truly meant. All he knew was it was bad, around him now those that did understand were falling to pieces, evidently something very bad had happened.

Her head drooped, eyes staring at her paws. She shuffled closer to her brother. It didn't comfort her knowing how her grandparents had passed away. Judging by the way her family acted, Novel and Dutiron the first had to be important Destructions. Startled, she stared at the woman who had broken into sobs and collapsed onto the ground with shaking legs. The girl pondered the thought. Should she cry? It was a sad event, farewelling deceased family. However, she never knew them, so was she allowed to cry? The longer she thought, the harder it was for her to swallow. If there was such a feeling, her heart felt achingly heavy. "Speech"