Waiting sucked. Chord may not have exactly been the most patient individual at times, he wanted answers now though and surely they were completely and utterly justified. Rhythm had been stolen away, forced to follow the masked villain to Imperium and Bass too had fled the scene telling he and Motif he would sort it all out. Well that was simply the most ridiculous thing ever. He was bleeding and broken and they weren't allowed to follow? Not prepared to let his brother boss him around in such a stupid plan Chord had been tempted to follow though instead Motif had calmed him, filled him in on what details she could and they had travelled back to Abaven to wait. Or so had been the plan anyway. Chord was disgusted. Was this really how this Valentine fellow got his ya-yas? By stealing away the hearts of innocent girls, then sending his minions off to challenge and take them away from the family that loved her? No Bass didn't get to be the only protective big brother shouting at the man. He may have had no big fancy title to join in the little alpha's meeting but screw it. He was going to try do his bit anyway. Of course he was too late. By the time he neared the bloodied grounds upon the borders of Imperium he knew that Bass had left the lands though Rhythm had not. Motif had been here though, knowing the little short cut to the lands apparently whereas he'd needed to retrace the original trails of Bass, Rhythm and Hati to find the pack he'd never visited or even heard of before this mess. He preferred those days. Determined to get answers for himself now rather chase after Motif and Bass again he would finally stop at just shy of the border and let out a call for his sister and wait. Hopefully she would be allowed to answer, he wasn't quite sure what his plan would be otherwise.

Valentine had just left her, something she hadn't really anticipated to be as hard as it was. Her temporary den was cold and uninviting compared to the den she'd originally planned on sleeping in that night. Not that there would have been many places where she would have felt comfortable. She'd never felt a pain like the one that was sitting in her heart, nor had she expected to lose everything. Her family was gone. Bass was the one to take them away, his banishment had cut her far deeper than she even realized. As the girl curled up to try and fall asleep she'd crave the feeling of Motif beside her. As she lay there the girl had no chance of drifting into dreamland and she knew it. The call of Chord was a welcome one, though she still had no desire to tell him why she was here and not in Abaven. Surely he would understand better than Bass though. Still she wanted to forget all of the previous night that had happened. She wanted to take everything back and just go back and lay down with her sister. That wasn't going to be happening though. Her whole body felt numb and useless, her eyes were red from the impossible amount of tears she'd cried. Her head was pounding as she lifted herself to her paws and exited the den. The feeling of loneliness that had taken hold of her was enough for her to have a quickness in her step. Chord was a connection she still had to her siblings. She'd barely manage a hint of a smile as she trotted up to her brother, free of companionship for now. She couldn't help herself as she fell into Chord's chest and felt herself start to cry again. She'd bury her face into his neck and sob quietly. She didn't know how much he might have known but it would be a moment before she could catch her breath again. ""

Though he had waited so long already, now the time only continued to drag on torturing him further as vivid imagination wondered on a wild plain of unfinished thoughts of various explanations and possibilities for everything that had happened. It felt like forever but at last the dark figure of his sister would appear at the borders. It seemed there was no prison guard or anything watching over her, she at least had some freedom left whatever had happened. She didn't look great though. Physically of course she was unharmed, but very clearly there was some sort of emotional hurt, though she tried to smile there was no fooling him, her eyes telling the truth and her breakdown as she finally came to a stop before him, burying herself wordlessly into his fur. Though he had many questions, had a fire of annoyance building within him he'd let all of that drift away for now as he simply lowered his muzzle to comfort her. He stood there in silence for a few moments, hoping that perhaps she would begin to calm the flow of tears "Seriously Rhythm, what have you done?" He would repeat the question he had asked her upon arriving at the fight, a small grin finding its way forced upon his features. Of course he knew the basic outline of it all now, a quick summary having been granted to him from his sisters it asked the question again now as an attempt at humour, hoping to see that small smile return to her face.

The silence would blissfuly surround the pair as Rhythm's quiet crying could be heard as she clung to her brother's side. Obviously she was not going to escape his questions, and his still unanswered one would ring around them as he tried to lighten the mood. Her lips would curl back partially, nothing compared to what her smile could have been. She'd try to dry her tears, taking in a few breaths the girl would release Chord from her hold. She'd swallow back her tears as she tried to find his gaze. "I started dating the alpha of Imperium." She'd answer, and really that moment had been the start of all this heartache. She wouldn't say she regretted her time with Valentine, she treasured it. So much so she'd been easily persuaded to stay with him. She tried to find the same humored tone he used, but it didn't really sound right in her throat. "One of his underlings sent Hati, the masked wolf, to fetch me so she could 'prove' to Valentine -the alpha i was talking about- that he wanted me here." She'd sigh and simultaneously blink back her tears. "I was going to come back, but then Valen asked me to stay here." She'd get out her story, "I didn't ever realize that Bass would banish me for that decision." She'd look away from her brother as the tears started running easily again. It hurt so bad to know she'd lost them so completely, and in return she was given a cold and lonely den. ""

Dating. All this courtship and marriage stuff still seemed so strange to the boy. He was unable to settle down himself it seemed in any part of his life and yet all around him his siblings constantly found ways to prove that they were truly the more mature members of the litter. Though some light hearted moments were certainly needed however, he wouldn't seek to tease her at all about this relationship that had begun. She was still struggling to keep her composure and he feared any interruption might just mean it took longer to get the full details out of her. Rhythm would manage to explain, though the words would leave the boy completely stunned. He could certainly understand this not wanting to stay in Abaven, as much as he loved his siblings his own life just needed him to adventure. Evidently some part of Rhythm had found a similar need, it was still rather strange to think that the thing tearing her away from them was a man but he wouldn't question that part, nor would he question Valentine's questionable choice of followers. It was the comment about Bass that would really stun him. "Bass banished you?" It seemed unbelievable and yet here was his hurt sister proof that something evidently wasn't right in the world.

She would really try to rid herself of the tears this time, but she felt so soft and vulnerable. Never in her life had she felt so completely broken and filled with regret. Rhythm had never expected this to be the outcome, even if Cascade had not interfered she had few doubts that she would have found her way here. She'd almost forgotten that Bass had told her if she'd asked before the fight he would have given her his blessing. Why hadn't she stopped the fight and just gone with the masked man? Because she had the utmost confidence that her brother was going to beat the challenger. But no. She'd but Bass in harms way. Again she'd fall deeper into the pit that was her despair. She'd single handedly tore her family apart. Chord's question brought her out of her thoughts for a moment, enough to startle her tears away. Rhythm's tired gaze looked back to him, this was the hardest truth to accept. "Yes," She'd whisper in complete defeat. ""

He could understand that Bass was probably upset to lose another sibling from his watchful gaze. Chord had no idea just how heavily Bass tended to allow mistakes to weigh upon him, that this would be eating him terribly instead was still stunned by the revelation that even for a moment he had not wanted Rhythm near Abaven again. Chord came and went all the time, had never once shown any signs of wanting to stay put with them but Bass had never told him to clear off and stay away. Each trip to Abaven he had been welcomed with open arms and friendly greetings. This was just wrong. Once more he'd reach out to comfort his sister once more, not completely certain what to say. He couldn't believe that this would be a permanent thing, but then of course he never thought Bass was the banishing kind when it came to family, none of the Destructions seemed to be. "It'll be alright." It just had to be. This whole thing would blow over, there would be a happy ending to it all.

Chord would offer her more comfort, exactly what she needed really. She just needed assurance, to know that she still had some family. Chord hadn't seen Bass earlier, didn't see the hurt and pain she caused. Nor did he hear the words that were cast over her. This wasn't going away. Still as he held her she'd feel the familiar sense of 'numb' take over. She wouldn't feel any of the pain, but she could hardly think anything would turn out okay. "I don't know Chord." She'd admit, the uncertainty evident in that one word. She certainly didn't feel as whole as she had just a few hours ago, the missing part of her didn't feel like it was replaceable. Though her emotions would fade she still felt the tears dripping down her chocolatey fur. "I don't know if it ever will be." Even if they made up somehow, the wound was deep. ""

Perhaps it would have been slightly different if he had heard all that Bass had said and seen the similar emotion pain tearing at his brother but right now he refused to believe that this damage to the family would be anything more than temporary. Bass would soon see things in a different light surely? This would all be forgiven and forgotten. Rhythm wasn't quite so convinced however it seemed. "It will be. It has to be." Of course this wasn't one of those stories he'd heard as a kid, life didn't always get the same happy ending but that didn't matter to him. He knew his family, they would all make up. "I'll talk to him." Chord promised, right now he'd remain here for as long as Rhythm wanted his company but as soon as she wished to return to isolation or Valentine whichever was preferred he would march right back to Abaven and try and calm his brother down.

Chord wouldn't give up, and maybe that would help her see a little more clearly. Still she felt as all of this was her fault, and that didn't take back what her brother had said to her. He was through with her. She'd lean into Chord's touch, she'd never been so thankful for physical comfort before. Maybe she really could feel a spark of hope envelope her broken heart. "It will be. It has to be." She'd sigh, calming slowly, as she thought of one of the stories their grandparents had told them as pups. It had been such a simpler time. Perfect in all aspects. Her pale brother would assure her that he would speak to Bass, hopefully it would do more good than harm. She just wanted to sit there with him forever, but there was another sibling that needed her ear no matter how much she wished she didn't have to tell her. Motif's impossibly sad call would reach her ears, and the hardest part would begin. "She's seen Bass already." Motif knew the truth, and surely she wanted to do just as Bass had. "I love you, Chord." She'd whisper before leaving his side, her form lifting to seek the side of their sister. ""

It was almost as if Motif had heard his plan and chosen that perfect moment to give him a reason to implement it, her howl ringing out across the lands. He wasn't quite sure he was ready to let Rhythm go, she clearly needed a bit more support but of course she had to go. He was tempted to go with her, but perhaps it was better to get back to Bass first. "I'll come see you again soon. He promised her. Whatever happened with Bass he would come back to Rhythm again, let her know and of course find out if he had to try and reason with Motif as well. "Don't get so mushy." He teased, forzing another smile upon his features, though it was certainly quite the challenge given Rhythm's state. "I love you too." He would add the words anyway, she probably needed to hear them right now. And with a goodbye, the siblings would part ways, Chord setting his path back to Abaven now.