The message had arrived only a few days prior. In some ways Gloom had known it would only be a matter of time... Her mother was not young. But that didn't make the blow any softer. There wasn't much they could do from the sounds of it, her mother's infirmity was as much age as it was anything else and there was no curing that. It had taken a day to get their things in order, at first Gloom hadn't intended to bring Audra but she'd been able to realize that she wasn't strong enough to handle what was about to be a very emotional trip on her own. Not that she'd be alone, her family would be there of course but how would she manage the journey back on her own? She wouldn't and Gloom knew that. It had taken a day of travel too. But they had arrived, and after brief formalities at the border, Venom was no longer the empress so it had taken a bit of explanation, but now they were approaching where they'd been told they could likely find Eulogy. Gloom felt her stomach flipping deep within the pit of her abdomen where it had fallen and stayed since the news. She wanted to say something, wanted to break the silence that felt too heavy but she didn't have any words to speak. What would she say? That she was glad Audra had come with? She was but Gloom was also pretty sure she couldn't have stopped her if she tried. That she was terrified? That would be obvious from the tears she'd already shed in front of Audra. What words would there ever be that could express the complexity of grief? Gloom forced herself to focus on getting to her mother. Action | "Speech." |

Art by Frida-Corvus

The weight of her years now hang heavily on Eulogy and the thin, frail old woman knows her time on this earth grows short. When she sleeps, she sees dead family members, all smiles and love as her body slowly begins the process of transitioning. Yet, as tired as she is, the woman cannot cross into the afterlife because she has work left to do. The shuffling of paws draws her from the stupor of a twilight world where she had been not quite asleep but not truly awake either.

Gummy eyelids slowly open, her vision blurred and unfocused as she blinks the world into existence. The healers have propped her body up, allowing her comfort and the ability to see the door of her den without moving. There, framed in the doorway with tears staining her cheeks is her sweet daughter Gloom. Death is never easy for those left behind and she lets out a soft whine of sadness as she beckons her daughter toward her. Uncurling her limbs, it is obvious that the dying woman wishes her daughter one more time.

As Gloom decides what to do, the woman’s weak voice softly says, “I am so sorry baby. I wish I could live forever.” Tears form in her eyes as regret wells in her chest because, while is at peace with the fact that she has to leave, it hurts that this will be painful for her beautiful children that must stay behind.


"Eulogy Destruction"