Heartleaf Creek All My Blood

He instantly responded to Stella’s touch, returning her comfort with his own weight. Kateri on the other hand, he could only look at, though his ears drooped as he saw the truth slowly sink into her and tears bloomed in her eyes. Beside her, Archer moved in to offer comfort of his own, while Stella pulled away to speak.   Leo kept his shoulder firmly against hers, supporting her as she gave the details he couldn’t manage. But all the time, his eyes were on Kateri, wondering what she was thinking. But then, he didn’t have to, words spilling from her lips, seemingly out of her own control. Her brother startled a little, hearing his very own thoughts spoken in her voice. It almost gave him pause, the pain in her voice softening his heart. Then Archer spoke, shattering that small leniency; He’s sorry, for HER?!   Anger roiled in his stomach, briefly flashing in his eyes before Viorel’s voice drew his attention. Turning back to face the leader, Leo swallowed the vile emotion, lifting his ears and inclining his head politely. “Thank you,” he said again, voice quiet and respectful; “We… We appreciate it.” He motioned faintly with his head towards Stella, including her in the acknowledgment. Then he continued: “His mate Oksana and Nash Eastfall have taken over leadership. We’ll p… pass it on to them.” He couldn’t think what else to say, glancing sideways at Stella, to see if she remembered anything else they needed to add. He didn’t dare look anywhere else, fearing his temper might flare again, and get the better of him. Thoughts ”Speech”

Lakela @DA

She was thankful, more than anything, for Leo's support. After the news was spoken Stella fell silent, absorbing the atmosphere around them and trying to keep herself present. It would be all to easy to succumb to numbness or grief right now, but she would not.

Her heart went out to her sister, who had not been there to say goodbye. She'd never have wished such a thing on Kat, after losing Kip, why did this shadow have to touch her family again? "You had no way to know," she shook her head gently. Now, it mattered what they did now.

Again she looked to Kateri. Archer was offering his comfort to their sister now, and Stella felt Leo prickle momentarily beside her. It was odd, but the moment passed quickly, and she knew they were all feeling fraught now. A sigh escaped Stella's lips, and she straightened her tired frame, relieved the moment seemed to pass as Leo spoke again. This time she was happy enough to let him speak for them both.

Unable to think of anything else, she simply nodded, awaiting invitation to wherever their hosts would guide them for the evening. Gilded eyes went to Kateri again, and she angled herself between her siblings, hoping to bridge the gap she sensed forming here. But again there was Archer, and she did not know how to factor him into the equation. She wanted a chance to sit with her siblings, and talk of Pa, and what they would do now. But it had been a very long last few days, and she was sure Leo at least was as thinly worn as she. At least they could all go home soon.

Her head was spinning and she let like she couldn't breathe. Her father couldn't he dead, he was strong and he loved everyone so much. How could someone like him be ripped from them. Kateri didn't want to believe that what she was hearing was the truth. That her father wouldn't be in the cove when she returned. That she wouldn't ever get to see his face again, his eyes that matched hers. It just all seemed so u real to her but as she looked I to the faces of her siblings she knew that it was real and there was nothing she could do about it.

The words that were spoken around her didn't register in her mind. The Slayer girl couldn't think beyond the words that Leo had spoken telling her of the tragedy. That's what it was and as she looked up at her siblings once more she realized how she'd only been thinking of herself and what she'd lost. They'd lost so much more than her. There was Stella with her kind way trying to offer words of comfort, she nodded. She didn't have anyway of knowing but she still felt like she should have been there. Archer's words broke into her thoughts then and her mismatched gaze landed on him. She offered him a sad smile, "Thank you for being here," she told him quietly against his ear before turning to Leo and Stella.

She wanted to say something to them. Something that would make them feel a little better, but what. "I'm really sorry I wasn't there for you both and for papa." It was all she could think to say and it didn't even seem sufficient.

Archer Valle

Archer was not surprised when his Da offered the Backwater's assistance, however it was needed, to their grieving neighbors. Leo stuttered on, clearly trying to hold himself together, and Archer's heart ached for him. No matter his own qualms with his Da or his and Eros's plans, he didn't want his Da to die and he couldn't imagine the pain the Vuesain siblings must be feeling right now.

To his relief, Kat's eyes focused on him when he spoke and she offered him a small, sad smile, and murmured a quiet thanks to him. He gently bumped his nose against her cheek as she turned back to her half-brother and -sister to apologize. This time Archer held his tongue; nothing he would say would convince his friend that her presence wouldn't have changed anything. He didn't think that was what she meant anyway.

Archer is very haggard and thin; it is obvious he is not doing well.

He was not sure whether or not the tension he could sense was just from grief, or if there were some underlying issues here. Well, Viorel was in no position to judge. Shifting on his paws for just a moment as he observed the gaggle of teens before him, he then glanced over his shoulder. Finally he announced, ”Please come in, we can get you all something to eat and I’m sure you’d like to speak more privately.” He would need to do some brainstorming with Sharlee on how to properly show their respects to the mountain pack, maybe send some kind of gift?

Once he was sure they were all following, Viorel led them to the closest cache, then left them to their discussions.

FADE