Dead Empress Backwater unassuming grace

For Mama @Clover -- Set the night after Euna leaves

It's time to strap our boots on

Conquest

This is a perfect day to die

Tori was… confused. Her father’s scent was gone… well, not gone, but old enough to suggest that he was gone. She was not aware that he was leaving and there were whispers that her father was no longer in the Backwater… not in the ‘he will return’ kind of way that sometimes the adults went on missions… but in the ‘he isn’t coming back’ kind of way that had her seeking out her mother instead. Usually, she sought out her father, but in his absence she was forced to see the latter. A frown formed on her features as her smaller form slunk into the den where her mother’s scent was populated, poking her head inside.

“Mama?” It lacked the usual formality she held calling them ‘mother’ and ‘father’, instead opting for a moment of vulnerability, the confusion clear in her voice that no doubt gave away what this conversation was going to be about. She shifted to press her body up against her in a greeting, and stubbornly for her own comfort. She wanted the warmth of her mother, like they had when they were pups… she was still a pup, much to her chagrin… but back when the world was her oyster to stomp all over. And on top of it all? Euna was gone too.

What was she to do without her usual punching bag? Despite her brutish nature, she knew better than to try and use the adults as her punching bags… and Tuwile and Khalon were harder to push around than Euna was… it left her in quite a conundrum.

Clover had screamed herself hoarse from calling out Euna's name for hours upon realising her daughter had gone missing. Intentionally or not, she was beside herself, still with grief from the loss of her other half, but also worry and panic that something might have happened to her child. It was only when the night had reached its darkest and her legs were numb from exertion that she dragged herself back to the den.

She was not sure how long she lay there silently and in the dark, but Tori's voice hesitantly calling out had Clover raising her head. Her eldest daughter always had a fire to her, but now she was uncharacteristically reserved. Before Clover could say anything Tori had pressed herself against her side.

For a few moments Clover merely rested a cheek against her daughter's temple, giving a soft kiss to comfort her, even though inside she was a bit of a mess herself. But she had to be strong for her kids.

"It's okay, I'm here," she said quietly, her voice still rough from calling out for Euna.

It's time to strap our boots on

Conquest

This is a perfect day to die

It angered her. Torianna was close with a select few… really, her parents. Everyone else she cared little for other than what she could get from them. Her fury was directed at Euna for wandering off… at her father for leaving… even to some extent at her mother for the emotions. How could anyone feel anything other than anger? It consumed her, so did it not also consume her mother? She would not say anything of the sort to her, simply move and settle in against her like she might have as a pup, tucking her face against her, pain radiating from her chest.

It’s okay, I’m here.

The words opened a floodgate. She sobbed into her mother’s chest. She was angry that her mother’s voice was rough, knowing precisely why it was. She was angry that her brothers seemed so unaffected compared to her. She was angry that her father had simply been allowed to walk out of their lives without so much as an explanation.