Lavender Ethos

It seemed this was the first burial for all of them – not the first death any of them had experienced, not the first loss, but the first time they'd been able to put the fallen to rest. The only world for the experience was queer, Kjors decided, eyes shifting from one woman to the other as they decided it was best for the siblings to lay together. Without a sound, he joined the younger female as they dug, scratching out a shallow grave for the pups to lay. They were small, and did not require a large sepulcher, but it would not do for the topsoil to wash away during the next storm. Only once satisfied did he pull away, make room for Naia to step forward and put the pups in their final place.

"Rest," the dragon murmured, the holophrase falling thick from his lips. He had not the pretty words the scout had, nor the need for sermon. The children would return to the Mother. She was the Mother of them all, and pups would be welcome by her side. Nameless they would no longer be, and love they would know for all eternity. He huffed softly, glancing over when the female lapsed to silence. He did not move from his spot.

"May Mother guide you," he rumbled, bowing his head but once before he took once step backwards. His tail swished behind him as made to the dirt, so that he might began to bury the lost once Jynx had said her final goodbyes.

If you want, we can wrap up this thread and continue the hunt in a new one?

The only true reason why Jynx had turned to Naia for guidance was simple. She was a far more experienced member of the pack, with a rank that reflected such perfectly. It was not within the younger female to take the lead in the presence of a superior. At least in Naia's case that is. She respected the multi colored girl enough for that. Gently yet firmly, she patted down the soil with her paws, under which the two lifeless little ones rested in their nook of a grave. During the middle of this, a russet ear turned in Naia's direction. It took her a moment to reply, having been a little caught up with the task. She shook her head slightly. "I didn't. But there certainly has to be more than one at least, judging from the cries I heard coming from the den..." Her heart fluttered at the thought of having pups in the pack. She couldn't wait to see them, when they were old enough of course. Standing back just a little, she allowed Naia and then Kjors to go ahead with the honors of giving the pups a verbal send off. She sat, poised before the fresh grave, ears turned back, but upright. Golden eyes downcast to where the pups laid beneath them now. Once Kjors was finished, she took a light breath and began. "We never knew you, we never will. While we are saddened by this loss, we also rejoice. For now you shall become one again with nature, giving life to all. Watch over us, until we meet again." She concluded with a small dip of her head in solemn respect. All was quiet, all was still in that moment. Just three wolves in a glade sprinkled with lavender, gathered around the burial site of two lost children. The moment and setting was quite serene, really. Then, just as if to remind them that this was a time for celebration, an opportunity presented itself. As sharp as always, Jynx was the first to notice the scent, followed by the timber brown hide in the distance. Slowly, almost rigidly, she turned, so as not to frighten the young animal. Already well into hunting mode, she took a few steps forward. This sudden display of initiative was quite the contrast from her behavior earlier. But Jynx had her heart set on becoming a huntress, so she would not turn down any opportunity. "I think we should take advantage of our good fortune." She suggested to her companions with a glance back. "The three of us could bring it down easily enough, and I'm sure Kisla and Maksim would appreciate the meal." She waited patiently to see if either Naia and Kjors agreed, and only then, would she sneak into position.

Ophelia-Stock @DA & Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

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A small, relieved smile flickered across Naia’s features at Jynx’s news. At least the loss of life had not been greater than the addition of new life. The pack would soon have puppies tumbling around once more, firing question after question and getting into all kinds of trouble. It was a comforting thought; one she much preferred to think rather than dwelling on the stillborns she carried in her maw. The children were buried quickly and Naia spoke the few burial words she could recall from her birthpack. She paused for her companions to add whatever they felt necessary.

A curious ear flicked forward as @Kjors gave his terse sendoff, evoking a being he called “Mother”.  Naia wondered vaguely if it was his own deceased mother he called upon, not having considered that the one-eyed recluse might be the sentimental sort. Naia paused, waiting for Jynx to say her piece—she had never know Jynx to not have something to say—and the young Plains lady did not disappoint. Naia nodded as Jynx finished up the dedication, and the three of them were left sitting silently beside the grave for a quiet, contemplative moment.

The arrival of a young deer at the edge of the clearing interrupted their moment, and Jynx was the first to draw attention to the new arrival. Naia quirked a brow in Kjors's direction, wondering if he also felt it was a little sacrilege to kill a fawn when their paws were still dirty from putting two in the ground. Jynx, quick as ever to prove herself, was already off on the hunt, so this time Naia trailed along as the huntress-to-be took the lead. The smell of lavender disappeared as the hunting party pressed on into the redwoods, leaving the spirits to rest and watch over the serene Lavender Ethos.

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Fade and archive, Ace dear?

"Tcht."

Kjors made a small noise, ears slowly rotating backwards as the youngest wolf among the trio chattered onwards. He supposed everyone handled death differently, but these were pups never met. They were not her offspring, and really, they had no ties. But cruel thoughts were kept to himself – even he understood this was not the time or place for judgment. The Mother would not approve of harsh words as Her children were being buried.

Jynx's next announcement caught him by surprise and he lifted his head, studying the female for a moment. A kill, of another youth, no less, seemed counterproductive. Hadn't they just conducted a funeral? This was a spiritual place, and he hardly imagined it should be bloodied by another death – even if the fawn was brought down elsewhere, the male found it distasteful. (Truly unusual, as it was a rare day for the dragon to pass up the thrill of a hunt.)

Before he could say anything, she was off, already on the animal's trail. Gathering himself to his feet, he cast a quick look at the scout instead, flat ears wordlessly conveying how he felt on the topic. He might not have said anything before, but he did not feel the Mother would condone this behavior, either. Shaking his head, he declined – whether or not Naia saw, or interpreted correctly, he wasn't sure, but he turned in the opposite direction. This was a somber day. It would not kill him to fast.

Fade.