Drooping Willows heads on a science apart

Wanted this to be in his threadlog. 'Entry' and exit in one post.

So many nights had been spent searching, so much pack effort expended on a child who was never coming back. Not in one piece. It had taken too long, they had not been thorough enough, and by the time Angier's sorrowful song ended it all, Craw almost didn't care. It was their fault. She was only a child, impressionable and helpless and needing guidance. And she hadn't been far all this time. Had she been Craw's own, no stone would have been overturned - but if she'd been his, he wouldn't have let out out of his sight in the first place.

No doubt they were assembling to mourn. At least it would bring this chapter to a close, would shatter the mystery and let them get on with more important matters. The pack was dealing with enough internal tension that perhaps Isolde's death, while regrettable, would give it back a little cohesion as all sides were brought together in mutual loss. Willow Ridge wasn't ready to implode, not yet, not with breeding season around the corner. Though Craw expected that that very occasion would probably be the reason for its splintering, despite the appalling timing.

No matter. His cards were still being carefully played. The strength or weakness of the Ridge in and of itself was not too important, no more than any other force of nature; something to account for but not depend upon.

With a huff, Craw rose to his feet, severals minutes after the territory-wide announcement of the loss. Rather than turn towards it, though, and join the inevitable gathering, his paws trod a path further away, because there were more pressing matters to deal with than gawk at the dead body of a young girl. He would leave those who had been close with her in peace.