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It was becoming harder and harder to ignore the developing facts. Food was no longer easy to find.

Whereas it once simply appeared in plentitude in the caches nearby the mothers’s den, their stores were now becoming emptied. Though Olive found it easy to subsist upon plants and foliage, she knew others did not, and in order to secure her place amongst the pack, the druid contributed her feeble efforts towards the pack’s hunting endeavors. She had to extend her sights beyond the confines of Sunspire and voyage miles away from their borders in order to find the first available far. The mother, who was reluctant to leave the children alone for even a moment [she knew what kind of horrors could manifest in even just a moment] found the sacrifice growing too much to bear.

Fool me twice, shame on me…

The shrouded seraph knew that her sister, the ethereal Seabreeze, felt the same. They talked about it often, especially in the wake of little Ibis’s attack. Olive found herself spooked — she knew she must leave this place, and her late nights of readings of the stars confirmed just that. The omens were much too great, and the druid knew she must heed their warnings before they became deafening; ruinous. With many of the finer details of their departure squared away, the pair knew that the time of their ultimate departure was becoming nigh.

It was time to speak to Rannoch.

The two sylphs milled about the densite, a nervous energy buzzing around their movements. Surely their alpha would return soon to visit his wife and his own children, and what else could they issue him except for an apology and a plea for understanding? It was a conversation Olive was particularly not eager to have, and to ameliorate a feeling that felt a lot like guilt, she chewed upon a knot of a tree’s roots and waited with her beloved.  
Rannoch was returning to the shared den when he found Olive and Seabreeze congregating. It wasn't uncommon to see the two women together, and it appeared as though they were anticipating for something or someone—at least, that was how the Alpha had read their anxious movements. Curious, Rannoch diverted his route. 

"Olive! Seabreeze!" he called as he approached. There was nothing but friendliness in his expression—they were his family, after all! "What's up?" he prompted once he stopped in front of them.


after the conversation with terance went — well, however that had gone — she was not looking forward to speaking with rannoch.  she knew it had to be done.  she just.  well.  it had gone over just fine when mato said he was leaving, why shouldn't it work out for them?  it would be out of character for the rannoch she knew to blow up over it.

but this wasn't the same rannoch she knew, was it?  oh.  oh no.  okay.  she was pressed against her sister and it took all of her energy to meet rannoch's eye.  olive would have to do the speaking for her on this one (sorry rachel).

So busy chewing was Olive that she did not notice Rannoch in his approach. Her mind was so consumed by the anxiety of the upcoming changes, that when she heard her Alpha’s voice, she wasn’t immediately sure if she had imagined it or if it was, indeed, her reality. It was only when Seabreeze pressed herself against her slight frame, both announcing Rannoch’s arrival and expressing her desire not to speak, the Olive came to a realization that now was the time.

Olive wasn’t necessarily a being who liked the actively make decisions and take control of the things that happened to her. She deferred to the moon and the stars, both of whom were more insightful and ever-knowing that her mortal soul could ever hope to be — and it was not that this decision had been made without the consult of the gods, but more because of them. They had presented the problem, but left the solution to the two mothers to infer.

She did not like this. She knew that Seabreeze did not either; for, did Sunspire not offer them everything? Did Rannoch and Liffey not offer her this mountaintop as a place to raise her babies, and did their efforts not keep them hale and healthy every day they resided here? Did Terance not bless her soul sister with children — something that Olive’s biology would not allow her to do, not matter the truth of the love that existed between them — and give her the gift of motherhood? Dakarai, her plague and her light, had left the earth upon these very borders and so had Oaxaca. At a certain point, the baggage [and the potential for more] was too much to bear. The past was the past, but the future was still unwritten.


“Rannoch,” she began, with a sidelong glance to Seabreeze. She wasn’t sure how to broach the topic, so quite ungracefully, she stated “We must go…”
Olive's reply caused Rannoch's light-hearted curiosity to plummet, and he felt suddenly uneasy—what had she mean by go? His mind spun, and his gaze bounced between the two nervous women. 

"Go?" Rannoch asked with evident concern. "Go where? And for how long?" He needed more information.

Her sister's choice in words did not help ease the tension, and caused Seabreeze to be able to speak in Olive's stead.

You have been more than kind to us here.  I know I have been sick and unable to help, and for that I am sorry.  Olive has been grieving the loss of her child.  Neither of us are good at hunting, and we fear that with our children we are a drain on your resources.

She pulled herself from Olive's side to face Rannoch more fully.  Olive is a vegetarian, but myself, my children, and hers are not.  And with us being unable to hunt, we fear that we are the cause of this famine.  Tindome had always been a good friend to us, and the Sanctuary should be the same.  Pyro did not report back any food shortage there... we think it would be better for now, at least, if we sought their help, to ease things here at Sunspire.

More pressing to the mothers was the attack on Ibis and the death of Oaxaca — the latter which seemed to have been taken much too lightly in her opinion — but she was smart enough to hold her tongue on the matter for now.

Though Olive and Seabreeze had already been wracked with anxiety, upon her misspoken words, the fae felt the entire vibrational atmosphere of the scene fall drastically. It was not a trip, as Rannoch stood to understand it — no, she would not deign to leave her babies for so long. It was their official departure from Sunspire which she was announcing, but was unable to find the words. She so hated to disappoint those she loved; and she did love Rannoch dearly, not only for being a true friend but for being a kind-hearted and honest soul. She believed that he abided by only the staunchest ethical guideline and, though he was younger than her, trusted him with a ferocity that was reserved for few. It was these moments — when she found that she must leave Sunspire, when she found that she must leave Dakarai, when she found that she must leave Teaghlaigh — that burned the most.

Thankfully, Seabreeze noted Olive’s unwillingness to broach the painful topic and took the responsibility upon herself. The silvered fae could do nothing more than bite her lip, nod as the other women stated their truth, and them chime in with a  
“She speaks the truth,” and a downcast glance, as if the truth was painful. Was it not?  “We do not want to be a burden… not when it can put so many others at risk.” She dared not say more, lest her voice crack and she crumble to tears.  
As Olive and Seabreeze revealed their intentions, Rannoch began to understand why they had seemed so anxious—they were making a life-altering decision. Rannoch's respect for the both of them developed remarkably; he knew that their conclusion had been considered thoroughly. 

"Although this saddens me remarkably, I appreciate that you are making this decision with Sunspire's benefit in mind," and Terance, too, he presumed wordlessly. "Wherever you go, you will remain a part of Sunspire's family." 

"When will you leave?" he asked.

She nods her head.  You have done so much for us, Rannoch.  We will repay you for this, when we are able.  I am sorry that I couldn't forsee that I would be sick and unable to help, and how much our children would strain your resources.  If you remember Delight, he lived in the Vale.. it is him we are going to.  I can send a scout back to you sometime, if you would like.

She looks at the sky, and then to her sister.  I have spoken to Terance, already.  He wants to stay here with you.  I don't begrudge him for that at all.  He knows he is welcome to come see us...  The words waver off into silence as she composes herself, trying not to cry.  But since I've informed both you and Terance.. we should be leaving soon.  I don't want to be any more of a drain than I already have been.

Well, that wasn’t so bad! Though the sadness of the circumstances hadn’t changed, Rannoch’s reaction to their news was one of peace and understanding. His words, wherever you go, you will remain a part of Sunspire's family, rang in her memory and settled deeply in there. If there had been one thing she had wanted from this, besides the safety and wellbeing of her and Seabreeze’s children, was the preservation of her and Rannoch’s relationship. He was a dear friend, having known her as a fellow pack member in Moonspear, and as her leader in Sunspire. 

Seabreeze spoke of her agreement with Terance — or, rather, their agreement to disagree. The sylph nibbled upon her lower lip in apparently discomfort at this, because she knew exactly how this felt. Had Olive not left Dakarai and swept his children far away, when remaining in his presence threatened their sanctity? Perhaps her relationship had ended on more of a jagged note, as Dakarai had not exactly a voice in the matter. Just Seabreeze and Terance relationship had felt sweet, at least on the outside, and Olive had cultivated a sort of quiet jealous about it… for more reasons than one.


“There is no time to lose,”    she muttered when there was a natural break in the conversation, coal-tipped nose pointing down to look her her paws. “We’ve already lost one baby, and almost another…”  Perhaps such a statement was more transparent than was necessary — but Rannoch was a father now, and an appeal to such pathos was not entirely unwarranted.     
"I understand," replied Rannoch, his throat tightening as he spoke. Although Rannoch understood Olive and Seabreeze's motivations for relocating, he couldn't help but feel stung by their settlement—surely there was a way for them to work it out that? Rannoch buried his hurt deep, and didn't allow for the feelings to surface; they had made up their minds, and nothing was going to change that. He'd take the time to reflect when he was alone. 

"Please make sure you let me know before you go," Rannoch added, offering them a frail smile. "I'd like to see you off, if possible." He turned to Seabreeze then, and acknowledged her offer with a dip of his head. "Yes, if you could have a scout sent to let us know you're all safe, it'd be very appreciated." 

The mention of Terance intrigued Rannoch but, he didn't seek further information from Seabreeze. He was confident that their conversation had been difficult—an understatement, truly— and Rannoch did not want to re-ignite any negative feelings. What had happened between the former lovers had been decided by the respective parties, and Rannoch recognized their decision.

Feel free to wrap after this!

Of course, she offers almost as quietly as she can.  This was the most difficult conversation she'd ever had.  While the discussion with Terance had been catastrophic, she had expected no less.  She deserved his anger, for uprooting the lives of his children (even if it was for their own good).  She had just expected more of a reaction from Rannoch, too.  She knew he was hurting.. but he held it in, if not for her sake than for his own.

It was, somehow, worse.  Would you let him know?  That he is always welcome, too?  She lifted her gaze to meet Rannoch's and shifted, tip of her tail tucking in.  He told me to just go... I didn't want to burden him anymore.  But they are his children, too.  This is for the sake of everyone.

She brushed herself against Olive and closed her eyes.  It is time for us to go.  I believe we should be leaving now. Presumably, Olive had already said goodbye to Cassiopeia, and Seabreeze had a niggling feeling that absolutely nobody would be willing to see her off.  Take care, Rannoch.  We will send a scout when we can.

Rannoch was hurt; it was as clear as day upon his face, in his frail smile, and in how his energetic shift was so dramatic. She loathed to hurt him; to hurt anyone, but mostly him. He had offered her so much and asked for so little in return — and she repaid his kindness with her leaving. It was unavoidable, but she did wish the circumstances had been different.

— wished for it, and in the same breath, she would also wish for her sweet Oaxaca to still be living; singing; loving. 

Swallowing a sudden stabbing, Olive almost offered herself up as the scout in question — that had been her trade once, hadn’t it? — but she swallowed that too, for she was a mother and a midwife now; scout no longer. Surely there were others who were better suited for the job than she, who could no more take a break from her children as she could her own beating heart. Silence danced upon her tongue as Seabreeze supplicated to Rannoch, begging that he might smooth over the jagged remains of their relationship, and announced their departure.

Well, that was that.

Olive followed her sister’s lead, suddenly quite eager to take the next step now that it was so plainly in view. The worst parts of this entire process were over, and freedom was merely on the horizon. Still, the nostalgic parts of her soul gathered in her bones and quelled her leaving. In a breathy whisper, and not entirely sure what sentiment to make, she said
“Rannoch, I….” took a moment to think, and lifted her gaze to meet his own. "I wish you and the other wolves of sunspire the most blessed life; full of love and laughter and light.”  Her words came from her heart, for the family who had taken her in and given her children the ability to survive deserved absolutely that. The universe’s karmic law would take care of them grandly, she was assured.  “and I will hold out hope that, before we perish and whenever that may be, that our paths might cross one more time.”  Then, they left.