It was when she heard Nova's call of goodbye that Grace started crying. Yes, they'd had the talk weeks before, that she may be leaving. She'd come back from her night at the shore speaking of Raas, of a god, of her rebirth: she was so happy. Grace couldn't bear to tell her that she didn't want her mother to go, couldn't hold her in a place she no longer wanted to be. Sure, Warbone was gone, things were crowded and things kept changing, but the russet girl believed that Tavi and Harlyn would lead the pack well. She couldn't make herself leave another pack, one she'd grown much closer to, not for something she didn't believe in. So she'd only made Nova promise to return, one day, to see her life and how she'd done. Nova had sworn, and they'd spent the night in the regrowing willow territory before she left. They'd separated after waking, and Grace had been able to hold herself together until hearing the howl of goodbye.
Grace, sobbing silently, went to look for
@Tavi to tell her of Nova's leaving, whether she heard or not. Nova hadn't wanted a goodbye, saying she could only handle a goodbye to her daughter because she deserved it. It was what it was, and no doubt the old woman was already swift on her paws and gone. There was no reason for Grace to follow after, and she assumed nobody else would bother either.
The sound of the old woman's voice cascaded through the willows. In all honesty, it did not surprise Octavia in the slightest. She had suspected something when the woman had not appeared at the unification meeting, but it hadn't really worried her. Even this did not bother her, though maybe it should have. Nova Rose was one speck of defiance in a sea of acceptance here, and that meant whatever she had done to disrupt the loyalties of other marauders would surely dissipate.
No, she was not bothered by this. She was contented. But that still left Grace to think about — and as Octavia's mind wandered to the young girl, she slunk across the territory with the idle thought of finding her. It seemed as if Grace had similar ideas for her, because within a few moments they were staring at one another through the fresh growth. As Octavia neared the other woman, she let a small smile drift in to place upon her face; it was a sad little smile, perhaps for Grace's benefit alone, but she hoped the abandonment of her mother wasn't too painful.
Grace,
she finally murmured, reaching out and brushing the girl's shoulder with a tender tap of her snout, as if to say, I'm here for you. I'm.. Surprised. I thought if she left, you'd go too. I'm glad you stayed here though.
When suddenly she and the stormy woman were still, watching each other through what little has grown back, Grace fully expected her to lash out and send her after her mother. She knew well Nova's opinion of Tavi, but though she didn't share it, she worried the alpha wouldn't see it.
Grace shrunk down and closed her eyes, waiting for the sting of words or, in fact, teeth. She shook as Octavia's pawsteps approached, fully acccepting whatever came upon her.... But was not at all ready for the gentle touch to her shoulder. The yearling's golden eyes opened slowly to fix on Tavi as she spoke, and a relieved smile spread across her blackened maw.
"I'm loyal to the Marauders, and to you and Harlyn. I never shared my mothers opinions of you."
Grace reached out and nuzzled the mother's stormy fur, failing to hold back the sobs that once again consumed her.
"I couldn't keep her in a place she wasn't happy, but it hurts to lose a mother for the second time."
She wasn't dead like Hope, no, but Nova meant more to her even than her birth mother.
Octavia had never been close with her parents. She hadn't disliked them to any great extent either, and held love for everyone in her family, but thoughts of either parent rarely crossed her mind. It occurred to her now, though, that Grace had always struggled through her short life; she did not pity her for these hardships though, but rather, felt a sort of... Envy. Not for the pain of the abuse or the turmoil she no doubt experienced upon losing those she cared for, but because Grace was, ultimately, so much stronger for it. And now, losing Nova Rose, she would toughen up again.
She isn't gone for good,
the woman murmured, trying to sound as pleasant as she could despite feeling a little irritated by this knowledge. Grace's mother was alive and well, whicih was a good thing. As much as Tavi disliked the old woman for her immaturity and consistent lack of obedience, she did not wish her dead - for Grace's sake. Maybe once she has found a place to settle she'll let us know? I'm not opposed to having you visit her from time to time, if it makes you happy.
She didn't bring up the potential of having Nova visit them, and return to Marauder soil, because quite honestly it was not a thought she'd like to entertain for long. Octavia knew that the next time she saw Nova Rose would be too soon, and she'd have to lay down the law.
It was probably because she hadn't been close to her parents that she'd bonded closely to the golden woman who saved her soul. She didn't know Tavi's thoughts nor did she think of it herself, the fact that she would indeed become stronger after these wounds have healed. The alpha offered words of comfort, but she did know it was only for her own benefit. She didnt want Nova to come back, and was happy to meet her in neutral ground. The elder and Octavia being in the same area was clearly not a good plan.
"I hope she dosent go too far. It's selfish of me, but I can still learn a lot from her if nothing else."
Tavi nodded. Wherever she goes, I'm sure she'll be fine. That lady is a tough old thing,
or she liked to appear tough, if for no other reason besides getting under Octavia's young and pliant skin. And while I'm not okay with her coming here, you can go to her whenever you feel it is necessary. I won't deprive you of family, not when its so important.
And that was something Tavi was slowly learning. Family meant everything to her — Tambourine meant everything — and she couldn't fathom being in a similar situation to Grace or to Nova Rose; being a mother and being forced away from your own child... Oh.
For the first time in a long while Octavia's mind went to Reek. It was like she had all the air sucked out of her by a punch to the diaphram, and for a second she just kind of gasped, and looked askance at their surroundings. Her mind had somehow deviated from one person she wasn't too fond of, to another. But what surprised her most was the extreme empathy that flooded her heart once Reek entered her mind. For a second she was mindlessly staring off in to space, and in the next, Tavi returned to herself with a brief, Ah,
and shook her head and neck to rid herself of the strange feelings.
Sorry, my mind wandered a bit there -
she murmured as an apology, although it was a weak one, and perhaps Grace hadn't even noticed the abrupt silence that slipped between them for those fleeting moments? Whatever. I guess I have lots on my mind. I wont keep you. It's.. It's good you've stayed. Have a, uh, good day, Grace --
She was already moseying away from the girl, having lost track of what they'd been talking about as she tried to depart from the scene, and seek out the comfort of her son.
Grace's tears slowed, her golden gaze clearing after Tavi's words. Nova wouldn't come anywhere near the borders, Grace knew, so it wouldn't be a problem. A smile crept across her maw, the tiniest of smiles, but by the time her eyes came to her alphas face, the stormy woman was off in her own world of emotions. Staying silent and stepping back, it was only seconds until Octavia shook out her fur and the thoughts in her head. She made no move to hide it, and Grace nodded in overall understanding and acceptance of it all. Sniffling, she too backed away with a few quiet, thankful words.
"My loyalty is to you and your family, Tavi. I pray all is well with you."
Turning her back and limping the other way, Grace couldn't help the tears that again soaked the fur of her face. It would be a while until she felt right again, happy, she was sure, but it was all a part of her process of dealing with abandonment.