Moonspear You can't fix it

The mountain was quiet. Empty. Broken. Silenced. And yet here she was, still. Watching waiting. Refusing to leave the side of those she cared for.

So much change and though ahe understood. She was also so angry at her mother at Pies mother. At their siblings. It was infuriating.

The sight of her best friend calmed her fraught nerves somewhat. Treepie padded closer to Tiki, a slain rabbit dangling from her jaws. She paused beside the other young woman, gently setting the kill at her feet. When she raised her head, she tried to catch Tiki’s eye, then nosed beneath the nearer one.

She mustered all the bravado she could to ask, Do you think you’ll stay? I would understand if you didn’t want to.

Pie’s heart thudded against her ribs. She hoped for the best but braced for the worst. She’d already decided that she was staying put, no matter what, even if she ended up all by herself. But if Tikaani left—and asked her to leave too—then she would have a very tough time sticking to her guns.

Tiki shifted and turned her gaze to her dearest friend. And felt a painful lump lodge in the throat of her. She did not know what to do or say. And she was so angry, but Pie wasn't. Was it fair to bring her anger to a head when she spoke to her friend. Or should they ignore the storm brewing. And hope for the best. She didn't know what to do. 

The next question broke her heart. Because she could hear the falsetto. The way Pie was trying so hard to be strong. I will stay if you stay Pie. I wouldn't leave you here like our families. She said the last part with a biter sound.

She felt a little jittery with relief when Tikaani said she would stay if Treepie did. Well, that settled the matter, considering…

I will not be leaving Moonspear, she said quietly, though there was a bite to her words she imagined Tiki would more than understand. She took a breath, then continued in a smoother tone, So I guess that means we’ll both be staying. And that makes my heart happy, she admitted baldly.

Letting out a breath, she maneuvered herself to take a seat beside her half-sister and dearest friend. She leaned her shoulder into Tiki and patted the rabbit at their feet.

I would’ve given this to you either way, she mused lightly, but consider it a token of my appreciation for your unwavering loyalty.

Tiki sighed softly. Glad to get the words out without venom. She was extremely angry at their families, but pie didn't deserve it.

Tiki offered a soft smile. Mine too. Do you think it will just be us? Or more will stay?

Tiki laughed then as she shifted for Pie to lean. Already speaking like a leader sre we. I don't need a token of your appreciation, but thanks.

I don’t know, Pie answered quietly, but we’ll hold on together. We’ll be okay.

Tikaani rejected the sentiment, earning a playful snort from Treepie. Well then! She smacked a paw down on the carcass and dragged it toward herself, as if she would no longer share it. But of course it was all in jest. Everything that was hers belonged to Tikaani too.

The quip about leadership made her eyes dance. If it came down to the two of them, did that make them de facto leaders? Or did it mean that nobody was a leader at all, since there was no village to lead? Tiuttuk mused quietly, though she didn’t voice these questions.

Instead, she said, Hey, I was thinking about yelling at the clouds, if you’d like to join me. I just feel like it would help, to let out some of the… Pie gestured. Bad air. You know what I mean?

Tiki nodded. In truth it was all they could do. Alaric would probably stay he would not want the girls by themselves. But then that was all. It was frightening.

Surprise colored her gaze. How would yelling help? Though maybe to release uh some of the bad air was good. Could stress amd heartache hurt you? A question she didn't know the answer too

Okay. Let's do it.

Tiki looked a little startled by the suggestion. Treepie raised her eyebrows but said nothing, giving her half-sister a moment to deliberate the merits of releasing the foul air inside of them. The thought made her snicker under her breath.

No sooner had Tikaani agreed than Tiuttuk tilted her mouth toward the white clouds scooting by overhead and yelled,

FUUUUUUUUUUCK THIIIIIS!

Her eyes quickly dropped, hoping to catch the look on Tiki’s face now.

Tiki's eyes were blown wide at the sheer loudness. Then the words that fell from her half-sister's lips and she gave a little chuckle. Thrilled in a sense at the forbidden dirty words. 

She tilted an ear forward and repeated it. YEA FUUUUUCK THIIIIS!!! BIG FUCKS!

She giggled then and covered a paw to her maw.

If she worried that Tikaani might be offended, her half-sister quickly put that to rest. It was Treepie’s turn to laugh when the younger girl followed in her footsteps and shouted too, cursing even more colorfully.

Doesn’t that feel better? she asked, pushing a paw against Tiki’s shoulder as she covered her own mouth. Don’t stop now. Let it all out, Tiki! she coaxed, sensing that there was still more negativity energy her friend could stand to exorcise.

Tiki wasn't easily offended. But she did try and curb her tongue. But she had heard colorful expletives from both Killdeer and Alaric. They were not quiet in their words. Though they did try and curb it for the children's sakes she knew this.

A little I suppose. Did it feel better? Sure. Would it last long? Probably not. Tiki knew in order to get through this. She needed to move forward not stay stuck in place. It was hard. 

I HATE THIS. YOU LEFT! YOU HURT US! YOU SUCK!

Tiuttuk flinched inwardly at Tikaani’s next choice of words. They served as a stark reminder of what had happened to them, why her half-sister felt such anger despite her typically even temper. Pie couldn’t help but wonder if Tiki made any exceptions for Sialuk, or if her mother’s absence fueled this outrage in part. She didn’t ask.

She reached for her friend again, a foreleg draping over Tiki’s nearer shoulder before sliding loosely around her neck. Pie pulled her to her chest, nuzzling the side of her face, trying to soothe the hurts inside the other girl.

For whatever it’s worth, she breathed into Tikaani’s ear, I would sooner die than leave you, or this mountain.

She gave her sibling a squeeze, then drew away. Pie cleared her throat, took a breath, and swung her tail slowly from side to side.

Let’s find somewhere to put this for now, she said, toeing the discarded rabbit, and then find a spring, drink as much as possible, then head to the borders. So we can let the whole world know we’re not going anywhere. We’re here to stay.

Tikaani was not thinking at the moment of what her half-sister and friend would feel in the moment. All she cared about was getting these feelings. This negative cloud that hung over her out. But she found when the words left her. They tasted bitter and salty and she could not fathom why. She was angry wasn't she? Simply angry.

A soft chuffing hum left her lips at Pie's words. And she nodded her eyes letting her know she too felt the same. Truly.

Alright I'm game. Let's go. A smile and a stretch. Though part of her still felt hollow and she was unsure what to do about it.