Stone Circle Time to say goodbye

Mandatory & Backdated a few days. Morning after this thread.
@Krypton @Calloon @Vinnira @Sophy @Libra @Ezekiel @Phiipa @Keoni @Nikai @Sunny @Aurora Artemis

He was dead. Steady wasn't there anymore. Valette howled to her members when the sun came up. She hadn't done anything to his body yet. She wanted everyone to stay goodbye to Steady. Her heart was broken. Valette was devastated. It was heard in her howl. It couldn't be anything else than a death in their pack.

The female was now the sole leader of Easthollow. She started to question if she was made for the position. She secretly always saw Steady as more of a leader than her. She was his mate. She would do internal affairs while he did the external part. He was so good with dealing with others. Partly she started to feel guilty for his death. He wanted to bring her a rabbit and that was what gotten him in trouble.

Valette sat by his body, her head low. She couldn't be a leading figure at the moment. She needed to mourn. She needed to be sad. Perhaps in a few days, she would feel more up for the job. For now, everyone should say goodbye to their former alpha. Valette wasn't even sure she would be able to watch. Poor Nikai and Keoni, they lost another parent.

ooc: going to assume Aurora is still with krypton, if this needs to change then PM me!

When she heard the call of valette, Krypton began to maneuver herself out of her den towards the leader. Aurora was right beside her when the beastly woman woke and stirred. Something in the air felt heavy, as if the air was like smoke. Loathing the meeting, she nudged aurora with her towards the meeting area. Krypton made sure to walk a bit slower to allow the girl to keep up with her.

when the duo appeared, the scent of blood reeked from the spot and the sight was gruesome. Krypton could feel something stir within her body, an unimaginable force that ripped away at her skin and fur and shred her very being. She said nothing but gave a look to Aurora to stay back from the site.

"please, aurora, stay here. I do not want you to see this," she instructed the young female, hoping her words would be followed. 

Turning back around, krypton padded towards valette and gently nuzzled her shoulder. It was enough to have lost Zaria, but now Steady- it felt as if it was too much. Krypton rubbed her muzzle against the the dark girl before turning to face the fallen leader. They hadn't been on good terms when they first met, but they warmed up to each other. And then they became good friends.

krypton felt tears fall from her eyes and absorb into her coarse fur. The sight of the dead man made her sick and pale with grief. How could this have happened. She couldn't even examine his body, but instead, let out a cry, a whine full of sadness and emotion- something she had almost lacked. She sat next to her leader, her muzzle lowered to gentle touch steady' shoulder as if breaking contact would be the end of her. She didn't want to leave him, the great leader that served thenwolves of the hollow so well.

[table width=80%][tr][td]A grim day had approached at last. Calloon knew that The Wise Ones would soon bring devastation upon the land he lived after what he had done, but to think it was someone else's suffering he had to witness he would've never expected. the Wise Ones were cruel in that way; killing Calloon for his impure behaviour was more a blessing than a curse, even though he did not wish to perish. He had already seen his sister's death - why must they bring him more pain by killing off others he cherished or looked up to?! The ghostly boy had a raging fire within him; a feeling of pure hatred that was awfully foreign to him. He wished to live a peaceful life; he wished for others around him to not drop as flies in the dying moments of the year. And to think he had actually believed that things were looking up for him after all he had gone through.

When the alpha female's call rang through their territory, Calloon could've sworn the world around them turned dead quiet. A mournful cry - one that made ravens flutter in fear and rodents cower back into their holes. A cry so soul-shaking that Calloon felt it deep in his golden heart and he casted his gaze down upon the earth in which he had once believed. In a fit of panick and sadness did he rush to the scene, taking his submissive position next to his mourning packmates. Steady had been a great figure of importance and grace in his young life. He had not deserved this - nor had his mate or any of them for that matter. The ghost whined a sad song without a real tune as he sniffled Steady's body carefully - respectfully - as a final goodbye. He wanted to comfort the cache queen then, but he did not know how...[/tr][/td][/table]

She followed behind Krypton, almost similar to that of a shadow.  What was confusing for her though was when Krypton suddenly stopped, telling her to stay where she was.  She cocked her head confused as Krypton started to walk away.

She knew she should stay... but she didn't want to just sit here all alone, she wanted to go see what this was all about.  Still... she wanted to please Krypton, but finally her curiousity claimed her and she quietly followed after Krypton from a distance.  It took her a little bit, but when she came upon the scene she found herself confused, for she had never seen death with her eyes before.  She didn't understand.

Why wasn't Steady moving?

Quietly and nervously she made her way up to Krypton.  Despite feeling bad for not listening she wanted to know what was happening.  "Krypton, what's wrong with Steady?"  She asked, her bright eyes glowing with confusion and question.

Ezekiel had gotten back to his old routine over the past couple days. After he'd healed and rested, he'd moved out of Krypton's den with a brief but grateful thank you in the form of a hare, and found his own den. It was far from the center of the territory, where he hopefully wouldn't have to cross paths with Valette too often. He was going to go find Steady soon, but for now he was distancing himself. He figured he had plenty of time to make things right with his friend and his ex, he didn't know about what was coming. 

He was on his way to patrol the border when he heard the howl. He stopped walking when he heard it, frozen completely in his tracks. Had he heard correctly? He could hardly believe. But the howl that pierced his ears was a cold and hollow sound, it was so full of pain that it cut deep into his heart, which sank like a stone. Steady was dead. His best friend. The closest thing he'd had to a true brother. The first who had made him feel like he had a real family. He was going to go see him soon. To make things right, to catch up. It appeared that wouldn't be happening. 

Ezekiel didn't know how to cope with it. He didn't want to see Steady's dead body, or Valette's sorrowful hazel eyes. He didn't want to see Krypton sad, or anyone else mourning their alpha. He wanted to curl up in the darkness and sleep. He couldn't cry, or feel rage or sadness while he slept, sleep was just the sweet nothing that Ezekiel longed for at the moment. He sat down. He looked out into the distance. He wondered why at his return, his best friend was stolen so cruelly from him. He wondered why he hadn't been allowed to say goodbye.

He let out a long sad howl, and sat, staring. All that Valette or the others needed to know was in the howl. His feelings for once, were far too easy to read.

Phiipa started running towards Valette as soon as she heard the howl. The golden woman hadn't known Steady long, but she'd heard much about him. He had seemed a good leader, friend and father to the Easthollow family, and losing him hurt her. That time they had met, he had seemed so friendly and full of life. To know that he was dead now, filled her kind heart with grief. She soon found where a few others were gathered, around the battered dead body of the dark alpha male. Tears swelled in the corners of her eyes as she stared at the broken family.

She hung back some, wanting to give those closer to him the space she didn't doubt that they needed. She felt especially awful for Valette. She knew if it were one of her sisters who lie dead at her feet, she would likely never recover. Losing a mate was probably similar, if not worse. The thought filled her stomach with a sick feeling, and for a moment she felt that she might actually vomit. It passed quickly though, and she stood there waiting her turn to pay her respects.

Vinnira caught up quickly with Phiipa and shot her sister a worried glance as she drew up beside her. Someone was dead, and it could only be Steady. What would they do without him? Was Valette fit to lead on her own, so soon after the death of her mate? It was an overwhelming situation, and Vinnie drew closer to Phiipa to both offer comfort and take what comfort she could.

She stared at his body, eyes tracing the strong lines of his face. He was marred in death, but not diminished. It hurt to even look at him and remember the proud creature he had been.

dead.
dad was dead.
she trembled wildly, quivering on her limbs like a leaf caught in a wild gale. covered in wounds and fallen before her, her dad was diminished, something less than the proud protector he had been. her maw hung open, gaze dull and glazed. never before had she seen a dead wolf, never in a million years would she have expected this. the girl took a shaky step backwards, ears clenched against her skull and tail tucked against her flank tightly, as if to offer her comfort. a breath of air left her maw, shaped loosely as if trying to form a word, knowing that she couldn't stay here. 

she took another step backward, an anguished whine finally leaving her maw. with that, she turned on her heel and moved, walking first but soon dissolving into a run, faster and faster as if the pain of her burning limbs could distract from the pain that seemed to crush her chest, the shakiness of everything. away she fled, and did not look back, caring not for anything in that moment.

Sophy heard the call and slowly began to make her way up. Though she had got distracted by a fluttering butterfly with beautiful colors. She caught a glimpse of someone walking fast away from where the call had come from, but that did not put down her joyful feelings. Not till she got there did they slowly begin to drift away. She heard others howling, a rather sad sound. And she saw why. 

Steady, leader fo the pack. Was gone. Sophy did not do well with death. She remembered her talk with Valette. That Valette would do anything for her own family. And Steady was her family. Now, here he lay. She wanted to go over to the female by the body, but she was also afraid. Valette was grief stricken, and now doubt wanted to be alone. And Sophy, innocent as her mind was, did not believe any of what was happening before her. She had her sisters back, yet valette had just lost what was closest to her.

It was evident from the howl that something terrible had happened right away. Nikai's ears folded back and then up as he heard the call and then he started making his way there. There was a churning in his stomach as he made his way, a frown on his face, as he knew that something was terribly wrong with Valette. Paws carried him further until he eventually reached the scene, just as his sister did. He saw the horror on her face and as he followed her gaze he saw the death that was right in front of them.

Keoni was quick to turn and run and he stood paralysed for a moment, unsure whether to follow his sister or go to his mother's side. For now he chose to stay, evidently seeing the trouble on Valette's face and he knew he was needed here, with the one of them that wanted the company. Nikai came closer and he nosed Steady's chin in a last gesture of respect before he pressed his soft, wet nose against Valette's neck in a silent gesture of comfort, even though he knew it'd never be enough. But at least she wasn't alone through it all.

Sunny had heard the howl while he was napping, but he woke up immediately. The pure sadness and heartbreak of the cry made his heartbeat quicken and he stood up making his way to the area quickly. His view of the body was blocked by the others so he pushed forward past everyone until he could see and immediately wished he hadn't.


He stared at the body that lay so still, his mind blank as he struggled to comprehend what he was seeing. He knew steady had been ill but he hadn't a clue just how badly. This body..surely it wasn't? Sunny wasn't as close to steady as everyone here but his memories of his uncle were good ones, even great ones. 


He took in a deep breath and sat down, his eyes moistening and lips trembling as he dared to look over at Valette abd Nikai. What he saw made his chest hurt, and he looked away ducking his head and staring at the ground. He sat like this for a few long moments before standing and hesitantly approaching steady's body, his form held low to the ground and tail tucked. Once he reached Steady he lowered his nose and touched it to the soft fur and hekd it there. "I'm sorry we left...I'm sorry..." He whispered in a broken tone before lifting his muzzle once more.


He gave one last look and then turned away retreating to a short distance away, wishing he could forget this and only keep the good memories of the lively and warm,fun loving uncle who he had loved as family.

ooc: reply to keep the thread moving, if this causes any problems pm me to change it!

mourning ensued, silently and bitterly as the air became thick and heavy. krypton's tears clouded her vision as she didn't dare leave her spot. it was cruel, cruel how such a good man could be gone so quickly. he died young, too. krypton had been alive for longer than him, perhaps the oldest of the pack. if anything, she should be the dead one, not steady. he was at least worth more than she was.

aurora's small voice made the burly woman wipe her tears on her forearm before noticing the small girl to come forward. "aurora," she said slowly, as if speaking to loudly would shatter the girl, "steady isn't moving because he is dead." krypton felt herself suck in a breath sharply before trying to force herself to continue on. she deserved to know, even if she was young. she lowered her muzzle to gently graze against the top of aurora's head, a comforting thing for mainly krypton's sake. "i won't lie to you, you deserve to know."

although aurora didn't have such a tight bond with steady as the others did she was still a child and had relationships with nearly everyone here. krypon respected that and would tell her everything she wanted to know. no one deserved to be kept in the dark in situations like this. if others had a problem with it, they could talk to krypton about it later. the beastly woman then stood up somberly, motioning for the small girl to do the same and get out of the way of the other hollow wolves. the others deserved to say goodbye to their great leader. "come here, aurora, let the others see him," she said quietly.