Hushed Willows seventeen

ee!  thar be dramaz happening with stark ._.

Time.  She needed time.  Oh, but didn't she always say something like that?  Stark's arrival back at Marauder's Keep after his two day absence loomed over her like a dark cloud heavy with the promise of a storm.  His return brought back Octavia - at least, what was left of her.  The former Alpha female had clearly been on her own for far too long and along with her apparent illness, her death had been all but assured.  Banner couldn't say she was necessarily surprised at the outcome, but the look on her brother's face was what broke her.

The day had been spent at his side, helping him with whatever he needed.  Undoubtedly, it was a long day for both of them.  Banner's emotions felt frayed and she needed a break.  Not too long, maybe if she could manage an hour away from Stark's sadness and the finality of death.. maybe she'd be okay.

And so she did what she'd always done when nothing else made sense: the Beta patrolled the borders.  It was a familiar routine, something she could slip into that allowed her to feel normal and useful and everything she didn't feel while Stark was mourning.  The short lady Marauder's shoulders were stiff as she stalked along, her eyes unfocused even as they scanned they scanned the area.  Banner was aware that going through the motions was.. lazy?  No, maybe pointless.  But she didn't care.  She just needed time.