Redhawk Caldera unrequited sass

Finley glanced at Magpie as the girl moved to offer to condolensces to Wildfire. She was thankful that their relationship had kept Fox's sister from saying anything bitter or spiteful, if only for the fact that Fin didn't think she would have been able to stop from trying to rip her face off if she dared to breathe a word of disrespect to her departed friends. Magpie left without another word, leaving Fin and Wildfire to themselves. The Blackthorn remained silent while her niece processed, though she moved slightly closer now that it didn't also mean moving nearer to Magpie.

Finley felt the wound in her own heart wrench back open as Wildfire broke down. She moved closer until she was near enough to reach out and touch her niece, though she didn't for the moment, instead simply making herself available if Wildfire sought that form of comfort from her. "Your dad passed away in his sleep a couple of months ago," Fin explained, feeling horrible for the words. How had so long passed and no one had gone to tell her? "Your mom died yesterday after giving birth. You have six new brothers and sisters."

There was only the faintest glimmer of light when she shared the news of the new Firebirds. It was a wonderful thing, and she had no doubt that Wildfire would have been thrilled to hear it under normal circumstances. In this case, however, Finley knew that it would never be enough to compensate for what they had lost. Nothing ever would be.