Dawnlark Plains I dreamt about you nearly every night this week

she pushed what remained into the cache, feeling heavy. when her uncle spoke, she said nothing, did not contest him and pushed her muzzle into his shoulder. when he offered his admittance did she pull back briefly, regarding him. "you're still here. that's all I - we - need." she doubted anyone dealt with grief well, but her uncle did so in a way that beneath her forgiveness frightened her still. she swallowed, thinking of his pups and knowing she could not allow them to suffer, to dance close to injury or that whispered possibility - death, not ever. 

she withdrew and forced a small curve onto her muzzle. "I'll get rid of this." if help was offered, she'd refuse it. shale was himself, here, and that was good enough for her to stop dredging throw their grief. she turned and began to drag the soiled pieces away, to bury them someplace they could decompose undisturbed.