Hushed Willows the morning will come soon.

Eleuthera has moved only a few steps away before she realized that she heard no movement behind her and did not feel the presence of Ibis near — her sister hadn’t followed her, apparently. The lilac teen grit her teeth indignantly, halting her motions and casting a furtive glance over her shoulder at the dove-like girl still on the ground, still with her attentions wrapped around the skull as if it were some perverse babydoll. Eleuthera was thoroughly annoyed.

She trotted back towards where she just was, her movements sharp in their disapproval.  “How’re boys ever gonna like you when you look like this?” Eleuthera asked, still wondering with serious passion how Ibis’s priorities could be placed so incorrectly. They had been raised by the same parents, hadn’t they? Did Ibis simply just not care? Well, Ibis was lucky that Eleuthera was so caring and nurturing; so willing to take her younger sister under her wing.

 “Let me help at least,” Ellie offered in a voice somewhat softer than before. She always had liked caring for things and making them feel — and look — better. Without waiting for permission [because, y’know, family] Eleuthera placed a paw upon Ibis’s withers and began to lick and preen the thick fur of her neck; cleansing the girl of the dirt which besmirched her and setting every hair into its proper place. Eleuthera was only half-involved her her task, though: her gaze remained upon the skull, unerring in its attention. Eleuthera felt as thought it was staring at her; could see her and read her thoughts, as if the soul of the thing was very much alive and existed within the bones as her own soul resided in her warm, breathing body. 

Between licks, Eleuthera mentioned offhandedly  “You know that is a dead thing, right?”