Hushed Willows sad humming all the time

aw -- tags for ref

every day the absence of ariel's prescence in their den feels a little less unfamiliar. if he were a little older, the realization would sadden him; as it is, he can only keep growing forward, toward the light of the outside world. things could be worse. @Olive and @Seabreeze close rank around their children in the days following the tragedy, soothing any lingering anxiety over the incident (and, of course, explaining death, that which he could not name properly to @Cam, before). 

the quiet mourning is stifling. atwood begs to be let out of the den, away from the sadness, and his mothers usually oblige. he has not been able to sneak out since he met mali, but it's not so bad to have a gentle guardian with him. like today; he's acompanied by olive as he explores, busying himself with chewing on the roses.