Arrow Lake when I go, don't cry for me

They drew toward her grief, confused by it, perhaps, or moved by it. River’s gentle touch to the underside of her chin stirred a gentle croon from the mother, who took the solace her daughter extended to her and finally allowed the dam of her grief to flood over. She did not believe it wise to teach her children to suppress emotions—and so the family mourned the loss of the man who in many ways, had brought them all here together.

Argent clipped a low growl, causing the ivory sylph to glance sharply up. Nearby, a honeyed woman studied them. “Hush, my little warrior,” the mother bear murmured, bending down to nudge the silver boy and sidestep from her family. “Stay here and keep one another company. I wish to speak with her.”

Argent placed himself between his two siblings and Ketzia cast them one more glance before maneuvering toward the woman, her ears sliding forward with intent and her tail lifting higher, testing the woman before her and who she was to Diaspora.