Sleepy Fox Hollow Away from all of reality

It was hard for Stag to be bringing his sister to his home, only to lose her again. The more he thought of it, the more it seemed bitterly unfair -- to the point where his jaw was set in a hard line as Mahler came, and then his mother.

Not even his mother's joy or Mahler's surprise could soften the glint in Stag's gaze as he waited for introductions to be over. Waited, for that moment Monarch-turned-Simmik would leave them, again. His heart felt flinty and full of shale. How many more losses would he be subjected to before life became easy? If it ever became easy?

He stomached the news of his sister's new name quietly, keeping his gaze on the ground as Mahler and Takiyok caught up with Simmik.