Broken Antler Fen do not underestimate the sun

Roswell and Jasmine seemed to take the death of their mother in stride at least somewhat; they didn't show too big outwardly burst-outs and while Eljay worried for how it might boomerang back to them in the future, he also felt blessed that Diantha was the only one who was really acting out. Eljay really wished he could show her that he loved her just like he loved Sylvie and Hymnal. He thought wistfully about Owen, who'd been his first 'sort of' kid; being a pupsitter, Eljay'd always had a special bond with all pups in the packs he had been a part of. Of course it was different between Elfie and Weejay and the other pups at the Copse, but in this case the children had no parents left and Eljay wanted to show them that he and Maia meant it when they said they'd be their parents from now on. He wanted to make them feel just as loved as Sylvie and Hymnal. A lot was going on right now, but somehow everyone else struggling even more made Eljay a solid rock in the storm that they were all a part of right now.

When Eljay noticed that Diantha was missing, he started heading out and tracked her scent. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary, so he tried to quell his worries with the thought that she'd be back, but still Eljay couldn't help but go and find her. He could not help but think of Elfie and how he had dealt with the loss of his mother. Eljay liked to think he could do better this time, but when Diantha came into view, he realised that perhaps this wasn't something that one could learn. At the very least he could work hard to not suffocate her or forbid her things like he had with Elfie.

So instead of telling her to head back to the rendezvous site, Eljay just smiled at Diantha as she came into view. Hey there sweetie, he called out to her. She probably didn't like being called that, but he wanted to show her that he loved her, too. What are you up to? There was nothing in his voice to say that he knew that she knew that she was being naughty and too far from the rendezvous site. Instead he just smiled at her and waited for her response; he knew that berating her would only chase her away like he had chased Elfie away.