Hushed Willows I crumble underneath the weight

Oh, the poor thing. She was just barely holding it all together. It reminded Lily of Korei struggling with the memory of her dead sister, and while the thought of her old friend gave the blackbird a pang, this was the more immediate concern. She laid down next to Sif, resting her nose atop the girl's head, if she would allow.

It'll be all right, darling, Lily whispered, thinking of her own brother, who had been lost to her for so long. He can't be gone forever, surely? No one is ever gone forever. She made gentle noises under her breath, like the wind through spring leaves, tail curving 'round Sif's haunches in a feather-light embrace. It's okay to cry. Get it all out.