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Mel listened to Keely's words, not moving to answer her questions right away. No, he would never be okay. He would forever wonder what he could have done differently in his life to have been closer to those who had passed. Yet, he already knew it was just one decision. Joining their herd. He didn't want to follow rules, or feel like he had to be confined. In exchange for his own freedom, he'd lost valuable time he would now give his life for to have again.

"I only see my sister. But I won't disturb her at the moment." He watched his dear sister crying, being comforted by one who must be her mate... if he wasn't then he was much to close to his sister at the moment. Inwardly he smiled, always teasing his Tuli about being around males, and making sure she stayed far away from them. But the smile didn't reach his exterior, and he still had the outward expression of sorrow.

It only softened a bit when Karma was in front of him. His brother. Essentially his twin brother if not for minor differences. A brother who had lost so much more than he, which was hard to imagine at the moment. "Karma.. I'm sorry. For everything." If only he could explain how much truth there was in being sorry for 'everything'. There was so much to say. To ask for forgiveness he didn't deserve for being gone. To try to offer comfort his brother probably wouldn't want. There was so much, and yet he couldn't spit it all out. "I shouldn't have taken that out on you.. I.. I guess I just didn't know what else to do." He hung his head in shame. "I still don't know what to do..." he whispered, more to himself than anything.

Kahili turned her head to look at the newcomer speaking to them. She had a vague memory of meeting him, a long time ago. She'd only been a young foal when she had met her aunt and uncle. Her uncle hadn't just lost his parents. She heard he'd also lost a son and granddaughter. The two she hadn't know, let alone even known existed. Not knowing what else to do, she stepped forward, away from the protective shield of her mate, to give a small nuzzle to her uncle's cheek. "I'm sorry too."

Malis lead the small convoy who showed up for the grave meeting. She was closely followed by Imogen and Dayunsi, both carrying baskets of fragrant herbs and flowers. The troll elder walked carefully through the growing throng of people intending to show her respects. Stopping before Shrivatsa she made a low bow, how she knew the mare was the new leader after only arriving, only the spirits knew but the large elder's smile was warm even though her eyes spoke more than just regret. "Ah be sure t' bless their souls wit' a speedy journey to t' realm of t' spirits." She raised her head, towering over the younger mare, "An' t' give ya aid fer ya herd still in this one." With a nod over to the burning pyre she heaved a long sigh. "Ah not be seein' them often but they be a piller o' strength and pure spirits be true. Yaself an' mah family, we be related through t' family ties. That be makin' ya mah sister an' ah be promisin' ya help an' strength if t' need shall rise. Mah only wish be that ah could be arrivin' sooner but..." her expression hardened for a moment, "Ya not be t' only ones who be declarin' war on t' walkers." After shaking her head once the troll regarded the mare before her. "Ya be strong o' spirit just like ya family. Ah be proud t' call ya mah sister." With that she turned away after nodding respectfully to pay her respects to the fire itself leaving Immi and Day to add their own thoughts.



Immi lead the pair closer, leaving her basket full of fragrant flowers by her feet before giving a polite curtsey. "I am truly sorry for your loss. I knew Vara from our times in the glades many years ago, though the duties of the herd have kept me away in recent times. She was always one who was kind and friendly, one to give good advice when needed." The mare smiles sadly at Shrivatsa. "Though we may never see them again, they always have a way of staying close by in spirit." She nudged the basket with her foot before nodding towards Dayunsi who also laid his basket down next to it. "We bring a gift of herbs and flowers, some of which are hard to find. The herbs are for healing to re-stock your supplies, you are welcome to send messangers for more if you have need. The flowers are in memory of those who have departed and to brighten the spirits of those who remain. Please accept this token and the condolences of the WillowGlen herd."

The small flutter bowed in agreement to what Immi spoke of, a little spooked which having traveled so far away from home but had been determined to follow Immi in support for both herself and the Padmapani herd. "I am the one who grew these herbs, if you wish to know the properties of any unfamiliar herbs, please do not hesitate to ask. I wish to help..." He trailed off, not quite sure what else to say, usually deferring to Immi as she was the more eloquent and personable of the two. He shuddered a little as he though of the trials they had just been through, knowing the fear of being attacked. Day added quickly, "In any way that I am able." before bowing and taking a step or two behind his larger mate.

Maion didn't say anything as his daughter tried to reassure him.... instead he let his eyes move towards Auva and then Sonnet. Closing his eyes for a moment he did his best to push back the pain his heart felt for both his mate and her herd, the pain he felt for himself, and did his best to be brave for those that needed him. He knew better than most there was little pointing in wishing things had changed, in wishing that you had done something different or somehow managed to change something. It didn't help matters. Nothing changed. You simply felt worst about it all.

It should be thankful, he supposed, at least his granddaughter had not lost her life.... something he would never have forgiven. It did also mean that he would be far more vigulant with them, not allowing them to wander as freely without someone with them... something he was sure their father would agree with; if not suggest himself.

Unable to stand it Maion turned and made his way out of the group to stand back. He would watch and wait, escort his family home..... he just needed to breath. Just a little.

Chandra looked at Sonnet, a sadness filled her.... he was so mad at her, though nothing he could do would compare to how she was beating herself up. Her grandmother had wanted to spend time with Auva... something that Chandra had never felt bad about, Auva was like her own mother had been... silent... though they didn't know if Auva would stay that way or would one day find her voice. It had triggered a memory in Vara, Chandra had seen it in her eyes..... of course Chandra hadn't known about their 'last trip'... had she.... she would never have left Auva alone! If only she had been there! She could have helped Auva, took the blow for her, protected her like a mother should.

She felt her father move from her.... and then felt Auva move too as she limped towards Sonnet. Everyone was leaving her. Was that a prediction for the future? A future that her foolishness had brought forth? She hoped not. Tears started to roll down her eyes.... not for the loss of the dead... but for far more selfish reasons. Chandra feared she would forever be blamed and tarnished by the events that had occured due to her carelessness.

But how... did she make things right? Her eyes wandered to Heze, and then Zaniah as she noticed their third daughter returning to them. She turned to see Sonnet's father and bowed her head in thanks to him for looking after Zaniah. Even as her heart broke and fragmenets she tried to keep the world from seeing..... things would change, she knew that.... she would change.....

Auva watched her mother for a moment, and saw a sadness in her eyes as she looked at her father. Worried it was because he was sad she left the safety and warmth of her mother to limp towards him. It wasn't a far distance, but with her sore leg it seemed to take her a while. Or maybe that was just her imagination. Eventually she made it to his side, and without 'asking' for permission she burried her head under his wings and nosed his side playfully. Her version of 'cheer up' or 'I am ok'. She didn't like seeing anyone sad, and being surrounded by so many sad people made her feel sick inside.... she couldn't help them all, she didn't even know them all, but she hoped she could help Daddy.

Then a thought occured to her... was he sad because of those that had died? She knew that two were her great-grandparents.... she had liked them. She scowled as she pushed herself under his wings and turned so that she was stood side by side with him. She peeked out to look at her sister, she was between both their parents... looking.... well, Auva wasn't sure how to describe the look on Heze's face. In an effort to cheer her up too she stomped one of her good front hooves into the ground, causing a gentle 'tap' that she hoped would be enough to catch Heze's attention. She wanted her to hide with her. Like they had when they had been smaller.

Haishan Fai nodded to his mate, and followed, willing to greet anyone she wanted... though he doubted he would use words. A nod here, a soft smile of solice there.... what could anyone say? There were no words that could simply make everything better, to restart the clock to a time when none of this had happened. And although he wished with all his heart and sould that he could turn back the clock so that he didn't have to see the sadness in Tuli's eyes that seeped from her heart.... he knew he couldn't. And so, he would be there for her. Forever and always.

Drashi continued to feel 'out of place'.... but he did his job, not saying a bad word about anything, or looking at anyone in a way that could be considered as 'wrong'. He certainly didn't want to upset anyone anymore than they already where.

His eyes continued to scan the group. He nodded to Eden when he spotted her, she had helped rein Crown in a little, and although he was certainly more focused than he had been just a short time ago, Drashi couldn't help but continue to believe that something wasn't right. So much drama. He didn't do well with drama. Stability was the one thing that Drashi craved above all things.

After scanning the crowd he noticed that his father had retreated from the group... unlike him. He was usually the pillar that others leaned on. Unable to leave him alone Drashi walked towards Maion, not saying a single word as he simply stood beside him. A silent way of saying -- 'I will always be here for you.'

Stood beside his father he gained a new perspective of the herd... and one figure in particular caught his attention. A mare... of bright yellow, with strange markings that faded to black at her hooves, and with a head of brown hair. She seemed.... off. And not just because she was 'mourning'... there seemed to be more to her expression... but Drashi couldn't place it.

After a while, Crown found himself with an urge to move again. He simply couldn't seem to stand still. His mind was racing with thoughts that, to be frank, where not fit for the situation. Still he couldn't stop them. Spying his sister standing back from the larger group he wandered towards her.

"Eden." He said, looking around for Orion, before realising that he would never come here... and that although Crown had truely accepted him he knew others wouldn't accept his mixed heritage... especially not here, not today. Straightening up and looking at her he grinned, before catching himself and returning to a more somber and serious expression; "You ok?"

Caoimhe beamed, which was most likely inappropriate here, but...well she had missed him... The white alicorn mare snuggled under her mate's wings with a content sigh.
"I've been learning things. Trying to become better at healing. So...so if something like this... Oh Amitiel! I couldn't bear to lose you... I'd die too...." She spoke these truths in a harsh whisper so as not to draw attention or disrupt the funeral. Her wings drooped and her head was bowed as she poured out her fears in a soft voice, "Terra....She hates me.... I need to be stronger.... I don't want to lose you because I wasn't properly prepared, either combat-wise or healing-wise. I don't want you to regret having me as your mate because I'm some weakling that always has to be protected. I don't want to always be the damsel in distress or the princess needing her knight in shining armor to come to her aid... I want to be the one fighting by your side... Someone you'd be proud to have beside you in a fight." This funeral and these deaths had worsened her fear and doubt. She didn't want to be left behind because she couldn't pull her own weight. She wanted to show that while fragile, she didn't need constant vigilance to be kept from harm and that she could defend herself to some degree.

Caoimhe stilled as her mate's wings brushed against her. Did he really think she didn't need him? Of course she did! He was the reason she wanted to learn how to fight. For him and their future children's sake. She laid her head against his back, "Of course I need you! I love you." That was the simple truth. He was all that mattered. At least until they had children then they all would be all that mattered. Her family was what mattered. Her ear twitched as he nipped it and she let out a soft laugh. "Perhaps I should pay our respects and talk about this elsewhere. I know how you feel about lies....even those told with the best of intentions I'll be along soon."

After a moment of hesitation Akuba strode over to Sonnet's new family unit and nodded to Chandra, in moments things went from falling apart to fixing themselves up again.
'This family learns fast',he thought, 'they're going to be okay.'
For him it was always preferable to stand away because his son had his own adult life now and his own little family. A small weak smile slowly spread across his face. He felt so old, but he'd been feeling old for a long time, even when his two were teens. For now he saw his purpose as a father had been fulfilled, Sonnet was just about coping, now he could sort his own things out.



Zaniah looked at her sister and sighed out a little of the raging demon inside her. She didn't like much being breathed on by strange mares she did not know. Her father had always told her to stay away from strangers, she gave the mare a funny look and moved away. Her ears perked at Heze's question she was already in a foul mood and making decisions made her feel worse, she looked at her aunt, then to Grandaddy Maion and then to her father,"why are they called piggy backs? I've never seen a piggy on anyone's back..." She huffed and returned to looking, she looked at her mother and then to grandaddy Aku and then back to her mother. She wasn't sure she wanted a ride at all, she wanted to feel the ground. As soon as her mother looked like she was going to say something her attentions turned to Drashi, she looked at Drashi who offered Heze a lift. "I don't want a ride", she scowled still feeling sour,"I will walk." She huffed and stomped the ground.