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 Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 9:53 pm
 Oh cruel fate, the butterfly would never fly again. Banshee had discovered the stricken creature on the sidewalk, sitting precariously in the way off traffic and it was readily apparent that torn wing had rendered the poor creature lame. "Oh no NO nonno NO no no nooooo," she whined as she circled around her fallen companion, making sure everyone knew to walk around, rather than on top of the insect. "Oh oh no this is terrible, you sweet thing. You bring so much joy only to have your life shattered so early." Her whine turned high-pitched.
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 12:06 am
 The caterwauling reached her ears before she even saw the other filly. Strangely enough it was a sound that White Death was used to. She frequently held funerals for pretend animal companions and would always wail and cry at the horror of a life lost. This cry just sounded more authentic then her's ever did. She stopped just before the scene and peered down at the scene. Oh, dear. The poor butterfly was alive, but just barely. The little flutter of it's wings and the slow movement made it fairly obvious the creature was in immeasurable pain. She coughed carefully and kept a polite distance away. "Crying like that isn't going to heal your friend, but maybe you and I can take a look at it together and try to help the little thing."
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 12:41 am
Banshee sat down heavily, back legs splayed out in abject despair. She accepted the newcomer’s arrival as fate, nodding sadly in greeting. “There’s no helping her now,” she told the white filly. “We can only keep a vigil and hopes the end comes soon.” She did appreciate the others optimism and would have smiled had the situation not been so traumatic.
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 12:59 am
White Death nodded and sat down next to the other filly. It was quiet for a time as they watched the butterfly together, but it was becoming more and more apparent that despite the insect's distress it was not going to die any time soon. The other phony was in equal torment watching her little friend so White Death offered the most pragmatic solution. "Please don't think I'm cruel, but maybe we can help put the butterfly out of it's misery. It might be the kindest thing we could do at this point."
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 1:11 am
Banshee did not react to the suggestion in horror or disgust; she simply wrinkled her nose in thought and continued to watch the butterfly. It kept crawling in circles, is if uncertain what to do or where to go. “You’re right,” she eventually agreed. “This is not a life worth living. I know I wouldn’t want to suffer through a long suffering death.” She took in a deep, steadying breath.
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 1:20 am
White Death sighed an inward breath of relief. She was so afraid that this girl was going to shriek or attack her for just wanting to help in the best way possible ... she'd already tensed every muscle in her body in stress. But that wasn't the case. Reason was seen. "Do you want to do it? You've been watching over it for longer and it might be better to come from a trusted source." She was prepared to do it if the ordeal proved too much for the dark filly, but it didn't feel right as she was new to the butterfly's life.
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 1:26 am
Banshee lifted a hoof and stared at it with a frown. She knew she probably could do it but she didn’t really want to. Having been here with her butterfly friend for so long (nearly half an hour now!), she was too attached to make that killing blow. "I’m not sure I have what it takes," she admitted without a hint of shame at having to admit her failings. "But if you can’t, that’s okay. I’ll… I’ll manage." The butterfly chose that moment to flop itself onto its back, little legs waving uselessly. Banshee swallowed hard.
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 1:42 am
White Death placed a reassuring hoof on her new friend's shoulder and took a breath. "I can do it. If you want to look away I'll understand." She placed her hoof directly over the butterfly and counted to three in her head. Then she stepped down firmly; killing the insect immediately. She stepped back knowing she had bits of the butterfly on the bottom of her foot, but not wanting to scrape it off just anywhere. "What would you like to do next? We shouldn't leave the remains in the middle of the sidewalk. We could try to scoop up as much as we can and leave it for other bugs to find."
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 1:50 am
Banshee didn’t look away. She didn’t even blink just to make sure she didn’t miss a second. Then it happened and it was over; her dear friend put to rest. At least it was no longer in pain. "We need to hold a funeral. I need to give our sweet butterfly a proper send off." That was her specialty. Her farewell would be heard into the next life and the butterfly would know it was loved. She stood and motioned towards the nature strip. Grass was better than concrete at least.
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 2:05 am
With a nod the white filly got to work scraping up and moving the squished bits of the butterfly from the sidewalk to the grass. When she was done delicately wiping off the bottom of her hoof in the same spot as the rest of the butterfly she bowed her head solemnly. "A few words for the departed before we send it off to the next life-" she cleared her throat. "You were a dazzling stained-glass display of love and life. Though your multi-colored dance ended too soon you brought a joy to those who saw you. You will be missed." She stepped back and patted the other filly gently again. "Now for some thoughts from the butterfly's friends."
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 2:15 am
Banshee felt the wail gather in her chest. She forcibly held it back. “You were my dearest friend. The moment I saw you, I knew that your life had been full of love and wonder. None could help but look upon you with a smile. You were taken too soon. Your life cut short in tragic circumstance. But you will not be forgotten. You always be in our heart. My sweet friend, the butterfly.” The tears welled and she set it all free. Banshee began to wail. She began to cry. She threw herself to the earth and sobbed, her ear-splitting howling continued unbroken.
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 2:29 am
White Death startled a little when the wails started, but she quickly settled herself and watched silently. The mourning would continue for as long as it was needed and she knew there was naught she could do about it. The best that could be done was for her to stay by should she be needed and wait it out. What she didn't expect, however, was to shed a few tears herself. What a beautiful display of grief.
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 2:36 am
Banshee released all her grief in the form of sound, her final glorious farewell to a beautiful creature. For ten minutes the wailing continued unbroken and then finally the tone dropped to a softer keening. By the time she was done mourning, she was on her side, lacking even the strength to lift her head. Despite the exhaustion, she felt good.
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 2:40 am
When the crying stopped White Death spoke up softly. "Butterfly will feel your goodbye for many lives. You did a beautiful thing." A white hoof offered itself to be taken as help up, and she smiled. "Would you like to go get something to drink? It'll be my treat."
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 2:45 am
With a helping hoof, Banshee sat up. She wiped away the last remains of her tears and grinned. "Yeah, that'd be awesome. My name is Banshee."
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