This could not be real. Fae had to be dreaming. It made no sense. Vulpinekit stared down at the body of a cat who was so close, yet so far away. Sure, they’d had their differences, but that didn’t make this a relief. “Pliby.” Vulpine’s words were choked. “Come back. I miss you. I /need/ you.” Faer tail hit the ground. Maybe if faer tail hurt, faer heart would hurt less. Deep down Vulpine knew it wasn’t true. That there was no point in pretending. But it was hard to face the truth. Fae banged faer head on the ground until it hurt. “Why did you take her!” Vulpinekit screamed at whatever and whoever was listening. “I need her!” Fae crumpled to the ground, exhausted. The vigil was too short, yet years long. “Somebody help her. Bring her back.” Fae ran up to Pillbugshell’s c0rpse, and pounded on her unmoving chest. “Wake up, wake up!” Fae wailed. “I need you to tell me the story of Delphine. You didn’t finish. With the song she sang.” The sorceress’s head dropped to the ground, no longer feeling so powerful. It was too much to take. Vulpinekit slumped to the ground, exhausted but refusing to sleep, until the night sky faded to pale dawn, and life continued. Somehow. Without Pillbugshell.
