Craftysolace heard the whispers. Saw the mournful glances. But...bloom didn't know why. She padded towards the warrior's den, hoping to pay her mate a visit. Tee held another gift in her maw, a new bracelet. But there was a crowd of cats near Mari's nest. Her heart sped up. Something was wrong. Terribly, horribly wrong. Sol dropped the gift. "Move!" The medic mewed desperately, shoving her way through the crowd of cats. She took a shaky breath. There was a body in that nest. Cream fur. Red splotches. The bracelets. The earring. "M--" Her words dissolved into a sob. Ce threw herself over his body, quivering. Her tears dampened his cold fur. She shook, and her heart shattered. When they were kits. She had loved him--she just didn't know it. When they were apprentices. She loved him--and they were finally together. Now-- Bloom was going to have his kits! They were going to build a life together! They were supposed to grow old together, side by side. Now it was never going to happen. "No. No. No! Mari! Why!" The medic sobbed into his cold fur. Cold. Cold? Cold. Cold. Cold. Dead. Dead? Dead. Dead. Dead. Her Marigold. Her Mari. Making bracelets, finding a pearl, decorating the alcove, swimming together, him hunting for her, them going on that patrol that changed everything. Those were the memories. Memories she'd have to shove away so she could live. So she could function. Why did he leave? Why did he have to go? Why did he leave her all alone? No cat would ever love Ace the way he had. No cat would ever look at her with such love and admiration in their eyes. As the crowd of cats slowly filtered out, she stayed where she was, already hearing the whispers. Bloom stayed where she was as her life fell apart. Yes. She'd have her family and friends. But they weren't him. What she wouldn't give to see his handsome eyes. See his blinding smile. Hear his voice. His laugh. But it wasn't possible. That is why Tee stayed where she was. Because she could smell his scent, still clinging to his body. But also because the medic knew if she stood, the shattered pieces of her heart would break further. Her heart was shattered. Bloom couldn't...find all of the pieces. Maybe that was meant to happen. Still, the medic cried into her mate's fur. Ignoring coaxes to leave his side. Ignoring food laid out in front of her. Ignoring the pain in her chest. Ignoring the world. That was all she could do. It was all she did. She couldn't say goodbye--not now. Maybe not ever. But her tears slowed. And bloom just...laid by his side, ignoring the worried glances she saw from her puffy eyes. Ignoring everything. That's what she'd have to do. Ignore. Ignore. Ignore. ---- erp... Lucy, I'd like to say thank you thank you for getting Mari. He was honestly the perfect cat for you. I am so sorry he had to die. I am so unbelievably grateful to have had the opportunity to have Marififi be real. It was genuinely the highlight of my week when we were able to rp. I will always hold painted bouquets/marififi in my heart, and I will be annoying you to do some threads from wherever Mari lives now. I loved watching Mari grow as a cat, and truly enjoyed talking to you outside of gens. Just...make sure to watch ur inbox carefully next time, okay... </3 he never gave her a gift...
