Her lips are set in a thin line, pressed together in distaste as the bile burns the back of her throat. Side by side, the Caretakers of Hyaline walk towards them, and despite the warmth of the summer day Solaces skin is chilled to the touch. A flurry of goose-bumps stipple her skin as Warrick and Warlight come into view. Solace acknowledges her wife's encouragement with a little nod, drawing strength for her antlered queen but not trusting herself to speak. Her cerulean eyes stay forward, focused on her youngest daughter and father.
Only once they are close enough to speak with the travelers does the gold splashed woman leaves the warmth of her mate's side. They peel away to greet each loved one separately, and Solace finds that for the first time in her life she does not know what to say to her father.
The weary expression on his face is the confirmation she had been dreading, and it smothers any words of greeting she may have spoken. He had always been travel worn - rugged yet wise - but this is something different. The scent of sickness pollutes the pure mountain air, and her heart breaks to see the steep slope of his withers and the sinking line of his once noble crest.
Solace brings herself to him, tucking herself against him as she had during Tephra's storms half a decade ago. "Father," she says at last, "I've missed you so much." Unwanted thoughts flood her mind as she rests against is mahogany pelt (she is careful not to lean too much weight against him) and she closes her eyes against the emotions she will not acknowledged here.
She savors the contact a moment longer, lingering just long enough to hear the mummer of his heartbeat. Pulling away, she musters a weak smile for his and Will's benefit as Kagerus strides forward. Only then does Solace let her attention dip to her daughter momentarily, watching as the girl stands unwavering beside her namesake.
Her blue eyes lift, drawn to Warrick once again once Kagerus and Warrick have greeted one another. "The children prepared a place for you," Solace says, and her smile grows a little more genuine, "It's near the lake, under a wisteria tree. If you're feeling up to it, we can head that way."
we are the ever-living ghost of what once was
@[Warrick] I may write Warlight, but don't worry about her and the posting order. She is just observing and being good for once XD
