Quietly whimpering, Soshika looked out the window at the descending sun to judge how much time had passed. Turning, she saw a bright white glare approaching from the center of the village. As it broke the shadowed edge of the heavy brush, the Hekshanian recognized the rolling gate of Ro Koji. Trying to whipe her tears away, Lypha took a deep breath. Darkfool entered the small cabin humming an upbeat tune. His smile faded and the humming stopped when he saw the Hekshanian attempting not to cry.

“Whot’s wrong?”

Soshi pushed herself up from the bed, her clothes and head fur hanging eerily from her shaking frame. She leaned against Darkfool’s stomach, and felt two pairs of arms close around her. “Now tell me whot’s got moi best little friend all in a tizzy...”

Soshika’s words rolled out between sobs, muffled by the inviting white Nikitak fur. “Kyo left and I don’t think he’ll be coming back and Solla said it’s Grey’s fault that the Rulerists are here and he never says anything besides ‘Aslilin this’ and ‘demons’ that…” she broke off into soft whimpers and buried her face in Koji’s fur.

“It’s awright, Darkeyes got ‘is noggin toyed with on the Shard. He still loves ya, ‘an oi’m sure Kyo’ll be back ‘afore ye know he was even gone.” Darkfool smiled, whispering down into the Hellcat’s ears while she sobbed to herself quietly.

Eventually, the sun set over the green horizon, and the Nikitak dragged his companion down the roughly cut path to the dining hall. Magos and Flits swarmed, cooking or sitting down to eat. In a shadowed corner, two pairs of wings were visible flexing and folding themselves. Ro Koji and Soshika sat down with Misuka and Solla, nobody doing much more than prodding their food.

“Oi wonder where Darkeyes got ‘imself to?”

Misuka and Soshika perked up, turning to face Darkfool. “I’ll look!” The two Others shouted in unison and jumped up. They sprinted back out the door, not noticing the raging Animarian pursuing them.

Darkfool looked after the trio in astonishment, but after a moment he just shrugged. “Girls... oi’m safer here, oi suppose... hey, lookit all this grub.” The Nikitak’s eyes went wide as he dumped the other three platefuls of food onto his own and licked his lips.