The gibbon sat inside the treehouse his back pressed into Aristotle’s belly. He had been sitting in the main room arranging furs and little bobbles here and there. When he had been interrupted by the sound of Aristotle bouncing down the ramps leading up into the house had startled him. He had moved just in time for Aristotle’s near lifeless body to come tumbling down and land right in front of him, his face pouring blood. It had been a complete shock. Now it had settled and he had accepted that Aristotle had left him alone with four new chrysalis’ up on the top platform.

Suddenly Sun was pulled from his thoughts by a very familiar voice. He heard COmet calling out to him. Slowly the little gibbon stood and monkeyed his way slowly to the door. ”Over here Comet.” Sun Called his voice cracking as his softly furred face was stained and wet with tears. Blood caked on his hands from trying to get Aristotle to wake up by shaking his head. The scent of blood would be heavy in the air around the treehouse.

@Comet

Emerald colored eyes looked at his sister as she approached. He didn’t know what to say. For once the boy was at a complete loss for words. He just looked over his shoulder into the main room and back to Comet. He let out soft little coos and hoots as he watched Comet bound up to him. This was his fault after all. Daddy had done this to give him a family again. He hadn’t known the repercussions of what he had asked. He didn’t know that it would end up like this. Emerald eyes blinked away tears as Sun turned and slowly moved his way back into the room.

Sun lifted his head as he felt Comet rush past him and into the room. She stopped dead in her tracks the instant she came upon daddy’s body laying on the ground, his face bloody and his gem gone from its place in the base of Aristotle’s left ear. He heard her voice break as she spoke her name for him. ”I’m sorry.” Sun offered his apology. He had caused this, she was mad at him but she had come to see him, and she had come at the worst time.

He watched as Comet cuddled around Aristotle’s head, his blood still wet enough that rubbed off onto her pristine white fur. Slowly Sun waddled over to Comet sniffling as he wiped a bloody hand across his cheek and nose, gently he lay his other hand on Comet’s shoulder. ”He gave his life to give me a family again.” Sun spoke, his voice breaking as answered her.


@Comet

Sun watched as the blood soaked into Comets fur. He would have to help her get to the creek nearby to get clean later. He didn’t know what he was going to do with his father’s body. After all it seemed like it had been forever, but in reality it had only been about ten minutes from the time it had happened. Sun hooted softly as he leaned down with a soft whine like coo, he rested his cheek on the top of her head. How had everything come to this? He had been here and yet, he had been able to do nothing to save the lion he called father.

Slowly Sun sat down beside Comet, his side resting against her as he lay an arm over her. He had begged for a family. Then Daddy had explained to him about the gems with magic in them and how you could bring them back to life. When he explained, all of his questions about daddy’s attachment to Abraxas had been so strong. Daddy explained how he could feel the magic in the gems and that was how he knew they could live. He had explained that James had told him about it. Sun froze his breath catching in his throat as he shot up from his place beside Comet. This was James’ fault! He had told daddy about it, but he hadn’t told him it would kill him! He hadn’t told him that using his magic to bring gems to life could kill them. ”It’s his fault…” Sun mumbled to himself his nose wrinkling. ”I’ll never forgive him.” Sun hadn’t said who he was referring to and didn’t intend to fill Comet in on who he was talking about. This would be his problem not hers.

Sun looked at Comet as she began to speak. She was apologizing. Why was she apologizing? She hadn’t done anything. Then she said it was her fault. No! He swung around to sit in front of her. He grabbed her face in his hands forcing her to look him in the eyes. ”No!” He said firmly. ”This is not your fault! I know who did it and I’ll never forgive them. Sun spoke in a low even tone his eyes searching hers as he spoke. He would change the subject as he gently ran his hand over her muzzle and up over between her ears gently. Help me. Daddy deserves to be respected the way he respected his prey.” Sun sniffled tears forming in his eyes again as he stood up and ran a hand over Aristotle’s face again once more coating it in blood. ”We need to bury him.” Sun explained simply if she hadn’t caught onto what he had meant. He would understand if she hadn’t this was a very hard time.


@Comet

Sun just sat for a moment holding Comet. He wasn’t sure how long she would be around or when she would leave this time. But he was extremely glad she had showed up when she did. Not just because of the comfort she brought him by being here, but because it meant that he wouldn’t have to go through this alone. It was sad to be thinking that way, but he was glad he wasn’t alone. When he jumped up with his thoughts, he knew that Comet would be confused by his angry mutterings. However he didn’t want to explain because he didn’t want to involve her.

Staring deeply into Comet’s eyes, his own holding a deep sternness to them. He would not allow Comet to blame herself for what happened. It was James’ fault for telling daddy that he could give life to gemstones. He hadn’t warned him however that it could kill him. He hadn’t said anything about that. It wasn’t her fault so he wasn’t about to let her blame any of this on herself. She did what she felt was right. He couldn’t blame her for that and neither would daddy. He would be happy to know that she was enjoying her life. Even with his assurance the look in her eyes told him she didn’t entirely believe what he said. His eyes softened as he looked into her brilliant blue eyes that almost matched daddy’s. Her eyes reminded him of those deep crystal pools of water here in Eridanus.

Gently Sun stroked Comet’s head. He knew his touch would be at least a little bit of a comfort to her. Anytime he held her or just stroked her, he knew it brought her at least a little comfort and a little happiness. Sun nodded as she questioned burying daddy. ”Yes, it’s how he respected his prey. After he finished eating them, he’d always bury them and wish them well in their next life.” Sun had seen him doing it one time in the backyard of Orion, and had asked about it. Daddy had readily explained his reasonings and it fit very well with what Sun felt was his father. Sun gently stroked her face again as he felt a cold settle over daddy’s body. ”There’s a spot just outside. I know he’d want to stay close to his family so we can bury him out back behind the house.” Sun explained gently. Sun moved over to a pile of furs pulling out one big enough to lay under daddy and pull him outside. Sun situated the piece of leather just beside Aristotle who lay on his side. Sun moved back around to Aristotle’s other side and began to push. Slowly Aristotle’s body began to roll over onto the sling. He knew he might be able to do this, but pulling him outside would require both Comet and himself pulling.


@Comet

Sun felt in himself that Comet wouldn’t be leaving tonight. Honestly he was glad she would be staying with him. He didn’t want to be alone. In fact he never wanted to be alone, but now he would have to learn how to be alone. He knew how to fend for himself and he had gotten good at using his stick. He’d been whacking and bashing at bushes and practiced keeping light on his feet and always moving. He knew it would be nothing like a real fight. But at least he was used to using the stick now. Emerald eyes looked at Comet for a moment. He knew she would be leaving him in the next day or two, she never stayed still for long and he was okay with that. She still came to visit so he wasn’t as lonely but, it was his loneliness that had killed daddy.

Sun smiled lightly when he saw the tiny smile on Comet’s lips. At least she could remember him fondly, even if they hadn’t spoken in quite some time. Aristotle had still loved her. After all he was the one who had brought her home. But it had been her choice to leave and no one could blame her for that. Sun gently stroked Comet’s head one more time as she choked out her reply.

Sun watched as Comet grabbed hold of the leather Aristotle lay on and tried to pull but it seemed that her own emotions were weakening her body. He wasn’t surprised pain and sadness could do things to you that were unlike anything else. Swiftly Sun moved over to Comet’s side and stroked her shoulder, then he grabbed the leather himself and began to pull. Slowly but surely the rather strong Gibbon began to move the heavy body of his father. He knew that he would need help moving it the rest of the way and looked to Comet. ”Try again I’m sure together we can do it.” Sun assured her gently, he knew that she was much stronger than he could ever be.

@Comet