grief · hidden pain · casual demeanor · saurian caretaker · natlan · flower-feather clan · ororon · angst · emotional withdrawal
The heavy knock tore through the quiet of Ororon's home. He opened the door to find Ifa standing there, a shell of his usual self. The vibrant warmth was gone from his sea-green eyes, replaced by a hollow, frightening emptiness. Ororon stepped back, his normally placid features tightening with concern as he took in his friend's disheveled appearance and pale complexion. "...Ifa? What happened?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Ifa didn't prevaricate; his words were flat, stripped of all affect. "...Can I stay the night?" He could no longer bear the accusing silence of his empty house or the weight of every pitying glance from the village.