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Tayui came her name; and Tayui came the worry. The pale lady frowned, wondering why Aurèle was having so much trouble saying her name. Had she injured her voice? Was that why she was here? Did she need assistance creating some sort of herbal remedy. Although she had never been too familiar with the healing powers of plants, she knew it was possible to make a myriad of cures with various plants. Tayui shook her head, reeling herself in. She had to focus: if Aurèle needed her help, she had to be ready and willing to listen. She took a step closer, oping to comfort her sister.
She had not expected that. Not ever, not again. Her mind raced with the implications, no -- the very thought that her daughter was dead was enough to make her thoughts spiral into oblivion. She could feel her foreleg shaking and she raised it to examine her clawed paw. She had shifted into her Secui form to ease of movement while working in the cave, but now her larger form felt more of a burden than a help. Now, her entire body felt like it was hindering her and holding her back. She could feel her other foreleg shuddering under the weight as she realized she had been leaning on it far too much. She lowered her other leg to the ground, staring at her sister. She said nothing; she just stared, willing the words to go away.
They didn't. Not when Aurèle showed her the toy. It was Noir's favourite, her little stuffed toy. Attila had always teased her about it, but Tayui hadn't minded it. Her beautiful daughter and all those beautiful toys, dead and rotting.
“Aurèle,” she choked out, now realizing why her sister had such difficulty pronouncing her name. She did not want to say it, but she knew she had to: “Noir.” She reached out and took the toy from her sister. She leaned back on her haunches, cradling the toy against her chest. Some of the dirt rubbed on to her pale pelt, but she didn't notice. Noir was dead.