Fallowing Goldenscale into the air, Midnight kept pace at her side. "Do you know why we're so affected by the cold," she asked once they have passed Alignak and the barrier, "While I don't remember much from before, I do remember being much more tolerant of the cold in the past."

Goldenscale kept herself paced for Midnight, just so that they wouldn't be separated.  She then chewed on her cheek as she thought up an answer for her question.  "Well, we are much less tolerant of the cold because we are bound to plants.  Most plants, the ones we are bound to, do not really live in the winter and go into a state of hibernation until spring.  Because the plants are in a state of hibernation, it is much kess harder to kill them, but they do absolutely nothing until Spring comes along.  Since our plants are still alive and they are connected to us, it makes the colder weather much harder for us.  There are some plants though that go on living even in the Winter, and they are hardy plants.  They mainly revolve around the Evergreen species, winter trees that live through all seasons." she explained.

"Oh, that makes sense. So, when our flowrs hibernate, our bodies try to fallow the example then. Maybe I can find a way to make my flower more tolerant to the cold one day. I'm going to miss playing in the snow," Midnight said, looking down to and blowing over her flower to clear it of frost, "I should probably focus on finding something that will protect it  from physical injury first though."

As they approached the village, a thick plume of smoke could be seen rising from the center where a larg bonfire was being maintained. Standing around the fire, the residence of the clan were gathered.

Goldenscale smiled, though she didn't turn back to look at Midnight.  "That sounds like a good idea.  Mine is stuck in the same place all the time, so I really don't have a choice on what I do...  I wish you good luck in fiding something that can work for your flower." she said.  She then looked around and saw the pillar of smoke rising.  Where there was smoke there was sure to be fire.  There was one in the center of town.  "Midnight, let's land there.  We are sure to get warm there and be able to figure out what's going on." she said.

Giving a nod, Midnight fallowed Goldenscale to the ground. When they landed, the residents gretted them before leading them to the side of he bonfire. "It's good to see you two back safe. We're sorry if this may seem disturbing to you, but the clan matriarch recentl passed," one of the residens leading Goldenscale and Midnight said, "We're currently in the middle of preparing the final right."

As she landed, one of the residence greeted her and Midnight, then told them of the news.  Her face fell into despair after she heard that Ahnah's mother had died.  "Oh no....  Poor Ahnah.  Did she make it in time to see her mother before she passed?" she asked worriedly.  She needed to find Ahnah and comfort her.  It wasn't easy loosing someone you loved.  She knew the feeling because Frost died.  She couldn't bear the thought of not making it on time.

"We don't know if she got back in ime or not. Ahnah went straight to her when she arrived. We didn't know of Aga's passing till a few minutes later when Ahnah announced it," the resident said, giving a shrug, "I really do hope she was able to at least speak with her mother before her passing. I can only imagine what it would be like to not get to say goodbye. One should always be able to wish their parents off to the afterlife."

Leading them over to the main gathering, the residen stepped aside to show Ahnah. While most of the other residents were working to prepare the bonfire, several were gathered around Ahnah to comfort her.

Goldenscale gave of a whimper, her ears going down in sorrow.  She never got to say goodbye to Frost when he died, and it was very hard for her, so she could empathize with Ahnah on that.  Ahnah hadn't seen her mother in years though, and that must have made it harder.  As soon as the crowd began to open up and show Ahnah in the center, she walked over through the opening, looking at Ahnah with soft and empathetic eyes.  "I'm sorry to hear your mother died, Ahnah.  Did we make it in time for you to get time with your mother before she passed?" she asked softly, not sure whether she should go and hug Ahnah or not.  There were people who didn't like being bothered while they grieved, and she wasn't sure how mourning went here in this village.

"Yes, but I only had a few moments. I only had time to say farewell before she passed," Ahnah breathed, only slightly lifting her head to see Goldenscale before laying back down, "All my life. I've seen death or hostility in all forms, but never have I felt so hurt by a death. I feel like I've lost a part of myself."

Walking over to Ahnah, Midnight nuzzled into Ahnah's side before sitting down beside her. "Go ahead and let it all ou. We're all hear for you," she whispered, "You've always put on a tough exterior, but now is a time to put appearances aside."

Walking up beside Goldenscale, a wolf like creature, with spikes along its head, dipped its head before looking to Goldenscale. "She's torn internally. She doesn't know how to properly handle this pain. She needs you at her side," Kaden's voice said, the wolf nodding to Ahnah.

Goldenscale whimpered, torn with sorrow and pain at seeing Ahnah so upset.  "We should've waited longer so you could have more time with her." she said quietly.  She then listed to Midnight, then to Kaden.  They were right, Ahnah needed as much comforting as she could get.  She limped over and laid next to Ahnah, placing a wing on her back and nuzzling her cheek.  "I'm so sorry..." she whispered.  "We will be here for you." 

"Thank you, that all I would ever ask of you. I'm just glad I got to speak with her one last time before she passed. I'm sure she's in a much better place now," Ahnah whispered, leaning ino Goldenscale, "Her pain and suffering has stopped, and she got her dieing wish. She'll be much happier now."

Coming in to land a short way from the gathering, both Deniigi and Alignak seemed to have fresh scars, Alignak's beeing more severe than Deniigi's. Seeing Ahnah, Deniigi circled around the fire to help with preparations while Alignak just stood, watching from his position while the other residents moved to block him from Ahnah.

Goldenscale gave an airy sigh and nuzzled her again, twining her tain around Ahnah's.  "I am glad we came here first so you could see your mother before she went.  Now you have both seen each other one last time." she said.  She then noticed Deniigi walk around them to the bonfire, and felt another presence there.  She then raised her head and facedd Alignak, seeing his wounds.  But as another warning, her eyes told her u spoken words.  If he dared interupt Ahnah's mourning, he would be at a greater risk than he would have with Deniigi.  She gave a snort, then moved her head to lick Ahnah's cheek.  "Don't be afraid to let your emotions flow.  It'll help to show them." she said.

Laying her head down, Ahnah started off quite, but her crying steadily grew lowder over time. As she cried, she began to shake, and her breathing became ragged. Curling up into a ball, she leaned back into Goldenscale and Midnight.

Making his way over to the three, Alignak kept silent while placing his wings over them. Closing his eyes, he lowered his head. "I may not agree with everything you have done, but Aga was our only common point. I hope she has found a peaceful place to rest her soul," he said after a few minutes, "She deserves it after everything."

Goldenscale tightened her wing around Ahnah then placed her good hand on one of Ahnah's before laying her own head next to her's.  Goldenscale looked up as she felt another placement of wings over them, then saw it was Alignak.  Instead of hardening her eyes, she kept them soft and sorrowful.  Alignak seemed to be mourning with Ahnah, and she had to comfort them.  She then lifted her other wing, the one cradling her injured arm, and touched Alignak's arm, giving her condolences to him as well for a moment before covering her arm again and using her wing to balance her body out again.

After a few hours had passed, the silence was broken by a  low horn sounding out over the fire.From the main building, three residents alongside Deniigi carried a simple box made of thick wood out before sliding it into the fire and piling more fresh wood around it.

"Aga was a caring mother all the way to her final breath. May the spirits lead her to peace, and may she be welcomed into the next life with aa smile," Deniig said, making his way over to the group. "Alignak, Ahnah, you have my deepest condolences. Aga was a wonderful person, both to others, and to her family," he said, handing a small crystal t Alignak, and setting another beside Ahnah, "May the Icewarden treat her soul with the care he used to craft it."