1975/Cutscene: To Mourn the Lost

Cutscene: To Mourn the Lost
Date of Scene:	13 August 2017
Location:	Outside of NYC
Synopsis:	Mercy Thompson finally learns that Darryl the werewolf is dead. She mourns.
Cast of Characters:	Mercy Thompson
Tinyplot:	Tayaniye

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Mercy Thompson has posed:
It's a call that's been a long time coming and it goes something like this -

"I'm sorry it took me so long to call." That's Mercy, her voice sounding broken and torn up. "I know. I -"

Whatever else she was about to say is stopped, as the voice on the other end speaks up. Her expression falls as she listens to Bran. "I see." She says quietly, "I'm so sorry.", she continues in that same harsh nearly silent tone; not that it matters, the wolf on the other side can easily hear her. There are more words, more back and forth, but by the end of it all Mercy can offer is small basic noises of agreement or not. When the call finally ends the coyote's features are ashen and she slowly disconnects the line.

Now the garage is locked up tight. Business closed.

A small bag and backpack will be packed and then tossed into her car. It's a long drive, but one she makes. She's heading to the outskirts of New York City, where the wild things live. Where there's trees, animals, prey and predators. That's where Mercy runs to.

Where she seeks solace.

The day turns to night. A lone coyote hunts, runs, naps. It's only when the moon rises that the russet and cream coyote finds herself sitting upon a small overlook. High ground; where her yellow gaze can look through a thin spot of the canopy to the sky above. There's the moon. Hanging bright and full. Seeing that celestial body causes the coyote to finally release a howl. It's an undulating thing. Higher pitched than a wolf, but still strong enough to echo through the woods. To cause the smaller creatures to start and huddle. To hide and scamper. To find shelter.

While the mice, the rabbits, and the small things cower the coyote's call continues. It holds more than just what the wild things typically say - more than just stalk and hunt, danger and safety. This call holds concepts of the two-footed kind; sadness, regret, apology.

Mercy's call wafts high upward to the darkened sky, reaching towards the heavens where the spirits rest, play and watch.

And perhaps hear.

Hear the call reaching to them - asking for forgiveness. Or the grace for Mercy Thompson to forgive herself.