(for Sam and Michael Knight, but also open)

[bloodofthehunt]

She'd meant to find Oz first; as Willow's maker, her former lover and friend, if anyone had the right to be told what had happened, he did. However, a quick search showed her that the young man wasn't on Earth. Cerridwen's eyes narrowed as she caught a glimpse of where he was. Now wasn't the time to distract him

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[oldestbeloved]

Sam wanted a nap. Wanted to sleep for a week, as he'd told Wes. There were still too many things to do.

Right now he was in the library, looking through books he shouldn't have been except that Knight had started to worry him. At least as far as timestream integrity was concerned.

[oldestbeloved]

He does start to cry now, a little, too exhausted for great gulping sobs.

[bloodofthehunt]

She draws him in, silently offering a shoulder, her own expression tightly shuttered.

[oldestbeloved]

He shouldn't have, or at least that was how his thinking went. But he was too tired to do anything else, resting against her shoulder, eyes closed. Tears flowing silently down.

[bloodofthehunt]

She smoothes his hair, rubs his back gently. The words won't help now, but later--She had made sure that Willow wound up safe, not bound for
Hell or wandering as a wraith somewhere. She wasn't sure the witch had found Kennedy, or someone else, but she hadn't been left alone.
Her own regrets, if she had any, would have to be set aside.

[oldestbeloved]

Tears dried up after a little while, although he was too exhausted to move much. Too many developments, too short a space. And the lingering edge of winter to keep them all chilled. Seemed like they would never get warm.

"Thank you," he murmured after a moment, hoarsely. "For coming to tell me."

[bloodofthehunt]

She sighed. "I could wish I hadn't had to, nor had to tell anyone else. But...She cared.About you, and the others. Though it may not seem that way to everyone. I don't know what your letter says, but I've an idea. This isn't--You did what you could for her. So did everyone. What she needed, I think, was more of a restart than she could find in life."

[oldestbeloved]

He nodded slightly, winced anyway. Shivered. "I can understand that. About.. needing a re-start," he said, perhaps a little too vehemently.

[bloodofthehunt]

"So can I, in some ways. If not for myself." Softly, "You need to rest."[And not alone, I hope...?]

[oldestbeloved]

He nodded a little. [No, not alone. It's just. Finding time..] Small sigh.

[bloodofthehunt]

[Make time. The world will keep spinning for a few days without you.] Gentle admonition. [Should I tuck you in with Noah and Kaylan?] Half-teasing.
More seriously, [I have to speak to Michael. And I'm...not sure how much of the facts I should give him, unless he guesses enough to ask first.]

[allknightlong]

Michael chose that moment to return from finding some food for Rayne. The red flying things had been doing a wonderful job at looking after her in his absence and he was considering finding something to give as a present to thank them. What, he had no idea, but he figured Sam might know.

Rayne bounded in beside him as his mind idly kicked over possible directions of research for this thing that was apparently chasing Mike.

But Michael stopped in his tracks upon seeing a rather upset and even more exhausted Sam in the arms of Cerridwen who didn't look much better.

"What...?"

[bloodofthehunt]

Death turned her head to look at him, though she didn't immediately move away from Sam. She regarded Michael steadily, measuringly, before deciding on an answer.
"I had to bring some news that's hurt him. Will probably be...difficult for a number of people." She sighed, a sound of mixed anger, weariness,
a myriad of other reactions.

[allknightlong]

His heart sank. Sam was under so much strain already.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

At her sigh, he wanted to take her into his arms. She looked so worn, hurting. But he held back. Sam...

[bloodofthehunt]

She's sorely tempted to reply for a second that she isn't. Sorry, that is; she's been down this particular road rather too often.Sometimes a blessing, sometimes a loss, and sometimes--it just is, like herself.
She is, however, worried about the impact on the people who are left behind.
Cerridwen released Sam but didn't yet reach for Michael. He might not want her near him with what she had to say next. She wasn't sure.

" Willow Rosenberg passed away, Michael." Quietly, "I am sorry, too, love."

[allknightlong]

He blinked. "Willow...?"

"...how?"