☁ Wet eyes flicked over to focus on Ren as he spoke up, Pierce's paws shaking uncontrollably as he listened, silent and unmoving while the words registered. There was an Ascendant's kid in Sunhaven, and by the sounds of it, they weren't there willingly. But no one there would take another person, let alone a child, would they? Perhaps, at a darker time in his life, Pierce would have considered grabbing, hell, even hurting an enemy to defend his clan, but was this even defense at this point? Not one excuse could justify taking a child from their home or family. "S-sorry, what?" Though the unevenness of his voice was far from leaving and he was still lightheaded, Pierce managed to force out a comprehensible sentence, wiping his eyes harshly to keep tears from falling. Another approached after Ren, but it was a feline that had already gathered that really caught his attention when he spoke up.

The harsh interruption was enough to shut Pierce up without Moon even having to say anything else, mouth going dry as the air left his lungs, leaving him feeling almost as if he'd been kicked in the gut. Dramatic? Maybe. But, the truth was, it wasn't just the thought of his daughter alone in his home that had left him shaking and tearful. It was an almost instinctive reaction, one he could hardly help no matter how hard he tried to swallow the feeling of tears in his throat. Possible scenarios continued running through his mind, and the smell of burning flesh and fur refused to leave his nose.

The promise of the Ascendants members - whatever they called themselves - not hurting him was hardly an assurance to Pierce, partially because after hearing about the act of violence from Sunhaven he wasn't sure who to trust, and partially from his experience with captors, and even despite Bubonicplague and Moon's words, he couldn't help but flinch at the movement of Bub's paw in the other's attempt at comfort.

However, the former Goldenblood of Sunhaven couldn't help but laugh at Moon and Bub's next words. It was a bitter sound, not the typical light, bubbly noise that would escape Pierce's lips. Did these people really think they'd notice his absence? Not only was Sunhaven rather dead, but he hadn't been around enough for them to notice much shift in his presence. After stepping down? He wouldn't be surprised if they never noticed the fact that he was gone, let alone question it if they did. People disappeared all the time, and considering he'd left his position shortly before his disappearance, he doubted they would end up doing anything about it. "Do- do you really think they're gonna notice one missing member?" He wasn't trying to be rude to the people before him or anyone back home- he was genuinely curious. It wasn't like he was someone super well known that was expected to be seen. Unless someone randomly decided to be his friend one day, it wasn't like they were going to be visiting his house, and his sick daughter could barely get out of bed to take care of herself these days, let alone leave the house and notify anyone of his absence.

"speech"

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