Aurum had known of Alice's illness, but only on the most base of levels. It was almost impossible for him not to know, considering how often he found himself around Moth and Selby's house, offering his assistance and company to his sister and her children. He could still remember when he had first seen Alice, a certain sense of worry hitting him as he watched the way his sister had nosed at the girl, a deep anxiety shared between them, and no doubt Selby. The angel knew well what it was like to deal with someone sickly, having watched over Poetking for the majority of his life, and taken care of the other when things had gotten rough. Poet's illness had prevented him from doing a great many things, but even when they were at odds, Aurum had always thought his brother was stronger than he could ever know. Than anyone could ever know, really. Now, the tigon thought the same of Alice. He knew that her life would be difficult – probably more difficult than any of her siblings, save for maybe Simon – but he was sure that she would persevere, especially with parents like Moth and Selby around to guide her.

Unfortunately, he had also known that there would be moments like this. Moments where things crumbled, and where the sickness seemed as though it was winning. These were the bad moments. The ones that made it seem like perhaps one should just stop fighting altogether. The sound of Caustic's voice had been what had first drawn the proxy over, but then the words themselves had made his pace quicken, and his chest tighten. His worst fears were realized when he saw Alice on the ground, struggling for air. He looked at Caustic and gave him a desperate nod, as if begging him to continue on with his instructions, before he turned and took a few step towards town, roaring as loudly as he could manage, "MOTH! SELBY! Alice needs help!" His tone of voice was desperate, although it was hidden beneath a calm veneer, desperate to make sure Alice didn't panic and make things worse for herself. The tigon knew well that calling for his niece's parents was the only thing he could do for now, having never been great at the more medical aspects of providing support, and not wanting to crowd the girl.

[div style="text-align: right; text-transform: uppercase; text-shadow: 0px 0px 2px #722227; font-size: 24px;"][color=#c16f78]— AURUM

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He kept fancying that Ivan was absorbed in something — something inward and important — that he was striving toward some goal, perhaps very hard to attain.

Ivan was startled awake by Aurum's howl for help. A vicious shudder raced through his spine, not quite out of fear, but of anticipation. His heart flopped like a dead fish, it threw itself against the walls within his throat. It felt awful, because rarely did Aurum speak like this. The boy's large ears laid flat against his head as he drew himself out of his sleeping spot.

It did not take long for him to find his uncle, Dr. Caustic, and his dear little sister struggling for breath. Ivan's features froze in utter disbelief. He had known his sister had difficulty getting around, but she never gasped for air like this. He was very reserved and quiet when discussing the physical impairments of his siblings — it was not something he liked to talk about. It wasn't his business, but when his sister is suffering like this ...

Suffering. He hated it. He found it in himself to watch Caustic, Caustic of all people, try to help his sister. Was she dying? He didn't know, but it was all too awful. His claws were digging so deeply into the ground that when he whipped around to run and find his parents, one of his nails broke and Ivan left a trail of scarlet blood behind him. He would not stop running until his found his mother or father.