Sting and Rogue were gone for nearly a fortnight, having been summoned by the Magik Council to deal with a situation related to a recent increase in illegal guild activities. The situation was resolved as quickly as it could have been and Sting was eager to get back home. When they returned to the guildhall, though, things were not as they had expected them to be.

"Master, welcome back."

Sting looked around, seeing a lot of guild members running around. "What's going on?"

"Those of us without jobs have been helping with the road repairs and added safety measures to the cliffs just north of town."

Rogue's brow furrowed. "Did something happen?"

"Did you not get the message we sent out?"

Sting and Rogue looked at each other, then Sting shook his head. "What report?"

"There was an accident just after you left," Dobengal said, joining them. "A rockslide crushed a wagon carrying half a dozen passengers and the driver."

"Holy shit..."

"Were there any survivors?"

Dobengal shook his head. "No..."

"Do we know what caused the rockslide?"

"It would seem there was some kind of battle between wizards. The resulting explosive force from the battle compromised the integrity of the cliff face," Rufus said as he came over.

"Sting, there's something else you should know," Yukino added, approaching with a sullen expression.

"What is it?"

"Senna's friend, Amelia? She was one of the passengers..."

Sting's chest tightened and his eyes widened. "What..?"

Rogue looked at her. "How can you be sure?"

"They found her bag," Yukino explained. "Miss Senna confirmed that it was hers..."

Sting didn't wait for another second and took off for the Rocky Grove, leaving Rogue and the others behind. He ran and ran until he reached his destination and burst through the door of the restaurant.

Mona looked up as the door swung open, finding Sting panting in the doorway. "Are you alright?"

"Where's pant Senna?"

Mona knew that he had heard what happened. "She hasn't left her home since word of Amelia's passing came..."

Sting turned and left, making his way around the side of the building to the stairs leading up to Senna's home. He knocked on the door, calling out to her.

"Senna?"

A few minutes went by and finally, the door opened.

"Sting? When did you get back?"

Sting stood up, trying to slow his breathing. "Today... I just heard about Amelia..." He watched her face fall and she looked away. He took a deep breath. "I came to check up on you."

Senna sighed. "You didn't have to..."

Sting's chest tightened. "Senna, of course I did. You lost someone close to you."

Senna turned away from the door, not caring if he came in or not. She went to sit over on the couch, plopping down heavily as Sting stepped inside and closed the door.

"Senna..." Sting cautiously came to sit next to her. He put a hand over hers, unsure if she'd even accept it.

Senna responded by leaning into him. "She's gone... my best friend is gone..."

Sting wrapped an arm around her, hugging her gently. "I'm sorry..."

Senna thought she had cried every tear she had, but when Sting embraced her, she lost it. It was like a floodgate had opened and she couldn't stop the grief she had been holding at bay from spilling out.

Sting sat there with her, holding her as she cried, unable to do anything more. He just pulled her into his lap, his arms wrapped around her as she buried herself into his chest. "It's alright, just let it out..."

Senna cried and cried until she had no more tears to cry. After nearly an hour, she finally quieted and stilled.

"You alright?"

Senna sighed and sat back. "I'm a lot of things, but right now 'alright' is not one of them..."

Sting chuckled softly at that. "That's fair." He reached up, wiping the remnants of tears from her cheeks and smoothing back her hair. "Do you want to talk about it? Do you want some company? Do you want something to eat or drink?"

Senna met his gaze, seeing how worried he was. She leaned into his hand as it came to rest on her cheek. "I don't think I want to talk about it right now, but everything else sounds good."

Sting smiled at that, glad to see some of her usual self peeking through. "What would you like to start with, food or drink?"

"Both..?"

"Alright," Sting said, leaning forward to kiss her head. "You want something regular or something alcoholic?"

"I think it's time for something alcoholic."

Sting gave her a mock salute and went over to her kitchen area. He found where she kept her alcohol and put together a few snacks for her, then brought everything back over to the couch. "Here, maybe this will help."

Senna took the plate of snacks, taking small bites of the food Sting put together for her. When he handed her the bottle of alcohol, she just popped the top off and took a few swigs. "Thanks..."

Sting sat back and waited quietly as she partook in the snackage. "Did you want me to stay?" he asked after a while.

Senna paused a moment, lowering the bottle. "You must be tired from the trip... I don't want to keep you if you're tired..."

Sting reached forward to touch her cheek. "Nothing is more important than you right now. Rogue can handle things with the guild." He scooted forward and pressed his forehead to hers. "I will stay for as long as you need me to."

Senna closed her eyes and sighed. "Thank you, Sting..."

Sting ended up staying the night with Senna, holding her after she had finished eating. Even long after she fell asleep, he kept her in his embrace as much as he could. Come morning, Senna was still exhausted and slept for several more hours. Sting sent word to Rogue, asking him to keep holding down the fort until he was sure that Senna was OK.