[Across the steps, Rue sits perfectly straight, feathery shoulders pulled back, both of their paws dropping to rest gently over their heavy skirts. But their eyes never once drift away from watching where Donnie sits.

A chirp of a sigh falls from their beak, soft and sad, as Rue's cheek pinches from an attempt at frowning without a mouth. It's not at all a natural expression for an owlbear with a beak, but after a few millennia spent wearing a more human-like face, some of the intricate movements still come so naturally to them. Rue doesn't even realize they still do it.]

But if he loves you as you believe, which I do know to be true, he will forgive you for what is so clearly out of your control. Truly, my dear, you did not ask for such a thing to happen to you. You are as much a victim of these circumstances as Leo is.

[almost more, though no one's pain deserves to be weighed against the other during such a terrible event.

Rue so dearly wants to comfort Donnie, but they continue to keep their distance, respecting his space.]

I do not deny his hurt or his anger, but he will understand you are not the one to blame.

[But then of course, the problem becomes who is truly to blame for all of this.]