Once upon a time, the sight of all this suffering would've warmed her wicked heart. She'd have chortled victoriously--

And ignored the ugly unending emptiness that no amount of suffering seemed to banish.

It wasn't once upon a time anymore and she wasn't the Evil Queen. She knew these people and cared about their suffering. She wanted to help. Even though she'd lost two of the people she'd counted dearest to her. That was definitely now and not once upon a time, but also now was that she hadn't the slightest idea how to help.

Or who would welcome it.

But as soon as she heard the sobbing, it somehow didn't matter. She turned and sought the source of the sound--

And when she'd located it, it all but broke her heart. To see Corbie, who'd comforted Rowan and so many others through these kinds of losses, broken and curled in the same position she'd coaxed so many out of.

Regina crouched, awkward in body, but for once, reasonably pure of intention, and stretched out a hand to pet the girl's hair.