Sleepy Fox Hollow Sitontik

tags for reference, obvs

it was taking a lot of effort for Tahani not to revert back to the absolute grump of a wolf she had been on her journey down. away from the shade of the trees, it was hot, and she was consistently cross, with the added burden of Currituck in her mouth. not that she didn't love the little girl--with all her heart, she did--but it was just one extra variable on top of everything else.

what kept her going was the prospect of a new, more suitable home, and Tahani was utterly grateful when they stopped in the mountains to rest, in a cool, shady hollow that was not as dark as the Woods but offered some comfort from the sun. Shivali began to feed the babes, and asked about a den; Tahani was happy to take up the challenge.

with quick, quiet words stating her quest, she trotted off from the group, enjoying the morning breeze through her pelt. this was the place where they had all been reunited, and her heart warmed at the thought, even as her legs yearned for rest. she padded around the hollow for some time, poking her nose here and there, looking for a place for the pups to take shelter.

finally, not too terribly far from their location, she found a hole between the roots of ancient trees--unbeknownst to her, @Moorhen had found this den moons ago, when a harem thought to settle here. Tahani stuck her head in, inhaling deeply and checking for any signs of danger. when none was found, she dug for a little while until she tired, having increased the size of the den enough for an adult and all the children to fit inside comfortably. Shivali and she could simply take turns watching the babes.

eyelids fluttering with weariness, Tahani loped back to her siblings, jerking her head toward from where she'd came. "den," she said shortly, nearly falling to the ground in her relief. she yawned, jaws gaping wide. "in the pine roots. you'll find my scent there."