Whitefish River Red Sun Rises Like an Early Warning

@Hieronymous

So much had happened so fast, the events of recent days travels still swarmed her as Ira took to the borders. She needed the break and luckily Speedy was still watching her pups. The Count took to the borders, they had always been her safe space but how long would they be safe? Something had to be done. Perhaps now she should make a trip to the island pack, they had sought an alliance too and gave a very important warning. One they could deal with if they acted now.

Gods why, why was it that every time life began to reach a moment of content that something had to come along. It was one thing after the next and lately, there was no reprieve to the beatings life gave. Perhaps they would never end. Was that life? The gentle pull out of innocence that only grew stronger until one could no longer stand to the lashings? The count shook away the thoughts knowing they would only spiral, careful to pick a new subject to focus on as she brushed up against a tree.

Once Moonshadow was safe, Hieronymous had the unfortunate job to go and tell Ira what had transpired at the borders. She simply didn't need any bad news right now, and he wished he had something better to tell her, but the matter of fact was that there was none. Making a beeline toward where he was pointed to by witnesses, the painted man was quick to approach Ira.

I have some unfortunate news. He began, worried for how she might react. One of Moonshadow's children came to our borders, one from last year's litter, she was sick. For now, that's where he would stop to give Ira time to digest his words. His expression suggested that there was more to come, especially the sickness he would soon describe.

The Count's ear twitched as a set of footsteps approached. One glance confirmed the identity as Hieronymous neared wasting no time as he jumped into the conversation. A frown was quick to settle upon the roan warrior's lips as he stated it was bad news. Moonshadow's child had visited, but she was ill. That is unfortunate, did Speedy have a chance to look at her? Perhaps harboring a sick individual with so many little ones was a bad idea, but at the very least they could offer the woman some medicine. Ira brushed past another tree as she turned back to look for her answer.

Naturally Ira took the illness as something mundane, but unfortunately for her, the knight mournfully shook his head. I asked for her to leave, there was nothing Speedy could do for her. he paused, knowing the sheer weight of his words that were to come. She was rabid. That poor young girl, such an unfortunate and lonely way to die.

She kissed her mother before I could get there, I do not think skin was broken... but, I'm certain you feel the same way as I do about that. and he was thinking of keeping a rather close eye on Moonshadow for a few weeks to ensure she wouldn't show any signs.

Oh...oh. A chill ran the woman's spine as she sighed simply shaking her head. That is unfortunate... A yearling destined to die so young, it reminded her once more how cruel the world could be with no rhythm or rhyme to its cruelness. Worse yet, she had made contact with Moonshadow. Could a wolf become rabid from a kiss? Gods forbid they had to add another issue to deal with to their plate.

Perhaps we should communicate with Speedy. I don't like the idea of her interacting with Moonshadow either though. It would take some time to show though, wouldn't it? Then there were her pups...there was no way she'd be able to convince the mother to part with them while they watched her. Do you think her kids are safe? Maybe they too should be watched by Speedy...

Unfortunate was a light way to put it all. Telling Speedy would be a good idea. That way the healer would be the first to see symptoms and alert everyone else, not to mention she would not approach the sick woman should things turn for the worse with her too.

It takes about two weeks for symptoms to show, usually. I'm not sure when they become infectious should it be before they show signs. After all, he had only seen a few of these and was quick to make his distance between them and himself. But it would be for only a couple weeks, Moonshadow would understand, wouldn't she? He didn't know her very well but he hoped she was reasonable to take extra precaution for her own newborns. 

And- A sigh, how would Ira take this request of his? She came close to me, though I think there was no contact, I ask... could... could you take a quick look? See if there are any wounds somewhere I didn't notice? He stood between the daughter and mother, after all, the girl was angry at one point before leaving. He could have easily missed something.

It seemed the Constable agreed, Speedy should be called immediately. Perhaps after this patrol, she could seek her out to inform her of the potential threat. Unfortunately, her own experience with rabid animals was minimal, mostly stories such as this, but to be confronted with it in her own home was...more than troubling.

You seem to have a lot of knowledge on this. Had he met another rabid before? He mentioned before that he never stayed in a pack long, had one of them been infected? Gods, please let Moonshadow be compliant It would make everyone's life easier. Unfortunately, the knight only brought more bad news. His disability kept him from feeling injuries, had he too been exposed?

Ira froze momentarily, though Hiero explained that any signs would not be visible for a few weeks. If he had been infected, her search for any signs should not be harmful. Ah...right, of course... After all, broken skin was the only way to be exposed, correct? She turned from her path, hesitant for a moment before she drew near to search the man's neck and torso for any kind of wound.

His request was accepted, naturally, Ira knew it all after all and it wasn't a too strange of a request given his circumstances - but he still was rather excited to have her approach so near. He had promised to keep his flirting down to a minimum, and hell, he had been doing great so far... and yet, he did everything to keep his mouth from running in that direction of french tipped tongues lathering the air.

And? What's the prognosis, nurse? Nervously he asked. Now would be a terrible time for him to just have some random wound from bumping into something, if he could sweat, it would be pouring from his brow and down his face by the bucket. He'd move and contort his body around to make sure Ira would have the best view possible of anything hiding beneath any folds of skin or fur.

The good news was the Count couldn't detect the metallic scent associated with blood. If he had been scratched it would be small, but in many ways that was more troublesome. If she missed something his condition would put them all at risk as the symptoms fly under the radar.

Ira's ear flicked at the Constable's question as she nosed along his side and shoulder, but it seemed he was clear. The only thing that stuck out was...how littered his skin seemed to be with scars. She had raised a brow upon her initial acknowledgment but decided to keep her findings to herself. I don't see anything fresh. She didn't get close anywhere else?

He wasn't thinking of the old scars littering his skin, the man's thoughts were mostly on I hope I wasn't bitten, and man Ira is so attractive, he was almost certain she smelled really good if he could smell. He imagined something smokey, whatever smokey was. Like fresh pine whenever he chewed on the needles and they released a strong enough odor that even he could smell it.

She spoke and his ears shot back into attention and then relaxed as he pondered over his answer, back to the encounter and at what he could remember. Hmm. I don't think so, I made sure she didn't stay close to Moonshadow for longer than that kiss. We were pretty face to face, I can't imagine her reaching anywhere else. It was definitely moments like these that he wished this curse was long gone. 

I can always quarantine myself as well, just in case. Though he didn't like that though, if it was for the good of the pack he would have to do so, especially if they would ask the same of Moonshadow.

The Count sighed, but there weren't many options available to them sadly. Hieronymous quarantined would be extreamly inconvenient but if he was exposed to this disease she certainly wouldn't want it spreading through the pack let alone her kids. That may be for the best. We can't afford to have more exposed. I'd still keep your distance from Moonshadow, but perhaps you can quarantine nearby so neither are fully alone? Keeping in mind her own distance, Ira distanced herself from her Constable leaning back to brush against a tree. Is there anything else I should be aware of or shall I finish my patrol?

It was unfortunate that one of the two leaders would be out of commission so soon for safety precautions, but it had to be done. It was better to let Ira take the lead on her own, somewhat, he was always available to talk should he remain clear of mind, than to lose either of them from brash decisions. Will do, maybe toss some scraps my way so I don't go nosing in the caches. He wasn't certain, but it seemed like bites or saliva had something to do with spreading the disease.

Keeping his mouth away from the caches might be a wise move. As her final question came, he simply shook his head and began on his own departure to quarantine himself. That is all. Hopefully, he could find a place where it was easy for everyone to keep an eye on him, but nowhere close enough where he would be a danger if things turned for the worst... maybe that would be his mission for today.

Last from me! <3

archiving!

At the very least that was all the news her Constable had to share. It wasn't ideal, but it wasn't a danger yet, just precautions. Hieronymous also suggest avoiding the caches, another smart move that Ira would nod to with a hum, I believe that is manageable. Call Speedy if you fear any potential signs, it would be better to know sooner than later, but until then take care. I'll see you in a bit. With a final glance, the Count would draw away to finish her patrol.