Ankyra Sound the long way round

Eljay felt incredibly nervous. His eyes shimmered to mirror the emotion he felt and he chewed his lip absently, afraid for the outcome. All of this meeting, to Eljay, was just trying to avoid having a panic attack, avoid hyperventilation, avoid crying. He shuffled his paws, shifting his weight, tail still tucked and head lowered even further, as though more submission would somehow give him a more positive outlook in the Heda's eyes.

She demanded his skills after what Wildfire had said, and Eljay quickly listed them, his voice trembling: "I watched my siblings and cousins when they were little, I... I'm not good at hunting small things or leading a hunt but I can follow commands." He paused a brief moment before he added, "A-and I have an interest in uhm — I've learned some things about — about delivering pups." He looked away nervously, hoping that the Heda wouldn't think it weird that he knew about such things. He felt he'd failed greatly in that area, because Fox had died during childbirth and he hadn't been there to prevent it, and mommy had almost died last year too, but he decided not to tell, although he felt very guilty about that.