Pied hadn't slept much in the past few days, so as soon as she and Kisu found a suitable if temporary den, she curled into a ball and fell fast asleep. When she woke hours later, night had fallen and her mate was nowhere to be seen. Intuiting that he'd gone off to explore their new home and perhaps meet some of their pack mates, Pied didn't worry about him. She climbed slowly to her feet, yawning and stretching, then tried to decide what she would do now.
She moseyed forth, the terrain familiar in a vague but comforting way. Her lips twitched into a smile. Pied didn't even think about Horizon Ridge, Akhlut and all the others. Her attention was planted firmly in the present and the future. Tonight, she would reacquaint with the plateau. Tomorrow, she and Kisu would find a den. Beyond that, she would soon give birth to their puppies and hopefully, after all this time and so much upheaval, Pied and her family would finally know some stability.
Perhaps because of everything that had gone on in the last month, from her orca attack to her heat cycle to her marital problems, Pied hadn't seen many ghosts. As a matter of fact, she'd barely sighted any during her entire stay in Horizon Ridge. Tonight, however, she was joined by two ghosts: the familiar bouncy weasel she'd met during her first stay on the plateau and the very familiar Mag. Although she should have perhaps been spooked, she found their company comforting and spoke softly to them as she wandered through the night.
Blue Willow woke up from a deep sleep in the middle of the night and stretched. Some days she had these bouts of insomnia, she was very well used to it. Her father told her when she was younger it was because they would travel at night sometimes, especially if there was a hostile pack chasing them. Sometimes at night she could remember running through the forest after her mother while her father stayed behind them keeping wolves away. She could hear the howls of savage wolves on the hunt for others and the look of crazy she had seen in their eyes. yes it was nights like this when these memories returned that she knew it was just easier to stay awake until the next night.
She stepped from her den and happened to hear some quiet murmuring and followed the sound only to find a wolf she did not recognize. She chuffed once to let them know she was there and then stood waiting quietly to see who this wolf was. Was she a new member a stranger she would have to send away she was not sure, so she waited.
After a while, the weasel bounded off into the dark forest but Mag continued to faithfully flap overhead. Since the magpie did not speak or even acknowledge her quite the way the weasel did (he didn't speak either but his body language spoke clearly for him), Pied's voice eventually faded into nothing, though not before someone else heard it, followed it and materialized out of the darkness.
The dappled she-wolf immediately assumed a submissive position, her head bowed and her tail low. It felt a little strange, after having sported a high rank for so long, yet not at all uncomfortable for her. Pied was rather fluid when it came to the hierarchy, she'd found; she did just as well in a high rank as a low one and never had any issue knowing her place. And since she was already pregnant, she didn't feel much need to be competitive about dominance.
"Hello. I wasn't expecting to see anyone out here so late," Pied said, offering the dark, pretty stranger a smile. "I'm Pied. I just joined—well, rejoined—the pack today," she shared as an introduction. For the moment, she didn't mention Kisu or her pregnancy. She wondered what the residents would make of the latter, though she knew that if anyone took issue with it, her mate and the Alpha pair would defend her.
Blue Willow looked around to see who the other had been talking too, but she saw no one so she just shrugged it off as the repercussions of her dream bouncing off and around.
Blue Willow was not comfortable with others submitting to her, being that it had always been her to submit, so it kind of took her back for a brief moment. Shaking her head to get her bearings and stop her foolish thoughts she smiled and spoke, "Hello.
Blue Willow's smiled got larger and she continued to speak, "I am Blue Willow, it is nice to meet you Pied. As Blue Willow studied the other in front of her, the little bit of light that came down she could see the scars of the wounds that the other carried and she was saddened for a moment. "I hope you are still taking herbs if you need them for pain for some of those injuries.
She did not mean her inquiry to be rude or callous she was just concerned about the other and as a healer she found she could not keep her mouth shut.
It took a learned eye to spot the lingering scars caused by the orca attack, so Blue Willow's comment was met with a slightly surprised look. She then smiled and guessed, "You must be a Healer? They actually don't bother me much anymore. Only the bruised ribs and broken paw—both of which are mostly done healing—flare up once in a while. With that said, I'm open to medical advice, for sure. It was probably..." She stuck her tongue in her cheek, her eyes growing distant and thoughtful. "...six weeks ago? I was attacked by a killer whale." Pied paused. "And that's one of many reasons why I moved away from the seaside and returned here."
Because it seemed prudent, Pied seated herself. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mag settle on a branch overhead. Little did Blue Willow know that not only one but two sets of eyes rested on her. I wonder if the pups' eyes have developed, she thought suddenly, then inwardly laughed at herself.
"Have you lived here long, Blue Willow?" Pied asked. She hadn't been here the last time Pied had lived here but she'd been living at the ridge for a while. "It's good to be back. I missed the plateau and Hawkeye and, well, everything about this place. I didn't even realize it until I came back, either."
Blue Willow saw the surprise at her comment and she supposed she should have said she was a healer, but she was then asked if she was anyway so in a round about way the answer would come out. Blue Willow smiled sadly and said quietly, "The only thing you can do for those is take herbs that alleviate pain every now and again with extreme caution. If not careful one can become addicted to such things. Other than that though I imagine at least your foot paw will hurt the rest of your life sometimes when the weather is bad or if you twist it wrong. Ghost pains they call it I believe. Blue Willow's eyes went wide at the mention of getting attacked by a killer whale, she of course knew what a whale was but she had never been near the coast she did not like it truth be told. Did not like the sand in her fur, or the gritty salt from the sea, no she did not like that at all. "I did not know Whales came so close to us? Granted I've never nor do i ever want to live near the ocean, but still.
Blue Willow took her cues from the other and sat down as well also curling her tail around herself, her blue gray pelt shifting as she moved. Blue Willow did not know there were other eyes on her, but she would not have questioned it if the other had told her. She had never seen ghosts and she did not always believe in them, not that was not true it was mostly the use of herbs to keep those ghosts and bad things at bay that she did not understand, herbs were a physical thing ghosts and spirits were not or so she thought she did not know much about ghosts. She was a very open minded individual and thought for sure some ghosts never really leave us.
Blue Willow shook her head, "Only a few weeks. I was a traveling story teller and healer with my family. We exchanged our stories and our healing for a place to sleep, to eat and to get warm. I do not know what it is like to miss something that I lived as I have never had that, but I do miss my parents so I can certainly imagine how you feel and you know what they say distances makes the heart grow fonder. Blue Willow smiled albeit a little sadly, she was beginning to really miss her parents, but she was determined to make her own life here on her own, she was weary of traveling.
Pied did not interrupt Blue Willow as she dispensed her medical advice; she'd asked for it, after all. However, when the Healer finished speaking, Pied said, "I was under the care of a Healer until recently," and tried not to dwell on thoughts of Dublin as she added, "She had me taking pain medication regularly but we've since weaned me off it. I was taking them on an as-needed basis but, to be honest, I don't remember what they were called. If you said the name, I might remember it," she hinted.
The idea of a nomadic lifestyle intrigued Pied. "What made you decide to stop and settle down somewhere?" she wondered, her gaze occasionally flicking to watch as Mag hopped along the dark tree branch, occasionally preening her ghostly, glowing feathers.
Blue Willow smiled at the open ended hint. "I could not guess what your healer used, each of us is different, even my parents and I though we all healed used different plants. It depends on your comfort level and so forth. Personally, I would just give you Rose hips every now and again. Completely safe and it can be used in arthritis which is in your bones and joints as you age so ghost pains would react well to it. Other than that I don't think I would give you much else personally. Blue Willow always tried to pick the safest way to go with healing herbs.
Blue Willow frowned thoughtfully and said quietly, "I have always longed for a home of my own. I think the bone deep desire and decision came when i had my first season and was in heat. I realized then that I did not want to raise any of my own pups this way, and my family did not associate to much with other packs and wolves other than to tell our stories and heal, so I could not form any long lasting relationships. This made me sad as I wanted pups and a mate someday, so i decided that I would go with or without my parents and find a home. They gave me their blessing. I miss them, but I do not regret my decision and I have found a few very good friends. How about you have you always been here?
Blue Willow talked extensively, which might have annoyed some, but Pied enjoyed getting to know her pack mate in this way. "In any case," the Tau replied when the medic finished, "it's really good to know there's a Healer in the ranks in case I need anything. I'm really glad I ran into you tonight." Her lips twitched into a smile and, overhead, Pied saw Mag's beak open in a silent caw! of agreement.
It sounded like settling down and starting a family meant a lot to Blue Willow and, of course, Pied could relate. "I feel like a life of traveling would be such an adventure but I agree: I wouldn't want to raise pups on the road. Kudos to your parents, though; you seemed to have turned out well." Her tail thumped companionably. "As for me, I've been in the Teekon Wilds since last fall and I've moved around more than I'd like to admit for a variety of reasons. I have no reason to think it won't work out here but, I swear, if anything happens... I will head back to my native family's pack, Flightless Falcons."
Because they'd skirted around the topic of family, not to mention medicine, Pied thought it was time to mention her pregnancy. "I know I'm not showing yet but I'm actually a few weeks pregnant..." She trailed off because she still didn't know what her new pack mates would think of the lowest-ranked member of the pack getting to have and keep pups. "I'm due not long after Hawkeye. Her mate is my blood uncle," she added, not knowing whether this information would heighten or lower her chances of garnering Blue Willow's favor on the matter, "and I actually consider Hawkeye herself to be my sister. Our pups will be cousins."
Blue Willow warmed at the other's words. She was glad she ran into Pied too. "I am glad to have run into you as well. I like to meet new pack mates, and potential friends. Blue Willow did talk excessively something she really should work on, but why fix something that wasn't broken and her talking always had been a part of her.
It was very important to Blue Willow to settle down and raise a family, though she still did not as of yet if that was in the stars for her. She was more than willing to help others with their pups, if she was too not have any of her own. Blue Willow's smiled returned and grew, "yes my parents were very good wolves. My father had a hard life he had been a warrior before and was very scarred from that I think that is partly why we never settled. Truth be told I would never trade my life, I have learned many wonderful things about healing, I have learned many stories, and I have seen and had many adventures."
Blue Willow listened quietly and the idea of a lower ranking did not necessarily bother her. She knew that Pied was sure to get flack from others, but she would get none from her. Blue Willow considered all pups a blessing no matter where they came from or who their parents were and thought it cruel and sometimes unjust the way some mothers were treated, though she also knew it was sometimes a matter of survival and the alpha and higher ranks earned their rights. "Ah that's wonderful news, pups are a blessing no matter who has them. So you're the niece of Atticus, Peregrine, Crete and Osprey. All are wonderful wolves and you should be proud to count them in your family, as I am sure you are. She said nothing about Hawkeye as she was still uncertain about her, Blue Willow respected her yes, but she felt that there was still too much tension where Hawkeye was concerned especially from Atticus, Crete and Peregrine though she did not know the whole story there nor did she really think she wanted to
Blue Willow smiled again and said quietly, "If you need help with your nausea i know an herb that can, though your nausea will be gone soon if you have any. I also know of herbs that will help you produce more milk, herbs that will keep the babies healthy, and herbs that will quicken birth. I have offered my services to Hawkeye during her birthing and I will do the same with you if you would like it.
If Blue Willow judged her for it, she made no indication of it. She responded warmly, in fact, and Pied let out a breath she hadn't even known she was holding. When her other uncles and aunt were mentioned, she merely nodded. She hadn't seen Crete since that brief meeting a few weeks ago and Atticus and Osprey not at all. Now that they were all in one place again, she wondered if she would foster closer relationships with all of them. She hoped so, as that was the entire point of being here: to be near family.
When Blue Willow mentioned nausea, Pied blinked and asked, "How did you know?" even as the medic added, if you have any and she felt a little silly. "I have had some morning sickness, as a matter of fact. I'd love any and all help. Thank-you, Blue Willow," she said emphatically, her eyes glowing warmly in the darkness. Whether or not it was clear to the bluish-black she-wolf, Pied was thanking her not only for her medical expertise but also her easy acceptance. It truly meant a lot to the Tau.
Totally stole from your thread about pups/babies to make my wolf sound smarter lmao kudos to you for writing it
Blue Willow heard the slight breath that the other wolf let out and it made her a little sad that the other had thought she would get a bad reception for pups. Though it was not in vain, as Blue Willow knew very well that most wolves would not receive such news from a lower ranking wolf well. She did not like it, but she understood it was the way of the hierarchy, but she would choose to ignore the hierarchy where pups were concerned as long as she could.
Blue Willow let out a warm chuckle and spoke quietly "I knew cause i have helped my mother with birthing and I have learned the symptoms. The first 3 weeks you could have nausea, more urine, tiredness, heartburn, food aversions or cravings. week 4-6 swollen belly and teats, cramps, dizzy spells, and the pups will begin to move and you will feel it. Finally, weeks 7-9 Very big belly, backache, cramps and lots of urination and eventually birth and labor pains. Now you could feel some of these, none of these or all of these it's hard to say it depends on the age, health and over genetics of the sweet mother to be. Blue Willow smiled again and dipped her head in acceptance of the thank you and she knew very well that she was being thanks for both her offer of assistance and her acceptance, but she chose to not comment.
Haha, cool. :D
Blue Willow launched into a rundown of pregnancy milestones that left Pied's head reeling, not that she'd say this outright. In any case, she knew to expect most of it, though she hadn't anticipated heartburn or dizziness and she wondered what about pregnancy caused such ailments. She didn't ask, though, as she tried to process everything the medic had said.
"Why did I sign up for this again...?" she quipped. "Well, I'm glad I'll have your support, as well as support from my mate, sister and family. I'm sure I'll make it through okay. While we're on the subject, though, I have a question. I was injured near the end of January and was left with some bruised ribs and other internal injuries. I've since healed, as far as I can tell, but I imagine my ribs aren't one hundred percent mended yet. Do you think that the pregnancy could affect them? Am I likely in for more pain than the typical mother-to-be?" She'd talked to Dublin about this a little but but it never hurt to get a second opinion, especially from your new practitioner.
I actually have a friend in real life who had internal injuries and broken ribs so I am going to go with what she felt based on that if that's okay with you.
Blue Willow was in her element, when she was on a roll she was on a roll. She however didn't always stop to think how all her knowledge would affect others, and she did not realize that sometimes others would not like to hear all that or they would be left confused and dizzy from her spiel.
Blue Willow listened to the question and frowned. She was however glad that the other female had so much support. She began to speak slowly, "to be honest I cannot completely offer the exact truth, as I have never had that be a case. I can make a small guess based on some factors that I know, but do not put all your thoughts to weigh on it. I know if you have a pulled muscle it can hurt when in labor. I believe it would be much the same with broken ribs. You're internal injuries are probably healed and won't be a problem. However, you're ribs they will probably still hurt and it may make labor a little more painful for you. As I am sure they hurt when you walk or if you breathe heavily.
Ouch, that sucks. It's cool to incorporate that knowledge here, though.
Blue Willow mentioned that the ribs could be problematic during labor. Pied fully expected it to be a painful ordeal, bruised ribs or not, and nodded sagely. She was actually a little more concerned about the last few weeks of pregnancy than giving birth, however.
"As the pups grow and start to move, could they kick me and re-injure me?" she questioned. "I mean, there's only so much space in there and I'd think they'd be pressing up against pretty much everything in there, from organs to bones. I'm fully prepared for the discomfort, I just wonder if I'll be in excruciating pain during the last phase of my pregnancy..." she confessed.
It'll be worth it, she told herself and she knew it was true. Still, it would take a toll on her if she was in constant, chronic pain those last few weeks. This entire pregnancy was a calculated risk, considering what had happened, but nothing would've ever stopped Pied from becoming a mother, not even a monster like the blackfish.
Blue Willow would not say it aloud but the other had many risks with this pregnancy. She would do her best to make sure she kept momma and babies healthy, but the broken ribs could very well be a problem. She knew though that it would not be a death risk it would just be painful for mother and she may have some repurcussions after, but all in all didn't all mothers have painful labor and some even had issues after.
Blue Willow nodded her head, "Yes they could reinjure you, but remember too our bodies are made to have pups, so though they may hurt you a little it won't be so bad. You will probably be more sore than most mothers after you have them along your sides, but it shouldn't be much worse than that. I will be on standby if you should need anything this I can promise. Blue Willow planned to be as near both mothers as she possibly could when their time came, but more so Pied than Hawkeeye, as Pied had former injuries.
Although nothing could fully allay her fears, Blue Willow did a good job of reassuring her. The Tau dipped her pale muzzle and said, "Thank-you, Blue Willow," when the Healer extended the offer of her services. "By the way, do you go by Blue or Willow or by your full name?" The question made her think of her grandmother, who insisted upon being called March Owl, not March nor Owl. Mo was okay, though, and that's how most knew her—including her own children and grandchildren.
"Well, it's late and my mate should be back by now, so I'd better head home before he starts to worry," Pied said. Home was, for now, nothing but her old hollow log. They wouldn't be staying there more than a night or two, as it was no place to raise a family. "His name is Kisu, by the way, in case you run into him. I'm not sure if I mentioned that..."
Giving the medic a last, sweet smile, the dappled two-year-old shuffled slowly away into the dark wood, heading back to the temporary den site. Mag took wing behind her, flapping almost directly overhead and roosting on the log when Pied eventually returned there.
Blue Willow smiled at her, "You're welcome Pied. I go by Blue or Willow or my full name which ever you find easier. Blue Willow was called different things over the years, she had gotten used to answering to any of the variations of her name.
Blue Willow dipped her head again and nodded to her, "Goodnight Pied and Kisu I will remember that. Blue Willow watched the other wolf head towards her den and with a shake of her head she continued on her way to find something to do in the dark dark night.