Seal explained to
@Bridget and
@Teya that her mom, living in Sun Mote Copse, was expecting her litter soon. The young woman promised she wouldn’t be gone too long and quickly set off towards the Hinterlands. At first, she had tried to enter the region through its southern border but found the mountains impassible. Then, she began the long trek towards the coast, past Alpine Lake, and down into the belly of the lowlands.
Dead on her paws, Seal was welcomed by her Da, Njord, at the borders. The last time she had been here was in October before her parents had officially moved.
Father and daughter quickly caught up, although he kept
@Stingray’s presence hidden from her, figuring she would like the surprise. Then, he led her towards
@Meerkat.
Her labor had officially begun. The contractions were still quite far apart as the broody sky released a gentle mist of rain on the copse. Meerkat settled down in the coziness of The Taigh, Towhee fast asleep beside her. She didn’t wake her yet, instead chewing her lip as she stared at some marks on her mother’s back. “Just ran into some trees, as I do,” she’d said when Meerkat had asked.
The sound of approaching footfalls captured her attention. She turned to face the doorway just as a familiar face appeared there. Meerkat was so surprised, she actually shouted. She shot Towhee an apologetic look, then remembered and shook her head with a laugh before hoisting herself onto all fours. She waddled to Seal and pulled her into a hug.
Och, you have wonderful timing, Seal! They’ll be here later today or tomorrow at the latest.
Sun Mote Copse would be beautiful come springtime, Seal guessed as Da escorted her through the territory. It didn’t have near the number of conifers Moonspear possessed, but that meant despite an awkward stick season their boughs would overflow with colorful blooms when the seasons changed.
Eventually, they reached the Taigh, which was below such a tree. Even now, Seal could spy little buds on its branches! When she entered the roomy burrow (it was much larger on the inside!) she immediately locked eyes with Meerkat.
“Hi Momma!” Seal exclaimed jubilantly and practically jumped into her mother’s embrace. -“Hi Grandma!”- she added when she saw Towhee woken up by the ruckus.
“Mom… you’re huge! Ohmygosh, so soon?” she rambled, unable to contain her wonder and excitement. Thank goodness she had hurried! “Your labor has begun?” Seal asked next as her gaze examined Meerkat’s plump figure.
“I’ve come tae help in any way I can, however you may need me,” she explained. Seal wasn’t so sure how much privacy her mother would prefer… and though she had aspirations of becoming a medic or midwife, Seal knew she had zero hands-on experience. Yet she was determined to be there to support her family in whatever capacity they needed.
She chuckled at her daughter’s astute observation. The pups weren’t kicking much today, perhaps resting in preparation for the grueling process of delivery. But as they pressed together, a contraction came. It wasn’t particularly painful, though she wondered if Seal might feel the ripple.
Yes,
she confirmed at the yearling’s excited questioning, pulling back and settling next to a yawning Towhee. My contractions are still pretty far apart, so it won’t happen anytime soon. Come inside, make yourself at home,
she beckoned. Regale us with tales of Brecheliant!
Meerkat’s daughter felt the contraction, indeed! Seal withdrew one paw, as if she had been exposed to static electricity, and perked her ears up. Her eyes went big, surprised by the wonder that was a woman’s body. It fascinated her… but it also scared her.
Her mother went on to explain the timing of contractions nonchalantly. Seal was impressed by Meerkat’s wisdom, and thankful she was experienced. It lulled her into a sense of security.
Njord wandered off to make small talk with Towhee as Seal settled in across from Meerkat.
“Brecheliant’s great,” Seal began, “I’m learning a ton from their Auspex, Teya, and their healer, Bridget. Although… there was a gran’ ruckus the pack’s trying tae sort out. My cousin Ana once lived there… an’ sounds like she somehow attacked Acrux an’ then ran off.” Seal frowned, distressed that a family member had acted out in such a violent way. “I arrived after it happened,” Seal added.
Meerkat’s eyes followed her husband and mother as they exited with promises not to go too far. She smiled at them, tail tapping, though her attention quickly returned to the face she hadn’t realized she’d missed so dearly.
Most names Seal mentioned were familiar in a passing way, the mention of Teya causing a deep pang in her breast. Towhee had told her about Bronco’s fate just the other day. Her brother had died after saving her little girl, who was no longer so little. She swallowed thickly.
Ana? One of Caracal’s and Heda’s?
she questioned, brow furrowing in consternation. I was just wondering about all of them the other day…
Meerkat said on a sigh.
She didn’t bother speculating as to why one of her late brother’s adopted children might attack this Acrux, though she did reach out and pat one of Seal’s paws in sympathy. That sounded like a fairly serious matter.
How badly was he hurt? Is he going to be alright?
she asked.
“Aye,” Seal responded grimly when Meerkat asked her first question. “I didnae even ken she lived near us! I thought they’d all still be on their island…” Seal’s voice trailed as her expression became tinged with guilt. After the news of Caracal’s death, their family ties had deteriorated and no more news of Heda’s brood arrived. “Aunt Heda, Dinah, Ava, Judah, an Malakai are still out there somewhere…” there were more cousins Seal had never met, Abel and Saint, lost as well.
These thoughts renewed Seal’s feelings about the importance of family connection. It was one of the reasons why she had traveled to the Copse. “I dinnae think Acrux is hurt too bad,” Seal postulated, “but I dinnae ken for sure. I havnae returned tae Moonspear since before the bison hunt.”
Seal pursed her lips and twisted them as she thought. “I should look for my cousins eventually,” Seal explained. “It’s what uncle Caracal would want, I think.”
Frolic and Orca burst into her mind, as well. Were they safe out there? Were they well?
Seal felt the subject was too grim so she tried to change the subject. “I want tae hear about the Copse,” she said as she placed a paw atop Meerkat’s. “I miss livin’ with you an’ Da!“ she admitted with a laugh.
She did not interrupt her daughter, though Meerkat knew Heda et al knew where to find them. If they wanted to be here, they would be. Her body stiffened when Seal mentioned going out looking for them. She wasn’t sure she agreed with the sentiment about Caracal, though she couldn’t say.
They know where to find us,
Meerkat said gently, drawing in a deep breath that prompted a few gentle kicks. You’re grown now. It’s up to you how to spend your time and it would be an honorable cause. Just do me a favor, okay?
she asked, gently shaking the paw she still held. Please don’t run yourself into the ground or put your life on hold. Loved ones come and go and it’s a big world out there.
There was a distant look in her eye for a moment, though she was more than happy to move on to lighter fare. Meerkat smiled, careful to keep their clasped paws still as she shifted her weight. The pups weren’t kicking a lot but when they did, it was quite uncomfortable now that they’d moved nearer to the birth canal.
Well, you’re always welcome to visit and stay as long as you like,
she chirruped. You know what? Life here has been remarkably unremarkable. And I kinda like it that way. Did you know Ray’s here? Your Auntie Curse too. And you saw one Towhee but the other’s lurking around here as well. I guess my pups bring all the relatives to the yard…