Her stomach had grown a bit in size, not by much but with the way she’d been eating it was easy to notice she was with pups and once again she found herself hungry. The dark woman took a seat momentarily looking down at her belly.
“You guys are just starving aren’t you.” This had been different than the other times and the woman wondered if she would be having more than two.
“Or sucking the life out of me one of the two.” The woman chuckled softly to herself
The shadow woman wanted something other than deer. The smell of it made her nauseous.
@Kusuma @Talisman
Darkwoman scampered away from moonwolfs once more.
To breathe.
To hunt.
To pretend like the weight of her belly was a sign that she was growing in confidence as her litter developed more.
She'd had a few interactions with moonwolfs now. And as white fang slid through rabbit hide, she thought she was, for once, not going to be eaten by wolf at any moment now.
Kusuma still felt safer in the wild, where she could run and flee if needed. But she took a breath between gulps of food.
The world seemed less scary somehow today.
As she sat there talking to her growing offspring a smell that made her salivate flooded her senses and now she found what she was hungry for but it seemed that another creature was the one that killed the rabbit.
The creature as she got a little closer she saw what it was. Not a wolf but a coyote of some sort. She stayed a respectable distance away and took another seat. “Hello.” She said softly, moonshadow didn’t want to startle the creature. She had a relaxed posture as she waited.
Kusuma was, however, still a very skittish creature. And an expectant mother who needed to feed her pups. Her slender maw curled back to expose fangs, chest and head hunched protectively over her kill.
Long, dark ears were soon pinned to her head, but the growl that followed was one of question, of fear. Who is this one?
it demanded, the end of it rising into a sharp, low bark. Through it was also surprise that she was capable of growling at all.
Wolf. Wolf. The musky scent of Wolf flooded her nose. Her paws lay planted to the ground, eyes fixated upon the Wolf's feet in turn.
If she didn't move, maybe the wolf wouldn't see her.
Talisman knew he should check in with Kusuma. He kept putting it off and he couldn’t really explain why. He wanted to help her look after their young, though he realized he didn’t necessarily want to deal with her, which was an absolutely awful realization. He felt like a complete heel for it, though he still didn’t visit her and it reached a point where it was painfully awkward.
Fearful that she might not let him see his children if he didn’t make this right, the coyote forced himself to track her down today. He didn’t want to show up empty-handed, so he pulled the fattest hare out of his small personal cache before trying to find her scent. He followed it across the craggy slopes until it led him across the borders.
Talis hesitated a little, then decided to keep pursuing her. It took hours for him to catch up to her in some distant forest, where he found she wasn’t alone. Despite his misgivings about Kusuma, his fur prickled as he closed the distance between them. Only as he protectively stepped in front of her did he realize he knew this she-wolf.
His pale eyes shifted between his two baby mamas, the dead rabbit doing an awkward little dance in his mouth.
It was a woman and she got defensive over her kill and moonshadow flattened her ears but didn’t flinch or move from her position. She was a skilled fighter and was confident in those skill. “I am moonshadow.” She stated softly. “I do not wish to steal your kill.” Though she knew the woman may not believe it she took a step or two back to hopefully offer reassurance of this claim. As she did so a specific scent hit her nose and she turned to the male her gaze softening but she remained silent until one of the two spoke.
The woman of the hour's neck fur had stood on end for a second there. But when the wolf backed down, she felt she could breathe. Kusuma sorry-
she whispered. Do not know what got into Kusuma, not really.
It was probably the litter, she thought. Woman had to protect her kill for pup to grow, no? Anyway, her fur slowly lay flat again and she sat down. A sorrowful look came to her face, one of apologies she did not know how to speak in Common. Kusuma-da always spoke softly to Kusuma-ma in the language the two shared, but that was a lover's quarrel... and not this.
Kusuma hungrier lately.
she explained in her soft voice. Kind of hunger that... makes woman guard kill.
hopefully that was enough of an explanation, though golden eyes drifted to her rounded belly.
Neither woman seemed to notice him at first. Talisman’s head continued swiveling between the two of them, taking in Kusuma’s kill and her defensive posture, relenting now, and the soft way Moonshadow looked at him eventually. His ears drew back and he moved a bit hesitantly as he bent to set the rabbit on the ground.
I, um…
he tried, glancing at the half-eaten meal in front of Kusuma. I was bringing this for you. But maybe…
His arctic blue eyes cut to Moonshadow. Do you want it?
he offered, using a small red paw to nudge the rabbit in her general direction. I thought you were living in the woods east of the glen,
he added. What’re you doing here?
Even as he anticipated Moonshadow’s response, he glanced at Kusuma. He hoped she would continue feeding herself. Was her belly rounder than the last time he’d seen her? Was Moonshadow’s? Talisman’s eyes kept ping ponging between the two women, wondering if they were both carrying his children and what each of them might do if they found out he’d slept with the other…
“I understand. As am I.” She was curious if it was for the same reason as her. She looked at the male and wondered if this was his mate. But she wouldn’t voice her concerns, moonshadow watched as he set a rabbit down on the ground and spoke to the woman. “If that’s okay?” She looked to the girl softly, if she wanted it she would oblige. After all it was originally for her.
She looked back to the man. “I didn’t feel it was safe to be by myself.” She knew now she was with pups and she’d have to keep them fed but when they are born she wouldn’t be able to leave them. “I met a few wolves and had been traveling with them. However I believe within the next moon or so I won’t be doing much of that.”
She would have do find a whelping den for her and her babies soon.
Kusuma was many things.
Fearful. Jittery.
But she wasn't stupid.
This Wolf is one Talis smell like, day he came and found Kusuma alone.
She wasn't his first, and somehow she suspected that Wolf wasn't it, either.
She could share. She'd never minded that. She knew Talis didn't love her and accepted it.
Take rabbit, Wolf.
she breathed. The hair on her neck still rose not because the wolf smelt with pup but because social situations were not the coyjackal's strong suit. Kusuma not want it.
She looked at Talis more than the wolf.
Talis and Kusuma need talk, but Kusuma doesn't know if Kusuma knows enough common for it.
Well, he could only agree with that assessment. His lips parted to remind her to consider Moonspear, though she kept talking. Talisman didn’t want to interrupt, so he glanced over at Kusuma as he let Moonshadow finish.
Why don’t you come to Moonspear? I’d love to help you out with the pups,
the coyote eagerly implored when she was done. He paused, biting his lip before admitting outright, You have no idea how badly I wanna be a dad. A good dad.
Now the cat was out of the bag. Kusuma spoke next, though Talisman couldn’t quite gauge her emotions. She didn’t seem angry at Moonshadow—she insisted she take the food originally meant for her—but perhaps she would find fault with him. Next came the dreaded, “We need to talk.”
Yeah, we do. Look, I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you when I said I would be. I’ve been a shit friend. I swear I’m going to make it up to you, okay? Just give me a chance to make it right. I really wanna be there for you and the kids.
He looked over at Moonshadow, wondering if he was putting his foot in his mouth as he added, That goes for both of you and all my children. Whatever you need from me, I want to give it to you.
His pale eyes cut back and forth between them. I’ll make sure you have a cozy den and plenty of food. I’ll visit every day, before and after the births. Whatever else you need. Just say the word. Seriously.
The woman seemed agitated and she didn’t want to intrude more than she already seemed to have. “Thank you.” The coyote woman paid no mind to her after that and talked to talisman only which she did not mind.
It seemed there were tension between the two and moon wasn’t blind either. She could tell the other woman was with young no doubt the young of this man. Which Talisman in what he said next only confirmed that; she didn’t mind either. “If allowed that would help me tremendously. I had hoped to find my brother in the woods but he’s departed.” Where to she knew not.
“Although…” she looked softly to the other woman. “Only if it would not intrude on you. I mean no disrespect.” She was an experienced medic and mother and she didn’t want the woman to be threatened by her presence. “I would love the help, my belly grows greatly which could only mean more than two.” She stated simply. “I only wish for them to be safe and loved.”
Talis avoid Kusuma. For many nights. Why?
her voice was soft like summer rain, quiet — questioning. Like Talis only want Kusuma in life to bring pup. Not as friend.
The words were spoken after everyone else had. Her tail curled protectively around dainty paws.
She had so many questions. So many statements. But nothing more until that was answered.
To the Wolf; Wolf carries kin of Kusuma-litter. So Kusuma does not mind. Kusuma just wants to not feel alone.
Talisman’s heart leaped when Moonshadow said she would come to the mountain, then sank again when he saw the hurt in Kusuma’s eyes. He hung his pale head. He totally deserved to be called out for his behavior.
Before he answered her, she addressed Moonshadow, welcoming her. Now his heart lifted again, as did his head, though only momentarily. The coyote knew he’d fucked up. He was truly sorry and only hoped Kusuma would give him an opportunity to make things right.
Honestly? I don’t know how to explain it. I think… I was afraid you wanted more than I could give you. But I do want to be your friend,
Talis said, enunciating the word carefully and holding her gaze. I know I haven’t been a good one. I dropped the ball. I know. Let me make it up to you. Please?
Although he still had some misgivings about her—there was something very childlike about her, which Talis simply didn’t know how to handle—he reached out a rusty paw and gently touched her elbow. If she allowed it, he would pull her into a hug, a physical reassurance of his word.
And just for the record,
he said, looking at Moonshadow over Kusuma’s shoulder, I don’t expect you two to share a den or anything… unless you want to, of course! But I was thinking I could help set each of you up in your own cozy ulaq, maybe next door to one another if you don’t want to den together…
Was he getting ahead of himself? Possibly putting his foot in his mouth again? Talisman sucked in a breath and fell silent, drawing back to motion between the two women with a paw. Hopefully they could discuss it between themselves. Talisman’s only job was learning what they both needed and doing his damnedest to accommodate them.
So it was decided she would join Moonspear and she felt happy. Her babies would be safe and lived by both father of however many and by siblings. She felt content as she listened to the two speak to one another. “Thank you.”
She said to the woman before looking at Talisman as he spoke of a joined den of they wanted. “Women may not feel comfortable birthing in the same den as a stranger but I am a skilled medic. Depending on who gives birth first I can help where needed.” Plus not to mention her experience having babies. “But first leadership should be spoken to.”
Kusuma wishes to dig own whelp den. More quiet, less scent to confuse and scare Kusuma.
Her nose drew downward to her paws, before she glanced at the aging she-wolf. Her stomach was rounder than Kusuma's - and they had to be at least somewhat the same. Talis had smelt of her heavily. She expected their litters to arrive almost in tandem.
But it meant that... she carried more, surely?
What if that was why Talis looked at her more than he looked at the coyjackal? He wanted many children, and what if she held more than her? What if he forgot about her again because Wolf was drowning in pups?
He already had stated that he found Kusuma childish-
shush.
Kusuma does not know where Kazakir - Kusuma-... brother- went- and Kusuma-ma and Kusuma-da are across Big Lake. Kusuma will never see them again... All kin Kusuma has is litter to come. Kusuma is alone in world she not understand, words Kusuma not know... Kusuma wants Talis to be friend ... but not only for pup she carry.
the words came slowly, her knowledge of common stretched to full capacity.
Her eyes looked to the she-wolf, and back at the pale coyote. Kusuma started to think that Talis only care for her because pups are Talis-blood. That once born, Talis won't be friend. Be too busy with other pupmothers to... notice her.
He didn’t deign to speak again, though he acknowledged Moonshadow’s salient point about leadership with a tip of his head. He would gladly take her to find Sialuk or Alaric, once Kusuma had had her chance to say her piece.
He wasn’t entirely sure what to say. Talisman understood her point, though he didn’t know how to divorce Kusuma from the pups she carried—their pups. He chewed at his lip, mulling how to respond, and felt more than a little mortified when she made a point of drawing Moonshadow into what should’ve been a private conversation.
Well, he’d started it, so that was only fair. And perhaps he deserved it. Swallowing thickly, he looked between the two pregnant women again and tried to come up with something to say to Kusuma’s allegations. Talis really didn’t want to put his foot in his mouth again.
Of course I’ll still be your friend once they’re born,
he said, seizing upon the one bit he felt he could field without fumbling completely. We’ll have to work as a team to raise them, so I definitely want to be on friendly terms!
Talis went on a little desperately. And I don’t just value you because of them. I know you’re your own person. I just don’t know you that well. And that’s my bad! I want to get to know you better, before and after the pups get here.
He licked his lips nervously, glancing at Moonshadow but unable to hold her gaze for very long. Talisman felt humiliated by the scene, though he tried to square his shoulders and keep his focus on Kusuma. He deserved every bit of her doubt and irritation. He would take it. But hopefully they could move forward from here.
Why don’t the three of us head to Moonspear? You and I can keep talking about this,
Talis said softly to the hybrid before adding to Moonshadow, while you speak to the leaders about joining. Does that sound alright…?
So the three were all in agreement and she felt content now that that had came to one she looked to Talisman.
“Well I guess you two could lead the way.” She stated softly. She had no idea where their pack was and she’d follow. She had already told
@Easy and
@Spruce that she would be departing from their group for a while so that her pups were born in safety and she’d return when they were able to travel.