Ankyra Sound lurlinemas

For @Leonore!

Her time drew ever nearer. Marina, long past digging out a den of her own, had instead wandered along the cliffs' great base by the sea until she found a cave to her liking. The entrance was narrow, scarcely allowing her own slim form to slide saltslick between the dark stone walls, but its tunneled mouth sloped upward into a small dry space where the sea couldn't reach. When the tide rose, it filled half the tunnel, but that suited her just fine.

At midday she found herself back among the trees, gathering dry bedding for her seaside den. Soon she would seclude herself from the world, and though Marina half-anticipated that retreat, she half-dreaded it too. How would she feed herself and her child? How would she protect them? From the sea, from the wilds, from herself.

The wind whispered through the woods around her, giving no answer.

With the help of the Taiga woman Leonore had made it the rest of the way north to hit the coast. It was just as wonderous as she thought, even when coated in the early springs melting snow.

Bouncing through trees and crashing into piles of snow, Leonore felt a sense of excitement which she recognized as being similar to when she would play with siblings and packmates back home. In her first year of life everything was new and exciting, and so despite the words of each stranger she met along the way she could not help but feel that her adventure was a success. She was on the coast, and she was happy.

Caught by a curious and new scent, Leonore's play was stopped in it's tracks to be replaced by an impromptu investigation. On the other end was a stranger, a small and silver-coated woman. She was quick to call out to her, What are you collecting?

A girl, silverwrought and solitary; so young that Marina couldn't help but think the child could have been one of her own. She looked the part, at least. At the girl's inquiry, she offered a gentle smile, pausing in her task to answer. Bedding for my den, Marina hesitated, then added: For my children, when they're born.

Wariness prickled at her, but she swallowed the feeling. Surely there could be no harm in speaking to a mere child — though Marina was quickly beginning to wonder whether the girl's parents might be close behind.

At the mention of children, yet to be born, Leonore tilted her head. In truth this was her first time seeing a pregnant woman - she did know of the rounded bellies however, which she took note of on this one.

Can I help? She asked, though picking up a fallen bird feather before the other could respond. My maman is at home, but I think she would want me to help. Then one day maybe she could tell her mother of her good deed. Oh how proud she would surely be!

Admittedly she was excited by the idea of puppies - she had not seen children younger than herself before.