Moonspear liberal biblicisms

set Dec. 31 - for @Treepie

It had been a long time since Killdeer had been so content.

Surrounded by children, friends, and a potential life partner, his world had fallen neatly into place over the last moon or so. Even the chill of winter could not dull his spirits; even the mountain snow was a beautiful marvel, sparkling in the sun, glittering under the moon.

The man trotted over said snow now, tightly packed under his broad paws. He was tracking a hare, following both scent and the faint imprint of its leaps and bounds across the ice.

He knew he was getting closer, and slackened his pace, breathing slower and softer so as not to give away his position. He doubted it would wander far from its burrow in midwinter, and thus didn't want to scare it underground, where it would elude him.

Killdeer drew to a stop, nostrils flaring, panting slightly as he tasted the air.

Thank you for starting!

Adult, Tiuttuk mused as she shuffled along a familiar footpath winding around the mountainside, kiiinda sounds like ‘a dolt.’ She snickered, though her expression quickly grew contemplative again. It was such a simple word, yet the concept of adulthood was something as complex as it was exciting. She felt the weight of it on her shoulders and welcomed it.

Her eyes cut across to a clearing below her present vantage point, drawn by movement. She found herself peering down at her own father, who looked rather preoccupied. Must be hunting, Pie hazarded a guess, lips pressing together in a thoughtful hum. It made her think of their recent hangout, complete with its silly heart-to-heart.

Now her expression changed again, brightening suddenly. There was something she’d been meaning to bring up to anaa, though Treepie wouldn’t mind floating it past someone else first. Killdeer was the perfect candidate, so she scurried down the rocky slopes toward him.

She didn’t want to spoil his hunt, so Treepie paused at a fair distance back and flailed her limbs at him, hoping to catch his eye.

A wriggling in the corner of his eye was annoying at first, and then he realized it was someone trying to get his attention. He turned his head and found Treepie, and broke into a grin at seeing his daughter. He jerked his chin, instructing her to come to his side.

What's up, kiddo? Killdeer asked, still speaking under his breath. I'm lookin' to catch a rabbit; wanna help?

He had their previous conversation at the forefront of his mind, and was happy to continue the talk if she wanted. But he could also use a snack—so he was good either way.

He motioned her closer, so Treepie tiptoed to his side. Before she could ask what he was hunting, he muttered his intentions under his breath. She bobbed her head, shooting him her best game face. She badly wanted to tell him what was on her mind, though now was not the time to make conversation. Mustering patience, Tiuttuk maneuvered into position beside Killdeer and made a concerted effort to focus.

He smiled at her willingness, then turned back toward their potential quarry. Before he could make his next move, though, a branch cracked under the weight of snow, half-falling and sending a cloud of white between them and the hare. As the swirling faded, he caught sight of the creature bounding away, faster than before.

Well, shit, Killdeer remarked, with a rueful click of his tongue. Better luck next time, I guess.

That was that, and he pointed his attention back toward Treepie, giving her an affectionate touch of his muzzle to her cheek. What've you been up to today, Pie? he asked. Hopefully something more fun or productive than this.

Patience was a virtue, though Tiuttuk sometimes struggled with it. Despite every effort to focus, she imagined she would squirm her way through this hunt. That was, until a bough heavy with snow abruptly buckled, sending up a swirl of snowflakes and spoiling the hunt altogether.

She felt bad for Killdeer but couldn’t entirely mask her “oh no! Anyway…” energy as she swiveled to face him properly. She leaned into the nuzzle, nosing affectionately at his jaw. Pie’s eyes glimmered.

I want to talk to anaa about something important and thought I could float it by you first. Maybe you can give me some pointers, not just about the topic itself but how to bring it up with her mother. I think—I know that I’m interested in learning how to join leadership.

Something important. Was it what they had discussed before? Hell, did Sialuk even know about that? She must, right?

But no, it was something completely different, and he smiled at her enthusiasm and ambition.

Hey, that's great! Killdeer praised her, tail wagging happily. She's gonna so pleased to hear that. What made you decide that's what you want? And what questions do you have?

He had thought of leadership, once upon a time. He was still open to the idea, if the opportunity arose. But as Sialuk's only daughter still on the mountain, Treepie was the rightful successor—and he'd back her all the way.

Her father’s immediate enthusiasm warmed her greatly. She imagined Sialuk might react similarly, though she didn’t know how others might feel. She was quite young and inexperienced, after all.

I want to prove my loyalty to Moonspear, by doing more than just staying here, even though that was already much more than most had done. The village is small and quiet. That’s not a bad thing, I don’t think, but I want to see it grow stronger. I want to do my part to see that happen.

Treepie had so many questions, she wasn’t sure where to start. She supposed she should keep it broad for now, then hone in on specifics as she went along.

Well, I don’t really know what makes a good leader. I do know I’m not there yet and that I have tons to learn. So that’s what I want to do for now: learn all the things. She paused. And even though I’m technically a grownup now, I imagine I should be a little older before I step up…

Solid reasoning, he replied to her first bit, nodding approvingly. What came next also made sense; apart from a rare few, leadership didn't come naturally. There wasn't even really a handbook one could follow. Trial and error, mostly, and learning from experience.

Killdeer let out a small hmmm as he weighed what to say next.

Good leaders have good wolf skills, he finally opined. I don't mean hunting and sparring—that's a given. But they also need to be able to relate to their packmates, and to those wanting to join. Hell, even grow good relationships with allies. You gotta keep a level head, and try to be fair in everything you do.

Man, it would have been great for her to have been at the great hunt. She would have made valuable connections there and learned the ropes of diplomacy. Ah, well—always next autumn, right?

What do you know about the packs around us—our neighbors? he asked instead.

Killdeer thought her reasoning was sound, which was a wonderful commendation. She smiled but didn’t say anything, letting him finish. Even after he did, Pie didn’t speak up right away. She pondered his words, savoring and digesting them slowly.

They have to be charismatic, right? she said, thinking of Alaric. I know about the other Moon villages, she continued, but that’s about it. Tiuttuk paused, weighing her next words. I don’t mind the thought of working on ambassadorship or even recruitment—those are ‘leaderly’ things, right?—but I would like to put my focus on things right here at home.

Suddenly, doubt drifted across her face. She wanted to branch out and learn new things, even those that didn’t necessarily appeal to her personally. And she truly didn’t mind the idea of forging connections outside the pack. But that would never be Tiuttuk’s real focus, she didn’t think. Would her homebody tendencies make her ineligible for leadership?

I see, Killdeer replied. It's good of you to think that. I think some leaders focus too much on the outside, and they forget what's most important right here at home.

There wasn't much beyond the moon villages nearby. That one pack forming that Kinusi had taken a liking to—were they up and running yet? Killdeer hadn't checked in lately.

Gee, maybe he was deficient in leadership.

So, knowing what's going on is important, he went on, and making sure you have the pulse of the pack. Are they happy? Are they fed, and comfortable? I think it really comes down to making sure everyone is okay, kiddo, he remarked, smiling.

Sialuk would have much better insights for the burgeoning leader—he was sure of it.

Her father’s words immediately put her at ease. Treepie did see the merits in alliances, though she truly did want to keep her focus more on the homestead. She decided then and there that she would rather prioritize it than be a leader, in fact. Nothing was more important than supporting her family here on the mountainside.

Killdeer provided more insights about how she could monitor the goings-on within the pack. When he called her “kiddo,” it reminded Pie of another aspect of prospective leadership that very much appealed to her and her nature.

I know that growing the pack’s strength includes bringing more babies into the world. And I know I won’t be able to do that for a while yet but I really want to step up and help anaa if she has a litter this spring. Whether she needs help directly—babysitting, bringing by food, that kinda thing—or taking care of business while she’s busy with them… I’m happy to do whatever she needs, you know?

He smiled still, though there came a rueful tinge to the expression that wasn't there before. If Sialuk had children this year, they wouldn't be his. The parents had worked it out between themselves—but what would Treepie think?

Perhaps it didn't matter—or her mother would explain sufficiently.

I think she'll really appreciate that, Pie, Killdeer replied. There's nothing more important than the next generation—making sure they grow up big and strong.

He cocked his head. Anything else you'd like to know? Granted, I've never been a leader myself, he admitted, a bit sheepishly. So I can only tell you what I've noticed in good leaders. And bad, too, he added, with a tiny smirk.

Killdeer’s endorsements meant a lot to her. He offered to tell her more about the patterns he’d observed in other leaders, both good and bad. This certainly intrigued Pie, though she wasn’t entirely ready to move on from the topic of puppies.

You have a new lady friend, don’t you? Do you think you two might have kids? I’d be just as happy to look out for them, Tiuttuk made it known, a hopeful glimmer in the eyes that matched his own. And I’d like to hear more about her too, if you’re willing to share.

To his surprise, the subject shifted to himself instead. Looking a bit sheepish, he smiled in response, dimpling at the corners of his cheeks. 

Her name is Amalia, Killdeer explained. I met her in the pack I used to live with, Brecheliant. We've been friends for a while—but I only recently realized I. . .well, I love her. I'd love to have kids with her.

That admission brought reality down around him like window blinds dulling the sun, and he blinked more seriously at his daughter.

I know you're probably wondering why I wouldn't have more babies with your anaa, he went on. It's complicated—I'm not quite sure how to explain the right way. I'll just say that we wanted different things from love, and decided it would be better to just be friends.

Was that infantalizing? No. Mature as she was, Treepie was still a child; it would be a long time before she understood the nuances of adult sexual relationships.

If she wondered whether a triad was possible—she didn’t think Sialuk would mind sharing, at least on principle—Killdeer quickly put that idea to rest by explaining the nature of his relationship with each woman. She would never have full-blooded siblings, which was a little disappointing, but she adored her half-siblings and would love some more.

I get it, she said. Anaa has told me a bit about her lovers. I knew Elentari pretty well, before she went away. Pie paused thoughtfully. I know it’s most common for wolves to pair up with the opposite sex. Sometimes they even have weddings. I hope I get to attend one someday… or maybe have one of my very own! But that’s a long way off, she acknowledged with a smile.

Maybe his wedding day wasn’t, especially if he was considering having children with Amalia. She thought about asking, though an even better idea struck her.

Hey, I’d love to meet her properly. Can we go find her?

As much credit as he gave Treepie, it still fell short of her measured approach to the situation. Her brains must come from her mother, he thought wryly, smiling as she explained what she knew—

Because like hell they came from me.

Her request took him slightly aback, and he paused for a long moment, then nodded, looking undeniably pleased. Well, yeah, Killdeer replied, grinning. Of course. Let's see if we can track her down.

His heart was suddenly beating very hard and fast in his chest, but with unbridled joy, rather than nerves. He sent up a call for @Amalia—if you're able to come now, his song admitted.

If not—well, they had time enough, yet.

if you have time Danni! otherwise we can do a new thread later or do something BTS <3

I apologize guys. I have had a shit lot going on lately and my mental health is low, but here i am <3

Amalia heard the call and attended to it with curiosity. A small wolfling, young and pretty. With her father's colors. Clearly her parentage was for all to see. So this must be one of the littles that Killer talked about. She froze for a moment, unsure. But then she bounded up with a smile and a breathless.

Hello I'm Amalia.

You’re totally fine! And we’re happy to have you. We can always keep this short and have another thread when you’re not dealing with so much.

Before they spent a lot of time and energy tracking her, Killdeer sent up a howl to see if Amalia might come to them. Luckily, she heard and turned up only a little while later, looking a little unsure before she closed the distance and offered an exuberant greeting.

Hi! Thanks for coming to meet me. I’m Treepie, the youth introduced, but you can call me Pie. She paused, wondering if she should perhaps pose a question and decided on, What if the three of us grabbed something from a cache and got to know each other over lunch?

She was pretty sure her dad was hungry—or, at the very least, could eat—considering she’d spoiled his hunt mere moments ago. Her electric yellow eyes settled on Amalia’s face, her own bearing a warm smile as she waited to see what Killdeer’s new leading lady thought of the idea.

we can always make a more recent thread soon! <3 thanks for joining

Hey, 'Mal, he said with a smile upon her arrival—but Treepie beat him to further introductions. He glanced between the two of them and nodded at Pie's suggestion, tail wagging fervently. Yes, let's do that.

As the trio set off, Killdeer drew close to Amalia and told her, My daughter—just in case she hadn't gathered that from their similar looks.

Love and pride filled his heart as he went along with his girls, eager to take back up the hunt.

A warmth curled into her chest at a nickname that was just hers. No one had ever called her Mal only Ama or Lia.

Oh! I always love a good hunt! Hiya Pie. Nice to meet ya.

Amalia quickly shifted into hunters prowl. Green eyes alight with the challenge. Scout and hunter two things that made up her.

Gonna fade this for us officially, since I could stand to pare down my thread log too!

Amalia’s enthusiasm immediately endeared Treepie to her, not that it was overly difficult to win the yearling’s favor. She grinned, biting her lip a little as she caught her dad’s pet name. The entire exchange was sweet enough to rot her teeth, particularly when Killdeer made a point to declare her own important title.

Laughing through her nose, Pie pressed it to his cheek, then shot a look Amalia’s way. And then she was bounding away, momentarily taking point since this was her idea—and, of course, to give the pair some room to moon over one another if they liked.