Wapun Meadow Safety in an Open Mind

Already wapun meadow had been dusted by small precious yellow and white blooms that always seemed to precede the rich seasonal grasses of Spring. The scent of larger game drew Tuwawi here, away from the confines of the creek as she tracked them by dropping and prints left in the earth's supple loam. Much of their quarry had gone into hiding following their harrowing attack on the cougar, the stench of blood warding away potential meals when Swiftcurrent needed them most. Tuwawi had resorted to unearthing many caches to feed herself and Njal, with no time to spare hunting. Yet as he healed, the red crested woman thought it important she reclaimed her responsibilities to better gauge the herds's quantity.

And so she laid prone and sphinx-like, nestled amongst the tiny flowers like a wick of flame upon a lofty hill as she gazed down to a generous herd of deer. She had no intent to give chase today, as she was but a lone hunter; yet happiness painted her expression, pleased to see that many does grazed heavy with fawn. Surely that meant easy picking when birthing began... and would provide fine dining for herself and Njal. Already her own scent had begun to change, warped by a natural stage of life to become more pungent and appealing. The subtle shifts in her body were registrable now, and the woman couldn't help but feel the tang of passion begin to flower. However Tuwawi, always strong of will, fervently suppressed it.

Her tongue rolled over her maw at the thought while she enjoyed a warm breeze and the pleasurable aroma of the flowers strewn beneath her figure. The day was sunny, and it offered a nice reprieve from Swiftcurrent's dark pines.

Finally free of her restrictive healing phase, Fox broke free from the creek's borders at a gallop. She was careful not to push herself too hard, but she couldn't help but feel incredibly free from her home which had felt like a prison over the past couple of weeks. The mood had not improved as much as she would have liked, but Fox knew that the warmer weather would bring cheer to the wolves of Swiftcurrent. And if not, perhaps it was simply their fate to be a more solemn pack. She would not object to such a thing, even if she preferred her comrades to be at least a little bit more cheery.

Cresting the top of a hill in the meadow, Fox caught sight of Tuwawi just a few hundred yards off. There were several things that Fox wished to speak of with her fireball twin, and this seemed like a perfect opportunity. Changing her direction accordingly, she slid up to the Epsilon and greeted her with a gentle touch to the shoulder, though Tuwawi had probably noticed her long before. Her eyes followed what Tuwa had been looking at in the first place, and a smile crept to her features.

“Looks like we won’t have to worry about food this spring,” she said, licking her own chops to solidify her statement.

The subtle sounds of another's light footfalls pattered from behind, crunching the dried grass leftover from the previous autumn sun. Tuwawi's ears rolled back to listen carefully, figuring her guest to be Fox, for her steps were distinct — quick paced with meaningful purpose. Her guess proved to be correct when the leader's blazing fur shone in her peripheral, and they exchanged a friendly greeting with gentle nudges. Tuwawi's ears fell away momentarily in deference to her superior before returning to their erect position, ever watchful gaze observing the herds.

Although the solitude on the rolling hill had been nice, the pleasant day was better shared with company. Her ruddy tail thrummed upon the ground, a perceptible sign of Tuwawi's good mood, while her expression remained serene. 'Looks like we won’t have to worry about food this spring,' Fox commented. It was definitely a true statement. Pickings would be easy, and soon much more than prey would bless the fertile lands: berries, fish, and edible vegetation alike. Even though the woods of Swiftcurrent would offer a generous bounty, Tuwawi felt more at home in these fields. How similar they were to Kindred's Windrunner Plains... laced with sweet heather and honey suckles. Truly she was blessed to belong to a home so near this unique purchase.

"Mm, yes... I have been watching the herds," she said as her ears rotated, dish-like, to ponder other far-off sounds, "I was worried. After the cougar much of the prey went into hiding; but I am happy to see they didn't stray too far. This herd in particular will have many calves. There is another farther East that will be a little late with their fawning." Tuwawi was astute in her observation as she scanned the meadow, turning to Fox with a courteous gaze. "We will not have to wait much longer for the birth of their young. The fawns will make easy prey." Though the young were always deceptively fast on their stick-like limbs, the mothers always tended to hide their babes in the tall grass and sometimes it was like a treasure hunt to find them.

Fox listened, drinking in the information as Tuwawi spoke of the nearby herds. Njal's... wife (Fox still felt strange about that word with Njal's name attached) was proving her worth more and more each day, which was part of the reason Fox had wanted to speak to her in the first place. But Tuwa's last sentiment about the fawns struck the Alpha as strange. Perhaps she had just remembered incorrectly, though. “Is it not better to pick off the older, sicker ones?” she asked, “So that the young will be able to grow bigger and produce more offspring? That is how we did it back home, but you do make a good point.” Fox was on the fence (say that three times fast!) about the logic there, but she was willing to hear Tuwawi's opinion.

The yearling allowed herself to sprawl on the grass, legs splayed behind her in true frog fashion. Her legs extended far out in front of her, and she bent her head to clean them. They weren't particularly dirty, but it was something to do in the downtime and allowed her to not seem like she was drilling Tuwawi for answers to her questions.

Fox relaxed besides her, listening closely and engaging in conversation. She commented on the methodology of maintaining their herds and not culling the entire generation. It was a tactful observation about the art of hunting, and a sentiment Tuwawi also believed in; yet the experienced hunter was prepared to explain her previous statement. "Even the old or sick can be quite a challenge to dispatch," she started, "but an unattended fawn is much easier to catch. You see, the most attentive and protective mothers will watch their young closely... and it will be near impossible to come close. Their hooves are sharper than a lion's talon. We remove the weak, regardless of age. The strongest, most able bodied fawns will be sure to evade our teeth. I guarantee it." Her words were confident as she spoke, a seasoned sportswoman of three years. Besides, the supple flesh of a newborn was much more delectable than the sinewy flesh of an aged elder... but Tuwawi omitted personal taste from their discussion.

"Perhaps we can organize a hunt soon," she suggested offhandedly as her tail curled round her haunch, wanton gaze returning to the distant four-legged beasts. She remembered how Haunter and herself had made an excellent team, two skilled gamekeepers with a penchant for the chase. Surely there were others who shared their prowess in Swiftcurrent. Her mind then turned to young Bones, a peppered youth with zeal to spare. "Bones has never hunted in a group before," Tuwawi added, ruminating on a thought, "It would be a good lesson for her." It was always important to instruct the young on the ways of their breed, however the relaxed ember did not mull over this topic for long. She pondered exactly why Fox had joined her so far from Swiftcurrent's heart. Yet she kept these thoughts to herself for the time being, too placid to inject such a dramatic change mid-conversation.

Gah, I love these two!

Tuwawi explained why they may wish to pick off some of the weaker or less-attended fawns, and Fox had no reason to protest. She had merely been going off what she remembered from her younger days... which, admittedly, weren't that long ago. Being only a yearling, Fox still had plenty to learn. Some days she awoke and wondered if she had dreamt up her whole ascension into leadership. That was not the case, however, and she was reminded by the way Tuwawi regarded her in that moment that she really was leading them. It still felt odd at times, but with Jinx now her second-in-command, Fox felt more at ease. With her and the rest of the older crew there to advise her when she needed it, the fireball thought things would work themselves out.

Fox's ears flicked toward Tuwawi when a hunt was mentioned, and the Alpha nodded in agreement. “It would be good for her,” she agreed, “though I’m not sure how many of ours will be able-bodied enough to hunt so soon.” Fox was a perfect example of this, as she'd been tending to her own wounds every since the cat fight. But hunting was not what Fox had originally approached Tuwawi for, and this seemed like the most natural break in the conversation, so the girl took advantage and swung the pendulum another way.

“Njal told me that he wished for children this year...” Fox said, gauging Tuwa's reaction. “Do you share his wish?” The fireball suspected that his injuries would likely get in the way of such... business, but Fox was still curious. The creek could certainly support a litter this year, and since Fox was not capable of such things, she figured it might help lift spirits.

Of course, this did not compare at all to Jinx's situation, for that had been far different. It had been an illegitimate litter, conceived before Jinx had even become a part of the creek. Fox had never intended to allow that litter to survive, and a part of her was relieved that she had not had to carry out the task herself.

Me too X3

Fox accepted Tuwawi's explanation as she reclined and pondered the culture of Swiftcurrent. Truly, things were beginning to piece together well for the maiden pack. Everything had started off so turbulent... caught between the tragedy of Lethe's death, bold personalities, and the cougar brawl — but now, as their wounds healed, things had begun to sail a little smoother. A few new recruits had even joined their ranks, and soon Swiftcurrent would be up and running as a major force in the valley.

The leader concurred with the suggestion to take Bones, and perhaps others, out on an excursion. However she caveated the idea with the reminder that many of their wounds had yet to heal completely. Tuwawi knew this all to well, after working overtime to feed her crippled mate and keep the caches full. She offered a wry smile, glancing to the sutured wounds on her smaller half's side. Indeed, they still had a way to go. "Mm," she hummed to agree wholeheartedly. A list of pack members propagated in her mind, ordered by health. Slowly a small potential hunting party came together, however Fox had a different topic on her mind.

'Njal told me that he wished for children this year... Do you share his wish?' Fox asked, testing the waters. It was an unexpected, although welcome, change to their conversation. One Tuwawi couldn't help but sharply inhale at. Almost immediately her skin became flushed, butterflies fluttering excitedly in her belly as her chest swelled. Never before had she spoken about becoming a mother to anyone but Njal, who had informed his wife he had beseeched their leader with such a request a few weeks ago. It was an exciting that Fox brought up the subject now, albeit completely terrifying at the same time.

Tuwawi had never been innately feminine in nature, preferring the boyish ways of a spitfire youth, but age saw certain changes in the young woman. The desires to nurture and to care for became ingrained now, as did the longing for intimacy and passion. Yet, the pair remained respectful... almost pious in the wake of their new alpha... knowing all too well the laws of their breed and what would befall them should they break. Loyalty always came first, as did the pack's needs; but the wanton fire blazed infinitely in Tuwawi's mortal husk, consumed by something which ran deeper than mate ship — a blood bond titled aokkatti.

She couldn't cite the source for her embarrassment; this was a perfectly natural thing to talk about right? Perhaps Fox's age hindered Tuwawi's speech. It was one thing to talk about this with an experienced denmother... but the spritely one-year-old? They were pack sisters, yet it was still a sensitive conversation that was difficult to breach. Nevertheless, Tuwawi attempted to collect herself. "Yes!" she squeaked, voice almost nonexistent from the lump in her throat. "Y-yes," she coughed, correcting her answer with a sheepish smile; almost apologetic for her own excitement. "Mm, I do wish for it. We wish for it. We both have for a long time," she looked to Fox with bright, knowing eyes, exhaling while her posture relaxing as she lifted herself into a sitting position.

Tuwawi's ideas continued, unabashed and earnest, now. "It would bring us great joy... no..," she struggled with her words, thinking her verbiage too cliché. "Ahh, Fox!" she mused as a huge smile crept upon her mug, fur bristling with just a thought as she become exasperated, "I can't even explain it!" The happiness which derived from just a simple question was overflowing, and Tuwawi struggled to keep her composure. "Yes, yes I do," was all she could parrot, finding no easier way to convey her sentiments. She settled on that answer, looking to her alpha with baited breath.

Yeah... I can't match that novel.

Tuwawi's excitement and joy all rolled into one caused Fox's tail to wave back and forth. That mood was contagious, and Fox hoped that it would spread to the rest of the creek. Tuwawi had this genuine trait that was mixed with softness that Fox had never even come close to seeing in anybody before. She envied the girl, in a way, but reminded herself that she could not simply change who she was. It occurred to her only now that Tuwawi and Njal were likely a good match because they were so different. Njal was quiet, commanding. Tuwawi was sweet and kind in a completely different manner.

“You have earned it. And so has Njal.” Fox had faith in the both of them, and they had both proven their worth to the pack. It seemed only natural that they should bear this year's new life. Of course, if Fox was fertile, she would have banished anybody from doing such a thing (aside from herself, of course). Alas, Njal and Tuwa were lucky in that regard. Their loyalty to one another was astounding, and only solidified Fox's decision to allow them to go through with their plans.

i've been sat here at work for forever and haven't gotten anything done... so i write a post

To say Tuwawi beamed was an understatement, and it brought great joy to see her happiness reciprocated in Fox's expression. Her leader's tail wagged at the proposal, day brightened by the prospect; and she granted the Sveijarn's an opportunity, dubbing them worthy from their efforts benefiting the creek. "Fox—," Tuwawi said quietly, better words escaping her now as her usual fire dimmed to a warm glow, "it means everything." Truly the idea was becoming real, now... and it brewed a potent mix of excitement and anxiety within the young wife's gut. Would she be a good mother?

Woah, there. Tuwawi thought to herself inwardly, ceasing the day-dreams. Putting the horse before the cart was a dangerous past time... and there were many... steps... to be considered before even thinking about motherhood. The recent trauma of Jinx's brood still weighed heavy in her mind. It was possible nothing could come from their efforts; a pregnancy could not reach its fulls term. Miscarriage, illness... all things the young adult had little experience in. And what of the deed itself? It was literally virgin territory, and just the inkling of it made the creek wolf's face burn from her inexperience.

However, she suppressed these comments, and only looked to Fox with a wistful gaze befitting their breezy afternoon in the meadow. A few rosy petals caught her attention as she sat, visage clear but mind impassioned. Njal would still be resting in their den, and even though his wife wanted to rush and announce the the news, she was hesitant to interrupt his sleep, as well as so rudely abandon her alpha. For now she gazed, and thought of those to speak with about her future. If only Miyako was here...

I have missed your writing, dearie!

At Tuwa's excitement and words, Fox could only embrace the girl. It was possible that Tuwawi was the closest thing that Fox had ever had to a friend. In fact, the more they interacted, the more Fox felt that Tuwawi was her friend. Despite their less-than-pleasant first meeting, the yearling had taken a liking to her lookalike comrade in ways she had not thought possible. It was unlike the militant relationship she had with Jinx or the aloof one she had with Njal. And it was so very different from what she had with Haunter. The more Fox put her roots in the creek, the more she was beginning to realize how complex and astoundingly different her interactions with her pack-mates were. She had been too young to realize it before, but this leap in social awareness would do her some good.

“Go on and go share the news with him,” said Fox, knowing that Tuwawi would not wish to be away from Njal any longer than she had to. It would be fine if the news came from his wife, and Fox thought it might be better if it did. There was something oddly satisfying about giving the pair exactly what they wanted. The yearling nudged her packmate to move her along, releasing Tuwawi from any guilt she might have about abandoning the young leader.

My little heart when Fox thought of Tuwawi as her friend TT___TT

Truly, there was a particular camaraderie only women experienced amongst one another, and like Fox, Tuwawi felt the same pull towards her young leader. They resembled two sides of the same knife, and were simpatico. Much growth was yet to blossom, but already their relationship had a promising start despite its jarring beginning. It was a tell tale sign of their compatibility: two wolves able to overcome tribulations placed before them.

Fox embraced her, and Tuwawi returned the hug. She knew all to well the implications of this allowance. Tuwawi could bear young, where Fox could not... and it meant an incomparable amount of trust. She would do the creek proud, with this blessing.

It was as if Fox could read her mind as she nudged her away to spend time with Njal. Tuwawi nodded in compliance, a gentle smile of gratitude painting her visage. Before she departed, the red wolf gave an endearing nibble to Fox's ruff. "Thank you," she said finally as Tuwawi kicked off into a Northbound run, eager to return to Swiftcurrent.