Deepwood Weald they make a mess of my head

@Dutch and/or @Simbelmyne <3

But subtlety could not cradle her forever.

Lorekeeper approached the border in poor appearance; not from ill experience, no. Their time spent in seclusion had been surprisingly… calming. But come these last weeks, their body fought with itself. With a constant morning sickness (this dawn had shown no pity) came bedraggled looks. Once glossy fur turned greasy, and it came with a wild post-sleep look. The days came with a heaviness, and with nights came exhaustion. It was a new, vicious cycle that spared no kindness.

With this change came admission. They spoke of it freely to Starwatcher some days ago, and did not bother to hide their budding fear. Steadfast as he was in his care for them, one man could only do so much. They needed more aid, and their home was no more. But perhaps they could find something within the ranks of these foreigners.

So here they were, forced by circumstance. At the edge of a pack Lore had wished to study more from afar, if only to stall for time. They hugged beside @Star with a tightness rarely seen, and flinched as he called for whoever resided here. No turning back.

Ever steadfast at her side, Star allowed none of his fear and discontent to bleed through. His insecurities were a well-guarded secret, yet every so often he could not hide the worry in his eyes as they lingered upon Lorekeeper.

Their future would be brought through Lore's sacrifice. Star did not doubt this. He only doubted that it would be worth it, in the end.

How could he ever look on their child with anything but resentment, if the worst should come to pass?

These thoughts were his struggle daily, hourly; even so, he wore a brave face for Lorekeeper. He called for the leaders of this place, flanking his companion protectively even as his own tail curled beneath him with instinctive fear and submission. Wolves. This was a place of wolves.

All he could do was send up a silent prayer with the call.

Please, let these people be good.

Despite their location and past worries about heavy foot traffic, Morningside had been quiet more often than not. The few faces they did see had been friendly and often familiar — something Dutch found idyllic and strange in equal measures. Still he was surprised but not displeased when an unfamiliar voice reached him. Unfamiliar as in he did not know the individual and strange in that there was a slightly odd pitch to the voice.

The panther called back in answer before he began heading in that direction. Long legs took him quickly to the borders, where he was once again struck by the alien appearance of the creatures before him. His lips parted, but for once, he was speechless — he had never seen quite so ethereal a pair, and his thoughts raced full of the half-spun tales he would tell of this day.

One thought rose above the rest: the female was heavily pregnant.

(What would such children look like?)

"Welcome to Morningside," he said to them, his burnish gaze still wide and raking. He tried to look a little less taken aback. "I am called Dutch — chief in this place. What are your names?"

And what was it that brought them here?