Rising Sun Valley discovery · sunbeam lair

He seemed to like her name, or at least not dislike it, and Fox wagged her tail in response. Njal hesitated at answering her question, and Fox cocked her head to one side, wondering what was going on with him. She smiled when he spoke of protecting her, if only because Fox never felt like she needed it. Still, she could not deny that having backup wherever she went was a pretty sweet deal. Not only that, but her followers had started bringing her gifts on occasion, something Fox adored. She was greedy, and those who fed her greed would certainly be rewarded.

But it seemed there was more than just his desire to protect. Njal began speaking once more, and Fox perked her ears forward to listen. It was no surprise to her that he and Tuwawi would want children. Njal (and perhaps Tuwawi as well) had a few years on her, and she imagined their urge to procreate was one that could not simply be willed away. That was assuming they wanted to will it away in the first place. “Hmm,” she mumbled, contemplating on how best to answer him. On one hand, there was a pang of jealousy that she would not be able to continue her own line this year. It was yet another two or three seasons before her body would be ready for such things.

“Let me think on that one,” she replied, neither giving him a yes or a no. Swiftcurrent still felt marginally unstable since the loss of Lethe, and Fox did not want new life coming into the pack until she was certain it was steady. Not only that, but she was hesitant to give permission due to Njal's ranking. Sure, he was among her most trusted and respected, but she felt she wanted more than that out of those who wished to be parents. Perhaps if he stepped up into more of a leadership role... when she decided it was time, of course. Then again, she had those same plans for Jinx. It was hard for her to determine which of the two she saw as a better fit for helping her rule the creek.