Swiftcurrent Creek Women and Children First

Tuwawi admired her son as he strutted into the sun, his soft features undecided whether to take after his sire or dam. Briefly he paused, regarding the new sensation of grass beneath his paws, as his sister, Maera, called to her from the den. Each were finding their own voice, their tones vastly different despite their similar beginnings. Even from birth their personalities were a rainbowed spectrum ranging from the stalwart Jokull to the more tender Larus. The young mother never knew what to expect next from her get, but it was an exciting venture. For the time being, their innocent faces helped melt away Tuwawi's worries about Swiftcurrent's fate and remind her what was truly important in life.

A strong zephyr shook the young beech trees which created the roof over their burrow. Valtyr immediately slunk to the ground, startled by the wooshing leaves and whispering breeze. Tuwawi watched him, observing his reaction to forest's ways. How curious this little child was... how new everything must be to him. Her desire to comfort him was great, and quickly she acted, slender neck reaching forth so that her muzzle brushed against him to provide security to her child. "Just the wind and trees," she told him in a soft voice.

Tuwawi turned onto her side, rolling in the grass to reveal her underside and the single source of nourishment her children had known for the last month of their lives. Their milk teeth had come in, making nursing painful, but still she persisted to let them suckle, wanting to linger on their infancy for as long as she was able. Quietly she chuffed to the others, inviting them out into the clearing for lunch.