Redtail Rise to the river—

she hadn't noticed Ashlar's disappearance, too focused on the question of her own motherhood. his arrival is met with only positivity; at his sound, her lips part, and she finds herself giving the healer a genuine, honest-to-god smile as the joy finally bubbles over.

i 'hink i'm pregnan', Avicus tells him without preamble. she twists her neck, gesturing to her belly—and yes, now she can see that despite the leaner weeks, the mourning, her sides are distended a bit. i feel 'em move.

she lets out a small yip, dancing toward him and pressing her muzzle against his shoulder in joy.

it could have been you, she thinks, but that's fleeting. he smells of Ratio and someone else, someone she cannot quite place. the sea. . .?

wanna feel? she asks, pulling back. he should be able to tell her whether everything inside—everyone inside—seems okay.