Cedar Sweep the empty bowl

Asivaq must’ve sensed Meerkat’s discomfiture, as she quickly explained. Meerkat was glad she hadn’t said anything else, as the other woman seemed genuinely distressed about the situation and eager to put it to rights. Her demeanor smoothed some of the tension building between them.

It’s probably fine, she found herself saying. I’m sure Njord will be glad to have his aokatti just next door.

The truth of the matter was that Meerkat was still a little bothered. Why hadn’t they scouted the area properly before claiming it? Asivaq had rejected Meerkat’s invitation to join their village, saying she didn’t want to cause them trouble. So they couldn’t join the copse… but they could settle right on top of it?

Some of her thoughts were uncharitable, she knew. Her lips pursed and she gave Asivaq a long look before looking away. When her amber eyes found the other woman’s face again, there was a small but genuine smile there.

I’m sorry, you just caught me off guard. And it’s probably the pregnancy hormones making me feel, well, territorial, she offered. The hinterlands are large… and largely unoccupied. There’s plenty of resources to go around. And it might be nice, actually, to have some neighbors.