Verdigris Ravine (M) And wrens have begun to sing an old song in the mouth of your kettle.

S'ari snorted at Zoug's orders to go be with Candle. Like hell! She would not leave her friend out here even if she was with Zoug. Maybe especially if she was with Zoug. Not that she didn't trust the coyote... except maybe she didn't trust the coyote... Not entirely, anyway. That was probably bad. She'd have to deal with that later.

She watched like a hawk when Zoug returned, his cheeks bulging with water, and slowly poured it as best he could into her friend's mouth. Thank the gods. Now she could focus on the fact that she was giving birth. Maybe. If Towhee didn't keel over and die at any second from the clear infection inside her. No normal miscarriage had ever smelled like that, and S'ari had been around a few during her time with her Home Tribe.

Towhee will come in with us, she snarled at Zoug, ears flat along her skull. She was contracting now and in pain and did not give a shit what he said. She is sick and if she dies because you turned her away... The threat was clear in her tone, though it must have sounded very odd. S'ari did not get angry like this, well, ever, really. But she needed to impress upon the male how serious she was. Towhee will come in, stay far away from the others-- she did not specify to keep Candle and her pups anonymous-- and she will drink, and she will lay down, and she will be kept safe. Or S'ari will be very, very angry.

And then S'ari released a long, low groan as a full contraction hit her.