Swiftcurrent Creek that autumn chill · pack meeting [r2 ends 10/04]

”Alright, we all go,” Suzy said, though she was skeptical about the surprise pack meeting and whether she should bring along all four children. ”But I want you all to be’ave; it be straight back to de den wid all of you if you be not polite.” Yes, she would have them look after each other, even at this age. Letting them moderate each other would teach them, she thought, how to deal with unruly packmates later on in life. 

This was her first time being the mother, and getting to set the ground rules. There was no guarantee she was going to make all the right choices. 

”An den mebbe we fin’ a quiet spot in de river after an’ see if we can catch some minnows, hmm?” She suggested. A reward, should they behave. 

”Alright. One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish,” She said as she counted heads. ”Off we go.”

No minor task. But aside from one child discovering some late blueberries to munch on, and another stopping to roll in something delightfully foul-smelling, they made it to the meeting. 

Aside from Arric, everyone else looked rather…dour, really. Like a mother swan gathering her cygnets, she motioned for her children to sit with her, and stay at her side.