Moonspear ^______________^

She preened over the title of “big sister.” She really couldn’t wait to spoil her mother’s next batch of babies, not to mention help Sialuk raise them properly. There were several amazing grownups on the mount—one of them stood before her now—but Treepie was the only one left who shared blood with anaa and any babes she birthed.

Will you help her make the babies? she chirped, too excited by the notion to recognize it was a very frank and personal question. Then they would… Pie’s voice trailed off suddenly.

Her expression twisted, as if she’d just caught a whiff of something horrible. But the air was fresh and piney, as always. The bad wind blew only in Treepie’s mind, as her innocent inquiry suddenly reminded her of her anatomical situation again. It hadn’t mattered to her, once, but with puberty came certain developments and doubts.

Catching herself, Tiuttuk sucked in a deep breath and forced a smile as she finished her thought: I would like that, anyway.