Northstar Vale she broke her leg on the way down

@Xi'nuata:

He had come and gone, carefully washing the scent of the Vale from his coat each time he reentered Swiftcurrent's lands. Fox need not know what he was doing, and nor did Jinx, for the time being. His revelation of his current activities would be tied to a gift, one Lecter intended to procure very soon. After all, should not a man bring such things to his mate?

A quick, appraising glance as he passed over the borders did not bring the immediate sight of any Vale wolves, though the madman did not doubt he was being watched. Slowing after several paces to a leisurely walk, the man tipped his muzzle skyward and gave a short cry for Xi'nuata, who he had come to think of as he liaison betwixt himself and the wolves of the Vale.

set by sophie

Morning had not greeted her as kindly as she was used to, for the rise was with a dizzying spell and a churn of the stomach, followed swiftly by a heave. She had not time for alarm, but a quick brush of meat and bile before her mate was disturbed by the stench. This was the third time it had occurred, and gradually she woman was favoring the conclusion that she had eaten something horrid. But never had she known for the sickness of the stomach to last beyond two heaves. Nevertheless, when the deed was done, she sluggishly pulled herself from the den, not yet hearing the call of the Creek’s resident healer, but to relieve herself before her task of the days began. The arrangement between the healer and warden did not specify a time when she would need to deliver his bones, but none the less, she had been quick to gather them over the course of feeding. Though she kept a few for herself, in need of their marrow. Amidst the call of nature was another quite familiar, stirring her from pause to action to heed the latter and swiftly. A smudge of white was quick to find among the verdant plains, and to him she dipped her muzzle in greeting- a small weary smile upon her muzzle. “Good day.”

""

The goldscale woman appeared soon, a tired smile lacing her muzzle. "Hello," the shaman greeted in his characteristic cold tone. The flare of his nostrils brought him many things; as with Clarice, as with Jinx, the madman caught the scent of tiny heartbeats' formation deep in the recesses of the Vale woman's pelvis, though her demeanour had not yet changed to the guarded scent of a mother. Coupled with the almost-imperceptible tang of the new lives was mingled the very brief scent of sickness, the sort Lecter associated only with expectant females.

But he did not tell Xi'nuata these things; he flicked an ear and nodded toward the woodland at her back. "No one has passed in my absence?" the shaman inquired, ticking through a mental list of his patients. Dawa's injuries remained the worst; he would go to her first once Xi'nuata had released him. "No other sicknesses?" Lecter continued, alluding with private humour to what he had scented upon the butterscotch woman.

set by sophie

Their greeting aside, the mood quickly turned to take a more serious note. Often she was glad to recall the faces of others well, and more civilly, met in a more favoring light. Though in this instance, she was quickly reminded that their engagement was strict and cordial. Little more than that. And of course, she played to it accordingly without contest. Her smile did not wane yet the weight of her fatigue was apparent, pulling down her usual exuberance when she shook her head in reply. "All are well," she shared quietly. No sirens risen in the late hours of the night, allowing her to assume that her statement was true, until investigated further. Also, she believed that had the worst befallen the frail healer, she would have heard of it from her mate as well as the whole of creation. As for the latter, "No sickness as far as I know." Her shoulders rounded in thought. Her own troubles were negligible when compared to the pack. "Though I do have the bones you requested. Our last few hunts were giving..."

""

At the mention of the bones, Lecter brightened considerably. It was his true repayment for his services to her and her own, the access to the herbs notwithstanding. "Good," he purred, his mind flitting ahead to what treasures Xi'nuata would unwittingly present. "You have not been well," the shaman stated, icy eyes fixed upon her with the careful appraisal of a roughhewn physician.

Though Lecter knew what it was ailed the woman, he would not take the chance that the changes in her scent were perhaps masking a deeper illness, one brought about by stress and perhaps any sickness spreading among the more vulnerable members of the Vale.

set by sophie

She had turned in preparation to guide him to the cache where his bones were kept, but paused when he placed attention on her own state of wellness. She did not believe her condition was worth mentioning, at least not for the moment, seeing as it was only a bother of the stomach that would pass with better food and time. Such pains were unimportant when it came to the beast. She did not want to burden the healer with another patient to tend to. "...just a bother of the stomach," she smiled lightly as she glanced to him over her shoulder. Her expression was soft as per usual but with a notable discomfort. "It is no concern," she mumbled more to herself than he as she turned again to lead the way. Silently, she wondered if it was the smell of sick that had enlightened him to her discomfort, and hoped that she had not carried the scent while in the Vale. She did not want her brethren to assume she was ill.

Lecter snorted. I do not believe you, Xi'nuata. It is indeed a situation warranting you to be tended, he muttered, falling into step. If you were to fall ill, what would happen to your Vale? You are one of the only strong. Ears flicked in vague irritation. The bones can wait for now. Let me tend at least your stomach.

It occurred to the bloodstained beast to tell her what it was that ailed her, but Lecter wished to be completely sure before relaying the information. There was but one beast he considered capable of fathering the fierce woman's babes; he fought the urge to curl his lip in derision of the union, and settled his gaze on Xi'nuata to see if she would comply.

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She hadn’t yet gone another step further before she was inclined to pause again, this time with a knot of concern upon her brows. The warrior did not believe her affliction called forth the healer’s touch, but his reasoning did encourage her mind to think. Indeed, what if her stomach pain was something other than bad meat? Surely a practiced physician would know better than the ignorant mind of the Alpha herself. And if she had fallen ill without his notice… what of the Vale? Would her shadow be able to lead them all on his own? Perhaps he would have been able to, yes, but along what path without his light to guide his way? Xi’nuata exhaled softly, surrendering to his reasoning as she turned fully around to face the blood-stained healer. Much as a pup would pout, she too flared out her cheeks as she sat with an audible ‘thump’.

Ears flicked as Xi'nuata sat down, and Lecter tipped his head. Remain here. Slipping away from her, to the left of the trail and into the trees, it was not long before the healer returned with the herbs he had stocked closer to his reach. Lemon balm, mint. Chew these, he ordered of her, settling to his own haunches with concern until he appeared a ragged gargoyle. The citrus will ease your nausea, the mint, your belly.

When did your sickness begin? Did you throw up only saliva or had you eaten a meal beforehand? Lecter queried Xi'nuata with the intensity of a healer toward his patient; he intended that she answer each question, and truthfully.

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OOC: love the table btw She was an ideal patient, sitting still as Lecter went off to retrieve his materials. She did not find it unnerving but practical that he would know where to find his skill materials. How else was he to fulfill his role without ease of access? When he returned, she complied without hesitation, bending down (and near wrenching then) to nibble on the soothing plants. She made a personal note of their scent and color in the instance she would need to find them for herself. She had no intention of plundering his stock. She rolled the crushed leaves against her tongue as she thought, swallowing first before replying; he had been right about the mint. "Two mornings ago. I spit up food at first but this morning there was nothing but liquid..."

ty! nat made it for me :P and small powerplay in here, with the touching..

Hmm. So it has been three times that you have vomited. Lecter filed this away in a mental file, but thus far Xi'nuata's symptoms appeared as innocuous as pregnancy; it did not seem to be the beginning throes of an illness. But he would be sure. When you pass water, does it have a rank smell? And the vomitus itself this morning; was it coloured with yellow or green? Lecter could no more explain infection than any other creature — he attributed it to having swallowed a demon — but in those who threw up oddly coloured bile, he had seen sickness and fever quickly take hold.

Before she could pull away or bristle, Lecter leant forward to press his nose briefly against her temple. She did not burn, and so he retreated, hackles bristling momentarily as he did not know how she would react. Some illnesses begin innocently; a few bouts of sickness, a looseness in the bowels, but in three to four days they begin to burn with fever and nothing can be done for them. He spoke casually, though his inner cruelty wondered how Xi'nuata would react.

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"No different than usual," she recalled her morning constitution with ease and went on chewing as physician continued his line of inquiry. "The liquid was pale yellow, but there was not a lot." Truth be told, she did not consider it worth mentioning, but obliged none the less. She did not trust where the male hailed from, but trusted in his skill as a healer, even though she had no choice. Her chewing did cease however, when he shared quite the disturbing concept of the quiet illness. Her bowels were fine, but she did not like the idea that her vomiting could be the indication of something more. "oh..." she mumbled quietly, not wanting to convey her anxiety for the matter.

There is another sickness that creeps in after afflicted prey has been eaten, Lecter continued, in hopes that he would frighten Xi'nuata further. The patient seems normal enough, until one day the mind snaps and the wolf rushes about, attacking its fellows with foam dripping from its jaws. No amount of water can ever quench the thirst of those so wrought with this disease, and death is slow. Casting a glance at the goldscale woman, Lecter shook his muzzle dramatically.

But you smell of something else. It befell my first wife; it affected my second, and also my daughter, he murmured softly, icewater eyes filled with an uncharacteristic pity as he met Xi'nuata's eyes. It must run its course, unfortunately.

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OOC: Shame on him for scaring the poop out of her! Xi’nuata was deathly still as she sat staring at the healer. Her eyes were wide and hackles began to bristle with alarm as the frightful imagery of this illness consumed her mind. She could not imagine what she would do, what she’d be able to do if an affliction of that nature took hold of her mind and controlled her body. But it was not this manner of sickness that consumed her, as the tell of the blood-stained healer implied he knew what it was. Her lids spanned further and lips quivered in silent fright. If it had taken several that he knew, then he must have been well versed. But how… how could she have the same sort of illness? The warden believed she took good care of herself. But perhaps that was not enough. “…its course?” she mumbled, letting her ears fall back against her autumnal crown. “Is it long?” she inquired. “What more will come? Will I need to stay from the pack?” She could not risk the others, especially those healing, to fall victim to what plagued her.

lol he gets his fun where he can!

There was true fear in her eyes now, tremouring in her voice. For a long time, Lecter merely sat upon his haunches and gazed at the woman, seeming to memorize the features of her visage before disease stripped them away. It is a fairly long process. Your body will have no energy and your sides will begin to swell, he muttered matter-of-factly. Your hunger will increase tenfold, and toward the end, your teats may drip liquid. The pack will not be affected by it — not physically.

A black humour sparked in his mad eyes, and he gave a wry twist of his lips to Xi'nuata; he had played enough, and his respect was deep enough for her that he would not tease her further. You are with child, Xi'nuata, the shaman informed the Vale woman, before tittering a mad chortle.

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OOC: *tears of joy* After her own line of question, she had fallen silent again more so to keep her voice from trembling further. But she was frightened, truly, having never believed that such things could ravage their kind. It made her realize just how painfully ignorant she was when it came to the health of others. She would not have thought such things were important to consider. Not unless there was a visible ailment to assess. Clearly she had been wrong. Her muzzle remained tightly clasped as she listened. The list of symptoms continued seemingly endlessly… until the latter of them evoked a slight tilt of her head. “Pardon?” Fear gave way for the furrow of her brows, then a gradual smoothing as his diagnosis was received by eager ears. For a moment, the Alpha sat in her silence, replaying all his symptoms as if in them she would find sense. But as she had never experienced this before with any other female, she had nothing to relate to determine of what he concluded was true. She had only his word to go on… and what happy words they were for her to hear! “I am?!” she whined while hopping to her feet. Her tail raised in a frenzy, striking both sides of her hips as she made a little turn of unbridled excitement. She was smiling, wholly, unabashedly smiling as she looked to the pale healer. “I am!” Without hesitation, she all but plowed into the Lecter, but was mindful enough of his age to keep her full strength at bay. Ignoring the scent of his pelt, she buried her nose against his nap in unyielding gratitude, tongue wagging and voice high with glee as she shared her excitement.

aww :3

All at once, the fear gave way to joy, and Lecter's eyes widened. The women of his experience had never acted so, at least in his presence, so as Xi'nuata lunged for him, delight filling her eyes, the shaman scrambled backwards awkwardly, which overbalanced him beneath her embrace and brought him down upon the ground. Her body trembled with excitement, which he blatantly did not understand, seeing as how he could only think of one man strong enough to have fathered children recently.

You are emotional already! he exclaimed, but pushed his nose awkwardly into her ruff for half a second before he cleared his throat, asking silently that she allow him to rise from where he had foolishly fallen. And for the most fleeting of moments, he recalled his own joy at discovering Jinx's pregnancy, and he hated Xi'nuata for her success, but the emotion had disappeared as quickly as it had come.

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She simply couldn’t resist in sharing her excitement regardless of whom it was with. She was a creature of passion and conveyed her emotions as honestly as her disposition would allow. To be called emotional was a compliment to her ears, but she did not let it consume her, lest she accidently crush the healer under her wait. Reigning in her glee, she backpedalled to allow the elder male to rise then sat down once again to keep her frenzied tail under control. She was so happy, she did not know where to begin. Such an honor had only been given to the favorable females of her previous mountain pack, and throughout her seasons of going without, she did not believe this blessing would fall upon her as well. Regardless of how boldly she asserted her desire to her mate. To know she was with life now was… simply wonderful. “I am so happy,” she exclaimed with a brimming smile. “But…but what shall I do now?” she piped all of a sudden. “Do I tell the pack? Do I wait? What do I…” she wriggled in place, on the verge of bursting again.

Tell your mate first, Lecter instructed, and let the rest of them decide for themselves why your scent has changed. Soon it will not be able to be hidden, but do not boast of it now, lest you move the Gods against you for your hubris. He paused, then went on. Your diet must reflect the new lives you carry; you must demand the richest part of the kills. Do not give it away, save to perhaps Dawa. And until your sides swell and the babes are locked into your belly, do not strain yourself. Do not hunt large game. It poses a danger to the unborn by putting too much stress upon yourself.

I will find herbs for you to take that will strengthen you. Continue your border patrols, but allow the other one to handle the skirmishes. Though you are strong, you are now also delicate; fighting is something you must avoid, unless it is out of necessity.

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Telling her mate first should have been her priority, but hearing it aloud, the female felt her heart still. It was not in fear, but rather uncertainty for the news she would bring to him. As willing and as accepting as he had been to become her mate, she was not sure if the news of her carrying his pups would make him happy or more stressed. A great deal of his time had already been devoted to patrolling the borders and seeing to his Lham’s care. What if he did not receive her news with enthusiasm… but spite? What if he looked to these unborn lives as another chore that needed his care? Especially when his mate grew too large and unsteady to care for herself… Would he be upset if he needed to divide this attention? …or would he even do so at all? The brightness visibly waned from her eyes and her body too as it began to settle with thought. Her ears came forward to attentively receive the healer’s instruction, but was without the visible response to show she heeded. She was glad for this blessing, yet there was a reasonable doubt as to whether or not the pack could care for her and these lives, when the whole was still recovering from nature’s wrath. And what if fighting became necessary… Their numbers were tight but truthfully small. Could the Vale afford to lose one of its strengthened forces? She shared none of this with Lecter but it was apparent a weight had now settled upon her mind. Doubt and uncertainty for the unknown, all piled atop what she had first perceived was a happy moment.

Through his spiel, Lecter did notice that something had distracted her and stolen away the boundless joy exhibited only moments before. He fell silent, considering her and what it was upon her mind, and at length he inclined his head toward her. And if this is something that you decide is not ... prudent at the moment, I will give you a potion to dispel them from your womb. Keep in mind that it will not be pleasant, and will hurt.

Despite what had happened to Jinx, Lecter felt that termination of a pregnancy should always be an option for an expectant female, because he was a secret progressive but he instructed her further: And if the latter is what you decide, then tell no one. He will not understand, Xi'nuata.

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The thought had not crossed her mind to end the pregnancy, as she had not known such an option existed. Yet even with this knowledge her disposition did not change. The whole of her settling in silence as she took her thoughts further inward. If she brought an end to it before his knowing, would it not be the same as lying to him? The thought alone made the woman feel ill inside. But what if she asked? She had not yet taken his thoughts into consideration. “It is noticeable?” Gradually she raised her eyes to rest on the pale muzzle. Her voice was kept low, quiet, as if the contents of their conversation would damning show anyone hear. “Would I be able to speak with him without him noticing I’m with child?” Perhaps if she could understand his feelings before the truth became apparent…

Lecter gave a negative toss of his muzzle. Not to anyone who is uneducated in such matters, he reassured her. It will be some time before your ... situation becomes apparent. But he did not know Raheerah, nor how closely he watched his mate, or the scent of his mate. Perhaps the goldscale woman would escape notice until such a time as she had made her decision.

He watched her for a long moment, before a glance to the sky overhead warned him of the sun's position, and the time of day it was. I must leave you now, but I will return. Think well upon all that I have said. He lingered, to hear her response, ears cupped for it.

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His reply had given her some relief, but it was not wholly without a sense of dread. She feared that in the end she would need to seek out the healer’s services, and that this blessing would be looked upon as a burden. But there was no way to know without first speaking with her mate, a conversation in which she was elated to have. But too she held hope that all might turn for the better, and her next visit with Lecter would be for more nourishing herbs to help the life growing in her womb. Until that moment though… The female rose once more, dipping her head to his departure. “I will have more bones for you,” she uttered quietly, quite lost in thought for the frightening unknown. “Until then,” turning silently, she headed back towards the heart of the Vale. [Exit]