Moonspear twelve carat toothache

Calling her son’s name only to be met with silence day after day could’ve dampened her spirits. But something about the ritual gave Meerkat hope. Swordfish was loved and missed and there was something empowering about making sure the whole world knew it. Maybe everyone living out there would get tired of her cries and hand over her son out of sheer annoyance, she mused as she walked to the nearest stream to fetch a drink.

@Keen

Quick post just to get in here before I die at work

Keen, for her part, was about ready to flip the entire Wilds over in search of Meerkat's missing son in the name of catching a bit more sleep. She probably would have left for that purpose already if not for Sialuk's morning howls. Even a Swordfish wouldn't stop that, so Keen stayed planted at home for now.
When she ran across Meerkat on her way for a drink of water, though, she found she didn't know what to say. Those morning calls kept the woman's grief fresh in her mind, but they also really fucking annoyed her. So she wasn't sure how she felt about Meerkat right now. She tried for casually friendly when she decided on a greeting. Good morning, If it was anyone else, Keen might have asked how she was or something similarly polite, but she already knew how Meerkat was. So she would let her decide what kind of small talk they would settle on.

The ice cold water felt good on her throat, soothing the slight raspy tickle that came from her morning serenade. She drank until her middle felt heavy from it. Her belly would surely slosh when she walked, though for the moment, Meerkat was content to just linger by the stream for a little while.

When Keen approached, Meerkat’s heart did a little flip in her chest at the sight of those familiar blue eyes. It sank in the next instant. She let out a breath through her nose, then managed a small smile for the other woman and a little wiggle of her tail.

Morning, Keen, she replied to the Epsilon’s greeting. Are you hungry? Njord left me some meat before he went out to patrol this morning. It’s just over in our new ulaq.

Meerkat turned a little to gesture. They couldn’t see the den itself from here, though the old, gnarled tree made up a distinct part of the skyline from this angle. She cocked her head at this, then returned her eyes to Keen to see what she might say.

Meerkat greeted her with a smile this time, and Keen noted that it felt a lot nicer than their first meeting had. Maybe they could be friends in time. She smiled gratefully when the other woman offered breakfast. I could eat. Thanks, She glanced past Meerkat to where she had gestured, not quite seeing what she meant. By now she knew what an ulaq was, but it wasn't exactly visible from this vantage point.
Keen gestured for her to lead the way. Is it behind that tree? She guessed, wondering how this Njord would feel about her being near his sleeping place like that. Meerkat was clearly fine with it... surely she knew best what would be okay.

Keen graciously accepted the offer of breakfast. Meerkat climbed to her feet, her belly sloshing as expected as she led the way over to the gnarled tree. En route, the other she-wolf posed a question, which made her turn her head and grin.

It is the tree, she said right before they reached their destination. Pausing in front of it, Meerkat swept out a foreleg invitingly and added, Please, make yourself at home, and waited for Keen to enter first.

I am so sorry for the wait on this, thank you for being patient <3

Oh! It was the tree! Keen stared a little blankly into it, feeling very dumb and a bit mystified. She had never stepped inside of a tree before. But it seemed safe enough, so after a moment and a glance at Meerkat, when she realized that she was meant to enter first, she entered the den.
It smelled like wood. Pretty cool, Keen commented, looking around briefly without staring at anything too long. It felt very invasive, randomly being in someone else's bedroom. If I had a tree den I don't think I'd ever leave. The comment was casual, but she shot a slightly mischievous glance at Meerkat to see if she caught it.

She followed Keen inside, moving over to the left-hand wall, where the roots created shelves of sorts. She fetched the remains of a deer’s leg and very carefully turned to place it at Keen’s feet. There wasn’t much meat left on it, perhaps just enough for the two of them to enjoy a light breakfast. After setting it down, she reposed so it sat in between them.

Meerkat did not register the pun at first, musing, It’s definitely cozy and I personally like the smell of damp wood over damp rocks. Only then did the joke land and she snorted, saying, I just now got the joke, and shaking her head at herself.

Please, she said in the next moment, help yourself. And, well… I was a bit distracted when we met but I remember you mentioned being a historian, right? I’d love to hear a bit of your history, if you’re willing to share.

No worries!

She was disappointed at first, when the joke did not seem to register, but then Meerkat got it. Keen only grinned at her in response. She stood back, and then settled when it seemed like that was the right thing to do, a polite but somewhat stiff houseguest. Keen didn't often do social calls. More often her choice of home was centered entirely on her work.
But that was not the case here. So when Meerkat asked about her history, Keen nodded slowly. She wasn't sure if she wanted to hear her actual personal history or just something she'd collected, but seeing as the former was off the table entirely, she chose to assume the latter.
I can tell you the history of the last pack I was in, Keen offered carefully. It's brief, but charming. Thank you, by the way. She glanced to the deer leg as she added the last bit.
Assuming Meerkat agreed, she went on, leaving out many personal details out of respect more than anything else. Second generation family pack. The founders had a forbidden romance thing going on; a mountain princess and a lowland thief. The princess was the pursuer, if you can believe it. Keen still couldn't, herself. If she were a princess, she would probably be a lot pickier about who she dated. They met when he was stealing from the mountain pack's cache one night. It was love at first sight, but he fled in fear, so she searched for him. She was in the middle of her first heat by the time she found him, weeks later. They eloped.
Turns out married life can really change a guy, She laughed slightly. From what his children said, dude was incredibly uptight. They started a pack, but it was small, and famine hit the forest they'd claimed right after their children were born. Everything just started to die. They persevered for a few months, but when they lost a packmate to starvation, they decided to relocate, It was actually a child they'd lost, but Keen tactfully avoided that detail. Their children grew up traveling, while they searched for a new home. You can tell, to be honest. The current alpha can't stay put for more than a day; his beta runs the place. They claimed a bay eventually, really pretty place. Like a permanent beach vacation.
It gets kind of sad after that, Keen finished, uncertain Meerkat would want to hear the rest of the tale. But the pack is doing okay now. Expecting kids when I left.

Keen offered to share her immediately previous pack’s history. Meerkat nodded encouragingly and settled in to listen. Although she took a few bites of breakfast every now and again, her attention remained fixed on her pack mate as she told the tale.

It began with a compelling romance arc, then along came a twist. Meerkat frowned slightly as she chewed. Forbidden love and elopement were the stuff of fairy tales but the talk of famine and death reminded her that this was a true story. Reality was gritty.

It gets kind of sad after that? Meerkat repeated with a note of incredulity, wondering just how much darker it could get. If you want to share it, I’ll listen, though I also understand if you’d rather not dredge up what must be more traumatic memories for you.