Redtail Rise serenade

three-quarters of a moon had shifted since her pups were born. she lets them suckle fiercely, watching them, only leaving for the most dire of emergencies. she wants them to be strong.

but she croons songs given to her by @Ashlar—just the melodies of them, but songs nonetheless.

will they become warriors, or poets? she glances at the quartet, wondering. she'll give them every chance to be as fierce as she—as her first litter—but perhaps Ashlar's blood will run stronger than she expected.

no matter.

every civilization needs its soft points. every pack needs a healer.

but—which?

who, she whispers, breath ruffling the downy fur upon her younglings' heads.

@Fifth @Mulherin @Redsky @Pupper

Redsky, whos ears were now pretty developed and sensitive to sound, awoke to his mothers voice. He stirred, removed himself from her side and his littermates and looked up at her with his still blue eyes, though their pigment would change soon. "mmmma". He said attempting to say 'mama' but not quite being able to form words yet.

Lilia had taken up the mantle of guarding the borders. Avicus tended to children, and there was a wounded wolf in the pack who took the attention of those trained in healing, so she felt it was her responsibility to do what Prophet did- and kept the borders maintained and marked. 

But even she needed rest- and even she became curious about Avicus, and her newborn children. While they were not biologically her half-siblings, she felt still that they were family. She hunted down a hare and brought it with her, passing by Avicus’ stronghold. 

She woofed softly, seeking permission. She wondered what the kids would look like- and who they might take after.

one of them makes a small sound, and she looks down at her firstborn, running a tongue along his still-tiny skull. how big will he grow up to be? how strong, or smart?

or. . .if he's Ashlar's. . .kind?

Lilia's wordless greeting brings her muzzle up, and she invites the girl closer, feeling a slight reservation—but only just. the young woman was an important part of the Rise, and given that Prophet had taken her under his wing. . .some of these pups may just call her foster sister, eventually.

hey, she replies, spirits perked by the smell of fresh meat. come 'hhee 'em?

Avicus shifts her position, letting the light further into the den to fall upon the five of them.

Compared to a week or two ago, the boy had nearly doubled in size.

His eyes had opened recently, however, he could barely see with them. Nonetheless he was continuing to gain weight and develop with every passing day. His teeth had even been growing in too.

But today, his head felt heavy and he wanted nothing more than to sleep, snuggled next to the warm wriggling bodies of his siblings.

His mother's melodies soothed him into a near-slumber. When she had stopped, he noticed this and drowsily opened his eyes, curious to what had drawn away her focus. His thoughts were ill-formed, yet plentiful:

What was his brother up to? And where did he go? Was there another visitor? Where? 

The boy teetered to his chubby legs and turned his head, staring curiously toward the mouth of the den. 

The scent of Avicus’ den brought back a sense of déjà-by, though she remembered very little of her own childhood. She paused when she heard the soft murmur and squeak of children, but heeded her leader’s invitation. 

She brought the hare in too, figuring Avicus might want it. She pushed it forward with her paw, not wanting to come too close and crowd the mother in her den while she clutched her litter. 

Her eyes adjusted, and she saw the tiniest wolves she’d ever seen. Of course, they were just pups- but she’d forgotten how small they started out, and grinned slightly. ”Wath I that thmall too?” She asked rhetorically in a soft voice. She paused. ”What awe their nameth?”

one of the lighter brown boys toddles upright, and she gives him a gentle nudge, encouraging him forward a bit. they'd have to find their legs sooner or later—why not the former?

mmhm, Avi responds to Lilia, though she hadn't seen it herself. the girl had come to Redtail Rise two or three moons into her life (or so she recalled). but all wolves grew from this. even her.

as for the second question, she shrugs. none yehh', she remarks. names will come with time. and she feels that Ashlar, their resident bard, will be better with monikers anyway. it seems callous, but she's stuck on one-two-three-four for now. 

names will come with time.

he frien'ly, Avicus chuckles, dipping her muzzle at the wayward Mulherin. 

and so like this they stay for a little while, discussing pack business and the newest Redtails.

my last post! feel free to post again or archive