Sun Mote Copse A journey begins with one step

Ajei hoped her mother would hold on, hold firm until she got her tasks finished. @Sialuk had sent her to give warm wishes to Sun Mote Copse and strengthen their ties. She held a brace of fish in her delicate jaws. And she lay them down gently.

Her tail sweeped behind her as she looked around with gentle eyes. Taking in the area. It was beautiful here. SHe wondered briefly why her dear friend had left it. Or maybe she had never been her? Hadn't @Seal come from the spear?

She wasn't sure anymore. She lifted her nose into the air and let loose a questioning howl of greeting and good tidings. Hopefully someone would answer soon. @Meerkat or @Njord.

She settled to her haunches and curled her tail about her paws and patiently waited. 

Most names for references, but for Meerkat or Njord. <3

She didn’t think she knew the voice hailing her from the borders, though when Meerkat made her way there, her face broke into a smile. She hastened her step.

Ajei! How are you? she questioned warmly, eyes sweeping appreciatively over the brace of fish before meeting the younger woman’s. You look well.

She couldn’t help but remember what had happened during Ajei’s previous visit in the fall. Meerkat had never seen another sign of that horrible man, though her eyes cut up and down the borderline all the same.

Why don’t you come in? she invited, smiling and motioning for Ajei to follow as she led the way into the territory’s interior.

Ajei had remembered that day, but she also remembered how the man had found her again. How he had been apologetic and nice. Then he had simply disappeared. Never to be seen again. It had been unusual to say the least.

A smile lit up her face and she wagged her tail. A small yip. Hello! I'm alright. Arrluk and I have been moved to Moonspear for a time. I bring news and good tidings with me

Ajei shifted and lifted her burden of fish again. And followed quietly behind Meerkat. Not that she could have spoken anyway. She took time to really look around this time. Last time had been rough. It was so pretty here.

Ordinarily, she might’ve taken Ajei to The Taigh. But it was such a pretty spring day, she stopped in Orca’s Forest instead. Choosing a nice sun-dappled patch, she gestured for her guest to make herself comfortable, then eased onto her haunches.

Tell me the good news, she invited with bright eyes.

[
Ajei looked all around. A soft sound of delight leaving her maw. Though it was muffled. She quickly lay the fish down and wagged her tail again. She took another moment to take in the place around them. She wanted to see if there was a river through here.

Sialuk now has three children born this season. Pauk, Tiuttuk, and Kaujimaq. A female named Moonshadow also had babies Nasua, Tikaani, Niyati and Nicte. Elentari has left to hopefully bring more. Acrux and Maggak had their age cermony.

Sialuk had given birth! Meerkat’s eyes closed as she smiled, picturing her friend and her new babies. The sun felt warm on her eyelids, though they shot open again when Ajei mentioned that another woman—a name she didn’t recognize—had birthed four as well. And Elentari was preparing to add yet more offspring to the bunch.

That’s a lot of bairns, she said with a laugh. I can’t believe they’re old enough for that, wow, she acknowledged the mention of Sialuk’s older children.

That made her think of Seal, of course, and how much she missed her not-so-little-anymore girl. If memory served, she and Ajei had been childhood friends. She wondered if the young woman had seen her daughter lately. As far as Meerkat knew, she was still living in Brecheliant. That thought made her wonder something.

Did you move to Moonspear as part of your coming-of-age? she asked with bright, curious eyes.

She thought of Arrluk, who bore an uncanny resemble to @Orca II. She hadn’t seen her daughter in many days and assumed she’d dispersed again. It was too bad she wasn’t here and that Arrluk hadn’t accompanied Ajei. Meerkat would’ve loved to see the two of them side by side.

Ajei felt a warmness when Meerkat smiled. It was nice to see such happiness. She thought of the dark words she had to say too. about the two attacks, one resulting in a death. She didn't really want to share that. But she supposed all news was needed. 

Ajei chuckled softly. It is, but they all seem happy about it.

Ajei had seen Seal before her journey to Moonspear. She missed her greatly. Frolic had left them on her own adventures. She should seek out the other girl. See how she was.

She nodded. Yes both Arrluk and I dispersed to Moonspear. There are new babies due to Moonglow as well and it was getting a little full. And The spear was down more adults than children. So we agreed to go there. Arrluk is helping out Alaric and I am tasked to come here and also visit Brecheliant. Would you like me to pass on anything to Seal?

A soft wag of her tail. I also have some bad news. And also would you like anything done while i'm here?

Ajei’s words reminded her of her meeting with @Minnow not so long ago. She must’ve found someplace that suited her better, as Meerkat hadn’t seen her since. She just hoped the woman had found someplace to accommodate her children. This idea that packs were growing “too full” made her think. The tongue-in-cheek comment about there never being too many children died in the back of her throat.

If you’d tell her hello and that I think of her all the time, that would be wonderful, Meerkat said in reply to the offer. I think she already knows she’s welcome to visit anytime but you can remind her of that too. Hopefully someday I’ll be able to get out there myself.

The next several words out of Ajei’s mouth startled her a little. She barely heard the subsequent offer, hung up on this almost passing comment about bad news. Meerkat swallowed and braced herself.

What’s this bad news?

Ajei didn't know many wolves inthe teekon. She knew that Vaire was having babies, and so was Chickadee, but that was it for now. Her mother was far too sick. And her father was well absent. And Kukutux seemed to be not having any.

Ajei wiggled her tail. I sure will. I love her. A happy smile broke her face. She loved her friend very much.

Ajei laid her ears down. Sorry I could have broke that a little easier. There was an attack on Acrux, the son of Sialuk and Elentari, and a coyote that was staying with the pack was killed recently by another wolf. It seems that the attackers have dispersed, but just be wary.

It was strangely relieving to realize she already knew some of the bad news, per a conversation with Seal just before the bairns came. Still, Meerkat’s lips twisted at the recollection of such treachery, committed by one of the Redhawks’ own.

I actually knew about the first attack. Seal told me about it a little while ago. She said Ana did it, she acknowledged, shaking her head and sighing. How is he doing? Has he recovered fully? she wondered in the next breath.

She wasn’t sure what to say about the other attack. Meerkat couldn’t help but wondered if it had been driven by hatred for coyotes—“species-ism,” if you will. In that case, she doubted the perpetrator posed any danger to the inhabitants of the copse, though she still appreciated the warning.

]

Ajei hadn't known what Seal would tell her mother. And she actually was a little relieved herself to know it wasn't new news to the mother. It made it feel a little less darkening on such a beautiful day. Though Ajei hadn't been privy to who had attacked whom.

She nodded. He seems to be. I haven't spoken with him much yet. I was sent on this journey pretty quickly after going to the spear. A soft laugh.

Ajei met the she wolf with green eyes. But how are you doing? Anything I can help with?

Seal hadn’t known for certain, either, though she’d indicated that Acrux hadn’t been hurt too badly. Hopefully he wasn’t too mentally scarred from the ordeal. Meerkat wondered again about the circumstances behind the attack. She supposed nobody knew Ana’s side of the story. Her lips pursed.

She wanted to refuse Ajei’s offer of help—she was a guest!—but Meerkat didn’t want to demean her sense of duty. She pondered the question, eyes dropping to peer at the brace of fish she’d brought with her.

We could take these to my mother. Do you know her? Towhee? She hasn’t been well. I know fish are full of good nutrients. The babies might enjoy them too. They haven’t had much occasion for fish yet. We can head to The Taigh, whenever you’re ready to meet with them. But if you’re like me and enjoying this sunshine, we could also do a little tour first, especially as our last one was rudely interrupted.

Acrux from what Ajei could piece together had been more mentally hurt than physically. Though his physical body was full of light wounds, rather moderate.

Ajei shook her head. She didn't think she had ever met a Towhee, but if she was Meerkat's mother, she must be a good wolf. Meerkat was one of the sweetest wolves Ajei knew.

Oh how many did you have? Are you feeling okay? Did you have boys or girls?

Ajei giggled. That is true enough. I will not say no to a tour.

Two, she answered with a telling gleam in her eye. Otter’s my little girl, Skipjack my little boy. They’re six or maybe seven weeks now.

She considered mentioning her son’s blindness, though Meerkat knew it was just one small part of his identity. Besides, she didn’t go around introducing her sister as “Fennec the Blindo” or Towhee as “My Deaf Mother,” right? The thought made her laugh at the absurdity of it all.

Let’s go back that way, Meerkat said, pointing west, then we can make a big circle that’ll bring us to The Taigh. Here, I’ll stash these over here for now… she added, tucking the fish inside a log before they began.

She took her time to point out every landmark as they went along, from her own bourie near the northwestern corner, then on to Ray’s Beach and Mercy’s Garden over yonder. They paused for a moment of reflection at Narwhal’s Respite, then took a drink from Fish’s Loch. They ended the tour by climbing Njord’s Craigh, where they could see just about everywhere else, including Seal’s Nook just north.

I don’t know how long you plan to stay, Ajei, but you’re welcome as long as you like. If you don’t want to stay in The Taigh—it’s a bit noisy, with the bairns—I bet you’d enjoy having Seal’s Nook to yourself, Meerkat said as they finally reached the pack’s cottage tucked beneath the roots of a washed-out tree. Home sweet home, she announced, raising her voice so Otter and Skipjack would know they were there.

Right on cue, Skipjack came barreling out of the den. Meerkat clicked her tongue to let her know her location. When her son ran toward her, she scooped him to her with an arm. She bent to nuzzle the unruly fur on top of his head, sticky with something or other, then raised her head.

Ajei, this is Skipack, or Skip for short. Skippy, say hello to Ajei, she urged, releasing him to nose their guest all over. Over his head, she added, Then come inside to say hello to the others. And stay as long as you like, Meerkat reminded with a smile.

Want to fade here? :)

Ajei smiled at the mention of two babies. How wonderful. Seal was a big sister! Ajei felt a small sense of sadness, she would never feel that, but that was okay. Perhaps someday she would have her own. She chose to press herself into the moment. 

She oohed and aahed over everything. Spending particularly attention to anywhere there was water as she always liked. It was beautiful in the copse. Honestly, she could see herself staying her if she ever decided to leave the spear or moonglow. 

Ajei quickly realized that the youngling was blind and she made sure to make the click his mother did. And she bent herself further down. Making sure to let him sniff wherever he needed. And she spoke to him. Didn't make many motions. Her voice delicate as she. 

Hello Skipjack.

Last from me :)