Sun Mote Copse Castia

“S’good tae see you again, Fennec,” Njord said as the sandy-colored she-wolf came into view. “Ah’m happy you’ll be stayin’ with us at tha Copse. Tae call you kin.” It had been a long time she he had last laid eyes on Fennec, and Njord had fond memories of his daughters playing with their Auntie Curse.

assuming this is for me! If not lmk XD

Immediately after joining, Fennec had begun to learn the territory as best she could. It helped that it resides in her memory in some capacity; she’d lived here for quite a long stretch, but a lot of years rested between now and then.

She’d at least found a new place to stay, just south of the Taigh and north of the lake. It was more dugout than den but would serve only her well. She didn’t want to settle too far away; even if she wasn’t necessary for the birth, she wanted to be on hand.

They’d be here soon. After she would go and see Killdeer.

Fennec was startled from her internal planning by Njord’s faintly familiar voice. I’m happy to help, however I can. She replied, politely neutral. The words were sincere, but being here…

Why did it feel, immediately, like being trapped? What kind of fucking damage did she have? It had to be some kind of masochistic self-sabotage. There was no way she was letting it win out here.

You’ll be a dad soon. I assume you’re excited? Fennec asked, smoothly changing the subject with a slight smile.

Fennec’s benign kindness made Njord realize that he didn’t know her well at all, and so the man’s blue gaze studied her face in an intense way that took advantage of her lack of sight. Unexpectedly, it was refreshing to not limit one’s glances for the sake of politeness. It spurred Njord to think of Towhee and her daughter, Towhee Jr. On account of Meerkat’s insistence, he had [sort of] learned ptero to become more inclusive. Did Fennec wish anything from society as well? He had met a wolf or two with vision impairment… but Njord couldn’t recall knowing another wolf who had been born blind like Fennec.

Maybe he would share his mind with @Meerkat later.

“Och, verrae,” he agreed. “Ah’ll never nae love bein’ a Da,” he affirmed. “Shant be long now… a few weeks, maybe,” he mused with a gruff voice.

“Are ye prepared tae be an Autie again?” he asked. “Our wee ones were kickin’ at Meerkats belly somethin’ fierce. These one’s might be more rascally than the last!”

Fennec didn’t know how she could forget the accent but she had. Idly she wondered, if she listened closely enough, she could detect traces of where Meerkat might have picked up pieces of it. Interesting hypothesis to check into later. For now she focused on parsing out what her brother in law was saying.

One or two, if I had to guess. Fennec confirmed. She’d felt Meerkat the night she’d arrived and knew by scent too. They didn’t have long to wait at all.

Some has to teach them to have a little fun. she said with a slightly wicked smile, then shook her head with a snort. I am though. That’s actually most of why I came. She wasn’t sure she wanted to elaborate on that, especially to Njord specifically. But the sentiment was a nice one.

Where’s everyone at these days? She knew Killdeer was probably still north, but the others she’d lost track of. Seal hadn’t been at the Moonspear when she visited and she hadn’t stuck around long enough to ask many questions.

Sorry I let so much time pass with this one! I went MIA for a hot minute. Hope you don’t mind if I wrap this one up here. Let’s have another thread soon!

@Fennec’s medical aptitude had only sharpened with the seasons. His face brightened when she determined Meerkat carried two children – a small litter just like the previous year. Something about the number two was just right.

Then, Njord’s narrator could not remember where every character was in March, and so she let him give a vague explanation. Seal studied in Brecheliant, Orca had dispersed, and Stingray had recently returned home.

“The children are leadin’ their own lives,” Njord reflected whimsically.

“Let me show you a place Ah discovered in tha Western part of tha Copse,” he offered. “That’s where tha wetlands are. Many kinds of plants grow there, Ah ken you’ll like it.” With a touch to the shoulder, he showed her the way.