Bearclaw Valley You've got your passion

Hoping for @Winslet <3

Ameline cruised along the banks of the river, where the shallow waters had frozen solid. A light dusting of snow gave her traction, making the cool, even surface a safe place to walk. She turned one ear toward the deeper waters, which burbled against the ice shelf not far away. Day by day, she prayed for warmth- so the ice would melt, and Spring would come. 

At this point, she could await the birth of her litter eagerly; her sides slightly rounded, she had the peace of mind knowing that she had indeed become pregnant- and that all might know it to look at her- but was not yet round enough that she felt a great deal of discomfort. This state would only last so long- but she enjoyed it while she could. 

Not far from the riverbank she spotted a new den. She meandered from the riverbank to investigate, brow lifting as she scented both Winslet and Cole. Had the rogue begun to settle in with the winsome woman? Curious, the Regina uttered a soft, inviting ululation- to see if anyone was home, secretly hoping she might finally find evidence that Cole had selected one of the pack's many available women to settle down with.

although it was cold outside, within she and cole's den, winslet had never felt so comfortable. her lover had left early in the morning, after he'd uttered a gruff goodbye and placed a kiss upon her forehead. in a perfect world, she wouldn't kept him there. all day, perhaps, just to bask in his affection and warmth. 

but he was a man of many responsibilities and winnie did not wish to hold him back. and so, she'd curled up in his spot where the ground was still faintly warm, and fell asleep with his scent to lull her. 

she dreamed of sweet things. spring to arrive and unthaw their home, where she could enjoy the water and all its life. a future that involved bundles of joy. she'd long ago knew that one day, she wished to rear pups. to be a mother would be the greatest accomplishment, and to have cole as her pups father...

well, it was beautiful. 

but dreams always come to an end. she stirred awake to a noise. a call, beckoning her from her home. her heart jumped in anticipation of cole having returned. with a whimsical smile, she unfurled and crawled from the den, eager to meet her man. 

only, she came face to face with no one other than ameline. gentle surprise scrawled across her soft features; the woman was practically glowing! soft and plumper were her regina's sides, her womb now a home to whelps. 

she felt joyous; she doesn't know much about her regina, but she was happy for her nonetheless! and perhaps a small part of her felt jealous, though she wouldn't dwell on such feelings. not when she had a visitor. 

"good afternoon, regina." she hummed softly, pleasantly. her tail swayed, friendly as always. why had ameline sought her out? or had she stumbled upon she and cole's home by accident? 

"you look beautiful," winnie smiled, referring to the woman's pregnant glow. "your pups will be healthy, i am sure of it! what can i do for you?"

She was greeted swiftly by the woman, who came to the den's entrance, with the fur along one side slightly ruffled from static. Like a child stirring from slumber at the sound of an unfamiliar noise, she looked both excited and a tad sleepy- Ameline responded with a smile that was slightly apologetic, for having awakened the woman from what looked like a good nap. 

Ahh, did I wake you? She interjected, after she was greeted. However, Winslet seemed in good spirits- and perked up at the sight of Ameline's growing middle, and seemed willing and able to come to service. Oh, I didn't come lookin' for anything, She reassured the keen woman. I wath jutht walkin' along the river, an' notithed the new den, She said An' thankth- She said, gesturing toward her belly with one lifted paw, They're gonna be feithty, that'th for sure, She said. 

She drew a bit closer, keen to see the handiwork; after all, Cole applied himself 110% to everything that he did, no doubt he and Winslet had found themselves an enviable home. Nithe plathe for a home, She chimed, fishing for an invitation.

"oh it's fine! i needed to get up anyway. i told cole i'd try and find some things to make it a little homier." winslet was quick to reassure the regina that no harm was done. she raised a paw to fuss with her side-swept fur for a moment, as if embarrassed to look so bedraggled. 

her tail swept from side to side, her smile only growing as ameline spoke fondly of the life growing within her womb. "they will be strong, no doubt. if you don't mind me prodding—have you experienced any symptoms? like nausea or fatigue..." she was fishing, perhaps, for a way to make herself useful. 

"i'm asking because i used to spend time with broodmothers back home. learned a few tricks and remedies i would be happy to share with you, if you ever needed." she gushed. it would be an honor to help her with her pregnancy!

glancing back toward the den, she nodded with a fondness alight in her eyes. "isn't it beautiful? cole picked a wonderful spot. it'll look amazing come spring. you'd have to visit again." she paused, her smile turning into that of a knowing one. ameline was curious, and winslet was happy to sate it. 

"you're welcome inside or to look around. he did a fine job." she hummed politely.

The winsome woman was welcoming, and Ameline was grateful to be greeted so warmly. Finding a woman who was so pleasant upon awakening was a hard thing to do- Cole had chosen well, she thought, with an amused little smile as Winslet played with her pretty, tousled fur. 

Her brow lifted, intrigued. Oh? She intoned, ears perking as Winslet explained further. Yeah, I've got a bit of thith, an' a bit of that, but nothin' I ain't ekthpected yet, She said. That bein' thaid- I'm glad to hear you have thome ekthperienthe with that...Jutht in cathe, She said. I got a medic over in Thwiftcurrent Creek I can call on, but I'd much rather have a healuh here, She said. Her eyes glinted; perhaps they would have less need for their neighbouring pack, if they could keep a gem like Winslet engaged.

Sure, She said, happy to take Winslet up on the invitation. There had never been another homestead like this in the Valley; the Rex and Regina had been the only couple to lay their roots, and now that there were two other couples, she would finally have others to share nesting strategies with. MM-hmm, She intoned, as she lifted her gaze, and then glanced out toward the river valley. Yeah, yuh gonna have lot-th of wildflowerth poppin' up around here. Lot-th of trout lilieth in thith area latht year, they're the firtht to flower in thethe part-th, She said. Den lookth good an' thturdy, She commented. An' you picked yourthelf a good man to share it with, She said with a grin.