Sun Mote Copse And like the dawn

Waawaashkeshi pushed through the brush with a new determination today. Maybe the copse was only a temporary home, but that didn't mean it couldn't be comfortable!

Waddling through the copse she was sure that she was beginning to look like a long-tailed and very fat blonde bear whenever she went out these days. But with her back aches and restless nights, she saw purpose in finding materials to make her den more comfortable. Her puppies would thank her for it when they weren't born onto the hard dirty ground, too.

Humming to herself, she wondered what she should use. Moss maybe? She had thought feathers at first, but they could be a bit pokey. Maybe she would have thought to get furs when she could still run had she known that she would be so sore. But oh well, there was always next year.

She was quick to take that thought back. Nasamiituuq would have my neck.. She mumbled to herself.

She found the storyleader in a busy contemplation, accompanied by a soft hum. The woman’s belly was swollen now - the copse would soon see the coming of life. And yet she had an upbeat air to her. Despite the clear toll of pregnancy, Waawaashkeshi maintained a whimsy that A’yan found herself admiring. 

Was she in silence-singing? Did she need that moment to breathe and talk alone to the earth? Unable to make out her mumbling, A’yan turned away, hoping she had not interrupted the woman’s quiet choir. Perhaps she would ask her what the grasses told her later?

Then she turned around again. Was the storyleader in need of aid? She appeared to be in search of something. If it was a verse within the grasses, then A’yan perhaps could try to listen with her - but otherwise, she could not do much to help. Then again, perhaps it was not a song of the copse that she was searching for…?

A’yan steeled herself. A step forward - hoping Waawaashkeshi could notice her if she was needed, or ignore her if her presence was not wanted.

Spotting A'yan in the midst of her search she was quick to flash her a smile. A'yan! Are you doing well this morning? She trotted towards the woman, her tail waving.

She was quite happy to see her recent recruit. She thought the woman to be a kindred spirit of sorts - that and she would be able to grab some of the things Waawaashkeshi could not.

Are you keeping busy? Though her words said no such thing, her eyes clearly asked 'are you too busy to help me?'

The Storyleader responded almost immediately. She was not in silence-singing, then. A’yan eagerly trotted towards her. I’m doing quite well, thank you! The grass is happy this morning.

A’yan noticed once again the joy of the woman despite the growing carry of unborn children. She had not met many pregnant women on her travels, and had not spent close time to any that she encountered, but knew of the immense burden that mothers often shouldered alone. Seeing Waawaashkeshi now made her revere the woman more. 

And soon, she told herself - soon all of the copse-singers would be rejoicing of a new generation of Summerwalkers in a hell so heavenly.

Busy? No. Not very. Other than pursuing a few squirrels here and there and greeting a few birds, I’ve mostly been wandering. She caught Waawaashkeshi’s implicit request. Are you in search of something? Is there something you would like help with? 

Her response was almost immediate, Waawaashkeshi restless and eager to continue. Yes! I am collecting materials for my whelping den - something to make a good nest. She attempted to explain, gesturing to various potential pieces; flowers, moss, green grass, just about anything soft that was able to be packed into something sittable.

Before A'yan could respond she was already moving once more. Her legs would not forgive her tomorrow. If you'd like, I'll tell you a story while we walk. Usually a good bargaining chip, and it gave the Storyleader a chance to practice her skills.

Ah! A whelping den. She watched Waawaashkeshi's gestures to the moss, the flowers - the little pieces of nature that would be welcoming the newborns to this beautiful world. Hmm. Do you need help with collecting more materials...?

The Storyleader was already walking again - and offering to tell a tale, even! A'yan eagerly caught up and met her kindness with excitement. I would love to hear a story of yours! Is it a children's tale? A fable? A retelling of a past -

A'yan caught herself. Ah. Sorry. Too excited. She smiled. Stories are too few and far in between. It was easy to remember many from her own travels and whimsies, even before she changed her name, but rarely did strangers ever offer theirs. She took it as a gift of sorts - a trust built between two singers of a different and same kind. A precious thing.

She was quick to nod. Please. I'm not picky. So long as her children would be comfortable, Waawaashkeshi could be happy.

A'yan's reaction made her giggle. The woman was quite endearing. It can be whatever you take it as. She responded, considering which of her stories to tell to the her eager companion. I'll tell you one my mother shared with me when I was still a puppy. It was one Waawaashkeshi had always liked, for she never knew if it was true or if her mother had thought it up just for her. You have seen a sunflower, yes? She asked, waving her tail I can tell you how they came to be.