Neverwinter Forest Sink your teeth into my flesh

She carried her pregnant body with grace through the thick forest that felt foreign under her paws. No more sand was stuck in her coat, not between her toes and not in her eyes. It was cold still, but warmer than Ankyra Sound, but Ondine did not know if she liked it. All she could think of was her children being born in one of the coldest months - exploring this forest when they were old enough (and survived). They would not see the coast for a long time, and the waterwitch hated it. She was sure she'd be allowed to escort them to the coast in the warmer months, but that was so far away. 

She felt sick and dizzy, and had thrown up just moments before. She was now seeking a water place where she could get the nasty taste out of her mouth.

Assuming Kas is already alpha and aware her brother is dead.

The tang of pregnancy sickness hit her nose, replacing her thoughts with memories of her own pregnancy, and the hardships through which she and Eshe had gone through during their time. It had been famine, the earth sucked dry by the locust swarms, and it had been a miracle that their children had survived at all. Kaskara followed the scent and found Ondine - at least that's what she assumed - searching for something. Kaskara let out a bark to announce her presence before she closed the distance, leaving a polite space between them. Ondine, right? Kas was still reeling from the news of her brother's death, but she had enough experience to keep it within herself. She had a duty now to her brother, to this pack, to remain strong. I'm Kaskara O'Malley.

It was slightly after the famine that Ondine had entered the Teekon, and she had found the land dreadful at first. She had seen it flower though, and now she could not even think about leaving the Teekon. She had nowhere else to go - or to return to, for that matter. She now had Kjalarr and her future babes, and she certainly would never leave them if she was not forced to do so. Neverwinter was her home now, however foreign it felt.

A greeting bark reached her ears, and her head followed the source of it. A chocolate and silver female stood before her, proudly so, and Ondine adjusted her stance to submissive (even if she hated doing so). She searched the others gaze to look better at the eyes of the female, quite surprised to see the turquoise that was a surprisingly refreshing hue against all the warmer tones. Her own bi-colored eyes soon found something else to focus upon though, as to not look like she was challenging her.

Yes, that's me. Nice to meet you, Kaskara. She greeted kindly with a small smile, still feeling dizzy and not totally in the mood.

News of Scimitar's death had saddened Szabala; death wasn't something she understood as easily as she understood the meaning of someone being lost. If they were lost, they could still come back- thus why she still believed quite firmly that her father was still alive and well, simply searching for Lucy and cousin Rannoch. Cypress had been much more stressed about his father's absence, and while Szabala missed her father, she simply could not conceive the idea that he might never come back.

Following Scimitar and Eshe's deaths, though, she began to worry. They had been out searching as well. Now she understood the worry Cypress had felt, and it was trembling lips that she imagined her own father suffering a similar fate. But Scimitar and Eshe had been found- and Kieran had not, so the young girl did her best to convince herself that her father was still alive, and doing an honourable and noble thing by continuing his search.

As Cypress had clung tightly to Eshe when Scimitar had first gobe missing, Szabala began to trail her mother- not always sticking right with her, but tagging far enough behind so that she was reassured her mother was still in the pack and not harmed. Once hunger hit her, though, she decided to seek her mother out in earnest to see if she could convince her to go looking for food.

She spotted her mother's form first, and found immediate reassurance in seeing her familiar, stocky form, but slowed her pace once she caught sight of the pale female in a more submissive pose. Seeong the stranger show respect to her mother perked Szabala up, so she trotted to her mother's side and nuzzled her shoulder appreciatively. Szabala was curious about the other female, and though she wasn't painfully shy, she still liked it best when her mother introduced her.

Thanks for being patient with my slowness. <3

Kaskara didn't know a thing about Ondine, except her relationship with Jorunn -- Kjalarr -- was what brought them here in the first place. It would take her some time to get used to calling him something other than Jorunn, but she would try to refer to him by his chosen name. She loved him, and wanted only the best for the young man, and if that meant calling him Kjalarr instead, then she would do so.

Kas could tell that Ondine didn't feel well, and she pitied the girl. She well remembered how it felt to be pregnant, and at times it was the most unpleasant feeling in the world. She was about to comment on it when Szabala arrived, slinking into their clearing with a shyness not usually seen. Kas grinned, kissing her daughter's cheek gently, before introducing them. Ondine, this is one of my daughters, Szabala. She dipped her head toward the girl, instructing her gently. Szaba, say hello to Ondine. She's your cousin Kjalarr's wife.

It was not long before another joined the conversation, even though she carried no words with her. It was a pale girl - almost a ghost if one would ask Ondine. Seeing the girl nuzzle against whom she now knew to be Kaskara made her wish the moment of her delivery came quickly. The pregnant woman smiled seeing them together.

Pleasure to meet you, Szabala. She said gently, her voice harmonious and pleasant. She had almost forgotten her headache and upset stomach, but a sudden pounding of her heart could be felt deep within her skull. Wife? She let out a soft giggle, but said nothing about it further. So they saw her as the wife of Kjalarr? That was a different take on the mateship that was merely so they could go together and no one would bat an eye when they found she was pregnant - even though she had grown to care for the man in a romantic way.

Let's wrap this up. :)

How are you enjoying the forest? Kaskara asked then, nuzzling Szabala, who hid shyly beneath her belly. She was almost too big for that, but Kas wouldn't begrudge her comforts. Not yet. Kas noticed Ondine's subtle shifts in facial expression, and knew that feeling all too well. Are you morning sick? There's some herbs that helped me, if you'd like to try them. Those herbs were likely few and far between now, but she would be remiss if she didn't at least offer to find them for her.

Okidoki!

It's quite a wonderful place. She commented with a weak but pure smile. Ondine felt her mouth watering as if she were to puke any second now but was able to hold it in and she swallowed it all back in. Oh - don't worry. I was quite handy with the herbs back at my former home. She commented with a slight chuckle. Thank you for the offer though - feel free to visit Kjalarr and me anytime. She nodded.

Do you... Do you perhaps know where I can get a drink? There was a pause in her speech as she regained her balance since she had lost it just moments ago.

Kaskara smiled softly at Ondine. She didn't know the other woman well, but Kas wasn't one to judge too harshly these days. In her youth she would've been distrusting of the other woman, but as she was older now - and wiser - she understood that first impressions weren't always correct. When Ondine asked if there was a place to get a drink, Kas nodded. Of course. There's a stream not too far. Without having to suggest the woman follow her, Kaskara led them to the small stream nearby. I remember that feeling - wanting to vomit but being unable to, and being extremely thirsty at the same time. Take small sips - it'll help.

She felt like such an outsider in the woods - if she hadn't been one her whole life, perhaps this would've unsettled her. It was quite the opposite; the coast had been her home for as long as she could remember, even with the small mid-life crisis in the Forest of Berries, and it was good to be somewhere else again. Besides, she had Kjalarr and a wonderful child (or, children) on the way.

She nodded and followed the other to the stream she spoke of. If it hadn't been cold, perhaps she would've proposed to go swimming or at least bathe a little. As soon as they got there, Ondine slightly wobbling on her usually strong legs, she lowered her head to drink. She knew that as soon as the cold water stopped going through her throat and her body was to take no more she'd feel a lot worse, and so she followed Kaskara's advice. She savoured each sip and settled on her haunches to fight the dizziness that came afterwards. Strange what we do for our offspring, huh? She chuckled jokingly.

Kaskara chuckled too. Yes, we do strange things for them. She waited a moment longer for the woman's dizziness to pass before she departed. Giving her a nod, she smiled. Please don't hesitate to call on me, Ondine. It's nice to have another woman around. For the longest time I just lived with my brothers and husband. She grinned again and shook out her coat. And if you need those herbs, just ask. I've got a few stashed away. With that she offered the woman another nod and left her to rest, hoping that theirs would become if not a best friendship, at least a good one.