Moonspear halp!

Caracal hadn’t left the island since the birth of his children. He had no desire to go anywhere ever again, truth be told, but desperate times called for desperate measures. He loathed leaving @Heda behind with eight! frickin’!! children!!! but he knew @Everett, @Manea and @Vesper would look after them. And he only planned to be away as long as it took him to run to Moonspear, beg for help and run back.

He hadn’t slept since Sweetharbor’s pup count had literally doubled overnight. So when a galloping Caracal arrived at the base of Moonspear and threw back his head to howl, he promptly collapsed instead.

Alaric was moving through the pack lands when a lump at the borders caught his attention.

He raced forward to nose at the boy. He seemed okay, well fed, breathing. He had just collapsed.

Alaric lay his pack down and pulld from it a plant he only used when he muat. He didn't even know the name of it, but it smelled foul with careful precision. He lay it upon the ground nd used a nearby stick to pierce. Cause gods he wouldn't be putting that on his paw or maw.

i don't remeber what its called but there was this plant when i was growing up that wasnt harmful it just smelled so foul if broken

Caracal was used to being hit and stepped on by his children at this point, so he didn’t stir when someone nudged at him. He didn’t react right away when a foul odor filled the air, either. With the six of them in the den and fewer than half of them properly potty trained, a little stench wasn’t out of the ordinary.

But, man, this one really stank. Caracal’s nose wrinkled and he groaned, rolling his head and cracking open an eye. He was about to ask which one of them had taken a dump right under his nose when everything came back to him with the suddenness of a thunderclap.

He bounced to his feet like some sort of cartoon character, the movement kicking the smelly plant toward his would-be helper. Paying no attention to this, Caracal blinked at the stranger—the resemblance to Maxim was kind of uncanny—and finally remembered to speak.

Hey, man, I really need to see my mom. Her name is Towhee. Do you know her? Can you go get her, by any chance? he begged in a sleepy slur.

Alaric jumped back and grimaced in distaste as some of the ooze in the plant stuck to his fur. He cursed under his breath, but put hia gaze back to the young man.

I know her, but you look exhausted. When did you last eat? Or sleep? Do you have any healing nerds?

Alaric looked him over. Other than the look of desperation and exhaustion he seemed okay. Well built obviously eating well. Well groomed. So what was the need?

Caracal’s lips twisted when rather than offer to locate Towhee, the stranger insisted on grilling the young Redhawk. He took a breath, reminding himself that this guy probably meant well.

I’ll eat and sleep after I talk to my mom. Please, can we go find her?

He really wished he could just call for her directly. Maybe he should howl regardless, see if maybe one of his other relatives could intercept it and notify Towhee.

But that would probably be rude at this point, so he tried to patiently await the gatekeeper’s reply.

i assume towhee may still be in healing den.

Alarics eyes narrowed. You fell on our borders. It took smelly stuff to wake you up. So forgive me if I want to make sure you aren't sick or wounded before i take you to your mom in a pack of children and other wolves. Because she can't come to you at the moment. She got hurt recently, nothing life threatening but rest is good for her.

Alaric was irritated. Thia was hia pack and he had no idea if this youth was sick or anything

I fell because I haven’t slept in— Caracal jerked a paw. I have four kids, right? Four! Just when they grew up enough to start being more fun than work, one of my pack mates shows up yesterday with four! more!! kids!!! Man, I am begging you to get my mom ‘cause I need to beg her for help, the exhausted Redhawk shouted pleadingly.

Alaric lashed his tail. Lets go

Then he turned towards the pack lands and the healing den and Towhee. He understood the youths thoughts and his urgency. 

But was it so hard to understand his own agenda. He had collapsed on the border. Mother humper could have been sick and Alaric would've been irresponsible to let him in without checking first.

Only when the man finally relented to Caracal’s desperation did his comment about Towhee’s health register with him. His mouth opened but he clapped it shut to scramble after the guy whose name he didn’t even know.

Hey, thanks, man, he said as they hurried along. I’m just beyond exhausted and completely desperate. And I hate being away from my wife and kids. I didn’t mean to be a turd.

He fell silent then, bustling alongside his escort. He’d said Towhee had been hurt and was resting. Caracal’s stomach sank, wondering if this meant she wouldn’t be able to do what he’d come here to ask: come back to the island with him.

Alaric nodded as they walked. I'm Alaric. Healer. 

He shifted and led him towards the healing den.

Your moms alright. I just asked her to rest. I realize that was probably pretty worrisome just throwing that out there. The heat from lightning the other day seared some of the old scar tissue.


And its alright.

Towhee yawned, pushing her fist against her mouth even though there was nobody around to see it. She was bored out of her mind. She decided she would return to the rendezvous site today, resume her life among the bustling village.

As soon as she stepped out of the healing den, she saw Alaric and Caracal hustling this way. Towhee’s eyes went wide at the latter. She could immediately see that something was the matter.

What is it? she asked, eyes roving over her son’s face. Milk fever? she guessed, her heart sinking in her chest.

Caracal, he said simply, lapsing into silence as Alaric explained the situation with Towhee.

The woman herself emerged from a log up ahead. Caracal picked up the pace, practically throwing himself at his mother. First and foremost, he just needed to hug her. He just knew Towhee would understand.

You were struck by fuckin’ lightning?! he yelled in her face, holding her by the shoulders. No, it’s not that, he quickly reassured, but please tell me the lightning gave you superpowers ‘cause I really need your help…

He quickly explained the situation, glancing at Alaric and busting out Ptero for the first time in ages to stress, -Mom, I don’t think I can do this, at least not without help. I need you. Please tell me you’ll come and help.-

He can just be to the side until you need him again <3

Alaric moved away from them as soon as he saw the she wolf coming. Though he grimaced at her words. Milk fever was not anything good. And in most cases both mother and babies succumbed. But it could be helped with mushrooms and fish and other herbs. But it had to be caught early and quickly.

He settled to his haunches away from them both to give them privacy and to calm his own ire. He was a little disappointed in how he had behaved. He had been almost aggressive. But he had feared for the pack as a whole.

She really didn’t need to think twice.

-“Of course I’ll come. Just let me make some arrangements real quick, maybe see if anyone else wants to join us, and then we’ll head out.”-

Towhee turned to Alaric to say, -“Can you howl a message for me? Tell everyone that my help is needed at Sweetharbor and that reinforcements are welcome. Have anyone who wants to go meet me at the rendezvous site in an hour.”-

Facing her son again, Towhee mirrored his grip, clasping his shoulders as she said, -“You get some sleep. I’ll come gather you as soon as we’re ready and you can lead the way.”-

She practically shoved Caracal into the healing ulaq, then nodded to Alaric and began a steady, swift climb up the mount to round up anyone in the mood for an impromptu island getaway.

You can post once more or just ship this to the archives. Thank you for playing with mes! :)