Phoenix Maplewood LVII

on his first excursions, mountain boulder had discovered a total of five dens.

the first two were rather close to the western borders. one offered a spacious view of the land beyond, and the other was tucked between two large trees.

the third was more toward the center of the bloodwood, stone and wood woven into walls that could fit new snow, one of their daughters, and pups if need be.

the fourth was in the territory's heart, foliage almost hiding its mouth. it was slightly smaller than the last, but boasted a small creek within eyeshot.

the fifth was made of interlaced roots and moss, a double chamber that was not far from the fourth.

he showed @New Snow each of these places, allowing her ample time to explore every detail. there were many other spaces and they had a good amount of time to decide.

New Snow trotted after him.

Her spirit was reawakened every moment with him. She nipped at his tail impishly, and would egg him on to chase her before they began the journey to the Bloodwood. The first spot was too near to what New Snow deemed as the border between this territory and the next. The second was the same, and so she pressed along with a shake of her head. 

The second, she lingered in for a moment. But she considered how quickly their cubs seemed to grow, and thought of the size of her man and the future cubs that could come. 

She stepped outside and shook out her furs, bounding after him. New Snow quite liked the next location; it seemed convenient. The water was not to deep, and as she burrowed into the earth behind the leaves it felt private, and peaceful. But it was too small, she felt! 

New Snow pawed at the earth. She could make it bigger. It took her a while longer to leave this one as she tested the earth. But she was not fully committed to nesting, then—and so was able to be distracted, and exited the space with a pleased look. This find was a prime pick of the land—better than what she had occupied in the Rise! 

The last location was nice in that the work was done for her—but New Snow retreated and again darted to the previous location. She gestured again to the den so he could enter, and see her own idea—to excavate, and make it larger for their family.

the first two dens were quickly dismissed, as he had done upon initial investigation. he was panting lightly from their race; he nudged her hip lovingly as they went on to the third pick.

new snow took a longer time with this one, causing mountain boulder to sniff a second time at the things he had not seen. 

yet this place was also not for her, and neither was the fourth it seemed at first, as they went on to the fifth and she seemed content with it.

but in the end, it was the fourth she favoured, and mountain boulder lay down to put shoulders and head inside the den, letting his voice echo in agreement of her choice. expansion, then, would begin today, and then in the next few he meant to bring flame stalker here, to add her own scent in preparation for siblings.

New Snow watched her man wedge himself into the opening, leaves wreathing him. His bark she could hear from outside, and she answered with one of her own. But she had no draw to begin the process of nesting, nor making her own scent heavy in this spot—instinct still took hold, and she knew the whelping den must be hidden from other eyes of those that would prey on their young. 

He seemed ready now, though. New Snow smiled at this, glad after these years he still looked forward to this task they two shared. She trotted over to him to nip at his heel, and let out a sound that she would hunt while he worked before she set off into the Bloodwood.

new snow hunted.

mountain boulder carved the exit to a better width and then set about pushing things out of the den: debris, tiny bones, the dry droppings of mice and other small animals.

he painted it with his scent and swished his tail upward, clearing granular dirt and dried leaves.

several times he came in and out, testing the exit and entry points.