Redtail Rise when are you going to use that

New Snow dealt with significant bouts of nausea—it was indicator enough of something that was no longer new and novel to her. And this day, she was too spent to be excited… though truth be told, the epiphany had not fully struck her quite yet. 

Now she moved toward a stream to cleanse her mouth of the latest sick she had spewed forth and buried.

Bloodspot’s, @Masquerade, and Rolling Thunder’s, @Riley, hadn’t been seen in many days. Moon Runner joined Sister, @Saturdays Sunrise, on patrol… but there had been no sight of them.

Concerned, the young Ulfr sought the comfort of Mother. She found her near a small brook and approached with a crouched, submissive posture.

But mother did not look well. Moon Runner crooned a whine, concerned, and shuffled closer as her amber eyes observed the gentle curve of Mother’s growing belly.

New Snow did not feel so sick as to isolate, and so when her daughter approached the mother rose and met her happily. Her Moon Runner! New Snow brightened considerably in her presence, tail waving behind her. How her young daughters had both grown! It was a marvel to her. New Snow nosed the girl, and then saw-scented her concern. 

Was it on behalf of her? New Snow stretched happily, the cool waters down her throat and the company of Moon Runner two things that healed her in this moment. But if it was not that, New Snow rumble-whined a note of her own concern, one ear cupped forward as the other swiveled around.

It seemed Moon Runner needn’t be concerned. When Mother turned to face her with a happy expression, the young woman’s demeanor brightened. Her mouth opened into a smiling pant as her cream-tipped tail wagged behind her.

There was no way the young she-wolf could verbalize her concern specifically regarded Blood Spot and Rolling Thunder. However, Moon Runner let Mother know she found comfort in camaraderie by gently buffeting her head beneath Mother’s jaw like a cat.

When Mother stretched it showed off her growing belly. Moon Runner drew closer to investigate Mother’s changing scent and figure. Her aroma was nostalgic for the once-cub, and it made her tail wag gently.

Soon? the spirit asked with a cock of her head.

Her beautiful Moon Runner had a sharp eye and a keen nose, New Snow proudly observed. Her own groggy mind as of late had not allowed her to think through the changes her body once more went through. But now even she understood, and she crooned a happy little note to her daughter. She thought to herself for a moment, contemplating the time in which she and Mountain Boulder had first lain together this season. And New Snow began to bark for as many moon-cycles were left before more siblings would join Moon Runner. 

Now New Snow flopped to her side so that her daughter could better inspect her belly. More clearer signs of motherhood would be there; the way the fur upon it was thinning the most obvious of them. Her stomach had yet to drop, but in time it would. It would be good for Moon Runner to know all the signs of motherhood. New Snow wondered if Moon Runner might ever wish to be a mother herself... and if she might get to see her in such a role. 

But for now, New Snow cherished the present. She was eager to see Moon Runner become big sister.

One bark, followed by another until the date was counted out. At first, Moon Runner thought Mother might be egging her on to play. A bit confused, but always ready, the girl pranced her forepaws in a one-two step until she parsed Mother’s true meaning.

Then, when Mother permitted, Moon Runner inspected her parent’s belly. Pink skin peeked through soft white fur and Mother’s teats had changed in preparation to nurse hungry mouths.

Moon Runner’s posture became small, submissive and gentle like a lamb’s ear, to show Mother she wished to help as Blood Spot had once done.

Then, she began to groom Mother’s shoulder by nibbling at her ruff.

New Snow was patient, as mothers often can be but sometimes never were. But this would be how she communicated the passing of time to her cubs, and then gesturing at the sky so they would know she spoke of the passing of the moon and the sun. 

And it became clear her daughter understood. Her gaze shone toward her girl and as her daughter came nearer, New Snow rumbled her acceptance. There was no caretaker other than herself now, and so her daughters support would be essential to her with the rest of the pack.

Though Moon Runner was a promising young hunter, there was no doubt the role of Trēow, caretaker, suited her. The yearling had inherited Mother and Father’s strong social instincts and her levelheaded, but inquisitive, disposition lent itself well to be a figure the pack could rely on.

They all had their parts to play, the spirit knew.

In addition, her genetic calling, as a child of the previous year’s litter, to become a babysitter – an elder sister – was strong. Who knew if it would extend past this season? Perhaps the next year, when Moon Runner reached sexual maturity, things would change. For now, she enjoyed the present.

There was quite a bit of dirt in Mother’s pelt. Moon Runner began to work a bit harder at it.

Where was her hidden den? the spirit wondered.