The Birthing Den

[Tay]

Artist: entaie.deviantart.com/


Watching the others depart, Luma looked around at the crew that would be with her and Aisha. She smiled at the three. I will lead the way to the site I have in mind. She nudged Aisha happily, and Glycerine too. Jaden seemed to be fairly quiet, and she sent him smile too. Cheer up, brother wolf. We are going to find a place to bring your young into the world. This is cause for light steps and joy.

With that the silver female turned and started off at a gentle lope. She was intent on her destination, picturing the den she wanted in her mind.

Aisha

Aisha leapt after Luma, excited. She matched the fem's pace, for she couldn't pass her. She had no clue where this perfect site was. Her tongue lolled from her mouth as she ran, a happy grin on her facade. She began to wonder about her newest pack sister, and turned, brown orbs looking for Glycerine.

Glycerine? She called, allowing her voice to float back on the breeze. Where do you come from, sister? What brought you to our family? You have a beautiful name. Do you have any nicknames? Could I call you Glyce?

Or would you prefer me not to? I'm just wondering. I can call you Glycerine, if you'd rather leave it there. As usual, Aisha's maw rattled off a mile a minute. She now slowed, her long stream of questions and comments ended. She turned her body to look for the fem, so she could walk beside her.

[Saosin]

G L Y C E R I N E

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Glycerine held a purposeful stance as she moved to join her pack sisters in their escapade towards what would be the new den site. Hopefulness rose within her stomach, that knotted feeling of butterflies traversing her spine and drifting about her mind as she paced leisurely after the two pregnant females. Hopes of healthy pups and a prosperous year. The dark, fertile soil underfoot felt wonderful upon her pads in stark contrast to the winter’s sharp bite of snow and ice though her body had easily become accustomed to it. It felt good to be on the move, and mid stride she found herself stretching out her limbs, pushing them to their flexed limit in order to do so. Her entire body shook momentarily as if dusting out the cobwebs of her fur, the marbled tones of her coat glistening within the day lit luminosity. Soon the chiming voice of the ever eager Aisha swirled within her lobes and she found her head to be cocked just a bit to the side as she strolled, taking in her questions and wondered if she had even taken a breath between them. Softly she chuckled in good humor with Aisha’s chatty nature, thoroughly enjoying a conversation while they moved through the landscape.

“I come from a place far to the south from here where the climate is quite a bit warmer and the terrain heavily mountainous with sparse forests. It is a lovely place truth be told, but one day I just began following the salmon as they moved up river... and I guess I just kept going. I had been with my family pack since birth and I suppose that for some time I felt the desire for something more... my own life... a need for a family and adventure. I just kept moving with the landscape until one day I found this place, and Glyph came to meet me at the borders. Um… to be honest no one has ever called me something different then my own name… I’m certainly not opposed to the idea Aisha… you can call me whatever suites you sister.”

And in her eyes reflected the truth of her words. For you see she was by nature, an easy going wolf, known to ride the waves of life in easy currents of understanding. She was pleasantly appreciative of being around good hearted, strong wolves who had opened their home to her.



Drink life as it comes
s t r a i g h t .. n o .. c h a s e r

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[Tay]

Artist: entaie.deviantart.com/



Luma's destination did take a few hours to get to. She hadn't been aware it would take so long, but then again she was carrying young. She noticed the pups had seemed to grow in weight for each added mile. She was panting now and she was even more eager to reach the site. Finally a familiar thunder reached her ears and she almost whimpered her pleasure.

She did not turn to see the looks upon the faces of the group. She trot closer to the area and the lulling shush of water falling into water calmed her. She stopped now to look around the area, taking in the sights she would be seeing for a few months. She'd wanted a place that would be hard to get bored of.

The area they had just finished trotting through had been a small grove of evergreens and other such trees. After a few minutes of weaving between the trunks they had begun to clear out, placed further and further from each other. At this point the water could be heard, growing increasingly louder as one approached. Not loud enough to hurt or be disruptive, but the perfect in between that Mother Nature had mastered. Finally the trees fell back and a small pool appeared.

To the left of the pool a small stream appeared and continued away from the mountain areas. The pool itself was not very deep. Luma could walk to the center and the water would just reach her shoulders. To the right of the pool was a gentle rise, that eventually lead to the top of the most attractive part of the area. The waterfall. It wasn't too large, but it wasn't too small and it was perfectly beautiful. Luma had discovered this area on her lone travels as Beta, and she's often returned to it. Now she stared at the gentle slope with intense determination.

After lapping a drink from the pool, she turned to the others. Beautiful, isn't it? I promised it would be worth it. The smile she wore was wide and joyful albeit tired. Her job wasn't done yet and she glanced to the rise again. Her paws practically itched to begin digging. She'd once dug a whole birthing den herself. She hoped one of the others would lend a paw, but if not, she'd just have a well deserved rest after.

She glanced back to Glycerine and Aisha. It seemed Jaden had gotten lost somewhere along the way, and shook her head slightly. Now, ladies, if you will either excuse me or offer your help I simply must begin my den now. She smiled again and head over to the spot she'd been eying. Dirt began to fly as Luma set into the repetitive task of digging.

Aisha

Her banner had taken up a quick and happy way of beating the air at Glycerine's words. Oh, your home does sound pretty! I'd love to see it one day...but... She sent a loving glance at the terrain around her. I don't know if I could ever leave home. Her ears perked in curiosity as the rushing water sound reached her ears. She stared at Luma's slowly tiring form and realizes she too has lost some of her bubbling step.

No problem, though, for Aisha can always make more. I think I'll call you Glyc sometimes then. I think it's a pretty nickname, don't you? Not as pretty as your real name of course. Glycerine is very elegant sounding, I think, don't you? She smiled at her friend. I'm very glad you came to the Kameskia, Glyc. By chance or however.

You're very fun to talk to, and very good compa... For once, the delicate white maw of Aisha was struck speechless. She stare at the beautiful area Luma had lead them to. Her inhaled breath she was about to use to finish her sentence rushed out in a quiet whoosh. Her brown orbs found those of her Father's mate and she beamed through them. Oh Luma! It's beautiful, dear friend. Beautiful. She lost herself in the waterfall, and was brought back to the present by Luma's words.

She nodded as the fem's body almost quivered with excitement. Luma had obviously been ready to rest in her den hours ago. Aisha turned to Glycerine, finally noticing the absence of her adored beau. Her brow creased in a frown, and she held back a whine. Where was her lovely brute now?

She shook her head, the ever-growing weight of pups on her belly. Glyc, you help Luma. I think she needs it more then me. We'll finish talking later. She smiled, before setting off to the left, following the stream.

(Sao, you can post now if you want, or Zanna. Aisha will have another post with her own den finding tomorrow. =])

[Saosin]

G L Y C E R I N E

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Steps progressed into oblivion, carrying the small party of wolves into the unknown, far from where they had communed as a pack unit. Slowly the landscape seemed to change around them, though never leaving behind those breathtaking mountains that seemed to be the signature insignia of this homestead. Soon the refreshing sound of water trickling in the distance caused Glycerine’s ears to begin to buzz with excitement, for her tongue felt slightly parched from their travels, and perhaps just a bit from listening the Aisha’s good natured ramblings. Aisha had a pleasant aura about her, carefree and simplistic, and it suited Glycerine just fine to chat with her as they traveled. Memories of her home gave that momentary pang of discomfort, reminding her just how very far away she was from her family. But she had decided upon this journey, and sometimes fate carried you into the unknown without allowing you to look back. She could only hope that they remained in good health and good tidings over the winter months and were welcoming spring with a new wave of arrivals.

It was a momentary falter really, the hesitation of her paw as Aisha’s words stumbled upon themselves. Glycerine’s mind had just begun to wander to Luma, and her silent crusade. She wondered of the thoughts that progressed in her mind, if she worried for her place in the pack or of her mate’s affections. If she worried over the coming of her pups and the future of their place here. But when the awe inspiring landscape stretched out before them, it all came to a startling end. The waterfall was incredible, and Glycerine herself had seen so very few of such things. Eyes glistened at each intricate detail, taking it in so that she would not forget it. Aisha trailed off to the left, presumably searching for the perfect spot to birth her own pups while Luma moved forward, and Glycerine was right on her heels, ready and willing to help. She moved to the pregnant wolf’s side and with haste, began tearing away at the soil, knowing that such a task was not easy, even for the healthiest wolf, let alone one burdened with pups.

“This place Luma… oh you have chosen wisely, the beauty and resources here are abundant.”



Drink life as it comes
s t r a i g h t .. n o .. c h a s e r

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[Tay]

Aisha continued to pad beside the gentle flowing stream. She was intent on finding the place her pups would first set paw on. Every now and again she'd glance into the stream. She found the stream far more beautiful then the waterfall. It had a quiet, gentle kind of beauty. Something about it made Aisha fell that it had an energy similar to her own. It constantly babbled to itself, and would occasionally get jumpy and spray some of the grass.

The idea made Aisha smile, for she'd like to have a kindred spirit for her pups to play near. Slowly, as she pad on, the sound of the water fall began to fade. The stream opened up and then even back out. Once, Aisha thought she found a place, but then she looked back to her friendly stream and the water had sunk down between the ridges that water had carved. She saw a chilling vision of a pup falling off and not being able to climb back up. She shuddered, and continued on quickly.

The grove of evergreens seemed to follow the stream and Aisha found her pads were thankful for the soft fluff of shed pine needles. The scent of the sap also wasn't something that bothered her. It took a a couple of minutes for the river to rise back up to the top of the ground. Aisha noticed that it had started to shallow out. She stopped again, and looked around. Her brown orbs land on a large boulder. She walked over to it.

The top wasn't very high off the ground so she put her front paws up on it. This long rock, which varied in colors on it's sides from pale brown to dark dark brown, extend back and a hill grew out of the back of it. From the spot on the rock, Aisha would never be able to climb the hill. She'd have to jump off the rock and approach the hill from the front, it was so steep here. She walked up and placed her front paws on the hill. This would be her den. She could just picture herself, laying on the rock as four or five pups play-fought below her near the stream. Jaden would come running up with a rabbit for meal and...

Once more her attention was drawn to her absent love. She whined to her future den, as if it would comfort her. She turned and stare up the stream expectantly, as if Jaden would come bounding down the way. Happy as a lark and eager to help. She realized that she didn't think Jaden ever really bound and her ears flicked back on her head. She turned back to her den and set into it with the slow determination of an expectant mother.

Luma

Luma found the work went very fast with Glycerine at her side. A few more hours had passed now and she slowed her digging. She walked to the stream and lapped up some more water. Thank you, Glycerine, dear. For your comment earlier. I do think it's beautiful too.

She smiled, feeling years older now from her exhaustion. Her job was yet to be done, though. For while she had enough room to fit her sleek silver form inside, she wanted to make a few more touch ups.

Extend the tunnel back a bit further and dig a nice round area for her and the pups to lay. She may even have to dig the floor down some, so her head didn't touch the top. She sighed. Always more to be done. For the most part, though, the den was finished. She glanced to the sky. It was getting close to evening now. She hadn't realized how early she and Cass had called to the clan. She yawned then, deciding not to think further on the day and it's past events.

Glycerine, I can finish up myself. If you like, you can go see what has become of our hunting group. Her stomach gave a growl and she laughed. Or you could go check on Aisha. Actually, Glycerine would you mind doing that for me first? I'm incredibly tired. I'd like a small rest before finishing up my den.

She gave the fem an apologetic grin. After you've made sure Aisha is okay, consider yourself free. I'll tell Cass I let you go. She walked forward and brushed shoulders with the female. Thank you for your help today, Sister. She touched her nose to the same shoulder, before pulling back.