6/17/2026, 3:19 PM
If the pups were to be born among the dunes, they would have to start the journey back soon. The late stages of pregnancy are beginning to wear heavy on Häti though and it worries her near constantly whether this is a manageable venture; she reminds herself that it's normal, slowing step and aching totality. It doesn't lessen concern. However, Benji does not say much in regards to it, either. She knows her companion enough to not question the desire to continue traveling, knows this is the nature of Häti's people—of their people—but she makes use of the pull she has to garner more breaks than she supposes Häti would allow herself.
Mountains swathed in rich foliage was a startling contrast to the dry plains and vacant deserts they'd frequented. Benji imagines there's a fair amount of medicine within, carefully selective as she'll have to be, but it's a tedious task worth taking on when Häti's in such need of relief. "Here, love," she says, gesturing toward the cover of a dense alcove of bushes. " Solda's getting fussy, maybe you can settle while he nurses." Benji knows this, of course, due to the tattered furs she often carries upon her back and within which the small boy would sometimes be crudely tucked so that they may rest their jaws of carrying.
"It's fairly lush here, I'll go see if there's any plants that might be of use," she's careful in shedding the furs then, depositing them near Häti. "I'll be quick."
Benji bumps her forehead to the other's cheek and then she's off, humidity cloistering, she's methodical in pulling at leaves and prying at clusters of flowers. If it appears beneficial, she pursues it. When white petals catch her attention, she investigates. Great head pushing through undergrowth, grasses break underfoot. She stops.
All small and still lay a dual-toned creature. There is an instant where she is certain she's found something dead - discarded, but bitter is the relief when it twitches. Alive. Alive!
Benji does not wait to learn context, does not search for it, nor does she want it; all she sees is a child too still. She dips low to scoop the pup into her jaws, scans the area once, and quickly absconds the medicinal venture. "Love!" she calls out, muffled. "Häti!"
The arrival is inglorious as she spares no elaboration, only crowding close to her companion and carefully setting the pup down before copper eyes. "I found her all hidden away, she didn't even cry," she explains, uncertain now what to do with a child in this state. "She will be ours now? Tuksha'at."
Mountains swathed in rich foliage was a startling contrast to the dry plains and vacant deserts they'd frequented. Benji imagines there's a fair amount of medicine within, carefully selective as she'll have to be, but it's a tedious task worth taking on when Häti's in such need of relief. "Here, love," she says, gesturing toward the cover of a dense alcove of bushes. " Solda's getting fussy, maybe you can settle while he nurses." Benji knows this, of course, due to the tattered furs she often carries upon her back and within which the small boy would sometimes be crudely tucked so that they may rest their jaws of carrying.
"It's fairly lush here, I'll go see if there's any plants that might be of use," she's careful in shedding the furs then, depositing them near Häti. "I'll be quick."
Benji bumps her forehead to the other's cheek and then she's off, humidity cloistering, she's methodical in pulling at leaves and prying at clusters of flowers. If it appears beneficial, she pursues it. When white petals catch her attention, she investigates. Great head pushing through undergrowth, grasses break underfoot. She stops.
All small and still lay a dual-toned creature. There is an instant where she is certain she's found something dead - discarded, but bitter is the relief when it twitches. Alive. Alive!
Benji does not wait to learn context, does not search for it, nor does she want it; all she sees is a child too still. She dips low to scoop the pup into her jaws, scans the area once, and quickly absconds the medicinal venture. "Love!" she calls out, muffled. "Häti!"
The arrival is inglorious as she spares no elaboration, only crowding close to her companion and carefully setting the pup down before copper eyes. "I found her all hidden away, she didn't even cry," she explains, uncertain now what to do with a child in this state. "She will be ours now? Tuksha'at."
