Skill: N/A

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Never in her life had Golde slept so soundly. When she'd fallen into deep slumber, her body was debilitated from hours of agony and constant attention she provided the wailing pups. It was dawn then, and now, as she awakened from her repose, the sun seemed to be setting. She'd slept the whole day away—and for once, she was fine with that.

If anyone in the pack deserved to sleep for the entire day, it was a new mother. Even she could admit that.

The wolfdog raised her head and shifted her body, careful not to jostle the babies who were nestled against her belly. Golde swore she could feel her legs creaking like rusty hinges as she extended her hind limb over the nest. It was certainly an uncomfortable way to stretch her muscles, but better than nothing, right?

Wrong. She could feel her thigh cramp up. Stiffling a yelp, she unraveled her body being coiled around the whelps to stand, limping through the den with a sigh.

She didn't stray far from the children, simply walking a few steps to peek outside the den. An ear twisted back to attentively observe their sounds. It was her duty as their parent to protect them now, and she wouldn't let anything get in the way.

But... she could feel pangs of hunger twisting her gut, and a trip to the food cache sounded extremely tempting...

A sigh slipped through her lips, and Golde shook her head, turning to retreat into the nest. If anything, she could ask Hexx to get her some—surely he was still nearby? A few seconds of contemplation and back-and-forth movements later, she poked her head out from the den to search for him.

Luckily for the new mother, the newest Pillar had been making his way over for a potential visit. A gift of deer meat was clamped gently in his mouth, a severed leg he had taken from the cache for this very occasion. N​ó​ttin had been taking his new role very seriously as of late, making sure not to make any mistakes or let anyone down. It was his duty now to make sure that all was well, and to set a good example for all.

He was sure that somehow, some way, he would make Genghis proud. The closer he got to the den site, the more cautious he became. The scent of Golde was very apparent now, along with the scent of milk and newborn pups. The sable man gave a soft chuff in her direction, not yet seeing her head peek out of the den. Hopefully he would be accepted well enough. If not, then he would come by some other time.

skill; n/a
notes; n/a

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As much as he desired to go fetch her a meal ─ he could not bring himself to leave. Too tied up in what could happen if he abandoned Golde and their young while she slept. Instead when he arose, slowly and carefully unfurling himself from Golde and doing a once over upon her and their newborns the new father would leave the den and sit guard just outside of it. He allowed her to rest, for as long as she wished stealing a glance now and again at her peaceful frame and squeaking children who were tucked against the warmth of her belly. Pride welled within him each time he looked, and sometimes his cold eyes would linger on them for too long ─ and he'd have to force himself to check back on their surroundings.

Eventually he would rise, stretching his legs as Golde still slept and moving away to do a patrol in the perimeter of their den, still well within ear reach as he sought to stretch his legs. Ignoring the rumbles of his own stomach in place of his due diligence. He would not eat before her.

The scent of N​ó​ttin didn't go unnoticed, in fact from his short distance away sheltered by stray trees Hexx had watched him drag the prize to their den. He watched; and then trailed in behind. Hexx's presence grew ever imposing as he slowed his approach; noting how he minded their space, his tone and eyes revealed nothing as he rumbled a greeting. ❝ Nottin, ❞ expecting the Pillar to turn and face him, the Soldier prepped a dip of his head.

His eyes shifted to the deer and then back, ❝ For Golde? That's very considerate ❞ he mused, genuine in his appreciation despite his deadpan, he moved slightly past him approaching the den to where the glimpse of her blonde fur stood out against the dark backdrop. ❝ Nottin has brought food ❞ he beckoned her, eyes shifting between the two.

❝ speech ❞

Skill: N/A

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Just as she was about to give in and turn back, Golde smelled the pungent scent of deer meat—and she stopped in her tracks, whipping her head back out of the den.

And there he was—Nóttin, with a deer's hind leg in tow. The wolfdog's tail coiled over her haunches, wagging calmly back and forth. She was just about to greet him herself when she heard her lover's curt greeting by the den.

Golde jumped—she didn't even know he was there. 'Nóttin has brought food.' Caught in a stupor, the woman stayed silent for a few heartbeats before regaining her composure. Huh—oh, Nóttin! She chuckled softly, crawling out of the den to greet him properly. It was the first time she'd emerged since giving birth, and the lack of her own body weight was almost jarring. Amazing, what carrying 7 babies does to a wolf's body.

Still, Golde could see her target in sight. Her mouth watered at the sight of the meat, and without hesitation, she dug into the thigh and tore off the flesh. There was no room for inhibition as a hungry mother.

Once she finally had her fill, she raised her head to look at the Pillar, lapping the red off of her pale face. Now the shame was setting in—as much of the deer's leg was consumed very quickly, all by herself. Golde cleared her face and smiled bashfully. Thank you, Nóttin, she dipped her head, I... really needed that.

Her hazel eyes shifted from the umber sire over to her lover, her ears twitching slightly. Um... would you like to see them...? She, herself, seemed almost skeptical—but Nóttin was her leader, and her friend. She knew she could trust him to respect their boundaries.

Still, she kept her gaze locked onto Hexx's, gauging whether or not he consented to allowing him to see them closer.

Nóttin continued on his way towards the new parents, the deer leg still firmly grasped in his maw. Hexx surprised him with an appearance, his face although normally expressionless and cold, appeared more grateful and kind. A possible trait of parenthood? It was his best guess. A tail wag from the Pillar with slightly upturned lips was his greeting, his paws carefully guiding him to their den site. A nod of understanding also went to Hexx, then put his attention to the blond woman in the den. It didn't take her too long to come out, her nose moving fast at the scent of the dear meat. Nóttin set it down for her to eat, happy that he could provide for them in some way.

Of course. It is my pleasure. I will come back later with more food for you, if that is alright. Oh I also wanted to extend my congratulations to you both. It's about time we had some good news around here. A bright smile flashed on to his lips, white teeth showing in a happy expression. Golde mentioned the possibility of meeting the new little ones, prompting a concerned look to both Golde and Hexx.

Is that alright, for me to meet them? Only if you are ready. I don't want overstep my boundaries. Just wanted to make sure you guys were okay, and offer any help if needed. How are the little ones doing? So many questions, it was hard to hold them back. After all, he hadn't seen little ones in a long time. Puppies were something that had been on his own mind as of late, but didn't bring it up to Dalmatia as they weren't exactly mates yet. Maybe soon, with enough time. Who knows what fate might bring.

skill; n/a
notes; n/a

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Hexx considered her as he watched her jump, closing the space between them and reaching out to attempt to brush his nose against her forehead. "Huh—oh, Nóttin!" Hexx placed himself adjacent to the dens maw sitting but keeping at attention, watching as Golde happily trotted off to eat her fill. Steely eyes shifted back to the dens opening, a single ear curving toward the pups within. His pups. Their pups.

"Thank you, Nóttin," his outside ear turned to their exchange. Ever silent, but ever aware of both Golde and Nottin. And of the children. "I... really needed that." He would adjust only slightly. "Of course. It is my pleasure. I will come back later with more food for you, if that is alright. Oh I also wanted to extend my congratulations to you both. It's about time we had some good news around here." he would dip his head, ❝ Thank you ❞ came the rumble.

"Um... would you like to see them...?" he would stiffen slightly, but Golde was attentive to his comfort. "Is that alright, for me to meet them? Only if you are ready. I don't want overstep my boundaries. Just wanted to make sure you guys were okay, and offer any help if needed. How are the little ones doing?" another pause befell the soldier, before he nodded his head in approval and lowered himself onto his belly to prove he was of no threat ─ as long as he didn't need to be.


❝ speech ❞

Skill: N/A

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Golde nodded to her lover before beckoning the Pillar into the den. The youth, with eyes shut, did little but writhe about against the den's floor. The new mother settled against her haunches and sighed, leaning back to gingerly lap her tongue over her tousled pelt.

They're all in good health, the wolf noted, though, one seemed to have trouble breathing. A small frown—in technicality, that was a false statement; Joschka was still having trouble breathing. It hadn't passed yet.

In fact, she worried it never would.

Golde sighed softly and shook her head. I'm just grateful they're alive, she murmured. She dipped her head to gently nestle her nose against the soft fur that covered their little bodies, ears flattening against her nape in a strangely conflicting emotion, relieved, anxious, and... painfully vulnerable. Hazel eyes swiftly jerked to the side to glance at Nóttin. She trusted him—he was her leader. Not only because he led the entire pack, but he was the leader of her Pillar. The wolfdog raised her head yet again, gaze remaining fixed on the pups.

There was a slight tension in the air as she spoke, just enough to notice but not enough to be overly worried. A look of slight concern showed through his eyes, wondering if the pup with breathing problems was alright. No, he wouldn't think like that. I'm sure the little one is alright. They have you both as parents after all. N​ó​ttin smiled softly at both Golde and Hexx, hoping that they accepted his positive affirmations. The pair then went on to accept him into the den, a nod from Hexx in agreement that he would be allowed inside.

The Pillar followed Golde cautiously into the den, making sure not to go too far in in case she needed more space. Blue eyes adjusted to the darkness as he looked further into its depths. There they were, little bundles of soft fur and little squeaks. They are beautiful, Golde. Just beautiful. It was almost hard to believe that once upon a time, he too was as tiny as this. A warmth filled him up in that moment, his mind wandering to thoughts of having his own children some day. Would Dalmatia ever want such a thing? Would they even make good parents? The Night of the North would like to think so.