a single cell on the serpent's tongue

Eris Eternity · 01-14-2011, 10:43 AM

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Word Count :: 615 Yee. Big Grin

Eris had been given a break today, and a much-needed one, at that. Her sable-shaded companion -- she did not think they were mates, and referring to him simply as the father of her children made him seem like a sperm donor, which simply was not true -- the Tuyul had been well-cared for in the weeks since the birth of her children. Although she could not help but feel itchy and cramped from being up in her tiny corner of the world with three young children, there was at least Larkspur to talk to. Better yet, he fed her better than she had eaten in any recent memory. The last time she recalled being able to eat as she was now was Eterne, when she had not had to hunt for anything herself. It was a lifestyle and decision she had lived to regret, of course, as she was still useless in any attempts to hunt. Still, beyond the still-apparent signs of recent pregnancy, her body had grown thicker and fuller thanks to her good diet, and it was a good thing for the children, too.

The sable-shaded woman knew she would not have been able to sustain such a thing in Inferni, and their children would have been weak and small. Wretch was already a pale waif, and the chartreuse-eyed woman was thankful she had not gone the way of her younger sister. Despite Eris's failure with Aether and near-failure with scrawny and weak Wretch, Pandemic and Salvia were robust children, displaying all the right signs of puppyhood. Quieter Wretch was worrisome, but Larkspur seemed confident she would survive. Eris was never optimistic, but he had at least managed to comfort her. Even as the coyote hybrid left her children behind, shifting to her Optime form prior to entering the larger common areas of the cave, she could not help but think of them. A fierce love had grown for them in just days since their birth, as each developed distinctive whimpers and personalities and needs. They were hers, and she could finally believe and understand this.

Still, moving and stretching felt good, and the newly limber and lean woman headed toward the exit, following the scent of fresh air. It was something she had far too little of in that cave. She did not mind these dwellings in the least, and found their interconnected nature more welcoming and homely than the D'Neville, by far, but it was not good to be cooped up inside as she was for as long as she was. Her legs ached with the movement but she pushed onward, surprised to encounter snow. The coal-shaded woman had almost forgotten it was winter; the snow on her feet was a wonderfully cold reminder. Her low percentage of coyote blood gave her a thick winter coat, and as the Tuyul rushed outdoors, first trotting and then running, stretching her legs.

It did not hurt to run, and she was thankful. Her body had recovered with a quickness she had not expected, and this was pleasant, as the last week of her pregnancy had been agony with aches and pains. She had wondered how her mother suffered it and prayed (something she had not done in some time) that it would not last so long. Before the sable-shaded woman knew it, she was at the edge of the territory, quite near to the borders. They had expanded since she last visited them, and she noted this with a small amount of pride. That meant her pack was doing well. The coal-shaded hybrid slowed to a stop, panting lightly as she peered around, inspecting this new slice of territory Anathema had acquired.

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