He grew a little stronger every day, and while it was hard to tell at first, as the days accumulated, Vasco began to notice the change. While he was still residing in the medical den, he no longer needed help to make the short walk out into the sun each day. He could eat by himself, and while his food was still carefully rationed, he no longer felt that constant hunger, gnawing at his insides. His body was still sore and aching, but it was no longer an all-consuming pain, and with the help of healing herbs to numb it further, he was almost able to entirely forget the pain.

 

With all this betterment, Vasco hoped that he would soon be well enough to move out of the infirmary and fully integrate with the pack. He was eager to fully explore these new lands and meet the other Estuary wolves who had made it here; And, more than anything, the pups, who he had yet to see with his own eyes. But until he’d been fully rid of the lasting cough that still plagued him – the last remnants of his bout of pneumonia – he was to remain quarantined, so was the verdict of his nurse, and he was not about to oppose her.

 

She was an interesting character, this woman who had mothered one of Viorel’s two litters, apparently more out of concern for the common good than passion. But that she loved the children, there was no doubt, he could tell whenever she spoke of them. And he would ask her constantly, wanting to learn all that he could about the pups, yearning for the day that he would finally meet them himself; My grandchildren…!

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Thoughts ”Speech”

With winter fast approaching, there was just starting to be a nip in the air. Around midday, the warmth of the sun could easily chase off the cold, but once it started drifting towards the horizon, Vasco found that the insulation of the den suited him better – with not a bit of fat on his body, and his fur still spotty in many places, he didn’t have the means to keep up his own body temperature very well against the cold; As soon as I can I’m gonna have to start eating like a beast… Still, there was no question this would be a hard winter for the emaciated wolf, but thankfully he had his family now, his pack, and a lovely healer to help look after his recovery.

 

As if invited by his thoughts, Clover appeared in the den entrance. Vasco smiled softly at the healer as she approached, eyes resting briefly on her gift before drifting back to her face. “You’re too kind,” He replied quietly, dipping his muzzle in thanks. Very gingerly, he picked up the strawberry and let it rest on his tongue for a moment, savoring the flavor. As promised, it held a lovely sweetness, melting in his mouth. He closed his eyes briefly, giving a light sigh, then smiled up at the pale woman again, murmuring a: “Thank you.”

 

It sure was a pleasant change from the medicines, though he was of course grateful for all of Clover’s care, and trusted her treatment completely, the very restricted meals and herb regiments could get tiring at times. “It is a nice change,” He admitted, diplomatically, keeping his soft smile as his eyes followed hers to the meticulously sorted plants on the wall; “I keep being surprised by how many plants have medical uses…” He mumbled half to himself as he looked at the rows of medicine.

 

Only when she asked about his health did he look back over at the woman, smiling a little embarrassedly; “Oh, I’m… Good. The cough isn’t as painful, I think it’s finally clearing.” His smile grew a little wider, the tip of his tail tapping happily against the floor; “All thanks to you.” His eyes narrowed to tight slits just for a moment, completing his reverent expression. Then he opened them again, to watch her intently as he asked: “How about you? I hope the pups aren’t wearing you too thin?” He had genuinely come to care, not just for his grand-children, and her as their mother, but for Clover herself, with her caring yet bubbly nature.

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Thoughts ”Speech”

Clover had treated him like family since the moment he opened his eyes in her infirmary – since before then, it would stand to reason, since he did not remember getting there, nor the first several days before his delirium wore off. But in all the time he could remember she’d been nothing but kind and gentle, always greeting him with a warm smile and giving him the best of care.

 

In all that time, it had always been about him: how was he feeling today, how was his cough, did he want anything. He was pleased to finally have the chance to get to know her a little better, smiling warmly at her words, brows lifting a little. “Healing runs in the family?” He asked in honest interest, curious about this area of knowledge that he’d previously had very little experience with; Both parents? That’s unusual…

 

While it was no surprise she felt that way, her words still warmed him. In the Estuary he’d always been an outsider, a stranger, no matter how much he tried to fit in. Of course, it didn’t matter, all he cared about was Sita, and then the pups… But Clover was the mother of his grandchildren, even if she would never know it, that she regarded him as family meant the world. He grinned as she spoke of them, seeing the love in her eyes, his eyes burning a little as he nodded at her final statement.

 

“Very much,” he answered, once he’d regained control of his voice, pausing to swallow before continuing: “Viorel and his siblings are… Special to me. Their… Sita’s mate disappeared before they were born. Of course all the pack helped to raise them but… I feel as a father to them.” He sighed, taking a few deep breaths to catch his wind after talking for so long. Everything he’d said was the truth, and he felt he could admit as much without betraying Sita’s trust. The kids might as well be his, but for the name on the family tree; As promised.

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Thoughts ”Speech”

Clover’s birth home had been very unusual indeed, it would seem, at least compared to all other packs Vasco knew of. A whole group of healers, making sure their children too were all taught, and the leader’s kid most of all? Certainly a different approach… But not an unwise one. Perhaps, if he had known more about the uses of herbs and plants, he wouldn’t have gotten himself in quite so bad a way while searching for his family.

 

Smiling back at the ivory woman, he nodded at her words, tilting his head a little as he mused aloud: “Perhaps not, but it’s wise, making sure even the young learn at least a little.” He hoped she would carry on that tradition with her own brood, though he didn’t say it aloud. He would not want to impose on how she raised her children, he had all the confidence that she was fit for the task, from what he’d come to know of her so far.

 

As kind as she was caring, her words warmed his heart – insecure enough to enjoy the appreciation, even from another outsider. If nothing else, it felt good to be able to openly admit his emotional attachment to Sita’s children, as close as he could ever get to truly claim them as his own. And so, her offer made him smile anew, happily meeting the healer’s bright eyes; “I would like that very much! I’m sure I can come up with at least a few stories to entertain them.” His own gaze glistened at the mere imagining of it, being a grandfather in every sense that truly mattered.

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Thoughts ”Speech”

 

Thinking of Viorel and his siblings as pups brought a welcome warmth to Vasco’s chest and he chuckled along with Clover, thinking of the Valle children and all the trouble they had gotten into when they were little. They’d been an unruly bunch, hardly a moments rest for the adults between the five of them, always getting up to something. He only hoped his stories might do them justice, as well as bring those promised smiles to his grandchildren’s faces.

 

The day was reaching its end, and despite having napped in the midday sun, Vasco was starting to feel exhaustion creep up un him again. Repressing a yawn, he blinked heavy lids a few times, smiling sheepishly at the young healer; “My apologies, Clover,” he said knowing her experienced eyes would spot his tiredness instantly; “I still wear out so easily. Hopefully we can continue another time?” It was a very welcome break in his monotonous day whenever she looked in, giving him some much-needed company while he waited to meet the rest of his pack.

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Thoughts ”Speech”