It was unusual at this point for the woman to wander more than a 15 minute walk from the den site, but wander she had. Minka didn't really know why she had, she knew that her belly was swollen to the point it looked as if it would explode and she should stick close to home but today the burning desire to move wasn't going to be smothered. So she had alerted @Inali of where she was headed, a small elevation that they had seen when entering the fields and though her friend looked at her anxiously she hadn't said anything. Guilt pooled in her stomach as the tawny woman climbed the slope, she knew why she hadn't told @Tokino, he would not have let her stray so far without an escort. He had been dotting, attending every need and more than helpful in means of getting the area ready to be an official pack but sometimes the woman needed some time of solitude.

It was embarrassing how much the short climb had knocked out of her, and her breaths came in hot pants as she reached the top. Taking a moment to catch her breath Minka surveyed the area, there was but a singular tree and nothing else. The light flakes that danced down from the sky had not settled here under the canopy the branches and buds had made and so the expectant mother moved to lay beneath in the dry area. The golden eyes took care to take stock of everything that she saw, because soon this would be her official home, this would be where she and Tokino started their legacy. The field was dotted with bushes of blackberries and the occasional fallen log but to the north is where they were claiming their namesake. Where the fields sloped down to meet the trees which were protected by a natural thicket of thorns, in those woods her children would grow. A content sigh slipped from her maw as Minka settled her head upon her paws, happy in this moment to just watch and observe their new home.

Vinyonga @DA & Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

A dark streak moved across the fields from the east and Minka felt her head tilt ever so slightly to the left. The wolves colours looked slightly like Inali but she was much too tall to be her lithe friend. It reminded her of a time when she too had sprinted across this field in chase of food, only to have the most bizarre encounter of her life. That had been over a year ago and so much had changed since then, no longer was the woman a runt loner but a strong female who was born to lead. It was with a chuckle and smile upon her maw that Minka watched the stranger binge on the berries with apparent delight. When the other female she was guessing from the scent turned towards her for a moment all of the muscles in the former alpha's body clenched. Then they relaxed, the woman's tail wagged which was a good sign and even if she meant malice the pack was close enough to help should she need it.

For too long they had been oppressed and treated as if they were dirty traitors, maybe they were, but they had only been trying to do what was best for everyone. It had taught Minka a lot about who she was and how to treat others, she had vowed to never behave the way Ash did. There would be no oppression in her pack, she would rather just force the wolf out rather than threaten its life repeatedly. As the stranger got closer Minka rose to her feet, her swollen belly now in plain sight for anyone who looked upon her, her mind still wrapped up in her own thoughts. Moving down the hill the pair came to stand before each other at the bottom, the stranger stood a couple inches taller than her but their size difference was minimal. Tawny tail swung loosely behind her as Minka smiled, "I've personally never been much one for berries myself, I typically prefer the dear that feast upon them," it was light conversation she knew, but it was always nice to have some company.

Vinyonga @DA & Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

It wasn't until the stress of being within Whisper Caverns had lifted that Minka had truly begun to enjoy her pregnancy. Since then a glow seemed to be about her, in all of her movements there seemed to be an underlying grace, as if she was made to be swollen with child. While she had watched Narimé throughout her pregnancy and seen terrifying sickness and discomfort this couldn't have been more the opposite, rarely did she feel sick and was only uncomfortable when the recent cramps would claim her sides. Now that they were closer the golden eyes could properly assess the stranger, she seemed young a fledgling adult maybe? Thin as they all were from the horrid winter but in capable condition.

They were on neutral ground here, as Minka and the others had yet to claim any official territory and as such her tail remained low, wagging loosely behind her and she bowed her head in a brief nod. The thought of the sea brought a smile back upon the tawny maw as she nodded, "I've been to the ocean only once, but it was magical and the fish....well they too were delightful, much better than anything you'll find in the lakes and ponds here." She had found the salty taste of the creatures incredible and since then all other aquatic life seemed rather lackluster in comparison. It had been on her journey before she entered the wildwood that she had wandered far west of here and came along a long stretch of rock and sand. The gulls had cried over head at the sight of the canine and so grey it had all appeared until the sun's ray had struck the water. It was then that Minka witnessed a colour of blue she had never before and never again seen in her life. It was a fond memory, running straight into the waves in delight, ignoring the sharp chill as she splashed about. Chuckling the woman offered, "My name is Minka Lagina, my family is settled close-by, may I ask who you are?" Ever polite the she wolf was, it was rude an improper to go without introductions.

Vinyonga @DA & Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

Golden eyes took note of how Vaeta's own orbs lingered for a moment upon her belly and couldn't help the smile that it brought to her face. While some faes might have been offended by the glances that were so often received Minka had basked in them. Her whole life she had wanted pups and this time last year she had given up on the possibility of this dream ever being a reality and now here they were. Things weren't all sunshine and rainbows though, the woman admitted she was often tired, kept up at night by the little ones kicking and prodding the inside of her stomach and almost always ravenous. Never before had she possessed such an appetite and now it seemed that she was constantly eating, her hunger never stated.

Taking a moment the tawny she wolf turned the names over in her mind, Tainn, Copper Rock Creek, but neither of them brought any recollection to her. Smiling apologetically she shook her head softly, "Unfortunately I can be of no help to you, in my time in the lore I have not met any Tainns, or heard of a pack called Copper Rock Creek." The thought was sad, that someone so young could be separated and searching for a family that had been lost or perhaps left behind. It made her want to wrap herself around her own belly, shielding the pups from the outside world and all of the dangers it held. Minka knew this was impossible and that much of what shaped the children's views on the world would be happenings at home, and this is where a lot of pain could occur as well. It was a terrible thought, that she might be one to cause her own pups pain, whether it was intentional or not.

Vinyonga @DA & Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

The girl seemed unfazed by Minka's lack of knowledge and for that the expectant mother was grateful. It would have been a shame to add disappointment to Vaeta's troubles, which the tawny woman was convinced were numerous. A mirroring smile was offered to the younger wolf as she seemed content to just stand in the middle of the meadow and chit chat, perhaps she had been lonely? At her next question the mother nodded, "Just north of here, though our borders aren't official yet, hopefully that won't be too much longer." The thought of the rise of hers and Tokino's pack brought a proud glint into her golden eyes, so long she had worked for this and soon it would become a reality.

At the thought of her family Minka received a strong kick to her ribs and she winced, the pups hardly gave her a moment of peace. It was probably just practice however for when they discovered the world and the pack would spend day and night chasing after them to keep them safe. Offering Vaeta one final smile she said her farewells, "Speaking of my family I should return to them before they begin to worry. If you ever find yourself in need of a home know that mine will always be welcome to you Vaeta Tainn." Nodding her tawny head the expectant mother turned to the north and began to make her journey home, hopefully Inali has stocked the caches while she had been gone, she was famished.

Vinyonga @DA & Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief