It, wasn't likely to happen this time, not unless the newcomer wanted to come to Chan with specific, intent questioning. He was finally catching on to the fact that Riven and Adelard were close, and despite his disgust in the latter's choices he did not wish to attempt despoiling any of the man's relationships through his own actions. Initiating a conference in which the only detailed explanation that could be given would be a disparagement of Adelard's character was, then, clearly out of the question.
He would have to figure it out later. For now, he would have to kindly ignore the edge of fear and hope he simply did not make matters worse for Riven going forward.
The number of voices was growing, and Chan chose to continue listening rather than speaking up himself. Finley had answered the small gathering's newest addition and it was clear in her posture and intent gaze that Atara was focused on taking the role of emotional support for her family. That enabled him to focus his attention wholly on Hazelnut without guilt. He too slipped down on his stomach, taking to her the first round of medicinal grasses to chew on. The standard supplements for someone going through labor, as well as some treatments for her extraneous symptoms.
He hoped dearly it was just a cold, that there were no other issues. Chan watched as closely as he could from outside, wanting to respect Hazelnut's space and privacy both. Then he guessed from the way she twisted and moved that a child had come, but when her eyes looked to the den's opening again, he saw panic and his innards turned to ice. He asked for permission to enter, and slipped in as swiftly as he could while still being careful when it was granted.
It didn't take much to figure out what had gone wrong, and he promptly started to massage the small body with his muzzle. He'd seen a pup come back from this, had heard tale of others, maybe it could happen for this one too.
"Riven," he called out, wanted it to sound even, but there was a whisper of a plea in it. He'd said he had experience. Did he know something better?
It was the odds, really. Litters usually have their stillborn or their runts who barely live, this would be a universal, typical, expected experience. None of that ever made it any easier, though. Life being so cruel by nature did not devalue the children who didn't make it. Unavoidable or not, Chan was so, so tired of death.
![[Image: 5BdYuOb.png]](https://i.imgur.com/5BdYuOb.png)