Grizzly Hollow stormborn

@Oula -- continues to be the slowest RPer ever.  x __ x  Kind of running out of things for the others to do so...?  :'D

“There is no where else I could even think of being,” the wolf replied.  Not even hell or high water – or high winds, as the case may have it.  They’d agreed to do this together, after all, and the last thing he wished to do was abandon Oula in her hour of need.  Thankfully, neither had to wait for long – little Pip had run as quickly as her legs could take her, returning in what felt like only a few minutes despite the dire situation.

Veho backed out of the den once again, pausing long enough to give the young wolf a few thankful licks upon her chin before taking the sweet grass to the new mother.  “Eat this,” he instructed her.  “It should ease some of the pain, and it should help--”  The alpha paused then, mind drawing a blank.  How did he phrase this?  It was not only some wolf he was helping, it was a packmate.  It was {b}Oula[/i].  And it was their child who was having trouble finding her way into the world.  He cleared his throat. “It should help and allow the pup out.  It doesn’t even taste bad.”

He offered a small smile before retreating once, realizing he’d not conveyed any more directions to Pip.  “Thank you – that was brilliantly done, my friend.  If you would stay here, that we need anything else?  I will let you know.”

Oula feebly nodded, taking up the sweetly fragrant grasses into her mouth to gnaw on the dry stalks. Sweetgrass, she thought, was awfully bitter for its name, but nonetheless she swallowed the pulp her molars had reduced the herbs to. She gave a shuddering sigh, waiting for the sharp pain residing in her abdomen to subside. Minutes passed, and she stirred, shifting her body against the damp earth. Damn the waiting, this cub was coming out if it was the last thing she did. Every minute hanging in this limbo only sapped her of what strength remained. Her eyes met Veho's with a look of conviction, her mouth set in a firm line.  "I can't wait any longer," she said, sure of it. 


Whether it was the grasses or time, something finally gave. She felt one last stabbing pain, that would have had her worried had it not been followed by the greatest relief. Trembling with the reserves of her energy, Oula reached down, her heart thundering in her throat as she looked over the damp little thing that had emerged. Pallid and nearly half the size of its siblings, and dreadfully still and silent. Oula's breath hitched, and she immediately set to lapping the runtling, carefully clearing the tiny face of mucus and blood. 

Finally the girl hiccuped and sucked in a breath before unleashing a prodigious squeal that outmatched her slight size. Oula could have laughed had her sides not felt like they were on fire, all that trouble for such a tiny girl! Still, she managed to smile, her head wavering before falling back to the ground. But she couldn't take her eyes off them, chin tucked to her chest she watched the little trio she had fought so hard for. 

(This post was last modified: Jun 15, 2016, 03:43 AM by Oula.)

@Rook / @Tomen , or @Veho. Feel free to skip Pip unless she's needed. :3 She'll be in front of the den awaiting orders.

Her lungs were on fire by the time she made it back. Each breath was gained painfully, but Pip still managed a half-smile as she panted when Veho licked her chin in thanks. It brought a blush to the mute girl's cheeks and she immediately lowered her quivering legs to the ground. It was so strange for him to lick at her chin, and with his position half in the makeshift den, his head was lower than her own. Though he didn't seem to think it a problem, Pip had to correct the issue herself and was quick to settle her head on her paws where there would be no question of her loyalty and deference to his leadership.

While the wind picked up again, Pip took a moment to close her eyes and focus on her breathing. It was getting easier, but still it burned to suck in air. From inside the den, she could hear quiet talking but made no effort to strain to hear. Whatever was happening in there was no business of hers; if she was needed, she would be called.

True to form, Veho poked his head out once again to thank her for her quick work and asking she stay in case anything else was required of her. The yearling lifted her head to smile and nod before lowering it back to the ground as he descended once more. For a while, Pip could hear nothing but the rustle of leaves in the wind. The yearling worried - shouldn't there be puppy cries? Was Oula okay? The thought of the warrior woman not doing well had her whining and shifting anxiously on the ground.

Just as she began to fear the worst, an obnoxious squeal cut through the wind and had Pip's auburn ears falling back tightly against her head in alarm. Well, it sounded alive! Slowly, she relaxed and settled in to wait for further orders.