Sanguine Cove i hope you talk to girls

@Chan <3

The pineapple weed that Moonshadow had gotten her had significantly lessened the nausea, and Kip had legitimately cried when she'd been able to eat without throwing up for the first time in about four and a half weeks. Her stomach was so swollen and her joints hurt with the added weight - to be fair, she wasn't a big wolf by any standards, so the fact that her belly accounted for most of her weight now was a nightmare on her back and legs. Not to mention these godawful fake contractions she'd been having - it cramped and ached and clenched and Kip just wanted it to be over.

All she could do nowadays was lay in the shoddy little den she'd dug out for herself. It had probably been a fox den at some point, but it was roughly big enough, and she'd made it a little roomier on the inside. Just enough for her to squeeze in and turn around; she didn't really need anyone else in there anyway, so she figured it being a little small was okay. It made her feel safe, anyway.

She had managed to drag herself out of it today, because the sunshine was nice and warm, and it was more comfortable to nap in the sun than in a birthing den. Kip lay halfway on her side and scanned over her swollen belly, letting out a quiet sigh. She hoped, not for the first time, that she'd actually be able to do this whole... mothering thing. It wasn't like she was ever the nurturing type, so perhaps the fear was natural.

Her stomach was seized by a sudden cramp, and with a dramatic groan, she flopped down on her side, eyes narrowed and mouth set into a frustrated frown. This sucked.

(This post was last modified: May 21, 2021, 11:34 PM by Kip.)

With @Aleister's behavior the night @Aquene birthed her litter, Chan had realized his assumptions about her situation had been very wrong. As such, it had gotten him thinking about what else he might have been mistaken about. Things he thought were alright that might not be, like now... Kip. He had assumed, like an ass, that she was someone important to their leader, a romantic interest and therefore well cared for not just physically, but emotionally too. Obviously, he needed to stop that and just start talking to people.

He should have realized with @Lila, but apparently it was taking a number of casualties to get past his thick skull. Still, some things would need to wait, like the discussion with Aleister over what exactly had gone on this Spring. Chan wouldn't further stress the newly-made father while the mothers needed him most. Talking with Kip, however, just getting to know her better, that was easy.

He had chased down some wintergreen earlier, not only for the taste but also for it's medicinal properties. Stripping branches of their leaves, he created a thick, slab-like pile of them that he then carried around the territory, checking the places he knew the woman to frequent. The lake shore had been on the way, but he'd known she'd likely be in the natal den that she'd prepared. Had Aleister helped her with it? Chan had thought it was something the couple would've wanted to do together, and now he worried that it was possible no one had helped the pregnant wolf. He hoped that wasn't true.

Chan reached the divot in the earth that marked Kip's hideaway, and set the bounty at it's lip.

"Kip? You up for company?" he asked, softly in case she was sleeping, though his ears had definitely caught some sound and motion inside...

She hadn’t been expecting company today. Sure, she’d gotten better about talking to her packmates, but it wasn’t like she was extremely used to having them just drop in like this. Unless they were maybe Moonshadow, who had been exceptionally kind in offering her rabbit hides to line the den with, as well as the pineapple weed. Aquene had been helpful too, but she had her own pup to worry about right now - far more than Kip’s, which weren’t even born yet.

Her ears angled toward the entrance of the den and she shuffled her way over, pale head popping out and brow arched in question. Chan seemed like a very nice person, from what she’d seen of him so far - certainly polite. A small smile formed on her maw and she shrugged her shoulders.

“I mean, I was planning a quick sprint around the lake in a minute, but I suppose I could make some time,” she jested, teasing and hoping she didn’t sound quite as exhausted as she actually was. The poor guy didn’t need her venting to him about the trials of pregnancy. She squirmed out of the den and stretched, feeling very much like a tick that was ready to pop. “What’s up?” she asked, sitting down and tilting her head to the side.

Secretly, she was grateful to not have to worry about being alone for the time being, but he didn’t really need to know that either.

Chan backed up a few steps to give the woman some room as she emerged. Her quip earned a toothy smile, but he felt a little bad that she'd displaced herself for his sake. He'd had no problem talking to a hole in the ground if it kept her comfortable.

"I brought ya some wintergreen. It should help ease some of the discomfort."

It of course wouldn't erase it all, but it would at least improve the situation somewhat, and certainly more than taking nothing at all.

"It's really tasty too. I'm kind of addicted, not gonna lie."

In fact, his breath was very minty fresh at that moment from sneaking his own leaves here and there as he'd foraged.