TAHTI

She was usually very thin, but at this particular time her belly was huge with pups. She carried an emerald in her jaws as she struggled to get through the deeper snow. Eventually, though, she made her way to the edge of the snowbank, where treading was easier. She had clumps of ice on her dripping wet, muddy fur. She slowed down considerably, walking at this pace for a while before stopping altogether. The coyote sat down and observed the scenery.

Age: 8

Gender: Female

Species: Coyote

Breed: (Desert Subspecies)

Appearance: Long and lanky. Tan and gray with flecks of black.

Personality: Somewhat shy and cautious, though very loving of her pack and family.

History: Came to the Valley and joined the Shadow Haunters. She had very many pups and eventually left the Haunters, feeling the need to do something helpful. She formed The Refugees, a pack which makes its home in Manahcob Downs and claims to accept any creature, no matter the background.

Prodigy: Liekki(M) (Deceased), Iota(F), Aurinka(F) Hector(M), Sekunti(F), Owl(M), Black Ivory(F), Taija(F), Shield(M), Tero(M), Leila(F), Taina(F), Vale(F), Bria(F), Summit(M), Rowan(M), Isabel(F), Arson(M), Swift(M), White Fox(F), Little Flame(M), Big Wolf(M)

Abode: Manahcob Downs

[KiPCHA]

Her abnormally large auds had picked up the female's first quick petted steps, and from the first ridge, she had followed her. Deep honey eyes watched the coyote pick its way through the drifts of snow, belly swollen with the fruit of her kind. Kipcha tilted her thin muzzle to hide beneath a dying shrub of a bush while the coyote passed. Now, raising her head, she picked herself up and bounded over the snow effortlessly. Despite this foreign lands elements, she was well adapted. Her long, lean legs were built for endurance, but accompanied by the lightweight bone inside, they made for perfect stilts to vault her over the fresh snow. Kipcha climbed up a swift incline so that when she appeared before the coyote, she was much higher on the ridge. The young wolf knew how tempermental pregnant females were in their season, and with one careful lookover, Kipcha knew this female was close. Swishing her tail gently, Kipcha halted just over the ridge to give the coyote time to see her, and then continued padding down the slope. She kept her movements slow and graceful as to not alert the mother-to-be. When she was within a few yards, she resided onto her reddish haunches, and gave a single yip of greeting.

Age: Three Years
Gender: Female
Species: Wolf
Breed: Maned Wolf
Appearance: Reddish brown body, black muzzle & socks, white plumed tail
Personality: Quiet, reserved, observant, agile, intelligent, cautious
History: She was believed to be a mute since the day she was born. Always the quietest cub, Kipcha never made an unnecessary sound. She played with her brother like a normal cub, but she'd rather go off and explore and observe whatever she could find. It so happens that on one of those explorations she was separated from her mother. Too far from earshot of her mother's yelps, and too unconcerned to call out, Kipcha wandered farther and farther from the den. She never found her mother again but luckily, Maned Wolves are solitary by nature except within season. She learned enough on her own to stay fit and gave up on finding her mother or brother.
Other: Acute hearing, very quick

TAHTI

Tahti looked back when her huge ears picked up light footsteps. The exotic-looking maned wolf was so graceful that Tahti could barely hear her at first. She tilted her head, watching for a moment before dropping the emerald, a gift from her mate, on her paws. "I'm Tahti. Who are you?" She asked with a big, friendly smile on her battle-scarred face.

[KiPCHA]

Surprised, Kipcha stood and backed away a few spaces. In her sympathy for the pregnant female, she had discluded all other reasons why she'd be out here alone. The thought of a trap now entered her thoughts. Angry with herself, Kipcha released a short, harsh sigh. What was she doing throwing trust around like unnecessary warmth? She didn't know this female, and the need for food during the time of gestation grew until it nearly breached cannibalism. Kipcha was young, but skepticism was old in her heart. She had wandered from her mother as a cub, and every time she encountered another canine, it didn't entirely end well. However, for some reason she couldn't see the coyote doing any harm to her. Kindess seemed to glaze the female's eye in utter maternal compassion as she expected her cubs' birth.
Shame nipped at the young wolf's heart at how she had so abruptly jumped to conclusions. Looking down and to the side, she cleared her throat softly. "I am Kipcha." The name, the words, sounded foriegn to her ears for she had not spoken in a long time. Glancing up at Tahti, she noticed something beautiful and jaded fall to the snowy floor. Curious, herauds flicked forward, and her nerves settled. "What...what was that?"

TAHTI

Tahti tilted her head as she waited patiently for the maned wolf's reply. She was so different from how she used to be. Normally, she'd attack anything that moved just for the sake of it, passing it off as 'justice.' But she had changed. Now she was everything a mother should be: loving, patient and even-tempered. Aurinka had taught her the way she should be. She doubted her daughter knew that she was making an impact on the coyote. "Greetings, Kipcha." She said warmly and softly, as if Kipcha was her own child. She looked down at the emerald before raising her one remaining eye back to her new friend. "It is a gemstone. A gift from my mate." By now, she was sure that Kipcha would be well aware of just how much Windsong loved Tahti.

[KiPCHA]

Slowly, like the melting of the snow, all of the anxiety left Kipcha. The way Tahti regarded her, with caring, compassionate eyes, made her icy heart nearly turn to slush. She hadn't felt the warmth of another for a long while.
What the coyote told Kipcha confused her. Kipcha had never taken a mate when she had come within season. Theose times of years she dreaded because of the unexplainable feelings raging through her body scared her. She had never understood what was happening to her for no one was around to explain. At those times, she mostly hid in her numerous makeshift dens she had scattered across the country to hide from the males that sought her out.
Looking again down at the jewel, apprehension took to her throat. The pregnant female was many sizes smaller than Kipcha, but it was mostly because of the Maned Wolf's pillar-like legs. Still, intimidated she remained, and once Kipcha saw the dazzling gleams in Tahti's eyes, she knew she had stumbled upon something sacred. Whether the female was about to give birth to the pups or was meeting her mate, the young wolf felt like an intruder.
"Oh. Oh, I'. very sorry. I didn't mean to impose on you... I'll leave, if you like."

TAHTI

Tahti felt an attraction to this younger canine, as a mother would to her pup. She could guess, by Kipcha's behavior, that she was very confused about life. She would take Kipcha under her wing - providing she had permission - and care for her just as a mother should.

"No, no, it is no trouble at all. I like your company here." The coyote replied, that smile never leaving her face. It suddenly occurred to her that Kipcha might not have a home. "Would you like - if you don't already have a place to call home - would you like to come live with me and my pack?" The question was asked is that same soft, smooth voice.

[KiPCHA]

The young female hadn't let her guard down in a very long time, but she felt as though she owed it to Tahti as she had followed her and well, basically spied on her. It just came eerie to Kipcha how this small coyote female reminded her so much of her mother. Her mother obviously wasn't a coyote, but something drew Kipcha into Tahti's prescence, and the young fae wasn't one to ignore instincts. Keeping her head low, she nodded gently and approached the mother-to-be. A welcome smile made her heart flutter from lack of affection, and she moved up till she was a few feet away. Kipcha could really see how swollen Tahti's belly was. The pups might be due any time. Intrigued, the fae's ears twitched back and forth as her keen eyes looked curiously at the coyote.
When she was extended an invitiation to Tahti's territory, Kipcha didn't know what to think. Glancing up, she looked at the elder female and perked her black tipped ears. Wolves of her kind were solitary by nature, and even though she longed for company, it still felt awkward. However, she wouldn't pass up on the opportunity of saftey in numbers. Looking away, she considered it, but only for a short while.
"Thank you, Tahti. I'd love to go back to your territory. I haven't socialized with others in...well, ever."

TAHTI

Tahti nodded, quite pleased that Kipcha had accepted her invitation. Once a solitary, hostile, crazy beast, the coyote mother had become softer and more friendly over the years.

"Follow me." She said cheerfully, walking as fast as her increased weight would allow. Her destination was Manahcob Downs.