Merrill: *is moodily laying in her den, somehwta mroe on her side than on her stomach*

Derecho - *wander's in a sulky fashion about the den sites, Terreis was sleeping thank the moon else she'd probably be snapping at him ome more. Passing Merrills den he suddenly turns and peeks inside it has been a while since he's poken with his beloved Aunt afterall. "Aunt Meme?"

Merrill: *grunts softly in return; her green eyes were vacantly staring at her outstretched paws, but they lift to look to Derecho, gaining a bit more light in them* Yes, Si-Son?

Derecho - "I just realized I haven't spoken to you in a bit , mind if I hide out from terreis for a while in here?"

Merill: If you wish. *slowly moves to sit up, wincing slightly at a headache that has been bothering her the whole day; probably from heldback tears* Problems with her?

Derecho - *At her approval he slides in and sits against the wall, letting out a slight sigh at her quetion* "I suppose you couuld call it that..we uh recently found out we're umm..expecting?" He ventured somewhat unsure how Merrill will take this news "And she's been..completely irrational and insufferable ever since!" He continued in a much more firm voice.

Merrill: Her too, eh? *sighs* Have you been experimenting without thought to the consequences, Si-Son? IS that what upsets her?

Derecho -"Expirimen...NO!" He sudden;y blurted out somwhat embarassed now "We had a fight...and she left for a bit remember, well when she came back we...well we made up" He shifted his feet clearly oblivious to Merrills 'too' comment "And then she found out and now she's like a ravening hormonal warrior with her claws targeting my eyes!" Well that might have been a bit of an overstatement.

Merrill: I see. *oddly calm, almost resigned in tone* Women when pregnant tend to grow hormonal, yes. I don't know this Terreis well enough to comment, but the most I can say for you is to be patient unti lthe pups come. Will they be staying with us or be moved to Antianeira?

Derecho - *blinks at Merrill in growing horror* You mean she's going to be like this until...deer dung! I'm going to start sleeping in the woods..." he finished in a mutter "Terreis left that slave loveing,puppy drowning pack to stay with us..with me.." He told Merrill, though would she want to have the females trained with the warrior pack? ...He might should talk to her about that just in case

Merrill: Then that's something to consider. Love-hate or not, you will soon be a father, Derecho. Learn to settle your differences for the children's sake if nothing else.

Derecho - *heaved a huge sigh, ears tilting backwards slightly in the manner of a frightened pup* I didn't really have much of a dad to be truthful - I mean he wasn't there when I was young, and all he does now is mope about. How am I supposed know how to be a dad. And are you sure I can't just shove a calming herb down Terrie's throat till the pups arrive?

Merrill: If you want to make the situation worse, go right ahead. *sighs, looks to the entrance of the den* Having no father figure is a reason, not an excuse. No-one can teach you how to be a parent. There are no lessons like there are for hunting. You can only try what you feel is right and hope for the best . . .

Derecho - "I can't imagine her getting much crankier..." He muttered "But I suppose I'll just have to soldier on" He told her, pondering her advice on being a father before tipping hi head slightly as he studied her. "Are you alrighty? You seem...differant somehow.."

Merrill: *even when subdued, she could still be her usual blunt self* I carry pups as well, Si-Son, from a male who could care less.

Derecho - *snapped his jaw shut when he realized it had fallen after her declairation, realizing that her last comment was a hint to inner troubles he slunk closer to her* "Don't worry Aunt Meme...I care. I shouldn't have said the things I did without noticing your situation. Terreis says i'm a blockhead - she's probably right" He apologized "I will help you if you need help..and Aleu will too"

Merrill: *ears tilt back, but otherwise her facial expression doesn't change, still staring out at the den's entrance as if awaiting for someone* I appreciate it, Si-Son . . . Really.

Derecho - *sighs slightly and glances out the den as well to see what it was she was looking for. Seeing nothing he glanced back at her* Doe's he..the male..know?"

Merrill: He does. *a darker edge to her tone* I gave him a clear message.

Derecho - "I see" He stated taking note of her tone "Well if he is at all wise he'll listen to said message" He told her "On the bightside...at least the pups will all have playmates?" He offered

Merrill: I suppose . . . *just sighs quietly and slumps, her head resting on her paws in a rare pitiful position as she ruminates over Tierehl's words - his so-called promises*

Derecho - *huffs slightly and secretly promises to tear this males tail off if he ever runs across him in a dark place, in the meantime he tugs at his beloved Aunt's ear and lays down alongside her in support.*

Merrill: I will never live down one night's revelries. I can hardly remember it, Derecho, I . . . I don't know what happened. *seems oblivious to his affections* He is hardly handsome in appearance or personality, and I can't . . . I can't imagine myself so easily falling for his words. *eyes close* I am ashamed of myself.

Derecho - "Don't be ashamed" He told her sincerly 'No one will think badly of you...how could anyone considering how much you've done around here...and your already a mother, you have Verse. No one will look at you any differantly then they do now. You are Merrill...our Merrill, snow liking, nap loving, allergy ridden Merrill"

Merrill: *Her mouth twitched into a small smile, though after a few seconds it dries up* Ah, I'll never hear the end of it with Corvus. Suppose I deserve any words he throws at me.

Derecho - *snorts slightly* I hear him make one remark and I'll gnaw his ears off and leave him with stubs" He stated firmly

Merrill: *snorts softly, though the smile returns as she turns to look at him* While appreciated, don't harm him. After Tier, anything Corvus says I can handle myself, and injuring a somewhat decent pair of ears won't do us good.

Derecho - *hmm so Tier was is, Derecho would keep his own ears out for such a wolf* Right well I'll just run him stupid in your stead, you'll need to start takingi t easy soon - something that like Terreis will probably be difficult given your workaholic nature..but never fear Aleu and I shall see to your duties"

Merrill: *presses her snout into his neck gratefully* I will be back on my paws soon enough. Could you do me a favor and find Ki-Adi for me, Si-Son?

Derecho - "Ki-Adi?...sure" He nodded slightly, though was slightly curious about what h might want with the notoriously shy wolf. Glncing at her one more time he pulled himself to his feet and slipped of in serch of the requested wolf.*

Merrill: *In the meantime she begins to bring herself into an upright position, willing away whatever negative energy she had about her earlier - there was no point in playing pity party*

Ki-Adi - *having been summoned here by Derecho she shyly peeks into the den, paws shifting slighty as se tries to figure out what she's done to be summoned to the Beta's den*

Merrill: Ah, Ki-Adi. Come in. *motions for her to draw closer* I have something to ask you. You aren't in trouble. *Sometimes she felt like she was talking to a pup with the shy femme*

Ki - *somewhat reassured by Merrils words she slinks into the den and sits down just inside the door* Something to ask me?"

Merrill: How good are you with children, Ki? Did you have any experience before you came to this pack?

Ki - "Children? None other then that which I've learned here..." she admitted slowly "Puppies were a common thing in my old pack its true - but young 'pure' females were not encouraged to spend time with them"

Merrill: *nods a little* There will be many pups running amok soon. Terreis and I will of course be tending to them, but at times I will need to attend to my job with the others. Can we count on you to lend a paw with the little ones?

Ki -*many pups..both her and Terreis? Indeed that would make for mny now wouldn't it and though surprised by the announcement she none the les nodded her head slightly* "Of..of course, I always lnd a hand where its needed"

Merrill: But is it a firm one, Ki-Adi? I recall at times you allowed Aleutian Ballad and Derecho to escape your watch whe nthey were pups. With two litters impending, we all must be more vigilant.

Ki - *well that had been true now hadn't it she recalled sheepishly* "I shall try my very best" She promised the purple wolf

Merrill: . . . I'll count on it. *nods, taking the promise as it was for now - hopefully this experience would strengthen the shy wolf some* That's all, you may go.

Ki - "Thank you Merrill..for your trust" She told the other sincerely before slinking out of the den in much the same way she had entered*