Starshade watched his approach closely, noticing each fluid stride as the male approached from behind her company. She was suspicious initially, her body becoming more rigged as her eyes narrowed, appraising his intentions momentarily. Had he come to harm? Her question was answered however by the mottled female and her ice white companion nuzzling into one another, their bodies close and almost as if a unit of one - mates. It was as Desoto and Kyou; Indus and Prae. It answered the question, too, as to who's children lay waiting within the girl's womb; of course, Starshade would have passed no judgement either way. She expected many mothers found themselves mate-less come Spring and it was for that reason that Litherum existed - to welcome any and all into a land free of judgement and prosecution. Still, the male did not speak which caused Starshade's brow to raise expectantly as she met his crystalline gaze.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you Nova and...?" she trailed off, allowing her gaze to once more rest upon Eric with a flicker of her ears before drifting back to Nova, "A friend of Kyou's is, of course, a friend of Litherum's. I trust she has a fantastic judgement so please, feel free to come in - we do not bite here."

There had not been much more time for pleasantries after Starshade had concluded, stepping aside slightly to allow them access into the pack lands. It seemed to happen in fast forward, the female suddenly looking surprised and falling to the ground, her muscles straining and twitching. Instinctively, Starshade stiffened defensively, her gaze searching the horizon for any threat before she took a tentative, rigged step forward towards Nova. It was then that the smell hit her - birthing. It was a scent she had smelt before filled with strange and unusual hormones and she, too, widened her eyes in shock as she witnessed the pups slide onto the Litherum earth. It seemed like forever that she merely stood there, wide eyed and starring in confusion, her head slowly tilting as she watched Nova clean the whelps; from time to time, her gaze flickered to Eric with a look of confusion and panic. Did he understand? Did he know what to do? There was blood, too, the faint smell of it seeping through the thick musk of pups. She could not see it though and that was what shocked her - it was only when Nova spoke again that her brain kicked back into action, her eyes blinking away their confusion and her body slackening.

"Nova - take on, and you -" she motioned to Eric with her nose before motioning to one of the pups, "Take another. I will take one, too, Nova - please do not bite me, I am trying to help. There is a den nearby, you are free to make it your own but we need to get you and the newborns there, okay?"

She waited for a sign - for some kind of consent - before she gently grabbed one of the writhing whelps, completely and utterly confused as to how to hold them correctly but nonetheless, she gave it her best attempt. She was terrified of marring it with her teeth, or holding it the wrong way up and with a slow, slightly awkward pace, she approached where the den lay. It had been a fox hole once - perhaps abandoned long ago - and had rather short entrance before breaking into a wide, long cavern. Sure, it still smelt faintly of fox and sea water but it was warm, dark and well out of the reach of both tide and gust; it was a safe den, large enough for three even. When they arrived there, Starshade slipped half way down first, examining the den briefly before placing the whelp in the darkness, nosing it gently to check that it was - indeed - still squirming about and crying out. A dreadful sound for one who had not been a mother before but nonetheless, it urged her to help. With her job done, she backed out, continuing to back peddle until she was and truly clear of the entrance before motioning Nova and Eric forward. Would Nova be okay? Could she still walk properly? Surely having those things inside her and then making them come out would impede here in some way, right?

"Do you need help, Nova? Are you...bleeding?" she queried hesitantly, her gaze wandering over the female's frame in search of any injury.

Y A K O N E
three - image - no imprint - wanderer