unable to bind.mated to none.father to Eztli, Lixue, Petra, Citlalli, & Itzel.Taviora

He didn't know which healer to expect but he only hoped that they would be here soon. He worried for Tuari and wanted her safe and healthy. He couldn't raise these pups by himself! And more than that, he needed her in his life. He knew that more than ever. She was an integral part of who he was and who he wanted to be. Without her....he didn't know who he was. He went back to her, nuzzling and licking her cheek.

"Stay with me, Tuari. Help is coming. I'm here."

When he heard the answering call, he had mixed emotions. Crap, it was Zeltzin! He was eager to see his sister after all this time. He had meant to find her at some point to talk to her about Eden but of course now was no time for that. Tuari needed help. It still amused him to this day that after fighting her mother tooth and nail as a pup on the whole healing thing, Zeltzin had ended up giving in and learning what Moth had once done for the pack. He knew she was good at it too so he was happy that she was coming. He was just worried at what she might think. As a healer, she probably kept up with all the pregnant females in the pack and she would know that two females in the pack had his scent heavy around them at all times. Surely she would put the pieces together. He paced in the den entrance while he waited, looking for her silhouette. When she finally arrived, he nodded in greeting, suddenly feeling awkward and shy around his own sister. He stepped back, giving her a chance to look Tuari over. He tried to read her expression but she was so serious, so focused. His ears flickered back and forth uncertainly, his tail swishing as he came up beside her.

"So....she gonna make it?"

He just had to know that she was going to live. That this wasn't as bad as he thought. He watched her walk to Tuari's head, putting some plant down and saying it was for the pain and that there was nothing else she could do. He scowled thoughtfully. Did she mean that in a good way or a bad way? Then Zeltzin said that she did good and he let out a breath of relief. As she turned to the pups, his eyes glowed with pride and his chest swelled, watching her sniff each one. He could see she was focusing on their coats much more than for health reasons and he felt himself stiffen, suddenly awkawrd again. As she looked at him, his ears flicked back, his eyes full of worry and turmoil. Yes, of course she would figure it out. His sister was a smart one. She said that one pup was like mom and he smiled softly, following her gaze as she spoke of each pup before asking for their names. Names? Crap, he didn't even think about that! He glanced at Tuari, suddenly lost and wishing she could speak to help him out here. Surely they had to have names! They couldn't just grow up being called pups 1-3. He immediately thought of their home language, or at least the native tongue of Coza, their father. He had made sure to teach them all Nahuatl at a young age so they all knew it, sometimes even better than the language spoken most commonly here in Moladian.

His brother Amoxtli and Zeltzin came from that language so it seemed only right that the tradition continue but of course he was just one parent to the puzzle. Tuari needed to be alright with it too. He had stayed through everything to encourage her and make sure she was okay. When she had kissed him back, he could see the love and gratitude in her eyes an it only gave him more determination to see her through this. He would get her back to health and he would make sure these pups grew up with love and guidance just as he and his sisters had. It was only right. When Zeltzin came, he saw the worry in Tuari's eyes and he went to nuzzle her, trying to comfort her so that Zeltzin could do her work. He had heard stories of a mother's wrath over her newborn pups and he didn't want to have to jump between his sister and his best friend so hopefully it wouldn't come to that. Tuari was on edge but she didn't seem to be aggressive so for now, things seemed to be okay. Tuari seemed to calm down rather quickly and she ate the root Zeltzin gave her without hesitation. He sighed in relief, glad that it would help with her pain. She laid her head down and nuzzled the pups and he felt his chest swell again. They were just so adorable. Perfect.

When Zeltzin asked about names, he looked to Tuari for help and was glad that she was awake enough to do just that. She nudged the oldest female and moved her lips and he nodded to let her know he understood. He turned back to Zeltzin and cleared his throat, giving her a big smile.

"Well I can tell you without a doubt that this lovely girl's name is Petra."

And from there, he hesitated again. Okay, that was one down. Two more to go. He looked back at Tuari, his eyes widening in a "what now?" expression as he looked at the other two. He was sure Zeltzin would be waiting and probably none too patiently. He cleared his throat again and turned back to her, though he kept glancing at Tuari out of the corner of his eye.

"And, uh, this one is....Citlalli. Means star. It goes with her markings."

He glanced at Tuari, hoping she would be okay with that. He looked at the youngest and scowled thoughtfully before he looked back at Zeltzin.

"And, of course last but certainly not least, that one is....Ital.....Itzel. Yes, her name is Itzel."

He had been going with the first thing to pop in his head but when he started saying Italia, he could immediately pick up on the hardening of Tuari's gaze. Even on pain meds, she had a look that distinctly said "try again." And so he had saved face and changed the name in mid syllable, looking again to her for approval and this time she seemed more satisfied so he decided to go with it. He could tell the meds were taking their toll. She was looked more sedated as each moment clicked on but he was glad she was able to rest. She deserved it. He knew he would stay here for hours just watching the pups, at least until he had to go check on Talien. He was providing for her as well, after all. He looked at Zeltzin, hoping she was okay with the names too. Hopefully she would like that they went with Nahauhtl names.