Quilikahm & Others

The morning after Ursa had been treated, Quilikahm entered the basement again to check on her patient. She'd learned in that time that the cubs had been moved down to these lower recesses, as apparently there was an enemy pack that needed to be dealt with this dawn, and a small group of three had been sent out an hour ago to meet with them at the Prairie. The little muntjac shrugged off the idea of war as she put her mind to Ursa, coming to see how the emaciated wolf had fared through the night... if she had survived at all.

Leomar was at the top of the steps leading down to the basement, not allowed down there himself unless specifically requested - but he would be one of the first lines of defense should an enemy breach the Temple. Down in the basement itself, Oracle was having a grand time chasing and playing with the other cubs and her brother, not realize just how serious things were with the adults.

Zanarah, though a Warrior, had also been permitted to stay in the basement for the sole purpose of keeping an eye on the cubs and both ensuring their safety, and that of Ursa.

Ursa, Aizen & Maelertech

Ursa had survived and was fairing better then yesterday. The matts were nearly all gone and the wounds visible that they caused. When awake she would watch the pups and cubs playing.

Aizen remained with his sister.

Malertech was stalking a rat.

Quilikakm & Others

Quilikahm was pleased to see that Ursa seemed to have a little more energy than the day before, at least enough to keep her eyes open now and then and observe the playful pups. Without saying a word, the tiny deer shuffled through her pile of roots and leaves, mashing a few more pastes together before smearing these earthy-scented concoctions over the newly exposed wounds. Only after she was done doing this did Quil speak, giving Ursa a sharp nudge on her side to gain her attention, "How are you are feeling today?"

Ursa

She was jolted to attention when Quil applied the herbs as she had not been paying the deer any mind having grown use to her. She looks to her slowly.Miserable but with a little more energyShe said softly.

Quilikakm & Others

"Hmm." The deer hummed, pausing to wipe that last bit of plant mush onto one of Ursa's wounds. "You have a voice today, so that's good. I wasn't sure you'd make it through the night." Her little tail flicked behind her, switching side to side every now and then. Her hooves thudded quietly as she circled the sickly canine one more time, then came up in front of her again. "Today we will try to get you moved towards the water there. Do you think you can stand, with help?" She doubted Ursa could do that just yet, but then Quilikahm knew not to underestimate the strength and will of a Haunter.

Ursa

She nodds and then looks at the water. She slowly moved her paws under her laying now on her stomach with legs under and in front of her. Then she proceeded to try to stand.

Quilikakm & Others

"Zanarah, if you would." Quil called, gesturing to Ursa. Without a second's hesitation, the big cat picked herself up and padded towards her struggling pridemate. She crouched low and pressed her bulk carefully against Ursa's side, giving the wolfdog something to lean against as she tried to rise.

Quilikahm took several steps backwards, towards the trough where thermal-warmed waters were currently trickling through. With the dam continuing to be worked on, and the moat level ever so slowly rising again, the troughs were also beginning to fill. "Move slow, now. How's your head? Feeling dizzy at all?"

Ursa

Urse slowly got to her feet stopping to catch her breath when fully up. a littleShe said softly.

Quilikakm & Others

"Good, you're doing good." Quilikahm coached, urging Ursa on as she struggled and finally brought herself to a standing position. "Now just rest a moment, catch your breath and the dizziness should go away." And after giving the weary wolf a few moments, the deer too a few more steps backwards, until one hind hoof dipped into the warm, shallow waters in one of the troughs. "Forward now, slowly. Zanarah, be ready to ease her down if she stumbles."

The big cat turned her head aside, her voice calm and gentle, "Ready?" As soon as Ursa made a step, Zanarah would take one with her, provide her pridemate with much needed support.

Ursa

Instead of waisting her energy talking she just nodded and took her first step stopping for a moment before taking two more.

Quilikakm & Others

Zanarah patiently kept pace with her pridemate, taking a single, slow step for every two that Ursa made. It was slow going, but the painfully thin wolf was already looking far better than she did yesterday. "Nice and slow." The Zana purred encouragingly, "That's okay, take a rest... ...Two more now, we're almost there." She would continue this turtle-paced walk until they reached the trough, where Quilikahm was waiting.

The diminutive deer watched every step the canine took, gauged her breathing, and watched for the subtle signs like how her ears were positioned, or if Ursa showed any twinges of pain on her short trek. All in all though, she was pleased with the progress. "How are you feeling, hunger-wise? It's a shame winter is setting in, or you'd have fresh berries and flowers to compliment your meals. As it is, I'm going to suggest another outing around the human's land to try and find some sort of fresh fruit or two for you."

Ursa

Ursa concentrated on getting to the trough. When their she let her muzzle go straight in and drank till she was no longer thirsty.HungryWas all she said before backing a little away and laying down.

Quilikakm & Others

Zanarah slowly sank down beside Ursa and lapped at the warm waters herself. She then scooted back a stitch along with the ill wolfess and leaned her dense fur into the other, offering warmth to her pridemate as the temperature in the Valley continued to slide into the freezing range.

Quilikahm was again pleased with the progress, even if Ursa's level of exhaustion and the sheer amount of effort it took to get to the trough was concerning. She was still not out of the woods, and had a long way to go for a full recovery. "I'll find someone to work on the food. For now, let your belly rest with that water." She trotted away from them and towards Aizen, but only made it a few steps before a figure her own size suddenly plunged from the shadows and tackled her to the floor. Quil gave a started bleat and paws wrapped around her side, and tiny fangs closed about her throat.

Oracle gripped the deer tightly, her little claws digging into flesh as she pushed the boundary of play a bit past its limit. "Mal'" She attempted to shout to her brother between a mouthful of Quilikahm's neck, wanting to show off the 'prey' she managed to catch. "C'm look'!"

Aizen

Aizen watched and then growled a little.Oracle let her gohe said moving toward the two cats now.

Malertech came running but flinched back at Aizens voice.

Ursa nodded and laid down.

Quilikakm & Others

Oracle pinned her ears back at Aizen's growl. She had half a mind to ignore his orders and keep heckling Quil, but a sudden and horribly bitter taste hit her tongue. The young cat nearly retched as she released the muntjac and scrambled back, gagging and sticking her tongue out, "Errhck! Why do you taste so bad?! Errrchk!"

A highly indignant Quilikahm picked herself up and shook her dark coat. "It's a safety measure." She answered simply, without bothering to explain how or why her coat was laced with such a bitter substance. Leaving the cub gagging and pawing at her tongue, Quil approached Aizen and looked up to the wolf, "Now that she's able to truly eat, I need you to venture into or around the human town and get whatever fruits you can manage. Somehow, the two-leggers are able to procure fruits and berries even during the winter, and they often discard them half-eaten, or not eaten at all. As weak and deplete as your sister's body is, she could use the boost of energy they offer." She shook her coat again, still feeling the sting of those claws, though no serious damage had been done. "Take another Haunter with you if need by, though I would recommend another canine - no cats."

Aizen

He dared her to not listen and then sighed. He looked to Quil.Understoodhe then headed out howling for another canine to join him.

Ursa was now sleeping

Blackmist

Blackmist had been nearby, napping within the Temple when Aizen's howl echoed through the stone complex. A quick, attentive bark answered him back as the black and gray hybrid sauntered to meet him, ebony tail swaying gently behind her. "Sounds like you need help with something, Aizen?" Mist shook her coat out and stopped before him, "How's your sister doing, by the way?"

Aizen

The three legged wolf waited hoping someone would respond. a little better, we need to go raid the humans for some fruithe said.

Blackmist

"I'm so glad to hear that." Blackmist returned sincerely, "When she's feeling a little better, I'll have to go and visit with her." She was a little surprised to hear about the fruit raid, but didn't question Aizen's mission. After all, she was fond of the occasional salmonberry or apple in the warmer months herself, and she knew that little deer had a good handle on healing the sick and injured. "I'm not well versed in the human lands, but I suppose it shouldn't be too bad once night falls?"

Aizen

Aizen listened.im sure she'll be happy for more visitorshe said.it shouldn't be too hardHe said.

Blackmist

"We can head out that way now, if you'd like. Scope out the land around the human town, before dusk hits." Blackmist suggested, feeling rather eager to step out of the Ruins for a while and have a new mission to go on. "Do you want to lead the way, or shall I?" Of course, Blackmist really had no idea where to start looking around the human's town, but she at least knew which direction to take to get there.

Aizen

Aizen nodded.let us go He said

Blackmist

Blackmist peered at the staircase that led down to the basement, but everything was quiet now. Making a note to visit Ursa when she was feeling a little better, Blackmist gave Aizen a friendly, confident smile before turning and loping out of the Temple, and on out towards Atroe City.

Aizen

He left.