Set before the pack meeting:

Bas felt his position in the pack had a fragile beginning. Moving into Seer’s old den made sense. People expected the leader to be there, they knew where to look for the Warlord. It allowed him to watch over the pack, and have a first hand view of what was going on. Selling it to Hazel and Spider was another matter entirely.

He waited until the three of them had settled down for dinner, and were digging in before he brought it up. “I thought it would make sense if we moved into Seer’s den. It’s larger, and brings us closer to the pack. Thoughts?” He asked the two of them



"Basilisk"

with all the chaos of the past month, Spider relishes the opportunity for a family meal. they know that with Bas’ new duties they’ll have to share him and Hazel with the rest of the pack, more so now than ever, but it’s moment like this they cherish: just the three of them gathered together, sharing tidbits and stories about their day. tonight’s topic, however, gives them pause. Spider lifts their head from their meal, chewing thoughtfully as they mull over Bas’ words. it makes sense, they suppose, that Bas needs to be closer to the pack, and they won’t object to a larger room. and yet…the treehouse is the first home they’ve ever known, and it’s undeniably pretty cool. “i guess…that would be okay,”  they say finally around a swallow. “i mean, i’d miss this place…”

they crane their neck around, committing as much of the space to memory as possible. “but…i think it’s a good idea.”  ultimately, they want to support Bas in his role as much as they can, and if that includes moving, so be it. besides, a part of them is just pleased that Bas and Hazel still want them close, that they aren’t leaving Spider to sleep in the treehouse alone.

"Speech"

Spider has a male raven companion named Doomsday and a female snake companion named Lady Snakeskin. Assume they are present unless stated otherwise.

Change. It was coming, hanging in the air. All of it tastes weird, like the calm before a storm. Fuck. A weird kind of electricity, one Hazel isn't sure she likes. Things have been... weird, in her head, lately. Tumultuous, and the nightmares haven't stopped. To finally settle down for a meal and have another big question laid on the table? She couldn't say she was surprised, but it still makes the tender meat go to ash in her mouth.

Trying to chew, trying to remain rational, trying to think this through. Stiffly at first, but mulling over the question. Moving into Seer's den felt like an invasion of privacy, even though he'd be gone. Being at the heart of the pack would be good, but what of her solitude?

It's not about her anymore. Hazel has to remind herself, it's not about her. "We have the space to spread out. If we designate new guest dens and storage, we can take the whole wing in case... in case we want the extra bedrooms, later." She can't help the words as they slip out, but fuck it. If they're planning for the future, they may as well plan. Still, her gaze remains on her food, trying not to look too nervous about the implication. More pups? In time? That's one way to take dinner time conversation.

"Speech"

“Me, too.” he admitted ruefully to Spider. This was where he had first moved to after leaving his parents' den. This was where he found his freedom, and grew his relationship with Hazel. It meant a lot to him, but it made sense to move, too. It ensured he was closer to the heart of the pack if there was any trouble. Out here on the outskirts, he could be the last to answer a raid and that was unacceptable.

His thoughts followed down that trail until Hazel started speaking, but admittedly he was still a bit distracted by the implications of moving vs not and it took a moment for what she was saying to sink in. “Want the extra…” He gaped at her as it clicked into place. “Is that what.. You mean more than one at a time?” a litter was, well… a litter worth of pups.

"Basilisk"

Spider nods absently along as Hazel speaks, contently chewing their food - until her final sentence pulls them up short. something twists sharply in their stomach as the words sink, eyes widening as they stare fixedly at their feet. puppies. they'd never considered this possibility, that Bas and Hazel might one day want kids of their own. real kids. bile rises up their throat, and they swallow down as their gut churns with nausea. sudddenly, they want to be anywhere else - which isn't helped by the tense atmosphere they can feel gathering overhead. "um...should i leave?" they offer tentatively, gaze darting between Bas and Hazel. this seemed like a rather...personal conversation, one they probably shouldn't be privy to.

"Speech"

Spider has a male raven companion named Doomsday and a female snake companion named Lady Snakeskin. Assume they are present unless stated otherwise.

Maybe not the topic to brooch in the middle of dinner, but whatever. Can't unring the bell. "No I'm not saying--" and then there was Spider, offering to leave. Fuck, that wasn't her intent either. "Just," she hissed. "It's easier to plan for the future now, instead of having to move again later." Trying to diffuse the situation, looking between the two cautiously.

"If we're moving, then I want it to be the last time, is all." Hazel's gaze rests on Spider for a long moment. It's steady, somewhat beseeching. Hell, watching Sirius and Halo have litters of their own had been hard-- her insinuation had been indelicate, but shit. When has Hazel ever been good at delicate?

"Speech"

Basilisk, still shocked by the news, still spared a moment to look at the dark coloured wolf. “You're a part of any conversations about the future. Your words will carry weight” He told Spider softly. He wasn’t sure if they would want to be a part of any such talks, but they had the right to be there.

He looked back at Hazel, and reached out to touch her paw. “Alright, moving is hard, I get that. There’s plenty of room to grow in Seer’s old den. If we did decide, well... There's room for them.” He said, through chasing an entire litter around the pack sounded like madness. How had Halo and Mortis managed it? Would Spider like little siblings, or would they grow resentful?

"Basilisk"