Forming Plans, Finding Allies

You carefully extract yourself from Mo-Mo's soft yet strong as iron sleeping cuddle-grasp, the runt fainting whining but curling up and continuing to sleep all the same. No need to wake her up; the two of you had always been close, even before you saved her life, and you have to believe she'll agree with the bigness of any decision you make.

Unfortunately, that gets you precisely nowhere with the rest of the group, who don't think highly enough of the runt to even realize she didn't die. It probably hurts you a bit, frankly. You cautiously glance around at the others as they mill around, chattering excitedly as they go about settling down for what will be their last night of existence if you don't do something. No, you need to win some moral high ground to your side, and that means getting someone as big or bigger than you to nod when you say stuff.

Well, might as well go for the big prize first.

Gert narrows her eyes as you slowly scoot towards her on your butt, humming nonchalantly and cleverly keeping your eyes locked elsewhere. Something else, clearly not you, makes her sigh in irritation, and a moment later the big female is looming over you. "What do you want, Shh."

You gulp, not expecting having to actually say anything to Gert until Phase Six of your Amazingly Big She Won't Get Mad Approach Scoot. Still, even perfect plans have snags sometimes; Yip-Yap proved that. You sheepishly stand up, wringing your paws together as you try to start like you'd planned. Gert has always made you super nervous; she's bigger and better and has made you eat a lot of dirt. But if anyone can get the others to back you, it's her.

You gulp again, then start in "Oh, h-hey Gert! Um...what's up! What's been up?" Flawless. She's totally put at ease now by your chitchat. You're the best at this.

Gert's eyes narrow further. "Watching Yip-Yap die. Me almost dying, too."

Fuck you're the worst at this! She's gonna make you eat dirt! Somehow you manage to stagger on. "O-oh, right, um, m-me too? I remember that happening, I was there too, so I, ah, saw when, you know, it-"

"What. Do you want. Shh."

This is awful. "Um, w-well it's sort of about that? About dying? Er, I don't....I don't wanna die."

The bigger female stares at you for a moment, a terrifying moment, arms folded tensely across her chest and eyes as sharp as super sharp rocks. When she finally responds, it takes you longer than it should to work through her actual words because nothing at all about her intimidating body language changes. "I don't either."

Oh, oh shit! Maybe this can work! Your tail sets in on an excited wag as you lean in "Y-yeah, I know right?! Dying would be the worst! And, and you know- " You lean in conspiratorially, Gert barely inclining her head in response, "-I don't think Hi-Hi's plan is gonna work. I don't, um...think it's a very big plan."

Gert sniffs dismissively. "He's bigger than you are."

You raise your paws reproachfully. "I know he is, but I don't think his plan is."

"I don't get it."

You actually don't entirely get it yet yourself. "W-well, you're bigger than him aren't you? Why don't we do your plan?"

Gert sniffs again. "I don't have a plan."

You sheepishly tap your claws together, trying your best to look up and meet her yellow eyes but not finding yourself up to the task. "Uh, then, um, maybe I could tell you my plan? And i-if you like it, you could tell the others that? And then they'll agree it's a big plan?"

Gert just stares at you, her expression unreadable. You know if you don't finish this soon, you're gonna tuck your tail between your legs and then that's it, it's all over. So you move directly to your final play. "If you do, I'll give you my big stick with the pointy rock on it."

The big female's expression doesn't change, but it's impossible to miss the way her tail begins to furiously wag. You scamper off, grabbing the promised gift and rushing back to present it to her. Gert takes the stick reverently, very nearly as tall as she is, eyes wide as she pokes the pointy rock at the end. She doesn't even try to hide the grin that spreads across her face as she looks back at you. "Okay, I'm with you."

You grin back at Gert, both of your tails whipping wildly. With Gert backing you, maybe this will work! You leave the big female to coo and marvel over her new stick, slumping back down besides Mo-Mo. The little pup immediately curls herself around you, and you sink into slumber with a contented whine.

You always knew your ideas were big.