Good Fortune

On the other side of the manor, another group is also up and foraging. It's the Aztecs, this group use to be part of the Whiskers at one time but disagreements led to some members splitting off and now there is no love loss between them. Maybelline had a tough start since many members left, but with the arrival of granddad Zaphod and having her first litter in the mob, things have went well for them. Maybelline is also expecting so her pups are eagerly awaited by the rest of her gang. While the group forages, Burdock takes watch over the family. She is a young meerkat, but she wants to do as much as she can to stay in the family and on Maybelline's good side. Her attempts are ignored by the boss, but Zaphod likes the change to be able to take a break from being top lookout, and to celebrate, he's got a tasty millipede. But it's the dry season and although it might not seem like it, food is starting to become harder to find. The Aztecs have been forced to span further to keep finding the goods and it has already led into some encounters. Burdock's sister Squig has a healing wound on her front leg from an encounter with the Van Helsing, a new group formed by EJ, Angie, and Bananas. These three females were evicted by Maybelline after becoming pregnant and didn't rejoin the group. Instead, they teamed up with some males and formed a new family led by EJ who is the oldest. But the Van Helsing aren't big so they aren't much to chase off, but there are larger and stronger groups out there that really can test the Aztecs' ire. The Lazuli were previously encountered and during the fight, EJ was injured and lost her pups. Another rival group is the Zappa. After being gone last season this group is back in the game and have been giving their rivals some problems. If it isn't encounters then it's the rovers but the little family is strong and Maybelline is confident in her place. But soon she'll need to find a safe burrow to have her second litter of Aztecs pups and the dwindling conditions are worrying enough to have her move her family. The Aztecs have had good luck so far, surprisingly better luck then the Whiskers were having. The last time the two groups met the Aztecs were sent into retreat and once even driven from their new burrow. If they were to meet again...would things still be the same, or will this time Rocket Dog be the one to flee? Only time will truly tell.