Not Everything Lasts[level bbs]
09-21-2014, 12:57 PM
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09-21-2014, 03:25 PM
The season had passed much more quickly than Ara had anticipated. The season's warmth had slowly leveled off and the storms had rolled in, slow at first but quickly increasing in intensity. Soon the weather was rather dangerous, and much of the pack had moved temporarily away from the Kamui Delta and closer to the Hot Springs, which was higher elevation and thus safer. Much of their home was flooding, and the land was riddled with storms and rain that never seemed to cease.
Novel was safe in her den though, and her parents had temporarily relocated to a refuge much closer to them. Though she was finding it difficult to sleep, it seemed her body had other plans in mind. But she slowly awoke at the sound of Novel pacing nearby, eyes jolting awake as soon as she heard a whimper leave her lips.
Was it time already? She felt her stomach lurching in anticipation, her eyes searching for Novel as they adjusted to the dim light of the den. "Novel," she would probe gently. "Are you okay?" Ara felt her heart pounding in her chest as she found her form, quickly moving to all fours to press her nose to her friend's face. Worry radiated in her blue gaze as she watched her, wondering if her instincts were right -- was Novel about to give birth?
09-23-2014, 12:33 PM
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09-24-2014, 09:07 PM
(This post was last modified: 09-24-2014, 09:09 PM by Ara.)
Though she knew births could be surprising, and come much more quickly than anticipated, somehow she hadn't expected Novel's to be so sudden. The rain had prevented her from gathering a good store of herbs, and neither of them had eaten much during the last week. Instantly a whimper threatened to fall, a soft sound that lingered on her lips before she grew silent. The contractions had came quickly and with little warning. Sapphire gaze was locked on Novel as she dropped to the ground, writhing in pain that rattled her small frame. 'It hurts, so much,' she would tell her -- Ara didn't know what to say. She could only imagine the kind of pain that she must be feeling. Instantly she felt her head spinning, wondering what she could do to possibly help.
Would she even be able to call anyone from the thunder that rolled overhead?
Or would the steady pounding of rain stifle her anxious cries for help? Ara rarely, if ever, doubted herself, but she felt a tension growing in her belly that felt strangely like fear. Quickly she would tip her head back, letting out a loud call for anyone who might -- by some great miracle -- be able to hear.
But no help would come. At least, not as quickly as she had hoped. She would place gentle kisses to Novel's belly as she shifted to lay beside her, massaging her stomach firmly. It wasn't long before something amazing happened. Two tiny boys, one moving quickly and with instinct, but the second was smaller and Novel was already tired. Gently she would lean to clean the boy, nearly shaking as her tongue touched him, amazed at how small and frail he was. He was perfect, despite everything, and she swore she felt tears welling up in her eyes. "..and Psalm," she would whisper, the name seeming to fit as she suggested it, her voice much more confident than she felt. Gently she nudged Psalm closer to his mother, watching as his own instincts took over and he began to suckle.
Everything was okay. It seemed incredible that Novel had done this, largely unaided, with nothing to dull the pain, with the support of nobody but herself. A sigh left her lips, a smile threatening to tug at her lips. "You are amazing," wary words would flow from her mouth without realizing. "And your children are beautiful. Rest, and I'll watch them." Though she hoped some of the pack might hear her call and come to check on Novel, she was content to be quiet and watch over her babies, hardly able to imagine how tired she might be -- and barely able to believe how strong she was despite all that she had endured.
09-25-2014, 11:08 AM
Despite the intermittent flashes of lightning, which cast eerie shadows on the back wall of the den, and despite the loud roaring of thunder from above, Ara felt at peace. The birth had gone smoothly, though it hadn't been without pain. Still she saw the smile that touched Novel's lips, and she responded with a small smile of her own, warmth shining in her normally subdued gaze. Perhaps things would get better now. She knew Novel loved Psalm and Hymn from the moment she saw them, and Ara felt love already beginning to form in her own heart for the two boys.
Her attention shifted as soon as the sound of paws on the wet earth reached her ears. Almost instantly her heart lurched, fearing for the worse; but her worries were quickly cast aside as the familiar face of Novel's brother appeared. Slowly her tail would begin to wag behind her slightly tensed frame, another smile tugging at both corners of her mouth. She watched as he leaned to nuzzle Novel's cheek, the smile lingering for a long moment as she watched the siblings interact. It was not at all unlike how she might greet Faolan or Mercury. 'Thank you for being here when I couldn't,' he would thank her, and Ara shook her head gently as she looked up at him. "No need to thank me," she said quickly. "There is nowhere I'd rather be."