She was all alone now. Voltage had vanished, as well as most of her family. But what struck her the most, what cut her the deepest, was that Voltage was gone. Her other half, her counterpart. She had been so terrified about being a mother, so against it, and she needed him the most. It wasn't like him to just up and vanish, which worried her. But she was in no condition to go and look for him, not when she looked like she was about to burst. Serefina let out a whine as she pressed up against the side of the volcano, feeling very off. Her belly ached with every step, her breath coming out more and more shallow. Something didn't feel right. Everything was too tight, too compressed. It felt like she was being squeezed from the inside, her steps staggering as she made her way around the base of the volcano. As the first contractions seized her, unbelievable pain shot through her. Serefina stopped short, feeling a small trickle of blood start to leave her. No, no no. This was not happening. Not without Voltage, not without her family. Letting out a cry of pain she fell down to her side, trying to breath through the pain. Her head rose and she looked at her hindquarters, surprised at the amount of blood that was already leaving her. Her breath hitched in her throat, something felt very, very wrong. More and more contractions ripped through her, each more painful than the last. Her ember eyes flew open wide, the puddle of blood starting to colour her back legs. It was hard to tell what was blood and what was her fiery markings now. Serefina let out a pained howl as her muscles started to move on their own will, her legs kicking at the damp ground. A light drizzle of rain started to fall, slowly soaking into her coat. Slowly a whine left her maw, as she looked up to the sky. There was something in her mind that was telling her that she was going to die. She could have guessed too, the pups weren't even out yet and she was bleeding a lot. Ironic, she never wanted to be a mother. Now it looked like that very task would be the thing that took her life. Serefina couldn't help but let out a strangled laugh at the thought of it. She was going to be a mother, and die alone. The poor whelps wouldn't even survive. Perhaps she was saving them from this cruel world, where everyone seemed to leave when you needed them most. occ;// Private for Keno ATM, and then opened up to family when she nears death. "Talk" "You" Think

Entering the lands known as Boreas had been a long and strange journey in and of itself. But Carletta had been blessed, she decided, for she was not traveling alone. At least not at first. Amaia had been with her, her sister. Her more motivated half as Carletta sometimes referred to her as. The monochrome colored woman was in a wonderful mood though, feeling light and free. Since the two had left their homeland they were fortunate to not run into many troubles. It seemed that lady luck was on their side lately and that kept Carletta in high spirits. But for some fate was not so kind... And Carletta was about to get a taste of how harsh reality could sometimes be.

The pained howl that went up awoke Carletta with a start. She and Amaia had come to a stop upon the mountain to rest and then decide what to do next... But... Carletta glanced towards her sister. She felt worried. Whomever that wolf was they sounded like they were in some terrible trouble. Mutter a curse in Spanish the maiden would rise, making her decision. She was going to check out was going on and if possible offer her help to the other. Sure they were a stranger, and strangers could be good or bad... But there was something about the pain in that voice that touched Carletta. She couldn’t just sit by and do nothing. Not this time.

"Estaré de vuelta , hermana." The female turned her head, swiveling her ears. Hopefully Amaia woke long enough to hear her, otherwise her sister would likely be in a panic if Carletta wasn’t back by the time she got up.

But pushing that thought aside Carletta would flee from the area she and her sister had been resting. Further up the mountain she traveled, soon catching the scent of blood upon the air. The femme furrowed her brow, her breath catching in her throat. What was she going to be walking into, she wondered? What scene of tragedy? Her paws were tingling, fear gripping her stomach in a tight knot. But how would she have felt if the roles were reversed for the femme she was about to discover?

Then the monochrome wolfess saw her. A she-wolf with a coat of burning air; fire. Carletta was worried at first by the sight of her, but, as she realized the scent of blood was stronger here she realized this must have been the wolf to have called out in pain. Blue gaze softened as she padded up to the stranger, the smell of blood stronger the closer she got.

"Pobre , pobre ..." The female muttered to herself. But wait... This wolf she was still alive! Carletta tried to meet her gaze, switching to what she figured was the more common tongue of the wolves here. “Help, yes? You need?” The female’s own common was far from perfect but she had a basic grasp of it. Usually to avoid making errors she did her best to speak in shorter sentences. Her gaze would turn to the female’s pulsing belly, ears tilting back as she realized what was going on.

“Babies. Your little ones coming.” She glanced back towards the she wolf again, giving a soft whine. She was no healer but she wasn’t stupid either. She knew something was wrong... This she would would survive her whelping. She’d seen it before in her home pack.

“I stay. I... I help how I can.” The female shifted on her paws, wondering if there might be something she could get for the other femme.

Ooc:: Hover over Spanish words for English translation!

Her tongue lolled out of her mouth, heavy panting making her sides heave even harder. Tears welled up in her eyes, she was going to die alone in this pathetic world. Would Voltage even know that she was gone? Would he feel her energy melt away like the last ember dying in a fire? She didn't know, and she wouldn't be able to ever find out. She sobbed openly, the pain that raced through her like licks of flames. She was going to die in fire, metaphorically. This day was just full of irony. She didn't know if she could hold on a lot longer, her vision was starting to grow blurry, her head pulsing. She was getting weaker the more she bled. She had hemorrhaged, and there was no coming back from that. But even though her mind wasn't fully in it, her body reacted the way it should. She pushed without needing to think about it, holding her breath from the effort to expel the whelps from within her. And then there was a voice. Serefina turned her head to see a spotted creature, almost thinking that it was a snow leopard coming to consume her before she could die fully from bleeding out. But no, when she spoke in a language she understood, she realized it was another wolf. A stranger, and by the sounds of it, new to these lands. Her English was broken, but good enough that she could understand her. "I don't know if I can be helped anymore," she rasped, a sour laugh leaving her maw. It was already too late, her life force was ebbing out of her slowly. She simply nodded her head when the woman stated that the puppies were coming, she knew. And she knew that bringing them into this world would be the last thing that she ever did. "My name is Serefina Elementas. Take the pups please, and tell them of their last name. The fact that their family was great and had their own elements. Naming them can be up to you. Please... raise them well," she choked, more tears sliding down her face and mixing with the rain. She never wanted these children in the first place, but now she wanted to make sure that they were raised right. She had no idea who this woman was, but she had stopped to help her. She said she would stay, and she nodded her head again. She was glad that she wasn't alone anymore, the comfort of having someone at her side before she passed on from this world. As she contracted again, the first child slipped free and into this world. She was too weak to move back and see to it, or to even see her very first child. There wasn't much of a break before the pain started anew, a soft whine passing through her gritted teeth. She didn't know her first child was a male, or that his coat was more splendid than her own. She looked at the spotted female, trying to meet her blue eyes. She was afraid, scared to leave this world. "Talk" "You" Think

As the woman spoke, her voice raspy and pained, Carletta’s eyes shown with a bit of pain and understanding. She knew the woman would not live... But she did not wish to dampen her already breaking spirit with talk of death. The only purpose the fae could serve to the would be mother now was first a guardian, a watchful eye on her as life ebbed from her body. Then, if any children were indeed born, she would take care of them. Mentally Carletta kicked herself for not training in the healing arts. Would she have been able to do more for the woman then? If not save her, at least ease the pain of her passing?

Though Carletta did not know this women personally she felt her heart pang with sorrow for her. It had to be hard, to know you were going to produce children just to die... To never see them grow. She understood little of what the femme, Serefina Elemetntas, meant by her words. But she would tell these children the best she could... Give them stories to help them grow. Perhaps one day they might seek out the other members of their family, were there any still about. It troubled Carletta how Serefina was on her own... To go through this pain without her family at her side.

The silvery-gray femme would move closer, gently brushing her nose over Serefina’s shoulder. “I will take them. They know love. Know their family.” Her words were kindly, gentle. She wished with all her heart that the femme went with as little pain as possible... And hoped that somehow her presence here could at least bring some peace to Serefina. The blue eyes of the femme met with those of the fire woman, honesty and kindness flashing within them. She gave a small nod, whispering to her, trying to soothe her. “It okay... Pain will dull soon. I here.” The femme promised. “I Carletta Morales.” Her name held a strong accent it only felt right to give the dying woman her name. Perhaps, when the time came, they would meet again in the next life.

Now Carletta turned to the little one that had been produced. She picked it up carefully, moving him to a position where his mother would be able to get a glance at him if she could shift her head. Carletta would begin to lick the little one clean, his coat even more brilliantly marked with the burning air than the female who birthed him. The spotted femme smiled gently, love already in her eyes for the little one. She adored children, though had no mate of her own yet. She would make sure that this one, and whatever siblings he may have, were raised with care.

“You do a good. Male pup. Healthy.” Carletta glanced back at Serefina. “Serefina strong. Gods call her early.” The she wolf nosed the newborn close to her gut, wanting to make sure he stayed warm. “Sorry... Pain... Bad. I no know medicine.” The female felt guilty, dipping her head. The woman before her was suffering... And all she could do was sit there and watch.

The other female brushed her nose against her, and the sweet gesture calmed her somewhat. It didn't last too long though, her vision was starting to blur more and more. When the other woman spoke it was like through a cave system, and she had to strain to hear her. A huge breath left her lungs as the woman said that she would take her pups, how ever many that they were. She was so thankful that out of all the wolves of Ardent, this creature came to her. Without even knowing her she promised that they would know about love and family. A small smile touched her lips for a moment, quickly fading with the next line of contractions. "Thank you, Carletta Morales, I wish I could repay you in some way," she whispered, her voice growing more and more hoarse. She wouldn't live much longer, she knew that. When the first pup came out, Carletta placed the whelp against her belly. She lifted her head slightly, looking at the fireball. Her ember eyes widened slightly at the looks of him. He seemed to keep up the family tradition of being an oddball. She couldn't look much longer, her head thumping to the damp ground again. She was almost totally soaked now, the soft rain not seeming to stop. It looked like the sky was crying for her too. Serefina wept, her eyes sliding closed as her body gave one final heave. Her next child came out, her final pup. Again she could not move to clean her, or even see her. She just laid on the ground, as more and more of her life left her. Her once bright eyes were dull, and she kept bleeding. Even though the pups were out, she kept losing blood. It was a slow, painful death. The woman told her that her first one had been a male, big and strong. And that she was being taken by the gods. She didn't believe in gods, but the words were comforting to her. She saw the woman's guilt and shook her head back and forth. "No, it's fine. I just... thank you. For staying, for being the mother to my children." She paused as the breath wheezed out of her lungs, each one more painful than the last. "Can... can you do me one last favor? Can you howl for any Elementas? I... I don't know," she stopped, her breath catching in her throat. She had to stop to catch her breath, each one now causing her pain. "I don't know if my family is here... but... one last goodbye. You know?" Her own words were broken up now, she was pushing her words out with effort now. Her eyes slide closed, her breaths coming out further and further between. Serefina flinched at the pain of her oncoming death, hoping that any family members would get here in time. ooc;// Thread is open to family after Keno's post! "Talk" "You" Think

Around them the rain fell, as if even nature itself knew that a good creature was being reclaimed by the gods. Carletta could feel her own wave of grief growing stronger, knowing the woman’s time was nearing. It was hard, hard to accept this. Sure Serefina had been but a stranger... But... She uttered a soft sigh, partly wishing that Amaia was here with her. Her sister’s support would have been appreciated... But if she did not trail after her Carletta would not be sore with her.

As the second child was born Carletta dutifully moved to her. The same process of carefully moving the little form and cleaning her was made. Carletta could feel tears sting her own eyes. Though she would be a mother to these children at the same time she was not. They were not her babies, but the babies of a mother they wouldn’t have the chance to know. That reality had Carletta weeping for Sere and her little ones... A broken family from the start.

She didn’t mind that Serefina was unable to repay her for her kindness. The chance to raise her little ones would be thanks enough, she thought. Carletta moved the little girl next to her brother, gazing sadly at Serefina as the female made one last request. She wanted to call to her family, if they were here, for one final goodbye. The femme could understand that desire and without a word tilted her head back, howling as loud as she could for the Elementas family. If they were any in the area she prayed the Gods gave them speed. She didn’t know how much longer Serefina would last...

As one more act Carletta lay beside Serefina, the children between them. The silvery-gray female’s blue eyes settled on Serefina’s face, a soft whine given as tears rolled down her cheeks. “I pray they hear... That they come.” Carletta woul set her head on her paws. “Second pup good too. Little girl. Beautiful like Serefina.” She said, her voice cracking with empathy for the she-wolf’s situation.

He was deaf to the pain and fear that surrounded his birth. He squealed with a burning rage as he slipped free from his cage, flopping onto the cold ground with a shriek. Blindly he bobbed his head up and down, his desire to nurse strong. Trying to stumble his way to his mothers belly, he was suddenly airborne. He panicked at the feeling, his little stubby limbs flailing in open air. But soon the warmth of something pressed at his face, the scent that he so longed for filling his nose. He bumped against her stomach until he found what he was looking for, latching on with a fierce determination. The sound of him suckling filled the air, when soon another source of heat radiated against his back. There was another little wiggly thing beside him, but he paid no mind to his sister. He only wanted the milk that was in front of him, the nameless whelp didn't have much else in his mind. Once he was full he just plopped down right where he was, not bothering to move. This was close to the one thing that he wanted, and he would stay here beside it. Plus, it was warm and comfortable, two heat sources pounding against him like gentle waves. A satisfied sigh left his mouth, and he slept with a full belly. "SPEAK"

She entered into this world in a much more quiet way than her brother before her. The larger girl did not complain at the cold ground, just shuffled on the uncomfortable surface. A warm tongue was suddenly at her coat, and she laid still as she was cleaned. She was quite content with herself at the moment, even though hunger gnawed at her tiny belly. She just somehow knew what was coming. The girl squeaked a bit when she was brought into the sky, but other than that she did not make a sound. Placed beside her brother, she slowly nuzzled her way into her mother's belly, far less demanding than her litter mate was. She was oblivious to everything going on around her, pleased that she had found her food source. She ate quickly, before she pulled off and stumbled around. There was something else warm behind her, the heat of her mother was slowly fading. Trying to find the warmest place, she wiggled her way to the crook of the warmer lady's elbow. Curling up, she let out a tiny sigh before she too fell asleep. This place was warmer than the last, and she was happy here. She did not note the lacking presence of her brother, for she didn't know about him just yet. Full and warm, the girl just waited in the darkness of her mind. Soon enough things would all make sense. "Talk" "You" Think

It had all disappeared in a blink of an eye. One day everything was fine, the next he looked up from the cliff side that he and his siblings lingered on to see the beach they had called home turned into a ghost time. He was glad he had managed to find Cirrus, but that was the only soul he had managed to find before he left the old Elementas lands to search for any of the others. It had taken some searching, but he found Sere's scent and started following her scent. He already knew where it would lead him, but all the same it was comforting in a way to find her scent when it seemed like the majority of their family had vanished. Rain started coming down around him and he glanced up breifly at the gray sky above them. It was fitting that the sun wouldn't be with him now. As he began to slowly make his way up the volcano, a howl suddenly called to him and he lifted his head from surprise and listened. The voice was unfamiliar, but he recognized that it was calling for his family. He hurried to make his way up to where the call was coming from, a gray, spotted wolf soon coming into view. His gaze glanced down a bit, landing on Serefina's form. Shock and worry shot through him and he ran toward them, the scent of blood hitting him next. He opened his mouth to speak as he slowed to a stop just a couple of feet from them, but the sight of the two pups at her stomach stunned him and the words died in his throat. He glanced worriedly at the blue-eyed woman breifly before coming over to lay on his stomach on the damp ground by Sere's head. "Sere..." he said softly, his mind reeling and trying to gather what all was happening. He could tell she wasn't doing well and he was probably lucky to arrive when he had or he would have missed this moment entirely. Speak Thought Others

A faint smile touched her lips at the woman's words, but even that took too much effort. It was hard for her mind to hold any thoughts, and she could feel the warmth slipping from her body. She didn't even feel the pups pressed up against her, or if they were there at all. All she knew was the dying howl of the kind stranger. She held on for as long as she could, but it was taking too long. Until at last, a soft voice broke through everything. Her eyes were nearly blind to the world already, but she turned and saw Solaris' face. A sad smile formed on her lips before she coughed weakly, her head laying back down. "You're... the only one... left," she wheezed out, finding it harder and harder to do anything. It was almost time, everything was slipping away from her grip. "D-don't be a... stranger. To these... puppies," Serefina winked one of her ember eyes, before she slowly slid them closed. "Thank you... both. Love you, sunny boy." She coughed out. And that was it. Her breathing slowed until it was no more, her heart giving one final thud. She had hemorrhaged, lost far too much blood to have survived. The fiery woman finally burned out, and burned out hot. -exit Serefina via death- ooc;; Sorry this is so short and horrible I just couldn't even. I needed to get it over with. "Talk" "You" Think

One came... And one alone. The last of the children’s true family. Carletta gazed at the male with sympathetic eyes, staying silent as the last moments of the femme known as Serefina Elementas came to pass. As she felt the femme beside her fade Carletta uttered a sigh, glancing towards the golden brute with the bright eyes. “Gone.” Carletta announced sadly, her ears held back against her head. She glanced towards the children, then at the male once more. “In area we stay.” At least for now, Carletta thought. The children were far too little to be moved very far anyway. The tri-color femme’s blue eyes lingered on him for a moment before she spoke again. “I Carletta. I watch over...” She glanced at the little ones again, her heart sinking. They would need to moved to a den and soon... She hesitated before moving her head towards the little girl, giving her first a lick and then her brother. Poor things... They wouldn’t even know that their mother had been lost. What of the male? How would he react? "Talk" "You" Think