The time had flown and she could barely remember the aches and pains of carrying her children. Her dreams of having a family were much different from her current situation. She had no mate and no experience in this department so normally a female would be fretting over what could happen. Instead Storm was calm and relaxed letting go of her worries so that she could focus on what she needed to do. She had been committed to her rank up until this week where she spent her time preparing a new den, bigger den that was further from the water. A spot that she felt would be good to raise pups. She took her time digging the den, careful not to over exert herself or wear herself out. She did not want to do anything to harm her pups. She then bedded it down with a mixture of grass and moss to be sure the pups and herself would be comfortable. Next she gathered the herbs from her storage den, ones that she would need for birth and may need over the next couple of weeks. Once those tasks were finished she relaxed and lounged around knowing that the pups would be coming soon. She took it easy and remained lazy keeping in tune with what was going on with her body. She was waiting to get the wake up of the pups coming before she would use her new den, but she stuck around it until the time came. It was early in the evening and Storm was relaxing near her new den, her body calm and she was even dozing. It had been somewhat difficult to get comfortable lately with the pups moving about within her body. She was surprisingly comfortable until the contractions began. They were not horrible, but enough to let the female know her pups were coming tonight. She eased herself up and moved over to the entrance of her new den. She lifted her head and let out a short howl just letting any members of the pack nearby know what was going on before she crawled into her den and curled up to wait. "Talk" | 'Think'

He was finishing up his patrol the moment that the woman's howl sounded, his head rising from where he was sniffing at a badger den. Ears perked to full attention, he knew exactly what that meant. Taking a deep breath he made his way towards her den, taking his time given the calm nature of her call. It would seem that she was just starting, and it gave him time to clear his head. Bass was trying his best to push away the memories of when Wren had given birth to their first litter, just how swollen her belly had been from the five children. His legs grew more and more stiff with each step that he took, his face contorted into a look of pain. He didn't want to think about that right now, not when Storm needed him. He needed to get out of his head and focus on her needs, not his own. Grumbling, he shook himself firmly and trotted towards her den. It was game time.

Arriving at her den he poked his head inside, seeing the black marked female curled up inside. "I am here if you need anything, I will be just outside." He wasn't a healer, and he didn't want to get in the way. Instead he pulled himself out and sat near the entrance, a guard of sorts. Pale ears were twisted towards the den, trying to focus on the here and now instead of on the past.

"Speech" -- "Italian"

Oh bless, pups. Okay, she knew Storm was a healer - that much was clear of the blind woman. Which meant that most likely, she knew exactly what she was doing when it came to pups. But... children. She had never talked to the other woman, though she had seen her around... though that was mostly her fault, staying quiet and not truly integrating herself as part of the pack. The call seemed to change things. The message in it struck her heart, and the woman let out the breath she had been holding. Pups. The delightful, delicate, terrifying creatures who were both simultaneously amazing and horrifying. It was something that... that she never experienced, but more than ever had a longing to. It was a slow change, and one that brought a smile to her face even as it brought a pang to her chest. She doubted she'd have the opportunity, after nearly six years of life. And... she knew. Okay, she had already known - but... she wanted to be there, at the birth. She may not know what to do... but perhaps she could learn? Alright, at that point, she knew... she knew she was just making excuses for herself as to why she wanted to be there when they were born. Part of it was indeed she had no idea how to deal with a birthing or pregnancy, but the other was just... a longing. She knew she'd likely not have children of her own; why not be there for other pups? There was nothing saying that she couldn't, and perhaps it'd give her that thing which she felt she was missing. A trembling smile on her lips, she started haring over to where the call came from. Storm, Storm, Storm. She recognized the smell of the female only after a while - she knew where Storm had set up den, and it didn't take long to find where the new mother would lay. What she wasn't expecting was to see Bass outside the den. She nearly skidded to a halt, her eyes wide in alarm as her heart thudded in her chest. What - what was Bass doing here? It was legitimate confusion. He most certainly wasn't the father of the pups, and had no idea what he was doing with herbs... it only took a moment for it to hit her from his posture. It was like he was standing guard, when Storm had no mate to do it for her So Bass was doing it, as the alpha of the pack. It made a smile light up her face at the thought, but her attention quickly slid from the alpha to the darkness of the den. A painful expression twisted her face - one of longing, one of joy, and one of apprehension. After all, it was possible for the pups or Storm to not survive.   Pausing, she took a deep breath, her eyes closing. She'd already forgotten that Bass was there; she was wholly focused on the new life that was about to exist, and she crept towards the den solemnly, her expression still that mix of easily read emotions. She spared Bass only a glance before she poked her head in. "I'm Vali. I'm one of the other healers, though I... admittedly know nothing about this sort of thing. Is there... is there anything I can do to help?" The older wolf was hoping and praying that it was a possibility. "Talk" "You" Think

It wasn't long before she heard the approach of another and she tried to remain focused on what she would have to do. Soon the deep voice of bass softly graced her den. Smiling the female's tail wagged as he spoke. Stating he would be outside if she needed him she nodded lightly. "Thank you so much Bass" she said softly. She heard him shuffle outside of her den and then things grew quiet again. He must have been able to settle down. So far it wasn't time just yet, but she was as prepared as she could be and ready to go through this. Besides it was a female's right to get this joy one day and though she was scared she was excited to have kids. She tried to relax, laying her head down and waiting for the time to come when the pups would be ready to come. Her ears perked as another voice spoke from the entrance of her den. This one she didn't recognize, but the scent was somewhat familiar. She knew she was part of Abaven, but she was unsure of who exactly she was. Storm smiled to the female her tail gently wagging. She was a healer which was a needed relief. If she had someone to get the herbs when she needed them she could focus more on the birthing. "Yes of course! It would be a relief if you could give me the herbs from m pile over there when I need them... This is my first time so another healer here is relieving," she said. The contractions were beginning to get much stronger and she was starting to feel some pain. They were coming and yet the mother to be still felt like she wasn't ready. "Talk" | 'Think'

He heard nothing, didn't even see Vali as she walked up. Try as he may he couldn't get the past out of his mind, yellow eyes glazing over as he transported himself back there. He could hear Wren's panicked howl echo in his ears as their five children started to shift, the look on her face as he stepped into their den. Bass' body grew stiff as his mind reeled, the sound of his own voice trying to calm down Wren during their first litter. Rhythm had been there as well, tending to her as she got prepared for labor.

"Shh, my darling, shh. I'm here. Rhythm is coming soon my love. Just breath, its all okay." He said calmly, forcing himself to remain sturdy for her. Bass stepped over her heaving form, sides quivering as her body was getting ready to do what it did best. He scooted in behind her, close enough to brush against her but at the same time giving her space. Her body was already starting to grow hot, and Bass started to hum softly. Anything to take her mind off of it, to ease these pains that she was going through. "Baby mine, don't you cry." He sang softly, nuzzling in behind her ear. "Get ready my love, push when you feel the need to with all your might. These little ones need you, aren't you excited to see their little faces?" He asked, whispering in her ear. He sure was, he couldn't wait to meet the little trouble makers.

The alpha's body quivered as he sank down to his belly. Covering his head with his paws he shoved it all back into his mind, or at least tried to. But it just kept going, he couldn't hit the pause button on the memory wheel.

Wren pulled her head into her chest and breathed out hoarsely, body shifting so that she wasn't lying flat on her side anymore. Although, she had made sure not to move too much, as all five of the pups were attached to her stomach. Her head twisted around and she had managed to take a good look at every one of them. Soon enough, tears began to swell in her eyes. "Mie coccole..." She hummed, her emotions overwhelming her as she leaned in to gaze upon their tiny little forms. They were all so beautiful. Several of them looked a lot like their parents, while the others looked a bit different. Such as one of the boys, who looked a bit like Motif or Rhythm.

Wren laughed to herself softly and lowered her head again, listening as Bass threw out a rather brilliant idea for their names. She nodded happily. "...That'd be wonderful, Bass." The exhausted dame forced her eyes shut, breathing relaxing itself as her body grew closer and closer to the point of sleep. But before she completely drifted off, she whispered to them, "Maybe Finch...could be one for a girl," She hummed.

Unwanted tears slid down his face, and Bass pulled himself to his paws sharply. Shaking his several times he took off in a sprint, running for his life; away from the memories. He had promised Storm that he would be there, but he hadn't imagined that it would have been this hard. He ran until his lungs screamed at him to slow down and he skid to a stop, his nose brushing the earth as he gasped for air.

No! He was stronger than this! He could fight this stupid memory pool of death. Violently he shook his head again before slowly making his way back to Storm's den. It would take a little bit, but he wouldn't let him down because he had issues with his ex mate. No, he would be the strong alpha today. Dragging his paws behind him, he trod carefully back to the den.

"Speech" -- "Italian"

She smiled brightly at the woman's response, nodding, before realizing that the woman wouldn't be able to see her. "Yes, of course!" she murmured excitedly, sliding into the den to grasp the herbs gently. She dropped them off in front of the laboring woman. "Which herbs are these?" she questioned. Okay, maybe it wasn't the right time for an herb lesson, but maybe it'd also distract Storm from the labor pains. "I don't know them - my specialty is in battlefield healing." Okay, wait, maybe it wasn't a good idea to say that. Storm had just said that she was relieved that another healer was here, but then she just admitted that... she knew absolutely nothing. Well, brilliant. Biting her tongue, she glanced away, back towards the entrance of the den, only to catch a glimpse of white... and not where Bass had been before. Frowning, she backed out of the den briefly - still there, but checking outside. Bass was already gone, disappearing into the trees; the scent of him was all that remained. Confusion made her ears flatten - confusion and worry. She wanted to follow, but she wouldn't - not while Storm was still needing help. She poked her head back into the den after a few moments. "I'm afraid I don't know your name, though I've smelled you around," she murmured after a moment, quietly wishing that her nerves weren't so... high, really. They were frazzled, on edge, and it made her twitchy and uncertain. Then again, she wasn't sure what she was doing, anyhow - but wow, it made her feel like a young adult again, just setting out after her family. Shaking herself briefly, she watched Storm with a fascination... and even envy. It was only a commotion outside that drew her attention, though it was more just pawsteps in the grass. Glancing at Storm again, she murmured, "I'll be right back." She felt hesitant leaving the birthing woman, but this was... also important. She saw Bass returning, and with a little bit of focus, she saw the look on him - the defeated look, as if something hurt him. Vali frowned, concerned, and she approached him, pressing her nose to his shoulder briefly in support. "Let's talk after, alright?" She only waited a brief moment before she started heading back to the den; she wanted to talk to him about what happened, there, but first off... first off, there was a pregnant woman giving birth, and that came first. Popping back into the den merely a minute later, she sat down, and waited intensely, her anticipation writhing in her stomach along with nervousness. "Talk" "You" Think

She didn't know how difficult this birth would be so she had done her best to prepare. The pups father was large and she feared that her small size may not be able to handle the pups if they were large. She had stocked herself with three different herbs that helped with pregnancy, one of them that would be taken after all the pups were born. She wasn't sure how many she would have or even how long her labor would be, but she prayed to the gods that she would give birth without trouble. Vali then slipped into her den and she could hear her over at the pile of herbs before she curiously asked about them. Storm smiled her question helping to keep herself calm as her mind focused on the herbs. Even when the women claimed she was mainly a healer in the battlefield Storm's calmness didn't falter. Regardless of what kind of healer she was Storm was still at ease now that another healer was here. "The three I have are the best ones to find for pregnancy," she claimed before stretching her neck out to sniff at the pile of herbs which were much closer now. With her nose she pointed to the first one which had large green leaves and small white flowers. "This one is called Trillium which when ingested it helps to ease the pain of childbirth," she stated. Before she could go on she heard the soft drum of paw steps that quickly faded away from the den entrance. It drew her attention like it had did with Vali and Storm grew quiet. She could hear soft shuffling as Vali exited the den briefly. It was only a few moments before Vali spoke to her once again and Storm smiled. "Storm Wreckage" she answered with ease. Vali then stated she would be right back and slipped out of the den again. Moments later her body stiffened as both pain and contraction shook her body. Tongue flopped from her mouth as she shifted and began to pant. The first pup was coming and though she didn't call out for help she hoped Vali would be back soon. The moments that Vali re-entered the den the contractions and the pain grew more frequent and she laid flat on her side in an attempt to get comfortable. The pain grew worse and her panting grew faster. Sitting up the female angled her face towards where she assumed Vali to be. "Trillium..... Please...," she asked between pants. When Vali gave her the herbs she tried to quickly ingest them. The pain was worsening, these pups must be bigger and she knew she would be in for a rough labor. Flopping back to her side her muscles quivered as another wave of pain shot through her body. Stretching herself out she tried to remain quiet aside from grunting at the much stronger contractions. The first pup to come took what felt like forever, taking a little to push through her small pelvic area. It wasn't huge, but bigger which meant it was more effort. She was sure to be exhausted after this birth. When the first pup was out she shifted to sit up and reached back gently taking the pup and pulling it close, trying to clean it as quick as possible and stimulate it to breath. Once it was clean and breathing she gently nudged it towards her swollen and warm teats for the pup to keep warm and feed. "Talk" | 'Think'

Bass felt hollow as he made his way back to the den, but did his best to push it all aside. He would be here for these children no matter what. They didn't have a father, so he had big paw steps to fill here as the alpha. Taking a few deep breaths, he glanced up at Vali as she poked out, but he quickly tried to shoo her back in. It would seem she just came for a few words anyways, from the sounds from within the den it was time. "After." He agreed, nodding his head and taking his post up once more. Here he would sit until he knew that all was well, shutting a steel door on any more memories that wanted to slip out. Enough of that, of all of this. He was an adult, not some adolescence teen who was plagued by his emotions. Taking one last deep breath, he waited.

ooc;// Go ahead and skip Bass guys, until this is all done. <3

"Speech" -- "Italian"