The iridescent moon overhead shone with startling brightness, casting ghastly shadows down on the range. Silence had forced its grip onto the Kingdom of Seracia and seemed hesitant to relinquish its hold. Everything seemed at a standstill -- still there was no sign of the three wolves who were believed to have been taken captive by Glaciem -- and with each day she could sense the tension in the Kingdom growing. And yet in an instant, everything would change.

An abrupt contraction wracked the Queen's body, a strong pain that shook her from her light slumber and forced her quite suddenly into consciousness. A growl would escape her lips as the pressure became overwhelming. Everything seemed far more painful than it had just a few seasons ago. Like her last pregnancy, this one had been unplanned, but somehow even more so than the previous. She had been utterly void of joy at the prospect of more children, bereft of the enthusiasm that a mother ought to feel. And though Epiphron had never been a particularly complex woman on the face of it all, she felt a bitter kind of distaste towards herself that she could not even hide from the King himself.

But there was no turning back now. She had quietly accepted her predicament, and would raise this litter even more carefully than she had her first. Her children would be of Adravendi blood, pure and beautiful -- the Mathias line would be of benefit as well, giving rise to beautiful warriors and Kings. There was truly no man she would prefer as the father of her children, and she sought his presence and she rolled to her side, letting another whimper escape her clenched jaws. Though her den was sheltered and safe, she suddenly felt cold and exposed, and her sudden movements to find Maverick's warmth would make that all too obvious.

(Anyone can join this after a few of her family posts. I'm assuming Maverick & kids are in the den with her, but it's okay if they aren't!)

She would stir, and with her movements the King would lift his head. He had not been asleep, nor had he even attempted to be. His mind wandered as the geese, and there was no sense trying to quiet his quarrelsome thoughts. A sigh lifted from his lips, as he knew the day of this litters' birth would soon be upon them - perhaps even today. He hated himself for not being more pleased, but alas, who would be thrilled at the prospect of children with Alacritia in the state that it was? No one, he justified in his mind. Absolutely no one. He would extend his head in order to grace her shoulder, it was an awkward angle - but possible nevertheless. She had experienced bouts of sickness lately that came with pregnancy, and so calmly and perhaps exhaustedly he would pose a question. "Are you alright, Epiphron?" Perhaps had he been in a better mood he might have called her a pet name like 'love' or 'darling' but alas, all that could pour forth from him was the product of his rather foul mood. Voice would be hushed, a whisper meant for she and she alone, though if any child were particularly involved in the situation, they might have picked up on the notes as well. "speeeeech"

Her devotion to her husband, to Maverick was pure -- even if their relationship had been strained in the last few weeks. She had never lost the loyalty that had been embedded so deeply in her heart, for her father's lessons had permanently changed her into a woman that would never betray one of her own. Another whimper would escape her lips, and she would shift to seek more of Maverick's warmth, unimpressed by the gentle nudge of his nose against her shoulder.

"It's time," she told him softly, not wanting to wake her children, though she knew they would awaken eventually. If they were even in the den. They were growing older now, and some of them seemed content to wander the nights, even scout the borders and explore; but her attention was, instead, focused on Maverick. "I am certain."

She didn't know what to expect. Would she have one child, or five? She'd been given few cues ... occasional kicks here and there, but nothing certain. Part of her feared they would be stillborn, but her concerns would not be voiced. Her somber and vaguely irritable facade had said more than her words ever could. Another contraction would rip through her body, making her convulse slightly where she lay. She was grateful for the darkness of the den, as she was certain her expression, contorted with pain, was anything but lovely. "Please... call someone." Anything to help with the pain; it seemed Loccian was the best option.

He knew he was being a pitiful husband, and so he would shift his bodice to meet hers more fully - a smile forced upon his lips. It would not do well to give her any reason to feel worse than she already did. He knew she was miserably pregnant, and would remain so until their children entered the world. She spoke, two words that sent a shiver down his spine. It was time, she was certain of it. He nodded, gulping almost audibly. In a matter of hours his family would be significantly larger, even if just one child came forth it would mean an innocent, helpless mouth to feed. He felt her convulse, and instinctively rose to give her more room, whilst remaining close by should she need him. He felt calmer this time, and certainly more dismal. She would beg of him to call someone, and immediately he would move to the entrance of the den, poking just his muzzle out and calling forth Loccian. His melodic tone held a certain urgency as it tapered into the air. Rotating toward her, Maverick would near her bodice and kiss the crown of her head gently. "You've done this once before, I know you can do it again." Words were truly spoken - she was a fighter and a survivor - he was hardly even worried except for the pain she was in. "speeeeech"

OOC: If you guys want Ama to come in a bit later just let me know <33 I'm down to have this post deleted if so <33

She could tell something was happening, but she couldn't say what exactly. When she woke up after a night sleeping in a den by herself (a rare occurrence, having come about after a day spent adventuring and enjoying her health), there seemed to be something in the air that put her off. Ears perked, bright blue eyes searching around her for signs of distress. Rising to her paws, the girl decided to seek out her parents or her brothers. Perhaps they would know what was wrong, at the very least she hoped there was nothing wrong with them. Well, she hoped there was nothing wrong with anybody, but above all else the child hoped her family was safe.

Her father's voice caught her ears, a summons for Loccian, and curiously the babe approached. Her head peered into the den, spying upon her mother, uncertain of what was happening. The girl knew she was going to have baby siblings soon (a fact which thrilled her above all else), but she didn't know what was happening. She didn't know what she was seeing. "Is Mama okay?" she asked her father, looking up at him. She wanted to go inside the den, but didn't want to crowd her mother, either, instead waiting for instruction from either parent. "Do I need to get something?" she asked, voice shaky with uncertainty, but the desire to help and be useful apparent.

THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I WISH I WAS OLDER and I could speak the language of many Arian had been out gathering herbs when she noticed something peculiar around the den of her parents. As soon as she saw her sister go in, the pup had dragged herself along with her. Once she noticed her mother her jaw dropped a bit as she walked in alongside Amalia. Giving her a quick lick over the cheek to greet her sibling. While she hadn't spent a lot of time with them, they were still her siblings after all. "Dad, is mom in labor?" the girl asked. She had heard about it from her mentor. The young pup learned fast that was for sure. While she didn't know everything, if that was the case she wanted to help bring her new siblings into the world. Her expression moved from a stern look to a soft smile as she turned towards her mother. Giving a soft nod of her head, hoping that she would be alright. Looking over at Amalia who had shown her concern. There wasn't much they could do until the healer got here. But she wanted to help with it.

At the sound of the call Loccian was off. It wasn't like Maverick to give such a call, and so she would have to assume something happened, whether it was an injury or the Queen's pups coming... the pups. The Ambassador would come to a sudden stop at the treeline of the southern forest, if the Queen was in labor then she should bring some things to help. Yes! The woman would turn tail and run back to her den, rummaging through the small herb storage nearby then set off to where the call came from.

Upon arrival the woman would see two small figures standing outside the den, peering inside. It was Arian and Amalia. Loccian would smile as she approached, setting her herbs down on the right of Amalia, giving a dip of her head to the children before gazing into the den. "They are coming, yes?" She spoke in sweet tones, watching Epiphron carefully before turning to the girls. "Wanna help your mother out dears? One of you can pull the leaves and flowers off those stems, and one could go fetch some water with moss by the lake." Surely they were excited and wanted to help somehow, Loccian wouldn't take the chance away from them.

Carefully she would slip inside, moving in close to the Queen but leaving enough room so she wouldn't feel smothered. "Have the contractions started?" She would ask quickly, nudging small leaves and pebbles out of the den, making space for the pups when they would soon be born.


"normal.
talk.
think.
you"

The two of them had certainly been kinder and more perceptive toward one another in the past -- but the circumstances were clearly quite different now. Though things had changed, she was certain her love had only grown stronger, even if it was not outwardly obvious. A sigh would escape her lips as he pressed closer to her, his warmth assuring and calming. Epiphron's back would arch as she curled closer, rattled by another painful contraction, so strong she was certain she could not bear the pain. And yet her world remained surprisingly intact, though her vision grew blurry and the form of those entering the den was almost unrecognizable to the Queen.

Amalia's voice would always bring a smile to her lips, even in the darkest of hours -- and now was no exception. "Amalia," she would murmur, voice quivering with pain and love alike. Oh, how it seemed those two went hand in hand these days. "Come, lay beside me." It would be an eye-opening thing for the young girl, but something Epiphron wanted her to witness. And though the den was not huge, it had been significantly widened in the last few months in preparation for her birth, and the few of them could fit comfortably in here. Arian's voice sounded next, making another smile dance across her pained features. "And you, too, Arian." She would not be distraught if her two boys were not here; they would meet their future siblings soon enough.

Eyes would flutter closed as the pain continued, contractions growing more fierce and closer together. Loccian had quickly arrived at Maverick's command, and she was beyond grateful for her presence. After Erani, Loccian was the one wolf she trusted most to aid her in a time like this. She instructed the children to help her, and she would not hold them back, even if she longed to feel their warmth at her side. Loccian knew best. "They are strong," she would answer between clenched teeth, a growl bubbling up from within her throat, absent of anger or malice -- simply fulled with pain.

Amalia came just then, asking about her mother and if she could bring anything. Perhaps she could, but Maverick was at a loss on just what to ask for. He extended his neck to offer her a gentle kiss upon her muzzle. "You're mother's just fine, she's about to give birth to your new siblings. Stay close," he would murmur into her ear - trying to keep from disturbing Epiphron. Arian came then, asking more questions. "Yes, she is. Your siblings will be here soon." Much to his relief, Loccian would arrive at last, seeming to already know what was happening. A smile creased his features, boasting of relief and a bit of pride. He was to be a father again. It would be the first time he saw these children's birth as something joyous. Loccian would instruct the girls and then slip inside the den, and he would pivot to follow her - keeping enough distance for her to work and move. Epiphron called the girls to her and he would frown for a second, but would never begin to argue with her. If she wanted them to be a part of this - an intimate part - then so be it. Perhaps it would be good for them both. He moved close enough to caress the top of Epiphron's head, somewhat at a loss for words. "speeeeech"

The woman confirmed that there were contractions, strong ones too. Alright, time to help these kids be brought into the world. Loccian would move away from Epiphron, snagging a few of the herbs in her mouth then coming back close to the woman, setting them down near her shoulder. "Deep breaths, steady pushes." She'd speak while separating the herbs, ones the Queen could take now real quick and ones for after the pups came. Epiphron did this already, she had a basic idea of what to do.

Grabbing a stem Loccian would bring it over, and motion for the Queen to grab it. "Hold this in your jaws, will help make the oils flow and ease some pain." With the healer would move down, watching the woman carefully, ready to help with the soon to be born pups.


"normal.
talk.
think.
you"

Everything was beginning to happen rather quickly, and a dense sort of haze began to wash over her. The pain was growing strong and relentless, coursing through her body with little mercy, making her body shake as though she were a mere child quivering before its parent. The woman of so much strength had become instantaneously so weak, and it would show. Luckily, the few that were here -- except perhaps Loccian -- knew her as a flawed woman, despite her unwavering facade. A groan would leave her lips as she curled closer to Maverick, craving his presence and strength more than anything, though she knew some women detested nothing more than the presence of a male while birthing.

Her world would sway dangerously around her as she sought to maintain a grip on reality. Losing consciousness was a dangerous possibility during childbirth. Her children could not be delivered if she was not present. Loccian gingerly offered her some herbs, and she would snatch them from Loccian's own grasp without hesitation -- it would be an easy way to kill her if someone felt so inclined, for she had no idea what the healer was feeding her. But instead she would gnaw down on them firmly, hardly tasting the plant at all.

It seemed to ease her pain, even if simply because it was a minor distraction from the pain that seemed intent on tearing her lower half apart. The contractions grew quick and stronger, and she writhed as she turned to roll more fully onto her side. A snarl left her parted jaws as her head contacted with the earth, body shifting uncomfortably as the contractions grew visible.

She was not sure how much time passed, three tiny children would emerge from her womb, tiny and helpless. They would squirm and direct themselves toward her belly, moving to suckle eagerly, oblivious to everything going on around them. How nice it must be to know only instinct and nothing more; if only she could remember such simpler times. Panting, exhausted, she would close her eyes, not yet even glancing at her children. Maverick and Loccian and her children, if they so preferred, would ensure they were healthy and clean them -- she was too tired to even look...

ooc// I'm gonna guess that it's okay to post pups now? If not then ignore/delete this XD Also, I want to throw in there that Finiarel's name means "An honorific for a young man of great promise"

The world was warm, dark, familiar to him. Then it shifted all so suddenly! One moment he was comfortably next to his siblings, next second he was being shifted around like a bottle in the ocean. Everything started to feel strange, and before he knew it he was outside...but he didn't know what outside was! He felt the temperature get cooler, and then something was underneath him, later he would come to know it as the ground. Within moments he was at his mother's side, tiny squeaks and yelps coming from his body as he took his first breath. Within moments, he was suckling from his mother, the world around him ignored for now.

The girls arrival did nothing more than cause his worry to slither inside of his corpse - keeping it hidden from them. If he appeared frazzled, so would they. It didn't take incredibly long, though it seemed like hours watching her writhe in pain, for his children to be born. One, two.. three. He would watch as she did not tend to them, but instead remained placid - seemingly exhausted. He didn't blame her. Immediately he would dive toward the firstborn, removing the sheath that was once the child's livelihood with his fangs. Delicately he would navigate the youth toward his mother's teat, noting that he was indeed a he. "Caeto," he would murmur, two syllables that would be the child's calling for the rest of his days. The boy looked remarkably like himself, mirrored in every detail except for the exact hue of his coat - and his eyes that were not yet open and able to be seen. Next he would look to the second born, stripping away the sac around her face and noting her gender as well. "A girl.." he would murmur quietly. It wasn't entirely his job to choose names, and so he would offer none just yet. She was beautiful as well, marvelously coated in chocolate and white dapples. He would smile as he nosed her toward her mother. Finally the third, another boy. He would clean him as diligently as he had the others, this one being mostly white with splotches of russet. "Another boy," he would tell those in attendance. His head would pivot to the Amalia and Arian, "Care to name your youngest brother?" They were as much a part of this as Maverick and Epiphron. A smile radiated across his face as he lovingly kissed his wife atop her head. "You were marvelous, my love." ooc; somehow the girls need to agree upon Finiarel as the third boy's name ;) "speeeeech"

THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I WISH I WAS OLDER and I could speak the language of many Helping along the way, Arian was amazed to even be around her mother as the new pups came into the world. Wide eyed with joy as her tail wagged back and forth. Smiling she giggled a little bit, looking at her sister amalia. Raising her head towards her father she blinked for a moment turning back to the cluster of bodies. Ear flicking, name her sibling? Could she do such a thing, since that was a parents job. She frowned thinking for a moment, "How about the first part of his name is Fini, you finish Amalia" Arian said, looking at the redder female. Excited, buzzing, but the only show of that on her was the wagging of her tail. Though she still kept her distance from Loccian, a comfortable distance away from the woman.

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Everything was shifting. Changing. Moving. And he wasn't sure that he liked it. His mother's womb was warm and safe but now it felt like he was being forced out. He was being jostled around alongside his brother and sister. His tiny body felt like a rag doll's as he was pushed and shoved through his mother's birth canal, his tiny russet body squirming its way free from Ephiphron's body, collapsing onto the cold hard ground with a wet [i]squelch[/s]. His father would lean down to clean him off and the young pup would cry out, tiny nostrils flaring as he took his first breath of fresh air. It was only moments after that he would feel his father move him towards his mother's belly, tiny lips finding the closest teat as he would begin to nurse, already having forgotten the fact that he was out of the womb and in the big world. Talk like this