Hurt

Her son, or sons, if Bones would allow her to consider himself one of her babies, returned, and Marina brightened a little. Now that the process was over she felt… lighter somehow. As if things might actually be okay. She gave each newborn child a gentle lick, watching as they all nuzzled into her belly and suckled. The fear she felt was evaporating… and with her yearling here she felt stronger. Safer. It should have been Liar at her side… it shouldn’t have been their son… but Marina was endlessly proud of Chasm for doing all that he could for her. Bones as well.

Marina gave a small, grateful nod to Bones as he brought the plant, chewing on a part of it carefully. She knew that with all herbs dosages were important, and though she wasn’t a healer the female knew a smaller or moderate dose would be best. If she took too much she could make herself sick… or possibly worse depending on the plant. Her red and pink eyes trailed to Chasm in that next moment, a proud mother looking over her newest litter and her son from the previous one.

“They’re here, Chasm…” Marina said softly. “The boys have name… Ochitsu… meaning calm in the tongue my mother knew. The other little boy is Azazel.” Though she didn’t tell him why she’d chosen this name. “Your sisters don’t have names yet though. I was hoping you two boys might be able to help me think of something?” She gave a small smile. After all the worrying she’d put them through she was sure she owed them at least that much.

But then… there was something wrong. Another contraction passed over Marina’s body and she gave a soft grunt, glancing at her gut in confusion. “Wh-what?” Alarms had begun sounding in her head. How could it be she wasn’t finishing with the birthing? She’d already had four babies… why were the Gods doing this? The female shifted uneasily, glancing towards her son and Bones. No… they shouldn’t be here.. Not for this…

“Something isn’t right…” Marina whimpered, feeling the pain get worse. Was there a pup stuck somewhere? Was… was she going to make it through okay after all? The beast’s threats sounded in her mind again and Marina flicked her ears back, closing her eyes tightly. “No…” She whispered. “No no… Celeste… Nox… I beg of you… don’t do this…” Invoking the names of the parent Gods was something Marina rarely did, and never before her son. But something was seriously wrong with her and she could feel it. There had to be a pup stuck… and if it was stuck… would it make it either? Or would they die, mother and child, in the way they were?