Philippians 4:13 [birth]

Dea lay her head on Archon's paw as he placed it near her own, giving a small smile to show her own relief. Her dark pink gaze fell on Obi as he came with water and Archon placed it nearer to her, where she lapped gently at the liquid for a few sips and then returned her head to Archon's paw. At her quip, Obi gave a bow and began to anoint her, during which Dea said a small prayer for a safe and speedy delivery. She was about to ask if Archon would move closer to her, but she was massively distracted by the appearance of an unknown female at her door. One who just walked in with a white raccoon trailing after her.

Dea's lips curled and the hair along her spine rose as she eyed the female, dark pink eyes glaring as she entered Dea's sanctum. Ready to tear the stranger apart, Lucretia was only spared because she announced herself as a type of healer, this alone quelled the darkness that bubbled just below the surface of Dea's usually regal and calm exterior. She watched the shaman woman and her albino pet for a moment, then watched as they slid a green mixture at her. When offered the motherwort poultice, Dea shook her head. Even Archon's urging wouldn't change her mind. "I have a higher threshold for pain than most, and I have no use for pain relief. I can handle it. The offer is appreciated, though." While she was open in her pain with Archon alone, this time only her body tensed as another contraction came. Swallowing the hiss, Dea simply breathed a little deeper and closed her eyes, trusting Archon to defend her should the need arise. It probably wouldn't, but Dea was ever guarded in this new pack.

Vianni had taught her daughter how to birth demons, but not how to birth gods. Before she completely offended the healer, Dea waited until she knew the pain wouldn't color her voice, then spoke softly - almost as if she sighed the words. "I would like you to monitor us, Lucretia. In case anything should go wrong, but do not interfere until then. I cannot promise my reactions, and I hope you can understand." If Archon thought she was worthy to deliver their children, then Dea would listen, but she didn't want a stranger to touch her little godlings. That was a job for their mother. The demonic queen was a savage, forged to be a murdering machine and tempered by religion, she was being truthful with the woman. Already her instincts demanded she oust the unknown healer, but she needed her there - even if she hadn't wanted to admit it.

Another round of contractions came, this time the span between them had shortened drastically, and Dea sought out Archon's gaze. Her gaze was distant, as though she looked through him, and her nostrils flared while she seemed to vibrate in short bursts as adrenaline surged through her frame. A deep steadying breath was taken, and the world began to fade away until it was only her and Archon. No other woman, no unknown healer, no strange pack, only them and the monumental task at hand. Shutting her eyes, Dea resigned herself to the will of another once again, her head twisting slightly to the left as her discomfort grew. It was not long until her body began to urge her to push, though she resisted until she felt wet warmth flood her hindquarters.

Shifting around slightly, Dea settled into a better position to deliver their little gods into the world. With the rush of her waters, the new mother knew it was time to push, and with a soft growl, she did just that when the next contraction came. Working with her body made delivery a bit easier, though she still felt as though she would be ripped in half by the first pup. Watching wide-eyed as the small pup made its way into the world, Dea pushed once more and the little one was free. Instinctively, she moved in to clean the dark pup, working her tongue against him to help clear its lungs and kickstart its circulation as she cleansed the cruor from it. She discovered that her firstborn was a boy, a dark lad who seemed to be stitched together with shadows, rust, and dusty tan colors, all of this mingled with brindling that made her heart flutter. The little god screeched and snapped his toothless maw at his mother as she tucked him into her belly where he eagerly searched for his first meal. A proud smile was brought to the demon's face, the small being's actions making her giggle softly and her tail thumped with that pride as she looked to Archon. "Our first is a boy, a feisty one at that." She announced, just before another contraction signaled that her body was making way for more.