mainland maternity ward

In no time at all, Lucretia was surrounded by friends and family. The typically ornery female found this to be... strangely comforting. She wasn't pleased that she was the center of attention - it simply wasn't in her nature - but all together they provided a stabilizing presence. Luce was suddenly flushed with the thought of her children, her children! They would get to grow up with all of this attention and support. What a magical way to live and in such stark contrast to her childhood in the failing Empire. Her children would want for nothing. They would never go cold or hungry.

Her pupils were dilated with hormones and adrenaline. Iolaire's appearance was to be expected. Any healer with their salt would show up to coach a packmate through their whelping. The small wolf had grown on her immensely over the past few months. She was an asset to the Armada and Ashen Empire. Luce respected that. When Bourbon arrived she let out a small gasp. "Oh, my love." Contractions were coming closer together now. It was only a short matter of time until she brought forth her first child into the world.

Deathbelle's arrival was welcomed. She gave her sister a warm, if pained, smile. The Empress had been through this all before and her advice would be much appreciated. Her breathing grew heavy and more labored as she began to panic slightly. Were these contractions taking too long...? The final arrival surprised her the most: Vexation. Lucretias had heard rumors that their lost sister had returned to them but she had been so preoccupied with her own duties and coming birth that she hadn't had the time to validate them. "V-vex," she said, half-confused. This must be a good sign, more Kleins returning to fold just as new ones were about to be born. "I'm scared," she whispered in Bourbon's ears, her voice breathy and strained. Would she be up to this task?