New Gods (birthing)

She knew this day was coming. She had prepared and Obi had prepared extensively for this moment. She had no mother figure to ask, nor did she feel the need to call upon anyone. In the sleeping quarters of the shrine with the warm air from the fire in the flue beneath her bed, she rested when the contractions started.

It wasn't hard to quietly summon Obi, who quickly laid down clean, soft bedding special for the birthing. He whipped up herbs in warmed water with thinly shredded meat to help her with the pain and her energy as well. On the small shelf burned soothing incense and the fire was stoked to bring the temperature up even higher in the confines of the temple walls. Obi anointed Tox with fine oil he had hand pressed for this occasion, praying for blessings over her. He then dismissed himself to pray and to give her privacy, telling her to call him should something go awry or when she was finished.

The whole act was driven by instinct and the moments blurred together whether due to the medicine or hormones, and when she was done, five pups lay at her side nursing. After some time, she allowed Obi back in, who brought food for the new mother and aided in removing any soiled bedding. There was now a waiting period before they would show their worth- something necessary before Toxicity named them and had them blessed with the shrine waters.

For a few days, at least, she would simply play mother.