Only the Beginning

Walk | Talk | Think

Even after being witness to one birth, Mercianne hadn't realized just how much of a challenge the whole process was to the mother. It was, in no way, easy. It was difficult, painful, uncomfortable on so many levels. But as she heard the first cries of her first born the first worthwhile sense arrived. A strained though happy smiled crept its way upon her face as she heard, ears perking automatically as she shifted a little between contractions to get a better view of the new bundle of life. White. So much white fur, peppered and striped with the black fur of Awaken. The sight of it brought fresh tears to her eyes, the need to kiss and clean the babe, to draw it to her nurturing side, very strong. She did what she could, answering its pitiful cries with an assuring whine and scooting a little more in place to offer him the warmth of her stomach, adding a few licks to its face as she reached forward to touch it, but the next contractions were already starting to worsen.

Everything seemed so hurried, so rushed, that the next pup was there before she knew it, darkly colored like its father though three of its four paws were dipped with white. Another smile, another pitiful attempt at a laugh, and she was nudging this one to her side too, drawing careful licks down its back before the next arrived. And this one came soon too. Pale grey with dark patches, though not so solid as to assure that this color would last. Would it pale? Darken? Her curious thoughts were unfocused as she made another gentle whine, running her muzzle and tongue over her newest babe as she urged it to join the rest of the growing litter. As much as she wished to sprawl upon her side with those who were already present, give in to the tiredness that was steadily growing, she could not. The task at hand, as far as she could tell, was not quite over yet.

But neither was she needing to be alone in the matter anymore either. A shadow filled the entrance of the den, and despite only being halfway through her tiring process, with pups nuzzling up to her stomach, the little white wolf tensed and stared toward the entering wolf warily, only partially expecting Awaken at this point but not so much so that she might a stranger. But it was only Orica, the blessed little healer, coming to offer her assistance. Mercianne relaxed instantly, falling prostrate under a new wave of pain and muscle contractions. More. She was going to have more pups. The encouraging words spoken by Orica did just as they should have, drawing out another short, strained laugh from the new mother. Sons! She had three sons, and more pups on the way. Wouldn't Awaken be proud!

Two more followed the first three, though the fourth did draw a touch of confusion to her already tired mind. It looked so similar to the last one that she had had that she shifted her dark brown eyes to the first questioningly, and smiled with amazed surprise at her twins. Twins! She had twins! As much as she appreciated Orica's help, instinct in her urged her to be the first to touch her children, but she did her best not to let it override her judgment. And with at least one more pup presently on its way now was not a time to be overly picky. The fifth was another mixture of both of its parents, expressing the dark color of Awaken but also the pale white of its mother. Noting how they each had been affected genetically was so fascinating, and she smiled as she looked at the little brood of boys she and Awaken had made. Five boys. Five sons. Oh goodness, was she going to have her paws full.

Thinking the worst to be over, Mercianne made a soft groan of exhaustion and relaxed her head against the comfort of the den's floor, feeling the pups nursing and snuggling and wriggling about in their need for sustenance and comfort. "Thank you, Orica," she intoned somewhat breathlessly, taking another few seconds to catch her breath and enjoy the feeling of being still for a moment. But hearing the gentle whines and cries of her pups, she could not rest long. Rolling her front half slightly to lay upon her side but still have her head upright, Merci reached down and gently licked at the small bundles of life nestled there against her stomach, completely at ease and softly admiring their little cries and shaky movements.

At least until another contraction suddenly overtook her. She cringed at the pain, shifting as little as possible due to the other pups still being so near, but there was no helping it. Through the sleepy haze that had started to settle over her, she followed the same sort of instinctual drive that had brought the others to life, and eventually another joined them. It was a darkly colored pup, silent though wriggling with just as much life as the others. Why it did not cry at first did not stir anything within her, but she nuzzled at it all the same, even managing another little laugh as she did so. This was one was a girl. The sole girl in her large litter. "Six," she whispered with amazement, feeling slightly the weight of that responsibility coming to rest upon her shoulders. But tiredness weighed more heavily. Curling up upon her side, the pups nesting there at her stomach, Mercianne's half lidded gaze set itself on the young healer who had helped her. "How do they look?" she managed to ask, her tone low and hinting at her desire to rest as much as it did her concern. In her current state, she hardly trusted her judgment and a second opinion from someone she trusted was sure to help ease her mind.

OOC: Went ahead and brought Kestrel into the mix too since Dragon can't for a while. x3