Dea had been walking forever it felt like. She was tired of feeling so melodramatic, even going so far as to mourn the absence of Archon after only a few hours of separation. Why was she so needy?

Growling to herself, Dea moved along the edges of the pack borders through the woods of Cryer's Ravine. It seemed a fitting name, and as she walked through the trees, Dea grew curious. She dared not to go into what the others referred to as the palace, but she would one day.

Instead, the demonic woman made her way to the opposite side of the ravine, having picked an old bear den as her own. No sooner than she stepped inside did Dea begin to feel the faintest of labor pains. It grew in intensity until she was sure she knew what was going on. She didn't want to bother the others as it was the middle of the night and chilly, but she needed Archon there at least. Tilting her head back, the demon howled for her heart by name, knowing he would get to her as fast as he could.

(Ooc: bleh tis crap but it's a start xD healers welcome!)

Now that his first children had been born, Archon needed to keep close eyes on Dea. She was ready to have their litter any day now and Archon and Obi had no plans of missing it. He brought a doe skin Obi had helped clean and a parcel of meat he had torn for her from the same deer. He followed her scent to the old polar bear den and as soon as he heard her howl, he broke into a run, coming to the den's opening only seconds after she called. He stood in the opening, panting and waiting for Obi to catch up. He was stoic, calm, a force to be reckoned with. He knew now what to expect and he hoped a healer showed up soon.

"What do you need, Dea? Anything I can do for you?" He moved to put the food down beside her and to sling the warm hide in the den. "I brought this for you. For them too."

Once Obi caught up, he peeked into the den. "Can Obi anoint you with the sweet oils?" Archon asked softly. "Before you bring our godlings into this world?"

As her mother before her, Dea was protective of her den by instinct. Hearing the familiar pound of hurried paws outside had her dark pink eyes set to the entrance of her chosen den, pupils reflecting back red light, making her look truly demonic in the dark. Had any other face showed other than Archon's she would not have hesitated to defend her den, even in the midst of the first real labor pains. She knew it wouldn't take him long to find her. He always found her, and she didn't doubt he would continue to do so. Once his handsome face graced the entrance she relaxed visibly and offered a smile.

Her mother had birthed her and her siblings on a down bed made up of wolf pelts, and it would seem that Dea would be given her own version of that. Her tail waved lightly at the sight of him laying the pelt and the meat down for her. His questions warmed her soul, made her feel much more like herself, and were met with a simple request. "I only need you, and maybe some water." Moving to lay herself on the surprisingly warm deer skin, Dea let out a rumbling purring sound that signaled her pleasure. "I am glad you brought this. It is chilly out toni-" She was interrupted by a sharper pain than ones before. It built in pressure within her and she gasped, her eyes wide and landing on the calming blue of Archon's gaze. Sucking her breath between her teeth, Dea hissed softly in the darkness, though she didn't whimper or moan as some would with the pain.

Once it had dulled away, she heard Archon's question, smiling at the presence of Obi in the entrance of the den. "Obi and the oils are most welcome, our godlings deserve the best." There was something in the way the soft tones of his voice that stuck with her, but now was not the time for questions. "I would normally bite, Obi, but you are the special exception." She gave the primate a wink and a gentle smile, before the hiss of another contraction took the expression from her face. "May want to hurry, my mother taught me that when the pains get closer together the babies aren't far." And boy, were they getting closer and closer together.

A vaguely unfamiliar feminine voice had called for Archon with notes of distress. Lucretia had heard of Dea's arrival, and that she also carried Archon's puppies. It was just like a foolish male to spread his seed all across Boreas. Although it was difficult not to let this effect her opinion of them, Luce stuffed it down as she arrived at Dea's den. She would save her final judgement until she was able to speak with Deathbelle about the other fruits of his labor in private. It felt like she hadn't slept in months, but she was still upright and animated. "Hello," she greeted Dea and inclined her head towards Archon, "I am Lucretia Maxima Klein, Ashen's Shamyn. I am here to tend to your birth." Her recently acquired albino raccoon companion trundled into the den after her, curling her lips at the stale stench of bear. How did anyone live like this? The raccoon had a gourd filled with a motherwort poultice held in her mouth, which she promptly deposited at Lucretia's side. "Please, eat this. It will urge your labor onward and ease some your discomfort." Luce did not object to Obi anointing this female - Dea was nearly a stranger, and if her and Archon both wished to use the strange oils, she would not object. These puppies were not as close to her heart as her sister's litter, but they would still be delivered safely under her careful watch.

Just as she requested, Archon sent Obi from the den to retrieve some water. It didn't take him long before he returned and in the meantime, Archon found his way around to lay near her so that he could face her and, with a turn of his head, the opening of the den. As she hissed in pain, Archon grimaced, and placed his paw near hers in comfort. Obi came back with the water and Archon offered it to her softly.

At her remark about not biting him, Obi afforded her a steep bow, then slowly moved to pour a drop of the oils on her forehead, using his ringers to gently run the trail down her nose and in a light swoop under each eye.

When Lucretia appeared, Archon let out a soft sigh of relief. Obi, on the other hand, gave a stony expression and backed away a tad. The woman gave a short introduction and began giving orders right away. Obi searched Dea's face, "Dea? Listen to Lucretia. Her knowledge is invaluable and she will make sure everything turns out all right."

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.

Dea seemed to know what she was doing. Females often did, unless they were young and before their time. Unless the situation was dire, there was often little a healer needed to do other than supervise. She did not feel the same primal urge to intervene with Dea's birth that she did with Belle's - these children were no blood of hers, even if they were to be half-siblings with her own nieces and nephew. They would be treated justly, but surely not afford the same special treatment as Deathbelle's offspring. In many ways, it would be a hard life. If they were hardy, like their mother seemed to be, they would fare just fine. "I will watch, as you ask. You are a natural; may your birth be easy and your children healthy." They would be. If nothing else, Luce would ensure that. She offered the pair an awkward smile and settled a short distance away from them, ready to jump to action if it was required. Tension was written in her posture, but only because she was prepared for anything.

Archon would let Dea control the terms of her birthing. She dismissed any help by Luce and continued to work on her own. Archon waited eagerly to see the next in his line of kids. Already he had so many with so much strength and beauty. He had no doubts that these pups would carry the same splendor. He watched as Dea birthed the first of them- a boy. He already looked so strong. Archon gave Dea's neck a reassuring nudge. "He is beautiful," Archon said. He was elated to meet all of them and to see what each one's future held.