"Listen to me talk," 'but read my thoughts.'

The woman had been staying close to the Mangroves as her time grew closer and closer. Fiori was slowly growing and Svet saw no reason to worry about he pack. Sure they were still small, but at least they were there. The woman was confident that, with her and Leo’s coming children, their pack would just begin to thrive even more. A part of her hoped that someday Fiori would be one of those large, active packs as Ebony had when she was but a child. Even if it wasn’t... She was happy here. Happy because she had friends and a new family to look to. It seemed that she had found her place in the world.

The hotsprings, like much of the lands of Alacritia with water, had overflowed as winter changed to spring. The snow melt was causing water levels to rise beyond normal making the ground muddy and walking harder. Another reason that Svetlana had chosen not to go very far from her den. The gray, white, and rust femme had only made efforts to ensure that their den was in a safe enough place away from the water to not risk the babies she was going to give birth to any day now.

Korrin had been spending her time close to Svetlana, though also grumping about due to the mud. The poor polar fox found it near impossible to keep clean and that was aggravating her. Plus, secretly, she was afraid of Svetana’s attention being completely stolen by her little ones. Korrin was just waiting for it to happen... She knew both Svet and Leo were excited but she on the other paw was nervous. What if the little ones didn’t like her?

Svetlana would stir within the den, giving a soft sigh. She couldn’t make herself comfortable. She just kept shifting positions, hoping to get into a better one. It was after half an hour or so of this that the first of the pangs of pain started. Svetlana would wince with it, glancing at her belly.

It was time...?

It wasn’t until now, when the moment was upon her that Svet felt nervous. She’d tilt her head back, calling for two wolves in particular, as well as Korrin who was sulking about outside the den. She needed Leo, most importantly, and she need Amalia here with her. She wasn’t sure if anything would go wrong with her birthing... But she prayed not. Oh how she prayed not. She’d take a shaky breathe

Yes, it was time.

Table by:: Shelby

Even though the mud had claimed most of the land, the plants were still coming in nicely. Amalia had been busy trying to build up her stores as much as she could, and had collected a good amount of herbs already. Soon enough she would have enough to finally hold that healing training she had promised Leo all those months ago. Sighing softly, contently, she made it back to her herb den and started to sort the plants that she had picked up, putting them each in their place on her dug out shelves. Some she hung from the notches she had bit into the exposed root system, hanging them to dry for later in the year. Just because the pickings were good now, it didn't always mean that they would stay that way. Anything could happen and take all her plants away from her. Like the flooding. She had been able to dig a deep ditch in front of her herb den that led the water elsewhere, trying to pack up as much mud as she could around the entrance. It was just hardly big enough for her to squeeze into, and that was saying something! Giggling softly at the sudden image of Athena trying to squeeze through, she heard her name being called. Head snapped upwards as her ears pulled forward, picking up every last note of Svetlana's call. Was it time? Oh boy it was time! The tiny woman let out a squeal, turning back to her stores as she grabbed a large leaf, dumping everything she would need in there. Without hardly a pause she made her way out of the den, racing towards Svet. By the time she got there, the little healer was coated in mud from everything she had kicked up, panting around the leaf that was clutched in her jaws. She saw that she was the first one there, and shook off as much earth as she could before making her way in. She dipped her head to Korrin, unable to say anything with her herb bundle there. Oh dear, she hoped that she hadn't sprayed him with any mud! Grinning around her bundle she poked her head into the den, seeing Svetlana there. Making her way in, she dropped her burden on the ground and unrolled it, using her nose to push the herbs around. But first she made her way to the woman's belly, determination and focus in her deep blue eyes. "How's everything going so far, momma?" she asked, dipping her nose towards her protruding belly. Poking at it softly, she made sure that all the little ones were in the right position before she made her way back to her herbs. She looked up at the woman often, but focused mainly on her work. She nosed a bit of alfalfa towards the mother-to-be, adding a bit of motherwort and just a little bit of trillium. She gestured with muddy paws for the woman to eat what was in front of her, moving back to her leaf to grab a bit of lavender. Rubbing her paws on the floor of the den to clean off most of them, she rubbed the tiny purple pedals between her front paws. Crushing the leaves, the scent of lavender soon filled the air, adding a calming touch to the whole ordeal. She gently applied some to Svet's belly, careful not to spread the filth on her paws, before dabbing a touch under Svet's nose. Looking down at her muddy limbs she peeked back outside, seeing a small puddle nearby. Amalia washed off all the mud from her upper limbs, getting almost all of it off before she trotted back to the other woman. "So I gave you some alfalfa, which will help stimulate your milk production. I also gave you some motherwort to aid with the contractions and keep things moving along, ad well as some trillum to help ease the pain. If the pain gets worse, I have some poppy seeds to add to that as well. I crushed up some lavender to help keep things calm, and well, it smells pretty." said the woman softly, grinning at Svetlana. Going back to her belly she felt the babies again, this time pushing a little harder with her paws. "Sorry if this hurts, love. I just need to make sure that the pups are in the right position. It doesn't feel like its time to push just yet, which is good. Hopefully Leo will be here soon." She assured her, stepping off the larger woman's belly and looking up to try and catch her gaze. Things should start moving along slowly, but this was just the very beginning. "Don't try to be a tough girl either, okay? If it hurts too much, I have more herbs to help make you comfortable. I don't want your body under too much stress, you need to be healthy for the little ones!" "Speech"

With the increased water levels and all of the mud that had taken over Fiori's main territory Leo had been kept busy with worrying over the pack. He was constantly checking in on his pack members to make sure no ones dens had been flooded and that everyone was still finding food okay. So far he hadn't seen too much damage, but of course he would rather be safe than sorry. Even with this added worry he couldn't let himself get too far from the den he shared with Svetlana. Their little surprises would be due any day now and he found himself anxiously wondering when they would come often through out the day. Just as they were crossing his mind again he heard his wife's call. Both of his mismatched ears perked with excitement and nervousness. He took a breath before he started hurrying toward the den. He didn't want to get himself too worried and worked up- he needed to be calm for Svet so she didn't get too worried either. The mud slowed him down a little and by the time he got there Amalia was already hard at work giving her all the herbs and things she needed. He gave his sister a grateful nuzzle on her cheek before he came around to lay behind Svetlana, letting his side support her back and keep out of her way while still being able to comfort her and give her all the reassurance and kisses she wanted. "Hey there, beautiful," he said softly as he nuzzled her neck and watched Amalia feel Svet's stomach. He gave Svetlana a sweet smile and tried to keep his excitement and worries in check. "Talk" "You" Think

"Listen to me talk," 'but read my thoughts.'
Korrin would, being closest, be the first to slip into the den. The tiny polar fox would eye Svetlana with uncertainty, and the she-wolf would do her best to keep up a calm appearance. “It’s time.” The she wolf would say softly to her little friend. Korrin would give a small nod. It looked as though the polar fox was more nervous than Svet was. She couldn’t help but smile at this fact. Korrin had always tried to act tough, but she had her soft side just like anyone else.

Amalia was next to arrive, bringing with her a bundle of herbs. Her coat was dirtied, likely from her hurry here, and Svet would apologetically tip her head to the other. “Everything seems to be okay for the moment.” Though she was no healer and she’d let Amalia do her thing to make sure all the little ones were in the right position. Svetlana on the other hand wound focus on her breathing, trying to keep calm as she went about this process of birthing.

Svet didn’t interrupt Amalia even as the woman applied the herbs to her belly and under her nose, waiting until she was given some sort of instruction by the healer before doing anything further. When the herbs were mentioned and what they were for Svetlana would give a small nod, lapping them up while Amalia checked on the babies again. There was a bit of discomfort as Amalia did this, but that was alright. When Amalia spoke to her again Svet would give a small nod, letting out a little laugh.

“I won’t, I won’t.” She promised. No long after Amalia’s arrival Leo would appear, and Svetlana was grateful for his presence. She didn’t want to go through this process without him. A gentle nuzzle was given in return for his affections, a shaky breath being taken. “Hey there...” She was honestly a bit afraid. Afraid of what giving birth would be like. She could feel the little bodies inside her moving, ready to come out in the world. She had taken the herbs, she had Leo and Amalia with her... Now all she had to do was wait for the process to continue.

It wouldn’t take long either. A particularly sharp pang would cause Svetlana to flinch and glance at her belly. Thankfully the smell of the lavender helped keep her calm and her head clear. She would close her eyes, speaking softly to the two wolves present. “I think someone’s ready to come meet us...” With that said she would begin the natural process of pushing. A breath would be taken here and there, and, in a matter of moments, the first child emerged. He was of a gray base, much like Svet, and touched with light russet. The new mother was left panting, glancing uncertainly at Amalia before starting to clean the newborn. Was she going about this alright?

Table by:: Shelby