The days of Asla's pregnancy stretched on and on. It was easy, just like the last. She ran patrols up until the day of the birth, instinctually knowing that the time had come. She could feel the shift in her body, the altered position of the pups inside of her. That morning, she stayed home rather than going out. Still, not being one who just laid around and did nothing, Asla tidied up the den that she and Indigo shared. She spread oiled furs out so that she wouldn't ruin their sleeping furs. Laying upon said furs, the first pangs began to clench at the fawn woman's stomach. Asla winced, lips peeling back for a moment. She then nodded to Ashur and the snow leopard made his way quickly out of the den to fetch Indigo. He wouldn't be far and had only stepped out a moment ago.

Something gave way within her and the skin that Asla rested upon was suddenly quite damp. More pain lanced through her, this time more insistent. Her pups were coming and they were coming fast. The fae's purple gaze cut towards the door, watching for Indigo's arrival.

"Aslatiel Indarra"

Indigo was counting the days until Aslatiel’s due date, the man was equal parts nervous and excited. He banished any thought of repeating the tragedy he endured before. Aslatiel was healthy, the pregnancy was progressing perfectly, he would be a dad in the very new future. When Asaltiel remained in the den that morning he had a feeling of the nearing moment, but he continued on his own duties. There was no surprise when the snow leopard came to find him.

By the time he returned, which wasn’t incredibly long, he couldn’t let himself stay too far away with the looming birth. Aslatiel had prepared already, the den was tidied and prepared for a birth. Indigo had already gathered up the herbs he knew to be helpful, not that he was even sure Aslatiel would accept them. He was here to support her though the process however she needed him. At the least he would be here for her to lean on as she progressed through the process.

The natural healer he was, kept him from being too worried to work. He focused on the beautiful woman before him, and let himself let go of his anxieties. The true test of his recovery, but his grin as he entered the den said everything. He was calm, and fully present for the woman he loved. He moved to nuzzle her supportively as he kissed her cheek. She looked beautiful in all ways, and especially now he savored the warm glow about her.

"Hello, Beautiful." He whispered as he pressed his forehead to hers and closed his eyes tightly as incredible emotions filled him to bursting. "Ready?"

"Speech"

It seemed as though Ashur just left the cave when Indigo was entering. Asla's tail began to wag a bit, ears flattening for a moment as she saw him. This was all for him. They would be their children, but she knew that they would be his more than anything. It wasn't that she wouldn't love the pups, but they would be a part of Indigo's soul. The glue that would hold him together. The woman was honored to do this for the one that she loved.

Indigo moved forward, kissing her cheek then pressing his forehead against her own. His words brought a soft chuckle from her, despite the pain that cut through her belly. "Hello yourself," she responded playfully. He asked if she was ready and she nodded. There was no worry in the woman. She knew that this would go well. Mother's intuition or something like that. Aslatiel was calm and collected even as her maw dropped open to pant through the pain.

The massive purple man was there and she leaned into him as the contractions picked up in speed and severity. The barest whine cut through Asla's clenched teeth a she began to push. One thing followed another, the birth going as smoothly as she imagined it would. In the end, Asla gave birth to a single child. A small little puff of purple and black, smaller even than Satira had been at birth. The little girl mewled and squirmed as Asla cut the cord connecting them. Despite the child's small size, Asla was quite tired.

Asla handed the pup to Indigo to hold and clean while she finished the natural process of motherhood. Once the afterbirth was expelled, Asla moved just enough to wrap everything up in the oiled skin that she'd been laying upon and pushed it aside. She then lay down on a much softer skin, though she didn't move to sully their bed. The child needed to eat first before she could leave to clean up. She lay on her side, watching Indigo handle his daughter. "Aia Skye Indarra," she spoke their daughter's name for the first time, a tired smile stretching across her scarred features.

"Aslatiel Indarra"

Aslatiel chuckled and greeted him in return, telling him to hello himself as the both of them found a familiar position against one another. He was here beside her, ready to offer her any of his assistance, but he was confident in her and her body’s ability. She must have already progressed through the majority of labor before he arrived, and with barely a whine the contractions took their course.

Indigo held her as she began to push, and within moments there was one sweet child welcomed into the world. Aslatiel didn’t request his help, and all the pride he held for her was still overshadowed by the love for the puppy that was placed within his paws. He gave Asla a glance, but she encouraged him to clean the tiny child. Tears sprung to his eyes, but he focused on the delicate pup. He cleaned her up a little bit before he checked, and indeed the smallest little girl was nestled in his paws.

Asla lifted the wetted oilskin as Indigo dried the little purple puff, this would be their only one. The new mom would swiftly return, and relax into their new family. She deserved her rest after such an ordeal, and the hungry puppy was ready for her first meal. Indigo oh so carefully placed the tiny girl at her mother’s belly as Aslatiel named her softly. Aia Skye.

Indy never felt love like this before. Protectively he curled around Aslatiel and their daughter, finally feeling his heart become whole. "Ours, our perfect little family.” He rumbled as he nuzzled into her cheek, his heart full of love like he’d never felt before "Thank you.” He whispered, knowing she had gone through all of this just for him.

"Speech"

Asla was tired but content. After Indigo cleaned the blood and muck from their daughter, he placed the tiny girl against her mother's belly. Curling her neck, Asla licked the girl a few times, nuzzling into the top of her purple crown as she fed. She then sighed and leaned into Indigo as he curled around them, completing the trio.

"We need to introduce her to Arc and Tira," she spoke softly. Her children were very important to her and she wouldn't allow anyone else to see the pup until her siblings saw her first. They likely weren't thrilled at Asla having another child just like she hadn't been thrilled about her parents second litter, but that's just how it was.

With a word to Ashur, he and his mate sped off to fetch Arcturus and Satira. In the meantime, Asla closed her eyes and leaned back against Indigo, ready to take just a small nap. His soft words brought a smile to her face as she rested her cheek on his leg. "Anything for you," the woman whispered, sliding her cheek along the dark fur of his limb. Aia kneaded at her mother's belly with tiny paws and fed hungrily while Asla stole a few minutes of sleep.

"Aslatiel Indarra"

Satira... hadn't exactly been looking forward to being a big sister. She hid her disdain well—a trait she'd unfortunately been forced to pick up habitually throughout her life—so as not to spoil her mother or uncle's happiness. She knew how in love they were and how much they wanted a family together, and now they were finally getting it. She didn't really understand, but then again, how could she? She hadn't lived their life, walked in their shoes. All the same, Satira couldn't help but feel ostracized more than she already did. The wolf-dog had been born out of her mother's duty and her father's circumstance, not even desired by either parent until after her birth. She'd been abandoned time and time again by her father, whom she knew was out seeking his own path, perhaps even trying to make his way back to her familial pack in the Armada. All she'd had was her mother and Arcturus, and even they seemed to be going their own ways. Aslatiel had Indigo now, a new baby on the way, and her own family all her own now. Arc had his girlfriend out in the wilds and was spending all his time with her, doing whatever it was they did and going on their own adventures. In time, he'd want his own family too, and she knew it.

And then there was Satira... The wayward little girl had no place, no direction, no idea who she was or who she wanted to be, no clue where to go or where she was meant to fit in or if she even fit in anywhere at all. She felt adrift in an endless sea with no islands nor help in sight. She stewed in the quagmire of disillusioned and morose thoughts for the past several weeks, keeping to herself and saying nothing of her emotions to anyone else. If she just concealed them away, then nothing would be wrong, right? All she had to do was keep moving forward and pretend like everything was okay—just like she always had and always would do. Surely she could manage that, right?

The cold of winter was beginning to lessen as the warmer days of spring crept across the land, daylight stretching on for longer and banishing the night as the world began to thaw and renew itself. Much of the snow had turned to a slushy mess that she trudged through while scouring the island for herbs only native to the north to add to her growing collection when one of her mother's snow leopards came to find her. Satira didn't need to hear an explanation why; she already knew in her heart what it was about. She followed dutifully at a brisk walk to the den her mother and uncle shared, pausing at the entrance for a steadying breath before she slipped inside after Asla's companion. There she found them, gathered around Asla's birthing bed. Asla and Indigo snuggling one another with a tiny purple loaf nursing at her mother's belly. Pale blue eyes shifted over the three, pausing to linger at the newborn pup. They all looked... so happy... It made the heartache Satira felt even more unwelcome as the sight of the happy family was forever seared into her brain. Everything her mother had wanted had come true. Good for her...

"They're here..." she spoke softly, not moving from the entrance of the den as she gave voice to the obvious. Her pallid gaze remained on the sole pup making quiet mewling noises while she fed. "He...? She...?" Did she have a new half-brother or half-sister? Did it really matter, or was Tira just trying to be polite for her mother's sake?

"Satira"

Up until this moment he hadn't put much thought into the fact that his mother was having another litter. When she told them there had been a conflicting and difficult mix of being happy for her since he knew how much she loved Indigo and how much this would mean for them, but also a strange jealousy for these pups that weren't even born yet. He understood now that there was nothing that he could have done to prevent his father's death and he knew that tragedy could happen to anyone at any time, but that somehow didn't stop the knot of jealousy that formed in his belly over the fact that this litter would grow up with his mother and Indigo looking after them day in and day out. They truly seemed to love one another and there would be no separation like there had been from Asla and his and Tira's fathers. They would grow up with two tightly knit parents where he and his sister had not.

He tried not to think about it too much, distracting himself with Vanille and with helping to prep the land around the lake near by for Elysium to lay claim to it. More often than not he tried to spend the night with Vanille instead of with his family. Keeping himself busy meant he didn't spend much time around his mother throughout her pregnancy and it was almost like he could just forget. He was out near Firefly Like when Ashur came to find him, informing him of what had happened and how he was requested to meet the new pup. His gray-marked ears flicked uncertainly, but he wouldn't deny his mother's wishes. Besides, he knew Tira would likely be asked to be there as well and if nothing else he'd be there for her. He knew all of this was even harder on her than it was for him so he nodded and followed Ashur back to the island and when he arrived he walked in behind Tira right as she was asking if it was a boy or girl.

He stepped in beside his sister, his foreleg against her shoulder, and spotted the small fluff of pale, muted purple at their mother's stomach. He glanced to his uncle and mother again, giving them each a soft smile before he looked to his new half-sister again. Even through all of his jealousy and uncertainty he still couldn't really help the small bit of excitement he felt about being a brother again. He did truly love his family and as strained and strange as their relationships were he was still just happy to see his mother happy. There had been a long stretch of time when that hadn't been the case so seeing her smile was something he treasured, just as he was sure she was happy to see him happy again as well. "Congratulations," he said after a moment, giving his mother another smile while still keeping close to Tira's side, giving her a little bit of silent support.

"Arcturus Indarra"

They were both given a quiet introduction to their little daughter and as Aslatiel finished the birth with no complication Indigo finally let himself heave a sigh of relief. Mother and baby were both doing well, he hadn’t lost them. This really was his dream come true. Indigo would have been content enjoying it being just the three of them for another day or so, but as Asla finally started to relax she started the need for Arc and Tira to meet her. Indigo wouldn’t deny her or the young wolves the introduction to the perfect puppy at Aslatiel’s belly.

The snow leopards were sent out again and the beautiful fawn woman relaxed into his arms and Indigo held her quietly as she fell asleep and they waited for the rest of their little family to arrive. He closed his eyes and just listened to the sound of new life, maybe a couple of little snores from Asla. Mostly he was just held in a state of bliss. His little girl was alive and here. His heart hadn’t ever filled his chest like the way it did when he looked at that tiny girl.

He was transfixed for a while before the young wolves made their way into the cozy den. Indigo tore his gaze away from the tiny girl and looked up to greet the pair of them. Satira seemed overwhelmed as she looked up at them, but Arcturus was supportive as they both spoke up quietly. "She’s here.” He returned warmly, "Aia Skye Indarra.” He told them proudly as his blue gaze fell to the little girl again.

"Speech"

The little nap was amazing and Asla had sorely needed it. The soft voice of Satira roused her from sleep and the tired woman blinked a few times before raising her head. Arcturus soon followed and stood beside his sister. Asla could see what he was doing and she shot the pair a sad little smile. Of course she knew that this would rouse negative feelings in them, but they weren't babies anymore. Next season they would be two years old. Considered adults. She wouldn't expect them to be okay with things immediately but she did know that neither would take it out on Aia.

Indigo introduced their half sibling by name and Arcturus offered his congratulations. "You can come closer and see her if you'd like." She looked hopefully at the pair. "I'd like to have my whole family together."The wolves in this room were the only wolves that she needed in the world. If she could have all of them together forever, she would be a terribly happy woman.

"Aslatiel Indarra"

The sudden paw on her shoulder made Satira jump a little bit, the contact making her realize she'd been staring absent-mindedly at the family before her, lost inside her own headspace. Startled blue eyes glanced up at her larger brother, seeing the reassuring expression on his face. He knew. He knew exactly how she felt and was offering his support. Tira gave Arcturus a tiny smile of gratitude, but said nothing. Indigo introduced the pup as Aia Skye Indarra. "That's a lovely name," Satira replied, doing her best to keep her emotions fully out of her expression and voice, though it was a challenge. Aslatiel invited them to come closer to meet their half-sister. Satira couldn't think of anything she wanted less. But the hopeful look in her mother's eyes when she said she wanted her whole family with her twisted the young girl's resolve. She knew what was expected of her and what her mother wanted. But could she give it to her?

Swallowing hard, Satira took one more glance up to her brother before resigning herself to playing her part for just a little while longer. The wolf-dog moved slowly forward, hesitating at the edge of Asla's birthing bed, but ultimately coming up to sit next to her mother by her head. Her gaze was transfixed down on the tiny purple girl, feeling the maelstrom of turbulent emotions thrashing about her heart. Tira wanted nothing more than to just leave, to walk away and forget everything she'd seen here today, continuing to pretend like nothing had changed even though everything had. A small smile forced itself over her lips; really, she was glad that her mother had been okay through the birthing process and that the pup had been born healthy. She could take a little solace in that. That helped her get through this moment. She had nothing to say though, simply offering her presence to her mother and uncle as they enjoyed their moment together, a fixture in her happy little caricature of a family when inside she felt as hollow as a marionette, just going wherever her strings were pulled.

She'd stay for as long as Asla wanted her to, but not a moment more.

"Satira"