Elysia had sent her beloved RedTailed Hawk with important messages for Scald and Modesty a few days ago. One beckoning for them to come to her as soon as possible. Her body had changed exponentially during this pregnancy. Her body was swollen with life. But she had grown accustomed to the constant weight and soreness of her body. But the reason for her urgency in her messages was the change of her body. She’d begun to feel pressure building at the base of her belly, just between her legs. And she figured that meant she was going to pop soon. But she wouldn’t know for sure until her little ones came into this world.

Now she lay close to the border of the syndicate in a temporary den she’d secretly been working on for when she’d give birth. She didn’t feel right bringing the babes into the world in the den she shared with her brother, sure they would all move in there after. But for now she wanted a space of her own, so she’d made one.

She’d been adding a few more extra pelts she’d collected for warmth when searing white hot pain ripped through her abdomen, her muscles tensing and releasing knocked the wind right out of her lungs. She’d never felt this kind of pain before. Breathing heavily she made her way to the entrance of this little home and threw her head back. Calling for Absinth and Her Brother.

She quickly retreated back inside, circling on her makeshift bed before carefully lowering herself down on top of it. Her breathing was heavy as yet another contraction ripped through her body. A snarl ringing off the walls around her as she tried her best to push through this pain.


"Ely & Ezekiel"

Absinth had been patrolling the borders of the syndicate when Elysia's call reached her ears. The sharp, urgent note in Elysia's voice sent a chill down her spine. She knew Elysia's time was near, but the intensity of the call signaled that the moment had indeed arrived. Without hesitation, Absinth turned on her heel and raced toward the source of the cry.

As she approached the den, Absinth could hear the pained snarls of her sister echoing from within. She slowed, taking a deep breath to calm herself before entering. Pushing through the entrance, she was met with the sight of Elysia, her form taut with the strain of labor, eyes glazed with pain and determination.

“Elysia, daring.” Absinth called softly, stepping closer. She settled beside her, offering the warmth and reassurance of her presence. “I’m here for you.”

Elysia's labored breathing filled the space between them. Absinth nuzzled her shoulder, whispering words of encouragement. “You're strong, Elysia. You can fucking do this.” Nice words coming from the monochromatic fae, her own hoard of young pups safe with their father. Including Sephiran’s not-quite-orphans they had taken charge of.

wormwood

The day was fast approaching when El would give birth and Ezekiel was well… less than thrilled about the entire situation. Elyisa is his world and the fact that she had been touched by another and then impregnated by said other sat about as well as a gallon of curdled milk on an empty stomach. Still, Zeke supports and loves his sibling and, as she grew rounder, the dark man had taken to laying out extra food out for her.

Of course, they still den together and he has already decided that, as soon as she is ready, they will welcome the pups into their den, together. When she informed him that she was inviting the man and his mother to the pack to be there for the birth, he had felt a swell of jealousy that had been almost too much to swallow down. But he had and the stubborn man was determined not to make her labor any more stressful than it would already be.

And now, the day he has both dreaded and looked forward to, has arrived.

Her call finds him in a neighboring land where Zeke had been searching for some extra food for her and the man quickly abandons the task at paw. Kicking up a wake of snow, he takes off toward the temporary den El had set up for the birth and makes fast work of closing the distance between them. Chest heaves from the exertion by the time he arrives and he skids to stop so that he can gain some small form of composure before crossing into the den.

Snarls greet his ears and Ezekiel immediately knows just how deep her pain is since he has fought with and beside since they were pups. Eyes move to Absinth as the emerald eyed woman comforts his sister and he offers her a stiff, but thankful, dip of his head as greeting. Without waiting for an invitation, he moves to where El lays and positions himself behind her, laying in such a way that he can pull her shoulders and head into his arms, while his back half curls protectively and loosely around her flanks.

With careful, tender touches, he begins to slowly lick the space on her neck that leads up to her ear, going against the grain of her fur. In rhythmic soft strokes, he continues his loving menstruates while his chest begins to softly rumble, soft growls offered in support of his sister while he continues to hold her. The gentleness that has come over Ezekiel may be strange to anyone who has met him before but Ely knows that is the side he reserves only for her.


"Ely & Ezekiel"

Ely's bird had arrived days prior to her going into labor. How she knew it would be soon was more impressive to him than he would ever admit. Females were weird, okay? But still, it was the reason he had stayed behind from attending the bonfire - which more or less would turn out to have been a bad thing. Scald wouldn't know that yet and wouldn't care to know what transpired down in Auster for he had much more important business to be tending to. Leaving the pack in the paws of Sparrow (again, why did any of this sound to be a good idea?), Scald goes to find Morwenna. His knowledge of the Syndicate's healers is lackluster and he doesn't want to show up without help in case she needs it. Sparing as few details as possible, Scald convinces Wenna to travel with him to the north.

So he (hopefully with Morwenna with him) sets off for the north with Elysia's bird leading the way. He knew where the Syndicate lie, but her birthing den's location was a different story. Taking no longer than a day or so, Scald can tell they're in the right location by the strong scent of body fluids emanating from the den that lies in secrecy along the pack's border. Pups of his own was a new thing, but pups in general were not. His mother was on her third litter already and he had also witness the traumatic experience of Sparrow giving birth out in the open, on the beach, right as she's about to try and fight Azure. Yeah, crazy, but when was his family and friends not?

When he approaches the den, two other scents waft over to him. One is familiar and the masculine one was not. Had Ely not admitted to him that the pups were his? It is rare for Scald to be disgruntled by something, but lying or misleading information was one thing that happened to be on that list. He moves slowly, head lowering, heterochromatic eyes firm on the den ahead of him, he prepares himself for what he's about to witness. There he sees Absinth standing over two wolves, Elysia and the male he doesn't know. Said male is also wrapped around her and licking at her fur in such a way that makes his fur and quills bristle.

"Help if she needs it. I'll be outside," the growl in his voice is rusty, uncommon for the man who is calm and laid back. But he doesn't waste another moment looking at a scene he can't deny rightly pisses him off. Turning on his heels, he stalks back out into the snow to wait for the arrival of his puppies.

Scald & Elysia

table coding by bunni ♥

Speech // thought // Serbian

She was a little surprised when Skald approached her for the journey, but she was grateful to be needed and trusted for such an important task. She followed him closely and didn't bother talking his ear off since he seemed reticent about the whole thing. Eventually, the smell of sea, mountains, pine, and snow, filled her senses. As well as the smell of a birthing beginning.

The smell of other pack wolves and the way she notices Skald's tension increase put her on edge as well while they approached the den. It seemed rather busy in there already. Hopefully, she would be a welcome stranger in this situation and she didn't want to be stepping on another healer's toes.

She lets Skald introduce her before she steps fully in and then watches him recede with a growl. The scene inside certainly might have put assumptions forward, but if Ely (assuming Skald told Wenna her name) wanted Skald there, then surely the situation wasn't what he assumed. Such scenes Morwenna grew up with.

"Hello!" She started cheerily, keeping her voice soothing and quiet, "Skald brought me from Raiders Hollow. I'm their resident birthing expert, Morwenna. Looks like you just started? Would you like my assistance or have me nearby?" She asked. Looking at each character to see if any of them objected, but kept most of her focus on the obviously laboring patient.

Moo had passed on the message delivered to Scald and Modesty had only paused for long enough to situate the children and Jael, tell Deluge and Sakana to support Sparrow however she needed until the rest of the Raider's returned, and repack her saddle bags with blankets and small toys that probably wouldn't be much use for several weeks yet. She included a cashmere blanket and some goats milk soaps for Ely, and some special, pleasant-smelling salve from Sakana too. Lord knew she deserved something pretty to get her through the hell that was the early weeks of raising pups.

Kenway accompanied her as far as the edges of the border, pausing with his cattle dogs where the Hemlock border met the Syndicate. She wouldn't be surprised if he decided to stop by and visit, he'd seemed to be quite fond of the pack after the raid, or maybe it was someone specifically within it? She remembered the brown boy from their soap lesson and wondered... but she had been delayed for long enough.

Her nose curled at the smell of corpses and the sight of the carcasses that decorated the border. It certainly sent a message, and she could see the appeal from that standpoint... though she couldn't say she would be too pleased if someone set up on her borders and did the same. Scald and... Morwenna? Well that had been a good idea, had passed by recently and so she followed her nose to where the gathering was taking place. The poor girl, if this many had been around when she was giving birth, she might have just about died from embarrassment. Modesty gave her son a smile, and sat outside with him, nudging his shoulder in encouragement. "I'd say it gets easier, but I'd be lying." A half smile pulled at her lips, a brow raised. There was little more she could offer in this moment than solidarity, and someone to wait with.

"Modesty"

Elysia was in the middle of a contraction when the form of her sort of sister came through the entrance of her birthing den. Relief flooded through her as the woman drew closer, offering her the peace of her closeness. Lifting her head to look Absinth in the eyes she offered her a pained smile. ”I appreciate it Absi” she bit out through the pain.

Elysia could have laughed at the vulgarity of Absinth’s encouragement. She so did appreciate it. Absinth brought strength with her presence. And it helped ely take a breath long enough for another person to enter the den. Ezekiel.

Another pained snarl escapes through her jaws as her brother comes to lay behind her, cradling her body against his. Closing her eyes as he licks at her fur, a soothing feeling. One that lets her body relax more, allowing her to catch her breath.

Minutes tick by, feeling like eons to the woman as her body continues to contract, they come closer and closer.

She hears him before she smells or sees him. His voice; scald. Her eyes flicker open to look for him. Only to see his large body receding from the current den. And suddenly she cared little for how many people were around her. Because he had left her to her pain, and hadn't even bothered to acknowledge her.

She blinked as a woman began talking to her. Eyes flickering away from the entrance of the den to look at her as she introduced herself. ”Elysia” she bit out. A bit more aggressively than she’d intended. But she was in pain and annoyed. ”For now, nearby” she said a bit softer as she pulled her body away from her brother’s and began to stand up.

She bit down as her body ached in protest as she did that. Making her way towards the entrance of the den. She heard Modesty and knew that scald had to be just outside. Poking her head out she looked for his body. ”Scald, if you don’t get in here and lay with me in my brother’s place, morwenna is going to be healing the both of us once our babies are born, so help me” she snapped at him.


"Ely & Ezekiel"

Absinth watched Elysia struggle through another contraction, but she maintained her calm demeanor, knowing her strength would be all the more reassuring for her. “Welcome them into this world with strength and might.” She whispered again, her voice steady and full of confidence.

As Ezekiel entered the den and took his place behind Elysia, Absinth could see the relief wash over her. The siblings' bond was strange, but most probably because Absinth had never experienced it herself. Though the thought of that Helonia or Melanth wandering around came to mind before she brushed it off and focused on the birth. She gave Ezekiel a brief nod of acknowledgment.

The minutes dragged on, each one an eternity as Elysia's contractions grew more intense. Absinth stayed close, her presence unwavering, offering whispered words of encouragement and nuzzling Elysia's shoulder when the pain seemed too much.

And then out of the corner of her eye she saw that brute, the father, the Scald she’d met at the border. He brought a woman, who introduced herself as a birth expert. Whatever. The sudden departure of Scald stoked a fire in Absinth's chest. The fuck? She bit back her anger, focusing on Elysia as she introduced herself to the newcomer. Absinth's protective instincts flared, but she held her tongue, knowing Elysia needed support, not more tension. Oh but how Absinth wanted to rush out and make him answer for it.

When Elysia rose to confront Scald, Absinth moved with her, ready to support her if she faltered. Hearing Elysia's fierce demand, Absinth's lips curled into a small smile. That was the Elysia she knew – strong, determined, and unyielding.

As they reached the entrance, Absinth stood beside Elysia, her emeralds gleaming in amusement and intensity as she offered the drop of her skull between her shoulders to get Ely’s point across all the better. “I’m sure Elysia’s brother will have no issue with the swap out, unless you’re really just squeamish, Scald?” She added, her voice a dare, a threat, a good piece of advice all in one low purr. Though she would not purse action without Elysia's command.


wormwood

Ezekiel lays behind El, offering her comfort as they wait for her gentleman and his mother to arrive. While the Saxe man may wish to stay like this with her through the entirety of the birthing process, he knows his sister would maim him if he did not allow her suitor to take over his place. So, the forms appear at the den’s entrance, his blue and purple eyes flick up to meet the colorful man’s mismatched gaze and is taken aback by the growled words.

As he retreats from the den, Zeke can’t help as his lips pull up over his teeth in an infuriated sneer as, so far, this Scald has not made a good impression in his book. The strange woman that the man had brought with him to help with the birthing his paws curling around Ely a little more protectively but, as his eyes flick over to Absinth, is comforted to see similar feelings of frustration and protectiveness boiling in those emerald eyes so he relaxes back.

Then El is standing and he easily uncurls himself, helping his sister stand even as contractions roll through her body. Ezekiel walks with her to entrance but stays slightly behind the two woman whose anger can felt by the bite of their words and Absinth’s thinly veiled threat. A grin tugs at his lips as pride for both of them surges through his chest and as Absinth speaks of him, he simply nods his head in agreement. Would this Scald really condemn his sister for the comfort he had offered her while they had waited for this man to arrive?

Duel-toned eyes are impassive as his gaze flicks between the man and woman, knowing that, even in the midst of giving birth, nothing would tear Elysia away from a task she has set her mind to. Zeke hopes, for Scald’s sake, that the man is smart enough to give in to El’s demands quickly.


"Ely & Ezekiel"

Scald fumes internally. Of course, he had no idea that the man inside is her brother, but who’s fucking brother embraced them like that? As if he were her lover? Those tender, comforting licks to her fur wasn’t anything he’d ever to do Flurry… to Deluge. Lord, he’d have his head bitten off if he’d dared to come that close. So the only logical answer was that he was another lover, assuming that Scald wouldn’t show up to support her.

It’s then that his mother arrives, coming to sit beside him with a nudge of her shoulder. Scald attempts to smile, but lets out a sigh instead. “Does it though?” He questions, eyes lingering on his mother has now been through this three times before and not in the best of circumstances. Leaning his cheek against his mother’s shoulder for a moment, inhaling a deep breath to settle the nerves and fury that brewed inside, he is surprised to hear scuffling coming from inside the den.

Turning as he stands to face whoever appears, Scald is surprised to see a laboring Ely staring daggers right at him. She looks furious and he can’t help but raise a brow. What was she doing? Her snapping words mean business, but he’s given little time to respond. Just as he’s taking a step or two back toward the den, Absinth is also threatening him in such a way that causes the quills along his spine to raise. Looking quickly to his mother, he gives her a knowing look. “Seems we can’t go anywhere without a show,” he murmurs quietly to Modesty before turning his attention back to the trio staring expectantly at him.

With his heterochromatic gaze landing on Absinth, Scald refuses to back down from her pathetic threats. “You witness a wolf giving birth on a beach in the middle of being assaulted by a madman and then let me know if I’m fucking squeamish,” he hisses back at Absinth, his ears folding down against his skull as he continues to reapproach the den, forcibly ignoring her brother standing there alongside them. Brother or not, the man was not on his good list. He wasn’t raised to be into incest, and had been warned that Abraxas (their mother’s god) didn’t approve of it. The very idea that her brother would want to do such things to her disgusted him.

“Ely, I wouldn’t ever leave you to give birth without me,” he murmurs as he comes beside Ely, his nose pressing against her cheek, just beneath her ear. “Lay back down please,” Scald urges gently, his own tongue finding her fur to lick and nuzzle her in a comforting manner so that she might calm down and refocus on the important task at paw.

Speech // thought // Serbian

Morwenna nodded serenely as the dark laboring woman commanded her to be nearby. She usually liked to visit her patients before they were in active labor, to get what they wanted and needed most for a birth. She was no stranger to staying close by either, at the ready in case she needed help.

The slender woman picked a spot out of the way, inside the den, and crossed her paws to watch the drama play out. Elysia and the wolves here were doing fine standing up for themselves and asking for what she wanted. Some mothers needed extra help in speaking up for themselves. Elysia was no such fae.

She coyly smirked with some amusement for a moment as Scald was called out to join the mother. Turns out he wasn't squeamish, just jealous. A fine one to talk for certain, bringing another partner to help with his other partner carrying his children. She was no stranger to family dramas either and knew when to keep her nose thoroughly to herself. If Ely requested her to bounce anyone out of the den Morwnna would in a heartbeat.

Oh was that Mod outside? Good, she probably also would help bounce anyone out if Ely requested it. Morwenna was completely unaffected by the fact that Elysia was carrying Skald's children. She shared herself openly and didn't think to hold anyone else to the standards of monogamy that she wouldn't submit to. She was grateful he trusted her with his and Elysia's children.

Morwenna only had eyes for Elysia at the moment. Measuring her distress and laboring, and was willing to step in and encourage her to rest if she seemed too stressed.

Scald's question was met with a small knowing smile. He'd figure it out and the kids would be fine. If the commotion going on inside was anything to go by, they would have no shortage of family members and pack mates looking out for them between the two packs.

She was oblivious to what her son had walked in on, but it was clear something was worrying him other than his first turn at becoming a father. She wouldn't get a chance to ask before Ely was yelling and the root of the problem became clear. A brow quirked upward at the admission, but she kept her mouth shut for now. There would be a time and place later for Scald to come to her, what mattered right now was the pups were on their way.

His comment about them being unable to go anywhere without a show had a (seemingly) easy chuckle on her lips, "Was there ever a time when we could?" She doubted they had been spared it long before he was born. That he bought up Azure's attack on Sparrow was no surprise, it had seemingly been a core memory for Flurry too. As he made his way into the den with Ely, Mod offered to the one questioning if he was squeamish, "He was barely out of the den himself, and his sister was attacked in the skirmish, kicked halfway down the beach by a man as tall as I am and twice as wide. I do hope we won't have to fear similar today?" It was offered in a joking tone, though she turned her gaze to peer across the surrounding landscape, half an eye on her bird overhead. After the meeting she had attended at the Hallows, she wasn't so sure someone wouldn't get it in their head to be a fucking hero.

"Modesty"

Elysia had briefly heard Absinth’s words of support before the shit storm had arrived. Before she’d had to get up to follow scald outside. She felt the support on both sides of her body and knew that Absinth and Zeke had joined her. She didn’t need to look at them now.

Her full attention was on the colorful man before her seated by the equally if not more colorful woman that she offered a small nod to now. Her ears flicked towards Absinth as she challenged scald herself and she wanted to laugh. But another pain ripped through her.

As scald muttered to her and placed his nose to her cheek she leaned into his touch. A soft sigh of approval came as a whisper. Before she shot him a look that said she still was mad but they’d deal with that later. Turning slowly and carefully she practically waddled back to her spot without the adrenaline of her anger to give her the proper energy to walk.

Laying back down she turned to her brother. ”Ze thank you for coming to comfort me. But can you now go and tell uncle Rhazien that my labors have begun?” she offered him a smile. Because while it was posed as a question it was more so a demand. One to keep scald happy and focused on her and their children. And less on her brother. She was over the testosterone level building up in her den.

~~

What felt like an hour later was not nearly as long. When finally with some pained snarls and pushing a small body emerged from her own. Her first born had finally joined the world. She quickly began to lick at their body, cleaning them off before nosing them to her side to eat. This one was large, and colored like charcoal with markings of ice and snow. Nosing gently at the pup she determined it was a boy. ”a son” she whispered before looking back at scald.

”we have a son” she said, but this time a bit louder. With pride she turned to look at Absinth.


"Ely & Ezekiel"

Absinth’s emerald eyes narrowed slightly as she watched Scald’s reaction. She noted the tension in his stance, those quills along his spine bristling in response to her words. Such anger for a quick quip. Perhaps… no, he couldn’t have been jealous of Ezekiel? But oh…. It was the only answer for his sudden retreat. When he turned to murmur something to his mother, Absinth’s ears twitched, catching the faint sound of his voice but not the words themselves. Her gaze remained steady, unwavering as he turned back to face her, Elysia, and Ezekiel.

As Scald’s heterochromatic eyes locked onto hers, Absinth’s lips curled into a half-smile, more amused than intimidated by his hissed retort. Much too defensive, huh? “Witnessing doesn’t make you squeamish, Scald,” She replied smoothly, her voice low for him to hear as he approached, dripping with a mix of sarcasm and challenge. Still, she maintained all her impish glory, her voice a purr to sweet for its own good. “But running away does, which you just did. And if that’s your idea of bravery, then perhaps we have different definitions. Just be at her side. I only care what Elysia wants while she birth’s your pups. Don’t take it personally, I certainly won’t. I will not measure my trauma dick with your’s, because I assure you, I’d win.” She didn’t need to explain any further, not with her childhood, not with her fight for survival every fucking step of the way. Madman on a beach one night? Live with one. Live with him grooming you into something terrible, live with pain and suffering every single day of your life. Live with a drunken mother who took her frustrations out on you. Live eating rotten food, live watching your fellow street rats dying and being taken, running from the same fate yourself. She had nothing to prove, but the jab Scald had made sent her fur bristling, her tail twitching as he didn’t know her. He had taken her jest too seriously first, and now her mind was spiraling. Absinth may have had her own pups recently, and motherhood looked quite good on her, but she would never lose the scars that had made her who she was. Fuck. She could not be getting riled up at Ely’s birth!

She watched him closely as he reapproached the den, her eyes flicking to Elysia for a brief moment of reassurance before returning to Scald. His words to Elysia, murmured with a mix of tenderness and urgency, did not go unnoticed. Absinth felt a pang of something – perhaps satisfaction, perhaps protectiveness – but she pushed it aside. Her sister could handle her own affairs. She was done speaking to him, and what a shame, after their pleasant talk at the Wall. Haha.

She stepped back slightly, giving Elysia space but remaining close enough to offer support if needed. Her eyes flicked to Ezekiel, giving him a nod.

Absinth’s eyes flicked to what appeared to be Scald’s mother, taking in the older wolf’s words and the joking tone which piqued her interest. She could appreciate humor in tense moments, and so she moved to greet the woman with a tilt of her charcoal skull. Better this way, Scald didn’t seem too keen on her at the moment anyways.

“Fear?” Absinth echoed, her voice low and edged with a hint of mischief as she looked the woman over. “We fear nothing here.” She stepped closer, her presence a silent assertion of protectiveness, but underlined with an impish curiosity aimed at the horned woman. Her eyes scanned the surrounding landscape, following the other’s gaze but finding no immediate threat. She clicked her teeth to signal her ravens in the treeline, who quickly alighted and began an aerial scan of the perimeter.

“I am Absinth. Don't bother asking for an apology; it's not my style. All I want is for Elysia to have an easy birth. Hurt feelings are not my priority. Nor is Scald’s jealousy.” It was honest enough. Truth, but Absinth didn’t owe it to this woman. Absinth’s gaze shifted back to Scald and Elysia in the den, her expression softening just a fraction as she watched Elysia settle.

“If anyone were foolish enough to try something today, they would quickly learn the error of their ways.” She continued, her voice calm but carrying an unmistakable undercurrent of menace. Though, not towards the woman she was addressing; but for Elysia’s safety. She didn’t think this woman would be a problem. “Elysia and her pups are under our protection. There will be no repeats of past traumas here. Not by anyone, you have my word.”

With that she returned to the den’s entrance, to at least remain close, her presence a steadying force as Elysia leaned into Scald's touch. The tension in the den seemed to ebb slightly as Elysia directed her brother to inform Rhazien of her labor. Absinth caught the underlying command in Elysia's words and gave Ezekiel a brief nod, signaling her agreement with his departure.

When the first pup finally arrived, Absinth watched with a mixture of anticipation and silent pride. As Elysia cleaned the newborn and confirmed it was a boy, Absinth felt a surge of emotion she rarely allowed herself to experience. Elysia's words, filled with pride, resonated deeply. It was different witnessing it from the other end, she wondered if this was how Aresenn felt when she’d birthed their children.

Absinth stepped closer, her emerald eyes softening as she looked at the small, charcoal-colored pup nestled against Elysia's side. “A strong start.” She murmured, her voice a blend of admiration and satisfaction. “He'll grow to be as fierce and resilient as his mother.”

She turned her gaze to Scald, her expression neutral but her tone carrying a hint of approval that he’d returned to her side in the end. “Congratulations.” A sly grin, a flick of her tail like a retort.

Absinth then shifted her attention back to Elysia, her voice softening further. “You've done well, Elysia. Your strength and courage have brought him safely into this world.” She leaned in to nuzzle Elysia's shoulder, a rare gesture of affection and solidarity. “Say, do you think they’ll call me auntie absi?” The monochromatic woman grins, a light laugh escaping her inky lips as her eyes twinkle in cheer.

With a final glance at the newborn, Absinth settled nearby, ready to assist as needed and to ward off any threats, ensuring Elysia and her pups remained safe and undisturbed.


wormwood

go ahead and skip her from now on unless she's directly spoken to, assume she's just keeping watch at the border

The dark man hangs back, allowing Elysia and Absinth to do the talking as he silently offers his support. Zeke’s expression is bored, with a hint of smugness, as he watches this other man, not liking the way he was so quick to abandon his sister without so much questioning why things were the way they were. Duel-toned eyes scan the stranger as he talks about not being squeamish and the corners of his mouth tick up for a moment. Oh, what a tame life this quilled man leads. Still, he remains quiet as the group finally makes their way back into and he steps away to allow them all room.

Eyes follow the trio as El returns to pile of furs and she speaks to him, making him realize that his presence is no longer wanted here. Part of him bristles as he wants to be here for his sibling but, since this other man seems incapable of accepting the presence of a male sibling, he simply dips his head in agreement to Elysia’s words. Not wishing to stress her any further, he softly rumbles, “As you wish. If you need anything, I will be close by.” A pointed look is given the father of the litter, letting him know that he will drag his ass out of here kicking and screaming if he fucks up any further.

With that, Ezekiel departs, sparing the woman who is waiting outside a glance and polite bow of his head as he moves out into the pack lands to do as El had requested.


-exit Ezekiel-


"Ely & Ezekiel"

Scald could hear Absinth going on in the background outside of the den. They hardly knew each other and now wasn’t the time to be getting into a scuffle. Let his mother deal with her for now. Eternally grateful for his mother’s presence, he focuses on Ely. Leaning into her touch, he helps walk her back to where she would give birth to their pups. Her sharp look doesn’t go unnoticed either, but once he had a chance to explain, he knew she’d understand. Ely’s opinion was the only one that mattered to him.

Once Ely has laid down and become comfortable, Scald gently lays himself around her so that she may use him as support if needed. Placing his chin up his paws near her own, he would wait patiently now for what was to come. Her request to have her brother leave did help. Both in the sense that he wasn’t indeed another lover and that he’d rather not have another male around his pups.

As the first pup is born, Scald lifts his head, peering over Ely’s shoulders. A soft smile appears on his muzzle as he looks down at the charcoal and ice boy. “Would Maelstrom be fitting?” He murmurs into Ely’s ear, nosing her cheek tenderly in a silent way of congratulating her accomplishment. At Absinth’s approach and retorting words, Scald tenses, but shows no signs that he wishes everyone kept their distance at this point. If Ely wished her to peer at the pups, he had no say.

Speech // thought // Serbian

The healer kept her nose down through the exchanges, her violet eyes only for the laboring mother. Except when they lingered on the monochrome woman who boldly defended Elysia and scolded Scald. Interesting, the healer noted to herself. Very much the observer in the family dynamics. She caught the conversations between them and could sympathize with everyone. Absinth perhaps had been terribly abused, but if Scald had never fully processed the trauma he experienced around his mother's birth, of course, he would have had a hard time when his own pups came around.

As they began to settle among themselves, Morwennas' gaze silently praised Scald's movements as he came inside. She was proud of him for stepping up and not escalating the growing tensions. Finally, she noticed his fur smoothing as Ely's... attentive brother left the den and Elysia's labors could continue to grow in peace.

She shifted herself just a little closer to Ely as her labors grew and she began to snarl and push. Morwenna's soft voice lifted gently, "You're doing great Elysia, just keep following through and trusting your own body."

As the new boy joined them she watched carefully as Elysia administered all the right movements. She couldn't quite tell from here if there were any subtle deformities or difficulties, she was satisfied with the boy's health as he began suckling immediately. She smiled proudly at Scald as she caught his mismatched gaze briefly. She wanted to give him a happy congratulatory kiss, right there under his ear, but she didn't. She shifted away as Absinth joined them to look at the newborn. Her wildflower eyes watched Ely carefully for any signs of distress when the next child arrived.