Post by avalikia on May 9, 2010 2:20:15 GMT -5
Characters:
Nukpana - Female Horse
Orion - Male Horse Foal
Setting:
Wildwood Acre
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Even though this is Nukpana's first pregnancy, it doesn't take experience for her to know her foal is about to arrive. She's been increasingly uncomfortable since the evening before, and by now she's experiencing full on labor. And she's not happy about what her body is going through one bit; she paces in a restless circle, both wishing it was over with already and cursing at herself for being in this situation in the first place. She's separated herself slightly from the herd and enforced that as much as angry glares in their direction will keep them back, but mostly she's focused on her internal feelings. As eager as she is to have this over and done with, she's also a bit concerned for her foal; it's still rather cold at night. Fortunately, it's waited until mid-morning to arrive, when the sun's started to warm things - or perhaps her own worry delayed it? Regardless, it's definitely on it's way now.
Guided by both instinct and the urge to somehow make herself more comfortable, Nukpana eventually lays down on the ground, her side shaking as another contraction hits. It's only then that she gets the urge too push but, tired as she is, her first effort is much too weak. Talking herself into greater effort by telling herself that even the most miserable mare seems to be able to do this, the large mare tries again, and this time she knows she's having some success. Groaning heavily, she pushes again and again, not looking back until she knows its over.
Being born is a rather stressful thing.. And being born here of all places will surely be a trying thing for this foal. It takes a few pushes until the colt is upon the ground, he has /no/ clue what just happened and is lifting his head shaking it one way and then another. He was all nice and warm, and now his getting cold and he can't understand why!
Instinct now tells her to get her foal cleaned up, but when she spots what's behind her Nukpana hesitates. What's this? A /colt/? And not just a colt, but one in the exact image of his father! She spent nearly a year carrying /this/? Anger builds within the mare as she turns away, legs flexing as she prepares to get up and abandon him on the spot. As if she's going to care for the son of that... stallion! However, once that initial burst of emotion passes, she turns back and surveys her offspring again with a critical eye. Eventually she sighs and says, "Well, you're half me so you can't be all bad." And so, her son is saved by her own ego. Probably not the best first words to say to your firstborn, but its not until they're said that she turns and starts to gently groom him.
The little colt has no idea what is being said, the words don't sound that great to say the least. He wiggles about, long legs trying to move and stretch but they go in different ways which leaves him from being able to get up just yet. At the nosing and grooming he shifts and lifts his head, large eyes blinking as he looks up to his 'loving' mother.
Now that's she's actually caring for her son, Nukpana's negative feelings towards him ease somewhat. He's actually kind of cute if you disregard the... well, it's not looks that count, right? Perhaps if he has the appearance of his father, that means he'll have his mother's mind and turn out okay after all. And she notes with some satisfaction that despite his overall wildbred appearance, he's larger than most newborn foals she's seen. Once she's satisfied that he's clean enough, she turns all of her attention to resting herself, unwilling to stand just yet. That was hard, long, and exhausting! She'll leave her son to sort out his legs by himself; if he needs a demonstration it'll have to wait a bit.
Orion wiggles about and soon finds himself not wet at least. He nickers out a moment, ears flicking forward as he shifts about upon his legs an soon his sitting up in a rather interesting position for a horse to be in. He looks much like a great dane sitting with the way his front legs are positioned. Shoulders rolling he pushes himself upwards so his standing and has a very happy look across his face! That is until he falls right over onto his side when a leg buckles under him.. oof..
The next sign of movement from the blood bay mare is a flick of her ears in his direction. Turning to watch him, Nukpana can't help but feel vaguely disappointed by his clumsiness. Of course, she tells herself that all newborn foals are clumsy, but... Sighing, she decides she's rested long enough. It's not wise to remain on the ground for too long considering how near they are to wolves, so even though the other mares also don't sense anything amiss she'll only give herself that brief rest. Groaning at the effort she hauls herself to her feet, shaking herself weakly to get some of the debris from the ground now clinging to her fur off. And it's only then that she turns her attention back to her colt, but only to keep an eye on him. She's more than content to simply wait for him to get his feet under him instead of trying to assist in the process in any way.
Orion gives his head a good shake and then shifts forward once more, his rump is lifted first this time and soon his back up onto his hooves and glances around. His gaze turns back to his more watching her as she moves and shifts one leg and then moves forward a half step. He nearly falls again before catching himself and scrambles forward in a few bouncing movements.
"There you go," Nukpana says, her voice oddly neutral for one talking to a newborn. She steps closer to him, gently grooming him here and there where it was difficult to reach when both of them were on the ground. As she does so she's careful not to upset his fragile balance, not wanting him to fall back over on her account. Bit by bit she's coming to grips with the fact that she's now a mother an this, whether she's particularly pleased by him or not, is her son.
Orion gives her head a shake and shifts while looking to his mother once more enjoying the touches. He looks down at his hooves an the ground, a forehoof paws upon the ground a few times while his tail flicking about. A soft whicker escaping him once more.
When she finally decides that he's clean enough, Nukpana lifts her head up and eyes him carefully again as she says, "Well, I suppose you need a name." But then she goes silent, unable to come up with anything. The few names she'd tossed around in her head before were all better suited to fillies. And this is one thing she's particularly picky about, being cursed as she is with a name like hers. Well, there's no reason she has to decide /now/, is there? Still, she'd like to. Most of the names that dart through her mind are, of course, those of other horses she's met. But none of them, especially the stallions, deserve to have their name shared by her son. But then a different memory comes to the surface, and the very idea of it causes a smirk, and then a laugh. "I'll call you Orion," she concludes with another laugh and a shake of her head.
Orion looks up at his mother once more, he blinks as he talks and moves his maw a few times but can't make any words come out like that. He stumbles forward slowly, hooves giving him a problem it would seem, though soon enough his more at his mothers side. His head felt bumping against her side. Ears flick forward and back, Orion?.. He can only wonder at this moment what that could actually mean. Perhaps at some point he'll question the idea but the only thought on his mind at the moment is to get something to eat, which requires him to nurse if he ever finds the right spot.
The large mare makes a face when she's bumped into. Not that it actually hurt, but she's not really used to much close contact of any kind, despite the fact that she's in a herd - but that's a long story she'll have to tell him when he's old enough to understand. Nevertheless, she supposes that she'll have to get used to that sort of thing. But the stumble is enough to direct her attention to what he's actually trying to do. "Oh, okay," she says as she adjusts her stance slightly to help him out. This all seems rather unnatural to her, not just because he's her first but also because she hasn't had much chance to be around foals. This is all definitely a new experience.
Nukpana - Female Horse
Orion - Male Horse Foal
Setting:
Wildwood Acre
----------------------------------------
Even though this is Nukpana's first pregnancy, it doesn't take experience for her to know her foal is about to arrive. She's been increasingly uncomfortable since the evening before, and by now she's experiencing full on labor. And she's not happy about what her body is going through one bit; she paces in a restless circle, both wishing it was over with already and cursing at herself for being in this situation in the first place. She's separated herself slightly from the herd and enforced that as much as angry glares in their direction will keep them back, but mostly she's focused on her internal feelings. As eager as she is to have this over and done with, she's also a bit concerned for her foal; it's still rather cold at night. Fortunately, it's waited until mid-morning to arrive, when the sun's started to warm things - or perhaps her own worry delayed it? Regardless, it's definitely on it's way now.
Guided by both instinct and the urge to somehow make herself more comfortable, Nukpana eventually lays down on the ground, her side shaking as another contraction hits. It's only then that she gets the urge too push but, tired as she is, her first effort is much too weak. Talking herself into greater effort by telling herself that even the most miserable mare seems to be able to do this, the large mare tries again, and this time she knows she's having some success. Groaning heavily, she pushes again and again, not looking back until she knows its over.
Being born is a rather stressful thing.. And being born here of all places will surely be a trying thing for this foal. It takes a few pushes until the colt is upon the ground, he has /no/ clue what just happened and is lifting his head shaking it one way and then another. He was all nice and warm, and now his getting cold and he can't understand why!
Instinct now tells her to get her foal cleaned up, but when she spots what's behind her Nukpana hesitates. What's this? A /colt/? And not just a colt, but one in the exact image of his father! She spent nearly a year carrying /this/? Anger builds within the mare as she turns away, legs flexing as she prepares to get up and abandon him on the spot. As if she's going to care for the son of that... stallion! However, once that initial burst of emotion passes, she turns back and surveys her offspring again with a critical eye. Eventually she sighs and says, "Well, you're half me so you can't be all bad." And so, her son is saved by her own ego. Probably not the best first words to say to your firstborn, but its not until they're said that she turns and starts to gently groom him.
The little colt has no idea what is being said, the words don't sound that great to say the least. He wiggles about, long legs trying to move and stretch but they go in different ways which leaves him from being able to get up just yet. At the nosing and grooming he shifts and lifts his head, large eyes blinking as he looks up to his 'loving' mother.
Now that's she's actually caring for her son, Nukpana's negative feelings towards him ease somewhat. He's actually kind of cute if you disregard the... well, it's not looks that count, right? Perhaps if he has the appearance of his father, that means he'll have his mother's mind and turn out okay after all. And she notes with some satisfaction that despite his overall wildbred appearance, he's larger than most newborn foals she's seen. Once she's satisfied that he's clean enough, she turns all of her attention to resting herself, unwilling to stand just yet. That was hard, long, and exhausting! She'll leave her son to sort out his legs by himself; if he needs a demonstration it'll have to wait a bit.
Orion wiggles about and soon finds himself not wet at least. He nickers out a moment, ears flicking forward as he shifts about upon his legs an soon his sitting up in a rather interesting position for a horse to be in. He looks much like a great dane sitting with the way his front legs are positioned. Shoulders rolling he pushes himself upwards so his standing and has a very happy look across his face! That is until he falls right over onto his side when a leg buckles under him.. oof..
The next sign of movement from the blood bay mare is a flick of her ears in his direction. Turning to watch him, Nukpana can't help but feel vaguely disappointed by his clumsiness. Of course, she tells herself that all newborn foals are clumsy, but... Sighing, she decides she's rested long enough. It's not wise to remain on the ground for too long considering how near they are to wolves, so even though the other mares also don't sense anything amiss she'll only give herself that brief rest. Groaning at the effort she hauls herself to her feet, shaking herself weakly to get some of the debris from the ground now clinging to her fur off. And it's only then that she turns her attention back to her colt, but only to keep an eye on him. She's more than content to simply wait for him to get his feet under him instead of trying to assist in the process in any way.
Orion gives his head a good shake and then shifts forward once more, his rump is lifted first this time and soon his back up onto his hooves and glances around. His gaze turns back to his more watching her as she moves and shifts one leg and then moves forward a half step. He nearly falls again before catching himself and scrambles forward in a few bouncing movements.
"There you go," Nukpana says, her voice oddly neutral for one talking to a newborn. She steps closer to him, gently grooming him here and there where it was difficult to reach when both of them were on the ground. As she does so she's careful not to upset his fragile balance, not wanting him to fall back over on her account. Bit by bit she's coming to grips with the fact that she's now a mother an this, whether she's particularly pleased by him or not, is her son.
Orion gives her head a shake and shifts while looking to his mother once more enjoying the touches. He looks down at his hooves an the ground, a forehoof paws upon the ground a few times while his tail flicking about. A soft whicker escaping him once more.
When she finally decides that he's clean enough, Nukpana lifts her head up and eyes him carefully again as she says, "Well, I suppose you need a name." But then she goes silent, unable to come up with anything. The few names she'd tossed around in her head before were all better suited to fillies. And this is one thing she's particularly picky about, being cursed as she is with a name like hers. Well, there's no reason she has to decide /now/, is there? Still, she'd like to. Most of the names that dart through her mind are, of course, those of other horses she's met. But none of them, especially the stallions, deserve to have their name shared by her son. But then a different memory comes to the surface, and the very idea of it causes a smirk, and then a laugh. "I'll call you Orion," she concludes with another laugh and a shake of her head.
Orion looks up at his mother once more, he blinks as he talks and moves his maw a few times but can't make any words come out like that. He stumbles forward slowly, hooves giving him a problem it would seem, though soon enough his more at his mothers side. His head felt bumping against her side. Ears flick forward and back, Orion?.. He can only wonder at this moment what that could actually mean. Perhaps at some point he'll question the idea but the only thought on his mind at the moment is to get something to eat, which requires him to nurse if he ever finds the right spot.
The large mare makes a face when she's bumped into. Not that it actually hurt, but she's not really used to much close contact of any kind, despite the fact that she's in a herd - but that's a long story she'll have to tell him when he's old enough to understand. Nevertheless, she supposes that she'll have to get used to that sort of thing. But the stumble is enough to direct her attention to what he's actually trying to do. "Oh, okay," she says as she adjusts her stance slightly to help him out. This all seems rather unnatural to her, not just because he's her first but also because she hasn't had much chance to be around foals. This is all definitely a new experience.