Post by Cael on Nov 27, 2007 19:02:40 GMT -5
Setting: Lazuli Underground Den.
Involved: Felstride, Storm, Thorne, Miakoda, Cyrus, Aeron, Riko, Brushtail, Helios, Echo, Shikoba, Moonbird.
With the gradual change of the weather hanging heavy in the air, the wolf knew that some things were inevitable. The snow around his paws was melting away, and today that act was helped by a misty drizzle that caused fog to roll up from the ground. Felstride had been out for most of the day, patroling when he knew that neither Storm or Miakoda could, and trying to find something to fill their stomachs. Fortunately, he managed to snare a hare that poked its head above ground a little early this year and paid dearly for it. With the catch hanging from his jaws, the wolf was on his way back to the den site at a steady trot when something in the heavy air caused him to pause, tense, then bolt in the direction of home. Something was stirring, and he's felt it once before. The hare laying forgotten in a mound of snow by the cavern's mouth, Felstride steps into the mellow warmth of the underground cautiously, waiting for his eyes to adjust. He chuffs quietly, announcing his presence, and waits.
Miakoda isn't liking this ridiculous pregnancy thing. No one told her that she wouldn't be able to do the things that she likes to do: Hunt. Stalk. Play. Roll around. Pounce. She feels largely stuck and has not left the den in some days. Granted, being waited on by Felstride is a little more than nice, a fact and feeling which hasn't been properly showed due to random and heavy swings of the mood that seems intent on keeping her grumpy. Bah. Feeling very large, though not nearly as large as her best friend Alpha, Miakoda lays near the rear of the cave, settled on her side, and stares at the wall. Until that chuff, that is. With an ear flick, she adjusts her head enough to peer at the entrance. A breath is exhaled against the earthy ground as she rolls onto her belly and greets the Alpha male with a similar sound. "You smell bloody." Squirm.
Yes, indeed, something is going on back at the den. Storm knew the pups would be coming soon, she could feel it for a few days now. Though in the pit of her stomach she gets the feeling that something is different with this litter. Near the back of the den is where the Alpha is resting, dealing with the pain that has started the birthing process for the new litter. Her ears perk as her attention drifts to the entrance and she smirks slightly as she hears Miakoda. "Some greeting," she offers with a joking tone while taking in a shakey breath. "Fel..." The she-wolf says softly. "It's time." And she shouldn't have to explain what it's time for.
"It's time for what?" comes the gruff voice of Thorne behind Felstride. The white wolf loves the snow and hates mood swings... so he's been out and about, keeping up the steady trend of patrols and grabs at potential food, though he's been no where near as successful as the Alpha. Still, it was hard to miss the dropped carcass outside the den and, fearing something had happened, he's come down as well. "Everything okay?" he intones after, peering around the calm form of the other male.
The scent of the pregnant females is what greets him first, followed closely by Miakoda's voice. Her words cause the wolf to backstep once, licking his lips in almost shame for the blood on them, feeling that, perhaps, it was not the best for her to smell. Then again, he thinks, retaking that lost ground, perhaps the blood she smells is not from his hare. He did, after all, feel something itching at the back of his neck while he was out. His ears tip to his Alphess, then, a gentle smile forms across his muzzle that remains there even when she draws that uneasy breath, and Felstride covers the short distance between them in a few strides. Behind him, Thorne's presence elicits a gentle laugh, though he watches his volume more for the ladies than anyone else. "Pups," is all that the male offers to the ghost wolf, before settling himself close by to his mate, nuzzling comfortingly under her neck. At least Storm has come to grips with her mood swings, unlike some; it must come with practice, apparently.
It's time for what? Dinner? "Well of course it's time," Miakoda replies with a slow groan as she sits up. Gah, she's ready for all this extra weight to be gone. "I smell.." Wait. They're not talking about food, are they? She turns an ear back, and its twin follows as her eyes turn to Thorne. "Where've you been?" she grumps a bit unnecessarily, but luckily, before her infamous cheer can go too far, Storm grabs her attention. It's time? It's time. ... It's time! Her breath catches sharply, and a bit painfully, in her chest as her eyes dart her way, and they widen as Felstride approaches his mate. This is the real deal, isn't it? She shudders a little, looking anxiously at her friend. "Are you ok? Do you need anything?" asked with a quick breath.
Storm closes her eyes and gruffs faintly as she hears more voices. Sure, most of her mood swings are held in check but, still, when one is in pain they tend to have even shorter tempers at times. "Well... Thorne, I'll give you one guess and if you don't get it right I'm gonna' chew yours ears off while Mia' sits on you." The Alpha says while slowly moving, attemping to settle better on her side. When Felstride moves over she nuzzles back against his neck, glad he's here, to say the least. Her forepaws press more against the ground as she starts to pant more. "No, no... Don't need anything other than them to hurry up," she murmurs softly, already seeming tired.
They've dealt with this before; only stands to reason they'd be better at it this time around. Thorne's muzzle wrinkles as Felstride mentions it's time for pups. /His/ pups, thankfully, not Thorne's. Although... he steals a quick glance at Miakoda, wondering if it wouldn't be better for her to get it over with too, just so the grumpiness would go away. Thorne doesn't reply to Storm as he normally would; see, he's learned to be quiet at certain times! Giving both alphas as wide a berth as possible in the den, he sidles over to Mia's side, poking lightly at her shoulder with his cold nose, "You're feeling alright, right?"
The Alpha's attention slowly circles around the ever crowding den, realizing that all too soon it would be that much more crowded with.. who knows how many more bodies.. For now, Miakoda and Thorne are left to their own devices while he does was he needs to do; comfort Storm as he can and help her with the pups so that she doesn't have to. He's done it before, and.. even with their first litter... it was like he had done it all his life. It was a strange kind of miracle, or ritual, or... something not fully understandable at the time. Like now, there is a sense of unease among three of them, but for him there is a calm kind of complacency in his mind that allows him to remain as he is. Of course, it helps that he's not the one giving birth, but... still.
Ok, Storm's a pro at this. Miakoda just needs to sit back, relax, and be a comforting presence in the background while Storm does her thing and Fel does his thing. ... Easier said than done. "What?" is said to Thorne, somewhat startled by the cold touch of his nose? "Er. Yeah... Yes. I'm fine. I'm great. Why wouldn't I be?" Ignore the quickness of breath that's suddenly starting. Though she's likely just mimicing Storm, right? Helping her on? Just think of her as her breathing coach.
Storm would gladly let Felstride do the birthing if that was all possible! Her eyes close as she works on shutting out the other voices in the den, mostly because there are more important things going on at the moment. Sure, she has been through it before, but that doesn't really mean anything, mind you. Either way one looks at it, it's still painful as all heck, and at the moment she is in a good amount of pain. A few faint whimpers escape the Alpha while her breathing stays quick.
Feeling a bit out of place, Thorne sits next to Miakoda, head lowering and shoulders hunching. He doesn't quite notice Miakoda's quick breathing and assumes, similarly, that it's just in the excitement. The white wolf glances about the den, before murmuring to Mia, "...Do you want to...go for a walk or something?" He squirms uncomfortably, not sure if this is supposed to be an exclusive event for the two soon-to-be-parents. Not to mention he's already worried about his and Mia's own situation. He winces as Storm whimpers, ears falling to either side.
The other voices around them in the den don't seem to register much on his face, though every so often Felstride will steal a glance at both Betas. He says nothing, however, and the wince from Storm draws him against to his task. He touches his nose to her shoulder, what little he can do to ease the pain, and, through her heavy breaths and low whines, the first of their second litter is born, its cries echoing his mother's, though just in a tinier way. The noise catches Felstride's attention, and he takes the pup and begins to clean him meticulously, leaving Storm to rest, before placing their first boy up near the warmth of his Alphess' stomach for him to nurse. The wolf cleans his muzzle then, blinks, and glances toward Miakoda. Something, as they say, is up, though he says nothing of his thoughts.
Amber eyes glance to Thorne and linger on him, mouth open and soft panting continuing. He wants to go for a walk? She could almost laugh though she knows not why, and somehow, laughing isn't coming as easy as it usually does. Instead of that jolly sound comes a long whine that surprises even her, but more surprising is the sharp streak of pain that comes with it. "...Ow.." whispered in a staggered way as she slides down onto her stomach again. Oh yes, something's up, and it hurts. "Th...Thorne?" murmured even as the newest alpha pup makes his first cries not too far away.
Storm is very thankful to have Felstride here, more so than he could understand with the help he IS giving. Her forepaws shift and move around the dirt while she struggles a bit after the first pup is born and soon at her side. She knows its just one of the pups to be born tonight though, not with the way she has been feeling or /looking/ lately, for that matter. The Alpha noses out at the small pup which whimpers at the cold world it has been born into. Her ears twitch as she catches Miakoda and lifts her head to look over at her friend, a faint smile offered with a knowing look it seems, that is until she is in pain once more and another pup is on the way.
Yes, yes, out would be excellent; in fact, Thorne is leaning as though he'd slink out of the den, the idea of leaving foremost in his mind. So much so that he doesn't notice Miakoda's lack of response to the question, but he definitely notes the whine and stutter of his name. Snapping to alertness, he is back to Mia's side in an instant, "What's wrong, Mia?" It doesn't cross his mind just yet that the inevitable is happening. "What's wrong?" he repeats, caught up in the tangible excitement in the small den, glancing over to the Alphas. Wait for it...wait for it...click! His eyes widen and holds back the urge to whine as well; and 'everyone else is doing it' is not an excuse. He shakes his head once and turns back to back, "Mia..."
The first will not be the last, but Felstride can't help but linger on the small pup, and their first born boy. After two daughters, the proud father mentality is kicking in, but he's got little time to gloat; he can do that later, when all this is over. When the second pup begins to come so quickly after the first, Felstride realizes then that this might be very difficult on his mate, particularly with the size of her stomach; there won't be just two this year, it seems. Folding his ears back, the wolf tries to block out the sounds of pain from both females now, it's not a good sound, and comforts Storm as best he can, smoothing down her ruffled neck fur. The second pup, a female, is taken, cleaned, and warmed in the process, tucked neatly next to her brother at their mother's stomach before the male can finally look up from his mate at the Beta pair, and he churrs gently. "Hush, Miakoda," he offers to her, nuzzling Storm once more and taking the few short steps to Miakoda's side. He offers her the same nuzzle, to comfort and calm her, knowing how Storm felt with the previous litter. "Do not think. Act." That said, he looks to Thorne with steady eyes and a nod; same to him, just act.
Something is eating her insides, that's what's wrong. Miakoda doesn't seem to know how to answer Thorne's question, and all that she does it look up at him with a half-fearful look on her face before squinting hard and panting again. That should say it all, yes? Oy. As joyful as she is for Storm, she isn't able to regard her at the moment, being too nervous .. ha, no. Too terrified at this brand new and painful thing she's going through. This is all Thorne's fault! But even so, Thorne is the only one she has eyes for, ans she looks at him again as Fel tells her to hush. It's almost enough to make her cry. He told her to shut up! Or at least, that what it sounds like for a second her her too-emotional state, but it's advice that she takes. Hush. Don't think. Act. And ... so she acts. She does the things that mothers are supposed to do. She brings her first child into the world ... with a lot of noise.
It was quiet, relatively so, before, and warm. There was really only the steady rush of blood and the occasional tumble when he kicked his paws. But in the world, in the world there is noise, great noise, and though he cannot hear it, his small body can feel the movement of the air and can feel the noise around him. And in the world there is apparently something called temperature, and it's not the same everywhere you go. The sudden shock is overwhelming, enough for him to draw in a breath, but unlike Storm's puppies, Miakoda's first makes no noise. At first, he might be considered stillborn, but the movement in his paws and his wide open mouth suggest otherwise. A bright spot of white, or, rather, a bloodied brown spot of white, a miniature mirror of his father (once he's cleaned), Miakoda's first born opens his maw and makes no noise. [Echo]
If she could think straight and talk, Storm would be telling Miakoda the same thing, though she is a little busy at the moment here. With a second pup born the Alpha lifts her head and slowly nuzzles against her new son and daughter while getting a few moments to rest, if it could be called that. The first two pups seem to come with ease, the next one, though, is not so easy. A few sharp whimpers escape the Alpha as she lays there, her head settled near her new pups before she lets her head rest back against the ground as she takes in a sharp, shakey breath.
Act? Act how? Thorne stares at Felstride for a moment before giving his full attention to Miakoda, hunkering down near her to nuzzle and lightly lick at her neck. And there he'll stay for a moment, burying his nose in her fur as she struggles. It doesn't last long - it's hard to stay still when so much is going on, and Thorne lifts his head, only to note the newborn pup and not a moment too soon. Perhaps instinct guides, or maybe it's just seeing Felstride earlier, but the white wolf is drawn to the pup and he can't help but stare for a moment, awe clear on his features. However, he only cleans up the pup enough to pick it up gently by the scruff and place it besides Mia, where she can reach him easier.
Without waiting for Miakoda's or Thorne's reactions, Felstride is back at Storm's side, crooning gently into her ear as her contractions begin again, this time worse than before. He waits, for that's all he can do, until their third pup is born, and, like the others, the male takes care of the cleaning and places another girl next to Storm's stomach for her to nurse. He gives a quick lick to Storm's chin before turning to see Miakoda and Thorne, watching a moment in silence before he cirlces around the Beta female, nuzzling softly at the crown of her head. He eyes the tiny white pup, grining slightly at Thorne (and his rather poor clean up duty), before returning to his post next to his mate, waiting.
When he was first born the young pup whimpered as usual. The bright light, the cold world, the ABANDONMENT of his mothers womb. How /dare/ she. And what is this picking him up and cleaning him and moving him around?! Darn these hidden giants!!! He didn't know his father was quickly gloating over him or he'd strike a 'manly' pose, until THEN however if he could he's shake a paw at them, but alas, he can not. So instead, Cyrus lets out the biggest wail of his life. Almost kin to a human screaming, "WHAT THE HELL!" Whimper Whimper Whine Whine WHine. He quiets some as his sister is laid beside him but it doesn't last long as his tiny legs start to thrash around. He's basically BLIND and he can't hear a /darn/ thing and its freaking /cold/. Birth outside the womb sucks. XD
"What is it?" breathlessly asks Miakoda, sounding as if she may be expecting him to tell her that she's just given birth to a deer. It sure felt like something that size, anyway. She struggles to lift her head and turn it to look at him, but luckily for him, Thorne saves her the trouble. Blinking rapidly, she sets her eyes on their tiny and still messy firstborn, and her expression changes almost instantly. Pain melts and is replaced with a warm and very motherly look as she nestles the silent pup closer and begins to clean him properly. Dad didn't do a very good job! Are babies supposed to be so quiet? Storm's sure are making a racket, but Mia doesn't seem to notice the little white baby's oddity ... especially since there's another one coming ... now!
Another pup, and another daughter, well at least they have a new boy in the family. Storm only whimpers, her breathing slowling down some, almost as if it was all over. Well, she can wish, at least. It takes a few moments before the pain to start again and another pup is born, though by this point Storm is to tired to try and lift her head and check on them. Her eyes have closed and other then her breathing and whimpers she isn't doing much else. Though even while she doesn't lift her head she can hear what is going on around her, and her son isn't helping anything at the moment as he has a full out fit. Shouldn't he be tired?
Thorne once again crouches besides Miakoda, too much in awe to think clearly. He lets Mia tend to the youngster while he simply stares, licking at one of her back paws. The once-lone-wolf never envisioned pups in his future, never his pups. And his first - stark white! - a boy if he's not mistaken, his spitting image so far. Crawling closer, he nuzzles at Miakoda's haunch, just to reassure her he's there still, offering what comfort he can.
The quiet boy only squirmed under his mother's touch, his small and uncoordinated paws batting at the air and at her nose and muzzle as he's cleaned yet again before being left alone in favor of a second pup on its way. It seems, though, that Miakoda's quiet child doesn't seem to mind, instead finding life content enough as he hunkers near his mother's warm stomach, attempting to nurse, but realizing that it's not so easy when mother is moving so much. [Echo]
Felstride, on the other hand, has had little time to make sure that Miakoda and Thorne are doing alright, but neither have collapsed dead or run screaming from the den, and so he assumes that they are doing well enough. His concern, however, is for his mate who, tired, is having trouble. A fourth pup is on her way, and once out, Storm seems beyond spent. Still, Felstride does what he can do, cleans and positions their third daughter from this litter, and lick at Storm's forehead to perhaps cool and sooth her.
Brushtail is very nervous at all the different feelings around her. Used to the warmth of her mother's womb, she is scared by this new world she must be in. She feels strange, tingling sensations coming in random areas of her body. These seem to calm her somewhat, but her surroundings still worry her.
Life tastes like dirt. Rather, that's what the assessment would be if Shikoba could form any lasting thoughts. Torn from the security of her mother's womb, the tiny pup tries to let loose a wail of protest. What comes out, however, is similar to that of a drowning rat. But that's alright, because it about matches what she /looks/ like right now. The newborn writhes about, waiting for somebody to put her back it. She can't see or hear anything, all she knows is that it's cold and terrifying. So, who's /bright/ idea was it to bring her out here in the first place?
Miakoda has two children! Two is enough. Two is /plenty/, and if it was up to her, this would be the end of this whole birthing thing. But fate has other plans for the first-time mother who's getting anxious again, even moreso as she hasn't had Thorne in her sights in the span of two minutes or so, which is a bit too long for her. "Thorne?" questioned before feeling him behind her and the white pup against her. She settles down for a moment, panting yet grinning feebly at that gurgled .. sound made either by her newest son or daughter. Trusting Thorne to care for their newest youngster, she shifts her head, peering for Storm. "She doin' alright?"
Storm has been doing better, right now she isn't feeling too well and it's not from the fact that she just gave birth to four pups, either. Her head is spining and she feels rather sick, to say the least. The last pup is on its way, at least, well if it isn't the last pup she doesn't know what she'll do. The words of Miakoda are heard but she can't find the energy to answer her, and once the last pup is born the Alpha goes rather still other than her ragged breathing. From the looks of it she's passed out from exhaustion, hopefully.
Another pup; Thorne moves a little quicker, a little more sure this time, doing a /marginally/ better job of cleaning up the newest addition before he picks up the second pup and places her next to the first. The white wolf grins lopsidedly, rubbing his head on Miakoda's shoulder before looking to Storm. He exhales slowly and shakes his head, dropping his head near Miakoda's so he can talk quietly, "She's doing alright... four pups and possibly another on the way..." The white wolf can't help but grin in his usual impudent fashion, "You're not following suit, are you?"
The final pup, a second male, is taken care of, though Felstride doesn't have too much of that initial fatherly pride in him, at present. As his initial cool begins to unravel, he still manages to take the time to care for and clean the fifth and, it seems, final pup, placing him against Storm's belly as the others, before curling up next to her. Protective, as one might expect, the wolf has positioned himself in front of the newborn puppies, his tail almost covering them, while his head is at Storm's level, keeping watch over her in her sleep. Eventually, Miakoda's words float through to him, and, with an ear flick, he glances over his shoulder. "She is fine, just.. tired." Yes, tired, hopefully. This litter was bigger than their first, obviously, and so the stress on Storm's body was double. To pass the time, Felstride grooms down his mate's neck fur, glancing to the Beta's every so often should they need his help.
A baby! Miakoda's ears perk up as Thorne brings the cleaner little girl closer, and she grins crookedly. "Good job, Daddy," spoken softly to the white wolf, taking a moment to flick out her tongue to lick his muzzle as he's near enough to do so. The girl pup is also cleaned off and she steals a look in Felstride and Storm's direction. Four plus one more? No wonder she was so fat! She grins a little towards Thorne's jest. "Don't jinx me," muttered before sending a soft and congratulatory smile towards Felstride. Oh, but Mia's not done. Her head soon plops back down on the ground after, and she strains again. Moonbird is born not long after. Another slimy little boy pup.
Helios is born, and he is confused, to say the least. The reddish hued pup kicks out with his forepaws as he's hauled into the air and some big warm /thing/ is licking him... What the heck is THAT? A few gurggly sounds escape him as he tries to escape, it would seem, but that isn't going to happen any time soon. Once he's is against his mother's belly and siblings he relaxes for a few moments, well until seeming to hear his slightly older brother's yelling cry, which of course get's one from him but his isn't at loud at least, a bit hoarse, in fact. His parents are for sure thankful to say the least.
As for Storm, she won't be waking up again tonight, and maybe not tomorrow with how she feels at the moment. But with the last pup finally born she can at least attempt to rest a bit better. Her breathing starts to relax with Felstride being closer to her, but still something with the Alpha seems a bit off, though only time will tell now.
He's only joking! Seriously! Two is plenty! Er...three, in that case. Thorne is just starting to get the hang of this; dutifully he moves to take care of the third - and hopefully last - pup. He may just clean up this one even better than the other two, but, because he's a good Dad and thinks Mom should bond first, he leaves enough for Mia to finish. The third pup is placed with the other two and Thorne returns to Mia's side, crouching as he had before, resting his head near her front paws this time, ready and waiting.
With the night ahead of them, and a hopefully calmer one, Felstride resolutely sets himself as the watchman for the evening, keeping an eye on not only Storm and their litter, but Miakoda and Thorne's litter, as well. He shuffles a little to get comfortable, keeping an eye on his Alphess the entire time, glancing around the den enough to notice what's going on, before his immediate family ropes in his attention. He's quiet, now, content to wait and see, to hope that time eases his worries and that the third generation of the Lazuli remain well.
Involved: Felstride, Storm, Thorne, Miakoda, Cyrus, Aeron, Riko, Brushtail, Helios, Echo, Shikoba, Moonbird.
With the gradual change of the weather hanging heavy in the air, the wolf knew that some things were inevitable. The snow around his paws was melting away, and today that act was helped by a misty drizzle that caused fog to roll up from the ground. Felstride had been out for most of the day, patroling when he knew that neither Storm or Miakoda could, and trying to find something to fill their stomachs. Fortunately, he managed to snare a hare that poked its head above ground a little early this year and paid dearly for it. With the catch hanging from his jaws, the wolf was on his way back to the den site at a steady trot when something in the heavy air caused him to pause, tense, then bolt in the direction of home. Something was stirring, and he's felt it once before. The hare laying forgotten in a mound of snow by the cavern's mouth, Felstride steps into the mellow warmth of the underground cautiously, waiting for his eyes to adjust. He chuffs quietly, announcing his presence, and waits.
Miakoda isn't liking this ridiculous pregnancy thing. No one told her that she wouldn't be able to do the things that she likes to do: Hunt. Stalk. Play. Roll around. Pounce. She feels largely stuck and has not left the den in some days. Granted, being waited on by Felstride is a little more than nice, a fact and feeling which hasn't been properly showed due to random and heavy swings of the mood that seems intent on keeping her grumpy. Bah. Feeling very large, though not nearly as large as her best friend Alpha, Miakoda lays near the rear of the cave, settled on her side, and stares at the wall. Until that chuff, that is. With an ear flick, she adjusts her head enough to peer at the entrance. A breath is exhaled against the earthy ground as she rolls onto her belly and greets the Alpha male with a similar sound. "You smell bloody." Squirm.
Yes, indeed, something is going on back at the den. Storm knew the pups would be coming soon, she could feel it for a few days now. Though in the pit of her stomach she gets the feeling that something is different with this litter. Near the back of the den is where the Alpha is resting, dealing with the pain that has started the birthing process for the new litter. Her ears perk as her attention drifts to the entrance and she smirks slightly as she hears Miakoda. "Some greeting," she offers with a joking tone while taking in a shakey breath. "Fel..." The she-wolf says softly. "It's time." And she shouldn't have to explain what it's time for.
"It's time for what?" comes the gruff voice of Thorne behind Felstride. The white wolf loves the snow and hates mood swings... so he's been out and about, keeping up the steady trend of patrols and grabs at potential food, though he's been no where near as successful as the Alpha. Still, it was hard to miss the dropped carcass outside the den and, fearing something had happened, he's come down as well. "Everything okay?" he intones after, peering around the calm form of the other male.
The scent of the pregnant females is what greets him first, followed closely by Miakoda's voice. Her words cause the wolf to backstep once, licking his lips in almost shame for the blood on them, feeling that, perhaps, it was not the best for her to smell. Then again, he thinks, retaking that lost ground, perhaps the blood she smells is not from his hare. He did, after all, feel something itching at the back of his neck while he was out. His ears tip to his Alphess, then, a gentle smile forms across his muzzle that remains there even when she draws that uneasy breath, and Felstride covers the short distance between them in a few strides. Behind him, Thorne's presence elicits a gentle laugh, though he watches his volume more for the ladies than anyone else. "Pups," is all that the male offers to the ghost wolf, before settling himself close by to his mate, nuzzling comfortingly under her neck. At least Storm has come to grips with her mood swings, unlike some; it must come with practice, apparently.
It's time for what? Dinner? "Well of course it's time," Miakoda replies with a slow groan as she sits up. Gah, she's ready for all this extra weight to be gone. "I smell.." Wait. They're not talking about food, are they? She turns an ear back, and its twin follows as her eyes turn to Thorne. "Where've you been?" she grumps a bit unnecessarily, but luckily, before her infamous cheer can go too far, Storm grabs her attention. It's time? It's time. ... It's time! Her breath catches sharply, and a bit painfully, in her chest as her eyes dart her way, and they widen as Felstride approaches his mate. This is the real deal, isn't it? She shudders a little, looking anxiously at her friend. "Are you ok? Do you need anything?" asked with a quick breath.
Storm closes her eyes and gruffs faintly as she hears more voices. Sure, most of her mood swings are held in check but, still, when one is in pain they tend to have even shorter tempers at times. "Well... Thorne, I'll give you one guess and if you don't get it right I'm gonna' chew yours ears off while Mia' sits on you." The Alpha says while slowly moving, attemping to settle better on her side. When Felstride moves over she nuzzles back against his neck, glad he's here, to say the least. Her forepaws press more against the ground as she starts to pant more. "No, no... Don't need anything other than them to hurry up," she murmurs softly, already seeming tired.
They've dealt with this before; only stands to reason they'd be better at it this time around. Thorne's muzzle wrinkles as Felstride mentions it's time for pups. /His/ pups, thankfully, not Thorne's. Although... he steals a quick glance at Miakoda, wondering if it wouldn't be better for her to get it over with too, just so the grumpiness would go away. Thorne doesn't reply to Storm as he normally would; see, he's learned to be quiet at certain times! Giving both alphas as wide a berth as possible in the den, he sidles over to Mia's side, poking lightly at her shoulder with his cold nose, "You're feeling alright, right?"
The Alpha's attention slowly circles around the ever crowding den, realizing that all too soon it would be that much more crowded with.. who knows how many more bodies.. For now, Miakoda and Thorne are left to their own devices while he does was he needs to do; comfort Storm as he can and help her with the pups so that she doesn't have to. He's done it before, and.. even with their first litter... it was like he had done it all his life. It was a strange kind of miracle, or ritual, or... something not fully understandable at the time. Like now, there is a sense of unease among three of them, but for him there is a calm kind of complacency in his mind that allows him to remain as he is. Of course, it helps that he's not the one giving birth, but... still.
Ok, Storm's a pro at this. Miakoda just needs to sit back, relax, and be a comforting presence in the background while Storm does her thing and Fel does his thing. ... Easier said than done. "What?" is said to Thorne, somewhat startled by the cold touch of his nose? "Er. Yeah... Yes. I'm fine. I'm great. Why wouldn't I be?" Ignore the quickness of breath that's suddenly starting. Though she's likely just mimicing Storm, right? Helping her on? Just think of her as her breathing coach.
Storm would gladly let Felstride do the birthing if that was all possible! Her eyes close as she works on shutting out the other voices in the den, mostly because there are more important things going on at the moment. Sure, she has been through it before, but that doesn't really mean anything, mind you. Either way one looks at it, it's still painful as all heck, and at the moment she is in a good amount of pain. A few faint whimpers escape the Alpha while her breathing stays quick.
Feeling a bit out of place, Thorne sits next to Miakoda, head lowering and shoulders hunching. He doesn't quite notice Miakoda's quick breathing and assumes, similarly, that it's just in the excitement. The white wolf glances about the den, before murmuring to Mia, "...Do you want to...go for a walk or something?" He squirms uncomfortably, not sure if this is supposed to be an exclusive event for the two soon-to-be-parents. Not to mention he's already worried about his and Mia's own situation. He winces as Storm whimpers, ears falling to either side.
The other voices around them in the den don't seem to register much on his face, though every so often Felstride will steal a glance at both Betas. He says nothing, however, and the wince from Storm draws him against to his task. He touches his nose to her shoulder, what little he can do to ease the pain, and, through her heavy breaths and low whines, the first of their second litter is born, its cries echoing his mother's, though just in a tinier way. The noise catches Felstride's attention, and he takes the pup and begins to clean him meticulously, leaving Storm to rest, before placing their first boy up near the warmth of his Alphess' stomach for him to nurse. The wolf cleans his muzzle then, blinks, and glances toward Miakoda. Something, as they say, is up, though he says nothing of his thoughts.
Amber eyes glance to Thorne and linger on him, mouth open and soft panting continuing. He wants to go for a walk? She could almost laugh though she knows not why, and somehow, laughing isn't coming as easy as it usually does. Instead of that jolly sound comes a long whine that surprises even her, but more surprising is the sharp streak of pain that comes with it. "...Ow.." whispered in a staggered way as she slides down onto her stomach again. Oh yes, something's up, and it hurts. "Th...Thorne?" murmured even as the newest alpha pup makes his first cries not too far away.
Storm is very thankful to have Felstride here, more so than he could understand with the help he IS giving. Her forepaws shift and move around the dirt while she struggles a bit after the first pup is born and soon at her side. She knows its just one of the pups to be born tonight though, not with the way she has been feeling or /looking/ lately, for that matter. The Alpha noses out at the small pup which whimpers at the cold world it has been born into. Her ears twitch as she catches Miakoda and lifts her head to look over at her friend, a faint smile offered with a knowing look it seems, that is until she is in pain once more and another pup is on the way.
Yes, yes, out would be excellent; in fact, Thorne is leaning as though he'd slink out of the den, the idea of leaving foremost in his mind. So much so that he doesn't notice Miakoda's lack of response to the question, but he definitely notes the whine and stutter of his name. Snapping to alertness, he is back to Mia's side in an instant, "What's wrong, Mia?" It doesn't cross his mind just yet that the inevitable is happening. "What's wrong?" he repeats, caught up in the tangible excitement in the small den, glancing over to the Alphas. Wait for it...wait for it...click! His eyes widen and holds back the urge to whine as well; and 'everyone else is doing it' is not an excuse. He shakes his head once and turns back to back, "Mia..."
The first will not be the last, but Felstride can't help but linger on the small pup, and their first born boy. After two daughters, the proud father mentality is kicking in, but he's got little time to gloat; he can do that later, when all this is over. When the second pup begins to come so quickly after the first, Felstride realizes then that this might be very difficult on his mate, particularly with the size of her stomach; there won't be just two this year, it seems. Folding his ears back, the wolf tries to block out the sounds of pain from both females now, it's not a good sound, and comforts Storm as best he can, smoothing down her ruffled neck fur. The second pup, a female, is taken, cleaned, and warmed in the process, tucked neatly next to her brother at their mother's stomach before the male can finally look up from his mate at the Beta pair, and he churrs gently. "Hush, Miakoda," he offers to her, nuzzling Storm once more and taking the few short steps to Miakoda's side. He offers her the same nuzzle, to comfort and calm her, knowing how Storm felt with the previous litter. "Do not think. Act." That said, he looks to Thorne with steady eyes and a nod; same to him, just act.
Something is eating her insides, that's what's wrong. Miakoda doesn't seem to know how to answer Thorne's question, and all that she does it look up at him with a half-fearful look on her face before squinting hard and panting again. That should say it all, yes? Oy. As joyful as she is for Storm, she isn't able to regard her at the moment, being too nervous .. ha, no. Too terrified at this brand new and painful thing she's going through. This is all Thorne's fault! But even so, Thorne is the only one she has eyes for, ans she looks at him again as Fel tells her to hush. It's almost enough to make her cry. He told her to shut up! Or at least, that what it sounds like for a second her her too-emotional state, but it's advice that she takes. Hush. Don't think. Act. And ... so she acts. She does the things that mothers are supposed to do. She brings her first child into the world ... with a lot of noise.
It was quiet, relatively so, before, and warm. There was really only the steady rush of blood and the occasional tumble when he kicked his paws. But in the world, in the world there is noise, great noise, and though he cannot hear it, his small body can feel the movement of the air and can feel the noise around him. And in the world there is apparently something called temperature, and it's not the same everywhere you go. The sudden shock is overwhelming, enough for him to draw in a breath, but unlike Storm's puppies, Miakoda's first makes no noise. At first, he might be considered stillborn, but the movement in his paws and his wide open mouth suggest otherwise. A bright spot of white, or, rather, a bloodied brown spot of white, a miniature mirror of his father (once he's cleaned), Miakoda's first born opens his maw and makes no noise. [Echo]
If she could think straight and talk, Storm would be telling Miakoda the same thing, though she is a little busy at the moment here. With a second pup born the Alpha lifts her head and slowly nuzzles against her new son and daughter while getting a few moments to rest, if it could be called that. The first two pups seem to come with ease, the next one, though, is not so easy. A few sharp whimpers escape the Alpha as she lays there, her head settled near her new pups before she lets her head rest back against the ground as she takes in a sharp, shakey breath.
Act? Act how? Thorne stares at Felstride for a moment before giving his full attention to Miakoda, hunkering down near her to nuzzle and lightly lick at her neck. And there he'll stay for a moment, burying his nose in her fur as she struggles. It doesn't last long - it's hard to stay still when so much is going on, and Thorne lifts his head, only to note the newborn pup and not a moment too soon. Perhaps instinct guides, or maybe it's just seeing Felstride earlier, but the white wolf is drawn to the pup and he can't help but stare for a moment, awe clear on his features. However, he only cleans up the pup enough to pick it up gently by the scruff and place it besides Mia, where she can reach him easier.
Without waiting for Miakoda's or Thorne's reactions, Felstride is back at Storm's side, crooning gently into her ear as her contractions begin again, this time worse than before. He waits, for that's all he can do, until their third pup is born, and, like the others, the male takes care of the cleaning and places another girl next to Storm's stomach for her to nurse. He gives a quick lick to Storm's chin before turning to see Miakoda and Thorne, watching a moment in silence before he cirlces around the Beta female, nuzzling softly at the crown of her head. He eyes the tiny white pup, grining slightly at Thorne (and his rather poor clean up duty), before returning to his post next to his mate, waiting.
When he was first born the young pup whimpered as usual. The bright light, the cold world, the ABANDONMENT of his mothers womb. How /dare/ she. And what is this picking him up and cleaning him and moving him around?! Darn these hidden giants!!! He didn't know his father was quickly gloating over him or he'd strike a 'manly' pose, until THEN however if he could he's shake a paw at them, but alas, he can not. So instead, Cyrus lets out the biggest wail of his life. Almost kin to a human screaming, "WHAT THE HELL!" Whimper Whimper Whine Whine WHine. He quiets some as his sister is laid beside him but it doesn't last long as his tiny legs start to thrash around. He's basically BLIND and he can't hear a /darn/ thing and its freaking /cold/. Birth outside the womb sucks. XD
"What is it?" breathlessly asks Miakoda, sounding as if she may be expecting him to tell her that she's just given birth to a deer. It sure felt like something that size, anyway. She struggles to lift her head and turn it to look at him, but luckily for him, Thorne saves her the trouble. Blinking rapidly, she sets her eyes on their tiny and still messy firstborn, and her expression changes almost instantly. Pain melts and is replaced with a warm and very motherly look as she nestles the silent pup closer and begins to clean him properly. Dad didn't do a very good job! Are babies supposed to be so quiet? Storm's sure are making a racket, but Mia doesn't seem to notice the little white baby's oddity ... especially since there's another one coming ... now!
Another pup, and another daughter, well at least they have a new boy in the family. Storm only whimpers, her breathing slowling down some, almost as if it was all over. Well, she can wish, at least. It takes a few moments before the pain to start again and another pup is born, though by this point Storm is to tired to try and lift her head and check on them. Her eyes have closed and other then her breathing and whimpers she isn't doing much else. Though even while she doesn't lift her head she can hear what is going on around her, and her son isn't helping anything at the moment as he has a full out fit. Shouldn't he be tired?
Thorne once again crouches besides Miakoda, too much in awe to think clearly. He lets Mia tend to the youngster while he simply stares, licking at one of her back paws. The once-lone-wolf never envisioned pups in his future, never his pups. And his first - stark white! - a boy if he's not mistaken, his spitting image so far. Crawling closer, he nuzzles at Miakoda's haunch, just to reassure her he's there still, offering what comfort he can.
The quiet boy only squirmed under his mother's touch, his small and uncoordinated paws batting at the air and at her nose and muzzle as he's cleaned yet again before being left alone in favor of a second pup on its way. It seems, though, that Miakoda's quiet child doesn't seem to mind, instead finding life content enough as he hunkers near his mother's warm stomach, attempting to nurse, but realizing that it's not so easy when mother is moving so much. [Echo]
Felstride, on the other hand, has had little time to make sure that Miakoda and Thorne are doing alright, but neither have collapsed dead or run screaming from the den, and so he assumes that they are doing well enough. His concern, however, is for his mate who, tired, is having trouble. A fourth pup is on her way, and once out, Storm seems beyond spent. Still, Felstride does what he can do, cleans and positions their third daughter from this litter, and lick at Storm's forehead to perhaps cool and sooth her.
Brushtail is very nervous at all the different feelings around her. Used to the warmth of her mother's womb, she is scared by this new world she must be in. She feels strange, tingling sensations coming in random areas of her body. These seem to calm her somewhat, but her surroundings still worry her.
Life tastes like dirt. Rather, that's what the assessment would be if Shikoba could form any lasting thoughts. Torn from the security of her mother's womb, the tiny pup tries to let loose a wail of protest. What comes out, however, is similar to that of a drowning rat. But that's alright, because it about matches what she /looks/ like right now. The newborn writhes about, waiting for somebody to put her back it. She can't see or hear anything, all she knows is that it's cold and terrifying. So, who's /bright/ idea was it to bring her out here in the first place?
Miakoda has two children! Two is enough. Two is /plenty/, and if it was up to her, this would be the end of this whole birthing thing. But fate has other plans for the first-time mother who's getting anxious again, even moreso as she hasn't had Thorne in her sights in the span of two minutes or so, which is a bit too long for her. "Thorne?" questioned before feeling him behind her and the white pup against her. She settles down for a moment, panting yet grinning feebly at that gurgled .. sound made either by her newest son or daughter. Trusting Thorne to care for their newest youngster, she shifts her head, peering for Storm. "She doin' alright?"
Storm has been doing better, right now she isn't feeling too well and it's not from the fact that she just gave birth to four pups, either. Her head is spining and she feels rather sick, to say the least. The last pup is on its way, at least, well if it isn't the last pup she doesn't know what she'll do. The words of Miakoda are heard but she can't find the energy to answer her, and once the last pup is born the Alpha goes rather still other than her ragged breathing. From the looks of it she's passed out from exhaustion, hopefully.
Another pup; Thorne moves a little quicker, a little more sure this time, doing a /marginally/ better job of cleaning up the newest addition before he picks up the second pup and places her next to the first. The white wolf grins lopsidedly, rubbing his head on Miakoda's shoulder before looking to Storm. He exhales slowly and shakes his head, dropping his head near Miakoda's so he can talk quietly, "She's doing alright... four pups and possibly another on the way..." The white wolf can't help but grin in his usual impudent fashion, "You're not following suit, are you?"
The final pup, a second male, is taken care of, though Felstride doesn't have too much of that initial fatherly pride in him, at present. As his initial cool begins to unravel, he still manages to take the time to care for and clean the fifth and, it seems, final pup, placing him against Storm's belly as the others, before curling up next to her. Protective, as one might expect, the wolf has positioned himself in front of the newborn puppies, his tail almost covering them, while his head is at Storm's level, keeping watch over her in her sleep. Eventually, Miakoda's words float through to him, and, with an ear flick, he glances over his shoulder. "She is fine, just.. tired." Yes, tired, hopefully. This litter was bigger than their first, obviously, and so the stress on Storm's body was double. To pass the time, Felstride grooms down his mate's neck fur, glancing to the Beta's every so often should they need his help.
A baby! Miakoda's ears perk up as Thorne brings the cleaner little girl closer, and she grins crookedly. "Good job, Daddy," spoken softly to the white wolf, taking a moment to flick out her tongue to lick his muzzle as he's near enough to do so. The girl pup is also cleaned off and she steals a look in Felstride and Storm's direction. Four plus one more? No wonder she was so fat! She grins a little towards Thorne's jest. "Don't jinx me," muttered before sending a soft and congratulatory smile towards Felstride. Oh, but Mia's not done. Her head soon plops back down on the ground after, and she strains again. Moonbird is born not long after. Another slimy little boy pup.
Helios is born, and he is confused, to say the least. The reddish hued pup kicks out with his forepaws as he's hauled into the air and some big warm /thing/ is licking him... What the heck is THAT? A few gurggly sounds escape him as he tries to escape, it would seem, but that isn't going to happen any time soon. Once he's is against his mother's belly and siblings he relaxes for a few moments, well until seeming to hear his slightly older brother's yelling cry, which of course get's one from him but his isn't at loud at least, a bit hoarse, in fact. His parents are for sure thankful to say the least.
As for Storm, she won't be waking up again tonight, and maybe not tomorrow with how she feels at the moment. But with the last pup finally born she can at least attempt to rest a bit better. Her breathing starts to relax with Felstride being closer to her, but still something with the Alpha seems a bit off, though only time will tell now.
He's only joking! Seriously! Two is plenty! Er...three, in that case. Thorne is just starting to get the hang of this; dutifully he moves to take care of the third - and hopefully last - pup. He may just clean up this one even better than the other two, but, because he's a good Dad and thinks Mom should bond first, he leaves enough for Mia to finish. The third pup is placed with the other two and Thorne returns to Mia's side, crouching as he had before, resting his head near her front paws this time, ready and waiting.
With the night ahead of them, and a hopefully calmer one, Felstride resolutely sets himself as the watchman for the evening, keeping an eye on not only Storm and their litter, but Miakoda and Thorne's litter, as well. He shuffles a little to get comfortable, keeping an eye on his Alphess the entire time, glancing around the den enough to notice what's going on, before his immediate family ropes in his attention. He's quiet, now, content to wait and see, to hope that time eases his worries and that the third generation of the Lazuli remain well.