@Giana +
@Asherah. Kinda like a mother's club kinda thing, haha. Short intro.
Honey was now entering the second stage of pregnancy, thus the morning sickness had eased to where she could be more of an active packmember. Thus, she decided beside a bushel of green that she would break her shield of silence with the company of the pack's two other mothers-to-be: Giana and Asherah.
Asherah was well into the third stage of her pregnancy. She had no doubts her children would come soon, though she was not yet skilled enough to tell how soon. Winter was around the corner, and she knew she would not last long on it's doorstep as a pregnant wolf, if she ever made it to the doorstep. The children still thrashed and kicked, and she was bloated now. She wobbled and waddled, her bladder was constantly full or protesting. She was always hot, always uncomfortable. And still yet, she found joy in her misery.
Honey's call caught her interest, for the female had seemed quiet and slightly fearful at the last meeting. She hadn't had much time to speak with her directly, and felt badly about this. She liked to greet the new sisters of the pack, to forge that bond strong from the start. So, despite her swollen feet and her tight belly, she rose and moved for Honey's call.
She toddled onto the scene surprisingly before Giana. She sat down, forced now to position her body at a tilting angle, more diagonal than straight, to sit on her rump. "It's wonderful to see you, Honey." She said once her breath had been regained. "You are begining to show. Molech's blessing upon you, sister." She wanted to attempt to nuzzle the woman, but she was too tired. If the female would move towards her then she would gladly and affectionately return the gesture.
Honey smiled graciously at Asherah's kind words (she was near the halfway mark by then) and did, in fact, lean forward to nuzzle her packmate. Seeing as she was much more pregnant than Honey by then, the larger lass didn't want to strain her with too much prodding. Neither of us are small anymore, I suppose
, Honey chuckled nervously. She sat back on her haunches and eyed Asherah carefully, checking her for any signs of malbeing. How are you?
she asked kindly.
Asherah returned Honey's nuzzle warmly, pleased at the affection and intent to show it. She chuckled at Honey's joke, smiling at the woman. "Fat with blessings, yes?" The pale woman eyed her and looked her over and Asherah smile at her again. "All is well with me. The typical pains one might expect, the burdens to bear for the life we are gifted. My bladder never seems empty, my sides and ribs are sore from the wrestling these children are preforming, and of course I can walk at no more than a waddle anymore." She laughed again shaking her head, aware of what a sight she must have been. All these things were the negative aspects of pregnancy, but her voice did not have the tone of complaint.
"For so long I wandered alone and afraid, unsure if I would ever find a home or have a family. This pack is all I had ever wished for. The sisterhood, the love...and to learn of Molech," She sighed happily. "And now I am expecting life of my own, with the knowledge that they will grow around other women who will care for them, other mother's and their children. They shall never grow lonely when our family surrounds them. Eshamun had even mentioned the idea of a communal nursing den which sounds, to me, quite heavenly."
She had babbled on for a moment and now turned her tired eyes to Honey. "And how are you fairing, Honey? What is your opinion on the nursing den?"
Honey sighed audibly, taking a moment to turn away from Asherah. I understand
, she admitted with a light laugh, This isn't my first pregnancy.
It was hard for Honey to speak about such things, as they stirred up a pain that she'd long since tried to forget. But, knowing that it would better her in the end, she gave a kind laugh and started with the tale. When I was younger, I had a mate. We fell in love almost instantaneously. That winter, I had my first litter. One of my children was stolen from me and the other was killed in an accident. I lost my mate to starvation not long after, and then I lost my sister.
Honey looked down at her paws for a moment, then turned back up to meet Asherah's eyes. My mother named me Esther. I had to change my name after that because it felt wrong to refer to myself as a woman who no longer existed.
Esther Mae Dayholt was once her name, but now she was Honey. Just Honey.
Otherwise, I'm doing fine. Things seem to be progressing well.
She smiled at her swollen abdomen and pawed at it, hoping to get a small reaction from the children within. I like the idea of being near other mothers. Early development is very important, and I'd like for our pups to be able o bond as more than just pack members, but as family.
Asherah hadn't known that Honey had given birth before and though she started to smile, she noted the toubled expression on the woman's face. She gaze at her with concern filled eyes, waiting for the woman to speak further. She frowned and shook her head, saddened by her sister's misfortune. "I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, Honey. Though this is my first litter, I too lost all of my family before I was found by Eshamun, by Molech. One of my siblings, my father and my mother were killed by hunters. My remaining siblings and I split up to avoid detection, as death seemed to follow us. Such dark times are hard on the soul, but they make the sunshine that comes after all the warmer and brighter."
She too turned her gaze to her swollen belly. "I'm glad to hear you are well. I agree, I spent so much time alone, without my family, wondering if I would die too... I want my children never to suffer that. To always have family, by blood or by pack." She returned her gaze to Honey, smiling softly. "We will always have our families in our hearts, and you will always be the child your mother named Esther, Honey. No one can take that from you, not even death." She meant this to be reassuring, and continued.
"Of course, I will call you as you like. That name is as special as the good memories we have. Of a different time, when we were different. I too could very well have a new name for all that I have suffered." But she didn't. She was Asherah, Molech had wanted her to be named this. "Perhaps Molech sees beauty in the name Honey for you." She commented softly. "Your baptised name in the Malkaria, if you will."