for
@Vein. I know things have been hectic for you and you've been low on muse so this can take place whenever but I just thought this would be a cute lil thing for them to do
Though the acolyte had tried to reassure Vein that there was no rush, that if they had managed to create a child or two they would still have a few months before said younglings would arrive, the shaman seemed adamant that they begin preparing right away -- and prepare for any scenario possible, or at least any that the worried first-time father could think of. It was sweet, endearing her to the medicine man even more so than before. The Saluki was certain that Vein would prove to be a wonderful father.
Still painted with the ruby streaks of the bloodletter's last sacrifice, The Priestess toiled in the undergrowth near the Fireflower Glen -- searching for some herbs to add to the 'midwife's bag' that Vein had spoken of putting together. A rabbitskin dangled from the combat medic's jaws, ready and waiting to be wrapped around a bundle of flowers and stalks.
The Hmeno’ob trotted after the scent of his mate holding a hollow wooden tube stoppered snuggly with a stone, within the tube was his birthing tincture of Blue Cohosh, Motherwort and alfalfa. Never again would he go to a birthing without it. He felt it had saved Simmik’s life and shuttered at the even thought of possibly loosing Aerin. How Kynareth had remained so calm he had no idea but his respect of the leader had grown in leaps and bounds since his first arrival.
As he came upon his mate and paused his addition to the midwife bag forgotten as it sat crammed carefully in his jaws, his adoring eyes lingered upon her marred pelt broken only by the beauty of her devotion to the gods, she could not have been more beautiful to him then she was in that moment.
His tail swayed as his body returned to motion bringing him to her side gifting her with the Tincture. “My Love” her greeted her in warm deep rich tones as he brushed his muzzle along the side of her neck drawing her scent deep into him. “What else have you found for the midwife bag?” He asked, he didn’t turn his attention to the items she had intended to tuck away, drawn as he was to her.
The once-druid, now a follow of Vein's Aztectl gods, glanced up -- moonlight clashing against sunrays as her gaze met Vein's and pooled with warmth at the sight of her mate -- at the sound of dull footfalls thumping a familiar tempo against the earth. She didn't quite realize it yet but her ears were beginning to recognize the sound of the Hmeno’ob's approach. She dipped the swan curve of her slender neck, resting the rabbit hide upon the ground before taking the twig gingerly in her jaws and resting it with great care upon the hide. She was beginning to slowly understand the method of Vein's medicines, including the tools he used. Though Aerin didn't yet understand what the stick contained, she knew it was more than likely very precious.
A languorous smile spilled like slow molasses over The Priestess' rosy lips, returning the affectionate caress by straightening -- gazing up at her husband with tenderness -- and drawing her own muzzle slowly up the nanuk's chest to bury her lips in the plush ruff of his neck. She marveled for a moment at the feel of his coarse fur, harsh yet ticklish against her as she rubbed her snout through his fur. If she'd been a cat, she might've even been purring.
It took a moment for the Bonesplinter's words to register, caught up as she was in their embrace. When they did, she drew back with a soft hum of regret that promised she would pick up her ministrations later, glancing towards the bush she'd stopped by. "Raspberry. Ze leaves are good fer ze pain during childbirth," the acolyte explained softly, though it was likely that the shaman already knew.
sorry my last post was lacking in detail
His teeth gently tugged a thorny stick clinging to her free and dropped it aside next to the wooden tubes and the rabbit pelt turned medic bag that he had set down once Aerin had walked up to him, so his whole attention could be turned toward her.
A warm "
Yes" fell from his maw but whether that was from his agreeing that raspberry leaves were indeed good for a birthing mother's pain or from the scent and taste of her was left unknown
Vein hummed his eyes drifting closed as his muzzle made it's way though her silken tresses smoothing over any rough scars with a feeling of pride, he loved every one of the scars she had, for each one of them had brought her a little closer to him, and showed him the strength of her body and mind.
"
I brought the Birthing tincture I created it has blue cohosh a natural oxytocin herb that would help the uterus contract and clamp down, and Motherwort to slow heart rates and thus bleeding, and alfalfa provides the vitamin K for it’s natural coagulating. and I brought an Arnica Tincture for pain relief safe for a pregnant wolf,"
he suddenly went pale, she had been getting the raspberry leaves but they were not particularly good for a pregnant wolf he supposed she wasn't far enough along to make much difference but he still felt panic roil within his chest. He had to remind himself, she knew what she was doing and he could not put her in a bubble.
He knew deep down he trusted her, he relaxed then, He trusted her completely, and so to help to calm himself he asked more questions, "
What else might we need? Something to help soothe them I suppose"
The healer tried to keep up, truly, but many of the things that Vein spoke of were overwhelmingly unfamiliar to her. Like most wolves, the midwife lacked the access to such knowledge, the tactics that the shaman used seemingly otherwordly -- even magical to the acolyte he'd found in Aerin. The hart blinked owlishly wide eyes of moonlight, feeling as though she were lost in a sea of strange terms that flew over her head as her husband spoke of 'oxytocin' and 'vitamins' and 'coagulation'. Though she couldn't quite understand exactly what everything the pale brute said, she could understand enough to realize that she was right in assuming that whatever the stoppered twig held -- it was very important.
The mother-to-be cast her seelie gaze about the Glen searchingly, as if the right herbs might jump out at her from amongst the crimson blossoms. "Hmmm.." she hummed softly beneath her breath, considering for a moment. "I alvays try to keep borage an' parsley at ze ready fer mothers. Fer ze milk," she explained. Though they weren't exactly used during pregnancy or delivery, the herbs came in handy for bringing up a she-wolf's milk supply or contradictorily, drying it up.
"Peppermint might be good -- fer nausea -- or ginger root. An' I 'ave already begun trying a few mixtures of chamomile an' lavender tea fer my anxiety," the sighthound added. She knew @Patroclus (reference) had been worried about the drink that Vein had introduced to their pack but the sleeping teas were the only thing that had been effectively treating her insomnia -- though it also helped having her mate by her side every night, only a 'roll-over' away if she woke up with a night terror.
I want more, I'm going to try to kick Vein in the tail and see if I can pull better posts out of him
Vein had learned of her night terrors very shortly after they moved in together, at first he was alarmed and soon he found the best way to help her with them was to tuck her body close to him and smooth his tongue just behind her ears while he murmured stories to her usually ones about the gods, the ones he had heard when he was young.
He loved the way she'd settle and calm to his voice and touch, it made his heart glow with pride. "
I have a tea for you to try tonight, it's sitting by the hot springs to keep it warm, it's a Chamomile, Valerian Root & Lavender tea. I think this combination will ease your anxiety and soothe your body"
A delighted smile crossed his face and her moved to nuzzle his nose into her neck again "
There are lots of other ways to soothe you though we could try those first." He huffed softly into her neck loving the feel of the silken strands along his muzzle. He expected her to redirect him and finish the midwife bag as it was important but he just couldn't help himself.
that's fine with me, i'd be down to help develop his character in any way i can! feel free to pp aerin/their relationship and ill just let you know if there's anything that contradicts with her character/posts.
The healer nodded in consideration, lips parting as she prepared to offer some comment -- a professional comment, one related to herbology and medicine -- a comment that completely fled her thoughts and tongue when Vein smiled that roguish smile and moved to embrace her, as best wolves could embrace anyways. A bemused smile graced her features, her cheeks burning despite the intimacy that had developed between them even as her tiny frame melted into his invitingly. Her neck curved as if by its own willpower, arching into the gentle touch as pleasant tingles erupted over her flesh. A chuckle escaped her, remembering a former worry that her condition might've made her mate's appetites wane -- thinking he might be so nervous that he would fear that their lovemaking might harm the babes. A worry that had proved useless; if anything, Vein only seemed to desire her more now that she carried his children.
"Vhy nae try both?" The Bonesplinter suggested in a hushed lilt meant for the shaman's ears alone, reaching up to nibble teasingly at one of his pale auds despite the fact that she had to stretch quite a bit before prancing away to look through the flowers once more. All the while, a smile played at the corners of her lips as she feigned intense interest in the blossoms and various herbs.
She fully intended on submitting to her mentor's affections but a thrill had sparked in her, wanting him to work for it -- wanting to make the usually complacent man who never wished to expend unneeded energy give chase after something.
His nares drew in his mates scent pulling it into her core wrapping it around his very soul, Heavy lidded eyes lifted as she moved away he followed her for two steps before slowing to stand and just admiring her form as she turned away from him. The lift of her chin as she scented blossoms but he saw her watching him from the corner of her painted orbs.
His tongue brazenly slid out along his lips tasting her upon his muzzle, moistening her scent upon him allowing him to take it in. A warm hungry smile played upon his maw he would not deny her invitation to follow her.
He’d follow her to the ends of the earth and back if she wished, energy spent on her was well used. He took another step and paused as if she were a deer he might startle, he flexed his muscles, shifted his weight and very slowly took another tentative step.
He was about to clear to the space between them and smoother her in licks and nuzzles if she didn’t move away again. He found himself almost hoping she would so he could round on her and enjoy watching her body from another angle play a game of chase and be chased
His golden eyes danced as they fixed on her watching for any shift of her weight or sudden movement. He waited for her to move away but planned another step forward, his tongue with peeking out between his incisors in the front of his mouth as he concentrated on her, his tail swayed behind him belying his excitement.
Something electric charged in the air between them, not unlike the energy of a hunt -- Vein, a predator, as he stalked forward on measured steps that lit her veins with sudden adrenaline. Just as he reached for her, the shaman's wife whirled to face him as she skittered back a step. An impish gleam shone her eyes, fighting not to smile as the corner of her lips twitched.
As his tail gave a slow, playful swish, Aerin let her shoulders loosen as she paced towards her mate. For a moment she seemed to be giving in, relenting, as if she'd only meant to tease him a little and was going willingly to him now. She pressed herself against his chest, reaching up and brushing her muzzle along his throat and jaw the way she usually would when she wanted a kiss. But instead of locking lips with the bloodletter when he bent down to her, she bypassed his maw entirely so that she could press a few kisses along his cheek -- up to his ear where she nuzzled Vein before nipping the tip of his aud cheekily.
The moment passed as her breath brushed the pale aud. "If'n ye vant to try to 'soothe' me...zen I 'ope yer fast."
And with that, The Priestess was gone -- darting away through the vibrant blossoms and into the wood.
Vein enjoyed the scent of her on him and the warm feeling he got as she moved her body along along his. As she darted away his whole body twitched as without a second though he moved to launch himself after his wife. His expression flashed to one of pain and he gritted his teeth, he glanced around and saw a willow tree it was not poppy seed but it would do he hoped. He quickly gnawed a mouthful of bark off it chewing it like gum it wasn’t much but it would be better then nothing. Honestly at this point he almost didn’t need pain relief but his mind could not get over the cracked ribs.
Vein looked the way Aerin had run excited to chase after her, she drew out a playful side in him that he never knew existed, he had no chance of catching up to her now so he hoped she’d returned to see where he was; he spun around several times like a playful pup, dropped his front end down in a play bow looking left the right and then he finally took off after her.
something akin to this ((yes I choose a borzoi gif on purpose hehe))
He crashed through the woods like a bull moose while chewing on the bark, a silly grin on his face, the blossoms were beautiful as he passed through them he hardly noticed them, which was far outside his past character, as the only thing he had ‘ever’ cared for before he met his sweet saluki was every plant or herb he had ever come across. His garden was a testament to his previous dedication to his craft as it held many rare plants. He ran threw some feverfew blossoms and crouched down looking around for her having lost her due to his willow bark stop “
Where are you Mi’love?” His rich baritone called out in a singsong tone his upraised tail swaying happily.
She hadn't seen him stop for the bark but when The Priestess realized she couldn't hear her mate's heavy footfalls behind her, Aerin slowed to cast a quick glance of concern over her shoulder -- only to catch the sight of the Bonesplinter's playful twirling before he launched after her, quickly closing the gap her head start had given the Saluki. Whipping her head back around, the sighthound let out a breath of birdsong laughter that echoed through the trees as she lengthened her gait from a lope to the deer-like bounding her taxonomy was known for. Thin legs gathered, bunching beneath her with every powerful leap that soon had her surging away from the ruddied icebear -- his steps and labored breathing quieting and then falling silent behind her.
He was not fast enough, but then, few were. The pale doe knew that her husband couldn't be too far behind, that he would likely be able to track her even if he didn't know where she had run off to. The game of chase had suddenly morphed into one of hide-and-seek, the wolfdog searching the small clearing she had stopped in for some place to conceal herself. When her moonstones landed on a rotten log nearby, its insides hollowed out, she rushed towards it.
Even if Vein found her here, he wouldn't be able to get her, she realized with a devilish grin. There was no hope of the huge he-wolf squeezing his way into the hiding place -- even Aerin had a hard time wiggling her way to the back of the log to coil against its wooden bottom -- and he wouldn't be able to reach in far enough to grab her and pull her out even though she doubted he would do such an uncouth thing. Giggling beneath her breath, she planted her lips against her own forearm to silence all noise, even the soft whisk of her quickened breath.
Twigs pulled at his pelt and he left behind whips of white and off white hairs, he did not care that he picked up as much detritus as he left behind.
She had slowed for him, and he soon caught a glimpse of her, with a hearty ‘mufusa like’ laugh he was bounding after her trying to close the distance, it was very clear though that his pale angel was not going to be caught unless she willed it to be so.
Finally he caught up to her, but only because she took the time to stop but he couldn’t see her, he began to worry but then remembered he had something other then eyes to find her he followed his nose confused as he drew closer to saw to a log; it seemed the game had changed and to this end he was also grateful as he panted, exhausted by the short run.
He stood for a few moment looking around his tongue lolling then he circled the log “What a pretty log” he rumbled He circled it a second time then lay down upon the log and spread himself out adding his ample body heat to her makeshift hidy-hole. Laying upon the log he noticed her scent was stronger, he stifled a chuckle and then He shifted so that as she backed out he could smoother her in kisses and nips.
Her heart's pace doubled as the scent of the Priest grew closer, accompanied by his heavy footfalls and the sound of his teasing rumble. A soft creak and a groan as his weight shifted atop the log alerted her to his plans but the wolfdog wasn't keen on being found so quickly. She remained frozen in place, adamant in her pretense that she wasn't there -- waiting to see if he might be fooled and wander off so she could sneak up on him.
When it became clear that Vein had no such intentions, the halfling at last emerged from the log -- popping her head out and craning it around to peer up at him impishly before shimmying out of her hiding spot entirely. "I suppose zis means zat ye vin," she murmured coyly as she stood before him, curly tail swishing once in equal parts anticipation and excitement.
fade with your post? :)
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