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+--- Thread: Sawtooth Spire i want to hold you in my arms (/showthread.php?tid=42107)
i want to hold you in my arms - RIP Star - June 19, 2020
She knew the signs when they came, despite having never been a mother- years of being surrounded by young mothers each spring in their packs. Many a time she had served as guard for pregnant women, but now she had no guard- and yet she knew she would not need a messenger, nor a protector. And if she died here, now, her old age causing weakness- then she knew that Wylla or Nyx would take the weight of whatever few children might survive the first day of their life. She wanted to raise them- but she would die for their sakes too, and she was ready to do so.
A howl was sent up to all, but particularly the midwife @Mahler , I am going into labor... I will be in my den. The old den Wylla had given to her in an uncharacteristic show of kindness. She settled into place, unsure if @Howl might show then... she could only hope he had found his way in, or perhaps stayed as a guest there with the permission of the Eisens... but her thoughts of him were broken off by the first pains. It was a churning deep in her abdomen and pelvis, and she winced, feeling her water break (do wolves have that?) on the floor of the den.
But Star was not one to freak out over the pain, she endured much before; would endure now, a warrior in battle, a warrior in birth. It was not easy for the old woman, though she could not bear to admit that to herself. She would fight. Fight against the odds, that could kill her in childbirth... and though she knew it was s great and honorable way for a woman to die, she was determined to stick around. For their sake.
The first puppy was the most difficult. Painful as all hell, worse than any torture she had endured by far- at some points Star felt she might rip from the lower end up, and all her guts spill out her side. It didn't happen, of course- but there was blood, and lots of it. God, why did Howl have to be so much bigger than her? Would both of her children have his massive size? She was a tiny little thing, and although muscular, it was like pushing out a log.
And then, he was there.
A little thing wiggling at the base of her tail, she moved her haunches to lift him- clean away the birth sac with the gentle lapping of her tongue. For now, like most newborns, his patterning was not clear yet- he was largely dark, with eyes sealed shut and ears that were not yet perked. He looked more alien than wolf, and yet her heart was swelling.
They said a woman became a mother the moment she became pregnant; a man becoming a father after seeing his child.
But Star could've sworn that her love, already infinite- deeper than the sea, wider than the ocean- it somehow grew even more. Never in her life had she felt such a joy. Romance, nor battle, nor hunting nor serving a leader- none had ever brought her such pure happiness.
As she moved to place him beside her stomach, nudging him to latch on, she noticed suddenly that he was... a huge baby. No wonder he hurt so much coming out. Already she could tell he would take after his father's figure more than her, certainly- @Calcifer was going to be a big baby, a big child, perhaps a big man too.
There was little time to dote on him for now, though, as she sucked in a sharp breath and unintentionally released a groan. Was another one coming? Her answer came in the form of more pain, and though she thought Calcifer might've... widened the birthing canal, this child was only slightly less painful. More blood, more sweat. Sacrifices had to be made to bring these children into the world, but she would keep going- brows furrowing together, eyes clenching tightly shut.
And then there were two.
@Marble was also born covered by strange birth guts and encased in a sac. Star knew what was to be done, and split it open, licking away the nastiness from Marble's pelt. And though for now she was sort of... temporarily stained by the stuff, Star could see she was paler. Smaller. Like a little tiny Star. The old mother gazed upon the child with such adoration, and moved her to be placed alongside her literally big brother who was likely already suckling.
Alien faces, tiny noses, closed eyes. She loved them more than anything in the world. Tears gathered in Star's eyes then, and though she felt light-headed, a tired smile grew on her maw. She did not have the energy to check whether Mahler, or Howl, or any other had come, nor to invite them inside if they wished- and in fact with that second birth, she blacked out momentarily then, head falling to the ground in front of her as the pain overwhelmed her.
RE: i want to hold you in my arms - Pendragon - June 20, 2020
She did not know what a thought was before coming into existence. And when the time to take her first breath came, thoughts flooded her mind.
Where am I?
Who just touched me?
What is this thing I'm eating? And many more questions akin to those.
Strangely enough, Marble couldn't decipher any of her thoughts. Even if she could she wouldn't know the answers. Oh well. She was just a simple minded infant after all. All she had to worry about was getting food in her belly.
That didn't make her any less frustrated.
RE: i want to hold you in my arms - Calcifer - June 21, 2020
The home he had known for two months was all he knew. At one time it had been spacious and he was able to move around with no obstacles. But eventually, he ran into some sort of barrier which he would sometimes kick and there was another lumpy bit of mass sharing his space. When he initially encountered it he had been annoyed, but after a while, he started to enjoy it's company as it would at times kick alongside him. Then things got tighter and tighter, more and more cramped. There just wasn't enough room for him and his companion. This thought bothered him until everything began to change.
The barrier around him began to squeeze in on him pushing him out of his home. A new place for him to wiggle around in he thought. But when an opening to this new world emerged all he could think of was how cold it was and how badly he wanted to stay. His fight didn't last long as his body was eventually pushed into this new world.
His screams in the protest were made clear. He was sure he would never be happy again. That is until he was pressed up against a much larger mass which smelled amazing. Instinctively he latched on and began suckling his heart out as happy as he could be. The only thing that brought this little infant mind more joy was the feeling of his companion joining him.
RE: i want to hold you in my arms - Mahler - June 28, 2020
true to his word, mahler granted himself as escort to @Howl. he led the man through sagtannet to where star had retreated, tracing the steps of the small pale woman to where she made her nest.
in his jaws, a bundle of herbs. having informed the man his role as midwife, mahler was neverthless intending to stay out of the pair's way as they welcomed their brood.
he did not hear her as they approached, and therefore did not know where in her birthing star had come. a light chuff to announce them both, and then the gargoyle stood aside, glancing to howl as he motioned gently that the man might join the mother of his brood.
in his jaws, a bundle of herbs. having informed the man his role as midwife, mahler was neverthless intending to stay out of the pair's way as they welcomed their brood.
he did not hear her as they approached, and therefore did not know where in her birthing star had come. a light chuff to announce them both, and then the gargoyle stood aside, glancing to howl as he motioned gently that the man might join the mother of his brood.
RE: i want to hold you in my arms - Howl - June 28, 2020
Howl followed behind Mahler, trying his best not to step on the man's heals as he hurriedly followed behind the man. He was just too excited it was hard to contain himself. A part of him was also worried, though the successful birth of his previous litter made him a bit less so. Luckily if anything were wrong Mahler informed Howl that he was a midwife and would be able to take for Star and their children.
As they approached the den Howl's eyes were locked on it and he nodded in gratitude as Mahler moved aside for him to enter. When he began crawling into the tunnel of the den he heard little snorting sounds that were now familiar to him. He poked his head into the den and laid eyes of their two precious creations. A sweet light female and a hefty brown and black male both eagerly feasting at Star's tests. "Star their wonderf..." he began saying but stopped as he laid eyes on Star.
She was laying their unconscious, unlike Moon had been after she gave birth. His stomach sank and he instantly called out "Mahler!" in worry. He quickly rushed over to her and lightly nuzzled her head. "Star! Beautiful, wake up" he pleaded unaware of how severe her condition was. His mind was racing and it brought him back to Heartha and how she never work up after her birth.
RE: i want to hold you in my arms - RIP Star - July 02, 2020
star is not dead or coma'd, just weak/exhausted, she will wake up after a little while but can be skipped for now, or if yall would rather fade before she wakes up and have that behind the scenes, that is cool too : ) sorry this post is so short
The pale old woman was lost in a dizzying realm of darkness, seeing nothing and hearing only distantly. There was no outward sign of it besides her rising and falling chest, but Howl's shout came to her as if echoed through many long tunnels- impossible to follow or reach. All she could do was breathe and exist until some force of nature, or time, willed her to reawaken.
RE: i want to hold you in my arms - Mahler - July 05, 2020
spurred by the man's shout, mahler pressed his way into the den alongside howl. star was weakened, unconscious. the midwife's trained eye flew to her flanks and lower, searching for any sign of the bleeding that took mothers in the hours following birth.
there was none, and relief spiraled through the man's mind. he turned to her breathing, searching along her ribcage for any telltale fluttering of failing heart. again, nothing. lavender gaze fell to howl. "the birth vas hard on her, i expect," the gargoyle muttered in a calming tone, "but she vill be herself again."
a large son nestled alongside star's belly, paired with a flaxen sister. mahler sniffed at them as well, then nodded toward their father. "they are breathing. strong. perhaps the pain took her off for a bit." satisified, relieved, mahler backed away, returning to the step outside the den to chew his medicines.
there was none, and relief spiraled through the man's mind. he turned to her breathing, searching along her ribcage for any telltale fluttering of failing heart. again, nothing. lavender gaze fell to howl. "the birth vas hard on her, i expect," the gargoyle muttered in a calming tone, "but she vill be herself again."
a large son nestled alongside star's belly, paired with a flaxen sister. mahler sniffed at them as well, then nodded toward their father. "they are breathing. strong. perhaps the pain took her off for a bit." satisified, relieved, mahler backed away, returning to the step outside the den to chew his medicines.
RE: i want to hold you in my arms - Howl - July 06, 2020
Howl stepped to the side to allow Mahler to examine Star, and soon after the pups. He assured him that everything as alright. She was simply exhausted and likely asleep due to the pain. It was a great relief, and despite Mahler being a bit stringent on the ability for Howl to visit, at this moment Howl felt nothing but admiration towards the male. Mahler then dipped out of the den for a moment, likely to handle the bundle of herbs he had brought with him, Howl thought.
Howl managed to wiggle his way beside Star, on her side not feeling the lively pups before them. He was able to hang his head over to, both to feel the rising and falling of a breathing belly but to smell and occasionally nuzzle the two lively newcomers of the world. Howl was no expert of newborn pups but the dark boy seemed... Large. Or perhaps the light-colored one was small? Regardless of their size Howl saw them as perfect and thanked whatever higher being was out there that they were alive and healthy.
RE: i want to hold you in my arms - Mahler - July 18, 2020
last from me! was just gonna fade it here as per suggestion, feel free to archive <
he left the pair alone after returning to check on star once more. mahler would not have suggested litters in the years to come, but the babes were healthy despite her exhaustion. and howl loomed close, protective. his binding here this day would be of some benefit to sagtannet, provided the pair grew into wolves upon these slopes.
exhausted, the gargoyle paced off into the trees, wanting to remain close but not so that he would be considered imposing. this time belonged to them, and the dark male was capable of watching over the sleeping woman and her slumbering young.
exhausted, the gargoyle paced off into the trees, wanting to remain close but not so that he would be considered imposing. this time belonged to them, and the dark male was capable of watching over the sleeping woman and her slumbering young.