Dawnlark Plains Once in a lifetime

Aviana would welcome @Sebastian @Pema and @Dawn during this time. Tagging @Howl and @Faye for visibility

The sun had only just risen, but Aviana had been awake well before it had shown itself. She was restless at first, and then started to feel the unfamiliar pains of birth. The past few days had hinted that she might be near. She had made her den wider, and as comfortable as she could get it, she hardly slept, and she constantly paced back and forth. It wasn't until the contractions started that she wondered if she should call for help. 

Aviana was well into her prime, as a wild wolf, some might say at her age she was topping out and it was all downhill into old age from here. It would be her first, and possibly her only, litter. While she had experience raising, and she had helped a time or two with other mothers, she had never herself knew what it felt like to give life to the next generation. What if something went wrong? What if she did something wrong? Could she sit wrong and crush it inside her while birthing it?

Standing was definitely better, she decided. But, the stinging pain decided for her that it wasn't an option she was afforded. She laid down on her side, knowing she had been in this position time and time again and certainly, this could not hurt her pup. She breathed through her contraction and then relaxed as it passed. It felt like they had been coming and going for hours, getting closer and closer as time went on. She was getting anxious to see her first child. 

Part of her felt like this was taking too long. She stepped out of her den and squinted her eyes from the sunlight as she called for her brother, and possibly Pema and Dawn, well. She knew Pema was expecting and might not be very mobile, and since Dawn was leading, she might be busy. Still, she hoped someone could come that could ease her fears.

Sebastian wasn't that far away. He had just heard that he was officially a member of the pack. He was glad about the news and wanted to tell his sister. He knew that she might be close to giving birth so he would test first if things were okay with his sister. As he was on his way to her, Aviana howled. Sebastian perked up his ears and rushed forward. The pups! Sebastian tried to run as fast as possible which looked maybe a bit silly with his limp but he traveled faster so that was the good thing about it.

Sebastian rushed forward and reached her den. "Avi," he greeted as he poked his head in her den. He hoped everything was alright. "What are you feeling?," he asked more strict like a doctor. He had seen Pearl in labor so he had a bit of an idea how things would go down. "Any contractions yet?," he asked and glanced over her. It smelled like her labor started.

There was a lot of commotion in Aviana's corner of the territory; she should have known that Eventide was coming to stick his nose in the business. Upon hearing her call, he lifted his head from the anthill it had been stuck in and shook his face free of any crawling passengers, before happily trotting off to answer. 

Initially, Eventide couldn't be sure of anything except that she did Not Look Good. The two had never formally met, but that was of little importance to the bold Corten. For now, he had bigger questions that one of the two grown-ups ought to answer. Y'okay? he asked, tilting his head as his curiosity grew.

Seb came quickly, for which Aviana was grateful, and she nodded to his question. Yes, for a while now, she confirmed. They're getting closer and closer, but I didn't think it was supposed to last this long, she confessed, worry lacing her voice. Another contraction hit her and Aviana's expression scrunched up as she tried to breath through it. She was panting by the end of it, and laid her head on the bottom of the den to rest until the next one. 

Movement at the entrance of the den had her lifting her head and she saw a young pup she hadn't yet met. Aviana didn't show any aggression towards him, knowing he was of no threat to her. Having babies, she said softly. She wasn't sure how much he knew about what went on with that, but surely it couldn't hold his attention for very long, could it?

Sebastian nodded when Aviana spoke. "It is normal," he confirmed to her. He hoped that would calm her a bit. "Let me get something for you," he stated and then moved away from the den. They were in open plains which some parts had some lavender in it. He rushed towards it as quick as he could. He pulled out a bush by the base. It had been a small bush. He sneezed as the intense scent invaded his nose.

Sebastian came back to Aviana's den to find a child right there. The grey male placed the lavender by Aviana. Hopefully, the scent would calm her. "Hey there, Bud. Aviana will have puppies now. But it is best to wait with your own mother until they are born," he asked. He didn't want to tell the other that he couldn't be there, because then automatically a child would probably do everything to be there anyhow. "Or better yet! You can be of great help. Do you like to help? Can you fetch your mother for me?," he asked. That would probably lead the pup away from the more intense moments of birth.

What Eventide did like was Aviana’s straight to the point answer, but he wasn’t a fan of Sebastian’s patronizing run around. Even for a young boy, he knew when he was being duped, and he didn’t like it one bit. Nonetheless, Seb was right; Ty probably didn’t want to stick around for this, and even if he did, he wouldn’t have been of much help. So, heeding the older male’s words with a disappointed grumble, Eventide scurried off to find @Spiritwalker.

eventide scurried by somewhere to her right, obscured by undergrowth, and far too close to the den to be entirely coincidental. pausing a moment before quickly determining that away was a good direction, and the distant sound of conversation were much more important. 

she closed the distance between herself and Aviana's den shortly, her gaze flickered between Sebastien and Aviana, pausing what she hoped was an appropriate distance away. "what do you need? low, quiet, her gaze settled finally on Aviana as she waited for instruction.

So sorry for my absence!

Seb returned quickly, leaving lavender next to her. She sniffed at it, the scent calming her down a bit after a few minutes. She panted along with another contraction as her picked up Seb's instructions to the pup. Aviana didn't much mind him being there, but she was more focused on the task at hand. 

It wasn't long before Dawn showed up, and Aviana glanced up to her. I'm not sure. I've been in labor for hours, but no pups yet. Is something wrong? she asked, worry lacing her voice.

Sebastian dipped his head in greeting when Dawn came to look what was amiss. Sebastian listened to what Aviana told the alpha. He wasn't sure if she was already in labor for hours. His sister hadn't been in labor before. It could have been some contractions to really start the labor. "I think you are just too stressed. Forget about the time and how long you have been in labor," he advised his sister.

The gray male studied his sister and then decided to sit next to her. "Perhaps close your eyes, and once you feel a contraction you start pushing. In the meanwhile you can chew on the lavender if needed," He offered. He remembered from Pearl that she was pushing as well when the pain was most severe. He looked at Dawn, perhaps she could give some extra female insight into this matter or just try and make Aviana relaxed about this process. Sebastian had the feeling his previously anxious sister was perhaps too tense to give birth and that was why it was taking longer.

she could sense the tension, electing to sit down near the female, tail moving softly behind her as if to attempt at calm. auds spun toward sebastian as he spoke, before settling back on Aviana. she'd never done this before, either, but it was easy to see stress would not help the situation in the least.  

"do you have names?" she tried, head canting a fraction. she'd feel rather stupid if this didn't work; some random babble in the middle of what looked to be a difficult labour. still, she didn't let that seep into the words, coaxing Aviana to speak and focus on something else, if she could.

Aviana sighed as she took in Seb's advise. It was so hard to just let go of her fear and assume everything was going to be fine. But, she knew he was right. Being too stressed could just make everything worse. She took a deep breath and then started to chew on the lavender. 

Another contraction, and she began to pant again. This time, though, she did push. By the end of it, there was still no pup to show, but something told Aviana she was getting somewhere. Her eyes moved to Dawn at her question. Names? There are a few that have stuck with me, she admitted. I like Emma, and Constance for girls, she went on. And Tobias and Logan for boys, she added. She hadn't thought of many names beyond that, mostly because she was a realist and didn't think she had the chance of having more than four pups.

The lavender and conversation seemed to be working, as Aviana was feeling much more calm. Another contraction came, much quicker than the others, and Aviana began to push again. This felt different than the others. Her back claws dug into the ground for traction as she pushed, her eyes closing against the strain. 

Then it happened. The first pup popped out onto the dirt floor of the den. Aviana at once focused on her and began to clean her, her tongue scraping away the signs of birth.

Sebastian's stump wagged excitedly as the lavender and Dawn talking to her seemed to be working. Not long after there was a pup born. Sebastian grinned but stayed rooted into place. He felt like a proud father in his moment, he couldn't help it. He let Aviana do her thing and bond with the child as was expected. He didn't want to interfere at that moment. Aviana's instinct seemed to be in the right place by wanting to lick the pup dry.

"Good job, Avi," he whispered. Sebastian couldn't tell yet if it was a male or female but most important would be for it to be alive. Sebastian would need to wait a few tense moments for that before he had his answer.

she responded, and the huntress moved her tail again, relaxing too as her conversation was well-received. and then, more quickly than she would have expected, there came a pup. she could only blink a moment,  the brief thought that Khoe's flower analogy had been complete and utter bullshit. she remained still, sound of contentment rumbling through her throat s she surveyed the tiny bundle and for the first time, felt something more than a vague detachment and interest. 

that thought was quickly pushed aside, and she was still, waiting in silence now that the birth had begun. her auds flickered at half-mast, a quick signal to Sebastian that he ought to take the lead here, and she would follow his will.

oh my I forgot about actually being borned

the dark lump of a wolf was spat suddenly and ungracefully upon the dirt floor, and the child within was completely still as awareness and feeling exploded throughout every fiber of her being, rendering her numb with their vastness. 

and then she was being pushed, cleaned, and diaphragm moved and lungs filled for the first time ever. she was hooked instantly, on life, on air, and then began an action that would never cease for the rest of her time on this earth; the rapid rise and fall of her chest. limbs began to paddle, to move, shift her instinctively nearer to the warmth of her mother, tiny maw agape and searching.

The rest of the world faded away as Aviana focused on her daughter. She cleaned her daughter quickly, and attempted to nose her in the direction of a teet. The mother was expecting more contractions to start soon, but she didn't know how soon. Her eyes turned to Seb and Dawn, filled with love.

Time passed as Avi was silently, watching her new daughter. It was not missed that her body had not had another contraction. It was dawning on her that there would be no more pups. Somewhere deep, deep down that would never see the light of day, disappointment began and ended. She would not even comment about the lack of others. Instead, she would focus on the one here. Faye Rochester, she announced. 

Sebastian noticed the after birth that came soon after. So there was only going to be one. Aviana seemed capable enough to care for her child. She was already doing everything he had seen Pearl do. The brother was very proud. "Wonderful name," Sebastian smiled proudly. "Avi, you can eat the after birth if you like." It would probably give her some strength after this long labor.

He got Dawn's signal. "Dawn and i will leave your den so you can bond with your daughter. I will be staying outside if you need me. I can get you fish and stuff like that," he offered his sister before getting outside the den to stand guard. That was intense but he was glad his sister made it and had her baby.

she blinked as suddenly there was a child where there had been none, struck with the sudden thought that Khoe's flower analogies had been bullshit. the thought faded back quickly as she watched in silence mother and daughter, understood that there would be no more. her face lit up in a smile, unable quite to describe the happiness that lingered in her chest at the scene, accompanied by none of the reservations she would usually have in the presence of pups. "she's strong."  she offered, blinking once more at the pair before following Sebastian's lead and bidding the woman farewell, already making towards the maplewood in search of something to return to the woman.