Ouroboros Spine Welcome to our world

!!!! ippi is jumping for joy!

the call reached her in a single clear note, and everything in her stilled. a heartbeat later she was moving— swift and sure, gathering every herb and salve she had prepared over the last days: willowbark, sea-lavender, chamomile, soft moss for warmth.

the smaller badger pelt— cleaned, smoked, lined with down— she swept across her shoulders. it would swaddle the babes the moment breath met air.

a tender happiness rose in her chest as she ran. raindrop had been ready for days; now the time had come.

she slipped into the denmouth with practiced grace, breath warm in the cold air.

i am here, she murmured, voice steady but full. her eyes softened at the sight of raindrop curling through the pain, valiant pressed tight beside her.

she set her herbs down, already gauging the rhythm of raindrop’s breathing, the closeness of each contraction.

raindrop, ippiksaut said gently, moving to her side, you are doing well. the little ones are close now.

she brushed her nose along the expectant mother’s cheek, a grounding touch.

to valiant, she gave a brief nod— approving, grateful.

stay just as you are, she told him. she draws strength from you.

then she turned fully to her work, voice low and sure, a calm center in the storm of birth.

breathe with me, raindrop. i am here for every moment.