Silver Creek They say love is pain, well darling, let's hurt tonight [BIRTH]
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Ooc — n
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#1
All Welcome 
@Spring or @Heston - tagging for visibility, also, could either of you re-add Soltero to the pack ranks? <3

The time had come, she was sure of it. The pains in her side had grown stronger and even more painful, and her sickness was almost unbearable. Honestly, right now, she wanted them out. It hurt a lot (and made her hungry), and although she did care for her unborn pups, she still didn't think she was cut out to be a mother. Despite this, she could not turn back. She could not erase what had happened, so she must push through. In this case, literally.

She had made a temporary den. The silver woman had not wanted to intrude upon Spring and Heston's own litter, and she wanted a place where she could hide away and watch her pups grow. Skylaris felt that all mothers did this, so it seemed natural. She was inside it now, restless and in pain. It had not yet dawned upon her that she may have gone into labour. The backache was a literal pain too. It was constant and had forced Sky to lay down so that it would not grow. Even so, it was still there. The gamma began to take deep breaths, finally realising what might be happening as the pain stretched. Her fear would not get the best of her! Really, she did get scared much. She had never thought of childbirth being scary, nor had she ever been frightened of raising pups. But now, as she lay on her side, breathing shakily and painfully, her opinions changed. It was scary. It was new - it was going to be hard. This would change her life.

As the first pup came out, Skylaris let out a sigh of relief. The pain dimmed slightly, and the woman gazed back at the form of the dark-coloured child. Her child. She pulled it toward her side, but fear and an icy chill shivered through her when she realised it was lifeless. A stillborn. A new kind of distress forced its way through her as she stared at her dead child. Though, more of the torturous discomfort came and the woman had no time to react. Quickly and carefully she settled the young one a bit further away, closer to the back of the den. She would bury and mourn for the babe later, once the others were safely out. Next came a little dove-grey pup, very much similar to Sky herself. It was a he, she discovered, and when she made a move to pull him toward her a feeling arrived which she had never expected - nor had she felt it before. Was this the motherly love a wolf felt for her young? Surely that must be it. The boy was alive - the Gamma knew this. She gazed at him with pure joy in her eyes, though they soon closed as more agony raked through her body. The last born was yet another stillborn. She stayed silent for a moment before slowly pushing this little girl to lay with her stillborn brother. The pain then dimmed even more - it was still there, but faint enough that she could focus on her one pup. @Soltero was the name she had decided. It meant single, and it seemed fitting since he was the only surviving pup in the litter. Skylaris was indeed sorrowful for her lost ones, who had never gotten to see the world, but she was gleeful that Soltero was here now. Her little baby boy. Though, she was a single parent. Spring had Heston to help, but Sky was alone in raising this child. And she didn't know how well she would take it. Of course, her packmates would probably chip in (Natashe, perhaps) and Spring might give tips, but ultimately it was her child that she was responsible for.

But she loved him and she knew it. He would have to grow without a father, but she would make sure to be the best mother she could be.
-Three legged wolf-
Caregiver/Medic 2/5
Naturalist/Astronomer 0/5
239 Posts
Ooc — Lia
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#2
While he'd attempted to be subtle about it, he'd tried to keep his eye on Skylaris a little closer after the meeting with the male on the borders. His children demanded much of his time, and he was happy to give it. It had surprised him to see her so large, for it seemed barely any time at all had passed since the birth of his own children. But once he saw her size, and the hang of her stomach, he had made sure to watch her closer. 

His eyes had trailed Spring's beautiful pregnant form many a time, jealously taking in her shape with the knowledge that she was his, and so were the things within her belly. Between the times of crippling panic, he had quite enjoyed her pregnancy. Because of his devoted and hungry attentions to his mate he could recognize that Skylaris' time was not far.

So he had begun to silently and carefully watch her. He didn't follow her around, not like he'd done Spring. Instead he made his rounds include the areas he had scented her in often, checking for her presence. It hadn't taken him long to figure out where her intended den was, and occasionally he'd walk by the place itself. Today he had not noticed her scent overly strong anywhere, so he had finished his border patrol and turned himself to easily, breezily, pass by her den.

Even from his distance he could hear her panting, the small grunts of displeasure. He had turned on his heel and headed off, not wanting to linger outside. Something about hearing a woman that wasn't his mate birth her young seemed...too intimate. Instead he went to hunt, managing to catch two hares during his procrastination. He didn't want to show back up too early, after all. One he buried for later, intending it for Spring. The other he carried with him to Skylaris' den.

He stood outside, ears perked, the hare dangling from his jaws. He heard no more panting, no more grunting. Not as it had been before. He moved closer, slowly, and inhaled the scents on the air. He could smell the blood and the fluid that heralded life, but was confused that there weren't more screams of children in the air. Perhaps his own were simply specifically loud?

He moved closer, slowly, so that he stood a couple of body lengths from the den. He dropped the hare, and with a calm, and what he hoped was soothing, voice he called out to the woman. "Skylaris? It's Heston. I heard...I could tell your labor had started earlier, so I went to hunt for you. You'll be starving after that, I'm sure." He stumbled over his words, but was trying. "How...how is everything? Are you alright? Are...are your children?" He couldn't hear much, but then again he wasn't right up at the entrance either. He wanted to respect her space, in the hopes that she would respectfully allow his nose to remain on his face.
Tell me something that i'll forget
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#3
So quick was the boy thrust into the world - he knew nothing of the odd smells and weird textures that surrounded him. He could not hear anything nor could he see. His eyes were folded and his eyes were tightly shut. Unlike many other pups would have done, Soltero did not scream. He did not squeal. He wasn't mute, thought, for he did make sounds. Just not very loud sounds.

He crawled his way toward the big thing that was his maa, and was soon helped by.... her. She pulled him toward her belly and he did not resist. He leaned forward and began suckling - or attempting to. While some of the milk did indeed go into his mouth, it was difficult to swallow and a large amount ended up spilling down his cheek. Not that he cared.
I tried to write your name in the rain
But the rain never came
132 Posts
Ooc — chey
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#4
Natashe had been keeping near Skylaris without her knowing it, not really knowing what to do or say for the pregnant woman. As soon as her birthing started Natashe sat outside the den waiting until it was over with to make her presence known. As she stood to enter however Heston appeared with a hare in his maw, and she swiveled her ears uncertainly. The overpowering scent of birth fluids hit her nose making her give a involuntary keening sound from her throat. Novak had dissapeared out of nowhere, leaving her alone and wondering if her attentions were what caused him to leave without saying goodbye.


The thoughts on Novak brought tears to her eyes but she put a smile on her face and walked calmly into the den "Bonjour Chérie! Ah he is beautiful!" she murmured warmly sitting down a few feet away from her and Heston so as not to crowd the newly made mother. She looked at the woman she considered a friend and the boy who was now her son, and smiled to herself. Maybe something good could come from something negative, as there was no way in hell this boy was bad.
124 Posts
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#5
Gah I hate my computer. I wrote a huge detailed post and the computer restarted and I lost it all. Can't wait to get rid of this thing .-. Sorry if it's a crappy post!

Skylaris turned her head to the sound as her attention was focused on the newcomer - Heston. The gamme had not expected the male to come, but she was grateful regardless. He had gone hunting for her and the gesture was lovely. "Ah, thank you.... Yeah.... I'm fine - I think. And it's just child," her voice wavered slightly but she coughed and regained her composure before inviting him in. "You can come in if you want, Heston." Unlike many other women might be, Skylaris did not feel much aggression. Of course, she did feel protective over her only son, but she trusted the wolves around her and did not mind them coming in. If it was Novak, she might not have let him in - or not yet, anyway, but that was only because she didn't really know him. Anyone else was very much welcome, as long as they were quiet.

Careful not to disturb her son, Sky looked up and smiled as Natashe entered. "Thank you, Natashe," she replied, giving a short wag of her tail. The only fear she had was that Soltero might end up like his father - and boy, she did not want that. Though, looking at him now, she did not see the resemblance between the two. Not yet, anyway, and she hoped that there wouldn't be any. "His name is Soltero," she added, gazing back down at her little pup, the thought of her stillborns in the back of her mind - haunting, but silent. The dove would mourn later, but now was not the time. She needed to enjoy her moments with her child.
-Three legged wolf-
Caregiver/Medic 2/5
Naturalist/Astronomer 0/5
239 Posts
Ooc — Lia
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#6
He smiled and shook his head at her thanks. "A new mother needs plenty to eat, to regain her strength." He nodded as she told him there was only one pup, not pursueing the waver that he heard. He wondered if she had lost some in the birth, or if she had simply wanted more. Either way, it was not his place to ask. It would not do to dwell on sadness today. Not when new life had entered the world.

Natashe was quick to enter the den, but Heston hovered nervoulsy outside. He finally stuck his head and shoulders inside. Even with permission he felt unsure about entering the den completely. "A handsome name. He'll make a wonderful addition to Silver Creek, Skylaris." His praise was short, but warm and sincere.