Hushed Willows tall tales, telltales

@Ariel @Seabreeze @Sundance @Reif @Atwood or anyone else!

It was a wonderful thing, to wake up amongst the willows and know that she was in her home, with her wives and her babies. There had been so many things that almost weren’t, it still dizzied her. All she knew was thank god her brother had been there. Thank god Stigmata had been there, and thank god all of her cubs survived their treacherous entry into the world. There were many things about the experience that she could harp upon or belabor, but most she was just pleased to have been blessed with three healthy children. She had so feared that she might lose them, right there on the forest’s floor. 

The trek back to Elysium hadn’t been easy, but it had been necessary. At times she thought back to those few days stuck in the woods — exposed to any who might wish her harm — and it sent shivers down her spine. She so often felt at home in all the world, but at that moment, she felt so endangered by it.

But now, all was well. She and her three baby boys were tucked safely away in Elysium, with Ariel and Seabreeze loving and tending to them as doting wives should, and Olive felt herself relax and feel happy that this new part of her life had begun so rapidly, and so without warning. Looking down at the three children suckling at her belly, Olive knew now that they simply were already too perfect, and that they hadn’t needed to grow within her any longer than necessary. In that way, they were lucky — they hadn’t needed to wait in order to meet each other.

somersaults in here

Lily had been worried for Olive, and her fears only increased when word was sent that she'd given birth outside the willows. How frightening! That truly was a nightmare scenario for the young mother, and her fear only left her when she knew the Shakti and her brood were safe inside Elysium again. She'd spoken briefly with her friend, but the woman had been too tired to hold much of a conversation (little surprise there).

Today, she left @Qilaq in charge of the babes and took a mole toward the other whelping den—not much of a meal, more a gift of celebration for the sanctuary's new blessings. She grinned past the prey in her mouth as she spotted the quartet, trotting quicker and depositing the mole with a quiet but triumphant thud before the den.

How are you? Lily inquired, tail beating excitedly behind her. Her eyes strayed to the pups, lingering over each one in passing. Three of them, just like hers and Aliac's litters. A lucky number, it seemed. How are the babies? They're beautiful, Olive.

He would not recall the circumstances surrounding his birth and the relocation that followed, for the infant's world consisted almost entirely of nursing and napping. Sundance, blissfully unaware of any concern his sudden and early arrival might have roused, drank his fill of milk and was content to doze by his mother's side among those he'd shared her womb with.

ariel had learned late of olive's delivery and its circumstances, having been delayed himself in his trip to the hollow. at the time he'd not been too concerned--olive wasn't supposed to be due until, well, about now, and even if somehow he'd not made it back in time, seabreeze would be here. understandably, upon learning the news, he'd been in somewhat of a tizzy, but all turned out okay; now olive was safely home and seabreeze and ariel were able to dote on her and the boys. tiny, amazing things, he thinks, watching them suckle at olive's belly. another trio (the irony is not lost on him) but so different already, not because of them, for infants are largely infants, he's learned, but because of olive and seabreeze. because he is where he is supposed to be, now.

of course, he can't help the small pang of jealousy he feels, getting to watch his wife feed their children, something he'll never be able to do. but she and seabreeze are good at easing those pains for him. sighing contentedly, he lays his head across olive's hip, glancing up as lily approaches, bearing a treat for the new mother. hi, he mouths, but doesn't speak, giving the moment to olive, who did the hard work.

There wasn’t much to do now except luxuriate in the simple wonders of motherhood and wifehood. As much as the woman was inclined to stress over what might be or what could have been, once she deemed her and the babies to be safe, she allowed herself to relax in the safety of Elysium. Both she and Seabreeze and every medic and skilled nursemaid in the area had looked over the three boys and deemed them to be in full health, if not a little small, but that was likely because of the genes of their sire and dam than caused by any incident of their birth. Olive was grateful; so grateful.

Olive was at least somewhat aware of Ariel’s desire to be a mother not only in name, but also in body, and at times they would play make-believe and she would place the puppies at Ariel’s belly so that Ariel might be able to fee what it was like to nurse their young — but the cubs, so young and innocent and not knowing what the trio of mothers was trying to achieve, easily figured out the ruse and would always protest and cry when they realized there was no chance of milk happening at this particular belly. Sheepishly she would always taken them back, and allow her two wives extremely close as they nursed and breathed and lived.

Olive pressed her nose against the velveteen belly of Sundance, who snoozed away, sodden with milk and completely drunken by it. All was silent and watchful when Lily entered, carrying a gift. She was delighted to see her friend — as, up until now she had been much too exhausted to entertain anything that wasn’t totally necessary. With a quick glance to Seabreeze and Ariel, to ensure that another’s presence in their den was welcome, Olive smiled and looked down at the three little loafs curled at her belly. “Thank you, they’re…” the mother trailed off demurely. “Perfect.” she declared with a purr. The Shakti glanced up to Ariel [it was their genes that came together to make three perfect children after all], and knew there was something else that they could all agree on. “I’ve never had all boys before.” As far as Olive knew, neither had Ariel or Lilly or Seabreeze.

“Elysium suddenly feels so full!” This last sentiment was said with some excitement, which Olive was quick to cut off with a twist of a smile when she remembered the sleeping babes.

The blackbird turned her smile to Ariel, whom she'd just noticed (Seabreeze, too, damn her inattention) nearby. Congratulations to all of you, she murmured warmly. The litter was, after all, the three of theirs. They would all be parents. . .and she couldn't be more thrilled for them.

Nor have I, said Lily, chuckling a little in response to Olive's remark. Her firelight gaze flickered fondly over the pups before returning to her friend's verdant eyes. It does, really. We're very blessed. How are you feeling—can I do anything for you?

shakes out the rust

Last one from me.   :)

His little paws twitched and, with a wiggle of his nose, Sundance parted his jaws in the mightiest of yawns. It ended in a content coo as he snuggled up beside his litter-mates, burying his snout among his mother's pale furs and allowing himself to drift into a deeper slumber beneath the adults' loving watch.