It began with a sudden surge of pain. The Frenchwoman woke up from her afternoon nap, surprised by the strange feeling. She was quiet for a moment, waiting for the return of the feeling. Minutes passed, then the ripple of pain came again. It was time.
Her instincts were telling her to lay down and let nature take its course. To be silent, so as to not attract predators. But she wanted to inform Ferdie, her pups' surrogate father and her protector, that it was time. They were "his" pups after all. And besides, it wasn't like he was leagues away. For the most part, the alpha lingered outside her den, protecting her. She whined, loud enough to get his attention, before feeling another wave of pain, forcing her into silence again.
She writhed, the pain becoming more frequent and stronger. Unbeknownest to her, the day was slowly turning towards night, from high noon to dusk. All she was focused on was the rippling pain inside her as her body began pushing her children out. Occasionally she whined, but it was low in her throat. Silence was a necessity.
Erika was a naturally skinny wolf. Her frame was not very good for producing children; her hips were not wide enough. As her first child came closer to being born, she felt the size of him/her. The first pup was big, a bit larger than average, enough to give her some challenge. As she squeezed the pup out, straining in effort, a sudden, frightening thought came to mind. What if it gets stuck? The marred woman whined as it became harder to push, but the thought dissapaited once she could feel it slipping out into the world.
With her first child out of her womb, she paused for a moment, catching her breath before turning towards the still creature. She lapped the birthing sack off of her son, revealing the black fur he gained from his mother. He squealed then, lungs filling with air, proudly proclaiming his arrival. Erika's heart swelled with pride and she guided her little boy to her stomach where he started to feed.
As soon as her son latched onto one of her teats, another ripple of pain made her shudder. The second child was impatient to be born it seemed. This one was a lot easier than the first. Erika could already feel that it was smaller. A lot smaller. The Frenchwoman easily pushed her smallest out without any trouble and lapped the birthing fluids off of her fur. She had Majesty's fur, a thick chocolate brown color reminisent of her biological father.
Erika's ears pressed back when her daughter made no squeal like her brother had. The frightened mother licked her runt harder, trying to bring some life into her smallest. To her relief, she was rewarded with an ear-piercing scream, her daughter outmatching her brother by a longshot. Satisfied, she brought her to her babe's first meal. This one seemed to be the more vigourous of the pair, suckling strongly and battering her paws onto her mother's stomach and her brother's body.
The pain did not return this time. There were only two pups in this litter, but she loved them all the same. While she was desperate for sleep, her first one tiring her immensely, she simply laid her head down, curling around her feeding children. She murmured softly in French, towards her missing mate. "Majesté, si seulement vous pourriez les voir."
It was a simple enough existence, warm and peaceful. The murmuring of sounds and distant voices that made no real sense to the undetermined Fantôme but often provided comfort. The gentle rocking the usually lasted for often extended periods of time. It was all lost on the undefined creature. Though one sound, a voice familiar and nurturing was heard most often filled with lilting tones, and soft whispers. Unbeknownst to the shapeless form the sound was that of maternity and love.
Over time the warmth floating existence had become more cramped, vaguely aware of another occupant of its home. Occasional outstretched of tiny limbs meeting theirs. Sudden jolts as they kicked out in their pre-natal state. Sounds had since become more obvious though still no frame of reference was made to identify them, though they were enriched with the same repeating tones and slight whispers of the future mother figure that housed them.
Unknown to the tiny form, the world was about to change, the warm secure home it had known was changing, ushering it toward some unknown destiny. The tiny frame of the the unknown Fantôme was ill suited for the sudden change, or the force requires to bring it into the world. All at once it seemed to abruptly end for the nameless child.
A warmth ran over the child, an unknown and strange feeling rough warmth ran down the tiny child's coat. Strange, barely tangible sounds and smells reached her. An instinct drove the tiny child to inhale and exhale, the loud cry calling out at this bizarre cold world. Another force pushed on her frame, ushering her towards a warmth and instinct flowed over her once more as she was ushered toward her first meal. Awkwardly the small mouth latched onto the provided teat, suckling the warm meal into her as quickly as she could.
This world wasn't as warm as her last one, but the food didn't seem bad.
It was time.
It was time to leave the comfort of the ebony mother's womb and head out to the unknown world outside. His only taste of it so far were the murmuring and distant voices that made no sense to the young Fantôme's mind. The gentle rocking and the one voice that always provided comfort to the young creature, filled with soft, gentle whispers.
He had always been the more active and aggressive one in the womb, squirming around and kicking. And today was no different. The young Fantôme squirmed and struggled as the home that it had known was changing, ushering him towards the wonderful world waiting for him outside, towards the unknown destiny that awaited him.
A warmth ran over the little Fantôme, a strange and unknown feeling that provided him warmth and comfort. He squirmed as strange, barely detectable smells reached him, a loud piercing cry escaped him, announcing his arrival into this extraordinary new world. Another gentle force guided him towards a soft wall where instinctively, he latched his small mouth around the teat and began eating his first meal in this new world.
Moments later, he felt another body next to him. The young Fantôme did not like the jostling body at his side, but he stood his ground and nursed with vengeance.
With her babes nursing vigourously at her side, the new mother took the time to relax and recover. She felt split open; her first child was the one that pained her the most, though she forgave him the moment he cried out. Motherly love overruled pain and frustration; pain was temporary, love was eternal.
The last true part of her birth arrived after a few moments of rest as the placenta slithered out of her. In the wild, mothers would eat the placenta to regain their strength in order to nurse their children better. Erika did so, it only made practical sense. After swiping the last of the afterbirth from her lips, she opened her lips to call for @Ferdie Von Pelt . Her children had to be named and why not name them in front of her alpha and her childrens' surrogate father? "Ferdie...." She croaked hoarsely. The Frenchwoman coughed before calling out again. "Ferdie!"
Ferdie Von Pelt had been near by hunting near by when he heard her whine grabbing the duck, he nearly flew to the entrance of the den. He knew she could not eat during this time but he placed the duck inside the den nearby but yet not to close in case the smell made her sick, sometimes things did that to pregnant females.
Ferdie nudged Erika's cheek once offering her moral support then he retreated and paced outside the den, peeking in occasionally but not very often, he didn't want to intrude it didn't feel quiet right. He almost had a path worn into the ground.
The sound of each pup prompted a visit and yet another cheek nuzzle from Ferdie. He retreated again only after a time no more cries were heard when he peeked in he heard Erika say Majesty the name of her lost mate but he understood nothing else. He lowered his eyes something akin to a glare yet not as severe and snorted his displeasure. from outside the den. When she called him in he came obediently laying down half in and half out of the den Only two? He inquired wanting to make sure she wasn't in anymore pain or distress over anything else in the moment. Then he offered her more if he could be useful one way for another he'd make himself useful for right now he felt useless Is there anything I can do for you?
The tiny Fantôme continued her first feeding,noting paws pressed into the warm, soft body in front of it doing their best to push the creamy nourishment out. The basic instinct was all the pup had to go on and before long she began to feel a swelling in her own stomach. The concept of stopping didn't make sense as the strange and barely tasted scents became familiar. A strange and familiar sound was heard, the same comforting murmur she was vaguely aware of was now clearer though no more understandable. Despite her inability to understand the words they were strangely comforting.
The other indistinguishable form that was alongside her squirmed much as she did. Stray limbs and poor motor skills causing them to touch out, kick, roll and otherwise entangle together all the while her small muzzle held tight to the source of food. A vey strange feeling was building inside.
Another strange word came from overhead followed almost immediately be an unfamiliar voice. Her mother, and possibly a small handful of others she would likely never meet had familiar sounds, this new one however wasn't. Deeper, and missing the familiar sing-song syllables. The small chocolate blob released it's hold on her mothers teat the familiar voice, she wanted it back. A deep inhale and a loud squeal escaped. A pathetic cry for here matrons attention, cut short as her newly working stomach suddenly decided she had eaten far too much of her mothers milk. The squeal turning into a briefly sickening gurgle as she spit-up a small amount of her meal.
Another squeal escaped.
The young Fantôme carried on feeding, the creamy food going into his small mouth and down his throat. And yet he did not stop, battering his paws against the warm soft body in front of him trying to get a firm grip so he could drink probably. The small jostling body next to him did not help at all, his mouth gripped the source of food as he was kicked by the other body. As soon as he found his paws, one of his limbs kicked out at the other body, accidentally of course.
He continued feeding as he heard the same comforting murmurings sounds he had heard before. He squirmed again, trying to get a more secure hold, he felt a slight bulging in his stomach but couldn't seem to stop. He didn't even know how to stop.
Another sound came which was followed by an unfamiliar voice that the dark pup did not know. But he did not stop, instead continued nursing greedily. The voice was deeper than his mother's and without the familiar comfort that the other voice gave. Suddenly there was a squeal from the other figure beside him, then another sound, then a squeal again.
As if trying to challenge whoever was beside him, the dark pup released his hold on his mother's teat and a loud piercing cry escaped him, louder than the squeal. He squirmed, his stomach bulging.
The alpha slipped half of his body into the den after she called him, examining her litter. His gaze looked almost disappointed at something. Was he expecting more pups? She could only have so many; if her body produced two, then that was all she was having. "Oui. Just the two."
The new mother curled tighter around her pups, feeling content as they fed. "I would like to name zem now, zat's why I called you in 'ere..." She began only to be cut off by the soft squeal of her runt. Erika's ears pressed back in worry when she had spat up milk, only to cry again. Her son, as if to challenge her, stopped his meal and cried louder. The Frenchwoman nudged them gently away from her teats with her nose. They had had enough; she didn't want anymore accidents by her.
"Ze black one iz Alphonse and ze small brown one iz Serena." She had thought about the names as she travelled to the mountains. Alphonse was the name Erika would have been given, had she been a boy. Serena was the name of Majesty's mother, and she thought it the best way to honor her missing mate.
Ferdie Von Pelt Sighed softly when she told him that there was only two. Good, I didn't want to lose you to pup delivery, there is a very real risk of that Ferdie nodded, showing her he was truly happy for her.
Ferdie listened intently to her it seemed she already had the names picked, and that she was only telling him not asking him. He had hoped to get the chance to help name them but yet again he had been denied that. Not that he had ever gotten the chance to actually sire his own litter, This would be the second litter out of a different male that he'd raise as his own.
Ferdie's voice was a gentle rumble like he was telling a story. I would have called the brown one Citrine I know citrine is named after the French word for lemon, but I've only ever seen in the orange-brown color, she reminds me of that precious gemstone.
Ferdie did not fight her on the names his words did not offer argument just his opinion and he would accept what ever Erika chose, even if it was his wish to cut every tie they might have with their natural father. For from the moment she accepted his proposal; the pups became his, and his to protect and raise. They were now no different to him then if he had mated with Erika himself.
Ferdie smiled fondly down at the female pup adoration in his eyes and rolled her over gently, cleaning her thoroughly with his soft warm tongue. When the other pup began to cry he'd nuzzle him and offer him a warm snuff blowing air upon him gently, hoping that the young one would wait his turn, both would get his attention equally in turn.
Carefully he cleaned the femme's face and then her chest and the rest of her so gently there was not a drop or dust or debris left on her. This large brute was a self appointed expert in grooming, tucking the femme close to Erika's upper chest and away from her teets he slide the male pup between his paws and rolled him over giving the little boy the same treatment as his sister, a thorough warm tongue bath.
Little regard was given to the mess she just made on herself, the fact she couldn't see it, or was unaware of the fact it wasn't normal let her focus more on the sudden wail beside her and the strange scent that came suddenly arrived. The familiar sound of what she was slowly determining as the warm food thing spoke again overhead. It was comforting but still lost on the fantôme.
Then without warning something happened, a sudden warm breathe ran over the tiny form followed by the rough drag of something think and squishy rolling the tiny form about. The runt let out a flurry of squeals and cries. Something strange was happening, unfamiliar and unwanted. Cries and yells erupted from her tiny form, doing her best to get away from the attack. Scrambling, she assumed, toward her matron. Before long she was nudged into the warm fur. The high-pitched yelps continued as she buried herself against the fur as best she could.
Whatever just happened, she wanted no part of it. Had she any idea of personal space, she'd certainly feel rather violated at the moment.
The young Fantôme was once again pushed, but this time not because of the other thing next to him but something else. He whined softly as he was pushed away from the food source but was comforted by the sound overhead again. He was slowly placing the puzzle pieces together and determining that this sound came from the thing that provided the creamy food.
Suddenly something nudged him again, he squirmed as warm air was blown upon him and squealed. What was happening? The form next to him started emitting loud squeals and yelps and didn't stop though it slowly became slightly muffled. The tiny black Fantôme squealed louder than the form beside him for no apparent reason.
The young boy was then dragged away from the soft fur, a squishy thick thing rolled him around and he screeched loudly trying his best to roll and scramble away from the attacking thing but he was always rolled back by the wet squishy attacker. A series of loud squeals, screeches and yelps emitted off the tiny black Fantôme.
He tried his best to move away, hopefully towards the warm soft fur again but was continuously attacked by the wet squishy object. And as the licking continued, so did the cries, growing louder and louder by the second.
She sensed that Ferdie was displeased with her naming the babes so quickly. He would have named Serena Citrine, the french word for orange, the name of a gemstone. It was true that was a good name for her, but she already had her mind set on Serena. It was, in her opinion, a prettier name. "Citrine? It could always be a pet name..." She said as Ferdie groomed her smallest.
Serena did not like the bath, or she was just caught off guard by it. Either way, her baby yipped and squealed until Ferdie pushed her into Erika's warmth. The Frenchwoman bent down and nuzzled her baby, snuggling her and attempting to calm her down. She would get used to licks, eventually. Next was Alphonse, who reacted in a similar manner, all squeals and screeches, even louder than his sister. Erika put her nose by Ferdie's, attempting to nudge him away. "Zat iz enough, I zink." She murmured, grabbing Alphonse gently and tucking him by his sister. "It iz just zat it frightened zem, and I do not like to 'ear zem squeal like zat."
Ferdie frowned, how could they not like to be groomed, he had no milk to offer them he would have to find another way to form a bond with them. He felt a little offended when Erika stole the pup away. This was most definitely not getting off to a good start.
Ferdie crawled into the den and lay down beside Erika offering both his warmth and his scent to the pups and perhaps to her too. The pup might not be able to hear words right now but he'd offer what he could. I'll tell you a story,
Once there was a wolf, He was in love with a female, but she held no respect for him. Love was just not meant to be for this male wolf. Now there were other females that vyed for his attention but he would not give it, this wolf was a loyal fool he loved only the first female.
As time past he rejected all other females even still he was rejected by his 'love' . There was however, a female who would not accept his rejection of her. She sought to convince him that he had somehow gotten her pregnant, though he knew this was not true, he accepted her and the pups when they were born. He loved the pups so much at the mother became jealous and rejected them, she wanted his love for herself She left the pack for a time perhaps her heart was broken too.
He continued to raise those pups. Many months went by and finally the bitter mother returned and when she did she spoke things to the young juveniles and in her revenge she turned their hearts against the father that raised them.
Soon the pups left but not before, at their mother's behest, trying to break the heart of the wolf that not only raised them but loved them. Their words meant to flay his heart open did hurt but his love for them did not wain. That father loved them so much that he allowed them to turn their anger upon him, if it made them feel better for choosing to go with their mother.
Ferdie trailed off then and lay his head down next to the pups, he did not know the ending to that story, or if there even was one. Ferdie closed his eyes but did not sleep she just rested quietly listening to the pups and perhaps to Erika if she spoke
The young pup began to doze, the faint words overhead went ignored, becoming something like background noise as the small female nestled herself against the warm and soft fur of her matron. The murmuring voice, unfamiliar and harsh to the child continued unabated as she began the slow drift into sleep.
It seemed a simply enough existence, eat, throw up, sleep.
The young Fantôme struggled for a bit more before he was pushed into the soft warm fur, away from his attacker and near the form that had squealed just before him. He snuggled in, pushing his tiny body into the thick warm body, curling up as he did so. The nursing, squealing and the brutal attack was too much for the young boy, tiring him greatly.
He shifted for a few more moments, the unfamiliar and harsh murmurs were lost to the dark Fantôme as he drifted off, snuggled beside his mother and sister's body. It was a tiring and strange day for him and he needed to rest. Stubby tail twitched as he finally fell asleep.
Her pups relaxed, free from Ferdie's grasp and snuggled into her fur. Though Ferdie looked annoyed after she stole away her children, he relaxed and curled around her. He offered to tell her a story. Erika only nodded, head resting by her pups.
The story Ferdie told was a melancholy one at best. It was a sad romance, of a wolf who woman who did not love him back. The words droned on as Erika relaxed in Ferdie's warmth, eyes slowly closing until she drifted off into sleep. She did not dream; the new mother was exhausted by the day's effort, but it was a pleasant and deep sleep nonetheless.
Ferdie rested his head upon the floor of the den he was between the female and pups and the den entrance, He lay there so that he might hear any danger outside or be the first to wake if the pups or female did, he would be their servant bringing food and anything they could wish for. He guarded their sleep, it was as precious to him as with was necessary to them. he eyes were soft as he looked upon the pups, and the mother was held in the same regard.
There was a bond he shared with Erika now, albeit not as strong as that of mateship but a bond none the less. He would see her as the mother of 'his' pups forever more. Should the real father return well Ferdie hoped that would not happen for a long time, but he would have to convince the biological father to share some way, some how. If the father had an interest in the pups at all some males were like that mate and move on... He had no idea what he had blundered into here