Redtail Rise to the river—

she's ankle deep in a quiet pool of the Rise's meandering river, drinking slowly and contemplatively, when she feels it.

it.

a ripple-twinge in her abdomen, like fish beneath the surface. she glances down quickly, to see if she's been somehow fooled by actual fish—but the water around her is clear. 

it happens again.

it. them.

a definite press against her belly, a slow writhing. her breath catches, the cool water suddenly quite heavy in her stomach. excitement sends her heart faster; she feels it hammering against her breastbone, a trapped bird, flapping its wings, life within—

life! Avicus staggers back, onto dry land, her indigo gaze twin full moons, cloaked in deep blue clouds;

oh. . . ma, she whispers, knowing for certain. Astara should be here. oh, how she wished her mother was here.

Ashlar looked for Avicus until he found her by the river.

His tail was tucked with apology as he approached as he wondered if she, like Ratio, had noticed. Then he stopped short and let out a small sound, questioning. Something about the way she was standing, and her bearing, made him question if he should let her be for a moment.

Ashlar forgot his own worries when he caught her expression and his own immediately shifted to concern. Was something wrong? He held back his impulse to get closer impatiently.

she hadn't noticed Ashlar's disappearance, too focused on the question of her own motherhood. his arrival is met with only positivity; at his sound, her lips part, and she finds herself giving the healer a genuine, honest-to-god smile as the joy finally bubbles over.

i 'hink i'm pregnan', Avicus tells him without preamble. she twists her neck, gesturing to her belly—and yes, now she can see that despite the leaner weeks, the mourning, her sides are distended a bit. i feel 'em move.

she lets out a small yip, dancing toward him and pressing her muzzle against his shoulder in joy.

it could have been you, she thinks, but that's fleeting. he smells of Ratio and someone else, someone she cannot quite place. the sea. . .?

wanna feel? she asks, pulling back. he should be able to tell her whether everything inside—everyone inside—seems okay.

There wasn't a trace of upset around her as she looked at him. Instead, the uncertain air around her transformed to joy. Ashlar's smile grew to match hers and his tail lifted some, waving behind him as she shared her news.

Pregnant!? He knew she wanted it, but was still both surprised and thrilled when she confirmed it. Ashlar nodded and came forward with eager caution, putting his cheek gently against her side to try and hear what she was talking about.

There was definitely something. He heard a quiet sound, something apart from her louder heartbeat. He couldn't tell how many but since she'd pointed it out, he didn't think it could be anything else. His eyes widened.

I can hear them. He said quietly with a voice full of wonder. They're - Something moved, subtly, beneath. He pulled back finally, beaming. That's amazing!! Ashlar didn't care one bit that no part of them was his. This was some of the best news he'd ever heard, especially because of her own reaction to it, and it showed with every inch of his body language. Do you know how long?!

Gannet had told him some about pregnancy and childbirth. He ran over it again impatiently. 9 weeks is how long usually, but sometimes it's faster. And they'll want special food sometimes, or be sick in parts. He was ready for almost anything, but he'd definitely help with the hunting! His trip to the shore was momentarily forgotten, completely blown away by this new development.

his thrill only compounds hers. she presses back against his face to her belly, happiness leaving her in a gurgling, almost girlish giggle. when they separate, she shakes her head at the query, though the gesture is brief and somewhat noncommittal.

a moon, maybe, Avicus replies, lifting her shoulders in a shrug. yes. . .a full moon had come and gone since laying with Prophet, Tulimaq and Augur.

how much more will she change? she thinks of the vixen, her stomach so distended. 

maybe it will be a hindrance. but only temporary.

how many? she asks, wondering if Ashlar could even tell. the more the better, for practicality's sake.

He relished her closeness before she drew away. It was something Ashlar had always found important with those he held dear, but from Avicus, it always felt more. It felt earned.

A moon, which meant another moon would pass before they were likely to come. His baba had told him it was slightly more than this.

I think it's not one. I can't tell for sure. There was movement and sound, but it was hard to place right now. Maybe with more time he would know. He had so many questions! But she would not know the answers - he could not wait to meet them when they came.

It's what you wanted! I'm glad. He leaned to place his forehead companionably against her shoulder, enjoying her joy as much as she fed from his. This was amazing news! And not for the first time, Ashlar wondered at how different the Rise was already from her father's pack. He couldn't have imagined it.

not one draws her brows together for a moment as she ponders 'less than one,' before realizing what he means. more. her breath comes short, and her heart pounds.

Avicus curves against him at his touch in a half-embrace, the most she's ever let the two of them meet.

one—or more—could have been his.

but Ashlar will help her through the process, and that, perhaps, is more valuable than his genetic contribution to the litter. after all, Tulimaq is gone. . .

how make 'em 'hhrong? she asks. herb, foodh, p-prayer. . .? 

her voice breaks on the last bit. she does not want the bear here, nor any other superstition that had so plagued her family. but if it were to help the pups—

Ashlar noticed the way her voice changed but didn't visibly acknowledge it. It was easy to pass it off as nerves and he wondered at how she was not more terrified. She had strength that he didn't, knowing that soon she'd go through the pain of bringing life into the world.

Food. He said assuredly. And rest, I think, when it's closer. To help them be strong. He wondered if that might be the hardest part. It was hard to imagine Avicus resting when she felt well enough not to. He'd only ever seen it when she was sick.

Herbs if you can't eat, or if the food doesn't stay. He couldn't remember his father ever speaking of using them otherwise. If there were some that would help, they hadn't been a priority in the time he'd had to learn. Ashlar kicked himself internally again for not starting sooner, putting off the learning that he'd always wondered about but never wanted to start.

You're strong. They will be too. He added, softer but with no less conviction. He knew they were going to end up being just as wonderful as she thought, as she deserved. They couldn't be anything less.

her face lifts in a half-smirk at the mention of 'rest.' what was that, anyway? at least she has Prophet and Augur to whom she can delegate responsibilities. but she won't cease until the time is near.

'hhank you, Avicus says, her stomach settling a bit.

well, apart from the pups' movement inside of her—but that is a good stirring.

she steps forward to take a drink, then lifts her head, chin dripping, to look at Ashlar. he's been so good to her. so loyal. she's confident that he'll keep her and the babies safe.

she'd bet her life on it.

fade w/ your next post?

She didn't argue. He was relieved and smiled again, even more warmly if possible. Ashlar was determined to do all he could to help.

He would find supplies, herbs, food that she could eat to grow strong. The mountains and lands nearby held different prey - perhaps one would suit more than others. He could ask Prophet to show him and together they could bring something.

Ashlar whirled with the excitement and plans for preparation. He would stay a while longer, initial reason for coming completely forgotten, before rushing off to begin.