Dragonveil Fold I got you

Birth of Pan and Sonnet
May 8th 2023, Dragonveil Fold, wee hours of the morning, for @Spartan

Sleep eluded her that night, though her mate's form brought reassurance, she had not been able to conquer her building nerves. In the dark hours of the night she nuzzled him, issuing a gentle whine. With him, she did not need so many words. Still, she had something to say now. Something to sing of, perhaps. Her tone was low, hushed, her breath quick.

"Tonight is the night," there was no doubt about it, as she felt the deep pangs beginning in her belly. But still the bardic woman's voice wavered, seeking reassurance. All of this was new. "Will you stand guard for us?" Perhaps it was simply her state of mind tonight, but she could not shake the thought of everything that could go wrong. All they faced, the wildwood's various predators and challenges, they could face together but this was her battle that lay ahead now.

She would share a quiet moment with him, before the next pang brought the sense of building urgency back. "I'll call for you," she smiled and then turned toward the depths of the stone cave they shared.

Isomne had prepared as well as she could, caching soft mosses and what few herbs should name for what they were, though she knew just enough to know how much knowledge she truly lacked there.

-

Minutes, hours, it was hard to tell. At first she hummed to herself and then groaned through the contractions. Moments of it were blessedly easier than others, those that brought snarls and cries from her throat.

When exhaustion and relief finally washed over her, Isomne found her voice hoarse as she licked her newborn daughters behind the ears, washing the twin newborns with gentle relived kisses from a parched tongue and anointing them with tears of joy and solace. She'd call for their father after the strength to do so returned. For now, two tiny forms were guided against her and encircled with a quiet song just for them.

(This post was last modified: May 08, 2023, 07:46 PM by Isomne.)

As man as he was, he had read the signs of her impending labor well. Only solidified by the voice she spoke to him and the words they carried. Tonight their little ones would come earth side. They would see if their love had taken root strongly or if this was not the year for them.

He smiled warm and soft. She needed not ask him if he would guard. How he wished he could tell her that he was named for it, that he was bound to do this for her forever now. Too for whatever life came earth side in the den.

Instead he only kissed her briefly. Not inclined to linger once she turned away. His position would be at the mouth of the den as a wild warrior. One fiercely inspired by the sounds and the smells that came from within the den. If any predator had shown, they would have been met with him in full.

Yet he found himself grateful that the world seemed silent aside from her.

His gaze had been pinched by knitted brows when she had called. He knew he was no midwife, no healer. If something had gone wrong their hand would be forced to go to the closest ones they could find. A stressful thought that needed no place in his mind as he entered, as he closed in the little distance between his guard post and her birth bed. No longer did she lay alone in agony. No, no.

Two bundles were tucked carefully along her side. He found he did not care what they were called or if they were sons or daughters. He only cared that they were healthy and whole. His love had become a raging thunderstorm of pride within his chest, to see them there nestled along his wife.

He crooned, deep and warm, as he laid down low on his belly. Eyes fixed upon the duo brought to their hearth.

(This post was last modified: May 10, 2023, 09:52 PM by Spartan.)

spartan does not speak!

Thankfulness radiated from her form like dawn light as she heard his song, deep and comforting. There was a new and tender warmth between them now, one to be tended by both against the onslaughts the world might bring to them. But the first battle had now been fought, and won.

And now she had him back at her side.

"They look just like you," she mused, a curl of laughter at the edge of her smile. A kiss was brought to his ear, trailed further to the thick fur that held his scent so strongly.

There was pride in her voice, for her part in what they'd created. The songs always spoke well of mothers, but she would sing for him, too. As he laid down next to them Isomne could not think of anyone better to face the world off by her side.

"We must call them something," she whispered, already having some thoughts on this matter. "They may someday want a name to call you, too..." on this, she wondered what thoughts he might hold. An eyebrow quirked up, ever so gently prodding the matter.