Heartleaf Creek Don't threat, my little Blossom

For @Gent
@Titan Can jump in if he is nearby, I suppose?
@Deacon , just in case you want to read it. :)

alert alert alert Stars shinned brightly against the navy blue sky, illuminating the two wolves as they laid together. Small talk filled the still air for Danica's kind friend had refused to let her travel alone nor stay the night without company. Instead he had followed along to keep her safe. Smiling at the RSC wolf the pale girl laid her head on his shoulder in a way close buddies would... Birds chirped in the surrounding trees, the sun peaking over the pink horizon. A single dew drop rolled off a bright green leaf and landed on a moist black surface. Danica twitched her nose before letting out a great big sneeze that forced her eyes wide open in shock. Groaning drowsily she rose to drink from the chilly waters of the Heatleaf Creek. As she peacefully lapped away the inhabitants of her belly begun to squirm from the sudden cold. The young mother turned her head grinning to nudge the little puppies inside as she guessed how many wiggly bodies there were. "I bet there is two...no, three." She whispered to herself, pressed against the single whelp as it kicked at her face. Within a moment things changed. Her abdomen begun to ache violently, causing Dani to start pacing about uncomfortable with short, speedy, agitated steps. A loud whine parted her jaws when a contraction hit her so hard she was forced to take a seat on the rough pebbly shore, "Gent..." She mumbled not wishing to wake him up, but at the same time wanting to. Clenching her teeth together she spoke louder, "Gent." Till eventually the pain so intolerable she shouted, "Gent!!!" Her voice shrill and sharp as she closed her eye lids drawing in a breath. "Oh my bunnies, oh my bunnies, oh my flipping fat butted bunnies."

Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

(This post was last modified: May 25, 2015, 04:35 AM by Danica.)

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They had talked quite a bit through the night, catching up even more thoroughly on the happenings in each others' lives. When they finally allowed sleep to overcome them, Gent's was deep and peaceful despite being relatively short lived. It was nice to have a warm body to lay with. Gent had never known such comfort before Minka's cubs were born, and even then the opportunity to nap with those he considered close to him was not a common occurrence. He tried not to seek such things out, unless it was time spent with the children, for he wasn't liking the level of emotion that was sneaking into his life. Still, when it did happen, a great sense of calm overtook him. Given such a wonderful rest, when Danica's sneeze alerted his ever-vigilant ears, the man woke slowly, completely at ease in this strange place. His eyes peered open for a moment, watching the young girl move to the water's edge. Her words faintly met his ears, but he did not bother to decipher them, letting her have a private moment with the life growing within her. Black lids drifted down over the arctic spheres once more, and the guardian may have fallen asleep once more if not for the calling of his name, a confused and increasingly frantic high tone in the word as it was repeated rapidly. Now fully alert and thoroughly alarmed, Gent was on his paws and at the expectant mother's side in an instant. Concern overtook his features,  furrowing his brow and drawing back his lips. "What is it, what's wrong?" he asked, words nearly tripping over themselves. Realization was a few seconds slow to dawn, but when it hit him all he could ask was, "Is it time?"

(Sorry if this post sucks...I've never given birth & this is my first time in a long time writing a character in labor. Lol...so contractions hit after the water breaks right? So it's assumed that has already happened? Or do I need to write it out? *Is a naive girl*)

alert alert alert Danica side glanced at the large dark man with worrisome icy cold eyes. The mother to be was haunched over herself in crippling pain, huffing loudly for all to hear, her nostrils flared. Contractions hit her full blown and she didn't know what to do, "I-I don't know. It hurts @Gent ." She spoke practically crying now, jaws smashed together. Her lips crinkled up like old gum wrapper to reveal sharp canines for tearing meat. Eyelids shut and remained squeezed tightly together as she breathed heavily. She flung her head in his direction, completely freaking out now, "I don't know?! Is it? What do I do?! What do I do?! I-I I'm scared! What about a den? They can't be born out here in the open! Not next to the water!" She panicked rising shakily to her paws to head out. She wasn't sure of where to go, then a memory flashed before her in raw terror, "Gent...there is a cave around here somew-" She paused to whimper in pain. It took her a moment before she finished, "Somewhere near by, I found it with @Iopah , do you think we can make it?" Flinching Dani slunk back to the pebbly shore and coiled around her body, "It's awful...make it stop...Gent...." She cried out looking up at her male companion. No one told her that when the baby came it'd hurt! She didn't know exactly how all of this worked...just that one moment the pups will be inside of your belly, then the next outside. ”Speech”

Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

(This post was last modified: Jun 03, 2015, 04:37 AM by Danica.)

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OOC: omg I am just as clueless so no worries here, feel free to be as vague as you'd like xD; but yeah her water would've already broke. as far as I know her contractions will get more frequent until he pops out, then she's gotta break him out of his lil birth sac and voila, baby. I... think that's all that happens xD;

There were so many things about this situation he had so suddenly found himself thrust into that were thoroughly causing him to panic. Primarily was Danica's own hysteria, growing steadily as each contraction sent a wave of rigid pain throughout her small body. He wanted to be able to help her, immediately, but he didn't know the first thing about what was happening to her. He'd recently been present when Minka was giving birth, and that had been his only experience with such an event. The trio was her second batch, and her sounds had been only muffled grunts here and there somewhere within the safety and darkness of her den out of Gent's sight, with her pack mates watching over her. Danica did not have the experience to handle this situation with such grace, and if Gent was thinking probably he could infer that she hadn't even been properly educated about what would happen to her. Not only that, but they were out in the open, and even his own instincts were demanding that he get her somewhere safe, underground, dark and comforting. He could only imagine how loudly Danica's nerves were screaming to find the same.

Gent was a wolf who thrived under pressure, but he'd always known what to do, always had a plan. He'd never before been so utterly clueless at how to fix things. He felt the panic creeping up his neck, sourcing from his slamming heart and reaching icy fingers into his paralyzed brain. What if this wasn't just because it was her first time and she wasn't home, what if something was going terribly wrong? Trying to calm himself, he began to recite herbal information within his head, to recall everything that was within his reach that could help her. When this failed him, his determination peaked and he forced his mind to shut down completely. Danica's frantic begging faded from his hearing as he regained control of himself and his thoughts. He couldn't be like this, she needed him to be strong and to take care of her.

When he reopened his senses, Danica was in the middle of mentioning a cave to him, somewhere nearby. He inhaled deeply, analyzing every bit of information the air surrendered to him, and he could faintly smell the scent of wet rock and musty air. Gent stepped forward then, as she begged him to make the pain go away, and pressed his forehead to her's. Her fur was quickly becoming soaked, as the heat of her pain and the frenzy of her panic caused her to sweat, and he found that now he could focus enough to make a mental note of what medicine was in the area that he could fetch for her to ease her ailments.

"It's going to be alright Danica," he told her, his voice nothing short of loving as his primary goal was to soothe her and make her feel safe. And she was, she had to be, he had to make sure that nothing happened to her. "You have to be brave, they're counting on you, right?" he supplied, referring to the tiny lives within her that were now suddenly so eager to enter the world.

Gent then placed his muzzle against her side, and gently prodded at her, trying to get her to stand.

"I can smell the cave, once you're there you'll be safe and I can help to ease the pain."

(Lol, okay, thanks. :) )

Amidst Gent's own little freak out session Danica's own panic attack carried on. She rocked back and forth with wide eyes mumbling things to herself, asking why she had to go here. How could she have been so stupid as to get knocked up in the first place? Did she even deserve Titan? The more she whispered the more her words got off topic and the worse she became. Soon she was  bawling her eyes out for multiple reasons, hormones causing her to rage on about one thing then another.

As she just so happened to look at Gent, seen his own stressed expression, she whined loudly to him. Torn between the frighting sensation of his own lack of stability, and comforting him. Not long after she felt the warmth of his head upon hers, gazing into his blue eyes momentarily before shutting her own. She leaned into him, listening to his soothing voice. Her body relaxed some, her mind easing, as she told her it would be alright and spoke her name. "Mmmhmm," She answered in a whimperish voice, weak from pain and unsure with the chaos. He was right though and so she repeated it to herself over and over. *You need to be brave for your kids, you gotta be strong for the puppies, for them you can do it Danica. No matter what Zonta or anyone says.* She encouraged herself slowly rising to her paws at Gent's touch.

Without hesitation she brought her hot sweaty frame to his side, lightly leaning against the Lieris. Her head found it's way to being pressed into his thick scruff as his words lulled her to peace. "Okay," Dani responded retreating from the unneeded heat of his pelt to follow him. Willingly she relied on his senses completely, allowing him to guide her. They traveled down the stony bank some, then turned to step away from the shore and break through the trees. Momentarily she stared at bright green heart shaped leaves in awe before realizing their location with a sharp reminder,. Fresh pain hit her like a shot of whiskey of that of a horse's hoof ramming into your guts. The older wolf had, thankfully, succeeded in leading her to the slightly familiar scene. A pile of rocks forming a cave lifted just above their heads as they passed through into the darkness. It was small and shallow, close to the ground on the outside. Once inside the height appeared more impressive, an oval room greeting them. The 'den' was cool and smelt damp, playing a little calming game with her nerves. Separating from his side she laid down pressed to a rocky wall, as far from the entrance as was possible. The cave would work just fine as a birthing den, and despite it's lack in size was rather cozy.

It was show time.

Throughout the next several minutes Danica experienced more suffering than she had ever imagined, and it covered just about every inch of her body. The effort she was forced to put forth nearly wiped her off all energy, and the as excruciating as it was, it only got worse. She felt as though she would split into two, as if this would happen and wella the baby would be a clone of her. However, in the end it was worth it, every drop of sweat. A small slimy puppy slipped out of her, meeting the soil without a sound. Gazing at her child with adoring eyes she drew him in close to lick his fur clean, consuming the placenta, and nudged him to her side. Instantly the mewling child hushed at the scent of her milk and found himself a teat. Dani watched him suckle with love in her orbs as he used his paws to push her belly. "Gent...come here..." She called out for the man, who had been patiently guarding the entrance of their little safe haven. It only seemed fair to welcome him inside to meet the newest member of Secret Woodlands and not only Titanica's first puppy, but @Nina and @Koda 's grandson. Not to mention @Iopah 's step grandchild.

"You need a name little boy..." She wracked her mind for something, grasping onto his main feature in the process, "Black, I'll call you Black." She declared loudly. A grin plastered itself to her face but faded soon after, what kind of name was black? She didn't know what to call a cub! Looking at the RSC wolf she stated, "Black isn't a real name." The gaze she offered was expectant and hopeful, surely he would have at least the slightest idea of what she could call her tiny bundle of joy.

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Luckily, Gent's sense of smell was keen enough to not waste their time. He made the trip directly, and with each step the trail grew stronger ahead, outlined by each of his senses. Danica leaned on him, pausing here and there as a contraction hit her. Mentally, Gent noted that they were growing more frequent, which he could only assume meant that her body was fighting harder to eject the children within her and that they would be crowing soon. He tried to rush his steps, but could not travel faster than Danica was able to. In due time, they were upon their location. Immediately the young girl slipped in and made herself comfortable. Gent wanted dearly to follow her in and remain at her side for comfort and support, but knew that this was her own dragon to slay and it was best for him to remain outside and guard the den from anything that might strive to take advantage of the laboring mother.

After a horrific amount of time waiting, the soft murmuring of a single infant reached his ears. He turned and stuck his head into the opening of the low cave, peering through the darkness to try and see, hoping to ensure that everything was okay. It seemed as though his heart itself had stopped in anticipation, and the world froze completely around him. Not until Danica's summons did he begin to breathe again and animation found his surroundings once more. He slipped over the threshold without hesitation, coming to rest at Danica's side. He lay so that she rest between him and the solid stone wall, a single squirming child between them. Was that her only one? Gent assumed so, as Danica appeared to be completely free from the pain that had tortured her just moments before. Or perhaps it was just the high of motherhood that numbed her. Regardless, for the sake of her comfort he was relieved to know that it was all over with just this one pup.

He lay adoring the little boy that would one day know him as an uncle, easily reminded of Minka's children. His ears lifted slightly as Danica mused aloud about naming her offspring, but the sudden declaration of her chosen name caused both his ears and eyes to snap forward. That, certainly wasn't a name he would have chosen, and it only served to further remind him of how young Danica was, too young to be having a child in Gent's eyes. She quickly realized that her eager christening wasn't quite the best they could do, and he found her looking up at him, silently seeking his help.

"Oh, um..." Gent started, never having considered naming a child before. His mind turned over a mixture of what name he'd known before, and the limited amount of names he knew from Danica's family, mixing them and occasionally trying one silently upon his tongue. Finally, hesitantly, he put forth, "Daniel?"

Gent's approach nagged at her instincts, but her heart won the small battle. He was practically family to the little boy and therefore she welcomed the closeness, resting her tired head on his shoulder. Not even for a moment did she move so that she wouldn't see the dark child. "Thank you Gent for always caring..." Dani mumbled sleepily with love and heartache both in her voice. The dark man was of course allowed to be here, but she couldn't help but wish Titan shared the moment too. What kind of father was absent at their baby's birth? She was unaware, for all she knew, @Koda attended hers. Maybe he wasn't completely worthless after all?

Staring into Gent's eyes for a long pleading moment she glanced away, feeling she was crossing into the line of being rude. Her nose moved to nudge Danny. He squirmed and screamed at her, delighting the mother so. Affectionately she nuzzled him, giggling at his loud complaints. Her ears twisted back when the man spoke a lovely thing that the mom would never forget. Copying him she completed it with great satisfaction, "Daniel Black Thorben..." She loved him already, but was adding Thorben necessary? Time would answer the burning question. Hopefully Titan would end his little no show act. Didn't he want to do a better job than Koda and Sloane? Especially his own father? She knew little of the wolf, but understood he was far from a jewel. As the thought of all dads being awful crossed her naive mind she sighed and shoved it away forcefully. Thinking such things wouldn't do anyone good.

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"Don't mention it," he murmured. Gent was growing accustomed to this physical affection, but turning things vocal made for a new wave of unease and embarrassment. It was a wonder in his mind, how easily he could love and dote upon the three of Minka's children while any sort of depth to a relationship with a fellow adult seemed completely out of his grasp of understanding. Still, he tried not to let any of this nervousness seep from his skin into Danica's, as he knew that with time he would be familiar with all of it. With time, he'd be assimilated into something far more wolf than the shadow creature he'd been at the start of it all.

She clearly adored his choice of christening, which caused his tail to thump once or twice with pleasure, happy to help and feeling a small spot of pride at now being the origin of another wolf's identity. As his ice blue eyes gazed down upon the youngster, agitated by his loving and excited mother as he knew no better, Gent repeated the name within his mind and knew that he would grow to love this youth just as he did Marianna, Draven and Kino. On some level, they were all his, and would be cherished and protected as such. There was no going back now. Whatever regime Danica and her child sought protection under, they would be his to fight for and defend, and no one would be allowed to trifle with what was his.

The addition of Thorben was not so much a surprise as a reminder to him that Titan was not present, and that his persistent absence needed to be investigated, if only for Danica's sake. He had wanted to be close with the boy as well, but couldn't see an easy relationship between himself if Titan if the youth had abandoned the woman he'd impregnated. Determined to protect her as much as he could from the possibility, he needed to know exactly what was going on.

"Get as much rest as you need, I'll keep you both safe," Gent promised. "Hopefully tomorrow we can bring you two back home, yeah?"

There are several fresh rabbit tracks in the mud. Hunt Opportunity

(Feel free to fade after this, <3 )

Danica found his answer odd, but didn't say anything to it, instead offered a reassuring nudged to his cheek. She looked towards his tail as it wagged, smiling a sleepy grin. Her mind churning over thoughts and making decisions. Awkwardly she turned to voice to him, stumble a little bit over her words, "Gent...uh...I want you to know, that you're like a...brother to me." Her face burned, and she shyly looked down at her son to avoid eye contact, "Which means you're like his uncle, but if you want it, I would love to give you even more of an honor..." She trailed off then picked up again, "How would you like to be a Godfather?" With this she looked meekly up to the Leirs man, awaiting his answer patiently. A no would be acceptable, but if he were to say yes it'd bring the girl joy.

Dani welcomed the silence as her pup hushed, lulling off into a sleep. She curled around him and rested her head on Gent with a content sigh, still smiling at all happening. Even if Titan wasn't here right now, this moment was perfect.  

Her ears turned to listen and she mumbled, "Sounds good to me..." Quietly as she buried her face into the warmth of his fur. It wasn't long before she was whisked off into dream land. Cute muffled snores leaving her maw as she slipped deeply into a well deserved rest. Danica's breaths became more and more shallow, rib cage dipping in then puffing back up.

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