Oak Tree Bend Bandersnatch

Naira had been through all this before. The twinges that grew to aches and stole her breath away, the pressure in her hips almost more than she could bare. There would be no more trotting around the borders for some weeks - no longer forays into the surrounding lands to pick various plants, no dragging home scavenged carcasses to bury near the hollowed out log under which she had meticulously constructed her birthing den, no quick trips past the otter den where Spieden lay with her own children tucked out of sight. 

She had retired early, no howl to Triell, knowing he would be by to check on her soon enough. He had enough on his plate without sitting idly by while she waited for their children to make their grand entrance. She could only wonder just how many there might be as her ragged breathing consumed her. Teeth clenched, overcome with pain as never before. She was getting far too old for this.

First to come forth was a female, painted in familiar tawny tones, quickly (oh but never quickly enough) followed by a boy in similar tawny tones. A chuff was sent forth as she pressed the young lad alongside his sister, wondering if their father had come by yet... If not? Well he would be here soon enough.

Hope you don't mind me plopping Aponi in!

 

Frankly Aponi's relationship with her mother revolved mostly around avoiding the older woman at all costs. To the point that she had warned her own daughter away from spending time with her and planned on doing the same with her current brood. The last thing she needed was Naira sinking her poisonous fangs into them, turning their world dark and cold. The Aquila was well aware of her own faults in her ability to connect with others, a flaw that had never bothered her until @Kyna. The silver woman had done her best to reconnect with the child after returning but the break between them was cavernous.

None of this was on her mind at the current moment however. Instead she was occupied by the mere Olympian task that was walking across the territory given her current state. As of late she had been staying in her freshly dug birthing den which was unfortunate given how far she had to walk every time she was thirsty. Once sleek sides  had ballooned out comically, making even the shortest treks seem impossible when she once had been able to move throughout the mountain as easily as a goat.

However this was no short walk to get fluids for her growing offspring. Instead when she had been returning from a short jaunt the smell of fresh birth had flooded her nostrils. Immediately she had changed her course and had dipped into the infirmary her mother had once tended her wounds in. In this one moment it mattered little that it was her own mother in the den, it was more survival instincts. Grabbing the herbs she recognized from her own treatments she headed back, easily following the scents.

Approaching the den with an automatic step Aponi glanced briefly at the opening but made no move to poke her head inside. It was an act of comity that she placed her bundle of sweet grass and lavender at the mouth of the den. Saying nothing she retreated from the mouth, moving a few feet away before laying down at the base of a tree, exhausted from the short errand.

 

 

And I'm trying to find that peace of mind

The first litter of the Bend had arrived, two healthy cubs. Spieden seemed to be doing all right, and he made it a frequent part of his day to check with her. Often times taking turns with the Serach, Darrah, Drift, and Sahalie in bringing food. He volunteered to keep watch so she could leave too, though usually it didn't seem necessary with all the other eager baby-sitters.

Then he waited. Worried about what his own litter would cost him. Naira had done this enough, but it didn't ease his mind. In fact he kept wondering how he could have been so stupid, letting it come to this. For her sake he tried not to pace in her presence, or ask her too frequently how she was doing. He often just kept her company, finding sleep in being by her side. Then took up hunting, frequenting the woods for possible threats, and in time encouraging the yearlings to practice their skills.

He had no idea anything had happened. With rabbit in his teeth, he ventured to the fallen log. The only hint there may have been a change was the silver woman, resting not far. Bright eyes fell to her, and he politely tipped his head in her direction. It was nice she had come to check on her mother regardless of the reason. Despite Aponi's state he didn't mind having her here, but he didn't delve into the whys. It made him think of other things of the past. Instead attention was to the entrance where he could sense them. He really wanted to go right in, there was a second he wondered if that was the best idea. Setting the rabbit down, instead he grabbed the remedies Aponi had brought, and got unto his stomach, crawling part way inside. Nothing seemed amiss, there were two snuggled up, downing their first meal. A smile reached the edge of his cheek, and he stretched enough to touch his nose to her muzzle. Swiftly, set the plants beside her feeling she knew where they came from."How are you holding up?"

(This post was last modified: Jun 10, 2016, 02:03 AM by Triell.)

are you with me through it all?

Sahalie would have given everything to be minding her own business right now. She'd have given her hind leg to a bear. This was what she got for shirking any reasonable duty: avoiding hunting, avoiding @Quentin's lessons, and just staying at the edge of Spieden's den all day, watching the cubs grow with absolute joy. To give the overtired mother some space the girl had gone for an aimless walk, not looking for company but certainly not avoiding anyone. The girl had neatly walked over the fallen log when suddenly she noticed the silver form of Kyna's mother stretched out nearby along with her father's rump poking out of the end of the log from which an unmistakable scent drifted.

There was a little vomit in her throat.

Awkwardly, slowly, she crept down from the log and over to Kyna's mother. "How even old is she?" Didn't childbirth become dangerous at some point? Not that she was hoping the woman would die, but certainly didn't think she'd stay around long enough to actually raise the children to adulthood. That hadn't stopped Nayeli from giving birth either though. Young or old there was no guarentee that any mother would be a real mother. Sahalie was completely unaware that she was sitting next to one of the many overlooked children of Naira. She had no idea that there was a long list of many other cubs who had struggled to get their mothers attention. Had she known about these she would have gone from frustration to out right fury, wondering who this woman was that she thought she deserved to bring two more lives into this world?

"Do you know how many there are yet?" Because regardless these were her siblings, more blood than Spieden's. Sahalie wondered how much this mattered. Blood these days was very watered down. She wondered what she actually intended to do about them, about their mother, about her father.

 

It was no secret within the Bend that the most worried for out of the three pregnant she-wolves was Naira. She was definitely getting along in years, and even if it wasn’t a spoken of knowledge it was more or less instinctual to know that the older one got the more dangerous it was for both mother and pups. To him it seemed that, even though she didn’t have nearly as many visitors as Spieden had, there was still a good amount that kept a close eye on her. Especially Triell. Kino, not knowing the woman very well, hadn’t been one to outright go up and make conversation with her but he did make it a small point every other day or so to at least swing past and have a little peek to make sure everything was going fine or to make sure the cache nearby was stocked. He didn’t really have much to say to any of them, but his silent support was still there even with Naira though it was apparent to him from conversations he’d had with his best friend Hal that hers wasn’t.

He was on his way to do one of those very checks when he noticed all the converging scents to the area. Auds swiveling forward curiously he picked up his pace, sensing some sort of event a foot. Upon entering the scene, he automatically knew from both scent and reactions that the woman had had the new princes or princess’ of the Bend. He was happy to see Hal, though it seemed her mood was far from light. A chuff was given in greeting to all and a respectful nod in Aponi’s direction before he moved to the otter girl. He was able to catch her first sentence, then her second by the time he’d arrived and he had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing. A handsome grin settled on his lips as he moved to tower over his small friend. “Hal,” he partially-scolded, giving her a sideways glance but it was very clear he was amused.

Feel free to skip him unless somebody interacts with him directly!

After stumbling upon @Spieden's birth unexpectedly, Serach had determined to do better as spring turned to summer. Aponi and Naira both were also swollen with cubs and although Spieden had been the first to give birth, he knew the other two could not be far behind. He had done his best to remain unobtrusive in the lives of the expectant mothers, but he had remained busy making his rounds between the three of them and the caches closest to the main pack den. With so many new mouths to feed, and so few trusted members of the adult ranks, the pressure for him to remain a stable protector and provider was immense.

It paid off though, at least he thought so. En route to the makeshift den beneath the hollow log that Naira had laid claim to, his nose twinged at the distinct smell of blood and afterbirth. It was unmistakable, and fresh in his mind from Spieden's own birth not too long ago. Increasing his pace, he dashed towards the scent, ready to provide whatever limited services he was able to in order to make sure Naira and whatever pups she was bringing into the world were safe.

He was far from the first to arrive, and while he was relieved to see @Triell's protective body in front of the den entrance, he was not so relieved to see anybody else if only because it was just more wolves to keep track of. But they all had their reasons to be there, and so he remained silent and forced his posture to relax as he settled onto his haunches away from the others. Calm and quiet on the outside, he waited, muscles ready to spring to action should the need arise.

Eyes half lidded she was about to doze off when a shadow crossed the entrance of the den. She mustered a smile for her daughter, nose detecting the herbs she had placed so readily at the entrance of her den. Had she maintained more of her wits throughout her labour she might have thought to question what benevolent spirit had gotten lost and possessed her strong-willed child. Perhaps she should be arranging an exorcism rather than cleaning the afterbirth off her most recent brood?

The next to come was Triell, giddy smile in place as she tried to shuffle back and give him a clearer view, "I'm fine," she even dared to chuckle, amused that anyone might be concerned for her wellbeing. "We've got a little boy and a little girl." Her voice was hushed as the blind pups nuzzled closer to her chest, the new arrivals outside the den going unnoticed due to her own poor hearing and her preoccupation with focusing on the lines of Triell's face as he took his first look at his children. They hadn't even discussed names, (she supposed neither wished to jinx the children before they were even born), "Have you thought of any names?" she dared to question.

 

Triell was the next to arrive though Aponi truly didn't care who came to visit. If there were some kind of physical danger she would not have put herself and her unborn children in danger to protect her whore mother. She might have raised an alarm but physically protecting her certainly wasn't in the question. He tipped his head towards in greeting and she merely looking back at him with passive indifference not acknowledging his presence at first before dipping her own muzzle in a delayed response. She may have no respect for the man but she was not dumb enough to outright disrespect the alpha of the pack.

Contemplating getting up to leave to return to her den to take a nap Aponi was a moment away from standing when Sahalie appeared. This wolf was greeted with an actual smile, she quite liked the yearling. The words she was presented with caused a snort from the expectant mother and barely choked back laughter. The silver male, Alastor came and was less than pleased at his friend's words about Naira no matter how true the Aquila found them. Giving a sly grin she glanced sideways to the girl by her side, "Way too old." This would make her new siblings the same age as her own children, younger than her first. It truly was an abomination and Naira was likely to screw them up just like she had the others.

Shaking her head to Sahalie's question the blue eyes looked up at Serach's approach and though she gave him a polite smile she was indifferent to his arrival as well. Who knew her mother was so popular with anyone who wasn't trying to smush with her?

 

 

And I'm trying to find that peace of mind

It was probably a good thing he did not hear a word outside the den. No time would be a good time to try to talk with Hal about this, but it clearly was not now. Fire was in Hal's blood as much as his and they didn't need to blow a vein.

While he was aware they were out there, the dark wolf did not take his eyes nor attention from Naira. The smile on her face pulled at him. He didn't really know what it had been like for any other time, and he wasn't sure he wanted too. The past was a mess. He liked now better. Where he really could keep her safe from harm. Keep some monsters at bay. Where she reminded him of the lady he had met, with the heart she surely did have within her. He didn't quite grasp she was amazed he should care. If he had he would have both scolded and nuzzled her. No, they hadn't defined what their relationship was. It had never really had a label even now. But, he would like to think she couldn't believe he would use her like her first. He had always cared about her, just from a greater distance. Yeah, maybe he still was afraid to get hurt.

"Naira," gently he breathed, but in that one word trying to make it clear he would not be fooled if she was hurt. For those few seconds he couldn't take his fiery eyes from her honey stare. He was really trying to decide if she was fine, or at least would be. Then when she spoke again he couldn't help look down, seeing more clearly the tawny bundles. A grin came easy for him then, because he was amused but not surprised. Something in him was a bit relieved they appeared more like their mother.

Her question didn't set him off guard. After gender was known, what to call them was always next. No, they hadn't talked about it. He hadn't wanted to put names to faces. Faces he might not get to keep. Yet, it still hadn't stopped him from a few hanging in his mind. "Well I had a couple...Treyah for a girl. A little bit of me and you..." Stare pulled back to her face then, because if she didn't like them they were not going to stick. "I was debating about Reiko or Trillian for a boy...." His sentence trailed off, watching her closely.

are you with me through it all?

@Kino I think it's your turn?

Alastor's half-hearted scolding from behind was such a surprise that her ears twisted back in shame. Her small form turned to look up at her silver friend leaning over her. "Whoops," she whispered with a shy smile. She hadn't thought anyone but Aponi could hear her and was now praying desperately that her father had not heard her. Serach, at least, arrived without indication that he had heard a thing. Aponi thought the whole thing was funny, snorting and adding her agreement, which Sahalie acknowledged with hesitant, small wiggles of her tail tip.


No indication of anything came from the den. Sighing with some frustration, the girl slid roughly down to her belly. "I'm sure my dad will wanna name them after some family members." She, Zera, and Drift were all named after someone, though she could not recall Zera's namesake. "He's nostalgic like that," commenting to no one in particular for no one's real benefit. The absent talking was more just something to pass the time, like sports commentary or the news coversation of Groundhog day. Otherwise there was no sense staying at all.

She wanted to call out to her dad and ask, but suddenly he felt like someone else's dad.