Charred Ash Draw thought this could be paradise (M)

Maera's birthing thread! @Kerberos will likely be the only one allowed in the den without being mauled because she's just princess sunshine and marked M for potentially mature themes and descriptions associated with child birth

The woman had no idea what she was in for, getting herself into this. The support of the pack would not help her through this single moment, finding herself isolated in a small den she’d claimed for herself when the time came, herself and her family… the idea wasn’t as terrifying a month ago when she and Kerb had made the decision final. She was pacing around just outside, her sides swollen, though not as swollen as she’d expected them to be… nothing like Naira’s… but Maera couldn’t honestly say that she felt surprised by it. She had no way of knowing when the time would come – she’d never witnessed another give birth… the only birthing she’d been present for was her own, when she came from her mother.

The sharp pains had alarmed her for a while, the course of a day but they were scattered, intermittently placed. She’d worried, at first, but there had been an assurance in her subconscious that everything was fine. It had her drawing in deep breathes. She felt restless and get she didn’t want to move. They were growing closer, the real reason for her to stick so close to the den. She inhaled sharply as a wave spread across her body that nearly knocked her over, her paws digging into the ground.

She forced herself to move inside, practically tripping over her paws before settling down, letting out a call for Kerberos, wanting only his presence. If others showed up, she wasn’t sure how she was going to react… What she did trust was her gut. It was time.

He knew the time had to be coming soon. While Maera wasn't fat becuase Lord knows he'd have his face mauled for saying that she seemed swollen enough to possibly pop one of these days. He often times stuck close by. Warding off most from his mate if she didn't do it first. His senses were always alert and he was constantly ready to answer any calls she made. Whether it be for something to eat or for him to help clean up morning sickness.

The tawny male had gone out to catch something fresh for her. It was a simple rabbit because he didn't feel like trying for anything bigger or staying gone too long. Perhaps it seemed he had already been gone for too long. His ears quickly catching her call from him and he instantly rushed off. Legs working as fast as possible to find her in the den. Was it time already? Right now? He eagerly paced outside for a moment before sticking his head in. Yellow eyes wide. Perhaps he was more anxious than she was. "What do you need?" He sunk to the ground and looked at his Mae. While he was no healer he was sure he could ask Naira for some advice, that was if she wasn't popping out children at this moment too...

have you checked out my player preferences?

There is a deer that was killed by a lynx nearby. +10 Health

Ancestors, did this hurt. She was trying to keep herself calm with the reminder that this would all be worth it in the end, with bundles of joy to look over and raise… She sharply inhaled and exhaled, her claws scraping at the ground to try and draw her attentions away from the contraction so it could subside with little difficulties. She caught his scent and heard him before she could see him – his head sticking in just before another wave of pain flew across her. They were too close together for this to be a false alarm. She didn’t know much, just what instincts were telling her.

Her breathing had become more labored as she looked at him, a faintly soft whimper before she managed a request. “Something to bite on.” She suggested, almost understanding Naira’s stick obsession in that moment. She wasn’t sure how she was supposed to feel – if it was supposed to hurt bad or if this was supposed to hurt even worse than it currently did… but she figured she was about to find out, and the overwhelming anxiousness of welcoming life into the world was daunting over her, along with her fears of not being a good mother… she was facing reality, and had she not been in so much pain, it would have scared the hell out of her.

It seemed they were both alarmed and perhaps that scared him more than anything. Maera had always been the solid rock in his life so to see her like this was concerning. But he heard her request and made haste. His paws backing himself out of the den and into the world. He raced to a nearby tree. While it wasn't any white fir stick it would have to do for now. Each moment that he spent trying to snap the stick off was another moment he wasn't there for Maera.

There was finally a soft creak before a snap. As the stick hit the ground he scrambled to pick it up. Paws flying underneath his form as the tawny Rigel made it back to the den. He carefully settled the stick near his mate. His own breath coming in pants but not as bad as her own. "I.." His voice trailed for a moment, eyes switching between her stomach and her face. "Should I stay? Should I get someone?" He wondered if another woman might be good in this situation or if it might just agitate his dear Mae.

The tawny male simply crouched at the mouth of the den, stomach against the earth. He wasn't really sure where to look or what to do. Was it rude to stare at her hind area or was it rude not to? Should he even be around while she pushed children out? Even as a very soon to be father he wasn't sure he was ready to see the entire process.

have you checked out my player preferences?

She wished her mother had told her about this, about what it was like to give birth… it appeared to be another way her mother had failed to prepare her for the real world. She drew in another sharp breath, eagerly taking the stick from her love when he returned and gnawing on it. She wasn’t sure if she should be doing that, but then again she wasn’t sure if anything she was doing was ‘right’. “Stay… please stay.” She spoke softly once a wave had subsided. She felt completely unprepared, and it was becoming difficult to think straight. One more wave coursed through her, and she felt herself push against it, her eyes closing softly.

A couple minutes later, the first and only Rigel child entered the world, and at that point instinct took over, pulling their daughter close as she started to lick her fur, grooming her as her mother had once done for her. The pain started to fade away and it was replaced with exhaustion. “We did it, Kerb.” She whispered softly as she looked up at him with a soft smile lingering carefully between her tired eyes. They’d started a family, even if it was a small one… a small one for now anyway. Her coat was undeniably that of her father, and she had her mother’s maw.

"Of course, love." He whispered softly. Settling down against the dirt as his body guarded the den's entrance against any snoopers. The last thing he needed was someone causing any more stress to his wife's situation. Even if he didn't want to, he watched. He had to make sure everything was okay and that his dear Mae would be okay. What would he do if something happened to her? He likely would never forgive himself. Perhaps it was best that she had asked him to stay with her.

The scent that he could only assume to be birth was thick among the air. Even if no one could see in past his body it would be no secret what was happening within the den this day. Life was being brought into the world as he thought. "You're doing amazing, Maera." He reassured her with a kind smile.

Kerberos wasn't sure how many moments had passed before a child made its way into the world. A girl who seemed mostly tawny like himself except for the patch of brown that took over her tiny muzzle. Right then his heart melted and his eyes welled with tears. He crept slightly forward and nuzzled Maera as watery eyes looked over the nursing child. "She's beautiful." Kerberos didn't bother hiding the crack in his voice from the stirring emotions inside of him. "She needs a name.." He pulled back to look over his mate and newborn daughter. They hadn't talked about this very much but he was positive Maera would come up with something good, she always did.

have you checked out my player preferences?

The woman definitely felt overcome with emotions – completely unlike her usual self (granted she showed quite a few emotions to her husband, but only in private) but she didn’t know how to express them, instead settling for staring in complete awe at their daughter, her smile wide as Kerberos nuzzled her softly and she swiftly licked the side of his face, partially in relief that nothing had gone astray in the process and partially because they had a child now. For the moment, or more of the night, her worries about being a good mother were forgotten and her focus was locked on with laser sharp precision on her husband and daughter.

She needs a name. He looked to her and she pondered it for quite a few seconds, staring at their daughter… undeniably a mix of the two of them, and her heart ached softly. She knew a name, a wolf who would have liked to be there for her niece, to watch over her and babysit her… perhaps even have children of her own. Her own voice cracked when she suggested the name, and more importantly, when she explained the symbolism behind it. “What about Lacey?” She looked up at him. “After my sister… so she can always watch over her.” She knew the Slayer woman was watching from the stars somewhere… but now, perhaps she’d act as a guiding angel for her niece.

Their daughter was a light contrast against her mother's dark stomach. The occasional squirms and gentle cries were a sign that she was indeed alive and well. They had indeed done it. Perhaps part of him wished for more children but a single daughter still captured his whole heart. If they made it through this year with their first little one, and he had so much faith they would, then perhaps there would be next year or the year after that. For now, his heart could only hold enough love for Maera and the small girl. Even now it felt like it was pouring over and filling his veins with that rushing feeling.

He looked to Maera and his tail beat outside of the den. "I think it's a perfect idea." He himself had no siblings to name their child after and Kerberos was aware of how important her family had been to his wife. "I just...I have one small request..." He whispered softly and ears pinned back against his head as he looked at Lacey. "Can she be Lacey Rigel?" Yellow eyes glanced over his mate's face to see her reaction. He wouldn't mind if she suggested that their daughter takes the Slayer name or even no last name at all but he felt the need to at least ask. "M-maybe..you could take it too? We could be the Rigel family." He softly tucked his muzzle under Maera's neck in a partially submissive way.

have you checked out my player preferences?

Maera curled up carefully around their child, protecting her from all sides but still keeping her open enough that Kerberos could see and touch his daughter. She felt a lot of things in that den: pride, awe, amazement, relief, hints of fear even… and an overwhelming presence of love to be shared between the three of them. She was grateful when he agreed to the name, warmth flooding around her despite the exhaustion that was starting to pull at her. She’d fight it… fight it until she couldn’t anymore. His small request caused her ears to perk, her head to tip to the side.

Can she be Lacey Rigel? The request made her grin grow… she’d never considered her last name, always just assumed that it would be Rigel. The Slayer last name to her was not a family name to her. Once upon a time, before her siblings had passed, it had mean the world… it was complicated but their daughter deserved better. She was about to respond when he suggested she take his name too, and tears welled softly in her eyes, any sense of control over her emotions truly shattering as she nuzzled his neck and licked his cheek again. “I’d love to be the Rigel family.” She responded in a faint whisper as she brought her muzzle up underneath his to nudge his head upward. There was no need for submission – not tonight of all nights.