Iridescent Lagoon [BWP][M]In the moment we're lost and found

Violent thunderstorms overtake Relic Lore - Open to PS wolves

Oh, Lights go down

The day had passed in a blur of pacing and growls. She couldn't remember if anyone had been close enough to check on her... though @Renier probably had. It hurt so bad she couldn't see straight, her stomach had been emptied long ago and now all that left her burning throat was bile. It wasn't meant to be like this, was it? She couldn't remember it hurting this bad the last two times. Panic was slowly setting in with the fading sunlight. Why weren't they coming?

Exhausted as she was, she still managed to curse the long winter that meant there was no grass to settle her stomach. She made to walk to the lagoon to get a drink, but when she reached it's banks, the rippling pain of her next contraction made her stumble. Memories came rushing back to her of the birth of her younger siblings. Her mother sprawled out in the open... the cougar, the blood... Guiness...

Everything went dark.

---

Morganna was on the ground. When had she fallen? The sun had since set and thunder rolled overhead. She blinked as another contraction gripped her and it registered there was something at her chest... two. The smell of blood and birth filled the air and her breath came in short, sharp gasps. Were there more? Regardless, this was bad. Very bad. With the scent of coyotes in the air and the first fat drops of water falling from the sky, she threw her head back and called to her pack. She needed them now. She could barely support her own weight as she tried to hover protectively over the blind and deaf puppies. They started to cry for the loss of her warmth and milk, but that would have to wait. "Shh, it's alright." She attempted to soothe them. "It's gonna be alright."

Morganna Archer

(This post was last modified: May 06, 2018, 05:48 AM by Morganna. Edit Reason: Yotes )

The sky had grown dark rather quickly and much before it's time. Tikhon was just returning from being away so he had no idea what was going on back in the scowle. However, he did carry two fat rabbits in his jaws that he hoped would feed both the expectant mother's well. He hadn't yet crossed the borders when a call sounded causing his ears to flick as he heard it.

The dark Agouti make recognized the voice to belonging to Morganna, that was odd. Just then he felt a drip in his nose just as the rain started to fall. The thought she sounded a little distressed so he quickened his pace so that he could find her quickly. Tikhon wasn't sure what he would find when he reached her but that didn't matter, she sounded like she needed help.

Soon enough he found her not too far from the lagoon. At first when he found her she seemed okay but as he dropped the rabbits to speak to her caught it. A scent like none he'd ever smelled before. The rain had started to fall as he thought about what it could be before he realized what had happened. “Are you alright Morganna? Are they?” He asked quickly as his eyes scanned the area, We should get you and them back to the scowle where you will be safe.

Please see Kajika's OOC profile for OOC preferences, thank you

Several coyote abandoned a half-eaten deer. But before you can take a bite they reappear.

let’s admit the world don’t turn around us

Celandine Argyris

Thirst drove Celandine out of the den, as the need to drink grew stronger than her instinct to protect the helpless bundles of fur relying on her. It felt nice to stretch her legs again, and feel the cool raindrops splatter against her coat. The woman crossed over Morganna's trail early on, noticing that the dark alpha was headed towards the lagoon. Huh. She figured that Pookastone's second litter would have found their way into the world by now.

The stink of coyotes played on the breeze, but that was normal now. In fact, it wasn't until she the dark alpha's call touched her ears that she even realized something was amiss. Tasting the air, the ivory lead noticed something else. Something that had only just become familiar. Pups. "Shit." 

The woman sprung into action. Pale paws dug into the earth as she moved, slapping against the soggy Earth, and throwing up mud with each desperate step. 'Don't be late. Don't be late.' The scent of decay, which was likely the source that attracted the coyotes to them in the first place, hung heavily in the air. Bright eyes flickered over the scene as Celandine came to stand beside Tikon. Her co-lead was safe, and so far, it seemed that the children were too.

Any other time Celandine might have joked about life repeating itself, or said something like 'Again?', but the yipping behind them was sobering enough to remind her that Morg had just given birth, and the cubs were still a long way from their intended den.  The gods already took Maeve. They couldn't have Morganna too.  So she closed the distance between herself, and the inky woman, offering a buffer between the disgusting creatures, and the helpless cubs mewling for their mother. "I can carry one."

(This post was last modified: May 08, 2018, 09:13 AM by Celandine.)

Have you seen my OOC preferences?

It's in the eyes I can tell you will always be danger

Morganna was rather restless, and he wondered if it was time. It could take awhile, and she didn't need him pressuring her. So he'd looked in on her trying not to disturb her rest. She'd had no trouble last time, and he tried to find comfort in the thought. As the daylight stretched there was still no puppies. Unable to hold still he went on a search. Hoping to find something that might give her comfort. But, as he returned to the den with nothing to show for his efforts she wasn't there. 

With thunder looming in the distance he sought her trail. Her voice reached his ears, and everything became a blur as he ran to reach it.

A mixture of scents greeted him, and fear prickled down his spine. He let out a deep bark, driving some of his anxiety back, and letting them know he was there. Thankfully Celandine's bright coat stuck out, and guided him. Eventually he could make Morganna and Tikhon standing as well. He would almost been relieved, but there were coyotes by a kill. They didn't seem to appreciate them being near. They looked on their cousins with narrowed gazes, and bared teeth. Warnings gurgling in their throats. His dampened hair stood on end, as he pinned them with his own stare. Something was definitely off. They shouldn't be drawing attention to themselves, especially now there was more than one wolf. He wanted to keep them as far away from his family as possible.

Briefly his gaze lingered on Morganna. Silently, asking if she was all right with the concern that lined his face. He also noted the two siblings beneath her.  "You two head back, and Tikhon and I will make sure they don't follow."

@Tikhon @Celandine @Renier sorry for the wait

oh, lights go down

Morganna had to fight down the growl that bubbled in her throat as Tikhon approached, of course she had called him and he had come. Reason wasn't always enough to cover instincts though. She tried to smile when he asked if she was ok, but another rippling pain down her flank made the gesture more a grimace than a smile. "I'm fine, gotta get 'em under cover though." In that moment, Celandine joined them, quickly offering to carry one and being met with a nod. It was only now evident that the stink of carrion had drawn in more than the crows.

She scooped up the darker child herself, only now noticing the lighter colour of the other. If she didn't have a mouth full of pup, she would have laughed. Limited as she was the sound came out as a scoff. She only really felt at ease when Renier's voice reached her. She hadn't even seen him coming, so absorbed between her children and the coyotes. She began to limp back towards the territory, her mouth still dry and tasting of bile, but it could wait. There was no questioning her priorities now.

Morganna Archer

Realizing that Moganna’d had her puppies his biggest concern was getting her and her pups back to safety. “We will Morg don't worry,” he tried to reassure the mother. With the coyotes that had appeared it would be a little harder with just the two of them but Tikhon would make sure they did.

Thankfully they wouldn't have to do it alone as Celandine appeared followed quickly by Renier. The other woman offered to take one if the pups which the dark Agouti was glad for since he didn't feel that comfortable being responsible for one if the pups. Renier was the one to give orders about who was doing what.

It would be the job of the two males to make sure the scavengers didn't follow. That was a job he could most certainly do. So as the women took off either the pups he stayed behind them, watching the coyotes ready to attack if necessary.

Please see Kajika's OOC profile for OOC preferences, thank you

With Morganna's permission granted, the woman leaned forward to gather up the silvery cub between her jaws. A smile danced across her features at it's familiar color-palette, though it was faint, and fleeting. Celandine's teeth closed gently around the newborn as Renier's voice echoed through the air. Offering him a nod in lieu of speaking with a mouthful, the woman turned toward her co-lead.

Pale brows drew together as Celandine's bright gaze flickered over the dark woman's form. Why was she limping? Whatever it was, it gave the pale fae a bad feeling deep within the pit of her stomach. Padding closer, Celandine let her coat bristle against Morganna's, offering support should her companion desire it.

Have you seen my OOC preferences?

Kai hope the pp of them running is okay

It's in the eyes I can tell you will always be danger

No time was wasted. Thankfully, there were only two to worry about this go round. He let himself have one last glance as they hurried back to the Scowle. Now to keep the coyotes entertained. Gold eyes twitched to Tikhon, a silently message of ready? They'd just stand their ground for a moment, making sure none of the six slipped out of their sight. The departure of two wolves only helped embolden them. The biggest took steps closer, a few stepping up to his flanks while the others hung to the kill. There was no doubt about their message. Leave! They would soon use their teeth not just growls.

If he'd been a few years younger he might have rose up to their challenge. Not now. He shows his own teeth in warning. But, he does not move closer. He keeps to Tikhon's side, slinking backwards. Evident he had no want to remain. The coyotes continue to press forward. Eyes flickering from one wolf to the next. Evidently making their own plans. With an inkling, the bad kind, he nudges his company. "Let's go!"

As they take off, the vermin pursue. An angry chorus of yips, that sound more like wailing screams rise up. He does not look back. He doesn't doubt his companion is beside him trying to put as much ground between them and the odd pack. Mud begins to cake his underbelly and legs, and his coat is almost soaked through. A low grunt sounds near his hip. Followed swiftly by a sharp pinch to his haunch. Another nip lands, and another. A high bark escapes him. From the corner of his eye it appears only one is trying to keep up. He tries to see how Tikhon is fairing before pushing his body harder. Home isn't much farther. Surely the coyotes won't tangle with a whole pack?

here we are, don't turn away now

The contractions were still coming hard and fast, though the hollow feeling in her gut told her there was nothing left in there. Perhaps it was the combination of nausea and dehydration that kept her sides clenching and her legs unsteady? But the sooner they got to where they were going the better. She stumbled, colliding with Celandine's side as she missed a step and a low grumble of frustration left her lips, the jostled child wailing between her jaws. It was a rough introduction to the world for the Archer-Lyall brood, and she didn't have it in her to tell them it didn't get any easier from here.

A flash of lightning left the woman glancing over her shoulder, most of the coyotes seemingly happy to be left to their carrion while the wolves made their way back to the Scowle. The sight of one going after Renier was almost enough for her to put the pup down and show it just who they had chosen to mess with but another coursing pain down her flank convinced her otherwise. They'd get them soon enough.

At least this weather should leave her some decent puddles to quench her thirst with once the pups were out of this weather. With the border just a few strides away she allowed herself to slow, it wasn't far to the den now.

we are the warriors that built this town