Sanguine Cove [m] reborn

@Nash first please! All from SC welcome so long as they do not enter the den

The pain was familiar as it radiated around her, breathing in sharply and exhaling as the pain hinted over her features. It was late in the night, early in the morning… and that meant many would not be up if it weren’t for the grunts of pain that came with childbirth. She was close enough to the pack den that the lighter of the sleepers might be disturbed.

She hadn’t needed to call for Nash, having spent much time looking after him and fretting with him close by over his own condition that he was there now. Her eyes closed, herbs taken as she waited for nature to take it’s course as it had done twice before… she was not certain the number of children that would greet them at the end, only that there would be at least one. “Love…” Her voice trailed with pain as she’d reach forward to run her maw along his side. “Water?”

Aquene Slayer

Each day he was growing stronger; he could move around a little better, but he still grew exhausted quickly. At least the fever seemed to be gone - even as the heat of summer truly set in. He was slowly but surely recovering - and how could he not? He was well looked-after. His wife, his mother, his daughter... All stuck close and made sure his needs were met. It only fueled his determination that he return to his position at the head of the pack and take even better care of the rest of them.

Especially since Mona had left them, and Aquene had taken over leadership and continued her healer duties while heavily pregnant. Nash felt incredibly guilty for that, somehow feeling it was all his fault.

There was little time for anxiety, however, as Nash was woken from his sleep by his wife's pained groans and plea for water. Realization shot through him: it was time. Though his limbs ached, he placed a kiss to her crown and hurried from their den the best he could to fetch water, letting out a low bark calling for @Moonshadow and @Stella, hoping one of them might be able to better help tend her needs. He wasn't sure how many times he'd be able to run out for supplies and return when a one way trip to the lake already cost all his strength. Still, he found it in him to return with a curve of bark filled with cold water and dropped beside Aquene again, offering what comfort and encouragement he could.

(This post was last modified: May 17, 2023, 11:58 PM by Nash.)

He was by her side, just as he had always been. She found comfort in his presence despite the terror that coursed through her whenever she began her labors. It would be her third litter now and she still did not feel prepared… not with the extensive training she’d had as a cub, nor now that she had brought several into the world herself. She provided a grateful whine when he returned with water, saving her strength and her words for when the litter would arrive.

It would not take long, as it would turn out.

Bearing down followed by another pained cry that often accompanied a birthing den would result in a small black blob appearing, the pain residing for a moment as instinct kicked in… a girl, black fur and closed eyes as Aquene diligently licked her clean, nestling her against her stomach and watching as she latched hungrily…

And then she braced for another, because there always seemed to be more than one.

And she waited.

And she waited.

And yet, the pain seemed to subside completely, feeling her body relax as she let her head rest against Nash. “That is it.” She explained softly after she was certain, looking to her love. “We have a daughter.”

Aquene Slayer

I think I need help, cuz I'm drowning in myself

She would not leave his side for longer than to go fetch water or food for him. She tried to help her son’s recovery go as fast as possible. Not only for him but for her daughter-in-law as well. She was heavily pregnant, taking care of her sick husband, as well as running the pack. The grandmother hovered even more so now – if it was even possible – with Aquene ready to give birth any day now. Moon wanted to be as useful as she could, knowing her skill set had dwindled with age. With the day arriving quickly Nash had moved to the birthing den his wife had chosen. Moon didn’t encroach on their space but she was never far.

The short bark from her youngest son easily woke her from where she slept underneath a nearby tree. She knew immediately why he had called. Salt and pepper limbs shook as she stood and made her way to the birthing den. Silver orbs caught the tip of Nash’s dark tail slipping back into the den, her own waving with excitement and anxiety. She prayed to whoever was listening for an easy and safe delivery for both mother and children. The cove really could use some solely good news. She moved to the entrance with a low chuff to alert the parents to be of her presence and assistance if they should need it. She moved just far enough that should Nash need to exit he would not run into her. Gingerly the elderly grandmother laid upon the cool ground and rested her salt and pepper maw on her forelimbs. She would be a vigilant shadow for as long as was needed.

Not long had pass when tiny mewls reached her silver dusted ears. They were quieter than she had remembered, and she wondered if it caused by her declining hearing or fewer pups, or both? Either wayshe would wait for her son to emerge with the news.

Word Count: 330

Anxiety filled the young boy the last few weeks, leaving him unsure of what to do. He had picked up more and more border patrols to help not only his parents but the pack as well. Dad was sick and Mama was – pregnant? Expecting more children. Which meant siblings. The inky boy was already used to his parent’s attention being split between him and his littermates so the idea of sharing that didn’t affect him too much. A fear of being a good big brother held its grip within him. Would he be a good big brother? Is he a good brother at all? Mona left, so maybe he wasn’t…

Having just finished a patrol the ebony yearling was making his way to the lake to quench his thirst when his father’s call reached his ears. It was for Stella and his grandmother but his paws rerouted themselves anyways. He couldn’t be too careful. Matos has learned that life is delicate and must be protected and cherished. When the scent of blood reached his nose as he neared his parents den panic overtook him, sending him sprinting the rest of the way to the birthing den. Large paws skidded to a stop as the entrance and his grandmother came into sight. His heartbeat pounded in his ears and he frantically looked around for the source of the blood. Blood was not a good scent unless it was on a hunt. A whine came from him as he saw no source. A pleading look was given to his grandmother. She knew what was going on right?

“Come lay down love.” She spoke lifting her head from where it rested upon her forelimbs. A pitter patter of his paws stamping the ground occurred before he finally took a step towards her. He settled in next to her frail frame as she began to quietly explain what was happening. He did not like this one bit. Everything in him screamed for him to make sure his parents – especially his mother – were alright. But he did as he was told and sat with Grandma until his father appeared.

(This post was last modified: Jun 01, 2023, 02:57 AM by Matos.)

Magg had chosen to sleep curled up beside her grandmother, and was woken when that slight warmth was taken away. Rousing with a stretch first, before the urgency of the moment began to set in. Not only was there was a difference in the weight of the air (along with the sickening stench of bodily fluids), but Matos whizzed past her like a shot, placing alarm inside her chest where it hadn't previously been. She rushed after him, feeding off his fear and feeling it vividly until it was her own.

She moved to sidle up with him and Moonshadow both, as though she were still a child and not now a yearling. Had something gone wrong with mother's pregnancy? Was father's sickness taking a turn? Whines of her own dripped out of her throat, and she leaned her head against her brother's shoulder for reassurance. Scared that this was going to be another one of those moments where suddenly someone was dead and everything would be turned upside down. Except this time, it was her family.

(This post was last modified: Jun 16, 2023, 06:28 AM by Magg.)

The birth was somehow both quick and slow at the same time. Nash thought it might be easier, or perhaps less nerve-wracking, this year since he'd been through it once, but he was wrong. This year he was sick and it had been a stressful spring. That meant complications. He waited with baited breath as one squirming child came, and then no more.

He didn't relax until Aquene did, until he was sure she was done. Relief flooded through him. There were no hidden bodies inside of her waiting to take her with them. After their triplets of terror before, having the one daughter, the single pup to worry about for the entire pack... Well. He should feel guilty for being pleased.

He smiled and placed a kiss to his newest daughter's head, and then to his wife's. "She looks just like my mom," he said. "And you."

A certain sense of ease washed over her when she realized that she was done, and she could tell that he felt at ease as well. She offered a soft smile with her eyes closed as he kissed their daughter and then her. The waves of exhaustion were starting to settle over her, but it hadn’t been nearly as intensive as it had with their last litter. She could afford to stay up a little while longer.

“She is…” She trailed for a moment as she looked at her, pondering. “What about Eclypse?” She proposed to him as she looked over to him. An Eclypse of the dark times that were now past, and a sign to the future that all was going to be okay. They’d had a singular healthy girl, and she was determined to make things the best as she could for this new life untouched by the cruelties of the world like the rest of them.

“Is anyone waiting outside? Do any of the kids want to meet her?” She referred, for the moment, to their children, or even Moonshadow. She’d limit it to just family for now, as to not let the overwhelming nature of them all crowding over the newborn trigger any form of post-partum anxiety.

Aquene Slayer

I think I need help, cuz I'm drowning in myself

The anxiety of both her grandchildren was clear. Matos came to lay next to her and once he was settle she gave him a reassuring nibble to the base of his ear. Only moments later Magg's tawny form came into sight just as panicked as her littermate. She settled into her brothers frame whines coming from her throat. The grandmother gently said "It's alright loves. I know it's frightening but its okay." She gave the pair a warm smile in hope to further calm them. She went on to explain that this was natural - the sounds and scents of birth and how it was their job to stand guard outside. When it was time Nash would emerge with the news. The fact that he hasnt barreled out of the den clued the grandmother in to the wellbeing of her daughter-in-law and new grandchildren.

Word Count: 143

He could hear the others outside, his mother's gentle voice drifting down the den entrance but he couldn't tell what she was saying. He was too focused on his wife, on their healthy baby girl that looked just like his mother - just like his wife, just like him. And he smiled. He nodded, nuzzling against his darling's face for a moment before beginning to groom her. "Eclypse," he agreed, before she spoke again.

He hummed. "I heard Mom talking to someone, so I assume one or both of the kids are out there... If you're okay with it, I will let them come in one at a time, briefly." It was only the love of his children that allowed him to let them in. Even though he knew they were fine, that Aquene and Eclypse were safe, he still felt that instinctual tickle to keep everyone else away.

But they deserved to meet their sister.

Nash placed a final kiss to both girls' heads before carefully shifting around and exiting the den. He smiled at his family. "Your mother has given birth to your sister," he said to yearlings before his eyes drifted up to meet his mother's, even as he addressed all of them. "We've named her Eclypse." He turned back to the children. "You may go in and meet her - one at a time, and only for a minute. Your mother is very tired and needs to rest. You can spend more time with them tomorrow, if you'd like."

He stepped forward and gave Matos and Magg each a kiss between the ears and then bumped his forehead against his own mother's before stepping aside to sit at the den entrance - where he would keep watch for the rest of the day and into the next morning.