Charred Ash Draw [M]Can beauty come out of ashes?

Draven first please

let beauty come out of ashes

The young Tainn was terrified.

Somehow in the span of a month she had lost both her younger siblings. Where the hell had they vanished to? Her father's trail was lost in an avalanche, her own agemate sibling wanted to be anywhere but with her and her youngest brother had driven home the point that maybe they were missing because they wanted to be. How was she meant to be a good mother if she couldn't even be a good big sister? How was she meant to be a mother at all when her own had hardly been there for her?

Her breath was coming in short sharp gasps, turning her head to run along her own flank left her more worried than the pain alone. It was rock hard, then soft, then the pain would come again and everything would go hard. Was this normal? And how were they meant to get out?

She'd be lying if she hadn't considered the possibility that they would burst from her stomach much like a butterfly from a caccoon, leaving her a dried out husk attached to a branch but oh god. Her mother had borne so many litters and she didn't bare any disfiguring scars that she had seen. Treyah tried to get her breathing under control as stars began to dance in the corner of her vision. This wasn't going to do her any good at all. She might as well retreat to under the tree where her mother had given birth to make sure everything was ready.

After no small amount of sratching and rearranging so everything was just so, she found herself rather worn out. There was nothing new in that, really, not since she had begun to show anyway. If she just settled down for a moment...

Warm wetness pooled at her back and for a moment she was terrified that she may have wet herself. She spun in worry, unable to fight the urge to push, the first small wet body leaving her own. It took her a moment to register just what had happened. A panicked yelp left her jaws, "@Draven!?" Wondering if it was the father of her children lurking just outside the den, or if it was @Garmir or @Kerberos instead? She was panicked. What was she supposed to do? She stood there, eyeing the dark bundle with a mixture of awe and fear as it lifted it's oversized head to try and break free of the membrane that coated it's head an back. "Oh shi-" She quickly moved to clean the child, curling protectively around it as another contraction overtook her. How long was this meant to go for? Before she could worry too much a second child was wriggling under her tail and she carefully turned herself to clean it as she had the first. This one was a girl, and the Tainn was so exhausted she shook as she fussed over her children. She had never seen two more perfect puppies in all her life.

Treyah Tainn

It should be noted that Draven is being <i>very</i> protective of Treyah and the pups and any male who comes too close will probably get bitten.

It had only been a  day or two before that Draven had been thinking that Treyah could give birth any day. Thankfully, because his own mind had made these assumptions he was never too far from her, within a couple of minutes should she ever need to call him. Less if he ran. Which was exactly what he was doing now. The smell of birth was unmistakable and for a second he was frozen, unsure which she needed more. His presence as protection or herbs to keep everyone safe and healthy. In the end though he was a healer and after that brief moment of pause he was off to the infirmary and grabbed whatever he could.

With the herbs in his mouth he sprinted towards the small den that Treyah had prepared for this very moment, something he had helped with when she had allowed him. Green eyes looked wildly around and the dark wolf was pleased when he realized he was there before any of the others. Good. It was her voice of panic that broke through the cloud that had settled in during his autopilot actions, was something wrong?

Poking his nose in tentatively he was ready to backpedal should she snap at him or not want him there. Through the gloom he could see her clean the first pup and before he could even process the information a second one appeared within the den. Two?! Oh god. He had never even really consider that their might be more than one, but it made sense. Treyah had more resources to provide a healthy pregnancy than Neha had. Dropping his mixture of sweet grass, goldenrod and pineapple weed at the entrance of the den he nudged it forward, ”For the pain, and to keep you healthy.” He was going to ask her if she needed anything else when he heard movement outside of the den.

Stiffening Draven turned to see who it was, his posture clear that no matter who it was they shouldn’t come too close to the den. Treyah was all of their leaders, but these were his children too and he wasn’t about to let all of them come trapezing in this early.

 

he's kind of an ass srry; feel free to skip him if necasarry

kerberos rigel

but i'm a constant headache, a tooth out of line

Had they expected him not to show up? He was like a shark these days, circling and always watching from the depths. He recognized the smell well enough and it beckoned him forth. The Rigel figured that Treyah must have already been in the den, the medic blocking it off from the outsiders.

Oh how loving.

Kerberos wasn't about to go shoving his weight around though over some jealousy. That could come later when there weren't fresh children and a new mother so close. His tail lightly lashed behind his creeping form but he kept a few large wolf lengths away from the new parents, patrolling a small area.

have you checked out my player preferences?

She didn't like the idea of leaving Zale for too long but Nauja knew she also needed to get out of the den more. She'd left her son sleeping while she stepped out for a few moments to stretch her legs. She hoped to maybe run into some of her new packmates she hadn't had the chance to meet yet. The seawolf knew she would have to get to know them better sometime.

Walking through the forest there was a scent that seemed off but it only took the sea wolf a second to realize what it was. She'd only gone through the same thing weeks before, Treyah was having her pups.

Nauja didn't waste anytime following the scent to the den that the alpha had chosen for her birthing den. Once there she found Draven or who she assumed to be the father with the posture he carried outside. Kerb was also there obviously there to show his support for his alpha but it was curious the way his tail lashed. Her concern wasn't the male just then but the woman inside the den. “Do you know if she’s alright in there?” She asked immediately. Having been through it herself she felt she could offer her help. She was concerned for the young first time mother as she knew how difficult it was to birth children now that she'd done it herself. “I can help if either of you need anything,” she added though she kept a safe distance not wanting to intrude too much but wanting to show her support.

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

Garmir had been watching Treyah almost the whole time, even if from distance and once she had chosen to retreat to her birthing den, the earthen male had settled down at the premise but withing respectable distance away from it. Garmir knew Draven was also nearby. Just like him, the actual father of the pups was also now part of Treyah's support crew or whatever it could be called. The medic was only one Garmir did not consider even slightest of threat to the alpha female or her offspring and so he did not feel uneasy about his near constant presence.

She was giving birth. He could smell it and hear her call for the male that was the father. Garmir knew his part here was not to burst into the den and make things more complicated. He knew nothing about healing or birthing and he knew Draven would be there soon.

He closed his eyes and just listened, his ears moving around. A smile, true happy smile that was so very rare on his face was now constant - often times it almost looked like malicious grin. Even when he was not jumpig up and down from sheer joy, Garmir was at this point happier than he had been in all memory. The pack had a future and he had great plans for the young ones.

Of course, when there was royal birth, curious citizen were never far. He himself picked up on his feet and approached the Den, settling down far from the entrence, noticing Kerberos and Nauja already there. He watched the two carefully, not taking his eyes away from the two. Kerberos especially - even if that was but a slight chance - could be potential threat to the youngsters. Motivations; Power, jelousy, and obvious threat the young ones would pose to his future rank. Yes, Garmir had been silently profiling each and every member, trying to figure how loyal each of them might be to the true leader of the pack - Treyah. Kerberos was someone to keep eye on, knowing how powerful he was - and how short temper he possessed. A formidable wolf to have on your side in a fight though.

"Please, both of you... give the new parents some privacy." -Garmir hummed from his resting spot, that birthday hero's smile never fading from his face.

(This post was last modified: May 30, 2018, 01:07 AM by Garmir.)

All my characters are available for spree anytime with anyone. Just poke in slack or send PM!

i carried compassion to the point of self destruction
and learned that too, could be a sin

Treyah Tainn

Another shadow passed in front of the entrance but this time a familiar voice followed it. While some of the tension in her shoulders couldn't be shaken she did find herself relaxing some knowing Draven was on hand, and the scent of the plants he bought with him soothed her nerves as well. "There's ah-two of them, a boy and a girl..." She answered back softly with a shaky smile. She knew she should probably invite him to look at them but something dark and protective reared it's head when she heard other muffled voices just beyond the entrance of the den. It wasn't like her to growl at her pack mates, but the sound left her chest before she could rein it back in.

Her lips pulled down in a worried fashion, and more apologetically she responded, "We're fine, really, I think we just need to rest." Hoping that Draven would take it as a silent hint to run off any other sticky beaks that might have come for a gander. It wasn't really like she could relax knowing so many other wolves were so close.

Draven had been right to stiffen and become annoyed as far as he could tell. The first to arrive had been Kerberos and the dark healer greeted him with no warm welcome. Instead he watched the male warily, his muscles tensed and lip curling slightly as a warning that he should make no approach. He didn’t trust the higher ranking male, not after what he had done to Maera and he would die before he let him into the den where his Treyah lay with the pups. Not that he thought he would do anything to children, but the Leigh’s adrenaline was in overdrive.

The next to enter the area was Nauja, the other new mother of the pack. For her Draven’s posturing relaxed slightly but not enough to actually move out of the way and let her in. Thankfully, Treyah answered the question herself and the man hoped that would be enough to appease the other members of the pack. They were fine and needed to rest. And, if things weren’t already tense enough for the new father Garmir’s comment made him grit his teeth. Staring over at the lower ranking male he made dead eye contact, ”Yes, perhaps you should give them some privacy to rest.” The intention was clear. Garmir should follow his own advice.

It was only then, after a weary look at all those gathered that Draven settled down into a laying position so that he could peer into the den. He could and would spring up should anyone move any closer but for now he just wanted to see the two little lives Treyah had announced. Looking as closely as she would let him (but never trying to put more than his own dark snout in) he sighed, ”Oh Treyah, they’re beautiful,” and then he turned his attention to the agouti female who had done all the work, ”Just like you.” Maybe it was the adrenaline but Draven was feeling bold. And, he might have wanted to rub it in the other male’s faces a little.

OOC: Replying ahead of Kerberos with Becca's permission.

Ahh, the protective father watching after his newborn. Garmir took notice of how openly aggressive Draven was near his birth giving mate, not even sparing Kerberos from curly lips and mean looks. Nauja was perhaps least threatening of the gathered folk and she was spared from the most outward signs of aggression but then, then Draven shot lightning at Garmir, the earthen male feeling it in his bones. It made his fur tingle and butterflies fly in his stomach. Wow. Garmir loved it. It made him grin ear to ear.

He did not feel bad for being repuked. Draven was pointing out obvious hypocracy in Garmir's behaviour - least for what it might appear to others. Of course, the earthen male saw reason for him being here, but it did not mean the others might. None of this mattered however, not whatever flaws there might have been in his behaviour, if Garmir had to be here or not. All he saw - at that precise moment when Draven directed his anger at him... a new leader for the pack.

Regardless what Draven thought, Garmir was rooting to see Treyah's mate in his proper position of Alpha male. It was obvious choice really. Seeing that Draven had capacity to put the earthen male in his place and even snarl at his higher ups was a good sign. If this continued, Garmir might not even have to do anything to see Draven crowned. With some effort, he managed to wipe that grin off his face. He had to encourage this, not mock his future lead by smiling at his command.

Garmir stood up onto his feet and then bowed his head. It was not the kind of royal greethings he'd give to Treyah, but certainly more than what the others got. "I apologize. Am I dismissed?"

(This post was last modified: Jul 12, 2018, 08:48 AM by Garmir.)

All my characters are available for spree anytime with anyone. Just poke in slack or send PM!

Nauja stayed for a moment linger after Draven had disappeared into the den. The sounds that came from inside were enough for her to know that everything was alright. Garmir had already gone and it was time for her to go and get back to her own son. She'd left him with his father and now it was time to relieve Tyne of his pupsitting duty though she hoped her lover would stick around for a little while before heading off to take care of one duty or another. With another look at the den she promised to check on the new mother soon to make sure she was doing well and to offer her support of Treyah needed it. The two of them needed to stick together to make sure all the children grew up healthy. She turned and headed back into the trees toward her den and her family.

Nauja Exit

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

@Draven @Garmir you can either reply or we can fade here, I want to get this one off my threadlog.

turn your face towards the sun

Treyah didn't think she would need to convey anymore to the wolves that had gathered outside her den, so instead, she dedicated herself to cleaning her children while Draven managed things outside the den. Once his attention returned to her though, she stopped, embarrassment warming her skin beneath her fur as a shy smile pulled at the corner of her lips. She hadn't ever really ever considered herself anything special, being too long and bulky to ever be graceful, with fur the colour of mud. She didn't have the same quiet certainty her mother had possessed, and she didn't own her father's regalness. She just was, but it would be rude to ignore the comment altogether. "I'm pretty sure that comes from your side of the family," She threw back at Draven wryly, battling the yawn that came soon after. She craned her head to nose at the plants he had bought with him, crinkling her nose as she grasped some pineapple weed between her jaws. It might have been good for her, but that didn't mean she enjoyed eating prey food, especially not now it felt like there was room to keep real food down.

Let the shadows fall behind you

-Treyah Fade-