Red Fern Forest there's always one

Private for anyone in FGC. She has picked an old fox den not too far away from the main den.

Saga slipped into the den just as night began to fade, instinct taking over where her consciousness lacked. There would be no more time to prepare, no more last minute adjustments, no more just-in-case plans. The fates had finished their webs, which meant that it was time. She did not call for Hudson, or Riven, or anyone else, and she wouldn't unless something went wrong. They would find her when they were supposed to.

Sun poured into the den as the first child came. She was small, and dark, and wet, with a scrunched up nose, and flat-laid ears, but she was the most beautiful creature Saga had ever laid eyes on. Her brother was much the same, a beautiful, dark ball of fur, with strong lungs. The third was the last, lighter than his siblings, but no less perfect. She hadn't anticipated this.. feeling, and just how strong it would be. Perhaps it was just the twisting of fates, the intertwining of their webs, but whatever it was, Saga had never felt anything like it.

She was careful to clean them off, whispering on and on about everything and nothing to cubs that couldn't even hear her, but once they were dry and nuzzled up against her stomach, she finally allowed her eyes to drift shut.

(This post was last modified: May 09, 2021, 10:17 AM by Saga.)

It had been about a day since Rhaegara’s delivery, and Riven was tired. Which was why it took so long for him to realize that Saga was also due, and he was late. The medic had gotten up as soon as he woke and rushed to pick up the same concoction of herbs he’d had for Rhae the day before, toting it diligently over to Saga’s densite and pausing just outside.

It smelled of birth and blood, and Riven’s ears pressed back to his skull as he crawled over to the entrance of the den. Not inside, not without permission, but close. The new mother was probably worn out, but he needed to be sure they were all okay.

“Saga?” he asked quietly, trying to peer into the darkness. His own fur was rumpled from sleep. “Is everything alright?”

A nearby creek is full to the brim with fish. +3 Health

The time had come in the Chasm for new life to be born. None of them were expected little bundles of joy, formed from an intentional pairing, but he knew they would grow to know they were loved and cherished all the same.

Rhaegara’s daughter had been born the night prior, keeping the pack up all night worriedly. He’d also hardly slept, patrolling the borders worriedly. Sága was also due to pop any day now and the prospect of fatherhood and new mouths to feed was leaving him feeling jittery. It was this jitteriness that made him second guess his nose when he smelled afterbirth on the wind. Surely it was from the day before...but no, it was too strong. Too fresh, and coming from the direction he knew the pale woman had set up her den.

The man felt his heart kick up a beat and he was off to the races, thundering through the foliage until he arrived, chest heaving, outside the den. He noticed Riven sticking his head in with a worried voice and he felt fear grip his heart. Without intending to, he pushed past the boy and jammed his own head in. There was blood and afterbirth to be sure, but nothing seemed to be truly amiss. And, at her belly rested 3 perfect little pups.

For a moment time froze and he felt an unknown feeling rising in his chest. It took him a moment to understand what it was, but once he could it only made the feeling stronger. It was pure, unyielding love. He pulled back with numb legs and sat on his rump, staring at the mouth of the den. Those were his pups, the little beings he’d helped create, and it was going to take a lot of getting used to.

Saga's eyes shot open at the voice and she made to protectively curl around her cubs until the gears in her mind began turning. Once the fog had lifted and his scent wafted into the den, she was able to settle, offering an apologetic whine at her reaction. "Sorry, Riv. I'm glad you're here. I.. yes.  Everything is fine. They're.. They're perfect." And they were. "Have you seen—" But she never got the chance to finish her thought because Hudson suddenly appeared at the mouth of the den, his silver eyes resting on the cubs, before his rear made contact with the ground.

She flashed him a small, soft smile. "Two boys and a girl, Marrah." The name fell from her tongue as though she'd contemplated it before that moment, but alas, she hadn't.

Once the father had had his look, she would call for Riven again to have him check over the cubs and make sure all was well, just in case.

Sága is currently travelling with Huddy, Aubine, Adelard, Rhaegara, Riven, Maugrim & Hrun

"No, no, it's fine! I'm here to help," he reassured the new mother, tail swishing behind him and eyes soft. The very last thing he wanted was to impose or frighten her; she'd just been through something incredibly stressful, and alone at that. He had no idea where Hudson was, and was just about to ask Saga about it when she voiced her own question.

Have you seen-

Suddenly, and with a very undignified squeak, Riven was bowled over to the side. Hudson wasn't the biggest guy around, but he weighed nearly twice as much as the healer did, and the blond rolled once or twice before he lost momentum. He was a little stunned, but certainly unharmed, and in any other situation would've headbutted Hudson in return. But this wasn't like with Rhaegara - fathers were protective, too, and it was Huddy's right to see the pups first. He'd help after the leader was finished.

Small PP of Hudson was greenlit by Kristen <3

Once all three of the children had been named, Marrah, Aweho, and Caelyn respective to birth order, Hudson finally excused himself. She watched him go through lidded eyes, exhausted, but unable to allow herself to give in to the temptations of sleep. The cubs had yet to have been given a once over, and regardless of how tired she was, Saga knew that she wouldn't sleep peacefully until she was sure that everything was okay.

She motioned for the blonde healer to step forward, even shifting so that she might allow him access to her brood. "Sorry about Hudson." Though it wasn't her place to apologize for him, the Tainn couldn't help herself. He was, after all, the father of her children.

Sága is currently travelling with Huddy, Aubine, Adelard, Rhaegara, Riven, Maugrim & Hrun