Oak Tree Bend It all began on a bright day

Backdating this to 5/21.
OTB members, please feel free to join in! :3 None but Triell should enter the actual den, though!

For the last few weeks, worries had been growing in Nayeli's mind as surely as the pups in her belly. No one had ever gotten around to telling her how to do this, how to be a mother.... The dark lady spent a great deal of her time stalking about the lands of Oak Tree Bend, trying her best to feed her insatiable hunger and calm her thoughts with the usual routine. But as spring grew later and the bright buds on bare branches progressed into lush realms of green, she found herself staying closer and closer to the pack's central den, depending more and more upon the others for sustenance. Part of her still disliked being so reliant on them, especially in the most recent days, but she didn't have much choice. She was getting close to her time.

Even the simplest things had begun to exhaust her, and she felt ready to burst. Despite her worries and trepidations about motherhood, she was anxious for them to come, so that they could grow in the womb of the earth rather than her own - they were getting big. And active. Today, oddly, she had not been hungry, only venturing forth to drink from the stream before returning to the den to laze and pace about. As the sun dropped from its zenith into a warm afternoon, she was certain - today was different, today was the day.

A call rang out for @Triell, an urgent note in the usual smooth alto. Then chills gripped as when the first pain came. Soon enough it came again, and then she did not have to wait long between the waves. Growling in pain, she let instinct take over, swimming form wave to wave toward the distant shore. Her pacing ceased and she lowered herself into the leaves and fur she had used for a more comfortable bedding. If anyone drew near the den now, the snarl of discomfort would grow into one of warning, but beyond that, conscious thoughts left her.

And then, there they were - first one, then two tiny, beautiful coal-colored pups with eyes sealed tightly shut. Her breath caught in her chest as she saw them and she began to lick them clean, nuzzling them toward the warmth and nourishment of her form. All her trepidation left her now, chest swelling as she looked at them in happy disbelief. There they were, healthy and alive, a boy and a girl. The first, a male, wore a tiny, bright star upon his head, a hallmark of his Stormwright blood. The most subtle hints of lighter hues shaded the female's soft form. A long sigh escaped her lips. Finally the exhaustion hit Nayeli, and she curled around them protectively, laying her head down to rest at last.

(This post was last modified: Jul 01, 2014, 10:36 PM by Nayeli.)

OOC: Last I talked to Switch, she was expecting to go into labor any day now, so not sure if @Triell will be able to make an appearance. @Sceral, @Drestig, @Jessie, @Ruiko

Things had begun to settle into a routine. Slowly, Serach was working himself back into the fold of the pack. While he still had his days where depression gripped him and he growled at anything that moved, he was no longer retreating to the outskirts of the pack territory on a regular basis. He participated in the pack activities, and had even done his part to help keep the pack caches filled with food. Gradually, he had begun to understand that although those caches had once been filled for his and his brother's benefit, now they were for Nayeli's and her unborn puppies. He was starting to come around to that idea too, even though the prospect of not being at the center of the pack's attention still invoked pangs of jealousy and confusion within him.

The youth's pale head snapped up from its resting place on his paws when he heard Nayeli's call. It was for Triell, but the urgency was what piqued his attention, and the youth found himself up on his face and loping towards the direction the call had come from. She's at the pack den, Serach realized as he ran, the trees beginning to thin out around him as they gave way to the grassy knoll that sheltered the pack's den. Curiosity propelled him forward, towards the hole in the ground. Nayeli was nowhere to be seen, but the closer he drew, the stronger her scent became. She was inside...which must mean...shock jolted him to a stop midstep. It must be time, he realized. Frantically, Serach looked around, searching for signs of his uncle or other pack members. He began to pace back and forth in front of the den entrance - far enough away to not block it should Nayeli want to come out, but close enough that she should be able to smell him. Not that he was any use if she actually did need something; he was just as inexperienced at giving birth as she was.

Look at the stars, look how they shine for you

The news he was going to be a father was news he could not have been happier for. He had thought now and then about having his own children. Doing the usual of telling them stories, taking them on adventures, and keeping them out of trouble. After Marsh's death he had given up on the idea, feeling his role would simply remain Guardian and Uncle to his nephews and nieces. He had never minded being a mentor. He was more than happy to play a part of family. It was important, and he cared for them no less than a parent. The reality was these would be his. It already was a lot different.

The days passed, and the moon changed he became eager and very anxious for the time. When it came down to it, all of it felt like it was out of his control. He didn't like the feeling because it reminded him how easily Mother Nautre could be cruel as she could be kind. Neither Nayeli nor he had done this. He often wondered what Cori would have said to him. Probably to relax,everything would be fine. She had managed three times. Though he smiled, thinking of this his nerves were still frazzled. Thankfully, Nayeli seemed to more gracefully accept her new role, taking on the changes it brought. Triell tried to keep the worry out of the pit of his stomach. So to do so he spent a great deal of his time patrolling, hunting, and seeing if Nayeli needed anything. The last he tried not to ask too often, feeling like an overly worried mother hen himself.

There he was, finished with marking and strolling back to the den when his mate's voice beckoned him. The Tainn didn't have to wonder why, he knew and immediately began to quicken his stride. The forest became a blur, but his paws knew where to lead him. The Stormwright had chosen the pack den, and Triell was certain she was there now. Sure enough he could pick up her scent, but it was the pale form of Serach that caught his eye. The boy seemed to reflect the dark wolf's inner turmoil.

"Hey, is she..." He meant to say okay, but it didn't make it out. Surely, she was as could someone be in her state or Serach would have been calling too? Wide eyed, trying to catch his own breath, he shook his head, and forced himself to take a long steady breather. With his brain oxygenated he felt a lot more solid, and after a silent look to his nephew, he cautiously went to the den's opening. He did not go very far, only enough that he could make out the shadow of his mate at first. "Nayeli, are you okay?" He dare ask. Slowly his eyes adjusted, and he could spot the small bundles she protected. They did not look like much from where he was, but they were now a great part of his world. They were everything to him.Their puppies. While he craved to greet them, and thoroughly see Nayeli was fine he held back in case the new mother had a disagreement. It had never seemed like Corinna had liked anyone near her children when they were so tiny.

Through the haze of exhaustion, Nayeli gradually became aware of scents and sounds outside the den. Blinking herself fully awake, she instinctively pushed herself up onto her feet again, standing over the helpless forms she had just brought into the world. The scents and voice were familiar to her, and she had to wonder at the strength of these new instincts she was feeling. Rationally, she knew that neither Serach, nor especially Triell, would do anything to harm the pups, and yet there was some ancient force within her that seemed to demand they keep their distance.

As Triell's form cast a shadow into the den, her gaze was drawn toward him, and she let herself relax, sinking down to stretch out next to the two tiny forms. There was the man her heart had chosen, and Nayeli refused to let some ancient reptilian part of her brain convince her that she had anything to worry about from him now. Sighing, she gave him a tired smile and gave a beckoning motion with her muzzle. "You can come closer," she intoned quietly. It felt as if she should keep her voice hushed near the sleeping children, though their ears were still nothing more than limp and lifeless folds of skin on their little skulls. "Come and see our son and daughter." She felt a thrill run through her as she said it... our son and daughter. Their bloodlines had mingled and created these two new souls, had brought them into existence. It was enough to take her breath away. She hadn't known what to expect motherhood to be like, but she never could have guessed it would feel like this. It was almost to much to even comprehend all at once.

"I suppose we should decide what we're going to call them..." she went on sleepily, her gaze falling back to the cubs. So far, that had been the furthest thing from her mind, but they couldn't keep referring to them as just "son" and "daughter", now could they?

This will be my last post with Serach in this thread. <3 Feel free to continue, he's just gonna be hanging out outside. :)

Left, right, left right. Serach's body swayed from side to side as he paced back and forth. His head was continuously cocked towards the den, ears perked and anxiously listening for any telltale sounds of danger. Not that he had any prior experience with this; his last experience with a birth had been his own. But there was an instinctual part of him that kept him where he was, alert and ready. He wasn't entirely sure what was going on down in the darkness of the den, but he knew that until Triell or one of the other, older members of the pack arrived, he was all that stood between Nayeli and the potential dangers of the world outside the den.

Fortunately, nothing happened, and soon enough Serach's pacing vigil was interrupted by the familiar scent of his uncle. The pack's leader seemed just as anxious as Serach, but Triell was not one to let his feelings get the best of him. Serach could barely get out his, "She's fine, I think," before the Tainn was at the den entrance, peering into the darkness. Serach himself had not been brave enough to actually look into the entrance, and with Triell here, he couldn't help but feel that doing so would be inappropriate. Instead, he settled down where he was. Forcing himself down to his stomach, he watched Triell closely, ears perking as he heard Nayeli's muffled voice. He couldn't hear her words, but her tone was not alarmed, and that was good enough for him. Settling his head down on his paws, his tail began to beat a steady rhythm against the grass, a celebration of the pack's newest members.

Look at the stars, look how they shine for you

A nod, and quick smile was given to Serach, grateful he had taken it upon himself to check on Nayeli. While the uncle did wonder what he thought of all this now was not time for that conversation. His attention drifted back upon the new arrivals, the one who had brought them into this world.

With his rump still outside it felt a lot easier to breath when she gave him a worn smile and permission to come in. Most carefully he did with tentative steps, though the children weren't moving about yet, he might as well get in the habit now. Too soon they would be waddling about.

His orange-yellow eyes sharply scanned her form, using his nose to double check, and take in their scents. Far as he knew nothing was wrong. She only seemed exhausted. It was after of his certainty he proudly smiled, touching his nose to the white star on her crown. Then the dark wolf looked down upon their son and daughter lost in a moment of wonder that these were really their puppies. Four ears,two tails, eight paws, and not surprising dark coats. There was a sudden sureness in him he couldn't explain. A great fear leaving him, now they were here. With time he knew it would likely be replaced, so he was going to enjoy this part of their quiet life.

Upon the idea of names his brow wrinkled in thought. He had no idea at first because, he didn't know what kinds of names they would need. Secondly,while silly, he had thought it a bit of bad luck to decide on names before hand. If it might cause something ill to happen. After a minute or so of deliberation he let out a quiet huff. "How about Zera for our girl? After a great lady I knew?" He recalled his dear friend, and smiled at the distant memories. While Corinna was also a great lady he felt it belonged to her children to pass it on. As for their boy he was not sure. There already was a second Rihael and while some form of Ruiko, Kinis, even Marsh came to mind he was hesitant on those. Would he be sticking an expectation on his son? Settling behind her instead he asked in the same quiet tone she used, "What do you think for him?"

Zera... Zera Tainn she said it quietly, testing the weight and sound of the name. Then came an approving nod and smile. "I like it... though you'll have to tell me of this great lady sometime, hm? and her too." she mused quietly, casting her gaze back to the pups in consideration. Zera. It was simple and strong and mysterious and beautiful all at once; the perfect name for their daughter.

And now, what to call their son? He ought to have a name just as fitting as his sister's. Nayeli blinked at the tiny little wolf, marveling once more at the likeness they shared. The bright mark upon the forehead was certainly a Stormwright trait. She frowned in silent thought for a moment, recalling different names from the stories of her childhood. What do you think about 'Eithan'? It means strong and proud... or 'Darrah'? That one means dark oak," she said after a moment, lifting her gaze back toward Triell's. The two names each had a different meaning, although either of them would be a good gift to give to their son in her mind. She wondered which of them Triell might like best, though as she mused upon it a little more, she thought she might like the second better. "Eithan and Zera... Darrah and Zera. Eithan Tainn. Darrah Tainn." she gave a not-so-subtle wink as she concluded her recitation, liking the name more as she said it aloud.

Look at the stars, look how they shine for you

"Promise," he murmured, lightly touching his nose to her cheek. There was a lot he wanted to tell her, and in turn wanted to hear. They would have time, but for now the new father could not get enough of looking upon their sleeping children, and reverted his gaze to them. The Tainn left his ears trained upon his mate; he waited for her comforting tone.

He almost began to tell her it could wait, that she should rest. Maybe, she didn't like the idea of leaving their son without either as she spoke, he casually tilted his head. He was in no hurry to answer, and he mulled it over. A name was not easily changed. Eithan was a unique name, and he liked its meaning. The second suggestion, he was preciously looking upon their son. The one who would carry the mark of Nayeli. It seemed more fitting for one reason or another. Catching her eye he grinned in agreement. They would be Darrah and Zera, son and daughter of Nayeli and Triell Tainn. Stepping behind her, he encircled her, then gave a slight lick to her chin. "I'll stay right here while you rest," he offered, not wanting to be any where else in this world.