Friends and family! You can play that your character is already there, if you'd like.
She'd felt restless for most of the day, walking the dark halls of the mansion, back and forth...back and forth. There were times when she felt like she was pacing, and she would stop, but a few moments later found her doing the exact same thing all over again. Just walking. Naniko didn't know what it was, what was controlling her and making her do this...she only knew that she felt relieved when she was moving around.
She didn't want to go upstairs, to have to pass by that room again, so she had managed to find a place downstairs. She had made a bed of sorts inside one of the larger of the empty closets that led off from the kitchen, a collection of soft, cuddly fabrics and furs arranged so that she could lay on them. It had been late afternoon when she had first started to feel it, tight pangs that had made her stop in her tracks, and she had managed to get to the closet before the worst of the contractions had come.
She had been through this once before, and knew what to expect, in some ways...but in other ways this was new, something that she had never experienced. This litter would live. A quiet whine escaped the female's muzzle between pants, her claws digging into the soft furs beneath her.
Deuce had know this was coming soon. Iskata had told her Naniko had wanted them there. Deuce was here as promised. She wouldn't abandon a friend, even if she should have been home, waitiing for her broken ribs to mend. She knew the fever was slowly rising. Ahren's injuries he'd given her were becoming infected. She'd care for them the best she coud and keep them wrapped tightly.
Naniko moved to the closet, and Deuce realized it was time. She followed, kneeling in the doorway. She, too, had delivered in the smallest form and knew how much it hurt. She laid a hand on naniko's side, well out of reach of flashing fangs. Wolves in pain sometimes didn't pay attention to friend or foe ideals. "You're doing fine, naniko. Just relax and let your body do it's work."
Iskata had been curled up on the couch, watching silently as Deuce followed Naniko to the closet. She'd been there before and she knew what the girl was going through. She smiled softly, knowing that her baby was going to be a mother soon, taking a new step in her life and taking a large jump. The silver and gold woman turned to watch the movement for a moment before she lifted her head from her paws and slide to the floor. Her nails clicked on the floor as she made her way across the room to join her fellow leader.
She didn't try and press herway past the healer to speak to her daughter though she sat at the entrance and watched over her and Deuce. She doubted that Conri would show his face anytime soon but you could never be sure. She turned her eyes to Deuce for a moment and smiled before going back to listening and watching for trouble.
Playing this that Savina and Anu had been out hunting and come back to find Naniko in labor (obviously). Alli, let me know if you want anything changed! wc 401
That they left here from the time before
Muscles worked hard as the jet wolf helped her companion drag back the body of the young deer to the mansion. Anu and herself had decided to try and stock up some more food before Naniko's litter came. Savina hadn't expected to take down anything large, since it was just the two of them, and neither were particularly large and strong. However, luck had been on their side, and in the western part of their territory they had come across a sickly young deer. Even though it had been smaller than an adult deer, it still took careful maneuvering on their parts to take it down. The two females had though, and were dragging back their prize to get ready for storage in the basement.
It had taken them a good amount of time to get the carcass all the way back, and as the Italian girl released her grip, pink tongue lolled out to pant. Jade orbs looked over to Anu's multi-hued form, she also was panting. "Good job. I'm really glad we were able to get something as big as this. Not as large as a full grown deer, but we wouldn't have been able to take down an adult anyway." The older wolfess nodded her head in response and they both climbed the stairs to head inside and get the tools they would need to get it into small enough pieces to be brought inside.
As her slender body entered the house, the hairs along her spine began to stand on end. There was an older female she didn't know keeping some sort of watch out in the living room...and noises coming from Naniko's room. Quick as a shot her head turned to Anu, their eyes locking. Neither of them had to say a word, they both knew what was happening. Savina bolted forward, not even paying the gold-hued lady any mind, and dashed into Nani's room. Her ivory friend was in the closet laying down, emitting a whine from her throat every so often. There was another wolf she didn't recognize in here helping Nani. A white woman. The stranger appeared to know what she was doing, and the two year old didn't want to smother them. She took a seat away from them, where she could still see. Every muscle in her body was tensed, and she waited with baited breath to see what would happen.
The doe hung between the two, her thin arms straining at the effort to drag it all the way to the mansion. The sandy colored fey didn’t break her smile as she and her new friend brought their prize to the leader and her mate. She hated to be away, when the pups were so close to coming and till that day she had yet to leave Naniko’s side, in fear that she would miss the moment.
As they climbed the mansions steps Anu had little on her mind, other then presenting Nani with the grand feast that she and Savina had provided. The proud feeling coursed through her, her shoulders held back and her chest raised a few inches. There was nothing she enjoyed more then being able to give back to her new pack.
The two had joked and laughed on their travel back, but as they entered the house there was a different air that fell around them. In an instant her heart when from a casual thump to a mile a second pound. Following the black haired girl Anu raced through the mansion’s room, finding Naniko with no guide. Blue eys blazed, frantic to see her love’s face.
She passed two others, her so vision narrow that she couldn’t make out the faces of her past packmates. In a second she appeared at the closet doorway, eyes on the white shewolf. Anu tried to be calm, knowing her anxiety would only bring fear to Naniko.
Peering past the door, she fought the emotions of panic and excitement. Her voice trembled a bit as she quietly spoke.
Ehno was aware that Naniko was nearing her time and that soon her puppies would be brightening the faces of the pack members. For the past week he had been standing guard outside of the mansion or pacing around their newly placed borders. This kept him from sitting around and fidgiting anxiously while he waited for the time to come. These tasks helped him feel like he was protecting Naniko, her soon-to-be-born pups, and the pack as a whole, and this gave him great comfort.
This morning, though, on his way out to patrol the nearest borders for a short while, he saw Naniko pacing back and forth. A strange feeling came over him, and he knew that it was going to happen soon. He tossed out his plans for patrols and instead kept watch outside the mansion for a time. After a while, Ehno found himself wandering back upstairs to his room, rearranging furniture every so often before glancing out to see if he could spot Savina and Anu returning from the hunt they had left for earlier that day.
The commotion downstairs almost seemed sudden compared to the relative quiet throughout the day. He heard rushing footsteps and excited voices. Excitedly he rushed down the stairs, joining the ever-growing group that was around for the birth. He kept his distance from the rest of them, not wanting to get in the way. He knew that both Naniko and those helping her through this would need their space. His attention turned to the small pup--Odebeh, wasn't it?--that appeared near Savina and Anu, who seemed to have made it back just in time. He offered the two females a smile, though he didn't know if they'd notice in all the commotion, and took a seat next to the panicking pup. "Don't you worry, Naniko's going to be just fine. She's having puppies, and we're all here to help her through it if she needs it. But right now she's gotta do this on her own. So we just have to be here for her and put on our brave faces right now. Can you do that for her?" He looked down at the pup, hoping to calm him and help him understand what was going on. This had to be terribly confusing for him.
Anu: YESSSS I saw that!! Once we get the pack up, I shall propose it :] And...this post sucks, because James is still sick and it's midnight
She was keeping her eyes closed, trying to concentrate on what Deuce was saying. Naniko wanted to make sure that she was doing everything right. Deuce had been there for her the last time, and she was very relieved to have her there with her again. She wasn't sure how many leaders there were in Phoenix Valley, though...she didn't want to put their pack at risk just so that she could have both Deuce and her mother there. The female was aware that more people were arriving, and laid her head down. Was she supposed to do anything else, other than relax?
She hadn't been sure how much longer it would take for everything to start, but learned soon enough. In one tight, painful rush came one, three more with the next. She was tired, but set to work cleaning the first pup, then the second, third, and fourth. Two males and two females, all of varying colors. Two had lighter fur, one very dark, and one a medium tone.
A few minutes later Naniko had thought that things were over, but she could feel a sharp pain and after a moment two more small, wet forms lay on the furs beside her. The other pups were wriggling around and squeaking, but there was something different about the two who had just come, a small male and female, one with dark fur and one with russet. "Deuce?" She nosed one of the small ones, licking at its muzzle. No response. "What's wrong with them?" Naniko picked up one form in her mouth and then another, carefully bringing them forward to the entrance of the closet.
Deuce didn't even notice the other joining her in the room as she concentrated on Naniko and what was going on with her. She was right there to ease each pup out as it came, evn the smaller, stillborn ones. She gazed at the two small ones as naniko brought them to her, picking them up. As she'd expected they were already cold, but she started rubbng the chest of the female, hoping to jump-start her heart. After what seemd like an eternity, she set the tiny girl down.
Softly she spoke to Naniko. "Sometimes, in order for the healthier pups to survive, the body will not allow the runt of the litter to get the sustenance to survive. That was what happened with my first litter. I had one healthy pup, Dierdre, and two stillborn pups. It's not uncommon, much as I wish it were." Her mind went to killane, Shadow's smaller brother who'd only lived for a day before succumbing to the illness that had taken him away.
She turned to the rest. "Four pups. Two boys and two girls." She gave Iskata a warm smile, then included the rest of the asseblage in it.
The slender girl hugged her legs to her chest as she intently watched her best friend. Ears pricked forward for every little sound. Soon the small pup, Odebeh clambered into the room. His small features were thick with worry and he wondered over to her side. Her emerald gaze shifted to him and one of her hands reached out to rest on his back in a comforting motion. She couldn't find the words to say though. After all she was worried as well. Luckily her brother came in and sat on the small male's other side, offering reassuring words. He always had a way with words, and knew the right things to say. Her face remained rather stoic, but her eyes locked with his, thanking him. Not only for comforting Odebeh, but for just being there as well.
Soon there was the sound of infants squeaking, and Savina's heart jumped up into her throat. They were alive. A sigh of relief escaped her lungs and her shoulders relaxed. She had hoped and wished more than anything that this litter would live. That her friend wouldn't have another miscarriage. There was some sadness that tainted the moment though, as it turned out two of the pups hadn't in fact made it. But there were still four healthy puppies for Naniko to mother. She wasn't sure how to react, obviously running over to her wasn't the best thing right now. Her body felt somewhat paralyzed. But softly her voice muttered a few words. "Congratulations Nani..." She wasn't even sure if her friend heard them, but it was all she could manage at that moment.
It was just a few moments later that Naniko was a mother. In just a moment the idea that she would be a parent had become a reality. Anu heard their calls, and she edged forward, hoping to answer them. She stopped, as she watched the two white females discuss in hushed voices. Things were not perfect, not completely right. She looked down, but gave them the space she knew they needed.
She had realized that the Shaman and Matriarch of her last pack were standing in the room with the rest of her new family. It was fitting, and she felt her pack was complete with them present. Deuce’s announcement made her heart skip, two and two. Her eyes wandered to the faces of the room, but in truth she really didn’t see them.
Her vision only cleared when she watched the face of her mate. She sat close by, fighting the urge to curl up against her and keep the litter warm. In most instances the mother didn’t allow any other into her den, and Anu wanted to give Nani that option.
Iskata had sat there at the door to the closet and watched over Deuce shoulder as her daughter had brought six small puppies into the world. Her heart tugged at the two that were lost yet she knew the truth in life just as well as Deuce did, sometimes puppies didn't make it... She knew that Naniko would love the four that survived with her heart and soul and she assumed that Anu would as well.. atleast she hoped the woman would. They were the children of a monster, the son of a monster had turned into his father it seemed. She met her daughter's eyes and smiled from behind Deuce as she nodded. She asked gently as she tried to push the unhappy thoughts from her mind. "Have you thought on names Naniko?" She figured the girl had, but when you never knew how many children were coming into the world it was hard to have a full list of names ready and waiting.
Her eyes turned back to those who'd gathered as she moved away from the door to let other's closer to see the woman they came to celebrate this magical moment with. She spoke softly as she moved away to let the world see the newest members of the growing pack. "You did well Nani.."
She gave both pups a nosing when Deuce put them down, just so that she could be sure for herself. No, they weren't moving...or trying to breathe, even. She wasn't sure how to feel about this--to have four alive, and two dead. They would most certainly be missed, by their pack and their family. She was sad, but she knew that these things could happen sometimes...and that she had to be strong about it. Later on she could ask someone to stay with the litter for a little while so that she could bury them. She heard the words from Savina, recognizing her friend's voice and accent. "I can't believe they're finally here"
She was so glad to have them there with her, those who she trusted so dearly. Her attention was caught by a question, and she looked up at Iskata. "A few...definitely Salem. For the dark boy. And I saw pictures in a book of a city that the humans used to live in with the most interesting name. I think it was...something with a brook. Brooklyn." She thought for a moment, frowning. "He wanted one, I think...to be named Mati. I'm not sure about the last one. I sort of wanted one of them to be named after something here, something in these new lands. The first pups in the new pack. Something involving Haven Manor...Haven, maybe." Those seemed like fine names to her, definitely. "The two that didn't make it are Tatiana and Silas."
Naniko wasn't sure what to do with Tatiana and Silas, though--she wanted to hide them away until she could spend the time later on with them. She picked both up, stretching to place them on a piece of cloth up on a shelf above her head. She wanted the others to be able to see the pups if they wanted to.
The female looked out into the group, green eyes looking over each member. She had heard Odebeh in there somewhere, she thought. She had told him before that he would have brothers and sisters. "Odebeh? Do you want to see them too?"
OOC: OMG!!! XD I totaly did not see this! o.o Let's all pretend he arrives right before they're born XD
Ic:
It had been an regular day in Crimon Dreams for the young adult. He sighed as he aproched the manor with a large rabbit in his muzzle. The rodent had put up quite the run but, unfortunantly for it, Jazper was always getting better and better every day. As he started up the steps he could hear that many of his pack mates were home, this excited him beacuse he realy did nto like being alone anymore. As he opened the door an array of scents reached his muzzle, what was going on? then his mother's scent, his ears perked up in shock as he heard Naniko wimper from her room, was it time?! He quickly dashed towards his alphas room only to end up blocked by his closer friends. He stared in amazment as Deuce was in the room, along with a complete stranger, assisting Nani.
He smiled to his packmates hopefully in turn as the birthing was completed. Squeeks filled his ears. He slid past waiting packmates as he felt seperated form his mom. She was so close, yet out of reach. He entered the room, standing beside his mother he held her hand like a child slightly scared of how Naniko would react to his sudden appearance.. He looked at Naniko apologeticly hoping she would understand, then to the four live pups, "They're beautiful." He gasped. He listened intently to the names and nodded his agreement, "Names fit for royalty Nani." He leaned down to kiss her on the forhead. She had been through alot in the past few minutes and he wanted to show her his love. Every wolf in the pack whom had ever talked to the wall like male knew his dedication to protecting his friends and family, it would be no different then the pups having their own personal body guard. He turned to his mom with a smile and kissed her on the cheek, "Hey, mum. I haven't seen you for awhile." He motioned to Anu excitedly, knowing she would understand his joy for having Duece with him. He had ben quite under the weather with Duece and Lucifer not being around.
Of course, he did not know how Naniko would react to him being so close to the pups directly after birth. Most females did nto allow males near thier young for quite awhile, he hoped Naniko would understand his intent. Know that he would always protect her sons and daughters, be thier friend and teacher as long as they were to live. This over whelming feeling hit him hard. He knew all through naniko's pregnacy that he had assigned himself to her protection, to the pack's future. Now, as te pups lay there, four new members of Crimson Dreams he almost wanted to cry for the sight was so beautiful. There they were, friends and family of a new pack, and how amazing it was that they were now even stronger thanks to a learders birthing. All he wanted to do in that moment was to hug everyone, celebrate, and even more so touch the little ones. Though he knew the last one would have to wait.
