OOC; This is Alva’s birth thread, anyone is welcome who is family or a healer/ good friend. I would prefer no cubs as the important cubs will probably get their own threads introducing them to their new siblings!

Desperation had lead her through the final months of her pregnancy after the fall of the hollows alone, it had been her own strength that had lead her onwards. She had worried often for bear and the missing members of her family, Zelie had returned, and she had come over with greif- gripping the girl- desperate not to cry. If she was alive so was bear. She had tried to go to the labyrinth to help. But she waited a few days, her paws carried her forward. It was desperation that lead her on now. She had to reach him. She had too.
She wasn’t going to

Alva had known that she was close to the end of her term, but she had hoped she wasn’t this close. Desperation had made her hope that the pain in her stomach was from the walking, but in that very second- she knew that it wasn’t. Suddenly she prayed that she was back at the hollows. That she hadn’t left Zelie safely in bear’s old den. That she hadn’t left Toblerone in her own, telling her that under no circumstance she was to leave until she got back. Whispering about how someone has to make sure that nothing bad happens- that the new high sovereign wouldn’t do anything strange. He may have kindly welcomed her back home but she was still weary of the man. Not all men had been kind to her.

She collapsed, heavily in labour. Pain ran through her. Through her gasps she let out a roar. A calling for whoever would hear. She could only pray someone heard.

Never give up

The only thing we never get enough of is love; and the only thing we never give enough of is love.

code by corvus

Thana was, of course, the first to arrive. The ever-dutiful sister, she had carefully assessed the situation and knew it wouldn't be long. She had tried to go find Bear, but he hadn't been at the lagoon.

"I'm here. You're okay." Her voice was gruff, as always, but she tried to sound as comforting as she could. Not that that was exactly a well-developed skill for her. She had little medical knowledge, certainly nothing that could help here. But she could offer her presence, and she could force away anyone who had ill intentions.

"You should be back in your den, though." At least they weren't out in the open, but @Alva would have been far safer in her own prideland.

Our flag is tattered, Our bones are shattered

it doesn't matter, cause we're moving forward

code by corvus

Things had changed back home. Unaware that her mother was not High Sovereign any more but another had taken her place and unsure of where her family was, Ygritte tended to stay out of Vermeda more now than ever before. Her fear of the man who had harmed her coming back overcome with the fear of not finding her family again. So she had taken to the Labyrinth today but found something different. The smell of two lioness' and a call full of pain drew her attention. Moving through the tunnels until she came up on the two, she would clear her throat. Is everything alright? Ygritte was blind and therefore couldn't see that @Alva was in labor but was hopeful that someone would explain to her what was happening cause she would help. @Thana

“I’m always okay when your here.” Alva murmured softly. I know... I know... but” her voice trailed. She caught sight of a lioness approaching.

Alva let out a faint growl at the stranger, was it another rouge? Like the ones that could be attacking her bear this very second. But she soon stopped as the pain continued quickly. It was the lionesses question that made her calm. Not a threat yet. Thana would fight her if she was. He sister was safe. She was the literal symbol of protection in Alva’s life.

“no. I’m having...” Her voice fading before picking up again, “my cubs. I should’t be here. I should be home. But I can’t be home. Not when not when- bear he could be in danger.”

Never give up

The only thing we never get enough of is love; and the only thing we never give enough of is love.

code by corvus

Thana put a paw on @Alva's shoulder to calm her. She might be weird about being touched, but certain circumstances overrode that.

The new lioness was tiny, a non-threat. And quite possibly blind, if the fogginess of her eyes gave any indication. She smelled of herbs, which brought a certain comfort, but she looked so young. Oh well, better than nothing.

"Are you a medic? Do you know how to help?" Her voice was gruff, as always, but there was no venom there. Just a concerned sister trying to help. She turned to her sister then, who was rambling on about Bear. Really? At a time like this? "Bear can take care of himself. You are actively having cubs. Your safety is more important right now." Her tone was strict, unwavering, but certainly not unkind.

@Ygritte

Our flag is tattered, Our bones are shattered

it doesn't matter, cause we're moving forward

code by corvus

One of the lioness spoke to her, explaining she was having cubs and at first Ygritte froze but pushed through it quickly as she moved closer. Ears twisting constantly on top of her head as she listened to everything going on intently. Now that she thought about it, she smelled the beginnings of birth and knew that she needed to do something, and something quick. Without hesitation, Ygritte would nod to the question that was brought up to her. I am. I'm in training to be a nursemaid to. So I can help you. She would state, her voice gentle compared to the two before her. She is right. You can't move. Not now, you can have them at any moment. This wasn't her first time being near a recent birth but it would be her first experience in helping another. Shrugging off the pouch, Ygritte would dig in it until she found the herbs she was looking for. I need you to go and find a shell of any kind and fill it with water. Keep her hydrated while she is doing this. She would instruct kindly. Something had told her to bring these. When your body begins to tell you to push, I need you to push. Once we get your cubs out and cleaned and tucked in, I can give you things to help ease the after birth pain. She would state, moving towards the woman and gently touching her stomach. @Alva @Thana

Alva would wince at the touch, a soft hiss echoing from her mouth. As the pain intensified she knew she was getting closer. Things seemed to swirl around her, and she started pushing. Just like the child medic had said after all. Before anyone could possibly know it, the first cub was born. Alva stared at it, her heart pounding. That was an actual cub. Slimy and tiny, yes, but a real cub. She licked it clean quickly, now able to look at it more.

The cub was snowy while like bear and yet many of it’s markings were like Alva’s. The lioness didn’t know it yet of course but this first daughter would carry the blue of her eyes. In time little tuffs of half mane would sprout on the cubs head and she’d grow tall and strong.

A daughter who’d take after bear- if her pelt was to be the judge.

Never give up

The only thing we never get enough of is love; and the only thing we never give enough of is love.

code by corvus

sjórbjörn sigrún

---

He hears her call, and though he is late to the proceedings, he arrives - only to find himself in as much shock as he'd been when Kapheira had arrived with Zélie all those months ago. You - he breaks off, eyes wide, pelt covered in wounds, and his mouth agape. You were pregnant? We - I - and then he sees the little babe nestled at Alva's side, and the beastly curate approaches on soft paws.

She's beautiful, he whispers, acclimating to this unexpected change rather quickly. His daughter - another daughter! - and this one looking even more like him than Zélie. Both girls share his pelt coloration, but this daughter is not cluttered with the woody palette and markings of Noémi. Thinking of his lost friend causes a pang of sorrow, but it is quickly drowned out by the realization that he is once again a father.

Húnn, he murmurs, a soft smile on his maw. Bear cub. The name seems fitting, as she is his cub, and he is a bear; not to mention she looks quite like him, save for the markings she's inherited from Alva. Still, he doesn't imagine it to be a finalized thing, only a nickname he's bestowed. If Alva likes it, though, then... perhaps that could be the girl's name.

Cautiously, the priest seeks to go around to Alva's back, attempting to curl around her and offer his oversized body for her to lie back against - to lean on for support as she gives life to their newborn children. If he is successful, he then seeks to press a soft kiss to her face, yellow eyes gleaming with pride. I am blessed, he murmurs, ignoring the other women for now. They don't appear to be threats to Alva - rather the opposite - and so he does not bother with them.

His fiance and daughter are more important right now.

At first, Thana bared her teeth to the newcomer, prepared to defend @Alva and her new niece with her life. But she soon realized that this huge lion must be Bear. Surprise, anxiety, and guilt flooded her features all at once. "I tried to find you, but you weren't at the lagoon," she offered gruffly, then turned back to her sister.

She gave him a sharp look, though, when @Ygritte told her to go find water. "Take care of her. I'll be right back." Half a promise, half a warning, she took off to find a source of water.

She returned before too long. She'd found a long-abandoned tortoise shell, probably left the a medic who had once roamed these caverns. "Here," she set the shell full of water next to her sister, then resumed her close watch on @Sjórbjörn. No funny business. She wouldn't be losing her new nieces (and potentially nephews) today.

Our flag is tattered, Our bones are shattered

it doesn't matter, cause we're moving forward

code by corvus

Her focus was solely on @Alva. So even when another arrived and came to comfort the lioness, Ygritte didn't acknowledge him. His scent was noticed, his words heard and even when @Thana left Ygritte was silent. She could feel the glare as it prickled at her skin when Thana left to find water and came back. Of course she wouldn't let anything happen to the new mother. But the stench of blood and birth came to her and instantly, Ygritte moved to sniff at the mewling cub as Alva licked her clean. Get her to nuzzle into your belly. Let her get her first swallows of your milk. She would advise, before gently pressing on the woman's belly again. She wasn't sure if there would be more or not but she would be prepared. You did really good with the first. Cleaning her as quickly as you did. She would state.