Pregnancy had not agreed with her. It seemed to have taken only days after she had participated in that blood union ritual to bind herself and their cubs to the Devorre, did her belly swell along with her paws and legs and everything else it felt like. Tanaz knew something of the sort would occur, but even with this knowledge, it was still an uncomfortable experience. So, the chestnut cat had kept to herself and laid low in the swamps of Ecrosia, sleeping when she could and eating voraciously. Adeodatus had been enormously helpful in that regard, thankfully. Tanaz did not particularly care to hunt in her state. And at least she hadn’t experienced any morning sickness that she heard sometimes happens with pregnancy. Nope, she was just swollen and hungry and huge.

The morning of their birth began much like the others; Tanaz restless in her den, unable to find comfort no matter how she lay, only this dawn was different. Some instinct had guided her, and she knew that she would finally be released from the prison of pregnancy. Finally.

fade to black birth

Drowsy and lethargic, Tanaz could do nothing else except consider the brood of four that now lay at her side. Her silken fur was disheveled and coiled from the dampness of the den, her breathing labored, and her expression distant—but her eyes were illuminated with adoration as she gazed down at the four cubs that suckled peacefully at her side. A cloudy thought wondered if Adeodatus might visit today, and bear witness to utter perfection that was the product of their union. She did not mind either way – she knew he was busy – and in these sacred moments, the cubs were hers alone to love and cherish and protect, and that seemed like enough for now.

@Adeodatus & anyone welcome <3

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With @Tanaz growing heavier with her pregnancy, Adeodatus had done what he thought was helpful just as he had done for Gabby. Much like today, he was bringing her something to eat, though it was small compared to what he normally would have brought her, he wasn't that great of a hunter. She would have to deal with it for now. However, his demeanor all changed when he got closer to the den that she had created for herself - understanding completely why she wouldn't want to join in his own den with Gabby and their children; to small.

Moving faster, Adeodatus would drop the animal at the entrance and call into the den, he wanted to make sure she wouldn't snap at him before he got a chance to see his new born children. With Gabby it was different, she had given birth out in the open area of the Mire and had been escorted back to their den. Tanaz was not and once he felt it was safe to walk inside he would nudge his way in.

Bloodied jewels glanced around the den ( heavy with the smell of blood and birth ) before finally settling on the new mother and the bundles of demon spawn that she had given him. A small smile formed, taking note of the larger children and would settle down on his stomach, laying his head on his paws. We have been blessed. He would admit, taking in his children.

The American Nightmare

When night comes creeping My cruel hand will rock you to sleep I'm the American nightmare With American dreams Of countin' the bodies while you count sheep I'm the American nightmare Yeah, I'm living the dream I'm slashing my way through the golden age of the silver scream

code by corvus

There is a time that is both too long and too short, where the babes that she brought into this world are hers alone. Tanaz stares at them the entire time, drowsy and exhausted, but filled with an odd sort of adrenaline that allows one to feel tired but will not allow sleep. Still, she feels mostly love above all this, and when the silver Devorre himself arrives, she draws her hazel gaze away from her brood for the first time and settles it on him.

The first reaction from him that she notes is his smile, and in that moment, Tanaz knows that his love for his children – despite her being the second wife, despite Gabrielle holding a firm and unyielding grasp on his heart – would not be compromised. They were safe with him. It was an insecurity that had governed her from the moment she recognized her pregnancy for what it was, and it was an insecurity that had not been put fully to rest until she witnessed the smile across his expression when he looked upon his children. She greets him with a weary smile of her own.

“I think so too. I’m sure your god would be happy. Anyone’s god would be happy with this lot, I’d say.” Her grin widens a bit as her gaze pulls away from his, hazel eyes falling back to the bundles that nurse at her side. A couple of them slept now, the other two kept nursing. There were two that were sizably different than the rest—a difference, for some reason, she only just now recognized. The hormones of motherhood were intense, sometimes. “Did you have any thoughts on names?” She doesn’t look at Adeodatus when she speaks, but her voice is filled with affection and a genuine and inviting curiosity.

@Adeodatus

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Of course, if he had known about her worries Adeodatus would've reassured her that he was not an enemy she needed to worry about as he would rather soon protect his children than lay a claw on them. But then he remembered and push himself up onto his paws and walk back out to the den and grab the food he had left behind and placed it in front of her before laying back down ( a bit closer ) and watched his children as the squirmed at their mother's belly, drinking in the milk she was giving them. A delightful scene in his eyes and he even glanced over to @Tanaz before going back to his children. She asked about names and he watched before settling on the two biggest boys. Aemond and Azarath, for the two biggest. He would comment before glancing towards Tanaz, wondering if she had names for the other two or if he would have to think of names for them. He wouldn't have any issues with that but he liked giving the mother's the chance to name their children too.

Art and Code by Cloudy

Engrossed as she was in her children and still caught in the post-birth daze, Tanaz did not look up when Adeodatus left the den, but she wondered absently at his sudden departure. The lioness could not simply fathom where else he might want to be – this seemed the most perfect place on earth in this moment, no matter how damp and dark and messy the den currently was. But he was gone for no time at all, and when he returned, the metallic scent of a fresh meal permeated the warm air, catching her attention as her eyes snapped to him and then to the meat as her belly growled audibly. Saliva pooled on her tongue, and the lioness wasted no time tearing into the meal when he placed it so thoughtfully before her.

Sleep was on the horizon as she finished her meal, but the responsibility of naming their perfect children was now strung between them. She glanced over them, her eyes heavy with sleep, and began to groom one of the larger bundles – he was still nursing, and Tanaz hoped he might find sleep soon with the rest of his siblings. Adeodatus decides for the boys, and she lifts her head and nods in agreement before a slow smile crosses her lips and she nudges her two daughters. “Imrae and Cruella.” She decides, lifting her brilliant gaze to the silver Devorre, her brows raised in invitation for his opinion or approval.

@Adeodatus

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@Tanaz tore into the meat that he had brought, which was what he had expected and Adeodatus didn't even ask for a bite. It didn't matter to him it wasn't him that had just given birth to four children, two of which were larger than what he had expected so to not share a meal was just fine with him. Ears twisting as he watched their children and as one seemed eager to keep on nursing before finally falling asleep. It was only then that Adeodatus' blood gaze turned to the new mother as her words brought his ears to a pushing attention. The names of their daughters and he would smile and nod before moving closer to Tanaz and touching her forehead. Get some sleep. I am sure you are tired and I won't be far. He would state to her before moving towards the entrance of her den and would lay nearby. exit!

Art and Code by Cloudy

His forehead bumps hers, inciting a purr from her throat and her lids half-close as sleep approaches at a rapid pace. For a moment, the world is still and peaceful, and the haze of hormones and exhaustion keep the woman in a blurry feel of happiness. But then the moment passes and the world returns, and Adeodatus pulls away. For a moment, she concedes to his departure, but then decides against allowing him to slip away so quickly. “Wait,” She calls, reaching a paw forward in an effort to brush his ankle. “Will you stay a while?” She would ask him then, should he turn around; she knew he was busy, but these early moments with their children seemed too big to keep to herself. Plus, it would be nice to fall asleep nuzzled against him, rather than the cool wall of the den.

@Adeodatus

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In truth, he hadn't expected @Tanaz to ask the question that she did ask and Adeodatus would glance over towards her with a shocked look but however there was a small smile on his silver features. Shifting so that he was turned around instead of leaving the den. Sure, I can stay. He would state, moving so that ( if she allowed him to ) Adeodatus would lay behind her and watch in contentment at their children. He remembered when his first set of his children were born and how tired Gabby had been. She was much more tired than Tanaz perhaps but still - he would enjoy this moment just as he did with Gabby. exit unless stopped

Art and Code by Cloudy

Tanaz was not sure what to expect; and there was a part of her that feared he might scoff in the face of such softness. After all, for all their easiness together, affection and intimate vulnerability were not quite part of their dynamic. He was the busy patriarch of his family, with a wife and children before her. She was the Evengard warrioress, driven into his arms by an impulse she had not considered the consequences of before indulging. It hadn’t allowed much time to develop any closeness between them that would warrant such sweetness, and yet, it seemed appropriate in this moment. Still, she considered him with sleepy eyes and a thudding heart as he turned, his expression making it clear that he was as surprised as she at the request. But he acquiesced to it, and did not seem begrudging to do so, which encouraged a slow smile to her lips as she felt the tension within her dissipate. As he settled around her, she would lean back into his sturdy, solid presence, and with the cubs finally asleep, she would allow her eyes to close and for the dreamless sleep of the exhausted to take her.

Exit via sleep.

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