Set some undefined amount of time after this thread

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It began in the early evening, a twinge at first. Although a medic, Csitri found herself overwhelmed with doubt as the beginning dregs of labor swirled around her. The call for her mate and kin was swift and urgent, needing their support. Claws would kneed roughly at the pelts pooled below her swollen form. She tried to rock this way and that to ease some of the pressure, to find reprieve, but soon found that there was no hope of that - not until the end.

As they gathered, clustering around the cavern in packs of warm faces and encouraging words, it finally felt like she could breathe. Their familiar scents and loving touches were a balm to the fire that roared in her body. It felt as if she were searing from the inside out, an inferno of pain and discomfort. Jaws would part as the panting began, tail fluffed behind her and twitching erratically.

Before she knew it, four perfect bundles of fluff were settled at her belly with her tongue gently rasping them as they greedily drank. Each of them were uniquely perfect and beautiful in their own right. And to Csitri's glee, there were three boys and a single girl. She'd not cared to think of what genders they may have while pregnant, but found herself relieved to have both present. Although her little girl would be outmatched - and clearly outsized by her brothers, she would have her mother right there with her.

Overflowing with pride and love, she'd look to Arkyn. Love, excitement, fear, all range of emotions flashed in her watery gaze. This moment was so much better than she ever could have imagined.

---

@Arkyn - please allow gunner to post with him first!

CODE / ART BY RABBIT

The day he was nervously waiting for had come.

He'd been sticking close to the Hollows, knowing that Csitri's due date was quickly coming. He stuck to the outskirts, staying out of the tunnels and finding shelter under trees when needed. But when the call came for him, Arkyn did not hesitate to push through the dimly lit underground pride, and instead made quick work of getting to his mate. Having been through these tunnels many times now helped him navigate much quickly than he would have if he'd never been inside of them before.

He arrives just as the first cub was being born. He stood near @Csitri while he inspected the cub, a rather large peach boy. He gives the healer a soft nudge of encouragement as the second is born, this one a merle furred boy a little smaller than his brother. The other two came in quick succession, another boy with peach fur followed up by a beautiful brown colored girl. The Viking stared at them in awe, the emotions whirling inside of his chest foreign. He felt strangely very protective over them all - Csitri included - and as she looked up at him he would aim to rasp his tongue lovingly across the top of her head. "You did wonderful, Elska," Love he murmurs into her fur.

Arkyn finally settles into a seating position, trying to get as comfortable as he could in the low ceiling den. His shoulders roll and his ears twist forward, eyes watching the other rather intensely; he knew they wouldn't harm their newborns but it seemed as though Arkyn was falling into the father role quicker than he had thought.

ART BY EDITH, CODE BY DEE, MODIFIED BY GUNNER

Lilliana had kept herself busy by organizing through her herb stores. She could hear her cousin down the way but did not want to interfere unless things went wrong. But she kept a trained ear pointed down the passages. Listening for the slightest signal of distress.
Time passed slowly but eventually @Csitri is calling for @Arkyn and Lilliana takes that as her cue. She gathered up what she needed and headed out into the winding passages of the Hollows.


Csitri. The healer purred once she sat down her medicine pouch and bowls. She came closer to inspect the young, breathing a silent sigh of relief that all seemed well. Her cousin was adopted but she had gone through the ritual to be of the blood. Lilli had anxiously wondered if that meant their curse would transfer as well.
Here. She gestured toward Arkyn. She scooted toward him a bowl and filled it with fresh clean water. Water collected from within the caves. Take this strip of pelt, wet it and gently dap where your children exited. A fitting job for him. An intimate area and it was his wife after all. Very. She emphasized, gently. Not only will it help clean the blood away but the cold touch will help with any burning or stinging. She left him to it as she turned to the new mother. Gyönyörűek a gyerekeid. Your children are beautiful She bumped her head against Csitri's softly. Here. Lick at this slowly. A mixture of Moringa for your pain and a bonus to helping you produce milk. And schisandra. To fight off and keep away any infections. When you are ready I can call for @Alexander ♔ and my father (@Valens). To help dig and prepare you and the cubs for burial. To Lilli it was expected. She had no reason to think that Csitri would not want her children to be Savante.


09/03/23 Double XP Event - Medic
+20 Attend or assist with a birth
+10 Clean out your herb stores
+10 Teach someone basic wound care

Art by EditJackson, Code by Minxy

Even though she figured that she was as much a part of this pride as anyone else, there were some moments where she knew that she should probably hang back a bit more. It was a bit too easy to notice by scent alone that this was one of those events where privacy was more expected. Not entirely but she knew if she were giving birth or just had, she wouldn't want anyone near her in the slightest. Maybe not even whoever had impregnated her. But anyways; Juliette kept her distance from the den when she eventually showed up. Silent support in the background for @Csitri and presumably @Arkyn who was being instructed to do a few things by @Lilliana. Things that Juliette didn't quite comprehend entirely but she did know the products. The things that she didn't prepare herself for were the rituals that these Savante apparently had...

^{ART • CODE}

Mosrael had been a part of the Hollow for a few months now, had her attempt to count the days been successful. Perhaps it had been longer? Either way, she still felt herself a stranger here, having had few interactions with the resident lions. She ought to make more of an effort, but she was wary. Distrust in other creatures was a born instinct, hard to break and with her on the losing end of any unexpected conflict.

What she could smell as she absently ventured through the tunnels, picking at moss and plants towards the cave entrances, made her feel strange. The scent of birth was new to her, instilling a sense of intrigue, excitement and fear. Setting her growing little pile down, trying her best to remove the bitter taste of some of those sampled left in her mouth, she would seek the scent out.

Finding the lioness who had labored to bring new life, she would stare between the many legs of the lions gathered around. She dare not venture close, a mother with cubs might only see another predator as a threat and grow aggressive. She could only stand back in the shadows and observe, a touch of envy at the little treasures and a pang of sorrow in knowing it was unlikely she would ever have some of her own. She had searched, but she was alone here, a creature all her own, oblivious to the very idea that she might not need another like her in order to have cubs of her own.

MEDIC EXP
+10 x2 Attend or assist with a birth
+5 x2 Test herbs for their healing properties
+5 x2 Collect herbs

It is always an awful wait, when new life came to the Savante. Since the birth of his youngest siblings however, there is more hope in his heart for @Csitri’s children. He doesn’t want her to experience the heartbreak of their kin’s curse and so he waits in pacing impatience further in the tunnels with a prayer to the Mother on his lips - for her and for the newborns.

He only moves as he realises @Lilliana had passed by, and tails his cousin like a tense shadow. Valerian is deeply relieved to see all is well, and he steps closer only briefly with a warm rumble in his chest, a touch of his nose to Csitri’s ear- “Congratulations.”

He shuffles back then as to not crowd the new parents or his cousin’s work. “I will help dig.” he offers - knowing the rituals well. “The Mother’s blessing will keep them safe.” He acknolwedges the presence of their other pridemates with a glance, glad they were keeping a polite distance.

@Arkyn @Juliette @Mosrael

art © rabbit | code © hinter

The arrival of new Savantes was on the horizon as Celestia moved through the Hollows, her heart racing excitedly with anticipation. She weaved through the darkness, following the others dutifully and ignoring the small bit of anxiety that weaved through her. It felt so long ago that she birthed her own children and so the woman was excited to see a new bunch of cubs brought into the world, Mother willing. @Valerian is spotted and Celestia jogs to catch up to him, noticing the unique smell that made it's way through the Hollows. @Csitri must have just had the children or was very close to birthing them. She was happy to see @Lilliana and her gaze would move to land upon @Arkyn and then Csitri, smiling warmly past the others gathered as her golden gaze would land on the cubs. "They are beautiful." She says softly to the new parents, beaming a proud smile at Csitri. "And you can never give them too many cuddles.. just so you know." She says warmly, moving to stand closer to Valerian as she continues to watch in awe and adoration of the newest babies.

nursemaid exp/doubled
+10 - Attend a birth
+10 - Tend to an expectant mother
+10 - Give parental advice

She could feel the Mother's chants deep in her bones as she lays in her den, inhaling and exhaling slowly. Images of @Csitri flash through her mind, watching from an out of body view as her fellow Savante begins the throws of childbirth. The bronze piebald plants her forepaws firmly on the ground, leaning down so her forehead is resting on the ground between her forelegs.

"Tumtesz o wäke ku pitasz belső.
Hiszasz sívadet. Én olenam gæidnod.

Sas csecsemõm, kuńasz.
Rauho joŋe ted.

Tumtesz o sívdobbanás ku olen lamt3ad belső.
Gond-kumpadek ku kim te.

Pesänak te, asti o jüti, kidüsz."

She chants deeply before slowly rising, green eyes adjusting back to the darkness of the caverns. She moves slowly then from her den, weaving down through the Hollows, following the scent of birth until she finds the large gathering of family members. She wastes no time in pushing past the bodies, a small grin on her features before she finds @Lilliana and the new parents. "Jaj nekem! Az Anya bőségesen megáldott téged! Megáldott minket!" She says, tears welling in her eyes. Four perfect little bundles nestled at @Csitri's side. "Erős vagy, kedvelt vagy. Segítek eltemetni őket, hadd vezessen az én imám." She says quietly, but with vigor. She glances over to @Lilliana then, waiting for her cue to begin the digging process with @Valerian.

---

₁ Feel the strength you hold inside. Trust your heart. I'll be your guide. Hush my baby, close your eyes. Peace will come to you. Feel the rhythm deep inside. Waves of love that cover you. Protect, until the night, you rise.
₂ Oh my! The Mother has blessed you abundantly! Has blessed us!
₃ You are strong, you are favored. I will help to bury them, let my prayer's guide you.

[cleric exp/doubled]
+10 - Meditate or pray
+10 - Read someone's fortune (Csitri)
+20 - Cast a blessing on a character (Csitri & Babies)

art © yumpy

Having her kin and pridemates around to see what joy she and Arkyn had brought into this world was near magical. Csitri welcomed her mate first with a kiss to his chin as he pecked her forehead lovingly. She was relieved that he’d made it so soon. Then the woman’s attention would turn to the crowd, basking in the afterglow of birth as she cooed sweetly to her newborns and dipped her head politely to those that arrived.

“Thank you all for coming.” the medic purred, following her cousin’s instructions and taking the herbs given to her. She’d pause however as the topic of the postpartum burial arose. Her kin would announce their intent excitedly while the new mother tensed. She’d forgotten that custom, the idea slipping her mind between moving in and nesting her den site.

Pursing her lips, she’d regard them with a sheepish expression. “Arkyn still has much to learn of our customs. We’ve not discussed this particular ritual…” her bi-colored gaze would land on her husband, expression darkened with shame. This should have been a discussion had far before now, and it was her fault for not broaching it sooner.

“The burial is a brief ceremony where the cubs and I would be covered with dirt. Nothing life threatening, it’s a blessing of sorts. How they’re heralded in as a part of the family. I stand by your decision, my love. Whatever it may be.” she’d look up at him expectantly, her expression open and supportive. He had been there for her through so much, had supported her beliefs and wants. So Csitri felt it was only right for her to do the same - especially when it came to deciding how they were going to parent. She had no intentions of disrespecting his wishes in that matter. They were a team, and would work through navigating both of their beliefs as such.

@Arkyn @Valerian @Celestia @Florentina

CODE / ART BY RABBIT

He watches as the first arrives (@Lilliana) with herbs and other things. Brows furrow as he watches the woman, seeing her give @Csitri something before beginning to speak to him directly. A rather shocked look would flash across his face at the instructions she had given him; she wanted him to do WHAT now?? Arkyn has no time to retort as another lion approaches (one that did not stand back and out of the way like the two before him). He is about to to give the male a nod in greeting (@Valerian) when the words 'dig' hits the air and into his ears? "What?" The Viking voices, trying to grasp what is happening in the moment.

A couple more show, the last one speaking in the language he had come to know as Csitri and her family's common tongue. As much as it infuriated him that he couldn't understand what the hell they were saying, he would keep his cool, not wanting to startle the newborns. That was, until, his mate begins to speak. His focus falls back upon his healer, a rather intense stare upon her face as she begins to explain what they were all talking about. It's enough to cause his blood to boil, for his anger to rise.

"No." The word is spoken firmly in a deep tone, making it known that his answer would not change. "I'm not going to have our newborns buried alive. I don't care if it's even for a split second - my answer is no." He was beginning to wonder just what type of family this was that he had gotten himself into; did they find it enjoyable to bury others alive and drain them of their blood to near death? "I'm not going to subjectify them to things they cannot even comprehend." Fur bristles along his shoulders as his attention now flickers on Csitri's relatives, waiting for the backlash he knew would come from his answer. He could give a fuck less about what their opinions were; these were his and Csitri's children, not theirs, and they would decide together what happens to them - until they were old enough to decide for themselves.

@Celestia @Florentina

ART BY EDITH, CODE BY DEE, MODIFIED BY GUNNER