In the back of her mind, Isla knew today was the day. She had felt a little different whenever she had awoken for the day, her body moving a slower than it had and feeling more tense than she normally was. She'd done a patrol of her borders, albeit a short one due to feeling fatigued, and was back in her den - pacing. She moved back and forth, every now and then fluffing up the many plush furs that adorned the flooring within, as if she were nesting. Her body was preparing itself for what was to come even before she knew it.

A sudden pang hits her, causing for the Queen to hiss out a sharp breath. "Verdammt noch mal," For fuck's sake she curses, taking in a slow and steady inhale before exhaling just the same. It seemed to work, for a few minutes, before another pang coursed through her body, this one tightening and causing for her to growl before it lessened. It was here that she realized what was happening, and before she laid herself down on top of those furs she would release a call to both @Colsun and for her healers, wanting to ensure that these cubs were in safe and proper paws.

-- gross birth stuff here --

Mews from five cubs nestled safe and soundly at her stomach brought a deep smile to Isla's lips. Her purring was a rumbling wave, both to help ease herself and her newborns. She had taken whatever the healers would have given her for the pain, grateful that they were able to help her take the edge off. Her nose nuzzles one of the newborns, inhaling their sweet scent, before her attention shifts over at the father. "How are you holding up?" Her tone is soft, low, not wanting to disturb their children from suckling and filling their bellies.

@Rheta @Rhea @Heloise any of you can join for xp! just note there will be no posting order!

ART BY YUMPY, CODE BY LARS, MODIFIED BY GUNNER
*DO NOT USE WITHOUT PERMISSION!!*

+5 Tend to an expectant parent
+5 Attend a birth
+5 Gather herbs for nursing or birthing

Rhea had carefully watched @Isla ♔ the past few days, noting the subtle signs that her body was preparing to give birth. She had gone outside of the Lagoon to collect herbs to help her queen once she went into labor. First, to the grove to pick out the fruits of the ashanti pepper carefully gathered into her pouch as she avoided crushing the tiny plant before traveling to the jungle to collect gnetum leaves. It had been a long day, but Rhea was uplifted by her excitement to attend the birth and see new tiny faces playing within the Lagoon. Once she had made it back to her den, she had spent her time prepping the herbs to make it easy for Isla to take once she needed it.

She was awoken by the call, Rhea immediately grabbing everything she had collected and rushing over to Isla's den. She enters slowly not wanting to startle the new mother as she lets out a soft chuff to announce her presence. She would gently assist her in offering the grounded up gnetum paste to help ease the pain of her contractions. "Breathe," she speaks softly and encouragingly as Rhea gently shifts each newborn cub to her queen's side to nurse. Once, her contractions have eased she gives the nursing mother the fruit of ashanti pepper. "This will help keep your energy up." Seeing and witnessing the tiny bodies only melts the medic's heart as she stares fondly at them, imagining what her own future family might look like. Maybe one day she would be blessed too. "They're beautiful Isla. Congratulations you two," she dips her skull respectfully to her and @Colsun.

”Speech”

_{art & table by yumpy}

Colsun had never expected his body to react in such a way to the news of an impending litter. It was instinctual, he knew, but there was something incredibly wild about how he felt a crashing wave of paternal protection surge through him like a tsunami. For weeks leading up to her birth, Colsun had grown increasingly anxious and agitated at even the slightest strange scent at the borders because he wasn’t able to keep an eye out at all times. The faith he placed in his fellow pride mates to handle any trespassers while he was out handling business or hunting for his queen or doting on her was heavy indeed, but thus far they had yet to disappoint him.

Now he just needed to show up the same way for Isla.

He was on the scene in a matter of moments, having not strayed too terribly far once it became evident the birth was imminent. Colsun had begun gathering the necessary herbs for birth as well, a hangover from his nursemaid days, and felt a pang of longing for the Dieudonne brood somewhere out in Firnen. He would dwell on that later, however. Now it was time for his own family to begin.

Colsun settled in behind the mother-to-be, offering his body as a supportive lean-to and comforting rasps of his tongue across her nape. He had brought her a stick, too, in case she wanted to bite down on it – or hit him with it, depending. It was fortunate the man was knowledgeable enough in birth not to be alarmed, but it did hit a bit harder knowing they were his own. Colsun oogled the tiny bundles as they came into the world one by one, all five of them. Holy shit.

And then he blinked and the tension began to ease from her body, thanks to @Rhea and her herbs. Colsun beamed proudly at his family, rumbling appreciatively of the entire situation. “Thank you, Rhea.” She had proven her commitment in that moment and shared an incredibly precious memory with the two of them. He would remember that.

“Me? You’re asking how I’m doing?” he said with a soft laugh, gently resting his forehead against her neck. “You’ve given me – us – something I’ve always dreamt of and you did it with all the fire and strength I know you to have. You’re incredible, Isla.” He lifted his lips to press a kiss against her cheek, hoping it would suffice for an answer. “Five. We are absolutely fucked, I hope you know that.” Outnumbered. “But that’s a battle I’ll gladly walk into at your side.”

ART BY SPU, CODE BY DEE, MODIFIED BY GUNNER

Isla was glad that @Rhea was there to help her through it. The medicinal plants and herbs she had instructed her to take had began to ease the pain of birth, giving the Queen time to truly enjoy the moment without having the gnawing aches in the back of her mind and between her thighs. Her attention shifts back to @Colsun as he speaks, letting out a soft laugh of her own. His touch is greeted with a deep purr, leaning into it before her head turns in his direction. Tongue attempts to rasp across Colsun's own cheek affectionately, her tail curling at the tip before it flicked to the side. "They have a whole village that'll look after them," she responds softly, her eyes falling back to look at them all. Between Scilla and Illyria, there were many lions that would make sure these cubs' lives would never be in harm's way.

"Rhea, are you able to get me something to drink? I'm parched." Her question is spoken in a soft and friendly tone, her eyes now looking back toward her healer. She was a woman Isla was glad had chosen Scilla to be her home, making their pride a much better place with her knowledge.

ART BY YUMPY, CODE BY LARS, MODIFIED BY GUNNER
*DO NOT USE WITHOUT PERMISSION!!*

The petite healer had been late to heed the call that @Isla ♔ had sent out. She had been out of the territory gathering some stuff she knew to be handy when a lioness would give birth, especially since she knew Isla was close to her due date. So she had made her way back into the territory as quickly as possible, her small stature making it a longer trek than she had desired. Clutched within her jaws, Rheta had leaf bundle that she had wrapped up tightly around some moss that was nestled in half a coconut shell she'd found. A few other herbs were tucked in her pouch, haphazardly for some of them in her rush to return.

As she came upon the den Isla was on, she hesitated a moment to gauge the atmosphere within the area. Taking a breath, the petite lioness would make her way into the den. Setting down her bundle, she would allow herself a moment to catch her breath. "Apologies for the delay - I was outside of the lands and it took a lot longer than I anticipated to get back to the territory." Rheta said, flicking a floppy ear as she spoke. Undoing the bundle, she would push the coconut shell towards Isla so that it was within reach before gently squishing the moss a bit with a paw to release some of the water. "Figured you'd be a bit thirsty too." She hadn't heard the words that had been spoken to @Rhea before her arrival - but she was here to help now and to do what she could.

"How did everything go? Any complications or struggles? Are they all nursing well?" She would ask, beginning to pull a few herbs out of her pouch as she spoke. Within her pouch she had an assortment of herbs. Pulling out a few of them, she would push them towards Isla. "Some herbs to keep your strength up and to help relieve any lingering pain you have." Rheta would said, pointing to each one as she spoke. She'd pushed clove, usnea, and ashanti pepper towards the colossal lioness - all of which would help her recover strength and such following the birth of her children.

code by corvus

+5 Tend to an expectant parent
+5 Attend a birth

Seeing @Isla ♔ and @Colsun together melts her heart. The warmth that floods her is intoxicating and she can only hope to experience the magical moment of motherhood with her partner sometime in the future. She was already five years old, but Rhea was hopeful that someone special would come into her life soon. She bows her skull to the heir, "Of course," she murmurs with a soft smile glad that she had been of great assistance to the queen. Isla requests water and Rhea's ears perk up and her expression brightens glad to run off across the entire Lagoon if it meant she could serve and provide. However, when @Rheta appears the larger lioness shifts over to allow the lead medic to take over and assess the patient. "They have been blessed with five healthy children," she tells her as she carefully gathers the coconuts and squeezed moss and places them in her pouch. "I will go refill these and gather a few more herbs while you watch over her," she states knowing that her larger stride would be of better use to run errands. Isla was in good hands with Colsun and now that Rheta was there to make sure everything kept going smoothly.

She backtracks out of the den and rushes to the jungle to collect more ashanti pepper. She knew she should of picked more, but of course the medic fears wasting resources and she had been a bit too careful with what she had picked. Although, she had not expected Isla to deliver so many beautiful children. As much as Rhea loved cubs, she was not an experienced mother to know the signs of a larger litter during pregnancy. She moves as quickly as she can, breaking into a run as she gathers what she finds in the jungle before heading back directly to the Lagoon. Once she is back within the territory, she heads directly to their drinking water replenishing the moss and then going back to the den. Delivering the supplies to Rheta, she nods to everyone. "I will be outside the den if I'm needed," her smile is soft as she positions herself to the side of the entrance. A guard and protector to the royalty nursing inside. She wanted to make sure to give the mother some breathing room, so that she didn't feel too crowded with so many bodies wiggling around in her den.

”Speech”

_{art & table by yumpy}

Her attention is shifted toward the entrance of her den, hearing oncoming paw steps and causing for her muscles to tighten. Maternal instinct was already strong, causing Isla to prepare to protect her newborns with her life if needed. She would let out a soft breath when the small figure of @Rheta comes into view with different things in tow. Eyes watch as she sets down a coconut within reaching distance of the Queen before squeezing fresh water into it from a wad of moss. "Thank you," Isla says gratefully before she begins to lap up what water was inside the shell, thankful that her dried throat was being coated. She watches as @Rhea speaks to their lead medic before heading out herself to grab more herbs.

Nose sniffs at the herbs Rheta had laid out before her before the Queen slowly took each one. They weren't the best tasting but she knew they would help her with recovery and to bounce back quicker, something she knew she needed with war looming over her head. "Five little ones to keep us occupied," she hums softly in amusement, tail curling up her back before flicking to the side. She gives @Colsun a gentle look before she looks back over toward the entrance as Rhea returns, giving the healer a nod of her head as she watches her stay outside - to guard.

ART BY YUMPY, CODE BY LARS, MODIFIED BY GUNNER
*DO NOT USE WITHOUT PERMISSION!!*

Five. Five is.. so, so many. He should have known, but why would he? Why would he have known their one evening together would result in an entire army of children? Children that, undoubtedly, would find themselves in the middle of chaos from day one. It was bad enough there was war creeping towards them on the horizon, but Isla and Colsun weren't exactly peaceful creatures. He could only guess how quickly they would start scrapping with one another and, worse yet, get into battles with other cubs. God save them all.

"Well, life is never going to be boring ever again." He huffed out a soft laugh, completely beside himself. "But we'll handle it. Nothin' to it."

ART BY SPU, CODE BY DEE, MODIFIED BY GUNNER