Others arrived, but he did not have long to look them over, his gaze meeting that of the narrowed eyes of his comrade, @Velasco. Lathan’s response was a slight raise of his brow in question. If he had something to say, he should say it, not glare daggers, it was rude. The snarl of Icefang would have his gaze snapping back to the cave as @Arcania ♔ entered, but the snarl wasn’t for her- it was for him. He did not waste a moment longer, entering the den- careful not to push against @Haipo, the little mute that Velasco had taken in. He carefully stepped to the side and behind the Queen, silver gaze lingering on the five bundles of fluff and flesh. His lingering glance would finally shift to Icefang, looking down at the Queen before he settled in such a way that she could bite into his shoulder or neck, or press against him- whichever she wished though he hoped more for the latter. His scabbed and healing shoulder was presented to her nonetheless- to lean on or to chew on. "I’m here…" He breathed, so softly to be meant for her ears alone, the sound rough and growling. Torn between being her neutral noble and being more interested in the five blobs that suckled against her belly…like a father. He pushed the thought away. Teeth clenching ever so slightly, his ears only wobbling backward for a moment before coming forward to attention once more. You’re her noble, her shoulder… that is all Lathan…That is all you are in here… He repeated the words silently, forcing his gaze to shift between Arcania, the entrance and @Icefang ♔, not allowing himself the opportunity to steal looks at the cubs that he helped create. He’d seen some were the same dark color, others were white as snow-like her. One was odd. It was dark but tinged a different color. He would ponder it later. He couldn’t let his emotions get the better of him now, not with so many watching. Thus, he shifted ever so slightly, straightening every so slightly as he tied that neutral mask firmly in place…for now. "Speech."

Art by Rabbit and code by Shazaki

Irreverence is my disease

Her pregnancy had been unmistakable. The scent wafting off her so strongly that it was impossible for her to deny last they had met. And as far as he was aware, he had been her only recent partner.

Thus this put a major wrench in his plans for Freja. Halting his desire to storm the Lagoon and take her back. It would just have to wait. She would just have to wait. The future of the X'uekai was now the most important thing on his mind.

Cassius had lingered nearby. Wanting to be in the loop about this particular birth. Wholly unaware that these three would not be his only cubs brought into the world these next couple of months.

Like a shark, The Darkling could taste the blood in the air. Could feel the static around the Brook shift. It all brings him forth. Over the border and straight to the dens where the iron grew ever thicker. He draws up to a pause. Eyeballing the crowding taking place around one specific den. Well there would be no mistaking it then.

Cassius wanders over to join @Velasco, taking up nearby with a stretched out form. She survive it? He asks half curiously, claws idly twirling the blades of grass infront of him.

code by loki | art by wogh

Arcania X'uekai

count my cards, watch them fall
I like the way they all scream

@Icefang ♔ needn't have worried. Arcania would do her duty by the family and her matriarch, though in her own sweet time it would seem. She would say it wasn't for lack of trying on her part... but it was.

Patience.

You simply keep proving your strength in the most interesting ways, she commented, both sympathy and amusement in her smile. Not too much sympathy, though. She knew Icefang wouldn't want it. Obviously it wasn't ideal to have so many at her age, judging by the discomfort she was clearly in, but what was done was done. It wasn't as though they could choose how many children they had.

She raised a brow at @Lathan's presence at Icefang's side, but said nothing. She was curious, but not suicidal, and knew better than to ask. A pity, though. She had been somewhat tempted by the male herself, but if there was one thing she knew about her family, it was that they didn't share well.

code by scorpixia♡︎

The space around him fills rapidly with the lions of the brook, his madre's birth turning into the spectacle of the season. The monster wondered if @Icefang ♔ enjoyed the commotion or if she'd tear through skin and bone if she could... If she could the thought lingers at the front of his mind, when had it ever been if?

Before the thought settles deeper @Obsidiana settles herself beside him. At her greeting his ears flick backward for a moment and his lips drag down briefly before he turns to face his shadowy sister. "I am your hermano, hermanita" brother, little sister he speaks his tone surprisingly soft despite the insult? in his sister's words. Then again of their family he, to his knowledge, was the only one who spoke their father's language. So any faults in their vocabulary would fall on him, which also meant he would correct them. "Any boys born tonight will be your hermanito" little brother

Though the monster's eyes drift from his sister as a wheat-colored frame moves through the crowd. His son. @Haipo moves towards the birthing den of his grandmother but Velasco does nothing to stop him. If Icefang decided to chase him off, his son would have learned a valuable lesson tonight. Don't stick your nose in others' den unless you have the strength to stay there.

A new figure joins him and Velasco quirks a brow at the young X'uekai patriarch as he sits nearby. "And here I thought we taught you to wait at our borders cousin" the monster purrs but his voice only carries gest no true threat. @Cassius ♔ was their patriarch, as far as Velasco was concerned that granted him entry into the X'uekai ruled pride. "I would assume so" he answers the patriarch. Pink eyes moved to the den "At least I haven't heard anyone wailing in sorrow for our high queen" He returned his gaze to the other man before looking to his little sister once again fully doubting that Madre had introduced the man to @Obsidiana. "Hermanita, this is Cassius X'uekai the current patriarch of our family"

Velasco X'uekai

code by corvus, art by eightysichs (DA)

It doesn't take long before half the pride is here, crowding the mouth of the den. Nazara glances at @Velasco, a squinting glare at his words concerning her magic. But her attention turns to @Arcania ♔ , who has pressed further in to get a good look at her new siblings. More and more, people began to crowd around, to the point of striking a spark of anger in her chest.

It's not until her mother @Icefang ♔ bellows for @Lathan does she take a sidestep, to allow the man in--only for a scent of her old home to wait across her nose. As suddenly as the bluffs mingled with vermedian pine and moss, does @Cassius ♔ approach.

His comment about surviving it hits something deep inside Nazara. She turns, giving him a glare--"Keep your tongue between your teeth, lest I rip it from your skull" she warns, a sudden protectiveness for her mother causing her to take several strides inward. Her gaze runs over him, and despite his attractive appearance, her stance remains.

"There are far too many of you here already, begon with you! Let @Faolán and I assist. You can fret over the babes later" what she really wanted to call them was rats, or better, leaches. The smell of iron is usually pleasant to her nose, but this was pungent and distinct. Afterbirth made her skin crawl, and she swore that day she'd never have children of her own. But for now, she would do what she could go help her Mother. It was the least she could do.

potential xp
+10 Attend or assist with a birth

I could burn your motherfuckin’ village to the ground—

I could crack your skull between these motherfuckin’ thighs—I could doom your lineage with one look from these eyes! I could name the date in which they’ll put you in the ground—you’re the one who said its justice watchin’ witches drown!

code by corvus art by Drifty

Imago arrived the most bumbling of fools. Nostrils flared at the scent of births. To the rousing snap of drama, the lykoi only folded back sharp ears in an effort of contrition yet blithely continued to advance. Large, unwieldy paws, with many claws slanted from their bare sheaths. Large eyes fixed at the young one seeking command. "I am also a healer," firm words excused as though to put past the chance of rebuke. Curiosity continued to draw whiskers forward and skull bobbed between a low slink and raising attempts to gain a better vantage point to assess the matron and spawn. Among the many onlookers all details fell in shadow.