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 Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 3:31 pm
 With Tirin now knowing the good news, the next step was to inform her best friends. Sauda hoped that at the very minimum that Tal was at the dens, but if Tar was there as well that would be perfect. Her maw still beamed with a smile and she glanced over at Tirin happily. They would have their family, soon enough, the thought of little puppy paws scampering around their den was like music to her ears. Of course the more she thought about it, the more questions formed in her head. Would the litter be large or small? How would they cope if it was a large litter? Did Tirin know anything about pups? Would she be a good mother?
Sauda had to force those unanswered questions to a halt before they overwhelmed her. Surely every first time mother went though this exact same thing. The dens were nearly in sight now and Sauda was almost bouncing with excitement. Oh she couldn't want to tell Tal and Tar. "Tal! Tar!" She called out, hoping one or both would answer and then glanced over at Tirin again.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 3:58 pm
Tirin's nervousness swelled slightly as a brown female-- Tal-- stuck her head out of the den, pup paws dancing on the ground around her own to see who was calling so early in the morning. Tirin caught the bi-colored eyes of a small black male briefly before he looked at Sauda, then back to Tal. How many males would they have? Females? Would he end up with all daughters? He thought he might like a son... There had only been two in his litter, but Tal had four. Wait, they wouldn't have more than four, would they?
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 4:03 pm
"Sauda? Hello!" Tal beamed at seeing her friend and moved forward. "Back into the den," she instructed the pups around her feet before she stepped forward to offer a greeting nuzzle for her closest friend (her mate accepted, of course). It had been a short time since she last saw Sauda, and the male walking alongside her had something to do with that. There was something going on there, and as Tal eyed him she could find no reason why that wouldn't be a good idea. He looked like he was a capable male.
"Tirin," she greeted, offering him a polite nuzzle as well. No sense in being rude. She smiled at them both as she stepped back to give them some room. "What brings you by?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 4:17 pm
 Who on Telk was coming about to pester them so early in the day? were the first thoughts that crossed Tar's mind as the distinctive sound of paws in the woods made their way closer. He had been on the verge of going out to confront them when Sauda had called out - of course it would be Sauda and predictably Tal beat him out to greet the female. Although he still grumbled as he stretched and took his sweet time in leaving the den Sauda was probably the only wolf Tar wouldn't actually snap at for disturbing them. Tal liked her and even if he wouldn't really admit it outloud Tar did too. Putting a predictably sour expression on his face - one that would be expected he stepped over the pup shooed back inside by their mother reinforcing her words with a look of his own before stepping outside...and being met by the sight of Sauda AND Tirin. Stiffening slightly at the unexpected male presence Tar choked back the comment he'd been about to make in jest and offered a stiff nod instead. Tar just wasn't good at meetings other's.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 4:35 pm
Sauda watched as Tal so easily dismissed her pups and was impressed that they listened to her. Granted she knew that their pups were very well behaved but still, she could only hope that her pups would be so disciplined as well. Returning the nuzzle Sauda smiled at her friend. "It is good to see you." She said and then noticed Tar make his appearance, looking as sour as ever. "Tar." She kept his greeting short knowing how grumpy he could be on even the best of days.
Oh boy, they were both here, which meant giving the news would be easier. Of course now her nerves were a jumbled mess as she realized that no matter how she went about it they would be quite surprised. She decided the best approach would be to just blurt it all out and get it over with, no point in stringing them along like she had done with Tirin. "Well I...we...came to tell you something." Pausing she took a deep breath, ready to say it all in one large long-winded sentence. "Well...I know I haven't been around much because I have been spending a lot of time with Tirin, and we have grown close, very close. We are mates now and we are expecting puppies!" Her voice raised a bit near the end a clear sign of her excitement and her tail whipped about behind her.
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 8:35 am
Tal blinked at Sauda, then looked at Tirin. Pups? And already mated?
"Congratulations!" She beamed at Tirin, putting aside any slight misgivings she might have had. If they were already mated, Tirin was stepping forward into his responsibility and that was a good enough sign for Tal. Her eyes went back to Sauda. "On your mating and your pups. You aren't too far along, are you?" She inspected Sauda. "I wouldn't worry too much about giving birth. The first-time litters around here for far have been small, mine included."
She wagged her tail and looked between them again. "Now that you've settled into having a family, you should both visit more often."
She laid out, quite content to relax to have the conversation and with a tilt of her head invited them to do the same. A quick glance back at her mate made her smile. He was so stand-offish.
"Come sit with us, Tar."
Tal had her reservations about such a fast mating and pregnancy, but she held her tongue until she had all the facts and had seen how the pair reacted both during the pregnancy and once the pups came. There was no reason to bring anything up so long as they were happy, and until she had proof that she should be a dissenting opinion in the whole matter, she would wish Sauda nothing but the best and do everything she could to help her.
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 8:46 am
Tar sighed as Sauda began stumbling over whatever news it was she was here to tell. He expected something silly like...'We think we're in love' or 'we're going to build a large communal den come help!' and was prepared to doze until she got to the point of the whole matter. Really they were here to talk to Tal he figured, she as far more talkative then he.
But these thoughts dribbled out his ears and onto the ground when Sauda actually managed to blurt out her news in good time. Amazing enough in its own sense really...but it was the new that truly caught his attention. "What?!" He snapped..well not snapped more like 'stated in shock' and really it was only Tal's words that made him clip his teeth together and keep from saying anything really stupid. Snorting slightly he moved to sit beside Tal, brushing her shoulder slightly as he did so and clearing his throat. "What I mean is... congratulations of course..." Glancing at Tal to ensure that his words would be enough to keep her from fussing at him before he continued. "Surely Tirin here will...be a responsible father" And the tone of his voice implied he would be very displeased if he wasn't, though he looked like he was about to choke on the necessity of actually admitting he cared about Sauda's welfare.
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 9:00 am
Sauda beamed at Tal and then over at Tirin. The fact that Tal might have some reservations about how fast they had moved their relationship along was completely lost on the dark female. Tail continued to wag happily as she laid down, getting comfortable for the suspected long conversation ahead. "Thanks." She replied, her attention tickets to Tar for a moment and she couldn't help but smile a bit wider, knowing that somewhere deep down under that rough exterior that he did care for her and wished nothing bad to happen to her. Her attention turned back to Tal, as she was the more talkative one, as well as the one who would be able to answer all of her questions on pregnancy. "No, not very far along yet."
There was no doubt Sauda was quite relieved to hear that most first time litters were small. A large litter would be a bit scary as their first, even if she knew deep down somehow they would manage if that was the case. Nodding her head in agreement, Sauda imagined she would be spending a lot of time visiting her friends now, more so than before. "We will definitely come by and visit more often. I have so many questions to ask, but I don't want to overwhelm us all with them right now." She fell silent now, just looking happily between her mate and her two best friends. With this small yet tight knit support system there was no doubt in Sauda's mind that all her fears about pregnancy and birth would be solved.
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 9:17 am
Tirin kept his eyes more on Tar'quin than on Tal. Most males in the pack were more like brothers than strangers, but males still got territorial, even here. The fact that he was now mated to a personal friend of Tar's seemed to have made the meeting a bit more serious. He didn't regret Sauda being his mate, but it was a bit... awkward.
"Thank you," he said, directing it at both of them although he didn't look away from Tar. "I'll be a good father, and I know Sauda will be a good mother. Our pups won't want for anything we can give them."
He finally looked away and smiled at Tal, who seemed to be the better natured of the two, hoping she could somehow smooth things over in the conversation.
"We might need a little help at first, being first time parents."
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 9:25 am
Tal smiled at her mate's attempt at civility, showing him it was good enough for her to hold her own tongue. He was such a bear sometimes.
"I'll help whereever I can. And if you two are needed on a hunt or have to be away, I'm sure Tar and I wouldn't mind babysitting." She nodded at Tirin. "A lot of parenting is instinct, but if we can make it easier, we'll certainly do what we can." The smile she directed at Sauda was warm. "Birthing can be a little hard, even with a small litter. But it's certainly worth it."
She glanced back at her den briefly, but the doorway remained empty of pup eyes. Either they had all left without her noticing, or they were keeping themselves occupied somehow. She was hoping it was the latter, although she had little to fear for her pups so long as they stayed within pack boundaries.
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:11 am
Tar kept his eyes Tirin for a few more moments before deciding that the other males words were good enough for him and turning away to lay down with a slight huff beside his mate. Sauda's smile was not lost however and he inwardly sighed - now that she knew he actually cared she might start trying to come around and chat...Tar hated idle chatting. Tal didn't seem to mind it however and Tar was happy to let her take over the conversation.
Even if she did just volunteer them for pup sitting services. "I'm sure ours wouldn't mind having more playmates" He agreed which was his own gruff manner of saying he wouldn't make a fuss about helping out.
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:38 am
Sauda found her attention horribly divided right now. Tal was offering to help if needed and sharing some tidbits about birthing, Tiring was clearly trying to prove that he was going to be a good father to Tar, and Tar...well he was being Tar. Best to focus on Tal, let's the boys do what they wanted for now. "I really do appreciate that you two will be able to help out if need. We will do what we can on our own of course, but it's good to have a support network set up ahead of time."
She glanced over at Tirin and Tar for a moment just to make sure they were still somewhat getting along before returning her gaze to Tal. "It's the idea of birthing that scares me the most right now, even though I know that is a ways off." Being fat, slow, moody and all other things that came with being pregnant was one thing. But giving birth to puppies was going to be a whole different and frightening experience - even if it would be worth it in the end.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 1:09 pm
To pacify Tar slightly, Tal gave him a quick lick on the cheek. Tirin would be fine. It was just a little gruff conversation, he would have learn to handle it if he was Sauda's mate. Tal was expecting to see them both a fair deal, even if she had to travel to their den to do it once Sauda was really laden down with pups.
"It's certainly not pleasant," she told Sauda, "But I'll be there if you need me. It's up to you to do the birthing, though. Don't worry." She smiled at her friend. "You're a strong female. You're up to the task and you'll do just fine."
Still, it never hurt to ask for a little bit of help. She would find some small offering to give to Cerridwyn, to ask her for an easy pregnancy and birth for her friend. Hopefully, the goddess would be feeling gracious.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 1:44 pm
Tirin listened to the female's conversation, but quickly lost interest and began observing the area instead. The pups interested him, Sauda's well-being interested him, but although he knew he needed to know something of the birthing process-- and intended on learning it-- he had plenty of time to learn. Him having made it through finding out he was going to be a father, two huge announcements to Sauda's friends, and some kind of approval conversation was more than enough stress for him for today.
He shifted slightly so that he was pressing against some part of Sauda, and attempted to look at least a little interested in the conversation. He just had to hold out until they left, or the topic changed to something he could contribute to.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 2:11 pm
As the girls droned on about - well things he'd rather not know intimately. Female things were female things to his way of thinking Tar found himself actually having something in common with Tirin who looked to be be trying very hard to be interested in what the girls were talking about.
He wasn't. Neither was Tar and typically Tar being Tar meant he wasn't even going to bother trying to appear interested like Tirin was. "You have a big enough den?" He suddenly asked the pair in his typical gruff tone...more to change the subject then because he actually cared about the size of their den. But it was a legitimate question if they had a large litter room would quickly become a rather precious commodity as he was quickly learning himself what with his own pups growing swiftly.
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