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 Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 10:39 pm
Guinevere had always been a rarity, even amongst the vast array of species that composed Gaia’s population - a Naga. Half human, half snake, and within Guinevere’s mind was a combination that ensured her perpetual loneliness and desolation. Having fallen into a cavernous depression over the past few months due to these thoughts, and countless others along the same dark lines, had lead her to a single cohesive and viable thought. This thought in turn had led Guinevere to a building, the building to which she now stood before.
Forked tongue flickering out from between her dual fanged mouth, Guinevere inhaled sharply before pushing forward with her muscular tail and entering the inner confines of the maternity clinic. Crimson eyes, seeming all the brighter because of the pallid flesh in which they were set, glanced around the interior impassively – neither seeming impressed nor unimpressed with the interior. Slithering toward the front desk, and the receptionist that waited behind it, Guinevere placed an ivory hand upon the desk before stating – “I believe I have an appointment, Guinevere Ssssssserrano”. Her surname of course was simply Serrano, but the typical hiss possessed by snakes often impaired her speech.
An older male, with pitch black hair, peers up over blue tinted glasses, his own pale skin making his purple eyes seem more noticable. He had two odd shaped scars on his left chin. He smiles up at the naga and types something on the computer in front of him. "Ah. Miss Guinevere. You do have an appointmant." he stands, picking up a cane and walking around the desk, "If you'll follow me please." he smiles at her softly, turning to limp down the hallway, his injury giving him issues as of late.
Not needing to be told twice, Guinevere slithered from her position to move at a comfortable distance from the man’s side. Intelligent crimson eyes regard the man as he moved, marvelling at his unique fragility and the vulnerability that many species succumb to with age. She had yet to reach that point in her existence, unaware as to whether she would reach it all – unaware of the components of physiological makeup and, as such, her life expectancy and ability to bear children.
They both moved in silence, Guinevere having nothing to speak of with the man, and the gentleman was probably in the same situation. The quiet didn’t bother the Naga, she rather enjoyed the stillness and ease of the moment – not that she had a problem with copious amounts of noise either.
Kana steps up beside a room, motioning inside, "In here please." he smiles, purple eyes dancing. He was used to seeing her race, especially since he had helped another naga, a male, with walking from a magic potion given to him. Makaiha was an interesting character, that he was. The doctor steps into the room after Guinevere slides in, shutting the door, and turning to her. A special type of couch leaned against the wall, one that was more suited for nagas. Doctor Kana always planned ahead.
Guinevere inclined her head in a gesture of thanks as the receptionist motioned her into the doctor’s office, slinking to the special designed couch that rested against the wall on the rooms other side. Settling her unique form into the seat, the naga lifted her crimson gaze to the doctor that had entered after her.
“I assume you know why I am here, or at least have an idea as to my reasonsssssss for ssssseeking out ssssssuch a place” the woman spoke, fangs flashing as the words hissed from her mouth.
Kana shakes his head, smiling at the naga still, "It's not polite for me to ask personal questions. But, if you feel comfortable telling me, then that's fine." he walks over to the desk and leans against it, hands beside him to steady himself. He mentally admitted that she did sound interesting with her 's's though, Makaiha and any other naga he met sounded like that, so it was an interesting experiance for him.
The naga sighed, collecting the myriad of thoughts within her mind in order to make a cohesive statement to the doctor. “Thissss issss a maternity clinic issss it not?” Guinevere began, crimson eyes bright with resolution. “Thosssse of my kind are few and far between, and I have met few in my long yearssss – and none have managed to attain my interesssst in that ssssspecial way”. Taking a deep breathe, Guinevere’s steadfast expression faulted to be replaced with a look of remorse and sadness.
“I fear that my time to conceive may be limited, and thussss I came to you to assssk your assssistance” Guinevere concluded, brushing back her colourless hair with an equally pallid hand.
"Yes, this is a clinic. And I have a certain understanding to your problem." he nods, brushing bangs out of his face, "And we shall do our very best to help you in every way possible." he nods again, a soft smile on his face.
Guinevere nodded, satisfied that the doctor had understood the reasoning and circumstances behind her decision to seek the services of a maternity clinic. That left only one question remaining, could they truly fulfil her desire to conceive a child.
“Sssso, where to from here?” the naga enquired, pristine white eyebrow lifting quizzically above crimson eyes.
"Well, we have two ways you can have a child. One where we do it the way normal Clinics' do so. Or two, a simple and painless magic spell of life from one of our master magicians."
The naga regarded the question in silence, casting a crimson look down her snake-like extremities as she weighed up the opinions. “Do I still carry the child to term under either condition?” Guinevere asked, more eager then she would readily admit to experience the entire conception through birth and onwards process.
Pondering the choices further after she had posed her own question, the albino soon reached a definitive conclusion. “If the answer to my earlier question is yes” Guinevere began, “then I would like to opt for the less painful and more magic of the two options”. Considering that the pregnancy and the birth were likely to be uncomfortable enough, Guinevere didn’t see the point in having to endure it too early.
"You can carry the child either way. But if you'd like the magic, I'll have Izzi come in." he nods, "But first, lemme do a quick check up on your current health for the records." he nods and picks up a stethascope.
Scooting forward in the chair, a feat she accomplished with practised ease, Guinevere eyes the stethoscope warily. Despite placing a great amount of trust and faith in the doctors at this particular clinic, the naga was still held feelings of uncertainty toward those in the medical profession. Many she had been forced to see in the past had served to only make her ailments worse, not being aware of her to treat those such as herself.
“Are there certain precautionssss, or changessss that will need to be made once I am with child?” Guinevere hissed, her crimson gaze lifting from the stethoscope to the doctors eyes.
"Only one. You'll come in for your check up in a few months (a week or so) and we'll place a selected soul into your offsprings' body. This will make thier life span longer and chances of survival more. It will also alter thier appearance a tad bit." he nods, standing in front of her now, "For instance, Thomas, my son. He had a hybrid soul placed into him while he was in the lab, he now has rose colored bunny ears and a rose colored cat tail." he smiles softly.
Guinevere nodded, believing the check-up necessary and more then a little intriguing. The concept of placing a foreign soul inside her unborn child, one that could change the infant’s very appearance, was a strange prospect – but at least it would increase the child’s lifespan and chance of survival. “Will the infant still retain many of my own attributes?” the naga inquired, having decided to undergo the procedure in order to have a child that resembled herself.
“Will I need to change such things as my feeding habits and accommodation circumstances?” Guinevere asked a short moment later; the question an odd one for those who didn’t know much about her kind. Like most breeds of snake Guinevere often went for days without food, consuming a single large meal that would take several days to disgust. She also didn’t reside in the traditional abode, much preferring the more natural venues such as a large cave.
"Yes, the child will take after you more than the soul and essense." he blinks at the next question. "You should be fine with what you do already. Though you may need to add more to your diet, just in case." he nods, starting the basic check up on her.
The naga took all he said onboard, giving a bare nod to show that she had heard him. Remaining completely still as set about examining her, Guinevere moved only when instructed. The examination made her uncomfortable but in the end she knew that it would serve to benefit her and the eventual child.
“Sssso am I healthy doctor?” Guinevere inquired, pale eyebrow quirking as she waited for an answer.
"You are in fact very healthy." he smiles happily, pushing his glasses up a little. He scribbles some notes down into her file and stands up as best as he could.
Guinevere had expected to be nothing but the epitome of health, but had deemed it best to let the doctor determine that himself. “Where to from here?” the naga questioned, rising off the lounge and back onto her tail. She instantly felt more comfortable within herself, much like a snake would when given a chance and a means to escape from a larger predator. While Guinevere was certain that the doctor was hardly about to pose her any dire threat, she was gladdened to be standing once more.
"I'll have either Izzi or Licen come in to place the spell. It'll depend on whom I run into first." he chuckles and smiles softly at her. "I'll send in wom I see first." He nods and steps out of the room, heading down the hallway to the lounge, hoping to run into one of them.
Watching the doctor leave, Guinevere breathed a sigh of relief that she had a moment alone – hardly one to enjoy the presence of other people for to long. She had been alone most of her life and have grown accustomed to only having herself for company, a circumstance that saw to her agitation and guardedness around other people. Slithering around the room to examine the various wall charts and other medical paraphernalia, the naga waited for the appearance of the magician.
A knock sounded on the door a few moments later, pausing to wait for a "Come In" or any other notion that it was ok to enter.
A frown creased Guinevere’s pale features, the naga wondering why someone who worked in the building would bother to knock and wait for her consent before entering. “Come in” she replied, her puzzled expression remaining as she turned her crimson eyes to the door.
Izzi steps in with a soft smile, ears twitching slightly. "Hello Miss Guinevere. I'm Izzi, I'll be setting the spell in place and be in charge of you from here on out." he nods, tail twitching from under his coat.
“It’s nice to meet you Izzi” Guinevere replied, rather good at returning pleasantries despite her uncomfortableness around people. “Will the spell be a speedy process?” the naga voiced, “I’m rather eager to return home”. If she had sounded rude, Guinevere hoped that the magician would see that it hadn’t been her intention to come across as such – but she really was eager to return the sanctuary of her dwelling.
Izzi smiles softly, "Of course. It'll literally take just a quick moment. Then you can head on home." he chuckles, tail twitching slightly. "I'll go ahead and start." he nods again, eyes already taking on a silvery hue. "Just sit still for a little bit so I can set the spell properly."
Unaware of the workings on many forms of magic, Guinevere stiffened and remained motionless as Izzi moved toward her to start the spell. The naga had her doubts that the procedure would prove lethal should she move, although she wasn’t about to place her life on that assumption. Crimson eyes watched silver-hued orbs with unbridled curiosity, as if hoping in someway the magician’s eyes would reveal the secrets to his craft.
Izzi blinks after a moment, and when he opened his eyes, they were once again the bright green. He smiles happily, ears flicking foreward. "Alright. The spell is set. You are now a mother-to-be." he nods.
“That’ssss it? It’ssss all over?” Guinevere hissed, sounding both surprised and grateful at the news. She didn’t feel any different from what she had just moments before, despite the revelation that she now had new life growing within her. “The other doctor mentioned the need for a check-up within a month, doessss that sssstill sssstand the ssssame?” the naga asked, lifting herself up and onto her tail in preparation to leave.
"Yup. It's all done." he holds his hands loosely at his side, "And yes, you'll still need to come back in a month or so. That way we can see how well your child is forming." he nods, smiling happily.
“Very well” Guinevere replied, the faint hints of a grateful smile forming on her lips. “Until next time we meet, sssstay ssssafe” the naga added, nodding briefly at the magician before slithering from the room. With pleasantries exchanged and Guinevere now expecting, there was little more to speak of until next time the naga and the magician were to cross paths. Glad to be free of the building, Guinevere inhaled the scent of fresh air before pushing off on her way home.
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Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 1:13 am
Coiling her tail beneath her, Guinevere settled herself down before a roughly hewn wooden table atop which rested a plain, leather-bound journal. Opening the volume and flicking through several pages of scrawled script, the naga found a blank sheet and began to write.Journal It has been a few weeks since my visit to the clinic, and the reality of my pregnancy is beginning to set in. I’m constantly nauseous, not simply in the morning as the name ‘morning sickness’ implies, but all the time – regardless of the hour. Nothing seems to ease the feeling, and my only solace lies in the knowledge that this symptom tends to ease after the first trimester; in humans anyway. I can only speculate about Naga pregnancies and hope they do not differ greatly from those experienced by human females. Perhaps my check-up will reveal more information on what I can expect from the rest of this pregnancy and the delivery, until then I will merely have to deal and speculate as best I can.
Writing such things inspires a myriad of feelings within me. Fear, excitement, apprehension, ignorance – and I can’t help but wonder if this is normal. Do all women feel such things when they are pregnant? Is this normal, am I thinking and feeling in a ‘normal’ manner? Journal I am finding that I crave someone to talk to, someone that has been through this all before and can ease my growing feelings of unease. While I may not know of anyone of the top of my head, I cannot imagine the clinic would have much of a problem sharing a name or two if I an unable to find another expecting parent to speak with. Journal Sleep is rapidly consuming me once more, something I mind less then I expected having always enjoyed slumbering. Feeling it better to submit to such urges, I turn in for the night with the silent hope that tomorrow will provide the answers to the questions that plague me.
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Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 7:52 pm
Guinevere’s crimson orbs surveyed the scene of destruction and devastation before her, forked tongue clicking thoughtfully against the roof of her mouth. The tunnels collapse had been her fault, having been over eager in her attempts to expand the den that she had misjudged the stability of the support beams and the construction as a whole. I guess pregnancy really does make you absent minded, the woman thought to herself, leaning on the shovel at her side while idly caressed her swelling stomach with her free hand. Although she probably should have been resting and taking it easy, Guinevere was hardly one to sit still when there was work that needed to be done – especially when there was no one, aside from herself, around to see that things were completed. With every passing day her ability to work and expand her dwelling, the building of a nursery being at the top of her list, dwindled; and the naga was likely to have even less time after her baby’s birth. Hence, things needed to be begun and completed as quickly as possible.
Unfurling her ivory extremities from beneath her, Guinevere slithered forward and began to shovel the smaller debris into several buckets she had dotted around the scene. The snake-woman hadn’t gotten very far before something amongst the dirt and rocks caught her attention, something that was distinctly un-earthen despite its russet colouring. A frown creased her pallid brow as she stooped to pick up the canister, shaking it gently to try and discern what rested within – a tactic which yielded no results.
With much effort Guinevere pried the container open, gently removing the fragile manuscript from within. This certainly hadn’t been something the naga had been expecting to find buried within the confines of her abode, and admittedly she more than a little curious as to the contents of the still furled scroll. Running her finger beneath the seal Guinevere carefully unfolded the fragile piece of parchment, allowing her eyes to rove over the images that greeted her. Strange characters graced the pages top, ones that were undecipherable, but the illustration of a rainbow was clear enough – especially given the aged appearance of the scroll.
“Curioussss” the naga hissed, brushing a pallid finger over the surface of the document. Returning her find to its canister, Guinevere placed the object carefully to the side as she returned to her excavation. She would examine it more when time permitted, attempt to decode and translate the words upon the page and ascertain the scrolls origin – or, if all else failed, find someone who would be able to do that for her.
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Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 12:42 am
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Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 12:47 am
Journal A must peculiar event has occurred, one that has left feeling rather befuddled. The strange scroll, depicting the image of a rainbow, no longer exists, at least not in its previous form. Rather, it has transformed into a child, a young girl. I was informed by two researchers from a branch of the Royal Library of Alexandria that the child, whom I have named Aya, was sealed away in the scroll; however, my enquiries into why such a thing occurred were blatantly ignored. Now, in retrospect, it seems to be of little importance (although I remain curious) considering the beacon of joy and happiness it has instilled in my life. For, truly, Aya is a delight.
For now my writings must cease, for my time now has a new focus. Sweet partings.
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Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2007 6:00 am
Check-up Guinevere arrived at the clinic for a check-up, and an examination via magic spell showed all to be going well and smoothly. There are no problems to be anticipated, so long as a consistent diet and exercise routine are maintained.
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Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 3:49 am
Journal Aya is bright, in every sense of the word. In the many months she had been in my care I have yet to see her cry, witness tears stain her pale cheeks, and have caught only the briefest down-turnings of her mouth. The earthen depths of my abode now seem filled with ‘colour’, a light that was not afforded to them before now. I have no doubt this is because of Aya; sweet, vibrant, delightful little Aya.
As for my pregnancy, it continues on; although it is with much relief that I can write the nausea has passed, for the most part, although there is the occasional resurfacing of this bothersome symptom. Feelings of tiredness seem to onset more rapidly now, spurred on by Aya and her boundless energy, but I do not blame her for this, and would honestly have it no other way – and at least this way I will be well rehearsed on dealing with fatigue when the little one arrives.
Speaking of the little one, I am beginning to feel little flutters of movement from inside; although whether from a hand, tail or other appendage I cannot tell. Regardless, it all only makes me all the more excited about the birth, heightens the eagerness to meet the life growing inside of me; but it also serves to ‘slow’ time, to make the wait all the more excruciating.
I hear Aya stirring from down the hall, her happy giggling and bright singing of her toy, and I’d best tend to her. Farwell. 
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Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:16 am
The chill of winter had finally given way to the gentle warmth of spring; and with the beginnings of new life inspired a renewed sense of wellness and energy in Guinevere. It had been challenging over the colder months, a time that the naga usual spent in hibernation, to remain the active and doting parent to her daughter Aya; but all this was of little concern now that summer was approaching once more. In fact, Guinevere’s exuberance had even driven her to face a dreaded and most challenging task – shopping. The woman hated crowds and the claustrophobic feeling that accompanied them, but the need for supplies, both for Aya and her unborn child, could no longer be denied.
Lifting her crimson eyes upward to take in the bright pastel sign, decorated with cartoon images of bucktoothed children sporting wide grins, Guinevere inhaled sharply and pushed her widened figure the stores entrance. What greeted her, isle upon isle of unfamiliar and frightening paraphernalia, caused her head to swim; and the naga found herself grateful that Aya was still sleeping comfortably in her arms, leaving her to deal solely with the startling reality of the store without needing to tend to her child also.
“I wonder if a look assss losssst as I feel” Guinevere hissed quietly, ivory countenance turning from left and right as she attempted the gain her bearing."For the one hundred million, billion, trillion, gazillionth time... you are not fat!"
A few passersby gave Aiodhan the oddest look as the words fell from his mouth, probably wondering why he had projected his voice so loudly. Truth be told, Aiodhan himself wasn't quite sure what had inspired him to speak so loudly, loud enough likely to carry from the sidewalk outside through the doors and into the store itself. Being half-dragon had its drawbacks, and a naturally loud voice was one of them.
Oops.
Attempting to look innocent, Aiodhan quickly padded after his mate, realizing he had just created a scene for absolutely nothing. Amyla wasn't listening; she had tuned him out somewhere around the word 'million.' That meant that his little stir had been all for naught, and he was still faced with the problem of a cranky, occasionally weepy, hormonal mate who wasn't pleased by the fact that she was getting awfully... large.
"Keep up, Fuzz," the short woman called back over her shoulder, making the hybrid growl and hurry his pace all that much more. He hated that name. He let out a prolonged groan as soon as they were inside; how had he gotten himself roped into shopping again?Much like the passersby outside, Guinevere too turned at the rather loud statement. It wasn’t hard to find the source of the sound, and, despite the sentiment behind the words, it clearly hadn’t had the desired effect. For a moment, sympathy over-road the naga’s feelings of bewilderment, although the emotions were quick to return as Guinevere turned back to the baby products. When Aya had emerged from her scroll she had been a toddler, and, although there had been the process of toilet training, there hadn’t been the need for the same delicacy and an overwhelming number of confusing knick-knacks.
Lost in her myriad of thoughts, the albino woman failed to notice Aya stirring from her slumber, undoubtedly the result of Aiodhan’s vocal projection, until the child uttered a noise that registered halfway between a yawn and an excited squeal. For, even in her drowsy state, she had managed to spot the winged and tailed draconic male. Wriggling in her mother’s arms until she was finally lifted her higher, Aya hung over Guinevere’s shoulder with her arms extended toward Aiodhan, continuing to squeak and babble to gain the man’s attention.Amyla moved inside with assurance born of many years of practice. She knew exactly to where she was headed, and she had every intention of getting there as soon as possible, until she heard a lot of curious baby-talk that distracted her from her mission. She spied the toddler and the female the toddler was held by. Long years of treating those of various races told her instantly that the female was a naga, and she was instantly curious.
Her mate, however, was more curious, especially since the girl was aiming her baby talk at him. After a brief moment of simple, inquisitive staring, the dragon-man padded a few steps closer and gave the happy child a wave. "Hi there. Wish I could be as happy as you about being here," he said, knowing his words were likely falling on uncomprehending ears. Ah well. It made him feel better about being dragged out here.Delighted that the unique man was moving closer, Aya grinned broadly and returned Aiodhan’s gesture with a two armed, enthusiastic, wave of her own. Now that he was closer, the toddler found the extra extremities all the more intriguing and commenced wriggling and squirming within her mother’s arms, designed to cause her mother to set her upon the ground so Aya could get a better look at the dragon-hybrid.
At hearing an oddly familiar voice from behind her, one whose words left her rather puzzled (especially considering Guinevere wasn’t all that happy at being here), the naga turned abruptly; crimson eyes widening in surprise at the figure standing behind her. For a moment the woman merely studied Aiodhan, unsure of his intentions, but was quick to relax when she noticed Aya’s eagerness; trusting her daughter’s judgement. Setting the toddler on the floor and ensuring she was steady, Guinevere turned her attention back to the draconic man. “At leasssst I’m not the only one unhappy about being here” the woman uttered, forked tongue flicking past her lips as she spoke.
Now free from her mother’s arms, Aya charged quickly toward Aiodhan, by passing the man entirely in favour of latching onto his tail.Had it been a few years earlier in his life, Aiodhan would likely have run for the hills at the sight of a strange child charging straight for him. As it was, he had experience with small beings and was well-used to having various portions of his odd anatomy being grabbed at. He simply chuckled softly as she claimed ownership of his tail.
He then turned his attention back to the mother, who wasn't of any species he knew of. He tilted his head to one side to look curiously for a moment and then gave a wry grin. "Yeah, this wasn't exactly my idea of fun. Has to be done at some point, though." He made a face. "Who dragged you here?"
It took Amyla a few moments to realize that her mate hadn't followed her into one of the aisles. The woman sighed and placed the boxes she had been looking at back on the shelves before backtracking to find where her mate had... wandeered. She found him, talking to the naga she had seen earlier with a small, strange child clinging to his tail. Her frown instantly transformed to a grin; she was never going to let him live this down. “I dragged mysssself here” Guinevere replied, pallid hand lifting to caress her swelling stomach. The woman still sounded unenthusiastic at having to find herself in the current environs, although knowing she wasn’t alone in her reactions provided some comfort. “Wassss a bad decissssion made after the post winter sssslump” Guinevere elaborated, adding a moment later – “and one made worsssse by my utter lack of product knowledge…and ussse”
Having been victorious in seizing Aiodhan’s tail, Aya stroked the scaled appendage in wide-eyed awe; small fingers tracing around the scales awkwardly. The man’s tail felt a lot like her mothers, baring the same unique and crisp texture, but at the same time it was different – and, within the toddlers mind, there was one way to tell the difference. Clinging to the additional limb to steady herself, Aya lifted one leg over the tail until she was straddling it, and, once she had seated herself, proceeded to squirm and stamp her feet. “Rwide, rwide!” the little girl chanted, grinning broadly up at Aiodhan.
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Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:52 am
((Reserved - Amyla and Aiodhan [Meeting Reflection]))
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