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 Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 3:56 pm
Twilight blinks in the rain as she exits the center and heads out into the grassy field. It had been a long time since she had been here. Years...She sighed and looked around, hopping slowly as she remembered the past. It seemed too much to hope that any of her old friends, or her mate would still visit this place after so long. A much smaller Bunkichi buzzed out the door after Twilight. This was Lightning and he loved rain of any kind. Because he was one of the wind Bunkichi, he had thin, translucent wings that allowed him to fly with speed and agility. He could be heard to laugh as he dodged the falling drops of rain.Keeta followed the Bunkichi out into the light drizzle, each one of her hands gently holding the hand of a toddler. These were her children that she had come to care for since the last time she had entered the center. She hoped that they might enjoy coming to this place and playing with the Bunkichi that she had recently been reunited with, although only Twilight and Lightning accompanied her today. One of the toddlers looked almost old enough to be considered a child, but still lacked the maturity to define her as such. Camille had long green, almost plant-like, hair with white flowers that seemed to grow right out of it. Her skin was green as well, but her eyes were a beautiful shade of blue. She seemed to be as at home in the rain as Lightning, grinning happily and turning her face up to the sky so she could feel the water droplets.The other toddler was smaller and had a shock of blue hair that matched his mother's. Joel was quite a bit younger than Camille, although he would still be considered a toddler. Despite being more unsteady on his legs, he pulled against his mother's hand, wanting to be let go, so he could chase after Twilight and LightningChie stretches her legs and waves to the familiar strangers. A sleeping Hikage lays snuggled in her lap. "Long time no see." she sighs softly, this place could use a little noise. Completely her fault but she sought to correct this the best way she knew how. Keeta turned her head at the voice and smiled when she recognized the familiar face.
"A long time indeed," she offered a sad smile as she looked from Chie to Hikage.
"I've missed this place. Thank you for the invitation to return. I hope you don't mind me bringing my children. They were so happy to play with my Bunkichi I thought they might enjoy visiting the center."Camille had followed her mother because they were holding hands, but she stood a step behind now, trying to partly hide herself from view. She was painfully shy and it always took some time before she would open up to a stranger. Her eyes sparkled as she noticed Hikage, however. He looked so soft! Like her other new friends at home! She wanted to pet him, but her shyness kept her hiding behind Keeta.Joel had no such reservations, however. He pulled against Keeta's hand until she let go and he eagerly toddled forward towards Chie and Hikage.
"Bun!" he squealed excitedly. He had trouble saying the whole name, so settled for the beginning of the word.Twilight turned one of her ears at the sound of voices. Who was Keeta talking to? Curious, she turned her head as well and spied Chie and the Bunkichi in her lap. Hikage! One of her oldest friends. Smiling, she hopped over towards the small group with new energy in her bounce.Lightning buzzed overhead, before landing neatly next to Chie."Too long really." She returned the sad smile with one of her own but quickly banished it for a happier one. "It's fine that they came. The Center is open to any and all who wish to visit." She gives Hikage a gentle nudge, waking him up gently. She could imagine his surprise if the toddler got to him first.Groggy... very groggy. It felt as if he had been a sleep for years. He had been actually. Slowly he got to his paws and kneaded Chie's lap. It took his eyes a bit to focus on anything clearly so he sat down next to Chie's leg trying to gain his bearings."What brought you back....if you don't mind my asking?" Keeta asked, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. In truth there was a bit of guilt behind the question. Keeta felt bad for not having been around, herself. Her Bunkichi had been neglected all this time. It didn't really surprise her that not all of them had been willing to take her back. She smiled down at Twilight as she approached. There had never been any doubt whether the dark bun would come back though. For some reason Keeta knew that Twilight had always been the most faithful of her buns.Twilight stood on her hindpaws slightly, so she could get a better look at the sleepy Hikage, carefully avoiding the path of the incoming toddler. Her nose twitched in anticipation. She wondered whether the dark-brown Bunkichi would remember her, or if it had been too long.Joel continued to grin and step forward eagerly, athough his mother was ready to dash in at a moment's notice if needed. He looked into Chie's lap and noticed the Bunkichi was just waking up. Frowning, he looked from the bun to Chie.
"Sleepy bun?" he asked somewhat disappointed. Joel wanted to pet, and play and roughhouse like he was used to doing with Pegasus at home.
She reached down and gave Hikage a scritch between his ears. "I'm not sure actually... nostalgia maybe? I was cleaning my lab and found some old blueprints. It was a project that I had given up on but inspiration took me. I figured I would unveil them once we got up and running again."
A big yawn cracked his jaws as he shook his head one final time to clear it, his ears flopping around. "Ack..!" He stepped back a bit from the approaching toddler, his wings giving a brief flap of surprise. He had never seen such a small person before and wasn't sure what to make of it. He was so taken aback by the toddler it took him another moment or two to notice Twilight behind him. With a powerful flap of his wings he took flight and landed next to her. "Hey, what's up?" Hikage had no clue about his lost time. To him it was just another day at the center."Well whatever the reason, I'm glad you're back," Keeta said with a nod. She let go of Camille's hand and sat down next to Chie, pulling Joel into her lap. Hikage had seemed alarmed at the toddler's presence and Keeta had no desire to cause problems today, especially after they had just returned to the center. She didn't want to derpive those loyal bun's who had stayed with her the chance to reunite with their friends and families.Joel frowned and pouted at having been denied his fun. Why did the brown bun fly away? Pegasus liked to be near him. Why didn't this other one? Not to mention his mother had pulled him into her lap. He turned his head to look at her and show her his pouting expression, but Keeta didn't see because she was looking at Chie.Camille felt exposed, now that Keeta had sat down. This was a new lady and new people always made her feel nervous. Well at least she knew the buns wouldn't hurt her. She took a few steps away and sat down, paitently waiting to pet any Bunkichi who came close enough.Twilight couldn't help but chuckle at Hikage's reaction to Joel. True she hadn't known the boy very long, but she had known him long enough to realize he was harmless, so long as one didn't mind getting the occasional pulled tail or tweaked ear. It wasn't so very different from having her own children, other than the child was bigger.
"Joel's harmless you know...." she stated, the hint of laughter in her voice.
"As for what's up, I might ask you the same thing. I've been gone so long I don't know what things have been happening around here. I only got reuinted with Keeta a short while ago.""You have beautiful children." Speaking to Joel, "Give Hikage a little time, he just woke up after a very long nap."Hikage's ear perks as his head tilts to the side. "Maybe but.. A long time? I don't think it's been longer than a day or so.." There is a note of uncertainty in his voice. He looked around the yard, nothing had changed that he noticed... something was off about the willow but he wasn't quite sure what. "Why were you and Keeta apart?" He couldn't imagine being separated from Chie or Tsukino. He didn't know Mizu very well but he supposed he would miss him as well."Thank you," Keeta said, clearly pleased. "Joel is mine by birth, but Camille I sort of adopted...." She lowered her voice. "I wish she wasn't so shy though. It makes taking her new places difficult."Nap. Joel understood that word. He had to take a nap every day. He was always confused at first when he woke up from a nap. Is that how the bun was feeling?Lightning noticed Camille sitting by herself and took flight again, his wings buzzing. He flew next to her, before setting himself down expertly. His nose nudged Camille's hand.Camille smiled before gently scratching him between the ears like she had seen her mommy do. Her smile grew wider as a contented sound came from the light-blue Bunkichi.Twilight looked at Hikage strangely. A day or so? Was he out of his mind? It had been at least a year since her last visit and at least that same amount of time she and Keeta had not been together.
"What do you mean a day or so Hikage? I've been gone for well over a year. How can you consider that only a day? And Keeta and I were seperated for various reasons not the least of them being that the center was practially abandoned. Not all of our family group returned...."Chie grins and teases, "I can tell, she's much prettier than you are." Speaking kindly to Camille, "What's your name, child?"
He was confused. How long had he been napping? He thought he felt especially stiff but assumed he had just been sleeping funny. Thinking was not one of his strong suits and this line of thought was making his head hurt. "Well... umm.. a year? Really? Are you sure?" This all was a little weird for him. It reminded him of that bedtime story Chie had red him about the man that went bowling in the woods. He didn't think he had grown a beard. He went crosseyed in an attempt to check to make sure he didn't have one.Keeta stuck her tongue out at Chie in response to the comment. She knew the other woman was only playing with her. When Chie addressed Camille, Keeta turned to see how the young girl would react. She never could tell.Camille stopped petting Lightning when Chie spoke to her. She had frozen, a bit like a deer in the headlights. Slowly she lifted her gaze to meet that of the other woman and looked at her for a long minute before replying.
"Camille...." she said quietly."Quite sure that it's been at least that long, yes," Twilight replied with an emphatic nod. "You should check with your human. Perhaps she can fill you in."Chie giggles softly, "Ah, what a lovely name. Mine's Chie." She shifts ever so slightly to face the young man in Keeta's lap, "And what should I call you little man?"
Hikage nodded a bit uncertainly, "Well... yeah I guess I should." He glanced over his shoulder at Chie who looked a little busy at the moment. "I will laters. Maybe Tsukino knows. She's... around here somewhere..." He thought she was anyway but truth be told he hadn't seen her since he woke up and he wasn't sure how long he had been sleeping. "So ahh... what's new with you?" ^^;Camille smiled slightly at the compliment and looked down again, petting Lightning with more vigor than before, as a way to avoid looking up at the lady again.Joel looked at her in surprise. Little man? Was the lady talking to him? He didn't normally have to tell people his name. His mommy told them. He turned to look up at Keeta, confused, but not scared or nervous. When his mother nudged him to answer, he turned towards Chie again and his face broke into a grin.
"Me Joel!""I haven't spoken with Tsukino in even longer that I've spoken with you, so I don't know if she'll be able to share anything with you. As for what's new with me..." she turned away and glanced at where the humans were sitting.
"I suppose it's just me getting back with Keeta and meeting her children. I'll tell you what. Children can be difficult to deal with sometimes."Chie returned the boy's grin with one of her own, "That is a very good name. Do you like bunkichi, Joel?"
Hikage nodded, somehow he knew Tsukino had to know something. She never left Chie's side, or at least she had never left it to his knowledge. "I've never had any kits before." That led him down another line of thought... where was Sandry? "S...so is it just you and Lightning then?" Joel nodded and grinned at Chie's question.
"Dey soft! Me pway wi' Peg'sus." His gaze turned towards Hikage again. He still wanted to play with this new bun.
"Me pway?" he inquired of both Keeta and Chie.Keeta shrugged when Joel looked at her. It really wasn't her decision. Hikage did not belong to her."Well Lightning and I are the only ones here today, however, Flicker, Pegasus and Skie also returned. I'm not sure why they did not come with us to the center today. Perhaps they were not ready. I think it was harder for them to return," her gaze wandered away as she became lost in thought.
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Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 3:57 pm
He had been away for a while now. They knew the baby wasn’t due for at least another two weeks, and the doctors all assumed they’d have to coax it out anyway. When she managed to be in good humour she asked Ke’rehl, jokingly, if they were planning on using smoke signals. But her laughs soon turned to tears as reality hit her. The baby would be coming out. And soon! The ‘false’ labour had been coming on and off per usual and she did her best to putter around the house and get things done.
Ke’rehl was due back any day now and she had managed to scrape up enough extra money selling sketches to buy quite a selection of foods for a ‘welcome back’ feast. She had frozen, whole, halibut, live king crabs scurrying around in the bathtub so they could be cooked fresh, venison jerky, sweet fruits for herself, and loads of baked goods. It would be quite a meal, to be sure.
Jiao’lan had tossed and turned all night. A storm howled outside and rattled the shutters on their bedroom window. Occasionally, lightening would light the entire room in an eerie, powerful, blue glow. She dearly hoped Ke’rehl wasn’t trying to fly in this weather.
She’d skin him alive!
Eventually, she did manage to sleep, and sometime during the night her alarm clock’s face went black, the ceiling fan slowed until it stopped, and the refrigerator shut off. The power had gone out. The sun peered through the windows around seven in the morning. Jiao’lan stretched a bit and placed her hand over her stomach and the baby kicked in return. “Mornin’ sweety.” She murmured as she looked over at the clock. She scowled slightly at it and jostled it around a bit, to no avail. She rolled over and carefully, and slowly hoisted herself out of bed, nearly falling face first onto the floor. Her hands groped wildly and as she grabbed the bedside cabinet the lamp was pushed off by her flight feathers and the shattered base hung over the edge of the table, barely held in place by the prongs of electrical cord. She cursed aloud as got to her feet.
Today just didn’t seem to be going well. Jiao’lan headed to her wardrobe and tugged on a blouse. She had gotten bigger since she was last able to buy clothes and the very bottom of her swell was uncovered. She glanced to the mirror and scowled. She looked horrible, or so she thought.
Apparently pregnancy was a ‘full body experience’. She hardly recognised herself anymore! Anything that could retain water, was, and anything that could become moderately flabby with the extra padding she had gained had done so. Now of course, she didn’t look bad at all to anyone else, but even Ke’rehl didn’t know her body as intimately as she did. To her, it was a sad state of affairs that a successful bowel movement could make or break your day. Of course, she never complained about such things, she just ate fruit and the almost-too-sugary-to-have-ever-been-fruit prunes with gusto.
She waddled into the kitchen, her steps slow and careful, as she set about fixing herself some breakfast. She turned on the faucet and nothing came out. She shut it off and began testing the light switches. Nothing. She sighed heavily, knowing for certain the storm had knocked out their power. The young woman settled on a ripe mango. She took a bite, and the juice squirted at her, getting her chin sticky. She chuckled in spite of herself and wiped it off before looking down at her stomach.
“You’re gonna get hyper with all a’ this sugar, you know?” She had taken to talking to her stomach more often since Ke’rehl had left. Her speech had improved greatly! She still had her dialect but her speech wasn’t as thick and difficult to understand. Her grammar was still lacking at times, however.
She went to take another bite when both her back and her abdomen seized. She slammed the mango onto the counter and wrapped one arm about herself, the other gripping the edge of the counter, as she inhaled sharply.
It was far stronger than any she had experienced before. But soon it faded. Jiao’lan wasn’t so hungry anymore so she headed to the small table and began to thumb through the phonebook. Ke’rehl had highlighted numbers of importance and had drawn a picture next to them. She was looking for the highlighted number with a light bulb next to it. Once she found it she grabbed the phone and dialled carefully. There was a soft buzzing but none of the dial tones worked. She set the receiver down on the cradle and sighed as she reached for her cellular phone. Its face, like her alarm clock, was blank. It had needed to be charged. Jiao’lan laid it down and tried to make herself comfortable on the sofa.
She and Keeta were supposed to go out today. She hadn’t said whether she’d be bringing Joel or not. She supposed so. That little boy always made her day seem better. But she was due to arrive around noon or so.
The hours ticked by slowly. Minutes seemed like hours, and hours like an eternity. Her contractions started to come closer and closer together. The pain grew in intensity. She found it hard to ride them through.
By the time noon rolled around, Jiao’lan was pale, clammy, and in a great deal of pain. She got another contraction and gritted her teeth, a soft moan slipping out of her mouth which grew louder and more frantic as the contraction reached its pique, and tapered off as it slid back down into nothingness. She couldn’t focus enough to time them but they were five minutes apart and lasting for a full sixty seconds. She had no idea that even if a cellular phone had run out of battery that one could still dial emergency services. But even if she had, she wasn’t sure if birth was an emergency. It happened all the time, after all. Keeta's power had gone out too, and she frowned at the phone receiver that was annoyingly silent. She had intended to get a taxi to pick her up and drive her over to Jiao'lan's place, but there was no hope of that now. She glanced at the battery-powered clock that was in her kitchen. 11:00. She still had an hour before she was supposed to be there, but she knew she couldn't walk the distance in that time, particularly with her children along and the bus that came by her house didn't go that direction.
For several moments she sat in the kitchen trying to figure out how to get there or at least get a message to Jiao'lan, because if her friend's power hadn't gone out as well, she wouldn't know Keeta couldn't reach her. She glanced at the clock again: 11:15. She needed to get the kids up and dressed. They had slept late because of the storm. Keeta had been up half the night with them and had been grateful to let them sleep as long as they needed. She still hadn't figured out how to deal with contacting Jiao'lan, however.
Sighing she headed to the kid's room. She had managed to scrape together enough money to buy Camille a bed and now she shared a room with Joel. Camille didn't mind at all, but Joel still wasn't quite happy about having to share 'his' space. Soon the kids were awake and bleary-eyed and she started getting them dressed. They could wait to eat for a little bit, because they were planning on getting lunch with Jiao'lan....provided they could get there.
As she tugged a shirt on Camille, however, inspiration came to her.
"The mirror!" She had forgotten the mirror that Ceres had given to her for traveling purposes. Keeta had really only used it to visit Ceres, but she rememebered now that she could use it to go anywhere. She only hoped Jiao'lan wouldn't mind her popping through a mirror in her home somewhere. Keeta hadn't thought to ask before.
Within another 20 minutes the kids were dressed and ready to ge. Keeta glanced at the clock in the bathroom: 12:05. Well they were only a couple minutes late. She slung the bag over her shoulder, had Camille grab her waist and took Joel firmly by the hand. With her other hand she held the mirror and willed herself towards Jiao'lan's. The largest and easiest mirror to use in the house would probably be the full-length mirror in the master bedroom. It was at the other end of the small flat. Off of the bedroom was a small lavatory. Jiao'lan and spent the better part of ten minutes, slowly making her way toward it. Even laying down, it seemed, her bladder was severely compressed.
As Keeta and the children entered her home, a sharp cry of pain met their ears. Jaio'lan had made it into the corridor outside of the lavatory and was trying to go to the closest horizontal surface.
Her bed.
Currently, in the throes of a contraction, she had crumpled to her knees, arms splayed as her fingers dug into the coarse carpeting. Her face was screwed up in pain.
She had no idea anyone was there. Keeta, Joel and Camille had landed with a soft thud in the master bedroom. She smiled, glad it had worked. She quickly let go of the children and was about to put the mirror away, when she heard someone cry out in pain. Instantly on alert, she stepped in front of the children and cautiously headed towards the door, not sure what she might be encountering. Halfway there, she turned towards the toddlers.
"Stay here," she said firmly, in a tight voice. Uncertain, because they had heard the cry as well, and not familiar with this tone of voice coming from their mother, the two small children did as they were told. Camille, put her arms around Joel and watched silently, with wide eyes. Joel whimpered, somewhat afraid.
"Jiao'lan?" she asked, a nervous edge to her voice as she approached the door. She was unable to process any sensory information except pain and that someone said her name. She came to the wrong conclusion. "Ke'rehl?" She asked, her voice shrill and shaky from the pain. As the contraction wained she let out the breath she didn't know she had been holding. "I couldn't get back the sofa...I've been here all morning...the power's out...I'm scared...and it hurts..." She said, running her words together, her voice frantic. "It was never this hard for anyone else in my tribe..." She added, starting to cry a little.
"Eggs don't have corners!"Keeta blinked and stood there for a moment, trying to process what she was seeing and hearing. When it all came together, she rushed forward, very concerned.
"Jiao'lan, it's not Ke'rehl. It's Keeta. You're having the baby?" she asked, hoping the woman was coherant enough to clarify this point for her. Her voice was tight and nervous, not sure whether she was ready to do what needed to be done if the baby was coming now. There was little doubt in her mind, but she wanted to be sure. It was unlikely that it would be too much longer with the amount of pain Jiao'lan seemed to be in, and with no power and no vehicles the chances of getting Jiao'lan to a hospital were slim. There was the mirror....but what would that do to a woman in labor? It wasn't worth the risk.
She had seen babies delivered back in Evin, where it was very common for them to be born in a person's home. Hospitals like their "modern" manifestation in Gaia were nonexistant in Evin. Her mother had helped a few ladies here and there and Keeta had been sent to get things when no one else was available, but she had never delivered a baby herself. She put a supporting arm under one of her friend's wings, trying to get her upright and to the bed. Whatever was happening Jiao'lan didn't belong on the floor.
As she stepped into the room, she spied the children who were watching in confused and frightened silence. They didn't know what was going on, and for the moment that was just as well in Keeta's thinking. They shouldn't be here if she was going to be delivering a baby.As soon as she laid on the bed she seemed to relax a bit. "I-I don't know...I'm.." She noticed the kids. "S'okay Joel, Camille..." She added, brows knitted afraid she had scarred them for life. "I might...I mean...they're strong. Really strong and I have to get to the clinic. It's dangerous. I was told we could," She locked eyes with Keeta. Her grey pair were filled with fear.
She started to cry. "Ke'rehl's not home, it's just...just not right...I'm sorry. The kids...I..." her voice trailed off as she bit back a moan. Jiao'lan contented herself by pursing her lips and biting the inside of her cheek until it bled.
Births just weren't this ardous on the women that she saw. She wondered, partly, if she was making too big of a fuss. But the worst they had gotten were PMS strength cramps and the actual birth was no worse than a very hard bowel movement.
This had to be worse.Keeta started to panic inside and turned her gaze away so Jiao'lan wouldn't see. It was dangerous? She was supposed to be at the clinic, but how?
"You have nothing to apoligize for. It's not like you planned this. I'm just glad I came when I did. The kids...." Keeta glanced towards them. She needed to find a way to get them away, but how much time did she have?
"Jiao'lan, do you mind if I...check how far the baby is?" she asked, hoping her friend could handle this invasion of privacy. Her expertise wasn't enough to know dilation etc, but she would be able to see if the baby was crowning at any rate.
"And what do you mean....dangerous? I don't know how to get you to the clinic. With the power out....." she trailed off helplessly. "I have my mirror, but I don't know if it'll be safe."She shook her head 'no' as if to say she didn't mind. She put her feet together and allowed her knees to fall to the sides. coarse feathers were covering 'the business' part of that end. All of her muscles were tight, her face bunched up. "Unsafe's better than dead!" She screeched. She knew if she said a word it would come out in a scream or at the least very, very shrill. Jiao'lan, in hindsight, would be glad it was the latter, for the kids' sakes.
"This baby isn't natural. High-risk, they said." She explained before moaning a bit as the contraction reached it's peake. She arched her back a bit before it started to come back down. The woman was trembling slightly.
Jiao'lan was three centimetres dilated so the infant was still very high, and wasn't going anywhere any time soon. In fact, they'd probably have hours. "Ok...well....if you want me to try...." Keeta bit down on her lower lip. She didn't like this, but what choice did she have if it was what Jiao'lan wanted? Her gaze traveled to the still frightened and silent children. Well, first, she needed to get them somewhere safe. She didn't think Jiao'lan was going to deliver in the next few minutes and things would be more dangerous if she had small children to worry about in addition to her friend.
"Ok Jiao'lan," she said, nervously turning back to her friend, "I'll take you to the clinic through the mirror, but I need to take Camille and Joel somewhere safe so I don't have to worry about them and I can help you as much as you need me. I'll only be gone five minutes. OK?" She swallowed, hoping her friend could handle this and that she wasn't making a dangerous gamble by waiting five more minutes to get her to the clinic. She turned to her left side and adjusted her wings a bit. "Y-Yeah...of course...it'd be bad for them to be here anyway." She agreed. "S'been hours anyway...I think I can manage five minutes." She said giving her friend a ghost of a smile.
She felt slightly cold and burrowed under the bedclothes, attempting to get comfortable. In the back of her mind she thought of her mother and father. She was starting a family of her own, but she deeply missed her birth family as well. Her mother most of all. Keeta reached for Jiao'lan's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze before collecting her children. She hoisted Joel onto one hip, holding the mirror in the same hand she supported him with. Then she held onto Camille with the other, she looked into the mirror and....disappered.
-ten minutes later-
Keeta reappeared by the mirror, her children no longer beside her. She had taken a little longer than she had intended and hoped Jiao'lan was not worse for the wear.
She had popped through the mirror at Ceres' and had surprised Perian. As she shooed the children towards the centaur, she had given a hurried explanation, not really sure whether she had been understood and disappeared through the mirror again.
She didn't go right back to Jiao'lan. Instead she headed for the clinic, thinking that if this was as serious as Jiao'lan had indicated, then she should warn someone, or even bring someone back with her. She came out in the bathroom, seemingly the only mirror in the place but it was dark. Opening the door, she discovered the rest of the place was just as dark.
"Hello?" she called, but received no response. It was clear the power had gone out here as well, and that no one had come into work because of it. After all, how could they operate the machines without power? Frightened for Jiao'lan at this turn of events, she immediately headed back hoping she had not been gone too long.
Now she was back and stepped directly over to the bed, taking her friend's hand again.
"Jiao'lan? I went to the clinic....no one was there. The power is out there too..."Her eyes widened, and if possible, she took on an even greater palour. "No, no, no, no, no!" She seemed to be panicking a bit now. "Doctors...if I can't...get it..." She swallowed hard. "Out...then..." Tears began to cascade down her cheeks as she held her stomach. "M-My...m-m-my haju'ri." She breathed. "I-I don't know how to have an un-shelled baby!" A twinge of what could only be described as mild hysteria laced her voice.
"I don't want to do this to you..." She started crying again. "I'm so sorry...that damn storm!" That was one of the first times she had ever really cursed, let alone used an English one. "Horns and...elbows, knees...claws and HORNS!" It was clear she was frightened.
Another contraction started and she pressed her eyes closed. "Ooooah, laying hurts..." She grumbled as she forced herself into a hands and knees position, resting her head against the rather large and fluffy pillow. "Is your front and back supposed to hurt?" She asked, rocking a bit, as the contraction's grip increased.Keeta's internal panic returned at JHiao'lan's reaction and it was all she could do not to let it show. She was the one that needed to maintain control, because she wasn't dealing with a dangerous situation and painful contractions. She placed a soothing hand on Jiao'lan's back, trying to calm her, and spoke in a low voice.
"I know it hurts, I know," she said softly as she massaged. But did it hurt more than was normal for this kind of delivery? Keeta had no way to tell. She had been able to have pain killers for her delivery and so hadn't experienced the full measure of discomfort that came with labor and delivery. At least Jiao'lan didn't seem to be bleeding. Keeta knew that would indicate a serious complication.
"And you really need to stop apologizing. Nothing is your fault. We'll make it through this. Do you want me to try going through the mirror to the hospital?" They wouldn't know Jiao'lan and her case and maybe the power was out there too, although Keeta liked to think they had some kind of backup power source for cases like this, but....maybe they could help."No...not yet...just...uuuuughn...they aren't...close en-'" She let out a shaky breath and laid down. "They aren't close enough, and I'm not bleeding or anything." She said. "I doubt they could do any more for me than we are here and the hospital doesn't know anything about my race or the pregnancy." She said, stifling a yawn.
Jiao'lan had dark circles under her eyes. "D'you think if the power comes back we can get a hold of anyone from the clinic?" She asked, her eyes growing heavy.
Under the bedclothes she wrapped her arms about her stomach, pulling her legs up against it as well. She felt a kick and rubbed that area. "Sorry, sweety...I'm not havin' any fun either." She murmured. Keeta didn't understand Jiao'lan's logic about the hospital not being close enough when it was just a trip through the mirror like it would have been to the clinic, but she didn't consider it wise to disagree with a woman in labor, so she held her tongue. Instead she took one of Jiao'lan's hands in another gesture of reassurance.
At her friend's question, Keeta shrugged. "I honestly don't know. On their answering machine they always tell you to call emergency services in an emenrgency, but we can't even do that. If it comes back on here, however, I can try going through the mirror again and see if I can't find a phone number or something at the clinic." She stroked Jiao'lan's head feathers as her friend seemed to try and relax. If Jiao'lan could sleep between contractions it might be good for her. She looked so tired....
"How long have you been in labor?" Keeta asked softly in case Jiao'lan had already drifted off. She didn't want to disturb her. "M'judging by the position of the sun when I got up...round seven or so, I s'pose." She murmured. Her breathing began to become more even and shallow, and for a few minutes she had dropped into the lowest level of sleep. Jiao'lan gave a jerk and rolled herself to her hands and knees with a moan. She settled into the slow and steady motion she had found to be a little less painful. This time, however, she was attempting to sob and moan at the same time. So much contributed to this.
Pain, fear, and exhaustion.
After five solid, grueling minutes, her arms shaking, she eased herself back down. Her mind had taken to the fancy of a soak in warm water. Lord only knew, due to her stature her bathtub would be like a spa tub to Gaians of regular height. Then she remembered and her eyes welled again.
She had the hope of some relief but it was snatched away.
"The crabs...the ******** crabs...I forgot..." She said, wanting to cry again. Keeta almost breathed a sigh of relief when Jiao'lan apparently drifted off. Since seven...and it was near one now...so 6 hours. It could go on for much longer than that. Keeta wished she had a better idea of how to tell how far along in the process her friend was. She knew you could time the contractions, but all that would tell her is they were getting closer to the end goal. That part was kind of obvious. But Keeta wanted to know how much closer.
She frowned slightly in sympathy as Jiao'lan experienced another contraction, that seemed to be more intense than the previous one. In fact she seemed to be incoherant. What did crabs have to do with anything?
"Crabs?" she tried to ask as nonchalantly as she could. Last thing she needed to do was upset Jiao'lan by suggesting she wasn't entirely 'together' at the moment. "I-I had saved up...I bought frozen fish, dried deer meat, fruits, baked goods, and a few live crabs. I-I wanted them to stay fresh so I ran some water and have been feeding them to keep them in good order for when Ke'rehl got home." She explained, her brows furrowing.
"I wish I hadn't." Jiao'lan added.
There were three of them and they'd be too large to fit comfortably in the sink, but at this point Jiao'lan was past caring about a food item's pleasure. She reasoned she could be selfish, to an extent, for one day. To food, she'd damn well be!
"Ke'rehl'd never had them. We'd have them a lot for breakfast...they were everywhere on our part of the island..." Keeta still wasn't following Jiao'lan's line of thought. Ok...so she had bought some crabs, now she knew the reason for the mentioning of them, but why did they matter right now? And why did she regret getting them, aside from the fact that they needed to be cared for? Keeta had no idea that the crabs had been stored in the bathtub, or that Jiao'lan had a mind to take a long soak.
"Do....you want me to go feed them?" she asked uncertainly, not really believing that was the source of Jiao'lan's anxiety. Jiao'lan sighed. "No...the stupid things are in the tub. Mind filling the sink, please? I'm gonna get 'em outta there...I think a soak'd do me good right about now." She explained. "Well, or I hope, rather..." She said sheepishly as she pushed herself to her feet and did a slow, shuffling waddle as she headed to the bathroom to fetch them.
They were fairly large in size compared to the tiny woman, but she could handle them easily enough, especially with their pincers taped together. Keeta slapped her palm to her forehead. Of course! She sighed and grinned sheepishly, as she headed out the doorway to the kitchen.
"Now why didn't I think of that? I've heard it helps a lot of women in labor...although I can't vouch for it personally." She immeditalely located the sink and started filling both sides with cold water. When it was full she headed to the bathroom to intercept Jiao'lan.
"Let me take those. The last thing you need to be doing while in labor is carrying around live crustaceans." "Their claws is taped...s'not a big de-" She sank to her knees and all but dropped the crabs back into the bathtub and held the edge as she folded onto herself a bit. Jiao'lan's face contorted almost grotesquely as she cried out, actually vocalising this time. The amniotic sac was bulging ever so slightly causing quite a lot of pressure and some burning. She was trembling.
She could barely think let alone move. If birth got worse than this she didn't want any part of it!
The sac was holding her cervix open, so if it were to rupture she wouldn't be very dilated and they'd have more than enough time on their hands."Jiao'lan?" Keeta asked, dropping next to her and rubbing her back with concern. When would the damn power come back on so they could get her some help?
"You sure you don't want me to try and get you to the hospital?" She bit on her lower lip, her own anxiety finally beginning to show itself.As the contraction wound down she began to sob hysterically. "I-I'm d-d-done!" She said. Jaio'lan was worn down completely. "I'm s-s-scared! I-I-I'm s-scared f-for my b-b-baby...e-e-everything's g-g-going wrong!"
A faint whirring sound could be heard from the bedroom as the ceiling fan started. The refrigerator hummed rather loudly as it built up it's power. for a few moments, before going silent as current coursed through it's wires.
There was a cool breeze coming from the vent in the wall. She was far too stressed to notice, however.Keeta felt ready to cry too, because there was nothing she could do for her friend. She couldn't make the pain go away, she couldn't ensure a safe delivery. Heck, she apparently couldn't even get a hold of someone who could offer those things.
As if on cue, the moment Keeta began wishing for the power to return, there it was. She felt the breeze as she made her pittiful attempts at soothing Jiao'lan. She looked around, expecting to find an open window, but seeinfg none. Then she noticed a clock flashing.
"Jiao'lan....I think the power is back...." she said softly, not wanting to excite the other woman too much. "Oh, praise the souls of the sky!" She exclaimed, crying again but this time it was tinged with joy. "Please...please, can we find some way to get to the clinic?" She asked, hoping that once they got there things would get better.
Jiao'lan wasn't sure, but she had heard some women at the clinic birthed there 'natrually' and chose this option. So she came to two conclusions. The first, that she probably wasn't 'doing it right', the birthing. Or the second, there was some herb or something they had at the clinic that didn't qualify as 'modern medicine' that would make everything at least feel better.
She assumed the first and prayed to whatever deity she could think of that the latter held true. "Well let me call there first. I don't expect anyone would be there yet, but we can leave a message and let them know we're coming. And if no one's there by the time we get there I can get inside and see if I can't find a number to call. Will you be ok for a minute while I call the clinic and then get us a cab? Unless you have a different mode of transportation you would prefer?" she asked standing and inching towards the doorway while she waited for Jiao'lan's verdict. She nodded. "Haven't died yet..." She said in a weak attempt at humour. "Might just hurt a little... or a lot depending on how long you take but...I'd do the same with you right here." The woman reasoned. "I don't think the baby's goin' anywhere yet." She added. "A cab's wonderful, but you could drag me there by my tail and I'd go for it."
When she wasn't contracting she had a minute trace of personality. She was still utterly knackered but, it couldn't be helped. Her mind kept drifting to her mate. He was supposed to touch down on Gaian soil any day now.
She dearly had hoped he'd be here with her. Keeta's expression was grim in response to Jiao'lan's comment. She didn't find it terribly funny. People had and did die giving birth and it wasn't something she took lightly.
Frowning, but nodding, she stepped from the room and headed for the nearest phone. Fortunately the line was live, but it took her a couple tries to get through. It appeared she wasn't the only one trying to make a call now that the power was back.
As she had suspected, when she got through to the clinic, no one was there. But it was clear the power was on at the because the machine picked up. She heard that same message about calling emergency services in an emergency. Is that what she should be doing? Jiao'lan was clearly in quite a state, but she said she didn't want to go to the hospital. Keeta would respect her wishes unless it got to the point where she knew her friend's life was in danger. If it got there, Keeta would do whatever she felt she had to, to get Jiao'lan and the baby safe.
She left a message at the tone, warning about their impending arrival, before calling a cab. The operator, at hearing the tone of her voice seemed to sense that this ride was urgent, despite Keeta not revealing the exact nature of the call. She was worried that the cab company might refuse to send someone, which would pretty much leave an ambulance as the only option. Finally after 10 minutes or so, she returned to the bathroom.
"Ok...a cab is on its way and I've left a message at the clinic. No one seems to be there though, as I expected." She looked to Keeta as she came back in. "That...last thing I said," She began, having seen the look on Keeta's face. "I-I'm just...scared..." She sniffed and seemed to be trying to hold back tears. "S'not funny at all, I know..."
She started crying, but within a few moments they turned to chocked sobs and cries of pain as she rose into a squatting position, her abdomen rock hard, and resting on her thighs. She reached between her legs and her fingertips brushed a rather solid bulge. "Oh gods! Keeeeeeeeeeeta!" She all but screamed, terror shining in her eyes.
The sac, itself, was made of far more substantial tissue than that typical amniotic sacs and she didn't know this. It wasn't the baby's head that she felt. She didn't feel the urge to push, but the pain was enough to drive her near insanity.
She gave a grunt-y moan. "I-don't-know-what-that-is!" She kept repeating that over and over, trembling.Keeta froze in the doorway at Jiao'lan's panicky anguish. Something was clearly not right. She had to fight the urge to break down as well, just because she was at an utter loss as to what to do. This was far beyond what little experience she had in this area. Apart from not knowing what to expect physically from Joel, her pregnancy and birth could have been qualified as "normal." Her voice shook as she spoke.
"Jiao'lan I don't know what to do for you....I wish I knew...I can't-" her voice broke. It tore her up to see her friend in such pain, both mental and physical, and all she could do was stand there.She was weak from dehydration and hunger. Her legs began to tremble and quake. She lost her balance, as they gave out and she toppled over, her wings flapping, legs trying to connect with solid ground. There was an rather loud popping sound as one of her talons managed to snag the sac. There was a tiny bit of the membrane on her talon. She wound up on her side and without the baby's head pressing down to act like a drain plug, her amniotic fluid began to leak. The sac's bulge had been what was causing her the high level of pain and the pressure.
As the contraction stopped she was still taking rapid, shallow breaths as she scrambled to her feet and onto the toilet, turning beet red. She thought she was wetting herself. As the baby settled back into postion the flow slowed to a trickle. Jiao'lan was incredibly pale, eyes wide as saucers.
A car horn could be heard outside on the street. The taxi driver had been there for a while now and was growing quite impatient. Keeta gasped as Jiao'lan fell over and it shook her out of her mental paralysis. She rushed to her friend's side to help her right herself, but Jiao'lan was already getting up and heading for the toilet.
"Are...are you ok?" she asked, although she felt rather stupid after the fact. Of course she wasn't ok. But at least she wasn't screaming anymore. The liquid didn't seem to phase Keeta any. Fluids of several different kinds were always associated with birth.
Keeta frowned as she heard the horn outside. Figures they'd send an impaitent cabbie.
"I'll...be right back. I'm going to get the cabbie to wait for us. Ok? I'll only be gone for a minute." Keeta tried to give Jiao'lan a reassuring smile as she hurried out of the room, but it ended up being more of a grimace. Please be ok. Please be ok. Please be ok, was the mantra in her head as she jogged outside.
She stepped up to the door and handed the cabbie 200g to buy them another 10 minutes. Keeta still didn't reveal the situation. The last thing she needed was another person's imput on the situation. The cabbie satisfied for the moment, she hurried back, hoping Jiao'lan was no worse off than when she had left her. Keeta fervently hoped that Jiao'lan had thought ahead and packed a hospital bag somewhere, so that she could just grab it and go. Meanwhile, the flow of amniotic fluid had managed to stop almost entirely and Jiao'lan was trying to mentally pull herself together before sliding off of the toilet stool and making her way toward the corridor closet. She had a bag packed and was able to remember where she had placed it. As she bent over to pick it up her tail moved so it was level with her spine. It was a balance tactic she had learnt months ago, to stay on her feet, instead of falling as her center of gravity had shifted greatly.
The duffel bag was nearly as large as she was so she gave a bit of an effort to drag it toward the door. It had the typical toiletries and other such necessities that either the clinic wouldn't think to provide or could only provide in tiny, sample sized quantities. Her blood sugar had dropped greatly since she had last eaten a glucose laden mango nearly eight hours ago, and felt a little light headed. She sat down rather ungracefully in the living room, and dug in her bag for a granola bar and began to chew on it, knowing instinctively, what the cause of the symptom was.
She also knew, if she was feeling the effects then her baby most certainly was.When she got back to the house, Jiao'lan was sitting in the living room with a bag, as if she had been reading Keeta's mind. She also appeared to be eating something. Well that was certainly a good sign! Offering a tenative smile, she approached.
"Looks like you're ready to go....and the cabbie most certainly is. Is there anything else you need before we leave?" she asked softly. Jiao'lan quickly re-wrapped the bar and stuck it in the bag. "Some help up, might be nice." She said after finishing the bite of food she had been working on. 'And Ke'rehl...' She thought glumly, her eyes showing the emotion for a brief moment.
It was now nearing three o'clock. Her eighth hour of labour. She had heard tales of women being in labour for days on end and this frightened her. Her eyelids were heavy from fatigue. The impending car ride was sure to lull her to sleep, if her contractions would allow it.
Jiao'lan stifled a yawn. "I just wanna get this over with." She mumbled. Although, when the time would come to end the process, she'd be singing a different tune. "That's certainly understandable....Labor isn't easy for anyone."
Keeta helped Jiao'lan to her feet before grabbing the bag. She walked behind her to be there just in case. Her mouth tightened into a straight line as she watched her weary friend. Despite the fact that things seemed to be going better than they had 20 minutes earlier, Keeta worried. Silently she prayed to whatever entity could hear her, that things would be ok, and that there would be someone at the clinic that could help them by the time they arrived.
When they reached the cab, Keeta helped Jiao'lan into the bag before sliding in next to her. The cabbie's eyes 'bout popped put of his head at his occupants....especially after he put two and two together, with Jiao'lan's world-weary look and her round belly. He said nothing and quickly turned around, however, when he caught sight of Keeta's expression that dared him to challenge her. She was simply not in the mood.
"Gaia Maternity and Fertility clinic in Barton, please," she said in an even tone. The cabbie nodded and spurred the engine into life, before starting to drive away. "They don't pay me enough for this." He muttered to himself. Jiao'lan leaned back and sure enough the steady movement started to lull her to sleep. As the city loomed the cabbie kept his eyes focused on the road, his posture tensed.
They stopped at a red light and the cabbie glanced into the rear-view mirror to look at his fares. Jiao'lan tensed in her sleep milliseconds before her eyes snapped open and a moan escaped her lips. She leaned forward and hugged her abdomen. "Damnit, lady! You can't have that baby in here!" He exclaimed, seeming to panic a little bit. "You're gonna have to pay to have the seat cleaned!" He added.
Jiao'lan bit back a cry of pain as the taxi lurched into motion again, the tires squeeling a bit. They hit a rather large pothole which caused her to cry out, tears streaming down her face. Keeta glared at the man knowing he could see her in the mirror as she leaned over and tried to offer Jiao'lan what support she could in a moving vehicle.
"You try having a baby and see how you like it," she said just loud enough for him to hear. "Could you possibly drive any more carefully!" she added as they hit the pothole. "I'm tryin' to ******** get you there before she spits that damn kid out in my cab!" He said, sounding panic-stricken as his driving started to become a little more erratic as Jiao'lan's vocalization became more pain filled. He almost missed a turn and made it very sharply. Jiao'lan was forced to the side of the cab by the force of the turn.
As the clinic came into view he pulled up in front of the door, and hit the brakes a little harder than he had meant to. "Okay, you're here..." He said, shifting into park. "If I thought she was going to have the baby in the cab I would have called an ambulence," Keeta retorted after they had stopped. She flung the fare at him, not bothering to leave a tip. Then she helped Jiao'lan out of the cab carefully, as if to make up for the jostling they had received. Once her friend was safely out of the vehicle, Keeta retrieved the bag and headed for the door of the clinic. Still in the middle of a contraction she was able to get out of the cab, but nearly lost her footing and clung to Keeta to try and keep herself upright. She was trembling. "I've gotta lie down..." She managed, wanting desperately to get inside.
A nurse had seen the taxi pull up and rushed outside to meet them moments later with wheelchair. She positioned it behind Jiao'lan. "Sit down, straight back...I've got a wheelchair behind you ma'am." She said gently. Her strawberry blonde hair was tied into a long ponytail, a blue Alice band in place for decoration, which off set her striking blue eyes. "How far apart are the contractions?" She asked Keeta. The woman was new and hadn't yet met many of the patients.
Jiao'lan sat down as told and gripped the arm rests, teeth clenched as she allowed the nurse to move her feet onto the rests and begin to take her inside. "Ummm....." Keeta faltered at the question. She hadn't been timing them. She'd been more concerned about the level of pain Jiao'lan was in and getting her some help. She could estimate though....
"4 or 5 minutes or so?" she said uncertainly. Keeta didn't recognize this lady and wondered if she knew anything about the uniqueness of Jiao'lan's case. She tried to stand aside as the woman put Jiao'lan in the wheelchair, suddenly feeling useless. "Okay...ma'am, I'm Mellanie...and I'll be taking care of you. No one else is on call but I'm a Nurse-Midwife." She explained. She looked to Keeta. "Are you her, partner?" She asked. "I'll need to pull her chart but if you could fill me in while I get her settled it'd make things go a little more smoothly. I assume she's full-term?" She asked. As she backed through the door and speed-walked down the corridor toward the birthing-suites.
Jiao'lan was doing her best not to make too much sound but was finding it increasingly difficult. She was hunched over in the chair, toed talons curled. "No, I'm her friend," Keeta replied, not certain whether she should read anything into the emphasis that had been placed on the word.
"I'm not sure I know enough to help you," Keeta continued, uncertain. "But I'll tell you what I do know. This is Jiao'lan Banku. Her partner is Ke'rehl, who is currently away on travel. Her pregnancy is considered to be high-risk and she has been in labor for somewhere around eight or nine hours. And I think she's far enough along to be considered full term...." she looked at Jiao'lan for at least a nod of confimation on these last two statements. Keeta hoped her friend was coherant enough to have been listening to the conversation. She reached out a hand and gently squeezed her shoulder as she saw her tense posture. Jiao'lan gave a nod. "This could kill me...me mate's huge compared t'me." She moaned. "They said I can't have any meds...I DON'T CARE I WANT SOME!" She all but whined. "It hurts...SO BAD." She was sobbing, now.
"Has your water broken, Jiao'lan?" Mellanie asked. "I dunno..." She managed. "Well, here's your room...would you like to get into the birthing tub? The warm water might make you feel better. But we can wait until this contraction's over and I cheque how dilated you are." She explained. Jiao'lan merely nodded, as if the harder she did so the sooner the contraction would end.
She seemed to relax a little more as the pain started to recede and then was gone completely. The nurse put on a glove. "Can you put you feet together and let your knees fall to the side?" She asked. Jiao'lan did as told. "A lot of pressure..." she said as she felt for her effacement and dilation. Jiao'lan sucked in a breath and made a small grunt. "Six centimetres, and ninety percent effaced." She announced as she removed her hand and disposed of her glove.
"Here...I'll get you into bed so you can rest while the tub fills up and I cheque your chart." She said warmly as she helped her up and over to a freshly made bed. Jiao'lan burrowed under the bedclothes, "Thank-you...so much." She murmured, almost asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Mellanie looked to Keeta. "Are you going to be staying with her?" She asked as she walked into the adjoining bathroom and began to run the water in the large, spa tub.
"And I'm sorry if I used any inflection when I asked your relation to Mrs. Ban'ku...I'm afraid if I make the wrong assumption some people get quite cross. Especially about the inference of homosexuality." She explained sheepishly. Keeta stood paitently by as Mellanie helped Jiao'lan into the bed and checked her progress. It seemed she was at least halfway there from that assessment, although her mother never had used such technical terms when she had helped deliver babies in Evin. Joel's delivery was about the only time she had heard those terms before. Keeta looked up at Mellanie as she addressed her.
"Yes I plan on staying with her if that's alright, seeing as Ke'rehl isn't here. I would hate to leave her alone..." she said her gaze traveling towards the resting figure of Jiao'lan. "Oh that's more than all right." She said, smiling. "In fact, I was hoping you'd stay." The nurse said. "I'll be right back...I just need to grab her file." She said. "Can I get you anything? Something to eat or drink?" Mellanie paused. "If she needs something, likewise, let me know. I shouldn't be gone more than five minutes." She added before heading out of the room.
Jiao'lan had fallen into a deep slumber,yet again, and for once looked quite relaxed. Keeta had shaken her head when Mellanie had offered to get her something. She was too wound up and preoccupied to think about eating. Briefly she played with the idea of popping through the mirror to the island to give the kids and the others there a calmer, more through explanation, now that Jiao'lan was safe. As she watched Jiao'lan resting, however, Keeta decided against it. She wouldn't want to have appeared to have abandoned her while she was sleeping.
Sighing, Keeta pulled up a chair next to the bed and took a moment just to let her nerves unwind somewhat. She was grateful for the opportunity and used the time wisely. There was no telling what the next several hours might bring. Jiao’lan had been in a deep sleep for about three minutes when her eyes snapped open and she violently arched her back as a screaming moan tore from her lips. After she had straightened out completely, she curled into a ball onto herself as tightly as her taut and distended abdomen would allow. Pain was coursing through her loins and back causing her to feel as if she were being split in half. Still somewhat groggy from sleep, terror shone in her eyes. Her cries echoed through the vacant, tiled corridors of the clinic, as a cold sweat beaded her brow. She could barely see, feel, or think of anything but the mind-numbing, blood-curdling pain.
While the earlier pressure of the amniotic sac was gone, since her water had broken her contraction had greatly intensified. The one thought that kept nagging her was to get away from the source of her pain, so she moved around on the king-sized mattress, but of course, her child and thundering uterus move with her.
This contraction was lasting far longer than the others had. She was nearly to the point of toppling over the edge of the bed and onto the floor, close to delirium. Mellanie rushed inm the file held under her arm. “What are you feeling, Jiao’lan?” She asked, brows knitting with worry. She opened her mouth to reply and a hoarse squeaking, scream was all she could manage. The nurse ran for a box of gloves and slipped one on. “I need you to try and hold still.” She said gently before looking to Keeta. “Can you hold her shoulders please, it’s imperative that I cheque her dilation.” The woman explained.
She pressed her fingers behind the damp, coarse feathers again and Jiao’lan screamed, a talloned foot striking out, purely on instinct. Mellaine dodged it and used her forearm to hold the very small woman’s feet to the mattress. It looked like she had done that many times before. “Okay…you’re eight and a half…almost there…let’s get you into the tub, shall we?” She asked gently as she leaned back and disposed of her glove.
“We can wait until that contraction’s over if you’d like.” That elicited a furious, vertebrae shattering nod from Jaio’lan.Keeta's eyes opened wide in surprise as Jiao'lan screeched in pain. Well, so much for having her rest peacefully. She was about to try and soothe the pained woman when Mellanie came tearing through the door. Keeta couldn't deny she was realived to have someone here who knew better what she was doing, although it made her feel slightly in the way.
As soon as Mellanie asked for her help, however, Keeta moved into position and held down Jiao'lan's shoulders with a firm, but gentle grip. She tried to smile at Jiao'lan, but did her friend really want a smile when she was in so much pain?
When Mellanie declared that Jiao'lan was now 8.5 cm dialated, Keeta couldn't hide her surprised expression. Jiao'lan had progressed rapidly in the short time they had been here. Was it really wise to move her to a tub now? That is unless of course Jiao'lan wanted to give birth in water. Keeta knew some women did that, athough Keeta hadn't had the impression that that is what the plan was for her friend. She frowned, but held her thoughts to herself. After all, she was not a trained midwife and Mellanie was.Jiao'lan's breathing slowed a bit, her muscles still tensed. "Jiao'lan? The water won't make the pain stop...but it'll help relax the muscles." Mellanie explained. "I've got the tub full. Unless a doctor shows up...you've got me." She explained.
"Now, I've delivered hundreds of lill' ones of all walks of life. I'm sure I can handle a cute lill' bundle of fluff that you're expecting." She smiled gently and rubbed the Keikancho-Jin's knee, her eyes shining with elicted a very very slight cross between a smile and a grimace from the feathered woman.
"Now, like any baby, they don't breathe until their little faces touch air...so you don't need to worry about him or her drowning..." she explained. Jiao'lan nodded and started to ease herself off of the bed. Mellanie took her cue to help support her as the two of them shuffled, slowly toward the tub. Jiao'lan started to tense as they reached the porcelain edge and Mellaline scooped her up and eased her into the water.
Her brows knitted harshly as her face contorted once more. Mellanie knelt next to the tub and offered her hand. Jiao'lan gripped it as if her life depended on it, and a groaning gasp rose from her throat. "Feels a tiny bit better, doesn't it?" Mellanie soothed.
All she got in reply was a furious nod.
Mellanie set her jaw firmly as her fingers were smashed together. She took a deep breath through her nose before speaking. "Any clue as to where Mr. Shan'ro is?" She asked, Keeta.
"That's it...s'rising to the top of it...won't get much worse...atta girl. Beautiful..." Mellanie praised as she dampened a cloth and mopped at her brow."I know he was out of town...that's about it," Keeta replied, her eyes fixed on Jiao'lan's tormented face. She wondered if Joel's birth would have been this bad for her without the numbing medication the doctors had administered.
"Is there anything I can do?" she asked, feeling a bit like a voyeur, just standing there.
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Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 3:59 pm
 Wow....I had quite an interesting day today. First off, the power went out last night, which made things more complicated in general this morning. Jiao'lan and I had made plans to go out, but I couldn't call her and confirm with the power out, so I just headed over there.
Well it was fortunate I went over when I did! Jiao'lan was starting to have the baby and she was there all by herself and with no way to call for help. She was in quite a state by the time I got there. I felt so helpless, and the kids...I really am worried about how they were affected by what they saw. I mean, they weren't there very long (I quickly used Ceres' mirror to transport them to the island), but they had to have seen how freaked out both Jiao'lan and I were. They were asleep when I picked them up, which I'm grateful for, because I'm not looking forward to explaining things to them.
And I hope I can kind of wipe this experience from my mind soon. While I'm glad I could be there for Jiao'lan while she was delivering her child, it was...well...I hate to say this, but a horrible experience. She was in intense pain. Far more than I knew I experienced while delivering Joel. There were complications...and she was experiencing inner turmoil...and I all I could do was just be there. I eventually had to leave the room. I couldn't take it any more.
Anyways, enough of the gloom and doom. Despite all the roadbumps getting there, Jiao'lan delivered a beautiful and healthy baby girl named Mi'Ako. I hope they are all very happy. I imagine it'll be a while before we visit together again though. I think she feels bad about how I had to go through that, and I feel rather akward about the whole thing.
Anyways, changing the subject....earlier in the week I took Joel and Camille to the place where I adopted the Bunkichi a long time ago, after getting an invitation in the mail. While there I ran into the owner, Chie and get updated on the goings on of the center.
I thought it would be nice if Joel and Camille each had a Bunkichi of their own that they would start to take care of as they got older. Chie (the owner) happened to have several fluffs available and I let them both pick one. Joel picked one with a deep red, almost flame-like coloring. Camille, surprisingly, didn't pick the green one that was available. Instead she picked a mottled orange one. I'm hoping it turns out to be a good decision and not something that will end up causing me more stress. Goodness knows I don't have enough of that right now.
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Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 4:00 pm
Synopsis: Joel and Natalia spend their day in the park with friends and family, just celebrating their birthdays and having a good time.
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:54 am
Sunday Sunset
It had been a long weekend. The birthday party, while not as well attended as Keeta would have hoped, had gone pretty smoothly, although it had left her exhausted at the end of the day after trying to keep everything running. Then earlier today she had gone for a fitting at the wedding dress shop before coming home and tackling the garden.
The summer rains that had started to come had made Keeta's plants flourish. Unfortunately the weeds flourished as well and needed to be dealt with. She had spent the better part of the afternoon pulling up unwanted plants and also trimming back some of the ones that had grown rather large. Keeta wondered if her green thumb almost made more work for her sometimes.
While she worked Camille and had played in the yard in their swimsuits, sometimes being joined by the Bukichi. Keeta had even turned on the sprinklers at one point and they had quite enjoyed getting wet, except for Twilight and Lightning, who had preferred to watch from the branches of a nearby tree.
By the time she finished, the sun was getting low in the sky and Keeta realized that Joel and Camille hadn't had their nap. She frowned, and hoped that wouldn't mess too much with their sleep schedule. She didn't much care to be waking up early to tend to a fussy toddler (or two). Well...either way, it had to be dinner time, although she wasn't really that hungry. The kids still needed to eat.
She headed into the kitchen and pulled out some cut fruit and vegetables she kept on hand for the Bunkichi, and set it out for them before browsing through the fridge. Finiding some leftover spagetti, she popped it in the microwave to heat before going and rounding up Joel and Camille. Joel protested more than usual about having to come inside, a sure sign that he was tired. When she finally wrangled the two of them in the house, she seated them at the table in their booster seats and got them each a small portion of spagetti and juice.
"Ok, eat your dinner and then we're going to go for a walk outside!" Then, while they were eating, she got changed into some walking clothes and pulled out the stroller. Even though she had been outside a good part of the day, it was so nice out there, she wanted to go back out. Plus, with the smattering of clouds in the sky, it promised to be a wonderful sunset. She would just walk around the block a few times until it got dark.
Maybe Joel and Camille would even fall asleep during the walk and she could just put them to bed when she got home. That would mean that she could put her feet up, have some quiet....read a book. There was one on the nightstand that she had borrowed from a friend that was being sadly neglected. A smile tugged at the edge of her lips at the prospect, but she was quickly brought back to reality when an irritated cry came from the kitchen. Sighing, Keeta went to investigate.
When she got there she saw Camille with an expression somewhere between anger and wanting to cry. It was clearly she who had made the noise, for there was spagetti sauce on her face and several strands of spagetti in her lap and one in her hair. Joel had a grin on his face, seemingly pleased with this turn on events, although his eyelids drooped slightly, further indicating how tired he was. Keeta immediatly went over to the green-haired girl, trying to comfort her, while she looked at her son.
"Joel Alston Harding!" she said firmly, giving him her best 'mom' look.
"No! We do not throw food at people! Especially not your sister!" Joel simply blinked at her before putting another spagetti noodle in his mouth with his small fingers. Keeta sighed, knowing she shouldn't expect too much of him yet. Just so long as it didn't become a habit...She had told him no now, and hopefully that would be enough. If not...well she would find another way to deal with it the next time. Instead of harping on it further, she went about the task of cleaning up Camille.
Twenty minutes later the sun was just a tad above the horizon and Keeta was walking out the door. She figured she would be able to get in at least half an hour of walking in before it got too dark. Already the sky was turning orange and pink. Keeta looked the other way, before crossing the street onto the sidewalk and noticed the full moon just peeking over the horizon. It had that slightly yellowish color to it that it tended to have once in a while just as it was rising. This was certainly special, seeing the moon and the sun at the same time, with this gorgeous sunset.
Smiling, she looked down at the stroller intending to share the sight with her children, but Joel was already asleep, one side of his mouth curved upward in a smile, as though he were having a pleasant dream. Camille wasn't quite asleep yet, but she was fighting it, her lids only halfway open. Keeta decided not to disturb her and let her nod off, keeping the amazing sight of the sunset and moonrise to herself.
She walked around the block, watching the sun dip below the horizon and the full moon slowly rise higher in the air with every passing minute. As the sun disappeared the air started to cool and the stars began to come out, twinkling in the night sky as it changed from orange to purple, blue and then black.
Keeta stayed out for as long as she could, savoring the quiet of the cool night air, but came home as soon as she felt it was too dark to still be safe. She gently brought the stroller inside, trying not to jostle the two sleeping children. Camille stirred slightly as they went over the bottom of the doorframe and Keeta shushed the small girl as she picked her up from the stroller. She carried Camille to the room she shared with Joel and laid her in her bed before kissing her goodnight. Satisfied she would fall back asleep, Keeta went back for Joel.
For a long minute she stood next to the stroller, watching him, reluctant to disturb him. He still had that slight half-smile on his face and Keeta wondered what it was that made him smile. Smiling herself, she gently removed him from the stroller. Joel remained deeply asleep as she moved him, which surprised her, because normally he slept very lightly. Shrugging, she attributed it to the long day he had and took him to the bedroom. He didn't stir even once as she tucked him in and soon Keeta was back out in the living room with the book from her nightstand.
Sighing contentedly, she settled in for a good read.
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:56 am
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:56 am
Part one: Breakfast
Keeta stepped through the mirror into the "front door closet" of Ceres and Sky's house. She had arranged to come over today on the pretext that she would go over some wedding things with Ceres while the kids played together. The actual reason for the visit, however, was to surprise Joel with his belated birthday present. She hadn't come over sooner do to Joel having been "ill."
Fortunately Joel was back to his regular eating habits, but she had been so scared! In fact she was rather apprehensive about the whole horse thing at all, and to add him being sick on top of it. She knew having a pet would be a good learning experience as he grew, which is why she had gotten both the children a Bunkichi fluff, but...horses were a much bigger responsibility, and she wondered whether Camille might feel left out.
She looked at the little girl with the green hair that was standing next to her. Keeta felt like she had been somewhat inattentive this past week, as she was caring for Joel. She planned to make it up to her soon. Maybe they would go see a movie together or something.
Camille smiled back at Keeta. She didn't seem to have been terribly bothered by the decrease in attention this past week. The young girl had busied herself with coloring books and the few dolls Keeta had bought her. She was happy right now just to be included in the goings on. Ceres' house was no longer frightening and unfamiliar as she had been here many times now. She still had her bouts of shyness, but they weren't as severe as they had been initially.
Joel wiggled in Keeta's arms. He had had enough of being coddled day in and day out and now he wanted down. He really hadn't understood why his mommy had been upset and hadn't let him play and do the things he normally did. Now that they had left the house, the desire to be "free" reared it's head.
"Down. Down. Down," Joel repeated as he wiggled.
"Ok, Joel! Ok!" Keeta said with exasperation as she set him on the floor. Ceres hardly realized that Keeta, Joel, and Camille had arrived until she heard the demands of Joel. She looked down and her eyes went wide. She quickly headed back to her room to grab a house coat.
Since she had woken she had not been at ease. Natalia had been gone- when she left or for how long she didn't know. And, what made matters worse was that Natalia had not left a note. She knew she had to be somewhere on the island but it was a very large place.
Coming back out of the bed room she drew in a deep breath- she was trying her best to keep calm... She remembered why exactly Keeta was here and didn't want to disrupt those plans.
She came down the hall and clapped her hands. Suddenly the halls, kitchen, and living room where well lit. The kitchen also came alive with the sound of clanking pots and pans... breakfast was in order.
Once that was taken care of she went to properly greet Keeta, Joel, and Camille. Keeta frowned. It was unusually quiet and no one came to greet them right away. She wasn't upset, farm from it, Keeta was actually more concerned because the house was normally brimming with activity. Had she gotten the wrong day? She was about to call out, when Ceres appeared. Keeta offered her a warm smile.
"There you are. I was beginning to worry! How are you?" Ceres tried not to think to long or to hard on how she was doing. "Great," she said trying to make it sound as if she meant it. "Coffee, tea, juice, soda?" She asked trying to avoid the whole 'what's wrong'.
"Mother!" Perian exclaimed as she come into the kitchen in a near full out trot. "Someone left the stable doors open!" She crossed her arms as she whickered. "Irresponsible!"
Ceres tried to sigh her sigh of relief as quietly as possible. She avoided everyone's eyes. "Would you be a dear and close them?" She smiled most motherly. "Jooth, jooth!" Joel said with a grin as he hurried into the kitchen. Juice was always a magic word with him. He did his best to climb up on one of the kitchen chairs, but struggled with the height. Looking to be 'rescued' he turned to Keeta.
"Mommy up!" he said bouncing around, finding more ways in which to release his pent up energy.
"Up, please," Keeta emphasised, trying to get him to learn the words please and thank you at an early age.
"Pees," he repeated as Keeta hoisted him onto the chair.
Camille followed and walked up to Ceres, before speaking in a very small voice.
"Can I have juice too....please?" she added as an afterthought, after hearing Keeta remind Joel.
Keeta turned away from the table and watched the interaction between Ceres and Perian, her eyes slightly narrowed. Ceres was acting almost....evasive. It wasn't like her. Something wasn't right.....Keeta decided to wait a few moments to see if she could pick up anything else before bringing it up. The stable incident did surprise her though.
"Who would have done that?" she asked, clearly surprised. She had always known Ceres' children to be responsible, at least while they were on the island. Perian saw that look in her eyes and simply nodded her head. "Certainly," she said turning and trotting this time more gently from the kitchen. The flicking of her tail almost sounded like an angry smack against the wall... Who was she to argue with her mother.
"Certainly dears," Ceres said helping both Joel and Camille. She got them seated (boosters included) and pushed in. "And, here we go," she said as she sat a couple glasses of milk on the table.
Being a mother of eight made her a pro- not that she would openly boast.
Once they were settled she looked to Keeta. She knew exactly who had left it open. She chewed on her lip for a moment and pulled on her robe (as if it wasn't already closed enough). "It's really nothing..." she said with a smile. "So... Milk, Coffee, Juice, Tea, Pop?" She asked again. Joel looked at the glass of milk with confusion. He wanted juice! Not milk. And he wasn't used to big boy cups yet. Particularly not ones made of glass. He looked from the milk to Keeta.
"Jooth?"
The corners of Keeta's mouth turned down a few degrees, causing her to frown. Something was definitely not right. She shushed Joel with a wave of her hand while she watched Ceres. Was she starting to age enough to become senile? Keeta certainly hoped not.
"No Ceres, I'm fine...." Keeta said slowly. "But since you asked again...the kids asked for juice, and I don't think they're ready for adult glasses yet. Are you sure you're ok?" Her eyes squinched slightly as she scrutinized Ceres.
Suddenly there was the sound of breaking glass behind her. Keeta whirrled to look and saw Camille covered in milk, with broken pieces of glass littering the floor around her feet.
Camille sat there in stunned silence for a moment before starting to cry. She was both scared and sad. She didn't mean to break it! Ceres had given her a big girl cup and she wanted to try it. She didn't mind having milk instead. Unfortunatly her small fingers couldn't properly grip it and it slipped from her hands.
"I...I...sorry mommy!" she sobbed. "I didn'... didn' mean to!"
Keeta immediately went to retrive Camille, ignoring the fact that she was getting milk on herself. She carried the girl over to the sink and started to clean her up with water and a nearby dish towel.
"Shhhh....shhhhh, you're ok," Keeta said, trying to calm the girl. She didn't blame her and she hoped neither would Ceres. Camille had only been using what she had been given. "Dear, dear, dear..." Ceres said more than a few times over. She rubbed her temples. "This certainly won't do will it..." she chuckled something similar to Rhine (no doubt where he picked it up from). "Keeta... I'll have this mess fixed in a second..."
Ceres felt awful for the mess she had made. It was more than apparent how little she was paying attention and how far away she must have been. She gave a high pitched whistle and everything in the kitchen (within her power) came to a sudden stop.
Ceres waved her hand and Joel's cup turned from glass to plastic and from milk to juice. Two problems down. She snapped her fingers and the shattered glass and split milk disappeared. "Really we don't need to stain clothes or cut toes."
"Now then," Ceres said with a grin as a plastic cup with juice appeared in her hand. "This is for you," she said as she handed it to Camile. "And, I can clearly see it is a pancake morning with extra syrup."
She wasn't worried about the extra energy the sugar might cause because there was plenty of space to use it up in. And, she also had plenty of children to help keep up with the younger ones.
Ceres pulled out a chair and took a seat (more like plopped). It had taken more out of her than she realized. She really missed those days... She continued to wave her hand and reanimate the kitchen. Keeta watched gratefully as things returned to 'normal' leaving no trace of what had just happened aside from Camille's tear streaked face. Joel had already grabbed his juice, and started to drink, not questioning nor caring how it had come to be there.
Camille sniffled and looked at Ceres, as if waiting for her to get mad. When Ceres offered her the cup of juice though, a tenative smile appeared on her face as she reached for the cup.
"I sorry...." she said quietly.
Keeta leaned over and kissed Camille on the cheek before picking her up and placing her back in the booster seat. Once the girl was settled, Keeta took a seat next to Ceres. She was not normally one to be so direct, but clearly it was needed.
"OK...what's going on? This isn't like you. And please don't tell me you're fine." Ceres winked at Camille before smiling at them both. She was thankful that it had been fairly easy to fix what had just happened. She watched them for a moment enjoy their juice- but staid vigilant on the making of the pancakes (she didn't need another mishap).
"Everything really is fine now," Ceres said with a smile as she glanced out the window for a split second. "I know exactly where Natalia is." She hadn't even realized she had said it. It had just slipped out when she glanced out the window. Keeta frowned and looked away, feeling insulted that Ceres continued playing this charade. Weren't they close enough that Ceres could tell her what was wrong? She was about to say something expressing her frustration when Ceres said the second part of her sentence. Keeta turned back to Ceres, an eyebrow arched in surprise.
"You didn't know where she was earlier?" "All I knew was that her bed was a wreck as if she had struggled," Ceres said with sigh. "No note or anything... Makes one worry," she paused for a moment and looked out the window again. "Especially since this island is suppose to be relatively exclusive." She wasn't going to openly express her fears of the island and what it was capable of. Abstinent minded, she swirled her hand. "So...why did you feel you had to keep that from me?" Keeta asked coming behind Ceres and placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Maybe I can help. Do you want to try and look for her?" Keeta wanted to find the girl, as she was worried now too. If it had been Joel or Camille...and it had been bad enough when Joel was sick. Keeta felt her stomach twinge slightly at the thought of him being lost. She had to consiously make an effort to stay looking attentively at Ceres insetad of looking behind to her check that her children were there. "Because I kept hoping that she would come waltzing through that door and that all my worries would have been for nothing. There is no point in worrying you if there is nothing to worry about... Wait and see," Ceres said so gently it was almost frail.
"Lifes lessons can not all be taught by parents. Some have to be learned on there own..." Ceres without second thought put her hand on top of Keeta's when she felt it. She wasn't paying attention to the fact that she had used her cooking hand. And in a split second the spoon in the pancake batter acted as a catapult device.
"Oh dear..." she said with a worried laugh. Keeta dodged the flying batter, glad it had flown away from the children. She wasn't sure Camille could handle having something else flung at her this morning.
"I'm confused...." Keeta said, speaking carefully. "Why are you worried if there's nothing to worry about? And if there is something to worry about why am I not allowed to be concerned....And I understand that parents can't teach their children everything but...." After snapping her fingers to get the mess cleaned up Ceres waved her other hand to get things going again. The sooner breakfast was put together the better.
"I meant," Ceres chuckled at the confusion. What a morning it had been. "That there was no sense in worrying you before I even knew that there was reason to worry. I just worry to worry... My children can tell you that."
Perians heavy steps could be heard in the living room as could the slamming of the door. "Oh..." was Keeta's intelligent reply. She looked a bit sheepish, now understanding Ceres' reasoning. What she still wasn't certain about, however, was whether there was a reason to worry. Was Natalia missing? She glanced sideways at Ceres. but decided to push the matter. Instead her head turned towards the sound of Perian's approach. For a solid five minutes silent bickering between Perian and Natalia could be heard in the living room. Apparently each person had valid points and neither was going to budge.
Finally they into the kitchen- both red in the face and their arms crossed over their chests. Natalia was covered in flecks of mud from head to toe. They stared each other down.
"CHILDREN!" Ceres said feeling her strings of patience about to snap. Keeta felt herself withdraw at the tension in the room. Yes...she was Natalia's godmother, but she was not about to interfere when Natalia's real mother was there. She silently made her way to the kitchen table, seating herself by Camille and Joel, avoiding eye contact with the two girls. Whatever was going on, she didn't need to make it more complicated by getting involved. Ceres took several deep breaths. She was intentionally calming herself down as she made her decision about what to do.
With the pancakes flipping themselves on the stove she finally decided to speak. "Natalia we have company go and wash up," she said looking her directly in the eyes. She knew that Natalia was able to see.
"We'll discuss this later," Ceres said firmly the second she heard Perian snort. Keeta kept her head down and concentrated on making sure Joel and Camille didn't spill their juice. She would just stay out of it, until circumstances dictated otherwise.
Camille looked at the pair of girls nervously. She didn't care for it when people were angry with one another. It put her on edge and only made her shyness more prominent, especially after having milk spilled on her this morning.
Joel simply watched curiously. He loved his juice, but it wasn't nearly as interesting as this! "Come on," Perian said with a rise and a fall of her hoof. She held out her hand for Natalia. As angry as she was at this not being settled she wasn't going to linger on it considering their mother had already made their ruling.
Natalia looked from her mother to Perian and then to Keeta. She then glanced at Camille and Joel. This certainly had turn out not to be a good morning. Her head was throbbing as she rubbed her temples. Finally, she held out her hand for Perian to take it.
"That's better," Ceres said with a smile. Once they were out the room she focused on putting the pancakes on the table as well as bacon, eggs, syrup, and a few other breakfast items. Keeta watched them depart with rising curiosity. Something was going on. Normally she wasn't the type to pry, but Natalia was her goddaughter after all. That gave her the right to know....right?
"I don't suppose it's any of my business, but what just happened?" Keeta said as nonchalantly as she could manage. "I'd say that falls under sibling rivalry or sisterly dispute..." Ceres said with a sigh as she shoved pancakes onto Natalia's plate. "But, if you mean previous to the kitchen I haven't the slightest." She was being truthful- she really didn't know what was going on. "I see...." Keeta mused, trying to make a connection between Ceres' previous concern, Natalia's muddy appearance and Perian's frustraition. As she thought, she put a pancake on Joel's and Camille's plates, cutting them into small pieces so the toddlers could pick them up and chew them easily. Keeta did try end encourage Camille to try and use the fork. She was slightly older and it was time to start training her to use silverware.
The two children chewed contently, not even concerned about the row moments earlier. It was no longer happening and so no longer bothered them. Joel was even behaving himself, choosing not to throw any pancake pieces at his sister, and eating the whole thing, which was a far cry better from the last time he had been offered pancakes. Keeta was glad the worrisome time when he wasn't eating had passed. She just hoped it would be avoided in the future. Ceres really didn't know what to say or what to feel at the moment. Each of her children had their 'quarks' but Natalia's were proving to be strenuous on everyone.
Natalia returned looking far more suitable for the breakfast table. Her hair though not contained was no longer unruly. Mud, twigs, and outside in general had all been washed away. She sat in her normal spot. The way her eyes wondered was good indication she could no longer see. Frustration was still all over her face. "Good morning Natalia," Keeta started tentatively, taking a pancake and some bacon for herself. She reached for the jam and began to spread it over the top of the pancake, how she liked it best.
"How're you?"
"Nata!"
Joel waved at Natalia, too young still to comprehend that he couldn't see like he could. He grinned in her general direction.
Camille, however, knew better by now and offered a quiet greeting.
"Hello." "Morning," Natalia said glumly though she tried her best to make it sound as cheerful as her normal self. She sighed as she felt around for her fork... Some things got old quick and she could hardly wait to grow up. Probably later she would be in better spirits and ready to play.
Ceres could hardly say anything about Natalia's attitude because she was hardly the first to bring an unexceptionable one to the table. She smiled as she focused on 'company'. "Wedding plans first or..." She glanced out the window. "Well we can talk wedding until breakfast is over," she said, following Cere's example and ignoring Natalia's attitude.
"I want to make sure he eats, and if he gets too excited I don't think food will be on his mind," Keeta continued, looking significantly at Joel, who seemed to be oblivious to the fact she was speaking about him. She would be watching his appitite like a hawk for a good month at least.
"I know I want it relatively small...like no more than 50 people on the invitation list. And I know that still sounds like a lot, but I think between the two of us, we can fill that number pretty quickly...."
Camille quietly followed the conversation as best she could, while trying to manage the fork akwardly. She looked at Keeta embarassed, when a piece fell from the fork into her lap. It was still edible so she picked it up with her fingers and but it in her mouth, but it didn't seem Camille was destined to remain clean today. "Let me help you," Cassara said as she slid her arms around Camille and to the front of the little girl. "Like this," she said softly as she helped the girl curl her fingers around the fork and hold it straight.
"Morning Cassara," Ceres said glancing over at her daughter but kept her focus on Keeta. "Rhine coming?" She asked as she started a side conversation. "What ever number you think is proper. If we count close family I'd say we already have between 15 and 20. We cannot count the restaurant crew because well they will be working hard behind the scenes." Camille smiled at Ceres. She was still learning, but she would get it soon enough. She set about finishing her pancake.
Keeta started doing mental calculations, thinking outloud as she went. She nodded a silent greeting towards Cassara as she entered the room.
"Well let's see, you, Sky, Natalia, Perian, Cas-...um... Vlad and Kaida, Aurora, Aurora Dawn, Tinker, Ayisha and Masika...and if they don't bring the twins, that's 11 right there...." Keeta's eyes wandered toward Cassara wondering if the young woman had noticed the slip. Either way, she continued with her thoughts.
"Surion, 12....and I would want to invite Luna from the clinic, Jiao'lan and Ke'rehl, Amena and her husband Silver, even though I haven't actually met him yet. Then there's my Evin "family": Annata, Kyo and Momi, Tess, Brat and her son Woodz. That's...." she counted on her fingers adding the new people.
"23. So you were estimating pretty well. Can you think of any names I've forgotten, particularly on your side that I should add to my mental checklist?" Keeta looked in her bag for a piece of paper.
"I really should learn to keep a pad of paper and a pen in here...." "Imbri and I believe she brings two guests with her as well. Natalia is fond of the little boy," Ceres chuckled as she snapped her fingers and paper and pen appeared. "All you have to do is ask."
"Doubt Rhine's coming... This being a 'woman' thing and all," Cassara couldn't help but to grumble.
Cassara straightened up and then ruffled the little girls hair. "Did you mention Kaida... It would only be fitting that I show up with my fiancee." She walked around the table to take a seat at her place. The kitchen had grown as had the table in the past view months to accommodate the 'new comers'.
"I really doubt Ayisha or Masika would be able to separate themselves from the twins. There is Fauste and Lexi... They are my sisters." Ceres sighed and again looked out the window. "Though I doubt they'll show... It has been a while. Terrible isn't it considering we all live on this island." "Thanks Ceres. Imbri plus two, and the twins...Fauste and Lexi..." Keeta murmured as she wrote down the names, although she cringed somewhat internally. She hoped that the number of small children that were getting put on the list wouldn't be disruptive. She turned to Cassara.
"I said Kaida, I guess you just didn't hear me. I wouldn't forget your mate," she said politely. "And I don't know if the guest list is necessarily a 'woman' thing. He may want some imput on who gets invited." She turned back to Ceres.
"I know it'll be disappointing if they don't show. I don't expect even half of my Evin family will be there either..." her eyes glazed over for a moment as she thought of Tess. The owner of the bar had been almost nonexistant in recent times, since she had eloped with her new husband. Shaking her head, she brought herself back to the present.
"Those names bring us to 30. Now that we're adding children on there though, do you think I should include Jiao'lan's daughter and Luna's daughter? I'm also thinking about the fairy who attended the birthday party. He seemed very nice.""Good thing Rhine has plenty of room at the cafe," Ceres chuckled as the number of people on the guest list quickly rose. She took one last bite of pancakes and pushed the plate forward- she would grab it later.
"Rhine doesn't see today as guest list day he sees it as wedding day planning day... And that to him is for the woman folk to do," Cassara mumbled again as she wrapped her tail around the syrup. "And, I was a bit preoccupied," she said in response to Kaida already being on the list.
"Include all the little ones..." Perian said as she came into the kitchen. "We're great with kids... Almost to good," she said with a slight cringe knowing full well how many would want 'pony rides'. "It really is the least we can do considering you really don't need wedding gifts unless you count the skimpy kind..." She shot a look at Cassara already knowing what her sibling could come up with. Keeta nodded, thinking, wondering if there were more to add. Perhaps they wouldn't have a hard time staying within the limit like she thought they would.
"Well if we keep the numbers down below 50, which we seem do be doing ok, at least the kitchen staff won't be overwhelmed. That shouldn't be more than they would get on a normal business night. I sure hope it's not a bother for Rhine to ask them to cater it...." Keeta frowned slightly as she thought. She never liked asking things of people, even if it was for a good reason. She glanced at Cassara when she spoke about Rhine's interpretation of the day's events.
"Perhaps I should call him. I would like his input. Doesn't seem right to me that he wouldn't have a say in who gets invited..." she started digging in her bag for her cell phone when Perian made her 'wedding gifts' comment. Keeta froze and turned her head so she could see the centaur out of the corner of her eyes. She blushed all the way to the tips of her ears, before turning back to her bag and trying to occupy herself with finding the phone. "I really doubt Rhine will answer the phone considering he's gearing up for the breakfast rush," Cassara said as she sat the syrup down. "Besides... between our mother and myself we know everyone he'd invite."
Ceres was occupied elsewhere again thought wise.
Perian snorted at Keeta's blush. She was glad that she would never have to worry about those things. "I'm sure he's seen you in less and is a pro at taking it off in seconds... So why blush?" Keeta mumbled a response to Perian under her breath, that sounded something like, "Doesn't mean I want everyone talking or thinking about it." She cast a glance towards Camille, who just smiled at her innocently as she managed to use the fork to get another piece of pancake in her mouth. Well at least all of this adultish talk was going over the toddler's head. But what about Natalia? Keeta frowned slightly and considered the girl before looking back at Cassara.
"I suppose you're right...I just don't want to leave anyone out that should be there. I guess we can always add to the list later." Keeta turned her gaze towards Ceres, who seemed to be out of it.
"Ceres?" she said, pausing a moment so the older woman's attention could refocus.
"Is there any other wedding issue you wanted to address right now? It seems we have a place for the wedding and reception, a tentative guest list, I have a dress...." she trailed off waiting for input."Just the more specific things," Ceres said as she turned her attention back to Keeta. "Flower girl, brides maids- and their dresses... Men's tuxes and such. Nit picky things," she was still acting a bit absentminded as she waved her hands to dismiss the dirty dishes.
Perian gave a side ways look at Cassara before winking. Her mind was already racing at the possibilities especially the ones that would prove most embarrassing. "Well...I have been considering those things. Haven't made any final determinations yet. It's hard to pick sometimes...." she glanced between Natalia and Camille. Camille was of the right age to be a 'cute' flower girl (and quite literally with the lilies in her hair!) but Keeta wasn't convinced that she could be persuaded to walk down the asile in a realitively large group of people. Natalia was her other choice, but would she consider herself to be too old? She could be a Jr. Bridesmaid but....Keeta sighed and twisted a blue lock of hair around her finger.
"I've actually played with the idea of having an extremely small wedding party with just the best man and the maid or matron of honor...Makes things less complicated. I haven't really discussed that part with Rhine yet. I don't know who he might be considering for his best man, or other groomsmen for that matter." "Yes, those are things that you have to consider... Not really much I can do to help you out." Ceres smiled as she weaved her fingers. The pen was fast at work scribbling across the paper with random thoughts and such about the wedding.
"I'm going to take these and head over to see Ayisha," Perian said as she grabbed the remainder of the pancakes and headed out the kitchen. She left the syrup and such...
Natalia huffed entirely to uptight to care about eating. She had tried- the evidence was there in the picked over pancakes. Everything, and then some was racing through her mind. "Can we hurry up and play all ready..." "Do think anyone would get upset if I chose to have only one person up there with me, instead of several?" Keeta looked at Ceres, waiting for an answer, when Natalia spoke. The blue-haired woman raised an eyebrow and looked at the girl.
"Is something bothering you Natalia?" she asked, trying to be gentle.
"I thought you were excited about the wedding..." "Why would anyone have reason to be upset? It is your wedding," Ceres chuckled. Just as Keeta's attention was turned to Natalia so was hers. She pursed her lips- her patience was wearing thin, really thin.
Natalia entwined her fingers in the ends of her hair. She sighed more in frustration than anything else. She had thought taking a ride earlier would have helped her clear her mind but it hadn't even begun to settle maters. "No, no not your wedding... I just... suck," with that said she stood up and headed out of the kitchen.
Cassara quickly stood up. She had a feeling what this was about. It was turning out that Natalia was a lot like her brother (even if they weren't blood related). Keeta's eyebrows shot up in surprise. That was certainly not the response she had expected. And to make matters more complicated, she had no idea what might have prompted such a statement from her goddaughter. Blinking, she turned to Ceres, wondering if she might straighten things out, speaking only when Natalia was out of earshot.
"Do you know why Natalia think she 'sucks?' And perhaps what it is she thinks she is poorly qualified for?" This negativity and stubbornness was becoming more and more common in Natalia's personality. Keeta hoped she would be able to keep up when she was the girl's guardian. "Violin," Ceres mumbled. She wanted to crawl under the table or at least be able to hide her face behind something. She sighed softly and looked from where Natalia once sat to Keeta.
"Natalia is brilliant in her own rights doesn't mean she has the confidence," with that said Cassara left the room. Her tail accidentally hitting the door frame in her quickness. "Ok.....so she needs to develop confidence in playing her violin. That will come with time. After all, she's still relatively young...but why is she all upset about it? Did someone give her bad marks on performance or something?" Keeta understood how people could be shy about their abilities, such as Rhine being shy about his violin performance. But that didn't mean they stressed about them and made themselves disaggreable. Keeta felt like she was missing some vital piece of information that would make all of this make more sense. She had no idea what that might be, however. Rhine was hoping we could all play together at the Cafes grand opening... Natalia having her own solo. Like Vlad said she's brilliant in her own rights it is just the glam is holding onto her pearl." Ceres stretched and suddenly realized how under dressed she was- and with it how scatterbrained she had been all morning. "As for the tude you can blame Vald for that... Probably Aurora Dawn to." She shook her head absently. "Oh....Rhine didn't mention that to me...." Keeta frowned slightly at having not been informed of the family concert. Maybe he just hadn't gotten around to telling her yet.
"Well if she's not ready, emotionally, wouldn't it be better to let her wait? Some people just aren't the type that like to do solos." Keeta pictured what it would be like standing in front of a whole group of people, being expected to play a song all by herself; or at the very least where she was the focus of the song. She shuddered involuntarily. Being the center of attention was not her thing. Her eyes grew slightly wide and she got a few butterflies in her stomach realizing that that is exactly what her wedding day was going to be. Ceres gave an odd look at Keeta, almost one of those eye brow raising moments that clearly defined 'oh'. "Well I am sure it is because we are finalizing bits and pieces like this..." she motioned towards the door.
"That is where Vlad comes in... She has a knack for getting clams to give up there pearls... Amazing isn't it considering how..." she was afraid to think let alone say the work. She gave a nervous chuckle. "Interesting.....well I hope it all works out for everyone's sake. I'd hate to see Natalia have a bad experience..." Keeta pursed her lips as she thought.
Seconds later, however, the sound of a sippy cup hitting the floor could be heard. Joel looked over at his mother grinning proudly. Uh-oh....Keeta knew that look. He was in the mood to play slam dunk. Fortunatly, from the look of things, he had finished his pancake, so there really wasn't much for him to toss on the ground. A cursory inspection of Camille's place revealed the same thing.
"Perhaps we should continue this discussion outside," she said significatly, glancing in the direction of the stables. Ceres tapped her lips for a moment as she looked over at the kitchen mess... She really didn't mind it. It had seen plenty of messes as well as herself and the rest of the family. Seconds later dishes were washing and rags were scrubbing. "Yes, to the stables. But, first let me collect Natalia." "I have my own collecting to do," Keeta said with a chuckle. "Take your time." She set about getting Joel and Camille ready to go outside, getting them out of their chairs and such. Keeta was grateful for Ceres' magic, otherwise the three of them never would have made it through the meal as clean as they did. Not that it mattered much. They were going to a stable after all. Keeta leaned over to re-fasten the velcro on Joel's shoes, when Camille approached her from behind.
"Where we going mommy?" she asked quietly, having not been outside the house on the island very often.
"Well....we're going somewhere special. You'll see when we get there."
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:58 am
It took Ceres a good eight minutes to figure out which room Natalia and Cassara had hidden themselves in. To her surprise and happiness Natalia seemed to have calmed down a good bit and it didn't take much convincing to her to be sociable again or give out apologies.
Natalia's bare feet smacked heavily against the tile flooring as she came into the kitchen. "Sorry about earlier," it sounded sincere enough at least for a passing apology. With that sad she looked in the direction of her mother (she knew by the swishing of her tail). "Can we go now...?" "It's ok Natalia," Keeta said nodding out of habit, despite knowing it was unlikely the girl could see it. She looked up and caught Ceres' gaze nodding again.
"And yes, I think we're ready to go." She had Joel firmly balanced on one hip and Camille's hand in hers. Ceres chuckled as she noticed Keeta's 'load'. She kicked a few stray toys out of their way- she really had to pick things up. Next she held open the door for them. "I hope you don't mind Keeta but I made sure that this could also benefit Camille."
Natalia chuckled. Suddenly she was full of excitement about having 'playmates'. Doubly excited about having 'riding partners'. With a bounce in her step she began to jingle as they headed towards the stables. Keeta stopped midstride at Cere's "confession," causing Joel to lurch slightly and cling on to Keeta's shirt, to regain his balance. Camille looked up at her with confusion, wondering why she had stopped.
"Oh Ceres....you didn't..." she protested in the tone of those who are appreciative, but overwhelmed. Keeta felt like Ceres was giving her too much. There was no way she would ever be able to return the generosity and she hated the feeling of being in one's debt, even though she knew Ceres wouldn't view it that way. "I did," Ceres said approvingly enough as if it made things alright. She wiggled her toes the moment they touched the grass- it was one of her favorite things. Once at the stable she motioned her hand so that it would unlock and opened.
"Mines so pretty. Electric blue mane and dark blue coat." Natalia was only dropping a few hints about what was waiting inside for the other two. Then again it probably wasn't that much of a hint considering theirs would be different in color from hers. "But..." Keeta started to protest again, but stopped when she heard Natalia's excitement. Apparently this was going to give the little girl as much pleasure as her mother, if not more.
"I guess I just feel like it's too much..." she said resignedly.
Joel wasn't old enough to really follow the conversation, but Camille looked from Keeta to Natalia to Ceres and back again. She could tell that something was afoot, but she had no idea as to what. Even though it was many a little girl's dream to have a pony of their very own, very few actually believed it would happen. And even fewer had that wish come true, so the thought didn't even cross her mind, even though she could smell the sweet scent of hay and horses from the stable. "I hardly see how it can be considered to much when the island is plentiful in them and they are more than willing to offer their services to me and my family," Ceres chuckled. "They are a cross between a Clydesdale and a Shetland. Thick and sturdy- short and portable."
Natalia clapped in pure delight... Every bell jingled and told of her presence. The pony she spoke of looked up and snorted the moment he saw her. He was happy to see her there was no doubting that. What was questionable was if he was happy about all the recent bells that had been added to his mane. "I guess it's just because I know I'll never be able to respond in kind. I have nothing like this to offer, from natural sources or otherwise, and though I know you would never expect it of me, I wish that I could return the kindness in some manner," she sighed, but smiled when she saw the blue pony and how he responded to Natalia. The two clearly cared for each other, with a bond between humanoid and animal as it was intended to be.
"Pony!" Camille squealed in hushed excitement as she jerked her mother's hand and wiggled, her joy in seeing the animal up close evident in every inch of her small frame.
Joel was equally excited at getting to see the pony up close. He clapped his hands and grinned.
"Horsie!" "Your time will come Keeta when you will pay me back without realizing it. Let me just enjoy myself while I can... And, part of that enjoyment comes from giving to others and sharing what I have to offer." Ceres snapped her fingers and the other two ponies came from their stables.
Nothing was wild about them at all. Even their stride was gentle almost overly so. Their thick, shaggy manes fell into their eyes- but, there was no evidence they had a hard time seeing.
"I've waited on naming mine so that we could all name them together!" Natalia squealed and clapped. Every bell continued to sing and as her sang so did her ponies. Camille brightened even more when she saw the approach of the other two ponies, but she didn't put two and two together. She saw how excited Natalia was, but also the expectation on her face. The green haired girl looked from Natalia, to the pair of ponies to Keeta with confusion.
"Camille, Natalia and Ceres are giving you one of the ponies here...and the other one is for Joel. You get to pick a pony and it will be yours to name and ride and take care of. I'm letting you pick first because I think you will know better which pony would be good for you and which one would be good for Joel." Camille just looked back and forth between Keeta and the ponies in wide-eyed silence. After a long moment, she finally spoke in her tiny voice.
"I get a pony?" "Yes," Natalia began as she took Camille's hands in hers, "ponies!!" She danced in step merrily not sure if the other would follow her lead or not. Her bells only got noisier but none of the ponies seemed bothered by this.
"She's had the hardest time keeping this a secret," Ceres said with a slightly goofy grin that was similar to Rhine's. She clapped in delight and gave a light laugh. "Must admit so have I." "Indeed...even I didn't know all the secret," Keeta remarked.
Joel was infected by Natalia's mirth and started clapping and laughing again.
"Yay ponies!" he said repeatedly, although Keeta didn't believe that he had grasped the concept that one of these ponies was to be his. He'd figure it out sooner or later though.
Camille didn't seem to know how to process this information. She just stood there, her face a mix between shock and indecision, unmoving despite Natalia's enthusiasm. This was the biggest decision of her very young life! She stared at the two ponies. One was a very light brown with a dark brown mane and tail; the other was a medium, almost bluish grey, with a darker shade of the same color for his mane and tail. Then Camille's expression relaxed some, as a thought came to her.
"Are they boys or girls?" she asked, as if that would help her make a decision. "I'm pretty sure the bluish one is a girl and the brown is a boy..." Ceres said as she tried her best to recollect. She really didn't know why though she had to think so hard when all she had to do was ask.
Natalia let go of Camille's one hand so she could take hold of Joel's. She didn't want him to feel left out in all the excitement. Her 'bouncing' was becoming a little less erratic. Tentatively, Camille walked up to the blue-grey pony and gently reached to touch the soft fur of her muzzle. The equine stepped forward, meeting her halfway, nudging her hand and giving a soft whicker, as if realizing this little person in front of her startled easily. Her ears flicked forward curiously as she looked at the little person. Camille smiled and looked at Ceres.
"I can keep her?" She asked, trying to confirm for certain whether she understood. Her eyes twinkled with child-like hope. "Yes, they are for you and your brother and you get to keep them as well as name them and take care of them. However, since I doubt you'll have room to house them they'll stay here in the stables. Your mommy will help teach you how to properly take care of them." Ceres chuckled as she confirmed for the little girl.
"I finally have a name for mine," Natalia said as she dropped both her friends hands and reached out to stroke her pony. Knowing her disability he stretched out his neck so that his muzzle could touch her hand. He then proceeded to lick her fingers. "I want to call him Lir," she managed to say in between giggles as the pony licked her fingers. "Thank you!" she squeaked, not quite having the vocabulary to express how happy and excited she was. Camille grinned and turned back to her little pony. She continued to stroke the grey-blue muzzle as she considered names. As was typical of a little girl as young as she was, the names she considered were things like "Princess," "Cinderella," "Ariel." Keeta had been letting her watch too many Disney princess films.
While Camille considered, Keeta held Joel lower so he could pet the other pony. This pony was equally as gentle, but he flicked his tail with the excitement of getting to meet this little boy.
"Joel, this pony is for you. Ceres is giving him to you for your birthday. You get to give him a name, if you want. Or mommy can help you give him a name."
Joel for the moment ignored his mother. He was too absorbed in feeling the pony's soft muzzle and mane.
Keeta turned to Natalia, realizing that she didn't have Joel's attention.
"Why did you choose to name him Lir?" she asked. Natalia turned her head to the direction from which Keeta's voice was coming. "He reminds me a lot of the glowing sea critters and Lir was the name of a God of the sea of one of those earth countries. Since I cannot call him sea critter I'll call him Lir since they come from the sea. That and he does look godly enough and if not then at least princely enough."
"Well Natalia it certainly is a fine name... Very fitting," Ceres chuckled. She walked over to Joel and knelt down. With her kneeling so did Joel's pony. "Is this easier?" She had chosen to give most of her attention to Joel since the two girls were older and could handle themselves. Keeta gratefully set Joel on the ground when the pony knelt. Now he could reach it, without her having to hold him up. He giggled and wrapped his arms around the pony's neck. He held up a piece of the pony's mane.
"Brown!" he declared. Keeta had been working on teaching him his colors and brown was one of his more recent aquisitions. Joel grinned with pride at being able to identify something that was brown. Keeta chuckled.
Camille was still considering her pony. She had gotten closer to her, realizing that the pony was going to remain still and not pull any surprises. Stroking the pony's back she spoke.
"Can I call her Daisy?"
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