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 Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:36 am
"Now....the day has come....we are Forsaken, this time."
The soft, painful melody drifted through the dark woods, morning was rising - a befitting time for the dawn of new lives. Waddling at a snail's pace, the mare was well aware of the contractions painfully riddling her body from the near arrivals of her children. Reaper and her's children. Rolling her sapphire eyes into the back of her head as she winced at the reaccuring pain; she knew that she wouldn't be able to go on like this for long.
Nimue had to find a safe location to birth her foals, away from the fellow monstrosities that lingered in the woods. Eager to take the lives of something that would easily be able to take theirs in due time.
Perhaps it was denial, or the fact that her mental capasity wasn't as grand as it should be...but the idea that her babies could become some force to uprise and take back the heavens was uncomprehendable to the mare. Foals...so innocent and small, could there really be some unrelenting evil harbored in her womb at this very moment? Ever since her finding out that she was pregnant, subconsiously she'd been avoiding Reaper...Nimue was new at this and found herself trying to seek comfort wherever she could find it. A bit of it had been with Ezriel and Rue, but mostly she found comfort in just being alone...even if she did not sleep at night in fear that Anju would come back for her. Thus her body had taken a vicious toll for her ill concern of her physical health; eating for the foals and the foals alone, the mare would have been nothing but skin and bones if it were not for the very large bulbous tummy she had between her legs. Pale with her hair a mess equipt with dirt and leaves....Nimue knew somewhere that she was spiraling down.
At least the babies would be fine - thats all that mattered now.
Did Reaper even know she was pregnant? Surely thanks to the events which happened at their last meeting would clue it off; but had he been following her? Did he know she ran into Ezriel and Rue? Perhaps he was angry with her and thus was waiting for the right moment....Nimue prayed not...what with being pregnant; the opposite had happened to the mare. Instead of her emotions becoming even more crazed; she felt a bit of sanity for a change.....and that scared the living hell out of her.
The memories resurfacing, the pain and guilt....it was almost too much to bare. Which was why she avoided Reaper, not for impregnating her, but for the link he served to the heavenly world. Being with him reminded her now of what she had lost, what she was - and untill she returned back to her cursed state of mind, she just couldn't let that pain get any more the better of her than it already did.
Glancing up, Nimue let a very faint smile draw over her lips in a bittersweet nature. Walking out of the woods and under the blood red skies above as the sun began to rise over the land; casting its hellish light against the cloud cover, she found herself at the cliffsides. Fitting; how she's lost her previous chance of happiness and foals here, and now would at least be giving birth to foals, which made Reaper very happy...and Nimue too.
It was time.
Near collapsing onto her joints as she caught herself from landing on her stomach, she slowly lowered herself onto her side; panting heavily from the fast increasing pains. The mare let out a shuddering scream as her whole body felt like it was dying....or what she assumed dying would feel like - very, very unpleasant. Closing her eyes tightly, the mare sang out once more; her only escape from the pain.
"We lived our lives in our paradise, ss gods we shaped the world around. No borderlines we'd stay behind, though balance is something fragile. The sacrifice was much too high, our greed just made us all go blind. We tried to hide what we feared inside. Today is the end of tomorrow...."
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Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 10:14 am
 He had never been far from the mare. He had made a promise to protect her and he had honored it. While he let her keep her distance and was curious at the reasons for it, he never let her get too far. He was curious about her and Ezriel. What may be between them or not. Had he been quick to act on the pregnancy? Did he possibly ruin something for the both of them? He didn't want to think it but he did have a knack for ruining lives, didn't he? He was growing anxious when she took off by herself. He had an idea that she was looking for a place to have the foals and he had been correct. A part of him felt a twang of guilt when he realized that the birthing process had been a painful one. He never meant to hurt the mare in any way. He was even more nervous when he saw that they had three foals between them. Would she regret it because of the pain? Would she resent the foals? Could he hate her if she did? He was torn between honoring the mare and keeping his distance and his need to get closer. To look at the foals. To find out how she was. Would she hate him if he intruded before she was ready? Normally he would do whatever he wanted but the mare was special. Truth be told, she was the only friend he had ever made in his lifetime, and one of the few he cared for outside of his own parents. The only other one he cared for was Ezriel, though no one would catch him admitting it. He had to see them. He had to see her and their foals. Perhaps if she got upset, she could forgive him for it in the future. Come to understand. Slowly and quietly he walked forward until he was out of the shadows and stood above her. "Nimue," he whispered, not knowing what to say. He was at a loss for words. The monster stood and took in the entire scene and as his eyes roamed from Nimue to the individual foals, tears began to fall. He did not even notice them, so caught up in the moment. They were all so beautiful. They looked so much like him and Nimue and his father, he'd be damned if they didn't remind him of his own father! It was so much for the stallion to bear and for the first time in a long time, he cried. He had almost forgot what happiness felt like.
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Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:09 am
It had been done, she had followed through with her vow as any worries that something would happen to her or the foals before their birth drifted off her mind. Although she knew it would be rare that anything would possibly get past Reaper to harm his future foals or her, she still remained unaware of his shadow like protection. Three beautiful foals, each as striking as the next. All three were a perfect mix of both of their qualities; it was just as if they'd been merged together and split into three. Perfect. It really was the only word she could think of to describe the foals.
Nimue remembered when she'd found out about Ezriel's offspring, how Rue had been kept in a basket to give them a better chance at keeping alive; their newborn bodies safe in the wicker confinement. Sadly, Nimue knew that her own foals would have no such luxuries, being that no humans would ever associate with the likes of her or Reaper; these foals would just have to make due with what they had. It seemed their lives would revolve around such.
Tears had already been streaming down the mare's skull mask, from a mix of emotions she couldn't even begin to comprehend. There was pain, a majority of pain...but there was a bit of sadness, and a hefty amount of happiness. They were okay....thats all that mattered. Using her minimal strength she had left; she nudged the three little bodies closer to her; cleaning them off. She wished she could move them as the scene was unpleasantly bloody to speak kindly; but her current condition would not allow that. Needless to say; she fell into a comfortable relaxation with the three little heartbeats she curled around to keep safe.
She was aware now how lucky most mares had it when it came to giving birth; and even Reaper's mother; as he said he'd gotten the spikes later on in life. Well, unfortunately Nimue wasn't as lucky. Although in their defence, the spikes were still small; and since it was a gift from their father - she wouldn't change it. Besides....if Ezriel's mother did it, why couldn't she?
Perking alert as her body tensed to hear the sounds of someone approaching; the mare let out a maternal snarl, snapping her head to see the intruder was none other than Reaper. Instantly the hostility faded as he whispered her name, and a warm smile traced onto her lips from behind the mask. So he knew...and she was glad.
"They're here...finally. Gabriel....they are....perfect." She expressed her thoughts, but looked a bit worried when he began to cry. Was he sad? Was this not what he wanted? Stretching one of her large wings up, she wiped the droplets from his face tenderly before folding her wings back and laying her head back down on the grass.
"Gabriel....please move them. They will get filthy again...." She asked weakly, perhaps when they were out of the filth she too would be able to move; so that she could see each of her children. She wanted the best for them; and since a safe basket was out of the question; they'd have to be more careful - even if the foals were strong; nature was stronger.
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Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 1:32 pm
"They are perfect," he agreed, barely above a whisper. "You've done beautifully, Nimue. Get some rest while you can. I'll watch them," he promised. He took to the task of nudging them away from the mare some, so that they wouldn't be laying in such an awkward location and around the mess that came with birth. He was careful to avoid the spikes on his head.
It was a slow process but in the end, he had moved them all safely. They were in a position so that Nimue could see them better without having to move her body. He was sure she would be sore for awhile to come. Three foals were a lot, after all. A part of him felt a bit of guilt at knowing Korrine had gone through something similar. Perhaps it was good that she a unicorn had taken her into her care. He couldn't see that mare as strong and stubborn as Nimue.
Once they were moved, he took to checking them. He would nudge their wings and legs to make sure they were healthy. The did indeed seem to be perfect, at least physically. Two daughters and a son. "We have two daughters, Nimue," he noted, unsure if she was still awake, "and a son. All healthy. They look like us, don't you think?" And my father, he silently added. He never expected foals could be so beautiful.
"I would like to name the boy Gabriel, after myself.. Nimue. I.. really have a new name now and I would like to keep my old one in the family, as an honor to my parents." Normally the monstrous stallion wouldn't dare show such signs of sentimentality but his guard was down at the moment. All he could think of was Nimue, the foals and his parents. "Would you like to name the girls?"
They really were so beautiful. He wondered how they would act. If they would catch any traits from himself or Nimue. If his physical punishment could be transferred, perhaps Nimue's mental one would be. He hadn't thought it entirely through but he was sure he would be able to handle it. Foals couldn't be that hard to manage, right?
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Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 12:00 am
Good. They would be safe....Reaper did seem to keep his promises; since no harm had come to her and the foals up untill now - she could only hope he would continue to keep that watchful eye out for the foals at least. She wouldn't expect him to be following her anymore now that he had to start training these new lives like he'd previously said. Not that she minded, Nimue was a mare which couldn't stay in one place forever...it just seemed that there had been a calling for her here. Closing her eyes for a brief while; her body quickly shutting down to allow sleep while he proceeded in moving each foal. Definately with his spikes it must have been a very slow process, and she was greatful for his patience.
Slowly rising from her short lived slumber, the mare's eyes lazily opened as her eyes adjusted to the dawning light to spot her babies just to the side of her head. Smiling, she eyed down the foals; two fillies and a colt. It was lovely, so very lovely. "I am....glad. Healthy...what a relief." Lifting her head as she curled her legs under her form to get a better view as she sat up; they looked exactly as he said. "Exactly...I don't think I could picture them any other way."
Gabriel....then...what would she call him? "That is fine....Gabriel....or...Older, Gabriel." Blinking, she was a bit confused by the whole concept..he had a new name? What was wrong with Gabriel that he needed a new one? Slowly edging into her hooves, the mare wobbled and swayed for a moment before becoming sturdy. Moving to the foals despite the pain her body told her, her eyes fell onto the lot and could only sparkle. "I would....I would like to." Names. Names. What two name two little angels?
Leanding her head down to nuzzle at one of them, Nimue took note that this one seemed the most like her. Ebony hair, dual sets of wings, only the spikes on her hind legs reminded her of Reaper. "This one.....Sabriel..." No, it was much too simple. This one was complex, call it a mother's intuition but it needed more than that. She seemed sweet to the eyes, what was that occasion that the two legged celebrated? "Sabriel Valentine." Perfect.
Next....the other filly. She was the one which held the same hair as Reaper and.....oh my. The same tail that Ezriel had also inherited. Feeling her heart give a strange aching flutter, the mare shook it off silently before observing the girl. It seemed this one took more like Reaper, only one pair of wings too. However, she seemed more different than the rest of them...unique - like herself. "How about....Airlia. Yes....I quite like this name for her. What do you think, Ga- hmm. Gabriel Senior?" a weak chuckle rose from her throat before something caught her eye as Airlia squirmed slightly and a painful expression crossed her face. Looking down; it seemed she missed a bit of blood on her tail. Leanding down and running her tongue across, the mare's eyes widened slightly as more pooled up and spilled off her spade.
"G-gabriel....the blood, it won't stop!" True, Gabriel's own body bled....but he never seemed to let it show and thus she let it slip her mind. It was as every part of him as his soul....but for Airlia....new and innocent to the world....why was she bleeding?? She had done no sin; had Nimue done something during the pregnancy to permit this to her daughter? With tears welling in her eyes, she shot a paniced look to Reaper. "I'm a horrible, horrible mother...I must have brought this on her, brought this on our child! What did I do.....H-how did this happen!?"
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Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 6:45 am
Reaper turned and looked at the tail of the filly that Nimue had named Airlia. Indeed, she did have a small wound on her tail that would not stop. Had it happened in the birthing? It was possible that one of the spikes from the other foals had cut her tail. However, something told Reaper that it was more than that. Deeper than that. He lowered his own head to lick some of the blood away and noticed that though the wound was very small, the blood did not relent.
"I.. I am sorry, Nimue," he stated, obviously torn. "I.. think she will be like me." He though he would be in the clear since none of his previous kids had been born with the bleeding aspect of his curse. He should have known that the gods would punish him for having some semblance of happiness with Nimue and the foals. To have found a friend he could trust enough to experience this moment with. Perhaps it was a punishment towards Nimue as well. They were both fallen. Both unwanted.
It was a small wound and he was thankful for that, but the filly would probably experience a continuous pain from it. Never did he expect, want nor wish this upon any of the foals. "I brought this on her, Nimue. It is my punishment that she will now experience a small part of. I'll teach her how to use it to her advantage. She will be strong." He promised this. Airlia, a soft and beautiful name for a beautiful little filly. She would be beautiful but she would be strong. Had it not made him stronger after all?
The colt that was laying nearby made a sound and opened his eyes. They were a gorgeous shade of blue. He blinked a few times trying to figure out where he was and what was going on before resting his eyes on both his father and mother. "Gabriel," Reaper whispered to the foal, "my namesake."
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Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 12:42 pm
Sentenced to a life of pain before it had even began, the mare bit her lip roughly as she felt guilt wash over her being. Was it wrong of her to give life to these beautiful creatures at such a price that they'd pay for their parent's deeds? Was she wrong to give Reaper happiness in this world when it was evident that he never experienced it? No....it wasn't. Yet something kept nagging at her that Airlia could turn and blame them for giving her such pain; and she didn't know what she would do if/when that day came.
Listening to Reaper's wise words, the mare's ears folded against her skull as she mentally rolled around the idea. True, Airlia would be the only one with Reaper's pain and thus she wouldn't be alone in what she would feel. Perhaps with Reaper's plans she would be strong despite it all, that she would be at peace with her punishment. "Okay....Gabriel." She whispered, looking to each of the foals before their little boy opened his eyes and looked over to him. Already she could tell the adoration Reaper held for his son; and what she hoped would be for their daughters too.
Moments after her brother awoke, Airlia, mused by her pain opened her own hunting eyes; black like the night with pupils of crimson. Flicking her ears forward to see what the commotion is about she looked up to the staggering heights of her parents. Eyes widening slightly at the sight of her blood covered mother and father. What was that stuff? It glistened and gave off a bit of steam in the mildly chilled air....it was....beautiful.
Pain.
Looking a bit confused as she winced, the foal looked back to her own tail; noticing now the small pool of blood which had settled around her tail. It was that stuff again! Drawing forth her tail closer to her maw she lapped it out of instinct - but was pleasantly suprised by its warm, sticky and slightly bitter taste. With her siblings nestled so close nearby, it only took a slight shift to sniff over Sabriel - no blood. Turning she did the same to her awake brother as her eyes seemed to light up at the mere thought of blood. Seeing as neither sibling had it on them, her eyes followed back up to her parents before letting out a coo' of a whinny.
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Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:02 am
Reaper lowered his head and nuzzled Airlia. It was a curt, quick nuzzle but it was one all the same. "You will learn to ignore the pain," he promised in her ear, "or use it to make you stronger."
Other than the small wound on his daughter's tail, the three were healthy and beautiful. He knew they would grow up well. Strong. He could already since such inner strength from them and they were newly born. He knew that great things would come from all three of these foals.
He wasn't sure what the future would hold. What would be in store for Nimue or himself. He knew that he would try to make the best out of it for as long as he could. If he ever needed help, he knew he could turn to his mom. He was still getting used to the fact that she had come to these lands and would probably never be too far from him at any given moment. It brought him both a feeling of comfort and anger, but if anyone knew a thing about foals, it would be her. Of course, there was Ezriel as well, but he couldn't have been much of a father when his daughter had begging Reaper for death, even as a foal. No, if anything, Ezriel was even more worthless as a parent than he could ever be.
--
Gabriel didn't know what to think of his name. In the end, he figured a name didn't matter much and if his dad wanted to call him Gabriel, Gabriel he would be. For now, he didn't really care about much at all and wanted to sleep a little longer. Why did they insist on jabbering and keeping him awake?
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Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 3:36 am
Listening to her father's wise words, immediately Airlia was estatic that unlike Gabriel and her sister; they shared a bond that was given to them by the very gods! It must had been meant to be. She knew at that moment that she would give anything to follow in his footsteps, to make him and momma proud as could be. Perhaps she would have squeaked and reeled in joy at her father's touch...but there was a calming and a bit unnerving presence in her mother's gaze which kept her placid but content.
At that moment yawn etched over her lips and her lids lowered half way; her newborn body calling out for rest to rejuvinate. Wobbling slightly, she would have lay down at the very spot she stood...but something about the very thought of laying along even in the midst of her family was very unappealing. Besides....she'd rather be warm constantly by the heat of her siblinds. Thus she made her way back over to the slumbering Sabriel and Gabriel and nestled quietly between the two; nearly immediately passing out into a quiet slumber.
*------------*
Her children....so precious but something wasn't sitting well with the mare. It churned and began to make its faint presence known to the rather odd femme, instead of dwelling on it for the time being she kept herself preoccupied with what was going on around her. There wasn't any need to let on to anything she wasn't even sure of to begin with.
She ached all sorts of hellish pain, and it began to cause her to feel a bit light headed. Birth and near starvation certianly left her with so little energy to spare, sleep hadn't been easy for Nimue thanks to her encounter with Anju and the precious cargo she'd held in her womb till now. Perhaps if Reaper decided to stick around for a while she'd be able to at least catch up; and with a bit more energy she'd be able to eat for a change. Oh how wonderful that sounded right about now; even she believed that she'd have silent dreams, simply sinking into the darkness of her dream world.
Loping over to the foals as they slept so peacefully; the mare carefully and slowly lowered her sickly body to the ground and curled her body around the little ones. Draping her pair of wings over the brood as a make shift tent to keep out the light from their sleeping forms. "Sweet slumbers..." She breathed gently, her dark eyes drawing back up to Reaper. "I need to sleep as well...likewise with them. Nimue's eyes....refuse to stay awake.." As she spoke, true to her word her eyes began to droop and occasionally shut before she'd snap awake for a moment; not wanting to be so rude to fall asleep while she spoke.
"Gabriel may join.....if he so....desires.....sleeeep.........." With a final yawn, Nimue had tucked her other wings along her side incase he did feel like sneaking down with them. She knew it was unlikely; Reaper would probably wish to keep a look out over his new foals....yet there was always a possibility so at least she'd offered. Without another word she'd fallen fast asleep as her breathing became soft and steady.
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