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 Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:30 pm
 It was a brilliant early spring day. The final snows of winter melted away to the growing new grass and the verdant green of new leaves. The days were comfortable while the night winds occasionally carried a lingering lick of winter's chill. Valentine had been busying himself by clearing out the debris and fallen limbs that winter snowmelt left around their den clearing.
Rajani was lounging in the shade under a pine, using the cushion of fallen pine needles as a nest. She was nested in the twisted roots, looking out over the water. The sun was rising higher in the clear blue sky and she wasn't feeling like working in the heightening sunshine.
Hanun was going about picking up little twigs and leaves to help out. The corn baby was bobbing about acting more excited than normal, chattering cheerily while he worked, occasionally pausing to eagerly glance over at the two avia'dracus.
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Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 8:45 am
Indeed this was a wonderful spring day, even if the winter's breath promised to linger for several nights more. But that was hardly something that could dampen the mood that hovered around the clearing. Not with the clear signs springing up everywhere.
Rowen was content to perch in the shadowed branches of the same pine Rajani was resting under, the new sun far too bright for his sensitive eyes. Occasionally, he would glance down at one of the Painters below and then go back to a resting position with his eyes closed.
While Valentine worked outside, Mya was moving out leftover slush that had managed to find it's way into their den while the blankets that had covered their bedding area where out drying in the sun. Yet, the female Paint was moving slower than she normally would...her movement were hampered by two things...five things actually. And three of those five were working outside. The other two became obvious as she moved: one was the tiny salamander who was insistant on clinging to the scales of her belly and the second was the belly in question. It was swollen and Mya's movements were hampered as she moved. "Mimi, it's quite alright." She smiled down at her tiny friend. "You don't need to cling so often, I can't move as it is." The shooing attempts failed and the little creature only gave her a expression that indicated that, instead of working and moving around, she should be resting!
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Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 11:53 am
Having satisfied himself with the job he had done clearing out the last remnats of winter, Valentine scaled the rock face to the entrance to his and Mya's den. He shook himself out on the landing to free himself of any leaves and dirt that might have clung to his feathers while he was moving about and straightening before he entered the den. The battle-scarred male smiled to his mate. "Hello, love. Need any help in here? I've finished outside."
Rajani lazily watched as he master slipped into the den. The news of Lady Mya's condition was wonderful news to all who heard it, particularly Valentine. Of course, it meant that the chupacabra would have to either find a nest outside of the den or be supervised at all times after their youngsters arrived. She would have to be on her best behavior until the kiddos got more mature. The chupacabra looked up to the owl, a soft trill escaping her throat. "Well, Rowen, it looks like there'll be youngsters about. What will we do with ourselves?"
Hanun tossed a few twigs onto the pile of branches that Valentine had made to be used as kindling. The corn baby turned his head and saw the tip of Valentine's tail disappearing over the ledge into the den. He chattered and raced after him, clambering up to the den. Upon arriving, he cooed and sat in the entrance, beaming at the pair.
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Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 12:20 pm
Stretching out her sore back as Valentine entered their den, Mya flapped her wings and folded them before settling down where she had been standing. With every passing day, movement became more difficult and flying was almost nigh impossible. It was the only thing she regretted, but the thought of her children coming soon was well worth the sacrifice. "Actually, would you be willing to grab the sheets drying outside for me?" She cast her handsome mate a loving smile. "Also, um....." Mya felt herself flush with embarassment. "Could you...grab me some fruit as well? The little ones seem to be demanding more food than I can supply with one sitting."
Rowen fluffled out his feathers and gave a small hoot at Rajani's words, dropping down to a lower branch so he could converse better. It seemed, with the news of Mya's pregnancy, the whole family seemed to have grown closer. "I have no idea what to expect with the young ones on the way." The owl shuffled a bit on his perch and gave out a small noise that sounded like a chuckle. "Hopefully Lord Valentine won't have to buy a leash for you."
Still maintaining a grip on Mya's scales with her tiny claws, the salamander tilted her head and flicked her tounge out at Hanun. Normally she would skitter over to greet her corn baby friend, but Mimi had a self-proclaimed duty to keep her Master's belly warm.
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Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 4:31 pm
The male smiled and nodded, moving closer to his mate to give her an affectionate lick to her muzzle. He knew that things were getting to be harder for her to do due to the growing youngsters in her belly. "Of course, love. I'll get the sheets in here first then fetch you some fruit." He chuckled softly and nuzzled her, letting his soft, fluffy feathery mane brush against her neck. "That's to be expected. They're growing stronger and needing more from you. Don't worry about it. I'll bring you something fresh and ripe." With that he turned toward the entrance and, with a little glance backwards, Valentine moved off to where the blankets were lying out in the warm sunshine. He used his pronounced horns to help scoop them up onto his back and neck. Quickly padding back into the den, he stood over their nest and shook himself, the blankets falling into a pile where they sleep.
Valentine looked to Mya and offered her a smile, moving off of the nest. "They're still warm and may help ease some of your discomfort. I can see Mimi is trying her part too. I won't be long, darlin'." He moved to the entrance and took to the sky after leaping away from the entryway to prevent dust and what not from being blown back in. He angled himself to one of their storage places. With a little digging, he found a ripe mango, starfruit, and pear which he promptly gathered up for his expecting mate. Carefully returning, as to not squish the ripe fruit, Valentine siddled in and sat near her. He offered her his findings with a fond smile.
Rajani snorted softly at the leash comment, but there was a bit of a smile on her face so she had taken no offense. "Well, I suppose that there will be a bit of a learning curve. I mean, I having been around babies since I was still with my siblings." She shifted her dark red eyes up towards the owl. "I'll just have to be on my best behavior to avoid that I guess then, won't I?" She laughed.
Hanun hopped up from his spot and toddled over to the pregnant female, throwing his arms around one of her front legs in a hug. He cooed pleasantly to her, rubbing a round cheek against her scales, before chattering a greeting to his salamander friend.
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Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 5:14 pm
"Thank you, my love." Cooing softly as his soft mane brushed against her scales, she pulled away and watched as he gathered the sheets outside. Even when he carried them past to place them upon their bedding area, the heat rising from the woven threads appealed a great deal to the tired female. Yet the simple chore of walking (more like dragging) her worn body towards the sheets felt like an eternity with each step.
At last, she manged to reach the soft pile of cotten and silk. Just as she manuvered her swollen body on the blankets so she was not laying on top of her children and Mimi, Valentine returned with several pieces of fruit. It seemed, through her own nose, the children could sense that their father had brought back a meal and thus started to move around as several tiny stomachs growling merged into one noise. Sitting up, Mya flushed and plunked up the starfruit. Smiling back, she delicately nibbled on the sweet flesh of the fruit; as she did, the juices flowed downwards and her children calmed slightly with their hunger appeased for the moment. "Thank you, Valentine." She placed down the core of the fruit and stared at him with tired green eyes. "What you do means so much to me yet....I feel guilty, sitting here while you, Rajani, Rowen and Hanun do all the chores." At the mentioning of the final name, Mya smiled down at the affectionate gesture of the little familiar. Such a sweet soul he possessed...
Rowen hooted and stared down at Rajani with large green eyes, a smile glittering in their depths. "Babies? You? I always thought your kind were solitary!" Again, the sound of a chuckle passed his mind to hers before the old spirit turned to glance at the cave mouth. "I wonder....Do you think the time is soon, Rajani?"
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Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:06 pm
Rajani shook her head with a laugh, rolling onto her back so she could look to the owl without straining her neck. "Have you ever wondered my most of my kind are spayed by the familiar master? Aside from the fact that many females of my species have large litters, we can breed with practically anything, familiar and Painter alike. My mother was imported wild and made a part of the familiar master's breeding stock of chupacabras. She was already pregnant with me and my siblings when she was sent here." The chupacabra grinned, nestling into her nest of pine needles. "My mom gave birth to eleven of us. I was always surrounded with other babies. As a youngster I got loose, but Master Valentine caught and went to return me, but took a shining to me." She chuckled to herself, her mirth easing into a relative calm at Rowen's question. Rajani looked toward the cave and thought over how Mya had been behaving in the most recent weeks. Dark red eyes shifted back up to Rowen's branch. "I do think so, yes. I mean she's been slowing up and seeming sore and restless. I think it could be any day now, Rowen."
It pained Valentine to see his mate in such discomfort, but he was doing all he could to help make things at least a little easier for her. He smiled and shook his head. "Mya, don't feel guilty. You're doing more work than Rowen, Rajani, Hanun, and I are together. Our children are growing strong and healthy and you are keeping them safe until they are ready to face thise world. Its a big task and its one you are doing absolutely beautifully." The male scooted closer and gently nuzzled Mya's jaw. "You are most welcome, love. Would you like anything else of me?"
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Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:31 pm
Rowen tilted his head in surprise at the life story, normally the chupacabra was a fairly quiet creature. Hooting to further enhance his shock, the owl moved down so he was perched just above the lounging familiar. "Well now! What's with the sudden need to socialize?" His eyes twinkled with a great deal of mirth. "Normally you and I are ready to tear each others' heads off...." It was then he glanced back towards the cave mouth, where their masters were spending time with one another. "It seems children do bring peace in the world, neh?" But the spirit could not deny his worry. "I fear for lady Mya's condition though. I have seen pregnant painters, including her mother, and very few of them were as tired or sluggish as she is now....Only those who had more than three little ones acted like she did...Maybe it was that corn Hanun gave her!" His feathers ruffled out, reacting to the mild annoyance. "I knew I should have stopped her from eating that!"
Mya sighed and managed a weak nuzzle before she laided down on the nest. "I...still feel a great deal of guilt though..." She laughed softly. "Perhaps too much hormones all at once?" Shifting a bit on the blankets, Mya motioned for Valentine to join her for a nap. "Well, this task has tired me and I think a bit of sleep is in order. I would like you to join me tonight...instead of sleeping out with the others by the water. It will...." A small yawn punctuated her words. "Help keep our little ones warm..."
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Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:18 pm
The female chupabara shrugged with an easy going glint in her eyes. "Eh, I dunno. Must be something in the air. Other than that, I'm lying comfortably in a thick nest of pine needles, the air isn't too hot, the shade is cool, and I've got a fully belly. I have no real reason to complain or be sour at present." Rajani rolled her head from side to side. Neither agreeing nor disagreeing. When her avian counterpart continued though, she nodded. "Quite possibly. I told you I should have eaten the little bugger while I still had a chance. I belive it was Hanun's corn though. My brief time at the familiar master's place was a good one to brush up on things. Corn babies increase the amount of dragonlings in a brood. I don't recall by how much."
Valentine flashed a tiny smile to his weary mate. "Who can say?" The male needed no further prompting to join her as he tenderly scooted closer to her, laid down along her side, and curled himself around her. He positioned himself so that Mya could rest her head on him if she so chose to do so. Her curled a protective wing across her and nestled in close. "I would like that. Very well. I sleep in here to keep you and our children safe and warm." He smiled and closed his eyes. He wasn't near as tired as his mate, but a little nap wouldn't hurt.
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Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:33 pm
Rowen grumbled to himself and tucked his broad wings close to his body. Although the little creature has been doing naught but what his instincts told him to, the corn had brought nothing but problems to his Mistress. Rowen cooed and shook his head, praying that all would go well for her....For now, it was best not to really worry until the time came. "I am going to take a nap. Wake me if something happens." With an irritated click of his beak, Rowen tucked his head under his wing and let his mind drift off into dreamland.
Several hours later, just as the sun was starting to set and bathed the clearing in it's orange light, Mya awoke with a startled gasp. Lifting her head from the comforting shoulder of her love, the Painter noticed that Mimi was missing from her spot on her belly. The little salamander was down by her legs, looking at....wait...now that her muddled mind was slightly clear, Mya noticed that the inside of her legs felt...wet....
That's when it clicked. And the first pains rippled across her belly, forcing another gasp out of her throat. She would had sat up but the former pain refused to let her do so....wincing again, she reached out and gave the sleeping Valentine a push with her forepaw while the other held her belly.
"V-valentine....Wake up...." Her voice was little more than a whisper. "Valentine....It's...It's time..."
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Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:15 pm
Rajani gave a wave of one of her front paws, letting him know that she understood. "Gotcha." She watched him tuck his head under his wing before the chupacabra rolled to her feet, stretching and shaking herself to free her back spines of any needles that they might have collected. She padded into the shallows of their lake and decided to go for a bit of a swim. Soon growing bored of that, she meandered to a sunny rock near the entrance to the cave to sprawl out and dry in the sun, her eyes being covered by both of her front paws. From there she listened to all that was around her, to the easy breathing of the two Painters inside to the gentle rustle of the leaves in the breeze. The chupacabra kept her eyes covered but could feel the slight cooling of the air as the sun began to set.
Valentine had fallen into a pleasant doze, relishing the closeness of his mate and her presense with her head on his shoulder. He didn't stir when she awoke, but a faint furrow settled on his sleeping brow at hearing her gasp. Even when he wasn't fully conscious he fretted over her. Mya's nudge caused him to jolt awake, the feathers in his mane and wings fluffing up at the sudden burst of awareness. Vibrant green eyes flitted across their den before settling on Mya.
It took a second but once her words sunk in and he took in her pained pose it clicked. "Gods above," Valentine muttered, worry immediately forming on his features.
Rajani had picked up on the stirring inside the cave and uncovered her eyes. She sat up into a crouch and peered in. Her spines bristled and she shifted to her whisp form for the best speed. Flying quickly to Rowen's branch, she returned to her physical form a foot or so over the branch so she dropped onto it, shaking it hard with her landing. "Wake up, Rowen! It's time, it's time! Lady Mya...she's starting to feel birthing pains!"
Valentine sat up, his mind rushing with what he could do. He was having trouble muddling through it all. Sure, he and Mya had been parents before, but it seemed like an age ago and those were to eggs, which never hatched. This time it was strong, healthy live babies. They already had all of the cloth they needed for delivery, but he didn't want to leave his mate. He focused on Hanun, who was well aware of the situation as was rubbing Mya's belly, kneading it in an attempt to ease the pain of her contractions. "Hanun, you remember where we store our herbs, yes?" The corn baby nodded. "Please run and grab something to help ease her pain. Hurry." The corn baby immediately turned and jogged to the nook where the herbs were stored.
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Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:34 pm
"Great Spirit! It hurts!" Mya was laying on her side as her mate and his familiar rushed around, gathering what was needed to help bring her children into the world. As they moved around, she felt the first of the brood drop as a ripple of contractions moved down her belly; Mimi was quick to sense this and was on it in an instant. Clamoring onto the female's belly, the salamander moved lower before curling up; the flame on her back flared up just a bit more than usual to help ease the contractions as they grew and to act as a spot of comfort.
Rowen awoke with a screech at the sudden bouncing of his perch; wings flapping to help maintain his balance, he had just been about to snap at the chupacabra when her words pierced his mind. "What?!" He screeched again and took to the air; like a spirit, he flew to and landed on a dead tree just outside of the cave mouth before peeking inside. His eyes confirmed what Ranjani had told him. "Great gods of Halia....It's finally happening!"
Panting a bit as a particularly heavy contration faded, Mya lifted her head and stared at Valentine with a tired but happy smile on her face. "Love....Do you...have they come yet?" She gave a laugh that was cut short by a flash of pain. "Okay...I guess a little bit more?"
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Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:10 pm
It was hardly any time at all before Hanun had returned with a spring of an herb that helped relieve pain. He held it up to the delivering dragoness, waving it slightly to draw her attention to it. The corn baby chattered excitedly, but in a quieter tone than normal, not wanting his occasionally loud volume to distress Mya further.
Rajani again shifted to her orb form once the owl took flight and headed to the dead tree outside the cave mouth. She landed at the base of the dead tree and wiggled into the hollow in the base of the roots. "Told you so," her thoughts chimed, a notable anxious sound to her mental voice. "I do hope everything goes smoothly." It was hard to tell from her hidden position but her spines were on end and she felt listless and unsure of what to do with herself. The most likely thing that would be best for her to do would be to simply stay out of the way. Birthings always made her feel on edge.
Valentine was grateful that Mimi and Hanun were helping out as much as they were. He was focusing so intently on merely staying by Mya's side and offering all strength and encouragement he could muster for her. At her question he shifted himself, peering down at her hindquarters. He offered an anxious, worried smile. "Not yet, dearest. You're doing wonderfully. Keep it up. We're here. Yes, just a bit more."
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Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:35 pm
Shifting her gave towards the vocal noise, Mya smiled and reached out for the spring of herb. She chewed slowly, enjoying the cool mint-like flavor before swallowing the plant with some difficulty. "Thank you, Hanun..." She placed her head back on the pile of blankets as the pains subsided, allowing the mother a moment of rest. For a moment, she thought it was a false alarm...but the attention she was recieving form the two familiars and the water drying on her legs told her otherwise.
Rowen moved from side to side on his branch, his feathers fluffed out to thier maximum as distress took hold over the normally-calm familiar. He was quite ready to fly in and demand something he could do to help, but he had little doubts the fretting father inside would not hesitate to roast him. "Great spirits of Halia! Is there was only....." He then spied the water bucket laying by the storage areas. Water? Yes! No doubts they would need some! "Rajani! Quickly!" He flew over and perched on the wooden object, eyeing and hooting at his black friend. "Give me some help with this!"
She gave a sharp inhale as a particularly hard contraction took hold and, by some instinct, she started pushing. After a few moments, she gasped and panted before inhaling and pushing again; as she did, Mimi started going nuts near her spot by Mya's legs. A little nose had made it's appearance into the world, still contained within the birthing sack. As the mother pushed, more the baby slowly came out...
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