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 Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 7:01 am
If it wasn't for the fact that Marut was close to her mother to discuss this sort of thing, she wouldn't have known she was pregnant until the foals had come into the world. As it was Neve had had to pry a little, especially when she noticed that her younger daughter was putting on more weight around her middle than her active lifestyle would allow.
So a talk was had, and as a result Marut was this moment searching out her mate, looking in all his usual spots. She ended up back at his home territory as she'd yet to find him, and it seemed she would have to brave a conversation with his father in order to find Raniero. She hoped instead he was around, and heard her approach, or failing that her calling his name.
'Raniero?'
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Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 1:05 am
Raniero had held his tongue for many months. The majority of people would have considered this to be peculiar but for those who knew him well, they would have been aware that this unwavering patience was completely normal. Ever since his father had issued his challenge regarding Marut, he had been waiting quietly for the moment in which everything came to pass. He was acutely aware that there was potential for Kalona traits to pass on, but he was also aware of how diluted her blood was and his logical mind had reassured him long ago that for the most part; any children would be completely safe. Unfortunately, for many months there had been no sign of 'children' and while his father celebrated this victory, Raniero was less enthusiastic.
Oh it wasn't that he was desperate for children, but no matter how much he respected his father he hated to be proven wrong on any level. He was also acutely aware of the fact he did have a duty to Marut, and while his father was sometimes trying, Raniero had to provide her with his support. He may not have had a relationship that conformed to the usual standards but it was there, and whether he cared to admit it or not, he was really rather fond of his tomboyish mate - he was especially fond of her quirks.
Ah yes, many months had passed and the stallion had kept most of his thoughts to himself as he studied various subjects. He occupied his time with his experiments and kept one eye on his mate at all times. Suffice to say her staggering weight gain hadn't gone unnoticed. Admittedly she wasn't monstrously fat, but he was aware of her obsession with fitness and had realised long ago that she simply didn't eat enough to balloon that much.
She was pregnant.
He hadn't told her of course, there were certain issues that were not the responsibility of a stallion. He had covered many subjects with her, but when it came to that one he had left it up to her mother. He suspected it was something her mother would want to do, something she'd want to delight in. Thus when Marut had drifted off to visit her mother that morning, he would have been satisfied to hear that the matter had been dealt with.
As though conjured by his own musings, his ears swivelled in response to her call and with a soft sigh he placed his experiment to one side and lifted his head. Golden eyes shifted to the right just a little and he cleared his throat. "Over here, Marut."
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Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 6:07 am
'Thank gawd..' she muttered, low and under her breath so that Raniero wouldn't hear. She would cope with his father for Raniero's sake, but wasn't sure if she would ever come to like him properly. So she was relieved when it was he that called out.
'What are you tucked away back here?' Marut asked as she finally located him amongst the trees. Her face wore a smile though, she was pleased to see him as always, despite being a little worried that her news might not be be pleasing for him to hear. What he if didn't wish to be a father so soon? She had no idea he had already knew about her current situation.
'Have I interrupted something?' she asked.
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Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 9:23 am
"You're always interrupting something," he pointed out calmly. Never one to beat around the bush, he wouldn't let her get away without reminding her that she was always walking in on his experiments. It wasn't something she could help, he was always up to something - thus it was just a way of life. He started some sort of research and every now and again she would wander in for company and disturb it. Not that he minded, he had long since come to understand that despite her love for physical activity, she did find genuine interest in some of his research and he was happy to discuss it. She should feel rather honoured that he considered her worthy enough to gain such explanations.
...Then again, he had accepted her as his mate and despite the differences between them he had wanted her. Overall, it had worked out quite well no matter how peculiar things might have seemed and how spontaneous they were - an unusual action for the male to partake in.
"Nevertheless, I've grown used to that," a half smile flashed on his lips and he shook his hair out of his eyes. Keeping his gaze fixed on the mare, he dismissed his experiment for the time being. "How were your mother and sister, well I expect?"
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Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 2:33 pm
'And you're always so busy busy.'
Marut came back with, but her tone of voice was easy, nothing sniping in what she said. After all, she'd met him during one of his experiments so she well knew what he was like by now.
'What did I disturb you from doing, with my annoying self?' she said, her head tilted to one side. She looked at him for a short while and then moved right over to him, pressing her warm nose against his before answering his question.
'My mother is okay, my sister...well she's gone missing.'
Her forehead wrinkled as she thought on the unlikelyhood of the situation. Of the two of them, Maharet was the last one she would expect to skip out on the family without a word.
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Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 3:22 pm
"Missing?" He seemed to be feigning polite interest but was aware of her sister's nature by now. It was a bit of a surprise but even the most quiet of creatures were liable to change given the right conditions. His experiments had ensured that he was more than aware of this and as a consequence he gave a slight nod. "Now there is a turn up for the books," he mused softly. He had as of yet, kept her questions at bay and had ensured that all topics of conversation had been about her. It was better this way, especially when he hadn't completely finalised his hypothesis regarding his recent research anyway.
Hell would freeze over when he'd admit she'd caught him on an off day!
"You interrupted nothing of great importance," he added after a few moments, as though remembering her question. Making sure that he remained vague, he returned to the topic at had, nudging her nose lightly as he lifted his head again and permitted a sigh to escape from his lips. His nostrils flared slightly and for a brief instance, he considered the news of her missing sibling. He hadn't truly met Maharet but he had heard enough to gain an understanding of her nature.
"Do you believe that a search party is warranted for her disappearance, or am I to assume you have other plans in place for such an unexpected act?"
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Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:35 am
'Unexpected to say the least.' she said, shifting her weight from one side to the other, her tail gently swishing along the back of her legs. She knew their mother was acting less worried than she was because of fears that the worry might in some way harm the foals Marut was carrying..she felt that she and her unborn were hardier than that though.
'I see.'
Marut wondered if he was just sparing her feelings, that she had interrupted something important. But then she grinned to herself, remembering that he wasn't like that.
'My mother is hoping that she is with one of our brothers, and so is leaving it a few days before she'll go search. It's easier, what with her wings..and well, she's not pregnant.'
There, she'd said it.
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:33 am
If there was one thing to be said for Marut's mother, it was that the mare always had some sort of plan. She seemed to know what was most appropriate for her children, and her family for that matter. Raniero wasn't terribly surprised by the mare's decision to wait a little before forming a search party. All in all, there was a high chance that there was a reasonable explanation for the disappearance... particularly when the mare was so cautious and nervous. The likelihood that she had been snatched so close to her home was slim - this was the assessment of the stallion and it seemed to hold up against scrutiny.
Nevertheless, he provided no more than a nod in response to her mother's decision and scarcely reacted to her next words as well. Some might have said that he hadn't been surprised, even in the slightest. He had known after all that she was due to have children but had long since decided that there were certain things he wouldn't discuss. It wasn't that he couldn't discuss these topics, but Marut's mother was entitled to some things and discussing the arrival of new borns was one of those things.
"So she finally told you," he replied, stepping back a little to observe the mare and her overall response to the otherwise life changing news. All mares seemed to respond to this sort of news in there own way, they did have categories and a scale of emotions but when it came to Marut, he wasn't prepared to put a bet on which those word. All things considered, she was under a lot of pressure to perform from his father and as a consequence her reaction may not have been as it should have.
"I trust she was in good spirits about the news, regardless of the news of your sister. You as well, I should hope."
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 6:54 am
'She finally told me?' Marut looked at him, her ears flicking in confusion. She looked hard at her mate, and then shook her head.
'You're telling me you knew, before I did?' she asked. She wasn't what sure she was feeling, only knowing that anything irrational she did come out with could be blamed on the pregnancy. Or so her mother said, maybe it was just an excuse to be very..female. Or bitchy. Or something.
Did that mean then that he was unhappy about her current state? Why didn't he say something himself, or at least drop a hint that he did know.
'She was.'
Marut finally found her words again, pulling herself away from her thoughts.
'I don't know. Are you pleased?'
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 7:31 am
"I would assume I did, given your response," Raniero replied mildly. His brow lifted at her confusion and then his lips creased into a smile. A part of him mentally chastised her for not knowing better, it would be a very rare and dramatic moment for Raniero to be left in the dark about anything! Of course he would have known of her pregnancy. He did of course have his reasons for witholding the information but all the same... He supposed that deep down she was entitled to an explanation for his 'secrecy' regarding the issue.
"I came to the conclusion that the topic itself was one that your mother would be more suitable for. There are certain priviledges that a parent has over a mate," he pointed out calmly. Some stallions might have begged to differ, they might have revelled in the opportunity to break the news to their mates but Raniero had his own view - then again, he always had his own view. "In this case I considered it more appropriate for your mother to bestow the news upon you - an opportunity for both of your to share one of those bonding moments many mares speak of," to this he shrugged, he had yet to observe and assess such a meeting given the make-up of his own family unit.
However her vague answer didn't impress him - what did she mean she 'didn't know', was she having second thoughts? He wasn't often one to doubt himself but in this case, even he was prepared to admit that his father was placing an insurmountable level of pressure on the mare... it would be normal for her to hesitate.
"I am not an individual who provides an answer when he suspects it may affect the response of the other." He shook his head and released a sigh, his nostrils flaring just a little. "But if I was not content with the arrivals I would have never had them in the first place," he pointed out rather bluntly.
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Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 5:36 am
'If you say so..' Marut replied, only half-mollified by his answer. Sure, her mother had had great joy in telling Marut, her first daughter to be having children, that it was the reason for the weight gain, and it was nice to see her mother so happy but still..
'You certainly haven't lost your touch in being comforting.' she said, laughing at him despite herself.
'Well you like honesty don't you? I'm bloody terrified, I never expected that I would fall in love, find a relationship, and wind up having foals.'
Marut let out a breath, unloading everything she'd not shared with her mother.
'I'm sure you have many thoughts on that, and I'm sorry if I disappoint you by being a weak mare on occasion.' she poked her tongue out at him.
'Raniero, if any of our children..' she knew that she wouldn't have to finish the sentence.
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Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 3:14 am
"They will be fine," Raniero was firm in this remark and dismissed her worries in one easy swoop. Well, he sincerely doubted he would have silenced her worries deep within, but he had already come to the conclusion that the likelihood of any of their children possessing such qualities was slim. Her blood had already diluted to a substantial level and any unruly behaviour was easily quelled by a strict upbringing - their children would be fine and he wouldn't have his mate worrying over it. There were some things in life that his father couldn't beat him in, this happened to be one of them.
"Rest assured that regardless of how they may be they will be catered for," he added. It wasn't necessarily the most comforting phrase in the world, but it was very typically him. He rarely made promises but his self assured statements were certainly not to be argued with. In all truth he hadn't considered what he would do if one of his children was in possession of Kalona qualities but he would cross that river if he came to it. He had his methods and as cruel as it might sound, if he had to file off the child's horns he would do it - although he sincerely doubted that Marut would appreciate that gesture, nor would the child.
"As for weakness, given the circumstances it's excusable. My father certainly knows how to test and torture," he twisted his lips into a half smile, one that didn't really suit him in the slightest. It wasn't a bitter expression but at this moment in time he certainly didn't appreciate the behaviour of his parent. A while ago he might have appreciated it, catered for it as well but things had changed somewhat over the months that he had grown accustomed to his mate's company. It wasn't about his studies anymore, it wasn't about meeting his father's expectations - in essence he had grown up. The safety of his mate and the condition of his children was paramount, nothing else mattered in that respect.
"Although why you would be terrified of this relationship baffles me, I have been nothing but honest throughout. You should know by now that if I had not been completely certain I would not have made such a commitment."
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Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 1:22 am
'If I were as certain as you.' Marut shot him a look, but it was filled with affection. It must be nice going through life not doubting anything. If he did have doubts, she was sure he wouldn't share them.
'You'll be a good father..just please, no experiments on them, or around them until they are old enough to understand what it is you do? I'd rather they not see you dressed as a mare for example.' she laughed at that thought.
'That he does.'
It was all she said, not wanting to dwell on he who would her foal's grandfather. Which was a though in itself.
'The foals are a result of the relationship.' she said, slipping beside him, pressing the roundness of her belly against his side.
'The birth is what I'm afraid of, I only mentioned the relationship because if we didn't have that, I wouldn't be having these.'
For his intelligence, sometimes he really didn't understand her.
'I love you Raniero. I thought you knew that.' she tilted her head up.
'That I'm not afraid of.'
She only confessed to herself that sometimes even that scared her, but only because she had not been aware she could feel this intensely for anyone.
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Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 1:45 am
It wasn't that he didn't understand her, he simply had a very roundabout way of returning her feelings. He didn't express his emotions in simple phrases such as 'I love you' and favoured a more vague method. Infuriating as it might have been to some, it was his way. Nevertheless he did permit a flicker of a smile to appear on his lips as she confessed her feelings yet again, there was something rather satisfying about having the independant mare utter those words. Admittedly she wasn't terribly independant at the moment but in the given circumstances she was excused this - she was both heavily pregnant and under extreme pressure.
"I cannot lie, there is little I can do to assist you in the birth," he murmured quietly. His brow furrowed briefly as he dwelled on the subject before he shook his head dismissively. There were a few things he could do, he could research the implications of it but he highly suspected she would appreciate a doctor as opposed to an endless stream of information. In such cases he would have considered the information fascinating but even he knew that very few in the world were privvy to a stream of information when they were in pain.
...He wasn't a fool, he knew pregnancy hurt.
"But I will look in to seeking out a doctor if that will bring you some comfort?" he offered in his usual drawl. Nevertheless, as she made reference to his experiments he did look surprisingly indignant and lifted a brow as he observed her. Cuddle or not, she wasn't getting away with that veiled insult (and he'd have her know his crossdressing had brought him staggering results)!
"I am firm in the belief they will fully comprehend my experiments, I have faith in my offspring," he pointed out loftily. He made no promises not to show them experiments, it was just a damned good thing he didn't make use of explosives or Marut wouldn't just be having foals; she'd be having kittens too.
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Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:19 am
'That I already knew..' she said, tugging gently on his mane, and then lipping gently on his neck.
'It's fine, but thank you for the offer. One of my distant relatives is a midwife of sorts, she is older than my mother, and has had many children and grand children. She has said she will come and attend me during the labour, my mother said she would be too nervous of helping me on my own as I'm her first daughter to be giving birth.'
She raised a brow, shifting her weight from one side to the other, bumping her belly gently against him once again.
'So you're assuming that intellectually they will take after you? What if they take after me in that respect?' Marut teased with a grin. She had high hopes that at least one of her children would be as athletic as she was, though even if they were all mini-versions of Raniero, she would still love them to pieces.
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