Domovoi: *After some time within Ignis Renatus, he was starting to get used to the mountainous region. Mayhaps the terrain would deter any other spies from encroaching upon them . . . The prey was plentiful, the alphas kindly, it seemed ideal to stay here. But of course he needed to speak with Delusion first. Hopefully now with most of their exhaustion gone (and that one night but a memory), they could speak with clearer minds. In his mouth was an offering of hare he had killed as he trotted to Delusion's den, not far from his own*

Delu - She hadn't been feeling well - hadn't been feeling well at all and had told Domo she was just tired and needed the extra rest when he came to inquire. But as the days wore on and her symptoms didn't abate - indeed even got worse sometimes she had taken to curling up in the back of the den and hiding out from her black companion. Mostly because she was now pretty darn sure what was causing her problems and unfortunately..it wasn't just exhaustion.


Domovoi: *Hesitates at the entrance, espying the princess's back to him. For a moment, the thought pricks him that maybe she was growing tired of his constant dotes upon her . . . But he felt compelled to check on her all the same and gently puts the hare down so that he might speak* My lady? Your lunch is here.

Delu - *raising her head slightly Dele turned to look at Domo as he arrived - a very familiar pang of guilt hit her when she saw him. She really ought to tell him, but she had no idea how and she was pretty sure he wouldn't be pleased. But the guilt was a secondary problem because as soon as the scent of the hare reached her nose Delu began to wretch and gag "Take it away!" She managed to gasp at Domo - oh gods once the smell was gone she'd be fine right?


Domo: *Blinks, taken aback by her pleas and quickly stepping out of the den with the hare back in his mouth. Oh heavens, was she sick? Oh heavens, please, please! He quickly buries the hare and trots right back to her den, though still does not enter* M-Miss Delusion? Are you ailing?

Delu - Once the hare was gone Delu was able to take a few deep breaths and stop the gaggin - the ways smells affected her now was completely undignified and wretched! When Domo returned she let out a small whine before answer "no...not exactly" She told him in a quiet voice.

Domo: "Not exactly"? *He repeats with confusion, eyes burrowed under a concerned frown* Miss, you haven't been leaving the den much at all. It worries me. Should I bring you anything?

Delu - Lets out a heavy sigh as Domo expresses his concern, it was true - she had been hiding out, hoping to avoid both admitting it to herself and letting Domo spot the small pouch developing along her middle. It was small still true - but she knew Domo would notice it and when he acknowledged it then she would have to finally admit at long last that it was true herself. -Head hanging slightly she got to her feet and headed towards the daylight, she knew he would step back as she approached so she didn't bother slowing down as she reached the entrance just stepped though into the light and stood there with a dejected wretched look on her face that was not at all like her.

Domo: *At first he didn't notice the growing stomach, more drawn in by that wretched look she had never worn before; Delusion had always made it clear to keep her pain hidden as they travelled, even when she was footsore and weary and dying for a drink of water. To see her wear pain so openly was disturbing and immediately sent warning alarms in his head, sending him babbling* I-If there's anything at all I can do for you, m'lady, I will do it pronto and - *And then, as his gaze moved to check for an infected wound, he saw it: that bulge. Suddenly his words left him, and his mouth was left a little hung open in shock - horror*

Delu - It was easy to tell when Domo finally figured out what was wrong and her ears flattened slightly at the look of shock and horror she saw on his face. The shame of it all! Not only was she with pups, but they were the pups of her guard! Which surely had happened before - Royalty were always close to their guards and lines must have been crossed more than once...But Domo didn't even like her that way and by the look on his face he didn't want puppies either. Neither did she really but that was beside the point. "I see you've figured it out" She told him primly, hiding her shame behind a royal mask, though the mask didn't quite reach her eyes.

Domo: *Remembers belatedly how rude it was for him to stare and swallows hard, blinking a few times as if to clear his vision. Ah, look at her! She was probably hiding her anger with him just beneath that prim tone, ever civil even when she probably wanted to tear his throat out right then and there - and if she had bared one fang, he would have gladly done so, how low he felt then. One night, that was all it was! Just one night where they had decided to let formalities lie with the flowers and just enjoy life . . . Not that they had /planned/ to do what they did, it just sort of . . . Oh heaven help them - no, oh /hell/ damn him! He winces and lowers his head, adopting a more submissive posture, unsure of what to say*

Delu - now Domo looked about as wretched as she felt she thought to herself as he adopted the more submissive pose. What was she going to do now? She was far away from home, barely knew this pack thanks to all her hiding out and was going to have puppies with Domo - who didn't want them or her! Life was surely a mess now! "What are we going to do?" She finally asked with a small whine.

Domo: *Ponders for a moment, even though he already knew the answer he wanted - as much as he was sure Delusion would never accept him after this* . . . I-I would, if it pleased the lady, like to stay at your side and help care for them. Even if the thought appeased me, I would never leave in good conscience.

Delu - Well thank the gods for some things at least she thought to herself, a relieved look flickering across her face at his words. He wasn't going to leave...but only because he felt guilty enough to stay. Well beggars can't be chooser she told herself and she couldn’t raise the pups alone... "God" She told him "I don't want you to leave me alone with this" She continued.

Domo: *quietly, still not looking up yet sincerity evident in his words* Never, m'lady. I have already shamed myself by taking advantage of you; only a scoundrel would leave.

Delu - Snorted slightly at his words - though not at the sincerity behind them "It was hardly the task of one" She told him briskly "I'll not have you blaming yourself completely for this - It is un-noble to not take responsibilities for my own actions as well"


Domo: I've . . . I have never had experience with pups before, to be honest. Or how to deal with a family of one. *His own mother wasn't exactly a role-model, and he had never known siblings nor his blood father; in fact, most of his life had been spent with Lemon Lime* But I will do my best, m'lady. How soon do you think before . . . ?

Delu - "Nor I..I've only ever been around my own family and siblings" She told him truthfully "But I expect much of it is...instinct?" She told him though the small hint of a question at the end of her statement made it clear she wasn't really sure. Shifting uneasily at his next question she tried to estimate "I have no idea.." She finally told him "But a while yet I think" She stated twisting her head back to look at her stomach "Unless we are only to have one"

Domo: *It might be a blessing if so . . . Oh, it wasn't just the typical guilt of a one-night stand with a princess that bothered him now. He could only hope that none of these pups would have to go through what he had to . . .* Yes, m'lady. *Or so he supposed; it was a hopeful thought that he needed. He takes a deep breath and exhales slowly* Alright then. Should I get you anything? Moss for a bed? Something else to eat? I can patrol the den at night if you feel safer that way, or I could - *Move into the same den with her? He bites back the rest of that sentence, feeling it was too intrusive. Did pregnant mothers need a den to themselves?*

Delu - She ad to admit the moss bed sounded lovely, and knowing Domo doing such a thing would make him feel better...or at least useful "The moss bed would be nice..." She told him "But now that you know I should to to get more exercise..you can patrol if you wish but don't neglect your own rest I expect we'll both be busy after they arrive"

Domo: *Rest? Heh . . . He would be lucky to get a wink tonight. But he nods dutifully to her* I will fetch some right away. In the meantime, miss, please be careful about your health. If you feel nauseous in the least, or feel something sore, /please/ let me know. After the moss, I will get you water; this heat is infernal. *bows in the wolfish way again* Should I alert the alphas?

Delu - Alert the alpha's why she hadn't even thought about that, what if this pack had some sort of rules about breeding? Or expectant mothers? Some packs did, but it wasn't like they could hide it now could they? "Yes, Yes i imagine that would be a wise thing to do" She told him.

Domo: Yes, ma'm. I'll be right back. *He turns and pads off, sighing quietly to himself and feeling a little queasy as well with nervousness - at facing the alpha, at facing Delusion, at facing the mere concept of fatherhood*