[PRP] Life Eternal (Ban'ma/Namir/Thuraya)

[Painted Moose]

Ban'ma had never ran as hard, nor as fast in her life as she had on her way to Namir's den. The pendant on her earring beat a harsh rhythm with the time of her heartbeat as each paw slapped down. This wasn't the same social call she usually paid the young Pad. Ban'ma was terrified, and the first she had thought to find was Namir.

By the time she made it to his territory, the moon was already fat as a hare on it's perch in the sky. Ban'ma paid little heed of propriety when she let loose with a strong, clear roar that would wake the dead from their slumber, and from that point on, she'd been running on adrenaline. She hadn't even stopped to make sure he was actually following her before she took off towards the den. Towards Tsubame. Her Beybanu...no, her sister wasn't well, as try as she might to deny it, the facts still remained.

It was why when she pulled to a halt in front of the den, she didn't bother going inside, despite what her heart wanted, and instead looked over her shoulder for Namir, giving way to allow him first entry. She'd spoken little to him; just that he was a brother, and his mother's condition left her ill at ease. Very ill at ease.

 

[Fiction1119]

Namir was just about to settle down for the night after a day of dealing with some minor cuts from rambunctious cubs. He wasn't expecting such a wake up call though, least of all from Auntie Ban'ma. Catching her feeling of anxiety Namir didn't ask any questions but followed close on his 'Auntie's' paws.

Still he did get the general idea as to what was wrong. His mom went into labor and now the cubs are born but something seriously worried this normally very calm lioness. It didn't take too long to reach his cubhood den but to him it felt like an eternity. Every pounding paw was done in slow motion as if he was slogging through shoulder high mud.

He wasn't out of breath but his heart was pounding harder then it would have if he had been running full tilt for days. Namir ducked into the den and paused a moment to let his eyes adjust. He nodded a quick hello to Thuraya but his eyes were all for his mom. She was so small looking in the gloom of the den, so small and unmoving.

"Sleeping?" he had to ask because if she wasn't then there was little he could do, and as the gods as his witness he would bring down the moon first before admitting that to anyone lest of all himself.  

[nessiaing]

Thuraya lifted her head as her twin brother came into the den. She was concerned at how the two were panting clearly they had just been running a great deal, where things really as bad as this. Thuraya had thought that the birthing had just been a little rough on her mother. She rose to her feet quickly as her twin and Ban'ma came further into the den.

"Yes she is sleeping" Thuraya whispered looking to Ban'ma for confirmation. "The birth was long and hard she needed rest." She was sure her brother had seen such cases before he heeled any and he was good at what he did. She stirred a little uneasy not sure what she should do now. Fear was bubbling up in her now "Its all okay right Namir." suddenly Thuraya felt that she was nothing but a little girl again.  

[Painted Moose]

"Yes she is sleeping" Thuraya whispered looking to Ban'ma for confirmation. "The birth was long and hard she needed rest." She was sure her brother had seen such cases before he heeled any and he was good at what he did. She stirred a little uneasy not sure what she should do now. Fear was bubbling up in her now "Its all okay right Namir." suddenly Thuraya felt that she was nothing but a little girl again.

"During the birth, Tsubame began to wan." Ban'ma recited quietly. It felt like she was running on strings, mouthing words she felt no attachment to. "She was in so much pain, Namir, I-I-I didn't know how..." She dipped her head, and slowly took a deep breath to steady the tears that threatened to fall. Out of everyone here, she was the eldest and felt it her responsibility to stay calm.

Ban'ma slipped by Thuraya's side, and stood by the girl, but her eyes never left Tsubame. The prone figure of her 'sister' chilled her to the bone. For the most part, the cubs slept, so she felt no need to remove them from their mother's side yet.  

[Fiction1119]

Namir silently listened as his aunt spoke. Part of him was cold and calculating, the healer part of him, the part that looked at his mother and saw a lioness who was hurt not his mother. The other half of him was screaming and raging. Something was wrong with his mother and he was doing nothing more then just standing there.

Once his mind processed Ban'ma's words and began thinking of causes and possible solutions he went into action. It seemed like this process took years but was only seconds. His steps were steady and decisive. A quick glace at the cubs, six, no external injures on the cubs or his mother, her breathing was not detectable at a distance. First, check heartbeat. He mentally cataloged the steps he needed to do, without those steps he might very well break down.

He placed his face against Tsu's, her breath was nearly nonexistent, shallow and slow. Not normal even for someone sleeping. Fearing the worst he went to place his ear against her chest but found the cubs in the way. He tried to move them but they started to mewl and cry. It would be hard enough to hear her heartbeat without the sound of his siblings in his ears.

"Thuryay get these cubs out of here." His command was sharp and quite, full of stress and worry. Never had he spoken to his sister that way, if the situation wasn't dire he never would have even thought of it.  

[nessiaing]

Thuraya jumped when her brother jumped when her twin spoke to her in such a sharp tone. It wasn't practical to move the cubs outside the den night time was falling and it was cool out... she didn't want the cubs out in the cold they were too new, only an hour or so old. She moved quickly and collected the cubs one by one doing her best to lift them gently and bring them over to the side. She then curled up with them doing her best to keep them warm, lucky for her most of them stayed asleep having not been bothered too much by the move. Tears were on the edges of her eyes, she was doing her best not to cry she knew that it wouldn't help anyone or anything.

"Ban'ma" she whispered doing her best not to disturb the cubs she was trying so hard to shelter, "Whats happening." she had really wanted to ask her brother but she didn't want to bother him, now was the time that he needed to focus on caring for her mother, their mother... the cubs mother...  

[Painted Moose]

Without further comment, Ban'ma slid down beside Thuraya. She spread her boa out over the newborn cubs and used her own body warmth to comfort the distressed girl. "Shh, it's going to be alright, Thuraya." Tenderly, she licked her cheek and smiled, even if she didn't feel like it. Her breathing was shaky. Suddenly, Ban'ma felt older then she had in ages.

Then she turned her attention to Namir. "How is she? Will she be alright?" Of course, Tsubame was going to be alright, but she had to know for certain. She just had to keep believing that everything was going to turn out.  

[Fiction1119]

Namir knew the danger to the cubs but right then his worry was for his mom. Once the cubs were away from Tsubame he quickly placed his ear to her chest. The heartbeat was faint and sporadic. It was fading and fading fast. Unless he did something fast Namir new his mom was going to die. He racked his brain, what could he do? What Could He Do?

With only half a mind turned to his sister and Ban'ma he absently answered his other mother's question. If he wasn't so focused his answer might have been kinder as it was it was laced with worry, "I don't know. She is dieing and I don't know how to fix her." His heart was beating with anxiety. Knowing time was running out he pawed off his medical bag and started to dig through it. A small plant caught his eye, I hope this works. He caught the plant with a claw and then gently pried open Tsu's mouth. A quick move placed the plant in her mouth. "Come on. Come on mom." If it would work it would work soon.  

[nessiaing]

Thuraya's eyes were darting back and forth between Mother Ban'ma, her brother and the pile of small cubs she was curled protectively around. It was too much for the fairly young lioness to wrap her mind around... her mother couldn't die.... her mother wasn't old her mother was healthy her mother had just had a litter of cubs... these cubs needed her... Thuraya needed her she hadn't learnt everything from her mother that was necessaries.

"Namir you have to save her.... I can help you." Thuraya went to raise to her feet, she hadn't had much experience in terms of healing the il, it had mostly just been helping her own cubs with there little nicks and scratches that they always seemed to come home with. She wasn't sure how much help she would be here but perhaps an extra set of paws could be usefull to Namir... something had to be done.  

[Painted Moose]

Ban'ma's heart stopped. In the beginning, her worries were for the cubs and Achal. Now that reality was staring her in the face, all Ban'ma could think about was what she was going to do if she lost her 'sister'. Tsubame had been the first one to show her true friendship in the pride, and really give her a shoulder to lean on in hard times. It was Tsubame that propelled Ban'ma to new heights.

And now, she was fading. Fast.

When Thuraya moved to help her twin, Ban'ma took her spot near the cubs. The feel of a cub so close used to bring her so much happiness, but right now, she was numb, and standing on the brink. Should she call for Achal now? Would he want to say something to Tsubame before she passed? Would she be able to find him in time? What about Maua?

So many questions, so little time....  

[Fiction1119]

Namir watched his mother expectantly. Something should have happened but all he could tell was her slipping farther and farther away. When his sister offered to help Namir looked at her. His eyes bright with tears and wild with his thoughts racing. "Pray Thuraya. Pray to every god you can think off."

He turned back to his mother. He dug through his bag knowing that he was running out of time and options. He was not trained for this, he didn't have the right plants for it. What would he do if his mother died? What would he tell his sister? Ban'ma? His father? His family?

Namir was about to try something completely different when he saw a small bundle of plants buried at the bottom of his bag. It was the bundle that his teacher gave him with the instructions that if he ever needed her to call for her. What do I have to loose? he thought to himself, a quick glance down at the prone figure of Tsubame. "Everything" he mumbled before grabbing the bundle and shutting his eyes. PLEASE! PLEASE hear my prayers. Namir knew this was a last ditch effort and if it failed all was lost.  

[nessiaing]

Thuraya dropped her head. She was trying her best to stay quiet and not say anything more, she wanted to stay out of the way and to help if needed but it would seem that things were beyond her help, there was nothing more she could do. Tears were flowing from her eyes now and she made no attempt to hide them. She knew that she should turn back to the cubs and warm them, let them feel loved but she was in no condition to offer anyone comfort. She couldn't even comfort herself.

The dark blue lioness stood perfectly still soft prayers whispering through her lips and hope keeping her heart beating.