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 Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 8:17 pm
 Lacey had traveled so many leagues in three days. She felt like collapsing, her big sides heaved and her wings ached from carrying the weight of her plus a few. Finally she settled down under a very shady tree, noting that she was very close to home, but fear filled her heart along with the guilt and suppressed anger at Demoni and Ruin. Why had she ever listened to them? She had thought they'd been good when she first met them...Ruin seemed so... lonely... But she had been wrong.. They had only wanted her for their nefarious deeds... and they had accomplished it.. even if she had left, she was carrying Ruin's spawn... She sadly nudged at her belly, feeling the reactive kicks, two of them. She grinned, no matter how they were coming about, she was excited. Foals.. of her own. Two of them, she figured, since there were always two reactions, and only two. She sighed after a moment, her red eyes hanging low as she lay her head down. She was exhausted and succumbed to a light slumber.
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Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 8:42 pm
Manga had been drawing in that tree when the heaving, notably pregnant mare all but collapsed in the shade below. What motive did she have for driving herself so far while pregnant? Nothing good came to mind. She slid out of the tree, landing on the opposite side and setting her sketchbook and charcoal down so that her hands were free. She wandered around the area, gathering fruit, berries, and mushrooms that the Azrien would be able to eat, setting each group of food in a different spot by the dozing mare. She took a drink from her canteen, then went to refill it in the nearby stream. The poor mare was probably exhausted... there was no need for her to strain herself further to search for food.
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Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 8:45 pm
Lacey slept for the better part of the morning, and when she woke, she noticed a smaller woman sitting not far, surrounded by food, and drawing in a book. Lacey was silent for a moment, not moving, her red eyes studying the female. She seemed familiar, but she couldn't place her at all. Finally she stood and walked over and behind the woman, looking at what she was drawing while munching on a couple of the berries.
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Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 9:04 pm
Manga paused only long enough to adjust to the shadow over her sketchpad. "I'm glad you're awake," she commented lightly as she continued to sketch the landscape. "You should rest for a while longer. Your body won't last long if you don't let it relieve your built up stress." And stress was never good for pregnant women--no matter what the woman was.
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Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 9:18 pm
Lacey sighed and lay down on the ground next to the woman, munching on the goodies around her with her wings tucked into her body as she watched the woman sketch. She stretched and winced at the resulting kick, harder than usual. This being pregnant was uncomfortable, but worth it.
Finally, she ate all she could, and turned back to the woman, feeling a queer stirring within her heart and mind and before she knew it, the words of Bonding flooded through her mouth.
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Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 9:37 pm
Manga blinked behind her mask, then just smiled. "You've had a hard time," she said softly. Feeling anger welling up from a different sort, she sighed. "Ca, please calm down. You'll stress yourself out..."
"I am fine, Chosen," Ca replied calmly over the link, her mental voice clearer and a bit more neutral-gendered than her real one. "I just do not like that Ruin is able to freely roam and do as he pleases."
"I'm sure you aren't the only one," Manga replied soothingly. Two pregnant mares and an awkward stallion knight. Was this supposed to be telling her something?
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Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 10:05 pm
Lacey winced at the feeling of anger, and it took her a moment to realize it wasn't intended for her, though with her guilt, she felt she deserved it. She sighed and dipped her head. "I have wronged my family..." She said softly, her red eyes downcast.
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Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 10:16 pm
"You'd be surprised," Gau replied from wherever he was with Vanity. "How difference perception is from reality."
The comments amused Manga. "Quoting me now?" she teased lightly before responding aloud to Lacey. "But he is right. Your family will be very happy to see you." The artist used no words like 'likely' or 'probably'. That left uncertainty, and there was enough of that here. Besides, through Lacey's memories, she knew Lacey's family. "Bonds between family members is a powerful thing. Don't underestimate them." Lightly patting the mare's neck, she suggested, "You should go see them. Accepted or rejected, finding your answer will be better than waiting in dread and uncertainty."
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Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 10:29 pm
Lacey shook her head, her eyes widening as the instinct to back away and get away kicked in. "No. no... Not like this... I.. no... Not while I'm pregnant.. and maybe not even after..." As much as she trusted her Chosen, Demoni's words echoed in her head, and she protested. No.. especially if Demoni had hurt her brother. No.. She couldn't face that.. The look on Uncle Rogan's face when he saw her..the disappointment... And Delta... he would hate her.. she knew it.. She knew he would hate her children too.
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Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 10:56 pm
"Easy," Manga soothed, gently stroking the mare's neck. "I didn't say you couldn't take your time. But you really should see them." Lacey's panic made the artist think of possible solutions. "How about this," she suggested finally. "Stay with me until the foals are born. Once they're able to travel a little ways, take them most of the way home. Keep them out of sight and go see your family by yourself first. And if there's no problems... introduce your children." Smiling supportively, she added softly, "And if things aren't looking well, let me know and I'll come get you. Alright?"
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Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 11:08 pm
Lacey listened to her new Chosen, her heart still wary, but she nodded. It was a good plan, and she doubted Manga would allow her to get away with any less. "Okay... I guess I can do that.. But if they... if they don't want me around, you will come get me?"
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Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 11:47 pm
"Of course I will." Manga slid the mask off of her face before turning and showing Lacey her full expression. Her brown eyes were gentle and honest, and a reassuring smile played on her face. "You will always have a home with me." She would never dream of abandoning the soon-to-be mother or her children. If they were rejected, then Manga would welcome them with open arms... and if they were accepted, they would have a second home to rest their heads at.
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Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 11:50 pm
Lacey sighed and relaxed against Manga's side, loping her head into Manga's lap, careful not to disturb the drawing of hers. "Thank you..." She mumbled as she fell into another slumber.
It was only an hour or so before she woke to the feeling of sharp pains in her belly, spreading from her abdomen to lower. She winced and kept from crying out, even though it hurt worse than some of the training that Ruin had given her.
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Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:12 am
Manga instantly noted Lacey's pain and attempted to ease it with her own, calmer emotions. "Easy, sweetheart," she murmured, gently stroking the mare's head. Childbirth. Since Manga wasn't having an episode, the pain definitely had to be childbirth. "Breathe steadily now. You're going to be just fine." Despite the pain, she couldn't help but smile when Gau's groaning and questions of what the hell was going on came clamoring down their bond. "Childbirth, Gau. Now be supportive or be quiet."
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Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:17 am
Lacey whimpered and kept her head in Manga's lap, the petting helping her stay calm. She closed her eyes and rode out the waves of pain.
Four or so hours later and Lacey was still at Manga's side, except she was curled around three beautiful blankets. Three sons, all handsome in their own right, and their momma was exhausted.
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