[PRP] A Fall Family <3 [Makayla x Tuari Tse]

[Huroggmeten]

This is, for now, a SRP between my Makayla and Tuari Tse, though more characters may be added later. heart

Makayla waddled up the little hill, sighing to herself as she made her way back to where her mate waited.
She was still young, but right now she didn't feel all that young. Turning a slightly cranky eye towards the sky, her heart blossomed at the little clouds gathered together and a smile replaced her grumpy expression as she remembered why she was feeling this way: Foals. Little ones, again, miniatures of her and Tuari Tse. Adorable little faces, bright and new. New life, coming in with the Fall breeze.
She scooted up the hill a little faster, limbs moving around her swollen stomach with extra care.

"Tuari!" She called, the sheer joy washing over her in waves as she made her way back to him. She'd only gone away to dip her overheated brain in a cool stream- for some reason, her head was bothering her lately; it hadn't the first time- but she couldn't wait to see him again.
The love of her life, the father of her children- a small pang came over her as she thought of their first batch, now grown and some with families of their own. She was so proud of them. Oh, Tuari!

"Tuariiiii~" her sing-song tone tone carried her voice to the sky, where the musical notes might dance with the little clouds. "Where are youuuuu?" She knew where he'd been of course, but not where he was.
She chuckled softly to herself.
Her mate had been rather stressed since finding out she was carrying another brood; he was happy, of course, but he also seemed concerned over her aching head and the little moments her expression showed how uncomfortable she was.

All was well; nothing would happen, the foals would be healthy and fine and she would deliver them soundly.
Same as before.

He was just being fretful.

 

[Huroggmeten]

Tuari felt his heart thumping in his chest.
He was not used to being... to feeling... a little, worried. He knew that she would be fine, for she had been fine before.
They had raised beautiful children together, and they were strong and capable and each with their own personality. They were alive, they were thriving, they were well.
And she had carried them, until they were ready to be placed in their baskets and then welcomed into the world.
But... it hadn't seemed this hard, last time. They were so young, then, that he almost felt like her body didn't even register the change and had just let everything pass smoothly.
Now, her mood seemed to fluctuate (normal, he was sure) and her head ached (he was quite concerned over that one, but more to see his mate in pain than any real paranoia) and she was just... just...

Tuari's ears perked as he heard her lovely voice float over the clouds.
Just... herself. Achier.
And he didn't like that he couldn't really do much beyond fuss and trust her to pull through. If he could bear some of the burden... but, alas, his sturdy form was not meant to carry foals.

"Here, M'Kayla!" he came around the bend, a warm smile on his face at her return. She hadn't been gone long, of course, but she'd been determined to go down to the stream alone and let her head cool a bit.
So, he'd waited.
And his reward... oh, the tone in her voice! He was glad to hear it return. "I'm right here."

Where he would always be: at her side... or, well, close to it.  

[Huroggmeten]

Makayla adjusted her course ever so slightly to skirt around some brush, humming to herself gently as her mate responded to her calls. His gentle yet strong, soothing voice always did wonders for her nerves. Just as she was sure her happiness was comforting for him.
She'd had an easy pregnancy, the first time around, so it was little wonder they were both feeling a little... odd.

She spotted her lovely regal mate as he moved into the clearing's edge, just where she'd left him. So handsome, with his strong legs and his beautiful rack and those lovely glowing red eyes, so very handsome still- though why wouldn't he be? She caressed his little spots with her eyes, and her heart could have just burst with her love.

"Oh, Tuari, i'm so excited!" she attempted to wiggle, but sort of just waggled her ribcage back and forth. A sharp stab in her side punished her for the movement, and she lowered her head with a slight intake of breath before straightening and proceeding her careful legs-apart-don't-touch-the-belly waddle towards her mate. Crossing those last few steps felt like forever, the last little bit of distance separating them absolutely agonizing, but she made it. As she always did. Thunking her head against his firm chest, she sighed in relief. Made it.
Her belly growled a little; it took energy, growing extra forms!

She raised her head just enough to peer lovingly at her mate.
"What's for dinner?"
The sun overhead wasn't quite at a point where most would ask for their last meal of the day, but she was entitled; she was, after all, feeding more.

And, besides, there were always snacks later.

 

[Huroggmeten]

Tuari's brow furrowed and he moved forward slightly as she winced and looked down. He'd told her to be careful of her movements, and she was already instinctively moving around as if she were a bubble ready to burst, but sometimes excitement got the best of her and... well. She hurt.
He willed all of her pain away, red eyes focused on her form as he wished fervently that she could have just one more easy birth.

And then she collected herself with her familiar pleasant little thunk (he loved feeling her against his chest; it felt like he could protect her, now and always, for he could easily form a shield by wrapping his neck around hers and warding away all dangers with his antlers) and asked for dinner.
He grinned; he'd been expecting that.
One thing he could definitely do for her was always have food on hoof. Though they normally preferred to select what they wished to eat together, when she was pregnant number one was any tasty foods number way-more-than-that was variety. If asked, she'd literally name all the food she could think of, so it was generally easier if he just managed their nutrition for them both. For now.

"Well, we still have clover in the eastward grove" he thought again of her little pangs, and decided that she probably wouldn't want to graze just right now- that was alright, he was prepared "Or i've collected some juicy red apples from the westward orchard just beyond our home" he'd balanced as many as he could carry in the curvature of his rack, balancing them carefully, and made two trips during her morning rituals before he felt he should stick around just in case. The last of the large juicy apples would soon give way to the deepening fall, and then all they could find would be crisp winter apples before spring.
The silliest fond smile brushed across his face and his chest swelled with pride as he wondered whether the foals would join them by then.
They would be safe, through winter. But perhaps spring might be a little easier on their little bodies.
He'd begin making the preparations, just in case.

Mentally going over a list of things to check before winter, he continued his tempting list "And there's still alfalfa from the meadow". He'd painstakingly harvested it by brushing up a little bundle one antler and then holding a sharp flint in his mouth and balancing it just so while using one of his cloven hooves to nudge it a little closer and tear through the strands while the tops of the tufts were still tangled in his antlers (it was still easier to collect than grass; he'd given up on that pretty quickly, as he couldn't possibly both hold and chop such tiny growth- the alfalfa was long and flowy, almost chest length, so it was easier to wedge himself in). But, it saved Makayla the walk, and anything was worth saving her whatever troubles he could.
He wanted her rested, and well.

And he wanted her belly full, so that she might rest sheltered in the deep wooden grove that they called home, a spot perfectly positioned so that they might have variety in the right seasons and still remain sheltered.
There were no great beasts here; it was a quiet, gentle place, surrounded on all sides by sheltering woods.
And while she rested, he could go about making it a little warmer for winter.
 

[Huroggmeten]

The pregnant mare watched her mate's mind whir and grinned; she recognized that look. Wasn't it the females of some species that got broody, and sought to make the perfect home?
Oh, she'd been a part of selecting this little place, of course, but he was the one who made sure it stayed safe and secure.
She gazed at him lovingly once more, and wondered briefly if it was possible for her heart to burst from happiness.
He was such a good father, and such a caring mate.
She was so very lucky to have him.

"Ooooh." her belly voiced its enthusiasm for everything he'd listed off, and she grinned even more. "Yes please."

She rubbed her head against his chest, enjoying the slight pressure on her head, and then moved to head towards home.
The whole place was home, really, including the stream, but there was one part that Tuari had started 'collecting provisions' (he was always so practical) and securing 'just in case' of storms.
Fall was still a long season, and she had noticed the first signs of new life growing in her womb at the very beginning of it.
He was preparing for winter as if it was tomorrow.
But she appreciated it; it would be nice, to have all of this done before the foals were ready to leave their baskets.
And it would be very nice to have a snug little cove for their baskets to nest until then.

Her belly encouraged her onwards, and she sighed. Yes yes, i'm going. Waddle, step, stretch, step. I'll get there.
She always had.

 

[Huroggmeten]

Tuari Tse grinned inwardly. She had treated it, as usual, as more of a listing of all the courses rather than options. But he wasn't complaining; it was good for her to have variety.

He followed after his mate quietly, watching the rhythm of her legs as she swam about her belly. It really was the cutest thing, to see dainty form swell in size as new life began to grow. Her belly wasn't even that big yet, but it was the most adorable little bump he'd ever seen. He just wished it wasn't hurting this time.

He would prepare, he would be ready, and things would go so smoothly.
As much as possible, he would ease whatever he could for her. He would provide. He would take care of her. He would prepare their home.
It was the least he could do.

For she, the love of his life, had already given him children. She shared her life with him, and had shared her body with them as they grew and left like pieces of her heart and proof of their love.
And now, more little foals on their way.

His heart swelled with pride.
She was so sweet, so kind, so gentle and good. And she was so very much his.
He'd never known another, never loved another (well, except for family- but that wasn't romantic love). And he could never ever wish for someone more special than she.
Up ahead, her stomach growled once more and he grinned outwardly this time.

"The alfalfa's by the redwood, my-heart." She really was, for without her... no, they would never be apart for any longer than it took to do their separate business.
She was everything.

He'd had to move the alfalfa bunches because the morning condensation was a little too much for it, but he figured that the redwoods which so loved the fog would help shield it a little.
If not, back into the grove with it.

He eyes the size of his mate's belly with glee. If there was any left by tomorrow.
He made another quick note in his head, and continued after her, ever the watchful presence.
At least she let him eat, too. He did not begrudge her in the slightest, but it was rather comical to see her appetite grow.
"With the apples."
He knew she'd want both, so that was just for convenience.
 

[Huroggmeten]

Makayla grinned; her stops for the evening had narrowed to one.
Bless Tuari for his thoughtfulness.

His pet-name for her didn't even register; she just accepted it like any other name he called her, knowing that he meant her. M'Kayla, Makayla, my-heart, my dearest, my love.
He meant her.

Maybe, if she wasn't pregnant, she would have paused to squee at the new syllables that meant herself.
But, as it was... food.

As the pair approached the innermost nest of their humble little home, she could smell the juicy yummy mm oh yes.
She quickly waddled the last few steps and selected a juicy red apple from the pile, eyeing the alfalfa and wondering how best to chew both at the same time.
She glanced back at him, and grinned, wiggling herself to the side a little to make room.