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Post by libellule on May 23, 2012 0:16:52 GMT -6
9.Sanctuary Featuring: Asina, Ciel, Danalli, and Zanen (and baby Zane) Location: Tekania Her consciousness slowly came to her at a weak sluggish rate. The aeon near woke up in sections, her eyes opening were the last and the only movement to alert anyone within her chamber to make note of her rousing. She was certain Zanen had gone to his early morning duties a few hours before. Her handsome mate had been keeping physically close to her the closer she got to her due date. But as most demons may have found that bothersome and coddling, the aeon femme would not have it any other way. She felt weaker when he was distant from her. Recently she found herself calling him to her through a thicket of the darkest shades.
And for Danalli, when she called for him it was not a want, it was a need. The celeste had never been a needy mate, or frantic, until this phase. She would never pull him from his work, or duty, but now she could not relax until his power and nearness replenished her strength and fatigue. The feisty mood swings and ‘demonic’ fire, as she put it, faded into a soft docile creature, that only wanted to sleep close to her mate and nourish her unborn child to the highest amount of strength she could bestow while he was curled inside of her.
So she gave into his requests. As morose as she was to remain on this specific floor, as to not over work herself, she would sigh and agree with him. That did not mean that on the days she remained within the chambers and politely asked for her meals delivered that she lazied in bed all day. Oh no, the lady laid out on her grand balcony, soaking in as much energy and warmth she could reach.
But on this day, the exotic beauty would do no such thing. Something was telling her to find solace in a different place. Her place.
He had given her a gift a few months ago, a wonderful sanctuary that was all her own to thrive and be whole in. It was place that matched her in light and energy. Matched her in exotic refuge.
Her garden.
Slowly, the aeon shifted from her pillows and throws and left her cocoon of warmth and plush. She stopped to look in the mirror, both of her hands rising to her very pronounced stomach. A small giggle escaped her as a lovely tap echoed both on her palms and through her figure. She could feel him now as he shifted and found more comfortable postions within her. “My little shadow,” she purred to him, feeling him stir, waking him.
“Zane,” she cooed, lovingly, matronly.
Being nearly nine months along was not an easy and relaxing feat, however. As Danalli dressed and made herself ready for the day, her process was slow and slothlike. BUT! She would /NOT/ have a maid to come in and tie her shoes. Not in a million years. She would just use simple slippers and wear clothing that, unfortunately for our lover of details, was simple as well.
It wasn’t like she was seen by public eye anyway. In all actual notions, the aeon couldn’t remember the last time she visited the market. She sighed in a bittersweet moment, gingerly pulling on an empire waisted dress, a style tight to the bust and voluminous over her rounded belly to her feet below. It actually had an elegance to it as she moved, more waddled, slowly to her main chamber door, threading her thick long tresses into a messy, no where near perfect braid.
Bhaal was waiting outside the door, as he usually did. The elite demonic warlord always seemed out of place escorting a pregnant woman to her desired locations. She remembered telling him this and enjoying the amusing laugh he barked out. “It was one of the highest honors for my general to task me with, my lady,” he always assured her.
They walked slowly and even though her pride sometimes took hold, she would always give in and grasp his outstretched palm if she felt her balance fading.
They reached the garden, her sanctuary, a few extra moments after. She thanked him graciously and he, as usual, smirked a perfect grin and left for his stance a few tens of feet away.
And there, once she sank into a plush floor pillow and willed the door to shut out the darkness with a breath and a soft hand movement, did the light from the open ceiling flood into her senses. Only then did she feel whole and relaxed.
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Post by Willow on May 23, 2012 13:55:01 GMT -6
Ugh.
She didn't remembering it being this bad last time. All of the aches, the pains, the weakness, the nausea. None of it had been this bad the last time, and on more than one occasion (in fact, it was more like on a daily basis) she had snarled at Ciel that this was all his fault. Also, although she was only about six months along, she was enormous. This she also blamed on Ciel - because thanks to him she was carrying twins: her son and his daughter. Well, they were technically both their children, but for the sake of blaming something on him, that was usually how it went. Then he would croon and coddle and fuss and she would have to put up with it because even if she bristled and snarled he'd just hug her close and be all.... sentimental male. What was she supposed to do in the face of that? It wasn't like she really had any kind of credence to be that angry with him.
She was just in a right foul mood and it was all his fault. By the gods, she loved him for it. But it was still all his fault.
Still... Ciel had really stepped up his game these past few months. The man who had once been a savage warrior with no ties to any one place, who would vanish for weeks at a time, who refused to partake in anything other than the killing of who needed to be killed, was now a partner. He was a leader. He had taken over many of her usual duties, including things that had nothing to do with the martial aspect of her rule. He kept her informed, the planned together. It was very irritating having him put limits and restrictions on her, and on more than one occasion she had chased him out of the room with various flying objects not limited to books and pillows - more along the lines of knives and very heavy objects likely to seriously injure if they actually hit their target. One a few happy days she'd even hit him, but as he was a pure zephyr male he was more than capable of handling a pregnant zephyr female. It was in his blood.
Currently, Asina was waking up. It was much later than she would be waking normally, but this pregnancy had proven to be taking quite a toll on her. Pregnancy was difficult enough for a zephyr carrying one child, but Asina was notably smaller that your average zephyr woman - and she was carrying twins. Hence, she was a little more... delicate that normal. Add in her limited mobility and her inability to tap into any of her power without risk to the babies she carried, and she was more than just a little bit vulnerable. It didn't take long for word to spread that the Demon Queen was pregnant, though they had managed to keep it secret that she was carrying twins. But one scent of vulnerability and in came the flood.
Attempts on Danalli slowed, and Asina became the new target. There had been more than a few close calls, more than a few traitors, but those were taken care of swiftly and so far she was still alive and uninjured.
Slowly, Asina pulled herself up into a sitting position and dragged herself out of bed, wobbling a bit as she stood. She may have been only six months pregnant, but with her size and the fact that she was carrying twins, she looked almost ready to pop, and she knew that she was only getting bigger. The Demon Queen paused in front of the mirror and looked at herself, a scowl present on her face as she looked over the messy, tousled hair that she had let get away from her and was now long enough to drape in a loose braid over her shoulder. Her face was haggard, but had good color, her eyes dark and sleep-deprived. She was always tired, even though she felt she slept all of the time.
Still slowly, she raked her fingers through her hair and fashioned it into a messy braid before pulling on a loose tunic and a skirt. She had given up on trousers months ago.
Then, still slowly, she waddled from her chambers all the way down to the grand staircase, looking down it with apprehension. Then came the slow descent. She wanted to relax in the main library, which was on the floor below her own, on the same floor as the five garden sanctuaries.
Dancing around her feet, watching out for her, were about six kittens and their mother. The father was probably with Ciel - who was either training the elites or in some kind of meeting in her stead. He didn't like her moving around so much without him, but... well... fuck him.
She settled into the library in the huge armchair with a book balanced on her belly. The kittens took various positions around her. Of course, before she got past the first page... she was asleep again.
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Post by libellule on Jun 7, 2012 0:11:04 GMT -6
The air was still and the sunlight warmed the garden. Reality itself seemed to fade in and out of focus, only the light and its brilliant company remained. Even behind closed eyes, Danalli could see the gleam and the power that thrived in her silent, welcoming setting.
A small chuckle fell from her lips at the scene. Oh the demons would run from here, blinded for decades. But not her. Not an aeon…
The young sapling of a white willow barked tree would grow tall and spill its branches, draping them over her figure some years from now. Its blushing pink blossoms would scatter across the smooth white and gray river stones that covered the earthen floor, sinking slightly with her small footsteps. Those blossoms would litter the glass calmness of the pond, its make shift beach, and disturb her silver and ashen moon koi from their peaceful swim for snacks. And soon after those blossom would drift on a soft wind and find solace near a candle with a flame that would never go out.
A purring, affectionate noise sounded from the unmoving immortal as she opened her eyes to the small, almost invisible candle. The wax of the candle had poured over, draping the large white river stone in the pond with beads of light red. The flame was miniscule and would no doubt take a seasoned eye to even notice, if they were even looking for it. Every now and then the fire would flicker if the light dimmed and grow slightly large before reducing its size once more.
The woman pulled her hair forward, spilling them over her shoulder. She threaded a lock of hair through her fingers, twisting it to and fro. Danalli’s eyes never left the flame. The once spiraled dread of white and red had been cut off, leaving a significantly shorter tress growing back. As strange as it was that specific tuft of hair appeared to be remaining the hue it was oddly changed to on that day.
“On that day,” the serene woman whispered to the warm silence, her hand fell from her hair to her extremely large womb, “I was given a second chance. I will never forget and I will always show gratitude.”
She turned her head to the open sky and its dazzling. “Even if others do not, never will… I will always.” It was because of him she breathed; a claim she would kill for... A name she would not even murmur in these castle walls, but she would not ignore his existence and his choices. How could she?
A shudder ran through her, a wicked chill that had her gasping for air. The thought of his suffering, his payment, for all eternity. Another gasp as she wrapped her arms around her shoulders and slowly leaned forward. How could she leave him to rot? How could she sit back and enjoy her plush and warmth as he burned and burned… The punishment had been wrought and justice dealt… and as he entered the abyss and its wretched darkness the world erased his existence. She could do nothing at times like these, could not reach him, could not soothe his soul.
She would never see him again.
Something fluttered within her and the chill faded. Only warmth remained, a movement that jostled her it was so startling. White-faced, Danalli looked over and around sharply. Her breathing was heavier than normal as if she’d jogged in place. The garden was empty and silent as it always was aside from the small flicker of ember on its perch.
Then again, a surge of warmth and a bump. She’d been so deep in her melancholy thoughts, lost in her uncertainty, that she hadn’t recognized the feel of her strong unborn son’s kicks. They were almost frantic in their speed, as if they were trying to get her attention. Instinctively, her palms settled across the surface area of her plump, engrossed skin, running them across it slowly. “I’m here,” she soothed to her baby, “I promise I’m never going to be anywhere than right here.”
The kicks simmered, occurring on and off for the next few lapses of time. In that time she observed the candle once more, her palms and golden marked forearms resting on her stomach. The more she relaxed and realized through her morose dwellings, the more the ember grew. Because of Zane.
Ghatreg would want it this way. Zane’s livelihood and her happiness for his suffering. It was a belief and reality that would not settle over her so easily. She would not, could not, be like her family of demons and kin. She could not banish him or forget him. But Zane’s presence bucking and nudging her gave light and relief to the dark pressure.
Ebb and Flow. A constant tide. She knew in her heart Zane was never something she would let slip from her or Zanen’s fingers. Her life had a purpose. Ghatreg knew it too. He knew it all. Almost too well…
With the shudder surpassed and a nod to his natural presence, the aeon rose with a little difficulty. Yes, those thoughts were treacherous to trudge through. Danalli felt much too selfish and nefarious when they seemed to fester. But it was the way life worked, the way it continued, with consequences and judgment.
A deep breath refreshed her and the sun washed her with a little enlightenment. A tiny ‘mew’ sounded near the door she’d closed. Looking over to the intricate wooden, the aeon spotted a very small kitten pawing hysterically at the thick obstacle. “Hush, hush,” she cooed to the feline, “I am certain they’re around here somewhere.” She’d seen the little family of cats around the palace, they were Asina’s companions.
She huffed and wheezed, easing herself down to pick up the kitten, who patiently awaited her hands. However, Danalli, unable to bend at the waist, found it entirely impossible to reach her. “Of all the,” she swore hotly, trying a crouch and sit slowly, sluggishly afterward. The kitten yawned after a few minutes.
“One of these days, kitten,” she remarked sassily as the kitten was scooped up, “You’re going to be filled with things like you.” Danalli hoisted herself up, slothlike… again, and opened the garden door. She nodded to Bhaal, telling him she’d remain on this floor and find him a little later. The demon, of course, issued a soft warning of being careful.
With a little black ball of fur in her arms, the aeon waddled down the hallway, towards the grand library. She sometimes noticed them gathering in that hallway. The kitten mewed as they got closer to the library then leaped out of Danalli’s armed as she ‘tried’ to set her down. The cat mewed and squeezed itself through a cracked door of the library and Danalli followed.
The sight before her had a hand over her lips to keep herself from giggling. There was her pregnant sovereign, book draped over her, covered in kitties. “If I were to give birth right now I don’t think Zanen would be much help with all these ‘malevolent creatures’.” Her whisper was soft as she rubbed her belly.
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Post by Willow on Jul 25, 2012 21:59:13 GMT -6
The spherical sovereign snoozed lazily in the big cushy armchair, surrounded by her battalion of guardian kitties. It was quite a sight, to be sure, but somehow it fit - as if in another time, in another world, this would be a very casual, common occurrence. But the wasn't a world where Asina was just a woman preparing to be a mother, just a simple woman leading a simple, common life. No, this moment of peace was a rare and precious moment. Between preparing her country for an impending apex in the war, maintaining the stability of her country, planning the rescue of the rest of her kin, and dodging assassination attempted every other day when each one gets closer and closer to hitting the mark... Asina had very little time for peace. On top of, or perhaps because of, all of the stress, this had also been a particularly hard pregnancy. She'd been sick, weak, and half-crazed on too many occasions to count, and she was only some five months into the pregnancy. Still another five to go and not only was she round enough to waddle, but then there were all these other troubles as well.
So when a time came like now, where she was able to catch a few well-needed moments of rest, she embraced it - and her little coalition of kitties made sure of it. So when the door to the library eased open and Danalli waddled in, all of them were on guard and ready to claw the eyes out of anyone (particularly a male) who decided that they needed to bother their special person. Well, they probably wouldn't necessarily claw the eyes out of the Lady's mate, but that other annoying male was a different story altogether. That 'other' male being Zanen, as for some unfathomable reason, all felines hated Zanen. Particularly when he constantly put a scowl over their Lady's face by bringing her paperwork and talking to her about unpleasant thinks. Didn't matter that the Lady insisted of being apprised of everything going on in her land regardless of her current... condition. It was the Zanen-creature's fault.
'Mew! MewmewmewmewmewmewMEW!' Asina stirred, groaned, then opened one eye to look down at the little black fuzzball that had clambered up to perch on the book splayed across her very round belly. "Well hello there," she grumbled, her voice hoarse and thick with sleep. Then she followed the kitten's gaze all the way back to where Danalli stood just inside the library.
A slow and easy smile spread across the ruler's face as she waved the other mother-to-be over. "Nalli," she said with the gesture, "come. Sit with me." And complain with me... - she thought, though she didn't feel the need to say it out loud. The men just didn't understand, and they never would. And gods be damned if she ever complained to Ciel... he'd worry himself into a frenzy as only a zephyr male can do. She adored him, she really did but sometimes... Asina sighed. She knew Danalli probably wasn't faring any better.
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Post by libellule on Jul 26, 2012 13:22:39 GMT -6
The white haired damsel sighed sweetly as the kitten padded over to Asina. She’d noticed the protective glint in Asina’s felines when she entered. It was precious and nowhere near the bother Zanen always snarled about. It was a peaceful sight, a sight the aeon wished she walked in on more than not. Asina deserved rest and peace. Danalli would have to be a fool to have not noticed the stress in Ciel’s eyes and their constant fear. It was the same look Zanen’s carried throughout this entire pregnancy. Quite a coincidence to find that the most important figure was at her most vulnerable and she, mate of the second in command, was as well.
She would also have to be a twit to not know something about the target on her back. They all kept quiet, hushed as if not to tire her with unneeded stress… Zanen kept her safe and out of things, which was bittersweet to the reborn.
She had so much to learn of what she’d missed, what she’d lost. There had been a spark in her soul that was beginning to become an ember. Soon it would become a fire, a lost fury that would need to be sated. Her fingers would itch for something occasionally, something she would to find as easy as breathing. An instinctual desire.
”Nalli, come. Sit with me.”
It broke her silent train of thought as she smiled brightly. It was a smile that reached her eyes and sometimes even the eyes of others. A contagious little thing.
“Lady Sovereign,” she cooed with a giggle as Danalli walked slowly to the chair next to her, “Sorry to wake you… someone was eager to find you…” With a little difficulty, the aeon nuzzled into the endless plush of the cushioned chair, drawing her legs under her. Oh yes… It felt wonderful to sit and sigh, so she did.
“If I could sleep through these past nine months I would never complain,” she offered with a smile while she leaned back, closed her eyes, and turned her up to the ceiling. “However I may miss all of those damned sweetcakes….”
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Post by Willow on Jul 26, 2012 13:36:56 GMT -6
Asina made a sound that had more of a place on the lips of a vivacious young woman in the bedroom, not a swollen and lumbering she-creature seemingly filled to the brim with little demons ready to pop out in a few months. It was the mention of the sweetcakes that did it. Now Asina had never had a sweet tooth, but pregnancy did funny things to a woman, making her crave what she otherwise wouldn't necessarily care for. It was why Iera had understood her condition when Asina had gone to see her and she'd mentioned craving the sweet pastries - because last time Asina had also had an unusual craving for sweet things.
"Mm... yes, Nakiera does get a little enthusiastic sometimes." The sweetcakes in question had been a gift from the petite queen's friend - a reoccurring gift that showed up in the kitchens every third-day. Asina chuckled and shifted in the giant chair, unsettling some of her feline friends. The next few moments was a circus of cats and woman repositioning themselves into something more comfortable that would allow Asina to sit up more and thus confer with her friend.
"Though I don't think I'd want to sleep through it all..." she said thoughtfully, raking her fingers through her shaggy black mane. It had gotten considerably longer now, she would need to cut it soon... she'd just been so lazy and now it was past her shoulders, long enough to tickle the tops of her enlarged breasts. "Ciel would be ten times the pest he already is the moment I woke up." She wrinkled her nose, then gave a bark of a laugh. "Though I do feel sorry for the man."
She trained a steady black eye on her companion. "Does Zanen still try to get frisky with you?" she asked, and the tone of her voice suggested that it was something she'd been running into with Ciel, something she wasn't really sure how to handle.
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Post by libellule on Jul 26, 2012 14:03:34 GMT -6
“I feel sorry for /all/ the men,” Danalli sneered amusingly. A feat she’d become fond of in the recent months. It seemed that her beloved demons were rubbing off on her. Oh, she wondered what a seasoned ‘proper’ aeon would find in the sight of her. “The apprehension when they look at me is comical at times,” the aeon chirped, “As if they have to been ready to catch an explosion…”
It, of course, was well known Danalli was nearing her date soon, within the next week or two she’d been told. Now when she waddled through she noticed trained eyes keeping watch of her, ready to alert or catch ‘something’. She covered her eyes and sighed dramatically. “Why did I have to fall in love with a royal… Goddess,” she swore.
Pregnancies weren’t something that happened in this palace or to higher officials with their heightened power… But you would assume soldiers and employers of this fortress would know a bit more about them. She was grateful Bhaal had read up on something or else she was certain she would have sent him away. She had a full-blooded zephyr she did not need another frantic panicky creature to snap at and force herself to growl to. “Males,” she hummed in annoyance.
She lifted her hand from her eyes to Asina’s bold question. There was a glint in her brown eyes, a pretty dusting of bright blue. Frisky, eh? She smirked. The swelling of her chest and the grown in curves at her hips had her catching his lustful glances. But the frisk was certainly much more gentle and for the past month had grown tender. The sex in the last month dwindled, but that didn’t mean the intimacy and erotic caresses stopped. She sensed his protective instincts… Perhaps he didn’t want to trigger anything premature.
“You know,” she cooed in a playful tone, “I’ve heard a rumor that those male cousins of mine find their pregnant mates incredibly attractive… Which I find preposterous, I’m a giant, bloated mess. However, ‘Sina.” The aeon giggled with a soft twinge of rouge on the bridge of her nose. “That… uh rumor, is entirely true and I think it multiplies tenfold with our zephyrs,” Danalli winked at her queen, “The frisk is hot.”
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Post by Willow on Jul 27, 2012 22:29:21 GMT -6
It started as a quiet rumble in her throat, but soon grew to a body-shaking laugh that made it seem as if the two little demons inside of her were also taking great delight as Danalli spoke. "Oho, I can relate," Asina snickered. "I'm only halfway through and I'm round enough to roll down the hall and right out the door if I fell over." She gave a deep sigh. "Ciel took over training the elites when I started needing to be more careful, and I've been joining them every now and again just to keep myself honed - nothing too heavy, mostly light patterns and a lot of slowly going through the motions." She rubbed her temples and groaned at the thought. "I eventually stopped even trying to go. If Ciel wasn't being distracted by my presence, half of the elites were. They were all just waiting for me to fall."
With another deep sigh, Asina idly pulled her hair over one shoulder and began to plait it into a loose braid. She couldn't wait until this pregnancy was over for many reasons, but every day the feeling of being some kind of invalid was climbing higher and higher on that list.
Then she gave a groan that turned into a laugh and back into a groan again. "So you're suffering it too then!" She rolled her eyes and stroked the big mama cat that was nestled beside her in the giant armchair. "I don't get it! I'm a huge whale of a creature, only getting bigger and rounder every day. I'm gross and bloated and disgusting, but Ciel..." She shook her head. She didn't understand men.
"The most I can come up with is that it's some kind of territorial thing," she said with a shrug.
Then she looked around with a frown. "Speaking of... have you seen either of our boyos today? I'm pretty sure they conspired together so that one of them is always within earshot of us at all time. Zephyrs are terrible elitists..."
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Post by libellule on Jul 27, 2012 22:58:23 GMT -6
There was a dull tremor in her lower back as she shifted into a more comfortable position in her chair. The aeon had been suffering from a slight incline of lower back pain for the past few days. Her furrowed expression had sent Zanen in a hen-clucking frenzy as she shooed him away. ’You do realize the amount of /extra/ weight I am carrying, don’t you?!’ She’d snapped hotly. He was never convinced…
Danalli had experienced back pain in the past recent months but she was guessing these were stronger because the baby had shifted, sliding to her pelvis. Which was wonderful… She could breathe normally again, but she’d traded easy breathing for aching vertebrae.
“I can only imagine,” the aeon said in annoyance, rolling her eyes, “I mean it’s not like I was meant to carry a child or anything…” She understood territorial stances and protective, but this was becoming ridiculous. “If that man doesn’t simmer when I start pushing this little one out… I might turn into something ugly,” she huffed, crossing her arms over her swollen midsection, “All of his fretting will only stress me more. He’d better be calm…” That last syllable had a twinge of hope and fear. The aeon was not calm about the oncoming agony, excited, but not without fear. She needed him to maintain a certain demeanor for her to hold on to, for all of them.
Her sovereign’s groans and giggles had her chuckling brightly. “That I am. I will never understand what about my enlarged body is attractive. Atleast we are whales together, Asina. They probably just want to smear their smell all over us and us them.” Another eyeroll happened with a humorous snort.
“But from my experiences… As a mother-to-be you sort of… shift gears in this month,” the aeon said with a nod, “Sure the touches are nice and all, but the drive and desire is reduced. Perhaps because of your need to prepare for the little demon. I sure hope Zanen didn’t take it personally the other night…” Danalli trailed off without noticing, before she blushed lightly and cleared her throat.
She was grateful for Asina’s question. “I’ve actually been in the gardens all late morning. I haven’t seen Zanen or Ciel all day. But that’s normal I sleep like the dead. Oy… “That would be awful… Zanen and Ciel working together? Could you imagine?” He light airy laughter filled the library.
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Post by Willow on Jul 28, 2012 0:37:19 GMT -6
Asina wrinkled her nose. "Well, maybe it's been just in the last month for you, but the moment it started taking several minutes for me to gain the leverage to roll myself out of my own gods-forsaken bed, my sex drive became severely limited." Ciel had been hit, clawed, screamed at, and thrown out of the room on more than one occasion because of this little difference in their opinions regarding her sexual appeal. Asina had cried and Ciel had coddled, no doubt just wishing for the day that she would be back to normal rather than being this crazed hormonal mess.
One way or another, though, they always ended up together in the bed every night, holding each other close. And every morning when Ciel rose to leave for training, Asina would refuse to let him go. These were usually the times where Ciel was able to coax her into a little bit of lovemaking (and she wasn't blind to the shift in his schedule where he started waking up a few hours earlier every morning to take advantage of this little quirk). As much as this pregnancy was driving the both of them a little off the deep end in various ways, they were both managing it fairly well. Asina still yearned for the tall trees and cool shadows of Certann, and stayed up much too late every night plotting and planning for ways to save her brethren from their imprisonment, though. She made sure to take care of herself and not run herself too thin for the sake of her unborn children... but it was still an even greater stress than the assassination attempts.
With another sigh (she seemed to be doing that a lot lately), Asina let her eyes slide from the doorway back to Danalli. "Hm. Well, one of them will probably be by any minute, or at least one of their little spies to make sure that we're still upright." She gave a bark of a laugh. "Ciel seems to think that every twitch I make is me going into labor..." But there wasn't as much humor in the statement as she'd meant for there to be. After all, it was a very real risk that she would go into premature labor. Partly because of her power, partly because of her tiny form, partly because of all the stress.
Well, what happened happened.
She bared a wide grin at Danalli. "You on the other hand, really are going to pop the little monster out any day now, hm?"
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Post by libellule on Jul 28, 2012 1:18:34 GMT -6
Danalli nodded as she listened to Asina. They hadn’t had a chat like this in a few months. She missed spending time with this side of Asina, the pregnant side she could relate to. It was a grace of peace she was incredibly thankful for. Sometimes Asina was too busy to bothered. She was a queen of course, Danalli understood that. But here… in the warmth of the library and surrounded by felines, she felt the peace and the small sigh they were given in a time of war and bloodshed.
“You know it probably has a majority to do with your height, all jokes aside,” she stated clearly without jest, “I’m having a hard enough time carrying one… I don’t know how you manage two without gravity pulling you over-“
The aeon paused in mid sentence as her eye twitched. There was a small cramp in her side, just enough to catch her attention. Nothing she hadn’t been prepped for by her midwife. She pulled her legs out from underneath her, trying to stretch out her abdomen. “Just a kink in my side,” she spoke again without difficulty, “I must have been sitting that way for too long.”
Everything was so finicky about her, move one way it hurt, move another it was uncomfortable. “I don’t know about you,” she spoke as she put her hand over her eyes, propping her feet up on the lower table, “But I cannot wait for giant mug of mead from Della’s.”
Asina’s laughter always had a way of making her smile back, making her cheerful even more than she was before. “Are you so certain their little spies aren’t among us now? Isn’t Ciel good companions with your little feline’s mate? I’d be alright with that though.” Danalli smile softly to the little black kitten that had become a ball of fluff at her hip.
“Zanen is the same way. He thinks he can keep me on bed rest for the next week until he decides when this little one will fall into his arms… Of all the nerve.” She sighed exasperatedly. She giggled at the thought that just entered her mind. “Asina what if we did indeed fall on our backs and were rocking back and forth like turtles to get back up?!” A brilliant smile and roaring laughter came from the bright enormous woman. “Could you imagine?”
Her smile became tender as she looked from Asina’s excited eyes to her round, ready-to-burst belly, housing her son, Zane. “They say I have another week to rest easy before I have to be on alert-“
This time when she paused, she winced and took a breath. These cramps were getting a bit sharp and painful. “Hn,” she wondered softly, easing herself up to stand, “I think I need to walk these off sitting isn’t going to h-help-“
Again a wave of pain flared rouge on the backs of her eyelids as she leaned her weight on the back of the chair, losing her balance. Her breath quickened as a flicker of excitement dropped in her stomach. These were no cramps; they were contractions. Small ones that had begun in her back a few days before.
“Asina… I-“ Another rouge tint painted her eyelids as she stuttered, trying unsuccessfully to hold herself steady where she stood, trying to focus past the peaks of pain. She barely noticed the water that drenched her legs.
The aeon tried to center herself, but her balance wasn’t at its best, it hadn’t been for the past few weeks. She knew Asina was sitting right next to her, right in front of her, but it was an instinctual call. So she tugged on those tethered strings, reaching for him. Her knees were shaking as her calves struggled to keep her up.
“Z-Zanen,” her voice was cut off by another flash of pain as she gritted her teeth in a half surprised groan, “Y-your son...” She yelped as the contraction peaked, her knees giving out.
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Post by Willow on Jul 28, 2012 23:08:08 GMT -6
She had to admit, a giant mug of mead for Della's did sound pretty wonderful just about now. Or even better - a giant goblet of her strongest, most potent ale. Screw assassins and snarly males, the hardest part of being pregnant was no alcohol. Asina hadn't realized how much she depended on it until she couldn't have it any longer. Never realized that she actually did use it as a tool to drown away her sorrows, to forget all that had been lost in this stupid, idiotic war.
Now, instead of drinking, she cried and ate sweets. Yes. She most definitely missed her alcohol.
Asina gave a dreamy sigh. "First thing I'm going to say when I pop the little monsters out is definitely going to be 'Right! Now get me a tankard of the best ale you can find!'" She snickered and shifted in her chair, wincing as one of the little demons got her right in the kidney. Probably Silus. There was another shift inside of her and she could imagine, even as unborn infants, Saela reprimanding her brother. The thought brought a chuckle to her lips. Those two were going to be a handful, for sure, but she was getting the feeling more and more that they would also make her happier than she'd been since her father was murdered.
Hoorah for the mommy hormones.
Asina nodded sagely when Danalli mentioned that she had only another week before the little monster could be expected. "And if that baby is one second late or one second early, you know that Zanen will go into a frenzy," she said with a sigh. "But you shouldn't worry if he shows up early or late. The due date is really only an approximation anyway." Asina shrugged, then fixed a hard stare at the other woman, humor dancing in those dark eyes. "And don't be afraid to knock some sense into the fool of a man you are bonded too if he gets too fussy about it. Though don't hold it against him too hard. I struggle with the fussing with Ciel too, but I understand it... his anxiety, because I share the same quirk he does - that Zanen has too." She bared a wide, toothy grin. "See, you can't beat up or kill the source of this particular anxiety, so we're all left fumbling.
Her eyebrows shot up as not a full minute later a little bit of domestic havoc stirred. "Well what do you know," she murmured with a little grin, pushing herself with some effort to her feet. It took a couple of tries, but she got to her feet and then waddled over to Danalli, taking one of the other woman's hands in her own.
"Not to worry, I got ya," she said with a laugh. "Though if we both go down I don't know what help I'll be. Your man will be here any minute now--"
And as if her words had summoned him (they hadn't, Danalli's had), there was Zanen, materializing from the shadows and rushing forward almost at a run.
"Whoa whoa whoa boyo!" Asina snapped, holding up a hand to slow him down. He snarled at her but she just laughed at him. "Slow down, call Iera, and take a few deep breaths. She's going to be fine."
Zanen forced himself to breathe but took a few slower, careful steps forward. "Danalli? Are you alright." What was he supposed to do!?
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Post by libellule on Aug 7, 2012 22:48:01 GMT -6
It was a hissing noise that came from her teeth as she sucked in a deep breath, a shaky hand holding the cold washcloth where it lay across her eyes. The red that flashed on the backs of her closed eyelids signaled another wave of pain, another contraction. It was bittersweet moments like these, knowing the pain would stop after it peaked and intensified, knowing a strong son would be in her arms and the pain would stop.
She had an in depth discussion with Iera, one of Asina’s dearest friends, about what she would go through. The woman told her there would be three stages of pain, of birth, and that once she got past the second stage of labor, the rest would be like a breath of heaven.
Danalli was willing to bet she had a little bit of time to relax and be comfortable. This was the first stage, where her hips aligned and opened; why she was having these pains… They were regular, lasting a minute at a time, sneaking up on her ever other half of an hour. Her body was preparing, not birthing. Not yet. She would know, Iera told her there was a very distinct difference.
The aeon blew out a gust of a breath as the pain simmered again, fading her lids to black once more. Slowly but surely there was coming closer to each other and for now it wasn’t anything she couldn’t handle. This was the part of birthing that the women had a chance to prepare herself. The calm before the storm, where she consoled her mate, and told him what she needed from him when that storm hit.
She was told to be comfortable and so she was, half propped up on pillows of a plush bed that soothed her aching back and her hair tied in a loose tail so it would be out of the way. Maybe she would prop herself up a little more so Zanen might rub it lightly.
The Light beauty hummed a soft chuckle as she removed the cloth from her eyes, turning her head to find him. His eyes were closed for a moment, but she was no fool, he could never sleep at a time like this. He never did anyway. Danalli propped herself up on her elbows with ease and care. Even though it went unspoken, the fact that he was here, keeping her company, watching over her as she got closer and closer to the hour… He was a true mate, protector of his treasures, and he was hers. The aeon had always been enamored by his loyalty to her and now her gratitude was making her eyes sting because he had not left her side since her labor began. It had been a small handful of hours since the library, since Asina steadied her and Zanen came running. But hours still, nonetheless.
“He will be here soon,” she crooned, softly, “Are you excited to become a father, Shadow?” He would have to be strong for her in this coming hour or two, something for her to lean on, because she wouldn’t have much strength to spare.
Danalli wouldn't be able to stand alone. The aeon wasn't worried, her zephyr never failed.
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Post by Willow on Aug 13, 2012 16:04:39 GMT -6
Of the people in the room, Danalli was in pain and Zanen was freaking out as only a father-to-be could faced with the birth of his first child. Everyone else, however (everyone else being Iera and Asina), were completely nonplussed. After all, Iera had done this dozen's of time before and it was her job to be calm and in control - and not much could faze Asina. It didn't matter that in a few months she'd be going through the same thing, except instead of one little beastie she'd be pushing out two of them. She relaxed in a nice big armchair next to the bed, one hand resting on her swollen belly and the other gripping Danalli's shoulder encouragingly.
"C'mon 'Nalli! Let's get that little bugger out of there!" She said with a broad grin as she flashed a look over to Zanen who glared at her.
Nakiera chuckled. "Not quite yet, Asina. Birth is more like one of your war strategies, with multiple strategies that can't be rushed." She patted Danalli gently on the knee, "And you're doing wonderfully, dear," she added with a nod. "At this rate it won't be long at all before your baby boy is in your arms." That, at least, was one thing to be thankful for - it was looking to be a smooth labor. Well, as smooth as labor itself can be. She'd been midwife for many other women, and there had been a few whose labors had been a terrifying experience for any woman to even be in the same room during. Thankfully, though, with the help of her particular special brand of skills, in every single case things had ended smoothly with a happy, healthy baby cooing in the arms of its mother.
Zanen on the other hand wasn't nearly so confident. "Are you sure she should be in so much pain?" he snapped at Iera for perhaps the sixth time in the past two hours.
Very patiently, Iera nodded and gave him a calm smile. "Having a baby isn't a walk in the part, boyo," she said to him as she had to the other five times he'd asked. "It's going to take a toll on her." She turned her attention back to Danalli, continuing to coach her through the contractions and everything else that was happening with her body.
Zanen wasn't very reassured. He was fidgety and panicky. He'd seen only two other births, and both had been graphically terrifying. Sure he'd been at a tender age when he'd witnessed them, and had quickly decided that he preferred the battlefield to the birthing room, but it had been an experience that had scarred him for life. Even now, eons later, he was terrified. This was something he couldn't help with. It was a battle he couldn't fight. He would do anything for Danalli, vanquish anything that ailed her, defeat all of her enemies... but this he could not do for her. Right now the one that was causing her all of this pain was his soon-to-be-born son, the fruit of his loins. His progeny. In essence, it was entirely his fault that she was in all of this pain right now.
Aha! No, it wasn't only his fault. He cast a brief glance upwards even though the ceiling shielded the sky, and thus the sun, from his view. ~This is your fault too, Sun Lady,~ he growled silently at the Sun Goddess, not sure if she would get the message. After all, his tie (which he still didn't understand why he even had at all) was to the mystical and mysterious Saeliir, not her bright and shiny counterpart.
He turned all of his attention back to his love, though, the moment Iera cleared her throat and said, "Here we go!"
He gripped her hand and took a deep breath, sparing her a nervous smile and attempting to look as confident as the midwife sounded. "I love you, Sunshine," he murmured to her, kissing her forehead and smoothing her hair back with his free hand before using it to grip the one of hers that already clung to his.
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Post by libellule on Sept 3, 2012 22:29:45 GMT -6
Agony.
It was the only thing that filled her senses for the next round of hours. It was the only thing she could cling to. Had she have cried out into the room, Danalli did not notice. If she unintentionally added enough force to the two of Zanen’s hands to crush them, Danalli did not notice. Her contractions began compounding, one on top of the other so much so that she lost half of her mind to the fabled ‘labor land’. If a word was spoken aside from the gentle hush of Nakiera, she would be brought back into the full force of pain she ‘ran’ from, causing her more stress and bone shattering shrieks. She had to have pure silence, her mind desperately trying to escape the pain
This was beyond excruciating, beyond realistic pain. Her entire pelvis was made of glass and her body was crushing it into pieces. Danalli lost all sense of time and self to the pain that covered her in a thick blanket. Even Zanen’s precious whispers made her whimper and cry out when she was ‘brought’ back. She could only grip him tightly; she could only voice the contraction as it rode through her like a wave filled with bone-crushing objects.
But there was something more excruciating than the pain. The exhaustion that slammed into her at that very moment was unexpected and deafeningly. Her body felt as if it was wilting. Could she make it through this? Pain was pain; she would outlive the pain and it would end, but the exhaustion… That determined if you were capable of doing something or not.
She groaned out when she had a second to the backs of her eyeslids in a broken sob. “It’s too much,” her nails digging into Zanen’s palms, “I don’t know if… I can’t…”
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