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Post by lilliana on Dec 20, 2007 19:42:44 GMT -5
It was late at night, soon to be very, very early – the time when most of the Weyr was asleep. The sun would soon peak over the horizon, but not for a good hour or two. In the mean time, however, Mal of Green Meriath awoke in a cold sweat, a very wave-like feeling going through her body – starting in her middle back, it moved gradually. After a few seconds, it reached its peak, at which point the green rider involuntarily gave a small moan of pain. Another few seconds, and it was gone.
“E’ri!” Mal, usually collected and calm – not to mention quiet – was definitely not her usual self. Her words were spoken with such a tone that made it clear she was not happy, in pain, and angry. “E’ri…The baby’s coming. The babies are coming, that is.” Having been to the WeyrHealer, I’ir, recently, it had been roughly determined that she would be having not one but two babes – which, indeed, meant that her size was normal, and that she was not fat.
She felt another contraption coming on, and reached out for Meriath. The green had awoken with her rider, not used to the pain that had welled up inside of her mindmate. I am here, Mine. What…what is going on?[/i] Feeling the tentative reassurance there, and the fright for her rider, Mal was not very reassured. I’m having my babes. Oh. A pause followed, before the voice sounded in Mal’s mind once more, this time much more assuring and strong. Everything will be alright, Mine-own, and at the end, we will have a new addition to our family. It shall be you, and I, and Bazeth’s, and Bazeth, and my cousin, and your feline, and then the hatchlings, too. We will have a very large family, yes.
The green sounded almost like a hatchling, herself, as she listed off their family. It actually brought a smile to Mal’s face, if only for a brief moment as yet another contraption seized her, clouding her face with pain. This time, however, Mal was ready for it, and she resisted crying out. The contraptions were not too bad, not yet, although they were getting worse. The green rider reached out for her still sleeping weyrmate. “E’ri! WAKE UP!”
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Post by Administrator on Dec 21, 2007 14:38:52 GMT -5
E'ri wasn't really sleeping- he had such trouble sleeping. But he was lying in bed, just for the comfort of Mal. Poor woman was getting so large, and trying to comfort her with his body was the least he could do for her. So he was restless, lying with her and her swollen stomach as melodies danced through his brain. He would slip into a fitful doze every so often, but it wouldn't be for more than a half-hour before he would wake up again. He had been with her at all of her visits to healers lately, and he was getting anxious. Mal was too large, and the healers told her that it could possibly be twins. He knew that twins could be dangerous to a woman's health... He closed his eyes, trying not to think about it. It was Mal. She would be fine, and give birth to two, healthy little babes. This thought made him smile. She may have been hard to live with these past months, but she was a trooper.
Nocturne let out a lazy cheep from beside E'ri's head. E'ri's eyes flickered up to the little blue, frowning. Nocturne was a quiet creature usually, but... In truth, Nocturne had picked up on what was happening to Mal even before E'ri did. Turning quickly, his eyes widened as he realized what was happening. She was sweating, her body was... acting up. Leaping out of bed immediately, he found himself starting to sweat with excitement and worry. Rushing to her other side, he shushed her lovingly, smoothing out her hair as the contraction peaked. "It's all right, love," he told her lovingly, his voice tired, but concern and love taking over the tone.
At the same time, Nocturne came to rest at Mal's head, crooning as he nuzzled the blonde locks. This startled E'ri, for Nocturne was usually such an embittered creature. But perhaps he really did have affection for E'ri's weyrmate? In addition, Bazeth also came to lovingly soothe Meriath and Mal with his mind. Physically, he pressed himself against Meriath. She would feel pain, yes, and Meriath would undoubtably feel the pain just as much as Hers did. But Bazeth would be there to comfort her.
"I'm right here, love," he reassured her. "I'm not leaving your side," he swore, kneeling down beside her, stroking her hair. Bazeth- he started, but the blue crooned. I am on it, he replied reassuringly.
Phremath, yours is a healer, yes?[/color] he asked, prodding the young green gently. Meriath's is giving birth to twins and we need a healer.[/color] And Kalierre needed to get here quickly... Before the contractions got too close together.[/size]
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Dec 21, 2007 17:02:50 GMT -5
Phremath stirred from her couch, taking a few moments to fully awaken. Meriath's? Who was this speaking to her? Oh, yes. Bazeth. She'd never really spoken to him before, that she could recall, but Phremath was well-used to random dragons addressing her at this point. Hers was always in demand. Twins. That must be nice for Meriath's. Yawning, Phremath turned her mind to the woman not far away - the woman who, even now, stirred in her sleep, muttering something unintelligible. Mine. Meriath's is clutching. Mine.
Phremath's gentle prodding drew Kalierre out of a restless sleep, the woman pawing at her eyes. Mal? Yes, Meriath's rider was Mal. Then the woman was finally giving birth to those twins I'ir had mentioned in passing. Though why Bazeth couldn't have bothered Corth and I'ir, when they obviously knew more about the details, she didn't know. By the egg, most of the crechemothers were better with assisting in a birth than healers, simply because they didn't bother with infirmaries half the time. These were women who delivered child after child. Oh well. No rest for the weary.
Swinging her legs out over her cot, Kalierre arose, making for the door that led to the drudges passages within the walls of the canyon. Mine. Your clothes. They'll be anxious - oh. As Kalierre tended to sleep in the nude...Phremath had a point. Tugging on the nearest pair of breeches she could find and one of the tunics that seemed to swallow the now thinning woman, the dragonhealer left without anything else, only pausing when she remembered that she wasn't exactly sure where Bazeth and Miriath were quartered.
A quick question to a passing drudge, and Kali was put in the right direction. She walked into the weyr without so much as a knock, looking like she'd just woken up and hadn't slept much for days besides - which was a fairly accurate description of the truth. "Warm water. Clean linens," she told E'ri brusquely. Drawing up beside the woman, Kali smiled down on her sleepily, brushing the hair back from Mal's face. "They're on their way, are they? How long between the contractions, hun?" It didn't matter that Kalierre hadn't really come into contact with either Mal or E'ri before. This was simply her way.
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Post by lilliana on Dec 21, 2007 22:50:01 GMT -5
E’ri came to her side, and Mal grabbed his arm, her grip surprisingly not all that hard. She didn’t really seem to see her weyrmate, lost in thought and trying to block out the pain – as minor as it was, compared to what it would be. It seemed that her need for contact, something to comfort her while this pain was here, was more than her need to dole out her pain on others. When the contraction seized, the green rider still held on to him, and actually seemed to recognize him.
As Nocturne came to rest in Mal’s hair, there came a look of dazed surprise. The green rider had never really thought that the blue liked her at all…shrugging it off as she felt Sapphiren’s comforting presence on her shoulders, Mal smiled lightly. “Alright…it’s all going to be alright…” The green rider shook her head, looking towards E’ri, and then reaching out once more to Meriath. It will be fine, Mine. It will be fine.
Despite the calm face she was turning towards Mal, Meriath was positively terrified. Curling tightly within her weyrmate’s hold, the green seemed to shiver, although not quite. Whatever it was, however, it came through quite well that she wasn’t…content, or sure, or confident. What is wrong with Mine-own?[/color] She asked Bazeth frantically. Who was hurting Hers? WHO?
Mal was blissfully unaware of the green’s worries, thankfully, and turned towards E’ri once more. “Healer…I need a Healer! YES!” Looking around, apparently for the Healer to appear out of thin air, she made herself sit lightly back on the bed, lest she disturb the babe. Her gaze again found E’ri, and she opened her mouth to demand a healer once more, when a woman – Kalierre – walked into the weyr. A healer!
Although she might not know the woman, Mal smiled at her. There was a healer…a female healer. Good. E’ri was smart enough to know, of course, that she would have sent I’ir back. She didn’t want him – he would not be looking at her from down there. Truthfully, Mal was disturbed with anyone looking down there, and this partial stranger was a little…awkward, but it was better than a man. Ah, yes, so much better. Surprisingly, the green rider didn’t seem to mind that Kali touched her face, acting like they were long friends. Or that she called her ‘hun’, despite the fact that Mal was quite a few years her senior…if she noticed at all. It wasn’t likely. “Um…I’d say about 8 minutes, really.” She shuddered, feeling another one about to come. Telling Kalierre, the woman closed her eyes, already preparing as she felt Sapphiren nuzzle her gently.
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Post by Administrator on Dec 27, 2007 13:43:19 GMT -5
E'ri looked up at their entrance, startled, yet grateful to see Kali stride in. Keeping his attention divided between his weyrmate and the healer, he smiled in relief. He felt almost bad, because Kali didn't look that well... Well, he could make her some klah at the first opportunity he could. Nodding at her instructions, he gently kissed Mal's brow. "I'll be right back, love," he told her affectionately, prying his arm from her light grip. He felt horrible leaving her for even a few minutes, but this was his job as a male, he supposed. Leave the birthing to the females, and stick around for moral support. Yet he felt as though if he left her for even a short moment, it was betraying her. Nocturne cooed from his position on Mal's head, determined to comfort both E'ri and Mal. The black-haired harper smiled slightly, reassured by Nocturne's display of comfort. Nocturne was rarely this loving, so that must mean everything would be just fine in his brief absence.
Quickly, he darted into their bathing room. Grabbing some of the towels and filling up their water pitcher with some of the warm water that they were fortunate to have for their sink, he was surprised at how his hands shook. Was he truly this nervous? Well, he had a right to be, he supposed. His weyrmate was birthing twins, for Faranth's sake! Not only a life-changing moment, but risky as it was. He had to trust Kali, he told himself firmly. She knew what she was doing, he had no reason to be nervous... But it did nothing to cease his anxious shaking. No, he had to be the stable one right now. Mal was busy being in pain, Kali was dealing with it... He needed to be there to keep things sane. Taking a deep breath, he threw the towels over his shoulder, and kept both of his trembling hands on the pitcher as he left the bathing room.
"Here," he announced, his voice surprisingly dry. Clearing his throat, he set the pitcher on the end table, but kept the towels on himself. He didn't know where to put them, but he didn't want to set them on the floor. He didn't want his children to be put into dirty towels at birth.
Bazeth crooned, tightly squeezing the green's tail to reassure her. She is clutching, love,[/color] he told her lovingly. It may hurt for a little while, but think of the little hatchlings E'rimine and Yours will have! It will be wonderful![/color] Trying to calm down his lovely green, he hummed the Hatching Song, hoping would calm down both His' nerves and Meriath's fright. Nocturne then joined in the humming, wanting to do his part as much as Bazeth did.
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Dec 27, 2007 19:58:04 GMT -5
Kali's eyes flicked toward the humming coming from the dragons' couch, a small smile evident on her face. Dragons were intriguing creatures. Of course we are. You should sleep, love. Nothing will slow down tomorrow just because you chose to stay up with me tonight. It won't slow down for you, either... There was a hint of worry in Phremath's tone. Kalierre tried to be as reassuring as possible; if Phremath voiced a worry, then it must really be bothering her. I'll find time to rest. I always do. Now get some sleep. The green didn't protest.
Eight minutes. Kalierre resisted a laugh. They had hours yet until the twins would come. Most first-time mothers - was Mal a first time mother? - spent around eight hours in labor. "This is your first delivery, yes?" the dragonhealer asked, grateful that the pair didn't seem to have any trouble with her age, as some did. Female healers tended, even in the south, to be regarded skeptically, and Kalierre knew she was young. Though she'd been a journeywoman healer for eight turns and a journeywoman dragonhealer for six, she was still just under twenty-three turns of age. It was hard to place your faith in a woman so young.
As she spoke to Mal, Kali carefully slid the trousers off the woman's legs, wordlessly taking one of the towels E'ri had brought and sliding it beneath Mal's hips before she placed a second over her legs to create the illusion of privacy. During that time she'd managed an unobtrusive glance, noting about a 4 cm dilation. Yes. They had hours yet. Moving back up along the cot to seat herself near Mal's head, Kali took the woman's left hand, nodding to E'ri to take the other side. She always carried leather straps on her - you never knew when you'd need a tourniquet or bindings for a splint - but that was a bit impersonal, and could wait until Mal started pushing.
"Let me explain what's going to happen here. Right now your contractions are eight minutes apart. They will be getting closer together and longer as time goes on. Once they're three minutes apart, we'll start having you push. Don't start until I tell you, though, all right? We're going to have to make sure your babies are positioned properly first." That was as much as Mal needed to know. "Are you weyrbred, Mal?" They might as well get to know each other, since they'd be here awhile. Kalierre smiled gently at the woman.
Though she mostly ignored E'ri, it wasn't out of spite. The female of course would get more of her attention. But she also was aware that most men didn't like people to see their emotions, and so she did him the courtesy of not paying attention to what would be written clearly - at least to her - on his face. He obviously cared about Mal. They were weyrmates, and were carrying the twins to term, after all. And he hadn't made any move or suggestion to leave. Kalierre usually didn't like having men present, but as long as he remained calm, she'd allow him to stay. It might be easier on Mal.
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Post by lilliana on Dec 27, 2007 20:46:58 GMT -5
Deep breaths...deep breaths...yes, Mal could do that. She remembered I'ir telling her this a few weeks ago...thank Faranth it wasn't him here, in Kalierre's place. The green rider didn't like the thought of the man seeing her in this position. Shells, she didn't like anyone seeing her like that...but even a young girl like Kali was better than I'ir - as long as she was trained. And, from the talk around the Weyr, she was. So everything was alright...yes...everything was alright. Stopping the flow of thoughts from entering her brain, Mal attempted to distance herself from all of this. She wasn't the one watching all of this. Of course not! Why on Pern would she be in this position? Oh...right. She had gotten foolishly pregnant.
No, no. Thoughts like that were saved for deadglows, and she was not a dimglow! Mal closed her eyes for a moment, opening them again only to answer Kali's question. "Yes...this would be my first time." An attempted smile was given to the healer, although it failed miserably. Shardit. If she was this...hormonal and depressed right now, what would it actually be like giving birth? Shaking her head, Mal attempted again to block some thoughts from entering her mind. She would not be angry or depressed. She would not act stupidly. She would not cry or feel sorry for herself right now. That all could come later, when she was actually giving birth. The green rider could control herself...right? Yes! Yes! She could!
Wait -- E'ri was leaving? Wha-n-why?!?! Grasping for him even as removed himelf from her grasp, Mal looked around quickly, not understanding. Why on PERN was he leaving her? He'd be right back? SHARDING RIGHT! He shouldn't be leaving her in the first place!!! Scowling, the green rider was only slightly comforted upon hearing Nocturne's coo, and feeling Sapphiren nuzzle her gently. Why was her weyrmate leaving her now, when she needed him? Phremath's needs him to go get something, something that will help you when you start to clutch. I'm already starting, Mer!!! This bit was practically yelled into poor Meriath's mind, who snuggled closer to Bazeth. Why was Hers acting this way? Why was Bazeth's leaving? Shardit, why was Hers hurting, and angry? When you start to clutch more, Mine, the green replied shakily, attempting to sound confident.
Oh... And then there was silence, at least until E'ri came back. "E'ri!" Mal was already reaching out for him again, even as her trousers were being slid off of her legs...shardit, that was a little...awkward? Uncomfortable? Both, to say the least. The woman felt slightly better when a towel covered her, but even so...there was a view, there, that was definitely not...right. Shuddering, Mal pushed those thoughts out of her mind, and clasped on to her weyrmate, moments after Kalierre took her other hand. Alright...alright...deep breaths.
Only nodding as Kali gave her the instructions, Mal absorbed it deeply. That was...easy? Sure. Why not. Well...Mal really did know differently, but it was nice to be under illusio--"SHARDS!" The green rider squeezed both the healer's and E'ri's hands, closing her eyes and trying to not cry out again as the contraction took hold of her body, reaching to its peak quickly before it finally came to pass. "Alright...alright..." she murmured after it was gone, Sapphiren crooning and Meriath's tail twitching uncomfortably, as the green hummed and comforted her rider.
"Not weyrbred," Mal replied, determindely cheerful. Her words came out strained, but as she spoke, they gradually became more full, and more Mal-like. "I was born to two journeymen glasscrafters. I didn't become one myself, although my parents tought me quite a bit of their profession. When I was eight, my two older sisters were killed in an accident, and I just sort of...drifted. For ten years, I just traveled throughout the hall -- needless to say my parents weren't very happy with me. They were about to kick me out of the hall when a Search came through, and I was chosen. The first hatching, Meriath came..." The soon-to-be mother's voice trailed off gradually, and Mal stared into space, before finally looking towards E'ri fondly, and then back to Kalierre.
"How about you?"
I knew she was going to have hatchlings...but...I didn't know that she was going to hurt![/color] It was quite apparent the confusion and worry that Meriath held. It will be a true family, with little ones running about, and it will be nice! But...what if something happens, Bazeth? What if Mine gets hurt? I will not loose Mine-own, right? She will not be gone because of this?[/color] Meriath did not like that prospect.
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Post by Administrator on Dec 30, 2007 0:49:59 GMT -5
E'ri was grateful to Kali that she didn't try speaking to him. It was Mal that needed attention right now, not him. He could nip his nervousness in the bud. Forcing himself to take a deep breath, his hand wandered down to Mal's. Gripping it tightly, he looked up at Kali, his concentrated gaze determinedly not betraying his inner anxiety. It made him nervous, seeing Kali positioning Mal. For birth... shards, she was actually being positioned to pop a baby out from between her legs! Still holding Mal's hand, he brought his other to just stroke the warm skin on the top of her hand. Content to simply smile down at her, he let Kali do her work. She knew what she was doing, she knew what she was doing... Shards, he was nervous! As Kali checked the dilation, he brought Mal's hand to his lips, kissing them lightly. "I'm here, pet," he told her lovingly, reassuring her. "I won't leave you again." Or, at least, he hoped not. He felt bad just fetching water and towels!
He remained silent as the healer spoke with Mal. It wasn't his place to interrupt. Even if he did feel like talking, he doubted his throat would work. In a few short (or long?) hours, his world would no longer be the same. He would have babes to care for, an actual family. Would he raise the babes well? His children would be protected to the best of his ability, of course, he would do whatever he could do to make sure they grew up well. But what if he failed dismally? Mal would surely hate him if their babes grew up poorly!
Grimacing as another contraction took hold of his poor weyrmate, he shushed her in a comforting manner, stroking her hair as he did so. "You're all right, love," he reassured in his soft tone, wishing he could take the pain away. "I'm here, I'm here..." He hated the thought of his love in so much pain, and he felt horrible. He should be helping her somehow... "Would numbweed help anything?" he asked Kalierre anxiously, his worry more evident in his words before masking his features to that of calm. Nocturne crooned, nuzzled Mal affectionately, doing whatever he could to keep the pain at bay. Even if his little gestures weren't working, perhaps they could act as a comfort anyway?
Silencing himself once more, he let the women converse. This was women-talk, not his, so he would continue to provide quiet support. Kali seemed to be doing pretty well at keeping things easy. Privately grateful to her even more, he returned Mal's fond gaze. Stroking her hand with his calloused harper thumb, he found his eyes kept flickering to her legs, as if a babe might have popped out every time he looked at Mal. He felt Bazeth let out silent laughter of amusement. Mine, you are illogical.[/color]
This is a very illogical time. Who knew women could push out two humans from... inside of her? he asked, justifying his inane worries.
Still rumbling with his humming, Bazeth turned to Meriath, who he felt was getting more and more frightened. Crooning, he told her. Nothing bad will happen. She will hurt, but it will be good hurt. Like after you finish a long Flight, you are achy, but you are happy. That is what this is like,[/color] he explained. Well, maybe it would be a little more painful than mating, but how was he to know? Bazeth never had to deal with birthing, and E'ri did not either. Nuzzling her, he crooned again. She will not be gone,[/color] he told her with confident reassurance. Though no birth was truly safe, the likelihood of losing Mal was slim. This was a smart healer. Right?
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Dec 30, 2007 21:43:23 GMT -5
Kalierre returned some of the pressure she felt coming through Mal's grip, giving her something to hold onto. It also tended to make it easier on the healer's hand. How many deliveries had she made? There was no way of knowing, anymore. It had been awhile. That was more of a thing for apprentices and journeymen as they were just starting out, especially the females, who, aside from being the same sex, weren't well-respected in the north. It wasn't that deliveries weren't important. There were just usually far more delicate things happening in and out of the infirmary. Of course, with twins, there could be complications. Then again, there were plenty of twins born without a hitch, and Kalierre wasn't the sort to borrow trouble where there was none.
Kali's eyes flicked to E'ri. The man was nervous. Of course he was. Men, they couldn't understand things like this, could they? Not that she could really say she understood just how it felt, either, seeing as how she'd never been pregnant, much less had children of her own. Numbweed. Her smile was characteristically gentle. "No. This is an internal pain...and no, nothing else is advisable. It might affect the children." Yes, numbweed did also numb inner pains - somewhat - but it was superficial, and there was a reason women felt pain during childbirth. It would tell Mal, and more importantly, Kali, when the body was ready to truly deliver the children. And everyone reacted to numbweed differently. It could dull the pain, or completely obliterate it. Plus, there were other things that could happen in childbirth, things that she needed Mal feeling to be able to diagnose. Not that she would explain everything to them. They just needed to know it wasn't an option.
So, not weyrbred. Kalierre had been under the impression that most dragonriders were...Although, truthfully, that wasn't as common in women. To be wandering the hall for ten turns...Mal must have been close to her sisters. That was an unhealthy reaction to death. Hadn't her parents thought of taking her to see a mindhealer? Kalierre laughed internally. Typical thinking of a healer. She knew what it was like to lose family. Her only family had been her mother, and that was the ultimate reason she became a healer, was it not? Death defined people. For a moment she thought Mal would say nothing more. Not surprising. Impression was a powerful experience. You could get lost in the reliving of it so easily, even if it was just a shadow of the real thing.
The healer blinked. That was odd. Most people didn't ask her anything about herself. The soft smile turned rather wry. "I've lived most of my life in the North. My mother secured a place for us in a small holding outside Fort Hold." She said nothing of her mother. Kali rarely spoke of that, and certainly wouldn't divulge anything that personal to a near stranger. "I entered the Healer Hall when I was eight. They sent me to Benden Weyr after I walked the tables, which is where I also took up dragonhealing. I've only been here for a little less than a Turn. The South - it's refreshing, but different. Sometimes hard to understand."
Fifteen turns. Had it really been that long, since she first entered the Healer Hall at Fort? Sometimes it seemed longer. She hadn't told either of them how long her apprenticeship had been. Kalierre was not a quick study. She was a thorough one, however, and once the details got into her head, they would never leave. Her skill came from an intuitive feeling for things. It was nearly infallible - but ultimately not a confidence booster. Kalierre knew better than to tell her patients the majority of her success came from 'winging it.'
Then, because she thought it would help if E'ri was calmer and people tended to calm down when involved in a relatively mundane conversation, and because Mal would probably respond well to his voice, Kalierre nodded to him. "Your turn," she stated lightly. "Mal probably already knows, but I have no life, so indulge me."
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Post by lilliana on Dec 31, 2007 13:47:21 GMT -5
Why did this have to happen to her, of all people? She and E’ri hadn’t wanted a baby, shells, to this very hour Mal wasn’t sure if she was ready to raise a child! Two children, to gurgling, messy, adorable children would be…a new experience, to say the least. She would influence two people’s lives in a way that only a mother could describe. The responsibility of it all was so…surprising to Mal, it was unnerving. She was so young, after all…23 Turns! How responsible was she, getting pregnant with twins at that age? Sharditall.
But even now, Mal knew she had no time to be all woebegone for herself – she had to prepare for another contraction, prepare for some long hours of pure torture. Distracting herself was all well and good, but feeling sorry for herself was simply stupid. The green rider should know better than that. Looking up at Kalierre, who was just beginning to explain her own life, she grinned. The girl knew she wanted to be a Healer at age eight? Shells, Mal had barely known what she wanted for breakfast at that age! Not that she had been irresponsible or lost…but a bit unknowing of the harsh reality that she needed a profession to live life; she couldn’t simply skate by. Kali, it seemed, had never had that problem.
And then, to be spending her time serving Benden Weyr from the time she walked the tables…poor girl. Mal felt pity for her Healer, although it was immediately replaced by respect – which had been growing ever since Kali had walked into the room. To have served Benden, apparently escaped, then coming to Selenitas…shells, that poor girl!
Giving sharding birth, and yet so relaxed, listening to her Healer’s life story…Faranth, this would be a strange day.
Unaware of Kali’s musings, Mal’s thoughts continued, although they had now turned into thoughts for her preparation. More than preparation for the next contraction, more than preparation for the birth…but preparation for the new life that she was about to have, with the new lives she was about to influence so greatly. As Kalierre turned towards E’ri, the green rider shuddered, and after a moment, a contraction began once more…shard it.
The green was only a bit reassured by her weyrmate's speech. Shards, what if he was wrong? What if Meriath lost her beloved mindmate? Of course, as dragon-nature went, she would go between and never come out. But Meriath did not want to do this. She wanted to be with Hers for all of eternity, and would be very mad at Mal if she left her because of some hatchlings! But golds...they had hatchlings all the time! More than two! And so what if they were in eggs...they still gave birth. And they were always alright. So, with this bit in mind, Meriath relaxed against Bazeth, if only for a brief instant before Mal's contraction seized her.
((Aww, crap, short. xP Sorry!))
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Post by Administrator on Jan 1, 2008 23:44:01 GMT -5
E'ri pursed his lips. She had a point, he supposed, but he didn't like to think about Mal being in such pain when numbweed existed. Nevertheless, the health of the babes overrode the relief of any pain. Resisting the urge to sigh, he stroked Mal's hand rhythmically. Any little bit of comfort he could provide would help, he hoped. Even if there wasn't much comfort he could provide apart from his physical presence. So, making himself comfortable, he continued in these comforting strokes, determined to keep up this same pace the whole time. He would probably add more in the contractions, though. He could stroke her hair, and maybe eventually wipe her face with a cold cloth once the contractions got worse and closer. Shards. This would be a long day indeed, and only the beginning of a longer life with babes.
Obviously surprised by how he was being included in the talking, he felt oddly guilty. He hadn't really been listening to either of them, figuring he wasn't involved. Well, he was now, he supposed. "Ah," he murmured, trying to summon up enough words into his dry mouth. Swallowing to ease the passage of the words into speech, he nodded. "Born to a drudge in Selenitas Hold, went to Harper Hall when I was young. Walked the tables at fifteen, and Searched and Impressed at eighteen." He smiled. He wasn't one to speak too much, but he didn't need to draw attention to himself as he weyrmate lay in bed, birthing. But it did seem to calm him slightly. Though his voice shook at first, it smoothed out with each word. With it, his nervousness also began to subside slightly. "I met Mal when Bazeth was off flirting with greens one day. Meriath was close to Flight, and Bazeth told me to meet Meriath's so she wouldn't wake up with a stranger in case he Caught her... which he did," he said, turning the smile down to Mal. And she had conceived not too long after, he thought proudly.
And then I wrote the song for Meriath,[/color] Bazeth reminded His promptly. E'ri chuckled a little. Realizing that they wouldn't get it, he shrugged. "Bazeth just reminded me of the song he wrote for Meriath," he explained.
Any other thoughts, however, were cut off at yet another contraction. Squeezing her hand gently, he moved his other hand to Mal's blonde hair, stroking it. Nocturne nuzzled her, providing additional comfort that E'ri couldn't do with only two hands. E'ri was still amused with Nocturne. Undoubtably, the blue would deny ever caring about Mal. The blue did have a heart after all, he supposed. Stroking Mal's hand with firm tenderness, he looked up at Kalierre to make sure this was all still normal. When it ended, he quickly bent over her to give her a quick pet on her sweating forehead. "You're doing great, pet," he said encouragingly.
Bazeth, too, was doing comforting. Pressing his body against Meriath as hard as he could, he nuzzled her almost forcefully, determined to remind her things were all right. This is coming all right,[/color] he reassured her. Yours is delivering twins, they will be healthy, she will be healthy, and we will be a loving family,[/color] he crooned. It will be all right.[/color]
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Jan 2, 2008 22:52:29 GMT -5
She cast a questioning glance at E'ri. A song? On pure impulse, she reached out to touch Bazeth's mind. Kalierre rarely spoke to dragons unless they addressed her first. So far, the only ones she'd spoken to at Selenitas were Salenth, Millieth, Wrenth and Jessereth - aside from her Phremath. It was a curious thing, though, this writing of songs. She'd never come into contact with such a thing amongst dragonkind before. Though healing was her profession, dragonhealing was her art, and anything related to that particular topic drew her keen attention. You wrote a song for Meriath, Bazeth? If it is not too personal, I should love to hear it at a more appropriate time.
The contraction hit Mal again. Just another one of many. Kalierre didn't mind helping people, and talking wasn't a bad thing, either, but...This was the time when she was supposed to be sleeping. The healer could only hope that her lucky streak would hold out for a little while longer, and she wouldn't kill anyone in her exhaustion tomorrow. There had to be a way to familiarize the weyr with some of the other healers. Continuing this way was unreasonable.
***
Hours had passed. The healer was just now finishing securing the second of the straps to the bedposts, in a wide loop. As Mal's latest contraction faded, she helped the greenrider to sit up, showing the woman how to slip her wrist through the strap and grip the leather. Kalierre had removed her outer tunic, sliding it to one side, and was now positioning herself between Mal's legs. It was an awkward position, sure enough, but she doubted any of the trio would really be thinking much about that at this point. Using her hands on the woman's ankles to position them where she wanted them, Kalierre knelt so that her knees would continue to keep Mal's legs the proper distance apart. It wouldn't be long now.
"All right, hun. You're going to keep pushing with the contractions, just like we have been doing. Remember to breath. E'ri will be helping you with that. The babes are coming out just fine. Soon you'll have them in your arms!" She could see Mal's muscles tensing. "Here it comes, sweetheart." No, not long now. Two, maybe three contractions, and she'd be seeing the first of the babes.
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Post by lilliana on Jan 3, 2008 17:59:09 GMT -5
Her face tensed, hands gripping E’ri’s hand tightly, Mal panted, trying to regain her breath from the last contraction. They had just been getting worse…and worse…and worse. But now, Kalierre told her, it was almost done. She was so close. Her hold on the blue rider’s hand loosened only slightly, and after a pitiful attempt at a smile, Mal resumed to gaze blankly at the straps the healer was setting up. After being shown how to slip her hands through and grab the leather, green, fogged eyes followed Kali as she moved between Mal’s legs. How wrong it could seem was lost to her, right now, too far gone in pain. She wasn’t happy, to say the least…groaning weakly, the green rider tried to pay attention to Kalierre’s words.
Even as she tried to listen, Mal felt another contracted on the way. Fighting not to scream as it came over her, the green rider gripped her weymate’s hand tight enough to crush bones, squeezing the leather strap as hard as she could. This wouldn’t be the worst of the contractions, she knew that. And she would have two bouts of that pain, one after another…she squeaked, and this quickly turned into a yell she turned on E’ri – poor man.
“Why did you do this to me?! This is your fault! You just loved the idea of having children…FOSTERING IS THERE FOR A REASON, MAN!” Glaring at her beloved weyrmate, a tear rolled down her already-splotchy cheeks. Biting back the tears, the contraction finally faded, and Mal turned away from the blue rider. She looked once again at Kalierre, as if to see if a babe was in the woman’s arms, yet. She wanted them out of her! Why weren’t they sharding coming?!
Why aren’t they coming, Bazeth? Why won’t they come? It’s been hours, and they’re not here yet, and Mine is still in pain. In worse pain! Are they not going to come? Is Mine just going through pointless pain? I will be very mad… Meriath was trembling in Bazeth’s hold, eyes whirling in deep alarm.
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Post by Administrator on Jan 4, 2008 3:34:48 GMT -5
Bazeth blinked slowly, surprised at Kali's talking to him. He wasn't the type to respond to just anyone. He was naturally shy, with even conversations with Mal being very rare. Then again, this woman was helping Mal clutch... He hesitated, then slowly replied, Yes. I wrote a song. E'riMine only helped.[/color] And she wanted to hear it? Well, this was just more surprises coming from this evening. He hadn't thought anyone but Meriath would want to hear it. He had written it for her, and had blocked it out from the other Chasers. Yet the fact that Kali was assisting Meriath's just strengthened the argument to share the song with her. He paused again. If you really want to hear it, I would be happy to sing it sometime,[/color] he replied, the slight hint of pride evident in his mind-tone. He had worked hard on that song. It would be nice to share it to see if others liked it. Sensing another contraction was here, judging from E'ri's mind, Bazeth tightened Meriath's tail, determined to reassure her for as long as this would happen.
--
Though nowhere near as bad as Mal, E'ri was exhausted. Hours had passed, with him being there to comfort Mal as the contractions worsened and came closer. It had become sort of a rhythm, which amused the harper side to him. She felt the contraction coming on, he would stroke her hand and hair, and when the contraction ended, he would kiss her forehead before the next one. He could probably even write a song about this, but he knew there was a time and place for everything. And now was definitely not the time. Resisting the urge of thinking a rhythm similar to this, he went along with the motions. The circles under his eyes darkened, but he showed no signs of wavering. Eye flickering to Kali every so often, his gaze mostly remained on Mal.
As another hard contraction came, he let her squeeze his hand, keeping his expression still as her grip became painful. Reaching down to stroke her hair, he stopped dead in his tracks as she screeched at him. Hastily withdrawing his hand back, it was clear for the first time that he'd actually been affected by this whole thing. Her words were like a slap to the face, even if they were only half-accurate. He hadn't decided they should have babes. This was a surprise. Nevertheless, he had no spirit to argue with her, especially now. Helpless, he let her keep squeezing his hand, but he looked up at Kali, every feature on his face showing how upset he was by her words. Mal had never spoken to him with this much rage, even when she was at her worst mood swings. What had he done wrong?! What was he to do now?! Was she really this angry at him?
Bazeth felt like he was the only stable one here. Reaching out to both E'ri and Meriath, he soothed both of their seperate worries. To E'ri, he said, Mine, you have done nothing wrong. She is just in pain. And it -was- your fault. You were the sire.[/color] Seeing the last two statements only made the man panic more, he quickly added, But it will be fine soon. She just is trying to release her anger somehow and you're the easiest target.[/color]
As E'ri mulled that over, he nuzzled Meriath firmly, as he had done for the past several hours. They will come, they will come,[/color] he soothed. Queen dragons never lay their eggs all at once. It takes days sometimes, remember?[/color] Realizing that might not be helpful, he amended quickly right off the top of his head. I mean, Mal won't take -that- long, but, well, it's sort of the same idea.[/color] Crooning loudly, he tried to pass this comfort onto everyone. Nocturne joined in the croon even as he still hummed. His little throat was sore, but he would keep humming till the babes were out. He wasn't the only one humming: Bazeth too still hummed the birthing song.
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Jan 6, 2008 21:27:39 GMT -5
Kalierre was more concerned with the babes on their way than with the two players in the room with her. This was the time when quick reactions could save lives. Everything was going smoothly, however. Mostly. Mal's screaming caused even Kali to glance up for a moment, as she couldn't recall ever having heard someone being quite so harsh towards the father of their children during childbirth. Then again, the father was usually out of the room. E'ri had shown a resilience she usually didn't see in men. Most hovered nervously, getting in the way, or were more than relieved to bolt as soon as they saw their chance. He'd actually been a fair amount of help.
Ever since she'd spoken to Bazeth about his song, the dragonhealer had maintained her silence with the two dragons - but she could still hear them. It seemed that E'ri was more than just a little shaken by Mal's screaming. That was no big deal, though, for soon she would be in that strange place that all mothers knew when they looked upon their babe's face for the first time. "I see the head, hun. Just a little more. You can do it," Kalierre coached, her voice just loud enough to carry over the woman's heavy breathing.
Normally, she wouldn't have interjected into a conversation between dragons. Kalierre was usually very considerate of their privacy, and even if they knew that she could and often was listening, the woman was willing to maintain the illusion of privacy for their comfort. But Meriath was a strong support for Mal, and if the dragon was wavering and adding panic to the greenrider's mind, it could be a problem for both mother and infants. Not long now, Meriath. One more Selenitas dragon added to the growing list of dragons in Selenitas who had heard her voice in their head. Five - ten minutes at most. This next push will have the first of her clutch out.
And, sure enough, as the next contraction hit, the babe's head and shoulders cleared, Kalierre easing the rest of the child out. The cry was instantaneous, causing the healer to smile. Healthy lungs. She quickly began clearing the blood and fluids from the red little tyke, wrapping it in a clean towel even as she prepared for the second. The squalling eased off a bit once it was a little warmer. Kali held it up for its mother to see. "Perfectly healthy. Soon you'll have a second. Just another contraction or two. It's almost over."
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