A kiss is not a contract

It happens when Besra is left unprepared. She’d known this whole time what changes were happening to her, just like she’d known that eventually she’d have to deal with bringing her first child into this world all on her own, but somehow it still caught her by surprise. Even with all her gusto and planning, it turned out that the appropriate time and place had eventually come down to what little Gyps had wanted. Yes … she’d named the foal before birth. Some would’ve cautioned against it (you can never tell whether or not it’ll survive anyhow) and others would’ve laughed that Besra had gone ahead and given the little one a name before knowing the gender. But that was who she was - confident, knowing her moves before she takes them. Even with all the caution in the world Besra knew that she couldn’t stick to the usual way of things. She’d never been a usual mare.

So she’d spent the days talking to her belly. Telling the growing child about Phaedrus, about Archam. Sometimes, when dusk began to descend on the plains and Besra found herself feeling that empty loneliness begin to creep into her heart she would settle for telling her foal about Golden Plains and the Gates. Of course, she could never be sure if the foal could hear her or not, but it was a way to make peace with how much the little one had changed her, body and mind. Eventually, after nights and days spent spinning tales, Besra began to fall in love with the unborn curiosity, and that’s when she had named it. “How do you like that, Gyps?” She’d told her distended barrel one day after talking about watching Felinae and Zeik fly. A flutter of unseen feet responded and Besra had stared wide-eyed at her sides and knew how hopelessly devoted she already was to this little wonder.

So, naturally, Gyps had decided to make her grand entrance while Besra was attempting to relax. The spring weather was agreeable this year, balmy but not uncomfortably hot. Her mouth had been halfway full with the new grass sprouts and just like that, she felt her back hurt and her stomach clench. Irritated, she’d stomped a single hoof and lashed her tail, and that’s when her water had spilled. “Oh no …” She’d thought, and her head had risen to look out over the empty plains to where the seclusion and safety of the forest waited - hundreds of yards out of reach. That’s when she’d started walking.

It didn’t take long. The pain was too much and her will was slowly receding before she decided to make the most of her situation. The silver mare circles once, worry flooding her thoughts as she buckles slowly to take refuge in the tall, swaying cover. Nothing had prepared her for the fear, or the uncertainty. What if something went wrong? Who would help her? Her nostrils are quivering with the effort of her heavy breathing her her head shifts, eyes closing as she decides to let go of the terror and focus on simply pushing. The first few are so painful she nearly gives up, but she thinks of Felinae and inhales deeply, holding it for a moment before releasing the breath and giving her last ounce of energy to an impossibly forceful push.

The rest is simple. Gyps eases out into the world and with a breathy laugh of relief Besra lifts her head weakly to look back on her child. It’s still a bundle, wrapped precariously and waiting to be opened. Somehow, (she’s not quite sure how she manages) she rises to her feet and turns about, helping to reveal the life she and Phaedrus had made. What lies in wait is a filly, beautifully sculpted and with inky black fur. But that’s not what surprises her the most - what surprises her the most is the pair of perfect wings tucked into her daughter’s sides. The girl opens her eyes, ears flopping on top of an unsteady head, and Besra lowers her nose to her daughter’s face. “I’m so happy to meet you, little Gyps.” She tells her, meaning every word. Besra, who has never known true love before, feels overcome by it now.