Brighten up the world - birthing

[Jinju]

Jinju

She had seen her mother pregnant once. Not only her mother, but some other mares of the Taiga too, Maribel for example. She knew what would come next, and she had a while to prepare herself for it, but she wasn’t ready. Nothing in life could have prepared Jinju for this and it frightened her. She was afraid of what would come next, not just the birth, simply everything.

That moment she wishes she had been able to talk to Reagan about this all. Of course Ruan was there – or not right beside but at least close – to support her, but he had never birthed a child. A child. She would become a mother soon, very soon if she would have to say based on the contractions. Where had she gotten herself into?

Ruan had made her promise to not leave the Taiga without notice. She had refused to let herself be a prisoner in her own home, but from the point her pregnancy had really started to show, she had let him know where she was going. Today she didn’t. Not that she would leave home now, but Jinju preferred solitude. And if none of the other Taigans would respect that, the fire wall would keep them out. A meter of 10 - 15 in radius and 2 or so high. Not too big that it would cost too much energy, but also not so small that it would harm her baby.

The fire soothed her. The sound of it burning in the background, the heat and the smell, it was calming. It was her and it was exactly how she wanted to welcome her baby into this world. Sweat soaks her skin, something Jinju isn’t familiar with, heat never bothered her. The contractions come with pain and pants and soft screams. This wasn’t what she had signed up for.

And then it’s over. Slowly the pain gets less and less, until it’s just a dull feeling. Tiredly and unable to believe it’s done, Jinju sits up slowly, front legs stretched in front of her as she bends to look back. Blinking ruby eyes meet a pair of equally ruby eyes. Unconditional love hits her with a shock that makes her gasp for air. Her heart skips a beat and her soft nicker breaks the silence between them. Gorgeous ruby red and dazzling gold.

@[Toli]
@[Calcifer]

OOC: Everyone is welcome, but please allow Ruan (and Terran?) to post first <3

[Ander]

A tongue runs down his back, cleaning him and preventing him from getting cold. Not that he was cold, he was actually pretty comfortable. For a short moment he had felt cold, it had hit him instantly and surprised him enough to take his first breath. After that it had gotten easier.

While he’s still thoroughly cleaned, his eyes start wandering around. He had had his moment with his mother, the velvet of her nose touching his as they had first greeted each other, now it was time to try to focus on the other little things around them. Right from the beginning he had felt the fire’s heath, heard it too, a soft crackling noise. It makes his gold shimmer and it brightens up his eyes.

”Come on, try standing” his mother encourages his, her nose gently nudging his side. Her touch lingers a little longer than necessary and it makes him bend his neck to brush his lips over her cheek. He nickers softly to her, lipping the corner of her mouth playfully. Then it’s time to actually stand up. Turns out to be pretty difficult with his long legs, which didn’t seem to be cooperating. It tires him, but also makes his growling stomach eager for something else. Once he stands his mother guides him to the spot he didn’t knew he had been looking for.

With his stomach full and content, his attention wanders towards the fire again. It’s call is stronger now, urging him to come closer and explore. His baby steps are still a little unbalanced, but it doesn’t stop him from moving closer. His mother’s eyes follow his each and every movement, taking a hesitant step after him, but not stopping him either. He thinks she knows it’s calling her, that she understands and that’s what encourages him closer towards it.

And then he’s suddenly aware of two bright blue eyes at the other side of the flames. They reach much higher than him, but don’t hold him back or scare him off. Cheeky and bold he steps forward, nose touching the flames first before willing them to make space for him. They give away for him, but that’s not what hold his attention. Those bright blue eyes do. Curiously he reaches out, black and white nose close to touch the equally as black one.

Second there is a flash of white and gold on his left and his ruby eyes. His golden pointed ears pin forward as he nickers softly.

[Terran]

.Terran.

I suppose that I’d forgotten what the royal family aspect could be like. In my childhood, I’d been the descendant of an Angel, a king that could dispel magic and glimmer gold and white. His right hand, my mother, had been silver chrome and his perfect match. Though Tiphon’s children had been various and widespread, each was welcomed into the world with the same enthusiasm and grandeur that a royal birth could afford: ending with the great descent of the winged god to touch noses with his newborn and comfort the mother before drifting off again into the clouds.

If I had my wings back then, I would have flown after him.

Ramiel was his chosen one though and that lifetime seemed so far from the one I was living now; staring curiously at the wreath of flame while it danced around my black mistress. Concealed, she was safe from prying eyes and left to her own devices, but outside of the ring I waited impatiently while another dark figure loomed close to the heat. Ruan’s welcoming reception hadn’t exactly been … welcoming, per say, but he hadn’t chased me out either so I took that as a sign of remiss. He was her father but I was her lover, and each of us would tangle for the supremacy of male attention and influence in her life until the other submitted. Jinju’s relationship with her not-father was strange, too close for my comfort, so I only stare at him while he waits for the coming of my child.

A cry erupts from within the flames and my pale head snaps around, honey-warm eyes narrowing for any signs of distress behind the curtain I cannot break. There’s something happening that I can’t see, something I feel is important but I can only weave and pace anxiously until Jinju sees fit to bring down her wall. Beneath my golden hooves the dry foliage of autumn past crackles like the bright fire before me and I drown myself in that noise until another sound stops me in my tracks. The protective circle flutters, opens like a tender flower, and allows a satiny black nose to peek through.

My newborn is reaching out for Ruan; the first touch of life I’d been looking forward to this whole time and that old stallion is stealing my precious moment. My ears fall flat, wings shuffling while the feathers disperse like a pouty bird - puffing to double their size. With an irritated start I move forward, a deep call ringing out for Jinju and my offspring. I’d been patient enough to accept her situation, to come here despite everything else, to wait and encourage my fire-wielder while she went through this process, but I would not be put aside at one of the most pivotal moments in my life. It almost comes naturally when I bare my teeth at the old wolf.

“Excuse you.”

I want to live, I want to give, I'm a miner for a heart of gold

[Heda]

Heda

She had indeed made her promise ever so long ago to the golden hooved stag, that she indeed would be there when her sweet niece/nephew arrived into the world. So without hesitation as the due date had begun to cut it rather close, Heda decided it was about damn time she returned home, so she can hopefully in the future return to Loess with Terran flying at her side with his rather large quad set of gold flecked wings.

With navy tinged wings carrying her through the cotton candy flecked sky, and so she sets off. 

The journey is long, and rather tiring upon her massive feathery limbs, she had been quite grounded lately with dealings of alliances and the escort of many new comers to her kingdom. But most of all, she had spent an awful lot of time with Ivar lately, and with him lacking wings she couldn't just leave him hanging like that, and so like a lady she always accompanied him on foot. But now when she realizes her sudden lack of energy to continue forth, as the very border of Taiga kisses the horizon with a sweet evergreen hue. She couldn't be more happy to be home, especially on such a joyous occasion.

So slowly she ascends, gliding down gracefully as navy positrons finally meet the soft padded ground, with the rather unorganized clatter of hooves. Her wings quite sore from the lack of muscle build up, and as she treks towards. Her sunlight body moving swiftly through the enermous redwood forest do her childhood home. She finds herself catching the faintest whiff of blood, and seems so that she was just in time. 

Within a matter of seconds, she finds herself beside Terran. Craning her head to look down at the sweet little bundle of joy, reaching his muzzle out to share a moment with his grandfather. How sweet, and most of all she can't help but smile now at the thought that she know had a Nephew to steal away, and take on adventures through Loess. She chuckles at the thought of dragging the golden pointed boy through every inch of her kingdom, but before she could continue to fantasize, it seems someone is quite Jealous.

Her gaze flicks to Terran whom seems quite offended by the fact that Ruan, her father, Jinju's father. Is sharing a moment with his grandchild, why not let the old stallion have his look at his first grandchild? But it seems Terran certainly had a fairly different opinion. 

With honey dipped words, in a hope to not frighten the newborn child who stood vastly close to Ruan. "Terran. Let him have a chance to meet his FIRST grandchild. I assure you, you will have plenty of time to spend with your son." Her gaze meets the two men with some form of annoyance written upon her face, why did she always have to be the adult in every situation. Surely Terran should be understanding and mature enough to not linger any longer on the predicament. It happened, deal with it and move on.

Her attention doesn't linger any longer on Terran, but becomes fixed on Jinju. Heda had never truly pictured Jinju as the motherly sort, but perhaps things do change in time. "Jinju he's rather handsome." She remarks allowing herself, to come closer gently brushing her muzzle across the boy's hip before stepping back. "What is his name?" She questions, surely such a handsome colt should have a rather charming name to match him.

Her gaze flickers for a moment, allowing herself to reach her muzzle to the obsedian lines of Terran. And with a soft whisper, "I made my promise therefore you must keep yours. I look forward to seeing you in Loess once your son has grown older." With a coy smile creeping upon her lips she returns her attention to Jinju and her nephew, as if nothing had happened and nothing was spoken of.

Go ahead. Laugh at the girl that loved to easily

html by call

OCC: Phone post! I was waiting for Toli but you know I couldn't just leave this thread in the dust! :p

[Ruan]

ruan

He stood still, steadily watching the wall of flames with ice-bright eyes, muscles relaxed though he felt the tension tight within his chest and shoulders. A birth was such a wondrous event, nature's true magic: the gift of life. He could remember saying so once, so long ago. He could remember so many things that had been magical, most of which were just that. Only memories.

The father was pacing, anxious. Well did he know that nervousness, could feel it now though his own did not outwardly show. He could remember that, too. Those chaotic emotions that had roiled through him at waiting for his first born. His son. His chest clenched tighter, but he ignored the father. He understood. There was nothing he could do or say to comfort him. All either of them could do now was wait.

And soon enough, two little eyes as red and ruby as his mother's were peering through the flames, brushing them aside to slip through curiously. That little gaze was on his, lost in the shining bright blue, and a soft smile spread slowly in the corner of Ruan's mouth. He held still, though, only watched as the boy was drawn forward by that first eye contact, ready to reach and greet each other once he came closer.

But the energy shifted, tensed as Terran stepped forward in irritation, gave his son the very first sight of his father with bared teeth and clipped words. Ruan's eyes hardened, but he said nothing. It was a stressful moment for the young man. He understood. Would have reacted much the same way, perhaps. He understood. So he only stared at him silently, and took a pointed step to the side. This was his grandson, not his child. Not his moment. He wouldn't have any more of those.

He was just about to turn to check on Jinju when his golden child joined them, standing a little too comfortably close to the father of her sister's child. She didn't greet her own father, or so he'd always thought he'd been, and he didn't greet her. He ignored her rebuke towards Terran - the man can handle himself - and turned to seek Jinju, catching Heda's next quiet words and glancing in time to see her touch her sister's man. Requesting he keep a promise and take the colt to Loess, a kingdom she had forcefully taken without so much as meeting the residents beforehand, so he'd heard.

Clearly, he was not as great a father as he'd once thought. Never would one of his own act so selfishly, self-entitled. He must have failed her long ago. As he'd failed his wife, apparently.

But his focus was on Jinju, now. She and her son were the whole reason they were here, after all. Not the personal business between her sister and her boy's father that seemed thus far inappropriate. Jinju didn't deserve that, if that were the case. And he hoped she had been resting and hadn't had to see it before her, at the birth of her first child. At her special moment.

"How do you feel, Jinju?" he murmured to her, his eyes still hard and jaw tight with the sight he'd just put his back to. He tried to press a small smile to his lips, though, tried to thaw the ice in his blood. "He's gorgeous, you know. You did good. Congratulations."