Hills like white elephants [Open/Birthing]

[Besra]

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.

@[Gyps]
@[Phaedrus]

[Gyps]

If Besra would’ve had the time to spend some quality time with her own mother – and had been willing to talk about the subject – she could’ve been given some advice. When Besra had been born her mother hadn’t been alone, a friend had been close and watching over her. Their situation’s weren’t alike at all, but nonetheless the cobalt blue mare would’ve wanted to watch over her firstborn daughter. And she did. The little bluebird that had sheltered herself in a nearby tree had been around the blue roan and blue haired mare a lot lately. Not intruding in her daughter’s privacy, but there to be the first one to see her granddaughter.

It is in the presence of her mother and grandmother that the winged girl takes her first breath. The sudden cold is the trigger for her lungs to clench, only to relax as they’re filled with air. Small amounts of slime and membrane had accidentally found their way into her nose and mouth, blocking her airway. All it takes to clear them are a few coughs. With the membrane gone the cold is even worse, but the little, wet bundle finds moving much easier. As she lifts her head – still a bit unsteady and disorientated – her gaze moves around, to stop on the black and blue mare.

Unlike her dam, who doesn’t show markings, her own nose is painted black and white and a small dot of navy blue mane on top. The white is still smeared a bit red, just like her four white legs, but that will naturally disappear in a few days time. Gyps’ instincts have her reach out to her dam, who’s nose is still in front of her, and at the same time she produces a shrill sound. Sitting up her gaze soon wanders around again, studying this new and strange environment. The scents, sounds, taste, sight. It is all unfamiliar for her, but the winged girl is only curious, fear isn’t a part of her feelings.

A strange source – call it instinct – causes the drive to get up. She ruffles her wings, both in an exploring matter as well as to move her tense muscles, before moving her front legs. She bends them, placing her legs in front of her, before she tries to push herself off the ground. Of course the first attempt only results with the black filly falling back on the ground again with a thud. A bit confused Gyps looks around her, trying to find the reason for her falling down elsewhere then herself. Once again she stretches out her wings, which are still slimy and wet, to keep them spread a bit when she tries again, using them to balance herself as she stumbles a few steps forward.

By the time she manages keep herself standing (only half an hour had passed since she had started trying) she’s exhausted, but extremely thrilled with herself. Gyps whinnies a bit piteously, trying to voice out her discontent and at the same time eager for some affection. When she takes a few wobbly steps closer to her dam she keeps her wings outstretched, afraid to lose balance again if she would just tuck them at her sides. Eager her nose dips down, searching for the source of food that definitely should be here somewhere.

Gyps

10 points out of 10.

OOC: Temporary until there is something better to use <3. Newborn babies are alwasy the hardest to write..

[Phaedrus]

PHAEDRUS

He was starting to get a little more nervous, as time passed on and each mare gave new life the shock and naïve thinking that he had come to know before becoming a father were dissipating with each new life he came to recognize as part of himself. Not that he was a selfish creature, not in the least, but there was something about it… something he couldn’t quite place that had him feeling a bit more protective, slightly more alert, and possibly a little more happy? Eh what the heck just roll with it right? Well that was what he was trying to do. That is until… hearing the call of the third he takes off again, this time a little more hesitant. He wasn’t sure how he was going to react knowing what he knew about how the little one’s life was to turn out. Ok yea you could say that he was afraid. Afraid that he wouldn’t be able to keep his promise. This was something that he had never done before. Broken a promise that is.

Reaching the mare his gaze softens just a little, his lips curve gently, a bright sheen in his eyes announces how proud he is to be a father. Looking over the child he leans his head down towards her. It is wonderful to meet you Gyps. before he is again looking to the child’s mother nudging at her in encouragement. People could say or think whatever they wanted about him, but none could know just how truly gentle he is. Mainly because most tried to cross him, or didn’t get close enough to find out. Then again, he didn’t make getting close an easy task either. Still there were only two things he was about, loyalty and respect. Whatever one gave was exactly what they would receive. Still with these new additions to the family he wasn’t so sure he could hold that status for them. They all seemed to be weaseling their way into his heart, and spoiled it seemed they would be. At least that was how he felt now.

He knows that soon he would need to call the herd together, they had a lot to discuss. A lot to figure out, and insuring good futures for the foals was something that was becoming a clear need. Josie was already of age and finding what she wanted and what would satisfy him as for keeping her safe was fast approaching. It was likely that the same would happen for these ones as well. How are you doing Besra? He is sure of his decision now, she would need to be the alpha mare, he needed someone to help make the other mares feel comfortable, and strong enough in personality to band them together, to be resourceful, and understanding. There was always a lot to demand of an alpha, and he knows he can’t continue to do it alone, he just hoped that others would not take this as a competition for his attentions. Because that was just the opposite of his intentions, no placing an alpha female would free up some of his time to spend with everyone. Why some stallions just used the position to lord over whom they favored he had no idea, it was simply a practical thing to make use of. One that he hoped would not bring about strife.

i'll carry this flag, to the grave if i must

OOC So so so sorry this took so long to get up.