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 Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:08 pm
The wolfess stirred, restless and sticky hot despite the gloom of the pre-dawn morning. Lately sleep hadn't come easy to the elegant femme, and no matter how weary or exhausted her body was, her mind refused to settle. Rolling carefully on to her paws, Aria decided that a drink was in order - it had to be cooler outside than it was tucked in her den!
Yes, her den.
Aria had picked out a perfect place for puppies within the heart of the forest. Thick roots of an ancient tree had jutted out of the side of a small hill. It took a little cleaning and a lot of digging, but her patience was rewarded with a snug place to call home. The acorn tree provided shade on the hot days and protection from storms; it attracted squirrels for entertainment and quick snacks, and its changing leaves provided natural beauty to greet the pups when they arrived.
Puppies. . . .
It hadn't been too long ago that her entire life had been changed anew - a beautiful, black and blue furred stranger had bumped in to her life. But what was most amazing was that he hadn't been a casual acquaintance. Their two lives had intersected and, for now, they were entwined together. Oh how swiftly her entire life had shifted - instead of looking out for her, she looked out for her family and love, Ahrim.
It was strange to be in love. The pull of that passionate first meeting had yet to wear off of the female. There was something that compelled her to adore the black furred male, something that kept her close to his side. Though she didn't often speak of love, of her feelings and desires, she understood what she felt. She couldn't be wrong this time. . . No, her feelings were true.
Shuffling quietly through the small den entrance, Aria's inwardly growled at herself. All of her elegance and grace had diminished as her stomach grew and grew - it just wasn't easy to be light on her toes anymore! Not when she was so heavy!
Like now, squeezing through the entrance, the wolfess did her best to be silent. It wasn't easy as her belly hindered movement and slid against the damp soil of the earth. A shift here, a shimmy there - was the den SHRINKING or was she just that fat? - and the girl finally managed to sneak underneath the twisted roots.
Ah-ha! Free at last!
Stretching awkwardly upon her paws, two jade eyes sparkled in mirth as she studied her belly. "You guys aren't easy to lug around, I'll have you know," she teased herself, tail tip wagging happily. Pregnancy wasn't fun - it was uncomfortable, awkward and could even be considered painful - but the lavender wolf couldn't be happier. She was a radiant mother and her pride and joy hid the fear and concerns that kept her awake at night.
She didn't regret Ahrim or their actions. . .
But she did fear the future and what it might bring. Aria had never been a mother before and hardly remembered her own family. Would she do her puppies proud? More importantly would she make Ahrim proud?
. . . . who knew? Only time could tell.
Shaking out her fur, the female stepped lightly away from the den. The sun would soon be rising, but with how muggy the woods was already, she feared what it would be like come afternoon.
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Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 10:16 pm
ah...Ahchoo!
Ahrim sneezed as the dew from the particularily muggy and light fogged morning sprayed off his wet nose. Actually, his whole body was soaked as he lay motionless under a large bush down in the valley. He'd been here for half of the morning since dawn, the morning sprinkle of rain masking his scent well from any passing prey...if there had been any.
Grumbling incoherently at the insolence of deer and their inability to simply show themselves on this morning was certianly starting to get to the ebony and blue male. It wasn't the fact that he didn't want to work in hunting down a meal....it was the fact he was hunting for someone else that made the task seem harder and harder.
Ahrim was hunting for Aria.
Yet that wasn't all now. He was hunting for pups, his pups. He was a father.
Snorting lightly, the thought still hadn't settled with the male...even though he could see day by day the roundening tummy of the purple wolfess...he even had felt some movement when his head had been laying on her stomach. He knew they were his pups, for someone as innocent as Aria wouldn't have been seduced by another wolf around the same time as they shared that....strange night. Ahrim was reconnected with his hatred of flowers even moreso now, stupid plant, it was even worse than his father for messing with his head.
Sighing softly, his maw lowered to rest on his muddy forepaws. How could this all have happened? This certianly was not in any plan that he was told of....yet what was more unsettling was the fact he couldn't bring himself to flee from it all; to bolt when he had found out the news. The look of anguish which he envisioned on Aria's face kept his feet grounded from running...heck, he'd stayed at her side the entire time. Even though in his mind...he didn't have anything better to do while awaiting orders.
Rolling his eyes, Ahrim blinked when he noticed the deer, walking straight for him! Smirking like a mental patient, his muscles began to tense as he waited for the right moment - leaping out of the bush like the crackle of thunder and clamping his jaws down on the doe to immediately cut off her air supply. In no time, the poor deer collapsed to the ground, only to be dragged away by the large ebony male.
It didn't take too long for him to return to the familliar slope which housed the den that Aria had taken forever to find. He simply did not see the difference a hole in the ground could make - but apparently location mattered a lot to the pregnant femme. Females.
Glancing over his shoulders with a disgruntled groan at how heavy the deer was, he managed to catch a glimpse of her trying to squeeze her way out of the opening to the den. He'd made a mental note to make it a bit bigger later since she definately wasn't the size she used to be and the last thing he needed was for her to get stuck....especially if he was still inside. Dragging the corpse the last yard over to their little home, he finally dropped its neck to the ground as he stretched out his body which ached from being cold, wet and now strained from the weight. Oh well.
"'Morning." He grumbled lightly, which didn't have much bite behind the words. Then again, she'd probably have gotten used to his grumbling - since he did so quite a bit now a days.
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Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 10:42 pm
Cleaning off the flakes of soil from her lavender coat, Aria's ears twitched as she recognized the sound of movement. Her right ear twisted and turned, focusing on the sound before settling contently back to place - she could pick out those footsteps anywhere.
From the sound of it, he wasn't alone.
Pausing in her grooming, the female's black nose twitched and twisted as she picked up the rain splattered scent of blood. Her stomach rumbled and rolled as hunger reminded the girl that she wasn't the only one craving breakfast. . . . An entire litter demanded to be nourished!
Thirst pressed aside from the muggy mornings heat, she could hardly sit still as she awaited for Ahrim to arrive. It was hard to sit still, her ears and tail occasionally twitching in excitement - just a few more steps - ah ha! A flash of black and blue between the trees, a dead deer hanging lifeless in his jaws. What was it about the male that still made her heart jump? Memories of the lagoon, of that tantalizingly sweet scent of flowers, of the dance of the fireflies and the music of water. . . .
She could never, and would never forget that fateful night.
Eyes bright, Aria could stand it no longer as she pushed herself to her paws. The black and blue wolf was damp from the morning dew, and looked about as miserable as he sounded. Awww - the poor thing. Any griping or complaining was over looked as it seemed everything put the male in a mood.
He wasn't mean, nor aggressive, but he could occasionally be as grouchy as a summer storm. It was as if a raincloud had taken it upon itself to follow the dark furred male around, keeping his attitude dim and dark. Most of the time she ignored his pessimism and retorts, finding them ridiculously cute and attractive. Part of Aria had made Ahrim a secret work-in-progress, doing all in her power to point out the beauty in his life and the blessings that could be discovered.
Whether or not it worked Aria didn't know. . . But she'd continue to 'work her magic' as best she knew how for as long as he'd let her.
Bridging the distance between them, breakfast currently ignored, the lavender wolf slipped herself underneath his chin, rubbing against his chest affectionately. Slipping around to face him, she laced Ahrim with a few licks and nibbles, ears splayed with affection. "And what a glorious morning it is," she pointed out, cool-coloured eyes focused only on the male.
How lucky was she. . . . .
A gentle giggle as Aria teased. "...you don't sound too happy about it,"
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Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 10:38 pm
If one had asked the said grumpy male, one would realize how much a little invisible black cloud seemed to follow him around day in and day out. If it wasn't for the lack of presence from his father, or that the purple wolfess who was now carrying his pups was as bright as the summe sunshine.....perhaps he'd be a little more tolerable.
Yet somehow, someway, Aria never seemed at all effected by his foul temperment or less than cheerful disposition. Oh no, it was almost as if she enjoyed his moods. Perhaps it was because she only had one? No wait....two.
Happiness, and somewhere between being aloof and absentminded.
Raising his brows as he watched the azure blurr appear below his chin before his senses were swamped with her scent. It was ironic, but he could have sworn he smelt lilacs, mixed with the fresh air after the rain....yet it had just rained; so he paid little mind to that thought. Giving a sour expression to all of the sudden licks that he wasn't really opposed to. Usually he would sit and let her do what she pleased; afterall, being master of masks let Ahrim take on many personalities to affix to whatever his victim most felt comfortable with.
With Aria, he could almost be himself - and it was what she wanted.
However, his patience was wearing a little thin this morn' thanks to the morning showers. Carefully with mind of her swollen belly, he stood and opened his jaws as he lightly guided/pushed the femme to the ground as he hovered over her. A lopsided grin caressing onto his lips as sharp orbs watched her every movement, every breath.
"Of course. I do not enjoy rain on my parade. Sitting for hours as the sun stretched up the grey skies is not my ideal morning activity. Alas, food must be brought - and you might topple over if you tried. Although....I might get a laugh or two seeing you try..."
Ahrim mused, giving her a devious little wink. Nibbling at her cheek with a gumble echoing in his throat, his nose trailed down from her face and to her large tummy. Eyeing it for a moment, he let his curiosity get the best of him as the dark male soon found his head pressed against her flesh, ear listening for any commotion inside. Sure enough, slight sounds of gurgles and a sharp paw to his temple sent the black and blue wolf leaping back in a bit of irritable suprise.
Those little runts!
It looked like they'd undoubtedly cause him greif....and hell; they wern't even damned well born yet!
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Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 1:49 pm
Aria allowed herself to be pushed down to the ground, not at all minding the black and azure male towering over her. Had Aria truly objected to such a motion, the male would have known, but she didn't mind doing as told. . . Or shown.
Their relationship was unusual at best. They weren't exactly 'mates' but they were loosely together - she found him quite the attractive wolf and, even if he didn't reciprocate such thoughts, he surely didn't object to the attention she offered. There was something about the way Ahrim was pieced together that Aria found beautifully fascinating. . . The way he acted, his occassional moods and gruffness, well. . . She dealt with them because it didn't bother her.
Not everyone could be happy all the time, or chipper, or cheerful.
Besides which, there was always a bit of sunshine to pour through such brooding clouds. . . It just took a bit of encouragement to break through. Ahrim was an enigma, a mystery she had yet to solve or try to. . . .
And though they still had much to learn about each other, Aria was up for the challenge. It would be interesting to see how he'd handle a little of pups, especially (whether or not he admitted it) with them both being a bit unprepared!
How things had gotten so out of control by the lagoon, Aria still was at a loss. It wasn't like her to get swept up in such thoughts and ideas and feelings. . . . but it had happened, and her bulging belly was the result. Strange how the spirits worked their magic over the land. . .
Aria had no regrets, she could only hope Ahrim felt the same.
The wolfess squirmed a bit, feeling incredibly exposed and vulnerable. . and more than a little awkward. With her belly up in the air the girl could only imagine what a foolish sight she would be! But, despite it all, her lavender tail wagged and she gave a gentle wuff up at the male. "Oh-ho . . . You would get a kick out of watching me topple me over and land in undignified positions. I'm surprised you haven't rolled me down that slope just for a few laughs," she teased, gesturing to the small hill with her chin.
It was strange how smitten she had become, how she did what she could to elicit a smile or smirk from the ever-serious maw of the male. She'd yet to admit to it, as part of Aria understood that this arrangement wasn't necessarily forever. . . A pleasant thought, surely, but one she was afraid to admit to. It wasn't rejection that she feared so much as ruining a good thing.
What they had, this small, new family was all Aria could ask of Ahrim. Once pregnant she had almost been afraid to tell him, to admit to it - afraid he might have run off and abandoned her and his children.
Thankfully that hadn't been the case, and Aria refused to push him.
They were what they were. . . . . a family.
"But you're wonderful," she added with a radiant smile, her features almost glowing out of love for her puppies and him. "You sacrifice so much just to keep me and them fed. And for that we're grateful. . ."
Aria couldn't imagine hunting in such a state. Exactly how lone mothers managed, the lavender femme couldn't begin to fathom. She was luck to have Ahrim - so very, very lucky.
As he listened to her tummy, she felt the kick, and almost snorted in laughter as Ahrim lept away. Rolling a bit, she pushed herself to her side, stifling her giggles only to throw the black furred male an apologetic look. "I'm . . I'm sorry," she explained, eyes dancing with delight, "But your . . your expression!"
How lucky was he to not have to feel the kicks and squirms everyday? Today they were surely restless. . . . It wouldn't be long. Who knew? It might even happen -
Her laughter stopped as she shifted uncomfortably. It took her a few tries but she eventually managed to get her paws underneath her. There was a cramping sensation, a shot of pain that caused her to grunt. "Hm. . . mighty active today," she murmured, furrowing her brow. Craning her neck, she attempted to nose at her belly, as if enticing them to settle.
The pain subdued for a moment, only to return again.
Hmm. It was unusual to cramp or have pain, but something just didn't feel right. Attempting to ignore it, Aria rested her head on her paws. Maybe if she just relaxed, maybe if she just took it easy for a few minutes she'd be all right and the pain would leave.
Having never been a mother before she could hardly know that today was the day. Instinct would kick in soon enough, as soon as the labor truly began.
((I figure we might as well get this show on the road. x] Since we have four lil' puppies that are in dire need of a birth. . . ))
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Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 8:52 pm
A faux deadly look came over the male's maw, the black curling up to expose those glimmering pearly white canines. An idea such as that didn't cross his mind and to be honest that scared him. Bad. Usually his mind was filled with the words of wisdom that his father had taught him; moulded him to be. Carnage, suffering, emptiness....all he could feel was the lust for Bindi and power and the loathing hatred that came to any who stood in that path.
But things were....different.
There was wonder, amazement, and a curiosity that surrounded the soul before him named Aria; the one currently bearing his offspring. Sure, it was Bindi who was supposed to be the mother of his children, the future of his father's pact....but what about these pups? Perhaps father would be pleased with these contributions, and what about Aria?
Did he actually care what happened to Aria?
Yes.
The deer carcass he'd hunted for was proof; and even the grumpy, at best moody male knew there was something there as much as he hated to admit it. He could have left long ago....but he chose to stay because she made him feel happy. Or as happy as he could possibly ever get. The words of his father seemed to hold a lighter grip on his life when he was told the he was going to be a father. Playing it off as nothing but a 'whatever was the mere tip of an iceberg....he was consumed in worry, dread, anger at his mistake but most prominently; glee.
Always with the masks; ever making contreversy with what really went on in the depths of his mind.
"Don't give me any ideas, Aria. You're big enough to even bounce; i'd die of laughter." He spoke in his usual monotonous vocals, rarely peaking with anything more of what seemed to be boredom.
"My expression is none of your concern....forget it ever happened." He growled a moment later, still feeling the tingle from where a pup paw collided with his cheek; last time he even went near those hellions. Hell; he'd have to show them who's in charge when they were finally born. Born....was he going to really stay that long?
If he could have blushed, the azure and ebony wolf would have turned red at her compliment. Was he really wonderful? Father told him he was the pick of his litter; so much that he had personally killed the other pups for being imperfect....he was told that it was he was convinced that if he didn't have a proper heir that he wouldn't want one at all. Yet his father's love never included praise, and the male didn't quite know how to react.
He was about to speak up when he perked to the alert, noticing her painful squirming. "Aria...?" Worry. So much worry he could have scratched his own chest to shreads.
Now Ahrim wasn't an idiot; far from it. But he'd been around his pack enough to see females in labor and giving birth...and this was the same. "Aria you're going into....into labor! The pains and...things, I don't know...but I know that much."
This was too soon, much too soon! He wasn't ready to be a father although the idea was growing on him. Couldn't they wait a few more months?
"Get down on your side." He ordered, moving back over to her and nosing her back down to lay on her side. That was how the other mother's were when they were to give birth...or was it a different way? Hell - he just didn't know!!
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Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 11:15 pm
It hurt~! Though instinct told her what Ahrim was already beginning to suspect, the lavender wolfess couldn't believe that today was the day nor could she understand why it had to hurt! So many had given birth she had never once recollected hearing the 'horror' stories that accompanied such a task; then again, she had been very young when she'd run off with her once dearest friend, and the understood that she hadn't paid her family much heed before then.
Many years of advice and comfort had been lost because of her foolishness, but such was the way of life. Birth was always a beautiful thing - it was new life created by two souls; it was the turning of a new page, and the dawning of the earth's most brand new souls. But why the pain? Ooooooh - she grit her teeth, hackles raising instinctively as another contraction shot through her.
Never had she felt something so uncomfortable! There was a pressure against her back, and she found herself falling ungracefully to her side. Her claws dug in to the the earth and her heart seemed to drum loudly in her ears. She hardly heard or saw anything, just felt the searing hot pain dance through out her body. Gasping a ragged breath, she whined loudly before struggling back the way she had come, pushing past the black and blue wolf.
She needed him more than ever, but for the moment, instinct drove her back to the sanctuary of the den. She felt too exposed out in the open, even with Ahrim standing guard so close, and the light of the morning seemed far too bright. No - the den had been made to harbor protection for the puppies, and it was there that they'd be born. "Oooooh," she hissed, half moaning in pain. Her ears flattened, though her hair still stood on end as she continued to gasp from the exertion at hand. "In here - in here. . . " She babbled, struggling desperately back to the entrance.
No way she moved was comfortable; none at all! But she'd be damned before she gave birth outside of her beloved home. It was a struggle, but Aria forced herself back in to the small darkness hidden within roots and cool earth. It was miraculously easier for her to get back down than for her to crawl and creep back up; then again, she was on a mission and was unaware just how long this entire process was going to begin! "Ahrim~!" She whined through her pain, wanting desperately for him to do something to stop this torment.
He couldn't possibly imagine the sensation she was feeling, couldn't possibly understand what she was going through. But him being there made it better. . . now if only he would get within the confined space and do something useful! He was the only thing that could help ease the hurt, ease the trauma; she didn't know what she was doing, didn't know what was going to happen next.
All she knew was that they were in this together. . . this was the beginning of their new lives, of a new day, and she wanted him - needed him - now more than ever. Their pups were soon to be on their way and nothing could stop it, regardless how unprepared they were.
~ ~ ~ ~
It took a little longer than she had hoped with more than a little squeals and gasps of agony, but eventually the little had been birthed. The first had been a pup that was stained with a beautiful bright blue; a blue reflected in the coat of Ahrim himself. He harbored a few streaks of ebony upon his tail, while his eyes and paws were stained with that same dark hue. Aria couldn't have asked for a more handsome wolf, but she had hardly had time to clean him off when the pains returned tenfold.
A struggle later, she produced a second pup, smaller than the first and with a different coat pattern. This female had been predominantly black, but with an odd marking upon her rump similar to that found upon Aria's front leg, and a slight streaking of lavender on her ear tips, eyes and staining her front paws. The purple against black made a fine mix of both parents and none could doubt that Ahrim was indeed the father.
Next came another predominantly blue pup, another girl, but one that held both black and lavender markings. Her tail was all black with a tip of violet, while her back held three thick streaks of the colours. Like her brother, she had black coating her paws as well as her eyes, but unlike him, she harbored Ahrim's 'jewel' in the middle of her forehead.
There was a lull in the births, and Aria had hoped that perhaps that the two daughters would be her last. But life had other plans, and though she was spent, exhausted, and had lost much blood, there was one more blessing upon the world. So with her greatest struggle, she finally produced the last of their family; another little girl that was almost a direct replica of her mother. The only exceptions to the rule were the black streak across her tail, the paler portions upon her back, and (most noticeably) the black mask that covered her face. It was incredibly strange to behold, but on such a delicate little pup Aria could only look down upon the girl with the most fond affection.
It was finally over. Her body repelled the afterbirth, and Aria could only flop with exhaustion to her side. She tended to the last of the litter affectionately, cleaning her dutifully and with all the love in the world; but she was tired. Spent. Famished. And still hurt. Giving birth had been perhaps the most unpleasant experience in the world. . . Never did she want to go through it again, and yet . . . .
There they were.
Not one, not two, but four beautiful little puppies that were direct reflections of Ahrim and Aria. They were the most beautiful things she had ever laid eyes upon, and already she felt a screaming pride, adoration and devotion to them; a feeling she'd never felt so strongly before. And Ahrim. . . . .
Tearing her eyes off the litter, she glanced over to seek out her mate. What did he think of them? Tears of pain had changed to tears of joy, though even they were fast drying; she was too tired and weak to cry. But she couldn't stop the smile from forming or the love and adoration within her heart from growing. "Ahrim. . . " She half whispered, half choked.
What else could she say to him? What else could she say that wasn't heard within that one word? Oh, was he ever loved and adored. She couldn't have done this without him, and she could hardly believe that fortune had placed him in her life. She was one lucky wolfess. . . . And she could only hope he knew that.
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