Log Date: June 1994 Log Cast: Starwing, Blackmorn, Briarcatch, Soulweaver, Lhovrik, Aureole Log Intro: Two turns of the seasons have passed since the Plainsrunner Starwing and the Wolfrider Blackmorn Recognized in Sorrow's End, and now, they reside safely in the Plainsrunner canyons where Starwing's people have settled. Starwing knows nothing of birthing younglings, but the older females of the tribe -- and in particular a scruffy, wolf-blooded huntress called Soulweaver who has taken up residence in the tribe as well -- have offered her much advice and aid. Tonight, however, as Soulweaver, the young hunter Briarcatch who has loved Starwing from afar, and the oddly misshapen elder Lhovrik wait outside their tent, Starwing and Blackmorn prepare for the coming of their daughter. ---------- Small grass-hued tent(#4012DIOQ) The interior of this small tent is not lavishly furnished, and indeed what few furnishings it has are such as can be quickly gathered up and packed if the tent should need to be moved. You locksend to Blackmorn, Starwing comes awake suddenly, startledly, and she reaches desperately for your mind. ** Verit! ** Blackmorn locksends ** Faan? ** You locksend ** ** to Blackmorn. Blackmorn locksends ** ** Blackmorn slips in from outside. Starwing half-sits, half-lies in the sleepfurs, her hands clutching her belly. ** ** Her eyes have pressed closed. Blackmorn slips in, frowning lightly, and crawls hands and knees over to you. ** Beloved..?? What? The kit? ** Briarcatch locksends ** Starwing..? ** Starwing breathes shallowly, her teeth clenched. ** She... ** "Ahhhh!" ** She pushes at me... ** You locksend ** ** to Briarcatch. Blackmorn nods slightly. Soulweaver locksends ** ** Starwing lets out another soft cry, her slender form jerking sharply. One of her hands fumbles towards you. You sense in a locksend, Blackmorn lets his soul and thoughts mingle with yours, _Verit_ with _Faan_, to share and ease... Blackmorn slips his hand into yours. You locksend to Blackmorn, Starwing's thoughts go tightly focused... that inner sense of hers brightly reflecting perceived _impatience_ of a tiny new mind. Starwing's fingers lock about yours as with her other hand, she fumbles at the laces of her breeches. She pants heavily... and hisses as another contraction seizes her. Blackmorn tightens his fingers around yours protectively, his other hand moving to help you with the lacing, tugging it loose as quickly as he can.. Blackmorn locksends ** ** Starwing's thoughts swirl inward... and the tiny awakening mind within her flickers with confusion, blurred senses of ** ** Blackmorn locksends ** ** Awkwardly, for Starwing is still half-lying, half-squatting, her breeches are pulled free of her legs. Blackmorn nods to himself, and gives your hand another half-squeeze. Blackmorn locksends ** ** Within Starwing, the infant mind clearly radiates its astonishment, almost louder than the thoughts of the mother. Starwing pulls herself into a squat, desperately trying to marshall her recollections of what to do for the coming of the baby. Starwing blurts hoarsely, "W... water... and a knife... " A tiny mind locksends, to Briarcatch, Blackmorn, Starwing: ** !?! ** Starwing's mouth twitches in a very faint smile before she breathlessly yields to another contraction. Blackmorn nods, and pulls his hand free long enough to unshoulder his skin and draw his long knife, lying them at the ready. Then he takes your hand again. Starwing's hand clutches at yours - and she twitches convulsively, biting back a tiny moan as something begins to force her legs apart. Blackmorn sends openly ** With the pain, bring peace.. ** peace/ease/love/_here_ ** ** Starwing gasps, "Hold me....!" as she clutches at you for support. Her delicate face twists as she tries to allow her thighs to stretch as far apart as they can; between them, she is glistening wetly, and something is beginning to emerge from her. Blackmorn wraps his arms strongly around you, bracing you, and still sending comfort as he can, and a sense of expected welcome to the little one. Blackmorn locksends ** _Verit_ is there, in your mind, tined with _Faan_, to share and ease. ** That same tiny mind locksends, to Blackmorn, Starwing: ** ! ** You locksend ** ** to Blackmorn. Vree> From the ground, Briarcatch nearly crosses his eyes to look at the meat, and shakes his head, paling a little. Vree> From the ground, Soulweaver grins at the little hawk. **Bold one!** Vree> Snowcrystal whurfs in surprise. Blackmorn locksends ** ** Vree> Lhovrik regards the hawk solemnly. Vree> Soulweaver eyes the lad. ** You prefer it burned. I should have guessed.** Vree> Vree wings around the wolf before shrilling in evident unsettlement and perching atop Starwing's tent. Vree> Soulweaver looks up at the bird. Blackmorn's arms are firm around you, and he near-absently nuzzles at your hair, a touch of comfort and reassurance. You locksend ** Yes, Teme! Time now....! ** to Blackmorn. Vree> Soulweaver holds out a fragment of fresh, bloody meat for the bird. Vree> Whiteridge lifts his head and whuffs just slightly at Vree, then eyes the elves outside again. Vree> Soulweaver shrugs. Between Starwing's legs, the crown of a tiny head becomes visible. Another massive shudder racks the maiden's body... and the head slides more into view, revealing closed eyes, the tips of delicate ears.... Vree> Vree shrieks, and mantles at Soulweaver, but eyes the meat. Blackmorn locksends ** ** Blackmorn glances down and back, and a smile begins to twist his lips. Vree> Soulweaver gently places the meat on the tent ridge next to the bird and backs away. Vree> Soulweaver sends calming images of wind, and flight, and good red blood to the agitated little bird. Vree> Soulweaver crouches to fix chunks of meat on sticks tilted over the fire. Vree> Whiteridge shifts from one paw to the otherm and then sits still again, still before the entryway to the tent. Vree> Vree's golden eyes snap from elf to the meat, but he seems distracted, shifting restlessly from foot to foot. If he perceives the sent images, he gives no immediate sign, but instead shrills again as there emerge soft breathless gasps from within the tent. Starwing sends openly ** Yes! ** Blackmorn sends openly ** She comes, Faan.. once more.. ** Vree> Soulweaver shrugs and subsides before the muffled noises. Vree> Soulweaver nods and manages a faint grin. **And not everyone has my teeth. Or yours, Elder, for that matter.** Starwing, you sense, isn't sending to _you_, but instead to the tiny form her body is urging out of itself. There is a subtle *sliding*... and the entire face is visible, an infant's wet red face. Vree> Lhovrik emotes solemn agreement. Vree> Soulweaver curls back her lip to show a momentary fang, then rises and eyes the tent in concern. Vree> Soulweaver grins at the giant elf. Blackmorn uncurls from around you, and moves easily lower in the tent, moving to support the tiny body as it slides free of you. Vree> Briarcatch looks up at Soulweaver, and stands himself. Vree> Lhovrik's face twists into something that is probably a broad smile. Vree> Soulweaver tenses, as if sensing something from her adopted tribemate inside the tent... Vree> Vree flicks his wings restlessly, starkly lit in the watery moonlight that fills the canyon. Vree> Soulweaver nods and pats the youth with one grimy hand. Vree> Soulweaver absentmindedly licks at her hands, one after the other, removing the dirt and the dried animal blood. Starwing's face twists with effort; breathless, she struggles to _push_. Tiny shoulders slide free.... a belly, with the birth-cord warm and wet connected to it... and as the baby continues to slide free, a glance reveals that indeed, the child is a daughter.... Vree> Soulweaver chews at one sharp, ragged nail. Vree> Lhovrik fastidiously wipes his twisted hands on the ground, dragging his claws through dirt to wipe off the blood. That tiny new mind sends to the whole tribe *!* You sense in a locksend, Blackmorn sends to both mother and cub ** awe/PRIDE ** Vree> Soulweaver watches Lhovrik's dirt-washing and shrugs slightly with a smile. **A waste of the blood-taste, if you ask me. I would have cleaned them for you.** Blackmorn smiles genuinely. Starwing sends openly ** Your knife....! ** Vree> Lhovrik's sending is repentant. ** This one is unaccustomed to the company of others. ** Blackmorn nods, and lifts the knife, slicing through the birth cord easily.. then he lays it aside to tie the end, and lifts the tiny girlcub to rest atop your stomach. Vree> Soulweaver nods warmly. **I feel for you... everyone is your pack, and yet... no one.** Starwing gasps, and gazes wonderingly at the tiny form, as the infant coughs and then wails! Vree> Whiteridge tips his head back, and almost as if he had a sense of the moment, he howls, lowly, but joyously. Vree> Soulweaver nods slowly. Vree> Soulweaver watches the tent with kindling excitement. Vree> Vree flutters again, as from within the tent, a strong, tiny wail lifts into the misted night air. Vree> Lhovrik beams a dim thunder of purest delight. Vree> Soulweaver's head tips back and she joins the howl! Vree> Briarcatch smiles slowly. Vree> Soulweaver bounces on her toes. Blackmorn swallows the urge to howl, and simply watches mother and cub, face alight. Starwing - abruptly and drastically reduced in girth - slumps back against you. Her own face is radiant, as she regards the child in wonder. "So loud... so tiny... " Blackmorn locksends ** <_love_> ** Vree> Soulweaver howls again, her tone lifting and clearing. Starwing whispers, "Raise the flap... I want to see... I want _her_ to see... " Vree> Soulweaver claps Lhovrik on one giant arm and then claps Briarcatch warmly on the back. Vree> Lhovrik emotes blissful happiness. Blackmorn nods, and slips forward slightly to push open the flap to the outside. Vree> Vree gives a triumphant shrilling, flapping his widespread wings. Overhead, the moon gleams a little more brightly through the clouds and the mist.... Vree> Soulweaver grins and leaps on her wolf-friend, initiating a wrestle. Vree> Briarcatch grins and does his best to howl too, caught up, but ends up making a rather strangled coughing sound. Vree> Soulweaver darts to Briar's side and thumps him on the back. **Just fine, little Plainsrunner. My throat is the same when I try to make it fit for speaking.** She grins widely. Vree> Briarcatch grins. Blackmorn slips back behind to support you and the cub, near silently, but his pride fairly shines from every pore. Vree> Soulweaver nods and turns the toasting meat. You reach over and pull open the flap of the tent. Outside the tent, Lhovrik begins piling chunks of raw flesh on a square of fresh-scraped hide. Outside the tent, Briarcatch bounces excitedly on the balls of his feet. Starwing peeks out quietly.... Outside the tent, Soulweaver digs in her pouch and pulls out a few leaves of some warm-smelling herb. Outside the tent, Soulweaver darts to the entrance of the tent. Outside the tent, Whiteridge turns and almost touches noses with the peeking elf, then moves away from the tent. Starwing cradles the baby against her, as she herself is cradled against Blackmorn. The tiny child wriggles and wails at the top of her lungs, send-wailing as well in an unmistakable mental touch. Outside the tent, Soulweaver darts back again and sprinkles the herbs on the toasted meat. **My cousin Windsinger taught me this.. He said it makes burned meat taste well. Outside the tent, Briarcatch blinks slightly. "That.. I felt that before.." Outside the tent, Soulweaver lights up at the cry. Blackmorn grins, not showing the tips of his teeth. ** Cry, little one, and tell the stars you are come. ** Starwing lets Blackmorn push open the flap of the tent a little more, and looks out with full, radiant eyes. "She is here... " Outside the tent, Soulweaver slings a companionable arm around Briarcatch, watching the tent. Outside the tent, Vree hears the voice of his elf and very nearly turns upside down as he attempts to peek into the shelter. Blackmorn sits on his heels again, holding the flap open, eyes bright and full of life himself. Outside the tent, Briarcatch laughs as he watches.. _everything_ Outside the tent, Soulweaver eyes the proud sire. Outside the tent, Soulweaver grins. Starwing slowly and carefully scoops the child into her arms, and comes out into the open... Outside the tent, Soulweaver puts a hand on Lhovrik's huge shoulder. Outside the tent, Lhovrik looks up from the meal he prepares, over towrads the tent. You slip under the flap, and out of the tent. Plainsrunner Canyon The Plainsrunner have set up permanent camp here in the canyon. You see many tents scattered along the sides of the canyon and cookfires in front of them in addition to racks for drying meat. There are corrals in a side canyon to the southeast where the horses stay and smoke rising from other side canyons hinting to more tents you cannot see. The warm summer night is alive with the fragrance and sounds of the plains. Contents: Vree(#5412) Soulweaver Lhovrik Snowcrystal Whiteridge Briarcatch Tent of tanned hide Dencave DawnFire's Tent(#5711JOe) Thunderkiss' Tent FourShadow's Tent Obvious exits: South of Plains Mtn Corral Clan Cave Deer Canyon North Canyon Blackmorn slips out of Starwing's tent. Lhovrik sending speaks of purest surprise. Lhovrik sends openly ** Gentle one? ** Briarcatch peers at the kit, still staying back and out of the way, but his eyes are wide. Starwing, looking breathless and disheveled but nevertheless bright of eye, comes out with the baby cradled in her arms. She blinkblinks at Lhovrik, surprised momentarily to see him her... but she seems to have something else on her mind as she carries the child to an open space in the canyon. Blackmorn keeps an arm around Starwing at all times, supporting her against him. Soulweaver looks at Lhovrik with pleased surprise! Lhovrik's surprise dissolves in an expression of purest happiness. Soulweaver thumps the giant elf on the back. Starwing's blue starlit gaze lifts to the sky... where the one visible moon casts a ghost of a ring about itself. "There," she breathes, "there is her birth-sign... " Soulweaver howls low, melodically, almost under her breath... Starwing turns, holding the restless baby with infinite tenderness. She sends serenely, ** She is Aureole, daughter of Blackmorn and Starlight-On-Her-Wings. ** Blackmorn this time allows himself to join in, his voice beneath even Soulweaver's, but strong, carrying and echoing throughout the canyon. Soulweaver's nose tests the air... she seems to catch Blackmorn's scent, and grins at him. Lhovrik simply watches, ancient eyes serene with joy in the affirmation of his children's continuance. Whiteridge howls again, paced off a distance. Off further among the hills, the voices of other wolves pick up the call. In Starwing's arms, the baby whimpers... but at her mother's sending, she settles, at least somewhat. Snowcrystal echoes the howl, weaving in and out of her elf-friend's legs. Briarcatch's eyes are only on the kit, as he continues to smile. ** She's.. wow!.. ** In Starwing's arm's, the baby sends: ** ** Soulweaver smiles at the fragile-looking new life. Starwing sways slightly against Blackmorn, but beams gently. She whispers, "I need... a fur... to clean her... " Soulweaver rummages through her belt-pouch... Soulweaver digs out a soft scrap of ravvit. Soulweaver eagerly offers it. Blackmorn steadies Starwing gently. Blackmorn locksends ** Soon, you must rest... ** Briarcatch locksends, to Blackmorn, Aureole, Starwing: ** ** Briarcatch says "I have to.. the rest of the tribe should know! I'll go and tell!" Briarcatch enters the Clan Cave. Soulweaver grins after the lad. Lhovrik moves forward to put a square of fresh-scraped tree-grazer hide laden with small chunks of the meat down before Blackmorn and Starwing. Soulweaver sends openly ** The Elder's contribution to the new life. ** Lhovrik sends openly ** This one offers food, as it was in the days before and shall be in the days to come. ** Blackmorn nods solemnly, and sends ** ** Lhovrik moves respectfully back. Starwing allows Blackmorn to walk her back to their own tent, as she nestles the child against her. Already hungry, little Aureole seeks her mother's breast, her mind settling down to a bright glimmer of contentment. Soulweaver sends openly ** Joy/mother/cubling/protectiveness... ** Lhovrik watches the scene with a remembrance so sweet as to be painful. Soulweaver smiles after the family. Soulweaver sends openly ** She'll be up and hunting in no time... ** Soulweaver laughs. Lhovrik sends openly ** In truth, she is of a strong and clement nature. ** Soulweaver sends openly ** A fine job, life-bearers! The tribe rejoices! ** Soulweaver settles on her haunches in contentment, chewing at a raw piece of meat from the carcass. Lhovrik absently pulls a vetebrae from the tree-grazer and pops it whole into his mouth. Starwing looks between the two smiling older elves, and smiles gently herself as the infant sucks greedily at her mother's milk. She murmurs, as she cleans the child with a tender hand, "We both... must rest... but many thanks to both of you, for the gifts of meat." Soulweaver spreads her arms wide, beaming. Lhovrik sends openly ** It is an honor to assist the makers of the new. ** Soulweaver sends openly ** Thank *you* for the gift of a pack-member! ** Starwing, gently urged back into the tent by Blackmorn, smiles again... and the mother's departure is marked by the child Aureole's moonlight-bright send.... Starwing settles down to nestle with her mate and her newborn cub, while Blackmorn smiles faintly and closes the tent. [End log.]