"The Blessings of Kelthes" Log Date: 8/18/02 Log Cast: Tiana, Shelbor, Xhosa, Areelia, Kephissa, Coralfire, Raven, Dharce (NPC emitted by Vardeus), Rizon (NPC emitted by Vardeus), Dorian (NPC emitted by Vardeus), Iletya (NPC emitted by Vardeus) Log Intro: It has been months now since the Vraeyans and their human and elfin companions departed the Vastdeep Water, travelling eastward across the land to the village of Xhosa, Shelbor, and Coralfire's people. Months in which a band of former sailors has had to learn to survive ashore, away from the large cities to which they are all accustomed... though it has proven, for the most part, a less onerous task than one might have expected. Months in which they all have not lost sight of the great battle upon the Vastdeep beach, the battle involving the monstrously altered dogs that killed two of the Vraeyan crew and two elves as well, along with Wayfound's wolf-friend. No further monsters have been sighted... but the party led by Vardeus has not relaxed its vigilance. It has been a long journey and a tiring one, especially for Tiana, the Captain's second in command and wife... for she has grown larger and larger with the child she is carrying in her womb. Her temper has grown uncertain indeed, along with her size. Tonight, at last, Tiana is about to be relieved of the living burden she has borne within her, which will prove to be more than one blessing of the god of the hearth indeed... even as another in the camp takes devious steps to insure a similar blessing for herself.... ---------- Vraeyan Camp(#1655AJae) This is a sizeable camp of approximately two dozen humans -- impossible to miss from afar, regardless of one's race. There are simply too many of the Tall Ones, and they are too noisy as well, to make stealth much of an option. Obvious, too, are the impromptu shelters and cookfires they have created for themselves in this camping place, and the smells of burned wood and sod and cooked food, along with the general aroma of humankind, override any subtler scents in the area. More astute observers, however, might note that the camp is not occupied by humans alone -- for there are the scents of elves here as well, and their smaller footprints intermingle with the bigger ones of the humans on the ground in and around the campsite. For that matter... perhaps most amazingly... the elves in the camp seem to be dwelling here as equals to the Tall Ones, and not as prisoners. Contents: Tiana Yellow Shelbor Coralfire Areelia(#10474PJXc0) Hide Tent(#990JU) Salmakis Shelbor's tent Kephissa Coralfire's Tent(#1669AJe) Raven's Tent(#6222Je) Xhosa With the last rays of the sun's light, miniscule flakes of snow have begun to fall gently from the sky bringing with them, an expectant silence that hangs in the air over the Vraeyan encampment like a thick blanket. Everyone has begun to settle for the evening, wrapping in warm furs and keeping to their smaller fires inside the thick, hide shelters. Suddenly, one tent near the center of the camp errupts with a screech, "((It's /YOUR/ fault I feel like such a beached whale anyway!))" this is quickly followed by the hollow clatter of breaking pottery. It seems the second is having another cranky moment. Several members of the crew barely take note of the goings on, merely chuckling and shaking their heads before hoping that the captain's child will come soon so perhaps the second will begin acting herself once more. Inside the tent, Tiana's face is a mask of anger though even she isn't exactly certain what she's so upset about. Tears streak her face and stick some of the loose tendrils of her copper hair to her cheeks. The pot went sailing harmlessly wide of it's target, Vardeus, and smashed against one of the tent's supporting poles, setting the structure to shaking. Tiana wipes her nose on a scrap of cloth salvaged from somewhere, "((When this child is born, don't you even consider another...))" she hisses at him then adds with a wail, "((I can't even fire my bow right any more... This.. this.. blasted belly gets in the way. What good am I if I can't even do that much?))" With that question posed, another pot follows the first and even as it crashes harmlessly as the first upon the ground, she gasps and clutches her distended abdomen and with eyes wide, looks to Vardeus with a surpised, "((Oh!))" Shelbor blinks in surprise. He's never heard the pair actually fight before... Xhosa looks up from where's she's brushing Pokenose and shakes her head. Sounds like her Aunt Jaycenthe last time she gave birth. She goes back to brushing the bear, quite content to let poor Vardeus get pots thrown at him. It /is/ his own fault, after all. Areelia's hovering in the air, somewhere near the edges of the camp itself. At the raised voices she glances up, looking for the source. Kephissa looks up and half chuckle's, half sighs. The child can't come to soon for everybody concerned, though things aren't likely to actually get any calmer. Just more hectic in a different way. She rises and stretches and ducks out of her nearby tent "((I'd better go make sure the captain keeps his head.))" She shakes her head with a laugh. Hopefully she can interceed and improve her cousin's mood, so she walks towards the entrance to Vard and Tiana's tent cautiously, not wanting to get caught in any crossfire. Coralfire sighs as the snow starts. She's still not fond of this cold at all. It's time for her to come down from the tree she's been hiding in, it seems, and find warmer clothing. Furs are very good. She's got lots back at her tent, which is still not quite in the encampment with everyone else. Though it might be closer than before. She pauses at the shouted words, glancing towards Vardeus' and Tiana's tent. Then she shakes her head, finding her way to a much safer location near the cookfire. Raven has kept out of the way the closer they have gotten to the Olbar village. She's only had one run in with this particular tribe of humans before and it wasn't a pleasant one. Her ears perk at the sounds coming from the camp and instead of drawing back, she decides to move toward the source of the noise. Perhaps she can be of some assistance, though until the babe comes, she's not exactly certain what aid she might be. Shelbor looks up, startled, as snow begins to drift down. He smiles; Yes, the land towards Sun-Goes-Down was warmer in the cold season, but he's missed the snow. Areelia unfolds herself from her small knot in the air, lowering herself to walk, something she's begun to do more and more often. She moves further into the camp, searching for one of the human's she was originally traveling with. Xhosa smiles at the snow, nodding. "A good sign, I think." She peers toward the tent, then looks at her tribemates. "So....anyone think we should get involved in this? No? I didn't think so." Yellow walks towards Areelia, tail wagging. It's not the first pot that's been hurled at the head of the Captain, ever since it became obvious that his Second and wife was carrying their first offspring. She's yelled at him about his clothing, his beard, and any number of other random small inexplicable details -- not to mention the habit the man has developed of hovering protectively in her vicinity for the last several weeks. "((Whatever ye say, me love,))" he promises swiftly, when the first pot flies. The second one gets a hastily appended, "((Ach, me dearlin', it's all right, it's all--))" And then, as she grasps her belly, he freezes, hands about a foot away from trying to take her shoulders and pull her to him to cuddle. A dangerous maneuver, that, given her recent temper. "((Tiana?))" he blurts. Coralfire gives Xhosa a glance. "" And why should she, after all? She's never had the opportunity. Heck, she wasn't even with the Olbar the last time her sister gave birth. And even if she is curious, perhaps she should just stay here. Where it's safe. Areelia reaches down a hand to ruffle the near-wolfs ears, "What's going on?" She asks, apparently expecting someone, anyone, to answer her. That'll teach her for not bothering to learn the language. Shelbor rolls his eyes. What's the big fuss about birthing? Well, he does know it's harder for humans for animals. He frowns, as another thought strikes him, wondering if it's as hard for elves... Yellow wags harder, tounge hanging out in a canine grin. Tiana starts to take a step then groans, "((I-I think it's time...))" she replies in a near whisper, that's spoken through pain-gritted teeth and fear. Even as she finishes that thought, she glances to her feet (even though she can't really see them) where a puddle has begun to form. Tiana's words are Vraeyan. And individually, Vardeus generally does understand each one. But these words in this particular sequence for some reason are not making sense; he blinks uncertainly at his beloved, and then down at the growing gathering of moisture beneath her. "((Tayme?))" he echoes uncomprehendingly, before understanding finally dawns. Oh gods. He has to do something, doesn't he? "((Tayme -- Skyfather -- um... dinnae gae awa'!))" And with that he positively erupts out of his tent, agitation in his every movement and in his voice as he roars out worriedly, "((It's tayme -- Dharce?! Raven? Somebody c'mere, s-she says it's tayme...!))" Raven's mind whirls over Vardeus's roared words.oO(Tayme... Time? Oh dear...) She picks up the pace, slipping into an easy jog which quickly carries her toward the center of the Vraeyan camp. Kephissa jumps to the side as Vardeus erupts out the tent. She shakes her head, men always seem to go a little crazy at times like this. She reaches out to take his arm. "((Time is it, huh? About time I'd say. You go sit down and wait somewhere. You won't do Ti much good running around like a wildman.))" She guestures behind her back to the crew who's heads have popped out of various tents for someone to come and keep the Captain occupied. She pats Vardeus on the arm and gives him a little shove towards the fire before ducking into the tent. "((Well, cos, judging by the way Vard burst out of here, I see its time.))" Shelbor does what he always does at times like this. He stays the *BLEEP!* out of the way... Areelia frowns, looking more lost then anything else. She tugs at Yellow's ears, then moves off in Shelbor's direction, "What is going on?" Xhosa watchs all the rushing about. She shakes her head, getting to her feet. "Well, someone is going to have to distract the new father." She looks toward the tent, but if Dharce is there to help, she's not going to interfere. Shelbor says "Tiana is about to have her baby." Tiana starts to reach for Vardeus's hand but he's already rushing for the tentflap. There's a moment of utter panic that's broken as soon as her cousin's face appears in her field of vision. She breathes a sigh of relief and holds both her hands out to Kephissa, "((Aye.. I don't think there's much longer to wait,))" she replies with a bit of an embarrassed smile on her face. Areelia nods to Shelbor, then glances at Xhosa, "I can juggle things if you'd find it helpful." She doesn't even sound bitter, just offering the only sort of help she can think of. "((Siddown? Nae, nae, I cannae sit at a tayme like this,))" Vardeus blurts roughly at Kephissa, even as she gently nudges him out of the way. Dharce comes running just as he stumbles backwards -- and for once, the plaintive young mother of Jorrico and Shelbor the Younger is moving with a sense of purpose, as she is the only woman in the camp who has gone through this to date. "((It's here I am t' help,))" she tells Kephissa, leaning in to make herself seen at the front of the tent and to see if there's room for her to step in. "((We'd best be gettin' 'er settled! Cap'n, go sit ye down.))" Coralfire shakes her head, and calls out. "((Vardeus? You could come sit with us,))" she offers. So much for not getting involved, but well, that Captain needs someone to help him out, poor fellow. And everyone else just seems in a dither or enjoying his predicament. Raven reaches the fire and pauses there, waffling between going to help calm Vardeus or go help with Tiana. She notes Vardeus's reluctance to be out of the way and tugs on his arm, "((We will need fiarwood to keep the fiars going.. and water..))" she says to him and nudges him toward the trees. "((You will do her no good like this,))" she adds in her strangely accented Vraeyan. At least she's finally learned how to get a point across without breaking into elvish most of the time. Shelbor rises and helps Coral guid the Captain to a neutral corner... Kephissa takes Tiana's hands and squeezes them gently. She looks over at her shoulder at Dharce's words, just a little relieved that the other woman is here, and waves her in. She attented the births of a couple of her older sisters' children, and both of Dharce's, but she wouldn't exactly call herself an expert. She looks around and starts arranging the furs and blankets to make a comfy area for Tiana. "((Come, lie down, Tiana.))" Xhosa nods at Dharce heads into the tent, then ducks into her own tent, coming back with a bottle of something. She waves Vardeus over. "Come on, there's nothing you can do but get in the way." She holds out the bottle. "Drink this. It will ease your nerves." And get you well and truely drunk, if you drink enough. Areelia trails after those from Olbar and the Captain, looking more like a third leg then anything else. What is an elf supposed to do at a time like this? Indeed, Vardeus is looking more flustered by the second, between what he can overhear from the women in the tent and the words of Raven as the little Wolfrider appears at his side. "((I-I-I wanna 'elp 'er,))" he blurts plaintively down to the she-elf, and since when does the Captain stammer? Since when, too, does he look so at a loss for something to do, as he does when different suggestions are called over to him? As Dharce pops back out long enough to give him a gentle but determined shove towards the fire he finds himself stumbling to a halt in front of Xhosa, to whom he blurts wide-eyedly, "((Th' baby's comin'!)) Yellow tries to get in and see what all the fuss is about but is shooed away. Rebuffed, he joins Shelbor and the others, sulking. "((Get 'im sittin',))" Rizon calls over, laughingly. "((Dinnae want th' man with an ax in his hands right now, I'm thinkin'!))" "((Aye, Raven,))" comes the call of Dorian, "((we'll get the firewood, we will. Back in a bit!))" And he and the former cargomaster of the _Windrider_ are soon hurrying off, fetching the needed wood to keep the fire going. In their wake Iletya and Franni are already bustling to get fresh water as well, and cloths to help the women in the tent. Xhosa nods to Vardeus, putting the bottle in his hand. "Aye, the baby is coming. And he'll come whether you're in there or not, so..." she leads him toward the fire. "You need to sit here, drink this and starting thinking of baby names." Yeeeees, that'll distract him. Right. Coralfire smiles at Raven's words. Perhaps they might work, if Vardeus can even be brought to focus on them long enough to figure out what they are. "((I think you can help best by staying out of the way,))" she says. High Ones know it's what she's going to do. "((Come sit with us, and have something to drink. ))" Not that she knows it's going to get him drunk, but she thinks something to relax the Captain is a good thing. Tiana nods to Keph then pauses, looking pointedly at the ground, "((But, my legs are all wet..))" she says even as she steps out of the puddle. She looks as if she'd like nothing better than to run far, far away at this particular moment in time. That quickly goes away as another pain ripples through her gut and all she can do is stand rooted to her spot until it passes. Raven pauses for a moment before stepping into the tent, she turns to look at the sulking near-wolf and reaches out with her mind to him, giving him a wolflike image of what's going on inside and reassuring him that all will be just fine as best she can given that she's never touched minds with a near-wolf before. She also gives the suggestion that the captain might do well to have his hands busy stroking fur. That done, she smiles a little smile and pokes her head into the tent, "((I have helped with births before..))" Finding a bottle in his hands, Vardeus blinks rapidly and guilelessly at Xhosa, and he doesn't even bother to ask what's in the thing before he belts back a swig of it. Ah, the habits of Vraeyan sailors. That done he swallows hard and comes nervously over to sink down at the fire by Coralfire, blurting out as he does, "((Names... I-I-I been thinkin' on't, I have... what t' name th' bairn...")) Xhosa sits next to Vardeus, patting him on the back gently. "Well, the name would depend upon if it's a boy or a girl, don't you think?" Areelia draws her feet up beneath her, once again floating in the air, near the campfire. She's silent, just listening. Kephissa has a feeling that Tiana's legs will get more than wet before the night is through. "((Sit down and we'll get you cleaned up.))" She waits until the contraction has passed before gently helping her cousin to sit down. She rolls her eyes at Dharce over Tiana's head. She glances at Raven, blinking, do elves give birth the same way as humans. She never really thought about it. "((It might get a little crowded in here, but maybe you can stay at the entrance just in case.))" Dharce gives a small knowing smile even as she helps Kephissa move Tiana properly, and she can be heard to murmur crooningly to the Second, "((Dinnae fear, Tiana. We're here to help ye.))" Tiana, not Second, for once. The timeless rituals of births are a great equalizer of rank, and for the time being, Tiana is simply a fellow woman with a baby on the way. "((Ye'll be wantin' to get into a rhythm f'r breathin'. Like we're workin' on th' ship, but 'tis the pangs that set th' rhythm for ye, ken?))" Vardeus, in the meantime, blinks down at the bottle as he registers an unfamiliar and not unpleasant sweet taste to the stuff therein; he samples it again, even as he nods his shaggy head to Xhosa, earnestly. "((Aye, aye... a boy bairn'll be easy, but a girl... I-I-I dinnae know, nae yet...!))" The contraction passes and Tiana is able to breathe again. She looks to the door and offers Raven a weak smile before moving over to sit down as gingerly as possible, given that she's big as a baby whale (at least that's how she feels). She looks up to Kephissa and Dharce with a smile of thanks on her face and nods to Dharce's words but, she's unable to speak further as another contraction starts in. Raven gives a quick nod of her head and closes the tent flap to keep the warmth inside the tent and sits down right in front of it meaning to be of help keeping gawkers and well wishers out of the way. Shelbor takes a cautious sniff of the bottle, so he'll know what to be wary of in the future. Xhosa nods to Vardeus, still patting his back comfortingly. "Well, mayhaps you could name a girl after your mother? What was her name? Or Tiana's mother? That's always nice." "Maybe you could name her after one of our parents." comes Areelia's quiet suggestion. Kephissa's brows furrows, the contractions are coming fast. Somebody's in a hurry to arrive. "((Easy, Easy. Breath through it. This one is as impatient as Vard.))" Though he is entirely unaware of Raven's subtle suggestion, as soon as Yellow is within arm's reach of the Captain one of Vardeus' big hands does indeed come over to scritch reflexively at the dog's ears. Dogs are good things. When a man's in a dither, a nice friendly dog's a comfort from the gods, it is! And that patting from Xhosa along with her soothing tone seems to be having an effect, too; a little bit of the frantic tension drains out of Vardeus' countenance. All the more visibly than usual, as well, for he's shaved his beard thanks to a prior pot-throwing incident, and without it he looks five turns of the seasons younger. His gaze shoots up in startlement to Areelia, though, and he blinks owlishly at her a moment before rallying enough wits to blurt, "((But... I dinnae know yer p...))" Wait a minute. Wrong language. The hand that had been rubbing the dog's head comes up now to rub at his eyes; the other hand's still got a hold of the bottle. Switching to elfin, he finishes, "Dinnae know yer parents' names...!" Coralfire doesn't say much of anything. She just watches for a moment, and then she finds some food on a plate, bringing it to Vardeus. Well, it helped last time. "((You could name a girl child after the Briarholt chieftess,))" she says, not expecting it to be taken up. Cause who names a child Leafshimmer? Or Coralfire for that matter. "((You should eat something too.))" "My mother's name was Betria, my father's name is Ietro." Areelia responds easily. Areelia Sometimes old habits die hard, but this ex-Chosen has easily let go of her past, at least on the surface. Her pale white hair has been divided into three sections, each one twisted separately with strips of her old uniform wrapped and twisted with them. While the three sections have been twisted separately, they are then twisted together and tied at the back of her head with yet another strip of leather. Due to the way in which the hair it twisted and tied the length of the pale locks are hard to pin point, but shorter strands curl lightly against her forehead and frame her face. These pale curls are a new addition, an attempt at marking herself as an individual once again instead of living for her job. With her new hair style her delicate pointed ears are easily spotted, twin silver hoops hugging her lobes. Her wide gray eyes carry just a hint of sadness these days, but also a fierce determination that shows in the cool depths. Arching above her gray eyes are pale brows, one shade darker then her hair. Her face is like any other Glider, nearly elfin to the extreme. Her features are almost pure angles with high cheekbones and a narrow nose, her mouth is full and would smile easily if the female would allow herself the luxury of that action often. Once upon a time her clothing was the full uniform of the Chosen, but now it has been altered to fit her new lifestyle. The middle of the former jumpsuit has been cut away, making them two separate pieces. The top is short, the edges ragged from where the ex-Chosen took a knife after it. The sleeves are gone, leaving her pale arms bare. The pants have also been changed, they have been rolled down and tied upon her hips, where her dagger resides as well. She's retained her boots however, tucking the ragged edges of the pant legs into them. Xhosa nods to her cousin. Food could be good, although it may lessen the affects of her brew. "Or, you could name a girl after one of your goddesses. That's always a good idea." Yellow lets himself be consoled by the skritching. Speaking of the brew, Vardeus considers it again, and asides to Xhosa earnestly, "S'good, 'tis... tastes o' berries..." His words come out of him a little slower now, and there is a slight furrowing of his brow, a suggestion that he's needing to take a minute to think of the proper words in the last language by which he is addressed. And then his gaze swivels around to Coralfire, to whom he adds fretfully, "Too nervous t' eat, I am...! Th' baby's comin'!" Shelbor just bets it does... Xhosa mmms, smiling. "I'm glad you like it. My mother taught me how to make it." Uuuuhhhhooooohhhh. Now, see, the Olbar would know that's a warning sign. Good think Vardy's not from the village. "It's good for the nerves." Tiana tries to find some way to breathe around the pain in her middle and ends up doing more panting than anything else but, at least she's exchanging air for the several moments it takes for the contraction to pass. Finally she can take another deep breath and lets it out with a sigh. She looks up to Dharce and asks in a whisper, knowing that Vardeus isn't far off, "((Does it always hurt so much?))" Though most can't hear the second's words, Raven's keen ears do catch them and she chuckles softly in an apparantly knowing fashion. Of course, it's not like any inside the tent can hear or see her. Coralfire doesn't know that's a warning sign either, Xhosa, but then, she hasn't spent enough time in the village to learn, now has she? "((So it is, but if you faint from starvation, what good will that do?))" she suggests. And then she does set the plate with food into Vardeus' free hand, if he'll let her. Or she tries. Perhaps she's already too late? At this stage there isn't much Kephissa can do to help, its all up to Tiana. But she does make things ready for the new arrival. Warm blanket to wrap it in, a couple of soft cloths to clean it up, a knife to cut the cord. Okay, now she's out of things to do, except just be there for Tiana. Putting the plate in the Captain's hand is easy. He does have a free one. However, something seems to be slowing the man's reaction time, just a tad -- and there's a dog within the immediate vicinity, too, and that plate is right about at Yellow's eye level. In two seconds flat there's a dog nose in the middle of the food, and at the sight of it Vardeus abruptly lets out a giggle, incongruously boyish-sounding against his usual rumbling baritone. "I-I-I think 'e's hungrier'n' me, aye?" he asks no one in particular, and looking down at the dog with an ever so slightly silly grin beginning to waver out across his face. Shelbor says "Yellow! Bad dog!" Shelbor, muttering, takes Yellow by the scruff and hauls him out of camp. Xhosa nods at the captain's expression. That's what she was looking for. A nice, calm, mellow Vardeus. Makes life much easier. "You're feeling better, I see." Coralfire just glances at the dog, and then watches as Shelbor drags the poor dog out of the camp. Ah well, you can't say Coralfire didn't try! She sighs, and takes a few steps away. "((It seems he was, anyway. ))" Calm and mellow indeed. Coralfire is now wondering just what was /in/ that drink Xhosa fed to Vardeus. "Ho, Shelbor, 'e c'n 'ave it, s'allright," Vardeus tries to call after Shelbor, but the other man is moving normally... and the Captain's seeming to turn slow and dreamy of expression. He sets the plate down and then looks over at Xhosa at her question, answering with an uncharacteristic innocence, "Aye... dinnae feel sae nairvous, now... feelin' better...!" Xhosa smiles at him. "You're very lucky, you know, having a baby of your own. Not all of us have that." The Captain blinks a time or two at Xhosa, limpidly, before he starts bobbing his head again. "Lucky," he agrees happily. "Gods're smailin', they are, bringin' Ticha an' me a bairn--" And then he starts and tries to turn towards the tent, half rising out of his seat. "S'here yet? I-I-I gotta gae see. Wanna see me bairn. Ticha needs me!" Another groan comes from the tent fairly quick on the heels of the last as Tiana reaches for her cousin's hand. AS the contraction subsides, she mutters rather sulkily, "((Why in the name of all that's good do /we/ have to go through this alone? Men ought to have to hurt just as much.))" Xhosa pushes Vardeus down easily. He's sloshed, you know. "The baby's not here yet, Vardeus." She considers something he said and nods slowly. "You're right. The Gods are smiling. Maybe, if I asked them, they'd smile on me and give me a child too." "((Ah, no. Not that way, Vardeus, not yet,))" Coralfire is quick to the mark, though Xhosa is closer. She hears Xhosa's words, and her eyes widen. Oh. Wait. Does that sound a little fishy to anyone /but/ Coral? Kephissa takes Tiana's hand and squeezes. "((Because men aren't strong enough to handle it. Remember how they act like children at the mearest scratch. But I bet Vardeus is outside right now going through torment that you're in pain.))" Just a little while longer, hopefully. Raven's head turns toward the fire where the captain is being occupied by Xhosa. Emerald eyes narrow slightly as she wonders what exactly the Olbar woman means by that. She doesn't interfere just yet because well.. she's guarding the door but, she's going to have to say something to Vardeus when this night is over with. Dharce chuckles, actually chuckles for the first time in many more weeks than most of the crew can remember, murmuring sympathetic nonsense noises into the Second's ear. It doesn't take long for Iletya and Franni to bring the water and clean cloths needed, along with a knife, cleaned and shining, for the cutting of the birth cord. Rizon and Dorian come to drop off loads of firewood, building up another fire closer to Vardeus and Tiana's tent, and the two men can be seen to shoot amused looks in their leader's direction... but only when he's not looking. And indeed, Vardeus isn't looking, for Xhosa and Coralfire have completely seized his attention. As he finds himself sitting right back down again he blinks dewily at Xhosa, asking, "Ye want a bairn too?" A little bit perturbed by the way the conversation is going, Coralfire isn't sure whether she should say something or not. Though she does nod. "((And so she does. Xhosa's been pining for a child of her own.))" she says. That shouldn't cause any trouble, right? Xhosa nods. "Very much." She sighs, shaking her head. "I've tried a hundred time, but I haven't been given one yet." She frowns. "There's a ritual I can do, but I'd have to have help." She shrugs slightly. "None of the men of my tribe want to help me, so I'm left without a child." Raven takes the water, cloth and knife and sets them inside the tent, clearing her throat to let the women inside know that they're there, then quickly shuts the tentflap once more. She then turns back to the captain and his companions and a dark scowl draws over her features. Something's not quite right; but, she just can't put her finger on it. For a moment, then, the Captain further finds himself with both hands on Xhosa's bottle. "_'Tis_... good," he murmurs absently. His face has relaxed further now, normally weathered and seasoned features going almost as guileless as Maerro's, and it seems to him that he'd like some more. Xhosa not being in an evident hurry to take it back, he drinks down another swallow of it, and then he looks back to the young witch again, brow crinkling. "None'll help ye? How come?" Tiana looks up at her cousin and offers a slight smile as she lets out a breathless, "((True enough,))" in reply. She then lets out a growl that would rival any wolfrider's as another contraction, this one harder than all the rest have been, rips through her. It doesn't last quite as long though and as it subsides, she barks, "((Vardeus! You'd better not be drunk off your arse because I've something to say to ye when this is over with!))" Xhosa shrugs. "I don't know. Maybe they're afraid they can't perform the ritual correctly?" She doesn't seem to want her bottle back at all. "I suppose it's a large responsiblity, summoning the gods and all." Of course, to her, it's not such a big deal. "Would take quite the man to do it, I think." Coralfire has a sudden fit of coughing as she watches her cousin perform. is that the right word? Yes, perhaps so. Now see, Coral is torn, because she likes Xhosa, but she's also fond of Vardeus. It's a quandary - just what is Xhosa planning? Coral can't say for sure, but she is in a position to say that it looks like Xhosa is plotting something. The light snow is still falling, isn't it? And Coral shivers. "((I should go find my bed.))" she mutters. It's going to be a cold night, by the looks of it. "((Breathe wi' me, Tiana, breath wi' me now,))" Dharce murmurs it over and over, her soft lyrical voice sliding into a natural pace, the words gently but firmly uttered. Kephissa has the one hand and Dharce the other, and for all her recent grief and anguish, the young mother seems to be finding it within herself to recover a bit of her old determination, now. Vardeus starts as Tiana's voice rises up to thunder from within the tent, and then he peers back and forth between the two women with him at the fire. "She's callin'," he blurts. "Baby's comin'! I-I-I should gae t'er..." He starts to rise again, only to find Coralfire about to do the same and he blinks a little disorientedly at her. Oops. Better not knock into her. "I gotta stay up," he tells her then. "Baby's comin'!" Xhosa reachs out again, pulling Vardeus back to his seat. "Aye, the baby's coming. But it's not here yet." Kephissa chuckles a bit at Tiana's bellow. "((I expect that the rest of the crew will be trying to get him drunk to calm him down, so you may have to yell at them later. Now its time to have a baby.))" "Nae?" Gravity and the hand of Xhosa set the Captain down again and he just pauses for a moment or two, thinking to himself that perhaps it's best if he just sits a bit to gather himself. To be ready when the bairn comes, aye. Good to just sit here by the fire, with the warmth of it on his face making a nice contrast to the chill of the night air; come to think of it, he's starting to feel warm within as well as without. Ocean eyes going slightly unfocused, he stares as though hypnotized at the flames, before he shakes himself a little and offers Xhosa a muzzy, magnanimous, lopsided smile. "What were... we talkin' on?" Xhosa smiles. "We were talking about my asking the gods to give me a baby. Do you think one of your crew would be willing to help me? I could show them the part they'd have to play in the ritual. It's not that complicated." She mmms. "It's an honor, actually." Coralfire just shakes her head and walks off. Raven is still there, so it's not like she's entirely leaving Vardeus to Xhosa. and certainly Coral isn't exactly the most appropriate one to be figuring this plot out. Clueless she is, right? How would she have any idea? She just calls a good night, and heads for her own tent. Well, she makes sure she can hear when the baby is born, but there's no reason to be disturbing Tiana right after the birth, right? Right? Well, that's her thought. She'll find out if it's a girl or a boy later. Tiana does her best to mimick Dharce's example of breathing between groans and grumbles. She looks up at Kephissa as yet another contraction passes and says, "((He helped start this, he ought to be here to help finish it.))" Another contraction hits just as she finishes and though she tries valiantly not to make a peep, a strangled, unintelligable cry claws its way up from the throat and out between her gritted teeth. Not that complicated. Vardeus likes those words. They help chase off the nervousness gnawing in his gut at the thought that he is about to be a father on top of being responsible for the remnants of his crew in ways he'd never dreamed before they'd all gotten stranded in this strange land of elves and magic. "Ach, any man o' us'd help ye," he pronounces then, quite guilelessly. "Ye been sich a help t'us, ye have. We owe ye tha', we do!" "((Do ye want me t' get 'im for ye, Tiana?))" Dharce asks gently, still clinging with a surprisingly firm grip to the Second's hand. Her eyes are wistful... a touch shadowed. Nefis was here for the birthing of Jorrico and Shelbor the Younger; she can understand wanting one's man at a time like this. Xhosa grins at Vardeus. "Do you think so? I wouldn't normally ask, but if you think...do you think you could help me? It only makes sense, you being the Captain and all. The honor should be yours. And it would show our gods how thankful you are for their blessings." Kephissa brushes the hair back from Tiana's forehead. "((Yeah, we can get him for you if you want. Not much longer now, Ti. Just hold on and push. And go ahead and scream if you want too, it's part of the process, ya know. Everyone expects it.))" Raven sniffs the air and doesn't exactly like the scents she's getting from the captain's direction though it could just be the smoke curling through the rest. She's not sure but, she does know she's not keen on the tone of Xhosa's suggestion. She still doesn't interfere. After all, Vardeus is a grown /man/ and she's not exactly his mother now, is she? Tiana smiles at Dharce and Kephissa then shakes her head, "((No, he'd probably.. turn green.. and faint,))" she says between pants of breath. Once more, a strangled growling cry gathers itself and erupts from her as another contraction comes fast on the heels of the last. The time is drawing ever closer. Not much longer, indeed, what with the baby's head beginning to show itself, a wet gleaming mass emerging from between Tiana's leanly muscled thighs. "((I c'n see it!))" Dharce cries, and then she croons encouragingly, "((A wee bit more now. Just a wee bit more, Tiana... ach, aye, th' poor man's been all nervous f'r th' love o' ye. Ye'll give 'im a fine bairn, soon enough now!))" The wind shifts, bringing to the Wolfrider's nose the scent of fire, the scent of Xhosa, the scent of Vardeus... and the berry-scent of the stuff in the bottle that Xhosa has been so diligently encouraging the Captain to sample. Not quite berries alone, though, that scent. Something else to it, some hint of herbs, and a tang that may well make a Wolfrider think of dreamberries? Vardeus, meanwhile, just beams beneficiently at the witch... and even if his eyes aren't entirely focused, that smile of his is bright indeed. "I should do summat," he agrees, his accent thicker now, flowing like honey. "Owe th' gods tha'. Said I'd do 'un, back at th' ocean." Xhosa smiles at Vardeus. "You'll help me? Promise? Really, it's not very complicated. And I know my Father would welcome your offering yourself." Yes, Daddy Horse God. "And, if it works, I could be sure my child will take over after me as my people's spiritual leader." And not her evil sister's children. That would be bad. That would be very bad. Raven catches that sweet, fermented smell and she's forced to recall the stuff that the Underworlders drink. It's sweet alright, and smells much like a dreamberry.. but, it's not made of them. She recalls that it fuzzes the mind though and as she listens to Xhosa and Vardeus talking, she groans inwardly. Yes, definately going to have to have a talk with him later.. Kephissa laughs a bit at the idea of Vardeus fainting. "((Just a little longer now, cos. Just a few big more pushes and you'll have a beautiful baby.))" Strange road they took to this point, but its finally here. Meanwhile inside the tent, Tiana's eyes go wide as she looks up at Dharce, "((Really?))" she gasps even as another contraction takes her breath and she bears down, pushing for all she's worth. She grips Keph's hand and lets out a yell that probably blisters Raven's sensitive ears and it's certainly loud enough for those gathered around the fire to hear, "((Eeeeeaaarrgh!!))" "((Ach, aye, he's fair near fretted 'imself awa',))" Dharce murmurs, moving briskly down to prepare herself to catch the babe, yielding the task of helping Tiana through the contractions to her kinswoman. When the child emerges, Dharce's hands will be there to ease its entry into the world... even as her voice comes in softly under Tiana's wailing. "((Such worry in 'is eyes f'r ye. But he'll glow, he will, when ye show him your bairn.))" The scream from within the tent makes Vardeus start again, and he visibly bites his lip at the sound of it, telling Xhosa in abruptly doleful tones, "She's hairtin'! I got t' get t' 'er!))" Up he goes, yet again. His legs aren't exactly unsteady... but his reflexes have definitely slowed. Xhosa reachs out again. "Vardeus, she'd call you if she wanted you there. I've seen women in labor before." She shakes her head. "You don't want to be there unless she asks for you." "((That's f'r dem sure, Cap'n,))" Dorian snickers from the other fire, where he and Rizon are keeping the blaze going. Someone else snickers, too, from one of the tents; more than one face is still periodically peeking out, though most of the crew is keeping out of the cold night air. "((Nae unless ye want th' Little Windrider thrown at yer head!))" _Vardeus_ has seen women in labor before, for that matter, but for some strange reason it's never affected him like this. He grins sheepishly over at his men, still half-risen from his seat, before blinking back to Xhosa... who seems remarkably sensible to him at the moment. Slowly, almost languidly, he sits down again and blinks several times, before thinking to turn his head and blink muzzily again, calling out to Raven by the tent, "She called f'r me?" His voice comes out high and slurred. Raven's gaze slips from the tent to the captain and then back to the tent. She frowns slightly as a thought crosses her mind but, again, she keeps her mouth closed. At the question she's asked, she turns back to Vardeus and his companion and shakes her head, replying with a quiet, "((Not yet,))" though she certainly thinks it would probably soothe Tiana if he were at her side. Of course, she's had to knock both of them over the head with things they both should've already known before so, this is not entirely new to her. Xhosa nods at Raven's words. "See? She's not ready for you yet. Just sit here with me until she calls for you." Kephissa's hand is getting a bit numb by now, but she hardly notices as she continues to encourage Tiana. "((That's it. Just keep pushing, it won't be long now.))" She takes a few deep breaths of her own. "((Indeed, Vard nearly ran me over running out of here looking for help for you. I bet he's impatiently waiting outside.))" Tiana gives one last push and the wee bairn slips free to land in Dharce's capable hands. It's a boy and though he looks healthy, he's a bit small. Of course, Tiana doesn't notice that at all as the cord is cut and he's given a smack on the rump to bring his first breath, which abruptly sets a new sound into the air: the thin, reedy cry of a newborn babe. Tiana barely has time to look over and admire the child before she's clamping her grip down onto Keph's hand once more and another contraction slams through her. Her eyes go wide as she looks to Dharce and says in a worried voice through gritted teeth, "((Something's not quite right.. I thought it would stop after the bairn came..))" Wayfound would doubtless agree with Raven, if the younger Wolfrider were here -- but Wayfound and her party have not yet returned from Lostholt, and Quietharm and Kelp are bundled up against the cold within their own small tent... though that particular she-elf every so often is peeking out to keep taps on things. True to Kephissa's words, for all that he is unaware of them, the Captain keeps looking in the tent's direction in a manner rather comparable to Yellow's worried, hopeful 'You're going to let me have some of that food too aren't you?' look, produced for every night meal. He jolts visibly then at the new sound from within the tent, as do Rizon and Dorian... and now, Vardeus manages to shoot to his feet. "Th' baby's here!" he cries out. "((Nae stoppin'? Kelthes!))" Dharce looks up sharply, even as she's busily cleaning the tiny wailing boy and getting him free of his afterbirth. "((Kephissa, ye're gonna have t' get th' other 'un! She's carryin' two!))" Kephissa blinks. Two?!? Well, Tiana was getting rather large. "((Two! By Kelthes, our hearth has been blessed. Tiana, you're going to have to let go of my hand so I can catch the other one when it comes out.))" She tries to shift around into position as much as possible. "((Won't everyone be shocked.))" She adds on in a low voice, mostly to herself. Raven catches the words from inside the tent and slips through the tent flap. She shakes her head at Kephissa and, offering a smile to Tiana waits to catch the second child. She looks to Kephissa and speaks quietly, "((She needs your hand more than this child does. I'll catch this child if you will let me..))" The last is asked of Tiana who can only nod her head as another contraction squeezes off her ability to talk and when it returns, there's a bellow heard round the camp that emerges from her, "((Vardeus! I swear I'm going to hurt you as soon as I can walk!))" More and more of the crews' faces poke out of their tents now, as voices call curiously back and forth to one another, some sleepily, some wide awake. Dorian springs over to Vardeus' side, grinning at his Captain and grabbing him by the arm, saying, "((_Now_, I think ye c'n gae t' 'er, sir!))" Dharce tilts the firstborn of her Captain and Second just enough to let fluid trickle out of tiny lungs, administering a swat on his little rump to help it along, and the boy writhes. Coughs. And then lets out a howl almost as lusty as his mother's. Xhosa looks over toward the tent, nodding slowly. "The baby is definately here." Vardeus drops Xhosa's bottle, elation bursting across his features now, and another boyish giggle coming with it. "((I'm a da,))" he blurts to Dorian, who grins up at him again and slaps him approvingly on one broad shoulder, agreeing, "((That ye are, sir!))" But Xhosa is not to be forgotten, and the Captain whirls on her giddily, adding -- just in case she hasn't managed to grasp the concept yet -- "((I-I-I'm a _da_!))" Xhosa laughs, happy for him. "You are indeed. You're a da and Tiana's a ma. Very blessed." She grins at him. "And, gods willing, these won't be the only babies around soon." Kephissa nods at Raven, looking down at her tightly gripped hand. "((That would be great, Raven.))" With the death grip on her hand, she's not sure Tiana could let go anyways. "((Just keep doing what you've been doing, Ti. The next one should come soon.))" She looks over at Dharce. "((Somebody should probably update Vardeus though. He's got a son.))" She gives goofy grin. She's an aunt, sort of. Dharce seizes up some of the new clean cloths, wrapping the infant boy securely in them, and steps lightfootedly out of the tent just as Raven comes in. "((I'll tell 'im, I will!))" She emerges from the tent, wrapped bundle in hand, and her voice peals out, "((The first one's a son! Our Captain and Second have a son!))" "((First?!))" "((_First_?!))" That word shoots around the camp, carrying with it shocked, amazed intakes of breath. Smiles get bigger. Cheers burst out, setting off a sleepy wail from both of Dharce's sons. And no smile is so big as that of the Captain, who visibly rocks where he stands before abruptly grabbing Xhosa by the shoulders and telling her dizzily, "((Help ye, I will, aye, I-I-I got a son, I've got tae thank th' gods... I-I-I'm a da!))" And then he's bolting for Dharce, who even smiles herself as she holds up the squalling infant for his father's inspection. Xhosa laughs, watching Vardeus run off to see his son. She's genuinely happy for both of them, shaking her head at the silly boy. And he did say he'd help her, so that's all good, isn't it? Yes. Very good. Raven nods and smiles as she catches sight of the crown, "((Push, Tiana. Your second child is not one for waiting.))" Tiana, nearly worn out from the long hours of labor, smiles as she gathers the strength for another push. This time she pushes so hard that she nearly draws herself into a complete sitting position, thanks to the aid of Kephissa's poor abused hand. Soon enough, the second babe lets out its own thin wail and Raven announces to those in the tent, "((You have a boy and a girl.))" That said, she deftly cuts the cord and ties it off before she takes one of the clean bits of cloth and cleans the afterbirth off of the child, holds it head down and gives it a light slap on the backside. This one is no different from her brother. She starts, gasps and lets out with a squeal that lets everyone know that she's arrived too. _Two_! Boy _and_ girl! Several of the crew emerge now from their tents; never mind sleeping or the cold, the excitement of two more babies in the camp is worth missing a bit of slumber. Hugs are impulsively exchanged, and even as Xhosa lets Vardeus go Dorian gives one of those hugs to her before he whirls to spin Franni about, laughing merrily. In the middle of it all Vardeus does not _quite_ sway... but there's a slightly rocky look to his stance now, even as Dharce lays his son in his arms. Now that he's closer to the tent his hoarse-voiced blurt can be heard from within: "((T-twa? There's twa bairns?))" Kephissa laughs and hugs Tiana. "((A boy and a girl. Twice blessed.))" She stops and looks down at her cousin. "((You are all down now, aren't you. There isn't another one in there too?))" Now wouldn't that be a shock. Tiana looks up at her cousin even as she leans against her supportive shoulder, "((Aye, I believe so.))" she says even as Raven finishes wrapping the second child in cloth and lying her on Tiana's chest. "((This will hurt just a bit, but, you will be the better for it..))" she says even as her small hands push in and rub down over Tiana's stomach. The second's face screws up into a grimmace of pain but, it's not quite as bad as the contractions were so she's able to bite off the groan that wants to break free. In moments, the afterbirth is delivered and Raven wraps that in a corner of the soiled fur knowing that it will all be burned shortly. There's just no way to save a fur that's been through a birthing. From the look of him Vardeus can't quite figure out whether to focus on the tiny boy-child he now holds, and towards whom he gives a meltingly tender look before the howl of the _second_ child seizes his attention anew. He hunkers down, trying to carry the boy as gently as possible and get into the tent at the same time, calling anxiously, "((Lemme in, aye? Tiana? Ticha-love? I'm comin' in!))" Kephissa grins. "((Come in, Come in, Vard. She's fine, if a bit tired.))" Kephissa supports Tiana, and smiles down at the girl child. "((Now you just have to come up with names for them. But that can probably wait until everybody's a bit rested. I'll clean up in here, and leave you four in peace.))" Raven tosses another cloth over Tiana's legs just as the tentflap opens. She knows how these humans like to keep themselves covered for the most part when in the presence of others. That done, she smiles and quietly slips through the tentflap, leaving the family alone for now. Tiana smiles up at her huband even as she cradles their daughter in the crook of her arm. She's finally loosened her grip on Keph's hand. She looks utterly exhausted with her hair plastered to her head and neck and the dark circles that have formed under her eyes but, there's something of a glow about her as well. She glances down at the tiny form she holds and says in a quiet voice, "((Come meet your daughter, Captain.))" "((Girl?))" Vardeus gulps, somehow managing to edge his way in and scoot to his wife's side. To him, it seems, he blinks... and then he's sitting down hard by Tiana, a small warm shape in his arms. The boy's still making noise, his initial squall dying down to a string of fretful whimpers, and the Captain's attention flits from him to his sister... and at last to their mother. His expression crumples visibly, wetness welling up in his ocean eyes, and yet there remains a huge, ridiculous, giddy smile upon his face. "((W-we got bairns, Ticha,))" he breathes, awed. Kephissa manouvers around Vardeus, collecting the soiled furs and everything before slipping out. She doesn't think she'll be missed for a while. Time to just let parenthood sit in for these two. Tiana nods her head and chuckles softly, "((Aye, Carrus, we have,))" she replies sounding more than a little mystified herself. Tears begin to well up in her own eyes as well as she reaches her free hand up to her husband's face, "((I wish you could have been here with me, instead of out there.))" Of course, she's forgotten all of the horrible things that she said through the labor. "((Th-they made me sit by th' fair,))" Vardeus murmurs sheepishly, blushing now. "((I-I-I was... I was nairvous, I guess! A wee bit nairvous!))" Slowly, gingerly, he eases himself down to lay their son upon his mother's breast. And then he reverently raises a hand up to the one that touches his cleanshaven cheek. "((I've nevah seen aught mair lovely in all me days...!))" Tiana smiles even as tears trail their way down her cheeks, "((I love you, Carrus.. I didn't mean whatever I said while you were out there,))" and in truth, she can barely recall a word of it but, she knows she wasn't exactly nice. "((Ye said aught? Went rayht by me, it did,))" the Captain rasps, sliding over to slip an arm as carefully as possible beneath his beloved's head and lay her down to nestle against him. With his other hand, he steadies first the girl-child and then the boy, whispering as he does over their tiny mewling voices, "((Been a long nayht... rest, me dearlin', rest. Ye, an' our beautiful bairns.))" Tiana cuddles against her husband's strong shoulder and can't resist the yawn that suddenly takes over. The exertion catches up to her and she quickly begins to drift off to sleep, "((I'm glad.. I wouldn't want you to think I was angry with you.))" she says in a dreamy sort of voice and then she's quiet, drifted off into the lands of dreams cradling both of the twins, who are quiet, for the moment. Even as the captain's family settles for the night, a hand slips into their tent leaving behind a pouch of salted, cured meat and a waterskin so the two new parents might have a bit more time before either has to leave the confines of their tent. That done, Raven slips back through the camp and heads for her own tent set up near the trees. [End log.]