Log Date: Late April 1992 Log Intro: This log describes the birth of Fhen, while his mother Duskshadow was in the clutches of Tash, and a rescue party led by Woodhawk and Trollkiller was trying to rescue her. ---------- From: ingate!moran73@sage.cc.purdue.edu To: annak@microsoft.com Date: Monday, April 27, 1992 16:30 Received: from sage.cc.purdue.edu by ingate.microsoft.COM id aa10797; Mon, 27 Apr 92 14:55:28 PDT Received: by sage.cc.purdue.edu (5.61/Purdue_CC) id AA18878; Mon, 27 Apr 92 16:54:38 -0500 Date: Mon, 27 Apr 92 16:54:38 -0500 From: Kristin Moran Message-Id: <9204272154.AA18878@sage.cc.purdue.edu> Sweetleaf crawls over to Duskshadow, murmurring, "Yes, cubling, I'm here...." Duskshadow wraps her arms around the healer, sobbing Sweetleaf says softly, "How are you feeling?" and hugs Duskshadow to his chest. Outside the cage, Tash laughs, and inhales deeply, tasting Duskshadow's pain. Sweetleaf strokes Duskshadow's hair and smiles down into her face. Outside the cage, Tash pulls aside the beads and enters the northern hut. Duskshadow sniffles slightly, whispering "pain...take it away..." Sweetleaf rustles in his pouch. "Is it time yet for the birthing, or only to stop the pain?" Sweetleaf gave you willowbark. Duskshadow clenches a fist "i didn't think...he would hurt so much...he wants to come out..." a tiny scrap of pale-grey material, thin and soft as tissue Your 'magic feeling' tingles, and you sense that this plant has been shaped. Sweetleaf murmurs, "Eat the willowbark -- he doesn't mean to hurt you; he will be here as soon as you and he can manage..." Duskshadow places the piece of bark in her mouth, and gazes into the healer's eyes The willowbark is soft on your tongue, tasting warm and a little bit sour.. You whisper "hokay" to Sweetleaf. A deep warmth settles into your womb, as the willowbark begins to take effect. Duskshadow sighs softly Sweetleaf places a hand gently on Duskshadow's belly. "Gently in there, little one...." Duskshadow glances outside "why...why is he keeping us?" Sweetleaf glances out of the cage, appearing to just notice Tash. "I have no idea Sweetleaf ....but don't worry; this cage won't hold us when we are ready to travel." Duskshadow travel? where? Sweetleaf smiles down at his tribesmate. "Home, I suppose; I've been wandering around this jungle for awhile, and although it's a fascinating place I assume you'll want to bring your cub back to our holt." Duskshadow grins slightly, and nods Sweetleaf touches the wooden bars of the cage, with the air of someone taking the hand of an old friend. Duskshadow watches the healer curiously Sweetleaf smiles down at the metal-shaper. "Not yet, little dear; we have some work to do here first." other elves?" Duskshadow closes her eyes for a moment, glad for the willowbark.. Dawnbringer> Wildoak would risk not-bonding for Duskshadow... Wildoak sends *I hear you, luv...I don;t think I'll be here, though.* Sweetleaf blinks at the mushroom on the floor. "Now how did that get here?" You say "Wildoak gave it to me..but I wouldn't eat it...musta dropped it earlier" Sweetleaf laughs. "It's one of mine. It won't hurt you. I'd wondered what Wildoak had done with it...." mushroom has left. Duskshadow grins slightly Sweetleaf pops the little mushroom into his mouth. A moment later, his eyes grow wide as the shroom's effects become apparent, and a rather silly smile spreads across his face. Sweetleaf pops the little mushroom into his mouth. A moment later, his eyes grow wide as the shroom's effects become apparent, and a rather silly smile spreads across his face. Sweetleaf pops the little mushroom into his mouth. A moment later, his eyes grow wide as the shroom's effects become apparent, and a rather silly smile spreads across his face. Sweetleaf's silly smile grows wider, and he twitches slightly. Sweetleaf's silly smile grows wider, and he twitches slightly. Sweetleaf's silly smile grows wider, and he twitches slightly. Stormwolf, OOC, watches Sweetleaf get _really_ stoned. Sweetleaf smiles. "I needed that...." Dawnbringer> Wildoak decides that if Wolfrunner can 'do his thing', Wildoak will go along with it. Dawnbringer> Dawnbringer licks Wildoak's fingers excitedly Dawnbringer> Wildoak doesn't lick Dawnbringer's paws. Duskshadow watches the healer strangely.. Dawnbringer> Windcharger arrives from the side of the Old Willow. Dawnbringer> Windcharger has arrived. Dawnbringer> Windcharger made it, finally... Dawnbringer> Woodhawk looks up as Windcharger arrives. "I see you've been alerted." He grins a little. Dawnbringer> Woodhawk looks around at the three standing, then... "I know of some others, but I don't know if I can reach them... what of the three of you?" Dawnbringer> Windcharger nods. "I have." Dawnbringer> Woodhawk says "Do you know who else can go to Duskshadow's aid?" Sweetleaf giggles a little, then smiles reassuringly at Duskshadow. "Don't fret, I'm still here. But I don't like having Tash pushing at my mind; I'd rather keep it strange enough in there to keep him out." Duskshadow ohs, not quite convinced...but she isn't gonna argue.. Sweetleaf smiles absently, and whispers, "Don't worry about it; you have other things to do now." Duskshadow nods A ripple of pressure runs through your abdomen, and a whisper of your new cub's soulname touches the edges of your mind. Duskshadow gasps slightly Outside the cage, Tash draws aside the beads and emerges from the northern hut. Outside the cage, Tash looks between the bars of the cage, a single eyebrow raised at the activity within. Dawnbringer> Woodhawk nods to his tribesmate. *Aye. Duskshadow and her youngling will need a ride back.* You send *...faun...he..com.ng...* to Wildoak. Duskshadow narrows her eyes at her captor Sweetleaf smiles at Tash. Outside the cage, Tash speaks in a low voice. "Will you make another prisoner for me, little one?" Dawnbringer> Wildoak grins. "Sterling is MY wolf, she can go in my stead." Duskshadow moans softly, and turns away Sweetleaf cradles Duskshadow against him, and smiles at Tash again. "The cub will be a pretty one, don't you think? Perhaps he'll take after his mother..." Duskshadow smiles slightly up at Sweetleaf Another ripple of pressure, edged with pain, and the intense memory of your Recognition. Duskshadow moans softly, covering her face with her eyes..*Chitter...* with her hands, that is Outside the cage, Tash points a finger at a far corner of the cage. Stormwolf, formerly unconscious, awakes with a start. Wildoak sends *OOC Heyla, imp....sorry, trying to dodge RL. IC Duskshadow! Luv!?* Sweetleaf looks at Stormwolf with some surprise. You send *OOC> S'okay, I understand. IC>...luv..pain..Chi...r..* to Wildoak. Stormwolf is jerked to his feet, stands and stares at Tash, unblinking. Duskshadow lowers her hands and watches Stormwolf fearfully... Another press in your abdomen, harder than the first. Stormwolf begins to tremble violently, but his eyes never move. Outside the cage, Tash stares at Stormwolf, and his eyes narrow. Stormwolf whispers "Don't let this disturb your birthing." Sweetleaf gazes down at Duskshadow, a gentle hand on her belly. "Would you eat an herb, now? I think the cub needs to come soon..." Duskshadow nods slightly Sweetleaf gave you birthing herbs. The birthing herbs seems to melt in your mouth, leaving an aftertaste that is both earthy and sweet. A pleasant tingling feeling runs down your spine and into your womb, and silver stars twinkle in the corner of your vision as the soulnames of yourself, your Recognized, and the baby seem to echo through your heart. Duskshadow smiles Sweetleaf gently helps Duskshadow into a crouching position. Outside the cage, Tash loses interest in Stormwolf. He averts his eyes, and Stormwolf falls fothe ground, sobbing. birthing herbs has left. Duskshadow moves as Sweetleaf directs... Outside the cage, Tash watches Duskshadow carefully. Sweetleaf stares at Stormwolf, briefly distracted, and whispers, "Heyla, old tribesmate..." Duskshadow gazes up at the ceiling of the cage, thoughts running through her head...of other times... Stormwolf curls up in a ball and remains on the floor, trembling. You send *...pain is..gone....Chit..r....Fhen* to Wildoak. Duskshadow shakes her head slightly, clearing it for a moment..."cant have a cubling with pants on..."... Sweetleaf giggles, and helps Duskshadow in arranging her clothes more appropriately. Another wave of contractions passes through Duskshadow's body, just as she gets her pants off.... Duskshadow whimpers, trembling slightly... The cub shifts inside Duskshadow's body, and he is ready to be born.... Sweetleaf takes up a position at Duskshadow's side, simultaneously supporting her and ready to help with the arrival of the newborn.... Duskshadow moans softly "..chitter....wildoak...sweetleaf..Fhen" and grips Sweetleaf's hand tightly You send *...fhen..coming....love...* to Wildoak. Another contraction, and Sweetleaf cradles Duskshadow gently, crooning wordless encouragement to her.... Wildoak sends *I'm not, luv...Sterling is...and the rest of the tribe...following Silkypaws.* Duskshadow grits her teeth, looking up into Sweetleaf's eyes... You send to Wildoak, *Duskshadow nods slightly...* Wildoak sends *OC, Sorry kiddo...i screwed up.* Outside the cage, Tash watches with quiet interest. Sweetleaf smiles down at the metalshaper, looking deep into her eyes. "When you're ready..." he whispers.... Duskshadow nods, and closes her eyes tightly...she strains.... The top of the cub's head appears. You send *S'okay, faun* to Wildoak. Duskshadow pants slightly, then pushes again, gripping Sweetleaf's hand tightly Wildoak sends *No its not, but you're being a sport...* Sweetleaf murmurs, "Very good, little mother!" and grips Duskshadow's hand in return. With his other hand, he reaches gently down to help the cub. You send *well, I'm not really in a position to argue--the cub's here, whether we like it or not...* to Wildoak. Sweetleaf sends *Keep at it; the others are on the way....* Wildoak sends *The whole reason I bothered with the broken leg bit is because I figured I'd be busy in Rl...* The cub's red face emerges, and Sweetleaf quickly puts a hand down to guide it. Duskshadow moans, and strains again...*..wildoak...chitter....Fhen* Sweetleaf joins his sending to Duskshadow's -- * duskshadow, willowholt, Fhen....* Duskshadow looks up at the healer again, and pushes hard, panting... The cub's entire upper body has emerged. Sweetleaf grins at Duskshadow in triumph -- "Push!" Duskshadow whimpers softly, but strains again, gazing into Sweetleaf's eyes... You send *Yeah, I understand..* to Wildoak. Sweetleaf joins his mind with Duskshadow'sand the cub's in a final effort -- *...Fhen...* Duskshadow presses, gritting her teeth *...Fhen..welcome to the world...* And thnewborn wriggles, and emerges from his mother's body into the wider world. Sweetleaf dropped blanket. Outside the cage, Tash chuckles and gazes at the cub. Sweetleaf throws his arms around Duskshadow in an enormous hug. Duskshadow lies back, panting... Fhen has left. blanket has left. Duskshadow smiles weakly I love you, Kristin! Sweetleaf picks up the newborn, and wraps it gently in a soft blanket. Sweetleaf gives both blanket and baby to Duskshadow, beaming and smiling, and saying, "That's well, then....the little one will want to nurse...." Fhen cries out for the first time, a surprisingly loud sound midway between a baby's cry and a wolf's howl! Duskshadow struggles into a sitting position, leaning against the wall of the cage... Stormwolf looks up at the sound of the cub's cry. Sweetleaf beams delightedly up at Tash and Stormwolf. "Isn't he beautiful?" Wildoak sends *From far away I heard a cry* Wildoak sends *I sit alone and breathe a sigh.* Duskshadow looks down, and pulls up her smock, then holds the cub gently to her, urging him to nurse.. Wildoak sends *I cannot ride nor render aid* You send *Fhen just entered the world, love...* to Wildoak. Fhen seizes his mother's breast eagerly, and begins to nurse with vigor. Wildoak sends *And for your safety I'm afraid.* Sweetleaf chuckles. "Enthusiastic little cub, isn't he?" Wildoak sends *Wildoak is happy and sad...* Duskshadow grins up at the healer "ai" Stormwolf sits up, his trembling ceased, and gazes at the cub. Sweetleaf smiles at Stormwolf, and extends a hand towards him. Stormwolf pages: When the attack comes, Tash may try to do something nasty to the cub. Be prepared for it. Sweetleaf murmurs to Duskshadow, "Lean back a moment; the afterbirth needs to come...." Stormwolf slowly crosses the cage, approaching the others. Duskshadow nods, and does as he asks.. Sweetleaf gently takes the afterbirth from Duskshadow's body, and bites the umbilical cord through. Sweetleaf murmurs, half to Stormwolf, half to himself, "A new tribesmate....welcome to the little one...." Duskshadow gazes down at the new cub, oblivious to everything else around her.. Stormwolf smiles at the cub. Fhen looks back up at his mother, his gaze not yet focussed, but his eyes a clear leaf-green.... Outside the cage, Tash shouts "NO!" and raises his hand. Stormwolf is knocked backwards, and lands on his back, staring at the sky. Sweetleaf crouches by his tribesmate. Sweetleaf looks up at Tash, his expression more confused than angry. "Why are you doing that?"