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I Need a Favor
Sabin rides to Kamiki's teepee to ask her a favor - milk to feed the newborn foals Taraxippus and Arcana
Soquili of mine Involved: Taraxippus, Arcana, Nodin

http://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?t=10721921&page=6


Once again, the more arduous tasks of parentage fell on Sabin's shoulders. Anju had 'nominated' him to be the one to approach the medicine-woman Kamiki for assistance with feeding the new foals. And what fascinating foals they were! Sabin still couldn't shake the heebie-jeebies when he was around them, knowing full well what their parentage was, but he couldn't help but warm to them. And they were so new and helpless - and they desperately needed nourishment.

Anju's only 'attempt' had certainly not been sufficient, killing a small rabbit, tearing it to pieces and dropping it before the foals. Taraxippus had sniffed at it a little bit and mouthed a bit of it - but even if the little foal would take after his father's carnivorous tendencies, he was still a newborn - and didn't have the teeth to do so. And after that, Anju had pushed Sabin forward to Kamiki's teepee.

Sabin certainly hoped that she had the means to feed two motherless foals... Usually, foals were nursed within minutes of emerging from their baskets, so Sabin traveled quickly, taking Nodin to ride to the teepee further up the mountain.

When he arrived, he stroked Nodin's nose in thanks and left him to mingle and graze and tapped on the side of Kamiki's home.

Kamiki Awahi put the basket she was weaving carefully down on the blanket in front of her. She was wrapped only in a blanket, the thick hide of her home keepings the newborn winter winds at bay. Fall was quickly succumbing to winter, but that didn’t seem to phase the Soquili around. She had not seen so many pregnant or recently foaled mares in many years. Foaling baskets were in high demand.

For modesty’s sake, when she heard the tapping at her door, she slipped on a loose covering of deer-hide before opening the flap to teepee. “Hello, Sabin,” she said with a pleasant smile, motioning for him to come in. She put her slender hand on his shoulder as he passed, making sure the flap was secure behind him. “Its been a few weeks. There is something you need?” She learned a bit closer towards him as she asked, her voice low and undertoned with seduction.


Sabin's anxiety was quickly pushed aside at the comforting sight of the beautiful woman. He ran a hand through his wind-blown hair and drew up his best smile for the lady as he ducked into the teepee.

"It is wonderful to see you, Kamiki" He replied with a hand on hers. However, as much as Sabin would have wanted to make this a more pleasant visit, there were matters that needed to be seen to without delay.

"Yes, unfortunately, I've been kept away recently assisting one of the soquili who.. ah.. frequents my home with new arrivals... unfortunately there is a bit of a complication to the story. Namely, he's a lone stallion with two newly emerged foals and nothing to feed them..." Sabin trailed off with what he hoped was an endearing smile.

“What was a lone stallion doing with foals?” she asked, concerned. “What happened to the mother? Was she injured, did she reject the babies?”

She was already going through her small space, looking in storage baskets for materials. “Have you tried mashing up grass with some berries, sometimes they were take to that until you can procure milk. Though you may have to chew the grass first yourself, to make sure their tummies can digest it.”

"Uhm..." Sabin stalled with brilliant eloquence.

"Well... I think... uhm... he wanted to raise some of them himself. I don't think that he and the mare were... well.. mates per se.." Sabin gesticulated awkwardly.

"But yes, that's besides the point - he has them now and doesn't know how to feed them. Ah.. no, I hadn't thought about grass and berries..." Sabin sighed depreciatingly, "I'm afraid I'm not very good at this."

“Well, for whatever reason, you are lucky there are so many other mare that have milk right now. One of the mares that lives in the Mountain herd dropped three foals just about a week ago. She is heavy with milk, I can get some from her. You are feeding two mouths you say? You will have to ration carefully to be fair to the mare, as her three will come first in her eyes you understand.”

She found several leather water skeins and slung them over her shoulder. “I should have at least a bit for you by this evening, but in the meantime make sure they drink water and eat a bit.” She motioned to her lips. “Chew grass until its soft, put it in a bowl and mix with berries. You can chew nuts, too, but longer even than the grass. A little bit of deer’s blood can be mixed in if they are looking thin. But not too much.”

Sabin nodded at the instructions, making careful mental note. There was a bit of a fleeting wince on his face when she instructed him to chew grass, but at least he wasn't going to be eating it... And it was for the young ones...

"Thank you... I don't know what I'd do without you, Kamiki." He smiled warmly. "And judging on the father, I think some deer's blood added to the mixture might do the foals well." It was certainly going to be a busy couple of weeks, but hopefully rewarding. Sabin had come here for a change, and a change was precisely what this was. And even working closely with Anju for the same goal. It was... well, it was almost nice.

"So I'll come back here this evening then to pick up the milk?" Fortunately the frost hadn't killed the grass yet, and he had seen some ripe berries around his teepee.

She pursed her lips at the mention of the father and deers blood. “Well, deers blood is good for putting meat on bones, but I wouldn’t encourage that behavior much. They will learn well enough on their own if they truly have those… instincts.” She waved her hand. “Soquili are wonderful creatures. They will be up and eating on their own before you know it.”

She put her arm on his shoulder again. “Yes, please come back this evening. Perhaps if you foals eat well on grass, you will not be in such a hurry.” She let her touch linger on his arm as she looked directly into his eyes.

Sabin rolled his shoulders noncommittally. "Well... we'll see what happens. I'll see if I can get them to take to the mash as it is. And I think that they could use some good nourishment since they haven't done much more than drink water yet. But thank you. It is wonderful to have your expert advise in this matter. Thank you for the encouragement." He smiled. Her encouragement was quite welcome to the nervous ward of the foals. He had grown up on a very small farm, but it was nothing like this. And they had only had one mare that was grown by the time Sabin was old enough to start to learn about the intricacies of animal care.

A wide smile slid across Sabin's face at the innuendo. "Well... I certainly hope you're right." He winked and traced a finger over her jawline before heading back to the door-flap.

The Indian woman got two skeins of milk from a reluctant Kamiki. Ahawi did her best to reassure her that she would be fine, that as long as the foals were sucking her body would make enough to milk to feed them. She made up a special mash of her own for Kamiki to help her replenish her supplies. The mare said it tasted horrible, but she did as she was asked and let the two-legger and let Kamiki harvest the milk.

It was closing in on evening by the time Ahawi had made it back to her teepee. She set the skeins outside to keep them cool, and waited for Sabin to come collect.

Sabin thanked Nodin again before climbing back up on his back and riding back home, mind buzzing with the instructions and hoping that the foals were still alright back at the teepee.

He checked on them, asleep near the fire and curled up next to eachother - just as he had left him. But it had been many hours since their birth, nearly a day, and they looked weak.

Sabin immediately set out to gather the supplies, carrying a bowl that he mashed berries into while chewing on grass and spitting it in to add to it. It was a slow process, and Sabin wondered if he would ever get the foul taste of the grass out of his mouth once this was over. But within an hour or so, Sabin had most of the bowl filled. Then, heading back to the teepee, he added some deer's blood from a recent kill and stirred it all together.



Nudging the foals gently, they pricked up and sniffed at the bowl with their velvety muzzles. Sabin wished he had some sort of bottle, but the concern was short lived as subsequently each of them began to mouth the food. They were slow at first, but before long they were licking the bowl clean, and Sabin felt his nerves settling.

They were such a strange pair... The dark one looked so much like Anju - a shadowy perversion of the pristine white unicorn that he had bred with - And certainly a fascinating foal. nealy transparent, especially at his extremities - although as he ate he seemed to gain more substance. Sabin had almost wondered if the little foal would eat at all. The other one, it was beautiful - like something from a child's fairy story - and Sabin idly wondered how it could have come from Anju - perhaps it was the result of some blod that was not usually expressed in the shadowy creature, or likewise from the mother. He stroked its soft neckfur as it ate, and it whickered contentedly. And Sabin couldn't help but smile.

They were young, but as Kamiki said, surprisingly healthy even for newly emerged - there really must be some magic in the baskets that incubated them. And they would be growing fast - so Sabin would need to make frequent batches of the mash. It would keep him busy, but it was a welcome change of pace. Caring for something. Not having to worry about them.

Later that evening, after a second feeding, the foals were even up and wandering about the clearing by his teepee. He made another ride out to Kamiki's teepee and thankfully retreived the milk that she had procured for him.

Sabin was even sporting a genuine, smile. And seeing Kamiki only lifted his heart more. Things were looking up. This would be his routine for the next few weeks, helping Anju care for the foals, and it was very fulfilling.

The foals grew stronger, and larger and Sabin found himself looking forward to his daily visits to Kamiki's teepee.

Brigitte's conscious was never one to really keep track of niggling details such as long-term memory. However, occasionly it was

punctuated with flashes of things - perhaps they were memories. Perhaps they were just dredged from Brigitte's unconscious and

had no more relevance to the real world than the secrets shared among clouds. Sometimes, it was a distant land, people who

adored her. Sometimes it was a skull-faced stallion who understood her. And sometimes it was jealous ravens who circled

overhead. Usually these visions came in whisps that seemed to pass through her skull - from some unknown origin that were

gone almost as soon as they passed through.

But at this moment, she was experiencing another of these thoughts - and one that had passed through her mind on more than one occasion today. In fact, more than one occassion each day for about a week now. It was the image of a firey stallion - one that made her feel strangely. And Brigitte couldn't quite describe if it was a good or bad feeling.

She nibbled at some of the prickly bushes that grew along the edge of her resting spot. It was the spot where her thoughts were clearest, where bodies had been laid to rest. She had grown heavier lately, and she was finding it harder to move about. The crawling darkness that made up her flesh had been particularly solid recently, especially around her midsection. The spiritual moaning that often reached her ears had a different tone to it. She felt odd. Irritable, and Brigitte's already vulgar language had been particulary vile - sending the occasional other soquili that she spotted off quickly on their way.

**

Sabin, meanwhile, was out for the third time of the day gathering berries and grasses for the foals back home. He had seen Brigitte from time to find, and in his ... eccentric... tastes, had found the mare fascinating. However, he did a doubletake when he saw the mare's belly swollen. Could she really be heavy with foal?? Sabin's mouth twitched as he edged closer to the ancient gravesite.

Brigitte paused, her ears pressing back and unleashing an unholy whinny at the intruder that seemed to reverberate from her whole body.

This... would not be good. Sabin had lived near Brigitte long enough to know the mare's insanity. There was no way that she would be a fit mother. Sabin doubted that she had even arranged for baskets to shelter the eventual newborns.

He'd have to do something to account for that.... besides... what sort of young would Brigitte bear?

Sabin's eyes shone. He was already looking after two foals... and he was enjoying it! And what ideal siblings for Anju's progeny....

Sabin knew, as he watched Brigitte from a safe distance with the pile of three baskets that he had been given by Kamiki, that this was not going to be an easy task.

The chilling mare had been packing around the graveyard mumbling to herself all afternoon, and her stomach was looking particularly swollen with the shadows crawling over her like agitated bees. He knew that she would be giving birth soon, it was just a matter of time. Taraxippus had come with him to assist, and was waiting besides him, watching the eerie mare with a mute curiousity. Sabin and Anju had already agreed that this was going to be for the best, not to mention they were fairly certain that Brigitte's progeny would find a suitable home with them and their soon to be adopted siblings. Taraxippus, for one, was highly interested in the idea of a sibling that perhaps would be a better cohort than Arcana.

It was hours before Brigitte, with a blast of shrieking vulgarity that nearly turned Sabin's ears red finally went down to her knees. But, mercifully for brigitte, and probably due to her odd anatomy, the birthing went quickly. There wasn't exactly much in the way of flesh over the mare's bones, and the shadows were giving. So, first one, then a second, and then a third tiny foal emerged from the mare - tiny, helpless, and premature as the soquili fashion - so young that their colors were still dunn and their features hard to distinguish. They needed to act fast before the elements got to them. Already, Brigitte was shaking her head in confusion and getting to her feet, hardly even paying the newborns a moment's attention.

With a nod to Taraxippus, he trotted around to the other side of the perimeter of the burial site. Brigitte was looking exhausted... but exhaustion would not stop the mare from defending 'her' territory and the sacred graveyard. She bellowed at Taraxippus who, with a calm and smug demeanor, baited Brigitte to follow him.

Sabin, with all the stealth he could muster - which was rather impressive - stole into the clearing with the baskets in hand and to the three tiny foals curled on the ground. Then, with the utmost care, he tucked each one into a basket, making sure that they were warm and dry, and then sealed them tightly closed. Moments later, he could feel a healthy warmth coming from each one.

Then, carefully, he retreated from the clearing, and flashed a signal in Taraxippus's direction once he was out.

Taraxippus performed his side of the task flawlessly. And with pride, he succesfully manipulated Brigitte, keeping her attention but out of the way of her bony hooves until Sabin had done what he needed to. Then, when clear, he gave a mocking bow to the mare and disappeared into the shadows.

Later, they rendezvoused back at Sabin's teepee, with the three new baskets wrapped in a large bison skin blanket near the fire. Sabin was beaming as he watched them and thanked and congradulated Taraxippus.

"Fantastic work.. and thank you, again, for your help. These new foals owe you their lives as well. And soon you'll have new siblings." Taraxippus sniffed inquisitively at the lips of the baskets, ears flicked forward.

"Three more will be a lot to care for, however..." Sabin continued with a mote of anxiety. Gavin, the tiny usdia, also sniffed nervously at the new additions to the teepee before ducking back into another pile of blankets on the other side of Sabin.

"Well... we'll figure something out." He mused with a smile.

For the second time Anju found himself poised over two baskets brimming with life. It only seemed like days to the shadowy stallion since the last time. But, so much had changed between then and now. Last time, he had stood alone in pointed fascinatino as he waited for two new lives to join his. He had been alone in his anticipation then. This time, however, he was far from privacy. His two children - the very same foals that he had greeted to the world last time - stood by his side. Taraxippus mirroed the anju's anticipation. Arcana, however, stood closer to the teepee. She seemed vaguely upset, but Anju was never one to decipher such weak emotions, nor did he care really why. Finally, there was the strange dwarf ... thing that Sabin with his bleeding heart had taken in. It was worse than the dopey, overly friendly horse, Nodin, that had been there for years. At least Nodin generally had the good sense to stay away when ANju didn't want company. The little... horse - and it barely fit the definition, was persistant in its desire not to be alone. Anju had warned Sabin that if it got too close, not to be surprised if it ended up as his next meal. The little horse was barely larger than a rabbit. So after snapping at him when he had sniffed at the baskets, he had squeaked and fled back to the door of the teepee, but he still watched on curiously, huffing every now and then with his head on his hooves.


About twenty minutes ago the baskets had begun to wiggle and the crowd had drawn without Anju making any sort of announcement. He had high hopes for these foals. Much like last time. But he had always found the crazy mare who lived near by fascinating. And for once, Anju commended Sabin's decision to take them in. While he had never visualized - or even LIKED the concept of being a part of a group, and he had rejected even like-minded company in the past... something about being with Sabin had changed the shadow. He cursed him for it, but there wasn't much that he could do about it. In the back of his mind, the idea of a herd of his own was a strange, but intersting concept. Hand-picked members. Truly bringing terror to those lesser soquili. But company had never been a requirement before. And Anju wasn't sure if it was what he wanted. He had always been a simple creature before he had come here. And he had been so good at doing his thing, and doing it alone. But he had come here for a change. HE had been tired and bored of his ways. But now, they seemed comforting in the face of so very MUCH change.

Not a word of Anju's concerns were uttered. Instead, he poised unmoving above the baskets while they strained with the life that struggled for freedom.

Taraxippus, meanwhile, stood proudly by his father. Unlike Anju, Tara had no reservations about new additions to their growing herd. To him, it merely meant more influence, and that was a very good thing. Even the scent of these baskets seemed to brim with a darkness that Taraxippus approved of. Maybe unlike his sister, these new foals would have the courage and the mettle to do what needed to be done to be strong. And since he was the eldest, they would be looking up to him... a small smile formed on the shadowy unicorn's mouth as he saw fire begin to lick along the rim of one of the baskets.

Arcana, meanwhile, could not match the stallions' enthusiasm. Quite the opposite. She had never felt farther from her father. She had struggled for his approval, eating up any snippet of approval. However, she just couldn't bring herself to be what he wanted her to be most of the time. Taraxippus, meanwhile, took to Anju's teaching like a duck to water. ANd now, with two new lives about to join theirs... she couldn't get over the thought that these new adopted lives would be closer to her family than she. It wasn't fair. She barely had time to prove herself before these new lives barged in! So what if she looked funny. SO what if she didn't have Taraxippus's cruel streak to like torturing bunnies? She snorted, flicked her tail, and wandered over to lie down next to the tiny usdia foal. While tiny, the little foal was infinately more empathic than her father, and she smiled bitterly as he nuzzled against her with big, soulful brown eyes.

Finally, with a gush of flame, and then a sharp kick, the fist basket tore open with a stench of sulfur and smoke and a small black filly shook herself free of the splinters and smouldering embers of the remnants of the basket with a triumphant snort. She craned her neck up at the stallions, ears flicking, before displaying a toothy smile with a strange glint in her firey eyes.


Anju felt that strange sensation in his chest again. The good one. It was like a touch of succinct pleasure, anticipation.... that pride. The second basket was not far behind the first, horns and sharp hooves broke the basket and another filly joined the first. He would have to make sure to pay a visit on the third child, the one that Sabin sent to Kamiki. What was going to happen from here? Anju didn't know. But... perhaps they were going well. And now he had extra help from Taraxippus.... and Arcana as well he supposed... which could give him time to himself when he needed it. Change was difficult. But change was what he asked for. And while these new fillies may not be his flesh and blood like Taraxippus.... they would learn from him.



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Taraxippus encounters a strange, standoffish pure kalona mare, Izusa, and manages to gain her trust. They go on a hunt for a boar, and then Izusa takes Taraxippus back to her hideaway.... An encounter that ultimately results in Izusa becoming pregnant.

"It'd take alot more than a bit of cold to chill anything of mine. I've taken alot more than winter is willing to toss my way and have faired better.." She lifted her head proudly.


"Thank you for the offer, I can fly in short bursts before I tire out. It'll be nice to have a bit of rest...they're feisty already." She sent her belly a soft wistful smile. She nodded her head, she'd go with him, it'd be best for the safety and good being of the foals.


"I cannot wait to be a mother for the first time..Again, your to kind. Im greatful though for such fine strong stock to be mingled with my own. Wings and horns shall aid our children." She was very proud of the fact he was their father, though, she suddenly thought of his mate, how would she react to this. "Im sure your mate will want a chunk of my hide though."


Balrog's ego had been even larger than normal after his initial encounter with Anemone, if such a thing were possible. He had found a like-minded mare, and it had been a glorious release of months of pent-up stress regarding the status of his herd. And beyond that, there had been a glimmer of hope at the chance of bringing new wind soquili into the world.

He hadn't seen much of the new mare since their first encounter, but Balrog had kept an eye out after he had, eventually, returned to the duties of his herd, hoping to see her grey form again. Food had been growing scarce, especially in the land outside of their territory now that it was the dead of winter. And he found himself worried about her health.

Then, one morning, a flash of vibrant bluegreen caugh his eye as he soared along the perimeter of their territory. It was her! There was no mistaking the soft grey accented with those colors. Eagerly, he circled and touched down nearby, nickering a welcome.

"Anemone! I had wondered when I would see you again! I feared that the winter had driven you from these lands..." He trailed off as he saw her bloated stomach and his heart flickered. She was with foal - there was no other explanation in these hungry months. His ears pricked forward and an eager light kindled in his eyes.

"Anemone..." He breathed again, this time with much more reverence. "It warms my heart to see you faring so well... you are positively glowing."


At the sound of his wings, her head snapped up towards his flying form. He looked glorious in flight, full of power and pride. Something she didnt mind being passed on to the foals within her, it still shocked her a bit. Knowing she was creating life, well aiding the creation of life within her, a soft smile tugged at her muzzle as he landed.

"Ah, winter has to bite a bit harder before driving me anywhere." She tossed her mane, true food was harder to find, but if she searched hard and long enough it was always found. She watched his eyes travel to her swollen belly, ah he now knew, she shifted her wings and smirked.

"You flatter me Balrog.." She mused with a light laugh, "Its a wonder to see you once more as well, been looking for you I have, though its getting harder and harder to fly these days. Energy isnt something I can waste these days.." She used her lion tail to stroke her swollen belly. "Ready to be a father hmm?" she arched a brow, she was sure he'd fathered his share of foals.


A broad smile spread across Balrog's face at Anemone's bravado in the face of the weather. "I am glad that the cold has not chilled you firey spirit, Anemone." He swished his tail.

"And allow me, please, to help make things as comfortable as possible for you! Can you fly in your condition? Please, let me take you somewhere comfortable, safe. Our herdlands were carefully selected. You will have me and my fine daughters to watch over the skies." He answered her unspoken question.

"And I cannot wait to be a father again... I cannot think of a finer mare to bear my children.." Already he felt a pang of guilt. But wasn't it the truth? Anemone seemed to share his strong convictions - their offspring must therefore as well! Perhaps... she was even more vehement in her beliefs than he.... and besides, she even had the horn that might pass to their children. She was strong, fair, and healthy.

"It'd take alot more than a bit of cold to chill anything of mine. I've taken alot more than winter is willing to toss my way and have faired better.." She lifted her head proudly.


"Thank you for the offer, I can fly in short bursts before I tire out. It'll be nice to have a bit of rest...they're feisty already." She sent her belly a soft wistful smile. She nodded her head, she'd go with him, it'd be best for the safety and good being of the foals.


"I cannot wait to be a mother for the first time..Again, your to kind. Im greatful though for such fine strong stock to be mingled with my own. Wings and horns shall aid our children." She was very proud of the fact he was their father, though, she suddenly thought of his mate, how would she react to this. "Im sure your mate will want a chunk of my hide though."


"It is amazing that your temper doesn't melt the snow." Balrog praised. Nothin seemed to dampen the mare's spirit since he saw it kindle in her. Certainly, she had seemed reserved at first encounter - nervous... hurt in the past. But since their conversation she was more alive with passion and drive than any other Soquili Balrog knew.

He nodded decisively. "They we shall go. We shall proceed on foot until we need to fly to conserve you energy. Come." He tossed his head again and began to lead her back the direction he had come. There were parts of the journey that really weren't very accessable except from the air. He had made sure of it when he chose the territory. It would be very difficult terrain for any groundbound horse to navigate, and across paths that were very visable from the air for those Soquili who did the patrolling from the sky.

"You shall make a fine mother, Anemone. As far as Stormwild goes.... allow me to speak with her." She was right, of course. Stormwild would not be pleased. But he could not let her and Anemone have it out face to face. For the sake of their children at the very least. Besides... he had a few bones to pick with her as to his own motivations for seeking consolation in the company of this mare. Ideals that Stormwild seemed to fail to understand.

CORGI-USDIAS! Abandoned? RP with Gavin, Piggy and Scarlet



http://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?t=11672165

The pains had started earlier, but as the night grew on into the lights of sunrise, she knew she was in full blown labor. Her sides heaved as she whined softly, oh she'd known pain but this was something else.

She fanned herself with her wings as she panted, where was Balrog? She thought as she looked around. They were coming, and no one not even she was about to stop them, she had nested a nice little patch of heaven for herself in their foaling grounds. She glanced around once more, before calling out for him.."Balrog..." She pinned her ears back as another wave of pain stabbed her sides.

Oh yes, they were coming with great need to be free..She was so proud already.



Balrog heard Anemone's voice clear on the still winter morning. It had been a cold, cloudless night. The air was still and even small noises carried far. The entire mountain seemed to be holding its breath, waiting for something to occur.

Balrog lifted his head and pricked his ears. He heard her voice, strained, scared. And he knew what time it was. The sleep washed away from him as if he had been doused with a bucket of cold water. He was on his feet and flying towards the mare.

She wasn't far - the foaling grounds were in the middle of the territory - sheltered and protected by ridges. An oasis among the rocks that was very difficult to get to on foot.

"Anemone!" He breathed as he landed. He could see her panting, sweating despite the cold. "Is it time? Shall I fetch the shaman??"

As he landed, she felt a bit more at ease. With a nod of her head she let a small smile crack through as she gritted through the pain, "Yes its time.." She lowered her head and rubbed her muzzle against the side of her hooves as another contraction raced through her.

"Please fetch the shaman...N-nothing can happen to them." She was worried that she'd mess up somehow. New to the whole birthing process, she'd heard stories of mares getting up and racing away through the pair, their foal dangling to their death. She didnt want that to happen..

She wished silently that her father was there, but Balrog would have most likely protested to the unicorn being on his lands.



Balrog gave her a reassuring nuzzle. Despite the drama with her and StormWild, Balrog was brimming with pride. His foals were coming.

"You are strong, Anemone. You will be a fantastic mother for our children. And you will make it through this." His voice was its familiar rumble, but thick with reassurance.

He paused for a moment more, poised, wings open as he looked over the birthing mare before taking to the skies again. Kamiki Ahawi's teepee was close - and the proximity to their foaling grounds was no accident. She had assisted more than one mare of his herd through the grueling process that Balrog could barely stand to watch. And her baskets were always expertly woven, and not once had they lost a foal due to an improper basket.

The stallion arrived at the edge of her teepee, not minding the noisy touchdown with his hurry, and began pawing at the flap of the teepee, whinnying insistantly.

Kamiki heard the deep rumble of the black stallion outside her teepee. She had seen the new swollen mares around the land and made her plans accordingly. She called a reassurance to Balrog and swiftly retrieved the three baskets she had prepared. She gave them a quick once-over to make sure everything was good and exited the teepee, placing a reassuring hand on his neck.

In the distance, as they left, Stormwild peered out from her thicket next to the teepee. Her ears folded back against her head, she watched her beloved Balrog lead her away. Against her better judgement, she followed several lengths behind.



Balrog tossed his head, obviously anxious, but not trying to shake Kamiki's hand from his neck. He nosed her, encouraging her to walk quickly by his side as he began to lead her towards the foaling grounds, despite the fact that she had visited many times before. In his haste, Balrog was oblivious to the shadow that followed behind them.

It took a while longer longer to get back to Anemone than it did to travel to the shaman's teepee now that Balrog was walking. It reminded him, in the corner of his mind, how pitiful the groundbound soquili were - having to walk everywhere, move slowly, navigating steep passes or thick woods. This was not the way of those who ruled the skies.

Eventually, the woods opened up again to the foaling grounds and Balrog nosed Kamiki forward before joining Anemone to see how she was doing.

Anemone hadnt ever really dealt with humans before, her father had a favored human but Anemone hadnt really decided what she thought or felt for them.

Seeing the young woman with Balrog eased her mind a little, though her ears perked forward as her bright eyes danced with a mingle of excitement and pain. There were two new scents, Anemones eyes darted away from the woman shifting to the shadows, she wasnt sure who was out there, she let out a snort as she shifted.

Pain. By the gods was it annoying and humbling at the same time she thought, as she took a deep breath. "Shes safe?" she asked Balrog, her voice strong.

She was ready, more along the lines they were ready.


Balrog took his place by Anemone's side, shifting uncomfortably from hoof to hoof. He never liked watching his part. Seeing the mares in this amount of discomfort, and there being nothing that he could do. They also tended to be moody and snappy during the process.

He nodded to Anemone. "She is safe. She has helped our herd many times before. Her medicine is strong." And more importantly, this woman had never tried to take or break any of the soquili of his herd. He had seen some around her teepee, but they were there willingly, unchained or tethered like some he had seen around villages when he had flown over. She respected the soquili but did not interfere unless her presence was sought for the pregnant or birthing mares.

Kamiki made her way over to the panting mare, dipping a blanket into a pot of water and placing it over her neck. Labor was always a tricky thing, sometimes taking only minutes and others it was hours on end. She sat down and made herself as comfortable as she good, chanting comforting prayers to Anemone and setting out the baskets around her. She gave a worried look out into the woods near the clearing, knowing who was there, watching.


It was a straining few hours later, that three foals laid nestled in three little baskets by their mothers side. She was tired as she continued to nose, and nuzzle them proudly, her body was a bit weak from the onslaught of pain that the trio had been hell bent on causing her upon their arrival to the world.

With a huff of hair, she blew at her jagged bangs and sent a smile at Balrog. "Well, it seems we've furthered the cause, 3 times more.." She gave a slight dark laugh as she curled her lions tail around the baskets, the third and unknown scent still kept her on edge, her eyes darting into the shadows, a snort echoing out.

"Suppose I should linger much longer..Im sure your mate isnt pleased by this.." She smiled a bit but then took a breath and eyed the shaman slowly, she was greatful to the young woman. She reached out and nose her hand a bit, she was a bit reserved about humans.

Balrog was fixated on Anemone during the process, and was unaware of the other presence that lingered behind the treeline, even when the presence drifted away sometime after the birthing.

Balrog leaned down and nuzzled at the baskets proudly. Three foals. Anemone was a strong mother and had endured the birthing, and bore him three fine children. The shaman even seemed to think that they might all be sons, though it was too premature to know for certain at this point.

"You were very strong and brave, Anemone. Three foals!" His chest puffed out.

"And... why wouldn't you wish to stay here?" Balrog was caught offguard by Anemone's darkness. Certainly, Stormwild was not fond of this mare, to put it lightly. But she was the mother of his foals now. And they were the start of a new generation.


"Aye, three foals...such beautiful strong spirits.." She fussed a bit over the baskets tenderly as any mother would. Keeping herself close to them, spring was peeking out, but winters chill was still clutched to the land.

She looked to Balrog fondly with a smile, "We both know it would be best if I didnt stay. Im willing to become a mother for the greater good, but Im not the kind of girl that lingers were shes not wanted." She teased him a bit with a grin.

Nosing a basket that seemed to hold her striped markings she could feel the strong will and firey spirit within, she looked to Balrog. "I think it would be best if one stayed with you, to further the cause here.." She nodded her head. "And the other two helped the cause with me, out there.." She tossed her mane.

Balrog clenched his teeth, his jaw muscles bulging. He was obviously not happy with Anemone's announcement. "You should stay." He pressed. "I have the strength to look over you. To look over our sons." However, despite the fact that he pronounced these words, there was a tone to his rumbling voice that seemed to indicate that he already knew that he had lost the argument. Anemone knew she wasn't wanted. Balrog knew that as long as she was here, that Stormwild would be upset. And he DID care about the mare. she HAD given up a lot for him. Their last argument still stung him.

He heaved a sigh, rustling his wings.

"Anemone, you know I can't make you stay. I would very much like for you to. You impress me. You have such a vibrancy, such a spirit. And I am sure that our sons will carry that spirit with them. I would love to see you soaring with our herd and realizing our dream alongside me."

Balrog's nose rubbed gently against the firey basket that she had offered him. "He shall know strength... and a loving father."