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Post by Ammit on Aug 24, 2014 2:50:06 GMT
Last Ate: Day 9 Health: 68/68
Ammit grinned, thinking over some names in her head. "Well... I'll have to think of names when they're born, then. Always nice to see them when they're born before naming them," she said, still smiling. Ashur was going to stay, and even though she was fairly indifferent to his presence during the birthing, it comforted her knowing he'd be there.
"I, uh... I'd like to apologize for the awkwardness earlier, Ashur. The pains were starting to settle in and it played with my emotions," she said, chuckling a bit. Ashur had been confused by her earlier behavior, and she saw it fit to apologize for it.
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Post by Ashur on Aug 24, 2014 2:58:17 GMT
Health: 86/86 Last Ate: Day 8
Ashur grunted and shrugged. "You seem to do that a lot. I'm getting used to it." He'd gotten used to it with Dnali, anyway. It was still strange, but so long as they knew that he would wasn't, nor would ever be, the romantic type, he supposed it was alright if lionesses were affectionate every now and then.
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Post by Ammit on Aug 24, 2014 3:03:35 GMT
Last Ate: Day 9 Health: 68/68
Ammit grinned, knowing Ashur was slowly growing accustomed to her affection. He never responded much to it, but it helped her feel better, even if he didn't react. The pain began to grow even more, and after a moment, Ammit gritted her teeth, muffling a roar.
"The cubs," she growled, rolling onto her side. Ammit let out a roar of pain as the contractions suddenly started, sending shocks of agony through her middle.
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Post by Ivy on Aug 24, 2014 3:07:29 GMT
Health: 25/66 Last ate: Day 7
When Ashur had come back with Sunyiwe only to go again with Ammit, she had been determined to stay awake. Finally, the lioness fell asleep once they returned, she was so relieved she could finally sleep, but she knew she had a choice to sleep while they were gone. She just didn't want to
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Post by Ashur on Aug 24, 2014 3:08:35 GMT
Health: 86/86 Last Ate: Day 8
When suddenly the contractions started, Ashur's ears perked up and he stared intently at her stomach. "Just breathe. It'll be over soon." Considering all the activity they'd gone through right before, he was worried about how this birth would go, and he hoped that the cubs would come out alright.
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Post by Dnali on Aug 24, 2014 3:10:34 GMT
Health: 68/68 Last Ate: Day 8
Dnali continued her massaging, making gentle sounds. "Don't worry, Ammit, you're doing very well. Just breath, like Ashur says, and push when it's time," she cooed, grooming her friends ears.
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Post by Ammit on Aug 24, 2014 3:24:52 GMT
Last Ate: Day 9 Health: 68/68
Ammit nodded, wincing as another contraction hit her. She dared not speak again, as she didn't even know if she'd have the strength to speak. Her mind was rushing around, the instincts kicking in after a moment. Ammit began pushing when the time came, and she let her body take over.
((Faaade. Cub roll!))
9KgeGAtw [+1 since her attribute is Bountiful!]
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Post by Ashur on Aug 24, 2014 3:56:31 GMT
Health: 86/86 Last Ate: Day 8
Ashur's was right there as the cubs were born, and as the first came out, he pulled it closer and gently groomed him until he was clean, before nudging the cub over toward his mother's belly. So the first was a healthy little boy. He hoped the rest would be that way. But then there was a second one, and as Ashur pulled that cub closer and started to groom it, he noticed something was... off. Frowning, he gently nudged the cub, but it wasn't moving, or making any sounds. It didn't take him long to realize that this was dead.
Ears lowered, Ashur sighed and sat up, gently picking up the cub in the process. It seemed the birth was over with, and all they had was a single, living cub. Turning to Ammit, he gently set down the stillborn, frowning at her. "We still have one son."
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Post by Dnali on Aug 24, 2014 4:18:59 GMT
Health: 68/68 Last Ate: Day 8
Dnali looked to Ashur as the cubs were born, her ears laying back as she realized one was stillborn. Oh, no. And in her first litter, too. "Oh, I'm so sorry," she murmured, pressing against Ammit's side. She looked to Ashur, eyes glassy with unshed tears. It was a tragedy, being so close to life but never truly living. And Ammit would have to deal with that grief as a first time mother. This should've been a time of joy, but the lioness' first litter was tainted by sorrow.
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Post by Ammit on Aug 24, 2014 5:00:07 GMT
Last Ate: Day 9 Health: 68/68
Ammit let out a gasp of relief, sucking air in quickly. The poor lioness had put all her energy into the birth, and as she turned to see her cubs, Ammit froze. Ashur had set down a cub, but it had not made any noises or movements. No... not now. Not ever. Ammit had given birth! This cub should be healthy! Tears welled up in the lioness' eyes as she leaned towards the tiny, lifeless body.
"Oh, please... no," she whimpered, nudging it gently with her nose. When she got no response, Ammit shut her eyes tightly, tears streaming down her face. She said nothing, looking down at her dead child. How could this have happened? She was healthy, well fed! How did a cub die in her womb? Ammit let out a whimper of grief, tears still flowing. "I don't know how this happened," she cried.
That was when she remembered that Ashur mentioned having one cub. Frantically, the mother searched for her other cub before realizing that Ashur had placed him at her belly. A weak smile slowly appeared on her face, tearstains fresh on her face. "A boy... I have a son," she said, curling herself around the cub and crying silently.
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Post by Ashur on Aug 24, 2014 5:14:19 GMT
Health: 86/86 Last Ate: Day 8
Ashur frowned at Ammit. He had had plenty of stillborns before. It was fairly common. And yet he never knew how to comfort the lioness after. Sighing, he turned his attention to the living son. "He looks strong. Healthy." He hoped that would cheer her up, and give her hope for this last son. "What will you name him?"
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Post by Ammit on Aug 24, 2014 5:39:51 GMT
Last Ate: Day 9 Health: 68/68
Ammit managed a small smile, grooming her living son's head carefully. "He is," she sniffed, her tears gradually switching to tears of joy. Despite her other child's death, Ammit thanked the gods for giving her at least one child to raise. "Rudo," she replied, leaning over and resting her head on Ashur's paws. She knew he probably didn't care about her affections, but right now, a little comfort would benefit her.
"I'm sorry that I could not bear you another child... I'm not sure what's wrong with me," she sighed, letting her newborn nurse in peace.
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Post by Ashur on Aug 24, 2014 5:45:11 GMT
Health: 86/86 Last Ate: Day 8
Ashur sighed quietly, and though he wasn't at all the romantic type, and never would be, he also didn't want any of his lionesses depressed, and if she needed comfort, then so be it. "You will bear me more children in the future. For now, we must focus on the son we have." He licked the top of her head, though it was awkward and obvious just how rarely he did things like that. Sure, he would often groom a lioness to thank her for, say, grooming his mane, but he rarely did it purely to comfort someone. But of course, this wasn't the first time he'd seen a lioness cry over a stillborn, and Ammit certainly wasn't the first he'd had to comfort. It was just rare, was all.
As she said the name, he found he wasn't overly fond of the name Rudo, but he said nothing, nodding a little. "He will be a strong cub and will make his pride proud." He glanced over toward the dead son then, sighing. "What would you like me to do with him?"
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Post by Ammit on Aug 24, 2014 5:54:31 GMT
Last Ate: Day 9 Health: 68/68
Ammit nodded slightly at his response, knowing she would be given more chances to give Ashur cubs. Hopefully, she'd have a large litter someday. The lioness then found Ashur's voice again, asking about her stillborn son. "Oh... I'm not sure. Perhaps we should take him somewhere and bury him?" she asked, pain in her voice as she spoke. She hated having to "dispose" of her dead son. It felt wrong, but she knew he could not have been helped.
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Post by Ashur on Aug 24, 2014 6:21:57 GMT
Health: 86/86 Last Ate: Day 8
Ashur nodded a little. Sunbaked didn't bury their dead, instead leaving them out in the Crossroads for scavengers, but if that was what Ammit wished for their dead son, then so be it. "Very well. I'll bury him wherever you want." He wondered if he should do so now, or if the new mother would like a moment first. For the time being, he waited, watching her and their son, trying to check over the cub with only his eyes to ensure he really, truly was healthy.
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