takes place the same day that the rest of DB leaves for the wedding

---

It was just her luck, wasn’t it? Euphemia never got to go to parties. Before, when they had all gone so far north, she had been too… fresh in her transition to Mythris to travel with her sisters (all of whom had all bound together and held Dawnbreak aloft in her absence).

Euphemia had since felt the sisterhood she once had was restored – but this time around, she was far too pregnant to even move, let alone travel. So she sat in the new housing structure she had oh-so-studiously selected with the help of Adonis, and sat in its emptiness sourly.

The Vale itself was empty around, and Euphemia was feeling restless. She was also somewhat irked that all her family had left her to go to a big beautiful wedding, when Euphemina had so wished to be married before her children came! It felt unfair that not only had her own nuptials been suspended, but they so gleefully went to celebrate another's.

That’s how life was, though, wasn’t it? It wasn’t always fair, and her family didn’t always conform to her deepest, innermost desires. At this point, she had been alive long enough and had enough life experience to know not to take it soooooo personally anymore – Euphemia too, in truth, would have chosen to go to a party instead of staying home.

In fact –

Euphemia had been pondering her agency in her life, and how that might change once she became a mother, for several weeks now. She didn’t wish to give up her herbal studies, even though she had been doing a dreadful job in her preparations for the oncoming harvest season. She wished to continue to assist others as the Pillar of Wisdom, the job she had been elected to do even though some might say she was none too good at it…

and Euphemia, god damn it, she wished to make wonderful memories with her sisters and their new children! This could be the last time before her entire identity shifted! The maiden wished to experience one last gathering as Euphemia, and not mama.

It’s really quiet around here, isn’t it? the woman commented to her beloved Adonis, her voice full of poignancy though her words were unassuming.

It’s almost… too quiet…

The rest of Dawnbreak had departed not half a day before this, which was enough time for the silver woman to be chomping at the bit. Sides round and swaying, she clamored to her feet and swished her tail – knowing how easy it would be to excite Adonis about a potential adventure.

C’mon, we’re going! and Euphemia laughed as much as her lungs allowed, leaving no space for him to object! A wedding was a quick affair; they would enjoy one last moment together, before their world expanded exponentially, eternally and forevermore.

It would be simple, and then Adonis's wanderlust would be sated, and she would feel more certain that he actually is fine with suspending his life's calling to live amongst her, her sisters, and the squalling nursery that the Vale had become.

---

Adonis had been trying to be supportive and attentive to Euphemia’s needs, but this one was a doozie! He knew she desperately wanted to go to this wedding, and truthfully, so did he. It sounded like an amazing spectacle, and he really enjoyed the wedding at Dawnbreak. Perhaps, a little too much, considering it led to their current circumstance. However, this was a different wedding with a completely different culture! His heart ached to see it, but he did not bring it up to Euphemia.

Part of him knew that she knew, just by the look in his golden eyes.

He knew not much about pregnancy. Sure, he was taught SOME in the pack, but he was never faced it with directly. He was the only child of his mother, at least by the time he left, so he never experienced her being pregnant. Ultimately, he knew that he should listen to the woman. It was her body, and she knew it best.

Surely, she knew when the little stars would be close to breaking their way into the sky?

Right?

The silence filled the den, as Adonis drew in the dirt with a single claw clumsily, tongue hanging out a little as he concentrated and hummed lightly.

When Euphemia spoke, he perked up, eyes darting to her as she mentioned how quiet it is. He knew the quiet was not going to last, but it WAS dang quiet. Too quiet! Suddenly she is up, round and glowing, exclaiming that they were indeed going! He shot up like something just electrocuted his tail.

”Really?” he asked, looking at her plump figure. As much as he loved seeing her nursing the future generation, it looked…painful. He knew what it was like when he ate too much, and his stomach bloated and expanded uncomfortably. She was like this…perpetually, with no relief. Was she really up for the trek?

”When your paws ache, lean upon this one. We shall rest whenever you deem fit, and this one shall see you safely there,” he stated, taking a step forward next to her and give her a kiss upon her head. ”However, we do not need to travel if you are not feeling well enough, for bringing the next stars into the sky is a feat most great!” he said with eyes looking into hers, wanting her to understand this was her choice, and he would support her either way with a warm embrace.