skill: curator 1/5

He could not believe it.

Somehow in his mind, they were still these young things running about. They were still learning to hunt, they were squabbling over densities and trying to find their own ways. Tiberii had been headstrong; she had sought her own way to escape Tiberius' shadow. Aurelia had struggled to find her footing beneath the expectations of Tiberius, with an awareness that many much older than she struggled with. Dalmatia had blossomed, carrying on the legacy of kindness and understanding that their beloved Druid had started. The loss of Euphemia had stung, but her return had felt like the sun finally broke through the clouds. And somehow those beautiful young girls had grown and become amazing women of strength and dedication. He could not fathom walking the path that the quartet had, to lose their parents and natal pack so quickly. And then to create something like their Dawnbreak? The stars in the sky did not shine as brightly as Vidarr's pride. And even now! Even now they were growing further - they were falling in love and they were binding themselves to their partners, they were growing their family

And didn't he feel so much over that! Tiberii - his Tiberii. The protective, the passionate, the proud - the mother? It was still so strange to him to think of her as old enough for such a thing. The idea of Tiberii with little Tiberiis running about was mildly terrifying, but mostly just endearing to him. He felt like he could handle it, he'd taken Cassius to try hunting; he had run with Isaiah around the borders. He had bolstered Euphemia when she had needed it. He had encouraged Aurelia to take time for herself for a change. He was still worrying over what he would say at Dalmatia's wedding. And now he was bringing a bundle of offerings to Frigg to bless her pregnancy, and a pristine antler with multiple points for her children to cut their milk teeth on.

OOC

backdated to just before the Wedding!

She was feeling more and more Plague-Sick (read: pregnant) day by day. Each morning, as the sun would rise, she would waken, driven by her instinctual desire to perform her rounds. And yet her body felt heavy, her limbs swollen, and her figure exhausted. It was obvious to most, by now, via word or by visual acuity alone, that Tiberii was inundated with children.

Be it blessing or curse, that was yet to be determined.

So, she was slow in her movements, careful pawsteps placed along the cracking earth as she moved her heavy frame forward. The midday sun was bright along her back, and she knew she was late for her rounds. But, as she shifted toward the borders, she was distracted by a familiar figure near her den.

Vidarr? There was a brightness there, disguised by a careful curiosity. Tiberii would smile, glancing toward the antlers that Vidarr carried. What are ya doin'? She'd take a few steps forward, raising a brow and pressing her ears forward as a familiar warmth filled her smile.

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skill: curator 2/5

It didn't surprise him when Tiberii came into view. His features softened around the mouthful he was carrying. He was trying not to drop anything as his smile shifted his hold, and he didn't want her to see the shine that came to his eyes. He felt the threat of tears, although threat was a very negative way to talk about it. Perhaps the promise of tears for later, given that he was so happy for them. He felt like he had some sort of knowledge that no one else did, and he wasn't going to just blurt out that he'd had the most Interesting conversation with Shiloh recently. No, Vidarr had to play it safe for the sake of ensuring that things happened right as they were meant to happen. He had to just sit back and watch.

Gods above, he hoped that he could still his tongue.

He took stock of how she appeared, and it was so strange. He had stopped seeing any of Tiberius in her - hell, in any of them. Sometimes he couldn't even recall the sound of Tiberius' howls. Now each of the Shakti-Vaes stood on their own four feet. The Chieftain was left long ago in the past. Dawnbreak had stood against the very world exploding, and all of Mythris had banded together. They had done something magnificent in that. He was lucky that the first place he'd tried was where Tiberii was, and his tail gave a happy wag before he set the bundle down and approached her.

He didn't know how long it would take him to get used to the echo of her voice now, but it was the same and so strange to see the whisper of blue smoke that rose from him when he was still. He was one of the few who was able to look Tiberii in the eyes, so it was with ease that he leaned close to press his forehead to hers. Eldrtarfr. (Firebull) He greeted warmly. He stayed there for a beat before he stepped back to take in another look at her.

It is tradition to provide offerings to Frigg for a healthy pregnancy and birth. Vidarr explained as he nosed the little bundle of herbs to show her the chamomile and lavender. I am not very good with herbs, but I remember my own mother gathering such bundles for the women of the clan. There was some part of him that sought out the roots of his existence. He wanted to then have those roots sprout and bloom as they crossed with the present. The antler is to save your ankles, with any luck. He grinned at her then, and he wondered how much of the boys' infancy she might remember. She had been so young then too, after all.

How are you? The look he gave offered the deeper question. He didn't need to say - honestly, how are you really?

OOC

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"Eldrtarfr." The familiar greeting warmed the bull, the edges of her smile pulling upward. But she could not ignore the way his eyes lingered on her, and she knew for certain what it was he was so quietly observing. A soft sigh pressed past her lips as she tried to fight her exhaustion with self-deprication humor. Round, 'eh? She'd puff out a laugh, flicking her ears forward as she kept his gaze.

Vidarr would go on to explain what he was doing — bringing offerings? Herbs and antlers and all sorts of other goodies. Tiberii had received far more compliments, gifts, and tidings during this past month than she was comfortable admitting. It would seem that when all she wanted was the quietness of her own den (and the company of Shiloh), she was given the gift of many curious eyes and many more doting mothers. Between Epona and Brynhild, she was being far mothered more in these past 30 days than she had in her entire life.

And now Vidarr, too?

She should be grateful.

Instead, her teeth grit and her smile grew more awkward.

Ya don't gotta do all that, Vidarr, she'd start, but would pause ... softening. But thank ya. She'd allow herself to accept that this wasn't about her entirely, anymore. It was about the however many tiny lives that grew within her. It was a wild concept. Her. Housing life. Inside her own self. A self she barely took care of. A body she pushed to the ends of exhaustion to protect those she loved.

And now she was forced to allow others to protect her body.
Protect her.
Protect them.

"How are you?" His eyes peered, probing deeper than the innocent nature of the question. It was the same sort of prying he'd done after she'd shredded the wolverine. Those knowing eyes of his were experienced, seeing beyond the superficial shell that Tiberii was so good at placing over her cracked visage. Nothin' I can't handle, she'd start bravely, her echoing voice dancing between bravery and truth.

Her eyes would deviate toward the ground.

Physically, at least, she'd add, running her tongue over her teeth. Feelin' sorta like a crazy person otherwise, ya know? The mood swings were causing a state of volatility that she barely had any control over. Angry one moment, crying the next. Hysterically laughing.

At least when Shiloh was gone, anger was easy.

The expectant bull softened. Vidarr, I never asked ya ... if ya had any kids of yer own ... barring the semi-adoption of the Shakti-Vaès girls, of course.

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