Quicksilver arrives!

[Peridot]

Un'airekan Cail

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

The Cail is a surprisingly dry and warm cavern just a bit beyond the waterfall

passage. It does not branch at all, but rather exists as a single chamber,

very large and surprisingly quiet. The Waterfall and all of its noise are

buffered away by the passage that divides you from it, and though there is

enough light to see by, it is dim enough here for sleep. There are several

unicorns dozing about here.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

You can go: Out <E>


Your baby squirms and shifts inside you.

You feel a gradual tightening in your belly.

The tightening in your belly relaxes.

Peridot startles awake from her nap.

Peridot groans.

Petraverd lifts his head, glancing to his mate and nudging her. "Everything all right?"

You feel a gradual tightening in your belly.

The tightening in your belly relaxes.

Peridot shakes her head at her mate and looks down at her belly. "It's tightening and loosening."

Petraverd looks a little quizzical at first, then blinks a few times as his eyes widen. "You think that...?"

Peridot nods quickly, excitement showing on her face.

Petraverd opens and closes his mouth several times, expression equal parts excited and anxious. "I... I have to be honest, I have no idea what I should be doing right now..."

You feel a gradual tightening in your belly.

Peridot peers around the Cail and groans again.

The tightening in your belly relaxes.

Peridot visibly relaxes.

Petraverd gets to his hooves as he glances about himself, tail flicking uncertainly. "Er..."

Peridot sighs, "I don't want to have you get Panacea if it's nothing but a stomach ache."

Petraverd says, slightly nervously, "And if it's not?"

You feel a gradual tightening in your belly.

The tightening in your belly relaxes.

Peridot winces and then relaxes. "Maybe we should error on the side of caution. Please go get her."

Petraverd nods, nudging his mate and saying quietly, "I'll be back as soon as I can."

You feel a gradual tightening in your belly.

Peridot nods and hisses through clenched teeth, "Please go."

The tightening in your belly relaxes.

Petraverd nods and darts off.

A semi-frantic, short whinny can be heard just outside the Cail.

You feel a gradual tightening in your belly.

Garnet trots into the cave, concern written on her brow. "Peridot?" she ask as her eyes adjust to the light.

The tightening in your belly relaxes.

Peridot winces and groans. Shortly after, she relaxes. "I'm here." she says in a weaker voice.

Garnet approaches her packmate. "I couldn't quite understand Petraverd..." She begins, looking over Peridot. "If what I suspect's happening, I've a good guess why he's slightly incoherent. How can I help, friend?"

Peridot shruggs. "He's gone for Panacea. I think...I think she should be here soon. She can direct us. She may...may need fast hooves to get things. Will you gallop if she needs it?"

Garnet nods. "Absolutely, I'll do whatever you need."

You feel a gradual tightening in your belly.

Trianna trots in with some ginger and sets it near Peridot. "How are we, dear one?"

The tightening in your belly relaxes.

Peridot winces and breathes quickly. After a moment, she relaxes and pants. "It hurts. My belly hurts. Petraverd went for Panacea."

Garnet's brow furrows with concern, her ears flicking as she observes.

Trianna noses Peridot. "I saw him leave. I figured he was going for help. He should stay out of the cave with the rest of the herd,until the foal is born."

You feel a gradual tightening in your belly.

The tightening in your belly relaxes.

Peridot looks as though she wants to scramble to her feet to go out, "No, I want to see..." She stops trying after a few futile efforts to try to get up and merely nods. "He would panic." She winces as another spasm comes and leaves.

Trianna watches the mare and winces. She looks at her not pregnant herd sister. "Garnet, Mayhaps you should guide Panacea inside here."

You feel a gradual tightening in your belly.

The tightening in your belly relaxes.

Peridot winces and relaxes, panting.

Trianna noses the ginger closer to Peridot with a smile on her face. "I'm sure if you take one bite, it will help."

Peridot brings her snout over to the ginger Trianna offers and mouths it wearily, but doesn't eat it.

Garnet nods her assent and trots outside to wait for the faun.

You feel a gradual tightening in your belly.

Trianna looks Peridot over. "Remember what its like to run so hard, you are nearly out of breathe?"

The tightening in your belly relaxes.

Peridot nods with a wince.

Peridot relaxes her belly with a pant. "Y...Yes? What? What about it?"

Garnet returns after a while with Panacea in tow. Garnet steps to the side and allows the faun access to Peridot.

Trianna trots back a few paces. "Your breathing will feel like that as the foal comes. Take it slowly."

You feel your belly tighten.

The tightening in your belly relaxes.

Peridot tries to slow her breathing as Trianna suggests and winces as another wave hits.
You feel your belly tighten.

The tightening in your belly relaxes.

Panacea trots over to the laboring mare and puts a hand on her neck. "Everything is going to be alright."

Garnet stands close by in case she is needed.

You feel your belly tighten.

Peridot nods slowly as another wave of pain hite. She winces and kicks out with a forehoof, but not close to hitting anyone.

The tightening in your belly relaxes.

Trianna watches the faun. "Panacea is right. You will be fine."

You feel your belly tighten.

Panacea runs her hand along the mares belly gently. "I will tell you when it's time to push. The first ones come out quickly. You will be okay, just keep up your breathing.l

The tightening in your belly relaxes.

Peridot nods again, breathing quickly and shallow as yet another wave of pain hits.

Panacea smiles merrily at the other unicorns. "Has Peridot told you what she wishes to name her foal?"

Trianna nods. "I cant remember the colt name. A mare is what I think is to come. Jade."

You feel your belly tighten.

Peridot pants out, "Quick...silver...if a colt...if I don't make it...remember."

The tightening in your belly relaxes.

Garnet nickers comfortingly. "Those are lovely names. You're going to be a wonderful mother, Peridot."

Trianna frowns. "Stay with us, Peridot. Please."

Panacea trots back to Peridot's face and strokes the mares mane. "Peridot, you are doing great. Keep up the good work. Get ready to push."

Your belly tightens painfully.

Peridot nods, closing her eyes to keep her strength. A horse scream comes from her lips with a particularly painful contraction.

The tightening in your belly relaxes somewhat.

Your belly tightens painfully.

Panacea says, "Push at the next contraction." She looks at Garnet. "Are there any sticks around here? pehaps, a cloth that we could wet?"

Peridot winces in pain again, managing to hold in a scream this time.

The tightening in your belly relaxes somewhat.

Garnet uhs and immediately investigates. She brings Panacea as many sticks as she needs, clenching them in her teeth until the faun can take them. She then starts searching around for some sort of cloth.

Your belly tightens painfully.

The tightening in your belly relaxes somewhat.

Your belly tightens painfully.

Panacea takes the sticks from Garnet. She sorts through to find one that is about the size of a small branch. She offers it to the mare. "Care to bite down?"

Panacea says, "Push!"

The tightening in your belly relaxes somewhat.

Garnet finally finds a cloth and brings it to Panacea.

Your belly tightens painfully.

Peridot nods weakly and bites down hard on the offered stick. She 'pushes' as Panacea coaches her.

The tightening in your belly relaxes somewhat.

Your belly tightens painfully.

Trianna half smiles. "You look beautiful Peridot."

The tightening in your belly relaxes somewhat.

Peridot smiles as much as she can with a stick in her mouth and "Pushes again".

Your belly tightens painfully.

Panacea exclaims, "Push!"

Panacea looks over at Garnet. "Please go wet that at the waterfall."

The tightening in your belly relaxes somewhat.

Garnet does so immediately, bringing back a wet cloth between her teeth.

Panacea holds out her hand for the cloth.

Your belly tightens painfully.

Panacea exclaims, "Push!"

The tightening in your belly relaxes somewhat.

Peridot grits her teeth on the stick and 'pushes'. There are definitely bite marks permanently etched on the wood.

Your belly tightens painfully.

The tightening in your belly relaxes somewhat.

You feel the urge to push!

You push!

You feel the urge to push!

You push!

Peridot gives birth to A male unicorn foal!

Peridot pushes one last time and the foal is expelled with a loud horse scream. It's a male foal!

You see a male unicorn foal with white fur and brown eyes.

Garnet jumps in surprise.

Panacea trots over to the foal. "Welcome to the world. We were all awaiting for your arrival." She looks at Peridot. "Congratulations. Its a boy."

Trianna noses Peridot. "You did it."

Peridot pants, laying on her side. She spits the stick out, which has fractures along the bite marks.

Trianna sends out a loud whinny. It echoes in the cave.

Peridot weakly murmurs, "Thank you...everyone." There is a measure of pride in her voice, even as weak as it is.

Panacea trots over to the mares mouth and offers the wet cloth. "Thirsty?"

Garnet murmurs, "Well done, Peridot. Shall I go fetch the proud papa?"

Peridot mouths the wet cloth and nods mutely.

Panacea gently squeezes the cloth, releasing water into the mares mouth.

Garnet nods and trots out of the Cail to go track down Petraverd.

The foal cries and flails in an uncoordinated way.

Peridot drinks the water from the cloth until she hears the foal's first real cry. Then she abandons the cloth to scramble weakly toward it and curl up protectively around it.

Petraverd comes trotting in from the east.

Petraverd carefully makes his way into the Cail, announcing his presence with a soft, inquisitive sort of whinny.

Panacea grins at the stallion. "Congratulations. You are a sire."

Peridot looks up from the foal just long enough to answer with a weak nicker and then turns her attention back to the brown-eyed male foal.

Trianna trots off to the side.

Petraverd opens and closes his mouth several times, words apparently evading him for a few moments. Eventually, he smiles broadly and makes his way over to the two, giving his mate a light nudge. "Now if that isn't the most beautiful sight I've ever seen."

Panacea quietly excuses herself, sneaking off into the night.

Peridot smiles weakly. "See? I knew it would be a colt. He hammered his dam's sides too much to be a filly."

Peridot noses the new foal. "Quicksilver."

Petraverd chuckles. "You were right... he's... ours. Our colt..." He shakes his mane out, glancing at the other mares. "Eirwyn's probably still out near the dale, likely eager for news herself... would one of you let her know?"

Trianna nods to Petraverd as she trots out.

Trianna trots out to the waterfall.

The foal tries to stand again on spindly legs and falls over onto his Dam.

Peridot nuzzles Quicksilver affectionately and when he makes the attempt to stand again, nudges him upward to help him keep his balance as he makes his wobbly way toward his sire.

Petraverd smiles, taking a pace or two forward to make the distance shorter and nuzzling their colt as he approaches. "Well hello there, little one. I'm your papa."

The foal cautiously approaches and nickers in recognition to the voice.

Peridot watches the foal leave her side to go to her mate's side. She scrambles to her own feet to walk behind.

Petraverd watches Peridot as she does so, though still keeps close to Quicksilver. "And how are you holding up?"

Peridot admits, "I'm hungry and tired."

Petraverd hehs. "It's been a long night for all three of us, in its own way, I think..."

Peridot nods and nibbles on some nearby grass collected by the herd. "We should probably bed down soon."

Petraverd chuckles, nuzzling their colt again. "For whatever sleep we're liable to get tonight..."

The foal wobbles back to his mother and nuzzles against her with a tired cry.

Peridot beds down, guiding the foal back toward her belly with gentle nudges.

Petraverd walks over, nestling down by his mate with a faint grin still on his face.

[Petraverd]

IN WHICH Un'aireken sees a new face.

Un'airekan Cail(#4606R/AKM)
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
The Cail is a surprisingly dry and warm cavern just a bit beyond the waterfall passage. It does not branch at all, but rather exists as a single chamber, very large and surprisingly quiet. The Waterfall and all of its noise are buffered away by the passage that divides you from it, and though there is enough light to see by, it is dim enough here for sleep. There are several unicorns dozing about here.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
You can go: Out <E>

Peridot startles awake from her nap.

Peridot groans.

Petraverd lifts his head, glancing to his mate and nudging her. "Everything all right?"

Peridot nods quickly, excitement showing on her face.

Petraverd opens and closes his mouth several times, expression equal parts excited and anxious. "I... I have to be honest, I have no idea what I should be doing right now..."

Peridot peers around the Cail and groans again.

Peridot visibly relaxes.

Petraverd gets to his hooves as he glances about himself, tail flicking uncertainly. "Er..."

Peridot sighs, "I don't want to have you get Panacea if it's nothing but a stomach ache."

Petraverd says, slightly nervously, "And if it's not?"

Peridot winces and then relaxes. "Maybe we should error on the side of caution. Please go get her."

Peridot nods and hisses through clenched teeth, "Please go."

Petraverd nods and darts off.

(Petra fetches a healer, sends her ahead of him, and passes by the pool on his way back.)

Caldron Pool(#270R/GKLM)
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The best word for the spot where you stand would probably be.. grandiose. To the west is a roaring waterfall, where (presumably) a river from somewhere in the western wilds falls over Narnia's western border-cliffs to create Caldron pool. You are standing on a path that forks three ways - east, to follow along the bank of the Great River (which begins here!), north, fording the relatively small 'river' and continuing into the forest homes, and south where it curves around the pool and to an opening in the cliff.
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You can go: The Gathering Circle <N>, Along the Great River <E>, South side of the Pool <S>

Contents: A dwarf with a red beard (Larkbeard); A wolf with a smoky coat

(Indra); A wolf with a snow-white coat and golden eyes (Eirwyn); and A mouse.

Larkbeard says, "I don't think there is anything else."

Indra slips toward the pool from the north.

Petraverd trots toward the pool at a rapid clip, anxiety showing in his demeanor. He pauses a moment to catch his breath and shake out his mane.

Eirwyn says, "Then thank you, Larkbeard, for clarifying some things and filling me in on more of the details." She nods to Indra as she approaches and then looks over to the Unicorn. She frowns a bit, looking concerned. "Petraverd, is something wrong?"

Indra moves toward her Alpha, nodding, but her attention shifts at the approach of the anxious Unicorn.

Petraverd starts a little at the question, glancing to the south, then to Eirwyn, then back again. "Not... wrong, really... quite the opposite, just..." He fumbles around his words, still glancing to the south every so often.

Indra glances to the south as well. "Something with the herd?"

Larkbeard turns to looks at the new Wolf.

Eirwyn follows Petraverd's glance. She then looks back to him. "Nothing's wrong? Is there something we can do?" She pauses, her eyes going wide. "Is it Peridot? Is she okay?"

Petraverd takes a breath, tail flicking rapidly. "It's... on its way, we think. Just sent Panacea over... Garnet's with her now."

Indra looks southward for a moment, then nods. "She'll be fine. Foals come every day."

Petraverd looks that direction again himself. "I know, I know... it's just... makes me anxious all the same." He shakes his mane. "I'm sorry. I... I should probably at least get back to the dale. I want to stay at least somewhat close."

Larkbeard looks at Petraverd.

Indra asks, "Do you need someone with you?"

Eirwyn nods. "Is there anything we can do you for you?"

Petraverd's glance shifts toward Eirwyn at Indra's question, a query of his own in his expression. "It... might help keep me at least somewhat settled, I'll admit. I'm all nerves..."

Eirwyn looks to Petraverd. She gives another small nod. "I'd be happy to join you, if you'd like."

Petraverd smiles a bit and bobs a nod. "I'd be glad for it."

Petraverd offers to lead Eirwyn.

Eirwyn decides to follow Petraverd.

Indra nods, stepping back out of the way.

Petraverd nods to the others, and makes his way to the south.

Eirwyn follows after the Unicorn.

Un'airekan Dale
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You find yourself in a small, secluded dale near the east side of Cauldron Pool. The waterfall that spills down from the high cliffs above lends a persistent dull roar to the background, but aside from that it is, in fact, very quiet and peaceful here. The dale is sheltered to the west by the cliffs, and to the east by a low rise. There is a strong sense of privacy about this place, and no wonder.. From the hoofprints about, it would seem that unicorns spend time here often.

To the west, you can just make out an opening behind the waterfall.
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You can go: Behind the Waterfall <N>, East <E>

Eirwyn comes trotting toward you from the east.

Eirwyn arrives, following Petraverd.

Petraverd paces in small circles in the Dale once he arrives there, letting out a breath.

Eirwyn follows Petraverd until they reach the Dale. She remains close, but gives him enough space for his pacing. She smiles. "You holding up all right?"

Petraverd hehs. "Nervous and excited and anxious and terrified and elated and..." He shakes his mane. "It'll all settle soon enough, though..."

Eirwyn continues to smile. "I can't even try to imagine the feeling. But it will settle. And with Panacea and her herd sisters, I'm sure it'll settle just fine. So... any guesses at to whether it's a colt or a filly?"

Petraverd chuckles a bit. "Peridot's convinced it's a colt with all the kicking it's been doing..."

Eirwyn chuckles. "I guess we'll find out if she's right before too long. I don't think I could even try to venture a guess."

Petraverd looks toward the Cail for a moment and nods. "So we will. Oy, it's been so much waiting and now it'll all be over in just a bit... only to be the beginning of something else."

Eirwyn follows his look. "An exciting new adventure, for sure. It certainly feels like you've waited long enough for it."

Petraverd hehs, glancing back to Eirwyn. "It... feels almost dreamlike right now. I'm about to meet my foal. /My/ foal..."

Eirwyn smiles. "I can imagine it does... But it will be so wonderful, I'm sure."

Petraverd nods, falling quiet for a moment. After a bit, he says, "Thanks for coming back with me, by the way. It's... less nerve-wracking, waiting with someone else."

Eirwyn remains silent when Petraverd does. She smiles again. "Of course, I'm happy to do it. I wish there was something more I could do to help, but I wouldn't leave one of my best friends alone at a time like this. And I didn't get the impression that you wanted a crowd either."

Petraverd hehs, smiling. "You certainly do know me well by now... then again, we've pulled through a lot with each other's help, haven't we."

Eirwyn nods. "A /whole/ lot. Though I think this ranks up there as one of the happiest occassions we've pulled through, so to speak."

Petraverd chuckles and nods. "The /good/ sort of tense, this time around."

Eirwyn chuckles as well. "Exactly." She glances to the Cail and asks, "Will someone come out and give you some update, or will we wait for word until the foal is here?"

Petraverd follows Eirwyn's glance. "I... I don't know, Peridot told me to get Panacea and I... well, didn't think about that much, I just.. went. Bumped into Garnet out here, sent her in, and... well, here we are."

Eirwyn says, "Ah... I see. Well, then I guess we just wait and find out either way."

Petraverd settles into a patch of clover and nods. "I guess so..."

Eirwyn pads over a little closer, but still giving him a comfortable space, and sits down. "Once you find out if it's a colt or a filly, you need to send one of your herdmates out here to tell me, you know." She smiles.

Petraverd chuckles. "Oh, I'll make sure you know."

Eirwyn chuckles as well. "Good. Caileana and I were just talking about how excited we were for the foal, and how much light the little one would bring to the Waste."

Petraverd lets out another low laugh. "Feels like the entire waste has been anticipating this foal..."

Eirwyn grins. "You and Peridot are beloved by many. Of course the entire Waste is looking forward to the arrival."

Petraverd chuckles. "I don't think I've had that fact driven home in quite this way before... not that I'm complaining about it, it's a good feeling."

Eirwyn hehs. "Good. I think events like this help us to realize things like that. Who we care about and who cares for us."

Petraverd nods, glancing to the Cail again. "They do... and that little foal in there is certainly not going to be lacking for affection, judging by all the anticipation."

Eirwyn smiles. "I have to completely agree with that. I'm sure your herd most of all is looking forward to showering their affection upon the little one."

Eirwyn adds, "Outside of you and Peridot, of course."

Petraverd chuckles, shooting Eirwyn a sidelong glance as he grins. "They are, though I'm getting the feeling most of Ulfden's looking forward to lending a paw in raising this foal, too."

Eirwyn grins. "I wouldn't argue with that either. It can't hurt to have surrogate aunties who are Wolves, right?"

Petraverd smiles as he flicks an ear. "Not in my opinion. Besides, I know /I've/ learned a lot from you wolves - I'd be amiss to deprive a foal of mine of the opportunity."

Eirwyn smiles. "I think we've learned a lot from you Unicorns too."

Petraverd chuckles. "As we both should, I guess. Makes us better able to support each other."

Eirwyn hehs. "Again, agreed."

Petraverd is about to say something further, when a mare walks out from the Cail. Petraverd immediately gets to his hooves, a question on his face, and the mare smiles and nods, gesturing in.

Larkbeard comes walking toward you from the east.

Eirwyn perks up, getting to her paws as well. She grins and looks to Petraverd. "Go on, then. Congratulations, Petraverd."

Petraverd glances back to Eirwyn, and smiles broadly as he nods. "Thank you," he says, before making his way in.


Un'airekan Cail(#4606R/AKM)
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
The Cail is a surprisingly dry and warm cavern just a bit beyond the waterfall passage. It does not branch at all, but rather exists as a single chamber, very large and surprisingly quiet. The Waterfall and all of its noise are buffered away by the passage that divides you from it, and though there is enough light to see by, it is dim enough here for sleep. There are several unicorns dozing about here.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

You can go: Out <E>

Petraverd carefully makes his way into the Cail, announcing his presence with a soft, inquisitive sort of whinny.

Panacea grins at the stallion. "Congratulations. You are a sire."

Peridot looks up from the foal just long enough to answer with a weak nicker and then turns her attention back to the brown-eyed male foal.

Trianna trots off to the side.

Petraverd opens and closes his mouth several times, words apparently evading him for a few moments. Eventually, he smiles broadly and makes his way over to the two, giving his mate a light nudge. "Now if that isn't the most beautiful sight I've ever seen."

Panacea quietly excuses herself, sneaking off into the night.

Peridot smiles weakly. "See? I knew it would be a colt. He hammered his dam's sides too much to be a filly."

Peridot noses the new foal. "Quicksilver."

Peridot picks up the A male unicorn foal.

Petraverd chuckles. "You were right... he's... ours. Our colt..." He shakes his mane out, glancing at the other mares. "Eirwyn's probably still out near the dale, likely eager for news herself... would one of you let her know?"

Trianna nods to Petraverd as she trots out.

Trianna trots out to the waterfall.

The foal tries to stand again on spindly legs and falls over onto his Dam.

Peridot nuzzles Quicksilver affectionately and when he makes the attempt to stand again, nudges him upward to help him keep his balance as he makes his wobbly way toward his sire.

Petraverd smiles, taking a pace or two forward to make the distance shorter and nuzzling their colt as he approaches. "Well hello there, little one. I'm your papa."

The foal cautiously approaches and nickers in recognition to the voice.

Peridot watches the foal leave her side to go to her mate's side. She scrambles to her own feet to walk behind.

Petraverd watches Peridot as she does so, though still keeps close to Quicksilver. "And how are you holding up?"

Peridot admits, "I'm hungry and tired."

Petraverd hehs. "It's been a long night for all three of us, in its own way, I think..."

Peridot nods and nibbles on some nearby grass collected by the herd. "We should probably bed down soon."

Petraverd chuckles, nuzzling their colt again. "For whatever sleep we're liable to get tonight..."

The foal wobbles back to his mother and nuzzles against her with a tired cry.

Peridot beds down, guiding the foal back toward her belly with gentle nudges.

Petraverd walks over, nestling down by his mate with a faint grin still on his face.