The Stork is Landing

[Darastrix]

Dusk waddled down the palace hallway toward Salacia's room, biting her lip nervously. She knew she ought to be getting in bed, calling for the midwife, and having servants sent to summon the people needed. Right now, she didn't care to do what they wanted her to do.

Gasping softly at a sudden pain, she leaned against the wall for a moment, then knocked on Salacia's door, intending to ask for her in a calm, mature voice. What came out instead, though, was a nervous, shaky "Mommy?"

[Kender Bard]

Salacia opened the door quickly, looking alarmed. The word 'mommy' triggered the deep maternal instincts in her and she reacted as though one of her own born children was crying out for her. "Dusk! What's wrong dearest?"

[Darastrix]

Dusk gasped again and hugged onto Salacia as she tried to keep from doubling over. "I--I think the baby's coming," she said, resting he head against the older woman's shoulder. "I'm scared...."

[Kender Bard]

Oh.

Salacia would have taken Dusk back to her room, but given Dusk's level of pain, there wasn't much time. She led her inside her own room instead, trying to guide Dusk to lay down on the plush bed. "Shh," she murmured, stroking Dusk's hair softly. "Lay down, my sweet. I'll get the midwife and make sure the boys know. Soon the pain will be gone and you'll have a pretty new baby to love."

Sorrow assailed her a little though. If only Sunray wasn't away... he would miss the birth of his own child. It'd tear his heart apart. She honestly couldn't believe the man left at a time so soon to today, but he'd been most adamant.

[Darastrix]

Dusk let herself be led and settled somewhat awkwardly in the bed. How did women with wings manage this? She hated even just sleeping on her back and she was going to have to give birth like this?

She bit her lip and gave Salacia a pleading look. "Hurry back, please?"

[Kender Bard]

"I will," Salacia promised, and kept her word. When she returned, the royal midwife was close at hand, a matronly old woman that had a knack for putting new mothers at ease.

"There now," the midwife spoke in a voice that was almost a lullaby unto itself. "There, there, it'll be over soon deary." As she went about her business with Dusk, Salacia kissed her forehead and checked outside the room.

"Dusk!" Twilight gasped, barreling into the room and almost knocking Salacia over, avoiding it only by a nimble twist of his body that sent him staggering into a chair. "Oof. Dusk!"

[Darastrix]

"Twi!" Dusk exclaimed, brightening at seeing her beloved. "I--ah!" The little queen gripped the sheets tightly for a few moments then looked back to him. "I think we'll have an heir very soon," she finished, panting. At least she hoped so. She'd heard how long it took some women, and she did NOT want to be in labour for hours.

[Kender Bard]

Twilight tried to reach for her but Salacia blocked his way. He growled, frustrated.

"This is not a place for men and your excitement won't keep her calm," she said firmly. Taking him by the elbow, she started to lead him out of the room.

[Darastrix]

Dusk had started to reach for Twilight, then let her hand drop to the mattress when Salacia stopped him. "Why can't he stay?" she asked plaintively, starting to tear up.

Outside the room, the sound of boots pounding the stone floor could be heard, and Midnight burst through the door much as Twilight had, running smack into his brother.

[Kender Bard]

Twilight grunted and went down again and Salacia had to step quickly to avoid being knocked down as well. She was beginning to grow irritated. Gesturing at her fallen son and Midnight, she grumbled, "That's why."

[Darastrix]

Midnight blinked up at Salacia from the floor for a moment, then scrambled to his feet. "Dusk!" He quickly moved to her side to take her hand, only vaguely aware that the floor he just walked across shouldn't be so soft and bumpy.

Dusk squeezed her twin's hand tightly and sniffled softly. "I want my beloved...brothers to stay," she said shakily, only just managing to catch herself from simply saying "beloved."

[Kender Bard]

Salacia sighed, almost growled, but consented. "Fine, but one has to stay in the corner otherwise they'll be repeating this."

Twilight struggled up and tried to go shoulder a place next to Dusk but Salacia hauled him - by the ear this time - to an ottoman and forced him to sit on it.

[Darastrix]

Midnight really didn't see why one of them couldn't stay on each side of the bed, but he figured now was not the best time to argue with his mother-in-law. Instead he just held onto his sister's hand tightly, his heart clenching when she cried out in pain. And he was going to have to go through this twice?

After a while of clinging to her brother's hand, Dusk looked up at him, glanced at Twilight, and looked back up at Midnight. He nodded slightly and kissed her cheek before vacating the spot to make room for Twilight.

[Kender Bard]

As Twilight got up and moved hastily to Dusk's side, there came a knock at the door. Sighing, Salacia answered.

A young priest stood there, looking flustered. "Lord Midnight. The High Priestess is unable to attend this, erm, momentous occasion and requests your presence at the earliest moment of convenience."

"What could possibly be so important?" Salacia asked, annoyed.

The priest coughed discreetly. "Her time has come as well."

[Darastrix]

Midnight stared blankly at the priest for a moment as he tried to process the fact that his wife AND sister were giving birth on the same day, then the past few days seemed to hit the man all at once. He swayed unsteadily on his feet, then sat down on the ottoman, hard, and just went down from there.

"'Night!" Dusk yelped from the bed, then grabbed Twi's hand and squeezed as hard as she could as a particularly strong contraction began.