RP:Ava-Marie
Summary: A beautiful baby girl is born into The World Called Hollow with the assistance of Brennia while Emilia leads the show to help Artia welcome Ava-Marie.
Brennia's Miniature Castle
After finding your way through the Topiary Garden it would only be fitting to come upon a building which looks like a section taken right out of any castle in the same style as all of Schezerade, in all it's decadence; marble forming the entirety of the large home accented with gold and platinum in which you'll have to cross over a glass bridge in order to reach it. The front door is welcoming for all shapes and sizes that are the citizens of Hollow and spans a great distance in it's solid French Door of a design. Opening it up one might be perplexed at the ability for the home to hold such music coming from the main room there, provided the owner of the home is present. Once immersed, the eyes might be stolen by the gaping cathedral ceilings above, spotted by gold and platinum in which encircle mini glowing stones to mimic the night sky, but beauty is not what the ceiling is for; it carries one's voice in the ear most pleasing fashion. The walls of the room have shelves carved into the marble upon nearly every wall of this vast oval-shaped room, but the walls are shelves, carved into small squares. Each square hold scrolls to nearly any song someone might wish to hear and it should be clear now that a bard lives here; explains the marvelous white-wood, gold-accented, concert grand piano in the middle of this large room.
Nearing further into the tiny castle one's nostrils might pick up on the scent of mouth watering food being cooked wafting from the kitchen which is north of the main room and it also holds a small, but elegant dining area. In the corner of this kitchen there is a winding staircase which travels below and is illuminated as if gold is to be kept down there. If you wish to stay and listen to the bard or wait for her to emerge there are luxurious sofas strewn about with the softest throw blankets and plushy cushions, but be careful; an unsettling feeling may overcome you as your eyes spot a locked door, which houses a staircase to take you up, with an outreaching design in onyx stone overlay which seemingly inking over into the pristine luxury you’ve found yourself in. It's as if the area beyond holds a darkness that's attempting to leak out into this little slice of heaven… Better just leave that door alone.
Artia wobbled her way up to Brennia's home, both hands still on her very round and large stomach. She traveled far to make it here, having five weeks left till she would give birth. Haven't been to seen her favorite female avian, she traveled, a sigh of relief over came her as a cramp made its way through her stomach. Stopped to lean against the door before the fiery red head knocked on the door, "Brennia, it's Artia!" She hollered out, as soon as she finished speaking a sharp pain struck her. Almost dropping to her knees as wetness ran down her legs, onto the ground under her. "My water broke, Brennia! Open up! Please be home!"
Brennia fingers stopped their work on the ivory of her piano as soon as she heard it was Artia and she stood to make her barefoot way to the door until she heard the alarm in her friend's voice, making her break into a full sprint and let her in. "Enchantress! What are you doing walk-" She stopped herself from finishing that sentence as she easily lifted her friend off her feed to hurry them to the sitting area of her concert room. Once she set Artia down, "I'm not apt to this, all I know are healing and calming spell-songs. I'm going to go for help." She motioned for her to lay back with a pillow for support for her back on the lavish furniture. "Relax." Brennia sprinted her way through her large open door in order to take flight with those marvelous onyx wings at the same time as tying all of that silky thick hair up out of the way. She makes her way quickly through Schezerade, Xalious and finally Frostmaw yelling for assistance - being a bard nearly anyone and everyone heard her from her vocal projection.
Brennia was sprinting her way through areas of Hollow such as Schezerade, Xalious, and finally Frostmaw. Her bardic magics able to throw her frantic shouting voice very far asking, "Is anyone here a Healer! I need assistance delivering a baby!" a lot of folks would just gawk at the tall tattoo covered Avian who seems to be poorly dressed for the winter - No boots, or even shoes! "Please, I need your assistance!" Deep blue eyes spot a towns person pointing her in a direction and she begins on her way in a full strides, "There a healer here?" The natural six foot two woman looks around the tavern causing her thick pony tail to whip about in her panic; the hair pulled back only accenting those bird-like features and exaggerated pointed ears. There wasn't much shouting needed as everyone would hear the question as if she were over their shoulder.
Emilia was about to take her first drink of the night when there was a tall winged woman bursting into the tavern, screaming out for a healer. Closing her eyes the ice woman let out a gentle sigh and shoved her drink down to the next person at the bar before turning to face Brennia, "I am a healer, what can I do for you, Miss?" The Genasi wasn't even five feet tall with more untamed curls than figure. She too ware bare footed and sporting clothing not winter ready, a simple dark blue dress. Crossing the room Em would make her way closer to the winged lady, studying her over finding no outside reason Brennia needed healed.
Brennia tilted her head down to look at the woman and with a most heart warming smile pushing dimples in her cheeks to show off perfect pearly whites, "Merry Meet healer. Do please come with me?" She would walk out to the cold air once more and give a shiver, "I do apologize for I will need to fly you to where my friend is to make up for lost time." This Avian is polite and kind unlike the usual arrogant and hubris type for her race. Once close enough the Genasi would be granted her favorite smell unbeknownst to Brennia and she places herself behind the stranger, bend at the knee to wrap her arms around the woman's waist. Those marvelous onyx shaded wings flicker just once and they would be launched into the cool air of Frostmaw making a straight shot to the flying city of Schezerade. Brennia lands before a medium sized castle which is surrounded by gardens and smartly placed next to a hot spring; it would be seen that this castle was built with love, but also kept in mind the esthetic of the ever-opulent surrounding district. "Welcome to Chateau Smyth," she welcomed the woman and held the door open for her to enter the bard's castle.
Emilia could not find it in her heart to say no to the winged woman with such polite manners for being another winged folk like Feather Stick. Departing the tavern she followed the other woman from inside to outside, “Don’t freeze...” she whispered before Bre wrapped the light weight Genasi into her grip and took off into the air. Em was cold as carrying a block of ice to the other city, nothing about the white woman was pleasant to fly with, Bre would be lucky to not suffer from frostbite with the contact. She was lucky however, that this was not the first time that Emilia had flown before, her instincts in perfect tune with the avian in flight. Settling herself back onto her own two feet the healer gazed around the landing place, “Thanks you, kindly for the ride. I feel the panic call to your voice means this is most important and we shouldn’t waste any time. Please, lead the way, I will follow.” A nervous smile, unsure what she would be walking into, Em would follow Bre.
Artia was placed on the lavish furniture placing the below at the bottom of her lower back. Gritting her teeth as sweat began to pour out of her pours, "Bree!" She screamed out as the first hard contraction hit the witch, "1 avian, 2 avian," She counted up to eighteen before another contraction hit the witch, causing her head to lean back and scream. Her hands gripping on the furniture, first time the female had made it to labor. Her screams echo loud enough outside the home, breathing in deeply and exhaling as she told female's before during labor.
Brennia was quick as a flash, skittering around her concert piano atop the cold marble floors, to be by Artia's side offering her hand to grip and dabbing her forehead with a rag which Zachael procured for them along with sheets, towels and little blankets. "Shhh," She said something in a different language (French sounding) and her chef left as queued to return with some drinking water for Artia. Once Artia would start drinking down some water Brennia would start humming, it was beautiful and soft in it's silky alto timbre, but laced with bardic magic to help calm and sooth Artia for now. Brennia's determined deep blues meet Emilia's, "Madame, I suggest the hot spring next door?" The alluring tone asked while her calming humming continued its tune - somehow.
Emilia for second thought someone was going to be missing a limb when she followed the avian into the castle, but the sounds of Artia screaming in labor pains quickly answered her question about exactly what she was being summoned for, child birth. The Genasi walked along behind Bree to Artia, reaching out to place a frozen hand on her forehead, if allowed, “Artia, I have not seen you in ages. I would be happy to assist you in this process with your permission....” she wanted to make sure she would be allowed to help the witch, “I am part of the healer’s guild, we are trained to aide in things like this...” not to mention Emi had given birth to triplets. Looking toward the avian, “The heat of the springs will help with the contractions, but Artia here would want a water birth? If so, I will follow.” And possibly melt to death in the process, but she’d worry about that later.
Artia took Brennia's hand and squeezed as a contraction hit her again, they weren't to close together at the moment but close enough. The travel to Brennia's had caused her water to break in a late preterm time frame, taking a small sip of water. Looking to Emilia relieved that one of the healers she knew was here, and even a Larket citizen. "Water broke, Emilia I'm thirty-five weeks along roughly." She said through gritted teeth, her dress soaked from her fluids that she leaked. Nodding her head, enjoying the cold hand against her forehead. "Please help Emilia, I need you." The sound of the avian voice worked and slowly calmed her, "Will you be okay near a hot spring?" She looked up to Brennia's offering her a soft and nurturing smile best she could.
Brennia helped Artia up while Zachael grabbed the towels, rags and blankets they needed for this. Brennia was not worried about the mess on her pristine marble floor or on her lavish couch when her chef was going to clean it up right away. She shook her head and communicated in their native tongue instructing him to leave it. Instead, he followed them to the spring with the cloth items. Although Brennia looks like some royal countess and lives in a castle she might surprise others as was able to lift the pregnant woman so easily to quickly stride out of her home. Once in the spring she gently set Artia in the warm waters entirely neglecting her own 'ice-burn' down the middle of her torso from flying with the Genasi; that in itself was healing quite quickly. Brennia goes back to calming Artia choosing to sit behind the human with only her feet in the water. With the witch between her legs Brennia would gently move Artia's head to rest on Brennia's thigh as she strokes her hair; likely, being physical while casting bardic spells only strengthens it's effects. Brennia would keep an ear out for Emilia if she needed any demands.
Emilia did her best to try and stay out of the way during the travel to the hot springs. First, she wouldn’t want to cause the woman about to give birth frostbite on top of labor pains. Second, she had no idea where she was or where she was going, easily lost did not help the healer on some travels. The moment the little woman entered the hot springs she let out a heavy breath before inhaling slowly. Shaking off the feeling of being suffocated Emi pulled her crazed curls back into a most messy of buns atop her head, better to not get them wet. Striding across the room Em stood at the edge of the water, watching Artia being place into it is. She could only imagine the relief of the warmth against her contractions, yet the heat would also scoot the labor right along. Taking in a deep breath and holding it the Genasi followed the mother to be into the heat. Instantly there was a hissing sound of her frozen skin reacting to the heat along with a big of a chilled fog rising to mist the laboring woman. “Artia, this will be awkward, but I am going to see how far dilated you are by sticking my hand into your lady parts while you are between contractions.” Em had to make sure she was moving along in the labor, to see how close she was to pushing. The healer waited until the next contraction passed before reaching a small pale hand below the giant belly of Artia and proceeding to check how ready she was to have this baby. “Do not push, you are almost there, but not just there,” she remarked as she took her own hand back before resting it on Artia’s bellow to offer a chilling counter to the heat of the springs. Emi was turning from snow white to a soft shade of pink from where the water touched her flesh down.
The Hot Springs
Stepping through the carven archway you are greeted by a seemingly natural spring of elaborate manufacturing. Hand carved rock and stone line the pool in a semi-circle, the polished rocks looking as if to be placed there naturally by the hand of a higher being. Upon closer inspection one would find the quality of stone to be much more impressive than previous glances allowed. Ornately carved into the stone are phrases and images of unknown identity. Most likely being connected to Schezerade, or perhaps an even earlier realm of Avian origin. Aside from the intricate stone is the main piece of the area, the hot spring. A delicate mist of greyish tint floats lazily atop the crystal pool below. The water producing a low, humming buzz indicating its relaxing heat and invite patrons in for a relaxing dip. Various linens and robes rest across a wooden rack to welcome the damp patrons into fresh, clean clothing. As you turn to leave it becomes clear that such a lavish spring is fitting for such a fine city.
Artia ::Once in the spring, and gently put in it. Easily laying her head over on Brennia's thigh, embracing the bards gift. large eyes looking up into Brennia's, then back to Emilia. The cold touch to her lady parts made her shudder only slightly, she knew her body was saying push but she listened to Emilia. "It's hard not to, I'm trying not to. Should Brennia get in the water Emilia, and you walk her through?" She noticed the color of her flesh changing, and did not want the female to melt.
Brennia didn't think and only reacted once her glance to the Genasi saw her marks; her quick wit put two and two together fast. Suddenly, Brennia's ink which covers about ninety percent of her caramel complexioned skin swirled brilliantly off her form to become something of a doppelgänger of Brennia leaving her skin appearing untouched by the ink. The dark form slinks into the water without a ripple and saunters around Emilia gently touching around where the burning was. Inky had her own voice, it was sweet and just as enchanting as it sang a soft song of healing for the Genasi. The touches of Inky would go unfelt though the black mark would swirl and gather around Emilia's lower half creating some sort of barrier to the water. Brennia paid no mind to it as for once she trusted the Ink and she offered a, "Shhh, now, mama." In that warmth of her voice to Artia, "Do not fret, let us trust in Emilia's expertise." The way Emilia's name would play on the bard's tongue made it sound perverted and taboo - almost as if everything about this Avian was made to seduce. Inky and Brennia continue their magics, but not overly so - to give the mind room to think.
Emilia didn’t seem to notice at all that her flesh was burning with prolonged contact with the hot spring water, she barely noticed the Inky forming a barrier around her to protect her from the burn. The Genasi was more intent on tending to Artia as she was trying hard not to push, “I know, that is because you are so near ready to have this baby.” Em would reached up to stroke a hair from the other woman’s face, letting the chill of her hand sooth her. The healer was watching, counting seconds between contracts, judging her pain tolerance with each one as they grew closer and closer together. It was when they were five counts apart that Em would speak once more, “I think we are ready...but let me check to be sure, I don’t want you to have stopped and need to be cut open.” Another lady part check, “You are ready to push.” She finally announced, “I want you to keep your forehead from wrinkling as you push down, like you are going to poop, but focused toward pushing the baby out instead. As your next contraction starts I want you to push and hold it for three counts then breath ‘he-he-’haww’ and then rest while we wait for the next contraction and repeat until the baby crowns, then we will stop pushing like that...”
Artia relaxed more when she guessed at what Brennia was doing for the female, cringing as she felt a rush of contraction harder then the others. If wasn't for Brennia she had screamed, instead she cringed hard. "Contractions are getting stronger." Once the contractions were close together and ready to push she nods. Concentrating like she was told and pushed hard as she could, by now making the water a copper color. Leaning her head back closing her eyes, "It hurts." The bard magic helped but either way giving birth would hurt, and even more if Brennia was not here. Breathing as she instructed and as seen has instructed others before, "Here comes another one!" This time she lifted her head and looked into the water as the contraction was the hardest one yet. She pushed once more as he felt the contraction like told too. Lifting both her hands up to grip onto Brennia thighs, "Brennia.."
Brennia kept her focus on Artia and once it was time for her to push she was quick to lean down a little and hold onto Artia's hands, "You got this. Squeeze my hands, Artia, you strong beautiful woman." Brennia's own hands were secure and strong for Artia to squeeze as hard as necessary all the while her calming magic continued through her pep talk, "Yes, you are doing amazing, gorgeous. Let's see that bundle of joy now." Her own tone was low, calm and confident unlike how she met Emilia in the first place. "You are a champion, Enchantress."
Emilia continued to help Artia with her pushing and breathing as she pushed then rested. It was a tiring process for the mother to be, but soon it would bring a new life into the world. Minutes passed, pushing continued, more minutes passed, still more pushing. The healer could imagine for Artia that it felt like hours had passed when in reality it had only been nearly one for her, some mother’s labored for days and other pushed for hours, but the witch was lucky. The Genasi finally spoke, “Alright, Artia, I feel a head and some hair. I am going to need big long push to get this head out, then a smaller push for the shoulders.” Hands at the ready Em would guide Aria through the last two pushes to get out her baby. Child in hands the healer would pull her the rest of the way out after guiding the shoulders out. Lifting the naked thing out of the water, still attached via the cord to the mother Em would happily announce, “Its a girl!” in regard to the dark haired baby in her hands. A few pats to her back and she gave that blessing sound of her first cry. “Want to cut the cord, Winged one?” Meanwhile, she would hand the crying one over toward the waiting mother.
Approx 2:37:07 HT
Artia held onto Brennia hands tightly, "This baby is worth it, I wish the fatherwas here and even knew we have a baby!" It was a bitter sweet moment.. Tears of joy rain down her cheek, out of three pregnancy this one made it all the way so far. She was Artia's rainbow baby, and special no matter what anyone said. The witch pushed as hard as she could, feeling the pressure of the baby almost out. She screamed out, stopped and breathed, leaning her head on Brennia. Obviously tired already, but then she pushed again and out came the head full of hair. At hearing it was a girl she giggles, and sniffles at the same time. "My Ava-Marie, my little miracle." She shaking took the covered in goo infant, who was so tiny not over six pounds or over 19 inches long. "She is perfect." Looking to Brennia, "Good ahead, I'd be honored." Moving gently, she placed a breast into the babes mouth. Gasping at the pull as the child began to eat right away. "Oh."
Brennia didn't skip a beat by unsheathing the obsidian Sai dagger from his hilt tucked away between her back on her wings. A very swift and expert swish of her blade cut the chord so it may be pinched, or tied, off just before she swiped a tear from her own cheek. The magical hot spring seemed to nearly cleanse the water of any impurities, lucky for them as I am sure sitting in water of that condition would not be too pleasant. Once the baby was in Artia's arms it seemed in perfect harmony with her Ink that they sort of switched focus; Brennia's calming tune for the baby and Inky's healing one for Artia on her lady parts… Did Inky get shorter? Brennia returns her blade to it's rightful place while stroking Artia's hair with her free hand, "What a beautiful baby girl, Artia. The father will be so lucky." Zachael was quick to hand a towel to Emilia for whenever she exited and a towel and blanket for the baby so Brennia may start to clean up the little thing and wrap it up, having no shame during the feeding. Her deep blues would turn on Emilia and assist her out of the water. As Emilia would leave the ink would return to her Inky familiar, "Would you like something to drink or eat? There is plenty of different spirits in my cellar and food was already prepared by my lovely Zachael tonight. I shall fly you back to the frosty land whenever you wish it… And Emilia, thank you?" She would offer a respectful bow and her onyx wings arch in kind to add to the elaborate gesture, "Do you accept payment for such things?"
Emilia before exiting the water would make sure that Artia pushed out the remaining placenta that was left behind, setting it off to the edge of the spring because who knows what a witch would do with it. “Congratulations, Artia. A bit small, but healthy. I will swing by when I get a chance to check up on her, until then, enjoy being a mother,” Em would reply, making sure the cord was tied. Taking the help from the other Emi climbed out of the water with her gown soaked and flesh still a slight pink color. The woman looked as if she would pass out any moment from being in this heated place. “We can talk about all things later when I can breath...make sure she gets into a comfy bed with rest if she can. Labor is tiring on the body.” Half soaked Em would then wander out to go find her way back to Brennia’s castle to first strip into the towel, making it a dress, then finding a place to crash for the night with instruction from Chef.
Artia sighed, "Ava-Marie has only me and the people I surround myself with, and who knows she might not have any magic in her or take after me or her father." Soon the child unlatched from feeding and was sound asleep as she was wrapped up by Brennia. Once done her shaking arms wrapped back up around the infant, a smile not leaving her lips. "I owe you both, thank you." She watched as Emilia left, looking up to Brennia. Mind helping me back to your home, and may I stay for a bit? I have no reason to go anywhere."
Brennia's Inky returns to her body, exhausted. She assists Artia out of the water as Zachael helped with Emilia in the castle to set her up with food, drink and a spare room. "Of course, love. Your apothecary corner remains untouched and your room still fluffed. We shall go shopping tomorrow for a crib and bassinet?" She turned that stone-heart-melting smile on Artia - dimples included as they entered the home once more. "Lady Ava-Marie, it's a perfect name." Her arm and wing around Artia as they walked, it was like a protective and loving feeling of that wing as Brennia's deep blues never left the child's face, "She's a gifted one… I feel it."
Artia smiled at the moment both the babies eyes looked navy and the colors not set. She moved very slowly, into Brennia's embrace and walked even slower." A bed is something I can not wait for, and that be great to go shopping. I still have the baby stuff in the attic that Irenic made for our child."
Brennia felt a lump in her throat, having to hold back a scowl and scoff at the mention of Edlin. She did not want to upset Artia at this moment as she put it from her own mind. "We must suffer through the dark to bask in the light…" She would offer as it seems she's been through so much in losing so many loves in such a short amount of time. "Want me to put on a lullaby for the two of you?"
Artia nods, "As weird as this sounds, yes. And stay with me tonight, I do not Want to be alone. First time in months I don't feel alone." Once they got to Artia's room she laid the child down, dropping the wet clothes to the floor. Next she moved into bed, looking to Brennia to lay with them. the Infant back on Artia's chest. Once Brennia did, or came near Artia would grab a hand, placing a kiss to it.
This is a Healer's Guild RP.