I don't need anymore

^^

There was no putting this conversation off any longer. After the strangers have approached them - even if nothing had come from it, the tension in the air was impossible to ignore. Someone had been skulking about when the strange female had visited, and Rosencrantz didn't like it one bit. To have someone sneaking around, no matter their relationship to the female was nothing good.

It sat in his gut like a stone, almost as heavy as Annika was becoming.

Although she had stated they would most likely not survive in their previous conversation before their wicked adultery dance - there was no ignoring his desire to keep her from harm given her current state. He had failed once and possibly was the cause for the loss of her previous litter he had created with her... and so he would be damned for it to happen a second time.  
 
“I need to talk with you.” He said as he walked by the woman in question, gently bumping his shoulder against hers to see if she would follow him away from the group so they may chat freely only the two of them.

^^
the staff team luvs u

All things considered, Annika regretted how the conversation had transpired towards the end. Thoughts of strange bipedal creatures with fur on their heads and contraptions made to keep a wolf's mouth closed haunted her now, and she wondered what sort of other beasts were out there lurking just beyond her knowledge. Still, Meissa hadn't seemed.. bad -- no, if anything, she seemed to be a woman far kinder than she ought to be given the circumstances of her life. In a way, Annika related. Her pain had been handed out by her own kind, yes, but there was a kinship there regardless. Shitty lives were something worth bonding over, weren't they? But then the growl had come and Meissa had titled it belonging to her mate, and Annika had grown uneasy at the idea he would not show his face.

When @Rosencrantz had showed, she was relieved. Mostly. The other part of her was disappointed she wouldn't be able to learn anything else from the woman, but his stance had been clear on the matter. Meissa had left without issue, though, and she hoped any potential future interactions would be peaceful. Fat chance, but a lady could hope.

Annika stirred when she felt the man brush against her, requesting a moment alone. She almost protested for the sake of laziness, but instead nodded and trailed behind him at a leisurely pace. There was no urgency in her strides, though she did fear whatever was about to happen. "What's on your mind, Rosen?" She had to admit it felt strange speaking with him so calmly. Shouldn't they have been mauling each other or something?

the staff team luvs u

^^

They walked for a moment to seclude themselves. While they travelled the little distance, he remained mostly silent. Letting the sound of chirping frogs slowly fill the air as the early singers began their songs. Every now and then a cricket would join in on the music which would only rise in intensity over the next few hours as the sun would set, setting the stage for their concerto.

Tall ears twisted toward their symphony and back to behind him with Annika's paws following his. Frankly, Rosencrantz wasn't the best at these things. He was never the diplomatic type and often spoke too bruteish to get to say what he meant properly.

What was on his mind? Well, a lot. And yet he couldn't figure out exactly what to say. So unfortunately he remained silent for a little while longer, letting his mind wander and trying to piece his thoughts out. As if that would help at all. “You're pregnant.” He says bluntly. Not with the same irritation he had toward the boy joining their group - but more so with himself at not figuring it out earlier.

Tossing a glance over his shoulder with his good eye, he hoped to gauge her reaction before continuing from there.

^^
the staff team luvs u

The silence was deafening. She had never felt so terribly alone as in that moment, but it stemmed from a place of fear. Rosencrantz had welcomed her into his home and she worried he may be asking her to leave; perhaps her spar with Guild hadn't been appropriate and he'd taken offense? Annika didn't know, but she was quickly replaying all of her possible offenses. Which one had been the deciding factor to remove her from the Wayfarers?

You are pregnant.

Oh. That one.

Annika's ears flattened against her head as she walked, nearly tripping over the revelation as though she hadn't been painfully aware of it all along. She couldn't think of a single thing to say outside of "yes." his face unreadable, Annika couldn't tell his feelings on the matter. Still, she felt compelled to add: "But I do not think anything will come of it. They will either not survive the full term or be stillborn, you needn't worry about it." It had happened every single time, so what made this any different? If anything, her body was growing older and less fertile. The chances of a successful pregnancy were slim.

the staff team luvs u

^^

Well, at least she didn't take offence to his forwardness - but still, her answer stung. Stinging his ears just enough to have them flicker away as if avoiding the truth. Nothing would come from it - she continued. Stillborn or not to full term, he wasn't certain how to feel on the matter but still. The matter of fact was that she was pregnant - and with his no less he was certain... Unless told otherwise.

The way she retreated in herself as she spoke was unmistakable. Annika was still uncertain with herself, and so for a moment he pondered on what to do. If this was the right move or not he would soon learn - but with stiff movements he moved around to meet her side. Saddling up next to Annika as if to try and comfort her the best he could, shoulder to shoulder while taking the opportunity to sit.
 
“Regardless - you must take care, there is no need for extra stress on your body.” And what if they were to come to term after all? They had to take precautions. “Children will be tough to raise in our... pack —” He said as loosely as possible. Perhaps the new boy will have a purpose after all. 

^^
the staff team luvs u

It appeared he was not as angry as she had anticipated him being when the news finally came out, but there was a hesitance to him that made her frown. Annika had certainly not suspected one man would impregnate her twice, particularly when so many others had failed, and boy had she tried other men. It was simply her body, beaten and abused for so long from such a young age, that was inhospitable to life. Annika had accepted it long ago, yes, but this certainly wasn't doing her any favors.

The woman was grateful for his body along hers and leaned against him as she settled onto her haunches, chewing the inside of her cheek bloody. "Rosen," she spoke softly. "The amount of times I have tried for pups, the amount of times it has failed to take and the amount of times pregnancies have failed.. well, it would be a miracle." Annika wanted to pull away in shame but held there, glancing at him from the corner of her icy gaze. "You're sweet, though. If it sets your mind at ease, I will.. slow down." She wondered, deep down, if he was counting on his tactic to bring the puppies into the world alive and well.

"It doesn't matter how hard it would be, though. If by some divine intervention these puppies were born, I would do whatever necessary to protect them. Keep them alive, healthy. No one would need to help, it would be my own doing and unfair to assume anyone else to pitch in. I'm okay with that."

Not that it would happen at all.

the staff team luvs u

^^

He was torn with the news.

Uncertain if he should be glad to be a father soon, disappointed in himself to impregnate a woman after chastising Miriam for bringing not only her child, but another child in with them too after he had spoken of how difficult it would be to have young ones around... and now he was here, with Annika where they had possibly created the same problem. What a hypocrite he was.

Then there was the idea that they would not make it. The loss of life, the life he had assisted in making - again - failed. Would it be difficult to look the other way? To move on, even if it meant Annika would be destroyed once more by being reminded of what could never be hers? Would his presence being here this time help in easing that pain or would it drive her away once and for all, retreat her into that shell she was trying to build.

He couldn't understand any of it. What he wanted, what was best.

What he did know, is how a pregnant woman had to be treated. That they needed more food and rest than usual as their body focussed on creating new life. Even if it might not take, Annika still needed the help to keep her own strength up. What was meant to be would be with he unborn children - but she was here now, and needed their assistance whether she asked for it or not.

After all, this was his doing.

“Even then, it would do you no good to stretch yourself thin. This is my doing as well, I will assist.” And that would carry on to should the "miracle" children be born healthy after all. “But I don't like the two who had visited not too long ago... the one choosing to be hidden. Are you able to move as we find somewhere else to settle?”

At least they could find somewhere safer for her to nest.

^^
the staff team luvs u

Things were as uncertain as always. Just once, Annika wished for some semblance of togetherness -- what did it feel like to be whole? Content? Satisfied? There were a thousand and one things on her mind, and she struggled to ascertain what was right. Somewhere out there in an alternate universe was an Annika that had her life together, a proper mateship and a family larger than life. Whatever she had decided that triggered such a fortunate fate, present Annika didn't know. Gods, she wished she knew.

Still, even though she convinced herself it would do no good to dwell, Annika was stuck in a cycle of brooding. How unfair was it for all of these cruel things to happen? What crime had she committed to be deserving of them? She wracked her brain time and time again and came up empty, so it only made sense she was sitting next to Rosencrantz debating the meaning of life. There was none, plain and simple, and she was a fool for trying to figure it out.

"Alright," the Russian agreed. If he wanted to help, if he felt obligated to do so, she would allow him to soothe his conscience. When he remedied that ailment and the concern dwindled, she would be prepared. Her attention drifted back to him as she lowered onto her stomach, claws scraping the earth as she gingerly relaxed. "Moving would be fine, I have no problems with that. There's probably.. a bit less than a month to do so, however." Annika glanced up at him, wondering how prepared he could be so soon. Less than a month? When the hell had she planned on telling him?

Oh, right. Never.

"The woman, Meissa.. she told me of things that stood on two legs and put a muzzle on her. She said a muzzle was like a cage for the mouth, and that they had made something called dogs. Do you know anything about that? Dogs? Or muzzles. Are they real?" Annika desperately wanted some validation to the story, lest she be mocked for being taken a fool.

the staff team luvs u

^^

[sfont=Gideon Roman]A low, drawn out grunt followed as she accepted the thought of moving. It was his way of appreciating her agreement. Though the peaceful lake side view was nice, perhaps it was finally time for something new. Something more private. Something harder to follow them in. Tossing a glance over his shoulder with his one good eye, the archangel eyeballed the mountains and believed perhaps that would be their next path.

They would have to speak with the group first. But he would be adamant on moving. 
 
“We'll move as soon as the group is notified.” That way they would not have to push Annika too far, and she can rest up before the due date would come. Was he ready for what was to come? Not entirely. He had yet to be a father of any kind, leaving his and @Guildenstern's home pack at a relatively young age they weren't exposed to it for very long either.

He had an idea of the basics - but knew he wouldn't be the best at it either... it frightened him enough to keep him up at night. But there was little he could do about it now.  

— And the subject changed. Onto the woman that Annika had met prior to their conversation now. A single ear twisted back to Annika as she spoke of the strange descriptions, eventually bringing his gaze back down to her with a confused - stone carved eye. A low grunt covered the silence as he pondered her question, the worry that covered her from head to toe. “I've heard of dogs, but I haven't seen any - nor of the contraption you were told of.”

Unfortunately... he didn't have much to calm her worries with.[/sfont]

^^
the staff team luvs u

While he still perplexed her with his mannerisms, Annika was gradually realizing that when he said nothing at all was often when he said the most. She kept herself pressed against him, afraid to lose a moment of rare peace between them. Perhaps he was only doing it out of guilt for what had happened between them, but she was appreciative nonetheless. With Valeska so far away, he was really the only friend she had. Pathetic, yes, but when had she been anything but?

Her attention remained wholly fixated on him as he began to explain dogs.. somewhat. It wasn't the most detailed of answers but likely as much as she was going to get out of him. "I see. Hm. Wonder if she was lying, then." Annika didn't suspect she had a reason to do so, but Rosen had experience beyond his years that she was willing to acknowledge, too. She would have greatly preferred to know the woman was lying, but..

"Will you tell me a little bit about yourself? You and your brother seem like seasoned warriors, how did you end up out here?" Was there a story behind it? Were they disgraced soldiers, or simply scarred from a rough lifestyle like Annika?

the staff team luvs u

^^

[sfont=Gideon Roman]It was possible Annika was right. The woman could have been lying. The both of them were suspicious enough for wandering around with one speaking and the other lurking in the shadows. It was hard to believe anything such being would say would be anything but a lie. The thought of what "muzzles" could be sounded far fetched, how a wolf or dog would allow themselves to let their maws be shut - there was no possible way. 

So the subject changed almost immediately. Moving onto Guildenstern and himself. Such a topic wasn't one he was fond of speaking of. The past was nearly forgotten during their re-awakening here all but bits and pieces of their childhood remained. Perhaps some of his travels while others were lost to the winds of time. He couldn't even be certain of his age if he was being honest... frankly he felt ancient. His bones and joints felt young enough, and yet his mind meandered like some cranky old man who had seen far too much already to care. 
 
“I — Don't know how we ended up here.” A quick pause for him to think of the answer. Think back to the time before this. “My last memories were of some large creature, a bear I believe.” It was huge. Earthy tones with massive claws that could rip any wolf in half easily. “When I woke up, Guildenstern was there. We were in some misty woods and it felt as if I hadn't seen him in years.” And silence returned, eye wandering her face to see if that is what she wanted to hear from him. [/sfont]

^^
the staff team luvs u

The granules of information he offered were few and far between, but she understood. It was difficult to ask for knowledge he didn't have himself, so she didn't pressure him into explaining anything further. All she offered was a nod and an observation: "Your brother is an interesting man." It was the polite way of putting it, naturally. Annika didn't see either of them as assholes, exactly, but did certainly view them as bullheaded and brash. Ah, well. There was nothing that could be done about it now.

"Let's head back, hm?" They could discuss things on the way, and once there, Annika could happily fall asleep.

exit

the staff team luvs u