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As the days went on she grew stronger. Her lungs had grown accustomed to the thinner mountain air and the short trips around @Quicksilver's den helped to bring strength back to her legs. Hearing of @Ira's pregnancy and how soon her due date was approaching had brought a feeling of being a burden. How this was a joyous occasion for the High Queen and her pack, and here Reiko was taking up precious time by keeping Quicksilver away.

So instead of being useless and in the way, this time she would follow the druid along as he picked through the herbs only to eventually wander away to see if she could find something else to add. She'd find herself closer to where the sound of running water, searching for one herb in particular...

Stinging Nettle. The plant should be cultivated earlier in the year, but with some treating, she was certain she could manage to prepare it properly before the High Queen was ready. Care had to be taken in preparing the plant, to strip the stinging hairs off of it and make it safe to consume. Carefully with incisors, keeping her lips and tongue away from the plant and clipping small bits of it off - she'd place them on warm sunbathing rocks to dry.

She should at least offer a parting gift before heading back to Tsukiishi, a thank you for their aid and return the favour... it would also be a good excuse to stay just a little longer.

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With each day, Reiko found herself able to venture further from his chamber. When he returned from a round of patrol along the Western border, the druid was not surprised to find his hollow empty. He didn't like it when she roamed too far, not without his presence to reassure any pack-mates who might not appreciate the free roaming of one who was not of their own. Quicksilver turned toward the direction he suspected the pallid Empress to have ventured, and picked his way along the trail.

He found her, busied with flora, and he pricked his ears forward with curiosity as he eased his stride and moved in alongside her. “Nettle,” the silverwhite hummed, pale eyes fixated on his snowflower's careful dissection of the plant. “For Ira?”


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No matter how careful she would be, there would always be some of the hairs that would find its way to prick her skin. The sting wasn't too terrible, irritating... similar to a bee sting. It hurt but was easily ignored as she carried on with her tasks.

What kind of guest would she be if there wasn't some effort put into an offering for her sudden intrusion? The least she could do was just grin and bear some stingers of a plant. It was easier to avoid their stingers in their earlier stages of life, where the stingers had not fully come in yet and were still relatively small and fragile. It wasn't quite an option right now however was it?

The sound of someone else approaching caught pale ears, as she placed down the new stem to dry before turning to greet the familiar face. Already he knew what was the plan, to which her tail swayed as she hummed. “Mhm~ A postpartum gift.” She'd rub a paw along her muzzle, trying to ease the new sting that found its way there.

“How far along is she?” A topic away from them.

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The snowflower confirmed his assumption, and he canted his muzzle to regard the stripped plant she'd laid out in the sun to dry. She shared that it was meant to be a postpartum gift, meaning it was unsafe for pregnancy, and he wondered how t might benefit the High Queen and her newborns. “Any day now,” Quicksilver answered her question with an excited lash of his feathered tail; the royal cubs would bring great joy to their pack.

He wondered how soon they would arrive, and if Reiko might be around to celebrate with them. A guard had not yet come from Shiroshika to escort her home and Quicksilver was afraid to be hopeful, but as time passed he would continue to wish her one more day to stay.

“You should go see her, if you're feeling up to it,” the druid suggested, with a hint of a smile. He was sure the High Queen would appreciate her company while she squirrelled herself away to await her whelping, and that Reiko herself might like to see a different, friendlier face.


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Any day now he said. She was immediately excited for them, feeling warmth spread through her remembering their wedding. What a beautiful couple they made and even more beautiful children they would make together. Chasing away the envious feelings that clouded her thoughts, desiring the same for herself as the High Queen had - she would not ruin this as well with jealousy.

She could see the excitement he felt toward the idea of the children soon arriving. His joy easily spread and shared as her own for them. Knowing she couldn't stay much longer, but still she wondered if they would arrive during her stay. A part of her would love to remain long enough to celebrate the new life, seeing as she would not be a new mother this year or any time soon.

“Do you think she would like that?” After all, it didn't matter if she was up to it no matter the wounds or sores that may still be lingering. Ira was the one who harbored life within her, and she would be the one catered to - no the other way around. “Am I not already a burden?” Pulling her chin into her chest, she'd look up at him with uncertain eyes. Cerulean studying his expression under darkened lashes.

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Ira and Hieronymous' relationship had progressed swiftly, while Quicksilver's own experiences had not gone so smoothly. Reiko's initial rejection of him had been due to her attempt at building something with someone else, someone who'd conjured enough feeling in her to take a chance. The druid, though disappointed, did not hold it against her. All too well he understood the desire for companionship, for stability - to want and be wanted in return. The snowflower's samurai had left her, ultimately, and her heart had opened to make room for him just as his had tentatively reached for Izumi.

The royal cubs were to be his priority, now. It was for them he would make effort to root himself again, to be a presence in their innocent lives as guardian, doctor and teacher. Each wolf in the pack would play a role to help shape them, and Quicksilver wanted to be prepared for his.

“You are her ally,” he reminded gently, “a friend to Vanderfell. Please do not ever think yourself a burden here, Reiko.”


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What Quicksilver's thoughts filtered through his head, she could only see fleetingly. By this time she had grown aware of that look in his eyes, how it wandered to something that dimmed the light in his eyes. Cerulean eyes fell to the herbs again, turning to focus on pushing them carefully away from one another so they may dry quickly.

She could only assume he thought of Izumi. Of what had been on all their minds for the past month or so... how long had it been since the wedding now? Long enough for Ira to be ready to give birth... so much longer than that. She would not fight Quicksilver on this matter any longer, nor bring up such a topic. Her feelings were made clear, and that at the very least, they would not grow distant with hate.

Which seemed more like a possibility, that alone brought peace to the Empress' mind.

He could not accept her as a lover. And that was okay.

It wouldn't change the way she felt, but she could certainly find happiness for him the day he did find someone who would complete his missing piece. “I assume this will be her first litter?” He reassured she would never be a burden here, a thought that she could barely think to be true. She ate up their resources with no possibility of remaining longer than a few days. She took the time of their healer because she was greedy and lonely. Quicksilver was simply being kind.

Even with all the time he spent with her, it was out of kindness, out of duty.

“When I had mine, I was given stinging nettle to boost postpartum fatigue.” Perhaps the only man meant for her had already come and gone and this was her fate. To cherish the one child left - the one child she left behind as she selfishly took up the time of the Druid. “I will prepare them and gift them to Ira when I see her.”

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“Yes,” he confirmed, when Reiko asked if this was to be Ira's first brood. The Queen was heavy with child and she was tired - very soon, their chambers would welcome the mewling of several newborn babes. Quicksilver was worried, naturally, though he kept his thoughts to himself. What if the royal litter did not survive? What if their Alphess perished? What if he, their medic, could not save them? The druid, despite the vast knowledge he held, was still inexperienced in his field.

The silverwhite was quiet for a long pause as he considered these very sad, very real, possibilities.

Conversation carried on on Reiko's part, and Quicksilver lifted his gaze to regard her as she spoke - this time, of her own offspring. The snowflower had recovered one, a daughter, he recalled, while her son remained missing. How long had it been? The chances of her ever finding him again were slim, but the hope remained. He hoped Reiko would hold that close to her heart, always.

“Would you... would -” he blinked, shuffled a paw awkwardly, and drew in a breath, “would it be odd if I were to ask about...?”

Why was this so difficult? The ashen wolf fumbled with his words, tripping over each attempt to ask a simple question: what happened to the father of your cubs?

Tobias had not sired the Empress' brood, he understood, considering the timing. She'd declared that she barely knew him, after all. So there had to be someone else involved, someone who was long gone.

And whoever he was, Quicksilver hoped he'd made her happy.


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“I will remember to congratulate them.” It was always an exciting thing to give new life, first or last time a mother would - but there would always be something special about their first time. That breathlessness that made them want to do it again despite the pain it brought. It was certainly a miracle at play if one were to believe in such things or no.

It was why hers were the lights, the twinkling sparkles that kept her though her first ordeal to bring them into this world. Though life was dark, they shone through.

Curious eyes tossed their way over her slender shoulder to the Druid as he fumbled his words. His true meaning was left unnoticed and instead she assumed what was the more possible question he pondered. Because there was no way he would ask about her children, not after what they had gone through.

“I can certainly help if this is your first time as well - to help a mother deliver.” chiming in brightly, she didn’t know how much longer she would be here in vanderfell but they could always make time for some lessons.

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She could not read his mind, unfortunately, and the discomfort of it made him refrain from pressing further. Despite his awkwardness, Reiko did not avoid communication with him. She, entirely unaware of the turmoil that'd presented in his mind over her past partners, instead assumed the reason for his uncertainty to be that Ira's litter would be the first that he would whelp.

A procedure that did frighten him, but not that which bothered him right then.

“Oh,” he emitted a breath of laughter, amused and suddenly glad for the chance to veer away from what was sure to be a stressful topic, “I, uh... I would appreciate that.” Who better than to give advice about childbirth than a mother? Quicksilver felt each delivery would be different, each presented with their own challenges, but having some knowledge of what he might expect would beneficial.

If he was not meant to father pups of his own, then he would simply play uncle to all. “What was it like, for... for you?”


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Absolutely none the wiser. It seemed that the little lost empress simply couldn't fathom anything being about her in general unless it was brought up, straight to the point. As for Quicksilver, well, it seemed he was still far too shy to say what was on his mind at any given moment.

She did somehow catch the uncertainty he emitted as she wandered to the topic, but easily brushed it off as it was no stranger than how he normally acted before the anger and frustration twisted their senses around. This shy and timid Quicksilver was much more like the man she knew before it all.

Then she paused. What was it like for her? Nervously she let a single note escape her, a laugh maybe? It was a strange expression. Her mouth attempted to form words as she pondered how to answer properly - truthfully without being a broken dam overflowing into the valley below. After a pause, she'd finally sigh. Eyes focussing on the herbs she was mindlessly fiddling with the whole time. “Stressful.”

Memories of that day came to her as though it was almost a forgotten dream. A dream she wished would just vanish. “My pregnancy wasn't what one would call a 'traditional way to start a family. I learned a lot from the woman who aided me during that time, and I would be happy to pass on my knowledge for another.”

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Stressful, she said. What did that even mean? How? In what way? Quicksilver, with literally zero equipment to ever experience childbirth himself, struggled to understand. If it was really that bad, why did other she-wolves continue to reproduce? The druid's automatic response was to turn away from anything unpleasant, so -

Oh.

The way she'd gotten pregnant had been what brought her stress, not the... actual pregnancy? The silverwhite listened quietly, not at all considering that the snowflower might've been forced by someone or that there'd been two suitors involved.

Quicksilver did not press for more information on her past. He'd tried to ask if it was okay to try learn a little more about who Reiko was and where she'd come from, but his attempt had been shockingly bad. No, it was safer to let her say anything that needed to be said at her own pace.

“I'm sorry you had a hard time with that,” he said gently, stepping in closer with the hope of bumping his snout reassuringly to the dove's shoulder, “I... if you don't want to talk about it, it... it's okay?”


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As though numb from the stinging of the nettle in her paws as she toyed with the herbs. She wouldn't think about the repercussion of them as her mind wandered to a time before this. Playing the reels of tape that were stored away, gathering dust in the recesses of her mind. Things she would love to remember, while others she wished to forget.

The druid would apologize, to which she'd respond with a hum and a shake of her head. “No, it is no trouble - my apologies, you probably do not want to hear about it.” To his reassurance, she would bump her head against his. Both accepting his touch as well as returning the gesture that he had done nothing wrong in asking. “It is all in the past now.” And where it shall remain.

Of course, should someone ask, Reiko was an open book to those who wanted to know. But closed off for now believing it was nothing but an annoyance.

Even as much as she tried, it still pained to think back to it. How she didn't have anyone to truly turn to until suddenly waking up here in these new lands. She had taken it with stride, holding it all in since then and brushing aside for matters that were at hand currently.

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Reiko accepted his presence as he drew closer, and reached to butt her brow to the side of his crown. The druid mustered a watery smile in response, his feathered tail giving a contented sway at his hocks. "It is all in the past now," was her soft assurance, though his concern remained.

What had happened to the man who'd sired her children?

What had happened to her?

He wanted to know, but didn't want to press - as though his decision to withdraw himself romantically from both Reiko and Izumi meant he was expected to shut himself off from them. It was simply none of his business. Quicksilver let silence hang between them for a few moments before he turned attention once more to the dove's work: “so, does the stinging nettle do anything else for new mothers?”


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He didn't respond any further, confirming that he didn't want to hear about how her children had come about nor of their sire(s). Why would he? It didn't matter to him what had happened, and knowing his previous feelings of her it would only be a cause of jealousy or doubt. Maybe even change his view on her as well if he knew the troubles that came along with it all. It was better to be buried instead.

At his affections, she'd give his chin a single kiss. Keeping his presence close and welcomed without being too overbearing herself either. As much as she would have loved to smother him, it was perhaps not right to do so. Things were still tender like a newly sprouted plant. It needed time, protection and nurturing before it could grow into a strong tree to weather any conditions to come later.

“Mhm~” She'd musically hum along with a nod to his question. “They do not taste awful so they are easy to consume... not delicious either.” Earthy, grassy, how one would expect an herb to taste. “They are good for anemia, which is why it helps in postpartum. It has other uses as well, but none that is useful for a mother... and only give it to a woman after they birth their children.” She'd drone on as excitedly as she could, as much as one could be exciting and enticing during a lesson.

Quicksilver's proximity didn't help either. Her mind wandered to him as she spoke, having a hard time focussing on the lesson at hand.

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Quicksilver did not dwell on his curiosities of the life Reiko led before she'd woke in this strange place, and far from his mind did he push the wolf he believed might've held her heart then. He imagined he would be tall and strong, powerful, with a proud head and kind eyes - willing and able to lay down his life for her.

Someone he could never compare to.

The druid twitched a whisker, snapping back into reality at the contact that Reiko made. She pressed a kiss to the pallid underside of his chin then stole her gaze away, focus returning swiftly to her task as though the gesture never happened. Quicksilver blinked at her, unsure what it was supposed to mean or if she'd simply wished to regain his attention - either way, his gaze did not drift from her again.

“It is a danger to unborn pups, then?” Quicksilver asked.


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She didn't think much of her actions, not anymore at least. These past few days were easier as they went on. She felt less anxious about the barriers between them and less hesitant to reach out - especially when he was doing so on his own as well now. So the little kiss didn't phase her as much as it must have for him.

“Yes,” she'd hum, continuing with the little impromptu lesson. Remembering the little details being given to her when she was on the receiving end of it all. 'Only eat the nettle after you are certain every pup has been delivered', she was instructed. Later on she'd ask why out of curiosity.

“It can cause premature contractions or miscarriage.” As she taught her daughter about the dangers of Belladona, it was important for medics to know both negative and positive uses for plants. “I suppose it could be used if a mother needs to be induced into labour... I have not tried it, however.” She pondered out loud, letting her gaze shift to the horizon as though the thought itself carried her away.

Perhaps if they were desperate, one day she would be brave enough to give it a try.

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Quicksilver bowed his head a little, aware of the pang of sorrow in his heart as Reiko confirmed his suspicion. He thought sadly of how those inexperienced in herbalism might offer it to a she-wolf in effort to better their health, only to force cubs too soon from the protection of their womb. His heart ached for she-wolves who might've been forced to carry babes they didn't want, and thus need to make the difficult decision of whether or not she wished to carry them to term. He imagined with great sadness how that might feel and how they might suffer, but at the same time was glad that there was such an herb to give them that choice.

“I see,” the silverwhite hummed thoughtfully, and cast such grim ponderings from his mind. “That is good to know. I hope to specialise as a midwife, so... I appreciate it. Anything else I should know about the nettle?”


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The thoughts that would whirl through him went unnoticed as she was in her own. Remembering the past and all the little things that either made it all worth while in the end - or that much more terrible. Though standing side by side, the Druid and the empress were off into their own worlds.

That was until he spoke up again, drawing her attention away from fiddling with the spiny herbs and casting a sideway glance to him without moving her muzzle. “Preparation perhaps. Their hairs sting uncomfortably so —” speaking of which brought attention to the stoning in her own muzzle and paws. “The hairs sting and cause swelling. You can dry them like this and shake off the hairs later - or boil them in some hot springs if you any… if not we do back in Tsukiishi. For all that has been done here, Vanderfell is welcome to use them.”

After speaking, she’d lick the pads of a single paw. Gently trying to soothe that stinging sensation that grew now that she paid attention to it.

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“Ah, I... I see,” he said gently, interest in his eyes as he observed how the dove picked carefully at the herb she prepared. He imagined Ira or any mother he might aid in future would not be impressed to consume medication that might cause her harm. His goal as midwife was to make them as comfortable as possible before and after delivery, so an assault on his own mouth and paws by stinging nettle was a price he was willing to pay.

Reiko made mention of her hot springs, and he thought of those he'd located with Izumi among the North-Western ranges. The water there had been warm and the steam soothing - he figured it would be beneficial to those afflicted by flu or even stress, though Quicksilver was not aware of any within Vanderfell's claim. He appreciated her offer, even though the distance between his home and hers meant making use of her fairy pools awkward.

She seemed uncomfortable, and he noticed. He moved in carefully to hover nearby, concern in his tone, “can I... is there anything I can do to help? You are welcome to use our medicine cache.”


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Can I... he'd say over her shoulder. His closeness warmed her cheeks uncomfortably as she tried to keep her thoughts away from the Druid in that sense and purely on the conversation at hand. At his request, she'd show him her paws, raised, angry bumps on her blackened pads and reddish ones around.

“I might have been a little clumsy handling them.” She giggled softly, awkwardly to herself as she spoke. “I would appreciate it.” With Quicksilver's aid, they would deal with her now... sore paws and muzzle, all thanks to her own doing due to not paying close attention to the herbs in her grasp - in the meantime the nettle would dry and get ready for the second step to their preperation.

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