The summer air was heavy; full of moisture and fragrance. Even as dawn burst over the horizon, flooding the sky with hues of pink and yellow, the air was already warm and dense. As she moved through the Fields, she light scent of clover and dew filled her nostrils, filling her with a sense of calm and resolve. The air seemed to sparkle as the rays of dawn gently cast their light through the waking meadow, illuminating each and every bead of moisture that hung from the multitude of wild flowers. There was no breeze, and for the first time since her curse, Phaedra felt comfortable. The humid air clung to her withered body, gentle enveloping her in an airy shroud.

Throughout the gruelling trials of her pregnancy, Phae had wondered one simple thing: Will I know? Will I know when the foal is going to come? The question had tormented her, and in these later days, had caused her to restrict her movements significantly. Never having had a foal before, Phae was uncertain as to the signs which would indicate that she was about to go into labour. Would she be somewhere she ought not, when the foal came? Ignorant of the warning signs? Would she be in poor, or even dangerous company? Fearful that her ignorance would lead to harm on the part of her un-born foal, Phae had ceased her wandering, only venturing out to tell Ktulu of her pregnancy, and answer for her shameful actions when Tolio had called her.

Will I know?

In the post-dawn hush of what was sure to be a blistering hot Tallsun morning, Phae realized that yes, she would know, because she knew now. The foal was coming now.

The pressure in her belly was enormous, and given the current state that her cursed body was in, Phae feared that her stomach might simply split open, her skin stretched too thin over her bones to endure the trauma of childbirth. The pain had woken her abruptly from sleep, and she felt the overwhelming need to push. Not here! She thought frantically - not in the Deep Woods. Although her Grey family might be able to keep watch over her, she would not have them see her cursed and in the throws of childbirth. So she had forced herself into motion, and as she walked, she found the pressure start to subside. By the time she reached the Heavenly Fields, the pressure was only a dull throb. The lack of pain both excited and frightened her - the pain meant that her pregnancy was not only real, but also that it was ending. She would cease to be pregnant, and suddenly become a mother. Maybe she could just...keep walking. Rock the foal back to sleep and prolong it's arrival into the world. Although her maternal instincts, not strong, but still present, told her otherwise, she still felt hopeless.

A cold stirring in her extremities told her that it was time - past time, even. Her legs began to shake, threatening to simply buckle if she didn't lay down soon. Shivering, despite the warmth of the morning, Phae lowered herself into a clump of clover, drowning herself in the sweet scent. As the pain of her contractions rolled through her body, she did her best to concentrate on anything but the pain: On Tolio's sweet face, on his scent and the feeling of having his form all around her all those weeks ago. On Lakota - the only true member of the Grey that she felt any sort of closeness with - of Sohalia and her soothing advice - On Levi and his persistent advances - On Apollo, and their sweet kiss the day they thought they would die in the ocean together. Grunting with pain, she squeezed her eyes shut as hard as she possibly could, trying valiantly to control her breathing and not just hold her breath.

This was going to kill her. She was sure of it. She imagined her body torn apart in child-birth; found dead and already looking decayed due to the curse. If I had known about the foal, I would never have gone to the Veins! She thought, but knew deep down that it was a lie. For all the motherly instincts which were starting to bloom within her, she was still a selfish creature. She would have gone, regardless of the consequences. Gasping with pain, the once golden-beauty pushed with all of her might, feeling the pressure begin to move lower. Suddenly it was no longer pressure, but literal searing pain as the foal moved lower in the birth canal, pressing against her soft skin. With one last ugly grunt, she felt something change; lessen. Craning her neck around only briefly, she spied a pinkish sort of blob out of the corner of her eye. A wave of admiration and pride washed through the mare; a feeling which surprised and delighted her. I did that, she thought. I created her. Feeling the need to rise and begin to clean the foal, Phae was suddenly overcome with another wave of pressure. Incomprehensibly, her mind fought against the feeling, no, no. no! She's already born! In a dizzying wave of nausea, Phae flopped her head back into the clover, and once again let her body taking over, her mind drifting. As she felt that same sensation of lessening again, she looked up, startled to see another blob laying next to the first; this one darker if not slightly smaller.

Twins She thought, astonished. Twins?! Grunting with effort, Phae hauled herself around, still laying down, to face her two daughters. Tentatively, she inhaled their dewey and new scents. She had no words, as she examined their small faces, their small horned faces. They were unicorns...That was likely for the best. They could stay with Tolio.......But her mind halted that thought before it could fully develop. They were her babies; and perhaps it was her motherly instinct finally taking hold, or simply her selfish nature holding onto what was hers, she felt violently opposed to letting them go.

Nuzzling each against her withered form, she found herself jealous of their beauty, and ashamed that the first view they had of their mother would be like this. Pressing her wrinkled muzzle against the lighter of the twins, she smiled. "Raeden." She whispered softly. Looking to the darker, she repeated the process, gently blowing onto her daughter's face. "And you shall be Hotaru."

As Phae heard Soh approaching, fear gripped her sunken chest with a painful sense of urgency. What have I done! Her mind screamed, terrified that she would be found up here all alone by some predator, who would have no problem stealing the twins right from under her withered and cursed body. Just as she was about to rise, the distinct hues of Sohalia's white body finally materialized, and Phae breathed a sigh of relief.

Self consciously, Phae looked back at her body, noting the blood which had dried on her pale legs. Stifling a laugh, the once golden-girl realized that she didn't even care. She couldn't be any uglier than she was now - the addition of this bit of blood and birthing fluid couldn't make her appear any worse than she already was. The silver lining, you bitch. Phae thought, thinking of the Goddess of the Moon, and hoping that she was watching from above.

As Soh spoke, Phae looked down at her girls, and nodded proudly. "Yes they are" Phae murmered - her speech had greatly improved as she got used to only having three teeth, but there were still some sounds that were difficult for her to make. Looking up, her faded gaze washing over her friend, she sighed happily. She took in Soh's bulging sides, and wondered if she had been that big - perhaps Soh was expecting twins as well? For the first time, she realized that her twins would have a life of their own; looking down at them, she wondered if either of them would find a friend in Sohalia's child?

"Hotaru and Raeden." She said finally, speaking their names as she nodded to each twin. "Ru, and Rae."

As the unicorn arrived, Phae again felt her pregnancy-wracked body tense. The mare scented that oh-so familiar cold sort of scent, that Tolio also carried. Basin. Phae thought anxiously. Was this mare here as a spy? Had the news of her and Tolio's affair somehow gotten out? Had Faelene betrayed her? Betrayed them? But if so, why wasn't the Basin's watcher here herself? Coldly, Phae's sunken green gaze washed over the mare, wondering why she was intruding on such a private moment, if she wasn't a spy. The pegasus was suddenly so thankful that Soh was there, even in her condition, so that Phae wouldn't have to face a potential inquisition from the Basin alone. As Leyra cooed at her new babies, Phae relaxed somewhat, still unsure of the mare's intentions, but like the attention all the same. Phae had come to the Fields to escape prying eyes, and yet she had been found. Perhaps there was an unconscious sort of pull she possessed, even without her beauty?

Tossing her head slightly, Phae nodded to Leyra, agreeing that yes indeed, they were beautiful little creatures.

As Lakota entered the little group in her dark unassuming way, Phae couldn't help but beam up at her Grey-sister, despite her wrinkles and hallowed cheekbones. When the palomino had first met Ktu and Eytan, she had been terrified of the bear cub, and even know she felt anxious in its presence. Ao on the other hand, though appearing to be just as rambunctious, caused her no stress. From the day that Lakota had helped to save her and Apollo on the beach all of those long weeks ago, Phae had placed her trust in the blue mare whole heartedly. For all of her cold and disapproving looks, the palomino still felt a sisterly bond between them growing, and was sure she would not bring harm to her, or her newborns.

Her heart seemed to swell as she caught a few of the words, meant only for the twins, coming from Lakota's lips. Although Phae hadn't noticed any of the outward emotions wafting across Soh's delicate features, she surely would have approved if she had. Jealousy towards her was a feeling that Phae was very used to - though most often it came from men. However, if the white pegasus felt some ownership of the palomino, especially considering her current state, who was she to argue?

Lowering her muzzle, she nudged each of the foals, who appeared to be falling into a light slumber, obviously just as tired as she was from the birthing process. "Wake up little doves." She cooed to Rae and Ru, her daughters.

The world has gone from very, very small to a never-ending space that is almost dizzying. Cramped and warm inside her mother, Ru had not been very happy pressed continuously up against her older sister. Thin legs bumping uncomfortably up against her twin in the womb, causing them to likely drive their mother to tears of frustration with their wriggling. Sensation is new, and at first is registered almost like pain in its foreign effects. The grass that brushes her strawberry and cream hide feels like a thousand tiny fingers caressing her, and Ru doesn’t know how to react to it. She is very tired, but instinct stirs within her. Age old rules that tell her she must awaken, stand, and move. Wild instincts that tell her if she does not stand she is vulnerable. Sounds assault her ears, though they are not necessarily loud. Tiny snuffling sounds escape her, and she feels first a sole touch to her crown. Relaxing back into her bubble of comfortable stillness, she takes comfort from the heat of her twin nearby. The sun is relentless, touching her small newborn body, and she is restless. No longer can she deny the fact that she must do something.

Nudging from her twin makes her flutter her eyelids, and the light makes her squeal very weakly, unhappily. Rae fell loosely over her flanks and Ru made a soft sound, returning the gesture. Pressing herself into Raeden’s light palomino coat, snuffling once more. Slowly she managed to open her eyes, and light silver eyes met the strain of light that made unhappy noises continue to fall from her lips. Fidgeting and moving to her knees, nudging Rae slightly. Already they are bonding, and she urges her sister in a sleepy, discomfited way. The desire to stand is tugging at her, and she will not take that step without her twin.