House Calls [End]

[Satra]

Victor jumped at the sudden arrival of the doctor. She was on a first-name basis with Merlin. That comforted him. Victor was nervous, but he did his best to stay calm. Merlin needed as calm of an environment as he could get. He didn't have anything to distract him from the new arrival and her brief look of disgust, however. His head dropped and his ears went back.

"Of course, my friend," he said in a low voice and giving a light smile. He jumped off the chair and left the room. He waited until he was in the kitchen to bristle. With a few deep breaths he calmed down. It wasn't something he was able to get used to, even after a lifetime of it, the disgust. He swallowed his bitterness. It was... fine. It was normal. He got the water, put it on a carrying tray so he wouldn't hear anything from the doctor about carrying it in his mouth, and brought it back. He did his best to stay out of the doctor's way and put the water on the bedside stand. He backed off and called from the door: "If there's anything I can get for anyone, let me know." He then proceeded to make himself scarce for the entire procedure.

[Victor will be out of the thread until he is needed again. :3 ]

[carcinoGeneticist]

Between Merlin and the rather hideously rotten Lowlander, Zenon was almost unsure of who needed her care more. The answer was obvious, of course - there was nothing she could do to help the mess of a Lowlander, but she could help her friend and do her best to ignore the fact that there was someone in the room who had an open wound on his side. She could only trust in Merlin's judgment of the other man, and assume that the Cat was at least clean, despite appearances to the contrary.

She bobbed her head in response, thinking about what that meant. He was certainly in labor, but the situation wasn't yet dire. Quickly, she gathered a basin and filled it with warm water, scrubbing off her talons as best she could. The rest of her tools were laid out on the table atop a clean cloth, and then she paused to take a deep breath.

"Do you need something for the pain? It's early enough that it won't interfere with your delivery.[/b]" Her ears flattened back, though for once it didn't seem to be out of annoyance. She'd been preparing so long for this, that now that the moment had come, she almost wasn't sure what to do with herself. She gave the Lowlander a short nod, but didn't respond. Her attention was focused entirely on Merlin. "If you could lean back, please..."

Once the Avington did as she'd instructed, she ducked her head beneath the mumu he was wearing to check between his legs. "Good. You're doing fine, Merlin. You're 6 centimeters right now, I'll check again soon. How are the contractions? Any more frequent?[/b]" After that, she took a deep breath, closing her eyes. A soft laugh escaped her, and she shook her head. "You'll have to excuse me. Normally, I try to present a much more calm front. The delivery will be easier if you switch to your animal form.[/b]" Lightly, she ran her talons across the man's belly, her ears twitching thoughtfully. So far, everything felt fine.

[Nako]

Merlin actually flushed slightly at the mention of changing forms. So often he had used biped forms only. It was a matter of pride, really. It was a form where he could easily wear a scarf or a shirt and not be given a second look about having his rank hidden. Quadruped was an existance of staring at a sea of crotches in situations where he had to deal with those walking on two legs. To have people either have to look up at him or look him directly in the eyes meant less people questioned him.

"So long as you.. don't mind me keeping m'frock on. I'm not used to being seen in such a state." For all that shifting forms was something he commonly did, sliding into one which was so intimate to him was... jarring. At the very least, it was less uncomfortable shifting to quadrupedal form than say shifting to a human or biped form that wasn't his. It was more natural... accepted by everyone. He grimaced slightly, pulling his clothing protectively about his body as he slowly shifted. His inflamed uterus shifted and changed around the forms inside of him, triggering yet another contraction as he settled into his animal form.

The pregnancy was able to progress over the time it took for Zenon to set up her work station and check his vitals. He'd opted for some amount of pain medication, but something that wouldn't put him totally out. He wanted to be awake and aware for the birth of his children.

"Oh dear... they... they're getting a little more frequent now" Merlin whined, one wing fluttering helplessly as he lay on his side.

[carcinoGeneticist]

If it wasn't for the strange tone in Merlin's voice, Zenon might have completely missed his flush. Everything else was stealing her attention, keeping her focus from what really mattered. Merlin. Her... She was afraid to admit it fully, but she had come to see the man as a friend of sorts. That was bad. That could only lead to emotions getting in the way of professionalism, which might put the health of her patient at risk. The woman gave him a small nod, deciding not to question the desire to keep wearing his bizarre frock. It wasn't her place to question something like that, or to laugh at it. "As long as it doesn't get in my way, you can wear it as long as you like.[/b]"

Along with the more clinical preparations, Zenon also took a moment to wet a towel in the bowl and drape it across the Avington's forehead. A small comfort, but she hoped that combined with the painkillers she'd administered it would help the poor man. Male birthings were frightening things for professionals such as herself. A thousand times more dangerous, with a higher chance for lasting physical damage... It was her job to help keep any of that from happening.

And damn it all, she was going to do her best.

When the man whined, the gryphonic Card quickly checked between his legs again, a soft squawk escaping her. "Fully dilated. Keep breathing for me, Merlin, okay? Hold onto this as tightly as you need." She gave the man a bone that had been coated in a thin layer of rubber and then covered with the pelt of a Bander - perfect to grip and squeeze, since her own hands were going to be occupied. She gave another quick glance, her talons moving back to his belly to verify. "Alright, looks like they're ready to be out whether we are or not. At your next contraction - push. You can do this.[/b]"

[Nako]

Even when she was nervous, she had a certain ease about her that made the situation a little easier to deal with. Even in a situation where her stony resolve was shaken, Merlin would hardly notice.. especially in a moment where his view of the woman could only be of the strength and the sharp, easy wit that was always on the tip of her tongue.

The corners of his mouth curled just a little as he looked up at the corvid face, expression faltering as she palpated his quivering stomach.

"You're giving me... a chewtoy at such a time, Zenon?" Merlin couldn't help but say in a lighthearted tease. "I don't like to admit this... but I'm.. a bit frightened. But before he could say much else, his face contorted into a pained expression, suddenly hit with a contraction.

He attempted to heed her instructions as best as he could, bearing down in a way that only instincts could have told him to. The first one did little to move things along. Nor did the second.. or the third. Between contractions, he had to change positions. Several minutes went by, and the a half hour. Already, he was getting tired. "Zenon... I- I don't know if I can do this..."

[carcinoGeneticist]

"Of course. What better time to maul something than while giving birth?[/b]" she replied easily, finding comfort in the joking banter. "Besides, anything that keeps you from biting at me is a plus, and when all this is over with and your children are teething, you can transfer it on to them. Won't that be a story for when they're older?[/b]" Despite herself, she chuckled at that, a noise that echoed her corvid side through and through.

That amusement vanished in an instant as Merlin's expression changed, and the hybrid focused entirely on the task at hand once more. "It's alright to be frightened. You're doing something very big right now.[/b]" She wished, as she had so many months before, that she was more adept at the emotional side of things. It was almost enough to make her want to call the Lowlander in again, but... No. No, she would rather keep that individual out, just in case there was any truth to the common belief that they could be contageous.

This.. wasn't going well. The woman could see Merlin was exhausting himself with his efforts, and there was little to show for it. Between his legs, she could see the head, but it didn't seem to want to move. "Hush your mouth, now. Of course you can,[/b]" she chided lightly, moving to her supplies to gather a thick jelly to apply to his groin. With any luck, it would help slide the infants out with less pain, as much as he might have objected to the idea of it. "Again, now. Push. Come on.[/b]"

But it still wasn't enough. Time continued to pass with little to show for it, and Merlin was clearly not going to be able to handle very much more of this. The woman was starting to get worried, and she glanced up at the Avington. Quickly, she ducked down again, using her finger-like talons to check the infant's heartrate. "We need to hurry this along. I'm sorry for this, my friend. You can slap me later.[/b]" A quick application of topical cream and a numbing injection followed the words, and Zenon brought out her scalpel to widen the birth canal somewhat. At least that would keep him from tearing.

[Nako]

Gasping for breath, he leaned up against the pillow, giving a soft whimper. The Avington did not question when she moved his leg slightly to check his opening. He -did- however, nearly jump out of his skin as her hand sunk into him.

"I beg your pardon!?" he yelped, whipping his head around to try to see what she was doing. The focused look on her face though, made him pause. Perhaps she was checking something... up there? The baby, perhaps? Was it okay? The needle appearing out of nowhere though, made the canine hybrid groan and turn away. He didn't want to see what she was doing; he didn't want to know. All he -did- know was that after the initial pricking sensation, there was little else to feel down there as something... gave way.

The next contraction made something -happen- that could only be called painful. There was burning, from deep inside, as a body slipped down the birth canal. Past his narrow male hips. Finally bursting free of its amniotic sac on the way out, the pure Avington child spilled out onto the bedsheets in a wash of clear, red, and green fluid.



Squealing and kicking, the child began to cry as soon as it could spit up the fluid that filled its lungs. Proudly hybridized with some sort of feline, it was otherwise pure Avington with some of the appearances of a canine creature. Prominent bumps on its head followed by the slowly forming growth that would become a pair of proud Avington horns were its crowning glory. A bold suit was on her chest, a seven of hearts. And the ears.. oh, those ears! Though not entirely the ears of its mother, it was obvious there was some influence there.

And then there was a sense of relief; the burning and the pain suddenly gone. The contractions had eased, if only for that moment as the body recharged for the next child. Merlin let out a loud groan of relief, his splayed wing falling back down onto his body.

[carcinoGeneticist]

As soon as she'd made the incision, something happened. Zenon had witnessed a birth before. It was nothing she should be surprised by, but all the same, she gasped sharply. A second later she rushed into action again, doing her best to ease the tiny body free, keeping its limbs untangled as it slipped its way out into the world. Gently, she hefted the tiny body up and used a damp towel to wipe the blood and fluids off of as much of the baby as she could, giving it a quick inspection.

The wails, as much as they irritated her sensitive ears, were a glorious sound, and despite herself the woman's beak curved into a smile. Everything about this child seemed to be perfectly healthy, all the limbs exactly where they needed to be. Even if the ears were a bit large, that seemed to be entirely in-line with the child's mother. A final quick check, and Zenon gently set the wriggling baby down beside Merlin. "A baby girl. Canine and Feline by the looks of it, and all Avington. Congratulations.[/b]"

From her previous checkups, however, the doctor was well aware that things were far from over. The man would have a brief time to rest before his contractions started up again. At least things would go more smoothly, now...

And they did, too. Time went by quickly, and then there was another rush of activity as the second infant came into the world, squalling in an entirely different voice than her sibling.

In contrast with her sister, this infant was rather hideous, naked pink skin wrinkled and studded with the starts of what would be feathers. Though it was hard to tell, she was almost entirely Avington as well, the pinfeathers already showing in cream, green, and blue. Her eyes were shut, talons grasping at the towl Zenon used to try and clean her as well as her beak gaped. Her ears, though... Those were certainly not avian, and looked rather a lot like... Feline, again, and much larger than the ears of most feline varieties. "Another little girl, Avian and Feline... I'm not sure on Realm, though, but she looks to be mostly Avington, as well.[/b]" This one was set down as well, stumbling on weak little bird legs and holding naked wings out to her sides. "One more, Merlin, you're so close now.[/b]"

[Nako]

Feline? Did that really narrow down who the father was? Probably a bit; that breed of feline was rare indeed. When he was in his right mind he'd probably be able to easily deduce the father from sheer process of elimination. All he saw at that moment though was a beautiful, healthy baby girl. Her tree was so intense! And those ears were at least partially influenced by his own. Those horns... those glorious horns. There hadn't been any in his family for a few generations, but it was still such a glorious blessing! Enthralled, Merlin's lips peeled back into a toothy jackal smile as he ran a finger over those tiny nubs of horn, and those long ears covered with the softest of baby hairs. The pink of its underskin was easily visible through the wet fur, but there was no mistaking the stark blue of a prominent tree that encompassed much of her body.

The next contraction was fast, and this child came out so much easier. In comparison, it was a smaller child, longer and lighter and lacking the sturdy body of the eldest sister. Merlin turned his tired head over toward the squalling creature, standing upright in avian fashion. Were it not for the obvious feline ears atop her head... it could have easily "Oh my word! She's so beautiful!" Merlin exclaimed breathily, an owl-esque talon reaching out to gently stroke the dominantly avian creature with the scaly pad on his finger. Mostly Avington.. those blue claws of hers would be testament to at least some, for sure! Not entirely an owl but with such a concentration... it was still quite rare!

Things were moving along quickly now; Merlin did not have much time to marvel over his second child before a last contraction hit his body. This one was harder than the second one, making it necessary to give one last hard push to dislodge the child from the birth canal. Luckily, the largest and most vigorous of the children had been born to make room. While not unhealthily thin, it was noticeably smaller than the firstborn child, coming out in a gush of fluid as a lifeless pile. The canine chest gave soft little heaves, fluid bubbling from her nose.

[carcinoGeneticist]

It seemed a miracle that both of the children born so far would be so healthy. They were moving well, crying as infants should, and responding to all stimuli. Zenon would want to give them a closer glance-over once all of the babies were out, but she had a very positive feeling about the situation so far. There was just one more to go - she was pretty sure. It seemed unlikely that Merlin was hiding two more in there, especially with the frequent checkups she'd given throughout the pregnancy. Once the two infants were settled in, the woman turned her attention back to her patient.

This time, things went as smoothly as they ever did. Except... The baby looked weak, and didn't seem to be moving enough. The corners of Zenon's beak turned down as she gently scooped the pup up in her arms, gathering up a suction bulb and stuffing it into one nostril and then the other, sucking out the fluids that were likely blocking the child's airway. Then she gave it a light thwap on the rump, nodding with satisfaction as life seemed to flood into the little body.

"And then there were three,[/b]" the hybrid murmured, gently setting the third and final baby beside her sister. "Another girl, all Avington and Jackal. You did good, Merlin.[/b]" She laughed softly, the sound surprisingly soft when compared to a lot of the noises she generally made. The rush of adrenaline was slowly fading from her body, leaving her feeling warm and oddly satisfied.

For her part, the little owlet was doing her best to get the attention of her mother. The gentle touch to her head was enough to prompt a new round of eager begging, little beak opened wide as eager cries escaped her, rapidly growing in volume. She stumbled forward a step or two, head bobbing on her scrawny neck.