pishirogane | prismatica

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No, we can't... Well, I can't. Unless an egg gets stuck, this should move without aid.

[She doesn't want to think about an egg getting stuck, but it could happen. If they weren't eggs, babies being naturally delivered were documented as getting stuck in her research. They didn't need to worry about a breech occurring, or umbilical cords either, but now she unnerved herself.]

[Shaking her head, she focused on the third egg - finally in position that she could push. It felt smaller than the second, but no smaller than the first. Likely, the first and third were the around the same size, but she wouldn't know until it passed. She focused on her breathing for now, steadily inhaling and exhaling.]

All smooth. Let's five for five it!

[Whoop, maybe not the best topic to be on. He smoothed his hand through her hair and offered a little reassurance. Nothing should go wrong. It'll be fine.

Same as before he moved to catch number three, making sure to secure it in the blanket Naoto made. Aw, this one was real lucky... whoever was in there got to be all wrapped up in her first sewing project! That's a huge milestone. But he could coo about that later, entering a synched breathing pattern in the meantime. Another one down, two to go!]

[Closing her eyes at his hand, she could put the thoughts out of mind a little better.]

[The third egg passed and Naoto shifted again. The fourth egg was close, but not yet in position to be pushed out so she was hoping to encourage it into position. That, and being back in this posture was asking for a cramp tomorrow. She grabbed her glass and drank a little more water, setting the glass back once the egg did finally ready itself.]

Man, you'd think somebody would invent a comfortable seat for stuff like this...!

[Casual wrap-up off number three and he was ready for number four. But now that this was happening, he understood why car seats and buggies were so elaborate and crazy complicated. But... where was mom in this? No, like, birthing chairs? He can't imagine hospital benches with stirrups were any good.]

Should I put on some tunes- whoa, okay, I see shell, nevermind-

[Blanket! Here we are... four's a sneaky devil, and just as pearly as the rest.]

They could have, but they're available at the hospital...

[That, and she didn't know if Prismals laid eggs themselves. Maybe some of them? It seemed like it was the dragons that just laid eggs and no one else... how curious.]

[The fourth egg didn't take long at all to come out. A few pushes and it was there, but now was a matter of the fifth egg...]

[Even with his wings, knowing how quickly they came, there was no chance they could have taken advantage of the hospital. But perhaps it never hurt to have a follow-up. His he'd scheduled for after the dragons had left... he needed to know if this was only because of the dragons, or if he needed to take care not to help make any more eggs.

The fourth egg was wrapped and joined the others. Seeing them like this now, wow... he felt the smallest dizzy whirl in his mind. Was this what it was like for parents who expected one kid and wound up with twins? Triplets?? More!?

Yup, he needed water. Pardon him while he had a drink.]

Sorry, hah... it's- it's kinda just hittin' me. Seein' 'em like this, with one more on the way...

I just- I just hope I can be a decent enough dad.

[There was shifting around again while Kanji bundled up the fourth egg, but the fifth egg was taking its time even when compared to the third. Oh good, one just had to be trouble; wonder what their hatchling would be like after it emerged.]

[A fleeting feeling of light-headedness had her blink and turn towards Kanji. He was drinking.]

Oh... Hm, I guess this does put things into perspective. Or at least, this is happening.

Kanji-kun, I have no doubts you'll be a fine father.

[She wasn't one to bullshit. He believed her. He just needed to believe in himself a little more. Going from zero to five at their age was gonna be pretty tough, but it seemed a lot of lives were going to change now.

Kanji sighed to gather himself.]

...Thanks, Naoto. I... heh.

[He fiddled with the ring on his finger.]

I guess we've done a lot of growin' up, both back home and here. This egg stuff just says, 'Hey, how 'bout you do a little more?'

... It has been a lot of growing, hasn't it? But, this does still seem a little fast.

[He's worried about being a good dad, but she's concerned about being a good mother. If they were home, she might have a better idea on what to do, but right now, on this planet and with its different culture, what age does one begin teaching their children about everything?]

Still, we've gotten through more grueling situations, haven't we?

Yeah, I'd say we have. Kickin' a goddess' ass and savin' a whole town ain't too shabby.

[He chuckled, which helped ease the weight of his worries upon his heart if but a little. He hoped he'd be a good dad, and he knew Naoto worried the opposite. He knew that, when it all came down to it, he wasn't the one to carry the eggs. He just had to be a fighter for her.]

But we also learned that if the goin' gets tough we can reach out, too. Dr. Natalus, the Prismals... we can still learn a whole lot from 'em!

A... what's it called? A support network. Thinkin' about that just... really, really helps.

That's right. We have our friends here and personnel willing to help us should we need it.

[So they weren't alone attempting to raise these eggs when it came down to it. They had some room for error on their part. Even if she hoped they wouldn't have to bother anyone too much.]

[Shifting a little more, the final egg was beginning to settle itself in place, but it wasn't ready just yet. Naoto would take the opportunity to help herself to a little more water then.]

Hell of a way to learn this part of life, huh? On a totally different planet with animal people, and your man's part dragon-monster.

[He made a showy shrug and laughed.]

I mean, I gotta admit I ain't a bad-lookin' dragon-monster, so there's that. Flying's nice, but it's always real tempting to howl at the moon.

[They had some time, so why not take it easy?]

And you're drawn to water and eat more veggies. I figured with you bein' part bunny you'd wanna like... make cute mochi or somethin'.

Mmm, you are someone to look at during the Sanguis moon. Remember, I don't mind if you howl at the moon; just make sure it's at a decent hour.

[He would not like waking her to a howl... not at all.]

Moc- ah, no. That hasn't happened. Honestly, the instincts I feel seem to change monthly except for the one.

Hah... of course. It's nicest at midnight anyway, highest point in the sky, and we're night owls anyway.

[He canted his head thoughtfully. It did seem to change time after time. Other than the souped-up libido, anyway. But he rubbed his chin, too. Maybe...]

Man, now I wanna make cute mochi... but anyway, you know I'm always up for anything that helps scratch the Iris itch. I mean... more than just that part. I've read up on wolves and local dragon lore and learned a whole bunch of things. Maybe we look into... let's see, rabbits, squid n' octopus...

[He wiggled his fingers like wings.]

Bats? For those cute little wings.

We are, but not every Prismal is. If we go to the Garden, you should be fine...

[At least there, they shouldn't be sleeping so letting Kanji howl there would be no problem; well, in theory. Someone might still make a noise complaint unless it was the Sagnuis moon.]

Hmm, well, the lore on mollusk isn't going to be favorable considering a certain Queen, but jellyfish, deer, rabbits, and bats... Looking at that up might help.

I'll see about doin' that. Deer research, too! I'm surprised ya never felt like dukin' it out with someone, autumn-style.

I get horns when I change. Maybe we could have a little fight.

[He grinned.]

Blow some steam n' all.

Hm... I suppose that, despite having antlers, I took on more doe traits than stag. Or, perhaps I never felt the need to challenge someone.

We could, but I doubt antlers stack up to horns.

[No pun intended. However, thinking about this for a while, she had to stop when the final egg felt closer to its needed position.]

It's time.

I s'pose not. Spars are nice but I dunno if it'd feel right fighting my girlfriend...

[Maybe to work out together, hit a punching bag? Who knows. But he felt strange all of a sudden. She spoke that it was time, and the gears clicked into place.]

Oof- yeah, I think so. A'right... let's rock. Blanket's ready.

[How quickly he snapped to game mode!]

... We could give it a try.

[Or just working out together. Work off some of the baby fat she put on carrying the eggs at least.]

Thank you.

[She could leave catching the egg to him. Trying to get a sense of it as she could finally begin to push it out, it felt bigger than the first, third, and fourth eggs, but not the same size as the second. It would take a little more effort to get it out, but out it would come soon enough, leaving Naoto sighing in relief.]

We'll figure somethin' out!

[But once the task was on, he fell silent and breathed, uttered encouragement. This last one was also a big one, huh? Holy cow... but he felt like he could take a big breath again once the weight of the egg fell into his palm. He quickly wrapped up that final shell.]

Holy crap! That's it... that's it, you did it!

[He scooted to her and gathered her up to hold her. All he could do was keep an eye on her and offer what aid he could, but she's had a hell of a week, hadn't she?]

Right...

[She was thankful for his encouragement. Honestly, having him here - while embarrassing again - was helpful. If not for catching the eggs, cheering her on and giving her strength.]

I-It appears I have...

[Breathing out again, she leaned into his hold. She could use that nap very soon, but maybe after a little tidying up.]

I toldja, you're amazing.

[He kissed her temple and was so relieved. Looking at the bundles now, he could hardly believe she was carrying all of those. If they functioned like the dragon eggs, he was thanking his lucky fuckin' stars that he'd become the blessing that he was with abundant chroma. He'd need to pull a whole hell of a lot of his weight.

He stooped and kissed her, a moment's relief and affection. She was no doubt sore, tired, both feelings tugging at the edge of his awareness. He fondly tucked her hair behind her ears.]

Hey... got enough in the reserves for me to get a bath goin' for ya? Get all those muscles relaxed...?

There's a big ol' back rub in it for ya.

Mmm, you did.

[She hoped they weren't wholly like dragon eggs. Again, the amount of Chroma that would be required to hatch all of them may make them call for back-up. Still, looking over the bundled clutch now, she tilted her head. They had an interesting color to their shells.]

... For a bath and back rub? I think I can draw from my reserves.

Okay. I'll get that goin'.

[Despite his reluctance, he couldn't use the power of his mind to make the bathtub go, so he needed to pull away and take care of it.]

I'm gonna call around a bit too, see how people are doin'. If the hospitals got busy, I hope everybody else had safe deliveries too.

[Too bad, but telekinesis might be too much if either of them did possess it. So, back on the bed she would settle while he pulled away.]

Alright. I might shut my eyes for a moment, but wake me up when you're finished.