RCW: Something Right P2

Posted on Sat Jul 5th, 2025 @ 2:32pm by Green Rider Kalana & Sr Journeyman Thalia & Gold Rider S’laten

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: RCW
Timeline: M3 D8

S'laten was trying not to pace. He was worried about Kalana. He didn't know if she was in labor or something else.

):stop worrying,:( Dirith yawned. ):Yours will be fine.:(

Thalia watched the man for several long moments as he paced back and forth across the doorway. She could only take it for so long before she stood up. “Can I help you S’laten?” She wondered softly.

He looked up quickly when Thalia approached him. “I'm worried about Kalana. Is she okay?” He asked, stopping his pacing for a moment.

“She is resting but I can’t imagine labour is far away for her.” She admitted. “Shouldn’t you be asking her these questions?” She wondered laughing a little as the man’s obvious nerves.

The bronze rider frowned. “I've tried and she only answers she's fine.” she didn't look fine and he didn't know what to do or ask to help her.

“Of course she will. She’s a female rider and they have to be tough.” Thalia laughed trying to elevate some of his concerns as they went toward the area that Kalana was resting in. She looked calm, other than the slight frown on her face every now and then.

S'laten blew out a breath. Thalia might have been right, but that didn't make it any easier for him. He was trying not to, but he was scared for Kalana.

Kalana stirred as she felt a presence there and smiled sleepily up at the man before wincing. “I think I might be in labour.” She admitted as Thalia rushed forward to help the woman sit up better on the cot.

“You might be correct.” The healer said smiling a little as she felt her feet suddenly get damp.

“Sorry.” The green rider mumbled.

The bronze rider's face paled as he stood out of the way. “What can I do?” He asked worriedly, fidgeting a bit.

“Get over here bronze rider ," Kalana said, holding out her hand. Thalia smiled and shook her head at the apology.

“Do not be daft. You think this is the first time a baby has announced their imminent arrival all over my boots?” Thalia laughed as between the healer and bronze rider they got the green rider to her feet.

He felt useless and way out of his element. He jumped on Kalana’s request though and hurried to her side, helping Thalia get her to her feet. “Where to?” S'laten asked, keeping close to his tiny mate.

“Kalana hold on to S’laten while I clear the cot up and then we can get you laid back down and I can examine you.” Kalana shifted as she clung to the big bronze riders shoulders.

“Tenana took ages to come. This feels quicker.” She commented thinking of their eldest.

S'laten kept an arm around Kalana, not wanting to chance her falling. He had been a wreck when Tenana had been born and he wasn't any better this time around.

“That's good, right?” He asked. Tenana had definitely taken a while.

“It’s not bad.” Thalia said, sweeping up all the protective items from the cot and grabbed a new one from the apprentice that appeared. The girl smiled shyly but quickly disappeared as Kalana started panting and breathing in huffs like she remembered helped the pain last time.

“I remember this part.” She whispered.

S'laten frowned. “And I remember this part too. Scared me to death and still does.” He had hated it last time and this was no better.

“Why us women do this part.” Kalana assured leaning up to sweep the hair from his face grinning at him. “You get scared so easily for a bronze rider. I thought you were brave?” She challenged hoping to activate the way she saw in thread fall.

He closed his eyes briefly at her light touch. “We're only brave when our dainty mates aren't in pain,” he answered, managing a slight smile. He was there for her but it didn't mean he wasn't worried.

“Less of the dainty.” The woman choked out as she felt another contraction hit her and she just stared into the man’s eyes loving him.

“Do you want to lie down Kalana or is being stood up helping? Thalia asked.

“Stand. Standing is better.” She whispered. “If this bronze rider can’t stay there I can use the wall.”

S'laten chuckled a bit. “You'll always be dainty to me,” he whispered.

He blinked in surprise when Kalana said she wanted to stay standing. That was possible? Apparently there was a lot of labor and birthing that he had no idea about and wasn't sure he wanted to. “I'm not going anywhere.”

“Glad to hear,” Thalia said, smirking as she crouched and lifted the nightdress the woman wore to have a look at her properly. “Really should not take long green rider, you are already nearly 10 dilated,” Thalia said looking up at her.

S'laten had no idea what any of the things Thalia said meant. He kept his arms gently around Kalana, giving her whatever support she needed.

It was less than a candlemark later that Kalana nearly collapsed to her knees as the space was fractured by a screaming newborn baby, and the urge to push stopped. “A girl for you,” Thalia said as she looked up at the pair as she cut the cord, and the apprentice took the baby to wrap her up. “Kalana… I know you want to stand up I need you to sit back on the bed for the afterbirth. You have been up for a long time.” She encouraged kindly. “You’ll be able to hold the babe.”

S'laten had no idea how Kalana was still standing. A smile finally touched his lips as the baby started crying. He laughed a bit and kissed her sweaty hair. “Good job, love,” he said, carefully moving to help her sit down. A little girl. They had another girl.

“Not so bad yourself bronze rider,” Kalana whispered softly as she lay back and the baby was laid in her arms still brawling but at least not quite as much as she had been. “You held me up.” She added as she turned her gaze to the baby.

He hadn't actually thought about that. All he knew was he had to support her no matter what. “Always,” he promised, kissing her forehead before touching their baby's tiny fingers. “I can't believe she's here.”

The baby quietened slowly as Kalana brought her more to her chest. “And nowhere as big as I expected.” The woman teased as she felt the uncomfortable sensations of trying to get the after birth out.

“Hey now,” S'laten smiled, finally relaxing. “I would think that would be a good thing, huh little one,” he cooed, playing with her tiny fingers. He gently brushed Kalana’s hair away from her sweaty brow.

Thalia smiled at the pair as the woman smiled sleepily as he brushed her hair from her face.

“She is perfect.” Kalana said dreamily as she counted the tiny fingers and took in the way she stared up at her parents. It was unusual for a rider to look like that after labour but sometimes babies were a little more than they seemed to riders.

S'laten stayed seated behind her, her head still on his shoulder. “She is,” he agreed with a warm smile. The little girl was there and perfect. They couldn't ask for anything else.