|
|
Post by Young Grimwold on Apr 5, 2004 1:04:53 GMT
*Hurtling through the Forest, Ursula stops looking at the ground for hairs and blood. There seems no risk of her tripping over, as all branches and other obstacles have been nudged out the way, or flattened, by the Pegathor. The sound is enough to guide Ursula, and it is growing higher in pitch and volume.*
|
|
|
|
Post by Ursula on Apr 5, 2004 1:31:34 GMT
*Ursula has to fight down the urge to change to a faster form, though for an instant fur prickles across her back. In times of extreme stress or emotion she usually finds herself changing to her natural form, that of a bear, but manages to remain in her human shape. She no longer feels her weariness, the sound of an animal in pain is more than enough to spur her on to greater speed*
|
|
|
|
Post by Young Grimwold on Apr 6, 2004 1:31:17 GMT
*A little further, and Ursula bursts into a broad, ill-lit clearing. She stops. She has little hope of catching her breath, as the spectacle before her only takes it away...*
|
|
|
|
Post by Ursula on Apr 6, 2004 23:17:55 GMT
*Gasping for breath, Ursula stumbles to a halt as she enters the clearing, leaning heavily on her staff. Pushing her hair back from her face she surveys the scene before her... and stares*
|
|
|
|
Post by Young Grimwold on Apr 7, 2004 1:34:09 GMT
*The trail of blood ends with a Pegathor, lying on the ground, breathing heavily. Its belly is swollen (make that 'her belly'!) The creature sees Ursula, and though her eyes are largely unreadable, she seems to know that they are both special beings, outside the usual bounds of Nature, and she does not feel threatened by Ursula's arrival. Medusia clearly needs help; but may need persuading that Ursula can deliver it (no pun intended)...*
|
|
|
|
Post by Ursula on Apr 7, 2004 22:24:13 GMT
*Moving very slowly and carefully, Ursula lays her staff down upon the ground, then approaches the Pegathor, speaking in a low, soothing voice*
"It's all right my friend, I mean you no harm. I am here to help."
*In a somewhat ironic fashion, a Guhral's compassion will usually be far greater than it's most terrible ferocity. This is certainly the case with Ursula; the Pegathor's pain is reflected in her eyes as she slowly creeps closer*
"Please, you must trust me. You need aid."
*Crouching by Medusia's head, Ursula slowly extends a hand to touch her muzzle...*
|
|
|
|
Post by Young Grimwold on Apr 7, 2004 23:49:16 GMT
*A pause... then the Pegathor groans slightly, revealing both her willingness for Ursula to help, and her frightened pain. For some reason, Medusia is unable to give birth to her pegafoal unaided, and two lives are in increasing danger; will Ursula turn out to possess the necessary midwifery skills?* [OOC: This is probably my last post for a week or so; but whether the plot stays frozen until I'm back, or gets rounded off, is up to Ursula.  ] |
|
|
|
Post by Ursula on Apr 8, 2004 0:15:24 GMT
*Ursula strokes Medusia's nose gently with sympathy in her eyes, talking to her as she would to a human*
"Yes, I understand. I have seen this before... in deer... Of course, you're somewhat different, but I believe the principle should be the same..."
*She quickly casts a mild healing spell to ease Medusia's pain, then carefully and gently probes her belly to check the position of the pegafoal...*
(OOC: I'm happy to leave it frozen, I need to go read some James Herriot!)
|
|
|
|
Post by Young Grimwold on Apr 17, 2004 2:30:17 GMT
[OOC: There happen to be several James Herriot books near my PC as well! Let me know if you want me to look for a relevant birth scene. ;D]
*Although Medusia's physical pain has been dulled, she is still agitated with concern for her pegafoal. Ursula feels the offspring moving, and speculates that its head is facing the wrong way. She wonders what could be done to surmount or rectify this; and there is also the problem of the mother's bleeding, which is still somewhat excessive.*
|
|
|
|
Post by Ursula on Apr 19, 2004 1:12:29 GMT
*Ursula inhales sharply in concern and worry as she realises that the foal is backwards, knowing that this is not a good situation at all, since nothing can be done to stop Medusia's bleeding until her foal is born. Despite her anxiety, she strokes the Pegathor's neck reassuringly as she considers possible actions*
"I will do what I can my friend... but I can make no promises other than that I will do my utmost for you and your foal."
*Ursula is faced with two distinct choices, neither pleasant and both riaky. Either to try and turn the foal, which will take time and do less damage... or to cut it out, a rapid but dangerous solution. With her healing magic, the latter option would not usually pose as much danger as the former, but since Medusia is already weak, the solutions remain equally balanced... but something must be done soon*
|
|
|
|
Post by Young Grimwold on Apr 19, 2004 2:24:58 GMT
*As Ursula - and no doubt Medusia too - ponders the situation, a pair of wolves slinks into the clearing. Perhaps they are just investigating unusual visitors to their realm; perhaps they are hunting. Either way, more than one is enough to cause a problem in this fragile, pressured situation.*
|
|
|
|
Post by Ursula on Apr 19, 2004 17:03:26 GMT
*As soon as the wolves enter the clearing, Ursula catches their scent, and looks over her shoulder. Her eyes widen slightly, and she strokes Medusia's nose gently, whispering to her in a low voice*
"I know not if these creatures pose a threat to us, they may just be curious. I may have to frighten them off if they mean us harm. If I have to change my shape, be not afraid, I will not harm you."
*Turning, Ursula slowly rises to her feet to face the wolves, gazing steadily at them and showing no sign of fear. Her voice rings out clearly as she speaks, likewise betraying no sign of nerves*
"Greetings forest brothers. I am aware that we are intruders in your territory, but the need is great. We have no intention of staying, nor robbing you of your prey. I would ask that you leave us in peace, as I have no wish to fight you. But if you mean us harm, then I will be forced to defend us."
*Ursula's eyes glint dangerously as her voice develops a slight growling undertone, it is clear that she means every word*
"We mean you no harm, but should you provoke me, I shall crush you."
*Folding her arms across her chest, Ursula waits for a reaction, ready to fight if needs be*
|
|
|
|
Post by Young Grimwold on Apr 19, 2004 23:42:18 GMT
*The wolves are not as intelligent as they could be. They see the immobile pegathor as prey; but have failed to comprehend the fearful ursine welcome that awaits them if they seek to do harm.
The hunters prowl around the perimeter of the clearing; then they move in on the pegathor from opposite sides.*
|
|
|
|
Post by Ursula on Apr 20, 2004 1:26:31 GMT
*Ursula's eyes narrow as the wolves prowl closer, a growl beginning in the back of her throat*
"Very well, if I must teach you a lesson, so be it! HrrrrrrRRRRRARRRRRRR"
*The growl becomes deeper and harsher as Ursula's form shifts to Crinos, exploding into an earsplitting roar as she rears to her full height, now rivalling some of the surrounding trees in size. With astonishingly swift movements for a creature of her bulk, she lashes at each wolf almost simultaneously. Although she is more than cabable of rending them asunder with dagger-length claws, she strikes with the back of her paw. The blows are powerful enough to send each wolf flying, but she is not prepared to inflict lethal damage... yet.*
|
|
|
|
Post by Young Grimwold on Apr 20, 2004 23:52:34 GMT
*...And there is no need. The wolves have become timid, and flee from the clearing, hopefully having learnt a lesson or two. And it is lucky, in a way, that the pegafoal is still within its mother, preventing it from becoming an open target.
Ursula's concerns shift back to Medusia. She is agitated by the wolves' incursion, kicking her legs and groaning louder than before. The unborn child has been unsettled too; in fact, it has moved again...*
|
|
]