hold me tight or don't --- open, pregnancy announcement

[tomorrow]

JUST STANDING WAITING FOR THE PUNCHES

Feeling along Claire's belly, Tomorrow could feel the lumps of growing puppies just under the surface. Sighing, he leaned back from where he was crouched on the ground giving Jeremiah and Claire a small checkup.

He'd originally thought Claire was just gaining weight because now they had a steady source of food - Jeremiah and Beorhtwulf certainly were - but nope, at some point in time it appeared as though she'd begun expecting her second litter with Beorhtwulf, despite Beorht's injuries. Maybe it was conceived before they got to the Lodge? But that would mean she'd be giving birth really soon.

The thought sent Tomorrow into a slight panic, and he kissed Claire gently on the forehead before heading out of his room towards one of the busier places in the lodge. He steeled his nerves and glanced back at where his canines - and even Beorhtwulf, limping heavily but still walking - were trailing behind him.

"U-uh? Excuse me?" Tomorrow called out, hating how his voice wavered but unable to stop it. "D-does anybody have any veterinarian experience or- just medical experience, really."

[HAYLEY]

[align=center][div style="width: 430px; text-align: justify; font-family: calibri; font-size: 8pt; color: black; line-height: 22px;"]☁  hayley wasn't a doctor, but for the nearly three months she'd lived in the lodge, she'd been acting as one. in fact, her entire life she'd been playing doctor. she had no formal training, but she could handle most situations, simply because of the life she lived. she could stitch up wounds, check for infection, identify a good amount of issues. but the one thing she was perhaps a professional at was labor and delivery; from the day she discovered she was pregnant, she'd read and studied and worried all about her labor. and, when it had all gone down, her only aid was a scrawny teenage boy who'd been more scared than she was.

as tomorrow posed the question, hayley glanced up from the book she'd been reading, eyes landing on him at the question, brows furrowing. was one of the dogs hurt again? ❝depends on what's wrong?❞ she inquired warily. she'd patched up one of the dogs when he'd first arrived, so he knew she had some medical training, though she was now more than a little concerned.

[truce.]

[align=center][div style="width: 450px; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 7pt; line-height: 1.5;"]･ﾟ✧ — There was nothing that Elinor adored more than babies. Human babies, animal babies - they were all just too sweet in her eyes, and all would be treated with the same amount of love and adoration. Ellie had always wanted children of her own, a beautiful family and a picturesque life, but as time went by, the promise of romance and family slowly became nothing more than a letter being thrown into a fire. It'd perish in moments, and then the dream would be gone... But, it never stopped Ellie from ever being a mom to an animal.

Like puppies. Ellie had been a puppy-mom before in her life, and she was pretty sure it was the most rewarding gift she'd ever received. The unconditional love of a dog. This was partly why Tomorrow fascinated her; the bond that he had with his hounds could only bring a smile onto Ellie's lips. Any person who adored an animal as much as Ellie would only be treated with the utmost kindness from her.

And so, when Tomorrow had entered the room, appearing quite worried with the way his voice trembled as he spoke, Ellie was quick to sit up in her seat, eyes widening and eyebrows knitting together with concern as her gaze flitted across the dogs. With the topic of conversation that'd been brought up, Ellie began to fear the worst. "Are they okay?" She asked, gaze peering over at Tomorrow with evident worry riddling her features.

[tomorrow]

JUST STANDING WAITING FOR THE PUNCHES

Tomorrow wasn't that surprised to see Brendan there, and though Brendan's curt response made him wince slightly he was starting to grow accustomed to it. He blinked, surprised at Brendan's question; part of him was certain the boy would've left it at a no, or a "yes-but-i'm-not-helping-you".

Hayley's presence was a relief; she was a mother, and also had some medical experience as he was already well aware of. That didn't mean she knew how to care for a pregnant dog, but he was hopeful. He didn't exactly want to keep bothering her with his problems though, but maybe she could give some advice at least?

Ellie was also present; he didn't know her well, but he had respect for her. She had an overflowing kindness he could only hope to replicate in a minor way, and she seemed so... Genuine. He found himself a bit calmer around her, willing to give her a shot more than some of the others. She also seemed worried, which his own emotions were mimicking.

"Nothing's- wrong, per say?" Tomorrow said, nervously scratching behind Claire's ear. "Claire's- holding puppies." Holding puppies? What did that even mean? Tomorrow internally sighed at himself, and quickly clarified. "-Pregnant, I mean. I'm just, erm, a b-bit worried about her; her last litter didn't go amazingly, and I want someone a bit more knowledgeable about this sort of stuff to- uh, look her over? And tell me how to make it easier- easier for her."

[JAY]

[align=center][div style="width: 500px; text-align: justify; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.4;"]Jay did not "put himself out there" to everybody, not for every situation. He didn't prefer it; he preferred to be lowkey, on the sidelines and doing his own thing independently. However, how could he deny a request for medical assistance? It would be not right to do so, not when he grew up learning this stuff from his parents. The Bareilles family vowed to take in any traveler in need of treatment or rest, and he supposed that he would carry on the tradition as long as he was able.

So, the Southerner removed his wide-brimmed hat and set it aside. He walked forward, clearing his throat. "... I could have a quick look at her." He quickly glanced at the people beside him before kneeling down closer to Claire's level. "C'mon girl, lay down." He tried to coax her, and hoped that her owner would assist him in doing so. He aimed to soothingly stroke her cheek, and he looked up to ask Tomorrow, "How far along is she? Has she been excessively sick?" He knew that morning sickness in pregnant dogs were normal, but not every day of the week. If she was vomiting more than a few times a week, then that was an abnormal sign.

[tomorrow]

JUST STANDING WAITING FOR THE PUNCHES

Tomorrow didn't know Jay very well, or at all really, but he was thankful for the man's assistance and quickly aided him by coaxing Claire to lay down. She was a generally friendly dog, and didn't mind Jay's pets though Tomorrow still tried to stay close, not wanting to stress her out any more than was necessary.

"She got sick this morning- One of the reasons I wanted to check up on them." Tomorrow explained, the second half of his sentence descending into nervous rambling. He stroked Claire's head comfortingly and continued speaking. "I don't know how far along she is- she's started showing, if that helps? And she hasn't been excessively sick." Tomorrow answered. He knew she got sick a fair amount when she had her first litter, but things had been hard to keep track of in the wilderness and he didn't have much time to spend lounging around back then.

[ajdawny]

[align=center]

[div style="borderwidth; width: 400px; padding: 1px; text-align: justify; color: #4B3E2D; line-height: 14px; font-size: 11pt; font-family:timesnewroman"]"speech" 'thought' text
tw: mentions blood, profanity, themes of violence, injuries

Lucio was not the greatest with most animals, but he had a knack for dogs, in fact, there had been a few aboard the ship he'd sailed with for most of his life. Large dogs, good swimmers, loyal to a fault, and precious. Lucio had loved each and every one of them, though it'd been hard for him to lose them all after he'd been set adrift on his own. He vaguely remembered something like a dream, his best companion Sandusky, a shaggy black mop of a dog had been in it, had helped him to the safety of the beach, but after that there was nothing.

It had to have been a dream, he hadn't found Dusky since, and while he'd searched for his beloved companion, there'd been no trace that he'd ever left the ship. So, it was with a heavy heart that he'd traveled to Flintlock without the massive canine. However, putting these delightful thoughts aside, he heard the call of the kid... Tomorrow? Today? Yesterday? Something like that, maybe it was Tuesday. Whatever the name, the question resonated with him.

He was not, what anyone would call, experienced in the medical field. Hell, he wasn't even a veterinarian. But, he did know dogs, he'd helped with several at sea births of puppies. He'd taken care of them when they were injured during storms. He loved dogs with all his heart (and more). So, instead of limping over to the library to take a quick nap like he'd first intended, the slender man made his way towards the group of people, almost immediately regretting it.

He did not do very well in large groups of people, well more than two or three really... it just seemed excess to the young man. "Hola." The man said easily, a smile resting on his face for a few seconds before he looked towards Tomorrow, and then at the dog. "She could be experiencing morning sickness... though, it could be other things too." The man hesitated with his words, trying his very best not to speak nonsense.

"What did she eat in the last few days?" He pursed his lips, looking down at the beautiful dog, a wistful expression on his face. God, he missed Dusky, he was probably still on that horrible ship. (No, Lucio didn't mean that, he loved the ship, loved the seas... But the people on the ship, well they did not care for him, why else would they have set him adrift in the ocean?)