Aftermath of the Great Phoenix's Demise...

[Angel]

*Angel follows Embri off the balcony and glides easily down*

~why does she need, want, to see us i wonder...~ *she pulls up right and lands as Silverfox reaches the bottom of the stairs* ~it will be about Embri's child...~

*she muses, in her own little world for a while*

[Embri]

A short, bespeckled young woman with reddish brown hair and more freckles than you can count stands just inside the Vale, leaning against a tree. She's dressed from head to toe in deep forest green, and carries a small bag over her shoulder. At the sound of wingbeats, Mirra looks up, smiling.

"Good morrow! You must be Embri and Angel. Rolan said he had an unusual patient for me. I must say, you've been making quite the stir over in the Collegium."

Embri lands and folds her wings, suddenly shy. The unicorn hides herself behind Angel, with her head over her heartsister's shoulder.

~...~

"Come on now, I don't bite." Mirra smiled, holding out a hand.

[Angel]

*Angel hugs Embris neck, nervous now too. she surveys the lady, taking in all the details*

good morrow... *she bows her head slightly,* Embri? you know you're to big to hide behind me. *she gives a sheepish grin,*

i'm pleased to meet you Mirra.

*she steps forwards a little, but Embri's shyness is getting to her*

[Embri]

Mirra regards the pair with wide brown eyes. "Skittish, are we? All right, I guess I'll have to break out the heavy ammunition..." Mirra unslings her bag from her shoulder, rummaging around inside.

"I usually only need these for the young foals, but I guess that's because all the Companion mares are used to seeing me around all the time."

Mirra grins. "Ah! Here we go." She holds out a number of small brown cubes in the palm of her hand.

Embri sniffs, a tantalizing aroma reaching her nose. ~Hungry.~ She says petulantly, ~No breakfast.~

~So you can talk. Come here, darling. These are molasses-oat treats. They're very good, and I know you'll like them.~

Embri snuck out from behind Angel hesitantly, neck extended. ~Why you here see me?~

~I'm here to check on you, to see how you're doing.~ Mirra kept her hand flat as Embri nibbled the proffered treats.

~Good. More?~ Embri did her best to look woeful.

~Stand nice and still like a good girl for me, and I'll get you some more, okay?~ Mirra patted Embri's shoulder, running a hand down her back.

Embri snorts, but stays put, craning her neck around to watch what Mirra was doing. The Healer went through a quick physical exam, then rested her hand against the mare's side, eyes closed.

Mirra spent several minutes like this, before opening her eyes again. A slight frown crossed her face as she patted Embri on the neck and offered her some more treats.

~Angel?~ Mirra sent privately. ~How long was it since Embri was bred?~

[Angel]

*Angel watches nervously and jumps at Mirra's question.*

~three days, why? is there something wrong?!~ *she too keeps it to a private chanel automaticly. she twists her fingers in Embri's mane, a nervous habbit of hers*

please dont let something be wrong...

[Embri]

~No, no, calm down. Nothing's wrong, I think. It's just unusual. Granted, I've never dealt with Embri's species before, but if she was a Companion, I would say her foal is about a month along in gestation, maybe a little less.~ Mirra replied.

~Embri dear, do you know how long your species carries it's foals?~ The Healer asked.

~Carry? No others like me. Embri only Embri.~ The unicorn looks somewhat alarmed, shifting nervously from hoof to hoof in response to Angel's feelings.

[Angel]

~a month? in three days? thats... 33 or 34 days, 30 days left..~

*her nervousness dissapears and she pulls Embri into a hug to reassure her,*

~oh Embri! your going to be a mum in a month! i love you Twrini...~ *she buries her face in Embris mane and hugs her tight.*

~you're going to go up like a balloon!~ *she grins*

[Embri]

"It depends." Mirra shook her head. "I have nothing to compare Embri to, so it may vary considerably from a horse or Companion. Her development may slow down, or even speed up. I would bet that it's going to be a lot shorter though, and rougher for you, darling." The Healer pats Embri on the shoulder.

"Let me guess. She's eating like two or three horses?"

~BREAKFAST!~ Embri insists, stomping a hoof.

"I'll take that as a yes. I want to keep a close eye on her, so I'll be back tomorrow morning, all right? Try not to stress yourself."

[Angel]

*Angel grins and bows*

thank you Mirra, i'll see you tomorrow, we'll eat FIRST next time.

*she pats Embri's neck and says*

you had me worried for a time there, i'm glad you're alright. now for some breakfast!

*she leads the way through the steamy plants to the kitchen, guided by the delicious smell of cooking bread*

[Embri]

~YesYesYes!~ Embri follows Shee Mon eagerly, barely restraining from bowling over her friend in the urge to eat.

~Sooo Hungry!~ Embri lunged at the table, grabbing two bread rolls in her mouth and swallowing them whole.

[Angel]

*Angel laughs openly, as do Firesong and Silverfox who are sitting on a bench not far away. she shakes her head ruefuly and piles apples, bread, jam and butter onto a plate.*

~dont eat to fast Embri, you'll get hicups!~

*she sits crossleged on the grass and takes her time, hungry as she is, to enjoy every bite. the sun is warm on her back and the air is sweet, there is no better place to be... she thinks.*

[Embri]

~Belly empty. Fill with food.~ Embri crunches through a basket of apples, moving on to meat pastries and a stack of toast. Finally satiated, the unicorn lays down at Angel's feet, wuffling contentedly.

Inspecting first one wing, then the next, Embri pulls out a couple of damaged feathers, and straightens out some bent ones.

[Angel]

~damn right!~

*Angel laughs and sets down her plate. after cleaning off the honey and crumbs she settles down to help Embri groom her wings. smooting and zippin feathers together, compleatly calm and relaxed.*

[Embri]

"Angel," Firesong asks, "you're a warrior, are you not? Those weapons you arrived with had obviously seen heavy use. If you wish, I can introduce you to the Weaponsmaster, Alberich. He is in charge of the combat classes for the Trainees of the Collegium, and I'm sure he could find you a sparring partner, if you're so inclined."

"As for you," The Tayledras Healer turns to Embri, "Rolan wants to see you out for the drills today. I have it on good authority that you are not going to be restricted to a low activity schedule until shortly before delivery, and that extra mass around your girth is NOT part of your foal."

Embri snorted and flicked her ears back. "Drills? No drills. Sleep here, nice and quiet. Sleep and eat."

[Angel]

sparring? it would be a nice change from using skills but in battle. i would apreciate his aquantance.

*she turns to Embri* you are going to those whether you like it or not! you cannot lose your fighting fitness before you have the child, lest you will not be able to protect it. you can sleep and eat at normal times, like the rest of us!

*her face softens* dont worry, i'm sure Rolan will not be overly hard on you, he knows what is best.