Keep your mouth closed...

Posted on Sun Mar 17th, 2024 @ 12:11am by Lieutenant Betaras K'ner

Mission: Thunderdome
Location: Annvell's Settlement
Timeline: Current/Overnight

ON:

{ Annvell's Settlement }

K'ner squatted down, lightly resting her hand on the mom's side, slowly sliding to her side, then back. She was both trying to soothe, and to feel for movement.

One of the young girls that had taken to following her around was also squatted nearby with concerned eyes. They'd just had a conversation about fighting versus risk and choices, now the girl was curious how the same person could switch gears to healing. She had been so ready to fight as she'd listened to K'ner's suggestions to beef up the defenses but K'ner wanted to give her some perspective.

<"To fight, you should first learn to heal. I spend much more time with the latter than the former, but I train and prepare for each so I can influence my fate.">

<"Fate?"> the girl asked.

K'ner nodded, keeping her eyes on the restless momma lying in front of her.

<"That's what is ahead of you. You may not be able to, or want to, take on everyone you meet, but if you are prepared, you may have a choice, even if that choice is to run away... or give the Grendaas what they want... versus having no choice in what happens to you.">

The girl seemed to think that over for a minute until the momma moaned again and gained her attention.

<"Can you help her? I need her, I love her, she can't go yet...">

K'ner was counting, marking pulse and wishing she had her medical probes and medications. She couldn't make any guarantees, so she just focused, feeling the process moving along quickly. It was well after midnight and she was hoping she would be done before they had to continue their journey.

Another hour passed and K'ner was now more than worried something was wrong. The girl hadn't left her side and others had come and gone but gave them space. Moving down, K'ner considered having the girl go get some more clean water but figured it best if she was here for this, especially if it didn't turn out well, she would be here to say goodbye.

<"Do you know what a breech birth is?"> K'ner wasn't sure how thorough the translator was, but she spoke quietly and slowly, and glanced over to see how the girl was taking it.

While concerned, the young lady seemed consigned to the outcome and said she did. Life in low tech was often that way K'ner reasoned, blocking certain memories of her own that threatened to creep in, and nodded when the girl looked up at her.

The young girl took a deep breath, then exhaled. <"What can I do to help?">

K'ner nodded again and directed her into position out of the worst of it. The girl seemed determined, but this was going to get messy.

<"Your priority is to keep her calm. This will go better if you can assure her that you are here for her, and that I'm trying to help her too. If I need you to help me I'll let you know, but for now just hold her head.">

Momma was breathing quickly and moaning more but at least she wasn't thrashing around.

<"Talk to her... let her hear your voice.">

As the girl stroked and spoke in soothing tones, K'ner worked deeper, moving her hand around carefully, feeling a leg and getting a grip to turn the baby just in time as momma gave a push and everything rolled out onto her... the mucus and all the wonderful accessories of birth rolled out all over her as K'ner rolled back on her heels with the baby calf supported.

K'ner glanced up at the shocked face of the girl, still gripping the momma cow's head... K'ner shook her head, exhaling sharply to clear the muck from her lips and spitting a couple of times, then reached for the bucket of water...

<"And that's why, when things are tense, you may likely need to keep your mouth shut...">



OFF:

bath time... 8^)

 

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