Open [Event] Pregnancy and Changes

[Translucent]

63rd Winter 513

The cold was biting, it was not frigid and frozen as the northern cities considered winter but it was cold enough that one did not dawdle without a cloak or coat. Hunting was down, game having either migrated, denned down for the winter or are simply laying low but the Drykas were expecting that. That was the reason there was the great Fall hunt.

Winter is more then half past now, the land fully locked into its state of sleep waiting for the breath of spring to reawaken it. Cold or not, Endrykas was already bustling this morning. Those pavilions who were moving today were being packed up and readied for the slow grind along the Run. Others went about their business, checking food stores, checking the new addition of the Bison herd, and still there were others who were finishing setting up an extension of what looked to be the Opal Healing tents.

If it had been summer this would have been an outdoors event, cushion and what not arranged beneath the light of Syna. However to protect those who are precious to Drykas, expectant mothers and those who could be expectant mothers, a white pavilion is set up. Word had been spread to the Ankals of every Pavilion that Sharika Nightsong was going to begin to start educating women of childbearing years about pregnancy. Those who bought new captives were strongly urged to send them, as well as any Drykas woman of childbearing years. Even men were welcomed if they so wished to learn.

Inside the pavilion, at the front where all focus could be given was a woman sitting on a stool. Her face was seamed and wrinkled with age, her body tiny not from malnourishment but simply from age. Her hands were clearly marked with the gnosis for Rak'keli, beautiful shimmering opal colored twisted wing serpents, and though she was so clearly marked with a healing gnosis she sat with a pronounced slump. For though she was able to heal broken bones, even torn ligaments and strained muscle, she could not heal what ailed her....simple old-fashioned age. Her clothing was simple, and also was heavily opal in coloring to proclaim her clan identification.

She sat on a stool, in deference to her advancing age, and directed the people who were setting up the inside with a strong voice and still strong hand gestures that almost belied her frail seeming nature. "Set up the row of stools for the heavily pregnant over there in to the left. They need to be upfront so they can hear and ask questions. You there, those cushions are too close together! Some of these women won't be able to sit in a tiny little huddle!"

The layout was very simple, stools reserved for those who were the most heavily pregnant -the same stools that would serve as birthing stools when their time came- lined the side of the pavilion so that Sharika could easily see if they had questions. The rest of the 'audience' had cushions to sit upon. These cushions are no set color, as they are given to be used by many different pavilions. There are blues, and greens, and rich golds and browns. Sharika took a moment to grin, her smile missing now some of her teeth, she did enjoy seeing all the bright colors.

She kept the space around her clear of obstacles, for she often used visual aids and other tools when she taught. Beside her was a basket filled with various ointments, herbs, and vials of liquid. She was eager to be started, eager to see the future of the Drykas. Lhex had kept her around longer then many ever expected out here in the harshness of the sea of grass, elderly women are not a common sight. Perhaps this was the reason.

[Isedan Autumnrun]

"Corsal, please, I do not want to go." She said as she walked beside the tall man, his hair having been worked into rows along his head this time and Issy's own short mop having been woven with ties of green. "Dastina needs me today; they are finishing a new throw for her sister." It was a cover for the real reason she did not want to come to this event.

At least Corsal and Tudav had been trying to smother some of Cotice's temper, though the kelvic always left the pavilion (when they were not travelling) with fresh bruises and fresher tears. One hundred and thirty five days in, just under half way through the pregnancy and the gold-grey eyed woman of Sylira was showing well the fruits of her "masters" labors. Her belly pressed against the material of the blouse she wore, quiet flutters from within making her heart jump at times. When the season had finally changed over, so had Issy's temperament; the kelvic had finally climbed out of the misery she'd been in since Lukyc's murder (for that was what it was in her eyes), at last able to acknowledge he was completely gone from this world and her depression would not bring him back.

The only thing she could do was get up and go; but the Autumnrun Ankal was making that increasingly difficult. His aggression since discovering her not-so-hidden secret had multiplied and it took all her strength of will not to run into the grasses permanently and never look back. It had taken some mighty convincing to the meat processor she'd met with during the hunt to prove that the quail and rabbit and even crane she had brought in had in fact been brought down by her. Of course, Cotice's ignorance of the whole thing only to find out during the festivities didn't help.

Corsal escorted her into the tent and paused, guiding her with a hand to her lower back off to one side to speak quietly with her. "Isedan, it's for your own safety. We know what he is doing is wrong, but..."

"Then you can stop it. You are his brother; surely you have enough honor in you to try... Please, convince him to let me sleep elsewhere, if nothing else. I won't be able to shift much longer without endangering myself and it." She said the last word somewhat reproachfully but lowered her eyes when she saw the pang in his own. "You know what he is doing is wrong, then please, I beg you, have the courage to end it. The man is mad, Corsal. He has lost his mind. And you are the only one close enough to make him see reason..."

The warrior sighed and pinched his nose in frustration, answering that he will try again then telling her to go sit down. Get off her feet, relax. It was a time for learning, for the moment, and one for her to relax. Issy was glad Corsal had enough sense to talk to her in Common, though, where too often those around her flapped their hands and jabbered in that gibberish that they called a language.

Watching the hunter leave, she sighed as well and turned to look at the tents interior, her eyes flicking around at the array of pillows and the supplies put to one side, and finally the elder sitting at the front. She was so old, she made her think of sweet little Tudav who knew not a lick of Common but was always so kind to her. Drawing a second breath, the shifter moved around the pillows and those helping set up to approach the elder.

Once near, she frowned, trying to remember the greeting she so infrequently used. Dastina had been trying to teach her, but it was a slow process; Issy wasn't accustomed to using her hands like that. "Er...Hi; I've been told to attend?" She tried in Common first before touching her belly and the comfortable curve it made. "I'm not versed in Pavi, ma'am. A handful of words. Will there be a translator?"

[Translucent]

As some women trickled in from outside, Sharika took the time to note each on. Without an examination she of course would not be able to tell if a woman was in fact pregnant, or how far along. However she had been doing this for going on almost forty five years, since before even her first husband. The thought of that young man, forever immortalized in her mind as a twenty something man brought a smile to her face. He was a fine Drykas, not that her second husband was any less or held any less of her heart. He had, but there was something about Beyhar that still at this old age made her warm with the memories.

Ha! She laughed to herself, her face breaking in another grin though no one around her could know what she was grinning at. She must be getting along in age if she was letting flights of memory sidetrack even her personal thoughts. She shifts on her stool, not because of discomfort but just to adjust her shawl of pearly pink color. It was amongst her favorite things, her third granddaughter had knitted it for her and she had never seen a shade of opal quite so perfect outside of the gem.

Yet her thoughts were drawn back to the present once more when her milky eyes spotted a particular woman being escorted in by a man. There were a few other men, but most of them departed once they had seen their women safely here. She couldn't tell from the glance which were Drykas women, and which were captives..except on those who still had not adjusted to the captivity. This woman that came, Sharika watched how she moved, allowing her eyes to fall to the curvature of her stomach then back up to the queer golden eyes of the woman.

She looked like she might be half blind, her dark eyes filmy but not cataracts barred her vision, her gnosis kept those at bay, and she was a studious woman. She noted the faint colors that did not belong on a woman's face, especially not when she carried the future of the Drykas within her womb. She would bet her fine opal shawl that there would be fresher bruises if she were to examine the woman without the sheltering of the clothing. The old woman tilted her head, her white tufts of hair floating rather then falling for they were so thin and light that they no longer had the weight to bear them down.

Even if she was inclined to let the bruises go unnoticed, unremarked upon, her Godess demanded her to heal. Was the price of being twice marked, and a price that Sharika had never hesitated to pay. Her hand snaked out quickly, aiming to grip Isedan's wrist, her grip surprisingly strong for someone who looked so frail. If Isedan moved or avoided her grip, Sharika would have just laid her hand directly upon the rounded stomach. The shimmering gnosis marks on the back of her hands flared, and Sharika drew from their power, sending the healing in waves into the body of the kelvic captive.

The bruises fade, the healing restoring the broken blood vessels and easing away the soreness left behind. The healing did not stop there either, Sharika concentrated on the kelvic woman's muscle system, systematically sending the power surging through the cords of muscles. Tight muscles would loosen and relax, stretch muscles would regain their elasticity so that the pregnant woman would not be left with even a single ache...at least not physical. Sharika's gnosis could do nothing for the wound that wounded the soul.

When that was done the old woman removed her hand back and gave Isedan a bright smile, showing her missing teeth. "I am an old woman, older then many have lived. I have treated Drykas of many different races, and guests of the Drykas of equal difference in races. There will be no need of a translator my Dear. Most of my guests today will find Pavi difficult to understand so today's lecture will be in Common first, and then I will translate for those guests who speak only Pavi."

Her voice, like her grip, was a parody of her physical appearance. She looked frail and weak, she looked as if she had been put through the ringer and barely survived. But it is when she speaks that her vitality shown through. She was old, but she was not sick nor wasted. Once more her eyes bore into Isedan, attempting to catch the Kelvic's eyes meaningfully, "My name is Sharika Nightsong, you remember that if you need my services...for anything." This last was said, but she did not elaborate. She felt no need to. "Now, go have a seat on one of those stools my Dear. We will give it another few chimes to make sure that others have a chance to come."

[Waisana]

Waisana was nervous. Her mind was in turmoil at the thought of going to the class, eager to learn yet dreading going. She knew that healers could go if they so wished but she feared that people would think that she was going for a different reason. It was no secret that she was a young woman of marrying age, no secret that she had attracted the attention of a young man. Many would assume that she was going to learn to be prepared for pregnancy herself. It was a thought that she did not want to think about and certainly not one that she wanted others to think. Not that the opinions of others should matter.

Her mother probably hoped that the class would make her reconsider her disdain towards marrying and having children and so had vehemently argued for her to go to it. She would have refused just for spite but between her own yearning to learn and her father's prodding to improve her healing knowledge, Waisana had consented to go.

The young woman slipped into the tent which was fast filling up with expectant mothers and Drykas healers, hovering nervously in the tent flap as she scanned for somewhere to sit down, her opal cloak stirring in a breeze coming through the gap. Her gaze took in the multitude of colourful cushions, which the majority of people seemed to be sitting on, and the stools which seated the pregnant women showing signs of their condition.

A little old woman sat at the front, watching everyone as they came in and she became convinced that the woman's filmy eyes were on her. Dropping her gaze to the ground, the young healer moved from the entranceway to settle herself on one of the cushions furthest from the elderly woman. She would feel better there, not as exposed. It wouldn't seem as if the woman was looking constantly at her either.

Now that she was actually here, the healer's nervousness began to abate and her desire to learn made her eager for the woman to begin speaking.

[Isedan Autumnrun]

There was a surge of vitality that flooded the tall dame that made her want to purr, the kelvic's eyes locking with the healers as fresh tears crept their way up to shine beneath her bicolored irises. It wasn't in pain or sadness that they appeared, but in unexpected relief at the provision from this matron of the Opals. A sigh even escaped Issy's lips as she felt the tension that had pressed upon the bottom of her skull since Cotice's discovery, felt the bruises recede and eventually disappear from existence, and even the knots and kinks from the pregnancy dissipating.

When the woman had first grabbed her, Issy's instincts surged forward and her first desire was to yank away from the restricting grasp and flee in a fit of self-preservation. But in the elders eyes, the kelvic did not see the anger and loathing she had in Cotice's; there was...understanding? Concern, maybe? The serval shifter could not be certain and eventually turned her eyes away when the healing had ended and the old woman had spoke. She spoke carefully in reply once this Sharika had finished.

At first, she wanted to be sharp with the elder, but the moment of generosity and compassion she had witnessed would not let the kelvic speak so unfavorably. "The services I need are not ones I believe you can heal...But thank you, elder, for the offer." Issy turned to go to a seat now, picking a stool where two other women had taken residence, both of them smaller of belly and young of face.

On the stool, Issy folded her hands over her belly, wanting to shift and adjust as she had for the last forty five days to find comfort, but the Healing had done its trick and relieved her of the previous pains she would have otherwise been incapable of relaxing with. It was in this peaceful moment of respite that she spotted Waisana picking a seat on the pillows. Issy tried to remember the name that went with the face, but it did not come quickly enough. She wondered what she was doing here; the other did not look pregnant, but looks could be deceiving.

As the tent continued to fill with the guests of the lesson, Issy found the discomfort she had had before. It was the din that made her shift in displeasure, the low cadence of chatter like the incessant drip of water in her oversensitive hearing. But Corsal would not be back for a while yet, not until the lesson was over, anyways. It was going to be a long few bells.

[Nathaniel Deveraux]

I'm out of my mind. That's the only explanation for what I'm doing.

Those were the thoughts running through Nate's head as he carefully entered the white tent and was met with the sight of many women, some obviously pregnant and others less so, but all women. There was not a single man there, at least so far, and Nate was half-tempted to just steal away. It had been a stupid idea. Oh so stupid and why had he decided to come in the first place?!

The truth was simple, of course. He had two sisters. And whether he liked it or not, whether he agreed or not, they were likely to become pregnant themselves at some point. And as a medic, Nate would feel much more comfortable if he knew at least something about childbirth. He knew of course, that in the end what little knowledge he could pick up here would probably not matter, but it made him feel a little better, to know that he'd tried.

An elderly woman was treating someone. Or at least... Nate thought she was treating her. Perhaps she was diagnosing her? He could not be entirely certain, though his medic's mind immediately began running though the facts. He was aware of Rak'keli and her gifts; if the old woman was a Healer of Rak'keli then her abilities far outstripped his own. He just hoped she'd demonstrate more practical medicine, something he'd be able to use.

At least the old woman spoke Common, as she conversed quietly with the other woman Nate picked up the odd word here and there, but he was too far in the back to hear very much. The women milling about around him were speaking to one another, mostly in Pavi, as handsigns practically danced across the air and the murmuring made it difficult to hear the conversation. And from the body language of both of them, it was likely to be a private conversation anyway.

Nate sighed and took a seat, trying not to make eye contact with any of the women here. He honestly had no idea how many of them were captives and how many were Drykas. It wasn't always immediately obvious, and Nate glanced curiously over at the woman who the elderly healer had been seeing a moment ago. She didn't seem Drykas; at least he didn't see any immediate evidence of Windmarks, but that didn't mean much since they could be hidden by clothing.

Before Nate could work up the courage to ask why she seemed so... sad, his eyes fell upon the complicated golden braided hair of a girl he did recognize. That was Waisana! Surely it was! He'd only met her once, but he rarely forgot a face. And when she turned to look at the elderly healer, Nate was certain it was her. Shifting down a few seats, he gave Waisana an apologetic smile, saying, "Hello," to her softly so as not to disturb anyone else around them before sitting down.

He had no idea what Waisana thought of him. Maybe she hated him, for all he knew, but at least he knew her and that was more than he could say for any of these other women in this tent. And Nate was grateful for a familiar - if not necessarily friendly - face. Because at that moment, with the veritable sea of women around him, he couldn't deny feeling a bit... intimidated. And surrounded.

He just hoped the old healer had a few tricks up her sleeves she could teach him. Because all of a sudden he was rather eager to just glean what he could from this class and leave as discreetly as possible. Nate just hoped and prayed neither of his sisters showed up. Or Arundel. Either one would result in him never living this down. Ever.

x

[Translucent]

Congratulations On Your Hard Work!

Sharika gave a noise in the back of her throat when Isedan spoke, it was not a noise of rudeness or anger but neither was it a noise of sympathy. Instead her brow quirked and the old woman gave the pregnant captive a knowing look but let her go without a word. No evidence, other then the various bruising that Sharika's bond with her Goddess had compelled her to heal, however rare it was Sharika had seen those types of wounding before. They didn't happen accidentally. No evidence indeed, a situation worth watching.

After she shook the dark mood that had tried to press in on her mind, Sharika turns her attention back to the room at large. It lifted her heart to see the turn out, so many babes -and potential ones because perhaps not all the females are yet pregnant. This was why they had taken the captives, and though it seemed harsh to the outside and obviously to many of the captives, it had been necessary and fruitful.

Once the flow of people had slowed to a trickle Sharika claps her small hands together with enough force to be heard across the pavilion. She stopped the Drykas in the back from closing the flaps with a quick word in pavi, her hands moved with a dexterity that belied her age, "No No do not close it. We want to leave it in welcome of late comers. But do go mind the braziers so that we can keep these lovely ladies warm."

With that said, Sharika didn't even watch to see if she had been obeyed instead she turned back to the crowd. Switching easily to common, Sharika spoke as she rose to a standing position. She had decided early on when she was planning this that she would not address the captivity or the capturing, and if someone wanted to ask a question on that subject she would pass on. This is a time of new beginning and life, not a time for looking back on difficult but necessary decisions.

"Welcome and greetings. We are entering a time of much celebration for when Tavasi has granted us such blessings we rejoice." Sharika projected her voice as naturally as one used to giving commands and used to being obeyed. Her sentences were slow because after each common sentence she repeated what she said in Pavi. She could have used a translator but didn't feel like taking another from their chores around the tent city would be productive when she could just do it herself.

"For orders sake I will cover a section, then I will open the floor for questions. I will answer those questions before going on to another section. This way there is little interruptions and it will be organized." Sharika smiles once more, flashing her gaped toothed grin to everyone in attendance.

"Let us begin. I am assuming that there is no one here who needs to be told how the babies get planted into a woman's womb. If you are unsure come see me privately and I will explain fully." Her face remained pragmatic and stoic, not expecting anyone to really need that service. The Drykas were an open and free bunch, and living within pavilions left little to be discovered about what goes on behind sleeping partitions.

"There are forty weeks, that translates in about nine months and a handful of weeks for a normal female human gestation cycle." Sharkia did not move as she spoke, though if this was due to her advancing age or if she didn't want to distract the learners from her words is unclear. However she did strive to meet each and every eye, noting something about everyone in the room. The lovely shade of blue of that girls' eyes. the pretty blonde who had tried to hide off into the corner, and the male who had sneaked in for lack of a better term. Men were welcome in here as much as women for among Drykas male and female roles did delineate as clearly as they did in other places.

"This section before I open up for questions will cover the first three months. These months are the most dangerous for the baby simply because the baby is trying to make itself a home within your womb. This is when many mishaps happen because the baby is not as well established inside the womb." Sharika did not say this to scare the women, however simply to educate for she knew there would be some healers in the room. She wanted to make sure that they were aware of these things as well so that they could pass the knowledge on to their patients. "There is little to do but to trust in Lhex's understanding of your fate and the babe's and to do your best to take care of your body. Your body is the baby's home now so must be maintained."

Sharika spoke slowly to give everyone a chance to grab every word, and as usual she repeated herself in Pavi. "The first thing to do is to maintain your eating habits. Women often experience an ague of the stomach in the first three months of pregnancy. A sickness that makes it hard to keep things on the belly. While this is predominate in the first three months, it can go through out the pregnancy and later it can come back when your time comes close. Following these steps can help alleviate your sickness."

Milky eyes surveyed the room even as she moved her hands in the Pavi signing gestures easily and fluidly. "Instead of eating 2-3 normal size meals a day, at each meal time taking eat only a portion of your meal and wrap or save the other portion to eat later. Splitting up the 2-3 to 4-6 times a day. This prevents the belly from being overly full, which will help keep much of the nausea at bay. If this does not help then chewing this.."

Sharika stops talking and bends to her basket that she had laid on the floor beside her stool, her thin arms rummaging through it. Lifting up a bunch of herbs tied together with a stretchy band she displayed the dark green leafy plants to the audience. "This is basil, not as fresh as I would like but once we get close to Kenash I can restock my supply. It is an herb that is perfectly safe for Mom and baby. Chewing a leaf helps to settle the stomach. This also works in normal stomach sicknesses not just pregnancy. Drink plenty of fluids, and you should find that your sickness subsides. If you do not then more stringent steps will have to be taken so you should go and seek out a healer."

Sharika puts the basil back into the basket, before she stands and looks back out into the audience. "Do we have any healers present? If so I would like for you to come up here hand help with something. Even if you are simply an apprentice Healer or even someone who is interested in learning healing. While they come, I will open the floor to questions about the first three months of pregnancy."

[Isedan Autumnrun]

The arrival of a man into the tent had Issy turning her head towards Nate, surprised. He looked out of place moreso than Waisana, and she wondered if he was truly intending on joining in the lessno before them, or if it was purely to be rebellious; men weren't exactly welcome in a birthing chamber, afterall. It was a womans job, through and through! Or at least, that's what Issy thought. She would rather find a nice dark corner with some warm and clean blankets and just do it on her own. The human part of her would be scared, but the rest would follow her instincts.

But that was beside the point as Sharika began to speak, gesturing afterwards in that funny hand-flap tongue the locals had. Being around all of these people now made her adjust on the stool, her head turning to look around. She loved the presence of others moreso than others might expect, especially the contact she could get from it and part of Issy wanted to Shift right then and curl up against one of the other women, purring and rubbing her head in their hands and filled with simple delight. But the thought of loving on another like that only dredged up thoughts of Lukyc, which she promptly swept away and took on a more focused air. She was being made to attend this, she might as well learn something!

Sharika was talking about the sickness that went on the first ninety-day. Issy had been all too familiar with the morning nausea and even now it still plagued her some. She had only just begun to eat a more appropriate share of food than what had been practically forced down her throat last season. But, the dark cloud which had followed her since the kidnapping was starting to break up, and a more aware creature was emerging. Issy tried to focus on the herb suggestions being made but all she caught was that whatever it was was good for the sickness and something about a place called Kenash.

The kelvic leaned towards wone of the other women now and whispered, asking if she knew what had been said. This one did not answer, instead waving her away. So, she leaned to the other side and asked again, receiving the reply that it was of Basil this time.

Basil for sickness? Interesting!

Then, the elder had opened the floor to questions, Issy did not immediately have any. She was past the first trimester and quickly approaching the midway point of the pregnancy, the not-so-subtle curve of her abdomen pressing against the inside of her blouse as she held the shawl around her shoulders. What she was interested in was some of the healing the Elder might be able to teach. Issy would not be able to come to the Opals every time without garnering suspicion from Cotice. He was already aggressive and if he began noticing his abuse was being healed up it was sure to be hell on the woman.

But if she knew a few tricks of the trade, she could at least tend herself in peace. So it was that the woman rose off the stool and made her way around the others and to the front to join anyone else that might show interest. She would stand quiet with her hands folded over the top of her tum, watchful and alert. The only thing she would say, for the moment, is, "I know how to patch a cut or two, but that's about it. I think a bit more know-how might be useful right now."

[Translucent]

Sharika waits patiently, her own hands folded in front of her tiny body, watching as a few healers raise to come forward. She was surprised to see the young girl she had healed earlier rise and come, but not so much surprised when she heard the reasoning. Though she was not planning on going over extensive first aid when it came to wounds not associated with pregnancy, it wouldn't be a bad idea to learn a little about her body so she knows if something should happen to the babe.

Once the healers were gathered Sharika crooks a thin bony finger at a woman standing off to the side. "Come here Tania. Tania is at six weeks gestation. A wonderful blessing to her already full family. Raise your shirt Tania." The young Drykas girl complied having little modesty. Her windmarks circled her belly in a whirling pattern. There was a little evidence of pregnancy this early. "You can't tell from the outside just looking that she is pregnant, but already her body changes, to welcome the new babe. Your midwife should examine you by this point. Come healers I want you to press where I am..See? This bulge, feel how hard?" As she spoke Sharika had moved behind the dark haired Drykas girl, and moved her hands around front so that the audience and the healers could see where she placed them. Her hands positioned low on the pregnant woman's belly. "Come you healers, I want you to feel. So that you know what a pregnant womb feels like. Women can miss cycles and not be pregnant but women can not have a firm womb and not have someone living in there."

Sharika moved back away from Tania to give the healers ample time to do what she had asked. One or two of them needed assistance finding exactly where to press and she was more then willing to show them manually. She was patient, letting them feel as long as they wanted, as was Tania who's body has housed five other babies and was used to this. Once they were done however she gave each of them a bundle of herbs.

To the Kelvic woman she gave a small amount of Ginger root and Willow bark. "These are herbs safe to ingest during pregnancy. This, " pointing to the root she gave to Isedan, "Is a mild analgesic, it numbs pain. Not too a great extent, it is not good for major pains..but a head ache, a back ache..and these are safe to use. This is Willow Bark, a much stronger Analgesic, for more serious injury. Hopefully none of you will sustain the kind of injury this would need to be used for." She gave another long look at Isendan, "You make keep the herbs I gave you.." she turned to include the other healers as well, but gave Isedan another pointed look. "Do not prescribe nor use Willow Bark after your eighth month, or you might not feel the urgency of labor when it begins...but that will come in tomorrow's class."

Sharika walked back over to her stool and sat down, a gentle nod to her age but one she was willing to do. "Go have a seat again, I will call you up after this portion again." She adjusted her shawl over her scrawny arms again, before she slowly met the eyes of the audience.

"The second stage is called the second trimester, twelve weeks to thirty two weeks pregnant is this stage. This is the stage where you will definitely know you are pregnant. Your belly will expand, the smaller you are the more dramatic this change will be. The bigger you are the less dramatic. You will feel the baby begin to shift and move toward the sixteenth week. You will find yourself more thirsty, you will have to relieve yourself more often and this is the lovely stage where the burning in your belly and chest occurs. This will usually happen when you eat too many spices or too much at once. Water helps, limiting over eating these will help."

Sharika gave a grin, her words in Pavi quickly catching up those who spoke only Pavi in the crowd. "Another change that you will experience is your breasts will start to increase in size, and in sensitivity. This is generally the husband or lovers favorite aspect about the entire pregnancy." Sharika snickered loudly, many other Drykas women in the room laughed as well, though not as many captives. "This is perfectly normal and the tenderness should not be too bad, if they begin to hurt then binding your breasts with a tight cloth will help alleviate any pain."

Sharika, stands once more, waving to the people who came up before for more hands on training. "You will start to tire more quickly, sleep less deeply. Listen to your bodies, when it tells you to rest, you rest, when it tells you to sleep you sleep. Your body knows what it needs. Is there any questions for me at htis point?"

[Anton Stormtamer]

“Sis, don't you already know everything that's going to be told here? Why are we even going?” His sister didn't loosen her grip on his left arm one bit. Not even looking at him as she kept dragging him towards the pavilion's entrance. The tent flap the only thing between him and a place that in his mind was just as horrible as rhysol's home. “Because, our Owner told we had to go and I'm not going too sit there all alone. Surrounded by a bunch of drykas.” Her voice cracked a bit at the last part. “So stop trying to wiggle your way out. You're going with me. Who knows, one day I might go in labor and your the only person able to help around.” Anton paled as he pictured that situation. His sister screaming in pain and anger as she tried to pop out another human. “.. Remind me to castrate our owner so that'll never happens.” His sister let out a chuckle as she shook her head. “Now be quiet will you. Your struggling and weaselling has made us late already.” She walked inside the pavilion. A few women in the back gave a look at the newcomers. A tall woman that from her way of dress was obviously one of the captives and if the surly look on her face was one thing to go by she wasn't one of the few willing ones. The younger brother she was dragging with her, they looked similar enough for it to be obvious that they were related, was a stranger sight. A good few inches shorter then his sister, he was skinny, not much muscle on that frame. Obviously a bookworm of some sort. The only thing that was out of place was the patchworks of scars that ran down the left side of his face. Just as they arrived the old woman that was teaching the class began to talk about how the breasts became larger during pregnancy in the later stages. The old woman throwing in a lewd joke right after. “Oh qalaya..” He groaned, the last hope of fleeing this, vanishing as his sister forced him to sit down next to what seemed to be the only other male in the room. At least she was merciful enough for that. From the bottom of his heart he was hoping that none of the others had any questions. He wanted this to be over as quickly as possible. Listening in on a lecture on pregnancy was mortifying. Why couldn't they just write a book about it and distribute that around? Much less shame involved for everybody. His sister nudged him. Glaring at him. “Stop being such a prude. Books aren't everything.” she whispered at him. “How did you even...” “I'm your sister. Now at least try to look as if you're paying attention.” she admonished him in a soft tone.