Where was Pan? Did he not wish to see what he would surely consider some variety of an experiment? Perhaps he simply didn't know the warning signs. Niviaq had not only been a mother prior, but she had always been a wet nurse and a healer for as long as she could remember. She knew the feelings inside her just as well as she knew the feelings of others; she had woken to a sharp, sudden pain as her body prepared itself. She knew all too well what it was, and yet it seemed to ache just a little worst than she remembered. She had to remember, though, that it had been a long time since her last children had been born. As hard as it was, she tried not to think about them as she paced her den, whining under her breath each time she felt a stab of pain. Maybe it was best that Pan didn't see it all, though she still hoped that he'd at least be close by.

It was some time after the initial pain had begun that she finally felt something... stir, for lack of a better word. With that, she stopped her pacing and lowered onto her belly, casting a final glance to the den's mouth in hopes of seeing Pan. She had little time, though, for soon enough, the pressure gave way and a bundle of squirming legs was delivered to her. She was relieved, panting as she pulled him towards her, cleaning him off to reveal his puppy colours. He was dark, the outside morning light creeping in to reveal the faintest brown reflections in his fur. She could not help but think for a moment that he must have taken after somebody close to Pan, for such a colour had never been seen so much in her own family. Nonetheless, she smiled down at him before nudging him towards her belly, allowing him the warmth he so desired. It felt... relieving, almost refreshing to have that closeness once more. She had missed this, even if it was not with those she had once loved. She knew they were smiling down upon her - Soldat, Chasca, Juno, even Jaylah and Faol'an, for whom her heart had broken for.

There was quite some time between the next bout of pain, but she did not move; instead, she twisted about and began to tend to the den, attempting to keep it as clean as possible while her abdomen rumbled with a dull ache. She could feel a tearing, a sharper pain that throbbed here and there as she shuffled about, but she knew well enough what to expect. After the birth, she would need to send somebody to fetch her some items from her usual den. She had elected to choose a new one for the children, her regular home a mess of trinkets that she spent hours collecting. As beautiful as it were, it was no place for growing children. She knew another one was to come, being able to feel it kick and and readjust within her. Would she be blessed with another son, or a daughter? She wondered what fate had in store for her and for Pan, who would undoubtedly be thrilled about either prospect. What kind of father would he make? A good one, she thought to herself, smiling warmly as the pressure once more began to build.

This time, she yelped slightly in pain as her flesh gave way, revealing the paler form of her second born. As Niviaq pulled her towards herself to begin grooming, she noticed blood lingering on her - her own blood, thankfully. She understood now that there had been damage, and she could feel her body respond with discomfort, the endorphines and adrenaline of childbirth beginning to subside. With it came swelling, a discomfort that caused her to readjust once more as her daughter clambered towards her belly. For now, she chose to simply ignore the pain, focusing on the two new lives that yipped and crawled about, nuzzling into her. They were what mattered, after all.