Siobhan did not think she would ever grow tired of sharing those first precious moments with her newborn children; there was something about watching them absorb the world around them that always reminded her of her hope for the future. As dark as this world could sometimes be, her children reaffirmed the light in it as well.

As Zvaid latched on, she released a soft sigh and brushed her muzzle over the pale swell of his haunches. Compared to his other daughters he was already so pale, his body a gleaming beacon against the muted colors that surrounded him. The longer she looked at him, the more she came to realize that the contrast between her son and the world that surrounded him was fading, and that everything was growing fuzzy. With her muzzle pressed against his hip, her eyes shuttered closed and she slipped into a brief doze that only broke when Zvaid moved to protect her.

Half-asleep and still in the aftermath of severe pain, she startles back to wakefulness and stumbles away from the figures that appear before her. There is little resemblance between her golden lover and their black guardian to the villains that plagued her nightmares, but in that twilight moment between sleep and wakefulness, she cannot help the way a soft sound of fear escapes her, nor the way her hooves pedal her backward. Zvaid's defiant squeal finally shakes her back to the present and guilt swells in to replace the fear.

She had nothing to fear with Ailill and she knew it. He was, and had always been, her safe harbor in the storm. When she startled away from him in those moments when he moved too quickly, or spoke too loudly, it was never because of him. She had hoped that being home, amongst those that she loved and was loved by in return, would help to soothe the wounds Nyimara and Aranck had left. And they had helped, in some ways. In others, it only left her scars standing out in greater relief to their normality.

"Ailill, I-" she started, trying to find the words to apologize and assure him that she did not fear him. That she never had. She knew that had discussed similar things before, and yet each time it happened she felt as though she must apologize. The thought of Ailill believing she was afraid of him was intolerable. Before she can say anything, however, she is distracted by Zvaid's defiant display. Glad for the distraction, she chuckles softly and runs her pale muzzle over the proud arch of his little neck. "Easy a leanbh," she spoke warmly to him, her gaze flicking back up to Ailills. "It is only your father."

While not strictly true in the biological sense, Siobhan is certain that Ailill will be the father to this child in every way that mattered. The same way that he had been to Roisin, Akadi, and even Aislinn.

"Of course," she answered her mate's query with a smile that trembled on her lips. It seemed cruel to her that the only child she had been able to deliver for her mate had been one that was not even his own by blood, but she held hope that this was not the end of this story. That a child of their own that they could both dote over from the moment of conception was not out of the realm of possibility.

A movement behind her mate makes her stiffen as she remembers Faolain's presence, something she had quite forgotten in her hastening to reassure Ailill. The relationship between the two mares was still distant - with deep wells of guilt on either side. Siobhan had once vowed to make a friend of the black 'Teke, before her world had been turned upside down and couldn't help but wonder if such a thing was even possible anymore. Her very existence had caused no small amount of harm to the Ridge Queen, and Siobhan knew in her heart of hearts that it was not even the last inconvenience she would heap upon her.

Not only did she need to warn the Ridge Queen of Nyimara's intent to steal away this child, but she also had a favor that she needed to beg of her… one she could not ask of her mate.

Now, however, was not the time. Lifting her gaze to rest it upon the Queen's, Siobhan nodded in greeting and swallowed hard. Sparing a glance for her love, she stepped shakily forward to join his side before addressing Faolain again. "Hello," she said softly, cowed by the trouble she had caused her. Her pale muzzle dipped again to their son to reassure both him and herself before lifting again to finish introductions. "Faolain, Ailill, meet Zvaid."