[phone calls (Rinoa & Rydia) / Action for Dali folks!] - forward dated to the 29th!

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

[She's jittery with excitement and nerves when she makes these two phone calls. As soon as Rinoa and Rydia pick up, she gets right to the heart of the matter:]

It's time!

[Later on, she returns to Raine's side to see what she can do. She's worried. She can't help feeling that this is a repeat of what happened last time. She's worried it'll turn out that way. But she won't let Raine see that. Trying to protect Slai, she'll do her best to help Raine while keeping the child occupied. It's the least she can do right now.]


[ooc: I think this would go faster party style tagging? But that's up for debate, still. Anyway, I'll get a couple of subthreads up and then we can all have at and whenever it gets done, it gets done!]

Comments

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

[This labor's been going on two days now and Raine's rapidly becoming exhausted. At first the midwife shooed everyone out to wait but with the birthing process going far longer than it should, she's started to invite people in to visit... and help with healing. The mother-to-be is still alert, but weariness is starting to make it hard for her to do much of anything but nod at people and wince at contractions.]

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

[Elle's beyond worried by now. She's nearly sick with dread. She's been trying to keep Raine company, offering Cures whenever she needed to keep Raine comfortable, but every so often, she has to leave just to get outside the room where she can let out her tension without letting Raine see.

She's curled up against the wall just outside the room right now, trying not to let her worry dissolve her into a fit of tears. She's probably failing, but at least she's not sobbing loudly.]

[for-ephramad.livejournal.com]

[He sees what you're doing there. And mid-stride to get more towels, a rather fancy elvaan strolls by. It doesn't concern him that not a month before he was preparing a warship for well.. warfare. Or controlling a crew and now he's reduced to this. Doesn't concern him at all. Raine does, however. And by extension- Ellone is part of that though truthfully, before today he can't even say he'd paid that much attention to her. He kneels, beside her -- dumping the things to the side.]

...There there.

[What would Ovjang say? Yes, that was it. As naive as it sounds, it is truth. And it always stopped Aphmau from erupting when the waterworks started.]

It is difficult, yet crying will solve nothing. She will come through this. Do you understand?

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

I know. I-I just... [She wipes her eyes and takes a deep breath. She has to be strong for them all.]

This has happened once before.

[for-ephramad.livejournal.com]

[He listens, and he knows. While he's quite young -- certainly too young to have ever got a lady into this sort of state during the time he was one of the living, he is no fool. It's gone on too long. Her words do make him straighten slightly-- and he casts his gaze to the door. The aura on the other side informs him precisely what he expects.

His voice lowers.]

...
Between us... And I do trust you will not start shrieking or anything equally as foolish. You appear to be a sensible girl. If the worst happens, I can help her. Not via conventional magics... nor anything most mages are aware of. But I can help her. She will not die.

[Not exactly a fair trade. Putting someone up for a few nights does not equal a one-way trip back to Valhalla in return, but hey. Giving his life to Raine and putting his soul back into Odin's grasp is rather beneficial for him. It'll mean he stands a chance of escaping Gaia. He is powerless to escape this world and return where he belongs. It doesn't mean that Odin isn't.

...He thinks.

The injustice of a child being born unto the world without mother or father doesn't sit well with him either. Raine is a decent woman. She would use his pseudo-life better than he would. He stands decided, and extends a gloved hand to the girl.]

She must be on the brink of death for me to help her. Do not ask how. But know this...
It shall be done- and it shall work. I assure you of it. So there is no need for tears.

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

[Shrieking or anything of the sort is not what Ellone does. She just widens her eyes and gazes at him in wonder for a moment as it all sinks in.]

You can do that?

[There's relief, and lots of it. Suddenly, she feels as though a huge burden's been lifted and she leans back against the wall, wiping her eyes.]

Thank you so much. This happened... like I said, it's happened once before, when I was a little younger than Slai is now, back at home. Raine... didn't make it through that. I don't think I could bear to see it happen again.

[for-ephramad.livejournal.com]

[Much appreciated. He merely nods and makes to help the girl up.]

You shall not have to watch it again. You have my word.

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

[She takes the offered help up and nods.]

Thank you. I guess I should check on Selphie and Slai again. [And her worry has switched to the younger girl now.]

[livelyangel.livejournal.com]

[Two days. Rinoa's been fretting so much it's almost making her ill. She wishes that she could cast white magic. As it is, all she can do is make sure that the house is stocked up with potions - and run out to buy ethers from the local store whenever their white mages exhaust themselves.

Rinoa isn't stupid, but one subject she doesn't know very much about happens to be babies. Which is why she finds herself asking anyone who will listen:]

Is it supposed to go on this long?

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Rydia, likewise, isn't very handy with white magic, nor is she intimately familiar with the delivery process and what to expect. Glancing to Rinoa, she sighs.]

...I can't be sure, but I didn't think so.

[She paces, frowning.]

There must be more that we can do.

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

[Ellone appreciates everything they've been doing for Raine, especially when Elle's had to take a little time off worry duty to take Slai for a little play time, either to relieve Selphie or join her. Elle's holding her arms around herself now, though. She's scared and it's starting to show.]

No. [Another deep breath to try to steady herself.] I wish I knew. But you've both been doing so much already. I hate to ask more of you.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Rydia shakes her head immediately.]

If I can help her in anyway, think nothing of it. Raine's health is the most important thing, right now.

[livelyangel.livejournal.com]

[Rinoa is in complete agreement.]

We came here to help. This can't end like it did last time... It just can't.

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

It won't. It can't. [She remembers her conversation with Luzaf and hopes he can help like he's promised.]

We'll just have to do what we can. I'm so glad you're both here. [She sighs and tucks a chunk of her hair behind her ear.] I'm not sure I could deal with this on my own.

[knighted-lion.livejournal.com]

[Squall would be the first to admit he's not sure about all the details of childbirth, but it does seem to be taking an awfully long time.]

I don't know.

[livelyangel.livejournal.com]

[Rinoa goes straight to seek comfort in his arms, leaning her head against his shoulder.]

She must be exhausted...

[knighted-lion.livejournal.com]

[Squall is more than glad to simple hold her.]

Yeah.

[There's the slightest note of worry in his voice.]

[livelyangel.livejournal.com]

...I think I'm gonna go back in and see her. Even if we can't do anything else to help, we can make sure someone's always holding her hand.

[knighted-lion.livejournal.com]

[Another nod.]

It's not much but... it's what we can do.

[for-ephramad.livejournal.com]

[It has been days since since Ellone made her announcement about the birth. And it has been days since he held his conversation with her. Luzaf has been typically very... male in the matter and not ventured into Raine's chambers- Instead electing to wait outside, assist with resupplying the mages and generally worrying- but he can tell by their exhausted faces that they themselves are starting to give.

Quietness is what he wanted; so he enters the room quietly, just at the break of dusk. Save for a few mages tired glances and some slight whisperings among them, the room is silent.

"Raine..."

He starts, before stopping himself, and he merely takes a few footsteps to where she lies-- kneeling beside her at her bed. She doesn't look good. Not at all. It becomes more profound to him, as if it was not clear before-- that she doesn't deserve this.

"I come to help you. Only with your consent of course. Give me your hand."

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

[Raine is miserable and in pain, the labor is building but showing no signs of surcease... and she's reaching the brink of exhaustion. She remembers this feeling all too well. She experienced it just before she woke up here in this world. Realization is slowly coming to her: she will die again.]

Please, my children...

[She reaches out her hand to Luzaf as he asks but she's intent that the kids aren't left utterly alone again.]

[for-ephramad.livejournal.com]

They shall not be left alone. And you shall not leave any of them. I have means of making sure as such... if you would willingly put your existance at the judgement of my master. You have much responsibility left unto you...
And his mercy shall permit you to carry it out.

[He tilts his head slightly, looking to the side and then allowing a certain coin (http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/wiki/Ephramadian_Gold_Coin) to pass beneath his fingers into the woman's hand -- caring not that she takes note of it.]

Repayment in kind. And a gift... for the little one. ... Use it as you see fit, for I...

[No, he can't. She's a decent person; she would not accept what he is about to do if she knew the cost it should bear unto him. He smiles -- and it is a sad one. Then he raises his head, no longer speaking to her.]

... Glorious Odin.
Divinity of the glorious dead, battle, darkness... and death. I exchange the life you bestowed upon me to this woman, Raine. For she... is more rightly deserving of a second life than I. She is weak. Yet with your boon... your gifts, she shall grow strong.
Hear my call.

[He raises the hand she holds and lo and behold, a strange darkness comes from it. Not imposing. Not even frightening... just warm. Very warm. A few mages make noises of surprise, and a few rush forward -- yet it is almost as if the pair are seperated from them. Luzaf increasingly grows more and more pale until the darkness fades into nothingness.

...The life he bore is now hers. He is breathing heavily, and his hand begins to shake, slowly falling free of her grasp. In fact, his whole body is shaking as the last few breaths of life escape him.]

...
Raine... He has answered. You are restored. Do not give in. You now have the strength you need to finish this...

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

[The things that Luzaf is saying makes little sense to Raine, but she feels she must trust him regardless. Once she feels him press something into her hand, she assumes it is some medicinal until the cold feel of metal registers with her.

His prayer sends a chill through her and all she can do is shake her head. Life exchange? What is this?

For a woman unaccustomed to magic, and truthfully still terrified of it, all she can do is stare in wonder at the emergence of darkness from Luzaf. Warmth fills her and all at once she feels restored, no longer tired or weary, energized as if she'd just come out from the best sleep of her life. And then the prayer begins to make a sick sense. Luzaf is dying so she won't.]

Luzaf! What have you done?!

[She looks desperately to the others.]

Help him!

[for-ephramad.livejournal.com]

...Just pray I return to the seas.
Do not...

[His sentiment for her not to berate him for his actions is cut short. Instead, he merely drops his head. Yet he is not fading. He halfliddedly stares at his fingertips, expecting himself to vanish. It's too difficult to keep his eyes open though. Soon enough even they close -- and the shaking stops. He is not breathing; yet he has not vanished. He merely slumps there until gravity takes it's course and he falls backward on the floor.]

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

Luzaf? LUZAF!

[Her yelling brings on another strong contraction and some frantic kicking from the baby. At least the people with her can reach him now and a collection of hands rush forward to try reviving the corsair.]

Do something, please!