Ala quirked a brow and looked at her friend upon seeing the others before returning her gaze to the ladies and returning the greetings given

Marissa put her arm around Ala, "We're here for you, Ala. This is a Kazehan tradition, and we'd be honored if you'd participate." She did little to explain as the other ladies would soon enough.

"Ok" Ala chuckled "Nice surprise, I get to meet some more of the locals my kids live with"

Dia chuckled and led Ala to the snack table. "Eat up." she said.

Marissa"There's plenty to eat, and we'll start in a few minutes to give you girls a chance to eat and visit if you like." Marissa said cheerfully.

Ala chuckled and took a small plate of the food, sampling a little of most everything "I have a feeling you were in on this" she winked at Dia

Dia beamed and just smiled, taking her own plate of food. She motioned for a couple of the empty seats that were arranged in a circle for Ala and her to sit in.

Ala laughed and waddled after Dia taking a seat in the final empty chair

MarissaAfter several minutes, all the other ladies sat down in the seats as well, and when it appeared they were all seated, Marissa stood and spoke. "Welcome everyone. Thank you for coming. We're here today to present Alatariel Rakamash with the Birthbead Necklace. She's having a bit of an unusual pregnancy and isn't sure when its due, so we arranged to do this as soon as we could." She smiled.

Ala blinked mid bite of the food in her hand, she wasn't expecting anything from these wonderful ladies

Marissa walked over to the table and picked up a large box and carried it over to Ala. She stood in the center of the circle of ladies and waited for Ala to open the box.

Ala put aside the plate she held and pulled open the lid of the heavy box staring in wide-eyed at the contents the journal looked old, but what caught her eye most was the long string of beads which she lifted to get a better look at it

Marissa smiled, watching Ala. "Ala, each one of those beads represents a baby that was born. All of us here right now, have a significant attachment to that necklace. That journal contains the stories of the births of all those babies." She said, before continuing on, to let the information sink in a bit.

"Neat, so many beautiful beads on this necklace" her fingers ran over them and lingered on any which had any form of a shine to it she purred softly thinking about taking part in this special tradition

Marissa continued, smiling. "Ala, by wearing that necklace until your baby is born, you are creating a special bond with all the mother's who have previously worn it. Dia told us she gave you a Perfect Bead not too long ago, do you have it with you?"

Ala's attention was pulled from the necklace by Marissa's question "Yeah" she pulled a simple leather cord out from inside her shirt the single bead was threaded onto it

Dia was excited to see that Ala did keep it with her.

Marissa smiled and nodded. "That bead was either created special, or chosen special, just for you. By keeping it with you, and focusing your concentration on that bead, even during childbirth, it creates you and your babies link. And after your baby is born, you add that bead to the necklace, and in the journal, you add the pages of your birth experience. You'll become part of a community, bound together by their link in that necklace. We're always here for each other, always ready to offer help in anyway. We're your sisters, Ala." Marissa was so excited explaining the Birthbead tradition.

A smile crept across Ala's face hearing the words of Marissa "Such a neat tradition"

Marissa"The tradition, Ala," Marissa explained, "is that you keep that necklace and journal until you learn of another expecting mother. You can present her with a bead, and then closer to the birth, the necklace and journal. Cariss Grobel-Hague here, was the last of our group to have a baby." Cariss nodded her head and smiled and waved to Ala. "Her bed and story about Heidi's birth are the last one's recorded so far."

Ala nodded running her fingers over the cover of the large book "I think I can handle that" she said with a smile. She looked up at the woman Marissa spoke of. "I would guess you are related to Alix" she took a guess

MarissaCariss nodded. "He's my baby brother."

Ala chuckled "He's a very nice young man, I find it really wonderful my daughter is becoming a part of your family through him"

MarissaCariss smiled, "Selene is the best! You raised a very smart, and caring daughter." Cariss was familiar with the rapid growth of Selene's family's race. And it was actually Cariss's idea to give the necklace to Ala, when Selene told her that her mother was expecting.

Ala blushed softly "Thanks" she looked at the necklace for another moment then lifted it over her horns and put it over her head closing the box for the journal and putting it on the grass after

MarissaThe ladies all clapped and smiled. "Thank you, Ala. We're all very glad you accepted our little gift." Marissa said as she bowed. The ladies all started talking amongst themselves.

Dia turned to Ala, "I think the other's just wanted to be here, because they wanted to meet you." she whispered, a little surprised it was over just like that. She'd never been to one of these before herself.

Ala chuckled "Well that's ok, I got to meet people I'd never met before" she closed her eyes and sighed "blah" she said

Dia smiled, "Everything ok?"

Ala nodded "I think so, stomach bothering me" she didn't think it could be anything else as her eyes traveled over the talking ladies

Dia leaned closer, "you need anything?" she said quietly.

Ala shook her head "No I think I should be... fine..." she stared at the ground and found herself rather damp between her legs a moment later "Or maybe not...." she mumbled going a little red in the face

Dia was concerned, "Ala? what happened?"

MarissaCariss approached Ala, wanting to talk to her, but noticing something a little odd. "Ala, do you need some help?"

"I think.. my water just... broke..." she mumbled almost incoherently closing her eyes as the feelings she had thought was a stomach ache got a little worse

MarissaWhen the ladies heard those words, they all became frantic and some went to Ala's aide, while a few went to call the hospital and make arrangements for transportation."Ala, what would you like for us to do for you?" Marissa asked.

"I dunno...." she mumbled "Torvil is gonna freak... he didn't want me to go out today... Least not without him"

MarissaThe ladies could all be heard repeating, "We need to find Torvil" but none of them knew how to find him.

Dia put her arms around Ala's shoulders, "Where is Torvil? Can we send someone for him?"

"He's at home... Only ones who will get to him fast enough will be one of the kids, Torvin's been busy with everything, I think it's gonna have to be 'Lene" Ala looked up and looked at Dia worry evident in her eyes

Marissa pushed thru the crowd of ladies with a couple towels and handed them to Ala, "Cariss already ran to Selene's house to get her."

Ala took the towels still kinda embarrassed that it looked like she had wet her pants with something other then her waters... especially in front of the others "Thanks Marissa" she said and closed her eyes "Ouch.... and to think I thought it was a stomach ache...."

Marissa"You're in the presence of a bunch of women who've gone thru this already, you're in good company, dear." Marissa told her, in a very calm voice. "I have Sean hitching the horse to the cart now, so we can take you to the hospital. Selene will be here any minute as well." Marissa took her hand and gave a gentle squeeze.

"Least it didn't happen in flight" she mused trying to take her mind off her current situation

Selene was doing yard work at her home when she saw her soon to be sister in law running up the walk

Dia reached into her hip pouch and pulled a small decanter. "Ala, drink this, it might help." she said as she pulled the stopper off. It was a mild relaxing elixir Kito made for Dia to take when she got stressed out about her own current problems.

MarissaCariss ran frantically, "Selene!!" she shouted, waving her arm over her head.

Ala took the decanter "What is is?" she asked putting the opening right up under her nose smelling, it was the only way she could pick things scents up

"Cariss? what's the matter?" she asked getting up and brushing her knees off as she walked towards her

"Its just a stress reducer, Kito made it...it won't effect any of your judgment, senses or anything." she said, knowing that most stress reducers do have those side effects. "You won't feel uncomfortable, either." she added.

Marissa"Your mom...at Umaki's...Labor!" She panted once she reached Selene.

Ala nodded and took a sip of the liquid within handing it back to her biting her lip looking rather uncomfortable

Selene's eyes went wide "Mom? what about dad? where's he?"

Dia took the bottle and put it back in her pouch. "It shouldn't take too long..."

Marissa"He's...home. She needs...him..." Cariss said still panting.

"Ouch..." she wrapped her arms around herself glancing at the others briefly, glad if nothing else she certainly wasn't alone and she was in the company of her best friend

"Oh crap... Cariss, catch your breath I have to take the shortcut outta here, Alix will probably kill me but what can I do" her wings unfurled from her body "Go let her know I've gone to get him..." She said and lifted into the air heading straight towards the mountain not bothering with the gates

MarissaCariss stared wide-eyed at what Selene just did. She stood there and blinked a few times, trying to think if it really happened...but when she turned, she seen Selene in the air. She shook her head then ran back to the Umaki's.Sean came running into the backyard, "The cart is hitched" he shouted.

Dia sniffed...she smelt Sean. She stared at him, almost getting up to follow until she heard Ala's voice and snapped out of that. "Ala, we're going to take you to the hospital, can you walk to the cart?" Dia said, her arms still around her friend's shoulders.

Ala took a deep breath and nodded "I think so, they hurt but they aren't killing me... yet..." she pushed herself up from the chair with some help from Dia she didn't dare look back at the chair knowing she's blush brightly if she did

MarissaDia helped Ala a little way, but Sean came over and picked up Ala up, and carried her to the cart. "Forgive the forwardness, but I think it'd be easier on you if you didn't have to walk to and climb into the cart." he said, blushing a little as he carried her.

Dia got a good sniff as he was so close to her, and she followed him as he carried Ala, her tail swishing around happily.

Ala nodded gratefully "Thanks Sean" she said closing her eyes, had she seen Dia's expression or happy tail she likely would of swatted her

Sean set Ala down gently in the back of the cart, and walked around the side to get in to drive it. Dia followed him, in a little trance, not snapping out of it, until she bumped into him when he stopped suddenly. "sorry," she blushed bright red.

MarissaCariss was running towards them.

Ala lay on the cart where Sean placed her "Dia would you get up here" she mumbled before concentrating on her uncomfortable insides

Dia climb up and sat by Ala, maneuvering in so Ala could rest her head on her lap. "sorry" she whispered, still blushing.

MarissaCariss ran up to the cart, panting, "Selene...took off...flew...get... Torvil..."

Ala smiled gratefully at Dia, "tis ok..." she knew what was going on with her friend. She heard Cariss "Thanks, least she'll get there fast" then cringed and shut up

Dia reached for Ala's hand.

MarissaSean started the horses going and pulled away, down the road, heading for the hospital.

Ala squeezed Dia's hand "Nothing like the twins" she mumbled

Dia frowned a little. "Its okay Ala. Torvil will be here soon, and then you'll be cuddling your new baby."

MarissaThe cart steadily rocked and swayed as they made their way past the gate and onto the road.

Ala nodded "In the mean time.... you aren't going anywhere..." she said resolutely, squeezing Dia's hand

Dia cringed, but smiled still. "Don't worry, I won't."

Ala nodded "Thanks" feeling calmer then she had before.

The cart finally arrived at the hospital and Sean slowly lifted Ala from the cart and brought her inside. And of course, Dia following. She tried really hard to stay focused, but her genes said otherwise.

Ala's tail reached for her friend and wrapped around her wrist, who'd have thought the place she had visited on her last visit would wind up being exactly where she'd wind up

MarissaSean set Ala down in a wheelchair that was ready and waiting for her, as a couple of the woman had ran ahead to alert the Mednin that she was coming.

Dia started to follow Sean out, but Ala's tail was still wrapped around her waist. The sudden jerk caused her to snap back to her senses. And she turned and grabbed her friend's hand once more.

"Stay" Ala muttered staring still at her lap one hand wrapped around herself the other was the one Dia took