505-06-5 Tavern Birthing

From Crossroads Wiki

Announcement: Diuturnal shouts, "A few heralds spread word about the city that the Duke and Duchess Green Fields are holding a birthing party in the tavern. Free drinks for all, and then when Aileana's about to actually give birth, everyone will be kicked out."

Bella looks up, startled, at the announcement. "Oh my!" she says, getting up quickly. "We have to go! I'll be right back!" She rushes into her room, changing quickly. Coming out, she looks like a common midwife, and she has her backpack and medical bag with her. "Got your bag, Lily? We have to go deliver the Duchess' baby!"

Lily blinks as Bella takes off. She sets down the ale (aw man...) and scurries off to her room, retrieving her own bag of healing supplies, and returning. "Got it now. Lead the way!"

Just as the two are getting ready to leave, a message arrives from Phaeton. "Oh bother!" she says, quickly reading the message. She then writes one back, giving it to the messenger. "Send it on now, quick," she says. Then turning to Lily, she says, "Let's go."

Isle of Ale Tavern - Keeper Center - Village Unlike its competing tavern near the docks, this establishment is in a respectable shape for noble enjoyment. The prices are elevated, but so is the cleanliness of the locale. Large windows and magical balls of light brighten the place even despite the polished oak of the tables, chairs, floors, and counter tops. Paintings depicting each of the four islands as well as the city center cover the walls, often a source of conversation to the new arrival to the village. Behind the long counter of the bar are many bottles and kegs, all boasting temptation to anyone in favor of a drink with some kick, and either Sam or Eric are serving up the booze. The serving girls (Jenny, Becca, and/or Eileen) are always playful, heightening the mood of festivity. The far end of the room has the mechanical bull set up, clearly a tribute to the tavern owner's home isle of Green Fields. A wall near the back also holds the dart board. One table in the corner has a checkers game, and in the afternoons two old men are often enjoying their go at it.

Ahnlana slips into the tavern, greeting the serving girls with a wink and a friendly nod.

Alexander slips out as others slip in...

Aileana looks to the one that Deidrich points out, one hand on her stomach as she takes a deeper breath though still managing to remain exceedingly calm for now, "Yes, you start."

Party! Dorian arrives for the celebration, along with a trio of guards, one of which remains outside while the other two blend in with the rest of the tavern crowd.

Bella comes dressed in common clothing, carrying a backpack slung over one shoulder, and a leather medical bag grasped in one hand. The healer, Lily, is with her, carrying her own bag. She looks about for the Duke and Duchess, trying to find them in the crowd.

Lily trails along behind Bella closely, looking around and blinking at the large number of people in the tavern. "Well I suppose free drinks are free drinks," she muses quietly.

Diedrich freezes in place, looks over, swallows. He touches his throat, and shakes his head.

Phineas watches Diedrich dive out the door, smirking when the young man's escape is precipitated by his own request. "There ya go, though you were goin' to get away with all the free drink and no backlash? not a chance. Story for my wife. If you don't have a fun one, make one up." Phineas and Aileana are at the corner table, of course, chatting away and drinking. Phineas looks up as more people arrive. "Hey Marquis, hey Bella. How're people? We're tellin' stories of childhood, interestin' ones, to keep Ana cheerful as she gets near."

Bella glances at Lily. "We're on duty, Lily," she says, "And we've had enough for now, I think." She finally sees and hears Phineas, and spots Aileana. "There they are," she says, as she leads Lily through the crowd towards the Duke and Duchess.

Phailin it doesn't seem to phase Lin a bit that there's a birthing party going on. She's to busy talking to Martis it seems. Grinning at his most recent words now though she waves at Bella when she makes her entry.

Lily grins over at Bella. "I know. I more meant the number of people who showed up," she clarifies. She looks over towards the pair and weaves her way through the crowd with Bella, letting her take the lead.

A story of childhood. Dorian nods, chuckling, "Don't have to go too far back for that." He finds a spot to sit, and accepts the barmaid's offer to get him an ale.

Aileana waves to Bella, laughing at her husband's words now. She then offers, "I'm so glad you got word from the heralds!" Yes, heralds. It seems she forgot to notify her /midwife/, "I'm still early on yet."

Diedrich blinks, looking terribly on the spot. He sets his drink down and presses his back against the bar, good eye darting around. Lifting his hands, he mimes writing something.

Bella pushes her way through the crowd, but gently, until she gets to Aileana's side. Placing her bag and backpack on the table, she starts to get out her mono auralscope. "How are you feeling, Your Grace?" she asks, "How far apart are the contractions? Early, you say?" but then again, the Duchess has given birth 3 times to 5 children already. This one might come very quickly indeed. "You do know Lily, don't you? She's the healer at my clinic."

In the back of the crowd, Phoenix leans back in his chair, resting a tankard of ale he aquired on his thigh. The conversation rolls easily over him. His attention drifts, half-focused on his surroundings. Beneath the table near his feet, the gangly puppy chews on a stew bone one of the waitresses tossed down there for him.

Ahnlana requests an ale quietly, then stays out of the way. In fact, she's avoiding the action around her Duchess entirely, but she /is/ here.

With just enough of an ear to the conversation to trace the patterns of the stories, Martis leans towards Phailin. He laughs again, with that bright, brassy sound of his, filling their small section of the room with the noise. When he's finished laughing, he whispers to the Lady of Emerald Hollow again, vastly amused.

"Oh! Right." Phineas nods to Diedrich and then calls to the bartender, "Hey Sam, get some of the paper from the back room for my friend there, and some charcoal." He grins to Diedrich again. "There. Hopefully that'll help out? And hey, that's Ahnlana. Good eve, 'Lana!" he waves to the girl lingering in the corner.

Lily stands off to the side as Bella asks the questions, smiling warmly at Aileana. "We met some time ago," she says. "I would not be offended if it has slipped your mind, Your Grace. I'm sure you've had other things on your mind." She holds onto her healing bag for the moment, letting Bella handle this one.

Aileana chuckles now, "Well, they are maybe five minutes, but not overly intense yet. Do you need to check me or should we just wait until a baby falls out? Really, I think that..." And then she pauses to concentrate through a wave of mild pain, "Finn...I'm going to hate you before the night is done. So who is telling the first story?"

Bella shakes her head at Aileana's question about examining her. "Just want to take a little listen," she says. She looks at the Duchess' clothing for a moment, and sighs. "These are not labor and delivery clothes, Your Grace," she says. "Can you at least take the underskirts off, and can we unlace you a bit, so I can have a listen to the baby?"

Sam goes to get the parchment and a charcoal stick, offering them to Diedrich with a look of sympathy.

Phailin moves her hand out and extends it towards Martis as if she expects him to take it now.

Diedrich gives all of the nobility a harried look, before gnawing savagely on his lip as he begins to write. It takes him a bit, but he holds up the first sheet. It reads, "Once there was a boy who saw the moon in a lake. He enjoyed sneaking out to the lake at night, to dance with the moon in the waters, because she looked lonely. She never danced unless he danced with her, to send ripples through the surface of the lake and make her shiver."

Glancing up from his silent musings, storm-hued eyes slide over to where Phailin and Martis are carrying on their cozy little conversation. Unabashed, Phoenix watches as the two murmur back and forth. For the most part, judging by his expression, he appears relatively uninterested in the exchange. But he is not so quick to look away either. He runs his hand through his too-long bangs, scratching absently at the back of his neck.

Martis does, indeed, take Phailin's hand then, his bright eyes sparkling with something that can only be an impish sort of amusement. "I believe we have a bargain." He nods towards the woman, tipping his head to the side before brushing his lips across the back of her hand. If his attention flickers to Phoenix for a moment, it's a brief, fleeting thing that passes on quickly. "There is quite a bit of time to catch up on, after all."

Phineas gets up and goes to take the parchment Diedrich has written upon, eyes canting across the page before his lips quirk. "That's a good one," he says, nodding to the youth. "Hey Ana, listen to this!" He reads off the brief tale for her. "Will you sign this? We'll put it on the wall by the babe's crib."

Diedrich blinks, evidently not finished yet. Still, he surrenders the parchment to the Duke, bowing nervously in silence.

Aileana nods as she stands up slowly, holding her arms out to her side so that she can be dressed to more laboring clothes, "What? Sign what? Did he finish his story?"

"Yes a bargin." Lin agrees as her hand is taken by Martis. Lips upturned at the kiss that is left on the back of her hand. "Indeed. Many years. And we have time to do it in also." A sidelong glance is given to Nix and she shrugs her shoulders some. Once the kiss is given she releases her hand as she asks both lord and brother, "So how long you think it will be before Ana has this baby?"

Bella does help Aileana out of her underskirts, and loosens the bodice of her gown. She's able to slip her mono auralscope onto a bare part of her belly, and leans over to listen. She then looks over to Lily. "Lily, come take a listen," she says. Yes, she is using the Duchess as a teaching tool.

Dorian tries to not get too close to the medical stuff, sitting at a table off to the side to hopefully offer moral support. He listens to the few stories given so far, hoping there are several more before his turn is demanded of him. He sips at the ale given him, planning to nurse the mug most of the night.

Lily blinks over at Bella when she hears her name, momentarily distracted by the crowd of people. "Hm? Oh!" She moves over to Bella and leans over to listen, holding the scope so she doesn't end up in Bella's face.

It's a good thing that Phineas is handing the parchment back to Diedrich, so that the rest of the story can be completed.

The tavern is a-bustle this evening with the Fieldian party. Free drinks are being handed out, and in the corner the duchess is being examined as her labor progresses. Phineas is near the bar, harassing poor Diedrich.

Diedrich glances around the room, smudging coal on his chin and bottom lip as he nervously shifts before writing out the back side, "One day the boy snuck out to the lake again, to dance with her. While he was dancing, storms came. Wind howled, and lightning scorched the nearby trees. Fire crackled, and the next lightning strike split the lake, shattering the moon from the surface and scaring the boy half to death, singeing him. Terrified of what might happen to the moon, he scooped her up in both hands, and pressed her to his eye, to cool the burning hurt there and bid her farewell. To his surprise, however, she stayed there with her friend, looking back at him every time he looks at himself. They dance together every night, now."

Bella waits until Lily finishes listening to Aileana's hugely pregnant belly, then withdraws the scope. "Everything is fine, Your Grace," she says, "You just let me know when those contractions come harder or faster. Or if your water breaks. You know the drill." Turning to Lily, she speaks quietly with her.

As the Green Fields duke sees that Diedrich is writing more, he has one of those expressions on his features that you find upon the face of someone who abruptly realizes themself a dumbass. He shrugs it off and leans forward to continue to read, but casts a wave toward the arrivals. "Hey, have a drink, Ana's having a baby soon!"

With all the free drink flowing and people coming and going, Tivar took it upon himself to make sure things are staying orderly enough, for something as chaotic as a birthing event. Slipping inside of the tavern, the young warrior turned guard pauses to survey the scene. "Chaotic indeed." mostly under his breath. Tivar isn't on duty, so steps and dodges his way up to the bar to get himself a mug and turns his attention back to the scene at hand. "Congratulations." bowing respectfully to the Duke, lifting the mug then to him and his lady.

Lily smiles at Aileana and looks over towards Bella, listening before leaning over and responding softly to her.

As soon as the kiss is delivered, Martis seems more than willing to release Phailin's hand, instead wrapping his long fingers around his mug, where the last of his first ale still lingers. "Are we taking bets on her Grace's labor?" He asks, blinking owlishly in the wake of the question, before he flickers his eyes over the crowd once again. "That seems a little inauspicious. Besides, I have no practive in birthing babies, only whelping pups. I wager the timelines on them are..." He lifts one hand, waggling it back and forth, "different."

Phailin looks back at Martis. "You know you and Nix should talk about dogs." Right Nix who says hardly a word to anyone. She grins at Martis, "Well it looks like she is going to have the baby soon."

Aileana laughs at the mention of labor wagers, "I would love to see wagers made on how long it will be before I have this baby!" She does allow the midwifes their listening exam, of course, her attention on Deidrich and his story.

Ahnlana nods to the Duke and Duchess with a proper curtsey, but doesn't move out of her corner. She does grin at Tivar. "Chaos is something Fielders excel at, you know."

Phineas watches Diedrich with interest, but pauses a moment when a messenger gives him a missive. He breaks the seal and scans it, then rolls his eyes. The duke leaves his position to step toward Phailin and hand her the parchment.

Phailin looks up when Phineas comes her way and takes the parchment and begins to read it.

Tivar chuckles softly and lifts his mug to Ahnlana as well, "To chaos then and fine healthy children." the talk of wagers has grabbed his attention, but even he can't really see betting on the child /in front/ of the the parents. He steps he way closer to the young woman who spoke to him and asks, "Is there much longer then?" a pause, "Not something I'm... used to."

The quiet brother in the corner remains unresponsive to his sister and Martis. Even when Lin attempts to directly include him in the conversation. Producing a slim hand-rolled cigarette from a pocket somewhere on his vest, he leans back in his chair, reaching for a stick from the fire to light it on. Inhaling from the cigarette, he exhales a stream of cinnamon-scented smoke from the corner of his mouth. The Lord of Stone's Throw loses his attention entirely as the missive is passed between siblings.

Phailin reads the letter and gets up out of her seat and stares at Finn. Just stares at him. Now she uses her favorite word. "What the fuck? Who the hell does he think he is?" Right let's talk to Finn when he's waiting on the birth of baby number 6?

Bella grins at the comment of a labor wager. "I don't think I can participate. I have professional knowledge of the Duchess' other deliveries," she says. She listens to Lily's words, and nods. "Well, this should be interesting for you, Lily. The Duchess is a perfect patient for you to learn such things."

Ahnlana glances over at the guardsman with a laugh. "I've seen a few animal births, but never a human one. My brother kicked me out for all the babies' births at home." She winks. "In other words, I haven't a clue at all."

Phineas matches his sister's gaze and says from between gritted teeth, "He's that pussified man who thinks he's a duke, that's who. If that man's pussy had any more sand in it, he'd be able to make a pearl," he says with a snideness to his tone.

The night is well underway by the time the tavern doors open yet again, and the lazy, swaggering form of Hasdrubal steps inside, head canted in idle curiosity at all the people and commotion to be found inside. "Hrh," the admiral rumbles, reaching a hand to one side to swat lightly at the arm of whoever happens to be standing closest. "What's all thisss?"

Phailin does of course hand the letter over to Nix. She's pissed all over again.

Bella gets distracted with all the note passing. What is this, 6th grade? Just then, Hasdrubal comes in, and she leans over to Lily, whispering to her while looking at the Admiral with a polite smile.

Bella mutters to Lily, "... was at... 'gathering'... with us.... gruff and rude man."

Martis doesn't seem to mind Phoenix' inattention. When the letter is passed over to Phailin, he politely averts his eyes, paying his attention first to his ale and then to the business around the room. He can't miss all of the profanity being tossed around him, however, and it's unfortunately for Martis right as Phineas speaks that he's trying to take another drink of his beer. There's a foaming, bubbling sound as he nearly chokes on the alcohol in the glass. "Oh, hells." He mutters, and immediately starts casting about himself looking for a napkin or *something* to wipe his face off with.

"Which Duke is the pussy and what is he doing?" Aileana asks right before she has to close her eyes and take some long breaths, "You know, I really want to sit on the hay by the bull. Sitting there may be more comfortable for the long run."

Lily grins at Bella and Aileana, looking between the two of them before her eyes settle on Aileana. "You don't mind being a lesson, do you?" she teases, grinning. She looks over at the swearing and crankiness and note passing, squinting a bit before leaning over to listen to Bella, and quirking an eyebrow at what's said to her. "I see," she muses. She looks back to Aileana and offers the Duchess her arm to help her over to the new position if she wishes.

Tivar hms and nods to Ahnlana, "Well, sounds like we are on equal footing... both lost then." he chuckles softly and sips from the mug, attention looking back to the public display. Quite different and yet, natural enough. The arguing though draws Tivar's attention and he pauses to see if there's something he should be doing about it. "This tavern always this... interesting?" to Ahnlana, "Guardsman Tivar, by the way." giving her a polite bow of the head.

The tavern's quite full this evening with the birthing party of the duchess. Free drinks are being served all about, and some attention is being paid to the duchess. Woo! Party! Typical Fielder style, it's a bit of a confused mess.

Bella offers to take Aileana's other arm, and help her over to the hay bales. "Would you like me to put a blanket down, Your Grace? I brought some," she says, "And would you care for some water or ice? What about you Lily, do you want something to drink? I think I might get a juice."

Diedrich cranes his neck, trying to see the note that all the hubbub is about.

Phineas bends to scoop up his wife. "Oh, fuckin' Eadric, all saying that Lin not agreeing to the Conway name within the week means that it ain't happening." He lifts her carefully into his arms and cradles her against his chest. "So ya want to sit 'on' the bull, is it?" blithely oblivious to the trouble about to arrive.

Leaning forward, Phoenix snatches the pieces of parchment from Lin's hand. His pale eyes skim the contents. Unlike either sibling, his expression does not change. With a derisive sounding grunt, he hands the missive back. "Twat," he mutters casually before the cigarette is returned to his mouth for another inhale. He follows Phin's actions. "Isn't sittin' on the bull what got ya here in the first place?" he says to no one in particular, smoke chasing the words from his mouth.

Hasdrubal scans the crowd with his narrowed black stare, lip curling in a flat half-sneer as he thumps some random passer-by in the back of the shoulder to gain attention. Only looking aside after the fact does he note that its some old nobleman who was talking to some pregnant noblewoman. "You so old that you've gone deaf?" he asks with a tooth baring grin. "Whats all this- and bloody abyss, woman-" he rasps to Aileana, "You're bloody fat."

Ahnlana shrugs at Tivar with a rueful smile. "I come from Dockside. This one is tame compared to that." She offers a calloused hand. "Ahnlana Orriya. Most call me Lana."

Bella acks as Phineas just scoops Aileana right out from under her and Lily. "Wait, Phineas!" she says, grabbing a blanket out of her backpack. "On the HAY, Phineas, not the bull!" She quickly spreads the blanket down onto the hay for Aileana. Just then, Phoenix makes his astute observation, which Bella hears. She giggles at him. However, at the next moment, the Admiral makes his comments to the Duke and Duchess. She looks positively shocked, and like she's really trying to restrain herself from saying something.

"Fucking pussy. Twat. Yeah that sounds good." Lin mutters as she remains standing. Hands crossed over her chest. It finally dawns on her what is going on now. "Finn!" She calls out, "Listen to Bella please. Don't want this baby dropped on its head or something."

An amused grin on Tivar's face before he reaches and shakes the offered hand, "Tivar Morien." a pause and then he says, "I've only recently arrived. I was on my way to the castle when I found ...well, a party and free ale." can you really blame him for that? He looks back to the birthing and gets a touch green. Some things guys shouldn't see, really. A glance to the admiral though at the exchange and he looks curiously between the two. Going to take time to learn faces and names.

Aileana's eyes just about flare red at Hasdrubal's words, "Finn, I want to punch him first!" She then waves a hand towards the hay, "And no, no...the hay by the bull...on the ground, and take the overgown off." And as fate would have it, all of the scooping and moving causes a nice warm gush of water to leave her womb, "Ummm.."

Lily gives Phineas space as he scoops up Aileana, looking to Bella. "Some water is probably a good idea, please," she says. She blinks as Hasdrubal approaches and looks over at him, her jaw practically hitting the floor. "Are you always this rude? Or are you just completely oblivious and disrespectful? Or perhaps you would -like- to get kicked so hard you'll never have children. Or all of the above? Really. Enlighten me. I'm curious." Lily's voice has gone icy cold, which is rather uncommon for those who know her.

Phineas smirks at Nix at the comment. "I'd hardly say she was 'sitting'," he drawls to his younger brother, before he hears the arrival of Hasdrubal. "Birthing party. She's about to have a baby. Number six." He glances over at Bella and grunts. "Right, right, on the hay. And no, Ana, ya don't get ta punch the Admiral. Yer just pregnant, not a problem." He heads for the straw. "Have somethin' ta drink on the house, Admiral." Then, the only scare of the night, when he feels that warm water hit him and isn't gsure it isn't blood. "Bloody fuck, what's that?" He shifts Aileana around a moment to make sure that she's fine. "Oh. Just water."

Diedrich looks exponentially more nervous as the Admiral arrives and people start getting uppity. Once more, he makes for the exit.

Ahnlana glances back at the mention of water, then wrinkles her nose. "It's going to get messy in here soon." Still, she can't stop the curiosity, apparently, her eyes drawn repeatedly in that direction. "Wonder if this is how all the Foresters have babies?"

Bella acks as Aileana just breaks her water all over Phineas. "Put her DOWN, Phineas!" she barks. Yes, that is an ORDER, Yer Grace. Turning to Lily, she says, "Get another blanket from the backpack, and bring that and my medical bag, please. Then can you get us something to drink, and some ice for Her Grace? Thanks."

Tivar watches the woman's water break and fluids gush and well... for now, Tivar's lost his appetite for ale. Shaking his head softly, Tivar glances back to the nice woman he'd been talking to, "Going to? I dare say they are." voice fairly quiet, "I'm afraid I don't know... but asking them just now seems ... inappropriate."

Hasdrubal grunts idly, "Hrh?" As Lily appears to be scolding him. "If you were saying anything important, a body didn't listen." An unconcerned shrug, "Luck with the next breath, though.." as he eyes the Former-turned-present-Ducal couple with a raised black brow. "Bloody abyss- and a body thought it were some jest that Fielders were born in alehouses."

There's a moment where Martis pauses in searching for a napkin, his gold eyes flickering between the Admiral and his Duke. He's all tense, for approximately five seconds, until Phineas speaks. The tension washes away then, and instead his face breaks into a long, wolfish smile as he finally locates a rag to wipe his face down with. His eyes roll to Phailin briefly, eyebrows steepling. Whatever might be on his mind, however, he doesn't voice.

Dorian frowns as the language in the tavern goes down hill fast. Maybe this is why he doesn't come here often. He leaves a half-finished ale mug on his table and rises, heading for the door. "Providence's blessings to you, Your Grace," he offers with a bow toward Aileana before he departs, not expecting her to reply in her state.

Diedrich bugs out, as quietly as he can.

Phailin is to busy watching what is going on with her brother and sister in law to take notice of any looks that Martis might be giving her. There's always time to explain later after all.

"I'm putting! I'm putting!" Phineas insists to Bella, stopping at the hay by the tavern's bull and settling his wife upon it. "There ya go, Ana. Number six, boy or girl, you've done this a lot before." He straightens and gazes down at Aileana. "Hey Admiral, haven't seen you for a while, what've you been up to? I'd say it's obvious what I've been up to." He chuckles, an energy to him.

Lily glares at Hasdrubal and glances towards Bella as she speaks, muttering quietly as she slips off to retrieve the requested items. She just scoops up the entire backpack and medical bag, bringing them over towards Bella and setting them down before pulling out a blanket, spreading it out on the hay. Then she wanders off to get juice, ice, and water. And she's muttering the entire time.

Ahnlana shrugs and turns toward the birthing couple. "Phin, is this how you Foresters have all your babies? Just get yourself into a tavern and drink the baby out?" She murmurs in an aside to Tivar, "I was born in a tavern, but we closed the doors for it, 'swhat I was told."

Aileana smiles to her husband briefly as she's put down in the hay, adjusting herself so that she can be propped up against the bull to her back. She then closes her eyes, clearly grimacing as things seem to grow more intense almost instantly after the breaking of the waters. She does whimper now.

Easily ignored on the periphery of the chaos, Phoenix watches with casual curiosity.

Dorian leaves the tavern.

Bella squats down by Aileana, helping her get undressed down to her chemise, then quickly covering her with a blanket. Seeing Aileana's expression, she says, "It's alright, Aileana. This will go quickly." She then slips her hands up under the blanket, doing her midwifely stuff away from everyone's view.

Tivar sadly doesn't know any of the nobility yet... other then by name, of course. He doesn't want to interrupt though, so lets Ahnlana ask the question, "Were you now? I don't think that is too uncommon it seems." a soft chuckle and Tivar continues, "I was born in a bedroom." he admits, "Or so I'm told. Mother had 3 of us." he offers, "So how come you are working at the docks?" he asks curious but casual, "I mean... they are quite... rough?"

Hasdrubal snickers at Phineas' quipped words. "Oh, a body's been at the same things as you, lad- Just my manner of bending flowers over a barrel is a bit different than yours. Doesnt tend to leave spawn." Eyes narrowing a touch further at Aileana's discomfort, he rasps, "Hrh, she actually going to squeeze it out here and now?" Head canted to an angle, his manner is one of disbelief.

Ahnlana tips her head at Tivar, although she keeps glancing at the baby birthing. "What, working the docks? Doesn't seem to be any rougher than anywhere else. In fact, most of my scars aren't from the docks."

"Yes she's going to have it here." Lin says towards the Admiral. Giving him a duh look as if that is perfectly Fielder behavior. "Where did you think she was going to have it? In the alley or something?"

Lily looks over towards Hasdrubal as she returns with the juice, water, and ice, setting the tray down near Bella. "If you have a problem with it, then get out," she tells him, kneeling down beside Aileana and moistening a cloth, pressing the cool fabric against her forehead gently.

Phineas smirks at Ahnlana. "Nawl, Lana, we're fields or beds, usually. Never done a tavern. Who's your friend?" He tips his head toward Tivar. "I'm Phineas Ashlan, that's my wife Aileana about to have her babe. There's my sister Phailin and my brother Phoenix, my sister-in-law Bella. Over there is Martis, I think that gal with Bella is named Lily, and, well, who can miss the Admiral Hasdrubal?" Trust Phin to make introductions all around, even while his wife is in her harder labor. He stands next to Aileana, or as close as he can get. He looks down at Lily. "No, now, don't you worry none about the Admiral. He's just the way he is, ain't meaning nothing by it. We're somewhere between compatriots and friends."

Minutes do pass and Aileana ends up breaking into a rather intense sweat as she looks around the place, reaching for her husband's leg to grab at his pants for something to hold on to. As each contraction hits, she is quiet to breathe through them. In between them, she murmurs, "I hate this part."

Tivar starts to chuckle softly again as Ahnlana answers him, "I see... well, sounds like this whole town is a touch rough. Good." seems that's just how he likes it. He's about to ask her more however when Phineas addresses him and Ahnlana. Eyes widen in surprise at the string of important people and Tivar quickly straightens up to answer, "Tivar Morien, your grace. I am honored to meet you and ours." bowing quite low and yet, still not spilling a drop of his drink.

Hasdrubal waves a hand distractedly at the sharp words directed his way. Without even looking aside, he mutters distractedly, "Hrh? Oh aye, blah blah, you're tough and all. Now keep your teeth together-" As the birth actually gets underway, the scarred scoundrel carried his head at a crooked angle and peers- one eye bigger than the other.

Bella waits until Lily puts the cloth on Aileana's forehead, and then grasps the healer's hand. "Come here, Lily," she says, "down by me." She then guides Lily's hand under the blanket. "Feel that?" She then whispers to the healer, in case she grosses out the delicate men in the room with labor and delivery talk. Looking up, she says, "Finn, give Aileana some ice chips out of that glass, will you?"

"Good ta meet ya, Tivar. Probably not the best time to remember yer name, ya may have to remind me." The Green Fields duke chuckles before he feels that tight hold on his trous. "Yeah, me too Ana, but soon it'll be worth it, you'll have a babe that'll be here, right in your arms for you to love," Phineas says with quiet and steady reassurance for his wife. They've been through this a number of times already, after all.

Phailin steps back and towards Martis now. She's muttering to him now.

Lily looks up at Phineas and smiles thinly. "You're more patient than I am, then," she tells him. She blinks as Bella snags her hand and moves over beside her, following the guidance given to her. "There's a bowl of cool water too, if that cloth needs to be remoistened," she tells him before leaning over to listen to Bella and nodding in agreement to what she's told, responding quietly.

Bella uses her free hand to punch Phineas in the other leg. "Ice chips, Finn. For Aileana," she repeats.

Ahnlana gets distracted by the commotion, even craning her neck to try to see what's going on.

As Phailin approaches him, Martis raises his eyebrows a little, leaning his head towards her when she murmers. His mouth twitches up in what's probably a nervous smile, and he glances towards the Duchess before muttering back.

Tivar nods quickly to the Duke, "I shall have to do that, your Grace." attention pulled to the birthing out of morbid curiosity there. He decides it is best to go quiet and remembering he does in fact have ale in hand, Tivar works to finish off the cup, before it accidentally gets spilled. Now there is a crime!

Phineas takes the glass with just a muttered, "Ow." He offers a bit of ice to his wife. "Here, chew on this. Bella says you should."

Martis mutters to Phailin, "... My... have watched... bitches... me out... even... I... see... on. I'm... running... I... I'll need... heir..."

Aileana's eyes flare as Phineas offers her ice in the same manner he would throw a dog a bone, and in that moment, she flings the glass right back at him, "FEED IT TO ME, FINN!!!" And that said right before another contraction and she's forced to shut up save for a rather pained groan.

Ahnlana wrinkles her nose. "Well, now, this is like a class in why a Fielder shouldn't bless the fields until she's sure about things." She looks a bit pale, although she's still trying to watch discreetly.

Phailin keeps her running commentary with Martis. Its not like she's going to help with the birthing situation that is going on. Might as well find something else to do so she doesn't get bored.

Phailin mutters to Martis, "Yes... need... heir. Considering... I'm... Duchess will... you to... and produce.... the... here.... wrong... Sometimes I... be... being unlanded."

Bella doesn't seem bothered by Aileana's outburst one bit. And from the look of it, she doesn't seem concerned about Phineas' coming reaction, either. She's been through this with them before, after all. She releases Lily's hand and pulls her own hand out from under the blanket. "Yes, quite different when it's the real thing, Lily. Textbooks don't give you the ... flavor... of the situation," she says, giving the healer a wink. "Pass me that juice, will you?"

It's the night for the duke to take orders from everyone else, and so he does so. He bends to provide the ice to Aileana's lips, murmuring, "There ya go, Ana, sweetling. You're going to be fine. You can punch me hard as soon as this is done."

Mug empty and crisis averted, Tivar glances back down to the birthing and shakes his head quietly, "It's quite amazing we have children, with all of that." softly to Ahnlana since she's right next to him, "Remind me if I ever get married to be... lost for a few months." he grins and then shakes his head, pausing at what his ears catch. "Something is wrong?" looking to Ahnlana for confirmation there.

Lily rolls her eyes at Phineas and doesn't look particularly surprised by Aileana's reaction either. She picks up a cloth and wipes her hands clean before moving to pick up the juice and hand it to Bella. "There are times when I desperately want children of my own, and other times when I question that desire," she muses, picking up her own water.

Martis shrugs a little at Phailin, his smile growing far more broad than it was just a few moments ago. He glances to Aileana briefly, and there's the idea of a touch of color that runs over his cheekbones before he looks back to Phailin, speaking quietly.

Hasdrubal is content for a moment to settle into the background, crossing arms over his chest, and watching the unfolding drama through narrowed black eyes. A slow breath drawn through flared nostrils as the admiral watches a life begin for once, rather than end.

Martis mutters to Phailin, "... brother.... for the... is,... is... You... quite interested... my... to... take... wife,..."

Ahnlana shakes her head. "You see anything right over there? You want to do part of that there?" She laughs. "I'm not sure I"ll be around if you get married, but if I am, deal. You can return the favor."

Phailin laughs out loud in whatever it is that Martis says to her. Still she watches the happenings that is going on also.

Tivar has to snicker softly at that. Tivar reaches up and runs his fingers over his moustache and nods to Ahnlana, "Deal." agreeing to that little pact, "I don't think I'm looking forward to that, no... I'd rather be in battle, without my sword even." he admits. "Some battles are best fought in their own ways."

Aileana does seem to calm as Phineas actually ends up closer to her, even managing to chuckle as her body gives her a brief break, "I'll punch you before it's done if I want, love." She takes a deep breath and then another as her hands start to tremble and she starts to scrunch up her legs closer to her chest as the pain intensifies. Now comes the screech, "It's going too fast!" A well trained Fielder at this point, it seems, "It hurts." Duh.

Phailin mutters to Martis, "... simply... me catching... you.... have... of... to... anything wrong... Am..."

Martis chuckles, quietly, tipping his head to the side as he considers Phailin before he replies quietly to her.

Bella is throwing back the blanket a bit, but still blocking people's view, since she and Lily are right there. "It's alright, Aileana," she says in a comforting tone, "It's your sixth, it's supposed to come fast." She does a quick check to see if the Duchess can start pushing yet.

Martis mutters to Phailin, "No,... of... dug-in heels.... I... of... story, and... biased..."

Lily takes the juice from Bella so she can check on her patient and remoistens the cloth, replacing the now-cooled fabric on Aileana's forehead and gently stroking her hair for a moment.

For the squeamish of the room, Aileana's rather blood curling scream could make some leave as the next contraction hits. After her burst of sound, she complains, "I'm cold." And it's said in a whimper as it looks like she might cry, "And I think I have to push...I think." She looks to her midwife for guidance on that.

Bella is completely ignoring everyone except her patient and Lily at this point. "Lily, I need a pot of warm, but not hot, water. There are clean rags in my backpack, a pair of shears, and oh! Get my Perineorrhapy Set out of my medical bag, will you?"

The husband only winces at the scream, staying by her side. "Hurts a bit, but you've been through worse, love. Just a bit longer," Phineas says in his calm and solid fashion. He does pause to glance around at the tavern, some droll twist to his lips matching the shake of his head. There's really no worry to his features, just a bit of excitement and some sympathy for his wife's pain.

Bella digs out another blanket, covering the duchess as she complains of the cold. "Go ahead, Aileana, push anytime you're ready," she says, in a tender tone.

Ahnlana finally turns her back on the sight. "I think I'd rather be through quite a few things. Makes you rethink motherhood, it does."

A myriad of potential rude jests raise thier heads- and settle back uncommented. Hasdrubal simply watches, from among those toward the back of the gathering, idly setting the back of one shoulder against the wall.

It's amazing what a blood curdling woman's scream can do to the resolve of a warrior as Tivar gets a little more green about the gills... and it has nothing at all to do with the ale he just drank. "Maybe I should step outside... get some fresh air." he suggests to himself and Ahnlana, "This seems... private, for a public thing."

Lily looks over towards Bella and nods, pulling the cloth from Aileana's head as she says she's cold, resting it by the basin. She rises up onto her feet and disappears into the kitchen for a moment before returning with the basin of warm water. She sets it down by Bella and pulls out the rags and aforementioned perineorrhapy set, placing them easily within Bella's reach.

Aileana just glares at her husband as he tries to be comforting and soon reaches out to smack at his arm just once because there is not enough time before her body does what it does best in these circumstances. It tells her to push baby out. She does so with alot of noise and a few grasps towards the spouse she was just flailing at moments before.

Ahnlana clears her throat. "It does, doesn't it?" She glances over. "Fielder sharing and all doesn't mean this, right?" She gets to her feet and starts toward the door.

Phailin mutters to Martis, "... to... last name. His... threatned that... do not... the Conway... betrothal. So... on the... soon... is... for my name after all. I... have my... do."

Tivar nods in agreement to Ahnlana, "Indeed... some fresh air." Tivar takes a step from her towards the couple and offers a deep bow, "The best to you and yours, your graces." with that, Tivar straightens back up and heads over to the bar to return the mug before making for the door with expedious haste.

Bella grabs one of the clean cloths, getting it in her hands just when Aileana starts pushing. Bella is positioned as a midwife should be, between her patient's legs, and just gets her hands in place just in time. The baby comes quickly. "One more push, Aileana," she says.

Martis mutters to Phailin, "I can see... of... keeping the... name.... a... you... still... a... What do you stand to... on this?"

Phineas reaches for that flailing hand of his wife and latches on to it. "Yup. You can hit me soon as you're done, Ana," he drawls, somehow gentle and bracing all at once.

Good thing there are enough sheets and people in the way so that everyone doesn't get a peek at Aileana's cooter. That'd be an awful lot of people for Phin to go after and be a jerk to.

Lily grins over at Phineas and kneels quietly near Aileana and Bella, ready to scurry to one location or the next if needed.

Liam enters the tavern as Lana seems about to leave, "Now /this/ I have to see." talking to himself, an easy expression there, rakish grin in place, trying to side step the barmaid. "Sorry there, Lana, gota watch where I'm going, the--" what timing indeed. He stops in place. "Right in the tavern...wow."

Oh and look there's Lin and she's talking to Martis. Nix is somewhere around here to. Keeping quiet. There's a piece of parchment on the table of where she stands as she converses. Watching Ana every now and than.

Aileana does give that one last push, starting to cry as she feels that familiar sensation of a new life starting from her own, and likely before anyone could even get a chance to see themselves, she asks, "Is it healthy? What is it?"

Phailin mutters to Martis, "... a... of things.... even... last name... quite... that... stubborn... a Fielder.... be a... I... a Guardian.... I... to... Phillip... my twin brother that..."

Phailin features darken a little as she has this conversation with Martis. Hand going to her forehead and begins to rub as if to dispastate the headache that ensues there.

Ahnlana sidesteps Liam. "Good luck. You're already committed to marrying into this family. Looks like you're in for fun." She winks, but it's a bit weak, as if she's just trying to get out before she has to hold the wrinkly newborn thing.

The baby doesn't cry at first. Bella dips a cloth in the warm water, and starts to wipe the baby's face. Once she gets some of the... gunk... out of its mouth, it lets out a lusty yell. "A girl, Your Graces," she says, giving the Duke and Duchess a smile, "A tiny one. Got a set of lungs on her, though." She then places the baby in Lily's arms, while Bella cuts the cord.

Baby born on: It's 10:49 PM (night). It's Wednesday, June 03, 505 A.G.

Lily cradles the baby delicately in her arms as Bella hands her the child, smiling warmly.

Liam takes a /wide/ circle around the procedings, the familiar lop-sided gate attempting to make way toward, who else, Lin. "Eh, yeah, kay Lana." without noticing that he's not only out of earshot, but she's leftthe building. That first scream from the babe and Bella's call has a slow grin forming. "Fielders. And they say we're weird folk." Opposite to his beloved's irritation, seems Liam's in a damn fine mood, nearly grinning as he 'strides' toward his goal.

Phin's whoop is high and loud, "A GIRL!" and his laugh chases that pronunciation, lowering to his knees heedless of gunk or anything else. "There we go, Ana, you beautiful woman. A little girl!"

There's a moment where Martis is distracted by the wail of a baby in the air. He goes very still for a second, looking over his shoulder at the new arrival, and the smile he gives off is more shy and bemused than his usual sly expression. He looks back to Phailin then, thoughtful, and whispers in her direction, oblivious to Liam's presence.

Martis mutters to Phailin, "... love him?"

Aileana hears the cry of her new daughter and just starts the patented new Mommy happy tears as she peers towards her infant, "It's a girl, Finn...a little girl...another daughter." She lifts her chin then to seek a kiss from her husband.

Bella cuts and ties the cord, and says, "Clean her up in that basin, Lily, and then give her to Aileana, will you, while I finish up?" Oh yes, now the really messy part happens. Bella keeps the blanket pulled down modestly so most can't see the afterbirth procedings. She examines Aileana, and says, "I'm going to have to give you a couple of stitches Aileana. It will only take a moment."

Phineas places a slow and gentle kiss on Aileana's lips, his hand cupping her cheek. Soft words are murmured against her lips, silly sentimental drivel appropriate for the moment.

Lily nods to Bella and moistens the rags in the warm cloth as the baby continues to wail. She tenderly wipes the child clean before moving to gently place the newborn (very, very new) in Aileana's arms.

"Congratulations Ana! Finn!" Lin calls out. Distracted at the birth of a new niece. She takes notice of Liam and simply hands him the parchment that was left on the table for him to read as she listens to the words of Martis.

Aileana is just about to get all smoochy faced with her husband when she hears words like stitches and in /those/ places. Her attention snaps to Bella then, "Oh, no no no. I'm sure I'll heal just fine. Where's my baby?"

Phailin mutters to Martis, "... I... so... has... in... I just... know what... do.... of... just wants to... with... just... with... and... even care.... me... to... what to..."

Bella frowns as Aileana tries to usurp HER authority in the matter. Yes, the midwife rules in these matters! Duchess or no! "Aileana, you NEED the stitches. Just suck it up, will you? It will only take a moment, and it won't hurt as much as you think," she says.

Aileana's attention is stolen by her new daughter and she just starts to laugh as her arms open towards the little one, "Look at her! Can I have ale to celebrate?" And to Bella she comments, "No, no stitches. Finn, tell her I'll be fine."

Liam raises his brows up briefly as Lin greets him with...parchment. Parchment that apparently stops him still, mildly dejected. "Good evening..." shifting his attention from Phailin to Martis, to Phailin again, then back to the male. It was only after all this that he looks to that parchment. So much for his fine mood, expression slowly turns grim. "Fuck that garbage. If the nobles can't trouble themselves to..." Another glance over toward the 'new' parents, he bites his tongue fiercely and leans in to speak low to Lin, low but not soft. "I will take care of this drivel."

Phineas places a hand on the babe's head and coos quietly to the girl. "Ana, love, I'd order demons to crawl and mountains to fall fer you, but there's no way I'm telling yer midwife that."

Bella lets out an exasperated sigh, and gets up. Her hands and front of her skirt and tunic are bloody. "Phineas, a moment, please?" she asks.

Hasdrubal lets out a short grunted, "Hrh," at the scene playing out in the tavern before him. A slow shake of his head, and without further ado, the rough sailor turns and steps quietly toward the tavern door.

Lily gently places the baby in Aileana's arms, leaning down to speak softly to the new mom.

Lily mutters to Duchess Aileana, "... only... and they really... Besides. You... to... to... of..."

Phineas looks up at Bella and nods. "Sure, but if yer going to ask me to tell her to just cope, I'm already there," he says, then kisses Aileana's head again. "I love you," is his soft whisper to her, a whole world of emotion in his quiet avowal.

Yep it was parchment that greeted Liam. No warm welcome. Not even anger. Just parchment. "How Liam?" Her voice is soft. "A week? Something we have been fighting about forever...." She just doesn't look very hopeful. Its almost as if she's forgotten she's got a new niece to number the ones already born thus far.

Martis opens his mouth to begin to introduce himself when Liam approaches where he an Phailin have been sitting, but he's entirely waylaid by the expression on Liam's face. Instead, he closes that mouth of his again, eyebrows lifting towards his hair, one a little higher than the other. He can wait patiently, hands wrapped about his ale mug, until a better time.

Aileana just smiles down at her baby, pretty much expecting that if she focuses on her little one, then all of this silly talk of stitches will go away, "My little Ainsley Ashlan." She rubs at the little one's cheek as the infant quiets.

Bella moves to speak with Phineas quietly for a moment. She stands on tip-toes to whisper to Phineas, so other's can't here.

Lily gently brushes Aileana's hair as the Duchess coos over her new baby. Since Bella's wandered off and the topic has to pause for the moment.

Liam grunts tersely, brows coming togethers. "A week my heel. My marrying is none of his damn concern, just as his dirty laundry is none of mine. Not about to let my brother put some time table on something we've been agonizing over, especially when he hasn't seen fit to concern himself with us in any other manner. If he thinks getting you flowers once buys him into our business, then His Grace is in for a rude awakening." Burning holes into that parchment, the less than friendly gaze turns onto Martis. "Who're you?" manners, Liam. Manners.

Phineas listens to Bella's quiet words and gives a single nod. "The latter ain't as much as the former reason, Bella. Do it," he answers her quietly, then takes a knee beside his wife again. "Look at her, Ana. Little Ainsley, her mama's girl. Ya have ta put up with a bit more, just fer me."

Aileana looks to Phineas now, a smile coming to her lips at the mention of the baby though it does fade a bit as she asks, "I do not want to put up with anything else. I already have, and..can't you just take me home?" Yet, even now, her tone is resigned, "Why?" This is asked of her midwife.

Bella makes her way back to Aileana, and settles down in her former position. "You tore badly, Aileana, even though the baby is small. Probably just the stress of having so many so quickly," she says, giving a bit of a dirty look to Phineas, before turning to Aileana again. "You will heal better with the stitches, I promise. And I have some numbing ointment I can use, you will only feel a light pressure."

Phin's hand cups Aileana's cheek. "Because you're not safe without, and because your children need their mother," he adds, and more quietly, "and I need my wife. Just look at Ainsley and me, Ana. That's all."

Phailin turns so she may in an attempt to give privacy to Ana and Finn. No words come out when she hears Liam. Though she does glance at Martis when Liam asks who he is.

The smile that Martis offers Liam is almost completely flat, a vague line that cuts itself across a face better suited to beaming wholeheartedly. "I'm Martis Greyhayme. Lord Stone's Throw. Lady Forester and I are old friends." His voice is eminently reasonable, lilting around the same notes as he speaks to the other man, his fingers still laced around his mug of ale. "We were just catching up, due to my recent arrival on Gateway."

Aileana finally nods her consent as she just looks at her newest Ashlan, "Am I about to die?" She cradles the little one, counting her fingers, toes, watching the rise and fall of her chest, "I think she looks like you, Finn."

Lily leans back a bit and lets Aileana and Phineas talk as she begins to gather up all the items that are no longer needed, beginning to tidy up.

"No, you dramatic git of a wife, ya ain't about ta die. Yer just about to end up so loose that we'd never like sex again," Phineas says with exasperation.

Phin, the king of bedside manner.

Bella gets out a bottle of ointment, and using a clean cloth, wipes the area she's about to do work on. "Lily, you can observe if you like," she says, "Simple stuff for a healer, though." She still maintains the Duchess' modesty with blankets, of course. She can't help but surpress a giggle at Phineas' response to Aileana's overly-dramatic question. Then, the sewing starts and is finished moments later.

Liam mms some as Martis makes that connection, a brief nod from the younger man. "Well met, M'lord. You have my apologies on the gruff welcome, but I trust, sitting with Lin here, you've been dealing with similar moodiness most the night." that parchment is set down again, some effort to restrain himself there, the hand then moving to rest on Lin's shoulder, leaning down to murmur quietly to her. "Our mess can wait, love. Seems to me you've another piece of family to welcome in properly. More important and a might more enjoyable than this nonsense." a brief gesture to the note.

Lily grins over at Bella. "I've put more stitches in people recently than I have for my entire training at the college," she tells her, laughing.

Aileana blinks at Phineas's response and she blushes at that, "Well, that's all she had to say." She does focus on her baby as she's fixed, unable to hide the smile now, "She's so pretty. Isn't she perfect?"

Phailin takes in a breath and lets it out. Studying Liam and his words. But she moves from where she was at and attempts to get closer to Ana and Finn so she could get a better look at her new niece and offer her congratulations. She smiles at the parents. Sure they just gave birth in a tavern. Nothing wrong in that. Kneeling to get a better look at the wee little one.

"She's a beauty, she really is. Little Lady Ainsley," Phineas says with quiet pleasure. He glances at Phailin and scoots a bit to the side. "There Lin, yer most recent niece." He glances back at where Liam and Martis both linger, something unfathomable in his midnight eyes for a moment as he looks over the pair, as if weighing something in his mind. He flashes a grin in their direction. "Brave souls."

Bella is finished, it seems and is cleaning up, gathering dirty towels and blankets, making a bundle of them inside a clean blanket. She tucks it all into her backpack again, and puts away her instruments into her medical bag. "Congratulations, Your Graces," she says, giving them both a warm smile. "Aileana, you know the instructions. I would suggest moving to a bed soon, perhaps?" Turning to Lily, she says, "I'm going home, Lily, although you're welcome to stay here if you like."

"Things were actually quite cheery until the letter arrived, at which point there were all sorts of comments about men with pussies and pearls coming from them." Martis says, offhandedly and to no one in particular although the comment is probably directed to Liam. He takes a long drink from his ale, apparently entirely blase about the entire situation, but there's a brief moment where his gold-colored eyes slide to the side and, for just a second, met with his Duke's.

Lily had tidied up most of the blankets and tools by the time Bella finishes, and she nods lightly to Bella. "I... should probably get back. Might drink more if I don't," she tells her, smiling thinly and shrugging.

"She's wonderful Finn." Lin agrees as she looks at mother and baby now. "You did it. This is your six one. Are you both done yet?" No chiding but simply curiousity is heard in her tone as she basks in the newness of a baby. Though she does spare a glance for Martis when he speaks up. Looking over at Finn for a moment longer.

Liam follows Lin's path keenly, really nothing out of the norm for him. "Sounds about right. Typical all around. Never let it be said that you can control your siblings. Especially the ones who think they're in charge of you." Attention on Phailin, it wasn't a stretch to match Phineas' gaze, inclining his head briefly. "Ashlan. I figure it to be training for my turn at it. Learn from the man who's done it half dozen times now." A quirk there.

"Half a dozen, and hopefully that many more to go, Conway," Phineas drawls easily toward Liam, answering Phailin's question by the same words. He chuckles and reaches for a small hand. "Hello there little lady, we've been waiting for you for a while, you know."

Aileana just continues to sit close to her husband and new daughter, adoring the both of them as she asks, "Do you want to carry me back now? I think now is the best time to try to sleep."

Lily lightly rubs the side of her neck and silently slips towards the door, keeping quiet as she moves out of the tavern.

Phailin leans to kiss Finn's cheek, A kiss to the baby's forehead and the mother's forehead to as she rises from her seat. Brushing the hay away from her backside as she begins to retreat from the newly formed family. She makes her way back to Martis and Liam. Still no words.

A smirk quirks its way over Martis' face, starting at the left side and then eeking slowly over to the right. "Oh, I find it quite easy to control my brother, given the right amount of rope and pointy sticks. I wonder if he'd say the same of me." He ponders thoughtfully, more or less into the mouth of his mug. After a moment, he gives Liam a nod of acknowledgement, before he swings around to sit backwards in his chair and really give the scene of the birthing a better attention. "My heartfelt congratulations, my Lieges."