Harvey didn't know what to make of Chiaki's proposal. Yes, he had known her for a couple of years now and seen her through her pregnancy with her lion cub and now this pregnancy. It's was sudden. Of course females were known to make sudden and unexpected choices. So he kept quiet about it and simply focused on doing his job.
Langzhu returned to his home feeling oppressed. The heavy atmosphere noticeable from the moment he opened the door. He worried one of his charges had worsened in the time he'd been looking at Frost Clouds little female mate. She was fine, just a couple of scratches where she had slipped down a slope. He'd berated Frost Cloud for not watching out for his mate better and told Huanhuan to just rest for the remainder of the day.
He found that the living space was now occupied by more than the young leopard healer. On the sleeping space was a female, one he recognized as he'd had her visit a couple times. Chiaki was far along in her pregnancy and this was her first with multiples. Of course she would want to have the local healer keep a eye on things. Curled up against her side was one of her mates, he didn't know any of them from the other. The male looked like he'd been crying. This added to his worry.
"What's all this?" Langzhu asked Harvey.
"She's in the early stages of labor." Harvey responded.
The old wolf nodded. "I take it things are not going well then? Let me take a look." He made his way over to Chiaki and flipped her dress wrap up. He ignored the slight growl that came from her mate. He ran a hand over her belly, noting the tightness and the small ripples he could feel when she tensed up. Early contractions. "Yes, things are starting up. What is the problem?"
"No problems." Chiaki breathed once the contraction faded.
"Then, why are you here?" The older healer asked in confusion.
"Where I'm from, having a healer or at least someone with knowledge on helping with birth be present is normal."
Langzhu nodded. Perhaps a small village with lots of losses would develop the practice. "Then, for now you should rest." He looked at her mate. "And you should probably go get the rest of her mates if she wants to stay here until she'd given birth."
Qianhuang nodded. With a glance at Harvey he left to go bring the rest of the family to the healers home.
Langzhu followed his gaze to Harvey. One the male was out of the house he asked. "Seems more happened."
Harvey nodded. "Well, Chiaki has-" He glanced at the female.
"I got mad at the stupid response that a healer doesn't have full rights to do his job because my mate finds it threatening. Not that he should feel upset, sheesh." She growled the last bit as she felt a pain.
"Young males always feel threatened." He said with a nod.
"Yes, but when it keeps a healer from doing their job, it's ridiculous!"
"Chiaki has made the offer for me to join her family as a mate." Harvey said softly.
Langzhu laughed. "First time?" He asked with a genuine smile.
"Huh?" Harvey said, confused.
Langzhu's look softened. "My mate passed away several years ago, so younger females don't remember her well... but even when she was around, I would often get females who were tired and mad at their mates for some of the same reasons suddenly propose a mating, if only I would kick them out of the room. Mind you, these females were having female offspring, so as you know it is a must to be with a healer during that time. But I've also seen females swear their mates would never have sex with them again, because of the pain. And one female swore she was going to get a Skunk for a mate so he could keep the others in line."
"I wasn't about to tell Harvey we should mate as soon as my babies are born, I just- I am mad at the way he's been treated every time I need a healer. He's been a good healer and a kind person every time we've spoken."
"No need to get so defensive." Langzhu said as he came over to Chiaki and brushed her sweaty bangs from her face. Harvey would have feared doing the same. "I was just pointing out that it's not an uncommon event, though you seem very worried about more than that?"
Chiaki sighed. "When will the babies be born?"
She was dodging the question, but Langzhu replied anyway. "I'd have to check the birthing area-"
"That's what started this mess!" She griped.
Langzhu looked to Harvey, who nodded. "She'll likely deliver no sooner than midday tomorrow."
"Ah, I see. Didn't get the mate out of the room first? How'd you not loose a hand?" He chuckled again. The older healer was so much calmer with everything. Years of practice, Chiaki supposed.
It seemed Harvey was having the same thoughts. Maybe he had more to learn from the older healer than just new medications. Dealing with the mates of the females he treated was one of the hardest parts of his profession. They could be violent in their protection of their mate and, intimidating even when he only suggested medications. Some wouldn't even want the healing herbs, feeling it a gift to their mate, instead of his duty as a healer to provide them when he was able.
"Now, really." Langzhu said softly to Chiaki. "What has you so worried?"
"I told my mates I wanted to make sure our family had no-" Freeloaders? Untalented men? Dead-weight? It sounded awful in her head right now. "That I wanted to know my suitors, before I moved on to anything more."
"Well, get to know him!" Langzhu said as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
"I already have so many males that I'm getting to know."
Langzhu waved his hand. "None of my business, little female. I think you just need someone to talk this out with. Why don't I get you some relaxing tea? It won't do anything for the pain, but might sooth the mind." He turned to Harvey and listed the items he wanted used in the tea, asking the younger healer to gather them from the storage pots. When Qianhuang returned with the rest of the family, Chiaki was quietly talking with Harvey and sipping the tea.
"Any changes?" He asked as soon as he entered the room.
"Just a bit of clearing the air." Langzhu said cryptically to the winged male.
Curtis had automatically moved to Chiaki's side, putting pressure on Harvey to leave. She wasn't sure if Key had said anything about her sudden words to the rest of the males, this was just how Curtis was to outsiders. Harvey flinched back from the four-stripe snake, but didn't retreat as he would have normally. He knew he had a reputation with Chiaki's mates as being mild and timid. Yes, he was reserved and Curtis intimidated him greatly, but he heard the sigh that Chiaki had made as soon as her mate had started his intimidation.
Chiaki sighed as Curtis tried to intimidate Harvey into leaving her side. She really didn't need to spend energy on this right now. To his credit though, Harvey didn't walk off. He shrank back a bit at first, and she knew with Curtis it was a good idea to be ready to move out of the way. So she didn't fault Harvey for his reaction. She placed a hand over Curtis' hand, bringing his attention fully onto her. "Did anyone tell my fish trap making class that we wouldn't be meeting today... or tomorrow?"
Curtis frowned. "You won't be doing any classes until you heal from birthing. I remember Kimba's birth was much harder on your body than-" He stopped as the doorway to the other room in the house opened.
A female, one with short hair poked her head out. "Healer?" She asked as her eyebrows scrunched together. "What's going on?"
"Ah, Rosa! Fear not, nothing upsetting has happened." Langzhu said as he walked towards the female, Rosa.
She looked thinner than the last time Chiaki had seen her. That had been just as they had arrived at the village. She had dark rings under her eyes, from a lack of sleep. And her hair looked dull and not taken care of.
"Just an upcoming birth and the mother is new to large litters." Langzhu said softly. "Why don't I get you something to eat?" He carefully brought Rosa back around and into the other room.
"Rosa." Winston said softly, worry on his face at the condition of his brother's female child.
"Her mate is out of danger." Harvey supplied. "But still unable to leave our care."
Winston nodded. Rosa looked so defeated and tiny. Nothing like the blusterous female who he had known. He hoped she would recover.
