Melora and Copernicus land at the space port, where a sleek scout ship sits, plenty of windows and airlocks. Copernicus swallows as he pictures this task, "So, that's our ride kecharra."
The ship looks like many space shuttles, only tiger stripe patterned.
Melora flicks both ears back and glances at the ... THING.. out of the corner of her eye. "Flies? Y'gotta be pullin me tail."
Copernicus purrs, "No, it flies. Here, look over in that corner of the field. One is getting ready for take off."
Melora looks that direction, a frown crossing her expression as she waits for that box to become airborne.
A quiet rumble as repulsors lift the shift straight up. When it gains sufficient altitude the drives come online and glowing plasma exhaust jets them off into the sky, becoming very small quickly.
Melora's eyes widen and her hair stands on end, "now what *did* I letcha talk me into! Oooooooh, I dunno bout this.."
Copernicus swallows, "It's safe. Honest. They are too far away for even me to reach without a ship Melora. We've been traveling this way for 100's of millennia."
Melora takes a deep breath and lets it go very slowly, "I dunno... it's, it's so loud an they shouldn' be able to go up... but.... do ya promise?"
Copernicus snugs Melora, "I can't say that there are never accidents Melora. People get killed on land more often than in space, and this scout ship is in very good condition. I wouldn't do anything that I thought would endanger you or the kits Melora. My mates live up there most of the time."
Melora hesitates then nods her head. "Iffin ya say.... " She swallows then pats her feline sides a moment then waddles on.
Copernicus follows along with Melora to the open hatch and purrs, "You want to follow me in Melora?"
Melora says, "That, or ya can push from b'hind t'make sure my oversized rear makes it in."
Copernicus chuckles, "Be nice to yourself Melora. Anyhow, this ship is designed for my race, so you'll fit easily."
Copernicus pads into the open hatch, wings folded and turns around to watch Melora enter.
Melora tightens her wings about her and waddles her way through the hatch (even a cat can't be graceful in the last bits of pregnancy.. ). Her eyes widen at how enclosed the ship is, hair standing on end for every step. She does go, though.
The interior is fairly roomy for just two felitaurs. Normally it could hold about 5 or 6. He helps guide Melora forward to where the flight couches are and purrs, "We need to have you take a seat here. Oh, and you can dig your claws into the couch, it's designed for it."
Melora tries for a nervous grin and says, "fer those who c'nt stand bein lobbed into th'air in a box."
Copernicus purrs, "I promise to be gentle on take off. If you are really worried, I can strap you in?"
Melora quickly shakes her head, "No!" After a half second to calm down she says, "I'd rather not b'stuck where I'm sittin, thankye. Let's git goin, sooner off th'ground, the harder it is t'back out."
Melora clambers her way into the chair and holds on with both claws. Her wings twitch a little, but stay clamped to her sides.
Copernicus nods and quickly settles in on the couch by Melora and closes the hatch by pressing pads. He's anticipated this and had the preflight warm up already done. He just double checks for safety sake and then the ship hummms softly as the repulsors push it away from the ground. This can be easily seen through all the large windows around the cabin.
Melora squirps and closes her eyes.
Copernicus levels out the ship and purrs, "Engines on, and we're cleared for orbit. I'll keep this slow." and with that fires up the engines, but takes a lazy, energy expensive flight up, but even so, the initial G forces can be felt, but weakly.
Copernicus purrs, "Melora, the worst part is over. You said you were curious about what a planet looks like from this far up. It's safe to look through the window."
Melora opens up one eye to peek out. She's panting just a little bit, but curiosity wins out as well. Distressed.
Copernicus curls his tail around Melora's waist and purrs, "You're safe honest."
Melora murps. She looks around to all the windows, one at a time as she says, "it's gittin dark!"
Copernicus nods, "We're heading up into space, and the shadow of the planet."
Melora pulls her claws out of the couch and leans over to look at the other side.
The planet, with a few clouds here and there, is dwindling, and slowly taking on a circular appearance. Copernicus purrs, "I can turn down the gravity to what it will be on the space station."
Melora nods her head, "dunno what that is... but iffin ya gotta it's fine."
Copernicus purrs, "It's not required, but you'd feel lighter, I thought you might like that."
Melora chuckles, "that might be nice... t'be feelin th'weight I shoul be wi'out kits."
Copernicus adjusts the gravity polarizers and shortly Melora feels like she's floating in water. He purrs, "Just don't use as much energy to move, or you'll bounce into things. ;)"
Melora says, "I c'n git up from the seat now?"
Copernicus nods, "Sure, just be careful. You don't need as much force to move now."
Melora pushes up from the couch... and... keeps.. going? "Huh?" is about all she gets out before her head bumps the ceiling.
Melora starts rotating to the side then finally winds up upside down and surprised.
Copernicus hides his grin and finishes laying in the course for the mining station. He pads over, feet adhering to the floor as he purrs, "See, much lighter now. If you don't like it, I can turn it off, but this is what it's going to be like on the station. Oops, want me to turn you over? Or you can claw into the ceiling and walk down."
Melora half opens her wings, trying not to take too much space up. Their half beat just makes her jiggle up and down in the cabin's air. A frown accompanies that result and after a moment she holds the wings still.
Melora pulls her wings in a little bit and paws at the air. Somehow, someway, she finds herself moving and able to control where she's going, even without touching the ship's interior. She rights herself.
Copernicus blinks and watches thinking . o O (I know some of our abilities are hard to explain sometimes. But I really wish I was able to detect magic still. I'd bet that she's doing that by some sort of magic repulsor.)
Copernicus pads up the wall part way, no claws needed as his feet adhere and he purrs, "You going to be OK? Rolling in low gravity can be a little disorienting."
Melora comments, "ya know, this ain't too bad. Kinda like padding on somethin really soft." She looks out the windows as she air pads about the room. "I'm okay... babe's are a bit active, but it's that they're not feelin a down direction, I'm sure."
Copernicus chuckles, "Well, if they take after my side of the family at all, this is good for them. We have several hours before we arrive, you want to check out more things on the ship?"
Melora nods her head, "I'll look 'bout. Promise I won' touch annathin wi'out askin."
Copernicus purrs, "I can show you around if you want. Autopilot is set for now."
Melora nods her head, "iffin ya would? Dunno wha' an auto-pie-lette thing is, but I guess iffin ya've pointed us in the right direction.." She fades her words out, staring at the glowing gas ball of a sun for a moment before shaking her head and looking about.
So for the next few hours, Copernicus does his very best to explain space, vacuum, gravity, airlocks, engines, computers and a host of other questions. It's clear Melora is not quite sure of what Copernicus is saying a lot, but she seems to want to know. He also explains to her some of the dangers of space (which must make her think, NOW he tells me) and before they know it, the proximity alert announces their approach.
Copernicus purrs, "Time to dock with the station Melora. We'll be there shortly."
Melora says, "Yaaaah.... what'swrongwhat'swrong? Oh..."
Copernicus fwumps in the couch and starts working on docking. The large top shaped mining station becomes clear, and off in the distance a circle of metal can be seen.
Melora makes a controlled propel towards the couches, her forepaws stretching outwards to grasp the padding as she lands on it. Her wings are tucked back in again and she's staring out the portal. "No sky or air?"
Copernicus purrs, "No air at all outside. But there is plenty inside the mining station here."
Melora shakes her head, muttering, "y'all's got somethin wi' bein on th'inside o'things..." She quiets and watches the docking procedures.
Copernicus ahems, "Well, not really." and he points to a bouncy felitauress who's walking on the surface of the station, obviously outside. With a "thunk" the ship docks.
Melora blinks a half moment then shakes her head, "Ya warned me that goin outside were bad... it's jus fer me, isn't it?"
Copernicus nods, "We can survive for a few days outside. We were made to be able to do that. Well, you ready?" as he pads over to the airlock.
Melora nods her head, already pushed away from the couch. Her wings are partially open, just enough, and her padding comes to an abrupt halt right next to Coper. Weird sight, in null-gee.
Copernicus blinks again at Melora's adeptness in space and hmms. He cycles the lock and the two doors slide open. He pads into the station ahead of Melora.
There is another soft thunk as a mining ship departs. Copernicus waits for Melora to make it through.
Melora pads on the air behind Copernicus, her paws looking like they are grasping and pushing off.
Copernicus blinks and hmms, finally getting a guess of what Melora is doing. Not how, but what.
A voice shouts, "Ceres, give them a chance to get oriented first..."
A big snowleopard projectile slams into Copernicus and purrs, "You're back! Oh, it's great to see you, we've been so looking forward to getting you back since the accident. Oh, and this has got to be Melora....my, she's big."
Melora stops, quite suddenly again and peers at Copernicus, "Accident?" she purrs.
A calico felitauress pads up and groans at Ceres' comments and whispers, "Tact is not one of her strong points."
Copernicus oofs from under Ceres as she nibbles on his ears, "Yes, the one that misplaced our home and made me change shape again."
Ceres bounces over and snugs Melora, "So you're the one who got to Coper first. No wonder, even this big you are gorgeous, isn't she Aurora?"
Melora tosses a glance at Copernicus then returns the enthusiastic snug from Ceres. She then adds a forehead rub and a purr to the feline, remembering Nebula's hints.
Copernicus gets up and wonders how anyone can bounce like that in low gravity, and grins when Aurora says, "For once we agree Ceres. Welcome to our home Melora Starlight. I see you are due very soon."
Ceres oohs at the encouragement and gives Melora a better snug and purrs, "It's so good to see you. Aurora said you'd be all shy, but I knew better. Oh, that must be Libra. Libra! They're here!"
Melora nods her head, "thankye... yah, they estimate seven daytimes b'fer the kits ... come?"
A black Chirr'T'Thar female with white starbust splash across the fur of her chest pads up. He eyes are glazed with their protective membrane, and her nose and mouth are sealed. She bows, noting Melora has no familiarity with radio or subvocalizers.
Melora seems to lose her positional balance for a moment, both wings tucking in tight as she floats. She looks faintly surprised, if suddenly a bit tense.
Melora says, "C'c... Coper? They're comin..."
Copernicus blinks, "What are coming?"
Melora takes a sudden deep breath as she tenses up yet again, "kittens. I'm... I'm in labor."
A chorus of three "You are?"s and one mute stare before Copernicus blinks and nods, "I should have brought Imbri, but I think she's prepped us both well."
Copernicus purrs, "Ceres, Aurora, get some blankets and towels, and a basic first aid kit."
Ceres purrs, "Oh Do I have to? Ok, just don't have em till I get back!" and bounds off. Aurora rolls her eyes and pads after her as Libra gets on the other side of Melora if help is needed.
Melora starts to pant in quick low bursts of air. She's hanging near out of control in the air when her body shoots with another tensing up and all she can do is grasp. A pale trickling of liquid begins to float away from her.
Copernicus swallows, "Your water just broke. Melora, would you prefer to do this in normal gravity?"
Melora gasps out, "I dunno.. which is easier. I ain't been in no gravity b'fer. I... uuuuung!"
Copernicus nods to Libra who heads to a control panel, and then purrs, "I think gravity would be better, easier for you to orient yourself. We'll go up to 0 G."
Libra nods and Melora slowly sinks into the padded floor as Ceres literally bounces from surface to surface as she brings in the towels and blankets.
Melora shakes her head, "Lemme stay... I don' wanna move... just wanna.... ooooooh." Another contraction, obviously sooner than expected. Perhaps those were labor pangs in the shuttle?
Libra helps hold Melora on one side as Copernicus holds her other side, giving her something to brace against in the low gravity. He purrs, "Just breathe like Imbri suggested Melora. You'll be Ok."
Ceres pouts at Copernicus as she realizes the blankets have no real purpose right now.
Ceres shrugs and bounds up to Melora, "Are you having them? What's it feel like? What are you going to name them?"
Melora gasps, "uuuuuhh..... it's too fast! Why're th' commin so fast?" Another contraction and she almost bunches over her torso, tensing up. She's off rhythm, it's obvious and her wings keep trying to flutter free.
Copernicus sighs and thinks . o O (Should have sent her after 50 yards of shoreline) and purrs, "Calm down Ceres, she's kinda busy right now."
Melora takes in a sharper breath as she says, "Coper.... I c'n feel one o'em.... Uhhhhh... look fer...... " Her train of concentration is caught in quick pants of air.
Copernicus nods, "Ceres, you hold her side while I go back and catch the baby."
Copernicus purrs to Melora, "I can see the head pushing through Melora. Libra and Ceres help keep her steady. I'll help guide the child out."
Copernicus is still a bit nervous, but seems to be holding up well.
With an "Uhhnnnnngh!" of sound, Melora tenses up again with yet another contraction push. Almost as suddenly a flash of blue outlines the edges of vision.
Copernicus blinks and almost feels that flash of energy, and helps guide the torso of the baby as much as he can, especially when the taur shoulders start to push through.
Aurora pads up to the room and bounces off of something.
Aurora growls, "Why do you have a force field set up here?"
Ceres blinks, "We didn't. Honest. Not this time!"
Copernicus shrugs, "Probably Melora. She's very talented. Melora, another big push and this one should be free. Ok Melora?"
Melora takes another breath of air and holds on the last of her pushes until the torso is definitely out. Safer for the baby. On Coper's word she uses that breath to push with all her strength.
Copernicus gently guides, pulling very little till the child comes out with a spilling of amniotic fluid, the cord still attached to the mother, he nearly shouts, "It's a boy Melora. You came out first little one, ahead of your sister. Don't get used to it too much. ;)"
Melora flicks an ear back in the pause between the storms and takes the moment to chuckle weakly and say, "Coper... that's awful."
Melora murrs quietly, "Ceres, I need someone t'massage at the left side, where he jus came from. Otherwise it'll be harder t'git the other side t'come."
Ceres bounces and oohs, "Oh of course, this is so exciting and ...my, he's a big boy."
Melora pants quietly, "O'course there're only two o'them.. where yer race has six. Three times th'size o'yer normal."
Copernicus holds what for the Chirr'T'Thar would be a 3 month old child. A good 26 pounds. His fur is that of the Skygazer clan, though a much lighter snow leopard pattern. The wings are the normal short stubs of the Chirr'T'Thar. Copernicus holds the child with his tail, careful not to pull on the umbilical cord. The little cub finally finds his voice and cries.
Melora opens her eyes with a bit of surprise, "oooh, she's givin me kicks on th'inside. Impatient!"
Ceres nods and Libra massages Melora's side. Copernicus chuckles and whispers just loud enough for the females to hear, "Typical."
Copernicus says a bit louder, "Let me know when you are ready to push again Melora."
During the relaxation phase the force wall goes down and Aurora pads in, and takes the child from Copernicus and holds him carefully as she purrs, "She's holding up quite well Copernicus. You seem to choose mates well."
Copernicus just smiles at the four females here and nods, "I'm very lucky indeed."
Melora mewls, "Who said annathin 'bout bein when I'm ready.... " as the pushes begin again. She pants, her hands clenching at her midsection as she yeowls with the first push.
Copernicus rubs Melora's lower back as Ceres steadies her and Libra helps too. Aurora holds the newborn male protectively, careful of the cord that still ties him to his mother.
Libra's massaging helps the connection separate and Aurora trims the umbilical cord. Copernicus purrs, "We're ready when she is Melora."
Melora pushes yet again, automatically as her body tenses with effort. "Uuhhhhgh," is her answer. Once more there's a flash of blue light at the edges of vision, ranging off corners, then flickering to non-existance.
The tip of a black nosepad and muzzle becomes visible with Melora's latest set of contractions.
Copernicus is purring to calm himself as he purrs, "Here she comes, Melora."
Ceres pouts at Aurora, "She gets to hold them first? That's no fair."
Aurora claws Ceres' behind, who yelps and then shuts up.
Melora grunts just a bit then pushes yet again. Her fur is matted down with moisture where it's not ruffled up with the efforts. Bad fur day. Her ears flick to the side with the yelp.
The little black kit slowly emerges a bit past the shoulders as Melora pushes.
Copernicus purrs, "Ok ease up Melora, lets get her shoulders out."
Aurora purrs, "Amazing. She's huge too."
Melora swallows, panting a little bit and looking so very worn out. She shakes with the efforts of holding back the urge for pushing.
Libra's breathing is suddenly heard as her nose unseals. It's amazing how fast an hour can go by when you having...children.
Copernicus purrs, "Ok, clear. Push Melora, I know you're getting tired."
Melora mewls a little bit then nods as she makes the effort yet again. "Ehhhhhhhh!" for effort then a pause then yet another, now weak, push.
The little black felitaur girl is rather quickly (and mercifully) pushed free of Melora's body, into Copernicus' waiting hands.
Melora feels the muscles relax and her shoulders slump as her breath comes out in gasps and puffs. She shakes, almost as if cold.
Copernicus grins and catches the little felitauress and purrs, "Congratulations Melora, a lovely baby girl too. C'mon, we need to get her warm and rested. But first..." and he motions to Aurora.
The proud father and Aurora pad up to Melora, to give her her first touch of her children.
The small girl begins to wail, air filling her lungs..
Melora glances up, tired and worn to look at the babes. A smile lights her face and she reaches out for the little girl then pulls back with a laugh, "Now... she's gonna b'heard alla way back home."
Melora pauses with a sudden frown of worry, "where're their wings?"
Copernicus grins, "I think she's hungry, and considering how loud her brother is, I'll bet he is too. What? Their wings are fine."
Melora looks towards Copernicus with that same frown line of worry, "but.. but they ain't got anna... usually we've gotta spread 'em t'dry them.... but.." That same worried look spreads to both children.
Libra finally speaks, "Oh, but they always look like that when they are born. They don't grow to full size for years."
Copernicus finally understands and purrs, "Their wings look more like mine than yours beloved. Now, why don't you let them eat, we'll get you cleaned up and fed too."
Melora looks over then back at the kits. She reaches out again for the little girl in Coper's arms. She nods, "an th'air in here cleaned... it's kinda, er, wet."
Ceres bounces happily, "Wow, cubs already. I'm so jealous."
The little girl continues crying noisily in Copernicus' arms, her arms waving a bit.
Copernicus hands Melora the little girl, while Aurora holds the boy.
Libra purrs smugly, "Yes, we need to get this cleaned. I think I remember someone trading off that duty last time?"
Aurora nods, "Indeed. With this much fluid in the air it can't be put off either."
Melora maneuvers the little girl towards a breast to suckle and tries for the life of her to figure out how to get the boy to the other one at the same time.
Melora purrs quietly, "an we need, well, t'clean the afterbirth... or it'll get disgustin."
Aurora helps Melora position the boy as Ceres wails, "No fair!" but goes to get the cleaning utensils.
Melora gently begins to rub at the girl baby's belly, encouraging her to eat.
Copernicus nods, "They know. Birth is space is not uncommon. We'll get you all cleaned up. How are you Melora? Hungry, thirsty? I know you must be worn out."
The felitauress quiets a bit as she's brought close enough to hear that familiar heartbeat, but doesn't actually begin to nurse until her muzzle is pressed to Melora's breast. Her eyes are still tightly shut.
Aurora chuckles, "And so apparently is our mutual mate. For someone with medical training, you do well, but you stay anything but calm. ;)"
Libra purrs, "And of course, we need to name them."
Melora nods her head a little then purrs quietly, "both.. but th'kits come first. First meal an all..."
Copernicus leans over and kisses Melora, "So, we're parents now."
Aurora and Libra are rubbing Melora's sides with moist sponges, cleaning her fur and massaging her.
Copernicus hmms, "So what do we name the little ones?"
Ceres comes back and smiles a little, "Not so little little ones. They are so cute. But how did she not get your fur color Copernicus?"
Copernicus grins, "Magic, most likely. ;)"
Melora gives Coper's muzzle a bit of a rub with her nose and purrs, "Chrissa, for the little girl?"
Copernicus mrrrrs, "Sounds lovely. And for the boy....hmmmm."
Melora gives the little boy a tummy rub now, balancing the baby girl, "She got m'own fur color, Ceres."
Ceres blinks, "Oh, that's right, yours changed."
Ceres gets a frown from Libra this time.
Copernicus purrs, "How does Tycho sound?"
Melora tilts her head, "Isn't that th'name of the guy on the counsel?"
Melora gently starts drying the boy's fur with the edge of a towel.
The three female Chirr'T'Thar whirl at that name, and Aurora purrs, "Is that wise? No Melora, it was the name of Copernicus's elder brother, who was killed."
Melora stretches a little, as much as she can in null gravity. She looks to almost be falling asleep over the twin feedings, her head bobbing a bit as she wears out the rest of her energies.
After cleaning Melora up and getting her fed, all five adult felitaur curl up in a family sleeping pile. One a bit more intimate than the one at Copernicus's home, as all of these are mated to each other. Even Ceres helps cuddle and massage Melora to sleep as Copernicus rests along her back, gazing proudly at the two furballs suckling at her breast.