when the white winds blow [ota]

[theladyofwinterfell]

WHO: Sansa Stark
WHERE: around the settlement, hospital, her home
WHAT: THE BABY IS HERE
WHEN: May 6-May 9
WARNINGS: n/a




001. labor

The baby keeps Sansa awake more often than not and today is no exception. She wakes well before dawn and simply starts walking. Walking is the only thing that eases the pain in her back these days and so she makes her way in circuitous loops around and around the livable and workable areas of their settlement. She goes toward the hospital, the agriculture center, back around to where she lives and when she's done it once, she does it again.

The pain gets worse and worse as the day goes on, bad enough that she has to sit for long stretches and just grind her teeth to bear it. She knows her son will be coming soon but she has no idea how soon. She knows her lady mother labored for two days with Rickon, after all, so this might take an age. It's only when she feels that she's relieved herself without trying that she imagines it's time to actually go to see Altair. There's someone near her, thankfully, so she calls out to them.

"Help? I believe I may actually be having my child and I need to get to Altair. Immediately."

002. hospital

Delivering children is a messy, painful experience. Even though she's in good hands with Altair and having Wanda and Tyrion calms her, it's still something she hadn't been prepared for until it had truly started happening. She has an easy labor though, from what she can tell, and when her son comes into the world she thinks everything was worth it. James Kit Lannister comes into the world screaming endlessly and there's no question he's a healthy boy.

Sansa's brow is still damp with sweat and she knows she looks a fright but as soon as the child is clean and swaddled, he's in her arms where she can soothe him and love him. She has some experience with babes, considering she'd been old enough when Rickon had been born to fancy herself a proper little mother, but it's different when it is one's own.

His mouth is full and the wisps of hair on his head are reddish blonde. She has no idea if he'll turn Lannister gold or her own Tully red but he's beautiful all the same. His eyes are dark and Sansa imagines they'll turn blue, as hers are, but there's no telling with a babe this small.

She never wants to let him go.

003. a party

Once she's home and feeling much better, Tyrion plans a party so anyone might come to see her and James and wish them well. It's a small affair, given what little they've found in the way of edible and attractive food, but Sansa is glad for it all the same. To announce it, she announces in a video over the network and the child has a starring role as he fusses in her arms.

I would like to share the arrival of my son, James Lannister, and invite anyone who wishes to come to a small party that Tyrion and I are having. We would love to have you.

Comments

labor/probably waiting room shenanigans

[in_extremis]

Of course Tony was nearby. They kept similar schedules, enough that by this night he had started to think he could anticipate her route, spotting Sansa carefully making her way into town as he crossed to the library campus, then breathing through her aches as she made her way back toward home and he emerged with more components over his shoulder. He had his bounty tonight, sparse, the selection on the first floor dwindling to useless and not eager to test the upper floors in the dark, and had detoured to head closer to Sansa's home before turning in, sure she should have been ahead of him by now. But she was taking her time on her way up toward the fountain...

He had just looked over his shoulder again, turning on his heel to walk backward and try to squint through the dark, sure he should have seen her by now if something hadn't held her up. There was already an anxious panic starting to tighten around his chest when he heard the call, making him spin and search up ahead wildly. She must have sat down again, he hadn't seen the movement in the dark and had to run by instinct toward the sound. He came skidding to a halt in front of Sansa, throwing up dust from the road and flinging his bag carelessly into the ditch, crouching before he had found his balance and hitting a knee. "Hey!" he greeted, bright and breathless, "Morning! I don't know what we're feeling. What's the mood, mama?"

[theladyofwinterfell]

Tony had slid in toward her in quite a bit of commotion and it distracts her from her pain enough because she's laughing so hard. When she gets control of herself again, she answers Tony's question.

"I do believe my son is coming into the world today," Sansa says, rubbing at her lower back. "Things have actually started to hurt today and while I've had aches and pains, this is different. I've been walking to see if the pain relieves and it hasn't broken yet. Still, my lady mother told me it was good to walk when I was close to my time."

[in_extremis]

"Yeah, I..." Tony gestured vaguely back the way he had come, both hands jumping excitedly, "heard that part." That wasn't helpful information or movement from Tony, he knew that, but he didn't exactly come running with a tactic at the ready. Sansa was still talkative, though, that had to mean something good, and Tony managed the flash of a grin before looking the other way down the road, toward Sansa's house. That was the opposite way they should have been going, right? "Like, today, now?" he had to confirm, a little hopeful that he wasn't really in that particular dilemma, and her first call had perhaps been a little overdramatic. "Is dad awake? Should I get him? Am I supposed to stay with you?" he walked through out loud, so he could at least share the problem even if there weren't any confident answers.

[theladyofwinterfell]

"I don't think it's happening right now if it makes you feel any better. My lady mother labored two days with my youngest brother. I know the babe will come soon but I haven't had the other signs yet. If you'd like to walk with me back home, though, we could rouse Tyrion and let him know?"

Sansa pauses for a second. "You can't let him think it's an emergency. Tyrion's lady mother died giving birth to him and he's worried about me. He doesn't want to lose me to childbirth. I've been trying to be strong for him so he isn't afraid so we cannot frighten him, all right? We should just tell him it's likely going to be today."

[in_extremis]

It did make him feel a little better, but Tony wasn't sure he was any less panicked than he was when he heard Sansa call 'immediately'. The circumstances weren't significantly changed, just the timetable. Sansa's confidence in what her body was doing was going to get them all through this, and it was a relief to hear her calm expectations.

And she was going to have to be the calm one, from the sound of it. Tony was only going to feed into Tyrion's pessimism if it was up to him to deliver this news. "Sure, yeah," he started, and offered an arm for Sansa to take as much as she needed to get steady on her feet and get them moving to the house. Carrying her was risky, right? Right. Probably. "I don't think a strange man in his room is going to give that kind of, not an emergency, everything is normal, energy we're going for. Do you have a bag ready? Tell you what, you're in charge of Tyrion, all you have to do is get him on board and enjoy each other and take your time, you just have to tell me what to get and it will be ready for you." 'Get to Altair' had to mean the hospital, so they must have had a plan in place for Tony to help execute.

hospital

[seeingscarlet]

It's a special kind of agony for Wanda to sit there and watch the sister of her heart be in so much pain and be unable to do anything about it. Or, anything safe about it - her illusions have no use here. But she doesn't share Tyrion's anxieties. Sansa's not going to die from this. She's not. Wanda trusts Altair, and in this especially she trusts her own powers. They've always been more potent where the people she cares about are concerned.

So instead she keeps wiping Sansa's brow with a cool cloth, murmurs encouragements, offers her ringless (for once) hands to hold when needed, and gives whatever assistance Altair needs. And as soon as the baby is born and there is no longer any productive reason for Sansa's pain, Wanda springs into action. She takes up an unobtrusive place by Sansa's hips and lets her power flow into her friend. It's a warm, tingly sensation, and while it's not an instantaneous process, she can compress months of physical healing into the space of a little more than five minutes.

She glances up from her work, since it's mostly a passive process of letting Sansa's body take what it needs from her, and smiles warmly. And those are definitely tears of joy at the corners of her eyes. "I'm so proud of you, Sansa. You did it."

[theladyofwinterfell]

Wanda's touch on her body immediately starts drawing the pain away and Sansa sighs a bit, exhausted from what she's been through. When Wanda says that she is proud of her, she gives her a bit of a wobbly smile.

"I got through this," she murmurs. "And I have a beautiful son now. I have a son that will be loved and cherished by so many people."

Hospital

[beholding_archivist]

There is a not insignificant part of Jon that has dreaded this event. Not because he knew he would be useless, but because he is very aware that he is one of the last people trapped on this planet that should be working at a hospital of all places. He has no medical qualifications or magical abilities to do any healing. Instead, all his instincts tell him to find a suitable victim and draw out their deepest fears...

Childbirth is bound to come with a heavy, underlying fear of potentially losing that child. It's a fear always present in parents even if there is no acute danger present. The more they love their child, the happier they are, the deeper rooted is that dread of potential loss and the stronger it will bloom should actual danger arise.

During the birth itself, Jon finds himself outside the door the event takes place, staring at it with quietly clenched teeth and too aware of the anxiety on the other side. It's heavy and not merely the fear of potential loss from the mother, but there is Altair's own anxiety and that of the woman Jon isn't familiar with. And all he wants is to step inside and soak it all in - And he hates it.

It's a few hours after the child is born and both Sansa and her boy are settled in their room when Jon knocks gently at the door before pushing it open and stepping inside, carrying a hot mug of tea and looking about as misplaced as he feels. He still offers a short nod as he walks over to set down the tea.

"G-good evening." He says cautiously. "I'm Jon and... I'm afraid Altair has retired for the night. If there is anything y-you need... Just let me know."

[theladyofwinterfell]

Sansa doesn't know the man who has come to bring her tea and genuinely, after Wanda has taken her pain from her and all she has is to concentrate on her new son, she feels as if she's a new woman. She smiles at him and motions him in, happy to let him visit now that she's covered and there's no chance of him seeing anything.

"My brother's name is Jon," Sansa says, giving him a soft smile. "And you needn't be worried about coming in. I feel perfectly fine and James is sleeping at the moment."

[beholding_archivist]

"Ah, I just... It would be rude to not at least announce my presence." Jon explains with a slight tip of his head "The hospital gets very quiet at night." As not rarely he is the only one around while most others are sleeping.

"But I see you are doing well." Which is good. Having healthy patients is preferable than the opposite. Especially in a case like this one.

[theladyofwinterfell]

"It wouldn't have been rude either way but I'm glad you've come. I didn't want very many people here while I gave birth because they could see things but now I am properly covered up. I don't mind the visit."

Sansa motions to the chair next to the bed she's been given. "You could even stay a while, if I'm not keeping you from anything?"

2/hospital

[stillgotmyleftarm]

Bucky knows better than to try to get into someplace he's not needed before he's needed there. It might be hard to wait, but this isn't about him, and he at least expects to be waiting for some time.

But as soon as Sansa's allowed visitors, you can bet he's pushing into the room, eyes falling on Sansa and the newborn and unable to keep the wide grin off his face. "Hey, Sansa," he says, clearly happy but also softly, not wanting to disturb her or the baby. "Congratulations, beautiful."

[theladyofwinterfell]

Sansa feels a bit tired and very sweaty so the beautiful comment is one that she laughs off and shakes her head at. She cannot possibly be beautiful in this very moment, even if she normally is considered quite beautiful.

"You're here to flatter me, Bucky. It doesn't go unappreciated, I assure you, but I know it's flattery. Would you like to come meet James?"

[stillgotmyleftarm]

Well, that's just silly - she is absolutely beautiful, even if Bucky does like to flatter, regardless. Still, "It's true," he points out. "You're pretty much glowing."

And also, "Yeah," he says, a little softer, more subdued. "Yeah, I really would." He moves quietly across the room, not wanting to startle the baby. He's been around kids, but never one that was literally just born. It feels special and precious, for so many reasons. "He's healthy and everything?"

[theladyofwinterfell]

"Very much so," Sansa says quietly. For his part, James is asleep and his lower lip is poking out just a bit as he does. It's hard to tell who babes resemble and the only thing Sansa has determined so far is that little James has a cap of reddish blonde hair on his head and long eyelashes, not unlike Tyrion's.

"I think he rather looks like a James. I thought about Buchanan but I imagined neither you nor my Knight of Winter would appreciate that very much. It is a rather singular name, after all."

hospital

[kallig]

It had went well. Altair had been as prepared as he could be, but there had been fear in him, that it wouldn't. There was always the risk of unforeseen complications, after all, no matter how prepared he was.

But it had gone well, and Sansa had had her child.

Altair was happy to have helped bring new life into the world. He could sense Sansa's emotions, her love for her baby, and it had filled him with joy too. He could sense the child too- healthy, strong- and it took a weight off of him that he hadn't even really known was there. However chaotic things have been lately, he was happy about this.

After everything was done, he'd pulled back to let Wanda heal Sansa in a way he couldn't, as healing anyone else through the Force was not something the Sith Academy had taught him, and to let Sansa and her son be surrounded by only those who were closest to them. Tyrion, Wanda. It wasn't his place to intrude, and honestly, he needed a breather, too.

It would be about an hour later that he came to check on her and her child- bringing something for Sansa to drink, and a gift he'd made for her child- a stuffed animal he'd crocheted himself.

"I didn't have time to say it earlier, but you did so well, Sansa. And congratulations, as well. I can sense how happy you are, and your love for your son."

[theladyofwinterfell]

Of anyone to be grateful to, Sansa believes she is most grateful to Altair. He'd helped her through her labor and ensured that both she and her son were healthy and safe. She will never be able to repay him for his service and kindness toward us and she certainly doesn't expect him to bring a gift.

"It was you who did so well. My body knew what to do but you knew how to keep us safe. I will never be able to thank you enough for helping James and I through this. You made sure this birth didn't claim either of our lives. It's...women in Westeros never get such care."

[kallig]

"I... Well, I don't feel like I did enough, but... I'm glad I could help you both."

He just wished he could have found a way to take her pain away, too. He'd sensed it as he'd worked, and he wished the hospital had had the right drugs for pain management. Sansa had managed to get through it, though. And he was proud of her for that.

"I'll want to check up on you both, of course. Though I can come to your home for check-ups."

No need for Sansa to trek all the way to the hospital. No, this time should be spent just enjoying her time with her son, with Tyrion, and her closest friends. Altair could come to them to make sure both Sansa and James remained healthy.

[theladyofwinterfell]

“I’ll make sure there’s plenty of tea ready for you whenever you come to check in on us. You’re not just a doctor, Altair. You’re a treasured friend as well. I would be honored to host you in my home regardless of whether or not you’re there to check in on our health.”

James fusses a little and Sansa shifts him in her arms before she looks at Altair. “I know that you technically held him first but would you like to hold James? He’s a little fussy just now and I could calm him but I imagine you could too.”

003

[out_of_order]

Given he's had little experience with babies, Cal had opted to wait, knowing that at least Sansa and her child would be in good care. It gave him some time to finish up the little project he and BD-1 had taken up, so by the time the formal announcement is made, the gift is ready.

"Sansa? Tyrion?" he calls out after knocking. BD-1 peers from over his shoulder like an over-eager parrot. "You eager to see the baby in person too, huh BeeDee?" Cal chuckles.

[theladyofwinterfell]

Sansa is ensconced on the sofa when Cal comes in and she motions him close so that he might be able to see James and talk with them for a moment. She is glad for all the visitors who have come, truly, and she beams whenever she gets a chance to show off her son.

"Come see him. He's the most beautiful child I've ever seen but I also know I'm biased. My son, after all."

James, for his part, looks up with sleepy blue eyes and stretches just a bit, wriggling in Sansa's arms.

[out_of_order]

A smile crosses the padawan's face as he and his droid pal are invited to draw closer.

"Hey... I'd ask how you're doing, but I think it's pretty obvious," he laughs, after giving a slight bow of his head in greeting. "Well, I think you have every right to be biased about it. But I'm not arguing."

Cal stoops a little as he and BD-1 look down at baby James. The droid hoots and whistles softly as he tilts his head at the child.

[theladyofwinterfell]

James stretches a little and looks up at the droid with wide eyes. Sansa suspects he can't see much, small as he is, but it's nice to pretend he can see BD-1 and is fascinated with him. She was, when she first saw him.

"He doesn't sleep and he's hungry all the time but I'd prefer that over anything else. He seems to be in perfect order even if that perfection means I'll never sleep again."

002

[sidearmed]

All the Soldier knows is that the redhead's direwolf comes bounding up to him one day. It's still a little weird, but the wolf follows him around infrequently, so not weird enough to ignore. Normally, she just wants him to scratch behind her ears, or throw a stick for fetching purposes. Today, though, she's really insistent. Prances a few feet, then turns and yips. Of course, she has to do so repeatedly until he wishes up and realizes he's supposed to follow her.

And that's how Sansa's hospital room gets invaded by one (1) slightly rattled-looking assassin and one (1) super smug wolf. His first words are, "Are you ill?" followed half a heartbeat later once he's sized up the situation with, "Oh."

[theladyofwinterfell]

Sansa has to laugh when she sees Lady come in with James. It seems her direwolf is still having distancing issues when it comes to giving him space to process both his new surroundings and people who know him that he's never met and has no memory of. Her heart is glad to see him, especially with his namesake in her arms, but she is worried about coming on too strongly.

"I see she's still insistent. No, I'm not ill. I just had the baby, is all, and I'm resting now. I would love it if you stayed a while but I understand if it's a bit too much for you just now."