Text ; username: shannaro

[creationrebirth]

[ After much consideration, she's decided to put herself out there and do a little research. Of course the matter is a personal one and she's a little embarrassed, so she'll hide behind text and her role as a doctor. ]

Has anyone here ever thought about having children? It's not as if there aren't children here, it's just seems that they all belong to native families.

From a medical standpoint, I've been wondering if it's possible, but if not I want to figure out what's making it impossible. Or is everyone just on really good birth control?

Thoughts? Has anyone looked into this before? Did you find anything useful?

Comments

Private Video: UN - Runeseeker (Talk of death, some body horror and general angst)

[onerthes]

[... So, to say that Vira-Lorr came from a life where everyone was just a tiny bit concerned about having kids would be the understatement of the millenium. It was kind of integral to a century long war and Armageddon. So, this whole thing came with a bit of baggage.]

I'd prefer to keep this conversation private. It's not always a comfortable topic for me.

In the Nightmare, we were not truly in our bodies. I am quite certain of it. When I was trapped in a state of death for a time, I only returned to wholeness when I actually found my slumbering body right before the end. Assuming that wasn't yet another nightmarish hallucination. But we were in a dream, and I think that's why nobody could get pregnant. Not the Wastes. Not us.

We are bodily here. Squid bodies that can transform to be like our original bodies are nevertheless bodies. I suspect we are similar to the Pthumerians, but I don't like telling anyone this. I don't think we ARE one of them, but I think there's similarities. So it might be possible, but nobody's looked into it much. And, well, I was married to a young woman so it was not a first conversation for the two of us.

Though, I would be lying if I said I don't think about it. I've wanted a child for a long time.

There is a remote possibility that, if we are similar to the Pthumerians, there might be a ritual component. I've seen how they mate. All pureblood Pthumerians are female, and reproduce with one gender and a unique ritual that they used. I witnessed it in Mother Mercy's memories, and I can show you. It is possible that something similar might be done here.

Of course, as with anything here, there is probably risk and no guarantee of success.

[creationrebirth]

Sakura is taking it all in, writing down the basics into a notebook for later reference. The idea of it requiring a ritual sounds plausible, since everything here seemed to work that way. ]

I see. In some ways a dream world seems to make more sense than being born of the sea with squid bodies. I've wondered how that ties us to our own worlds as well. Are we truly here or are our minds perhaps temporarily taking up residence in these bodies. If we are here how do we even get home?

Yes please. I'd be interested in seeing the ritual. There are truly no men involved? Is that by choice or necessity, I wonder.

[ Though she doesn't like to think of not having her husband involved. ]

And I think you'd make a good mother, just so you know.

text; un: price is right

[tagartist]

if we had babies, the afterbirth picutres would probably look like this:



which is enough for me to not wanna try. not that i was gonna anyway, i want absolutely nothing to ever come out of my hoo-ha, but like, you know, extra "nope" insentive.

[creationrebirth]

That's...delightful.

Though a bit of a stretch, as none of the children here look like that, whatever their origin.

[ She just wants to go home. ]

private audio; un: taka

[retsuden]

... You're still worrying, aren't you?

[creationrebirth]

[ Worrying? Her? Never. ]

Isn't it worth researching?

text; un: polaris

[anbaric]

[ asriel is probably the last person that should weigh in on this topic, but it interests him from an academic perspective. ]

This is an unstable existence. Even our physical forms are not stable and the recent Shedding Ceremony comes to mind. What would happen if such a process were to occur to someone carrying a pregnancy? I am no medical doctor, but I should think the combination of a highly stressful and actively dangerous environment and the biological flux inherent in simply existing as a Sleeper would be sufficient evidence to explain why it is highly improbable.

I do not think it is impossible. However, I think the lengths one would have to go to in order to succeed may ask a higher price than most are willing to pay. We are living in a world where blood magic is at the heart of everything, after all.

text; un: boneadept

[necrosaint]

[ and he has inspired harrow to chime in! sorry, sakura. ]

Indeed, I changed species. And while I believe my current physical state means I cannot have children, my form when undergoing the Shedding technically could have.

Which is ... somewhat bizarre and disconcerting, considering how long I may or may not have stayed like that. As it is now my identity is somewhat uncomfortably blurred between the two, which is scientifically fascinating all on its own, really. If someone wanted to try I would certainly be game to help see what we might be able to do, as a necromancer and as a blood minister. But I do agree it would be notably difficult.

cw: pregnancy details

[creationrebirth]

You bring up an interesting point with the shedding ceremony and I agree that our existence here is unstable. While highly stressful and dangerous situations are rarely pregnancy deterrents, I do think the biological flux could be a contributor. I'm not entirely convinced though.

What comes to my mind, is that pregnancy is an entire physical transformation itself. The entire immune system changes, blood gets rerouted, and organs are rearranged. In fact, the body goes to war against the fetus to ensure that it's capable of survival. It could be that if these bodies we are currently using were able to create and host a pregnancy that there would be things that were biologically put into place to stabilize the physical form.

I agree that it's improbable and probably would require some sort of ritual. If it were completely impossible though, what purpose would there be for women to have a monthly cycle?

Text UN: ClickClickBloom

[onekindsoul]

Hasn't really crossed my mind up until now.

It is kind of weird that it would be impossible, right?

If people can't like get the job done as ourselves?

Maybe it has something to do with our squid forms?

I don't know I'm just throwing out ideas now.

[creationrebirth]

I think your in good company. It's probably a rare consideration in any capacity.

It does seem weird, especially considering at least women have a reproductive cycle.

The squids are a common theme, so it may relate back to that. A ritual is another thing that I keep hearing about.

[Private][Audio][UN:A_Wesker013][CW: Parental separation mentioned]

[subject_013]

[A throaty baritone voice speaks.]

To answer the latter half of your enquiry: It appears that we as Sleepers, by our nature, are unable to reproduce. It appears to tie into the Blood Magic that dominates the landscape of this world. I say this as a Blood Minister at the Lumenarium.

[A pause, a harassed sigh off link, then a rustle as if the speaker had turned back to the device.]

Pardon the outburst. This is... a delicate matter for me, so I should apologize in advance for any further lapse of propriety.

To answer the first half of your enquiry, I have considered fathering children. In my world of origin, I had, as I somewhat recently discovered, fathered a now grown son whom I'd never had the chance to meet, not till he washed up here. Even before that chance encounter, and following an incident where I had been exposed to a mutagenic agent - an incident which happened after my son's conception - I'd wondered if I could still further my bloodline and if the mutations that have redefined my person could be transmitted to my offspring. Unfortunately, that's a question which will remain unanswered.

Voice

[creationrebirth]

Oh? I didn't really get the impression that you had an outburst, so no need to apologize.

How does it tie into the Blood Magic? I'd be interested to see your studies if you have them and were willing to share with a medical professional. I'd considered the Blood Magic, but then again, women here still follow a reproductive cycle. In fact, in my own research I've learned it's seen as a sacred here. It's something that's made me consider whether it's impossible or simply improbable and difficult achieve.

I think if conception were possible, we would have to consider that whatever has redefined or mutated our bodies here might be passed on.

It must be nice to have your son here. Apparently, I'll eventually have a daughter back home.

un: AskMalice, text

[slayerskiss]

...Yeah, just going to go out on a limb and say that trying to spawn out brand new baby squids in this place is a pretty terrible idea.

[creationrebirth]

It doesn't sound very pleasant if that's the bottom line. However, I think it may be more complicated than that. The squid to human connection seems unbalanced though and no one has figured out that connection yet.

text; @skywalker

[facultative]

I already have enough kids.

[And grandkids.]

[creationrebirth]

Oh? How many?

Did you have them here?

text. un: erwin.smith.

[theomachy]

I spend much of my time in the library investigating and researching this place, but I haven't seen much of note about the concept of sleepers conceiving and birthing while here. I also wasn't looking for it though, as I've no intent to have children of my own.

While it's not in my personal goals, I wouldn't mind digging a little deeper for that in particular when next I go.

[creationrebirth]

Yeah, I doubt it's something most people are keeping an eye on. The library is full of so much information, I'd really appreciate the help searching through it.

Thank you for your offer.

Text | un: londonstar

[slightlytaller]

That's a question I hadn't thought about before.

To answer the easy one: I never really considered having children as a viable option, given my life situation. However, I chose to be a teacher to help young people have a better chance at growing up than I had.

Take that how you will.

In regards to actual reproduction... I imagine it would be quite different from what we are familiar with. We are Technically Squid now, and it's possible some methods related to that biological shift are involved.

... I don't personally relish the idea of taking care of a clutch of eggs, and my understanding is that Cephalopods have a very high mortality after they successfully breed.

[creationrebirth]

I am trying to improve the lives of our youth back home as well and it's not easy. I have high respect for those who educate children.

That seems to be the common thought, and it makes a certain amount of sense.

I agree with you on that. It's not a means of birth that I would desire in any way. The idea of having my physical form, but somehow birthing a bunch of squids is a big deterrent.

Text; UN: Filledwithsunshine

[onebadapple]

Oh, I wish I could have a big, big family once I'm married. I've always wanted a giant family with lots of children.

[creationrebirth]

Me too. It would be wonderful to have a lot of children and raise a big family. Sometimes I feel like this place is holding me back from getting that.

Did you ever think about how many you'd want?

text; un: clarke

[romancekiller]

It's not something I've thought about really. It doesn't sound like it'd be a good idea though especially here. [she is too young for that but also with the whole thing about being squids, who knows how that would even turn out]

text; UN: Dovahkiin

[fusrodaaaah]

maybe we are supposed to adopt the children here

but I do not know I am not a healer

text; UN: shiro

[shiro2hero]

I am probably the least helpful here but...

I kind of agree with what else I'm seeing. That being squids/sleepers has something to do with it. I know no one ever had kids while we were in the Dream too, but... that was the Dream.



Adoption has crossed my mind here. But - on the other hand... I wouldn't want a kid to lose their parent to the ocean. And

and I don't know if I could lose another kid to it, either.