[FweepFwopFwoop]

"What will you do?" Ashahn asked.

[Eskal]

"I...I don't know..."

[FweepFwopFwoop]

From an open window, out came a baby's cry.

[Eskal]

Valen froze as he heard the cry. "Arn...Arnwen!"

[FweepFwopFwoop]

One of the medics came outside and gestured for Valen to follow him.

[Eskal]

Valen nodded quickly and followed the medic, wringing Arnwen's bandanna in his hands.

[FweepFwopFwoop]

The medic brought Valen to a small room, and brought a baby to him. A girl, small, tiny, pale and poorly-fed. But alive, breathing, and crying. She handed him the baby. "Congratulations. It's a little girl. She's a tiny thing, but she seems spirited enough. Punched one of the medics."

[Eskal]

Valen blinked and held the child as though she was made of glass. "Wh..What of her father? Is Arnwen alright?"

[FweepFwopFwoop]

The medic looked down at her feet. "He... He didn't make it. The baby shouldn't have been born yet, but she couldn't stay within a dead womb."

[Eskal]

Valen only nodded. He sat down on a chair and looked down at his, their, daughter. He held her close and sobbed.

[FweepFwopFwoop]

The woman placed a sympathetic hand on Valen's shoulder. "I'm sorry. You can see his body, if you like."

[Eskal]

Valen nodded. He was then taken to another room. He knelt beside the bed and stroked Arnwen's hair. "I'm sorry...I promised you a life together..." His voice trailed off. "I'll take care of her," he finally said. "Just...Watch over us... And know that I love you, Arnwen." He kissed Arnwen's forehead and left the building to meet with the rest of the crew.
"Poor bastard didn't make it, huh?" Manon muttered.
"Whatcha gon name the baby?" Gorrister asked.
"Pearl," Valen croaked. "Her name is Pearl..."