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 Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 12:13 pm
Bhima sat on the steps, fingers at her chin. Clearly the woman was lost in thought. A hand lifted to run back through the beginnings of her dreadlocks and she sighed. It was all a rather difficult decision. She had not once missed the festival on Chibale. It held many happy memories of their family when it was whole and now that she lived away from Mama Chike it felt necessary to join her in tradition. Chike would be terribly disappointed if Bhima decided to not come. It was recent events that made her worry, specifically the brief upheaval of racists in Andile and their attack on herself and Hijil. There was no way a Shifter would be allowed to attend, so then what? If she left Hijil alone, she may be in danger, but if she stayed it would be a great disappointment to her mother and potentially a regret of her own. Then of course there was the possibility of praying for children during the festival itself to sake the trip.
The Alkidike's face twisted and she closed her eyes.
Right. Only one of the toughest decisions of her life. It could be worse.
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Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 7:43 am
Hijil finished feeding the kinfa, brushing the shattered shells of nuts and the inevitable pulp from the messy eating of the voracious beasts. She could swear that they ate more and more every day – she bet that if she tried to measure it carefully, she would be able to see it increase, in a very distinctive way. She was so proud of them, growing up so well. One day, they would be strong enough to fly. And then, strong enough to carry her and Bhima in flight. It was a marvelous thought, one that made her happy as she thought it. Happier still was the idea that they might also carry her children – her and Bhima's children – into the sky as well. It was fitting in a beautiful, interlocking way – they had raised the kinfa, they would raise their children, and the kinfa and the children would be friends. She finished cleaning her hands, wiping off the gooey remnants of the kinfa's meal onto a cloth, and strode outside. Seeing Bhima musing on the steps, she sat down next to her and kissed her, her good mood apparent. “Everything all right?” she asked, smiling.
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Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 11:24 am
Bhima barely noticed her lover appear and sit down beside her. It was the kiss that wrenched her from her tortured musings and brought forth a smile. She would never take Hijil's presence for granted. She couldn't. It was just the average day now to see her face, to greet her, to walk with her, but for so long they had been apart. Every kiss was treasured and even their disagreements were a reminder that they had found each other again.
The Alkidike gave a soft sigh and turned to Hijil, touching her cheek.
"I don't know what to do about the festival on Chibale. What do you think?"
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Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 1:01 pm
Ah. That. Was it time already for that festival? Hijil had heard it mentioned frequently on her shadowed business in the town – shadowed not because of anything illicit about her business, but because she was still more comfortable staying out of the sight of the Alkidikes. She knew that the festival was important – integral, perhaps – to their culture and, not having much culture of their own, she sort of envied them having something so vital and shared. “What is the problem?” Hijil asked, “Do you want to go?”
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Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 1:19 pm
"There's a part of me that does." That was the traditional, family-bound part of her. Mama Chike would be going and if Bhima stayed behind it would be the first time she wasn't present. Then there was the other side. "The rest of me wants to stay with you and the kinfa. I don't like what my Sisters have done." Every time she thought she was leaning one way or the other, though, she felt a tug in the opposite direction. She wasn't sure what was the 'right' thing to do in this situation.
Bhima sat back and looped an arm around Hijil before leaning over to kiss her cheek.
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Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2015 8:33 pm
Hijil slid her hand over Bhima's, letting their fingers twine into the spaces between them. She could sort of understand Bhima's dilemma – she wanted to spend any time she could with Bhima. But she also knew where Bhima needed to be. “I think you should go.” she said, leaning against Bhima.
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Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 11:47 am
"Mm?" Bhima was admittedly a little bit surprised. Hijil had answered so readily that it almost seemed like she'd thought about this before. The Alkidike sighed and lifted Hijil's hand with hers, looking to them a moment, and then turning her head to face Hijil again.
"If I go, I could make our plea, you know." A soft smile creased her lips.
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Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2015 2:09 pm
The truth was, she had – it was something Hijil had thought she'd need to think about and to be certain in case Bhima asked. So, she had thought, and she was certain, and she had been able to say it without hesitation or nervousness. It was what she thought was best. Hijil blushed. “I know.” she said shyly – she had thought about that, indeed she had, “I'm sort of... hoping you do...”
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Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2015 2:11 pm
The truth was, she had – it was something Hijil had thought she'd need to think about and to be certain in case Bhima asked. So, she had thought, and she was certain, and she had been able to say it without hesitation or nervousness. It was what she thought was best. Hijil blushed. “I know.” she said shyly – she had thought about that, indeed she had, “I'm sort of... hoping you do...”
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Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2015 2:35 pm
Bhima's hesitant expression turned into an all-out grin. The thought of having children with her love was... exhilarating. It wouldn't be smart for Hijil to come with her, of course, she knew she'd have to go alone, so why not save the trip and only spend as long as absolutely necessary away from home?
"I wouldn't do it without your input," she admitted, and leaned in for a quick kiss. "So that's it, then. I should come home with two new little ones?" Her heart was pounding at the thought alone.
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2015 4:42 pm
“That would be wonderful, yes!” Hijil said, as if it was the most normal and casual thing in the world to say. Her imagination made it better; 'I'll be back in a bit with two bouncing babies don't forget to feed the birds!' Hijil laughed out loud at the thought and hugged Bhima, giddy with the concept that she... that they... would have children of their own. She'd be a good mother, she knew she would. She'd keep them fed and happy and safe, and she would hold them close and know that she was doing right by them. She'd never be alone. It was wonderful. “Well, you have it.” she kissed Bhima again, “And hopefully I'll have a surprise for you when you come home...” Oh, wait, if she warned her, would it still be a surprise? Did it matter?
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2015 4:56 pm
Bhima held Hijil in her arms a good long time during their hug, squeezing the Shifter perhaps even harder than usual. She was so warm so whole... yes. Yes, they would be wonderful parents. Their children would be strong and tolerant and powerful and loving. It hurt that Hijil couldn't safely make the trip with her, but it would all be worth it in the end. She returned the kiss just as strongly and played with Hijil's fingers.
"Will you?" she asked, hoping it wasn't the same surprise she had been planning. Then again, that might be a rather happy accident.
"Will they have names?" It might be hard to ferry two children home if they had no way to define themselves! Maybe she should commission an artist for a portrait of Hijil to show them... Probably 'them'. Two was the norm, so surely it would be two?
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Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2015 1:41 pm
“I will.” Hijil promised. At least, she hoped she would – her idea wouldn't be easy. But she would at least try, and if she failed, then she'd improvise a different surprise. She was sure that anything short of accidentally destroying their home would be welcomed. She clasped Bhima's hand, bringing their palms together. “Names? For the children? Ummm...” Bhima had caught her off guard with the question – she had been thinking about the children, sure – hugging them, tucking them into bed, reading them stories, giving them a good life. She could even imagine their faces – silvery skin and crystals, with eyes like Bhimas. Or, eyes like hers and interlocking markings. Always, always, smiles on their faces and joy in their eyes. But names? “I have no ideas...” Hijil admitted, “Maybe... hmm... No. No ideas... What about you?” she said, guiltily helpless, “Do you have any ideas? For names?”
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Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2015 2:40 pm
"Yes, for the children," she replied with a little laugh. Hijil had seemed surprised with the question but Bhima had been pondering over it for weeks now. Every time she imagined their children, something was different. Sometimes their skin was green and other times it was silver, their hair black or white, their eyes brightly-colored like her lover's or deep pools like her own. The only vision that could stand firm was their names, and she hadn't chosen any without Hijil's input.
"Well. If one is a girl, I thought perhaps 'Ishida?' That was my other mother's name. But I like Abeni too. Or Nena. I like the cute little names. If it's a boy... can you imagine us with a boy?" She laughed blissfully and looked up toward the sky. "I don't know, for a boy. Something strong." A male hybrid would have it even harder than a female in a world like this.
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Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2015 4:28 pm
“... I like them all...” Hijil said bashfully, “I think it would be nice to name one of them after your mother. I'd like it, too.” It would be another connection with Bhima's family, and it would honor her mother who Hijil was sure had been a great person. She wished she could have met her... Them? With a boy? Yes, actually, Hijil could imagine it very well. As well, in fact, as any of the others. “Maybe... um...” she thought for a moment, “No, I still have no ideas.” she said, mildly frustrated, “Maybe Abeni for him... it sounds like it would work for a boy, too...” She thought for a moment more, “Or Gamelen.” she said, clearly pleased with finally being able to suggest something, “That's strong, isn't it?”
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