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The past five years had gone by in a blur for Itotia. Traveling through Matori with Kres to find a home to call their own had been quite the experience. It took awhile for them to make their way through each Matori settlement, but at least Itotia knew Matori was where she wanted to be. After visiting Yael, seeing all the people wanting to explore Tendaji, she knew she needed a place where they would cross paths. It was where she'd establish her safehouse for those who struggled to adapt to the Tendaji ways.

Having Kres by her side helped quite a bit.

When they finally found a space in Baun, quant and lovely, Itotia was once again proud to have Kres by her side. He helped them build up the land, taking on odd jobs and still finding time to make their home. The Violet Strumaria was still but a dream for the Yaeli, but it was getting there.

And so was the idea of one day having children with the man she loved.

She didn't dare speak it out loud to Kres, knowing how much he wanted a large family similar to his own. She herself wanted to settle first, to establish her dancing hall and have a stable foundation for a future family. She never said no, but it was always a 'someday soon'.

It was amazing to think how the home represented her own growth. From being a scared, angry young dancer to now owning her own hall, expanding the empire that she fought hard for with Aseara. Smiles came easily to her more frequently these days, and she quickly pulled all the young dancers under her wing. It started off with some of the Red joining her, but soon they had newcomers, travelers looking to make a name for themselves both short and long term. She was happy to have a home for all, content with a safe haven that she never had when she was young.

That girl was a distant memory, and the Itotia now was strong, confident, and in love.

When the final walls came up of the new home, the small town celebrated the establishment. The new neighbors they made friends with, who Kres helped with odd jobs, came back to celebrate the success. It wasn't much of a celebration (which secretly Itotia was grateful for) but it was warm and friendly and full of a sense of community. There were hybrids, matori and obans and even some from across the oceans, and all took a chance to celebrate the night away. Itotia stood back, a smile on her face as she watched all of the different colors and personalities mingle as if there was no war, no danger, only peace.

And maybe, just maybe, it was.

She was a bit more stubborn than most to just ignore the lingering darkness from the past few wars, but she attempted to push past it whenever she had a moment. It was a work in progress, to accept these types of easy going experiences. But Itotia knew it was worth it.

As they began to build up their little community in the Violet Strumaria, Itotia continued to ponder what the future would hold. The past five years were challenging, rewarding, and enjoyable, but the future was something else. It was easy to think of family, but she needed to think about what else it meant. Would she stay here forever? Would she travel through Tendaji if/when she had someone able to manage the hall while she was gone? Would she be able to go home again or see the snow of Zena? Spend time with Aseara and see the kids she helped raise when her boss was off working? Would she be able to join Kres in seeing his family back in Jauhar?

She wanted to, she wanted to take her future family to see his, but she needed to focus on her now. The business needed to be stable before any ideas of an extended vacation could happen. Itotia was happy to have a job, a purpose again, but deep down she was happier to know she was working toward a future where she was safe and happy with a home.

Someday would come sooner than she would ever know, and for now she pushed those thoughts aside of late night dreaming. She had work to do, a business to run, and a legacy to establish. It was time for her to get to work.