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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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 Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2022 3:08 pm
(1/10)
Uzumati and Padma were officially declared married by an elder in the nearby settlement. She'd worn her hair down, donned her best shawl and dress, and sat to let Uzumati thread flowers through her hair, as she did the same for him. In the weeks leading up to it, she'd gone out of her way to find a ring for him - although she had given him a leather strap to wear it with, either for his wrist or neck, as she reckoned he wouldn't enjoy the feeling of it around his finger.
There was no ceremony to speak of - her father couldn't make it, due to the short notice, and her letter to Ujana probably hadn't even found her yet. But she was so eager to marry the man of her dreams that she didn't wait. A few familiar faces from the village were there to celebrate, and while they'd wanted to throw a feast, Padma had known Uzumati wouldn't enjoy it as much. Instead, they were given so many gifts! Meats, cheeses, supplies that were more than enough to ensure a fat and healthy winter - lumber, some supplies for their garden, and... reams of cloth. They'd been passed to Padma by a group of mothers, saying it would be 'best' to get started now, so that she wasn't overwhelmed when 'that day came'.
Padma guessed what they were alluding to, but had flushed a deep red and put it out of her mind, much to the laughter of the women around her.
Home life had been perfect. Of course, it was always perfect, even before, but now she found herself pausing to look at her ring, or Uzumati, and sometimes she sought him out wherever he was around their homestead just to kiss him or hold him tightly.
Any restraint they'd had around one another had long since fallen away.
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2022 3:50 pm
Husband and wife. Before getting married to Padma, Uzumati would have scoffed at the complexities of earthling customs. Now that he was actually married to the one who he loved more than anything else the man wouldn't change a thing. Even the ceremony had been intriguing, the beauty of it and the woman waiting for him with flowers in her hair breathtaking. It was a memory he would forever cherish and it was what gave him a smile even on the hardest of days.
It was nice that the villagers had come together with gifts for them. Uzumati found himself baffled at the idea before making certain to hunt extra after the ceremony so that he could gift everyone with furs, taking even more time to help with any last minute fixes to the houses before the winter set in. Of course eventually he would get shoved towards home so that he could spend time with his wife and enjoy their privacy while they could. The words skimmed over Uzumati's head and he had to wonder about what invasion he should be on the lookout for, the man had already cleared the area of roaming witu and the like after all. So why wouldn't they continue to have privacy? So strange.
Either way he shoved such worries to the side since he found himself easily distracted at home, the loving touches always catching him by surprise but making him flush with happiness. Uzumati would make certain to sneak kisses in return before darting off with the newest project as he prepared their home for the colder weather. He had already set the furs around their yard, the pelts scrapped free of anything extra and stretched out on the wooden frames to be softened. The extra supplies, including some of his favorite preserves, had already been tucked in their cellar to stay until winter. Uzumati had even repaired the fence around the gardens to keep out wandering creatures, the small plot from years ago now expanded into several different plots with a variety of herbs, vegetables and fruits growing throughout the seasons. It was going to be a good winter and Uzumati was excited to share his first winter with his wife. Even if they had lived together for years now something was just different, any sign of restraint and hesitation taken away after the ceremony.
Now he just needed to find Padma so that he could give her the basket of berries he had gathered while out and about the forest this morning. Since they had so many preserves from the villagers now Uzumati figured they could just enjoy them together while they were freshly picked.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2022 4:04 pm
(2/10) The suggestion had been made to Padma, clear as day, and yet she found herself dismissing the warnings all the same. It hadn't been that long since they'd been married, after all, and even then she'd seen plenty of women struggling to carry through the years, with her father being a healer and all. ... Of course, life in their homestead defied proper timekeeping, and what seemed like only a few weeks was closer to a few months, easily.
The day didn't start badly. She woke in a good mood, tired but cheerful, and had even settled for a light breakfast, knowing that Uzumati would likely be doing chores until mid morning anyway. It wasn't until she'd headed down from their house that something went ... wrong.
She was used to Uzumati tanning hides, you see. It was something he'd done from the start, long before they built their home together. She was used to the smell of flesh and blood as the animals were skinned, and of the unique blend rot and sour that clung to them as they dried.
But today, the smell hit her, and she couldn't even stop to breath before she was sick, all in the grass and plants at the base of their tree. When she was done, she stumbled to the well and hastily washed her face, sniffling with embarrassment - it had come so suddenly, and yet even now she felt the surge of nausea threatening to hit again!!
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2022 4:19 pm
Padma?
The basket of berries went crashing to the ground when Uzumati saw Padma stumbling around. What was wrong with her? Uzumati's expression was full of concern as he darted forward towards his wife. His emerald gaze studied her as he reached out a wary hand towards her back to comfort her, his hands rubbing small circles as he waited patiently by her side. Had she eaten something unpleasant or was it something else? He was quickly thinking back to everything that they had eaten while waiting to see what she would do next as they lingered around the well. Uzumati was afraid to move, afraid to leave just in case she needed him and so he stayed.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2022 4:23 pm
(3/10) It wasn't the first time one of them had been sick, while they'd been together - but even the last time, Uzumati had taken care of her. But having sniffles and a fever seemed much milder than this bout of sickness. "Oh!" She sighed, wiping at the reflexive tears in her eyes with the hem of her sleeve. "Uzu, dear, I just- the smell hit me so strongly- it's never been so bad before-"
She took a deep breath to settle herself, casting her eyes around for mint, wanting to freshen her breath. Only then did she notice the basket, discarded and ruined all because she'd--
Tears brimmed in her eyes, as suddenly the happy mood of the morning dissolved into what felt like hysteria. She'd ruined his surprise! She'd made him waste so much hard work--
"Oh no-- I'm so sorry, I can pick more for us. L-later--" She sniffled again, covering her face with her hands, overwhelmed.
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2022 4:34 pm
Uzumati's gaze stayed focused on Padma, his expression gentle as he continued rubbing circles on her back while she spoke. He had just been worried about her, but he hadn't thought about the pelts making her sick. Uzumati's expression fell as he glanced about, his mind already working out the best way to take everything quickly to another location. He could just walk the wooden stands to the other side of the clearing, downwind so that Padma wouldn't have to smell them. That would hopefully help.
And then she was crying. Uzumati's gaze widened with surprise and he found himself shaking his head quickly. It was fine, truly! Uzumati nearly panicked before bending over to pick up a handful of berries to offer them towards Padma. They could always pick more berries together later. "I'll fix." He noted as he gestured towards the stands. As soon as Padma took the berries he would begin moving them further away.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2022 4:42 pm
(4/10) Padma couldn't speak, so instead she nodded, taking the offered berries gingerly. Once he moved away, she stepped to a semi-circle of carved logs that were propped by a burnt out camp fire, settling on it, nibbling on the berries. Thankfully, the smell didn't reach her here and while her stomach felt tender, she was able to swallow a few, her tears slowing as she watched her husband work.
Guilt still hung like a noose from her neck, but the wave of sadness had passed and left her... confused. He'd put his tanning racks there for years - maybe never so many, since he'd made more racks to make fur gifts for their neighbors, but still...
Absent mindedly, she shifted her foot from her sandal and rubbed at her aching foot - only to stop, circling her hand testingly around her ankle. It was puffy - swollen and--
"Uzu, darling?" She called, voice quaking a bit, swallowing thickly as she set the berries aside and smoothed her juice covered fingers over her apron (which she normally wore for her chores anyway). "We can do that later, but - ah... can you take me into the village today instead?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2022 4:57 pm
Uzumati walked quickly so that he could take a couple of the stands to the other side of the clearing. The man's gut was twisted in worry but he was doing his best to remain calm so that Padma would not worry as much. She was already so upset and he didn't want to do anything to add to her stress. Uzumati was so focused on the task that he had already been preparing to take another when Padma suddenly called out to him.
Uzumati did not miss the shake in Padma's voice and the stand in his hands went clattering back towards the ground so that he could rush to her side. Padma had been sick before but the fact that she was asking to go into the village had the man on high alert. There was no questioning, no hesitation, nothing to risk his wife's life as Uzumati promptly just picked her up in his arms. They could deal with the pelts and the spilled berries later! He had to get Padma to town as soon as possible! Securing Padma in his arms, Uzumati began walking swiftly towards the forest path that would take them straight into town.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2022 5:01 pm
(5/10) Padma jumped just a bit, biting her lip when the racks went clattering to the ground. But Uzumati was sweeping, like some sort of avenging spirit, across the courtyard, and Padma raised her arms to him, trusting implicitly that he wouldn't drop her as he swept her up into his grip.
In some ways, she'd never got used to just how strong and tall he was compared to her own narrow, petite frame - how secure and safe she felt in those muscular, scarred arms. She settled into him, resting her face against the junction of his chest and shoulder as he walked, trying to wave off that prickle of guilt.
"It's not... um... it could be nothing. Maybe a cold. I just - there's ... a... a thing that my father treated, a few times, that I... um. It's not ... life threatening? So please don't be too worried-" She said, in a nervous rush, her hand idly playing with a lock of his hair as he walked.
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2022 5:09 pm
"Mmm." Uzumati made the noise low in his throat at Padma's reassurances. He wasn't panicking...he was just walking really quickly towards town like there was a fire behind them. There was nothing wrong, just a delicate wife who was sick and he didn't want to lose....so no need to panic. Uzumati's chest tightened at the thought but he kept his mouth closed as he focused instead on just keeping hold of Padma, tucking her close against his chest as to avoid bumping her too much while he sprinted towards the town.
Thankfully the man was familiar with the path and already knew the best shortcuts. Within an hour they had arrived and the buildings that once suffocated him gave him a feeling of hope. "Healer?" He asked blinking as he glanced about. He was not too familiar with where the healer was and so would have to rely upon Padma's guidance. If it was something her father had treated then surely she recognized it, but to ask him to take her to town? It was still worrisome even though he tried his best to stay collected and not bounce between the buildings as he waited for Padma's guidance.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2022 5:15 pm
(6/10) As Uzumati walked, Padma had an hour to puzzle over how badly she was screwing this up. If this was what she thought it could be, she didn't want the memory associated with panic. She should have just sat back, enjoyed the day, and gone into town the next day once she'd calmed down. But... even now, she knew that the uncertainty would kill her, she wouldn't have been able to wait that long!
The second problem, was that as they got into town a few villagers, who knew them well at this point and had been at their celebration saw them come into town, their faces concerned at first - then amused. A few men called after Uzumati, telling him 'not to be in too big a hurry'. Padma flushed and hid her face against his shoulder again, embarrassed but also reassured, because - because now all the teasing made sens, and maybe, just maybe--
She guided Uzumati to the hut she was familiar with. She brought herbs and poultices and other supplies here regularly, and the middle aged woman came out to greet them, arching a brow at them, smiling fondly. "Put her down right here, young man. There we are. Tea? It's a long walk into town, isn't it?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2022 5:38 pm
Uzumati's expression shifted, his arms tightening over Padma protectively as he brushed off the teasing and continued on towards the hut. While everyone else seemed to have a general idea of what was going on the man was completely in the dark. For all he knew Padma had some serious illness and they were all jokes and smiles! Uzumati's nose wrinkled at the thought before the healer came out to greet them. He hesitated at first before slowly letting go of Padma so that she could sit on the floor.
While he nodded at the offer of tea, Uzumati only moved a step backwards so that he could linger nearby to be ready in case Padma needed him. His emerald gaze was full of worry as he continued to steal peeks at her while glancing about the room. Surely the older woman would know what was going on, right? Padma seemed to have an idea as well but she wasn't saying anything which also worried Uzumati. Did she think he couldn't handle whatever sickness it was?
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2022 5:45 pm
(7/10) Thankfully, the healer didn't keep them waiting for too long. She beckoned what was either her assistant of her preteen daughter to go make the tea while she guided Padma to sit. The sage softly explained what she'd been feeling - about the smells, then feeling so sad before and then... with a guilty glance towards Uzumati, that her feet were swollen.
The healer smiled and nodded along, pulling stone runes from a pouch at her hip. "Alright, dear - stay still now."
Padma held her breath as the woman brought forth magic into the stones, which glowed a pale gentle silver where the runes were carved into them. Then, her hand swept the glow towards Padma's belly - where it flared gold.
Padma's breath caught, while the healer only nodded, tucking her runes away. "Congratulations, dears! That glow means that you are with child. Let me get some things ready for you... give you a chance to talk. Your tea." The young girl passed them their drinks, before they both stepped out of the room, murmuring quietly to eachother. In the other room, the apprentice darted here and there, gathering what looked to be supplies for them - while Padma sat, a hand over her belly, the tea forgotten on the seat beside her. "Oh my..."
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2022 5:53 pm
Magic. Thankfully Uzumati had gotten more comfortable with the strangeness of such things because of Padma, but seeing the healer using it near his wife made him tense up. It was so hard to not fall into old habits, to growl quietly in his throat as a warning before moving forward, but Uzumati settled for twisting his hands together instead of causing chaos in the room. It took a lot of restraint, so much so that he almost missed exactly what the older earthling said. Uzumati's gaze jerked towards Padma as the words slowly registered.
With child?
Uzumati found himself sinking towards the floor. He had heard enough earthlings say the words, the others teasings at the ceremony and the more recent smiles making a lot more sense now. "Child." He repeated blinking several times before glancing towards Padma. If she was with child....and they had been together then did that mean they were going to be....what was the word? "Parents." The word came out almost like a sigh of disbelief as he just looked at Padma, shock but not disappointment written clearly across his features.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2022 5:59 pm
(8/10) Padma knew how she felt about it, but that didn't stop the shock from settling over her. It wasn't as if it was ... too early, per se. They'd been together for years, even if they'd only been married a short few months. Her sister had had children a long time ago and - she was well into her adult years, after all...
Children weren't necessary for her and Uzumati to be happy. They'd been so happy already - but she still felt a thrill of happiness and pride that it was true, that what had seemed scary earlier in the day was something so simple, natural, and GOOD.
But - then Uzumati slumped to his knees, and almost immediately Padma surged forward from her seat, draping her arms around his shoulders, tucking him close into her torso. She ducked down enough to kiss the top of his head, just - cradling him, reassuringly, as she could. "It's - it's not too soon, is it? Our home is plenty big enough and - you'll be a great father, Uzumati, I know you will - " Padma soothed, biting her lip as she smoothed her hand over his hair again. "Are you alright?"
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