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(1/10)

Even after years living in Belrea, there hadn't been much opportunity to truly enjoy the festivities. The boys had been young, mourning the move away from their old home, and Asa's health had only declined, and in those early years if there was celebration to be had Ygraine was more likely to be earning the extra coin working it than to be on the other side. But things were different these days. Their boys, for one, were getting older, were spending much of their time in Belrean classes with teachers. Asa's health, while not necessarily better, had improved enough with Uquin's care that Asa was working as a healer himself, and they'd been stable enough to get some extra coin in the household.

She'd hoped that the boys would want to come along, but almost as soon as they got to the festival grounds they'd disappeared, off to explore together or with friends, leaving Asa and Ygraine alone.

Her silver hair was tugged up into a bun, locked in place with pins; her gauntlets and armor was left at home, and instead she'd dressed down in a cream colored dress with admittedly sloppy blue and pink embroidered flowers, done by her own hand. "No matter how many years we stay here, I don't think I'll ever get used to Belreans making things explode for fun." She said, dryly, inclining her head down towards her husband.

(2/10)

Sometimes, it still felt so strange to realize where they were in their lives. Asa wasn't the same beaten down, sad-eyed boy she'd once known, and Ygraine wasn't quite the same fearless, optimistic girl she'd been either. She mourned the peace of mind she'd once hand, where she naively thought that love and appreciation would defeat her husband's illness, but she felt that it helped her appreciate all the more the days they had where he was thriving.

Even if, most days, she wanted to drag him home where he could rest, without straining himself. She often disapproved of him going out for work, worrying for him, even if she understood his need to be active and helpful.

"Hmm, well. I'd like a little warning so I don't jump out of my skin." Ygraine returned with a laugh, slipping their arms together, locking her wrist in the crook of his elbow, painted fingers lightly resting on his sleeve. He looked so very handsome, in his waistcoat, and she wondered if she could drag him away to kiss him silly at some point - just how mortified would he get?

"Perhaps we could get some of those 'sparklers' to play with later, once the sun goes down? That sounds fun doesn't it?"

(3/10)

Well, she couldn't help it. As much as the fireworks startled her, she was fascinated by them, and the little sparklers were no exception. She knew her husband was humoring her, but she didn't mind it one bit. They continued to walk along the stalls, with Ygraine turning her head to look at them; most of them were related to food; meatballs dipped in sweet sauce, sprinkled with hot chili flakes, or fried dumplings covered in powdered sugar - but every so often there were accessories of delicate jewels and stones that reminded her of her baba, or beautiful sashes that as a child she would have fawned over.

Then, of course, Asa spoke again, and suddenly her plans to fluster him were turned on their head. She giggled, flustered and unsure what to say - it was just such a cheesy, but absolutely sweet sentiment, and her only response for a long moment was to bashfully duck her head into the crown of his hair, pressing a kiss to it. "Flatterer." She murmured, accusingly, even as she tucked herself closer to his side - a silly enough image, considering she was so much taller.

She was already his wife, but he still acted like he was courting her every day with sweet words and affections. "How would you feel to know I dressed up just for you, sweet husband?" She returned warmly. Of course - there was a bit of an ulterior motive, but she hadn't quite found the opportunity to admit to it quite yet.

(4/10)

This would be the point in time, if their sons were present, where they'd gag and make faces. When they were much younger Ygraine liked to smother her husband with kisses just to make them scream and cover their eyes, it was just so delightfully funny! Especially with how purple Asa's cheeks went, after. They wouldn't have survived a night under one roof as children with her fathers around, there were only so many long suffering looks she and Sol had exchanged before they just covered their heads with their pillows for a decent night's sleep.

As her baba often said, 'what's wrong with knowing your parents love one another?'

As they walked along, Ygraine mournfully eyeballed a few delicious looking treats, but was glad in the fact she'd tasked Colm with buying a few for her for later - she knew how her husband disapproved, and had winked conspiratorially as she gave them both allowances for the night.

Ygraine doubted she'd ever get used to how well spoken he was - it was adorable and only made her want to hug him close to her, which she doubted he'd enjoy. "You are looking handsome yourself, Asa - this color really suits you." She returned, stroking her hand briefly over the lapel of his coat.

Beyond the stalls, which were bustling with crowds, a number of people were finding their places to prepare for the oncoming ligth show along the piers where, usually, ships were docked - actual ships, not the air variety. It was as they got closer that Ygraine saw a young mother, with her toddler set on her lap, arms draped around the little tyke whose face was sticky with treats that she dutifully was working to wash away. She found her heart tugging, gaze locked on the pair until she looked away, lest the girl notice some strange titan of a woman staring at her.

"You know - it's nice to see so many families around. It's difficult, sometimes, to think how big the boys have grown, so fast."

(5/10)

Colm, unlike his brother, was such a slight thing - inheriting the slim, petite frame of his father, though he was healthy like his mother. Even he, though, was getting big. Ygraine huffed out a laugh, thoughts going to the same place as Asa's, and at the recollection she shifted her arm free of Asa's to, instead, raise up to the back of his shoulders, giving a reassuring rub.

Then, their paths brought them to that couple, and Ygraine fully stopped, sudden enough that Asa, continuing his walk, briefly broke contact with her, and would have to stop or turn back to return to her side. It would be difficult to tell where she was looking thanks to her eyes, except all of her form turned to take in the heartwarming sight, hands slipping to lightly twine together, resting just beneath her chest, almost as if in prayer.

"Two sons, the lights of my life." She confirmed, smiling. Then she bit her lip. "... Although - wouldn't three sons? Or- a daughter - be just wonderful? The boys are old enough now..."

(6/10)

Ohhh there it was. Ygraine waited for Asa to return to her side, his handsome face hopeful and sweet - only for a flash of panic to go through those golden eyes. Ygraine raised her eyebrows, then sighed loudly and shook her head as he escaped, slowly following in his trail as he began to chat up the seller.

Of course, she wasn't surprised by this - it had been a similar struggle the first time. Of course - that first pregnancy was a complete accident, but the second was a long, hard fought battle between the two of them. Colm was such a sweet little baby, but once he hit two it was clear he craved companionship, and their way of life didn't give him that. A sibling, she'd insisted, was just what the doctor ordered, but actually getting Asa to participate had been a fight.

Now, as she came upon the stall, her hands dropped to her hips, no longer quite as plaintive and sweet as before, eyes slightly narrowed in an appraising look as her husband kept his back to her. She could tell that even the stall owner was getting uncomfortable at her stare, surely recognizing a wife ready to go on the warpath.

(7/10)

It wasn't as if Ygraine wanted to bully her husband into it. He'd been tied up in knots when Arden was up for discussion, and ultimately Ygraine hadn't expected Asa to give in, not with how firmly he was fighting it. But, eventually something gave, and she got her second baby, but there'd certainly been... tension there, up until a few months after he was born when Asa was reassured that he hadn't inherited his sickness.

Deep down, Ygraine knew that he was protecting them both. He saw her heartbreak when he had his bouts of sickness, how frantic she could get, and most likely he was the only one of the two who'd considered how she'd react if it was a child she lost, instead of a husband.

Certain days, she could tell he wondered if she'd even survive him passing, despite her reassurances.

With the sparklers collected, Ygraine followed, only just barely making sure to walk as calmly as possible, and not to petulantly stomp about. "We have." She conceded, frowning. She didn't want to turn this outing into a fight, so she kept her tone collected as possible. "But I'd like to reopen it, my love. Our boys are getting older - most days they're in school or with friends. I want another baby, Asa."

(8/10)

Ygraine willingly agreed to the teas before, just for peace of mind, and had been taking them for years now after the birth of her second son. And she took the teas still; as much as she wanted another child, she wouldn't trap her husband into it; although she wasn't above talking about it often, even to the point of strain on a number of occasions.

She was hoping to be less childish about it now - she had a decade of experience as a parent and a wife, and wanted to think she'd respect his decision. ... But, now as they discussed it, she conceded that she didn't think she could let the matter go until she was thoroughly convinced.

By now, the two had stopped walking and found as quiet a place to talk as they could - sequestered at the fringes of the erected stalls. So - discussion of a future child being sick did make her suck in a breath.

They'd covered this hypothetical on many occasions, and in the past her answer had always been the same; they'd love that child and take care of them, and make sure their days were happy and as good as they could be. Now... with two healthy children as a frame of reference, Ygraine could concede that it was a much more painful prospect, and he was right. Their luck would run out, and this child she was begging for might very well suffer for her wants.

"I know that." She finally said, softly, reaching out so she could lovingly brush some of his hair out of his face, tucking a few strands behind his ear. "I know. I know your life has been painful, and you don't wish it on our children. I just..." She shook her head, and instead slipped her arm around his shoulders, drawing him in closer so she could duck down and rest their foreheads together. "Just think about it?"