Welcome to Gaia! ::

Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months until nearly two years had passed since Noelani and Ami’s reunion on the Matori beach. Noelani had spent a good portion of that time exploring underwater ruins with Ami, the pair working together with a makeshift crew of mostly Matori and Oban explorers while helping to get artifacts and rare treasures from a cove near Jatine. The desert had been an interesting experience for Ami who had never been in such an area before and for the most part she had worn a scarf around her head to help block out the light since it was far too much on her sensitive eyes. Even years of wandering above ground couldn’t help how she winced every time the sun glared at them from the desert sky and sands. Now though they had handled all of their meetings in Sulburi, Ami mostly lingering to the side while watching Noelani work since there was still so much for the Kawena to learn about the local areas. Thankfully Ami was quick to adapt and a very fast study which proved useful as she helped to put together and studied some of the artifacts and other rare herbs and treasures that they found along the way.

Even though everything had been fun and interesting, Ami was relieved to see the xaraan waiting for them when they were preparing to leave Oba. The pair had said their goodbyes to the crew, packed up their earnings and smaller gifts that they had gathered along the way before mounting up and heading out of town back towards Noelani’s home in Matori. It had only been a few days of riding, but the pair had taken their time to explore the area between Sulburi and Matori before finally reaching the final stretch of their journey.

“Matori at last.” Ami let out a happy sigh, the tension leaving her body as she saw the ocean in the distance. The waters were gray because of the fog this morning, an early mist slowly creeping across the beaches before receding back into the rolling waters. Still, it was a beautiful sight for the Kawena who was tempted to jump straight into the deep waters after several months spent in Oba. For now she simply settled on taking a moment to rest, dismounting so that the pair of xaraan could have a break as well. “Do you think your grandparents will be happy to see us?” She teased lightly, the Kawena still embarrassed by how shy she had been her first meeting with Noelani’s family even though the group had fully welcomed the Kahi just as they had welcomed an Elaria into their family so many years ago.

[Ami 1]

Ami’s gaze softened with concern as she noticed Noelani’s sudden movement, the motion making her guess that the woman was nauseated. “I’m sorry. Should I not tease about that?” She asked quietly as she watched Noelani, curious about the sudden expression of disgust that had crossed the hybrid’s face. She thought Noelani’s family had liked her and was simply making fun of her first encounter. If not for her words then what else could it be? The Kawena quickly skimmed over the options, her mind processing everything that she had noticed over the past couple of days like she was skimming over some book and within seconds a gasp escaped her lips. Surely not? They had talked about such things and even been intimate but it had been so long with no results so the pair had thought it was impossible…

“Noel, how long have you been feeling sick?”

[Ami 2]

A soft chuckle left Ami’s lips. Even though she was nervous about Noelani feeling unwell there was a bubbling happiness rising in her stomach as she thought about the very possibility of what could be making her dear companion sick. “I think tea would be nice, but let me brew it once we arrive.” She bit her bottom lip almost as if afraid to even speak what was on her mind, but seeing Noelani so worried made it impossible for Ami to hold back her thoughts.

“You know what I said a long time ago about how the Kahi could have children with any other Kahi? I think that may be true even with an earthling.” She started, her cheeks warming at the very thought of how intimate they had been over the last two years together. Noel had once said that she would be happy to have a family together, right? Ami could only hope that she still felt the same. It was hard to imagine the always moving adventurer settling down for a little bit and she doubted that children would even keep them from exploring, but there definitely would be a bit of a break from any explorations if Noelani truly was pregnant. At least for the last couple of months….Ami would definitely push for that out of fear that Noel could get harmed.

[Ami 3]

“Of course!” Ami smiled as she watched the realization turn into happiness for Noelani. She didn’t want to get her hopes up since nothing was truly set in stone until the actual baby arrived, but still! They could be mothers soon. The very thought made her heart swell and she couldn’t help but to reach out to hug Noelani. “We’ll tell them and work on setting up a place wherever you like.” She wasn’t foolish, she knew that they had plenty saved from their adventures to afford a decent place of their own if wanted. That was the whole point of saving up so much coin, especially since Ami had nothing she truly wanted besides necessary supplies and tomes to study. She had spent hours in a library while Noelani took care of other things before joining her to study together, learning as much as they could about the culture of Oba and Matori so that they could compare notes and figure out what relics that they had found from earlier years. Now they could have a child that she could teach as well, only if their child wanted such a thing of course. Ami refused to be strict like her mother, as long as their child was open to learning then she would encourage them and teach them with all of her heart. But she would never isolate them from others…the very thought made her shake her head before she focused on Noelani again. “Do you feel well enough or should we take a moment to sit before moving again?”

[Ami 4]

“The cove with the little waterfall that falls into the pool near the cliffs?” Ami smiled at the thought. “I always thought it was a lovely area. We can build a cottage closer to the ocean with that only being a walk away so that we can easily gather fresh water and even picnic there under the weeping willows on nice days.” She could definitely construct something that would let them easily get water from the spring to their home. The very thought had the mage’s gaze brighten with interest. She would be able to design a cottage for them that could hold so many surprises and help their family out so much! If Noelani truly was with child then they would have to work quickly, even if they stayed with Noelani’s family while the cottage was being built it would be nice to have it around the time the baby was born. One does not rush perfection, I suppose, but I am excited to see how quickly we can work. She did enjoy a challenge, after all.

[Ami 5]

“I think so.” Ami smiled happily as she took off her sandals and joined Noelani by the ocean, the feeling of damp sand a comfort as she curled her toes and enjoyed the moment. “A new chapter, an actual home instead of bouncing from taverns and tents in the wilderness…who would have thought?” She mused though she was delighted with the news. Even if they still traveled, at least now they had a home of their own to return to whenever they wanted to take a break from such things. “I think Matori is a lovely place.” Ami added quietly as she glanced over at Noelani, the ocean breeze moving her hair around as it brushed past the pair. “One day though we should return to Kahi to show our child where we first met.” It would be nice to return to her world and see what adventures awaited them there, but they could take as long as necessary before even thinking of such a venture. Ami was happy in the moment, content with her life that she had made with Noelani in these foreign lands.

[Ami 6]

Ami’s expression brightened at the very idea of incorporating Kahi elements into their home. “Well the cove has cliffs around it…if there’s a natural cave nearby we could use that.” She expressed after a moment, her mind spinning with the possibilities. “What if we had a home that starts out and ends up in the cave? I could help design it since I was raised within caverns.” That would definitely bring part of her childhood back to life! She had some stones that she could use, glowing fragments of fallen formations that had come from Kahi and rare gemstones that they could make into decorative pieces throughout the home. The geodes that she treasured had been gathered and placed at Noelani’s family home for safe keeping…they could most definitely use them.

[Nanami 7]

“Really?” Ami tilted her head thoughtfully. “I would have to check it out, but we could look into the option.” She wouldn’t want to ruin the natural beauty of a spring like that but if they could make a simple tub of stone to catch the water then maybe? If anything it would be nice to know that there was a nearby spring where they could rinse off if necessary. “Either way I will make this work, I’ll find a way to blend an ocean cottage with a cavern home.” It would be unique and beautiful, a true place to relax after being away from Matori for any future excursions.

[Nanami 8]