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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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 Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2024 2:26 pm
(1/10)
In the weeks following their visit to Aisha, Elsheba had gone into full nesting mode and reorganized their home from top to bottom. What started as renovations of the spare room turned, quickly, into baby proofing the entire home, purging anything even remotely dangerous, and preparing for the bundle of joy that would (hopefully) be coming home when all was said and done.
She knew this process could take a while - there were plenty of couples who prayed multiple times before receiving blooms, and the wait could take time to sprout, not to mention actually waiting to bring them home. But every time she visited and didn't see a bloom for her and Ujiri, the fear that Aisha was punishing her reared its ugly head.
Today they were supposed to go visit the mystics to check once again, but she was trying not to think about it while she waited for Ujiri.
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Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2024 9:12 pm
He hadn't expected to receive a bloom the first day but he also didn't think it would take so long. Then again, he hadn't followed the Aishan path so he was unfamiliar with a lot of the inner workings of things. Of course he could always ask his mother or sisters. Not that he had just yet.
In truth he had yet to really introduce Elsheba to his mothers. Something he really needed to fix. Though he had spoke of her often and they knew her name so they could easily look her up if needed.
As he made his way to the home he shared with his girlfriend he twirled a small blade between his fingers. It had long since become dull after being used to carve wood so he didn't fear cutting his fingers. He would need to ask Elsheba if she would be up for meeting his mothers soon. They had already gone to ask for a blessing from Aisha so it was definitely time to let his family meet her.
"I'm home, gorgeous." Ujiri called as he opened the door.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2024 12:19 pm
(2/10) Oh thank the goddess. Elsheba shot up from where she'd been sitting, twitchy and impatient, reaching to grasp at Ujiri's hand - only to pause and shoot a pout at the hand still idly flipping the dulled blade. That habit would need to stop when if they were given blooms. " Welcome home. So - we're going to check again today, remember? Or did you forget?" She propped a hand on her hip as she accosted him, ignoring the fact she'd nagged about it most of the day yesterday, and it would be IMPOSSIBLE to forget, even if he wanted to.
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Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2024 5:49 am
He noticed how she reached out to take his hand but stopped before getting to it due to the blade. Ujiri flipped his hand over and grabbed the blade with his fingertips to stop it from twirling any farther then tossed it to the other hand so that it could be put away.
As she asked if he forgot he shook his head at her and smiled. "I didn't forget. As I was on my way home I was thinking about that." As well as other things. "I also think it's time you officially met my mothers." His siblings would be a bonus. Especially his twin. "Did you wanna stop by on our way back today?" He hoped she did since it could possibly be after some good news.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2024 5:37 pm
(3/10) Once his hand was safe to hold, she took it, her mania calming in the face of his calmness. She was so focused on checking for blooms that when he instead turned the conversation to his mothers she was briefly surprised. "You think so?" She asked, nervous but also pleased.
Nervous, because she still worried what his mothers would think of him being with an older woman. But happy, because it was an important step - one they'd talked about before, but always as some nebulous future task.
As they spoke, Elsheba guided Ujiri back out the door, casually walking with him, hand in hand, towards the heart of the settlement - where they could approach the mystics. "Do you think they'll be... upset we asked for a bloom before they met me?"
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Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2024 7:46 pm
He noticed that she was guiding them back out the door and he smiled, looking over his shoulder to ensure the door to their home was shut. "I do." Ujiri commented as he looked back at Elsheba. "I'm sure they are getting antsy waiting."
When she brought up the fact that the two of them had asked for a bloom before she got to meet them he offered a shrug. "I'm fairly certain my mom will be more chill about it. Mother on the other hand.. she might have some words but it'll be fine." In truth he was more worried about what Ika might say.
"Hopefully Subira is there as well. She can distract them." He could count on his older sister to be the buffer.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2024 8:53 pm
(4/10) Some words?! Elsheba nudged at his ribs with a pout, grumbling under her breath, unaware of his worries about his sister. In the past, she would have cared much less about what her in-laws thought about her, but now she was more... sentimental. She wanted any children they had to have a good relationship with their family.
As they neared the tree, she became more and more nervous. "What if we don't get blooms, Ujiri?" She finally whispered, stopping her brisk walk abruptly. They were so close - just around the next bend, they'd be able to see the mystics. They'd learn if they had a bloom, or were once again cursed to wait - possibly forever.
"What if Aisha feels I did so badly the first time, I don't deserve another chance?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2024 7:15 pm
He chuckled as she nudged him. Although when she mentioned not getting any blooms he turned to look at her. Of course he had gotten two steps ahead while she had come to a stop. He tilted his head as he listened to her worries. With a smile he closed the distance between them and brought his hands up to both sides of her face.
"Hey.. I don't think Aisha would feel that way. Being a parent is a learning experience and practice makes perfect." Ujiri rubbed his thumbs over her cheeks tenderly. "You did it on your own the first time. You have help this time."
He moved his left hand down to grab for hers. "We don't have to go see today if you aren't ready. We can come back tomorrow. But I have a feeling Aisha is cooking up something special for us." That had to explain the wait.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2024 2:44 pm
(5/10) Elsheba tried to turn her head away to avoid his gaze, but Ujiri's gentle hands kept her facing him. She could have stubbornly closed her eyes, of course - but she didn't, and instead looked at him as he reassured her, his warm confidence seeping through her. She hoped he still thought that, if they were still praying months from now. That he wouldn't blame her for ruining his chance for children.
Shoving the thought away, she smiled nervously but squeezed his hand, nodding her head just a bit as they resumed walking. "Ugh. I hate being like this. I should be here reassuring YOU." She muttered, huffing softly.
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Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2024 6:27 pm
"Should you? Huh. I must have missed that rule." Ujiri chuckled a little as he reached for her hand. "Come on, lets go say hi to some of the sisters." He figured if they turned this into a casual visit then Elsheba's nerves would calm down a bit.
"I think Siona said she'd be out today." Ujiri mentioned one of the familiar faces to hopefully boost the mood.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2024 10:48 am
(6/10) Elsheba squeezed his hand back, finally relaxing a bit. That was one of the things she loved about Ujiri, just how calm he was. She was just thankful that he hadn't changed his mind about her, when her facade of control fell away to show how much of a mess she really was.
"Yet another good idea." She praised, smiling at him gratefully. They took a quick diversion to seek out a few friendly faces, who all wished them luck on their visit. But stalling could only last so long, and soon enough they were waiting to see if they'd be allowed to approach the tree.
When one of the Alkidike elders came to collect them, Elsheba's head snapped sideways to Ujiri, wide-eyed. "Does that mean we - that there's a--"
The older Alkidike chuckled, "Would you rather me tell you, or see for yourselves?"
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Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2024 3:30 pm
He was pleased his effort to help distract her mind worked, if only for a short while. It meant that she trusted him enough to let him lead for a second or two. Since he was with Elsheba and she was an established warrior, not like him who followed the earthling ways, he worried about that.
When they finally saw everyone and got all the well wishes he glanced at his chosen partner and smiled. It seemed she was more relaxed. That was until an elder came toward them and he saw the wide eyed look she gave him. Ujiri couldn't help but find it cute.
He glanced at the elder and nodded. "Not sure about my beautiful other half here but I'd be delighted to see." Ujiri squeezed Elsheba's hand to let her know he was there.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2024 8:42 pm
(7/10) Elsheba scoffed, but there wasn't much energy behind it. Instead she gripped his hand like a lifeline, feeling about as composed as a newborn aldabuck as they followed. Neither of them had been this close to Aisha since... well, since they prayed for their child together of course, but before then not since they were born. It was a rare enough thing to be so close to the goddess, and seeing the lotus sprouting on the once again healthy mother tree filled Elsheba with more wonder and emotion than she felt capable of feeling.
How did the mystics know which blooms were theirs? Elsheba had always wondered, but as they were led forward, she felt as if Aisha was reaching into her heart with a maternal grace, and whispering 'These, these are yours..' Having the older Aishan confirm it felt like a formality, after that feeling.
El stared, then spun to Ujiri and reached up to grip his cheeks, dragging him close so she could once again smash their foreheads together, beaming. "You're a papa, Ujiri!"
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Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2024 12:07 pm
He felt a sense of awe as they neared the Mother Tree. Since he wasn't on the Aishan path he wasn't really allowed near the island, let alone Aisha herself. So it was an honor. Seeing the blooms made him smile. Having it confirmed that he and Elsheba had their own caused the smile to become a grin.
Said grin was smooshed when his girlfriend grabbed his face. Ujiri couldn't do much more than chuckle as his hands came up to cover hers. "And you are a mother.. again."
After a pause he leaned into her hands. "I hope you're ready to be out numbered."
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2024 2:44 pm
(8/10) It was real! After all that worrying, it was surreal to know that they were going to have a baby - that it was REALLY happening. Somehow, the contact with Ujiri helped confirm that it was real, and the gentle touch of his hands over hers helped her pull herself together. Elsheba drew in a shaking breath, that released as a jittery little laugh. She pat Ujiri's cheek once more, then let go, though she kept their hands joined as she twisted to look at their little blooms again.
"I won't let you down." She whispered. Whether she was talking to Aisha, or Ujiri, even she wasn't sure.
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