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Sabra Knight

It had been a shorter trip up north this year, Tryston taking only a few months to visit the Brotherhood instead of spending nearly eight months in Zena. Thankfully Lyrie had pushed Tryston to leave early and to not wait for the harsher winter months to trap him there so that such a thing was possible finally. Tryston had agreed and taken a raptrix to fly down from the stone fortress that wrapped along the northern mountains so that he could arrive just in time for early autumn when the leaves were still clinging to the trees with all of their vibrant colors. Now he just had to get through the awkwardness of walking through the village to the small house that he had worked on with Constynce when they first decided to have their family home be here with her grandparents. Despite the passing of time there were still stares as the Zenan warrior walked through the main path that curved through the countless buildings on the ground and the tree houses scattered about the Tale village. Perhaps it was just the fact that he was once again carrying a lot of supplies and the sight of the large familiar next to him still seemed out of place in a land more familiar with kinfa than canines. As it was, Tryston tried to focus more on the bag of supplies currently strapped onto the cream colored wolf who had her large silver tipped wings tucked neatly at her side, the raptrix protecting the presents in her own way as they threatened to bounce with each step through the village path. It was much easier to act as if he were keeping those safe from falling instead of trying to awkwardly wave at every earthling they passed along the way. He just hoped the presents would be well received by Constynce and her family. There were bags of wool for blankets and new clothing, some natural and others even dyed, that could keep the family warm during the upcoming winter months and other supplies that could be used around the house especially crafted by Zenan metalsmiths and merchants from the capital who had traded with the Brotherhood for help earlier this year. He especially liked the metal mirror with floral patterns and matching brush that he had gotten for Constynce, Tryston immediately thinking of his beloved when he saw the gift up for trade. There were some smaller gifts for the children, including a pair of practice blades that Zariah had been begging for so he got one for Coleus and her, and some smaller wooden toys as well for them to enjoy featuring animals from Zena since they had yet to take the children there to the harsher region. And of course there was Lumi who would be staying with the family for now, the raptrix starting to bounce ahead as she caught the familiar scents from items that Tryston carried with his belongings. The warrior could only shake his head with faint amusement as she bounded ahead, Tryston finally giving a nod of greeting to some familiar faces as earthlings backed out of Lumi’s way, and within seconds he was chasing the raptrix up the path that went away from the village and towards his family’s home.

Sabra Knight

Tryston let out a whistle, the noise making Lumi pull back just before the raptrix nearly tumbled into the leaf earthling. The iceling simply rubbed the familiar's neck as she sat back down on her hunches, the raptrix taking a moment to sniff the air and survey the area with her brilliant blue eyes. Once she was settled, Tryston looked towards Constynce and a small smile crossed his lips. "I'm home." It was a simple two words, but one that hopefully conveyed the emotions that he rarely expressed. It was always an amazing feeling to know that he had a home here and to see Constynce welcome him so happily always made his heart flutter. Though the sight of tears did make him tilt his head, the warrior tugging off his gloves and allowing them to fall to the ground so that he could reach out and gently wipe the wetness away from Constynce's cheeks. He was too distracted looking into those emerald eyes that he didn't even notice the slight bump just yet. For now he simply allowed his fingers to gently trace across her cheeks, his calloused fingertips moving across the crystals there before settling so that he could study her face as if recommitting it to memory.

"How are things?" Letters couldn't make up for the times that he had missed, and Tryston was more than ready to listen to all of the stories before catching up with their children as well. It wouldn't take long for Zariah at least to dive into the satchels that Lumi was carrying since she was always eager to see what their father brought home for them each time he came back from Zena.

Sabra Knight

A soft breath of amusement slipped past his lips as Tryston held onto Constynce. She would say something like that, wouldn't she? Though he was feeling basically the same way since seeing her made all the stress slip away. Something felt off about the hug though, but before he could process things the presence of his new friend was noted and Tryston found his gaze slipping towards the raptrix. "Mmm." He nodded. It was quicker to fly so he hoped that Constynce didn't mind the extra paws around their home this trip, Tryston relying on the raptrix that he had helped train over the past few months while living in Zena. "Lumi." He called out quietly, the raptrix's ears perking up as she waited another moment before trotting forward towards the pair.

"She makes traveling easier, I hope that's alright." Tryston finally explained as the raptrix nosed about Constynce, her youth still making her slightly more curious than other familiars trained by the knights. "Lumi." He repeated again, a quiet sigh leaving his lips as the raptrix finally sat back down. Though now she was pressed firmly against Tryston, her head tilted to the side as she looked at Constynce.

Tryston's shoulders relaxed slightly when he saw Constynce petting the raptrix. At least it looked like Lumi wasn't terribly intimidating, which was part of the reason he had picked a younger raptrix that seemed more open to interacting with others instead of the more battle hardened ones. "She will." He reassured Constynce, already thinking about how weeks of travel had been shortened into just days by flying instead of riding down through the land passes or catching a caravan. The warrior could only nod at the thought of their children noticing Lumi and how he hoped it wouldn't be too chaotic an experience with the young raptrix and their children bonding over the next few months while he was home. Though that smile quickly disappeared into a confused frown as Tryston listened to Constynce.

"Babies?" He repeated quietly, the warrior considering the topic. Not puppies, not their children who were already beyond their toddler years, but babies? The very thought had him recalling that something felt off and Tryston immediately took a step back so that he could look over Constynce. Was she? Could she be? It was subtle, but then again he had only been gone for a couple of months this time and not for over half the year like before....really? He couldn't even form another question, his silver gaze just looking at Constynce with mixed emotions. Mostly surprise, which for the moment kept him frozen in place as he waited to hear the confirmation from her own lips.

Not just one, but two? They truly were blessed with twins then. Tryston couldn't doubt that not after their first had resulted in both Zariah and Coleus. All he could do was carefully reach out so that he could place a hand on Constynce's stomach, his fingers lightly spreading out over the area as if afraid to put too much pressure there. "We'll be busy." He managed, a ghost of a smile on his lips as he looked back towards Constynce. Tryston was far from annoyed though and if anything the silver of his gaze was brighter, almost dancing with happiness as he looked over at his beloved. She wasn't throwing things at him and there was a glowing smile on her lips, so he assumed that despite the teasing of the other knights he was safe to say that he was going to be a father once more. The very thought made his gaze soften more as he moved his hand from Constynce's stomach to tuck back a stray strand of hair, his forehead pressing lightly against her own as he looked over that beautiful face. "Let me know what you need he-"

Bump. Lumi's tail wagged loudly as she tried to nose back in with the couple, pushing Tryston closer to Constynce so that he placed a kiss against the corner of her mouth. Instead of chastising the raptrix though the warrior simply let out a quiet chuckle and continued into an actual kiss, hoping that he wasn't in complete trouble for this turn of events. More babies, a young raptrix and the children that they already had would make for an active household in the next year - that much was definitely for certain and he could only hope that Constynce wouldn't be tossing him out for all this new mayhem he helped to create in her life.

"Noted." Tryston replied, his lips curving upwards into that smile again. Every time he came home to Tale it felt like a weight was off his shoulders and Tryston could smile more than before. Over the years he had gotten better at it, the iceling adapting to the warmth of a family that existed for him in between his trips up north where his expression would freeze once more. His hands traveled down towards her waist and beyond, his fingers slightly rubbing against her lower back as he practiced a bit of massaging to show that he would remember her request.

Then his gaze slipped past Constynce, past Lumi and towards their home. "Another room?" Could they afford to extend the house more? He could ask around to see who could help construct another room, there was some open space to the side where they hadn't planted a garden and that could maybe serve as a nursery unless they wanted to rearrange everything else that was inside. And maybe when all of their children were older they could finally take a trip to see his own home in Zena, the captain's suite in the fort saved to house his family for the day that they ventured north with him for a season. It would be nice once he confirmed everything was peaceful and calm within the order to have his family come up and pick gifts for themselves from the capital of Zena, and to see how their children would take to the snowy landscape when given the chance.

The laundry room? Tryston blinked and then blinked again once the realization hit. Ah. So that was why she had built it then. It had seemed a bit excessive for just doing laundry and some storage, but for a nursery? It would easily fit two bassinets and have room for toys and some storage as it was. Had Lyrie somehow known about this as well? At least the timing seemed almost too perfect with Lyrie shoving Tryston out early and on Lumi to help his journey go even more smoothly than usual. Constynce had prepared for their future family with a simple request that he hadn't even thought twice about while going on with his business once it was built and set up for her. It almost felt like everyone had been more focused on his own family and their future than him. The very thought brought a bit of shame to Tryston's expression, the warrior worrying that he had been too caught up in business within the Brotherhood once more. Even if he brought gifts like this and stayed for a few months out of the year, it truly wasn't a typical situation was it? Still, he had faith that they would figure things out and it was best to focus on their current situation and on the future rather than wallowing in the past. And so he nodded, Tryston already thinking about who they could commission for the bassinets. "Engravings can be done." If he could get the base work finished from a traveling merchant or artisan in town then at least Constynce's grandfather could put some personalization on the bassinets so that the children would have something from their great-grandfather. "I can paint." He could get some colors on the walls before the winter cold settled into Tale, once they got about clearing everything out that was. Tryston's mind was already spinning with the possibilities, the warrior nearly forgetting about his own supplies until Lumi whacked her tail against his leg once more.

Oh! Tryston rubbed his hands along Constynce's lower back one last time before pulling away so that he could grab one of the satchels. Unbuttoning the top cover revealed the abundance of wool that he had brought, the vibrant colors of the dyed pieces standing out from the cream and tan hues of the rest. They could make plenty of bedding with this and even some warm coats or something, if she wanted.

Tryston nodded even though the idea of picking a paint color at the moment felt a bit overwhelming. Maybe he could ask Zariah or Coleus for their imput too? It would be interesting to see how their younglings took to the idea of new siblings and perhaps having them help prepare would make it easier for the pair to accept the idea. As long as their choices weren't too....different? Tryston closed his eyes against the thought, not wanting to even think about the possibilities before focusing back on Constynce as she looked over the wool. A hint of a smile crossed his lips again at the sight of her happiness and Tryston made certain to hold out all the different colors as if showing them off before moving to the next bag to open it for Consytnce to inspect. This one had the gifts, including the brush and mirror set with their delicate floral engravings in the metal, and he may have shifted a bit nervously as he held out that particular box and waited to see how she would react. He would need to find more things for their home now that they were expecting, but at least he had some gifts to share with their family in this current moment first.