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Xenia - 1

Without the swords at her sides Xenia's pace had been a little faster making it all the easier for her to keep up with Illapha's longer stride. She kept a few daggers on her person, but since she hadn't wanted to draw unwanted attention the Captain had left her usual weaponry on the ship. As a trade, however, she'd made sure that Endellion had taken their pistol and kept the little sharpshooter aware of any suspicious glance.

She'd jostled along side the two of them, trying to keep things light so anyone passing by wouldn't dawdle too long. A smile was less alarming from foreigners than stern faces, after all. Until they'd gotten to their destination, anyway, and she could let some of that foolishness fall away. It was exhausting pretending to be that happy - especially when she hadn't felt it in years.

Xenia tossed an arm over the back of her chair and crossed one of her legs under the table. "So Illy, where's our friend? It's been ages; I'm excited to see them." The least Tavihe could do after all this would be to show up on time. Leave Illapha in the lurch and try to outrun their contract? It was a wonder they'd lasted this long.

(1/7)

Tavihe was ready to burn this whole settlement to the ground if they had to spend one more minute with their parents. They'd left the family's tiny home at the edge of the village and waddled into town with the excuse of craving something disgustingly specific and that had been enough to keep their father from following, in the possessively protective way he had been since they'd come back home. Excitement burned in their chest (or that could be acid, being pregnant they didn't know anymore) at the prospect of seeing Illapha again so soon, but stress from the tenuous situation made it a bittersweet feeling.

They'd been offered some old clothes of their mam's, dowdy maternity wraps that suited the clay color of her markings much better than Illapha's glowing blues, and they felt hideous and massive as they shoved the door open with their hip, flashing an almost manic smile at a younger Kahikina who hastily jumped up to help heave the heavy door open for them.

It only took a glance to see the person they were looking for - though after a few steps they came to a halt, horrified at the sight of who else was there.

Because no, Illapha had never gotten around to telling them who Xenia really was - so right now, Tavihe walked in to see their lover sitting happily at a table with the captain, the one they were meant to be meeting today to plan to AVOID. Had Illapha betrayed them? Was he here under duress? Was there a knife held to him under the table, was he--

Then Illapha looked up and their eyes met, and instead of fear or horror Illapha's expression shifted to the familiar heated, eager look they typically shared in private. Tavihe hesitated for a long moment, subtly slipping their knife from under the dress so they held it tucked against their wrist, then resumed their way to the table, where they stiffly sat beside Illapha - and across from the captain - subtly shoving the table with a squeal forward until it bumped into the captain's gut, but allowed enough room for Tavihe's own massively pregnant belly.

The look on their face was petulant, lips pursed into a near pout, eyes stormy as they met the captain's gaze. Only then did their eyes slide to the fourth party - then blinked. "Oh. It's you." They said, surprise briefly washing over the unhappy stare of before.

Xenia - 2

Xenia wasn't ignorant. The shifts in her friend's mood had been easy enough to tell, but for his safety - and, as an extension, Tavihe's - she'd had to ignore them. A passing hand on his shoulder, a sympathetic look; that was all she'd been able to spare. Whatever he'd been feeling Illapha had to work out on his own and all she could do was 'help' make sure the little wretch he'd slept with didn't die by Indra's hand. Beyond that, Xenia's own were tied.

The request for aid had been so out of place for him that Xenia couldn't deny it. Seeing her second on his knees - begging, of all things - and bartering with her for help had chipped at a piece in her heart. That little bit that was still just a big sister looking to help her siblings. So, she'd agreed, but under one condition; that she brought backup.

She trusted Illapha with her life; she trusted Tavihe to stab her in the back.

Xenia didn't turn when Illapha's posture changed. Instead, she watched him, keenly taking in his expression and then, subsequently, Endellion's. Unlike the younger hybrid at her side Xenia's face remained neutral as Tavihe came into view, though her grip on the back of her chair tightened. The press of her teeth against one another was almost painful as she shifted and all at once her 'casual' stance was much more guarded.

The table press was noted - but for the moment Xenia kept it cool. It was a public space, after all, and it was generally frowned upon to threaten the expecting. "I suppose a congratulations are in order. I should have brought a gift."

(2/7)

"I guess dear old cap' would know if I'd been got, so it shouldn't be too surprising." Tavihe chirped at Endellion in answer. "And Illy killing me would be conflict of interest, seeing as I'm-"

Tavihe's eyes glittered with mischief, but before they finished their sentence they let out a decidedly unscary squeak at the tug to their ear. Then, their cheeks went warm at Illapha's warning, goosebumps prickling their arms at the intimate whisper. In private, Illapha typically was happy to let Tavihe boss him around and make all the decisions, so him flipping the script to scold Tavihe in front of his friend should have ticked them off. Instead, they were incredibly distracted and disarmed.

Biting the inside of their cheek, Tavihe let out a shaky breath than grinned, tense but less unfriendly, at Xenia. Right. She could have her little friend shoot Illy or Tavihe at any moment, or call in support presumably to take Tavi by force, witnesses or not. Best not be too cocky here. "Aw don't you worry. But y'know-" They clasped their fingers on top of their bump and fluttered their eyes coyly, "Your gift could always be letting us go, hmm?"

Endellion - 3

Tavihe is pregnant. Pregnant! Del could barely look away. It wasn't as if they'd never seen a pregnant person before - it wasn't rare - but Tavihe...Gods and spirits, Tavihe had threatened them. Had been so snarky they'd very nearly pushed Endellion into the ocean on their first day but had instead taken a lashing for them.

A punishment that Endellion hadn't forgotten.

"No one's hurting anyone." They blurted. When Xenia turned a side eye their way Endellion took a deep, steadying breath and straightened. "That's not why I came, anyway. You brought me here to protect you and until I see a threat I'm going to sit here with my hands in my lap." And that's what they did - even going so far as to clasp them above the table before sitting them down into their poised lap.

And then there was that bit about the contracts....that bit that really stuck out to them. "What do you mean by not signed to you? You're the Captain; our service is to you by default, isn't it?"

(3/7)

Tavihe gave Illapha the side-eye, smirking teasingly. There was a joke to be made that they 'couldn't be sure-' but given how jealous Tavihe was as a lover, once they'd grown a fondness for the big guy they'd lost interest in other lovers. Then Xenia continued, and Tavihe tilted their head, cocky expression shifting into open, frustrated confusion. They looked at Illapha for answer, but the man was surprisingly silent on this front at first - and when Xenia's eyes raked with supposed greediness over Tavihe's belly, the Kawena flashed their teeth in a snarl, hand gripping the handle of the dagger they held under the table.

They only barely resisted jabbing the steel into Xenia's arm, but remembering this was the village their parents lived in - the only safe haven they had unless Xenia extended pity to them - they knew they couldn't make a scene. "You fancy people with your contracts- look. I don't care about a scribble on a piece of paper, that doesn't mean you get to have my--." Tavihe said in a rush, voice almost a hiss. They almost said more when Endellion, of all people, interjected - not to shut Tavi up, but to defend them.

Tavihe was stunned, blinking at the kid who, in all previous scenarios, had never really come off to them as the type to stand up to anyone. Tavi almost laughed, to think they'd been expected to protect anyone, but they supposed you didn't have to be built like Illapha to be dangerous with a bullet.

They listened, still seething and glaring at Xenia as Illy talked more about stupid papers and contracts, then rolled their eyes, leaning further into his side for some measure of comfort. Their brows were furrowed, confusion warring with defensiveness from what Xenia had said, but there was no knowledge or understanding at the cryptic conversation Xenia and Illapha were dancing around.

They didn't know who Xenia really was. This was a secret Illapha had never shared with them, and they were just as flummoxed as Endellion was. "I don't care if the contract is with you or the ship. There's a price for everything, what's it gonna take to rip mine up so you people will leave my sprogs alone?"

Xenia - 4

Got em.

The angrier Tavihe crew the more wicked Xenia's smile became and even the pained look from Illy wasn't enough to dissuade her. She had to know that if she was going to expose herself to another person, to extend her services and possibly jeopardize decades of work that it was worth it. That by saving three lives she wouldn't be condemning hundreds.

The softer side of her spirit never really got used to it, though; the harshness of these moments. An exhaustion took over her eyes that only barely broke through her cruel veneer and inside Xenia's true self curled away. She wouldn't be able to celebrate with her friend; to support him in this terrifyingly, exciting time as she wanted, especially when the wrong breathe could rip it away.

"Let me make one thing transparently clear to you, Tavihe - I have no interest in harming your sprogs." The tilt of her smile was mocking, but the tone was anything but. It was tired; very, very tired. "Whatever your - any - of your versions of me is-" She looked between the pair infront of her and the hybrid at her side, "-I have no interest in harming children. If you want out of your contract all I can say is stay away from the sea until I can tie up loose ends."

And to that, she turned to Illapha. "And you - if you want to stay I won't contact you again. I'll take the punishment for your desertion and call it that. It's the safest path you can take."

She wouldn't tell Tavihe the extent of their plans if Illapha hadn't mentioned it. If he talked about it now and Tavihe got involved, that was another discussion but right now - now he could get out. He could be free; have a chance at a real life.