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"Valelldia would likely be able to give you a better answer, but I've been learning about the meij, so I can at least give you some semblance of an answer." She smiled, glad to have the burden of Eerie's... bizarre circumstances off her chest and that Irina still accepted the child. If she hadn't wanted the little one in Ravenwood, Oqaia wouldn't have known what to do with him. Valelldia had once hinted at Oqaia raising it herself, but the pink haired gypsy hadn't been able to admit the self-doubts already plaguing her about her abilities as a mother. Varlan had been an animal for a very long time, with no hint of being ready to change. It was a troubling thought for her, and one that tied into the current conversation- though she kept the worry well-tied behind a wall of true fascination for this thing that geared all their lives.

"Oh yes, the children have some control over their own lives but not... consciously. It's a little hard to explain, but it's fascinating." She bent forward, resting her upper arms on her thighs, intent on the woman across from her. "Fortunettes are a piece of the meij. Of course, the meij stream runs through everything in this world, and can affect anything it touches- but Fortunettes are pure existances of the meij, kernels... like the fortunes are kernels of the meij- that will themselves into life. That's why they start out inanimate, and then become animalistic, and then human, of a sort. Their inner meij is wanting to experience everything it's like to be in this earth in a tangible sense. That's why balance for a Fortunette is so important- because if a Fortunette leads a life that is conflicting to its nature, or one that drives it into darkness, the meij will try to... recant itself, and revert back to a pure meij state. By then, though, it's been so long in a tangible existance that it can become torn- neither here, nor there. That's what it's like to be an Unfortunette. A Fortunette Adult has found its way and is comfortable with how it is."

She shook her head. "I've looked. But in the books it only says something about how the first time that Fortunettes and gypsies were documented together was in the south. That was before the Great Rift. I'd be curious, too, to find it out. There's so much about this world that I've yet to learn." She looked down at the collection of texts. "If you ever want to borrow them, I'd be more than happy to lend them to you. It's hard to piece together scraps of information- writers and historians seem loathe to admit that gypsies and their magical children exist," she smiled indulgently, "but you're welcome to them if you'd like. ...And as for... your other child, the... the little one." She had a hard time calling it a Savior. "How do you feel about that? It's quite a development."

Oqaia laughed. "Well, you are showing a little already- but you look beautiful. I don't know how fast a magical fetus grows. And me? I've been with the caravan for... I've lost track of the time," she thought aloud, "but perhaps it's coming up on two years. I'm only a gypsy by my father born. Valelldia is my half-sister. There's a reason I have to study." She smiled.

"I do wonder how long it will be until the baby is born. It will be so exciting to have such a unique child in our midst."

"I haven't any books... but the ex priestess- the young Angelique, she's staying in Blessed Change, with me. I don't know where she's off to now- but you could ask her. It might be fortuitous for you that she decided to come along."

She smiled. "No, that was it. I'm so glad you've taken the child. He and Kal seem to be... well, siblings already." She stood and sheparded the young mother to the door. "Thank you for coming, Irina."

Lately, Sindri had been even more contrary than usual, the facets of his varying personality sharp and sparkling. For two weeks, the bobcat had been true to his nature.

He'd lay as close to the fire as he could, the sparks almost singeing his fur, and he'd purr with fierce joy at the heat. He'd demand Altaira's attention, all of it, growling and hissing and threatening anything that diverted it. Thuban had to steer clear of his sister for two days after the bobcat slashed at his arm and had hidden three of his more delicate tools.

Or he'd growl at everyone and run away for hours on end, worrying his gypsy mother silly. Sindri would always turn up again eventually, usually with a hare in his mother or bloody claws he'd enjoy washing clean. Altaira thought he went to be more wild. To hunt and track and rid himself of his tamer side.

He'd turned up today and snarled and snapped at Dan because Altaira had been brushing him down. Usually Sindri got on with the mule and had been known to ride on his side-packs, like a little prince, or kill any rats who came after Dan and Pearl's nosebags. That was the last straw for Altaira.

She waited until the caravan pulled up and was settled - then went to see if Oqaia or Val was about, knowing that they'd know what to do. The jealous bobcat in her arms she ran to the nearest wagon and knocked on Oqaia's door.

Instantly the relaxed and luxuriating bobcat - no walking for him! - stiffened and looked at Oqaia ith narrowed gold eyes. Suspicious. One of the wiser pair of gypsies? Why had mother brought him here? He'd never really played tricks on Val or Oqaia...

"Sorry to bother you so soon after a stop Oqaia."Altaira, for her part, bobbed her head politely. "But I was worried what mischief Sindri might get up to - he's been very odd lately."