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 Posted: Sat May 10, 2014 9:46 am
A Little Miracle
Junjie was resting in his tent, back with the group that he had been staying with. His eyes were closed but he wasn't asleep, instead he was just resting his eyes for a moment. He hadn't slept a lot since the little one had been born, not because she kept him away but because he just found himself checking on her even five minutes. There seemed to be so little that he knew about babies, especially special babies like her, and as such he couldn't help but to want to check on her constantly.
"It's alright, Junjie, she still sleeps." Came Abellio's voice, the feathery Alihora leaned over to get a peek at the baby before turning back to Jun, nuzzling him between the horns. He knew that the last couple days had taken it out of Junjie, both physically and mentally, and he meant to do all that he could to ease the pressure he was feeling. Arjan felt the same way, even now he was outside prowling around the perimeter of the camp, keep an eye out for dangers. It was something that amused Abellio, no matter how against the idea of a child Arjan had been before now that one was present he was doing his best to help out, even with things such as playing the part of a guardian.
'It's because I don't want to get yanked on again!' Came Arjan's complaining voice to Junjie, not wanting for them to think for a moment that he was falling under the little girl's spell in the same manner that everyone else had!
Opening his eyes up Junjie glanced over at the little makeshift bed the girl was sleeping in, one that was made out of a basket normally used for carrying various goods when the camp was moved from one oasis to another, the group often seeming as though they were looking for the best hunting grounds. One of them had been kind enough to help him to make a bed out of the basket, a man that had been there the day that the little one had been born, one of the same men that had been forced to drag Junjie away from the caravan. It had been a rough time, finding someone in need of his help, someone he had been unable to save, try as he might. He'd expended all of his magical energy trying to save the Oblivionite woman but the damage had been too severe and they hadn't arrived quickly enough. The fact that her baby had been born alive was a testament of the woman's will as a mother, she wanted her child to live.
"It's not your fault, Junjie. It was the fault of those strange creatures that attacked her!" Abellio said in a hushed tone, not wanting to wake the baby but wanting to scold Junjie nevertheless. The fact that he blamed himself was something that bothered Abellio greatly. He had done all he could! The woman had held on to save her child even despite her grave wounds, it showed how strong she was if you asked Abellio.
Sitting up Junjie stretched out all over, then turned to look toward the basket that the baby was sleeping in, "I just wish things had turned out differently was all." There was so much that he had wanted to ask the woman after all. The baby, she was different, she was special, she wasn't a pure Oblivionite. Instead she was much like himself, she was a mix of heritage, in fact her eyes held light in them much like that of others he'd met in the past that had mixed blood. Tilawen, Tyrok, even Lilith to a degree had those eyes, beautiful eyes that made him smile a little just at the thought of them. She really was a sweet little girl and he was glad that he had been able to save her, the quest becoming though with her mother gone what of her father? Was he still alive? Was he out there somewhere waiting for his Oblivionite bride to arrive? Or had been one of the others slain by those strange lizardmen? He hadn't seen an Orderite among the dead so he couldn't really say.
"I will need to try to find him." He murmured, certain that the man would want to know what had happened to his lover, as well as know that his child still lived. For the time being though it wasn't safe to travel too far, especially given that one of the woman was kind enough to be a wet nurse for the little one. They needed to stick close by for the time being, until the little one was ready for more solid foods at least, and then he would see about going to Serenia, perhaps? Though how difficult would it be for him to get to his mother with a baby that looked as she did? She was obviously of Oblivionite blood so she might very well not be welcome. Perhaps they would head to Ayr then? The Dovaa Sage would likely still be there and if anyone could help them it would be him. Or should he go to Aisko where Rio and Lilith lived? His options were more then one might expect, it was just a shame they were so spread out.
Abellio, nudged Junjie in the shoulder then, drawing him out of his thoughts, "The baby is starting to squirm." He said before turning attention back to the girl who was just waking up. Leaning in close he gave her a smile, "Hello there little whelp! You awa...ack!" The Alihora gave a little squeak when the girl's tiny hands caught hold of and tugged at some of his feathers. He didn't move though, not wanting to cause her any harm, and instead just let her yank on him until Junjie came over to free him from her surprisingly tight hold, "Phew, quite the grip."
Junjie chuckled and nodded, "Quite." He murmured before carefully scooping the girl up, leaning in to give her a kiss on the forehead, "Let's see if you need a change then we will see about bringing you for your afternoon meal." She shared food alongside the wet nurse's own child, one of a different race then the girl he was caring for, and it made him feel good to see it. Perhaps she would have a good friend in the boy he thought to himself.
After a he was done changing her into something clean and dry he turned to look over at Abellio and said, "We should think of a good name for her. I have been putting it off in hopes that her father might arrive but since we aren't quite sure where in the world he might be... well, it might be best for us to come up with something." Pushing to his feet he scooped up his cloak, wrapping it around himself and the baby, "We will do that after you eat though, little one, I don't want to keep you from a full belly." Giving a smile he left the tent, Abellio following close behind, and headed for another tent that was nearby while the baby happily yanked on a lock of his hair.
(( Word Count: 1206 ))
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Posted: Sat May 10, 2014 9:49 am
Much to Think On
It had taken a bit of thought on the part of Junjie but finally he had come up with a name for the little girl that he was taking care of and that name was Keona. It was the sort of name that he felt was one that suited her due to the meaning. The name meant 'Gift from God'. Turning to look over at Abellio he gave a bit of a smile, "I think the question then becomes 'which God' huh?" The girl was a mix of all three races, meaning that she was a very special gift, one that he felt should be loved and protected because there were those out there who wouldn't see little Keona in the same manner that he felt she should be treated. That merely meant that she would need to be strong so that she would be able to hold her head high in the future he thought to himself. Leaning over he gave her a kiss on the forehead, "It will be alright, we will keep you safe." He told her, giving the little one a smile.
There was a snort from Arjan, "We can keep her safe for only so long, Junjie. We need to consider training her once she is old enough for such things." The Kiandri told him, feeling that as the responsible one, as well as the only on who wasn't as bedazzled by everything that the little whelp did, that it was his task to make sure she was well trained. Just as with Junjie he would be sure to get on her case to make sure that she was able to fight! Just hoping for the best wasn't going to get her ahead in the world, she had to be ready to fight for what she wanted just as Junjie always had to fight for everything he wanted.
There was a quiet, thoughtful pause on Junjie's part before he gave a bit of a sigh, "Maybe we will be lucky and things will be better when she grows up." While he hoped that would be the case he knew full well he couldn't bet on the end of the war happening. As such he would need to follow Arjan's suggestion, wouldn't he? Not something that he liked the sound of but then again he was sure that his mother had felt the same way when it came to him learning to battle as he had. He'd had the aid of the Dovaa Sage, something that he might have to seek out for Keona. It wasn't something that they didn't have to worry about right now though, not when she was still so tiny. It was still their duty to look after her and make sure that she was kept safe. The day that she had to fight was something he hoped wouldn't happen any time soon. He would rather that she stayed small enough so that he could keep her safe.
Turning to look at Arjan he finally said, "You are right, she will need to learn, but not quite yet. Given she is too little to even stay awake for long periods of time I am sure that she doesn't need to be battling dragons or carrying weapons quite yet. If you want to help train her when she is bigger though I suppose I can allow it. I know you have done well in motivating me in the past after all."
Arjan seemed to puff up and preen a bit, seeming to be quite pleased with Junjie's words. Good, so his bonded agreed with him, "Good, I will see to it that she gets strong." It would be a lot harder then training Junjie though. The girl wasn't his bonded after all meaning that he would need to talk out loud to her a lot, giving her vocal instruction and orders. It would take a bit longer he was sure but it would be worth it if she was a better student then Junjie could be at times. He really had to push to get him to listen at times when he found something more interesting to do... things such as gallivanting about to play with his friends. Foolish wastes of time that took up valuable training time. He'd teach the little whelp how to better manage her time he thought to himself, tail swishing behind him thoughtfully.
"Just don't push her too hard, Arjan, or she might not like you." Abellio spoke up, not wanting to see the Kiandri picking on Keona even if it was because he wanted to see her succeed. Surely he must know that pushing too hard wouldn't end well? He'd rather not see her balk at her training because Arjan was too harsh a teacher after all, "Besides... we don't even know yet what sort of fighter she will be. Like our Jun she has much potential." He couldn't help but to wonder what sort of weapon she might pick and what clan she would want to be a part of! It was all so exciting!
Those thoughts seemed to get Junjie thinking as well, "Mmm, her clan... I hadn't even thought of that. I should probably speak with the Dovaa Sage about that, to see if it would be possible for her to get her a grand orb when the time for such a things comes." He mused out loud to the two Khehora.
Abellio gave a smile and said, "I am sure that he will help, he always does." He told his bonded before he gave Keona a glance, "Will you have her become Ysali like we are?" He asked a curious manner, wonder if Junjie wanted for her to follow in his footsteps, "Or will you encourage her to be Peisio like your mother?"
"Pft, she should be Kiandri like the Dovaa Sage and myself." Arjan spoke up, a smirk appearing on his face as he spoke. It was obvious that he was trying to pick a fight with Abellio over which clan it was that Keona should pick.
Both Khehora likely believed that their clan was the best clan and while Junjie enjoyed the powers that he had as a Ysali Dovaa he felt as though that was all a part of getting to truly choose his clan. He smiled as he looked down at the little girl who was resting in his arms before he finally said, "I will likely allow her to choose her own clan. Meeting others, such as the two of you, the Dovaa Sage, and of course mother will help her to see some of the clans. It would be good if she could meet with Tilawen, Rio, and Lilith as well, that would allow her to see Firani and Aiskala up close as well." He found himself wondering if Lilith had decided upon what clan she wanted to be a part of herself. It was something he'd have to ask her the next time he saw her though he couldn't say that she would be that much more talkative when next time. It likely depended on her mood.
"You still think we will find Tilawen?" Abellio asked in a curious manner, knowing full well that Junjie wanted to find his missing friend but given how much time had passed he felt that such a thing was unlikely. They had been searching for ages without so much of a single sighting of her, even Rio hadn't seen her...
Junjie glanced at Abellio, then dropped his gaze to looking at Keona who reminded him of Tilawen if only due to her coloration. The dark skin and reddish hair were very much like his friend he thought for an idle moment before he said, "I... want to believe that we will. She has been missing for a while but maybe she is off training? She might just want to get strong so that she can show her father up or something." At least that was what he hoped. Even if it were possible that he might not find her he felt that since he hadn't seen her gravestone and hand't heard news of her passing that she was still out there. He'd keep looking until he found her or the a fore mentioned stone.
"For now, let's think of happier things. Such as possible travel. We won't be able to go until Keona is no longer in need of her wet nurse but we still need to figure out exactly how we will be getting home to Serenia or to Ayr as we are." Two Hybrids of different mixes and two Khehora, it made travel interesting that was for sure. They would likely need to consult with Lios, something he felt guilty about since he didn't want to see as though he were using the Orderite but still, the man did want to make up to Junjie his past indiscretions. Maybe it would be alright to get some help from him? Given it wasn't needed straight away though he saw no reason to worry about it overly much at the moment. He'd worry about that later but he wanted it out there, just in case the other two came up with better ideas.
His thoughts were interrupted as Keona started to squirm and fuss a bit, a sure sign that she was starting to get hungry. He had been with her long enough that he was starting to get a hang of what she was trying to communicate to him. Be it that she was hungry, sleepy, or that she needed to be changed he was starting to slowly figure it out. She tossed in other things from time to time to test him, things like wanting to play, wanting Abellio to come closer so she could yank on him, and the like. Still, at least he was learning. Pushing to his feet he said, "Come on, let's see about getting you some more food." He cooed at Keona, getting a little smile from her before he started out of the tent then to where the wet nurse waited, ever flanked by his Khehora who were even more protective then ever now that they were guarding two Hybrids instead of one.
(( Word Count: 1701 ))
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Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 2:29 am
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