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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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 Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 4:15 pm
It was pain like she had never felt…a horribly excruciating pain, in which she wished she could just crawl out of her own body so that she wouldn’t have to feel it any longer. Though at the same time…she enjoyed the pain. Enjoyed the pain, but only because of what it meant. Meant she was going to be a mother in a few hours time, and Malik was going to be a father, and they were going to have their family…maybe just the beginnings. Who knew, possibilities after all. But the humans were right about something…you could indeed have too much of a good things.
That’s when it wasn’t as enjoyable. Even her thought process couldn’t override what felt like her body trying to rip itself apart, even worse than what Kaden had put her through, she was sure of it. Amidst her own whimpers and groans of pain she remembered her parent’s voice, Malik’s, Zahara’s. The two drow horribly worried about how hard this was for Piper, that it shouldn’t be so bad on her, and then Kieran and Fianna pointing out that for a female surface elf…well their bodies weren’t really made for this kind of thing, being a tad slimmer than drow females hip wise. And as hard as it was for Piper…it was equally hard on Malik. He had been handling it well at first, holding her hand, petting through her hair and giving a soft smile to her with words of reassurance and comfort. Though that only lasted so long before the drow began to experience another extreme of what it meant to be bonded in the elven ways. First off he didn’t like to see her upset or hurting, and she was just those two things, multiplied a few times. Secondly…he was bonded to her. Her body was in distress, even if it was normal bodily distress from labor, and was broadcasting that loud and clear to him and his bond was urging him to help her in any way he could. Which of course lead to Kieran somewhat restraining him as things progressed, Piper’s parents able to control the same distress feeling they were getting from her. And even though Malik did try to fight Kieran, bond more or less pinning him as a barrier from helping his wife, a little bit of restraining magic and logical words, tad bit of physical force at least kept Malik from doing something he may regret later.
But soon enough the pain was over, and she was still feeling horrible, hair plastered to her face with sweat and her hands sore from all the clenching at Malik’s own hand and pretty much anything within reach. A soft cry in the room, a flash of blue and a small smile to her husband as he had beamed back just as brightly, parents holding that fond look, though Zahara was still in her cleric role, overly concerned for the bodily stressed surface elf. It all kind of melded together from that point…her baby being handed over, all wrapped up and quietly content…a wonderful mix of emotions from herself and from Malik as well. Worth the pain.
Coming up from reverie, eyes fluttering open, Piper gave a smile at her newest memory, despite how agonizing it had been for a good few hours. Even for an elf, labor was a daunting task. Piper had learned that very well and for the past two days, she had been quite exhausted, not really leaving bed and taking much more reverie than what her mind required of her. Body needed to catch up, even with the blessing of elven endurance. Schedule was pretty much eat, nurse, reverie. Though she deserved the rest, what with a rather difficult and stressful birth. True to her nature however, three days was all she needed to shake something, at least in her opinion, and this was no different.
Of course Malik along with Kieran and Fianna had been taking care of her and their newborn so there was no stress on either during that brief three days that Piper was down and out. Even Zahara stopped by to make sure she was doing alright. The parents had been hanging around for the last month of her pregnancy in support for the upcoming and now passed birth of their grandchild. The blessed outcome? A son who mimicked his father in looks and was given a name in accordance. Malikhai. Who occupied a crib in their room because Gods forbid that she was more than ten feet from him. Piper sighed lightly, the sun would be high in the sky if they had one. She’d been in bed all day up to this point, husband, parents or Zahara coming to check on her and the baby from time to time. But, it was time to get back to life. Sitting herself up in bed she swung her legs to the side and touched bare feet to the floor, waiting a moment before getting up and walking over to that crib to peer down at her son who was already awake, wide eyed and bushy tailed. A soft smile down to him as he made one of those sounds of recognition at her, before he was picked up and cradled in her arms with his blankets. “Afternoon little one.” Her little twilight as she had come to think about it from Malik’s words. Yes she was day, Malik was night, and Malikhai was twilight. Often she called him Uial in nickname, meaning twilight in surface elvish, or just common worked too, sometimes she’d say it in drow…whatever she felt like at the time.
Malikhai was a rather quiet infant at that, but that was Piper’s doing through elvish bonding. She knew when he was about to cry for something, and exactly what he needed to prevent that crying…thus he had no reason to cry about anything seeing as he got at attention he wanted and any need he may require was met. The woman could be in the middle of a conversation and suddenly break it because her son was about to cry because he was hungry. Didn’t like the thought of him having to cry for those kinds of things. Besides, she knew that there would be plenty of crying and fussing once the little elf was mobile and more demanding…though she wasn’t planning on spoiling the child rotten either.
Sevilin on the other hand, was more or less to enraptured with his own baby to more or less even blink at Piper finally giving birth to her own. Hell, he probably wouldn't of known she did indeed go through that if he hadn't of been there at the time. Sure, due congratulations were given and so on and so forth, but that was about it. As for him, well the past six months had been...interesting...what with a woman living in his house and everything.
It had always been immaculately clean, seeing as Sevilin was obsessive compulsive about things being clean, but other than that most things had a less than elegant style about them. Like food for instance...before Sevilin would more or less something that he called food, but looked nothing like and probably tasted even less like, if it even had taste at all. But now, oh Zahara had more or less taken over his kitchen, making it her own space and what not. She was also in fact kind of reforming him of his habits...like going without food for three days and then having one big meal. Nope, not allowed to do that anymore...three meals a day, every day. She used the excuse of Zykariel to make him comply to those terms too. It almost seemed like when she wasn't nursing Zykariel or in a way was babysitting him, she was taking care of Sevilin himself.
Zykariel had become a little wonder in himself. He could sit up on his own now, roll over and sometimes tried to wriggle himself away and his repertoire of noises had increased ten fold. Smiling and laughing was his favorite activity as well as tugging on things. Anything within his grasp that had slack was being tugged on. Like Sevilin's braid for example...or Nym's tail. He had a certain fascination with making spit bubbles as well. You could only make that cute if you were a baby too and Zykariel made it exceptionally so. Baby babble had almost become a second language in the house and nosies were more or less easily interpreted.
Though truth be told, Sevilin was concerned these days for his son. He was getting older and thus he wasn't as dependent on his mother's provided nourishment. He was eating the softer solid food these days in conjunction with his nursing, which was less and less, in fact he usually took a bottle as opposed to his mother with his semi solid meals. And it seemed Zahara was having no problem with that, probably even relieved. In fact she had already talked about moving back to Malik and Piper's. Not that he wanted her to go or anything...he was just worried on how Zykariel would take it.
All of this being mused over while he was in the arena with Arthur, Sevilin sitting off to the side, with Zykariel on his knee who was gnawing on a piece of banana from a plate that sat to the side of the pair with said cut up banana on it, and tugging at his father's hair as big purple eyes took to watching between the bright lights and flashy things of Arthur and then the chittering fun of Nym who was sitting on Sevilin's other knee.
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Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 4:25 pm
Malik was pacing back and forth, hands behind his back. in the past six months, he'd been checking on Laudi's progress, and Piper's. And Arthur...he'd been giving arthur beatings like no tomorrow, mostly due to needing to work off the excess anxious energy. so that went into making arthur train. And a slight smirk to think that he'd probably nearly tried to kill Kieran during the birth...while he knew about the bonding and what it did...he had been seriously unprepared for the backlash he'd gotten during the birthing.
The nursery was done, and the stables being rebuilt even at the moment, the horses free to roam lands. speaking of lands, in the past six months, with some insistant help on Zahara and Sevilin's part.. he lands had become fertile enough to grow food, with the damned lack of transplanar travel. Fianna and Kieran were here though. Mostly due to the want to be near Piper in the latter half of her pregnancy.
And the Purians...plans were already in motion. All he'd had to do was wait. one orc, some drunk or stray scout or just plain idiot, had fallen into his hands. and though a bit of enchanter adn necromantic rewiring, he had attained a Norrathian level of itellect. Which ment he knew battle tactics, how to rally others to him, how to fight..and how to forge weapons of metal. then he'd been sent back out, hopefully he woudl rally the orcs, and they'd come in force, just like Malik had warned the Chieftan of...and then he coudl either come in and be the savior...or let them be beaten down first.
But right now..he wasn't thinking on such things. Right now, he was most concerned with Piper, and his son. His son. Hard to think that without a small grin forming. They did it. defied nature herself, and got a child without waiting who knows how many centuries. Though as was often the case, he was worried about his wife's health, being bedridden this long wasn't good with a newborn was it?
Onyx was playing with his wisps. over the past six months, he'd been tormenting his twin, trying to get him out of his depression, and spending as much time as possible with Aella. learning to create with hsi wisps, to give them shape and form to help Aella with her staff. making glowing red rockspiders or wolves or the like.
Though he still kept up his informal work with Celeste to keep Cedric from Aella in anything but a friendly manner. But he did have a soft spot for the dog, and spoiled him rotten when he got the opportunity to.
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 4:45 pm
"Pacing again Malik?" Said of course with common place chuckle from the moon elf. Even Kieran had changed a bit, having not cut his hair in a bit it was down to his waist now, and maybe he looked a little stress and worn these days. But that was to be expected, this was his first real vacation in quite a while...after all, while only a year had passed here in Labyrinth, two had passed in Andal. Had meant another season change and council and what not. A council in which Malik got overly detailed notes on and so on and so forth. After all, they desereved to know what was going on since they were technically in line.
Fianna, looked a little more put together than Kieran these days, but that was the way it usually went with the two. And she had had an easier time in Andal than Kieran had been having...Mahlari was these days testing Kieran's tolerance of drow, but never enought to encite action from Brigade or anyone else. Harmless schoolyard bullying you coudlo call it. Kieran had thus frustrated the woman with this lack of giving in. Pushing the door open, Fianna silently slipped into the room. Being noon, it was the time when mother wanted to check on daughter and Fianna honestly expected to find her in bed still. But not, green colored eyes would find her daughter up and about, holding her son who was just as adorable as could be. "Oh, so you're finally up are you? How's the pain?" Poor thing had been sore for the past days.
Her eyes and attention didn't even waver from that baby, only smiled and gave her answer, her voice naturally falling soft and calm around the newborn she held. "I don't like to be down for more than three days. Malik starts to worry and well you know me, I never have been able to stay still for too long. Besides, if I don't get up and start moving around, I'm never going to feel better." Giving a little sigh. "I'm doing a lot better."
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Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 5:18 pm
"such is my method when things are uncertain."
A slight grin.
"And I still say you should just kill her chaindog and that will keep that woman quiet for some time. after all, that poison he purchased off me should be more than enough incentive that they maybe trying a premptive strike. Not to mention, those two souls were personally killed by said chaindog. aren't there specific no killing other elves unless there's no witnesses?"
A slight smirk.
"and sit down, have a drink, relax some."
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 5:27 pm
"Uncertain? And I should be the one who's telling you to relax." A little shrug and a grin. "I'm quite relaxed actually." Pointedly so, a relaxed Kieran was a travel clothes wearing, no circlet, hair down, Raziel lounging on his shoulder, Kieran. Of which he was very much looking the part this time. Hey he wasn't out to impress anybody right now, and Malik was family. A dismissive wave of his hand. "Ah, I guess I get more fun out of thwarting her with simple means and what not. I don't care to be a catalyst to that woman...and if Khaiver fell, well she'd just get another." Much as he didn't like to admit that fact.
Tilting his head some in thought over Malik's question. "Not if it happens in the Depths...the rules are different down there, as you well know. And yes well...if there's no witnesses then no one can really know..." Crossing his arms lightly then. "So, how's it feel being a father?" Oh Kieran, ever asking questions.
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Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 5:38 pm
Deidrich was now fully grown, and much more diciplined. It was rare now for him not to carry out simple orders. He was copmming slightly less puppy-ish, becoming a little more serious. Meilikki was training him well. And Onyx was spoiling him. Good times.
Meilikki herself spent much of her time helping Gerard run the city. She took care of smaller matters so the king would have more time for other things. She was a matron now, of sorts, with so many people living in her home. In the entertainment hall (which it had become called recently) she had hired a periminant band to play music for people who came in and out. Eventually, this became a perpetual party with food and drink served and a constant stream of dancers and socialers. She was kept busy, to say the least.
Aella, over the last half year had been practicing with the bracers Cedric had given her. She couldn't say that she was all that good yet, and was not comfortable with them on either her ankles, or her wrists. But she kept practicing knowing it would be a long time before she grew skilled with their use. She was in the basement floor now, ever practicing.
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Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 5:40 pm
"Okay, get rid of her and save everyone a headache."
a slight chuckle, taking a seat and fidgeting only slightly.
"I don't know exactly how to feel. Part of me is worried to death I'm going to do someting to screw him up, part of me thinks that this is something so important that I should do nothing but cater to him, and the othe part feels just pride and joy. I'm an emotional mess."
A slight chuckle.
"though all the excess energy has been put into making arthur's life hell."
Onyx was a partier...kinda. more of a drinker that liked to do silly things when he had too much. which ment he was usually not allowed in the party room unless the crowd was aimable to some antics of that nature. which ment right now, after slipping Deidrich some food..down to the basement where inevitably, Aella was at.
"Still learning with those things?"
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Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 5:48 pm
Fear was not a largely foreign emotion though she wasn't horribly familiar with it either. Here she was experiencing it tenfold. Worried looks passed between her and Malik and her and Piper's parents who were present as well. Could Piper sustain the whole process? She was screaming like someone was stabbing her repeatedly with a hot poker even though Zahara had given her something for the pain. She just didn't know what else to do. Standing there on the other side of the bed, wiping at the sweat on Piper's brow. It had been hours and the baby was still coming.
And then suddenly, the tide changed and Malikhai actually began to appear. Zahara had been present when Malikhai had finally, quite loudly popped into the world. That had been an interesting event unto itself. A little blue boy, covered in blood and....other things. He was tiny, much like Zykariel was at that age. Had Zykariel looked like that? She found herself slightly fascinated with the squirming, bloody baby. Then Fianna swept him off to get him all cleaned up.
She watched as Fianna walked back over and handed the baby to Piper and an amazing transformation took place. Before Zahara's eyes, the tired and bewildered Piper became radiant and energized. She joyously took her son into her arms and snuggled him closely to her, bending her head to kiss his little blue cheek, his little tuft of white hair and even his fingers and toes. A lump swelled in Zahara's throat and when Malik joined the happy pair, well she felt like a third party, someone who wasn't supposed to be there. She'd given her congratulations and then escaped.
Now, three days later, she was sitting in the same chair she'd been in six months ago when she'd first held and nursed Zykariel. She'd hung around the manor for the past few days though she'd still been sleeping at home. Six months and she was already beginning to think of Sevilin's place as home and Zykariel as hers. It was time to get out, she'd known that but she'd try to convince herself a few more weeks wouldn't matter. He was getting so big and now he was even beginning to get mobile. Soon he'd be walking and talking and...she'd be influencing him and evetually she'd become her mother. And that was something she wouldn't permit.
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Picking Up Stars Vice Captain
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 6:04 pm
"If only it were that simple." But of course it wasn't and Kieran didn't feel like having a case of planar chaos from an upturned society. They didn't have to like how things were down there, just tolerate it and make sure it stayed down there. Though a chuckle at Malik's answer. "Oh don't worry, that's how you're supposed to feel. But you'll do fine and soon enough you'll get over those intitial jitters. Then before you know it you'll be chasing him around the place, trying to keep track of him. I'm telling you, they get mobile and that's it, everything from the doorknobs down in thiers."
Giving another little chuckle at that, as well as a nostalgic sigh as well. Ah yes, the ever calming feeling of the bonds one had to others. The wife and daughter were happy, Malik was happy, he was happy...yeah it was a nice time indeed. Though he did feel a little guilty about something else, but it was a needed thing that would need to be gotten used to on the other's part. Social was good, constantly clingy was not. "Besides, Pip will keep you in line...those women and thier babies. Speaking of which, how's Sevilin's?" Because he was nice and neutral like that. Before another chuckle. "I do hope it's tolerable hell. Wouldn't do you any good to work the life out of him."
Yes it was a wonderful sight indeed, watching her daughter handling her own son. He was such a cutie too, looked just like his father. And despite Piper's own difficulties she was recovering and handling things quite well, taking full advantage of the communion sessions and bonding that had taken place when Malikhai was still in the womb. Thus Malik and Piper did indeed have a very happy baby on thier hands. There was one hurdle though she was going to have to get over though. "You know, I think I should mention it...he's Malik's baby too and Malik is your husband." To which she got a confused blink. "Meaning you have to share. Your child and your affections." The downfall of most mothers...babies always chosen over the men in thier lives, which could cause quite a bit of problems."
Wasn't quick realization grand? Yup, having things pointed out early was indeed a good thing to have happen. "Oh...I know...there's no need to worry about that." Or at least she'd hoped. Yes, things would be fine, she could share and play with the other children just find. She could handle it. Ah the oh so well known mantra in her head between her lopsided ears. Another look to her son, who was blinking up at her with big silvery eyes. "How could I not want to share him with Malik? Or my time, after all...I have some indulging to do with the things that were restricted from me in due time."
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Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 6:39 pm
"I wouldn't know. Sevilin keeps him from here, in his own home. which is where Zahara has been living of late. So I don't really know. though with the lack of the portal being fully working with some artifact being stolen on this end, I have made use to getting these lands able to help support us."
A slight chuckle.
"I don't think I'll have too much trouble keeping tracking of him...it's keeping track of him and catching him before he gets into things that's the tough part."
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Picking Up Stars Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 6:57 pm
Zahara ran her fingers idly through her hair and sighed, then got up and began to pace. She had to make a decision, she had to get out before she got too involved. Everyone had told her that there was no way she could keep herself seperated, no way could she remain distant, not once she'd breastfed him. But she hadn't believed any of them, at all. She sighed again and finally made a decision. It was time. Pushing herself up she took a deep breath and headed downstairs. It was about lesson time so she knew right where to go, the arena. Coming in she glanced at Sevilin and Zykariel and carefully came in, taking a seat beside him. "I hope you're not working him too hard?" she asked carefully, starting just a casual conversation.
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Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 7:01 pm
"I suggest a bell." Giving a chuckle at that...and yes, he would admit, he did put a bell on Piper...that girl could get away so fast it was almost mind boggling. Another sigh. "You'll learn to enjoy every moment of it all and then fore you know it, you'll want another one. It's the way it always is." Followed of course by a chuckle as he sat down himself, more or less just leaning back in his chiar. Yeah, felt good to relax and get away from work for right now. Though it would be waiting on his deak. "Piper's doing better, as I'm told. Though in my opinion she did rather well..." Another chuckle. "You did too." Because he would admit it...it had been kinda funny...now that they both looked back on it and could laugh.
Sevilin looked up from his son, who had had his attention at the moment, even over Arthur, and then another look to Arthur before a look to Zahara as she sat down next to the little group. "Too hard? Of course not. This is all starting to get too easy for him, going to have to find something more challenging." Looking back to Zykariel as the child more or less handed him a slice of banana. "Why thank you, but that's yours." Handing it back with a smile.
You don't want it? Alright, I'll keep it. In fact watch, I'll eat it. As another series of tugs was given to Sevilin's hair and then big purple eyes turned thier focus on Zahara. Hey! It's you! Where have you been all day.
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Picking Up Stars Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 7:14 pm
She was smiling before she caught herself but when she did, her smile faded and she averted her eyes. He was making those noises again, the ones that meant he recognized her and was happy to see her. She'd heard those same sounds quite a bit in the last six months, so much so she'd find herself listening for them randomly about the house. "I might be able to help you out there. I'd like to have a day or two with him to teach him some of my own tricks if that's alright with you."
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Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 7:24 pm
Blink, long stare as she didn't seem happy all of a sudden and turned her eyes from him. What's the matter with you? Though a poke to his tummy got his attention and he gave a giggle before giving Sevilin's hair a tug in retribution for the distracting poke that brought his attention back to banana slices.
Yes he had done it on purpose, more or less to change Zykariel's focus from Zahara. Oh yes, Sevilin was keenly observant of how she had been acting toward the child lately, and he had been doing his best to keep him distracted from said behavior. Maybe it would help in the long run if he kept him ignorant as Zahara broke off like he knew she wanted to. She wan ancy lately.
"Sure, I don't see why not. Probably do him some good to expose him to some more strictly clerical magics. Though speaking of teaching. What about you?" Because thier own lessons...well they were few and far between it seemed these days, more of a casual passing occurance.
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 7:26 pm
"A bell won't work here. it'll take him five minutes to get one of the breakers to take it off him...or he'll get it accidentally caught somewhere and tear it off. Though I do apologize if I injured you. I wasn't really prepared for that."
A slight grin.
"another, eh? thinking of having another with Fianna are we?"
Before snapping his fingers and a book was delivered to him, flipping through it nad handing it over.
"Six months research and developmental studies on the Drakklin breed, newly created."
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