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 Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 6:40 pm
The Taos household felt insulated in its own warmth. A picture of unique architecture affixed with magic, warming and warding spells, and decorated with a simple but practical array of heavy wooden furniture adorned in furs and supplemented by the comforts of a large, burning hearth. The youngest child in their presence, as Lithian had since learned, was Asi’wi, a boy of ten, followed after by his elder brother Tylik, who had lead them into the city. Though Lithian insisted multiple times that they need not burden themselves with their company for long, the childrens’ mother, Kele Taos — as large in the midsection as promised by her youngest son — insisted on their staying, at least for the night and potentially through the worst of the storm, depending on how long that took.
Eventually, when it became clear the offer was truly extended in earnest and that he wouldn’t get any farther objecting, Lithian conceded the point and thanked her graciously for her hospitality. After he and Casseth explained themselves, including some brief storytelling on what had brought them to Aisko in addition to basic introductions, Lithian offered himself up to aid in her dinner making process. It took some insistence, but eventually, the help was accepted, and he found himself maneuvering the strange kitchen, helping where he could and elaborating on his and Casseth’s tale when prompted.
It lingered on the tip of Lithian’s tongue to ask, at several points, where or whether there was a father around, given that he hadn’t shown himself. But, in the end, he opted to let the circumstances reveal the answer to that question, not wanting to come across as rude or presumptuous to their already gracious host.
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Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 7:11 pm
Casseth watched as Lithian moved off into the kitchen area with the boys’ mom. The younger one hadn’t been kidding when he’d said his mom was about ready to pop. Cas blinked as his sleep was tugged on and he looked down, finding the youngest — Asi’wi — boy by his side, eyes wide and staring up at him. “Hmm?” He crouched down, getting eye level with him before speaking. “What is it?”
“You’re a...hybrid?” Ask asked curiously.
“Mhmm, sure am.”
Asi eyed Cas nervously, lower lip disappearing between his teeth. Questions he wanted to ask staying locked behind his closed lips. When it was obvious the boy wanted to ask more of him, but was too nervous to do so, Casseth stood, moving over to the couch and patting the spot beside him. Asi hesitated for a moment before following him and climbing up to the couch. Off to the side, standing in the doorway between the kitchen and living area, Asi’s brother stayed perched, doing his best to listen in on both conversations.
Asi’s gaze flicked all over Cas, taking in every detail he could. “You’re oblivionite?”
“Yep,” Cas said, a small smile curving his lips. He had noticed one thing, straight off, about the city of Targallah. Of all the people coming and going, not one of them had been oblivionite or had even a touch of oblivionite blood. “Have you ever met an oblivionite before?”
Asi shook his head, gaze flicking from Cas’ skin to the horns on his head. “Dovaa?”
“Bingo.” He stretched his wings out, fluffing the feathers of his one wing up. “Orderite too,” he said, filling in the last bit of info for the boy himself. “I have a mix of everything inside me.” Cas’ gaze flicked over to the older boy when he spoke up.
“What’s your clan?” Tylik asked as he took a step into the living room.
“Gaili.” He glanced back towards Asi. “And from what I could tell from when we first met, you’re aiskala,”
Asi grinned and nodded his head vigorously. “Like my daddy!”
Casseth grinned and turned his attention back to the older boy — Tylik. “And you’re firani?”
A small smile curled up the corners of Tylik’s mouth as he nodded. “Yeah.” He opened his mouth to say more but quickly shut it at the sound of their front door opening.
“Daddy!” Asi scrambled down off of the couch, conversation with Casseth completely forgotten as he ran through the kitchen. A scolding from his mom, about running in the house, fell on deaf ears as he threw himself into his father’s home.
Dasan caught his son, grin spreading across his face as he gave him a big hug. “Hello there, Asi’wi. How’s your mother doing?” Asi opened his mouth to answer, but frowned at the look on his father’s face when he stepped into the kitchen. Gone was the huge grin and replacing it was the thinned lips of a man who was not happy with what he was seeing. “Who are you?” Dasan asked, eyes narrowing in on a tall dovaa he did not know.
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Tangled Puppet Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 7:29 pm
Lithian watched out of the corner of his eye, listening with private amusement — and warmth — as Asi’wi and Casseth conversed. Whatever Casseth’s reservations with having children, Lithian was convinced again in that moment that they were unfounded. His mate spoke warmly and naturally with the child, even as young as he was, and opened himself up to his curiosities in manners where, with any adult he would have almost certainly kept himself reserved. Casseth would make a terrific father one day, and the thought brought a creeping flush to his cheeks and a pleasant bubble of hopefulness and anticipation to his gut.
He worked while Casseth spoke, of course, helping the lady Kele with what she needed, particularly when it involved high or heavy objects, but also in smaller tasks like slicing vegetables and measuring spices. It was in the midst of this that Casseth and Asi’wi’s conversation was cut short by the opening of the front door. With that came, apparently, the answer to Lithian’s previous unspoken question: Dasan Taos.
Lithian blinked, stilling mid-motion — caught in the process of slicing up long strings of coppery-brown root whose name he wasn’t familiar with — and setting the cutting knife aside a moment later. He brushed his hands over the front of his tunic, offered his best reserved smile, and dipped his head in a respectful but not overly low bow.
“Lithian Fedele,” he said, maintaining the smile as he straightened his posture. “My apologies for our unannounced appearance — it wasn’t the intention of myself or my company to burden your family — but the fates saw to it that your sons found us, that is myself and…” He gestured towards Casseth, “…my mate, Casseth, when we were forced to land from our travels due to the growing storm. We had intended to find shelter in the nearby mountain ranges, but were invited in in the interest of safety…we mean no affront or offense, and are most grateful of your family’s hospitality. It was most unexpected, but blessedly welcome nonetheless…you’ve a beautiful home.”
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Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 2:38 pm
As Dasan glanced from Lithian to Casseth, his eyes narrowed. Instantly aware of the fact (as it was, of course, hard to miss) that Casseth was a hybrid. Not only that, but male — and apparently the other one’s mate. He grunted as he sat Asi down on his feet but kept a protective arm around the boy’s shoulder, keeping him close to his side. Despite not being one hundred percent comfortable with the situation, Dasan knew perfectly well he couldn’t get away with turning them back out into the storm. He would be setting a bad example for his children and besides, his wife would never allow it anyway.
His gaze flicked back to the taller of the two men, the one who had been helping Kele with dinner and he grunted. “You’re welcome to stay. Just do not cause trouble.” Dasan’s eyes moved over to his wife, features softening “You should be resting.” He ruffled Asi’s hair before moving over to his very pregnant wife. He laid a hand on her belly and kissed her cheek. Without moving his hand from Kele’s stomach, he glanced back to Lith. “You will be leaving when the storm lets up?”
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Tangled Puppet Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 7:15 pm
Lithian dipped his head in a nod. “Of course. We will not stay past our welcome and wish to cause you no extra hardship…if there is anything we can do to lessen your burden in the meantime and lend our aid, we are happy to help.”
That said, the remainder of the evening unfolded with startling smoothness. It was a true novelty, Lithian thought, to experience a pureblood family — entire strangers to them — not only accepting of them, and Casseth’s blood in particular, but sheltering them: giving their time, space, and resources to aid them. He worked with the mother on the rest of meal prep, and they conversed over dinner, learning at least some details of the strange, obscure city now around them. The emphasis present — if not outrightly stated — on seclusion from the outside world and support of its own made Lithian wonder in particular how they had managed to get through the gates themselves on only the word of two small boys. He wondered, privately, if the Taos family held special sway in the community. Though they did not strike him precisely as what he envisioned as nobility, they were clearly not suffering, and in rough comparison to some of the surrounding area, their lot was among the best.
By the time the sky was fully dark, the storm showed no signs of easing — quite the opposite — and arrangements for sleeping furs to be laid out for them were in the process of being discussed when Kele cried out. On instinct, Lithian moved in, hesitating only after he made it within range of catching her if she fell, though her mate seemed to have that precaution covered more quickly than he. His eyes flit from her up to him and then down again.
“How far are you along? I know you’ve no full reason to trust me but…if you need anything, or would like monitoring, I am practiced as a healer. Do you hurt?”
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Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 7:36 pm
Asi, asleep against his brother, woke the moment his mother cried out. Rubbing at his eyes groggily, he sat up. “Mommy…?” He moved to his knees, intent on rising and going over to her side but was stopped by a hand tugging him back down. “Tylik...what’s going on?”
“Shh. Nothing you can help with little brother. C’mere and stay out of their way, yeah?” Asi hesitated before nodding and tucking back close to his brother to watch the stranger — Lithian — move towards his mother.
“Nnh.” Kele grit her teeth, riding out the pain of what she had first thought was surely a contraction. She laid her hand over her stomach, rubbing lightly as she accepted the support of her husband. “Fine...I’m fine.” She gave Dasan a small smile and a pat on the arm as she straightened up. “I’m a healer too, though I’ve not practiced in years. Since I was pregnant with Tylik.” Her gaze flit to Lithian, a slight tilt to her head. “I do believe it was just a false contraction but I would not mind a second opinion.” Her gaze flicked to her husband at the tighten of his grip and she gave him a look that caused him to loosen his grip and nod slightly. She took a deep breath and moved towards the couch with the help of Dasan.
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Tangled Puppet Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2015 6:10 pm
Lithian watched her reactions carefully, gauging both her body language, words, and the silent interplay between herself and her mate before, eventually, following after her to the couch. “Your mother is quite alright, Asi’wi,” he asserted with a small smile as he settled before her and unstoppered one of his flasks. “Your little sibling is just reminding us of their existence, mm? Perhaps they want to participate…”
Reaching out, he held his hands over the rise of her belly at first, not quite making contact and giving a small gauging pulse of magic before — when he received no objections — bringing his palms down to lie gently atop the stretched cloth of her tunic there. She had looked well along, certainly, and immediately upon making proper contact and delving with his magic, Lithian knew she was. The baby would soon be ready to join the family. Perhaps under unfavorable weather conditions from the way things were going currently.
“Very healthy,” he said at length, smiling again and withdrawing after giving a light push of magic to ease subtle pains in her body. “And…” He eyed her, “…very eager to join us soon, I think. A local healer should be on call for you if you have one, certainly after I leave…in the midst of a great storm would be an inopportune time for surprises, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone under such circumstances. Have you a friend in the area experienced in such matters?”
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Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2015 7:04 pm
Kele ran a hand over her belly and smiled at Lithian’s words. “Yes, soon.” She glanced up at his question, brows pinching together. “I do but she lives on the other side of the city. Under normal circumstances it takes a few hours to get to her house. In the storm, though, it could take longer.” She patted her belly and shook her head. “Surely the storm will clear up before she’s needed, though. She’s due to come check on me in a couple of days.” Kele yawned and pushed herself up from the couch. “I’m not sure about all you men but that wore me out.” She glanced towards her boys and motioned them over. “Let’s go, then. Up to bed, you two.” Kele gave them both good night kisses and hugs and sent them on their way up the steps.
“What I wouldnt’ give to tuck to them in but me and stairs are not a good mix at the moment.” Her smile was tired and she gave Lith and Casseth a small nod before moving past her husband and towards their bedroom. Dasan hesitated, gaze flicking from his wife and back to Lith and Cas. He gave a small nod and grunted, moving off to follow after his wife.
Casseth glanced to Lith, as Dasan disappeared into the bedroom and closed the door behind him. He raised an eyebrow and a small smirk teased the corners of his mouth. He moved over to Lith, reaching up to capture his lips with his own. When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against Lith’s. “Mmm...I don’t think I’m quite ready for bed yet.” He nipped at Lith’s bottom lip as his fingers teased up under all the layers of cloth on Lith until they met with skin. He kissed along Lith’s jaw as he moved his hand lower, stopping just before he reached anywhere important. Cas gave one last n** to Lith’s lip and pulled away. He turned and started for the stairs, tail swaying, back and forth, behind him as he went.
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Tangled Puppet Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2015 7:40 pm
After watching the rest of the company depart, Lithian rose his eyebrows at Casseth’s approach, opening his mouth but then—
“Mmm…” His lashes flit shut, a shiver of heat rippling up under his skin as Casseth pressed and held him close. “I don’t think…” His cheeks heated at the suggestion. His body, of course, immediately agreed, rising to attention at the provocation and making Lithian’s difficult to voice. But he managed, more or less. “Casseth…there’s a…family—this isn’t our…” By the time he got to a murmured mumble of “house” however, Casseth was already leaving him adrift and starting up the stairs.
Lithian swallowed a huff and a whine and started after. They’d been instructed previously and shown to the spare bedroom over the course of the evening, and upon moving in and settling on the modest but well-equipped cot — layered with heavy furst and several substantial pillows — Lithian wasted no time removing boots and excess attire before slipping in beside Casseth. He mumbled as he looped an arm over Casseth’s waist, lips pressing to the side of his neck.
“We’re in someone else’s home. You should behave yourself.” The statement did little to keep his tongue from flicking up to tease the bottom edge of his mate’s ear.
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Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2015 7:51 pm
“Mmmm.” Cas shuddered as he tilted his head to the side and let his eyes fall shut. “I should behave, hm? And what about you?” Cas grinned as he turned onto his side, to face Lith, and moved his hand to cup the back of Lith’s head and pull him into a hungry kiss. “Think you can be quiet?” he asked as he pulled away.
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Tangled Puppet Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2015 8:03 pm
Lithian hummed, making a soft, breathy sound of contentment at the kiss and pressing into the heat of Casseth’s body. When Casseth voiced his question, he smiled. “Well, if you insist…I suppose I’ll have to be, won’t I?”
The night progressed much as one might expect from there.
The next morning, the surrounding streets were but unmoving rivers of shallow snow and the storm showed no signs of stopping. Due to it, Lithian and Casseth ended up spending that day with the Taoses as well, helping where they could and making good of their time. Then, partway into the next day, the youngest — as of yet unborn — member of the Taos family chose to make life interesting for her kin and their guests.
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Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2015 8:26 pm
Casseth woke earlier than usual, the sounds of the family they were staying with made their way into Lith and his temporary bedroom. He yawned as he pushed himself out of bed and got ready for the day. After a hearty breakfast, Casseth inquired about helping out around the house. He couldn’t just sit around and do nothing while he stayed. After some talk, he volunteered to help Dasan bring in some more wood. Living on Aisko, for some of his childhood, had meant that he’d been through a few of these storms before. He bundled up and set out, following Dasan to the woodpile and leaving Lithian to help with the morning dishes.
Morning passed rather quickly and by the time they stopped, morning was already turning into early afternoon. With a nice stock of wood now piled in the mudroom, Casseth and Dasan settled down in the living area and were soon joined by Lithina, after Kele had run him off from the kitchen.
“You three talk, relax. I’ll fix something for lunch.” She smiled and disappeared back into the kitchen before any of the men could object.
Dasan shook his head and laughed. “No matter how many times you try to tell her she should rest...she never listens. Never did with Tylik and Asi’wi either.” As per his wife’s orders, he glanced towards Casseth, eyebrow arching up. “You mentioned, earlier, you used to live on Aisko?”
“Mmm...yes. It’s been a long time ago. My mother and father moved here to get away from those who did not agree with their relationship.” He frowned, rubbing the back of his neck. “My father and I eventually moved to Eowyn, though, and I’ve lived there since. I had no clue this place existed.”
“And for good reason,” Dasan said as he glanced back towards the kitchen. “The less outsiders know of this city, the better off we are.” He opened his mouth to say something else but was cut off by the crashing sound of a dish breaking in the kitchen, shortly followed by yelp of pain from his wife. “Kele!” Dasan was up in a flash and moving into the kitchen.
Supported only by the dining table, Kele remained bent over, teeth grit and free hand laying over her stomach. “Dasan…” She painted, reaching for him, as support, when he moved near. “I think it’s time hun.” Her grip on his arm tightened as another contraction took over. “Nnh!”
Drawn by all the noise, Tylik and Asi had quickly made their way down from their room. Upon seeing his mother, Asi gasped and took off flying towards her. Before he could reach the kitchen, Casseth reached out, scooping him up in mid sprint and wrapping his arms around a squirming Asi. “Lemme go! Mommy…!” He struggled, eyes tearing up as he watched his mom in pain.
“Shh, shh. She’ll be alright. Promise.” Casseth soothed the youngest — soon to be middle — child of the Taos family. “Your sister just wants to join you guys.” He glanced back towards the living area to find Tylik standing at the bottom of the steps. “You’re alright?” Cas asked, receiving a nod in response.
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Tangled Puppet Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 9:35 am
Given the suddenness of the event and Dasan’s lack of want to leave his mate’s side, contacting a midwife on the opposite side of the city in the midst of a snowstorm was a soon-dismissed option. In her place, Lithian soon found himself in the position, once again, of unplanned-for delivery physician. Fortunately, things went as smoothly as one could hope.
Kele was relocated to her bedroom and made comfortable. Asi’wi eventually, mostly, calmed, and Lithian oversaw the proceedings with Dasan at his mate’s side, Lithian’s magic keeping a constant check on her until the labor came to its natural peek. All things considered, it was a blessedly quick labor, and by the end of it, the fifth member of the Taos family — healthy, screaming, and female — joined their ranks. Quick cleansing spells were performed and soon she was nestled safely, much more happily, in her mother’s waiting arms.
Lithian flushed and smiled, faintly abashed in the aftermath to have been a part of such an event deeply rooted in family intimacy when three days ago, the family before him had never laid eyes on him. He glanced about over his shoulder for Casseth.
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Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 12:21 pm
Casseth grinned as he moved towards Lith. “Good job,” Cas said as he slipped his arm around LIth’s waist and tugged him in close. “You’re a natural.” He gave a small chuckle as he kissed Lith’s cheek and then turned his attention back towards the new mother. “It really is a miracle, isn’t it?” His gaze flicked down to the new member of the family and his grin softened into a warm smile. “How do you feel about visiting orphanages when we get back home?” Cas leaned against Lith, tail wrapping around his leg, as he watched Asi’wii — no longer the youngest of the family — approach his mother and sister curiously.
“Mommy…?” Asi’s lower lip disappeared between his teeth as he leaned lightly against the edge of the bed, trying to get a better look at his sister. When his mother shifted her position, so that Asi could see better, his eyes went wide. “She’s so tiny.”
Kele laughed and nodded. “Yes but you were much tinier when you were born.”
“I was?” Asi moved to climb up onto the bed but hesitated, giving his mom a questioning look. At her nod of approval he scrambled up and settled down beside her and gave his new sister attention while Tylik watched from afar, knowing he would get his turn later.
With his mate and new daughter safe, Dasan approached Lithian and Casseth. “You may be strangers but I am forever grateful to Abronaxus that you were here to help. I’ve been through two births before this one but I still would have panicked.” He laughed and shook his head. “You two are welcome in the Taos home any time you’re out this way. Just mention my name at the gates and you’ll be let in.”
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Tangled Puppet Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 3:48 pm
Lithian laughed softly, a relieved sound as he rested a fraction of his weight back against Casseth. “I am not sure about a ‘natural’ but…it is less terrifying now than the first time.” His gaze flit up at the latter comment, a sweeping rush of warmth filling his gut, and his smile stretched to beaming moments before he caught his mate in a chaste, but lingering kiss. “I would love that…” he said when he pulled back.
As though the fates had specifically intended for them to remain for this event, but did not require that they linger after, the storm eased as the day progressed, leaving more or less clear skies by evening. Dasan’s offer was taken warmly, and in their last hours with the Taos family, Lithian and Casseth gave information on the location of their own home — however unlikely it was that they might find themselves that far from Aisko — eventually departing with assurances that if they ever did return to the frozen wastes, they would seek Targallah out again and their company.
By the latter half of the evening, they were out of the city gates, back on their wings, and headed out again towards the sea — and warmer shores ahead.
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