Aminah sat at her desk in her new home tree. Well… not so new at this point. They had been living together for a month now and it had been wonderful. But Aminah had more on her mind.


She huffed a breath and turned on her bench to look at Jerarda. Immediately she was filled with the love of just looking at her partner and felt a twinge of guilt that she had been so unhappy just moments ago.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jerarda had been out on the hunt, trying to gather fruits and other food sources to store in their home. It had been simple enough to feed herself and just hunt from one day to the next but with having Animah now living with her she didn't expect the woman to go out hunting with her. Perhaps she should offer to teach her sometime. Though the woman was so sweet and caring she couldn't really picture her hunting down an animal. Even if it was for food.
Bring back some smaller creatures she managed to trap as well fruits in a basket she came back to their home and quickly ascened down into the roots of the tree home. Spotting Animah she was about to say something when she noted her mates expression. Although she smiled as she spotted Jera, the alkidike woman had to wonder if something had been bothering her.
"Sorry I took so long," Jerarda apologized as she set the basket down and then went about untying the satchel at her side. "I found us dinner..." She continued a moment before trailing off, "Ah...is everything okay?" She inquired finally unsure on how to broach the subject without sounding noisy.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The words had barely left Jerarda's mouth and it had Aminah’s guilt rising. She didn’t have much of a poker face, and it was apparently clear that her pouting had lingered on her face even though Jerarda was back. Now she had caused Jera to worry, and it wasn’t something that Aminah enjoyed doing.


But her thoughts had been bugging her for longer than she had been living with Jerarda to tell the truth, and now that she had a mate and they were happy, the thoughts that used to be just quiet nagging was clearly intensified and Aminah was having a hard time keeping them to herself anymore.


”Jera… there’s something I’d like to talk to you about…” She still hadn’t really figured out how she was going to exactly bring up something like this. What if she was taking things too fast? What if Jerarda wasn’t ready or didn’t want children? Aminah paused for a moment before shaking her head. ”I…” She heaved another sigh. ”Well… have you ever thought about children?” She pushed the hair out of her face and looked up to her lover’s face from where she sat. ”Because I have… a lot lately actually.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Still unpacking Jerarda was going slowly about it, it wasn't that she was trying to delay the inevitable, but seeing how Animah's fake smile broke pretty much as she questioned her on her she had to wonder if her mate was unhappy. Did she regret coming to live with her in Jahaur? True it wasn't really Jerarda's home, as she normally lived on the islands with the rest of her sisters. But Animah being an outsider, things wouldn't be looked kindly upon her if she brought her there. It was something she felt guilty about herself. Maybe Animah had picked up on it?
"Yes?" She pressed as she continued to methodically empty the satchel with a few small bugs and mammels for their dinner, reaching for her water skin she went to take a drink, thirsty from hunting ...of course she hadn't expected Animah to broach the subject of children. Sputtering and nearly choking on the contents in her mouth she managed to cough and swallow what remained while she thumped a fist against her chest. Looking to Animah with an expression that betrayed only surprise.
"Ch...children?" She suttered before she cleared her throat. Wow Animah moved quickly...they hadn't really even gotten a real chance to be intiment yet with all the moving and settling in. "Ah...yo..u want kids?" She managed trying to sound neutral about it, it wasn't that she didn't want to have kids..it just ..kinda threw her off.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aminah’s face immediately turned to fire, her cheeks blushing furiously. She could only take the sudden surprise and the look on her face as something of a sign that Jerarda quite possibly didn’t want children.


She swallowed hard. She had already brought it up… there wasn’t much turning back now. And if Aminah was to not have children… then she should know sooner rather than later, right? Or at least that’s what she could only assume would be best. ”I… uh… well… yes.” She answered, not nearly as sure of herself as she had been just minutes before Jerarda had been home. ”Do you… not want them?” Aminah turned her eyes away from Jerarda, not sure what the answer to her question would be at all.


And then she started to ramble. It was like she couldn’t help herself. ”I have just always imagined children in my life, you see. But I had also thought that I would be with a husband when I grew older as well… I didn’t know that I would fall for another woman.” She tried to stop the words from coming out of her mouth, but they kept rolling. “I just see all the expecting mothers, and the small children and…” She couldn’t quite bring herself to say that it was something she couldn’t have anymore. The feeling of carrying a baby inside of her was something she would never feel.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It had never occurred to her before . Jerarda was use to an all female race and though she had seen other races carry and bare children it had never crossed her mind that it would be something Animah would want for herself. Once in her life she...regretted not being male. It was a fleeting thought, but she felt guilty that she couldn't provide something that Animah so strongly wanted. Putting down the water satchel slowly she wiped the excess that dripped from her chin before carefully making her way to Animah and wrapping her arms around her mate.
"I'm sorry...I never realized.." She murmured leaning her cheek against Animah's soft hair. The tink of her own hair trinkets echoing in their home. "Its not that I don't want children, I just guess it never crossed my thoughts yet. I am just so filled up with love for you it didn't occure to me that you may be wanting more.." Jerarda spoke and though it sounded kinda like she was trying to guilt Animah that wasn't the case.

"Sometimes I have to wonder why my people...don't propegate the way other earthlings do. We are an all female society..so it didn't even dawn on me that you may want to do things like earthling might. I...am...sorry..I can't give you that. " Jerarda murmured and though she supposed they could use another earthling to help get Animah pregnant she...instantly had fire in her eyes. No....there was no way she would allow a man to touch her woman.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aminah felt the warmth spread out from every place Jerarda touched. Her embrace was warm, and it was comforting. She leaned her body into Jerarda. It was a relief that Jerarda just hadn’t had time to think about children yet. It wasn’t a rejection of Aminah and her wants… it was just a surprise attack on Aminah’s part.

She listened to Jerarda’s words and as she trailed off Aminah slowly comprehended what she meant. ”I wouldn’t want to… do that.” She tried to push herself closer to Jerarda, though there wasn’t any place closer she could be. But what did she want? She had brought it up, she had been the one to mention that she wanted to be pregnant, to raise a family. ”I’m sorry Jera, I didn’t mean that I wanted… that. I…” She sighed. ”I don’t know what I want.”

She hesitated, she hated feeling like she was pushing something onto her mate that she might not want. ”I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I don’t know what I expected to be done about something like this.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Licking her lips Jerarda tried to make her over thinking brain slow down. Though she knew there were plenty of hybrid alkidikes did they all come to be due to one of her sisters falling for the charms of a earthling male? She thought back to the hyrbids she knew. She had never met Rishima's father just his mother. Gerraden also had a male and female parent. So...were they just doomed? It hadn't dawned on her until she began to stroke Animah's hair in silence. Glancing over to her mates desk where plants and sketches were gathered a plenty. It was glimpsing at a sketch of a flower that triggered the idea.
"Animah..though I can't get you pregnant...we could..still have children." She began not wanting to get Animah's hopes up. "Its not a garuntee but we could pray to Aisha and perhaps hearing our plea grant us a lotus with a child baring our resemblences. " It was risky...after all they would have to go to the island and pray. There was a long standing tradition as well that they may have to perform..plus there wasn't any garuntee Aisha would grant them a lotus..and it could all be for nought. She didn't want to see Animah crushed if Aisha denied them a lotus but...this was the only thing she could think of that would grant them children that would resemble them both. Of course she supposed that if Aisha would not grant them a lotus they could always adopt.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aminah’s wide eyes looked up at Jerarda from their embrace. Was she serious? She had to be. It wasn’t exactly a secret that the Alkidike were born from flowers… and hybrids existed somehow. Aminah pulled away from Jerarda just slightly, enough to get a full look at her face. ”Pray for a child? Is that something that would be ok?” She paused. ”I mean… is that something that would be ok with you? Eventually, I mean.” She didn’t want to rush Jerarda, and though she felt ready, like she had been ready for a while, it was true she was moving fast. She didn’t want Jerarda to think that she was pushing… and didn’t want Jerarda to feel like she couldn’t live without children for a little longer. Enough time to settle down, to really live together without the addition of others.

But something slowly registered with Aminah. Aisha… the mother of all Alkidikes happened to be on an island that was not accessible to earthlings. ”But how could we - how could I - even go?”


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jerarda had been chewing on her lower lip thinking on that exact problem, the last time she had brought an outsider to the island she had been tested on her loyalty. It had been very frusterating even if the outsider had only needed to go there to get some dirt to make some cure to save all the races. It had been a rather tense situation, but at least this way she could send word ahead and perhaps she could find Rishima to escort them. Just in case.
"The last time I brought an outsider to the island I was repremanded and my loyalty tested. But this is different from then, I can send word ahead to get them use to the idea. And if we have a loyal sister bring us...then perhaps they won't be so opposed to it. I will have to find Rishima though, he has really grown since I rescued him long ago from his mothers overbearing ways. The sisters and elders have all accepted him...and I miss him as well. If i find him I will request that he take us...that is if the elders will accept us."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aminah nodded her head slowly; it sounded like a long shot. It was odds that had Aminah afraid, but she had to trust in Jerarda and her judgement. She already warned it would be hard, but if she thought it could be done, she was up for it.

“Another sister take us?” She furrowed her brows. “She - he - would do this for us?” She didn’t think she had ever met the man that Jerarda was talking about. She was beginning to feel hopeful. Would this work? “I would like to try… But are you ready? Do you need more time?” She knew there was still the problem of tracking down Rishima, as well as sending word ahead of time, it would still be a ways away before they could pray that Aisha would grant them new life, but they couldn’t start if Jerarda didn’t want it yet.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jerarda nodded her head, she knew if she found Rishima and requested him of this favor there was no doubt he would do it for her. They had been through a lot together and she still felt guilty losing sight of him all these years. Looking down at Animah she pressed her lips to the woman's forehead.
"The only time I need is to alert the elders and set up a meeting with them. Right now I am unsure how long this process could take..so starting sooner rather than later would be a good idea. " She prompted with a nod of her head. "Plus I still need to locate Rishima...so it could be awhile...do you think you will be okay with waiting?"

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aminah’s face lit, her eyes quickly filling with tears. She would never doubt that Jerarda loved her. She was willing to do this - something she had never thought of until now - without much of a moment’s notice for her. She quickly embraced Jerarda, squeezing with all her strength. “Of course I’m ok with waiting.”

She leaned up, standing on her toes to reach Jerarda’s lips. She was filled with so much love for her partner, now in this moment that something she had been worried about was calmed within her and gifted to her.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jerarda smiled down at Animah, content for the moment to see her mates lovely smile. She gave a slight ooof at being squeezed but more to just tease her lover than really feeling the air rush out of her lungs. Patting her head she gave her another passionate kiss before she gently removed her lovers arms from around her. If she was going to have to find Rishima first...well...she would need to think a bit.
"Hmm...I wonder if Rishima is still being stalked by that hybrid..male..if he is then perhaps he is still in that area." Jera managed with her musings as she went back to the fruit and reaching for one went to offer it to Animah. "Sorry I am kinda rambling to myself now...I am just not sure if Rishima is still patroling the area around here or if he moved off." She explained with a nod of her head before she looked to the fruit in her own hand before biting into it. Wiping away the juice from her chin as she chewed.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aminah followed the short distance and accepted the fruit, nibbling around the outside. “I hope we can find him. I can’t imagine that he would be too hard to find, someone must know where he went.” She thought some more on the topic. “The elders would have to be able to summon him right?” If they could find him, they Jerarda and herself could find him as well, though probably with a little more difficulty. She bit into her fruit and let the sweet flavor swirl in her mouth as she let her thoughts linger on the next step in their relationship. “We’re really going to do this, aren't we?” It almost felt like a dream.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The only one she would think who would positively know where Rishima was would be that stalker hybrid. But that means he wouldn't just know where he was Rishima would likely being within ear shot. The idea of Gerraden made her irritated and rather irrational for no reason and she was crushing the fruit in her hands causing her fingers to get rather sticky as her nails punctured the skin.
Starteled she looked to the mess and then went to licking her fingers clean, "Well yes. I want you happy Animah and all we can do is hope that Aisha will listen to our prayers. If we are devote and earnest in our plea she could grant us a lotus. I just want to make sure I do the right thing...I want to make sure that we don't offend her..or my elders and get chased off before we can do anything." She managed after a moment, "But first will be locating Rishima. I am sure he won't be too hard to find. But still it is a rather large jungle."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“I understand.” She nodded her head, watching Jerarda lick the crushed fruit off of her fingers. She sent Jera a quizzical look, she wasn’t quite sure what part of that had made her so tense. “I want to do this the right way, too.” If it was going to be hard, she would hate to fail just because they had rushed into things. If it didn’t go right, they wouldn’t get a second chance. Aminah feared that they wouldn’t be accepted anyways, but they had to try. And when they did it would be with her entire being that she begged for her and Jerarda’s child.

“Can I… go with you… to find Rishima?” She didn’t know where to look, but she would feel horrible if she didn’t try to help.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jerarda gave Animah a look, it was one of surprise but mostly due to the fact Jera hadn't even considered requesting Animah to help look for him. She just assumed she would go off hunting for him since she was more familar with the forest. But how did she tell Animah this without making it sound like she would be slowing her down?
"Ah...perhaps it would be faster if we split up to look for him? We would cover more ground that way." She managed with a nod of her head, though ...Animah had never met Rishima. Or had she? Either way it would be odd if she was the one to find him first. A...g.......g.g... Jerarda wasn't really sure what to say.
It was obviously important to Animah to help, after all both of them would be trying to plea for a child not just one.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aminah watched Jerarda struggle with the question before letting out a laugh. She might be naive about some things, but she could take the hint. “It’s alright Jera, I don’t even know what he looks like.” She tilted her head to the side and put a hand on her hip, the other still holding her half eaten fruit. “I want to be helpful, but it’s exactly that. I want to be helpful. If I’m going to get in the way then I would rather stay and wait for you.”

She smirked to her partner. “It’s cute to watch you struggle with something for once.” Aminah bit her lip. “Sexy even…” She trailed off. “Maybe we can take this comversation to the bed?” She finished the fruit off and licked the juice off of her fingertips before giving Jerarda the kind of look that would make her parents blush.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jerarda glanced to Animah before giving a huge sigh. That was...good. Happy that Animah understood she still felt bad about it. "I think the best thing I could get you to do it perhaps write down what we want to say to the elders. I am sometimes not that great with words, but if you can put what you are feeling down then perhaps I can work it into a request for them to approve." She managed with a nod of her head. Taking a step she went to kiss Animah again so happy to have met and become a lover to the woman. "I think you can do that much better than I could." She smirked before she scooped Animah up into her arms. "Now...although we can't make babies...I think we can still have some fun anyway." She teased as she then carried Animah off towards their bed.