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It had been a week since they had entered Zena. Thankfully his twin sister’s home, or rather he supposed his family’s home, was along the edge of the Zenan border right next to Sauti. The grand stone manor held two floors, three if you counted the cellar running along beneath, and had been his mother’s summer home. Talisia had taken the property and transformed it into a sanctuary of sorts. They still had their personal rooms along the second floor of the building but several guest rooms now decorated the lower floors which once belonged to servants. The acres outside of the property, with a flowing stream crossing through the far left of the flowering fields, were filled with various beasts and a forest ran along the edges where the borders blended in with Sauti. Unlike some areas of Zena you could actually feel the seasons here and Kian was thankful for that. It was a haven in a way with the barn for more domestic beasts nearby, a small forge left behind, and a couple of storage buildings and even a bath house decorating the large property. His mother’s riches and greed for power had brought them pain growing up but at least now it seemed that her wealth held some blessing for their lives. He was glad that Talisia had converted the property into a place of healing where she could tend to animals and strangers alike.

Despite its location along the borders the morning air was still chilly, the bitter winds of winter still trying to cling on despite the warmth of spring, but it was manageable. Kian had worked with Talisia to get one of the biggest guest rooms on the ground floor up and going, a large bed covered in soft furs and with a feather mattress beneath in the center with a roaring fireplace and even a washing basin and desk across the way. It connected to another room which was perfect for their current needs, an old sitting parlour now turned into a nursery. Or rather in the process of being turned into a nursery. Kian pursed his lips as he studied the room again, the piles of wood at his feet, some of the final puzzles to be arranged in the room covered with vivid tapestries depicting creatures of Zena.

“Maybe we should have just hired a carpenter from the nearby village to come here again…” But no things wouldn’t be quite so personal that way, would they? Kian chuckled softly under his breath as he picked up one of the pieces. A frame for a crib….for a baby...his baby. He was still in disbelief that he was actually going to be a father. Who would have ever expected that?

Kian was trying to place two and two together when Rhonann made her entrance. Honestly the man had been so wrapped up in trying to figure out the pieces, some progress made with the arrangement before him but still somewhat of a mess, that her approach took him by surprise. A basket? Kian pouted at the description of the crib which had many pieces. If only it could be weaving a basket! He would gladly take up that chore! Err...well maybe not considering he hadn't done that before either.

"I am a genius who is well versed in the mystic arts." Protested Kian with a frown, "They just didn't think building baby cribs was part of the agenda I suppose. So yes, I am having a bit of trouble with these pieces." The hybrid rubbed his forehead in frustration, "However! I can handle it...I just need some time to figure things out and make adjustments." He placed the pieces down against the stone floor before moving towards Rhonann, his hand gently brushing her arm.

"So how are you? Did your trip to town go well?" He was thankful that it wasn't too far away but it still worried him to let Rhonann go there without him. But obviously if he babied her too much then surely she'd chase him even further away. He couldn't resist smiling at the thought as he studied features just to make certain that everything was alright.

"You callin' me old?" Kian quirked a playful brow at Rhonann as he pulled back dramatic, "Acting like I'm already at the grave or something." His protests died though as she told him about the check up. So that was good. But why would they need two....oh spirits.

"So you're telling me....that we have to set up two of these?" Kian couldn't resist quipping back at Rho in surprise, "Well that explains why you eat enough for a whole family lately." The hybrid shifted, sitting back with his legs tucked neatly under his body, "I guess I should have requested more from the carpenter." He shook his head and pondered at the two pieces of wood in his hands. So not just one, but two? Could they manage it? Kian was rarely one to be completely shocked but here he was. Shocked and trying to cover it up with some stupid quips. The mystic leaned back, strands of his long hair slipping free of his ponytail, and studied the ceiling thoughtfully. Was this going to be okay?

"Unless you're telling me we need two cribs because of style and not because well....there's a second baby in there?" Kian asked quietly as he slowly glanced back towards Rhonann, "Are you okay? Do you need anything? Despite his earlier teasing it was fairly obvious to see the concern on his face.

"Mmmhmm." Kian couldn't resist teasing a bit more, his trademark smirk lighting up his features despite his racing heart. If they thought one was going to be a handful how could they manage with two children running about? Suddenly he was super thankful for his family being right there. Zyphire even had some experience with the other twins....oh. Kian blinked, "Honestly....I guess you can blame me. Twins must run in my family."

He chuckled, "I'll definitely sweet talk them some. Preferably get one already together as well." He glanced towards the pieces with a wistful expression, "They said it would be fun but so far I'm calling lies." The hybrid's gaze warmed at the kiss, his arm moving to sneak in a hug from Rho as well, "Might come early? Noted. We'll get this room ready soon and you should definitely rest up more. I should probably handle most of the walks to town....or at least escort you just in case."

Slipping away he glanced at the construction mess, "For now at least we can focus on getting this one together. Tally brought some blankets from when her children were babes. I stacked them in the wooden chest over there." He nodded towards the corner where a larger chest set, its lid open to reveal the array of blankets and smaller pillows.

"Pfft." Kian chuckled, "I guess I would be worried if you didn't blame me a little bit." But she was right, at least the babies could keep each other entertained. That could be one relief as long as their entertainment didn't rely on them creating chaos and destruction throughout the manor, "Let's just hope that they take a little bit to learn how to walk at least." He joked lightly as he pieced together two more of the base pieces.

"Uh huh. Well I mean if you wanted to you could help to construct this cursed thing." Teased Kian before pausing thoughtfully, "Also, if you would like we could go on a ride later. I could borrow a sled and a couple of raptrix or awatta? I'm sure even Akemi would be okay carting us around. Unless you'd preferred just riding her directly?" His gaze studied Rho carefully as he moved a pillow next to him and patted the floor, "Come sit and help direct me." He offered lightly, trying to hide his concern for her.

"Also....you don't think that she has them and didn't tell me, right?" Kian replied with a widened expression, "There's no way that she would submit me to this torture otherwise...." Maybe she had given them away or they had been broken somehow? Kian glanced towards the doorway, a suspicious expression on his face. Surely his twin wouldn't be that awful and hide such a precious gift from him. Making him actually set up a room and craft together these beds on his own? What torture!

"I suppose that's true enough. Would be a shame to distract me from solving this complex puzzle." Kian raised his chin proudly in defiance of her obvious teasing, "Still even a genius like me could enjoy some company.": As Rho sat next to him he couldn't resist patting her leg. "Sled it is then. I'm sure she'll love seeing us. The poor girl is probably going stir crazy just sitting around." Even Kian hadn't been so still in years. He had traveled all across Tendaji only stopping to stay in Zena for a couple of weeks here and there at the most.

Kian's lips turned up into a smile at Rho's laughter. Even though he knew that his reaction had been a bit dramatic it was nice seeing that it had the desired effect, "That makes me even more worried! She's my twin after all." He shook his head, "I should probably double check before I go back to the village for a second crib." Though Rho's final comment did make him nod, "I'm sure she wouldn't want to distress you so perhaps I should trust that she's not hiding anything. Either way I'll have to check before I get that sled. She's probably out with the animals right now." He pursed his lips thoughtfully before twisting another piece into place, "Actually may be able to finish this soon hopefully." Then he could grab some snacks from the kitchen and they could head outside for an afternoon ride. It would be nice to get some fresh air after all.

"Hey doesn't take a genius to recognize good company, especially in such a lovely woman." Kian quipped back lightly, his expression loving before he managed to dart and place a kiss on Rho's cheek. He really hoped that she was happy with things. Despite everything he couldn't help but to worry. Just thinking about being a father was a huge jump for him alone....he couldn't imagine what was running through Rho's mind.

Kian shrugged, "Possibly. Knowing Tally she probably swore to never have children again after carrying twins so she may have just burned the cribs to make a bonfire." He couldn't resist teasing, "I'm sure it just got discarded in storage. Easier to keep track of blankets instead of two big pieces of furniture." Surely that was the case. They also had updated the lower level for guests when the group of ice warriors stayed for a time....

"Two girls?" Kian shook his head, "Spirits have mercy. I could only hope for one of each or maybe even two boys. I don't know how I could survive two mini Rhonanns." He glanced up towards the ceiling with a playful sigh, "Here I was hoping to see a few more years at least."

"That's the hope, right?" Replied Kian with a quiet laugh, "Who knows? Maybe if I put them together quickly enough I could try my hand at carving." His fingers ran over the smooth wood thoughtfully. They could engrave something meaningful on these, "Some of the older tribes believed in a guardian beast to protect the younglings. We could engrave something and then later their names when we know their names...." Oh spirits. He hadn't even thought of names. Just giving the babies their own names would make this so real. Kian's gaze softened at the realization. How had he matured from someone who never wanted to even settle down to now being a father? The world definitely was a crazy and changeable place indeed.

"Hey. We would be blessed to have two miniature Kians." The hybrid teased back, "At least people could go without concussions that way." He smirked thinking of one of their first few encounters. If it wasn't a bolt to the knee then it was a smack to the head, by hand or by her own forehead. Kian sighed wistfully at the idea of one baby of each gender, "Maybe. You have to realize she settled with a much tamer man though. We're a bit too much energy in comparison." Yeaaaah, they probably would have some really mischievous troublemakers on their hands for sure.