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 Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2020 3:16 pm
Tucked away in the secluded shelter, Rhonann watched her little boys toddling around the sitting room in awe. They were still so small, and yet growing so fast! She still had moments were she couldn't believe they were really hers. Hers and Kian's. By the gods!
While there was so much joy to be had, Rho knew that something else had been missing from her life for quite some time. Being stuck in Zena still, she had no idea how she would go about finding that missing piece, either! It had been so long since she had last seen her friend. Did Mnyiri ever think about her, too?
It had taken a surprising amount of time for Rho to build up the courage to write her letter. After all, she still needed to wrap up the most dangerous part of her life, and it felt strange to send any update without that part completed. However, life had become so much more than that selfish quest. Her life had expanded, and that part was what she wanted to share with her friend. It had been a couple months since she had taken the leap to write the letter to update Mnyiri on her status. She had no idea where the Alk might be, so she had written and sent it to Chibale in the hopes that it would reach her. She could only pray to hear back from Mnyiri at this point.
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Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2020 5:12 pm
Mnyiri's life up until that point had revolved around her little Zakia. Ever since finding out she was going to be a mother she'd kept close to Jauhar, and once the little one had bloomed she'd stayed secluded among her alkidike sisters. With her adventures on hold all she had to do was focus on doing her best for the infant, which mean that any incoming letters was met with skepticism.
At first she hadn't known what to think. She hadn't sent out any specimens or asked for information from any earthling colleagues but when the messenger arrived at her door her heart danced. Rho! By the goddess, she'd almost started believing the windling had forgotten all about her! It felt so good to hear from her and to see how far she'd gone since last they spoke. Mnyiri might have been content with waiting til her little one was a little older to seek her friend out until she read that Rhonann herself was a mother and then it was on.
She'd packed up as much as she could the next day, wrapped little Zakia up tight against her chest, and took off. Of course Osika had advised against it; what kind of idiot traveled with a baby to Zena, of all places?! This kind of idiot, apparently!
Mnyiri knew enough about earthling bundling to be confident in her skills to keep the baby alive. As they passed through Sauti she kept adding layer after layer to Zakia's wrappings and while traveling was slow, mainly because she didn't want to strain herself or the baby, they arrived in Zena fairly quickly. If it hadn't been for the Spring melting the ice she might not have come, but with everything lining up then what better time was it to see an old friend!
The problem was that Rhonann's letter was detailed enough to get her close, but not nearly close enough to put her at the exact location. Mounted on her faithful radaku, Mnyiri explored the surrounding area, with Mvua begrudgingly carrying them along.
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Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2020 5:38 pm
Sitting comfortably, Rho found herself starting to nod off. There was a small fire going to keep the room warm, the chair was cozy, the boys had been keeping her busy...
Before she knew it though, a strange smell was filling the room. It was sharp enough to pull her from the edge of sleep, eyes idly slipping over to the fireplace. There was a grate over the fire, so she wasn't concerned about the boys hurting themselves. However, that apparently had not stopped one of them from figuring out a way to throw something else between the bars! She stared at the mysterious object burning away before she jumped to her feet. "Boys!" she whined, rushing over to collect them and drop them onto the couch. They were old enough to get into trouble, but still unable to understand why it was bad! It was an absolute pain.
Coughing sharply, she first pushed the door to the outside open to clear the air. Then she used the fire tongs to pull out the crispy object and carried that outside as well. Watching it make a shallow snow puddle sizzle, she sighed and leaned against the door to glare back at those adorable boys. "You better hope that wasn't important to your auntie," she huffed.
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Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2020 5:49 pm
"Oh yes, don't mind me, just came all the way from Jauhar to find you, a map wouldn't be helpful, nope, I can find it just fine," Mnyiri groused. She shifted her riding stance, padding Mvua in a wide arch as she thought about what areas they hadn't yet checked out. She was already making the locals antsy enough, seeing an armed alkidike riding through, and she didn't like the idea of staying in a place she wasn't familiar with more than she had to with a little one. Zakia for the most part was doing about as well as could be expected. She got fussy from time to time, but she was still young enough that sleeping most of the day was still preferable.
Mvua was the first to pick up on the smoke. He lifted his head, craning his nose in just the right direction and when he started to pull Mnyiri let him lead. When he brought them to a clear enough area to see the smoke she knew she was onto something. Making sure Zakia was properly secured, she took off full tilt across the Zenan landscape.
They're approach may have been much quieter had Mvua not let out a loud, ominous howl to signal his victory. It was something he did often when he found his prey so Mnyiri paid it little mind.
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Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2020 6:13 pm
With the grate back in place over the fire, Rho set up an extra barrier near the door to keep the boys from getting out while the room aired out. "I should just put your butts into your room," she mumbled, watching the boys laughing as they chased each other around and under the couch. Ugh, but they needed watching and she was so tired of being in the bedroom! Just no more napping!
Above the laughter, Rho's head snapped around to the doorway. Had something howled? Had she heard that howl before? It certainly wasn't anything local to the area. Perhaps someone else was coming to drop off an animal for care? Tally usually mentioned when a new arrival was coming though, and she had heard nothing.
She went to the doorway and braced herself against the frame, peering out for a sign of whatever was out there. Her hand was on the door handle, ready to slam it shut should it prove to be something or someone unsavory.
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Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2020 6:23 pm
Despite the weight he carried, Mvua flew across the landscape. Because of their travels the radaku had grown accustomed to strange terrain and found little issue keeping his regular pace. The wind bit into Mnyiri's cheeks, nearly blinding her with it's sting, and on impulse she brought one hand up to cover Zakia, despite the various layers that covered the babe. For a while there was nothing, but the smoke. At first she feared they'd simply stumbled upon a traveling caravan, but all at once she saw a grouping of structures on the horizon and knew she was onto something.
It didn't take long to get closer and what she saw was...strange. What is this place? She could see creatures on the horizon, but not herds or groups, just...a weird variety. Mnyiri scrunched her features and looked over the landscape until her eyes landed on a figure perched in the doorway. Even from a distance she recognized that coloring, and the view brought a big smile on her face.
"RHO!" Mnyiri shouted as loud as she could, unconsciously pressing one hand against Zakia's head and pressing the babe against her to avoid hearing damage. "RHOOOOO!"
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Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2020 7:11 pm
As the figure flew closer, Rho took a step back, ready to shut the door. What the heck?! Just some solo rider, a big solo rider, coming on some beast. She glanced back at the boys, but they were still contently playing on the couch and oblivious to the possible threat.
At first, she couldn't believe her ears. There was no way! It couldn't be! She shoved the door open further and took a few steps out to gawk. That would explain the impossible size of the figure coming toward her. "Mnyiri?!" She had to be imagining things, but that definitely wasn't Kian, nor anyone else who currently resided at the shelter.
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Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2020 12:40 pm
Mnyiri's heart soared. For a brief moment she had thought that this whole trip might be wasted, but now....now she couldn't urge Mvua on fast enough! Even as they neared his descent was far from slow; he slid to a stop some odd feat from the doorway, claws gripping into the group to keep his rider mounted. From the way that Mnyiri leaned into it the act was obviously a well practiced maneuver.
For a moment she simply sat atop her now exhausted radaku, looking at her friend, but when she pulled her scarf down she exposed a huge grin. "I was beginning to think I'd never find you! All these years and you're still hopeless with directions." For once in her life the alkidike was wearing head to toe clothing, including boots!, and the whole ordeal would have seemed odd were it not for the fact they were in Zena. Even in the summer there was a feel about the place that kept a chill in Mnyiri's bones. Looking at Rho, though, made her feel all sorts of warm and fuzzies.
The Amazon dismounted, careful of the bundle still secured to her chest. "Surprised?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2020 1:00 pm
It took Mnyiri climbing off of the radaku for Rhonann to do anything outside of her slack-jawed stare. She just could not believe.. and yet, there the Alk stood! Gasping in a breath to clear her head, she finally rushed forward with a grin of her own. "Mnyiri!" With the mysterious bundle sticking out on Myniri's chest, Rho clutched herself to the Alk's side to get as close as possible for a gripping hug. "Surprised ain't big enough," she assured, feeling her eyes watering with joy.
She forced herself to pull back eventually and held a hand out to the radaku while keeping one arm lightly around Mnyiri's hip. "Mvua. Remember me? I know it's been ferever."
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Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2020 1:10 pm
[5/10]
Mnyiri maneuvered herself enough so that she could give her friend the biggest hug possible, even though she yearned to spin her around the yard. Still...the little babe made that kind of movement difficult, and even the brief contact got a little disgruntled 'huff' out of the child. The act just made Mnyiri smile and raise her hand to the bundle, smoothing her hand down her daughter's back.
The radaku was a little more hesitant. At first he simply stared at Rho, but curiosity got the better of him. He stepped forward, lowering his muzzle to her hand, and after registering the scent he licked her fingers.
"I must have read your letter a dozen times, Rho. I feel like I missed out on so much! And now you're a mother?!" Mnyiri dramatically sighed, leaning her weight onto the smaller earthling. The act itself was a perfectly timed rouse; the act brought Zakia a little closer to the windling. "Guess what? So am I!"
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Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2020 1:24 pm
Too distracted to notice the delicate huff from the bundle, Rhonann just kept looking at her new guests in awe. "It's been way too long," she murmured, giggling as Mvua licked her fingers. "I'm so happy it found ya. Almost thought it was too much ta hope.. What?!" her words ended with a little shriek, quickly slapping a hand over her mouth as the bundle's contents were revealed. "Oh, Mnyiri!" She brought up a hand to move fabric to expose more of that sweet little face, but caught herself and stepped back. "Come inside so I can see! Are ya thirsty or hungry at all?"
She was practically skipping as she headed back into the shelter of the cozy room. Thankfully, most of the smell seemed to have cleared out! She gave the fireplace a quick glance before focusing on the toddlers. Right. Her smile warmed as she pointed. "These're my sons. Azreal has the dark hair an' the other's Kuno."
The boys looked up at their mother's voice, blue and silver eyes blinking curiously over goofy toddler grins.
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Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2020 1:37 pm
[6/10]
"Oh, I could eat." She laughed. "I missed traveling, but I forgot how much it takes out of you. And goddess, I should have sprung for a bigger mount! My thighs are screaming." Mnyiri looked over to Mvua, who didn't seem as concerned about the comment as he may have years ago. He knew he was large enough to carry her which was all the radaku really cared about. "Stay here, boy; and don't chase anything. I don't know what all is here but if it's on the property then it's off limits."
When he sauntered off, Mnyiri turned to follow after her smaller friend. The whole place seemed sweet, and so much more home-y than Mnyiri had imagined. It looked well loved in, molded with love, and gave off a very...burnt smell? "I think your fireplace is backing up." Mnyiri curled her nose, but any thought of that smell was taken away by seeing the boys.
"Oh my gosh, they're so cute! Oh, Rho, look at them!" Two little earthlings! And by the goddess were they tiny. Well, comparatively so, anyway. She would never get used to how small earthling children were and how fragile they looked. Mnyiri bent at the knee, awkwardly crouching so that she could get a better look at them and tried her best to seem friendly. "Hello there, boys. My name's Mnyiri and I've come a long way to meet you. I hope we can be good friends." The act shifted Zakia far too much for the infants liking and she started fussing, so Mnyiri sighed and stood back up. "Okay, okay, shush, mama hears you." It took a little effort, but freeing the babe came easy enough.
Of course she was still wrapped in her blanket, but the little ones head was exposed now. Two little budding antennae poked out of a head covered in dark peach fuzz. "This little grouchy thing is my daughter, Zakia."
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Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2020 1:56 pm
Rho sighed softly and shook her head. "Somebody thought throwin' random things inta the fireplace was a good idea," she huffed, giving the boys a pointed stare that they remained oblivious to. Still, a rueful smirk rose. "Gotta say, I bet it's how ya found us. Can't be too mad. I'll fetch ya some food."
While Rho headed off, the boys gawked up at the giant stranger. Thankfully, they did not seem particularly perturbed by her presence. Kuno grabbed the couch to pull himself upright for a better look, but looking all the way up as Mnyiri stood made him fall back onto his butt with a squeak.
Rho was quickly back with a pitcher of water and a sandwich thick with sliced veggies. "This should get ya started," she said, setting the plate onto one of the tables. Her eyes did a quick dance between Zakia and her boys. Right. Alk. Naturally, the baby would be bigger, but she hadn't realized it would be that much of a difference! After all, this was her first time seeing an Alkidike baby. She reached out to gently brush her hand over the baby's fuzzy head. "She's beautiful. Think she'll let me hold 'er while ya eat? Ya gotta tell me all about what ye've been up ta all this time!" She wanted to know everything, but Mnyiri'd been on quite the trip to get there. It was difficult to reign in her excitement to let her friend breathe and rest.
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Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2020 2:09 pm
[7/10]
"I'm just glad it wasn't your house that was on fire." She looked at the boys with a little shake of her head. "Little trouble makers." Watching the lighter one...Kuno, right? try to look up at her and fall just made her smile. If he'd been fussy over the fall she might have done something, but there was just an aura of childish cuteness about it that made her want to snuggle him close.
When Rho came back with food Mnyiri bounced a little; an old habit from her youth and one that had never really gone away. Unfortunately for Zakia that meant a little bouncing as well, though the babe didn't seem to mind. She yawned and the accompanying noise vibrated in tone until Mnyiri calmed. "Just don't let her near your hair; she's a puller." Her little one was halfway through her first year and anything those fingers could catch hold of were as good as demolished. Gently, Mnyiri passed the babe off to Rho and turned to take a seat closest to the food. Naturally, she may have scooted a little closer to everyone else, as well, mostly to get a good look at the boys.
"I just can't get over how cute they are. You said in your letter that their father's name was Kian, right? That must be where Azrael's hair and Kuno's eyes come from." She took a bite of the sandwich and looked them over, noticing a few other traits as well. "And those ears!" Affectionately, she reached out to the boy in question, and gave the tip of his left ear a little wiggle.
"So, what do you want to know about me?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2020 2:29 pm
Eagerly accepting Zakia, Rho let out a small 'oof' as she adjusted to the weight. Of course, bigger size meant a more dense weight. Nodding, she turned and helped herself to the couch next to where Azreal remained, who leaned over to look at the baby as well. "I know lots about them grabby fingers," she said with a chuckle. Letting Zakia's weight rest on her lap while one arm kept the babe mostly upright, her now free hand gently brushed along those delicate markings and pudgy cheeks. Mnyiri was a mother as well! Amazing!
Kuno watched Mnyiri closely, silver eyes widening when he was reached for. He giggled as his ear was toyed with, little hands reaching to grab Mnyiri's arm and attempt chewing on her fingers.
"Yeah, Kian. He's got a mix in 'im, so they got a couple different traits in them." Rho paused to consider the question, pouring some water for herself as well. "I guess... everythin'!" she replied with a smirk. "It's been so long, and now ya got this little one. I doubt ya just sat at home all that time."
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