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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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 Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2020 5:24 pm
As much as Nimueh and Callum wanted to leave Jauhar as soon as possible, the fact of the matter was that their little ones needed to nurse. The local healer had recommended at least half a year, if not longer, before they would be able to either shift to solid foods or supplement with capramel milk. It... wasn't ideal, especially since Odeya seemed so fond of the little ones. But to their relief, the woman might have thought the children were precious, but she still had absolutely no interest in being a mother.
Feeding them was one thing, but if one got fussy or needed to be changed, she was more than happy to hand them off to Callum or Nimueh, and over time they'd come to feel safer with staying around her. They'd been allowed to stay in a small home in the village, up in the canopy not far from Odeya's home, and had focused on getting to know the little ones.
... The triplets were almost four months old by the time their big brother was able to visit, and their dads were absolutely thrilled. Not that Sol would be expected to take care of them... but the adrenaline of seeing their boy was more than enough to make the promise of his visit a bit less stressful.
Ygraine and Sol had been hard enough, but they'd been raised in one place, with Nimueh's foster parents helping where they could. These were triplets. It was the first night Sol was staying, and Callum had understandably managed to make it through dinner before falling asleep on his pallet, exhausted. Nimueh brushed his fingers over his face, then breathed out a huffed sigh as Siel began to try to roll over, fiercely contesting Nimueh's silent hope that the three might settle for a nap soon.
"I'm so glad you came to visit." Nimueh said, honestly, watching intently as Siel continued to roll to and fro, grunting with frustation when he didn't magically flip over. "... Seeing you and Ygraine that last visit was... too short. Will you be able to stay long?"
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Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 1:34 pm
Life was full of mysteries.
For months Sol had lived under the impression that his baba had left this world, his papa was traveling, as was his sister and he lived a stationary life in Zena. It wasn't ideal, but everyone seemed to have their own priorities which suited him fine for the moment. It was a comfortable life; one without any surprises or hiccups....
...and then overnight everything changed.
Becoming adjusted to each change as it came seemed harder and harder. Sol apparently wasn't as 'adaptable' as his fathers; bouncing back into a lifestyle where a dead man had sired offspring wasn't exactly 'normal'. It had taken time for Sol to come around and time was what they had given him. He worked it out, in his own way, for a while before accepting this new reality.
Everything seemed to rush by when the triplets were born. Even if he'd been stuck in Zena for their birth he'd felt it. Sol knew in his core that things had changed, and for once, he wasn't afraid of it. He didn't resist nor did he try to run. Rather, Sol had as many gifts made as coin would allow in the village and had them all sent to Jauhar. In that time it was all he could do; his own business still needed tended to and while the old man could have seen to things it felt wrong to abandon his practice all of a sudden.
It took a couple of months, but soon enough Sol was in Jauhar.
"Pim told me I could stay as long as I wanted, but I know he would be happiest if I kept my visit to a month, at best." Sol's antennae flicked in the direction of movement and stayed a little tilted to that one side. He scooted back a bit, stretching his right hand gingerly until it touched the base of a wall. Smiling softly, he pushed himself back the rest of the way until his back rested against it.
"Do they sleep well? Through the night?"
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2020 4:27 pm
(2/10)
A month. Nimueh would always be disappointed that the answer wasn't 'forever', but honestly he knew that a month was a blessing. It was better than the whirlwind of a reunion they'd shared the last time, which had been a week at best. He hummed softly to let his son know he'd heard him, briefly gazing at him with soft eyes as his son felt his way back towards the wall, as if to put a bit more space between him and Siel.
"Morain does usually. Lutana... is like the moon. Off and on. Siel--" His call was hushed then, and he quickly ducked down to scoop up his little faerie who had somehow wriggled his way to the edge of the pallet, just close enough that a wayward shove of a tiny foot might catch his sleeping father in the face. Once picked up, Nimueh sighed as the tiny thing grunted and shoved with his little hands, unwilling to be constrained and held against his father's shoulder. "... The healer thinks he has stomach aches. He can't sit still at night until he tires himself out. ... And how about you? Was the trip difficult?"
(please let me know if that's godmodey and you don't like me making stuff up for baby Siel ! I can change it!! )
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Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2020 1:38 pm
Morain. Lutana. Siel. New names that he was going to have to memorize. His younger sister was easy to remember simply because when they spoke of the children so long as the pronouns were 'she/her' he could tell which babe it was. When it came to the boys things were a little more complicated. He'd already asked Papa once that evening if it was Siel that was crying, but it had been Morain and he knew it was likely to happen again.
All he could make out was the movements of the same restless child. At least that means he's healthy. While his brother may not have felt the best movement was always a good sign in infants. If he were listless and calm Sol knew his fathers would only worry more. "Would you mind if I held him? If it really is stomach aches I could sooth them for him." He wasn't...exactly the best with children, but he tried. Anytime someone brought one into the clinic they were always just so loud and excitable, even when sick, which made it all the harder for him to calm them.
"The trip was unpleasant, if that's what you mean. The guide Pim picked out thought the best way to pass time was to tell me, in explicit detail about each and every plant he saw along the way. I think I'll take my chances going back on my own." He held his arms out and made a 'gimme' motion with a little smirk. "I promise I won't drop him."
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2020 12:20 pm
Would he mind? Nimueh was delighted at the sign from his son, and smiled brilliantly at him, even knowing his son wouldn't be able to see it. "Of course. He's your brother, you never need to ask." Nimueh responded softly, letting each word come out with the utmost sincerity. He shifted as carefully as a man his size could, carefully lifting the tiny thing in his massive hands. Being held seemed to soothe Siel at least a little bit, but the pout of his lips and furrow of his tiny eyebrows only proved that he was still in distress.
As he was moving the baby, he looked up at his son, sighing softly at the description, shaking his head. "... That won't be necessary. I'll speak with your father and see if he'd be up for it." Knowing Callum, he would be loathe to leave the childrens' sides, but he might appreciate a break nonetheless, and the chance to travel again. Nimueh still felt guilty that he had vowed to not make him settle down again, and yet- here they were, trapped by necessity.
However, his son changed the topic and, with a shake of his head, Nimueh carefully settled Siel into the curve of his arms, adjusting him as needed.
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Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2020 4:34 pm
[3/10]
Sol closed his eyes with a little exasperated sigh. "That won't be necessary. I can handle myself, and he's needed here, with you. Three infants is too much for one person to care for on their own." As much as he was sure his papa would enjoy the chance to stretch his legs Sol would feel guilty to take him away. The babes might not remember him being gone for such a short amount of time, but baba would feel the strain. He'd gotten this far in life using his wits so Sol was confident he could at least make it home on his own.
First contact was awkward, simply because Sol had to rely completely on his father to balance the babe lest he accidentally drop him. Once he was settled, however, and Sol was able to get a feel for how his body rested he shifted once again. This time he raised the child so that the infant rested and against his shoulder. When Siel started to squirm he 'shhed' him and moved him just enough to lightly bounce. "You're so impatient." He chided softly and started to rub Siel's back. A faint glow spread out from underneath his finger tips, spreading warmth throughout the infants torso. Since it was such a light magical touch the 'effects' weren't instantaneous, but soon enough Siel was lulled to sleep.
"Have you tried feeding him while he's being held up? If it really is his stomach then you should try swaddling him after each feeding and keep him held up for a while. It can help with digestion."
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2020 10:30 am
(4/10)
There was a certain joy to be had in seeing his adult child holding his little brother. Nimueh felt a warmth and comfort settle in his bones that was indescribably calm, and as he settled back, he clung to that feeling as Sol responded. It was true - three infants was a lot, but... he also didn't want to turn his back on Sol, not when he might need his parents. He had already struggled with his blindness, alone, for goddess knew how long. He couldn't help but feel guilty about the timing of it all.
Still... the interaction between the two brothers soothed any arguments Nim felt on the tip of his tongue and he instead watched, with wonder, as Sol's magical touch lulled the babe to rest - finally.
"... We haven't. But- we will." Nim admitted, guiltily. With three mouths to feed, generally the other two were set down after eating so the next could be fed. But... if this was the case, they may simply have to swaddle him onto the others' back to digest for a while. "... Look at you. A healer. I knew you were one, but seeing it... that is something else entirely."
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Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2020 1:56 pm
"It's more common than you think." He smoothed his hand over Siel's little back in lazy circles. Every so often a little glow would come from his fingers, but for the most part the healer was pulling back now that his brother was soundly asleep. Still, there was something about his weight that made his brows furrow. Sol straightened a little, still balancing the babe against his shoulder and with a gentle hand under his bum he 'weighed' him. "He's a little smaller than the other two. If you start feeding him like that his stomach should settle and he'll put the weight back on." Catching himself, Sol settled back against the wall with a little smile. "Sorry - I don't mean to sound like I'm overstepping boundaries. Just a habit."
Knowing his parents were proud of him and hearing it were two completely different things. Sol's antennae couldn't help straightening a bit as his skin, if at all possible, turned a duskier shade of grey. "...Thanks. I never thought I'd be much good at it, honestly. I always wanted to be a rider." He'd spent so much of his youth hunting rabbits in the woods with Sev that Sol had just assumed that's where his life was headed. And then... "Some things just don't work out and you have to improvise. The man who taught me how to hone my magic also happened to be blind so he helped me a lot. He was a healer so I just kind of fell into it. Honestly, though, between you and papa I'm glad I studied up. You two are a handful." He gave a quiet chuckle.
Still, there was a thought bothering him, one that no amount of magic could help him with. One that took his confidence down several notches and if anything made him shift uncomfortably before finally gathering up the strength to ask. "Can you...can you tell me what they look like? I'm starting to know them by their crystals, but beyond that..."
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2020 3:57 pm
Overstepping bounds... really. Nimueh snorted and shifted to relax again, just watching his sons with a warm expression. "You're his brother, you're allowed to fuss over him a bit." He reminded with a soft grin... which faded a bit as Sol spoke of what he'd wanted to be. "I know we put you both through a hell of a lot." Nimueh responded very quietly, hands moving to lace together against his lap. An apology was on the tip of his tongue though when Sol spoke again, and Nimueh leapt at it gratefully, even if it was... a difficult question on Sol's part.
"Well... Siel right there... he's got smaller little ears, like Callum does. Shifter skin - but a bit of a fade on his fingers and toes, and around his eyes. That's his alkidike blood of course. The midwife was horrified at first, thought something was wrong with his blood but..." He chuckled then shook his head. "... Silver hair. He always looked a bit ruffled up from all his fussing. And his eyes... they're earthling eyes, but-- he one of mine, and... one of Callum's." He knew that, by blood, they weren't both of their children but... it had felt like acknowledgement from the goddess, a bit of each of them in their children. He appreciated it more than he'd voiced aloud to Callum.
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Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2020 5:01 pm
Sol felt a flush glow on his dusky cheeks. He wasn't fussing; that was something old women did. He was just helping..in a very professional way. Right? Or was this what it felt like to be an older sibling? "It wasn't easy...but we got through." Talking about certain aspects of his childhood wasn't exactly how Sol wanted to spend his evening. It wasn't why he'd come all this way, and it...brought about more melancholy than he was ready to deal with.
"I can feel the little ears," He mused, raising one hand to cup the child's little head in his palm and smooth his thumb over the little lobes. Shifter skin? Like me. But with a fade instead of markings...how must that look, with such dark coloring? To hear Nim talk about it brought a grin to Sol's face. He could only imagine how worried that must have made the midwife. "...One of each? What a blessing." Knowing now the struggles of not being able to have children together....well, Sol could appreciate the uniqueness of Siel's situation. "Or a curse. With eyes like that he's going to draw attention and if you leave him around papa too long that might come back to bite you." Sol didn't think he could handle two flirts in the family.
"What about the others?"
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2020 5:14 pm
[6/10] Oh, goddess forbid-- Nimueh smothered a laugh, unwilling to risk waking the other babies, but still tickled at the suggestion. "Our kind always draw attention - but you're right. Goddess- if that comes to pass, I'll personally blame you for it." He teased, shaking his head.
As for the other children... "Lutana also has shifter skin, with the same sort of fade as Siel. Same sweet little ears and blue eyes, like Callum. But she got my hair - blue, dark. A bit of a curl - I can't imagine where she got that from. Morain... also has shifter skin, but without their fade. Instead he has markings - a little diamond on his forehead, marks by his eyes and ears, like mine. Tiny ears. He has... dark alkidike eyes though. From... my mother, I assume." He fell silent for a moment, thinking, then shook himself. "And pale hair, like Siel and Callum.
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Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2020 5:20 pm
Sol scoffed as quietly as possible. His chest raised, causing Siel to make a little yawn and for a moment he feared the babe would wake up, but he only seemed to shift before going still again. "I've had nothing to do with this." He nodded down towards the babe against his chest. "Papa told me about your 'divination'. If anything it's all your fault." Witchcraft and sorcery, he said. Something only real adults would know...what a load.
Lutana sounded like what Siel had expected when he found out their newest surrogate was a shifter. Shifter skin, darker hair, but the curl was interesting. Had their mother had curled hair? Still, it fit with the family, considering Callum's curls. Then there was Morain..."So, they're completely black? Like a pureblood's?" How strange must that look, given the general array of colors in their family? Then again, Sol didn't have much room to stand on, considering he was blonde and the only way he could have gotten that color would have been from Callum's own mother. "Does his markings look like yours or...like your mothers?....Sorry, that was stupid, they would have been the same."
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2020 6:17 pm
[7/10] Oh, did he now? Nimueh had to scrub a hand over his mouth to fully stifle another laugh, but... he just felt... happy. To be here, speaking to his son like this. It was strange, to realize he was grown, an adult in his own right now. "Yes, well... I can concede to that." He admitted with a shake of his head.
"Completely black. between his skin, hair, and eyes, he looks bleached of color without his clothes and markings. But... they're like mine. ... I assume, like my mother's as well. I never met her but... there wasn't much chance for variance.
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Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 4:30 pm
That sounded rather...bland in comparison to the other children. Then again, that's just how he sounded; for all Sol knew his little brother was as lovely as a midnight moon. With markings like that he could have looked touched by the goddess herself, and on a shifter's skin...well, he was sure Aisha would love that.
Thinking about love, though..."Was it...How..." Pinching his lips together, the younger hybrid shifted and took a deep breath. "How did you know that Papa was your person? Did you always know or did you just kind of...fall into it?" To love someone enough to go through two surrogacies...Sol wasn't so sure he could manage something like that, but he thought that maybe, just maybe, it might be nice to try.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2021 7:02 am
(8/10)
Nimueh felt the lapse in conversation was comfortable, so he spent the time watching them, etching the sight of his sons into his eyes. But - when Sol spoke again he hummed to show he was listening, then really looked at him again, raising his eyebrows.
"It was puppy love, at first. He was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen, and I wanted his undivided attention." Nimueh admitted. "I fell for him, hard and fast. I came on very strong - at the time he seemed overwhelmed by it, so it took some time before he gave me a real chance." He thought about the sermal attack - how scared he'd been. How... they'd been separated, after, until Callum found him in his home village.
"But really? I didn't know if he was my person. I just knew that... I enjoyed him, so very much, and the idea of him being hurt terrified me. I wanted to make him smile, and that's all there really was to it for me. ... Should I ask if there's someone who's captured my boy's attention? Hm?" The final question was gentle and soft, prying but without expectation of an answer. More of... an invitation to talk, if his son wanted to take it.
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