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 Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2020 9:10 am
Maritza hated shore leave.
If it wasn't for Uquin she wouldn't have taken time off at all, but she really couldn't find it in her to completely blame the man. She had volunteered after all. The problem there in was that while her brother was able to keep up his activities with the theater and Uquin took his classes she had nothing to keep herself occupied. There was only so many diagrams one could create without actually testing anything. It was positively maddening.
So, she found herself napping.
Maritza never napped.
She was a nocturnal beast and was more than accustomed to keeping strange hours so that her sleep schedule wasn't disturbed. For the past couple of weeks, however, she'd started dozing off wherever she sat. At first it started off with a mild nap, one that Rivyn had caught her in, but lately it had become an actual routine. She was just so fatigued and couldn't think of a reason as to why.
Looking down at the second pastry in her hand the mechanic reasoned that her laziness could be part of it. She'd taken a 'vacation' of sorts and during this vacation she'd learned she actually liked everberry cakes. Normally the taste sickened her, but maybe it was the weeks of limited resources aboard ship that changed things. It also meant she'd put on some extra weight, but that too wasn't a huge concern. It would just drop off as soon as she started working again anyway.
Now that the sun wasn't nearly so high in the sky she'd ventured out in the hopes of catching Uquin on his way back. It would be nice to spend a little time outside of the apartment for a change, and maybe they could get dinner while they were out.
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2020 9:33 am
After their last conversation, Uquin had half expected their dynamic to shift. Would be begin to second guess her judgement, knowing now how much younger she was? Would her faith in his health and mind begin to falter now? But... somehow, after the tension of that night, they fell back into their comfortable habits.
Uquin expected that, before long, Maritza would grow stir crazy and return to her work - but then she opted for shore leave, and he was delighted.
She'd talked about her naps, of course. They talked about almost everything, these days; but he didn't think anything of it. Naps were healthy, he'd said in that matter of fact way he was sure annoyed her. With a mind as active as yours, it's probably for the best you have a chance to rest now and then.
But he hadn't noticed the weight. He blamed it on the fact they were often inside the apartment, in the artificial lighting - sitting, lounging, or snuggling together. He didn't see her out and about often, didn't see her walking full stride.
... He would later blame himself being distracted on his classes - or the fact he was burnt out on the conversation of children, after that heavy talk of a few weeks prior.
The healer had finished his classes, and to say his mind had shut down was an understatement. He felt oversaturated with knowledge, and he wasn't certain how much of it he had absorbed. On auto-pilot, his feet took him 'home'... and how strange was it that now he considered Maritza's apartment home?
He saw her first without quite realizing who she was - another lightning woman in the distance, dressed in green trousers with the brown belts, the top, the suspenders. Her stomach and sides were exposed, as was her normal style when out and about and not stealing Rivyn's clothes --
And, on auto-pilot, Uquin's healer brain kicked in. 'Pregnant. Stomach suggests at least five months - maybe four, if twins.
Then they came closer, and Uquin stopped, mid-step, startled to realize it was Maritza. Maritza.
He was so stunned he didn't greet her when she finally stepped close, and instead just- stared at her.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2020 9:49 am
Even if Maritza tended to blend with the normal crowd in Zenner Uquin most certainly did not. It wasn't hard to find the leafling man with his coloring so subdued against the vibrancy of her own people. Even compared to a Geian he seemed somehow more 'earthy' in color, which felt strange, considering how in tune with nature Geian's supposedly were.
He looked tired from the day so she wasn't all that surprised when he didn't notice her at first. She called out to him, but it was a more generalized 'hey!' than his name so Maritza didn't take offense. It was when she was almost on him and his reaction turned from an almost dazed look into something more shocking that she paused.
"What's wrong? Should I not have come? I thought we could get dinner together if you weren't too tired, but now I'm starting to think we should just go back."
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2020 11:03 am
It was only a short while ago they were discussing this possibility, and the outlook was not good. A million thoughts rushed through his head - more children? Gods, it had been so long - he'd been barely out of his prentice years himself when the girls came, and now - And Maritza... she had made it clear her work would suffer. Even if she opted to have him care for the children so she could return to work, childbirth was strenuous and it could be almost a year before she was back in action-- But she was looking at him, and he quickly stirred himself back to attention. "No! No. I'm fine. Dinner sounds..." he trailed off for a moment, eyeing her. "... If I had difficult news would you rather enjoy your evening first or know what it is?"
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2020 11:20 am
Maritza studied Uquin with a critical eye. What did he know that she didn't? Had something happened in some of his classes? If so, why would he feel the need to hide it? Or, divert the topic, since he wasn't exactly hiding anything.
"...It depends on how difficult the news is." She edged around the topic, unsure and wary of exactly how to proceed. "How bad is it? Do you think we need privacy?" Had he...found another lover? While she knew their 'relationship' had never really been outlined she'd always just assumed monogamy was the unspoken agreement. Perhaps it was different in Tale?
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2020 11:56 am
It was difficult not to sweat under that intense gaze, especially after the conclusion they'd drawn with their previous conversation. Perhaps he was wrong? Uquin was tempted to look down at her stomach again, but felt that would be far too obvious. Instead, he exhaled at the question, his expression flat and almost pleading.
He should have kept his mouth shut and let her have dinner, perhaps put her in a slightly better mood - but he also felt that Maritza would resent him keeping this from her a moment longer than necessary.
"That... would probably be for the best." He conceded, though he did reach to tentatively take her hand, ducking in to kiss her. It was something they'd done here and there - even in public, and he hoped it wasn't too out of line. But...
With a gentle tug, he turned them back the way she'd come and walked with her, the words on the tip of his tongue. "Did you nap today? Did you eat lunch?" It could be smalltalk, but it was also a probe for information. One that he knew was far from subtle.
(3/10)
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2020 2:16 pm
She nodded, silently going along with him. There was nothing more that Maritza wanted at that moment then to pressure him into a confession. Yet, she held back out of respect. Whatever he wanted to say Uquin deserved a safe space to say it.
Maritza didn't reciprocate the kiss nor she did make any moves to stop it. She simply allowed it, which was a telling sign of her mood. Her hand stayed interlocked with his, however, and she followed his lead without much resistance. At first she didn't answer him; she was still fighting back the urge to be combative, to just harass him for the truth, but patience was a skill she was trying to learn.
,
"...I did. Around midday, same as usual. I tidied up around the apartment and made sure Rivyn's shirts were washed before returning them to him." It had been a sort of nightly complaint as of late. When her brother wanted to go out in civilian attire his clothing was likely dirty or already being worn. It was just such a hard habit to break. Not that her version of washing was much good; both men she lived with had proven how inferior her methods were.
"I don't think I had lunch. A few pastries here and there, but it's not as if I'm unused to skipping a meal."
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2020 3:17 pm
...Ah. That bad, was it? He wanted to chuckle, or to dredge up some humor for the anecdote, but- he couldn't quite do it. What did catch his attention was that she hadn't eaten - a fact he'd bemoaned her over before, but only passively. Now, it took everything in him not to whirl around to face her and demand they stop for food, now. He knew that she was already at her limit, though, so instead he pressed his lips together and stayed silent.
They finally made it to her apartments, trudging up to the door - and inside, he was relieved to find that Rivyn had left for his day's activities. He was glad that - hopefully - we wouldn't have to break the news to both siblings at the same time.
Finally, once inside, he released Maritza's hand and turned to face her properly.
"I think you are pregnant."
...There. No more beating around the bush. "Seeing you, day after day, it wasn't obvious- but outside, seeing you in a crowd, I just - could tell."
(4/10)
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2020 3:25 pm
The walk home was almost painfully silent. It wasn't the evening she'd expected or any anticipated. Of course she knew there was a possibility he would be too tired to want anything to do with the public, but Maritza never imagined this would be how they came back.
And now..."Pregnant?" She repeated the word with a chiding tone, only for doubt to come in. At first her face went from utterly baffled that he would even say such a thing to horror. Uquin was a healer; an active one who had kept up with his work for years. So if anyone were to know....
Maritza turned away from him and instead of going to their room she slammed open the door to Rivyn's. On the opposite wall stood the biggest, most gaudily decorated mirror she had ever seen and that is exactly what she went straight for.
She never really paid attention to her physical appearance; not like her brother. Maritza kept her hair short so she wouldn't have to style it, and life aboard the airship had taught her how useless mirrors were. Now, however, seeing herself in glaring clarity....Her heart rate accelerating as she did a half turn to see herself and the bump making it's protrusion from her abdomen...
She was going to be sick.
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2020 3:41 pm
At first, Uquin could only look at her, taking in the look on her face that made it more than clear that she was doubtful. But... then the reality hit her as she remembered just what his profession was, and just like that she spun on her heel and darted away. He hovered for a moment, unsure if he should follow or leave her alone, but ultimately he trailed after her, pausing in the doorway as she turned in the mirror. In the reflection, he could see the look on her face which only hammered home just how unlucky this was.
They had only been together for almost three months now - the weeks on the ship, the few weeks she stayed, the month she'd been back at work, and now almost a month home. True, the child could be massive - which was always a chance, but Uquin's kin were generally small; his girls had been absolutely tiny, and Maritza was clearly small as well. However, her brother was a larger man, so it was possible the child was just... big.
... But he sincerely doubted it.
He opened his mouth to say something, but he wasn't sure if it would jog her out of this silent horror and tip her into rage, so instead he loosely crossed his arms and just stood, letting her have a moment to soak this all in.
(5/10)
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2020 3:52 pm
Maritza took her sweet time taking it all in. How did I not notice? Now that she was looking at her body head on it was completely obvious! How many others had seen her today? How many people that she knew had seen her parading around without any knowledge at all? How many would tell Rivyn while he was at work?
It was like someone had planted the child overnight. Her hand hovered around the bump without really touching it, long finger tips stretching as if to make the first move only to clench upon themselves at the last moment.
At last she noticed Uquin in the reflection and turned to look at him. There had always been a chance something would fail, but she just assumed..."Have I...have I been pregnant the whole time? Is that why it's so-?" She made a vague motion to the bump, noting the size.
Of course her coworkers with kids had talked about pregnancies in passing but never what was normal and what wasn't. Even her own mother hadn't mentioned anything regarding sizes; all Maritza knew was that the bigger the bump the further along the mother was but they had only been together a short time.
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2020 4:06 pm
Uquin half expected her to turn back to him, perhaps finally using the sharp tone he'd seen her use on incompetent workers at her job. Somehow, he had avoided it this entire while - caught in her seemingly infinite good graces. But the tension was clear, both in the barely constrained panic in her features, to the slight hunch of her shoulders.
His savings grace right now, he thought, was that he was a healer - and that helped, because he was able to slip easily into that state of mind, avoiding his own numb panic. "... Maritza." He began, wishing he could reach to touch her arm and, hopefully, steady her. Instead he stayed back though. "The size is... typical of four to five months, if the child is a normal size." He breathed in deeply, then finally moved a bit closer, extending his hands cautiously, unwinding his beads from around his wrist.
With them in hand, he hovered his palms on either side of her belly, careful not to touch, then closed his eyes. It wasn't as if healing magic could tell him a neat number for sure - but he could sense how strong the life was. And...
After a long moment, he stepped back and slowly returned the beads to their proper place. "... I'm strongly leaning towards twins, possibly from our first week together... Or... small triplets, within the first month and a half."
(6/10)
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2020 4:19 pm
Why was he talking like that? Like he half expected her to start screaming at any moment or lash out? Did she really look so unhinged? Maybe he was onto something. Even Maritza could tell her her color was up with the faint thrumming of her heart in her ears.
...if the child is a normal size.
So was it abnormal or-?
She looked down to his hands and held her breath. Maritza wasn't entirely sure the intricacies of a healer's magic, and had never bothered to ask before Uquin. Now, however, she was simultaneously desperate for an answer and also dreading the response.
"What. In. The. -" In a barely veiled growl Maritza let out a string of expletives more dastardly than the last. Her composure was blown. For a moment that's all she did; try to breath and curse. She brought her a hand up to her hair and ruffled it while looking down at her distended womb before looking elsewhere.
"We did so much to prevent one, Uquin. One!" She didn't realize she'd basically screamed that last word until she heard the reverberation on all the glass in Rivyn's room. Hastily she offered an apologize before exhaling. "I'm not built to carry more. There isn't enough room. They could-" They could die. And it would be her fault. She was on the verge of tears and that just stressed her out more. She hadn't cried since she was a kid!
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2020 4:30 pm
Uquin bit the inside of his cheek the moment the information finally hit for her. The expletives started out normal enough, but before long they ventured farther than even his expertise, and he had the grace to simply widen his eyes and sit through it. It wasn't as if she was cursing him (yet), just... their situation. But... there was something so heartbreakingly human in her posture - the fist in her hair, so tight it looked painful, the almost horrified stare down at her belly.
His eyebrow twitched as her tone raised into a yell, but - at least he hadn't flinched. He'd had patients scream about their circumstances, clutch their stomachs and cry, or simply go quiet and softly ask if 'nothing could be done'. And through it all he'd been calm, stoic. But... seeing her like this, it was... difficult.
With Pahana ... hell, with his daughter's own pregnancies, he had been away when the news came. This was the first time he'd delivered the news himself to someone he cared for. But... then she began to panic, and finally he snapped to attention.
He quickly reached for her, an arm slipping around her shoulders and tugging her carefully close, unsure if she would accept or shove him away. "It could make them come early, yes. But that would happen because they are triplets, regardless of size...! And from what I've learned, this country... it is the safest place for that to happen." He'd been startled with how delicately Belrean healers treated their young, but it was as Maritza had told him once - the people here, for the most part, had little stomach for discomfort.
(7/10)
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2020 4:43 pm
Her first reaction was to fight him. She lashed out against the hold, but just as quickly fell into it. Maritza was full on crying and she couldn't make it stop. She'd never felt this much fear in her life, even when the airship she'd been on as a teenager had crash landed. At that point in her life adrenaline took over, made her move without thinking and settled in later. Now...now she had to worry about someone other than herself.
"You're not leaving, right? You said you wouldn't." Maritza absolutely hated how she sounded in that moment. Everything in her tone was what she detested most about the members of her sex. That sense of weakness and vulnerability, the sniveling..."If it were just one I could do it, I could find a way, but more..." Her mother had done it. She raised two children on her own without so much as a partner in sight and did so proudly. Then again it was something she'd planned for and Maritza didn't have that advanced warning.
"...Are you okay?"
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