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 Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 5:35 pm
Zyphire always dreaded venturing into the northern part of Zena and this trip to the city was no different. Well for the most part. Zyphire stretched his arms far above his head, his neck cracking with the movement, and a lazy yawn escaped his lips. Ever since their discovery at the southern sanctuary he called home the Shifter had been enjoying a much warmer bed at night and he already missed it now that he was here. At least during the whole journey back towards the city he had made certain to take every advantage of his alone time with Sylvirah and it was with great disdain that he found himself breaking away from her once they entered the great gates of the city walls. Now he had an inn room again, something close yet far enough away to not get directly involved with things....even though he did suppose he was fairly involved with anything that dealt with Sylvirah at this point in his life. Whether Zyphire had intended it or not he had finally gotten caught and of course like it was his style to be involved with one of the most complicated messes around.
Still, the Shifter had kept himself busy going back and forth through the city and talking with others who knew more about the area. He had brought his own mount this time around, a great charcoal colored chiavi with an azure gaze and silvery accents along its feathers and beak, and Zyphire wasted no time in taking morning flights throughout the mountainside surrounding the city. It was admittedly a bit of a hassle but he had his reasons. He just hoped Sylvirah understood that he was being productive and not simply hiding away from her while they were back within the city walls. Surely not, right? Else I would have bolted days ago when we first arrived...
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 5:49 pm
Time at the sanctuary had been almost blissfully innocent in it's sin. As Ada recovered she and Zyphire had spent so much time together that it was almost like they were in a world of their own. Days blended into one another and within no time at all it was time to go back.
As happy as she was to be mounted back atop Ada Sylvirah found herself missing the bed she'd left behind. Of course she still kept up contact with Zyphire, but things was just so much more complicated here. Gunnar, for one, had let his opinions be known the very moment she'd returned to their cabin and the surrounding days were tense at best. At the moment they had a sort of truce; they coexisted in their home, pushing forward one day at a time, and each had buried themselves in their work. She wanted to talk to him about things, but Gunnar had made it clear he wasn't ready for it, much to her frustration.
Then she'd gotten sick, and what she thought would be a quick trip to a healer had given her far more shocking news.
Sylvirah tapped Ada's sides twice with her knees, spurring the chiavi into a nose dive. As the great beast picked up speed Sylvirah leaned back until her spine was almost parllel with her avian's and raised her spear. Faster...faster....faster....and at the last moment Ada pulled upwards just as Sylvirah's spear shot out to impale a wild roati.
The creature screamed for a brief moment before falling over. Ada flew in a wide circle around her prey before tucking her wings, much more gently this time, for a gentle descent.
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 6:00 pm
Needless to say Zyphire had not been expecting company this morning. The Shifter had been focused on directing Coro, his gaze narrowed as he studied the horizon thoughtfully, but the sudden scream of a beast had his heart jumping in his chest. "What the bloody?" Zyphire muttered before urging Coro down towards the ground. The chiavi let out a screech of his own before finally diving towards the snow covered ground, only pulling back at the last moment to land with his feathers fluffing out in protest at the sudden change in plans. His beak clacked with some rather impolite commentary if left to the Shifter's imagination but Zyphire just gave his familiar a gentle pat before slipping off. Pulling down his fur covered hood, a scarf tightly wrapped around his neck below the heavy cloak, Zyphire took a moment to study the scene that was several feet away from them.
An amused smirk crossed his lips as he watched the gentle descent that was the opposite of his own drastic one. At least this time he knew to keep his distance from the fallen prey. Much better than fighting Ada over it. Zyphire's silver gaze slipped towards Coro as he urged the chiavi to follow him a few steps further, his steps stopping as he leaned against one of the many winter trees scattered throughout the clearing. "I suppose that was the quickest morning stroll that little guy will ever have." Quipped Zyphire as he waited for the rider to dismount. Despite his teasing there was respect for the fallen creature reflected in his expression as he glanced towards it once more before slowly raising his gaze back to Sylvirah.
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 6:11 pm
Ada was the first to notice their company. Sylvirah had already dismounted and was walking towards the roat when her chiavi gave an aggressive cry. Sylvirah furrowed her brow and looked over to see the overgrown bird fluffing her feathers, clacking her own beak at the other chiavi. While she wasn't attacking them in the least the sheer size of Ada's puffed form was indicative of her mood. She was Alpha and she wanted the boys to know it. Sylvirah moved back to Ada's side, walking in a wide arc around her with slow, steady steps and a calming coo. By the time she was close enough to touch the chiavi she was somewhat calmer and Sylvirah was able to reach out to pet her head.
"It's harder to kill them now that I've played with them." Looking back to the fallen prey was...admittedly harder to do than it should have been. Ada needed to eat and this was the easiest way to feed her. So, why was it so much harder to look at the blood on it's fluffy fur?
"I'm actually really glad that you found me. We need to talk about something." She gave Ada a pat and urged her on. Despite the offer of fresh meat the chiavi still gave the other avian the stink eye before moving on to her prey.
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 6:23 pm
"Oh come on, Coro." Zyphire clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth as his own chiavi gave a snarky cry back towards Ada. "I really should have taught you how to handle the ladies." The overgrown bundle of fluff chirped once more before turning his head away from the scene, his own appetite appeased by the bag of treats that he stole from Zyphire's hands. The Shifter always knew to came prepared just in case he would have to drag his own mount away from someone else's prey. The chiavi was still somewhat wild, his attitude a bit further away from what others would prefer in a tamed mount. Apparently though that was just how Zyphire enjoyed his company, a bit wild and unpredictable indeed.
His gaze softened and the Shifter smiled towards Sylvirah once he heard her confession. "It is, isn't it? I think that's why I usually prefer fish or getting my meat directly from the market. Still, at least the life wasn't taken in vain." He nodded towards Ada who was already moving towards her prey. They had to feed the predators at their sanctuary as well so it wasn't as if Zyphire never hunted himself. "Don't go getting too soft on me, Sylvirah." He pressed forward and teased her slightly, his hand brushing against her arm before her next words caused him to pause in confusion or rather well in interest. What was going on? Was something finally about to give and before he had even finished with his own explorations?
"I guess the spirits were with me today then. What's going on?" Zyphire pulled his fingers away and crossed his arms, his head tilting thoughtfully as he studied the iceling huntress.
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 6:42 pm
Once Ada was close enough to the roati she clamped her talon around it's prone body and hopped a little further away with it, turning just enough so that she could keep an eye on all of them as she ate. If she'd been born in the South Sylvirah may have tried to break of her of that possessive nature, but at this point she didn't see the need. Most of the time Ada hunted for her own food and if she gave it up for every other chiavi in the area then she likely would starve. So long as she didn't hurt Zyphire's mount she would just keep an eye on her; a huffy one, but an eye none the less.
"Trust me, I'm not." Despite the maelstrom in her mind she felt herself puffing a little at that. It was little more than a pout, however, and a passive thought about her life in the city. Would there be a day when she was more at home getting meat from a market than from the source? Would she lose her edge? And if she did would he-?
She'd been ready to reciprocate his touch when he seemed to pull away and close himself off. Not that she could blame him. So much about their relationship was a balancing act and he had a right to protect himself.
"I saw a healer this morning." Sylvirah took a deep breath and continued on, "I thought I'd caught the illness that's been spreading in Zidel, but I'm actually with child."
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 6:54 pm
Coro glanced up from his bag of treats and watched as Ada hopped away, his talons tightening around his own prize as he gave her a look. If anything the darker chiavi tried to puff himself up to look even more majestic...despite the fact that he was simply eating from a treat bag. A low hoot left his throat as he too hopped a few feet away and pointedly turned his back away once more from the other chiavi.
"A healer?" Zyphire's arms fell to his side as he took a step forward towards Sylvirah, his gaze full of concern. "You're not sick then...." He managed as his mind raced to catch up with the actual meaning of her words. She obviously wasn't carrying someone's child with her or anything like that, right? Zyphire's gaze darted around as if hoping to see some random orphan clinging to the back of Sylvirah's legs before he finally lowered his shoulders. "Do...do you know when you became pregnant?" He finally managed, his teeth digging into his bottom lip nervously for once.
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 7:08 pm
"From what she said I'm not that far along; no more than a month or a little over." His reaction wasn't...exactly what she'd hoped for, but really, what had she expected? It seemed like she attracted drama and if it wasn't coming from others around her then she was the direct cause.
"...The last time I was...with Gunnar was weeks before we took Ada to the sanctuary. If what she says is true then it couldn't be his." Still, the doubts lingered. The healer had no way of knowing exactly when she'd gotten pregnant, she could only make a well timed guess and Sylvirah just hoped she was right.
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 7:15 pm
"Oh." Despite the complicated situation hearing that Sylvirah hadn't been with Gunnar in so long made Zyphire feel a sort of relief? He had told himself that Sylvirah had to take care of her contract in order to help the villagers but it was hard to not be jealous. He wanted to be the one waking up next to her in the morning, to be able to carry her recklessly through the city and to do whatever they pleased without worry of judgment. A flush decorated the back of his neck as he slowly raised his gaze towards Sylvirah's own. "And how do you feel about this?" He asked quietly. After all his worry was about how she would fair going back to her home with Gunnar.
"If you're thinking I'll run away then I won't but I'm worried. What do you want to do now that we have this twist in our plans?" If they even had set plans in the first place. Zyphire bit into his bottom lip again at the thought. If it was early yet then they would have time before Gunnar even realized...but what then? Did Sylvirah even want to have his child? Zyphire had never even considered the idea of children in his life before. Usually he was so careful but this time...well he definitely slipped up.
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 7:13 pm
Analyzing her own feelings on the pregnancy was difficult to say the least. She furrowed her brow, averting her gaze for just a moment to collect herself before looking back at Zyphire. "It's...a lot, honestly. I've always wanted a little clan of my own, but I always thought I would start it back home with my family." She was still too early to feel any sort of 'fluttering' and there wasn't even a bump to speak of. Still, Sylvirah was supposed to consider her self a mother now and it was a lot to take in.
"Telling Gunnar could go one of two ways. He may be excited because he thinks he'll be a father or....he could rage." Sylvirah was putting off returning home not only because she enjoyed her freedom and what time she got with Zyphire, but also because telling her husband would be difficult. Regardless of how he took the news things between them would be tense for months.
"We're leaving next week to go to the mountain. By the time we get there I'll be showing, but not so far enough along that I can't help. With any luck we can get supplies to them before the child is born and after that...we'll have to figure something out." She shifted her stance and pondered something. "...How do you feel about this? Are you...okay?"
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 7:27 pm
Zyphire started to pace while gathering his thoughts. The Shifter wasn't completely aware of it until Sylvirah asked him a direct question and he found himself pausing to study her once more. There was no way that the child couldn't be his and it wasn't as if they could pass it off to Gunnar as his own later on nor would Zyphire even want to consider such a thing. Just the very thought sickened him to the core. "I'm worried about you. Honestly? I never thought of myself as having children and have always been so careful before..."
And this was the worst possible situation for him to have a mishap this major. Zyphire groaned and rubbed a hand down his face. "Don't get me wrong because I would eventually love to run away with you over the horizon but this...this is getting even more dangerous than before. We'll just have to hope that luck is indeed on our side and that we can get supplies to your village in time." His gaze softened as he thought about everything and Zyphire found himself reaching a hand out to touch Sylvirah's shoulders. "If things turn worse I want you to promise that you'll come straight to me." He wanted to protect her and hated feeling so helpless.
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 7:37 pm
”Im not asking you to raise this one; that’s not the way.” No matter how much she may have wanted him to be there it wasn’t her place to hold him. “Surprises happen I just...wanted you to be aware.” Her voice was softer, a little dejected even, but strong at its core. No matter which way he chose to go in all of this Sylvirah couldn’t escape, nor did she want to. The child may have been unexpected and certainly had picked a bad time but she wasn’t mad about it.
“You could come with us. You could see my village and meet my grandfather. He’ll be able to help us.” Danger didn’t even begin to describe it. Everything about this situation would reach a fever pitch far too soon. Her eyes widened when he placed his hands on her shoulders and the huntress found herself nodding. “Gunnar is a lot of things but he isn’t violent. He would never hurt me but if he does I’ll come find you.”
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 7:44 pm
Zyphire blinked in confusion. "What do you mean? How could I not be involved?" The Shifter frowned at the very thought since he personally understood what it was like to be raised by only one parent. "Do you not want me around them?" It would be a hybrid baby and there was no way that she could even try to fake that it was Gunnar's child with his shifter blood showing. "Just because I never expected to become a father doesn't mean that I don't want to be involved..." He added quietly as he tried to study her expression, his heart twisting at the very thought.
"Okay good. If he did try to become violent then I would make certain that he would never touch someone again." Promised Zyphire with a firm nod. "As for going along to the village I think it's a good idea. How should I go about it? Sneak along in the shadows or is there an actual expedition planned?" He had heard that Gunnar was sending supplies but in all honesty he didn't know the exact details of how everything was going to play out. And then to meet her family? He just hoped Sylvirah's grandfather was understanding and not in the mood to slaughter him for helping to create such a mess.
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 8:09 pm
”What? No, of course I want you around.” Sylvirah reached forward to take his hand in hers. “That was never the issue.” She gave his hand a firm squeeze and took a half step closer to him. “If I robbed our child of your fire then I would be the biggest fool of all.”
No matter what happened she wanted to make sure the child knew both of its parents. Growing up without them had given her so many questions and now they had a chance to break that cycle. “We’ve got a group, and all of them were personally hired but if someone were to give you a map....After all, our tracks will be easily visible.” There wouldn’t be anyway that Gunnar would accept Zyphire on the initial trip but surely once there he would at least speak with him. At some point they would have to talk.
“Is it childish to say that I’m scared? Of the birth, not the trip. My mother died during my birth and I can’t help thinking about it.”
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 8:18 pm
Zyphire's expression softened. "Then it sounds like you're stuck with me for a while yet." He found himself teasing despite the tension hanging about the whole situation. "Spirits know if we do survive this whole expedition then there's the issue of surviving a child that has both of our spirits. I don't know if the world is ready for that."
He found himself nodding at the plan. "I can easily track as it is so we'll plan on that." Zyphire wasn't afraid of venturing out into the unknown and at least he would have Coro even if he was a bit of a feisty grump. "It's not childish at all." He murmured quietly as he found himself squeezing her hands in turn. "Everything will be okay. We'll have healers and everything at the ready to greet this child and to keep you safe."
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