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 Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 9:14 am
Sylvirah hated Sauti.
It was her first time this far South and the Zenan native hadn’t been shy about how bitter she was. At first it was supposed to be a simple trip to visit with Zyphire’s family and while they were technically in Sauti it was still close enough to Sauti that she didn’t tend to fuss all that much. Sauti itself, however? She’d already had to shed two layers of clothing and pull her hair back! And even then it might not be so bad if there wasn’t a toddler clinging to her skin, pressing her warm little body as close to her mother as possible.
The weather was still chilly enough that Yngvara was covered by a thin wool blanket. The two year old happily suckled on some honeyed Yrriba root while her mother walked them both down to a nearby crevice. Walking down it’s steep pathway may have been tricky, but the river bank itself was wide enough that once she made it down Sylvirah could safely set her daughter down.
“Are you going to help Móðir fish?” She cooed and, much like always, Yngvara was too busy with her snack.
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Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 10:24 am
Kyril had found herself tagging along with Jhin when he went into town for supplies. The pair had been busy preparing for their firstborn, the actual bump starting to show now that Kyril was entering the second half of her pregnancy, and the hybrid was getting antsy again. She was fine while working on their home together since repairing the old cottage took most of her attention but she despised simply waiting inside with nothing left to do while Jhin gathered more supplies. Any type of exercise would do and so while Jhin took care of things in town the woman had wandered towards the river. It was beautiful here and Kyril found the fresh air refreshing. She did find herself surprised though when she turned the corner and spotted a stranger with a toddler walking along the riverbank.
[Sabra via Discord]
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Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 10:34 am
Sylvirah left her boots on the shoreline by Yngvara and wandered out to her calves in the cool water. Unlike some of the nomads she’d seen recently she didn’t carry a fishing pole with her everywhere she went. Instead, Sylvirah had placed some traps in the river and was keen on seeing if they would yield any results.
Still, she wasn’t so focused on her task that she didn’t notice someone approaching. Her initial instinct was to take a half step back toward the toddler even before she noticed who it was. While she’d been prepared to face a sermal she was glad that it was another earthling, although she was a kind that Sylvirah hadn’t seen before.
Yngvara took the opportunity to leave her root in the dirt at her side and wander closer to the water. She was just about to plop down into it when Sylvirah scooped her up. “The water’s too cold for you sæta, you’ll get sick.”
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Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 11:48 am
"It's a far walk from Zena for fishing." Called out Kyril in a playful manner before she carefully descended so that she could scoop up some of the cool water. The hybrid had a small smile on her face as she glanced towards the mother and daughter. It seemed though that the Zenan had a partner who wasn't local either from the looks of the baby. "She's adorable." Kyril commented as she splashed some of the cool water against her face. It was crazy how even a short walk made her feel all heated up now that she was carrying. Still, Kyril couldn't help but to feel a hint of excitement when she saw the youngling. Hopefully her daughter would be that adorable as well. Just the very thought made a hand drift down towards her stomach as she stood and enjoyed the cool breeze that blew around them.
[Sabra via Discord]
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Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 11:56 am
"Far longer from...Oba?" Sylvirah furrowed her brow. The crystals fit the profile she'd been given for the desert country, but the hair was all wrong. I thought it was supposed to be red? She hadn't noticed at first because of the distance, but the closer the other other came the more obvious it was that she was expecting a little one of her own.
"Can you say thank you?"
"Down."
"Thank you."
"Down?"
Sylvirah lowered Yngvara back onto the river bank, but when the child just seemed to flop down onto the muck she ended up holding her up by the arms. When she started to grow fussier Sylvirah relented with a sigh. Once Yngvara was settled in the mushy sand, running her fingers through it in big globs, her agitated face turned into one of contented joy.
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Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 12:16 pm
"Matori actually." Replied Kyril with a chuckle. "Though I did live and work in Oba as well at one point." But yes it was a pretty far walk for just a drink of water. Kyril couldn't hide her amusement at the daughter's shenanigans, her golden gaze gleaming as her lips curved upwards into a grin at the baby's joy when she was in the muck. "I had younger siblings who thoroughly adored playing in the messier areas." She admitted as she glanced back towards towards Zenan. "Are you local or just visiting the town? We came from the forests a bit further away to get supplies for our growing home." Kyril shook her head, her expression conflicted as she thought about the upcoming changes. "Either way it's nice to meet a mother out here. My name is Kyril if it matters. What about you and the little one?"
[Sabra Knight via Discord]
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Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 12:23 pm
[4]
"So you're a hybrid then." She didn't say it with disdain or malice, just a simple curiosity. While Sylvirah had certainly seen hybrids before they were few in number and most were Zyphire's relatives. The other's she'd seen had been in Zidel and they were just mixed with Sauti.
"Just traveling, actually. I came down with my partner to visit his family at a sanctuary not too far from here and we were extending the trip. It's our first time this far South." When she spoke of 'our' she reached out to gently remove her daughter's hand from her mouth, and then subsequently helped remove the sand from it as well. "He's traveled all over, but I'm still getting used to life away from the mountains." Once Yngvara was happily playing with other things, she turned her attention back to the other woman.
"My name's Sylvirah and this is Yngvara." Sylvirah turned away from her daughter a moment to wash her hands off in the water. "Is this your first?"
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Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 1:52 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
"Yes." Kyril nodded without any hesitation. She knew some Zenans could be uppity like Obans concerning mixed heritage but she hoped the child was a sign that she could be at ease with the other woman. "My mother is Oban and my father is Matori. It's honestly a long, but fairly romantic story." She gave a slight smile towards Sylvirah. "But I suppose most have some sort of story, right?" Unless one truly believed in love at first sight with instant commitments and all of that nonsense. Kyril was far more practical which was probably why it took a shattered ankle to slow her down long enough to even consider falling for someone.
"Ah, shame." She admitted with a sheepish smile. "I was hoping that perhaps another youngling would be good company for my....daughter?" She mused as she looked down. "At least that's the healer's guess based on the pulse. Not that we're alone in our home village, but regardless it's always nice to know another young mother." At the question Kyril nodded. "Is Yngvara your first or do you have others?" She repeated the name slowly as she repeated the pronunciation that the Zenan had used and blinked with curiosity as she watched the pair. Could Kyril even imagine handling one baby let alone more? If anything she was in awe of anyone who had more than one baby and could manage things.
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Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 2:02 pm
"I've never seen anyone from Matori or Oba; I've just heard stories." Where she was from appearances didn't often vary and when they did it was always some sort of variant they were used to. Blonde hair, pale skin, pink crystals...It was like finding a roati who had twins instead of a single offspring.
"She's our second, actually. My son is a few years older." Looking back at her traps, then back to her toddler, Sylvirah took a chance. She dipped back out into the water now that Yngvara's attention was solely on the other woman, messing around in the sand and smiling as she was. "If I had it my way I'd be looking like you right now. I want at least five more." Sylvirah crouched in the chilly water and hoisted her fish trap just above the surface. At first she thought it was a dude, but sure enough a fat fish was crammed in the back.
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Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 4:01 pm
"Oh." Kyril let out a soft chuckle as she reached up to tap at her finned ears. "Then you've met someone who is a bit of both. Matori have the finned ears and usually blue skin with speckles while Obans have round ears with this skin tone, orange crystals and reddish hair or eyes." She held out an arm and twisted it slightly, the two tone and speckling showing as well from beneath the soft wool cloak she wore.
"Aw, then you must be an expert with children." Mused Kyril as she glanced back down towards her own growing stomach. "I'm completely new to this so here's hoping." Though her gaze did widen and she found herself blinking in surprise at the iceling. "Five more? Now you're starting to sound like my mother since there's actually seven of us total." Seriously she hoped her parents were finished by now else they would be running across every country! It was mostly a tease....mostly.
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Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 4:38 pm
"So Matori don't have crystals?" Sylvirah grunted, arm elbow deep in the fish trap. When she finally had a lot of the slippery b*****d she ripped it out and chucked it onto shore. As she looked up she paused to take in Kyril's unique skin and let out a surprised 'hmm'. "That's...odd. Not bad just strange to see."
Moving a little further down in the stream, Sylvirah started the process all over again. "Oh goddess, no. I was a novice before these two." This time the trap was much fuller and thus, far more heavy to lift. "Before them I hadn't seen more than a handful of infants and maybe only one that had survived the winter." If anything her experiences in life should have scared her away from kids. In reality it pushed her into wanting more.
"Were you happy, growing up with so many siblings?" One by one she tossed the fish onto shore and sure enough her daughter was drawn to them. She'd risen to her chubby little feet to bounce after each one like some kind of perzi.
"Perhaps once your daughter is born we could come back? Right now there aren't any other children in my village and the only interactions they'll get growing up are from more pampered Zenans." In all honesty that's what she was worried about the most, living by the Capital. "It wouldn't be often but I would rather they be around those that can hold their own."
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Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 4:53 pm
"Mmmhmm." Kyril nodded, "No crystals, just speckles and a bit of something else." Though speaking of strange things...Kyril found herself fascinated by the ease at which the other woman just tore into a fish. "Do you always fish when you travel?" She asked with interest. It made sense since she knew others always hunted for their own dinners, but she supposed her childhood was a bit more spoiled since they never made their own meals and always ordered food.
"Ah, I guess then my siblings gave me a bit of an advantage." Replied Kyril with a small smile. "I was happy though most of them are younger than me so I was a bit distant....I'm sure the middle siblings had more fun since they got to play with all of us at some point while growing up. And now their family was expanding with her children...Kyril's gaze softened as she thought about it. How crazy to think that she was going to be a mother! Her excitement only grew whenever the Zenan brought up a new idea and a grin crossed her lips. "I would love that. I'm sure we'll be here sporadically but I can always plan a set time or even once a month or so. I'm more flexible since we're only a little bit of a walk away." What was a couple of hours so that the children could meet one another? Kyril nodded. "If that's not too much of a hassle then I would like to try."
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Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 4:55 pm
"If it's easier." Instead of taking the traps out of the water, she dropped them back into the stream and moved further down to handle the next. "Sometimes I'll set traps instead. Since I'm not familiar with the area I did both." Of course she was aware that they could afford food, but there was always a part of Sylvirah's brain that didn't trust coin. If she couldn't catch it or make it with her own hands she didn't need it.
"Sure, I think that sounds fine." Now that the last of her traps had been search, Sylvirah was picking her way across the smooth stones back to shore. While she wasn't necessarily thrilled about coming this far South so frequently the thought of her children mingling with others that lived similar-ish lifestyles made the difference.
"What brought you this far North?"
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Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 5:17 pm
"I see." It seemed she was learning a lot by living out here in Sauti instead of back in Oba or Belrea even. Things definitely were a bit different in the wilder territories. Kyril walked along the shore a little bit as she watched the other woman crossing back over. She definitely seemed confident about what she was doing and Kyril couldn't help but to feel a tinge of envy. Was this what things would have been like if she hadn't been so pampered? At least it seems I have some spunk for this life even if I'm lacking experience.
"Bandits." Kyril joked lightly as she gestured towards one of her legs that gave her a slight limp. "I'm an artisan who was traveling with a caravan. We got attacked and I didn't get away completely clean since I thought it was better to try and fight alongside those who came to our aid. I met my partner and had to stay in the area to heal....which turned into a bit longer considering everything." She gestured pointedly towards her stomach with a small shrug. "Fate has a funny way of doing things sometimes." She glanced towards the youngling again with a smile. "Even a Shifter can come this far north it seems."
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Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 5:26 pm
Sylvirah’s eyes widened. Out of all the reasons she could’ve thought as to why this woman was this far north bandits weren’t among them. Now that they were on level ground she could see the limp and her heart went out to the other woman. What must that have been like? To be in a situation like that so far from home? In someways she could empathize because she too had gone through an ordeal on her own but at least she did seem to be thriving now.
“ You share the resilience of my people and for that I gave you my respect. I’m glad to see that your story has a happy ending.” After all with the way it started it very well could’ve ended in tragedy.
Looking at her daughter Sylvirah smirked and let out a light laugh. “ did you know that they change under moonlight? Because I didn’t until I saw it happening. I thought he was dying.”
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