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 Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 11:35 am
Painted Moose by Discord
A few weeks had gone by since the first night Sariza had stayed with Faisal. At first the thought of being with him in that way had filled her with as much anxiety as it did excitement. She hadn’t known what to expect; after all, it wasn’t as if there had been any others. Still, without even knowing if it had been ‘good’ or ‘bad’ Sariza had enjoyed herself so much that when she’d been asked to return she had. And perhaps, when her father was away on an extended mission, she’d invited him over to her estate.
Now with the wedding less than a month away – since it had been moved up quite a deal – Sariza was more anxious than ever. All of the calm their newfound activities had given her had made way for an upset stomach and aversion to food. Even certain smells would cause Sariza to expel the contents of her stomach and she had to wonder if all women went through this before a wedding. If so, why go through with it at all? That morning they were supposed to sample treats that would be served at the wedding, but she was absolutely dreading it.
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 11:35 am
Faisal twisted his hair in place for the final time before finally walking away from his room. Even with the looming danger the young swordsman was too happy to avoid smiling, the events of the last few weeks making his heart feel full as he grew closer with Sariza. It had even been worth the beatings during training and the hours spent pouring over paperwork for planning a wedding that originally had been several more months away. Strangely enough Faisal was growing more accustomed to waking up with someone in his arms and he was ready to finalize everything with a ceremony so that their scattered visits here and there become more permanent. They just had to survive a few more event planning sessions and then everything would hopefully fall into place.
He was just thankful to see Sariza after spending the last few days stuck in meetings without her as the wedding plans progressed. "Good morning." He called out when he walked downstairs towards the main hallway where several tables had already been set up with samples for them to try. Normally Faisal would be more than alright with going directly to the bakeries but because of the hidden threats against Sariza the families had decided to bring everything to the manor where the guards could inspect everyone and everything that came into the estate.
[Faisal 1]
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 11:36 am
Painted Moose
Sariza turned her gaze toward the stairwell and smiled. Apparently the same anxieties that were causing her ‘illness’ were reserved for her and her alone. Faisal looked as glowing as ever with a fresh face and an almost bounce to his step. “Good morning. Five bakeries have already prepared their samples and I think another three are set to come this afternoon?” It seemed a little excessive, honestly, but with an event like this they had to get things just right. Of course most dishes had already been taste tested for poison; an unfortunate step that Sariza hadn’t wanted in the first place. However, it was something her father wouldn’t budge on. Better a willing soldier die than either of them or so he thought.
At that moment a few men came into the room, each with a tray filled with fresh snacks and arranged them onto what spare space the table could afford. The smell itself might have been appealing any other day; today, however, it curled her stomach. Sariza scrunched her nose and placed a hand up to her face to block it.
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 11:36 am
A smile crossed his lips at the sight of Sariza. "Only five?" He found himself teasing with a raised brow even though he honestly thought it was excessive. His grandmother had been resolute that they proceed with normality or rather what she considered normality as much as possible. So here they were with an array of food just like the other day they had to deal with an array of floral arrangements, ribbons and other decorative pieces for the wedding venue. However, Faisal's attention was taken from the miniature cakes when he noticed the expression that crossed Sariza's face before she raised her hand. Placing a cake back on a tray and waving the servant away the man strode towards his fiancé.
"Is something the matter? Are you that disgusted by some of the cakes?" He found himself asking with a slight frown as he studied her.
[Faisal 2]
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 11:36 am
Painted Moose
She honestly couldn’t tell if he was teasing or genuinely confused. Sariza had been tricked before, after all. “There may be others coming throughout the week?” Under normal circumstances just the sight of all those sweets would have had her mouth watering, but as it stood Sariza found her feet melted to the floor.
The smell just wouldn’t go away. It lingered in her senses, causing her stomach to roll once more. As Faisal stepped closer she found herself taking a half step back. At his questions she shook her head. “No, no they’re fine I just-“ And in an instant she was turning away, nearly sprinting out of the room. Sariza made it as far as a vase in the hall before grasping it with both hands and upending her stomach into it.
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 11:37 am
Worry crossed Faisal's expression and he found himself taking a step back when Sariza backed away. Had he done something wrong? Surely it wasn't the cakes, right? The hybrid found himself blinking in confusion when she sprinted out of the room but raised a hand to keep anyone else from following as he darted after her. Instead of getting angry at the sudden mess Faisal found himself awkwardly rubbing Sariza's back with one hand while making certain her dreads were out of the way until her stomach was emptied. "That doesn't seem to be a normal reaction to cakes." He murmured as he crouched next to her and patiently waited until she was finished. If only his mother was here then he would not hesitate to ask for her to come and check out Sariza. His lips pressed into a tight line as he pondered what could have caused such a reaction.
[Faisal 3]
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 11:37 am
Painted Moose
Sariza was just happy it was a short-lived experience. It was still horribly embarrassing to have happened at all, but at least Faisal was being kind about it. When she was sure she wasn’t going to be ill again, Sariza forced herself to steady her breathing and lift her head. Some poor servant was going to assassinate her themselves when they had to clean this….
“It’s not the cakes. Pre wedding jitters, maybe? My stomach hasn’t been settled for a while now and sometimes scents trigger it.” Sariza spat into the vase just to clear out her mouth before sitting back with a sad smile. “I don’t think I can go back in there. Try them for me and let me know which tastes the best?”
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 11:37 am
Faisal felt his heart drop at the confession. "Have you normally let nerves upset you so much?" He found himself musing before sitting down on the ground, his legs crossing as he pushed the vase back a bit so that he could look closely at Sariza. "Is it usually early in the mornings? Any other cravings out of the ordinary?" He had endured helping his mother when she volunteered at the clinic she had set up in the lower areas of the city and some of the patients had similar issues which made Faisal worry. Surely not, right? Though they had been rather adventurous as of late....
[Faisal 4]
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 11:39 am
Painted Moose
Sariza adjusted her legs so she could sit more comfortably. “No, never before. I’m usually able to push past them.” She’d felt them surely, she supposed everyone did, but Sariza was always so focused that it never stopped her. So why now? Was it just a culmination of all the major events that had caused her to suddenly become overwhelmed? “It’s going to sound strange, but cabbage? It’s the smell; it’s horrid. The thought of eating most things makes my stomach turn.” Even the other night when she’d settled in with her father for an evening meal she hadn’t been able to get through half the serving.
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 11:39 am
"Cabbage." Replied Faisal as he leaned back against the wall for support. "My mother said she preferred spicy things herself during a certain time." Faisal closed his eyes against the rising suspicion as he thought about the whole situation. They had only mentioned heirs a couple of times, but this was so quick and he truly thought that teas and other measures would help them. Surely nothing was completely perfect, right? It was probably for the best that the wedding was happening sooner than later as to avoid gossip, not that he minded so much of course but he didn't want Sariza to have an even harder time of things.
"We should probably call a healer if you've been feeling unwell lately." Faisal found himself murmuring as he opened his eyes once more. "I am not a healer but there are signs that I have learned to notice while helping my mother with her work.....I'm not certain if you would want to hear a possible situation."
[Faisal 5]
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 11:39 am
Painted Moose
Perhaps she should have been grateful when a passing servant caught their eye. The woman slowed, her arms loaded with some sort of linen that she promptly set to the side when Sariza sheepishly waved her over. It took the woman all of two seconds to take in the situation; two nobles, sitting in a hallway, with a suspiciously nasty vase…Smiling empathetically, she murmured a quick ‘excuse me’ and took it away.
“It’s not a craving.” Sariza was quick to interject. “I can’t stand it now so it’s definitely…not…” Shifting her position, Sariza placed her back to the wall and took a breather. “If you have an idea that isn’t what I think you’re going to say I would happily hear it.”
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 11:51 am
"Maybe it would be best if we just went to a healer." Faisal leaned his head back against the wall, a flush decorating his cheeks whenever the servant came and took the vase for them. Well, if he didn't say anything now then surely the staff would be all over it for him. The hybrid leaned forward again and looked closely at Sariza. "On'os sometimes has a good sense of humor....do you think that it's possible that you could be..." His words trailed off as he studied Sariza again. "If it was just recently then I could suggest a bad meal or illness but everything seems to point towards that other option instead."
Surely they should get a healer to confirm, right? Or would it be too risky to go to someone else? They should wait for his mother to return home - that would probably be best if they wanted to keep this more private for a bit. "Your father is going to most definitely hang me on his walls." Added Faisal as an afterthought while the reality that he could be a father soon was slowly sinking in.
[Faisal 6]
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 11:52 am
Painted Moose
“I think that might be best…” Sariza answered after a long, drawn out sigh. If they weren’t back in the main hall for testing soon then someone would come looking for them and a healer would be forced upon her. It might make things rather…awkward and after all she’d just expelled Sariza didn’t have it in her to deal with them just yet. “I would…much prefer your mother not to be the one to inspect me…” It was as embarrassing to say as it was to think about. Sariza wasn’t entirely sure how in depth she would need to go, but it just….Gods above, why was it a thought?!
“We have one; at the estate. He’s a healer for the trainees, but he would be able to confirm if it’s…what I’m thinking it is.” There was certainly a risk going back there, especially to see a healer, but it was more appealing than the alternative. “At least you’re in luck? Father’s out for the moment.”
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 12:04 pm
"Oh." A slight flush decorated Faisal's cheeks. "My apologies then." He hadn't even thought about how Sariza would want to handle things. So he found himself nodding at the idea. "If that makes you the most comfortable we will do that. My last present to you before I leave this earth." He attempted to tease with a forced smile before standing and offering a hand towards Sariza. "Can you manage to make it through the cakes? I promise we'll pick the first one that we see if necessary, I don't care about such trivial things when your condition and comfort is far more important." They could sneak out to her father's estate as soon as this was over so that she could receive a checkup and confirm that well...maybe they were going to be parents.
[Faisal 7]
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 12:05 pm
Painted Moose
Sariza turned sharply and fixed him with a surprised look. “Why would you say that?” Catching herself, the oban furrowed her brow and reached up to massage her temple. “Forgive me; I shouldn’t have..but….well, you shouldn’t take your life so casually. Especially now.” And whether she meant because they had active assassins coming after them or the very likelihood that they were going to be parents Sariza couldn’t say.
“Would you…happen to know if twins were a genetic trait from your father or…?” Sariza took his hand and made to stand. She knew that they wouldn’t be able to know from his mother’s biological side, but perhaps at least with Saraf they could clear things up?
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