Welcome to Gaia! ::

[maybe for the sake of sanity could we all agree to pretend Tsisia and Quetzal are still leetle? XD if not that's fine]

Somehow, in all the time he'd traveled along with his family Morain had never stopped to consider how it was the couriers of Tendaji found families like his who traveled, seemingly, at random. It ends up his fathers were more reliable with anticipating where they were going than he remembered; always leaving word at the settlements they moved through where they were going next. Sometimes, that meant couriers caught up to them on the road, sometimes they would cut ahead and there would be letters waiting for them by the time the family meandered their way into town after whatever diversion they'd decided to take.

So, imagine, when Morain said to his siblings that he was headed to Jauhar to the hybrid settlement outside the isle, that was where his letters would go - and when he instead diverted with a lovely lady to Tale, that meant his letters wouldn't somehow magically manifest themselves when he wanted them; and it meant his own letters were, likewise, sitting unread in whatever settlement he assumed his family to be in.

So, cut to him now - keyed up, anxious, and miserable with guilt as he and Kani finally arrived at the place the letter he finally received said to go. "I bet he's mad." Morain mused, not for the first time, squeezing Kani's hand in his as they looked for the right house. "He never gets mad, he's a great brother, really, but I bet he's mad."

It was strange that even though Siel had been living on Pale'iko for nearly a year he hadn't heard from Morain once. After his incident in Matori the hybrid had reached out to his family to let them know he was traveling to meet with Quiana in Belrea, then to Kiros to ask for blooms, then to announce they'd been blessed, that his children were here, etc. While he had never expected an immediate response, given the distance and Morain's own travels, he'd always thought he would have gotten something by then. Was his brother alright? Was he angry at him for something Siel couldn't remember? Had he cut ties with the family? It just didn't make sense. They'd always been so close growing up, so what changed?

An irritated cry turned his attention down to the little one strapped to his chest. The twins were a few months old now and Tsisia had turned into a clingy baby. She absolutely insisted on being held every moment of the day, which meant that any time the couple tried to lay her down for a nap she screamed. Some days Siel had the strength to fight it; today wasn't one of them.

Located in a rear room as he was, Siel couldn't hear exactly what was being said outside and instead he peeked his head out the door. "Lutana? Quiana? Would one of you mind getting that?" It had been a surprise when his triplet sister had arrived for a visit, but not an unwelcomed one. Having his family around to meet the little ones and Quiana meant the world to him.

Quiana had not expected one of Siel’s siblings to appear all the way out here in the islands, their home away from any settlement and surrounded by trees, but she was honestly happy with Lutana’s presence. Siel’s sister had some strange habits but overall she was a pleasant person who eagerly helped with their babies, tending to Quetzal and Tsisia (whenever their daughter could be separated from Siel) which gave them a chance to breathe after so many restless nights of dealing with the little ones. It even gave Quiana time to pick up the house, working on some extra renovations to keep the place cozy while they lingered here for a time while raising their children together. Being a mother was strange, but not unwelcome and Quiana was happy to pass time with her new family especially now that she had met another member of Siel’s family who gladly accepted her.

They did sometimes receive visitors, other sisters from Kiros which was within traveling distance just a few hours away, but Quiana had not been expecting anyone else today. It was too early for Chantara to make her visit, the nocturnal herbalist often coming in the evenings for dinner and to drop off healthy treats for their little ones, and so she honestly did not know who to expect whenever there was a noise at the door. It seemed like Lutana had an idea though, something which made Quiana frown thoughtfully as the hybrid darted past and went ahead to greet their guests. Hearing the word siblings made her tilt her head with interest, Quiana lingering in the hallway before deciding to instead go back and retrieve Siel. “I think you may want to come check out our guests, another relative of yours?” She asked her partner quietly, trying not to rouse Tsisia into screaming. “If you can pass her along then I can try to hold her, if wanted.” It was always a risk to pass their daughter, but usually Quiana’s arms could keep her calm once she realized it was her mother holding her.

[Quiana 1]

"Oh! Found it!" Kani exclaimed even as Morain was grabbing hold of his sister. She had thought this was his brother's house? But maybe the reunion was planned out more fully while Morain was accidentally ignoring messages! Kani liked the display of familial affection going on, wondering what her own brother was up to. Was he eating well? She'd have to send a letter herself once they had time to.

While Morain stayed at the door Kani cautiously made her way inside. She took a moment to spin in a small circle, admiring the portion of the home she could see while also scanning in search of the elusive other sibling. "This is pleasant. Thank you for letting us in."

"Did you not want to see me?" Lutana teased, placing her hand against her chest as if hurt before Morain reached for her hands. The hybrid gave her brother's fingers a happy squeeze, her own gaze brightening as she looked between Morain and his companion. "I'm studying in Belrea, I had to stop and visit as soon as I heard about the little ones!" She added with a laugh. How could she not? Still, she had to chastise her brother a little bit. "You would know if you ever corresponded properly." It wasn't as if she had left Jahaur for a couple of years while studying tea at the shop there! If anything she was the one directing letters to various members of their family at times, Lutana feeling like she was the messenger rather than a healer. Siel seemed to echo her thoughts, the chastising only bringing more laughter to her lips as she was swallowed up in the hug.

Lutana wasted no time in raising an eyebrow in response to Siel's look before slipping away from the hug. "I can make tea while everyone settles in. I'm sure there's plenty to catch up on." She smiled warmly towards Kani. "My roaming brothers must have a lot of stories and I'd love to learn more about what we've missed since our last meeting."

[Lutana 2]

Morain laughed guiltily, squeezing Lutana's hands back in silent apology. Honestly, he'd just gotten so wrapped up in travels with Kani that- well. He'd have to do better, in the future. If not to soothe his own guilt, then to avoid all the playful accusations! "Well, that just means we have to come inspect YOUR home next, doesn't it sweet sister?"

He would have stamped a foot, and made a playful show of being annoyed at all the teasing, but he paused in shock when Siel appeared instead, blinking.

Yes, the news about his brother's new colors were one of the few letters he DID seem to read, but seeing it was still startling! Thankfully, Siel ignored his shock and came in for a tight hug, and for a glorious moment the triplets were reunited.

Morain melted into it and adjusted his grip so he could squeeze both Lutana and Siel back, laughing breathlessly. "Not you too! I swear it wasn't on purpose!"

The appearance of Quiana and the little one held in her arms were a thorough distraction, so that Morain missed the looks exchanged between his siblings, but Siel introducing himself to Kani quickly broke him from his stupor. He shook himself, then pulled back from the hug just as Lutana was stepping free herself, moving back so he could drape his arm around Kani's shoulders.

"Right - yes! My brother Siel - and that's my sister Lutana - and my new sweet sister Quiana?" He looked at the Aishan, smiling brightly. He'd yet to meet her, but it felt he must know her after all he'd read about her from his brother's letters. ... the ones he actually received, of course.

He looked back to Kani then, feeling proud and warm at her being here, with him and his family. "This is Kani, the lady who was gracious enough to let me love her." He paused a moment, then cleared his throat, blushing. "And that- is that one of my new niblings?" He continued, quickly, though with a hushed tone so as not to disturb the little one. Even from here, he could see the little curls of her antennae, the darling peachy pink of the tips of her long ears, and he wanted to swoop in and kiss the baby but decorum kept him rooted firmly in place.

Sabra Knight

Siel - 3

"Is she finally asleep?" Siel stepped back from his siblings toward Quiana, but didn't dare touch the little bundle nestled against her shoulder. He turned his head to peep at her, his tone softening so as not to wake the little one and wasn't surprised in the least to find one little sliver of an eye watching him. "You're so nosey, Tsi-Tsi." Every so often one eye would close, then the other, but never at the same time.

Siel straightened with a proud look toward Quiana and turned to Morain and Kani. "This is Tsisia, your niece, and your nephew Quetzal is asleep in the other room." It felt weird for him to say. He'd always known he would be an Uncle one day; preferably the cool kind, but knowing he was the first out of the siblings to flip the script intentionally was weird.

His eyes strayed from Morain to his companion and her incredibly sweet gifts. "You didn't have to bring anything, Kani. I'm happy just to meet you and these - they're beautiful. And so tiny. Just itty bitty." Just like his itty bitty littles even if they were getting bigger by the day - and nope, he wasn't about to start getting weepy. Not today.