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erodasfishtacos · 2 years

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A Pictures Worth (Curious Gazes 3)

prompt(from kofi commission): I would love another type of curious gaze for ceorry with Ivy, Willow, Magnolia and Y/N out on a family trip maybe on vacation or like a museum or something and the kids are just really excited to be out with the whole family

warnings: light smut, language, harrys an asshole to everyone but his babies! minor dni 18+

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*** <- click for visuals throughout the story

—

Heidi was relieved to be away from real life for a little bit, to take a step back from the burnout where everyday was god awful.

Her job was extremely stressful, with high expectations and strict schedules if she didn’t want her prick of a boss chewing her out.

She decided that a trip to the coast of the French Rivera was well deserved, even though her job was difficult - it paid exceptionally well and her boss was no cheapskate, just an asshole.

It was early in the morning, just about eight thirty but Heidi and her husband were early birds and already had snagged a spot in some loungers near the pool.

It was the weirdest turn of event.

She’s complaining to her husband, Paul, about her last week at work as they sip on mimosas and let the sun warm them up.

“He came into our office because Dale didn’t have the report ready,” Heidi recounts then mocking his rasp accent says, “And if you group of idiots can’t figure it out in the next five minutes, you can all be looking for new fucking jobs.”

Paul shakes his head in distain, “He shouldn’t be able to talk to you guys like that. It’s completely unacceptable.”

“He’s the owner, it’s not like I can complain to Human Resources. He’s everyone’s boss,” Heidi sighs before taking a long sip of her drink and trying to let her shoulders not tense up.

In the next moment, the same voice she just mocked - she hears from the side - her head whips as fast as a flash when she recognizes it.

And it is none other than her boss, Harry fucking Styles, in nothing but a short pair of swimming trunks and a bare chest with just gold chains decorating his neck. ***

She’s obviously never seen her boss in this state of undress, she knew he had tattoos but he was nearly covered.

Sparrows on his chest, a massive butterfly right on his midsection, ferns that looked downright obscene peeking out of his shorts on his sharp hip bones, a tattoo of what looks like a willow tree taking up his left side and what looks like vines of ivy on his other with magnolia flowers scattered around the art.

That’s not the most interesting thing though - it was a toddler who couldn’t be more than a year and a half,*** who was cradled in the crook of his one arm and a toddler, no more than three ***, was grasping his other hand and waddling next to him.

“Dadadada,” The child chanted happily as her chubby hands stayed buried in her father’s curls and she was rubbing her face against his stubbly cheek.

“Yes, baby. I hear you talkin’,” Harry murmurs to his daughter, trying to also juggling a massive tote bag that looks filled to the brim with diapers, water toys, and sun lotion.

“Where’s mummy and Vee?” The red-headed toddler lisps with a frown, looking around for the other part of her family as she stays close to her father.

“Vee is helping your mumma make some sandwiches and snacks to eat down here, lil’ red,” He replies patiently as he takes the lounge chairs right next to Heidi and Paul without even glancing their way.

He plops the baby on the chaise before popping the other one onto the cushion as well as he rifles through the gucci tote. ***

Heidi can’t help but stare as she watches the man who makes her life a living hell dig out two bottles of sunblock and squirts some on his hands.

At first he lathers it up in his palms before rubbing it all over the toddler’s arms, chest, legs before using a smaller bottle for her face.

The red-head girl giggles the whole time as her father massages the lotion into her fair skin, a likely chance she’d burn a lot without it.

When she’s done, Harry kisses her hair and tells her softly, “You're sucha good girl for your daddy. Thank you for sitting still for me, Willow Anne.”

Willow Anne.

She can’t believe what she’s seeing, the absolute dichotomy of this man is mind boggling to say the least and it’s throwing her off.

It didn’t seem like the same man who nearly fired her of a minuscule error only three weeks ago.

Heidi is minding her own business, typing out an email to a client when her office door slams open with force and her stomach drops when she sees who it is.

“Why has the quarterly report for sales in Dubai not been sent out? It was due at eight sharp and it’s currently nearly one in the fuckin’ afternoon,” Harry demands angrily, his jaw clench and his eyes hard as stone as they stare her down, making her feel small - like a child getting into trouble.

Heidi feels like she is about to throw up because it completely slipped her mind that it was due today and she knows she looks caught out.

Harry scoffs in disbelief, speaking sharply through his teeth, “If you don’t get that report done and sent out by midnight, I’ll have a seat ready for you in my office.”

“I’m s-sorry. I w-will, sir,” Heidi stutters out in fright, clicking off the email and opening up a spreadsheet right then and there.

He doesn’t say anything else before he’s turned on his heel and shutting door so fiercely behind him she’s surprised it didn’t splinter the wood.

She was at the office until eleven thirty that night to pump it out and have it sent - missing her mother’s birthday.

When she walked into the elevator the next morning, exhausted from only getting a few hours at home before coming back to work - her boss is slipping into the elevator next to her.

He’s on his phone, speaking quietly - just above a whisper, “I’ll be home by noon. Did Noli still have a temperature when she woke up? Give her a kiss for me.”

Then he’s replying to the person, “Of course, anything for you. Yes. Okay. I will call you. I love you, darling. Bye.”

When it’s silence in the lift now, just Harry and herself, they make eye contact when he gazes over at her - it doesn’t even look like he recognizes they meet gazes.

“Good morning, Mr. Styles,” Heidi replies awkwardly, shifting from foot to foot as he stands there as still and stiff as a statue.

He appears tired, dark circles under his eyes, and his lips turned down even more than usual - she wonders if it has anything to do with the person, Noli, he was talking about on the phone.

Heidi knows looking back that she shouldn’t have said anything but she said, “I hope your daughter’s okay.”

Harry tenses like she’s just pinched him, staring directly at her and biting out, “Don’t fuckin’ speak about my family.”

In perfect timing, the elevator dings open and Harry is striding out without a single look back.

What a fucking asshole.

Now that same dickhead was crouched down, trying to rub the lotion into the infant’s skin but she’s not as happy about it as Willow.

“No no no,” The baby babbles with a furrowed brow, trying to push her father’s heavily-ringed hands away from her.

Heidi expects him to snap at the baby, tell her to be quiet, and let him do it.

He doesn’t.

Harry tugs his daughter closer to him, softly asking her, “Do you want to go in the water? Want to swim with Vee and Low?”

The girl nods while leaning forward to wrap her fingers into his necklaces.

“If you want to go in the water, you have to let daddy put lotion on you. If you don’t want the lotion, you have to stay under the umbrella out of the sun.”

“Lotion, daddy,” She squeaks quickly, pushing her arms out for him to apply the sunblock.

“Thank you, sweet baby,” He responds with a fond smile while tickling her sides before moving on to her chubby little legs.

“Are you ready to get in the pool?” A female voice asks Willow before Heidi sees a beautiful - like disgustingly beautiful woman step under their umbrella with a child attached to her side.

Heidi had never seen Harry’s wife or babies before, the youngest and the oldest *** that just arrived look exactly like Harry but the middle one doesn’t resemble anyone in the family.

Harry is hiking up their littlest one of his hip and turns to his wife where she’s shimmying off her cover-up and revealing a blue one-shoulder bathing suit.***

It was a simple suit but it fit like a glove, hugging every curve of her body and Heidi admired that she wasn’t trying to disguise the small pouch of skin that came from birthing children.

Harry is watching his wife intently, almost like he’s a going to devour her, and as soon as she’s just in the bathing suit - self consciously soothing her hand over her belly, he’s stepping over to her.

“Holy shit,” He grunts with hunger, his hand knocking hers away and his hand roaming her belly, hips, and then her bum before she’s giggling and pushing him back before pulling him to her again and kissing him on the lips, “Look at you. Making my knees weak, m’heart. Gonna let me take this skimpy thing off you? Later?”

“Mmm, I think about it,” She teases before the oldest one is tugging her hand towards the pool impatiently with giggles already on her head.

She trails off to the pool while Harry secures floaty vests to the two little ones before hiking both up in a hip and heading towards the water.

Heidi has to look away to stop from oogling when she notices the rippled muscles of his back, the sharp curve at the small of it as baby hands cling to his skin to hold on.

She decides it the perfect time to get in the pool for a dip, hell, who was she kidding?

She wanted to see this man with his babies.

The pool has an underwater bench, that’s where she takes up residency while Harry corrals his little herd of children into the shallow end.

The oldest one has no issue swimming on her own.

“Ivy Elizabeth,” Harry’s wife says to her daughter while fixing the strap on her pink goggles, “You stay right next to daddy and I, okay? No more than to that line,” She informs, pointing to a marking where it’s going get deep, “You can only swim from there and back. Do you understand?”

“Yes mumma,” Ivy agrees sweetly before pinching her nose and diving under the water and swimming away but in the area.

The youngest one is too little to learn how to swim but the middle child seems to be in the process of learning, while Harry’s wife holds the youngest - dipping her down in the water over and over as she giggles and blows raspberries back up at her mum.

“S’the water nice, Noli?” Harry legitimately coos at the smiling baby before he’s leaning down to kiss her nose before murmuring, “Willow Anne, shall we try swimming?”

“No, no swim,” Willow lisps with a pout before trying to crawl up him more despite the lifevest being in the way because it’s so bulky.

“Oh, come on. M’little heart. Can we give it a try? You’ve been doing so good at your swim lessons,” Harry encourages, lowering her legs into the water just the littlest bit for her to get a feel of it.

Willow searches her father’s eyes for a moment before smiling shyly and nodding that she would like to try to swim.

“That’s my good girl,” Harry peppers a few kisses over her face to make her giggle loudly and in turn, making Harry laugh.

A sound Heidi has never heard.

It was raspy, a bit like rough gravel but a minuscule pinch higher of a pitch.

Dimples appeared deep in his scruffy cheeks and his straight white teeth were flashing in a facial expression she’d never seen from him.

No one was going to believe her at work.

Willow flails for a moment before she gathers her bearings, letting out a loud whimper of distress before Harry’s tittering encouragingly, “Stay calm, lil’ red. Y’know daddy’s got you. Nothing bad will happen.”

Harry keeps his palm under her belly to keep her steady as she begins to paddle with her little arms and her tongue sticking out in concentration.

“There you go, baby! You’re doing so well!” Harry’s wife cheers excitedly, bouncing the baby on her hip who also claps her hands too and continues to babble between distinguished words.

Harry is patient as he helps instruct Willow through how to properly doggy paddle, float, and hold her breath underwater while Ivy swims like a little mermaid in her own imaginative world.

When Willow’s ready to take a break, letting her father hold her close as he wades closer to his wife who’s gently rocking the baby back and forth through the water as Noli’s eyes get heavy.

“You are so beautiful. Hurts to even look at you,” Harry tells his wife, his hand coming to rest at her hip before creeping around to her bum and making her squeak as he roughly squeezes her cheek.

“Do you think this bathing suit is alright? It’s the only one I think looked halfway decent,” She asks a bit self-consciously, nodding down towards her stomach.

“I don’t think it’s decent at all.”

What an asshole.

Heidi was about to open her mouth, to defend this poor woman who has three of his children, and had the nerve to make a comment about her swimsuit or body.

“You look absolutely indecent,” Harry continues his hand moving from her bum to her belly, “Turns me on just looking at you normally then you go and put this thing on? If we didn’t have the babies with us, I would have pinned against the lounge chair and gave it to you so good you’d cry and-“

“Ssh,” His wife giggles as a couple floats by on a pool raft but she’s giving him a kiss as he gets a couple more touches in before the middle daughter starts to whimper that she’s sleepy.

Heidi decides it’s time to get out anyways and soak up some more sun.

Time passes where she gets lost in her steamy romantic novel, ironically about a CEO and his assistant.

She’s brought out of her concentration with the sound of squeaky, displeased whines that were turning into sobs quickly.

Harry is sauntering up to their loungers with their youngest one hip and the middle on the other, Noli is rubbing her face against her father’s bare shoulder and smacking her lips together in frustration.

“Just one moment, dove,” Harry hums to his demanding little daughter as he bends down to rustle in the tote for a binkie to pop into her mouth, “Let’s relax a little, yeah? You didn’t sleep very well for mumma and I last night.”

“My binkie?” Willow chirps with a furrowed brow at her father as he wrestles them out of their life vests and into fluffy beach towels.

“No paci. Remember? You’re a big girl,” He reminds her as he towels himself off.

Willow crosses her little arms, shouting at her father, “Want my binkie, daddy! Now! Now!”

Harry crouches down, putting his hand gently on her shoulder, looking very seriously in her angry brown eyes, “Willow Anne. You do not yell at daddy. I know you’re upset that you can’t have your binkie anymore but we don’t yell.”

As soon as Willow gets disciplined, her pout turns to distress as she begins to cry - acting like Harry had just screamed straight in her face.

Harry scoops her, along with Noli who’s still grumbling, and murmurs, “Sleepy little crabs.”

Then he proceeds to lay back onto the lounge chair, lowering the back until it’s almost down laying Willow down to his side, nestled between his ribs and arm, the baby splayed across his chest.

Noli is obviously tired as she lays her head down automatically into the curve of his neck, lips suckling furiously at her pacifier.

Within minutes, both Harry and his daughters are fast asleep on the chaise - his arm wrapped protectively around both of them.

Heidi doesn’t know what she would expect of Harry as a father - both this wasn’t it.

Heidi knows she shouldn’t but she has to show the others at the office, pulling out her phone and snapping a picture of the scene next to her.

And when she ends up drifting off for a quite a long snooze, by the tone she wakes up, they’re already gone.

Heidi doesn’t expect to see them again but they have another run in - literally.

It was her fault to be honest, she had been nearly four cocktails in, and was wobbling her way back up to the room.

Heidi was waiting for the elevator and when it opened, she didn’t look to see if there were any occupants before she stepped in.

However, when she did that she bumped straight into the little girl who was moving to get out of the steel doors at the same time - resulting in her being knocked on her bum.

Heidi’s heart leaps out of her chest and her instant reaction is to lean down to help up the child she’d just tripped over and she nearly freezes in fear when she realizes whose child it.

“Don’t fuckin’ touch her,” Harry booms out as soon as he sees Heidi reaching out to help, he’s quickly scooping up the sobbing toddler and bring her close to him, “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

She vaguely isn’t surprised by him swearing like this in front of his child but it doesn’t scare Willow, she’s whimpering into his neck, “Daddy, cuddle,” despite him already doing so.

“I’m-I’m sorry,” Heidi stammers carefully, her intoxication obvious in her voice as she speaks to them.

“Maybe you shouldn’t drink if you handle your alcohol so poorly, pathetic,” He shakes his head as he bounces Willow on his hip and soothes her fiery curls back, “Now move the fuck out of my way.”

Heidi barely is able to take a step back before Harry is knocking her shoulder roughly in a haste to get out of the lift.

At this moment, she is extremely relieved he doesn’t remember who she is or she surely would have been fired.

Maria wasn’t enjoying her vacation as much as she had hoped she would. This trip had been a last ditch attempt to save her ten-year marriage.

However, her husband had drank too much during dinner and had fucked off to the casino - leaving her alone in their hotel room.

They’d gone all out, got an upgraded suite on one of the top floors, and a special spa package that was a pretty penny.

It was nearly eleven at night, there had been no sign of her husband coming back anytime soon and so she poured herself a glass of wine and trotted out to the balcony to sit and enjoy the view of the ocean.

Something catches her eye or someone.

It’s man, on the balcony across from their - it was a massive one that nearly took up the whole floor - it must have been the penthouse suite.

He’s faved away from her but she can see the carved out, chiseled muscles of his back, where he’s just in a small pair of briefs that show off his lean but strong legs, small perky bump with dimples on his lower back as he hangs up multiple different bathing suits to dry on a clothes line.

The lights are out in the penthouse and only a dim one is illuminating their balcony where a woman joins the man moments later- she’s in an expensive looking nightgown that hugs her curves, hair up in a messy bun. ***

Maria watches as she trails up to the man, hugging him, and wrapping her arms around his waist as she does, lips moving all over his skin.

The man abandons the rest of the swimsuits that need hanging up to return the embrace as his hands move down the small of her back, to her bum.

Maria’s not trying to be creepy or invasive but she is watching what she wants - what she wants with her husband but doesn’t have.

When he turns around, to gaze at all the other balconies to see if there’s wandering eyes, Maria realizes that it’s not just any man.

It’s her boss.

She was only human.

She knew he was a prick, not a nice guy, and she’s never had any pleasant experience with him in all her years working for him.

Maria should be repulsed and go inside but it’s impossible to deny how downright attractive he was, especially in barely any clothing.

Harry doesn’t seem to see Maria or anyone else for the matter before he’s crawling over the woman, who she guess is his girlfriend or hook-up or whatever, and dip down to kiss.

Her arms wrap around his neck and bring him further on top of her, his large hand move to slip up under her nightgown to her chest.

His partner pushes her chest up into his palm, spreading her legs to allow him to rest in between them, and his mouth travels down to her neck.

Maria finds herself touching the side of her neck absentmindedly, wishing that was her being given affection like that.

Harry is lightly pushing his hips down, grinding into her center between the barrier of their clothes, the woman’s legs wrapping around his waist to encourage him as his lips still descend now to her collarbones.

She’s trying to get her toes into the band on his brief to push them down off his hips but it isn’t working, Harry grips her ankle and returns it to the lounge but his hands are hiking up her nightgown.

Then Maria’s view is blocked when Harry ducks down between the valley of her thighs and Maria can tell by the way the woman’s back arches that it feels good.

Maria didn’t think Harry Styles would be the one to worry about anybody's pleasure but his own but that’s obviously not the truth.

She’s confused when they abruptly stop what their doing to look at something that’s propped up on the side table.

Harry’s standing up, snatching his shorts off the ground, and tugging them on before sauntering back inside the suite.

Maria is perplexed as she watches the woman readjust her nightgown and fix the straps that he’d pushed down to lay kisses on her shoulders.

She doesn’t seem upset and neither did he but what would have made him just get up like that?

Maria’s question is answered no more than a minute later when Harry exits onto the balcony again but with a whimpering, fussy red-headed baby in his hip.

He squeezes onto the chaise, both turning to lay on their sides facing inward and Harry lays the baby between them.

Maria watches as Harry leans over to give his partner one more kiss before they’re cuddling closer to the whimpering child who is desperately trying to get as close to their mum as possible.

Harry has one hand on his wife’s back and the other on his baby’s, rubbing up and down, as the red-headed girl burrows her head in her mum’s chest.

Not even five minutes later, another child appears at the balcony doors and steps out, she was older than the other one with wild brown locks and a seal stuffed animal tucked under her arm.

Harry lifts her up and squishes her into the middle, where she’s tucked neatly against his chest, and she nuzzles into the crook of his neck.

Maria never had those moments with her husband because he had surprised her with the information he didn’t want kids after the fact that they got married.

Harry seemed to treat his family unlike his employees, the woman she now assumes is his wife, his daughters, you could see even from a distance how much they adored him.

Maria is brave enough to admit that the image of Harry’s shoulders twitching and flexing when he pushed his hips down into his wife’s doesn’t leave her mind for a very very long time.

They don’t stay out very much longer, just long enough that the children drift back to sleep, and then they’re taking a baby each and taking them back inside.

Maria recognizes her boss once again but not until the next night around seven and this time he is fully dressed but more casual than she’d ever seen him in just an white tee, running shorts, and nikes.

He has the two girls that she saw the night before with him but now there’s another one that’s on his hip.

They’re all in nautical themed sleepers, which was probably the most adorable thing ever. It was funny to see this man with a permanent scowl at others being pulled down the hall by three girls.

They had him wrapped around their little fingers.

“Everyone gets one thing, not too much sugar before bed,” Harry reminds even as they head towards the vending machine, Maria was surprised that they wouldn’t have just ordered room service.

Maria then realizes that each girl has a few bills in their hands, clutching them excitedly as they arrive at the snack machine.

The oldest, the one who looks scarily similar to her father, begins to feed her first bill into the dispenser as she looks at all of her choices.

“No!” The redheaded child screams angrily, trying to bat her older sister’s hand away and pull back the bill she’s trying to get in, “Me! My turn.”

“Hey! Don’t do that, Low!” The oldest cries out as the bill tears nearly in half because of their back and forth over it.

“I get snack!” The middle child screeches before ultimately tearing the bill in half.

“Willow! That’s bad!” The oldest scolds but there’s fat tears streaming down her face as she holds her destroyed money.

Maria feels a chill run down her own back when Harry’s firm voice echoes through the hallway, “Willow Anne Styles.”

Willow looks up at her father with big guilty brown eyes and her bottom lip begins quivering when she realizes what she’s done.

Harry crouches down, let the littlest one off his hip and toddle over to where the oldest has resumed putting her bills in the machine.

“Come to y’daddy, please,” He murmurs sternly but his tone still managed to be soft enough to not be scary to her.

Willow is sobbing as she drags her feet over until she’s standing in front of her father, eyes directed down at her feet until Harry puts a finger under her chin so she’s making eye contact.

“We do not grab or try to take without permission,” Harry tells her, “That money was Ivy’s and you were not being kind to her. If you are upset that she was going to go first. We use words to fix it but we do not be unkind to others.”

“Because you ripped Ivy’s money, even after she told you not to. No snack from the vending machine. You can have a snack that mumma has for you upstairs. If you are kind then tomorrow you can come down and get something out of the machine. Understood?”

And Maria is baffled by….well, he’s a good parent.

Willow doesn’t tantrum further, she nods her head sadly and walks into her father’s arms where he gives her a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Maria just…the sharp contrast between him in the office, out of that balcony with his wife, and then with his children.

Who the fuck is Harry styles?

Heidi was actually excited to see Harry Styles - when she had come back from vacation, she had made a major effort and managed to coerce a lucrative customer to end services with another company and only utilize their services.

So being called to her boss’ office wasn’t something she was dreading, she assumed that she was going to get praises, get a promotion hopefully.

When Dorothy nods for her to go into his office, she takes a deep breath, she’d never been in her before and it was absurdly beautifully designed.

Harry didn’t look the same as the last time she saw him, he was fully dressed in a well-fitted suit that covered all of his tattoos and how fit his body truly was beneath.

His golden tan was the only remanent of the trip, his lax smile and soft voice was replaced with a stone, unempathic and a scowl that would make anyone think twice about approaching him.

Heidi smooths out her skirt before sitting down in the chair across from him, her heartrate rising steadily as she avoids direct eye contact.

“Hello, Ms. Synder,” Harry greets in his normal, deep drawl with little emotion as his hands are together on his desk - rings reflecting off the lights.

“H-hello,” Heidi manages back, wanting to kick herself for stuttering but she tried to remember that he did have a caring side - she’d seen it.

“You managed to convince Shore’s Electronics to switch completely to our services?” Harry asks although he already knows.

“Yes sir.”

“Your position here is Assistant Manger of Marketing in our United Kingdom division?” He clarifies as he moves to click his mouse around on his computer.

“Yes, it is,” Heidi swallows, fiddling with her hands and picking a thread on her work pants.

“And you’re a photographer as well?” He asks with a purse to his lips as he meets her eyes for a moment, sharp mossy green.

Heidi doesn’t know what he’s talking about, “Er, no? I don’t do any type of photography work, Mr. Styles. I think there’s be some confusion.

“Oh has there?�� He smiles with not humor before he’s tilting his computer screen to show her what’s displayed.

The picture she snapped of vacation.

“You sure were a photographer when you snapped this picture, hm?” His tone is steely, angry as he watches her reaction.

It’s a shot of Harry, in just in swim trunks, splayed on his back with his sunglasses shielding his eyes as well as the shade on the umbrella.

His daughter, Noli, on his chest - fast asleep and a binkie tucked into her mouth as Willow sleeps cradled against his side.

“Had to just get a picture of your boss with his kids, right?” Harry taunts with irritation in his tone, “I don’t give a fuck about pictures of me - I’m an adult. The audacity you have to take a picture of my sleeping children.”

Heidi is scrambling for an explanation but she can’t find one.

“Human Resources will be able to answer any questions you may have about your termination - starting now. Delete that fucking photo off your phone or you will be hearing from my legal team,” He finishes before he’s moving the screen back and picking up his ringing phone, clearly ending the conversation.

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thecandywrites · 3 years

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Of Heaven and Fire Chapter 19 Finale Epilogue.

Woo, it’s been way too long. But I have other projects that got in the way and I had this all figured out and an outline written up and then...the go juice ran out. UNTIL TODAY. So, after way too long, finally. We have the finale to this story that will also segway into a campanion piece that takes place at the very same time Heaven and Fire takes place, actually about six months earlier, but half a world away, on the other end of orc country that takes up practically a whole continent in my made up world.

Also behold, that gorgeous brunette, THAT is the OG The Original Audravienne, the one that Audra in Blood For Gold is named after. So think of it as Suchi and Stormbreaker are on the west coast and Yekmeni would be the east coast, different ocean, different ocean coastline.

And so in this fantasy world- you mix mouras with jade green orcs- you get aqumarine orcs. You mix moura with Yekmeni orcs that are a dark and drab olive green with dark brown splotches- and they are born looking exactly like their orc parents but as toddlers change to look kashmire blue in place of olive green and bright amethyst intense purple in place of brown. So then they got nicknamed paradise orcs, because they have the same coloring as birds of paradise, you mix aquamarine orcs and paradise orcs-you get PEACOCK ORCS that also get called paradise orcs. The Aquamarine goes to turquoise and teal, just like a peacock, with the same splashes of kashmire sapphire blue and amethyst purple. But that’s another story all together. I’ll get to it. Eventually.

Of Heaven and Fire

Part 19

A week later, you woke up to Brock’s hard cock pressing at your rear as he spooned you.

It’s been more than long enough for you to heal and recover from Brive’s birth and your first thought is you needed to reconnect with Brock on this most physical intimate level. Most women take three to four months to recover from a birth before they can have sex again comfortably. Moura women and especially moura mated women who have a moura husband to help heal them from the birth, that gets whittled down to barely a month. And it’s been a month and a half for you.

You looked down at Brive as he slept away the morning, his blond hair growing fast in gorgeous blonde curls. His mint green skin that had more aquamarine notes to it the older he got was a beautiful mix of your pale ivory and Brock’s emerald green. Even though he is only a month and a half old, he has doubled in size thanks to your milk and he has fat rolls for days, which is the sign of supreme health for all babies.

You gently moved Brive farther away from you and make sure he’s perfectly covered and warm. The fireplace in the bedroom is ever burning- keeping the room toasty warm while you can watch the snow fly outside.

Your movement stirred Brock and his arm reflexively tightened around you and your backside was then pressed into his front as he woke up and now that Brive is far enough away that your movements won’t disturb Brive, you ground your ass against Brock’s cock to see if you can stir him awake, which worked to a degree because Brock growled a grunting moan as he started to wake up before he seemed to become aware of himself and moved his hips back so that his morning wood isn’t touching you anymore.

“Sorry Babe.” He apologized sleepily.

“Bring it back.” You whined as you started scooting backwards towards him to feel it again.

“You’re still healing.” Brock gently argued as he rolled onto his back and stretched out just as Brive did the same in his sleep before you quickly rolled over him so you straddled him, your night clothes vanishing in an instant as you sit up onto his belly and braced your hands on his chest which made him open his eyes as he blinked and frowned in confusion at you.

“Moura women usually take 3-4 weeks to heal from birth. It's been 6 weeks. I’m more than healed. Please Babe, I haven’t had sex in the last 7 months, if you don’t fuck me senseless right now I’ll go mad.” You pleaded as you stared down at him and could feel his cock tap at your behind again, he was as hard as a rock and you wanted him so bad it hurt.

“Are you sure?” He asked, even though you could see the desire burn behind his eyes but he was absolutely insistent that he would never, ever hurt you again before you gave him a meaningful look and canted your hips back so that his cock fell towards his belly then set your pelvis down so that your pussy laid over his length and rocked back so that your lips engulfed the underside of his cock as you rubbed yourself from the tip to the base, your own essence making it glide almost effortlessly and watched as Brock’s eyes threatened to roll back into his head while the head of his cock spurted precum onto his belly.

“I’m sure. Please Baby.” You begged and you saw him cave.

“If anything hurts, you stop me immediately, got it?” He insisted.

“Promise.” You vowed before you got into position and slowly eased down onto him, both of you breathing out a breath of relief in being rejoined as he looked up at you questioningly.

“Nothing hurts, it feels so fucking good.” You confessed as your grin grew giddy as his did the same as you felt him dig his heels into the bed and begin to push up into you as you saw the hunger in his eyes grow before you fell into what was once a familiar rhythm but yet it felt new all the same before milk started to drip from your nipples and he was sitting up in an instant to lick it up.

“Good?” You couldn’t help but giggle as he started to wrap his mouth around your breasts and suck in earnest before he hummed in confirmation before he moved from one to the other as you sighed happily and contentedly as you leaned back to give him room to do as he pleased before you removed his mouth from your chest to gather you closer and start kissing you as you could taste the rich sweetness on his tongue as he devoured you whole.

“Gods I missed you,” he confessed in your ear as his hips hiked up into yours as your body rocked against his.

“I missed you too.” You mirrored earnestly.

“I’m just...so sorry I made you wait.” Brock began to apologize and you could tell he was getting choked on emotion again.

“Hey, hey, don’t, don’t start this again? Ok? We’ve been through this, I forgive you. No more beating yourself up. It’s enough. We can’t go back and change it. We can only change now. And right now- is all that matters.” You insisted as you held his handsome face in your hands and looked into his eyes earnestly as you could see his eyes start to shine with tears.

“No more hurt. Only pleasure.” You repeated as you grinded down onto him for emphasis before you kissed him hungrily and passionately as all the pent up feelings over the last year came to a head and you lost yourself in the passion as did he and it wasn’t until you came down from your respective releases when you heard a giggling coo before you looked over to see Brive fully awake and giggling from his spot nearby which made you and Brock both start laughing as you untangled from Brock to go to your son as you pulled him closer.

“Well good morning Brive, did you sleep well?” You cooed to him as you laid down on your side and put him to your breast so he could eat his breakfast which he was all too happy to do, nursing and smiling up at you and Brock who cuddled his back as Brock combed Brive’s hair with his fingers as he stared down adoringly at Brive.

“He’s getting so big.” Brock murmured.

“He is, because he nurses just as fast as I can make the milk.” You grinned as you laid on your side and let Brive use your arm as his pillow while he nursed and in near record time, he had drained one breast and was ready to drain the other before you put him to your chest and rolled with him so that you could lay on your other side and let him nurse from that one as Brock cuddled into your back and rested his head on yours as he nuzzled the juncture of your neck and shoulder, pressing soft sweet kisses to every bit of you his mouth could reach.

“I love you, thank you so much for... everything.” Brock thanked you.

“You’re welcome. Love you too.” You cooed as you kissed his cheek affectionately and once Brive had nursed till he was full and had almost completely drained your other breast of milk, did he detach his mouth with a pop and smile happily up at both you and Brock.

“Ok, my turn.” Brock insisted as he reached over you and got his son and picked him up and cooed to him and kissed him all over before he brought him over to a changing table and changed Brive’s diaper while you slipped out of bed and went to the bathroom, grateful that Brock was so involved and helped with everything he could with Brive and you could tell Brock loved Brive dearly and once you two were ready, you went from your bedroom to the kitchen to prepare breakfast together.

Come spring Brock was unusually busy getting ready for the spring equinox festival since the lunar new year was the greatest celebration to date and Brock wanted the spring equinox to be even bigger and better than the lunar new year. Brock turned so much gold himself for it and saw to most of the details himself, which you didn’t mind. Your biggest hurdle was making clothes for Brive who was growing so fast and his moura cloak was coming in really beautifully but it would still be a few years at least before he learned to control it and it felt like you were sewing all day every day and you felt like you spent a fortune just in fabrics and needles and threads but Brive could wear a burlap sack and look adorable and all who saw him thought he was the most handsome baby boy any of them had ever seen and whenever Brock was around he was all too happy to insist that Brive got all his good looks from you but you could see the unmistakable resemblance Brive had with his father.

When it was time for the feast Brock had you dress in a special dress he had commissioned for you from a group of seamstresses that had settled in Drauch. You felt like a queen wearing it. It was brightly colored and almost every inch of it was embroidered and it even had the prettiest jewels sewn into the fabric. You didn’t want to think about what it must have cost him. But you honored him enough to wear it with immense pride especially when Brive had a matching outfit and even Brock’s outfit was similar, but not as fancy. With how hard he usually worked, you wondered if he was afraid he’d get it dirty or something. Brock escorted you to the main feasting tent and you graciously sat in the seat of honor which was in all realities, basically a couch at the head table with lots of cushions so that it was exceedingly comfortable to prop yourself up and Brive up as you noticed your entire extended family had come for this as they took their seats around you and all the married ones were showing baby bumps or their own little ones since they had gotten pregnant shortly after you did.

“Brock? Aren’t you sitting with me?” You asked when he had you sit down but he moved to leave.

“I gotta take care of something first.” He excused himself before he left, leaving you looking on curiously as Brive was all too happy it sit in your lap and watch what was going on with bright excited eyes as you noticed almost all the women around you who weren’t in your family were also sporting baby bumps or their own little ones along with before Brock took center stage in the tent and got everyone’s attention.

“I would like to thank everyone for coming today to feast on behalf of not just the equinox, the sewing of the fields- which was just completed a few days ago but also to celebrate my official proposal dinner to the most beautiful, goddess divine to swim in the seas, walk the face of the world and fly in the skies.” He gestured to you as you blushed but smiled adoringly at him.

“And I’m sure we’ve all heard the legends..” Brock began before he very elaborately and dramatically retold what had happened in the last year as you and your family and all your friends all laughed almost hysterically at most of it as Brock used every tiny little opportunity to praise you and practically sing your praises.

“And that is why, I would like you all for coming to my surprise betrothal feast for such an amazing goddess!” Brock announced as your eyebrows rose in surprise as your jaw dropped as everyone else cheered excitedly.

“What?” You asked as you bounced Brive in your lap as the real feast was then brought out as you realized what all of you had been grazing on before had just been appetizers before suddenly things seemed to fall into place. Your whole family and all your friends were here, they were all seated around the giant tent along with everyone in the clan and you notice that it’s Brock’s captains and generals that are the servers and it’s the men who are serving the women and the families which was a refreshing change of pace and you were drinking your favorite drinks and eating your favorite foods as Brock then left and brought into the arena in the middle of the tent- his betrothal gifts and you were shocked when they were all new, you had never seen any of them before as you started crying tears of happiness when each and every single one was actually really thought out and you could tell that Brock put so much effort into all of them. And it wasn’t just gifts for you, there were gifts for Brive and all your other future children with him and you couldn’t be happier about that and your smile was brighter than the sun and you and especially his family were practically glowing with pride.

“So, do you Benyana Auksa, accept by betrothal?” Brock eagerly asked.

“Yes.” You happily answered before you happily got up and kissed him which caused everyone to cheer.

“Wanna get married?” Brock asked when you broke for air.

“Yes!” You answered.

“Right now?” Brock asked which made you bust up laughing.

“Right now? Right now, right now?” You asked.

“Yeah, I have a wedding dress for you and everything.” Brock informed you.

“You do not.” You laughed, in disbelief.

“Yeah, it should be back in the house. I had the seamstresses look through all your other clothes and what you usually turn your moura cloak into to get a gage on your tastes and then your mom and your brothers and sisters helped put different elements to it.” Brock confessed as you gasped and stared at your family as all your siblings were giggling gleefully while your mother was looking pleased as punch.

“Let’s do it!” You readily agreed before you and Brive and all your siblings and friends happily got up and all of you practically running to your house and going inside it as your mother followed closely behind to get Brive from you while your dad had your baby sister as you walked in to see your wedding dress already laid out as you just started crying and laughing at the same time, not knowing how it was possible to be this happy. But you were.

It was hands down the most beautiful wedding dress you had ever seen in your life. It had all of your own benar, that you had cried that first night that Brock had captured you. It seemed like a lifetime ago by now and you noticed they were sewn into the sweetheart neckline. You eagerly stripped out of your clothes and your siblings helped you get dressed first before they too dressed in their own clothes that had been prepared for this that matched what had been made for you.

And it all felt so surreal but you were trying to memorize every single moment. What started off as the beginnings of a the spring equinox festival turned into an impromptu wedding feast and celebration as your siblings brought priests from every realm to make a sacred document so that it was recognized the whole world wide that you were married and mated with Brock before you finally got to exchange moura cloak collars as Brocks’ collar had to shrink down to fit your neck while yours had to grow a little wider to encompass his neck before the two seemed to form a link between them so that they both took on the traits of the other so now the two matched in both style and aesthetic, making something altogether new and different and unique. It was so much more than you ever thought to expect or want. It was perfect.

Fifteen years later

“Thanks mom.” Brive thanked you as as he held one of younger siblings and tried to feed them and himself at the same time as you passed out all the portions of pepper crab to all of your kids as Drauch had come to Suchi for another summer solstice celebration as you were wearing another silver belt that had a long tether to the rest of your smaller children while your elder children all had silver bracelets, all of them matching before you were approached by Warchief Lukher and Warchieftess Audravienne and all of their children from Yekmeni which was just on the other side of the continent to the east as they had flown in since Audravienne had come as a moura bride from the stables to Warchief Lukher 17 years prior and themselves had started a large family and their union and the other unions that followed from mouras who married into this particular clan of orcs saw a new kind of orc become born, orcs who had become known as paradise orcs. Because as toddlers they changed from dark olive green with splashes of dark brown to royal blue with bright purple splashes, like a peacock’s feathers or other birds of paradise.

“Audrey!” You greeted her as you hugged her tight as Lukher and Brock hugged too.

“Yana! It’s so good to see you!” She greeted you sweetly and excitedly.

“Oh my goodness is this Brive? Oh my goodness, look how you’ve grown!” Lukher praised Brive as he measured Brive, trying to see how much taller he was than him as Brive came up to his chest already as Brive smiled bashfully as he did his best to stand as tall as he could in the face of Lukher’s praise almost as much as he was happy to see Audravienne’s son Ahi-Shumai who had been his friend since infancy and was trying not to be too awkward to see Ahi’s sister Monrhi who was only a year younger than him and good friends with his own younger sister Brilanni as the two girls were quickly talking and sharing food and complementing each other on their clothes which were their own moura cloaks as they quickly picked up details about the other’s clothes and then began to mimic each other as Brilanni had the same coloring that Brive and all their siblings had, they had the same bright aquamarine coloring and blonde hair as Brive and Brilanni as Ahi was in a similar state that Brive was in as he was trying not to swoon too hard at the sight of Brilanni again because she was still the prettiest girl he had ever seen in his life as Audrey’s sister Maisara and her husband came over with all of their kids before they retreated to Drauch where there was more room since the streets were getting almost overcrowded as they had someone with a big messengerari take a picture of all of them together as something of an extended friends and family picture as they continued to eat the fare offered on Drauch for the summer solstice.

“God, I swear Drauch makes the best fried fish.” Audrey praised as she happily bit into the large fried fish on a skewer.

“Yeah they do. Don’t forget to get a bite of the pepper crab.” You reminded her as you ate beside her, taking the special leg of king crab out of its shell and dipping it into the amazing sauce the vendor made.

“Oh how could I?” Audrey answered between bites before she looked up to see Brive trying to feed Monrhi.

“I think we have a little romance going on.” Audrey teased you.

“Between Brilanni and Ahi? Oh only since they were two.” You teased back.

“Wait what?” Audrey asked before she looked to her own eldest son to see him doing the same thing that Brive was doing by feeding Monrhi the peppered crab leg.

“Wait, which kids were you talking about?” You asked her.

“Brive and Monrhi.” Audrey said as you looked then blinked as you looked from one to the other.

“Well I’ll be blessed.” You laughed as she did the same before you snapped your fingers softly to get Brock’s attention and Brock and Lukher were talking very animatedly about griffins.

“Yeah?” Brock said when he noticed you were trying to get his attention before you nodded over to where Brive and Monrhi were talking and eating and feeding each other as Audrey used sign language to Lukher to look over at his son and daughter- Ahi and Monrhi before they both looked over and started laughing and then teasing each other about it.

“Well I hope one of them works out, just for pure curiosity because if their colors meld, then they’ll really look like peacocks.” Audrey mused.

“They would.” You had to smile fondly.

“To peacock orcs then.” You offered as you offered your cup of wine up to toast with hers.

“To peacock orcs.” Audrey laughed as she toasted her glass with yours.

The End.

#Of Heaven and Fire #Of Heaven and Fire Chapter 19 #Moura #Orcs

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cupidmarwani-archive · 5 years

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Come Into the Water (2/15)

When Sarah wakes up, her whole body aches, just as she expected, and the light coming through the cracks in the blinds tells her that it must be mid-morning. The light is still coming in through the eastern kitchen window stronger than that of the slider on the west, and has a tilted slant to the way it fades into her tiles. She should really unpack her few belongings, she thinks, but instead lays on the floor for a while longer, simply watching the dust drift in the sunbeams.

Once she finally gets to her feet, she decides to go see the neighbor, Maggie. She’s supposed to be making friends and not isolating, after all, and if she hasn’t talked to anyone by her appointment tomorrow, her therapist will be mad at her. Not really, but it’ll feel like she’s mad at her, and Sarah hates that. She stumbles on creaky muscles and pincushion legs to the bathroom to pick up yesterday’s clothes instead of trying to unpack anything new. That’s too much for her right now. Sarah pulls on the sweatpants and tank top, kicks at her dirty bandage with a distasteful expression. She should get a trash can at some point, probably. And a toothbrush. She runs her tongue along her teeth and winces, knowing her breath can’t be great. But if she goes to the store, she won’t have the energy to visit the neighbors, and visiting them is probably what her therapist wants her to do. So she should probably avoid breathing too closely to any of them, she thinks as she searches for her shoes and shoves her feet into them. Broken glass is a bitch, and even if she hasn’t seen it here like she did in Chicago, she doesn’t want to take the chance.

Just like Maggie said, she goes to the house on the left. Unlike her own, with a pale blue exterior in need of a power washing, Maggie’s house is a soft cotton candy pink with white trimming and a quaintly sloped roof. All the windows are open, filling the air with the scent of fresh cut fruit and maple syrup, helped along on the sound of off-key singing in nonsense baby talk. It doesn’t sound like Maggie, so it must be her wife. Sarah likes the sound of that phrase- her wife. She could get used to a pair of words like that. Paint them across her bedroom wall and stitch it onto embroidered pillows. It would be a good excuse to learn embroidery.

She almost doesn’t knock on the front door. Her hand moves without permission, though, drawn into the feeling of home that clouds the front step and the little herb garden beneath one of the windows and the toys clumped in one corner of the yard. The wood is solid, real beneath her fist when she knocks.

“One minute!”

The singing stops, and in the time between knocking and the door opening, Sarah thinks long and hard about just going back home. It’d be easier, for one thing. But she should do this, no matter how hard. Right as the doorknob twists, she slaps her hand over her forearm protectively. She should’ve put on a jacket, or a long sleeved shirt.

Maggie’s wife already has a smile on her face when she opens the door, dressed comfortably in pajama pants and a loose tee shirt, a towel thrown over her shoulder, and caramel hair tied out of her face. She’s pretty the way millenium old forests are pretty. There are kind lines by her eyes, freckles where her skin is bare, and a golden eight-pointed star resting between her collarbones. She looks happy. She looks like what Sarah wants to be.

“You must be Sarah! Maggie told me you might come by,” she says, and steps out of the doorway to gesture inwards. “I’m Olivia, and this-” she points at a high chair containing a strawberry-stained toddler as Sarah comes in, “-is our son Noah.”

“Hi, Noah.”

Olivia walks back to the kitchen, in the same place as Sarah’s but much more homely, with a fruit basket on the breakfast bar, food in the middle of being prepared, and a few scribbled drawings pinned to the fridge by brightly colored magnets. Her sock-covered feet slide a little but she doesn’t slip.

“Sit down, I’ll get you a plate.”

“I don’t need-”

One of Olivia’s hands wave dismissively and she grabs two pancakes from a stack next to the fruit, depositing them on a little blue plate and setting it in front of Sarah, followed by a fork and a container of maple syrup. Noah decides at that moment to make an unhappy sound, kick his feet, and point at Sarah’s pancakes.

“You already had yours, sweet boy. Coffee?”

“That sounds nice, thank you.”

“Cream or sugar?”

“No thanks.”

A steaming mug, chipped along the rim, settles in front of Sarah in the blink of an eye. She lets herself just smell it, clear her of everything else for a moment before she thinks about eating the admittedly fluffy pancakes in front of her. Everything smells good in here. The air is warmer. There’s chaos, but it’s a good kind of chaos that she wishes she could cultivate for herself someday. As she watches and stabs at her breakfast half-heartedly, Olivia finishes cutting fruit and dumps some onto Noah’s highchair tray, some into a tupperware container, and some into a bowl which she leaves within Sarah’s reach in a silent but much appreciated gesture.

Then she takes a seat herself and uses her fork to tear into a pancake. “You just moved in yesterday?”

“Yeah, from uh, from Chicago.”

It’s not a lie, but it’s not the whole truth, either.

“Mmm. Long way to come but I get it. It’s peaceful here,” Olivia muses. She has a little smile on her face. “Mag’s from Chicago, I’m from New York. She came for a conference I spoke at, and we hit it off. The rest is history.”

“Nnnn,” Noah adds, pointing at Sarah’s food again and making a whiny sound.

Sarah gives him a small piece to placate him, and when he smiles, she can’t help smiling back. He’s a happy looking kid. She doesn’t remember if she was, and no one has ever told her.

“If you need help unpacking or getting essentials, need to find anything in town, or just want a friend, we’ve got you. At least one of us is usually home, and I can give you our numbers, if you want them. I know how lonely a new place can feel.”

“Thanks, I… I really appreciate that.”

Olivia just smiles at her, and a moment later, stands upright in a bit of a rush like she’s forgotten something. She dashes from the room, leaving Sarah alone with Noah, who holds a hand out for another piece of pancake she can’t resist giving him. She probably shouldn’t feed someone else’s baby, but it makes him happy. Children- babies- are so simple. Little things bring them so much joy. They don’t know what anything except happiness feels like.

The loud thunk of books on the counter stirs Sarah from her thoughts and gets her focus on the three thick spines in front of her. One is an encyclopedia of some sort, one is on the types of fish off the Northern California coast, and the third just has little shells hot glued to the spine instead of a title.

“I think you’d like these.” Olivia traces her fingers over the cover of the top book. “Just for looking at, if you want. You can take them home with you, or leave them here and come see whenever you want- I wouldn’t mind the company. It’s a good way to get acquainted with the area.”

Sarah takes the encyclopedia- old with yellowing pages, a white crease in the spine and smudges to the lettering of the front cover, clearly loved- and realizes it’s about urban legends. A bright pink sticky note emerges from the center, new and unworn. It must’ve been placed there recently.

“That’s the part that I think is most relevant for this town is marked. The fish book is just- it’s just a good look through. And the album is uh, it’s sentimental. So be gentle with it.”

“I will. I promise.”

The smile Olivia gives her is blinding. Pure joy, excitement. It’s not like the way he smiled at Sarah before his hand cupped the back of her neck, but rather that of someone who has nothing but love to give. For the first time in a while, Sarah is almost excited. She wants to look at these books. She wants to connect.

“You’re welcome to hang around a bit if you want. I’ll just be hanging around the house for a bit, but I’ve got a study at four- Maggie should be home by then. We’re gonna eat at around eight, if you wanna join us.”

“Thanks but I think-” she thinks it’s too much in one day. Too much energy she doesn’t have. “I think I better head home for a bit. I’ll see you later?”

“Of course.”

Olivia hugs her briefly but tightly, and wishes her a good day as Sarah carries the three books back home and sets them on the floor next to her towel. The couch is uncomfortable. Wrong. Not hers. She opens the encyclopedia first, turning to the marked section, and just stares at it for a good ten minutes. There’s a lot of text, small and dense and too much for her to process, but the picture included is mesmerizing. It’s of a woman with dark grey skin and long black hair, her lips pouting and eyes slitted like a cat’s. But it’s not a woman. It’s a mermaid, her torso melting into scales that look to have been hand painted into the book but obviously haven’t been.

“Mermaids,” she tells the book.

The book says nothing back.

She doesn’t have it in her to read and sets aside the encyclopedia, skips over the fish book, and opens the album. In glittery capital letters, it reads “AVA” on the first page above a picture of a much younger Olivia sitting in the shallows of the ocean with a blonde little girl, smiling with gap teeth at something just above the camera. Maggie probably took the photo. Sarah slips her fingers beneath the page and turns it to reveal more photos, tucked into the stiff plastic sleeves. They’re all of the same little girl, but it becomes quickly apparent that she isn’t a little girl. Where she should have legs, her waist lengthens and trails into bright blue and gold scales. Most of the photos are similar; the girl- Ava, if Sarah had to guess- frolics in the waves, often with Olivia and/or Maggie. There’s an image of her presenting cupped hands full of pearls to the camera with an innocent smile. As the photos go on, she gets older. The photos seem to have more time between them.

Three quarters of the way through the album, there are no more photos, and the last one is dated two years ago. Ava looks to be in her early twenties, smiling and holding little black picture- an ultrasound. Sarah reads the caption on the back of the photo.

"Baby brother on the way!"

After that, nothing.

Sarah finds herself looking at the picture a bit longer, studying Ava's face. She's really pretty, with a stunning, genuine smile and wavy blonde hair and bright blue eyes like the ocean. Her tan skin is dotted with moles, but instead of studying it, she slams the album shut. She's not supposed to look at women like that, naked women like that.

But then two words come back to her like a gift from God. Her wife. Maybe it's something she's allowed to have. Maybe. Sarah isn't ready to think about it either way and crawls over to the couch. It'll be more comfortable than the floor, she thinks, as she imagines what it might be like to meet Ava. Does she smile as much in real life? Is she more solemn? What does her laugh sound like? The photos stick to her memory even though she shouldn't think about them.

#reesker #ciw #fic #mine

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autumnpawtribe · 5 years

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The Naming

((Preface: one, this is SERIOUSLY long. This RP took place on January 26 of this year. I know, I am slow to post things, you may make fun of me for it. A special thanks to @seilune, @varianwrynn, @zynros and the multitude of others who came to celebrate))

Janaret sat on the wall, watching out on the road. His troll mate's brothers sat with him, watching as well. He spoke in Zandalari , playing with a peice of grass and waiting on the visitors.

Rythyren flapped, carrying his companion to their destination with a huff of frosty breath. "Do you still have Mox'tilek? I know she cannot keep up with me.." "Your little one is fine, I assure you..." Ryleyth hummed thoughtfully, ears twitching, and cradling the little whelp in his arms. When they landed , Rythyren was quick to shift, revealing both dragon and the magister were clad in similair attire. The dragon in a silken robe of blue and white, with a cloak that ended in scale like designs of pearlescent white. Ryleyth was quick to give the sleeping whelp back to her father, adjusting his own robes. The magister was wearing crimson and gold, flowing, with a cloak that sported phoenix feathers along the bottom hem. Meanwhile, Zul'Jaryn was never far from Kit'raka, and elsewhere, Draigarth was not far from Lowenthal.

Janaret smiled, recognizing the dragon he had recently met. He was in full Zandlari Prelate regalia, holding his weapon up high next to him as he watched and waited.

Sam arrives via gryphon, flying low, lazy circles over the gathering party to ensure he's in the right spot before landing nearby. The bird, small and white, follows him after he dismounts, pressing her beak into his neck, his hand, his shoulder--anything, really, in hopes of a treat. He laughs at her softly, scritching her neck and adjusting his dark travelling cloak. His armor, where it shows through at hands and collar and feet, is silver, ceremonial, polished to a high sheen: nothing like anything he ever wore at the Cove. His distinctive blue-crested helm sits on the pommel of his saddle. His eyes seek out Ryleyth, never a difficult task given the other man's distinctive wardrobe, and he makes his way in that direction--still with the gryphon at his side.

A portal tore through the air out of nowhere, leaving behind a shimmering shower of arcane dust that sparkled across the ground. Out from the other side stepped the mage who had spawned it, all adorned in fine Pandaren silks in shades of blues and golds, and various trinkets of Zandalari jewelry. In tow was his husband, the ranger Draigarth, who he smiled upon before turning to Janaret. "I believe I landed us in the right place..."

Rythyren seemed thoroughly distracted as he approached the trolls, offering a bright smile towards the prelate, Stepping forwards with snoozing whelp draped over his forearm. Ryleyth seemed somewhat distant, his arms folded over his chest after he had handed the young one off, his golden gaze shifting here and there, for faces he recognized, which were surprisingly few. When one in particular started his way, however, he froze, and his ears slowly perked, mouthing the name without actually speaking. Draigarth stumbled a bit on entry. Portals had never been his forte.. Adjusting chainmail with a soft grunt. "Looks like it.. Don't think there's many groupings of trolls in Hillsbrad.. I.. think?"

A loud Kodo was heard marching in, a young adult was apon its back. Hitching the beast to the ground, he'd hop off, lifting a cigar from his side, half tempted to smoke to avoid the awkward conversations he'd endure. eh.. He'll be fine. "Hau, tauren for hello." He'd smile to the group that were there. "Right place, I hope for damn sure." He'd grit his teeth. harmfull memories. but also good ones as well. It was time to barry the axe.(edited)

The troll that awaited the guests sat on the wall of the rundown keep, another male troll next to him laughing as he told jokes in Zandali. He was dressed very simply not formally; black shirt, leather pants, shoeless as his people tended to be. On his face was a line of blue pigment, just under his left eye, bright red hair braided down his back just past his shoulders. His staff was a long gnarled stick covered in flowers and mushrooms, both living and in full bloom. The druid smiled around tusks that stood straight up and angled out a bit. His amber eyes glowed in the setting sunlight. As he rose, he called attention to himself and spread his long arms wide as he stood tall. The second male, standing up next to the druid, was dressed in the traditional clothing of a wandering grandmaster monk and wearing his smile proudly, face clean of all but a matching orange stripe of paint under his right eye. He was as Red-haired as his companion, both with matching deep amber eyes. The pair were definitely siblings, though the monk seemed to have a few years on the druid. Next to them sat a Zandalari, standing in full regalia as the druid spoke.

“Welcome, Guests of mah bruddah Vol’raka an’ ‘is mate, Xiao Chun. Ah be called Jura. Dis be ouah bruddah, Venyabi and Janaret, Vol’raka and Xiao’s mate. We ‘ere ta guide ja ta da ritual site. Aftah da namin’, ja all welcome ta stay, eat, sing an’ dance ef ja feel da desirah, an’ make new friends mebe? Come should ja be followin’ en peace.”

A large fel bird, green and purple in plumage, flew in from high above, circling the area before letting out a great cry before landing and flapping its wings. "There there, girl" the man said before hopping off the bird and patting her side. The great bird flapped again and took off into the sky to either perch or hunt somewhere, who knew. Zyn was dressed in his finer clothes, an ornate black leather vest with silver inlay over a black satin long sleeved shirt. Form fitting black slacks tucked into black leather boots with ornate silver inlay. His eyepatch, normally just a leather one, was also custom made (by him) of black leather with a silver inlay...lots of silver inlay.

With that, Jura shifted to a great, pale stag. Feathers and bones dangled from a thick leather collar of sorts that lay over his shoulders at the base of a furred neck. Turning his antlered head to the group, he began walking toward the sea on the southern coast of the region. The monk moved to float upon a cloud of chi, beckoning those assembled as Janaret called upon a golden direhorn.

An odd-looking spiked rock moved slightly, shaking as dirt and brush fell away from its base to reveal a shell of some kind. An ankylodon wearing a silver torc rose from the earth to follow the group, eying many of them warily... perhaps even hungrily? It was hard to tell, but it seemed to slowly improve in its mood as it walked behind the group.

The group would come upon the cliffside, the sun not quite setting in the west and the sounds of the Great Sea not far away. There were torches around the area, tables set with food and drink set apart a little from a ritual circle closer to the cliffside. There were several figures, mostly troll, and a few orcs in the circle as final preparations were made by an orcish girl. Two small troll boys were playing among the tables, the older, red-crowned boy of about four chasing a green-haired barely toddler as he crawled around. A pale haired troll woman was off to the side caring for two other small trolls, one of them squealing loudly.

Tal flew in separately from his mate, likely so they could have enough room for the children they were bringing. Anyone who might babysit was already here, so the entire family showed up, split between the backs of their two drakes. Tal's recognizable and rather massive black nether drake flew down carefully before landing and allowing its passengers to climb down. Cradled in each arm, Tal held a bundled Balore and Luna, the older Kal'dorei girl known as Ely for short, around six years of age, also climbed down; though she stuck incredibly close to Tal, nearly clinging to his leg. He offered a smile to those gathered and then spotted a few faces he did not expect to see. He immediately stared down Sam and Kagtu, his blindfold folding inward on its ever so slightly as he narrowed his eyes, trying to determine if they were friend or foe. Surely friend, since they were here. He shook himself of the worry and moved to stand beside his fiance, looking to pass him one of the twins and smile at Vynnie who was surely beside them now as well. "There is a nice crowd here, this will be a wonderful ceremony I can already feel it." He said as he began to follow along and gaze out over the cliffside as they came upon it.

As they walk, Sam heads over to Ryleyth's side quickly, the gryphon aiding in clearing a path through the crowd, but then slows down considerably. By the flush on his face, he seems not quite certain of what to say, and settles for something neutral: "It's a beautiful location, isn't it?"

Lowenthal glanced around at the gathering crowd, curiosity glinting in a green gaze. He wasn't completely seasoned on the traditions of trolls nor pandaren, and it was easy to see his interest was piqued. Looking around for familiar faces, he made sure to wave at Rythyren, and made a mental note to meet with the dragon as well as Vol'raka at some point after the ceremony.

Kagtu tagged along, lifting both of his hands into his pocket. He'd look conflicted, being here. Along with some of the people here as well, but the past is the past, and it'd be better to look to the future. with a deep sigh, he'd look back to Tal. "..Hey." He'd say softly. yet weakly. like he was afraid to say anything else. "Didn't know you turned babysitter." He'd tease.

Vyn had ridden with his dad and had hopped off Melody with the man, but where Zyn was dressed like a proper noble (though he wasn't one), Vyn was awkwardly dressed in black slacks tucked into simple leather boots and a loose fitting black cotton shirt. He did, however, have a couple of ribbons tied to his horns thanks to his little sister Ely. "Dad...who're all these people?" he asked while standing between his two fathers and taking his baby sister in his arms.

Amongst the few orcs present, one massive male seemed incongruous with the rest- a 7 foot wall of toned muscle, clad in hide pants and a set of ornate engineer's goggles was rushing about, taking turns between hanging around a short orc woman and fussing over one of the troll babies nearby. Spotting this, the dino-thing that followed the group let out a low rumbling noise... was it laughing?

The druid called Jura spoke and letting his voice carry, addressing the gathering. “Come, stand around da circle. We ask ja not step en til et be time ta speak. At da end, da Farseeah gonna ask ef ja wish ta say a few words ta mah baby niece an introduce jaself ta ‘er. Ef ja not want ja children seein’ some tings what be a lil scary fer em. Best leave em wit mah mate, Zaita ovah dere.” Another troll walked up to join the brothers and Aret, his own visage painted in white and green, bright orange atop, spiked, but cut at his neck and the simple robes of a druid covering his body. He seemed to want to disappear into the crowd and sat next to his kin. He spoke in his native tongue, looking at the crowd for a moment longer. “Fi riva difus Deh so yeyewata honnah dim fus dim cyaa fus deh'yo cyaa chaKa deh craaweh.”

((Tsal: “So many elves. Not my favorite people, but the one with the silver-white hair isn’t bad looking.”))

Draigarth stuck close to his husband, amused by the sparkle that had been absent in his eyes for a little while hence. He seemed pleased enough to follow along for now, though he was clearly close enough, that the predator within him would read as possessive of the Cryomancer.. at least, for a fellow predator. Rythyren smiled cheerily, nodding to Lowenthal when he noticed his adopted son. Rocking the sleeping whelp from side to side, he picked a place to settle out of the way, waiting and watching, himself. He settled off to one side with a curious expression as they were told where to settle. Ryleyth offered a weak smile, tense, as if he feared all the worst reasons for the paladin to be before him. "Y-Yes.. Yes it is... H.. How have you been?" Zul'Jaryn shifted on his feet, adjusting his garb, which consisted of traditional attire, bones and feathers hanging from robes and headdress clearly styled for the Loa he followed. Bwonsamdi.

Tal offered him a small, slightly tentative smile when Kag spoke. However, when he mentioned babysitter, Tal broke into a grin and chuckled. "Is it considered babysitting if they are your own children? Hm... I never considered." He said with a shrug. "I think you met Balore and Luna." He looked back to the sheepish Kaldorei behind him now and wrapped his free arm around her to pull her forward with a quiet nervous whimper from the girl. "This is Elysara, we call her Ely. We adopted her after Teldrassil..." He murmured the words in Orcish, glad the girl couldn't speak it well just yet, knowing that it made her upset to think about it. It was then they were called to stand around the circle, moving to guide Ely to follow him as he stood where he was indicated to so he could bear witness to the ceremony.

Lowenthal glanced at the source of the Zandalari words, and then raised a brow, looking around. Now was his chance to socialize, perhaps. "And who would that be?" he said, smiling as he pronounced the foreign words carefully.

Seilune materialized at the designated spot in a faint, amethyst dust of arcane, remnants of the magic lingering on her tulle gown as she sauntered over to the gathered group. A glowing, lilac gaze slowly swept across the woman's surroundings, taking in the spectacular sight of the cliffside view of the Great Sea, and a soft, blissful sigh escaped between her lips. "Greetings, everyone," the woman spoke with eloquence, bowing deeply to the band of faces that were both familiar and foreign to her. "A beautiful locale indeed. Most fitting for such a joyous occasion. I thank you for the humble invitation, I have not attended a ceremony of this kind before."

Kagtu moved with Tal. odd considering he was a demon hunter. The human paused. face twisting with guilt. he'd switch to Orcish as well. "..We should-" Once more, he'd pause. thinking about the past. His face showed it. Kagtu waved to the two kids. he'd look up to Tal. Guilt cleaving his face in two. "..I'm glad your out." He'd look around, using his right hand to point to the group. "To this band of misfits. family, even, if I am bold to call it that." He'd say with a hit of heart in his voice.

Zyn gave a wave to Kagtu with a grin before moving over with Tal when they were all motioned, Vyn following his parents and probably remaining silent for the remainder of the ceremony.

The altar was not fancy. It was a simple flat stone, propped up on three other stones to keep it off the ground. A piece of leather, crossed with sky-blue silk, woven with tiny silver phoenices covered and kept the stone’s occupant clear of smudge or damage. On the altar lay a simple, but heavily bound book. The leather did not look like it came from an animal. The pages covered in drawings and runes that could be seen from a few feet away. It was a focal point for the troll family gathered around to welcome a new soul to their lives. This book was their guide to the rite they sought to complete that evening.

A female troll farseer stood at the small stone altar, clad in simple leather robes, but with items and adornments that she only pulled out for very special occasions. Traditional pigments graced her cheeks and nose, blue, red and gold over face, arms and neck where her clothing did not cover sky-blue skin. Red and blue axebeak feathers and golden beads were woven into the shaman’s straight thin braids as she looked to her right and left, gold hoop earrings jingling from her ears.

To the shaman’s right was a tall, well built and fierce looking troll woman, standing in a simple brown linen cloth skirt and short top, forearms covered with bone and iron bracers. The warrior woman was painted in blue and red as well, a collared, golden-scaled raptor standing quietly at her side. The woman, her violet hair pinned and braided behind her ear on one side and shaved on the other to show off the golden hoops in her ears, gave the well trained beast an occasional scratch on the chin.

On the Farseer’s left, a small half-orc mag’har girl stood with an obsidian knife and stone bowl, a small smile on her face. She was painted just as the other two, her hair braided simply in comparison and tucked behind her ears. She did not wear golden earrings, but iron as her own people. Her own robes tied at the waist by a leather strap decorated with bone beads and laced up with a black strap of leather at her chest like a bodice. The bowl she held was old, rough and not at all ornate, but it radiated with magic for those who could sense such things. It was well used, and passed down along this family’s line. The runes upon it denoted it as Zandalari in origin.

Tsal blushed, looked at the elven mage and just grinned.

"Home," Sam says to Ryleyth in a low voice as the ceremony begins, "and glad of it. One of the others followed me and took up work there as well--I had thought to offer the same to you but...I understand if you don't wish to leave whomever you've found a place with now. Still, you're welcome to come visit whenever you'd like." It's awkward; he doesn't want it to be but it is, and the fears that he'd abandoned Ryleyth there echo in his voice.

Lowenthal chuckled, but seemed to take that for an answer and went back to minding his own business. He observed the altar, then whispered to Draigarth. "I wonder what they meant when they mentioned things that may not be safe for children... I am not familiar with these ceremonies."

"Ah guess et be rude fer meh to stay like dis for de ceremony," grumbled out the dino-thing as it began to be enveloped in a halo of green energy. Standing upright, the Zandalari druid strode off to one side, examining the wrapping around a 3 foot parcel nestled safely away from the group.

Across from the druid, stood a giant of a troll and his very small pandaren mate. The troll stood upright and was dressed in a soft gray leather kilt slung low on his hips, held up and fastened with a darker gray leather strap and small silver medallion that resembled a Rush’kah mask on his hip. His face was free of its usual warpaint, but his shoulders were coated in blood-red pigment. The line of what did not look like paint crossed from his right shoulder to just below his left pectoral muscle, where a new looking tattoo in the shape of a tiny gray troll handprint lay just in the palm of the pandaren paw print already on the left side of his chest. His hair, green and gold down to just above his ankles, was not braided. He had it bound with leather in places to keep it from flying everywhere as the evening had a bit of wind from the nearby cliff face.

The unusually small Pandaren wore something as equally traditional as that of his mate, but starkly different from the Trollish design of the others. Wrapped around his form were silks of a deep crimson with brilliant threads of gold designs inlaid into the fabric. It was a traditional Pandaren kimono, draping along his form until it was cinched in the middle with a matching crimson silk belt tied loosely at his waist. It didn’t seem to fit him just right, and the aged look of it would imply it likely wasn’t made for him and instead was passed down from someone else; perhaps a woman, given certain folds in the material that would likely be made to compensate for breasts where this Pandaren obviously had none. His hair that was usually tied up in a loose topknot of sorts was instead tied back in a tight bun with ornate Pandaren chopsticks poking out of the brightly colored locks; the chopsticks having matching intricate gold-leaf designs on them to compliment the kimono. In the Pandaren’s arms, was a snugly swaddled and slightly fussy baby troll, with light blue-gray skin and the bigger male’s green and gold hair, with a dusting of sapphire blue. Amber eyes looked around, not focused, but following the face of her pandaren father who held her in a sling over his shoulder and chest. The fabric, a deep green, was embroidered with intricate cloud serpents and lined with black and white rabbit fur to keep her warm.

Intrigued by the ceremony and the prospect of learning more about Troll culture, the ambassador approached the alter a touch closer, just enough to get a take a closer look but distant enough to not disturb. Seilune bowed her head to the two Trolls respectively in greeting, the woman's gaze lingering on the young Mag'har girl as a grin spread across her visage from ear to ear. "Beautiful braids," she spoke, gesturing to the hairstyle with a single, slender finger. The trail of her gaze continued to the alter itself, closely inspecting the necessary tools with a slow nod of the head, a brow lofting in curiosity at the Zandali runes etched intricately into the stone. With the flick of a wrist, a floating tome and accompanying ivory quill conjured from a puff of arcane, the writing utensil scratching away at an open page to recreate the runes she saw.

In the middle of the circle as all saw it, was a stack of dry wood that stood about three feet tall, with small parcels of herbs tied up and tossed in regular intervals around the base. The circle was cast with white salt, a bag from the Echo isles leaning against the stone altar. She spoke first in Zandali, then switched to Orcish. “Lok'dan honnah reespek sca tor Wha fus Deh atuad iman fus'obeah Wha im ting cyaa is difus weh cyaa ju”

((Kit : Welcome, nieces, nephews, brother and kin. May the Loa bless this gathering. May no harm come to those who join us.))

“Ah welcome ja, all who come ta dis place ta welcome new life. Ef ja ‘ere, ja welcome ta da fa’das of dis child. Ef ja mean harm, leave dis ritual, for when da spirits be comin’ da loa will be sought fer blessin’s an da family of da lil girl who be named taday. Dem what mean harm will face da consequences of dey actions. Ah be called Kit’raka, and ah welcome ja ta da namin’ ceremony en da way of ouah family.”

Kag looked over to were Sam, Ryley and the other guy that he met in Dalaran. He'd was tempted, The young adult desided to move his way to behind the Elf. He'd didn't bother nodding to Sam. More or less wanting to make sure nothing was pulled. "Hau." He'd reply dryly. and his gaze was put back to the Ritual. looking back at it once more. Hopefully this wouldn't be.. bloodly.(edited)

Hands clasped neatly before her as the ceremony began, Seilune's eyes snapping to Kit'raka as she began to speak. She listened closely, nodding with a soft smile on her painted lips, the tome floating idly at her side still being documented with the sights and sounds the woman was experiencing so that she may reference later. The last thing she ever wanted was to appear hostile, her eyes widening a touch at the mention of harm being inflicted , idly looking to the others who were gathered at her sides. "I wish for prosperity for ba, papa, and child," she assured with a nod. "No hostility will come from my hands, and I hope none comes at all this day."

Zyn took Balore from Tal so his fiance could focus on Ely while watching Kit, he understood some of what she was saying in Zandali, enough to put it together. Vyn on the other-hand was completely lost on the troll language, poor boy.

Rythyren's attention went from the trolls, some of which caught his interest more than others, to the ceremony as a whole, quiet, even as his little one awoke, and he pulled out something small and soft for her to chew on, a crimson colored object that smelled faintly of blood, and emanated frost. Ryleyth seemed to relax slightly. "A-ah.. I had.. thought you.. were.. s-still with them.. It.. It is good to know that you are back where you wished to be..." He swallowed hard, before looking down at his hands. "I.. I have not... been... With.. them for several weeks now.. I.. I was.. forced to leave.. by Kou.." "I don't know.. certain there are .. some form of rituals they do not wish children seeing.. Not sure what though.." Came Draigarth's response with a chuckle. Zul'jaryn was settling off to one side, watching the proceedings as he shifted a small leather satchel in his hand.

The warrior troll and mag’har woman knelt on either side of the shaman, each with knees tucked under themselves and forearms on the winter grass beneath them. Their heads touched the ground as the druid lay down on his belly. Xiao and Vol’raka did not kneel, but both bowed their heads in reverence as Kit’raka spoke. The element of air seemed to toss her braids up playfully as her arms raised. Wordlessly, the farseer seemed to call fire to lick and begin to consume the wood, the bundles of herbs slowly beginning to burn. The sweet smell of shaman’s smoke filled the area and those that inhaled the fragrance and were affected by the shaman’s grasses, would see three ephemeral forms standing next to the parents and now sleeping infant. For those who may react negatively to certain ‘intoxicants’, even the Shaman variety, it seemed there was another bundle of herbs smoking as well. These were of Pandaren origin, smelling of the sweet calming scents known to many as the tranquility incense that many Pandaren leave lit on long journeys. It brought peace of mind, calm, serenity, and most of all would help keep people prone to paranoia from certain smokes, Shaman or otherwise, from reacting negatively and panicking. “We call ta ja, spirits who come bearin’ witness ta da namin’ of dis girl. Come ta give ja blessin’s ta dis one of ja blood. Cyaa Uptfeel cyaa Craaweh Cyaa difus weh weh yu iyaz dim nehjo difus smadda ting skam Difus weh yudo sca nehjo difus deh'yo”

((Kit : Come, Mothers, come fathers. Come those who are at rest, but guide their family from afar. Those who once, and still, grant wisdom.)) Kit gave the Shal'dorei a small smile of acknowledgement, looking to the rest of the circle of people and nodding to those she may know, which were not many.

Lowenthal tilted his head, deeply inhaling the sweet smoke that mingled with the air. It certainly brought the tranquility it promised, balancing out the effects that the shaman's smoke brought. Blinking, the mage rubbed his eyes, wondering if anyone else could see what he was suddenly seeing.

The smell hit his mind like a truck. fingers wrapping around his face. as he'd breath the smell in. "What.." He'd say softly, as he'd look back up to the Ritual, some of his paranoia was eased, The young adult looked around. he'd look to his hands. giveing a small smile. smelt like home, sweet home. Kagtu lifted his gaze once more, over to Seilune, He'd only say one thing, "Arcwine Lady!" He'd wave happly, oh man. he loved that time he tasted Arcwine.. Oh, right, the Ritual. he'd dart back. breathing heavly. calmer, more.. at peace with himself for the moment.

"For those who ain sure of what ya be seein, yes ja be seein dem," said the druid who joined the circle after he finished his inspection.

Tal smirked as he saw the smoke forming, taking a deeeeeep inhale to let some of the smoke take effect. However, he didn't think of the fact that Ely was standing right beside him. The little girl did a little sway and tugged at Tal's pants, speaking in Darnassian in a low murmur. "Papa I feel funny..." Tal looked down and bit his lip to bite back a chuckle. "Zyn, I think our little Ely just got high for the first time. Here I thought I would be the one to do it." He scooped the girl up into his arms and brought her over to Jura's mate, speaking in Zandali. "I made the mistake of not thinking about the smoke, she may be a bit anxious due to separation anxiety, but she should be alright. Jura mentioned you could watch her?" He said in a hushed tone, not wanting to distract from the ceremony.

A mirroring smile pulled at the woman's lips at the sign of acknowledgment, idly looking to Xiao and Vol'raka as Kit'raka continued to speak in Zandali. Being one who did not partake in many substances other than arcwine, the intoxicants within the fumes began to take effect on Seilune almost immediately. Her eyes fluttered shut as the fragrance sifted through her nostrils, a blissful smile pulling on her lips as a sense of calm and relief washed over her body. Upon hearing Kagtu's, her eyes snapped open, the woman nearly jumping out of her skin as she looked to him with surprise. "Oh! Hello, Kagtu!" She said, laughing awkwardly. "Please, Seilune will suffice."

Upon seeing the herbs and smelling the scent, Zyn looked to Tal before frowning and glancing over to Vyn. "Hey, take the kids te the babysitter over there fer me, aight?" With a nod, Vyn took his baby brother before nodding to Ely to follow...hopefully she followed as he moved through the crowd to keep the babies at least from getting high...they were hungry enough on a regular basis as it was.

Those influenced by the smoke would see the spirits that came most clearly. One was a Zandalari woman, the bearing and demeanor of a matriarch in her power. Her violet hair was spiked up and falling in braids over shoulders and back. On her neck was a high golden collar, long ears graced with large hooped earrings, and deep amber eyes that matched the trolls who stood around the circle of whom she was ascendant. Her clothes were in black and dark blue, a simple dress that clung to her form loosely with an obsidian bat hanging from a leather strap around her waist. The spirit bore no accent as she spoke, her words the native language of the listener.

“I, Azu’lana, come to greet my great granddaughter.” The spectre grinned at Shu'kilo, looking around at the ones gathered to see the girl.

A smaller male, Darkspear from his look and build, materialized. Green-skinned, he was clad in white and black, the colors of his order. The mask he wore was that of the visage of the Loa of graves that he had served in life. He did not pull the mask away, his balding head covered with feathers protruding from the mask. He wore no other adornments, but his voice was full of mirth and a bit of snark as his words mimicked the Zandalari woman’s.

“I, Un’lai, come to greet my granddaughter.”

Lowenthal's eyes widened and he nudged Draigarth, speaking in a loud, awed whisper. "A ghost..."

A small pandaren woman manifested, starkly similar to the red-furred Pandaren holding Tiny, materialized. Red fur just like Xiao, long flowing hair that was tied up into a bun with chopsticks holding it in place much like Xiao was wearing. She was actually wearing the same kimono Xiao was wearing, except it was clearly made for her and the unusual folds in Xiao’s now made sense as they were filled out by the Pandaren woman’s natural curves on her upper half where Xiao had none, being a male. She looked at those gathered before looking directly at Xiao and smiling with a brightness that carried to her eyes. When she spoke, her voice was like a melody on the wind, feminine and gentle, rich with the love and warmth of a mother.

"De honored ded, I hear you have dem too."

When the voice of Mei Ling rang out, Xiao’s eyes nearly popped out of his head with how wide they opened. It was a good thing Tiny was cradled in the sling because Xiao’s head whipped around to look at her in shock and disbelief as his hands came up to his mouth and cupped over it as he gasped. “Mama…?” He whispered, his eyes glistening. When he pulled his hands away, he was smiling wide, a single tear trailing down his cheek now as he composed himself for the ritual, though not breaking eye contact with the spirit of his mother for several moments before looking forward to Kit’raka again as he needed to focus on the ritual.

Draigarth smiled softly and nodded. "So it would seem... Yes.. I.. I have spoken to my mother before... Thanks to a very kind shaman."

Azu'lana, the first spirit pointed at Shu'kilo. "We speak Latah, Shiftah."

All that were around the salt circle stood once more, waiting patiently.

The cryomancer fell silent, looking as though he were deep in thought -- wondering why it had never occurred to him before to reach out to his own deceased kin.

When the ghosts began appearing Zyn just raised a brow before nodding and giving them all a grin, "neat". It wasn't the first time he'd seen the ghosts of others ancestors...man Xiao looked like his mom. She was cute!

Kagtu /really/ wanted to speak back to Seilune, but now wasn't the time, he'd give a salute to the Elf, then back to the Ritual. "Holy fel.. those are the spirits.." He'd saw with awe. the tauren /were/ right. Should- no. don't. the Wolfmane are your own kin. your blood, you are no human. These thoughts were pushed away as Kag gained a smile, As he said, Just like a family.

As the phantasmal apparitions manifested from the fumes' psychedelic influence, Seilune's attention was stolen by them, her eyes widening to the size of saucers in intrigue and a touch of fear. The scratching of the quill against the tome quickened, the pages turning at a rapid pace as the woman's thoughts were being recorded. "Oh Stars..." She muttered quietly to herself, a hand lifting to her mouth as she noticed Vol'raka and Xiao overwhelmed with emotion at seeing their ancestors.

“We welcome ja spirits. May da Loa ja serve…” Kit’raka smiled with a bow of her head. “Or Ja Celestials as et be… Guide dis child.” She turned her head up to the sky, arms raised to shoulder height and palms out before she let her head drop in reverence. Lifting her head to gaze at the fire, her voice rang out, singing her words in lyrical Zandali. “Gonk, Riva fu fus Worl, Icense fu fus Yudo. Ju caang wha deh fus oondasta fu iman siame fu siare. Ir dim iyaz quashi iman t'ief is iman difus weh cyaa is ackee iman dim skam Ting siame skam godehsi deh riva sca ju weh whutless is wha worl deh weh or'manley. Iresh’ka, Vahari. Quick as ja can. No sufferin’.”

((Kit: “Gonk, Lord of the Pack, Master of the Hunt. We thank you for the offering of this child of yours. He has been chosen this night to feed those who come to greet this new life. Your child will provide for many and we are grateful to you both for his sacrifice."))

The troll and orc nodded, Reshka standing with knife and bowl in hand. Vahari spoke softly to the raptor, the golden tinted animal almost cooing as she quickly snapped its neck. One hand on the back of the beast’s head and one on the muzzle made quick work of it. She held the animal in her arms as it attempted to slump to the ground. She stood behind the raptor’s head as the mag’har waited a moment before slicing into the dead reptile’s neck and letting blood pool into the bowl. With great care, she left the bowl on the altar and helped the troll woman carry the beast away, their task done.

Lowenthal couldn't help but flinch at the sound of bones snapping. "Ah... so that's what they meant..." He crinkled his nose at the sight of the pooling blood, but continued to watch, curious nonetheless.

"Mmm, can smell its blood" Zyn mused, but he didn't seem to say much else, focusing on the ceremony rather than the hunger starting to build from the scent.

The human watched as the blood pulled down into the bowl. figured, he'd asume some blood would be needed. The young adult gave a soft twitch. as the crack of bones were heard. yet.. he was dull, giveing a dull yet amused face watching this.. tribal practice. In a way, he felt pride, his inner animal pleased for the ritual, even if he wasn't a Troll or Pandaran. His blood was calm, not raging. good thing he took a pill before he got here.

Janaret stood back with Jura, Venya and Tsal, watching Hari and Reshka take the raptor away, murmuring a small prayer to Gonk out of thanks. The Three brothers watched, quietly, bending their heads as well, both Tsal and Jura Druids of the Master of the Hunt.

Like a siren beckoning the tides, the rhythmic uttering of Zandali that Kit'raka spoke lulled Seilune to its melodic effect, the woman swaying from side to side idly in her intoxication. Being an elf who followed not patron deity or religion, the mention of Loas and Celestials held not personal meaning to her, but she could appreciate the sentimental value behind the presence and offering. In her trance, she barely reacted to the grisly sound of bones snapping, her pearlescent brows merely flicking as the kill was made.

Xiao carefully removed the sling from his form and cradled Tiny in his arms before carefully passing her off to Vol’raka. He looped the sling over his mate’s neck for him as his mate held onto their daughter and then moved to the front of the circle before the altar, standing in front of the woman, his mate, and the spirits. He cleared his throat and spoke out to those gathered. “We would like to sincerely thank you for coming to our daughter’s naming ritual. I know some of you may affectionately know her as ‘Tiny’, but after today she will be granted her true name in front of all of those that matter to our little family. As some of you saw, there is a little bit of blood involved, but for those of you who might be squeamish, the worst of it should be over.” He said with a reassuring smile to those gathered. “Once we prepare the ritual and our daughter is named, we will have words from those who wish to speak them, any of you who wish to introduce yourselves to our daughter before the spirits of her ancestors. Once we finish with the formalities of the ritual, there will be a traditional meal served to honor this ceremony that I hope you all will be happy to stay for.” He looked back toward the working Trolls behind him and saw they had just about finished up and smiled back toward those gathered. “With our little greeting out of the way, it’s time to get to what you all came here for. Without further delay, I will pass this back my mate’s lovely family.” With that, he offered a small little bow of his head before making his way back beside Vol and smiling at his mate, hoping he did well for their daughter.

Zul'jaryn watched them as well, a softness in skull paint framed eyes as he watched the Raptor's sacrifice, before returning his gaze forwards, unblinking, or so it would appear.

Kit turned her head to smile at Zul'jaryn, Medi and Tir, their sons, having broken away from Zaita and sitting quietly next to their father.

Seilune smiled to Xiao fondly as he removed the sling from his body, the woman nearly squealing in excitement as Tiny was procured from the cloth and handed to her mother. She nodded slowly as he made his speech, bowing her head in turn to him as he returned the floor to Vol'raka and their kin.(edited)

Ryleyth had settled somewhat stiffly next to Sam, his ears twitching slightly. Somewhat embarrassed, and cautious, it would seem, a bit awkward, but it didn't seem to be directed at any one person, moreso if others grew too close to the effeminate mage. Rythyren, on the other hand, was all up as close as he could get, a soft chuckle escaping him as Mox'tilek bobbed lazilly out of his grasp, having to snatch her up again. "Not right now little rose... After the ceremony.. you can't cuddle yet.." The little whelp let out a soft chirrup of disappointment, looking towards her friend's bundle. Draigarth frowned slightly, letting out a low murr as the Raptor was sacrificed, somewhere between curiosity and something more primal, like the Felidae within had been upset it couldn't join the kill, an urge he suppressed, in respect for his companions. Zul'jaryn's unblinking stare softened once more, as he briefly brushed a hand across each of the boy's backs, and offered a nod towards Kit.

Reshka, the mag’har girl, came back with a large basket of bones, stripped of most of their meat and sinew. She was not quite covered with blood, but her arms and parts of her chest were the crimson of the drying fluid. She placed the bones in the fire, the smell of the flesh that was left becoming charred filling the air. The smell was a bit strange between that and the shaman’s smoke that still lingered, but not unpleasant. At the bottom of her bundle, she pulled out the sacrificial beast’s head, moving to place it before the altar. The jaw was removed, only the golden-scaled skin covering the bones, and glassy green eyes staring into the crowd.

Vol’raka walked up to the shaman, tiny troll in his arms snuggled in her fur-lined blanket and the big troll waving Xiao over to them. Kit’raka dipped her fingers into the bowl of raptor’s blood and spoke to each father in turn. The infant was between them as they faced each other, Kit positioned at the child’s feet, the assembly only able to see the top of her head once the sling was pulled away. The hunter knelt so that the child and he were more at eye level with her pandaren father and the shaman as she performed her rites. The woman’s blue finger, coated in blood, ran from between the male troll’s eyes up above to his hairline, leaving two lines of blood again on the hunter’s left cheek. “Vol’raka Raptahblood, dis be ja daughtah?”

The towering Darkspear nodded, smiling around his tusks as he looked down at the child and then to his aunt then mate. “Dis be mah daughtah, Ah claim er as mine by blood. She be ouahs.” The tiny infant took the opportunity to whine and wiggle before settling back down again.

Turning to the pandaren monk, she left a similar mark on Xiao’s forehead, fur only lightly coated in blood. She touched his right cheek, leaving two small marks of raptor blood on that side, marking him in the exact opposite from his mate. “Xiao Chun Autumnpaw, dis be ja daughtah?”

Xiao smiled widely despite the blood, seeming to take it better than most would anticipate given how fussy he could get about the condition of his fur. He nodded happily and stared down at his daughter with such love in his eyes. “This is my daughter, our daughter. She may not be mine by blood, but by spirit, love, and a bond I know will never break, I claim her with all of my soul.” He looked down at Tiny and took the opportunity to lean down ever so slightly and give her a little kiss on her forehead, eliciting a happy little squeal from the girl as her Ba’s fur tickled her face ever so slightly.

Shukilo forced a smile as he watched the ceremony, stealing glances towards the babysitter's group of young ones now and then. The druid seemed both happy and profoundly sad, and after a bit of time passed, he mumbled something and had to turn away for a moment, as if hiding something.

The presence of dried blood on the girl took Seilune aback a tad, much more so than watching the earlier raptor kill. It was certainly unlike any practices performed in Suramar involving children. In her youth, she had attended parties with cakes and sweet treats, and children were covered with streamers and confetti. But this contrast to the customs to which she was accustomed only intrigued her further, the woman watching closely as the bowl of blood was brought forward for the ceremony. As the scent of bones and raptor flesh blended into the fumes of the smoke, the woman's nose twitched slightly, trying to identify its properties but soon discovered she was unable to. Part of her felt she should be slightly disgusted, given that she was aware of the grisly remains that were laid before her, but yet the rather pleasantness of the smell prohibited her to be. She smiled with fondness at the parents' combined words and expression of love for their daughter, the woman's gaze lingering on Tiny.

Kit’raka dipped her fingers in the blood again, looking down with a smile at her great niece. “Xiao Chun, Vol’raka. What name ja give dis child? Da one ja claim by blood and spirit.”

Xiao’s smile turned into a grin as he looked to Vol, biting his lip in anticipation before happily speaking out. “We bestow upon our daughter the name of Tarja Tian Autumnpaw.” He was practically beaming, the epitome of pride and joy as he stood beside his mate and gazed down at their daughter.

Kagtu struggled to get to his feet, he'd start clapping. living the place up. "Tarja!" He'd lift a fist up. "Tarja! Tarja! Tarja!" He'd chant. man, was he going to remember this? Though.. he sounded full of pride, for someone he only met once.

Tarja Tian Autumnpaw, he liked it! Zyn also decided to join Kagtu in chanting "Tarja! Traja! Tarja!", full of his uncle pride.

Lowenthal merely grinned widely, clearly happy for the two parents and sharing their pride. He began to applaud in tandem with the chanting.

Tal smiled happily as he watched the beautiful ceremony before him, but when Kagtu... and then his own mate began chanting, he just facepalmed and broke into a giggle. He slowly shook his head, just grinning. "Ohhhh gods..." He didn't seem embarrassed in any way, simply incredibly amused.

"Tarja? Oh, what a beautiful name," she commented, nodding with approval. The woman looked to her left and right as the chanting began, a pale brow lofting in confusion. Was this customary at a naming ceremony? She hadn't the slightest clue, and thus she chose to stay quiet, smiling in soft amusement.

There was an audible smack as Draigarth facepalmed. Cheering? "I.. do not know if that is.. entirely.. appropriate?" The pridelord sighed. Rythyren blinked, while Ryleyth muttered. "Kag..." Zul'Jaryn spoke, a low rumble escaping that skull visage. "Calm jaself an Listen.. we ainna done yet boy."

Kit gave the human teen a look then her employer...and went back to working her magics. Medi and Tir looked up at their mother and then to Zul'Jaryn, confused. With a nod and using her thumb, the farseer gave the tiny girl a small brush of blood on her forehead and lines on both sides of her face to mimic her parents. The girl didn’t seem to like the fluid on her face very much letting everyone know her disapproval with a soft cry.

“An’ who ja dedicate ja child to, be et Celestial, Loa or Spirit.” Vol’raka straightened his back, smiling as Tarja wiggled in his arms, still upset at the blood on her face. “She be dedicated ta da Spirit of da Old Shadowhuntah, Vol’jin Darkspeah.”

Kagtu paused. looking like a fish out of water. he'd slowly stop, and chuckle. Muttering a sorry under his breath, but damn, didn't he feel alive today.

Kit nodded, Vol’raka still kneeling down to be at eye level with his mate and aunt. The woman’s voice rang out to the assembled crowd, hands in welcome and looking toward the blue tiger druid. The old troll shifted, gray-haired and Amani in looks, walked forward toward Kit, Vol’raka and Xiao with a blue candle and small box in hand. Kit resumed speaking as she looked to her brother. “En ouah family, dere be traditions. Dis one, da ritual of namin’ passed down fer da generations dat stem from da Zandalari, da people of mah mothah. Fer a male child, a bone rattle be blessed and presented by da fa’da. A female child be gifted two paiahs of golden earrings on ‘er namin’ day. Da first be fer ‘er childhood. Da second be fer when she an adult. Dis traditionally given by da ma’da. Dis a child wit more den one fa’da. Today, dey give ‘er da gift of er earrings.”

The old male druid stood next to the shaman, holding the candle and box, opening it and holding it out to the pandaren. In the box was a silver needle, an ornate golden Pandaren-styled dagger, and two pairs of earrings. Both matched save for size, golden and inlaid on the inside of the hoop with deep green jade. Kit pulled out the needle and spoke, her voice clear and even.

“Xiao Chun, nephew, et be ja place ta complete dis task.” Holding out the long needle and held the candle above the now fussy baby who seemed to know something was going on. “Dis needle be da one what pierced da ears of her ancestahs, aunties, cousins, an’ morah. Et be mah hope dat da same be said fer ja grandchildren, one day.”

Volraka held Tarja as still as he could as he looked toward Xiao, smiling seriously and giving a nod.

Zyn didn't seem ashamed at the chanting, just giving a grin up to Kit as they continued on. He had to admit, the whole ceremony was really interesting to watch!

Xiao offered a small smile and spoke toward those gathered. “I suppose since this is traditionally done by the mother, it makes sense for me to do it, hm? I am not going to be so idealistic as to think we do not all know who is the man and who is the woman in this relationship.” He said with a small chuckle before looking a bit more serious again. He murmured something in Zandali now to Tiny, though loud enough for those gathered to hear if they were listening hard enough and spoke the language. Though it was a bit stilted due to Xiao being a novice with the language, it was still coherent enough to make sense; having likely been coached by his mate. “Godehsi fu flimeff zutopong fus yudo skam ir ting cyaa J craaweh”

((Xiao: “Forgive me, dearest daughter, the pain will be over soon, I promise.”))

After he spoke, he reached for the simple yet beautiful small Pandaren blade and took a small inhale. He closed his eyes and brought the blade to the furred flesh of his palm, biting back a wince as blood slowly dripped down from his hand onto the ground. He let out a breathy sigh and reached for the needle now and carefully held the tip over the lit flame of the candle. After letting the heat sterilize the needle for a few moments, he pulled it away and placed his other hand behind the small earlobe of their daughter. He closed his eyes for a brief moment and let a bright teal energy form around the hand behind her ear, the distinctive essence of Chi gathering around him as he channeled it into their daughter. As he did, he gave a small squeeze in the cartilage of her ear, triggering some small pressure points to numb some of the pain that would soon come. He pulled his hand away now to hold the needle with the unbloodied hand and squeeze his cut hand over the tip. Another wince came with the squeeze as blood dripped out from his hand and coated the tip of the needle thoroughly.(edited)

He switched hands and put the needle between the fingers of the bloodied hand, though making sure to keep the blood from the actual part of the needle he was gripping so it wasn’t slippery, and continued to prepare. With that same hand now, he brought it back to her ear and let the mists gather in preparation before separating his fingers to leave room for the needle. In a split second, he moved the blood-soaked tip of the needle forward with lighting precision and pierced it through the sensitive flesh of their daughter’s earlobe. Immediately an ear splitting cry broke the silence as she still felt pain, even if it was lessened. However, the cry quickly began to dull to a fussy whimpering and whining as Xiao’s mists filled the wound as quickly as it formed. He made sure not to heal it completely, instead simply sealing the flesh back together where the blood was coming from but making sure not to close the actual hole and instead simply cause the flesh to seal itself shut around the needle without adhering to the metal. Once he had healed it enough to slow the bleeding but not so much as to make the needle be stuck, he pulled it back out seamlessly and finished the healing so that only a bit of pink was visible inside of the fresh piercing. He carefully took one of the gold earrings and slid them through the piercing, eliciting another whimper from Tiny before it settled in place and no longer bothered her as the metal stopped moving against the freshly healed flesh. Soon after he repeated the process on the other ear, mirroring his actions perfectly. Heat, numb, coat the needle in his blood, pre-heal, pierce, more screaming, seal the wound, remove needle, insert earring, and one last touch of healing on both and it was done.

While Tiny still fussed a bit, the second touch of healing and soothing mists seemed to be enough to soothe the infant as her fussing slowed mere squirming and unhappily babbling as Xiao nodded to Kit upon being satisfied with his healing job on them, offering their daughter an apologetic smile after. “Now you will always be mine not only in spirit… but in blood as well. Our beautiful little Tarja.”

Ryleyth winced. He did not envy her the pain of that piercing, his own hand briefly going to the delicate amethyst studs he yet wore. and his were far smaller than troll jewelry. He yet fidgeted where he stood, seeming to attempt to avoid touching anyone. Rythyren was wincing, holding a squirming whelp who didn't understand what her friend's cries meant, only that she was in pain, going so far as to feebly scratch at her father's arms. He hushed her softly in draconic, reassuring the small violet creature that everything was alright. Draigarth, too, winced, the memory of a few recent piercings leaving him with sympathy pain, though he was sporting a warm smile at the family that showed before him. Zul'jaryn seemed to be concentrating now, his swirling eyes of blue and amber closing for a moment as he recalled the words and actions he would have to commence soon.

Lowenthal empathized with the small girl; the sound of a baby's cry made his heart ache, and briefly he wondered how Calam was doing back at home before he continued to concentrate on the events.

Kagtu felt a frown, but didn't say anything, wasn't his rules. besides, ear piercing were bad ass. he thinks.

Illustrations of the objects being used for the naming ceremony were scribed into the floating tome while Seilune watched the process closely, her eyes widening and gut twisting a touch upon seeing the procurement of the Pandaren dagger. She acknowledged Kit's words with a nod, knowing that the piercing of a female child's ears was custom for these ceremony, but yet she couldn't fight the grimace that appeared on her countenance. The woman reeled at Tarja's crying, looking to the child with a sympathetic look, the sounds of her wailing making the Shal'dorei's heart ache.

It seemed the tiny troll baby getting her ears pierced didn't bother him, though her crying made him want to calm the poor child. He also wondered how his four kids were doing, though once he looked back and saw Vyn helping with the babysitting of all the kids he knew they were all fine. Poor boy.

When the deed was done, the girl no longer fussing and her pain healed by the skills of her experienced mist weaver father, Kit waved to have them stand to the side as they passed their daughter to the shaman. She bounced the little girl in her arms, smiling at her great niece. “Child, da spirits gonna smile on ja, da be mah sincere wish.” “Xiao Chun, Vol’raka. Who Ja choose ta guard an’ guide should da Loa take ja before she can care fer ‘erself?” Vahari and Reshka came back at this point, the raptor butchered and ready, both clear of blood and clothing changed to simple half shirts and kilts. Reshka moved to stand next to Dumbuss and watch him work, Hari moving to wrap an arm around Shukilo.

Xiao spoke up again now after Vol nodded at him, looking out in the crowd toward those he called the names of. “There are four people we trust with the life of our daughter. There are many we consider close friends, family even, but these four are ones we would trust not only with her life, but even ours if push came to shove. The woman who raised the man I love so much. Kit’raka, daughter of the Redwalker, and her mate Zul'jaryn. The other two are… well, they are my closest friends and they very well may be Vol’s as well.” He said with a smile now. “They are kind, caring, protective, and parents in their own right. Talrethriel and Zynros. Between those four, caring for our daughter if anything ever happened to us… I would have no fear for Tarja’s fate. With your collective knowledge; Darkspear, Frostmane, Thalassian, and all of the worldly knowledge you each have between you. I trust you will raise her well in our absence, Celestials and Loa willing that never happens, but Vol’raka and I instill that trust in all four of you."

With a nod, the farseer called forth the three males that were to be spiritparents to the girl. “Talethriel Shadethorn, Zul’jaryn Frostfirah, Zynros Shadestriker. Ah be called as well. Ah be acceptin’ dis task ta raise Tarja Tian Autumnpaw en da old ways of da Zandalari an Darkspeah, an da edicts of da celestials. Ja accept dis task? Et will be ja charge da rest of ja days an’ er’s."

Tal comes forward as he is called, grinning widely with happiness and a bit of pride at being granted such a honored position in the little girl’s life. He opened his arms as Kit offered Tarja and carefully cradled her against his chest. He was only wearing a kilt, formal at that, but simply a kilt all the same. As such, Tarja felt the warmth of exposed flesh and warmed right up to him, making happy little babbling noises as babies do while the large Sin’dorei held onto her. “I accept the honorable task of raising Tarja Tian Autumnpaw to the very best of my abilities, should the day ever come. While I am neither Darkspear nor Pandaren, I will do my best to teach her the ways of her people, if the time ever comes. Thank you, you two… really. It means a lot.” His smile was warm, his words heartfelt and genuine. He was truly honored. After leaning his head down to give Tarja a little kiss on the forehead, he carefully passed her to the man on his left who happened to be Zul’jaryn.

Taking the child gingerly from the elf, he offered the demon touched fellow a slight nod, before looking down at her. The elemental mage was wearing his finest ceremonial attire, which was to say a full length kilt, beaded halter and thick headdress that rested over his head and about his shoulders. The caster leaned down, smirking slightly. "Lil Tarja be a strong'n.. dis da bones be tellin me.. She be a fightah.. an one ah would be happeh ta teach all o' what ah know, should dere ever be a need. My eyes be seein many a ting. Ah be raised in tha old ways by a darkspear ma'da an ah be trainin her da way ah was trained, should it eva come ta pass. Till Bwonsamdi be takin us all, ya have ma word." Gently, he offered her then to Zynros with a slight nod, his hand once more falling to the leather pouch at his side.

Stepping up to the front, Zyn eyed the crowd, nervous a little bit but just nodded before turning to the tiny troll baby. She wasn’t his, but he already loved her like family. “So uh, I’ve never done this before...I mean ye haven’t either, so here goes.” Clearing his throat, he glanced around and eyed Vol and Xiao before looking back to Tarja. “I, Zynros Shadestriker, accepts the role’a bein’ one’a ye god fathers. I promise te protect ye like me own, te sit ye when ye dads need’a do stuff, te spoil ye like the proud uncle that I am.” He also had a gift for her, his own blessings of sorts (even though the gift of blessings wasn’t happening yet). Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a tiny little braided leather bracelet, carefully putting it around her wrist. “This’s more fer ye parents than fer ye, but with this bracelet, ye dads will always know ye safe.” After he put the tiny bracelet around her wrist, he would hand her back to Vol’raka.

Vol grinned, taking Tarja back as she made noises, she liked looking at the new people. "Ja lil one, ja gonna meet everyone who wantin' ta do so, en a bit." Kit nodded, beckoning each of the three forward to place a line of blood under their right eyes. She brushed a line under her own right eye to match the others. “Ah name us all fouah ta be da guardian’s of dis lil troll. Ja be obliged ta fulfil ja oath ta dese mons an da babe.” She nodded a dismissal to the elves, turning to her own mate, Zul’jaryn. “Ja who be called Uncle ta Vol’raka. Ja been asked ta roll da bones. Ja tell us da fortune of dis girl. What da Loa speak?”

The mage, blue eyes shining a bit in the lowering light, came forward. The book that rested on the altar was set aside a little as the big male moved to kneel on the outer side of the altar. Zul'jaryn knelt and pulled out a bag made of leather. The leather strap, where usually tied with a knot, was held shut by what looked to be a tooth, small and sharp, like that of a young raptor. His hand came out with a pile of what looked to be large chips of bone, dark runes cut into the white polished pieces. He studied the ossein fragments quietly for a moment, a finger scratching his chin as he speaks. One ear twitched, causing the chiming sound of one his chains, marks of Bwonsamdi’s claim on him. It caused one earring to clatter as he ducked his head, looking closely at the three that came first to his sight.

"Da first be As Or Os. Action, Thought, Inspirin' Enthusiasm. Et brin wisdom and favah da intellectual. She gonna go through a time where ever'tin' be about Talking, discussin'. Time be comin' where knowledge be necessary, more den we all be knowin. Tarja be needin' ta listen tadem what be know ta be wise an' informed en da ways of da world. She do dis, et be a positive fer all involved. Patience gonna be a powahful ting fer dis lil life.

Da second be Is. She gonna need ta learn ta stand back. Sometime et be where et best ta not take action. Too many tings get en da way." His hand waves from side to side, as if sweeping things from before his vision. "Things will be troubled, en many ways. En dat time, et be a time ta wait, ta watch. She gonna know when et time ta take action, ef she listen ta wisdom of 'er own an othas."

He moved his finger to a third bone, smiling. "Ger Or Gar, da third. Transition. Heraldin' da end of dark times. Ever'ting happen en ets own times. She gonna have ta learn ta adapt. Be a willow, not a mighty tree. Da reward be worth et when she able ta do dis. Adapt an' be calm when tings be gettin' crazy. En' da end, She gonna use dem skills ta do great tings en da name of 'er people. One day, she gonna help bring change. Othas be involved, but she gonna be one what help wit da change." "May one day, lil Tarja, ja help right da wrongs. Be kind ef ja gotta impose ja will. Bein' a good person be hardah den ja tink, but ja loa, ja spirit reward en dey time."

“Now, dis be da time fer blessin’s. From da Fa’das, da spirits, da guardians, and Ja. Ja what be ‘ere considered family en some way ta dis new family. Et be time fer ja ta speak should ja wish. Et not be required of da family, but et mebe nice fer a lil hello da ‘er? Come wit’in da circle, be careful of er’ head when she given ta ja fer ‘er blessin’s. Some of ja be from otha traditions an’ faiths. En dis place, dem blessin’s welcome and wanted.” Kit chuckled softly as she stood to the side with Zul’jaryn, their own sons sitting remarkably quietly next to them, but just inside of the circle with their parents.

Vol moved to take Tarja back from his Aunt, sitting on his haunches, pulling Xiao to stand next to him.

“Mah Tarja. Daughtah. Ah, Ja Papa Vol'raka and ja Ba Xiao Chun, choose and gift ja da name Tarja Tian. Ah declare myself to be one who will teach you the old ways of da Loa, Zandalari an da Darkspeah. We be helpin’ ta guide ja path and care fer ja until ja ready ta do fer jaself. As we be settin’ ouah foot upon dis path wit’ ja, we be promisin’, ta Loa an’ Celestials both, dat we be givin’ ja what knowledge we be possessin’ and hope dem what witness dis be doin’ da same.

Wit raptor's blood we grant ja courage, wisdom, patience an’ strength of will. Wit dese virtues, may ja fight for ja Loa, protect dem what be ja’s an’ be successful en ja walk en dis world an othas.” The troll mon passed her to her Ba, smiling down at Xiao Chun as he kissed both his daughter and mate on their foreheads.

Janaret smiled from the side, looking at his little family, grinning proudly.

While his mate was holding Tarja, Xiao picked up a nearby sealed box and carefully opened it, setting each of the seemingly mundane objects in four distinct places. One East, one North, one West, and one South. Upon finishing his preparation, Xiao took Tarja back from his mate and gazed down at her, such love in his eyes as he spoke. “I, your Ba, Xiao Chun, declare myself to be one of the ways of Pandaria. Even as Troll blood courses through you, you will be just as Pandaren as those who are furred head to toe. I promise to teach you in your Ba's ways, to pass along our ancestral knowledge and show you how to live your life to its fullest, under the Celestials and Loa both." He smiled down at the relics he had placed and continued. "With these four relics of the August Celestials, a tuft of fur from Niuzao, a shed scale of Yu'Lon, a broken claw of Xuen, and a lost feather of Chi-Ji, we grant you the fortitude of the Black Ox, the foresight of the Jade Serpent, the agility of the White Tiger, and the mindfulness to keep your hope burning as bright as the Red Crane against all odds."

Azul’ana did not take the babe, but her spirit moved to stand before Xiao Chun as he held the child in his arms. “Great granddaughter. Great things will come from you, equally great things expected. There will be happiness and tragedy, wonders and pitfalls. None here can nor should shield you from that adversity, for because of it you will grow like a flower in sand. Never forget to grow.”

With that she moved to float behind the altar.

The beautiful kimono-clad Pandaren spirit moved forward to stand before her son and her granddaughter, smiling down at them now. As she spoke now, more than her simple announcing of her presence before, those gathered would hear where Xiao got the melodic undertone to his voice. Mei Ling had a voice that sounded like music on the wind, sweet and rich, gentle and soothing to the ears. The smile on her face carried to her words, making the harmonious notes of her words that much more euphonic. “My dear granddaughter, while I may not be living and breathing beside you, I will always be there to watch over you…” She paused to look at Xiao, her eyes sparkling with joy. “... and you.” She then looked to Vol. “All of you, in this beautiful family. Your life will be filled with more love and compassion than you will know what to do with and I know that you will become an amazing woman with an even more incredible soul. The Celestials smile upon this one… and your life will reflect that. Never forget that you have the love and support of those in the realm of the living and beyond. Your mama Mei will always watch over you.” Her smile only widened now as she stared down at the baby girl for a moment before offering one last lingering look toward her son only for him to return it with a grin of sheer joy as she moved back to stand behind the altar. Xiao didn’t even hide the tears that were streaming down his face. He was too happy to care.

The masked spirit came forward, smiling down at his youngest granddaughter. “There were ones before you, there will be others after you. Forget about none of them. All will have something to teach you. You will have something to teach them. Lessons come in many ways, granddaughter. Teach and Learn. And, don’t forget to laugh.” His spirit moved to stand behind the altar, all three watching.

Tal came forward now, Xiao smiling at him and offering his daughter over to the Illidari carefully. Tal cradled her against his chest again, more happy babbling coming from her at the unusual warmth of his skin against her. He couldn’t help but to chuckle a bit. “You beautiful little girl… you are truly lucky to have such a loving family. No matter the strife, no matter what mess life may throw at you… I know that you will always have this entire village of loving people to hold you up and make you strong enough to face anything. I am more than honored to be part of that village, to be able to be part of your little family as one of your spiritfathers. Whether you need, no matter the time, no matter the place… I will always be there, all you need to do is call. Celestials, Loa, and whatever other Pantheon may be looking… this one is special… and I know they know it. You are going to have an important life, little one. You deserve it.” With that, he smiled and carefully passed her off to Kit as she came up next.

Kit came forward, holding Tarja yet again in her arms. Her words were in Orcish, soft and sung as a lullaby would be to her own two sons. “Da loa keep ja safe, Ja heart guarded from harm, ja blood strong. One day ja grow ta fight fer what ja believe en. Dat could be da path of da motha, da path of da warriah, da path of da healin’ crone. Whatevah et be, little Tarja, we all ‘ere ta help ja.” She said a few more words in Zandali that caused Vol’raka to give her a look and the Spirit that was once Un’lai cough. “Deh'yo dim J skam difus wha fu yu so han smadda fu ir smadda fu fu Iyaz Deh deh yahsoda worl m t'ief ting fu deh fus'obeah Wha skam deh ackee fi fus craaweh fu ting.”

"Tarja, ja gonna go on ta great tings. Ah be a creature of da Loa of graves. One day we all gonna meet 'em eat at 'is table. Dat inevitiable. When ja go, make sure ja sent many before ja."

Zyn took baby Tarja into his arms to hold her close to himself, smiling down to her. "Tiny...Tarja. I'm not as good with words as ye Uncle Tal, but I as I said before, ye part'a me family an' that means ye under the protection of Shadestriker. May the Shadows ever be beneath ye, give ye a place te hide if ye need it, give ye safe haven from dangers that may lurk. An' know that when ye be old enough, if ye wantin', I'll teach ye how te be one with the shadows." Leaning in, he kissed the girl on the forehead before handing her over to Kit with a nod.

Rythyren perked his ears, listening, thankful that when Tarja had stopped crying. After a moment, he spoke softly, with a smile. "If.. I may?... I have you lovely gentleman but a short time, however I find myself fond of you, if for nothing else than you have given someone very dear to me a new friend, and I think, perhaps, lifelong, if she has anything to say about it. As you may be aware, I hide little about what I am.. I am yet young, my youngest, however, has an eternity ahead of her." Mox'tilek perked up, before squeeking out softly. "Can I be with Tarja now?" Her snoot wiggled and a tiny serpentine tongue blepped out from where she rested in her father's arms. The entire display made Ryleyth giggle, if a bit hesitantly. The delicate magister, crossed his arms over his chest as he did so, his head down and his ears back, a flush to his cheeks. Draigarth was amused as well, though he wrapped an arm around Lowenthal, clearly something on his mind, but he wasn't talking, as he glanced sideways at his beloved.

Kit wandered to Zyn, standing next to him. "Now fer all da assmebled, et be ja time ta say hello, ef ja wantin'. Step up an be speakin' ja words as ja be seein' fit. An ja can aftah everyone who wants ta has held er, lil ting." Kit now waited for whomever came up to hold her and speak.

Tal watched everything play out, grinning at the little whelpling and her incredibly adorable display. However, his gaze remained on Ryleyth the longest. Seeing the man giggle, show any sign of happiness at all really, it was something that made the Illidari incredibly happy to witness again.

Shukilo shifted from foot to foot, looking to Vahari for guidance."If et be de time for meh to speak, ah ave a gift for de family o de babe. De Loa I revere bade me make dis for jah, and ah know bettah dan ta disabeh de masta of shapes." Striding over, he collected the large hide-wrapped parcel and carried to rest before the family. Slowly he unwrapped the package, revealing a stone plinth much like the ones seen for the fallen in Pandaria. Almost three feet tall, its sloping rectangular form was topped by a silver-and-steel bowl for incense, and its base was almost a foot wide and nearly square. engraved on all four sides of it was a modified version of the Darkspear spear-and-shield that would take a moment to Identify. At the foot of the front was a metal weapon bracket, empty as Shukilo unwrapped a beautiful stone and silver mockup of of a specific glaive, of which no other quite like it had been known to exist. Reverently, he placed it in the bracket, and then stepped back and proclaimed "By order of Gonk, de master of shapes, ah shrine ta da fallen chieftain o' de Darkspear ta watch over ya home."

Vol bowed, looking to his sister and his brother-in-law of a sort. "Ah be tankin' ja, Dis be a blessin' on mah family, Shu'kilo, an ja too, Sistah."

Lowenthal smiled at his beloved. What do you think, love? Quite touching... I almost wish we had given Calam something like this. He communicated to his husband via thought, and through their link he wondered what the ranger was thinking.

Seilune stepped forward as the invitation for others to come forward and given their blessings to Tarja was made, the woman gingerly taking the child and cradling her in her arms as she spoke broadly. “Friends and family of this beautiful child, I am Lady Seilune Astrande. I thank all of you for the humble invitation to bear witness to Tarja’s naming ceremony, as well as for being welcoming of me. I have no tutelary deity that I follow. In fact, many of my people have abandoned the religion of old over the span of ten thousand years. But with that being said, I bestow best wishes and tidings onto Xiao, Vol’raka, Tarja, and all of you gathered here today. May this child always walk an illuminated path, one that is paved with success and strength, and that each and every one of us can give her the love and help that she needs to fulfill her goals and wishes.” A lilac gaze swept slowly to the child, resting on her cheerful visage before fluttering shut. The Shal’dorei pressed her nailed thumb upon the child’s forehead, and as she did so, the sound of soft Shalassian could be heard emitting from between the woman’s lips. “E’rath omnas…” Intricate, leyline tattoos inscribed across her periwinkle skin shifted to an amethyst hue as she muttered the incantation, a prismatic barrier of arcane engulfing Tarja’s form before becoming invisible. “I have placed a shield upon the child, one that is invisible to the naked eye to protect her from any and all that could, Titans forbid, attempt to do her harm.” Before passing Tarja to the next person who wished to speak, Seilune conjured a leyblossom with a quick flick of her wrist, carefully tucking the efflorescent flower behind the child’s pointed ear. “Erana-dora isil.”

Vol smiled, Tarja making a happy little newborn noise at the flower. "Ah tank ja, Lady Astrande."

Reshka came forward, taking Tarja and bouncing her a little. “I’m your cousin, Reshka. I hope that anything I teach you will at least be positive. I hope you have a far easier time keeping your temper than I ever have. You should know that you have a great big family who loves you and will help guide you. There will be punishments, and rewards. Life’s not easy, Tarja. The family who you choose as yours will help you through.”

Draigarth smiled softly. It would have been nice, yes... but... perhaps.. He glanced towards Rythyren, thoughtfully for a moment, before glancing back to Lowenthal. Perhaps... ah.. nevermind.... this is hardly the time.. He responded in kind.

Lowenthal lifted a brow, looking concerned. If you say so... but would you tell me later?

Xiao remained silent, watching the ceremony with a proud smile... but then Seilune's magical display made his eyes widen a bit and an impressed look crossed his features. The conjured flower caught his attention the most, grinning widely and having to resist from reaching out to touch it. "It is beautiful, and so is that gesture. Thank you, really."

It's nothing bad my love, I promise.. just.. ideas... He blushed , ducking his head and offering another smile.

Sam steps forth and takes the baby, uncapping a tiny bottle of scented oil and anointing each cheek with a little. "I offer to you two gifts: the ferocity of Goldrinn, and the peace of the Light. May your heart always know the balance between them, and may you never lack for the courage to do what you feel is right." He kisses her forehead to seal the blessing, and passes her on.

Tsal, the orange-haired brother of Vol’raka smiled as he held the youngest of his niece. “Ah be ja Uncle Tsal. Ah not got much ta say, but May da Eart’motha guide ja en er wisdom.”

The cryomancer looked rather relieved, and smiled. "As long as you are untroubled... I think I will go congratulate the parents and meet the baby." He planted a kiss on the ranger's forehead, and stepped away into the gathering, waiting his turn patiently to meet the youngling.

Dumbuss got up and walked up the the young one, smiling wide with a box in hand. Opening it slowly, he addressed the babe as he handed an ornate mechanical raptor in Zandalari styling To Vol. "Dumbuss bring companion thingy for little one. Give to papas for now. will be fun for you when are allowed to play with later. Will help protect too. Dumbuss is with Reshka, you ever need Dumbuss, Dumbuss will smash things for you."

Reshka grinned. "Awww its cute! Dumbuss, no smashing one elf with other elf..."

"Well.. I mean.. Can't argue with the outcome of last time.." Jested Draigarth with a low chuckle.

Lowenthal glanced over at the mag'har woman. "Ah, that story certainly has made its rounds, hasn't it..."

"They are mated.. I'm certain he bragged about it.." Draigarth smirked.(edited)

The little Mag'har smiled. "Oh Runda and Harken have even been regaled of THAT Exploit!"

Lowenthal exclaimed. "The only one allowed to smash Draigarth here is me."

"LOWEN!" Now the pridelord was blushing.

Dumbuss spoke. "Need help 'frostypants'?"

The cryomancer grinned devilishly, but the gesture was countered by an innocent grin.

A bright redhaired male came forward, “Ah be Ja Uncle Jura. Ah hope ja like mangoes.” He gave a chuckle as he held the tiny sleepy child. “Ja got two good fa’das. Ja got all dese people ‘ere ta see ja. May ja one day find ja place an’ ja footin’. An' et sound like ja got an interestin' otha side da family as et be.."

Rythyren cleared his throat, covering mox'tilek's head. "PLEASE...."

Xiao made a quiet 'Oooh' as he saw the raptor, deciding to hold it for his mate for now. It was his curiosity that got the better of him as he found a little dial to turn and promptly began to turn it and set it down to see what it actually did.

"Of course not!" The mage let out a harrumph, flipping his ponytail over his shoulder.

Janaret: “Tarja, Ah am Janaret. A am new to your family, and newer to your life than you are. Ah am welcomed by your fathers as theirs, welcomed as a new love in their life. They welcome me as father to you as well. I hope to be a good one, a good member of your family, So Zutopong."

Zyn moved from the group crowding around the baby over to his own kids on the far side with the babysitter and Vyn to check up on them all as well as bring Luna and Balore and Ely back over now that the scent was gone. "Hey, Tarja, why don'tcha meet ye cousins? This's Luna an' Balore." Holding a baby in each arm, he held them up to the troll baby and whoever was holding her.

As the raptor was set down, it whirred and clicked, its eyes flashing red, then yellow, then green and finally to blue. Looking around, it cocked its head one way, then the other, and let loose a tiny roar as it scampered around through peoples feet.

Lowenthal peered over shoulders in order to see the child, letting out a soft "aww".

Hari held Tarja up to see the babies, the infant very interested in looking at EVERYTHING. “Ah be Ja Auntie Vahari. Bwonsamdi guide ja. May all da Loa smile. Make sure da firah en ja belly nevah go out. Fight fer et.”

Vol laughed, kneeling down and looking at the raptor. "Can ja make em.. full size?"

"... Oh Celestials, wait come back!" Xiao said as he hurriedly tried to scamper after the construct, looking to snatch it up and try to turn it off.

“Ah be ja Uncle Venyabi. Not seen ya before this day, little one. Mah blessin’ be simple. Ef all ja can save en dis world be one, be sure et be jaself. Nevah set jaself on firah ta keep anyone warm. Remembah othas, but not forget jaself.” The othre redhaired male grinned down at the girl before He and Tsal dragged Jura off. They would be found by the fire, drinking beer and roasting pieces of raptor and Tsal inspecting the hide.

Dumbuss nodded once, then looked thoughtful. "Expensive, need to keep light. Would need lots of special metals and would want actual hide from large dinos."

A moment into the mad scramble after the raptor, it was floating above the pandaren's head, shrouded in a glow that bordered violet and a firey orange, as Ryleyth's hand held outstretched, golden eyes glowing as he concentrated on holding it still. "Missing something?"

"Ja an Ah gonna talk latah, Cousin." Vol nodded at Dumbuss and Reshka smirking.

"I didn't necessarily prepare a fancy speech or anything, but could I hold her for a moment?"

Hari handed Tarja over, letting Lowen hold the wiggling infant.

Xiao hadn't even noticed it was off the ground until he heard the whirring of the gears above his head and looked up. He chuckled and reached up for it, smiling as he recognized that hue of magic. He looked over to Ryleyth and nodded. "Thank you, yes. I did not realize how fast that little thing could run." He looked to Dumbuss now. "This is nicely made, Tarja will love it. I am more intrigued with it than I should be as well, but some things can't be helped, hm?" He said with a playful little glint in his eyes before he finally turned the knob the other way to cease its whirring and running.

Ever so carefully, the mage took her into his arms and held her close. As he stared down at her, he could only think of one thing: don't make her cold, don't make her cold... He smiled, cooing softly. "Hello there, pretty lady... look at how lucky you are, surrounded by love and warmth."

Rythyren smirked slightly, padding forwards a bit, before murmuring quietly to Vol'raka. "I.. did bring you something as well..." He paused for a moment, before offering a small package. "This... may help.. when her teeth begin to press farther..." The small semi-squishy object looked like a leather pouch, shaped to look like a Zandalari mask, cool to the touch, clearly enchanted.

Vol reached out to take the pouch. "Dis bet bettah den booze on 'er gums."

Lowenthal rocked the child gently, beginning to regret having not brought a gift. After mulling it over a few moments, his eyes lit up with an idea. Balancing Tarja in one arm, he used his other hand to conjure something made of ice -- it was a small rattle, the handle shaped like an icicle. He let the baby observe it. "This is enchanted so that the cold will not bother her, but it is very delicate. If it breaks, I can make a new one without issue."

Tal waited for Lowen to finish his greeting before heading over. "May I?" He asked kindly once he finished, taking the little bundle into his arms now. “Perfect little Tarja… I am your uncle Talrethriel, one of your spirit fathers. Whenever you need help, support, advice on men even… who knows maybe you will like the Shimmerweed as much as two of your spirit fathers do.” He said with a small chuckle now. “You already have my heart even so soon after your birth. I always told Zyn children were hit and miss for me, but our beautiful twins, our wonderful Elysara, and now you… you all are a wonderful exception to that rule. I could not love any of you more if I tried and I look forward to getting to know you for the rest of your life.” He gave her a playful little boop on the nose and smiled before passing her off to the next person.

After Tal finished his speech, an unfamiliar form to almost everyone would appear near the back. An older, grizzled Pandaren with the more traditional black and white fur, spotted with bits of grey edging on the black, observed from the shadows. He was dressed in full Shado-pan formal wear, his full uniform with the low-brim hat, a large glaive strapped to his back with an ornate dragon acting as the head with the blade coming out of its mouth. He cleared his throat and stepped forward from the shadows now, speaking in an even more accented Orcish than Xiao did. “I… would like to introduce myself.” He said tentatively, staring at Xiao. Xiao’s mouth just about fell open, gaping slightly as he stared at the older man. “I-... ah… yes, please.” He said quietly, gesturing for Tal to hand Tarja over to the mysterious Pandaren. Tal seemed uncertain, but he nodded and brought the small girl over to the Pandaren as he moved to the front of the group of onlookers who had either already given their speech or were waiting to do so. The Pandaren took the child and held her against his chest, the cool leather seeming to not bother her much. He cleared his throat and spoke up. “Tarja… I am your grandfather, Lin Xuen Autumnpaw.” He a took hard swallow and offered a small smile, looking almost a bit choked up yet slightly conflicted. “I… have made my share of mistakes in life, with your father. I… look to fix those with you.” His speech was stilted as he spoke, odd pauses here and there as he tried to find the right words in Orcish without anything coming out wrong. “I may have had trouble coming to terms with… what your father chooses to do with his life, in truth, I still do. You… my granddaughter, are far too important and far too precious to let any of that get in the way of me meeting you. I am sure your fathers and I will have a long discussion after this, but right now all that matters is you and that you know… your Yeye.”(edited)

He smiled now, looking up to Xiao. “Thank you, for… inviting me.” He bowed his head slightly before offering the little girl back to her Ba. “I… am honored to meet my granddaughter.” Xiao looked like he had just seen Vol’jin come back to life, do a little dance, and then shapeshift into one of the Celestials. The shock was apparent on his features. It was only upon Tarja being given back that he snapped out of it and took her into his arms. He took a slow inhale and nodded at his father, offering a tentative smile. “I am glad you could make it. Shocked, but… glad.” It was only then the spirit of Mei Ling let out a scoffing chuckle, giving her husband all kinds of side-eye. “He knew he better come or I would go and haunt his Shado-pan tiger everyday to the point of it bucking him off every time he tried to ride it had he not.” She spoke rather hurriedly in Pandaren now, fluent and exotic, the tone pointed. “Nǐ zhīdào wǒ bùnéng xiāngxìn nǐ děngle zhème jiǔ cái jiēshòu nǐ wéiyī de érzi. Suǒyǒu zhè yīqiè dōu shì wèile nǐ yúchǔn de chuántǒng, méiyǒu rén guānxīn. Nǐ hěn xìngyùn, wǒ bùnéng dǎ nǐ yúchǔn de móhú de tóu…” Xiao had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing, the noise still escaping him as his father paled before chuckling a bit as well. “I forgot how feisty your mother is.” He murmured to Xiao before the ginger-furred male nodded back. “So did I. I have not heard one of those berratings in a very long time.” After a shared smile, Lin cleared his throat and looked at those gathered. “I will go back to the crowd, I… will see you after, I would guess.” With that, he turned back to the crowd and snuck back into the shadows of it to let the introductions continue as he watched silently.(edited)

Vol just kinda.. blinked, looked down at his furred mate, looked at the spirit again and spoke. "Dunno Pandaren... but.. she mad." Janaret smirked, nodding. "His mother is.. displeased."

Vol’raka stood, Xiao in front of him, their daughter in the Pandaren’s arms and a bottle of goats milk being devoured by the tiny creature. He spoke first in Zandali to his family.

“J ju cyaa is caang wha J iyaz honnah iman bwoyar ting oondasta Fidong sca Craaweh iman bwoyar ting reespek deh wha Ju wha deh ir ackee fu ting wehnehjo J iyaz difus Worl Noh saakes ju dim skam riva or'manley riva siame fu fus duti Ju iman tor han wassa wehnehjo honnah wassa Tor han worl J iyaz cyaa Wha sca Duti skam iman difus han smadda wassa deh difus han whutless J craaW Caang wha deh wehnehjo fu fu wi'mek quashi is cyaa is iman dim.”

((Vol: I, we, want to thank you. I know coming here caused some conflict. Zulana and Alashzu have caused some trouble for you. We may not be close as some families. I know since Mama Azu passed, we all just.. scattered like seeds in the wind. We have our own lives, families, people, loves. Our own ways. I know soon Kit and Hari will have their own naming rites for their own children. I just… Thank you for thinking of me highly enough to come to this one))

His words changed to Orcish, the words far less well pronounced, but carrying. “Tank ja, ones who may not be blood, but be family. Ah be raised wit da teachin’s of Family ja be born ta an’ family ja choose. Ah happy ta call all dat come taday family of mah choosin’. We be happy ta see ja here and hope ja consider us a small part of ja family too. Now..” Blue hands clapped together softly, even that upsetting his apparently hungry daughter. “Tarja be awake at leas’. Xiao be havin’ dinnah prepared ef ja wanna eat. Meet new frien’s, dance round da fiah. Ef ja curious, Da Raptah, be name of Tigah. He feed ja dis evenin’. But der Rice an’ vegetables fer dem what not like etin’ raptah.”

When everyone did make it over to the food, they would find that alongside the raptor was a medley of Pandaren vegetables as well as freshly steamed rice. The rice had a very unique flavor, jasmine most prominently but there was something more exotic and slightly bitter. To those with a trained palate, they would be able to identify it as being Golden Lotus, the rice apparently having been steeped in the sacred Pandaren herb to bless the meal before being flavored with jasmine for taste. It was all masterfully made, the raptor counterbalancing the delicate flavors of the Pandaren cuisine with the wonderfully biting spices of Darkspear cooking. All in all, it would be delicious all around!

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imsfire2 · 6 years

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Writing meme

RULES: List the openings of the last ten stories you published. Look to see if there are any patterns that you notice yourself, and see if anyone else notices any! Then tag some friends.

I was tagged by @atthelamppost – thank you for tagging me!

1 By stardust and moonlight

“I know you’re out there,” Jyn Erso says to the open door, and the wolf beyond it.

The creature’s been hovering round her cottage all day, and so far has made no attempt either to hide itself, or to attack. It’s no normal beast of the wild woods, this, though she’s not yet sure what it is. But talking to it is certainly worth a try.

Her home stands on the edge of the forest, in a dell sheltered from the north-east wind by the embrace of the trees, and hidden from the eyes of soldiers, and worse, by the hunched spine of moorland and the broken land and marshes in the south. Any company she needs, she goes to; no human soul comes here, not without her permission, and very precise directions. Yet the place tends to attract strange creatures like this; the place, or she herself. There’s probably a shine of magic on her like a full galaxy’s light, could she but see it. But though the stardust of her power makes her fingertips tingle and the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, it’s invisible to human vision.

2 A table at the wedding

“We shouldn’t have been put here,” Jyn hisses. “We’re near the front. It’s not right.”

Her neighbour leans down a little to answer. Okay, perhaps more than a little. Cassian has had a few drinks and his hair is in a mess, his collar open, his eyes mild and smiling. “Not right? - how?”

“Up here it should be – close friends. We ought to be on the back table.”

At least she’s not so drunk as to say family. The groom has none and the bride has only her brother. Besides Han and Leia, and Luke acting as best man to both bride and groom, the top table is occupied by Chewie, Mothma and Admiral Ackbar, and Threepio embarrassedly passing dishes to and fro.

3 Epiphany and cake

The first thing that hits Cassian as they come out of the terminal, hauling their wild assortment of luggage and looking around for the promised eight-seater mini-bus-cab, is the temperature. It must be a good 16 or 17 degrees C here. And okay, that isn’t hot; but after weeks of northern European winter temperatures, culminating in the astonishing beauty and fairy-tale sparkle of a snow-bound German Christmas, the temperature he confidently described as cold in October now feels astonishingly warm. Balmy, even. It’s comical; within minutes he’s perspiring in his jacket, and he hasn’t so much as looked at the parka stuffed in the top of his cabin bag.

The sky had gradually cleared as they flew south. First there were small breaks in the white, that allowed him glimpses of the Croatian coast with its lace of islands; then another bank of solid cloud, as brilliant as the snow over Saxony, and for over an hour the ground was hidden again. But as they started to descend the cloud cover broke for good, like a clean line swept across the air, and the mountains came into view, rough gold and grey, bleakly rocky and definitely snowless. Every ridge seemed to be lined with wind turbines, turning steadily in the clear air. The valleys and coastal plains were startlingly green, the sea an assertive deep blue; fine golden roads looped between small towns like red and white tile mosaic, with an occasional glint of turquoise glass where a swimming pool caught the light.

4 Out of darkness (Solo Quiero Caminar fic – all the rest are Rogue One)

So, he watches her.

The street is dark, and she is walking into the dark; he isn’t quite sure where the borders of the darkness lie, in the pools of streetlight or in himself. His eyes aren’t working quite right anymore, and he clings on to the last sweet thing he will see, clings to the sight of her walking, as his brain clings to the last sweet thing it will know, the memory (remember me remember me) the memory of her body her lips the sadness in her eyes…

The blood running down his hip and pooling in the plastic seat is sickly, stickily hot and he is beginning to feel numb inside, the pain putting itself at a distance from him.

The street is dark, and Aurora walks into the dark, and he goes into the dark watching her.

5 In the mountains

There’s still snow on the ground at this altitude, and the grey cloud cover seems to come steadily closer to her as she climbs. Steadily, and faster than it properly should. It’s almost as if it’s creeping downslope towards her. Pretty soon she’ll be enveloped in it. Already the damp in the air is snaking inside her jacket, pinching at her old throat.

Well, so serve her right for volunteering. All very well to acknowledge the twitch of guilt that comes when she looks at them, that tiny remnant of the Resistance, a few dozen beings with fear and hope in their eyes, without letting herself get sucked into joining them. She could just have commiserated and offered a few quiet supply routes. Instead of putting on her stoutest boots and actually marching out. Time was, when she was a settled businesswoman, she’d have had more common sense.

Time was, she could have paid someone young and fit to do this job. Why the hells the old fighter had to choose a place like this for a hideaway…

6 Home is where you start from

Jyn holds her hands out to the official. Waits patiently and with a face of practiced unconcern while they scan her palms and the pads of her fingers.

She has to discipline her expression slightly more when she’s offered a swab and a sealable tube. There were too many years of hiding for it to be easy even now to surrender this data casually. Even more than her hand-prints, her DNA could be used to identify her. But the records-search can’t be completed without a clear and unequivocal ID.

Cassian, beside her, reaches out under the counter-top. He squeezes her tense right hand briefly as she takes the swab in her left. Jyn gives him a quick smile.

7 Shh…

She’s muttering Shh, shh, shh sleepily, rocking in the old upright chair, and there’s a sudden warm light and movement in her peripheral vision. She looks up, to Cassian leaning in the doorway, watching them.

Esperanz has fallen asleep again, his nightmare gone, the warmth of her body a safety and a strength to ease his little heart. She rocks him very gently as he clutches reflexively on her shirt. Tiny toddler fingers, iron grip. Heavy limbs, heavy head, sweaty brow pressed into her collarbone, sweaty curls under her hand.

The lamplight streams round Cassian and silhouettes him, but she can tell he’s smiling even in the shadows.

8 Advice

All the Jedhan survivors look to Chirrut and Baze as parental figures and sources of counsel. Outside of senior command levels elders of any race are in short supply in the rebellion, and sometimes you need the advice of an elder, both for personal questions and for practical things you simply don’t know how to do. Things it would be hard to ask an admiral, even one as approachable as Ackbar.

It can be a little awkward at times.

Baze does his best, patiently determined either to have an answer or to find one, or to find someone else who can. He never knows when someone may turn up, hovering at his side, with their anxious eager eyes and random medical questions, and moral and domestic and childcare questions and Oh, it’s frustrating but he does what he can… Stain removal, how to cook Argussian spinach, can you still eat old cheese if you cut off the mouldy bits? Sometimes it flat-out stuns him, the things people think he’ll know.

9 A custom of poetry

Jyn is writing, and for a few moments, with the tip of her tongue caught between her lips, she feels as though she can do this. How hard can it be to say what she has to, in a poetic way?

She reads through the handful of words on the screen.

Winces. Deletes.

Tries again.

10 Pain

It galls Jyn to admit it, but she’d find her injury easier to bear if it had happened in the line of duty. But to have taken up a bed in med-bay and a doctor’s time, to be using precious analgesics, when all she did was over-extend helping to move a console out of the briefing room; it’s just humiliating.

Right now, she’s doped up like a tantaun on a transport. She can move about her quarters, she can walk and lie down, and bend into a seat if she takes her time about it. Just. But her back isn’t going to get better for a good while, and krif it, it’s no good, she needs the painkillers.

(I’m ignoring “Fifty words from a journey underground” because as that follows the fifty single-sentence mini-fics formula it doesn’t really have a beginning in the normal sense).

So...

Patterns/common themes/shared qualities errrr

I’m finding it surprisingly hard to spot any. I seem to like to start either with description, or with a line or two of dialogue and then description immediately after. Scene setting rather than jumping straight into action or plot. Also I tend to open with one of my weaknesses, a rather long sentence.

Tagging @gloriouswhisperstyphoon, @skitzofreak, @thenewleeland, @bright-elen

#writing meme #patterns & common themes of fic openings #interesting meme #thank you for tagging me

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thenestearlyeducationcentre · 2 years

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Habits Your Little One Can Adapt At A Childcare Centre

You must have noticed how your kids react when they see something new around them. This is a sign that their brain is processing that activity and trying to get their minds around it. This mostly happens with toddlers as their brain is the most active during those years, which makes them learn things at a faster pace than others. This is why you must enrol your little one in a childcare centre on Gold Coast so the teachers there can help them polish the things they are trying to learn.

A childcare centre is not about teaching the kids subjects related to education or their syllabus. But, it includes teaching them practical things that they can practice or come across in their day to day lives. Let us have a look at how Southport’s childcare centre can help your children bring out the best in them.

Indoor facilities

The childcare centre aims to create a safe and comfortable space for your little ones. Children learn the best when they are in a familiar atmosphere. The ambience is created according to their choice so that they feel happy there.

Outdoor facilities

To be among nature is also important for children. At a childcare centre, it is made sure that the kids spend enough time outside their classroom. The teachers engage kids to go on swings, play around with friends, and sit under a tree to listen to stories. All these activities are supported because outdoor interaction is also an important part of kids’ development.

Healthy eating

When kids are taught something, they do not take up much time to learn it because their brain is still moulding. So, when you teach kids the importance of eating green veggies in a fun way, they definitely adapt to eating them. At home, we cannot make sure that the little one is eating healthy, but in Southport’s childcare centre, it is made sure that the kids learn to eat every vegetable.

Better interaction

When kids gel up with other kids of their age, they develop a bond in no time. This is not because they like them but because they feel comfortable as their thought process matches with one another. This helps the toddlers to interact without hesitation, which is a good sign for the future.

A childcare centre focuses on kids' mental as well as physical development. They also develop motor skills like hand and eye coordination, which makes them a step ahead to face the world and be future-ready. The Nest Early Education Centre aims at furbishing the kids with excellence from the very beginning. We make sure to create a familiar and happy vibe for your little one and appreciate them in every manner possible.

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zeeinstore · 4 years

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The 50 Most Beautiful Words in the English Language—And How to Use Them

While Romance languages like Portuguese and French might get all the glory for his or her aesthetically pleasing words and phrases, there is a lot to be said for the sweetness of the English language, too. After all, it's English that brings us such stunning showstopper words as ethereal and effervescent, euphoria, and demure. So if you are feeling inclined to extend your vocabulary—and make it as easy on the ears as possible—then you're certain a serendipitous surprise. We've rounded up the foremost beautiful words within the English that are bound to cause you to absolutely ebullient.

1. Petrichor The Greek words for "stone" and therefore the "ethereal blood of the gods" combine to offer us a wonderfully beautiful term for the way the world smells after it rains. Scientists have spent decades trying to work out exactly why that smell is so pleasing; actually, two are credited for coining "petrichor" during a 1964 Nature article.

2. Sumptuous Meaning "extremely costly, rich, luxurious, or magnificent," the word "sumptuous" are often wont to describe anything from a five-star vacation to your favorite fluffy blanket.

3. Angst If you've woken up with a prevailing sense of hysteria about how the day will go, you'll say you're experiencing some angst. it isn't a pleasing feeling, but the word for it, which dates back to the eighth century, does have a particular soothing sound.

4. Aesthete An aesthete, consistent with Merriam-Webster, is "one having or affecting sensitivity to the gorgeous especially in art." you would possibly be one if you're frequently moved by sculptures and paintings…or if you pretend to be for the sake of people. Either way, the word may be a joy to mention.

5. Nadir An astronomical term that's been co-opted for colloquial usage, nadir means rock bottom point, as within the "nadir of her popularity." Its opposite term, zenith, features a similar appeal.

6. Miraculous That which seemed impossible or a minimum of incredibly unlikely without the influence of some supernatural force is often described as "miraculous." Maybe that is the birth of a toddler or having the ability to hold on a morning conversation before a cup of coffee.

7. Lassitude Suffering from a scarcity of energy? Describe your tiredness—whether it's in your body, your mind, or both—with this term, and a minimum of it'll sound prettier. 8. Gossamer One of several definitions of this word, per Dictionary.com, is "a fine, filmy cobweb seen on grass or bushes or floating within the air in calm weather, especially in autumn." It's thought to possess come from the center English term goes summer, "possibly first used as the name for late, mild autumn, a time when goose was a favorite dish." But it also can be wont to ask anything thin and airy, from a summer shawl to the wings of a butterfly.

9. Bungalow Bungalow may be a cozy word for a selected sort of house: usually one that's either one story or two stories with a sloping roof. Though there could also be additional criteria counting on where within the world you're using the term.

10. Scintilla Not to be confused with those furry crepuscular rodents, scintilla means a spark or a trace of something. Perhaps you are feeling a scintilla of guilt after eating the last cookie or experience a scintilla of attraction to someone you only met.

11. Aurora Originally the name of the Roman goddess of sunrise, the word aurora is now wont to describe the dawn, also because of the stunning luminous phenomenon that takes place within the upper atmosphere of a planet's magnetic polar regions. for instance, you'll have a visit to ascertain the northern lights as an item on your bucket list.

12. Inure Not all beautiful words have beautiful meanings. The word inure means to simply accept or grow familiar with something undesirable. for instance, your family's constant criticism could inure you to toxic behavior from loved ones.

13. Mellifluous This lyrical word refers to something sweet and enjoyable, especially when it involves sound. you would possibly find the first spring sounds of chirping birds to be quite mellifluous.

14. Euphoria Derived from the Greek word for healthy, the word euphoria is now wont to describe an intense feeling of happiness or elation. a way of euphoria could also be the result of a fortunate turn of events or an indescribable personal high.

15. Serendipity You've probably experienced this phenomenon quite you realize—remember that point you went on a coffee run and stumbled upon the simplest cake your city has got to offer? Or once you were cleaning your home and located those earrings you thought were gone years ago? Those happy coincidences are all cases of serendipity.

16. Cherish The word cherish means to carry dear or cultivate with care and affection. Whether that's your family, your home, or your most prized possession (or all three!), everyone has someone or something that they cherish.

17. Demure One of our favorite beautiful words, demure is employed to explain any modest and reserved behavior. Etymologists believe it's going to are derived from the Anglo-French verb more or demurrer, which suggests "to linger."

18. Elixir If you're well-versed within the world of Harry Potter, you almost certainly associate this word with the elixir of life derived from the Sorcerer's Stone. within the 17th century, alchemists believed it had been possible to make an elixir that might turn base metals to stone and permit people to measure forever. Today, the word is employed to spot a substance that's capable of adjusting base metals into gold. you would possibly also use it to explain that cocktail you only whipped up at your home bar.

19. Eternity Forever; always; a limitless time. These are just a few ways to explain the endless and sometimes frightening idea of eternity.

20. Felicity This one's just another word for a state of happiness. for instance, you would possibly end up during a state of felicity subsequent time you're surrounded by people you're keen on.

21. Languor Another beautiful word with a not-so-beautiful definition, languor refers to lethargy or weakness in body and mind. you would possibly experience this phenomenon when you have been working too many hours and are beginning to hit burnout. All meaning is it is time to use that PTO!

22. Love There's far more than one definition for this sense, action, phenomenon (etc, etc). But we will all agree that the word love is as beautiful as everything it describes.

23. Solitude If you're an extrovert, then solitude might not be ideal. But if you're an introvert, you'll likely enjoy and hunt down solitude, or the act of being alone and far away from society.

24. Epiphany While there are several meanings of this word, most people associate an epiphany with a life-changing realization. you will find samples of these in your favorite books and films, like the classic scene in Clueless when Cher realizes she's "majorly, totally, butt-crazy in love" together with her stepbrother Josh.

25. Quintessential Have you ever met someone who embodies all of the characteristics of the town they're from or the career path they've chosen? Then you would possibly have encountered someone who is perfectly typical, otherwise referred to as quintessential. Snacking on strawberries and cream while sipping a Pimm's Cup at Wimbledon? That's so quintessentially British!

26. Plethora This word has two definitions—one beautiful and one not so beautiful. While plethora is most ordinarily related to having an abundance of something (close your eyes and movie a plethora of disposable income!), it is also a medical word that's wont to describe increased blood during a specific area.

27. Nemesis As beautifully as this word rolls off of the tongue, it's related to a rival or arch-enemy and maybe wont to describe inflicting an act of vengeance. That friend-of-a-friend who grinds your gears whenever he involves Friday night drinks? He could be your nemesis.

28. Lithe One syllable and filled with grace, the word lithe is employed to characterize flexibility and a slim figure. for instance, you'll have noticed the lithe ballerinas once you attended a performance of The Nutcracker at Christmastime.

29. Tranquility Hopefully, you'll achieve a state of tranquility on your next beach vacation. this is often just another word for being free from agitation of mind or spirit.

30. Elegance Another word that sounds precisely the way it's defined, elegance may be a quality of favor and beauty.

31. Renaissance Whether you're about your revival in life or the transitional period between the 14th and 17th centuries, the word renaissance will rattle down the tongue and fulfill all of your aesthetically pleasing linguistic needs.

32. Eloquence A quality found within the most skillful politicians, this word refers to persuasive expressiveness. Look out for eloquence within the 2020 presidential debates—which candidate's eloquence will win your vote?

33. Sequoia These larger than life trees are often found throughout California, particularly within their namesake park in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Having a tough time differentiating between a sequoia and a redwood (or the Sequoia park and therefore the Redwood National and State Parks)? Here's a simple thanks to differentiating: if you're on the coast, then you're probably looking up at a redwood; if you're inland, then you've found yourself within the presence of a sequoia.

34. Peace Ever versatile, the word peace can ask a state of mind, freedom from civil disturbances, or a time without war.

35. Lullaby There isn't a far better word to explain a soothing melody to urge your child to sleep. But this word isn't reserved for babies—it also can be used as a verb aiming to quiet with or like a lullaby.

36. Paradox The beginning of the top. Youth is wasted on the young. These are both samples of paradox or a press release that seemingly contradicts itself.

37. Pristine This beautiful word seems to sparkle—and that's fitting, since pristine means "fresh and clean or as if new."

38. Effervescent Here's an ingenious new thanks to describing the bubbly can-do person around your office. rather than merely calling them fun to be around, you'll take things up a notch and say they need an effervescent personality. That simply means they need an appealingly lively quality.

39. Opulence Do you dream of owning a mansion in Beverly Hills with a Maserati within the driveway and regular shopping trips on Rodeo Drive? Then you would possibly be pining for a lifetime of opulence. keep it up grinding!

40. Ethereal This light and the airy word might remind you of celestial bodies. Ethereal can ask the upper regions of space also like anything heavenly and unworldly seeming.

41. Sanguine A complicated and delightful word, sanguine comes with several meanings. It's typically used as a synonym for optimism, but it also can describe a blood-red hue or something concerning blood.

42. Panacea Panacea means all-healing in Greek and, fittingly, Panacea was the Greek goddess of healing. Today, the word is employed to ask something that would fix everything. Imagine a remedy for all of the issues you face daily—that would be a panacea.

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funthingsfortoddlers · 1 year

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The ultimate restaurants with playgrounds list!

It’s EPIC! There are taverns, pubs, hotels, cafes, bistros and more.

It has all Gold Coast Toddlers covered with restaurants in Logan, Gold Coast North, Gold Coast Central, Gold Coast South, Tweed and Northern NSW.

Visit the Fun Things for Toddlers website to discover them all: https://bit.ly/42BKWfo

#restaurantswithkids #restaurantswithplaygrounds #toddlerfriendlyeats #kidfriendlyeats #kidfriendlyrestaurant #kidfriendlyrestaurants #toddlerfriendlygoldcoast #goldcoasttoddlers #goldcoastkids #goldcoastmums #eatingoutwithkids #funthingsfortoddlers #pubswithplaygrounds

#restaurants with kids #restaurants with playgrounds #toddler friendly eats #kid friendly eats #kid friendly restaurant #kid friendly restaurants #toddler friendly gold coast #gold coast toddlers #gold coast kids #gold coast mums #eating out with kids #fun things for toddlers #pubs with playgrounds

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terkaznebes · 4 years

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These days

Goddamnit I didn’t imagine that I would spend the last year of my twenties in quarantine. I wanted to drink coffee, read books, cancel plans and do nothing out of my own will!

Did the last few years go too fast or what? I know that thirty is the new twenty (surely some people somewhere have said it, at least some insta influencers, I would bet my morning filter on this), but it’s still kind of scary, no not scary… what’s the right word? Annoying, yes it’s just plain annoying. It has nothing to do with where I wanted to be/what I wanted to have at this age, it’s more like where the hell is my great butt and why god oh why am I getting sun spots and that in between the eyebrows wrinkle? I was aware of this wrinkle at an early age. I still remember this conversation with my best friend:

Me: “I am worried about my in between the eyebrows wrinkle.”

Her: “Like she won’t go to college or what?”

Despite all the necessary precautions like staying away from the sun, moisturising, adopting the resting bitch face, always wearing sunglasses, that sneaky frown line still made an appearance.

Jokes aside, things are getting serious when you are nearing thirty. (I can already see my fifty year old self laughing at this, nearly spilling my afternoon whisky somewhere in the future.)

In this past year I have had so many real adult experiences, (yet somehow the teenager within still laughed at the phrase “adult experience”), like picking up my child from kinder-garden, leaving the office on time so I could pick up my child from kinder-garden…I know it sounds like the same thing, but honestly those were two very different feelings and emotions. We also started a long distance house renovation. I can now say grown up things like: We are just putting up the roof. Or: The architects have completed the study, do you want to see it?

My absolute favourite thing that came with adulting is the good quality of sustenance. I am so happy that we drink the good wine, the good coffee, the good whiskey and eat all the good food. Mind you, I don’t think I could handle a shitty wine hangover anymore. I need to function at 5AM most days, some days at 4.40AM and some blissful, scarce and wonderful mornings, I don’t have to open my eyes until 5.30AM. Aaah motherhood. So when choosing to go for a run or do nothing during the first nap time, it takes ALL the will and effort to put the sneakers on. I did it today though. My knee hurt a little. I am now that person who runs on that grassy patch to alleviate the impact on the concrete. I know, I know to be concerned with vanity and ageing in the time of corona. However if I can’t make fun of things anymore, that’s when there’s no point in living. I wake up every day knowing very well that I have no real problems in life, I appreciate it by being a compassionate and hopefully a kind person to those around me.

I was supposed to be at a yoga retreat right now with Dominika. For the first time since Josefina was born, I was supposed to have four days just to myself. I remember that even when I was at uni writing my dissertation and studying for my finals, training for a half marathon, working night shifts and fundraising for Childreach, I still had a day every now and then that was just for me and for my books. I really miss those recharge days.

Gold Coast is the perfect place to raise a child in, the weather is awesome all the time, you barely have to dress them, the veggies and fruit is always fresh and in abundance and there’s a ridiculous amount of young mums that you can hang out with. However being so far away from family sucks in this instance. I would love to just drop Josie off at grandma’s for the weekend. Don’t ever underestimate the value of having people you can trust around you. I think that’s the one downside of living in Australia. It’s all fun and games when you are just a rebel twenty-five year old, but at twenty-nine, it’s serious business. I am kidding of course, but having a kid sure does change things from that perspective.

Despite the situation in the world (and the politics in homeland), I am actually going through a really blissful time in my life. Josie is so much more fun now that she’s progressed to toddler level. Lukas is working from home and we are like the best family unit I know. I know it is taking a worldwide toll, but when are you going to get this time to truly bond with the ones closest to you? We are taking it as a fantastic opportunity to talk, take walks, spend time on the beach, drink more than we should, plan the future and more adult experiences hahahaha. Lukas also completed a great deal of DYI and just proved to me even more that I chose the right mate for life. We will probably have to postpone our wedding, which sucks, but thanks to quarantine drinking and no yoga routine, I probably won’t fit my wedding dress anymore so just as well. I am hope everyone is staying safe.

#lifeinthetimeofcorona

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checkmarch79-blog · 5 years

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Those Useless Trees — The Valley Oak

A couple of days ago my friend Mike and I decided to go for a hike in Malibu Creek State Park. Having celebrated a friend’s birthday the previous night into the following morning, a good moderately strenuous ramble seemed like just the thing. We were both awed by the park’s stunning vistas as well as its many magnificent valley oak trees, the largest oak species in North America and a species found only in California.

Inside the Malibu Creek State Park

The 3,324-hectare park, although opened to the public in 1976, of course, has a much older history. The first humans to arrive in the area where likely the Chumash, who established the village of Talepop (or Ta’lopop) within what’s now the park. About 3,500 years ago — thousands of years after the Chumash settled the area — the Tongva arrived from the east and the Malibu Creek, which drains the Santa Monica Mountains, became a sort of border between the two nations. Downstream the river flows into the Pacific Ocean at an estuary the Chumash referred to as “U-mali-wu,” meaning “it makes a loud noise there.” The Spanish, who arrived in the 16th century, recorded the name as Malibu.

Languedoc?

Although neither Mike nor I had ever been to the park before, we’d both seen it in many films and television series. The striking Goat Buttes, in particular, have served as a popular setting in Hollywood fictions. Before reading a sign informing us that the outcroppings were in the series, M*A*S*H, I was reminded by the chaparral-covered prominences of a childhood summer spent in Languedoc. After learning that the semi-arid oak landscape had been used to evoke green, temperate Korea for eleven seasons of the long-running Korean War comedy, I was struck by how unlike the scenery reminded me of any I’d seen in Korea, which I visited last summer. Of course, come to think of it, the cast of that show’s hairstyles seemed suspiciously ’70s for a war which took place from 1950-1953.

Coast live oaks on a hill

The valley in which we stood was carpeted with brittle, yellow grasses and scruffy oak trees. Most of the oaks in the oak savanna were coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), also known as California live oak, those familiar oaks which during the rainy season fleetingly give the landscape of rolling hills on which they often grow the appearance of the Shire. Elsewhere in the park, there are stately sycamores and the southernmost grove of redwoods. There are, naturally, many varieties of native fungi and fauna as well, and during our visit, we observed a small herd of mule deer, various lizards, a covey of quail, a couple of rabbits, a California tarantula, a gracefully gliding heron, a red-tailed hawk, a flock of pigeons, and several other birds which I didn’t recognize.

Some of the oaks obviously unlike the others. They were taller, their silhouettes patchier, their branches droopier than the dome-like coast live oaks, the canopies of which spread out like gauzy green umbrellas over the gently rolling hills. As a child growing up in Missouri’s Little Dixie, I roamed the forests and knew my red cedars from my red maples, my black walnuts from my bladdernuts, my corkwoods from my dogwoods, my pawpaws from my possumhaws. I don’t remember learning most of their names and characteristics, though, and because of that, I hoped — however unrealistically — that I’d over time somehow simply absorb a similar knowledge Southern California’s trees. Having now lived in Southern California longer than anywhere else, I have unfortunately found that I have to make an effort to learn them.

I observed the oaks that were not coast live oaks. Whereas the leaves of the coast live oak are small, shiny, prickly, and look a bit like those of a holly shrub, the leaves of these oaks were lobed and looked almost leathery, faintly fuzzy. The leaves were clustered rather than spread across the branches’ tips. The bark was sort of silvery brown and almost uniformly wrinkled whereas the trunks and branches of the coast live oaks appear contorted and gnarled. It was clear that these were not coast live oaks — but I was no closer to identifying them than I had been when Mike had asked me what they were and so I turned to PlantSnap, an app which has, since downloading, successfully identified about 30% of the plants I’ve used it to recognize. It also identifies fungi — but with a track record like that, I wouldn’t use it for foraging unless I was completely OK with a painful death. This time the app proved successful, however, notifying me that the tree was most likely a Quercus agrifolia, or valley oak (it was) or, perhaps, a staghorn fern or loquat (it was obviously not). Valley oaks are also known as robles, as in Paso Robles.

I was struck by the appearance of the valley oaks acorns, which were considerably longer than those I was accustomed to. They provide food for, among other animals, acorn woodpeckers, California ground squirrels, California scrub jays, and yellow-billed magpies. Historically, they were also an important food source for the Chumash, who never developed agriculture as they were able to live comfortably off of what they foraged and hunted.

Mule deer eating valley oak leaves

The woody parts of the valley oak support California gall wasp, red cone gall wasp, and Chionodes petalumensis. As we approached a beckoning oak woodland, we stopped to watch a large family of mule deer, one of whose members spent a great deal of time standing on his hind legs and helping himself to the leaves of a large tree.

The roots of the valley oak have intimate symbiotic associations with many of the region’s mycorrhizal fungi which are essential to their survival — and one of the main reasons Southern California should favor the planting of native trees over imports like the pepper trees, goldenrains, jacarandas, bottle brushes, &c which, although drought tolerant, are simply incapable of slotting into an ecosystem which evolved over millions of years without them.

The valley oak is endemic to California, where its range stretches along the valleys and foothills of San Diego County in the south to Sikiyou County in the north. They live to be up to 600 years, which means that the oldest trees were alive during the fall of Constantinople, the invention of the printing press, the domination of Central Asia by Tamerlane’s Timurid Empire, and closer to home, the rise of the Inca and Aztec empires.

Until it fell on 1 May 1977, the tallest valley oak was the so-called “Hooker Oak,” which stood until then in Chico. Because its trunk had a massive diameter of 8.8 meters, its age was at the time estimated to be over 1,000 years old. However, once dead it was determined that the tree owed its girth to the fact that it was in fact two specimens, both of roughly 325 years of age, which had long ago grown together into one. It appeared in many films where it proved a natural in its many roles as a tree.

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), co-starring the Hooker Oak

The current tallest valley oak is the so-called “Henley Oak,” a specimen which towers 47 meters above the floor of the Round Valley in Covelo. It is named after Thomas J. Henley, a one-time Superintendent of Indian Affairs notable for opening the region to European-American settlers in defiance of a federal order which had promised the land to Native Americans, resulting in a great deal of regrettable bloodshed between indigenous Californians and immigrants. The tree is believed to be more than 500 years old, meaning it sprouted from an acorn and was possibly producing its own well before the first Spanish galleon, San Salvador, sailed along the coast.

The Henley Oak (source unknown)

Mike and I turned back after reaching Rock Pool, and again we crossed the valley featured in M*A*S*H. This time, surprisingly, I did find myself somewhat reminded of Korea — or at least of Korean (and Chinese) landscape painting. By this time, the sun had set and the gold hour was transitioning to blue. The oak woodland seemed to be climbing up the base of the improbably steep sandstone hillsides. Tipping the scales of perception, perhaps, was the presence of a Korean family attempting to take photos of a toddler with the scenery as a backdrop.

Korean landscape painting? Oak woodland at the base of low mountains

I sometimes have a physical sensation of being pulled into the woods and the longer I looked at the trees, the stronger the pull seemed to grow. I had to fight the urge to enter the forest because the park had officially closed the moment the sun sank behind the horizon and currently, there is no overnight camping because in June, 35-year-old Tristan Beaudette was shot to death in the tent he was sharing with his two young daughters. Since then, rumors and other reports of gunfire in the park have emerged both following the murder and stretching back to 2016 and there’s an ongoing investigation.

Vacant campsite under a canopy of oak trees)

Hopefully, the murderous gunman will be caught and peace and campers will again return to the park. It looks like a really wonderful place to pitch a tent for a weekend, perhaps do a bit of forest bathing, or even just contemplate the scenery. As we continued toward the exit, the crescent moon (which had hung in the sky throughout our day) was now shining brightly and bats were flitting about in search of a meal. We hurried our pace and left the park without incident.

Eric Brightwell is an adventurer, writer, rambler, explorer, cartographer, and guerrilla gardener who is always seeking paid writing, speaking, traveling, and art opportunities. He is not interested in generating advertorials, cranking out clickbait, or laboring away in a listicle mill “for exposure.”

Brightwell has written for Angels Walk LA, Amoeblog, Boom: A Journal of California, diaCRITICS, Hidden Los Angeles, and KCET Departures. His art has been featured by the American Institute of Architects, the Architecture & Design Museum, the Craft & Folk Art Museum, Form Follows Function, Los Angeles County Store, the book Sidewalking, Skid Row Housing Trust, and 1650 Gallery. Brightwell has been featured as subject in The Los Angeles Times, Huffington Post, Los Angeles Magazine, LAist, CurbedLA, Eastsider LA, Boing Boing, Los Angeles, I’m Yours, and on Notebook on Cities and Culture. He has been a guest speaker on KCRW‘s Which Way, LA? and at Emerson College. Art prints of Brightwell’s maps are available from 1650 Gallery. He is currently writing a book about Los Angeles and you can follow him on Ameba, Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram, Mubi, Twitter, and Weibo.

Click here to offer financial support and thank you!

Source: https://ericbrightwell.com/2018/09/18/those-useless-trees-the-valley-oak/

#read more #see more #check it out #interesting #learn more

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joylee56 · 7 years

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Have You Tried Turning It On and Off?

For Ifishouldvanish; Happy RCIJ!

For the prompt, ‘Hey, you’re the jerk...’

Rating: Explicit; Also Lacey has a potty mouth.

“I’m pretty sure nurse maid isn’t part of my job description.” Lacey said.

“You’re the project manager. Babysitting is pretty much what project managers do.”

(part 2 of 3)

When she got off work she headed over to talk to Ruby at the diner. She would still need to work some shifts at the diner to eat and keep the lights on until her first paycheck came in. Besides she wanted to see if anybody had shown any interest in the roommate ad she had tacked to the bulletin board.

Seemed like her luck was starting to look up. She had managed not to get fired from Golden Hat and Ruby said someone had asked about the apartment.

“So what's with Gold and Jeff?” She asked Ruby. “They're a lot more than business partners. I mean, Gold reminds him to take his meds. But my gaydar isn't getting any pings off either of them and they don't live together.”

Ruby shrugged. “Don't know. I always figured they were a couple.”

Granny sniffed as she came in from the kitchen. “You girls. Not everything is about sex.”

“Only the good stuff.” Lacey put in before Ruby could. Granny took lip from her that she would never stand for from Ruby. “C'mon Granny. I'm going to be working for them. Give a girl some context?”

Granny went over to get herself some coffee. Clearly she was in the mood for a gossip. “Well, they're both from away so I don't know a lot about them.”

Which only meant she could not tell you their birth weight and great-grandparent's favorite color. Lacey made a 'go on' noise.

“Seems like Gold and Jeff's late wife, Alice, worked together at some big computer company.” Granny took a minute get just the right amount of milk and sugar in her coffee. Then she came over with the pot to freshen Lacey's. “Microsoft? Apple? I forget.

“Gold moved here when his wife, Milah – nasty piece of work that. Always trying to trying to rile folks up about some environmental thing or another.”

“She's the one who got Styrofoam banned.” Ruby clearly remembered.

“Ayuh.” Granny nodded. “She got a job at the NOAA station down the coast. He trailed along after her. Guess you can fix computers pretty much anywhere so it sort of made sense that they'd go where her job took them. Anyway, they settled here rather than down the coast cause old Doc's place was up for sale and it was zoned so as he could run his business from there.

“Give Gold credit, he's a savvy business man.” Granny admitted reluctantly. “Not only does he manage to save cost of renting store space by running it out of that house, but he managed to take the money from the place they owned before they moved here and spread it out to buy up other properties besides the house. Owns the building the Rabbit Hole is in and that little strip mall on the highway.”

Which probably made him a force to be reckoned with in Storybrooke.

“Anyway, Milah didn’t last very long with NOAA. Too much of a rabble rouser at a guess. Got a job studying the ocean with some environmental group. Leaving Gold to manage a toddler on his own as well as run a business.” Granny shook her head. “Lot of the town disapproved. Me, well women have been doing that for centuries without anybody getting het up about it. And Gold didn’t seem to mind.”

“So how does Jeff fit into this?” Lacey asked.

“Jeff’s wife, Alice came to town to work with Gold on some job he was doing for the state.” Granny frowned. “She explained it to me once, but I didn’t understand one word in five. There was quite some talk about that. Young woman, staying with a married man whose wife was out of town. Although it was only for a month or so before Jeff turned up and the two of them bought that big old place on the edge of town. Guess they liked Storybrooke. Their little girl came along shortly after that.

“The three of them, Gold, Alice and Jeff set up in business together. Milah started coming home less and less frequently. Seems she found herself another man and eventually Gold divorced her and got custody of the boy.

“About three, no four years ago now, Jeff and Alice were in a bad car accident. She died. He was in hospital for a long time and recovering in a nursing home for months after that. Gold took in the little girl and looked after her while Jeff was recovering. Which caused even more talk, because folks remembered how Alice had lived with Gold for a while so of course claimed little Grace was his rather than Jeff’s.”

“Is she?” Jeff clearly did not think so.

“Unlikely as Alice was a good four months gone when she came to town.” Granny shook her head. “Too many people in this town don’t have a lick of sense, but talk anyway.”

The next day, Gold handed her some cheat sheets on how to use the bookkeeping system along with a box of financial records and told her, “You said you were good at bookkeeping. Make yourself useful.”

The spreadsheet Gold had set up proved to be pretty intuitive and the books were not actually in that bad a shape. She was running a report on the accounts receivable when the phone rang with a repair problem. Gold had come upstairs in search of tea so just took the phone from her when she waved it at him. She listened in out of curiosity.

“Have you rebooted the machine?” Clearly the answer was yes. “And what does the error message say? Right. I should be there in half an hour or so. In the meantime disconnect the other machines from the local area network. If you’re lucky it’s not a virus, but lets not take the chance.”

When he got off the phone, he told her. “This will be your trial by fire, Dearie. Keep an eye on Jeff. He looks like he’s heading into an upswing. So don’t let him decide to rewrite all of the game he’s been working on. Take the calls that come in. If there’s a real emergency call or text me. My cell is 2 on the speed dial. Keep the kids from burning down the house as best you can.”

As it turned out it was a quiet afternoon. Neal was working on an essay in the kitchen and Jeff decided to take Grace paint-balling. Lacey decided that he was the boss and if he wanted to take off early it was none of her business. Besides if he was paint-balling she did not have to worry about what he might be doing to the code Gold was concerned about.

Neal would clearly have rather gone paint-balling, but he had dutifully turned down the invitation to work on his essay.

Lacey offered him tea and sympathy or rather. “You want a scone? There are a couple left from yesterday.”

“Sure.” He perked up at the offer of food. They had a fairly companionable afternoon with him working on his essay and Lacey researched project scheduling programs. Cause the one she had used at Megacorp was overkill for a three person company.

“This spreadsheet program you’ve put together for your bookkeeping isn’t a half bad system.” Lacey admitted when she and Gold took their Elevenses the next morning. “Input’s easy and you can tweak the data in all kinds of ways.”

“Thank you.” Gold told her. “It’s actually a visible programmable calculator that I designed to blend spreadsheet/calculator/programming functions. I’ve upgraded it over the years as new devises and operating systems came along. I even got it so that it will run on Android now if you want to load it on your phone. Uhm, if you want?”

Lacey had gotten good enough at tech speak to understand just why that made the program so handy. It would be definitely be good to have on her phone. “Thanks. How come I’ve never heard of this? You need a better marketing campaign.”

“I can’t market it. I don’t own the rights. And you’ve never heard of it because I developed the original program as a work for hire while I was working for Enchanted Software and we sold exactly 113 copies of Vizeercalc before the company was acquired by Ogre Inc.” Gold grimaced. “Ogre bought Enchanted to kill all it’s product lines. We were in direct competition with Ogre, and the software Alice and I were designing was better than the stuff Ogre was selling.”

“That sucks.” Lacey said. “Is that why you started Golden Hat?”

“It was a consquence. I quit in a huff when they killed distribution of our software. I went into business fixing computers because I didn’t understand my employment agreement when I signed on with Enchanted.” Gold sighed. “I’ll never make that mistake again. There was a non-compete clause in the contract I had with Enchanted that basically wouldn’t allow me to do any kind of programming that was the same as what I had done while I worked with them. Which pretty much kept me from getting another job in the industry.”

Glancing at the spreadsheet on her computer, Lacey commented. “You couldn’t have programmed a version of this to run on Android back before Neal was born. Did they even have Android back then?”

“It was just getting started.” Gold grinned. “According to our lawyer, remind me to introduce you to Regina the next time we talk to her by the way, stuff I do for my own personal use isn’t covered by the non-compete. I just can’t market it. So I keep updating it to run on whatever devices I’m currently using.”

“Is giving me a copy okay?” Not that she cared.

“Probably not, but I doubt you and Jeff having copies is going to make it worth Ogre’s while to sue me.”

Gold was out when she got a frantic call from Ariel over at the cannery. The cannery was on a service contract. “Our system is all locked up and I’m already behind on payroll. If it isn’t up and running in the next hour nobody will get paid tomorrow!”

Which would mean a serious hit to the town economy. The cannery was the town’s largest employer.

And Gold was out on a service call.

But according to Gold’s notes they were running a fairly standard server. “Have you tried turning it off and on?” She asked.

“I don’t know how!” Ariel wailed. “We never turn the darn thing off.”

“Okay, go down to the server room and call me from there. I’ll talk you through it.”

It was the work of only a few minutes to reboot the server.

“It worked!” Ariel crowed. “Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU. You’re a life saver!”

“It’s what we do.” Lacey told her smugly. And booked it into the log as a service call.

When Gold looked at the log the next day he said, “I don’t remember talking to the cannery yesterday. Did you put this in wrong?”

“No, I talked to them.” Lacey told him proudly. “They just needed to reboot the server, but they didn’t know how so I told them. You know for simple stuff like that I could help people. You should give me a list of diagnostic questions to ask so you don’t have to call them back before you head out on service calls.”

“I’ll think about it.”

In the meantime she got started up upgrading the company website. The research she had done made it clear they really needed to add a blog feature to increase traffic. There was easy off the shelf software to set it up with. She just needed to come up with a name and some stuff to blog about.

Her duties were certainly varied. They seemed to include helping Grace with her homework and helping Neal make flashcards for the team to practice with for the STEMletics as well as the computer stuff.

Thursday night she made up a strawberry trifle to serve Neal’s team as an after school snack. If she was doing this she was doing it right.

Gold blinked at it in surprise. “Uhm, I really wasn’t expecting you to feed the kids. I’ve left meat pies for them. Well some meat and some veg without the meat. Morraine decided to become a vegetarian last summer. There’s plenty for you and Jeff to have for lunch.”

“They’re teenagers. They’ll eat both.” She put her trifle in the fridge next to the containers of pies. “Make it back early enough and I’ll try to save you some.”

The team consisted of Morraine, August, Emma and Neal. They seemed like good kids. A whole lot less rowdy than she and her friends had been. The trifle was a big hit. Lacey ended up setting up a buzzer system that they could use on their phones to mimic the way the real competition would go. She had to wonder why their coach had not thought to do it.

“How long has Jeff been working on this game of his?” She asked Gold over tea the following week.

“This game?” He had to think about it. “I’m not sure. More than a year.”

“He anywhere near finishing it?”

“I haven’t looked at the code recently.” Rum admitted. “Usually he gets it about ninety percent done and then loses interest so I set a release deadline and go in and finish things off for him. But I’ve been so busy with other stuff I haven’’t had the time.

“Although your doing the admin work has freed up some time. I probably could go over it.”

“I was thinking if you could tell me what need to be done I could break it up into modules and set a time line for completing the work. It might help him stay on track better.”

Gold considered. “That might work. Just don’t set up a schedule that’s too tight. If he can’t complete it, he’ll just get anxious and that’s not good.”

“So you tell me how long it should take and we double the time so he doesn’t have trouble meeting the goals.” She suggested. “It’s not like we’re on a real deadline here.”

“Triple it to be on the safe side.”

Jeff actually seemed pleased to have been put on a schedule. Lacey had the impression it made him feel more professional.

The end of the month rolled around. She and Gold had her ‘performance review’. Or rather he told her over morning tea. “You’ve actually done wonders for Jeff. I haven’t seen him this happy with his work since the accident. Which in turn keeps him more… stable mentally. And I got far more work done this month than usual. So if you want to stay on you’re welcome to, but you could do much better career wise and financially at a larger company. Why stay with us?”

“Cause I need to stay in Maine because of my Dad.” She told him honestly.

“He’s ill?” Gold asked sympathetically.

“No, he’s on parole.” She thought the entire town knew this. “He got involved in a money laundering scheme. He gambles and his bookie had him doing that to pay off his losses. Only he was crap at it and got caught. We managed to keep him out of prison, but as part of his parole he can’t have anything to do with money or banking so I have to do all that for him.”

“So you’re staying in town to look after your felon father?” Gold was incredulous.

She shrugged. “He’s a good Dad. I mean he gets on my case about the way I dress and the time I spend at the Rabbit Hole, but he loves me and he’d do anything for me. He’s just crap with money. You do for family right? Sometimes even when they’re not blood. I mean look at you and Jeff.”

“It’s the family you choose that’s important.” Gold told her quietly. “You’re lucky to have that kind of relationship with your Dad.”

So she stayed at Golden Hat. Helping Grace with her home work and the team practice for the competition. With all the work she put in she had to go see them compete. Even if it meant missing Girl’s Night with Ruby.

“Let me get this straight.” Ruby said. “You’re skipping out on Girl’s Night on me to go watch a bunch of Junior High School kids answering nerdy questions?”

Put like that it was kind of weird. She tried to explain. “I’m kinda their coach. And I’m not skipping out I just won’t be able to get there much before ten.”

“Yeah, sure. It’s all about the kids. Nothing to do with your driving over there with Gold.” Ruby smirked. “I get it. Well it’s no fun going for drinks by myself. Tell you what. Come get me when the nerd fest is finished. We can still shoot some pool and get a couple of drinks.”

Clearly Ruby had the wrong idea. But denying it would do more harm than good.

She had Google News set up to alert her for breaking tech news. Most of it was just boring release announcements. Occasionally it helped her find stuff to write about for the company blog. Although the most hits they had ever had came from the post Neal convinced her to do about her scone recipe. She was thinking of doing a follow up to it about Gold’s meat pies.

This alert caught her eye though. She sent the link down to Gold. Then stuck her head down the stairs and shouted. “Hey. Rum, I just sent you a link you’re gonna want to look at. Your nemesis, Ogre Inc., just got forced into bankruptcy.”

Jeff poked his head out. “What’s that?”

“Ogre missed the release date on that security patch they’ve been promising on their bookkeeping program for like the third time. Apparently it was the last straw and their creditors have forced them into bankruptcy.” Lacey told him.

“Oh, joyous day!” Jeff clapped and did a little dance. “Couldn’t happen to a nastier bunch of people. Where’s the story? Any chance they fired that bully Hordor? He used to make Alice so angry she’d come home and cry.”

“From the article is sounds like pretty much everybody’s getting sacked.” Lacey pointed at her computer where the article was still up.

Jeff was reading through the article when the phone buzzed for the intercom system. Gold told her brusquely. “Send Regina the link to the story and set up a conference call with her as soon as she’s available.”

She had not been aware that Gold even knew how to use the intercom on the phone system. He usually just came (or shouted) up stairs when he had something to tell her. Figuring it must be important, she called the lawyer as soon as he hung up.

They lucked out and Regina was at her desk. By the time Lacey had the equipment set up, Gold appeared from his lair with a rather tattered file folder.

He started even before he was seated at the table with the speaker phone they used for conference calls. “Did you get a chance to look at the news story?”

“I’ve got it in front of me now.” Regina said.

“Am I right that this will put the company out of business and the Court will sell off the assets?”

“Well, there is always a chance they’ll be able to find someone who will want to buy it as an ongoing operation, but my experience with software company bankruptcies is that usually there’s only a few items of real value that get cherry picked and the rest will get auctioned off or sold to liquidators.” Regina told him. “You want a souvenir?”

“I do.” Jeff said. “Think we can get that fancy sculpture that was in the executive lounge?”

But Gold was serious. “If we were able to buy back the rights to Vizeercalc, is there anything in my non-compete that would keep us from being able to market it ourselves?”

“Hmm. That’s an interesting question.” Regina said. “I’ll pull the non-compete and review it, but I don’t think so.”

“Do that.” Gold went on. “What would we need to do to try and buy it back?”

“You say it’s an involuntary filing? Contact the Court appointed Trustee and see what he wants for it.” Regina responded.

“Can you do that for us?” Gold asked. “As soon as possible. We don’t want to lose it to somebody else.”

“I’ve got the contact information for the Trustee.” Lacey spoke up. She had started looking as soon as Gold had asked about Vizeercalc.

“Email it to me and I’ll talk to him.” Regina closed with.

There was a moment of silence after that. Then Jeff said. “You’d need to modernize the user interface if you plan to market Vizeercalc. It works fine but the look is too old fashioned for the current market.”

“You don’t want to modernize it too much.” Lacey disagreed. “Part of what makes it easy to use is that the menus are obvious. Or you could do two versions one with symbols and one with the words you’ve got now.”

“Or have both options available.” Jeff considered. “It’s easy to add a couple of different style plug ins without adding much blot to the program.”

“We have to get the rights first.” Gold was rubbing his fingers together. “I’m not getting my hopes up. I’ve been disappointed over this thing far too often.”

But that afternoon, Lacey found Jeff with a couple of different user interface options open on his screens. “I thought we were waiting to see if we could actually get the program before we started working on it?”

“I’m just checking style libraries available.” Jeff told her. “If we get the rights, Rum is going to want to start marketing Vizeercalc as soon as we can. He’s been waiting to get it out for near on fifteen years. And the sooner we get it on the market the sooner the gold starts rolling in. Alice was firmly convinced Vizeercalc would be a solid money maker. It’s not sexy, but it’s the sort of app most tech types are going to want on their phone and tablet.”

“I’ve been thinking about that.” She admitted. “What if we had add-ons where you could like get pre-written bookkeeping or inventory control programs. Or even just spreadsheets set up where you could download your banking information and keep track of your expenses.”

“Brilliant, little doily.” Jeff enthused. “Make up a list of things people might want to use. I’ll bet Rum has most to them all ready written.”

“Cause we use it for most of that stuff now.” Lacey had thought of that. “Heck, I think Neal uses it for his school work. There’s another market. High school and college kids.”

“And what Rum doesn’t know about our plans won’t hurt him.” Jeff pointed out.

They grinned conspiratorially.

Regina called back two days later. “The good news is that the bankruptcy Trustee didn’t even know Ogre Inc owned the rights to Enchanted’s software and would be happy to let you buy it. The bad news is that he’s smart enough to figure out you’re probably the only one interested in Enchanted’s code and so says he’ll sell Vizeercalc to you only if you also buy the rest of Enchanted’s product line as well. Any idea what that would involve?”

“There were a bunch of drivers for devices that aren’t around any more. None of which has any value.” Gold had to think about it. “Alice had some programming tools that were designed for C++ which would need some serious updating and frankly there is better stuff available now anyway. Her back propagation algorithm were ground breaking at the time, but again would need serious updating, those would only be valuable to someone who was familiar with the work and could go in and tweak the code.”

“Like us.” Jeff put in.

“Dakkar Nemo might be able to do something with it. He worked with Alice on it, but I’m not going to call him up and ask.” Gold said. “Other than that there would only be the games. Which are pretty primitive by today’s standards. I suppose there is some value to the concepts and names.”

“Damn little.” Jeff snorted. “You’d need to rewrite the things from scratch to get any kind of interest in them now. A couple of the educational games might be worth doing something with.”

“I was more interested in a value.” Regina told them.

“With the development costs to update them I can’t imagine anyone paying more than, maybe, $100,000 for the lot?” Gold looked uncertain.

“The company is being liquidated. These are going to be fire sale prices.” Regina mused. “So figure two-thirds going market rate. You still interested?”

Gold was rubbing his fingers together. Jeff looked at him questioningly. After a minute Gold spoke. “See if you can get him to accept less than $63,000 for the lot.”

“That is an interestingly specific number. How did you arrive at it?” Regina asked.

“It’s what I’ve got in liquid assets without having to dip into Neal’s college fund.” Gold said.

“Well, I can’t make an offer using that as a basis.” Regina retorted. “Come up with a proposal the Trustee and I can present to the Judge as to how we valued this and I’ll make it.”

After she hung up, Jeff asked. “Is this actually a good business decision or are we doing this because you’re still angry about Ogre deep sixing Vizeercalc?”

“I don’t know.” Gold told him. “I’ve always felt that Vizeercalc could be big, but I don’t know whether it will actually sell enough to be worth this.

“Which is why I’m the one who’s going to buy that code. Not the company.”

Jeff considered. “So you don’t intend to do anything with Alice’s neural net work?”

“I’m going to mine Enchanted’s product line for every dime I can squeeze from it.” Gold said. “But Alice was the neural net genius not me. I’m not sure I can do anything with it.”

“I kept her notes.” Jeff said softly. “It’s not my area, but maybe you can make more out of them than I could.”

“Maybe.” Gold sounded doubtful. “Thing was I just mostly did what Alice told me on the neural net side. If anything I downplayed to Regina just how innovative her work was. I’m, or rather I was, I’m rusty now, a smart designer, but Alice would have these sparks of sheer genius that I could figure out after she explained them, but had no clue how she came up with them.”

“She was one of a kind.” Jeff agreed softly.

Lacey had been making notes of the conversation with Regina. “We’re not going to get the chance to do anything with any of this if we can’t convince that Trustee to sell it to us. Is Google going to tell me anything about what this stuff is worth or are we just going to pull numbers out to the air?”

Neither Gold nor Jeff had a clue. Lacey sighed and went off to search the internet.

She was run off her feet between looking up values of really old off the market software and getting Jeff settled down and back to work. “You’ll want to finish this game before we get the Enchanted software and you have new stuff to work on. Here I’ll make you a nice up of tea with some of my biscuits and we can plan out what you’re going to do this week.”

But two day later she had some answers that would at least let them fake up some values for the Trustee. It looked to her that Rum’s estimate was a little low. She had called Regina herself to get some tips about how to shave down the offer. The other woman had some useful suggests. “… and emphasis that no one else is going to want this stuff. If we can convince him of that he’ll take our offer cause it’s better than nothing.”

“Are we the only ones interested?” She had been worried this was taking too long and somebody else would sweep in and buy it out from under them.”

“Based on the regular emails I’m getting from the Trustee asking if we have an offer yet, I’d guess yes.” Regina had reassured her. “Then again I don’t think he’s actually turned it over to a broker to market, so I suspect nobody else has figured out that he has it.”

Since they wanted to keep it that way, Lacey decided that finding more information took a backseat to speed. Google provided her with a sample to use for submitting their proposal to he Trustee.

When she took went down to talk to Rum about it he was talking on the phone.

“… that’s the day of the regional competition.” Pause. “He’s part of a team, Milah. Even if he hadn’t been looking forward to this thing for months, he’s not going to be willing to let his teammates down.”

Another pause. “No, it’s not a sure thing they’ll make it as far as the regionals. But they could.”

He noticed her then and waved in the direction of the chairs. “Tell you what. Keep your plans to get here that day. If they don’t make the regional competition you can pick him up and head out. If they do you can come to the competition.”

Sighing deeply he added. “I’ve got a spare room, Milah. A couple of them in fact. We’ll put you up for the night. Neal would love to have you and I’d rather you left in the morning than drove all night.”

This was apparently acceptable as he finished with. “Good. Email Neal and let him know.”

After he hung up, Lacey asked, “Trouble with the ex?”

“Less than usual actually.” Gold told her. “Apparently Milah’s going to be spending the summer at Culebra, Puerto Rico doing some kind of study and she’ll be able to have Neal with her for the entire time. Of course she wanted to pick him up for the visit on the day of the regional competition for STEMletics but we managed to sort that out so all’s well.”

“Unless his team places for the nationals in July.” The kid’s schedules went onto her calendar to avoid conflicts with Rum and Jeff’s work.

“I’ll be surprised if they make it to the Regionals.” Rum said. “It’s their first year and they’re competing against kids two and three years older than they are.”

“Maybe, but our kids are really sharp.” When had she acquired a stake in the STEMaletes she wondered.

Shaking herself slightly, she told him. “I roughed out a proposal. It’s labeled Ogre_proposal on the company cloud. Read through it and let me know what you think.”

Neal raised the issue his father she had predicted once he had talked with his mother. “I mean spending the whole summer with Mum in the Caribbean would be great. She gonna let me help with the study. It’s really important work studying ocean warming. But the team is counting on me. I can’t let them down.”

Lacey had left father and son alone in the kitchen to work out their family conflicts. If the kitchen doors got left open so she could hear no big right?

Gold clearly could not withstand those big brown puppy dog eyes any more than she could. “If your team gets seated for the nationals you can fly back to compete and then return to Puerto Rico. I’m sure your mother will be okay with that.”

“Uhm, aren’t plane tickets to the Caribbean expensive?” Neal asked hesitantly. “I’m not sure Mum can afford another set.”

“I’ll pay for the tickets.” Gold assured him. “You and your mother don’t get that much time together. You shouldn’t have to give up part of the summer with her if you win the competition.”

“Thanks, Dad! You’re the best!”

She and Gold hashed out the final version proposal the next morning over Elevenses. They had agreed that the less Jeff was stressed about this the better.

Once they had that finished, Lacey could not resist bringing up. “Since you don’t think the STEMaletes have got a shot at Nationals, you’re getting an awful lot of Dad cred for very little effort by promising to fly him back for it.”

“Milah’s taking him him to the Caribbean for the summer. On top of being an Eco Warrior and saving the bloody planet.” Rum growled. “I have to compete with that while still being the responsible parent. I’ll take my ‘cred’ as you call it where I can.”

Points to her for getting him to admit it. By way of being a gracious winner she poured and prepared his tea for him.

After she handed it to him she asked, “So you gonna hook up with the ex while she’s here?”

Rum sputter into his tea. “God no! I wouldn’t even assuming Milah were interested. Which she’s not remotely. She and Killian have been disgustingly happy together for more than ten years now. We’ve managed to establish… an equilibrium of civility when it come to being Neal’s parents. There is no way I’d risk that. Not for a quick shag.”

“Wouldn’t have to be quick.” Lacey helped herself to a biscuit.

“Generally was toward the end.” Rum said dryly. “Which should have clued me in a lot earlier than it did.”

“Yeah, crap sex is the first sign they’re losing interest.” Lacey agreed. “Gaston stopped trying long before you showed up and got us fired.”

“I did not get you fired.” Rum denied.

Lacey shrugged. She was too interested in pursuing something else she had noticed about his comment. “Neal said you got divorced while he was in kindergarten. That’s only eight years ago.”

“Yeah.” Rum developed a sour look. “She and Killian got together a couple of years before. At first I just thought she was happier cause she was back sailing. When I finally figured out she was a little too happy for it to be just enjoying her work, well, mostly I just pretended like I hadn’t.

“We hadn’t been good for a while at that point.” He stirred his tea unnecessarily. “Moving to Maine and having Neal was supposed to be us trying to make it work.”

“Didn’t take?” Lacey asked.

“I think it actually made things worse.” Rum admitted. “She didn’t really enjoy the sort of work she could do here at a land based research station. She felt too tied down with a baby. And I wasn’t very supportive about the way she felt. I love being able to work from home and take care of Neal.

“Then she got the chance of doing research with Greenpeace. We had a huge row over her taking that job. The job requited her to be away from home four to five months at a time. That pretty much put paid to our marriage even though we didn’t do anything about it legally for years after.

“So I wasn’t really surprised when she found someone else. What I was surprised at was that she was willing to give up on Neal. When he was four she calmly announced that she was leaving Greenpeace and joining this radical group calling themselves the Eco Pirates and her next expedition would have her gone for more than a year, well, I told her she had to make a choice.”

He looked up with a depreciating smile. “She didn’t choose us.”

Lacey could understand wanting your freedom. But that afternoon when she made tea for the kids she wondered about Milah’s choice. You would have to be damn committed to a career to leave Neal behind. She was pretty sure in Milah’s shoes she would have found another way. Hell, she had figured out how to stick around for Dad and still get herself a career she liked and that was nothing like leaving a little kid.

Regina called back two days after they sent her the proposal. “Can you come up with another $4000? The bankruptcy Trustee won’t go lower that $67,000. But he’s willing to throw in gratos a total release for you from the non-competition agreement you signed with Enchanted Software.”

“Take it.” Gold told her. “I’ll find the money somewhere. How soon can we get the source code?”

“He’ll hand it over at closing.” Regina told him.

“Tell him we can have the money together by the end of the week.” Jeff told him. “And we want that release to include Alice as well.”

“Already thought of that.” Regina assured him.

When the conference call ended, Gold turned to Jeff. “You’re not putting up your money for this. This is my personal vendetta. I won’t ask you to go along with it.”

“First, you didn’t ask. I offered.” Jeff sounded surprisingly coherent. “Second I’m not going to use my money. I’m going to use Alice’s money. Those bastards shafted her just as much as they did you. She would want to see her work released as much as you do.”

Gold looked like he was going to refuse for a moment, but finally nodded. “We’re going to need some more coders. You and I can’t do everything. Do you think Dakkar would be interested?”

“Very likely. I’ll call and see.”

“Get me a list of qualifications you want and I’ll post an ad.” Lacey told them. “I’m sure there are some kids at U Maine who wouldn’t mind some summer work. You are going to be able to pay them I assume?”

The two men exchanged looks. “Are we?” Jeff asked.

“We’ll need to dip into the company reserves.” Gold admitted. “If we can finish the updates in a couple of months we won’t have to start using the kids’ college funds.”

They were on pins and needles for a week until the next call came. Luckily the team had it’s finally local competition and placed to go on to regionals so they had something to else to think about.

Then the call came. “We got it.” Regina announced.

“He’ll turn it over to us as soon as your check clears escrow. I’ll meet him in Boston to hand over your paperwork and pick up the code. Apparently it’s on antique hard drives. I hope you’ve got a way to read them.”

“Uhm, Regina. We can’t afford to pay you to act as delivery girl.” Gold told her.

“Don’t worry I’m only billing you for the time at the meeting itself.” She told them. “After all the trouble this stupid code as caused over the years, I’m not about to risk it going astray. I’m going to hand carry it to Storybrooke myself. It’s a nice little town and I deserve a weekend away.”

When they finished the call, Gold whispered, “We did it.”

“If by did it you mean we just just used all your available cash to buy a whole hell of a lot of work then yeah.” Lacey told him. “But this is just the start.”

“Yeah, but tonight we celebrate.” Jeff beamed at them both. “Ice cream at Granny’s!”

“You’re buying.” Gold told him. “I’m broke, remember?”

“I will even splurge for hot fudge and nuts.” Jeff promised.

While they were waiting for the code to get delivered Lacey finally showed Gold what she and Jeff had been working on. “I did some plans about how long the different add-ons would take to have in shape to market. Jeff and I think we should release the bookkeeping, inventory control and educational math ones when we release the main program.”

“You’ve already got half of the project scheduling figured out.” Gold was impressed.

“I’ve always said, I’m a good project manager.” She smirked. “Admit it, you’re glad you hired me.”

“I’m not unhappy.” He sipped his tea and admitted. “It is rather nice to have an adult to talk to who I’m not constantly monitoring to make sure his meds don’t need adjusting.”

She was setting up an interview schedule with some of the U Maine students who had applied to work for them on the updates when Neal approached her looking very serious.

“Could you kind of keep an eye on Dad while I’m gone?” He asked. “When I'm gone he gets really into programming and when he does that sometimes he forgets stuff.”

“Like paying bills and doctors appointments?”

“More like eating and sleeping.” Neal sighed. “When he has Jeff to keep an eye on it keeps him on schedule. But this year Grace is signed up for all these summer programs and Jeff's not going to be around as much. If Dad loses track of time he may forget to check in on Jeff and Grace too.”

“So I’ll need to keep an eye on Jeff as well? I’m pretty sure nurse maid isn’t part of my job description.”

“You’re the project manager.” Neal pointed out. “I grew up around computer geeks, remember? Babysitting is pretty much what project managers do.”

“You have a point, kid.” Lacey admitted. “Okay, I’ll nag your Dad to look after himself, and Jeff, while you’re gone. But you better call regularly and check up on us to make sure I’m doing my job right.”

Cause Rum was going to spend the summer worrying about the kid if he did not hear from him regularly. Hell, he was going to spend the summer worried about him anyway. Probably why he lost himself in programming while the kid was gone.

“I’ll call when I can and email when I can’t.” Neal promised. “But I Googled this place. It’s kind of the back end of nowhere. I’m not sure even how much internet access there’s going to be. Let alone phone.”

“There’s a resort.” Lacey had Googled it too. Kid was not wrong. “You can probably get cell coverage from there. And a research station will need to have some kind of connectivity. Even one running on the cheap.”

#ifishouldvanish #Rumbelle Christmas in july #Have You Tried Turning It Off and On #rumbelle fic #rcij

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