#njala

[lasagras]

One of the things I love about the word ergi is how much it encompasses. It has often been translated as homosexuality, but that is just wrong because homosexuality is just a small part of ergi. It is really just any kind of gender non-conformity. Hallgerður shows ergi in Njála just by being a girlboss, she was never implied to have homosexual relations but she challenged her role as a woman and thus, she was örg (adj. of ergi, f.). Ergi was any challenge against the gender roles, the clothes people wore, the work they did and, of course, their sexualities. Nowadays we have all these specific words to describe our queerness, and that’s wonderful I love my labels, but anytime I feel the need to question them I find comfort in knowing that, no matter what, I am argt (adj. of ergi. n.)* as fuck.

*f. örg, n. argt, m. argur, the linguistics make sense I promise (and I’m sorry for the excessive gendering of my language)

[thechroniclesofhriddick]

It took a long while before Svangeir could sleep that night. He spoke to Taxir mostly to resolve his feelings around Cedrik, but of course the clan ended up in the way.

Its not too surprising. After all the two are tangled together. Cedrik was the ideal mate they wanted, and as it seems that there is something between them of course they would push the issue further. Only... in so doing it was driving the two further apart. Whether or not he likes that, the fact remains that the clan needed to be dealt with.

Being a mix of viera and miqo'te the clan did not adhere strictly to one or the other's customs rather it was a blend. Since Cedrik pointed it out, he understands that the people are a bit confused. The issue, however, was that he made himself very clear:

He was not going to sire. Svenja was his last kit and he was not going to take a female to bed. He had Maverick and A'kiva and that was all he was going to have. He reaffirmed this after Maverick's passing, and A'kiva was all he had left. They knew this. He fought them over this. Evidently it wasn't enough.

Well, it was going to be enough.

On the morrow he called for a clan meeting. And at Cedrik's advice, included F'yire, G'laice, Dion and Astvaldur - the heads of Diajik's former tribe, as well as Ruvhari'a and F'alcon to act as guards for his mate and daughters who would also be in attendance. On his back, was his gunblade. On his hip, his gun. And on his face was an unimpressed look. He addressed them:

"Today you have a choice to make," he says without preamble, "either accept me as your leader or choose another weaker member to take my place."

There's a ripple of a murmur through the clan, and he feels a few confused eyes from the tribe behind him. It was Gunnar of all people however, who asked, "I do not understand. Why?"

"I told you the day you elected me as your leader what my stipulations were - Maverick and A'kiva were to be the only mates I took and I was not going to sire." There were several flinches but most remained unaffected. "As we are not forced to live under the rules of either Seeker tribe or viera customs I have decided to embrace the ideas that you would be free to choose whom you wanted to mate and how - whether it would be permanent or not, so long as both parties had no conflictions over it.

"As your leader I had assumed I too was allowed to make my own decision on the matter. After all, I would not enforce it if I did not believe or practice it myself." Someone tried to call out to him but he spoke over them, coldly. "Clearly it is not the case. You do not like A'kiva. But more than that you have time and time again tried to force him out and now have tried to bring Cedrik into it, heedless of my own thoughts on the matter. That ends now. Pick."

It was silent for a long while before Njala speaks. "It would help, I think, if we knew who is to be clan head after you."

"It would help if he would stop coddling his whelp." Njala hisses her mate's name, and both Svenja and Flopsy bristle ready to jump in, but F'yire and Vhari both shake their heads. Svan remains impassive. "You have had ample time to train him. We gave you that time and you have done nothing with it."

He doesn't want to have this conversation here, infront of everyone. He doesn't want to compare his mate to the few boys he'd had to raise, no, discard, left to the wilds to die because they couldn't bring themselves to kill even an animal. He doesn't want to explain that he knows A'kiva would never be able to bring a weapon or spell against another person, even in defense. He doesn't.

"I am trained," A'kiva says. "Y' jus dun care for it." Her face curls into a snarl. "I can heal. I've dun so for plenty of you over the past year and so. I know how to make tonics, but also how to make poisons and gases and how to use them." He blinks. "...I can use a dagger." And that seems to startle many. He said dagger not a knife. A weapon, not a tool. "I ain't good at it, and I've never used it, but I know where to stab and how.

"But I'm not like Svangeir. I'm not like Cedrik. I can't do the things Flopsy does, nor have I been trained like Svenja is. And that is what you want and what I cannot be." Now any way. Svan believes with time his mate could. He does not know if he could bring himself to let him. His reaction to Taxir's suggestion is telling enough but... "And Svan's fine with it." More than. "And he's who matters."

There's much he could say here, if Svan wanted. He could say that they are hindering any attempts at him and Cedrik rekindling. That they are who is driving them apart. He could say that he has no feelings for his former mate. That he gave him up, had begun to move on, is still moving on and they're making matters worse. He could say they have hurt him deeply by their disregard of his desires. That he gave up much and that he wanted to have this.

He doesn't. He doesn't want to bring Cedrik in to this because it isn't fair to the older man. He is not to blame. And he doesn't say anything because ultimately they do not care. It wouldn't have gotten to this point if they did. Its a waste of his breath. So he stands there, impassive and unyielding.

"And we do not?" And that was the wrong thing to say.

"Your opinions on my mate do not and have never mattered. I do not owe any of you a damn thing. I did not even want this position but took it believing that as the one amongst us who had the most experience outside the Wood I could ease you all into this new and scary world. I stayed because my mate begged me to and despite every part of me wanting to just resign and leave you all to your fate I am still giving you the choice to pick. Stop making me regret my decision and choose. My patience is waning."

"Why will you not just take Cedrik and be done with this?"

"My relationship with Cedrik is none of your business."

Before things could get heated the blue haired viera chimes in: "It isn't." And they turn to look at him. "What is between Svangeir and I is for us to decide alongside A'kiva as he is Svangeir's mate and your meddling is doing nothing but straining what we have. We have not been together since before Svenja's birth and since then things have changed. Further, I do not appreciate your attempts of aiding me and tearing down A'kiva and his relationship with Svangeir in doing so." He turns to Njala. "If the clan still wishes for a male to lead there is Gunnar, he is Svangeir's second. If the clan wishes for a female leader there are plenty to choose from."

She nods. "We have our options and our current leader has given our choices. We may stay with him and accept he will not sire another child, that A'kiva will remain his sole mate until he decides otherwise if ever and we will no longer address this going forward. We may pick another canidate to lead us in his stead as he steps down." What happens to them in that scenario is uncertain, but Njalla suspects her son will take his family and leave. "Or," and this is where she has the most interest. "As always we are free to leave."

There is silence only for a moment before A'zehya and several other miqo’te women move. "G'laice and F'yire have already offered for us to join. We will rejoin our sisters in the tribe."

Flopsy moves to stand with F'alcon and Ruvhari'a as the women walk by. He doesn't trust them with his other father but trusts his mate and G'laice will handle them. For now he'll keep his distance.

A few Viera and miqo’te couples stepped forward. "What if some of us wish to stay?"

Svan shrugs. "Be my guests."

With that the clan was split into two. Njala's mate and a few of the women left the grounds. And Svan believes will leave the Shroud all together. She doesn't look back at his dam, he notes. He knows they argued for years over him specifically. And while he was growing he never saw what kind of relationship they had. He imagined it was close... but mayhaps not. And while he never liked the other woman, he does mourn for his mother, even if he's overjoyed that she remains with him.

Most of the kits and their moms remain, and with winter approaching he ushers them all to gather warm clothing and blankets and whatever they may need.

"You weren't really going to leave me in charge... were you?" Gunnar asked meekly.

"If they wanted it." Svan shrugged in answer, and Gunnar grimaced.

With that, tensions eased and all returned to their homes, a lighter air upon them. Still, Svan kept his family close, not wanting any of them out of his sight.

That night, Flopsy bade they join him and F'yire and his kits. And Svan couldn't refuse. It was a tight squeeze for all of them but they managed - F'yire and Flopsy with the former's kits from S'yal cuddled into them, F'alcon and Vhari and their kit not too far, G'laice on the other side of F'yire and whom he pushed his daughters and A'kiva to, his mate's mom and his sister near them, and he and his mother within reach.

A large sprawling family of viera and miqo’te.

[popolodipekino]

edda

edda qualche tempo che ho letto l'edda di snorri edda allora mi domando chi sa che cosa significa il titolo edda; me lo domando ma poi mi dimentico di cercare la risposta edda capo mi ritrovo a domandarmelo. eddai eddai che stamani ho trovato la risposta, forse, qui

l'edda di snorri sturluson è un "manuale di arte scaldica per aspiranti poeti [scaldo è il cantore di corte presso i norreni] e [...] un trattato di mitologia norrena". sull'origine del titolo dell'opera mancano tuttora spiegazioni convincenti, a quanto pare.

faccio un sunto delle ipotesi di etimo proposte dalla mia fonte:

a. edda = ava, bisnonna. si tratterebbe di un libro di storie narrate da oppure del tempo della bisnonna. tuttavia il termine edda con questo significato ha poche attestazioni (due), dove compaiono le coppie ai e edda = bisnonno e bisnonna, afi e amma = nonno e nonna, fadhir e modhir = padre e madre. inoltre non sarebbe ben chiaro il nesso tra titolo e contenuto dell'opera (manuale per aspiranti poeti di corte), tanto più che per dire "libro della bisnonna" ci si aspetterebbe piuttosto un termine come eddumal, eddutal, eddubok.

b. edda verrebbe da oddi, nome della città dove snorri viene allevato ed istruito. senonché la spiegazione regge poco dal punto di vista linguistico e anche perché quando snorri scrive l'edda non è più a oddi da un po'.

c. edda deriverebbe dal sostantivo norreno odhr = ebbrezza poetica, che condivide la radice con odhinn, nome del dio della poesia, della magia e del furore estatico. ma anche questa ipotesi presenta difficoltà linguistiche.

d. edda deriverebbe dall'antico-inglese gjedd/gedd/gidd, sostantivo che indica tutte le possibili attività dello scop (lo scaldo nella cultura anglosassone): canto, poema, sermone, proverbio, elogio, enigma, ecc. da lì il termine scandinavo eddi = poema, e il titolo dell'opera edda, ottenuto con l'aggiunta del suffisso -a, procedura tipica nella formazione dei titoli delle opere letterarie norrene (njala = saga di njal, gretta = saga di grettir, ecc.). quindi edda = libro della poesia/dell'arte poetica. va detto che l'influenza della cultura antico-inglese su quella scandinava è attestata da numerosi termini che il norreno trae dall'anglosassone (es. raedhingr = testo, bleza = benedire).

e. infine, occorre ricordare che nel medioevo non si davano titoli ai libri, perché tanto ce n'erano talmente pochi che chi li possedeva li riconosceva dalla copertina. i titoli che fanno riferimento al contenuto sono tipicamente aggiunte posteriori; invece, tra i manoscritti norreni, diversi si ritrovano etichettati in base a caratteristiche esteriori del volume: ad esempio graskinna = libro di pelle grigia, morkinskinna = libro di pelle marcia (la cui rilegatura era ammuffita), jarnsidha = copertina di ferro.

[starlightstripes]

Okay Nerd. Rune: 1, 5, 12 / Alys: 7, 10, 28 / and Crenic (you pick which Crenic, but both is a valid option ;D ): 8, 15, 34

ohohoho let's go, nerd. thanks for the asks!

Rune Nightfall

1 - are they associated with a certain color? what color do they wear the most? Definitely Blue primarily, with splashes of warmer shades, usually red for clothing to match his orange eyes. Specifically in game, Rhotano blue is one of my favourite shades so I pick it a lot.

5 - how do they typically dress? does their wardrobe lean more towards practicality or aesthetics? A little mix of both. He does have Adventuring glams, and Going Out glams, but despite being a Black Mage he rarely dresses in robes

12 - how long have they been around? do you know their birthday? is their birthday the day you made them or another day? what do they think of celebrating birthdays? Not As old as my main, but he's the first alt I made once I finished endwalker because I really wanted a catboy but not fantasia away. Birthday wise, since FFXIV does have a in game birthday option, I either pick kind random, or my own birthday. Rune's 5th Sun of 1st Umbral Moon (aka feb 5)

Alys Stargrasp

7 - Favorite animal? why? You can never go wrong with Coeurl kittens, I mean just look at this little guy

10 - if they wear jewelry, what kind? do they prefer silver or gold? do they have a favorite gem? She does, a whole lot of them. Piercings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, anklets. Whatever she can wear with the outfit at the time. Usually gold, and whichever gemstone compliments it.

28 -how do they show that they care about someone? how do they express that they don't like someone? When she cares, she tries to be there for them. Emotional support, looking out for them, acts of service type of thing, but most of the time it's quiet things. Haven't eaten in a while? she might leave some food out for you, mend a torn clothing, etc, but not being obvious about it or speak up. When she doesn't like someone she just tries to avoid them, situation allowing

Crenic Namalen

8 - do they have a nickname? who gave it to them? if it's not derived from their real name, what's the story behind it? Oh boy does Rin have plenty for him. But mostly he calls Crenic Honeybun or Husbun, Because married, and a bunboy

15 - how big or small is their family? who did they live with growing up? do they live with anyone now? Crenic was born and raised in the Skatay Range in the Viera woods. There was his parents, Einar and Ysera, an older sister Arjn, and two younger sisters, Alva and Njala. And then his mentor was Cedrik, and the others who trained with him, Ruuj, Rael, Yurhee, and Iryut, which all he counts as much as family as well. When Alva decided to leave the woods, he left with her and when they got separated, he was alone for several years, until he met Rin. The two live together now. Rin's adoptive parents are also Crenic's in laws who all get along and he also cares a lot about.

34 - how would your character describe themselves? it doesn't have to line up with how they really are. Years in a Garlean prison definitely wrecked any confidence in himself. Superficially, he'd just say he's trying to put out some good in the world, helping people whenever he can. He does admit he can be stubborn, but also very loyal to the people he cares about. If you were to actually reach behind the surface levels, Crenic thinks he's a failure, and he blames himself for a lot of things that were out of his control, or done to him.

[theankoletimes]

Kaggwa Njala Slams A'Level as a Scam – Urges Authorities to Scrap One UACE Year

Media personality Simon Kaggwa Njala thinks that A’Level is a scam. He has in fact proposed that one year should be scrapped off the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) level. His argument is that most of the learners who sat for their Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) this year are well over 18 years. And at 18, a learner should be entering the tertiary level of education. There…

[daradailydigest]

Njala University Clarifies Ady Macauley Lecture Cancellation

Njala University has addressed allegations surrounding the cancellation of a scheduled public lecture by prominent lawyer Ady Macauley, which was to take place on November 25, 2024, at the institution’s Bo Campus. The lecture, titled “Fighting Corruption – the Experience and Perspective of Ady Macauley,” was organized by the Student Union Government (SUG) but was cancelled by the university…

[topsportsasia]

The Miss Globe 2024 crowned in Tirana, Albania

Manvin “Aanvi” Khera of Malaysia won the 20th edition of The Miss Globe at the Ramazan Njala Sports Palace in Durres, Albania. The respective first, second, third and fourth runners-up were Katia Agbodo Rodriguez of Spain, Anna Valencia Lakrini of the Philippines, Duru Esther Chidera of Nigeria and Kirstin Yvonne Bangs of the United States. On October 15, 2024, Khera crowned her successor at the…

[conandaily2022]

The Miss Globe 2024 results: Aanvi Khera crowns successor in Tirana

The Miss Globe is an international beauty pageant based in Albania. It is organized by the Deliart Association, which was established in Tirana, Albania in 1995. On November 17, 2023, Manvin “Aanvi” Khera of Malaysia won the competition’s 20th edition at the Ramazan Njala Sports Palace in Durres, Albania. She served as a judge in the 21st edition, beauty pageant: The Miss Globe edition:…

[teemoonley]

Simon Kaggwa Njala Why Are You Gay T-Shirt

Unleash your sense of humor with the Simon Kaggwa Njala Why Are You Gay Shirt! This shirt features the memorable phrase “Why Are You Gay?”—a viral quote that originated from a debate on homosexuality aired by Uganda’s NBS TV in 2012. This quote, delivered by host Simon Kaggwa Njala during a lively discussion with transgender activist Pepe Julian Onziema, has since gained cultural significance, circulating widely as a meme and remix.

Made from high-quality, comfortable fabric, this shirt is perfect for anyone who appreciates a good laugh and wants to make a bold statement. Whether you’re attending a casual event, going out with friends, or participating in a cultural discussion, this shirt is sure to spark conversations. Available in a range of sizes, the Why Are You Gay Shirt combines humor with cultural commentary, making it a unique and eye-catching addition to your wardrobe. Embrace the power of laughter and wear it proudly!

Get it here: Teemoonley

[le-fils-de-lhomme]

I was looking up Simon Kaggwa Njala from the 'Why are you gay?' clip he posted a picture of his face with the caption 'To those making memes of me, God is watching' sometime in 2019 and then he peaced out.

[mrlagoswahala]

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[disaster-husbun]

Crenic Namalen

Nickname: Doc. Husbun (Only for his husband)

Age: 79

Nameday: 5th Sun of the First Umbal Moon

Race: Viera - Veena

Gender: Trans male.

Orientation: Bisexual.

Profession: Healer.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS

Hair: Long, straight black and white hair. While it's not "Greying", the white has been getting bigger and covering more of his hair and ears over time.

Eyes: One blue, one green.

Skin: Very pale, easily burns.

Tattoos & Scars: No tattoos. Scars around his neck and wrists, and down his spine from time in Garlean laboratory. One in the stomach from being stabbed + shot with a Garlean Gunblade.

FAMILY

Parents: Ysera and Einar. Both alive.

Siblings: Older Sister: Arjn. Younger sisters: Alva and Njala.

Grandparents: Would see them occasionally, on good terms but not very close.

Other: Old mentor: Cedrik. Trained along with: Ruuj, Rael, Yurhee, Iryut.

SKILLS

Abilities: Healer - Crenic can heal both aetherically with magic, as well as more traditional methods.

Gunbreaker - Picked it up from Bozja survivors in Dalmasca to help fight against the invading Empire.

Woodwarder - Raised in the Skatay range, spent a few decades as one of the Viera Woodwarders. From survival, tracking, hunting, and more, he is also quite capable with a spear and dagger, and knows how to use a bow.

Echo - Crenic's manifestation of the Echo allows him to see glimpses of the future. Unable to control when they come, as well as leaving him dizzy and with headaches especially when too long/frequent. It seems to be more likely to happen with people he's close or the longer he spends with someone.

Hobbies: Keeps a garden in his home and enjoys tending to plants.

TRAITS

Most positive trait: Crenic believes in doing good. In keeping hope alive, and helping others not despite and horrors, but in spite of it. He's not naive, he knows very well how much pain is there, and that is exactly why believes in not only not adding to it, but helping to fight it.

Most negative trait: A combination of being impulsive, very low self-esteem, and that very selflessness can, and has, led Crenic into danger and even threatening his life. From causing a diversion so he'd get caught instead of his sister, to jumping in front of Rin so he'd be the one stabbed and shot instead, Crenic believes "Better him than others".

LIKES

Colors: He's come to really love Purple more recently.

Smells: Flowers. Honey. His husband's cooking.

Textures: Soft fur. Polished wood and gemstones.

Drinks: Fruit and flower teas. Juices. Incredibly lightweight to alcohol for someone his size.

OTHER DETAILS

Smokes: No.

Drugs: No. Is also very susceptible to the effects of any drug or medication. His time imprisoned basically destroyed his body's ability to handle any of it.

Mount Issuance: Neri, a large and sweet dark blue Chocobo.

Been Arrested: Yes. 15 years with the Garleans, Couple months with the Maelstorm accused of desertion and a few other things until it was worked out.

[theankoletimes]

Simon Kaggwa Njala falls into things as Andrew Tate gifts him Monstrous Ride

Ugandan media personality Simon Kaggwa Njala seems to be earning hugely from his decade long famous ‘Why are you gay’ interview as he keeps falling into things. Credible word has that the NBS TV Morning Breeze show host has been gifted a monstrous Ride by social media personality and businessman, Andrew Tate. Njala became a global sensation following his interview that featured gay rights…

[rausule]

'n Gids vir die uitspraak van vulgêre Latyn

uitgespreek soos 'n in die Afrikaanse woord vader, bv. Batho, mense. uitgespreek soos b in die Afrikaanse woord baba, bv. baba, stel dit . uitgespreek soos nur in Afrikaans, bv. e-c-e (uiting van simpatie).

uitgespreek soos d in die Afrikaanse woord skuld, bv. ditau, leeus. verteenwoordig twee klanke, een soos ey in die Afrikaanse woord hulle, of a in came, bv. pele, eerste, en die ander soos e in begin. In die woord pele hoor mens albei die klanke in die volgorde wat gegee word. uitgespreek soos e in die Afrikaanse woord daar, of e in die Franse woord père, bv. ema,

staan. uitgespreek soos fin die Afrikaanse woord ver, maar oor die algemeen met 'n aspireerde klank, bv.

fela of fhela, net.

g uitgespreek soos ch in die Afrkaanse woord loch, of g in Nederlands gaan, bv. gana, weier.

h

uitgespreek soos h in die Afrikaanse woordhuis, bv. huma, wees ryk.

uitgespreek soos ee in die Afrikaanse woord diep, bv. bina, dans. uitgespreek soos / in die Afrikaanse woord kruik, bv. jala, saai.

k uitgespreek soos k in die Afrikaanse woordsoort, bv. kima, dik. kg uitgespreek as k (met 'n guitige aksent), bv. kgomo, 'n os.

kh uitgespreek soos e in die Afrikaanse woorde koek en kaap, bv. khiba, voorskoot. uitgespreek soos / in die Afrikaanse woordreël, bv. lela, huil. uitgespreek soos m in die Afrikaanse woord my, bv. mena, vou.

m

uitgespreek soos n in die Afrikaanse woordnaam, c.g. nama, vlees. ng uitgespreek soos ng in die Afrikaanse woord sing, bv. eng, wat.

n

ny uitgespreek soos n in die Afrikaanse woord nuut, bv. njala, trou.

stel twee klanke voor, o soos in die Afrikaanse woord beer, boerie bv. motse, dorpie, om te sê en 'n klank ietwat soos u in pur, bv. pelo, hart.

uitgespreek soos ou in die Afrikaanse woord behoort, bv. bona, sien. P uitgespreek soos p in die Afrikaanse woord pyn, bv. pit, perd.

ph uitgespreek soos p (met aspirasie) soos in die Afrikaanse woord perske, bv. phutha, vou. uitgespreek soos r in die Afrikaanse woord rar, bv. rera, preek.

S

uitgespreek soos s in die Afrikaanse woord sit, bv. sisi, bedees.

uitgespreek soos sh in die Afrikaanse woord toe, bv. 3a, brand. uitgespreek soos r in die Afrikaanse woord steak, bv. setoto, karkas.

uitgespreek soos (met aspirasie) soos in die Afrikaanse woord neem, bv. dus, help. uitgespreek soos in die Afrikaanse woord shuttle of cluck, bv. tla, kom.

uitgespreek met aspirasie, soos in die Afrikaanse woord sklerose, bv. tlhapa, was. uitgespreek soos is in die Afrikaanse woord mats, bv. Isela, 'n pad. uitgespreek soos st in die Afrikaanse woord bredie, die s-klank is minder hoorbaar, c.g. verhaal, tjalie.

uitgespreek met aspirasie soos is in die Afrikaanse woord matte. Die gevolglike klank is

tsj

tsj

soortgelyk aan dié in die Afrikaanse woord Switserland. uitgespreek soos ch in die Afrikaanse woord kerk, bv. setshaba, 'n nasie.

ste

tlh

d

uitgespreek soos u in die Afrikaanse woord onbeskof, bv. pula, uitgespreek soos w in die Afrikaanse woord water, bv. wena, jy is 'n alveo-palatale klik wat lateraal vrygestel word soos in byl, wat simpatie uitspreek. y uitgespreek soos y in die Afrikaanse woord yer, bv. tsamaya, gaan.

W

X

Dr De Beer

[thechroniclesofhriddick]

Grievance

When Cedrik first came to he saw the ceiling of a tent. That was odd. Wasn't he in the forest? He doesn't remember coming back. Vision blurry, confused and exhausted he closes his eyes and goes back to sleep.

The next time he awakes he feels he can move. As he tries to sit up he feels a hand push him back into the bed. "Lay back down," he hears from a familiar voice. "The healers would be cross with me if I let you sit up."

Cedrik looks over and sees Njala, Svangeir's mother a smile on her face. He was in the healer's tent. He lays back down, looking wildly about. Last he remembered he was with Svan and - A'kiva, the kit. Where...? "What... happened?"

Njala looks serious as she gets comfortable in her seat. "My son brought you, A'kiva, Loki and a small kit with him from the woods. Taxir, Durriken and the Matriarch were attending to Ruvhari'a's family and were ready to receive you.

"From the report Svangeir made you both were being chased by voidsent on your way back to us when you suddenly fell, likely due to blood loss. My son was able to hoist you upon his back and carry you the rest of the way. Were it not for Xynal's timely rescue, guiding G'laice, Svenja, and Sanskir to you, you all would have been lost..."

There's a warmth in Cedrik's chest, even as he says, "He should have left me behind."

Njala scoffed. "My son yet cares for you even if he may not love you." She nods over to her right and Cedrik found an empty chair with his eyes. "Since you all have been brought here he has not left save for when he is needed."

"A'kiva and the kit are here then? Are they well? Whose kit was it?"

"A'kiva is alive. His fever broke this morn. As for the kit..." She pauses. And he fears for the worse. "Once the tribes have quieted and all were accounted for, we looked to see who could be the parents. The kit belonged to no one. She has no family.

"Svangeir is out currently doing another round of checking but..." Cedrik nods. She smiles and stands. "I will leave you to your rest." He watches her leave and then closes his eyes, the peace and quiet helping him drift off long before Svan returned.



When Cedrik wakes again there is no one by his bedside. He thinks its late as it feels dark in the tent, lit only by a candle. His eyes catch something, however - a glint of metal. It was an arm. A metal arm. Attached to a fair skinned dark haired viera male. Svangeir.

The man was slightly slouched in his chair, arms crossed and head bowed, asleep. Cedrik's eyes soften. The man no longer considers them mates, but he will always think of Svan as such. His beautiful black swan.

He's startled to hear a sharp cry and watches as Svan wakes and swiftly rises and goes to his right. He follows him and notes his mate goes to a bed... a crib... the kit.... and watches as he picks her up, rocks her slightly and then goes to get a bottle to feed her all in practiced movements.

He imagines the man doing this to his daughter Svenja - and with one arm at that - making a sharp longing rise up in his chest. He missed it. All of it.

He couldn't take Svan with him. They had young bucks, just on the cusp of majority panicking, upset. It wasn't a good environment for his wounded mate to be in, and even if they were older and able to help, they had to be on the move. It was better for Svan to stay in his birth village.

Initially he tried to stay in the area. He wanted to make sure his mate was going to live, that another bear wouldn't come attack, to visit his mate perhaps, especially. He was denied. Repeatedly. Even with Njala trying to vouch for him. Eventually he had to move, the bucks were getting restless and he knows his mate would put them first. Always such a caring soul to young ones...

And so he did and he mourned. Not in that his mate was dead, he knew him. Svan would make it. But he mourned the loss of his presence, holding him, talking to him.

He wished he could have seen him with his daughter. Seen his daughter at all. See if she looked like him, like her mother, a mix. He wanted to see Svan.

But with him having to send his mate away for fear of his life... perhaps it was best. Perhaps... it was his punishment. He turns over, not wanting to see anymore, be lost in memories and what ifs and tries to fall back asleep.



He awakes the next day to see A'kiva in the chair, holding the kit. Its a viera he notes, with white hair and slightly floppy ears. A'kiva smiles down at him. "Yer awake." He nods and tries to keep his eyes straying from the chair he last saw Svan in. "'Ow're y'feelin'? D'ya thin y'can eat sumthin?"

"Am I allowed to sit up?"

Kiva seems to ponder that. "I thin' so."

The man sits up, feeling a bit weak. He turns just in time to see Kiva stand and limp over to a table, adjusting his hold on the kit to pick up a bowl before returning and handing it to him, spoon already in it. Cedrik takes it, keeps his eyes on it and focuses on spooning food. "Have you eaten?" he asks.

He doesn't look to see if Kiva nods. "Yah. 'Bout a bell ago."

"Are you well?" He asks these things mostly out of obligation. He doesn't hate A'kiva, though he doesn't know him well enough to truly like him. He's just... upset. From last night and his thoughts.

"We're alright... Loki's alive... th' kit is well an' I..." A'kiva pauses. "I can walk." That's good. And he says so aloud, but despite just eating he isn't heavy from the food, but his heart. "Are... ya alright?" No. No he wasn't.

Aloud he says, "I... am tired." A lie.

A'kiva takes his mostly empty bowl from him. "We'll let ya sleep." He's sure he's given a bright or hopeful smile but he can't look at the smaller male right now, nodding and laying back down, curling up on his side. He hears the tent flap open and close and he assumes the male took the kit so she wouldn't wake him.

He curls away from the door and tries to sleep with some success.

He wakes perhaps a bell or two later, facing the chair that is now occupied. Its Svangeir. Cedrik wants to be happy to see him, but all he can feel is deep sorrow.

"How are you feeling?"

He turns over onto his back with a quiet sigh. "I am fine." He glances over and notes that Svan is wearing half a shirt, exposing his stomach... and some bandages. He's not sure what makes him say it, either sadness or guilt but, "You should have left me."

"I refused to." And Cedrik is unsure what that's supposed to mean. Did he feel grateful for protecting A'kiva? Did he feel he had to as clan head? He knows what he wants it to mean but Svan made it clear he wants nothing to do with the older buck. And he respects his younger m- ...He shouldn't think of him like that.

They remain quiet for a short while. Cedrik still refusing to look at the other male, feeling his heart sink ever deeper. All that he would want to say, he has said. "Just because we are no longer mates does not mean I don't care for you still."

Cedrik feels his face contort into a snarl and he turns away from him. "I did not make that decision."

"Cedrik-"

"Leave. Just... leave..." He waits, feeling Svan's eyes on him for several breaths before his ears hear the man stand. He watches him leave through the tent flaps and its then and only then he curls up tightly and allows himself to cry.

He isn't sure how long its been when he feels another presence in the tent. His eyes immediately drift towards the opening and it is Njala once more. "...Svan asked you to come here."

"He did," she agrees, seeing no reason to hide it. She sits in the chair beside his bed. He doesn't move. "He says his presence upsets you."

He scoffs. "Of course it does. How can he claim he yet cares when he was the one to push me away? Still pushes me away!"

"That is not how Svangeir sees it. You know this. We asked him to die to our people, to us, when we bade him leave. True, twas for his life, but that does not make his feelings of betrayal and hurt any less real."

"I was going to follow him. The moment the bucks under our care were well enough to live on their own I would leave and not come back."

"Did you tell him thus?" His silence and his flattened ears spoke for itself. "He had no reason to believe you would come for him," she says kindly. "He made peace with the idea you no longer loved him, though that is not the case."

And now he has A'kiva he thinks. A man just a few years old enough to be considered a budding warder who he loved and protected dearly, who he would leave the clan over for. He tries not to think of him as either a kit or with bitterness. He wasn't the enemy and it wasn't his fault. He has no control over Svan's feelings. He should move on, but he... can't. He promised Svan forever, that his hair and tail didn't matter - he'd love him all the same.

Njala is quiet for a moment. "I will tell you this and what you do with said information is up to you: Svangeir yet loves you. Mayhaps not as a mate, but he would not yet have feelings for you, good or bad, if he did not care. He may never take you back as a mate, but you will not win him back, mate or friend, unless you come to terms with A'kiva and ease Svan's worries with the clan."

He glances to her at that. He had little qualms with getting close to A'kiva. He was giving the miqo'te space because it was obvious he made him uncomfortable, but what was with - "The clan?"

"While the clan is more tolerant of A'kiva, should you wish to persue a relationship with my son, they would not hesitate to demand A'kiva's presence removed."

Cedrik frowns. "Svan would not stand for that and neither would I. He makes him happy."

"But they see you as the more suitable mate."

"...Why are you helping me?"

She raises a red brow. "You love my son as much as A'kiva does and I know how hard it was for you to give him up not once, but twice. If you joining them brings them and you all happiness, so be it. If they are better off with out you, then I pray my words give you peace." She stands as Dion comes into the tent to tend to him, leaving through the flaps, but with the silloette he sees outside, remains close by.

He answers the miqo'te's questions when prompted but for the most part is left to his own thoughts.