Adyel. She had his name. Kavala smiled thinking that progress. He also seemed accepting of the fact that she was buying him some things and making sure he had what he needed when she did take him home. Kelvics were strange creatures. They needed territories, home bases, and depending on the type some of them needed a den to feel secure. Kavala didn’t think Adyel would need that much. In fact, she was planning on keeping him with her and the children for a few days before offering him his own space. The three children had their own space, but most of them slept with the Konti in her big Dyrkas style bed on a fairly regular basis. Larik and Cadra, her Kelvic niece and nephew also tended to sleep together with them. Adyel might feel right at home in the Dyrkas style living arrangements. It helped them all bond, form a community, and see to each other’s needs. And with so many living things around, Kavala felt less alone. Her life was never dull and there was never a lack of someone that needed mothering.
That suited her just fine.
When Adyel told Namorin that they were just leaving, Kavala didn’t want any hard feelings or aggression. Akalaks could be easily offended depending on which personality you were talking to and how their day had gone. This was doubly true if a young kelvic was sounding somewhat dismissive even though Kavala knew he didn’t mean it that way. She took a moment to smile, meet Namorin’s gaze, and study him a little. He did seem young, but fully an adult for all of that. He was definitely an expressive person that showed emotions easily. She saw a slight tint to his features and something that looked a little award being on a noble face. Shame? No… not truly. Kavala suspected he was just not the type that was good dealing with social situations.
Kavala’s estimation of Namorin rose as he politely introduced himself to the young kelvic. She responded in kind as well. “I’m Kavala Denusk.” She added, putting them all on equal and proper footing with having everyone’s names exchanged. The Akalak further ingratiated himself to Kavala when he complimented his facility and mentioned having a mother. That was another plus in her book. Akalaks tended to take the children away from Nakivaks, not letting the women who birthed them raise them. And sometimes too the mothers died, usually in childbirth, and always quite tragically. It was no wonder most Akalak distanced themselves from women except for pleasure and reproduction. But if Namorin and his brother Charlain had a mother at home, then perhaps they were something different.
“You’re welcome to come with us. I’m just going to take them home after picking up a few more items here and feed them. There’s going to be plenty for an extra mouth or two. Then I could show you around once the children settle in for a nap. I suspect all of them are in need of one.” Even as she said so, Kavala noted her daughter’s droopy expression. She picked the frail young girl up and balanced her on her hip again.
“I have a pony cart at the stables. And all the purchases are going to be delivered there. It’s a three seater but I was just going to load the kids and packages on and walk back alongside the pony. It’s a couple of miles outside of town. Would you mind the walk?” She asked carefully. If the Akalak didn’t mind, she certainly didn’t mind him joining them for lunch.
She took a moment to stroke her daughter’s hair. Even as she spoke Ia’del fell asleep. Kavala sighed and met the Akalak’s eyes, carefully avoiding Ralac’s gaze. Ralac and Tasi knew the story, Ralac playing a key role in it. “Ia’del was born seriously premature. I thought Ralac and her were twins but I was wrong. Sometimes Healers are terrible at diagnosing their own health. My body screwed up and I shed two eggs almost three weeks apart. They were both fertilized by my Talvis.” The last bit revealed she was indeed a Nakivak at one time. "So they developed together. Ralac was born first, and seriously late. I swore he waited in the womb as long as he could so Ia could finish her development. Ia wouldn’t have survived except my best friend Caelum is an Eth. They can age things they touch. He held Ia every day after she was born and aged her one day. Double timing her aging increased her development and saved her life. But she’s still so frail. She doesn’t stop breathing anymore like she used too as a baby. But we still worry.” Kavala said, having told a great many people about the story and about why her two youngest weren’t twins even though they were born chimes apart.
She said this for Adyel’s benefit too, so he would realize the little girl was special, fragile, and not of the best health. If he stayed with Kavala and her little family, she’d expect him to be a sort of protector to the little children, any of them, not just Ia’del. They needed it more than most. Tasival, her oldest son, and Ralac, Ia’del’s womb mate were stronger and growing stronger each day. Both would be warriors. Both were Akontak. But Ia’del was only a Konti and a tiny one at that. She oozed frailty like some flowers did.
It in many ways broke Kavala’s heart.
“Well… lets head out of here and to the stables… get the pony cart, and then head back to The Sanctuary. Namorin, you coming?” She asked, a smile on her face as if she didn’t just tell them she was worried about her youngest daughter even making it to a decent age. Kavala would fight too see them all happy and healthy. She’d done it before and she’d definitely do it again. They deserved that much at least.
That suited her just fine.
When Adyel told Namorin that they were just leaving, Kavala didn’t want any hard feelings or aggression. Akalaks could be easily offended depending on which personality you were talking to and how their day had gone. This was doubly true if a young kelvic was sounding somewhat dismissive even though Kavala knew he didn’t mean it that way. She took a moment to smile, meet Namorin’s gaze, and study him a little. He did seem young, but fully an adult for all of that. He was definitely an expressive person that showed emotions easily. She saw a slight tint to his features and something that looked a little award being on a noble face. Shame? No… not truly. Kavala suspected he was just not the type that was good dealing with social situations.
Kavala’s estimation of Namorin rose as he politely introduced himself to the young kelvic. She responded in kind as well. “I’m Kavala Denusk.” She added, putting them all on equal and proper footing with having everyone’s names exchanged. The Akalak further ingratiated himself to Kavala when he complimented his facility and mentioned having a mother. That was another plus in her book. Akalaks tended to take the children away from Nakivaks, not letting the women who birthed them raise them. And sometimes too the mothers died, usually in childbirth, and always quite tragically. It was no wonder most Akalak distanced themselves from women except for pleasure and reproduction. But if Namorin and his brother Charlain had a mother at home, then perhaps they were something different.
“You’re welcome to come with us. I’m just going to take them home after picking up a few more items here and feed them. There’s going to be plenty for an extra mouth or two. Then I could show you around once the children settle in for a nap. I suspect all of them are in need of one.” Even as she said so, Kavala noted her daughter’s droopy expression. She picked the frail young girl up and balanced her on her hip again.
“I have a pony cart at the stables. And all the purchases are going to be delivered there. It’s a three seater but I was just going to load the kids and packages on and walk back alongside the pony. It’s a couple of miles outside of town. Would you mind the walk?” She asked carefully. If the Akalak didn’t mind, she certainly didn’t mind him joining them for lunch.
She took a moment to stroke her daughter’s hair. Even as she spoke Ia’del fell asleep. Kavala sighed and met the Akalak’s eyes, carefully avoiding Ralac’s gaze. Ralac and Tasi knew the story, Ralac playing a key role in it. “Ia’del was born seriously premature. I thought Ralac and her were twins but I was wrong. Sometimes Healers are terrible at diagnosing their own health. My body screwed up and I shed two eggs almost three weeks apart. They were both fertilized by my Talvis.” The last bit revealed she was indeed a Nakivak at one time. "So they developed together. Ralac was born first, and seriously late. I swore he waited in the womb as long as he could so Ia could finish her development. Ia wouldn’t have survived except my best friend Caelum is an Eth. They can age things they touch. He held Ia every day after she was born and aged her one day. Double timing her aging increased her development and saved her life. But she’s still so frail. She doesn’t stop breathing anymore like she used too as a baby. But we still worry.” Kavala said, having told a great many people about the story and about why her two youngest weren’t twins even though they were born chimes apart.
She said this for Adyel’s benefit too, so he would realize the little girl was special, fragile, and not of the best health. If he stayed with Kavala and her little family, she’d expect him to be a sort of protector to the little children, any of them, not just Ia’del. They needed it more than most. Tasival, her oldest son, and Ralac, Ia’del’s womb mate were stronger and growing stronger each day. Both would be warriors. Both were Akontak. But Ia’del was only a Konti and a tiny one at that. She oozed frailty like some flowers did.
It in many ways broke Kavala’s heart.
“Well… lets head out of here and to the stables… get the pony cart, and then head back to The Sanctuary. Namorin, you coming?” She asked, a smile on her face as if she didn’t just tell them she was worried about her youngest daughter even making it to a decent age. Kavala would fight too see them all happy and healthy. She’d done it before and she’d definitely do it again. They deserved that much at least.
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