[Sanctuary] Love Does Not Give Prior Notice (Open)

[Kavala]

Timestamp: 8th of Winter, 511 AV
Location: Sanctuary
Time: Morning
Purpose: Sama'el and Issi's first marriage.

Winter was supposed to be a down-time. Kavala was, however, ready to throw Winter to the wolves and move into Spring because at least then she could stop lounging around, stop excavating her Sanctuary, and do something more productive with her time that involved her animals and the people she worked with. Day after day within the stone of the cliff forming better rooms, strengthening and decorating the tunnels, planning new escape routes and then carving them out had taken its toll on her. She was bone tired, pregnant, and needed something - anything - to rejuvenate her spirit.

She'd even contemplated throwing some sort of Winter Ball at Sanctuary, but they were just so busy and the plans did not call for any sort of ballroom as of yet. Just working on Raiha and Rath's (though the Akalak male didn't know it yet) quarters were a chore. Kavala had yet to finish finalizing the plans with Raiha because she hadn't finished her own suite and wanted to perfect the techniques in there before attempting to work on anyone else's quarters.

She scowled over at the porridge hanging over the fire and frowned. Hungry, her stomach heaved nevertheless at the thought of grains, even neatly mashed. She pulled dried seaweed from her pocket and stuffed it into her mouth, beginning to chew. Two to four months of not being able to eat anything but raw seafood and seaweed awaited her. She knew from her first pregnancy with Tasi and Shay that was her fate. The little boy, almost a year old now, was sitting on the table playing with two wooden horses Aweston had carved for him. He was having them beat up a third wooden figure, a glassbeak, with bumbling inaccurate moves while he talked to himself in only a language he himself and his brother understood. It was disconcerting because if she watched him long enough, she'd see him fight with himself over toys, body control, and even what the topic of play was going to be about. Both Raiha and Rath assured her that it was normal even as Rath's dark brother would smile significantly and say nothing. Kavala was bothered by Rath and she couldn't put her finger on it. He never seemed to lie to her, but there was just something about him that nagged at her which she never did seem to understand.

He worked with the dogs brilliantly, was good with the horses, and gave her invaluable advice on her son. He was even getting close to Raiha in ways that only another woman who had experience with lovers might notice. He watched Raiha. He watched her coming, going, eating, talking... and there was something concealed in his eyes when he did so. Kavala suspected it was either love or lust or some combination of both. And even though Raiha was so very young, Kavala suspected she wasn't opposed to the union.

Discretely, Kavala had started talking to Raiha about things the girl would need to know. She mentioned things casually, and then began seriously altering Raiha's diet. The girl was a typical teen eating whatever came her way on the fly. Kavala had started making her sit down to full meals, asking her to cook healthy soups and stews when it was her turn, and adding lots of foods to Raiha's diet that were both from the sea and full of nutrition. Kavala had no idea if Rath was making good on his plans, which he obviously had with Raiha, but she wanted the girl healthy in case the Akalak did seduce her and got her pregnant.

It might have been considered crude thinking, but Kavala was a healer in Riverfall, and she knew the strong drive all the Akalak's had to reproduce. Raiha was Rath's ticket to status without utilizing a Nakivak, and in Riverfall status meant prestige and honor in ways that fatherless children couldn't understand. Rath was also Raiha's ticket to being safe from ever being considered for a contract unless she herself initiated talks.

She just hoped it was love.

Sanctuary needed more love surrounding its walls and less contracts, less obligations, less duty. Part of it was the nature of her job and who she hired. But the rest of it was that the whole facility deserved some happiness.

She glanced down at the mark on her hand and then used that hand to rub the mark on her hip and leg. "Nysel, Eyris, Rak'keli... bring Sanctuary some joy this season, even if it is just a small thing. We all deserve it and have earned the right to relax and smile again." She whispered, then turned her head because Tasi looked up, pointed, and she saw immediately that there were visitors at the gate.

[Raiha]

There was always so much to do at Sanctuary.

After Rath had left the mews that morning, Raiha had set to work cleaning up the flights, checking and weighing the birds, and treating the respiratory infection of a weakened osprey that a little blue boy had brought to her in a box. She’d paid him for the delivery and thanked him. The bird was getting better, able to sit up on her own in the holding crate she kept near the bed. She’d woken Rath up in the night by leaving his arms when she felt the bird’s unhappiness, only to gather the sick bird and wrap him in up before trickling more of the herbal medicine down her throat. Chickweed, thyme, and mallow. She reminded her of the osprey Raiha had looked after over a year ago, but she wasn’t the same bird - that one, back then, had been a male, and this one was definitely female. But he’d understood, just like she would have if he had had a problem with the dogs that needed to be attended to.

She liked that about him.

It was one of the many things that she really liked about him. She liked being wrapped in this big, strong arms, liked to touch his gills and scales, liked to listen to him talk. He was a good sounding board, solid and practical and intelligent, with a cool head. They were a smart match in a lot of ways. She didn’t even really mind Uruk. He called her Raiha and didn’t overgive, and she didn’t smack him. It worked wonderfully. But truthfully, he had plenty of discipline, an interest in the animals, training, and healing, and she could certainly respect and appreciate that. A relationship between four people was confusing at best and doubtless a tangled mire at worst. But Kanikra stayed well out of it. She might come out and talk, she might do little things in carefully veiled attempts to provoke Uruk just to get a rise out of him, but she had little interest in interrupting the blossoming relationship between her sister and another Akontak. Had he been Akalak, Kanikra might have. As it was, Rath more or less approached her very lofty standards, as best as Raiha could tell.

Strategically, for her in the long run, it made sense. And Kanikra was all about the long run.

She was a little purple in the cheeks and throat just thinking about the night prior when she showed up for breakfast, her hair in a sloppy bun. Kavala was right in that Raiha would eat pretty much anything put in front of her without any regard to getting a full or balanced meal. She would probably eat a honeycomb and call that breakfast, if the watchful Konti would let her get away with it... which she wasn’t, not any more. Raiha had half a mind to get some beehives, and learn something new. And then there would be all the honey they could want, for food, for offerings to the gods, something new to sell, for medicine. And there would be honeycomb. She liked that plan. She would have to go see if there were any pamphlets on it in the library.

“Good morning,” she greeted Kavala, glowing just a little bit as she filled up a bowl of porridge and added honey to it, reaching to squash Kavala’s son to her with her free hand, hugging him tight and totally not minding if she interrupted his game with the toys, the porridge well out of his reach before she sat down opposite of her best friend. “How are you today? Anything planned?”

[Kadrath Onktaka]

It was one of those rare days when Kadrath slept in instead of rushing into his predawn workout. For just a chime longer he lay on his back and stared at the ceiling. Raiha's scent lingered as if she were still beside him, sharing her warmth.

Uruk informed him she'd woken up at some point to see to a bird's care and it was another point in her favor. His other side was reluctant about starting anything with Raiha, but her relentless dedication to the animals in her care, furthered her value in his green eyes.

When a Konti woman brought in her dog to Kadrath last week at the first bell, Raiha only smiled lazily at him and went back to sleep. They were adjusting to each other so naturally that it didn't occur to him how important those little details were.

At first her nightly jaunts were a bit strange, but as he got to know Raiha better, as well as Kani, it all just felt ... right. A couple times, Kani had fooled them but the man was getting better at recognizing her impish sister's nature.

Eventually he rolled outta bed and went to get cleaned up. As Rath washed, he couldn't help but compare the memory of her scales against his and the silken gills at her neck that shone in opalescent colors.

His gaze swept the mews, thinking how he kept half his belongings here already. How long had they known each other? He shrugged it off and got dressed. A moon's passage of time was insignificant in the long run so it mattered little.

He made the bed, tidied the room and picked up their clothing from last night. And it was also yet another point in Raiha and Kani's favor that they were so neat; especially in Uruk's opinion.

A ravenous growl let them know they were more than ready for a hearty breakfast. Besides, he'd like to know where Raiha was.

'Eating breakfast like every other living creature on the planet at this hour you lazy slug.'

'If Kani wants to clean your clock one of these days, I'll be more than happy to stand aside and oblige her.'

'Yea before or after you and Raiha ogle each other with every breath?'

Rath laughed aloud as they walked through the maze that made up Sanctuary's walls. Fidens' nose snuffled noisily at the scent of food and the Akontak paused to feed him before moving on to the kitchen.

"Morning Miss Kavala."

Completely relaxed and replete with satisfaction, Rath sauntered over to Raiha and bent down to briefly brush his cheek to hers. It was his biggest and pretty much only display of affection in front of other people.

He took a large mixing container as his own personal eating bowl and helped himself to a generous amount of porridge. On a smaller guy, it would look ridiculous, but his seven foot frame made the bowl look just the right size for his needs.

Rath pulled out a chair next to Raiha and gave her a quick smile. After he'd eaten just enough to assuage his appetite, he politely inquired after the ladies' health. Although the conversation was trivial, the glint in his blue eyes as he looked at Raiha, most definitely was not.

Blue eyes turned icy green as Uruk watched the boys playing. It was the most frustrating age to be at for Tasi and Shay, thinking of his own experiences. Vying for dominance through bickering and sorting out just who's emotions belonged to who was a constant aggravation. Not to mention the differences in foods, colors, likes and dislikes made it an almost ceaseless contest to make yourself known-to your brother and your family.

"Make sure to keep both horses on the move with those glassbeaks Tasi and Shay. Have one moving back and forth and the other one going side to side. Get each one a step closer at a time to your prey--- and then pounce on it!"

Uruk had taken an unexpected interest in the child and it was most likely because he could connect with another male Akontak in a city of Akalaks. He felt Kavala's eyes on him, evaluating and suspicious. Green eyes melted back into blue as he retreated back into himself.

(When Rath speaks and when Uruk speaks.)

[Denen Sunsinger]

Denen was pleased that Sam was finally taking a wife. He knew, of course, that it wasn't exactly planned, but it was happening nonetheless. He knew it was a sign of success for Sam to at last have wives, and he could only pray that others would follow soon, and that he would prove successful in delivering their babies. As he would never give Sam any of his own, he opted for the role of midwife, or midhusband as Sam liked to call him. This was a safe place. Denen was not comfortable in this city, but the Sanctuary was an exception. There were horses, too. And Drykas. If he wanted to hide from the evil blue men, it was easier here. Beyond that, he was no longer alone. He had Sam with him, and Leto and Ronan. There was little to fear by way of being kidnapped and tortured again. Still, he was suspicious of them, and he certainly did not go out of his way to seek them out. He fiddled with his short, uneven hair now, trying not to feel distress at how lank and dull it seemed. It was too short to tie back as of yet, but too long for comfort. It fell constantly into his eyes if he did not use a scarf, or tickled his ears and neck. He wanted feathers to wear in it, but did not have the heart to ask for them. Besides, he knew he'd look like he was trying too hard to hide how ugly it was if he added anything. As such, he simply reverted to keeping his head covered and prayed that he'd be left alone for it. His niece, Sandal, hummed as she swayed alongside him, wrinkling her nose. "It would look much better if you just let me trim it, Den," she informed, making sure he was watching her, even as her hands spelled out her words. "At least then it would be even." Denen frowned and shook his head. He didn't want her to touch his head and feel the damage that had been done to his scalp. Sandal heard voices and grabbed her uncle's hand, tugging him towards the sound. Denen stumbled along, only to balk at the door, digging in his heels at the sight of the big, dark man. He made a thick, awkward sound of protest, and jerked his hand free, much to Sandal's surprise and confusion. "Come along!" She chided bossily, and in Pavi. "You're acting like a child! What on earth are you so scared of, Den?" But Denen made no answer, simply staring at the Akontak with sincere fright in his wide, blue eyes.

[Issima]

When Issima had left Endrykas behind, she'd expected adventure, but in measured doses. She hadn't expected the absolute upheaval that the world had become since then. She hadn't expected to be detoured on missions Sama'el was to achieve, to be derailed from those to chase after poor Denen, who had been snatched away in the most bizarre act, nor had she expected to spend enough time at Sanctuary to become fond of the beautiful Kavala. On the list of things Issima hadn't expected, falling for the man her cousin so fiercely hoped to marry was certainly near the top. Nothing, however, could top the news and realization that she was carrying his child inside of her. Only Kavala knew, other than Issima, and the young Drykas woman had spent nearly every waking moment since she'd made such an important discovery trying to decide when and how to tell Sama'el. She'd almost plucked up the courage to tell him straight away when he returned, but he'd swept her up into a hug that warmed every inch of her, kissed her breathless, and then asked her to marry him. His very first words to her, upon his return, was that question. How could she deny him? They were already one, joined in the life they'd created, and he'd long since stolen her heart. And so it was that they approached Sanctuary now, with the secret smiles of brand new love, her trembling fingers pleasantly captured by his own. She didn't know what lay ahead of them in the rest of this journey he'd planned, but at least she knew that she'd never journey alone. As much as she'd become fond of Kavala, Issima knew that Sama'el knew her much better and it made more sense that he approach her about their current need of an officiant, anyway. Issima was more than pleased to tag along mere inches behind him, safe in the enveloping warmth of this new promise.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

There had been times in the past months that he had silently cursed the course of his fate, but when he thought about it, he had learned many things. The search for Ragnor's family had been set aside a season longer in order to track down Denen, who had become his family. Issima, who had only come in order to see the world outside the Cyphrus plains, had become the one. And then Ronan and Leto had tracked him down, wanting only to help. Though he had no name, he now had a sort of pavilion whether or not he had the tent to prove it. And here in the Sanctuary, there were his friends: Kavala, Raiha, Riki. Truly his cup overflowed, and with Denen recovered, he was able to widen his view again and recognize this. One of the first things he had recognized was his growing feelings for Issima that had been planted a long time ago when they passed her sleeping cousin back and forth so they could walk and talk while he slept. There had been some holy moment where those feelings reached a critical mass, and now he wanted to wander with her for the rest of his days. Then she had said yes! So now they walked up to the Sanctuary from their camp, fingers twined into each other's like the roots of a pair of trees no longer able to be parted. Marriage rites were simple, but he wanted them to be special. Of late, Kavala had been the one person with whom he had shared a spiritual understanding, and thankfully she lived right there. "Kavala!" he called ahead, "I have a favor to ask yo-- oh." There were people gathered. "Hello," he said, switching to Common for those who were obviously not Drykas.

[Ronan]

Ronan ventured out from the room he was staying in, to the 'dining' area where they had eaten and chatted before. He stretched his arms as he walked, feeling more tired than ever. Their journey into Nysel's heart had drained him inside and out. It was an effort to stay awake at the moment.

As he came in, there were a few people milling around. Some he knew. Some he didn't. He caught Kavala's gaze and smiled at her, stifling a yawn. She was looking towards the doorway though, and he turned slowly.

He broke into a grin at the sight. Sama'el had returned from Endrykas, with Issima by his side. He barely knew the girl, but the way he looked at her was obvious. He instinctively turned to Kavala, and felt his heart sink just a little.

When Sama'el changed to the common tongue, Ronan did so too. He could speak common perfectly well, using it to get by, but every so often his sentences sounded a little clumsy. The words did not roll off his tongue like pavi.

"Sam, Issima," he said with a smile.

With friends all around, warmth and happiness flared in his heart.

[Kavala]

Kavala smiled at her Sanctuary family all around. Together, all of them had built a home among along the Suvan and were living there quite comfortably. There were Akontaks, Akalaks, Drykas, and Konti. There were even a smattering of others along with the animals they supported and raised. She felt pride in watching her son and then Raiha's lover Rath play together. Raiha was coming into her own here, and so too had so many others. Kavala let the moment wash away her sadness.

She smiled at Raiha. "No plans. Just a prayer for something light hearted today. We need a little joy around here." She said, eyes turning to Rath and his interaction with her son. Hatot and Radris should have been here, doing this for Tasival and Shayru. Just like Cugacon should be here for the second one that would come, but she suspected she'd seen the last of him as well. Had Eowe told Cugacon about almost killing Kavala? Had he bragged it up and then caused the Akalak to abandon the Konti and his unborn child because of his fear of his darker soul? She knew she'd probably never hear the why of it, and didn't know if the authorities would collect her next child as soon as it was born or allow it to stay with her. But he'd been gone a full season now, and with it had gone the hope of a real chance at having a family unit even though he'd promised.

Kavala's life was filled with promises broken. But with each one that had been broken, a gift had been given. Raiha got a morning hug from Kavala, brief and unobtrusive. Rath got a clasp on the shoulder and a look of thanks for how much time he spent with the boys. Both were immediately seen to breakfast wise.

Sometimes life just didn't make sense. The Akalak needed children so badly but when faced with the thought of them, they often fled or did nothing to include them. In many ways Kavala was glad Tasival was never going to be an Akalak. He was never going to be without a family either if she had her way. Rath's influence was amazing and so was Raihas. Kadrath had really stepped up and into a paternal role without being asked and in such a natural way Kavala doubted Tasi or Shay would ever feel the lack of a blood relation with them. And to be honest, since the moment he was born, her son was more important than anyone.

She began passing out breakfast to everyone, giving Raiha a huge share knowing the teen was going through a growth spurt again. They'd have to get out the thread and needles and either add lace to her skirt hems or take them down once more.

Ronan put in an appearance and she started to dish him up some breakfast too. Kavala gave him a smile, one that conveyed her gratitude that he was still here, alive, and up and moving this early after their test. It was strange how he was becoming family as well - far more quickly than she'd ever anticipated. Movement distracted her as well as a few whinnying greetings from horses in the courtyard.

When Denen and his niece showed up, they too were fed promptly and properly greeted in Pavi. Kavala gathered them in as best she could, made them feel welcome, and started to make introductions.

When the new voices called out, she waved with a spoon only slightly coated with Porriage. "Over here. We're having breakfast. Would you like to join us?" It was Sama'el and Issi. Kavala smiled in pleasure.

When everyone was together and Kavala made sure each person had some sort of food in their hands, she carefully and quickly introduced everyone around, first in Common, then in Pavi and then in Tukant so no names were missed and everyone was sure to know who everyone else was. it was so nice to have a big crowd for breakfast, and she was glad she'd made a large pot of porridge rather than the normal sized that usually served just the core group. She fussed, as she loved to do, playing Hostess and slicing up fruit and bread, setting out butter and honey, making sure everyone knew the molasses sugar could be added to the porridge anytime along with warm milk anytime. She urged everyone to break their fast, and then talk afterwards.

[Raiha]

Raiha nodded at Kavala’s comment about prayer, and only flushed a slightly pinker shade of purple at her gills and cheeks at Rath’s approach and touch. But when he sat beside her, she wound her foot around his ankle, squeezing the boy to her. She was glad, really and truly, that Rath and Uruk paid attention to Tasival and Shayru. He’d never want for family or guidance, not here. To Raiha, the people who worked here and made Sanctuary their home and life were a family. When she was growing up, it had been primarily her and her mother, occasionally her grandmother. It was one thing for her and Kanikra to love him up and and teach him what they knew of his father’s people’s heritage, but it was far better for Uruk and Rath to do it.

If they had children, they would definitely make a good father.

The thought crept almost unbidden into her mind, but it made her smile all the more until she had a sobering thought. Hatot and Radris had seemed like the type who could make a good father. And then they’d up and left. And Cugacon and Eowe had, too. Just as well. Raiha knew she didn’t have it in her to forgive them for what they had done to her best friend, and it was Kanikra, and only Kanikra, who knew of her desire to soundly thrash him, take a very up close and personal lesson on Akalak anatomy by slicing him open while he still breathed, find out where the muscles and nerves twitched and sang and screamed, and then, once he was well and truly dead, take him a couple dozen miles off the shore and dispose of the body for the predators to find and scatter in all directions in the sea.

It would be their little secret.

No one would ever have to know.

Impulses were dangerous things. But this went beyond being a sudden urge. It was a deep-seated desire for someone to get what was coming to them, just once, in this world. Kavala had deserved better. She deserved what she got, Kanikra reminded her dryly. When you play with fire, you’re bound to get burned.

And the scars are neat reminders, Raiha retorted, keeping a smile on her face as she tickled Tasival while Uruk told them what to do with the horses. She looked up as Kavala greeted someone in Pavi, nodding at Ronan and then glancing at Denen and the girl with him, glancing back at him when he seemed frozen with something, and followed his gaze to her lover beside her at the table, her golden eyes flicking back to him. “We don’t bite,” she assured him before she had a mouthful or porridge, bypassing the molasses in favor of her second true love, honey. She refrained from adding the playful ‘much’. Somehow, she didn’t think it would be appreciated.

She nodded at Sama’el and his lady friend as they approached, waving. As the table filled up, she lifted Kavala’s little boy from the table with his toys, setting him on her lap and putting the horses and glassbeak in front of them, her bowl off to the side, clearing the way for more people to sit and eat, and sticking some berries in a smaller bowl of porridge for Tasival, with a smaller spoon. “Ahhh,” she told him, bugging her eyes out and opening her mouth wide before starting to feed him. She would finish her own, too, but the munchkin needed to be fed.

[Kadrath Onktaka]

Uruk nearly broke into a smile at Kavala's slight touch, but the brothers soon returned their attention to the boys and the beautiful Akontak nearby. When she twined her ankle around his, he leaned his leg into hers beneath the table. After a few chimes of just looking at each other he went back to eating. Fidens abruptly sat down his enormous dog self just behind Rath and Raiha, giving a deep quiet 'Moof!'

Rath scrutinized Raiha's face briefly and noted that her pupils were bare specks in the golden depths of her eyes. A sure sign of Kanikra in full force and he was amazed that his dog had picked up on it. Apparently he could pick out the second soul in other people--not just in him.

The large Akontak was adding milk to his porridge just as he heard a slight sound from the doorway. His eyes flashed green and his innate gift showed several ugly, dark purple spots beneath Denen's hair. Something had injured the guy's scalp and it hadn't yet healed completely.

Rath noted his fearful look and half shrugged in dismissal. Most humans were afraid of him because of his sheer size. Uruk snickered at Raiha's comment about biting. His sense of mischief aroused, he winked and whispered in Tukant to the woman by his side.

"Speak for yourself. Me and Kani -do- bite.."

When Sam and Issi entered, Uruk seemed to fade away as Rath melted back in. They were a good looking couple and looked young and healthy enough to make lots of children. Wysar willing, they might've started one already. He nodded respectfully to the pair as they entered.

"Nice to meet you." He greeted in polite Common.

Ronan came in and the recollection of seeing the guy around a few times jogged his memory. They hadn't formally met until today, but Rath invited him to sit by him, Raiha and the boys.

"Kavala made a big meal this morning so dig in." He invited, again in Common so that all understood. He didn't get much chance to practice another language, and he wouldn't mind becoming fluent in it.

"There's plenty for everyone. Besides," Abruptly, Uruk overrode his brother and he paused to look at the new couple, "you'll need to keep up your strength to make lots of babies right?"

The green eyed brother reached for the bread, butter and honey. He'd had enough porridge in childhood to never want to touch the stuff again. The large man slathered a generous amount of honey on the fresh, thick cut bread and took a big bite.

Fidens nudged his elbow and looked toward the boy significantly. It took him a chime to figure out that the dog discovered the boy's brother trying to make himself known. His eyes turned back to a cool blue and his expression looked less devious and a lot more open. He turned to Raiha and the Akontak boys, asking quietly,

"Shay might want something added to those blueberries I think, love. It's hard to please both and I know my mother would try to feed two types of food-one for each of us. Milk or honey maybe?"

(When Rath speaks and when Uruk speaks.)