Home, Home, Home on the .... island? (Kail)

[Taithrosa Eldytia]

15 Day of Summer 512 AV

The return trip had been quiet for the Ethaefel, but he had been excited to return home to his love and home. He was sure that he would still travel much through out his life and eventually he wanted to return to Riverfall, but he wanted to go back there with his family. His silver eyes watched as Mura approached. The island was a place of peace and calm in the ocean of chaos.

Upon disembarking Taithrosa made his way towards the one room home they shared. He had missed the building they had called home. In his mind’s eye he could still see her smiling face with the sun reflecting off of her scales at the same time he saw the image of her in their past life together. He was still sure they were the same soul.

The large Akalak walked quickly towards the building and paused at door to the place. He looked around and saw that the house looked taken care of but it did have an empty air about it. He partially closed his eyes in thought as he knocked on the door with his large hand. The house inside was quiet and Taithrosa reached for his key and opened the door to find it clean but not lived in recently. Taithrosa stopped in and set down his bag. He had collected various plants from his travels to add to his collection of herbs that he was accumulating. Taithrosa suspected that Kail was staying at her mothers house. He wonder if she would be at work at this moment. He opened the bag and spread the various leaves and flowers and roots across the table, not sure how long it would be before he came back.

He left the house locking it before heading over to the Library at the Opal Temple. A quick search of the library told him that Kail wasn’t there, but that she had returned to her mothers and grandmothers home.

The large Akalak looking being stopped in the grounds of the temple trying to remember were exactly that house was. He was sure it was in the water part of the city, and so inaccessible to him. He did remember were her sister worked though and headed towards the building. His memory had served him well and he soon found the place and her.

“I am back and hoping to see Kail.” He said after the pleasantries of greeting. She gave him a smile as if she had some type of joke, but said she could. When she got off that evening she would tell Kail to meet him at their house.

The son of Leth wasn’t happy with the arrangement but he returned to the house and returned to his herbology. He left the house for a while to go and collect some plants that were native to just mura and whose healing values would be important in his collection. He was only gone for a little bit returning with some roots and trimmings. He carefully sorted them and hung some to dry and was working on grinding some the herbs he brought with him to prepare them for storage.

He worked to keep his mind from focusing on the time passing. That was one of the cures of the Ethaefel, time didn’t fly and time didn’t drag, it just moved in its steady pace.

[Kail D'Rea]

The months Taithrosa had been gone had seemed both interminable and incredibly short. Kail was not, by nature, the type to do nothing or to mope around, so she had worked hard and kept herself busy, especially after he first left and she thought about him a lot. If she stopped working on the book in front of her, the scroll work on a special calligraphy project, or the plants in her garden before her, she was thought about how she missed the large blue man with his quiet, calm and thoughtful ways. She missed the way they talked about their days, about the past, about the future. She missed the way he held her close at night and made her feel safe all the time. At first it was painful, but after a while, she actually started to like to remember. She was adjusting; she was getting used to being alone and so better able to look at Taith’s time with pleasure.

This was especially true when she worked on something that required all of her attention, then stopped. One day she was doing one of the most complex copies she had ever done. It was an illuminated manuscript, hundreds of years old. The style was delicate and the workmanship extremely detailed. Colors varied from one dot to the next and each dot was precise. She had every tool out to make the first letter in the book an exact copy of the original. The letter was an a, but with the animals and flowers surrounding it it was almost hard to pick it out. With a writing brush no thicker than a single hair, she looked through the magnifying glass and placed the last highlight under the bottom curve of the letter. She stopped and sat back and then her most vivid memories of the recent month they spent together rose to the surface. Right then she could almost feel Taith’s arm around her waste and his voice in her ear, whispering all the things that made her happy. Telling her they would always be together. She smiled and leaned back to let the warm sunlight touch her face as she enjoyed a moment of untainted joy. Of course it slipped away soon and while she was alone again in her mind, Kail almost felt she had seen Taith again and that he would be home with her again soon. She wondered if this was how all Konti lived without the men they had loved. It could work.

Of course she didn’t have too much time to dwell on these things these days, as she was busy getting ready for the baby. Kail had no way to know if she would have a boy or girl, but in her own mind the baby was a little blond girl with Taith’s eyes. It was easy to imagine since all the babies here were girls and picturing raising a boy was almost beyond her.

So Kail busily got ready for her new addition. Her mother insisted that the baby would be happier if she lived in the water side of the town with Kail, her mother and her grandmother to take care of her for the first year. Kail saw no reason not to stay there until Taith returned, so she go things ready in the larger family home her mother and grandmother lived in on the water side of town. The baby could have her own nursery and the bed Kail and her sister had used. Because the possibly of a non-aquatic child was also possible, Kail took the precaution of finding a land-friendly bed and soft baby clothes and blankets she would need for the little one if she did need to stay in her own home with the baby. Her mother refused to consider the possibly and didn’t understand why Kail refused to have the baby at home. She thought it would be a Konti for sure, but if the baby turned out to be a boy, he would need to be born much closer to the surface and pure air that the home Kail was raised in. She had found a nice place right near the shore line in an old friend’s house to have the baby. She also contacted the Opal order and asked if they would send someone to help. This also upset her mother, but Kail simply wasn’t willing to risk her child and while her mother and grandmother would certainly be able to help with a Konti child, an Akalak child would be another story. She had had to stand firm on these points, so she was careful to give in on just about everything she didn’t feel affected safety. She didn’t even argue with her mother when she told Kail to stop looking for Taith to come back. She still waited, but didn’t talk to her mother about plans that involved him being there for the birth or the future at all.

Finally the time came when the baby was due any day. Kail stopped going in to work after the 10th day of summer and stayed in or near her mother’s home all day. She still went out for a swim, but she didn’t go to the landside anymore. There really was no reason. It hurt her to admit her mother was right and Taith would not be back for the birth, but she still couldn’t give up on him coming back at all. Kail still worked on her plans for their beautiful and simple beach wedding. Maybe in the Fall? She could hope, but she kept it to herself.

Mostly she just focused on the baby. On the morning of the 12th, Kail returned from a leisurely morning swim and sat near the window, watching the ever-changing colors of the sea and contemplating the familiar view from her childhood room. She wondered if her child would get to enjoy this underwater world, and truly hoped she would. Because she was watching, she saw her older sister swim toward the house. While she had been spending more and more time there, rather than at her own home, to help get ready for the birth of an already much-loved niece (or, her sister insisted much loved nephew), it was still unusual for her sister to come in the day while she should be at work. Kail went to the front entrance to meet her.

Tia was smiling and obviously excited, but as usual, would say things her own way. Kail’s older sister had always had a flare for the dramatic. “Hi Kail,” she said in a would-be casual way. “Feeling ready to have the baby today?”

“Hasn’t changed since you went to work a couple of hours ago. I still don’t think the baby is coming for a little while. Why? And why did you need to come home from work to ask?”

“Oh, nothing. Anyway I said I’d tell you after work, so I’m really just here for a break?”

“Tia, tell me what? Please don’t tease me today. I’m so bored and anxious all at the same time that if you have something to distract my mind, please do and I promise to, maybe let you hold the baby.” Kail said with a smile and a smirk. Tia was always teasing that she was going to hold the baby every second of the day and Kail was giving her a hard time back. Her family was so excited for the new addition, but her sister most of all. Tia smiled and replied “oh it’s distracting all right. That’s why I’m willing to break my word, just for you little sister and tell you earlier then this evening. Guess who came to see me today at the shop with a request?” Something in the way Tia said it made Kail heart stop. It seemed like an eternity as Tia dramatically paused before teasingly declaring “It was the man you claim to be your baby’s father.” She laughed and went on. “He went to your place to wait for you and I’ll help you… Kail wait for me you should have someone with you right now.” This last part was yelled after her sister back as Kail brushed by her and headed straight for the shore.

Of course Kail wasn’t moving fast enough at a year pregnant to out swim her sister, but she tried. As they reached the shore and started to walk through town, Tia tried to fix her hair and commented “You could have changed or something. A few more minutes wouldn’t hurt.” “Maybe not, but I don’t want to keep him waiting. Okay, I don’t want to wait. And you can come, but please, only to the house. Then Taith can look after me” The look on her face said Tia wasn’t so sure about that, but she promised to stay out of the way and Kail continued as fast as she could waddle to the little house on the outskirts she always called “our house.”

[Taithrosa Eldytia]

Taithrosa was outside trying to hang the various plants to dry so that he could get the best effect in the drying. His back was turned to the rode and he reached up to tie the strings to the eaves of the roof. He was wondering how long until Kail’s sister got off work and would tell Kail. He loved the small Konti woman who had come to posse his heart and he wanted to see her again.

It was as he was finishing the last of the plants that he thought he heard someone walking. His handsome face with its square jaw and prominent nose turned to look up the road his heart jumping into his throat. His bow shaped lips turned up in a smile as he saw that his love was indeed the person who was walking up the road towards their house. He lowered his arms and ran towards her his long legs quickly covering the distance and his own natural strength giving power to the strides. It was only a moment before he stopped before her and looked her over almost afraid that she was a dream and that when he touched her she would vanish. Now if he had paid any attention to the grinning sister that would have confirmed it wasn’t a dream.

He walked forward and gentle put his hands on Kail’s abdomen were the baby was growing. His eyes were looking into her violet eyes unable to speak. He wasn’t sure how he would react to the present of this child his child. There was a swelling in his heart and also a longing to share with this child something of himself of his divine nature that wouldn’t be passed on.

He moved his strong arms around her and held his beloved close to his body. Listening to her breathing and her heart beat it was a moment that was a dream. He had his reason for traveling, he still need to achieve those goals that had formed in his life but he had something here, and anchor that would hold him to this world. He would still seek out his brothern and he would one day want to help the Akalaks in Riverfall but not yet. He was here and his family was here.

He eventually pulled away and looked into her eyes again before carefully picking her up and taking her into the house. They were beyond words in there love. Yes the words would come but the eye contact and the physical touch was what they communicated with just as much as language.

[Kail D'Rea]

Damp and trembling slightly, Kail saw Taith standing out side their little house. She drew in a breath and held it as she quickened her labored steps and moved toward the man she’d missed and barely dared hope to see again these many months. He came toward her as fast as she could have hoped, the look on his strong blue face reflecting his pleasure at seeing her again. The flood of emotions that passed through her as she moved forward was almost overwhelming; pleasure and joy, relief and curiosity and above all, an instantaneously intensified love. He had really come back and had returned to their home.

He laid his hand on the baby, who, lulled to sleep by the rocking motion of her quick movements across the island, was lying quietly inside her. Still, at his touch, the baby suddenly turned and shifted within her. Maybe it was because she had stopped to abruptly or because of her elevated heart rate, but then again, maybe the child recognized that there was a new presence in it’s life. The baby’s father. Kail did wonder, and saved the information to talk to Taith about later.

For now, though, there were no words. She felt safe and warm as the Akalak’s strong arms enfolded and lifted her and her body relaxed and enjoyed a strange peace as he silently carried her into their home. With only a fleeting thought for Tia (She can take care of herself), Kail wrapped her arms around Taith’s neck and became, in mind and body completely his again.

***

While she was very relieved that Taith had returned before the baby was born and glad that he would be there to get to know the baby, Kail was also rather self-conscious. She certainly looked very different then her usual slim and trim form. She felt very awkward and knew she looked it too. She tried to keep her shape from getting in the way of their closeness and was very relieved to find that Taith held her gently and didn’t expect her to be able to move much or take care of him in ways she had always tried to before. He was, as usual, understanding and loving and Kail’s relief at finding him unchanged was immense. She hoped he still thought of her on her most beautiful days, rather then today.

Still even that was not able to dampen her happiness and even a little bit of triumph. She was unusual in having her man return to the island and be with Kail and she felt a little smug. While the future was still unwritten, in the moment, she had been right. Triumph like this was an unusual feeling for her, but she found it not unpleasant. It was something else to be grateful for.

“Taith?” Kail asked in a gentle tone, “Will you be staying with us? For a long while, I mean?” Kail wanted to make sure this wasn’t a quick trip back, but that Taith would be here at least long enough to let her and the baby recover so that if he did go anywhere more long term she could come. Now that she had him back, Kail hoped never to leave Tatih’s side again, no matter where he went.

[Taithrosa Eldytia]

Taithrosa had brought his beloved into the house they shared together and shut out the world for the time being. He was amazed at how beautiful Kail had become in the time they had been separated. She was different but there was a beauty in that difference. The way she carried their child called out to something in side of Taithrosa. They had settled into their home in quiet, as he at first held her close, constantly in contact with her.
He had stepped in to allow Kail to relax. He cooked and took care of the house, so that Kail could rest when she needed to. He also didn’t try and keep her in bed either. Knowing that moving was good for her. In that time he touched her constantly, holding her hand, touching her arm and just general contact to let her know he was there.
He was with her the next day when she asked about him staying. He looked up from the tea he was preparing and looked over at her and gave her a smile. “Yes I am back, and I won’t be leaving for a long time.” He said taking a seat next to her and wrapping her in his arms. “We are going to have a child together and I need to be here. I have wandered enough for a while, I need to finish my training in the Opal Order and I can still learn plenty about healing here. We have plenty of time to see the world later. ” He held her close. “I want to be here to help you. See our child grow make sure she or he know both parents.”
He sat there for a while holding her listening to her breathing and enjoying the smell of her hair. “I missed you. You were in my thoughts every day.” He said softly into her ear. He was quiet again. Then he looked at her and asked. “Do you want to go for a walk down the beach?” They had always enjoyed visiting the beach together.

[Kail D'Rea]

Kail relaxed against Taith as much as was possible for her to relax right now. She was really grateful for the way Tatih was taking care of her. She needed the help and since her family had been taking care of her for a while now, when wasn't even sure she'd be able to go back to running a house. It was a good thing Tatih wasn't the kind of man who expected to be babied himself all the time.

Still, she couldn't really settle down. Kail wondered if she had over exerted herself yesterday, because she was sore and even cramping up a bit. She was also so tired she could hardly move. It hadn't been too hard, carrying the baby, but this last stretch of the pregnancy was getting to be endless. She was glad that the only thing that could really distract her from the endless pains and aches and the endless worry and come. The last day, at least, had been okay.

Kail heard Taith's question, but took a while to answer. She was focused instead on the insistent gestures coming from inside her abdomen. There had been steady movement for some time and Kail never tired of feeling that little life move inside her. It was her body moving, but also the baby's and she only felt joy when the at first gentle nudges turned to real kicks and finally the sharp jabs of a little foot in her ribs or a tiny fist in her bladder. It hurt sometimes, but she still loved it because she knew it was her baby growing and stretching and that meant everything. Still, she couldn't really focus on the question until she had streaked and wiggled herself into a position that moved the tiny foot out from in between her bottom two ribs. When the pain was gone, she considered the question.

She knew a walk would be good for her. She was supposed to exercise lightly every day, and a walk on the beach with Tatih sounded ideal. Still, she was just so tired. Her feet hurt and her back ached. She took a minute to feel sorry for herself before she repeated in her mind the words her mother had told her the first time she complained. "Kail, love." She had said. "I know that some parts of this are less than fun, but just remember that everything is for the baby. Noting is too hard or too painful or too much work if it is bring you closer to a healthy, happy little daughter. Just think of her and be happy." Kail had modified it a bit to include the possibility of a boy, but she still always though, "for the baby" when she had to do something she didn't want to. Any way, her family and friends had given her more advice then she knew what to do with, but they all said that exercising would make the birth easier and faster for both her and the baby.

"Okay Taith," Kail agreed. "Let's go for a walk, but please keep in mind that just getting to the beach in less then half an hour might be as much as I can handle right now. I have to take it slow and easy." Her face pinched slightly in pain and her hand moved to her side as the baby returned the foot to the previous position. She started to wiggle and shift again to move it out, this time have to stand up and stretch as much as she could to the side. The foot continued to move, but stayed out of her ribs this time. She gently patted her thanks to the baby, then smiled at Taith. “This baby of yours” she sighed, laughing “is a handful already!”

[Taithrosa Eldytia]

Taithrosa watched as Kail worked on removing a foot from a rib in his training he knew that foot in ribs was not uncommon but it was the first time he watched it first hand. Some of the positions she moved into to remove a foot looked uncomfortable. His silver eyes watched as she stood and stretched. He smiled as she agreed that a walk would be good. It had been so long since they had last walked on the beach together and she seemed really restless. Taithrosa smiled and took her arm leading her slowlly from the room. The weather outside was perfect for such a walk. Taithrosa walked slowlly beside mail the pass almost agonizingly slow but it was the speed she needed to move at. Taithrosa made sure he stopped if she needed to stop and rest he tried to pay attention to see if she was having contractions. She was close to her date and could have there child any day. He knew that the gender of the baby was in question this time. Unlike in his previous life when he was sure that mail had been human and him a full akalak. He was not particularly worried about it though aparrently though it was a big deal to Kails family though. During the walk he did not talk just held on to her communicating his affection with touch. If she wanted to talk he would a swer her but he could tell that she needed to focus on walking and dealing with the pain.