Completed [Windswept Condos] Legacy (Rinya)

[Jorin Ertihan]

Day 59, Season Winter, 513 AV

It was with a pleasant sort of exhaustion that Jorin felt as he cuddled up close to his wife. Rinya for her part snuggled in close, her warmth a far cry from the inferno heat only chimes ago, but nonetheless something that Jorin very much enjoyed. As usual, his muscles protested even the smallest movement, but he still would not have traded the last bell for anything.

Jorin never failed to be struck by the fact that a woman as independent, strong, and beautiful as Rinya would choose a man like him. He'd long since accepted her love, though, and only thought to reciprocate in any way he could. He nuzzled her neck a bit, breathing deep and smiling when he smelled the scent that he associated only with her.

Rinya's face showed blissful contentment. Their bond hummed with the feeling and it warmed Jorin to no end to feel it. She wanted this with him, every single time. It wasn't just him pushing his need through the bond, they both wanted it. And that made all the difference to him.

Even as Jorin ran a gentle hand up and down her back, pressing her softly up against him as one of her legs found its way between his, he could feel the usual emotions float across. Jorin brought up one hand to stroke her cheek, smiling when she closed her eyes and leaned her face into the caress. It was little things like this, that didn't even require words, that told them how they felt for one another.

"I can't believe that it was only a season ago that we first started doing this," he mused, as he leaned in to kiss her. He'd actually forgotten, but technically speaking he'd said that she could stay until the nightmares stopped. Of course, he loved spending the night with her curled up next to him so much that he'd conveniently pushed that little fact out of his mind. He also knew that 'this' could have meant laying together as well, and truthfully that was true too. It had only been a season since their first awkward time, but he would not have traded it for anything.

"But it's interesting... even then, I knew I loved you," he mused. "I had never laid with anyone before. I was so nervous... but I knew I wanted to show you how much you meant to me, and that hasn't changed. Even today, even though I might have more... experience, I still feel that way." He shrugged. It wasn't just about the physicality with them. The pleasure stemmed from the love, not from the desire, though the desire certainly helped a great deal.

Jorin's hand wandered down from her face, trailing her soft skin until he reached her stomach and navel. Instead of his usual teasing, though, he just placed his hand flat against the skin there, rubbing it slightly and giving her a cryptic smile. The bond was filled with tender emotions as his face took on a thoughtful expression.

"You know, if we keep this up... there could be a little one in here by spring," he noted as he continued to run his palm across Rinya's stomach. There was absolutely no anger or distaste in his voice when he said it. And it was true. After all, mating usually led to children, especially when they were so open about doing it. They'd spoken briefly about children in the past, but never to any great length.

Jorin knew that Rinya did want children, but he didn't know how soon she was willing to have them. So he drew her up a bit, running his hand from her stomach and trailing it back to her waist and held her to him, cuddling for a few chimes as he leaned his chin on the crook of her shoulder. He noted for no particular reason that this particular position made it rather easy to kiss her neck, so he did it.

And since it felt so nice to kiss Rinya, he did it a few more times, each time pressing a little bit higher until he was at her ear. Then he pulled back and kissed her on the lips, pulling on her lower lip like she had gotten into the habit of doing to him. Jorin really did want his wife to be at ease with the idea of children.

"I remember, we talked about children before," he observed. "But never to any great length. I was wondering... you said that Kelvics only... umm... breed according to their season, and that for you that would be spring." Jorin flushed slightly at the word 'breed'. It wasn't a word he would have chosen, honestly, but it was, if he recalled correctly, the one she had used.

It just seemed so... impersonal. For him, coupling with Rinya was never just about breeding. It was about love, and they both felt that way. "Spring is... coming up fairly soon," he noted, with a small cough. Why was it so hard to talk about this? He wanted children. She wanted children. But he supposed it was a big step, what he was about to propose.

"Would you... I mean do you think you might be interested in... could we... this spring?" Jorin realized that his various fragments probably made about as much sense to his wife as though he were speaking in Tukant. Taking a deep breath, he tried again.

"Rinya, my love. I think that having a child with you would be a wonderful thing. Would you perhaps be interested in... err... trying, this spring?" He smiled encouragingly at her as he said it, hoping to put her at ease as he gave her time to consider her options. Really, if she'd said 'no', Jorin knew he'd be disappointed but he would understand. But the truth was, he truly wanted a child with her, despite the slight nervousness.

After all, a child would solidify them. It would be physical proof of their love, and while Jorin didn't necessarily need such proof, he wanted it. Because in some sense he knew Rinya was not going to live forever. Neither was he. Jorin was not like his father; he did not see children necessarily as some form of 'legacy'. But he still liked the idea of a family, surrounded by laughter and love. And he hoped that Rinya did too.

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[Rinya]

Day 59, Season Winter, 513 AV

Rinya knew this sort of calm had become the norm between the two of them. Yet somehow it never get old-- at least in her opinion. If Jorin was of another opinion he certainly never said anything… in fact he tended to be the one to pull her close--especially after having been so intimate. Regardless of how exhausted the two of them could end up, there was always enough strength between the two of them to press up against the other. Fingers trailed lazily across whatever exposed skin they could find on each other, and Rinya of course settled herself on top of his chest just enough to lay her ear to it--a cross between his breath and heartbeat echoing through her.

However the norm also generally meant sleep afterwards. It didn’t matter what came before, intimacy or not, when they cuddled together as such it always led to sleep. Jorin for his part seemed far more awake than usual--actually he tended to fall asleep before her as she noted. It never bothered her of course, it gave her time to simply watch him in sleep. He always looked so young and untroubled… not that he was usually troubled, but Rinya counted far too many times in the past season unhappiness had clouded his face. But Jorin was nuzzling her neck and she could hear him breathe inwards.

So despite the calm that was wrapped around them, Rinya tilted her head upwards slightly so her face could rest on his shoulder. He simply took it as an invitation to pull her closer as his hand trailed delicately across her skin. The other came up to cradle her face and she instinctively closed her eyes and tilted her face into his hand for more contact. The bond thrilled with simple happiness and Rinya didn’t have to open her eyes to know he was probably smiling at her. He always enjoyed the way she reacted to him.

After several chimes however Jorin finally piped up about what was on his mind. He murmured that he couldn’t believe that they had been doing this for a season. There were several things Rinya could think over to replace the term ‘this’. Living together, laying together, sleeping in the same bed… even just simply accepting the other’s feelings. It had all happened in one season. When Rinya took that into account, she supposed to everyone else it was probably moving far too fast. "’This’ being…? There is a whole list of things we’ve done over the season Jorin." Rinya stated slightly sarcastically, fully in an attempt to tease him over his vague sentence.

He went on to explain himself a little more thoroughly, that he had known even then that he loved her. Her face flushed a little however as he brought up the fact he had never laid with anyone before her. It was a fact she knew even then, his honesty before the very act couldn’t have been hidden if he wanted it to be. He was always so intent on showing her how he felt though. Innocent kisses, teasing touches--all led up to one solid figure anyways. That he loved her no matter the trouble she may have caused in the past. It was why it was so very easy for her to fall for him--he never actually hid the fact that he loved her. She had just stubbornly refused to believe that he could have been in love with her.

"I still can’t believe we are here at all. I always thought it would be someone else...It was why I was so very easily jealous of Kirsi. She had so much in common with you, it would have been the perfect fit honestly. Someone to share that passion of art with..." It wasn’t as if she didn’t enjoy art--in fact she rather loved his. But she could not participate with him as Kirsi may have been able to. The most she could do for the moment was prompt lines for him to help him practice for plays.

None of that mattered to him it seemed, and Rinya counted herself lucky. Jorin didn’t usually over think with logic, but it would have been easy for that logical mind to choose someone else. Someone that fit him better than an awkward abandoned Kelvic… at least that was how she saw it. But he was gift that she wasn’t bound to willingly push away again. His hand wandered to her stomach and at first the muscles beneath him tensed--prepared for his usual teasing. However it never came and a most thoughtful look came across his face.

Jorin mentioned lightly if they continued down their current course, that she could eventually carry his child. "...Yes." Her hesitation to his statement was not because she dreaded the idea, but more because she had been busy analyzing his emotions through the bond. He did not seem to dread the idea himself. He tried to continue his train of thought however, flushing under the word breed as he brought up the fact that while they had admitted to each other that they wanted them… they never actually said when.

Rinya nodded slightly as Jorin brought up the fact that spring was indeed coming up. Out of the blue there were nerves coming across the bond and Rinya couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at her mate. He began to stutter a question that was obviously missing words, but because of the bond she got the intent behind the question. However she stayed silent as he drew himself up a bit in order to get the question out properly. Did she want to attempt conceiving a child this spring… the very fact he was asking told her everything she needed to know about his answer to his own question.

Sighing slightly, Rinya pulled away from him to roll onto her stomach and used her elbows to prop herself up. She did not put any distance between them however, keeping herself thoroughly pressed against his side. "That’s a very good question… I..." Rinya swallowed thickly. She did want children… especially with him. Rather she didn’t even want to carry anyone else’s child, but the fact of the matter that remained was kind of terrifying to her.

"I didn’t have a mother growing up Jorin. What if I…?" It was a difficult question to pose, partly because she didn’t want him getting the wrong idea. Shoving forward before he could say anything, Rinya shook her head slightly. "I don’t know how to be a mother… what if I’m terrible at it? Or I… abandon them like my father did me?" It wasn’t unusual for Kelvic to leave their offspring when they were old enough. Logically that wasn’t likely to happen--seeing as she would have to leave Jorin as well. Rationally it wouldn’t happen, but it was still a fear that sat heavy in her stomach.

"I want a baby so badly with you… but what if I screw it up?" There was no hiding the want behind her voice, much less across the bond. Want was something that could easily be confused. She could simply want him, but Jorin was far more clever enough to figure it out. It was a different sort of ache that sat in her heart. The idea of carrying his child was something she wanted so badly, that it filled the bond nearly as strongly as her love for him. But her fear had her eyes glued to the pillow in front of her rather than his face.

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[Jorin Ertihan]

Jorin grinned when his wife needled him a bit on the vagueness of his words. 'This' could have meant just about anything, really, and he was tempted to simply leave it open to her interpretation. And really, in some ways he supposed he did intend for it to mean all the things it could have meant simultaneously. But still, he simply decided to continue to stroke her cheek as he answered.

"'This' meaning being like this, love. Together, in all ways..." he explained. "And I don't just mean physically," he added, as the bond rippled with the shared emotions that tended to flow so easily now. He remembered when the bond had just formed, and how the emotions were not so clear. It seemed so long ago, even though it was a span of only a few seasons.

Jorin wasn't surprised when Rinya told him she was surprised that they were there at all. She mentioned Kirsi, and how she 'suited' Jorin better. Jorin shrugged at that, stroking Rinya's hair and tucking a strand behind her ear as he leaned in to kiss her gently, trying to convey the tender emotions he knew she loved feeling from him. "Maybe she does," he admitted. "But that doesn't mean that I would have loved her." There was a conviction in Jorin's voice as he said it.

"There was just something about you, Rinya," he explained. "Even that first day we met, I felt it. Of course it was not as strong as it is today. My love for you grew over time. But still, it was there." And as far as he was concerned, that instant connection, whether it was the bond or love or both, was what made the difference for him. Certainly Kirsi was pretty, and shared his passion for art. But in the end he just did not feel for her what he felt for Rinya.

Of course, from an outsider's perspective, they didn't make sense. But then again, they were also exactly what the other needed. Jorin would never abandon Rinya. Not for anything or anyone. She was his whole world, after all. And she likely needed that; someone she could count on to be forever loyal to her, to allay her deeply ingrained fear of abandonment.

And Rinya supported Jorin. Come what may, she thought the world of him and genuinely believed he was the best person ever, at least in her eyes. Certainly she believed he was perfect for her. She always had - and always would - choose him no matter what. And that went a long way to allaying Jorin's own fears of inadequacy.

But that was just one part of what made them perfect for one another. There was also how their two personalities, as different as they were, melded together so perfectly. It was so strange that they would, but they did, and Jorin marveled at the sheer compatibility they had considering how all logic would seem to indicate otherwise.

Jorin had long since stopped questioning it though. They had passed the point where he felt it mattered that perhaps another woman "might" have also been a potential mate, a potential wife. He personally did not think so, but it honestly didn't matter. He loved Rinya, and she was all that mattered now.

Rinya's stomach muscles ripped pleasantly under his touch, clearly anticipating his usual teasing. He was tempted to fulfill that expectation, but he had something else on his mind and only absently stroked it while mentioning that she might well have a child there if they continued. Her simple reply almost caught him off-guard, as though he hadn't even realized he'd said it out loud, but he had forged on ahead and Rinya simply nodded to his statement about the upcoming season.

It was when he asked her whether she wished to try to conceive one that spring that nervousness of her own echoed across the bond to match his. Rinya expressed her fears that she would not be a good mother, noting how she herself grew up without one and the fear of abandonment surfaced once again. Only this time, it was her fear that she'd abandon her own child, something Jorin knew she could never do, any more than she could abandon him.

"You could never be a bad mother," Jorin insisted. He was absolutely certain of this fact. Rinya loved him with her entire being. The bond did not lie, and she never hid her emotions from him. He was sure she would love her children just as completely, and really that was the most important thing in the raising of a child. Granted, Jorin knew little about such things, having never been a father, but still, the theory was sound.

"By that token, I'm not sure I'd be a good father," he argued. "After all my own father was quite... harsh. I wish I knew what I was supposed to do... but I don't think any first-time parents anywhere on Mizahar would have had 'experience' anyway." Rinya continued on, insisting that she wanted a baby with him very badly but was afraid she'd would mess it up.

The want was quite obvious across the bond, and Jorin understood that what she desired was likely exactly what he wanted too. They both wanted their own little happy family, but she was worried that she would mess up that lovely dream by failing as a mother, something Jorin knew could never happen. The fear was very strong, and sat heavily across the bond like an iron weight.

"Rinya, it's okay to be afraid," he soothed. He was also feeling a slight bit of trepidation, if he was being honest with himself. After all, he wasn't any more experienced in parenting than Rinya was. "But I know you would love our child just as deeply as you love me. And so would I. And really, I think that's what a child needs most." Jorin believed with his entire being that Rinya would be a fantastic mother. She was everything a child needed in a mom: gentle, soft, and sweet, yet firm when required.

"And don't forget, I'll be there. You will not be raising our child alone," he reminded her, as he continued to run his hand gently across her stomach. "But I really want this with you, Rinya. A nice little family, with our child growing up in an environment of laughter and love. I know all of us would be so very happy together. And that's the key thing, love. We would be together." Jorin brought up his hand to Rinya's chin, tilting her head so that he could see her eyes.

"You wouldn't abandon our child, my love. Any more than you would abandon me, or I would abandon you." Jorin leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her lips to affirm what he said, trying to convey all the things he felt his words could not say. He didn't just love his wife, he trusted her. Believed with all his heart that she was the only choice for the mother of his children.

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[Rinya]

"All ways…" It didn’t matter that it had been in effect for quite some time--it was still one of the most pleasant things she ever heard. Rinya knew of course he didn’t just mean physically--though it was of course a bonus. Rinya sighed contently as the bond flowed with emotions once again. Rinya herself could remember the first time she was ever truly hit with an emotion from him. He had apparently been hit by lightning--or nearly hit-- and he had been completely luck that he had been at the Sanctuary with someone to look after him. But it had been a startling feeling honestly… and it took him awhile to even own up to it.

However he seemed fairly nonplussed by her comment about Kirsi being a better fit for him. He shrugged, choosing to instead tuck her hair behind her ears before kissing her gently. Her heart jumped at the light contact between them and one of her hands came up to frame his face as she kissed him back. The kiss broke too soon for her liking, but she didn’t bother complaining about it. Jorin was known for kissing her every chance he got--especially when they were so close. It was his comment that caused her to tilt her head slightly as she watched him. "I don’t see how you wouldn’t have."

"But I’m glad you felt the same thing I did… that first day.” At the time Rinya had no idea what was. It wasn’t his physical appearance that initially attracted her--though she thought the world of it now. He had showed her his soul without knowing it through his poems, and she had been simply dazzled really. He had been as intoxicating that first day as he was now. Only the bond simply intensified those feelings, to the point if she lost them now she would be lost. Both physically and emotionally. He grounded her in a way no one else could--bond or not.

On both their parts they had given up asking why they fit together. Rinya did not have much experience with other men, but close proximity alone bothered her. Rhys had even overstepped his boundaries and it had just not felt the same. It was completely natural to curl against him like they were now, and no amount of logic would ruin it. Nothing about them was logical--for either of them--and she found she preferred it that way. Why over think something when they could simply enjoy it?

It was a simple sentence however, that Jorin confidently stated that she would never be a terrible mother. It was difficult for Rinya to believe, considering her past mistakes she had already taken with him. Jorin was always willing to forgive her, but a child… that wasn’t as easy of a fix. But he forged on that he wasn’t so sure he would be a good father himself. Rinya could easily see past that argument, taking into account his gentle nature. He was no where near as harsh as his father… and honestly Rinya couldn’t ever see him as such either. "You put up with me Jorin… I’m sure any child of yours would come out gentle like you."

In fact Rinya could see several children running around his legs, asking him to tell them a story. With his acting experience, he could floor any story into an adventure. Jorin mentioned that it was natural as well-- to feel afraid. No one knew what they were doing in the first place, and that left them both open into figuring out what kind of parent they would be. She had to remind herself that she hated what her father had done… just leaving without a word to her other than a letter. To do that to someone part her… and part Jorin… it really did seem impossible. But fear was a hard thing to shake once it settled in deep.

Jorin stroked her stomach lightly, reminding her that she wasn’t going to be alone either. It came as a natural thought actually--her father had done it alone, and she hadn’t turned out that bad with a little help from someone she loved. Her father had given her the tools to survive, but with Jorin she was… softer. If she really took the time to think about it--he was right. She already knew she would love a child between them… otherwise she wouldn’t want it so badly. Even if she faltered, Jorin would be there as well to help. Temper her anger with his never ending patience.

Her mate leaned forward again to kiss her lightly. His belief in her echoed across the bond and Rinya was the first to pull away this time. She stared for a moment into his eyes, nibbling on her bottom lip for a moment before giving him a small nod. "So… we learn this together. Like we did falling in love, or living with each other. I mean..." Rinya released a harsh breath before shrugging. "I may fear being a terrible mother but it’s still not enough..." Rinya shifted closer to him, nearly lying half on top of him. Her left hand pressed to his chest over his heart while her right settled on the side of his face, stroking the skin softly.

"I still want a child with you despite the fear. So long as you’re with me." Rinya cleared her throat, the nerves still running through her stomach, but it was crossed with anticipation. "So… spring then?" She asked shyly, cocking her head to the side as she stared down at him.

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[Jorin Ertihan]

Rinya seemed very pleased to hear the words, even though they both knew them by heart. If her content sigh wasn't enough to tell him how she felt, the bond certainly did as she snuggled even closer. Jorin absolutely lived for moments like this, when he could make his wife so happy with just a few words. He didn't think he had said anything particularly special - after all, he had meant every word and wasn't specifically trying to be romantic - but he knew his wife loved hearing it anyway.

When Rinya mentioned how she couldn't see how he wouldn't have fallen for Kirsi, Jorin sighed. How to explain that? "Rinya, to me you're much more than just a pretty face, though I'm sure you know that," he began. "Though it's true that I do think - and I'm probably biased here but I don't care - you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. I thought so the moment I laid eyes on you and that hasn't changed one bit." Jorin flushed slightly at the admission that he thought his wife was beautiful. It was absolutely true, but for some reason he'd never quite said it the way he just did. Nonetheless, he meant every word of it.

"I suppose other women might be attractive or cute," Jorin admitted. "Some might be sensual or even pretty. But there are only two women in the world I've ever thought were beautiful. My mother was one. And you are the other." Jorin's face took on a tender expression as he pulled Rinya a bit closer, so that he could feel her skin pressed against his. It always calmed him when he did that, and gave him a clarity of mind nothing else in the world could provide.

"You know, for me at least, beauty in a person isn't what they look like, or what they do. It's who they are." Jorin smiled as he leaned in to nuzzle Rinya's neck a bit, breathing in her scent and smiling against her skin before pulling back and planting a soft kiss on her lips. "You're beautiful, Rinya. Nothing will ever take that away. Neither time nor age will ever cause it to fade, at least not in my eyes. You will always be beautiful to me."

Jorin did not tell his wife that she was the most beautiful woman in the world, even though at that moment he certainly thought so. But he also knew that beauty, like love, was unique. Was Rinya more or less beautiful than his mother? That was not a comparison that he felt made any sense. It was like comparing an apple to an orange - ultimately meaningless. They were both beautiful, but in entirely different ways.

Nonetheless, Jorin acknowledged Rinya's statement that she was glad he felt the same that she did the first day by simply replying "Me too." There was not much else to say. Their love grew from that moment, but it sparked as soon as they had met. Perhaps when it first began it was fragile, so easily shattered by a wrong word or a misinterpreted action. And Farline's interference had nearly broken them, something Jorin still hadn't fully forgiven the woman for.

But Rinya's soul had called out to him that day. Why had he chosen to read his poem to a bird, of all things? It wasn't that he wouldn't have done so even if she hadn't been a Kelvic, but the truth was, he was in such a melancholy state at the time he might've been excused for not wanting to bother reciting a poem, especially for what could have been just a regular Opsrey.

But he had, and Jorin was so very glad he did. Meeting Rinya had been by far the best thing that had ever happened to him, as evidenced by the pure love and happiness that was surging across their bond every time they laid together like this, just enjoying one another's company. And Rinya once again mentioned how he 'put up' with her. He decided to take a page from his wife's book and snorted.

"Come on now, my love. You know I don't put up with you any more than you put up with me," he growled playfully, without any heat in his voice. He leaned in to nuzzle her nose a bit. "And despite your own fierce exterior, I know you're a gentle person too." Jorin placed a hand over Rinya's heart, smiling when he felt its soft beat beneath his palm. "Any child of ours will be kind and gentle because he will take after his mother too."

Jorin nodded enthusiastically when his wife agreed with him that they learn it together. "You'll never be alone, love," he insisted. "I'm sure every first-time mother has that fear. That she won't know what to do, but I know we can figure it out." Jorin honestly had no idea how to be a father, but he knew that a child would first and foremost need love, and that was something he knew both he and Rinya could provide. The rest would have to come with time.

"Always," Jorin insisted, when Rinya admitted she still wanted a child with him as long as he was with her. The nerves from Rinya had shifted into a mixture of nerves and anticipation. Jorin smiled when she stroked his cheek, reaching up to hold her hand against his face and smiling at her, as she shyly confirmed spring. "Spring, then," he confirmed, leaning forward to press yet another loving kiss to her soft lips, reveling in the emotions the contact always brought as he sealed their agreement. She undoubtedly felt his own anticipation rise as he confirmed what they both wanted: a child. A family.

As the kiss broke, Jorin took to stroking Rinya's hair, running his fingers gently through the soft brown tresses before continuing down her back. Jorin could never deny that he simply loved touching his wife. Whether it was mating, or cuddling, or just simply holding hands, he loved any contact with her. And he knew his wife loved it too, as evidenced by the happiness that was surging across the bond, even as he agreed to spring.

"I, uh, suppose we would need a name for our soon-to-be child," he mused. "Hmm, how about Vance? Vance Ertihan?" he suggested, before making a face. "No, that one doesn't really ring too well," he sighed. Jorin thought some more. There was one name, if he recalled, that belonged to some distant ancestor of his. Perhaps it was time to make use of it again?

"Or perhaps Adric?" he suggested. "Adric Ertihan was one of my distant ancestors, I believe. Not quite sure what he did, but it must have been important for his name to have survived this long," he grinned. However, Jorin had become so excited to be coming up with names for their upcoming child he hadn't considered the fact that so far, he'd only been throwing out boy names.

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[Rinya]

Rinya couldn’t stop herself from rolling her eyes slightly at her mate. Of course she knew she was much more than a pretty face--but so was Kirsi. The girl was obviously intelligent considering the fact she did fairly well after instructions with swimming. But her face heated very quickly as Jorin admitted that he was biased in the fact he considered her the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He had mentioned her beauty to her on several occasions, but never once did he go into such… detail. Especially since she never thought much of herself.

She preferred it that way actually--to be modest than vain. Rinya knew she wasn’t the most terrible looking creature on the planet, but there were women capable of beating her out in the whole ‘beauty contest’ concept. Though she had no idea that he had thought of her that way since they first met. It had been rather awkward between them honestly, shy but expressional smiles between the two of them. But it really didn’t surprise her that his mother made the top list either. The way he spoke of her, she had no doubt if nothing else, that Kari had a most beautiful soul. And deep down that was how Jorin judged people--looks came in second.

"Of course I know that Jorin. My point is just simple… it could have happened. But it didn’t." And in the end that was all that really mattered. That she could cuddle up next to him because he was hers. While it was always a ‘what-if’ that could float around in the background, the fact of the matter was they didn’t actually matter. They were errant thoughts that came and went as they pleased. None the less Rinya grinned as Jorin nuzzled her neck again, before making sure to plant a kiss to her lips. "You know… the same thing applies to you. Handsome--in so many ways."

Rinya snorted lightly as Jorin growled out that he did not ‘put up’ with her anymore than she did him. "Well I take back my previous statement then! Considering how much of a horrible tease you are. Sometimes I don’t know how I deal..." Rinya trailed off, huffing with exasperation that was clearly exaggerated. There were times when his physical sort of teasing caused such distraction that it was hard to focus, but they both knew she wouldn’t trade it for anything. It was another form of his love, and Rinya realized she really was becoming quite sappy over her dear husband. He spoiled her constantly with different forms of affection and she ate up everything he offered.

"As for gentle… you choose to see me like that. Seeing as every male that has crossed the line with me tends to regret it." Rinya was thinking in particular of the stage hand that had insisted on stealing a kiss from her. She may not know much hand to hand, but the kid certainly hadn’t been expecting her to attack him either. Probably figured himself to be completely macho and she’d simply like being fought over. Except the kid didn’t take into account she didn’t want to be fought over--she already made her choice. In the very least however Rinya seemed to have an easier time with people than she did before.

Rinya sighed slightly as Jorin mentioned that it was every first time mother’s fear--not having any idea what to do. "I guess… I just never had anyone to ask, about kids that is. Asking a stranger for advice is--well it’s certainly not easy." Rinya wrinkled her nose slightly before shrugging lightly. Her face darkened again when Jorin eagerly insisted that he still wanted a child with her. There was never anything to doubt, but it seemed so very real now. They loved each other enough to try and create a life from it. It was both thrilling and terrifying. Rinya swallowed and just nodded as Jorin confirmed spring. She could very well be pregnant by the end of spring…

He leaned in to kiss her attentively and Rinya smiled against his lips. Much like their love did, it seemed the anticipation rebounded between them full force… as if the very next day would be spring and their attempts would become very real. The only thing that kept her in her skin--and the bed-- from the excited energy pulsing through her veins was his fingers stroking through her hair. It left her humming against him, closing her eyes and pressing her face back to his shoulder. If he wasn’t careful he could very well put her to sleep with that simple motion, he did it often enough.

Rinya stirred against him however as he suddenly brought up the fact that their future baby would need a name. In some ways it seemed a little early to be thinking about it--but Rinya was actually game for it. Something else to help calm her and keep her grounded to him. He started off with Vance, and Rinya tilted her head a little as he made a face at the name. She didn’t think there was anything particularly wrong with ‘Vance’, but he discarded the name rather quickly--and moved onto another male name. Adric did have a certain ring to it, but Rinya frowned after a long moment.

"Well it’s a good family name and all but… what if it’s a girl?" Rinya raised a brow at him. It was just as likely after all. "I like Adric… I really do. But we should have girl names too." Wrinkling her nose slightly, Rinya tried to pin down names from the score of names that suddenly filled her head. She had never honestly thought about naming a child before… so the names just seemed totally random to her. "What about Clara… or Aeryn?" Rinya tapped her fingers across his chest as her face scrunched slightly in thought before she let out another sigh.

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[Jorin Ertihan]

Jorin just grinned as Rinya rolled her eyes when he told her that she was more than just a pretty face. They both knew that, of course, and Rinya mentioned that she knew it, but also insisted that it could have happened. Jorin wasn't really sure though. If Rinya had never existed, if she'd stayed in Syliras and had never come to Riverfall, was it possible that he might have tried to woo Kirsi?

Jorin couldn't be sure. So many things had happened that he just literally could not imagine loving any woman as much as he loved Rinya. But if she had never been there, Jorin supposed it could have been possible he might have tried to go after Kirsi. But he hadn't felt the same connection he had with Rinya. As he had said earlier, even their very first meeting he'd felt it, in a way he'd never felt for anyone before or since.

Rinya insisted that the reverse was also true, that he was handsome in many ways. Jorin had never really thought of himself as particularly attractive. Sure, he wasn't bad looking, but in the end most women seemed to overlook him for larger, more muscular men. It had been why Rhys had intimidated him so much; in his experience most women responded to men like him.

But his wife was not most women.

It was something he was realizing about her. He really should have realized it so much sooner. To her, such things did not matter. No amount of cocky confidence or toned muscles was going to impress her, make her want to leave him for another. Jorin had, during the early days of their relationship, been worried that she could have chosen a 'better' man. But Rinya clearly did not want 'better'. She wanted him.

"Thank you," Jorin replied, flushing slightly. "I've... never really had anyone say I was handsome before." It was true. Even when he'd been with Farline the subject of his attractiveness had never arisen. She'd neither insulted nor complimented his appearance, or really much of anything about him.

Then again, there was the invisible but unmistakable aura that he was to feel honored simply being with her, and to not expect much more than that. Yet another thing that was so completely different from what he had experienced with his beloved wife. Rinya would never treat him like that. Neither of them felt the other was some sort of prize. They loved each other, and that was all that mattered.

Rinya snorted as he lightly teased her about putting up with her, and she fired back, mentioning how much of a tease he was. Jorin just grinned back. "Oh please, my love, you know you love it," he smirked, as he lightly ran a finger around her navel. Just a tiny bit, but he grinned as her muscles tightened pleasantly at the touch and an involuntary shiver ran though her body. He kissed her lightly to make up for his tiny bit of teasing. "And I love it too," he confessed against her lips as he pulled away for only a tick before planting another soft kiss on her.

In some sense, Rinya really spoiled him. The openness of their bond combined with her love for him and her willingness to simply be with him meant that she would always respond to him. They both loved the mutual attention they gave each other, not just physically but emotionally. He was quite certain by this point that no other woman could give him love quite like Rinya did, and he wouldn't want them to. Spoiled, indeed.

Jorin shrugged when Rinya mentioned that she never had anyone to ask. "I suppose I can see that," he agreed. "I wouldn't know how to ask a stranger about that either. And truthfully, I don't know what to do any more than you do, Rinya. But, like I said our first time laying together... I think love will show us the way." Jorin said it with a conviction he definitely felt. Love would show them the way, he just knew it. Because as far as he knew it was the one absolutely critical ingredient to raising any child.

Jorin could feel the mix of emotions in his wife as he confirmed spring. He knew for her it would be both frightening and exciting - the idea that she could become a mother soon. That by the end of spring she could be pregnant and carrying his child. Given the fact that, had she never met him, she'd told him there was entirely the possibility that she'd have become a breeding Kelvic, Jorin felt tremendous love and gratitude toward his wife. After all, she was placing a great deal of trust in him to agree to carry his child, given all of that.

The kiss he'd sealed their agreement with, however, was well-received. Rinya returned it as passionately and lovingly as it was given, the nerves mostly calmed across the bond as it was replaced by happiness and love. For the most part, Rinya was not very often nervous or shy around him, but the subject of children he supposed was still one that could get her a bit jumpy.

But Jorin could not find it in him to regret a word of what he had said. He loved Rinya with his entire heart and soul. Enough that he felt making a child with her was the most wonderful thing he could think of, and affirmation of their love that would survive both of them.

Rinya calmed further as he started throwing out baby names. He supposed it was a bit early; they hadn't even conceived a child yet and they were already picking out names for him. Then Jorin realized as Rinya noted she liked Adric, but pointed out that they needed girl names too. She wrinkled her nose in that cute way she did, before putting out Clara and Aeryn as potentials.

"Oooh, I like Aeryn!" he enthused. "It matches Adric too! Adric and Aeryn... you know my love, if we ever decide to have another child beyond this one, and it happens to be of the opposite gender, we could name the two of them that!" Jorin was grinning enthusiastically, clearly excited at the prospect. Of course, he wasn't thinking logically. There was no guarantee their second child would be the opposite gender of their first. But Jorin did not allow something so minor as mere logic to derail his excitement.

"In poetry, when words begin with the same sound it's called 'alliteration'," he explained. "Like the phrase, 'be back before breakfast', or something." Jorin's artistic soul was obviously taking over as his eyes shone.

"Our children's names alliterating... that would be something, wouldn't it?" he grinned. "Err, if we have more than one, of course," he added sheepishly. "Anyways, I do like Aeryn. It has a nice ring to it. But I still think we will have a baby boy." he insisted.

"Call it an artist's intuition," he smirked, though it was crystal clear from both his teasing voice and the love across the bond that Jorin did not actually care which gender the child was, he would love him or her just the same.

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[Rinya]

Jorin turned a little red at her compliment over the fact he was handsome. And to Rinya it was honestly the truth--which he undoubtedly felt and probably caused him to go red in the first place. It didn’t entirely surprise her that he hadn’t heard it before, he was never one to fish for compliments. Plus it did not help that he dated the one woman who couldn’t get her eyes past huge bulging muscles and money. There was absolutely no doubt that Jorin had the most beautiful soul she had ever met, but in her opinion he didn’t need the abundance of muscles like the Akalak did… of course she herself didn’t actually see the appeal in them, even before Jorin.

The Akalak were without a doubt powerhouses, a temple of muscles that one could easily hide under, and sure they were more than that. But Rinya didn’t need a temple. Jorin was far from a skinny boy either, with his consistent training with the quarterstaff. He was defined in a way that much better suited her tastes--because she was as physically attracted to her mate as she was mentally and emotionally. But it wasn’t something that really needed explaining, mostly because Rinya had the feeling he agreed with Farline. That the Akalak were a version of ‘better’, and as easily as he could have chosen Kirsi--she could have chosen one of them. Even her flat out obvious desire for him that flared rather often wasn’t enough to completely convince him.

So Rinya shrugged. "Well it’s true." Three little words as easy to say as ‘I love you’. She had no need for large amounts of Mizas--if she needed them she was more than capable of doing it herself. And muscles did not define who a man was. If she wanted to go by those standards, she could very easily hate the Akalak for their views of Kelvics. She could argue until she was blue in the face why she was more than good enough to be considered more than a pet--and they would never believe it. Choosing to be with someone who could view her as so little... she honestly could not see how that was a ‘better’ choice.

Jorin took her teasing with ease in the very least, smirking at her as he commented that she loved it. His wandering finger traced around her navel and Rinya bit her bottom lip in an attempt to not react to his touch--at least not too much. The muscles of her stomach couldn’t help but contract at his touch and she shot him a glare. "I admit to nothing." She had attempted to hiss the words at him, but they lost their bite considering she was feeling a little breathless. It wasn’t fair how easily he could touch her and make her react. His chaste kiss did little to make up for his touch however… even his admittance that he loved it too was not quite enough. "That’s obvious love." Rinya growled against his lips. Considering how often he teased her--Rinya reached up to hold his face to hers for a few ticks longer than was necessary during the second kiss. It was better payment than the first kiss.

"Love and instinct I suppose." Rinya agreed after a long chime. She had heard that parenting was something that usually came naturally. One could prepare until they were blue in the face--and promptly have it all fall apart under their feet once the child arrived. But apparently there was just something that came with children. Intuition or something of the like. Trying to imagine herself as a mother would probably do no good--it could all very well change the moment their baby joined the world. In some sense that made it both easier and harder… no immediate expectations, but no idea what to expect either.

Jorin however lit up as she mentioned the named Aeryn. The simple fact that it matched Adric seemed to thrill him to no end. He instantly charged into if they had a second child of the opposite gender then they could name the baby Aeryn. Technically she could see the name as either a boy’s or girl’s name, but his head was getting so far ahead of the both of them. Not that she would probably mind a second child--she could probably bear him six without complaint--but they did kind of need to have the first one… well first.

She couldn’t help but stare at him however as he brought poetry into the mix however. Rinya knew how much Jorin enjoyed his art--but he actually wanted to bring it into their children’s names? She actually managed to hold a wince back from her face, but honestly she did not actually enjoy the thought. She loved her mate with all her being… but naming their children with ‘alliteration’ was not something she planned on doing. He managed to get a hold of himself after a moment, grinning at her slightly. He insisted that it was going to be a boy--that apparently his artist’s intuition gave him all the knowledge he needed. Rinya couldn’t help but snort at the last line.

"Whatever you say Jorin. But I am not exactly a fan of the whole ‘alliteration’ thing." It was probably the first time ever that she really turned down an idea of his. Normally the two of them meshed very easily over things, and took the other’s ideas to heart. But Rinya could not bring herself to enjoy the idea honestly. She just hoped he wouldn’t be too terribly hurt by her refusal--especially since she wasn’t actually a fan of the name ‘Aeryn’ either, despite the fact she was the one that suggested it.

After a long moment however a girl’s name came to mind. Rinya pursed her lips slightly, glancing up at him for a second before mumbling the name under her breath. She realized he probably couldn’t even hear her regardless of how close their were pressed together, so she took a deep breath and repeated it slightly louder. "Inara."

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[Jorin Ertihan]

Rinya insisted that it was true, and Jorin had no doubt that she felt exactly that way. The bond told him that at the very least, she thought he was handsome. He never really doubted that she did; after all, their love was quite all-encompassing. Just as he loved his wife in every possible way, he knew she loved him back just as completely.

In the end he supposed 'handsome' was a subjective word, open to the interpretation of the observer much like 'beautiful' was. He was quite sure that other men might well see Kirsi or Alia as 'beautiful' if only because their definition of the word differed from his own. And it wasn't that he did not find them attractive; they were very pretty. Nor did he feel they were mean-spirited or had ugly souls.

But there was an ineffable quality to Rinya that set her apart from them. Made her different in a very good way. It wasn't anything he could put his finger on. Not something he could explain in words, or write down in a poem. It was, at its core, something he felt; not quite an emotion but a connection. Others, including apparently Rinya herself, might not think she was anything particularly special. But to Jorin there wasn't anyone more special in all the world.

But it was true that Jorin did sometimes feel that the Akalak were a version of 'better'. They were bigger, and stronger, and faster, and oftentimes wealthier, though in some sense it was slightly insulting to Rinya to assume those were the yardsticks she used to judge who she would choose for her mate. He knew for a fact his wife and mate was not nearly that shallow.

And he supposed the whole thing could be flipped onto its head. After all, there were women with prettier faces, or more sensual bodies, or larger breasts than Rinya. There were certainly girls who would not age like she did, would remain young and fruitful and pretty for many more years than her. Jorin supposed someone could make the argument those girls were somehow 'better' than Rinya. Except they weren't, at least not to Jorin. He just didn't care about such things; at least not enough to want to choose anyone but his beloved Rinya.

She was more than just a pretty face to him. And over the course of seasons Jorin was beginning to internalize the fact that Rinya felt the exact same way about him. Somewhere inside, perhaps, he'd always have that fear of inadequacy. But that didn't mean it had to dominate him like it once did. Rinya was not Farline. Over and over, she proved that he was her choice, now and forever. And he just as fiercely and lovingly chose her.

Rinya shot him a glare and tried to hiss that she admitted to nothing when he teased her slightly, but the lack of heat in her look combined with her slightly breathless words robbed it of much of the effect she was undoubtedly looking for. She was obviously not satisfied with his light kiss, and growled that it was obvious against his lips as she insisted on lengthening his second one.

Jorin just smiled and allowed her to hold him against her for a bit longer, as he felt love surge across the bond. In truth he knew they both loved this silly little game they played with each other. It was utterly harmless; just something that they did because they loved each other. There was never even any clear winner at the end, since they both always got what they wanted: each other. But that didn't mean it wasn't still fun.

"Obvious, huh?" he chided as he snuggled closer to her, holding her against him and feeling warmed by the pleasant sensation of her skin pressed against his. "I guess it is." Their relative positions meant that he could then nuzzle her neck, which he proceeded to do, planting light kisses there before going down her collarbone and lightly stroking her back.

After a bit of time, Rinya replied to his comment about love showing them the way with her own comment about love and instinct. Jorin pulled back from his soft kisses to look back at Rinya and hummed in agreement, while continuing to touch her gently and lovingly. It was his experience that life could shyke on their plans. "Yes," he agreed. "Nothing is for certain, except that I will be here for you. We do this like we do everything; together. As long as I have you by my side, I'm sure we will do just fine." And Jorin genuinely believed it. After all, they'd managed to get through so much already.

Jorin was aware, of course, that he was getting ahead of himself when he mentioned a second child. They hadn't even had their first yet and he was thinking of the next one. In some sense he knew Rinya would be happy to give him as many children as he wanted. But still, he knew that talking of the second before the first was born was a bit presumptuous, something that if he thought about it, he was rather aware of.

Rinya didn't seem to be a big fan of alliteration though, and Jorin pouted slightly. There wasn't that much disappointment. Jorin knew that alliteration worked great in poems, but he figured that it wasn't for everyone. Still, he couldn't help thinking it would have been so very poetic for their children's name to alliterate like that. "Awww," Jorin whined. "Well I suppose alliteration isn't necessarily appropriate in children's names anyway," he sighed eventually. This was their child, after all, and Jorin loved, trusted, and respected Rinya too much to discount her choice.

It took several long ticks before Rinya glanced up to murmur something under her breath, but too softly for Jorin to catch. He gave her a curious look. Was it another name? His look, and the curiosity across the bond, must have prompted her to realize he didn't hear her, so she took a breath and tried again, putting 'Inara' out as a name for a potential daughter between them. Inara. It had a certain... quality to it.

"Inara... that's a very pretty name," Jorin admitted. "I will admit, my love, I'm still a little curious why you don't like 'Aeryn'. I mean, you did come up with it, after all." He smiled softly at her though, shifting them so that it would be easier for him to bring their lips together in another gentle kiss.

This sort of intimacy, which was not nearly as hot as their coupling, was just as pleasurable to Jorin. Perhaps not in quite the same way, but pleasurable nonetheless. It brought great comfort to him emotionally, and he loved how just like his touch always elicited a response from her, so did his kisses. They did not have to be filled with passion and fire to be special. In fact he suspected that these sorts of gentle kisses, filled with the tender emotions that made their hearts clench pleasantly, were her favorite kinds.

Jorin chose not to break the kiss, opting instead to continue to nuzzle and kiss her for a few chimes and only coming up for air before pressing to her lips again. He wasn't sure why he felt like being loving and romantic with Rinya all of a sudden, but then again he'd stopped questioning such things a long time ago. Besides, she never seemed to mind it when he was romantic with her.

Eventually, though, Jorin pulled away, pushing a few loose strands of her hair from her face and stroking it gently. "Inara... is that your mother's name?" he asked softly. The truth was, Jorin would definitely not be opposed to naming their potential daughter after Rinya's mother. It would ensure that even though the woman apparently died giving birth to Rinya, her legacy would still live on.

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[Rinya]

Rinya huffed slightly as he chided her, as if pulling her closer would remove the knowledge from her mind. "Scoundrel..." Rinya muttered under her breath. Jorin simply took advantage the best he could, planting kisses along her neck… all the while continuing to just stroke her back as if nothing was wrong. Her husband really was the worst kind of tease, and his innocent act wasn’t going to win him points this time. "Well since you enjoy teasing just ever so much--perhaps I should take a page from your book, so to speak." In the most innocent fashion she could manage, she let one of her hands trail down and trace delicate circles into the skin of his inner thigh.

The point wasn’t so much to tease him into distraction, but much more to the point that she could play the game just as easily as he did. In the beginning of their relationship Rinya had been the one to tease him and he had been the one shy of touching her without fear of getting her angry or pushing too far. Somehow the role reversal wasn’t lost on her, but she had certainly been enjoying the fact that Jorin suddenly had no issue with touching her without apprehension. She welcomed it, and he certainly took the reins and ran with it. So her fingers did not continue their teasing cycle and moved back to rest low on his stomach. Rinya shot him a bright smile--one meant to be completely innocent.

It was her luck that Jorin didn’t take her to alliteration badly. There was of course a smidge of disappointment that trailed across the bond, just barely faint enough for her to pick up on and part of her wanted to take it back--only it was a rather small part that she just wasn’t entirely willing to bend to. She wanted to please him of course, but honestly it wasn’t something she could get behind. In the long run it didn’t matter as Jorin began whined--her overdramatic mate--that he ‘supposed’ that alliteration wasn’t something that was appropriate for children’s names. Rinya simply saw it as much too… cheesy.

His curiosity however overran the disappointment in the span of a few ticks however. He obviously heard her say something and Rinya wasn’t entirely sure at first if she wanted to repeat it. But as she muttered the name it hung between them for what seemed like forever. Jorin seemed to think about it for a chime before commenting that Inara was a very pretty name as well. Rinya released the breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding in her chest. He wondered out loud why she didn’t seem to like the name Aeryn however and she wrinkled her nose. "I was just… coming up with names is all. I didn’t even really think about it when I said it." Shrugging slightly, Rinya huffed again. "It’s not that it’s not pretty, but..."

Rinya wasn’t sure how to explain it honestly. Lucky for her Jorin decided to instead kiss her as her sentence broke off unfinished. The kind that knocked her breath from her lungs without trying and made her insides clench with happiness--joy. It was in itself cheesy she supposed, how easily she reacted to anything he doted upon her. Her father would have called her weak and spineless probably, but she couldn’t bring herself to care. Rinya actually liked this side of her--she didn’t have to hide anymore than Jorin did. No rough exterior to hide the mess of emotions underneath. She could feel them instead of suppressing them. He alone made her want to be a ‘better’ person. Happier and far more friendly to others than she was used to--perhaps that might have been a bit of mirroring as well.

Rinya let out a hum as he pulled away, choosing to stroke her face rather than continue to kiss her. He drifted so easily between so many forms of affection, she wondered if she would ever be able to do that as well. Compared to him she practically just accepted his affections and gave nothing in return--it was something else that she really wanted to work on… granted that he would stop beating her to it in the first place. Somehow she doubted that she ever would--it wasn’t an entirely unappealing thought however. But his question caught her off guard slightly. Rinya stiffened a little in his arms, though she wasn’t entirely surprised he guessed it correctly.

"Well… that’s what my father told me." Rinya started off sheepishly. "Is that weird? Because I never knew her and it just popped into my head." Rinya couldn’t help but wince slightly. The words had come out rushed, even though she had no idea why she was so anxious over the idea. Rinya generally wasn’t sentimental about things unless they were right in front of her. She never truly knew her mother… but the name still held significance to her, despite the fact the woman had no choice but to have her. For all she knew her mother hated her…

Which didn’t entirely spell anything out logically. If both her parents had just hated her, they would have left her on the boat and took off on their own. But when Rinya ever sat down to think about her mother, she couldn’t help but fear that her mother looked at her as something forced upon her; completely opposite of the child that both her and Jorin wanted to bring into the world. She wasn’t even sure how her father felt about her, considering his disappearing act. It was so easy to assume that both her parents just… wanted nothing to do with the reminder of what was forced on them. So Rinya did the best she could to tamp down the fear crawling up her spine by pressing her face back into Jorin’s skin, closing her eyes tightly with a harsh sigh. He could feel all of it, she was sure.

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