Reunited

[Yeva]

28 Saun 719

"Yeva of Rharne," Larkin Trevendor bounded down the stairs of the white plantation house, waving off a field worker to greet her with open arms, one hand holding a pink fruit, the other a cigar, "I'm happy to see you could make it. There were rumors another one of the women from your Order was about, but last I heard, the Avriel had snatched her up for questioning. Can't see why... Everything is just peachy in the great windy city, wouldn't you say?"

Larkin had a wolfish grin and when she noticed that what he held was a peach, she broke off in a smile, "How have you been, Master Trevendor?" then, as if thinking better of it, she looked up at the second story, eyes searching the windows, "How's Te'ami? Is everything...?"

"Everything's fine. She was a little stubborn after you left last - bed rest is a hard medicine for her to take - but after a few more trials of that morning sickness and she was thankful for it."

"I knew she would be," Larkin waved her towards the chairs on the front porch and the pitcher that on a wicker table, and the two humans took a seat in the shade, "I hope I'll be able to see her pregnancy to the end. Things have been a bit..."

"Chaotic?"

"You truly have no idea."

"Hm," Larkin poured a glass and a held it out, "Where's your friend? Azrael didn't have time to come with you this morning? I was sure he'd want to sneer in my face."

Yeva's expression darkened and her shoulders slumped. Quietly, she took a sip of her drink - lemonade, "I don't know. I haven't seen him since Ymiden."

"Truly? Where in Idalos have you been staying? Were you put on the block for resale?"

The block. The stage of slavery. The auction podium. Yeva shook her head, "No, no, nothing like that. I mean... maybe I still will be. With everything going on, I've mostly been able to stay out of sight. Sometimes I sleep on the streets, sometimes one of the human families find a place for me. I've been tending to wounds and illness. Finding food where I can."

"You should have told me."

"I-I've been terrified," Yeva wouldn't cry. Larkin's own father had once been a slave and now their family prospered for it. If this was her future and she did get passed to a new owner, she would do her best. Still, his kindness gave her hope. Yeva smiled, "I've heard Azrael has family. A sister, at least. I may try to seek her out still."

"Hmm," Larkin drank quietly, rocking in his chair and overlooked his fields. The whole topic was touchy and ridden with complexity. Truly, there was no right answer while Azrael's fate was still unknown. To her surprise, the Trevendor brother changed course, "What does your family do, Yeva?"

[Yeva]

28 Saun 719

Yeva sipped her lemonade, "When I was a girl, my mother and father had an orchard," Seeing Larkin's brow raise she lifted a hand in an effort to downplay his sudden interest, "Nothing on this scale, mind you. It was modest, but we mostly supplied juniper berries to a few local gin distilleries, and a few fruits for bakers or wineries."

"Ah, yes. Given the city, I imagine it would have been competitive business? If only your family were here. I might like to pick your father's brain about such topics," Larkin smiled and Yeva returned it. It was nice, to chat with another human.

"I wish I could help. We moved into the city when I was around... five or so? I can't rightly remember. I don't believe they lost business, they just wanted a change of pace, I suppose."

"Yes, I can't say I don't wish the same from time to time," Master Trevender took a deep breath, looking out across his fields with a bit of melancholic pride. He swirled his glass and then patted the arm rest of his rocking chair, "It's not easy work, especially here, but... It's what I know. It's bought my family's freedom and I'm thankful for it."

When he rose, Yeva followed suit, hurrying to finish her drink while he waved her towards the door. It was time to get to work and so she rushed to gather her cloak and bag, offering soft greetings to the servants who greeted them and then the two walked up the stairs and down a familiar hall. Unlike her last visit, a richly colored rug ran the length of the walkway, clearly fresh and recently bought. The pattern was unlike anything she had ever seen and she took pause, admiring the bold pattern work, "It's new," Larkin admitted, smirking as he slowed before a door, "I had one of our girls learn the loom and she's been working on it for some time. The dyes were drawn from some of our harvest, right here. Beautiful, isn't it?"

"Very," she looked up at the sound of footsteps emerging from one of the far rooms, a man carrying a tray, to which Trevender ordered to approach. "Te'ami is just in there, Miss Yeva. I must return to work, please let one of the servants know if you need anything at all," Larkin turned, clasping a hand on his servant's shoulder and leaning forward to whisper in the man's ear. The servant spared a glance at Yeva and then nodded, rushing off with new determination. Master Trevender, noticing Yeva watching, flashed a wink and then began to walk back from where he came, whistling as he went.

'How... strange.'

[Yeva]

28 Saun 719

Upon her entrance, a woman in bed looked up with a mixed expression. Exhaustion and relief, she tried to sit up, but her round belly fought her, and so she struggled, instead collapsing back down with spread legs and a huff, "Yeva, right?" Sweat clung to her brow and she desperately fanned herself to fight the muggy temperature, windows propped open and her attire diaphanous - perhaps even scandalous in some regions - and while it caught her by surprise, the medic was relieved to see Te'ami in otherwise good health, "Last time I saw you, I was barely pregnant. Now look at me!"

"You look lovely," Yeva smiled, pitying the poor woman who had to carry during the Athartian hot season. A true feat for any expecting mother during Saun, let alone in the southern region, "How have you been holding up?"

"Feels like I'm melting, but I've been able to work here and there," Te'ami smiled, her hand lovingly rested atop her stomach, "I suppose you're here to poke and prod, hm?"

"'Fraid so," Reaching into her bag, she retrieved her journal and began thumb through its pages, "Te'ami... Te'ami.... Here we are." Yeva moved to sit upon the edge of the bed, reviewing her patient records. Sev'ryn, female. Estimated a minimum of 42 trials since conception.

Symptoms: Nausea, constipation, heartburn, sensitivity to certain smells.

Diagnosis: Morning Sickness

Their last meeting had been... the 40th of Ashan. "Just let me do some quick math..."

123 (Ashan) - 40 = 83
83 + 83 (Ymiden) = 166 trials
166 + 28 = 194
194 + 42 (estimated) = 234 trials

If Sev'ryn women held an average gestational period of 280 trials....

Yeva looked up, "Well, you are certainly in your third trimester. I wouldn't be very surprised if you gave birth around the 40th of Vhalar."

"Really? That's soon."

"You'd be surprised. My mother always said it wasn't soon enough."

Te'ami laughed, resting her head against the pillow as Yeva began to press lightly on the woman's stomach, "Still feeling movement?"

"Mhmm."

"I think I feel an arm here..." Yeva's eyes became distant as she stared at the wall, focused on trying to feel the baby. It was a strange phenomena, but thrilling, "Maybe a leg..."

"Well, she's been kicking my ribs all morning, so that sounds accurate."

Yeva smiled, adding to her notes. A polite silence settled between them and then she set aside her book and stood to wash her hands at the washbasin, "If you don't mind, could you scoot to the edge of the bed. I'm going to look between your legs, just to check that everything is progressing as normal. Make sure there are no infections, that sort of thing."

The medic remained professional, slipping a mask over her nose and mouth while Te'ami scooted her rear to the lip of the cot. Trying not to be awkward, Yeva dried her hands and dipped her head between the woman's knees, face to face with... well, a vagina. She was quiet, observing for anything out of the ordinary - thankfully there was no signs of rashes, warts or atypical discharge. That was good. Very gently, Yeva talked through every movement of her hand and then pulled away when the examination was complete, returning to the wash basin where she scrubbed herself with soap once more.

"Everything's looking good, Te'ami. We'll need to take your weight and discuss a birth plan, but I believe you're on track for a healthy delivery."

Together they discussed a few choices - midwives versus Avriel doctors. Te'ami was quick to decline any involvement from the Nest Keepers, convinced that despite Larkin's influence, her friend would not be able to protect her child should the city decide to steal her child for slavery indoctrination. Yeva understood that well enough and wished she could predict her own situation and offer aid during the delivery, but feared she might not be able to come visit again, "Have you given any thought to birthing options? There is the traditional bedside option, but some women choose to have water births. Many Biqaj, for example..." The woman wished to remain on the estate if possible, enjoying the idea of joining nature, but not so interested in open water. Yeva wrote this down, and they finalized the rest of the outline. Father involvement, skin-to-skin, if Te'ami would require a lesson in breastfeeding as this was her first child, or if she intended to utilize a wet nurse.

After some time, Yeva completed the examination and finished the outline, handing it over so that the dark-skinned would have it when it was time. After a few more pleasantries, the redhead excused herself and took her leave. As she was walking down the hall, reviewing her notes, a shadow moved up behind her and strong arms wrapped around her waist, startling Yeva so much, she dropped her notebook at once, "Wha!"

A deep voice washed over her ear, the melodic sound of Lorien locking her in place, "Hello, little Red. How I've missed you."

She knew that voice, "Azrael!"

Yeva twisted at once, lost in silver eyes of her best friend before throwing her arms around him and bursting into tears. Alone in the hallway, he returned the gesture, sweeping her up and showering her with kisses along her jaw. It was intimate and unfamiliar, but she did not question it. He was here. He was alive!

"I-I-I-" her voice wouldn't work, either in Common or Lorein or Dehasin and she tried to speak in all three. Any thought was just a jumble of confusion and happiness. She cried and he shushed her, guiding her into one of the empty rooms, while she tried to wipe the fat tears that ran down her cheeks, "I thought you died, I-"

"I know," he whispered against her collarbone, stroking her hair and drawing back. His eyes were tormented and he looked exhausted, but his great wings were still in good health. He had somehow avoided the Etherstorms, but had still vanished, "We were sent away for scouting. I couldn't find you. I'm so sorry, Yeva. I... Trevender sent for me," he sighed. Apologies were never easy for the proud Avriel, but that didn't seem to matter now, "I'm here now. Please don't cry."

[Pig Boy]

Yeva

Experience: 10 no magic

Knowledge:

Medicine
How to Give a Pelvic Exam
Calculating Pregnancy Progress & Expected Due Date
Talk Through Uncomfortable Procedures & Offer Reassurance
Surgery
Using a Birth Plan to Prepare for a Delivery
The Different Types of Births
Detection
The Physical Changes of Pregnancy Over Time

Renown: 10

Skill Usage: Appropriate to level.

Loot/Losses: none

Injuries/Conditions: none

Consequences: none

Comments: This thread was a long time in the finishing, but I'm glad you finally got to put it to a close, and reunite with Azrael into the bargain. Yeva's treatment process of the pregnant woman was very thorough and detailed. The characterization of all the npcs and Yeva herself were fantastic. It's nice seeing a different side of Athart, not many people explore the human side of that city, and I'm very happy you got to do so here.

The reference to the nest keepers made me a bit nostalgic, I have to admit. Such rich lore in this city really begs for players to fill it again. Maybe someday. Anyway, you've done well here, and certainly deserve the points/knowledge.

If you have any concerns about this review, please PM me about them.