Splintered Preconceptions
An Ebony's Weavings: Splinters Story
by: manga and Yuuki Miyaka
Prologue
Rayek woke and slowly stretched. Yawning, he turned to Ebony. "Rise and shine," he said, shaking her gently.
She snuggled closer to him, not wanting to move. "Do I have to?"
"If it were only up to me, no. But Ahnshen needs me to search out some dye-plants, and you promised Ahnshah you'd help her make bubble-pies today."
Ebony sighed, then smiled as a blond head poked through the door. ::ARE you UP?:: QuietCry had learned some control, at least.
Rayek grinned. "I remember when I used to get up before the sun as well. But these days, I have a reason to stay a-bed longer."
"Never happened. Before the moons perhaps. But being up in the day is ridiculous," Ebony muttered, but she smiled at Rayek's words. "And what reason is that beloved?" she asked, as she hopped out of the bed. "So, who are you going with today, QuietCry?"
After straightening the covers, Rayek climbed out of the bed and walked over to Ebony. "Oh, I think you know my reasons..." he said, wrapping himself around her and kissing her neck.
QuietCry, for his part, grinned softly, wrinkling his nose at the romance. ::I want to go find dye-plants.::
His reaction is not lost on Rayek. "Don't wrinkly your nose at it until you've had a taste of it," Rayek said with a raised eyebrow and a grin of his own.
Ebony grinned as well. "With Rayek it is, then!"
Ebony rubbed her neck, tired. Never again would she promise to help Ahnshah with her bubble pies. One good thing came out of it, though. Two untouched pies, one for each of her men. Speaking of whom...Rayek and QuietCry pushed through the beaded curtain door. Their son was riding on Rayek's shoulders and they were laughing.
QuietCry's laughter was somewhat disconcerting to those who weren't used to him, as his adoptive parents were. He could be -seen- to laugh, but he made no sound.
"Welcome back...." Ebony grinned softly and hugged Rayek briefly before planting a kiss on QuietCry's forehead. He ducked to accept the kiss, and Ebony chuckled gently. "I love you both."
"What a coincidence. We happen to love you too!" Rayek said with one of his patented smiles, as he swung QuietCry down.
"I have something for you. But first...." she said, noticing the state they were in. "Baths! All around."
Rayek balked. "No, presents first!" he said, his eyes glittering.
QuietCry's eyes lit up, and he ran for the baths, knowing Ebony.
"Nope. Baths first. Go on! Go! I'm right behind you!!!"
"But I don't want you -behind- me," Rayek protested, one arm around her waist.
"Beside you, then. Always." She grinned briefly, kissing him softly as she moved to the door.
"Much better," Rayek nuzzled her hair.
"I love you, lifemate." Even after all this time, Ebony found herself surprised at how much that title meant to her. After all the years had passed, she still could not believe that her wish had finally become truth.
"And I you. Always," Rayek answered roughly. The word 'lifemate' ran though him with an almost magic thrill.
"Let's go. QuietCry will wonder where we are." She smiled softly at him, then pulled him towards the door. "Come on."
"I'm coming," he smiled, following her.
When they arrived at the baths, Ebony saw her beloved cubling washing diligently but quickly. ::i'm ALmost DONE.:: Rayek smiles down at QuietCry. He didn't know quite when, but it has been awhile since he thought of their first child, thought of how old she'd be now and what she'd be like... QuietCry had quietly filled that void, and though Rayek misses Raven, he loves QuietCry just as much.
Ebony nodded, stripping herself and sliding into the waters. She leaned back against the walls, enjoying the soak. ::How does Ahnshah do it everyday?::
Ebony's send pulled Rayek back from his thoughts. ::Generally, she doesn't.::
::I swear that session nearly killed me. Next time she asks for help, I'm going to go hunting and YOU can help her!::
::That'll never work. I eat too many of her ingredients!:: Rayek laughed as he slipped into the water himself.
::Then I guess we won't get any more pies....:: She grinned at the now drying QuietCry.
::I'm sure we can arrange something:: Rayek sent as he dunked himself under the water, rinsing the sweat and dust from his black hair.
::PiES??:: Like Rayek, QuietCry enjoyed the bubble pies more than any other food.
::Maybe QuietCry would like to help Ahnshah next time...:: Rayek sent with a ripple of laughter.
::CAN i GO GET some??::
"Mmm, I don't know. Rayek? What do you think? Has he cleaned himself well enough?"
Swimming over to QuietCry, Rayek inspected the child's hands and behind his ears. Ebony waited patiently as Rayek made his decision.
"I see no reason why not," Rayek said, tousling QuietCry's hair affectionately.
"Then I agree. Go ahead, QuietCry...." At her words, QuietCry's face brightened considerably.
::THAnk YOU, FATHER, mother.:: With that, QuietCry darted off, not realizing the effect the new titles had on the lifemates.
Rayek stared open-mouthed after QuietCry. ::I--I hadn't thought...to hear that...:: he sent weakly to Ebony.
Ebony stared after the cub, then slowly lowered her eyes to the waters. Rayek could see the tears in those eyes.
He waded back to her and put his arms around her. Her eyes closed, tears slipping from beneath her lashes. ::I'm a mother, Rayek.... I'm a mother....::
::And I...:: All Rayek could send was his astonishment.
::You're a father....:: Ebony looked up at Rayek, gratitude and happiness shining in her eyes for a brief moment before she froze.
::I suppose... we should have seen this, but...:: The look on Rayek's face mirrored Ebony's right up to the moment she froze. There it was, shining in the darkness. Their Recognition had returned....
::Oh, Aiyla....:: he sent as Recognition took them an impossible second time.
::Aeoryn . . . .:: She buried her face in his chest as she tried to think over the hot pounding of her heart. ::What will we tell Quietcry?:: She didn't want to think about Quietcry. She didn't want to have to worry about it. But he was her cub. She raised a hand, tracing Rayek's jaw with a single fingernail.
::Later,:: sent Rayek, tilting her chin back and settling his mouth over hers. ::Let's decide later...::
His hands began to caress her as he sent again. ::I do not think that QuietCry will mind....::
For a brief moment, she fought, needing to know what to tell their cub. But then, Recognition took over, and her thoughts ceased.
After everything was over, Ebony sat on the edge of the bed, listening to Rayek's quiet breathing. She was afraid, afraid of telling her son that he will no longer be alone in their life.