Without a doubt.
It was damp. Moisture lingered in the air as a fine mist that spread over quite a bit of distance. It smelled almost of a wet cave and was about as cold as one as well. Pascal shivered quietly as she gaze upon the blue and green tinted wall of pure energy in front of her, before pulling out her metal wand and placing it back in her satchel. This had become a very familiar area to her. It wasn't silent, but the hum of the mass in front of her was mesmerizing. Such a calm and peaceful place... Fodra's core. This was her new focus of study. That, and many other things surrounding the rebirth of the planet.
It had been 2 years since her union with Hubert. The wedding was held in the ever flourishing garden that was now weeding its way from that one spot on Fodra, to miles in all direction. Many people attended, like she hoped. It was a booming party full of family, friends and even important people like the President of Strahta, The Amarcian Overseer and even Richard attended. All of those who had not been there prior, were absolutely amazed at what they saw. Once a dead, lifeless planet was now turning into a evergreen of life. Fodra had become calm and peaceful. The pain and hatred it once dwelled on was gone now that Sophie was harboring Fodra Queen. It was almost as if... they gave the whole planet amnesia. The thought of this made the young researcher giggle. "Amnesia... Sophie had amnesia too..." But it was true. No longer did it have any memory of all the years of torment the inhabitants made it endure. The testing and experiments. Remembering this only made Pascals small smile, turn back into what it had been before- a hopeless frown.
"My ancestors lived on this gigantic planet long long ago called Fodra. This planet was once home to many plants and animals. A splendid place filled with lush green forests and rivers. As humans, we want nothing more than to learn about our world and how to tap into its hidden potential to make it even better. They created a guild to harbor such people with the passion and strength to into Fodras limitless powers. The Amarcians. Day and night. Dawn til dusk my people worked tirelessly. Building contraptions, testing samples and studying the world around us. All to understand better and make the world even brighter to live in. This was our goal... But not everyone knew the limits. No one realized that the more we dug, the more we tested and the more we fiddled with our home... It was actually hurting it.
Our plant was a living breathing life form that we were starting to abuse. Our passion for knowledge and understanding started to blind us. Some realized this and backed down. Some even warned us that we were taking too far... But the rest remained ignorant. Those who realized the destructive path our people were headed, started a new goal... To leave Fodra and make our moon habitable... Ephinea. The project led us to make shuttles big enough to hold a handful of people and some working equipment. The other scientists scoffed and laughed, saying that what we were doing was a waste of resources and that making our home better was the ultimate goal. They had just discovered a lifeform that stemmed from the very core of our planet. It had consciousness and will and they considered it to be groundbreaking. If they could control this being then imagine what they could do. Imagine what they could learn. The thought that Fodra itself even had a consciousness was groundbreaking... And if we could control it, then we could control the very planet itself. This... Was the fall of my people. They hungered for control. For power. Upon removing Fodras consciousness, the planet started to die. It could no longer regulate the eleth being produced. Our water dried up. Our plants withered and our animals began to die. That was when enough was enough. My ancestors began the move to Ephinea. There was no longer any hope for our mother planet. She was being restrained and abused for... What? Knowledge? No... Those who thought that were simply blinding themselves from the truth. It was for dominance over their world. Our beautiful mother who loved and supported us. Who gave us a home, food and water... Began to see us as a sickness. Fodra began to lash back and started to use everything she could to eliminate us. Meanwhile, my ancestors who went to Ephinea started to establish homes for themelves and even created a barrier around our new planet to protect us from whatever may became of their experiments.
Fodra withered, died... All because of us... Because of my people..."
The truth was painful.
After the leaders of Ephinea saw what Fodra was blossoming into, they immediately devised a plan to let Pascal lead her own team and monitor it. It made her feel wonderful to know that she could help baby the planet back into what it once was but... a lingering fear always presented itself. What if she did something wrong and harmed the planet again? Her goal wasn't to poke and prod at it like those did before her, but only to measure the eleth from time to time and keep record of how the flow should be, so that way if it went all haywire, she might be able to step in and help it get back on track. Absolutely no malicious intent at all... but still. Her job was so important. Even more important than keeping track of the Valkines back home! This was a whole damn planet!
Pascal turned around and faced the exit. It was late and she knew she had a team back in Telos Astue waiting for her. It had become almost ritual for her to go down there, stick her measuring kajigger into the swirly blue/green elethy mass then go back but today... there was so much on her mind. Time always flew when she was on Fodra. What seemed like days was actually weeks and what seemed like weeks actually was months. Always lost in her research. She even had her own excavation team to help her find the other lost towns and cities that were now rubble! Normally, she'd be super happy and jumping around but... today...
Reaching into her pocket, Pascal pulled out her communicator. It was blinking, per usual. Her heart began to race at the thought of opening it. About a year prior, she had figured out a way to get messages from Ephinea all the way to Fodra and it was super useful... but also gave her a little bit more stress. Sometimes she thought about tossing it away just to get rid of all messages. If it wasn't from Fourier (which it almost always was), it was Hubert... and that's why she was so afraid to open it. She knew this blinky blinky light was most probably his. Tomorrow she was scheduled to go back to Ephinea, present her measurements to all the leaders then fly back to Strahta and spend time with her husband. Husband... that word was still foreign to her. With much hesitation, she opened it up to see what her birdy had brought her. Closing her eyes and inhaling deeply, Pascal did her best to quiet the anxiety in her chest.
"Will you be arriving on time, this time? - Hubert"
Tomorrow was Hubert's 21st birthday. Last year, they had planned to spend a lot of time together, considering... that wasn't a luxury either of them had time to do, but those plans got spoiled when Pascal arrived a week late. After apologizing as much as she possibly could, he forgave her but she knew she had to make it up to him this year. This year would be different. This year would be special! But... she had no idea what to do. What would they do? She didn't have a plan in mind nor a gift to give. She was to return to Ephinea with... pretty much nothing useful. Hanging her head low, she sighed and placed her communicator back in her pocket.
"What can I do... what can I do...?" Pascal repeated to herself over and over as she took the platform up, heading back to the surface. "Everytime I make him something, he always seems unamused! No matter how cool or handy it maybe. I could try and bake him something but... last time I tried that, I nearly burned off my face... so not a good idea."
Mulling this over, the Amarcian tried to take everything into account. What did Hubert like? He likes the Sunscreen Rangers but they had already managed to collect a bunch of stuff of theirs so that wouldn't be too exciting. He likes things clean and tidy... but their house was probably already spotless. He likes playing games but that turns into wars and she wanted his birthday to be a day where he could relax and not get all uptight and bothered.
"Maybe I should ask around... maybe Asbel can think of something he might like!"
This idea lightened up her mood and brought a smile to her face. His brother had to have some sort of idea!
Upon reaching Telos Astue, Pascal was greeted by her team mates. They handed her research papers, ideas and theories along with some new sites they had found that seemed promising. She enjoyed the job she was given. Everything around her was Amarcian ruins and the more they uprooted, the more she learned... even if she had to face more terrible findings of abuse. Luckily, everything they had brought her was good and nothing bad. Most of the monsters had been losing power and even started shrinking in size, so they posed little to no threat. It was mostly smooth sailing.
"Will we be departing back home tomorrow?" One young man asked her, placing his papers back in his folder. "Its what I heard, anyway."
"Yeah yeah totally!" Pascal replied in her regular chirpy voice "I just gotta tick tack some things, put some other things into things and then I'll be all set and ready to go!"
The young man nodded and went on his way, leaving her in the middle of the city.
Telos Astue... The first time she had arrived there, the feeling was almost eeree. No signs of people, animals or any type of life form. It was a ghost town. Signs of what used to be a prominent city had become a grave yard of what used to be. Thankfully, over the time spent here with her team, Pascal had given the place some livelihood. Machines and houses were fixed, and the place was given a more homely feeling. To be exact, it almost felt like the Amarcian Enclave at this point. Now all she had to do was find more cities or towns just like this and do the same until everything was happy and peaceful. Pascal was beginning to feel much more hopeful.
Heading inside her workhouse, she noticed the mess she had made before going to Fodra's Core. "Wow, Hu would be super duper mad if he saw this place. I better clean it up." She sighed happily and began to pick things up and put them in a more organized position or back to their original spots. "Of course he's not here to see this, and probably never will be anytime soon buuuuuuuuut, its always good to leave things clean so you know where stuff is when you come back!" Living with him after their engagement gave the messy woman more order in her routine. After many scoldings and arguments, she realized that although messy was her way, it wasn't always the best way to live. Hubert had given her more structure and discipline. The thought of him and their life together gave Pascal a confusing feeling in her chest. It was a mixture of happiness but it was almost bitter sweet. Truth was, they never got time together. Her work mostly consisted up here on a completely separate planet and when she did come home, he was consumed in his work as well. If you had to collect all the days they spent together in an entire year, it might equal a month at best. Thinking back on the past fondly, the young woman wished she could go back to them just being engaged. Living in the Enclave was totally fun! Although their home life was dysfunctional and rough around the edges... it was nice having someone there with her all the time. Someone who, without a doubt, loved her. After the Overseer had approved their marriage, they stayed in their house in the Enclave until she got the job leading this team on Fodra. Hubert found it best if he move back to his own country and continue his job accordingly, and with Pascal being on another planet, they found no need to stay there. Within a short while, all of their belongings were moved to a villa in Strahta, which would be more of a permanent home for them.
Bit by bit, the room slowly looked livable again and with a long stretch, Pascal looked at her mostly clean room. She had done such a good job, Hubert would have been proud... after commenting on some stray hairs. How long had it been since she'd seen him, anyway? Probably a month or two. The thought made her heart feel heavy again and a sad smile appeared on her lips. Why was the thought of seeing the person she loved so... sad? Her own feelings confused her, and that was frustrating as well.
Pascal sat on her bed, slumped with her elbows to her knees and did her best to relax. Anxiety began to pour through her body and it wasn't a pleasant feeling at all. "I have to figure out what's wrong with me before I show my face to Hu.." She whispered to herself "He'll know something's wrong." But what exactly was wrong? She should be happy to go home and be with him. Was it just the fact she had nothing to bring him and no idea of a present? She had already decided to fly to Lhant before Yu Liberte and ask Asbel for his ideas on a good birthday present for his brother but... it seemed like more than that. Further, she delved deep into her mind.
"Happy thoughts... happy thoughts... I should be happy. Why aren't I happy? I'm always happy when I'm with Hu, its why we got married. HE makes me happy! So why am I so conjumbled?" Nervously, she began to tap her foot on the bed, trying to keep a clear mind.
"I do want to see him. I want to see him happy. He's always so busy and so grumpy if only I could think of something... something absolutely fantastic that would make his grumpy puss face go BAM into something smiley and happy!"
Slowly, Pascal was beginning to realize something. Something maybe she should have realized sooner. "Maybe I'm feeling this way because HE'S unhappy? Come to think of it... When was the last time I saw him actually happy?"
Thinking as far back as she possibly could, memories started flashing in her brain. Asbel and Cheria's wedding, the engagement, their first night together, living together, the wedding, moving to Strahta... That was probably the last time she had seen her husband actually smile. Only a few weeks did they actually live together in Strahta before she departed for Fodra, and every time she'd come home, they'd argue or spend little quality time. The realization of this only made her heart heavier and heavier, as if being pulled down by a ball and chain.
"Is our relationship making him unhappy...? Am I feeling this way because I feel responsible? AM I responsible?" Pascal let out a loud whine of frustration, shuffled around and stomped her feet on her bed like a child. "I'm probably a failure as a wife... I'm sorry Hu..."
With much remorse, she pulled back out her communicator and stared sadly at his message. She still had not responded to him and, even though it was late, it was rude to ignore him. Slowly, she wrote out her response:
"I'll be home before you can reply Bananas! -Pascal"
A heavy sigh exited the girls body. Her reply had its usual happy tone so he wouldn't notice how she felt. She felt like a liar... but this was better than him needlessly worrying about silly things. This was probably all her overthinking things anyway.
Pascal forced her body to get back onto its feet and did one more stretch. "The sooner I get to sleep, the sooner I wake up and it'll be tomorrow and I'll probably feel much better then!" she thought aloud while she began to undress and get ready for bed. "Tomorrow will be a brighter and happier day and I'll totally figure something out and make Hu the happiest ever!"
The departure from Fodra went smoothly as Pascal and her team gathered all their needed belongings and findings and loaded them onto the shuttle. Luckily, everyone with her currently all lived in Fendel so she didn't have to make a bunch of drop offs. As soon as they left, she waved a happy goodbye and made her way for Lhant. She knew her visit was completely unannounced but she hope'd it would be welcomed, at least.
Landing the shuttle off to the east side of Lhant, Pascal made her way to the town. It was lively and peaceful as usual with vendors selling goods, children playing and people mingling. The vibe made the worried girl feel a little lightened. It was a sunny warm day and she had plenty of time before Hubert expected her back home. Putting some pep in her step, she quickly followed the path to Lhant Manor. After knocking a few times (Or banging, as Cheria would call it), a familiar old face opened the door and greeted her with a smile.
"Why, Miss Pascal! What bring you here?" Frederic asked with a surprised yet delighted tone.
"Heya, Frederic! I was hoping Asbel wasn't too busy so I could have a chat with him." Pascal responded, poking her head in the manor and looking around "Is he around?"
"Why yes, Master Asbel is in the study." Frederic opened the door wide and allowed the nosy girl to walk inside unhindered "I'm sure he'll be happy to see you."
"I hope so~" Pascal giggled, scratching the back of her head. "I know I kinda just came here without saying anything."
The old gentleman gave a chuckle before nodding and closing the front door behind them. Without needed guidance, Pascal walked up to the study, knocked a few times before letting herself in.
"Hey Asbel, you in?" She called before letting herself in anyway.
It had been a while since she had seen her old friend and new brother-in-law. There before her he sat, with a bunch of papers piled high and a frazzled look on his face. Seeing her happy grin made the young man smile as he stood from his desk.
"Hey Pascal, I didn't expect you were coming.." He said in a peculiar tone "What's up?"
She walked slowly to his desk, pulled up a chair and sat down comfortably. "Not much, just was hoping you could help me out with a little problem I'm having.."
"A problem? You? No way!" Asbel sounded surprised and gave a curious laugh before sitting back down again. "You're one of the smartest people I've ever met! How could I help you with a problem?"
Pascal nervously looked around the room before back at her friend "Well you see..." She started, doing her best to collect her thoughts. "You know what today is, right?"
Asbel gave her a blank look for a second before moving some of his papers over and pulling out a small calendar. Giving another brief moment of silence, the young Lord let out a loud gasp before smacking his forehead. "Holy crap! Its Huberts birthday! I totally forgot!"
"Yeah..." She let out another giggle and began to fidget in her seat.
"Time sure flies, huh?" Asbel started to scratch the back of his head before giving Pascal a sympathetic look. He knew fully well that she'd understand being busy and forgetting what day it was and hoped she wouldn't call him out on being a jerk and forgetting his only brothers birthday. To his good fortune, thats not why she was there.
"You see, Asbel... I don't know what to do!" Pascal started to explain with the feeling of helplessness starting to creep back up in her chest. "I know what Hu likes but at the same time, I totally don't! Normally I make him cool gadgets and stuff and he thanks me but I know he isn't like 100% happy with it! I don't know what I should do to surprise him today or make his day the absolute best ever! Do you have any ideas? You know, being his brother n stuff?"
Asbel crossed his arms and gave a puzzled look. He pondered for a while before shaking his head in disappointment. "I'm sorry, Pascal. I honestly don't know how to help you with this one. Hubert isn't the same as he was when we were kids, other than liking the Sunscreen Rangers but I'm sure you guys have a bunch of that stuff now."
"Yeah, " She giggled happily "We got lots of stuff!"
"Exactly.." He continued. "And we haven't really been close either. I have no idea what you could do..."
Pascal frowned and hung her head. This was her best idea of getting an idea and it failed.
"Great..." She moaned, "Now what do I do?"
"I'm sorry..." Asbel sounded just as disappointed. She failed as being a wife and he failed at being a brother. They were in the same boat on this one.
Suddenly a small knock on the door caught their attention. Both looked up and watched as Cheria entered the room with a pot of tea and some cookies. Noticing Pascal, she gave a small surprised smile and walked towards them.
"I knew we had a guest but I had no idea it was you, Pascal" She said, placing the tray on a side table. "If I'd have known you were coming, I could have prepared some banana pie."
Once the tray had been set on the table, Pascal quickly noticed something odd with Cheria. Staring puzzled for a while, she raised her eyebrow "Cheria..."
The couple smiled and glanced at each other. They hadn't announced their good fortune yet but was pleased their friend had noticed without being told.
"I think you should stop eating so many cookies... They're totally making you fat."
Instantly, Asbel let out a loud cough before bursting into a fit of laughter as Cheria stomped her foot with anger. "Really, Pascal?" She growled. "Really?!"
"Oh...!" Asbel moaned, trying to catch his breath. "Pascal, run before she comes after you!" He warned, trying to hold back his amusement.
Pascal looked back and forth at them both, not really getting it. "Huh? Why? I was just trying to give a helpful suggestion!"
"Pascal, are you serious?" Cheria challenged, walking over to her oblivious friend and standing inches away. "Have a closer look..."
The Amarcian narrowed her eyes and looked at Cheria all over. She looked pretty much the exact same as she had seen her last except her stomach protruded much more. Maybe not much much more, but enough to where you could notice. "I'm looking and I see that maybe your skirt is getting too small for you?"
"PASCAL!" Cheria hollered, sending Asbel into yet another fit of hysterical laughter.
The door opened once more and in walked a happy sight. Sophie came in looking confused and concerned. "I heard shouting, is everyone alright?"
"Oh heya Sophie!" Pascal smiled and waved. "Everything's totally fine, I was just trying to explain to Cheria that maybe she should get bigger clothes or something."
Sophie gave the biggest smile Pascal had ever seen and twirled around in a circle "I'm getting a sibling, Pascal! I'm so excited"
Another moment of silence past before the light bulb in Pascal's head finally turned on. She opened her mouth and let out a big "Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" before jumping to her feet and grabbing Cheria's hands. "Ohhh! Thanks so awesome! I knew you could totally do it! And here I thought maybe you've just been eating too many cookies! I'm sorry Cheria!"
Gritting her teeth, the impatient woman did her best to fight back her frustration. She knew all too well how dense Pascal could be at times and had to remember that she wasn't too far along so its not too farfetched to be mistaken. "Its alright... Pascal."
"I'm gonna have a new baby brother or sister!" Sophie sang, dancing around in happiness.
Feeling as if she now needed to get back at Pascal for her unfounded rudeness, Cheria gave a snarky smirk to both her husband and Pascal. "So when will it be your turn, huh?"
Sophie's ears instantly perked up and stared wide eyed at Pascal "Yeah! When will I have a cousin too?! I want more family! Oh it will be so fun!"
The comment had thrown Pascal way off of her standing and caused her to take a step back. "Huh?" Now she was really confused.
"Yeah, Pascal." Asbel queued in, still with much amusement. "When are you and Hubert going to start thinking of having children?"
"Children?!"
"Babies everywhere!" Sophie continued to sing and twirl around before finally hugging Cheria from behind. "We're gonna have a big family, right Cheria?"
Cheria had accomplished what she had sought out to do and get back at Pascal. She placed her hands upon her adopted daughters and smiled sweetly "You're absolutely right, Sophie!" but her fun and games weren't over yet. No one dare call her fat and get away with it. Cheria turned back to Pascal with an evil smile "I'm sure you've already started trying, right?"
"Huh?!" Pascal was hopelessly lost, confused and bewildered. This was not something she was expecting upon coming her and had no idea how to respond.
"Have you done the baby dance, Pascal?" Sophie asked innocently, peaking out from behind Cheria who was now gleaming with vicious revenge.
Pascals face became as red as her hair and was unable to speak. Now she was finally understanding just how flustered Hubert could get when uncomfortable things were brought up.
"Come on now, guys..." Asbel scolded, doing his best to call off the dogs his wife has set off into the room. "Pascal didn't come here to get put on the spot here. Whatever her and my brother have or haven't done isn't really our business, right?"
"Oh right, why are you here?" Cheria questioned, feeling finally avenged. "Did something happen?"
"So... I'm not getting a cousin...?" Sophie sadly asked.
"Oh, right!" Pascal started to regain regular color in her face as she remembered why she was here in the first place. "Today is Hu's birthday and I totally have no idea what I should do. I've already tried a bunch of things in the past to make the day extra super special but... doesn't really work out so well. Do you guys have any suggestions?"
"Why don't you push him down, and let him know you mean business?" Sophie inquired helpfully "The Captain said sometimes its just what a man needs... whatever that means."
"S-sophie!" Asbel stammered, a light hue of red gracing his cheeks. "You need to stop visiting the Captain by yourself."
"No, wait!" Cheria chimed in. "Maybe Sophies on to something..." Quickly, Cheria grabbed her confused friend's hand and started dragging her out the study. "Sophie, eat those cookies and stay with Asbel, we'll be back shortly."
"W-wait, Cheria! Hold on!" Pascal yelled, struggling to get away. "Where are we going?"
"To the kitchen." Cheria responded, still dragging her arm with much force so she couldn't flee.
"Why we going there?"
"You'll see."
"Will there be banana pie?"
Cheria let go of Pascal's wrist once they reached the kitchen doors. "Only if you're good."
The Amarcian pouted "I'm always good..."
"Calling me fat wasn't very good, you know!"
"Awww! Come on! I didnt know!" Pascal began to plead. "Pleaseeeeeeeeeee?"
Cheria opened up the doors and guided her companion inside. Pascal had never actually been in the Lhant manor kitchen before and her eyes widened in amazement.
"This place is HUGE!" She gasped. "I bet you could make like a thousand cakes in here!"
"Well I managed to make your wedding cake in here, didn't I?" Cheria spoke proudly of herself "And that was no small feat."
"Ya ya, I know! It was awesome! but holy crap this place is cool!" Pascal, now free to do as she wished, walked around slowly gazing at all the pots and pans and cookware aligned on the walls and hanging from fixtures.
The young pregnant female sat down on the island chair in the middle of the kitchen and motioned for her amazed friend to come back. "Lets have some girl talk, shall we?"
Pascal, although still confused, did as she was told and sat next to her "Y'okay, what are we gonna talk about? This got to do with today?"
"Yes. Its about what Sophie said in the study." Cheria responded, with an unusually calm tone "I think she might have been on to something, even though she didn't know it."
"Er... I don't know, Cheria" Pascal started, raising an eyebrow "I don't think I really want to push him down and tell him I mean business. It sounds like something that will get me yelled at, actually."
Cheria's face began to turn pink as she shook her head and looked around to make sure no maids were lurking. "No, Pascal. Not literally pushing him down and saying you mean business."
"Then... I'm not following." The researcher confessed.
"Yeah... I know." Cheria began to explain. "Look, you're away all the time tending to Fodra and its growth, right?"
"Right!"
"And Hubert is in Strahta managing their military and leading troops, right?"
"Yep!"
"When do you guys have free Private time to spend together?" Cheria stopped, hoping Pascal would catch on.
"Very little to none, actually." Pascal sighed sadly and scratched the back of her head. "Either I'm running all over Ephinea presenting my research and findings to everyone who wants to know or he's out on some mission... and the small times we are both actually in the same place at the same time, he's too exhausted to really talk or do much and I'm just kinda doing whatever."
"So then why not use all of today making him feel happy? Ya know... being a wife and tending to his needs. Stuff like that." Cheria asked, feeling a little embarrassed they were even talking about such things.
"Thats what I want to do but I'm not entirely sure what I should do. He's always so uptight. I was thinking maybe I could give him a back massage or something but... I don't think I'd be any good at it. I got like, two left hands or something." Pascal giggled, waving her hands about.
"No, No, Pascal..." Cheria let out a big sigh of disappointment. "I didnt mean something like a back massage, although that's not too far from what I'm suggesting..."
"Then, I'm lost."
"I'm aware."
"You say things like being a wife and tending to his needs..." Pascal repeated back to her friend. "Do you mean like, cooking and cleaning and polishing his shoes? Cuz I'm not good at anything like that either. Do you think I'm a terrible wife? I'm starting to think I might be." She finished, lowering her head.
Placing her hand on Pascal's, Cheria looked up at her dear friend with concern "Pascal... I don't think you're a terrible wife and I'm pretty sure Hubert doesn't either."
"But... how do you know?" Pascal's voice became tainted with sadness that she couldn't hold back. She started to feel heavy and dragged down just like yesterday. "What if the reason hes unhappy is because I have no idea what I'm doing?"
"Oh brother.." Cheria thought as she listened to her friend express her worries. "Not only does she have no idea what I'm trying to say, but she's scared that everything is wrong and its her fault too. What am I gonna do with her?"
"Maybe running away and getting married wasn't a good idea, ya?" Pascal finished, looking up into her friends eyes and hoping for answers.
"Pascal.." Cheria grabbed her friends hand and gave her a stern look. "I know this is absolutely none of my business but when was the last time you and Hubert were, ya know, close?"
"You mean like, hung out?"
"No! I don't mean like hanging out and playing a boardgame. I mean like..." Her voice quieted down into a whisper "Got intimate?"
A few seconds flew by before the distraught Amarcian caught on, and once she did, her nervous feeling started to come back. "Oh... that. So you really weren't kidding when you said you thought we should have kids, ya?"
"Well... I was sort of joking but that's not really what I mean either..." Cheria explained, not entirely sure how to respond to make the girl understand. "I mean, What I'm trying to say is maybe it would be a good idea if the two of you just had lots of alone time to practice and be close with each other."
"So you're saying you want me to do the naughty with Hubert as a birthday present?"
Cheria's face turned a darker shade of red and she closed her eyes with both embarrassment and frustration. "To put it bluntly, yes. Thats what I'm saying."
Pascal gave her friend a blank look. "...Thats a really odd birthday present, Cheria."
"Yes. I know. Its just as odd suggesting it but sometimes the way to win over a stressed husband is to use your womanly charm and make him feel wanted."
Pascal looked down at herself, examining her body and then looked at Cheria. "I don't think I have womanly charm."
"Oh don't be silly, of course you do!" Cheria reassured. "You just gotta.. you know.. be a little sexy, is all."
Pascal's blank look did not let up and, if possible, became even blanker. "I don't know how to be sexy. That sounds complicated."
"Pascal, you're ridiculous!" Cheria whined, taking her hand off of her friends and placing one of her forehead in frustration.
"W-what?! I'm just being honest!"
"I know..." Her frustration continues "I know..."
"Do you have any tips?" Pascals lips curled into a cats smirk as she knew Cheria was probably the best person to ask about things like this. "You have LOTS of womanly charm! And probably more experience with charming using this womanly woman-ness of yours!"
"PASCAL!" Cheria yelled, unable to contain her irritation any longer.
Pascal jumped and nearly fell off her chair "What?! I'm just trying to learn! It's a compliment, ya?"
"That... Thats a really weird compliment and I don't really know what to say to you!" Cheria confessed, beginning to feel overwhelmed. She knew this talk wasn't going to go smooth but this was truly ridiculous.
"Just tips!" Pascal raised her arms over her head "Ya know? What I should and shouldn't do to be 'sexy'! In fact.." She reached in her front pocket and pulled out a tiny notepad and pen. "I'll even write down all of your tips so I can use them later tonight!"
"Pascal I can't really give you tips on wooing your husband..." Cheria's head was beginning to pound as she couldn't take much more of this.
"But you've been a wife longer AND you've known Hu longer! You're totally the best person to give me tips!"
"That all might be true but hes not MY husband and I don't know him like THAT!"
Pascal scratched the back of her head again, pen still in hand. "But... they're both guys so I can't imagine their all that different in likes, right?"
"Pascal I am not going to discuss my personal relationship with Asbel or his likes in bed with you!" Cheria shrieked. "You're going to have to figure this out yourself."
"But..!"
"NO BUTS!" Cheria picked herself up from her chair to signal the end of this discussion. "Now I suggest you fly on back to Strahta and maybe ask him what he wants?"
"But I thought I was supposed to push him down and show him I mean business?" Pascal followed as they both walked to the kitchen doors.
"You know... Or that too." Cheria replied, leading them out back into the lobby and in front of the study room. "Maybe he's into that sort of thing. I wouldn't know."
Pascal let out a small laugh. "You know, Malik said the same thing once before."
Cheria responded with a sarcastic version of her friends laugh. "Haha... ya... he would."
"I guess I should be on my way back to Strahta then..." The grateful Amarcian smiled at her friend "Before I do though... What's it like having a person growing inside you? Is it all squishy and weird?"
Cheria ran both her hands down her protruding stomach and smiled "No... right now the baby is too small for me to notice much. In a few more months, he'll be much bigger and you'll be able to feel him if you touch my stomach too."
"You say he like if you know it's a boy. How do you know?" Such things were beyond Pascal. She noticed Cheria as she spoke and carried herself. She honestly seemed happy.
"I don't, actually. It just seems... I don't know, right to say he." Cheria responded, rubbing her belly some more. "Maybe one day, you'll understand."
"heh... Maybe..." The thought was foreign. A life form growing inside her organs sort of sounded like a parasite. wasn't the most pleasant through but maybe one day she'd know the joy that her friend was feeling at that very moment. "Well, I'll be on my way then. Eat more cookies and grow a healthy and smart baby!"
Cheria scowled at the remark but knew it was in good spirit. "Thanks, Pascal. I hope today works out for the best and the both of you two need to come visit more often when you have time!"
"Will do!" Pascal solution before exiting the manor. As much as she wanted to say her goodbyes to Asbel and Sophie, she knew she had much more important things to do today... no pun intended.