Planting the Seeds of Family.
Chapter 13
As the sun dipped into the horizons even though it was a warm evening Omevic relayed that he should be back with the Ravagers, and instantly begun to panic, until Emau looked over to him "It's ok Omevic, your Captain isn't going back until tomorrow, you can stay the night if you want. I've already cleared it with him".
It was what he wanted, but he didn't want to voice it out loud, as he watched the family put food on the tables, plates of meat, cheeses and an abundance of fresh goods and almost on instinct he begun to creep away, slowly.
"Ok Omevic, dinner's ready if you want to sit down".
From the reaction of the boy's face, Emau knew she had messed up, she had forgotten that this boy was terrified of sitting with adults due to his abusive life as a slave, and Omevic, jerked back suddenly, but his foot snagged on the rug, and he crashed to the ground.
Instantly he wanted to run away, as the boys who were still standing grew concerned, but they said nothing following a look from their mother they knew so well.
Instead, Emau went over to the boy, who was it seemed trying to push himself into the wall, "It's ok, you're safe here", she wanted to let him understand, but Omevic in a sure sign of panic just shook his head.
"I can't Master, Slaves, slaves sit on floors". Emau had been told this but had forgotten this significant bit of information.
"I understand that, but if slavery is illegal here, then you can't be a slave. No one is going to hurt you here Omevic,
Antoni, just ventured over, and pulled Omevic from the ground gently, and holding the eight-year-old close to his chest with one arm, as he guided them both to the bench, they all sat on. Instantly Omevic tensed, but he heard a whisper of "It will be ok". And on some level, Omevic believed it. Omevic let himself be seated, with the strong arm protecting him and all with a motion of the head which he didn't see everyone else took their places.
For Omevic it felt strange, this man who was eating expertly with one hand, while he was being held with the other, he had never been held like this, never as close to this. And to Omevic it was unnerving but not as bad as he imagined…it was even nice.
"Now we're going to make you a plate, try what you can, but there is no pressure on you to eat everything". Emau stated, and a plate full of delicious things was passed to Omevic, baked potatoes, meats, all soft and easy for him to eat, but even then, he ate in silence,
Over dinner, which Omevic heard everyone just talking with easy conversations, which he wanted to take part in but didn't know what to say, he still felt tense but not as bad as it was. He also couldn't help be feel tired, even with the father's strong arm around him he wanted to stay up. In the end, as the rest were finished and the youngest Leedi took the plates to be washed,
"Ok, it's getting late, Emau said, "And Leedi, you're going to have a bath, you stink".
Instantly Leedi protested while his bothers agreed that he did, "No fair mum", I had a bath last week". It was typical banter between families and Omevic, just absorbed it, until. Emau turned to the young Xandarian who really was just observing the Darbians around him.
"Omevic, would you like a bath too. I've cleared it with your Captain he said it was ok to stay the night…if you would like, we have a spare room".
"Omevic just blinked for a moment before his voice came out in a whisper, having spent his entire life on ships, familiar things were unfamiliar to him. "I've never had a bath". He informed them, and Emau just smiled. 2I'll bath both of you then…you can trust me".
Once again Omevic, found himself getting up and following her through the house, up the stairs followed by Leedi, and to the bedroom area. There he watched in the bathroom, with slight trepidation as Emau filled the bath with water, adding bubbles which made the simple tiled bathroom, with an overhead shower smelled nice, and with no hesitation, Leedi stripped off, leaving his clothes in a pile, and just jumped in.
Omevic watched as the ten-year-old, just stretched out happily in the water, when Emau turned to him, "You can get in Omevic, it will be ok".
Omevic hesitated slightly but found himself taking off the new clothes that Master Yondu had given him because he wasn't sure it was an order, but it felt like one, so he had to obey. He was used to being naked, but he was concerned about what they would think about his scarred and burned skin, with the slave brand across his arm. When he revealed himself, Emau's expression never changed, but thankfully he missed the look of shock crossing Leedi as the eight-year-old, got into the water.
There Omevic watched Emau, gently scrubbing her son's skins, and pouring water over his head, in truth, in comparison to Leedi's healthy and toned body he knew his skin was different, but no one mentioned it, and no one seemed to mind.
To ease his tension, Leedi, splashed water over him, but Omevic didn't know he was meant to respond so didn't. In the end, after Leedi had been cleaned thoroughly by his mother, Emau turned his attention to Omevic, just washing his face and back, and even though he had no hair, water was still run over his head, which made him sneeze.
But for perhaps the first time in his life he felt relaxed and happy, by this different treatment, with that done, and the plug being pulled, Leedi, hopped out of the bath, wrapped a rope around himself, and disappeared for a moment leaving, Emau alone with Omevic. Then encouraged to get us, the water running off his body, Omevic was immediately wrapped in the thickest, fluffiest cleanest towel, he had ever seen, and picked up and carried off into the next room.
Omevic was too surprised to say anything though his stomach lurched in fear for a moment, as still being held by Emau, she just sat in a char and just held him silently, wrapping her arms around him.
The young boy didn't notice the room or realise that while he was getting acquainted with hopefully his new brothers if the Ridel parents had anything to do about it. They had managed to clear the debris field which made up their family's junk, and now It looked brighter and airier, even if it was in need of a remodel.
They had managed to arrange some blankets on the floor, to resemble a bed, remembering that Omevic was unable to even consider sleeping on a proper bed, and placed some Zalerian flowers in a small table, they had grown in their greenhouse. They were guaranteed to help sooth nightmare and banish bad dreams, and already were casting their scent over to room like a spall.
Omevic was confused, he had never been held like this, never been touched affectionately, no one had ever even cared about him like this. For the eight-year-old it was a bit too overwhelming, and he just shut his eye, he knew that Master Yondu would take him away soon, but this, this was something he would never forget, and he just squeezed his eyes shut, as a gentle hand brushed through his non-existent hair.
"It's ok, baby, it's going to be ok". He heard Emau whisper in his ear, and Omevic just reached out and gripped her tightly, just letting himself fall asleep, feeling safe and content for the first time in his life.
At the same time, The Udonta family, the Warlords family and a group of Ravagers, were dining on excellent food. The younger Ravagers were looking a little bit bewildered by the opulence, and Yondu had already warned them that if they tried to rip this family off, he would kill them slowly.
But having grown up in shitty circumstances, and then the Elector, this was the closest they had ever one to just enjoy fine dining and food. The room itself was smaller than the main dining room, and Yondu and Kraglin had dined there before overlooking the balcony, so at least it was familiar to them and felt comfortable.
Though Seroul was four, he wasn't used to being around grown-ups at dinner who were not his parents, and most of them were Ravagers, but they had become accustomed to Peter's toddler talk so had no issues regaling him Seroul stories of Ravager life missing out the gory bits of course.
Proctom who had been discharged, and everyone knew how exhausted he looked, following a day of his brain being probed. Hence was quiet and didn't talk much, still overwhelmed by the fact that people were giving a damn about him, and that his seizures would go eventually, even if it would take years. At least he had Iztel who was sitting next to the young Xandarian, and who was doing most of the talking.
"So, the information I got the tutors are going to be invaluable" Iztel said to Lizxona
It was a surprise to pretty much everyone at the table that Iztel who usually kept to himself, due his blindness and distance from missions which ensured that. Was in fact educated and highly cultured and was able to discuss a myriad of topics with everyone else, which caused the Warlord to wonder how he had become a Ravager and knew there was a story in that which would obviously have to wait for another time.
True Lizxona had been thrown when Iztel had asked him about education information, but now realising that he was Peter's tutor, he was happy to supply the education package, now loaded onto a pad.
"Looking over it, I like the mythology of your lands, but I'm going to remove the parts about the wars and replace it with Xandarian information instead," Iztel said smoothly, which amused Lizxona greatly.
"Tell me about it, I had to have the full information when I was growing up. In truth, Seroul is never going to need it, most of it is, try not to let our people kill each other, and try to be a good leader. Luckily the Xandarians and Darbians get along here most of the time, so it's not too bad. You know right now I'm feeling a little marginalised at this table" Lizxona then looked around "Peter, you tell me. How many Xandarians are at this table?"
"Ummm" Peter looked around "Daddy, Iztel, Proctom, Yarovesky, Tyorells…and me. So…six" Peter declared, pleased he had got them all right. "And you and Seroul and Darbians and Daddy is Centaurian" Peter finished.
"And you are very clever", said Tyorells and Peter just grinned at this adult praise.
Kraglin felt uncomfortable at this since he had been lying that Peter was his biological son, for the past year and dreaded the moment it would come out. Which he had a feeling would be soon.
On the other end of the table was Yarovesky, who was being quiet as he had for most of the day, at a loss at what to do, and being a Ravager not used to being treated like an equal. He had just followed Iztel to the Kitchens where the older Ravager had grabbed the attention and admiration of the kitchen staff and the tutors. There he had just kept quiet, his mind just wondering and hoping it was going well for Omevic, and thankfully no one bothered him that much throughout the day.
With the meal concluded, it was early for adult standards, it was late for the children, and almost on cue, they begun to yawn, and naturally try to resist it.
"Ok Seroul, bedtime," the Darbian said, scooping up his son, while Peter just made grabby hands at Yondu.
The toddler settled into Yondu's shoulder, and the two families made their way to the bedrooms. It was already agreed that the boys would be bunking into together, while Yondu and Kraglin would be in a guest bedroom opposite.
The same courtesy had been extended to the others, but Iztel had stated that perhaps it would be easier if Proctom was near the medical centre, and Yarovesky preferred to remain with them. Being around such opulence was unnerving, and the navigator was practically itching to get back to the organised chaos of the Elector. The group then disappeared as instructed and just waited outside, while the parents got the boys sorted for bed.
In the wing of the house, there were pyjamas laid out for both boys and a guard at the door. Which Yondu didn't question but understood, as Tyorells informed the guard, whose name they learned was Tygresa, "That child, tonight, you will protect him, the same way you protect Seroul". Said in a tone which impressed everyone, and the guard just nodded.
The boys were practically hanging, while the parents washed and dressed them, before settling down. Peter was almost asleep, his blond hair all spiky and fluffy, but Seroul being a year older, naturally tried to protest
"Daddy I want to play with all my toys" the four-year-old whined pathetically, even though his head was on the pillow next to Peter's.
"Well if you get up early in the morning, you can play with your toys then", informed Lizxona in a gentle tone. "and, you need to protect Peter, he's only three, you have to keep an eye on him".
Perhaps it was the tone, but the four-year-old nodded, as the adults said goodnight and, in a few seconds, little Seroul just huddled next to Peter, signed and fell asleep.
With the boys settled, all the adults slipped from the room, the guard unmoving, and stepped away from the area, and Lizxona with the authority of being the one who was really in charge addressed the others.
"All right, now we call the Ridel's."
Stepping away from the sleeping boys, the parents went down the hall, but in the bedroom, little Peter stirred suddenly, and his green eyes snapped open. Slipping past Seroul, his little feet padded on the soft carpet and made his way to the balcony. Of course, none of the parents were stupid enough to leave it open, but Peter placed a hand on the glass, while Seroul now awake, turned to the toddler.
"Peter, what you doing?", the four-year-old demanded, and all Peter could do was turn and for a moment Seroul though he saw Peter's bright green eyes flash for a moment, as the toddler said in a clear voice, a million miles away from the age he was.
"I'm making it right"
With that Peter toddled back to the bed and settled in, all safe and content, just like Omevic was.
To be concluded…I keep saying that I know.
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