Viera Actress

Chapter 6

Finally, the last part of this story. It's finally time for Myko's play. Jote has begun to understand Myko, and stopped pushing her so hard, so Myko can put the finishing touches on her play in record time. Not to mention that since that night in the Wood with Marl, Jote had something bigger to think about. About the whole Alja scene, I wrote several ways for that to play out. In one version I had Janzyn and her together, but I decided against it. This story is suggestive enough as is. About Whiskers: He looks more like a FFX coeurl than a FFXII coeurl, so he's at least half attractive to the Viera. Mona wouldn't keep an ugly coeurl as a pet! Send me more reviews! I love reviews! I'll write more stories of my own (I'm trying to dream up one that isn't Viera-centered, but I really like the Viera), but after this I'm going to really start helping my brother with his Hunters of the Stars story (He asks me daily if he's gotten any reviews for that. He really wants to know if anyone is reading it. It is HILARIOUS so far. If you like my work, check it out.)

Jote was watching Myko put the finishing touches on her play. The Viera Who Cried Coeurl was going to be shown the next day. Meanwhile, Jote had been thinking about what the Wood had just told her. Marl was just kidding about knocking her up. How could he know that they were really going to conceive a child? Jote had returned home and had told Mjrn that she was a good leader, but it wasn't her place. Mjrn had been acting as a temporary leader for the rest of the day, at least until she left to see Janzyn. Jote still hadn't told anyone that she was pregnant again, not even Marl. That could wait until after Myko's play. Ella had left the day before, still disturbed by what she had uncovered.

"Myko? How is the play coming?" Jote asked.

"It will be ready tomorrow." Myko replied happily.

"Well, I checked with Fran about your request. And she says that I can tell you. Come on into my home. I'll tell you about the Facts of Life."

Delf was happily catching up with Fran. He had always gotten along with her best, and he loved Myko. He wanted to see Fran have more children. When he asked her, however, she smiled and told him "Not for a long, long time." Marl walked up to them. He seemed a bit down.

"Hey Marl. Something wrong?" Delf asked. Marl nodded.

"Jote seems off. I think I did something wrong. She hasn't really spoken to me since that magickal night a few days ago. I don't know what I did." Marl said.

"Marl, Jote loves you. Talk to her; see what is wrong with her. I'm sure you have done nothing wrong and she just has a lot on her mind now. Jote is like that. She does not seem angry right now, either. You have done nothing, I am sure." Fran told the male Viera.

"Maybe you're right. But I've never seen Jote so distant."

"She is merely contemplative."

"Yeah. Just give her a chance. Jote wouldn't be angry at you, Marl!" Delf added.

"Fran, you're really smart."

"Thank you."

"Hey! I'm smart too!" Delf complained. "So quick to compliment a lady, but you pay no attention to the Delf-man, who's just trying to help too! I probably know Jote as much as Fran does! She is only my SISTER!"

"Delf, you are a good friend." Marl said.

"Jote has off days too. Everybody does. And she's probably still thinking about that poor little Viera child of her's that died. Jyna lost one of ours once. She didn't feel well for months. I was devastated. It's something that you think about for the rest of your life. I still wonder why the Wood took one from us like that."

"Delf, I never knew…" Fran began.

"We have a lot to think about right now. Tyra died last week. It was quite sudden. So now, we have a new leader. Every Viera I've spoken to is euphoric. I feel bad for poor Tyra. She wasn't liked, and the Viera seemed happy when her health started declining. She had a reputation for being a hateful, nasty old witch, but I know she had her good side too. She wouldn't let the other Viera hurt my Jyna's niece from Janzyn. My oldest daughter was one of her advisors, and even she hated Tyra. I remember that it was Tyra's idea that I marry Jyna. Jote didn't want me to be forced to marry a girl I had a one night stand with. I love Jyna, and it's a joy to be married to her. I never had a problem with our leader."

"Poor Tyra." Marl said. "I'm sure her mate is devastated. I wouldn't know if I'd be able to live without my Jote."

"Tyra didn't have a soul mate. She slept around, and she had twelve children."

"Speaking of which, Marl, are you and Jote planning on having any more kids soon? It might be just what she needs to put her back in high spirits." Fran, of course, said that.

"I want her to have more kids. I don't know if we will anytime soon, though. I hope so. Maybe I'll finally have a son. Jote said that she'd like to have lots of kids, even though there is the possibility of her losing another someway while it's still tiny. And that would be terrible, but she promised she'd never fall apart like that again."

"Even Jote cries sometimes."

"I don't remember it ever happening, besides the other day, when Gura was killed, and when Mom died." Delf remarked.

Balthier and Mjrn were helping the Viera set up for Myko's play. Everything had to be in order for the next day.

"What was wrong with you the other day? I mean, what was with continually asking Fran to sleep with you and stuff? That isn't like you at ALL." Mjrn asked.

"I wasn't being serious. I was trying to keep her mind off of Jote. I didn't want her to be overly concerned with her sister to forget everything else that was important."

"Jote is my sister too, and I don't think I was concerned enough! Fran wasn't overly concerned! She was just caring for her sister! What happened was painful. I don't know how to feel. It happened a long time before I was born, but it hit me hard too. Fran was actually there, remember? I think that was why it hit her like that. My mother was kind, using the Salve of Forgetting to ease the pain of her poor daughters. I would do the same if something like that ever happened to Slya. I think that was what made the Wood angry at my mother, but I would still do the same thing for Slya."

"I should've thought of some other method of keeping Fran's mind on another subject, huh?"

"Oh yeah. I don't think Fran was amused. And I don't think the Viera were amused either. You might have caused suspicion we don't want. If the common Viera already aren't sure that Myko is your daughter and that Jote just wants it kept quiet, they probably know now. And with Myko calling you 'Daddy', and you carrying her everywhere. I think Myko is going to be in for some rough days soon."

A female Viera walked over, and in her hand was a leash. The leash was all that was keeping a miniature grey coeurl from rubbing everything in sight like any regular pet cat.

"Hello, my name is Mona and this is Whiskers. Jnzn told me to bring my beloved pet here so he could be a star. Isn't he cute?" The Viera explained. She looked a lot like Janzyn.

"He's unusual for a coeurl, that's for sure. The head is different than the head on any coeurl I've ever seen. Just like a regular cat's head instead of a coeurl's head." Balthier said.

"You are a Hume. Are you unusual for a Hume?" Mona asked.

"He's Fran's friend. He's with her most of the time." Mjrn explained. Mona smiled.

"And you must be Mjrn, Jnzn's girlfriend. Slya looks just like you. My brother is a womanizer, but every once in a while there will be a woman he actually falls in love with. I only remember a few. He's told you about Tana, I imagine. Jnzn wants you around more often. He doesn't seem to realize that every female Viera he meets does NOT have to bear his child."

"I like being with Janzyn." Mjrn stated.

"I have heard he is a good lover. Is that at least true?"

"He's intense. The rest is a secret only for me and my closest pals."

"Mjrn, you have got to be kidding. You told every Viera in the village and me all about it after the first time you two did it." Balthier said.

"Jan calls me his honey-bunny."

"Hilarious. He has always made stupid rabbit jokes like that. Always." Mona said with obvious sarcasm in her voice. Whiskers made a friendly growl and rubbed his mistress's leg. He knew when Mona was upset, and was trying to make her feel better, like any good pet."

Alja had made a major decision. She did like the idea of Janzyn being interested in seeing (and feeling) what was between her legs, but she wanted a male who liked her for other reasons. Throwing yourself at any Viera who would take you was okay for Rael, but Alja didn't want that for herself. And Alja had decided she was not ready to be a mother either. She was little more than a child herself. Even though she and Mjrn were close in age, Mjrn was a lot more mature in many ways, but Alja didn't resent that at all.

Alja was not going to sleep with a male who didn't love her. Janzyn wouldn't love who she was, he'd love what she was: a female. Janzyn loved Mjrn, and he'd just use the other women. And they knew it. If Alja went with Janzyn, she'd be no better than all those women Janzyn was with all the time.

Alja had to find Mjrn. She had promised to tell Mjrn her final decision, and a promise was a promise. Alja wouldn't want to hurt her friend's feelings by breaking a promise.

Rael was standing outside, just relaxing. Jote had told her to go do something less annoying for a while, since she had been doing something strange and it bothered Jote, even though Alja had no idea what it was her sister had been up to.

"How's my sister? I hear you want to have a bunch of little Janzyns running around. Interesting. I think having kids with Rush would be much better for you though. And it would make Rush happy. He loves kids." Rael said.

"Rae, I'm not going to do it. I decided against it. I am not like you. I will remain undefiled until the day I find my soul mate."

"Then you will die a virgin, my sister."

"I'd rather have that happen than be with somebody who doesn't love me."

"Very well. It is your choice and yours alone. I will pass on the family bloodline, and you will want to have children, but will still be waiting for a male who doesn't exist."

"But Jote and Mjrn have soul mates. And Delf. Fran had a baby with that Hume, and I know Humes sometimes marry the ones who give them children. I have seen the way they are. Don't tell me he doesn't love her and she doesn't love him. Many Viera have soul mates. I want to get married someday."

"I don't think you can think clearly sis. You need a martini or five."

"I should've known. You spent all night drinking, didn't you? Jote says that that will get you nowhere. You are foremost wood-warder, Rae. Where did you get martinis?"

"The giant bunny that has the magic leaf had olives. She told me to drink or she'll die. So I had ten martinis."

"And you're hallucinating again. Did somebody drug you again? YOU WERE WITH RUSH, WEREN'T YOU?!"

"Let me introduce you to Mr. Coeurl. Mona brought him. I think you two would make a cute couple."

"No, you aren't drugged. This is how you always treat me. I should've known you'd be ticked that I don't want to be a hooker. You thought you could make a quick buck sellin' me to Rush."

"Ella has a magic leaf, dear. She has this thing for olives, so I stole 'em and me and the other wood-warders drank a little. I asked Jote to join us, but she didn't want any. That's strange for her. Don't worry, we were doing our job! It isn't as though there has been a real threat besides that little monster that came out of Fran. You know, that Myko brat. And it isn't as though we got all drunk and everything. I hate Myko so much…"

"I'm not talking to you for a week Rae. Wood-warders, drinking. That's awful." Alja hissed. She walked off to try and find Mjrn.

Myko was made to promise not to repeat a word of what Jote had told her to any of the other Viera, and especially not to her younger cousins. One of the wood-warders had offered Jote a martini. Jote knew that she couldn't drink, but wanted to keep the reason why a secret until after Myko's play. If the Viera knew that their leader was carrying a child, they'd focus on her and not on Myko's play. The Viera were definitely going to be like that. Viera would care for each other's kittens all of the time. And they'd be offering Jote all kinds of things in hope that they would increase the chances for Jote to have a healthy baby. Jote wouldn't have a moment's peace.

Myko went out to help her father and aunt with the rest of the preparations for her play. She saw Mona and Whiskers and decided she had to bond with the coeurl, even though he'd have to pretend to kill her in the play.

"Whiskers knows tricks, doesn't he?" Myko asked.

"Sure. He's a trained coeurl. He knows how to sit, and shake, and roll over, and all that stuff. I hope my little brother isn't going to be around. Even I can't control him when Jnzn is around. We have never figured out why he hates Jnzn so much." Mona replied.

"How about Janson? He's going to be one of the wood-warders who the Viera tricks. Marl got angry that there were no male wood-warders in the original version, so I put Janson in. I was going to use Slya, Gaia, and Dana. Marl started complaining that there are no male wood-warders in my play, and how he used to be one before he was the leader and everything so there should be at least one male in the play."

"Janson is fine. It's just his father. Nobody else makes Whiskers go so crazy. Whiskers? Down boy."

"Can I pet him?"

"Sure! Whiskers loves to be pet. Just don't pull his fur or anything. And don't mess with his whiskers. They're dangerous when he's excited, and he can get really excited easily. Touch his whiskers and he might get excited."

"Mona, you certainly are friendly. If only I needed a grandma or something in my play…"

"Grandma?! I'm only two-hundred-eighty-five years old! Sylva was about four hundred when she had Mjrn, and she was only starting to get really old."

"My mother was not really old. Most Viera live more than five hundred years." Mjrn stated.

"And we have timeless bodies, don't we? We don't appear to get old, do we?" Myko asked.

"You might. You're only half-Viera. And that Hume blood in you has to show somehow."

As Mona heard those words, she looked at Myko with interest. She didn't know that Myko was part Hume.

"You're a half-Viera?! I mean, I've heard that it is possible for a Viera and a Hume to have a child, but I've never actually seen a half-Viera." Mona said.

"Don't tell anyone. We try and keep it a secret. We're worried that other Viera might hurt her. And nobody hurts my daughter!" Balthier told Mona.

"I won't tell. I know how some Viera are. Kara would probably kill her. Kara is that kind of Viera. I swear I'll keep the secret. Do Jnzn and Lena know?"

"They know. Myko was born at Janzyn's place."

"She has lovely eyes, and she seems very intelligent. There is nothing wrong with her. Half-breeds are strange like that. Some things about her are superior to the same things in a full-blooded Viera."

"Whiskers, you are such a nice kitty. You will go over so well with the rest of the Viera." Myko said, petting the coeurl. Whiskers purred loudly.

"He's got quite the motor." Mjrn stated.

Marl approached Jote warily. He was still worried that she was angry at him. He couldn't bear if she didn't want to be with him anymore or something. He loved her with all his heart and soul. If Viera married, he would've married her already. Delf only married because of Tyra. Arlisa Village had different rules.

"Jote, I noticed you're a little distant. Did I do something wrong, my love?" Marl asked. Jote looked at him and forced a smile.

"You didn't do anything wrong Marl. I just have a lot on my mind."

"You seem to be having an off day. Fran said that you probably just had a lot to think about, honey. What is the matter? You can tell me."

"I'm fine. I've just been thinking about Leaf. It isn't something you can just forget about."

"When we have more kids, maybe you'll feel a bit better."

Jote decided to tell Marl then. She'd wait until after Myko's play to tell everybody else, but surely she could tell Marl. He was the father after all. He deserved to know that in a year and a half he'd be the father of two. And Jote knew Marl would be delighted to know.

"Marl, I have been thinking of something else too."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong. Remember that magickal night a few nights ago?"

"I want to do it again."

"Well, remember how you were joking about knocking me up again?"

"Sure. We need to have more kids."

"Marl. We will. I'm pregnant."

"Well, there's a surprise! And I thought you were mad at me!"

"Of course I'm not mad. Fran is right. There is a lot for me to think about. The Wood tells a Viera as soon as it happens, you know. It kind of bothered me at first. I'm going to tell the others after Myko's play. Don't tell anybody else. I don't want all the Viera worrying about me just yet. Myko needs some attention. I love that little girl almost as much as I would if she were my daughter."

"Myko is a sweet little girl. She does love acting too. Her play will be wonderful."

"Yes. It will."

"Now I know why you wouldn't drink with the other wood-warders. I guess I'll drink enough for the both of us next time the girls want to drink. I used to be a wood-warder. I can drink with the girls. You look pale. Do you need anything?"

"Thanks Marl. Please, just get me some water now. I want some nice cold water. I'd get it myself, but I'm kind of dizzy. You understand, don't you?"

"Sure. I'll go get your water right away."

"Thank you. Hey, Marl? While you're at it, get me some fresh fruit. I'm hungry. I need to eat. I am so dizzy."

"I'm on it Jote."

The next day, Myko got herself ready early. Janzyn brought Janson and Slya. He had permission to do so. Whiskers attacked him, and that amused Jote. Mona had to grab Whiskers and restrain him until he calmed down.

"Jan, you're going to have to stay up in a tree. No wait, Whiskers climbs trees, but he won't as long as I have him on the leash. Just get out of his sight before I let him go." Mona said.

"Is everybody here? Let's get this over with." Rael said. Jote was sipping at some water. Marl was hovering over her, which she didn't like. She could take care of herself, mostly. She was just dizzy earlier. That was why she hadn't told the other Viera yet!

"Welcome! I am Myko La… Myko. Just Myko. This is my rendition of the classic story of 'The Viera Who Cried Coeurl!'" Myko announced.

Fran narrated. "Once upon a time, there was a little Viera who was training to become a wood-warder. She thought it would be great fun to trick the other wood-warders into believing a coeurl was attacking."

"Help! A coeurl!" Myko cried. The other three kids walked into view.

"But when the wood-warders came, there was no coeurl."

"Hilarious." Janson said.

Myko began laughing hysterically. Then she calmed down.

"The young Viera thought it was great fun. So once again, she called…"

"Help! A coeurl!"

"But once again, there was no coeurl."

"That is the LAST TIME we're gonna fall for this!" Slya said angrily.

"And then, a real coeurl came."

Whiskers came out, snarling. He cornered Myko.

"HELP! A COEURL! THERE REALLY IS ONE THIS TIME!" Myko yelled.

"But the other Viera didn't listen. And he ate the young Viera." Fran finished. Whiskers just licked Myko's face.

"And he lived happily ever after." Jote added. Marl was sitting there, stroking her ears.

That's the end. I hope you liked it! I don't know what else to say. I have given up on Njay's Quest, because it sucked, but I have more stories to tell. This isn't the last you've seen of me!