Vieraslayer
I've mentioned a character named Marisa several times in this story. I will not reveal exactly who she is and how she's connected to Balthier yet, but my next story will be about that. Don't ask me yet!
Closure
One year later…
Mjrn and Janzyn planned their wedding to be on the first night of the New Life Festival. Vaan, Penelo, Alja, Fran, Balthier, Ashe, Basch, and Larsa were among the non-villagers who would be attending. Alja was concerned about returning to the Wood, especially so close to her due date, but she had been Mjrn's best friend. She wouldn't miss it for the world.
And her kit would come very soon. Kira was going to have her kit soon too. Rael decided against having one of her own for a few more years because she knew she'd be responsible for Kira's child. Someday she'd give Dana a sibling though. There would be lots of new kits soon, and the next spring both Mjrn and Chea would give Janzyn kits. This time, Mjrn had told everyone soon after she found out, and Jote became a bit overprotective of her sister. Not too much, but enough to sometimes get on Mjrn's nerves. Oh well, Jote wasn't going to be able to have another kit of her own for about three years due to her injuries (not to mention the fact that she had had Vale only a year before), so she had the right to take interest in other's.
Alja was miserable the whole trip from Rabanastre to the Wood. Her kit was kicking, and she had forgotten to bring her medicine so she wouldn't get sick. It was herbal and wouldn't hurt the kit. Maybe Hala would have some for her. And if Hala didn't have any or wouldn't give it to her, Lena would. Chea needed the medicine too and Lena would make too much of it because she cared deeply about her partner and didn't want her to suffer for a second. Ktjn and her family stayed with them, and they'd stay for a while. At least until after Alja gave birth. Ktjn had experience with kits and was there to support Ali. Tomaj had often traveled with Vaan and Penelo in the past and was happy to join up with them again. Alja could hardly eat, and she had trouble resting. Vaan was very worried about her. She was carrying his child after all. He had to take care of them both, Ali and kitten.
"Alja, we really need to think of names." Vaan said for the hundredth time that day.
"It's so much easier in the Wood. She names ninety percent of our kits. While I am there, it would probably be best if I had an examination done by Zara and Alvyne. That dog seems to be quite the healer now. Well, to tell the truth, I have thought of one name, but it's for a boy. We could name him Reks, after your brother. I don't know what to call a girl."
"Reksine?" Penelo suggested. Alja shook her head. She didn't like the sound of that.
"I don't know why I couldn't have a kit this time. Once was all it took with Tjla." Ktjn muttered.
"Sometimes it takes a few tries. Not often with Viera our age, but sometimes it takes a few years."
"It took me six years to come back into heat after leaving the Wood."
"That happens too. Hey, when we get to the Wood, maybe you can see a lot of the Tarvans. I know there will be a bunch of them at the festival, even though they hate Janzyn. He's still part of the tribe. Do you miss them?"
"Yes, but I don't know if they'll be pleased to see me. Krjn says that they weren't too happy to see her. Of course, she's been gone for over a hundred years. Yeah, maybe."
Jote was trying to get the other Viera ready to go to Arlisa Village. That was where the New Life Festival would be held this year. The village would be open to all other Viera during the festival, and Fran knew where it was since she used to visit her brother Delf there all the time when she lived in the Wood. Delf was so happy Mjrn was going to get married. He had married a girl named Jyna before Sylva had even had Mjrn, and he had never regretted it. He and Mjrn had always been very close. Besides Alja, Mjrn's best friend was her cousin Teri, Delf's third daughter.
Mjrn was so happy. She had always wanted to get married, and she loved Janzyn with all her heart. She hoped Jote and Fran would one day be as happy as she was. Jote was still not able to have sex with Marl, who was still using Rael to satisfy himself, even though she tried to get him to take her in the behind again once or twice. He absolutely refused to do that again. And he told Jote. She told Rael that Marl didn't like that and she wasn't to do that to him. If Rush liked it, that was fine. Rael was behaving a lot better though. She wouldn't pick at Myko or Alvyne anymore, and she wouldn't run off with Rush as much as she used to. Kjrs would still follow her around and everything, but she still acted badly. Rael had made a complete turnaround, and Kjrs couldn't understand it.
Janzyn was trying to find a nice tuxedo. It didn't help that Hjen kept suggesting things Pheytah got him from a joke shop (just to shut the little monster up) on one of his many entite-hunting missions, like the squirting flower or the joy buzzer. Jan was not thrilled with his cousin. This was absolutely not a time for stupid lame joke items. Hjen really needed to grow up. He wasn't a kit anymore. Squirting flowers were something Janzyn would expect from Janson or Delf's young son Merr. Pheytah had smacked Hjen several times at Mjrn's request when Jan had told her what was going on, and when she had found out that Janzyn's idiotic cousin had equipped her son's tuxedo with said flower. Pheytah would hit Hjen when Mjrn told him to. He respected her because she wasn't completely stupid like Hjen and Jan. Not to mention the fact that she was pregnant and that meant he couldn't do anything to possibly hurt her or else.
Myko was rather excited about going to Arlisa Village. She had only been there once before, with her aunts, and she was only very young at the time. She didn't remember it well. It was soon after Jote had given birth to Vinka. She had seen Delf many times, but he had always gone to Eruyt. Last time Myko had been in Arlisa, the leader had been a vicious Viera named Tyra who probably would've hurt her if she had found out that Myko had been fathered by a Hume. Tyra had died a few years back and now her daughter Fjna was the leader. Fjna wouldn't hurt Myko. She herself had slept with a Hume once, and she especially didn't want to cause harm to a child, half-Viera or not.
Myko was also happy that her parents were coming along. They had brought Ashe, Basch, Larsa, and Ashe's twin sons Rasler and Raminas. There were rumours about the twins being Basch's, even though Ashe swore they were Al-Cid's. They were younger than Vale by a few weeks.
Jote was trying to keep the hyper halfie still. Myko was jumping around and yelling comments that made no sense. She acted like she was crazy. Vale was getting upset, and Vinka was trying to play along with Myko. Jote was not pleased with her niece, and her daughter wasn't helping.
Delf was very proud of his younger sister and his friend Janzyn. Alvyne had never met Fran's brother and she was rather excited. The male Viera was wary of the Reena, even though Myko was happily telling him all kinds of things about her.
"And she climbs trees at night and howls at the moon! I haven't even told you the best part! Alvyne LOVES candy, just like me! And that's not the best part! She's my pet doggy!" Myko was telling Delf while Alvyne stood by, panting.
"Meek, I don't know if a Reena-Kaana exactly qualifies as a 'pet doggy'." Delf said.
"Aunt Jote says Alvyne is a perfect pet doggy! Where's Aunt Jyna? I have to tell her everything about my doggy too!"
"So… do you eat something besides candy and Viera?" Delf asked Alvyne.
"Alvyne… I never eat Viera again. Nope-nope. I eat wild beasts I hunt. Never Viera." The Reena responded. Her speech was getting better, but it still wasn't perfect.
"Why are you Myko's pet? I know she has wanted a dog for ages, but why have you bound yourself to her?"
"Myko need me. And I… promise Balthier and Fran I take care of her. She… is my sister."
Myko and Vinka were sneaking around, looking for something stupid to do. The two of them, Janson and Slya and Alvyne would often do things together. Vinka was very fond of her cousin, and she adored Alvyne. Jote had told them that before Fran left, her and her sisters used to be nearly inseparable. They did everything together. Rael's mother Kjmi had caught Jote, Fran, and Mjrn doing all kinds of things. Vale would probably join her cousins and sister once she got old enough. Vinka did try to be the leader of the small group of cousins, but Myko was definitely the boss.
Marl was talking to Balthier. He had spent two hours with Rael and was tired of Kjrs trying to join them. Rael didn't want Kjrs to join in either. The other wood-warder hardly listened to her anymore though. At least Marl was strong enough to fend her off. Jote had gotten very angry when she heard about it. Jote was always angry at something or someone. The festival was going to begin once all the Viera arrived, which would be later. Mjrn and Janzyn were to be married the next day.
"I can't believe those dogs. Especially that female. Jote nearly killed herself making sure that bitch was dead. If she had died, I don't know what I would've done. I can't imagine what she went through. I'm sure she'll be traumatized. Now I know how Sylva felt, deciding that using the Salve of Forgetting was the only answer after Jote lost that one kit. She didn't want her to be traumatized. Mjrn's wedding tomorrow will put her in better spirits. Jote has always wanted her littlest sister to be happy. She loves Fran too, and hopes Fran will be happy, even if she doesn't act like it." Marl said.
"I'm taking Fran to see Marisa one of these days. No doubt she'll be able to figure out why Fran couldn't conceive this past fall. Fran says it is nothing, that we just weren't lucky enough or stress is getting to her, but I want to make sure there is nothing wrong with her. Or with me." Balthier remarked.
"I'm sure Myko would be rather interested… what is Rael doing?" Marl saw the Viera woman walking past them, holding something. "Mother Wood! Is that a kit?" Marl ran to Rael and looked the kit over.
"He's Kira's. She just had him a few hours ago. His name is Rain. I'll find another Viera to nurse him, even though I know Jote and Arla are out of the question. Arla has her new twins and Jote has Vale and Rubeus, even though Vale is a year old and Ruby will be soon." Rael explained.
"He's silver-eyed." Marl said.
"That's what Rael told me. That's the last thing Eruyt Village needs, another blind Viera. I'm bad enough." Stated Kira, approaching the group. She had followed her sister into Arlisa Village.
"I'm so sorry Kira. I will make sure he is happy with me. I have to be ultra-responsible, since he can't see." Rael said.
"Keep him away from Kjrs in that case. That woman is nothing but trouble. However did you become friends with that creature in the first place I'll never understand. You were half decent when you were younger. Kjrs was born from a former Reena sex slave named Dain who had gone and mated to a Starlan village native who was rather notorious for siring several half-breeds with Humes everyone told her to stay away from. Dain was never the brightest Viera either. She didn't bring up her daughter very well, I'm afraid. I know Kjrs is a great warrior, but she is seriously messed up."
"She's half blind herself, Kira. You, of all Viera, should understand her!" Rael hissed.
"At least she was born with perfect vision. And she can still see. She's merely nearsighted." Kira said sadly. She wandered off, upset.
"He's an adorable kit." Marl assured Rael.
"Marl, can we make a cute kitten? I want to make a kit in the fall, and I don't think Jote will care too much if you knock me up. It's not like the two of you are married, and she did tell you that if you needed sex from somebody, I was always up for a few dozen rounds. I like big Viera males, and you and Rush are the only ones I know anymore. I don't know what happened to Dana's father."
"Rael, let's talk about this later." Marl whispered, even though he did reach down the Viera woman's top and gave one of her breasts a squeeze.
The next day, everyone had to get ready rather quickly. Myko had to be caught and forced to sit still long enough to be groomed, and that was not an easy task. Fran and Rael had chased her across the village until Ashe accidentally found her in a crate and had returned her to the Viera. And then Jote had gotten bitten several times by Rubeus in protest while she was trying to clean him up.
Ashe wanted to talk to Jote as soon as all children, Viera, Hume, or Reena, had been accounted for and were being readied by others. Alvyne had to make sure Rubeus didn't get filthy again as soon as Jote had given him a bath and placed him in her care. Jote could manage a family and lead a village without trouble. The twins took up almost all of Ashe's attention.
The young queen found Jote making out with Tran near Fjna's ritual pools. The two Viera were so absorbed in each other that they didn't even notice Ashe staring at them.
"C'mon, can't we make love? Just for old time's sake?" Tran asked.
"I'm not going to sleep with you. I'm still not fully healed. It's not safe for me. And we can't get caught up in this. My sister is getting married in a few hours. I have to perform the ceremony for her. I'm the only one who can do it." Jote growled.
"My son and your sister. It's wonderful. C'mon, we can make it quick."
"Tran, I need to borrow Jote for a while." Ashe said.
"I would rather not talk to you, Hume." Jote snapped.
"Why not? I want to know if there might be a problem with my children. You know, mother to mother. Leader to leader."
That got Jote's attention for some strange reason. Maybe she saw it as an excuse to escape Tran's advances.
"I have girls. You do not. It may be different. And my daughters may be different because they are Viera. It is a difficult thing to answer. What is the matter with your sons?"
"I'm worried about them. Rammy is a few minutes older than Rasler, but I want them to share the throne. I don't know if they'll be able to do so. I'm worried they'll kill each other eventually." Ashe said.
"I'm sure Fran will make sure they grow up well. She should be around for about three hundred more years."
"I don't know. I'm also worried that somebody who shouldn't know will find out that they're not Al-Cid's. It wouldn't cause them to forfeit the throne, since I'm the queen, but it would cause them no end of trouble."
"You are more like a Viera than I thought. Mjrn is strange for a Viera. She actually believes in marriage. I can mate with anybody I want to. Marl is my mate, but he and I can be with anyone we want. That is why he is often off with Rael. It does help keep her away from that no-good Rush Viera though."
"It was my own fault. I shouldn't have spent that week in Archades with Basch and Larsa. It's hard to rule an entire kingdom and take care of twins at the same time. You've got three children, counting that Paramina Husky Boy Rubeus. How do you manage to effectively rule a whole village?"
"I use my advisors quite a lot. And I have Marl. Hala or Nera are usually more than happy to watch the kids if Marl isn't able to. It's not to say I don't pay attention to them though. I listen to them just like any other Viera. When I have time I will play with them. The key is listening, I believe. And the fact that I have advisors and friends makes it easier. Find time to be with your children, but don't slack off on your duties. You surely have advisors or servants. It is near impossible to explain how I have time, considering I have to make sure the other Viera aren't getting killed. And no. You shouldn't have spent that week in Archades, wherever that is. You should've stayed with your husband!"
"I don't care much for Al-Cid, but he was pretty much the only choice. I didn't want to marry him, but I did for the sake of our countries. I love Basch. You're lucky. You can mate with any male you choose, and if you don't like him, you don't have to see him again. At least I managed to keep him from coming with me. I needed some time away from him."
Most Viera and almost no Humes had ever been to a Vieran wedding. Viera only got married very rarely. None of the Humes understood what the Viera were saying, because the ceremony was all in Sylvan, which was a beautiful language so nobody really cared. Fran did translate for her friends the rare moments Myko was calm enough to not be trying to do something. Alvyne just sat there, tail wagging.
Mjrn's dress was gorgeous. And Janzyn was in a green tuxedo. Viera loved green. Mjrn's dress was white, of course.
"I wish we knew our father. Mjrn would've loved it having her father to give her away, I imagine. Our mother never thought it that important to know who he was." Fran said after translating what Jote had just said to Janzyn into something the Humes could understand.
"Fran, if you don't mind, I could translate. You need to keep an eye on Myko at all times. And it's hard to pay attention to her when you're translating." Ktjn said. Fran gave her a Look.
"I'm sorry. Ktjn thinks she knows everything about kits." Alja whispered to the older Viera so that only she heard.
"Myko, sit still and pay attention. Your Aunt Mjrn doesn't need any trouble today. She'll never forgive you if you go wild right now. There will be time for running around with the other kits later." Balthier told his daughter. Fran nodded.
"Why don't you two get married?" Myko asked.
"Let us not talk about that now." Fran replied.
"Nope-nope!" Alvyne added happily. The four of them hardly noticed that Mjrn and Janzyn had obviously just been proclaimed Viera man and wife. Alja had to keep from cheering. That would've been very inappropriate of her.
Viera apparently didn't believe much in the way of receptions. The newlyweds had immediately run off somewhere private to consummate their marriage and left the rest of the Viera and the small group of Humes to the New Life Festival.
"When I get married, I'm gonna have a huge party. Not like the festival, even though festivals are a lot of fun." Myko was telling her parents.
"Make sure you get your fiancé's family to pay for the wedding." Balthier remarked sarcastically.
"Does that mean Marisa has to pay when we get married?" Fran asked, matching the tone of sarcasm.
"Speaking of which, you're visiting her. If you have to undergo in vitro to have a kit, so be it. I just hope it doesn't come to that."
"I don't believe it will. I will take the medicine if you want me to. We will have a kit somehow."
Myko's ears pricked. "You want to have another kit? Does that mean I finally get to have a little sister?"
"We're kind of hoping for a boy. We'll probably have another daughter someday, but I want a son. According to Archadian law, a female cannot inherit from her father. We need somebody to make sure to bring you a cut of the inheritance."
"Balthier, don't ever let me catch you talking like that again or we'll have to deal with said inheritance sooner!" Fran snapped. "Myko, I would like very much to give you a little sister, but it may not work out that way."
Alja was admiring her new nephew. It was depressing that he had inherited the blindness, but he was otherwise very healthy. And there was no doubt Janzyn was his father! The kit looked just like him, except he had his mother's eyes and complexion. Janzyn, like Marl, was a veena. Rael, Kira, and Alja were ravas like Jote and her family. Jote suspected her own father was a blue-eyed veena. Balthier said that his mother was blue-eyed, and that somewhat explained Myko's eyes, except that Fran had to have had a blue-eyed ancestor herself.
"I hope my little kit doesn't have silver eyes. I hope it has either red like mine or blue like its daddy." Alja told Kira.
"The Wood tells me you're going to have a girl." Kira whispered so only her sister could hear.
"Then I'm gonna have to think of a name quick."
"May I make a suggestion?" Rael asked, joining her sisters.
"Get bent Rael. You're gonna say something rude, I know it." Alja hissed.
"Mind your temper, Alja." Kira said.
"All I was going to say was since your child was sired by a sky pirate; I think Skye would be a nice name if you have a daughter!" Rael cried. She was near the point of tears.
"Who are you and where is Rael: the bitchiest sister in all of Ivalice?"
"That Rael is no more. The old non-depressed Rael you used to know before Myko was born has returned! Being with Marl has worked wonders for me. I'm a lot happier, and Alvyne says my health has improved quite a bit. Both my mental and physical health."
"I like that name. Skye sounds very pretty. I'll have to talk to Vaan about it, but I'm sure he'll like it."
Vaan was being swarmed by young Viera. Two of them were Fran's cousins and another was one of Delf's seven daughters. Alja was not thrilled. Even though it was spring and Viera are not fertile in spring so nothing would happen even if he did sleep with them all, not to mention Alja was nothing more than Vaan's friend she got very angry.
"Hey! Get away from him!" Alja roared, chasing the other Viera away.
"Just calm down. It wouldn't be a good thing if you went into labour now."
"Our daughter isn't due for a few weeks yet. Rael thinks we should call her Skye."
"Daughter? Did the Wood tell you that?"
"Kira did. I can still hear the Wood a little, but it is getting fainter. I want to go back to Rabanastre."
"I like Skye. That's a nice name."
"Then Skye it is. I think she likes it too. Want to feel her?"
Alja's time came one night a week later. Vaan had landed his airship to wait out a huge storm. Alja didn't want to move. She had been in bed all day. Ktjn was keeping watch on her.
"Ktjn?" Alja whispered.
"Are you okay?" The other Viera asked.
"Can you get Vaan and Penelo? I think I'm having contractions."
"Really?! How can you be so calm?! I'll get them immediately!!"
Vaan and the rest gathered around Alja, who was very nervous. She had never had a kit before, and she knew it was going to hurt like hell. She had told Hala that she wasn't going to take any kind of pain medicine. A few of the Viera thought that was very foolish. Tomaj was holding Tjla, who Ktjn could not get to sleep so she had to be supervised.
"Vaan? Stroke her ears. She needs to stay calm. This is gonna hurt, and I mean a lot. I know. I didn't have any painkiller when I was having Tjla. Many say it is the most painful experience ever, and I believe them!" Ktjn said. She was barking orders at everyone else.
"That's a relaxing thought, Ktjn." Alja growled. The pain was already starting.
"I don't want to sugar coat something like this. I know it's impossible to relax, but you need to try. Penelo? Come here and help me. I heard that you helped Fran. I might need you. Alja, get ready to push. Tomaj? Go get me some towels. This kit is coming NOW!"
Alja screamed in pain. Vaan rubbed her ears, but that didn't help. Things were moving rather fast. When Tomaj returned with the towels, Ktjn and Penelo could see part of the kit's head. She had little bunny ears.
"Tomaj? You rub her ears. I want to see!" Vaan exclaimed happily. Alja pushed hard, screaming intelligible words.
"I think she said that no, you don't want to see." Ktjn said. Vaan pushed her aside and got in front of Alja.
"Vaan, she needs help!" Ktjn snarled.
"Then I'll do it!" Vaan said, inserting his hands into Alja and gently grabbing the kit.
"Do you even know what you're doing?!" Alja roared.
"I've been studying! C'mon, Ali. Push!"
"She's trying. Be careful." Ktjn said above Alja's screams.
"One more push Alja, okay?"
A little kit entered the world. Alja slumped, exhausted. Ktjn began cleaning her up. Vaan held the little half-Viera and just stared at her.
"Hey, look. She has my eyes." Vaan said. Alja smiled. That was a good thing at least.
"Her hair is blond too." Penelo remarked.
"Give me my Skye!" Alja demanded.
"Well, it sounds like Ali is gonna be fine." Tomaj said.
"She's a Viera. Either we die in childbirth or we are up within a few hours." Ktjn said with a grin. "And the former is rather rare these days."
Alja held her little kit in her arms. Everything was the way it was supposed to be.