A/N: Bit of a shorter chapter this time around, but that fits, given today's Valentines day. Short and sweet it is!
Well, last sunday was a thing. Spent most of Monday recovering from it, sorry about that.
Read this note, would you kindly? Big changes are coming to this site.
I'll say it plain, if this email opt-in business with the site doesn't get resolved soon, I'm probably going to retire.
It HURTS to say that, but with this new system, reviews and readers have dropped to an all time low, many authors are leaving the site in droves.
Sometimes the app helps folks. Sometimes it doesn't.
If you're not already aware, ever since the 16th of November -going on two months now!- you now have to turn ON your email alerts in account settings-MAKE SURE YOU CLICK SAVE SETTINGS!-else you won't be notified when anyone updates. No alerts, no email, no nothing. Apparently that's a thing we all have to do every ninety days or so, now. Alas, not many are aware of it...which is a problem. As things stand this new "fix" as it were, has cut everyone's viewership/reviewers in half because most folks don't know about it. Authors are leaving/quitting in droves because of this.
Sometimes opting in works. Sometimes it doesn't. Really depends. Hopefully the devs can fix tweak/update this system.
As ever the Embers rule persists, reviews are my fuel, my fire, my life. Without them, I lose all inspiration, all hope, all ability to write. That's no joke. I have so little time to write these days with two jobs, and silence hurts. So by all means, speak up! Make yourselves heard! Every bit of feedback, no matter how small or large, matters! Really, it helps a lot. Its a joy to talk with you all and bandy ideas back and forth; it really is. Sorry if this seems shorter than usual, working on a tight schedule here.
No questions once more, for spoilers lie ahead. With that said here we go. I've kept you waiting long enough.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes! Not a wit or a one.
They're merely tributes to legends far greater than I. And finally, a warning. Spoilers. Goes without saying, I suppose.
Last but not least, there's a cheeky reference to Fire Emblem Three Houses in here. I'm rather curious to see if anyone notices it...
"How many children is that blond braggart going to adopt?!"
"Yes."
"That is NOT an answer."
"Dunno, kinda feels like one to me...
~?
A Budding Family
Blaidd had blundered.
It was a particularly bad blunder at that, one he really cou
You see, he'd lingered a tad too long in Raya Lucaria. Not his fault. Really, it wasn't. He'd wanted to make certain Godrick was dead. That and the blond bastard was alright. He'd fought hard -real hard!- and he was almost certain he'd gone and gained a Great Rune from it; even if the gaining of said rune had knocked him right out. So like any good friend he'd turned him over onto his back. Nothing, untoward. Just enough to make sure he didn't wind up drowning in the shallow waters of the bay.
Unfortunately, in doing so, he'd glimpsed the OTHER Great Runes glowing on the boy's back.
He'd contemplated telling Ranni of this latest discovery...before the moon descended and everything went sideways.
Which brought Blaidd to the here and now, the present moment in which he found himself staring down an angry Carian queen.
So yes. Blunders. Many had he made.
"Why, hello dear, Blaidd!" Rennala smiled thinly as she hoisted Naruto's unconscious form into her arms. "How kind of you to visit after all these years after I thought thee dead. So kind indeed.
Blaidd certainly didn't seem to think so. "Right then," he edged back from her dangerous smile. "I'll just be on my way. Lets pretend you didn't see me-
Her staff slammed into the wall ahead of him with an earsplitting frack, splintering the mortal to bar his passage.
-or not." he raised his hands keeping them well away from his sword. "Suppose I'm in for it, aren't I?"
"Yes." Ranni's conjured another spell with two fingers. "Yes, you are. Would you kindly...sit!"
An unseen weight hit Blaidd's body from above causing his knees to buckle.
He crashed facefirst into the ground and was knocked right out.
(.0.0.0.)
"Are you awake?"
Well, would you look at that? He was. Not a stabbing pain or a sudden start by any means; one moment Naruto was resting comfortably on something quite soft; in the next light he heard a faint melody, the sound of someone humming in the dark. Light hit his eyes and he opened them. A quick blink served to orient himself as he looked up, frowned and found himself staring at...
"Please remain still." a familiar voice hummed. "You are safe. Those who would do you harm are far from here, and the rest have been slain at our hands."
"...Rennala."
"Yes?" She smiled down at him, idly stroking his forehead with one palm.
"Why is my head in your lap?"
"Because I placed it there." She admitted frankly.
"I see, I see." he tried to nod, winced now when his neck protested the sudden movement. "And why did you do that?"
"To make you comfortable, of course." her brow furrowed in faint concern. "Do you not wish to be?"
Ouch. You could weaponize a pout like that. Maybe he didn't need to move just yet.
She dipped her head down and kissed his nose. Little more than a peck really, but he felt his face warm up all the same. Not satisfied she lingered, kissing his cheek now, followed by his lips, mouth moving sweetly against his. By the log, he'd never get used to that. Wanting someone to have and hold nice and all; but it was these little day-to-day gestures that made his heart race.
...this is kinda nice, actually."
"Hmm". She leaned back, humming in appreciation. "How do you feel...?"
Fair question. Kurama garbled an angry string of gibberish in his head that summed things up quietly nicely.
"Sore." he said at last. "Feels like I got hit by a truck."
She blinked. "What, pray tell, is a truck?
Right, right, she didn't know what those were. "...I'll explain later."
"I should hope so." the queen tutted, tweaking his ear. "Dear Blaidd has told me what transpired. You have gained another Great Rune."
Blaidd?" he tried to rise, only to wince. "Where is he? He alright...?"
"He is convalescing comfortably in another room." her smile was a touch strained. "Worry not," she amended at his worried look, "He is in good health. He simply wished to leave. I would not allow it, not with his injuries. You may visit him at your leisure."
Huh. Had Blaidd gotten hurt helping him out? He couldn't remember. And what was this about a Great Rune...? His memory proved slow to recall at first. Finally, it came to him."
"Yeah, I remember the damn thing ducking under my arm and hittin' me." He lifted his shirt to get a better look at it. "Right here." Sure enough there it was dead center in his chest, glimmering faintly, beating in time with his heart. "Well, at least it doesn't hurt." He lowered his shirt with sigh...and heard Rennala make a noise of disappointment. He quirked a brow at her. "Were you staring?"
The faintest hint of pink dusted her pale cheeks, but her smile didn't waver. "I was not."
He grinned, pleased to have caught he rlooking. "Pretty sure you were."
"I. Was. Not." Her smile didn't waver. "In any case!" a quick cough railroaded him before he could needle her further. "There is another matter I wished to bring to your attention, but it can wait if you wish to rest...
"Mother!" Little Millicent came skidding around the corner, slipped, and fell flat on her face at their feet. "She's awake! Come quickly!"
"Nevermind that!" Rennala preened, all worries forgotten. "You called me mother!"
Millicent froze, face gone redder than her hair. Her moment of hesitation cost her most dear; in an instant Rennala swept an arm down to scoop her up, planting her beside them.
"What," Naruto chuckled under his breath, "Did we adopt another kid while I was out?"
Rennala's pivoted toward him, expression quite quizzical. "How did you know?"
His face fell into a deadpan to surpass all deadpans. "You're kidding me...
(.0.0.0.)
Rennala wasn't kidding.
In short order he found himself stood beside her before a large door. Frustrated noises came within, masked by girlish giggles. Familiar giggles. He laid an ear against the heavy oak frame and was rewarded with another laugh, giddy and free. The ghost of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. He heard an angry, raised voice, to which she only giggled all the more.
"Mel' got in there, didn't she?"
...she most certainly did." Rennala touched one hand to her cheek with a sigh. "We tried to keep the newcomer isolated, but as you can see you, that failed the moment Melina leaned of her existence. She's been keeping her distracted ever since, bless her little heart. Millicent squirmed against her side, quietly curious. "And it would seem our second daughter is curious to meet her as well...
The little redhead squeaked softly and clutched at her robe. Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
He swung the door open and found himself staring at a older-eyed lass, somewhat older than Melina or Millicent, wearing a fearsome scowl and long dark hair besides...the latter of which was even now being bound back into a flowing ponytail by Melina herself. Also pigtails. A great many pigtails, none of which she looked pleased about.
"Papa!" Melina turned a gormless grin on him. "Look, look! I found another one! Can we keep her?! Pleeeaaase?!"
"Whomever you are, kill me." the new girl turned a pleading look upon him. "Right. Now. I beg of thee."
Naruto looked back to Rennala, wholly at a loss. "...who is this sassy lost child?"
"I know not." he caught the hint of something in her voice, just then. She was found sleeping in the library by Moongrum. "He found her wrapped in a pile of robes. Curious, is it not?"
The girl twitched. Definitely something going on here. What was the saying? Two was company, three was a crowd? It really didn't feel like that, here. He was more concerned about the where as to the why. Had that damn golden voice dropped another kid in his lap just to spite him...?
"Why is this place a magnet for lost children?!" he flung up his arms. "Is there something in the water?!
...you must decide what to do with her."
He rounded on Rennala, utterly incredulous. "Why me?!"
She flushed. "Because my judgement is admittedly...skewed in the matter."
Skewed, she said. Ha! That was putting it mildly. Rennala's love for children was unsurpassed; even if there was something odd about this one, he could sense her intentions well enough. Three was but a number to her-and a small one at that. She'd raised a trio of her own after all. Why would she balk at raising a gaggle of girls? A wild, incredulous part of him wondered just how high that number would climb. Five? Seven? Dare he say nine? Just thinking about it threatened to make his head spin.
"Eh, I guess we'll keep her?" unable to bear Rennala's stare he finally looked away, scratching the back of his head. "Doesn't feel right to just turn her outta the academy."
"Lovely!" Her face said it all; he'd walked right into her trap. "Do you hear that, girls?"
Melina summed it up nicely. "New sister~!
Millicent groaned into her hands. "This is my life now, isn't it?
Didn't stop her from peeking through her fingers at the newcomer, though...
"You don'd mind, do you?" Naruto turned to face the girl, wanting her opinion in all this. "I mean, it doesn't look like ya've got anywhere to go...don't suppose you've got a name?"
He expected some manner of anger, protest at the very least. None came. Not a word, not a tantrum, not a jot.
Beneath their expectant gazes, the newcomer fidgeted restlessly, staring at her toes.
As they looked on, her face turned positively pink. "Sellen...if it pleases you..
Melina jumped onto her back and held tight with a giggle. "Hello, Sel!"
"Say my name properly you little urch-oh, what's the use?!"
Naruto patted her head. She flushed deeper still.
"Welcome to the family, Sellen.
(.0.0.0.)
Well, this was humiliating.
Somewhere in Sellen's grand plan she hadn't accounted for this; being bounced on Rennala's knee like the child she now was. What made it worse was that she'd retained most of her faculties; oh yes, she was well aware of her plight, and the spectacular blunder she'd made. For the life of her she didn't know how to get out of this, nay, if it was even possible. Preserving her cover was paramount. The blond man -scary!- might not suspect her, but she was almost certain someone would, and if they did-
"I know who thou art."
Sellen stiffened as Rennala whispered in her ear.
"...and I must say, I'm rather enjoying thy comeuppance." the carian queen hummed, rubbing the small of her back. "Did'st thou think to fool me?"
"..." Her mouth opened and closed like a guppy.
Rennala preened. "There's the Sellen I knowth, so sure she knows more than her teachers, so surprised when they prove her wrong."
"W...why the facade then! Of this...childish bliss!" Sellen grumbled.
"Thou art a brat, Sellen...but one I am proud of. Consider this...a centuries comeuppance for being a bad student!"
"I'd rather you throw me to the wolf..."
"Oh he'll be joining us for the family painting, though thou shalt sit upon thy father's lap instead."
The angry pout that followed was the stuff of legends.
Blast it all, this was her life now, wasnt' it?
A/N: Aaaaand scene.
Hope you enjoyed this, we worked real hard on it.
As ever, we're following the Ember's Rule here. That's no joke. Really, it isn't. If folks don't like this...well, I'll not continue it. Every bit of feedback helps. Reviews are the fuel which keeps me writing in these crazy times. With my tight schedule, I simply don't have time to write a story folks don't like. Without them, my inspiration cannot take wing and I can't write a word. So by all means, speak up!
Reviews are my lifeblood. Without them, I cannot write.
So In the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Revieeeeew, Would You Kindly?
They keeps an old man alive.
And enjoy the previews.
As ever:
SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER!
PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
YE BE WARNED!
Get ready to smile~!
Obvious references are obvious~!
(POTENTIAL!) Previews! What can I say? We've been busy.
Ranni tilted her head. Tilted it some more, now. "What the devil is going on over there?"
Rennala blinked. "What is a firework?"
Naruto's grin gained an impish quality. "Lemme show ya."
Melina squirmed between them, trying to get a better look at the materials. "Oooh, pretty...
...no."
"Even now, you deny me?"
...I serve no one." came the laconic reply. "Begone, outer god."
"You serve no one, fool. You pine for one who cares naught for you, a life that is no longer yours, in service of an Outer Goddess who cast you aside long ago."
...lies."
"What say you to a trade, then?"
...you would barter with me?" a low chuckle pervaded the dry air. "How desperate you are."
"Then I shall show you!" The Greater Will lacked teeth to gnash, but it growled all the same. "Behold! Look upon your brother, your family, see what they have become, see the life you have wasted, waiting for naught! Perhaps then you will be willing to accept the gift I offer!
EDIT: Ah, but who is the Greater Will speaking to? I deliberately left that open to speculation.
Old loyalties tugged at Loretta.
"I could help you, child. I can save them. All of them. You have but to let me in...
She touched a hand to her head. Had she heard a voice just now?
One was clearly not enough. The Beast had endured. Now, it would be overwhelmed.
...direct intervention is necessary once more."
"Um...can you see me?" he waved a hand warily before her face, squinting in the rain. "Hello?"
"I cannot." the blindfolded woman wobbled on her feet. "Pray tell, who is there? I seem to be quite lost. Is this castle Mourne?"
Naruto and Rennala exchanged a baffled look between themselves. The latter found her voice before the former. "It most certainly is not, dear girl."
"Oh." Her voice warbled a little. It looked like she might cry...
The third time, as they say, was the charm.
And so the Greater Will moved anew.
What a fool it was.
Little arms reached for him. "Up!"
Naruto slapped a hand to his forehead. "Millicent was right. This is my life now...
"Ha!" Boggart howled with laughter in the background. "Take that, you dodgy old codger! I win the bet! Told you there'd be more!"
Moongrum slapped a sphere of runes into his hand.
EDIT: Hey, you made it!
As ever, we're following the Ember's Rule here. That's no joke. Really, it isn't. If folks don't like this, if people don't enjoy...well, I won't continue it. What's the point in writing something no one likes? Every bit of feedback helps. Reviews are the fuel which keeps me writing in these crazy times. With my tight schedule -two jobs!- I simply don't have time to write a story folks don't like. Without them, my inspiration cannot take wing and I can't write a word. So by all means, speak up!
Looking forward to chatting with you all~!
R&R~!