"She is very nearly 5 and she has a sharp mind already," Pangaere commented after they had put her to bed. Pride clear in his words. "Perhaps a bit snarky for her own good."
Rhaeha had Eleanora's temperament, perhaps more so, there was no doubt there. The little spitfire nearly got herself into trouble on multiple occasions, taking very few shits from most people and always seeming to harshly judge everyone she met. It both amused and concerned them. Especially Toran. Especially the moments she intimidated poor Keras. "The angriest child I've ever seen" Keras once said.
"But I am certain that fire will aid her down the road. If properly directed."
"She's manage so far. I don't doubt she'll continue to."
"Nor do I. She is quite the mirror image of her mother, after all." Pangaere cast Eleanora an adoring smile, which she returned.
"Still as sappy as ever."
"How can I not be? My love for you has only grown since we met, and it forever warms me to know that Fire I saw in you hasn't left. The Universe has thrown many things against you, yet you perspire. I admire that. I still despair at the thought of having caused you grief, even out of kindness."
If there was one thing she had come to love about Pangaere, it was his way with words. Genuine and full of emotion. Rarely shying away from showing his care. She had warmed to him. Most of the bitter feelings from years ago faded. They were not gone. Not truly. The desire to see home again burned still. But she had come to accept what happened. Accept him.
"You are one the most caring men I've met. Never afraid to show it. I admire that about you. This has certainly not been an easy road, but a hard road is better than a cliff-fall."
Pangaere chuckled, Eleanora's metaphors not failing to amuse him, and nodded his agreement.
"To survival and living, yes?" He held up two fingers. A request for a Romulan kiss.
She met his, "To survival and living."
It was strange. How something appearing mild on the surface like the Vulcan and Romulan kiss could be so electrifying in actuality. Warmth spread through her nerves. Along with the soothing feeling inherited from the S'Hariens. So simple, yet so very wonderful.
The Human kiss was occasionally indulged in. Pangaere found it quite exciting. However, it was usually reserved for more private moments...
...As that night led to.
Along with the query of having another child.
A query agreed to.
Rhaeha was rather excited by the prospect of a sibling. Toran was...stressed though less stressed than last time. They all knew what to expect. Similar problems arose. The same blood mutation among others that needed correction. And, similarly, premature birth.
It was all just as tiring.
Mandukarus, a name meaning "Vigilant Strength", was born a month early. Like his sister, he would survive. As well, he appeared outwardly Romulan. Pointy ears, sharp claws and fangs, ridges and slanted eyebrows. Eyes were likely to be an icy blue and hair brown like his father's.
Pangaere got to be there. Cooing softly at his son who seemed intent to sniff everything before burying his face in Pan's robes.
Pangaere constantly appeared on the verge of tears. He had been upset at missing Rhaeha's birth, which was no fault of his own.
Toran took Mandukarus to be branded once the emotions simmered down and Eleanora passed out.
Toran silently promised the same to his nephew as he did Rhaeha.
They would both survive Romulus as far as he was concerned. He would ensure it.
He questioned whether two half-Romulan children would make that easier or harder...
5 years later...
Mandukarus, now known to the public as "T'Anahos", followed behind Rhaeha, or "Fveikey". The sun was setting. It was time to return to the manor. T'Anahos would had preferred to stay by the stream residing a ways behind the manor. The chill air, the rustle of leaves, the flowing water... All a relief from the stress of life.
The other Romulan kids mocked them often. Especially Fveikey. Her red hair stuck out like a sore thumb. T'Anahos could at least pass, so long as no one knew. It made her jealous. But she resented her hair instead of her brother. Not like he could do anything about it.
Fveikey at least had intimidation on her side. For the more spiritual Romulans, hair representing Fire was a blessing, and thus made it easy to scare those people by acting angry. Even for the less the less spiritual, being of a prestigious House was nothing to scoff at.
But that only shut them up. They still judged her. She could see it. Toran would not allow her to change her hair color, no matter how much she hated it.
That hatred stung her mother...
Not like Eleanora could do anything about the unfair judgment either.
"You're upset again, aren't you?" T'Anahos broke the silence, peering at his sister in worry.
"What makes you say that?"
"You don't sneer like that unless you're upset or trying to scare someone...and you're looking at your hair again..."
So she was... Fveikey let the strand of hair drop. A habit. Anytime she thought about it, she would grab it, sneer at it. Sometimes she did it merely from being irked. "I'm just thinking..."
"About your hair again?"
"Partly. It gets in the way of connections. We need connections here. You've heard what Uncles Toran and T'Auethn have said. The right connections, right friends, are power. It is hard to get that when everyone knows you're a half-breed..."
T'Anahos nodded. He knew well. He refused to let their blood get in the way. "We will make them. We can make names for ourselves. Being half-breeds won't stop us! They'll see!"
Fveikey huffed a laugh. "Always the eager one, you. But I guess we have to be..."
"We're as good as any full-blooded Romulan! They have to see that soon!"
"More certain than I am...but if they claim I'm of Fire, then I'll be Fire. Burn them all if I have to."
"Yeah! And I can be the Wind blowing the Fire toward others!"
"Not quite how that works, but sure."
T'Anahos simply beamed. He would prove both their worths himself if he had to! Fveikey was too hard on herself, being Heir of House and all. Sure, he tended to drive her up the wall some times, but...
A snap of a twig. A low growl. Something watched. Stalked.
A Thrai no doubt.
"Get behind me!" Fveikey pulled T'Anahos toward her and checked how far they still were to the manor.
She saw it in the distance. If they were quick...
"Move, this way. Slowly."
What was a Thrai doing here? Just one? Such questions made her worry...one Thrai usually meant a pack.
An odd sensation washed over her as they crept closer to the manor. It continued to stalk them. She felt it. Clearly. Its hunger. Its impatience.
She swore she saw out of its many eyes...
Surely not?
Please no...not this.
As if life was not already stressful enough.
If only the Universe was so merciful...
The Thrai was going to lunge. She heard its mind, clear as day. It was only one Thrai, exiled from its pack. Hungry for days. It no longer cared the cost.
"Run! Now!"
It was hot on their heels. They both yelled for help as they got closer. Someone had to hear them.
Maybe she could...
She tried to reach out telepathically to Toran, but the Thrai's hunger and rage were suffocating.
She thought she latched on to someone, but felt it slip.
T'Anahos, quicker on his feet, made it out of the woods first, shouting for Toran and Eleanora. "Dinam-di'ranai! Ri'ranov! Dekon! Thrai! Thrai!"
Fveikey stumbled, the overwhelming sensations becoming too much. Thrai right behind her...going to strike...
"RINAM!"
Fear came to a head. Something inside her took hold. Instincts? She was facing the Thrai, telepathically screaming into its mind. All her fear, all her pain, directed into its psyche. Concentrated. Raw. All of it.
The predator halted. Falling to the ground with a yelp. Its hunger forgotten as waves of pain and fear gripped its insides.
Fear of being hurt. Of loved ones being hurt.
Pain from years of stress, of the strain of telepathy, of the image of teeth and claws shredding flesh.
Prey that seemed so easy and weak now appeared a threat.
Fveikey tried to focus on that. To intensify it, make the Thrai leave with its tail between its legs-
A disruptor blast cut through the air. Atomizing the Thrai on the spot. Fveikey fell backward. Startled. Her heart pounded and so did her head, but the pain was far from her mind.
Toran stood, wide-eyed, disruptor now lowered. He had wittnessed what she did. He wanted to believe it less than she. T'Anahos peaked from behind Toran's robes. Confused, but relieved.
Fveikey had psychic abilities. Powerful ones. If the Tal'Shiar found out...she would be taken away.
"You both. Inside. Now."
Shaking, she stood. T'Anahos came over to steady her. "Are you okay? It didn't hurt you did it?"
"No." She forced out. "No. I'm okay, but did you-"
"Children. Inside. We will discuss this in my office." Toran said, in a tone they knew well.
"Right, yes, Uncle."
"Yes, Uncle."
As if life was not already difficult. Now there was something to hide.
...How much more chaotic was life to become...?
Translation notes
Fveikey - Steely
T'Anahos - Honorable Vigor
Dinam-di'ranai! Ri'ranov! Dekon! - Uncle! Mother! Help!
Rinam - Sister