The couple arrived at the house as the sun was hanging low in the brilliant orange sky. After Siesta had dismounted from the horse, she reached up to Louise to help her down only to see her staring silently. Realizing the issue, Siesta gave her her signature reassuring smile.
"It'll be okay, Louise," Siesta said assuringly, keeping her hand outstretched to keep her offer of help open.
"I don't know, your mother was kind of scary," Louise replied anxiously.
Siesta gave a quick, light snort, "I know, she's very protective of me, but, I promise, if she tries anything again, I'll stand by you." Louise, successfully reassured, smiled back at Siesta and took her hand, dismounting the horse and tying it to the post in front of their house. Holding hands, the two entered the modest home at the edge of the village once more. Once again, they were greeted by a din of activity as 6 children were all trying to talk over each other while playing. At the moment the couple walked in, the din did not cease, but instead redirected towards them.
"Yay! You're back!"
"Aw you brought your girlfriend!"
"Hey! You wanna see my toy?"
"Look! I got another loose tooth!"
"Will you play with us later?
All voices except that of the eldest child there aside from Siesta overlapped once again as the children accosted Siesta and Louise. Siesta did her best to address every statement and question, while Louise stood around awkwardly, not knowing how to deal with children as she never really had childhood friends or younger siblings or a real childhood to speak of. Despite her efforts to remain unnoticed, she felt a tug on her arm. When she looked down, her eyes met with the dark brown eyes of what she believed to be the youngest of the bunch.
"Hi," the little girl said, a little sheepishly.
"H-hello," Louise stammered back awkwardly.
"I'm Trin, what's your name?" Trin asked politely.
"I'm Louise," Louise replied anxiously.
"I wike youw haiw," she said as she pointed to Louise's brilliant pink hair.
"Oh thank you," Louise replied, feeling slightly calmer, "I like yours, too."
"Thank you, mommy did it," she replied plainly, as children attempting to have conversations often do. "Can I touch youw haiw, pwease?" Louise, still feeling quite nervous, leaned over for the little girl to feel her hair. At once there was a sharp tug that caused Louise to yelp and pull back.
"I'm sowwy," Trin looked down at her feet shamefully.
"It's okay," Louise said, doing her best to hide her irritation.
"Oh, Trin, hunny, if you want to do that you have to be gentle, like when you pet a kitty," Siesta chimed in, noticing the interaction. Trin nodded sheepishly. Louise, feeling a little guilty, leaned back over to Trin.
"You wanna try again?" she asked.
Trin nodded and reached out, this time gently stroking Louise's beautiful pink locks. When she was done, she took her tiny hands away. "Thank you Wouise," the little girl said gratefully as she leaned forward and hugged on Louise's high-stockinged legs. Louise, feeling oddly warm at this, patted Trin's head and smiled. The other girls, noticing this interaction, all clambered for the chance to be the next one, but before they could get the chance, they were interrupted by their mother.
"Alright that's enough bothering Siesta's girlfriend, c'mon, it's time to set the table and eat!" Lucy announced, much to the whiny groans of some of the girls. The group all moved to the table where each of the children contributed in their own way to setting the table, even Siesta, who motioned for Louise to include herself in the proceedings as well. As a noble, she, of course, was not used to doing this small thing, but it somehow felt comforting to participate in this ritual. As the dishes and cutlery were being placed, Lucy brought forth a large pot, from which she placed a serving of stew on every plate. They each sat, and when all had been seated, the family began to join hands, with Louise, knowing of this particular ritual, joining in as well, holding Siesta's hand and Donna's hand.
"We thank you, Founder Brimir, for our family and country. May your wisdom still shine through us all," Takeo prayed. At the end of his words, the family broke hands as they began to dig in, some messier than others.
"So, you like girls, Siesta?" Jean blurted out, his mouth full of stew.
"Don't talk with your mouth full, Jean!" Lucy hissed.
"Well, I definitely like this girl," Siesta answered as she took Louise's hand.
"I think that's nice, boys are gross, I hope I get a nice girl like Louise," Donna announced.
"Yeah well girls are gross! I'd rather be with boys any day!" Geofferey sneered at his sister, who sneered back.
"No fighting!" Lucy ordered, as the two siblings fell silent.
"So, Louise," Takeo began, attempting to change the subject. Louise, who had only been playing with her food, snapped to attention as she focused on him, "You're at that Tristain academy, right?"
"Oh, yes, sir," Louise replied stiffly.
"I remember when I worked over there. Got hired around the same time as that old bastard Marteau," he chuckled as Lucy shot him a dirty look.
"Oh! Language, sorry," Takeo quickly apologized as he took a sip from his wooden goblet that Louise assumed contained alcohol of some kind. "Ah… we had some great times back then. It's where I met this lovely lady!" Takeo proudly declared as he looked lovingly at his wife.
"Well I wasn't working there, yet, but he put in a good word for me and got me hired as a scullery maid," Lucy elaborated.
"I'm always thankful you gave me a chance back at that market," Takeo declared gratefully as he smiled wide at his wife.
"Well any man who can hustle a deal like you deserved a chance to put that silver tongue to other uses," Lucy giggled naughtily as the two kissed.
"EW!" the children exclaimed.
"What? Nothing wrong with your parents loving each other!" Takeo proclaimed as he kissed his wife yet again, much to the children's protests.
Siesta laughed at this display, while Louise smiled, finally feeling comfortable enough to take a bite of the stew. The moment it entered her mouth, it immediately brought her back to childhood, and her mother. "Ew! I don't like onions!" Louise remembered yelling at her mother.
"Just try it, you never know until you try! I promise, if you don't like it, I'll make you your favorite dessert," Louise remembered her mother saying.
Louise, having been pacified with the thought of chocolate cake, then actually tried the food, finding it delicious and the onions not spicy or crunchy at all. After, her mother presented her with cake, and she fondly remembered the two of them feasting until they could hardly move. Why did everything change? Why aren't I good enough for her?
"Louise?" Siesta's voice broke her reminiscence as she realized she still had the stew in her mouth, and tears had welled up in her eyes.
"Wow! You really don't like the food if it made you cry!" Jean snickered. Donna's flung spoon nearly hit him in response.
"Hey! Don't throw utensils at your brother!" Lucy ordered.
"I'm sorry," Louise said in a low voice that was enough to get everyone's attention. "This just reminds me of being with my mother... i-in a good way!" she felt the need to hastily add that last part. Takeo and Lucy gave her a comforting smile. Siesta took her hand, and gave her the same smile and loving look.
"Louise," Lucy began apologetically, "I'm sorry about how I acted earlier. I may be defensive of my children, but that's no reason to act out like that." Siesta was shocked to see her mother so humble, but remembered that she did know when to admit when she was wrong, even to her children.
"It's okay, really," Louise responded with a rare, genuine smile.
"Reminds you of us, doesn't it? Just two kids in love?" Takeo mused as he gave a nostalgic sigh.
"Of course, dear," Lucy replied as she took her husband's massive hand in her own.
The dinner proceeded without any further incident, as the children were ushered off to bed and all that remained were the parents, Louise, and Siesta. Louise had never felt so heartily full, and could feel eyes getting heavy with lethargy.
"I suppose we should be off to bed ourselves," Siesta stated, noting her girlfriend's dipping head.
"Well, you really think you'll be able to get back like that?" Takeo asked, nodding towards Louise's state.
"I-I suppose you're right, perhaps we can find a nearby inn?" Siesta suggested.
"Nonsense! There's room here!" Takeo declared. "I'll go fetch some extra bedding and you can sleep down here, I'll be right back," Takeo then attempted to raise himself, but failed due to the effects of the alcohol and his one-leg situation. Lucy patted him on the back.
"Just rest here, dear, I'll get them," Lucy said with playful exasperation. As Lucy adjourned from the table and left to go upstairs, the girls and Takeo sat in a somewhat awkward silence as there seemed to be nothing to talk about.
"I know you're there," Takeo said, unexpectedly.
"What? It's just us, Papa," Siesta replied.
"Not you," Takeo shook his head. "The other one."
The girls, now scared, frantically looked around.
It appears the psionic potential is not limited to you, Gifted Siesta, Zeratul stated as he revealed himself to the trio.
"Heh, I knew I felt somethin'," Takeo chuckled as he took another gulp of his ale. "My grandpa wasn't kiddin', you Protoss are massive," Takeo remarked.
"Uh, Papa? This is Mr. Zeratul," Siesta introduced awkwardly, not knowing what else to do in the situation.
"Why's that name familiar…?" Takeo asked himself, taking a few moments to mull it over before shaking his head. "All my grandpa ever told me about you people is you're high and mighty and don't show up till the last minute," Takeo said with a wry smile.
That is a common feeling among most Terrans, Zeratul replied.
"But why you here?" Takeo asked.
I was sent by an old friend to help one achieve their destiny, Zeratul answered in a cagey manner.
"Destiny. Prophecy. He said it was always somethin' like that with you guys," Takeo remarked. "I don't mean to be rude or nothin' but… what business could you really have here? Sure, my grandpa came from where you did but that was on accident almost a hundred years ago."
All my years of discovery have not yet led me to believe in accidents, Zeratul retorted.
"Heh," Takeo scoffed, as he took another drink of ale. "Well, no matter what, you're watching out for my babygirl here, yes?"
She is not my charge, but I am helping her to realize her potential. I sense you once possessed such potential yourself, Zeratul answered.
"Yessir," Takeo nodded in response, "Didn't have no teacher, but could always kinda… feel things?"
Low level psionic manifestation, yes, Zeratul confirmed.
"Founder… It's a lot different hearing that arrogance in person than described to you by your old man's old man," Takeo chuckled mirthlessly.
"Papa, please don't be rude," Siesta implored anxiously. Louise could feel her tension as Siesta's hand clenched around hers.
Takeo, in response, threw up his hands, "Sorry, you're right, guess it's just my granddad's old prejudices." He took another drink and finally turned to look at Zeratul, "Just… remember, she's still young, don't push her too far, and look out for her." Takeo's eyes betrayed his pleading for his daughter, and Zeratul must have felt this.
I swear that, regardless of her status as my charge, she will be treated as I would treat any fellow warrior, Zeratul replied.
"I guess that's as good as it's gonna get from a Protoss," Take sighed as he shook his head and attempted to take another drink, but found his cup empty. Footsteps began to descend the stairs, and Zeratul quickly disappeared into the shadows.
"Well I got some extra blankets and pillows, hopefully enough, and look what I found up there!" Lucy declared as she dropped the bedding on the floor, save for a tattered, colorful blanket.
"Oh no," Siesta began to turn red with embarrassment as Lucy began showing off Siesta's baby blanket.
"Can you believe she was really this small? My little baby girl," Lucy cood as she looked lovingly at Siesta.
"Mother! Please! You're embarrassing me!" Siesta hissed.
"And what kind of mother would I be if I didn't do that once in a while?" Lucy laughed as she passed the blanket to Louise. Siesta snatched it before Louise was able to take it, and shot her mom a withering glare. Lucy and Takeo erupted in laughter, with even Louise having to stifle her own as she cracked a smile. Siesta, noticing this, cracked a smile herself as she relented and allowed Louise to hold the tatty old blanket of her infancy.
Zeratul could feel it. An ominous, familiar feeling. It was a feeling he had felt just before his summoning here.
No, it cannot be, Zeratul thought in denial.
The time of my vengeance is upon you, fallen one, a familiar, threatening voice echoed in his head.
No, you were banished to the void and slain by my brethren, Zeratul replied with increasing worry.
And it will be so, but I exist beyond the bounds of space and time, fallen one, and have many machinations planned to end the infinite cycle of every reality. My reach, my plans, know no bounds, the dark voice of Amon cackled in Zeratul's head, causing him immense pain as he received flashes of dark minions ripping and tearing his brethren… and Louise.
Her awakening shall be this universe's undoing, and this time, nothing will survive, Amon gloated as images of his shadowed face appeared in Zeratul's mind. Zeratul, fortifying his mind, banished these images, leaving only silence in its place.
We shall see, dark one. We shall see, Zeratul mused to himself as he looked over the sleeping forms of Siesta and Louise, who had stirred for but a moment when the images reached their greatest intensity. Tassadar, I now understand my purpose in being here. Zeratul kept a watchful eye over the peacefully sleeping Terrans, and banished any dark visions from their minds before they could form.