Private Tales Keeping One’s Promises

A private roleplay only for those invited by the first writer
Joseph was worried. He'd seen a babe like this as a teenager that hadn't made it, no matter how much witchcraft and prayer Elda put into it. But that one had refused to nurse, and their Adriana was suckling away happily. She'd put on weight. Shuck was right. She was perfect. He kissed their baby's head, closing his eyes and inhaling the smell of new baby. She was his. She was small and defenseless, and had an uncertain future, but she was his. He looked up at Shuck, proud and full of love for both of them. Then, as if the moment couldn't get more perfect...she said it. A huge grin split his face and he kissed her. The heart had worked. Their baby had been born alive and she loved him. Truly loved him. He couldn't be happier. If she hadn't just given birth....well, he'd have a hard time keeping his hands off of her. Instead he settled for a kiss on her neck, right against that pulsing vein that shook with life.

"I love you." he had to hear it again. She was fine. She didn't need anything. He cuddled into the pillows to watch Adriana nurse, letting her grab his little finger. He was so fond of her already.

The beautiful moment shattered when she asked who Trahaearn was. He sat up and stared. "...You've known him for four thousand years. It's his heart that beats in your chest, not your own." he said quietly. "A monster stole your heart from the place we were so sure it was. He laughed at us. Tortured Trahaearn, your faithful warlock. Reach out to him. The bond is still there....isnt it? You should have two. Trahaearn and Volker."
 
He looked so wonderfully happy. She'd have endured a hundred times more if it meant seeing that blinding smile. Shuck's laughter was a low and guttural so as not to shake up her sore body too much. "I love you," she told him again when he prompted it once more. There was no burn, no searing of her tongue. She could say it. "I love you, I love you, I love you." Smiling, she turned her head to nuzzle her cheek against his.

But she saw the happiness drain from his face when she asked who he was talking about. His answer elicited a sharp frown.

"His heart?" The sinking feeling of her heart in her chest was strange and unfamiliar. "He gave me his heart?" She was trying to remember him, to picture his face. A man with tan skin and dark hair, smirking as he placed one hand on his shoulder, taking the other in his and guiding her through the steps of a dance she knew in her heart. His silver eyes glittered with mischief and joy, and his hand squeezed hers.

Shuck gasped, looking at Joseph with alarm in her eyes. "I forgot Trahaearn," she whispered sadly. Her lip was wobbling as she turned inward. She'd remembered Volker -- how could she have forgotten the ordeal with Oor? But she'd forgotten Trahaearn. Forgotten him completely.

There were two metallic threads in her mind. She didn't understand why Trahaearn's had been gold; he was a silverblood, so it would have made sense for his to have been silver. Yet it was a fine gold thread that she reached out toward and touched gently.

Trahaearn? she called softly down the connection. She felt a tremor from the other end -- a reception of some sort. He was nearby, and he was awake. If he was in the house being cared for, there was no question as to why he was awake. Trahaearn.

She waited in perfect silence for a response, hardly even breathing and her eyes staring into nothing as her mind was turned inward.

// Joseph Meier // Trahaearn //
 
The black void seemed endless, and whether it was his mind that seemed to wander, or some formless shape. There was no horizon or other form of break in what he called a landscape. Pitch black and unending. I must have died finally, he thought to himself. The thought confused him, but he did not want to think further on the meaning behind having thoughts in the afterlife. Another thought tickled him.

Shouldn't the storm god have collected me? This truly concerned him. He gazed about once more and saw nothing to hint at the presence of his deity. No storm clouds, no brilliant flashes of lightning or ominous and distant claps of thunder. He was truly alone in death it seemed. His search was cut short as he awoke with pain and feeling as though something was missing.

A deep breath was all it took for the still body next to Ellis to fill suddenly with life. Eyes blinked and searched the ceiling with confusion. He wasn't dead after all, or maybe this was what his reward was for his diligent prayer and praise. Weight on his side suggested otherwise as he turned his head and spied Ellis there.

He blinked once more, certain he should be feeling something. Relief maybe that he wasn't dead? Confusion as to how he hadn't passed away? Or maybe that curiosity should have been pointed at what he wasn't feeling. Pain sang along his side, from a wound he remembered had been there but magically missing mere minutes later.

Alba, my heart, he reminded himself. Malice! Trahaearn would have sprung upright if Ellis hadn't begun to stir next to him and unknowingly held him still. His body hadn't yet recovered it seemed from everything that had happened in the last month.

"Ellis, wake up." The voice was alarmingly bland, bringing his free arm up to shake the other man awake. "Wake up!"

Once roused, Ellis seemed excited and relieved, almost as though a weight had been lifted.

"Where is Mal?" Trahaearn inquired, his gaze flowing around the room while trying to place exactly where he was. It was a pleasant change from the bleak surroundings he had been trapped in only a short while ago, and he wondered as to the meaning behind the blankness of both his dreams, and his feelings.

The fae had warned him of what could happen, but it seemed that he hadn't truly understood the magnitude of what that encompassed. This lack of connection to something that had guided him through his life was terrifying and refreshing. For a brief moment, he wondered if this was how Malice had felt for the latter half of their time together. A stark understanding donning on him as he listened to someone in the house scream.

He should have felt concern in that moment, knowing well who's voice that was. Instead, he felt the want to go see what was happening. Wanted to know, simply for the knowing. No urgency was in his movements, the gentle request for Ellis to help him stand and dress. Another to help him to where Mal was.

If he could have felt pitiful for having to rely on someone else, he very well would have. The screams subsided as they made their way downstairs, and somewhere a door opened. By the time the two arrived, two of the sisters were leaving with what he guessed where the birthing sheets. He didn't say anything to them, having no interest or care for their words.

He was half leaning on Ellis in the opening of the hall when he heard Mal's voice in his head. Shaking his head, he had only a few feet more before he was close to the doorway he guessed they were in. She called for him again along that thread they shared and he gave a heavy sigh.

"I'm alive, Mal. You have that girl yet?" He called from outside the room. Ellis set them against the wall just outside the room as he waited for an answer. He wasn't about to interrupt a moment like this for anyone. He recalled a similar memory of his own when a friend had done much the same for his own children, and had nearly skewered the man for it.
 
He didn't answer. For a few heartbeats, there was only silence in her mind. With no indication as to whether or not he'd heard her, she hung onto the gold thread in the silence. What had happened? Why wasn't he answering her? She'd forgotten him for a time, but had she forgotten something else important about their bond?

Then there, she heard him. Not in her mind, but outside of the door. Shuck returned to herself, blinking toward the door. Hearing his voice jarred loose the things she'd forgotten about him, the moments in which he'd shined for her.

"Yes," she said proudly, smiling down at the babe curled up sleepily to her chest. "Do you want to see her?"

Just in case, Shuck glanced over at Joseph, who wasn't exactly dressed for visitors. He'd said as soon as she was ready. Well, she was as ready as she'd ever be. She was wearing out quickly -- she'd thought she'd been dead, and then had awakened suddenly to childbirth. She thought that warranted a good long nap. So it was probably best that Trahaearn saw them now, rather than trying to wait. If he'd truly given her his heart, he deserved a great deal more than to be stuck on the other side of a door.

// Joseph Meier // Trahaearn //
 
Joseph grasped Shuck’s hand and held it close to his heart. He needed to reassure her. He had to admit he was relieved that Trahaearn wasn’t there to see that little moment of forgetfulness. Given what the man had just sacrificed it would seem cruel and horrific to have her ask the man to his face who he was. He kissed her hand and smiled at her. “You’re alright. You may have a few gaps. You were very close to fading out of this world entirely. But we’ll work through it, alright? Just try not to panic. You remembered. That’s all that’s important.” He nuzzled her. Nothing would ruin his mood today. Their daughter was small but healthy, and he had his woman back. She loved him, truly loved him now. He played with her hair, unable to keep his eyes off of her.

Ellis woke up with a start when Trahaearn shook him. He threw his arms around his lovers neck and kissed him. “I was so afraid you’d never wake up.” He told him. “Shuck’s downstairs. They’re cuddling with the new baby. We ought to go see them.” He got up and helped Trahaearn to stand, he was no stranger to helping others dress. They’d been changing Trahaearn and Shuck’s clothing while they’d been unconscious for days now. He was quite practiced at it, and helped him downstairs. They had to be a little more professional around his family; they didn’t quite know about the relationship. But he did let his arm linger around Trahaearn’s waist a little longer than normal. “Don’t be too long.” He told him softly.

Joseph didn’t give a damn if Trahaearn came in and saw him. He was too happy. Too proud. He kissed Shuck. “Get in here.” He called to Trahaearn, proudly cradling his baby girl’s head in his hand. “Trahaearn, meet Adriana Yaste Meier.” He couldn’t stop smiling. He hoped it was alright that he’d given her the middle name of the hag. He’d quite liked the old woman, and she’d been nothing but kind and generous to them. Without her, Shuck might never have made it home to have his precious little girl. It only felt right to honor her in some way, even if it was only in a human way. Somehow...he felt Yaste probably already knew. “Isn’t she beautiful? Another black shuck.” Joseph leaned over and kissed his love.

He’d do anything for them. For his Adriana. “You feeling alright?” He asked the warlock. He was worried about him. He hadn’t known what Trahaearn had gone through. All he knew was that he’d been covered in blood, and barely alive. He startled a bit when he saw Volker standing quietly at the window, looking at Shuck. Joseph glared at him. He didn’t like that shark so close to his baby.
 
"Lets see who else I have to protect." Trahaearn tried to joke, but the tone of his voice was completely flat. The lacking bothered him terribly, but he kept moving. The introspection could wait for after the merriment of a healthy baby being brought into the world. Joseph called him in and Ellis asked him to not be too long. The small huff of effort as he moved was the only reply to Ellis as he stepped into the room.

A brow went up at the name, but didn't want to bother with details at the moment. It was likely Yaste already had an idea about them using her given name, and if she hadn't corrected them, she was well and fine with its use. The idle comment about another black shuck made him frown.

"Have to count all the shucks on two hands now." Trahaearn commented quietly before shuffling into the room. He held onto the door frame as he came in and tried to make a smile at them with Joseph's comment. "I feel like shit after sleeping for a month. Should have healed by now, right?"

He followed Joseph's eyes to the window, and gave Volker a small wave. The man had done his job as Trahaearn had asked, and he couldn't fault the other contract bound for being worried and wanting to see his patron happy and healthy. The glare Joseph was giving the other man had him sighing.

"He's bound to her Joseph, he is probably happy they both made it. You aren't going to let the other stray in so both old dogs can look at the new pup are you?" He wasn't sure if Mal had seen his silver hair or aged features yet. Joseph might have, and Ellis had seen them for a while now obviously. Someone had been taking care of him for a month now, he very much doubted it was Joseph or any other that had.
 
The voice that answered had been the one she knew from some far-off corner of mind and memory, but the man who entered wasn't quite the one she remembered. The dark hair that shone silver in the light was well and truly silver in name now, and there were more lines in his features, from both smiling and frowning, it seemed. But the stormy gray eyes were the same ones that had smiled at her in the few memories that remained, even if they weren't quite smiling now.

What had happened? She knew something must have transpired to give her his heart, but what could have possibly aged him so much? Shuck knew better than to think she'd been sleeping that long. It didn't matter, but he said something about a month, and she frowned.

"A month?" she repeated, looking at Joseph. Not that she knew. All she knew was that her baby had come early and that accounted for her small size. How long had they been here before? A pressure was building behind her eyes as she tried to remember things that simply weren't there to be summoned. It was dull compared to the aching in the rest of her body, but more pain was still more pain.

Following their attention, she turned to look out the window. Unlike with Trahaearn and Joseph's relatives, the recognition was instant. Shuck flashed a sleepy smile. "Volker." Then, recalling the trouble, her smile wilted a bit. She sighed, reaching out to touch Joseph.

She didn't dare ask -- not if he knew, and he likely knew by now. She pleaded with her eyes, echoing Trahaearn's request. He was hers, in a way that was still so new and difficult to understand or explain. it was something she could feel in the back of her mind, thrumming like a chord in her chest as sure as the heart that beat there now. Shuck wouldn't press the matter, but she wanted to introduce her wee one to both of her warlocks. If she couldn't now, she'd do it later.

// Joseph Meier // Trahaearn //
 
Joseph kissed her cheek. “Listen. We got you back and that’s all that matters. You’re here now. Our daughter is here. She’s breathing. You’re breathing. Try not to think about anything else.” He cuddled her close and looked down at Adriana in adoration. He couldn’t love her more. His heart burst for the little creature fussing quietly at his loves breast. He looked up at Trahaearn, proud. It felt odd. Like they were a family now. “She’s going to get to call you Uncle Trah.” He smirked.

That warm fuzzy feeling vanished when he saw the monster at the window. He was bristling at him. Trahaearn and Shuck both wanted him to let Volker in. Were they absolutely mad? He shook his head. “No. She’s so delicate. You leave that monster outside where he belongs. I don’t want him touching my daughter. He’d probably try and eat her or something.” He kissed Adriana protectively, then got up briefly to draw the blinds on the window.

Volker expected as much. He was a killer, and Joseph was protecting his mate and child from what he considered a threat. Volker could understand it, and expected it. He needed to keep his distance. If he pressed wanting to see the babe he was inviting an attack from Joseph.
 
Trahaearn gave a sigh at Joseph's words, not shocked that the man held little compassion for Volker. Hard to like someone when they very well considered you bait. The uncle comment made him shake his head, whether out of amusement or some sense of dark humor that he kept to himself. He stood for a moment before coming closer to the babe, the confidence in his guess of a month dwindling quickly at the sight of the bundle.

He didn't have a heart to ache with, yet the sadness of the child's well being seemed to ring true to his surprise, somehow more intense than if he had still had what beat in Mal's chest. Instead, his eyes became tear bright as they roamed the wee little thing, rough and calloused hand moving to touch the small hand that did not struggle as much as the other similar hands he had beheld in his life.

"It hasn't been a month...." Trahaearn quietly lamented. He sat on the bed, the strength going out of his legs as a pair of faces flashed in his mind. The heavy breath that came from him a sign of understanding as he tilted his head slightly to look over the child. He knew all to well just how delicate the life Mal had in her arms was. He regretted now how callous he had been to the woman who had desperately wanted to be a mother.

"Keep her warm and fed, and put that heart to good use. A babe this small won't make it otherwise. If you need anything, just ask, please." The words tumbled out as he tried his best to keep his own tears from welling up. He didn't want to see another tiny life flitting out of existence if he could help it. He looked at her for a brief moment and saw the confusion about his words, words that had likely been echoed by everyone other than Joseph.

He pulled her into a soft hug, careful of the small life that she held. He scolded himself for his quick words, even if they had been meant in good nature. He hadn't done such a thing when his bastard child's mother had come crying to him. The silent and lifeless babe in her arms only gaining her a cold dismissal and disregard for how she had felt in that moment. He had seen dreams crushed in her eyes, and heard her break in how she wailed when he had so casually walked away.

"She is beautiful Mal. Even if she does look like Joseph." Trahaearn tried to lighten the mood a little as he pulled back from the hug, forcing a smile to appear on his face. He wanted her to be happy, even in this bleak moment.
 
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