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* Glossaria comes down to Vallel's work room, entering to give him a kiss on the cheek. She is holding something behind her back. As she did not appear for breakfast this morning, this is the first he's seen her today. "Morning, love." <Vallel> ::looks up from a lute he's restringing:: Good morning, dearheart. ::mutters at the lute:: Now, stay there. * Glossaria looks tired, as though she probably stayed up a bit too late last night. She smiles a little. "Be careful it doesn't answer you. Your customer may not care for a lute that expresses itself on its own." <Vallel> ::laughs:: Well, probably not. Although I daresay it could probably *play* itself better than Madam Vilforte. <Glossaria> Well, then, you'll simply have to talk her into paying you for lessons, as well. ::she eyes the fragile lute:: Hm... I have something for you, but you might like to put that aside first. I'd hate for you to drop it. * Vallel tightens the peg that holds the string in place. "Certainly, dear. One moment..." He taps the peg into place. "And I'm almost certain I can not teach Madam Vilforte anything... she already knows it all..." He snorts, then puts the lute aside. <Glossaria> ::opens her mouth, and closes it again as she thinks better of what she was going to say:: ...exaggeration used to sarcastic effect, correct? <Vallel> ::nods:: Very good... ::he leans over and kisses her cheek:: <Glossaria> So. ::biting her lip and shifting her feet a little nervously:: As I mentioned, I have something for you. Well... two things, as it turns out, although technically one is only half-- ::she breaks off, shaking her head:: Well... here, love. Happy third anniversary. ::she puts the oblong item she'd been carrying behind her back into his lap:: <Vallel> Ah, thank you, my dear... ::picks the package up and rattles it slightly:: I had been saving yours for after dinner, but if you like, there's a package for you... ::he closes his eyes and concentrates for a moment and a somewhat heavy, squarish package appears on the work table:: right there. * Vallel opens his box carefully, peeling away the wrapping. <Glossaria> Oh! ::smiles:: Thank you. ::crossing to the work table and opening it carefully, folding the paper back:: Ah! ::caressing the covers of the two thick books within, her eyes dancing:: I see we interpreted the anniversary in similar fashion. Oh! Plessum's _Black Dragons (Swamp)_! And Wolder's _Introduction to the Natural History and Classification of Insects_! I don't have *either* of these, wherever did you find them? <Vallel> ::grins up at her:: I have my sources... ::finishes opening his package, a leather-bound sketch book:: <Vallel> Oh, thank you, dear... my old sketchbook was getting quite full. <Glossaria> I'd noticed. ::smiling:: I bound together several different types of paper, so you can experiment with different media as you wish. I liked the watercolor touches you used on your last one of the twins. * Vallel raises an eyebrow and flips through the pages. "Hmmm... lokta? Where'd you get that?" <Glossaria> ::smiles mysteriously back:: I have *my* sources, too. <Glossaria> And I thought it fit the theme. ::winking:: It does have a somewhat leathery texture, for a paper product. And I'm sure you'll find it quite versatile. The fiber-- well, you'll have to experiment, won't you? <Vallel> ::smiles mischievously:: This is pretty rare paper, love. I'm surprised you didn't eat it all... <Glossaria> ::looking wounded:: It was your anniversary gift! ::blushing faintly as she lowers her eyes:: It was only a *little* nibble. And it's inside the binding, you'll never see it. <Vallel> ::laughs and puts his book down to pull Gloss into his lap:: I do love you. <Glossaria> And I love you. ::takes one of his hands and twines it in both of hers. Her hands are cold, and trembling slightly:: I do have... another gift for you. <Vallel> ::folds his hand over hers:: What's up, love? <Glossaria> ::snuggling a little more into his lap:: I'm... that is, you're... ::she stops and clears her throat nervously:: *We*... there, that's better... are going to have offspring. * Vallel blinks, then sits absolutely still. <Glossaria> ::looks over her shoulder at him, frowning faintly:: Dear? Did you hear me? <Vallel> ::blinks again:: Um... preg-... you're? How... well, the normal way, of course, but... when di- oh. <Glossaria> ::meekly:: Elasias 16th, by my calculations. * Vallel thinks back a bit... "During the rainstorm?" <Glossaria> ::nodding:: We were, ah, reminiscing. * Vallel laughs, then goes to hug her, then thinks about it again and doesn't. "Oh... um... wow." <Glossaria> ::considers:: In fact, it was probably page 37. <Glossaria> You can hug me, you know. The fetus is incredibly well-cushioned. * Vallel embraces Gloss, albeit gently. "Wow... Loria's going to be *thrilled*." <Glossaria> ::smiles:: As will Nacheyla, I'm sure. ::frowns slightly:: Although... she might have known longer than I have, when I consider the matter. Hm. ::leaning back from him a little:: Are *you* thrilled, or should I give you further time to absorb the news? <Vallel> I am... absorbing. ::he peers at her:: How do you feel? <Glossaria> According to the literature and the common consensus of midwifery, as well as can be expected. My breasts are somewhat tender, and the smell of food tends to put off my stomach, some mornings. ::brightly:: I feel much better than I did this morning, though. Would you... would you like to see it? <Vallel> ::blinks:: Um... isn't it awfully small? <Glossaria> Well, yes. It doesn't look like much of anything yet, but it is... well, sort of... fluttering, now. I confess to some curiosity about... what it will be. <Vallel> ::bites his lip:: Mostly human would be good... ::squeezes her hand:: I know you got a check-up and everything, but... well, I won't say I'm not somewhat concerned. <Glossaria> Well, I'm not certain that there would be visible signs of that right now, anyway. Current theories on fetal development indicate that the seed goes through several transformations, if you will, before it resembles human. <Vallel> ::considers it:: Well... we'll just have to wait and see... it's pretty early still, if you're... what, just about a month? <Glossaria> ::nods:: Twenty-five days since conception, if my calculations are correct. I should be in my fifth week, or first trimester. My expected due date... well, assuming a normal human term, Mirtul 9, 1405. <Vallel> ::laughs:: Due-date? My mother sometimes calls them don't-dates... I don't know that anyone delivers "on time." <Glossaria> ::smiles:: Well, given that *my* mother was an arthropod and laid her eggs within hours of conception... you understand the inherent difficulty in calculating gestation time? <Vallel> ::snorts:: I don't think I *want* to know... <Glossaria> ::fretting a little:: I admit, egg-laying *would* be less... stressful. <Vallel> I... don't think so, really... I mean, how long do you think it'd take before one of the gnomes wanted to "look" at your egg? <Glossaria> ::smiling grimly:: Then they would learn just how strong my maternal instincts could be, I think. <Vallel> But it would still be stressful... ::taps her nose:: Let's just do it the way other people know how to deal with it, all right? <Glossaria> ::turning in his lap, putting her (much warmer, now) hands on either side of his face and kissing his lips gently:: I'm willing to do it your way, love. Especially since my body seems to be designed for it, now. Or... will be, anyway. * Vallel puts his arms around her. "Everything will be fine." He says it more as a prayer than a belief. <Glossaria> ::hugging him back:: Everything *will* be fine. ::murmuring in his ear:: We have expert advisors, after all, Master duNache.
(A few days later...)
<Gloss> ::clears her throat on the threshold of one of Zoya's labs, looking unaccountably nervous:: Ah... Mistress? <Zoya> ::watching colors dance under a bell jar, distractedly:: Mmm? <Glossaria> I... um. ::chews on her lip thoughtfully for a moment, and starts again:: I... I felt that you should be given as much time as possible to prepare yourself... I have some... news. <Zoya> ::looks up at Gloss, one eyebrow raised:: Well? <Glossaria> ::swallows hard, looking even more nervous at Zoya's raised eyebrow:: By my calculations, in... ::she glances at the ceiling for a moment:: ...approximately 34 weeks, by common reckoning, Vallel and I will be adding a-- a pre-verbal human to our joint living space. ::biting her lip:: I was given to understand that you're... not fond of them, so I felt I should give you as much advance warning as possible. * Zoya blinks a few times. "You're *pregnant*?!?" She sweeps across the room and gathers Gloss into a hug. "Congratulations! I didn't know you were starting a family yet!" * Glossaria returns Zoya's hug after a stunned moment. "Vallel has wanted a child. I've been giving it deep thought for a good half-year now, and, well..." She blushes faintly. "I put the choice in the Blessed Mother's hands, so to speak. You're... not angry?" <Zoya> Why should I be angry? It's *your* family... No, I'll admit that I'm much more comfortable with beings that can communicate a little more precisely than infants, but I don't *hate* babies. Whatever gave you that idea? <Glossaria> Well... ah... I was privy to a discussion, at one point, regarding your... capacity with the pre-verbal. ::cocking her head:: The non-verbal as well... Setta's name did come up. <Zoya> ::eyebrows go up:: <Glossaria> ::glumly giving in to the dreaded eyebrows:: We were discussing the possibility of future children at the Hall, and Kevil volunteered his observations. <Zoya> ::looks startled, then chuckles:: Yes, well, please do keep in mind that I've changed a good deal since Kevil and I were very close, hmm? <Glossaria> ::blushing faintly:: Yes, Mistress. So I told him, as I recall. I told him of your care of Setta, and he seemed most surprised. <Zoya> ::smirks a bit, then leans against a lab stool:: Who else have you told? <Glossaria> The Goody Beatrice... ::frowning slightly:: Well... more correct to say that *she* told *me,* or at least confirmed my strong suspicions. And Val. ::her tone tender, a somewhat silly smile on her lips:: I told him on our anniversary, just before endweek. He took three whole days to absorb the news. <Zoya> ::smiles:: Fair enough. Do you want me to keep the news to myself for a while? <Glossaria> I... I'm not certain. I suppose... I'd rather have the pleasure of telling people myself... well, Vallel and I. Although... ::frowning suddenly:: If you could send a message to Xarroch explaining that I'll not be able to continue lessons with him for a time, I would be grateful. <Zoya> Oh, yes, certainly. And I suggest - if you haven't already done so - pulling a copy of DeVeare's *Magic and the Unborn* and studying it thoroughly. <Glossaria> Ah! I was going to ask if you had any titles to recommend. ::blushes a little again:: I confess, it was a point I'd overlooked in my studies. <Zoya> It's not one I've done much study in, either, for obvious reasons. But I've heard that one recommended. No doubt the midwife will be able to recommend more mundane reading. <Glossaria> ::nodding:: She did last year, when I inquired about it. I've added... ::thinks a moment:: ...a cumulative total of 14 works on pregnancy and childbirth to the library collection since, Mistress. <Zoya> ::smiles:: Good. You might talk to women with children, as well... I've heard that every tale is different - and talking might give you some warning as to the emotional impacts, rather than just the physiological ones that the books tend to focus on. <Glossaria> ::nods with a sigh:: I admit, from what discussions I've had already, that aspect is... worrisome. Not that the physiological aspects are not worrisome enough, especially as this will be something of a... test case. <Zoya> Don't borrow trouble, Glossaria. Learn what you can, and trust Vallel to help you through the rest. <Glossaria> ::hesitantly:: I've... been observing Loria. And I thought to talk to her some more... in a way, I'm glad of her current pregnancy. She acts as an... advance scout, as it were. Not that she's not done this before." * Glossaria raises her eyebrows. "You think Vallel has done this before? I was under the impression that his, ah, experience with Tarri never progressed so far." <Zoya> ::laughs:: No, but he's been around pregnant women before - and he's your husband. It's his job to support you, even if he's on new ground as well. I know he's helped you weather emotional storms before. <Glossaria> ::nodding quite seriously:: Yes, he has. Very serious ones. <Zoya> There, you see? Talk to Loria, by all means - she can tell you what to expect during the pregnancy and the birth and with the little ones. And talk to Kevil, or have Vallel do it. The father has his own concerns. And I'd talk to others, as well. Every tale is different, I hear, even different children born to the same parents. * Glossaria nods, and sighs a little, putting a hand over her abdomen. "Well... change is part of the essential nature of chaos." <Glossaria> ::smiling faintly:: And are you prepared to become a grandmother, Mistress, or do you also need time to... absorb the concept? <Zoya> ::laughs:: Prepared? Of course I'm not prepared. Ask me again when you lay the child in my arms. <Glossaria> ::smiles a little too demurely:: Yes, Mistress. |
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