Elunara was sitting under the tree, sketching, when Darguni flopped into her lap. She'd just barely pulled the board out of the way in time.
"Momma! Bradly says my fang is dumb."
"Did you tell him that his opinions of your body are dumb?"
"Well, no."
"Love, everyone has been giving me their opinions of my body all of my life, and it doesn't mean a damned thing. It shouldn't mean anything to you either. I know it hurts at first, but after awhile, it just becomes silly." She kissed his forehead.
"Drina said our family is weird." He pouted.
"Honey, our family IS weird. Most relationships happen between two people. Ours happens between four. Calling us weird isn't even an insult at this point. I like it weird."
"Why is it so weird?" He frowned and laid his head on her chest.
"Because I love them. They love me. It just worked out this way." She laughed. "And before you ask, no, it will never be normal. I'm a Night Elf who fell in love with an Orc. That breaks about fifteen laws of logic all on its own. Then came Tulani, and then Jordan. We make it work."
"Momma Tuly said you make everything alright."
"People were mean to her when she joined me. In fact, she was downright picked on and bullied. And yes, I made it right. Now she holds her head up high."
"That's your power?"
"That's one of my many powers." She lifted his chin. "Remember, weird is the best kind of amazing. You were born of a Night Elf and an Orc. Nothing you ever do will be normal. If you don't embrace the weird now, you may never know peace."
He considered this for a moment before jumping up and running off.
She sighed.
Zelinnia sat down and sighed. "I feel like I swallowed a melon."
"Pfft, my entire seven months, I was either too sick to lift my head, or too heavy to move. Enjoy your nice, normal pregnancy."
"In a bad mood?"
"Kids. All they know is what they hear their parents say."
"Ah. Well, Darguni is coming along nicely, even for his... troubles."
Elunara glared.
"Hey, don't be like that. You know that's not what I meant. I'm talking about the rapid age thing."
"Sorry." She sighed. "I had a rough childhood, because everyone expected something out of me that I couldn't give them. I don't like to think about how he's going to grow up."
"Besides, a Human/Blood Elf baby can't compete with an Orc/Night Elf, but it's still pretty high on the weird scale." She sighed. "That being said, I can't wait to get him or her out of me so I can meet them."
"Still not finding out the gender?"
"We've been debating."
"Hoping for a specific?"
"We've been debating."
"Fun." Elunara ran a hand over Zelinnia's belly. "Well, when you decide..." Elunara let out a frustrated sigh.
"What? What's wrong?" Zelinnia began to panic.
"Not you, calm down."
"Oh. Then what?"
"I know." Elunara frowned.
"You know what?"
Elunara put her hand on Zelinnia's belly again. "I. Know."
"Oh! Ohh... is it that power thing?"
"Yeah, I can feel the radiating energy, and I could tell you right now, if you wanted."
Zelinnia closed her eyes and debated. "Oh, Gods, tell me! I'm going crazy."
"You're having a girl."
"Oh! Ohh, a little girl, how sweet. Oh! Think of the dresses! And then... oh, she could be friends with Darguni and they'll get along and it'll be amazing. Oh, what if they start dating?"
"Zelinnia, if you start making wedding plans, I WILL hit you in the head."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I just... I want our children to be friends, like we are."
"They will be bound together by their weirdness. You don't need to start arranging marriages now."
"Oh, I know." She sighed. "Oh geez, I need to tell Renwa."
"Was he against finding out?"
"No, he wanted to know so he could plan. I just thought that if I found out, something bad would happen. But, you told me, so everything is going to be fine."
Elunara kissed her temple. "You and your silly superstitions."
"I am awful, aren't I?"
"Just frustrating, Sweetie."
"They're marching out that Orc."
"Yeah, we've been letting him hone himself in the training yard. He's been tame as a kitten since I beat the shit out of him."
"Aren't you worried about him flipping at some point?"
"I'm watching for the signs. Meanwhile, he struts like a peacock."
Zelinnia snorted. "He struts like a male Blood Elf."
Elunara considered. "You're right; he's way floofier than a peacock."
They shared a giggle.
She snapped her board closed and made her way down the hill. She sat on the platform and opened her board. "Alright, impress me."
"I could impress you more if you did not give me such restrictions."
"The no kill rule will remain in effect. Regardless of how much you think it fallacy."
He bowed. "Your word is law."
She continued to work on her drawings. "Still, impress me."
He moved fast, but her eyes and fingers were always faster. As he worked through his paces against the trainers she had chosen, she sketched. Jordan came in first and fought him back, and then Grogek matched him more for move. She found it interesting to watch, as she continued her quick sketches. When he finally came to an end, dripping sweat, she nodded.
"I am duly impressed. You have improved since last time." She flipped out the sketch. "This is yours."
It was him leaping through the air, roaring in rage, axe swinging. He carried the piece of paper like a delicate flower. "Thank you my Goddess." He bowed. He then allowed himself to be led back to his cell.
"What point is all this?" Grogek snorted.
"I figured you of all people would know. Yes, he's been helping our troops with genuine combat experience, but soon I'm going to release him."