Questions and an Answer
Characters: Aikuen, Fira, Ella, Venei
Location: Camp Coranado; Rivulet, 'Giants Pebble'
Its pretty early in the morning. And a few of the otters are up. Seems the kids has Aik's natural alarm clock. OR they are hungry. Either way. Aik is watching them eat. He sits by the fire. A long stick with a whole fish stuck through at the end. Mmm. Paw grilled fresh fish. The twins sit by on a little table cloth on the ground. Nibbling on a bit of fish that Aik has already cooked for them. Venei eats it with a will. But Ella has her eyes closed a pawfull halfway to her mouth. Probably fell asleep again.
Fira is awoken by the smell of fish! Nice wake up call and she rolls over in her sleep to find something's missing...She squints her eyes open, yep, no Aik. Another squint out into the bright world and she confirms the fish, well at least she didn't dream that. A big yawn and she crawls out of the tent before stretching and then slouching right back down again and looking to her little family with a tired smile.
Aikuen pokes the fish in the fire, pulling it back quickly, "Yeeouch" he mutters sucking on his claw for a sec before going back to cooking the fish. Stupid fire. Being hot and what not. Aik hrms and yawns before something catches his eye. What ho? A Foe?! Ah, its just Fira. He smiles and his rudder twitches. Going to wave with his free paw, "Morning Fi." he chuckles at her, "Come on... Its not... THAT early..." he grins. As they are the only ones up.
Fira stretches again as she walks over, stifling another yawn as she talks "Anything's early when you've just woken up. I smelt fish, I see fish, I assume there's fish?" give her fish.
Ella is still half asleep. And the fish portion in her paw flops on the cloth. Venei waves with a messy paw, "Mummy!" she grins before going back to eating. Eating. Don't disturb. Aik pats a spot on the turned over log next to him, "Nah. Its your imagination... This is actually a rock." He points to the one he is cooking, "That smells and acts just like a fish... Rockfish is its name..." he smirks.
Fira can see a happy little twin too and gives Venei a little wave before putting a finger to her lips "Must be very quiet, your sister looks like she's asleep!" happy to leave her to sleep. Fira turns her sleepy eyes back to Aik and raises a brow "Well so long as it tastes like fish, gimme"
Venei ooo and nods, putting her claw up to her lips in acknowledgement. Before going back to noisily eating. Aik laughs, "Well alright. Don't say i didn't warn yah if yah lose all your teeth..." he pulls up the 'rockfish' and offers her the cool part of the stick. Not before he gets a good morning kiss, "Hey..."
Fira takes the fish and kisses him back before grinning "Hey" and then she turns to the fish and jokingly gives it an even brighter "Hey!" before eating it of course.
Aikuen smiles after the kiss. Then has to snort at the better hey for the fish, "Well i see how i am on the food chain..." he grins before slipping an arm around his darling. Doing his morning routine. Nuzzle of the neck and shoulders and the obligatory question, "Sleep well last night, my beautiful lily?" he smiles warmly... before looking a bit serious, "Fi... After your done eating... Would you like to take a walk..." seeming a bit concerned with it.
Fira waggles a finger under his nose "Be glad you're not on the food chain, the fish won't be getting a hey tomorrow" she'll have eaten it. She keeps an eye on him as she eats, laughing quietly at the nuzzles "Very well, nice to be out and about" the serious look really draws her attention and she tilts her head "Nothing wrong I hope"
Aikuen laughs, "That's true. Hear that rockfish! Im still gonna be here tomorrow. Enjoy that hey while it lasts!" he points, laughs, and nods at the next part, "Good. I like to hear my loved ones are doing well... And no... Umm..." a quick look down, before looking back up so she can read without too much strain, "Just some things i want to ask you... Away from prying ears and eyes..." he looks around. So not terribly wrong. But sounds like things that will directly effect the two of them.
Fira smiles faintly as he points and laughs at her breakfast but she's still worrying, even if he has said no. She quickly eats the last of the fish and looks to the twins "You stay in the camp, if anything happens then wake up one of the others" she says as she gets up, all ready to follow Aik.
Venei nods and scoots closer to her sleeping sister, "...Yes Mummy..." and she goes right ahead and eats her sisters breakfast. Not like she was awake to eat it or anything. Aik smiles weakly as he gets up as well, "Thanks Fi..." he takes her paw and leads her toward the woods. Away from the river and falls. Away from camp.
Fira considers leaving a note but the twins are probably better than any note so she takes Aik's paw and holds onto his arm with her free paw, following him out into the woods and waiting till he decides they're far enough away to talk.
Aikuen hrms to himself as they walk. Glad that Fira is with him. He really likes this. Only if it didnt have to end with some question. He is following a path that he seems the only one to know. Buts its a path no less. They walk for a good five or so minutes before they arrive at a large rock formation. It seems that the ground decided to jut out at one spot. In this one place. The cliff face it seems is about otter and half tall. Grass grows all around it and smooths with the ground they are currently on. All except for the cliff face. Which is dark red in color. Aik smiles and says, "I found this recently. Its really neat." he puts his free paw on the face.
Fira follows him closely, trying to keep an eye on him in case he speaks but she can't help but look around the woods every so often. The big rock formation quickly catches her eye and she places a paw onto the rock as well as she stares up at it "It's like some giant's thrown it here"
Aikuen smiles at her before looking back up at the rock, "Mayhaps. Does really seem of of place doesn't it..." he grunts and dusts his paw with some dirt before going to climb it. He could just walk around. But hey. Its an easy task and he quickly reaches the top, "Its nice up here... Come on up missy! Come and sit on 'Giants Pebble'" he chuckles.
Fira smirks and shakes her head faintly before going to follow him up, climbing up easily as well, still "If only the giant were around to give us a lift" she settles down next to him and starts to lean against his side as she looks out at the view.
Aikuen smirks leaning into her back, wrapping his arm around her in a loving side hug. Watching the view as well. He takes her closet paw and starts to rub it. He smiles and kisses the top of her head. Before her realizes why he is here. He sighs and says, "... Okay...Now for the reason why i brought you here..." he make sure she was looking first, "I've been thinking lately... Which is bad i know. But still." he smirks, "Anyway. I want you to hear me out first... Okay? Oh. And know that you and the kids are the one thing i love more than anything else in the world"
Fira is on the verge of relaxing and letting herself forget they were out here for a reason when he starts. She pays attention and frowns curiously as she nods, trying not to jump to conclusions "I'm listening" well not literally but know what she means.
Aikuen smiles and kisses her on the cheek. A little weak, but there "Okay... as you know. Im not getting any younger..." he nods, "Yes. I may not look it. But im almost 25... And..." he sighs, "...I want you guys to be alright. Taken care off... When. I go... I know we shouldn't be thinking like that. But. I want my loves to be taken care... When i do go... So." he hrms, "If i die. Or... in a worst case. If i go crazy. I want you guys to go to Camp Willow. You'll be around otters. The little ones will have a good upbringing. And being surrounded by otters. They might find a mate... Which brings me to my question. remember, before we got engaged... When i asked you. What i wanted to do for a job?"
Fira places a paw on his cheek "You're not going anywhere any time soon" she's sounds very sure as if her force of will alone will keep him living. Just try her, it might, she's that sure "And you're not crazy either" he has his quirks but it's been a long time since she ever thought he could be dangerous "What about the others though? And the twins? They've only known moledeep as their home and all the others as their family, you know they'd miss them..." she silences for a minute, trying not to come up with more arguments and instead think back "You said you wanted to teach beasts to fight at Camp Willow...do you still want to?" cause that would change everything.
Aikuen smiles a very happy smile, placing a paw on hers against his cheek, "Thanks Fira." and nods at her argument. Its a good one, "I know they would miss them... And vice versa... But it would help them branch out. You know... For the real world. The world is not nice place... I wish it was." he sighs, "... I want them to be around their own kind. If that makes since..." he nods a bit, "Yep. That's it... Well... I was going too... As a way to pay for them to take care of you guys. I would work for them. Get a place open. etc etc. Then when i... go. Then they would help you guys..."
Fira folds her ears back and looks back down at the ground, thinking "I don't know...I guess maybe Kentar could use more space as Chris grows up and it's probably only a matter of time before there's little rats around too...Maybe it would be for the best if we moved out" she sighs "Still don't want to. I know they can all drive us up the wall a little, imagine how quiet it'd be without them all around"
Aikuen pulls her in a tight hug, "Listen. If you don't want to. If you have any doubts in your mind about this. Then i wont. I just wanted you to be safe and take care of. That's it. So if you think that its any of a bad idea. Then i wont... If you will be happier at Moledeep. Then we will stay at Moledeep..." he smiles, "But this brings me to my second question. Which made me think of my first question..."
Fira hugs him back quietly for a moment before she opens her mouth, about to answer until he says that last bit and she tilts her head instead "What's the second question?"
Aikuen says with a big smile, "I love our little ones. They are so cute. But they are growing up... And, once again, I'm not getting younger so... I was thinking..." he kisses her lightly, "...What do you say to having another one? Another little otter. Another child."
Fira opens her mouth again before stopping and smiling softly, she looks like she's thinking about it but really she's just thinking of how to word things "...I had been thinking about it too...now the twins are little less dependant" she laughs quietly "I'm sure when we had them I said no more...Just promise me we won't have twins again?"
Aikuen smiles and embraces her tightly kissing her where he can. Before pulling out and giving her a heavy nuzzle, "Have i told you how amazing you are?!" he grins and then nods, "Rightrightright. No more twins. I promise!" he cant really promise that. But hey, "So... Thats a yes right?" just to make sure.
Fira laughs and kisses him back "Maybe not this week" she cuddles up close to him, starting to think about the mystery kid they've just decided on "Another little otter...Maybe a boy this time, or another girl, never know" she smirks "Yes, it's a yes"
Aikuen holds her close and nuzzles her again, "Right Fira... I love you so much... Its up to you..." he winks, "Aye. Another one... Well my track record is three girls. So... What do you think our next girl well be called? What will she look like!" he sighs, "I kinda hope its a boy, really..."
Fira chuckles quietly "I meant I don't think you've called me amazing this week, nothing to do with the kid" she continues to smirk "Boy would break things up I guess, would be nice to have a son, we have daughters...Though just think how sweet the twins are? They'd probably love a little sister to play with too"
Aikuen ohs and nuzzle her softly, "Well then. You are the most amazing, and beautiful lily otter i have ever seen. How was that?" he smirks, "... So we would have twin otters 'attack' the new born then? If it was a boy. They would keep him in check. Like they do with Chris..." he laughs, "The Boy is terrified of them! But another daughter. That would be good. Either way. I. We would love them to death... Like we do now..."
Fira laughs "Better" she snorts at the next bit "I'm not sure we want them attacking newborns but I think no matter what they're going to be keeping them in check...Parents again" she takes a deep breath "Pregnant again..." she smirks "Best not to over think that part"
Aikuen goes to place a paw on her stomach, given it a little rub, "Best not too. Though its a very big factor in the whole. Having another kid thing..." he chuckles, "...Parents again. Aye..." he smiles, "You'll do great. Im so proud of you for doing this. I know i wont be able to handle it." he says, "Your so much stronger then me."
Fira snorts and smirks "Stronger? I don't think I could claim to be stronger in any way, you keep everything going, I just...have to carry around the pup for a while till they're ready to come out. Just wait, the twins will get bigger and still want to be carried about" she's trying to make light of it.
Aikuen chuckles, "They are already big!... And yet they still want to ride on our rudders" he rubs her root, "I sorry! I say. Its about time that they start carrying there own weight! They are two after all." he smirks, "But still. You help me. Without you. There would be no me!... AND not only that. You have to create and support life. That's... Incredible..." he sighs, "I could never do that!"
Fira smirks and shakes her head "It's not so hard, it's the birth that...No, we really should stop thinking about that bit...And maybe we should talk more about this Camp Willow thing"
Aikuen chuckles, "Stop talking about what?" he grins and kisses her once again. Before nodding and getting her a little more nuzzle, "Oh. Well. Hearing my other question then. And you saying yes to it. Then you can understand why i asked. More little otters... Its just a fatherly thing to do. Thinking about it..." he nods.
Fira nods slowly, thinking again for a minute or two before she comes to no decision at all "Perhaps we should talk to the kids about it...I mean sure it'll still be close enough to visit but they are growing up, twins might be able to understand...and Will, he might be all grown up and married but he is still your son...Besides, we'll have a bit of time before the family grows even bigger"
The older otter nods, "Aye. I guess they are old enough to decide things... Oh..." he smiles, "I was talking about moving, when i died. So. They can still grow up there. I was going to work for the Camp. So we can get benefits. When i do..." he clears his throat, "I guess it also has to do with how much i can get from Hallow. Lot of things i would have to discuss..." he nods.
Fira smiles uncomfortably as she tries to joke "Yeah, well, you die and I think there'll be other things on my mind other than moving away from everyone I know"
Even though it was a joke. It proves a valid point. And it completely stumps Aikuen, "Well... I... I mean... Was..." he blinks and takes her paw tightly, "Im sorry... for thinking of it..." its all he can think of right now.
Fira shakes her head "You were thinking of other things and they were good points. The twins could do with meeting other otters and you probably would like to work there...plus they have their own library...Just the timing off, I couldn't move without you"
Aikuen smiles weakly, "Still. I wasn't thinking about that. I should have. Sorry." he nods, "Listen." you know what he means, "What do you think i should do? I need your help deciding. I don't want to leave the others. But im also thinking of our kids and you..." he sighs, "Ive confused myself." he chuckles.
Fira smiles softly and leans over to give him a kiss, the pair far out of camp currently "I think you should talk to this Hallow, see if this job's all it's cracked up to be and we'll go from there. We have time to decide"
Aikuen smiles at the kiss, going to stroke her cheek, holding her their abit longer "... I will. There will be alot there is to do... and to ask. And too wonder. Maybe she will decide for us. Maybe she wont take me!" he grins, "Im not 25 yet. so... Got a lot of time to decide anything at all. I just wanted to make sure you knew what i was thinking about!" he grins softly, giving her a little nuzzle again, "I think its time for lunch... Should we head back to camp?"
Fira smirks faintly "Yeah, I think I can definitely say I agree with lunch. Should make sure the twins haven't wandered off too. Back to camp with us"
Aikuen smiles getting up slowly, "Hey. If they wondered off. Im gonna blame the stoats. Then go out and a huge twin hunt..." he laughs, "Me first!" and he climbs down the side slowly and surely before looking up, "Okay..." he is ready in case she decided randomly jump on him. Which... Would be alright. No help for his back though.
Fira has concern for his back too, still, she does hop down a foot from the ground and surprise him with a kiss before quickly sweeping on past and back on the path to camp.
Aikuen chuckles and is completely surprised, "What the?" he blinks and watches her run off for a second. Before his mind catches up and pushes him forward, "HEY! Wait a minute!..." he chases after her, "...You were using your lady wiles to trick me!" he laughs, "A very dirty dirty trick..." That he wished she would do alot of the time. He chase her back into camp. And hopefully she wont go for the water. Otter. Duh.
Fira doesn't actually go for the watch, she was promised lunch after all but with the twins not straight away in sight that'll have to wait too "Get some food going and I'll find out who's got the twins" she says as she wanders off to look.
Aikuen gives Fira a quick kiss again, "Love yah Fi..." before going over to the fire. Slightly disappointed that they are not frolicking in the water. Twins first. Got it. He looks around a bit before heading over to his tent and some eatables.
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