It's A Female Thing (Braith)

[Azalea Valdea]

Azalea was having one of those fits where she needed to be moving, to get out and do something. Alas, today would not be a good day for her to be running around outside with the weather being as it was, and the fact that Templars were closing in. Perhaps she would try and sneak out another day. When it was a bit safer perhaps. Although Louis certainly wouldn't like the idea about her going outside. Azalea knew he meant well, but he needed to understand that she hated being kept inside. She felt like a caged animal half the time. Of course, to the eyes of many, that's exactly what she was; an animal. All mages were apparently. Oh how it irritated the young girl greatly. But, not much could be done to change the viewpoint of others sadly.

Well, seeing as Azalea was once more forced to be kept inside, she figure she would do something productive. Lately, she had been spending time with Braith, an elven battle mage whom fascinated Azalea greatly. Thanks to her mentoring, Azalea learned how to properly use a sword, and to channel her magic through it. Perhaps some extra training would be good. Plus, she wouldn't mind spending some time with the woman. Though Azalea wouldn't let Braith in on this, she has accepted the older mage as more than just a mentor, but almost as a motherly figure. Though Azalea loved Louis dearly, it was good to spend time with a woman from time to time, because well, they would understand her better than Louis, or any other man could.

The young girl made her way towards one of the training rooms inside the Reach, hoping to find Braith there. She stopped for a moment though, feeling a slight, nauseating dizzy spell, and she leaned against the stone wall. Azalea breathed in deeply in and out until the moment passed. Lately she had been feeling like this, sick at random moments. She also felt hungrier than usual, but she tended to ignore that feeling more than the sickening feel she felt in her stomach. Was she getting sick? Maybe...but she felt fine other than that. Maybe she was just so hungry that she thought she was sick? That sounded a little more plausible.

Azalea, after having caught her breath, walked on into the training room. She hovered in the doorway, looking around. "Braith?" She called out quietly, her amber eyes looking around her.

[Braith Morwen]

Twitchy ears. A lot of people found them distracting, but Braith didn't especially care - her ears just twitched when she heard something interesting. In this case, that something interesting came in the form of footsteps down the hall. Well now, who might be seeking her out? Someone looking to alleviate the boredom of being trapped inside while the rain poured down, perhaps? Miserable conditions for sword practice at any rate, otherwise she'd be outside herself.

Sheathing her sword, she stretched out her hands to the fireplace to wait. There were no windows this deep in the fortress, of course, but the cold and damp seemed to permeate the massive walls just the same. Though, admittedly, that could perfectly well just be in her head - it wasn't as though the cold and damp ever actually left Andoral's Reach, even in the summer. Not this far in, anyway.

The next sound to make her twitchy ears flick was that of her own name, a familiar voice wrapping around it. Sweet little Azalea. Braith smiled and turned, the light of the fire reflecting cat-like in her eyes. Yet another mark of her elvenness, the brief blue-green flash unanswered in Azalea's very human eyes. Girl was a pretty thing, though, and entirely unfazed by Braith's pointy ears. Or her really big sword, though that was a different matter.

"You alright there Azzy? You look a little pale."

Maker protect anyone who hurt the girl, because no one else could. A year before she wouldn't have known Azalea from a hole in the ground, but that was her little girl now. Walking across the room, she slipped an arm around Azzy's waist to help her to a chair. Piss on anyone who ever said she couldn't be considerate.

[Azalea Valdea]

Azalea was relived to spot Braith just inside the room, standing in front of a cozy fireplace. She smiled brightly at the sight of the elven mage, instantly feeling a sense of comfort. The young mage was starting to get a little more acustomed to being around so many others, but she still felt a sense of nervousness. Yes, they were mages like her, but she didn't know any of them, save for a select few. One of them being Braith, to which Azalea attatched to almost instantly. Perhaps it was because she was just so...different. Not in a bad way, not in the slightest. Azalea always held a deep interest in elves because they were just so elegant looking, and very pretty compared to humans. Plus, there was something personality wise that Azalea loved about Braith. Probably because she was just so tough, and she didn't take crap from anyone. And yes, she did have a soft side, which was nice.

When Azalea called her name, Braith turned to face her with those beautiful eyes of hers. Seriously, how were elves this pretty? She grinned to herself at the thought. Maybe she was just that easily impressed, but, no matter. A look of concern crossed the older mage's face when she looked at Azalea though, and she asked her if she was alright, calling her by her new little nickname. She looked pale? Azalea looked bewildered for a moment before remembering. Right...the whole "sorta getting sick" thing. How did she forget that quickly? Before she could say anything, Braith had already wrapped an arm around her, helping her into a chair at the same time. "Oh, no no I'm fine Braith don't worry. I'm just feeling a little...off today is all." Azalea said with a grin. "I just thought I would come up here and pester you some, seeing as it's too nasty to be outside and all. If you don't mind that is." Azalea said with another childish smile, looking up at Braith.

[Braith Morwen]

Sweet little thing, and a wicked sense of humour. Perhaps not quite so wicked as Braith's, but that if she could match that then she wouldn't be sweet little Azzy that brushed off concerns like so much dust.

"If I minded you wouldn't be here and you know it. Not with the same number of holes you were born with anyway. Now, I don't buy that you're fine, not when you look like that. Tell me how you've been off or I'm dragging you to the infirmary by your ears."

Hands on hips, Braith pinned Azalea with a hard stare. The girl was going to talk whether she liked it or not, but Braith was pretty sure little Azzy would tell her everything. They'd gotten close, after all, and if that didn't do it she looked oddly imposing armed and armoured as she was as long as her size wasn't taken into too much account. Even tiny little Azalea probably outweighed her, though Braith was pretty sure she had the girl on muscles.

Leaning on the arm of Azalea's chair, Braith gave her a poke in the arm to get her moving. Patience had never really been her strong suit - that's why she preferred stabbing things over casting spells.

[Azalea Valdea]

Azalea couldn't help but grin at Braith's comment. Of course she didn't mind her being here, but it was instinct to kind of assume she wasn't entirely welcome somewhere. She wasn't sure why she thought this way, but she did.

"That is quite true...you probably would have given me a good puncture or two if you wanted." Azalea said with another little grin. Like all elves, Braith was shorter compared to humans, but far more graceful than them though. Azalea was a tad smaller than typical human females though, so she and Braith were roughly even. Though, Braith could probably easily take Azalea down if she wanted, seeing as she was much stronger than her.

She felt Braith poke her impatiently, and the way she stared down at Azalea made her give a little guilty smile. Ok, Azalea was stubborn when it came to admitting something was wrong, but, Briath was a special case. "It's sort of hard to explain. I'm not sure if I'm getting sick or what. I've been feeling really nauseous lately, and yet, I always feel hungry too. Not really sure what to make of that you know?" She said with a sheepish little smile and a small laugh. Azalea felt guilty that she didn't tell anyone that something might be wrong with her, but, she didn't want to worry anyways. They already had so much to worry about without her adding on to the problems.

[Braith Morwen]

Well now, hungry and nauseous all at once - that sounded familiar. Leaning in close and lowering her voice to barely more than a whisper, Braith started rapidly firing off questions.

"Strange cravings? Sensitive to smells? Things you used to love make you sick? Tired often? Forgetful?" Leaning even closer, Braith murmured her last question directly in Azzy's ear to keep it as private as possible. "When did you menstruate last?"

Maybe she was being a bit overly blunt, but little Azalea had been getting very close to that loyalist boy Louis and Braith had never been good with delicacy. Besides, if Azzy wanted delicate she's have stayed on the other end of the Reach, well away from her abrasive self.

"If you are pregnant I fully expect to be the babe's godmother, just so you know. And if the boy doesn't take responsibility he'll be the one sporting new holes."

[Azalea Valdea]

Azalea did not like the way Braith was looking at her now. She eyed the older woman with and anxious gaze. Braith leaned in towards Azalea, and her voice dropped to a very low whisper. The look Azalea had must have been priceless; a mix of sheer confusion and perhaps even fear. Braith began firing off question after question, and poor Azalea tried to claw at her mind for answers.

"Um, I have been having some strange cravings...and I do feel tired a lot...and now that I think about it, certain smells do make me feel sick..." The young girl trailed off, looking down from her adopted mother figure. She was starting to put two and two together then, and when Braith asked her one last question, Azalea furrowed her brows in thought. How long had it been since she menstruated? "T-two months I think." A horrible realization was starting to click in her mind, and Braith voiced it out just as she figured it out.

"P-pregnant? Oh Maker..." Azalea whispered, wrapping her arms around her stomach. Surely it wouldn't be a surprise though, she and Louis had gotten close on an intimate level, and have been intimate for a couple of months now. Surely the thought of bearing the child of the one she loved would have thrilled her. On some level, it did, yet, on another level, she felt such horrid guilt crash down on her. Azalea remembered, just before being with Louis, she had an intimate moment with another man, an elf by the name of Fenris. It had been a stupid heat of the moment fling, to which Azalea felt ashamed with herself, now more so then ever. There was no way of knowing if the baby would be Fenris', or Louis'. Another factor played in to Azalea's dismay upon this information; the fact that they were in the middle of a war, and resources were hard to come by. She would have to eat more just to feed the growing child and keep it alive, which means less food for anyone else. Maker help her.

"Of course y-you can be the godmother Braith, I would be honored." Azalea said, her voice thickening slightly in sudden emotion. She tried to put on a very genuine smile, but it faltered into a worried frown. Azalea meant it when she said she wanted Braith to be the godmother, but the sheer thought of being pregnant was almost too much for her. The girl let out a shaky laugh at Braith's comment. It made Azalea feel good that this strong, independent elven woman had her back like this. She felt like Louis wouldn't run away at the thought of having a child, but again, it was good Braith would have her back if that was indeed the case. "Thank you Braith, but I don't think that will be necessary." Azalea said with another laugh, flinging her arms around the older woman. She found as soon as she did this though, she felt a very unexpected wave of emotion that it actually brought her to tears, and made her body shake from the sudden emotion.

[Braith Morwen]

Considering that Azalea was quite obviously horrified - or at least terrified - at the thought of being pregnant the girl took the news with a queer sort of grace. Well, maybe not grace, but she didn't turn into a stuttering, blubbering mess. And she seemed genuinely eager to name Braith as the child's godmother, which had to be a first. Braith? Motherly? Azzy realized she'd been joking, right? Well, if nothing else she could protect the babe, and she wasn't about to refuse. It was an odd sort of honour that managed to touch some part of the cranky old battlemage that generally stayed well hidden.

And then Azalea jumped up and hugged her.

With a muffled grunt Braith managed to tamp down the old battle reflex of skewering anything that tackled her unexpectedly and caught the girl instead, patting her awkwardly on the back. Maker's piss, what do I do now? Azzy was crying and Braith had never in her life been any use with feelings, but she really wanted to make everything better because bloody fire and lightning Azzy was crying. And she had no idea how to make her stop.

In the end she ended up just continuing to pat Azzy's back, giving her hair a few tender strokes now and then for good measure. And hoping she was doing the right thing. If nothing else she was sure that between her weapons, armour, and muscles Azalea would feel safe all wrapped up in her arms like that - she just hoped safe was what the girl wanted. Battle, chaos, and constant life-threatening danger? Done. An army of templars waitin on their doorstep, ready to slaughter them all? Easy. Darkspawn and abominations hacking their way through everyone she'd ever known and loved? Bring them on! But a single crying girl she loved like a daughter? Maker's balls she was in over her head.

Well, when in doubt be practical. Braith started wracking her brains for things she could actually do for Azalea, leaving the "feelings" bit to the girl... though she kept her arms firmly wrapped around the little pregnant body pressed to her chest. Azzy could decide when to let go. Besids, holding a quivering emotional wreck was keeping from pacing.

"Well food won't be a problem - Maker knows I don't need to eat as much as I do and hunting can't be as hard as killing things that are trying to kill you back. We're going to have to find you some new armour, too, something that'll drape over your belly as it grows instead of squishing it in. Maybe some loose scale or chain with splintmail for the rest - the splint's a little more rigid, so it shouldn't flop around without the front held tight. And you're not getting out of sword practice, the exercise is good for the baby but you'd best let me know the minute you start getting overtired. Half the mages around here are midwives, too, so finding one shouldn't be a problem, but we best pick one out as soon as possible so they know all the quirks of your pregnancy before you pop. There's plenty of empty rooms close to yours, so I'll be moving in shortly and no complaining! And if you think of anything else you let me know, alright? No point having a mad guard-elf if she doesn't know what's going on," she said, adding the last with a wink.

[Azalea Valdea]

Azalea wasn't even sure where this sudden moon swing came from. Was it stress that was just now finally catching up to her? Or was this part of the whole being pregnant thing? Yes, realizing she was now carrying life was a rather life changing thing, but was there a need to get so upset over it? No, and yes. No, because well, it was new life. It was a chance for something new to begin and grow. And yes being that this was a very inconvenient time for such a thing. Too many things could happen that could involve both Azalea and the child dying without the poor thing having a fighting chance. The Templars were too close for comfort, and who knows when they will decide to just storm the Reach.

Well, if anything, Azzy was just glad she had Braith with her right then. She hadn't even though about the fact that jumping up and attacking her affectionately would probably set off her combat instincts, but, she wasn't thinking right. Azalea just felt the desire to be comforted and held by someone she cared about greatly. She felt like a child then though, to which she honestly didn't care right now. Again, Azalea didn't think about how Braith would react to her suddenly crying and physically demanding to be held like a child. It was easy to see that Braith was very...well, anything but soft and motherly. But, Azalea could squeeze out a few of those rare times out of her where she wasn't quite so cranky. She adored Braith though, because she was so strong, and deep down she was rather kind. At least Azalea thought so.

The red haired girl burrowed her head in the crook of the older elven woman's arm while she awkwardly patted her. She even went as far as to stroke Azalea's hair, which soothed her for some unknown reason. Perhaps because somewhere it stirred an old memory of her own mother doing the same thing when she was young. It was a faint memory, but it was there, and it comforted her. Azalea missed have a maternal figure in her life, and though Braith was far from motherly, she still considered the battle mage like a mother to her. Because honestly, she was the only older woman to give her special attention. Strange how things work out.

Even as Braith spoke, Azalea remained firmly embracing her, as if she would vanish if she let go of her. She gave a little sniffle and listened as Braith spoke nodding a little. Other than a few sniffles here and there, Azalea remained quiet, having calmed down enough to where she wasn't really crying at the moment. It was being held in though, and she felt if she started speaking, it would all be let out. She would have to speak eventually though, after all it was rude not to. Azalea listened as Braith went from speaking about food, to which she felt a pang of guilt about, to armor, which piqued her interest. "W-will that sort of armor actually protect me? Or, the b-baby?" She stammered a little, her voice a little quiet from the fact she was trying to control herself. In spite of herself, Azalea gave a little smile and even laughed a little on Braith mentioning she couldn't skip sword practice. "I won't skip out on practice...I'll need the exercise anyways right?" She said in agreement to the older battle mage.

Azalea furrowed her brow in slight confusion on Braith's explanation of midwives, not quite sure what that title meant, but obviously they were important. Why else would she mention them? "Right..find a midwife...got it." She said quietly as Braith went on. Azalea felt relieved that she decided she would move into a room closer to her own. It made her feel better, safer even. Why, she wasn't sure. It's not like Braith could help her with everything when it came down to bearing this child. But, having a reliable female figure nearby did help to settle her down. If anything, Braith could be used as a source of comfort for the months to come. She could always use Louis as comfort too of course, but there was something about having another woman to confide in that was appealing. Oh right...Louis. He doesn't know about her yet...how was she going to tell him? Should she tell him about the little fling she had before him? That would mean basically telling him "yeah hey, this kid may not be yours, but whatever". Would it be better for him to assume the child would be his?

"Braith? How am I going to tell Louis?" Azalea asked, pulling away just enough to look at the elven woman. "Of course...this is a little more complicated than you think..." She said as a wave of guilt threatened to engulf her. She had no reason to feel guilty though...Azalea hadn't cheated on Louis, not at all. So there was no need to feel this way, and yet she did. Maybe she felt it would hurt him and his pride perhaps if he learned the baby may not be his own. It's not like there would ever be a way of knowing if it was his or not...but still though.

"A short time before me and Louis...um...got together, there was another man, an elf." She paused for a moment. "We had a very stupid, impulsive night and...well, one thing lead to another." Azalea was being a little vague, but she was sure Braith would put two and two together as to what happened. "W-what if it isn't his? A-and should I tell him about what happened? Or s-should I just let him assume the baby is his or...what?" Azalea started sniffling again half way through her bombardment of questions, and as soon as she finished she felt her little wall she built crack and she started quietly crying again. Once more the young girl buried her face in Braith's armor. "I don't know what to do Braith. I'm scared." Azalea murmured, her voice muffled a bit by Braith's armor. If no one knew any better, they would think that Azalea truly was just a little girl by the way she cried and hid herself within Braith. She knew she should be taking this a little more maturely, but Azalea didn't know how to handle things like this, so it was only natural she was terrified. It was a time like this that Azalea thanked the Maker that she had someone like Braith. Maker bless her soul, she was so patient with Azalea. Far more patient than anyone else would be.

[Braith Morwen]

It was good to hear Azzy talking again, nervous little thing that she was, but the poor girl sounded on the verge of another crying fit as she explained complications in her situation. Another man, was it? Well he could hardly be worse than the bloody loyalist boy Azalea had managed to fall in with, impulsive mistake or no. But perhaps Braith was just being too hard on the lad - loyalists and libertarians didn't exactly tend toward friendly associations with each other.

"Tell him the honest truth, and if he can't handle it he's not the sort of man you want raising your child anyway. And if he does piss off I'll just lop off his twig." Braith ruffled Azalea's hair affectionately and held her close. "You go right ahead and be scared love, I'll take care of you. Both of you," she added, resting a hand between then against Azalea's stomach.

"Time to get you sitting down, I think."

With that, she scooped Azzy up in her arms and carried her over to the fireplace with a few short steps before sitting down on the bare floor with the girl in her lap. She sat quietly for a moment, stroking Azzy's hair and contemplating the pregnancy - and it's various potential repercussions - before she spoke again.

"We'll need to go into town to get you that armour made, but that shouldn't be too much of a problem. I escaped the tower because templars don't pay attention to swordsmen in armour, after all - I've even had a few look right at me and assume I'm some sort of soldier or mercenary. We could pass you off as my apprentice, say you need that armour because I don't want you fighting in armour that doesn't fit over a pregnant belly. Wouldn't even be a lie! I could go on my own, too, of course, but I expect it would help the smith to get a look at your figure. And if you really insist I suppose we could bring the boy," she said with a wink.

[Azalea Valdea]

Azalea was surprised that Braith wasn't so...well, surprised. Surely Braith didn't expect something like this to happen to her, right? Or was she hiding her surprise? That could be it. Were all battle mages like that? It would make sense, if they hid emotions anyways. It was just difficult for Azalea to figure out what exactly the older mage was thinking. But, that was probably a good thing. Braith balanced her out when it came to emotions, and rational thinking.

She listened to Braith quietly, momentarily stopping her sniffling. Azzy even managed a little squeaky laugh at her comment. "That's brutal Braith!" The young mage said, attempting to sound horrified, but she let out another giggle, especially when Braith ruffled her hair. Normally, Azalea flipped out if people messed with her hair, but she didn't mind Braith playing with it.

At Braith's next few words though, the laughter faded, but a small, sad little smile still remained. Azalea did feel a twinge of happiness from the battle mage's words though. She didn't feel alone, and she felt increasingly grateful for being blessed with a mother like figure in her life. Braith had even went as far as to touch Azalea's budding baby belly, and said she would protect the both of them. This made Azalea let out one of those quiet, squeaky sobs that girls sometimes did.

Before she had time to register Braith's next few words, Azalea found herself being scooped up, which surprised her greatly. Braith carried her over to the fireplace, and the two settled down in front of it and sat her in her lap. Once again, Azalea felt the sensation of being a child again that was being soothed by the attention of a parent. It felt nice. She snuggled up against Braith as the elven mage stroked her hair. Braith began telling Azalea about her need for new armor, especially since she would be getting bigger due to the pregnancy. Again, Azzy remained quiet, soaking in Braith's words.

"D-do you really think we can get past the Templars? What if something happens to you because of me?" Azalea questioned, unsure. The Templars were everywhere now it seemed, and Azalea feared of the ones she cared about being snatched up by them. The thought of getting out of the Reach for a while though was very, very tempting. If they were careful, yes, the two of them would have no troubles. At least, Azzy hoped so. "O-oh believe me I want to go. It's so...cramped in here you know?" Azalea said with a little smile. She brightened a little more when Braith said they could even take Louis. "Really? Thank you Braith...I would really like that." Azzy said in appreciation. She only hoped that once she did tell Louis what was going on, that he would want anything to do with her.