Miyuki’s pacing seemed to have increased drastically since the discovery of her pregnancy. When she was finally exhausted, she would snuggle under some blankets on her bed. In the last few days, she had been careful to avoid Haku, not because she was mad at him, rather she did not want to hurt him. Her emotions were unstable, and he fretted over tears that fell over nothing. His concern, while touching, made her want to strangle him or slap him silly. On top of the original mission she was here for, she felt like she was in a very difficult position.

So, without anyone else to turn to, Miyuki sent a letter to Nelanna Elindi, Haku’s master. She requested a meeting at the Winking Mermaid in Adeluna. It was not a place that Haku frequented, so it was unlikely to be interrupted and the conversation could be concluded in peace. Would Nelanna help? Could she help? The kitsune hoped so. When she woke up with a feeling of restless dread weighing her heart, it brought a smile to her lips to see Haku sleeping at her feet.

She carefully removed herself from the bed, hoping not to disturb the fox before hastily scrawling a note and placed it on the bed next to him. ”Went for a walk. Be back soon. Yuki.” Her hair was tied back, travel clothing donned, Miyuki waited until she was downstairs to put her boots on, tiptoeing down the stairs. Chances were high that he would attempt to track her down, so the kitsune walked in the crisp morning air into the forest. After a distance, stopping in a clearing, she opened a portal and stepped out into Adeluna. Miyuki did not take long to locate the meeting place and chose a table from which to wait for her lover’s, crush, unborn children’s father’s master.

Many things had changed since Zanar’s fall and retirement. Nelanna managed to successfully become pregnant, and it lasted longer than the average sixteen weeks until there was yet another heartbreaking miscarriage. This one lasted, and it was all thanks to her loving husband. Cecil was crafty like all Fae, sly with curses. But unlike his father, he learned of ways to help rather than harm with his magic. Finally, she and Cecil were granted true hope that children would be in their lives. Words failed her when it came to showing her gratitude to Cecil. Although they had learned her own mother had been the cause of their misfortune, Nelanna chose to put that fact on the back burner. Right now she must focus on Cecil and their child, and their future.

And, whether it was because of the hopeful pregnancy or the timing of Zanar’s retirement, a part of Nelanna departed with the former God of the Hunt and Wilds. Perhaps it was the title and duty as the Warden of the Wilds, but whatever had possessed her to chase after villains and filled her with the determination to bring justice wherever she walked, it was gone. The desire was still there, as it was in her nature to help others and wish to change the world. But even the greatest warriors could not save everyone. Her new duty as a mother required her to settle down and chase other dreams. And so, she decided to retire from her warrior days and instead focus on healing, rather than vanquishing evil.

Since she decided to make that change, she had been taking it easy by resting in her and Cecil’s house, passing the time with small, harmless things. Her tailoring skills had improved, and lately pottery was introduced to her project table. All of their inside flowers and plants were thriving in vases she made herself. They weren’t the finest, but she was proud nonetheless. But writing had become her personal favorite. Cecil enjoyed showing others the beauty he imagines with painted images, but writing was painting a picture for its readers with words, a mental image rather than visual. It was fascinating, and quite addicting.

However, her days outside were numbered, but nonexistent. Cecil handled the shopping, but she still made time and effort to visit loved ones. Ian and Sanyi spent little time with her, as they were focused on their own lives. Kohaku was just as protective as ever, but for a while she’d noticed an anxious aura coming from him. Through their bond she felt him constantly worried and fearful, although his explanations were vague whenever she asked. It pained her that he seemed to close himself off from her, yet, she remained patient, waiting for him to talk when he was ready.

As she stepped into the Winking Mermaid, the scent of alcohol wafted her, and memories came as a strong wave. She was slow as she walked towards the bar, taking her time to examine everything as she went by. It was still very clear to her, the day she first set foot in the tavern. She had been green to Revaliir at the time, so naive and full of spirit. Despite having been over a thousand years at the time, she seemed so young compared to how she is now. This land had changed her, made her a new person. She’d met so many people, been through so many things, both good and bad. Back then she’d not an inkling of an idea what Revaliir would do to her, and she didn’t regret any of it. Now, she had the life she always dreamed of. A beautiful home, friends she could trust and look up to, a loving husband, and a bright future. Who knew a letter would have brought her back.

The moment she’d received the letter from Miyuki, Kohaku’s lover from what she’s heard, she could not turn the woman down. Those beloved to her familiars is beloved to her. After a long gander around the room, she finally spotted the Kitsune. With a soft smile, Nelanna approached cautiously, gingerly laying her dainty hand upon her counterpart’s shoulder as a show that she meant no harm. “Miyuki, is it?” She beseeched the fox, and took a seat next to her. It was apparent that she was seven months along from her belly bulging from beneath her Celtic dress. It was red as blood, with a sweetheart top. Golden ribbons adorned with red roses decorated the hem along her visibly larger bosom, and around her waist where the excess parts of the ribbons draped in front. A matching red cloak sat upon her shoulders, light brown fur running along the seams of the collar and the long trumpet sleeves. Lastly, a golden necklace sat upon her collarbone, sparkling rubies embedded within.