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All her life, Iriko prided herself on having a strong stomach. This came in handy when she helped her parents care for her ill brother, skin fish, and eventually taking others' lives. And of course as the Warrior of Light, it came quite in handy.
Yet despite it all here she was, head face down in a toilet, emptying her guts out. Her left hand was draped across her abdomen, palm facing in, her right hand gripping the toilet seat. Sweat traveled down her neck and dampened her brow. Bile spewed relentlessly, pouring from her mouth into the soiled water below her. She panted, groaning before she hurled once more.
This was the second time Iriko had vomited today, and if the Kami were good, it would be the last. But she didn’t expect much, especially since this happened more often than not in the past two weeks.
"Great Kami..." she groaned, clutching at her stomach as she exited the lavatory.
Much to Iriko's discomfort did she realize she had someone waiting for her. She may be less than three fulms high and pink, but the Bookkeeper of the Scions wasn't to be underestimated.
"Are you all right?" The Lalafell asked.
While Tataru's words were genuine, Iriko knew the truth behind them. "It appears my stomach is unsettled, again..."
"Iriko," she said her name in a strangely authoritative way, causing the Au Ra to straighten her posture. "Might you consider seeing a healer?"
She wanted to roll her eyes at such an obvious suggestion. Yet despite that, she crossed her arms and asked, "And why should I consider that?"
"Oh Twelve... You have been ill for weeks now!" She exclaimed. Tataru put her hands on her hips.
"Only in the mornings," Iriko reached for the pitcher, and proceeded to pour herself a cold glass of water.
"That does not make it any better!" Her friend argued.
Her shoulders drooped, and her tail wagged awkwardly. "...Would it ease your concern to know it happens at least every two to three days?"
Tataru remained unappeased, and loudly groaned. "Truly, I insist! What if this is something serious?"
"If it was, I think by now you would have to start tracking down another Warrior of Light," Iriko spoke with a wide grin.
Again, Tataru didn't find her vain attempt at humor to be funny. "I am serious," she spoke crossly. "as your secretary, this is not a matter I can allow to persist."
"But-"
"Iriko, this is non-negotiable," Tataru crossed her arms. "I, Tataru Taru, will see that you are examined promptly. Or would you have me tell poor Lord Haurchefant his beloved succumbed to a preventable malady, if not for her stubbornness?"
Iriko's nostrils flared. Her thumb and pinkie fingers made a tight ring around her wrist. With her jaw clenched, she sighed. "Fine," she said. "I will see a healer, but only to prove your concerns are unfounded."
The lalafell turned around with a huff, and stormed out of the room. Iriko followed her reluctantly out of the Rising Stones and onto the streets of Mor Dhona. The women remained silent during their walk until Tataru showed them inside a small building. Iriko recognized it as the clinic Thancred went to in the weeks following Operation Archon, and eased slightly.
Immediately, they were greeted by a healer, a Hyur woman nearing her fifties, who was just finishing up seeing another patient. She must've sensed Iriko's discomfort, because the older woman smiled at her. Iriko smiled in reply, but it was remarkably strained.
"Hello," Tataru began. "May you please examine my friend, here? She has been ill on and off for the better part of a few weeks, and we would appreciate any insight you may have."
The Hyur nodded. "Certainly. Please allow me some time to complete my examination and review my findings before I can determine the issue."
Iriko was never fond of seeing healers, or any sort of medical professional. Such was to be expected after losing a family member to a charlatan practice. But as she was probed with a stick and prodded with questions, she saw Tataru slowly become at ease.
"So, have I fallen ill?" Iriko asked, trying to hide her desperation.
The chirurgeon shook her head. "Mistress Tsuwamono, under further contemplation, I see no reason to believe you are currently under an affliction."
The Au Ra locked eyes with Tataru, fighting the urge to retort an 'I told you so', until the healer continued.
"However, the cause of your strange illness evades me, but there may be yet a simple answer." The woman paused before continuing, "Pray forgive me for such a personal question, but when did you last menstruate?"
It wasn't the question itself that caught her off guard, but rather its implications. Iriko fought back, hard, to when she last had bled. It was before she and Haurchefant had traveled to Costa Del Sol, she supposed. And that trip had been over two moons ago.
It was over two moons ago.
Iriko froze. Ice had fired through her veins as the tight, heavy yet light feeling gripped her by the horns. Her tongue dipped into the depths of her mouth in a vain attempt to salivate. The walls of her mouth were paper dry, her throat full of cotton.
"...A few moons may have passed," she croaked.
It was true she had been away from Haurchefant for a time. They haven't had much time together in recent weeks due to Iriko's assistance with the Crystal Braves and what not. But before then, they were together often.
Costa Del Sol neither had brought birth control in their hurry.
Costa Del Sol was over two moons ago.
They didn't have birth control.
Iriko's fingertips rubbed at her temples.
"There must be a mistake," her voice remained low, her throat still dry.
"Mistress, all evidence points to the contrary," the healer looked down at her
"Truthfully, I am remarked by your fortitude. You both appear to be in good health, praise the Twelve."
The healer continued rattling on, the words ringing hollow. They all would, not when Iriko realized that Costa Del Sol was over two moons ago. How did she never notice that she was missing her cycle? Or perhaps she knew all along, and just couldn't admit it.
Iriko's throat tightened, almost choking on the thick, heavy air. The walls moved in closer, their already bright white hue began blinding her. The sun that shone through those windows was all too bright.
She found her feet, slowly putting them beneath her as she wordlessly found her way to the door.
The walk across the Mor Dhona plaza passed in a blur. While her scales didn't shine with sweat, every part of her seemed to be covered in friction burns, her skin full of bristle in each of her pores. Iriko thought she heard Tataru cry out after her, but she ignored her friend's pleas.
When she returned to her bed chambers, she immediately locked her door. She tossed her boots to the side, stumbling over to her bed to slump onto it. Iriko stared at the ceiling and blinked.
-
A day or two had passed since the revelation, and Iriko had yet to leave her quarters. Tataru had brought her food from the kitchens, offering her support however she could. At least half a dozen times the Lalafell had asked if Iriko wanted to discuss the problem at length. While she didn't understand it herself, Iriko couldn't accept her friend's comfort.
Instead, she had turned to writing letters. At her desk were several crumpled up wads of paper, all full of scribbles. Her quill lay on Iriko's most recent attempt, her inkwell almost completely dry. She had begun penning one to Rin, but kept spilling the ink and staining the paper. How does one tell their twin they were pregnant with their lover of a few moons' baby? She knew Rin would support her in a heartbeat no matter what, but she couldn’t find the words to tell him.
Iriko moaned, taking a sip of water from a nearby mug. She needed to stop sulking, she had a banquet to prepare for. So she crumpled yet another piece of paper, tossed it aside, and made her way over to the other side of her room to grab her boots.
As she laced up her other boot, she heard someone knocking. Being careful to not trip over the laces, Iriko made her way to the door, casting it aside to be greeted by the sight of a blond Hyur woman.
"Ah, Iriko. I was hoping I might catch you. May we speak in private?"
The Au Ra averted her eyes. She stepped aside, allowing her friend to enter.
"My sincerest apologies. I confess, I would have been by to see you sooner but..." Minfilia shook her head. "Regardless, I come to you with concerns pertaining to well, you, my dear friend."
Iriko sighed as she led her friend over to her small table. She knew where this was going. "...Tataru told you, didn't she?"
"She spoke not a word of the matter," Minfilia began as she seated herself. "But given your behavior and your ongoing illness, I had deduced what was amiss."
Iriko turned her back as she reached for her tea kettle. "Are you disappointed in me?"
"Not at all!" Minfilia replied. "You are of course more than welcome to live your life on your terms."
Iriko stared blankly at her many containers of tea leaves. "If you would know what you saw, you surely must know this was not intentional."
"I know," she began, "which is why I come to you as a friend, and not as the Antecedent."
Her words loosened the tight grip there was on Iriko's chest, her lungs shakily exhaling. She turned to face the Hyur, her gaze reassuring as ever.
"What do I do, Minfilia?" She asked.
"That is not for me to tell you," she replied. "but know this is your path, and you must decide how you will traverse it."
"And there lies my problem," Iriko smiled bitterly. "Surely it would be one matter if it pertained only to I, yet this is far from simple."
"You are not wrong," Minfilia smiled comfortingly. "your current position would certainly be envied by none. Yet you must have contemplated this situation some. May I be your listening ear, as you always been for me?"
When Iriko sighed hesitantly, Minfilia added, "I know you are not one for sharing your feelings, but I think it may help you make your decision."
She went silent for a moment, turning to begin preparing the tea kettle once more. After quietly weighing her options, she supposed Minfilia had a point. So reluctantly, Iriko began speaking.
"You have known me long enough to know I dislike making long-term commitments. For years have I traveled alone, working odd jobs here and there, and following whatever whims I come up with. I am not one to remain tied to a particular area, or even a cause.
"Yet in spite of that, I have always wanted to become a mother."
Minfilia's pupils shrank. "My apologies for my surprise, but I was not expecting you to say such words."
"No apologies needed, you have every reason to be shocked." Iriko used her magic to warm her kettle, watching for the water to begin boiling. "And while I have always had it, it was outweighed by wanderlust and an unwillingness to be teetered to someone."
She sighed. "But as I am ever reminded, long gone are those days and I cannot foresee Hydaelyn stripping me of my powers to bestow them upon another. Which of course further complicates my decision. Long have I remained selfish and steadfast in chasing my desires, yet this time it feels as if I would be crossing a line."
For a moment, she paused, listening to the water beginning to bubble. Minfilia nodded, waiting ever so patiently for Iriko to continue.
As the tea kettle started hissing, something too, inside of Iriko began bubbling over. So quietly, she forced herself to continue. "And even so, do I want this. I want to bear this child into the world and raise it. I want to show it the good and the bad, and share the joys of being alive with it. Such a thing would bring me much elation and risk along with it."
"If you are concerned that parenthood would affect your standing among the populace, I will personally speak with all concerned parties," Minfilia said, looking as determined as ever. "And I already know that no one among the Scions would think less of you for it. In fact, I would argue that such an endeavor would inspire many of us to seek such pursuits. We remain so tied to our mission that we seldom give thought to our personal lives."
Iriko sighed in relief, feeling some of the weight vanish from her shoulders. But yet, something still troubled her. "Thank you for your kind words... While it does give me reassurance, another, perhaps equally as large of a problem persists." She placed her hand over her chest. "I merely speak of my beloved, and my concerns how this would affect him."
"Completely understandable," Minfilia agreed. "from what little I understand of Ishgardian culture, being a bastard fails to serve you there, and having one strains your family's reputation."
"Exactly," she sighed while preparing their tea cups. "and his apparently people lack fondness for outsiders, especially towards Auri. I think you would understand my wish to not raise a child in such an environment."
Minfilia frowned thoughtfully. "And yet, do you have concerns regarding Haurchefant himself? Do you think he would be receptive?"
In spite of all of mind churning the past few days, Iriko couldn't believe she neglected to consider that aspect. She closed her eyes, and immediately could picture Haurchefant as a father. She hadn’t seen him around children, but remembered his gentle doting towards his Chocobo chicks. That was enough to make her comfortable to nod.
Minfilia rose from her chair, and carefully pulled Iriko into her arms. "I know you have much to consider, but please don't feel you have to do this alone. I barely know Lord Haurchefant, yet I know he would take great joy to stand at your side."
Iriko wrapped her arms around her friend, burying her face against her shoulder. "But what if he says no?"
"If he does, then I would have a word with him." Minfilia narrowed her eyes.
Iriko snorted. "Thank you for the support..."
"Of course, my friend," she patted the shorter woman on the shoulder. "but may I ask a favor of you?"
"Of course," Iriko nodded. "Whatever can I do?"
"After the Banquet is over, I would like you to visit Camp Dragonhead," the blond said. The sooner Lord Haurchefant knows, the sooner this matter may be resolved. That, and I think it would make him very happy to see you after being apart for so long."
The Au Ra forced a nod, feeling uneasy once more. Yet, she uttered the words, "I promise."
But ultimately, did such events come to pass unexpectedly.
-
The days following the banquet were the most exhausting Iriko had endured in quite some time. So much so that despite sleeping most of her days away, she still felt tired. She stared at the ceiling of her room at Camp Dragonhead, disassociating as a flurry of images remained on replay, alternating between Raubhan losing his arm, the fallen Sultana, and the last time she saw the other Scions. Iriko remained in shock, unable to speak but managed to function as they escaped to their getaway carriage. The entirety of their journey she remained silent, and was barely able to comfort the visibly traumatized Alphinaud. When they reached Camp Dragonhead, everything passed in a blur--reuniting with Tataru, managing to speak to recount the events to Haurchefant, and being shown to their rooms.
It wasn't until the following day after their arrival that Iriko could begin to process the gravity of their situation. Haurchefant graciously had provided the Scions asylum, and he had eyes and ears trying to find out anything he could regarding their missing friend's whereabouts. He also informed them he would be working with Ser Aymeric to see if the three of them could be granted refuge into Ishgard. Iriko was taken aback at first, but Haurchefant had insisted, and she didn't have the energy to argue with him.
But the waiting was painful. Days had passed and hardly was there any news to be heard. Most of this time she spent alone, occasionally keeping the distraught Tataru and Alphinaud company. Like always, she adorned a brave face and comforted them to the best of her abilities. But as time went on, it became harder to find the words. She wished Haurchefant was there to help, but the knight had ventured off to Ishgard in his grand endeavor of getting them past those foreboding gates. He had hardly been around, and Iriko gravely felt his absence.
Which meant there wasn’t any time to tell him about her other situation. In between all the chaos, Iriko did seek out a healer and was relieved to find out that despite everything, the fetus was perfectly healthy.
But yet, it meant nothing when she had no idea what her boyfriend would make of it.
She longed to tell him, and thought to go after him herself, but she was still exhausted after recent events. Not that Iriko wanted to cause a scene, especially given her news would only intensify already tense matters. And while she wanted to tell him, she dreaded it. He was working so hard to get her, Alphinaud, and Tataru into Ishgard. There they were supposed to regroup until they found the rest of their friends. And it was on the verge of going away because of their unborn bastard. All because of that trip two moons ago-
She shot up at a small knock at her door. Her head tilted upwards, catching her lover peering in. Although she should've been overjoyed to see him for the first time in days, she averted her gaze.
"Hello, there..." his voice was unusually solemn and lacked its usual enthusiasm, but there was little mistaking who it belonged to.
"Hello..." she replied weakly.
"Is the amount of blankets to your liking?"
Oh, right. Iriko forgot the mess of blankets she placed around herself. She shook her head, the slightest growl rippled through her as she seized a few of them into her hands.
"My apologies, I didn't intend any offense." His words downcast, making Iriko sense he felt almost as drained as she did.
"Worry not, love..." she sighed, allowing her neck to arch back against her pillows.
"Am I bothering you?"
She immediately shook her head, and then scooted over on the mattress. A faint smile tugged at Haurchefant's lips, the sight almost made Iriko share it. He thankfully was out of his chainmail for the evening, so when he deftly slipped under the covers Iriko's hands were met with warm, chiseled muscles. The elezen pulled Iriko towards his chest to tightly secure her under the crook of his forearm. Here, it was snug. Here, it was safe. None of the horrors of the Bloody Banquet could come for her, and-
And then Iriko cursed, wiping at her dewy eyes and shuddered. These damned pregnancy hormones would be the end of her.
"Oh, my sweet..." Haurchefant trailed off, pulling her in closely to kiss her forehead. "My apologies for not being around much. It pained me so greatly to not be at your side, especially knowing how much you and yours have endured much upheaval these past few days. But harken my words and let it be known my intentions remain to fight alongside you to the end."
He then began stroking her hair, and began working through the knots closest to her scalp. "Whatever you need of me shall be yours."
Her throat constricted, and her jaw clenched. "Oh Kami..." her voice broke before she hid her face out of view. "Do you truly mean that?"
"Of course I do," his fingers cradled just under one of her horns, giving it a delicate scratch before he continued combing her hair. "Would you know me as a liar?"
"Never," she spoke far too quickly. "Yet is all of this not overwhelming?"
He gave pause, and every second felt like bells as Iriko waited for him to speak.
"I must admit that while recent developments have been an undertaking for me to process, I know for certain it pales in comparison to what you are going through. Fortunately, I do not foresee my need to return to Ishgard for a few days. So whatever comfort I can provide, or rather, anything your heart desires, I will personally see to it."
"If you truly mean those words..." an unbreakable stone slid down her throat. "Then please ask your father if he would consider the presence of another ward."
"Four?" Haurchefant asked before seeing the answer in her eyes. Immediately, his arms reached for her, taking her close to his chest.
"I am so sorry," her voice faltered.
He pressed his lips against her cheek. "Whatever are you apologizing for?"
"Because I know how this appears," her voice was small. She continued to ramble despite the salt leaking from her eyes. "This will damage your reputation, and you have worked relentlessly to obtain your position.
"And what will your father make of this?" Words kept spilling out of her as she wept. "Do not hide from me how arduous this request is, not while you already shelter fugitives accused of regicide! I already am asking so much of you, and this..."
Iriko swallowed once more in vain to reclaim her composure. "B-But should this change things-"
Haurchefant placed his hands on her jaw, turning Iriko to face him as he kissed her. While initially too stunned, she leaned in to kiss back, albeit weakly.
When he finally pulled away, he reached to stroke her damp cheek. "No," he spoke in a soothing whisper. "I can most assure you this will not shake my resolve in the slightest."
"How can you make such a decision when you have only known for a moment?" She sniffled.
"Because such a decision requires no further thought from me," Haurchefant replied, his free hand in her hair, his fingers unweaving the numerous knots. "especially one of this matter. While this adds some complications, I promise you I will do everything in my power to not allow this to ruin my plans."
"But I must ask, my dear," he placed his hands on her shoulders. "Who else knows of this?"
"J-Just Tataru and Minfilia..." she replied weakly, her gaze traveling downwards. "I know I should have told you sooner, but our circumstances..."
"I can assure you that I do not fault you for this," Haurchefant gave her his most reassuring smile. "especially when we find ourselves in a most abnormal situation." He then frowned, shaking his head. "By the Fury, you must think of me as a terrible lover. If I had known, I would have never left you alone."
"I could never think ill of you," she replied.
"And I of you, my love," he kissed her hair. "but know I am here now, and I will not abandon you to face this alone."
Again, did the water works start. "I'm so scared, Haurchefant..." her voice wavered.
"How am I supposed to fight Ascians, save the world, find my friends, clear our names, and be a good mother?"
She wiped at her eyes in vain, cringing at the sound of her own sniveling. "It is far too much..."
"Please do not lose heart, my love," he began slowly. "I know these times are dark, and the road ahead will at best be tenuous. But you mustn't lose faith. I will get both of you, Alphinaud, and Tataru into Ishgard. From here on, no matter what transpires, we will endure together."
She sniffled. "I love you, Haurchefant."
"I love you, too," he kissed her on the forehead once more, holding her close to his chest.
And then they both froze. They looked into each other's eyes, and both erupted into laughter. Despite the gravity of everything ongoing could they find a hint of joy. Nothing in this situation was ideal for Iriko except her partner in it. But if there was any solace to be found, it was that she was with Haurchefant. And for now, that was enough.