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Alphinaud didn’t understand, but watched Y’shtola walk away before letting his eyes fall again to the book he’d been handed. They were supposed to be looking for Alisaie after she absconded abruptly from the Main Hall, but beyond Ojika informing them of her entering the Andron proper, they hadn’t succeeded in finding her. She wasn’t in her room, the lounge, the kitchens, nor the bathroom; ‘twas as though she’d vanished. He almost considered going to the estate, but his sister had no intention of visiting home without him; at least, he thought as much before taking the aetheryte back. Biting the inside of his cheek, he paused when the title of the book finally processed in his mind.
“... Why did Y’shtola have a comprehensive study on pregnancy?” he muttered, turning the somewhat thick tome over, a brow rising when he noted multiple loose pages pressed between the bound ones. Mayhap a Student had left it out and Y’shtola had it for… leisure? Or was she silently suggesting he return it? “... Does she think… Alisaie could be at the Noumenon?”
It didn’t make sense to him why she would, but if he took a moment to actually think about it…
Back in Garlemald, Alisaie had been… out of sorts. Of course he took notice - she was his sister, after all, and he did his best to remain vigilant about their health when they were together. Still, what had been peculiar about the changes were how others noticed. Alisaie tended to try and keep herself together in mixed company, and Twelve knows she tried. Despite attempts, Alphinaud had been approached by Maxima, Lucia, and even Jullus on three separate occasions, but all with the same concern. For each one, Alphinaud informed them of having no further insight into to Alisaie’s condition, but promised to maintain a close watch on her.
“If this wasn’t Alisaie we were talking about, I’d think she was expecting…”
Jullus had said that intending it as a light-hearted joke to ease Alphinaud’s nerves.
Certainly a preposterous suggestion; and yet, he had never quite shaken the feeling he’d gotten after. Not intense, but just a sinking one in the moment, akin to having swallowed a heavy weighted ball and having it settle in his gut. He’d been able to ignore it until now, but staring longer at the book and its loose pages, he felt himself gnashing his teeth somewhat. If this… was the case, why hadn’t she mentioned? Well, in the midst of Garlemald, he could argue it wasn’t the time nor the place, but upon their return, surely. No, no…! Shaking his head, again, it was such a ridiculous notion for his sister to be pregnant; not that she’d never shown interest in men, but he was positive he would’ve realised if she was interested in someone. Although, he also knew that she’s had a few flings merely out of curiosity; but again, when would she have the time presently? ‘Twould be highly inappropriate; not to mention, how would anyone begin making sure she received the proper nutrition she needed for such new development?
… He shuddered at the thought of an encounter not of her choosing, even one that she didn’t recall herself, but he couldn’t think of anyone that might attempt such with her.
Biting his lip, there was always a low chance neither of them knew the individual.
Alphinaud shook his head again; he needed to stop with the hypotheticals and having stray thoughts to spawn from them! None of them answered the current pressing matter.
And with a grumble, he headed over to the nearest table and opened the book after laying it down.
The first loose page he came to held, wedged tight between the pages discussing the early stages of foetal development and aether usage. The elegant writing covering the inserted page had no name to glean, but plenty of notes, all resonating concern. Were Alphinaud to compare it to his own experience, there had been a young man in Garlemald about to become a father. Besides the shared worry regarding Garlemald’s current reconstruction progress, he’d been fretting nonstop over his significant other. He’d never witnessed such behaviour before, but the others had shrugged and commented about ‘first-time fathers’. These hasty notes seemed like something that man may have drafted, and Alphinaud’s heart thrummed faster for it.
He recognised the hand writing and could finally breathe, easing his pulse.
It was no secret among the Scions that G’raha Tia had been considering becoming a father, but it was complicated. Of course, he intended to adopt, but two matters delayed any formal progress: the traditions of Seekers of the Sun and the Allagan Eye. Alphinaud knew about the same as the general public when it came to the diurnal Miqo’te - that they lived in tribes centred around a Nunh despite another (usually) being a chief, and then the women made up the bulk of it. The further intricacies, he couldn’t tell, but each tribe had their differences and overlaps such as the U and M tribes they’d encountered on their adventurers years back. Young male Tias were not unusual to cross, having oft taken up the lives of adventurers when forced to leave their tribes; and female Miqo’te hadn’t been unusual encounters either, working in city-states and small villages to bring back Gil or trade to support their tribes outside of hunting. G’raha was of the G Tribe back in Corvos, but beyond it becoming a Garlean province and being located near Thavnair, Alphinaud could not say more about their expectations or traditions, or which of them G’raha may adhere to. Alphinaud did realise too how uncommon it was to see a male Miqo’te alone and with kits of their own, but was that a bad thing?
Back to the other complication, ‘twas the main reason why G’raha wanted a child at all; at least, to Alphinaud’s understanding, which always bothered Alisaie. A precaution to have a successor to pass on the Allagan Eye, since G’raha worried about maintaining the Syrcus Tower until its stored aether was exhausted little-by-little, dispersing into the land in which it stood. He didn’t know how he would pass on the ability like had been done centuries ago, but he was working on it. ‘Twas why he’d ventured on Azys Lla with Alisaie that… moon…
… ago?
Alphinaud’s eyes fell to the page again, and he chose to turn to the next one... and the next.
All were G’raha’s writing upon the notes with them mentioning a ‘she’ and ‘her’ throughout. It just… had to be a coincidence though, right? Alphinaud swallowed, because plenty of people enjoyed soft things and would be upset if they couldn’t practise magick. Yes, besides, these notes seemed assured in the fact that this ‘her’ in question was expecting, and that their red magick requiring an accelerator would…
Oh…
Alphinaud turned to the next loose page and felt cold when his eyes came upon a crudely drafted timeline. Again, no names mentioned, but the dates written and the confusion over which was conception were all during the eight days G’raha had been away with Alisaie on Azys Lla. And the date when they returned from Garlemald had a short sentence that said ‘Discuss matters going forward’ . The flush of heat, Alphinaud couldn’t decide if it was embarrassment that he only now realised that his sister was pregnant and he’d ignored all the signs, or fury at the thought of what G’raha had done and not mentioned. He didn’t know when he’d begun taking these notes either, but how they sounded like G’raha expected to have this child incensed Alphinaud. G’raha was supposed to be their friend - was supposed to be Alisaie’s best friend in their group - so how dare he take advantage of his sister’s kind-hearted nature taking her to that place and coercing her into this! Alphinaud was not a stranger to Azys Lla or Allagan technologies, nor was Alisaie; nor how the Allags looked into all matters of creation and its perversion to create anything they needed. Nary did he doubt they had the ability to manipulate the body, and even insure passing on genetic traits.
He ignored how his paled fingers gripped the book, eyes blankly taking in foods to avoid and others that Alisaie might favour. He snapped it shut and stormed out of the Main Hall, approaching Ojika as collectedly as one enraged could try. People did say he had a cold fury much in the way of his father. Alphinaud ignored how Krile, Meteor, and Y’shtola stood nearby the bookshelves speaking, though his gaze briefly locked with Y’shtola’s pale stare. He kept his anger focused on the book, but the cover would’ve been gouged by his nails had he not worn gloves: Y’shtola knew . She would’ve detected the unfamiliar aether within Alisaie; and Alisaie had run off when the other woman looked at her strangely. Gods…!
“Where is G’raha’s room?”
Ojika blinked, but answered with bewildered delay. Alphinaud marched into the Andron, aware he was being followed, but remained quiet. When he approached, he was aware of how badly he wanted to storm in, but he didn’t know what he would come across. There was the chance G’raha wasn’t in and then what would Alphinaud do? He knocked anyway and opened the door before waiting for any answer. ‘Twas a pleasant surprise to find not only G’raha, but Alisaie as well tucked into his bed, both equally surprised to see him standing there. Bells had passed since Alphinaud had seen Alisaie, and staring at her with what he knew now, he noticed the darker circles beneath her eyes and the abnormal paleness her skin had taken. Her hair was in slight disarray, but considering how she was bundled, he realised she must’ve taken a nap in this very room - she’d been hiding here the whole time? He didn’t know what to make of this revelation, but G’raha did once he raised the book. The way the older man had paled in recognition; and Alphinaud had to stem his anger again before speaking.
“... I think… That there’s an overdue explanation. G’raha… Alisaie…”
‘Twas always a strange feeling to already know before one’s emotions caught up.
So much as his mind wished to paint G’raha in some villainous light to make sense of it all, but the truth of the matter was this was a matter between G’raha and Alisaie, and Alphinaud had been left out. The two had gone and entangled themselves in the unknowns of Azys Lla, and this was the end result. They hadn’t had the chance to discuss what they would do going forward, or if that forward involved having the foetus develop to full term. G’raha was passionate as always in his refutes, and Alphinaud could hear the sincerity. All the notes and his timeline were the usual ‘in case’ should they take the route of conception - nay, if Alisaie took this path. Over and over he made it clear that, no matter how much he may want the child, this was Alisaie’s body and her final decision, and he was ready to provide for her.
It bothered Alphinaud that Alisaie hadn’t told him.
And the lie that hissed through his teeth regarding G’raha’s inability to coerce her made him feel worse.
Why hadn’t she told him? Grown though they were, they were still close, were they not? And given how her morning sickness had plagued her in Garlemald, why bear that alone? He would’ve helped; he would’ve tried to understand and even suggested she return to Sharlayan to rest. Or, perhaps that was why? She was stubborn, but the Contingent would’ve accommodated her circumstance.
He didn’t understand.
And he still failed to comprehend when she couldn’t give him an answer regarding her thoughts or why she would want to keep it. This potential life wasn’t necessarily conceived under consent nor were they (or had been) a couple, and it had only been causing her trouble to this point. It almost made him wonder – who was this Alisaie before him? Because this was quite unlike his sister, attempting to retreat only to sit down and find comfort in G’raha’s presence. She should get back up and boldly make her declaration in the sharp tone she’d snapped at him with, but she just kept her head down whilst squeezing G’raha’s hands. Alphinaud’s inquiries were simple, so the answers should be similarly simple, but she still gave none after minutes of waiting. Y’shtola’s statement of Alisaie just wanting the child seemed so preposterous that his eyes widened when she suddenly needed the bin.
And she was gone again.
Alphinaud did not give chase, but G’raha and Krile did.
“Alphinaud…”
Raising his head and dragging his eyes away from the unoccupied chair, Alphinaud met Meteor and Y’shtola staring back at him. The Miqo’te woman’s arms were crossed and her opaque eyes were narrowed, but not in anger - just disappointment, which seemed infinitely worse. In turn, Meteor’s were open and soft, concerned, and empathetic, as they could be in matters that split their group. It had been Meteor that had spoken, but they said nothing more, instead waiting until Alphinaud chose to speak. Yet, words felt caught in his throat, unsure if he should speak plain his mind or apologise for making his sister run again.
… By the Twelve, he made her run off again. How had he spoken? He’d only been shocked by Y’shtola’s words, but what had his tone been? He bit the inside of his cheek.
“... Alisaie’s pregnant,” he mumbled, eyes falling as the other two exchanged looks.
“Aye, that was established,” Y’shtola replied, her arms remaining crossed. “As was made apparent that you were unaware.”
“How’re you feeling?” Meteor asked gently. “Do you need to sit down and take a moment?”
“I-I…” Mayhap Alphinaud did. He didn’t notice Meteor bringing him to a chair away from the one Alisaie had occupied; but when he sat, he was staring at that chair again, watching as though she would appear there. And he did want her to, as the ever-knotting ball that had been his emotions began to unwind and leave him empty, able to think as he took steady breaths. “... I would’ve helped her in Garlemald had she said anything. Yes, I would’ve asked how it happened, but…”
“From the looks of it, Alisaie was not ready to speak about it,” Y’shtola’s voice chimed. “That, and it appears she wanted to speak to G’raha about it first. I’ll have to apologise for forcing her hand. She’s neither emotionally nor mentally stable for such conversations; however, I only foresaw her condition worsening should we stand idly by.”
Alphinaud raised his head knowing his brows furrowed. “Was aught amiss with her aether?”
“Some minor fluctuations, but as G’raha stated, Allag technologies wouldn’t permit early loss of the foetus. Undoubtedly, it has taken everything for her body to accommodate these abnormal conditions.” He brought his hands to his face as the sorceress spoke, rubbing from his chin to his forehead before covering his eyes. “Still, perhaps you have some insight as to why she struggles now that the discussion has occurred?”
Lowering his hands to his knees, Alphinaud was staring at the chair across from him again, quiet in contemplation. Her words and where she stumbled, to himself and to the others, sounded like excuses; and he could understand Y’shtola’s conclusion of Alisaie possibly wanting the child herself. Typically these days, he could think of few things that Alisaie genuinely wanted for herself, and most desires or wants that arose were ultimately for the good of others. It was apparent she had feelings for G’raha that were beyond mere friendship, and they appeared reciprocated from how closely they’d been laying in bed. The excuse of bearing a child for him being helpful was beyond selfless acts because of the toll that would be taken on her body; but when put against Y’shtola’s words, how quickly it could appear wishful. Alphinaud had not perceived them as together until this evening; and if they were still not together by this point, he wondered what would change.
Would things change? Somehow, he couldn’t see their friendship severed over this. G’raha’s extensive notes detailed his preparedness to help her, but against Alisaie’s unwillingness to reach out for help even to Alphinaud, that was the concern.
Blinking, he exhaled slowly, and nodded.
“I cannot fully explain her actions, but I understand them,” he whispered, slowly pushing himself to his feet. Eyes unmoving from the chair, he could see her there, and also witness her fleeing again. He needed to correct this and make it plain to her that he was here for her as well, no matter the choice. How many years had she been supporting him? It had finally come to be his turn in supporting her. Raising the book still in hand, he then looked to Meteor and Y’shtola with a smile, silently bidding for their accompaniment to the kitchens.