Chapter Text
Tomáš Vrbada and Hesperia Sverre never thought they would become parents.
At least not like this. Maybe the natural way, but that was for later. When they were more ready.
They had talked about having children on a few occasions, wondering what kind of parents they would be, what they would name their kids, how many they would have, how they would raise them within the confines of the Lin Kuei.
Tomáš and Hesperia have been together for three years now. He recently put a ring on her finger, asking for her hand in marriage. Maybe once they're actually married and settled, they'd talk more about children.
On a particularly warm night in the outskirts of the Lin Kuei village, Tomáš took Hesperia on a romantic stroll through the forest.
They held hands as they walked through flowers and trees, under the moonlight, when he stopped, finding a beautiful place to watch the stars above them.
Hesperia always had an affinity with the stars, and tonight, they looked especially beautiful, as if they were sending them a secret message.
With Hesperia so enamored with the stars, Tomáš snuck up to her, brushing his lips against her ear. "Hesperia, moje láska..you are as radiant as the stars above..." he whispered, presenting her with a beautiful flower he picked when she wasn't looking, watching her swoon.
"Mm..aren't you the charmer.." she said, stroking his cheek, taking the flower and holding it to her heart.
Tomáš then lay a blanket down to the grass, a perfect place to settle for their midnight snack. He carefully brought her down to the blanket beside him, smoothing out the skirt to her beautiful flowy white dress, taking her into his arms.
As the young couple lay on the blanket, their world minimized to just them, Hesperia in his arms, on his lap, Tomáš spoke cheesy romantic Czech poetry to her as they kissed and cuddled under the stars.
And as they were so focused on each other, they were spotted.
Hanzo Hasashi was a young child from a nearby village who had recently lost everything.
His village was attacked, burned to the ground, his parents, sending him away to survive, were killed in the attack, burned right before his very eyes.
He had been living in the forest alone ever since, hunting, stealing, doing anything he could to survive.
And now, he's spotted this young couple.
They had a picnic basket with them, Hanzo could smell the food in the basket, his stomach growling.
The couple were laying on the blanket, kissing, their hands all over each other, and Hanzo knew this was his best chance to rob them.
He dashed out, using his speed and stealth, but Hesperia was perspective.
In the corner of her eye, she noticed him.
A young boy dressed in ragged black and yellow clothes, his hair was long and dirty, rips and tears in his clothing, he was muddy, and barefoot.
Hesperia shouted, jumping over Tomáš, throwing a rose at the intruder, the sharp stem cutting through his hair.
Hanzo froze.
He wasn't expecting an attack.
And now, he was cornered.
Hesperia was puzzled, not expecting to be ambushed in the forest, especially by a child, but as they were Lin Kuei, they were always ready for the possibility.
Despite her confusion, she held her ground, her piercing verdant eyes freezing Hanzo in place, as she readied another rose.
Tears began welling in Hanzo's eyes. He was so scared.
"Hesperia!" Tomáš called out, running up to them.
The shock and fear of another voice approaching caused Hanzo to grab a weapon in defense, throwing a stick, hitting Tomáš in the face, causing him to yelp in shock.
Hanzo then grabbed a small rock, ready to throw it at Tomáš, with the youngest Lin Kuei temporarily stunned, until Hesperia grabbed the rock out of his hand.
"That's enough."
Hesperia's voice, her Swiss-French accent, was cold and commanding, freezing Hanzo in his place.
She was so terrifying.
Hanzo could barely look her in the eye, a woman, despite her small stature, who was made, forged in cold steel.
"Come, petit.." she began, holding out her hand, putting her rose away, "let us talk."
She walked over to him, her long white spring dress flowing with each step, Hanzo looking up in fear.
"Who are you? What is your name? And why are you here?" she asked, her voice no longer frigid, instead, taking on a curious, gentler tone.
Yet her gaze was still ice-cold, looking him in the eyes.