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“A little help here, Esh?” Davrin pleaded with her, and she laughed at the sight of him wrangling two very unruly kids. “Oak, be careful!” He dove for their three-year-old son and scooped him up.
Esha reached for her five-year-old daughter, Violet, but daddy's little girl just burrowed further into Davrin's side.
“No!”
Esha sighed, rolled her eyes, and looking at her husband apologetically. “Sorry love, hands are tied.”
“Thanks.” He replied, a tad sarcastic, as he pulled on Oakley's collar to get him away from Assan, who was yelping as Oakley grabbed at his feathers. “Are you sure it's a good idea to be introducing them yet? The baby griffons haven't even hatched yet. There's time.”
Esha pressed a kiss to Davrin's cheek and attempted to take Oakley this time, who lifted his arms and allowed her to pick him up. “Be patient. They're just excited.”
Davrin grunted and nudged Assan with his foot. “Assan, to the trees. Maybe that will help keep your feathers on you.”
Assan chirped. He was much bigger than when they'd met. Even only a few years ago, he'd been as tall as her shoulder and lanky, but now he'd filled out. He was a bulky creature, wings spanning wide as he took off into the greenery.
Esha nodded. “Good idea.”
“Excited or not, they're too young to be around such easily temperamental creatures.” He began bouncing Violet, who giggled, as they got back on the path from the Veil Jumper Camp to the Griffon Sanctuary.
Stepping carefully to avoid the branches loose on the path, Esha shrugged. “How old were you when your Keeper let you near the Halla?”
“That's besides the point. I was raised alongside them.”
“Like Oak and Vi haven't been around Assan since they were babies.” She countered.
Frustrated, Davrin grunted. “Two things can be true…”
She smirked. “That sounds like a win for Mama!” She said to Oakley, noticing that his hair was standing on end. “Shit.” She held her son at arms length as the air around them got crisp and filled with static. “Magic surge!”
Davrin jumped back, just in time as a lightning bolt cracked through the sky, striking the ground near Esha's foot. It narrowly missed Oakley's nose by a hair.
He cackled, clapping. “Big boom!”
Esha tutted. “What did Uncle Emmrich say about control?” She turned to her husband. “Should we be enrolling him in lessons like Violet?”
“He's only three, only so much we can do, Esh.” Davrin walked over and dusted her off. He turned and sat Vi in the grass, who looked so offended she physically harumphed. “Dad's tired, Vi. Can you walk, just for a little bit? I'll ask your Uncle Kal to bake you some sweets if you're good.”
Esha grimaced. “I… Wouldn't promise things on Kal's behalf.” I mean, she didn't doubt that Kal probably would, but Kal wasn't predictable and asking for a schedule with Kal was like asking for a tornado to behave.
“He loves baking for the kids though.” Davrin argued. “If anything, I feel like it would be harder to get him to promise not to bake anything.”
“I want chocolate cake!” Violet said, excitedly.
Esha pursed her lips. He wasn't wrong. She reached down and ruffled her daughter's hair. “Then I will send a letter to Uncle Kal as soon as we get back, mhm? Just walk for a bit so Daddy can get his energy back.”
Violet nodded, running ahead but staying in sight once Davrin called after her.
“We really should visit your family more. The kids need more socializing.” He said softly.
“I know…I'm trying. Once every other week is already hard.” She felt a bit forlorn. It had been easier for a bit to see her siblings, before the kids were born. But wrangling two hyperactive kids through the eluvians was a struggle as is. Kal seemed to have managed it though, which made Esha feel a bit like shit. “Maybe I should find a secretary to handle the missives between factions…”
Davrin pulled her into a hug as he gave her a quick peck on the lips. “That would probably help.”
“Gross!” Violet pretended to gag.
“Violet!” Esha reprimanded her. “One day you'll be in love and I'm gonna remind you of this! I'm gonna gag at your wedding!” She laughed as she caught up with her daughter.
“No you aren't!” She responded, taking off once more.
Davrin clapped his hands behind them to get their attention. “We're almost to the Griffon’s nest! You two excited?”
Oakley threw his hands up and cheered while Violet grinned and nodded.
As they turned the corner, Violet started to skip. “I can't wait to see the babies!”
“Me either!”
That voice made Esha pause. “Oh lord…” She wanted to both grin and groan.
Right around the corner, sitting smack dab in the middle of the clearing, was her entire set of siblings and their families.
It was Kal who had spoken, and when Oakley saw him, he leapt from Esha's arms and dove towards him. Kal caught him and lifted him up to spun him around. Their tattoos glowed as they resonated. It was always so weird to see them interact.
Right as Kal finished spinning, Esha noticed that tell-tale static. “Magic surge.” She warned her brother, though she knew there was no need.
The lightning bolt zipped around them, striking Kal right on the back of his hand. His tattoos brightened, absorbing the blow as he grinned at Oakley.
“Yea!” They both said, excitedly, as Kal sat Oakley down. “That was awesome!”
As Violet rushed over to her cousins, playing with the Dalish kids, Davrin leaned in and whispered into Esha's ear. “Are we entirely certain Meren and Oakley weren't switched cosmically?”
Esha looked at Kal and her adoptive son. They looked almost exactly alike, save for Oakley's eye colors and the baffling resemblance to Esha.
What were you gonna do, he was a magic baby they found in a crater. Everything about him was strange, just like Kal. She imagined that they both came from the same ancient magic.
“Don't say that.” She retorted. “You love him. Besides, would you really trade Oakley's magic surges for Meren’s early years? I don't think your leg would survive.”
Davrin grimaced. “Well when you put it like that, no. I'm glad we have our little weird rock boy.”
Esha walked over to her siblings, leaving Davrin to wrangle the mess of kids in the pavilion.
“What in Thedas are you all doing here?”
“Kal told us to meet here.” Monello replied
Esha turned to Kal, who grinned. “You mentioned griffons. Of course we're all coming. 'sides, the murder wanted to see them, and we're all going wyvern watching after this.”
“Of course you are. This was supposed to be a private event, guys.” She chuckled. “Not that I'm not ecstatic to see you.”
“What's privacy?”
“Ha.”
Oakley came over in front of her and looked expectantly at Allona. “Auntie Acorn!” He held his little hands out expectantly.
Allona placed a hand on her chest, feigning surprise. “What? I don't have anything for you, Ghianda.”
Oakley pouted. “Don't lie! Momma always says liars lose!” He looked unsurely at Esha.
“Cheaters, hun. Cheaters never prosper. But you're not wrong about lying.” She grinned at him. “Oakley is so smart!”
Beaming with self-pride, Oakley flung his hand back at his aunt. “You heard Mama, Auntie!”
Allona laughed, melodical, and reached into her pocket, pulling a little acorn from it and dropping it in his palm. “There, you happy?”
Esha searched for Violet while Oakley chattered at his aunts and uncles, and found her trying to organize a game of hopscotch with the dalish kids and her cousins, though it looked like poor Leon was confused by the concept. Violet should know better. She'd have to have a talk with her daughter about the disability thing again, considering how much of a struggle it was to get the dear to wear her wisp hearing aid.
“So, Esha.” Allona sidled up, and motioned to Davrin. “How are things on that front lately? Two kids can be a lot.”
Esha flushed bright red, but before she could respond, Kal interjected. “Not like that ever stopped me and Luca.”
That made all three of the remaining De Rivas roll their eyes. “Since when has anything stopped you ever, Kal?” Monello chuckled.
“Yea…” Esha could feel it again. That creeping, nagging feeling that she was terrible at her job as a mother, and a wife. Kal could wrangle four kids through the Eluvians to reach Arlathan BEFORE her and could have a perfectly active sex life. And don't even get her started on Monello and Allona who had their own kids and struggles yet seemed to be managing them a hell of a lot better than Esha.
Monello noticed the look on Esha's face and paused. “Esha, you're starting to dissociate. What's up?”
Allona quickly read the room and shooed Oakley. “Go play with Uncle Illario, Ghianda, or maybe the other kids? Looks like Violet is organizing a game.”
Oakley pouted and stomped his little foot. “But I dun’ wanna! I wanna play with Uncle Kal!”
Kal, without an ounce of hesitation, strode over and lifted Oakley by his ankles, which made the young one giggle like a madman, and nodded to Esha before walking over to the pavilion where the rest of the kids were playing.
Esha looked up at Monello and shook her head. “It's really nothing, guys.”
“Ope! That's Esha-speak for she doesn't want to bother us! C'mon, girl. We're all used to that, come up with a better excuse.” Allona teased. “or, you know, just tell us what's going on?”
She groaned, and glanced over at her kids. She loved them to pieces, and just wanted the best life for them. She felt like she was isolating the kids all the way out here in Arlathan. Their cottage was safe, but there was no else around.
“How much is a good apartment in Treviso?” She mumbled distractedly.
Allona tilted her head. “Depends on your criteria, really. But that doesn't explain what's up with you?”
“Just lamenting…I really wanna be a good mom to these two. They deserve the best.” Esha fidgeted.
“Ah, the eternal struggle.” Neve leaned back. “Every parent…” she squinted at Kal from a distance. “I imagine almost every parent has those moments where they feel like shit parents. You're doing fine, they're happy, safe, fed, and loved.”
Esha smiled softly. “I suppose so. Anyway, enough downer stuff. I will not ruin this day for anyone!” She waved dismissively. “I'm so excited for the new griffons!”
“We'll continue this another time. Illario probably has a few properties you could look at.” Allona walked over and patted Esha's arm. “Now, are any of the griffon cubs Assan's little progeny?”
Davrin came up behind Esha and looped his arms around her waist to nuzzle into her cheek, she blushed heavily but allowed the display. She'd been trying to get used to this, it was good for her, but it was a struggle against her psyche.
“Unfortunately we haven't been able to get Assan to select a mate. He's picky.” Davrin said.
Esha grinned and nuzzled him back, trying to be more affectionate for his sake. She knew he liked it. “Well not everyone can happen to find a strapping mate immediately. Sometimes…it takes a while. But it's worth it.” She turned to face him, fighting the urge to shy away. It was just her siblings watching after all.
Monello seemed to find this amusing. “Wow, Esha. A few years ago I'd have to flirt with your husband for you to respond to him like that.”
Esha glared at him and pressed closer to Davrin. “Don't remind me. I was so ridiculous.”
“You could afford to be a little more ridiculous sometimes.” Davrin smoothed her hair out. “Not that I don't love you as you are.”
“I should hope so.”
“MOM!”
Chuckling, Esha extricated herself from Davrin's grasp. “Well the Wicked never rest. Let's get the viewing station set up before the kids destroy the entire pavilion.”
Oakley and Violet were scrambling, Oakley pulling at Violet's hair while Violet pinched at Oakley's cheeks. Fey was awkwardly trying to pull the two apart while Meren cheered and Antonella stared.
“You guys! Again? Why can't you two get along?” Esha came over, looking around for Kal, who she had last seen Oakley with. “Where's your dad, Fey?” She stepped over to Violet and gingerly separated them. They'd been fighting a lot more recently.
Fey pointed, where Kal was trying to climb over the wall separating them from the hatchlings.
“Lucanis!!! Get your husband!” Davrin called, whistling with his fingers to call Assan. “We can't have the baby griffons imprint on him!”
Esha grinned. She'd missed this, this chaos. Small doses while visiting family were nice, but it was better when they were all together.
She pulled Oakley up into her arms. “Oakley, what would you think about a nice long vacation in Treviso this year? Would you behave for Mama?”
“You makin’ plans without me?” Davrin came over, with Lucanis, dragging Kal, who looked slightly upset he wasn't allowed to just barge into the hatchery. “What's in that head of yours.”
Esha shrugged. “Been pretty peaceful recently. No need for us to be on-call for the Veilguard when nothings threatening the veil. And we haven't had a vacation in years.”
Davrin released Kal and walked over to Violet to detangle her hair. “Yea, you're right. The Lighthouse can be a little cramped sometimes. Maybe the kids are just getting riled up.” He squinted. “Is that why you asked about places in Treviso earlier?”
“You heard that?”
“Yea. You goin’ stir crazy, Esh?”
She pursed her lip. “Maybe a little. And you were right, earlier. The kids aren't the only ones who need more socializing. When's the last time we made friends or chatted with someone who wasn't a member of the veilguard or a De Riva proxy?”
“Been a while, probably.”
Oakley reached up and poked her cheek. “We can see uncle Kal and Auntie Acorn anytime? What about Uncle Rook?”
“You'll still get to see Moni.” Esha assured. “The Eluvians aren't shutting down. It'll be good for us. Get our feet wet, get the kids to try some more Antivan cuisine. Maybe go to an opera?”
“To me it sounds like you just miss home. You can admit that, you know.” Davrin teased as he finished untangling Violet's hair. “Go play, Vi.”
Violet grumbled adorably, but ran off towards the cousins again. Esha watched her happily. It felt much better to see her kids like this, than just fighting in the Lighthouse. “Call it an investment in the future of the Suledin family.”
Kal popped up next to her. “You comin’ to stay in Treviso? Why not just stay at home with dad?”
Oakley made grabby hands at Kal, so Esha handed him off. “Well, Kal. I know this is a wild concept, but me and Davrin actually like our space.”
Kal bounced Oakley, looking at the young boy with a sly grin. “Luca and I would be happy to have you at our house.”
“Kal. Privacy.”
“Again, what's that?”
Illario walked up, chuckling as he interjected. “Esha, if you really wanna stay in Treviso, I know a realtor. You don't want an apartment, trust me. Not with bambinos running around.”
Esha hummed thoughtfully. “We'll think about it, thanks Illario.”
“Prego.”
She squinted as he walked away. “I'm not clear on what that means. My Antivan is rusting just a tad.”
“How do you live in a country for 20 plus years and not learn their language?” Davrin mused. “I picked up dwarven and I didn't even live in a thaig.”
“Other things on my mind, babe, like surviving in a household where the meals are often poisoned.”
Suddenly, a bell rang out, and one of the Dalish kids came running. “They're hatching! They're hatching! Everybody come look!!!”
Esha nodded to Davrin. “Looks like picnic lunch will have to wait.”
Oakley brightened and jumped down from Kal's arms. “They're coming?”
“Yea, Oak. Why don't you run ahead and get us a good spot?” Davrin pointed towards the hatchery, and Oakley beamed and sprinted off, calling after his cousins.
Esha watched contentedly, leaning into Davrin's shoulder. “I think this will be good for us”
“Yea, me too. Just maybe don't let Kal throw the welcome party.”