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Post by Nako on Feb 28, 2010 19:07:46 GMT -5
 ((In his own biped form, Seven of Hearts on his chest.)) Goodness... what was it about pregnancy that made ones lower back hurt so badly? Merlin sighed miserably as he walked down the street. His belly had a most noticeable paunch, growing by the week at a rate that alarmed him. There was no denying it now; and no hiding it. Random old ladies would stop him in the middle of the street to lay an intrusive hand on his stomach. He wasn't sure whether to enjoy or abhor this. He wasn't sure how to feel about it at all. He was still unsure of the father of the sprog, and even if he would be a fit enough parent to keep them. What if there was something wrong with them? What if his diet of the past five months stunted their growth? No, it wasn't about not wanting the children now, it was a petrifying feeling that he'd done the unborn children in his belly some great injustice. Merlin should have known. He should have been more -careful- And careful he was trying to be. A bag at his side was filled with odds and ends. Healthy groceries.. baby books. The whole gamut. Vitamins.. those -nasty- vitamins. Perhaps making up now for his diet of mainly meat, bread, and tubs upon tubs of peanut flavored ice cream would mean a better future for his children. His... children. The idea absolutely made his head swim. Well, that wasn't the only think making his head swim; he felt light-headed. And his satchel was so terribly heavy. With a huff, he set his groceries down. Was all this physical labor too much for him? Would he perhaps miscarry from all the strain? The mood swings and emotions... were quite too much for the normally stoic Avington. His lip trembled pitifully as a claw came down to rub his gravid belly as he hooted worriedly. "I haven't been fair to you from the very start.." He didn't notice the dark figure standing nearby on the mostly empty evening streets. |
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Post by The Jenn on Feb 28, 2010 19:55:56 GMT -5
 The city was truly a different place in this day and age. Commerce had increased greatly. Cross-realm pairings apparently had, as well. Travel must have gotten a great boost and the roads seemed much improved. Well. How fascinating. A small black mask perched on the thin raven's face. It obscured most of his golden filigree and stopped just before his nares, leaving the tiniest bit of gold to weave out the edges. Sometimes it was to his benefit, appearing less strange, and his facial markings were sometimes a subject of interest to random passerby. Freed Torquehelms brought questions and such an obvious gold marking had been to his disadvantage in the past. Better to be a remarkably under-marked Torque with touches of gold. He enjoyed exploring this city on foot. Eventually he would tire of it and move on to other places, he was sure. Other realms that he could remember from another time. So very long ago now, it seemed. How strange that even Hearts didn't seem to believe in Rabbits anymore. But even with all of the changes, life continued on as it always had. Always would. He glanced at an old couple walking down the street, both in quadruped, trying to avoid the main bustle of sidewalk traffic. They brought a smile to his face. Long lives, there, and hopefully enjoyed. The pregnant man fretting near a building just behind him had also made him smile, but the words gave him a moment's pause. He ducked out of the stream of pedestrians and leaned against a brick wall of the next building over. "Now would be the best time to start," the man would hear in his head. |
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Post by Nako on Feb 28, 2010 22:11:05 GMT -5
For a moment, Merlin actually sent a bewildered look to his belly. A voice had called out, but it hadn't sounded like it came from any particular direction at all. "Wha.... what?"
Oh, he was being such an idiot. Giving a soft snort, he looked around, trying to find the source of the voice. Perhaps his ears were a touch stuffed up and it was messing with him.
"Oh!" Merlin exclaimed, the hand going from his belly up to his chest at the slight fright. It was a.... foreboding avian, a tall shroud of raven black feathers on his entire body that gave him a most foreboding appearance. He was... Torquehelm? Corvistownian? It was hard to tell; and the mask merely added to his mystery. Had the man been standing there the whole time?
"I beg your pardon. Did... did you say something?"
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Post by The Jenn on Feb 28, 2010 23:29:29 GMT -5
The man's confusion was oddly endearing, especially when mixed with his apparent exhaustion. He was most undeniably pregnant. Rasha couldn't help but give a small smile. When his presence not far away was finally noted, he inclined his upper body slightly in the Avington's direction.
"Yes, sir. I said that now would be the best time to start being fair to the life or lives that you host. The past has already been lived, and the future is uncertain, but you may affect their lives in the present. In fact, I implore you to do so."
He smiled, a genuine expression for those who knew to read avian faces. His beak remained unmoving the whole time. In truth, he really hadn't moved beyond the occasional far-spaced blink. When someone had to step around him to walk next to their companion down the sidewalk, he obligingly scooted closer to the building he stood near.
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Post by Nako on Feb 28, 2010 23:43:11 GMT -5
So easily overheard, and so easily seen through. It seemed a lot of people were capable of that nowadays. Goodness... would he ever stop feeling so naked? Despite being at a complete loss, the avian smile that Merlin decided was 'charming' caused his tail to give the briefest of wags.
But still, it didn't keep him from feeling somewhat self conscious. "I, ah... It is the hormones, I believe. It is most unbecoming of me to wallow about in such self pity." Merlin hurriedly picked up and moved his bag as the pair that walked past, not wanting his groceries to be stepped on.
Avian.. handsome. It was only the heavy weight of reality and consequence that had taken root within his belly that kept him from fancying this tall, dark stranger. That, and it was hardly possible for him to feel desirable while noticeably pregnant. Aside from cooing old ladies, most men were now giving him a rather wide berth.
"Ah, how rude of me. I'm Merlin, by the way."
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Post by The Jenn on Mar 1, 2010 0:22:22 GMT -5
"Merlin, a pleasure. I am Rasha." The raven offered him a small bow, one hand drawing forward to tuck at the thin waist. It seemed that he had begun a conversation, if introductions were being offered. How pleasant. His smile remained, expression becoming slightly less distant as he took several steps forward so that they were within polite conversation range.
This would be novel. A chance to learn more than simply observing. He rarely looked at such opportunities askance.
And this one was unexpectedly pleasant. Pregnant men and women always gave him a good feeling when he saw them on the street, and a regretful one when he saw them elsewhere. Such was the nature of his work and his normal meetings.
"I merely wished to offer words of encouragement. I did not intend to embarrass. You do a good thing, bringing life into the world. I congratulate you on your impending parenthood."
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Post by Nako on Mar 1, 2010 0:48:56 GMT -5
Well, it seemed this wouldn't be just some passing comment between strangers, then, and how gallant! When the raven regarded him with a most courteous bow he was almost flustered. "The pleasure is mine, Rasha." Hopefully he didn't sound too terribly giddy at the introduction. Oh, bother.
His head angled upward to look at the taller biped as he came closer. Strange eyes, this one had... but Merlin would be the last person to point such a thing out, considering his own history with the very eyes that rested in his head.
Merlin's ears quirked at an odd angle, blinking for a moment before responding. "For all the cooing and questions I've heard in the past month... I believe I can honestly say you are one of the first people who has offered me a genuine 'Congratulations' for my pregnancy. Thank you, Rasha."
In truth, he was still getting over the shock of actually carrying something -living- in his body. Luckily this would not keep him from feeling the sudden joy and pride at the obvious approval of almost anyone who actually noted his girth was not because of overeating.
((A few questions to make sure I'm not missing anything, does he have a rank on his chest? And is he speaking out loud, or still speaking telepathically?))
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Post by The Jenn on Mar 1, 2010 8:16:32 GMT -5
((He actually doesn't have a rank on his chest right now. People passing him might assume that he's a black suit that blends well, but Merlin could tell that there doesn't seem to be anything there. He's speaking telepathically still - if he ever speaks out loud, I'll bold it. <3))
A polite stranger. That was pleasant. Avington but for his eyes, which were either an indication of realm or of magical interference of of cosmetic affectation. It was always hard to tell. He should make a point to ask in the "end", as an idle curiosity, when Merlin no longer had any use for his body. That would hopefully be a long ways away.
"You are most welcome, Merlin. I am glad that your pregnancy has been well-received, and that you are carrying them to term. Every birth is a miracle. Hopefully they will bring you much happiness in the years ahead." And he truly meant it. Too often were his visits to Corvistowne.
His eyes flicked up to the sky and he squinted as he tried to gauge the time. He'd been walking for quite a while, hadn't he? "Excuse me, but do you know the precise hour? I believe that I need to drink something soon. Possibly eat as well."
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Post by Nako on Mar 1, 2010 21:30:15 GMT -5
The man's mouth wasn't moving; at first Merlin hadn't thought much of it, since beaks didn't move much while talking at any rate.. but this man hadn't so much as parted his beak. Magic, Merlin assumed; perhaps telepathy was his only way of speaking. What if he was a Torque with some unfortunate binding that involved the mutilation of his vocal chords? Oh, how terrible that would be. Would a binder find it necessary to give such a harsh binding to a Torque child if that was what his children were? Though really at that point he doubted that the father was the Torque he'd met at the bar. That had been too recent.
It would be more likely that they ended up needing masks.
Merlin shook off that uncomfortable thought and offered an apologetic look to the avian. "I'm afraid a lack of pockets has kept me from purchasing a watch. I'd imagine it's well past lunch time... more like dinner." An appraising look flitted over the gaunt frame of the raven. "Goodness, have you eaten at all today?"
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Post by The Jenn on Mar 1, 2010 23:12:54 GMT -5
Unaware of the thoughts going through Merlin's head, Rasha looked at the sky once again and slowly nodded. Evening wasn't too far off, was it? And dinner was the evening meal. He rarely bothered to keep track.
"I don't believe I've eaten for several days, no. Possibly last week. I had a drink this morning." He said it in good humor, seeming amused about the whole thing. He had to drink and eat enough to keep his body alive while he was using it, but he'd had it "on hold" for several days earlier in the week and hadn't needed to tend to the thing. It probably had been a little over a week since he last put something solid in his stomach. Time to remedy that.
"I suppose I should bid you farewell then, Merlin, and see about finding food. Dinner, even. Thank you for reminding me. I wouldn't have wanted to put it off for too long."
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