Sara's eyes lit up. "Oh my goodness! Congratulations to you all!" She bent down and hugged Tasia, then stood and looked to Aashi. "You're pregnant?? That's wonderful, wonderful news!"
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
"Thank you." Aashi smiled, face warm, and bobbed her head. "We're very, very excited... you may have been able to tell." She glanced down at where Tasia was still leaning against Sara's legs.
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
"How long have you known? How far along are you?" she asked.
Gaius glanced at Ky to see how she was faring.
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
"Um, I got Sera to confirm yesterday," Aashi said, dipping her head. "I think I'm about three months or so."
Tadaaki beamed, trying to catch his breath.
Ky was also a little out of breath and leaned against the wall, face burning with the embarrassment of being dubbed god. She'd need to talk to Tasia about that. Maybe she should have that conversation now, before Tasia could deify Ky to the entire dining hall. Still, she was smiling, thoroughly pleased with the pregnancy and her new role in their family. She glanced between Sara and Gaius. Was Gaius still mad? He'd been an ice statue last night at dinner. She wondered if he'd forgiven Tomhas yet.
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
"Congratulations, all five of you," Gaius said with a rare smile. She seemed okay, just flustered. "Good luck to you, Ky; being named godmother is an honor." "Can I give you all hugs?" Sara was still grinning.
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
But then her stomach did a little flutter and she sobered a little, though there was still a little smile, and dipped her head. "Thank you... I... hope to live up to the role."
Aashi, always ready for a hug, strode forward and wrapped Sara in a hug.
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
Sara squeezed her tightly. "I'm so happy for you!"
"I expect you will." He nodded.
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
"Yeah! You're great!" Tasia confirmed, running over to her now that Sara was distracted from giving her attention, and instead tugged on Ky's hand. "Me and my sister loves you!"
"I... love you too," Ky managed. She did love her, but somehow that word was hard to say these days. "And your sister or brother. We don't know what it is yet."
"No, it's my sister." She looked at Gaius. "But Mama says we can't name her Raina."
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
"Because Raina is already called Raina and you can't name two babies that," she said glumly, but looked at him hopefully. "Or can you? Can we, Mr. Gaius? Name my sister baby Raina?"
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
"I think that's up to your parents," Gaius replied. "And it depends on if your new sibling is a boy or a girl."
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
"We don't know what it is," Aashi chided. "And we're not naming it Raina besides. That's your friend, not your sister."
"But Raina is Ky's sister," Tasia argued.
"And you are not the sister of either of them. Please drop it, Tasia. We'll talk about names later. For now, let's just enjoy knowing there will be a new baby with us in a few months."
Tasia pouted but nodded.
Tadaaki was standing awkwardly, not sure whether Sara was still planning on hugging all of them or not. He didn't want to bury his hands in his pockets and be unprepared if she did. But he also didn't want to force it if she'd changed her mind and got distracted -- that'd just be creepy. So instead he stood awkwardly, trying not to look as awkward as he felt.
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
Sara did let go of Aashi and went to hug Tadaaki. "You're going to do wonderfully," she promised him. "And Gaius and I are here for you--all of you--if you have any questions or concerns about parenting. Ky, you as well. Sera is there too; she's delivered kids, has her own. We're all here to support you."
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
"Thank you," Tadaaki murmured, very gently returning the hug. "We really, really appreciate that."
"Time for hugs!" Tasia said eagerly, getting behind Ky's legs and giving her a swift shove before Ky realized what was happening. It was enough to make her knees give out and force her to stumble forward to catch her balance. Tasia kept shoving her, but Ky locked her legs, suddenly staring at Gaius with wide eyes. No chance in hell was she putting her hands on that man. Tasia kept shoving, and awkwardly reached around her to grab at Gaius's pant leg. "Everyone gotta hug!"
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
Gaius froze up too, gripping his crutches as tightly as possible but making no move to get Tasia away from him. When she yanked at his pant leg he swayed, regained his balance on the crutches, and looked helplessly to Sara, who released Tadaaki and turned to Tasia with an awkward smile, unsure of what to do. She wasn't against Gaius hugging anyone; he needed it sometimes.
(Oh god)
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
