Logs:A Turnday Gift Like No Other
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| RL Date: 3 July, 2013 |
| Who: Tayte, K'del, Yvalia |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: A seven or so after Tayte doesn't change her mind in the mid of the night, she turnday 'gifts' Vali a Daddy. She makes him wear a bow and everything. |
| Where: Tayte's Room, High Reaches Weyr |
| When: Day 22, Month 2, Turn 32 (Interval 10) |
| OOC Notes: Back-dated. Written as a collaborative vignette. |
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| Tayte's Room, High Reaches Weyr The peculiar shape of this room suggests that it was unintentionally expanded, cement holding the ceiling together towards the peculiarly shaped alcove build into the back corner. It's larger than most personal quarters as a result, and though the uneven walls mean nothing sits flush, there's plenty of room for more than the usual amount of furniture. The larger lobe of the lopsided kidney shape that the room has might be considered a studio room. A large bed is tucked into the roundest part of the alcove, though there's a gap behind where the straight headboard does not meet the wall. It's piled high with furs and pillows. In this curve there's also a wardrobe, a dresser, and nightstands. Hooks extending from the ceiling over the dresser have been rigged with two layered chain-link that holds a number of bottles of alcohol of different varieties. The highest drawer in the dresser which is bizarrely the largest locks with a key. Opposite it, closer to the door, is a hearth that's had a throw rug and loveseat set in front of it, along with a few low tables. A set of shelves and a small desk sit opposite the curve of the smaller end of the room. Around the curve and into the little lobe, one finds a great change. There's color everywhere instead of the muted things in the front half. Scarves and streamers hang from little hooks installed in the ceiling, their lengths varying, and a crib is set up in the middle with two small boxes that have toys poking out of their not-quite-shut lids. There's a tall table stocked with all the tools a mother needs (well, those that are safe to be at toddler height) and a small dresser and wardrobe. The furniture is all hand-me-downs but in decent enough condition to make the occupants comfortable.
Tayte was already at work when he arrived, moving the colorful scarves that hang from everywhere in Yvalia's side of the oddly shaped cavern to the main section, not so many that the little one would miss them, but enough to give a little bit of color to the room. When K'del arrived, he was put straight to work, tying and festooning the area. Tayte shared with him her plans, already having settled that they would involve a dragonride from her hero. Then there was the matter of turnday gifts. Tayte had been rambling most of the afternoon, jumping almost nervously from anecdote about Yvalia's childhood to date, to the things on-going that day. But once the word 'gift' was hit upon, she rolled right into it, "Obviously, since you are my turnday gift to her, well, the biggest one anyway, you'll need a bow." She snags up a knitted yellow thing, starting to loop it into an oversized thing. K'del's been quiet, of late, and less prone to smiles, but it's obvious he's putting all the things bothering him aside for today's festivities - and that means smiles. Admittedly, smiles that fade and turn to something only just barely short of horror when she starts making the bow. "You're... kidding me," he begins, warily. Tayte's focused while she finishes the bow. Picture perfect by the time she's done, She snags an extra bit of yellow length to tuck through the back of the bow so it can be tied around K'del, and then rises from where she'd sat to futz with the bow. She blinks at K'del's look, "No. Why would I kid about something so serious as a bow? One hand goes to her hip while the other extends the bow toward him. "Are you really taking yourself so seriously these days that you wouldn't wear a bow for your daughter on her turnday?" There's a pause as she levels a considering look at him. "You do realize you're about to get a daughter and that means by the end of her life, you'll be wearing things loads more embarrassing than a yellow bow." K'del is not used to little girls, that much is obvious: boys are so much less demanding in such things. "Well," he says, reaching out to take the bow, his gaze dropping so that he can study it. "Fine. But only in here. Not outside where anyone else can see me. It's not that I won't do things like this for her, but... pretty hard to get anyone to respect me, otherwise." And for K'del, respect is important, clearly. For now, he says, "What else do we need to do?" "Kas," Tayte says after a moment where she has to press her lips together hard to keep in a laugh. "I've seen your fake orgasm faces and I respect you. I promise you, a bow will not make or break people's respect for you." She steps to move past him, placing a light hand to his shoulder, taking a moment in this day that's about Yvalia to make it about him, for just one moment. "But, whatever makes you happy. Besides," Her hand drops away, "I was going to just have you wear it for the 'big reveal'. Not that I wouldn't be amused to see you in it all night." She reaches to reclaim the bow and moves to put it atop the dresser in the bedroom area. "You can come get it when the time is right." And with that they're back to work. That hand on his shoulder makes K'del pause, makes his expression stiffen, and makes his mouth open, just slightly. But he doesn't say anything: just a nod, a tentative smile, and, a few moments later, a return to work. Later, he's waiting outside the nursery for Yvalia, arms wide to lift her into the air and swing her around. She's bubbly, full of enthusiasm for her turnday ("My fourth turnday!")... and that enthusiasm expands into wide-eyed excitement when he takes her outside to Cadejoth. Cadejoth is, perhaps, not the best dragon for small children to ride upon, in that he's exuberant in flight, inclined to forget his passengers and lose himself to the freedom of the air. He's better with children when he's in the water, or on the ground. Still, K'del's reminders make sure things don't get too frenzied, and anyway, he's got his arm around Vali the whole way. It's probably a good thing no one can see the look on his face when she reclines in to him: pure contentment. Unsurprisingly, when they show up at Tayte's door, Vali is all enthusiasm... and she hasn't even had any sugar yet. Not recently, anyway. "We may be a little excited," K'del tells Tayte, as he pulls off his coat. The babbles have Tayte's brightening to an almost blinding degree. K'del's seen her with her daughter, but never like this. This is the living proof that Yvalia is Tayte's favorite person, ever. How much she loves her becomes even more evident as the night progresses. She's completely engaged in every story, in every detail, in all things Yvalia. Dinner is as much of Vali's favorite things as a balanced meal can allow. For dessert, a sweet breakfast roll has been iced, since supplies for the kitchen are sparse and special requests of cake aren't something that can be accommodated just now. It's cake-like, though, so Vali's thrilled all the same. "Alright, time for bed." Tayte announces with a clap of her hands when the meal is done. Little blue eyes round at the vintner. "What?" comes the little confused voice, "Momma, you forgot." "Did I?" Tayte asks, her tone feigned into thoughtfulness and her chin is stroked. "Momma, it's my turnday. I get presents on my turnday." "Presents?" Tayte questions, dubious. "Are you sure?" "Yes!" Vali answers emphatically, swinging her legs under the table. "What do you think, K'del?" Tayte asks the bronzerider. "Do you think there are presents around here somewhere for Vali?" K'del is biting back a smile, not much of a play-actor in this moment. "Wellllll," he says. "Maybe I'll go look around. It's possible, if she's been good enough." As he stands, he gives Vali a not-quite-appraising glance. "Do you think you've been good enough?" He ruffles Vali's hair as he passes, winking at her. When he comes out of the bedroom again, he's... yes, he's wearing the bow. And he's got a few packages in his arms, too, all tied up with bows of their own. He looks a little self-conscious, but as though he's trying, very hard, to abandon that in order to be what he needs to be, for Vali. It is her turnday, after all! If he was worried about the bow being met with laughter, nothing could be farther from the truth. Tayte's eyes actually look a little twinkly, happy tears not breaking onto her cheeks, but glistening there. She looks proud of K'del. Vali? Vali looks excited! And then confused. "But why are you wearing a bow?" She wants to know. Then it's time to tell her. Tayte was right to make K'del wear the bow because all of the other presents don't even matter once the news is out. Yvalia's face is first incredulous then as bright as her mother's when they walked through the door. By the end of it, mother and daughter are crying, set off by one another, but they're happy tears, as Tayte has to reassure Yvalia. And Yvalia? She doesn't want to let go of K'del for even one second. And K'del? For once in his life he doesn't cry, but it's probably a close run thing. Instead, he holds Vali tight, and Tayte, too. They're... for better or for worse, a family, now. The rest of the evening passes relatively quietly. The three settling into the loveseat in front of the hearth. Yvalia is on K'del's lap, of course, and Tayte has provided reading material. It might be a little older than what most four turn olds get read, but it's a familiar learning tale, full of morals and great deeds. Yvalia doesn't seem to much care what the story is, though she seems to follow along at least with some bits, and interrupt with questions. What she cares about is that K'del is reading. Tayte takes a moment when they're getting settled to draw near a basket that when opened reveals a few balls of yarn and knitting needles mid-project. So she knits, not needed for her usual consuming occupation. In some ways, it's nice, in others? Well, it's a happy night. No need to think about the other ways. Yvalia falls asleep there, in her daddy's arms. For a while after Vali's breathing evens out to that of a sleeping child, K'del continues to read, as if he's reluctant to break the spell of this quiet, companionable evening. Finally, he closes the book very gently, and sets it down beside him, reluctant to move much in case it wakes his newly-acquired daughter. "Should I take her to bed?" he wonders. Mom knows best. Tayte remained focused on her knitting, mostly, though surely she was listening keenly to the story as it was told. She's not surprised, though, when she looks over to see the sleeping girl. In a few quick stitches, she finishes to a stopping point in the line, her fingers extremely nimble in the movements. "Best, unless you want to wake up numb and with a cramp in your neck, back, or legs." Her murmur sounds like experience talking. He's babysat past bedtime before, so he knows what needs to be done. She's slow to follow him, but follow him she does, eventually, arriving in time to press a kiss to Yvalia's forehead in the crib and smooth her little wavy locks. "Happy turnday, baby." She murmurs with a sigh. She looks a little exhausted, but that doesn't stop her from heading back to the living space and starting to pull down all the scarves they'd tied about before. K'del's had plenty of experience in putting children to bed before, between his own children, his nieces and nephews, and yes, Yvalia herself. He steps back from the sleeping child when Tayte approaches, giving the vintner space and time to say her goodnights, though he still only follows her, moving back into the living area of the room after her. "You look exhausted," he says, keeping his voice low. "Go to bed. I can take these things down for you." "Why don't you help me take them down and we'll both be done sooner?" Tayte counter-offers in the same hushed tones. "I am tired. But, this-- sort of-- helps me think. Cleaning, that is." Which might explain why her room is perpetually tidy, for the most part. His smile answers her words, and sure enough, he turns to help, gathering up scarves one after another. "You do what you need to to think," he tells her, without glancing back. "Pretend I'm not here if you need to, too." He - and likely, very deliberately - doesn't ask what she's thinking about. What she's thinking about doesn't come out in the moments that pass as they pull the scarves from their festive placings. Gradually, however, her muscles start to relax. Once all the scarves are in the basket she'd used to collect them from Yvalia's room, she turns to K'del, and wordlessly slips her arms around his waist, pulling herself against him, her head against his shoulder, eyes fluttering closed. Then, finally, K'del puts his arms around her, holding her close. He presses a kiss to her head, letting his mouth linger there for a few moments; he exhales. "Thank you for today, Kas." Tayte's words come slowly. Then she's silent again. She stays a moment longer then slips out of his arms. "You can stay, if you like." She adds after a moment, alto still soft, words spoken in a way that is very deliberate. "I'd understand if you didn't. It's been--" Her shoulders rise and fall in what might be a shrug or might just be a deep breath taken and exhaled, "-a big day for everyone." She meets his gaze for a moment, if he'll have hers. The offer is genuine, both parts, no pressure and no real sense of whether she'd prefer it or not, but she did offer it. As Tayte draws away, K'del maintains his silence, though it seems to be mostly out of consideration for her. "It was my pleasure," he tells her, seriously, and with unquestionable honesty. If he has an inkling of what is bothering her, he's not showing it: instead, he meets her gaze squarely and says, "Of course I'll stay, if you don't mind having me. Come on - you look exhausted. Bed time." Her lips twitch at the first words, but that could mean anything. Far more encouraging is the tiny smile that starts when the two simple words she's used countless times since becoming a mother are directed at her for a change. As she releases the breath she probably didn't realize she was holding, Tayte smiles a little more, small, but warm. "Of course." Bed time. |
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