strangetrip | [EP] NOT the Worst Birthday Ever

It was hard to believe Vex had been at Madonna Inn almost a year. It felt both far longer and not nearly that long.

It also wasn't anything to celebrate. Unlike today, which demanded to be celebrated. Not with anything big or flashy. No surprise parties, thank you! But drinks certainly. Not like last year, though, when Vex hadn't been here at all, and Vax had attempted to drown himself and her absence in booze. It was their birthday and they were both here to raise a glass together.

So drinks. And cake, because birthdays had always meant cake, even when Vax had had to swipe it for them, or cut a purse to buy it. So when she slid into a booth in the bar, wearing a shirt Percy insisted she needed, she set a plate with two cupcakes, one almost black with chocolate and espresso, the other snowy white but flavored with mint, on the table between them and kissed her brother on the cheek, pleased to see he was wearing the shirt to match. They were twins, after all.

"Get us a drink," she said with a bright grin and a twinkle in her eye for the person passing by. "It's our birthday."

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She nodded. "That mostly. It's a bit slower going as I am now." Zahra found herself tiring much sooner than usual which was often frustrating. She had to remind herself to take rests otherwise Kash got rather cranky.

Zahra suddenly inhaled softly. "Would you like to meet them?" She held out her hand. Ever since Monday the babies in her belly had become active in a way that was new and exciting.

The meaning of Zahra's offered hand wasn't immediately apparent to Vex, but then she hadn't spent much time around expectant mothers. "We're a few months away from that still, aren't we?" Of course she wanted to meet Zahra and Kash's babies once they arrived, perhaps more but not only because they were twins.

"We are, at least to where you can hold them and tell me how cute they are." Zahra winked at her friend. Her hand went to her belly, covered in light fabric. "but these two are rather active at the moment and you could feel them moving, if you like."

Vex had not said, and likely wouldn't, but those who were closest to her could probably guess, that some hidden part of her watched Zahra's pregnancy progress thinking of how Vex would feel and act when she was expecting the future quarter-elves. She'd also told no one of what Emma had foreseen for Percy. That was for them alone.

When she realized what Zahra was offering, she recognized a mix of feelings. Curiosity, of course, because what would it feel like, feeling Zahra's unborn children moving inside her womb, and how different would it be feeling from the inside? Affection, for both the babes to come and their mother. And in that hidden part that thought ahead, a gut deep feeling that other than Percy and Vax, if anyone touched her own pregnant belly when the time came, they would be likely to lose a hand. And that with Vex, unlike Percy, being comfortable, even craving, touch and easy affection with those she cared about. But maybe she would feel different once she was actually pregnant.

Regardless of how Vex might feel during some future pregnancy, Zahra was inviting the touch, sharing her twins as she could for now with Vex. She reached out, hesitating just above Zahra's belly and looking up at Zahra.

The smile that appeared on her lips was equal parts amused and warm. "Darling, as future godsmother to these children, you have all the permission you need." Much like Vex, Zahra wouldn't let just anyone touch her, but Vex held a special place in Zahra's heart and she wanted her to experience the journey with her, should she want to.

After that last confirmation, Vex put her hand where Zahra's had lain a moment ago and waited, not realizing as she held her breath trying to feel... something? After a moment, she shook her head. "I don't really know what I'm feeling for. But I imagine it's much more noticeable for you."

"Sometimes I forget I'm pregnant, believe it or not." She was quickly reminded when she had to do almost anything, of course. Getting out of bed was particularly eventful as she couldn't sit up as easily as before. "They go quiet from time to time, though when I'm sitting or about to sleep, they seem to be more active." Which was rather distracting when you were trying to sleep and you had two children who appeared to be practicing for the crucible in your belly.

After another moment, there was a small ripple under Vex's hand as if someone had gently tapped a curtain.

That time Vex thought she felt something. Something she was absolutely not going to say felt a bit like when Trinket had a case of the rumbly tummy. Instead she smiled, "Oh, there you are, little one. So you two are getting your mother used to sleepless nights already, hm? That's very clever of you."

"I am thankful, at least, that working with you all has made sleep more of a luxury than a necessity. Though I must admit to being a bit spoiled here." Even with the heartburn when she lay down too quickly after meals and the other general discomforts brought on by pregnancy, Zahra didn't have to worry about waking up in the middle of the night to Orcs or bandits.

Thing was, Vex knew what Zahra meant. "I'm starting to think it says something about us and our lives, that not being in constant mortal danger feels like being spoiled." But it did, and if Vex had any say in it, which she knew she didn't, she make sure they stayed spoiled like this. Especially with babies on the way.

Zahra had no inkling to go home anymore and she knew Kash felt the same way. "Occasionally I miss the thrill of the hunt, but I suppose there will be enough of those in the future if we wish to go out into the wilderness." Though there was a difference between hunting deer or even wolves and hunting dragons. "Do you miss it much?"

[EP] NOT the Worst Birthday Ever

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