Oh. My. God. - QC

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Participating Characters: @numaire , @lilith and Noku Noru

Setting:  5 weeks after the Trial - Mid Afternoon - Castle Gardens 

Intro: Lilith had been meaning to talk to Aria for a few weeks, but their schedules just never aligned. Things with the Trial had swept everyone up into their own lives, shaken after the events that had unfolded before them; Archduchess Severine being sentenced to death, her daughter Aveline being shot with an arrow and induced into labor... The castle held a tense vibe. But Lilith had other reasons for wanting to talk to her best friend. She had sent a request for Aria to meet her in the Gardens that afternoon; she had beans to spill. She waited for the red head on a bench in front of a lovely rock garden. Her platinum hair was in a long fishtail braid behind her, wearing a topaz gown with chiffon skirts and a lovely golden embroidered bodice with sweetheart neckline and off the shoulder sleeves. (Like so.)

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Aria counted her fingers from the date Lilith had told her…..it was about five weeks. Enough time would have passed…..she could probably detect a heartbeat if she used her gorge hound hearing. Her ears transformed into the two large fuzzy gorge hound ears that now sat on top of her head. “I’m going to invade your personal space for a second” Aria then placed one of her ears directly on Lilith’s stomach. Her face scrunched up in concentration.

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The walk to Noku's office was a blur; and it went by far to quickly. Lilith didn't have enough time to mentally prepare for this. As Aria swung the doors open and all but flung her into the room, Lilith stared at Noku with wide lilac eyes. There wasn't fear in them now, but it was clear she was anxious, worried, excited, and she really needed him. "Uh- ahem. " Lilith cleared her throat, unable to speak yet.

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The wine splattered across the floor just barely missing her, the loud sound causing Lilith to jump. Lilith stared down at the wine, glancing up in time to see him crumble down onto his knees. Taking a deep breath, Lilith walked around the wine; her feet somehow able to move again. She knelt down in front of Noku, placing a hand on each side of his face as he stared down at the floor. She caressed his face softly before moving one hand back a bit further to run it through his hair lightly. She was hoping he would look up and catch her eyes again, but she understood if he didn't. Lilith leaned forward and kissed his forehead. Pulling back, she spoke "Breathe sweetie... its the only way to keep you from getting even dizzier; trust me." Lilith spoke softly, not needing to speak up given that she was directly in front of him. She was speaking from experience, as her head was still a bit light.

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“…It would snap him out of it wouldn’t it? I don’t like to see family in a panicked state. Normally I would have stayed out of it, but I strongly feel that the news of your children shouldn’t leave this room. One person already tried to keep you from having a child. Who’s to say there are not more?” Aria looked back at Noku as he spoke….her face blanked. That was right….the curse. Would Lilith survive twins that were cursed?

“…….Ok another thing that doesn’t leave this room….I rather not have the knowledge that I can do this out, mainly because it feels like cheating when I use this...bu I can give you an answer on whether or not Lilith and the twins will survive this… but what you do with that information will be up to you.” Aria reached into her pack that had been tied to her waist; pulling out a little red book. She waved her hand over the book; small flames searing the page in perfect precision. The question etching itself on the page. ‘will the curse be carried to the twins fathered by Noku?’ ….Aria almost dropped the book when the answer appeared on the page. Quickly Aria posed another question ‘why’…..Aria soon found her self looking at the book then back at Lilith then back at the book…then back at Lilith….. Her mouth wide open in shock. SHE HAD NOT SEEN THAT ONE COMING. “OMGOSH!!!!” Aria in her excitement tackled both of them in a large hug. “THE CURSE! Noku, the twins, Lilith and you, you’ll all be fine. Lilith’s father…ITS GRANDPA LEE LEE!! You’re going to be free and so will your children!” She giggled and squeezed them both.

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Aria blinked as she was pushed away; here she was hoping he’d be a full freezer like his son was. That had always given her a small sense of amusement. “Don’t? My dear king; I’m showing family affection. I hug people I have affection for when I’m happy for them” She tilted her head. “As for accuracy I was trained by Saden himself; if I didn’t know how to use his book I’d be a disgrace. To explain, this will answer any question I have. Though I use it rarely because I despise abusing power like this. So far the biggest use I have had for this was to find lost knowledge for books.” Well there was two answers given. But Aria noticed at this time Liliths breathing had changed; Aria went over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Her tone now calm and soothing; she positioned herself in front of Lilith and looked her in the eye. Her demeanor taking almost a full 180 from the spazzy excitement. “Slow your breathing; deep breaths. Take a deep breath in…...” AAnnnd it was too late. Aria caught her easily before she fainted. She patted the girls head and sighed…. Thank god she hadn’t reacted that way when she found out who her father was…..that would have been messy. Aria looked back up at Mylee “Lilith already knows; Mylee or as I knew him in my time as Grandpa Lee Lee. No blood relation but he liked the look on people’s faces when they thought he reproduced. I was psychotic enough to pass. Though it seems that he actually did. According to Sadens book, Lilith’s father is Mylee. She’s a dova.” One of her large ears was focused on Noku while the other was pointed down to Lilith. Listening and monitoring her condition closely. Aria sighed and looked down at her. “Gods can be really sucky and or twisted parents…I wonder what she’ll do now that she knows…”

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She’d hardly heard Aria talking, trying to explain to Noku what was going on, before she passed out. While she was out, she dreamt of the visions she’d had after touching Tres’s wing. There had always been a man, who felt so familiar and yet she couldn’t place; and a woman who looked like her, yet… not. She saw this again, but felt she knew what it meant this time. Though the image of the woman was far more blurry than that of the man, she believed she knew who it was. When Lilith finally stirred from her fainting spell, there were a few tears that had fallen down her face. She stirred slowly, hearing their voices first. “-let anything happen to her.” She heard Noku say, and felt his warm arms around her, before they were replaced by the soft fabric of the couch. When Aria started speaking again. She wasn’t quite awake yet, but she vaguely knew what was happening around her. She only caught bits and pieces of what Aria said, but she knew it was most likely something to protect her. It was heartwarming to hear none the less, both of them fretting over her safety. It was when Aria proposed she stay on the island, that Lilith slowly fluttered her eyes open. She blinked a few times, letting her eyes adjust to the light and bringing a delicate hand up to her forehead. She hadn’t fainted since she was in her teens; and she certainly didn’t miss it. She aways woke up feeling drained and a bit sickly. She turned her eyes to Noku and Aria, shaking her head. “I don’t want to go anywhere. I like my home. I like being near the library; the clinic. “ She was stubborn, despite knowing Aria had a portal. After grumbling slightly, knowing that no matter what she said they would probably fight her on it, she spoke again. “… At least… I’ll only go for a few days. But if I’m being honest… I would rather stay here.” She flushed, looking down at her lap. The news had obviously made her feel closer to Noku; she didn’t particularly want to go anywhere without him; not now that she knew she was carrying his children; his curse-breaking children at that.

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Lilith held her breath until Noku spoke, exhaling as he said she would be staying in the castle; it was nothing against Aria for Lilith; she just wanted to be with Noku, and closer to her life in the city; to Luca. When he mentioned his two new advisors, Lilith held in a slight grimace; Melda had been rather cold to her when they’d last met, though Lilith remembered how Melda spoke against Severine- so she couldn’t that bad. She locked eyes with Noku as he continued, but what he said had her narrowing hers slightly. By the end of his speech, - despite blushing at “the woman I plan to make my wife” part - Lilith didn’t look overly happy, however she stayed quite until Aria spoke. When Aria began speaking, Lilith lost the mildly angry look for a soft smily, moving to grab her friends hand. Aria really had been there for her; through her magic learning journey, a couple quests, boy drama; and she would be there for this. By the time Aria was done speaking, Lilith wanted to hug her, but she knew now was not the time. She turned her eyes to Noku, narrowing them slightly again with a determined look on her face. “Okay. You’ve both said you’re pieces, now its my turn.” She took in a deep breath, her face still pink, and it was kinda cute too look at, all determined. “Look. I don’t care about the politics right now; I have two babies growing in me. Two very much alive beings that are OUR responsibility,” she locked eyes with Noku again, pleading him to understand her next words. “Aria is my best friend; and has been long before any of this was apart of my life. She’s known me since I was just a librarian who spent more time reading than helping anyone. She’s put me first on more occasions than I can count; and she’s done the same for you behind the scenes. She’s saved my life; and you know damn well she’s been a lot less reckless knowing that it could hurt you too. She’s never given you reason to believe her intentions aren’t true. Fated or not, she’s going to be a big part of getting me through this.” She squeezed Aria’s hand. “Both of you are. I need you both. She’s not a member of Palico’s court to me. She’s my sister. I know it takes a lot for you to trust someone… and understandably so… but I need you to trust me. We’re both going to need her… unless you think you can handle a pregnant woman on your own.” Lilith arched an eyebrow at him, challenging him. She rarely spoke out against him, at least with other people in the room, but she was adamant on this. “I’m not saying leave me with her, or let me go out alone with just her; I understand you not being comfortable with that no matter how capable she is. But she needs to be here; maybe not permanently, but you get the point. That’s the only thing I ask; I’ll cooperate with whatever else you want.” She moved her other hand to try and grab his, that speech mixed with the fainting had worn her out. And now that she was aware of the twins, she felt them; even though it was definitely a mind over matter thing, she didn’t care. She needed to be careful.