εїз ᴀ ɢʀᴏᴡɪɴɢ ʜᴏᴜsᴇʜᴏʟᴅ εїз Part one. Spoiler: Tunes The curfew alarm sounded through the streets like echoes of swarming bees, guards from all sorts of charters knocking on every bushiness' door with a warning for all non ailor to flee back into their homes. Nienna had soon gotten this warning, being the last to leave and lock up the Apothecary doors. She'd begin speed-walking as fast as her little legs could take her, hearing off in the distance bands of screaming people and slamming doors. Her small body shook in fear as she continued to flee from her place of work towards her home that was ever so far away within the Ithanian district. She could feel her heart beating in her throat as the warning sounds of thunder and dark clouds strolled in through the night sky, huffing and puffing by the time she had approached her door. She looked over her shoulder as she shakily stuck the key within the door's lock, hearing the sweet sound of the clicking of the locks inner-workers turn as it gained her entrance. She would slip into the building with a sigh of relief as she used the back of the door to lean on and catch her breath and sort her swarming thoughts. She noticed a honey colored glow of candle light slowly creeping down the steps, as well as the sound of creaking wood and footsteps. The half-breed would glance up, her long and knife like ears giving a small twitch as her eyes focused on the set of stairs. An incredibly feminine looking man, who of course didn't look male at all nor did he sound as such would speak up as he turned the corner. He, who preferred to be pronounced as a she, carried two toddlers with one bounced on each hip. She had dark skin with patches of lighter skin decorated throughout her face and body, her chocolate colored locks of wavy hair looked a mess and her blue eyes looked tired and stressed. "Welcome home, Nienna." she'd mutter with a weary smile "You feeling alright?". Nienna would smile warmly, moving over to interlock her small arms with the other as well as hugging her dearest children tightly in her arms "Mh, i'm doing as well as I can." she'd say softly, "H-How are you fairing, Eloen?" the smaller nelfin questioned. Eloen would smile down at her lover, brushing a hand over her cheek and kissing her forehead gently "I'm doing well, I've left dinner on the counter. You'll need it, you can't keep two people healthy on an empty stomach." Eloen gave a quiet snicker, moving to poke at Ni's stomach which seemed to have a small bump. A bit strangely placed among the small girl. Nienna puffed out her pale cheeks with a small huff, moving to slide from the hug and make her way towards the counter as she dragged her ribbons out of that soft and butterscotch colored hair of hers. Eloen would move to lay the barley awake toddlers onto the couch with a small chuckle as she looked over their sleepy faces, making sure to set the candle on the counter next to Nienna as she strolled back over to slither her arms around the small one's waist. The two toddlers shared similar features to their odd parents, mostly sharing Nienna's pale skin with specks of darker tones being ever so rare among the two. It seemed the two had a mix of both the parent's hair color, instead of Eloen's auburn or Nienna's butterscotch blonde the two twins had sets of strawberry blonde hair that had seemingly grown quite well after their birth. Eloen pecked at the woman's cheek, Nienna starring up with those bright green eyes of hers as she took a bite out of the rice that was left over the counter by her spouse. "Mh-.. T-Thank you. Is Amellia in bed?" the smaller one spoke, that same honey sweet tone of voice present despite her inner anxiety about the ongoing trouble with in the holy streets of Regalia. Eloen gave a small nod, sliding from the woman's grip to seemingly start gathering a pot and some tea bags together after assuming Nienna would like a glass after a long day of work. Nienna glanced towards the window, looking over the star lit sky with a peaceful sigh "Is her leg d-doing better..? H-How has she been fairing?" The worried mother questioned, worried for the newly found child's health. It wasn't strange for this woman to help strangers, but inviting a homeless child off the street after just giving birth to two children was a whole other level for the nelfin. Two new parents simply trying to care for what they have, whilst being stuck in the face with a harmed and traumatized child. Eloen rubbed at the woman's head as she prepared her tea, "She's doing well. Don't worry much about the kid's, dove. I have it handled, and you have your work to worry about." she'd mutter calmly, keeping her tone quiet as not to wake up the toddlers. Nienna would take a few more bites of her rice before placing the fork down with a quiet sigh, "I'll be upstairs, i'd like to c-change." she'd whisper as she moved in to peck her cheek. She went to turn on the balls of her feet, moving towards the steps. Nienna would brush back the second floor to the third after kissing her beloved Amellia on the forehead in her sleeping state. She slowly made her way up the steps, lighting a candle on the couple's bed side so it'd be much easier to see in the darkly lit room. She would unbutton the buttons over her Alchemia uniform, watching the over-sized fabric fall passed her shoulders as she kicked off her boots to lay to the side. Tearing off her gloves and neatly placing them in her bedside drawer, yet to fully remove her work shirt. She'd seemingly stare off towards the window once more, something she did often. It only felt like a few moments, but she assumed it may have been much longer once she felt her lover's arms wrap around her waist. "What's got your mind, Ni?" she'd whisper into the nelfin's ear. She simply shooke her head in response, "N-Nothing.." sliding out of her beloved's grip to search for a nightgown. Eloen would simply slide forward to nuzzle her face into Nienna's bare shoulder, "You can tell me." the woman muttered. Nienna would simply shake her head once more, finding a night-gown and shooing off Eloen so she could slip it on. Eloen snickered, moving to release her small body after planting a few innocent kisses along her face. The smaller girl slipped on a light pink gown, moving to give the woman a quick peck. Rain began to pour down on the couple's roof, Nienna giving a small sigh at the incoming rain. Eloen would simply pull the woman into a tight hug, brushing her fingers through her butterscotch toned hair and planting small kisses along her forehead every now and then. Ni would simply enjoy her beloved's warmth, before muttering out in her arms "E-El.. you didn't leave the kids d-down stairs with burning hot t-tea.. did you?". Eloen gulped, giving a worried laugh as she went to place Nienna aside and take to the steps. With a disappointed huff, Nienna followed after, her gown flowing against her ankles. Once down the steps the two toddlers were still peacefully resting on each other among the couch , along with the familiar white duo of two of Eloen and Nienna's pets which consisted of a white pup and a similar colored ithanian long hair. Foster, the duo's bully of a black cat seemed to be off scowling somewhere and causing trouble outside of their sight. Nienna shot Eloen a small glare but shook her head. She couldn't possibly be mad at Eloen, she'd simply move over to peck her cheek before snatching up her mug of tea that was left on the counter. Eloen giggled softly, picking up her own cup. The two sat peacefully giggling, drinking tea, and whispering sweet nothings as the children of the house were calmly asleep. A sudden noise of crashing and footsteps, following a child's cry would be heard from outside. Causing Nienna to jump and let out a small 'E-Eep!', her cup fumbling out of her hands and onto the floor of the kitchen. Eloen gasped at the sudden commotion, moving to tug Nienna into her chest and hold onto her protectively. They'd both stay starring at the door as the utter sobbing grew closer and closer, with squelching noises of damp boots slowly crept towards the door. After a few moments of the sobbing ringing out, tiny hands would beats against their door with the plea of a child screaming at the other side "H-Help me! Help me please!" it screamed. Nienna glanced up at Eloen, her tiny body shaking in fear. The two exchanged looks before looking back at the door, Eloen all the while creeping closer to the door hesitantly with her wife cradled into her arms. She'd slowly open the door to a tan little boy with a long dark ponytail that hung down his lower back. He was filthy, covered in mud and dirt, sticks and shrubbery pocking out of his clothes and hair, as well as blood trickling down his nose. Without a seconds notice, Nienna tore from Eloen's grasp with worried gasp. She'd scoop up the child into her arms and carry him towards the counter as he sobbed and clung to the woman's now dirtied night gown. Eloen would close the door as she did such, trailing over behind her with a similar glance. The small woman would shush and coo into the sobbing child's ear as she set him among the counter, he began to calm himself but still sobbed uncontrollably. Eloen would think fast, the clever doctor she is, moving to snatch up a first aid kit that they kept around for emergencies. The two would work on fixing up the little boy, taking a good half an hour or so on fixing his condition. He'd eventually grow quiet, eerily quiet. Only a few sniffles escaping the boy as Nienna carried him off towards the bathtub to wash away any dirt or mud along the boy's bruised body. -To be continued! P.S It's 4:30 AM.. my power went out twice whilst writing this. My cliff hanger is justified.
