Checking Up On The Family

[Northen Light36]

Walking though the city, Mat whistles a pretty little tune as he tries to keep an eye on his three oldest children. Letha is content to be carried and Robin's happy to toddle along beside his father, but Bas and Pas are burning with excitement at being back in Talen'sul and are therefore incapable of staying close to their father for more then a few seconds.

Reaching the Veatherfall home while Mat is still several houses down the road, the giggling twins knock hard on the door. "Auntie Alethia! Auntie Alethia!" they shout. "We came to visit!"

[Kender Bard]

Alethia opened the door, blinking in surprise at the two. "Bas, Pas, how good to see you," she greeted them and opened the door more. "Where's your father you two? And Spice and Crentha are in back, playing."

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"Daddy, Aries and the little twins are slow," Bas tells Alethia, pointing down the road to show where her family is before both twins hurry inside to find their cousins.

Despite Bas' annoucementm, Mat doesn't take too long to reach the house, though he's slowed down by having to keep to a pace Robin can match. "Hello Alethia," he greets her with a warm smile. "Hope you don't mind the surprise, but I thought I'd see how you're holding up while Talon's off getting Kit into trouble." Despite the smile, there's dark shadows under Mat's eyes, suggesting he hasn't slept well for awhile.

[Kender Bard]

"I'm well," Alethia replied. She seems to be holding up better than Mat, but then, Spice was old enough to help mind Crentha and sometimes the baby as well, giving her a little extra help more than normal. Still, she seemed a trifle weary herself. "Please, come in. The children can all play; I'll make you some tea and we can talk a bit if you like. My chores are mostly done."

In the back, Spice and Crentha were amusing themselves having Skip chase after a stick that was tossed between them. Seeing their friends and cousins, the two children grin and wave. Loki was nowhere in sight; Alethia had set the baby down for a nap.

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"Sounds good," Mat agrees, setting Letha on the ground. "Aries, take Robin and Letha out to play with the others, all right?"

Letha instantly stamps her foot. "No! No go!" she shouts, crossing her arms over her chest and tearing up. "Dada no go!"

Sighing, Mat kneels down to his youngest child's level. "Letha, sweetie, I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here with Aunt Alethia while you play. Come on baby girl, wouldn't playing outside be more fun?" It takes a little pleading and bribing, but Mt eventually convinces Letha to go play with her brothers, sister and cousin. "Letha's gotten clingy since Kit's been away," he remarks needlessly to Alethia.

[Kender Bard]

"Understandably," Alethia says, her voice steady but a tightness in her posture. "They've all been gone for... longer than I anticipated." As she talks, she goes about and begins making the tea, using a little bit of the herbs that promote relaxation; though she's running low, having been dosing herself with the stuff more and more lately.

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Mat gently wraps an arm around her comfortingly. "Yes, they have," he agreed. "But I'm sure they'll be home soon, no doubt with a millon stories to share. And I'm also sure they're safe. I had some of my people go with them just as protection."

Okay, so that's both exagerated and a white lie, Mat thinks ruefully. It'll hopefully comfort Alethia to know there are people looking out for her husband and little sister.

[Kender Bard]

The words worked and Alethia perked up a trifle, smiling. "I trust Talon," Alethia said firmly. "And Acqua. They're both capable and I think they've got the sense to be a little more cautious than they used to be. It's just, well, this rings of how Talon's parents died. I'd hate it if he were.. jinxed. But no, you're right; that's silly. They're fine, I'm sure. How have you been?"

[Northen Light36]

"Not too bad," Mat lies. "I miss Kit, of course, but it's not the first time she's gone off. And you're right, she's a capable young woman." He chuckles softly. "At least she is when she's not trying to impress Amaro. You'd think she'd have lost some of that hero worship by now."

[Kender Bard]

"Naw," Alethia replied softly. "Neither of us have. I never felt quite as much as Acqua, of course, but I still stand in awe of him. I think he's a great man. Of course, I never got over my crush of Talon either did I?" She smiled and winked, pouring him a little tea. "You know, if you ever need a day to yourself, I can look after your little ones. Spice is quite a good little helper; he minds Crentha and I only need to look after the baby for the most part."

[Northen Light36]

Mat looks thoughtful at that. "Letha would drive you mad," he remarks. "You saw how clingy she is right now. Robin and the other three would like visiting though." He smiles at Alethia. "Thank you, I might take you up on that offer at some point." He grins at Alethia. "And you did get over your crush. Crushes are what lead to spying through bedroom windows and getting caught by older siblings." He winks. "Love is something entirely different and stronger."

[Kender Bard]

Alethia blushed faintly and ran her fingertip over the rim of her cup. "You're quite right," she agreed. "And... Mat, I'm sorry for how I treated you at first. I was... well, we all look out for Acqua in our own ways. She's my little sister but sometimes I feel like half mother to her. Or at least, I used to." She laughed quietly. "Seeing her with her own kids has knocked that old view right out of my head. Goodness, but time does fly. Before you know it, I'll be a grandmother."

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Mat laughs. "No need to appologise," he chuckles. "I understand completely. I might have the same reaction if I found some boy spying on my little girls." He grins at Alethia and adds, "I should have been more careful in any case. I knew Kit wouldn't care, but I didn't consider that the rest of you wouldn't feel the same."

[Kender Bard]

"Well, now you know," Alethia replied with a small laugh.

"Now he knows what?" Talon asked from the doorway. Alethia's eyes widened and she jumped up from the table, knocking over her cup of tea but not caring or even noticing as she raced into the arms of her husband. "Talon!"

"Ahh, I missed this," he breathed and laid a passionate kiss on her lips.

[Northen Light36]

"Do I get a welcome home as well?" Acqua asks, slipping past her brother and sister. Mat doesn't bother with any words. He simply snatches his wife into a tight hug and kisses her as lovingly as possible. Acqua returns the kiss with equal loving force and clings to him.

One of the advantages of being a water is the ability to hold one's breath for a long time and it looks like Acqua and Mat intend to take full advantage of that ability unless someone interfears.