I did not know I had a son until two weeks ago. I have been trying to keep it quiet as I was uncertain if I would keep him here with me or not. But the longer I have thought on it- the more I realized that anyone I would trust with his care? Is already in Skyhold.
[ Zevran slips a hand into the basket, fingers combing through Lucci's hair. ]
Serena would have kept him but she is to marry a Merchant Prince. He would not have been safe with her.
Most babies do. [One reason a sensible braid is her default style. She lifts the baby and props him against her shoulder before flipping him around so he can look out, even with so little to see.]
Do you see Papa, da'len? Do you see Papa?
[It's still surreal, Zevran having a baby, though it makes plenty of its own sense. Her feelings on the matter are settling into joy. Babies are always a joyful thing.]
[ Lucci squeals happily, fat little fingers reaching for Zevran's hand as soon as it's offered.
Simply hearing that, himself referred to as Papa- it cuts at something old and forgotten in him. Leliana had been right. This is what he wants. What will be best for both of them. ]
I have been assured he is perfectly healthy and Mia has been helping me mind him.
[She scoffs faintly, but really, she doesn't think Mia would do poorly with a baby. It might be what she needs to unwind, actually. A few little ones of her own so she isn't controlling everyone else.]
He's perfect, Zevran. I--is that why your apprentices have been all over the library these last couple of weeks?
Yes. She has been a blessing, truly. Without her help I wouldn't have time to sleep myself.
[ Lucci catches hold of his fingers and, as expected, pops it in his mouth to gum. ]
For books on child rearing? Yes. But much of the information is conflicting. Let them sleep on their own, let them sleep with you, use brandy soaked cloth for them to suck on, use mint- I have been muddling through.
That's how it goes for every child. [She peers at Lucci's face as he gnaws Zevran's fingers.] He's teething. I can make icy rags for that, for when he starts crying. Put them in a box of ice and they'll last a good long time.
I've been using rags with corners soaked in a tincture of elfroot, mint, and honey. I tried brandy at first but the face Mia made...Ice would work well.
Don't let Mia control you. Though on this, she and I have to agree. Brandy will only irritate what's already sore.
[She bounces the boy a little.]
Though all three of those herbs are good for this, and taste pleasant to him. I could make you a box of rags like that, frozen. All together, it would be perfect.
You've nothing to worry about. She told me never to speak to her again, and she seems the sort to mean it.
[She smiles down at Lucci.]
Cold silence is probably the worst you can expect. Isn't that so, da'len? Grown-ups who don't like each other just accept that they don't have to talk to each other. Isn't that much better than war and feuding?
We're not feuding, she just hates me. I was helping Cullen with something secret and didn't let her in on it until he said it was all right. She didn't like that.
She does become terribly concerned with such things, and Fereldans tend to have rather personal interpretations of honesty and honor. But- she is dear to me, as are you, and you shall both have a place in Lucci's life.
It just...sounds terribly like it means I'm part of your clan. If that makes any sense. And if that's like what you mean, then I'm...I'm so very honored, lethallin.
Ah- well. I do not know family quite so well as one who was raised as such, nor do I know Clans as I was never truly Dalish. But in the Brothel- everyone helped everyone else as best they could, everyone took turns minding the children, making sure we were fed or said our prayers or not sick.
It takes a village, or so the saying goes. I cannot do this on my own. You are a dear friend to me, Pel. I would have you take part in raising him.
Do you see this, da'len? Do you see your Papa drawing? He's doing that because this is the moment I have become lethallan to you, and you have become lethallin to me. Well. You'll be lethallin when you're older, anyway. For now, you are da'len and you had best make the most of it. The important thing is for you to never forget that your Papa is actually very sentimental and loves you very much.
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[Stating the obvious because she cannot yet fathom anything else.]
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[ Zevran slips a hand into the basket, fingers combing through Lucci's hair. ]
Serena would have kept him but she is to marry a Merchant Prince. He would not have been safe with her.
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[It catches in her chest, as she looks at him. The part of her heart that is already a mother, and has no child.]
He's beautiful. May I--?
[Everyone wants to hold a baby.]
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[ Lucci's squirming himself awake already, blinking bright, blue eyes up at both his father and Pel. Almost immediately, he's smiling. ]
I would caution you- he likes to pull hair.
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Do you see Papa, da'len? Do you see Papa?
[It's still surreal, Zevran having a baby, though it makes plenty of its own sense. Her feelings on the matter are settling into joy. Babies are always a joyful thing.]
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[ Lucci squeals happily, fat little fingers reaching for Zevran's hand as soon as it's offered.
Simply hearing that, himself referred to as Papa- it cuts at something old and forgotten in him. Leliana had been right. This is what he wants. What will be best for both of them. ]
I have been assured he is perfectly healthy and Mia has been helping me mind him.
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[She scoffs faintly, but really, she doesn't think Mia would do poorly with a baby. It might be what she needs to unwind, actually. A few little ones of her own so she isn't controlling everyone else.]
He's perfect, Zevran. I--is that why your apprentices have been all over the library these last couple of weeks?
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[ Lucci catches hold of his fingers and, as expected, pops it in his mouth to gum. ]
For books on child rearing? Yes. But much of the information is conflicting. Let them sleep on their own, let them sleep with you, use brandy soaked cloth for them to suck on, use mint- I have been muddling through.
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[She bounces the boy a little.]
Though all three of those herbs are good for this, and taste pleasant to him. I could make you a box of rags like that, frozen. All together, it would be perfect.
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[ Such is the way of things and it is not often when he hopes to meddle in the business- but Mia is important to him, just as much as Pel. ]
I think that would work quite well, yes. It would calm him enough to perhaps sleep a few hours more.
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[Pel smooths back Lucci's hair and starts to rock him.]
I don't know how much you know about Cullen. How much I should say. But she hates me.
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[ It is a celebration of light and life- squabbling would not be appropriate. Traditional for Antivans, of course, but not appropriate.
Lucci burbles happily, reaching up to grip Pel's shirt. ]
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[She smiles down at Lucci.]
Cold silence is probably the worst you can expect. Isn't that so, da'len? Grown-ups who don't like each other just accept that they don't have to talk to each other. Isn't that much better than war and feuding?
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[ Who giggles happily in Pel's arms. ]
Face a charging ogre? Any day. Stand between feuding women? Never.
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[Her chest feels heavy.]
It just...sounds terribly like it means I'm part of your clan. If that makes any sense. And if that's like what you mean, then I'm...I'm so very honored, lethallin.
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It takes a village, or so the saying goes. I cannot do this on my own. You are a dear friend to me, Pel. I would have you take part in raising him.
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That's how it is in a clan, too. I will do my very best.
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[ Zevran settles back, content to watch his son and Pel be adorable.
Or, rather, watches them while he pulls his journal free to sketch them being such. ]
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