She snorted “Practice won’t do much for that slug” No, Stewart was…well, Stewart and she doubted after three years it was merely practice that would improve their sex life. She was jealous of Lorelei having a husband that not only looked like Noel did, but could also satisfy a woman so completely. Yeah…Maggie wished she would have been the one to go to Riven now, lucky girl. When he spoke she looked surprised. He wasn’t originally meant to marry her? Well that was intriguing. What he said made her heart warm and she smiled at him like he was the sweetest man in the entire earth. Who knew! Who knew such a scary looking man could have such a soft side. He really was head over heels for Lorelei….yeah, Maggie totally was jealous.

Lorelei was lying back on the bed, stroking her small stomach as she spoke quietly to the baby. She liked to do that from time to time, she kind of liked to imagine that the baby could hear her and understand what she was telling him. Her mother had told her that she spoke to bother her and her sister when she was pregnant with them, and she wanted to continue that tradition. When Noel returned she sat up and smiled at him, hearing movement around downstairs when he opened the door “Is Maggie up?” She asked curiously, taking the offered water and drinking it thankfully.

Yes it was true, the big cold beast had a heart, but it was owned completely by Lorelei. It was very rare he said such sweet things, and he really only tried to say them to Lorelei, but Maggie was like a sister to her. She seemed a better fit sister than Lorelei’s real sibling, and he knew if given a moment alone Lorelei would have spilled the beans about what a mush he was anyway.

Once inside the room he handed her the glass and smiled, looking over her stomach. “Yes.” He should have lied and told her no so that they could stay in the room longer, because he knew she would want to be up and with Maggie before they left. Still the man sat down on the bed beside her and touched her stomach, running his hand back and forth over it before laying down and resting his head on it. “Tell your mother you want to go home.” It was the first time Noel had ever spoken to her stomach, or tried to reach the baby besides light touches. He turned his nose to her stomach and kissed it, but his stomach growled and gave them a reason to stay since the smell of breakfast wafted up into the room.

“Maggie is a pretty good cook. She likes cooking bacon. It’s a food made from pig. I think you will like it” Pig and cow was rare for people to eat in J’nanin, but Maggie was one of the few people who had pigs, she traded her father’s old boat to a man in Uru for a pair of pigs. She always joked her father probably turned in his grave over such a thing but she had never been much of a fisherman. When he laid down and put his head on her stomach to talk to the baby she smiled warmly and started to gently stroke his hair, gazing down at him and giggled. She thought it was the cutest thing to see him talk to her stomach and it was moments like this she wished people could see. Her mother and sister thought he was a heartless beast, but what sort of beast spoke to their unborn child?

“I think he wants to go home too” She knew she did. She wanted their bed again, their home, to be around Canyon and see Israel. She heard his stomach and laughed, shaking her head “Let us eat first then we can leave.” She was surprised he had gone this long without food, but as a typical man if it was between sex or food sex typically won over and it had last night.

They had such a strange taste for food in J’nanin. Fish was not something Noel ate often. It seemed so light compared to the meals they made in Riven, but he wasn’t one to complain about a meal cooked for him. He wasn’t a picky man, just a very hard one to fill. “Pig?” He cocked his head to the side and shrugged. “I will try anything once.” Anything food related at least.

Noel rose from laying on her stomach and touched it one last time. A soft look lingered in his eye as he looked to her belly, then he got up from the bed and took her hand to help her up. Part of him wanted to ask if she wanted more time with any other friends, but the better part of him spoke over that and urged him to eat then get the hell out of fishville. He opened the door for her and walked after her downstairs to eat, his stomach singing like a canary at the smell of food.

She stood up from the bed, adjusting her dress some before heading down the stairs to the kitchen and living space. There may had been other people she was interested to spend time with, but she knew that Noel just wanted to return home and she knew the others would probably react similar to how her sister and mother had reacted. Not many in J’nanin were as open and care free as Maggie was being, she knew few others would warmly invite Noel into their home, if they’d let him inside at all. As they descended the stairs Maggie was at the door way trying to convince the guards to come inside and eat, but since they didn’t know Narayan and she didn’t know Rime it was a bit of a battle to communicate. She turned when she saw them coming down the stairs “Tell them damned weirdo’s to come inside and eat something. They just keep standing there” She directed at Noel before going back to cook.

Stewart was sitting at the table and snorted when he saw Noel “He’s still here?” He grumbled, only to earn a whack upside the head from Maggie “Shut your mouth! You’re just grumpy because he can satisfy a woman and all you can satisfy is your damned stomach filling it with ale!” She growled at him and he glared at her “You’re satisfied!” He argued and she make an exaggerated sound “Stewart you moron! It’s not a good thing when I woman just lies there and doesn’t make any sound!” She huffed as she made two plates of food and set them down on the table and motioned for Lorelei and Noel to sit and eat. Stewart frowned “I thought you said the bacon was off limits” He complained and she smacked him again “Yes, for YOU. I made it for him. Look at him. He needs it” She patted Noel’s muscles. Lorelei sat down and tried to hide her grin, pursing her lips together as she listened to the arguing couple.

Noel walked sleepily down the stairs, exhausted from the night before and lack of food in his growling belly. He stretched behind Lorelei as they walked then reached forward and rubbed her shoulders just before they entered the kitchen and he heard Maggie. The warriors outside were silent, staring at her as if she were a cat trying to teach them algebra. The leader laughed quietly and obeyed her order, motioning and telling the guards to come inside. They may have been young and well trained, but they needed food to keep them on their feet. Even though Noel had invited them in they still stood patiently waiting for him to get his food first.

As Maggie and Stewart argued Noel watched curiously, no shame in his eyes as he looked to the couple. He muttered something in Rime and the warriors smirked and shifted around as they looked to Stewart, then interestedly at Maggie. After filling his guards in he went and sat at the table and began to, famished from the night before. Silence was golden as he tried to satiate himself. The two guards went to Maggie, looking at her like two lost puppies who wanted scraps, though there was also interest in their eyes that her husband may not have liked. Riven women did not boast and weren't so proud like she was. They were interested in the change of pace she brought to the table.

Lorelei nudged Noel when he muttered, picking up her fork to begin eating, finding in that moment she was very hungry herself and needed fuel for the baby. She figured it must be strange for Noel and the other men to see Stewart and Maggie’s dynamic, a woman actually yelling and hitting her husband instead of the other way around like in Riven. After Noel and Lorelei were settled she began making plates for the guards “So, have you thought of names yet for the baby?” Maggie asked as she turned and handed the plates to the guard. She smiled at them but then paused when she saw the way they were looking at her and her expression faltered a bit, wondering why they were staring at her like that. Men looking at her in interest hadn’t happened in years.

Lorelei glanced to Noel “It depends on the baby’s gender. It is tradition in Riven that if it is a son the husband names him, but if it is a daughter the wife does” Mainly because most men didn’t care much for daughters, it wasn’t the same pride as a son. “Noel and I have not really discussed it though” Stewart eyed them “Ain’t it true they uh, throw babies into the jungle to see if they survive on their own? Make warriors or something that way?” He asked and Lorelei frowned, blinking at him and slowly shook her head “No…no they don’t do that”. Maggie gave Stewart a look behind his back and bunched a hand towel up before throwing it at his head “You idiot”

The warrior’s gaze did not falter when Maggie’s expression did. They stared at her, then nodded and said ‘Thank you’ in Rime to her as they took the food. They looked at the food curiously then began to eat without forks, picking at it graciously as their stomachs roared in hunger.

Names had not even come across Noel’s mind at this point. He picked up a fork and stared at it, then began doing his best to eat with it without looking like a barbarian. He glanced at the guards as they ate and shook his head, but secretly wished he could have just been one of them. He should have pretended not to speak the language and just enjoyed being a savage. When Stewart asked his stupid question Noel looked to him seriously, as if that’s what they really did and managed to say “Yes.” right before Lorelei corrected him. He glanced at her, then looked down to his breakfast and a phantom went as quickly as it came while he ate. “This is good.” He said to Maggie and held a piece of bacon on the fork, waving it a little before trying to eat the crispy meat with the utensil.

Lorelei knew utensils really were not used in Riven and after a few moments of Maggie watching him with amusement she realized it as well and laughed as she sat down to eat herself “Don’t worry about manners here. Just eat” She assured him. If he wanted to scarf food like a wildman by all means she wanted him too, Maggie didn’t want him to act like he was sitting at a table with the Uru queen or anything. The yes threw Stewart off, his eyes widened as he stared at the couple. Immediately he believed Noel over Lorelei, for he assumed she was saying no merely to make her husband look better, but that Noel was the one telling the truth. Lorelei glanced to Noel as his response and gave him a look with a small smile on her face. He was such a little troublemaker when he wanted to be.

“That’s a bit barbaric. Aren’t you afraid for it?” Stewart asked with some horror in his voice, motioning to Lorelei’s stomach but Maggie rolled her eyes “He’s screwing with you Stewart for being a damned fool” She chided then smiled at Noel “Why thank you. I have plenty more if you want it” She said and Stewart pouted “I want some” He whined but she snorted “No” Before she continued eating. Stweart grumbled and sighed, looking back to Noel “Is it true your people are cannibalistic?” He asked which only made Maggie make a frustrated sound, but this time Lorelei decided to go her husband’s route as she casually ate “Only during certain festivals” She replied coolly which made Stewart’s eyes all but bug out of his head. Maggie chortled which made Lorelei smile and laugh some herself.

Noel had no problem not minding manners of other ages, but he didn't want to embarrass his wife. He nodded and continued eating as dignified as he could but the warriors off to the side ate like they did at home. Hands made things easier than fancy forks or spoons.

He held back a laugh at Stewarts face and remained his usual stoic self. Maggie certainly knew how to put her husband in place and the Riven leader smiled as he cleared all the food from his plate. If Lorelei spoke to him like Maggie spoke to Stewart it would leave him dumbfounded.... though it would eventually get old. No wonder Stewart was a price. He probably never got his dick wet either. "No. We only eat lost Nanites." He corrected Lorelei and touched her cheek. "We are saving this one for a special occasion." The warriors behind Noel laughed, they were surprised by his humor but had seen it before during training sessions.

He was so good. Even with encouragement to eat as he wanted he still tried to have manners. It made her smile warmly at him and brush her hand against his thigh. Every day he always kept his promise to make her happy, even with little things like this. She knew he’d feel so much better once they were home and he could be himself, and Lorelei felt she would feel the same relief. Even though she had to behave a certain way infront of the Rivenese, in private she and Noel could do whatever they wished and she rather missed that freedom.

Lorelei couldn’t ever imagine speaking to Noel the way that Maggie spoke to her husband. Not just for the fact it wasn’t condoned in Riven, but Lorelei didn’t really like being so bossy. She had exerted herself a few times with the Rivenese when she felt it was utterly necessary, but she preferred being quiet. When he continued to tease poor Stewart she looked to him with a grin, gazing in his eyes “Nothing can stop you from your hunger” She murmured to him in a sultry voice, speaking in Rime for only him. Maggie didn’t understand the words but by the way her friend said them she knew it was something intimate and she smirked and looked down to her plate as her own husband looked strickened by what the couple was saying, believing every word.

It amused Noel to no end that Stewart was so gullible to his ploy. Men in Riven were far more suspicious and reserved, so he didn’t often get to tease another male like this. It made him want to laugh but he kept his face stern and serious, only playing more into the awful joke that made the Nanite man question ever going to Riven.

No matter how good Maggie’s cooking was it could not keep Noel’s attention when Lorelei spoke to him. He gazed at her and touched her hair, toying with the ivory strands all the way to their ends. Even though he was more constricted in J’nanin he felt at ease to show how much he cared because that’s what the people needed to see. The warriors watched him curiously, but were quick to go back to their free meals when he glanced their way. Finally Noel looked back to Maggie. “We should be leaving. You are welcome in Riven any time it pleases you, and we will do our best to make you happy there.” He smirked. “You will not want to leave.”

Maggie watched as Noel touched Lorelei and found herself grinning. Did her parents not really see this? Well, they probably did not give the chance. Maggie couldn’t see how anyone could ignore the way Noel looked at Lorelei or the gentle way he gave her affection. Did people not really see this, at all? They were as passionate as fire and as cool in their love as the ocean. Stewart never was affectionate, or spoke sweet words or looked at her gently or…alright, Maggie was making herself depressed.

Lorelei smiled softly as Noel touched her hair, placing a hand on his knee as they gazed at one another and forgetting or a moment they had an audience. When he said they should go she felt a small pang in her heart to leave, especially the way things had been left with her family but she knew sticking around would do no good. Stewart snorted “We won’t be visiting there” He said at the same time that Maggie grinned and said over him “I will look forward to visiting someday soon”. Stewart gave his wife a displeased look but she stood to give Lorelei a goodbye hug “You take care, alright?” She touched her stomach “You send word when the baby comes, you here? I want to meet her” Lorelei nodded with a smile then Maggie turned to Noel and patted his stomach “Take care of her”

As much as he tried to hide affection when under the eyes of the village there was no putting a stop to the whispers; the entire village knew Noel was head over heels to Lorelei. They knew she was his backbone, his strength. Up until now he had led with a cold and steady gaze, but now there was a softness to him that put the villagers at ease.

He stood from the table and took Maggie’s hand when she touched his stomach. He lifted it and kissed her fingers gently. “I will. Thank you.” When he turned the warriors were right behind him and he gave them a strange look. Both men stepped closer to Maggie and one at a time they took her hand to kiss it. There may have been a language barrier between them, but they were grateful she had shown them kindness. After each young man kissed her hand and thanked her with their gazes they glanced to Stewart with a devilish smile and turned on their heels to leave with Noel and Lorelei.

When Noel kissed Maggie’s hand she grinned and looked pleasantly surprised, glancing to Lorelei like they were two silly pre-teens before Maggie looked back to him. Lorelei was surprised to see the warriors lingering near them and then watched them curiously as they went to kiss Maggie’s hand. She was pretty sure they just learned how to do that this exact moment watching Noel, but it amused her by how smitten they seemed by the brash red head. Her husband puffed up and stepped forward “Now hey, don’t be touching-“ He started but Maggie shoved him with her free hand “Shut up, Stewart” She snapped at him before smiling at the men and blushing. Maybe Riven really wasn’t that bad at all.

As they left Maggie’s home Lorelei frowned, glancing around one last time around the village. Who knew if she’d ever return? When she had first gone to Riven she could hope and dream she’d come back home but this time she knew this could truly be the last time. People still gawked at them as they started to mill around for the morning but she tried her best to ignore them like before. As they got closer the portal she saw her father standing on the path towards it, looking like he was waiting “Papa?” She questioned and he looked up and smiled in relief “I was worried you had already left. I couldn’t let you leave without telling you goodbye” He gave her a warm look and she sighed in relief and went to him, hugging him tightly. They embraced for a while before her father looked to Noel “I want to talk to you for a moment. Alone”

The hand kissing was something they had learned from Noel. One of the young men had seen him to it to Lorelei before, but had never studied it as he did now. They smirked like two young devils at Stewart, their dark eyes watching him before going back to fix on Maggie. They said their goodbyes to her in their own language then followed their leader outside.

The stares went ignored for the most part, but now and again Noel would lock eyes with one staring and look her over. Did they think they were sly, or did they truly not care? Rivenese were much like wolves and most animals, when eye contact from a more dominant animal was made the lesser looked away. Apparently Nanites did not consider themselves lesser or intimidated at all.

Just as he was feeling relieved to go home Noel saw her father and felt his spirits sink. What did he want? He watched carefully as they embraced, glancing back to his guards who stood at attention like Lorelei’s father was an enemy who would be ordered to be moved at any moment. When he said he wanted to speak to him alone Noel furrowed his brows and glanced around. Did he mean someone else? He glanced back to his warriors and nodded, which made them back up and give them space. "Alright." He said, then kissed Lorelei's forehead and brushed her hair back. "Give us a moment."

Lorelei didn’t know how she felt about her father speaking to Noel alone. What did her father want to say? Would Noel lose his temper? But she knew she had to respect what her father wanted and Noel seemed alright with it so she nodded and gave Noel a small smile before walking back down the path with the guards to give them privacy to speak, though she kept her eyes on them to make sure nothing got heated. Her father wasn’t one to argue, but she still feared he might say something to offend Noel and make things tense and she didn’t want to leave J’nanin on another sour note.

Her father waited till Lorelei walked down a distance before looking to Noel “I wanted to apologize for my wife and eldest daughter. I believe they had a right to be upset but…they should have not been so vocal about it. My wife is a stubborn woman. She wouldn’t come to say goodbye to Lorelei” He glanced to Lorelei then back to her “As I said before I’m not pleased, especially this child…she’s so young to be a mother” He frowned and sighed for a moment but raised a hand to brush it off “But it is what it is and it cannot be changed. I still think you love her and want what is best for her” He reached in his pocket and took out a pouch and handed it to him “That is Lorelei’s mother engagement ring. She doesn’t wear it anymore and Letty never wanted it, but Lorelei always admired it. I think you should give it to her” He then carefully touched his arm and patted it “I know you probably won’t want to return but, I think you should. I think my wife will change her mind when she sees the baby. She will want to be apart of it’s life. I think the baby will help settle the tension once it arrives”

Noel waited impatiently until Lorelei and the warriors were out of hearing distance. He felt as thought every muscle in his body was tense, and just wanted to get the hell out of J'nanin. As he waited he nearly tapped his foot but kept himself still. When Lorelei's father began to speak he looked at him, though his face was more stern than it usually was. He crossed his large arms over his chest, looking the man over before fixing on his face and paying attention to what he told him. Was he really here to stand and listen to how young Lorelei was? She didn't act so young when she was home alone with him.

But then he changed his tone and the subject lightened. Noel's face became less stern and he looked down to the pouch he was handed. He took the ring out carefully and examined it as the man spoke, then looked back to him with a raised brow. "Thank you..." Noel never thanked anyone but it seemed more common in J'nanin. He tucked the ring away and then tucked it inside his belt to be carried home safely. "She will love this..." He paused, mulling over how to choose his next words. "We will return once the child has been born... but next time I will not tolerate the same behavior, especially in front of my child." The child was unborn and already Noel was fiercly protective over it. "It will know only love."

Lorelei’s father had to admit the man intimidated him the way he stared so sternly, like a large statue that would come to life and crush him. But it seemed the more he spoke the less hardened he appeared to be and that relaxed him that his daughter’s husband wasn’t going to deck him. The ring was simple, a gold band with a cluster of small pearls, but Lorelei as a child had always wanted to put it on and had once said she wished she wear it on her wedding day. His wife didn’t know he had taken the ring, but she kept it in her jewelry box so he didn’t think she’d realize it was gone for a while now and then he could tell her what he had done and get his ass handed to him. Once again another Nanite looked taken aback by Noel’s protective nature and love for his wife and child, but it impressed her father as well. He grinned and nodded “I will send the message onto my wife” Though she probably wouldn’t believe the “brute” had actually said it.

He stepped back and looked to Lorelei, motioning her for her to come back. She walked back over to the men and looked between them curiously “Everything alright?” She asked carefully and her father continued to smile and nodded “Perfectly fine” He hugged his daughter one more time then kissed her cheek “Stay safe. Make sure you stay healthy for this little one” He touched her stomach and she smiled “I will”. They hugged another time before he ushered them off “Get back home.” He looked to Noel and smiled and this time, felt nothing but comfort to have his daughter leave.

Noel doubted that the message would bode well with Lorelei’s mother. Nothing that Noel said or did seemed to go over easy with the woman. It didn’t really bother him that much, but it angered him to know that she upset Lorelei. As the days went on he was growing more and more protective of his fragile little wife, especially now that they had a family getting closer and closer to becoming a reality.

He nodded to her father as they left and gave him a small wave just before putting his hand around Lorelei’s waist and heading to the portal. The warriors watched her father as they passed, looking down to him as they walked around him one on either side. They were curious what had been said, but knew better than to question their leader. What they needed to know would be told to them and that was all.

With the ring in tote and the weight of J’nanin’s welcome party on his shoulders Noel was relieved to reach the portal. It was going to feel so good to be home, and he imagined he would want to lounge around for days to get his spirits back up.

[would you like to start a new thread? ]