#teima

Teima’s face was aglow, lit by a bright smile – the same smile that often visited her face. Watching her daughter always made her look like this. Happy, and charmed, and content. Oreisaka was just over a year old, and learning to walk. She clung to Teima’s chair, and clutched her mother’s dress tightly, desperately trying to stay on her toes. She was steady for a short moment, before she became distracted by the cooing of her new-born sister.

Taka’s latest wife Geith was sitting beside Teima, holding her baby Sukaru. Oreisaka turned her head towards the infant’s squeal, and, distracted, she lost her balance. Teima laughed as Oreisaka swayed and fell back, causing a slight tear in her mother’s dress in the process. Teima didn’t mind. It was easily repaired; Orei only had small claws. Oreisaka landed on her heels for a moment, and almost looked like she could regain her balance, before she fell flat on her back.

“Oops!” Teima giggled. “Up you get.” She leaned forward to offer Oreisaka her hand, and Oreisaka took it. Teima laughed, and scooped her daughter up into her arms, placing her on her lap. “Do you want to see the baby?”

She watched as Oreisaka stared in wonder at the small thing next to them. Geith and Teima weren’t particularly close… Geith wasn’t the most sociable of people, and she didn’t seem to like the fact that Taka had other wives. But… Teima was as friendly and supportive to her as she could be, in the hope that they would eventually bond. After all… their children were sisters whatever happened, so it didn’t seem to make sense for the girls’ mothers to not get along.

“Beebee!” Oreisaka grinned, pointing at Sukaru.

“Yes, that’s right!” Teima beamed. “She’s a baby. Your baby sister.”

“Beebee.”

Teima looked at Geith, to see a small smile appear on the woman’s face, which brightened Teima’s. She felt happy to see that… perhaps the children could be the thing that bonded them.

“How are you finding it?” Teima asked sincerely. Geith had been looking very tired since the birth – which was to be expected, of course. But… she didn’t seem to want much help. Taka had other wives, and plenty of servants who were paid to assist with caring for his children. Geith had refused all the offers of help, though. She wouldn’t let anyone else come near her daughter – she didn’t even like anyone except Taka holding her. Teima had thought it was maternal instinct and a love for her child at first, but… the more she saw Geith, the more she started to think… it was just possession. Geith didn’t want her daughter to be associated with Taka’s other wives, or other children. She’d never liked to talk to them much, but since having a child it seemed like she wanted to push the others out… like she wanted Taka all to herself. It made Teima a little confused… What did she really expect to happen? Taka had a reputation for marrying women and having children. Of course Teima adored him, and of course she would like to be the only woman in his life… but she knew she wasn’t, and she was okay with that. She would rather share him than not have him at all. She assumed all of his wives felt that way – or all of his Outsider wives, at least… but Geith… she seemed to have other ideas. Teima got a bad feeling about her… and she tried to fix it with kindness. It was the only thing she could really do well.

Geith simply shrugged in response, and met Teima’s eyes.

“I’m tired. But I can sleep when she sleeps. It isn’t really an issue…” She was making her excuses already. Teima wanted to offer to take Sukaru so Geith could get some rest – she thought that perhaps Geith would feel more comfortable leaving Sukaru with another wife rather than the servants. But… obviously not…

“Bee…” Oreisaka leaned forward and took hold of Sukaru’s hand, squealing in delight at the way Sukaru’s fist instinctively clenched around her finger. Teima laughed, watching them. Oreisaka seemed to be enjoying having a younger sibling… It did make Teima wonder, if Taka would want to try for another with her. Perhaps a boy…? Taka wanted a male heir. Maybe he would want to try for a son…? Oreisaka was getting older now; she would make a wonderful big sister. She already was a wonderful big sister, to Sukaru. Teima couldn’t help but feel the urge to… have another one of her own. If Taka was willing…

The door clicked open, and both women turned their heads to see Taka and Suela stepping into the room. They both looked a little worn – they must have been sparring together. Obediently, Teima and Geith moved to the floor and onto their knees to bow to Taka, holding their daughters in their arms. Taka gestured for them to return to their seat, scoffing.

“I thought you girls would be in the nursery.” He uttered. He moved his eyes to Oreisaka, judging her. “Is she learning much in here?”

“She’s learning what it’s like to have a baby sister.” Teima replied, a small blush forming on her cheeks as she looked at her husband. If they had another child…

“Oh.” Suela sniggered. “And what a rare opportunity that is, isn’t it Sire?” She shot Taka a teasing glance, which he returned.

“Quite.” He smirked at her, and gestured towards the drinks cabinet, silently instructing her to pour him one.

“Me?” Suela frowned. “What about your slave wives?”

Teima looked away, feeling small suddenly. Suela didn’t think much of Taka’s other wives… Geith was difficult to talk to, but she wasn’t hostile. Suela was openly hostile. Teima never knew what to say to her…

“They’re holding my children.” Taka spoke. He took a seat, leaving enough room for Suela to join him, and moved his eyes to Teima and Geith. “How are they?”

“Oreisaka can walk.” Teima beamed, her heart immediately filling with joy. Taka didn’t often ask about her child… but sometimes he showed interest in her, and Teima. It made Teima so happy when he did; she couldn’t hide it from her face even if she tried. She set Oreisaka down, and nudged her towards the king. “Go on. Go to your father.” She offered Oreisaka an encouraging smile, but the child simply stood there, clinging onto Teima’s dress and looking cautiously at Taka. She was always somewhat nervous around him – and even more so when Suela was there. Teima suspected Suela’s hostility frightened her. “Go on.” Teima urged, pushing Oreisaka slightly. “Please.” She silently thought. She wanted Taka to be pleased with Oreisaka… so that he would want to try for another. In the bottom of her heart, Teima still wanted them to live as a happy family. Sometimes, she was convinced that they could. In little moments when they were all together… like now.

“Come on.” Taka grunted, beckoning Oreisaka towards him. “Orei.”

A short moment passed, and Teima could see Taka was beginning to lose his patience, and Suela was looking more triumphant by the second. But then… Oreisaka took a cautious step. Teima’s face brightened as she watched her daughter walking slowly and steadily towards her father. One step… two… three…

“Oof!” Teima giggled when Oreisaka lost her balance and fell down, still quite far from her father’s feet.

“Oh well.” Taka sniggered. He leaned forward and scooped the child up, much to Teima’s delight. He placed her on his lap, watching her reaction. She seemed tense, and unsure of him… that was good. He didn’t want his children to be too confident with him, not even at this age. He wanted them to fear him a little, even when they were babies. But… he also wanted them to speak when spoken to. It was a fine line, one that he relied on their mothers to teach them not to cross. If Teima’s child behaved as he wanted, he might consider trying for a second with her. “You need to practise more.” Taka stated, looking sternly at his daughter. “What have you been doing?”

Oreisaka stared at him blankly, unsure of how to respond. She didn’t understand him… but she knew he was talking to her. In small desperation, and too afraid of him to play with his hair or his clothing, she did the only other thing she could think of. She pointed to Sukaru, and uttered,

“Beebee.”

Teima started laughing, charmed by her daughter’s cuteness… and it warmed her heart to see a small smile appear on Taka’s face.

“Is it?” He smirked. “Thank you for telling me, princess. I’ll bear that in mind.”

Teima clasped her hands around her mouth and laughed harder, while Suela looked at the pair of them as if there was something wrong with them.

Mokoto stepped into the room, where he would meet his family for the first time. He was greeted by two women, and he automatically knelt before them before. He recognised them, from pictures he'd seen in the Hive. They were his mothers. One was Keika Kaeila, his father’s first wife, and the other... Keika Teima. Mokoto’s biological mother. He could hear sniffling... as he stayed knelt until he was given permission to rise, his head bowed, his eyes on the floor... he could hear the sound of sniffling, and whimpering. He felt unnerved by it… It sounded like crying. He’d never heard a superior of his cry… “Kaeila...” A soft voice came from in front of him. Judging by the distance, it must have been Keika Teima. “I told you you wouldn’t last long.” Kaeila’s voice followed. She sounded... amused? “Go on.” “Okay!”

Mokoto heard the sound of footsteps, quickly drawing closer to him. He saw shoes in front of him – they were his biological mother’s. He’d taken in her image in seconds; as soon as he’d entered the room Mokoto had registered each of the occupants and how they were dressed. These were Keika Teima shoes... “Um – you can stand up.” Obediently, he rose. He looked at the woman that stood before him – it was Keika Teima. She had tears in her eyes, but she was smiling. Mokoto had learned that Outsiders could cry if they were very happy... He'd seen it on videos, but he’d never seen the act live. It was... interesting. “H-Hello.” Teima smiled. “Mokoto...” “Hello, Mother.” Mokoto greeted her as politely and respectfully as he could, and she immediately burst into tears. Mokoto started to panic; he didn’t know what he had done wrong. Perhaps his tone or his composure had upset her; she’d gone from crying softly and discreetly to shamelessly bawling with those two words. Would he be punished for that...? For upsetting the king’s wife...? “Hello, baby!”

She didn’t seem angry. She didn’t seem upset. She seemed happy, even more so than before. Mokoto had seen very little expression of happiness in person, but he’d seen it enough in videos and images to recognise it. She was... overjoyed. She attacked him. At least, Mokoto had come to know it as an attack. Any physical contact was an attack to him; the tutors at the Hive seldom had any other reason to touch him. Teima, though... She leapt at him, and threw her arms around him. Tightly – or tightly for her. It didn’t hurt him, but Mokoto could tell she was using all of her strength. He has been warned that the Outsiders might try to do this... hug him. He has been warned that Teima in particular would be physically affectionate, and that he shouldn’t be alarmed. So he forced himself not to be. He forced his Footprints to back down, even though his instincts were telling him to push her away and defend himself. He stood rigid, waiting for it to be over. He wondered if he should hug her back; his tutors has told him she would probably like it. He’d never hugged somebody before though... He’d never needed to. He had been shown what it was, and told how to do it, but he had never practiced. Would he hurt her...? “Orei! “ Teima turned, to one of the other women in the room. Mokoto’s sisters; he recognised them all. “Come!”