Meeting the Family (PT. 4)

Posted on Sun Nov 13th, 2022 @ 2:00am by Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea & Lieutenant Commander S'hib

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Sequus Colony; Earth
Timeline: After Meeting the Family (Pt. 3)
1834 words - 3.7 OF Standard Post Measure

With dinner time nearing, the house had become much more packed as Naxea sat with the other members of S'hib's family. She was enjoying the hospitality and being able to relax, not having to worry about work for once.

"I got you a drink." S'hib smiled as he clicked over, glancing down at Naxea as she sat on a cushioned pad on the floor; practically touching elbows with another Sequus.

"It's strong... so I only poured you a little bit." S'hib teased as he passed it down to her before seating himself, letting out a soft sigh as he crossed his legs and got comfortable; glad to have finally removed the skirt he was wearing earlier.

"Food should be ready soon, you going to be alright without a table?" He added, glancing at the array of empty trays and bowls that sat encircled by Sequus, all sitting on cushioned pads like Naxea and himself. "We um... we do things a bit differently, as I'm sure you've noticed."

"So I've noticed," Naxea replied with a sly grin at all of the nude Sequus around her. She felt out of place being the only one clothed as she took the drink passed to her from S'hib. She took a small sip from the glass as the soothing burning sensation made it's way down her throat and to her stomach. "Wow, that is strong," she commented, trying her best not to make a face.

"The forests where some of the ingredients grow, in the summer you'd get drunk from the smell alone... or so they say anyway." S'hib said with a skeptical look before swigging from his own cup, the burning contents making him cough slightly. "Certainly stronger than the replicated stuff we have at home."

"I'll agree to that," she replied taking another small sip. "Hmmm...I better pace myself--hate to get drunk before dinner," she joked.

"Well I was more so hoping a lil alcohol would put someone to sleep..." He whispered, leaning in close to kiss her on the cheek.

"Oh, I see, you want to get me drunk and pass out so you can take advantage of me? Poor, lil innocent me. Whatever shall I do?" She teased, mockingly while grinning.

"There is nothing innocent about you, especially when you're drunk..." He said with a roll of his eyes, though his involuntary grin showed how he really felt.

"Nor you," she responded, feeling the burn of embarrassment flush her cheeks as her attention returned to S'hib's family.

Fa'shi smiled as she clicked out from the kitchen, her eyes catching sight of S'hib's affection towards Naxea. "Food's ready everyone..." She beamed as steam billowed up over her shoulder; the large pot clasped in her hands still bubbling away gently.

"Remember to serve the little ones their bowls first." Fr'ee snorted as she walked in carrying another pot, placing them both down in the middle of the herd before seating themselves.

A suppressed sigh of relief left both of their lips as they sat there, watching the eldest of their children, lean from their cushions and begin pouring deep spoonfuls of stew into wooden bowls before handing them out.

"How much do you want?" S'hib said as he leaned forward, looking back at Naxea for an answer.

She wasn't sure if it was simply being pregnant or being pregnant with a half-Sequus baby but the smell of the stew was making Naxea hungrier by the minute. "Fill it up. It smells delicious and I'm starving," she replied eagerly as the eldest children were finishing passing out the bowls to the other children around the circle.

"Now you're talking like a Sequus." He grinned while shuffling across the hard wooden floor to the Myriad of bowls and steaming pots of stew. He was happy she was here, even if she was drowning in his people's cultural quirks like the ladle teasing to sink into the depths of vegetable broth.

Still, turning back to see her sitting cross-legged like the rest of his family, the warm glow of candle-lit lamps on her skin, the distraction almost made him miss the bowl.

"I got you some extra potatoes, oh and If you don't like these I'll eat them..." He said while pointing at a purple-coloured vegetable with a spoon before passing them both to her.

"What is it?" she asked, looking at the roasted purple objects before stuffing her face with a big bite of potato.

"They're Te'chok flower buds, native to Sequella... the pollen inside infuses with the stew giving them a sweet but earthy taste." He smiled as he moved back to fill up his bowl. "Some like to rip them open and mix the juices with the rest of their broth, others like to eat them whole for the intensity of flavour... though they have a habit of getting quite hot in the centre."

"Yeah, no thanks then," Naxea replied pushing the offending fruit away slightly. "The baby gives me heartburn enough without adding spicy foods." She instantly regretted her words as she looked around to see all eyes and ears focused on her. "Shit."

There was a moment of silence, swiftly broken by K'shees' young and soft voice echoing Naxeas' final word with naive excitement; resulting in a slap on the back of her head.

S'hibs head shunted down to face the floor at this, dropping the ladle inside the pot before rubbing the ridge of his skull between his eyes.

"I was starting to wonder when you were going to tell us..." Fr'ee said from behind a stern glare, clearly unimpressed that she had inadvertently taught K'Shee a new word.

"I'm so sorry," Naxea said sincerely, recalling that she had learned that same word when she was about K'Shee's age from a Starfleet Officer on Bajor. "But how did you know that I'm pregnant?". She wasn't so big that her tank top couldn't hide her midsection.

"When you've had as many as I have had, you tend to notice when another is burdened with the joys of growing a child..." Fr'ee replied, her voice blending sarcasm with genuine ardour for pregnancy.

"Well, I'm about a month along. Bajorans normally carry for five months," Naxea stated. "So far, the baby is healthy."

Fr'ee narrowed her eyes somewhat though not out of malice. "I see, though I thought you and S'hib were following that strange monogamous tradition most of your humanoid kind adhere to..."

"We are..." S'hib replied matter of factly as he returned to sit by Naxea.

"Oh! so you had a donor I see... that makes sense considering you can't-"

"No, she's mine, actually."

The room fell silent at this, replaced with so sound of soft munching from children too young to care let alone comprehend the conversation that was unfolding.

Fr'ee was stunned, her mouth left somewhat agape as she slow panned to look at Fa'shi who simply raised her eyebrows and shrugged.

"How?" Fr'ee finally gasped, finding herself having to place her bowl down on the floor before her.

"To be honest, I'm not sure," Naxea admitted with a slight shrug. "I met with High Priestess An'Dalus and she did...something by placing her hand on my stomach. I soon after discovered that I was pregnant."

"What?" S'hib exclaimed, only just hearing about this. "When did that happen?"

"A blessing from the red sea... you are very lucky." Fr'ee remarked, her voice in disbelief.

"Many never meet a High Priestess, let alone receive a blessing." Fa'shi added, bowing deeply out of respect.

Looking over at S'hib, Naxea began to explain. "It happened a couple weeks before we had to capture that rouge Starfleet Admiral. She came to my office, we talked and then she muttered what sounded like a prayer and placed her hand on my stomach and then I felt a warming sensation."

He looked at her, frowning but not at her as he placed his hand on her stomach. "We'll figure it out when we get back..." He said softly.

"Don't forget to eat..." Fa'shi reminded, trying to wash away the concern on their faces. "Or the little one will start kicking."

"Right," Naxea said as she patted S'hib's hand before taking a bite of the potatoes. The food tasted as good as it smelled. "This is delicious," she complimented after swallowing the bite.


====After Dinner====

Naxea stood, and steadied herself. The room was spinning as she straightened up. The alcohol was in full effect--S'hib hadn't been lying about the drink.

"Careful," S'hib whispered with a concerned tone, reaching up to hold her hips while still seated on the floor. "It's a good thing you drank it on a full stomach or I'd be carrying you." He teased as he gently got up on his hooves, making sure at least one hand never left her body.

"That's...still...an option. Carried off...to bed...by, by a naked you...," she spoke slowly as she took a step.

"Wouldn't be the first time..." He muttered smugly as he kissed the back of her head.

Naxea only grinned as she stumbled down the hallway. She soon came to a stop. "Exactly where are we sleeping anyhow?"

"Well, normally sleeping is more of a communal thing for us... but don't worry, there's a guest bedroom with a normal bed, so you won't have to cuddle up with anyone else." He smiled, gently letting her sway somewhat in his grip before kissing her gently on her ridged nose.

"Awww, no orgy?" she teased, grinning before pausing and seemingly to sober for a moment. "Ya know...this...this is your family. You should sleep with them...and I should at least try to join you," she shrugged.

"Are you sure?" He asked, sceptical but excited at the idea of her opening up to his culture more... though it was probably the alcohol.

"We're with your family...you should be with them," she patted S'hib's hand. "Lead the way."

"Ok." He smiled, bringing her hand up to his lips. "The sleeping pits are outside, by the way. and the kids have their own... they tend to fidget a lot so."

Naxea shed her clothes and allowed her to be led to the sleeping pits.

The larger of the two sat there beneath a thick canopy as they stepped outside, the night sky visible as a cold breeze fluttered over them, inviting them both into the large dish filled with furred blankets, pillows and Sequus alike all in various stages of rest.

It felt quiet despite the murmurs of those whispering into the ears of those next to them, the smaller pit filled with little ears pretending to be asleep even as their little noses rested on the edges, staring at Naxea and S'hib as they climbed into the spaces free.

"If you get too warm, let me know..." He mumbled, spooning up behind her.

"Sure," she replied as she drifted off to sleep, due in no small part to the alcohol.