RP:Of Family and Home

Summary: Odhranos returns home after his recovery in Frostmaw, to his lover and daughter.

Artia's Ranch

Artia was inside her old home, packing up clothes that belonged to ava and well herself. Ordering two other undead men around on what to pack while she placed Ava in a play crib, with some toys to entertain herself with. She still has the dark color hair, mismatched eyes, one blue the other a slate grey. With a cheerful giggle as her mother handed her the favourite stuffed dragon toy. Bouncing the toy up and down as Artia walked away into the bedroom to fold dresses to put in the chest. On top her bed was a painted photo of odhranos, keeping a picture near so Ava would know what he looked like. Once folded she would gently place then into the chest to be added to the wagon out front. Once looked upon her she hair was still the same wild dark strawberry blonde, her skin a pale white making her look like a porclein doll any little girl would be thrilled to have. The cyan blue was still present but an addition was there, gold freckles within the blue. As per usually she was barefooted.

Odhranos strode up the gravel path towards the house, a heavy scroll of parchment in his hands which he was intently reading as he walked, his eyes scouring the long list of materials and requests. "...additional floor for wingleader's quarters, storage room for the kitchens, storage for-!" The mage's mumbling was cut off as his path unwittingly put him on an intercept with a large, rather unyielding wagon that was parked outside the ranch. Odhranos bumbled right into it. "Curses! What the - oh, a mover's wagon." The mage pondered aloud, before peering around the wagon at the open door of the ranch beyond. Sidestepping one large iron-banded wheel, he walked across to the door and knocked on it, peeping his head inside. "Anyone home? Hello?"

Artia: Ava hears the voice and let out a loud squeal, “Ba!” She yelled out, Artia heard the voice and moved outside the master bedroom to spot Odhranos on the door way. “Hey stranger.” She offered him a smile, which showed her new fledgling fangs from being sired by Lady Larewen. Moving to grab Ava who is now a five month old, who kept saying ‘ma' over and over at the excitement of her mother holding her. “Look who it is Ava?” Ava stared out yo Odhranos with large eyes, next she stretched out her arms opening and closing her hands to be help by her father. “Da, da, da.” Doing her best to say dad.

Odhranos couldn't help the smile at Ava's happy little voice. "Hey there you, look at how you've grown!" He exclaimed, reaching out so her little hands could grasp his, or at the very least his fingers. He leaned forward and planted a kiss on the crown of her vibrant red hair then smiled at Artia. "It's good to see you again, how have you been?" He inquired, smiling fondly. Gesturing towards her fangs, he raised an eyebrow and a curious, somewhat inquisitive twinkle appeared in his eyes. "How are you adjusting to your new life?"

Artia :Ava grabbed her fingers tightly, smiling widely showing her swollen gum as a sign of teething. Artia returned a kiss to odhranos cheek, a blush flooding her pale checks. First person to make her blush in a long time, her heart had gone bitter towards all except four people. Larewen, Ava, Mythayus and Odhranos, she knew why odhranos been gone again. it's just who he is, he wanders and travels. "I been good, we been missing you. I had a painting done of you so Ava would always recognise you. the adjustment is rough, but I am.loving being what I am now. I'm dead, so the blood bond we made is gone is the only thing I do not like about it. " She then pressed a kiss to his nose, "Ava can crawl now too. She says very small words even, her first word was rah. I think she was playing back to a familiar that took shape of a panther. Where you travel off too?"

Odhranos nodded as Artia spoke, wiggling his fingers slightly to entertain Ava. "I was wondering about that, I remember waking up one day and what little sensation of it I had left was gone." He shrugged and glanced over at the picture, a wry grin accentuating the smile-wrinkles on his face. "It's a good painting, who did it, might I ask? I can't say I've been frequenting many artist's establishments, how did they manage to make it so accurate?" His attention turned back to Ava when she let out a happy squeal and tugged his fingers "So you're mobile now, are you? The Gods help your poor mother, I hope you don't go running off. Don't follow Dad in that regards, okay?" He murmured to the child, crouching slightly so she could see his face better. "I've been in Frostmaw and Xalious. Recovering mainly, Brennia was very generous and offered me a place to stay in Scherzerade, so i went to and from the Healers and there. I was told to take it easy, so I spent a lot of time in Brennia's castle talking with the students and practicing my violin."

Artia sighed, "Yes it's gone, and I don't like it. That was like our marriage to me, but I am still glad to see you come back. As for Ava, she is a lot like you, definitely personality wise. She loves to travel already. " Sitting ava down she rockherself back and forth til she grabbed her father's grey robe to pull herself up. Babbling away as she was trying to talk along with her mother to her father. "A Naga artist, I sent the memory of your fave into his mind and he painted it." Ava stared up at odhranos, "Da?" narrowing her eyes, as her legs wobbled her back down to a sitting position to crawl off into the living room. "I wonder why brennia never told me why she let you stay there. Ava is growing too fast, but at least we got to have one child. I wouldn't want anyone else but you be the dad. I still love you and always will." Turning she followed Ava into the living room. The nurse had been packed up, leaving it bare. "You should use the ranch whole you work in Larket...and if ever want yo be sired..im sure Larewen would sire you if we asked. If you still want eternal life together."

Odhranos grinned down at Ava as she raced off into the living room, striding after her just a few steps behind Artia. "I believe Brennia felt she was protecting you, she more so than anyone saw how much it pained you when I left, she wanted to protect you and Ava from further pain. I don't blame her, she did it out of good intent." He stooped and slipped his long hand under Ava's tummy, lifting her up into his arms as he turned to face Artia again. "I'm also glad we had a chance to have a child. And I'll admit, the thought of being sired has been on my mind recently. I've mulled it over, and for the moment, I'm happy to stay mortal, but rest assured, it will always be a thought in my mind. I promise, I'll make a decision before I grow too old." He grinned across at her, then his eyes softened. "But even if I do grow old, and you stay forever young, my feelings won't age. I'll still be yours. And this little one's too."

Artia nods, "I'm in pain every second you aren't beside me, when you are around I fell better I feel happier. " Ava kicked her legs around as her father picked her up, "Things like this is why I love you, you don't do what I want you to do. You always remained yourself, no matter what. What you want yo do about us not being bonded anymore?" She moved to him, dragging her fangs playfully over his neck before she placed a tender kiss at the spot. "I guess I'll always be your milf." She joked about how she would stay looking young.

Odhranos couldn't help the laugh, Artia always knew how to make that rare smile and laugh come out like no one else could. "Not exactly how I would have put it myself, but ... perhaps something to that effect." He grinned, leaning in to kiss her. Rubbing his nose against Ava's cheek to make her giggle, he bounced her up and down in his arms. "There is always the more... traditional bonding. If that is enough." Odh raised an eyebrow quizzically.

Artia even laughed at herself, a large cheerful smile appeared. having been so long since such a smile or made her cheeks hurt. "I can't help but joke with you, Odhranos." Returning the loss as she watched Ava laugh from Odhranos nose rubbing against the cheek. "What do you mean more traditional? You mean like at an alter and guest?" She tilts her head to the side, "Would you be around more if we did that?"

Odhranos nodded. "I'd still have to travel a bit, and it might not even be anytime soon, but... I'm ready to start settling down." He blew a lock of Ava's hair aside. "Especially since this little lady should grow up with both her parents around." He smiled somewhat bashfully at Artia. "I don't want to cause more change in your life than you have at the moment, but... I'll keep the ranch warm for you, when you want to come home again."

Artia smirked, crossing her arms underneath her large chest. "Yes, she needs both parents around. Larewen has took her in as her grandchild. As for the ranch this could be my get a way from the undead city spot. But I live with house Dragna now. That's my home now, the undead city, not Larket where there is a false king who is a traitor to Larket. He the reason the vermin attacked, and...i prefer to stay far from Macon. Until I feel I can kill him. I been waiting for you to settle down, my heart has been yours all this time. Even when I thought you dead, it still was yours. If you disappear again, my one stipulation is it be an open marriage til you are back. I don't want yo feel alone or abandon ever again. If we can do this, then my answer will be yes. I will do the traditional ceremony and wedding with you."

Odhranos smiled happily and, tucking Ava onto his hip, he slipped his arm around Artia's waist. "I have duties to fulfil with the Eyrie and Frostmaw, which make take some time, but when they are done, I will come to Vailkrin. Let's just hope Lady Dragana finds me suitable to marry into her House." He grinned, then cast a gaze around the room. "We could live between here and Vailkrin, I'm sure that could be manageable."

Artia wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face into his neck smiling brightly. Sniffling slightly as she was trying to keep herself from crying happy tears. Pulling back to swiped off tears quickly, those sneaky ones that slipped out. "That could be very manageable. Yes I will be your wife again." She laughed and kissed him deeply on his lips. Whispering into his mouth, "I love you."

Odhranos returned the kiss, only breaking apart when Ava babbled concernedly, wanting some attention for herself. He kissed Ava's little button nose, then leaned forward to kiss Artia again. "and I love you Artia, like I always have and will. Now, lets get you packed up and on the road home, shall we? I'll help." He beamed down at her, a warm happy smile that lit up his face.

Artia put her hands on her cheeks feeling herself blush again. "I can go later, is rather stay here with my family. The movers know where to put my things. At Larewens the nursery is attached to my room, and soon our room. I'm sure if you make a deal with helping Larewen you will be welcomed into the house. Thank you for coming back to us, you didn't have too. Yet you did. Do you still have the band I gave you?"

Odhranos reached into one of the many pockets in his robes and took out a small red velvet box, which he opened with his thumb. Lying inside was the platinum band Artia had given him. "Never leaves my side, day or night." he smiled.

Artia took the band back out of the box, taking her left ring finger placing the band back on him. She still never took off the one he gave her, "I guess we are engaged to be married, again." She winked at him, "I want you to know you don't have to be sired ever unless you want to. I won't pressure you into it, ever. But I might nibble on you every once and a while." She took Eva and sat her down so she could give Odhranos a full on tight hug, as well another deeply passionate kiss. "My Odhranos."

Odhranos returned the hug and kiss lovingly, then taking a moment to glance at the ring on his finger. "I suppose, if my heart is yours, the blood running through it can be yours as well." He joked, leaning down and nipping her neck jokingly. "See, I'm becoming vampiric already, i'm well suited!" He laughed, hugging her once again. "My Artia, gods above how I've missed you."

Artia shudders at the nips he placed on her flesh, "You suppose hmm?" Follow by a bump with her hip to his own, "You are such a brat, but my brat. You are always well suited to be at my side, next time you leave for adventure keep in contact best you can? After you are done with your travels we can start planning on our marriage ceremony?" Giving another kiss to his cheek, as Ava stood up I'm her own and out the corner of her eye watched Ava take her first two steps. "Odhranos!" She said excitedly, "She just took her first steps! you got to see her walk!"

Odhranos accepts the hip bump with a chuckle. "I promise, it's the least I can do. And yes, that sounds perfect." The mage gazed happily at his fiancée before his he spun at Artia's exclamation, his face lighting up. "Ava! Honey, you're walking already! Daddy's little girl is walking!" He got down on his knees, following her across the floor, arms outstretched to catch her should she fall, his eyes tracking the tousled auburn bob of hair as Ava wobbled across the room towards Artia.

Artia crouched down so Ava could walk up to her, the tears slipping out of her eyes being crimson instead the clear water when she was alive. "Oh my lord, she waited for the perfect time to walk! You got to see one of her first things, my love!" Once ava made it to Artia she babbled and turned to her father to cling onto him. "my da." With that artia unbeatjng heart threatened to climb up her throat, "She just called you her daddy."

Odhranos could feel the tears welling in his own eyes as he smiled so broadly his cheeks ached, sitting down on the floor so Ava could see him at her eye-level. "She.... she did.... she called me daddy." Now the waterworks truly started, as Odhranos opened his arms wide and Ava wobbled her way in to his cuddle. "My baby" He whispered huskily as she babbled and chewed his cheek gummily, an infant's kiss.

Artia put her hand over her heart and the other over her mouth. "This is how we are supposed to be, I'm so glad I had that painting done so she would always know what and who is her father. She knows you. And look how much she loves you." Artia moved to crouch down behind Odhranos placing many kisses to his shoulder. "She loves her daddy."

Odhranos reached up and took Artia's hand, while leaning up to kiss her. "This is family. This is why I promise I will always come home." He gazed into the sparkling blue eyes of his daughter, the same vibrant blue as his love, and for the first time in a long time, he felt at peace.

Artia bent down to kiss him back, "This is our family, our perfect family. I trust you to always come back, as I will to you. " She wrapped her free arm around odhranos and ava in a large hug. "How long do I have you for? I have a wedding in few hours if you want to be my plus one."

Odhranos nods, "Hudson and Alvina's, I heard mention of it in the tavern. I'm due to drop by the construction site of the Eyrie's new outpost here in Larket later on, which I'm unsure how long will take, but If i can make it, I would be delighted to be your plus one"

Artia :: Ava got up and wobbled off towards the kitchen, and artia moved to sit in front of odhranos. "I understand, maybe we should meet back here after the wedding and your work. " She pinches his thigh, "I can grab the nanny to watch ava while we spend time together. What you think?" Artia looked around, noticing the packers had left. Smiling naughty like up at Odhranos, "What you think? or we can some other time.." Hmm, "I should go check on Ava, not sure if they took all my vials yet."

Odhranos raised and smiled. "Maybe when we are somewhere with furniture, perhaps?" He stuck his tongue out as he helped Artia to her feet and set off after their explorative daughter. He lifted her back up after chasing the laughing toddler around the counter and turned back to Artia. "I had best give you back to your mommy, Ava. Unfortunately Daddy has to go off and survey a building site. Perhaps when the outpost is finished, you can come with me and visit?" He smiled and bounced the child a little in his arms before passing her back to Artia. "I had best run if I'm to get this job done before the wedding. I love you." he said as he leaned forward to kiss her warmly.

Artia took the child back, "Who needs furniture to have fun?" she taunts him, taking Ava back. "We will visit you, promise." The kiss was equally returned, "See you soon my love, I love you too. Say bye daddy." Ava waved both arms. but as he left her smile faded into a frown.