Much Snuggles.

[Onrai]

[member="Ven'Rain Sekairo"]

The pretext of the message she had sent to Ven was simple. She hadn't seen the woman since testing out the ritual on her to change her androgynous form back to that of a clear female. As well, the amount of cuddles she had received over the past several months were minimal, and as such, she wanted them.

She only hoped that Ven wasn't dead...

 

[Antoir Setrrin]

Ven was, somewhat surprisingly, not dead.​

​

In fact she was very much alive. A little tired, but alive. The Protectorate had allowed her to return, Ventasia was pleased with Ven's new body, and the wounds she sustained in an explosion had healed nicely. Sure, she had a mechanical leg now, but all was generally well. There had been only one thing bothering her... she missed Circe. Not in a fully romantically way. Just in a more... family way. If that makes sense. Thinking of Circe lead to thinking of Darren... and so Ven tried to put off checking up on the two. Eventually it became impossible to do that any more. Her 'Panda' had made the first move. Now it was time for a full response.

Quietly the giant typed away at a terminal. Her response was fairly short, just long enough to be sufficient. "I'm available in three days time. Let's hang out, bring Darren. I miss you guys." With that she hit send. There was much preparation to do.

[member="Enigma"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Ven'Rain Sekairo"]

Circe did as her former partner and bodyguard requested. She sent a quick blurb on a meetup spot in deep space.

-

Three days later, Circe was there. As of right now, she was waiting on board a Cyracuse-class Drone Carrier converted into a pleasure ship. The hangar bay was more than ready to receive the craft that the massive, well-endowed mercenary was likely going to enter in. She smiled, a soft grin on her face as she chose to proceed onwards with her work, gazing from the hangar mezzanine down onto the landing pad.

 

[Antoir Setrrin]

Soon enough a rusty ship made it's landing inside the hangar. Most of it appeared to be pretty beat up, and a metal panel even fell off as the vessel opened up. Out walked the famed mad merc. Frowning she picked the piece of scrap up, threw it back inside, and shut the transport behind her. Damn thing was rather frustrating. Hopefully this meeting wouldn't be. No, Ven though, it's gonna be great. I'll get to see Darren and Circe again. With that in mind she quickened her pace, heading for Circe's location. Meanwhile her son smiled before putting a holopad down. His powers in the force had surfaced recently. Now they were just strong enough to let him know he should head to the hangar. And so he did.

[member="Enigma"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Ven'Rain Sekairo"]

Circe smiled as Darren came through the door, she herself leaping off the mezzanine for a perfect four-point landing on the hangar floor. Rushing towards the giant woman, she lept onto her, wrapping her arms around the terentatek-sized warrior as best she could, smothering her neck and cheek with kisses.

"I missed you so much!"

 

[Antoir Setrrin]

Most people would be knocked back by a hug tackle like that. Ven, unsurprisingly, didn't move at all. Well, not at the initial impact. Within a moment she happily returned the embrace. Somewhere past her she heard a chuckle and footsteps. Could it be?...

"DARREN!"

Ven nearly dropped Circe at the sight of her son. Which only caused him to chuckle more. With a grin he ran towards his parents, forcing himself into the group hug. "Man, I missed you guys. I would've come sooner... but Ventasia's keeping a tight leash on me. Doesn't want me running away for good again." Ven happily held her literally little family.

[member="Enigma"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Ven'Rain Sekairo"]

Circe helped Darren get up onto her shoulder, smiling as the three of them enjoyed a family hug. "So you're still working with the Omega Protectorate, I see... And the tech looks like it's been work out several times over, if the armor plate on the floor of my hangar is any sign of it." Moving forward, she gave the woman another kiss on the cheek. "I missed you dearly."

 

[Antoir Setrrin]

"This, uh, this isn't a Protectorate ship. It's a ship I bought for general travel about a month ago. It, well, it looked better then. But hey, it's lasted this long!" Nowadays, Ven tried to look on the bright side of things. After everything she'd gone through over the years... it was necessary. "I missed you too. Now how's my little man doing?" Reaching out she gently ruffled Darren's hair. The boy puffed his chest out and grinned. He seemed very proud of himself.

"I can use the force now! Mommy's been teaching me. I can't do much yet, but yesterday I managed to lift a spoon! With my mind!" God, Darren was cute. If only Ven got to see him more often... Things would change though, eventually. She'd settle in with Ventasia, make arrangements with Circe, and get to help raise her son. Even if he had already grown so much. "I'm glad to see you again Mum. Mommy is to!" Smiling Ven leaned down, kissing both Renn, then Circe, on the forehead.

"I really missed you guys. A lot."

[member="Enigma"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Ven'Rain Sekairo"]

"I missed you too. I know Darren definitely did. It took a while to explain to him what a Sith ritual did." She smiled, cuddling up against the impressively-sized bust of the bestial woman. "I see that genetic sample I gave you to bring you back to your full female glory still had quite the enhancement, mmm? How do they like it?"

 

[Antoir Setrrin]

The belly of the beast was soon filled with laughter. Most of what Tasia thought of her lover's... improved body wasn't exactly appropriate for Darren. Kid was only what, three years old now? Chronologically, at least. Biologically he was around ten or eleven now. Still to young for such topics. Of course, he didn't know that. He just thought his parents were happy (and together) again. Which pleased him considerably. With a smile he tugged on Ven's sleeve, requesting to ride her shoulders. Sure, that was quite a height, but he didn't mind.

"Anything for you, my little man." Soon Darren was on top of the world! Figuratively, at least. "They uh, appreciated it. A lot. Heh, maybe even more than I did. And trust me, that's saying something. Had to replace my armor- again- but it was worth it. I kept the old suit. Just in case Darren here ever needed some monster slaying equipment. That is if we ever let him." Another chuckle left her, practically filling the hangar. Darren soon joined in. The atmosphere around Ven'Rain was lighter than it had been in a long time.

[member="Enigma"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Ven'Rain Sekairo"]

"You know, you should stick around for a while this time. I know Darren would certainly like to spend more time with you, and it's a chance for us to discuss how things will be going. Perhaps a bit more of a recollection as well." She smirked, giving the giantess yet another kiss. "Besides, I may have some work for you."

 

[Antoir Setrrin]

Darren, being a little mischievous, bent down rather suddenly, and let Circe's lips hit his cheek. He was rather proud of himself for that one. Pride was better than the slight sorrow he had felt a moment earlier. With the way his parents were talking... it sounded like mum wasn't going to stick around forever. Before Ven could reply he butted into the conversation.

"Of course she'll stay! We're still a family!" Right? They were all going to live together, right? Darren was more nervous now, and held onto Ven even tighter. Then the youngster turned to his mommy with wide eyes. She was gonna make mum stay. She had to. Right? "She's gonna stay... right?"

"O-Of course I am. I just... have a job somewhere else. And sometimes I'm going to have to leave to go to work. I'm out fighting bad people. Keeping the galaxy, and you, and mommy, safe. It's important work, and has to be done. But when it's all over, I'll come back to you. I promise." Or so she hoped.

[member="Enigma"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Ven'Rain Sekairo"]

"We all have work. Ven's just doesn't involve putting her one and only son into harm's way. Hence why you're with me most of the time." She smiled nuzzling up against his head. "But don't worry, sweetheart. Ven will always come back. I promise." She smiled, looking up at the woman who had once proposed marriage to her and sending a quick telepathic message.

We're going to have to tell him eventually, you know...

 

[Antoir Setrrin]

While Darren relaxed and watched his mommy, Ven mouthed the words, "I know. Just not now." Of course they'd have to tell him eventually. But right now was not that time. Not yet. Not for a while. Probably not until the boy was old enough to understand what had happened. What had been said, done, and thought. Though with his special aging... that time might not be far off. It was difficult for Ven to think about that. So she lowered her son to the floor, softly placing him down, before changing the subject.

"Why don't we have some dinner, and you can catch me up on what you've been learning? I'm sure Circe has kept you busy. And I might have a few Sekairo traditions to pass down. If your mother will allow it." Was Darren more of a Savan or more of a Sekairo? Should that ever even be brought up? Perhaps that's another topic for later on. For a time that is hopefully far off.

[member="Enigma"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Ven'Rain Sekairo"]

"Of course I will... You're his mother too, after all. He came from... Well, I suppose he probably knows already. There were no storks involved." She smiled. "Now let's get ourselves some dinner. I've stocked the ship with your favorites. I know how much you love them, after all." She squeezed the merc's arm. "Now, what shall we do this time?"

 

[Antoir Setrrin]

"Some Sekairo traditions are just a tad... iffy, is all. But I'll only talk about the important ones. And maybe I'll even go over our history! It'll be the first time your mommy has heard it. You see, Sekairos go way back. Before even the Gulag plague! It's actually a pretty good bedtime story, now that I think about it..." As Ven trailed off, her son took his chance and claimed one of her hands. Then little Darren placed his over in Circe's. Now they were walking like a good and proper family. A gosh darn cute one at that! What? He's a kid, he doesn't swear yet. "Let's get some grub, then we can talk about- oh. What have you told Darren? I've missed so much... I don't know what stories he's already heard..." Once again the merc paused and stopped walking. Her death (and violent return) made her miss out on a lot of her son's life. The prospect of ever leaving him again was... Ven couldn't even think about it. Darren noticed the sadness in her eyes, and quietly moved her hand from his to Circe's. Surely that would cheer her up!

And it did.
[member="Enigma"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Ven'Rain Sekairo"]

Circe's smile grew as her hand ended up in Ven's once again. "You know... I almost want to try another ritual upon you. A ritual to make you a Sith Battlelord - then to decrease your height while making you still as strong as you are now." She considered the circumstances, a hand rubbing Ven's back. "You have a lot to get worked on... especially with that robotic leg. I'll get you a good, well-made biofiber one."

 

[Antoir Setrrin]

"Oi, I think I've been through enough rituals to last me a few lifetimes. Plus, I like being this tall. Sure, makes doorways irritating, and hugs awkward, but it's good for selling me as a mercenary you want on your side." Ven had a point. And there was one more she had in mind... So she leaned down, quietly whispering in Circe's ear. "Plus, this way, there's more of me to cuddle with." There were... mild inferences that could be made from that statement. Almost all were highly intended. Darren probably wouldn't have understood that if he had heard. Still better to be safe than sorry. Or scolded by a protective mother.

Insert a shudder here.

"I would, however, appreciate a new limb. This one isn't as... real as the old thing. Nor anywhere near as strong... Eh, maybe that's a good thing."

[member="Enigma"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Ven'Rain Sekairo"]

"Well, there is a ritual to maintain your durability while making you stronger... and giving you a lasting link to troops under your command. I'd be pleased to elaborate on such if you wish - a friend of mine recently went through it, and the results were... quite delicious, I must say." She smiled, thinking a bit about Silara.

"I'll get you the new limb while you're here... but not while our son is around."

 

[Antoir Setrrin]

"Huh... that does sound interesting. But I wasn't kidding about how many rituals I've been through. You weren't the only one who liked to experiment." The Vong hadn't been the nicest people. Of course, that goes without saying. "And yeah, I don't think Darren wants to know what a residual limb looks like." Said boy awkwardly cleared his throat before nodding, agreeing with what his mother said. "Oi, I forgot to ask, have you heard anything from Ire? She hasn't done her usual check up with me in awhile. Last I heard her love interest had disappeared again. Said something about laying low..."

Though Ire hadn't contacted Circe for several months now, she was alive and well. Masquerading as a Panathan Royal Guard, but alive. Last time she had talked to Circe she had said only a little. Just enough to let her family know she was generally safe. Crazy, but safe. Currently she was eating some sort of sugary cake. Enjoying a meal not to different from the one the rest of her family would enjoy soon (as they were fairly close to the dining area at that point).

[member="Enigma"]
{OOC: Short update on Ire. Her updated bio will be posted shortly, then we can start something for her.}