Wake Up

[Soliath Devin Talith]

He scruffled Aelas hair, tossing wild blonde locks all over her face and head until she looked like a small wildling.

The little girl laughed, trying to stifle her giggles as her father messed up her neatly organized look. She batted at his hands and stomped her feet, taking careful measure not to disturb the necklace that was within her hands. When he was finished, Aela looked up at him through a disheveled mess of bright blonde.

“Daaaad!”

Soliael smirked at her.

It was rare that he got called 'dad', at least by her, with Aela it was always 'father'. He grinned slightly, then nodded approvingly, as though she now looked perfectly. “Come on. Lets go talk to your brother and sister.”

Aela let out a puff of air from her lips, throwing blonde locks away.

She followed after her Father, moving into the hallway where Soliael stopped, giving Kira a small wink. For a moment Aela lingered by her fathers side, then looked over to her mother. She gave Kira a fierce nod, as if telling her 'I got this'. With confident steps she walked over to Maleah and Micah, before they could open her mouths she pushed forward her necklace towards Maleah.

“I...I want you to keep this for me until I get back.”

She paused, looked up at her mother then quickly added.

“Just until I get back.”

 

[Kira Talith]

Maleah had a half startled expression on her face when Aela pressed the necklace into her tiny chubby hands. Twin sets of eyes were confused, falling to the necklace and then rising to meet another pair as bright of an orange as their own.

Maleah’s tiny fingers would curl tightly around the necklace, and her lower lip began to quiver again. Here came the red rimmed eyes. Before Kira and Soliael even knew what happened, both twins ended up throwing themselves on Aela, each to one side, wrapping their tiny arms around her as tight as they could.

“Ah-ahm sowy ‘ela.” there were muffled half sobs of apology thrown in, the twins clinging for dear life to their elder sister.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Soliael watched as Aela patted both of her siblings on the back.

They hugged, and their father gazed up towards their mother with a slight smile on his face. He gave her a slight wink, silently communicating a few words. We are the best parents ever.

He wasn't entirely sure that she would catch that, but right now Soliael felt like his thoughts were more than vindicated. His children loved one another, and that mattered to him. They would not grow up separated and broken, they would not grow up apart from one another. Alea and the Twins would be close, he would be sure of it.

Siblings needed to stick together.

 

[Kira Talith]

​

​

"Hiii Aela!!!" ​

​

One thing could be said about Aela's and the twin's mother; she wore her emotions and her heart on her sleeve. There was no hiding her excitement and joy at seeing the holographic image of her oldest daughter on the holoarrray. So it hadn't really been that long since they departed, but this was as strange to Kira as it was to the kids -- even with Sol -- they had never been apart for the upcoming length in time this long.

There was always that concern in the rear of her mind, wondering how Aela was doing, if she was okay. Sol would look after her of course, but perhaps those plaguing thoughts would rear in the back of every mother's mind.

"How are you honey?" came Kira's first excited question, only to go "Omph, heyyy kiddo no need to push, she can see you just fine!" the blonde would laugh down at Maleah, bringing her up to sit on her lap. The little girl would wiggle her tiny tush, bright orange eyes staring into the hologram of her older sister and her father.

Suddenly, Micah's head would rear into view from the right side of the holographic cam, his head taking up about a third of the feed from the bridge of his lightly freckled nose to the mop of blonde brown hair.

Bright orange eyes twinkling in mischief.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Aela would peer at the Screen, sitting on the floor in front of the projector while Soliael sat behind her on the acceleration couch.

It had only been three days since they left. The first had been spent raveling, the second had been spent on Kuat with Silencia. Though that had mostly been the middle of the night, Aela had enjoyed meeting the matriarch of the family, and it had been obvious that when they left Aela had been in awe of the titan of a woman.

Soliael smiled slightly, then nudged Aela with a bare foot.

“I am well, Mother.”

More nudging and the girl let out a soft giggle, a smile dawning on her face and that serious illusion that she tried so hard to keep up suddenly faded away.

“I met Oma's Oma!”

The pure an unadulterated excitement in that one brought a grin to Soliaels face, and as he looked at his wife it was obvious that he felt he had already slightly succeeded in the goal of his little mission. Break Aela away from her little mask.

 

[Kira Talith]

"Oma's oma?" Micah was the first to question it, curious as much as he was jealously in awe. His mop of hair and his face would take up the bulk of the projection, and both Soliael and Aela would be able to hear his mother behind him telling him to slide his little behind back so he wouldn't hog the show.

A deep sigh of exasperation - as much as a four year old could give -- came huffing out of the boy, and in the next second he would pan back, turning in this oddly deft turn crawl that would slide him closer to Kira's feet. There he easily slid into a sitting position in a liquid movement, plopping on his rear with his legs crossed.

A hand would ruffle his hair, and Aela's mother would once again shine her warm smile over at her eldest. She was able to read her, even through the holocall. Her eyes were brighter, she seemed a bit more energetic. A subtle look would pass as blue eyes would look past Aela over to her husband. The corner of her mouth would perk.

"You're Oma's Oma?! Wooooow! You are lucky!" Now that was a surprise! While she knew about the Queen of Kuat, she hadn't actually met her. Kira knew it wasn't due to being shunned or outcast, or even as an affront. There was just some things that could not be done right now; for her family's protection as well as that of the Queen.

"I haven't met her yet!" Maleah's head would plop closer to rest on Kira's shoulder, a small jingling sound following as the necklace that Aela had so selflessly left behind would shift around the little girl's neck. She had taken the responsibility of holding her sister's necklace quite literally -- she wouldn't take it off even for her bath -- and with as much of a focus as Kira had ever seen her, taken good care of it.

"How can Oma have an Oma?!" Micah would wail, huffing a bit -- it was that tinge of jealousy again -- his chin plopping down on his open palm.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

“She's ooooooooooold!”

Aela told her little brother, quite correctly at that.

Silencia was ancient. Soliael stood at nearly two hundred and fifty years old, Silencia was nearly three times that. The woman was ancient, and was only of the only members of their family that stood as a full Garhoon. Her blood was not mixed in the least, and that allowed her longevity long beyond what even Soliael would be capable of.

Of course the children would benefit from the same age slowing that he did, albeit slightly watered down.

Among his people Soliael was still technically considered to be only just reaching middle age, his children would likely live upwards of three hundred years before they actually saw the effects of aging, something that he and Kira both knew, but had never really discussed. Soliael only smiled at his daughter as she kept on speaking.

“You would like her mummah.”

That was something Aela very rarely called Kira, but in her excitement she did not even notice.

“She's tall, and pretty, and smart, and she told me when I'm older she was going to give me a ship!”

 

[Kira Talith]

The joy would increase tenfold at that lifeday gift. Mummah. Aela had called her mummah.

That's my little girl, she'd muse, her face brightening with the widest of sunniest smiles. Half way into Aela's tale, Kira would flicker her attention beyond the crown of blonde hair, past their children to catch the gaze of her beloved. No words were said, but the expression and tale in her eyes would mark her relief as well as her excitement. Aela was acting more like a youngling than her tendency to act like an adult. This was good.

Her heart would tighten, but there was a measure of comfort in it all. Already a few days into it and there was a notable progress to Aela's disposition.

"Going to give you a ship huh?" blonde brows would arch, returning to Aela to give a rather widening expression. A ship? Well, they all already knew how well Soliael's knack with piloting was. But perhaps their children will be different.

Then again... her attention latched on Sol, a perk of her brows as if to say, a ship? Really?!

"I wanna ship too!" Micah's voice would pipe up, and Maleah would pitch in. Both of them were starting to get energetic again. Kira would give a small laugh, "Whoa there," her finger would come to press vertically on her lips, attempting to quiet them down.

"Your sister is sleeping," referencing Nohei, the youngest out of the four. The baby. A small nudge went pressing on Micah's shoulders, encouraging him to sit down. He did so, but with a notable huff of a boy who was a bit impatient for his own adventures.

"What else did you do honey?"

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

They hadn't done much else of course, traveling ate up most of their time.

Aela gave her mother a very sleepy yawn, her eyes suddenly becoming very heavy and lidded. Soliael chuckled slightly behind her, still rather amazed at the capacity for his children to sleep. He himself had never had that particular talent, often having to exert himself before he could even think of getting any sort of rest.

“We...we...were heading to Auntie Amorellas house.”

It was more of a temple but Soliael wasn't gonna correct her.

“Daddy said we'll be there in a few hours, but we've already been flying for so long that I think he might be lying.”

She yawned again.

Soliael only looked at his wife, a bemused smile on his lips.

 

[Kira Talith]

Maleah was also starting to get sleepy, her lids were heavy. She was trying to fight the good fight however, one tiny fist rubbing her eye. She didn't want to go to bed yet and the little girl had desperately wanted to stay up to see her father.

"Dad doesn't lie!" Micah rose to his father's defense, his own fight for sleep making him a bit more feisty. A glower set on his cherubic face, and he scooted forward to shove his face closer to the holocamera. Again, his face took half of the projection.

"Dad! Dad! I did it!" It was his turn to shine. However, the following reveal brought on a reminder to Kira that looming after three kids was a full time job. She wasn't too pleased with this bit of bragging rights either, as the reference was about Micah climbing to the roof and attempting to jump like a monkey lizard on over to the nearest tree - which was a ghastly two meter distance.

"Micah, honey I'm sure your father loves hearing that " oh yeah that tone suggested a level of faint half amused sarcasm. It was a point of pride, but dangerous for one so young. " but I'm sure he doesn't want to count how many boogers you have up your nose ".

He drew back again, and Kira could be seen to give a small exasperated shrug of her shoulder, her free hand stroking Maleah's hair.

"Looking a bit sleepy there kiddo" Kira grinned " you know of you go to sleep you'll get to your auntie's faster" she tossed out, knowing her daughter was just like her in that regard. To a degree there was a measure of true there, she'll sleep for a while that it would make the time appear to go faster.

"you'll be there by the time you wake up!"

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Soliael smiled at Kira.

“Thats great, but maybe you should listen to your mother Micah.” He looked at Kira, though it was more than obvious he felt pride in his son. “Or maybe have her supervise.”

He grinned at his wife, Aela squirming on the ground, clearly tired but still wanting to talk to her family. Her head started to bob down for a moment, then quickly snapped back up. Soliael looked at her, chuckling slightly, then looked at Micah and Maleah who also seemed to be sharing the same sleepiness as his eldest daughter.

“Why don't we call it a night.” He spoke looking at Kira, that same smile of victory on his face.

“We'll call again after we see Auntie Amore.” His voice was smooth, convincing, and caused his children to nod in agreement. “I'm sure everyone will have lots to tell then.”

 

[Kira Talith]

The words, 'You're not helping!' would me mouthed silently over to her husband, giving a half amused shake of her head. Micah was quick to try and reason that he wasn't tired at all. Maleah had already dozed off on Kira's shoulder, her tiny body settling in heavy against her.

"Alright, you heard your father," Kira would echo Sol," Calling it a night." another small word of protest would come from the boy, but his yawn made it difficult to really plead his case. She slowly began to rise, cradling Maleah in her arms.

"But you can take another minute to say goodnight to your father and Aela while I go put your sister to bed." it was a small bit of negotiation so that Micah would feel as if he managed to garner a win of some sort. He would get to talk to Soliael and Aela for a couple of more minutes by himself, getting a bit of attention that a boy his age desired from his father.

"I'll be back," Kira would mouth over to Sol, then smile onto Aela, "Goodnight honey, sleep well. I love you." the words of affection would be signed by a free hand just under Maleah's slumbering form.

Pleased that he got to be by himself for a bit, Micah would lean forward towards the holocamera that would project his image to his elder sibling and father.

"Can we go Skreeve riding again when you get back?" he had trouble with it last time, and the slight bit of frustration showed. He wasn't as gifted as Aela or Maleah in that department, so there was a notable stubborn tilt of his chin that said he wanted to practice some more.

Where Aela had her pets, he had yet to truly tame anything. Perhaps that might change soon if he tried hard enough...

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Aelas own head was struggling to keep afloat by now, though she smiled at her little brother when he mentioned Skrev.

Skreev were some of Aela's favorite animals, though they didn't compare to the Drexl that Quietus had shown her. As of yet she was unable to tame one of those creatures, though touching the Skreev's mind had come far more easily, if not completely. The little blonde girl swiveled her head and looked up at her father expectantly.

“If Oma Quietus will let you.” He said with a smile, knowing that his mother would likely encourage the behavior. “And if neither of you tell your mother.”

Kira would likely agree anyway as long as both he and Quietus were there, but it was better to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission.

Both of his children seemed to agree with that sentiment, their faces lightning up but their mouths not opening one bit, eager to show their father they while they were excited, they understood why it had to remain a secret.

 

[Kira Talith]

Maleah would give a small shift and sleepy wiggle as Kira would lay her daughter in her bed. In her tiny hands, she held onto Aela's necklace like a latch to life itself. A soft chuckle came bubbling forth, the mother leaning down to press a small kiss upon Maleah's temple.

"Sleep well Kharyi," came the whisper of affectionate well wishes with Maleah's middle name. Shamalain tradition had it that a true family name only known by immediate family or their significant other. All the children had one, with an even older tradition that stated that only a family elder could give the True Name like a blessing when the child came of age.

Micah's was Draith. Maleah's Kharyi. Kaili's Nohei --- With Aela being named after Amorella, Esmae. Being one without any known family of her own, Kira embraced those traditions and only wished to continue them with their family. While she couldn't give them the long linage that the Talith's or Shamalain's could, at the very least, Kira could ensure that their children would know as much as they could from those two dynasties.

Meanwhile, one sleepy Micah was busy rubbing his eyes and trying to stay awake, milking what bit of time he had left before his mother would push him off to bed.

"How much longer will you be gone?" came the sudden question. For him, time still seemed to drag on, much like with Aela earlier. A look of vulnerability would settle.

"Miss you." he said sleepily, that stubborn Talith trait coming out in his fight against slumber. It was a reminder in the honest confession that he was only four years old; a four year old who had a bit of a uncertain sensation at his sister and father being away for so long.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

“We miss you too.”

Aela said to her brother, holding up a small hand towards the holo-camera. Micah mimicked the gesture, making it appear for a second as if the two of them were holding hands. Soliael smiled at his children, a warm genuine smile.

It caused a pit to form the the center of his stomach.

He realized that he missed his children more than anything in the world, maybe even more than Kira. Maleah, Micah, Kaili. All of them. He felt like a part of himself had been cut out and left behind. His eyes closed for a few seconds as he steadied himself, then a warm smile appeared on his face, comforting his only son.

“We'll be back soon, I promise.” His voice was that steady calm comfort of a father. “Be good for your mother.”

The last was said in a sterner tone.

 

[Kira Talith]

"Alright munchkin," Kira's voice would come from the doorway, having arrived just a few seconds prior. She had given them a few extra seconds of privacy, but now that her son was clearly struggling with sleep, she made her way over.

Mum mode activated.

A hand would go threading through his unruly mop of hair. "Time to go to bed." She drew down to give him a quick kiss on his cheek.

"Night dad... Aela." he gave a small wave of his hand, having taken his dad's last instruction to heart. Not to mention he was sleepy. Aela also gave a sleepy wave, watching her brother quietly pad his way out of the range of the holo projector to his room. With the three kids sleeping or enroute, that left only Kira now. She sank back into the comfy chair, a hand pushing her wild bangs away from her face.

Kira would flash a soft smile, nodding over to Aela. "sweet dreams sweetie."

Beyond the crown of Aela's blonde head, Kira would give her husband a knowing half smile. While the kids had their time together,' mummy' also wanted some time with her beloved.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

For a moment Aela simply looked around.

She waved to her brother as he left, then looked up at her father expectantly as though he was supposed to do something else. Soliael looked at Kira for a moment, then let out a sigh, giving her a gesture that told her to wait a moment.

From the floor he scooped Aela up, carrying her upside down towards one of the shuttles other rooms. The vessel wasn't that big, it didn't actually have more rooms than two, but it was large enough for Soliael and his daughter. Aela giggled slightly as she was deposited in the bed. Soliael kissed her forehead and gently tucked her in.

They smiled at one another, but said nothing as Soliael left.

With an effort, he moved back towards the couch and plopped himself down in front of the holonet receiver, watching as his wife smiled at him, clearly somewhat pleased with herself.

 

[Kira Talith]

“Wrapped around her finger, hmm?” there was a notable tease in Kira’s tone, the petite Lorrdian snuggling up onto the couch as she made herself comfortable. There was amusement in her blue eyes, a bit of relief too. While she would tease her husband, both were well aware where they stood when it came to their kids -- there wasn't anything that they wouldn’t do for them or their safety.

It was unlike any other kind of love that Kira could describe; while she loved Soliael with every fiber of her being, there was something altogether different about the love a mother held for her children. What a parent felt for their children. A deep, profound love that would wish the very best for them.

Soliael and her both came from vastly different families and grew up with different experiences on what parenting is. Truth be told, they were both each learning along with their kids, tiny steps as they bumbled along the way. Yet at the core there was a singular desire. A wish.

Neither wanted Aela, Maleah, Micah, or Kaili to follow in their footsteps, but to take a path beside Sol and her and go farther than she or he ever dreamed. And while the Sith War had flipped the ‘verse on its end, it wasn’t Sol’s her her job to toughen their children up to face a cruel and heartless galaxy. Instead it was the intent to raise their children into people who will make the galaxy a little less cruel and heartless.

The attitude that they had as parents is what the kids will learn from more than what they would tell them. In the end, the kids will not remember what she and Sol tried to teach them -- they will remember what Kira and Sol are.

“She seems more energetic,” the relief and joy in her voice was evident, emanating from the petite mother of four as she would draw Maleah’s blanket around her. A deep breath would bring with it the scent of her daughter’s shampoo, sugar cookies, and the salt of the beach.

“I’m glad,” Aela was always such a serious child; it worried her and Kira knew that Sol felt the same. It was one of the concerns that would come up off and on during their pillow talks, where Kira would find herself playing with Sol’s fingers, intertwining them with her own. They would talk about anything and everything, muted conversation during one of the few times they were able to simply be with the other.

“How are things going?” came her next question. This was more geared towards how his great grandmother was doing, what were his next plans, and also asking about his own state of being himself.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Soliael leaned forward, running a hand through his hair and letting out a deep exhausted sigh.

Of his children Aela had always been the most cooperative one. She listened when she poke, mostly did as she was told, and generally remained silent. Yet she was still tiring, especially after just having met Silencia. It was a good thing of course, but that didn't mean that at the end of the day Soliael wasn't exhausted. A smile crept onto his face however as he watched his wife.

“She's proud of me, of us.” Soliael said the words with a smile. “Of you and me, of our children. I don't think I've ever seen her with...wonder.”

He smiled. Of course Kira would know that he was talking about Silencia. It was a woman that she had never met, but one that she had heard enough about to understand what his words meant. The fact that Silencia had now met Aela was a big deal for more than just her. Their family continued to survive, and even thrive.

Silencia had sensed Aelas potential just as she had his. “I think Aela was more in awe of her than anything else.”

He himself was just happy, like a preening child.

 

[Kira Talith]

[member="Soliael Devin Talith"]

Tucking her chin against her knees, Kira gave a warm smile. There was relief in her expression; she knew how much Silencia's opinion meant to Soliael. That she was proud of him, of them, was another blessing and a lightening in her heart. They were still learning what to do, figuring it out. There were some trial and error here and there, but it was the intent behind it all.

Not to mention hearing more about Aela actually reacting and being interactive was what truly warmed her heart.

"I imagine so," Kira would say, snuggling against the blanket. "But she's more animated... I'm relieved. I was worried about her." She was weary, Sol would be able to see it in the slight strain in the corners of her eyes, the small bit of tension in her shoulders. Taking care of three kids four and younger could actually wear on the bubbly woman. But it was a good ache, her and the children have been having fun. They were doing their own sort of training through small adventures.

"How are things in Kuat?" she would ask. It had to do more with the situation there now that the One Sith had moved into the system. There was a worry there, but Kira knew that the Queen would do just fine. But one always held a measure of concern.