Family Matters
© 2022 by M. Mitch Marmel

Thumbnail art by  tegerio, color by  marmelmm

Part Seven.



[Note appended to manuscript: “FUMA!? HERE!?”]

[Note appended to manuscript: “I’m forever amazed, Master, at how fast you are on the uptake.”]

[Note appended to manuscript: “Pissy wolfess.”]


***


Missy:

“Eep . . . “

Ooo-er sank into the water until just her eyes showed above the water, while my ears went back against my skull and Tali’s tail bottled out as the glow increased.

It parted, revealing the smiling visage of Fuma.

(greetings, My children. you have discovered My gifts to you.) The goddess smiled, and we all felt a wave of warmth wash through us.

Well, I know I did.

[Note appended to manuscript: “I did.”]

[Note appended to manuscript: “Reminded me of when She fixed your wing.”]

My love came a little bit out of the water, far enough that I heard her whisper, “Mother of the Seas . . . “

Fuma smiled again. (yes.)

Ooo-er eeped again and murmured something in the language she reserves for when she’s in the water.

(do not be afraid, My child), Fuma said reassuringly, and my love seemed to calm down. The pupil of the third eye on Her forehead moved to rest on Tali, who just looked thunderstruck. (you three and your friends aided My people, My children; did you think that I would not reward you for that?)

Tali gulped. “I-I’ve been pregnant before – “

(yes.)

“ – But how can I be carrying a wolfess, and-and Missy here a kitten?!”

Fuma smiled and glanced at me. (tell her, My child.)

I gulped. “Fuma . . . is a goddess of fertility, Tali.” Her feline eyes widened.

(yes, child. nothing is beyond My abilities.) Her smile grew slightly impish. (I can even have the one you know as the Master of Elfhame bear a fawn, if I chose.)

[Note appended to manuscript: “WHAT.”]

[Note appended to manuscript: “Hmm. That’ll certainly write a new chapter in Elfhame’s inheritance laws . . . “]

[Note appended to manuscript: “ . . . Not. Helping. Dennis.“]

Despite myself, I laughed at the mental image of the pissiest roebuck in Faerie getting pregnant. My Elf-Mind wasn’t shielded, because Ooo-er started laughing as well. Despite the fact she’s sort of a Lowfolk, Tali caught the humor of it and even she began laughing.

I was laughing so hard, in fact, that I almost swallowed some of the pond water.

“It’s going to be hard to explain this to my husband,” Tali said.

(your mate will accept her, My child. now, be at peace with each other, and know that the Mother loves you all.) The goddess’ presence gradually faded, leaving us blinking in the Grotto’s sunlight.


***


Tali:

I’m not sure how, but when I finally came to my senses I was in the pond.

With a sleek otteress and a lithe wolfess hugging me in a three-way embrace.

We all smiled at each other as I put my arms around them both and said,

“Never mind the why and wherefore
Love can heal hearts, and therefore
Though your grievance is a strong one
Though your marriage is your claim
Though her apology’s a heartfelt one
And reconciliation is her aim . . . “

The otter and the wolf both grinned at me, and joined in.

“Ring the merry bells so joyfully
Rend the air with warbling wild
For the glory of the Lady
Cause we three are all with child!

For a lovely feline daughter
For a playful lupine daughter
And a son who rules the water -
And a son who swims the water!?” Ooo-er looked at me with wide eyes, and she squealed happily when I nodded.

“Let the air with joy be laden
Rend with songs the air above
For the union of this otter
With the wolf who owns her love!”

I was very happy.

I didn’t know I could sing so well.

Missy and Ooo-er were kissing and laughing, and the wolfess’ laugh suddenly gained a nasty edge to it. “What’s wrong, love?” Ooo-er asked.

Missy grinned. “I can’t wait to see the Master’s face.”

We all laughed at that.


***


Raccoon Queen:

As I followed Mrs. Fletcher to her home, I kept thinking that this might work out.

“That’s the spirit, girl,” the Regalia said.

Of course, there were things to think about, like what happens if the Master needs me to look after his needs, or if Sixth drops by to see how I’m doing.

“It’ll work out,” the Regalia assured me, “just trust the Lady.”

I was really careful to wipe my feet before coming into the Fletcher’s house, because I know that [Little Toy] insists on it, and she was built here in Elfhame. The door frame was a little low, but the ceiling was high enough for me to stand up.

Sure enough, it was really neat and clean.

Mrs. Fletcher led me into the kitchen and turned to face me. I looked at her as she continued to look at me. It was disturbing; it made me feel like I was a kit again, and Mother had caught me doing something wrong. When she spoke, I was surprised.

I mean, I guessed that she knew Standard Elvish. She just didn’t want to speak it, so when she began talking to me she screwed her face up as if each word hurt her.

“You are to learn the language of the Vale,” and I nodded, “and how to keep a proper household. You will now clean this house, while I watch.” One of her ears flicked. “Show me what you know, and what you can do.”

I gulped, looked around for a broom, and started to get to work. I’ve been one of the Master’s maids for years.

This should be easy, even with her watching me.


***


Westersloe:

“Nippy?”

The ermine femme stopped what she was doing and turned an imperturbable face on me. “Yes, Master?”

“I want to ask you a few questions.” She inclined her head in a half-nod, and I asked, “Do you want to go back to Eastness with the delegation?”

Her brows furrowed briefly. “Are you, Master, in some way dissatisfied with my Service?”

“Certainly not, Nippy. Your service has been superlative. But surely you must have family in Eastness who miss you.”

She stood so still I at first thought she’d been turned to stone. “I have no family, Master.”

“Oh. I’m very sorry, Nippy.”

“Thank you, Master.” She slowly raised one eyebrow. “Is the delegation from Eastness leaving soon, Master?”

“In another day or two, I suppose. They’re collecting seeds from the area around Princess Grace.”

Again, a half-nod. “I shall compose a letter for one of them to take with him. Thank you, Master.”

“You’re welcome, Nippy.” But I said it to her back as she went about her business.

Mysterious, with a capital ‘M.’ I started to head back to my study and paused.

The ermine femme had just told me that she had no family in Eastness.

So why was she sending a letter? And to whom?


***


Missy:

“Aedith?”

My lovely daughter stirred and sat up, yawning slightly and her fur glowing in the sunlight. Princess Grace’s ghostly form sat nearby, having a brief conversation with Tali, and Ooo-er sat beside me.

“Yes, Mommy?” Aedith asked.

I glanced at Ooo-er, who leaned in and nuzzled Sunny before saying, “Your mother and I have a question for you.”

Aedith looked back and forth at us, her ears swiveling. “Yes?”

Ooo-er glanced at me, and I nodded.

“How would you like a baby brother, and two baby sisters?”




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