Ala had returned to the cave and dropped off the new blankets and changed her son, now she decided to attend a service to see what was going in that aspect of the cliff life. She had Surion wrapped up in his blanket in her wrap carrier the corners of his blanket peeked out of the carrier as he lay in it with his plushie dragon and she neared the temple

The bell sounded as she neared, and there were others coming in with it, along with the few who looked like they were coming later.

Ala smiled and walked in and took a seat where she'd sat the last time sliding the carrier off her shoulder she sat her son up in her lap

The priest was making his rounds up and down the aisle, smiling at all the people in the stone pews. He reached Ala. "I have seen you here before... and I see the child is born... Blessings to you from Visha..." he bowed.

Ala nodded "thanks" she said with a smile rearranging the blanket around his little body to keep him warm in the slightly cooler evening weather

The priest's eyes widened for a moment. "Where did you get that blanket..." He asked softly, his eyes locked on it and the child.

Ala blinked and looked at her son then back to him "From Visha" she said simply as it was the truth

The priest looked about ready to faint. "From... Visha..." He looked at Surion and then to Ala. "Why?"

Ala shrugged "Dunno totally really, she gave it to him before he was born... after we came to the last service I attended"

The priest was shaking, "That... That..." He pointed at the child. "Messiah!"

Ala stared at the priest "Uhhh....."

"It's the Messiah!" He pointed at Surion! "He's here! He's here! Visha's chosen, the one who will lead us to her again!"

Ala stared at him and paled lightly, she had absolutely no idea what to say, she could feel other eyes on her as she stared at the man

There were hushed whispers as the priest continued. "You must let us have him! He's the one going to lead us to the promised land!" He got on his knees. "please!"

"My son is staying with me Thankyou, he's only an infant" she said holding Surion closer to herself

Surion simply babbled and blew bubbles

"But, but..." The priest pleaded.

"ENOUGH!" There was a shimmer in the air as Visha's voice cracked out.

Ala knew that voice without even looking away from the priest, she'd heard it twice before, one of those times being a conversation

The priest blanched.

"I've had enough of your sniveling..." The voice growled. "Enough of you twisting my words!" Visha seemed to appear, albeit just a shade. "And I'm sure as hell tired of this worship crap!" She pointed at the offerings before the statue. "There's a reason I left you with certain rites and a reason I didn't leave others... I want love, not blind following... And if you can't give me that then I don't want you!"

The priest's eyes bugged.

Ala looked away from the priest and looked up at the shade that was Visha holding Surion softly in her arms against her chest

Visha turned to Ala and smiled. "Hello Ala-dear... Are you okay?" She leaned down and her shade hand brushed Surion's cheek. "He's a sweetie..." She smiled. "And not the Messiah... The Messiah has come and gone... His job finished a long time ago... You're a generation off Jazin, this child's father was my chosen, and he has led you to the promised land... Here... With peace..." She smiled softly. "I had no intent of taking you up with me..."

"Yeah I'm ok, now that someone isn't trying to take my son" she said softly and pulled Surion from her chest she he could look up at her and could be easier seen

Visha nodded and sighed. "I'm so going to get in trouble for this, but it was worth it... I've been getting sick of it..."

Everyone stared at her.

"What? All I wanted from you people was love, not worship, I'm not like my sisters..." She puffed up.

They all cringed.

Ala smiled softly "He loves the blanket Visha, cant get him to leave it be anywhere, including sleep. Thanks"

Visha smiled. "Your welcome... Did you get the others?" She smiled, and looked up. "I'm going to have to leave soon... Dad's already yelling..."

Ala nodded "I did thanks"

Visha smiled. "No prob"

Ala took a deep calming breath and nodded, she ran a hand softly over the top of her son's bald head

Visha then ascended, leaving a room of rather awed onlookers, who would forever remember the day Visha came to Ala's aid. They stared at the priest then, and more then a few scowls were shot.

"Now then, I have a feeling a sermon will have to be re-written" she said plainly looking at the priest

The priest was too busy trying not to get murdered to notice the remark.

Ala turned her attention to her son humming a soft lullaby and waiting for... anything to happen

"Uh... Ms. You might want to leave... We're going to have a little... 'talk' with the priest here and I'm sure you don't want your child seeing it..." Said one of the younger males who was cracking his knuckles, the women with children already leaving.

Ala looked up "Oh ok" she said re-shouldering the carrier with her son in it gathering her bag and heading for the exit of the temple

"I hope they don't hurt him too bad..." Said one of the fleeing mother, children in tow. "I mean, sure, he lied... But hopefully they won't damage the temple..."

"Just a matter to hope whoever continues the services follows Visha's words and wishes" Ala said to no one in particular as she walked with the small crowd

"Aye, I hear that sister-mother!" Came a general cry from the mothers with children. "He your first?" They asked softly, a few looking concerned.

Ala shook her head "Nope, he's my third actually, the twins have already grown and found mates, one of them has already had 2 clutches"

A few nodded and smiled, and a bit more made happy nods. "Aye, tis a wonderful thing..." A few giggled. "Well, what's your name?"

"Alatariel Rakamash, most just call me Ala though, and this is my son Surion" she said introducing them

"Ah, You're a Rakamash, good family there!" More than a few nodded. "Many have married in and out of that line..."

Ala nodded "Yes, Torvil is my mate more recently have I really started to get to know more of the family" she smiled

Many of them nodded. "Tis good, tis good..." They smiled and nodded their heads quickly. "Good that you are learning... Tis wonderful you are here.."

"NOT THE FACE!"

Ala glanced back "He seems awful vain...." she shook her head then turned back to his son re-tucking him in the blanket that he held in his little fist

The others laughed softly. "He's always been vain..." They shook their head.

"Oh Visha! My arm!"

"Oh well, his fault I suppose" she said "Don't imagine there could have been a more interesting service"

The others smiled. "Don't think so..." They nodded. "Nice to know she's there..."

"Always is, third time I've heard her voice, second time I've seen her" Ala said

"Lucky..." The others said. "Our children will be able to tell theirs they saw Visha..." She muttered.

Ala nodded "She's a very nice lady, she was sewing this thing last time I saw her" she lifted the corner of the blanket

They whistled appreciatively and nodded. "Wow... Double lucky..." They mused.

Ala sighed softly looking down at her son who was dozing off "gotta love them this age" she mused

They all giggled. "We all do... But they never hold it for long..." Many sighed. "Tis strange to see one that small..."

"Surion is following the growth pattern of my original heritage, I wasn't exactly born Dragonic, seems with the help we received to conceive him it caused him to follow my birth heritage" she tried to explain

"Ah... Well I guess that makes sense..." Said one softly. A few nodded, but it was obvious that many of them didn't know what the hell she was talking about at all.

Ala chuckled "I was born pure Kerrsalian, when a Kerrsalian unites with one of another kind, in this case Dragonic, their body takes on many attributes of the mate" she told them

Lights went on in the heads of many. "ooooooooohhhhh...." They said softly, nodding quickly. "Wow, that's rather interesting..." Many had to leave then, heading to their caves, but a few stayed with her.

Ala chuckled rocking from foot to foot as her son slept against her, "In a nutshell he'll be smaller for a while yet to come, my twins grew at a normal Dragonic rate though"

The few left nodded happily and smiled. "And one has five already... Wow..." She mused. "Faster than my first clutch..." She giggled.

Ala chuckled "They are a great couple of kids, mind you my step-daughter is too, she's expecting a clutch now too."

"Elder Vina.. Yeah... We know..." They smiled. "We were planning on throwing her a congratulations party... Something we normally don't get to do at all..."

Ala chuckled "she's very much into sweets right now"

"We know... I make cakes..." One of the mothers smiled. "She bought out my entire stock..."

Ala giggled "I think I'll be a little more practical and give her a water crystal as a gift, she doesn't need more sweets in my eyes, those kids will be addicted enough as it is"

They laughed but made ooing noises. "My husband showed me the one you gave him for the statue..." One smiled. "They're nice..."

"I make them, could make one right here and now" she said with a soft chuckle "I liked that statue, and honestly I didn't expect change from him... "

"It was only worth Forty... You gave him something well worth more... You kinda... Took all his change..." She giggled.

Ala chuckled "80% of which wound up in my horde. I honestly didn't need it. he could have kept it. the rest of that change I gave to my nephew to spoil his girl"

"Jokar Rakamash... He married my daughter..." Said one, smiling. "And spoil her he did..." She smiled softly. "But twas nice..."

Ala nodded "That'd be the nephew I refer to, technically the only one I know" she admitted having never met any of Mikiri's children only seeing them briefly after her mate brought Mikiri back at what would have been her funeral

They nodded. "Jokar was very sweet, she said he reminded her of her brother.. Your husband..." Many of them smiled. "Thank Visha none of the others have turned up in their genes...:"

Ala nodded "Well as much as it's wonderful to stand and chat I should get Surion to bed, I hope to run into you again" she said

They nodded. "We'll find you..." They nodded at her cave as they passed.

Ala smiled and parted from them unfurling her wings briefly long enough to stretch them before folding them again and walking into her cave and took Surion over to the empty playpen laying him and his blanket down in it

Torvil looked up at the sky. He planned on shimmering in with his share of the kill come sunrise... Which was still a long way aways...

Ala hummed softly feeding herself supper before curling up on the pallet feeling a little odd sleeping alone

Torvil tapped his foot, waiting for sunrise. He'd already passed up three offers for a cig... He'd stopped a long time ago...

Ala woke several times through the night mostly dealing with Surion, changing his bottom and feeding him eventually bringing him into the bed with her and swaddling him as she slept under one of the other two blankets

Torvil returned a bit before sunrise, starting to make breakfast. He had to go once he was done, but he left Ala a note when he finished. He walked out to say hello and goodbye to Surion, and give them both a kiss. He slowly pulled Surion for Ala and stood with him for a little bit, looking down into his son's face.

Ala opened her eyes and looked up at him "Thought you'd be gone for a couple days" she said softly

"I am..." He chuckled. "You're having a dream..." He smirked. "Congratz..."

"Oh ppfftt then you cant have this other blanket, cause if this is a dream it's not truly here... and what happened at the temple last night didn't happen either"

"Oh? Care to fill me in?" He chuckled softly, sitting down next to Ala and taking the second blanket, putting it in his lap and putting Surion atop it.

"Priest saw Surion's blanket, decided right then and there that Surion was the messiah..." she said

"Dumbass... Somebody set him straight?" He asked, brushing his son's cheek with a finger softly, bouncing him gently.

"Yeah... Visha did" she said with a soft chuckle

"Hmph, that must have been interesting... What happened then?" He asked softly, still giving Surion attention even if he was asleep.

"Let me share it with you and you'll see, oh my dear messiah" she smirked

Torvil blinked. "Come again?" He asked softly. Leaning forward slowly.

Ala laughed "share the memory, it'd explain it better then I could"

Torvil nodded and scooted closer, leaning forward for her to share with him, holding Surion out a little to keep from crushing him.

Ala closed her eyes as she brought her forehead closer to his and the gems touched

Torvil's eyes widened as the events played, even as he sent her the rather... boring hunt.

Ala pulled away after both memories were shared "Looks like there was more interesting things happening here then out there" she said

Torvil chuckled. "Most definitely..." He smiled and handed her Surion. "I've gotta run... They're probably wondering where I went to..."

Ala took Surion back from him "Ok love, enjoy the rest of the hunt"

"pfftt... Hardly... Rather be here with you and Lil Sur..." He grunted as he stood. "Much rather..."

Ala smiled softly and nodded "You'll be back soon love, see you soon"

Torvil nodded and started to shimmer and then stopped. "OH! I visited Asmodeus earlier today... He did get a life..." And with that he shimmered out.

Ala chuckled and shook her head. She got up and placed her son in the playpen and headed for the bathroom for a soak, coming out a little while clean and dressed. She fed her son and got him dressed and using her carrier headed for the market in search of cliff-style clothing for him

The Market was packed that day, full of mothers and females... Vina was there, sitting on a bench watching people walk by as she ate... cake.

Ala chuckled stopping beside Vina "Still eating the cakes are you? I hop it's not cutting to badly into your finances" she said taking a seat next to her

"Nah..." She said softly. "She gives me a discount... 99.9% off if I buy in bulk..." She giggled, and smiled at her mum.

Ala chuckled "She told me you bought out her stock..."

"I did that..." She giggled. "And she's been working overtime to fill in new orders... Mainly from me..."

Ala chuckled "Did you hear what happened at the temple last night?"

"Yeah, seeing as we had to get the priest replaced..." She huffed. "Wish I could have gotten a lick in...."

"I would have liked it too if I hadn't had Surion with me, he badmouthed you pretty bad the time previous that I went there" Ala scowled

"I know..." She growled, her hands going white knuckle around her fork, which got jabbed into the bench. "Thankfully those nice boys broke his arms, legs, and nose..."

Ala nodded "He wanted to take Surion before Visha showed up"

"I heard that..." She said softly, pulling the fork from the bench and going back to eating. "And he's been revoked from preaching ever again. Confined to his cave, and pretty much uh... Well... Lets just say those boys will be watching him from now on..."

Ala nodded "Makes sense, Hopefully the temple runs smoother now"

"It should... One of the under priests will step in I'm sure... Hopefully one who will listen..." She murmured.

"If they value their body I'm sure they will" Ala said softly "Wanna help me find a booth that either sells or will make cliff-style clothing for Surion?"

"Sure..." Vina finished up her cake and stood with a smile. "Would love to mom... For lil Sur..." She put away the plate and fork in a pouch and got ready to walk.

Ala stood up "I'm still figuring this place out so your help would be great since I'm sure you know it better then I"

Vina nodded. "Clothes would be... This Way!" She pointed and started walking, the crowd kinda flowing in her wake.

Ala chuckled and followed her "I've been in here I think 3 times, once with Mikiri and twice with your father"

Vina nodded. "And one of those times you made us have to replace the stage..." She pointed at the center of it. "Which by the way you owe us two gold claw in damages..."

Ala chuckled her eyes shifted and she brought her hands together "Here" she said handing her daughter a water crystal, "repair costs and extra for the future should anything else happen"

Vina laughed and took it. "I was only half joking..." She smirked, putting it in a pouch regardless. "I paid your fine..."

Ala laughed "Keep the rest for cakes then"

Vina giggled. "Thanks but no thanks..." She poked her pudgy arm. "I really need to cut back..."

"Ok then keep the change to spoil your mate and your kids" she said with a smile

Vina smiled. "You know that's like several thousand claw right?" She shook her head. "I'd flood the economy..."

Ala laughed "I probably already did it I gave the crystal statue guy one last time I was here, wanted one of his dragons.... sooo use it a lil at a time"

Vina nodded. "He deposited it at the treasury and we gave him his claw... He probably wants to give you even more change now... More out of not wanting to be taxed..."

"What and have it go into my horde? no that's ok, I think I'll just stick to tiny versions of those if I have to use them, there is like 3 of them in the cliffs that aren't in the treasury too" Ala mused

"Those I know of, and we allow them in their hordes..." She smiled softly. "You've created a very new currency in the cliffs mother..."

"It's a very old one with the Kerrsalians... probably not worth that much there.... I didn't intend it to become a new currency to be honest..." she mused

Vina giggled. "Its okay mom... They're still rare here, and not floating around... Worth thousand of claw... and that's a lot..." She stopped at a child's booth and smiled. "Sides, you make us richer as a whole each time you make one..."

Ala laughed "I've made more of them then I can count, most of them are ... in my horde" Ala browsed the clothing she saw there, most if not all of it was far too big for Surion, being designed for children who age quickly

Vina nodded and pulled the owner aside, motioning towards Surion. The man nodded and motioned to Ala. "Here... Come with me..." He muttered, "I didn't know if these would ever get sold..."

Ala blinked and followed him curious what he might have

The shop keep showed her an entire table full of Surion sized clothing. "I made it for the White Haired babies... But they grow fast too..." he mused.

Ala chuckled "That they do." she looked over her shoulder at her daughter she picked up some pieces and put them down, basically browsing the entire lot "What's your price?" she asked

"Depends on how many you want... I'll give you the whole lot for ten claw and two scale..." The booth keep said. "Half the cost..."

Ala tapped her chin looking at her daughter "You know I left all that change back at home right?" she says creating a ball of water the size of a small marble above her hand unsure if Vina was sure of her meaning

Vina shook her head and touched her mother's arm. "Put it on the council's tab..." She said softly. "And stop by the treasury, tell them Vina sent you..."

"Yes Elder Vina..."

Ala chuckled dissipating the water "Didn't want another one circulating eh"

Vina nodded. "Seeing as it takes forever to get gold in... yes..." She smiled at the shop keep. "If you could have those delivered to..." She rattled off the address. "As soon a possible please..."

The shop keep nodded. "Of course Elder Vina..."

Ala laughed "If I could help you there I would, but I can't create gold"

"Asked dad once... He nearly burst a vessel..." She giggled. And walked out, taking her mum's arm

Ala laughed "Somehow I believe it" she walked away from the shop with her

Vina giggled. "Something about breaking the rules..." She shook her head. "I'll never understand him I fear..." She sighed, and looked at her watch, the only watch in the cliffs besides the one belonging to Joman. "Oh dear..."

Ala frowned "You ok Vina?" she asked softly

"It's getting to be... That time..." She wiped at her eye. "When.. You know..." Red runnels were already starting to fall down her face.

Ala put her hand on Vina's shoulder supportively and nodded

She sniffled loudly. "Can I hold Surion.. I've found holding babies helps..." She rubbed at her red eyes constantly.

Ala nodded and lifted Surion from the carrier blanket and all and passed him to her

Vina took him and suddenly started to smile and rocked him, humming softly as she danced around on her feet.

Ala smiled softly watching Vina move with Surion who babbled at her

Vina smiled and finally handed him back to Ala. "Thanks... I needed that..." she wiped at her eyes again. "I must look like a mess..."

Ala shook her head "No, not overly" she reached into Surion's diaper bag and pulled out a wipe handing it to Vina

Vina wiped her face. "I'm not a pretty crier..." She muttered. "Never was... Though... Joman seems to think I look nice after I cry..."

"To be honest Vina, It's better to let out the tears then to bottle them up. Your siblings already have found out what stress does, and I'm not referring to the wings they both grew at the ocean" she said

Vina nodded. "Vin sent me a letter..." She muttered. "I don't think I'll have such luck..." She frowned.

"Vina, this keeps up and you just might, I know it's just coming from the pregnancy, but you really seem to be taking it harder then just the daily mood-swing" she said

"I have a stressful job mom... I've already had two complete breakdowns and nothing has happened since my wings..." She sighed.

"Hard to say my dear, I wouldn't hold my breath in either direction, we never know what will happen till it does"

Vina nodded, and looked at her watch again. "Oi! We've got to get more stuff for Surion and at this rate we won't have time for lunch...."

Ala laughed "Lead the way Vina"

Vina nodded and kept going. "What all do you need mother... For Surion..." She smiled softly.

Ala chuckled "Whatever he might light to play with I suppose, I got more then enough clothing now"

Vina nodded. "Toys it is!" She smiled, heading for the opposite side of the market, where a lot of children were gathered.

Ala chuckled and followed after her "Somehow I think you are enjoying this Vina"

Vina smiled. "Yeah, I am... It's nice to be with you again after so long of being away..." She sighed softly. "You should visit more often..."

"As should you Vina, Malcolm showed up at the shop again recently, he's closed up into his shell again" she said with a soft sigh

Vina sighed. "I'll have to see if I can skip time away..." She brushed her hair. "I don't look so young anymore..." She brushed her face and looked down. "Nor as skinny..." She shook her head and giggled. "Strange.. I used to swoon after Malcolm... Now his name makes me feel well... nostalgic..."

Ala chuckled "That you did, I learned the female half of the mating song from all your humming. and I watched you polish many many heart shapes... least till you found out his romantic type of interests"

Vina sighed. "That was a broken heart waiting to happen I fear..." She shook her head. "Oh well... What happens happens and I'm happy with Joman..." She giggled. "He told me Malcolm should have gone straight, he missed out on a lot..."

Ala chuckled "I'm not sure what's happening for him, he asked to stay in one of the shops guest rooms, I think things are strange at home again" she glanced towards the throng of kids "Think we'll make it out of there alive?"

Vina nodded. "I'm know as the Sweet Elder..." She grinned and reached into a pouch, tossing sweets off to the side.

The horde went after them, clearing a path for the two.

Ala laughed heartily "Silly Vina, I'm sure you have kids following you now and then cause of that"

Vina nodded and smiled. "Its nice when the crying swing comes calling... I have a horde of hugs..." She smiled. "They're all excited about my babies..."

Ala nodded "I'm excited for you too daughter, children are a blessing... and sometimes a miracle"

Vina nodded. "Aye... That they are..." She smiled reaching a toy booth. Most were made of wood and bone, and there were more than a few steel ones. Most of them looked for older children, there were practice spears and swords, though it seemed the spears sold more. "It's hard to find baby toys..." She admitted.

"Somehow I believe it considering babies don't tend to stay babies around here" she said browsing the items

Vina nodded slowly and smiled. "Yeah... I think that's starting to change though... Masura had a two day pregnancy..."

Ala nodded slowly "No clue who that is but I believe you" she said "To be honest I kinda hope I'm still here when your time to give birth arrives... but I dont know how long we are staying this visit"

Vina nodded. "You can always come by to visit... Or I could have a messenger sent when I'm close..." She murmured. "Or I could use dad's courier..."

Ala nodded "We'll see what happens I guess, I had no idea when Surion would come myself, sometimes it felt like it'd be forever then I'd have another jump in growth..."

Vina nodded. "I know..." She rubbed her still slightly small bulge. "Well lets see... What do we want to get Surion while we're here..." She mused and looked over the selection.

Ala looked thoughtful "I don't really know most of this stuff he wouldn't be able to play with for quite a while"

Vina pointed at some of the less, dangerous toys. "We've got those..." They were small rag dolls shaped like Elders and Visha. She giggled. "They always get the Elder Vina mixed up with the Visha..." She giggled.

Ala laughed "Somehow it doesn't surprise me, she picked up to very nearly identical dolls

Vina nodded. "The only diff is the fact that mine wears council robes..." She tapped the black robed one. "Visha has healers..."

Ala smirked "Perhaps I'll get both, after all they are both family...."

Vina giggled and nodded. "Up to you mom, just tell them to pout it on the Council tab..." She smiled.

Ala nodded and did just that

Vina smiled. "Anything else we need to get Lil Sur?" She smiled softly.

"I can't really thing of anything today at least..." she said putting the dolls in the diaper bag

Vina nodded. "Lunch then?" She pointed at a few booths that were selling food, but meat looked scare, and the prices seemed, well... Rape.

"Food sounds good, not that that price does, I think you father left something at the cave earlier, lets go check it out"

Vina nodded and smiled, turning to go with her.

Ala headed back for the cave and soon they arrived, she put Surion down in the playpen winding up the mobile then headed for the kitchen area to see what Torvil might have left

There was a scripted note that said Happy Mother's day, and all the meat was ready to go, just pop it on the fire for a few and roll.

Ala purred softly "Isn't that sweet of him" she said softly and put the meat into the fire

Vina nodded. "Very... Did he do that this morning?"

"I'm guessing so, he showed up for a brief time then left again" Ala said taking the meat off a few minutes later

Vina smiled. "My husband is dying out there..." She reached into her pouch. "Dad gave me this... Said he was hitting everyone's house..." She smiled. "Joman's begging to come home... He can't keep up..."

"He wasn't exactly raised to hunt like the others were, so I'm not entirely surprised" she said serving up the meat and handing one plate to Vina

Vina smiled softly. "Yeah..." She giggled. "I told dad to tell him that I only sleep with strong men, and if he wuses out he's sleeping on the couch till he can prove he's strong..."

Ala chuckled "the ever determined Vina who is a lot like her dad in many ways" she took a seat at the table to eat

Vina giggled and sat down, taking some of the food as well. "I intend for him to prove himself to dad... Show him that he's not just a wimpy lil Drow..."

Ala chuckled "I think your dad was happy you found a mate regardless if he's a Drow, I know I am..." she sighed softly "Been a strangely interesting visit to the cliffs thus far, wonder what else will come"

Vina shrugged and looked at her watch. "CRAP!" She stood up, nearly knocking the chair over. "I'm late!"

Ala glanced at her "Well you better get going then sweetie, it was great visiting with you"

Vina nodded. "Wish I could spend more time... But council calls..." She hurried out as best as she was able. "Bye Surion! Bye mom!"

"Later Vina hun see you soon" She called after her then went to take a nap as she noticed Surion had