Crystallized (Hiatus)

Tragedy

It had been a week since the incident. I was finally up moving around, but I still had to be careful. The wound still hurt a lot, but not nearly as much as it did.

I was sitting on a pier with my legs dangling in the water, Na'wei was with me with their head laid in my lap.

I stroked their head slowly while they made small purring sounds. Their eyes had drifted shut a while ago. We were perfectly content.

Tsireya came over and quietly sat down beside me. Her gaze fell on Na'wei and she smiled.

I glanced over at her. "I've seen you with Lo'ak a lot recently.

Na'wei looked up at Tsireya.

Tsireya seemed to blush a bit at the mention of the boy.

"I..I think he is the one."

I raised a brow, "What do you mean?"

Tsireya reached over and patted Na'wei's head. "I mean, I think he will be my mate. Not anytime soon of course."

I smiled, "That's great news, Reya! I'm happy for you."

Tsireya shot me a grin, "Try not to tell anybody, would you?"

"Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me."

Na'wei clicked happily at Tsireya.

"Sooo, do you think I'd be able to swim yet?"

Tsireya scoffed, "Do not push your luck. Just take it-"

"Reya!" We both turned our heads to look at Ao'nung, who was running over to us.

Tsireya rose to her feet. "Calm down, brother. What is it?"

"Mother is giving birth!"

"What?! Why didn't you say so?!" Tsireya bolted past him.

Ao'nung rolled his eyes and followed.

I slowly rose to my feet and looked at Na'wei.

"Should I go, too?"

Na'wei shook their head at me.

"Right." I nodded, "It's probably crowded enough as it is." I stretched and winced, immediately regretting my choice.

Na'wei mad a sad, questioning sound.

"I'm fine. It only hurt a little." I sat back down and pet their head.

An hour had gone by and Tsireya still hadn't returned. I spotted Kiri, though, and called her over.

"Yes?" She sat next to me and smiled at Na'wei.

"How are things going with Ronal?"

Kiri's smile faltered some.

"I heard from my mother that she is not doing too well. She seems to be struggling."

I frowned, "That's not good. Can they do a C Section?"

Kiri gave me a puzzled look.

"A what?"

"Y'know..where they..cut the stomach open..and remove the baby..that way?"

Kiri looked more and more horrified as I explained it.

"Do they do that on Earth?" She exclaimed.

I shrugged, "Yeah. They usually administer medicine for the pain, though. Makes it numb."

Kiri shook her head, "I have never heard of anything like that."

I nodded and glanced at Na'wei as they slipped away underneath the waves.