"Before you begin to blame Aethisia for bringing me in, I must admit that I... certainly didn't hold back upon our first meeting, hm~? Emotions were at an all time high after being captured, both in her and in me. I saw her taking peeks at me so I beckoned for her to come with me into a cabin, where... well..."
Sadie gave everyone a warm grin as she rubbed her belly, and while that was certainly not the 'right' thing to say right now she didn't seem to care as she continued on, taking another step forwards and looking between the other two women.
"It doesn't excuse her, but do understand that I was the one who tempted her. Besides that, I also was the one to make the suggestion first after many days of some of the best breeding I have ever been subjected to~! So please, on behalf of this old lady, do give Aethisia some slack~! After all, my long life hasn't really been a kind one, so settling down was never in the cards... but better late then never, no~?"
Camara pursed her lips while Gertrude just remained silent, and after another moment of wondering if Sadie was playing some sort of game where she wanted to get me into as deep of trouble as she possibly could she began to speak again, pleading her case some more.
"Looking at all of you, I imagine you also might be in need of an extra pair of hands... for a few reasons. Aethisia told me a little of her... 'plight', and I think I am more than capable of helping~! Our buck here is... not a rare case, hm? Many Dama's are a bit uncertain during these initial phases of parenthood; it's strictly biological, yes?
We're here for the gentle touch, taking care of them whilst they are still incapable of doing anything themselves, whilst their Dama's are keeping everyone safe. When they finally get onto their two feet, that's when a Dama starts to 'take over'. A steadier hand to guide freely..."
Perhaps that was how it was everywhere else, but I could immediately tell Camara wasn't in complete agreement with Sadie since she was narrowing her eyes, causing the Dogkin to chuckle softly as she half turned towards me.
"I say this from an older generation, and from a place not as tight knit as this house seems to be, but you would be surprised how 'dormant' a Dama is during the early days, only to see them spring into action the instant the child begins to walk around on their own."
"That is well and all, but how does that tie into the fact that my mate has brought back another woman?"
Sadie chuckled again and gestured loosely at me as she replied "She explained some more about the family I am joining, and considering how rapid you have grown in these short months, it would only be logical to assume it continues growing as such.
A Dogkin often births three to five babies at a time, so I am more than accustomed to dealing with many, many babies all at once. This family seems to be in a constant state of overextension, with all of you doing so so much all at once. I am not saying I will 'raise' the child for you, but I am an experienced hand to help guide and ease the burden of raising a child.
You are a woodworker, something that isn't exactly... 'safe' for a baby to be around, what with the splinters and sharp tools everywhere. You, Miss Gertrude, are running an established business within the city itself! Both of you have your hands full already, so why not accept the help of someone who has done this dozens upon dozens of times~?
Ah, and this is purely selfish from me, Miss Camara and Miss Gertrude, but like I said, I've lived a long time. Honestly I was surprised when Aethisia here told me she wanted me, but knowing now that I can have a more... peaceful life, I do hope we can get along..."
Where Gertrude spoke rarely Sadie seemed to enjoy talking, and although she spoke about things that clearly made the other two become at odds with her she just kept going, though it was clearly not because she missed the social acumen to notice that; she was doing so on purpose and to bring them to the top now, instead of letting them fester.
For a few long, tense moments I was looking between the three of them wondering if I needed to say something - not that I had anything on my mind to say right now - only to turn towards Camara when she let out a long, somewhat tired sigh.
"I... will admit that I have... no idea what I am doing. And honestly... I'm not attempting to speak ill of Mama, but she... certainly didn't either, and her style now... I don't even know if it exists, considering how often she is everywhere else.
Not that it's her duty to remain locked here tending to every single one of us, but still... You are right, Miss Sadie; we are overextended everywhere in this house, because we're all still figuring things out. I won't say that I am completely acceptant of you, nor am I happy with you or Aethisia, but I... have to admit that I would appreciate the help.
I don't want to make mistakes, I don't want to feel like I am neglecting Melia, but at the same time I also wish to have time to do some more woodworking. I would enjoy going somewhere just on my own, or with just Aethisia... I want to have some time back, so because of that... I'm willing to bring you into our family within the family."
At that she turned towards Gertrude, directing all of us to the stoic Bearkin as we waited to hear what she was going to say, and after a few moments of staring straight at me she took a breath and finally spoke, her tone as flat as always.
"For the last few days I have been worried about the immediate future. I barely have the butchery afloat to begin with, and Eleanor isn't mature enough to raise a child yet either, not that she should have to. I was... contemplating selling the butchery because of this, but if I don't have to... If I can instead rely on someone's help for free..."
She nodded a few times and turned towards Sadie, who gave her a lopsided smile and nodded back as she said "You can count on me, Miss Gertrude~!", which made me feel quite a lot of relief... though I knew I wasn't out of this just yet...
---
On one hand I felt like I should try and make things all amicable immediately just because... y'know, that makes the smut quicker to write, but at the same time it definitely wouldn't be amicable, now would it?
Plus it helps me start addressing the larger 'problem' that is the current future of the novel; Astra's about to pop out five babies, Renna has two, Camara is pregnant again, and so is Gertrude, Cici, Annie, Sadie and Sarnai, as well as Prixisia, Kalia and Heila...
That's... pretty much the entire cast, and they're all pregnant; so that just means a casual 16 character introduction to the story that is going to strain everyone's~ attention to the max, which is obviously not good.
Which means we have come into the territory of I have no idea what I am doing but I think the best way forwards is to start creating a 'nursery' where all these new characters chill out at for a little longer.
No idea how I handle it when they get older, I think it's going to have to come down to which ones I like a lot and which ones feel fine being 'background' characters, but everyone will be named and there, just... might not see them for a few dozen chapters or so...
Which already happens anyways with the current cast...
Yay...
Anyways~!
Merry Christmas to those celebrating - if you haven't already because timezones and the like - and hope these last few days have been festive and nice~!
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