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avaquet · 7 years

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A Pie for All, or Me?

*Eternal screeching* This went up really really late- s o r r y

Chapter 2 of Seven Works of Love!

AO3: http://archiveofourown.org/works/11605995/chapters/26140482

Summary:

Timeline based this is before Khi Tasira. Sara takes up the offer of pie with Sahuna, and of course Jaal accompanies her. This chapter is a bit of fluff and delving into more culture and social headcanons!

Notes:

~~He holds out his hand as I stand up, offering to take my hand. I accept. We walk out of the shuttle and head for the door. Jaal uses an identifier to unlock the door and leads me in. Sahuna is already there and smiling.

"Hold still, you two." She says as she holds up the angara's version of an omni-tool/scanner. A quick flash of light tells me that she took a picture. I couldn't help but giggle a little bit.

"Mother, I wasn't ready." Jaal retorts.

"Then tell me when you are."

Jaal then picks me up in a 'princess' carry. "Wha-hey!" I laugh, wrapping my arms around his neck. Sahuna takes another picture.

"Ah. That's much better!"~~

I get the signal that we are soon arriving on Havarl. Sahuna invited Jaal and I to try out the pie she made. She also asked for pointers for other Earth recipes. I love her, she is so sweet. Most of the family is out of the house for the day but a few stayed behind, including Teviint, Baranjj, and Lathoul. I have a few outfits planned this time, though I want Jaal's input. The one I want to wear is a long, flowing dress, with a cute neck trim. It's a cobalt blue color that ombres into a black near the end of the dress. It is my favorite.

"Darling, I got your message and I- Stars..." Jaal walks into my cabin and the door shuts behind him as he stops to look at me.

I chuckle and blush. "Do you like?"

He takes a moment looking at me before responding, "Love is a better word."

I shy away with a huge grin across my face. "Is it appropriate?"

I hear him chuckle and approach, lightly putting his hands on my shoulders. "A bit formal for the occasion. But, it is appropriate."

"It's my favorite. I never really got to wear it."

"Oh? Why not?"

I shrug. "I was never really invited anywhere. Never went to Prom. Or any school dance for that matter."

"Prom?" He tilts his head.

"Ah, a formal dance for high schoolers. Ages like, 16-18 usually go. Doesn't happen again. Only for high school."

"And you didn't go?"

"Nope. Thought it was stupid being completely honest. Maybe that was just me being really bitter about people and I didn't like the popular music at the time. Or the hormones." I shrug again. "I guess, I was more afraid of going. That my money would be wasted. I mean I could stay at home, dancing to my favorite music without judgement, invite some friends over. I don't know."

"Do you regret not going?"

"Eh. Kinda? Not really? Still on the fence for that one."

"On the fence?"

"Idiom for 'haven't made up my mind yet' essentially." I reach up to play with my necklace.

Jaal takes notice, "What is that?"

"It's a locket. In the shape of a heart."

He scoffs playfully, "Is that what a heart looks like to humans?"

I chortle. "No. We don't know really how the shape came to be. My favorite theory is that it's two hearts sewn together and this is the outline of that shape."

"I like that. I also adore the colors on it. A green and blue stone."

"Kinda like an opal, yeah. It's not exactly a stone. That's just the colors the ashes made when turned into a stone."

"Ashes?"

I feel a lump in my throat. Echo died about a year before cryo. "Yeah. I had a pet cat named Echo. She was my emotional support kitty, I raised her, saved her from an abuser. She was a best friend, part of the family, my baby girl. She died not too long before my journey here."

I see Jaal's expression turn sympathetic. "My heart goes to you. Can you tell me more about her?"

I smile. "She followed me everywhere. Was skittish of most people, always purred when she was laying on me. Slept in my bed all the time, once she slept with her whole body holding my hand. I felt every little twitch as she dreamed."

"That sounds adorable. Even though I do not know what a cat looks like."

"It's what the locket is for." I open the stone to reveal the two pictures inside. On one side, a kitten, the other a full grown cat. Echo is a white long hair cat with silver/grey stripes. I believe she was also a runt. She also had blue/green eyes. "This is a version of a cat. They have many fur colors and lengths. I only ever take this off to bathe."

"I've never seen an animal such as this. She is beautiful."

"Thanks." I let Jaal hold the locket. "On this side, is her paw print. Sized down a bit to fit on the stone. I like this side to be the front of the locket." He closes it to see the embedded print.

"It's so... small. These are pads, yes?" I nod. "Similar to our feet."

"You have pads on your feet?"

"You haven't noticed?"

"No. I don't look at the bottom of your feet."

"We sleep together."

"I don't feel the bottom of your feet. You have peets."

"I have what?"

"Peets. Paw-feet. Peet."

He smirks. "They're not paws."

"I am still calling them peets."

"Alright. What're these markings here?" He turns the locket over to the back.

"Hand carved calligraphy. It's English. Spells, Echo Ryder."

"That is your last name in your language?"

"Yeah."

"That is... good to know."

I cross my arms. "Are you planning something?"

"Maybe." He steps back. "Anyways, we will be landing soon."

"Are you excited?"

"Sure. Or maybe I like to look at you in full."

Damn, that causes me to blush again. "I take it this looks good on me?"

"You make it look good." Jaal smirks as he leans up against the wall. "I should warn you, blue can be an arousing color."

That caught my attention. "Uh, what?"

"Blue can also be a color to induce rage or anger. It is also the color of love. It catches the eye's gaze."

"We have a color like that, except it's red."

"I think it is because you bleed red. We bleed blue."

"That... makes sense actually. Should I not wear this then?"

"Oh no, you can. Definitely. But blue does catch our eyes. I should rephrase that I find blue to be a seductive color on you."

"What would your mom think?"

"If you like the pie or not." He relaxes and stand up straight. "Wear what you want, Darling. We will not judge you. My mother knows that you come from a different place."

I shift around, playing with my necklace. "Well, I am entering your house. I want to learn more about your culture and customs anyways. What would be more appropriate?"

"Whatever makes you feel the most comfortable. I notice you wear your hoodie often. It is grey, black, has a bit of blue, and is homey. Perfect for the occasion."

"Oh, okay. What occasion would I need to dress up for?" I go to grab the hoodie and sweats. Though I start to contemplate because Havarl is humid.

"Marriage ceremonies. Parties. A formal meeting." He turns away from me. I think Liam told him about the whole 'don't watch a girl change clothes' thing, though we are together and I won't be stripping completely. I appreciate the thought and gesture.

"What makes a meeting formal?" I start taking off my shoes and slip on my sweats under the dress.

"When talking about important matters. A meeting between politicians. Things as that."

"Jaal. You can turn around. I am comfortable around you." I start taking off the dress. Leaving the bra on before the tank top.

"Ah. I wasn't sure if you wanted me to."

I slipped on the hoodie and turned back around to meet him. "Well, it's only you. Being honest again, I still get nervous changing for a doctor. And I always got really embarrassed if my mom walked in on me changing."

"Do you know why?"

"Probably the stigma humans place around the female body getting into my head. I am also really timid and afraid of judgement from others, and you can't please everyone. I just don't want to be put down for my own body. Yeah, yeah, I know. I need to get over it."

"Learn to live with it." He corrects. "You don't get over anything. How you view yourself is the most important. Though I do understand being timid and being insecure."

"How I view myself isn't much better."

Jaal approaches me, putting hair behind my ear. "How do you view yourself? And is it through your eyes, or other's?"

"What do you mean?" His touch always calms me, sends lovely little feelings down my spine to be distributed evenly throughout my body.

"For instance; if you did not like your hair color, would it be because other people prefer otherwise, or because you prefer something different?"

"I... I don't know. Something is telling me that I shouldn't be happy with how I look. I don't know if I am happy with it or not. I know I am always border-lining healthy and underweight due to this damn biotics and high metabolism thing. I see my bones in the mirror and I've always been told that seeing bones is always unhealthy. But I know that I am very healthy, and you can barely see my ribs. I eat a lot, I sleep, I get a lot of damn exercise. But then I am upset of my own thigh gap." I bring up my wrist. "You see the bones here. My collarbone is defined for a human. And so are my hip bones. I can't help it. It's just who I am, how my body is."

He holds my hand and looks at my wrist. I get a bit nervous of what he's thinking, but then he brings it up and kisses it. "If you are healthy, isn't that what matters most? Give the ignorant another thought, because they don't know you. If they don't care to listen or to understand, then they do not deserve your time. I care most that you are healthy and happy. I find your smile to be beautiful. The way it lights up your eyes is contagious. Your laugh makes my heart dance. This is healthy for you, right?" I nod. He puts his hand on my cheek and I lean in. "My heart tells me that you are beautiful. Gorgeous. Stunning. I fell for you. If this is who you are, if this makes you smile and laugh more, I am in love with it."

"And if I am not happy?"

"Then I will work with you to make sure you become happy. I find you an attractive woman, Sara. Through your heart. You reflect what you are on the inside, outside. Your kind eyes show. The charitable laughter from your lips. Your honesty and loyalty draw me to you. I can't help but find everything about you, physical and else, attractive."

My mind goes blank and I can't help but smile. I'm pretty sure my heart stopped for a minute. "That's so sweet. I... wow. I don't know what to say." I feel happy tears form.

"Your expression tells me everything I need to hear." He smiles gently. He looks longingly into my eyes for a moment before moving his hand to the back of my head and gently brings himself and I into a kiss. The sound of SAM telling us we have arrived makes us break the kiss.

"I just want to tell you, Jaal. You influence most of my happiness. You make me laugh a lot more, and your smile is just as contagious."

"I am humbled, Darling. Now, my mother is awaiting us." He takes my hand and we walk out of the ship together.

The shuttle is close nearby. The walk to it is short, and as expected, other than the pilot, we are the only ones aboard. The ride to his family's house is decently short. I look out the window and watch as we take off, above the bio-luminescent trees. Below, I can see some animals coming and going from beneath the foliage. It is calming as we hear the mantas fly above us, singing their songs. I snuggle up against Jaal and he holds me. I feel myself grow tired and close my eyes, being enveloped in a small, peaceful nap.

"Darling, we are here." Are the words I hear before opening my eyes.

I lightly stretch. "Man, time flies by."

He chuckles. "Well, you were asleep."

"Sorry."

"Don't be! There's nothing to apologize for. I found it relaxing, and you to be peaceful."

"It was. Mm. Guess I have to get up."

He holds out his hand as I stand up, offering to take my hand. I accept. We walk out of the shuttle and head for the door. Jaal uses an identifier to unlock the door and leads me in. Sahuna is already there and smiling.

"Hold still, you two." She says as she holds up the angara's version of an omni-tool/scanner. A quick flash of light tells me that she took a picture. I couldn't help but giggle a little bit.

"Mother, I wasn't ready." Jaal retorts.

"Then tell me when you are."

Jaal then picks me up in a 'princess' carry. "Wha-hey!" I laugh, wrapping my arms around his neck. Sahuna takes another picture.

"Ah. That's much better!"

Jaal sets me down and Sahuna comes to hug us both.

"It's good to see you again, Sahuna."

"It's a delight having you here. You both here." Sahuna motions us to follow. "Come! Come! The pie has been ready for a while."

We follow her to an open room with a table and some neatly designed chairs. A lot of chairs. Teviint and Baranjj are helping to clean up some plates off the table and taking them to the next room. They wave at us as we enter.

"Ah. We missed dinner I see." Jaal waves back.

Lathoul comes from behind us passing by. "Gives us a chance to actually grab some food!"

"They get to try out something new though." Sahuna goes into the next room, presumably the kitchen.

Jaal and I sit next to each other at the table. We took two of the clean spots.

"Is this what I've been smelling all day?" I hear a conversation in the kitchen.

"Yes. And Sara is getting the first bite. It's an Earth recipe and I want to make sure I got it right."

"Using our fruits, though? Is that safe?"

"I've talked with her ship's doctor and yes it is."

"I thought you didn't like it, though, Mother."

"It's not about me. It's about our guest! Jaal's partner and friend! She is to be made feeling at home as best as we can offer."

I can tell that Jaal is watching me blush and grin like an idiot because he starts to chuckle, wrapping his arm around me.

"Guest?"

"Well, she's not officially part of the family."

"No, no, you're right." Sahuna peaks around the archway. "Call me 'Mother' if you wish." She quickly goes back into the kitchen.

I start to giggle. "I love her."

"I think she loves you, too." Jaal nuzzles me.

Sahuna comes back out with a pie in hands. She is followed by Teviint, Baranjj, and Lathoul. "This one I using an Earth fruit. A purple or blue berry, I cannot remember."

"Smells like blueberry. Oh man, I used to make these all the time. They're my favorite!"

Sahuna's face lights up immensely. "Then I've chosen well!"

"Wait, I overheard the conversation in the kitchen about using your fruits?"

"Oh, yes. I was hoping you would help prepare that one. I was thinking that using our fruits instead might yield a better result for us. Maybe even you? I would love some pointers from you. I am used to a live teaching rather than a recipe book. Those I use usually for reference."

"I would love to help, Mother." I smile.

I hear Jaal's breath hitch and Sahuna almost looks like she is about to jump up and down. She pushes the pie to me. "Here, try it. Try it!" She also places what seems to be a spoon next to me.

The room is silent and waiting. I am a bit uncomfortable by all the stares I am getting but I push through. I pick up the spoon and dip it into the pie. I grin as my mouth waters. The pie doesn't have a top crust, but that's always how I've made it. She probably used the same recipe as I did. I've been eating canned, dried, and freeze dried food for so long that I've forgotten how much I miss what this pie even looks like. The spoon has a nice mix of crust and warm, gooey, blueberries. I take the bite and practically melt in my chair. It might be because it's been so long, but I swear this is the best pie I've ever eaten. I let out a satisfied moan and nod profusely. "This is damn good."

Sahuna starts clapping. "Oh this is wonderful! Please enjoy it for a bit while I set up the kitchen. Lathoul, please help."

Teviint and Baranjj look at each other and shrug as Lathoul and Sahuna walk into the kitchen.

"Are you two planning something?" Jaal leans on the table. I am too busy enjoying my pie to really notice. I try to savor each bite but it's like my body is screaming at me so I would just eat it already. Real food.

"Nope. Just glad we are done cleaning." Baranjj answers.

"So, is she going to be a regular here?" Teviint crosses her arms. I can tell she is still a bit skeptical. Understandable.

"That is up to her. But I hope so." Jaal leans back.

I feel a bit uncomfortable and slow my eating down. "Is it okay if I finish this later?"

"Of course! It's considered a compliment if you take a dish back with you. Means not only that you enjoyed it, but it was able to satisfy your hunger. A well-made meal." He holds my hand. I notice he holds my hand on top of the table. On the Tempest it was under. Maybe he knows I

"Do I ask for a different container? Come back and return this one?"

"No. We use biodegradable food containers when guests arrive. In case they do want to take something home. This pie is in one of those containers."

"Oh, okay. That's neat. Thank you."

Teviint scoffs. "She doesn't even know the basics of our customs."

Baranjj lightly taps her in the shoulder. "Get Akksul out of your head. We can teach her. She deserves that much."

She lowers her head. "Skutt. Baranjj, Jaal, Sara. I apologize. I am still getting used to all of this, and getting those toxic thoughts out. Sara, I hope you can forgive me."

"Of course, Teviint." I offer a smile.

She returns it. "Thank you. Come, Baranjj, I think Finn wants to show us something out back." They wave at us before leaving.

"Stay strong and clear, Jaal and Sara." They both say as they go out of view.

"Stay strong and clear." We both respond.

I take a deep breath. The food is settling in and registering 'FULL' to my brain. She made a big pie, and I ate half of it, and it still looks so damn good.

"May I try a bite?"

I nod. "Sure." I hand him my spoon and he takes a small bite. "Any good to you?"

"I can tell it is juicy, but sadly, it is a bit disappointing to my tastes. A bit bland. Though, I am glad you like it. It was nice seeing you enter a stage of bliss."

"I cannot express it enough that blueberry pie is my utmost favorite. I used to make them all the time, and then eat all of them. Ah. I was home alone a lot."

Jaal looked like he was about to respond when Sahuna calls us into the kitchen. We stand up and go in.

"So, elmohk, paripo, or quilloa seeds?" Sahuna stands by three bowls.

"Which do you have the most of?"

"Quilloa seeds. They are quite large."

"Can I try one?"

"Sure! Here is a little piece."

I bite into it. It is like a fruity nut. If I could describe it in Earth tastes it would be a mix berry taste with unsalted cashew. It's not exactly a crunch, but it isn't soft either. It tastes really good to me. "Mm. This could go great in a pie. Bit dry though, so we should probably put in something a bit more juicy."

"Elmohk has a lot of juices." Lathoul lights up. "Goes good with a side of quilloa."

"Sounds good. May I try a piece?'

"Please! I am eager to see if you love it as much as I do." He takes the fruit and cuts it in half. Juices pour out, a greenish purple color. Thick liquid. It's about the size of a small melon. The inside reminds me of an orange, if an orange was slightly green with thick purple juices. He continues to cut it down to size, giving me a small piece.

"Do I eat the outside of the fruit?"

"Yes! It is a bit hard, though."

I bite into it not expecting a small squirt of liquid. Definitely like an orange. Though it doesn't go very far, most of it drips down the sides of my mouth. I tilt my head back to keep the juices from falling. Jaal starts laughing and comes back with a small towel in hand. The outside was definitely a crunch, but a very sweet taste, almost a bit too sweet for me. The juices are a bit tangy with a distinctive fruit flavor I cannot compare. Reiteration; juicy as all hell. Though it's like a creamy juice. A bit weird, really. Got a mouthful of pretty much everything here. I finish it and pat off the juices with the small towel Jaal gave me. "That was definitely interesting."

"Juicy enough?" Jaal smirks.

I turn to playfully glare at him, blinking a lot. "Yeah, just a bit."

He lets out a guttural laugh. Lathoul takes my attention. "Did you like it?"

"It might be an acquired taste. But I can say I am willing to keep eating it."

Sahuna brings down more ingredients. "So, let's begin!"

This went up really late and I apologize, life decided to stall me. If all goes as planned, day three chapter will be uploaded on *gasp* day three XD (I realize day three has already passed a c k)

#jaalweek #jaal romance #jaal x ryder #Sara Talia Ryder #ryder x jaal #rydaal #jaal ama darav #jaal

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motherherbivore · 6 years

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was bored, thought i’d write responses to sahuna, from my ryder

Communication from Sahuna, True Mother of Jaal

To: S. Ryder

From: Sahuna Ama Darav

I hear good news from Jaal that you and he are serious about your relationship with one another.

I say “good news” but warn you that some people will find this alien match offensive. You MUST ignore them and give them no more thought than I have, which is already too much. It’s a challenge and a gift to break boundaries.

Now, please forward to me your health documents and the personal narration of your early years at your soonest convenience.

Sahuna Ama Darav

re: Communication from Sahuna, True Mother of Jaal

To: Sahuna Ama Darav

From: S. Ryder

My family has been offending people for generations. Ryders just tend to be egged on by that sort of thing. And I’ve seen the stock that Jaal comes from, too—you don’t have to worry about us, Sahuna. We’ll be okay.

Sorry for a late response. It took me a while to dig all of these files up. I’ll ask Lexi to send you an overview of my records.

[Ryder has attached a zipped folder of hundreds of photos and videos. Most of them were taken in a fifteen-year span, but they peter off after that. The last is a picture of the twins, taken at arm’s length by Sara Ryder. They are cheek-to-cheek, arm-in-arm, both dressed for cryo-sleep. An open pod is visible in the background.]

re: re: Communication from Sahuna, True Mother of Jaal

To: S. Ryder

From: Sahuna Ama Darav

It is good to see that you possess an angaran confidence and pride. Of course you will be okay.

There’s no need to apologize, dear! I know that you are busy, as am I. The Resistance is emboldened by your successes out there. Of course, we feel your losses and failures, too—the hearts of our causes beat together.

I have been going through your last e-mail’s attachments little by little in my downtime, and I must say that I am enjoying them thoroughly. I am curious, though: does human hair often change color with time? And do you have an advantage in the water?

Sahuna Ama Darav

re: re: re: Communication from Sahuna, True Mother of Jaal

To: Sahuna Ama Darav

From: S. Ryder

It’s the same here. I’m lucky to have allies and friends like you.

The only natural color change is to gray or white as we get older, I think. Mine is artificial. I started bleaching my hair when I was 16, and Sara copied me. It’s just for aesthetics, same as the makeup I wear. (That actually reminds me that I need to pick up more lipstick at the next trade post…)

I have to admit that it took me a while to figure out what you meant by “an advantage in the water” haha. But no, I don’t. Wish I did. My foot just looks weird. I might get surgery to separate the webbing someday.

re: re: re: re: Communication from Sahuna, True Mother of Jaal

To: S. Ryder

From: Sahuna Ama Darav

The next time you are on Havarl, I will give you some of my homemade face paints. There isn’t much room for things like makeup on the supply shipments, so the other mothers and I have taken to making our own from plants and minerals.

You are beautiful just as you are.

Sahuna Ama Darav

Communication from Sahuna, True Mother of Jaal

To: S. Ryder

From: Sahuna Ama Darav

Do you like pie?

I secured some food books from your home planet of Earth. Disappointingly, the other mothers aren’t impressed with the flavor.

I hope you like pie.

Sahuna Ama Darav

re: Communication from Sahuna, True Mother of Jaal

To: Sahuna Ama Darav

From: S. Ryder

I’m more of a cake guy, but I’m happy to eat whatever you make. I’m touched that you would go through this trouble for me.

re: re: Communication from Sahuna, True Mother of Jaal

To: S. Ryder

From: Sahuna Ama Darav

I have made the miniature versions of cake. They are very cute. I look forward to seeing you again, so that we may enjoy them together.

Sahuna Ama Darav

[Sahuna has attached a photo of a muddy green-brown cupcake topped with bright blue icing. The icing is sliding off.]

Communication from Sahuna, True Mother of Jaal

To: S. Ryder

From: Sahuna Ama Darav

Jaal refused to send me answers to the questions below. He says that it's too embarrassing, so I'm asking myself.

Do you have a favorite weapon you find particularly effective against the kett?

What was your home world like? Perhaps we can find ways to make you feel more at home here?

Can you describe the human birth process to me? I'm interested for many obvious reasons.

I'm never embarrassed. That's something you should know about me.

Sahuna Ama Darav

re: Communication from Sahuna, True Mother of Jaal

To: Sahuna Ama Darav

From: S. Ryder

I usually snipe them from afar to avoid a fight, but if I can’t, I like using my biotic abilities against them. There’s something about killing kett without using a gun… it just feels really cool.

Earth is… a lot of things. Cities, forests, oceans, deserts. There’s no place quite like it. I’ve been around, though, and the thing that makes a planet feel like home is the people who love you. You’re already doing great.

I’m no biologist. I’ll forward your question to Lexi.

Good. I’m not easily embarrassed either.

Human childbirth

To: Sahuna Ama Darav

From: Lexi T’Perro

Sahuna Ama Darav,

Ryder told me that you are interested in human birth. I couldn’t sleep last night, so I compiled a report for you. I would recommend watching the videos privately. They are rather graphic.

Dr. Lexi T’Perro

[Lexi has attached a 27-page document, and 5 videos titled “Standard birth,” “Breach,” “Limb presentation,” “Water birth,” and “Caesarean section.”]

re: Human childbirth

To: Lexi T’Perro

From: Sahuna Ama Darav

Thank you very much for the information, Dr. T’Perro. I found it both fascinating and moving, and I have forwarded your message to all the mothers of the Ama Darav clan.

I would like to see the human birthing process in person someday. Perhaps we could arrange an exchange, so that you may also see a live angaran birth? It has been a long time since there were any children on Havarl, but I hope that will change once we are free from the kett.

In the meantime, here is a vid of my nephew’s birth for you. I think it is only fair that I share this with you, since you have shared so much with me.

Sahuna Ama Darav

[Sahuna has attached a video titled “Kjan’s emergence.”]

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