She wants to paint. There's so much on her mind, and she can't process any of it at all. Too much.
When she shifts in bed to sit up, the pair of arms around her waist tighten just slightly, pulling her back into place. Julia adjusts so she can face her spouse, their eyes shut tight in a stubborn attempt to stay asleep. Leaning on one hand, she brushes a lock of their hair aside as she whispers, "I'll be right back, I promise." If they heard her, they don't acknowledge, but they don't keep her rooted when she moves again.
Yasraena stays curled up beneath Enoch's crib as Julia pulls on a robe, Bel yawning as he hops down from the bed to sit beside her. Now dressed, she gestures for the dog to follow as she leaves the room, door shutting quietly behind them.
The house is still unfamiliar to her, despite being her a few days, and she relies heavily on Bel to keep from bumping into things as she walks down the hall and into the livingroom. There's a light that shines through the crack beneath the door that leads to her father's craft room. She leans against the wood to listen, a soft, deep hum coming from within.
Knock, knock.
The humming stops, "Come in," and resumes once more.
Julia opens the door slowly, peeking in to see her father at a massive loom, humming as he weaves a mostly finished piece. The walls are either covered with finished textiles in all manner of bright, vibrant colours, or shelves that hold the unwoven thread.
Bel walks ahead of her to curl up at her father's feet, leaving her standing just inside the room. Her voice is a hoarse, deadpan when she speaks, "It's late, you should be asleep."
"You get your bad habits from me, Juliel."
"..." Crossing her arms, she shuffles forward to watch at his side as he weaves, quiet for a long moment. "Abba, I'm sorry I didn't—"
She's cut off by him raising a hand, his eyebrows raised as he looks at her past dark curls, "Have I given you any trouble about it? No, so do not apologise, little jewel. You are here now. You stayed several days, and I am happy to finally meet your daughter and Kieviel."
"Abba, you knew Kieviel, I went to school with them."
"Ah, but I never met them as your spouse, that is a big difference, Juliel."
She rolls her eyes, finding a cushioned stool to sit down on so she can continue to watch him work. There's another long pause of silence, once again broken by Julia when she sighs, "I haven't even properly introduced you to Silva. I will... when she has the time to visit, I will."
"Ah, yes, you are married to many, that's right."
"Just two, Abba."
"I used to think you would marry your little friend Iriskree. Are you still friends with her?"
"Yes, Iris babysits Enoch from time to time."
"Good, good. You deserve more friends, Juliel."
"..." That doesn't seem right. She doesn't expect any other opinion from her own father, but... As bitter and prone to isolation as she is, it's any wonder she'd made as many friends as she had, let alone... "I've made more."
"Oh?" Mikha’el stops weaving to turn to look at Julia properly now, a warm, gentle smile on his face as he folds his hands on his lap. "Tell me about them, then."
"I've met a few in person, Hinata and Rook. If I'm honest, I'm a bit... overwhelmed. I'm not used to people not being turned away by just... how I sound and look." She fidgets, rubbing her thumb against her opposite palm, "Hinata is a sweet woman, she visited me first. She's... almost suspiciously kind, really. I almost feel like she'll pull the rug from beneath me when I fully let down my guard, but... I've never met someone so gentle before. It was odd to smile so much.
"Rook is also absurdly kind. They've given me more than I could have imagined ever asking for and I don't think I ever could have asked for it. All for... nothing, really. They didn't ask for any kind of payment. The least, and really the most, I could offer were paintings. They're the only reason I could visit you and Eema. They and Hinata are why I've been able to get genuinely good sleep the last week or so. No nightmares."
Her father grins, chuckling softly, "They have my eternal thanks, then. I wish I could have gotten their help when you were a baby, but 32 some odd years later is better than never at all." He reaches down to idly pet Bel, "Who else have you met, jewel?"
"A man named Hubert. He and his... I'm not sure what to call their relationship. He calls her 'Lady', but I think that may be a title? I would say she's his employer, but she seems very affection and fond of him. Her name is Calypso. I can understand where her fondness stems from, he's quite beautiful.
"A young man named Yugi... one of rook's loved ones named Wick... though I haven't interacted too much with Wick, Yugi is quite sweet. They're the reason I've wanted to expand my family, actually." Her hand subconsciously moves to rest on her stomach, "I know there are others, and I'm sure they'd be hurt if they ever knew I'd neglected to mention them, but..."
"Are you trying for a second child, Juliel, and you did not tell me?"
Julia looks up in slight alarm, but rolls her eyes when she sees the teasing, pretend hurt on his face. "Yes, we are. I'll be sure you're one of the first people to meet them this time, I promise."
Mikha’el chuckles and adjusts in his seat, relaxing, "You seem happy, little jewel. So what, then, has you up talking to me? It's very late, like you said."
Her lips purse into a thin line and she fidgets with one of the long strands of blond hair that falls over her shoulder. "I still can't look at the night sky."
"Ah, you still see it?"
"It never went away."
"And why is this keeping you awake now, Juliel? You said you could sleep well now."
"I can, but I'm afraid to look at the skies, still. What if it's still there, Abba, what if it sees me and the magic wears off?"
"Magic?" He starts, but shakes his head, "It is not vital for you to go out at night, little jewel, you don't need to test these things."
"Abba I want to go out at night. I want to paint the night sky. I want to be able to be anywhere but indoors at night if so choose. I'm hesitant to have Hubert come over because it would need to be past sundown, but he'd be trapped inside with me."
"Ah, does he have a mutation that leaves him sensitive to sunlight?"
"... not quite, but in a way, you could look at it like that." She rubs her thumb against her palm again, "What if it sees Auriel, Abba? What if it's haunting her, too?"
Her father hums in thought, rubbing a hand over the scruff on his chin, sympathetic look on his face. "Well... did Kieviel see the star the night she was born?"
"What? No. They've never seen it, Abba, no one has besides me."
"I've seen it. Your mother too."
Julia blinks. "What?"
"The night you were born we saw it. Just like you've said, like a hole in the sky. Have never seen it since. It is why I've never doubted you, Juliel. I just hoped it would go away for you as well."
After a moment of silence, she sinks down in her posture, rubbing her hands over her face. "No, they've never seen it." She repeats, "So at least I can rest assured she isn't being haunted. Still..."
"..." Mikha’el stands and walks over to rest a hand on Julia's shoulder, exhaustion clear on her face when she looks up, "There is a lot on your mind, I know there is. You are doing just fine. Better than fine. Come now. It's time for you to get some sleep, I am sure your Kieviel is missing you."
Julia sighs and nods, standing once her father takes a step back and giving him a hug. "I'll visit again soon, I promise." When she lets go he moves to sit back at the loom, he doesn't respond beyond a nod, resuming his humming as he continues to weave.
She starts towards the door, Bel stretching as he stands, trotting after her as she goes to leave.
"I'm glad those dogs have kept you such good company all this time. You've taken good care of them. They really were such a blessing to find so soon to you coming into our lives. Goodnight, little jewel."
"Goodnight, Abba."
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