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moon-spirit-yue · 2 years

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The Chief Trap

Chapter 1: Surprise Sucker

(Welcome to my au where Raya and Namaari are single mothers years after Kumandra is rebuilt! Honestly really excited for this since I haven’t seen many fics where the girls get older. Enjoy!)

“Chief Raya, listen to yourself! You can not go any longer without an heir!” one of Heart’s most annoying elders to ever breathe yelled.

“Mmmmmm, don’t feel like it,” the thirty year old woman shrugged, not bothering to look up from the letter Noi wrote to her.

“Chief, we gave up on any hope of you finding a spouse long ago, but you need to give Heart their next future leader! We’re not even asking you to court someone, just screw around with someone enough times to get you pregnant!” the old woman Raya refuses to remember the name of snapped.

“I could, but I don’t think I will,” Raya replied casually, still refusing to look the woman in the eyes.

“Can you at least tell me why you’re so unwilling to even attempt that level of intimacy with another human being? Do you yourself even know why?” she huffed.

Of course Raya knew why she refused any romantic or sexual relationship with anyone. And it’s not like she hasn’t tried, either. She gave up on that years ago. After all, Raya’s only ever been in love with one person. However, she made it clear that she never returned Raya’s feelings. Being completely ignored for nine years gave her that message pretty clearly.

But she wasn’t going to say all that.

“I have my reasons for that as I’m sure you have your reasons to wear those wretched looking shoes every day,” Raya smirked as she heard the elder breathe in deeply.

“It’s been twelve years and you are still the immature teenager you were when the Druun were vanquished,” the crabby elder snapped.

“And yet this child saved your stone cold ass, which also hasn’t changed so I really feel like you don’t have room to judge,” the Chief of Heart responded, finally looking up from the letter she was reading.

Noi’s fourteenth birthday party is just around the corner so Raya really should start packing. She had already found the perfect gift for her, all the chief had to do now was wrap it. Before the Heart elder could speak again in her annoying voice, her ba entered the room.

“Good morning Dewdrop! I don’t mean to bother you but we just received a letter from Fang and I thought I’d deliver it to you myself,” her Ba smiled.

Raya sighed internally but smiled anyways. Whenever a letter from Fang comes in the mail, Benja insists to be there. It’s sweet, if not a touch bothersome. After all, Raya is a full grown adult now.

“Benja! Finally! Please tell your child that she needs to produce an heir to the throne!” the elder scowled.

“Eh, she’s only thirty. I’ve met people who had children in their forties. You can circle back to this topic in about ten years,” Benja shrugged after giving Raya a kiss on her forehead.

“You are the most unbearable people I’ve ever met! You are so lucky that the public adores you too much to see you replaced!” the old woman growled, stomping off and slamming the door.

Raya and her ba sat in complete silence for about ten seconds before bursting out into laughter.

“She just makes it so easy! How can I resist pushing her buttons?” Benja laughed.

“I’m almost positive my only purpose in life is to make her’s harder,” Raya snorted. Ah, it’s all about the little things.

“Yes, forget saving Kumandra. This is what you’re meant to do,” Benja grinned as he ruffled her hair.

“Precisely. It’s my true calling,” Raya joked. The mirth left her face when she looked at the letter in her father’s hands. “Alright, lay it on me, what does the letter say?”

“I’m actually not sure. I figured we could open together,” Benja smiled.

Raya nodded, not finding in within herself to verbally respond. She’s only told Sisu and her ba the full extent of her tragic love life, so he tends to act extra sweet whenever any kind of news about Fang reaches them. Sometimes it pisses her off and makes her mood worse. Others she is grateful for his support. She really is over it now, for the most part, but sometimes life just makes it hurt. Benja opened the letter and read the message first before his eyes widened in surprise. Raya just decided to wait until he spoke.

“Well, it appears Chief Namaari has a child. Like, the baby is already is born and they’ve invited us to celebrate his birth,” Benja mumbled in shock. Raya’s jaw dropped as soon as the words left his mouth.

“You’re kidding? We didn’t even receive news that she was pregnant or that she remarried. This is pretty sudden, don’t you think?” Raya asked. She took the letter from her ba’s hands to read it herself to see if he was pulling her leg but no, it’s all right there. Chief Namaari of Fang has a son.

“Yes, it is. Oh! Look at the fourth line! Turns out Namaari rescued the boy from a pack of wild animals and she adopted him! It’s certainly Fang like to highlight those heroics now isn’t it?” Benja snorted.

“Ain’t that the truth,” Raya mumbled, finally reading the part her ba was referring to.

Wow. Namaari’s a mother. She was always good with kids from what she heard so it probably isn’t all that shocking but even so. How time flies. Really makes her start to feel her age.

“That would explain why we didn’t hear of her remarrying or any sort of pregnancy. But never mind that, are you okay Dewdrop? Need anything?” Benja asked gently. Raya smiled fondly and shook her head.

“I’m perfectly fine, Ba, really. You don’t need to protect me from the treacherous weapon known as Fang letters,” Raya laughed.

“I am still your father young lady, I will always need to protect you,” Benja smiled, ruffling her hair.

“It’s moments like these where I really wish I wasn’t a chief. They’re probably inviting everyone in the damn land for this. I’m sure it’d be insulting if they didn’t invite us, which also makes it insulting if we don’t go,” Raya sighed, looking over the paper carefully.

“We don’t have to attend if you don’t want to, we can fake an illness or injury. I can also plan a fake assassination attempt to get you out of this,” Benja offered.

“Your old age has made you more insane as each year passes,” Raya laughed, giving him a big hug. What would she do without him?

“Perhaps, but I think it’s one of my better qualities,” her father said.

“You keep telling yourself that. Well, this letter and that decrepit old woman gave me a lot to think about so I’m going to go for a walk to clear my head,” Raya told him as she slowly stood up.

“Alright, Raya. Do you need me to accompany you?” he asked, following Raya’s lead in getting up from his seat.

“I’m good. If that walking corpse asks for me, tell her I died or something,” the chief smiled.

“You still don’t know her name, do you?” Benja asked with amusement.

“Never have, never will!”

********************************

Raya took off her shoes and sat at the edge of the river. She proceeded to roll up her pants and dip her feet in the cool water. The invitation from Fang and the elders on her ass about children really got her thinking.

Logically, the chief knew she would have to give Heart an heir eventually. She fell in love once, it went terribly, and now she has no clue how to love anyone else. This is ridiculous. Well, Raya supposed she could take a page from Namaari’s book and look into adoption.

There’s also the slight detail that Raya has no clue how to be a mother. She wasn’t just raising the future chief of Heart, but a child as well. Raya’s found in a lot of cases that some chiefs don’t understand that. They’ll focus on conditioning their child to only work on becoming chief without realizing they’re still kids that need love and nurturing. Raya’s eternally thankful her own father wasn’t like that.

On that note, it really doesn’t help Raya gain any parenting tips. Her own mother passed before years before the Druun popped up again, so she can’t get much guidance there. How does one become maternal?

Plus, she has to figure out how she’s going to raise a child alone. She won’t have input from a partner, nor can she look for that kind of support. Sure, the staff in Heart’s palace and her Ba will be there but it’s really not the same as someone sharing the parental experience with her.

This is such a mess. Raya hadn’t even been thinking about children before this announcement from Namaari. It’s so like the chief of Fang to do something that completely throws Raya off her life course. Not like it’s the first time.

It took her a long time to come to terms with the fact that Namaari wanted nothing to do with her. Raya really did think they were fine for a while, even becoming friends before poof! No more Namaari! They used to exchange letters constantly in the beginning, and Raya had been so excited to tell her about Heart’s improvements and future plans to strengthen Kumandra. It was also fun discussing their personal lives like real friends would. Then the Fang woman’s letters had become less frequent and much shorter. Raya knew how to take a hint and stopped writing. Namaari never bothered reaching out so that was the end of it.

The chief of Heart cupped some water from the river in her hands and splashed it all over her face. She really shouldn’t focus on that right now. Or ever again. It was nearly a decade ago, there’s no point in dwelling on the past.

Raya’s thoughts shifted back to the idea of children and dread filled her all over again. What if she royally fucks up a random child? Raya has a terrible track record with kids! They just don’t like her! It’s like all creatures under the age of twelve have a personal vendetta against her! This is terrible!

Raya was snapped out of her thoughts when she heard crying. Honestly, Raya feels the same way. The chief tries looking around to find the source when she realized the crying was coming from right in front of her. As in, the lake.

She continued scanning the large body of water and came upon a large basket with a blue ribbon tied on it. Raya’s jaw dropped when she saw a baby inside it absolutely wailing their eyes out. The Heart warrior didn’t even have to think before she dove right in and began using all of her strength to swim to the baby.

Okay, who the hell lets a child chill out in a lake? Are they trying to kill the poor guy or girl? Raya was able to reach the child in seconds and went into overdrive to swim back to land. The moment she got there, she slid the basket on the ground and pulled herself up.

First and foremost, Raya needed to check and make sure there wasn’t any injuries. She didn’t have a towel on her so she just kind of shook her hands frantically in the air in order to dry them off. From that point on she took the little blanket covering the baby off and gently picked them up to inspect.

There’s no bleeding or bruising on any part of their body, which is a pretty solid start. Raya applied pressure at certain parts of the body and the baby never cried harder so that was another good sign. The chief figured that now that injuries were out of the way, she should check on the diaper. Thankfully, there wasn’t a smell but it never hurt to double check.

Raya unwrapped the diaper and was struck with relief when it was still clean. And hey, now Raya knows the baby is a girl. She then put the baby’s diaper back on and began to stand up.

“Alright, let’s see if we can find your Ma and Ba okay?” Raya mumbled, picking up the baby from the basket and holding her in one arm.

The baby looked at her for several seconds before reaching out and softly patting her shoulder. Raya smiled a bit at the cute gesture. She smiled even more when she realized the baby stopped crying.

“Aww, were you just lonely out there? Is that it? Come on, let’s go to my home so that we can see if you got family that I can berate for dumping you in a lake! How does that sound?” Raya cooed to the baby. The tiny baby clapped her hands so obviously she agrees with Raya.

As the chief began walking with the baby in one arm, she began slowly admiring how truly cute this child is. The baby couldn’t be more than seven months old, given her size. A little nose, with tufts of pitch black hair and dark skin that seemed to glow in the sun. The chubby little baby fingers are honestly getting to Raya because that’s just how cute they are.

This kid in general is cute.

But, she needs to focus on the mission at hand which is getting back to the palace and seeing if she can find a way to return this child to her family.

It took a few minutes but Raya was able to make it to the Heart palace in good time. She couldn’t be bothered with bewildered looks and whispers of her people. Raya’s main focus was to beeline straight for the healers just in case she missed something.

“Hi so I found this baby in the middle of the lack and I’m really worried about her health so please check her out?” Raya rushed out the second she stepped foot into the healer’s tent.

“Oh? Oh! Yes, of course. Hand her to me and I’ll examine her right away,” the healer said, taking the baby from Raya’s arms and racing off to another location.

The chief proceeded to sit on the ground to collect her thoughts. So many questions were running through her mind in that moment. Is the baby going to be okay? Who in their right mind would drop a baby in a lake? How is she supposed to find that little girl’s parents? Should she even bother? After all, she was left in a lake of all places.

What a stressful situation. As the chief began scaring herself more and more with a thousand possibilities of what she needs to do, the healer made her way back into the tent with an easy smile on her face.

“The baby’s fine, Chief. She was just a little cold. Other than that, she seems to be in perfect health,” the healer told her in a calm voice.

“Oh thank the dragons,” Raya said as she put a hand over her heart. Relief washed over her so now she can finally think.

“Alright, now that we got that squared away, do you have any clue as to who her parents are? Is there anything we can go off of?” the healer asked.

“Unfortunately not. I practically pulled the basket she came in apart, trying to find something but it’s just...not there. I mean, I guess there’s this bunny that she came with that has a little symbol on it. I don’t really see how that can be useful though,” Raya sighed.

“Yeah, that won’t really do anything for us,” the healer agreed. “Where did you say you found her again?”

“The basket was floating in the middle of a lake,” the chief replied, causing the healer’s eyes to nearly pop out of her head.

“Are you serious? Some monsters dropped this poor girl off in a lake?” the healer hissed.

“That’s what it seems like, yeah. Oh, now she’s upset,” Raya winced, hearing the baby’s sudden screams.

The chief of Heart gently scooped up the baby and began shushing her hoping it would soothe her at least a little. In three seconds flat, the crying deescalated into small hiccups.

“It would appear the baby is quite fond of you, Chief Raya,” the healer giggled with a slight pink hue in her cheeks.

“Huh, I guess so. I best be off now, so thank you for your help. I was getting pretty worried,” Raya admitted.

“Oh, we can take her if you’d like. You don’t need to burden yourself with the child any longer. You already saved her life, after all,” the healer said, already reaching out her arms to hold the baby.

For reasons Raya can’t quite explain, the way the other woman said that last sentence really pissed her off.

“That’s fine. I found her, I’m more than willing to figure out what to do with her now,” Raya said dismissively.

“Wow, I can’t believe you’re willing to house this poor child until she can find more permanent accommodations. It’s incredibly noble of you,” the healer said in probably the weirdest way ever. After saying those strange words, she started shuffling closer which kind of freaked Raya out. Maybe it’s time to head home.

“Yeah....right. I’ll just, be off now! Thanks again for the examination!” Raya said awkwardly as she hastily made her way out of the tent.

Well that got really uncomfortable, really fast.

Looks like she’s taking this little girl home. Something this important can only either be an excellent decision or a horrible one. She’s not entirely sure which one yet. But as the baby looked up at her with the sweetest little smile adorning her lips, Raya really hopes it’s the first one.

However, the reality is just now dawning on her that she needs to explain a brand new baby to her ba. And the elders.

Aw, toi.

********************************

“So when I tell you this, you’re going to laugh,” was Raya’s strong conversation starter she had when presenting the baby to her ba.

“Dewdrop, why do you have an infant in your arms?” Benja asked, already tired from whatever it is exactly he’s supposed to be dealing with.

“Alright, here me out on this! Long story short, I found this baby abandoned, floating in a lake and I decided to take her in until we can find her family,” the chief laughed nervously.

“I’m sorry what-,” her father hissed.

“I know, I know, it’s a stupid idea. But look at this cute little face!” Raya huffed, holding out the baby so that her ba can take a good look at her. She smirked when she noticed the older man’s entire demeanor soften significantly.

“Damn, she really does have a cute little face,” Benja sighed, clearly starting to give in.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to point out,” Raya grinned.

The Heart chief pushed the little baby right in front of her father’s face so that they could make direct eye contact. Her grin broadened seeing his resolve crumble into smithereens.

“Well, you’ve got my vote,” Benja said, completely defeated. At that moment, the elder with the worst taste in shoes walked in. Ew.

“Chief Raya, I got word you returned so I feel as though we should discuss,” the elder said, trailing off when she saw the baby in Raya’s arms. “Oh what in Kumandra’s name have you done now?”

“I’m staying out of this one,” Benja said, turning around and walking out the door. Traitor.

“As I was telling my father, the baby got left in a lake and I’ve decided to take her in until we can help her find a nicer place to live,” Raya said, only to get immediately shot down by the elder. Typical.

“You will do no such thing, Chief Raya! What on earth will the public think when they catch word that the great Savior of Kumdandra and Chief of Heart has taken in a stray?” the elder snapped.

“Uh, that I actually care about my people? Crazy idea for a chief, I’m sure,” Raya frowned.

“First of all, we have no clue where this child comes from so she may not even be your people! Second of all, everyone will see you as some doormat who will just take in whatever sad looking creature encounters her. It’ll give you a terrible reputation. You will be taken advantage of with no hesitation,” the old woman concluded.

“To address the first thing, this is Kumandra so all citizens are my people. As for the second, when have I ever cared about what the public thinks?” Raya said, giving the elder a look. She has made some very, how do you say, unpopular choices as chief. But that’s not the major issue here.

This particular elder is one of those people that just can’t get out of the old mindset that all five lands must stay separated, which is one of the main reasons why Raya dislikes her so. The biggest problem with Heart’s elders in general is that most of them can not get over what happened the day the Druun came back.

Part of Raya does understand this bitterness since she has felt it herself. No matter how little fondness Raya holds for her elders, she is aware that Heart has always been their top priority and they doe everything to make sure their people thrive. That is why they became resentful and senile when they returned from stone. None of them could forgive the other four lands for attacking them when they invited them into their home with nothing but festivities and hope for the future.

Heart’s people themselves managed to move past it. Granted, it took more time than everyone else, but it still happened. It’s mainly just the elders that stayed behind in the past.

However, there comes a point in time where people need to just move on. They are entitled to their own feelings of course, but in their positions of power it’s important that they at least pretend like they don’t hate everything for the sake of Heart. They hold too much influence to allow them room to be petty. Besides, there was no way to heal without giving other lands a second chance and Heart’s elders just....refused. If it was completely up to said elders, Kumandra would not have happened. Thank everything that Benja had the final say as chief at the time.

The saddest part is that the other four land elders’ had all pretty much moved on at this point. It’s just Heart’s that refuse to change. It’s incredibly ironic that the one land that wanted Kumandra the most in the beginning is the one that rejects the idea again and again as time passes.

It’s also why the Heart elders became obsessed with Raya’s image over the years. They were constantly pushing her to appear as a cool, calculating leader that had no flaws to avoid a tragedy like the Druun’s return from happened to Heart again.

That must be why the elder is so against the idea of allowing shelter for a child she has no connection to. It shows generosity and that can be used against her, just like it was ten over ten years ago.

This is probably the most disappointing thing to Raya. Heart’s elders were once as kind and trusting as her own ba before the Druun. They have never been the same since, and they never will be.

Raya wishes they could learn to love Kumandra as it is, but no one can really teach an old dog new tricks. Raya has had to come to terms with the fact that her elders will be bitter till their dying breath. No matter how much it breaks her heart.

“Listen, I understand this is a bit spontaneous and not very thought out, but honestly, what is there to think about? An innocent baby was abandoned and needs help. I found her and have the resources to look after her until we can find her guardianship. I understand I’m a chief, which is exactly why i’m doing this. A chief doesn’t leave her people,” Raya said, with an authoritative tone that surprised even herself.

A loud silence enveloped the room as the chief waited for what the elder would say. Then she heard a very loud sigh.

“Very well. But if she breaks anything, we are going to have a serious reevaluation of this plan,” the elder scowled.

“Aww, I knew even you couldn’t resist such a face! She’s a very charming girl, aren’t you?” Raya laughed, poking the baby’s little nose lightly. That action earned her a small giggle that melted Raya’s heart.

“I already regret this,” the older woman huffed.

“Now that we have that situation under control, I really need a bathroom break so why don’t you take this,” Raya said as she casually handed the baby off to the startled elder.

“Chief Raya wait-,” the elder tried to yell after her to no avail. Raya needed this bathroom break desperately.

The bathroom was probably the most peaceful place she’d been in all day. The damned elder hounded her, she found out Namaari had a kid, and she picked up a random baby casually floating in the middle of a lake. It’s been a day.

Once Raya finished, she walked back into the room where the elder was. Then her ears were assaulted with loud shrieks. The baby was fighting for her life trying to get out of the elder’s arms and the elder was spinning around like a psycho trying to prevent the baby from falling.

Raya only left them alone for three minutes!

“The hell did you do to the baby?!” Raya hissed as she sped walked over to them.

When the baby heard Raya’s voice, she stopped the violent flailing but was still loudly crying. However, the second Raya scooped the baby back up in her arms, the cries soothed. The poor baby shoved her face into the crook of the chief’s neck as if to hide from the rest of the world.

“I’ll have you know I did nothing to that rugrat! The second you left she just went berserk!” the elder whispered. Probably to prevent more crying.

“Hah. So she loves me and despises you. This is my type of baby!” Raya grinned.

“Please tell me what the plan is for that....thing so that we can it out of the castle as quickly as possible,” the wicked old woman scowled, glaring at the baby.

“It was definitely for the best you never had kids. Anywho, my plan is to send out announcements, posters, things like that to attempt to contact the family or anyone who knows her. I’m not entirely sure how she wounded up in the lake but I’m hoping it wasn’t from biological family. Until then, I think it’s best if we just to make sure she has what she needs and that she’s comfortable,” Raya explained.

“Very well, Chief Raya. I will get the posters started and draft out what to say for the verbal announcements. Accommodations will be made to allow the baby to stay temporarily,” the elder said in a strained voice.

“Would you move her into the spare room next to mine? I want to make sure I can look after her to the best of my abilities,” Raya asked.

“Chief Raya, you will have more important things to do that hover over an infant. It would be best if you let the maids take care of her,” the elder huffed, gesturing to the baby that was being held by Raya.

“Huh. Interesting opinion,” Raya said plainly.

“You have no intention of taking my words into consideration, do you?” the elder asked in a deadpanned voice.

“Nope!” the chief said with a bright smile.

“Figures. She will be next door to you no later than midnight. Have sweet dreams, Chief Raya,” the elder frowned as she walked out of the room.

Sometimes Raya wonders if her attitude towards the elders is a bit too much. Despite their relentless hatred towards Kumandra, their wisdom and guidance helped rebuild Heart from the ground up during the months following the Druun’s disappearance. Benja and Raya would have been a mess without them. The Heart elders only ever do what they think is best for the land, so maybe Raya should try to lay off a bit.

“Also, Chief Raya, while we are on the subject of babies, you should really get working on making your own. I know your father said to revisit the topic in ten years, but he’s been wrong about a lot of things,” the elder said over her shoulder.

Alright. The attitude is coming back full throttle.

“I’ll take baby advice from you when a baby can actually stand to be in your presence. Good night!” the chief glared as she whisked the baby away from the negative energy the elder produced.

While waiting for the baby’s room to finish getting organized, Raya decided to sit on a chair in the balcony of her own room to get some fresh air.

She looked to see the baby in her arms that began nuzzling her cheek against Raya’s exposed collar bone. A giggle escaped the Heart woman as she was rather ticklish in that area. The reaction from Raya seemed to please the infant greatly as she let out her own giggle. Raya smiled and began gently massaging the baby’s head.

“Hmm, I wonder what I should call you. I can’t keep calling you baby in my head, it’s very vague. I can’t exactly name you either, your parents could be looking for you. I guess I’ll have to go for a nickname,” the chief whispered, as to not disturb the peaceful atmosphere.

The baby’s only response was a loud yawn.

“You’re no help, you know that?” Raya grumbled. She leaned back against the chair and looked up at the stars blinking down at her which gave Raya an idea. “What about Starlight? You cool with that? I can even add the word ‘little’ in front of it to make it sound cuter.”

To Raya’s surprise, the baby was fast asleep in her arms. She quirked her lips up a bit at the sight and closed her own eyes as well. Raya hadn’t meant to fall asleep completely.

Ah well, it wouldn’t be that big of a deal. She was sure that within a couple of days, the little starlight’s parents would be found in no time.

********************************

Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into a month. Whoever dropped the kid off in a lake wasn’t coming around to get her back anytime soon.

No matter how many posters they lined on the walls or announcements they screamed in the town square, no one claimed the baby. Raya even went as far as to connect with people in the other four lands to see if they could help find the baby’s family, but there was no luck.

The little starlight appears to be an orphan. Or abandoned. Who the hell knows? This begs the question of what on earth they were supposed to do with the baby.

Currently, Raya and Starlight were relaxing underneath a large willow tree. The two of them were sitting on an old blanket that Raya has probably had since she was a child. The chief had finally managed to get a break from the grueling paperwork and figured that spending some time outside would be good for her. Raya didn’t even have to think before bringing Starlight along with her.

It’s strange how Raya hasn’t realized that she’s become incredibly attached to the baby before this moment. Seeing this sweet little infant brightens up Raya’s day and she’s found herself speeding through her normal chief responsibilities just to spend more time with Starlight. Usually, Raya relishes in the work she does since she doesn’t have much to do outside of it.

Starlight snapped Raya out of her thoughts by trying to crawl off the little blanket they were sitting on. The chief’s lips quirked up a bit and reached out to grab the baby before her skin touched the grass. However, Raya herself got knocked onto the grass because of a weight that was suddenly slammed into her.

“Hey girl Long time no see, huh?” a voice Raya knew all too well. The Heart woman groaned but could not move as the weight still laid on top of her.

“Sisu please, you might actually crush me,” Raya grumbled. “And I saw you like six weeks ago!”

“Exactly! I don’t think it we’ve ever been away from each other for that long,” the blue dragon laughed as she finally rolled off Raya.

“I guess we really do have attachment issues,” Raya scoffed, slowly sitting up and looking down to see the little starlight crawl over to check on her.

“Oh, and who is this precious sweetheart? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you before!” Sisu cooed, only now realizing there was a baby in their presence.

“That’s actually a really good question. I found her in a basket that was floating in the middle of a lake. No clue where she came from or who her family is. So, she’s staying with me for the time being. I’ve been trying to find her parents but nothing’s worked. I’m worried, Sisu. I just...don’t want her to be alone,” Raya admitted, carefully picking the little infant up and setting her back down on the blanket.

“Oh, Raya,” Sisu said with sympathy in her voice. The dragon opened her mouth to speak more when Raya’s head felt like an axe was cutting it open.

“Ah, shit! Sisu, I forget my meds! Could you grab them real quick?” the chief whimpered, desperately rubbing her head to get rid of the awful sensation.

“Damn it, Raya! I’m on it!” Sisu huffed and flew at the speed of light in the direction of the palace. Clearly, she wasn’t pleased with Raya’s forgetful mind.

It’s not entirely her fault, however. Usually, Raya is excellent at remembering when to take her medication. The stress of trying to find the little starlight’s home must have made her slip up.

After that stupid attack Raya endured back when she was twenty one, she’s suffered chronic headaches that make it nearly impossible to think. There’s not really a cure, but the pain is very manageable. As long as Raya consistently takes her pills after she eats breakfast and dinner every day, the headaches are basically nonexistent. Even a bad day is just a little dull ache which is very easy to push through.

But Raya decided she was going to be stupid and not take the pills this morning. Ugh, chronic pains suck. At least Raya got a cool little scar that poked out from her hairline to her temple.

Unfortunately, Starlight noticed how off Raya was being since she heard the baby start to cry which did absolutely nothing to soothe the pain in her head. Just when the chief actually began considering repeatedly banging her head against the tree trunk to force herself to pass out, a glass of water was thrust in front of her along with the tiny green circular pills she needs.

Raya snatched both objects from Sisu in the blink of an eye. She quickly tossed the two pills in her mouth and tipped her head back to allow the water to glide down her throat. The Heart woman slumped against the tree in pure relief as she felt her headaches begin to ease.

“I don’t mean to alarm you, but the baby is still kinda freaking out over here,” Sisu whispered.

Raya cracked her eyes open to see the poor girl silently crying and hugging herself. The chief slowly reached out to the infant and tiredly began rocking her to sleep. It’s around her nap time anyways. Within a few minutes, Starlight was completely knocked out. The infant sneezed in her sleep which was probably the cutest sound ever. Raya couldn’t hold back a small smile after hearing the noise.

“Oh this kid totally has you wrapped around her finger,” Sisu smirked, watching Raya flush and try to deny it.

“That is not true! I just think she is very charming, okay?” Raya whisper yelled.

“You are such a terrible liar, Raya. It’s a miracle you made it so far on the run,” Sisu giggled.

“You’re the worst, you know that?” the Heart woman huffed as she gave the dragon a slight nudge. “I got to admit, this baby has a bit of a grip on me. I just don’t know what to do now that there’s pretty much no hope in finding her parents.”

“Well, you could just adopt her. I guess chiefs are allowed to do that nowadays,” Sisu said, clearly referencing Namaari’s adoption.

“I hadn’t really thought about it. I was just so sure I could find her real family,” Raya frowned.

Honestly, she kind of felt like a failure for not being able to get the baby back to her biological family. It’s why Raya is ashamed to admit that Sisu’s words struck a chord with her. Adopting Starlight sounds pretty amazing. But damn will the elders give her hell for this. She wouldn’t be so concerned if she wasn’t positive they’d also give the baby attitude when she got older.

“Hey, we both know life doesn’t always work out as planned. If it makes you feel any better, I think you’d be a pretty good mother,” Sisu smiled.

“Thanks Sisu. I’ll think about it,” Raya decided.

“Well, on that note, you heard from Namaari recently?” the dragon asked not so casually.

Raya couldn’t resist the urge to roll her eyes until she saw her own brain. Nine years later, and she’s still on about this.

“Yes, I got her letter announcing her son’s adoption,” Raya replied tersely.

“Anything else?” Sisu inquired.

“Nope,” the chief plainly stated.

“You really give me nothing to work with, girl,” Sisu groaned, flopping backwards so that she’s laying on the ground.

“Zip it before I banish you from Heart,” Raya grinned.

“Hah, you would never do such a thing to me!” the dragon declared confidently. Said declaration was only met with silence.

“You would never do such a thing to me, right-”

********************************

“I have made a decision in regards to what will happen to the baby I found a few weeks back,” Raya began. All twelve elders along with her Ba were sitting with her, waiting for the final verdict.

“Well it’s about time,” one of male elders mumbled. Ugh, of course it was a man.

“I’m adopting her,” Raya said bluntly.

As expected, the room erupted into utter chaos. Screams of “what are you thinking?” and “have you lost your mind?” were shouted across the room. Raya simply leaned back in her chair and waited for the commotion to die down.

“Alright, now that everyone got their protests out of the way, allow me to elaborate. We all know I’m not getting married, so it’s not like there’s much hope for me to have a child the conventional way. This allows Heart to have an heir without me dealing with pregnancy and having to take time off of my duties to deal with that. Besides, Chief Namaari’s announcement of adoption has been met with more positive than negative feedback so it’s not like it’ll completely destroy my reputation,” Raya explained.

“Are we sure that Chief Namaari is the best guide in this situation? Or any situation in general?” the newest elder asked. The two questions were met with a lot of mumbles of agreement.

“I happen to think it’s a wonderful idea!” Benja interfered, thank toi for him. It’s nice having at least one person in her side.

“You do have a nasty habit of siding with your precious daughter, Benja,” one of the woman elders hissed. Raya really should learn their names one day.

“That’s probably because my daughter has saved all of Kumandra and uses her brain,” her father said.

“We always come back to that, don’t we?” the elder sighed.

“Well, might as well let her do what she wants,” the elder with the terrible taste in shoes said. Considering the fact that she rejected the idea of even allowing the baby to stay with them for a couple days, Raya was incredibly shocked. Clearly, her peers were as well.

“I can’t believe you’re actually supporting this insanity, Elder Lamai,” one of the other elders said in disbelief.

Okay, so terrible shoes elder is Lamai. Duly noted!

“Not like she’s going to listen to us, anyways. When have any of us ever been able to talk her out of something? Like, ever?” Elder Lamai frowned.

“She makes an excellent point,” Raya agreed, because screw these old people that refused to adapt to the new world.

With that, murmurs of agreement filled Raya’s ears which caused her little heart pure elation.

“When do we announce this to the people, then?” Elder Lamai asked.

“I was thinking we wait until a couple months after Namaari’s son has his whole celebration thing,” Raya said, which everyone easily agreed to (much to her surprise since they’re never agreeable on anything).

It makes the most sense so that everyone can properly celebrate both Namaari’s son and now Raya’s daughter. Besides, Raya kind of likes the fact that her daughter is just hers. At least for now.

One of the things Raya truly hates about being chief is the lack of privacy. Everything she does is on display for the whole world to see. Keeping her daughter’s adoption quiet gives Raya a chance to simply bond with her and not have to worry of the public scrutinizing eye.

The months flew by for Raya after telling the elders of her choice to keep the baby. Taking care of her child was exhausting, but rewarding. She was even able to decide on a name. Princess Aulia of Heart. Raya found it had a nice ring to it.

Before Raya knew it, the celebration of Namaari’s son arrived. There was a slight problem with that. Aulia had gotten sick a couple weeks ago and could not stop coughing and sneezing.

Raya’s anxiety grew more and more with each passing day. She couldn’t have Aulia tag along with her to the celebration like this! But Raya also doesn’t feel like it’s right to just leave her baby behind. The chief decided to discuss this with her father, who found a solution she greatly enjoyed.

“I assure you, it’s completely fine for you to look after her and have me go in your place. I’m sure everyone will understand if I tell them it was you who has fallen ill,” Benja insisted.

“You’re positive it’s alright with you?” Raya asked one last time to be sure.

“Of course I’m sure,” the man said with no hesitation.

“But I feel terrible that I’m using my sick daughter as an excuse to not go,” Raya frowned. Plus, the chief is really happy she can’t go which only adds to her guilt.

“Dewdrop, she needs you. And you certainly need her. If it makes you feel any better, your mother and I used you as an excuse to skip social functions all the time. You truly are becoming a mother,” her father laughed, giving her one last hug before his departure.

“Thanks old man. I appreciate the wisdom. I just hate feeling so freaked out about her health, it’s actually making me nauseous,” Raya told him.

“Just relax, Raya. This is a very common worry, especially for first time parents. Look after her for a few more days and she should be just fine. It really is time for me to go so have fun back here and give my granddaughter a kiss for me!” Benja yelled over his shoulder.

The chief smiled at Benja’s easy acceptance of his granddaughter. She didn’t know what she would have done if her father disagreed with her choice of adoption. But he loves Aulia just as much as Raya does, so her fears thankfully never came to pass.

Raya hung back until her father was completely out of sight before walking back into the castle. His words rang through her head like a comforting lullaby. Sure, Aulia may not be feeling fantastic, but she’s a baby! They get sick all the time! No reason to freak herself out.

It was probably nothing.

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indianaclems · 2 years

Text

Man or Woman ?

Context :

Raya is traveling to Talon, she is accompanied by Long, their second child who is around 6-7 years old.

She learns that there are some shady guys who are plotting to put into circulation a liquid, a magic drug with dangerous effects. Before obviously informing the council and the dragons, she decides to go and collect information.

Part 1 ?

In the evening, when Long has been in bed, she slips away from the palace. But that was without counting the fact that Long decided to follow her.

Upon arriving, Long comes across a noisy neighborhood. A woman approaches the child and asks him what he is doing there. To which he replies that he is looking for his Má.

The woman gives him an embarrassed smile, and tells him that they will look for her but she will probably be busy.

When Long asks what's going on here, the woman replies that it's a place where adults come to relax and have fun.

- Long: Like massages?

- Woman 1: Yes, like massages, but for adults. People are very tense. Here people forget their worries and worries without being judged.

- Long: So you're doing them a favor?

- Woman 1: That's right, that's our job.

- Long: That's great!

The woman just smiled, not wanting to say more to the child, thinking that it was better that he knew only that.

1 hour later Long sees his mother come out of a room in the company of a woman, who gives her a warm kiss on thé cheek.

- Woman 2: I hope you got what you wanted, don't hesitate to come back whenever you want, it will always be a pleasure.

- Raya: I won't fail, good b-

- Woman 1: So Raya? We come to say hello and you hide from us that you have children?

- Raya: Ho hel- *sees Long* WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE !

- Woman 1: That's what I would like to know too. That you come to visit us is one thing but I found your child just in the street..

- Raya who feels the anger rising in her: LOOOOONG!!!! What's the-

- Long: Why did you leave the palace when I was falling asleep?

- Raya *sighs somewhat annoyed*: Long, listen Má has work to do and this is for the grown-ups. It's clearly not a place for children... I don't want you to walk around Talon alone and especially at this hour, it can be dangerous...

- Woman 1 *laughs*: You behave like a responsible mother but it's not very responsible to abandon your son to visit us...

- Raya: I would have preferred not to remember what snake tongue you can be!

- Woman 1: Hooo come on Raya, I know you love it, it's not if I had taught you almost everything

- Raya: Come on, Long, we're leaving, and no, don't look to the sides, straight ahead!

- Woman 1: Goodbye Raya, I love you, see you soon!

- Raya: For your funeral!

Once back in Fang, Long couldn't resist telling his Ma about his "little secret".

Namaari rushed to find her wife to have a "talk"

She finds her wife training with Nur.

- Namaari: BINTURI, COME BACK!

The other two turn around, but namaari only stares at Raya with a murderous gaze.

- Namaari: Not you, the other binturi, she said in an icy tone

- Raya: Please my morning glow, leave us with your mother, I think we have a few scores to settle.

Nur slips away glaring at his other mother.

- Raya: Need a little fight to relax đẹp lạ?

Without a word Namaari positioned herself on guard, sticks of Kalis in hand ready to do battle.

As soon as the fight has started, Raya understands that Namaari is clearly not in a training perspective but just venting her rage... she parries but is worried about the surge of violence.

- Raya: Calm down!

Namaari sweeps her to the ground, Raya falling with all her weight and feeling the air escaping from her lungs under the impact... She barely has time to come to her senses when Namaari straddles her and holds her arms firmly wrists above her head, eyes burning with anger.

- Raya: Namaari, let go of me, you're hurting me!

- Namaari: I DON'T CARE!

- Raya: HAVE YOU LOST YOUR HEAD? IT'S ME RAYA! WHAT'S INTO YOU?

- Namaari: WHY?!

- Raya: Why what?

- Namaari: DON'T BE INNOCENT YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT

- Raya: It seems so obvious, is it obvious? Hell, Namaari, what's going on?

- Namaari: I know about Talon, Long told me everything!

- Raya: What?

- Namaari: You, you... It disgusts me, but what annoys me even more is that our child, my son was in a brothel, alone while you were quietly having a good time!

- Raya: WHAT?!

- Namaari: STOP BEING THE SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T KNOW !!!

- Raya: Seriously, do you think I was going there for that?! RELEASE ME BINTURI !!!

- Namaari: WHY??? WHY WILL I DO THIS?

- Raya: How do you want me to explain things to you if you pin me to the ground and you treat me like your enemy! I'M YOUR WIFE, NAMAARI! YOUR WIFE !

Namaari seemed to come to her senses, seeing Raya's angry and hurt face...pinned forcefully beneath her.

Raya wasn't physically struggling...she was just waiting for Namaari to release her. Namaari feels the guilt rising inside her and releases it, shifting to the side

Raya sits up and rubs her wrists

- Raya: Seriously do you think I cheated on you?

- Namaari: People don't go there by chance... She said, her voice filled with sadness

- Raya: Indeed, people don't go there by chance, she answered dryly! But I didn't go for what you think

Namaari let her continue

- Raya: Namaari the woman I saw would be your mother's age if she were still with us... And she was clearly not my style

Namaari gave a bitter grin.

- Raya: I know this Maari environment, you may have forgotten it but I told you, after the return of Druun, I found refuge in Talon and was collected there for two years. They taught me to survive. I owe them a lot, you know. I can count on them when needed. I also know that's where you can get all the info you want it's all about knowing how to do it, but I know them enough to have some straight passes.

- Namaari: What did you need?

- Raya: Informations, concerning a drug network which is set up, it is about something serious.

- Namaari: It wasn't safe

- Raya: These places are safer than you think.

- Namaari: I'm talking about Long

- Raya: Hoooo him... What a petty little dragon! I didn't know he had followed me, I would never have taken him with me, I thought he was sleeping peacefully at the palace. I let you imagine surprised when I was about to leave and I saw him there.

After this exchange Raya left and didn't say a word to Namaari, avoiding her, eating the furthest away from her. In the evening, Namaari was in their, as she was going to bed, her wife came in, going to get her night things.

- Namaari: You took your time...

- Raya: My bed wasn't going to make itself.

- Namaari frowned forming the serlot line on her forehead.

- Raya: No I'm not sleeping with you tonight

- Namaari: you -

- Raya: I go to the guest rooms... Sorry Maari, but I can't sleep next to the woman I married who doesn't trust me because she has her own trust issues , it's hurtful, and I'm not talking about my wrists.

- Namaari: I am sincerely sorry. Will you forgive me?

- Raya: time for the wounds to heal...

When Raya was leaving with her namaari things, she called out to her.

- Namaari: I love you, đẹp lạ.

Raya sighed then crossed the door and closed it, leaving in response to the tender and desperate words of her wife, a deafening silence.

For his parts, Long was in bed thinking about the "strange" people he had seen in Talon and his mother's words. This woman who looked like a man.

But who according to her mother was indeed a woman despite the fact that Long was sure she had a slight beard, and above all a very deep voice.

According to her Má, she was a woman, but when she was little people were mistaken because she looked like what one expects of a boy and simply believed that she was a boy and therefore gave her a boy's name... But sometimes it's not always so obvious.

Long wondered if he really knew the world? Are the adults wrong? And what does it mean to be a girl, to be a boy? What does it mean to feel like a girl or to feel like a boy? He wants to understand... A new feeling is born in him, from the discovery of a stranger, which causes something mysterious to resonate in him.

It was thus that Long went to bed.

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