January 27, 2019, 4:33pm

As the tiger striped K'tharn steps closer, the evening sun catches her fur and I realize there's no way this is Ivicka. For one, she's too short. Ivicka towered over… well, everyone. This K'tharn isn't even as tall as I am. Teenie tiny Ivicka, hehe.

But there is a family resemblance. As I'm trying to parse what, (or more like, who) I'm seeing, Tipan bows, taking a step forward to place herself between the K'tharn and the rest of us.

"Greetings. I have news of your daughter," Tipan says, reminding me that her mother wouldn't have much reason to recognize her.

And I'm sure that must be who this K'tharn is. Ivicka and Tipan's mother. Not many other tiger striped K'tharn running around. And after our little tour today, I've seen thousands. Tiger-striped is very distinct.

Their mother folds all four arms across her chest at Tipan's words, squinting at her. "You're not one of the council's lackeys. Not from my youngest's flight either, I know those cubs. So… not terrible news, but I doubt it'll be pleasant. Alright, you can come in. I'll put on some tea and you can give me your news."

"Thank you," Tipan says, bowing slightly again, clasping her lower hands tightly behind her back as she does so. Is she always so formal with her mom?

Her mother just nods, stepping past us to the tight door flap, which lights up after a moment, the flap losing rigidity. Then she pushes inside and we follow. Inside, I pause, afraid to step on anything. We're greeted to a beautiful, but austere wooden interior, a stark contrast to the outside. A pair of beautiful paintings hung in bone frames flank the hall past the entryway, but not a single other decoration occupies the space. Not even a shoe rack. Which kinda makes sense since K'tharn don't often wear shoes… but still. It's so empty.

Even as Tipan's mother is stepping towards the hallway, Tipan's form flickers, her brown illusion disappearing as she pulls off the ring Genitha gave her. "Mother."

The single word makes the woman pause as she turns and looks Tipan over, her eyes scanning from head to toe. She takes a single step towards Tipan before her eyes flick towards Rufka then me. Halting in place, she smiles, though it doesn't reach her eyes. "Tipan. I'm glad you're home. We have much to talk about."

"I… yes, mother," Tipan agrees, inclining her head fractionally.

"But first, I believe introductions are in order. Or do you intend to bring strangers into our home."

"Sorry mother. This is my friend Rufka of clan Plethesa and this is Alexis of clan Everette. Alexis, Rufka, this is my mother, Tithan of clan Lithania."

"Nice to meet ya," Rufka says, stepping forward with her hand held out for a fist bump. I manage to keep from face palming as Tipan's mother gives Rufka's outstretched hand a once over, raising an eyebrow towards Tipan. Tipan isn't as successful as I am, her whole body slumping as she sighs.

"A pleasure, I'm sure," Tithan replies, tapping Rufka's fist with a single finger.

"We'll just wait here," I offer, hoping to extricate myself before Rufka and I ruin Tipan's reunion, but Tipan's mother shakes her head.

"Nonsense, you can join us in the Astrarium," Tipan's mother says, waving for us to follow her as she strolls down the hall.

Tipan doesn't immediately follow, glancing at us before stepping after her mother. Before she can say anything, her mother adds, "Best to let Outworlders feel as comfortable as possible."

I stop in place, narrowing my eyes as Tipan gasps.

"So, you did bring an Outworlder into my home," Tathia says, turning back to lock all four eyes on Tipan. We all stand there for a few seconds as Tipan works her mouth, but no sound comes out.

Finally, Tithan waves it off, moving away and stopping next to the first door down the hall. She pushes the door open, then turns back to look toward where we're all still standing. "Through here. Tipan, can you prepare the tea?"

"Of course, Mother."

"Aged daydrop, I think, dear."

Tipan only nods before stepping further down the hall while Tathia leads us into a room that is several steps lower than the hall leading in. The walls are mostly dark, displaying a starscape that's entirely different from the night sky I'm used to seeing on Akilo.

As I'm looking over the impressive display, Tathia says, "So, how did you turn my daughters against each other?"

"I… uhm," I close up as I turn back to where Tathia is glaring at me with her upper eyes closed.

While I'm trying desperately to think of what to say, Rufka replies, "Lexi didn't do anything. It was all Ivicka."

"I mean… I… Uhm." How exactly do you tell someone that you may have killed her daughter. Even as Tathia turns back to me after Rufka's interjection, I breathe a sigh of relief as Tipan comes back into the room with a small levitating cart. After a short Pause to consider how to respond to Targus, I take the opportunity to switch topics. "That's a cool cart."

Smooth.

"Thank you. It was a gift from the matriarch of Clan Tel'thost after I resolved the Zanbia incursion," Tipan's mother says as she waves a hand, several leather chairs unfolding themselves from an alcove next to the door.

I take one of the chairs and Tathia starts grilling Tipan with rapidfire questions, pressing her on where she's been, why she didn't message her, what did Ivicka do this time.

Tipan begins fielding her questions while pouring each of us a cup of tea, her words slow and deliberate.

Thankful not to be Tathia's focus, I listen, taking a sip of the honey flavored tea as I inspect the Astrarium's ceiling. There are faint lines running between the stars, illustrating the old constellations. Back when Akilo's sky had stars.

As Tipan begins telling her mother about everything Ivicka's done, my eyes return to them. Her mother's barely moved since Tipan began her story, only taking an occasional sip of her tea. It's only as Tipan reaches the end, explaining that Ivicka's dead, that Tathia speaks. "So, we won't be seeing your sister for a while then."

Tipan blinks, turning to me, then Rufka, before finally looking back to her mother. "Mother, I… I don't think Ivicka's coming back this time."

Shaking her head, her mother gives Tipan a small smile. "This isn't the first time your sister's 'died'. It might take her a month or two, but I'm sure she'll recover. Only this time, I fear the Taken will be waiting for her."

Tipan's sharp inhale is followed by a shake of her head and a rueful smile. "Maybe."

"So, is this why you brought the Outworlder into my home? To tell me of my daughter's defeat at her hands?" Tathia asks, her eyes moving towards me. Yep, Tipan didn't spare her mother from the fact I was the one who killed Ivicka. Spared me from having to tell her though.

"Yes. No. I brought her here because she's my friend. And I needed to tell you. But… I didn't think I could do it alone," Tipan says, wringing her hands. I reach over, giving Tipan's shoulder a squeeze. Least I can do after she told her mom for me.

A smile stretches across Tathia's face at the same time, as she reaches forward and squeezes Tipan's hand, bringing it to rest. "It's hardly the first time your sister has died. And if somehow this is the last… Well, I've accepted that she'd change our world or die trying. My tears have all been shed. I'm just glad you're still well."

I try to turn away as I see the moisture building in Tipan's eyes. And then she's hugging her mother, eliciting a 'woof' as she clasps her tightly.

Tathia chuckles while stroking Tipan's back. "You've grown a great deal in the last few weeks I see. At least that went according to plan."

Nodding, Tipan pulls back from her mother. "Like I said. A lot happened."

Releasing Tipan, Tathia pats down her fur before picking up the tea kettle and pouring herself another cup. Then she holds the kettle towards us, offering the rest of us another cup. Once finished she returns to her seat, shifting for a second until saying, "As I said, I'm just glad you're safe. Especially with all these Fallen running about in the streets. I can't believe your sister was involved… actually… I can."

Tipan's grimace matches my own at that. Though likely for different reasons. I can't help but wonder how many of the Fallen are victims in all this. It's not like they asked to be twisted around and turned into soldiers.

"Not just involved," Rufka points out. "She was the user behind it. Her and Folthka."

"That is harder to believe," Tathia replies, shaking her head. "Folthka was always striving to make things better for the Aetherium. One of the only ministers I respected."

"Mother, why are the Fallen patrolling the streets?"

Tathia doesn't answer immediately, instead standing and turning toward the tapestry of stars along the walls of the Astrarium. "You know the Aetherium once claimed the entire eastern continent? We protected our people as far north as the Frozen Wastes and to the southernmost shores of the Pelthian jungle."

"I don't…" Tipan says, turning to look to us as if we might understand her mother's tangent. I certainly don't know where she's going, so all I can offer is a shrug.

"We don't even protect the eastern reaches anymore. We can hardly protect Aethire and the corridor to the west." Tathia turns back to us, her eyes passing over each of us in turn. "We're dying, Tipan. The Aetherium. The K'tharn. There are less of us each year. Less of us being given quests to have children. Did you know there are less than a million K'tharn in Aethire? A century ago there were over ten. And over fifty a century before that. The System is killing us, one generation at a time."

"What? That… how come you never told me?" Tipan asks, her tea sitting at her side.

Tithan continues as though she didn't hear Tipan, her eyes distant. "Did you know I'd hoped that Ivicka would give me grandchildren? A silver! And so young. She had the quests. But… she refused. We got into more than one argument about it."

Tipan nods, looking away. "I know."

"Uhm, not to be rude, but what does this have to do with the Fallen?" I ask, getting Tathia's eyes to focus on me.

"The Fallen are Minister Yelthen's solution. Though it sounds like they were Folthka and Ivicka's first." Tathia turns back to Tipan. "They might even help. For a few years."

"Uhm." Rufka says, drawing everyone's attention. "Mum says it's only the Aetherium having these problems. That it's your own…" she stops, shrugging instead of finishing.

Instead of pushing Rufka to finish, Tathia faces Tipan, asking, "How long are you home for? Should I prepare the guest rooms?"

"No, but thank you, mother. We have a place."

Ha, we could have rooms on both coasts and be home in time for dinner. Even as I'm thinking that, Tipan adds, "In fact, we have a lot to do today. We should probably be going."

Tathia seems flustered at Tipan's words, nearly dropping her cup before straightening it out. "So soon? You just got home?"

Tipan gives her mother a smile that doesn't reach all the way to her eyes, but she does reach across the cart and squeeze her mother's hand. "I'll be back soon. And we can take a walk through the gardens."

"Oh. Oh good. Well, in that case." Tathia pushes herself to her feet, bowing slightly to Rufka and I. "It has been this matriarch's pleasure to meet you, Alexis of clan Everette. Rufka of clan Plethesa. May your Essence be varied and your Quests within reach."

Rufka and I mimic her bow, and repeat her farewell.

"Now, if you don't mind. I'd like to have a few minutes with my daughter before she leaves," Tathia requests, her lower eyes flicking towards Tipan who nods.

"Of course. We'll see ourselves out," I reply, pulling Rufka away by her elbow.

Once we're outside, I turn back, looking at the door.

"Huh. That went better than I expected," Rufka notes.

"Oh? What were you expecting? Another Ivicka?" I ask, elbowing Rufka.

"Kinda. Especially after seeing her." Rufka strokes her chin while staring back towards the building. "You notice how Tipan kept us out of her room? Didn't even offer a tour."

"And?" I ask, not sure what Rufka's implying.

"Well, how are we supposed to judge her bedroom if she doesn't let us see it?"

"Pretty sure I've never seen your bedroom either," I note, stepping away from the building, looking toward the setting sun. We were inside longer than I'd expected. But Tipan did end up telling her mother a lot of her story.

"Your bedroom is my bedroom," Rufka states, her arms slipping around me. "I don't need any more than that."

Looking over at Rufka, I can't stop the smile from creeping across my face as I lay my head on her shoulder.

As I hear Tipan opening the front curtain-door behind us, I whisper, "me neither."