(2025-02-22) Of Babies and War

Details

Author:	Jessa
Summary:	Velrin drops by Eastvale for a visit with Ivri and Dane. More importantly, with Lila and Karson. They discuss babies, work, and the ongoing situation in Uldum.
Rating:	T for Teen

Velrin comes up to the door of the Atley house and knocks, "Hello!"

Ivrianna stops fussing with Lila long enough to look over at the door. "Come in!" she hollers. "My arms are full."

Velrin opens the door and creeps inside carrying yet another wrapped package, "Hello Miss Ivrianna. It's good to see you." She says this, but her eyes are locked on Lila.

Ivrianna 's eyes brighten. "Vel! It's good to see you, too." She looks from Vel to the baby in her arms. "This is Lila. Lila, this is Auntie Vel. Don't vomit on her, all right?"

[Velrin]: It's good to see you too. I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to see you or the babies last time I came to visit. *Vel leans over to look at the baby and smiles at her.*

On the floor is the playpen, currently occupied by Baby Number One, aka Karson. He is trying to stand, an action foiled by the many stuffies in there with him. He gives up and bashes a large, stuffed, crocheted lion on the head. Bop!

Ivrianna grins. "I'm surprised you left without seeing one of the two terrors. Here, wanna hold her? I have to finish getting food ready for Dane to take tomorrow."

[Velrin]: Ooh! Can I??? *Vel's eyes light up.*

Ivrianna extends the small girlchild out to Velrin. "Here. I just changed her so she shouldn't soil herself, but I make no promises about the other end. She's been barfing quite a lot lately after she eats."

Velrin gently takes the baby into her arms and starts bouncing and rocking her, "Awww, she's just getting used to not being in her mommy anymore. She'll be ok. Isn't that right?" She finishes by addressing the infant.

Lila looks askance at all this bother. Who is this woman? Why is her hair blue? How does it taste? Let's find out. She grabs a fistful of hair and stares at it before trying to shove it in her mouth.

Ivrianna sighs and works at her shoulder. "I'm sorry the nanny's not here, but she's running into town for me to pick up supplies. You'll like her, though."

Velrin giggles and grasps Lila's wrist between two fingers so she can't eat her hair, "It's alright. I'll be happy to watch her for a little while. Karson too." Vel keeps bouncing, "I think last time I just forgot how early you go to sleep after the sun sets. I've been spending lots of time in Kalimdor again."

Ivrianna nods her understanding. "Night elves," she says as if to prove she understands. "With two of the tiny ones around, I grab sleep whenever I can get it. The first thing I did when Mrs. Shane — that's the nanny — came, was take a nap."
Ivrianna starts filling a pouch with slender slabs of dried and smoked jerky, offering a piece back to Velrin with a questioning glance. Want some? She waggles it.

[Velrin]: That makes sense. My minn'da took a couple years away from the Sentinels after I was born to help an'da take care of me. *Vel takes the piece of food with a nod* I'm sure you have your hands full with these two.

Ivrianna tilts her head. "Minn'da?" she asks.

[Velrin]: O-oh, my mother.

Ivri's jerky is so good it should be its own food group, to borrow a phrase from "Twister". It's not tough, is smoky/salty and just peppery enough to give it a kick without burning the roof of your mouth off.

Atley marches up to the door and takes a moment, stamping his boots off on the porch with some vague growling before he twists the door knob and steps inside.

Velrin blinks as she takes a bite of the jerky, "This is really good! Thank you."

Ivrianna nods her understanding and turns back to prepping Dane's food. "Oh, you're welcome. Dane needs the protein, or so he's always telling me. So I make it taste as good as possible."

Atley squints, before his brows raise. "Velrin. I hadn't expected to see you about here."

Velrin turns around, "Oh, hello Sir Dane. It's good to see you as well."
[Velrin]: He's right about the protein, though. If I don't eat enough I'll start losing weight.

Ivrianna looks over her shoulder and smiles a welcome at Dane, but doesn't stop packing food. "Lila likes Velrin's hair. The taste of it, anyway."

Atley growls with amusement, gauntlets clanging as they hang from his belt. He gestures to Lila. "I see you've found our Lemon Drop." He marches over to hook a thumb under the baby girl's chin.

Lila giggles around a mouthful of blue locks. She offers the hair out to Daddy, yanking on Velrin's hair a bit.

Atley carefully leans in to give her a kiss on the forehead before he marches up behind Ivri, sliding a hand up her back. "How's mother, then?" He leans in for a kiss.

Velrin winces at the pulling but giggles at the cute baby, "She's adorable."

Ivrianna tilts her cheek to take the kiss there. "Mother is making sure you don't die of starvation tomorrow. Velrin, if you want some, there's plenty. I can make up a pack for you, too."
Ivrianna holds a piece of jerky up for Dane to take now.

Atley takes the jerky between his teeth and gives Ivri's rear a brief pat before he marches over to Karson in the play pen. "Ought to take her up on it. I used to drink eggs 'fore she took to all this." he advises Velrin.

[Velrin]: I-if it's not too much trouble. I have some cured meats and nuts that I usually have for lunches too but they aren't this tasty.

[Ivrianna]: He used to eat raw eggs, is the part he's not telling you. And meats and nuts isn't lunch. That's what you eat before lunch to whet your appetite.

[Velrin]: I have fruit too. *Velrin speaks up* I eat mostly at dinner.

Atley promptly reaches into the play pen and swoops Karson up by his ankles with one hand. The toddler's shirt falls over his face, and he squeals, chewing on crocheted lion's head.

Atley proudly turns to show him off to the women. "Ought to use this one for a snack. That belly'd be good eating." He leans in to lightly gnaw on Karson's pot gut.

[Velrin]: Oh wait! *She taps the wrapped package that I totally didn't forget about that's on the floor at her feet.* I got Lila this.

Ivrianna studies the shelves over the sink. "Well if you want beer-basted crocolisk tail, I can pack you some of that. Magic bags, see. They keep food fresh for a long time."
Ivrianna looks over her shoulder. "You spoil my children, Velrin," she says, laughing.

[Velrin]: What's wrong with that? *Vel smirks* And yes please. I'll have to share it with Nylarria too.

Atley grunts. "Aye. Another gift," Dane observes with a small shake of his head. He lifts Karson's shirt up to lightly scritch-scratch the toddler's cheek with his beard.

Ivrianna turns back to packing, seeming more cheerful for some reason. Maybe she just really likes feeding people. "Dane, stop tormenting your son and open the package."

Atley tsk-tsks. "S'bit too fun to leave alone, innee'." He swings Karson up and catches him with the same hand, tucking the toddler against the relative softness of his tabard. Karson clings to the lion, but raises a hand to pry at Atley's pauldron, spitting saliva down his chins.

[Velrin]: These little ones are just too cute. I'll have to steal Ven for a while before I go back home…
Velrin purrs a little just thinking about it.

[Ivrianna]: Ven?

[Velrin]: He's my mate. He's a priest. He was in Cobalt Company for a while, but now he's with the 7th Legion.

[Atley]: That'd be Celaven.

Ivrianna smiles at Velrin. "Oooh, so you'll go see him about babies? Are you thinking of having one of your own? You'd be a great mother."

Atley reaches down to collect to package, tucking it against his chest as he starts to unravel it.

Lila waves her hands around, staring at the tangles of blue hair all over her fists. Weird. She flails some more just to stare at the hair.

Velrin blushes at Ivri's compliment, "Well we've been trying for over a year now… Just waiting for Elune to answer our prayers." Vel sighs "And for him to get me and ishnu-melor…" Vel pouts.

The package contains a mobile for a baby's crib. It has a moon, stars, and an owl dangling from it.

Velrin Takes her feather charm and tries to tickle Lila's nose with it.

Atley grunts and sets Karson down on the rug to finish unwrapping the mobile. He moves to expand it and glances back at Ivri. "Have a look." Karson strangles the lion and begins to whimper, dejected.
Atley kneels down.

Ivrianna looks over to the mobile. "Oh, look! It's so pretty. They'll love it, Velrin, thank you."

[Atley]: Aye, we'll get great use out of this.
Atley sets the mobile off to the side, before the book shelf, and pushes himself up, only to swoop down and recollect Karson.

Velrin smiles and her ears wiggle, "Priestesses have owl spirits that watch over them as their guardians. I thought it would be the perfect gift for a baby girl."

Atley grunts. "Ah. 'Ve seen those…" Dane nods, jostling Karson gently against his tabard. The toddler seems to have let the whimpering go as he gropes at Dane's beard with tiny pale fingers.

Lila blinks at the new sensation. She seems to decide in favor of it, and starts laughing. Her hands reach for Velrin's ears. Lookit! Ears!

[Atley]: He'll be watched over.

Velrin giggles, "Isn't she just the cutest thing?"

Ivrianna leans back against the counter. "You say that now, wait'll she starts screaming. The wolves run for the hills when she cranks up the volume."

[Velrin]: Awww don't say that. It just means she wants more love. Isn't that right? *she babbles to Lila*
[Velrin]: And it's not my fault that you humans breed like rabbits. All I can do is stand here and be jealous. *Vel smirks*

Atley grunts warningly, swiping up the mobile, prodding the hanging pieces to make sure they're untarnished. "She's a set of pipes on her." Atley confirms, marching over to the crib to hang the mobile.

Ivrianna watches Vel and Lila. "Well you're welcome to babysit any time," she says. "I'll tell Mrs. Shane so when she gets back." She sighs.

[Atley]: At the grocer, is she?
Atley finishes snapping the mobile in place and gives it a nudge to see that it's stable.

Ivrianna nods at Dane. "We're almost out of so many things, and I thought she could use the time to pick up more stuff for herself."

[Velrin]: I'll come by whenever I get the chance. I just don't want to leave Nylarria alone too much. She'd never say it herself but I can tell that she's lonely.

Atley grunts at Ivri, and glances back at Velrin, studying her for a moment, until Karson removes the lion from his mouth long enough to bellow, "Wiwa! Wiwa!" He gestures emphatically with chubby fists towards the baby.

Ivrianna nods her understanding, then smiles at Karson. "Yes, that's Lila with Velrin. Can you say Auntie Vel?"

Velrin smiles big for Karson, showing off her bright, pointy fangs, "He's starting to speak now?"

Atley leans back to examine his son, cradling the toddler in the crook of his arm. Karson responds to Ivri with an eloquent, "Wiwa! Wiwa." Atley grunts and marches over to Velrin. Karson drops the lion and reaches out to grab his sister by the head with both hands. He leans in to place a lengthy kiss on her forehead before he leans back and looks to Ivri for approval with a wide, open-mouthed grin.

Velrin 's heart melts, "Awwww what a sweet big brother."

Ivrianna laughs a little. "He never shuts up. Most of it is just babble, but he knows 'no' and 'Fayne' which is almost the dog's name. He knows Mama and Dada and a smattering of other words."

[Atley]: Learning fast. Bloody loud himself, too.

[Ivrianna]: Growing fast, too. It's enough to make me rethink going back to work.

Atley lowers Karson one handed to the ground. He balances carefully on his socked-feet, and bends to pick up the lion, before he falls back on his rump and blinks in surprise. He looks to Dane to see how to react.

Atley gives Karson his regular stern look and nods.

Karson simply pushes himself up and grabs the lion with both hands.

Atley lifts his gaze from the toddler and studies Ivrianna. "Like weeds, the pair of them."

[Velrin]: I see someone else has supplemented the collection there. *Vel points to the lion* It's cute.

[Ivrianna]: Sintha Fallon sent that over, that and a kraken. The admiral sent a quilt and some little stuffed mermaids that I might attach to the mobile now that we have one.

[Atley]: Timely gift, that.

Atley remarks to Velrin as he marches upstairs to set down Thunderfury and his shield.

Ivrianna watches Karson, just to make sure he's not toddling toward the fire at any point.

[Velrin]: That was kind of her. She's 7th Legion right? That name sounds familiar from some old report.

Ivrianna nods. "That's her. She's… something. You can almost hear the italics when she talks." Ivri blinks her blue eyes wide and says, "I mean it's just the most interesting way of speaking, gosh. She never just says something, you see."

Karson proudly waddles over to the play pen and reaches in to add a ragged hippogryph stuffy to his collection. Now dual wielding stuffies, he waddles back over to Ivrianna and clings to her leg.

Velrin giggles, "I suppose everyone has their little quirks."
[Velrin]: You said you wanted to start working again, though?

Ivrianna automatically drops a hand to her son's head, fingers just long enough to brush his hair. "Yeah." She takes a deep breath. "I don't know. I'm thinking of it. I miss it, and I'm not really ready to give it up yet. I think."

[Velrin]: I can understand that. I don't think I'd be able to give it up either. I'm hoping to become a warden someday.

Atley takes to removing and hanging his armor before he marches downstairs in his greaves, boots, and a shirt, along with a change of clothes under one arm. "T'll happen sooner than you know it, I wager," he says to Velrin with a nod before stepping into the bathroom under the stairs, closing the door behind him.

[Velrin]: I think I always just assumed Ven would be the one to look after the children, but he really cares about his career too. We'll have to talk about it sometime.
Velrin smiles at Dane.

Ivrianna waits until the door is closed before she confesses, "I wish Dane and I had talked about it before. But it all just happened so fast. Anyway, that's partly why we got the nanny, so someone could watch the kids while Dane and I are working."

[Velrin]: That makes sense. Waiting a few years for them to grow up a bit isn't as much of an option… *Velrin frowns. She's seen this sort of scenario before.*

The shower can be heard running from behind the closed door.

[Ivrianna]: By the time they're grown enough to be independent, I'll be too old to be just getting back in the game. It'd be different if I were more established, then had kids. I think it'd be different, anyway.

Velrin nods. She casually starts doing dragon squats while holding Lila. Talking about work has got her a little fired up, "I know you'll find a way. You two both love and respect eachother a great deal."

Atley turns the water off and takes to drying off and getting dressed.

Ivrianna smiles a little, watching Velrin. "I keep telling Dane, there's no such thing as the 'right time' for this kind of thing. There'll always be a reason not to do something, like having kids or going back to work."

[Ivrianna]: He didn't even want to get married for the longest time, kept wanting to wait until there wasn't a war on or something.

Atley steps out, and closes the door behind him, his long hair still dark and damp. "She's right," Atley confirms with a growl. "Times we live in, I couldn't see the point in delaying."

Velrin giggles, "Now that I can't understand. I've wanted a mate since I was 26."

Ivrianna grins. "He's a little slow sometimes, is all."

Atley rubs his stomach. "Wot' I am now is hungry. Just come from Uldum. Have we got anything ready?"

Lila laughs at being slung up and down by Velrin doing her exercises.

Karson mashes the lion and hippogryph together, still glued to Ivrianna's leg.

[Velrin]: Should I try and keep Karson occupied too?

Ivrianna laughs. "No, his dad will come scoop him up soon. Are you hungry? I can fix you a plate, too."

[Velrin]: I-if it isn't too much trouble. Yes please.

[Atley]: Aye, break bread. Came all this way, didn't you.

Atley marches over to grab Karson by the back of his shirt, prying him from his mother. He turns the toddler to finally cradle him against his chest, marching over to take a seat at the table with Karson in his lap.

Ivrianna seems pleased. "It's not too much trouble. You should be here on Sunday nights, when all of us get together. Feeding two people is nothing."

Ivrianna nods her head toward the table. "If you're tired of holding Lila, just put her down in the playpen and go have a seat with Dane. Or keep her, if you like. She loves being held."

Atley bounces Karson on his knee. The toddler offer Dane the hippogryph. Atley lets out a small yawn and mimes the hippogryph trotting across the table — until Karson smashes the lion against it, looks to Dane, and cackles at the comedic genius of it all.

[Atley]: Oi, you. Bit cheeky.

Velrin smiles, remembering something. "I know what you mean. I've just been looking after myself mostly for the past few years. It's nice having company." Vel stops doing squats (she's barely broken a sweat yet) "I can keep holding her. Unless she needs milk still, then perhaps it's best if you do."

[Ivrianna]: They both still nurse, but Karson's on more solids than not. Lila'll still be nursing for awhile yet. Another reason why it'll be tough to go back to work.

Atley glances over. "Adjustments can be made for that," he says, before leans in to bite at Karson's arm. The toddler squeals and bats his face with the lion.

[Velrin]: That makes sense. Do you want her back then so she can eat?

Ivrianna shakes her head. "She ate just before you got here, hence why she needed to be changed just before you got here." Ivri tosses a grin over her shoulder. "Sorry, you're stuck with her."

Velrin smirks, "Lucky me." She tickles Lila's nose with the feather again.

[Atley]: Come have a seat, Velrin. I'm of a mind to catch up.

Velrin moves over to the table and sits.

[Atley]: Ought to have a tale or two from the Watchers, mm?

Atley continues jostling Karson. He open-mouth grins at Velrin as she arrives and drools a little more onto his double-chins, which Dane promptly wipes away with his sleeve and a lighthearted scoff.

Ivrianna moves around the kitchen area. Soon enough, the sound of sizzling meat fills the air seasoned with onions and garlic. Steak for everyone, it seems.

[Velrin]: A few. Nylarria and I have been doing a little work in Uldum too now. We've taken down a few Tol'vir sorcerors and sent off some dangerous artifacts they possessed into the Vault of the Wardens.

Atley lifts his brows. "I hadn't known. I'll be returning there tomorrow with squad. We've something of a fight ahead of us."

[Velrin]: Oh? Things are heating up for you then?

Atley tongues the inside of his cheek. "In a sense. We recently took the fight to Neferset City with the Ramkahen. A proper battle, but we were primarily skirting about behind enemy lines."

[Atley]: King Phaoris just gave me word he's ready for the squad to venture into the Lost City of the Tol'vir, itself. Do away with the remaining Neferset there and their master, Siamat.

Ivrianna tosses fresh beans into some bacon fat. There are no healthy veggies in this house, thank you. "And I sit here cooking. I miss all the fun!"

[Velrin]: Well a frontal assault with only five wouldn't end well. That's exciting though! One step closer to defeating Deathwing. *Vel keeps rocking Lila and making silly faces at her.*

Atley shifts in place at the smell of the cooking, and visibly takes a moment to refocus. "Aye. Driving his influence from the realm. The assault was successful, but costly. I warrant the King's of a mind to conserve his troops, and send in a small, elite team to carve them out, this time."

Velrin gives him a sober nod "I'm sure. There's hardly any forces to spare to reinforce Ashenvale with the situation in Tol Barad being so dire."

Ivrianna starts making trips between the kitchen and the table. The steaks are somewhere between medium-rare and rare. The beans are hot and cooked without being wilted. There're rolls kept warm by the oven and soft butter to spread on them.

Ivrianna brings a tankard of ale for Dane. "Cider, ale, or milk, Velrin? Or water, of course."

Atley glances at her and up-nods slowly. "Wot' news have you of Ashenvale? Any recent developments?"

[Velrin]: Milk please. *She looks at the spread* Oh, do you want any fruit? I brought some pears with me.

Ivrianna nods. "Pears would be good for a treat after, thank you."

Atley grunts with deep approval and pulls his plate of steaks closer, wasting no time at all in digging in. He chews thoroughly, but quietly, the flavor being the only thing that makes him slow down and savor it all.

Ivrianna pours milk into a tankard that matches Dane's. Lots of milk for Velrin!

[Velrin]: Only that the Horde is still fighting with everything they have. I'm not there so often because Nylarria doesn't want to get involved, but it looks like there's a counteroffensive planned soon.

Atley grunts and swallows, using his foot to push a chair out for Ivrianna as he listens. "I've a mind to jump in there myself. Put Thunderfury to work."

Ivrianna sits, folding a leg under her.

Karson tries to smash the lion into the plate of steaks, but Atley swiftly slides the plate out of reach, almost as if he's been trained for this.

Velrin smiles "That would be good. We need all the help we can get. The orcs are relentless. They have little respect for our lands. So many trees have been cut down." Vel frowns and takes a tiny sip of milk.

Atley slowly glances between them. "We'll see to them. In time. You've made it out to Tol Barad, have you?"

[Velrin]: I haven't. I've had my hands busy between the Twilight's Hammer, the demons in Felwood, and now the situation in Uldum as well.

[Ivrianna]: There's no shortage of places to find a fight, that's for sure.

Atley shakes his head, and takes a moment to chew his food before he finishes. "And you've been bringing the demon hunter along with you on Watcher business?"

Ivrianna snitches a bean off Dane's plate.

Atley pretends to not notice. Karson doesn't, though. "Mama!" He throws out his hands and releases the lion the hippogryph. He makes grabby hands for her from across the table. "Mama!"

[Velrin]: Usually. She's a great help. She's really remarkable. *Vel cuts herself a little piece of steak and pops it in her mouth. Wait, is that her own knife? When did that get there?*

Atley grunts. "I sparred with one of them at the Argent Crusade. Can see their utility in a fight." he admits, nearly finishing off his plate.

Ivrianna holds her hands out for Karson. "I might be looking into the Twilight myself. They're apparently dug in around Stormwind like ticks."

Velrin smiles a little at that. "Nylarria's really gentle deep down when you get to know her." She turns to Ivri, "I've been trying to get her used to people a bit more."

Atley flashes Velrin a briefly skeptical look before he holds Karson across the table to Ivrianna. "I like the idea of you going about the kingdom, cleaning them out of it." Atley says to Ivri. "Someone must. They've infested our ranks for too long."

Ivrianna hefts Karson onto her lap and offers him a tiny piece of roll to eat. "I'd say bring her around, but there's probably too much chaos here."

Atley shakes his head. "I won't have a demon hunter in Eastvale." Karson fists the roll and promptly stuffs it into his mouth, warbling.

Velrin nods, "I think she'd be wary around the little ones anyway. They might accidentally hurt her."

Lila vaguely stares at Velrin's eyebrows as she wriggles endlessly, limbs moving in a disjointed fashion.

[Atley]: Mm? How's that?
Atley inquires with a curious growl.

Ivrianna looks at Velrin, curious for the answer as well.

[Velrin]: She has this brand on her leg. It hurts her constantly. I can almost feel it myself sometimes. *Vel rubs her right thigh* Just the slightest touch can feel like being stabbed.

Atley nods slowly, before he gestures with his fork. "Hasn't she got any of her mates she can unite with? Other Alliance demon hunters, though few they are?"

[Velrin]: I, well… *Velrin looks down in her lap* I sort of killed them all, so no…

Ivrianna's eyebrows rise. "All?"

Atley squints at Velrin.

[Velrin]: We… used to be enemies. She was the student of this one demon hunter who was trying to join the Illidari. I fought to stop them. Myself and some comrades of mine fought them in Felwood.

[Velrin]: They even tried to turn me into a demon hunter myself, but in the end we won. I let Nylarria live. I wasn't sure why I did at the time, but… *she shrugs*

Ivrianna sneaks another bean before Dane can finish them all. "How long ago was that?"

Atley keeps his brow furrowed. He cuts off a strip of steak and pierces on his fork, holding it out to Ivri.

[Velrin]: Almost three years ago now I think… *Velrin slows her eating again*

[Atley]: You trust her, then.
Atley says, or asks. It's hard to tell by his tone.

Ivrianna takes the tidbit off the fork then pops it in her mouth. She does not offer it to Karson; babies do not get steak.

[Velrin]: It's been a strange transition, but yes… She's part of me. And I want her to be happy. *Vel mumbles a bit*

Atley grunts and takes to carving up his second slab of steak. "Ought to have great care with that lot," he warns Velrin sternly.

Karson warbles loudly, still working on the tiny roll. He lays his head against Ivri's chest and stares at Velrin.

[Velrin]: I know what she is, but it wasn't her choice. Not really anyway. She fights so no one else has to suffer like she has…

Ivrianna bends her head to kiss the top of Karson's. She murmurs softly to him, giving him a little sway and rock.

Velrin holds tighter onto Lila for support. She's getting a little emotional.

[Ivrianna]: Don't mind Dane. He doesn't really do the whole 'forgive and forget' thing.

A vein briefly pulsate near Atley's temple. He opens his mouth to speak, before he spots the children, and reconsiders. "When've you a spare moment, the two've you ought to train. I know my way around any blade, but daggers and stealth are not my mastery."

Velrin grins humorlessly, "Normally I'm not the forgiving sort either. It's been strange…" She looks over at Ivri, "I'd be happy to train with you if you'd like."

Lila kicks her foot one last time and shakes her full head of chestnut hair before her eyelids start to get heavy.

Atley extends a hand to one of Ivri's. "I've seen many fighters in my time. Ivrianna's a natural. The sort of edge to her that doesn't fade easily, but it's been some time since she's been been full time."

Ivrianna smiles at Vel. "I'd love it, honestly. I need to get back into shape before I really get back to work. Just go easy on me to start with." She looks down at Karson. "I thiiiink these two are just about ready for bed."

Ivrianna takes Dane's hand and gives it a squeeze.

Atley grunts and gives her a squeeze back before he quietly wipes the corners of his mouth and stands, reaching for Lila. "Aye, and bloody rare, too. You'd think this one was nocturnal."

Velrin looks a bit dejected hearing that Ivri wants to start slow, "I'll do my best. Most of my sisters hated training with me though. I hope it's not too much…"

Velrin's workout regimen is completely unhinged in its intensity.

Ivrianna tries not to laugh. "Remind me sometime to tell you about the special training I got. Broke my jaw once. I still have a couple of scars. You can't do worse than they did, and I did learn a lot."

Atley looks vaguely displeased, but proud as he says, "Ivri trained with that lot in the Manor in 'Hillsbrad.' She can keep up." He tries to scoop Lila up and take her over to her crib.

Velrin perks up a bit, "Well if that's the case I'll have you in fighting shape in no time."

Atley returns and holds out his hands for Karson. "Let's have the lad."

Ivrianna rises smoothly with Karson in her arms and hands him off to Dane. "Stay after we put the babies down? We'll have some pears and we can talk more about this training."

Atley safely tucks Karson's much larger head against his chest as he goes to deposit him, as well.

Ivrianna murmurs to Dane, "And actually put him in his pajamas this time."

Atley pauses. "… Right."

Atley lays Karson out on the changing table, and casually strips the toddler down with a yawn. He tugs on his Cressidha-made footie jamas and buttons them up before tucking him in underneath the new mobile.

Velrin smiles a little at Ivri.