[Thread; Open] Baby Visiting!

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

Characters: Rasler and Ashe, open to well-wishers!
Progress: Ongoing
Summary: Almost a week after the birth, the royal couple are ready for visitors to see them and coo over their baby boy :3
Location: Alexandria
Date: January, 1804
Warnings: n/a, please!

It was a crisp winter morning in Alexandria, the peace within that particular bedroom at the inn being a microcosm of the state of the little country itself, now the fiends attacked no longer. Ashe, still very sore and recovering from the strain of childbirth, sat atop the bed as comfortably as possible against stacked pillows. Within her arms, she cradled a tiny bundle - hers and Rasler's newborn son, Shain; next in the Dynast-King's royal line. The Dalmascan princess watched her baby with maternal admiration and a little amazement as he lay peacefully, quiet save for soft, endearing sounds of contentment. In all honesty, Ashe was still in partial disbelief that the infant was truly theirs; to nurture and raise, entirely innocent and dependent on their care. Somehow, it felt surreal, wondrous and dream-like, exactly how she felt those months ago upon reuniting with Rasler after two years of mourning.

"He has your nose," Ashe spoke quietly to her husband, smiling at the blatant likeness between father and son. Whether Rasler would be granted his wish and the baby would have inherited Ashe's eyes... such would remain unknown for some weeks yet. Unexpectedly, their musings over the new heir were disturbed by a sudden knock at the door.

"...You may come in," announced the princess, quietly still, not wanting to disturb their son's slumber.

 

Comments

[marquisofthesky.livejournal.com]

It shouldn't have been any surprise that it would be the Marquis himself to be the first of many visitors to grace the young royal couple upon this jovial reunion. After briefly speaking with Ashe a few hours or so after the labor, Marquis Ondore vowed adamantly that he would leave Lindblum as soon as possible. He knew that the father, Lord Nabradia, would welcome a lecture or two about raising the youth properly but thought to spare the Lady of such talks for now. She seemed worn and fatigue, surely the look of a newly made mother.

“Tis I, Ashelia.” He announced in a low tone as he pushed open the door gently. Fearing that he would wake the child upon his approach, the Marquis lingered within the threshold for a moment before quietly closing the door behind him. With a quiet eagerness about him, Ondore approached as silently as he could towards the foot of the Lady’s bed.

“I do hope I am not intruding, milady.” Halim was always a stickler for proper manners even when around his dear niece. “But I just needed to be sure you were well.” After worrying so much about Ashe’s well-being over the years, it was actually a blessing now to see such happiness about the dear Queen’s face. Such a look has been long overdue since this terrible conflict with the Empire began.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

The reunion between uncle and niece was surely overdue; it felt like an age since she and her uncle had last met in person, and the moment her eyes fell upon the familiar, willowy Bhujerban figure, her sense of home and belonging was only reinforced. Ashe's eyes smiled in equal measure to her lips, greeting Halim with a nod of her weary head. "You do not intrude, uncle," the princess assured, with a sideways glance to Rasler, who likely shared that opinion.

Any encounter with Ondore tended to remind Ashe of her childhood, when his visits to the Royal Palace of Rabanastre would be frequent and welcome. She may have matured and grown, yet in her eyes, he appeared unchanged.

With her new status as a mother, Ashe was learning many things, one of which being how the presence of a baby seemed to command respectful silence from those around. Such was certainly true with Halim, so she gestured to the infant cradled in her arms as invitation to come closer, knowing he would wish to study the baby, to finally speak with Rasler in person.

"Our son, Shain Raminas."

[marquisofthesky.livejournal.com]

"Shain Raminas." Ondore mused aloud with a little smile. Such a regal name certainly fit the newborn well even if the Marquis grew slightly fond of the previous suggestion of 'Dairi'. However, the name 'Shain' will do better for it held a hardy enough valor for a young prince.

Coming closer towards the newly made mother, Ondore’s smile grew even more once he caught a better glimpse of Little Shain’s face. Reveling at how much the baby took after Lord Rasler; Halim couldn’t help but wonder if the youth gained any of Ashe’s features at all. He hoped that the child would be born with the same bright hued eyes, as his niece but such a revelation wouldn’t come until weeks later. For now, Shain was a splitting image of his regal father.

"He is truly beautiful, Ashe..." This was perhaps one of the rare times that Marquis Ondore actually dropped the formality while around his niece. The newborn within her arms was just too stunning for needless manner when they are all clearly family.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

A great-uncle, yes; her husband's observation was correct and led Ashe's thoughts to drift and settle upon someone else - her father, King Raminas. How she'd adored him, the kindest and most benevolent of men, who had been the greatest role model possible during her childhood and transition into the woman she had become. If only he could have seen her now, Ashe thought with a little regret; so very happy, completely in love, his first grandchild cradled in her arms.

Those thoughts were drawn to a close by the prince's suggestion, Ashe carefully adjusting her hold on the baby, ready to hand over the swaddled child if the Marquis were to accept and sit. "Thank you," she returned of the compliment. "Feel free, should you desire."

[marquisofthesky.livejournal.com]

Laughing softly at the thought of now being a great-uncle, Marquis Ondore accepted the Lord Nabradia's handshake with one of his own. He was proud to see this young father before, elated to know that all was well and that the happy ending he always prayed for has finally come for these young lovers. "It seems I grown older by years now with such a title but wear it with pride." He replied with a chuckle.

"Of course, of course. I haven't come all this way just to chat with his darling parents." The Marquis admitted with such a grin upon his lips. "I just hope I won't disturb his rest." Or rather, he truly hopes that the youngster won't cry once he takes him into his arms. Taking his seat beside the newly made mother, Ondore ushered for Ashelia to pass the little bundle of joy towards him.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

Ashe watched with a wistful fondness at the greeting between her uncle and husband, surely the last time they had met in person... it had been after the wedding ceremony during festivity and endless meeting and greeting.

Once Halim had made himself comfortable, the princess complied, cautiously lifting Shain (who began to wake in transition, wriggling slightly, though he didn't cry) and made an exchange of the baby from mother to great-uncle.

"He sleeps through much of the day," she explained, body achingly sore, still as Ashe settled back against the pillows once Halim had taken hold of the infant. "Perhaps it is better, should he be awake. Worry not about disturbing him."

"It is good to see you again, Uncle," came her quiet admission, holding out a hand to Rasler, that he might hold it whilst the Bhujerban acquainted himself with the newborn prince.