Leaving Illyria felt like a death wish sometimes. Yet, she knew that if she locked herself in she would only feel worse. So Talisa had spent most of the morning gathering miscellaneous herbs to take to storage for the Summit. She had left the mountain but had not gone too far. Everything seemed a lot heavier down there which said a lot given the altitude of home. Emotions seemed to be a bit more fragile but they also were lighter. Recognizing all the things that she loved were crammed into a single pride and then down in the valley in Vermeda. She was happy to have such a large family and yet, as she had gathered up some herbs for pre and post pregnancy, she could not help but yearn for her children to be babes again. The Queen loved all of them and would smother them with all the love in the world if they would let her, but there was something about newborns that made her feel the best. So she carefully stuffed a few precious herbs inside of the medicinal cache and stared at them, remembering her first pregnancy with Morrigan. @Eyvindr

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Eyvindr was a wandering creature who tended to his medical stores like a lifeline. The giant had little else to pour his mind into besides the complex workings of a medic and the spiritual ones of the afterlife. He takes a familiar path to the lower reaches of the summit with the intent on finding useful things for his snowy home. He almost misses @Talisa and her own gathering adventure due to his mental inventory, but her solid frame catches his attention at the last moment to give him pause. He knows those herbs she has and his desire to be prepared has him approaching the earthy lioness. Expecting? His inquiry is gentle to ensure he makes no assumptions. It could very well be someone else in the pride who is as well.

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The sudden breath of noise allows her own voice to catch. A few leaves dropping from her mouth as she turns her head to see who it was approaching. @Eyvindr, a solid member of the Summit that she hadn't yet matched voice to face. That wasn't to say he wasn't memorable, for he was, but her mind had been on everything and nothing all at once the last month. Oh uh, she was flustered as she gently dropped what was left of the herbs in her mouth onto the ground. Feeling like the spotlight was on her and embarrassed even though she knew the answer. Me? No.. I mean I wish I could be but I'm really just stocking up in the event there is. The last thing she wanted was to be ill-prepared for anyone expecting and there was something about this time of the year that cubs seemed to pop about. Talisa wanted to be prepared, that was all... even if she knew in her heart, head and womb that she wanted very much for his statement to be true.

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Is there something hindering you? Eyvindr would ask. There were plenty of herbs to assist in such matters as well as other means. His skull would tilt at his question. From his understanding, cubs were something she was good at: whether raising or helping with them. The mountain beast was a working expert of the body and the soul, so perhaps he could be of assistance in some way? A lioness should always have the opportunity to be a mother as many times over as she wants. He found little lions to be interesting and he liked teaching them, so.

@Talisa

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Despite how open and unguarded the valour woman was, the time spent the last year or two had certainly made her feel a little more harbored. As though she had to keep her cards as close to her chest as possible to avoid not only herself getting hurt, but her family. At @Eyvindr's question she felt her heart squeeze until eventually she took a deep breath and gave a tentative smile which tightened her face cheeks. Ears twisting a little and she nodded, feeling the moment out and recognizing that she was in safe company. I miss my kids. Like, my cubs. She murmured as quietly as she could without being completely silent. Talisa wanted cubs with Morrigan but the two of them had gone back and forth over the safety and well-being of them and if they could possible manage to keep them all safe. They're all grown now and have their own lives, or off with their big brother to see more of the world. Talisa wanted more but she also knew that asking Maua for help now to give her and Morrigan new life seemed off-putting. Maua had been through so much in the last few months and she did not wish to encroach upon a healing God. But what better way to express that her heart had not wavered than gifting the world with Maua-gifted children? My first litter was given to me by Maua. Morrigan's genetics and my own so that we could create our very own family. Each of them have their very own marking courtesy of Them. I want that again... Talisa couldn't explain how important having another litter felt to her and how important it was that it happen now.

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Eyvindr would listen patiently to @Talisa as she worked through the answer to his question. It would offer the colossus a perspective on the value of raising young ones for this queen of the summit. I have no children of my own, but I have helped teach many. I can understand to some degree. He thinks he does. A quiet part of him longs for those he lost to the plague or war and those who remained behind. He found to enjoy the presence of young lions. Do you require a different method for conception? That seemed to be an issue here.

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Despite the years where she had been nothing but wild and open with who she was and how fluid her sexuality was, these days talking about felt weird. Perhaps it was after she had lost Farrow that it felt weird to even discuss the possibility of enjoying anyone else's presence. Especially anyone that was actually a strong component in the eyes of Morrigan and herself. @Eyvindr was a loyal and steadfast member and friend, she believed, and thus she felt winded when his question came out and made her heart skip. You.. have no children of your own? She asked, deciding to swallow the lingering saliva in her mouth as the nerves seemed to wish to drown her. Eyvindr was a couple years older than her and yet she was one lion that was sitting back, looking pretty with more kids than she could count toes on her body. And she had all of them! Yet, he claimed to have none. So his question, as abrasive as it was, felt weird but it also spurred something else in her. A dormant remnant of Talisa that had always wanted to help someone out in any way that she could. Though, she felt like it would be important to get more information and run it by Morrigan, first.

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Eyvindr would confirm her statement with a shake of his head. There was a lover once, his best friend but she was gone. The plague from my homemade made it… difficult. He would explain, his short tail twitching in thought. It took many lions from me and my help was little to no use. He hoped @Talisa would understand his train of thought, unable to comfortably say that she was dead. It was also the driving force to why he was a healer to begin with. It was a necessity even if it was almost pointless in the end. So, I am without any children of my own. He took care of many, but none of his own blood.

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The sensitive heart of a seasoned mother took flight as it beat heavily for his story. Even if they were only snippets, he swore she could feel the tension. The sadness in the plague that had come across his homeland. It was not hard to read between the lines that it had taken many, some of those he knew well. So it left her quiet and her lilac eyes twinkling with unlost tears. Talisa hurt for him, even if that hurt had long since disappeared externally and was only a lingering wound on the inside. That was when she knew that she couldn't wait to discuss it with Morrigan. After all, her wife knew her better than anyone else and her heart ached tenfold for those held tight in their embrace and their care. I can provide you children. It was instantaneous, thoughtful and wildly impulsive but she was Talisa Valour and this was something she could provide. Something that she was happy to put in @Eyvindr's wheelhouse should he desire it. I'd be happy to. Honored, even. She made sure to state, not wishing for him to feel that he had pressured her into doing something because he could never.

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Eyvindr was grateful for her understanding. He hated to say such things and was comforted by not having to. He found himself uncertain of what to do with the tender feelings this conversation seemed to kindle. The giant had gone through his life with a steeled heart and an aloofness that kept many arms reach from him. So few had taken the opportunity or time to have a conversation with him that was full of feeling.

He was surprised by the offer. His pale eyes flickered with it as he regarded @Talisa with some curiosity. His long, pointed ears twitched individually as he hovered there in the moment. Are you certain? He asked gently, seeking confirmation despite her expression of honor in providing him cubs of his own as if he had to do a double take.

@Talisa

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