Rain Dance

As soon as everyone was caught up on gossip (which took awhile), the Phoenixes headed over to the medical wing for the usual check-up and blood donations. Voltaire expected the demonic energy rates to be astronomical, but in truth they were unusually low. It must have been the wyrms, Voltaire thought later. As they grew inside them they fed off their demonic energy. But that didn't explain Kimi.

Aside from her near constant headache and her fatigue, Kimi informed the doctor that she was feeling fine and that there was no reason for Voltaire to fuss over her like Ava.

Voltaire let out an indignant huff at the comment, which Adair found funny. The Hunter gave him a sulky look.

The doctor, their usual basilisk-man, went through the usual tests with Kimi. Then, upon studying the results, did some additional tests and studied those results.

"Well you do fuss over me like Ava fusses over all of us." Kimi finally stated to Voltaire. "Doesn't he, Adair? I know you think the same thing."

"Yeah," Adair agreed.

"Whatever," Voltaire grumbled. "I just worry because you've been feeling strange, and just because of all the crap you've been through before, and-"

"She's pregnant," said the doctor casually.

"-And you're pregnant, and-"

Voltaire froze, staring at the doctor.

"She's what?"

Kimi's reaction was the same. She stared at the doctor with wide eyes. It wasn't possible. She couldn't be, she wasn't able. Talmara had run her through entirely with an iron rod. There was no way.

The doctor was amused by their reactions. "Yes it's the truth. Congratulations on making the impossible possible. I wouldn't recommend Kimi battling though."

It took Voltaire a while to speak. "O-Of course not. S-She's..."

Kimi opened her mouth as if to speak, her lips moving, but nothing emerging. Her mind was totally blank with shock.

Voltaire was also quiet, his brain in a daze.

"Wow...well, congrats Taire!" Adair piped up after getting over the shock himself. He gave Voltaire a couple pats on the back.

"Yay, a baby!" Ava chirped. "You know, I've never actually seen one."

Kimi finally closed her mouth and swallowed. Hard.

"Well, other than that little development everything's normal," said the doctor. "You're free to go."

Ava gathered them up and escorted them out.

Kimi seemed like she was in a daze. It was all so much for her to take in.

Voltaire's state mirrored Kimi's. There were so many things he had considered for his future plans. Being a dad hadn't been one of them. Now he had to figure everything out all over again. Plus baby.

When they arrived at their cave room he stayed with her. Adair went out for food and more socialization (Voltaire hoped he would keep his mouth shut about the pregnancy), while Ava went in and out in her usual nest-building frenzy.

Kimi was barely aware of her surroundings. If Talmara were to find out... She shuddered, suddenly feeling very cold.

Voltaire rested his arm around her. "...You alright?"

"Just a little cold" Kimi murmured.

Voltaire leaned against her. "...You upset?"

"Numb" Kimi replied.

"Yeah, me too," Voltaire replied. "I mean, I'm lousy with kids. I don't know how good a dad I'll be...don't even have a dad as an example..."

Kimi remained silent. She briefly considered mentioning Talmara, but decided against it with another shudder.

Voltaire misinterpreted the shiver. "B-But I won't be leaving or anything! I'll be there to take care of the kid. I just...don't know how good I'll be at it."

Kimi leaned against Voltaire with another shudder. "Please" She whispered. "Hold me"

Voltaire wrapped his arms around her and held her close, blowing some white flame over her to be sure.

Kimi tucked her head into his chest, unsure of herself and her future now more than ever.

Voltaire carefully rocked her and began to sing quietly to her. It wasn't the involuntary phoenix singing like it usually was, but willful crooning. He didn't know any lullabies (and couldn't remember the one Kimi had sung to him) so he sang a playful little tune usually reserved for the bar. It was silly, but at least it wasn't as vulgar as most bar songs he knew.