[3]

The wedding celebration was in full swing, River nursed his glass of white wine as he watched over his son who was dancing with a young girl. "Papa, something is wrong," His daughter whispered to him, hands nervously wrung. "What is it, love?" He asked as he turned to give her his full attention, She looked down as she grabbed his sleeve. "I think... I think it is the womanly visitor you mentioned, my belly has been hurting, like a spasming, and now it feels like I might be wetting myself a bit," Her eyes watered, and he quickly pulled her into a hug to hush her, her quickly glanced around until he met eyes with the Knight from the other day. "Is everything alright?" he asked as he approached them with his wife, River gave a soft nod. "Yes, I need someone to keep an eye on my boy, I need to go help my daughter, she has just received her first visitor," he looked at the woman as he spoke, the older woman gave a knowing nod as she turned to her husband. "Watch after the child, I am going to go along with them, she may want a woman who understands to be there," The Knight hummed as he nodded, most men would be uncomfortable discussing womanly matters, but he has four nearly grown daughters so he is accustomed to it.

Astra sniffled as the older woman helped her remove her dress. On the other side of the bathroom divider was River. He prepared clean undergarments with a thick cloth placed inside them. "Your Papa has explained what this is, yes?" She sniffled as she nodded, the woman helped her wash off before she sat to use the toilet. "Yes, a woman's visitor happens once a moon cycle and lasts up to a single turn, it means our reproductive system is ready to carry a child, and when it first begins happening it is a sign I am closer to becoming a woman, but not yet, it is natural, and it isn't anything to be afraid of, but it is okay if I am," She sniffled again, River smiled to himself as he held the garments out, just passed the divider. "Very good, and a few times a day you must change your clothes, a dirty one can go into a bucket of water to be washed later, and at night you may want to lay a larger cloth down on the bed just to be safe," She said as she assisted her in getting dressed, River then gently spoke. "You are too young for the herbal tea that aids in calming the pain, but I can give you a warm compress if the pain is too intense, and if it would make you more comfortable, I can show you how to wash your used rags so you may do it if the idea of them being washed by me upsets you," He said, and when she came around the divider she gave him a tight hug. "Thank you, Papa," She muttered, then he thanked the woman as they left the bathroom.

"Papa, Papa! That girl I asked to dance, she kissed my cheek," Elios said as soon as he got to his father, cheeks flushed as his eyes were wide. The older man behind him chuckled, nodding his head in confirmation. "The poor lad nearly fainted, but don't fret, her parents found it to be quite humorous," River shook his head with a smile, Elios did not find the situation as funny as the adults. "Pardon, but might I have a dance?" a man asked as he held his hand out to River, he looked to be a part of the royal family. The Knight seemed surprised to see the man, he hurried to bow. "Your Royal Highness, apologies for not greeting you sooner, we were unaware that you would be joining us, you have been so busy with the treaty signing, Mister Vida, we will watch over the children," He hesitantly took the man's hand, his children turning to the older couple as they asked what was happening. He was pulled into the center of the dance, the man placed a hand just above his hip as the other held onto his free hand, River gripped his upper arm gently as he nervously glanced around as they danced. "I- I apologize, my dancing skills are nothing compared to those of high society members," The man chuckled, dark red eyes nearly shut as he grinned widely. "Nothing to worry about, I am Geordo Solace, I wanted to dance with you not only as a thanks for saving my younger brother and little niece but because a stunning young man deserves a dance," His slightly pointed ears grew warm, the older man chuckled as he held him closer as they danced. "May i ask why a lovely individual is all alone in the woods and raising two children? surely it would not be a hard task to find a partner for yourself?" River softly hummed, he briefly looked up at the older male before adverting his gaze. "Surely everyone here has taken notice of my mixed heritage, that is a factor, and then i have my beautiful children, most don't wish to be a parent to children that are not their own, we only go into town a few times a cycle, keeping to ourselves, i was raised this way, and no one cares to interact with those that live in the monster-infested forest, the older generation believe we are also monsters," He said softly, the man hummed as he nodded. "I see, hm... would you and your children care to extend your stay? i would like to get to know you all, and well, my niece seems rather taken with your boy, she hasn't had a chance to spend time with others her age due to her illness, but because of your help she is much better, and I heard your daughter likes to read, we have a very good library she could use," He offered with a sheepish grin, he looked like a nervous young man now. "I will ask my children how they feel about this offer, would it be alright to give you our answer tomorrow?" He tilted his head in question, Geordo nodded as he guided him back off the dance floor. "Of course, and thank you for the dance," He pressed his lips to Rivers knuckles before releasing his hand, he gave the children a gentle smile before returning to his family.