Pregnant. Oswin looked at Nova, losing the smug and cruel edge she’d adapted against Koray and appeared completely at a loss. Seeing her sister with her head slung, tears running a slick path down her face broke Oswin’s heart beyond what words could explain. She wanted nothing more than to move for her, to shove Koray away from her (father of Nova’s unborn or no) and throw her neck over her sister to pull her close. Her sister needed comfort in a time like this, but looking at the victorious brightness in Koray’s blue eyes told Oswin any move she’d make toward Nova would likely start a fight. Nova had already suffered enough in this place and while Oswin wasn’t giving up, even she had to recognize when she’d hit the limit.

For a moment she’d stood at a loss, watching Nova quietly. Koray spoke and automatically Oswin’s ears turned back, her eyes flashing as she met his. “I’m upsetting her?” She said with a sharp bite to her words and immediately regretted her tendency to speak before thinking. Her tail flicked with a snap at her hind. Nova was definitely upset, though Oswin would not accept it was because of her. But the more she argued and fought with Koray, the more upset Nova was likely to get. She wanted to tell Nova this wasn’t over, that pregnant or no, Oswin was going to do something to see her sister freed from the Desert. What good was it to be a Vulcan if she could not help those who needed it most? This was Oswin’s calling.

“Nova,” she said and her voice gentled, looking at her sister and ignoring Koray as best she could. “It’s going to be okay.”

That was the most she could say before she looked at Koray again and immediately felt the fire reignite in her belly. “Are you going to escort me to the shoreline to make certain I actually leave?” She spat.

oswin
this is as brave as I know how to be.
I know it’s gonna hurt you, but please… be a little proud of me.