“I will, I will,” Oswin promised in the same little-sister tone she’d always had when worried comments came her way for the antics she involved herself in. Still, she smiled wide, they both knew she’d take to the admonishment with little care – the next time she crossed paths with someone forcing another to do anything against their will, she’d be unable to help but leap in and settle the score. With Klara getting bigger every day, Oswin would be able to patrol again, keeping a close eye on the Commons and the Meadow for any newcomers to the island caught off-guard when they were unceremoniously claimed and driven away toward their potential new home. Excitement stirred deep inside her, but Oswin played it off by watching the girls as they went, smiling at Klara’s bouncing, nimble antics as she grinned wide and showed Nyah everything she could think of.

It was then, watching them, Oswin noticed something about the girls. Nyah was built nothing like Klara, with a stockier, thicker body. While Oswin had some desert breed in her from her mother’s side, Vita Nova did too, and with their semi-similar builds it was surprising to see such physical strength prevalent in Nyah versus Klara. Oswin frowned, watching them, opened her mouth… and then wondered if it was rude to remark on it. Nova was likely already upset about having been covered by Koray in the first place, the last thing Oswin would want to do was ask her if she was certain he had fathered her child. Still, there was no hiding the way the confusion had momentarily caught her face, and when her gaze shot back to Nova, she hesitated before the words came out anyways, “Nova… are you certain Nyah is Koray’s?”

Oswin snorted with indignation to learn of the fate Orkaan had left for Nova and her daughter. “What a piece of shit,” she grumbled loudly, and then shot a look to the girls to make sure they were far enough away they hadn’t heard her. Once she was certain she was in the clear, her blue eyes rolled back to Nova. “Stirs up a load of drama forcing you, pregnant no less, to the coldest island here and then up and leaves you both? I’d love to give him a piece of my mind.” Oswin’s hoof stomped down on the ground and her tail swished with a firm crack at her hind.

“Of course you can stay here, Nova!” Oswin said without ceremony, smiling with sympathy at her sister. “I always adore your company as is, and the Peak would be more than happy to offer shelter while Nyah grows stronger.” Oswin tried not to be greedy with Nova’s time and her horrible predicament, but the thought of having Nova with her, even for a little while, filled her with a special kind of joy. While Oswin was close with what family she had, there was a sisterly bond between her and Nova that was undeniable, and Oswin would always be thankful for the time she could share in Nova’s company.

At Koray’s name, Oswin blinked and then shook her head, not hesitating to reply. “I haven’t. I avoided Salem like the plague during my pregnancy.” She didn’t want him to know their moment of misguided passion had resulted in a child. A moment later, however, she sighed. “I’ve been thinking of visiting. Klara has asked me about her father and I told her I would try and find him. I worry if she gets old enough to go on her own…” Oswin trailed off, a sick feeling rising in her throat, before she shook her head. “No. I don’t want the first time he learns of her to be when she’s there alone.”

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.