JP - The Keep - Dining Hall - Breakfast

Miyuki sat in the dining hall or whatever they called it as she slowly ate some food she could barely taste. The fork she used would move the food around a little, stab it and she’d take a bite, but never really paid attention to the taste. Her mind was on other things - on other people - and she could not truly focus.

It had been a month since she started living here with this kind group of people, but she still felt like an outsider. It was not just because of her fox-like appearance or the fact her belly had rounded just a little more with the growth of her unborn child. This all had to do with the fact that she didn’t feel truly connected to anyone. Sure, she had gotten to know Lek a bit more, but his determination to wed Pinja was just more proof that the kitsune had no chance.

She got along very well with Difyr and Pinja, honestly. Being helpful in the medical ward of the place kept her busy most of the time - she was able to help anyone that needed it. There was a hollow part to it, though. She could help them all, but not everyone wanted to be around a woman covered in fur with a power known as Fox Fire.

Sighing softly, she pulled out a book, gently set her food aside, and looked through the medical notes she had made recently.

Alex entered the dinning area carrying a plate of food, ever since kicking his addiction he looked healthier. Color had returned to his face and the bags under his eyes had vanished.

Jacob was already in the dining area with his sister and the moment he saw Alex, he waved his hand toward the mage. “Here!” He called out, grinning while Beatrix just offered a smile.

Alex smiled and waved back his eyes looking at Beatrix as he made his way over to sit down. Looking over to Miyuki he offered for her to join them..

Miyuki grimaced, but went over to them. Alex had not done anything to harm her since her arrival, so she was okay being around him so long as there was a crowd of people. Sitting across from him, she looked at Beatrix and Jacob. “Has he been taking the medicine like I said to?” She asked, remembering that she had helped the teen with a skin issue he had.

“Yep,” Jacob chimed, taking a bite of food.

Beatrix nodded and leaned over to kiss Alex on the cheek. “It’s been nice seeing him able to wash up without it hurting.”

Alex blushed and reached over taking Beatrix’s hand “how are you feeling today Miyuki?”

“Aside from my usual morning sickness, I’m well, I suppose,” Miyuki admitted, tapping at her notes. “I’m okay.”

Beatrix had told Alex about Miyuki’s growing feelings for Lek, but had not suggested what to do. It was a delicate situation, after all. The man loved a woman that feared all men while the kitsune loved a man that was blind to her feelings. It was a tragedy in her eyes, but she felt it was not her place to intervene.

Squeezing Alex’s hand gently, she went back to eating, making sure her brother cleaned his face off. “Such a messy eater.” She fussed.

“Do the healers have anything to help with that?” Alex asked “I’ve heard of plants that can help with nausea.”

“Oh, I’ve already got some,” Miyuki let out a soft laugh and waved a hand. “It just gets out of my system before I remember to take more, so I kind of just wake up and have to vomit. It’s okay, though. The baby is still doing well, at least.” She touched her stomach, smiling a genuine smile now. No matter what, the kitsune would love this child. It didn’t matter who the father was.

Alex smiled “if you need any help just let us know” he offered “has Lek talked to you at all recently?”

Miyuki shook her head to indicate a no and sighed heavily.

“Have you told him how you feel?” Alex asked with a sympathetic look on his face.

“He loves someone else, Alex,” Miyuki stated. “It would be unfair of me to tell him.”

Beatrix almost choked on her food and had to cover it with a cough, looking away.

“Someone who probably will never return the feelings” Alex replied “not saying to tell him now but you only have one life to live.”

“I know…” Miyuki sighed heavily as she closed her book and returned it to her bag. She had found what she was looking for and left her pencil there so that she could go back to it later. “I just don’t know how to bring it up or when…every time I’ve seen him recently he’s either busy or trying to visit and check on Pinja.” She shrugged, poking her food with her fork again.

“Are you gonna eat that?” Jacob asked.

“Jacob!” Beatrix scolded.

“No, you can have it.” Miyuki slid the plate to the teen.

Jacob grinned and happily ate.

“Hyvää huomenta kaikille!” Piritta greeted as she entered the dining hall. She strode along, helping herself to bits of food from people’s plates.

“Maybe invite him to go harvest healing ingredients” Alex suggested “get him out of the castle for a bit.”

“I could try,” Miyuki said, grimacing.

Jacob didn’t even fight it. He literally handed Piritta one of the extra muffins he pilfered just for her. “Hi!!!!” He called, happy to greet her back. Over the last month he had slowly been trying to learn what she was saying. It took a lot of pointing, gestures and whatnot, but he was figuring it out better than everyone else. Only Bjorn seemed to fully understand her, though.

“It’s worth a shot” Alex replied with a shrug “perhaps even ask him to be there during your delivery”

“Mitä kuuluu?” Piritta asked Jacob before stuffing the muffin in her mouth. Her hand strayed towards Miyuki’s plate.

“I’m doing good. You?” Jacob asked and laughed. “Miyuki isn’t gonna eat it, so you can have it all.”

Miyuki merely nodded and got to her feet. “I need to take a walk. Enjoy the rest of breakfast, guys.” She said and gave Piritta a kind nod before leaving.