After that moment of distraction with her mate that night, Natasia threw herself into her work. For the next week she was going into her office early and coming home incredibly late. She was scouring over every single application and file of students in her school or coming in to see if any fit the criteria she needed. Slowly but surely her confidence was rising as the stack of files got bigger. Knowing which students would be assets was the first hurdle, next she needed to make sure that she had the proper mentors and professors in place which meant contacting many hard to reach beings to offer her invitations. At the end of her week of research she was coming home again late. She entered her home quietly to hopefully not wake anyone but as she took one step into the living room, a lamp turned on. Niya was sitting in an arm chair in her robe, staring at Natasia with her arms crossed, her tail still holding the cord that had cut on the lamp. She'd been waiting for her for at least an hour. She was so worried about her mate with how much she had been gone and tonight she would get answers. Natasia walked in and stared in shock at Niya, fully expecting her to be asleep by now. The silence between them was palpable with Natasia feeling caught off guard by her mate's presence, something that didn't happen quite often.
Natasia: Hello Niya…what are you still doing up my darling? *she tried to brush off the initial awkwardness with her smooth voice, beginning to walk closer to Niya* I thought you would've been to bed by now?
Niya: It's been difficult to sleep in an empty bed so often…I hope whoever is keeping you away is worth the time. -her gold fan is open in front of her face, covering her mouth and keeping her expression mostly hidden-
Natasia looks at her and the fan she's holding up and smirks: Stop messing with me. Hehe you know very well that no one can ever match you my love. *comes over and stands next to her and leans down* Need help…getting to bed? *she bites her lip softly*
Niya: -she can't help but laugh as Natasia sees through her little joke. With a flick of her wrist she closes the fan but still uses it to push Natasia back softly and looks up at her- No no no, I won't be distracted by you tonight my love. Sit. I really do want to talk to you.
Natasia's face falls a bit from playful smirk to concern as she raises an eyebrow in question and proceeds to sit down on the loveseat. She looks at Niya and cocks her head to the side: Yes, my love? What did you want to talk about? Especially something that has you up in the middle of the night?
Niya: -she turns to look at her- What's been going on with you? I've barely seen you all week…ever since you came home that night from meeting with Lady Aiah you've been..distracted. I miss you..the boys miss you..
Natasia looks at Niya and then sighs and closes her eyes: It's just…a lot to get into. It's late and I would much rather snuggle with you. Darling? *she smiles at her, trying to change the subject*
Niya: -she sighs- I didn't want to have to resort to this but..you can either tell me to my face, or I can break into your office and find out myself. You can't distract me by trying to over feed me all the time Natasia.
Natasia had to stifle a giggle: Break into my office, my love? Whatever for? Come now, you don't think I just want to be with you, hmm? I already said it's too much to get into tonight and I am home…and you are up so we could just have some fun honestly. *starts slowly pulling off her sleeves to her dress* Don't you want your goddess?
Niya: -she bites her lip slightly but shakes her head quickly to stay focused. She uses her tail to grab Natasia's wrists- See? You're trying to distract me and over feed me to keep me blissful…What is so bad that you can't tell me? Tasia please…I'm getting worried..
Natasia sighs deeply and massages her temples, then she looks at Niya and pats the other side of the love seat so she can sit next to her: Alright my love, come here…
Niya: -she quickly moves over to sit with her, gently holding her hand- You know you can tell me anything right?...What happened?..
Natasia looks at their intertwined hands and hugs Niya to her gently: I…it's a lot to say but long story short, Resosia is dying…or at least it cannot sustain us as much anymore…
Niya: -her eyes widen and shock and a bit of fear- What? What do you mean? A-Are we in danger? How long has this been going on?
Natasia looks at Niya and cups her face: It's been like this for at least a few hundred years apparently. The goddess has been trying to keep it under wraps but apparently the cause is getting to be too much now. I saw what was causing it and it left such a foul scent, such a disgusting soulless aura…it felt so evil, it just wanted to consume…So…she had asked me to get students who were nothing but the cream of the crop. And so I've been doing research, looking into who would join in the next few years and then on. *puts her forehead to Niya's* I didn't want to keep it from you…but I was also asked if I could keep it a secret. It's not something easy to divulge to the common people even though…you are not common to me.
Niya: -she gently caresses her cheek- Heh I am your mate, I am far from the common people..and secrets don't apply to me, okay?
Natasia smiles and kisses her nose softly: Alright alright darling, but for the most part, that's what's going on. I need to start training these children in combat again and only the best of the best can be allowed to come here for the time being. To Mythic Academy. As much as I don't want to seem so elite…I never wanted that but what I need is one-of-a-kind. Children that can hold their own.
Niya: Mythic is already elite my darling, changing the standards to make it so one of a kind is going to be difficult. Getting in is already so hard. Are there even students that we have right now that can fit into your new criteria?
Natasia: Yes, I was thinking as to not off-hand the procedure too much, that we focus on the kids that are coming in now. After a certain age period, we can go back to the usual criteria but for at least the next 6 or 7 years, it needs to be elevated. *looks at her hands* Judging from how that black ooze I saw looked, we don't have as much time as I wish. Perhaps roughly ten years, it's deep enough that we won't see them digging six feet under. But maybe roughly 45 to 60 feet down? It's closer than I wish and if the goddess has to constantly feed it energy or things start dying…yeah not much time to just sit…
Niya: -she takes a steadying breath- Okay…Then tomorrow you show me these students and maybe…maybe we hold off on getting you a secretary for now. What would you say to me taking over those kinds of duties for now? So you can focus on the children and their training.
Natasia: But…that is a lot to do honestly? It's so much to take care of and you also teach home economics and runic magic which are very involved. I wouldn't want to take you from your classes. You worked so hard on your curriculums too.
Niya: I already handle our family engagements, I can handle this…My love let me help you. I hate the thought of you shouldering all of this on your own…
Natasia: But Niya…it's intense. I don't want to overwhelm you.
Niya: And just what do you think is going to happen if you do all of this by yourself? Let me help you…I need you…Our children need you. You can't collapse simply because you don't want to ask for help.
Natasia pouts a bit, and rolls her eyes but then smiles: Fine…fine…I do need help. Quite a bit actually. Heh. I just hate asking you to do extra. *crosses her arms and legs and leans back* but fine. Yes please. I need your help, my love.
Niya: Good. You can show me what I can take over tomorrow. Now I'll let you go to bed…and go give your boys kisses good night. They've missed you so much this week. Octorias keeps asking about you.
Natasia: Really? Tori asks about me? Mmmm yes I should go do that…*stands up and offers her hand to Niya* Let's go get some sleep. I'll go say good night to the boys.
Niya: -she takes her hand and gets up- Of course he asks about you, he loves you. Now go on, and hurry. -she walks past her and traces the tip of her tail up her leg- I'm tired of sleeping alone. -she winks at her and goes upstairs to their room-
Natasia blushes and follows her upstairs but goes to where her two boys are sleeping, first going into Octorias room, who is still a little tot. She comes over as he's sleeping soundly and kisses his forehead slowly. Once she stands petting his head softly, she waves her hand in the room's atmosphere to make a little galaxy above where he is sleeping and whispers for the air to be neither too cold nor too hot. Once her magic settles, she leaves the room with the door cracked and then proceeds to her eldest son's room, Sebes.
She comes in and sees him already asleep with half his leg sticking out and sprawled on the bed. She giggles quietly and puts his leg back under and sits beside him and rubs his back. Sebes stirs but doesn't wake up, just turns over and puts the cover more on him. Natasia rubs his head softly and puts a little illuminated star next to him that sends a calming energy. She sits with him for a little while, thinking to herself: I never wanted you to possibly see a war…not you. Not your brother either, but it seems there is no choice. She sighs…and gets up, then feels a grip on her wrist. She turns around with a shocked look and Sebes had reached out to her and found her wrist as she was getting up. Is he awake? She thinks as she sits.
Sebes, groggily: Mother…? *he tries to stir but his eyes won't open* Mmmm…?
Natasia: Shhhh…go back to bed Sebes. *rubs his head*
Sebes lets her wrist go and rolls over again, but she doesn't leave until she hears him snoring. As she sits there, she feels this deepness in her soul. I have to protect them…no matter what. She gets up and heads for their shared room. Natasia walks in already seeing Niya laying down but still up.
Natasia smirks: Still waiting up for me? I'm coming, I'm coming. *she slips the dress off, stretching her arms up as she's felt constrained all day* Finally…
Niya: -she lifts the covers up for her, inviting her into bed-
Natasia comes over and lays on Niya's chest and snuggles her: Mmmm this is the best feeling ever. Snuggling you and your softness heh. *she leans up and kisses her softly on her lips*
Niya: -she kisses her back and giggles softly- And to think you've been staying away from this for so long~. Rest now my sweet…you've earned it. Tomorrow we'll face this mess together.
Natasia lays back down and nods her head sleepily: Mhmmm…together…we can face anything…
Natasia falls asleep peacefully for once in the weeks that passed, feeling safe and sound on her mate's breasts while Niya shakes her head and pets her softly.