Scenario:Aletheia and Keehar - Now and Forever

Now and Forever

(Captain) and the crew come to the rescue of a pregnant woman at the request of her son. Aletheia and Keehar agree to look after the boy until his father arrives. Keehar cheers the boy up when he worries he won't get along with his new sibling. Reminded of his own poor filial relations, Aletheia receives encouragement from Keehar and resolves to work on himself and his relationship with his son.

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Their most recent mission complete, (Captain) and the crew decide to relax in town. They are soon interrupted by a small boy in a big fluster.

Boy: Huff, puff...
E-excuse me, sirs! I... um!

Keehar: What's wrong, young man? Easy now... Take a deep breath and tell us what the trouble is.

Boy: My mom... she... her stomach's hurting real bad! And there's a baby in there!

Aletheia: What! No time to waste, lad! Bring us to her!

The boy races back to his mother with (Captain) and the others hot on his heels. Together, they get his mother safely to the hospital.

Beset by labor pains, the grateful woman thanks them as she is taken into the delivery room.

Nurse: Thank you so much! She's a fair bit ahead of her due date... I'm so glad you were there to help.

Aletheia: Oh, it's all thanks to this lad's quick thinking. He came running to find help.

Nurse: What a clever boy! But... I'm not quite sure what to do with him while his mother is in labor...

Keehar: Hmm? What happened to his father?

Nurse: We managed to contact him, but it was such short notice that he won't be able to come right away.

Keehar: Is that so... Well, I have an idea! How about we take care of the boy until his father finds his way home?

Nurse: Oh, my! You don't mind? If you could just make sure he doesn't stray too far from the front of the hospital, that'd be a big help.

Keehar: Indeed we can! You just do your best to take care of his mother.

Keehar: Does old men like us good to be around children now and then, doesn't it, Aletheia?

Aletheia: Slow down there, Keehar! I'm really not good with children...

Keehar: Ha-ha! Alright, boy. You're going to sit with the old-timers for a spell!

Boy: Um... Okay.
Ms. Nurse? Take care of my mom and the baby, okay?

And so Keehar and Aletheia find themselves doing a bit of babysitting.

Boy: ...

Aletheia: Hrm... You seem rather out of sorts, young man.

Keehar: You certainly do. Must be worried about your mother and your new brother or sister, eh?

Boy: ...

Aletheia: Once that baby is born, you'll be a big brother. You'll have to be strong to shoulder that responsibility.

Boy: Yeah... I mean, I know. It's just...

Aletheia: Well, I tried... I'm just not cut out for speaking with children. They don't listen to reason.

Keehar: Listen here, son. Your family will be just fine! This old skyfarer's instincts are never wrong!

Boy: What? You guys're skyfarers? At your age? That's amazing!

Keehar: Ha-ha! These wrinkles are proof we've seen a few battles in our day, that's all! And that's how you know you can take what I say to the bank!

Boy: ...
Right!

Aletheia: (Hm? Looks like that did the trick. I truly fail to grasp the workings of the juvenile mind.)

Keehar: Hoho... Now we can't go far, but we have some time to kill. What shall we do while we wait?

Boy: Well... I'd sure like to hear about some skyfaring adventures!

Keehar: Would you now! Well I can dish those up by the bowlful! Have yourself a seat and open your ears, my boy!

Keehar's tales are like something straight out of an old legend. The boy's eyes shine with wonder.

By the time Keehar reaches a break in his narrative, the boy is ready to share what's troubling him.

Aletheia: So do you want to tell us why you looked so dour before? Worried about your mother?

Boy: Well... All my parents talk about anymore is the baby. I feel like I'm invisible...

Aletheia: Hrm... Well, you have to make some sacrifices. Looking out for your younger sibling is your job as big brother.

Boy: ...

Aletheia: A real man doesn't want to be coddled! How can you be jealous of a helpless infant?

Boy: But I—

Keehar: Slow down there, Aletheia. I understand what you're trying to say, but you can't put all that weight on him at once.

Keehar: I think your parents would be sad if you and the baby didn't get along. So would I, honestly.

Boy: ...

Keehar: So what I'm saying is, you don't have to jump into being a big brother all at once. You can grow into it a bit at a time.

Keehar: In just a little while, you're going to be seeing that baby for the first time. It's bound to be a bit awkward.

Keehar: You might have a squabble here and there at first. But you'll be friends before you know it. I think you'll be surprised how dear your little sibling becomes to you.

Boy: Sigh... You really think so? I dunno how I'm gonna make myself like the new kid...

Keehar: Ha-ha! No need to worry about that! Bonding takes time.

Keehar: I raised an adopted granddaughter myself... And I can't tell you how much she means to me!

Keehar: Hoho. The same goes for your parents. Of course they're going to love the baby. But they love you too.

Keehar: It wouldn't hurt to let them know you need a little attention now and again!

Boy: Ohh... Really?

Keehar: Really. That's your right as a child, my boy. It's practically in the job description!

Boy: Wow! Thanks, mister! I don't know why I was so worried... I get it now. It'll be fine!

Dad: Hey! Sorry I'm late, Son!
I really have to thank the two of you. My family owes you a great deal.

Keehar: Ha-ha! Think nothing of it! Don't keep your wife waiting now.

Dad: Thanks again for taking the time to watch this little guy. C'mon, Son. We can wait for the baby inside.

Dad: And I heard you ran to find someone when your mom went into labor. I couldn't be more proud of you!

Boy: Hehe... That's what big brothers do!

Dad: You said it, little man! The two of us are gonna have our work cut out for us taking care of mom and the baby, aren't we?

After thanking the skyfarers once more, father and son make their way into the hospital.

Keehar: Hah... From the looks of things, we have nothing to worry about. What a fine, upstanding young man!

Aletheia: ...

Keehar: Hmm? And what could be bothering you, my dear man? You look a mite gloomy.

Aletheia: Forgive me... I was just thinking about my boy. He was about that age when things started going sour between us...

Aletheia: Ha... Although I doubt I would be in the running for the skies' best father...

Keehar: Then you have work to do! If there's something you feel you're lacking, you owe it to yourself to fix it!

Aletheia: Hrm... Now? After all this time?

Keehar: I'll have none of that quitting talk! It's like I told that boy. You don't start out being a father. You become one gradually.

Keehar: Can't say I know the specifics of your situation, but better late than never is what I say.

Aletheia: Hrm... I think you have the right of it. Nothing good comes of giving up so easily.

Aletheia: I do have some work to do on myself. I guess an old dog can learn a new trick or two!

It seems the seasoned skyfarer's words have lit a new flame in the jaded old sage's heart.

Perhaps one day, Aletheia will resolve the regrets he carries with him on his journey.

Only time will tell. As he ages, the future only seems harder to predict. The road ahead is veiled in mystery but full of unfathomable potential.