Tamala: (An overwhelming feeling of anticipation washes over you. You have big news to deliver to someone you love, but you're nervous about how they will respond. Two Echolings appear.)

Tamala: Aurelee, my heart, where have you been?

Tamala: ...What do you mean? I told you I was going to the cave to paint.

Tamala: I know, but it's been all day. You've missed dinner. Leo made Ogopuu stew for the village...again.

Tamala: I had no idea. The time...it must have escaped me.

Tamala: If you come now, I think there may be some stew left.

Tamala: Leave me just one more moment, and I'll be there before you know it.

Tamala: I would, but last time I did that you were here painting 'til the sunrise.

Tamala: And we keep that painting above the bed!

Tamala: Yes...but that was after you heard the news about your sister.

Tamala: You know painting soothes me in times of trouble.

Tamala: I do...and that's why I'm worried. What's going on, Lee?

Tamala: ...I spoke to the healer today.

Tamala: You're not sick, are you?

Tamala: No, no --

Tamala: Then why do ya look like you're about to tell me you're going to war? Is that it? Are you -- going back home? Because there might be a war? I'd understand if you --

Tamala: Will you let me speak, Rashiid? My news rests heavy enough on my tongue without your constant interruption.

Tamala: Of course, I sometimes forget you weren't raised in a home where you had to yell to get a word in edge wise.

Tamala: ...I went to the healer...because my stomach was bothering me...

Tamala: I knew I should have told Leo to stop making that stew every night!

Tamala: Rashiid...

Tamala: ...apologies.

Tamala: It turns out it wasn't the stew. I am...with child.

Tamala: You're pregnant? You should have started with that and saved me the heart attack.

Tamala: I tried.

Tamala: I know. I know. But why didn't you tell me sooner?

Tamala: We just...we hadn't talked about it and I didn't know how you'd feel...

Tamala: Love. I feel love. For you. For the child. For...the vastness and beauty of the universe!!!!

Tamala: There goes my husband! You know he's happy when he's shouting bad poetry into the wind.

Tamala: Oh, Maji. I wish I could hold onto this feeling forever.

Tamala: Stay still. I'll make sure we can.

Tamala: (Love, combined with a hint of fear, washes over you. You care for the thing in front of you so much -- but it is so small, so desperately in need of protection that you're terrified.)

Tamala: Shhh! Rashiid! Your footfall is heavy. You will wake him.

Tamala: Aurelee, are you alright? I know I shouldn't have gone on that scouting party. I should have been here. I shouldn't have missed anything.

Tamala: You did nothing wrong. He came early! He was too excited to see the world.

Tamala: Wait, do you have your paints out? You just gave birth --

Tamala: Of course, I got my paints out! I wouldn't want to miss the chance to record the first moment you saw our son.

Tamala: (A third Echoling appears. It is smaller than the others.)

Tamala: He he...

Tamala: Looks like he's awake...

Tamala: Is that him? He's so small. Look at him. His little hands. His little feet. His little buns. Is it okay that he's out now?

Tamala: The midwife says it would have been better if he'd waited. But what can we do? The boy is like his father, when he has his mind set on something he wants he goes for it!

Tamala: Sounds like his mother too.

Tamala: I suppose he wouldn't even exist if we weren't so determined to follow our hearts.

Tamala: I was thinking about that, maybe we ought to tell someone we're okay --I don't want to go home anymore than you do but Maji forbid we cause a war --

Tamala: The outside world is not our concern. They will do what they do. Our life is here with Ulfe...we must learn to tune out everything else.

Tamala: Ulfe? Is that his name?

Tamala: Yes, I felt it the moment I saw his eyes.

Tamala: Ulfe...little wolf. It suits him. I realize you never actually answered my first question. How are you doing? How are you feeling?

Tamala: I am... a lot of things. But mostly frightened. I love Ulfe so much that the idea of anything bad happening to him is terrifying.

Tamala: Then let's not let anything bad happen to him.

Tamala: (No matter what you can do you can't stop yourself from laughing. Your feelings go beyond a simple sense of mere amusement though. Your chest not only swells with laughter, but with pride.)

Tamala: Did he just --

Tamala: Yes, he just said his first word.

Tamala: And his first word is --

Tamala: Eat! Eat!

Tamala: Looks like I lost that bet with Leo.

Tamala: You bet on our child's first word? Seriously?

Tamala: What can I say? I thought "pere" was a lock.

Tamala: EEEAAAATTTT!

Tamala: I guess we better stop talking and get this boy some food.

Tamala: What do you want to eat?

Tamala: Toe. Tatototo.

Tamala: Oh my dragon! Did you hear him?! He just said his second word.

Tamala: I'm pretty sure that was just baby babbling.

Tamala: Nope. I'm pretty sure that was his second word. Our kid is a genius.

Tamala: Wait! Where did he go? Ulfe! Ulfe!

Tamala: Om Nom Nom.

Tamala: Rashiid! You were right. He got into the Flowtato stores.

Tamala: I told you. Genius.

Tamala: I guess we can rest easy, now. We know no matter what our little guy can take care of himself.

Tamala: Look at that little purple dribble down his chin. He is so stinkin' cute.

Tamala: You're right. Let me get my paints. I don't want to forget this --

Ulfe: (Ulfe eats his food in silence, slightly slower than usual.)