Astra PoV
It took awhile for the morning to actually progress to where it needed to, and that was entirely thanks to both of the departing Deerkin being absurdly 'pent up' - according to their words, not mine - and in desperate need of release.
For Aethisia that primarily took the form of embracing me whenever and however she could while Heila prepared breakfast, while Rhefia's release was focused on Renna and Kalia, the older Deerkin teasing my wife and pummeling my daughter's pussy as much as she could.
The rest of us were just around them helping them get off however they wanted to as we too waited for breakfast, though eventually I was pulled away to go help Heila, and Renna snuck off to join me as well lest she do something she 'regrets'.
With the children running around upstairs while the adults all engaged in a 'much needed' orgy downstairs the day was off to a rather fun start all things considered, but the knowledge that by midday we would be down two people tempered the joy just a little bit.
Interestingly enough Heila was the most collected about what was going to happen, the petite Doe just going about her morning like usual as she whipped up yet another feast, so of course I had to pick her mind a little and figure out why.
"Is it really that surprising that I accept what is going to happen? My worrying doesn't help anyone, and I still have my own obligations to fulfill to her before she can leave. Also... I just choose to trust in her promises more than I worry about what I cannot control; thankfully she is someone that I can do that with reliably instead of being blindsided later..."
"Well... Yeah, never mind; I suppose I am just being a bit of a worrywart, aren't I?"
Renna kept quiet and just continued to peel the oranges that Heila needed for whatever it was that she was cooking up, while the Doe herself just nodded and replied "You have been a bit of a worrywart, yes. However, that isn't a bad thing. It's just showcasing the difference between how I deal with this and how you deal with this."
Pulling some of the pancakes out of the oven to make room for something that actually needed to bake, I called for everyone to come upstairs and start eating what was ready before returning to the kitchen and the conversation.
Heila continued before I could speak again, though it was nice to hear her say "Besides, it just shows how deeply you care. Trying so hard to micromanage every little thing that you can to give them even the most minuscule advantage takes a lot of effort, and I promise they notice it. For me though..."
She just waved around at the stacked plates and various pots and pans around the kitchen that were all in use currently; it was hard to argue that we just both had our own way of showing our care and understanding what we could and couldn't do before they left.
When everyone did finally make their way upstairs it lightened everything up as both Rhefia and Aethisia cracked jokes and poked fun at whomever caught their attention, which seemed to primarily be the children running around still as they used their remaining minutes with everyone they possibly could.
That was another source of warmth for me as I saw my white haired daughter actively being around her own child, sitting beside Camara and cradling the small Doe in her arms while she chatted quietly with her mate.
Both Annie and Cici had returned who knows when, and currently they were seated beside the two Deerkin keeping quiet as they gave them their moment, though eventually they joined in on whatever was being said as the group all made a promise to one another.
For Rhefia though everything was more 'chaotic' as she just chased Ehretia and Ipoala around until the two girls were finally worn out enough to sit at the table and eat without wanting to run some more; that was when Netyl found her way into her Dama's arms instead of being in a cradle, and it was when we felt the 'pressure' of having to put out more food as it began to disappear swiftly.
The time we had left was disappearing just as quickly as the minutes skipped on by, all the way until we were gathered around the entrance of the house looking at the two armed and armored warriors standing beside the very well rested Geri.
Both Deerkin looked ready for what was to come, though Rhefia was far more composed and relaxed about it while Aethisia was definitely putting on a front as she repeatedly checked her armor straps and utility belt.
All of the children - Aka, Ehretia and Ipoala - were looking at them in confusion before turning towards us to search for answers, their young minds able to comprehend that this was a different send off then usual but not knowing what it meant.
Again it was Heila to be the composed one as the Doe gently guided Ehretia and Ipoala forwards while saying "Your Dama is going to be gone for a few days, so say goodbye for now~!", immediately earning a bit of shock from both of them.
Sari just walked Aka up to Rhefia as well so that she wasn't left out, which had Camara, Annie and Cici leading the way towards Aethisia as we once again began to say our goodbyes, which were a little... drawn out, in the best way; in our way.
I watched as Rhefia gave Heila a deep kiss while Aethisia pulled both Annie and Cici into her for a large hug, both of the departing Deerkin showing their affection in the expected ways before they had to reel themselves in when they remembered that there were innocent eyes present, which was a little bit hard for them, though all the earlier 'activities' had left them satisfied enough.