As they entered the sanctuary, the familiar stone walls seemed to close in on them, amplifying the tension in the air. The flickering torches cast shadows that danced across the room, reflecting the uncertainty etched on the faces of the immortals. Luna, cradled in Eirik's arms, was blissfully unaware of the weighty discussions brewing around her.
"Alright, we need to figure out who will take care of Luna," Aurelia said, her tone authoritative. "She can't stay with just one of us all the time. It wouldn't be fair to her or to the rest of us."
"Why not?" Lucius retorted, crossing his arms defensively. "I think it's safer for her to bond with one person initially. Too many changes at once could overwhelm her."
Nyssa shot him a disapproving look. "This isn't about convenience, Lucius! She needs to feel secure, but she also needs to know all of us. If we keep her isolated with one person, how will she learn to trust everyone?"
"Exactly," Thalos agreed, stepping forward. "We should be preparing her for a life among us all. She'll grow accustomed to each of us, and we can build a bond together."
Elara nodded in agreement. "If we do it right, she'll never know what it's like to feel alone. We can make this work."
"I still think we should pick one person to stay with her the most," Lucius insisted, his voice firm. "It's too much pressure to put on a newborn. She'll need consistency."
"Consistency doesn't mean isolation, Lucius!" Aurelia shot back, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "We all need to be involved in her life, not just you."
As the argument continued, Eirik shifted Luna in his arms, his brow furrowed in contemplation. He could sense the tension rising, and it gnawed at him. "Maybe we could rotate who stays with her? A schedule could help her adjust to each of us without overwhelming her."
"Are you suggesting we draw straws?" Kael interjected, his voice laced with amusement. "That seems a bit juvenile for immortals like us."
"I think it's a fair way to approach this," Eirik replied, a hint of determination in his voice. "We can set a time for each of us to take care of her. Maybe once a month, she can stay with a different guardian. That way, she gets to know all of us while also establishing a routine."
Thalos raised an eyebrow, considering the suggestion. "It might actually work. This way, we ensure that she builds bonds with each of us gradually."
"Fine," Lucius said begrudgingly, though his tone was softer. "But if it starts to negatively affect her, we'll have to reevaluate the plan."
Aurelia nodded, her expression softening. "Agreed. It's settled, then. We'll draw for our turns."
They gathered in a circle, a sense of camaraderie returning as they prepared to write down their names on slips of parchment. Each immortal took a turn, and when the last name was drawn, a collective sigh of relief washed over them.
"Now we just need to figure out how to introduce her to this arrangement," Nyssa suggested, glancing at the sleeping Luna in Eirik's arms. "We should probably ease her into it. Maybe we can have her spend time with each of us during the day before she stays with one of us at night."
"That sounds reasonable," Elara agreed. "We can create a nurturing environment for her, where she feels loved and supported no matter who she's with."
As they settled into a plan, the atmosphere lightened. Laughter and teasing began to fill the hall, as they envisioned the moments they would share with Luna. But just as they began to relax, a sudden sound pierced through the laughter—an unexpected, heart-wrenching cry erupted from Luna.
Eirik's heart dropped. "What's wrong?"
The baby's wails echoed in the sanctuary, cutting through the lightheartedness like a knife. Luna squirmed in Eirik's arms, her tiny fists flailing as her face turned red with distress.
"Shh, shh, it's okay, little one," Eirik murmured, gently rocking her back and forth. He felt panic rising within him as he tried to soothe her. "We're all here for you. You're safe, I promise."
But the more he spoke, the louder her cries became, each wail a desperate plea. The others rushed to his side, their faces etched with concern.
"What's wrong?" Nyssa asked, her voice filled with worry as she reached out to touch Luna's tiny hand.
"I don't know!" Eirik exclaimed, feeling helpless. "Maybe she's overwhelmed by everything. We've just brought her into a new environment with all these new people. She might need some reassurance."
"Here, let me try," Aurelia said gently, stepping closer. She held out her arms, ready to take Luna. "Maybe she just needs a change of pace."
Eirik hesitated but reluctantly handed Luna to Aurelia, his heart still racing. Aurelia cradled the baby, her voice soothing as she spoke soft words. "You're safe, little one. We all love you. You're not alone."
But Luna's cries only grew louder, her tiny body arching in distress.
"Maybe she's hungry?" Elara suggested, her brow furrowed in concern. "We didn't think to bring supplies for her. We should've prepared better!"
"Or she might need a diaper change," Nyssa added, her voice laced with urgency. "We need to act quickly before she gets too worked up."
Eirik felt a rush of guilt wash over him. "This is our fault. We were so focused on our discussion, we forgot she's just a baby who needs us."
Aurelia's calming voice cut through the chaos. "Let's split up. Someone can gather supplies for her, and I'll take Luna to the nursery we prepared. We can figure this out together."
They moved swiftly, each immortal springing into action. Eirik felt a sense of urgency as he watched Aurelia carry Luna away, her soothing words filling the air.
As they hurried to gather what Luna needed, Eirik realized how deeply their lives had shifted. They had not just taken on a responsibility; they had welcomed a new life into their chaotic world. And amidst the uncertainty, the weight of that duty began to settle within him.
As they all reassembled, Eirik looked at the baby now cradled safely in Aurelia's arms. "We will get this right. Together, we'll learn how to be her family."
With a shared sense of determination, they each took their place beside Aurelia, ready to face the challenges of parenting—together. Luna might have brought chaos, but she also brought a sense of purpose, and together they would forge a path forward, one step at a time.