Mami Tharadon wasn't someone anyone would describe as weak. She ruled her kingdom with a mother's love. Stern but fair. Her empire wasn't vast, but she was content with what there was of it. The Isle Of Avalon.

Stories of the famed King Arthur were well known to the small tropical island, but viewed with humor. Avalon as they knew it was vastly different than any fairy tale versions of Arthur's Avalon. Fairy tales were things Mami didn't have time or patience for. Even less lately as her health began to fail. Parker did what he could for her, the enchantment that kept her young, also prevented any magically healing Parker may be able to manage. He advised her strongly that her heart needed attention, and soon. For that, she turned her attentions to RhyDin City and a clinic named Riverview. A place and people she had heard a lot about from Aja.

Aja Bird was as close to a daughter as Mami was ever going to get. Over the years, Aja had proven to be many things. Loyal, stubborn, generous, a little crazy but the sweetest girl under all her defenses. Aja was forever collecting strays, finding them homes, giving them a sense of belonging or purpose. Human or otherwise had never mattered to the young woman. Mami's own son, Rico, had found a place with Aja. Following her for the past thirty or so years on whatever adventures Aja deemed worthy. In that, he had become a fine man. Cared for others no matter their race. Something his father had never shown him. Richard was a good man, but a prejudiced one and had passed that hatred onto Rico. Mami thought that she'd never be able to change that about her son, but she had never taken Aja into account. It took Aja a little while, but Mami saw how Aja had chased all that hate and judgment out of Rico, and taught him how to see the world differently than his father had wanted.

Aja made it a point of coming around once every couple weeks and having lunch with Mami. During the visits, she spoke of people that existed in her world. The admiration Aja held for them was clear in the way she spoke of them. One in particular had caught her attention. Doctor Maranya Valkonan. Aja merely referred to her as Anya or Mo, and said the nicest things about the good doctors personality and strength of character. How she healed people, how much she cared for her patients. The thing Aja seemed to admire most was the woman's bravery. A tale of how they freed Hochi from a slaver had brought the pirate captain to tears of gratitude, which very much interested Mami. All the years Mami had known Aja, she had cried very little. During Tristan's death, Aja had locked herself up away from the world. She had done the same when her guardian Tanner died. Those were the only two times Mami could recall the young woman reacting in any sort of emotional manner. Tragedy or good times were all taken in stride. But this eclectic group of friends she had now, had brought Aja around to a different way of viewing the world. Had brought to the surface the feelings and emotions the pirate had always kept on lock down in order to go about her life.

To Aja, Anya, Sivanna, Neo, and Tru were the most amazing people she had ever met, and spoke of them to Mami often. Always in tones of admiration, pride and care. There were other names Aja mentioned, other people who were taken into the family, as she called them. But the stories mostly centered around the four. Anya being the one mentioned most often. Aja had taken to telling stories to the children in the ward and had even been convinced a time or two to don a dress for charity events supporting the clinic. Mami knew that it was her family's influence that made this new growth in character possible.

When Mami looked up the Doctor, she found glowing articles about her and the clinic. She found the couple that Aja had been ready to go hunting the author's of. And after reading the articles, Mami could see why. They were obviously biased and derogatory towards someone Aja cared for as a sister. She discussed with Parker the treatment options available at the clinic and it was decided that if Mami wanted to see a couple more years and the possibility of Rico ever getting married, that Riverview was where she needed to go.

She packed up and headed to the mainland once she arranged for the head of state to run things in her stead. Parker did his best to keep her stable as they continued to research her possible options, but it became clear. She would have to trust that all they had read, and everything they knew from Aja was enough to brave a new world of medicine.

On Wednesday, Mami had gotten Parker to take her into town. She walked into Riverview Clinic and looked the place over before being brave enough to step to the receptionist, one Phyllia Hawkwood and make an appointment with a Dr. Leonard Kelly. The woman was friendly but professional. Once the appointment was all arranged, Mami walked down to watch the nursery for a little while. She listened to the staff, who seemed happy in their jobs and contemplated life as she gazed upon the tiny lives in the clear cradles in the nursery.

Checking her watch, she smiled seeing it was near lunch time. Mami made her way to Anya's office, hoping the busy young woman would have time to join her for a little conversation and food. She stood outside Maranya's office door and knocked, not sure if the woman would even be in there. Chief of Staff had to be a busy position.

Rico leaned up against the crates and exhaled slowly. This shipment was ready to go out and the next would be coming in a an hour. He had enough time to grab dinner before returning to ensure the smooth transfer of goods from ship to shore.

Walking to his house, he saw his mother's carriage return. He smiled seeing her walk to the house with packages. Probably more toys in which to spoil Hochi with. His mother was crazy about the little scamp.

Walking into his house, he saw evidence that Maria had been by again. Probably to claim his laundry and put dinner in the fridge. A quick look around confirmed both thoughts.

Taking the sandwich outside, he sat on the deck, smiling as he saw his mother come out to settle in a chaise lounge on the lawn while Hochi and his friends played a game of tag. Maria sat with his mother, the two ladies talking about whatever it was older women discussed.

He was pleased she wasn't alone. Especially recently with her failing health. The thought brought a frown. He had spoken his concerns with Rena only a day or two earlier. If something were to go wrong, and his mother died, he would be lost.

His entire life, she was the one constant. His father's temperament changed often. But his mother, stood firm. Believing that one day, Rico would be an upstanding gentleman, able to have compassion and fairness in his heart for others.

Rico smiled. She had been right, as she often was. He had become the man she had hoped for. He saw the pride on her face when she spoke to him, or about him. He would give anything to keep that look there always. He would also give anything to find a way to make her well again.

For that, he would trust in the medicine of Riverview. He would trust that old ways of magic and alchemy could not help this time and that a new approach was needed. His ability to have that faith, had not come easy. But over the years, he had learned patience. He had learned that answers and good tidings often came from the places he least expected them to.

He had much to be thankful for. He would never take it for granted. But he would give it all away just to ensure his mother would live on a while longer.

Finishing his dinner, he stood up and took a long last look at his mother, who was laughing at the antics of the children. He stored the memory away, smiling as he returned to work.

There was something eerie about a hospital waiting room when you were waiting for news of a loved ones surgery. Every noise seemed to intensify, every footstep in the hall seemed to be heading your way.

Rico got up and paced around for what seemed like the millionth time that hour. Rena had been by, and took a walk with him. He wasn't much for talking but she seemed to understand that and told him about the projects she was working on. That helped for a while, he could imagine the pieces she told him about in detail, what they might smell like, look like. It worked for a while. He didn't want her to waste her whole day when he was acting like a zombie, so he sent her on her way.

He was in the middle of his now double digit path across the room when Aja's voice broke the silence. "Ya know, it would just be easier ta carve "Rico was here" in the door frame or something." he stopped and looked at her. "Yer gonna wear a hole in the floor." she grinned at him. "I can't stand this, Aja." he stopped and looked at her leaning in the doorway. She gave him an easy smile and he sighed. "I know. Me either. We're big do something types. This waiting gig, ain't our thing." she stepped closer. "Come on. Let's go." "Where?" Rico didn't hesitate to walk with her, but he still asked the question. "Outta here." she said grinning as they walked to the doors. "I can't just sit there and I can't watch you pace. Makes me dizzy." "Dizzier." he cracked, their easy banter coming in to save his sanity. As usual, Aja seemed to understand perfectly and just nudged him. "Better than looking like a weasel did my hair." at that she reached up and fluffed his hair. "What the heck is this" Hospital chic?" "Shut up." he cracked a smile and took a deep breath. He resisted the urge to look back at the hospital building. Aja glanced up at him and then back at the street ahead.

"She's in the best hands in the world, Rico. I wouldn't trust her to anyone else but Anya and her staff." "I know. She just..." he started then stopped speaking as he walked along side Aja down the street. The lump in his throat had appeared from no where and it took a moment to shove it back down. "She just seemed so small in that bed." "She seems like a force of nature. But I know what you mean. She's suppose to be up, scolding me about settling down, becoming a proper lady or something. Not that.." Aja waved a hand behind her and took his arm. "But. I refuse to believe she won't come out of this absolutely fine. She's a fighter. She ain't gonna up and die on us yet." Aja's voice was firm as if she believed sheer force of will would make it happen. He'd seen her do a lot of things on that, but this was something different. "Besides, she ain't gotten you married off yet." Aja gave him a grin. "No way she leaves before that happens." "Ain't that the truth?" He laughed. A weak one, but there.

He patted Aja's hand lightly, as if to say thank you. He didn't need to say it, the two of them didn't work like that. It was an unspoken accord. They often would work in silence, instinctively knowing what the other needed. It took years to get to that point, but he couldn't imagine his life any other way. No matter what else was going on, he knew without a doubt, he could count on her. She had saved him, without him even knowing he needed saving. And he liked to think he was as important to her that way.

Aja looked over at him and squeezed his arm as she turned into a small courtyard that held an alter for Apollo. He gave a warm, thankful smile to her then. A small prayer to the God of medicine and health couldn't hurt. He'd take any help he could get.

When they were done, they left the courtyard in silent thought till Aja broke the silence. "Ya know...let's grab something to eat and go check out the competition at the docks. That'll take an hour or so, then by the time we get back, there should be some news." "Yeah. Sounds good." he nodded, bless her anyway for trying to keep him busy.

They turned in the direction of the docks, random bits of conversation broke the silence along the way, but they never let the other one go.That's just the kind of family they were.