With the days ticking away, there were several more elven villages making their return journey home. Night Silver was of course always prepared to welcome them home with open arms, and provide them with new homes, and clothing of their choice. Food was already a basic need, and thus given out to all of the citizens of Tus Nadair.
At first, the elves that came to Tus Nadair in search of safety, were a bit taken aback by the culture in Tus Nadair. Women openly bared their chest, and yet, nothing bad happened to them. For that matter they noticed that there were some women who wore a pin of some kind. Some of the elves who arrived were also given the same pin to wear. And for some reason or another, all who wore this pin were like magnets for young children. It soon became clear why…
"So that's what this pin is meant for?"
A native of the Tus Nadair, in charge of showing them around, chuckled to himself. "Yep, that pin is to help children identify who is breastfeeding. You don't have to worry about it too much though. If you get worried you won't have enough for your own child, you can refuse to feed the young children."
"Oh? I see, I sense you're about to say a, but, in there."
"Pfft, ahahah, you're all really most blessed children. I admit, I'm slightly envious, I wish I could share at least one trait with Mother… Even if I was born a woman, I wouldn't mind it in the slightest. Sharing something intrinsic with her…" The man laughed, and then chuckled nervously. "Sorry about that, it is hard to accept sometimes. Anyway, you asked for clarification? Well, you can refuse to feed them of course, but you should know that women in Tus Nadair, while pregnant or breastfeeding, are given significantly larger meals, and an additional meal if requested." He started to explain. "In the early days, it was difficult to figure out the right balance, but it's been 100 years since then, and now, it's possible for Nadairian women to continuously breastfeed should they wish to. A shame it happened too late for Mother… Her milk is the reason I'm as strong as I am today." He made a glance to his closed fist.
"So, it's reasonable to assume women opt to feed the children all day?"
"Yes, it's one of their favorite jobs. Watching over the younger children is the highest and closest one can feel to being Mother's emissary, or her divine proxy." He explained a little more. "Oh, but it's not like that's the only job women here love to do. You should see our warrior training… Those women are dangerous… Some of them get personal lessons from Mother on occasion."
"Um, how come there are so many children here?"
That comment took the man back for a moment. "Huh? You think that's a lot of children?" He laughed. "You want to see where the majority of children are? I think Mother might be there now."
The group was shown the gargantuan school zone. The sheer number of children rattled the brains of the newly arrived elves.
"That sure is a lot of children…"
"Well, Mother was adamant about creating a lovely place for her people to live. And with prosperity comes many children." The guide chuckled, with a confident pound on his powerful chest.
"How is this even possible? It took me a few years to recover after giving birth to my first child."
"Oh, that's right, elves have a difficult time with procreation due to their longevity… Hmm, I forget how we resolved that issue… Perhaps a healer could explain it to you better? And it might be best to ask one of them directly. The main hospital has tons of information on how to procreate safely, effectively and quickly…"
One of the men in the group of elves spoke up. "I do have a question about that, well, sort of like that… What sort of family dynamics had the most children?"
"Ah, I see, you're the type of man who wants as many children as he can possibly have." The guide laughed. "You're like me then, I could tell you the more women in the relationship, the more you could have. But that's far too simple minded an answer. You're better off with taking 2 wives, not to exceed four. It seems like the more women in a relationship, the harder it is to keep the man healthy and fertile enough to really be effective." He explained. "That is something I know on an extremely personal level. Past four and I was put on a watch to ensure my own health." He turned and smiled. "Though, if I had to say anything unofficial… I don't mind being in this spot. I love my family, I haven't stopped having kids since I became an adult too… So it's a really large family. And it's also the closest that I, as a man, will ever get, towards being like our mother. And so, I will not stop, not until my wives and I can no longer bear it."
The man's face was clearly full of determination. His motivations were a little weird, but it wasn't as if they weren't understandable. And so, the elves he was guiding around, all let out a chuckle and a smirk, or smile.
"So then, it really is true that families here aren't just a man and a woman on their own and forced to struggle through the fires of the world." An elven woman commented. "I wouldn't mind having a wife. Multiple husbands though… Now that intrigues me quite a lot."
The guide laughed, heartily. "That's what I'm talking about, you'll fit right in here in Tus Nadair! Here we understand that we are all one people, all one under our loving mother, Night Silver." He smiled, and then started walking again. "Now, it's time to continue the tour! I think you'll like the mountain tunnel's fountains. Hint: here in Tus Nadair, modesty is a little different, the form of our bodies is praised, and not defined as inappropriate."
"Odd? But I can see why with the fashion choice."
"Odd? Well, I can see why you'd think that, not having grown up here. However, do you really want to live your life in something deemed as inappropriate, or in something that is praised, and honored?" The guide chuckled, with a smile. "I know what I'd choose."
The look of realization on the elves was obvious. The guide smirked once he realized just how wrong their previous conceptions of the body truly were.