Breakfast and Maths

Writers: Chelle, Jelena, Suzee
Date Posted: 15th October 2016

Characters: Veerona, Jylanya, Naton
Description: The women wake up and Naton appears.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 8, day 6 of Turn 8

Jylanya

She reached down and pulled up her overalls. Grabbing the buckles, she
fastened them and then went to grab her hair ribbon. It took some time
to get her dirty blonde tresses into place. Finally, though she was
dressed and ready. Leaving her room, she went quietly down the hall.
Everyone else might not be awake yet. Her reader and a hide were in
her other hand. Finding the breakfast table empty, she climbed into a
chair and spread her reader out. She needed to remember these things
for the lesson today.

Jylanya had been heading to the kitchens after dropping the baby at
the creche. "You're up early," she smiled and then took in the state
of Veerona's hair and her eyes widened. But it was effort in the right
direction and a few bumps in the braids were far better than the wild
windblown look she normally favored. "Would you like something to
eat?"

Looking over at Lany, she was quiet for a bit as she considered the
possibilities. If she had breakfast now, she wouldn't have to go to
the Great Hall and eat with everyone else. It was less noisy and she
wouldn't have to wait in line either. "Yes, that would be good. Today
is going to be long." Letting out a breath, she put her head back down
to read the reader.

Jylanya smiled. Her girl was growing up right in front of her and it
made her heart swell with pride. They'd been through some rough
patches but she hoped Veerona was finally feeling like she belonged
and her new parents weren't going anywhere. Well... Naton had a job
that required him to travel but that wasn't the same thing.

"So," she turned toward the kitchen. "Would you like some griddle cakes?"

"Ummm I thought some oats with fruit in it?" It didn't take as long to
make and she was a bit nervous about her first lesson. That wouldn't
settle as heavy in her stomach as the cakes would. Plus she liked
berries. The sweetness was a secret pleasure. "And juice please? What
do you want?"

"Oh well that sounds good to me," she smiled. "You know Naton will be
home soon right?"

"No. I don't tell the time that great yet. Sides, I thought he was
still trying to find that Lord whatever-his-name-is that went off and
got himself lost with Thayde-who-I-thought-was-kinda-neat." She knew
Bel was in on that too and it'd meant less time spent with people she
liked and followed. Veerona was growing up, but she could still be
very jealous of the few adults she had learned to trust.

A coincidence as it may be, that was exactly the moment the front door
to their quarters was pushed open and Naton struggled through with two
heavy suitcases. When he finally made it in and the door fell shut
behind him, he put them down on the floor and stood upright to take in
the little scene. He let out a contented sigh. Home! "Well hello
there, you two," he said with a broad smile.

"Naton," Jylanya popped back out of the kitchen and ran to her
husband. "Oh I'm so glad you're back."

"Jyls!" Naton wrapped his wife in a warm hug, taking in her scent for a
moment. He had to keep himself in check though, as Veerona was right
there and he didn't want her feeling like a third wheel. So he quickly
let go again, after giving Jylanya a quick squeeze, and moved towards
Veerona at the table. "Hello there young lady. Are you prepping for
class already?"

"Hi," she replied back before shifting in her chair. "It's just so hard so I
thought maybe if I looked at it more...." Her sigh of frustration was
rather loud. She really didn't want to do it, but she wouldn't let the
thing best her. Besides, then the other kids would laugh if she didn't
know the answer.

Jylanya felt much the same way as Naton though she didn't know it. So
she said brightly, "I was just making us some breakfast. Are you
hungry?" Of course the last question carried its own double meaning
and a secret smile curved her lips.

"I'm famished, so thank you," Naton replied, adding a mischievous wink
to that, before turning to Veerona.

"Would you like some help?" Naton offered the girl easily. He had
become quite fond of teaching and loved working with the younger
apprentices, so helping Veerona with her work wasn't a big stretch. He
knew how to help without giving any answers away at least.

"Yeah I guess. Why do I have to learn times tables anyway? I mean, I
can just count stuff." She shook her head, thinking it was some
invention by an awful man just out to get her.

Jylanya smiled to herself as she cooked and stirred sweetener,
cinnamon, and raisins into the hot porridge. Then she spooned the warm
fragrant mix into bowls for her two loves and brought them to the
table. "Here," she said placing them next to each. "Eat before it gets
cold." Her hand trailed down the back of her husband's head in a
loving caress before she turned back to the small kitchen to retrieve
her own.

"Thanks, love," Naton said with a warm smile, before turning his
attention back to Veerona. "Well, for one, there might come a time
when you want to negotiate bedtimes," he told her in a secretive tone
of voice. "It could come in handy then."

"I heard that," Jylanya called from the kitchens.

A small giggle escaped Vee as she realized Naton was in trouble, not
her. Grabbing the spoon, she lifted it to her lips and blew. After a
little bit, she put the first bite into her mouth and started eating.
Swallowing the mouthful, she watched Naton and Jylanya from the corner
of her eye while looking over her book at other moments. "How come
Milga is busy all the time now?" she asked, thinking.

"She wants to be a senior apprentice," Naton replied. "The older you
get, the more responsibilities you have. Milga has to study more now
she's getting older, so that she can start doing more things for the
Craft." He wondered if that would make any sense to her at all, but
he had no clue how else to explain.

Jylanya had cleaned up the pot and set it to dry on a towel before
removing her apron and coming back out. "Well, I need to get to
work," she said dropping a kiss on each cheek before heading toward
the door. "We have supplies coming from the Weyr today. Some fresh
fruit and grains from the latest tithe." She put her hand to the latch
but turned back to look at the other two. "I'll see you tonight," she
said with a telling look at her husband and a loving smile for them
both. "I love you," floated behind her as she left.

"I love you too, dear." Naton said with a delighted smile, before
turning back to his conversation with Veerona. He was such a lucky
man!

Last updated on the December 17th 2016

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Breakfast and Maths