Extra Attention

Writers: Rochelle, Eimi
Date Posted: 21st July 2006

Characters: Karaleigh, Eleada
Description: Eleada sees Karaleigh about Eleaxol's difficulties with classes.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 5 of Turn 3

Eleada ran her fingers through her hair, sighing as she waited outside the classroom. One of the reasons she had wanted to return to Dolphin Cove was that she could spend more time with her sons. But she hadn't realized that meant she would re-inherit the worries as well. Dyrada may still be raising them, but her mother had insisted that she meet with the twins' teacher about Eleaxol. He was falling behind Eleadan in classes again, and getting frustrated.

She watched the children move around as they were dismissed, picking out the golden curls of her sons easily as they moved toward the door, Eleadan in the lead. Eleaxol was almost half a hand shorter than his twin, courtesy of his tiny size at birth. She smiled as they approached her in the middle of the sea of children exiting the door.

"Wait for me outside, boys, and tell Adaric to wait too. I have a question for your teacher." The boys happily darted past her, and she turned to face the young harper.

"You must be greenrider Eleada," the Harper smiled as she reached out a hand. "I'm the boy's teacher, Journeyman Karaleigh."

"Hi. I guess my mother warned you I'd be coming." She took the hand warmly, looking the woman over. She could certainly understand why her boys adored her. She looked like the kind of teacher Eleada had wanted as a child.

"Actually, no, I just guessed because I can see a resemblance,"
Karaleigh chuckled. "You planned on meeting me today then?"

Eleada smiled. "There is a strong resemblance, isn't there? Actually, my mother planned on having me meet you. I only found out when we met for lunch."

"Oh? Your mother wished for you to speak with me?" the harper asked, rather amused.

"Yeah." She admitted somewhat sheepishly. "Since I transferred back, she's decided that taking more interest in my sons means doing more than just picnics. She's... rather hard to resist."

It was good that the young woman was taking an interest in her children.
Not all riders found the time. "Well, I'm sure they will appreciate the extra attention."

"They seem to so far." Eleada admitted, "But I'm kind of at a loss with them some days. I mean, I love them, I just don't know what to do with them. It's like now. Eleaxol is, well..." She glanced back at the door, making sure her sons were out of earshot. "A little slow at things. But he gets really frustrated when he can't keep up with his brothers, and I don't know what I'm supposed to do. Dyrada said to I needed to talk to you."

"Yes, I have noticed that he does have a little trouble keeping up. But some children do. It's perfectly natural," Karaleigh said reassuringly. "However, it will be a bit frustrating for him. He needs lots of attention and encouragement."

"Attention and encouragement..." Eleada repeated slowly. "That doesn't sound very helpful. I mean... what kind of attention and encouragement?
I don't think you're talking about picnics here, and normally I just have them help with Gliorith or go to the beach. Dyrada's the one raising them."

"Help with school work. Read together a bit more. Praise the accomplishments he makes," Karaleigh suggested. "Remind him that he is smart. Focus on the things he _is_ good at. That kind of attention."

"I guess I can do that." She said thoughtfully. Shards -the last thing she'd read were the new drill patterns. "But won't he feel left out or stupid if I do that kind of stuff? I've never really done it with them before, and Adaric and Eleadan don't really need help with classes. I don't want them to think I'm playing favorites."

"They know he is struggling. In fact, they would probably like to help," Karaleigh assured her. "Children can tell when someone is struggling, and often, especially if they care about them, they want to help, but they don't always know how."

"That's news to me." Eleada said dryly. "My siblings were convinced I was too young to do anything with. They made ignoring me into a game until I Impressed."

"Well, you are lucky enough to have sons who truly care about each other, despite the little rivalries that can flare from time to time."

"I guess so." Eleada said fondly, then winced. They'd gotten much closer to one another during her six month absence. "And I guess that's an advantage in a weyr, too. I almost orphaned them not long ago." She added softly.

"Threadfall?" the harper asked knowingly. Dolphin Cove was no stranger to orphaned children due to the hazards of riding a fighting dragon.

"Yeah. I nearly lost Gliorith." Eleada said quietly. **Only to lose Linrary instead...** She shook off the thought, and forced a smile. "But I'm here now. I guess that's all that matters."

"You know, sometimes finding the joy in your children can cover over a multitude of sadness and bad memories," Karaleigh said helpfully. She had seen it many times over the turns. Children could reach places in a person's heart that other adults just didn't seem to be able to reach. Perhaps it was a good thing she had come to be with her children at this time.

"I suppose. I wouldn't know." She said weakly. Shards... Linrary had wanted children so badly, and been so jealous of her... **Stop that! Not now!** "I'm really not much of a mother. I've always been kind of surprised they listen to me at all. I left just after the twins were born, and only saw them about once a sevenday."

Karaleigh pondered that a moment. "It doesn't matter what your role in their life was in the past. The real question is how much of a role do you want to play in their present, or their future."

"That is the question." She agreed. Was it fair to her children to spend more time with them, if she might unexpectedly die in Threadfall? She didn't want to hurt them, but she didn't want to lose their affection either. Was she being selfish? "Thanks for the help, Journeyman Karaleigh. I really appreciate it." She smiled, sticking out her hand.

"Feel free to talk to me any time," Karaleigh smiled as she took her hand.

Last updated on the August 14th 2006

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