Intresting and embarrassing

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 28th July 2006

Characters: Corowal, Erassa
Description: Corowal comes home late and meets Erassa's mother.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 13, day 3 of Turn 3

Erassa was sitting on the sofa, Corolia curled up asleep in her lap, when Corowal returned just after the lunch hour. She looked over and gave him a silent greeting before carefully standing. The little girl stirred long enough to wrap her arms around the young woman's neck as she was carefully carried off to her bed. Her fostermother carefully laid her down, tucked her in, and gently brushed the hairs from her cheeks. She glanced over at the crib where her brother lay asleep and was content that her charges were safe and sound. After gently closing the door behind her she gave the Steward a tentative smile. "I'm sorry, Steward Corowal. I received your note that you would be taking your lunch late today. Let me just get that for you."

"No worries, I can wait," Corowal shrugged. "How are the children?" "Well," she said as she gathered up the dishes from their own lunch from the table, "Corofel and Ofewal are still in Harper classes, Felcoron and Corolia are down for their naps, and Ofelia is also sleeping. She did eat a bit of lunch, but she wasn't feeling to well."

"I'll check on her," Corowal said. He quietly entered her bedroom. Ofelia had fallen asleep while reading. He carefully took the book from her and placed it on the night stand. He then gently stroked her hair before sneaking away. He was looking extremely worried when he came back. "She's not feeling any better at all?" "Not really, sir," she said regretfully as she stirred the pot of soup that was to go with his sandwich. "She was able to read a story to Corolia before lunch, but it took a lot out of her."

"Shardit," Corowal muttered softly. Seemed like he had to consult with Master Miranek again. Erassa wasn't quite sure what she could do for the Steward. Over the past sevenday, she had really grown found of his family. The children were so dear, and his wife such a tender hearted woman. Corowal she barely knew, and part of her was happy about that fact. Something about her made her... uncomfortable. She never quite knew what to say or how to act around him. So she silently laddled soup in a bowl and brought it to him along with his sandwich.

"Thank you Erassa," The steward said absently. He was so wrapped up with his worry over Ofelia to really notice her. She was just there, making their life little bit easier. She gave him a small smile and walked back to get his glass of juice and bowl of salad. Setting it in front of him, she felt she had to say _something_... "She will feel better after a nap, I'm sure."

"I do hope so," Corowal said fervently.

The fell back into an uncomfortable silence again as Erassa moved to wash the dishes. After a few minutes, she couldn't bare the silence anymore. "Ofewal seems to be doing better, though," she offered, hoping to give him at least one ray of hope.

"That's good. Maybe the climate is agreeing with him. Sea air can be harsh to lungs," Corowal said, **Or he's just being nice boy for a chance and trying save his mother from worrying.** When Ofewal really wanted something, he could work himself up to an asthma attack. "I hope so. He's a sweet boy," Erassa smiled. "He's very good with Felcoron."

"Really? Felcoron is usually following Corofel around. On the other hand, Ofewal is closer to his age," Corowal said. The young woman shrugged. "Perhaps its because he can't run around as much as Corofel. Felcoron is more his speed."

"Possibly. I don't get to spend enough time with the children nowadays," the Steward said wistfully. "Well, I'm sure once the Lord Holder is feeling better you will find a bit more time," she said as she pulled out a towel to start drying the dripping dishes.

"I certainly hope so, " Corowal grumbled. He was finding her easy to talk to and she listened well. At the moment, that was what he needed most. There was a knock at the door. **Shards...** "I'll get it," Erassa said as she set down her dish and towel. It would probably be her mother bringing Beleran for his feeding. And with the steward still there! She hadn't thought he would be that late... Her face was flushed as she hurried over to the door. "This one's getting a bit hungry," her mother said as she handed her daughter her grandson.

**Couldn't you have waited just a candlemark more?** Erassa thought as she took the babe in her arms. Her mother followed her into the room and smiled at the Steward sitting at the table.

"Steward Corowal, this is my mother Assalia," the young woman mumbled politely. Faranth's name, he was going to be sitting there while she fed the baby too...

"Nice to meet you," the older woman smiled and curtsied. "I just brought Erassa her little one for his feeding."

"I'm pleased to meet you, Assalia," Corowal greeted and gave him one of charming smiles. "Thank you," the woman smiled. "She won't be but a few minutes." Shell cracks... Where was she going to _feed_ him? She couldn't just whip out her breast in front of the Steward, nor could she go into one of the bedrooms and risk waking the children or her mother... She grabbed one of the chairs with an apologetic smiled and moved it further into the living room and turned it so her back would be to the man as he ate. Murmuring sofly to her son, blushing furiously, she unbuttoned her tunic and began he began to feed.

"I hear you have another child of your own on the way," Assalia said to fill the silence.

"Yes, I do. That's why I had to hire Erassa. My wife is having difficult pregnancy and somebody has to tend the children. Your daughter is doing a good job," Corowal said. "Yes, she's always been good with the little ones," her mother smiled. "She worked in the nursery after Harper classes finished and before she found a husband."

Corowal just nodded and consentrated to his lunch. But her words did catch his attention. Erassa winced as Beleran clamped down a bit hard with his sharp little baby teeth. She noticed that the Steward went quiet after hearing her mother refer to her 'husband'. Shards, why did she always have to do that. Corowal already knew she was at the Weyr. Why did her mother always have to try to justify it as a legitimate marriage. Everyone knew better.

Her mother continued on. "You are new to Emerald Falls, are you not? How does your family find out Hold?"

"Yes, we came from Coral Bay. They like it here. The climate requires some getting used to, but the country side is absolutely beautiful," Corowal replied. The young mother switched him to the other side as Beleran began to make happy little snorting noises, his eyes slowly drifting shut. Soon he would be asleep and Erassa could go back to her work. More importantly, she could get rid of her mother, though she wished she could spend more time with her little boy. But this was only a temporary arrangement. Ofelia would have her baby soon, and then she would hopefully regain the strength to care for her family herself.

"I'm glad to hear you think so. It's a good climate for children. Lots of green growing things, warm weather with very little chill. I can't see how some people can stand the colder climates," Assalia smiled.

"Well, Coral Bay is tropic. It's always either hot and dry or hot and wet," Corowal told. "Oh, well, it seems to just be hot and wet her," her mother chuckled.

"I'm almost done here, sir," Erassa said over her shoulder. Beleran was drifting asleep, nursing more for comfort than for actual need. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

"I'm not bothered, I've seen babies fed before," Corowal shrugged it off.

Well, it still made Erassa sharding uncomfortable. Especially considering some of the admiring looks the Steward had cast her way...

"I keep trying to tell Erassa its perfectly natural," her mother chuckled. "We were all fed that way ourselves after all."

"Yes, it is," Corowal agreed with her.

And the fact that her mother kept _talking_ about it with him just made it worse! Closing her tunic once more, Erassa picked up the sleepy child and held her against her shoulder, trying to ignore her mother and just enjoy the precious moment she had with her son. Finally she stood and carefully carried the chair back to the table. "He's asleep now, Ma."

"Oh well, I better take him home then," Assalia smiled as she stood and walked around to take her grandson. "It was nice talking to you, sir."

"Likewise, ma'am," Corowal replied politely. Well, it certainly had been interresting, especially the "husband"-thing. Erassa walked them to the door and softly kissed her sons head before closing the door behind them. "I'm sorry about that. Can I get you anything, sir? Do you need another bowl of soup?"

"No, thank you. I just finish this and then get back to my work," Corowal said. "Yes sir," she said walking back to finish the dishes. Erassa could only hope he wasn't as embarrassed by the whole thing as she was.

Last updated on the July 28th 2006

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Intresting and embarrassing