A little handful

Writers: Emma, Paula
Date Posted: 17th January 2007

Characters: Corowal, Miranek
Description: Corowal and the baby find themself at Miranek's infirmary again.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 2, day 3 of Turn 4

"I'll be with you in a moment," called out the Master Healer as he began to wash his hands before seeing the next patient.

"All right," Corowal grunted, bouncing the crying baby against his shoulder. They seemed to be regular visitors at the infirmary. This time it was probably just colic, but you never knew.

As he dried his hands, and turned round, a smile crossed his face. Even though she was unable to see, Wallia was a pretty baby. But the crying spoilt that. "What seems to be wrong with her today?"

"Tummy ache, I think. She cried whole yesterday evening and continues today. It might be colic. Ofewal and Corolia had it too," Corowal said. "But I want you to check her anyway."

"Of course." He reached out to take the baby from her father. "Has she been feeding normally?"

"As far as I know, yes, she is," Corowal answered.

"And her bowel movements?" It had to be asked.

"Normal according to my experience," Corowal replied with a faint smile. Swiftly, yet delicately the Healer examined the crying child. "I don't think it's anything serious. You're more than likely right about the colic."

"She's following the footsteps of her older siblings," Corowal shrugged. "It is annoying, but knowing it will pass in few months helps." "Then I guess you know what to do. Keep an eye on her though, and if you think she's in real trouble, bring her straight back here."

"Of course I will," Corowal replied.

"How's she been otherwise?" he asked as he handed her gently back to her father.

"Like any other baby of her age," Corowal said. "Her blindness isn't so apparent when she's not moving around yet. But she smiles only when she hears mine or Erassa's voice, not when she sees our faces."

"Until she's a little older yet, we won't be able to tell if she can see anything," said the Healer. It's possible she may react to light, or bright colours."

"How does a blind person learn to walk?" Corowal asked, watching the baby's pink face.

"Slowly and with great care. She'll want to pull herself up on things like all babies do, and she'll need to have people holding her and watching her at first. Then you'll have to make absolutely certain that every piece of furniture stays where it always has been."

"That sounds awkward. Well, we still have a turn or so to prepare. Would you expect her be slower in learning to move around?"

"She may be, and she'll probably get very frustrated by it. Her body will be ready, but she'll not be able to manage without a lot of help at first."

"Sounds like you are going to be a handful," Corowal remarked to the baby.
"I looked up some books about blindness and they all seemed to say that other senses get more sharper when one is missing?" "The mind and body learn to compensate. Nobody will be able to sneak around her!"

"Her brothers are probably going to try to!" Corowal chuckled.

"Boys will be boys," laughed the healer in response.

Corowal absently wondered what kind of toys you could give to a blind child.
A pretty doll would go waste with her, or would it?

Last updated on the January 17th 2007

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A little handful