The Dance, The Drink, and The Man

Writers: Clancey, Paula
Date Posted: 13th April 2011

Characters: Felyna, Corowal, Giffin
Description: Felyna makes a mistake at Turnover, but the results surprise even her.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 13, day 29 of Turn 5
Notes: Mentioned: Erassa

Felyna

The lovely Lady Holder glanced away from the Weaver Hallmaster she was
talking with, making sure she had seen what she thought she had seen.

Her husband, dancing with the foster mother.

Green eyes narrowed sharply, even though she tried to pull her attention
back to her conversation partner. It was her duty to entertain the various
Hallmasters and other important guests at the Turn's End celebration when
Corowal could not, or was otherwise engaged.

But he was not supposed to be 'otherwise engaged' with the foster mother!
There were plenty of Lady Holders and wives of Hallmasters and other guests
that he should be dancing with, not Erassa. It was simply not proper. And
might insult a few of the stiffer Ladies present.

Only turns of practice enabled her to hold onto her smile for the current
Hallmaster, but as soon as one of his Crafters joined them, she excused
herself adroitly.

But instead of heading for her husband, she went to get a drink.

She never drank at events like this, there were far too many details
requiring her full attention - one of them being her husband, apparently -
to allow herself any relaxation. But she enjoyed that, usually, just as
much as drinking ale or wine until she was insensible. It was a different
kind of challenge for her. The perfect celebration was something she
desired for her guests, and her husband, and she worked hard with the other
ladies in the Hold to see that it was as perfect as possible until the last
barrel of ale was emptied and the last bubbly pie eaten.

But not tonight. She had had it with her husband and his infatuation with
the foster mother. There was no reason, not one single reason, for Erassa
to be living with them still in their suite. The children were all of an
age that they could do without Erassa at night and they had both Felyna and
Corowal to see to their needs. They were attached to her, of course, and
Felyna wouldn't want them not to be, but it was more than past time for the
foster mother to have her own quarters. It was so very unusual, their
situation, and she was so tired of not having her home to herself. She and
Corowal had been married nearly a turn now, and some of the gossip had died
down for a time, but Erassa and Corowal dancing would be sure to start up
all the rumors again.

How had she allowed this to continue? She liked Erassa and wanted the best
for her, but that did not mean she was willing to submit their family to
scandals and tension when it wasn't necessary. Nor to share her home. It
was _her_ home. A sharp sigh as she asked for and was given a large glass
of her favorite wine.

She emptied that glass swiftly and had it refilled at least twice before
leaving the Vintner's table.

Now where had her husband gotten to? If he was still dancing with Erassa,
she was going to... well she didn't know what she was going to do, but it
probably would not end well.

Corowal had danced only one dance with Erassa and then left her alone. He
was now chatting with one of the minor holders, when he felt her gaze. He
turned to see and smiled at his wife across the floor. Perhaps he should ask
her for another dance.

She did feel some relief to see Corowal doing his duty as host and not
dancing with Erassa when she found him across the way. Still, she was on
her third... fourth...? glass of wine, and she could feel the warmth curling
through her stomach and up to her throat and face, creating a flush. She
returned the smile without thought, though her eyes were sharp and narrowed,
if he had been able to see them close up. Perhaps she would dance with him
again. Remind him why he was married to her.
She took another long drink of wine and began to make her way to his side,
to see how she felt when she arrived at his side.
She was not wobbling, yet, when walking, and she was, of course, gowned and
made up beautifully. The dress she wore had a nice, light skirt for
dancing, but sacrificed nothing of fashion and propriety in the length or
style. Her waist, still slim, looked slimmer than usual within the design
and the neckline was low but did not show cleavage, only some lovely, soft
skin under a gorgeous pendant Corowal himself had given her, in Emerald
Falls colors.
She said nothing as of yet, merely arrived beside him with a warm, welcoming
smile for the Holder he was speaking with, and tucking her arm into
Corowal's. That, she had to do, for appearance. But she had not yet
decided to dance.
"Have you met holder Giffin, Felyna?" Corowal asked. "His hold is the most
distant from Emerald Falls hold."

"Pleased to meet you, Lady," the holder bowed. He was grizzled old man who
used cane.

Felyna seemed to have a bit of trouble focusing on the man's face and
tightened her grip on Corowal's arm as she tried to shift to extend her
hand. Perhaps she had had too much wine...

She waited a moment for her vision to steady, then said, mostly clearly,
"Hello, Holder Giffin. Welcome to Emerald Falls. So pleased to meet
you." The pleased sounded a bit more like 'pweased' but maybe the Holder
wouldn't notice? Or Corowal?

Corowal did noticed and glanced her with narrowed eyes. "Perhaps we could go
to sit down for a while," he suggested.

She, of course, did not catch the narrowed eyes. "Nonsense, husband.
Holder Giffin here needs company, do you not?" She tapped his cane with her
fingers. Something a sober Felyna would _never_ have done. "We'll just
get a little more wine and talk a little... more... or maybe dance." She
added, though that would surely be a disaster.

"I don't dance, my lady," Holder Giffin said and tried discreetly shift his
cane away from her.
"Tell me, Felyna, are we to expect news about new heir or heiress any time
soon?" he continued asking.

Felyna might have stumbled when the cane shifted away from her, but Corowal
was gripping her arm so tight now, it was almost hurting. She may have
marks, but she would be glad of it in the morning for not falling on her
face in front of a guest.

When the Holder stated his innocent question, or maybe not so innocent, she
visibly flinched. Her emotions were all akimbo due to the wine and her
irritation and aggravation with not only her husband, but knowing she
couldn't speak to him about it again. Her wishes where Erassa were
concerned seemed to matter not at all, though he had, so far, gone along
with being honest with her about the pretty foster mother that shared their
suite. Anger quickly rose up to dampen the initial pain his question had
caused.

She almost - almost - lost her temper there in front of Holder Griffin. Her
eyes flashed dangerously before she answered him and she was unable to
control it as smoothly as when she was sober. Though, truth be told,
Corowal had told her to have children if she wished. She just hadn't yet,
though she didn't think it was for lack of trying. She wasn't mad at _him_
precisely, but more at their entire situation.

"I hope soon, Holder Griffin. Though of course, Corowal's children from his
first marriage are the heirs to Emerald Falls before any children I might
have, as you know. But I know Corowal and I would love to provide the Hold
with more children from our marriage, and we intend to do so." She was very
clear about that part, or she tried to be anyway, but the wine was
interfering with her ability to think and speak rationally.

"Of course, my lady," the holder looked bit bewildered.

"Felyna," Corowal's tone had a warning in it. She obviously had too many
drinks. He had not expected this kind of behaviour from his wife. She was
always so...perfect. "We shall talk more tomorrow, holder Giffin," he nodded
at the older man.

"Yes, M'lord," he replied.

"Come on, dear, let's sit down for a moment and enjoy those nibbly bites the
kitchen staff has prepared," he said to his wife and started to led her
towards the banquet table.

His tone did get through to her and she made her farewells to the Holder,
who would no doubt have something interesting to say about the Lady Holder,
and went along with Corowal. Well, she really had little choice. She was
not certain she could walk by herself at this point.

When they arrived at the table, she sat down quickly, and nodded. "Some of
these delicious snacks will help balance the wine." She managed to get that
out alright, now that they were a little alone. She spoke very quietly,
though, not wanting any curious guests to overhear. Some of her anger had
left, but now her head was definitely fuzzy.

Finally, she looked at her husband and said in the same quiet voice,
"Corowal, I think I might have had a glass of wine, or two." which,
considering her current mental state, was the most hilarious understatement
of the entire turn.

"Yes, too much," Corowal agreed and handed her a small sandwich. Of course,
he had plenty of drink himself but he was still control of himself. He
leaned closer and brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. "What's wrong
Felyna?" he asked.
His almost tender attention made her feel awful for her reaction to seeing
him dancing with Erassa. She took the sandwich without arguing and took a
few bites before she spoke, looking up into his face for a long moment as
she decided whether or not she could trust him, tell him the truth.
Silence reigned between them for a little while longer before she saw
something, felt something, and said quietly, "I saw you dancing with
Erassa...." her cheeks colored hotly. "I was...upset. I'm sorry,
husband. It was a poor reaction to .. a dance."

But her voice was a little shaky, and as she spoke she identified another
emotion. An ugly one - jealousy. It had been hiding behind her
irritation and worry over the rumors the dance would start up again. She
hadn't realized... Idiot woman. She had no room for jealousy in this
marriage. None at all. But that green envy probably showed in her eyes,
or on her face, while she spoke. She had given up trying to hide her
emotions, for the moment.
"Oh, Felyna, you shouldn't be jealous. It was just one dance and I've been
dancing with almost everyone here. I thought she deserved one too, since
she's been mostly minding the children and not gotten much chance to
celebrate," Corowal replied and crouched next to her, holding her free hand.

In her mind, she knew the real reason. He had wanted to dance with her,
hold her close. But she also recognized that he was being completely
wonderful at the moment, and it nearly undid her. She almost melted in her
seat, holding his hand gently, her fingers tracing the strong lines of his
palm. "You're right, my love." The 'l' word slipped out without
thought, and she did not notice. Would he?

She went on. "I should not. It was very sweet of you to dance with her.
" Her eyes warmed as she looked at him. "I am very sorry; I lost my head
for no reason at all. It is... not like me." She blushed, her cheeks
coloring.
Nothing slipped past Corowal. He glanced around. The harpers had moved to
slower pieces and those still on dance floor were more leaning to each other
than dancing. Some were slipping out, some had gathered to small groups to
talk and rest of were getting very drunk. "You want to withdraw early?" he
asked with mischievious smile.
Her gaze on his steadied, and burned with something like fire sparking in
the depths of her eyes. "Very much. And no children in the bed tonight,
they'll be fine in their own beds. I have ...plans... for you." Her voice
softened as she spoke but her gaze didn't waiver.
"Okay, let's go," Corowal said with wide smile and helped her up. Man like
him just couldn't resist a willing woman.

She stuck her hand in his and smiled all the way to their bed. She was
very pleased with the way things had turned around this evening. Perhaps
she should drink too much wine and show more emotion, more often, if this
was where it led.

Last updated on the April 27th 2011

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The Dance, The Drink, and The Man