Out to Play

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 15th April 2019

Characters: Ailda, Erassa, Corolia, Wallia, Felcoron
Description: Erassa and the children invite cousin-Ailda come along them.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 10, day 5 of Turn 9

***
"Cousin Ailda!" Corolia cried and ran to catch up the young woman,
slipping her hand to Ailda's hand..

Ailda had just come from riding and was still wearing her riding gear
when she was ambushed by the little girl "Hey, Corolia, don't tell me
you've ran off from Erassa, again," Ailda said. She was quite fond of
her young cousin. Their mother had been related, both being Coral
Bay's Blood.

"Nah, we're heading out to play, that is when Erassa gets the little
one's dressed up," Corolia replied. The Spring had arrived with meant
weather was improving, but it wasn't yet in summer temperatures.

Erassa soon walked into view, Wallia holding one hand and Beleran the
other. The littlest ones were left to nap while the wetnurse watched
over them. She had to admit, it was nice having help from time to
time!

She recognized Ailda immediately. The young woman was not only
related, but had acted as a lady in waiting to Corowal's late wife.
"Lady Ailda," she said with a polite nod and smile of greeting.

"Erassa," Ailda nodded and smiled. "Need help with them?" Ailda didn't
mind turning around and go back outside to spend with time with her
cousins.

"Well, I think that would be a fun outing, wouldn't it," Erassa said,
looking at the children with an excited expression. "What do you all
think? Shall we invite Ailda out with us?"

"Yes," Corolia replied and took Ailda's hand.

"Why are you wearing trousers?" Felcoron asked. Usually, when he saw
her, Ailda was wearing dresses like all the other ladies.

"Because I was just riding. Have you ever ridden in a dress?" Ailda
made a face. "More comfortable in trousers."

Erassa smiled, knowing exactly what she was talking about. "Would you
like to try, Felcoron? I'm sure I could find a skirt for you."

"That would be something," Ailda said and giggled with Corolia.

"It seems like a fine day for a ride," Erassa commented. She never
really knew what to talk about with Ailda. Though they were similar
in age, they were from very different stations in life. As much as
Corowal and his children considered Erassa family, his cousin might
not. She had been Felyna's lady in waiting, and the former Lady
Holder had kept her distance from the foster mother. It was hard to
tell what the young woman thought of her.

"It is," AIlda confirmed. "So, what were you planning to do?"

"We were going to walk down to the greenhouses to see what they've got
growing there now." Erassa had always liked walking around inside the
warm, brightly lit buildings. She found something about green growing
things relaxing.

"Sounds fun. Don't you just love spring?" Ailda said.

"But I want to go watch the riverboats," Felcoron sulked.

"You can watch them from the window with Coria and Collyn. There's a
good view from up there," Erassa reminded him sweetly. "Or you can
come with us. Up to you."

"I like the way the greenhouse smells. Can we go now? I'm getting hot
in a jacket," Wallia said impatiently.

"We are going, sweetheart," Erassa said steering them in the direction
of the greenhouses. "Have you seen them in the spring, Ailda?"

"Yes, but it's something I don't get bored at. There were no seasons
in Coral Bay. There was just hot, more hot and hot and humid and
hurricanes."

"Ooooh, I would not like hurricanes." Erassa shook her head at the
thought. "They must be so scary."

"Oh, yes, I'm not missing them at all," Ailda replied.

"Aren't we lucky to live in a place with no hurricanes?" the foster
mother said, addressing her charges.

"Yes, we are," the older children all agreed.

"What's hurricane?" Wallia asked.

"A very bad storm that comes from the sea," Ailda replied and Wallia
shuddered. She didn't like storms.

"You don't miss Coral Bay?" Erassa asked, curious about how Ailda
found their home now that she had been here for a while.

"Not as much I thought I would," Ailda replied. "I miss my family
most, my siblings. My father was never around much anyway."

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that," Erassa said, wondering if she had asked
a question that was far too personal.

"He's a seacrafter, so he's always off sailing on his ship," Ailda told them.

"Ah," Erassa said, relieved that it wasn't for personal reasons.
"That must have been hard for your mother."

Ailda's expression turned sad. "She died when I was little."

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that," the foster mother said, flinching as
she realized that she had repeated the exact same words not moments
before. How very awkward.

"Us poor orphans, right Corolia?" Ailda said with a wink which just
left the little girl confused. What was fun about being orphan?

Erassa also was not sure what the joke might be, and wasn't sure if it
was appropriate to be kidding about such things with a young girl who
had lost her mother. But at least she was not angry. "So," she said,
in order to change the topic, "Do you think you will stay at Emerald
Falls, or would you eventually like to go back to Coral Bay?"

"I don't know, we'll see what happens," Ailda replied.

"Well, I'm sure you all hope that your cousin will be with us for a
long time," Erassa said with a look to the children.

"Yes," The chilren replied and Felcoron went to tug Ailda's sleeve.
"Race you outside?" The boy asked hopefully.

Last updated on the May 3rd 2019

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Out to Play