In the Wher's Den.

Writers: Leigh M-F., Paula
Date Posted: 23rd September 2016

Characters: Nohria, Pelanka
Description: Nohria seeks advice from Pelanka, but the conversation takes a decidedly different turn.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 7, day 13 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Corran, Goulan (ONPC).

Nohria was still out of sorts. Corran's letter was weighing on her despite her choices, and she was beginning to think she might need a new strategy. It lead her to linger over her wine at dinner, though getting tipsy wasn't going to help at all.

"Nohria?" Pelanka spotted the drudge and noticed her expression. She and few other hold ladies had been making berry jams and juices whole day and the sweet scent of boiled berries still lingered around her. She had grabbed a plate filled with food, with a plan to fetch her daughter and eat quickly in their quarters before the evening chores. She usually cooked herself but today had left no time for it.

"Pelanka, hello." Nohria summoned a smile for the other woman, but her heart wasn't in it. "You've been with the bakers, haven't you?"

"Yes, I was helping to make preserves," Pelanka smiled when she replied. She couldn't help the way her heart beat sped up at the sight of Nohria.

Ooo, fresh preserves. That would be lovely to have at breakfast. "Thank you for your hard work," she said, and had another swig of the wine.

Pelanka nodded. "I don't just sit idle whole day," she said. "Are you alright? Perhaps you should slow down a bit?," she suggested and pointed the wine.

Nohria almost laughed. "Maybe I should," she said, and had yet another drink, setting the goblet down. "I'm not all right," she stated, rubbing her forehead. Even as the words left her lips, she knew she shouldn't have spoken them. But on the other hand, few things created solidarity among women like man trouble, and it might make it easier to recruit Pelanka if the drudge opened up, offered trust. "I'm torn, Pelanka."

"Oh," Pelanka made sympathic sound. She put her dinner plate down to the table and pulled herself chair. Her daughter was 13, she could take care of herself. "What's tearing you up?" she was all compassion and it wasn't even faked.

Nohria smiled sadly. "There's a man I want very badly. I don't love him, but I want him. He's so kind, and hard-working, and humble. I want him even more than I wanted my late husband. But I can't have him because I fear he would try to take away my independence, force me to become a broodmare. However, he's sweet on me. He wants me to meet his parents. And I- I don't know how to broach the subject. He's such a genuinely good man that he couldn't possibly dream of trying to make me into a common holder wife, but I'm still afraid. It's not fair, and I hate it."

"And he's too decent to just scratch your itch and move on?" Pelanka asked. "Where did you find this guy? He's a rare one."

"Among the guards." Nohria finished her wine. "What should I do? Just give him up as a lost cause, or make him scratch the itch and then give up? Or- Or should I risk it?"

"He's not married or anything?" Pelanka asked catiously. Her brother was guard and that description could fit him too. He was a happily married man though, so he wouldn't give Nohria a second glance. She mentally berated herself for being paranoid. "It's a tough dilemma you got there, my friend."

The drudge shook her head, smiling lopsidedly. "No. I think he's been a career man from the moment he apprenticed and didn't much think of women because he was so busy. And now there's me, and it is tough, because I just don't know what to do. That's why I'm hoping you might have some advice."

"I'm probably the last woman you should ask advice about men or relationships," Pelanka said with self-ironic smile. "I can't even get my own marriage to work out."

Nohria sat up straighter. "Is he not good to you?"

"Depends," it was time to become evasive again. She was far too used it. "He would say I'm not good for _him_."

"Well, obviously he's full of it," Nohria said flatly. "You're considerate, hard-working, and quite attractive. Well, if the opinion of another woman means anything in these matters."

"Thank you," Pelanka said. She was also frigid, at least when men were conserned. She could get really passionate with other women though.
She could undestand her husbands point of view: finding out that the woman you love doesn't love you back... and loathes your touch. Yes, that could turn man bitter and sour.

Nohria leaned in and lowered her voice. "Come to me if your husband becomes unbearable to live with," she said, very seriously. "I can help you. I can't tell you how -not yet-, but there are ways to make things better."

"I'll remember that," Pelanka said equally low voice. "What are you hinting at? Killing him?" she grinned to show she wasn't serious. Inside she was jumping up and down in glee. Her mother's hunch about Nohria seemed to be correct.

"Don't insult me," Nohria rejoined in an absolutely glacial voice. "I'm concerned for your safety, and you're making stupid jokes? Of course I'm not suggesting he should die. There are worse things to do to a man." She finished her wine, set the goblet down hard, and stood up. "If you find you actually want your problems solved, find me. Until then, don't bother."

Murder was an absolute last resort. Even her own grandmother had been possessed of no other options when she poisoned her abusive husband, and she well knew the wickedness of her deed. Malinnka hadn't enjoyed it in the least. Nohria didn't relish the idea either. If this mess could be fixed without any loss of life, bandit or Holder, then that would be the best outcome.

But she did wonder just how bad Pelanka's marriage was if the first option she suggested was murder, even in jest.

Apparently, Pelanka's sense of humour was not understood by Nohria. "I was not insulting you," she said with apologetic tone. "I'm sorry if I did." She remainded sitting where she was. She was not going to pursue the issue right now, neither was she going to follow Nohria. She didn't want to be seen too eager.

Nohria gave her a long look, then sighed. "Just- please, take your safety and your happiness seriously. I'll be around if you need me," she finally said. "The world is a wher's den for holder women. We need each other. Surely you've seen that."

"Yes, I can see that. However, I have a daughter I would never leave behind," Pelanka replied with sad smile.

Nohria's eyes narrowed and turned into chips of onyx, cold and hard. She hadn't _said_ Pelanka had to go anywhere, even though that was what she had in mind; she had only said there were options. "Then what do you want to do?"

"I don't know," Pelanka sighed.

"I suggest you think about it with the seriousness your situation deserves," the drudge said, and made to leave, feeling extremely unsettled. She was going to have to tell Goulan about this.

And Pelanka was left to wonder if she had slipped out something. This was harder than she had thought.

Last updated on the September 28th 2016

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In the Wher's Den.