Can We At Least Be Friends?

Writers: Ames
Date Posted: 15th August 2010

Characters: Lisadi, Trewlin
Description: Lisadi meets Trewlin, her foster son, for the first time.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 10, day 10 of Turn 5
Notes: Mentioned: Corowal
Follows Take Care of the Little Ones

Lisadi stood waiting for the harper class to dismiss for the day.
She'd already spoken with the harper teacher and he had assured her he
would have Trewlin remain behind for a short time, so she could
introduce herself.

Once all the other students had gone, Lisadi entered the room. At the
front she saw the harper talking with a young boy with brown hair.
When the harper looked up he nodded in her direction and then he
gestured for Trewlin to turn. The moment the boy did so, the harper
seemed to fade into the background.

Lisadi moved forward, keeping a healthy distance between them, just in case.

"Who are you?" The boy asked bluntly. His eyes seemed to shine with defiance.

"I am Lisadi. You must be Trewlin." She took a step closer.

"Are you the fosterer that I was told would come for me soon?" He
asked, his tone of voice indicating he was not pleased.

"Yes, yes I am. Lord Corowal has asked me to look after you."

Before Lisadi could say more, Trewlin rudely interrupted. "I don't
need anybody to look after me!" His voice rose. "And I don't want you!
I had a mother. She loved me. Noone will try and replace her," his
tiny voice cracked as he turned his eyes downward to hide the tears.

"Trewlin," Lisadi spoke softly, having crouched down quietly before
him. "I would never dream of replacing your mother. I'm sure she was a
wonderful woman." She watched his bowed head nod. She inched forward
further. "I would, however, like to be your friend, if that's alright
with you."

"Grownups aren't friends with kids," he sniffled, swiping his nose
with the back of his hand. Trewlin ventured to glance up at Lisadi.

She smiled kindly at him. "Grownup and children can be friends if they
want to be," she replied gently. "May I be your friend, Trewlin?
Provide you with a place to sleep, the things you need, and someone to
talk to, when you wish to talk, of course." Lisadi opened her arms
slightly as if to indicate she had no ill intentions. She waited with
baited breath as the boy seemed to examine every inch of her.

Finally, Trewlin shrugged. "I guess so." He was sick of living in the
cramped bed chambers they'd set up to house all the children. It
wasn't the same as having his own place. At least if he went with her
he'd have his own bedroom. A place just for him. A place to keep the
heart locket from his mother that he had somehow managed to
grab during the fire. It was all he had left of her.

Trewlin looked up at her and nodded. "I'll come with you. I don't want
any friends though. Just a bed of my own. A room I don't have to share
with all the other losers," he all but spat those words out.

Deciding now was not the time to correct him, Lisadi let his unkind
remarks pass. "If that's what you want Trewlin, that's how things will
be." **I only hope that soon you will see how much I can help you,**
she thought to herself as she indicated that he could walk ahead of
her. Lisadi dared not touch him for fear it would break the tentative
truce they seemed to have reached. Hopefully, over time, he would let
her in and let her help him to heal. She knew just how difficult the
grieving process could be. She would be there for him whenever he was
ready.

Last updated on the September 22nd 2010

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Can We At Least Be Friends?