Life, Loss, and Laughter

Writers: Ames, Eimi
Date Posted: 15th August 2010

Characters: Lisadi, Narumi
Description: Lisadi and Narumi develop a friendship as they talk of children, life, and loves.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 10, day 16 of Turn 5
Notes: Note: Takes place after EFH: Take Care of the Little Ones and EFH: Can
We At Least Be Friends

Sitting off to the side of the large room, Lisadi watched Dareera
carefully. The young girl was playing on the soft
carpet with a small doll that she'd been given. Dareera seemed so
happy chattering away at the doll, it made Lisadi ecstatic. Dareera
had been shy and uncertain since Lisadi had taken her under her wing.
Yet, casting her glance across the room, Lisadi knew that Dareera was
already coming around. Trewlin, now. He was a different story. He'd
gone off and was sitting, alone, in the corner of the room again.
Lisadi ached to reach him, but he was still so closed off to her. So
much loss and anguish this pair had suffered. She only hoped she could
truly be a good foster mother to them both.

Narumi had heard that Lisadi was taking on two fosterlings. She was
sure it was a little overwhelming, especially considering the traumatic
history of the two little ones. Well, she was sure she knew something
that would help. She would bring her own two darling children to try
to
coax them out of their shell a bit, and lend Lisadi an experienced ear.

She warned her children to be on their best behavior as they stood in
the corridor outside Lisadi's rooms. "Ready everybody?"

Lisadi heard voices outside and she looked up. The door was open,
clearly inviting any to enter if they so desired. Even Trewlin had
glanced towards the doorway. Perhaps his curiosity would finally allow
her to win him over. Lisadi could only hope so. Her eyes were still
watching the entryway when the footsteps got closer.

"Good afternoon, Lisadi, children," Narumi nodded each child in turn.
"I came by with a chat and brought Binmi and Jarum with me, if you don't
mind."

The little girl and boy each nodded their greeting to the lady like they
had been taught, but then their eyes naturally gravitated towards the
children with a more friendly smile.

"Narumi," Lisadi said, rising from where she sat. She had met the
other woman recently, and had enjoyed her company. "Children," Lisadi
smiled at both Binmi and Jarum. "Go ahead, go play," she indicated her
own two fosterlings. Dareera and Trewlin were both watching the
newcomers with interest. Dareera suddenly got up, and hobbling a bit
on her bad leg, approached them both.

"Play...me?" She asked, her big doe eyes peering at both of them.

Lisadi's heart seemed to overflow. Dareera didn't speak much since the
accident, and so each time she did, Lisadi felt it was like climbing
over a small hurdle.

"Narumi, would you care to sit? Can I get you some refreshment?"
Lisadi moved over to a pitcher of water that stood off to the side,
ready to pour them both a drink.

"Thank you. Binmi, why don't you show Dareera your dolls?" she said
giving her son a gentle push in Trewlin's direction. Sitting with a
sigh she looked at her friend. "Don't worry. Other than a canine,
children can touch children the fastest. I would have brought Digger,
but he's too old to even walk now." She sighed heavily once more,
shaking her head. "It will be a sad day, but it's coming soon."

Lisadi watched as Binmi joined Dareera and Jarum moved a bit more
cautiously towards Trewlin. At least the boy was showing interest.
That, in and of itself, was a good sign.

"I'm so glad you came Narumi," Lisadi handed her a cup with fresh
water as she sat with her own in hand. "Sometimes I just don't know if
I'm doing right by these two dears." She looked over at the other
woman with a smile. "I've had some wonderful canine friends myself in
the past. It is hard to lose them. I don't think Dareera or Trewlin
are ready for anything like that. Perhaps someday," Lisadi glanced
over at the children and felt her breath catch in her throat. All of
them. Yes, _all_ of them, even Trewlin were starting to play together.
It was a sight to behold. Lisadi turned back to Narumi with a look of
pure joy and astonishment on her face.

"They may have been through a lot, Lisadi, but they are still children.
Every child needs to play. It's how we forget how hard being a child
can be," her friend said giving her hand a pat. "Don't watch them too
closely or they might feel self-conscious."

Lisadi turned back to Narumi with a smile. "You are right my friend.
They need me to stop hovering so much," she laughed a little. "I'm
very glad you stopped by. It was such a pleasure to meet you the other
day. I'd been wanting to make some new friends here, but things just
seemed to become so very busy right after I arrived that seemed more
difficult than I had expected."

"Yes, I don't know what the Lord Holder was thinking putting this burden
on you so soon after arriving," Narumi said quietly with a disapproving
shake of her head. "Not to say these children aren't lucky to have
you,
of course, but I think he should have been more considerate."

"They needed a home. The poor dears. Lord Corowal was very gracious
about the whole thing. I could have declined, but I'm so glad I did
not. I feel that these two have already captured a place in my heart,
even in such as short time." Lisadi's smile was a bit wistful and she
chanced a quick glance at the children. They actually seemed happy,
really truly happy. Lisadi could not have been more pleased.

"So, tell me Narumi, how long have you lived here? Do you like it
here? I still feel like I'm adjusting, but now," she inclined her head
to where the children played in the background, "I can't imagine
myself anywhere else."

"Both Jabin and I were born and raised here. As were our parents and
theirs before them. I've never lived anywhere else and never had any
inclination to change that." She shrugged a shoulder elegantly. "I
guess Emerald Falls is too much a part of us now."

"Ah, I envy you that," Lisadi replied. "I grew up in a small cothold
of my father's and moved to another with my husband," her voice caught
a bit there. She really hadn't talked much about Burned since she'd
arrived at Emerald Falls. "Now, I'm here." She ended simply, glancing
down for a moment at her cup to regain any slight loss of her
composure.

Narumi touched Lisadi's hand again. "I guess if anyone knows how those
two youngsters feel, it's you."

Her smile tainted with a hint of sadness, but it was genuine none the
less. "It's definitely not an easy thing to deal with." Lisadi turned
her hand and gave Narumi's a squeeze in return.

"Let's talk about something happier. Tell me about Jabin. I don't
believe I've met him yet. What does he do here? What is he like?"

"Oh, well, where do I start?" Narumi asked, her face softening at talk
of her husband. "Well, he's not the most handsome man in the Hold, but
he's kind. Gentle. A wonderful father. He's a carpenter. We grew
up together and I had no other love but him."

Why she hadn't realized that topic would not lighten her mood, Lisadi
didn't know. Her thoughts turned to Burned. Finally, she felt the need
to release the hold on his memory she'd placed there when she arrived
at Emerald Falls.

"Burned, my late husband," she swallowed a bit, "was a good man too.
He was an excellent farmer. I still miss him dearly." Then taking in a
deep breath and blinking away at the hint of moisture in her eyes,
Lisadi looked at Narumi and laughed a bit, "I guess that didn't
exactly equal with happier talk."

"Well, then, why don't you look at the children," her friend said,
turning back to the group that was now laughing at some new joke, "See
how happy they are playing together, and know that nothing hurts
forever."

They were happy, Lisadi knew that. Children were like the light of the
sun rising. They could brighten any moment. They would never replace
the loss, but they would bring joy and laughter and ease the feelings
from the past.

"They _are_ lovely," she replied with a small smile.

"So how do you spend your days here?" Lisadi asked, "I have offered my
services to the seamstresses, but since I got the children, I haven
not been down there much."

"If only I had time for something fun like that," Narumi said with a
shake of her head. "I have the children, I have my mother, I have
Jabin's mother, I have Jabin's grandmother, and then I have my own home
to clean, meals to cook, a canine to care for, laundry to do, clothes to
mend... I swear if I can find half a candlemark to spend down at the
ladies solar, I'm happy!"

"I may be headed in that direction myself!" Lisadi exclaimed. "Though
so far with Trewlin and Dareera, I still have time during the day to
help, while Trewlin is in harper classes. I've helped to run a small
cothold before, so I have learned to manage my time as best as
possible." Lisadi took another sip of her drink.

"Well, it helps to have no other family," Narumi softly admitted. "I
love them all, but I really wish Jarbin and I had brothers and sisters
who lived in the Hold proper still. They've conveniently scattered
themselves in the minor holdings. They'll help on restdays, but..."
She sighed and then brightened up with a smile. "Someday I will have
time to do something I love that is just for me."

"What would you choose? If you could choose anything?" Lisadi asked,
her face brightening. "I love sewing. If we had been permitted to
study in the crafts, I would have loved to have worked my way up as a
weaver. Though I bet studying the Vintner craft would
be...interesting," Lisadi mimicked lifting a bottle to her lips and
then laughed at the thought.

Her friend smiled, thinking a drink wouldn't be bad. "I would try my
hand at music. I have always loved the sound of a harp and wondered
what it would be like to play."

"Ah, I do not have that talent. Have you dabbled at all? I always
loved to listen to the music that was played back at the cothold. I've
heard some even more amazing musicians since I arrived here," Lisadi
said.

"I haven't. But I do love to listen. Well," Narumi said as she gave
Lisadi's hand one more quick grasp, "I have to check on the grannies.
I'll leave the children here, if it's all right with you."

"Yes, that's fine Narumi. They seem to be enjoying each other's
company very much. I'm so glad you stopped by." Lisadi returned the
squeeze as a sign of friendship. "I hope we'll have many more
opportunities to talk.

Last updated on the September 22nd 2010

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Life, Loss, and Laughter