A Good day

Writers: Suzee, Paula
Date Posted: 20th October 2014

Characters: Benani, Zelanka
Description: The Lady has a good day
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 9, day 12 of Turn 7

Benani

Zelanka knocked the door, balancing a tray with one hand.
"Benani, sweetheart, it's me. Can I come in?"

"Yes Zelanka," she called. "Come on in." She had Ailnim in her lap
reading a book and the twins were playing with toys in the middle of
the carpet. The nurse had gone to prepare the children's dinner and
would be back for them momentarily.

Zelanka stepped in and smiled when she saw that picture of domestic
bliss. "I came bearing gifts," she placed the tray on table. "There's
sandwiches for you, boys."

"Oh boy sandwiches," Benani's eyes got really big and she grinned at
the children. Ailnim at three turns was eager and jumped off her lap to
run to Zelanka.

"What kind of sandwiches Auntie Zela," he lisped. He wasn't quite old
enough to grasp relationships so to him everyone was Auntie or Uncle.

Zathan was so engrossed with his runners that he didn't hear his
mother but Benaris pushed up on to his feet and grabbed onto his
mothers skirts.

"Let's see, there's cheese and vegetables, steak slices and ones with
fish-paste," she smiled and ruffled the boy's head. The fish-paste was
her own secret recipe.

"Fish, fish, fish," Ailnim chanted and bounced next to the headwoman.
He was very familiar with Zelanka's cooking as they all were and he
was especially fond of her fishpaste.

"fis, fis," Benaris tried to copy Ailnim in his chant, chubby hands
clapping together while his mother placed him in his high chair at the
table.

"Come on Zathan," she turned to pick up the elder twin who immediately
became a load of bricks in her arms trying to squirm back to his toys.
"No honey," She said firmly. "It's time to eat."

Zathan wasn't quite as easy to get into his chair but Ailnim had
already crawled up into his when she turned back around.

Benani smiled and sat between the two younger boys. "I think I'll have
the cheese please."

"Of course," Zelanka handed her a plate before pouring everyone
glasses of juice.
"What have you been doing today?" she chatted.

"Just visiting with the babies," she said as she took the plate then
quickly snatched Zathan's juice before he could pour it on his head.
She rolled her eyes at Zelaka. "I'm sure I don't know where he gets
it."

"Must be in their blood," Zelanka chuckled. "Ailnim, don't get greedy,
there's enough for everyone. Don't force me rap your knuckles like I
did to you father. He never could keep his fingers off from pies,"
Zelanka scolded.

"FIsh," he pouted at her pointing at a fresh sandwich when he had a
half eaten on in front of him.

"You used to tell me that one too Zelanka," Benani grinned at the
headwoman. Being one of the youngest of such a brood of children
Benani had always looked on Yanley like a mother and Zelanka like a
grandmother.

She picked up her own sandwich and was about to take a bite when she
said "I was thinking of coming down to the kitchens tomorrow. What do
you think?"

"We'll be happy to see you there," Zelanka replied with delighted
smile. She did wonder if she had to chase of the men from the kitchen
for her visit's duration. There were always some around, mostly guards
hanging around or workers flirting with kitchen girls.

"I want to try for some normalcy though I can't promise I'll be able
to stay long." Benani smiled "I hope you understand."

"Of course we do understand. Seeing you around the hold, even briefly,
will boost peoples morale," Zelanka said.

Benani nodded. "I'm going to try," she smiled at the older woman." She
took a deep breath and added, "and if you can please tell Chupsin I'd
like him to check the baby," her hand smoothed over her gently
expanding belly.

"I'll tell him. He'll be happy to do it," Zelanka replied.

"Good," she smiled while her stomach tried to tie itself in knots. If
there was anything the mind healer had taught her, it was that she
must take steps toward recovering the life that had been stolen from
her. She couldn't stay in her room forever while the world went by
without her.

She'd seen the pain in Zathris' eyes, yet he never pushed her. She
could believe his love. She reached out and squeezed Zelanka's hand.
"Today is a good day."

"Good days like this will become more often while the bad days will
get more rare," Zelanka assured her and replied to her squeeze. She
might have not experienced anything like Benani had, but she had had
her own rough times in her life.

Last updated on the November 6th 2014

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A Good day