Lesson of etiquette

Writers: Emma, Jelena, Len, Paula, Suzee
Date Posted: 17th October 2012

Characters: Yanley, Zelanka, Corofel, Halah, Genna, Zetrom, Trivella, Tarlanka, Roten, Niaroy, Kosan, Tenzha
Description: Yanley holds a training dinner for the hold's youngsters.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 10, day 7 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentioned: Sinla, Royah

Yanley

Corofel

Genna

Corofel had to admit that Lady Yanley looked very pretty for an
older lady. Her hair was gathered up and the hem of her dress swished
around her ankles. The two firelizards were like living jewelry.

"All ready for the lesson, your lordship?" Yanley asked, her eyes
twinkling with merriment. She was having a lesson of etiquette for the
hold's ranking children, in a form of practise feast.

Corofel, dressed in better than everyday tunic, nodded.

The door opened and Zelanka came in with three children. "Good eveing,
Yanley. Here are my grandchildren, Zetrom, Trivella and Tarlanka," the
headwoman greeted.

"Nice to meet you all," Yanley replied. "Something wrong, Zetrom?" she
asked. The boy was oldest of the three and looked sullen.

"I'm apprentice, I don't get it why I'm here," he replied sulkingly.

"Ah, but even apprentice crafter needs manners, especially if he aims
to be master one day," Yanley replied with the just right tone of
voice to brighten up the boy. She turned her attention to Zelanka.

"Halah and drudges will bring the food in a little while," the
Headwoman replied to her unvoiced question.

Kosan and Tenzha came in together. Kosan dressed in his best had been
to these functions before with his Aunt Yanley and knew a little at
least. He made directly for Corofel and made a proper bow as a minor
Holder would make to his liege Lord even though Hidden Meadows would
never be beholden to Emerald Falls. This was practice after all.

Tenzha ran directly to her aunt and spun around to show her pretty new
dress. "Aunt Yanley," she greeted and dropped a wobbly curtsy with a
grin.

"Hello, sweetheart," Yanley gave the girl a quick hug, even if it
wasn't quite according to etiquette. She was just so adorable. She
gave Corofel a little nudge.

"Welcome, holder Kosan and Lady Tenzha," Corofel said bit stiffly and
shook their hands. "Was calling her lady all right?" he asked with
whisper from Yanley.

"Yes, perfectly all right. She's Blood from her mother's side, so she
can be adressed as a Lady."

Genna walked in the room quietly, as her mother had told her to do.
Sinla had pulled in a few favours to get her in to the practise feast,
even if she was older than most the kids around, and she knew that if
she mucked anything up her mother would kill her for it later. She was
to be at her best behaviour, smile her best smiles at Corofel and try
to make some new friends amongst the ranking kids.

Tenzha smiled brilliantly at her Aunt Yanley's affirmation to Corofel.
She dropped another curtsy and murmured "Lord Corofel," as he took her
hand. **Just like the adults.**

Kosan crossed the room toward the newcomer after he'd made his bow the
the Emerald Falls heir. "My dear Genna, how nice to see you here
today." At thirteen he thought himself quite mature and Genna was very
pretty in his estimation. He'd thought of a way to try and get a bit
of her attention and gestured to where his Aunt was standing. "Have
you been introduced to Lord Corofel?" He offered his arm to escort her
across the room and provide the needed introduction.

"Greetings, Kosan," Genna curtsied, giving the young man a well
trained, seemingly warm smile. "How nice of you to offer, I would be
thrilled to make his acquintance." She took his arm loosely, giving
him another one of her winning smiles.

Corofel took Tenzha's hand and brought it to his lips. He had seen his
father do it miljards of times to different ladies.

Zelanka suppressed a smile, then young fosterling was quite charmer,
when he was not placing bugs in laundry baskets.

"Genna, nice to see you here," Yanley greeted. She knew exactly why
she was here, to find a good husband. She had nothing against it.
After all, woman's way to power was through her husband and there was
nothing wrong with marrying as high as possible.

Two boys skidded to a halt as they raced into the room. "Sorry we're
late," they chimed togather. Just like their father Royah's sons could
be relied upon to be late. "Sorry Auntie," Niaroy managed to add by
himself.

"Hello, boys. Is that a proper greeting?" Yanley greeted and asked.

At that moment there was a timid knock at the door, signalling that
the drudges were there with drinks. As the one who had knocked, Halah
shifted her feet nervously.

Zelanka went to open the door and smiled encouragingly.

"Ah, the food is here. What good do you have for us?" Yanley asked.

"For starters, cheese-salad and fish soup, for main course it's
herdbeast stew with herb-spiced tubers and dessert will be surprise,
so save room for it," Zelanka told them while she directed the drudges
to set the tables.

"Oh, that sounds just wonderful, Lady Zelanka," Genna said pleasantly.
"I'm thrilled to be a part of this and in such fine company too, thank
you for including me."

"You're welcome," Yanley replied. She looked around the children and
gestured them to take seats. When all were seated she asked them
question: "As you can see, the table is set with three pair of
utensils, one for every dish. Can anyone remember which order they are
used?"

Roten raised a hand before he took his seat. "Outside in, isn't it?
But shouldn't you sit down first, Auntie? Da says that shows respect
for a lady."

"That's right, Roten, very good," Yanley complimented and took the seat.

Tenzha nodded as Roten recited and tapped her outside spoon with a
single finger after she too had taken her seat. Her mother had always
made sure they used the right utensils in the right order. She raised
her hand "Aunt Yanley, aren't we supposed to be seated boy, girl, boy,
girl?" She was throwing an accusing stare at her brother across the
table seated with two of his buddies.

Kosan's eyes narrowed in to an unfriendly glare at his sister.

"Very good observation. It's not customary leave empty spots in the
middle of the table either. So, Kosan, why don't you go to sit next to
Genna, and Zetriv, switch with your sister. Tarlanka, don't chew your
hair. It's not only a ugly habit, it also damages your hair," Yanley
instructed her pupils. Tarlanka pulled her braid's tip out of her
mouth with a guilty blush.

Genna threw Kosan a welcoming smile, knowing full well the boy thought
she was pretty and figuring he would be a good person to get to know.
She didn't say anything though, she just smiled and then looked away
shyly, like her mother had taught her.

Yanley smiled at her pupils when Zelanka and the drudges started to
serve the food. She was actually enjoying these lessons.

Kosan returned the pretty smile and thought to himself she was a fine
girl as he slid into the seat next to her. Ok, so maybe he wasn't so
mad at his sister for making him switch seats after all.

Last updated on the November 17th 2012

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Lesson of etiquette