The Help

Writers: Paula, Suzee
Date Posted: 13th January 2013

Characters: Benani, Zelanka
Description: Benani has to select a new maid
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 12, day 2 of Turn 6

Benani

Benani smiled down at Zathan asleep in her arms. The babies were both
with her most afternoons with their milk mother just in the other
room. During these times she played with them and held them to her
hearts content and even though she no longer fed them from her own
body she still felt very close to both boys. She hummed as she rocked.

Zelanka knocked before stepping in. "I brought you tea, Benani," she
said, speaking with soft voice so not to disturb the twins. The staff
was learing a new rule: don't disturb the babies.

"Oh thank you," Benani said in an equally soft voice. She smiled at
the head woman then stood and placed the sleeping bundle on the bed
next to his brother. She moved to the small table where she usually
took her tea. "Sit with me Zelanka," she invited.

"Thank you, I'll love to," Zelanka replied. After she had set the tray
to the table, she took herlself a seat.

Benani was still sometimes plagued by the thought of her father with
this woman in the way she and Zathris spent some of their time but she
fought to keep her feelings about that to herself. It was hard to
reconcile her love for her father, her love for Zelanka and the
feeling of betrayal. So she smiled and poured a cup of tea for the
headwoman.

"How are you doing?"

"Just fine, doing the usual," Zelanka replied. She busied herself the the
cup for a moment.

She knew Yanley had been handling most of her day to day duties with the
Headwoman so didn't want to step into her sisters area, at least not yet.
But she was feeling 'out of touch' with the running of her domain. "How are
the stores holding up?"

"Quite well. We don't have any problems with the basic supplies, just some
of the specialties or rarities may run out before the winter is over. That
happens every Turn," she reported.

Benani nodded, That was fairly standard for this time of year. Of
course they had preserves and chutneys to supplement dishes once the
supply of fresh fruits and vegetables were getting thin. "Anything
else that needs concern me?" She normally threw that one out at the
end of their meetings when whoever she was meeting with could then
give her the real reason for their visit.

"Well, you know Ralmina got married. Now she's with child and she is
going to move to her husbands cot hold. I'm afraid you need a new
maid," Zelanka replied. She wasn't sure if Benani already knew it.

Benani sighed. "Yes, I was rather expecting that I think." She thought
about the people who she regularly came in contact with but realized
Zelanka would have a much better handle on the staff. "Do you have any
recommendations?'

"A few. Do you remember Halah? She's smart girl and gets frustrated
working as a drudge," Zelanka replied.

Benani recognized the name. "Yes, she's helped here and at some of the
family events hasn't she?" If the girl was frustrated with drudge work
then she probably had the intelligence to handle a more demanding job.

"Yes, she has. And I've also been training her for assistant
Headwoman's position," Zelanka answered.

"Do you think this would be good experience to that end?" If Zelanka
felt Halah would make a Headwoman att some point then perhaps this was
a positive step for her.

"Yes," Zelanka said thougtfully, "It would be perfect actually. She
needs to learn to deal with different people and how the hold work's
on different levels."

"Very well then," Benani smiled. "Why don't you have her come up
tomorrow afternoon and Ralmina can begin her training."

"I will," Zelanka promised.

Last updated on the February 1st 2013

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