Of Kids and Wives

Writers: AL, Jelena
Date Posted: 29th July 2014

Characters: Herlis, Aini
Description: Aini and Herlis run into each other at the beach.
Location: Seacraft Hall
Date: month 8, day 5 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Yriadha

"Ah, Herlis." Aini approached the man and offered a hint of a smile. She
had elected to walk along the shoreline, inhale the tangy scent of the sea
and just enjoy some quiet time. Evidently the Seacrafter had a similar
idea. Not wanting to be rude, she greeted him. "I hope the day finds you
well."

"It does," Herlis nodded. "You?" Oh he was ever a man of few words, none
if he could get away with it.

"Good." Aini's gaze swept over the horizon and her eyebrows arched upward.

"Your children are not with you?" Although they had not known each other
for long, Aini knew the man to be quite loving toward his three. She had
thought if he wasn't working he would generally have them near. Perhaps
she was wrong.

"Harper class," Herlis sighed, showing how silly he thought it to be that
his kids had to go to class even on the few days he had to spend with
them. Then again, he was quite stern with them about their education, so he
really shouldn't complain.

"Ah, of course." Aini should have known better. She supposed that she
had an excuse since she never had children, but she was well versed with
schedules. Still, it just wasn't something she generally thought about.
"At least they'll be free in a few hours. Do you have any plans with
them for this afternoon?"

"We're going swimming," Herlis said with a small smile. "Chalis was a bit
skittish on board when we came here." And obviously that wouldn't do for a
future captain. "So I've been giving him swimming lessons whenever I can,
building his trust in the sea. The girls love the water and the picnics,
so everyone's happy."

"That's very wise. All children should learn how to be safe around the
water - and enjoy it." Aini loved the sea and never wanted to live
anywhere that didn't overlook its vast wonder. Herlis' smile was returned
with a small one of her own. "What else do your children enjoy?"

"Yalelis is the musical one. She can sing like an angel," Herlis
practically glowed with fatherly pride. "Herale is quite the tomboy. She
says she wants to be a Captain one day and is always practising knots and
stuff." There was amusement in Herlis' voice, even though he knew he had
to crush his little girl's dream at some point. Hopefully, she would grow out
of it.

"And the youngest? Your son?" It wasn't uncommon for girls to get such
high aspirations, but they would soon turn their thoughts to more womanly
pursuits, Aini was certain.

"Ahh Chalis, he's a little rascal! He can be a trouble-maker at times, but
then he's such a charmer, even at his age. He'll be a handful when he gets
to his teens, I'm sure."

"Then it's a good thing he has a father to model for him." From what she'd
seen, Herlis was a hard worker and a gentleman. Fair, yet stern. They
were traits to be admired. "If you continue south along the shoreline, the
beach is nice and sandy and there are places where the forest stops not
far
from where the sand begins. They can be fun to explore, though I wouldn't
go deep. Still, your children might enjoy it."

"Hmm, Herale at a forest edge with me busy teaching Chalis, for some
reason I just know that will end up with me trudging through those woods for
candlemarks, only to find her hanging upside down some overgrown tree."
Herlis grinned a little sheepishly at that confession.

The picture painted by Herlis actually spurred a smile that was more than
a hint. "Indeed. I can just imagine that. It's interesting how different
they all are from each other."

"Oh yes, they're such a special bunch," Herlis grinned, his eyes radiating
a fatherly warmth as he thought of the three little people that gave his
life purpose no matter what. "You don't have children, do you?" There was
no reproach, nor pity in his voice. It was just an observation.

"No. My husband and I were never so fortunate. " The pain wasn't as
sharp as it had been so many turns ago. Aini stilled enjoyed children,
but always someone else's. She'd given up ages ago.

"That is a shame. Though I guess in a way you have all the Hall's children under your wing now, don't you?"

"Indeed, that is so. I enjoy interacting with them when I can." It wasn't often, and it wasn't as if she really got to play with them, or see their lives for more than a few moments here and there and a time, but Aini appreciated what little she could have. "And perhaps when we find a suitable candidate as to wife, you may have more, hm?"

Herlis looked hesitant. He didn't really want any more children. Three were more than enough for him to handle. But his new bride would probably want kids of her own. He hadn't thought of that. "Do you think maybe you can find one that doesn't want any more kids?" he asked bluntly.

It had been one of the reasons Aini had queried the Captain on what sort of wife he wanted, though he hadn't mentioned that desire. "Well, the Headwoman at the Hold has a couple of candidates. I would be honest with them and let them know."

"Ahh, yes," Herlis nodded, falling silent for a moment as he thought it over. "Have you ever thought of remarrying?"

"I've thought about it in an abstract fashion, but honestly, I've just not met another man I felt compelled to marry." As an Assistant Headwoman and then Headwoman, Aini was able to supply for her needs sufficiently, so there wasn't an absolute need. She flicked her hand in a vague gesture. "Perhaps if I some day meet the right man."

"Ah yes, makes sense," Herlis nodded. After all she had made a life for herself quite splendidly. "Not much need for you."

At least, not in the financial sense. If Aini was honest with herself, she had to admit that loneliness reared its ugly head on occasion. The captain didn't need to worry about that though. "Well I hope, perhaps, we will find someone suitable for you, Captain. You've done a fine job with your children, but a mother is always an important presence in a child's life." And they had been without.

"I just don't think I can ever replace their real mother," Herlis sighed. There were days where he still wondered why Chayale had been taken from them. Why his children had lost their mother. But it was a meaningless question, that he did know now.

"I don't think you should." Aini shook her head. "While any woman you marry should be a mother to them, that woman should also not expect to be held on the same level. It's not fair to the children. I should also hope that she would encourage you to talk to your children about their mother, keep her memory alive. If she doesn't...well, it's a bit bold for me to say, but I would seriously reconsider any sort of contract with one like that." The headwoman leveled her gaze at the Captain. "Just because she is gone does not mean that you should forget her. Or stop loving her. Perhaps you will find someone you can eventually love, but don't ever feel that means you have to stop loving your first wife."

"Hmm," Herlis shrugged a little uncomfortably. He wasn't really good at all this emotional stuff. "I guess so."

And that allowed a small smile to blossom, amusement evident in its appearance. "Classes should be over soon. Would you care for some company back to the Hall?"

"Yes, that would be nice," Herlis nodded, offering her his arm in impulse.

Last updated on the July 29th 2014

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