Moving Things Forward

Writers: Ames, Chelle
Date Posted: 20th March 2011

Characters: Sarban, Lisadi
Description: Sarban and Lisadi discuss their relationship and come to a decision.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 1, day 5 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentioned: Felyna, Corowal

Her eyes met his across the table as her fingers tapped lightly on the glass before hers. She
couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking. They'd spent quite a bit of time together, and
she was pretty sure they both found each other attractive. At least she knew she found _him_
attractive, and since he was still spending time with her he _must_ at least enjoy her company.

"Dinner was nice. Thank you for inviting me to join you. I must say it was much quieter without
the children, and I rather enjoyed it." Her free hand rested near the center of the table.

"It was quieter for sure," he agreed. "And it was good being able to talk about adult things."
Sometimes, the children just didn't need to know about other things that were going on. "How
are they anyway?"

"They are both doing well. I swear whatever you did for Trewlin while I was in the infirmary has
really changed that boy. He walks around proud of his work and eager to do his best. It's quite a
change. You're good with them, both of them. They care about you a lot, and so do I." In fact, she'd
grown so used to having him around she couldn't imagine what Emerald Falls would be like if he
wasn't there.

"That's good to hear." He was a gruff seaman, so it wasn't the easiest thing for him to talk about
his feelings. He put his hand over hers, playing with her fingers. "I care about you too."

She turned her hand to his, allowing her to lace her fingers through his. "Do you think it's time we
made this..." she paused, looking closely at him, "this thing between us official?"

"It's your choice." His job was to court and woo. She was the widow and the woman, so she had
the choice to accept his suit.

She gave his fingers a squeeze as she looked to him with a smile. "In that case," she paused, "I
say it's _definitely_ time we make this official. So, with that, I guess that makes us a couple then,
as we see where things go between us."

"I'll tell Corowal. The Lady Holder will probably be happy to hear it too." He considered what this
meant. If it continued to go well, it might not be too much longer before he finally had a woman to
keep his home and fall asleep with at night. That sobered Sarban, but it made him smile as well.
"And the children?"

She felt her heart beating ever so slightly faster at this discussion, yet it was a _good_ feeling. Lisadi
was excited in a way she hadn't felt in Turns. Perhaps she would find someone to spend her life
with again after all. For a time after the death of her husband, she had wondered if she'd ever be
able to care about someone else again. Sarban had shown her that she _could_ in fact do that, and
perhaps maybe even something more. That something she wasn't sure she was ready to admit yet.

She paused for a moment at his question, wondering exactly what he meant, "Do you mean you need
to think about things because of the children? I know they are not my flesh and blood, but I intend for

them to stay with me. Is that going to be a problem?" She felt a flicker of doubt as she asked that, her
heart stilling ever so slightly. He'd seemed to enjoy the time with them, but she did know some men
had problems with children who were not their own flesh and blood.

"I meant, are you going to tell them?" Up until then, they had left their relationship and what was going
on, in 'adult land', not really explaining the whole thing to the children. Now that things were more serious,
it was time to tell them, he thought.

"Oh," she breathed a sigh of relief. "I think they deserve to know. Though I'm not sure how much Dareera
will understand, but Trewlin will." Lisadi contemplated how she would tell them, "Would you like to tell them
with me or would you like me to do it? They really _do_ like you Sarban, so I think the news will go over
well." She paused as a new thought dawned on her. "Unless," she bit her bottom lip in thought, "unless we're
not sure where things are headed. I mean, I don't want to get their hopes up about things only to have them
feel hurt or disappointed if things change."

"They're your charges so ultimately it's your decision as to what you think is right. They have been
through a lot and I wouldn't want them hurt either." He frowned, considering the whole situation.

She thought about things and finally replied, "I'll let them know that you and I are seeing more of each
other because we want to find out if we would belong with each other, the way they spent time with me
before we learned that we could be a family. I think they would understand that and hopefully not have
them expecting things before they happen." She looked to him, wondering what he thought. They were
her charges, but part of what she hoped to find if she chose a new mate was someone who could help
her with making big decisions in life, even if it was just listening and agreeing or disagreeing with her.

"Lisadi, you are a great fostermother and I have full faith in you. You will do what's best for those children.
I..don't really have much experience with them myself except your fosterlings so I'll follow your lead in those
matters. It sounds like the right thing to do, though." Sarban had seen the Hold's children from time to time
and he had been around Corowal's brood, but it was different. He had never raised any of them.

"As long as you'll be by my side, if that is, we choose to raise children together," she grinned at him a bit
shyly. "That's all I could ask." She was tracing the bones of his hand as she thought of what life could be
like _if_ they decided to go even further beyond just declaring their interest in in each other publicly. Normally
it was followed by choosing to spend your life together, but sometimes things didn't work out. Only time would
tell what would happen. "You _do_ want children of your own, don't you?" she asked.

"I think every man does, one way or another." His eyes watched her carefully. "And it is every good holder's duty.
Would be awful of me to tell the others and here I am without any eh?"

She laughed, and smiled. "I think as long as we both agree on children, then we'd be able to work out _anything_
else that might come up." Lisadi was happy and hopeful. It would be nice to not be alone, to have someone to
really share her life with and all the small moments. She tried to caution herself not to jump too far ahead. One
step at a time.

He made a good living as Steward of a major Hold so Sarban wasn't worried about that. It also helped that
he didn't plan on having a huge family, just a few children to dote on him when he got old. "Mmm..." He
swirled his klah and then brought it to his lips to drink. "Everyone has their problems. It's how you weather
the storm that matters."

"I'd like to weather the storms that may come with you at my side," she remarked. "I wouldn't have anything
to fear then."

"Well fair lady, I will admit that from time to time I make mistakes." He smiled slowly, the high speech being
abnormal for him.

"Don't we all," she remarked, allowing a companionable silence to fall between them. She knew there were
things they would have to discuss, but just being with him was enough for the moment.

Last updated on the April 3rd 2011

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Moving Things Forward