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The party has finished dinner after another day on the road. Once more they have chosen to make camp in a small clearing near the river. * Michelle gathers up the dishes and heads towards the river to clean them. <Meghan> Can I help Michelle? * Michelle looks at Meghan for a second, "Certainly Meghan, but we should move down stream a bit. We wouldn't want any animals coming through the camp looking for food." * Meghan nods and follows her. <Michelle> ::Once the two have moved out of sight and sound of the camp Michelle kneels down next to the river and begins to clean the dishes.:: What did you want to talk about Meghan? <Meghan> ::sits on the bank and speaks softly:: I'm late * Michelle puts the dishes down and hugs Meghan, "I'm sorry dear." Michelle sighs, "I hope you'll forgive me for not telling you sooner...I was worried the knowledge might be too much for you with everything else you were going through...And a part of me hope that all the pressures you were under might induce a miscarriage." * Meghan's eyes widen. <Meghan> ::softly:: oh my god. <Michelle> I'm sorry. * Meghan looks surprised for a long time and then her body sinks slightly as her energy to sit up is drained from her. <Meghan> ::whispers:: what am I going to do? * Michelle holds Meghan up, "What do you want to do?" * Meghan shakes her head. <Meghan> I have no idea. * Meghan looks to her. <Meghan> What do you think I should do? * Michelle shakes her head and sighs before looking deeply into Meghan's eyes, "I can't answer that little sister. Only you can." * Meghan nods. <Meghan> I think I probably have to get used to the idea. * Michelle sighs again, "I can tell you what your choices are. You can give birth and raise the child, which is what most women on this world have to do. You can give birth and arrange for others to raise the child, either as a fosterling or as a foundling." <Meghan> I don't think I could have this baby and give it away * Michelle sighs once again, "Or...there are a few ways to induce a miscarriage even on this world." * Meghan shakes her head. <Meghan> I couldn't do that either. * Michelle nods, "Then you'll have to find a way to support yourself and the child." * Meghan nods. <Meghan> What do you think I could do? <Michelle> Well Tyl'gainia's trying to figure out the various things that psionicists can do to make a living off of their talents...But I'm not certain if you can really wait that long. The traditional paths for a woman in your situation are getting married quickly, midwifery, and prostitution. You have more options than most women. You have the advantage of being better educated for example. Additionally you have a great many well connected friends. * Meghan nods listening. <Michelle> You should probably start by asking yourself, 'What would I be happy doing for the rest of my life?' and then see if there's a way to do that, and support a child. <Meghan> I would be happy being a wife and mother. ::sighs:: not so easily done though I think. * Michelle nods, "I'm sure we can find someone who'd be willing to marry you, but I doubt you'd be very happy." <Meghan> Yeah I couldn't marry some man just to be married. <Michelle> So what would you be happy spending your life doing? What dreams did you have that you were never able to realize before? <Meghan> ::shrugs:: My life is so much different now than it used to be. <Meghan> I'd like to be able to help people. With my abilities somehow. I think. * Michelle nods, "I can teach you some of the healers arts, and with your empathy I suspect you'll find it easy to learn psionics related to healing as well. We should probably introduce you to Goody Beatrice when we get back." * Meghan nods. <Meghan> I have met her a few times ::pauses:: I think. <Michelle> Is that what you want to try to do? <Meghan> :nods:: I think it will be a good start anyway. * Michelle nods, "Do you want to perform this quest?" * Meghan looks at her confused. * Michelle looks at Meghan, "Mothers rarely make good adventures. Are you sure you want to get involved in the adventure's life, knowing that you're going to be a mother?" <Meghan> ::thinks for a moment:: Well this may be the only chance I have to be involved in one. I should be fine for this one. ::pauses:: and for many reasons I need to be away. <Michelle> What would those reasons be? * Meghan glances at her. * Michelle sighs, "Meghan, if you're going to use your empathy to help others you have to learn to separate your own emotions from those of others, and to understand what's driving your emotions." <Meghan> Mostly Vallel. I need the distance. I have so much I need to learn and I feel like this trip is what I need to learn them, or at least starting to learn them. <Meghan> How? * Michelle sighs and tightens her hug for a moment, "By being honest with yourself. By examining your own motivations and desires. By trying to accept even those things you dislike about others." <Michelle> It's hard and it's painful...But when you see the joy you can give to others because of your gifts...it's worth the pain. * Meghan nods leaning against her. * Michelle sighs, "Is there anything I can do to help you little sister?" <Meghan> ::smiles softly:: You have done so much already ::hugs her tightly before standing:: I couldn't ask you for anything more than you have given me. * Michelle holds Meghan down, "We're not finished yet Meghan." * Meghan looks at Michelle curiously. <Meghan> No? <Michelle> We're going to have to tell Kevil. * Meghan s face falls <Meghan> Can we wait a bit? I don't know that I am ready to tell anyone else yet. * Michelle raises an eyebrow at Meghan, "We can wait a bit. But I'm only letting you do this for three reasons. I've trained as a midwife so you're as safe as you can be while travelling. He's not the father and so doesn't have any part in the decisions to be made. And you've been under a great deal of stress lately and need the time to recover." * Meghan nods to her sitting back and thinking. <Michelle> But I'm also going to tell you, that while you should be alright for the duration of this adventure, when you're travelling on worlds like this, particularly when you're adventuring it's important for everyone in the party to know if someone is suffering from a medical condition. If I get separated from you Kevil will be of more assistance if he knows what's wrong with you. <Meghan> ::sighs softly:: Good point. <Meghan> I guess I should tell him. * Michelle nods, "Yes you should. He'll understand." <Meghan> ::glances at her:: Yes he probably will. * Michelle tightens her hug again, "I'll do my best to be here for you Meghan. You'll be alright." * Meghan smiles at her. <Meghan> I know you will. I'm thankful every day, no every moment it seems, for you. * Michelle smiles and puts a finger on Meghan's nose, "You've been listening to Kevil too long." * Meghan laughs softly. <Meghan> He would be pleased. <Michelle> D'va. * Meghan grins at Michelle. * Michelle giggles, "Let me get these dishes washed and we'll go back and you can tell him." * Meghan nods to her. <Michelle> ::Michelle finishes with the dishes and they return to the campsite.:: * Meghan follows Michelle back her face thoughtful. * Kevil is sitting in front of his tent, watching the campfire's flames thoughtfully. * Michelle smiles at Kevil, "I see you haven't died from disappointment during our absence." * Michelle begins putting the dishes away. * Meghan sits down next to Kevil * Kevil looks up as the ladies return, and smiles at Michelle's quip. "But of course I was devastated, Lady Michelle! How could it be otherwise?" * Kevil smiles at Meghan. * Meghan smiles back at him. <Meghan> ::Softly:: Kevil there is something I need to tell you. <Kevil> ::raises an eyebrow:: Yes? My ear is yours, bright star. ::he smiles:: * Meghan looks down at the ground her foot pushing around some dirt. <Meghan> ::very softly:: Kevil I'm pregnant. * Meghan glances at him out of the corner of her eye * Kevil looks surprised. "Congratulations, Lady Meghan!" * Meghan shakes her head a few tears spilling over down her cheeks and she laughs softly. * Kevil blinks and puts a hand on her shoulder. "I.. I'm sorry." * Meghan shakes her head and hugs him. <Meghan> Don't be. I was so worried you'd think ::pauses smiling at him:: Well it doesn't matter anymore. * Kevil puts his arm around her and smiles softly. "What, bright star?" <Meghan> ::leans against him:: Honestly, I was worried you would think less of me. * Michelle shakes her head and rummages around in the packs. <Kevil> ::looking distinctly confused:: Think *less* of you? For the most sacred blessing a woman may receive? ::he sighs:: Another cultural thing, no doubt. * Meghan nods. <Meghan> It is. I'm sorry for thinking you would be anything less than happy * Meghan smiles up at him. <Kevil> ::smiles:: You can only consider reactions you are familiar with, yes? And you have never seen a woman of my home announce such a blessing before, d'va? ::frowns:: Will you tell me... what I am not understanding? <Meghan> It's not so much the culture anymore, because women having children and not being married is more common practice. But in my family having a baby and not being married is not considered a blessing, but a burden. <Kevil> ::face clears in sudden understanding.:: Ah. ::he smiles:: To my people every child is a blessing. A joy. <Michelle> As they should be. * Meghan smiles softly at them both. <Kevil> ::looks around and smiles at Michelle:: Yes, Lady. * Michelle comes up out of her packs and hands peppermint sticks to Kevil and Meghan, "I wasn't sure what to bring along. Cigars are nasty, and champagne goes straight to my head, and I wasn't sure when you'd find out. So this will have to do." * Meghan takes the peppermint stick from Michelle and hugs her tight <Meghan> Oh Michelle ::she wipes a few more tears from her cheeks:: * Kevil takes the stick and smiles. "So, I may again offer my congratulations, bright star?" * Michelle returns the hug then giggles, "I'm going to have to teach you knitting and sewing aren't I?" * Meghan smiles to Kevil. <Meghan> Thank you Kevil. <Meghan> ::laughs:: perhaps. * Kevil chuckles. * Meghan licks her peppermint slowly savoring the taste. * Michelle smiles at Meghan and shakes her head. * Meghan sticks her tongue out at Michelle. <Meghan> I can't help it if I really like peppermint. * Michelle giggles, "You're lucky we've got the Hall kitchen. Otherwise you'd have to figure out how to make it yourself." * Meghan nods to her. Meghan, Kevil and Michelle travel through the week with little happening. The land changes from a dense wood to a rolling valley. In the distance they can see mountains. The pass a few farms once they come to the valley but they don't stop at all. After traveling for about 5 days they come to a small house standing alone. Meghan indicates that they are to stay in the house that night. Inside there are beds for each of them and food enough to resupply what they have used from their own supplies. There is also a map that shows the way they should go to get to the castle. It indicated that they are to go over the mountains and the castle is on the other side. |
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