#sims: Helenet

[eulaliasims]

more babies.

[eulaliasims]

Round 5: Wyll 4 / 8

Coming to Veridia has presented Maddan with an unexpected opportunity, one he really doesn't want but fears he must take anyway. So on his first free day, he summons up his courage and wits and sets out while Orla and River are at the market.

Helenet: Ugh.

Helenet: Why are you here?

Maddan: Helenet, I beg you: take back the curse.

Helenet: What are you talking about? Get off the ground, you prat.

Maddan: I've had nothing but bad luck in my life since that day—

Helenet: There's no curse, Maddan.

Maddan: I know it was cruel of me to say such things, but do you know how many times I've almost died since then?

Helenet: Unfortunately you're here, in front of my house, so I don't think you've been that unlucky.

Maddan: I would not deign to ask, but I fear what the curse could do to the baby, and Orla doesn't deserve that—

Helenet: There's no curse! There was never any curse! It was just words! I cannot do that, Maddan.

Arturo: But I can.

Maddan: What the fu—

Helenet: Down, boy.

Arturo: This is the man, yes, witch? Just say the word. Shall I turn him into a frog or a locust?

Helenet: I don't want you to turn him into anything, Arturo. Maddan, if you'd listen for a moment, you would hear me tell you that there's never been a curse. I've never been capable of curses. Any bad luck you've had is your own doing.

Maddan: That's…

Helenet: I am so glad to hear that you've been blaming all your ills on me for the past decade, though. Now get away from my house before I change my mind and let him do as he pleases.

Maddan: I will, but wait, please. Orla—

Helenet: Oh, that's another thing! You married my baby cousin? Really?

Maddan: I didn't exactly have much say in the matter. You must remember how it is. The elders say it's time you got married, here's your wife to be, go put on your nice shirt.

Helenet: You're a grown man. Presumably one capable of saying no, or even leaving.

Maddan: Not everyone can walk away from everything they know as easily as you.

Helenet: You seem to have done it in the end.

Maddan: She's expecting a baby. You'll still see to her, won't you? Despite me?

Helenet: Of course I will. It's not Orla's fault that she's married to a prat.

Maddan: The boy who was with you at the hall. That's…

Helenet: I'll tell him who you are, but if he wants anything to do with you, that's wholly up to him. So let him be or I really will let Arturo do as he pleases with you.

Maddan: Yes. Fine. I'll leave now.

Helenet: Good.

Arturo: Are you sure you don't want me to kill him, little witch? One little curse?

Helenet: No, thank you, though.

Arturo: At least let us howl outside his window in the night. I've been working on a howl that is very menacing, if I say so myself. Monstrous, even.

Helenet: Hmm… no, but only because I don't want Orla to be scared. Or, worse, she might come out and try to pet you.

Helenet: Of course, if you two were to catch him alone some night…

Arturo: Excellent.

Helenet: Just no murder or maiming, love.

Arturo: Fine.

[eulaliasims]

Round 4, Salter 6 / 6

Gytha: Oh, so if I leave one measly plate out, it's a huge problem, but now I have to clean up after Brigid just because she's got a baby on the way? This sucks!

Glamaer: Where do these boots keep washing up from?

Gytha: Glam, we're BUSY.

Glamaer: Yeah, yeah, but I need to tell Angus about this cool scarf I saw someone wearing at the market!

It's Yule, and the family heads into town to partake in the feasting and dancing.

And the mead.

Drustan: Uh, is your sister okay?

Glamaer: Oh, yeah, she does that when she drinks, it's fine probably.

Their friendship is so cute to me.

Drustan: Baba thinks we should start keeping a hive on the farm, but I dunno about that. I still don't trust those bees.

Oh, I guess that means it's time to go home. Veridia's first big pink soup! 💖

I was a little concerned that Brigid would go into labor as soon as they got home, but Helenet got there in plenty of time. There's not much for her to do with Brigid napping, so Gytha gets to play riverstones with her instead. (I decided that I will roll for survival rates at births that Helenet doesn't attend. She's usually there, so I don't know when this will actually come into play.)

I bought Glam a fiddle and Wulfric sat down to boo him. I hate this man.

You have SEVEN nice points? No sir, I don't believe that, and I CHOSE his personality.

Helenet: You must be excited to meet your child soon.

Brigid: Oh, yes. I've been learning all sorts of things about how to raise a child properly. It's so important to raise good citizens.

Helenet: 😬

Brigid's worries about Helenet not being there turn out to be unfounded; it takes the baby until after nightfall to actually arrive. Brigid and Wulfric's first child together is a girl named Gwendolen.

Gytha: Big whoop. *zzzzzz*

That's all from here, goodnight.

[eulaliasims]

Round 6: Salter 3 / 8

Enna: Glam. Absolutely no one wants to hear about that while they're eating, okay?

Wulfric: How 'bout a game of catch, for old times' sake?

Glamaer: Uh, no, it's raining and I have to go bait the traps. Maybe Gwendolen wants to play with you.

And then when they get to the market, Wulfric starts poking and insulting his son. Cool cool cool.

Wulfric: I don't want to see you slacking off and chatting up girls today.

Glamaer: What?

Glamaer doesn't know what happened; he doesn't remember his father being like this when he was younger. Of course, he doesn't remember Wulfric spending too much time with them back then. He and Gytha were often left to their own devices while Wulfric was running the business...

It's okay if Wulfric is slacking off to gossip, though, right?

Leave your son aloneeeeeee.

Glamaer: You know what, Enna's right; I'm already doing most of the work here by myself, but what am I getting out of this? It's not my shop or my boat—

Wulfric: *scoffs* That girl doesn't know what she's talking about.

Glamaer: No, I think she sees things pretty clearly! It's me who didn't realize until she told me.

Speaking of Enna, she's been enjoying her new free time. Brigid is very particular about the way things are cleaned, so Enna is more than happy to leave it to her. She does make sure to take over any cooking Brigid's been doing, which is just better for everyone. Lately certain scents have been turning her stomach, though.

Enna: Wow, already? I mean, I did stop taking the tea, but for some reason I thought it would take longer.

Helenet: Sometimes it only takes once! Come by or send your husband for me if you have any more questions, okay, sweetheart?

Seems like a good idea.

[eulaliasims]

Round 6: Midwife 1 / 6

I switched things up and started with Helenet's household, not because she's accidentally become the main character but because I wanted to minimize the amount of time Gytha and Angus spend split up due to aging into adults.

Arturo has finally been coaxed to join the household. He brought a sapling from the grove and has planted it just outside the gate.

Helenet: Arturo, do you ever properly walk anywhere?

Arturo: Not if I can help it.

He hasn't experienced any more strange dreams since that day. Surely it was just a dream, conjured up by an unconscious mind still fearful of strange curses.

Angus: So… my mum told me one of the men who came from Wyll, Maddan, is my father. By blood, I mean.

Gytha: Oh? Yeah, I can see it. Huh. How do you feel about that?

Angus: Um. I already have enough options for a dad if I want one. I don't think I need another.

Gytha: You won't catch me trying to convince you otherwise.

Angus: Mum thinks she's better at hiding things from me than she is; I know he didn't want us when I was a baby. And I know they were only a year or two older than we are, and she says people can change a lot as they grow, but with him I don't think I believe it. Um—if you had a baby, I would never abandon you guys.

Gytha: Good to know. Also, ew, no babies.

Angus: What, ever?

Gytha: No, but for… like at least five years.

Angus: Fine by me!

You're telling me this man's One True Hobby is SPORTS? My whole view of Arturo has just been shattered.

Speaking of father figures...

Angus: Are you staying for dinner?

Gytha: Pleeeeeease?

Angus: You don't have to beg, geez. Um, if you are, you should meet my mum and step-dad's friend. He's staying with us now. Please be nice?

Gytha: I am ALWAYS nice, Angus. Unless someone deserves elsewise.

Gytha: Whash wit' th' an'lers?

Arturo: Child, did no one ever tell you not to speak with your mouth full?

Helenet: They're remnants of a broken curse.

Arturo: ...What the witch said.

Gytha: Cool. That's hard core.

Arturo: Th... thank you?

Well, that's easy!

Like Gytha, he's always here anyway.

Eisu: Good morning! How're you doing, Helenet?

Helenet: A bit tired, but good. You?

Eisu: Just fine. And how's your new housemate working out?

Helenet: Oh, it's great. Look, he even cleans!

Eisu: Not just a pretty face to keep around, huh?

Arturo: I am in the room. I can hear both of you quite clearly.

My goal this round is to befriend and move in both of the two most frequent wolf visitors, Willow and Snow (guess which one this is).

[eulaliasims]

Round 4, Midwife 4 / 9

Another effect of growing up, besides falling in love with your best friend? Angus's magic is manifesting. Unlike Helenet, he takes to it like a duck to water. She's glad. Really. Maybe it's the result of growing up in Veridia, so close to the Otherworld and whatever strange magic is in the woods.

Angus: Ma! Watch this--

Helenet: Wow! Try not to overdo things, okay? How are you already better at this than I am?

Angus has a very high interest in health (nine points) and his OTH is actually fitness, so I've decided he'll follow in Helenet's footsteps and become her apprentice herbalist. Not sure what we'll do eventually about the midwifery part; historically, it was very much a female realm. Maybe she'll have a daughter at some point who also wants to practice.

Anyway, he's working on learning how to grow and harvest herbs and how to use them to make cures.

Good news, the wolves found their new home.

[eulaliasims]

Round 3, Hill Farm 1 / 4

Things on Hill farm have gotten a little shaken up before falling into new patterns now that Elmet has moved out to live with Helenet. Jia is learning her toddler skills, Drustan is still a very studious and tidy lad, and poor Xiang has had to take over Elmet's sheeply duties for the time being.

Xiang: Move back to my natal village, he says. Sheep-farming is easy, he says, you won't have to do anything. Pfft.

Oh, and Mouse is still the best part of the household.

Mouse: You're damn right.

Eisu still has baby fever, but Helenet is just here for a regular visit today.

Mostly because I'm trying to make Drustan and Angus friends. It is not working!

Random Wolves: AROOOOOO, we hate this door!

Go away! Elmet doesn't live here anymore!

It's time for Drustan's birthday! *sniff* My little babies are growing up.

Nice muscle. Drustan grew into a Knowledge sim (bet you didn't see THAT coming) with a Romance secondary. Xiang looks so proud of his son. :)

Also, he's adorable. Obviously we needed to give him some Disney prince hair.

Drustan's best friend, Glamaer, is here to hang out, and he brought along his sister today.

Oh???

Mouse: Meow?*

Drustan: I don't think cats can eat sandwiches, Mouse.

Mouse: Meow!**

*"Food? Food for me? Food for Mouse? Food??"

**"Sure we can!"

I'm so intrigued to see what Jia looks like as she grows up.

I think Drustan regrets those attraction hearts. Gytha's table manners (and other manners) leave something to be desired.

[eulaliasims]

Round 5, Midwife 4 / 7

Occasionally Arturo drags one or the other of the little mortals on a daytime hike with him. Elmet thinks it's probably because he's still marveling at being able to roam as far as he wants without ill effects.

Without ill effects on Arturo, I mean. Not Elmet.

Elmet: You could've warned me that plant causes a rash.

Arturo: I did not think a grown man would go bumbling through a stand of vines he does not recognize. I'm going to warm up by the fire now.

Fun fact! Poison ivy is native to North America (there's also a variety native to Asia). So I don't know what he was actually bumbling through.

Elmet: Nettyyyy, do you know any cures for horrible, horrible itching?

Helenet: Oh, I think there's a spell that may work...

Elmet: May?

Refreshing, but not exactly a cure-all.

Helenet: Hi, pup! Would you like a bit of bacon? Yes, I think you would.

Wolf: *gulp*

Angus and Gytha are on baby-sitting duty while Helenet and Elmet go out. Maybe Helenet also thinks it'll discourage any teen pregnancies.

Gytha: I was right, you are the cutest baby. Much cuter than Brigid's baby. Definitely would've been worthy of being Gytha Junior, but I guess Lune is an okay name too.

I need to find a good style to get Angus's hair out of his face, it's severely limiting my adorable picture angles.

Elmet proposed to Netty that they get a meal and spend some time together at the mead hall. A sim needs a little romancing in their life, after all!

Norweni: Elmet. Not getting into any mischief today, are we?

Elmet: Nah, Helenet's even here to keep an eye on me, see?

Spotted: Enna cutting loose on her day off.

Eisu: Hey! I'm not interrupting anything, am I?

Elmet: Kinda.

Helenet: Oh, Eisu, it's nice to see you!

Eisu: She looks just like you did as a baby.

Elmet: Really?

Eisu: Yup. Same nose. When do you think you'll know if she also inherited your... lycanthropy?

Elmet: I have no idea. Some time between now and the next twenty years, I guess.

[eulaliasims]

Round 6: Midwife 2 / 6

Elmet's task is to befriend Willow, because she's the only wolf that actually comes when he does the 'summon wolves' thing. Willow loves to get almost to the friend stage and then leave the lot entirely.

Elmet: Hey. What are you doing up?

Helenet: I woke up and there was absolutely no one else at all in my bed. Such a travesty.

Elmet: Well, clearly we'd better correct that.

Helenet: Oooh—

Elmet: What? What?

Helenet: Well, apparently my mother was right when she said sex can bring on labor—

Welcome, Fiona! I couldn't think of a moon-related name for you, I hope that's okay. Also, this is the sixth female baby in a row born in Veridia. This is gonna be a girl-heavy cohort I guess.

Helenet: So this is one strike against the magical werewolf sense theory… unless you were deliberately telling me the opposite answer to prove my theory wrong.

Elmet: Helenet, dear one, my love: why the fuck would I do that?

Helenet: No, sorry, you wouldn't.

Elmet: I think you need more sleep.

Helenet: It's just, if werewolves could really sense the sex of a baby before they're born, imagine what other things we could learn about them! And then what if you could smell other things about people, like health conditions? So many possibilities!

Elmet: Sleep. Naptime for Netty. Give me the baby and go to sleep.

Elmet isn't letting Arturo get out of holding this baby and just plonks Fiona into his arms before he can protest.

But Arturo is rather fond of all the children (including Angus). Now that he lives here, he often swoops in autonomously to take care of the babies before either Elmet or Helenet can get there.

Eisu: Isn't she precious? Hello, darling.

Arturo: I admit to being very fond of this one as well.

Eisu: So any chance we'll be seeing a little Arturo too in the future?

Arturo: What? Oh, you mean progeny of my own. I am not capable of such things, as far as I know. More importantly, I think everyone agrees that two babies and one teenager is plenty.

I thought Helenet deserved to go out and have some fun on her own, so she left the boys to hold down the fort and went to visit the market, where she ran into Diseta.

Helenet: Everything alright? You look a bit down.

Diseta: It's... things I am not going to talk about with one of the kids nearby.

Helenet: Oh. D'you want to come by later and talk?

Diseta: Not really. Thanks, though.

She also stops to chat with one of her current patients, Aífe.

Aífe: Have you heard the latest rumor? I don't believe it, personally.

Helenet: What, did Brigid Salter fight another teenager?

Aífe: Everyone would believe that rumor, Helenet.

This seems like a safe spot to play with your toddler.

Oh, a lullaby for Lune. Thanks.

[eulaliasims]

Round 5: Wyll 7 / 8

Norweni: Is the goat always in the house?

Maddan and River: Yes.

Maddan: *sigh* It sleeps at the foot of our bed.

Norweni: Oh, she's got you by the short hairs, huh? My wife won't even let my dog sleep on our bed.

Norweni: You… I'm just now realizing that you've been flirting with me for a while. Correct?

Maddan: And here I was starting to think maybe I'm not being obvious.

Norweni: I have a wife.

Maddan: D'you only go for women?

Norweni: No… but I have a wife.

Maddan: So do I; you might've noticed. So?

Norweni: So… I shouldn't be doing this.

Maddan: Hm. If you change your mind, you know where to find me.

Everyone loves a muddy goat.

River: Woah!

Derelei: Sorry, was that too much?

River: Uh, you just surprised me.

Despite having three bolts with Derelei, River doesn't actually seem interested in her. 😐 why does this keep happening to her

River: Is it snowing? This place is too damn cold.

Fial: Is that from the goat?

Maddan: Unfortunately.

Fial: I never realized they were so good at digging.

Maddan: If I'm not working when the baby comes, I'm going to go out. Your cousin doesn't like me very much; it'll be better if I'm not here.

Orla: I'm sure that's not true.

Maddan: I assure you it is. Don't worry, Orla, you'll be in fine hands, from what I've heard.

The next day Helenet is here bright and early to listen to Orla chatter.

Orla: Oooh, Helenet—

Helenet: Well, this one's quick.

Orla has a baby girl, with black hair but her own bright blue eyes, and names her Bel. I think the last five or six babies born in Veridia have all been female. Is there something in the water?

River: Oh, the baby's here? Congrats. Hi, Helenet.

Helenet: Hey.

Helenet stays a while to tidy things around the house and support Orla.

Orla: Do you think I'm doing good so far?

Helenet: I think you'll be a fine mother, Orla. No one can deny that you have an abundance of love to share.

Luckily Maddan gets home from whatever his guard duties are after Helenet has gone.

Maddan: Well, you're just as pretty as your mother is.

Orla: I heard that!

Maddan: Go back to sleep, Orla.

Orla: You think I'm prettyyyyyy~

Maddan: Everyone thinks you're pretty. That's no big surprise.

[eulaliasims]

Round 6: Midwife 4 / 6

Orla dropped by to meet her newest baby cousin.

Elmet: Here she is, all freshened up.

Orla: Oh, aren't you so sweet! She and Bel can grow up together and be friends! It's so exciting!

Orla: I've always loved babies. I keep saying to Maddan that we should have another, but he says one's enough. Completely untrue.

Elmet: Um. That's his right, I guess?

Eisu was unreasonably excited about the idea of Arturo stepping out in Veridian society and lent him an old tunic and trousers that they'd been keeping for when Drustan can fit into them. Wearing trousers is... unfamiliar.

Helenet: You look very pretty.

Arturo: Thank you, witch.

Helenet: Ooh, I want to try the log roll this year, the water looks so nice and cool. And I want a drink, and something to eat in a bit… and we should dance, of course.

Arturo: I don't think I will join you in falling into the water, but the rest sounds fine.

I then proceeded to somehow not take pictures of any of that. 😭 There weren't a lot of sims at the lot today, but I still got distracted...

...by almost finding another potential love interest for Drustan (actually likes him, has chemistry) but alas, it is not to be, since Dunk is going to immediately age up this round.

Helenet: So what do you think? Are you having a good time?

Arturo: This evening has been… interesting. It's loud.

Helenet: I suppose it is after you've lived in the woods for who knows how long.

Arturo: Are you you enjoying yourself, little witch?

Helenet: Yes, but you still owe me a dance!

where is everyone. why is the lot so empty.

Helenet: Is Gytha staying over again?

Angus: Yeah, she's already asleep.

Elmet: You're lucky your mother is so chill, kid. If my brother or I tried to have a girlfriend or boyfriend sleep over when we were your age, our parents would've had a fit. My ears are ringing just imagining it.

Angus: Oh, tell us more stories about your youth, old man.

Elmet: We had to walk ten leagues to get to the market way back then. Uphill, both ways! In the snow!

This family's love language is sassing each other.

Elmet: So did you have fun?

Arturo: It was interesting to observe the village more closely. I'm not sure that I enjoy being in crowds.

Elmet: That's okay, we're not gonna force you to go to all of them or anything if you don't want to. I'm happy you tried it, though.

[eulaliasims]

Round 5, Midwife 3 / 7

Helenet: Well, she is a girl, unless she tells us otherwise when she gets older. Go on, say it.

Elmet: I'm not gonna say it.

Helenet: Say it.

Elmet: No.

Helenet: Saaaaaaay it.

Elmet: Fine... I told you so.

Helenet: Thank you.

Helenet: Maybe Eisu is right and it's some special werewolf sense; maybe you can smell it. I wonder what would happen if I had you record your guesses for each of my patients' babies and then compare it after they're born.

Elmet: I think you would probably stop having patients, because you kept asking if your weird husband could sniff them.

Helenet: Oooh, what about Jia and Xiuying? Could you tell with them before they were born?

Elmet: How much time do you think I spend smelling my brother?

Gytha: Does feeding a baby feel weird? It seems like it should.

Helenet: Uh, not to me. Thinking about babies, Gytha?

Gytha: Noooo. I make sure to drink that tea you gave me.

Helenet: That's good. Wait, have you been here all night?

Gytha: ...Maybe.

Angus has to head to the market in the morning, and he makes a valiant attempt at conversation with both Enna and Glamaer, but he's just... not good at it for some reason. Apparently most people don't want to hear about the effects of different herbs on the body's organs? Angus thinks it's interesting.

This is part of the reason he likes Gytha so much; if he doesn't feel like talking much, she's perfectly happy to fill in the silence herself.

Elmet loves being a dad. :)

I've never seen a sim fail so much at casting spells.

Helenet is still awake after feeding Lune when Elmet gets home and gets swept into an impromptu dance. Her boys are such dorks, but they're both her dorks.

She hasn't entirely surrendered the task of herb harvesting to Angus. Helenet loves to be out in the garden and seeing how her plants are growing. Her magic skills may still be questionable, but she's always had something of a green thumb.

At least with Arturo always hanging around I can now pretend he just left the books here.

Also, you'd think the wolves actually live here.

[eulaliasims]

Round 5: Wyll 2 / 8

The welcoming committee consists of Fial (makes sense), Faro (got dragged along with his mother), and Gytha (saw the commotion from across the street and wanted to join, I guess?).

Faro: Mum, they have a pet goat! Look how sweet she is. Can we—

Fial: No.

this is too much liking, Norweni. I thought for sure she would hate him. 😭

Orla: I think this afternoon I'm going to go see cousin Helenet. I can't believe she's here! I want to hear what she's been up to. I heard she's the village midwife too? So I should go see her anyway!

Norweni: That's true. She delivered my own children; she's very capable.

Orla: D'you want to come with me, Maddan?

Maddan: No.

Orla: You and Helenet are the same age, aren't you? You must've met her a few times before she left, I'm sure she'd love to catch up—

Maddan: I said no, Orla.

Orla: Alright, sheesh.

First, though, a nap feels very necessary (guarded by Chewy, of course). It's good the first trimester exhaustion didn't hit until they were done traveling.

Maddan: So, Norweni the Knife. You were already a legend when I first started training; the woman who helped Maccus seize his seat from his uncle.

Norweni: I'm a person, not a legend.

Maddan: Most legends are. That's why you should never meet any; they're usually disappointing.

Norweni: *laughs* Smart. Am I disappointing to you, then, Maddan of Wyll?

Maddan: Not so far. By all accounts, you run Veridia with a steady hand. It's admirable.

Norweni: Oh, well—thank you.

River desperately needs their own house, so they don't have to listen to this.

Turns out Helenet had a similar thought to Orla and turns up to check in on her.

Orla: Helenet! Hi!

Helenet: Aaaand we're hugging. Okay.

Orla: Come inside, you must be soaked!

Orla: You're expecting too? Oh, our babies can grow up together and be friends!

Helenet: You're pregnant, Orla?

Orla: Yes! It must've happened while we were traveling. It's so exciting!

Helenet: I see. Have the two of you been married long?

Orla: Seven—oh, no, eight months now. Great-grandmother arranged it, but I don't mind, you know. He's very pretty!

Helenet: I... see.

Orla: What about you? What's happened since you left home? When did you come here, anyway?

Helenet: Oh, ages ago. Um... I've married, and we have a wee daughter in addition to this one that's brewing. And I've started teaching Angus about herbalism and healing. He's got a natural hand for it.

Orla: That's great! Oh, you should bring Angus with you next time. And your husband!

Helenet will not be doing that, thanks.

[eulaliasims]

Interlude I

Enna: Ms Norweni, there's a group of people outside asking for you. They came down the hill road.

Norweni: A group? Who and how many?

Enna: I don't recognize any of 'em. Um, a half-dozen maybe?

Norweni: Hm. Go find Sun and keep her close to you, please.

???: Ah, I take it you're Veridia's headwoman. Norweni?

Norweni: Yes, I am. And you?

???: I am Maddan of Wyll. I've brought these people to your valley to seek safe harbor, away from the war that threatens our home.

Norweni: …You'd better come inside.

Norweni: Enna, Sun, I know you're both eavesdropping. Enna, run over to the big hall and tell them we need food and beds for eight for at least a night. Sun, take my horse and fetch your Aunt Netty.

Enna: Yes'm!

Sun: I get to ride Dandelion?!

Norweni: Child, what did I just tell you?

Sun: I mean, yes, Mum, I'll go get her.

Norweni: This is the first I'm hearing of war within Abona's borders.

Maddan: I'm sure you know Wyll lies on the western edge of Abona. The feud between Chief Coel and Queen Icena has been spilling over our border since winter ended. We've had looting and farms burned.

Norweni: Maccus cannot be ignoring this, surely.

Maddan: The soldiers were Icena's, confused about the border between our land and Coel's and apparently incapable of caution. The king may only demand restitution from her. Or he may finally join forces with her to rout Coel, or break from Icena over the intrusions and join with Coel. I don't claim to know the man's mind. Whatever's going to happen, a few of Wyll's coven elders decided preemptively to send away some of their younger members, to ensure the magic lines cannot perish if war truly breaks out.

Norweni: And they want to cache them here like a hoard of coins.

Maddan: Aye, and in a few other places. This is my group. Orla, the blonde woman, and River in the purple coat are our witches. And the elders tossed me in for good measure, though I only carry the blood and not the talent. The others are townsfolk who felt safer leaving than staying.

Norweni: I see.

Orla: Cousin Helenet? Cousin Helenet! It's you! We all assumed you died!

Helenet: Well, don't sound so cheery about it—

Helenet: Wait, Orla? Spirits, the last time I saw you, you were just a wee thing. What are you doing here?

Orla: Great-grandmother sent us here!

Helenet: That old bat is still alive? Goodness, death itself must not want to deal with her...

Norweni: Helenet, these people have come from Wyll to seek refuge. Perhaps you can look them over to make sure everyone is uninjured and healthy after their journey...

Norweni: ...but first I need to speak to you.

Helenet: Fine. Angus, set up my work basket on the table.

Helenet: Boss…

Norweni: I was going to ask if you knew any of these people, but obviously you do. Do you know any reason that I shouldn't allow them refuge here?

Helenet: *sigh* Well, not really. Orla is my second cousin; she was just a girl when I left home. I don't know much about River's family except that they're generally upstanding, or they were. I don't know now. Because, you might've noticed, I've been living here for over ten years.

Norweni: Any of the others?

Helenet: Maddan is an arse, but not one that's going to be thieving or starting fights. I don't know anyone else, but Maddan's not likely to let them misbehave.

Norweni: Hm. Very well.

Diseta: What the heck is going on?

Norweni: You missed all the drama. We have new neighbors.

Diseta: Wait, wait, start at the beginning!

[eulaliasims]

Round 4, Midwife 1 / 9

Over at Helenet's household, big changes are happening.

Helenet and Elmet have worked out a deal with Norweni and Veridia's builders to build a new, larger home for them, and Elmet has been working with them to make sure it's ready before winter really sets in. There's a lot more space now for Helenet's work and for any future family members. Trunks have been packed and Helenet has carefully transplanted some of her garden. yes I am basically giving up and building things in Generic Medieval Fantasy style why do you ask

Their new home is across from the forest, which is handy for Elmet. There's plenty of space for Helenet's herbs and the chickens, with space for a kitchen garden to be planted in the spring.

it's a wolf, I promise. it says so in the description.

The kitchen is my favorite space.

A real bed! Those Casper podcast ads really paid off, huh, Elmet?

By Helenet's workbench, she's tacked up some anatomical diagrams Arturo gave her after he carefully copied them out of one of the many scrolls he has tucked away, acquired from gods know where. I am ignoring the books SO hard here.

Of course we brought the little dudes! Someone put an apple in the bowl, maybe we'll get a kokiri seed and we can expand our inventory.

The new bed has to be broken in right away, of course.

[eulaliasims]

Round 5, Midwife 6 / 7

So should I just sell everyone flu cures now? (Arturo started this plague, btw.)

Helenet: Drink this.

Arturo: ...Why?

Helenet: Because you're obviously sick.

Arturo: I do not get sick, little witch.

Helenet: You do now! Congratulations.

Regret.

I fear none of their pillows are going to survive this relationship.

Helenet: Remember—

Arturo: Yes, yes, wear garments while in town, I remember.

Arturo: Hello, very small child. Ah... Helenet, what does she want from me, exactly?

Helenet: From what I remember of those years, probably to be picked up so she can yank on your antlers.

Arturo: Please do not yank on me. It would be uncomfortable.

Angus: How does this look?

Arturo: Very good. Your channeling is very strong; I recommend starting to focus more on fine details now.

Helenet: So...

Elmet: So?

Helenet: Should we get some practice in for conceiving the next baby?

Elmet: Definitely!