**Not long after receiving Mikayla's father's permission to wed, the couple decides to take a trip to Saldaea to meet Korathin's family and to visit Mikayla's inheritance - her birth parent's estate... Extremely nervous, the first member of Korathin's family that she meets is his mother**
 

Ellena is sitting on her rocking chair inside the house, knitting something.

Korathin comes back from the barn with Mikayla after having just put up the horses.  He smiles lightly at her, making his way to the front door of the house.

Mikayla takes a deep breath as she looks toward the house, looking toward Korathin nervously.

Korathin gently takes Mikayla's hand, squeezing it lightly.  He stops at the open door, taking one step into the house, eyes falling on Ellena, 'Mother?'

Mikayla subconciously smooths the skirt of her riding dress, fretting over a stray lock of her windblown hair.

Ellena says, 'Korathin, is that you my boy?'

Ellena turns to the pair, looking at them a moment before saying 'Aha, it is!  And is this your fiancee with you?'

Korathin nods lightly, stepping further into the room, so Mikayla can easily be seen, 'Yes.. this is Mikayla.. the one I wrote to you about..'

Mikayla smiles softly and gives a slight curtsey to Ellena, "Mistress Teslin, a pleasure to meet you."

Ellena smiles warmly, 'Ah, how nice.  You do know how to pick them.  Come in, sit down and get comfortable.'

Korathin chuckles lightly, smiling at Mikayla before crossing over to a table, pulling out a chair for Mikayla, 'How have you been?'

Mikayla moves over to the chair and sits quietly, her eyes searching the room curiously.

Ellena says 'Fine, fine.  Same as always.'

Korathin waits to see Mikayla, giving a small nod to his mother, 'And the others?'  He pulls out a chair for himself, sitting down.

Ellena says 'Oh you know.  Your dad is still in the Cavalry.  I don't think he'll ever retire.'

Korathin glances down, giving a small nod, 'I don't think he'd know what to do if he did.'

Mikayla removes her riding gloves and rests them in her lap while the two of you talk.

Ellena says 'Probably sit around the stables and sulk, most likely.'

Mikayla chuckles softly, "Sounds like Father.." she blushes slightly and looks down at her hands nervously.

Korathin chuckles lightly, his gaze comming to rest on Mikayla, 'I haven't introduced you two properly, yet.. mother, this is Mikayla Maralar.. her father is in the cavalry as well.'

Ellena smiles.  'Ah, wonderful.  I'm glad to see my boy chose such a lovely woman to settle down with.'

Mikayla blushes deeper and fidgets with her gloves, "Thank you.."

Korathin blushes lightly himself, gaze returning to Ellena, a smile on his lips, 'Mother.. I'm hardly 'settling down' .. we've yet to even set a date for the wedding.'

Ellena says 'Nonsense.'

Ellena says 'Now that you've got a good woman, you'll settle down in no time.'

Mikayla looks down slightly to hide a smile.

Korathin mutters quietly to himself, something along the lines of 'Not like I'm going to become a farmer.'  He frowns thoughtfully for a moment, finally managing to wrangle out, 'You'd probably also be happy to know Mikayla wishes to be a healer.'

Mikayla says quietly, "My father being in the cavalry as well, I always heard of the need for good healers.."

Ellena says 'Ah, wonderful news.  And yes, you are right, Mikayla.  Healers are always needed.'

Ellena says 'For when the silly men have to go prove themselves by going off and getting themselves hurt.'

Mikayla nods in agreement, looking meaningfully toward Korathin.

Korathin grumbles lightly, muttering quietly to himself, 'Not our fault we get a few scratches from time to time.'

Ellena laughs, the sound warm and bubbly.

Mikayla rolls her eyes slightly, "And then rinse them off with water and wrap them in dirty cloth... yes, they are in need of healers." she smiles playfully at Korathin.

Ellena says 'I think the two of you will do just fine.'

Korathin smiles lightly, giving a small nod in agreement with his mother, 'We haven't talked much yet about the wedding.. when we want it, or where.'

Ellena says 'You should have it here, I think.  Amongst your family.'

Mikayla nods, "I would like to have it in Saldaea... perhaps at the estate?" she looks to Korathin questioningly.

Korathin gives a small nod and smile, 'I think that would be the best thing, yes.. that way all who wished to come could.'

Ellena nods.  'Marvelous.'

Mikayla looks around again and then smiles at Ellena, "Your home is very lovely... so inviting."

Korathin's smile widens as he settles back into his chair.  He glances off through a door, then down at his stomach, 'I don't suppose that.. perhaps.. you have already made..'

Ellena smiles at Korathin.

Ellena says in a voice that feigns outrage, 'Why Korathin, you bad boy.  Do you think your mother would neglect your stomach when she knew you were coming home?'

Korathin grins lightly, slowly shaking his head, 'No.. of course not.. but how food can sometimes disappear in this house, I had just wished to make sure no one beat me to it.'

Ellena laughs.

Mikayla smiles softly as she watches the two of you.

Ellena says 'Well, I hid some from your father especially for you.'

Korathin stands up out of his chair, then grin not fading from his face, 'Good.. good..'  He glances down at Mikayla, asking lightly, 'Would you like me to get you some as well?'

Mikayla nods, "Yes please, Korathin.."

Korathin gives a small nod, then turns, disappearing off through the door.  Ocassionally, a small clattering and muttering can be heard.

Mikayla looks toward the direction Korathin left, "Hmmm.. are you sure he's safe in there alone?" she looks to Ellena and smiles mischievously.

Ellena says 'Oh yes.'

Ellena says 'He'll probably raid all he can, but I know how to hide things from him.'

Ellena winks conspiritorially.

Korathin pipes up from the kitchen, 'I heard that, Mikayla', followed by another loud clattering, and a final victorious, 'Aha!'

Mikayla laughs softly, "You'll have to teach me your secrets."

Korathin finally emerges back from the doorway, carrying a tray with two bowls of beef stew and a few cookies.

Ellena winks at Mikayla and says, 'Count on it.'

Mikayla smiles at Korathin as he enters the room, "That smells delicious..."

Korathin finally emerges back from the doorway, carrying a tray with two bowls of beef stew and a few cookies.

Korathin walks over to the table, sitting back down as he places the tray down as well.  He grabs one of the bowls and a spoon, trying a spoonful of the stew.

Mikayla looks to Korathin and shakes her head playfully, taking the other bowl from the tray.

Korathin says after finishing his first taste, 'And it is as good as it always is, mother.'  He immediately starts eating the stew again, a small smile on his lips.

Ellena says 'Of course it is, Korathin. '

Ellena smiles at Korathin.

Ellena says 'I'm your mother, I know what you like to eat.'

Mikayla takes a bite and nods in agreement with Korathin.

Korathin grins lightly, giving a small nod, 'That you do.  I trust you've been taking as good of care with my brother and sister, yes?'

Mikayla shakes her head again, "What a question to ask your mother, Korathin." she tsks softly.

Korathin grunts lightly, 'You don't know my brother and sister, and the trouble they can manage to find..'

Ellena giggles at Mikayla.

Ellena says 'Yes, I know, Korathin.  But you're no better.'

Mikayla arches a brow, "And I'm sure you were the picture of innocence." she takes another bite of stew.

Ellena says 'I was cursed with dreadful children.'

Korathin gasps lightly, trying to place a picture of mock innocence on his face, 'Well, I was!  I didn't get into trouble.. well, I didn't look for trouble, at least, not most of the time.'

Mikayla chuckles, "I only hope they are all so dreadfully attractive.. it's easier to marry them off that way." she grins teasingly at Ellena.

Ellena laughs.

Ellena says 'I'll get them all married off someday, you just wait.'

Ellena says 'Though I'm glad Korathin did most of the work for me.  I was about to start playing matchmaker with that one.'

Mikayla sniffs, though her expression is playful, "He's just marrying me for my money." she winks at Korathin, then takes a bite of her stew.

Ellena says 'Figures.'

Korathin chuckles lightly, finishing off the the last bit of his stew.  He peers at Ellena, 'You wouldn't have... but, not to worry now, I've already got the best fiancee there is.'

Ellena says 'My boy is always looking out for his stomach.  He probably figures you can afford to keep the kitchen full.'

Mikayla laughs at Ellena's words, "He has quite a kitchen to keep full, I'll tell you.."

Korathin mutters quietly to himself, 'Nothing wrong with a big, full kitchen.'

Ellena laughs.

Ellena says 'No wonder he's marrying you, Mikayla.'

Mikayla smiles at Korathin, then looks back to her stew.

Ellena asks, 'So Mikayla, how did you and my boy meet?'

Korathin settles back into his chair, gaze slowly wondering around the room.  His eyes come back to Mikayla, smiling softly.

Mikayla finishes her stew and looks longingly toward the cookies, though her attention turns to Ellena, "We met in Caemlyn.  My father is a Captain in the Cavalry, and we travel quite a bit."

Ellena says 'Ah, I see.'

Ellena says 'Caemlyn is such a big place.'

Korathin reaches over, taking one of the cookies, and holds it out to Mikayla, 'Aye.. well, we happened across each other in an inn there, the Queen's Blessing.'

Ellena nods.

Ellena says 'Old Gill still as fat as ever?'

Mikayla takes the cookie and smiles.  She nods to Ellena, "But still a dear.. he seems a good man."

Korathin chuckles lightly, giving a small nod, 'Yes.. he is.  We started talking to one another.. and I suppose one thing just lead to another..'

Mikayla nods, "Father is very overprotective... but he knows Korathin is a good man, and will treat me well." she looks at Korathin fondly before taking a bite of her cookie.

Korathin smiles softly at Mikayla before returning his gaze to Ellena.

Ellena says 'Aye, that he will.'

Ellena says 'And if he doesn't, he'll hear about it from me.'

Korathin seems to shiver slightly, thou a small smile crosses his face, 'I will treat her very well.'

Ellena nods to Korathin.

Mikayla smiles softly, "He will.. he is a perfect gentleman, and I can see that he was raised with a lot of love and good sense."

Ellena beams.

Ellena says 'Why thank you, Mikayla.'

Ellena turns to Korathin and says, 'Good move, keeping this one.'

Korathin reaches over, taking a cookie from the tray, 'I plan to, mother.' He winks to her, 'You know how stubborn I can be about something once I've set my mind on it.'

Ellena rolls her eyes.

Ellena says 'Don't I know it.'

Mikayla nods in agreement, "Very stubborn, yet he has met his match."

Korathin grunts lightly, muttering to Mikayla, 'We will see about that.'  He takes a bite of his cookie, looking back to mother.

Mikayla half-smiles, appearing quite amused, "Indeed we will.."

Ellena smiles lightly.

Ellena says 'I'll look forward to seeing the results.'

Mikayla finishes the cookie and mutters almost to herself, "Extremely stubborn children."

Korathin chuckles lightly, his voice quiet, 'And I am sure who it is your hoping will win.'  He smiles softly at Ellena, then quickly finishes off his cookie.

Ellena says 'Mikayla of course.'

Ellena smiles knowingly.

Mikayla nods, "We women need to stick together.."

Korathin rolls his eyes slightly, muttering quietly to himself about women.

Ellena laughs softly.

Mikayla taps Korathin's arm lightly with her fan, "Women you love, don't forget."

Korathin nods to Mikayla, 'Of course, of course, women I love.'  He smiles softly at her, then glances bck to Ellena.

Ellena says 'Bah, he doesn't love me.  He just uses me once in awhile for my stew.'

Ellena grins at Korathin.

Mikayla nods, "And me for my kitchens." she pouts playfully.

Korathin bah's lightly, 'I do too.. perhaps I should come to visit more often.. but I don't get much leave time.'

Mikayla sniffs dismissively, "You'll have plenty of time to visit your family.. I'll see to it." she smiles at Ellena.

Ellena beams at Mikayla then turns to Korathin.  'I like her.'

Korathin chuckles lightly, a small smile crossing his face, 'Good..I thought you two would get along.. whether that will be good for me or not is yet to be seen.. but, perhaps we should retire for the night?'

Mikayla nods in agreement, "I am exhausted actually... sleep would be welcomed right now."

Mikayla looks toward Ellena, "Please wake me early so I may assist you with the morning meal."

Ellena says 'No need for that.'

Ellena says 'I'll just awaken you both when it's ready.'

Ellena says 'I have everything prepared for you upstairs, so just head on up and make yourselves comfortable.  Korathin knows where everything is.'

Mikayla tilts her head, "If you are sure.. I can imagine what effort goes into preparing a meal for this one." she gestures with her fan toward Korathin.

Korathin pats his stomach, giving a small nod, 'Good.'  He slowly stands up, grinning down at Mikayla, 'Its not -that- hard.. just use large quantities.'  He extends his hand down for Mikayla to take.

Mikayla reaches out her hand toward Korathin, "Well perhaps your mother will gift me with some of your favorite recipes.. I wouldn't want to lose you to a better cook."

Mikayla rises and prepares to follow Korathin out, "I thank you for your hospitality... good evening, Mistress Teslin."

Ellena says 'I'm used to it.  Go have fun.'

Korathin chuckles lightly, squeezing Mikayla's hand softly, 'You've nothing to worry about... besides, you'll have plenty of time to talk with her.'  He turns, saying quietly before he does, 'Good night, mother.'

Ellena says 'Have a good evening.  I'll see you in the morning.'