"Honest mistake? You said you had lost your brush in the puddle, then pushed me in while i looked for it. My mother was furious. Only reason you fell in was because I said that I would still have to go to the silly thing, and you would be punished and have to go anyway."
Cynthia growled in support of her mother, and Tuchesi lay his head on Rose's shoulder showing his own allegiance.
Rallon sniffed. "Furry traitors." He was smiling though
Rallon moved to the bed and dutifully kissed his ladies, Cynthia going last simply by distance, Tuchesi giving a growl when he received a kiss. Rallon gripped his muzzle. "Get used to it wolf. We're an affectionate family." Tuchesi huffed but also licked Rallon's wrist.
Once down in the dining room Rallonw as shooed away from his child, though even the girls at their most insistent could not deter Alyssa's ever faithful watch wolves. Many of them learned just how protective Cynthia was of her sister when she felt Alyssa was held wrong, and she would growl, stand on dresses, or even bark to make her point known.
Tuchesi lay behind Rose's chair, watching everything but not getting in the middle as he lacked Cynthia's grace and agility. The girls tried to argue with Cynthia about the baby, but Alyssa, quickly as ever realizing that her sister was once again her ally, would voice her own displeasure forcefully, making them adjust their hold.
She continued to spit up, and kept joining in her consternation, refusing to quiet down. Rallon refused to let them hand the baby to Rose, who he insisted eat, but when Amelia got her niece and tried to tempt her with a small glob of jelly, Alyssa had enough.
She threw her head back and began to wail. Cynthia immediately sat beside Amelia then looked to her father.
Rallon stood, took the baby and left the room, Cynthia obeyed his silent instruction to go lay under her mother's chair for her own breakfast, which Tuchesi was already tearing into.
Fisher was just coming down with David's rocker, the boy loved to rock for hours, when he spied Rallon step out of the dining room with the still screaming Alyssa.
Rallon smoothed down her dress, loosening it where he could again, then got her comfortable, enduring her continued screams, then calmly looked into her eyes. She tried to avoid his gaze, scrunching up her face in her rage, but finally she met the unshakeable blue eyes, and despite herself her cries cut off instantly.
"Alyssa my love I know it is miserable. But life is not divided into good and bad. Somethings merely must be endured. You are too small for punishment, and too young for a lesson. But know that your mother, sister, brother-in-law, and I, as well as your aunts and godparents love you. Now be still."
He kissed her forehead then wiped her eyes, removing her tears of rage, and her spit up, then smiled. "Such a lovely lady you are dear one. Someday some boy may think you as beautiful as your mother. And when that day comes I'll eat his ears."
Fisher could not help laughing at that ludicrous threat. The sound triggered Alyssa who somehow realized her daddy was being silly and squealed, smiling happily. "My lord...do you think she understands you?"
Rallon smiled, making her smile wider. "Maybe not my words, not yet anyway, but she knows what I mean."
Fisher nodded. He had seen nobles beat or punish children e same age as David and Alyssa for crying in public or other breaches of proper behavior and the very idea terrified him. Tia of course had her own ideas on child rearing, and he worried that the boy might not survive his mother, but in all her method was much like Rallon's, and he began to realize what it was. Rallon would likely never physically punish his children, not because he was afraid to or because he might hurt them, but because like everyone else in Rallon's life, disappointing him broke the offender's own heart. Fisher could speak to that. Rallon was establishing himself and Rose as the ultimate measure for his child, just as Tia was Fisher and herself for David, and he marveled at the cleverness of it.
What child could bear to see those eyes, so loving and open, hurt by one's own actions? Fisher knew Rallon would not be above physical punishment as needed, he had proven that with his sisters time and again, but he preferred deep lessons, and allowing the punished to realize and regret their mistakes organically.
Fisher chuckled. "You are a wonder my lord."
Rallon smiled. "As are you Captain. You will join me for the hunt today."
Fisher blinked. "I will?"
"You will. Much as I adore my daughter, and you your son, we both could use some time away from people. And I need a sure shot beside me. Robin will not be joining us however. It seems he does not feel well."
The green clad outlaw had matched drinks with Silas the tanner the night before, and the man was known for drinking any one under the table. Tony himself had lamented about losing ten crowns on the match, certain that Silas would lose as he had already beaten five others earlier.
Fisher nodded. "I am at your service my Lord. If you teach me how to hold David's gaze like that."
Rallon smiled. "Easy enough. First you have to instill in yourself that nothing can shake your resolve. No matter the noise, no matter what happens. Firm as steel."
Fisher moved closer watching Rallon's face. It was open and friendly, yet truly it was set and unshakeable. Alyssa was watching her father's face again, suddenly quiet, though she had been laughing and squealing a moment before.
"Then you make them look at you. Not with words. But with steady unwavering gaze. It's undeniable. But not angry. Anger scares. Just soft friendly eyes, seeking answers." His eyes, able to be so cold, were bright and warm, dancing at his daughter. Alyssa squealed and clapped her hands.
Fisher nodded. Rallon continued. "And you do not speak. you certainly do not yell, or pinch or poke. You aid them as best you can and ensure they are not in pain, making you their ally. Hold them the way they prefer to be held by you. Then you wait."
Alyssa clearly didn't know what was going on but her daddy was still smiling at her and she clapped again, delighted at the attention.
"When you have their attention you speak calmly and smoothly so you don't frighten or upset them, and you keep talking until they have relaxed and calmed down and are laughing. Always end with a laugh."
Fisher nodded as Alyssa gurgled happily clapping. "Where did you learn that my lord?"
"My father."
Fisher blinked. "He did such a thing?"
Rallon nodded. "He didn't like the babies screaming, but he knew yelling back or hurting them would do no good. He fired a maid who tied my diaper wrong and refused to fix it. I watched him do it with my brothers and the sisters i met. Even worked on Gregory. It's not about matching wills with them, but about showing them that you are on their side. Which of course you always are."
Fisher cocked his head. "What if David should do something wrong and be well aware of it?"
"Would he cease being your son? Would you ever stop loving him? I can tell you for certain that my parent's still love my brothers. So do I. so do my sisters. That is part of being family. A parent. A brother. A sister. No matter what horrors may happen you still love your family. You hate the act, not the person. Yes the deed is wrong, and the doer must be punished, but does that mean you love them any less? No. You are his father. Even if you cannot support the action, you must ALWAYS support the child. You can never not be there for them. Only death allows your absence. That is the true test of parenthood. You did the deed and had the child. Now you have to be there every time that child needs you. If you cannot you are not worthy of being a father. But you are Fisher. You are and you will be. You are a good man, a good husband, and a good father. And a good friend."
Fisher smiled. "You are most kind my lord."
Rallon smiled and took Fisher's hand and poked Alyssa's tummy with it. She squealed in delight once again clapping at his hand. Rallon chuckled and nodded toward the dining room. "Shall we?"
Fisher pushed open the door. Rallon returned to his seat and sat Alyssa up before his plate on a small pillow, letting her back rest against a monstrous milk jug, and while he ate he teased her with his fingers or his food. She continued to gurgle and squeal happily, quite enjoying the new position, though he would sometimes frustrate her by ensuring nothing she could lift or knock over was within her reach. Still he kept her busy trying to keep him from tickling her, while he cleared four full plates, gave orders regarding the market, the castle, ensured his wife ate, broke up five fights amongst the ladies, discussed the economy of York with Her Majesty, traded child raising theory with Tia in Arabic, signed more than hundred documents, fed both Cynthia and Tuchesi off his plate, and delivered no fewer than a round thirty kisses to his beloved Rose throughout the meal.
Alyssa was her normal jolly self by the time for the actual presentation, though she clearly still hated the dress, she was calm and ready to attend, though she made it clear she would only be held by her parents. The girls were somewhat hurt by this but Rallon just smiled. "My dears you just don't have the special touch. We're her parents."
Only Isabella seemed aware of the distinction.
Rallon first gave Alyssa a small strange little item to suck on, then handed the baby to his bride with another kiss, then stepped out to check in and welcome the ladies, while Her Majesty joined Rose and Tia, who was also expected to attend with her only snoozing David.
The Queen gave an rather stern nod at Rallon's back. "I have never met such a strange yet wonderful man in my life. And so much energy. How did the two of you meet again Rose? And how did you land him?" The Queen had become rather morose of late, though she smiled seeing her god daughter. It was well known her marriage was loveless, which was no surprise as she, like the people, had not seen the king in some years. Richard might have the heart of lion, but he did not hold his queen's anymore, if he ever truly did.
She reached in and brushed some of Alyssa's hair back, then tapped the device as Alyssa sucked on it happily, then noticed that David had one as well. "What are these?"
Tia answered. "We call them soothers. They are made of tightly sewn well cleansed cloth and filled with a soft syrup. Keeps the babies from crying and happy because of the taste."
The Queen nodded. "Rallon's invention?"
Tia shook her head. "No Your Grace. Nor mine. My people have used sugar rags, and other such things to do the same job. It is sometimes required that a child be stilled, and of course when a baby cries he or she tires out quicker, but often gives themselves pains. This prevents that as surely as suckling would, but without filling the tummy or causing pain to the mother."
Tia had complained to Rose about being too top heavy now. She had experienced a massive swelling to her chest, and they ached badly when full, and had been heard shrilly berating servant boys who had been ogling her. Fisher of course simply did what he could to sooth his bride, and carefully made no jokes or playful remarks about them, though David quite enjoyed them, the large infant demanded suck at least twice as often as did Alyssa.
The Queen carefully said nothing, nor did she look at either mother's swollen chest, but soft smile could not be missed. She then questioned Tia about David's size, as she was certain the boy was already three times as big as when he had bee born.
Tia assured her the growth was not that rapid, but the boy had already grown a full half inch in only three days, and was much heavier, though he was not growing chubbier. Tia was actually somewhat worried about this, but the boy was strong and healthy, and he ate greedily at every opportunity.
"I just hope he learns to walk quickly. If he keeps growing this fast he'll outweigh me before he's Thea's age."
The Queen laughed. "What a sight. David son of Sir Fisher and Lady Tia." She smiled down at the still sleeping boy, then turned to Rose and Alyssa again. "I wonder why she eats the less but has more energy. Look at those bright eyes."
Alyssa watched the woman closely, still happily sucking on her soother, her eyes indeed bright and happy. The syrup was sweet but thinned with milk to avoid a sugar rush or headache, and Alyssa was just as happy as she could be snuggled in her mother's arms.
Rallon reentered the room and bowed to the ladies. First his sisters and cousins entered to much ado, then Marian, Tony had arrived and was lead in, still rather wobbly but able to blow kisses at the Queen, Tia, and Rose, and the bambinos. Alyssa clapped at him, and the Queen smiling, blushing ever so slightly.
Then Her Majesty was announced, and she entered gracefully as ever. Tia and Fisher went next, and poor David stirred then grunted and went back to sleep at all the noise.
Rallon gently pressed his hand to Rose's back and lead her into the room and to her chair, which he stood behind as the Ladies of York oohed and ahhed over Alyssa, who smiled and gurgled at all the attention, though she was a bit overwhelmed by all the noise and people.
Cynthia and Tuchesi formed a wall with their bodies so no one would touch either newborn or get to close, though they both feigned sleep to assuage the worries over the monster wolves. Of course most of the women had brought their own younger children, many of whom wanted to pet and play with the wolves.
Tuchesi and Cynthia waited until the crowd had settled enough they could be sure the babies would not be bothered, David still sleeping, and Alyssa now nervously clutching her mother in her tiny fists, lead the children outside to play, under the 'guard' of Thea, whom they both obeyed perfectly.
The Queen noted this and cast a smirk at Rallon who smiled back innocently and gave a shadow of a wink. he did so love to turn people's fears and concerns on their heads. The great wolves under the command of a girl who had not yet seen her 5th birthday. Even this silly creatures could not claim mad wildness in the wolves upon seeing that.
She did enjoy the fact that no matter how they pleaded, begged, or tried to bribe the wolves though, not one of the other children could get them to so much as look at them. Cynthia and Tuchesi handled being touched too much easily. They simply slithered or leapt away until the children were tired out, careful to not even brush one with the pads of their paws, then danced away enticing the children on with the game and preventing harm. They were under strict orders to behave and see no harm came to the children, but more importantly to themselves. Rallon had warned each child that he would expect payment in kind if either wolf was pained in anyway.
So though the children petted and examined fangs and claws and paws, especially the massive Tuchesi's, they did not pull ears, tails, or fur, and they did not subject the wolves to the normal games of children with animals. Even they realized that though trained and well behaved, both of these creatures were killers.
Rallon also knew he had caused a small problem for the ladies in question, because before the visit was over, each one of the children had gone to their mother and begged for a dog like Cynthia and Tuchesi. Even the most foolish knew Rallon would never part with either, and though many tried to speak about buying the puppies, Rallon made it clear that he was not open to any offers at this time. He didn't mention that it was up to Cynthia who would receive one of her precious pups, though he would certainly ask if he thought the pup would be well treated, nor did he mention that this was his own small, admittedly petty, revenge on them for causing his family discomfort, especially his daughter in that ridiculous dress.
He did breath a silent prayer to the Holy Mother, and asked her to speak to his own mother for forgiveness but he had decided that the dress an the others were going to come up missing before the next event, and Alyssa would have something appropriate but comfortable to wear, as would all his children.
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