Wrinkles
“Won’t go on!” Nerina fussed, pushing the piece of driftwood and lace away from her. She crossed her arms over her chest and huffed, her face scrunched up in frustration.
Elaianna looked over to her with a soft expression, though her eyes spoke of gentle reprimand. “Lady Nerina,” she cooed. “If it won’t go on, what do we do?” she asked. She dragged her chair closer to her daughters and reached out for the smoothed over piece of wood. Taking it in her hands delicately, she looked it over, and then back to Nerina as she awaited an answer.
The child was more content to huff and puff than answer.
“We ask for help,” Elaianna told her. “Do you want help with your boat?”
Nerina jutted her lower lip out into a pout, and vivid blue eyes stared up at her mother. Her head nodded, jet black tresses bouncing.
“How do we say that?”
With a dramatic sigh, Nerina’s shoulders raised up and then fell back down, arms still crossed in stubborness over her chest. “Can you help me with the boat, Mama?” Still, Elaianna looked at her, raising a single brow as Nerina’s question finished, without a key word. “…Pleeeeaaase, Mama.”
Only then did Elaianna nod her head with a smile. “Of course, mo storeen.” With care, she took the lace and looked it over. “Here is the issue, sweetheart. We’re all smushed.” The corner was crumpled from being repeatedly smashed against the blunt mast of the boat. With her fingertips, Elaianna worked out the wrinkles. “We just need to take the time to work out the problem. See?” As her mother showed her what she had done, Nerina finally unfolded her stubborn arms, and nodded once more. “I see, Mama.”
“Do you want to try again now?”
Another nod. “Yes, Mama.”
Smiling, Elaianna handed both lace and driftwood ship back to Nerina. The lace sail didn’t slip on easily this time either– abuse of fabric would do that, no matter how ironed out the wrinkles were. With her hands over Nerina’s, Elaianna helped her guide the slip of lace over the mast.
“Beautiful, mo storeen.” Leaning down, Elaianna kissed the crown of her head. “Now let’s try another– this time all on your own. I believe you have the hang of it.”
Later that day, a few ships made their rounds throughout Stormhollow. The first went to Nerina and Aberdeen’s governess, Andritte. The second was hand delivered by Nerina to Eidrich, for both him and Kaitlyn. The third made it’s way to the Harbor Chief’s office. A fourth to Miss Night. The fifth, and the largest, waited until the Admiral returned home from his voyage, where wife and daughters would be waiting on the docks for him.
It seemed to be just another day where Vox filled her mind with thoughts of nothing but the Duchess. It was either that or fall pray to thoughts of Nikym. What was he doing? Why wasn’t he here? Was he watching her?
None of her pining and obsession mattered the minute she received this beautiful gift made of fine material.
Vox took the little boat and held it in her hand smiling. She then swore she was the happiest woman in Stormhollow.


