"Tell us what?"

Both Mericlou and Sedriil gave a start. Neither had heard the front door open, or even Noroa's approach.

"Sister, you scared us," Mericlou said in consternation. But this swiftly turned into bashfulness. "As for what we were talking about, it was … well … what you and Skori … ah … saw last night."

"I was wondering when you'd admit to it!" Noroa said. She clasped her hands tightly and gave an elated squeal. "I didn't want to embarrass you, but I'm so glad that you decided to tell us. Ah! My dear little sister has finally grown up!"

"Just … don't tell Alaema, okay?" She said, momentarily beginning to wish that Noroa had not found out. "Tell it to Garen as well."

"I think it'd be best if we don't tell him just yet," Noroa said. "My husband has a tenancy to be indiscreet, and he might say something before we leave. I'll tell him when we get back home."

"Speaking of which, sister," Sedriil said, "do you still need help packing?"

"You're leaving so soon?" Mericlou said disappointedly. She stroked Needles, who was sound asleep around her neck.

"Sorry, Meri," Noroa said, "but Garen does have a job back home. I'm surprised you didn't know. We did mention during the party that we'd only be staying a few days."

"I believe she was too interested in Aldrec to hear anyone else," Sedriil quipped. Mericlou, in spite of herself, laughed along with her siblings.

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"I just hope that you won't be a stranger," Mericlou said to her sister. "Three years is too long a time to wait for you again."

"Well, I'm not leaving just yet," Noroa said, "but we won't be strangers at all, I hope. After all, I'm inviting you to our home the month after the next. The elves we work with are giving us an expectancy ceremony, and I want the whole family to be a part of it!"

"What's an expectancy ceremony?" Mericlou said.

"Sister, I'm shocked that you'd have spent a year with an elf, and don't know what an expectancy ceremony is," Sedriil said in complete disbelief. Even Noroa was surprised.

"It's like a blessing upon the expectant couple," her sister explained. It's done during the month when the pregnancy becomes visible. So when you see me again, I'm going to be a little on the chubby side!" She laughed, and placed her hand to her stomach. "To tell the truth, I kind of feel that way already."




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