“Stop squirming.” Bale spoke softly, bringing broth to her daughters’ lips. “I know you’re uncomfortable, but if you make me spill then we’re both going to be unhappy.”
“S-sorry, Ma.” The young lady replied.
Bale lifted the bowl of warm Silverfish Soup. She worked hard for this potage. an entire thimble’s full, warm and steamy.

Earlier that day, she had gathered her courage and traveled all by herself outside the security of the colony's borders in search of the nearest water pipe. It had been a risky move, she could have easily crossed paths with slavers or a spider and no one would have been able to help her, but it had been the only way of getting meal cooked. She sat next to the pipes and waited for who knows how long till one of the pipes got warm enough, cooked the whole meal and then carried it back home as fast as she could without spilling a drop. She wouldn't be a happy woman if Baya knocked it all over out of fussiness of being woken up.
“You have to drink this, or you’ll have a rough night.”
“Tired… Already...” She managed out weakly.
“And then you’re going to wake up in the middle of the night unable to breathe through your nose.”

In retrospective, it would have been so much easier if she had just stayed home and use a candle. but it wouldn't have been wise, the light could have attracted the unwanted attention of neighbors. The colony had very strict rules on the use of fire, no one was allowed to light a flame without the headmasters’ approval or permit. The local folks were very apprehensive about gambling the safety of the colony on any overconfident fool, common sense really. It didn't take much for someone to accidentally get burnt, risk starting a fire or even worst... angering the gods.
Not that any of this worried her more than them finding out she was hiding two rattis children under their noses. If they ever find out they would take away her family's farm from her, she would be exiled and after they would.... they... Bale choke quietly... she didn’t want to think what would happen to her children, the though was too painful.

Bale place her hand on the side of Baya’s snout an gave it a good pat. “Open.”
The rattis made no struggle. She obeyed, wincing slightly as the steamy broth was dripped into her mouth and Bale began to pour the bowl's content as if it was a spoon.

Bale smiled as she filled the bowl again. It brought her great pride to see Baya grow up alongside her brother Nevro. Such fulfillment couldn't have been found elsewhere.

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Characters @  FA.MA

Art @  EyeofCalamity