Mama Raised a Gentleman

[Leo Sommers]

One of Leo's crews had just arrived home that morning, and he'd gone out to meet them at the dock himself. The men were clearly glad to be home; there were smiles on every face and cheerful chatter echoed from the group. Although he wasn't in on the joking and reunions going on around him, the nobleman found himself clapped on the back by more than one of the returning men. He grinned at them, shaking hands and even returning a brief hug from one of them. It was good to have them all back safe and sound.

Wives and children milled around them as well, and he saw one woman in particular was pointing at him. His eyebrows rose slightly and he almost frowned until he realized it was Eliza--a young mother who had been left alone with her baby during this run for the first time. He'd had some food sent to her when he heard, hoping to make her time a bit easier. Judging by the surprise on her husband's face, he hadn't expected the ship's owner to take an interest in him and his family, and he wasn't sure how to react to the news, either. Leo simply gave him a brief nod and a raise of his hand before turning to leave. He wasn't eager to be pulled into any emotional thank yous, and he was almost wondering if the man might not tell him to mind his own business next time. 

He caught the eye of the captain on his way out and waved a brief goodbye, then headed out. He lived near the sea, seeing as that was how he made his living, but somehow he wasn't ready to go home. Being alone in the big house sounded...bad...after seeing all those happy families together. He wasn't quite ready for the silence. Instead, he let his feet carry him towards the market, and his mind wandered along with his feet. He'd been alone here in Aralore for some time now. His siblings had come out to see him once before, but they preferred their home in Arcisea. It was fair, he supposed, seeing as it was the only home they had any memory of, but he wished they could share his pride in Aralore. It might not be as fancy as some of the other islands, but the people here were forging a whole new way of life. He admired their tenacity and courage, and he aimed to make his own contribution here each day.

All around him people were going about their days, raising children, running businesses, holding their spouses, living and growing. They were all so immersed in their own lives, he almost felt as if he were watching it from somewhere just outside of the reality. As he watched, though, a young woman who was quite obviously pregnant was bumped into by a running child, causing her to stumble. The little boy called an apology over his shoulder as he ran off, but the woman was still fumbling with the stack of things she'd been carrying, trying to keep them from hitting the ground. Moving on instinct, Leo stepped forward just in time to catch a large bottle of oil that had toppled off the top. As his hand hit the bottle he realized that maybe he should have just let it go, instead of getting involved...but it was too late now. 

With the oil in one hand, he looked at the rest of the pile. There was no way she was going to make it back to wherever she was going with all this and a baby bump in the way. Well, since he was here, and he'd already put himself in the middle of it, there was no point in letting her suffer. He sighed and took the rest from her. "You need a basket, or something," he told her sternly, not bothering to introduce himself or explain. "Where does this need to go?" 

Aileana DiRossi

[Aileana DiRossi]

She'd insisted, and insisted, and all but begged Roman to let her go pick up a few things they needed for the tavern. She almost immediately regretted that decision as she was juggled various items, and minding her very large belly. How did people do this? What was the point of this? This was just...No. She was getting more and more firm on the belief that people of Aralore needed to take up oisen customs and just trade with people, and just go get what you wanted yourself. What was the point of markets other than to be full of chaos and people bumping into each other and not watching where they were going? At least in Oisen they were organized chaos. "Oh Phi, you'd murder everyone here..." She found herself sighing as she thought of her younger sister. Her heart clenching as she thought of her. She missed everyone. Her parents, her sister, Dash, and Xahrina... She felt terrible, but knew it was for the best. She had to keep her baby safe from Tom and his abuse. That had been her one thought. Get out. She hadn't thought of her other options, or told anyone else. Not wanting to be a burden,  and trouble the clan with her own problems. So, she'd dealt with it herself. 

Aileana's juggling act continued, and she stuck her tongue out as an intense look of concentration was on her face. If she stared at the things she carried intensely enough, then they had to stay put right? She was concentrating so hard on not dropping anything that she let out a small cry of alarm as she was pumped into by the little boy. She'd heard his apology, but Alieana's large eyes grew all the more bigger as she tried to catch herself, and keep everything off the ground. She could see the oil jar going down though, and she would have tried to catch it, if she wasn't more concerned about the wrapped package. "Oh no!" She cried, and just as she righted herself, she turned to watch the bottle fall to its demise, when it was suddenly caught by a large hand, and Aileana's blue gaze followed the hand up to a very tall man sighing at her. She blinked in surprise, and then it registered he was helping. Or stealing, as he took everything else from her. "H-hey!" 

She began to sputter, suddenly going anxious, and she frowned at him. Giving him a leery look. He's helping. A voice told her, but she also didn't know this man, and she all but shrinked away from him as he used that stern tone with her. Basket? He was saying she needed a basket? Oh! OH! The realization was clear to show on her face. "I didn't think about that, that's probably a good idea!" She said thoughtfully. In truth she'd left the tavern in such a hurry she probably forgot to grab one. "I um...I can do it." She tried to say, reaching up to try and take some of the things back, but she had to stand on her tip toes to do so. "Thank you though." She remembered to say, as she gave him another leery look, attempting to take her stuff back. 

[Leo Sommers]

"Absolutely not," Leo answered immediately, turning away from her so she couldn't take her belongings back. "I'm carrying this. You're carrying enough as it is." A slight smirk slid across his mouth for just an instant at his slight joke. He thought it was pretty clever, but he guessed she wouldn't think so, so he'd better keep his mouth shut. Besides, most people didn't particularly like his humor.

Helpful but stubborn. His mother had identified it early on in him, and she always laughed at how he would take on more than he was able to as a child, insisting on carrying the heaviest of the items she needed, or being the first one to open doors for her. It was a matter of honor for him, back then. Now it was more habit, but at least the pleasant memories were the ones surfacing, rather than the others. It was just how he was, to be the one who stepped in. Someone had to, so why not him? He wasn't going to just stand idly by while people suffered. Even if this was a minor inconvenience, compared to other things, she should still accept his help.

"I'm serious. I'm carrying this, and you're leading the way." He stared her down steadily, and if she tried to challenge him, he'd just keep calmly moving out of her way until she admitted defeat.

[Aileana DiRossi]

The joke went right over Aileana’s head, and it showed as she frowned. “I’m not carrying anything, you have it all!” She remarked. Wondering why he was smirking at her unless- Oh! Oh the baby! She realized then. “Oh!, Well...I guess I am.” She said with a small laugh. She placed one hand on her lower back to help support some of the baby’s weight.

She eyed him, not quite trusting him. But if he was going to follow her back to the tavern, she supposed Roman could come out and help with the rest, or something of that sort. He’s trying to help. She reminded herself. Not all of them are like him. A voice told her. She’d seen that much already in how kind Roman was with her. He was so patient and it was certainly a relief.

She pursed her lips as she thought more on it and then finally sighed in defeat. “Alright fine, but the moment those become heavy, you let me help.” She pointed a finger up at him before she started to walk again. Setting the pace which happened to be a small waddle given her short legs and protruding belly. “What’s your name?” She asked, glancing up at him in curiosity.

[Leo Sommers]

Leo's smile returned for a moment when the woman caught up with what he'd meant. When she insisted that he ask for help if the items got too heavy for him, though, he rolled his eyes. AS if that was going to happen. It wasn't as if it was heavy to begin with--she'd simply been trying to carry too much with her growing child already in the way. He could handle a few parcels and a bottle of oil. "Whatever you say."

She did finally give in, though, which made him stand a little taller and lift his chin, looking smug as could be. She should have just taken his word for it in the first place, but at least she was smart enough to admit defeat. She started off at a pace that could have been outdone by a turtle and he nearly sighed out loud. Seriously, who had let this woman go out on her own to get all this? Wasn't there anyone looking out for her?

He followed along as slowly as he could manage, which still left him half a step ahead of her at any given moment.

"Leo Sommers." His answer was short and to the point, and it wasn't until a beat afterward that his mother's teaching kicked in once more to poke at the back of his mind. He knew he ought to be more polite...but he stubbornly hated small talk and social graces. It just seemed like a waste of time, and he hated being the center of attention. Better to just blend in when he could.

"And you?"

[Aileana DiRossi]

Leo, Leo, Leo, Leo…. Aileana repeated his name in her mind, trying to make sure she didn’t forget it. It would be hard to forget it anyways if she associated Leo with a stubborn mule. She was generaly okay with names even if it took her a second to remember a person.

“Nice to meet you Leo!” She said with a bright grin, and then remembered Rox and Roman telling her some people were nobles and had fancy titles attached to their names. Goodness, keeping track of everything was going to make her head spin. “Ah-Your not a lord are you?” She asked, tilting her head to the side in curiosity, wanting to make sure she called him by whatever proper title he went by.

After a few beats she remembered he’d asked her name. “Aileana! My friends call me Ailee though.” She said with a nod of her head. She had to crane her head back a bit to look up at him, as he was a great deal taller than her. Nearly a foot if she had a guess. It donned on her that he might have shopping of his own to take care, and here he was helping her. She chewed nervously on her bottom lip for a second. “Do you have any shopping to do? I don’t want to hold you back.” She said, her brows furrowing in mild concern.

[Leo Sommers]

Leo winced. Well, now she'd asked, and he wasn't going to lie about it. "Technically, yes. But you needn't worry about it," he answered evasively. Better not to dig too deep into the particulars if he didn't have to.

Aileana. A bit of a mouthful, but pretty. It suited her sunny disposition, as did her sun-bleached hair and sea-blue eyes. She was like a summer day on the beach bottled into one tiny pregnant woman. She was clearly a bit ditzy, but she seemed kind enough. He wondered again why she was out wandering on her own without anyone to even remind her to bring a basket or bag for her shopping. Wasn't the father of this child taking care of his family? It wasn't one of his sailors, that much he knew, or he'd have heard of this woman sooner.

He was about to comment on that when she jumped in to ask if he himself had any shopping to do. He almost laughed at that. He hadn't done his own shopping in far too long. It was easier to let the housekeeper take care of it, or she'd complain that he didn't get enough to really nourish himself and that the house needed all manner of things he'd never heard of to take care of it.

"Hardly. I was killing time walking, that's all. A change of direction isn't hurting me any." He shrugged. "If anything, you've given me a better excuse."

[Aileana DiRossi]

Aileana grew more curious as he said she didn't have to worry about calling him Lord even if he had a title. Well...That was...good? Maybe? She wasn't sure, but if he was wanting to be called Leo Sommers, she'd call him Leo Sommers.

And Mr. Leo Sommers apparently wasn't shopping either. What a relief! She'd have felt bad, even if he had started their whole interaction by coming to her rescue. And she was apparently giving him an excuse? For what? "What are you waiting for?" She asked curiously as she waddled next to his side. He had to be waiting for something if he was killing time right?

She tapped her fingers against her large belly thoughtfully as she continued leading the way to the Singing Sparrow. Moving further away from the docks and market and more onto the main street. She tilted her face up to feel the crispness of the winter's air, and feel the warmness of the sun on her face. There would be too much longer, so the midwife told her. She was due at the beginning of spring, just like all new spring beginnings. Her little one would really be her fresh start. Already the two of them had gone through so much together. Aileana only hoped she had the strength to be a good mother.

She titled her head back up to look at Leo, glancing at the parcels he carried to make sure he didn't appear to be struggling with anything before she looked back at up at his face. He was handsome for sure, in a slightly ruggish way. Long dark brown locks, barely touching the top of his shoulders. There was a brief moment where she wanted to touch it to see if it was as soft as it looked, but she refrained. It would be terribly rude, and she knew she didn't like strangers touching her hair after just meeting them. She could only assume he felt the same. "How long have you been in Aralore for Leo?" She asked him curiously.

[Leo Sommers]

"What are you waiting for?" He laughed, just once.

"Not waiting, avoiding." He didn't go into detail about that, either. He hadn't actually discussed his discomfort in the big empty house with anyone. It was childish to feel lonely in his own home, especially when it was his own choice to keep it empty instead of marrying one of the young noble women. He hated the idea of marrying someone just to fill the space, although everyone seemed to think that was a fairly reasonable idea. It was practical certainly, but he found it much more bearable to just stay out of the house. The servants just assumed he was busy, and anyone who asked what he was doing always got a believable enough excuse. With Aileana, he hadn't thought it necessary to make something up, since she didn't know him. He was beginning to wish he had.

Thankfully, she was already asking another question, so he hoped that would distract her enough.

"I'm a native, actually. Or, well, native to the old Aralore, before things went all to hell." He glanced down at her, brow furrowing. He'd noticed her accent was a little different but hadn't thought much of it. After living in Arcisea for so long, he himself didn't sound quite like the other natives to Aralore. "My family made due in Arcisea until Queen Alexandria started rebuilding. I came back as soon as I heard." He looked at her again. "Are you new to Aralore, then?"

[Aileana DiRossi]

Avoiding? What was he avoiding? Aileana didn’t want to stick her nose into his personal business however. It wasn’t her place too, and besides that, she didn’t like being a burden to other people, and wondered if Leo didn’t want to be a burden either so he was avoiding things? Either that or he was lazy, and avoiding work, but already her impression of him told her that wasn’t the case.

“Ooooh.” She said instead, and left it at that. Not poking him further. She listened as he told her he was actually a native, and she noticed his accent wasn’t the same as Romans and Rox’s, but he quickly explained why. Arcisea… She hadn’t heard much about the other kingdom. In all reality, Aileana was very ignorant about a lot of things, but that was purely for the fact she’d grown up in Aldsage. Their methods were...dated, and not the same as Aralores from what she’d seen. Aralore was far more fancy then the Clan lifestyle, and money was still something she was wrapping her head around.

“Well, in that case, Welcome home!” She told him. She knew what it was like to not be able to return home. In fact those wounds were still very fresh. At his question, she pursed her lips. Not knowing what exactly to say. She knew her accent was going to give her away that she wasn’t from Aralore, but she didn’t want to exactly tell him she was from Aldsage either in case it made him look down on her. But…. She’d left for her and her baby’s safety. Phi would have sure dealt with Tom right? He had no idea where she was. She was safe here, right?

She chewed on her lip, her slowly coming around to wrap more securely around her belly as if she could protect her baby that way. “Yes, you could say that. I’ve been here….” She slowly began. She held up her fingers and started to count. “Five? Six months?” She’d left Oisen as soon as she’d learned she was pregnant. “I’m still adjusting. It’s very different from home.” She explained with a small sheepish smile.

[Leo Sommers]

“Well, in that case, Welcome home!”

Her words brought a genuine smile to Leo's face. Home. He truly did think of Aralore as home; he always had. It saddened him that his family didn't feel the same way about it. They'd adapted to Arcisea, been reluctant to leave. But for him, the heart of Aralore was its people, and wherever they moved, the same energy of Aralore remained. It was difficult to describe, but he felt its pulse in his sailors, in the chatter of people in the marketplace, in the way that people pushed from other lands found their new home here where they were welcome.

He suspected that must be the case for Aileana, given the face she made when he asked if she was new to the island. He wouldn't pry about what had happened, but when she said it had only been five or six months, he nearly stopped dead in his tracks.

"Aileana." He paused, trying to rein in his rather extreme reaction. "Are you telling me that you traveled several weeks, by sea, to move to a new island...while pregnant?" His tone of disbelief made it obvious how insane he found that idea. The question arose again--who in the hell was looking out for this woman? Who was making sure she didn't wander off and get lost? Who had let her move across the ocean while carrying a child? Was there anyone? She needed support, care, while she was literally growing a small human being inside her body. Wasn't anyone paying attention? He took her by the elbow and pulled her off to the side of the street to get out of the way of others, and crouched slightly so he could look her in the eye.

"Tell me there was someone with you," he demanded, almost desperately. "Please tell me you didn't do all that by yourself."

[Aileana DiRossi]

At the sound of Leo's voice saying her name, she paused. Glancing to see that Leo had slowed down incredibly, and her eyebrows furrowed at his question. The disbelief in his tone suddenly put her on edge, and she instantly became nervous. Was...was that a bad thing? "I-I wasn't really showing when I was on the boat..." She stared. It wasn't until she got off that it was obvious she was pregnant. It wasn't an issue though right? And...and why did Leo care suddenly? Aileana had practically just met him, and yet-

He was taking her by the elbow then, pulling her to the side, and she was quickly becoming more anxious. She'd said too much, now he was going to worry about her right? She was fine. Everything was fine. But the moment her bright blues met Leo's brown gaze, from where he was bending down, she could feel the sudden swell of tears. Feeling like she was in trouble for doing something she had to do.

His sudden demand had her flinch, and she quickly shook her head. Averting her eyes from Leo. Shame was starting to fill her and her hormones were starting to make themselves known. "I had to." She confessed, her eyes looking back to him. Her vision was blurry and she couldn't see him very well. Her bottom lip was quivering, and her accent was growing incredibly thick. She could suddenly see Tom, in his drunken fits, the way he yelled at her, the way he'd beat her that night... "I had to get away, a-and it's none o-of your business.' She attempted to tell him, but she failed miserably. She hated confrontation, and she ran from it most of the time if she was being honest. It made her extremely anxious and caused her flight instincts to kick in because she was so little. "I'm okay now, Roxanne and Roman look after me." she said quickly. Hoping that would placate Leo. She reminded herself that he was a stranger, she didn't know him despite how nice he was being about helping her carry her things. She almost wondered if she should just take them all and then head back to the Sparrow. Leaving Leo here.

[Leo Sommers]

Oh shit.

Oh...he'd messed up. He'd really, really messed up. She was going to cry, and it was because he'd yelled at her. But--but what she'd done was insane! How had she even managed all that by herself? Was she really alright?

Oh. The point that it was none of his business hit him like a gut punch. She was absolutely correct, of course, but it didn't feel like it was none of his business. It needed to be someone's business, at least, if it wasn't his. He didn't know why it was that she'd had to "get away" but he was already up in arms about it. He couldn't even blame his mother for this one, this was all his own innate perfectionism and perhaps a savior complex. Curse him and his stupid desire to make sure that everyone was treated justly.

He sighed heavily and ran a hand through his hair, trying to calm himself down. Clearly, yelling at her was not going to help either of them. He checked his pockets and pulled out a surprisingly clean handkerchief, blinding white compared to the rest of his dust and sea-salt mottled self, and embroidered with his initials. "Here."

"I didn't mean it that way--you're not in trouble or something. I just--" He stopped, struggling to find a way to say this that didn't sound entirely insane.

"You just shouldn't have had to do that on your own, that's all. Someone should have been looking out for you." His tone was dark, almost a threat, though not to her. He had half a mind to find out where she'd come from and make sure the person who'd chased her off got a nasty surprise next time one of his ships was off that way. How could anyone be cruel enough to this tiny woman to make her run away, let alone while she was pregnant? You'd have to be inhuman.

He sighed again and shook his head. At this rate, he was going to be just as bad. Five minutes into knowing her, not even knowing her family name, and he'd made her cry. Some gentleman he was.

"Look, nevermind. Rox and Roman, that's the tavern, yes? The Sparrow?" He put both hands back on the stack and started walking in the direction of the tavern without waiting for an answer. She likely wanted to get away from him as quickly as possible now, anyway.

[Aileana DiRossi]

Was she really Alright was certain the question of the hour. Though she hid it well, Aileana was not alright. She was about to do motherhood alone and be responsible for a little life. If she didn’t have Roman or Roxanne she’d have drowned forever ago. She didn’t have the support of her family like she would have had if she’d stayed in Oisen. If she had stayed and not abandoned them…

No, yelling at her was not going to help. The pregnancy hormones eventually won over as big fat tears rolled down her cheeks that she had frantically wipe away. She told herself she wouldn’t feel guilty for what she’d done. She’d been incredibly impulsive and in Ailee’s eyes, it was the only thing she could do that would make her a burden for anyone else.

She was sniffling as he pulled out the handkerchief to her, and she almost didn’t take it. Hesitating but for a moment, before she told herself he was being nice again, and she took it anyways. She dabbed at her cheeks with it, and at Leo started to apologize then. She was looking at him curiously, again wondering why he felt it was so important that she hadn't done that alone. Was it because she was a woman? Ooooooh that was why! As soon as she’d thought it, he’d explained his strong reaction.

She pursed her lips, shying away from his tone. Not liking how dark and threatening it sounded even if it wasn’t directed at her. “I didn’t want cause anyone any trouble…” She mumbled. “I left in a hurry.” She admitted, wiping the rest of the tears away before she folded the Handkerchief neatly back up.

She nodded her head as he asked about the Sparrow and watched him start to walk off. She couldn’t help but feel like she’d done something wrong, and she didn’t like the feeling. But how to fix it? Leo seemed extra grumpy now, and she hurried as quickly as she could after him. “Ah- Leo,” She lightly reached up to touch his arm. “I’m okay really,” She said quickly. “When I left home, no one knew I was pregnant, and it was um...Unsafe.” She started to ramble, attempting to try and make him feel better. “But I’m okay now! It was all my own doing, I didn’t wanna bother anyone, they all have such important roles in our village and It’s-” She really was going to just blurt out her whole story if she wasn’t careful. And she had to be, despite how much she thought Tom had stayed in Aldsage there was always the chance he’d come looking for her. She had to be careful about who she spoke to.

“It’s really alright. I can take care of myself.” She said giving his arm a little reassuring pat before she started to wring his handkerchief between her hands in hope she’d made the situation better.

[Leo Sommers]

Leo glanced down at her when she touched his arm, startled by the contact. She was still teary-eyed, but now she was trying to comfort him? Sadly, what she said didn't make him feel any better. Not only did he feel guilty for scolding her, now he wanted to strangle whoever had made her feel unsafe more than ever. To be so horrible that a pregnant woman thought traveling across the sea to an unknown island, by herself, was safer than being with you? He must be a heartless brute.

Leo seethed silently, though the way he clenched his jaw and his fists were sure to give him away.

“It’s really alright. I can take care of myself.”

Leo shot her a skeptical look that was cold as ice.

"I can tell you now, that won't be happening. I don't know what it's like where you came from, but around here, we don't just leave pregnant young women to fend for themselves. The Gothard siblings know that, and so do I."

His voice was stern, but the sentiment was a kind one, in spite of his abrasive manners.

"We look out for each other here in Aralore, Aileana. If you need something, you have only to ask--whether it's the Gothards or myself." He slowed his pace as they neared the tavern and eyed the door.

"Speaking of which, will you get the door? My hands are a bit full." He looked to her expectantly, and the barest hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his eyes and mouth.