"My intentions?"  Malora allowed a little pause as she feigned ignorance.  "Ah yes, the arranged marriage with your lovely girl.  Yes.  Hal and I have been thinking about pursuing that if you were still amicable to the idea."

She watched as Kora shifted and groaned as though in discomfort.  

"Yes."  It came with a sigh as Kora found a more comfortable position on the sitting couch.  "Hador and I have had talks about the possibility.  While I have my reservations, Hador seems much more inclined to agree."

Malora leaned back and watched the other woman a moment.  "Reservations?"

Kora scoffed and waved a hand.  "Come now, we both know that boy of yours needs a great deal of growing to do before yet.  Pushed out of a window by a child..."

Malora's anger dropped into the pit of her stomach like a burning piece of coal.  Compacted and hard, it seethed within her.  Despite its heat, she contained it and shored up her mask to retain a pleasant air within the conversation.

"True but I don't imagine there are a great many that are able to hear much of anything during the summer equinox celebrations.  All the same, that issue has been dealt with in its entirety."

Malora wasn't about to give her too much more ammo than the other woman already had.  

"Dealt with indeed."

Kora's words felt like separate people were standing in the room with them; judging Malora’s choices.  Countless opinions and standards were in this other woman and she was just pouring them all over the floor of the sitting room as though her swollen belly had finally burst.  Malora found a new center within herself and walled her emotions away completely.  The woman was baiting her, she knew that now, and she was not about to play.

"Where is little Mara? No doubt she is growing into quite the little beauty."  

Malora watched as the tone and topic shift caused Kora some slight displeasure.  

"Yes.  Very much so.  She chose to remain home in her garden.  Ever since you sent Haldor home with those clippings for her, she cannot seem to help herself."

It wasn't disdain that Malora heard in Kora's voice but jealousy perhaps.  How this woman had managed to get this far for this long in their world was beyond her understanding.  

"I can send you home with more if you like.  Perhaps some that are more to your liking as well."

Once more Kora waved a hand in dismissal.  "No need to trouble yourself.  We have too many as it is.  Once she learned how to transplant it herself, there was no end to it."

Just the thought of Kora angry over the most beautiful of things snuffed out that coal of anger she had had.  Kora was clearly irrational and stupid and it left Malora smiling softly despite herself.

"I can see how that may prove to be an inconvenience.  No doubt you have lost her to the garden on more than one function.  Gardens tend to take on a life of their own if they are not tended to closely."  Malora's voice softened as she glanced to Kora's swollen belly once more.  "And with little ones on the way, I doubt you will have much time with her going forward."

Kora looked visibly uncomfortable at this topic as she adjusted herself on the sofa once more.  

"But," Malora continued, "that can all be avoided if you choose to show an interest in Mara as a whole.  Once she is married, she will leave your house and who knows how often you will see her then."

Kora was insufferable at times, there was no doubt, but the advice had to be given.  Malora couldn't watch this woman make the same mistakes that she had made.  This blatant anger and disregard for things her daughter was doing.  But the advice wasn't terribly well received as she watched Kora become flush with frustration.  

"Well that's-"  Kora started.

"The truth."  Malora's words cut like a knife through Kora's intended statement.  For a moment, she let her words hang there before continuing.  "And it is all we have.  Our men go and see and do as they please.  It is up to us to strive to be a part of the lives that are around us.  For when they leave, there is little hope of seeing them again."

She watched as the flush tones slowly drained from Kora's face.  Realization of the inconvenient truth had set in and Malora was happy to see it.

"Perhaps," Kora started slowly, "I will take those clippings you have offered..."  

This time, when Malora smiled there was an honest warmth behind it.  "Wonderful."

Another silence slid into the room as they simply sat there adjusting to the environment of the room.

"I have to apologize."  Kora said suddenly in a strained voice.  "These ones," she said stroking her belly, "have made me not myself this time round.  I feel as though they take turns telling me what to say or how to act.  It's exhausting and I find I am quick to anger.  We were such friends once and here I am acting foolish in your home."

"We are friends Kora and I accept your apology.  No doubt once those little ones are born, you will return to normal and our more pleasant conversations will return."

Malora watched as Kora nodded in agreement before sighing.  "Is there a spare room to rest in?  I feel the travel and the conversation has worn me right out."

Calling for the staff, Malora motioned to Kora.  "Lady Kora is tired.  Help her to the guest room and see that she is well cared for."

With a little bow, the servant went to work moving the other woman to another room.  Malora made no motion to leave though as she mulled over the conversation.  There was no doubt that Kora had come to flaunt her very pregnant body but the attempt had been a double edged sword.  Those children would clearly turn out to be a blessing and a curse upon the family.

But it wasn't the children that worried her about the conversation, it was Kora's tendency to openly discuss Sasha and Tekor.  If all of the leaders were being this brazen then Hal would have to step in and make a proper announcement to all of them very soon.  Dissent would mean a weakening of their position and she refused to allow her remaining child to come to harm.

Standing, she moved to head for the garden.  For the moment, there were clippings to gather and loyalty to garner; in her own way.