(2024-11-27) (Un)expecting

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Author:	Disknight
Summary:	Rozalin pays Jenzelle a visit as she has been feeling a little sick recently. The cause of her symptoms comes as a shock to both. It seems Rozalin's life isn't settling down just yet.
Rating:	M for Mature 17+

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Jenzelle stands by the fire in an open house in Westfall, helping to distribute bowls of soup to the hungry.

Rozalin walks up to the open doorframe and knocks on it, "Heya." She smiles at Jenzelle.

Jenzelle squeaks and spins around at the familiar voice. "Oh! Rozalin! Hello."

[Rozalin]: How's it goin? *she takes a step inside* Glad to see yer still helpin out round here.

[Jenzelle]: Oh, well, people clearly need it, and with the weather turning less favorable, it's only going to get harder for everyone. There are other volunteers, and we're doing our best. What brings you by?

[Rozalin]: I hear ya there. Been selling my crops as cheap as I can to try and keep mouths fed. Gonna be a rough winter for sure. *Roz clears her throat* Which sorta brings me to what I wanted to ask you about. I been feelin kinda off since about the harvest at my farm. I thought I just needed to take it easy for a bit, but it just keeps gettin worse. I got a lot of chores that gotta get done still, so I'm hopin you can fix me up.

Jenzelle passes one last bowl of soup to a woman, then smooths down her robes. "Oh! That's no good. Um… how about we discuss this somewhere quieter? For your privacy."

[Rozalin]: Sure. Lead the way. *She flashes a little smile to the others there to try and ease them and show that she isn't feeling that sick.*

Jenzelle excuses herself, then slips out of the house, moving to an area around the back where there's no one lingering within earshot.

[Jenzelle]: Have you had any company? Visitors and such?

Rozalin shakes her head, "Nah. All my shit got stolen so I'm not really in much shape for guests. Had some hands come to help with the harvest, but they didn't stay with me."

[Jenzelle]: Okay. I know the trial's over, so there shouldn't be any reason for people to still be after you, but it's good to be safe.
Jenzelle begins to examine Rozalin, praying to the Light for aid.

[Rozalin]: Ha, you're tellin me. Glad all that's over with already. Was stressful as fel…

Jenzelle looks a little surprised. "You said you had… farmhands helping you? They didn't stay, but did any of them… um…" She blushes a little. "W-what I mean is, have you had relations recently, with anyone?"

Rozalin 's face goes white. She stands dumbfounded, "No…" Her hands start trembling, "No…. no no no, I didn't think this was what it was."

[Jenzelle]: So it was… not intentional. Is the father… not a good person?

[Rozalin]: I mean… *She rocks her head back and forth and grins a little despite herself* I guess I didn't not see this coming, just… Kinda heat of the moment and with all the stress I thought I was just late. I get that way a lot.

Jenzelle relaxes a little. "Well, let me congratulate you, then. You'll probably need more help around the farm, though, especially as it progresses."

[Rozalin]: Y-y-yeah… *Roz seemed to ease up a bit after seeing Jenzelle's calm reaction to the news, but now she's getting nervous again.* I, uh, yeah. Help would be good, but ummm… Nevermind.

[Jenzelle]: Help would be good, but…? I really can't recommend you try to handle the farmwork alone, and especially not after the baby is born. They'll need your attention.

[Rozalin]: Well… yeah, but… *Rozalin can't keep eye contact. She starts kicking at a patch of grass absently* The dad, ummm. It ain't none of the farmhands…

Jenzelle starts to look a bit nervous, herself. "He's… a good person? Right? Who's going to help you…?" There is a clear string of doubt in her voice, but she keeps a hopeful expression.

[Rozalin]: One of the best I know. *Rozalin says with a smile* It's just… I'm not sure everyone would agree with me on that.

[Jenzelle]: He's not a death knight, is he? Because I'm pretty sure those can't have… Um. I mean, it doesn't matter, as long as you like him. And he's not a criminal or something, who hurts you.

[Rozalin]: No! No, nothing like that. *she blushes* A-and I do like him, just… *Roz lets out a big sigh* Can you keep a secret?

Jenzelle nods. "That's part of my job, after all."

Rozalin takes a deep breath, "Well…" She swallows, "He's a…" She lowers her voice to a whisper, "He's an orc."

Jenzelle blinks. "Oh," she says. "Ohhh. That might be… a little bad. Have you considered moving to Booty Bay? I-I know, sorry, that's not helpful."

Rozalin 's heart sinks. She looks down at the ground, "I just got settled back in at home… I ain't tryna leave now…"

[Jenzelle]: Maybe the baby won't look like an orc? …It'll probably look like an orc. Uhh, we could… hide it? Just, pretend you aren't with child and kind of keep you at home until you have the baby, and then… Oh gosh, that might get complicated.

[Rozalin]: Fuck… *she says quietly* This wasn't supposed to happen. Things were s'posed to be goin up for me for once in my damn life. *Rozalin growls out the end of that sentence, doing her best to hold back a yell.*

[Jenzelle]: Well, okay, so first, you probably need to tell the father somehow. You can contact him, right?

Rozalin takes yet another deep breath and sniffs, rubbing her nose with her sleeve, "Yeah yeah. I'll let him know. I hope he's got some better ideas than I do…"

[Jenzelle]: You might also feel out some of your friends, or some of the people you trust in Cobalt Company, and see if anyone else can be brought into the loop on this. Probably… not anyone with a history of orc related trauma.

[Rozalin]: Yeah. I uh- *She cuts herself off and her eyes go wide.* You don't… think maybe… Am I safe if people find out?

[Jenzelle]: I think it could be risky, especially if those same people who came after you before find out about this.

Rozalin shakes her head, "Naw. That's a line Cass wouldn't cross. Messin with someone's kid." Roz gets a bit jittery and starts chewing on her thumb, "Fuck… This is bad… Jenzelle is someone gonna kill me?" She grows increasingly panicked.

[Jenzelle]: Well, let's not go that far. It's certainly nothing to worry about right now, at least. We'll just start with the small steps, right? But that's why we should feel out some of the others in Cobalt.

[Rozalin]: Y-yeah… I think I got a few people that won't blow their top over it. I hope anyway… *She can't stop herself from shaking and she fiddles with her hands.* You sure I'm safe? I… Dane didn't much care bout me havin an orc for a friend. Made that shit crystal clear.

[Jenzelle]: Even if he didn't like it, he didn't hurt you, did he? I don't think anyone in Cobalt would go that far.

[Rozalin]: I dunno… I'm worried he might change his mind for this one… *Roz's eyes start to well up but she keeps her tears at bay.*

[Jenzelle]: It's against the Code of Conduct to harm anyone in the company. He would be removed if he did. Even so… don't make him the first one you tell. See about Sil, maybe? He seems reasonable.

[Rozalin]: Y-yeah… Maybe Mordecai too. He, uh, well he knows I'm pals with Crim. *Roz laughs a little to break the tension* Little more than pals now I guess, huh.

[Jenzelle]: Mordecai… He's a priest too, right? Then he might also keep your secret.
[Jenzelle]: And he's better connected than I am, so he'll have a better idea of who is safe to bring in on it.

[Rozalin]: Y-yeah maybe. Berdie's pretty understanding bout things. Hopefully he's alright. *she pauses* You think Imma get in trouble over this? I ain't lookin for more trouble.

[Jenzelle]: I… I don't know. I guess we're technically at war with the Horde, but that can't last forever, right?

[Rozalin]: I hope not. *Roz places a hand on her belly a little uncertainly. She's supposed to do that right?* This kid deserves to have a pa in their life.

Jenzelle nods firmly. "I agree. Anyway, until we make sure you're going to get the support you need, I will stay close by to help as needed. I used to be a farmer myself, you know, though we mostly grew gourds. Squash, pumpkins, that sort of thing."

[Rozalin]: Yeah… I really appreciate that, ya hear. I… I wasn't plannin on this and I'm real fuckin scared, but you're makin me feel alright. *Rozalin smiles. Then she remembers something…* Fuck! That's what I was forgetting! I was gonna make you pumpkin pie as a thank you for checkin me out!

Jenzelle giggles. "Were you? That's sweet. Pumpkins are my absolute favorite."

[Rozalin]: Yeah, they ain't bad. *Roz chuckles a bit herself* I got a bunch that I need to get to canning before they spoil.

[Jenzelle]: I can help! I-I mean, can I help? I would love to, if I can be of assistance.

[Rozalin]: That'd be a lifesaver actually. *Rozalin visibly relaxes*

Jenzelle beams. "I have a couple things I should finish up here, but I can come by your farm once I'm done, if that's alright."

[Rozalin]: For sure. I'll try and clean up a bit before you come. *Roz smiles and punches her playfully in the arm* And thanks again. For everything. I'm real glad I can count on you.