Chapter Text
Fiadh's first couple days were spent at the Erdoğan's house with Zehera and Everen to get a lay of the land and crash course on what Everen is and isn't allowed. Zehera had worked out with Fiadh that she was to be hired to accompany her and Riven on outings to more seedy parts of the town, which wasn't more than twice a week, and on days when Zehera worked, Fiadh would stay at the house with Everen. Zehera welcomed Fiadh to treat the house as her own, expecting Fiadh to watch for any disturbances and Everen. Everen knew how to make herself lunch and keep to herself. Zehera claimed she was primarily worried about Everen hurting herself playing or leaving the house to explore. Fiadh wasn't very used to children but noticed how busy Everen was and how much she needed to be moving and doing, but this energy usually got her in trouble or bothered her mother while she cleaned or read. So Fiadh quickly started feeding into Everen's dream of being an adventurer by framing everything as games full of quests and feats of daring. Everen's chaotic play that usually filled the house was now harnessed to help with chores and generally more constructive activities to Zehera's benefit. Fiadh was surprised to hear that having an extra pair of hands and another person to help redirect Everen's energy in the house has made their home more organized, quiet, and productive than ever. Before they knew it, the first two introduction days were gone, and now Fiadh had to prepare to do her job alone.
Which is why she was surprised to see Zehera again when she arrived at the house the following day. Fiadh had expected she would have had to head out early and wouldn't wait for Fiadh. But she was greeted by both Erdoğan's sitting at their small kitchen table eating a small breakfast of toasted bread topped with a fried egg and a small piece of meat on the side. Fiadh was even more surprised to see the other open seat at the table set up with a third meal just for her. Everen sat up on her knees in her chair to lean over and slap the table at the spot for Fiadh to beckon her over, her mouth too full of food to say anything verbally.
"I thought you would be away for work by now?" Fiadh says, looking at Zehera as she tentatively takes her seat.
"My shift is usually a tiny bit later today. It's a bit slow at the bookstore early in the morning this time of the week." Zehera explains, smiling.
Fiadh nods understandingly while taking a bite of the toast. Sunnyside yolk dribbles down her hand a little despite trying to use her best table manners, an etiquette she has always lacked. But as soon as she digs in and realizes how hungry she is. She finds herself a bit less worried about the mess. This is also helped by the fact that Everen looks to be wearing almost as much yolk on her face as she is eating. So Fiadh hopes she won't be judged if she doesn't outshine Everen's mess. I should really eat breakfast more… She thinks. Her stomach growls at the thought of staying frugal, skipping the extra meal to save money.
"Do you like eggs?" Zehera asks. Fiadh nods, taking a large bite. "Good! I wasn't sure what you really like to eat. I mean, I have seen you graze on your bread and salted meats, but I didn't know if that was because you didn't like anything else or if it was easy to bring here. You should know you are free to eat any food in the house. I'm serious."
"Really? That is really nice of you," Fiadh says in between bites, polishing off the last of the toast and egg before moving on to the thin slice of pork.
"Really. I'm not paying much, so it's really the least I can do. Speaking of which, here is the payment for the last two days. I was thinking of heading out for a quick trip to the market before work to grab some more food for you two today. It should help tie you over till I get back from work. My treat!" Zehera lays out her plan, sliding over a couple of coins to Fiadh.
"Can we get some pastries!?!" Everen exclaims, now interested in the conversation at the mention of a treat.
"Maybe? It depends on if a strong helper can assist in cleaning up breakfast!" Zehera says, trying to match her energy to keep her excited about lending a hand. She smirks over at Fiadh as Everen bounds out of her chair.
"Okay!! Yeah! I'm the best helper and gonna get the BEST pastries!" She announces as she whisks her empty plate off the table, rounding over Fiadh. She hoists her plate out at Fiadh. "I can take that!" Fiadh smiles, placing her empty plate on Everens.
"Thanks, Hero." Fiadh praises rustling Everen's curly hair as she stands up. She picks up Zehera's plate before she can, as she gets up as well. "I can take that. We can clean up. As thanks for making the food."
"Well, thank you too, Hero." Zehera playfully says the tiefling's tail swishes in a way that Fiadh assumes means that she is pleased. She has been getting used to others' body language after growing up surrounded by firbolgs her whole life. "I'll get things ready for the market!" Zehera says, putting her hand on Fiadh's upper arm as she walks around and past Fiadh. She disappears into her room to grab her things.
Everen and Fiadh swiftly tackle the dishes, saving the silverware and plate kingdoms from grease and grime. As Fiadh returns the last plates to their cupboards, Zehera emerges dressed for the day, her hair up and back with a strip of green fabric that matches her eyes and complements her skin and a market basket in hand.
"Are you two ready?" she cheerfully asks idly, swinging the basket; her tail sways at the same tempo.
"Yeah! Let's go, let's go, let's go!" Everen says, running over to her mom, her words mushing together as she almost smashes into Zehera.
Fiadh chuckles and joins the two as they head out of the house. The three of them make their way to market, Riven linking them together, holding one of Fiahd and Zehera's hands, swinging their arms as she hums an ever-changing tune. Zehera fills the quiet with a bit of small talk, points out establishments she likes, and is surprised each time Fiadh says she hasn't heard of them or been in. Fiadh explains how long she has been in town and what she has spent her time doing. She skirts past how she found herself here and why she is no longer with her family. She is happy to have Everen dig for more stories about her jobs. Time passes fast, and before they know it, they are at the heart of the market.
"I want one of those!" Everen interrupts one of Fiadh's stories, pointing at one of the market stalls selling some sticky buns and other sweets. Everen tugs on Zehera’s hand she is still holding.
"Ooh! Those do look delicious. Good eyes, Ev! How about you grab one for you and Fiadh." Zehera says, fishing out a couple of coins from a pouch on her belt and handing them off to Everen, who immediately runs off to the stand. After several moments of watching, Everen Zehera looks over at Fiadh, smiling. "You're really good with her, you know that? She really loves your stories. She was getting tired of my fake ones. It's also nice to hear you talk more."
Fiadh looks over at Zehera, taken aback by the comment. She is hit with a wave of embarrassment? Fiadh can't perfectly define the feeling, but she feels her face flush with the praise. "Really? It's nothing really… She kinda reminds me of myself when I was her age. Future fighter and all that."
"I'm glad she has someone to look up to like you," Zehera adds, and the two sit on that comment till Everen returns with two rolls and drags the two off to the other booths. This praise lingers in Fiadh's head for the rest of the market shopping, when they get back to the house, when Zehera leaves, durring her time with Everen, when Zehera returns, during her walk home, and is the last thing she thinks of when she falls asleep that night.
Fiadh looks over at Zehera, taken aback by the comment. She is hit with a wave of embarrassment? Fiadh can't perfectly define the feeling, but she feels her face flush with the praise. "Really? It's nothing really… She kinda reminds me of myself when I was her age. Future fighter and all that."
"I'm glad she has someone to look up to like you," Zehera adds, and the two sit on that comment till Everen returns with two rolls and drags the two off to the other booths. This praise lingers in Fiadh's head for the rest of the market shopping, when they get back to the house, when Zehera leaves, during her time with Everen, when Zehera returns, during her walk home, and is the last thing she thinks of when she falls asleep that night.