| As Rowana alighted, albeit with a bit of a thud - ‘ I really must work on my slowing down technique’ she thought to herself, Faha stepped out onto the Kin-Den threshold. Arms akimbo, he quickly swopped the half smile of amusement for her landing, to a serious mask of a brow lowering frown. Rowana debated whether to get in first with a sincere apology for her lateness, or to try for distracting him by bursting out excitedly about the ‘Man’ she’d seen.. Her mind whirred through the possible consequences of each option, whilst her right hand felt through her box of memory cards hanging at her side. Gripping a card at random, its message sizzled up through her fingers, arm, shoulder, neck into her mind. “Nothing is often a good thing to do and always a good thing to say.” Yep! She’d go with that one! And casting down her eyes from Faha’s glower, she clamped her lips shut tightly, lest any words lurked near the tip of her tongue. Fortunately, Rowana’s Faha - she still preferred to use the commonly accepted Sprite form of Father - was a Sprite of few words (usually!) His own Memory Box was so full (Well, he was very old!!) if he dipped his hand in, so many cards sent their messages at once that he’d either speak nonstop for a days or weave a selection into a seemingly nonsensical flow of words which even took her mother hours to sort out!! Faha, recognising Rowana’s body language...contrition, apology and sincere self-reproach...stepped aside and pointed into the Sprite House. “She’s waiting....” With a nod and quick smile of thanks - for his understanding and forgiving actions - Rowana flitted through the doorway, along the corridor, into the family room. She stopped when she saw Mimi - her mother - sitting at the meal table, with Ashala on her lap. They were examining a new stool, taller than the others, with a back rest and safety harness. “Roo-roo... see my new stool! Faha bringed it!” It was her first stool. So that she would no longer use the hanging conker husk suspended from the ceiling near Mimi’s stool. “Brought it..” Mimi corrected. “So, “ she continued, turning to Rowana who was approaching the table tentatively. “Has your father seen you?” “Yes, Mimi. I am so sorry. It wasn’t intentional, you know. I love being with Ashala. I really will try harder to remember my duties in future...” She stumbled to a halt. Rowana knew offering lame excuses was a waste of effort and would only exasperate her mother. Mimi, pleased to be saved from a rush of ‘reasons’ for Rowana’s tardiness, smiled, turned to pick up something brown and soft from the table. “I’ve given this problem of yours some thought and....have made you this...” She held up a coat, bark textured on the outside, leaf lined inside. “I’ve attached some leaves onto the coat to carry reminders for you. As they lift, spin and flutter, the message will give your mind a touch to keep you aware of them” “Mimi! That’s so sprig-ish!! I can’t be seen out in that !!” Rowana’s eyes pleaded with her mother - her friends would tease her; it was just too...too... - her mind faltered. Surely, she didn’t deserve this....Surely mimi was only threatening her with it..She wouldn’t really make her wear it! “Rowana, my Spritling! Stop panicking! The messages will not be visible!! It looks just like a normal Spritling Winter coat. I know how important “image” is to you young ones. No-one will know! Your ability to fulfill duties and tasks will merely appear more...” Mimi lifted her eyes upward for a second as she sought the appropriate word, “...acute.” Lifting the coat from Mimi’s hands, Rowana slid her cloak off her shoulders onto her stool. Swinging the coat around, her hands quickly found the sleeve holes. As the coat settled, it rustled faintly. Pulling it closer around her, Rowana caught hold of the nearest leaf and waved it from side to side. “Collect Ashala from Sprite Nursery” Her mother smiled as Rowana blushed! She tried a second.. “Tidy my sleeping bower.” and a third... “Prepare the mushrooms for Supper” With a start Rowana glanced at her mother, then quickly took off the coat, hung it on her peg in the corner and darted into the pantry to collect the mushrooms! Her mother smiled, gave Ashala a hug and whispered to her, “Now she won’t forget you again, my little Sprig!” When Faha came in for the meal, he caught a look and nod from Mimi which told him that all was well with Rowana. He rested his hand affectionately on his eldest daughter’s shoulder as he passed to take his place beside Mimi. ‘Problem solved’ he thought to himself, ‘Problem solved !!!’. Chapter 3 | 
