Logs:Vinien's Second Turnday
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| RL Date: 28 June, 2013 |
| Who: Devaki, Issedi, Madilla |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr, High Reaches Hold |
| Type: Log |
| What: It's Vinien's second turnday. Madilla and her children are invited. |
| Where: High Reaches Hold |
| When: Day 8, Month 2, Turn 32 (Interval 10) |
| Mentions: K'zin/Mentions |
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| It's been a cold day, with snowfall steadily drifting down, covering the entirety of High Reaches Hold in a white blanket. Earlier in the week, a written invitation was delivered, addressed to 'Maddy, Lily and Dilan', inviting them to the second Turnday of one Vinien, at High Reaches Hold. Out in the courtyard, the celebration seems to have extended (inadvertantly or not) to most of the Hold -- there's warm cider, bubbly pies and other hot delicacies available on tables, but most of the Hold's children are busy with the construction of a dragon made of snow. Devaki's dressed in his fur coat, standing near Issedi; the latter of whom has four-month-old Sealene cradled in her arms. The consternation and concern Madilla has had all seven in anticipation of this event is nowhere in her expression when she and her children arrive. Lily almost immediately takes Dilan's hand, pointing out the snow dragon and then all but dragging him after her so that they can go and join. Madilla's more circumspect, watching their progress for a few seconds before she turns, taking in a deep breath. She's seen Devaki. She's probably been aware of him since the moment he came into view. Now, weaving past others, she steps towards him. And likewise, it's evident that Devaki was aware of her, too -- since the arrival of dragons from the Weyr is rather rarer these past few months. He's tracking her progress, a light in his gaze as he, too, watches Lily and Dilan join the other children. While he doesn't move from Issedi's side, he does stretch out a hand as if to welcome her -- though it's hard to say if he means for her to take it or not. "Maddy. I'm so glad you could come." Unspoken is, perhaps, the suggestion that he thought she might not. By contrast to her Lord's greeting, there's a tightness in the way Issedi smiles -- a forced politeness that is at odds with her usual warm, effusive self. "Journeyman. It is very nice of you to take time away from the Weyr to join us." Madilla makes no effort to take Devaki's hand; she curtseys, instead, in a slightly awkward kind of way that suggests it's not a gesture she's comfortable or familiar with, not really. It's difficult to imagine that she's not aware of the undercurrents in both of High Reaches' Holders, though her expression remains studiously neutral. "I was flattered to receive the invitation, Lady Issedi. Lord Devaki. We're delighted to be able to celebrate this momentous occasion with you." That curtsy gets a reaction, all right -- surprise and disquiet from Devaki, and a stiffening of back from his wife. Devaki's hand drops, slowly, and with a sidelong look at Issedi, lifts his arm as if to settle it around her shoulders -- but Issedi's quick with a single step sidewards. "It's getting cold. I really should take Sealene inside. Don't let them stay out in the cold too long," is directed towards her husband. A stiff nod towards Madilla, "Journeyman," and then she's retreating towards the Hold, under the deliberately neutral gaze of Devaki. Before the silence can get awkward, the Lord's gesturing towards one of the tables, "Can I get you some cider to warm you from the trip?" He's going to pretend like that didn't just happen, and isn't completely awkward. Madilla's cheeks are flaming, now: at the reactions she gets, at Issedi's retreat, at Devaki's actions following that. "That... would be lovely, thank you," she says, managing to pull her words together before too much more time has passed. Although: "Perhaps I shouldn't have come. I've upset Lady Issedi, and it ought to be a... a happy day." She is not going to pretend anything. "Dilan is Vinien's half brother." Devaki, at any rate, has no doubts whatsoever on it being the right decision. "And things didn't -- exactly go to plan during the Harvest Festival--" there's a grimace, though whether that's in reaction to him becoming Lord Holder, or the interruption of the pirates is anyone's guess. He's striding, already, towards the table where the hot kegs of cider steam up into the air, waving a couple of fingers the server. While their drinks are being poured, he looks to Madilla, a question unasked in his gaze; instead, he says, "You look well." There's a tight line that appears in Madilla's mouth at mention of the harvest festival, and it's really anyone's guess which of the events she is thinking about so seriously. She follows, dutiful in her own way, hanging back just behind Devaki. "I am," she says. And, "Despite the short tithes, no one is starving just yet. Not even Dilan." His son. Her son. Their son. It's not barbed, though: her voice is quiet, and even. "I didn't expect that anyone would starve," Devaki is unconcerned by the implied reproach, even if it doesn't reach her voice. "Most of what I held back was the," with a rueful twist of lips as he hands her the first mug, "Alcohol, and wool. The niceties. My people survived eighty Turns with only the supplies that we could scavenge by our own hand; I'm sure the Weyr will survive a Turn with a few less lavish celebrations." He reaches for his own mug, and lifts it, like he intends to toast that sentiment, yet -- oddly -- hesitates and allows her the space to express the toast instead, if she wants. Madilla's mouth opens, as if she intends to say something, and given her expression, it's something important. But she closes it again, takes her mug, and then lifts it in answer: "To improving the relations between our homes in future." It's not in her to be defiant, or to layer meanings in her expression, but her chin has lifted nonetheless. "I would hate for my children to grow up with conflicted feelings about High Reaches Hold." There's a noise from Devaki's throat that is muffled laughter, and he drinks deeply once she's finished her toast. The cider's hot and this particular type is alcoholic, though it leaves a pleasant warmth rather than a burn. "I would hate for -- any -- of mine to feel conflicted about the Weyr, as well. As bad a history as my people have had with the Weyr, I do not want our sins to be visited on our children. That said," with warm gaze on Madilla, "--I do hope you'll continue to be forthright. It's... refreshing." And he seems amused. His amusement makes Madilla flush again, though her chin stays where it is, just short of defiant. She takes her own sip, eyes fluttering closed for a moment as she wraps gloved hands more tightly about the mug, and feels that warmth, inside and out. "I'm relieved to hear it," she says, as her eyes open again. She's studying him. "I should tell you... there have been some questions asked about Seani's murder, recently." Devaki goes tense, but only for a moment, stretching out a hand to hook an arm through Madilla's, if she'll allow it, with the intention of guiding them away from the table and back to where they can watch the children playing in the snow. "It sounds an obvious ploy to discredit me. They ignored it for Turns, but suddenly when it suits them--" there's a noise of dismissal. "You know I had nothing to do with it." And he's watching her again, sidelong, a hint of warmth at the remembrance of that night audible in his voice, in the upward curve of his lips. Madilla will allow it, though she gives him a glance, first, as if weighing up her options-- or perhaps weighing up his intentions. "It's not coming from the Weyrle-- from on high," she reports, not looking at him, and yes, blushing, at mention of that night. "I know you didn't. And I've said as much: that I was with you during the hatching," though she doesn't mention after the hatching, "and so I know you didn't do it. But it raises the questions again. I just... wanted to warn you." "I appreciate it," Devaki murmurs, and the sentiment is genuine; there's an ease about his person which suggests he's not as guarded as he's grown used to being. He watches the children running around for a bit; Vinien's handing Dilan a pile of snow with all the solemnity of a precious stone -- the two-Turn-old can't reach the higher areas of the snow dragon, so he settles for patting the side of it over and over. "Have you told him yet?" Madilla's nod is minute. Her gaze follows Devaki's, the corners of her mouth twitching slightly wider as she regards the two boys. Dilan's obviously pleased and proud to be the grown up one for once, and is very cheerfully taking the snow and adding it to the sculpture... even if he's still got half an eye on Lily, wistfully seeing her play with the older kids. "Side by side like that, they look so... similar." And then, "No. I haven't. He's so young. Once he knows, the whole world will." "Don't they?" Devaki sounds delighted with the notion, his gaze flickering from one to the other. "My lady wife knows, as you probably surmised." He seems quietly accepting about her reaction, pausing to gulp another mouthful of cider down. Quietly, he murmurs, "My parents died during what you mainlanders call the Comet Pass -- young enough that my sisters barely remember them. I always felt regretful that they never know our parents. I'd like for Dilan not to feel that uncertainty." Yes, Madilla clearly had surmised that - there it is in the suddenly thin line of her mouth, and the slow, careful nod. It's the rest of what Devaki has to say that leaves her uncertain, mouth open, words failing. "I understand that," she says, quietly. "I regret that my own family is out of reach to them. I don't want to keep him from you, or you from him. But I'm afraid, Devaki." She turns her head, now, to look at him. "His being your son causes so many problems, in so many ways. Do you really want that information out in the open? I'm afraid of the people who hate you." "Most of the people who hate me," and Devaki doesn't try to deny that, "--love you. Besides, if they really think I am a murderer, do you think they'd risk trying to harm my son?" The very idea is incongruous to him, and he reaches out to dust a bit of snow off Madilla's hair, smiling in reassurance. "I won't let anyone hurt him. Or you, or Lily. I promise." And he means it: "You're family." His smile, and that casual snow-dusting, doesn't do much to change the seriousness of Madilla's expression. "And what will they think of me, when they realise that I - someone most of them prefer to think of as a non-sexual person, despite my children - spent a night with you? Or many nights? Perhaps I've been spying for you all along." She sounds wretched as she says that: utterly miserable. "I'm not ashamed. Please don't think that I am. I believe you, when you say all of that. So much of my job depends on people trusting me: with their bodies, with their thoughts, their fears. I'm afraid." "Anyone who knows you wouldn't believe that. And those that do--" Devaki rolls his shoulders in the slightest of shrugs as his smile fades. "--they'll always believe the worst." He glances, briefly, at the children, then back to Madilla, frowning at her expression. "You could come here. All of you." It's not the first time he's offered, and probably not the last -- given it would seem he expects her to refuse by his next words: "I don't want you to be afraid of your own people. Maybe -- maybe you and the children could come and stay here, for a few days, after the news breaks. Just until things settle down." A beat, and then he murmurs, "There's an old saying, that the Elders always reminded us of, This too, shall pass. Maddy -- people will forget. He won't be the Weyrhealer's son, or the Lord's son. In time, he'll just be Dilan. Our child." Madilla turns her gaze away, letting it slide back to the child in question, who is so enthusiastically babbling on to Vinien about... something. Her lips part, though with an exhale rather than more words, at least immediately. "I couldn't do that," she says. "It would be like running away." She's probably not talking about moving to the Hold; that isn't even an option. "He's sensitive," she says. "How will Dilan cope? He'll notice. I'm not... I know he needs to know. Eventually. But does it need to be now, Devaki?" She turns to look at him again. "Lily remembers you. Couldn't we just be family friends - an honorary uncle? - just for now?" The set of Devaki's jaw suggests he's ill pleased with this suggestion. "He's old enough to understand. Old enough, soon, too, to feel upset that we've lied to him. I don't want to start off my relationship with him with a lie, Maddy." Madilla wilts, visibly. "I know," she says, with a sigh, lifting one hand from her mug so that she can rub at her face. "I know. I'm sorry. I don't like lies, and I shouldn't have... it's just hard. I... suppose you want to meet him, then. Properly." "It's hard," Devaki agrees, without hesitation. "I don't want him to ever feel ashamed of who he is. Who his father is. I'll answer any questions he has about the things he hears about me." Some voices from the main Hold entrance earn his attention and the Lord smiles. "Yes. Later, though. It sounds like the cake is ready, first, then I've arranged for a tour for the children of one of new ships." He's definitely not putting it off, though, because, "Perhaps after, we can take some time to thaw out before you head back to the Weyr, and... talk." "I don't either," says Madilla, firmly. "And I also don't ever want him to resent you, or I, or his... position in life. I won't let that happen." She seems, in this, to be talking mostly to herself. Exhaling, white-clouded, she nods. "If you like," she says. "If your wife won't mind. I don't want to make her uncomfortable, either. I hope she knows that... that I don't want this to hurt her. Or take anything away from her." "We'll figure it out, Maddy. We'll make it work." Devaki sounds certain of this, though it's the latter that makes him hesitate. "Isse... she'll adjust. I promise. It's just been hard with her -- Sealene hasn't been sleeping well, and neither has she." One of the servers comes around to collect their mugs, and there's a gentle squeeze of Devaki's fingers against Madilla's arm before he starts walking towards the children: "Who wants Turnday cake?" The answer is predictably raucous, Vinien at the forefront yelling, "ME! ME!" Madilla nods, and her expression is abruptly sympathetic: poor Issedi. Devaki's fingers even make her smile, in a minute, reflective kind of way, though all such thoughts are pushed aside as she follows Devaki, scooping up her son as he runs towards her, clamouring enthusiastically for cake. Cake it is. After the cake, there's the ship's tour, with the kids playing 'pirates' -- something that makes Devaki grimace, but he's enthusiastic enough about the children to indulge them. In fact, indulge seems the watchword of the day, when it comes to the kids -- and it's only when Issedi insists that it's time for afternoon nap for the younger children, leading them all away, that Devaki steers Madilla, Dilan and Lily into a side room. There, he'll follow Madilla's lead, jumping into to explain or answer any questions the pair have of him. Dilan is wide eyed, half terrified. Lily is sulky, clearly envious. Madilla tries hard to keep her emotions in check. And by the time they get home... well. It won't take long for news like that to get out.
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Comments
Azaylia (Dragonshy (talk)) left a comment on Sat, 29 Jun 2013 09:51:21 GMT.
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Well... that was a big bucket of awkward. o.o Like, just when you thought it couldn't get more uncomfortable~ Poor Madilla. Poor Issedi. D: Man, the only one who seems happy about any of this is Devaki. The joik.
Really fun read and full of tasty angst. :3
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