Difference between revisions of "Logs:Avoiding Fate"

Late evening, and Vinien has long settled down for sleep. Devaki, however, is still awake, and emerges to dress in his fur coat in, presumably, preparation for a walk, humming distractedly to himself.

Hana, playing the part of an insomniac, steps out of her own little space, sleeping garment covered by robe, hair unbuned, but left in a long loose braid. Eyes widen, just a bit, at the sight of Dev, but that doesn't stop her, a bit of correspondence held in one hand.

Devaki's halfway towards the curtain that hangs over the entrance before he becomes aware of the movement out of the corner of his eye; catching Hana like that, his lips curve upwards. "I didn't wake you, did I?" Faint tone kept mostly low, in deference to Diendra. His gaze flickers to the letter, then back to her, expectantly.

Hana shakes her head, lips tightening just a touch at the flicker towards the letter, "Of course not, Devaki - I didn't even realize you were up until I stepped out," she murmurs, before moving towards a chair. The letter is fluttered slightly, the blame silently placed upon it.

The Lord glances towards the exit, then shucks off his coat -- far too warm to wear while inside -- before stepping in her direction, moving near to her chair. "Is everything ok, Hana?" he asks, quietly.

Hana hesitates a moment, then places the letter in her lap. "I believe it may have been mentioned, before?" By her, by Issedi, or just gossip in general perhaps, "That Nataniel and Havannah had other plans for their daughter, besides that of hair-player?" she offers, attempting to put a touch of humor on what is likely often a trying event.

"Isse mentioned -- but she said you were happy remaining with her, too." Devaki says, as if this should stay any such questions. He folds his coat over the back of one of the other chairs, but remains standing, watching her. "I'd -- we'd, both, be sorry to see you go, but if that's what you want...?" the lilt at the end perhaps suggests he suspects otherwise.

"They are 'suggesting' the first gather after we get back, to meet with one of Lady Yuliye's cousins - I think." There is a deep unhappy sigh, before she looks up. "I know they're my parents, Devaki, but all they care about is the connection. For all it matters to them, we could have.." she trails off, and geastures between the two of them, ".. and as long as I ended up with a grandchild for them, they'd have been perfectly happy. I /don't/ want to go - it /is/ Crom after all... but I'm not sure I can stay either, if that makes any sense." She is more blunt then she'd normally be - but between frustration, lack of sleep, and a recent hangover, well.

There's a momentary beat of silence, then quietly, "Being Blooded means doing your duty, marrying those that you barely know for alliances. But," a smile from Devaki, now, as he rests his hands on the back of the chair, "You're not Blooded, Hana. Forget what your parents want, for a moment. What do you want?"

"Besides everything to stay the way it is?" Hana asks with a sigh - and a slight flush as she realized part of what she said. "To /not/ have to deal with them, and their delusions of Blooded grandeur." She leaves the letter in her lap, and rubs at her temples. "Just.. time, maybe? For them to get over their current plan, and gain some breathing room."

"We could have one of Isse's cousins pretend to interest -- I'm sure she'd have some willing to avoid the duty of marriage for that much longer." There's a rough laugh from Devaki, but that doesn't last long. "Alternatively -- if time is what you need, we buy it for you. Azaylia seems to like you well enough -- I'm sure she'd encourage your stay at the Weyr, and both Braeden and myself are keenly interested in keeping a close eye on things at the Weyr." He gazes at her, as if to judge her reaction to that.

Hana winces at the idea of anyone pretending an interest, willing or not. "I can just see us waking up one morning, with a contract in hand and a headache..." she mumbles, before fluttering fingers in front of her lips as the late night starts to catch up. "I.. think it might be better with the second." There is a pause, and a steady look at Devaki, "I rather like Azaylia." A cautionary bit, before she adds fondly, "But Faranath knows - she certainly could use the help with her presentation."

Unconcerned by the cautionary note, Devaki agrees readily enough, "I like her too. But as you said -- she could use the help." He likely means it in more ways than just her presentation. "I think convincing Isse to let you go will be the harder job. I think it'll be best to get her away from the Weyr first, so there's no broken dishes to cause a stir." This causes a grin -- as if the placid wife of his might do such a thing.

Hana winces a bit, then puts on an obvious (and fake) attempt to use her wiles on Devaki, lashes fluttering all the while. "But you can convince her, right, Dev? And duck at the same time?" One might hope that might not be necessary - but the idea is very amusing.

"I'll need to practice the ducking, I think. Haven't had much cause to use it since leaving the Island -- and the Weyr," half smile, half reminiscent grimace, before the Blood hefts his coat, taking a step to bring him over to Hana's chair, pushing some of her loose hair out of the way before resting a hand on her shoulder. "If you feel comfortable talking to Azaylia, you have my blessing. But if you'd prefer me to do it?"

Hana takes a deep breath, then lets it woosh out. She's actually going to do this. Move out, so to speak. Live somewhere else, "I.. think I would prefer you to do so. If you don't mind. If she says no, I can just... think of something else."

A nod answers that. "Whatever happens, I'll make sure you're looked after." There's a heat, a sense of promise to the words from Lord to holder. "The Lady Tillek, I'm sure, would help," Devaki's fingers squeeze the woman's shoulder briefly before letting his hand slip away, making to shrug into his coat.

Hana offers a crooked smile at that idea. "I don't want to be passed around from Hold to Weyr to Hold again though. I like having my people to take care of." They end up her family. Maybe emotional, or employer-like, but they end up hers. She pushes herself to her feet, then adds, "Don't stay out too late. It was really snowing last night," she adds as she starts to make her way back to her sleeping area. Just short of there, memory strikes. If she's staying, she's not leaving. "Shells," comes the muttered oath, before she keeps on going. Sleep now. No parents, no boys, no booze, just sweet sweet dreams.

"I understand," Devaki says, with weight, like he means it. A smile for the warning, and he says, "I won't. Good night, Hana," as he steps outside.