Knock, Knock

Writers: Heather, Miriah
Date Posted: 4th December 2020

Characters: Jalodwyn, H'riv
Description: H'riv tries to smooth things over with Jalodwyn when she arrives at the Hall.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 8, day 1 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: Thayde

The moment she entered the Hall, she felt eyes on her and the little
bundle she carried. Some were newer and were curious about the sudden
flurry of talk, but others tried to peer closely at the little infant
that Jalodwyn carried closely to her breast. She felt the stares like
brands against her back and sides, but nestled her daughter even
closer to her. She walked stiffly, her head held high as words were
overheard.

"Thayde's baby I bet...", "How could she come back?" "Do you think
she's..." "What about his wife?" "...seduced him..." "Who's that?"
"..does it look like him?"

Jalodwyn ignored them as she followed the drudge towards her new
quarters. Her things had already arrived and there was a small group
of people near where the drudge indicated her door was. She knew most
of them and had known a few for turns; some she'd once considered
friends. As she appeared, they peered closely at her, murmuring
amongst themselves. Some of the looks were almost gleeful and some
reminded her of hunting wherries. She stopped as the drudge came to
the door. "Do you mind moving?"

One woman that she recognized tried to peer closely at Jalotha, and
Jalodwyn clutched her baby protectively. "Hey, Jalodwyn. It's kind of
surprising to see you." The woman tried to get a glimpse of the
Jalotha, craning her neck.

"I'll bet." Her words were curt and sharp. "Back off. All of you. I'm
not here for your sharding amusement."

There were a few gasps and then grumbles of discontent. "We were just
curious..."

Anxiety clutched at her belly as words bit out. "She's a baby. She's
mine. I'm not married. Satisfied? Now can I get into my quarters?"
They backed away, still mumbling and Jalodwyn entered her quarters
quickly, closing the door firmly behind her. Her new quarters were
appropriate for any Senior, but they felt so empty and bare. Taking a
deep breath, she began to get herself calm enough to unpack what was
necessary.

"Knock, knock," H'riv's voice carried as he wrapped his knuckles on
the door, the one that he had been told now belonged to Jalodwyn.
There was a plant in one arm and a folded bundle in the other.

Immediately thinking it was Thayde, Jalodwyn was tense as she opened
the door. At the sight of H'riv, she stiffened, fingers tight on the
door. Her expression wasn't welcoming as she met his gaze. "You.
Well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised." Her chin lifted. "I guess I
should have known better, huh?"

"Oh come on," H'riv cried. "I brought you a plant and a new blanket
for your quarters as a peace offering." He jostled the items in his
arms as proof.

"You think a plant and a blanket is going to make me feel better about
being stupid enough to believe that you weren't going to talk about me
to your brother?" She shook her head. "I didn't need you to say
anything, H'riv. Because you did, now I'm back here and I have to see
_him_ every day. He threatened to take Jalotha away from me, did you
know that?" She bit back further words, realizing he was still
standing in the doorway. "I can't let you in. People have already
started talking about me. Again."

H'riv had on his best pair of 'sad eyes' as he extended the gifts. "At
least take them, please. Look, I had no idea what was really going on
with you at Jade Harbor, but then Yasha cornered me one day and said,"
and then he did a perfect impression of the woman's hand gestures and
voice inflection, "'you'd better fix this and tell your brother to
leave her alone'. So I figured the only way to get Mertin to let up
and let you do your job was if Thayde put some pressure on him. I had
_no_idea_ that Thayde would drag you back here. I swear."

"Well, he definitely didn't leave me alone. I didn't want his help,
H'riv. I didn't need it. I would have been fine. And don't turn those
sad canine eyes on me. It won't work this time." She looked down at
the gifts, then back up at him. "I'm so mad at you right now." She
took the gifts and put them down on a small table beside the door.
"Don't do that again. Don't speak for me again. I don't want help."

The brownrider put his hands together pleadingly, his canine eyes in
full effect. "I will never speak for you again, even if you are
supremely miserable and beg me for help."

"Stop that." She snapped irritably. "You can pay me back by making
sure Thayde stays away from me and my daughter. I'm at the point right
now that I don't want her around anybody but me. Even you."

H'riv sobered. "I truly am sorry, Jal. I hope you can trust that I
only did it because I care about your well-being."

"Well don't do it again." She said softly. "I hate being here and I
hate him. I don't think anything's going to change for the better. As
soon as I get my Masters knots, I'm gone."

"Once you become a master, I'll fly you wherever you want to go."
H'riv promised.

"And Jalotha. I'm not leaving her here." She was quick to add in her
daughter. Even if she had to work herself sick, she was going to get
her knots as soon as she could. She eyed H'riv. "I'll hold you to
that."

Last updated on the December 7th 2020

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Knock, Knock