Terrible Politics

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 7th October 2006

Characters: Kiomo, Miralani
Description: Kiomo lets Miralani know that she's not as sneaky as she thinks.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 13, day 20 of Turn 3
Notes: Follows "Patience Has Its Rewards"

Miralani was twisting the bulk of her hair up on top of her head when she caught sight of Kiomo in her mirror. She didn't bother to turn around, smiling at him in the mirror as she reached out for a hairpin to secure her hair. "Why, good day, Kiomo."

"My my, Miralani, was that the Smith Hallmaster I just saw leaving your office with a smug look on his face?" Kiomo asked with an amused smile.

Her face didn't lose its pleasant expression as she pushed another hairpin into her hair. "I prefer to call him my future husband. Doesn't that sound so much nicer?"

"Oh yes, I especially like the _future_ part. As in, 'not yet'," he chuckled. The Holder knew there were a lot of people who would not look favorably on even 'future' husbands looking so satisfied in the middle of the day. "So what were you and your future husband doing that would have pulled your hair down, eh?"

"Pulled my hair down?" she asked innocently, securing the final pin.
"What an imagination you have, Kiomo." She met his eyes in the mirror again and smiled. "A very... active imagination."

"Well, I'm sure you can understand why I would have jumped to that conclusion. I think its the same conclusion most people in the Hold would come to," he replied with equal sweetness. "I mean, what would your brother have said if he had witnessed what I did?"

Miralani turned around and smoothed her gown over her hips with a smile that didn't quit hide the flash of panic. "My brother would not have come to the same conclusion that you did," she replied confidently.
That, at least, she was sure of. "As for you... I don't care what terribly illicit things you're imagining."

"Imagining illicit things that involve the Smith Hallmaster? That is in poor taste, Miralani, not to mention it would be totally disgusting."
The Holder flopped back on her sofa unceremoniously. "It is rather amusing, though. Oh," he commented, patting the sofa cushion softly, "still warm."

"As if the Hallmaster would be the one doing the illicit things,"
Miralani replied tartly, settling herself on the other side of the couch and smoothing her skirts out. She hadn't given Daynar a chance to do anything at all, preferring to keep him firmly under her control. Maybe not particularly enjoyable for _her_, but there was plenty of time to worry about that once Daynar was safely wrapped around her little finger.

"Even more amusing," Kiomo chuckled. "You certainly do think you know what you're doing, don't you."

"Of course not," she said in a prim voice that was ruined by the amused glint in her eyes. "I thought everyone knew that a good wife performs her wifely duties by closing her eyes and making meal plans until it's over." Kiomo threw his head back and laughed. "I meant you think you know _politically_ what you're doing. I wasn't calling into question your performance of... wifely duties."

Miralani made an amused noise. "I don't think there was anything particularly... political about the Hallmaster's visit. At least, I certainly _hope_ that's not the way the Lord Holders are conducting their affairs these days." She had no intention of confessing to any political motivations today. Kiomo knew enough without her making a mistake and telling him more than she meant to.

"Well, I sure hope this little... 'encounter' was the result of true and overwhelming feelings of desire for your future husband, because it was terrible politics. You might get something out of him in return for your undoubtedly skilled attentions, but I have to say, Miralani, you took a great risk. You covered your trail very poorly. I just hope what you got in return was worth it."

"My trail?" Miralani laughed. "You make it sound a little more exciting than it actually was, Kiomo. And I think you are failing to take your own advantages into account when it comes to following my... trail."

"No, I think my own advantages are foremost in my mind at this moment,"
he said, turning slightly to face her a bit better. "Please listen to me, Miralani. This advice is given as a friend, as one who has watched the play of politics their entire life, and even more importantly, as one who knows that your political status directly affects the Lord Holder's political status which in turn directly affects _my_ political status. Be more careful. It was very easy for me to figure out what has gone on here today. _Painfully_ easy. A look on the Hallmaster's face can be excused away, but you not locking the door while you take the time to styling your hair in the mirror? What if I had been a drudge with political aspirations? A mother whose young and fresh daughter would make a far better wife for the Hallmaster than a widow with children that are not his? Political scandal and intrigue are waiting for you _everywhere_. There are people in this very Hold just waiting for a chance to bring you and your brother down. Too many mistakes like that, and they just might succeed."

"I'll take your advice under consideration," Miralani replied just as seriously. Then one corner of her mouth quirked up. "How lucky I am to have you to look out for my best interests." He threw his hands up pacifyingly. "I'm not trying to tell you what to do in private, Miralani. Faranth knows, I spent time in a Weyr, and I was exposed to all kinds of ideas. All I'm saying is be a bit more careful."

"So I take it this means you're not going to try to ruin me?" Miralani asked lightly.

"Well," he said with a slow, amused smile. "Not yet."

Miralani returned the smile. "How thoughtful. Hopefully I won't have to pay too dearly for your kindness."

Kiomo shrugged unconcerned. "We shall see."

Last updated on the October 8th 2006

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