We'll See How Things Go

Writers: AL, Kaysea
Date Posted: 6th August 2008

Characters: Irlani, J'gen, Ravyan
Description: Irlani introduces Ravyan to J'gen.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 11, day 8 of Turn 4

When J'gen answered the knock that came upon the door that morning, he found the usual sight of Irlani smiling at him. What was not usual, was the child that she held in her arms, a boy of about two who stared at him, evidently not quite awake just at the moment. The long walk to the weyr had lulled the child back to sleep, but the knock upon the door had awakened him once more. "Good morning J'gen." Irlani greeted him, then turned to look at the boy. "This is Ravyan."

"Er?" he took a step back, surprised by the child she carried in her arms, "Um, come in..." he took another step back and beckoned her inside. "I didn't know..."

"That's all right. I procured him this morning." Irlani moved into the weyr, the child looking around him, blinking as if he couldn't quite decide to be interested in his surroundings or just go back to sleep. "A rather desperate greenrider needed a foster mother. I told her I'd take him for today and see how Gyta did with him. If not favourably, then I'll help her find another foster mother to take him."

"Oh....Oh!" he exclaimed, as her words finally sunk in. "Oh, for a moment, I thought he was... Well, that you actually..." he shook his head, "Never mind, come in. Gyta's awake and ready for the day." he smiled and waved Irlani towards the meals area.

"That he was mine?" Amusement registered upon Irlani's face. "I would think you'd have met him by now. No, all my children come from wombs other than mine. Did Gyta sleep well?"

He was a little taken aback at her honesty, most women of her age - if they hadn't had children of their own, appeared more morose and saddened than she, and even less willing to admit to being childless.
"Oh, okay." he nodded, and followed her across to the table. "Yes, she slept very well," he answered her question about Gyta as he pulled out a chair for her to sit upon. "She's in brushing her teeth as we speak."

"Ah, I see. Well, hopefully we'll have fun with Ravyan today." She set the boy down who seemed to perk up and immediately scrambled into a chair, sitting down on it and grinned up at J'gen. "So, may I have your opinion on the matter?" Irlani looked up at the dragonrider.
"On fostering another child. What are your feelings?"

"Me? Well, I don't mind." he shook his head, "It makes no real difference, considering his age, in fact," he paused, wondering, "does he speak yet?" he asked, smiling back down at the toddler.

"Well, he's said a few things coming over here, so I know he has some sort of vocabulary." The child wriggled in the chair, then leaned over as if to look beneath it. "I've only just met him really."
Irlani studied the bronzerider, then pressed gently, "Are you sure you have no feelings in the matter?"

"Well, I was thinking," he paused again, and glanced down at the child, "if he is just learning to talk, it may help Gyta in a way. And because of the child's age, she wouldn't feel threatened, or dumb learning to talk again." he didn't really know whether it would work out that way, but the few times she had attempted to talk, had been semi successful, and with the little boy learning to talk, maybe, just maybe, it would prompt Gyta as well. "What do you think?"

"Perhaps you're right." The boy crawled off of the chair, then crawled under and laughed with glee. "But I shall ask Gyta the same question.
If she is uncomfortable, I'll find another fostermother for him."

"Maybe she won't like the idea, but whatever you decide will be fine with me. I can't say you've done anything wrong so far..." he smiled, "In fact, the improvement in Gyta has been noticeable from the first day. Thank you."

"Don't thank me." Irlani crouched down and reached under the table to tickle the little boy who squealed in delight. "We'll just see how things go."

"I have got to thank you for the change I've seen in her over the last couple of sevendays. She's no longer the sad little girl she has been since her mother died. Surely you can see that?"

"Yes, I know she has improved, and it warms might heart to see her happy." The boy crawled out from under the chair and stood up, doing his best to peer over the table. "But you don't have to thank me. I love her and I want her to be happy."

"For that alone, you deserve my thanks." J'gen answered, softly.
"Look, I'll go and get her, and you can ask her yourself." he felt uncomfortable standing there under her scrutiny.

"I'll ask her after the day is done." Irlani tackled the little boy who playfully pushed Irlani away with a laughing, 'no!' "See how it goes first before I get her opinion."

"Fair enough. I'll go and say goodbye to her, and then I'd better skedaddle." he nodded, once more looking down on the child and hoping that he wasn't just wishing for a miracle. He ruffled the child's hair, gave Irlani a brief smile of farewell and made his way through to the ablutions room.

Last updated on the August 7th 2008

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We'll See How Things Go