The Truth Of Rumours

Writers: AL, Kaysea
Date Posted: 21st November 2008

Characters: Irlani, Talliea
Description: Talliea goes to find out the truth about Irlani and her father.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 12, day 28 of Turn 4

Talliea made her way along the corridor towards her fathers quarters.
She had heard rumours, and needed to confirm them for herself,
especially _before_ Calliea heard of them. She knocked briefly on
the door, more as a warning to her entering, than a request to enter.
She surmised Gyta and Irlani would be up in the quarters this early in
he morning.

Her guess was right for Irlani opened the door and greeted Talliea with
a smile. "Well hello! What a pleasant surprise. Please, come in
Talliea." Irlani stepped to the side to make room for the young
greenrider to pass by into the weyr. "Gyta will be happy to see you."

Laughter bubbled from the other room, a sound from someone much
younger and the foster mother smiled, "And Ravyan will surely want to
play with you as well."

"Ravyan?" Irlani's greeting caught her off guard, and mention of
another child, even more so. "You have a child, too?" she asked,
stepping into the room.

"A fairly recent addition." Irlani explained as she quietly closed the
door behind her visitor. "Another greenrider had recently lost her
fostermother. I took Ravyan and Gyta agreed to let me continue to
foster him."

"Oh, I see. I thought he was... never mind." she shook her head,
"There's actually a reason I came to see you today." she said, taking
another step into the room and glancing around. There was little sign
that Irlani was actually living here, so maybe the rumours weren't
true.

"There is?" Irlani queried as Ravyan squealed and jumped up and down,
laughing at Gyta.

Gyta spotted her sister and lifted the little boy into her arms before
walking towards Talliea. She stopped before the older girl and smiled,
holding up the little boy to show him off.

Talliea bent down and hugged both children to her, before dropping a
kiss on Gyta's forehead. "Yeah, there is..." she said, turning to
look up at Irlani, "And I feel terrible for having to ask, but -
well.... figured it better be me, than Calliea."

"Then ask, Talliea." Irlani lowered herself onto the settle and
motioned for Talliea to take a seat as well. "Ask me anything you
like."

"I've heard... rumours." she started, sitting nervously opposite the
fostermother, "Rumours about you and dad..." she was feeling not a
little embarrassed now it actually came down to asking the question.

"I think I know what they're saying, but to be sure we're on the same
page here, which ones?" That is, if there was more than one. Irlani
certainly hoped not! Rumours could turn into vicious lies if they
weren't to begin with.

"That you and dad... er," she paused, how could she put this, it had
all been so easy in theory, but now that she was here, in front of
Irlani, it wasn't, "you're a couple?" She felt the heat rising in her
face, embarrassed to be in this position, but really, better her than
Calliea. Even being in a different Weyr didn't stop the gossip from
spreading, and it was only a chance encounter with the bronzerider in
the dragon infirmary that had given her warning, instead of Calliea.

"Yes, Talliea, we are." The woman leaned forward, her gaze holding the
greenriders. "We didn't plan it this way. It just happened." She
knew Talliea would take this news better than Calliea, but Irlani
couldn't help but be concerned about what the other daughter would do
when she found out.

"Oh..." Talliea could feel her body deflating. She had so hoped the
news was wrong, for all of their sakes. Calliea's relationship with
the bluerider had just fallen apart, and the idea that this woman was
with their father - well it could mean trouble. She doubted Calliea
would see Irlani as someone she could confide in, or talk to about her
troubles. "I was hoping... never mind." she shook her head. "I'll
try and break the news to Calli, before she hears it from someone
else." she grimaced.

"No." Irlani shook her head and reached over to pat the girl on her
hand. "I don't think you should have to do that. I tell you what, why
don't you and Calliea come over for dinner. We'll invite your brother
too. Then _we_ can break the news to her so you don't have to bear
the brunt of her anger." And the foster mother knew Calliea was going
to be very angry.

"Oh, I don't know..." Talliea began to shake her head, "I don't think
that would be a good idea. I can see it erupting into a full on
argument between her and dad, and you'd be the main target for her."
Talliea knew her sister only too well, and hated to see her hurt, but
she knew Calliea brought it on herself. And she would this time too.
Their father would be furious if Calliea's attitude hurt Irlani. And
Calliea would be so wounded if she had a falling out with their
father. No good could come of this.

"'Rigen wouldn't be any help either." she said, referring to her older
brother, Vordrigen, "He'll side with dad, and try and be the calming
influence on Calliea and she'll just flair up more."

"Then, perhaps, just you and Calliea?" Irlani suggested. "Regardless,
I don't want you to have to be the one to tell her."

"If you're sure?" Talliea's admiration of the woman increased with each
word she said. Calliea was a formidable adversary and for Irlani to
want to meet with her head on.... there weren't many who would be
game, but then again, their father would be here as well. Talliea
often wondered whether her sister realised just how aggressive she
became in her jealousy.

"I am _quite_ sure." Irlani insisted. "You shouldn't have to bear
this responsibility. It should be ours. Do you think you'll be free
tonight for dinner? Or is that too soon?"

"I think the sooner the better, actually." Talliea nodded, "Before she
is told by anyone else."

"I'm sure J'gen will understand." Irlani glanced over at the children.
Surely Calliea wouldn't cause too much a ruckus around Gyta...would
she? "Do you think it would be better to have Gyta with someone else?"

Talliea considered the question, "I'm not sure. Probably - only
because once she's in a mood Calliea won't care who is around." She
felt like a traitor saying this of her sister, but she had seen too
many tantrums in the past not to be aware.

"Then perhaps I shall have them stay with someone else." Irlani stated
after a moment. "I wouldn't want her to be witness to some words that
could possibly be said in the heat of the moment. I'll have a chat
with her about it."

"Well, when would you like us to be here? Um... you'll send the
invitation to her, won't you?" to be truthful Talliea disliked the
idea of letting her sister know she had been to visit without her,
Calliea would probably see it as an act of betrayal.

"Of course. I'll catch someone with a firelizard and send it." Irlani
smiled and patted Talliea's hand. "Don't worry, I won't say a word
about you being here beforehand. Just try to act surprised."

"Thank you, Irlani. And also for making my dad happy." she held the
older woman's hand lightly.

"Him?" The foster mother laughed softly. "If anything, he's brought
joy to my life - he and Gyta. I do hope you'll forgive me for stealing
him away."

"There's enough of him to go around, I just wish Calliea would realise
that." she stood up and bent over, hugging Irlani, "I'll see you soon,
but I'd better go before Calliea gets our dragons talking to find out
where I am."

"See you tonight then." Irlani returned the hug eagerly, then let the
greenrider go. She had a sensible head on her shoulders.

Last updated on the November 23rd 2008

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The Truth Of Rumours