Decisions

Writers: AL, Jane
Date Posted: 10th January 2009

Characters: R'haran, Irlani
Description: R'haran asks foster-mother Irlani for advice about his children.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 1, day 2 of Turn 5

The harper greenrider eased himself into the chair opposite the small
group of women, laughing and accepting their teasing as all but one of
them got up and said farewell.

"I'm _not_ taking that personally," R'haran said to the remaining woman.
"How are you Irlani?"

"You're not, eh?" Irlani laughed softly as she set down her cup of tea.
"Well, I am glad of that. Of course, I know you wouldn't think of any
of it with any seriousness. I'm doing well, and you R'haran?"

"Not too badly. I hear you've somebody new in your life," he said,
grinning. "Well, not new. Sort of old and raggedy," he teased, waiting
to see if she would come to the bronzerider's defence.

"Well I suppose that describes him well enough." Irlani's mouth tilted
upward in a smile. "But he grows on you so I think I'll keep him, old
and raggedy as he is."

R'haran gave up and smiled. "Anybody could certainly do worse," he
agreed instead. "I have something to ask you - if you have time."

"Oh certainly." Irlani agreed readily, "Gyta is off spending quality
time with her father."

"Good. Good for both of them. Did I hear that she speaks a little now?"

"Well...she's said a couple of words. She still isn't really speaking
around other people." Indeed, any words uttered had been in the
seclusion of the weyr. "But it's a step in the right direction."

"A huge first step," R'haran said, glad that the tale was true. "I want
your opinion on children, as it happens. My five."

"Oh really?" That wasn't quite the sort of thing she ever expected to
hear from the greenrider. "Well, I'll do my best."

"You know they came to me from my nephew, their grandfather? They were
SeaHold born and bred but they'd lost most their family to the sea.
They've seemed happy here - seemed to _grow_ happy here. Become settled."

"Yes, I knew." The story was one she had heard before, though it had
been a while since then. It had been tragic, and Irlani at the time had
thought that tragedy struck too often and to too many people. "Has
something happened to change that?"

"Yes." R'haran wasn't surprised she had guessed. Perhaps he should also
have realised what would be the likely outcome of his seemingly
innocuous plans for a day's outing. "I took them to the sea. Our sea.
Out there," he waved a hand in completely the wrong direction,
disinterested in the reality. "They miss it."

"I see." Irlani took a moment to pick up her tea and sip at it. When
she put it back down, she turned her attention back to the greenrider.
"So. What do you plan on doing about it?"

"I think I'm planning to move halfway across the Continent and find them
a coastline to live on." He winced. "Is that an overreaction?"

"Personally? I would say yes." Irlani laughed softly. She couldn't
really fault the man. "But to be honest, you should think over that
before you simply jump into that decision. Decide on what would be best
for you and the children as a whole."

"I've been here since I Impressed. I _could_ move. They've had to."

"What benefits would they gain from the move?" Irlani placed her elbows
upon the table, laced her hands together and then rested her chin upon
them. "And what are the cons to such a move?"

"They would be back by the sea, which they seem to love despite it
costing them most their family. They'd be back in the climate they grew
up in, though they have enjoyed the novelty of the snow. Cons?"
R'haran looked thoughtful. "Another move. A move for Evie and I.
They'd need a new foster mother."

"I'm afraid I'm not available to move with you." Irlani winked at the
greenrider. "Another thing to consider is that you've created some sort
of stability here. Would the move be worth losing that stability and
having to deal with regaining it in unfamiliar territory?"

He nodded, having wondered the same thing. "I was thinking along the
lines that the stability they've gained here was with me. Getting to
know me; being sure that I'm committed to them as they've had no choice
but to be committed to me. Should I ask them? The older ones?"

"I think you should ask all of them, even the younger ones." Irlani
stated matter of factly. "They probably understand more than you think
they do, and even if they don't, talking about them will only help the
transition if one is to be made."

"Tibby just wants to be with me," R'haran said with pardonable smugness
for the affection his youngest adopted son bestowed on him. "But I will
ask them. Next time I take them down to the sea. I'll ask them then."
That would give him time to think things over - to get everything sorted
in his own mind and have some idea of _where_ it was possible for them
to go if they so chose.

"Keep them involved in the decision making, within limits of course."
Irlani encouraged. "Even Tibby. It will make them feel like they have
a say, and they may even surprise you with insight."

"They've surprised me since the day I met them," the greenrider admitted
with a smile. "Thanks for the advice, Irlani."

"Not a problem, R'haran. If you do move, though, it will be a shame."
The foster mother smiled. "But I understand that you must do what's
best for you and the children."

"I just hope I can figure out what that is!" he said with a laugh.

Last updated on the January 20th 2009

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Decisions