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Post by Bellatora on Mar 15, 2012 1:43:20 GMT -4
She looked at him suddenly, as if hearing him for the first time. "Only guilty of not telling you I was getting a hair cut before actually getting it," she said with a small smile. She followed closely beside him. "They are still here..." she said, shuddering slightly. It was so quiet and they seemed to be gone for now. "I'm really glad your weyr is not too far away..." she said softly.
She didn't notice his blush or anything of that sort. She was too distracted. she just wanted to get to the weyr safely with him already. She wanted to get back to where she felt safe. "I'm sure Milly is going to be excited to see you," she said with a smile, very gently touching his elbow for a split second. "I think she prfers you over me any day."
She was content to walk slowly with him until they arrived at the weyr. She was just very glad he was out of the infirmary. She was wondering if she would still be recognizable, but she wasn't sure. She hoped not... but she felt kind of ugly right now... What with the short, annoying hair. She sighed and tucked it behind her ears again as it started to fall into her face once more.
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Post by Zirin on Mar 15, 2012 16:51:46 GMT -4
J'degar grunted to show he had heard her, but he had nothing really to say. He wasn't exactly in the right condition to deal with anything right now... as it was each step hurt. What sort of protector could he be if something happened now... well he supposed he could balance on his strong leg and wave his cane like a crazy old man... That would scare them off.
"She likes anyone who gives her attention." He replied with a small shrug. Of course, he doubted anyone gave his little feline more attention than he did, but she would warm up to just about anyone given time. For the most part, their walk seemed to be silent, both occupied with thoughts other than talking. As it was, J'degar just wanted to be able to sit down again; he hadn't expected the wounds to be so upset about moving. Of course, it took more than a few days to heal.
Finally the weyr was in sight and J'degar was all too happy to hobble over to a chair and sit down, not even caring that he probably looked like a total wimp because of it. "Ahh it's good to be home." He had barely begun to get settled when a young boy, likely no more than thirteen turns, came barreling into the room.
"Pa! Sir! I finally found you! I was worried when I didn't see you down in the infirmary. I'm sorry it took so long to get back here, I had to bribe the watch dragon!" The boy spoke awfully fast. J'degar just groaned and rubbed at his temple.
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Post by Bellatora on Mar 15, 2012 17:39:58 GMT -4
Assaila immediately walked over to J'degar and looked at him, taking a chair nearby. "I'm glad you are home." She smiled softly. The room was spotless. The bed had already been turned down for him, everything was neat and organized... Okay so she didn't keep everything to herself, but she had left most things where he would find them if they had been moved at all. She had wanted everything to be nice for him when he came back. So she had spent some time every day making sure everything was clean... even when it didn't need it. She picked up a mug from the table with klah (that had a little bit of fellis in it) and was about to offer it to him when the boy burst in.
Assaila blinked at him in confusion, but was very quiet. Pa and Sir, huh... this mus be J'degar's son... I wonder why he didn't tell me about him before....
Assaila found herself wondering what Anna was doing. She really didn't need to wonder though... this time of day,the girl was often off learning with the Healers.. she would likely come to find them later... But for now.. Assaila staid quiet to allow for Gar to deal with the "intruder" or, rather, his son. She wondered how he was going to receive him. the boy obviously loved him...
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Post by Zirin on Mar 15, 2012 18:23:59 GMT -4
"It looks like someone went a little overboard with moving things..." He glanced about the room. "Thank you," It was meant for both the klah and the room. He tended to keep things relatively clean, though he didn't always have time to keep things in perfect order. To come back to an organized room felt really nice. Before he could take the klah though, Firogel had come bargin into the room, rambling on and on. J'degar sighed, sitting up as straight as he could to be on eye level with the boy.
"I expect you to stand at attention when you address your superiors. You didn't apologize for interrupting and you've failed to acknowledge the presence of a guest." His voice was stern. "Back straighter, I won't have my son looking like a slob. Report." It was probably hard to believe he could be so stern with Firogel when he had been so soft to Annaliese only a few days before. Straightening his back, the boy hardened his expression.
"Yes Father, Sir. Sorry for interrupting so rudely. " He glanced back curiously at Assaila, though he didn't say anything to her in particular... he was just surprised to see a woman in the same room as his father. She must be a hired drudge or something. "I've begun looking at crafts like you wanted Sir. I haven't picked one yet, but I still have two more to look into." The air felt tense for a long moment before J'degar reached over to ruffle Firogel's hair.
"Thatta boy. You do me proud." His expression had softened significantly and was that... was that a proud smile on his face? The boy couldn't stay still any longer and threw himself at his father, doing his best to give the man a hug without causing pain. It, perhaps, would even be surprising to see that J'degar was even hugging back.
"Oh. I suppose introductions are in order. Assaila, meet Firogel... my son."
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Post by Bellatora on Mar 15, 2012 18:40:56 GMT -4
She was about to say you're welcome, but she didn't get that far before Firogel's appearance. She watched their interaction with some curiosity and took a sip of klah from her own mug, also laced with fellis. She was utterly calm and collected, though she eyed the boy with a smile.
Assaila blinked. She wasn't sure what to think of this... but when things melted to a proud father and loving son, she couldn't help but grin. "It is good to meet you, Firogel. Looks like your father is very proud of you," she grinned and placed a very gentle hand on J'degar's shoulder.
However... things never seemed to stay calm for long for them. "Papa! Mama!" Oh no... Assaila bit her lip and turned slightly pale, standing and going to her eight-turn old daughter with a frown. "Anna... We have been over this. J'degar isn't your Papa. You know who your father was... and... he is no more." Anna looked at her mother defiantly, hardly noticing what was going on in the room. Assaila scratched the back of her head in exasperation, causing a mess of her short hair and causing her to smooth it again back behind her ears. "Well... just stop calling him "papa" for now until we can all talk about it. There is someone you should probably meet."
Assaila ushered her young healer daughter into the room. "Firogel... this is my daughter Annaliese. She is an apprentice Healer." She smiled somewhat weakly, looking more tired than she had in some time. Nothing could take the wind out of Assaila and make her more tired than a stubborn Annaliese.
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Post by Zirin on Mar 15, 2012 22:09:44 GMT -4
He was rather shocked that Assaila was being so... quiet. He had almost expected her to be angry about this for some reason. After all, he had kept the existance of his son secret from her for four Turns. It wasn't intentional of course, it had never really come up in conversation, and J'degar had thought it wise to keep a distance from his son: people hated him for his views on women and he didn't want his son ostracized because of it.
Firo gave the strange intruder girl a hard, condescending look. She must not be very bright if she didn't know J'degar wasn't her father. He couldn't be rude while his father was watching, however. He knew it would result in punishment of some sort. "He's not your Papa." Firogel finally said stubbornly, feeling angry that some stupid girl was trying to take his father away from him. He crossed his arms. "Girls are trouble." Yep. He was definately J'degar's son.
J'degar could feel a fresh headache coming on and looked apologetically at Assaila. "Maybe I should have stayed in the infirmary...."
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Post by Bellatora on Mar 15, 2012 22:22:22 GMT -4
Annaliese crossed her arms. "Of course he isn't my Papa by blood, but he is my protector. Just like Mama has been. So I love him like a Papa." She did not like this boy already. The eight turn old looked at him defiantly.
Assaila sighed. "Don't say that, dear... Everything will work out... But how about we just all get acquainted." She gave a soft smile and walked over to him, giving him the gentlest of kisses. "You aren't stupid, J'degar... I bet you knew it would happen eventually. And if not here in private, then in the infirmary." She felt a little awkward with Firogel there. Oi... the boy was so much like his father, she could already tell.
She motioned for Assaila to come over to her. "Anna, come here." Annaliese looked at her mom for a moment before giving Firo another glare then walked over to her mother who motioned for her to sit in the chair that was beside her as she looked at Gar. "I have to say this is pretty awkward, Gar..." She sighed softly. "Would you like some time with your son....?" she asked him with a soft smile, love in her eyes. "Here... why don't you have some klah...." She held out the mug for him again.
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Post by Zirin on Mar 15, 2012 23:00:36 GMT -4
He was glad Assaila seemed to be good with dealing with children. He had never had to deal with more than one before so this was a bit of a new experience for him. "It could have waited until I wasn't injured," He murmered as she kissed him, the faintest of twitches running across his expressions.
"Don't you kiss Father! He's my mother's!" The boy had the biggest look of shock as he spoke, well, yelled was a more proper term. At that J'degar tensed, his fingers digging into the arms of his chair and look of pain crossing his features. "We'll talk about that later Firogel. You will sit down and behave. Stop acting like a child." With a grumble, Firogel sat down against the wall and glared daggers at the stupid girl child and her stupid daddy stealing mother. He didn't like it, not at all. He would behave... sort of.
"You don't have to stay if it's uncomfortable for you," J'degar shrugged as reached out for the klah, his hand brushing against hers and waiting there just a moment before he took the mug. He also didn't feel like having to deal with his son just at that moment and, though he wouldn't admit it out loud, he had been sort of looking forward to spending some time with Assaila.
"My son is supposed to be at Apollo looking for a craft to study until he's old enough to stand." J'degar gave the boy a look, but otherwise ignored him. "How are your studies going Anna?"
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Post by Bellatora on Mar 15, 2012 23:24:49 GMT -4
"Well... it didn't dear... so I suppose we have to deal with it as it comes." She looked at the boy with a frown and sighed. "I'm not really sure how to handle this though... Do you have any ideas...?" she asked him very softly, leaning towards him slightly.
"I'd never dream of leaving you. Especially over something like this. I mean... well... you know," she said with a smile to him, smiling warmly as his hand rested on hers for the moment.
Anna glared at Firogel angrily. "Oh... I'm learning a lot, Papa! The Master Dragonhealer says I am doing wonderfully and am advancing very quickly for someone my age. And Syph hasn't given me any trouble." She grinned her cute cherubim smile and got up so her mother could sit down and stood beside her mother and looked up at J'degar with a warm smile. Now she was calling him Papa in part to get a rise out of Firogel. She didn't like him.
"Well... you can't blame a boy for wanting to see his father when he has been injured...." Assaila smiled softly at J'degar and at Firogel even if he didn't like her.
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Post by Zirin on Mar 16, 2012 0:04:23 GMT -4
Dear? Had she just called him Dear? He gave Assaila another look, clearly unimpressed with the nickname. J'degar did not do pet names... not yet at least, and not in front of his son... or anyone else really...
J'degar's lips twitched into the tiniest of smiles at her words, but he looked away in the hopes she wouldn't see. Of course, then Anna had to prove just how cheeky she could be and J'degar chuckled to himself. "Firo, you haven't looked into tthe healercraft yet have you. Why not have Anna take you down to speak with the dragonhealer?" He suggested, "I need to speak privately with Anna's mother. Go on now. Get."
"What! With her? But Father!" He whined back before finally giving in and heading towards the door. "Well girl. Hurry up." J'degar gave another grumpy 'behave' before Firo had walked out the door. They'd be back, no doubt, but at least there would be a moment of silence. J'degar slumped back in his seat with a tired sigh.
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Post by Bellatora on Mar 16, 2012 0:21:37 GMT -4
Assaila staid quiet as J'degar spoke to his son. "Aw... but Papa..." Assaila gave Annaliese a look and a gentle shove to lead Firogel to the dragonhealer. "Go and be good. Don't fight. Either of you. Please?" She sighed and rubbed her temple with one hand and watched them go.
"Would you like some more klah?" Assaila asked hi ma bit dryly, taking a sip from her own mug before grabbing the skin of hot klah she had brought up not long ago... Shortly before they came up here, actually.
She sat still in her chair and looked at him for a long moment before walking over and gently laying a hand on his good shoulder and the back of his neck, starting to give him a gentle massage where she thought it would be difficult to hurt him with his current injuries. "I'm sorry... About mine and Anna's part in this..." She sighed, still standing behind him, seeming a bit drained. They both had children... but one wanted them to be together and wanted another parent... and the other didn't.... It was a slippery situation.
Perhaps she should ahve left him with his son... She didn't want to drive a rift between the two of them...
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Post by Zirin on Mar 16, 2012 0:50:24 GMT -4
"Yes, please." He was only too happy to knock back another mug of klah. He looked at Assaila as she looked at him... apparently neither really knew what to say in this situation. He kept an eye on her as she got up, thinking she might leave, but instead she came over and began massaging his shoulders. He groaned as she began working a few of the kinks, and an outright shudder ran through his body as she went up his neck.
"It's not your fault. I should have told you earlier..." He dipped his head to give her better access to his sore muscles. "He's a good kid... just... he doesn't take change well." Not to mention, he was still sore about the craft deal. Firo wanted to do embroidery, but J'degar insisted he try for a dragon. "He'll have to learn to live with it." He leaned his head back and looked up at Assaila. "I'm sorry he was so rude."
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Post by Bellatora on Mar 16, 2012 1:10:27 GMT -4
Assaila poured him another mug with a far away expression. Shed have to find some way to get the boy to like her. She was gentle but insistent as she worked at each muscle, working up and back down his neck over his shoulders. "you really need this after being in the infirmary so long..." she said softly. She smiled at him. She was just happy he was back. She wondered, though... this was still his weyr.. but were they going to be sharing it now...?
"It's alright, J'degar... in order for it to have gone better... I think we would have had to both been aware of each other Gar... and I don't know that you are ready for that...." She smiled gently at him. He had only admitted that he had any kind of feeling for her... well... a few days ago.
She smiled down at him. "Boys will be boys... Are you hoping he will Impress?" she asked him softly, so tempted to kiss him. She found her hands running through his hair gently, pulling it back from his face before returning her fingers gently to his neck to rub insistently at any kinks that might be hiding there.
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Post by Zirin on Mar 16, 2012 1:27:02 GMT -4
"It will be nice to sleep on a bed that isn't rock hard, that's for sure." He agreed. of course, the thought that Assaila might share his weyr hadn't yet crossed his mind, after all they weren't really in a relationship... sorta... not officially at least. It was a hurdle that would be dealt with when the time came. Though apparently that time would be coming soon, if Assaila was already thinking about it... not to mention at least his weyr was safe.
"No son of mine is going to do some sissy girl craft. He'll protect Pern like the rest of his family." Not to mention, the more boys on the sand the less likely the girls would impress. It was a win-win situation is J'degar's mind. He was about to say more, but as he opened his mouth to speak, Assaila's fingers danced across a weak spot as they ran through his hair and a moan escaped before he could shut his mouth, his eyes automatically closing at the feeling. He tensed, sitting up suddenly to look away from Assaila, shocked that he had dropped his guard enough for that to happen in the first place.
"Yes well..." He coughed to hide the fact he was suddenly extremely warm. "He'll warm up to you eventually..."
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Post by Bellatora on Mar 16, 2012 1:41:55 GMT -4
She smiled slightly. "You'll definitely have fewer knots in your back." She said softly, gently working at a spot near the base of his neck. She was happy for this time with him. She was hoping that he would ask her to stay...
She shook her head and frowned at him. "Oh Gar... What sissy girl craft could he do? Hmm..? As a healer, he would be protecting Pern by saving lives... I think healing is an incredible craft in itself... for all that it does..." She sighed and shook her head. "But that boy would make a wonderful rider... I think he could be a good leader some day... just like his dad."
Assaila blinked, looking at him. "I'm... sorry...? Did I do something wrong...?" she asked him, looking a bit worried. Oh... she hoped she hadn't messed up. Not again. She sighed. She always felt like she was stepping on toes... with anyone... And especially Gar... despite there developing relationship.
"I certainly hope so..." She sighed, distracted thinking of the boy. The poor boy who didn't have a mother any longer.... but who obviously still loved her.... very much. And was very attached to his dad.
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