Ethan was right. Irelin wouldn't have failed and she wouldn't have lost anything if she didn't become queen; she just wouldn't have been good enough. A better ruler would have been chosen, and she would go back to Brynne where she'd continue the life she so dearly loved for the last twenty years. And Rhytium? Would have the best. So in all, it really wasn't a bad thing. She was just selfishly wanting to take the throne herself.
"It has nothing to do with being unintelligent, Ethan," She responded quietly. And actually, she was shocked he'd insult the Council members so. "It has to do with taking precautions. It's the way we are, and it's the way it's always been. To suddenly allow such an abrupt change could shake the foundation of Rhytium." She thought about that for a minute before nodding. "So, you're probably right. If I don't become queen, then it was probably best. It would just mean no woman is meant to rule on her own."
__________________
"Never forget who you are, for surely the world won't. Make it your
strength, then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it,
and it will never be used to hurt you."
Location: In my own little corner in my own little chair. ;)
Posts: 4,137
Blessings: 35,529
My Mood
Reps: 1,098,622 (power: 1,105)
Ciara wasn't too thrilled when Ethan interrupted. And she wasn't sure she liked the idea of Irelin giving up so easily, just saying it was meant to be. But as long as Irelin was in the running for queen, then they were darn well going to do everything they could to get her to win. Drawing Irelin's attention back to herself, Ciara spoke, "But we don't need to be worrying about that just yet. We have time." She crossed her ankles, getting comfortable. "Now, let's talk more about what happened today. I know you're not allowed to give specifics, but you can bet Lord Daemon and Lord Weylin are speaking to their advisors right now about the best course of action. So we can do it as well."
********
~Rimedur Estate, Glahndur: That Same Evening~
Hajari was eating in the kitchen...again. He and Ianthe hadn't spoken to eachother for nearly four days. And because of that? He'd been taking his meals in the kitchen. He found that if he waited until after dinner to come down and eat, the kitchnes were mostly empty except for the occasional servant doing dishes or cleaning the countertops. Rizzo was at work most evenings, so Hajari was alone to eat. He had gotten a job during the day...in masonry, mostly making clay bricks for a lot of the cheaper buildings around Glahndur. He'd been unable to get a job as a bartender, for he didn't know the language. But he'd been working at the masonry for about a week now, and it was fair money. Though he had yet to give it to Ianthe so she could expand it, because she wasn't talking to him.
He looked down at his plate, scooping up some of the rice and chicken on it. Chicken again. These people didn't eat red meat, he'd noticed. At least, not cows. Which was unfortunate, because Hajari had a dire craving for a steak. But nope, chicken it would have to be. He swallowed his mouthful and then took a gulp of wine. That was one thing he had been allowed to do now at his meals...drink wine. He wasn't doing that when he ate with Ianthe, since she wasn't supposed to have alcohol. But now he could have as much as he wanted, provided he didn't get drunk. That was the last thing he needed, Ianthe to decide to come talk to him and see him drunk. He did wish she'd get over her fit, though. He'd been the one wronged, basically pushed out of his child's life altogether, not her. And yet he was the one being kicked out of his room. There was something very wrong in that.
__________________
<><><><>
Take a little look at the life of Miss Always Invisible.
Look a little harder, I really really want you to
Put yourself in her shoes.
Take another look at the face of Miss Always Invisible.
Look a little closer, and maybe then you will see
Why she waits for the day...
When you ask her her name.
<><><><>
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Carlos was hungry, and that usually wasn't a good thing. He hated it in Glahndur. Yeah, they had servants, but half of them didn't even understand most of what he said! It was a pain just to try and get food, and then when he did most of it was fish. He hated fish. All he wanted to do was go back home so he could eat his own food again.
But, as it were, he wasn't about to travel all the way to Floresco just to get a meal, so instead he strode down to the kitchens. It was dark, but when he entered a couple servants were still hanging around doing a bit of cleaning. They weren't the only ones there though. It turned out Hajari was as well, eating at the table. Carlos hesitated when he saw him, but then ignored him and went to looking for something to eat.
Rizzo had come to him, Black had come to him, but Hajari had more or less stayed away. And actually, he preferred that. After taking time to come to the odd conclusion that Black was his mother, it then dawned on him that Hajari was technically his stepfather. And the baby Black carried? Was his half sibling, Hajari's child. He was getting an entirely new family, and he wanted nothing to do with it. Looked the guy didn't want anything to do with him either.
Turns out Carlos' search didn't last very long. He was able to find some rice leftover from dinner that the servant hadn't thrown out yet. Scooping it into a bowl, he grabbed a fork, leaned over one of the counters, and began to eat. It wasn't jerky, but it would have to do.
__________________
"Never forget who you are, for surely the world won't. Make it your
strength, then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it,
and it will never be used to hurt you."
Location: In my own little corner in my own little chair. ;)
Posts: 4,137
Blessings: 35,529
My Mood
Reps: 1,098,622 (power: 1,105)
Hajari was surprised to see Carlos walk into the kitchen. Then again, he wouldn't be having meals with Ianthe either. Where else would he eat? In his room? Why hadn't he run into the boy before this? Maybe they had just come at different times. Hajari did his best not to look over at Carlos, not really sure what to say. He was probably angry with Hajari as well as his mother. Hajari had kept the truth from him as well, after all.
After a few uncomfortable moments, Hajari came to the conclusion that Carlos didn't want to talk to him. And that was fine. Ianthe had more or less told him to butt out of her and Carlos' life when it came to what she wanted to do with her son, and he didn't want to get into any more trouble than he already was with her. He cast glances at Carlos when he thought it was safe, taking bites of his chicken and rice in between. Looked like all the boy found to eat was some rice. That wouldn't hold him over. He'd be lucky if it held him for a couple hours, much less until bedtime. Hajari looked down at his own plate, eyeing the extra chicken he had yet to mix into his rice. Lifting his gaze, he looked over at Carlos, stuffing his face with rice at the counter. Don't interfere, Hajari. Ianthe doesn't want you to interfere. Yeah, well...Ianthe wasn't here. And she was already mad at him. What did he have to lose? He wasn't that great with kids, but...Carlos was old enough to be able to talk to him like an adult, right?
Before he could change his mind, Hajari stood and made his way over to the counter, sitting down next to Carlos and settling his own plate between them. "That's not enough for a teenage boy." He announced with a nod down to his plate. "Take some chicken, you'll need it." His eye found one of the servants on the other side of the kitchen and grunted, speaking low and out of earshot, "Whole damned country doesn't eat cows. What's wrong with these people?" He knew it had something to do with their religion, but still. To Hajari, red meat was a staple in his diet.
__________________
<><><><>
Take a little look at the life of Miss Always Invisible.
Look a little harder, I really really want you to
Put yourself in her shoes.
Take another look at the face of Miss Always Invisible.
Look a little closer, and maybe then you will see
Why she waits for the day...
When you ask her her name.
<><><><>
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
The silence was uncomfortable in the kitchen, Carlos eating at the counter, Hajari at the table, and the servants scuttling around cleaning. The boy didn't like it. Next time he'd have to remember to just bring the food up to his room instead. But at least it looked like everyone was pretty much ignoring him...for a moment anyway. It seemed Hajari wasn't going to, and as he slid in next to him, Carlos hesitated and paused with the fork still in his mouth. What was he doing?
"That's not enough for a teenage boy. Take some chicken, you'll need it," Hajari said as Carlos looked down at his plate. Well, if he insisted. Pulling the fork out of his mouth, Carlos stabbed the piece of chicken and plopped it into his bowl of rice. Then he heard Hajari continuing, "Whole damned country doesn't eat cows. What's wrong with these people?"
While Carlos attempted the difficult task of cutting the chicken in the bowl with his fork, he had to wonder if Hajari really wanted him to answer that. His eyes flickered up to the servants, and then he gave a sidelong glance to the man. "I don't know," Carlos finally responded so he at least wouldn't be sitting there like a dumbfounded idiot. Then again, he might have just sounded like one.
__________________
"Never forget who you are, for surely the world won't. Make it your
strength, then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it,
and it will never be used to hurt you."
Location: In my own little corner in my own little chair. ;)
Posts: 4,137
Blessings: 35,529
My Mood
Reps: 1,098,622 (power: 1,105)
Hajari watched Carlos attempt to cut up the chicken with his fork, a frown on his face. That wasn't going to work. He flipped the knife around in his hand and then held out the handle towards Carlos. "Here, use this." When Carlos had taken it, Hajari went back to his own plate, stabbing a bite of chicken. Well, at least Carlos hadn't thrown his bowl of rice at him or anything. Did that mean it was safe to continue? He cast a glance at Carlos. "I don't know either. Some kind of religious thing, I heard. Still stupid as hell if you ask me."
He shoved a bite of chicken into his mouth and chewed, his mind racing. What the hell was he supposed to talk to Carlos about? He didn't want to bring up Ianthe, really. But at least with neither of them talking to her, they had common ground, right? He cast a sideways glance at the boy. "Still not talking to Ianthe?" But then, knowing he probably wasn't, "Me either. Had a fight after you left and she hasn't spoken to me since." He shoveled some more rice into his mouth and then spoke around it, "At least you have a valid reason for not talking to her. With me, she's just ticked off. Have to wait for it to pass." If it passed. It had been days and he was beginning to get a little worried.
__________________
<><><><>
Take a little look at the life of Miss Always Invisible.
Look a little harder, I really really want you to
Put yourself in her shoes.
Take another look at the face of Miss Always Invisible.
Look a little closer, and maybe then you will see
Why she waits for the day...
When you ask her her name.
<><><><>
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Carlos had to admit, the knife was working a hell of a lot better. But he had to wonder for a moment why Hajari insisted on talking to him. He'd practically ignored him since meeting him while at the same time knowing the woman he was smooching was his mother. A little off in the boy's opinion. But then, what did it matter? Black obviously hadn't cared, practically admitted the last time they spoke near the apple tree that she wasn't going to be his mother, so it would make sense Hajari wouldn't care either. Suddenly Carlos felt really alone in the world.
"Good luck," Carlos muttered with his eyes on the chicken as he cut it. "She's always got something stuck up her ass." And that was no lie.
__________________
"Never forget who you are, for surely the world won't. Make it your
strength, then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it,
and it will never be used to hurt you."
Location: In my own little corner in my own little chair. ;)
Posts: 4,137
Blessings: 35,529
My Mood
Reps: 1,098,622 (power: 1,105)
Hajari blinked, not quite sure he'd just heard that. But...he had! And the calm, matter-of-fact way that Carlos said it made Hajari want to laugh. Added to that the fact that the boy's tone sounded exactly like Ianthe herself? And Hajari began to chuckle. He's her son, all right. Had the same attitude. He shook his head, stabbing another bite of chicken. "Boy, you've got her pegged all right." Hajari chuckled again, taking his bite of chicken. And Ianthe? Probably wouldn't mind if he said so either.
After swallowing his bite of chicken, Hajari pushed around his rice on his plate as he spoke. "Ah, she's a good person at heart, though." He shrugged, scooping up some rice. "She's just not good at showing it, so it takes time to get to know that about her." He grinned, turning his head to look at Carlos. "Though if you tell her I told you that, she'd probably murder me, so I'd appreciate it if you kept that to yourself."
__________________
<><><><>
Take a little look at the life of Miss Always Invisible.
Look a little harder, I really really want you to
Put yourself in her shoes.
Take another look at the face of Miss Always Invisible.
Look a little closer, and maybe then you will see
Why she waits for the day...
When you ask her her name.
<><><><>
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Carlos took a bite of rice with a tiny piece of chicken and chewed, contemplating how Hajari could talk about what a good person Black was...then immediately say she'd murder him. "Yeah, sounds like a jewel," He said sarcastically. Sounded more like a nightmare to him. Why in the world would Hajari want to be with someone like her? Obviously it wasn't just because of the baby for he must have been intimate with her beforehand for there to even be a baby. Brow furrowed, he looked to Hajari. "Why do you like her anyway?"
__________________
"Never forget who you are, for surely the world won't. Make it your
strength, then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it,
and it will never be used to hurt you."
Location: In my own little corner in my own little chair. ;)
Posts: 4,137
Blessings: 35,529
My Mood
Reps: 1,098,622 (power: 1,105)
Hajari hesitated at Carlos' question. It was difficult for him to describe why. He had it straight in his head, but whenever he went to explain it, as he had tried to do with Rizzo before, it never came out so that people understood. Maybe no one but he and Ianthe could understand. And that was all right. It just...wouldn't help him in this situation with Carlos now.
He took a deep breath, letting it out in a sigh and shaking his head. "There's a lot of history between me and Ianthe. I've known her for over eleven years." He watched one of the servants cleaning up the last of the dishes as he spoke. "And during that time, even when we were the most bitter of rivals, I came to realize there was not another woman like her in the world." He grinned, giving another chuckle. That was the truth! His eye met Carlos'. "She's the best damn fighter I've come across. She doesn't take crap from anyone. And like I said before, she's a good person once you get to know her, has a lot of good qualities that she likes to keep hidden. Such as...she can actually be kind when she wants to be. She defends those she loves. And she's selfless. Countless times in battle, I saw her rush out to help those who were surely going to die, not caring whether she lived or died, just that she helped those people." And boy was she passionate when she wanted to be! Not that he would be sharing that information with Carlos. But considering she was pregnant, Carlos probably knew that anyways. He pointed his fork at Carlos. "There's a lot of interesting things about her if you take the time to learn them."
Hajari paused, taking a bite of his rice. "Yeah, she's got something up her ass a lot of the time, and she can be cranky and she confuses the hell out of me sometimes. But when all is said and done, I find I love her anyways, faults and all." He raised one eyebrow, knowing how that must sound to a thirteen-year-old boy. "I know that sounds crazy." He shrugged. "But that's just who she is. I'd rather be with her and deal with those things, than not be with her at all."
__________________
<><><><>
Take a little look at the life of Miss Always Invisible.
Look a little harder, I really really want you to
Put yourself in her shoes.
Take another look at the face of Miss Always Invisible.
Look a little closer, and maybe then you will see
Why she waits for the day...
When you ask her her name.
<><><><>
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Linear Mode
