Can She Be Trusted?

Writers: AL, Ames
Date Posted: 12th April 2015

Characters: Wirnan, Kaya, Dwidara, Caenifer, Wrice
Description: Wirnan's family doubt Kaya's intentions.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 12, day 13 of Turn 7

Wirnan

"Come along children," Dwidara called looking back at her son and
daughter scampering along behind jumping in puddles and just enjoying
the fresh air.

"It's nice to get outside again," she said, turning to the couple
walking beside her.

"Aye, that it is," Wirnan replied. Though they were bundled up to ward
off the chill, it was refreshing to take a walk around the grounds.
The grounds themselves were rather soggy from the onslaught of rain
over the past sevenday. Still, it was a nice afternoon to be out for a
walk.

"Thank you for agreeing to accompany us," Dwidara remarked. "The
children so wanted to come out, but Leionon insisted I not go alone."
Her hand drifted down to her protruding belly.

WHile it wasn't the best of conditions to go outside, it was far
improved from previous days and Kaya could understand why the children
wanted to be free to run about. Her eyes followed the motions of the
miniature humans, then drifted over to Dwidara's abdomen as she patted
the mound it had become. Immediately, her eyes shifted away to focus
on something else. "Thank you for inviting us." She offered, though
Kaya had the notion that in truth, they wouldn't have been sorry had
she not tagged along with Wirnan.

Wirnan reached for her hand and gave it a little squeeze before
letting go. A small gesture to show just how far they had come. Over
these many months he had come to trust her again. There were still
doubts from time to time, but Kaya truly seemed changed.

Dwidara noticed the gesture too and frowned. Her eyes glanced back to
the children. "Oh dear, Caenifer is drifting a bit too far away from
her brother. Kaya would you be so kind as to run after her. There is
no way I can catch her."

"Of course." Kaya didn't want anything to happen to either of the
children either. With a small smile to Wirnan, she lifted her skirts
and trotted after the child.

Dwidara watched Kaya go after the children. She knew Caenifer
wouldn't get far, so she wasn't all that worried. In reality she had
been looking for a chance to speak to her brother alone.

Stopping, she tugged on his arm.

Wirnan turned toward her with a puzzled look, "Everything okay?" He
asked concerned.

"Yes, and no," Dwidara replied. "I'm fine," she waved his concern away
with her hand, "but I_am_ worried about you. After_everything_ Kaya
did to you before, I just don't understand why you've given her your
trust again. She's hurt you already Wirnan. She'll do it again."

Wirnan pulled his arm away with a frown. "Dwidara, you don't_know_
her the way I do. She's changed."

"What if she hasn't Wirnan, what if she's playing games again and just
wants you to_think_ she's changed?" Dwidara crossed her arms over her
belly as she looked him in the eye the way she had when they'd been
growing up and she'd wanted to make a point to her_baby_ brother.

Wirnan frowned. The same thoughts_had_ crossed his mind, but he'd
done his best to push them aside. But hearing them from his sister
brought them back to the surface. He_wanted_ to believe Kaya had
changed. Things between them had definitely changed. Life was good
now, but there were still flickers of doubt.

Dwidara noticed the frown and the pause. She knew she had made her
point. "Be careful Wirnan. Don't let your guard down so easily. Not
with her. Not yet. Maybe she_has_ changed, but until we know for
sure, just be careful with your heart." She reached a hand and placed
it on her brother's shoulder. She really wanted the best for him. Her
thoughts quickly changed at the sound of an ear splitting scream from
her daughter.

****

Once Kaya was closer, she called out, "Caenifer, slow down!"

The little toddler looked back and with a glee of excitement trotted
off even faster. She always enjoyed a chase. Wrice was instantly
beside Kaya.

"I swear, all I do is run after her," he grumbled to his aunt.

"I think that's in the toddler's job description." A hint of humour
glinted in Kaya's eyes as she picked up her pace in an attempt to
catch up to the runaway child.

Caenifer saw them coming, giggled, and kept going. She looked back
over her shoulder a smile on her face, and never saw the tree root in
front of her. She tripped and fell. Instead of giggles, now there were
tears as the young child let out an ear-splitting wail.

"Caeni!" Kaya's feet fairly flew as she rushed to the child's side.
"Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?" Uncertain, her hand stretched
toward the little one and she gingerly lifted her up in an attempt to
assess if there were any injuries.

The little girl clung to Kaya as she cried. The hard cries quickly
subsided to more sniffles, yet still she clung to Kaya. Mostly she had
gotten scared. A few scrapes, but otherwise she was unharmed.

Wrice hurried up to their side, noting that his mom and uncle were
also heading their way. "Is she okay? You okay Caeni?" He knelt down
by his sister who just clung harder to her aunt a thumb slipping into
her mouth.

"Oh gee, mom doesn't always like that she still does that when she's
upset," Wrice indicated her thumb.

"Hey Caeni, it's okay." Although Wrice had indicated Dwidara didn't
care for the thumbsucking, Kaya was not her mom and decided to simply
let it be. She didn't want to upset the child further. "Come now,
let's stand up. You're okay." Her voice was gentle, tones smooth and
placating as she rose with the child in her arms.

Caenifer seemed to settle almost at once. She laid her head on Kaya's shoulder.

Wrice looked up and grinned, "You're god with kids. When are you and
Uncle Wirnan going to have some?"

Kaya glanced at Wrice but didn't have the chance to answer, for just
at that moment, Dwidara and Wirnan arrived. Breathless, Dwidara
looked at Kaya and Caenifer. She assessed the situation quickly and
breathed a sigh of relief. All seemed okay.

Seeing her mommy, Caenifer lifted her head and reached for Dwidara.
Dwidara took the girl gently and held her.

"Thank you Kaya for your help. You've settled her down quite well in a
matter of moments. I think it's about time for us to head in now and
get all cleaned up." Ceanifer was covered in mud and dirt and now so
was Dwidara. Looking at Kaya she added, "I'm sorry about your dress.
Most of the time the mud washes out if you take care of right away."

With a glance down at her outfit, Kaya's expression registered
surprise. She hadn't even thought about the mud or realised she'd
gotten it all over her. "It's all right, I'm just glad she's all
right." Although she started to reach down to smooth out her skirt,
Kaya paused before her hand could trace a path through the muddy
streaks. "I should probably get cleaned up."

"Why don't we all head in together?" Wirnan asked. He had much to
think about, but for the moment all he cared about was that everyone
was safe. Mud could be cleaned off, as long as he had his family safe
with him.

Last updated on the April 19th 2015

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Can She Be Trusted?