A Chance

Writers: AL, Kaysea
Date Posted: 16th July 2008

Characters: Irlani, J'gen, Gyta
Description: Irlani talks to J'gen after meeting his other two girls and Gyta wakes up from a nightmare.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 11, day 2 of Turn 4
Notes: Takes place after "Three's Company, Five's A Crowd"

"All of your girls are lovely." Irlani commented softly. She had stayed around after dinner, after J'gen had put Gyta down to sleep.
It wasn't a habit of hers, but it was nice to know that she was one of the last people the child would see when she went to sleep and would be one of the first she would see when she awoke. She had asked to after Gyta's reaction to what Talliea had said, hoping that her presence would bring some comfort. "And spirited."

He laughed softly, "Yes, spirited, that's one way of describing her bad behaviour." he nodded slowly. Though he wouldn't have described it as such. The problem with Calliea was that she took after her the mother she had barely known.

"It's okay J'gen." Irlani placed a gentle hand upon his arm. "I think she is just...worried about you more than anything. She was being protective."

"No she wasn't." he shook his head sadly, "Unfortunately she was being selfish and professing her ownership of me." It wasn't the first time he had seen this behaviour but he had hoped that after Syrita, she would realise she had nothing to fear from any other woman in his life, that he would always love her as well.

"I suppose she's still very much a child in some ways then." Irlani observed as she let her hand slide from his arm. "At least it comes from her love for you." At least, that's what she was assuming.

"Possessiveness isn't an attractive trait and for her sake, I hope you're right and it's just a childish action from her." He wasn't sure Irlani understood what he meant, and now she may wonder about him and the effect he had on his children. One child who refused to say a word, and now another who didn't know when to be quiet. He released a heavy sigh, his hands combing through his hair as he sat back in his chair.

Irlani watched him for a moment in silence, then ask softly, "Would you care for some tea or klah? A warm drink can help soothe the nerves."

"A klah might just be strong enough." he smiled softly. "But - you shouldn't be running around after me..." he shook his head, and pushed imself up from the chair. "I can get a drink. You've been working all day, you should be relaxing not busying yourself on my account."

"I don't mind, really." Irlani's gaze followed him as he stood. "And I'm not the only one who has been working all day. I think you have a much harder job than I do."

"Mine may be physically demanding at times, but mostly its mental work I do, so its not as exhausting as looking after a child. And today was a little more exhausting than normal - mentally and emotionally.
I wish the girls had had a foster mother who had been stricter on them, instead of letting them fantasize about things - as much as Fintra allowed the girls." he said, half to himself. "Their mother had been the same as Calliea."

"Fantasize?" Both of Irlani's eyebrows shot up. "Well, perhaps in time she will mature. Some people take longer than others. My eldest brother was one of those. He was thirty turns before he started taking responsibility for anything."

"Calliea idolised her mother, and put her up in a pedestal. It wasn't healthy, and in time, she came to believe that it was Syrita's fault that her mother died. In a roundabout way it was, but not the way Calliea see's it. I'm just grateful that Talliea is a little more levelheaded, though with Calliea's dramatics Talli never really stood a chance." he admitted. "Come on, I'll make us both a klah, if you're going to listen to my maudlin story, you may as well share a drink with me." he said, with a derisory smile.

Irlani slowly stood, giving J'gen a friendly smile. "I don't mind listening, J'gen. I don't know what sort of advice I can give, but I don't mind listening." She moved closer to stand by his side and pat his arm. "She'll come around eventually I'm sure."

"Well, once she realises we're nothing more than friends, maybe." he nodded in acceptance, and hoped his words were true, that she would come to accept Irlani, he'd hate to lose the one person Gyta had begun to open up with, because of a silly teenagers jealousy.

"Does she have anyone of her own?" Irlani asked, not quite sure if she should ask, but wondering if that had something to do with it.

"Friends?" he asked, not sure if that was what she meant. "I think she has a few, though I know she and Talli spend a lot of time togther, they always have."

Irlani laughed softly. "Not just friends, a special friend. A love, weyrmate?"

"Oh!" J'gen felt his face colour, "I..erm, I can't say that I would know." he considered her question a little more, "But I would say, from her actions, probably not." he shook his head. "I kinda' pity the man who ends up with her, especially if she does take after her mother."

"Perhaps her jealousy stems from the thought that her father might be luckier in love than she?" Irlani mused, then shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe finding someone will help settle her down, ground her."

"Maybe, but how long will I have to wait until she finds someone?"

"That's her choice." Irlani raised her hands in a helpless gesture.
"No one can force her into anything."

"I wish I knew more of the eligible riders of her Weyr. Maybe I should get in touch with Talli and ask her if there's anyone who shows interest." In truth he was worried that like her mother before her, she would be unattractive in personality for most of the riders and Weyrfolk alike. If it hadn't been for her availability after Suuth's mating flight loss, the girls would never have been born.

"Well, I suppose it couldn't hurt but...be careful, J'gen." Irlani urged gently, "Don't try to meddle too much. She might resent you for it."

"I just want her to be happy, I want her to have someone for herself, so that she doesn't end up like her mother." he said. He poured out juice for both of them, and pulled out a chair for Irlani at the small breakfast table. "And - in the process, leave me to have friendships without the worry she'll scare my friends away."

Irlani couldn't help but laugh. "If it's me you're worried about, don't. I'm not that easily scared. I..." The woman jerked when a cry came from the other room. Without missing a beat, she quickly scrambled to her feet and headed straight for Gyta's bedroom.

The child tossed and turned on the bed, the covers wrapped tightly around her small form as she fought some unseen foe. Her voice was muffled in the blankets she wore, but the sounds of distress were obvious.

"Gyta!" Irlani sat on the edge of the bed, arms reaching out to envelope the child despite her thrashing. "Gyta, wake up!"

J'gen followed Irlani into the small alcove where his daughter slept, not surprised to see how comforting the woman was towards the girl.
He had grown used to her being around, for both of them. Gyta was having one of her nightmares, he wished he could find out what they were about, but a part of him knew she was reliving her mothers death.

The child appeared to be waking, she clung tightly to Irlani, heavy sobs wracking her small body. A part of him wanted to become involved in the tableau before him, but he stopped himself, Irlani would not be comfortable with that, he was sure.

Gyta clung tightly to Irlani, her sobbing only increasing as she came back to full conscious. "Maa ma." she cried softly, her voice barely a croak, but one that could be defined.

"Shh, it's okay." Irlani drew the child into her lap and began rocking her back and forth. A moment later, she began to sing softly, "Close your eyes, little one.
Go to sleep, little one.
The stars shine tonight, The moons are big and bright, And I'll be here all through the night.

Rest your head, little one Dream sweet dreams, little one Dreamtime is near, And you needn't fear, And when you wake, I will be here"

J'gen stood in the darkness listening tothe sweet sound of Irlani singing the lullaby and almost drifted off to sleep himself, as he watched his duaghter calming in the woman's arms. A flash of memory came clearly to his mind, Syrita singing a lullaby to a smaller version of Gyta, the first Turn they were back together again, when he was just beginning to know his daughter. He rubbed at his eye, stemming the moisture that gathered.

Irlani hummed the song after she sang the verses and rocked the child until she fell back into slumber. Then she carefully eased Gyta back into the bed and put the covers over her. When she moved back to the door, she paused, surprised at the wetness of his eye. "J'gen..."
She whispered, reaching out to touch his arm, "are you all right?"

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine." he choked out, turning and rubbing the tear away. "You handled that well." he said, walking back to the table and downing the remaining liquid in one draft.

Irlani followed him, watching as he drank. "Are you sure you're okay?"
She asked, concern creasing her brow.

"Yeah, I'm fine. You... what you just did with Gyta," he nodded back to the alcove, "It...just reminded me of the way Syrita would comfort her, or even put her to sleep at nights." he busied himself with tidying the table up, avoiding her meeting her questioning look.

Irlani watched him for another moment or two before responding, "I'm sorry J'gen. I didn't mean to stir up bad memories."

"Oh no, Irlani! You misunderstand me. I wasn't...." he turned and look up at her finally. "It wasn't a bad memory, it was - bittersweet." he said grasping for the right word.

"Ah, that I can understand." Irlani drew closer and patted him upon the shoulder. "I suppose I should go for the night. I'll see you first thing tomorrow."

He nodded, appreciating her understanding. "Thank you - for everything, today, Irlani. And for the help you have been to Gyta." he gave her a crooked smile, his one good eye holding her gaze for a moment "Gyta is a joy." Irlani stated insistantly. "I think she's just been misunderstood. All she needed was a chance."

"Well - thank you for giving her one."

Last updated on the July 16th 2008

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A Chance