A Delicate Matter

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 25th August 2005

Characters: Jio, Dikero
Description: Jio talks to Dikero about the bruises he has seen on Miryene
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 7, day 24 of Turn 3

Jio waited patiently for Dikero to finish his duties. He felt terrible coming to talk to the healer about all this, but he had to do _something_, short of wringing Jhonnel's throat. That was still not a thought he had completely banished from his mind. If he ever actually _saw_ that bastard hurting Miryene, why he would plant his fist right in the man's face and his foot right up the man's... "Ah, Dikero. Are you free?"

Dikero smiled, sitting down next to Jio and stretching his legs out with a relieved sigh. "Finally... what brings you over to the Hold?"

Jio gave his friend a half-hearted smile. "A delicate matter, I'm afraid."

After studying him for a brief moment, Dikero stood again and tilted his head towards one of the curtained off areas at the side of the infirmary. "Perhaps we could discuss it in privacy, then?"

"I would appreciate it." Jio followed him across the infirmary. With every step he questioned whether or not he really should be telling Dikero, but his fear for Miryene's safety far outwayed any sense of discretion.

Making sure there were two chairs, Dikero pulled the curtain and sat in one of them. "What's wrong, Jio?"

"During Miryene's check-ups, have you noticed anything unusual?" Jio asked carefully. "Like bruises?"

Dikero frowned. "It's early enough that I'm not seeing her that often...what sort of bruises are you talking about? It's possible she might bruise more easily now, say if she bumped into a table or something..." Dikero trailed off, studying Jio's face. "But those aren't the sort of bruises you'd be likely to see, I imagine."

"Of course not!" Jio answered quickly. Lowering his voice again he said, "But I have seen bruises on her head, neck and arms. She claims they were just accidents. But I don't think they are... accidental."

"How long has this been going on?" Dikero asked quietly. He had another visit coming up with Miryene soon... but it had been several sevendays since his last.

Jio remembered that the first day he had noticed it was after he had given her the flit egg. "More than a seven-day. That I have noticed at least."

"Let's not have any miscommunication here, Jio." Dikero met his eyes squarely. "You think someone has hit her."

The vintner nodded gravely. "Yes. The bruises, and the way she reacted to them when I pointed them out... She said it was only an accident, but in my gut I know it was no accident."

Dikero hesitated for a long moment. "Her husband? It's unusual that I have never seen him... especially with Miryene in the condition she's in. Most men would be doing their best to be there to care for her... but it's a long step between being busy with his craft and being abusive."

"Yes, but how many accidents should a woman on bedrest have?" Jio asked carefully. Obviously it was a big accusation he was making, but he would stake his life on the truth of it.

"I'll go and see her," Dikero replied, hiding his worry. "I should be able to tell fairly easily what sort of thing we're dealing with. And then...we'll deal with it."

"You will tell me, won't you? What you find?" Jio asked, concern shining in his eyes.

"I'm going to ask you something, Jio..." Dikero put a hand on the vintner's shoulder. "And I need an honest answer. Do you actually think her husband hits her? Or do you just want it to be him because of your... feelings. And don't lie to me... anyone with eyes can tell you're in love with her. I just hope you hide it better around other people than you did around me."

"I care about her, Dikero, but I would hardly say I am _in love_ with her." Jio said nonchalantly. He would not admit to such a feeling, even to a friend. It would give them an excuse to suspect their relationship were anything but honorable. And despite how much Jio wished he could claim the contrary, their relationship had been completely honorable. "If you saw her bruises you would know. I cannot imagine such injuries as those. Yes, I _honestly_ believe that Jhonnel is hurting Miryene. I _honestly_ believe she and her baby are in danger. I would not be telling you any of this if I thought otherwise."

Dikero studied Jio for a moment and then sighed. Jio's protests were natural enough, but Dikero wasn't easily fooled. "I'll visit her tomorrow morning instead of at the end of the sevenday. Thank you for telling me, Jio."

"Thank you, Dikero. I value your help. I'm sorry to involve you in this, but I just don't know what else to do," **Short of facing Jhonnel myself...**

"She's my patient, Jio... if you hadn't involved me today, I would have become involved sooner or later anyway." And at least now, he could do something before it was too late.

The vintner nodded. "I won't take any more of your time. But, please, tell me what happens?"

Dikero squeezed his shoulder again but said nothing. If Miryene's husband _had_ been beating her, Dikero would take care of it in an official capacity instead of letting Jio stumble into the situation and possibly make it worse. The only problem was not knowing what sort of official capacity he had as a healer.

He'd visit Miryene, and then he'd talk to Targe. Between the two of them, they would figure out some way to resolve this situation.

~*~

Eimi (sea_spray_singer@fastmail.fm)
Jio, Sr. Jr. Vintner, ACH-VH

Bree - bree@triadweyrs.org
Dikero, Sr. Journeyman Healer, ACH

Last updated on the August 26th 2005

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A Delicate Matter