Bitter Concession

Writers: Devin, Miriah
Date Posted: 14th September 2014

Characters: D'hol, N'vanik
Description: D'hol and N'vanik come to a bitter agreement
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 8, day 11 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Jeyme, Talryne

D'hol

N'vanik

D'hol stood in the open door, his jaw tightly set. It was the end of
the day and he was preparing to go back to his weyr, but after the
previous day, he couldn't let things just go quietly. He looked at the
Weyrleader behind his desk and spoke quietly. "I need a word."

**This should be fun.** N'vanik arched an eyebrow. "Have a seat."

Closing the door behind him, D'hol walked to the chair across from
N'vanik. He sat and met N'vanik's eyes while he steepled his fingers
in front of his chin. "Would you mind telling me why your woman is
sending my weyrmate home in tears?"

Ah, that. N'vanik shrugged. "Talryne said they had a fight, and then
you came and confronted her in the weaving room." Which N'vanik wanted
to slug D'hol for, but Tal wanted to deal with it herself.

"Yes, I did. Do you find it necessary for her to do your arguing for you?"

N'vanik tilted his head. "You know, it's odd, but sometimes it seems
that women have their own minds. They just go and _do_ things without
asking permission or being told."

There was a definite snort. "I'm very aware of that, being weyrmated
to a rather stubborn and opinionated one." He eyed N'vanik, "But I
can't help thinking you had something to do with it." He leaned back
in his chair. "Tell me, N'vanik, why is this so shaffing important to
you?"

He'd told the man before, but D'hol might not have been listening. "I
found out about my daughter -- my oldest -- when she was fourteen. She
thought I abandoned her and her mother. I never want a child of mine
to think I don't love them."

D'hol's eye twitched. "And did it ever perhaps cross your mind that
Jeyme's child is not yours? This child will be very loved. And should
the child _not_ be yours, that you have intruded upon another family
without cause? And caused trouble where none needed to be?"

"Why does it have to be trouble? I just want to be involved. I'm not
trying to take over. We don't know which of us is the father. That
happens _all the time_ in a Weyr and other people manage to be civil
about it." N'vanik sighed and put his hands on the desk. "I can be
'uncle N'vanik'. I just want to see the child once in a while, maybe
watch him or her for a few candlemarks."

D'hol arched a brow. "And I should put your wishes over mine for what
reason? I've made it plain I don't want you involved." D'hol drummed
his fingers against the arm of the chair, his gaze narrowed. "Since
obviously you and your woman are going to make it harder on Jeyme
unless my wants are ignored, you may see the child once a month,
beginning a week after he or she is born. No "uncle" or any other
such nonsense. Just N'vanik."

N'vanik leaned back a little, surprised. "That... that sounds fine."

Eyes narrowed. "And you will not have any say as to parenting. The
time and place of your visits will be up to Jeyme to decide, as long
as it is not in our weyr. Of course, this all contingent on if Jeyme
agrees. Talryne's little display hasn't made her particularly
empathetic."

"Talryne has a bit of a temper." Which N'vanik liked for a number of
reasons, but it wasn't always a good thing. "And she's protective of
me. I don't know if she'd want to apologize to Jeyme but I guess we'll
see."

D'hol snorted softly. "And I am protective of Jeyme. I don't give a
shaffing damn if Talryne apologizes; I doubt it would be sincere. Just
keep her away when you spend time with my child."

There he went again. "I'm not going to assume what Talryne or Jeyme
might do. I'll let them work it out if they want to." N'vanik was
willing to fight all her battles, but for her sake it was better to
stand back.

"Fine." D'hol abruptly rose. "I think that's all we need to discuss then."

**Such a pleasant man.** N'vanik hated the idea of having to deal with
this man for the next several turns. Why couldn't Jeyme have found
someone nicer? "Have a good day, Wingleader."

D'hol walked to the door, then paused. "And N'vanik, don't show up at
the birth. That is for Jeyme and I alone."

Rhosyn had locked him out, so why should this be any different?

Last updated on the October 3rd 2014

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Bitter Concession