Disgusting

Writers: Curious
Date Posted: 19th June 2024

Characters: Islyn, Kaede
Description: Kaede worms a promise out of Islyn.
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 13, day 13 of Turn 11

Islyn didn’t expect Kaede to greet her with such enthusiasm.

The daughter of Silver Peak’s holder was never _unhappy_ to see her, of course. They were friends. She was never unkind to her, or harsh, or judgmental or…

Okay, maybe she was sometimes, but only when it was warranted. Only when it helped push Islyn back onto the right path. And that was okay, because she needed it sometimes. It was okay, because the fact that she cared for her enough to correct her reminded her that they were friends.

But they weren’t the sort of friends who shared big smiles and warm hugs. It was more like… Kaede would allow Islyn into her presence, talk to her like something close to an equal, and for a little while, she could feel like she was of higher status than she was. Sometimes she looked at Islyn like she was so much less than her, but she never said as much, and at other times, she’d look at Islyn like she _was_ a blooded lady, so it balanced out. But she didn’t smile warmly at her. She didn’t pull her into a hug and squeeze tight. So when she did so upon Islyn’s arrival at Silver Peak, she knew that something big had happened.

Islyn allowed Kaede to hold her for however long she needed. When she felt the lady’s grip loosen, she put her hands on her shoulders, pushed her back, and asked, “Is something wrong?”

Kaede’s grin grew into something sharp and hungry. Putting a hand on her shoulder, she said, “Oh, dear Islyn, this entire _world_ is wrong. I simply _must_ talk to you about it.”

Kaede grabbed Islyn by the wrist and tugged her forward. Islyn allowed herself one brief glance at where their fathers were talking before allowing herself to be dragged away.

Kaede led her up to her room. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, staring at Islyn with wide green eyes, resplendant in her purple gown, terrifying in her ferocity.

Islyn shuffled uncomfortably in place. “So… What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Another girl had impressed a blue?” Kaede breathed.

Islyn took a step back. “You mean… That freak at Dolphin Cove?” she asked.

Kaede shook her head. “There’s a _third_. The senior’s clutch hatched two days ago and another whore ended up on blue.”

Islyn’s heart sank into her stomach, which curned sickeningly. “Oh,” she said. “That’s…”

“Disgusting, isn’t it?”

Islyn sneered and shook her head. “I would have used a stronger word,” she spat.

Kaede chuckled approvingly. “Leave the words to me. But Islyn…” The redhead stepped away from the door. “I need something for you.”

Islyn stood up straighter. “Yes, anything!”

“Never go to the Weyr.”

Islyn blinked, lips curving into a slight frown. “What?” she asked. “But… You were at the Weyr only a few months ago, weren’t you?”

“Just for a visit. That’s not what I’m asking you.” Kaede clasped one of Islyn’s hands in hers. “If one of the searchdragons spirits you away, you musn’t accept.”

Islyn was starting to feel a lot sicker. She pushed the feeling aside and tried to plaster a smile on her lips, but couldn’t keep it from being tense. “What if I have a chance at gold, though?” she asked.

“What if something goes wrong?” Kaede challenged. “What if one of those predatory women preys on you? What if something goes wrong on the sands and you end up as another greenriding slut?”

Islyn snatched her hand back like it was on fire. “I wouldn’t impress _green_!” she exclaimed. “You-You don’t really think that lowly of me, do you?”

“Of course not,” Kaede crooned, tucking a lock of hair behind Islyn’s ear. “But the entire world’s gone topsy-turvy, there’s no telling that could happen next. So I’m trusting you to make the right choices. Promise me that you won’t go to the Weyr, Islyn.”

Islyn felt like her heart was trying to strangle her lungs. “I-”

“_Promise me,_” Kaede growled, hand moving to cup her cheek.

Islyn closed her eyes. “I promise.”

Last updated on the June 21st 2024

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Disgusting