Planning the Future

Writers: Avery, Eimi
Date Posted: 5th October 2007

Characters: Kiomo, Ishek
Description: Kiomo and Ishek discuss Kiomo's plans to marry Thalia. But are they really talking about the same thing?
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 6, day 6 of Turn 4

"Shhhhhh..." Kiomo hissed rather loudly for all they were supposed to be quiet. "If Thalia found us among her precious flowers in this state she'd skin us like a feline." He handed the Warder the bottle once more as he leaned back against the garden wall. He gave the stones an affectionate pat. "'Tis a good strong wall. Penryn should have been a mason, not a Steward."

"Feline skins are nice, but I wouldn't want your skin hanging on my wall. Or my skin." Ishek agreed. He examined the wall intently for a moment.
"Very solid. Stable. Good walls are like good men." He thought. It sounded good.

Kiomo's eyebrows rose slightly. He could think of a few rather bawdy comparisons. "How so, m'Lord?"

Ishek had to think about that. "They're reliable and strong, for one.
They support a lot." What else did a wall do, but be a defense and bear weight? And what did a man do, but hard work and be strong?

"Ah, yes... support. Perfect." The holder pushed himself off the wall and reached for the bottle once more. "I have been thinking about support. In particular, I've been wondering, Ishek, do you have any intentions to support Thalia? I mean, as more than just a Lord Holder."

"I didn't want to push her when I arrived." Ishek said. "She doesn't show any interest in me. I've never said anything more to her, I don't want her thinking I'm trying to take the Hold away from her son." She was nice enough, and he enjoyed her company, but beyond that? He hadn't had any intentions...

"So then," Kiomo draped an arm heavily over the Warder's shoulder, "You wouldn't mind then if _I_ pursued her, would you? I wouldn't do anything to get in your way if that was your intention..."

"You would certainly be able to support her well." Ishek agreed. Kiomo had a good family and connections after all.

"If only Thalia could understand all I had to offer her," he sighed sadly. "I have a lot to offer a woman, I think."

"Everything a woman could want. Looks, family, potential." Ishek agreed.
"The ladies must love you. I wish one would love me." he said sadly.

"One will, my friend. One will." But Kiomo was not interested in talking about Ishek just yet. The topic at hand was himself. "I swear, Ishek, if I can't have that woman... I have never felt this way before."

Well, it certainly _sounded_ serious. "Do you know how she feels about you?"

"Oh, you know Thalia, she's way to proper express her feelings openly."
Though he was pretty sure he knew how pleased she was to have his tongue halfway down her throat. "I wish I knew what she was thinking, Ishek."

"Spend time with her and try to gauge her feelings for you? Or openly declare courtship?" Ishek asked.

"I just don't know," Kiomo sighed dramatically, giving the Lord Holder's shoulder another squeeze as he passed the bottle. "I'm not sure if it might be too soon. If it is and I ask, well, that would just be so awkward for us both. What I need is a go-between."

"A way to find out her feelings and if it's too soon?"

"Yeah. Someone... Someone with both of our best interests at heart.
Someone who could maybe help her see that I am not just a good choice, but the _right_ choice." He pulled the Lord Holder even closer to his side. "Ishek... I know we haven't known each other long, but I feel like you were one of my own brothers. You're not just my Lord, you're my friend. I need your help."

"I will help." Ishek said. He had been lucky enough to encounter and love Shama when they were both free and lacking grief and young; he hadn't needed someone else. But Kiomo had Thalia's grief and status to worry about, so he needed help. How could Ishek not help a man pursue love?

"You don't know how much it means to me to know that I can count on you, Ishek. You're a true friend." And with any luck, he could help encourage Thalia to marry again soon...

"I do my best to help my friends."

"Well, lets drink to friendship then," the Holder grinned, pushing the bottle at the Lord once more.

"To friendship!" Ishek said, taking a deep drink.

"And to love." He gave the Lord Holder one more nudge to encourage him to finish the bottle. Kiomo suspected he might have to remind Ishek of their conversation the next day, but what did it matter. He'd have the Lord Holder's support, and that would weigh heavily with Thalia he was sure. And once they were married... Well, he could think about Ishek's fate then.

"To love." Ishek agreed again, finishing the bottle. "And to friends helping friends find love." There, that summed it up.

Last updated on the October 6th 2007

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Planning the Future