Nothing to Worry About

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 5th August 2005

Characters: Miryene, Jio
Description: Jio arrives for his daily check on the flit egg only to find that Miryene is not feeling well.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 7, day 14 of Turn 3

Miryene almost didn't open the door when she heard the knock, but she knew from experience that some of her friends took that as proof that something dire had happened to her and that they needed to rush inside and save her from whatever horrible fate had befallen her.

Last night, though, something dire _had_ happened to her. She'd seen the proof in the small mirror in her bedroom, a bruise rising on the side of her face that would probably only get uglier as time went by. Having her hair down might hide it for the most part, but eventually someone would see it.

Her only chance was to get rid of whoever was at the door before they noticed. Expecting to see Koyla or Cinale, Miryene was surprised to find Jio on the other side of the door. "Jio--hello..."

"Good morning, Miryene," the vintner said cheerfully. "How are you today?"

Usually she opened the door and welcomed him in, but it didn't seem like a good idea today... especially since his visit and his gift had been the reason Jhonnel had gotten so angry the night before. The fact that he was likely to see the discoloration on the side of her face at any moment only made it worse. "I'm a little tired today, actually..."

"Were you too active yesterday?" he asked, concern written on his face. "My visit didn't tire you out, did it?"

"No--well, maybe a little." With a sigh, Miryene shook her head and sighed. She might as well give him an excuse now--it didn't look like he was leaving, and she'd rather get it over with. "It's nothing really, Jio... I just slipped last night and got a bit of a bump on my head... I was overtired and I don't want it to happen again."

"A bump? Where?" Jio looked at her carefully, but her hair was obscuring his view.

Sighing again, Miryene opened the door wider. "You might as well come in... it's cold out and I'm letting all the hot air out." It wasn't her usual polite words, and her voice sounded tired.

He obeyed, worried about leaving her in a cold room. "Now where is this bump?"

"It's really not a concern," Miryene replied, moving back to her chair by the fire. When it became clear that he wasn't going to relent, she tucked the hair on the right side of her head behind her ear, letting him see the bruise. "It probably looks worse than it is, really."

"Oh, Miryene," he groaned as he reached out to touch the spot lightly, "does it hurt still?"

She flinched away from his touch, which was answer enough. Still, she tried to lie. "Not really... it's just a little sore."

"Did you go to see the healer?" he asked, pulling his hand back.

Miryene shook her head, pulling her blanket a little more tightly around her shoulders. "It's a bruise on my face, Jio... the baby is nowhere near my face. I promise."

Jio gave her a little smile, but the worry was still in his eyes. "Yes, of course, but you said you slipped. Might it not be wise to check? I can take you."

"If it doesn't get better in a few days," she finally conceeded, more to convince him that she didn't need to be hustled off to the healer. "I think for now I'd be better just resting."

"All right then," Jio nodded. If she was not worried then he would try not to think about it. "I will check your egg really quickly and then leave you to your rest."

Miryene hated that he looked so uncomfortable as he checked the egg, but she knew what would happen if she told him the truth. Everything was already falling apart--she couldn't let them find out how far Jhonnel had fallen until she'd figured out a way to keep the children with her. Fielton was not exactly famous for having sympathy for mothers who took children away from their father--she could only imagine what he'd think of the idea of a step-mother trying the same thing.

"Everything appears to be fine." Jio stood and turned to Miryene with a half-smile. He couldn't figure out what it was, but something just wasn't... right. As he walked towards he stopped to lay a hand gently on her shoulder. "Are you sure you are all right?"

She gave the hand on her shoulder a brief pat. "I'm sure I'll be fine, Jio. I just need to do as Journeyman Dikero suggested and get more rest."

"Then I will leave you to your rest. But I will come back tomorrow," he said as he opened the door, "to check on the egg."

"Of course," Miryene replied, only now realizing that Jio would probably back daily to check on the egg. Before this she would have been delighted at the idea of seeing him every day... but she didn't think Jio was going to be put off a second time. Somehow she would have to find a way to convince him there was nothing to worry about. Somehow.

Last updated on the August 16th 2005

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Nothing to Worry About