Don't Tempt Yourself
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Dana, Eimi
Date Posted: 12th June 2005
Characters: Jio, Cinale
Description: Jio and Cinale discuss his relationship with Miryene.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 6, day 10 of Turn 3
"Jio! I had my cookies stolen once already today. Please don't make that the second time, hmm?" Cinale gave him a stern pat on his questing hand.
"They just smell so good." He pouted as he eyed the cookies cooling. "And I am so hungry I could eat the whole tray by myself."
"I'm sure you could, hon. I don't doubt it. But let them at least cool first before you dive right in," she chuckled.
"They would be worth burning my mouth on." Jio sighed sadly. "Well, I will wait, like the good little vintner I am. Shall we have a cup of klah while we wait?"
"Might as well," she agreed, taking the kettle off of the hearth. Fetching two mugs from the other side of the counter, she brought them over and poured a generous amount of klah into each one. "You're up late, Jio," she commented, giving him his mug.
The vintner shrugged as he took the mug in his hands to warm them. "No more than usual."
She smiled. "True. I notice that you always seem to find your way down here around this time of night."
"I have a lot of temptation. And not just the klah and nice treats." He gave her a wink as he took a sip. "What can I say. I have been busy of late."
Cinale looked at him, wondering if now would be the best time to bring up a concern she had been pondering for a few sevendays now. Though, perhaps 'few' was an understatement. "Hmm... Busy seeing Miryene, hon?" And she braced herself, knowing that this conversation probably wouldn't go well. But she didn't know how else to discuss this with him.
"I have seen her a couple times." Jio answered, his eyes narrowing slightly as he regarded Cinale. It seemed a rather strange question for her to ask, seeing as she was now married. Surely she would not question Miryene's honor!
She returned his stare, the look in her eyes quite serious. "You've seen her more than a couple times, Jio."
"Alright Cinale, just what is it?" He asked, slightly annoyed as he took a sip from his mug.
"You know perfectly well what. Jio, she's a married woman. You _can't_ go on seeing her alone like this for long periods of time. And I don't care if those visits are 'perfectly innocent.'" She tilted her head slightly as she studied his face. "I've seen the way you look at her," she told him, her voice quiet.
"Please, Cinale, she's a married woman." Jio put his mug down, suddenly not thirsty or hungry. "We are only friends. I have resigned myself to that. And Miryene is an _honorable_ woman, despite the unfortunate incident that lead to her hasty marriage. I would never do anything that would compromise her principles. And I _don't_ look at her in any way."
"Oh, but you do, hon," she replied gently. "And it's that look that leads me to think that even though _you're_ intentions are honorable right now..." She shook her head. "You shouldn't tempt yourself. You may lose control... and then you both will end up regretting what you could've prevented."
"I would never do that to her, Cinale. I would _hate_ myself if I did. _She_ would hate me if I did. No," he shook his head emphatically, "no that will not happen. Besides, she needs a friend right now."
"You're right. She does. And I'm not saying that you shouldn't be her friend. All I'm saying is that you need to be very careful, Jio." She paused. "And you need to know that if _I,_ a mere cook in the kitchens, can see the certain way you look at her, then others can see it too. And the last thing either of you need is to have rumors being whispered about the Hall."
"Alright, then, I guess we'll just have to make our meetings more private so no one can see the way I look at her." He regretted how bitter his tone sounded, but he also did not like what she was implying - that he should spend less time with Miryene. Obviously she didn't understand how much the young woman needed his support right now.
**Ah...hon, you're missing my point.** Cinale gave him a small, sad smile and looked down at her cooling klah before taking sip. She had done all she could, as a friend to both Jio and Miryene. Now it was in their hands.
Jio did not like the atmosphere filling the room. To lighten the mood he asked, "So, do you think the cookies are cool enough to eat yet?"
"Perhaps. Why don't you try one and find out, hmm?"
The vintner reached out and plucked one of the cookies from the tray. He took a large bite, and gave Cinale a satisfied smile. "Perfect."
Last updated on the August 17th 2005