Family Dinner (Part I)

Writers: AL, Kaysea
Date Posted: 22nd November 2008

Characters: J'gen, Irlani, Talliea, Calliea
Description: J'gen and Irlani have dinner with J'gen's two elder daughters.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 13, day 1 of Turn 4

"So, to what do we owe this evenings gathering to?" J'gen asked,
slipping his arms around Irlani and nuzzling her throat softly. The
news of his daughters' impending arrival a surprise he still hadn't
decided whether a pleasure or not. "And Gyta's not to be here?" he
asked, sensing they were alone in his quarters.

"It is, unfortunately. probably not going to be a most pleasant one."
Irlani allowed his caresses for a moment before pulling away. There
would be time enough for that later, but that moment should be
reserved for preparing J'gen for the worst. "Talliea came to see me
to day, though _please_ don't let Calliea know that. Evidently there
has been some talk about us and she wanted to see if it was true. She
rather despaired over telling her sister, so I suggested that we be
the ones to break the news."

"Oh shaffit, not again!" J'gen shook his head, "I'm at my wits end with
that girl. She's behaving just like her mother did. And the way she
behaved when Syrita came back into my life." his fingers rifled
through his hair as he turned from Irlani. "She'll be the death of
me, yet."

"Well, we honestly shouldn't try to hide it from them. It will be even
worse if she finds out from someone else." Irlani took his hand and
drew him over to the settle. "And that would leave poor Talliea to
bear the brunt of her reaction. I thought it best that it come from
us and happen while we're around."

"Yes, I know." he nodded with a resigned sigh. "I just wish she would
mature. Gyta acts with more wisdom than Calliea does. She has always
been this way, too much of her mother in her." He squeezed Irlani's
hand, "If you want, I can deal with her alone? She won't be
pleasant."

"No." Irlani shook her head, returning his gesture. "We're in this
together. I'll be right there with you."

"Okay...." he kissed her lightly on the forehead, "but don't say you
weren't warned." he flashed her a grin and stood up. "I'll go and
wash and change... care to join me?"

"Do we have time?" Irlani asked though she stood up with the
bronzerider.

"We'll make time." he answered, drawing her close to him. **If the
girls arrive while we're occupied, don't allow their dragons to leave
them on the ledge. And let me know they're here.**

}:They'll think it strange:{

**Stretch out on the ledge and make out you're asleep.** J'gen chuckled
softly. **It wouldn't be the first time.**

Suuth's rumble could be heard by both J'gen and Irlani, inside the
room.

"Suuth will let me know when they arrive." he reassured her.

"You are incorrigible." But that didn't mean Irlani was going to
argue. She sidled past the man toward the bathing chamber, hips
swaying an invitation. "Well? Are you coming or not?"

"I'm there!" he laughed as he followed her.

* * *

}:They're here and they're not happy that they can't land on the
ledge:{ amusement came through in Suuth's message.

**We're almost ready, so if you like you can stretch and act as if you
just woke up.** J'gen grinned as he adjusted his clothes one last
time. He glanced across at Irlani, his grin turning into a smile full
of affection. "They're here." he told her, walking across and slipping
his arms around her waist from behind. He looked at her reflection in
the looking glass, watching as she finished styling her hair. "You
look beautiful." he said, nuzzling her neck.

"You're making this take longer than necessary." Irlani chided, though
her words held no real bite and she tilted her head to give him better
access. "They're going to know as soon as they look at us if we keep
acting like this."

"I'll behave myself then." he lifted his head and grinned at her in the
reflection. "They'll be here any moment so I guess we should be
waiting for them in the other room. It would give the situation away,
too early, if we walked out of my bed chamber together, I suppose?"

"Yes. It would. Very much so." Irlani finished playing at her hair
and sauntered out of the room. "Behave yourself tonight."

"I will if you will." he laughed, then straightened his face when he
heard the girls voices echoing through the dragon cavern. "They're
here." he could feel a cloud settling over him, all hint of amusement
left him when he thought of the next couple of candlemarks.

Irlani stepped around J'gen and settled into a chair, away from him.
It was also only big enough for her, so it would seem less likely that
they were a couple as well. That wouldn't keep the storm from coming,
but it might slow it down a bit.

"Daddy!" Calliea ran across the room and into her father's arms. "It's
so good to see you again." she reached up and kissed him on the cheek.

Talliea followed more sedately, her eyes locking with Irlani's as she
entered the room. "Hello Irlani, it's nice to see you again." she
walked across and bestowed a kiss on the older woman's cheek.

"Hello Talliea." Irlani's smile to the first twin was warm and she
took the girl's hand and returned the kiss. "It's good to see you
again also. You too, Calliea. I hope you are both doing well."

"We're doing fine, but we're a little puzzled as to your invitation."
Calliea replied, eyeing Irlani curiously. "The message was from you,
not daddy..."

Talliea looked across at her father worriedly. But J'gen just shook
his head softly. If Irlani wanted to break the news, he was there to
back her up and moved across to the chair she was sitting on.

"Well, we wanted you two to be the first we told." Other than Gyta of
course. Irlani pushed herself to a standing position and approached
J'gen. "I'll not beat about the bush. Calliea, Talliea, your father
and I have admitted feelings for one another and we have chosen to act
upon those feelings."

"What!?" Calliea gaped from one to the other. "You? Daddy - no!" Her
hands tightened into fists and she took a step forward. Out on the
ledge the roar of a dragon could be heard, followed by a warning
rumble from another.

"Calliea, control both yourself and your dragon." J'gen said, moving
forward. "Sit down and pay attention." When his daughter made no move
to follow his orders, he raised his voice further, "Calliea, SIT
DOWN!"

Last updated on the November 23rd 2008

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Family Dinner (Part I)