A Mother's Concern

Writers: Jelena, Yvonne
Date Posted: 9th August 2014

Characters: Parme, Taril
Description: Parme's son is getting himself into trouble, so she has a request for Taril
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 8, day 1 of Turn 7

"Excuse me, Taril, are you in?" Parme's voice rang clear through the open door. She was anxious to speak to the man, though that wasn't audible in her voice. The news that her darling son Rapsham had been participating in Taril's back-room gambling wasn't a welcome one and as a widowed mother she felt it was up to her to set the record straight.

"I am. Come in." The merchant looked up from his desk, where he'd been going over inventory sheets. The brown flit draped across the back of his chair looked up too, but lay his head back down as soon as he saw that it wasn't anyone new. Or with food.

Parme stepped in the room, but didn't sit down, standing behind a chair with a stern expression. "Taril, it has come to my attention my son Rapsham has been participating in your... games. Is this true?"

Taril sighed. Another mother. "I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage. You know my name, but I'm afraid I don't know yours...?"

"Parme," Parme said, squinting slightly with concealed anger. "And my son's name is Rapsham."

"Parme. Please, sit down." He gestured to a chair and waited until she'd settled herself-- as much as she could while in such a huff-- before speaking. "Yes, Rapsham has played cards at my table."

Parme took the seat, but not gladly so, and kept eying the man's expression closely. "I would like you to forbid him further access. Rapsham is not good with his marks and it would ruin him if he kept visiting. I'm sure you wouldn't want that."

It was already too late for Rapsham, but that was hardly something Taril would bring up with his mother. Instead he asked, "How old is your son?"

"He's got nineteen turns on him," Parme replied. "But he's a bit younger in mind, if you get what I mean." What she meant was that her second youngest son lacked much of the intelligence that had blessed her older lads. Still, he managed to make himself a living at the docks and led a respectable life so far. This gambling business.. that just didn't help.

"At nineteen he's also old enough to work at the docks, marry, head a household, and gift you with grandchildren," Taril said gently. "I'm sure that he also considers himself able to choose where and when to spend his free time."

"He wants to live under my roof, he has to play by my rules," Parme said. "And if you want to see whatever marks he owes you, it would be beneficial for you to help him stay there."

How naive of her. The scars on his face made it easy to hide his thoughts, however. "I'm not sure that the lesson you want to teach your son is that his mother will be there to manage his life. Have you spoken to him yourself, ma'am?"

"I have, but he denied. I came here to find out the truth," Parme said. "And no, I'm certainly not managing his life, I'm merely helping him get his firelizards in a row."

"Very admirable of you." Although her son probably had other thought on the matter. Taril sighed and looked down at his hides. "Well, I will keep an eye out for your son. He obviously comes from a good family."

"Thank you, sir," Parme said, visibly relaxing a little. "And if you ever are in need of one of my remedies, you can count on a fair discount in return for your trouble."

"I'll let you know. But-- my apologies, but I really do have to get this finished before the Sunray leaves port with the tide." Taril gestured apologetically to his hidework. That, and he had a wedding to prepare for.

"Yes, I need to get back to work as well," Parme nodded. "Thank you for your time."

"You're welcome." Taril watched her leave, then turned back to his hidework with a snort. He'd watch out for her son, all right. But that didn't mean he'd stop Rapsham from digging his hole a little deeper.

Last updated on the August 17th 2014

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A Mother's Concern