A rocky path - with westfallcorndog

[heirtothedragonsfire]

Despite the Archon's reputation for being fierce and unyielding, he and his wife had always taught Isidor that a person should always listen, that they should always know when to act and when to be still. More importantly, he spoke of how humility was a better guide than pride. Although not many would have heard him say it, or guessed he ever would, Isidor had and she remembered it vividly as she walked to Naugus' tower. It was not an easy walk. She was going to the Weatherhills to do something she had little experience with and took no joy in: She was here to admit she was wrong.

As per usual, she is dressed immaculately in a business dress and heels, a choice that ensures she won't have to glare up at Lawrence if he appears, but also means she has to stick to the path. Her reluctance isn't easy to spot with the way she strides into the area the Weatherhills have so expertly transformed. Once she arrives, she scans the area for a familiar face. "Hello?"

Comments

[westfallcorndog]

Harrowheart has his turn to be surprised by the mention of a sibling. Viatorus stood up for him? Against Isidor? He's equally guilty and honored. As he listens to Isidor talk he reminds himself that he's going to have to repay the favor some day.

And then she touches him, which is wholly unexpected. She looks him in the eye and he finds he can't look away. And what she says...

It's easy not to be ashamed of who you are when you're a Durant. It's probably the simplest advice and the greatest truth in the world for Isidor. But for him? His mind fills with the sort of doubts that always plagued him. A dozen reasons to rebut her leap forward in his thoughts until he remembers exactly what he'd just promised her.

Trust her.

He realizes then, past his doubts, the implications of it all. It isn't just a command for him to follow. She's passing her own judgement on him. She isn't ashamed of him. All at once it feels like the answer to so many questions he hadn't been brave enough to ask. His poverty. His history. His curse. His death.

He presses one hand to his cheek and tries to subtly wipe away the tear that's clouding his vision. Despite everything she's said it's hard not not to feel self-conscious about his emotions and he tries to hide them in a little laugh. It's not at all convincing and he knows it, so instead he hides his face by pulling her into a close hug and turning his head away.

It's a brief hold, and it ends with a determined nodding of his head and the hint of a smile despite the moisture at his cheeks. With another little laugh, this one more sincere, he says, "If you're not careful I'm gonna wind up with some self-esteem. I'll... Work on it. For you. Around you, anyway. I can't guarantee nothin' when I finally gotta make eye contact with your father."

[heirtothedragonsfire]

If anyone knows the difficulties in trying to hide emotions in front of people, it's Isidor. Practice is the only reason she's gotten as good as she is. So when she sees the tears building in Harrowheart's eyes, she doesn't comment. She doesn't even let her gaze linger.

"Don't worry about the Archon." She offers him an oddly gentle, encouraging smile. Then her eyebrows lift and she reaches into her jacket, pulling out two envelopes. She hands one to him first. It's a fine quality paper with elegant writing with embossed gold designs. "Your invitation to Runa and Viatorus' engagement ceremony. You have a plus one. I'll pick you up."

Then she offers up the other envelope. "This is a guide for you. I know this will be a very different kind of event to what you're used to. The people there will be different to the people you're used to. I wanted to give you a few guidelines to work with."

[westfallcorndog]

Isidor's sweet smile calms him, and he nods in quiet compliance. If she's not afraid of the Archon then he won't be either. He takes the invitation she hands him with a gentle touch and marvels at its make for a moment before he really lets it sink in what he's holding. And then he beams! He opens his mouth to say something, but Isidor hands him another envelope and, since he's already on a roll, he chooses to open it immediately.

His eyebrows furrow as he reads the contents, but more out of concentration than disappointment. His lips move along with the words as he reads, which he does not do quickly. Sometimes he has to read sentences more than once to be sure he's understood properly.

He tisks when he reads something and points to the list. "What do you mean don't smell anyone? I don't smell anyone. And even if I did – which I don't! – it would be because smell is a very good way to remember someone." A few seconds of silence pass before he mumbles, "But I won't smell anyone."

Another little tisk, this one more disappointed than offended. "No phone? Not even to look stuff up?" Still, he nods. He accepts this, even though it's going to be difficult.

He then goes on to practice the open-palmed point at various things in the room and nods when he's sure he's got it. That's simple enough, even if remembering it may not come instinctually. He uses that same gesture to address the next point. "Rooms that're protected by magic? How will I know?"

And having asked that he folds up the list and looks at her seriously. "And what should I do when I meet your uncle and your mother?"

[heirtothedragonsfire]

She finds herself a little concerned with how long it takes him to move down the list. Is it that difficult for him? Or is something wrong with her handwriting? Still, she's patient with him as he reads through it, ready to answer any questions he might have.

Except maybe the one about smelling people. That may or may not have been a revised version of 'do not smell butts' but that seemed too rude to write, along with 'do not pee on trees'. Really, she's not sure how far the 'dog-person' thing goes, but better to be safe than sorry.

"No phone," she reiterates.

"You'll feel it. A hum of power. If you don't then you'll see runes or a gargoyle around the doorway." It's a general rule, and doesn't cover anywhere that the Archon has decided just that day to protect, but it should be enough.

"Oh." That was not a question she expected. Especially not specifically about her mother and uncle, but not her father. She hesitates even as she answers. "Be polite and respectful... My uncle is a straightforward man, as Durants go. He's not good with idle chatter. He likes conversations to have a point. My mother..." How to describe her... "Just be honest and polite with her, she'll respect you more for it. She's a perfect lady in every regard."

Isidor trusts Harrowheart in a lot of things, but rivaling her mother in social nuances is not one of them. Whatever conversation they might have, her mother will have complete control at all times, but telling that to Harrowheart seems like a bad idea.

[westfallcorndog]

All things Isidor says get thoughtful nods. He's practically a bobblehead over here, silent and nodding. When she's quiet again he looks over the list once more to be certain he's absorbed it all. Nothing is out of the ordinary, nothing is too much to ask...

"Xenia," he finally says. "It's all Xenia. Good manners are like respect to the folks who invited me. I-I'll do my best, and if I make a mistake I'll try to fix it." One final nod. He can do this.

He looks up at Isidor again with a small, proud smile. "It's Runa and Viatorus' special night. I'm not gonna be the one to ruin it. You're gonna be proud of me." He taps the list with the back of his hand and says in total confidence, "I'll learn the rules, I'll come dressed up, I'll be real quiet, and everyone's gonna have a good time."