This Doesn't Count As Rash
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: Aaron, Sia
Date Posted: 6th November 2024
Characters: Aleriand, Corofel
Description: Corofel inquires as to the Printer Hall’s standards of journalistic integrity.
Location: Printer Hall
Date: month 1, day 1 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Aikley, Arippa, Cithara (not by name), Corowal (not by name), Faldrimme, Reven
“Master Aleriand.” Corofel had the benefit of not having to wait nearly as long to speak to someone as the average resident might. But he still had to wait. He was not happy. That much was to be expected. “Why did you publish that rumor?”
It seemed he was not going to bother with any pleasantries.
Aleriand was tired. He was (maybe) a little hungover. He did not immediately know what Corofel wanted, but Aikley had helpfully clipped a copy of the gossip pamphlet onto his appointment notes. "I'm not in the habit of censoring the presses, Lord Corofel." The hallmaster said as he raised the pamphlet from his clipboard and let it flutter onto the clutter of his desk.
Perhaps it was better than he _had_ been made to wait, because it had given him plenty of time to rehearse what he was going to say" and, oh, it was good. A real doozy. Aleriand was going to love this.
“Are you in the habit of destroying innocent women’s lives with lies?”
"Oh, please. No one's life has been destroyed." Aleriand said. "It wouldn't have ended up in the papers if people didn't see you doing what you were doing. You're welcome to print your own pamphlet if you care to refute the claim. Do you have a better explanation?"
“It was Lady Faldrimme.” Corofel blurted. He was not impressed with the alleged remedy. She was very possibly still going to be in the position of _having_ to marry Corofel if Reven’s attempt at damage control came to naught, and then… She would resent him forever for forcing her into it. It _was_ his fault for not being more careful. On that note, maybe admitting that he had been seen with Faldrimme was not the smartest move. That was going to come back to bite him.
“Lady Arippa’s twin. I can make whatever announcement I like, but some people are still going to believe that I did what you said I did. They'll bend over backwards to believe I'll have married Faldrimme just to keep up appearances and keep me out of trouble.” They would believe anything that confirmed he was like his father in this regard. Reven had certainly been quick to point that out.
"_I_ didn't say you did anything." Aleriand pointed out. "I'm not Master Unknown. The author pays for their printing space, just like everyone else that commissions prints through the Hall. You and Lady Faldrimme can decide how you want to move forward, though I suspect Master Unknown will have something to say no matter what you choose. That was some good maneuvering on Faldrimme's part, to get you interested in marriage so quickly."
Corofel’s eyes narrowed. There was an edge to his voice he had never heard come from his own mouth before.
“I will thank you kindly not to speak ill of Lady Faldrimme, Master Unknown.”
Corofel did not believe for a second that it was not Aleriand himself, and no one in their right mind should have. He had never considered himself petty, but no one had ever been so brazen as to insult the woman he loved right after publishing slander against her sister-- also his friend.
Promise me you won’t do anything rash, Reven had said… But Corofel was still convinced this did not count as rash, and so it did not count as breaking his promise. This was completely reasonable. He had gotten himself into this mess, and he was going to get himself out of it. He knew exactly how to get what he needed from Aleriand. He was going to use the leverage of his position like any real, adult, full Lord Holder would.
“Certainly not to my face. I’m not sure either of us will enjoy the consequences if you do. Emerald Falls will not be availing itself of the Printers’ services again --” not for anything official, anyway -- “until Lady Arippa receives an apology. No, until you _print_ an apology and a retraction.”
And if he refused, well, Corofel would pen the real explanation himself -- in however many copies they required -- and it would definitely involve unmasking the Master Printer as the gossipmonger. Assuming Reven did not get everything to blow over himself first, anyway.
“I hope you have the day you deserve.”
- - -
Last updated on the November 18th 2024