First Impressions

Writers: Yvonne, Bree
Date Posted: 13th January 2006

Characters: Thalia, Miralani
Description: Miralani and Thalia spend an afternoon with tea and make poor first impressions.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 9, day 5 of Turn 3

Thalia double-checked the tea settings for spots before nervously looking at the candle in the corner that counted the marks. Miralani, Ishek's sister, had arrived at the Hold a few days ago, and aside from a few brief encounters they hadn't had much contact with each other. Thalia had liked what she'd seen so far of the other woman and hoped for an ally, and so had invited her to the solar for tea that afternoon. The tea pot, thick brown pottery set with a cheery green glaze, was hot and free of incriminating smudges and spots, and the small plate of sweets she'd asked for looked divine. **Maybe _too_ divine,** Thalia thought, and snuck a cookie.

Miralani arrived exactly on time, sweeping into the room with a charming smile. "Thalia, it was so sweet of you to invite me to visit.
I've so wanted to have a chance to speak with you, but it's just been so busy!"

"I can imagine. Moving to a new home can be a difficult transition, especially with children in tow." Thalia rose and held out her hands in greeting. "But I'm so glad that you've found time to come and visit, and I've been looking forward to our time together ever since you accepted my invitation!"

Clasping Thalia's hands briefly, Miralani nodded in reply. "Children are a blessing, but they can make life much more interesting."

Little Aslian, with his crying, fussing, and heart-melting adorability, had certainly turned her world on its ear. Although he'd had a little help with that from the former Headwoman... "Yes, they certainly do. Please, sit!" Thalia gestured at the cozy tea setting and waited until Miralani had settled herself before retreating back to her chair. She picked up the teapot and began to pour. "I'm looking forward to meeting your three children properly, too. Your eldest is.. what, twelve turns?"

"Eleven," Miralani replied, accepting a cup from Thalia. "That's Chavani. Laniva is eight and my youngest, Miravan, is just five."

"Just five, but growing fast, no doubt. I can't believe how much Aslian has changed in three short months."

Miralani kept her smile, though the reminder of the heir who stood between her brother and _true_ ownership of Garnet Valley was hardly a pleasant topic. "He'll grow so quickly. They always do."

"Yes. I can't wait until I can show him to my family. And until he learns to speak." Thalia paused, then handed Miralani a teacup.
"Well, I hope that you and your daughters are happy here. I know it was a bit of an adjustment for me, and I hope that yours is easier."

"Oh, it's not so bad for me," Miralani replied, her voice overly sweet. "After all, I came here as the sister to the Lord... Warder. Coming here as a wife must have been terrifying! I remember how nervous I was when I was sent to my first husband."

Thalia paused. Perhaps Miralani hadn't meant it the way it sounded? "Yes, it was. Aswic was always very kind to me, though, even though Garnet Valley was not... ready for a Lady Holder. Things are much different now."
Neither Verora nor Rialine had given her the time of day, but now that both women were removed from their place Thalia found herself finally carving herself a place within the Hold. It was nice to finally be _useful_. "But... I thought you were only married once?"

"Oh, well I've only been married once so far." Miralani raised an eyebrow and spoke as if her response was obvious. "But of course, I'll be married again. You know how it is for those of us of a certain status, Thalia... we may be given time to mourn, but we are always married off again soon enough." "Mmmm." Thalia looked down at the tea-cup in her hand and tried her best to swallow the sudden knot that formed in her throat. Married again...
Aswic had been kind to her, but she'd wanted more. Perhaps next time her husband wouldn't be kind at all. "Hopefully not until Aslian is a little older, and I don't intend to take him from Garnet Valley."

"I'm sure there are plenty of nice men at Garnet Valley," Miralani replied, eyeing Thalia. The girl had shown a hint of backbone for a moment, but now she was staring down into her tea cup as if it could save her. Obviously the girl wasn't used to being in control of her life, which suited Miralani perfectly. "For us both," Thalia shot back, slightly irked at the implication that she'd be married off to a nobody. She'd been a Lord Holder's wife, for Faranth's sake! The needling did what the tea did not and eased her sadness at Aswic's passing. She set the cup aside. Miralani smiled sweetly and took a sip of her tea. "Of course. I trust in my brother to find someone suitable. He's very understanding."

"He seems very much to be." **Unlike his sister,** Thalia thought, then berated herself for being uncharitable. One meeting did not an accurate impression make. **I hope.**

Last updated on the October 6th 2006

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First Impressions