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For Iriyana's luck, Ergon was finishing up a short shift at the shop that day. Most of his shifts had been short lately. He had actually taken a short time off to sort through the most recent upturn in his life. As it was, work would have been the perfect escape if it wasn't at the same place his father was. He was tempted to find other work even, but he wasn't sure he could handle even more changes. Just shortening the shifts for now would be enough. It made avoiding the problem easier.

Tacking the folders for that day, he started to sort them into their proper files. Even this brought him a little comfort to his mind. It was a little bit of normal in the hectic life going on around him. He was looking forward to a different sort of comfort though. He wasn't sure when it would be exactly, but Iriyana was due to return to town soon. If there was anyone he could gain peace of mind from, it would be her. He just had to be a little more patient.

Putting away the last file, Ergon groaned and rubbed at his face. What would he do now? The nurse was currently home with mother, so maybe he would time time for a bite to eat? Or he could go let off some more steam at the training yard.

Once that familiar voice called out, any solo options immediately flew from his mind. It was truly as though a weight had fallen off of his back. With a great sigh of relief and excitement, he spun to head out to the lobby.

Gods, that girl got more beautiful every time he saw her...

"You're back," he voiced happily, slipping around the counter to grab her up into a hug. Speaking of; his gaze slipped down to see the little hairless beast that usually accompanied his girlfriend and smirked. He didn't even mind seeing that persnickety thing today. "How was your trip? I'm just getting off if you'd like to have something to eat, or maybe just sit for a while?"

Ergon managed an amused snort when Riya rolled her eyes. Grandchildren were a rather infamous topic with that side of the family by now. "Well, they can't have it both ways," he teased. "We'll let your father feel young for a little bit longer."

"Of course I missed you," he murmured, brushing a hand gently along her cheek while resisting the twitch that his eye had recently acquired. "Riya.. I don't even know where to begin," he sighed, bringing his hand back to rake it through his hair. So much had been happening, and he was afraid to speak a word of it. He couldn't keep it a secret though... and it would be better for her to hear it from him rather than one of the chattering hens in town. His eyes dropped at the touch to his leg. That.. was actually a comfort.

The door to the shop opened and he sighed with relief. "Hersh. Perfect timing," he said, digging into his pocket to toss his coworker the key to the back room. A minute of business, and Ergon was guiding Riya and the feline back outside. "The gazebo should be empty this time of day. How does that sound?"

The change in Riya's mood was palpable, and did nothing to help Ergon's own anxiety in the matter. Her quiet concern that she had voiced had gone right over his head, distracted by his coworker's arrival. Outside, he frowned and took her hand to stop the picking of her nails. At the least, her change had him momentarily distracted from his own problems. "Riya? You don't need to be so concerned. I mean, it's a problem, but everything is fine. I mean, it's not fine, but.." he groaned and rubbed his free hand along his cheek, uncomfortable with his discomfort in front of his girlfriend. "Come on. Let's go sit first."

The gazebo wasn't far. It was an open sided shelter with heavy curtains to block the wind and hold in the heat of the large fire in the center. Benches surrounded the fireplace with thick, weather-resistant cushions for comfort. It was a relief to see his thought had been right and the place was silent save for the crackling of the fire. He had been dreading this moment, and how his girlfriend might react. What if she thought..?

Now sheltered from the wind and the general view of anyone passing by, he turned to take Riya's hands firmly. "Riya, you know I am not my father, right?" he asked, lips briefly pressing in a tight line. "Whatever he does, it doesn't mean I will be the same. Tell me you understand.." He could only imagine how crazy he must sound...

Ergon blinked at the unexpected turn Riya's mind had taken. "What? No, no, it's nothing about you. They're happy for us." While Riya wasn't exactly the demure lady Ergon's parents had hoped for, they couldn't help falling for her spirited nature as Ergon had. He wouldn't let her go even if they did suddenly disapprove! The idea did make him worry though; if Riya's parents found out about his father, would they change their minds about him as well? That wouldn't matter if the reveal now was followed by any rejection...

Taking a step back, he braced himself and watched her reaction warily. "It.. turns out.. I have a half-sister." At least now he could say it without spitting the words. Still, his cheeks flushed and jaw tensed with frustration. "It happened on one of father's business trips.. after my brother died. She showed up recently out of nowhere to ask father for help for some northern village she was living in... He admitted everything."

Seeing only relief at the news, Ergon couldn't help being surprised before his face blanched sharply. She had thought-?! His mouth gawked open, but no words came out. His father had been the cheater, and she had been worried that it was him this whole time? Thankfully, the hug allowed him to let out the pent-up breath he'd had. He returned the hug tightly, shaking his head silently before finding his voice again. "Forgive me for worrying you so." He couldn't imagine letting her go for anyone else. "I already see those watching me for any sign of following in his footsteps down that path. If you'd had the same reaction.." he huffed out another breath and gave Riya another squeeze. Life would certainly have gotten much harder than it already was if she had walked away.

With that weight lifted from his chest, he was able to handle the moment more calmly again, though winced at the mention of his mother. That was a whole other side of the situation... He nodded slightly and guided Riya to sit on one of the cushions. "Yeah. Right there at the front door, no word ahead or anything. ..At this moment, she is hopefully heading back to wherever she came from," he scowled. Well, so much for calmer.

He rubbed at his face with one hand while the other reached out to quietly take Riya's for support. "I'm.. better," he replied, giving her fingers an affectionate squeeze. It was always better when she was around. Of course, he also had to make sure he didn't end up looking like a complete sap. "Father is currently staying at one of the inns. I never asked him which one, and, frankly, I don't care. Mother is my main concern. She's been hurt enough, and now this." He leaned back on the bench resisting the unusual urge to slouch. It was tempting with such a defeated mindset.

It did sting that such thoughts had gone through Riya's mind, but he couldn't blame her when his own mind was such a confused mess. After all, to think that she would be like everyone else... now that was stupid! The arrows comment caught him by surprise, and he actually managed a laugh. "You're not wrong," he assured lightly.

Mean? He opened his mouth to object, paused, and scratched at his cheek. "If I was mean.. it wasn't really my intention. I know I was angry that night, and when we met again my mother was there." Now, any interactions with his father had definitely been all of the sour. RIya was right though, and he knew it. It wasn't the girl's fault. ..Still, mentioning making her an aunt to hang around with made him wince. He wasn't ready to think like that yet! "She lives somewhere further north. I doubt she'll ever return again unless it's for more help with something," he murmured.