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Today, Viltre decided, was going to be an interesting day. A rare sort of day when Niiemh and Sorin came back from Jauhar. From what few Friends he had out that way, it sounded to him that his little sister was doing well since her debut. Their stepmother went on about how she was being a good example, touting her career at supper, but a big brother had to be certain. Besides, it gave him an excuse to run notee to his little brother. The way Sorin had grown up, he trusted the young man to behave honorably. Merle, meanwhile, he trusted to be the spiteful twist she'd always been.

The reed pen ceased to scritch. It was wiped free of remaining ink, blotted down on an old rag, and laid aside. A few moments more to let Viltre's neat, spidery letters dry. Time well spent taking in what thin rays of afternoon light crept in through scriptorum slats, brushing the dusty old room golden. ...But all moments pass.The heavy binding to the ledger snapped shut over the pages, latching all securely under thick leather. It came up in slim hands, and found its way to the shelf with the others, often mislabeled according to his personal filing system. The tall scribe finally got up, turning to the door. He had to freshen up, head to the kitchens and have a short wash! His siblings had come home, and there was such news to share!

While the patriarch of the Kavensei had been affluent (and arrogant) enough to install private bathing areas in his family home, Viltre seldom used them. Instead, he preferred the public baths, down in the lower layers of city. So much more lively, more juicy gossip to hear. And gossip, once sifted, strained a bit, could yield profitable information. So it was today. The secondboy returned to his home, hair still damp and his cheeky grin lighting up his face.

A quick query of the gateman told him that his siblings had returned. A smile and pat on the shoulder, and the scribe was past, heading for his sister's rooms. Quiet rapping on her doorframe, a familiar pattern. "Hullo, the room! You decent in there?"

The taller leafling entered when bid, shutting the door behind him. He wasted little time, only pausing 'til she held nothing in her hands. Then he struck! Wrapping his younger sister up in his arms and squeezing! "Ooooh, I've missed you, lil' sis! It's been quieter without you, an' that won't do. Aelyn an' Fajra can't do all the noise around here. It just ain't the same."

The squeeze relaxed, whipcord arms loosening as one redhead craned over the other's shoulder. "Ceramic raduku? Odd choice, but who'm I to judge your souvenirs? ...Wait a sec, I'm me. Part of my job probably." Niiemh's brother backed off, looking her up and down. "Well whatever you brought back, Jauhar seems to agree with you. How's it been, out in wet country?"

"I guess you aren't, but it feels like there's less anarchy without you. It's too peaceful, I don't like it. Makes me nervous." He found a nice leaning spot, propping his shoulder up against the wall. Viltre often found this easier than taking the only chair in a room. "Hey, I ain't sayin' nothin'. Unless it starts eating your other knickknacks when you're out. Then I might say somethin'.

I should probably get you up to speed before you meet with Mother. While you were off, some things went down over here, and a lot to do with Terrwyn. Remember that one suitor she had, the Gani trader, Carlos? Er. Wait, no. F-something. Finny? Finder?" I've gotta write his name down or something. At this point, it's just getting ridiculous. His fingers snapped as the name came back to him. "...Finley, that's the one! Some stuff happened and she's not with him anymore."

His hands unfolded, raising and presenting his palms to Niiemh. This was her little sister too, of course she'd be worried. "She's fine, healthy and fine, it's all been worked out. She had three sons about a week ago, so you're an auntie now." And now the tricky bit to the tale. Especially without those four here to better explain it.

He let his tongue slip out a little, to sell some nervousness, and let his eyes roam around the room. "She also has moved out. To be with their father an' get away from this pernicious marriage Mother arranged. Because he was a long step up from Finley." A smile flashed across his face at the last part, Viltre's greens fixing back to his sister's. "Ask Kise for a more thorough account of her beau, but I liked what I saw of the guy."

The grin widened, Viltre's eyes suddenly twinkling with the shift. "Yup. Three. Healthy boys, gonna grow up big if their dad's any indication. Man was ridin' one of those huge water lizards like it was no big thing." Had to be careful not to mention exactly where they'd gone. Not in the house. Niiemh could keep a secret, but she wasn't the problem. Merle might not have as much pull with the guards and servants as she assumed. Without care, she had enough.

His good cheer faded, cooled. The corner quirked and brows furrowed in thought. "Mmn. There's the trouble. I can't tell ya that right now. Mother's angry enough to try having the guy brought to the chief on adultery and assault charges. Probably try and have the kids sent off as orphans. Not bein' full leaf, y'understand."Never mind what sort of man she set our sis up with. "Our chief's a decent sort, sure, but he's still got that traditionalist stick up his butt. And she knows how to play his strings." The hands spread helplessly to the sides, and dropped. "There wasn't much else I could do but get them away."

Mercurial though his moods could be, the glum was here to stay. Though another twinkle broke through as she tried imagining a snaptrotter being ridden. Probably like a janarim. Viltre enjoyed watching people's faces change. Stick to the truth here. A comforting tale wouldn't last, and the fallout might disrupt things. Don't want her doing something reckless yet. "I... We had a talk before she was due. Before she came back to deliver. I had to convince her to leave. She wasn't going to be happy with us. Not stuck in that marriage, not under Merle's eye.

I don't know if it's turned out alright. Had to gamble our sister's future. Won't know until someone sends word. ...But staying where she was would never have come out a good bet. Someone would be dead before a year came." Someone might still be dead if he pushes his cursed luck. Viltre's breath had gone shaky, his lips tighter as he spoke. He seemed to notice when he stopped, calming the facade by smoothing his hair back. "I'm still worried", he admitted. "But not as worried as I was after that talk."

Here he had to be careful. The truth would serve, spun just a little. Lying about what happened would only hand Merle metaphorical ammunition. He nodded, face drifting to one side after the first sentence. Niiemh's brother also let his voice grow softer, the set of his shoulders draw tenser. "She knows. With Finley in the picture, there was no way to keep it from her for long. So I kind of. Confonted her. And asked her not to go after Terr. Or else I'd bring a whole lot of documents to the chief which detail some of the shadier deals she's cut."

The tip of his tongue peeked out to moisten dry lips. "So. Yeah. Blackmailing Mother. And mostly trying to keep the fallout from getting overwhelming." Arms folded under his elbows, looking back to the door. No one listening just now. Likely heard all he thought he'd need. Viltre looked back to his eldest sister, smiling thin across his face. "If y'need a minute to process, take your time. I'm still kinda reeling myself."