Dinner Amongst Siblings (G'tet/Genet)

[Alsivor]

Aleda awoke just before sunset feeling a little muddle-headed but better than when the group had arrived back from the past. She sat up in bed and stretched, rubbed at her face with both hands and then pushed the covers back padded over to the trunk that held her clothes and peeled out of the shirt that she felt like she'd been wearing for days.

A few minutes later she was wearing one of her favorite flame-hued gowns and spent a little while brushing her hair out. She debated for a moment, then decided to leave it down. After all, what she had in mind for later this evening had nothing to do with work. She smoothed down her skirts and peeked into the tiny glass and smiled. The sleep had done her a lot of good and she pushed open the door, went down the steps. Across the way her mother shot her a long look but Aleda only tipped her chin up and smiled, went over to hug Carolina.

"You look very nice mija, much nicer than for just dinner around the fire. Will you be going to see Jevro?" The older woman's hands smoothed back Aleda's wild curls and the sabedoria could ill-mask the blank look she shot her mother. Jevro?

Carolina only sighed for that look and her lips pursed. "Well. Think on it Aleda, he's a good man." Still the same old saw, Aleda thought to herself though she felt the butterflies of panic in her gut. Something else out of place that she couldn't grasp and this name meant less than nothing to her.

"I have some things I need to conclude with the Weyr-business," Aleda exaggerated the truth a little. "I will be having dinner with riders tonight, Mama, I will be back later." A lot later. But Carolina didn't need to know that.

Off Aleda went, leaving her kiss behind on her mother's cheek. Carolina sighed and wondered if once again Aleda would back out of an arrangement her father had made. It was getting to be a pattern with her middle daughter and one that her father ill-liked. Still, Carolina had a supper to make for her family even if her long lost chick would not be among those eating tonight. A few minutes later though, Silvio hustled through the circle and took the steps into Aleda's wagon two at a time. When he too came out dressed in one of his better shirts, the Caminar mother's brows lifted. Silvio though offered no explanations, he only smiled at her broadly and ducked away through the camp. Avera, he most be going to Avera. At least, so Carolina tried to console herself. Maybe /one/ of her children was going to see the one intended for them tonight.

Aleda moved across the Bowl, stride swinging, light in her eyes and a few minutes after she'd set out she heard footfalls behind her, jogging. Her head turned and she caught sight of Silvio, laughed and reached to take his hand. "Shall we?" His laughter answered hers. "Oh, we shall," as they both headed for the caverns and their date with the twins.

[Invisible]

It had been a long, horrible day and Genet was glad to have it over with. Things still didn’t make much sense, but she knew that G’tet was home and they would be catching up. H’gar could hardly get mad at her if her brother had invited along Silvio now could he? Well, he could, but he wasn’t likely to. Not knowing the pair had not one but two chaperones that evening. Although Genet planned on ditching the other couple at least part of the night to talk to Silvio and see what he had to say about everything. Somewhere in chores and lessons and drills she had realized she didn’t have anything nice to wear and so she’d skipped lunch to run to stores and try to find something.

Surely it was a good sign that she found something almost immediately? At first she had overlooked the dress it being beige in color. She hated those sorts of colors, but after finding nothing else suitable she had been forced to take a second look. A good thing too as it fit her almost perfectly with its high waist and not too revealing square neckline. With the right accessories the color was actually just right. Tonight she would set her confusion aside and just enjoy herself. Anquilith spoke to her clutchsibs and to Kalpeth and there was nothing to worry about at all. Her pendant hung from its chain around her neck and the scarf she’d bought when first meeting Silvio added just enough color.

As she raced across the bowl she patted her hair. It was shorter than she remembered it having been yesterday. Cut off just above her shoulders the loose chestnut curls were barely dry and felt weird in their shortness. Still she thought she rather liked short hair and didn’t worry too much. G’tet would be waiting for her inside. She knew this because Anquilith had told her. What a thrill that was! No more would the twins be separated as their dragons could keep them in contact. The thought brought a smile to her face that only grew as she stepped inside and spied G’tet.

“G’tet” she cried out before launching herself at her brother for a hug. “Oh, shells! I’ve missed you so much!” Swung around in the air by her brother she laughed merrily until her feet touched the ground again. “Never do that again!”

G’tet laughed as well and held his sister at arm’s length to get a good look at her. One day he marveled. One day and she was different. Not noticeable perhaps to many, but to him she was different. He moved his hand to finger one of her short curls. “I liked it long,” he said with a grin before releasing her entirely. “Yea, well, I like it short. So there!” Sticking her tongue out at her brother Genet brushed at imaginary lint on her dress.

Noticing the gesture G’tet shook his head. “Like the boy do you?” he asked as he kept an eye out for their dinner companions. “He’s amazing, G’tet. I like him more than anyone else ever but you and Anquilith.” Her words did little to settle her brother’s discomfort although he was willing to give Silvio the benefit of the doubt being Aleda’s brother. He certainly didn’t want to upset the Caminar woman. He had plans for her.

[Alsivor]

Aleda and Silvio walked across the remaining distance to the caverns arm-in-arm. The sabedoria leaned into her brother a little to ask him the question that had been niggling since she spoke to her mother. "Silvio ... who is Jevro?" The young man blinked down at his sister, opened his mouth, shut it again. She'd told him they'd made changes but it hadn't really registered what that could really mean.

"You don't remember him?" Silvio's forehead crinkled up trying to make sense of this. "Papa arranged it of course, but he's come closest of anyone to getting anywhere with you," Aleda's younger brother explained. "I -- thought you quite liked him actually," he said slowly and Aleda's breath caught in her throat. She did? She had no memory of this man and the name still held no meaning for her. "I like G'tet," she finally told Silvio boldly, eyes sliding sideways towards him. Silvio frowned a little and returned that look. "I thought he liked /boys/, Aleda." For that she could only smile at him wickedly and she leaned in closer. "He likes /both/," she whispered in his ear and Silvio's frown deepened. "I -- I see." He bit at his lower lip and moved on, ushering Aleda into the cavern where it didn't take but a second or two to spot the twins.

Silvio's smile lit up with a bright smile as he caught sight of Genet. Aleda's own smile was a near match for G'tet and they waved nearly in tandem. "Ready for dinner?" Aleda said winningly as she regarded Genet with appraisal and Silvio did much the same for her brother.

[Invisible]

Genet might be a bundle of nerves, but G’tet had not a care in the world. He rode high on the knowledge that he had changed history. It didn’t matter they were still learning exactly what that meant. It was an amazing fact. Couple that with being home and having dinner with a lovely woman who he was pretty sure would be coming back to his weyr after dinner and the greenrider saw no reason to worry overly much. Life was looking up for G’tet and he wasn’t going to let his worries get him down tonight. Him and his sister were of the same mind on that which was not that unusual for the twins.

“Be nice to him, ok?” Genet whispered to her brother when she caught sight of Silvio and Aleda. Nudging his sister in the side G’tet whispered just before the other two arrived, “I’ll be as nice to him as he lets me. Nice work there, Genet.” Which would explain why when the Caminar reached them Genet was blushing and laughing at the same time. “Hi!” she exclaimed brightly after nudging G’tet back. “I saw him first, G’tet,” she says with a wink to her brother. Partly because it’s what she would say and partly to see what Silvio would do. If he had trouble with her brother then he could just go marry his stupid little girl and forget her!

G’tet just rolled his eyes and held his hand out for Aleda with the intent of kissing hers once he had it. “A pleasure to see you again,” he told her before looking at her brother. “And you must be Silvio,” he said with a grin. “A pleasure to meet you as well. I should have known any brother of Aleda’s would be as handsome as she is beautiful. But I’ve been warned away from you so your virtue is safe with me.” Unlike his sister’s judging by the quick look G’tet sent Aleda.

“I am so pleased to finally meet you!” Genet tells Aleda with a warm smile. “Silvio’s talked about you so much I feel like we’ve met already. I should thank you because if you hadn’t gone off with my brother I’d never have met yours.” Looping her arm in her fellow greenrider's she asks, “Did you want to find a place here? Or eat outside? Or…it’s entirely up to you.” In case they did not feel comfortable with the stares they were likely to get from the riders and residents.

[Alsivor]

Aleda gave Silvio's arm a little squeeze as they joined their dinner companions and she let her brother go to take G'tet's hand, smile as warm as ever. "Seems like it was only yesterday," she joked, eyes alight with teasing. "And yes, this is my brother, Silvio," the sabedoria affirmed.

Silvio whose gaze slipped over to Genet, mouth curled in a smile to match his own sister's, actually flushed a little at G'tet's compliment and cleared his throat and gamely replied: "I'm ah -- sure it is. Though I'm not really all that worried about /my/ virtue."

The kiss to Aleda's hand drew out another winning smile from the Caminar woman then she was turning her regard back to Genet. "As am I, having heard much the same from your brother." Her laughter rang out though at the remark about their departure. "Silvio has caught me up a little on what has happened while we have been away. I must say that it is a little -- disorienting, leaving with things one way and returning with them another."

Silvio held his hand out once Aleda had reclaimed hers to shake G'tet's. "As Aleda has heard about Genet, so have I about you, sir. It's good to meet you at last and know that you're both safe and sound." His eyes returned to Genet and then slid towards the caverns. "It might uh -- be best to pack a little something and either step outside the Weyr or find someplace quiet to sit," he proposed. "Given some of the things that have happened while you were both away."

[Invisible]

Ever the gentleman G’tet offered up, “If you wish to dine in private we can always retire to my weyr. I’ve gotten it cleaned up from someone’s usage.” He shot a pointed look at Genet before turning a grin on Aleda and Silvio. “Although I am game to eating outside as well. Why don’t we grab a few bites and then decide if we can’t now?” When G’tet mentioned his weyr Genet cast a glance at Silvio to see what his reaction would be. Did he remember their nights in the weyr? She was beginning to wonder if they had even happened as there was something different in the way he looked at her.

She resolved to get him alone in plenty of time to talk. Answers must be had so she would know how to move forward. In the meantime she was careful not to look at him too much to avoid trouble. When Silvio mentioned the troubles from before she couldn’t help an excited little bounce. “It was fun!” she declares and then clears her throat. “In a bad way. I mean, it wasn’t good it happened, but it was exciting when it did. There were two fights. One I was not involved in though I was there. The second one, well, let’s just say some of your wingmates learned not to mess with me, G’tet.” Maybe she shouldn’t be so thrilled with that, but if she were not she’d not be Genet.

G’tet led the way to the food tables keeping an eye out for any potential trouble. The last thing he wanted was a brawl tonight. “So, Silvio,” he said as they waited in line. “I hear you’re to be married next turn. Interesting.” He was ever so casual in the saying. Like he didn’t even care. He furthered this with a cheerful, “Oh, look. Spice cake. Our favorite.” His and Genet’s clearly. But certainly he was not making any jabs at Silvio and reminding him that her brother is right here now and ready to handle him if he hurts Genet.

Pardon me, Kalpeth? Genet has asked me to pass on to G'tet that she expects him to behave. What is he doing? The weyrling dragon's curiosity was ill concealed as she spoke to the older green. Kalpeth passed on the message before answering the younger green. G'tet says he is behaving. They are siblings, Anquilith. This means they are always hassling one another. That is what I have learned. There was smugness in the green's tone. Kalpeth liked showing off what she knew. Anquilith was young enough still to be awed by such knowledge of those who knew her rider.

[Alsivor]

"That might not be a bad idea," Aleda said with a look over at the other two, "it's been quite the day after all," she continued as they slipped into line for food. Already there were murmurs building here and there about the two Caminar in line, Aleda's flame-hued gown being far from subtle.

Silvio returned Genet's look at the mention of G'tet's weyr with a slight lift of brows and a hint of puzzlement that might say 'what was that look for?'. Clearly, he either didn't remember or was confused about what she was 'asking'. "I'm glad someone had fun," the young Caminar man put in, "I'd rather solve things in other ways than with my fists." He cleared his throat and nodded. "They had the wrong idea, sir," Silvio claimed, perhaps confirming Genet's suspicions about lack of nighttime activity in her brother's weyr while G'tet was away.

Aleda shot Silvio an amused glance as G'tet put that question to him and she reached over to poke the greenrider lightly with one finger. "Tsk. Grilling him already?" she teased him then reached to pick up a plate. Silvio only looked up steadily at the greenrider. "My father has arranged a betrothal," he confirmed. "But my heart lies elsewhere," and his gaze slid to Genet briefly. No color in his cheeks this time and he didn't shirk from stating the truth on any of it.

[Invisible]

The return look from Silvio confirmed what Genet had suspected. For some reason he did not remember what they had done. She remembered it although it sometimes seemed more of a dream than the months spent with Anquilith. It was hard to figure out which set of memories was correct. What she had known or what she knew now. Her head still spun over it all. Although it was not as if she had not suspected. The looks given to her by Silvio had none of the heat she had come to expect. What a shame. The disappointment disappeared however when spice cake was mentioned and she brightened up considerably. “Ohh. Yes! Spice cake is the best. I’m going to get extra.”

“I don’t think problems should be solved with fists, but it’s nice to know if they need to be that I can do it,” Genet said with a nod of her head. Besides she’d won that fight. That made it a good thing. “They did not have the wrong idea,” she teased Silvio while ignoring the look G’tet gave her. “We were going out for a walk together.” So innocent sounding and she supposed that the way things were now it had been innocent. Which was such a shame.

Aleda’s comment just earned her a laugh from G’tet. “Come on now, Aleda. Eventually it has to be said. She’s my sister and he’s a man she cares for.” He grins at Silvio as well. “Has to be said, man. Feel free to bristle and glare when I kiss your sister later.” Which was the politest thing he planned on doing later but he wouldn’t say that. “You know the drill,” he said to Silvio. “Hurt her I kick your ass. Can’t run from me and Kal.” Then he reached out and ruffled Genet’s hair with a laugh. “Done being brotherly now. And I still prefer it long.”

[Alsivor]

Silvio wasn't sure what some of those looks from Genet meant but he got the distinct feeling that he was missing something and maybe it was something good. He filed away the idea that spice cake was a favorite though for future use. He blinked at her response about the brawl and cast a look over towards G'tet, uneasily trying to figure out if he was supposed to continue denying anything about his intentions for the greenrider's sister. What the man said about /his/ sister put that to rest.

"What my sister does is her own business," Silvio said with a little clearing of his throat as he put a roll on his plate. "Though my father doesn't share that opinion," he continued and snuck another glance towards Genet. Dinner was going to be long. "And going for another walk this evening," he put his oar in firmly then looked over at Aleda as she burst out laughing and bumper her shoulder playfully against Silvio's. "Oh he won't run, and neither will I." She caught up some pies then tilted her head towards the exit. "Let's go?"

[Invisible]

Well, at least things were a little settled. The air was cleared as to intentions which meant any further complications in their evening would be of another variety. Genet piled her plate with spice cake and little else so G’tet got everything else planning to swap with her. Someone had to look out for her. “Fathers,” he said as he grabbed cups and then a carafe of wine juggling it all with ease. “They are a law unto themselves and not one we listen to anymore.”

Genet laughed in agreement and nodded her head. “That’s right. Our father can’t tell us what to do anymore. No matter how much it annoys him.” This was given some thought and then she added, “Which I like. Serves him right at least two of his kids had minds of their own.” There was no offer to help carry anything G’tet carried. Instead she reached out with her toe and nudged Silvio. “Come on. Give him a hand. He just go back from a long trip already.” A wink at the Caminar man and then Genet stepped up to walk next to Aleda.

“So, I will trade you embarrassing stories. One for one Silvio and G’tet.” She grinned wickedly as they made their way outside. “I’ll even start if you want.” Much more quietly, barely heard over G’tet’s protestations about this offer she said, “Umm. I need to talk to you alone sometime, ok? Not tonight.”

[Alsivor]

"I guess that's kind of true," Silvio said slowly, shooting Aleda a sidelong look. She just smiled at him and nudged his elbow as Genet nudged his foot. "Oh, of course," the Caminar replied and held his free hand out. "Want me to get one of those G'tet?"

Aleda reached for Genet's arm chummily and leaned into the weyrling a little to murmur: "As many as you like, though that depends entirely on what you think of as embarrassing." The next quiet remark earned Genet a close look from the sabedoria but she nodded and made to squeeze the other woman's arm lightly. "Of course. My wagon is easily found or I am sure we can arrange something."

And off they went.

[Invisible]

“Appreciate it,” G’tet told Silvio with a grin as he handed off the cups. “We’ll just go get settled. Mustn’t make the ladies have to work too hard.” He was having trouble figuring out what was going on with this man and his sister. She acted like they were closer than they could be what with weyrlinghood restrictions and he seemed clueless. It clearly had something to do with the changes that had been made and he doubted he’d ever learn the whole truth. “So, Silvio what is it that you do?” he asked while keeping a wary eye on Genet and Aleda. Who knows what she would say?

What she did say was a quiet, “Thank you.” Genet would just have to skip a meal to see Aleda alone, but that would be ok. It was important after all. In the meantime as they exited the living cavern she said, “Well, anything he wouldn’t want me to know, of course. Like, there was the time G’tet was ten only we all called him Gar then and one winter he fell into the pond. The ice wasn’t thick enough, you know? And he’d just gone teasing one of the other boys that he would break the ice being too big and what do you know? Three steps out he’s up to his knees in ice cold water.” Genet was clearly starting with the little stuff. No sense dishing the good stuff right away.

In the bowl she looked around and frowned. “I don’t think I should go too far in case Anquilith needs me.” It was a new consideration and while the dark green assured her rider she was ok Genet wasn’t going to take any chances. “How about over there?” Over there was across the lake and away from any entrances to the Weyr people might want to use.

[Alsivor]

"Sure," Silvio replied and juggled the cups and his plate, tagging along with the Genet's brother. He knew they were the same age, but it really felt like G'tet was the 'elder' of the two. He was also still a little perplexed about all those looks Genet had been sending his way. Fleetingly he thought of last night's dream and sighed inwardly. Maybe some day. The question from the rider caused a momentary pause as he parsed it out. "Oh, other than trading as all Caminar do - I am training with my uncle as a jeweler," he answered, feeling strange flashbacks to the series of dinners he'd had with Avera, her parents and siblings, though the questions had been different.

Aleda nodded for Genet's thanks and walked along at a slightly strained pace being quite a bit shorter than G'tet's twin. "Ahhh - well. He would not want me to tell you about when his cousin stole his glothes at the watering hole and he had to run after the caravan naked when they had gone swimming, I suppose." False innocence twinkled from beneath Aleda's lashes as she dropped a little look over her shoulder at her brother. The sabedoria did not understand what Genet meant about Anquilith and she had not been present at the hatching so she had no idea that this was a change in things. "That's a nice spot," she agreed though and went with the other young woman, leaving the boys to trail after.

[Invisible]

“Ah,” G’tet said as if the light bulb were going off over his head. “Jewelry. Genet’s love for shiny things strikes again.” Says the man with the emerald hanging from his ear. “Now I see what the attraction was. Other than the obvious of course.” When Genet suggested a place for them to go he changed course. “Sounds good. But surely Anquilith is not still bugging you, Genet? She’s old enough now for you to get some free time.” A sidelong glance at Silvio had him adding, “But not that free yet. Don’t do something stupid.”

Walking with Aleda the weyrling blushed into the growing darkness. They hadn’t done anything at least not- Well, she was just so confused about it. Shaking her head she focused on what Aleda was saying. Stories about a naked Silvio were much more entertaining. Her head twisted back to look at Silvio as she laughed. “Oh, that’s priceless. Poor Silvio. G’tet never ran naked anywhere that I know of anyway. But he was always sneaking off with one of the herders right before he was searched. And I hear they were always losing beasts. I cannot imagine it was because they were having intelligent conversation.”

It had been totally unfair since Genet had not got to run off with any boys at that age. Hmph. And still wasn’t getting to thanks to weyrlinghood. Lowering her voice again she came to a stop at the designated spot and said before the men caught up, “I know he’s leaving soon. And I’m not some stupid holder girl who will cause problems. Even if him marrying that stupid Avera is a dumb idea since he doesn’t even know her.” All seriousness was gone by the time G’tet and Silvio had stopped. “G’tet! You have to meet Anquilith tomorrow ok? You can too, Aleda! She’s the most wonderful dragon ever. The best green on all of Pern!”

[Alsivor]

"No, sir, actually, we met when we went to see the Weyrleader," Silvio explained and the corner of his mouth quirked up. "She did come to buy that scarf at my father's stall though," a little nod towards what Genet was wearing. "But I am only on polishing and cutting stone still, I don't make my own pieces yet." His mouth opened and shut at the further commentary from G'tet. "No, sir," was all he said in answer. He very much /wanted/ to do something very very stupid, but he knew better. Anquilith's reaction to the brawl had been bad enough.

Aleda missed the blush, though not the other woman's manner and she just grinned all the wider. "Oh yes, they teased him so about that one, poor boy running along covering himself with just one hand. But he did catch the wagons and the next time they went swimming, there was turn around for fair play," the sabedoria said wickedly. She didn't remark on herders or G'tet's preferences, just smiled and winked over at the weyrling.

Aleda looked around their chosen spot then back towards Genet, sympathy on her face. "You really care for him, don't you? Well. Try not to worry about it all, it's possible things could change." Her mouth pulled to the side wryly, after all, they already had and very mcuh so. "Try not to speak ill of Avera though, she's not a bad girl, and really just a girl. Very young." It concerned Aleda a little, her prosepective sister-in-law's youth. It was more often the very young ones who had trouble with their first babies. Then Genet was enthusiastically moving on to the subject of Anquility, so Aleda dropped gracefully to the ground and arranged her skirts, then held her hands up for her plate. "And I would be as happy to meet her as I was to meet Kalpeth who enjoys being met so many times." Here her dark-eyed gaze lifted to G'tet, her tone fondly teasing.