"She did. It's a fascinating display. Pretty, too." Istradez should have a look.
"There are marvelous gardens she created with song. I wonder how they'd fair in different water..." He squeezes his hand. "I've adopted her." Not yet legally, but he just has to draw up the paper. It's not like anyone is going to dispute his claim in court.
He considers poking Istra with an elbow, but thinks better of starting that. "We've talked. She's not a child, or barred from other company." Mikodez likes children, and because he likes them he would never have one. His job is far too busy. He always regretted meeting with Niath. There's Nija - but he hasn't told Istra about her.
"Ulla understands." She understands certain things, which is as much as you can expect from anyone. "I intend to be there in the ways that I can. She's getting married, soon. It's nice to bring in a family name."
"She does, and I wouldn't want that to be inaccurate."
He rests his head on Istra's shoulder.
"Because I care about her, and here that's unlikely to get her killed by an assassin. The breach relationship complicated things, and this unravels that."
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timeasmymeasure
Re: a couple days before the breach
Date: 2025-07-24 10:16 pm (UTC)"There are marvelous gardens she created with song. I wonder how they'd fair in different water..." He squeezes his hand. "I've adopted her." Not yet legally, but he just has to draw up the paper. It's not like anyone is going to dispute his claim in court.
Re: a couple days before the breach
Date: 2025-07-24 10:24 pm (UTC)"Adopted her," Istra repeats and his heart clenches tightly in his chest for a reason he can't name.
"That seems - extreme."
For most people, but not Mikodez.
Re: a couple days before the breach
Date: 2025-07-24 10:45 pm (UTC)"When am I not extreme? It can help to give names to these things."
Re: a couple days before the breach
Date: 2025-07-24 11:33 pm (UTC)"What do you intend to do with her? Or is this another instance where I make all the apologies for your absence?" he grumbles.
Re: a couple days before the breach
Date: 2025-07-24 11:45 pm (UTC)"Ulla understands." She understands certain things, which is as much as you can expect from anyone. "I intend to be there in the ways that I can. She's getting married, soon. It's nice to bring in a family name."
Re: a couple days before the breach
Date: 2025-07-24 11:48 pm (UTC)He knows what it means to understand. He knows what it means when Miki says someone understands.
"I know about the wedding. She calls me uncle already anyway."
He leans back, staring up at the ceiling. "Why do you want this?"
Maybe he's protective of her. Maybe he's protective of himself. That would require examination.
Re: a couple days before the breach
Date: 2025-07-24 11:57 pm (UTC)He rests his head on Istra's shoulder.
"Because I care about her, and here that's unlikely to get her killed by an assassin. The breach relationship complicated things, and this unravels that."
Re: a couple days before the breach
Date: 2025-07-24 11:59 pm (UTC)He slides his arm around him, holding him against his side. "I suppose I can't stop you," he says which is as close to an approval as he can get.
Re: a couple days before the breach
Date: 2025-07-25 12:02 am (UTC)Re: a couple days before the breach
Date: 2025-07-25 12:03 am (UTC)Re: a couple days before the breach
Date: 2025-07-25 12:05 am (UTC)