In Which Viridis Is Wrongly Indulged

March 18, 1172

Riona had a nasty habit of running to her siblings and claiming that someone of interest had arrived, only to have herself a good laugh when they hurried off just to find that there was no one there. For the most part, they were wise to her now--but in this instance, Viridis could not have risked missing the guest in question, and to her great relief, Riona had been telling the truth. "Searle!"

"Viridis!" A rare smile on his face, he spread his arms; giddy, she launched herself into the embrace, her feet inches off the ground as he caught her. "My God! You're even more beautiful than you were when I saw you at the wedding!"

Lowering herself to the ground, Viridis giggled. "You're just saying that."

"Only because it's true, you little scamp." He tucked a loose curl behind her ear and kissed her on the cheek. "How have you been?"

"Well enough--a little woozy, perhaps, but otherwise fine." In truth, she was about four days out of a fever that had seen her confined to bed for a week, but what harm could a little white lie do? "Yourself--?"

She was interrupted by a loud throat-clearing sound behind her. Startled, she looked back to see her father, just standing there as if he'd appeared out of nowhere--or had she simply failed to notice him? "Father."

"Viridis." It was hard to fathom his expression. If she had to guess, she would have said he looked like he was trying to stay calm, but that didn't make any sense; what reason did he have to be anything but calm?

But she supposed there was no sense dwelling on it. She took a step back, looked her cousin in the eye, and grinned. "So, how long are you in Naroni?"

"Not long." Grimacing, he smoothed over a fold in his vest. "I'm just here on a favor for a friend; I'll probably be leaving in a few days."

Viridis glanced back at her father, whose mouth was curling into an odd sort of frown. Didn't he like Searle? She'd always thought he did... "What sort of favor?"

"It's... a bit of a secret, actually." Sheepish, Searle's eyes turned toward the ceiling as he took to gnawing at his lip. "Forgive me, I probably shouldn't have mentioned it. Anyway, do you mind if I spend the night? If you do, I suppose I could always ask Searle and Valira."

"Oh, it's fine," Viridis answered on her father's behalf, if only so he couldn't refuse. "You'll just have to--"

"--note that the selection of guest chambers here is not what it used to be." Her father stepped forward, grabbing hold of Viridis's arm and gently pushing her back. "I have, after all, gained four stepchildren since your last stay here, and they seem to have taken the best of them."

Searle sniffed. "Uncle, I assure you, I'd be happy with the rug in your study."

"I don't have a rug in my study; nevertheless, I see your point." Viridis's father sent a quick look her way, then turned back to his nephew. "I'll have one of the servants take your effects to the most comfortable of the remaining rooms--or perhaps I'll have Riona do it. Lord knows I hate punishing my children, but that girl never leaves me a choice."

Chuckling to himself, her cousin winked at her before replying to her father. "Maybe she's just going through a rebellious stage--trying to prove that she's not your little baby anymore."

"Speaking of babies," Viridis piped up, a idea springing forth in her head, "would you like to meet my niece? Raia's house is only a short walk away." The fresh air would be good for her, she figured. Also, it would be nice to have a chance for a one-on-one conversation with Searle; Lord only knew it had been far too long since the last one.

Her father stood rigid for a moment, as if she'd told him she'd just seen a pack of elephants flying northward, but his stunned look soon melted into an indulgent smile. "A little late in the day for a visit, don't you think? We can go tomorrow--all of us."

All of them. That figured; she should have known her father would never pass up a chance to see his granddaughter. Perhaps she'd get lucky and have a moment with Searle after supper. "Oh... all right."

"Sorry to disappoint you, angel--although if you just want to play with a baby, let me remind you that we have one here too." He reached toward her face and tapped her upon the nose, like he used to when she'd been small; the warmth of her mortified flush made her almost miss the fever. "Speaking of which, Searle... you haven't met my youngest yet. He should be awake now, probably screaming about as if he owns the place--although in all fairness, he practically does." A wistful twinkle in his eye, he crossed his arms and sighed. "They grow up far too fast."

Nodding, Searle locked eyes with Viridis and tilted his head to the side. "Indeed."

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