Helping For Your Own Good|Neo'anar, New Anarlina

[Kender Bard]

Sunray shivered harder and tugged his heavy winter cloak about him more firmly. He'd written ahead, of course, so his arrival would not be too great of a surprise. I hope this goes well, Sunray thought. He had Zack's letter with him, in his pocket, in case he needed it when speaking to Zira.

It would be absolutely no problem at all for Sunray to lend a hand. The scorned nobleman had little to do with his time. He kept up his mysticism and he advised Twilight and Dusk (in private, of course) but Twilight was a much more confident and capable leader than Sunray had been. His presence was by no means a necessity as it had been when their roles were reversed. It'll be good to have some real work again. He presented himself at the door and hoped for the best.

[Darastrix]

Sunray was bustled into the house by Laurel, the Wintersongs' motherly housekeeper, who took him into a sitting room where a fire was crackling merrily in the fireplace. "You just sit and warm yourself, m'lord," she told him, "and I'll make sure you get something hot to drink while you wait." Without waiting for a reply, Laurel was off to pass the order for tea on to Dillon and then to fetch his lordship.

The tea was quick in coming; that time of the year, between Zira's love of tea and Zack's desire to stay warm, there was almost always something hot on hand, even though Zack was still away. Zira arrived not long after.

"Sunray," he greeted, walking into the room. "It's good to see you." Though his robes were neat and unrumpled, there was an air of weariness about the man, and a hasty application of pale powder hadn't done much to conceal the dark circles under his eyes.

[Kender Bard]

"Zira, it's always a pleasure to see you too," Sunray replied after taking a drink of his tea. He set the cup down carefully. "How are you faring, my friend? I heard you recently lost your father. You have my condolences." He remembered what a wretched mess he'd become after his own father had died.

[Darastrix]

Zira closed his eyes for a moment; being stoic in the face of sympathy was never his strong suit. “I’m managing,” he murmured. “He and I were never very close.” And he regretted it. They both had.

“He…he visited Shyamal that night,” he found himself saying. “It was Spirit Night. He didn’t disown me because he didn’t approve. He knew I’d be happier here. He just wanted to make sure I chose what I really wanted. I never knew….”

[Kender Bard]

Sunray winced at that; what a mixed blessing to know such a thing. Rising from his seat, he gave Zira a hug. "He's watching over you beyond the veil now, rest assured. So, with your father passed that leaves your mother and younger brother to look over his estate, yes?" He fingered the letter in his pocket. "Zack told me that meant you were essentially running Widor and your father's business until your mother could sort things out on her own."

[Darastrix]

Zack? That was surprising enough to distract him from the tears that were threatening to fall, and he blinked down at Sunray. "Well...yes. Tristan's only about Shyamal's age and Mother was never very involved with Father's vineyards or wineries."

[Kender Bard]

Sunray nodded and decided to simply plow ahead with the discussion. He plucked the letter from his pocket and held it up. "He asked me to intercede. One man shouldn't have to bear that much responsibility, especially not during a time of grief. Zack made an entreaty that I offer you some assistance. And, really, I'd be happy to."

[Darastrix]

An expression of irritation flickered across Zira's face. He'd told Zack that he was managing things just fine. He didn't want Zack worrying while he was off in Sensatia, and he was doing it anyway. And he'd gotten Sunray involved, who...who really would be a huge help. And if Zack knew he had some help, wouldn't that make him less worried?

Zira let out a long, slow breath and rubbed a hand across his forehead. "I suppose I have taken on a little more than one person can really handle. And here I'm usually the one who knows better on these matters."

[Kender Bard]

"Everyone makes miscalculations in their own abilities," Sunray replied as soothingly as he could. "And I think this is one kind of mistake that everyone makes period. If you're amiable to the idea, I can help take over whatever you allot me in the running of Widor so you can shift your focus more firmly to the business in Talen'sul."

[Darastrix]

Zira bit his lip and glanced to the side. He hated to lay everything on Sunray. It wasn't that Widor was a troublesome province, but did he really need to pull Sunny all the way from Neo'anar to help with his affairs? He was tired, but that was all. It wasn't as though he were ill.

~Not yet, Dove,~ Dream said, interrupting his thoughts as she padded into the room to rub around Sunray's ankles. She made no attempt to keep her words to Zira private. ~But keep pushing yourself as you are, and you'll make yourself sick. Humans complicate matters far too much for their own good. Unless your life is in danger, eat when you hunger, drink when you thirst, and rest when you tire. Your life is in no risk by accepting help, so rest.~

[Kender Bard]

Sunray cast Zira a look of concern as he bent down to stroke Dream's fur. "Dream's right, Zira," Sunray replied. "Look, don't worry yourself about the offer. I honestly don't have anything else to eat up my time. I spend my days in aristocratic leisure; studying and working on my mysticsm. Trying to think of little surprises to gift Lyra." He grimaced. "Practicing cooking."

He stood again. "It'll be a very refreshing change of pace. I can visit as often as you're willing to ferry me back and forth. And... Forces above I never thought I'd say this..." He sighed. "I actually miss some of the aspects of ruling enough that this will be pleasant to me. It's not the whole kingdom and thank Thuoth for that. But it'll get my mind working in ways that have gone unused since I abdicated."

He smiled down at Dream. "Oh and hello from your son."

[Darastrix]

Dream purred her acknowledgment and wound around Sunray's legs as she waited on Zira to respond.

"If you're really sure that it won't be a problem," Zira murmured as he smoothed the feathers of one wing. "I imagine I do need some help. A good bit of help, in fact. Father brought business here as well, so there's more to oversee."

[Kender Bard]

"I can offer as much help as you're willing to give," Sunray reconfirmed. "Just point me to your papers and tell me what needs doing. We can work together on this."