Rumour Mill|Sensatiamens, Sensatia

[Darastrix]

Dart sighed and rubbed his forehead as he paused outside the door to Mikasi's clinic. He didn't need any treatment, but he thought he might prefer that to delivering the news he had to Master Thelon. Thelon was a notorious work-fiend, and Mikasi had said it might end up damaging his health, but at the moment, it was starting to hurt his public image as well. And Thelon needed to be aware so he could undo whatever damage had been done.

But first, he thought he could do with a bit of moral support, and if Mikasi had any professional insights on Thelon's current heath that might need to be addressed, he might as well get those, too. Dart opened the door and stepped inside.

"Mikasi? Are you busy?"

[Kender Bard]

Mikasi glanced up. He was standing in front of a young woman who lounged in one of the parlor chairs. She had a dreamy look on her face.

~Just finishing~ Mikasi answered and turned to look back at the woman who murmured a few things and paid Mikasi (a handsome sum) before getting up and wandering out of the shop. Mikasi smiled and put the money away. ~How can I help you, Dart? Need a little soothing yourself?~

[Darastrix]

Dart cast Mikasi's couch a longing look, but shook his head. "I wish that's why I was here, but I may end up needed some soothing later anyway, depending on how things go." He blew upwards, his breath pushing his bangs out of his eyes.

"You know how I chat with folks, finding out what the people need and stuff, right?" Dart went on without pause; the question was rhetorical. "I do what I always do, and I let Master Thelon know what he needs to know: what people are concerned with, what needs doing here and there, what most folks think about changes, et cetera. And up until now, I've never really had to deliver any bad news."

He rubbed the back of his neck and sat in one of the available chairs. "This time, though...." Dart shook his head. "It is bad, and not just political-bad. Well, I guess for a politician, anything that comes up is sort of political, but this is going to be personal." He looked up at Mikasi. "Have you heard anything odd from people about Master Thelon yourself lately?"

[Kender Bard]

~Not particularly~ Mikasi admitted. ~But then, I don't tend to socialize about such things much when I go out and I've been busy with some healing work on top of that. So I'm a little bit out of the know. Why?~

He frowned in concern. ~How bad is it, Dart?~

[Darastrix]

"Well, it's not a secret to anyone how much time he puts into his work," Dart said, leaning forward to brace his forearms on his knees. "And I know you've said before that you're worried how it might affect his health, but right now, it seems to be affecting his image. People aren't just saying things like 'oh, the Master works too hard,' or making jibes about him trying to emulate his House symbol by staying up all hours working--though if he did, he'd probably at least get more sleep."

He gave a brief, wry smile, then grimaced. "I'm hearing bits and rumours now that he's actually neglecting his family, and those are the nice ones. I don't know HOW people can believe this, but the worse things floating around are that he's not just neglecting them. I've even heard the word 'abuse' pop up a time or two." Dart shook his head. "I don't believe that at all, but I'm not looking forward to telling the Master that some of his people obviously do."

[Kender Bard]

Mikasi's eyes widened at the news. ~That's terrible! Master Thelon does his level best to be there for his family as well as his work. True, he tries to stretch himself too far, too often, but he'd never hurt his family...~ He sighed heavily. ~He's not going to take this well I imagine.~

[Darastrix]

"I just hope he's in a decent mood when I talk to him," Dart sighed. "I hate to ruin a person's good day, but they're at least less likely to bite the messenger's head off that way. I just wanted to kind of bounce this off of a neutral third party before I contacted him about it. And depending on how he takes this, he might need some soothing himself. I know I would. I mean just the thought of someone believing I could hurt Hotaru on purpose...." He shuddered. "It makes me sick."

[Kender Bard]

~It doesn't help that Libre has spent so much time with his father these days when he and his sister aren't in Fira~ Mikasi pointed out. ~Would you like me to come with you for this...?~

[Darastrix]

"I feel like I should be able to go in there by myself like an adult, but...." Dart made a face. "Well, I'll let you know as soon as I see how Master Thelon sounds today."

~Master Thelon?~ he sent, tentatively. ~I have some pressing news that had best be delivered in person.~

[Kender Bard]

Thelon's mental voice seemed distracted; his mind was elsewhere or else multi-tasking heavily again. ~Hmm...? That important...? Come by right away then while I finish this up then.~

Mikasi just watched Dart's face hoping to pick up a hint.

[Darastrix]

Dart pressed his lips together and rolled his eyes in automatic response to Thelon's tone. He didn't wonder about the man's treatment of his family, but he did have to wonder sometimes if he did anything NOT work-related.

~Yes, Master Thelon.~

"He's deep in work again," Dart said, standing, "but at least he doesn't sound like it's frustrating him. Reluctant as I am to be the bearer of bad news, I think I'll be all right. Master Thelon, on the other hand...well, we'll see. I'll let you know how things go either way."

With that, he made a fist with his signed hand and teleported to Thelon's home.

[Kender Bard]

Thelon sat at his work table. Spread out before him haphazardly were scrolls and sheaves of parchment. Across from him, Libre sat with a document in front of him and a blank sheet of parchment. The young boy was brushing his quill against his cheek with a thoughtful look, but glanced up at and smiled at Dart when he appeared.

Thelon had his eyes closed and one hand pressed against them but he took it away quickly when he sensed Dart's presence. "Welcome Dart. I'll skip the formalities so we can get down to your news."

"What news?" Libre asked.

Thelon reached over and tapped a line on the parchment in front of Libre. "Of your clerical dispute here. Keep studying."

"Yes father," Libre grumbled and looked back at his assignment.

[Darastrix]

Dart looked at Libre, then glanced back at Thelon uncertainly. "Ah, Master Thelon, I'm not sure whether Libre should be here for this. It's a very sensitive matter."

~And I'm not sure you'd want him to see your initial reaction when I tell you what it is,~ he added mentally.

[Kender Bard]

Thelon's expression turned very serious and worried as he glanced at Libre. Gently he remarked, "On second thought, I think that's enough of your lessons today. Besides, you can always rest on it and perhaps the answer will simply come to you later. It often happens with the hardest of issues. Why don't you take your sister and go play?"

Libre seemed greatly pleased at the unexpected dismissal and he jumped out of his seat to comply.

Thelon looked at Dart and frowned. "...What is it?"

[Darastrix]

Dart shifted his weight and rubbed his hands together. "Well...people are talking. Most rumours I've heard over the years have been minor or ridiculous or both. This is neither. You work too much. Libre is always holed in here with you, or in Fira, so people hardly ever see him. Or Flame. Mistress Tres hasn't been about lately, either. All this together...." He winced and looked away.

"The tamer chatter says you're neglecting your family. The worst is that you're abusing them."