KH: Sibling Discussions

Posted on Thu Jan 23rd, 2025 @ 8:27pm by Jr Journeyman Senabena & Sr Journeyman Bensen

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: Kymos Hold
Timeline: M2 D28

Senabena smiled as Lord Marcono wished them a goodnight leaving both Senabena and Bensen as the only members of their family awake whilst others had gone to bed. It had been a long day but despite her tiredness, she knew that she would not be able to sleep yet without talking to her brother. She had watched him for most of the dinner and the dancing afterwards and she was without a doubt

“Lord Marcono has left us with his wineskins and goodnight wishes,” Senabena announced joining her brother closest to the roaring fire as other men and women played card games around them, the mood was nervous which left many people on edge. This was the first major gathering since the attack at Far Site.

It had been a long night that brought up a lot of memories. Bensen knew he wouldn't be sleeping anytime soon after that. Which is why when Senabena suggested wine he didn't argue.

“Wine sounds exceptionally good right now,” he agreed.

The younger woman sat on the chair next to him and poured 2 large glasses passing one to him and keeping the other to herself. “You are feeling the anxiety too hmm?” She wondered softly as she pushed her hair over her shoulder having taken it down candlemarks ago from the style her mother had put it in when the woman had gone to bed.

He nodded his thanks for the glass, having shed his own jacket after most of the people had turned in for the night. “I am,” he admitted quietly, taking a sip of wine. “It is just so much to deal with.”

“It is. But Oseben would want us to do our duty and our best. It is what keeps me going when mother and father carry on as if the gather did not happen last turn that destroyed our good lives have been for us.” She advised gently taking a sip of the wine. It was a deep red that had to be southern from the fruitiness of it.

She was right there. that is what Oseben would want. Didn't mean it made it any easier. “You are right,” he agreed quietly, glancing toward where Rena was hopefully sound asleep. “Still doesn't make it any easier.”

“Not in the slightest considering everything going on with Rena but you have been a great help,” Senabena said over her wine glass glancing towards him where he was glancing. They did not bring up Rena often between themselves for fear that she would overhear and get stressed out when she was so determined to not acknowledge the pregnancy.

He quickly turned back to his sister. “I'm trying. It's definitely not easy when most of the time she wants to pretend the baby doesn't exist.” He could understand her feelings but it made it hard for them too.

“Mmmhmm.” The young woman said, smiling a little at him. “She is not here. I walked her back to her room and her flit was sound asleep outside her bedroom when I came back. So tell me what is going on?” The little green was protective of Rena and had taken to sleeping outside her door to warn off anyone.

Bensen looked at his sister in confusion. “What do you mean what is going on? Nothing but everything we're all facing.” He didn't want to say what he really thought.

“Ben… I have known you my whole life and I know when something is going on. You are so intense at the moment and you are guarding Rena like … Oseben did.” She finally said what was going through her head. “I want to help.” She added trying to soften her words when they were going to cause him turmoil enough.

He blew out a breath, knowing he had been caught. “I don't know. I want to keep her safe and be there for her,” he admitted quietly. It was challenging though as he didn't want her to think he was trying to replace Oseben.

Senabena leant over and touched his hand. “Oh Ben.” She whispered feeling sad for her brother. It was so out of character for him to be like that but she was sure that no one else had cottoned on to it all, especially Rena. “What are you going to do?”

Bensen shook his head. “I don't know. I know she is still grieving Oseben’s death as are we, so I guess nothing right now.” He seemed to be great at bad timing.

“I think you should attempt to sway her,” Senabena said softly as she looked at the fire taking a deep breath to reveal what she had overheard when she had been with her Mother and Father trying to work out how best to help Rena and secure her children’s future. The people around them laughed and played cards oblivious to the turmoil the teenager was suddenly going through. “Before mother and father try and set her up with Lord Marcono or worse Enabon. I overheard them discussing it last month, it’s all in her best interests but…”

Bensen's eyes widened in alarm. “They wouldn't. Oh, they would,” he groaned, knowing they would. As Senabena said they would claim it was in Rena’s best interest. He frowned a bit. “Guess I can try talking to Rena. See what her feelings are.”

It had been going to be her secret, but knowing that Bensen had feelings for the Harper, she could not keep it to herself. Lord Marcono seemed nice enough and Enabon was her brother so she knew that he was a good man but Bensen in her opinion was better than them both together. “They would because she is carrying an heir either for Far Site or if they marry her off to here she is another political tool for Father because of the babe.” She whispered into her glass. “I should have told you sooner but Nabon said to stay out of it.”

His sister was right. He knew that, but it didn't mean he had to like it. And poor Rena. She really didn't deserve that just because she fell in love with Oseben. Sharding Dragon Hold. “It's okay. You've told me now and I'll see what I can do.”

Senabena nodded at his soothing tones. He had always been the brother who could help her in the chaos of being the only girl with six older brothers and a rebellious streak. “How can I help?” She wondered. She might have her engagement but she was not going to leave her home until she had settled things for her sister-in-law.

The young man considered his sister's offer. “Hmm maybe you could feel Rena out? I could talk to mother and father.” He wasn't sure if they could pull it off but he was willing to try for Rena. And he did have feelings for Rena he had just been afraid to admit it.

“I can try but if anything you could most likely do that yourself. You managed to hug her on the heights. That is more than I have gotten.” Senabena commented smiling gently at him. “But we need to try and keep her away from Lord Marcono and Enabon too.” She said thinking about her Harper tales that she has snuck from some drudges to read wanting to know what people wrote about romance.

“I didn't give her much choice,” he admitted. He had needed the hug as much as Rena had. He nodded. “I can try. It's a bit of an awkward thing to approach.” If all she wanted was friendship maybe he could at least save her from being forced into an unwanted marriage.

“You need to start reading my Harper tales. Get some pointers.” The teenager laughed before she realised she had revealed her secret. “Do not tell mother. She would get cross I am not meant to know anything about marriage and babies and all those things. But it's hard not to when you have seen your sister-in-law near death from a miscarriage and your brothers get married. You are all very shocking about keeping me respectable.” She commented smiling proudly that she had shifted the blame back onto him.

Bensen blinked at his sister. “Your secret is safe with me,” he promised. That was certainly a topic he wasn't about to broach with his mother anyhow. “Now wait a minute. How is it my fault?”

“You are my older brother.” She stated with a grin as she poured him another glass of wine. she was not blaming him in the slightest but it was worth it for the look on his face breaking the tension that she had made whilst confronting his feelings for Rena. “One for the road dear brother I am going to bed and you need to walk me.”

Bensen rolled his eyes but had to smile. Senabena was always good for lightening the mood. He grabbed up his own glass after she refilled it. “Think I can handle that,” he assured her.

“Good.” She said, smiling at him and nudging his shoulder. “It will be okay.” She promised him. No matter what it would be okay, she just did not want to see his heart broken again.

He nodded. “I know.” Or at least he hoped so. Bensen shook his head a bit to clear it before holding his arm out to his sister. “Let's get you safely tucked in,” he smiled.