Post by Rister Graas S6 on Sept 7, 2019 15:01:32 GMT -5
There would be many eyes on Avis as well today. The alliance between the two families stood, but it wasn’t exactly a secret that relations between Avis and Wyron had grown frostier in recent years. So there would be many keen eyes looking at how things were going to work out now that the Graas head had changed – would the status quo change, would Avis opt to not recognise Raidon as the head and not renew the alliance, would she seek to influence the new Graas head? Not that Avis would actually have much influence on him, Raidon thought. She was family, but Avis’s had always been too busy being Nate’s mother to really be much of an aunt to Raidon. Which was understandable, but it did mean that Raidon’s relationship with his aunt had been nowhere as close as it had been with his uncle. And after Dad’s death, Wyron had been the one to step in and raise him. So really, there was a fair number of others – even other Cartiers – that Raidon was closer to and so far more likely to be influenced by than Avis.
But Avis was still family and that mattered. So there was no hesitation in him as he crossed the distance between them – guided as much by the memory of Wyron’s hand on his shoulder as by the would-be shades of his father and grandfather and their fathers behind his shoulders as by his own personality – and wrapped his arms around Avis in a tight hug and a fond “Aunt Avis”. One of those hugs that served to remind that you weren’t alone. That someone was there with you, no matter what. So for a few long moments Raidon just held Avis tightly. Because Raidon had lost his uncle and father-figure, but Avis had lost her little brother. Turning his head so that he could speak directly to Avis’s ear he whispered: “Uncle Wyron loved you very, very much.” Because sometimes things like that had to be said out loud. Even between family. Especially between family perhaps. And even if they hadn’t always seen eye-to-eye, especially in recent years, Wyron had loved Avis.
There was also the second matter. Raidon drew back just slightly to be able to meet Avis’ eye, even as he didn’t release the hug. “And just like uncle Wyron, I promise that I will guard Nate’s back, whenever and wherever you no longer can,” he murmured the promise. Because that was what Wyron had done. Even with Nate having been removed from the Cartier family tree, plenty of old grudges would have carried over. It wasn’t just blood that made a family. And where Avis couldn’t necessarily intervene after removing Nate from the family, Wyron had been able to put it out that he would take any attack on Nate very personally. Raidon would do the same – Nate was his best friend after all. And despite everything else, Raidon suddenly found himself wondering if Avis didn’t actually prefer it that way. That despite the strain on her relationship with Wyron for the help Wyron had given Nate after it was clear Nate had made up his mind and would not be continuing as the next Cartier head - perhaps deep down Avis preferred it this way. Preferred the knowledge that someone was still there to watch over her son. You could strike a name from paper, but it wasn’t as easy to cut someone from your heart.
He would need to start keeping a closer than ever lid on his thoughts and emotions now that he was the new Graas Head. But for here and now he smiled at Avis. A small, but sincere smile, tinged with just a hint of sadness. Because they had both – had all – lost so much with Wyron. But there was still plenty to live for and they would survive. Because that’s what Wyron had taught them to do. Because that’s what Wyron would want. And because it felt right, Raidon moved his hands up to frame Avis’ face and then pressed a fond kiss to her forehead. And only then did Raidon release her to take a step back. There were others who would need comfort and matters that required his attention, but Raidon could carry those burdens for his family now. So with that brief smile and a small nod he turned to move on again.
***
Raidon glanced up at someone’s hand on the door handle. With the funeral and wake, he hadn’t really been expecting to see anyone else in the Head’s office. Although that had perhaps been a foolish thought as it wasn’t really a surprise to see Liam stepping in. In some way he had actually probably been aware of him approaching as well now that he thought about it – and wouldn’t that take some getting used to. But for now he simply watched, already familiar to the half-smile forming only to abruptly turn into a small flinch when the person stepping in realised that it wasn’t Wyron sitting behind the desk.
“Come on in,” Raidon said with an easy shrug as he met Liam’s eyes, “You used this office as much as Wyron did – if not more.” Which was true. Liam had known to never take a seat at the writing desk itself, but he had his own corner on the couches. “I’m certainly not going to stop you from using it either, unless I need privacy for a meeting,” Raidon added with a shrug. Which was also largely what had happened while Wyron was Head – if he had needed to hold a private meeting in the office, he’d just told Liam to get lost for a little while. Not that it had happened often. The bigger question would be whether Liam would want to continue using the office – whether he would find comfort in the similar room. Or perhaps it wouldn’t be the same without Wyron there. Liam had been closer to Wyron than he was to Raidon after all. It was interesting really. Liam worked with children, trained and taught them, but the one child that had never really warmed up to him had been Raidon. He couldn’t even quite say why that was. Perhaps because Liam had never taught him? Or perhaps because Liam had always had so many others vying for his attention that there simply hadn’t been the time put in by either of them for a relationship to ever evolve in the same way Raidon had a relationship with the other Cartiers. He had never accepted any of them as an authority figure outside their specific field, but there had been time and effort put into those relationships. With Rin, who had taught him to use knives, and Kellen, who uncle Wyron had taught to read the room side-by-side with Raidon, and Landon, who still built him puzzle-boxes with candy hidden inside. Under Rai’s influence it was even candy he wasn’t allergic to sometimes. And perhaps Liam and Raidon would grow closer as adults, if they were to end up sharing the office at times.
“Actually yes, do come in. I need to talk to you,” Raidon added, as he glanced at the folder he had been leafing through. “I’m going to get people in to do some work in the gardens next week. And you wanted to look into getting a couple of things done for a harder training circuit as well – it’d be further away on the grounds as I’m not going to drop uncle Wyron’s ban on the training session in the gardens or inside, but I might as well get all the work done in one go. So I wanted to check whether you’ve actually thought about what you do want,” he elaborated with a glance into the folder. Smiling wryly at the somewhat confused look he got in response – Liam hadn’t discussed the option with him after all –, Raidon tapped a finger against the leather folder embossed with the elaborate wolf head that also featured on the Graas crest. “Uncle Wyron left a to-do list for his successor,” he explained with a wry smile.
***
“Julien,” Raidon said, stopping and turning his head just as he was passing the man. “Uncle Wyron made you a promise once,” he said, turning to face Julien directly even as he modulates his voice. Not into a whisper, but enough to ensure the conversation stays between them. “And while he might be gone, the promise will still stand. Cartiers – including you and your sons – are and will remain welcomed by the Graas’; unless the Cartier themself has done something to invalidate that welcome," Raidon reiterated the promise Julien had asked from Wyron when he had first realised that Nate had chosen to leave but before anyone knew how badly Avis was going to react. Things were no wear near as volatile now, but even so Raidon quirked a would-be smile at the older man before moving on again.
***
It had been a long day. A long couple of days really and there were other long days to come. At least Raidon was almost ready to call today done, with most of the family having arrived and the rest coming tomorrow morning to choose the next Head. All Raidon had to do still was to speak to Landon and then he could head off to bed. Returning the greetings directed his way as he headed down the hallways, he rapped sharply on the door of Landon’s room. Well, it really was Landon’s and Rai’s room, Rai having been all but moved in by Landon. “Evening,” he greeted when Landon opened the door, glancing over his shoulder where Rai was sitting on the bed looking a bit shell-shocked. They all were, really. Wyron had been a father-figure to more people than just Cayden and Raidon. So there really wasn’t much point in asking how they were doing. “I won’t take long,” Raidon said instead as he stepped into the room, heading to take a seat in an armchair from where he could have a clear view of both Rai and Landon.
Stretching his legs out before him – his feet were faintly buzzing after the time he had spent on his feet today – Raidon considered the pair for a moment. “I actually wanted to check if Rai had filled you in about the process tomorrow and your options,” he said, causing Rai to glance up from where he was seating. “No. Hadn’t thought about it,” Rai said with a shake of his head, wrapping his palms around his mug of something. Tea, Raidon guessed. Which was more or less the answer he had been expecting, so Raidon merely nodded and turned towards Landon instead.
“When the family gathers tomorrow, you can choose to stay out. Or as you’re wearing Rai’s ring, you can participate in choosing the next Graas Head. If you choose to be involved, you can either just observe from the gallery - you’d be able to see and hear anything, but wouldn’t be able to interfere with the procedings. Or you can be a full participant. Meaning you’d get a vote as well, but alternatively also means you’d need to give an oath of fealty to the new would-be Head. Probably wouldn’t go down well with Avis, but you have the option,” Raidon summarised. He didn’t think Landon was particularly interested in the whole process, but then things rarely went the way it was planned. “Things will be rather different, if I die,” he continued instead, causing Rai’s head to snap up. “You won’t. You’ve been raised to be the next Graas Head, so why would there be any issues?” Rai objected with a firm shake of his head, even if his eyes were a little wild. “So was my father,” Raidon pointed out evenly, meeting and holding Rai’s gaze until Rai dropped his eyes.
“If I should die, Rai is one of the most likely candidates to step up instead,” Raidon repeated, shifting his gaze back to Landon, “If he does, you will need to participate – if you choose to not watch from the gallery, you would be summoned in this situation. You’d get a vote and would need to make an oath of loyalty, but it could be to a promise of loyalty to Rai’s person rather than one of the family tree. If you refuse to do so…” Raidon trailed off and then shrugged. It hadn’t really happened often enough for there to be a traditional results to that. “It wouldn’t mean the end of the relationship, but in that case you would never be allowed to marry Rai. And your access to the Graas funds, etc, would be limited, not that that would be of any real concern to you. But just in case things do come to this point, I wanted to be sure you know the possible options on how things might play out in broad terms at least.”
But Avis was still family and that mattered. So there was no hesitation in him as he crossed the distance between them – guided as much by the memory of Wyron’s hand on his shoulder as by the would-be shades of his father and grandfather and their fathers behind his shoulders as by his own personality – and wrapped his arms around Avis in a tight hug and a fond “Aunt Avis”. One of those hugs that served to remind that you weren’t alone. That someone was there with you, no matter what. So for a few long moments Raidon just held Avis tightly. Because Raidon had lost his uncle and father-figure, but Avis had lost her little brother. Turning his head so that he could speak directly to Avis’s ear he whispered: “Uncle Wyron loved you very, very much.” Because sometimes things like that had to be said out loud. Even between family. Especially between family perhaps. And even if they hadn’t always seen eye-to-eye, especially in recent years, Wyron had loved Avis.
There was also the second matter. Raidon drew back just slightly to be able to meet Avis’ eye, even as he didn’t release the hug. “And just like uncle Wyron, I promise that I will guard Nate’s back, whenever and wherever you no longer can,” he murmured the promise. Because that was what Wyron had done. Even with Nate having been removed from the Cartier family tree, plenty of old grudges would have carried over. It wasn’t just blood that made a family. And where Avis couldn’t necessarily intervene after removing Nate from the family, Wyron had been able to put it out that he would take any attack on Nate very personally. Raidon would do the same – Nate was his best friend after all. And despite everything else, Raidon suddenly found himself wondering if Avis didn’t actually prefer it that way. That despite the strain on her relationship with Wyron for the help Wyron had given Nate after it was clear Nate had made up his mind and would not be continuing as the next Cartier head - perhaps deep down Avis preferred it this way. Preferred the knowledge that someone was still there to watch over her son. You could strike a name from paper, but it wasn’t as easy to cut someone from your heart.
He would need to start keeping a closer than ever lid on his thoughts and emotions now that he was the new Graas Head. But for here and now he smiled at Avis. A small, but sincere smile, tinged with just a hint of sadness. Because they had both – had all – lost so much with Wyron. But there was still plenty to live for and they would survive. Because that’s what Wyron had taught them to do. Because that’s what Wyron would want. And because it felt right, Raidon moved his hands up to frame Avis’ face and then pressed a fond kiss to her forehead. And only then did Raidon release her to take a step back. There were others who would need comfort and matters that required his attention, but Raidon could carry those burdens for his family now. So with that brief smile and a small nod he turned to move on again.
***
Raidon glanced up at someone’s hand on the door handle. With the funeral and wake, he hadn’t really been expecting to see anyone else in the Head’s office. Although that had perhaps been a foolish thought as it wasn’t really a surprise to see Liam stepping in. In some way he had actually probably been aware of him approaching as well now that he thought about it – and wouldn’t that take some getting used to. But for now he simply watched, already familiar to the half-smile forming only to abruptly turn into a small flinch when the person stepping in realised that it wasn’t Wyron sitting behind the desk.
“Come on in,” Raidon said with an easy shrug as he met Liam’s eyes, “You used this office as much as Wyron did – if not more.” Which was true. Liam had known to never take a seat at the writing desk itself, but he had his own corner on the couches. “I’m certainly not going to stop you from using it either, unless I need privacy for a meeting,” Raidon added with a shrug. Which was also largely what had happened while Wyron was Head – if he had needed to hold a private meeting in the office, he’d just told Liam to get lost for a little while. Not that it had happened often. The bigger question would be whether Liam would want to continue using the office – whether he would find comfort in the similar room. Or perhaps it wouldn’t be the same without Wyron there. Liam had been closer to Wyron than he was to Raidon after all. It was interesting really. Liam worked with children, trained and taught them, but the one child that had never really warmed up to him had been Raidon. He couldn’t even quite say why that was. Perhaps because Liam had never taught him? Or perhaps because Liam had always had so many others vying for his attention that there simply hadn’t been the time put in by either of them for a relationship to ever evolve in the same way Raidon had a relationship with the other Cartiers. He had never accepted any of them as an authority figure outside their specific field, but there had been time and effort put into those relationships. With Rin, who had taught him to use knives, and Kellen, who uncle Wyron had taught to read the room side-by-side with Raidon, and Landon, who still built him puzzle-boxes with candy hidden inside. Under Rai’s influence it was even candy he wasn’t allergic to sometimes. And perhaps Liam and Raidon would grow closer as adults, if they were to end up sharing the office at times.
“Actually yes, do come in. I need to talk to you,” Raidon added, as he glanced at the folder he had been leafing through. “I’m going to get people in to do some work in the gardens next week. And you wanted to look into getting a couple of things done for a harder training circuit as well – it’d be further away on the grounds as I’m not going to drop uncle Wyron’s ban on the training session in the gardens or inside, but I might as well get all the work done in one go. So I wanted to check whether you’ve actually thought about what you do want,” he elaborated with a glance into the folder. Smiling wryly at the somewhat confused look he got in response – Liam hadn’t discussed the option with him after all –, Raidon tapped a finger against the leather folder embossed with the elaborate wolf head that also featured on the Graas crest. “Uncle Wyron left a to-do list for his successor,” he explained with a wry smile.
***
“Julien,” Raidon said, stopping and turning his head just as he was passing the man. “Uncle Wyron made you a promise once,” he said, turning to face Julien directly even as he modulates his voice. Not into a whisper, but enough to ensure the conversation stays between them. “And while he might be gone, the promise will still stand. Cartiers – including you and your sons – are and will remain welcomed by the Graas’; unless the Cartier themself has done something to invalidate that welcome," Raidon reiterated the promise Julien had asked from Wyron when he had first realised that Nate had chosen to leave but before anyone knew how badly Avis was going to react. Things were no wear near as volatile now, but even so Raidon quirked a would-be smile at the older man before moving on again.
***
It had been a long day. A long couple of days really and there were other long days to come. At least Raidon was almost ready to call today done, with most of the family having arrived and the rest coming tomorrow morning to choose the next Head. All Raidon had to do still was to speak to Landon and then he could head off to bed. Returning the greetings directed his way as he headed down the hallways, he rapped sharply on the door of Landon’s room. Well, it really was Landon’s and Rai’s room, Rai having been all but moved in by Landon. “Evening,” he greeted when Landon opened the door, glancing over his shoulder where Rai was sitting on the bed looking a bit shell-shocked. They all were, really. Wyron had been a father-figure to more people than just Cayden and Raidon. So there really wasn’t much point in asking how they were doing. “I won’t take long,” Raidon said instead as he stepped into the room, heading to take a seat in an armchair from where he could have a clear view of both Rai and Landon.
Stretching his legs out before him – his feet were faintly buzzing after the time he had spent on his feet today – Raidon considered the pair for a moment. “I actually wanted to check if Rai had filled you in about the process tomorrow and your options,” he said, causing Rai to glance up from where he was seating. “No. Hadn’t thought about it,” Rai said with a shake of his head, wrapping his palms around his mug of something. Tea, Raidon guessed. Which was more or less the answer he had been expecting, so Raidon merely nodded and turned towards Landon instead.
“When the family gathers tomorrow, you can choose to stay out. Or as you’re wearing Rai’s ring, you can participate in choosing the next Graas Head. If you choose to be involved, you can either just observe from the gallery - you’d be able to see and hear anything, but wouldn’t be able to interfere with the procedings. Or you can be a full participant. Meaning you’d get a vote as well, but alternatively also means you’d need to give an oath of fealty to the new would-be Head. Probably wouldn’t go down well with Avis, but you have the option,” Raidon summarised. He didn’t think Landon was particularly interested in the whole process, but then things rarely went the way it was planned. “Things will be rather different, if I die,” he continued instead, causing Rai’s head to snap up. “You won’t. You’ve been raised to be the next Graas Head, so why would there be any issues?” Rai objected with a firm shake of his head, even if his eyes were a little wild. “So was my father,” Raidon pointed out evenly, meeting and holding Rai’s gaze until Rai dropped his eyes.
“If I should die, Rai is one of the most likely candidates to step up instead,” Raidon repeated, shifting his gaze back to Landon, “If he does, you will need to participate – if you choose to not watch from the gallery, you would be summoned in this situation. You’d get a vote and would need to make an oath of loyalty, but it could be to a promise of loyalty to Rai’s person rather than one of the family tree. If you refuse to do so…” Raidon trailed off and then shrugged. It hadn’t really happened often enough for there to be a traditional results to that. “It wouldn’t mean the end of the relationship, but in that case you would never be allowed to marry Rai. And your access to the Graas funds, etc, would be limited, not that that would be of any real concern to you. But just in case things do come to this point, I wanted to be sure you know the possible options on how things might play out in broad terms at least.”