Backpost: Finding Middle Ground

[Adin nó Alyssum]

"Have you visited since making your marque?" I asked, curious about this softer Fisher that was before me now.

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“Once, right after it was finished. I returned to the harbor where I’d spent those years, just to see it again, to see anyone I’d known who might still be there. That’s the only time though,” I answered.

[Adin nó Alyssum]

"Had it changed?" I asked before taking another sip of my ale.

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“Yes. A lot of the people I knew weren’t there any longer, and at least half of the businesses had changed.” I thought for a moment. “I don’t regret having gone though, it was important to me in a fashion.”

[Adin nó Alyssum]

"The world keeps on moving, no matter how still your memories are," I agreed sagely. "I'm always surprised when I visit my parents at what changes. My father always laughs when I mention it, and tells me it's been like that for months or years, I just hadn't noticed." I smiled.

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“How often do you get to visit them?” I asked. I signaled for a server to come over when she had the chance. This was going far better than I thought it would and something to drink sounded nice now.

[Adin nó Alyssum]

"I try for once a week," I replied, noticing the server winding her way to our table. She was pretty enough if you were into the underfed look. "Though it's often every other week."

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“Do you have siblings?” I asked.

The server arrived and I asked for a glass of cider. She looked inquiringly at Adin.

[Adin nó Alyssum]

I shook my head at her inquiring glance, and answered Fisher's question after she left to fetch his drink. "I have a sister at Balm. I don't see her nearly as often as I would like though. Our free days rarely line up."

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“Does your family know about Allisande?” I asked.

[Adin nó Alyssum]

"Yes, I told them not long after she told me the news," I replied, looking down at the remnants of my ale. I remembered the look on my father's face, the hope that I had sired a child for Alyssum.

[Fisher nó Bryony]

I looked at him questioningly, wondering how they’d taken it. “I’m not sure if it’s a good or bad thing that I don’t have family to try and explain this situation too, it was hard enough to explain it to my Dowayne,” I said.

[Adin nó Alyssum]

I smiled wryly. "Yes, well it wasn't what they were expecting from me. But they've gotten used to the idea, and I think my father is hoping for a grandson." I shook my head. "I still don't think he really understands. How did your Dowayne take it?"

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“His reaction was mixed,” I answered. The server returned with my cider and I paid her. “We talked it out though and I think he grew more at ease once he was assured it didn’t mean I was going to leave Bryony.”

[Adin nó Alyssum]

"You told him after you were appointed Second?" I asked, figuring out the timeline in my head.

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“No, before. I told him right after Allisande asked me,” I answered, then took a drink of cider. “I felt it was too big a thing not to discuss with him.”

[Adin nó Alyssum]

I nodded and took a drink of my ale, now running dangerously low. I hadn't discussed any of my relationships with Voleta. It had never crossed my mind. One of the differences between Bryony and Alyssum I guess. "Had you always wanted to be Second?"

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“Yes,” I said with a chuckle. “Because it gets me one step closer to my goal. I will be Dowayne of Bryony someday.”

[Adin nó Alyssum]

I nodded. If I was truly honest with myself, I would admit I had a similar dream. But I was just unambitious enough that if it never happened, I would be happy to teach and garden at Alyssum for the rest of my life.

"It's good to have goals," I said with a smile. "Even better to be on your way to achieving them."

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“It is,” I agreed with a nod. “Though life does seem to have a way of throwing unexpected things my way.” I chuckled and grinned at him, this was one of those things.

[Adin nó Alyssum]

I chuckled with him. "Yes, but it tend to do that whether you have goals or not," I replied with a smile.

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“Fair point,” I said, laughing. In spite of myself, I liked Adin. I could see what it was Allisande liked in him.

[Adin nó Alyssum]

I smiled. "So you think you could stand my company long enough to get through another ale," I teased, holding up my empty glass.

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“Only if you think you can stand me for that long,” I replied, chuckling and smiling.

[Adin nó Alyssum]

"I should be able to manage it," I said, skeptic tone ruined by a laugh. "I'll be right back." I headed over to the bar, and returned with a no longer empty glass.

[Fisher nó Bryony]

I sipped my cider and glanced around while he was refilling his mug. Allisande would never believe it when she found out we were actually getting along. The thought made me chuckle and I was still smiling when he returned.

[Adin nó Alyssum]

I sat back down with the grace given to me by my parents and looked at his smile. I was so glad we hadn't gone for each other's throats yet. "Looks like I missed a joke?" I phrased it into a question, friendly smile on my face.

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“I was just imagining Allisande’s disbelief that we are actually getting along,” I told him, chuckling again.

[Adin nó Alyssum]

My grin widened. "Yes, she gave me a sceptic look when I mentioned our plan," I said, then chuckled. "I'm glad we can prove her wrong, she'll be happier for it."

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“That she will,” I agreed, smiling. “Thank you for making me go back to her and for suggesting this.”