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TOWN CLINIC - MORNING
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Teis sighs to herself as she makes her way down to the clinic. She thought she'd convinced Della and the servants of her ability to actually function in the aftermath of the Tarbin incident, though apparently she hasn't proven enough. She'd been informed that she is to visit the town's doctor. "Lets just get this over with... " Teis mutters to herself, putting on her best friendly fake smile, before entering the clinic.
Doc Plume is sitting at their desk sipping tea. "Ah, Miss Bouquet. Good morning." They stand up and walk over, offering a taloned hand in greeting. "I'm Plume, the town doctor. I wanted to see you because of some concerns that your sister had."
Teis offers her paw in response. "A pleasure, Plume." Teis replies, politely, giving it a moment to linger before, "May I ask what she meant by concerns?" Teis inquires.
Doc Plume shakes the cat's paw before leading her over to examination table. "Just general concerns about your mental state. I'm just here to help, so why don't you tell me if anything is bothering you? I promise, nothing you say here will get back to your sister. It stays between us."
Teis follows, sitting down where appropriate. Teis' smile cracks upwards at the corners of her lips for a split second. "My... My mental state." She lets out a quiet huff through her nose. "That's... What Della's concerned about?" Teis questions, though it's also equally a question to herself. That's what Della is concerned about?
Doc Plume cocks their head a little, "In a few words, yes. Some talk about the business and the like, but under it all is a worry that you're not your usual self." They set about taking basic vital measurements and writing down the results on a piece of paper with a stub of pencil.
Teis: Seems Della as well has gotten someone else to talk indirectly to the other. Does this mean Della cares? Hm. Interesting. Teis doesn't quite know how to feel about this revelation. On the one hand, it's sweet, on the other, being indirect leaves Teis feeling unsure. "Well... " Teis sighs. "Honestly, my biggest concern is Della. She hasn't spoken to me in a week. I can't tell if she hates me or not." Teis starts. "I kind of... Messed up something. And now I can't work, play, sleep, eat, or do anything without thinking about it. So... "
Doc Plume sets down the paper and nods. "I see. Not being able to do those things is bad for your health... what happened?"
Teis: "Ah... " Teis pauses, sort of not wanting to repeat the story yet another time. "There's a lizard named Tarbin who has a curse. I've been helping trying to break it. I pushed myself really hard to weaken part of said curse. I... Well, I was in bed for days afterward. I used a technique that... Well. Look, it's not good, but I did it anyway, and now Della's mad at me." Teis frowns.
Doc Plume blinks. "Oh... Tarbin, yes... his blindness? There's no physical cause for it certainly... I'm glad if you or anyone can help him. Does your sister know what you did? Certainly giving too much of yourself isn't good, but it's in the name of helping another..." They frown a bit in mirror to Teis. "But your sister seemed concerned more than angry." Plume gets a few different tools out and starts checking Teis for signs of magical strain.
Teis: "She knows. But... I don't know if she cares or not. Like I said, she's... Barely spoken to me since. Been very distant. Bare minimal contact... If that. Normally when I'm hurt, she's the first one by my side after I wake up... " Teis sighs. "And... Well, she's good at hiding her anger. So... Not surprised there." Definitely has residual strain, though nothing serious at this precise moment in time. It was certainly much more serious immediately following the event, though Tarbin's magic did it's job wonderfully.
Doc Plume makes a few notes on the paper. "Well, you seem to have recovered magically... so it seems the main issue at this point is interpersonal with you and Rondelethia. Does that sound correct to you?"
Teis nods. "Thank Tarbin for that. And, yes. That is the main issue. I don't know how to talk to her about it, without it just feeling like... Old ground. And insincere."
Doc Plume smiles. "Yes, Tarbin's healing magic is quite miraculous..." They walk over to the cabinet and gather the ingredients to prepare the same tea they made for Della. "Would having someone to mediate a talk between the two of you be helpful do you think?"
Teis: "I... Don't know. Maybe, maybe not... Della's even more tight-lipped around other people usually, so... Yeah, I don't know." Teis skews her lip.
Doc Plume clacks their beak in a bit of frustration before turning back around carefully transfering the tea into a small muslin bag. "I see. Here's some tea to help you sleep, at least. Have a cup or two an hour before bedtime." They pass it over to the cat. "I think I would like to see you both together, but not unless you agree to it."
Teis takes the tea, thankfully. "I'll... Flag the idea up with her. I don't object, but I think ultimately everyone I've spoken to so far is right... I'm going to have to figure out a way to just... Talk to her myself."
Doc Plume gives a little nod. "Of course. Please, come talk to me any time if you need to." They smile and head back to their desk. "And please let me know if the two of you sort things out."
Teis nods. "Thanks. I'll... Keep that in mind, so long as you're fine being my therapist of sorts. Admittedly I've got some pretty muffin'd up muffins to sort out up in my head... " Teis sighs.
Doc Plume finishes off the dregs of the tea in their cup and smiles. "I'm not trained in that, but I'll do my best." They walk around the desk and rest a hand on Teis's shoulder gently.
Teis: "Heh... Well. I'm sure Della wouldn't mind if we had like, a weekly or fortnightly session or something. Probably make her worry about me less, actually... " Teis nuzzles her head against Plume's hand.
Doc Plume giggles a bit. "Well hey, little town like this, everyone's gotta stick together and help each other out."
Teis continues nuzzling the side of her head against the hand while it remains on her shoulder. She begins purring lightly, even! "Mm. Yeah. I know you said... Like, this is all confidential and whatever. But can you tell me more about what Della spoke to you about? So I can figure out what it is I actually need to address with her specifically?"
Doc Plume pulls back their hand and cocks their head. "Maybe.. Just her concerns for you..." They go back to their desk and open the bottom drawer where the patient files are, quickly finding Della's. They flip to the second page. "Come over here, have a seat."
Teis: Aw. No more hand. Teis' purring slowly fades. She scoots over to Plume's desk. So much for confidentiality!
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TEIS' LAB - MIDDAY
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Tarbin has spent much of the week following Teis's high-risk endeavor and subsequent recovery doing... Nothing much at all, really. After all, the lizard is still without sight, and so even with his recovered mobility and improved 'sense' for Nature, he's more than happy to remain on the Manor grounds, wandering the garden. He has kept his 'tending' endeavors more or less secret, even though they may be easy enough to notice for the others that make regular rounds, using them to keep his mind off Teis's efforts for now. The less he thought about it, the less he worried. Still, there comes a point where not thinking and not dealing lead to unwanted thinking about the not dealing, and he's curious of the cat's progress. So now he knocks, thrice but softly, on the door to Teis's lab.
Teis: As Tarbin approaches, something feels vaguely different about Teis' lab since the last time he was there. It's hard to pin down, though it's as if there are a thousand little tiny disturbances in nature's flow inside. What on earth? Or rather - What in earth. Teis is working on her latest project. What does that make now, five concurrent projects she's working on? Amazing. Teis comes to the door, greater mana lenses and all. "Oh. Tarbin. Welcome. Ahh... Safety gear safety gear... " Teis muses, looking around briefly. "... Yeah, sorry. All the safety gear is designed for people literally half your size. We should probably fix that. You'll just uh. Here, just come in. I'll uh, I'll grab you a chair." Teis offers Tarbin her paw with a light touch.
Tarbin blinks at Teis's energy, still not quite used to it as he steps inside. Indeed, something looks a bit strange about the magic within the lab as he steps into the room, his gaze drawn toward the lab benches... Which he wouldn't have been able to place before now. He follows her lead, turning toward Teis and sitting gratefully on the chair. "Good day, miss Teis. Ah- Thank you. I hope you are well, I'm not interrupting anything important... Or dangerous, am I?"
Teis: "No, no. Nothing dangerous. Well, unless the enclosures break. Then cleaning this place will be... " Teis takes in a deep breath, "... Not fun. Chair!" Teis announces when there is a chair for him to sit. Once Tarbin is seated, Teis turns her attention back to her little projects. "Actually, that's something I've been wondering about. Can you... 'See'... Them?" Teis questions.
Tarbin tilts his head slightly, turning toward Teis's voice with a bit of a look before starting slightly. "Ah, you mean some magic? Erm... No, I can't, but I did notice something was strange on coming inside. Is there something you need me to be able to 'see'?"
Teis: "Oh, no. I was just curious, and you're here, so seemed like a good time to ask about it. I've got some ant farms up on the benches here." Teis explains. "I, um. Well, I had a weird dream the night, well, day I guess, of the incident. Dream-me suggested seeing if insects would make a good substitute for mana crystals? So that next time I break more of your curse I don't hurt myself. But I don't know if this will even work or not. Dream-Teis is a bit unreliable. So I'm doing some preliminary tests, ah, proof of concept, to see if it'll be worth my effort to selectively cultivate and breed various types of insects." Teis sees no possible conflict with Tarbin on this!
Tarbin hesitates, looking toward the disturbances as their origin is explained, then snapping back to Teis when he realizes what she means. "You want to use living creatures... as a filter for magic? As storage?" He sounds angry for the first moment, but knows he can't afford to burn this promising bridge, sighing as he collects himself.
Teis picks up on the anger, miraculously enough. "Now hold on! I know what you're thinking. Yes, I want to do that. BUT ONLY IF! IF! It's actually viable. And even then, I have no intention of killing them. In fact, I would be more interested in raising some sort of... Super insect that can adequately handle the requirements. And I'm not doing this to avoid learning nature magic either! I just... Wanted to know if this was possible. Expand my own knowledge further. Some of my best successes have come from Dream-Teis... But she's also provided me with a lot of failures. But I can learn adequately from both."
Tarbin works his jaw for a moment, her explanation certainly isn't helping keep the lizard calm, but he manages as he stares at the floor halfway between him and the tables, the ends of his tails thumping repeatedly on the floor. He doesn't respond immediately, carefully preparing what he wants to say. "Mana crystals exist for good reason, Nature leaves them as gifts to mages. Many creatures that do not join our civil lives can harness the flow, and some even hold their own magic much like you." He turns toward Teis, "If you put too much magic in one of your crystals, what happens? You already know what happens when you drain too much. The ants, how much could they hold and give, do you think? When they die, no if."
Teis: "Have... You ever witnessed multiple magi pooling their efforts into one spell? That's... Sort of the idea here. I have no idea how much they could possibly hold, or how much they could possibly give, if they even can at all. But again, the goal of this is to find that information out. I have no idea if it will actually work or not." Teis pauses. "As for Mana Crystals... They're great, don't get me wrong, but as you saw, well, heard, the other day, during the incident... They're no substitute for another entity capable of possessing magic. My body is still the point of failure for using a mana crystal. And yes, I'm aware that if I were to take the mana from the ants to use it through myself, it would merely be the same problem. That is why the goal would be to have the ants contribute to my spell directly instead, thereby bypassing my own body as a point of failure. Additionally, by having them give, rather than me forcibly take... The chance of killing them is lower. But... You know. They're ants. It seems highly unlikely that any of this will work. But I need to know where in the process this idea will break down. Dream-Teis demands it."
Tarbin looks from Teis toward the ants, then back to the floor. He's silent for a long period, tails twitching until they finally rest beside him on the floor. He sets his hands on his knees before pushing up from the chair, shaking his head slightly. "Disgusting. I will have no part of it, and would rather risk suffering this blindness forever than to continue working with you." He looks toward Teis; "When they die, you will make an insect? Killing many others on the way? Will you give up then, or move on to field mice?" His eyes narrow slightly, "If it works, do you stop there? When others find out, do they stop there?"
Teis frowns, crossing her arms. For the first time, since they met, Teis actually sounds stern, serious. "Tarbin, I've learned things that could destroy this very estate, yet obviously it's still standing. My thirst is for knowledge itself, not for the application of what I know. I've also never worked with a living entity before, not counting peers of course. I'm planning on taking this as ethically as I can."
Tarbin shakes his head slightly again, grunting. "I want nothing to do with it, no matter what the intention is."
Teis isn't quite sure how to respond to that. Not because she can't find the words but rather because she believes that she won't be able to change Tarbin's mind on the subject. As nice as it would be to learn nature magic from Tarbin, Teis holds Dream-Teis in higher esteem, plus her dealings with Tarbin have strained her relationship with Della. She'll just have to take what little Tarbin has taught her and expand on it herself, much like she used to way back in her early childhood. She's capable of it, and she knows it - And certainly there is someone else out there with a similar gift. With everything considered in the span of but a few moments... "Then I suggest that you leave my lab."
Tarbin grunts, staring toward Teis with his milky eyes for a moment before nodding. "Understood." his voice and expression are dripping with disappointment before he turns away and heads for the lab door. So she would rather continue experimenting on defenseless creatures than keep her word. A fine thing to learn about the cat, indeed. He doesn't cast any further attention in Teis's direction, heading toward his borrowed room.
Teis: Teis keeps a close eye on Tarbin, just in case he bumps into anything on his way out. "Before you leave." Teis speaks once Tarbin has the door open. "Am I to take you seriously when you say that you would rather remain blind? Should I interpret that as you no longer want my assistance with your curse?"
Tarbin pauses at the door, shaking his head. "No. I would not wish to harm any creature to lose this curse. It has already hurt you. Knowing you might be hurt again, or use others to avoid it... I refuse. I will gather my things and be on my way."
Teis: Teis softens a little at that, sighing softly, "Tarbin... " Teis pauses, "Just... I'll still be here. If you want it."
Tarbin simply nods once, turning to head on down the hallway. On reaching his room, he does as promised, gathering his meager belongings into a bundle which he pins under his arms as he makes his way out with the guidance of a manor staff member.
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SOMEWHERE IN RESPITE - LATER THAT AFTERNOON
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Tarbin has gone through a bit of a cycle over the past couple hours, shifting between unease at his restarted homelessness, disappointment in the situation between him and Teis, and a general feeling of... Disgust? Might be the word for it, yes. He's also pretty well lost in both the physical sense and within. Where can he even go? The lizard sighs, pausing in his wandering and adjusting the bundle under his arm as he tries to make sense of what to do next.
Xochi winds her way along through Respite upon one of her 'walks'. Usually, she uses this to take in the sights and sounds of the town and the folks here, still enamoured with the change and freedom to go where she pleases after so long. Today, however she is lost in thoughts on a greater problem. To that end, she is upon Tarbin rather before she realizes it, stopping short of the lizard with a rather surprised hiss, "Oh! Oh dear! I have almost collided with you! My apologies, friend! Tarbin, was it, yes?"
Tarbin starts at Xochi's voice, stepping slightly back from her as he turns to face her, looking toward her voice with eyes much whiter than the first time they'd met, though such time had passed she may not remember. "Ah, yes, Tarbin is my name. Er... Oh, you are the lady from outside the clinic! I hope you have been well."
Xochi bows her head, "Xochi, yes. I hope you are well also, yes? You seem to have healed somewhat?" She glances at his legs.
Tarbin nods, shifting his legs a bit, though he doesn't seem to be able to pull up much enthusiasm at the moment. "Yes, thank you, Xochi. Many fractures, the doctor Plume is very good, and Nature certainly helped with what they could not reach. My eyesight is a... different matter, unfortunately. Your visit was good as well, hm?"
Xochi chuckles, "Routine, yes. The Doctor has been helping me care for something which I... long neglected. But it is fine now. As fine as it is capable of being, yes."
Tarbin nods, giving what smile he can muster. "I am glad, they are very talented with their treatments, Respite is fortunate to have them here." He sighs lightly, looking a bit aside. "I may have to ask for their charity once more."
Xochi tilts her head. "Charity? In what sense? It is not intended as bragging, but I have much and need little, and would be quite willing to extend a hand in aid to a friend."
Tarbin looks toward Xochi again, tilting his head slightly. "Friend? I am happy to be called such, even if we only just know each other. It would be much to ask, though. I am without home, and without coin. And honestly, nearly without friends, though the last may be my own fault."
Xochi frowns, "I spent much of my life alone, with but a single friend from whom I felt isolated and seperated, through actions which I later learned were of my own doing, perhaps." She sighs, thinking back to Aktzin. "One can never have enough friends, Tarbin. I can offer you that much. A home, perhaps is harder, unless you wish to share with myself and my roommate, though I would wish her to have a say first."
Tarbin blinks, perhaps a little vulnerable from a certain chain of emotions earlier, he shakes his head slightly after seeming to seriously consider her offer. "No I... I do not wish to impose, but your offer... Your kindness, it means a lot." He clears his throat before continuing to speak. "I may simply find somewhere where I might convince Nature to let me sleep for some time."
Xochi nods, "I do not think Kira would mind, but I understand. I... hm." She pauses. "I recall this, yes. You could see me, though your sight is blocked. You saw my... [Nature... Spirit?] but you saw it yes?"
Tarbin nods in recognition, smiling ever so slightly. "Ah, your broach, hm? Have you learned more about it? I couldn't see Nature's magic within you while you had it, if I recall."
Xochi nods, "Nothing more, no. But I trust Sammi's word on the matter. But... I have perhaps a question for you... perhaps in lieu of charity, you could do a job for me? To see another and discern their... [spirit]?"
Tarbin hums curiously, tilting his head a bit. "Mh... I would be happy to help. To be honest, I could certainly use feeling helpful to someone. What do you need me to do, my friend?"
Xochi chuckles, "My proposal is this then! I wish to 'hire' you to check in on her. Erika. A dear friend of mine who has suffered much in the way of curses, and I fear may yet suffer still, for there is something... wrong with her. She is not herself. Friend Nesseth calls her a... 'doppelganger'. She is something which is not herself, which begs me to ask where is the true Erika. Perhaps your insight will help see into this mystery?"
Tarbin hesitates, the shadow of a smile he had found slipping away. "Erika is in trouble, now? I know her... I will gladly help with this, yes. I just need to er... Find my way to her garden again." He shakes his head slightly. "A dop-what, though? I do not know this word."
Xochi hesitates, "I... am unsure I know it either... I think the intent behind it is..." She considers the best word. "[Changeling.] Replacement. Nesseth's fear is that something has taken Erika away... her mate as well, Cavro, the blacksmith. I am unsure motivation is so sinister. But I cannot be sure."
Tarbin nods, understanding dawning on him. "I see, this I can certainly try to help with. Erika is... Unique among the people I have met here, I think I will know shortly after meeting with her if she is herself or something else." He nods again, looking more determined, the lizard funneling his mixed emotions from earlier into a focus on this new task.
Xochi lets out a sigh and smiles, "This is a great relief to me, that we shall hopefully know the truth. I can accompany you, if need be, to guide you to her garden at the very least. And... you shall except my gratitude and my repayment for this kindness. Then, one cannot say it is charity, yes?" She laughs softly, a sound like dry leaves rustling in the wind.
Tarbin smiles slightly again a Xochi, giving a respectful bow in her general direction. "I would be thankful for the chance to help, Xochi. I will gladly accept whatever you wish to give in kind, thank you." He straightens up, grinning at her as a brief respite of relief blankets him for the time being.
Xochi gently reaches out to Tarbin, placing a hand upon his shoulder, "It shall be enough to ensure you can take care of your needs, friend. Until you can find a way to move forward as you will upon yourself. I will owe you that much and more if you can help our friend."
Tarbin nods, slightly startled by the contact... And still somewhat jarred by the complete nonentity that seems to be touching him right now. He looks toward her and chuckles quietly. "Lead the way, Xochi, and I shall follow." The two head on their way for Erika's garden, catching up a bit on light topics on their way. An important task like this might be just what the lizard needs to get his mind off Teis for a bit.
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BOUQUET ESTATE - EARLY EVENING
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Rondelethia had been instructed to try to make pastimes for herself, and she was always one to take medical advise, so she was in the conservatory playing music, the cello to be precise. It was an appropriately ladylike activity, and besides, they said that music was a good emotional outlet, and while Rondelethia had her doubts about that, she did find it cathartic in an odd way.
Nesseth is guided to the conservatory by one of the manor's servants, having been taken to Rondelethia's location instead of Teis' lab due to Teis being unavailable for some unstated reason. His frills flex a bit upon entering the conservatory, Della's cello sounding quite pleasant indeed as the music fills the chamber, and he can't help but stop and simply listen for a little while.
Rondelethia finished her piece, and places down the bow, and stands up in the properly stately manner, reaching out to replace the bow with the decorative fan, which she keeps closed while she approaches "Ah. To what do I owe this pleasure Sergeant?" She pauses, waiting for the reply, silently regretting she hadn't taken the time to pick up the roster of the guards. Father had always told her to try to know officials names before she was told them.
Nesseth smiles and dips into a bit of a bow as Della turns her attention to him. "Good evening, miss. I just wanted to stop by and see how you and yours are settling into things around town. Though... if I had to guess from the music, things have been going decently well."
Rondelethia: "Things are acceptable. I'm still busy, but it is important to take time out for my own pursuits" Less time today now "Our business operation won't be starting until we have products to sell, but I hope that those will be starting soon" Hope being the operative word here really. Rondelethia was going to be sure not to lie, but having one member of her business relationship going on, what appears to her (perhaps unfairly) an multi-day pub crawl talking about the troubles in the business....well, she was expecting a number of probing questions coming. She shifted slightly, fiddling with the fan in her hands "We should be arranging for private protection of our valuables, so as to not tax the local constabulary, although, naturally, they will liaise with the relevant authorities at all times"
Nesseth hums and nods. "Glad to hear you've been settling in well, then. I figured I'd just check in with you as well, since I've run into Teis a couple of times around town already, and she seems to be settling in decently enough. We're a small town, but growing enough that there can be occasional trouble that doesn't make it back to the guards quickly enough, so... if you run into any problems, feel free to report them even if you think it's already been reported." He smiles again, "And certainly, coordination with your private guards will at least help make sure any troubles get sorted out quickly."
Rondelethia: "Of course" She gives a measured smile, and a nod "I only hope to be a help here. If everything goes well, the estate should be a large employer in the area. This place is charming, and will be a good place to live, but sadly, coin is everyone's ruler in some way" She gives a small shrug, that was a genuine expression too, she really didn't like having to be money focused. Indeed, that was one of the reasons she was out here, she would never have made it in the more cutthroat central markets. "I hope to ease that burden, in what way I can" She gives a small chuckle "Let me know if any of your guards wish to retire to a less active role" The nightwatchman being a classic cushy job for someone that just wanted to keep some sort of active lifestyle, but didn't want to run down pickpockets all day...
Nesseth smiles appreciatively. "Well, thank you for the offer, Miss, er... Della? Pardon if that's too familiar, but Teis called you as such, so I don't mean any offense." He clears his throat, "Anyway, I'll be sure to put the offer forward to the guard captains, because I think a few of our folks might be quite interested in it."
Rondelethia: "Rondelethia. Or Ms Bouquet" She lets Teis call her Della, but that's it "No offence taken. I won't be hiring too many in the near future, but I could do with a couple to patrol the grounds at least. I'm sure I can trust your judgement with who would be suitable" She pauses a moment, before moving to the next thought "Is there any other reason? Not that I don't appreciate the courtesy call"
Nesseth dips his head again. "Rondelethia, then. I'm not sure if the guards already told you who I am, but I'm Nesseth." He gives her another kind smile, "And, well... there is one more reason for the visit, actually. I don't normally make these sorts of things my business nor do I want to really impose or anything, but the last time I ran into Teis, she seemed rather distraught about something between you and her." He sighs a little, shrugging, "Thankfully, it's nothing really bad, but I told her I'd talk with you as one of her friends, so... don't worry about the whole 'guard' thing for this."
Rondelethia: "I would like to say that it is a private matter between myself and my sister, but that would be rather at odds with how things are" She says, diplomatically, though..really, she's seething underneath, for having to deal with said private matter being plastered all around town "Teis is the brains of this operation, and she does not answer to me, nor do I have any control over her actions. My role here is to aid her in what way I can, so that she can grow this business here" Her fingers grip the fan in her hand, even if her voice only showed the barest hint of emotion. She's calculating her words, because she just knows that what is being said here will make its way back to Teis.
Nesseth shakes his head a little. "I'll be completely blunt here, Rondelethia, since I get the feeling you'd enjoy the candor." His smile slides a little to something a little sadder, "It's actually nothing to do with the business."
Rondelethia really doesn't want to be having this conversation, and is even less happy that more people are being dragged into this "If you wish for candour, then please, deliver your message" Calm, diplomatic, but it looked like she could snap that fan in two she's clenching it so hard. Her diplomacy was even slipping a little!
Nesseth has spent enough time as a guard to note that, for as much as Della is trying to keep herself contained, she's definitely extremely upset at the moment. "Then I'll just lay it out for you. Teis is worried that what she did while helping fix Tarbin's curse upset you enough that you just don't care about her well-being anymore. The fact that you two aren't talking at all is causing her way more anguish than if you were angry but at least talking to her. She's afraid you're looking for a reason to just toss her aside and forget about her." He holds Della gaze steady, "You're obviously extremely well-educated, so I'm assuming you know something of Lizard culture, specifically how we view family. If you do know, you'll see why I decided to help Teis figure this out."
Rondelethia takes a moment to gather herself, and opts for repeating herself ""Teis is the brains of this operation, and she does not answer to me, nor do I have any control over her actions. My role here is to aid her in what way I can, so that she can grow this business here" Before adding "Technically, if it came to an irreconcilable, impasse it would be I that would be 'thrown out'" It's truly a noble skill to be able to enunciate scare quotes like that "not her. Her value to the family is in her abilities. If I proven unable to work with her, I would be called home, and something else would be tried" So, so many things she could say here, about the utter unfairness of the position she's been put in "She is my sister, and I love her. She has -always- been my sister" The very implication that this wasn't the case was a grave insult indeed to her, even if her tone was conversational, abet that carefully coached, and trained conversational that could hold the same tone regarding the morning's walk through the park and the elimination of a business rival. She's not perfect though..she sounds vaguely like a person at times "I have not been talking because I've been busy all day" She doesn't finish the sentence of why the night time isn't an option "Teis wished to pursue her own projects, in her own time, and I have let her do what she wishes. She wished to be allowed work to her own timetable. The only thing I have done is remind her of the consequences of the failure of this business"
Nesseth shakes his head again. "I'm just saying, you two have always been sisters, but apparently Teis is worried that might not be the case." He shrugs, "Perhaps some family time might be necessary. Don't worry about the business for just a few minutes per day or something, and just spend time with Teis even if it means pulling her away from her projects for a short bit. She obviously holds you really close to her heart even if she's impulsive, and I can tell that she's starting to feel like she has no family."
Rondelethia: "I'm not sure how more explicit I can be that this isn't the case. Luckily, I had already budgeted some time away from work" She gestures to her cello "So I will be able to use that. Besides, I understand that Tarbin left the estate earlier. It's unclear why, but it appears he will not be returning. Since I expect he will refuse my help" Because one doesn't become homeless over minor squabbles "Please ensure he is taken care of. I will fund his accommodation, and food expenses. I'm sure you can find a good cover story"
Nesseth blinks, surprised. "Tarbin... left the estate? Huh... well, I'll see if I can help with that, but, uh..." He gives Della a bit of an awkward, uncertain grimace, "I'll try to come up with a cover story? Not sure how I'd go about explaining why he suddenly has free room and board, though..." He clears his throat, "Anyway... yes, it's already clear to me that what Teis told me obviously isn't the entirety of things, but I'm sure she'd appreciate you being there, regardless of how you're there. Feeling ignored is often way more painful than being yelled at."
Rondelethia: "Indeed" She replies crisply. Having your feelings ignored really does suck, doesn't it? Rondelethia will very much try to empathize with such a feeling. "Matters will be smoothed over, I am sure of that, but I don't raise my voice either" Not that that's any help, Rondelethia is absolutely the sort that can dissect with an even tone. "Now, I thank you for your enlightening conversation, however, I am sure that you have a busy evening, and I would not wish to impose on your time any further"
Nesseth hums and nods, then turns to leave, knowing he's essentially being dismissed. "Nothing too pressing, but I should likewise let you get back to your evening and not take up any more of your time. I wish you and Teis the best. Take care, Rondelethia." He takes several steps towards the door before he pauses, "Oh, right! Before I forget, the only reason I know about this is because I asked Teis what was bothering her at the Minnow, and I doubt she'd have told me if she wasn't already halfway into a tankard. So... if you're worried about any scandals or rumors or whatever, nothing of the sort's popped up yet." He holds Della's look for a few more moments, then gives her a respectful salute and heads out.
Rondelethia doesn't answer, and instead, simply returns to her music. The Butler can bring him out.