Llarasa stood up despite Ahnasha's offer. "I don't think she'll be doing that, but I'll go and keep an eye out." Llarasa wafted her fingers towards Ahnasha. "You stay put..." her eyes caught Monderyn. "You never got to catch up."

It was unclear what Monderyn was thinking. He seemed distracted enough that he only acknowledged Llarasa with a fleeting glance. He returned to frowning at the one arm he had on the table.

Fendros seemed to adopt a similar demeanour for a short while. There was hope with his mother yet, but not nearly enough to show excitement. He greeted Monderyn with sigh and broke the silence. "It's been a while, brother."

Monderyn softly grunted behind his frown.

"Look, I regret what happened in the inn..."

"Don't worry about that," Monderyn spoke over him and shook his head. After another short silence, he swallow in frustration and curled his hand into a fist. "I don't know what to do, Fendros. There is so much happening at once." Monderyn finally looked up at Fendros with something of a pleading face. "We separated on such bad terms, but I'll swallow all that, I've been scared for mother. I don't want whatever poor taste we left in each other's mouths to get in the way of making sure she's well," Monderyn looked past them both with wide and spoke as if he was finishing a chore. "So, while you're here, I have to say sorry. I was just...back then, at the inn, I was so angry at everything that I was losing myself. Finding you was the kick back into reality that I needed." He let out an exasperated breath, ashamed enough to go dark blue on the ears. "Many things have happened since. That apology goes to you, too, Ahnasha. I don't expect you to forgive me, but I was in a dark spot and I regret what I did."

There was a creak in a floorboard elsewhere in the house, likely caused by Llarasa. It caused Monderyn to stop speaking and hold his lips shut.

[hr]
Harriet's abdomen flinched as Meesei led up to the command word. After a second, she resumed her potato peeling. "I'll try to stay away from Daedra, then," Harriet murmured, trying to play off the brief moment of surprise.

With that, Harriet didn't initiate any further conversation.

[hr]
Janius raised a hand. "Never said it had to."

There was a moment where Janius observed the people around them, thinking. "Tell you what, since you're so worked up about it, why don't you think of it like Harriet [i]is[/i] pulling your leg and call the bluff?" Janius raised his shoulders to be non-committal. "You don't have to bluster at her about treachery and all that, but if you let it bother you any more, you may as well be treating it like she's telling the truth."