Ficlet: Sisterly Concern
Title: Sisterly Concern
Author: badly_knitted
Characters: Ianto, Rhiannon.
Rating: G
Spoilers: Nada.
Summary: Rhiannon phones her brother at work.
Word Count: 500
Written For: Prompt 311: Work at anythingdrabble.
Disclaimer: I don’t own Torchwood, or the characters.
“You’re always at work,” Rhiannon complained when she finally managed to get her brother on the phone.
“I have a job,” Ianto replied patiently. “A job that requires me to actually be at work every day. Not everyone gets to work from home or set their own hours.”
“I know that! But every time I call you, you’re at work. Doesn’t matter what day it is, or how late it is, you’re always there. Don’t you ever get a day off?”
‘Not if I can avoid it,’ Ianto thought to himself. For him, taking a day off meant coming back to three times the amount of work, and half of his colleagues complaining about not being able to find what they needed. Either that, or they’d blow up his phone all day asking where to find things and he’d get no peace at all.
“Surprising as it may sound, not all jobs are nine to five, Monday to Friday. I have responsibilities outside of regular office hours.”
“At a tourist information office? Pull the other one, it’s got bells on.”
Unseen by his big sister, Ianto rolled his eyes. He didn’t enjoy lying to his family, but it was as much for their safety as it was for his own. “I have a lot of paperwork to do, brochures and schedules to order, and I need to keep up to date on all local events. That means on my own time I have to go out and view the attractions so I can better inform the people who come to me for information. And it’s not like I can hire a cleaner, so all the cleaning and maintenance falls to me as well. There’s a reason I got an award from the Welsh Tourist Board.” He smirked to himself; the little trophy and framed certificate were very nice, although he’d donated the cash prize to charity.
“You got an award?”
“Yep! Second year running.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t think you’d care. You’ve made it abundantly clear you don’t approve of my career choice.” The fact that he actually worked for Torchwood and the tourist office was more of an incidental sideline was immaterial. “I take my work very seriously.” The Torchwood side of things especially, but like the old saying went, if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing well, and he wasn’t about to slack off on any aspect of his work.
“Of course I care! I just think you could do better. You were always the smart one of the family.”
“I enjoy my work, Rhi. It’s varied, and I get to meet a lot of interesting people.” Some of them weren’t even human. “I would think you’d be happy that I’m doing something I enjoy. Anyway, I’m sure you didn’t call me just to complain that I’m always working.”
“You’re right, I didn’t.” A long silence followed.
Finally, Ianto asked, “Well? Why did you call?”
Rhiannon sighed. “I’ve forgotten,” she admitted sheepishly.
The End
Author: badly_knitted
Characters: Ianto, Rhiannon.
Rating: G
Spoilers: Nada.
Summary: Rhiannon phones her brother at work.
Word Count: 500
Written For: Prompt 311: Work at anythingdrabble.
Disclaimer: I don’t own Torchwood, or the characters.
“You’re always at work,” Rhiannon complained when she finally managed to get her brother on the phone.
“I have a job,” Ianto replied patiently. “A job that requires me to actually be at work every day. Not everyone gets to work from home or set their own hours.”
“I know that! But every time I call you, you’re at work. Doesn’t matter what day it is, or how late it is, you’re always there. Don’t you ever get a day off?”
‘Not if I can avoid it,’ Ianto thought to himself. For him, taking a day off meant coming back to three times the amount of work, and half of his colleagues complaining about not being able to find what they needed. Either that, or they’d blow up his phone all day asking where to find things and he’d get no peace at all.
“Surprising as it may sound, not all jobs are nine to five, Monday to Friday. I have responsibilities outside of regular office hours.”
“At a tourist information office? Pull the other one, it’s got bells on.”
Unseen by his big sister, Ianto rolled his eyes. He didn’t enjoy lying to his family, but it was as much for their safety as it was for his own. “I have a lot of paperwork to do, brochures and schedules to order, and I need to keep up to date on all local events. That means on my own time I have to go out and view the attractions so I can better inform the people who come to me for information. And it’s not like I can hire a cleaner, so all the cleaning and maintenance falls to me as well. There’s a reason I got an award from the Welsh Tourist Board.” He smirked to himself; the little trophy and framed certificate were very nice, although he’d donated the cash prize to charity.
“You got an award?”
“Yep! Second year running.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t think you’d care. You’ve made it abundantly clear you don’t approve of my career choice.” The fact that he actually worked for Torchwood and the tourist office was more of an incidental sideline was immaterial. “I take my work very seriously.” The Torchwood side of things especially, but like the old saying went, if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing well, and he wasn’t about to slack off on any aspect of his work.
“Of course I care! I just think you could do better. You were always the smart one of the family.”
“I enjoy my work, Rhi. It’s varied, and I get to meet a lot of interesting people.” Some of them weren’t even human. “I would think you’d be happy that I’m doing something I enjoy. Anyway, I’m sure you didn’t call me just to complain that I’m always working.”
“You’re right, I didn’t.” A long silence followed.
Finally, Ianto asked, “Well? Why did you call?”
Rhiannon sighed. “I’ve forgotten,” she admitted sheepishly.
The End