Jill, from Katherine Kerr's Deverry books

[turtledove_jill]

A young woman with short blonde hair walks in, stops, and looks around in surprise. She is wearing worn baggy trousers, a slightly stained linen shirt, boots, and a swordbelt from which hang a sword and a silver dagger.

"By the Lord of Hell's black hairy balls! Since when did Brin Toraedic have a room that looked like this(OOC: This Jill is from

Comments

[ian_ma1co1m]

Pardon me, miss. You wouldn't happen to have a passionate interest in hyenas, would you?

Re: *screened for the dinosaur island survivors*

[ian_ma1co1m]

She's got more to lose, that's fair enough. But can you really say she's given it all she's worth when she hasn't had all the facts about this place to work with?

Re: *screened for the dinosaur island survivors*

[dinosaurman]

"What facts? It's a magic school. There is no logic to it."

Re: *screened for the dinosaur island survivors*

[ian_ma1co1m]

Your friend Laura mentioned I had sent you an insulting gift. I explained the quarrel as best I could without saying what the gift was or what it meant. She knows you are keeping something from her. Possibly several somethings.

Re: *screened for the dinosaur island survivors*

[dinosaurman]

Oh, thank you.

Re: *screened for the dinosaur island survivors*

[ian_ma1co1m]

She asked me point-blank, Alan. Would you have had me tell her the whole story?

Re: *screened for the dinosaur island survivors*

[dinosaurman]

"I'm sure you would have loved to tell her all about how you offered me a shoulder to cry on."

Re: *screened for the dinosaur island survivors*

[ian_ma1co1m]

I'd have loved not to have to equivocate, or worse, lie to her face. I told her it was your story to tell, and I stand by that.

Re: *screened for the dinosaur island survivors*

[dinosaurman]

"Have you ever thought that maybe there's a good reason to lie to someone? Spare their feelings, maybe?"

Re: *screened for the dinosaur island survivors*

[ian_ma1co1m]

*is silent for a second*

That is beneath you, as a scientist and as a man who supposedly cares for Ellie. Either you tell her the truth, or I will. She deserves it, and you have your chance.

Re: *screened for the dinosaur island survivors*

[dinosaurman]

"I do care for her, and if you had any sense you'd see that I'm trying to look out for her. Laura wouldn't know if someone hadn't told her, you wouldn't know if you hadn't pieced it out, and we'd all be happy then. She doesn't need to know."

Re: *screened for the dinosaur island survivors*

[ian_ma1co1m]

No. No. That is impracticable and you know it, Alan. Too many people know, she knows there's something being kept from her - it's out, my friend.

As I see it you have three options. Best case, she hears it from the person she cares most for here, namely you; next best case, she hears it from someone she considers a friend, myself or Laura; or worst case, she hears it from a stranger - say, whoever told your young lady. But she is going to find out. It's just a matter of how.

Re: *screened for the dinosaur island survivors*

[dinosaurman]

Don't call me that.

That's great. And when it comes up, I'll deal with it then. Not now.

Re: *screened for the dinosaur island survivors*

[ian_ma1co1m]

*sighs*

Perhaps you're one of those people who works best with a deadline. Very well. One week. Ellie hears it all from you within one week, or I tell her myself.

Re: *screened for the dinosaur island survivors*

[dinosaurman]

You wouldn't dare.

Re: *screened for the dinosaur island survivors*

[ian_ma1co1m]

The hell I wouldn't. For Ellie's sake? The hell I wouldn't. One week, Grant, and I owl her to ask if the two of you've spoken.