Posted June 12, 2021, 10:52 a.m. by Civilian Ragna Idun McKenzie (Future Citizen) (Jennifer Ward)
Posted by Civilian Seamus McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - An Unexpected Meeting
Posted by Civilian Ragna Idun McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - An Unexpected Meeting
Posted by Civilian Seamus McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - An Unexpected Meeting
Posted by… suppressed (8) by the Post Ghost! 👻(snip)
“So tell her that. You think that someone with a temper like Ragna’s doesn’t understand the need to allow more objective persons to make those decisions, but she does. But you two need to talk as people. Not high born titles and ranks with sticks up both your rears. She is a very scared young woman, in her husbands home, away from her family. Whether she knows it or not, she needs you to be her family. Not her new chief, not a Lady, not any of that, she needs you to be her other mother. Talk to her, and keep talking, even if her fear and anger have got a hold of her at the moment. It’s a trait of the young. But you keep talking, and she’ll hear you. And you know what, you need to be seen as more than the Lady and the title too, and Ragna, is very good at ignoring titles.” Then Helka hugged the other woman. “I hope too that I never have to see or do such a thing and I wish such a thing had never been laid on you.” Helka looked over at Ragna, “She’s alone, go on, go talk to her. I’ve got linens to finish, and then we’ll plan a wedding.” And she shooed Tara back towards Ragna. And then Helka took herself off to wash the linens.
Ragna, Oddvar, and HelkaTara moved slowly over to Ragna, stopping Oddvar and asking him to bring her a chair… which he did. She sat down in front of Ragna and looked at her for a long moment before saying “I should have told you this earlier, Ragna… I am so very proud of you.” and she picked up a bruised and battered hand and kissed it gently before releasing it.
As she approached Ragna looked away from where she watching the door with a sigh. Seamus had told her to be the bigger woman, but it wasn’t about that. It wasn’t about one of them taking the high road, it was a matter of learning to travel the road together. She knew that, she just tended to make people want to travel with a great distance between them and her. Aurora was curled half on half off her lap. She had no words to say to Tara. She supposed ‘thank you’ for being proud of her? But it seemed a paltry response. And to dismiss it and define her own actions as survival instincts was rudely dismissive of her words. The only response she had was to meet Tara’s gaze and gently squeeze her hand.
“I am sorry, Ragna McKenzie… I am sorry that I was so wrapped up in everything else that I didn’t see you. But I do, my dear. I see you and I see what you have brought to this place…” and she waved her hand around at the homestead. “The light and warmth and passion… you may have been born Edman, but you are a McKenzie if there ever was one. And I am lucky to have you as my granddaughter. Now… what can a tired old woman do to make this right? Oh, and I’m not talking about Argyle.” and he turned her head and spit on the ground. “That I think will be best handled… at least at first… by more even tempers than you or I possess.” and she leaned forward and gave Ragna the look she gave Helka. “But I swear on all the McKenzie ancestors and fallen heroes… it will be handled to your satisfaction.” and she leaned back and calmed slightly. “No… I mean this, your home. What can I do to make you feel like you belong here? Because you do. And I want you to believe that as much as I do.”
Lady Tara
Ragna didn’t smile, but her gaze flickered hotly, but not at Tara, rather with her. “Oh I agree. This is far too perfect an opportunity to ruin it with my own temper.” She stared up at the sky. The migraine, the hit to the head, the pain killers, the tension of the previous day…she had to think first, and she was tired and hurting. “I will not say that I am not angry, that I want the man’s head on the end of a pike, that I want to be the one to put it there. But there are others.” She looked back at Tara. This conversation wasn’t about Argyle, but she needed someone to hear this. “Your grandson didn’t live this long with his…disposition and there not be others. He knew this was Seamus’s house, and I told him Seamus was my husband, that you said this was my home. Was that only yesterday?” Ragna shook her head, “If none of that mattered to him, then there are certainly others he’s beaten that he considers beneath him. There are thousands of clan that need to be protected from him. If what happened to me can fix that, then I can wait. Besides, my rage won’t help you use reconciliation to your benefit.” Ragna smiled slyly, “Oh yes, I’m aware, it’s the only option.”
Tara’s words really did mean the world to Ragna. “I meant what I said. You are always welcome. I don’t agree with many people or often. That is not a reflection of you, but me. Don’t stay away because of me.” There was a long moment of silence. Then Ragna began to talk, softly, and very out of character, tears. “Me fitting in here is not anything anyone can help but me. When I was 10, my sister, Revna lost Shauwn. They were…always together. They were seamless. They knew, the village knew, Da and Mom knew, they would get married....He…died in the attack on Earth. It broke Revna, it destroyed her. There was no Revna without Shauwn. They were so interconnected she couldn’t function after he was gone. She threw herself into living his life. She had no identity without him. I didn’t want to end up like her. I never wanted to walk into love with someone. To loose myself so completely in another that neither could function without the other. It still scares me.” She glances at the door to the house again. “I make him angry, a lot. And every time he walks away I get a taste of what Revna felt, and I hate it.” She reaches over and pats Tara’s hand. “That’s not a criticism of Seamus at all. I understand now how it happens that your whole world, your identity, becomes defined by another. But finding a place here is my responsibility, to find the right way to fight for Seamus, not fight with him.”
Ragna McKenzieTara looked at Ragna for a long time and then smiled and said “Do you know how old Seamus was when he started building this place? And How he was when he moved into it permanently?” and she grinned like she had a secret dying to come out.
Tara
Ragna thought about it. Seamus had told her he had found the foundation and the crest. That he thought that if one McKenzie had lived there once then another should. And so he’d built the house. She shook her head. No mostly she tried to find out how and when he’d learned Norwegian, and he never answered, just kissed her. “No, he hasn’t told me.”
Ragna McKenzieTara laughed. It was light, airy, and filled with joy. Her eyes focused on time long apart and she said softly “He found the cornerstone when he was six. Showed me. He was so proud. He asked if he could have it. I said if he promised to make it the cornerstone of his house, he could have it. He just smiled at me. Two days laterI see him with a wheelbarrow, a pick, and a shovel. Six years old! And walking out of the landscaping garage like he hadn’t a care in the world. Took him all day to get here. He built a little fire, ate something, and curled up on the stone and slept. The next morning he started clearing.” Her eyes focused and she looked at Ragna. “Twelve years, Ragna… twelve years he spent building this place. Researching, building up, tearing down, starting over. Twelve years… he moved in on his eighteenth birthday. And he’s been here ever since.” Tara looked around at the house, the sheep pen, the spring house and roit cellar door.
“All of this laid out by design and by hand. Its a remarkable place…” and she looked at Ragna, “… for a remarkable couple.”
Lady Tara
Ragna laughed and then winced, and adjusted slightly in the chair with a grimace. Torn muscles protesting. “It doesn’t surprise me. When I first saw it, I thought it was actually the original building. Even up close it’s hard to tell what is original and what is newer. He created something remarkable. I know professional restorers who couldn’t do what he’s done.” She couldn’t lean over but she ‘whispered’ to Tara, “Maybe even better than I could do myself, but don’t tell him I said that.” She looked around again, “I was four when he started this…” And somewhere she could hear the gods laughing, again. “I would love to find more of the homes of our combined clans.”
“Seamus said the police are coming.” That wasn’t what she meant…”He said you stayed all night. I vaguely remember you being here. I’m sure there are several things I should thank you for, but I’m not sure what they are. But…I am sorry For being rude when I sent that comm.”
Ragna McKenzieTara patted her hand gently and said “Ragana… a lady never apologizes when she is right. And I have to say, between you and your mother? You could start a trade at pulling sticks out of people’s arses.” and she laughed softly. “And no thanks is needed, nor expected. You are my family, and one does what one must for family.” She stood up and smoothed her dress. “Yes. The police are sending an Inspector to ask you some questions. Now don’t fret or scowl, just tell the truth. Not that I expect you to do any different.”
Tara
Ragna shook her head, “Perhaps a Lady does not, but I’m only good with titles on paper. But as my mother is always fond of reminding me, a woman never forgets to appreciate those around her and to tell them. She has a way with people. My sisters are like her: kind and gentle.” Ragna watched her stand craning her head to look up and grinned. “I can promise not to fret and I will try not to scowl. However if they say something stupid I will have to pray for the self control not to scowl or worse.”
Tara looked at her and smiled. “My dear Ragna… ‘Lady may be a title on paper, but there is a weight to it. And that weight, used correctly…” and she knelt before Ragna and took her hands in her own, “… can be used like a blacksmiths hammer. To mold people, like metal, into what is needed. A tool… a gift… a blade. And no, I am not doing that here. Here, now, I am your grandmother. But the Lady that is me is going to use that to make sure you are cared for and those that harmed you get what they deserve.” She leaned forward and kissed Ragna’s cheek lightly, and then stood up.
She stared into Tara’s face, confirming what she already knew, “Of that, I have no doubt.” Ragna hugged her lightly. “It is one you weild well. I may not have the aptitude for it, but I do respect your ability to do so. So what do I call you?”
“I understand titles may not mean much now. But don’t discard their usefulness. Maybe someday I can teach you to weird a title as effectively as you weilded that trowel.” and she smiled.
“If you can manage that my family will throw a feast in your honor.” She was serious but there was some humor to it as well.
“I’ll go get Seamus. Its time you rest.”
Lady Tara
Ragna just nodded and might have mumbled ‘Yes Ma’am.”
Ragna McKenzieShe leaned back against the chair heavily, closing her eyes. Her body was beginning to go from a state of discomfort to pain as either the medicine from the doctor or Seamus’s unguents wore off. She wasn’t sure if she was hungry or if that was just pain from the beating she took. The exhaustion was clear on her face, and she was ready to stop working so hard to sit up. The officers needed to hurry up because she was not letting strangers in her house to question her while she laid in bed. She simply wasn’t. Enough of her home had already been violated. If she could manage it, she’d go inside and see if Seamus had calmed down yet and talk to him. He told her to be still and heal and rest, and she could give him that. Because he was right and this whole thing was as hard on him as it was her.
Ragna McKenzieTara stopped at the doorway before going in. Turning, she said “Formal occasions, Lady Tara. Family occasions, Tara… or Seanmhair, if you like. Between you and I? Call me what you want. I’m sure you will, regardless.” and she winked and went inside.
Inside the house, Seamus was stomping and mumbling through gritted teeth. Tara looked at him and said simply “Enough, now. There is time enough for anger later, Seamus. For now, tend to your wife. Let her say what she wants and do whatever she needs to get better. Do you hear me, Seamus McKenzie?”
Seamus had stopped loving when she started talking. “Aye, aye… I hear ye, seanmhair.” He shook his head and took a breath. “I’ll try an’ keep it in check… for Ragna.” He looked at Tara and said “You and the Edmans talk?” Tara nodded and then moved over and patted his arm. “That we did. Now… tend to her. We can talk about that… all of us together… afterwards.” Seamus nodded and picked up the tinctures and balms and headed outside.
Seamus and Tara
Ragna heard the door open as Tara went inside and the faint stomping of Seamus’s foot falls before the door closed again. He was still mad, and that was probably her fault. One day she was going to learn to not talk for at least a day after a migraine. She was muddle headed and nothing she said made sense. And getting her head smashed against the cobbles certainly made that worse. The doctor gave her something, or she’d probably still be unconscious. She heard the door open again. Aurora shifted on her lap looking up at the approaching man and Ragna winced at the movement. She was leaned back in the chair, eyes closed, breathing against the pain. But she’d recognize the sound of his steps anywhere. “I’m sorry, Seamus.” She opened her eyes and looked up at him. “I’m hurt, scared, confused, and in a lot of pain. I shouldn’t have lashed out at you. I’m sorry.”
Ragna McKenzie
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