Posted July 11, 2021, 12:43 p.m. by Civilian Ragna Idun McKenzie (Future Citizen) (Jennifer Ward)
Revna had been up most of the night, some of it focusing the files Tara gave her. The majority was spent with Mike, just the two of them. With the sun now beginning to streak across the sky Revna made her way across the village towards Runa’s house. She lifted her hand to bang the door down to wake Runa up when the door flew open, her twin meeting her gaze, “Yep, you’re here now, let’s go.” The two, a force of nature individually, got a lot of double takes, laughter and shudders as they crossed the village center. They paused to look at the forge which was lit up, a young woman was in there working that Revna didn’t recognize. “That’s Blaire, got to be. Seamus’ sister,” Runa told her. Oddvar happened to glance up and called them over. It was all very hush hush and only took a minute, and with Revna’s suggestion and Runa’s blessing Oddvar got back to work.
Revna knocked quietly on the door. Apparently Ragna wasn’t feeling well again, a headache. Revna and Runa were there to see her anyway and promised to watch her so he could do what he needed and he could go find Mike. They entered the one room wooden house. The bed was opposite the door, the headboard angled to stay in the shadows when the door opened. Revna grabbed a chair and set it down quietly next to the bed. Runa moved to the stove in the center of the room, grabbed the kettle and filled it with water. Ragna had changed the open fire pit for a wood stove. It kept the house warm, allowed her to cook, and kept the light of the fire hidden when her eyes were too sensitive for any light. Runa collected cups and tea and bread for toast. “I swear one of these days you two are going to see the good sense to have a replicator.”
Revna brushed back Ragna’s white blonde hair and then took her hand in both of hers. “Ragna, what’s the matter?” Ragna sighed, pulling her hand away and pushing herself up to sitting. “I can feel it, another storm is…” Revna titled her head to look her in the eyes, “Not buying it. I checked there is no storm coming, and you’ve never been able to predict a storm a full day before it comes. There is no storm out there Ragna, it’s here,” and she tapped her sister right over her heart. Ragna picked at the blanket over her lap. “I don’t want to go back to Scotland,” it came out barely a whisper as if afraid the gods would strike at her for such blasphemy. Runa and Revna shared a glance. Runa handed Revna her black tea, and then gently she placed a cup of ginger and peppermint tea in Ragna’s hands. She nimbly climbed over Ragna in the bed and settled beside her baby sister, green tea steaming from her own cup. “I thought you were happy with Seamus, baby?” Runa slipped an arm around Ragna’s shoulders. Ragna stared into the steam of her cup, “I am.” It was said fiercely and with her whole heart. “I…can’t leave the house without seeing it. Without feeling it. I don’t want to go tomorrow. I know I’m a coward for it…”
Revna sipped at her tea contemplating her sister. She wished she had been able to get home sooner. She lifted Ragna’s hand holding the teacup, “Drink your tea.” There were several issues there. “Fear does not make you a coward Ragna, you know that. And admitting to fear is the opposite of cowardice. Haven’t you told that to enough people over the years? Now do you think not going tomorrow is going to make this easier for you? Do you think that will help you move past it? Tell me the truth because if it will you aren’t going.” If Ragna really believed it would help Revna wouldn’t let anyone make her go, but she also knew avoiding the confrontation would make it worse. Ragna drank her tea and finally sighed heavily, “No.” Runa kissed her temple, “Do you think Seamus would let you get hurt again? Or Mike or Da or Uncle Oddvar or Devlin, or any one of our shield sisters? Or Mom? Or even Lady Tara?” Ragna had been smiling softly as Runa mentioned Tara, Ragna got mad. “Tara can’t do a thing! She let her clan get this way! For once I didn’t do anything wrong. I loved Seamus and let him take me home. I was on clan land in the Marshall’s house! And they didna care!” Runa grinned over the slight Scottish turn to her words Ragna was adopting. “They won’t forgive Tara for besting them. Banished or not they will go after her. They are vile wretched.” Revna took the tea as Ragna began to sob. This was good, heart rending to witness but good. Revna moved onto the bed, two copper blonde heads framing a white blonde one. Revna and Runa held onto Ragna while she vented her fear and frustration. At some point they even started singing softly to her.
“Alright, we’ve wallowed long enough. I’ll tell Mike about your concerns for Tara though I’m sure he and Seamus have already thought of it.” Runa snorted, “Oddvar has already thought of it or I’ll eat my shoe.” Ragna and Revna looked at her, “Is that a bet?” Runa rolled her eyes, “Tell me I’m wrong Revna?” Revna shrugged, “We’ll find out. And then what are we going to do for you? Hmmm so that you can make it…” Runa pipped up nearly bouncing, “Oh I know, you’re going to spend the whole morning in bed with Seamus. You’ll be so loved you’ll want to punch him. You won’t be thinkin’ about anything else.” Poor Ragna turned bright red and Runa fell sideways on the bed cackling. Revna rolled her eyes and patted Ragna on the shoulder, “Oh stop Runa. Though it’s an excellent idea and I agree totally with it. But we have a BIGGER problem.” Through tears Runa glanced up, “What’s that?” Revna pulled out a PaDD from her bag, “Ragna still doesn’t have a wedding dress.” By the time Helka came looking for her girls everything was as right with the world as it could be and Ragna FINALLY had a dress…
Revna, Runa, Ragna
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