regency au } { of worried daughters and plotting wives

[wildkingdom]

Malia: [they still haven't left for Ireland. Malia is starting to get concerned. She's been seen stewing outside her father's room only for Kate to shoo her away and claim that he's fine. On the third time, Malia allows herself to be shooed all the way outside and she opts to wander the grounds instead, stewing in a much larger space instead]

Liam: [and he will be doing his assigned chores, which for this week include sword sharpening. It's a long, arduous process of sliding swords along the water stone, rewetting, other side, repeat until done. There's six swords he has to sharpen, and he's only on the third and hot, so he's stripped his shirt off as he works. His back is to her, and he's focused so he doesn't know she's there.]

Malia: [and she doesn't want to disturb him, so she won't, but she will walk past him and try not to think about the hot sweatiness because that's too complicated for her feelings right now]

Liam: [and she walks past, her scent will float over to him. He looks up as he's finishing the sword and smiles] Good Morning, M'lady.

Malia: [she glances back, somewhat distracted] Good morning. I didn't mean to interrupt.

Liam: You didn't. [and he puts the sharp sword in the done pile and grabs the next one] I'm just doing chores.

Malia: Doesn't that count as doing something that can be interrupted?

Liam: But if I'm still working while talking, is the chore really interrupted?

Malia: It certainly prevents you from doing it efficiently.

Liam: But as long as it's done correctly, that's all that matters. [he motions for her to sit at the other end of the table if she so chooses]

Malia: [... might as well, she has nothing better to do. She takes a deep breath and plops down]

Liam: [and he will get back at the sharpening, going slower but still precise] So still no Ireland?

Malia: No. [she should just leave it at that, but she can't help but pout a little] And my father hasn't been around much, and whenever I try to see him, Kate shoos me away like an annoying child.

Liam: Nothing's wrong with him, right?

Malia: If there were, I don't think Kate would tell me. Which makes me think there is, and he's my father. [she should be allowed to know if something's wrong]

Liam: So... you just need to sneak into his chambers and not ask permission to enter.

Malia: That would require her leaving.

Liam: or her being distracted. She's not a wolf, so her senses are duller.

Malia: The room is not that large. And there's only one entrance.

Liam: Unless someone came in through the balcony or any of the windows. But I wouldn't know anything about that.

Malia: Have you seen the side of the house my father's window rests on? It's one of the hardest walls in the manor to climb. And none of that matters, because I shouldn't have to come up with elaborate plans to see my own father!

Liam: No, you shouldn't.

Malia: [she huffs, before looking down at her hands] And I can't tell if it's Kate being awful or if he truly doesn't want to see me and she's taking the blow.

Liam: Your dad would never deny seeing you. You've always been his first priority

Malia: He would if he didn't want me to see him a certain way.

Liam: [pauses his sharpening] You think he's taken ill?

Malia: I didn't smell anything. [so it's nothing too terrible if it is] But that doesn't mean something isn't wrong.

Liam: Have any of your cousins seen him?

Malia: I don't know. But they're busy most of the time.

Liam: Hmm. [and he goes back to sharpening, thinking]

Malia: [and she'll just sit there, still stewing]

Liam: I wish I knew how to help you, m'lady.

Malia: I'll figure it out. I'm just ... annoyed.

Liam: I can tell. Perhaps I could distract you somehow?

Malia: I thought you had chores to do.

Liam: [and he's finished with the fourth sword] I only have two more to do. This is my chore for the week.

Malia: Then ... what would you suggest?

Liam: We could take a walk? It's been awhile since I just walked around without a set reason.

Malia: [that's not much of a distraction for her spinning brain, but it will do] Alright

Liam: And hey, maybe the cook will make you those lemon bars we liked as kids. Cook doesn't talk to me anymore.

Malia: She'll warm up eventually.

Liam: I just need to be patient. I know

Malia: That is the key to most things.

Liam: I tried to learn to meditate at a tourney once. Sir Jacob felt it might help me learn to at least stand still. Didn't really take.

Malia: Meditation is pointless.

Liam: Pointless?

Malia: It doesn't do anything productive.

Liam: It's supposed to help you clear your mind so you can focus on what you want to do after.

Malia: That's not productive. At least not to me.

Liam: I can get into a meditative state when I do repetitious tasks like this, but it's more to help get the ugly thoughts out of my head.

Malia: I'd rather be out of mine.

Liam: [and he's now on the last sword] Well, if you could do anything right now, what would you wish to do?

Malia: [see her father.] I don't know.

Liam: Anywhere you would like to visit?

Malia: I don't know. I've been so many places lately, there aren't many left.

Liam: I've been told that India is very beautiful. Have you been there?

Malia: I've had men offer to take me there.

Liam: [wrinkles his nose. He doesn't like the idea of random men taking Malia places] You said no?

Malia: They were trying to convince me to marry them.

Liam: Ah. Well, I guess that makes sense.

Malia: Most of them wouldn't have the means for a true trip to India. They were just soldiers trying to improve their station.

Liam: Did they even care about you as a person?

Malia: They hadn't known me long enough for that.

Liam: [snorts] Sometimes I think growing up here, you learn to treat ladies in a way that most others are never taught.

Malia: Most don't grow up around other women at all, and just hear what their fathers tell them.

Liam: Sucks to be them. [and he's finished with the last sword. He adds it to the pile, then goes to massage his arm muscles because they are tight]

Malia: I suppose. [one would assume that you should just treat people with respect, but apparently that doesn't stick]

Liam: Well, my chores are done for the day. Would you like to take that walk?

Malia: [she nods] May as well.

Liam: [and he will reach for his undershirt and pull it on, then his over shirt. He'll then walk over and offer her his hand] Then let us go.

Malia: [and she will take it, letting him lead the way as she calculates ways she can get to her father without reducing herself to climbing through windows]

Liam: [and he will see her preoccupied as they walk, letting her work out whatever is in her head]

Malia: [after a long period if silence she shakes her head] I'm sorry I'm not better company.

Liam: Can I be honest with you?

Malia: Yes.

Liam: [deep breath] I've missed your company, so I'm grateful to have it, even if we're just in silence.

Malia: That's not an excuse for me. [though she appreciates the sentiment]

Liam: No, but it does mean you don't have to apologize. You're worried about your father, and it's obviously the foremost thought on your mind

Malia: I just wish he would tell me. If something was wrong before we wouldn't need Kate to act as a go between.

Liam: Maybe he doesn't want you to see him and worry? Of course, it would only cause you to worry, so it is not working.

Malia: Precisely. Sometimes the unknown is worse than the actual problem.

Liam: Do you think you can out-think Lady Kate at her own game?

Malia: I think I just have to wait for the opportune moment.

Liam: If you feel I can help, I'm at your service.

Malia: I will let you know if I do. But I will find a way.

Liam: Good.

Malia: [she takes a breath] It really is a lovely day.

Liam: It is. The flowers are still in bloom.

Malia: Hopefully the frost will stay off for a while, so they can bloom a little while longer.

Liam: Well, it is Norway. Winter always comes, eventually.

Malia: I know. But still.

Liam: I've seen manors with an inner courtyard that stays warm because of the warm fires throughout the rooms. Flowers bloom all year long.

Malia: Really? That must be lovely.

Liam: It was. Maybe if you get your own wing when you finally get married, you could have one made for you.

Malia: I'll keep it in mind.

Liam: Have you chosen a favorite flower yet? Last time I checked, it was all of them.

Malia: I can't say my interests have narrowed down any.

Liam: [chuckles] No, of course not.

Malia: I don't see why they should. I can find all of them beautiful.

Liam: Of course they are beautiful. But if one kind really feels special to you, people would know to give it to you to decorate your room, or to wear, or even just as a gift at tourney.

Malia: I wouldn't want the same ones every time. That would be boring.

Liam: Ok, how about we approach it the other way. What flowers do you hate?

Malia: [thinks it over before wrinkling her nose] Marigolds.

Liam: So, a suitor giving you marigolds is a strike against him?

Malia: Possibly. They smell awful.

Liam: I agree. Though I'm not a big fan of roses. Why does something so pretty have such a painful thorn?

Malia: To remind you that beauty is only half the picture.

Liam: To remind me that beautiful things will also bite when picked? [smiles]

Malia: Or just because something has a beautiful exterior doesn't mean you shouldn't be careful.

Liam: I think that's you all over.

Malia: Oh really?

Liam: Yes. Beautiful, but quick to remind you there's a sharp wit underneath.

Malia: [she considers for a moment before nodding] I suppose.

Liam: The last thing you are is a marigold.

Malia: Thank you.

Liam: [and they reach the tree that they both used to climb to hide from Stiles when he was their tutor] I remember this place.

Malia: [glances up and nods] Me too.

Liam: It's funny how fast things change.

Malia: Not the tree, though. [trees grow a lot slower]

Liam: No, not the tree. [thinks] Think we're big enough to get to the top now?

Malia: Theoretically, yes. Practically? [she glances down at her dress] Probably not.

Liam: [snorts] Like you'd let a dress get in the way.

Malia: I have a little more care for my things than I did back then. [the way the branches weave towards the top, her dress will certainly tear.]

Liam: Too bad. I bet I can beat you to the top.

Malia: Maybe another time. [when she's wearing something less expensive]

Liam: I'll keep you to that.

Malia: [she nods, before turning back to the rest] Shall we continue?

Liam: Of course. [and he will let her lead for a bit]

Malia: [and eventually they will wander past the kitchen door where she sees Kate in negotiations with the cook. sensing an opportunity, she'll turn to Liam] Do you mind if I --?

Liam: No, go.

Malia: [and she will stealthily dart back into the house and upstairs to her father's chambers, knocking on the door again to see if she might actually make some headway]

Peter: [coughs from inside. He's on the couch, wrapped up in a blanket. there's a book on the table next to him, but he hasn't felt like reading yet. With Kate gone, he raises his voice, knowing it'll crackle] Yes?

Malia: [yeah that doesn't sound good] It's me. May I come in?

Peter: [sighs, then nods to himself] Of course.

Malia: [and there's a concerned face as she lets herself in, quietly closing the door behind her] Are you alright?

Peter: [shakes his head] I'm afraid not, my love.

Malia: [frowns even more as she goes to sit across from him] How bad is it?

Peter: I don't know. I think it's a side effect of growing old.

Malia: Have you spoken with Deaton about it?

Peter: Of course, though only he and Kate know. You must promise to keep this a secret for now. Can you do that?

Malia: [she takes a breath and nods] Why is it a secret?

Peter: We don't know what's causing it. And your cousins have young children. We're not sure if others can catch it yet, and I refuse to put others in danger. Which is why I ask you not any closer.

Malia: I wish you would have just told me. I've been so worried.

Peter: I didn't want to risk your exposure. Today is a better day that others I've had.

Malia: You don't have to expose me to tell me the truth. Instead it's just been Kate keeping me out and telling me everything was fine when I knew that it wasn't.

Peter: [and he closes his eyes] I've barely been awake the last few days, Malia.

Malia: [huffs slightly, and if he's unwell she has enough human relatives to know that pushing him won't help. but still] I understand that Kate is your wife but I am your daughter and I don't think that I should be lied to either. I can't change the past but I want to be sure that this isn't how it continues in the future.

Peter: What I'm feeling... is similar to how I felt after your mother died. [and he will look at her, his face beyond exhausted, and a hint of fear in his eyes] I didn't want you to know.

Malia: [she can read the implications, and that only sets her jaw further] So you would rather leave me unprepared? That's not fair either.

Peter: I wanted to be sure of what is happening before I told you. I didn't plan to leave you unprepared, but I also don't want to cause unnecessary concerns on something that could be a number of things. And I will always put you and your safety before anything else.

Malia: [she nods, but it still doesn't feel like enough. he may be her father, but she's also not a little girl anymore. if she's going to be an adult in the eyes of the rest of the world, when it matters she needs to be one in his as well]

Peter: [and he's spent, slumping back into the couch] I will tell Kate to let you come in when you call, since you know. But until Dr. Deaton has exhausted all his tests, I do not want your cousins to know.

Malia: I'll keep it to myself. And I don't have to come in every time. I simply ask to be informed if things change.

Peter: You will be informed. And I know you just arrived, but this conversation has taken the last of my energy. I need to rest.

Malia: [she nods. she can also hear Kate on the stairs, so she will get to her feet] Of course. Feel better, Father.

Peter: [nods] I love you, sweetheart.

Malia: I love you too. [and she will open the door and there will be a look between her and Kate as they move past each other]

Kate: [will sigh, before closing the door behind her] I'm sorry. I thought she was out on the grounds.

Peter: No, she was right. I should have told her sooner.

Kate: Well, at least she knows now. [she places the tray down on a nearby table] Do you want to eat in bed or here?

Peter: I don't think I can make it to the bed.

Kate: Will you be comfortable here?

Peter: Yes. You have wrapped me up very well within the cushions. [weak smile]

Kate: [smirks, before reaching for the bowl of soup] Well, you're going to eat something before you pass out again.

Peter: [nods, then sighs] I apologize for this. You shouldn't have to care for me in such a condition.

Kate: If you were human, we would have been through this multiple times already.

Peter: True.

Kate: And you've done it for me.

Peter: Yes, but you don't get sick often.

Kate: And neither do you.

Peter: [huffs, but it wasn't like he was giving too much of a fight]

Kate: [she hands him the bowl of soup, before brushing her hand over the top of his head lightly] I'm your wife, Peter. This is my job.

Peter: I know. [and he will slowly take a spoonful] How are you feeling?

Kate: Fine. I think whatever you have might be exclusive to werewolves.

Peter: I just hope it's not what I fear it is.

Kate: And what is that?

Peter: The mate bond from my first wife reasserting itself.

Kate: [she frowns] Then is there something we can do about that?

Peter: I don't know. I just know I overcame it before, I can do so again.

Kate: [nods and makes a note to speak with Deaton about that later] Well, right now you should eat, and then get some rest.

Peter: [nods, and he will do just that]

Kate: [and once she's sure he's asleep, she will seek out Deaton, because there's only so much longer they're going to be able to hide this from Laura and Parrish. they might as well get some answers]

Deaton: [and he is in his basement laboratory, a book open in front of him and a notepad beside it. He's in research mode]

Kate: [and she will knock on the door, wanting to express her concerns with someone who could speak effectively about it]

Deaton: Come in! [not looking up]

Kate: [lets herself in and closes the door] I have a question for you.

Deaton: And what would that be, m'lady?

Kate: How likely is it that this is the cause of a latent mate bond?

Deaton: [pushes up from his hunched position] Well, it would be hard to know, since it is rare for one to survive after their mate dies.

Kate: [sighs, and moves to lean against the table, crossing her arms in front of his chest] That's his worst case scenario at the moment. Apparently it feels familiar.

Deaton: [hums at that, and walks across the room to where the older journals gather dust] Did you know that Peter is the first wolf in over ten generations in all of Eurasia to survive the death of his mate?

Kate: How wonderful for him. What does it mean?

Deaton: That is how rare he is. It also creates a lack of historical reference on how it effects his longevity, health, powers, and if the bond persists to eat away at him.

Kate: [purses her lips as she considers] Granted, my knowledge of mate bonds is limited - as far as my father was concerned, they were only meant to be viewed as a weakness when werewolves had human mates. But magically speaking they resemble bridges correct? So when one end fails so does the other?

Deaton: Yes. It's not uncommon in nature that mates die in pairs. Many birds and water fowl also share this phenomenon.

Kate: But in the rare instances that one does survive, could replacing the mate reinforce the bridge?

Deaton: Possibly. I've never heard of it being done before, so I can't even imagine the risks, and with you being human and a mature woman... they would increase.

Kate: [can't help but raise an eyebrow at the "mature woman" comment, but she lets it go] I know and never mind him having the energy to even perform the act itself. But ... I can't just let him die.

Deaton: When his wife died, he had a newborn that forced him to get up and keep fighting through the pain. He was too focused on surviving for Malia that he pushed through and came out the other side. But it took a toll on him. He came out a harder person. You've seen yourself how he lacks emotion in most things.

Kate: Sometimes coping with the world makes people harder.

Deaton: [nods] I'm just saying, it could possibly be as he believes. But if it is, he's not as young, or focused, as he was in his twenties. Even if he could mate with you, it might not take his late wife's place and his death will then lead to yours.

Kate: Perhaps we need more than what's in your library. Peter can't be the only werewolf in all of existence to survive his mate's death.

Deaton: I've sent letters to the emissaries for all the packs in the largest nations to see if there's information that would help. We just need to keep him strong until I hear back.

Kate: What about going outside the packs? Maybe what we need is a witch.

Deaton: [thinks on that] I can write to Widow Bennett in Mystic Falls. See if she would come this way before the snows. Elena would like to see her, I'm sure.

Kate: [she nods] I think it might be best, just to get a second opinion. I know Peter won't be pleased, but I don't think this is something we can take our time with.

Deaton: He can be displeased all he wants. I'm still his physician.

Kate: Best to leave it out until Lady Bennett actually arrives.

Deaton: Agreed.

Kate: Also, Malia is aware of the situation now. So feel free to use her as a weapon if needed. [let's be honest, that's the real reason Peter didn't want Malia to know]

Deaton: [nods] we will also need to monitor her, in case this is not related to the mate bond.

Kate: I'll keep an eye on her. If you give her the full details of the symptoms, she will let you know.

Deaton: I'll hunt her out later then.

Kate: [nods] If we don't figure this out, how much longer do you think we have?

Deaton: That's completely up to him. But knowing him and how fast he's deteriorating... no more than a month.

Kate: [her jaw sets because that's not a lot of time] Then let's hope Lady Bennett gets here quickly.

Deaton: I'll send Sir Tyler to retrieve her immediately.

Kate: Thank you. You know where to find me if you need me.

Deaton: Of course. [and he will bow this time as she departs]

Kate: [and she will head back to her room to keep an eye on Peter]