Elendor
Dwarven In-laws
Balur pays a visit to his brother-in-law, Ranor. It goes smashingly!
Sort Date: no date set
Location: Erebor
Description: It's been weeks since Ranol went to speak with Balur about the state of things, and if it wasn't for his recent distraction with Hildis, plus a troll, he might have wondered if his uncle was ever going to show up. Little has changed with Ranor and his habits. He still spends his days gambling and only pushing enough woodcrafted wares to pay the basic expenses. It's morning, the most reliable time that the dwarf is home, usually working on the few commissions he has.
[Thari(#31038)]
There is a knock at the door. Three firm but polite raps.
When the door opens, a young dwarf with black hair the color of pitch and deep blue eyes is peeking out. Panor is wearing a simple blue dress and skirts, and her beard is sculpted into very feminine curls while her hair is neatly braided. She stares in undisguished shock when she sees who is at the door. Then quickly the dwarf forces a nervous smile on her face as she moves to step out to meet them.
Slowly she pulls the door closed behind her but her hand drops away before it has the chance to click. "Uncle Balur.. I.. what brings you.. I mean, so wonderful to see you." She's flustered and darts a quick glance to Nalur before looking back, curtseying quickly.
The sound of arguing floats out the not yet closed door behind her, two decidedly male voices exchanging verbal blows.
[Thari(#31038)]
"Panor!" Uncle Balur says in a decidedly pleased voice. "My dear lass, I haven't seen you in far too long. You must come over for supper sometime." Behind him, Nalur is bowing, and Olur is coming up the corridor. He, too, gives a friendly smile to Panor and waves his hand.
"Is your mother in?" Balur glances once at the door.
".. going to spend all your time at that bastard's home, and galavanting around with his wench of a daughter!" A particularly loud statement drifts through the cracked door, and Panor sucks in a horrified breath and reaches back to pull it more firmly closed.
She's dead silent for a moment, her face pale before she regains her senses, "My mother? No.. no. She's out seeing to some errands, visiting with friends." She's the image of her mother, save for her eyes, and seems to have taken great care to look as lovely as her features allow. Panor pushes that same nervous smile onto her face as she wrings her hands, "Dinner. Oh yes, that sounds lovely, Uncle. Would you like me to give my mother a message?"
[Thari(#31038)]
All three of the men in the hall look sharply at the door as one. Nalur's hands ball into strong fists and Olur's face turns bright red, striking against his blonde coloring.
Even controlled Balur must take a breath. "Panor, I'm going to be honest with you," he says levelly. "We're here to help Ranol and make things easier for you. Just now, however, I would appreciate it if you would go see your Aunt Nari. I told her that you would likely be willing to help her sort her table linens and she is looking forward to seeing you. Try not to worry overmuch. We will take care of you."
Balur then moves around Panor to try to open the door behind her.
Panor is incredibly flustered as she watches the reactions of her uncle and cousins. "No.. no no. Please. It's not how it sounds, really! They're just arguing and they do it all the time. Don't be offended! Ranol is fine!" She pleads in a hushed tone, looking around in fear that a -scene- may be created. As Balur moves past her she reaches as if to try and catch his arm, but isn't certain if it's proper and clasps her hands together instead.
Inside? The muffled yelling is still heard, but the closed door masks what words are said. When Balur opens it again it's his brother-in-law that is again spitting nasty things. "-shouldn't have been there in the first place! You think I don't know what you're doing? You're trying to make me look worse with all your meddling and it will stop!"
[Thari(#31038)]
Nalur is closer now. He leans over to Panor and whispers close to her ear. "Just go quietly to our home. Nobody will think it's odd that you're visiting your aunt. Trust us. We are your family too and we are looking after you."
Balur has opened the door and is slipping in past Panor. Olur comes after him, briefly reaching out to lay a hand on Panor's shoulder. And Nalur comes last. If Panor allows it, he will quietly closet he door behind him.
Panor is frowning, but fears a scene in the tunnel more than whatever Balur may be up to, it seems. She nods at Nalur's words and only lingers a moment more before she scoots off.
It's because they are quiet that the argument goes on, the participants too involved to hear or become aware of the extra guests in the home. The door to Ranor's office is ajar, light spilling out into the hall in a thin line, and that's where the words continue.
Ranol's softer timbre is responding, but his own words are hard and angry. "You are blind! You're blind and paranoid and won't listen to anything that I'm telling you! If you weren't so wrapped up in this vendetta you've created you would see-"
Ranor cuts his son off, "Shut your mouth! I won't be talked to in such a manner from my own children!"
There is a quiet tapping on the office door, perhaps even soft enough that it might be Panor's hand, but then it is pushed open and there is Balur. "Excuse me. If I may have a private word with you, Ranor? /Brother/?" He speaks smoothly and he places a slight emphasis on the last word. Nalur and Olur are yet further up the hall and it's unlikely that they can be seen from within the office.
The scene in the office is fairly obvious. Ranol is standing near a small hearth with his right hand clenched in a fist, his brows tight with anger. Ranor is in the middle of the room holding a block of wood in one hand while the other is pointed accusingly at his son.
"You used to know something of respect for your father, Ranol. You were loyal to your family and-.." Ranor is just launching into the beginning of another tirade when his eyes stray to the door and widen. "Balur! What are you doing here?" He asks, all but sneering as his voice drips of venom.
"As I said just a moment ago, I'm looking to speak with a member of my family." Balur lingers in the doorway, his eyes level on Ranor, his voice calm. He takes a step or two into the office. "Ranol, I believe your sister needs you. She's helping her aunt with a project right now, and I could use a private moment with your father, so if you would be so good..." He doesn't even glance at Ranol as he says this.
Ranol is is looking stressed and worn out, his anger fading for the moment as the situation drastically changes. He flicks a glance at his father once, then leaves the office. He's too worked up to care that his cousins are in the hall and only snatches his blue cloak from a peg before moving out of the home. Perhaps he had been on the verge of walking out anyhow. Balur provided a lovely excuse.
"You have a lot of nerve coming here, -brother-." Ranor responds after shooting a dark look at Ranol's departing form. "What makes you think that I have anything to say to you? Your daughter nearly got my son killed!"
Nalur only flicks a glance to Ranor in the hall. It is Olur who gives Ranol a sympathetic bow of the head.
Balur is still until the front door clicks shut, and then he moves quickly toward Ranor. "Call MY DAUGHTER a wench, will you?" The old dwarf's fist flies toward the younger's eye.
Behind him, Nalur files in and approaches Ranor from the side. Olur comes in last and softly closes the door to the office closed.
Ranor is not in many brawls and never imagined his high and mighty brother-in-law would suddenly attack him. The fist slams into his face and he staggers back against the work desk, gasping and sputtering as the wood block he was holding clatters to the floor. "Mahal!!" He yells in outrage, and then looks around in alarm as the two sons move into the room. "What is going on here?! You're not welcome in my home!"
Balur shakes out his hand. "By Durin, you bastard, I've been dreaming of doing that for over a hundred years, and it was worth the wait!" He is breathing strongly in and out of his nose, head down a bit like a bull that is about to charge.
Nalur is just to the left of Ranor, out of reach but opening and closing his fists as he stares at his uncle. Olur lingers before the door and looks calmer than the other two.
"Now," says Balur, a bit breathless. "Let's talk about your gambling."
Ranor is glaring, his one eye already turning a dark red where Balur slugged him, and he speaks in a dark, vicious tone. "What gives you the right to walk into my home and assault me? Is this how all your business is done?" There is loathing in his voice as he straightens and casts one baleful look at Nalur as if to ward him away.
Balur waits patiently, cordially almost, for Ranor to say his piece, and then continues speaking as if his brother-in-law hadn't said one word. "I know when you gamble, Ranor. You know the contacts I have. For some time now they've been watching you and reporting what you do. It's going to stop now and you will drastically reduce your drinking. And if you give me a moment, I will tell you why you will do so."
The woodcarver retorts quickly, his blond beard bristling in rage, "What I do in my free time in none of your damned business, Balur! I'm not going to listen to this. Get out!" Ranor is too angry to be his usual slimy self and lifts a heavy hand to point at the closed door to his office.
As Ranor lifts his hand Nalur takes a quick step toward his uncle. This movement is aborted as it appears Ranor is not trying to strike anyone, but the elder son still stands there, looking almost eager to strike. His deep frown is not hidden by his brown beard.
"Now I'm all for sending you to the Blue Mountains today, or even the Grey Mountains, but your family-- for Mahal knows what reason-- still loves you. So consider this your final opportunity to behave like a real father and husband to them. If you ever gamble again or have more than two glasses of beer in a day, you will be vanished and not even they will know what has happened to you." Balur's head tips. He watches the woodcarver. "Am I understood?"
Ranor sneers again, looking first to Nalur and waving him away as if he were a pesky dog, then his blue eyes go back to Balur. "Threats? Are you fancying yourself a thane, brother? Do you consider yourself of the Line of Durin now and order people about as your subjects?" His tone is softer now, sibilant and caustic. "I will do whatever I damned please because you have -nothing- on me, Balur. Don't presume to tell me how to be a good father or husband. My children are doing quite well! Look closer to home. Your Thari is a little tramp and we both know it!"
Nalur snaps, his soft blue eyes turning furiously hard in a breath. He takes three quick steps toward his uncle and reaches out with his left hand to grip Ranor's beard. With his right he is punching him once, twice, thrice in his face.
Balur steps closer, too, reaching a hand out for Ranor's arm. "Am I understood?" he repeats, and the fury-- which was so long hid from his calm voice-- suddenly breaks free, making his question rough and unkind.
Ranor has expected a response from Balur, but it's Nalur that he should have been worried about. His nephew is suddenly pummeling him and the woodcrafter is yelling in rage and trying to shove the younger khazad off and block the blows at the same time. "Get your brute of son off of me! This is illegal!" He brings a knee up to drive at Nalur's stomach, "The Thane will hear of this!"
Nalur gives a grunt as Ranor strikes true. He groans, holding his stomach, and backs off. As if it is practiced, he heads toward the door and Olur steps up to support his father.
"Do," growls Balur close to Ranor's face, his hands both reaching to grup Ranor's upper arms. "Do. I have records of all of your debts and know what you have been doing to your wife and children. Your family wishes you to be kept out of prison and this is the alternative, but if you would prefer prison, then by all means go to our Thane."
Ranor gulps in a breath of air when Nalur backs off, one hand reaching for support from the desk as angry red welts are raised all over his face. He coughs, the coppery taste of blood in his mouth from cuts on the inside of his cheek where his nephew punched it against his teeth. "You think you're so smart, Balur.. rich and important, Balur... So successful, our -Balur-."
His words are rife with hostility, his voice raspy from blood in his mouth. "The best you can do is come here and beat me up? Why do you care? I have no debt with you. You can't dazzle me with promises or threats as you've taken in my sister.. or my son! It was very clever, taking advantage of him through your daughter.." He jerks away from Balur's grip and spits at his brother-in-law's shirt, the saliva stained red. "Go back to your marble halls and shining rubies! Leave me be!"
Balur shakes Ranor hard once. "You are not allowed to open your mouth in regards to my daughter." The spittle is ignored, though it half-clings to the fine silvering beard.
Balur pushes away Ranor and takes a step back. "Your children and your wife are under my custody now," he says calmly, tugging at the hem of his shirt to straighten it. "If you hurt any one of them I will know and, if you are lucky, you will live to regret it. Do you understand me?"
"Hurt them?! What are you talking about? I've never laid a finger on any of my family!" Ranor is near quivering with rage, his blue eyes narrowed to slits. Blood stains his bottom lip which is growing fat with swelling. "You insuate too much, Balur! I'm taking this to the thane!" He sneers again, not bold enough to attack when he's so outnumbered, "Braldor's Huskarl is -my- son, or have you forgotten that? Do you think he'll put me in jail? Doubtful. It would reflect badly on -him-! But you.. " The woodcarver shakes his head, his face red from anger.. or perhaps all the bruises to come.
"You'd to better to hit them," Balur says, "Than put the shame of your gambling and drunkenness on their lives." He turns away and goes to the door. Nalur opens it and leaves first, a hateful look given to his uncle.
"Remember, Ranor, I'm watching you. Everything you do I will know about." Balur leaves, and Olur soon after. The door is politely closed.
Ranor watches in cold silence, breathing heavily. "My vengence will be sweet, brother." He says in a soft, rasping voice that's full of sinister promise.
[Thari(#31038)]
There is a knock at the door. Three firm but polite raps.
When the door opens, a young dwarf with black hair the color of pitch and deep blue eyes is peeking out. Panor is wearing a simple blue dress and skirts, and her beard is sculpted into very feminine curls while her hair is neatly braided. She stares in undisguished shock when she sees who is at the door. Then quickly the dwarf forces a nervous smile on her face as she moves to step out to meet them.
Slowly she pulls the door closed behind her but her hand drops away before it has the chance to click. "Uncle Balur.. I.. what brings you.. I mean, so wonderful to see you." She's flustered and darts a quick glance to Nalur before looking back, curtseying quickly.
The sound of arguing floats out the not yet closed door behind her, two decidedly male voices exchanging verbal blows.
[Thari(#31038)]
"Panor!" Uncle Balur says in a decidedly pleased voice. "My dear lass, I haven't seen you in far too long. You must come over for supper sometime." Behind him, Nalur is bowing, and Olur is coming up the corridor. He, too, gives a friendly smile to Panor and waves his hand.
"Is your mother in?" Balur glances once at the door.
".. going to spend all your time at that bastard's home, and galavanting around with his wench of a daughter!" A particularly loud statement drifts through the cracked door, and Panor sucks in a horrified breath and reaches back to pull it more firmly closed.
She's dead silent for a moment, her face pale before she regains her senses, "My mother? No.. no. She's out seeing to some errands, visiting with friends." She's the image of her mother, save for her eyes, and seems to have taken great care to look as lovely as her features allow. Panor pushes that same nervous smile onto her face as she wrings her hands, "Dinner. Oh yes, that sounds lovely, Uncle. Would you like me to give my mother a message?"
[Thari(#31038)]
All three of the men in the hall look sharply at the door as one. Nalur's hands ball into strong fists and Olur's face turns bright red, striking against his blonde coloring.
Even controlled Balur must take a breath. "Panor, I'm going to be honest with you," he says levelly. "We're here to help Ranol and make things easier for you. Just now, however, I would appreciate it if you would go see your Aunt Nari. I told her that you would likely be willing to help her sort her table linens and she is looking forward to seeing you. Try not to worry overmuch. We will take care of you."
Balur then moves around Panor to try to open the door behind her.
Panor is incredibly flustered as she watches the reactions of her uncle and cousins. "No.. no no. Please. It's not how it sounds, really! They're just arguing and they do it all the time. Don't be offended! Ranol is fine!" She pleads in a hushed tone, looking around in fear that a -scene- may be created. As Balur moves past her she reaches as if to try and catch his arm, but isn't certain if it's proper and clasps her hands together instead.
Inside? The muffled yelling is still heard, but the closed door masks what words are said. When Balur opens it again it's his brother-in-law that is again spitting nasty things. "-shouldn't have been there in the first place! You think I don't know what you're doing? You're trying to make me look worse with all your meddling and it will stop!"
[Thari(#31038)]
Nalur is closer now. He leans over to Panor and whispers close to her ear. "Just go quietly to our home. Nobody will think it's odd that you're visiting your aunt. Trust us. We are your family too and we are looking after you."
Balur has opened the door and is slipping in past Panor. Olur comes after him, briefly reaching out to lay a hand on Panor's shoulder. And Nalur comes last. If Panor allows it, he will quietly closet he door behind him.
Panor is frowning, but fears a scene in the tunnel more than whatever Balur may be up to, it seems. She nods at Nalur's words and only lingers a moment more before she scoots off.
It's because they are quiet that the argument goes on, the participants too involved to hear or become aware of the extra guests in the home. The door to Ranor's office is ajar, light spilling out into the hall in a thin line, and that's where the words continue.
Ranol's softer timbre is responding, but his own words are hard and angry. "You are blind! You're blind and paranoid and won't listen to anything that I'm telling you! If you weren't so wrapped up in this vendetta you've created you would see-"
Ranor cuts his son off, "Shut your mouth! I won't be talked to in such a manner from my own children!"
There is a quiet tapping on the office door, perhaps even soft enough that it might be Panor's hand, but then it is pushed open and there is Balur. "Excuse me. If I may have a private word with you, Ranor? /Brother/?" He speaks smoothly and he places a slight emphasis on the last word. Nalur and Olur are yet further up the hall and it's unlikely that they can be seen from within the office.
The scene in the office is fairly obvious. Ranol is standing near a small hearth with his right hand clenched in a fist, his brows tight with anger. Ranor is in the middle of the room holding a block of wood in one hand while the other is pointed accusingly at his son.
"You used to know something of respect for your father, Ranol. You were loyal to your family and-.." Ranor is just launching into the beginning of another tirade when his eyes stray to the door and widen. "Balur! What are you doing here?" He asks, all but sneering as his voice drips of venom.
"As I said just a moment ago, I'm looking to speak with a member of my family." Balur lingers in the doorway, his eyes level on Ranor, his voice calm. He takes a step or two into the office. "Ranol, I believe your sister needs you. She's helping her aunt with a project right now, and I could use a private moment with your father, so if you would be so good..." He doesn't even glance at Ranol as he says this.
Ranol is is looking stressed and worn out, his anger fading for the moment as the situation drastically changes. He flicks a glance at his father once, then leaves the office. He's too worked up to care that his cousins are in the hall and only snatches his blue cloak from a peg before moving out of the home. Perhaps he had been on the verge of walking out anyhow. Balur provided a lovely excuse.
"You have a lot of nerve coming here, -brother-." Ranor responds after shooting a dark look at Ranol's departing form. "What makes you think that I have anything to say to you? Your daughter nearly got my son killed!"
Nalur only flicks a glance to Ranor in the hall. It is Olur who gives Ranol a sympathetic bow of the head.
Balur is still until the front door clicks shut, and then he moves quickly toward Ranor. "Call MY DAUGHTER a wench, will you?" The old dwarf's fist flies toward the younger's eye.
Behind him, Nalur files in and approaches Ranor from the side. Olur comes in last and softly closes the door to the office closed.
Ranor is not in many brawls and never imagined his high and mighty brother-in-law would suddenly attack him. The fist slams into his face and he staggers back against the work desk, gasping and sputtering as the wood block he was holding clatters to the floor. "Mahal!!" He yells in outrage, and then looks around in alarm as the two sons move into the room. "What is going on here?! You're not welcome in my home!"
Balur shakes out his hand. "By Durin, you bastard, I've been dreaming of doing that for over a hundred years, and it was worth the wait!" He is breathing strongly in and out of his nose, head down a bit like a bull that is about to charge.
Nalur is just to the left of Ranor, out of reach but opening and closing his fists as he stares at his uncle. Olur lingers before the door and looks calmer than the other two.
"Now," says Balur, a bit breathless. "Let's talk about your gambling."
Ranor is glaring, his one eye already turning a dark red where Balur slugged him, and he speaks in a dark, vicious tone. "What gives you the right to walk into my home and assault me? Is this how all your business is done?" There is loathing in his voice as he straightens and casts one baleful look at Nalur as if to ward him away.
Balur waits patiently, cordially almost, for Ranor to say his piece, and then continues speaking as if his brother-in-law hadn't said one word. "I know when you gamble, Ranor. You know the contacts I have. For some time now they've been watching you and reporting what you do. It's going to stop now and you will drastically reduce your drinking. And if you give me a moment, I will tell you why you will do so."
The woodcarver retorts quickly, his blond beard bristling in rage, "What I do in my free time in none of your damned business, Balur! I'm not going to listen to this. Get out!" Ranor is too angry to be his usual slimy self and lifts a heavy hand to point at the closed door to his office.
As Ranor lifts his hand Nalur takes a quick step toward his uncle. This movement is aborted as it appears Ranor is not trying to strike anyone, but the elder son still stands there, looking almost eager to strike. His deep frown is not hidden by his brown beard.
"Now I'm all for sending you to the Blue Mountains today, or even the Grey Mountains, but your family-- for Mahal knows what reason-- still loves you. So consider this your final opportunity to behave like a real father and husband to them. If you ever gamble again or have more than two glasses of beer in a day, you will be vanished and not even they will know what has happened to you." Balur's head tips. He watches the woodcarver. "Am I understood?"
Ranor sneers again, looking first to Nalur and waving him away as if he were a pesky dog, then his blue eyes go back to Balur. "Threats? Are you fancying yourself a thane, brother? Do you consider yourself of the Line of Durin now and order people about as your subjects?" His tone is softer now, sibilant and caustic. "I will do whatever I damned please because you have -nothing- on me, Balur. Don't presume to tell me how to be a good father or husband. My children are doing quite well! Look closer to home. Your Thari is a little tramp and we both know it!"
Nalur snaps, his soft blue eyes turning furiously hard in a breath. He takes three quick steps toward his uncle and reaches out with his left hand to grip Ranor's beard. With his right he is punching him once, twice, thrice in his face.
Balur steps closer, too, reaching a hand out for Ranor's arm. "Am I understood?" he repeats, and the fury-- which was so long hid from his calm voice-- suddenly breaks free, making his question rough and unkind.
Ranor has expected a response from Balur, but it's Nalur that he should have been worried about. His nephew is suddenly pummeling him and the woodcrafter is yelling in rage and trying to shove the younger khazad off and block the blows at the same time. "Get your brute of son off of me! This is illegal!" He brings a knee up to drive at Nalur's stomach, "The Thane will hear of this!"
Nalur gives a grunt as Ranor strikes true. He groans, holding his stomach, and backs off. As if it is practiced, he heads toward the door and Olur steps up to support his father.
"Do," growls Balur close to Ranor's face, his hands both reaching to grup Ranor's upper arms. "Do. I have records of all of your debts and know what you have been doing to your wife and children. Your family wishes you to be kept out of prison and this is the alternative, but if you would prefer prison, then by all means go to our Thane."
Ranor gulps in a breath of air when Nalur backs off, one hand reaching for support from the desk as angry red welts are raised all over his face. He coughs, the coppery taste of blood in his mouth from cuts on the inside of his cheek where his nephew punched it against his teeth. "You think you're so smart, Balur.. rich and important, Balur... So successful, our -Balur-."
His words are rife with hostility, his voice raspy from blood in his mouth. "The best you can do is come here and beat me up? Why do you care? I have no debt with you. You can't dazzle me with promises or threats as you've taken in my sister.. or my son! It was very clever, taking advantage of him through your daughter.." He jerks away from Balur's grip and spits at his brother-in-law's shirt, the saliva stained red. "Go back to your marble halls and shining rubies! Leave me be!"
Balur shakes Ranor hard once. "You are not allowed to open your mouth in regards to my daughter." The spittle is ignored, though it half-clings to the fine silvering beard.
Balur pushes away Ranor and takes a step back. "Your children and your wife are under my custody now," he says calmly, tugging at the hem of his shirt to straighten it. "If you hurt any one of them I will know and, if you are lucky, you will live to regret it. Do you understand me?"
"Hurt them?! What are you talking about? I've never laid a finger on any of my family!" Ranor is near quivering with rage, his blue eyes narrowed to slits. Blood stains his bottom lip which is growing fat with swelling. "You insuate too much, Balur! I'm taking this to the thane!" He sneers again, not bold enough to attack when he's so outnumbered, "Braldor's Huskarl is -my- son, or have you forgotten that? Do you think he'll put me in jail? Doubtful. It would reflect badly on -him-! But you.. " The woodcarver shakes his head, his face red from anger.. or perhaps all the bruises to come.
"You'd to better to hit them," Balur says, "Than put the shame of your gambling and drunkenness on their lives." He turns away and goes to the door. Nalur opens it and leaves first, a hateful look given to his uncle.
"Remember, Ranor, I'm watching you. Everything you do I will know about." Balur leaves, and Olur soon after. The door is politely closed.
Ranor watches in cold silence, breathing heavily. "My vengence will be sweet, brother." He says in a soft, rasping voice that's full of sinister promise.
Players: Ranor, Ranol, Panor, Balur, Olur, Nalur
Located in: Erebor
