Having trouble posting while away on the vacation at beautiful Folly Beach, SC, the "Edge of America". As my sister says 'there are a lot of amenities at this beach house. Consistent wireless service is not one of them.' Personally it is a sacrifice I'm willing to make, to quote Beast Boy, 'if you like sunshine and the beach..."
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Double Take
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Chapter 89
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"Koriand'r, you are finally home! I have missed having you here my little bumgorf. You are looking better than you did in the hospital but are still far to thin. Have you been eating well during your recuperation?" Galfore said in Tamaranian. He was so pleased to see Kori home, still protective of her even at her age.
It was never Galfore's intention that she stay at Wayne Manor this long, but security had been necessary and she was safe there. As Kori's family, he was not as involved as he would have liked given all she had been through the previous months, and as Koriand'r's Knorfka, her honor and reputation was his concern, but he did what he could given his own obligations and schedule.
"It is good to see you as well, K'norfka Galfore. Yes, of course I am eating well. Richardgrayson makes sure of it and Alfred cooks the most glorious foods. I am simply still regaining the weight I lost."
Kori was sure to mention Richard had looked after her, helping to soften what was sure to be an unpleasant confrontation between the two men whom she was closest to in this world. As it was, she had entered the Tamaranian Embassy ahead of Bruce and Richard to let Galfore know they had accompanied her home. She fretted over what would surely be discord not only between Galfore and Richard, but also between Galfore and Bruce, something that had not been the case previously. And truth be told Bruce and Richard weren't getting along that well either when it came to her.
Kori sighed. It really did feel as though it was Richard and her against the world at that moment. Couldn't people leave them alone and let them rekindle their love and reestablish the trust between them in their own way?
No, it wouldn't be that easy. They were in the public eye and other people were involved in their lives even though they were well into adulthood. Galfore was one to speak his mind immediately, even when Kori just wanted to get settled in and worry about the next stage of her life and recovery from her illness in addition to mending her relationship with Richard.
Kori was not up for any more drama but the Embassy was the only other place she was able to move to at that point. "Galfore, Ambassador Wayne as well as Richardgrayson accompanied me here this afternoon for my move back and are waiting in the parlor. I am hoping we can invite them for a visit."
Galfore nodded as his face darkened. Kori hid her discomfort and kept her thoughts to herself. There was no sense in inflaming the situation. "Very well, child. Send Richardgrayson in to my study and I'll have Frank get tea together for all of us on the terrace. Will you be joining us, or do you need to lay down now, Koriand'r?"
The use of 'child' was a power play that she did not challenge. There would be enough gamesmanship between the two of them in the future, that was a certainty. The Tamaranian way was chauvenistic and feudal and Kori realized then and there that she was giving up more of her freedom than had been anticipating. It saddened her, but still, on this, she would challenge Galfore later. Today was move in day and only the beginning. She could move out down the road, or hopefully she and Richard would still marry.
"I believe I will visit with the three of you for a bit. I am still doing the recovering, but I am stronger than I look."
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"Richardgrayson, you are a brave man coming in to my home today, even braver to be alone with me given that I am Koriand'r's K'norfka and given your behavior." There was a long pause as Galfore eyed Richard. "Or have you no shame?"
Richard looked Galfore directly in the eye. "I love Koriand'r and I only have her to answer to for my transgressions. Although you have a right to diplomatic immunity if you were to carry out any of the barbaric rites that you might see fit as Koriand'r's K'norfka, I do believe that you would only incur Kori's wrath, as well as a huge headache with the American authorities if you were to do so.
"I do apologize for breaking your trust and for the hurt I have caused your bumgorf. I love Koriand'r dearly and will be making up for my transgressions-"
"Transgressions?" Galfore boomed with a laugh, slamming his desk with his fist for emphasis.
Richard held a steady gaze. "Yes, my transgressions and at times unseemly treatment of Kori. We are working through all of that. It is between Kori and myself only as it should be. What you are aware of is only second hand, perhaps tainted by the press, is it not?"
It was, not the Galfore would concede that point.
"It is her apology that I have sought and received. Koriand'r and I have loved each other from early on in our relationship-"
"Have you taken her virtue?"
"Not that it would be fully your business-"
"As she is royalty and as her K'norfka and given your behavior, X'hal help me, it is."
"If you are insistent upon knowing, and I am certain you will ask her and she will verify, I will advise you: we have chosen to wait."
"If you are telling the truth, and no, I do not trust you, but if it is the truth, you have made one reasonable choice then, Richardgrayson. No doubt the choice was Koriand'r's."
Richard had to score some points in his favor. "It has been a mutual decision. We have discussed it, and it has been our desire to wait."
"Do you intend to marry her?"
"We have also discussed marriage. Given that we have had some difficulties, we wish to rebuild our relationship and to wait until we are both ready. Neither of us would ever want to regret such a decision. Neither of us believe in divorce."
"There is no way to divorce in Tamaran."
"My parents were very happy in marriage. I cannot imagine divorce for myself."
Galfore scoffed. "Bruceway'ne raised you."
"No. My parents did. Bruce adopted me, but at it was my parents that set a foundation."
"You talk as you Americans say 'a good game'. I am unsure if I believe you or not, only time will tell. For now, I will see what Koriand'r says. If she gives me any indication that she does not wish to see you, you are banned from seeing her, do I make myself clear?"
"Yes sir. If she no longer wishes to see me, if it upsets her for me to be near, do not worry, I will no longer pursue our relationship."
"Very well then."
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Kori's jaw literally ached from holding a smile while facilitating the conversation over tea between Galfore, Bruce and Richard. Keeping the conversation going in Tamaranian gave Richard some points with Galfore; the Ambassador had to know that Richard had been speaking with her in Tamaranian. How else would he have retained such a fluid command of the language?
She knew she was trying too hard, but she wanted things to work. Short of getting her own place, something that seemed out of her grasp at the moment, this was the only feasible solution for her to move forward with not only her own life, but with her life with Richard. People from the outside looking in didn't understand it, she knew that, but they didn't matter. Richard understood, or at least was not fighting her on needing this space, and that was what was important.
She could only love him more for that.
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To be continued...
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Thank you for reading and reviews always appreciated.