Yeah, I mean granted we’ve only seen a couple of generations of Orkneys (And the youngest set is a little young for decorating many rooms.) But I still, somehow doubt the Orkney family will ever shit rainbows and decorate in blonde woods…

For all that Jayson is a jerk and I kinda wish he could die, like, tomorrow, (spoiler: It’s not tomorrow.) I do rather like how his study turned out. It has the right balance of creepy, ominous, and …pretty. But considering everything that Elizabet and Josh have had to deal with in this room, I know they will be happier with everything “Jayson” out the door. Whichever of them inherits the barony and thus the study.

Well, Bet learned how to not play fair at the hands of a master (her father) so it would only be fair if she used what he taught her to destroy him. But there are a lot of things that could yet kill Jayson or he could, you know, get a visitation from three ghosts and wake up a changed man.

I think if there is one thing that Josh knows after sixteen years with his father, it’s you can’t force someone to love you. He could order Darin to his bed and there isn’t a lot that Darin being a lowborn orphan could do about it. But while that might sate any lust Josh has, it’s not going to make Darin love him. In fact it’ll probably just make Darin hate him.

And that’s the last thing that Josh wants. But I think that Josh also sees, unlike, say Bors and Elyan, that being a nobleman is a lot more than being born into a titled family. If he can do something to change things for the better, if he has the resources and the ability, it’s his responsibility to do something.

Likewise, he also understands that just because he can do something, especially if it’s something that is selfish that only really benefits him, it doesn’t follow that he should do it. There’s that whole power/responsibility thing that some of his ancestors (Like more than a couple of those currently alive in 1015.) just don’t.

As for his future wife, well that’s a long way down the road and we shall have to see when we get there. (He’s only sixteen and will be going to Camford and not getting married until he gets back.)

Thanks, Winter!

Elizabet is definitely wise. I wish I’d been half as smart at twelve as she is. But then again, the wisdom has come at a price that’s pretty dear as we’ll find out in the arc that starts up end of Ververe. But yeah. She knows his heart is in the right place.

Jayson may find for all his trying to be clever, he missed something with his daughter…

Thanks, Van!

I think part of it is how Josh feels about himself in general. Of course he’d fall in love with someone… and it’d be someone he couldn’t be with. And I don’t think, other than what the outward trappings are (the wealth, the prestige, etc.) Josh sees any reason anyone would want to be with him. And as most of those are negated by them not being able to openly be together, why would someone like Darin want to put up with the mass of screwed up that is Josh?

And he is not just saying that he’s worried about what Jayson would do if he found out about Darin. As you commented the other day when we were chatting, Jayson is the sort of guy who would murder his son’s puppy if it would get the correct response out of said son.

There is a very real sense of ant (Darin) and boot (Jayson) there. However, I think that Jayson would find that much more difficult than Josh thinks it would be. All in all, he very well may be selling Darin short. It wouldn’t be the first time.

Yeah. Josh, when he’s not trying to prove something, is so soft-hearted as to be gooey. He’s not going to turn his back on Darin.

Thanks, Morgaine!

Bet’s observations about the blood-dyed fabric in Orkney-descent rooms was spot on. Well, at least so far as a certain wizard and his beloved mother are concerned. It’s an ominously gorgeous room, but I can see why Bet and/or Josh would want to gut it after Jayson dies. And if Jayson knows what’s good for him, he might want to make that soon. Bet will lay waste to him given time and knowledge. (I met still bet on her at twelve.)

Josh is doing the noble part of the noble silence well. It would be easy for someone else to feel entitled to bully Darin into what he wants given their stations. Between this and the incident at the heinous brothel, Josh is looking like he’d make a very good baron. And maybe he’ll wind up with a wife who isn’t bothered by Josh’s poetry lessons, if Darin turns out to be so inclined.

Elizabet is so wise. And her care for her brother’s well-being is so obvious. She’ll give him advice, but she’ll stand by him if he doesn’t follow it, because she knows his heart and what she sees is good.

Yeah, I’m thinking Jayson’s in for it if Elizabet decides that enough is enough…

And I’m not sure she would show any quarter to the loser.

But yeah. It’s sad that Josh feels that he has no chance with Darin, and never will have a chance. And maybe he’s right. Maybe Darin is 100% straight. But he could very well be wrong; Darin’s sexuality may not be set in stone like that.

Josh is never going to know unless he tries.

But I’m glad he wants to continue being Darin’s friend — and making sure Darin gets fed — either way.