Have Theo and Tedre ever -really- fought? Not in the sense of an argument, but in the 'I have to walk away or I'm going to say something irreparable' sense?
(About thirty years ago, in the main timeline)
Zimina knocked on the door in Karabor and leaned on her arm-supports as she waited. She’d delayed this visit, not solely because of her recovery from knee surgery, but because it was a situation she didn’t feel qualified - or emotionally stable enough - to toss herself in the middle of.
Yet Theothar had asked her, as a friend, to speak for him. So here she stood, listening while Tedre shouted at the door, telling her brother to leave her alone.
When she paused to take a breath after an impressive string of profanities, the newly-retired Auchenai replied, “Tedre, it’s Mina.”
Shocked silence rewarded her, followed by scrambling. The tall, dark-haired woman yanked open the door. “Sorry, I’m… so sorry, I thought you were Theo.”
“Clearly we look and sound so alike.”
Tedre’s expression pinched, and Zimina felt a twinge of guilt, but she didn’t want this any more than Tedre did. Violet eyes scanned over the arm-supports, and Tedre opened the door further with a mumbled invitation. She offered a hand to help Zimina over a pile of discarded clothes. “Sorry it’s messy.”
Zimina kept the hand, and Tedre led her to a reasonably open space to sit. The larger woman stood and crossed her arms, waiting. Zimina took a few moments to get comfortable, and felt the weight of eyes and expectation.
“I guess you’re here because Theo told you to talk to me.”
“Yes, but he didn’t say what happened between you two, and… frankly that’s not any of my business. I just want to make sure that you both are all right. You’re both important to me.” Zimina battled a faint resentment that she had to act as the peace offering between the twins, and she saw how Tedre’s guarded posture faltered the longer she observed Zimina’s discomfort.
Lashing her tail, Tedre struggled to explain it too. “He just… he doesn’t understand that I’m not trying to be like this, I just have trouble… keeping people in my life, do you know what I mean?”
Yes, definitely. “Why do you think he wouldn’t understand?”
“He’s not the same as me.” Very important. “He doesn’t even try to find someone and stick with them, he just flirts around and doesn’t commit.”
That sounds just like you. “How would you feel if he did commit to someone?”
“What like… actually settle?”
Tedre’s tail whipped again. “I’d be really happy for him.”
You’re lying. “Good, but… what if that person gave him up and broke his heart?”
“Sorry. It was a long time ago, I know. Low blow, I just… He doesn’t have the right to judge me, okay? Not if he hasn’t gone through what I have.”
The Auchenai shifted her hooves, and winced at a fresh shot of pain in her knees. “But he does, Tedre. Every time. He loves you more than anyone, and when you hurt, he hurts as much or more, because he can’t fix it. Only you can.”
The anger that flashed in Tedre’s violet eyes burned, but Zimina held the gaze and let herself smolder. I hurt too. Every day. You at least still have a chance to fix this and I never will. Don’t be stupid, Tedre. Focus you have, and not what you don’t.
Calm and quiet, Zimina concluded, “He’ll always be, and always has been, there for you first.”
“Fiiiine, I get the message,” the strong woman growled and shoved her hands through her dark hair. “Go ahead and tell him I’ll talk to him when he’s free.”
“I will. But first… do you mind if we had some tea? We haven’t had a chance to chat ourselves since I came to Karabor.”
“Oh? Oh! Right. You uh… I heard there was a man that…” Tedre froze and glanced at Zimina. The rest of the lesson sank in, all at once. That was usually how it happened with the twins, and her expression matched her brother’s so close it ached Zimina’s heart.
The Auchenai offered a smile. See, I’m fine.
“Right. Tea.” Tedre dashed off through the chaos of her room to fetch a pair of cups and kettle.
