Negotiation

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 31st August 2005

Characters: Carmora, Arteo
Description: Carmora's son does his best to help convince her to accept her move to a new Harper Hall
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 7, day 18 of Turn 3

"Ma?" a voice called from the doorway. "Was that Almora's green Pa just took off on?"

Carmora turned from where she was putting her husbands shirts away.
"Yes... he's gone to Emerald Falls."

"Ah." A young man, a good head and a half taller than her, stretched rather irreverently across her bed. "If you're trying to pack I recommend putting those shirts in some kind of bag that is easier for a dragon to carry."

"I'm not trying to pack," she responded, almost sharply. She _should_ be packing. She should be preparing to go with her husband where he wanted to go. In the end it would happen, because even if he was willing to stay here for her, she couldn't let him give up such an opportunity. "Ah." Arteo has suspected as much. "You are not going then?"

Carmora sighed, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "I will eventually.
You know that as well as I. It's a wonderful opportunity for your father."

"That it is," the young man responded as he sat up. "But you don't want to go? Think of the adventure you two could have!"

"Adventures are for youths," she replied tartly, glancing at her son.
"I've had my adventures... I think I've earned a bit of stability. I'm too old to help your father rebuild a Hall."

"My mother will never be too old for anything," Arteo responded fondly as he began kneading the tired muscles of her shoulders. "It means a lot to Pa, you know."

"I know it does. But I've been happy here, Arteo." She shook her head and sighed. "And I like having my youngest son around, I'll have you know."

"I do know," he said as he gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze. "But I am not an apprentice anymore. I will be sent off to journey myself soon I should think. Stay or go as you choose, but you cannot change the fact that I am a man now."

Carmora sighed again, wishing he hadn't felt the need to remind her. "I spent most of my life caring for you and your brothers and sisters. Give me a little time to get used to not having to." He knew it was hard for his mother to accept that her children had grown and were ready to start their own lives. Trying to ease the blow he gently reminded her, "You know Almora can bring your children to you, no matter where on Pern you may go."

"I know... as long as you promise not to get so busy with your own life that you don't come!" She managed a weak smile for him, knowing he was trying to make her feel better. It only reminded her again just how many turns had passed... her baby boy was now taking care of her. "So you will let Pa know that you go with him then?" he asked gently.

"You know I would have in any case," Carmora replied, shaking her head as she stood again. "He knows as well, Arteo. He hasn't lived with me this long without coming to know me." "Yes, but do you have to punish him so?" Arteo knew how his mother could be when she was not happy with a decision his father made. "Why do you make him have to _convince_ you when you know you are already going?"

Carmora smiled at her son and reached out to pat him on the shoulder.
"That's between me and your father. You'll understand once you're married." "I hope I never have to understand why people string someone they love along when they already have the weight of Pern on their shoulders." He knew he could get away with gentle chiding with his mother.

"Don't talk about the weight of Pern until you've raised four children,"
Carmora retorted, swatting at him. "Like I said, it's between me and your father. Now get up off that bed and make yourself useful."
**Pa has raised four children too. And now he's going to have to raise an entire Hall from the ground.** Arteo thought as he stood and picked up one of the folded shirts from the bed and handed it to her. He loved his mother dearly, but at times he felt she was a bit too hard on his father. "Besides, if you are nicer to Pa about all this, I'll tell you a secret. But only if you promise to be nice to the poor man."

"Oh, for goodness sake." Carmora rolled her eyes skyward. "I'm going to tell him when he comes home, Arteo. I promise, all right?"

"That's my beautiful girl," Arteo said as he wrapped his arms around his mother and gave her a gentle squeeze. "And now I have news for you. I think you will like it."

She smiled at him, a cheerful glint in her eyes. "What is it, then?
You're getting married?" "Nope. Better," he said with a grin. "I'm getting re-assigned."

"Arteo!" She grabbed his shoulders. "Where? And how long have you known?
When were you going to tell me?" "Careful woman, you're going to break me!" His grin grew wider. "I've known since I finished talking to the Craftmaster about a candlemark ago. And I was going to tell you now. And as far as where, well..." he shrugged noncommitally.

Carmora hugged her son. "Thank you, Arteo. You make life easier on your poor old mother." He wrapped his arms around her, already feeling her relief. "Well, you know I couldn't let you and Pa get all the grand adventures. But I did want you to make the decision to go for yourself, and not because I intended to follow you."

Rolling her eyes, Carmora pulled back and set her hands on her waist. "I would have made the decision in any case, Arteo, and you know it." She grinned at him with a mischevious twinkle in her eyes, her good mood restored by the knowledge that she'd have at least _one_ child to fuss over in the future. "After all, your father is _very_ skilled in negotiation, and has certain advantages when it comes to his wife of forty turns." "I'm very much aware of that and that is why I thought I had better stay out of the way of his _negotiating skills_," he gave her a wicked grin as he poked at her stomach teasingly.

She slapped at his hand and shook her head. "Well, we'll let your father think he negotiated _very_ well, then." Looking around the room, she sighed. "I suppose now I'll have to pack all of the clothing I just put away. I expect you to come back and help, young man. But for now you're going to leave me in peace." "Yes, I'll help you pack, dear woman," Arteo said as he gave her an affectionate kiss on her cheek, "but remember, I have arranged this to be a surprise for Pa, so don't tell. And I'm not coming right away, so you're just going to have to find a way to get along with out me for a little while at least." He walked towards the door. The young man turned back with a gleam in his eye. "Are you planning on taking Pa's couch with you? Or are you planning on having him wear in a new one?"

Carmora wrinkled her nose at him. "_That_ is going to have to depend on negotiation."

Last updated on the September 1st 2005

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Negotiation