Never Safe

Writers: Eimi
Date Posted: 31st January 2007

Characters: Karaleigh, Pacham
Description: Karaleigh can't quite get away from work
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 1, day 3 of Turn 4

"And it itches like crazy but my foster mother says not to scratch it so I don't," the little boy proclaimed proudly as he displayed the inflamed rash on his arm.

"Well, she's right, Weston," Karaleigh said with an indulgent smile.

"And its really hot, too. It's like a sunburn! Do you want to feel it?"
He held the arm closer to the harper so she could share in his fascination.

"Oh, but I believe you, Weston," she said, politely refusing the honor of touching the little boy's possibly contagious rash.

"No, but its really hot! It's ok, you can touch it," Weston assured her, holding it closer.

**This is why I prefer hiding in my room after Harper Classes are finished...** "Really, Weston, I believe you."

"Weston," a fatherly looking healer smiled as he walked through the door, "I think Journeyman T'solan has your salve ready. You're a big boy now. Do you think you could find your way back to the examination room on your own?"

"Sure I can!" Weston beamed as he set off to prove to the Weyrhealer that he was just such a big grown up boy. Pacham watched in amusement as the little lad stalked past him. Once he had disappeared around a corner he turned back to the waiting patient. "I'm sorry about Weston. He's not contagious. It was just an allergic reaction."

"Yes, I know he can't eat raspberries but he can't resist them in bubblies," Karaleigh sighed. She had to always watch him at lunch time or he'd go straight for them without checking what was inside. "It sounds like you have some experience with our Weston," Pacham smiled.

"Yes, I'm his teacher," she shrugged and pointed at her knots.

"I see, I see," the Weyrhealer nodded. "I bet you thought you'd be safe from the little ones hiding away in the infirmary, eh?"

The journeywoman chuckled and shook her head. "Master Pacham, a teacher is never safe from their pupils no matter where they go." She quickly ammended, "It's not that I don't love my students, sir, its just that...
well, when the classes are finished I'd rather wish to get away from work for a while."

"Oh trust me, I completely understand. Completely." Pacham waved it off, knowing exactly what she had meant. "Have you been helped, by the way? Are you waiting for someone?"

"Actually, I just needed to get some... tea..." The Holder-girl in Karaleigh actually blushed. She would think after this long living in the Weyr that talking to a man about that sort of thing, especially a healer, would not affect her. But honestly, she had needed to ask for the contracetpive tea so rarely, she hadn't quite grown accustomed to asking for it. And Pacham just reminded her so much of a paternal figure... She would _never_ have been able to even _mention_ a need for such tea to her own father...

"Ah," Pacham nodded, trying not to smile at the way the Harper blushed. He had been a holder once himself. "I'll just pop around the corner and pick some up for you and get you on your way before any more of your students wander in."

"Thank you, Master Pacham," Karaleigh said with a small relieved smile. The sooner she could get out of here the better. At least Weston had not asked what she had been in there for...

Last updated on the February 3rd 2007

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Never Safe