Something to Think About

Writers: Kaysea, Vix
Date Posted: 25th July 2007

Characters: Taia, Drina
Description: Taia runs into two playing little girls and then ends in a more serious discussion with Drina.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 5, day 1 of Turn 4

"And she flies higher and higher. . ." The little girl rose from the floor, stuffed dragon in hand.

"But the brown sees and chases her!" This came from another girl, a little taller than the first, carrying a stuffed toy as well.

Drisha turned to sneer over her shoulder at her companion. "He'll never catch her 'cause she's too fast and smart." She moved away from the spot where the two had been playing.

"The brown's bigger and stronger than the green and can fly for longer," insisted Renea. "Besides, the males _always_ catch the green. If they don't she. . . she. . . she'll die."

"Well, my dragon is special and she doesn't need those nasty male dragons, so she'll get away!" With that the smaller girl was off at a run, the other following.

"He'll catch up - he will!" Renea followed with a confidence of turns playing with the other girl and the certainty that no matter what she remained older and taller.

"Not this time!" Drisha taunted over her shoulder as she ran - running straight into a pair of adult legs.

"Ooops!" Taia reached out to steady the little one that had run into her. "Hey! What do you think you're... Oh, it's you." Taia looked down at the earnest face that gazed up at her. "Drisha. And what are you playing today?" she asked, looking from one girl to the other.

"Flight!" Drisha held up her dragon. "I have the green and Renea's brown can't catch her."

"He _will_ catch her," put in the other girl. "The males _always_ catch the females. The females need the males."

Drisha turned to face Renea, one hands on her hip. "Momma says that females only need males to have babies, and greens don't have babies."

"Well, that may be true that they don't have babies, or even Eggs for that matter; but that's not to say they don't like to have a boy to play with." Taia said, diplomatically.

Now both girls faced her with new interest. "Do you like to play with boys?" This question came from the older girl, having decided that since Drisha knew the woman and she was within the confines of the Weyr, she must be alright.

Taia felt a nervous tickle in her chest, and tried to overcome it, with some difficulty. An old adage sprang unbidden into her head, 'Out of the mouths of babes', she recalled hearing on more than one occasion during her childhood. "Um, I have friends who are boys, but it's been a long time since I played chasey with them." she answered, determined not to drop the conversation just because it was becoming 'difficult'.

"Do you have babies?" Again the older girl asked, but Drisha's eyes were on Taia's face as well, waiting for an answer.

"No, no babies yet." Taia smiled, "I haven't the time at the moment." What was it with children, always asking if she had babies? She searched hurriedly to think of something to change the subject, before any more questions could be thrown at her. "How's Tink doing now, Drisha?" she asked.

"She gets into _everything_." Drisha laughed as she told Taia.

Now Renea placed one hand on her hip in a very adult stance and announced, "Drisha and Drina spend too much time fussing over that cat."

"Do they?" Taia asked, her eyebrow lifting slightly as she took in the attitude of the young girl. A few turns time and Drisha could be as cheeky. "Drisha and Drina are only doing what's necessary to keep Kellaw healthy and Tink with them."

Renea blinked as she thought about what to say, giving Drisha opportunity to speak. "Shelba thinks that we should have given Tink away."

"Shelba's my mother," put in Renea.

"_Foster_ mother," challenged Drisha. "She was my Momma's fostermother, too. Renea is my Momma's sister."

"_Half_ sister," clarified Renea. "We have the same Da. He rides a dragon - a brown."

"Oh, really?" Taia said, quite surprised at getting the family history lesson. "My parents are both dragonriders, too. So we have something in common." she smiled down at both girls.

"Do we know them?" asked Renea.

"Do they have other kids, kids our age?" asked Drisha. She wrinkled up her nose in distaste. "Girls, not boys."

"I don't know whether you'd know them," Taia shrugged, "there are more dragonriders in this Weyr than even I've ever met." She looked from one to the other, they had never ending questions these children.

"As to brothers and sisters, I have some, though I think the youngest is about eight or nine turns old now, a boy was what my mother had last. Though, I suppose my father..." she had almost forgotten the children were listening; she hadn't seen her father in months, he was always busy with one thing and another, but she supposed with him, anything was possible.

"There you are!" Drina came rushing over to them, two-year-old Kellaw in her arms. "Drisha, you were told to stay put until I finished changing Kellaw's nappie. And Renea, you're going to be late for classes - again."

The girls quickly headed away, the older to the Harper's rooms for classes and the younger to the area of the kitchen reserved for the Weyr's children.

Drina smiled sheepishly at Taia. "I'm sorry. You always seem to be around when Drisha decides to escape. I hope that she doesn't bother you too much."

"No, but she's given me something to think about, this time." Taia laughed, "We were having a chat about family histories. My parents are 'riders too."

"Really? Are you close to them?"

"No, not really." Taia shook her head, "I was close to my fostermother, but since she left for Dolphin Cove Weyr with her weyrmate, I have only spoken to her in letters."

"My foster mother is still here and is the reason I do what I do," shared Drina. "She still has the care of my sister, Renea. The rest of my family - those that still live - are right here."

"Your family?" Taia was puzzled by the way Drina had spoken, "You mean Drisha?" her face creased in a confused frown.

"Drisha, my father, brothers, and sister. Aside from my foster mother, they're all the family I know." She coked her head in question. "Speaking of Drisha, you said that she had given you something to think about?"

"That I haven't been in touch with _my_ father for quite a while. The girls were asking me about my younger brothers and sisters." she laughed softly. "I rarely think of them, but I really don't quite know if I have any new ones. I was wondering if my father... well - if he's had any more." she gave a small shrug.

"I can't imagine life without family," put in Drina, bouncing Kellaw slightly as he lay his head on her shoulder and closed his eyes. "But then, I've not had a craft to fill my time. I suppose that makes a difference."

"Yes...and no." Taia replied. "I see mother around the Weyr, and we talk. But father, well he's always been more distant."

"I suppose that happens. I've been closer to my foster mother but I think my father tried to remain at least relatively close after my mother's death since he was my only remaining parent. If she had lived, the relationship may have been different."

"I don't think my father really cares. He seems to be a man for the moment." Taia shrugged. "I haven't seen him in - ages." she said, shaking her head.

Drina nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps if you make an effort you'll find that he really does care."

"Something I was considering, actually." Taia smiled and met Drina's eyes. "Thanks to the girls, anyway."

"I'm glad they helped - and that they weren't bothering you."

"No." Taia smiled softly, "They're never a bother, I actually enjoy talking to Drisha - she reminds me of myself, when I was younger. Curiosity - I was full of it too." she said with a small laugh.

Drina nodded. "I suppose I was as well, though what I remember most is the energy and having to find outlets for it that didn't get me into trouble."

"You were one of the good ones then." Taia laughed, "I was always into mischief. But Corder found an outlet for me, he had me helping him in the Cavern whenever he found me lurking around the place."

"I didn't say that I succeeded," admitted the other woman. "Whenever I started to get into trouble, Shelba handed me tubers to wash or peel or set me to sewing. I hated it, but it taught me to at least pretend that I could calm down."

"And now it's our turn," said Taia, "to keep the younger ones in check." She glanced around, "They'll have a different outlook on life than we have." she said quietly, almost to herself.

"They certainly do," Drina said wistfully. She glanced down at Kellaw, his head against her shoulder. "This one is almost asleep and feeling quite heavy. I suppose I should take him to a nap cot."

"And I... well, I might just go and find the Headwoman and see if she can tell me where I can find my father."

Last updated on the July 29th 2007

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