Riverboats, Ships, the Great Inland Sea ...

Writers: Jane, Kaysea
Date Posted: 24th September 2007

Characters: Teene, Geni
Description: Geni becomes familiar with life onboard a paddleboat
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 6, day 15 of Turn 4

"Settle down - both of you." Geni admonished Bryton and Brylee as they fought each other over the bunkbeds. "You can swap each night, take turns - though Brylee, I really think you may be too young to sleep so high. You could always sleep with me in the big bed?" she tried to coerce the younger of the two, but doubted she would be successful.

A knock at the door drew her attention, and she hoped, desperately, that it would be Teene with Ednes and Sousie, the eldest and youngest of her growing brood.

"Geni?" Teene pushed the stateroom door open and peered around, keeping her hand on Ednes' head to prevent him barging in and disturbing his mother if she was resting already. There appeared to be no chance of that and the woman allowed her elder charge to wriggle past her.
"Aren't the rooms lovely? Tiny, but so beautiful!"

"Yes, but Teene, it's going to be a couple of very long months for us, having to share with the children." Geni gave her a look of resignation, "I wish this posting had come a few months down the track, it would have made things so much easier to just go /between/, and be _there_."

Of a sudden the room appeared full of wings, and hovering bodies. Rus appeared overhead, a rolled up piece of paper held tightly in his foreclaw. With a chirrup, he landed on Geni's shoulder, and rubbed his tiny bronze head on her chin comfortingly.

"Hush now children, it's a message from your father." Geni flapped a hand in a settling motion, as she sat down heavily on the bed behind her. Her eyes scanned her husbands familiar writing, and she wished with all her heart she was with him right now. "Well, he's arrived safely, and is pleased we're on our way too." She smiled up at the children, "He's also asked that you all be on your best behaviour, for me and Teene; and to show what good children you really can be."

"Now," she looked over at the other woman, "all settled in?"

"Indeed." She nodded at the four Turn old on her hip and winked at Geni. "And I think somebody might be s-l-e-e-p-y. Perhaps you could curl up with her while I take the others out -" Teene, usually so resourceful looked momentarily blank, before continuing, "- around. The little balconies."

"I'm sure they find someone, or something to keep them amused and give you a little peace." Geni smiled, "- And yes, I could do with a little n-a-p." She rubbed her well rounded belly. "This move could have come at a better time." she muttered to herself, as much as Teene. "Come here, my lovely." She reached out and took Sousie from Teene's arms.
"You stay with mummy and Teene will bring you a little present when they come back." Over the child's head she mouthed "Redfruit or pear?"

"I'll see what they have." Teene looked at the three older children.
"Those quilts you're thinking about bouncing on are works of art," she informed them, "And you'll have to be very careful of them. Shall we go outside for a while and let your mother rest? I think there are other children onboard - passengers and crew's children." She glanced back at Geni. "It might have been faster to go by dragon but this is going to be far more memorable. Riverboats, ships, the great inland sea ...."

"It may have been nice for you and the children," she smiled, then paused for a moment, "on the other hand, I could have sent you and these three ahead and had a more peaceful cruise to myself - with Sousie of course." Her smile widened into a mischievous grin.

"Oh and what would the new Hall have thought then, when your husband turned up with me and the children? Rumours would have been rife by the time you arrived."

"And you don't think they will be by the time we arrive?" Geni's eyes met with Teene, the secrets she had kept quiet were on the tip of her tongue. "You may as well know now that he's there and settling in, Teene, this isn't any ordinary posting for Causton..."

"Oh?" The other woman searched Geni's face for hints. "Something good?"

"I'm not sure if it's good or not." Geni's face creased into a frown, "he's received a promotion, but it could mean trouble - for me and in him eventually. Can we talk about this later?" she asked, her eyes darting from one child to another, and seeing Ednes' attention wasn't really on talking to his younger siblings.

"Certainly. After your sleep, perhaps," Teene said pointedly. "And besides, we've just decided this is going to be a long, long trip. We have plenty of time to talk before we get there." She glanced at the children. "Out we go. Let's have a good look around this boat."

With a sigh of relief, Geni smiled, nodded and watched as Teene guided the older children out of the room. She lay down on the bed and gathered Sousie to her. It didn't take long for the little one to fall asleep; Geni's heavy eyes closed shortly after.

Last updated on the October 1st 2007

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Riverboats, Ships, the Great Inland Sea ...