Sea - Green

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

Characters: Teene, Geni
Description: Life aboard an ocean going vessel is different for the women
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 7, day 10 of Turn 4

"I don't think I can take much more of this weather." Geni commented, holding her stomach tightly and trying to avoid looking out of the porthole at the rapidly swaying horizon. "Did the mate say how long they expected this gale to last?" she asked, taking a small sip of water.

"He said it wasn't a gale, when I asked him. Just a little bit of 'air'." Teene was surprisingly unaffected - thus far - and happy it was so. "He also said if you could get up on deck you'd feel better."

"On deck? In this weather?" Geni looked horrified, "I, I couldn't." she said with an aghast look on her face. "And we can't take the children up there," she continued, her eyes rolling slowly to the ceiling of their stateroom.

"I could, you know. Perhaps not Neva. And it's not as bad up there as it is down here." the younger woman continued, having the feeling that she wasn't going to be able to convince the very-near-to-seasick Geni of anything.

"You'd take Brylee and Sousie up there? With the wind the way it is, and the," she gulped, swallowing the bile she felt rising, "the waves?"
she shook her head. "Oh Teene, I wish this part of the trip hadn't been necessary."

Teene would have grinned at Geni's concerns about the wind and waves but remembered in time that she herself hadn't dealt well with Neva's birth, and Geni and the riverboat headwoman had been kind enough not to laugh at her then. "They'll love it and I'll keep a good hold on them.
Better get them in the air than keep them down here and - er - chance them getting ill - a little bit ill - like you."

With reservation, Geni finally gave a nod of ascent. "Okay, while Neva's asleep, go, and take the other two with you. But please," she looked Teene in the eyes, holding her gaze, "_take care_ - of all of you."

"I will, Geni. You know I love them like my own. I won't take chances with them."

With a nod of assent Geni agreed, "I know, and I also know its just me being silly, but I have dreaded this part of the journey. I remember well the last time I was aboard an ocean vessel, and I haven't changed my opinion since."

"You're not talking yourself into feeling ill, are you?" Teene asked, though she had no reason to think so since her own stomach, while not actively protesting was not perfectly at ease, either. Nevertheless, she didn't think it would stop her doing anything, looking after the children (and Geni, if necessary) and that was the main thing.

"No, that's not it. I have always had a weak stomach when it comes to water. The riverboat was easy, not much more than a gentle swell along the river, but here. The troughs and peaks and the rolls, oh shells, just talking about it..." she held her hand to her mouth again, and felt the perspiration break across her brow and upper lip.

Teene's eyes widened and she gathered up Sousie and held out her hand for Brylee. "Come on, sweetlings. Let's leave your mother alone for a little while, shall we, and go and see what all the people on deck are doing."

"You gonna be okay mama?" Brylee asked, eyeing her mother as she took hold of Teene hand.

"I'll be fine sweetheart, you just take to mind what Teene tells you, okay?"

"I will mama. Have a nice sleep."

"Do try to get to sleep," Teene said over her shoulder as she shepherded the two little girls out of the room.

"I'll try." Geni replied, giving them a small wan smile. "Take care."
she lay back on the bed, and slowly closed her eyes as the door closed.
This would prove to be the longer leg of the trip in more ways than one.

Last updated on the December 28th 2007

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Sea - Green