Should I?

Writers: Jane, Vix
Date Posted: 9th March 2008

Characters: Rahona, Vaheri
Description: Rahona asks for Vaheri's opinion about a delicate situation involving another crewmember of the riverboat.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 9, day 3 of Turn 4

Rahona waved the Sungazer's headwoman into the storeroom. "I want to ask you something," she said in an undertone. "And I don't want any of those 'little ears' listening in."

Vaheri snorted, her own gaze darting about in an effort to spy any children who might be hiding nearby. "I doubt there are many places to avoid that on this boat."

"But if we go right down the back here we can see if the short people are sneaking up on us." Rahona disappeared down the back on the long, narrow room. "See?"

"I suppose so," the headwoman conceded. "Though if there's any way to overhear what's said in this room, those children will figure out how to do it."

Rahona nodded. "And I know my girl's one of the worst offenders."

The older woman waved her hand dismissively. "No worse than any other child in any generation of riverboat children. Over the turns it's been a constant challenge to keep adult business to adults."

"Well this does need to stay with the adults for now - and not all of them, either. I want to ask you advice on something." Rahona couldn't help but look around one last time and lowered her voice even more. "About Fog."

Vaheri's eyes narrowed at the mention of her nephew, her protectiveness toward him coming to the fore. "What about Fog?"

"Nothing bad. No, he was asking about my friend, from the Weyr? The one who visited me. Keirlee. He was asking about her and I thought ... Do you think I should -" Rahona waved a hand as she searched for the right word, "- encourage her. Them?"

The headwoman paused, staring at Rahona thoughtfully. "Encourage. . . Do you mean romantically?"

"Well ..." Rahona tried to imagine what another option could be. "Yes. He wouldn't have asked about her, otherwise, would he?"

"True," she conceded, still deep in thought. "Fog hasn't. . . since the accident he. . ." She sighed and looked directly at the other woman. "Since the accident, Fog has been . . . fragile, " she searched for the word and nodded as she found it before continuing. "In many ways he's been different, more vulnerable. Without knowing this woman, I really can't say whether this would be good for him."

"Hmm. She's weyrbred, like me, but that doesn't really explain a person, does it? She's been a good friend to me, and kind to the children. Would _you_ like to meet her next time she visits?"

"Perhaps," Vaheri replied reluctantly. She had been uncertain about Rahona but the weyr-bred woman had fit in nicely with riverboat life. Still. . . Fog. "It would probably be good for him to get back to 'normal' life, but I still worry."

"Over-protective aunty sort of worry?" Rahona teased.

"Perhaps that, or perhaps there are grounds for worry." Vaheri shook her head. "He's not himself since the accident, not capable of making decisions the way that he did before."

Rahona nodded. "Well, I shall definitely make sure you can meet Kierlee next time she visits - and for Fog I'll make sure she visits soon."

"And we'll see what happens," put in the headwoman, still uncertain of whether they should be encouraging this meeting and yet having no valid reason to argue against it.

"I shall send Sunbow to my brother with a message," Rahona said, her voice returning to normal volume as she laughed. Sunbow was getting better but her message taking abilities were still intermittent.

"Alright then," said Vaheri, surprised that the other woman was speaking of making immediate arrangements and uneasy in the quickness with which this matter was moving. "I suppose I should get back to my work."

"Me too. Thanks for your advice, Vaheri."

"Oh, any time - though I'm not sure how much help I've been."

"You've been a great help, as always," Rahona assured the older woman as they left the small storeroom.

Still, Vaheri had to wonder: had she been helpful to Fog?

Last updated on the March 12th 2008

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Should I?