Too Much Time on Your Hands

Writers: Ainsley, Devin
Date Posted: 11th February 2009

Characters: Jerroll, Loki
Description: Loki has a bit of fun climbing the mast and Jerroll decides he has too much time on his hands.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 1, day 13 of Turn 5
Notes: Silver Sails

Clambering up the mainmast was easy as could be, and something that delighted young Loki to no end. As agreed upon in the wager, he was more than two-thirds the way up and just under the crow's nest before he swung easily off the mainmast and onto the lines, careful not to become tangled. Getting back down to land smartly on the boom without the benefit of the mainmast did take some acrobatics but he was able to use the halyards and downhauls to balance himself. Only once did Loki nearly lose his balance, which set his heart to thumping, but the added danger only thrilled him. It was with a satisfied grin that he swung down from the boom and landed safely back on the deck.

"An' thet was done in less time than we wagered!" he stated proudly to the assembled seamen. "Pay up mates," the boy demanded with a laugh holding his hand out for the marks. As of yet he had not been allowed up in the crow's nest for a watch, and he had been called away most every time he'd decided to climb the mainmast at all. He had been wanting to try his hand at manning the rigging for some time and with the Quartermaster meeting with Captain Lerra, the Bo'sun down in his bunk, and Jerroll and Edele otherwise occupied the enterprising boy had decided this was the opportune time to gain some experience as well as a few marks.

"Who gave you permission to be up there?"

"Uh, I, ah thought ya were with Edele," said Loki in surprise as he closed his fist around the marks he'd gotten so far and slipped them quickly into his pocket. Then realizing he hadn't actually answered the First Mate's question he was quick to add. "Nobody said I _couldn't_."

"You must have a poor memory," Jerroll said. "I told you not to go up there without permission. I told you that when you joined us."

Loki bit his lip, "But thet was near on nine months ago. I've larned lots since then. I'm ready now. I weren't hurtin' nuthin' or nobody. The only risk 'as ta _me_."

"Yes, and that's the point. I don't want to come out here some day and find you splattered on the deck." He glared down at the boy.

The orphan was literately struck speechless, and a cacophony of emotions played across his face. He opened his mouth as if to answer then closed it again, cocking his head sideways with a somewhat confused look. Following orders was important on a ship and he had expected to be taken to task for that, not for risking his own neck. Finally, taking in the intensity of Jerroll's glare, Loki found his voice. "I did it jest fine tho. I didn't fall," he pointed out meekly, hands in his pockets the toe of one foot kicking the heal of the other.

Jerroll sighed. "I think you have too much time on your hands. Did you have harper lessons when you were younger?"

"Fer a couple turns before my uncle up 'n left. Larned tha ballads. An' I know how ta read," he answered, conveniently leaving out anything to do with writing.

"I think I should talk to Rainia about giving you lessons." She wasn't a harper, but she was a journeyman healer and the most qualified person on the ship to teach basic lessons. "Maybe Edele could help a bit, too."

The look of sheer horror that crossed Loki's face spoke volumes. "I'm sorry Jerroll. I'll stay off tha mainmast and tha lines. I don' want ta sit fer lessons. Thet's _borin'_!"

"That may be, but you need it. You can't be a cabin boy all your life." Jerroll crossed his arms, more thoughtful than stern. "Don't you ever think about what you'll be when you grow up?"

"Sure. I wanna be a seaman, an' maybe someday," here Loki blushed and his voice got very quiet, "A First Mate."

"Then don't you think you should better yourself? Learn as much as you can?" Jerroll was well aware the boy idolized him, and he suspected that before Loki joined the crew, no one had encouraged the boy to be anything.

Loki's brow furrowed as he thought about this. He really didn't want to sit for lessons, but he really did want to be someone important and follow in Jerroll's footsteps. "I reckon," he finally agreed grudgingly.

"Good." Jerroll smiled. "We'll go see Rainia later today and see what we can do about lessons." Rainia would probably want to kill him for it, but he could make it up to her later.

Last updated on the February 16th 2009

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Too Much Time on Your Hands