Hard To Please

Writers: Chelle, Eimi
Date Posted: 24th April 2010

Characters: Qorri, Slekat
Description: Qorri confronts a rude holder.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 8, day 12 of Turn 5

"Yuck!" Dangun cried before spitting the soup back into the bowl. "What
is this _swill_? How can you _eat_ that?" he asked the neighboring
dragonrider.

"Tastes fine to me," the bluerider shrugged.

"Your taste buds must have been rotten away by this filth. You!" he
cried to a woman walking down the aisle like she was inspecting how the
meal was going. "You look like you work in the kitchens. I demand to
talk to your Headwoman."

The drudge looked up and took one look at the man. Hurrying away, she
was glad she didn't have to deal with him. Finding Qorri as the other
woman was directing the movement of bread dough, she stopped and waited
a moment. "Mam, there's a man out there asking for you and he doesn't
seem none too happy."

She sighed and wiped her forehead. Leaving instructions for the man that
was moving the big trays, she walked out into the cavern. The man was
pointed out to her and she made her way toward him. "Good day to you.
How can I help?"

"This filth," he said with a sweep of his hand, "is not fit to feed a
canine. I demand a _decent_ meal!"

Service was one thing. However, disrespect was something else entirely.
"Who am I speaking to?" she said in a deceptively calm voice.

He pulled himself a little taller. "I'm Slekat of Green Leaf Hold,
madam, and my Hold's tithes are supposed to be used to feed your people,
which is only right, I suppose, for the protection the Weyr affords.
But I am beginning to wonder if all the good food we sacrifice isn't
going to waste in your kitchens."

"Tell me, Slekat of Green Leaf Hold, have you ever cooked a meal?"
One of her hands was under her skirt, balled into a fist. How dare
he challenge her as if she were some piece of dirt? In the back of her
mind, she remembered when she was just like him-a holder who knew
nothing of the world.

"No, of course not," he replied as if the very notion were ridiculous.

"Until you have cooked a meal for yourself, you've no right to tell me
what is and isn't fit to eat." Her voice raised slightly then, but it
was clear she wasn't done. "You see, if you had complained simply, I
would have given you something else. But to insult the cook's efforts
when I doubt you've even eaten more than a meal here, if that..." Her
eyes narrowed.

"I'll wager you've only eaten wherry and tubers for most of your life.
Perhaps some fish. There are other things out there and I suggest you
sit down and try something else before you open your mouth again."
She wasn't quite livid, but she was incensed.

"Now see here," Slekat fumed, incensed that she would speak to him that
way, "I have eaten many things in my life, but this is just foul. Were
you a Headwoman of much worth, you would have tasted it first before
serving it to your guests. My Hold's Headwoman would never dream of
serving her people sub-par meals!"

"Oh but I did. And I notice you're the only one complaining." She swept
the cavern with her arm. By now their conversation had drawn some
notice. She grabbed his bowl and upended it, sending a lot of the stew
down her gullet. Finished, she shoved it back at him. "I find nothing
wrong with your stew. Perhaps you simply have a weak stomach?"

"You are rude and inept, Headwoman," the Holder said pointing an
accusing finger straight in her face. He did not appreciate being
treated that way, especially by a woman! "Watch yourself or I will take
this straight to the Weyrleader and demand he set you right!"

"You were rude first. I'll admit to being that. Inept, no." She had her
hands on her hips, dark eyes flashing. "Please do if you'd like to
interrupt him from eating *his* stew." Qorri knew that riders were
loathe to cross the people who fed them. Not that she would ever want
them going hungry before flying Thread.

Unfortunately Slekat wouldn't know the Weyrleader from a weyrling, but
he wouldn't admit that now! "My Lord Holder shall hear of how the Weyr
treats the guests that bring in the tithe! He just might rethink our
generosity in the future!"

"I've met your Lord Holder and I'll be sure to tell him how you refused
the Weyr's hospitality after I serve him a bowl of stew. See if he
agrees with you." She seemed calmer, resolute, as his panic showed in
his eyes. Like a feline, she backed him into a corner.

"He will, madam. Most assuredly. And will no doubt be offended that
the Weyr would take his position so lightly as to merely serve him stew
like a common man!" A proper Headwoman would never even suggest such a
slight. "It is obvious you know nothing of the world and our ways."

"Oh aye I do. And to suggest that the stew the Weyrleader eats isn't
good enough for the Lord Holder he flies Thread for is enough to show
you for what you are." She put her hand out. "Qorri, former Holder, now
Weyrfolk."

He looked at the hand contemptuously. "Thank Faranth they have hidden
you away here. You are not fit for the Holds with such an attitude as
this. I will not stand here to be insulted any further, madam." In a
huff, he stormed off, leaving his tray behind.

Last updated on the May 3rd 2010

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Hard To Please