A Good Scorning

Writers: Kenya, Sunrose
Date Posted: 4th March 2006

Characters: Solieira, Jer'ic
Description: Solieira finds Jerric passed out in the Dining Caverns and is not pleased
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 10, day 11 of Turn 3

Jerric had not been in the Dining Caverns for some time on such an excursion but after his recent episode with Illiana, he had been unable to resist. He knew he shouldn't drink, he really did. It appeared he had taken after his father more than he would have liked. He enjoyed being in the late atmosphere of the Dining Caverns. The late crowd of diners was always an interesting one. Even now though, it was very late and Jerric laid his head down on the table. The crowd of people had thinned and became evident that it was time for him to leave. Now if only he could lift his head up...

Solieira was picking up a few things from a table when she noticed one of her newly arrived Candidates seemingly asleep nearby. Now, the Headwoman didn't normally go around cleaning up the dining tables, but she had three drudges sick, two pregnant or nursing and barely any Candidates. That meant more work for her, for certain. And it made her sad to see the Candidate barracks just barely full of young hopefuls.

Slipping quietly over to Jerric, for that's who she knew it to be, she shook his shoulder gently. "Jerric? Wake up, lad. You've a cot for sleeping, hmm?"

Half dazed, the boy groggily tried to sit up but was reprimanded when he began to sink back to the table. "I'm fine... her'... " Jerric half mumbled, half slurred. What may have appeared as a sleeping boy before was now very noticeably a young man that had had more than his share of liquor for the evening. Jerric hardly noticed his surroundings, or much less, that the Headwoman was standing over him or would have turned instantly back into the shy and timid Candidate he normally was. He lazily moved his hand as if to push her away.

Solieira frowned darkly at the hand reaching for her. Her voice became like iron, stone hard. "Candidate Jerric, you will get to your feet and go to the Barracks even if you stumble all the way. But if you raise your hand to me again, I'll have you scrubbing pots for the next 40 turns." She paused, not shouting, only stating implacably. "Do you understand me?"

Even in his tired drunkeness, that stern voice cause a chill down his spine and as if magically healed, he attempted to get up from the bench, nodding and mumbling apologies. His first attempt went rather poorly, and he ended up tripping over the bench and nearly knocking himself out against the table. It was a pathetic sight indeed. "...'Jus' a second," he assured her after his failed attempt and then after a few more apologies, began to untangle himself with the bench and table.

Solieira took no pity on him and did not offer him a hand. Let him suffer his own foolishness. "If I ever catch you this drunk again, young Jerric, you will regret it. Do you understand? You are a Candidate! And you will _act_ like one."

"Yesss maa'am," he said, finally getting on his feet. After his endeavor he would have appreciated a little rest but he did not dare to violate the menacing glare of the Headwoman now. He squinted, trying to find the exit of the empty Dining Caverns but he was not in a state to make logical decisions.

"That way." She pointed and then swatted with her spoon, though a bit more gently than before. "And you will explain to me why you are so drunk, and you barely here!"

Jerric stood up straight and walked to the door, his hand pressed up against his forehead. He was going to be really sick in the morning - he could feel t already. Jerric shrugged in response to her question. Why had he gotten so drunk? He vaguely remembered the argument he had had with Illiana only candlemarks ago. "I gues' I have a problem," he admitted, accepting what Illiana had harangued him for.

"You have a large problem, Candidate Jerric. Now out the door and to your bed. If I ever catch you in this fashion again, you will regret it." Her voice was full of promise, but not mean. She just simply would not tolerate it. "You should know better, young man." She made a mental note to send him something to help in the morning, because he was not going to be well.

Jerric thanked her and set off in the direction she had pointed. He had a feeling it would take a long while to get home but perhaps the walk would do him some good. He was hardly aware of the repercussions that awaited him in the morning.

Last updated on the March 5th 2006

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A Good Scorning