Friends and Acquaintances

Writers: Jane, Kaysea
Date Posted: 2nd February 2008

Characters: Fog, Rahona
Description: Fog and Rahona discuss Keirlee's visit and the chances of her visiting again
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 8, day 14 of Turn 4

When the Sungazer tied up at Nettleweed Dock there was always work - for everyone - but then as soon as that was done the riverboat fell silent.
Like tunnelsnakes sensing flood the crew deserted their ship and made their way ashore in a laughing, chattering way they didn't anywhere else.

Nettleweed Dock was their _own_ place; their extended families lived there, the people understood riverboat life. At the major Holds at either end of the navigable portions of the Nettleweed River the crew were more cautious, circumspect. The need to represent the Sungazer while ashore wasn't there at the waypoint and the riverboat's crew could relax and enjoy a break.

Rahona wasn't going anywhere this time. She had been rostered on to caring for the passengers, and their needs didn't change at all whether the Sungazer was steaming down the river or tied up at the waypoint.
The former weyr resident didn't mind the work, nor would she miss being able to come and go from riverboat to Hold. She liked working and still felt she did less than her share, though she couldn't decide whether than was because she was the Captain's wife or because she wasn't very good at the things the headwoman wanted her to do.

A glint of gold down on the bank because a flutter as the young firelizard made her way up to the balcony of the crew deck where Rahona was watching her children depart the ship. With a chirp and a nuzzle Sunbow settled on her mistress's shoulder and wrapped a surprisingly long tail around her friend's neck.

Perhaps her son was looking back to see where the firelizard had gone -
or perhaps he was checking that she was there. Whatever the reason her eight Turn old waved and she waved back.

Straightening from her comfortable position leaning on the rail Rahona caught sight of somebody else on the balcony. "Oh, Fog. I didn't see you. I suppose Nalin was waving at you," she said with a mock sigh.
"He's become very taken with all of the engineers."

"No, he was waving to you, Rahona. He spends more time with dar, than he does with anyone. I can see dar making an engineer of him if nothing more." He leaned against the rail. "You settling in alright, Rahona? It's been a couple of months now, you seem to be."

"I feel like I am. I _am_. Unless people say otherwise -?"

"No!" he raised his eyebrows, his eyes opening wide, worried that he had offended her, he held out his hands in placation. "I just wanted to know that _you_ felt good being here, and didn't miss your own family too much - honestly!" **Shards, I just couldn't make nice conversation without upseting her!** he fumed inwardly with himself.

Rahona smiled and put a hand on Fog's arm in apology. "I'm only teasing. I don't miss my family as much as I miss the Weyr, but even then I'm enjoying being here so much I don't miss that much at all."

"Good." He nodded happily, grateful she hadn't been upset with his question, "I'm glad Lineal came home, and its even better because he brought his family back with him." he nodded with assurance.

"Oh, thank you, Fog. It's been good for all of us, but especially for Lineal and Nalin. Lineal because he had that time with his father and Nalin - Well, I don't think he would have ever taken an interest in anything like the engines if we'd stayed at the Weyr. He's seems to have found something special here."

"I know my dar thinks he's found something special. Something he didn-"
he shook his head; would he ever get over the distance he felt between himself and his father? "And I know Linli loves having Lihona here for her and Jezz to play with. Though I don't think they're having as much fun now that Harper classes have started again." He gave her a lopsided grin.

"I know Lihona even likes lessons on the riverboat. She was telling me the other day that they were _much_ more exciting here that they had been at the Weyr." Rahona chuckled. "How's that for liking her new home?"

"I wish her enthusiasm would rub off on Linli. She's not enjoying her first turn with the Harper as much as Tahna did. Speaking of which, Tahna tells me your tatting lessons are coming on well?"

Rahona rolled her eyes. "Your daughter is being very kind in saying so."

"No, she assures me you're picking it up quite quickly." He nodded his head. "Do you want a klah? I was just going to get one for myself." He turned towards the galley, "We can make one for Lineal as well, if you like and go and see what he's up to?"

"He'll be busy," Rahona said dismissively, not at all concerned that her husband was working on while most others went off to enjoy themselves.
"But I'd like one."

"If you're sure." Fog grinned, holding the door open for her to step through.

"_Absolutely_ sure. He can ask _anyone_ if he wants his klah made for him."

"Something wrong, Rahona?" for a moment he thought she was just being funny, but now, may be there was something more. "I'm here if you want to talk?" He pulled out a seat and indicated she should sit down, while he busied himself with pouring them klah, each. If this was to be a deep and heavy conversation, he didn't feel comfortable sitting face to face with her to begin with.

"No, there's nothing wrong. You know Lineal. He's too polite to ask people to run around after him - and a good thing too. I would tell him to get his own klah - captain or not."

"I just thought it'd be a nice thing to do..." Fog shook his head, he really couldn't fathom women, sometimes. "Here," he placed the mug in front of her, and deposited the sweetning and milk jug on the table too.
"Help yourself," he smiled, pulling out a seat opposite her. "That friend of yours, is she planning on another visit any time soon?" he asked, trying to sound casual.

"Keirlee?" Rahona said, startled enough that the name came out as a yelp of surprise. "You're interested in Keirlee?"

"Oh no!" he flushed brightly, "No, I just wondered. You seemed to enjoy her visit." he blustered, looking anywhere but at the woman in front of him. "I - she doesn't have any family of her own?"

"Not really. Nobody close. Would you ... perhaps ..." Rahona smiled at Lineal's cousin, "... like me to invite her back, sometime?"

He gave an indifferent shrug. "I was only asking because you seemed to enjoy her visit so much." Fog shook his head, "And she seemed to enjoy being here. She was a good friend?" he asked, finally looking up at Rahona again.

"Yes, she was. All the time Lineal and I were weyrmates he was mostly away and after Nalin was born ... I only have brothers, but Keirlee was always around to help."

"And she has no-one?" he asked, still trying to sound casual. "I would have thought she'd be a weyrmate to one of the riders, if not married to someone at the Weyr."

"No-one special," Rahona said, making an effort to match Fog's casual tone, and probably failing just as much. "She can visit with my brothers - any time."

"Oh... Oh, okay." For a moment he had misread her words, thinking that her 'no-one special' was one of Rahona's own brothers. But his disappointment turned to secret pleasure to think he would be stepping on no-one else's toes if he wished to become more than just 'acquaintances' with Keirlee. The small matter of a half a world away meant very little in the grand scheme of things. "So do you know when she will be back, again?" he asked, trying to keep the smile from his face.

"I think," Rahona said, deciding that she should not leave things to chance, "that she'll be back next time we visit the waypoint here.
Thread permitting."

"Oh?" his face lit for a moment with hope, "Ohhh." he nodded, happy in the thought that she might be here again in less than a month. "Oh..."
his face, a moment ago bright with anticipation fell, crestfallen, as realisation hit. "But ... no, never mind." He shook his head.

"Is there a problem, Fog?"

"Me." He shrugged, "It doesn't matter how many time she comes, or anyone else for that matter. No one will look sideways at me," he said quietly. His looks had never seemed a big deal following the accident, he really hadn't cared that no one would find him attractive, just that they wouldn't think him dumb. But now, now things were different...

"Perhaps you shouldn't worry about things so far in the future. Keirlee might visit again; you might get to talk to her. That's enough to start, isn't it?"

He nodded slowly, "Talking, again, would be good. She didn't make me feel stupid when she was here, not like some people we get onboard." he admitted. "Talking would be good, yes."

Rahona regarded that as a good first step and nodded. "I shall tell my brother to invite her along for our next waypoint visit."

"Thanks Rahona." Fog smiled softly. "It'd be nice just to have someone not family, as a friend."

"Uh-huh," the weyrbred woman agreed, thinking that it would be especially nice for her if one of her best friends from home decided to come and live on the Sungazer ... for whatever reason.

Last updated on the February 2nd 2008

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