That Will be Wonderful!

Writers: Jane, Vix
Date Posted: 2nd June 2008

Characters: Rahona, Denna, Vaheri
Description: Vaheri, Denna, and Rahon prepared for the new arrivals.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 10, day 9 of Turn 4

"Last time we did this," Denna said, pulling out the large square baskets from under the high frame for the double bed and checking that nothing had been left inside them, "We were doing it for you."

"Me?" Rahona looked up from her cautious lowering of the mattress from the top bed of the bunks. If the weather continued fine all three mattresses would be taken outside and aired. If the weather didn't cooperate the mattresses would at least spend the night in the warmth of the drying room that sat above the Sungazer's boilers.

"When you and Lineal came here to live," Vaheri replied absently. She peered intently into the corners revealed by the absent mattresses, trying to determine whether there was any dirt beyond that unavoidable in the riverboat environment.

"Oh. Well, thank you. We felt very welcome." She smiled in memory.
"Lineal recognised the heirloom quilt. I'd never even known that he knew anything about quilts."

"They don't use quilts at the Weyrs?" the Headwoman asked, glancing up at Rahona. "I imagine that they would brighten up and warm those stone walls." "Tapestries, mostly. But these are lovely and to know that they're done onboard. I don't know ... They seem more special than tapestries, somehow. More personal. Do all the riverboats quilt?"

"Most have at least a few people who quilt or do needlework. However, it's more of a specialty here. Others have their own sidelines and ways of earning a mark on the side." Rahona sighed. "I just don't have the eye for it. Do the Moonflower women quilt? Are they ones that do?"

Vaheri nodded. "Most of their female crewmembers do, and some of them are quite good at it." "Whaaa!" Rahona wailed in mock distress. "I'll still be the only woman who's no good with colours. Perhaps I could become a specialist at cutting out the little pieces? Sort of like support crew?"

"I've no problem with that," the Headwoman told her. "I don't mind choosing the fabrics and designs and then sewing them, but I detest having to cut all of the pieces." "Well, I'd like to do that, if I could." Rahona couldn't help but worry that she wasn't contributing to the marks-making pursuit of the women with her skills - or lack of them. "Just put it aside for next time I'm in the common room."

"Gladly," was Vaheri's reply. "In fact, I have an idea for a new quilt but have avoided my fabric stores because I'd want to get started on it and don't really have the time to both cut new squares and continue on my current one. I'll choose the material later today and it'll be ready for you." Rahona beamed. "I wonder what they'll be like? The new people. Do you know anything about them, Vaheri? Lineal says riverboats are more autonomous than Weyrs and much more varied in character."

"I'm not sure who will be boarding," the headwoman told her. "Though I do know a few aboard the Moonflower." She took a deep breath and faced Rahona. "My great-granddaughter lives on that boat." "Your ... I didn't know you had one," Rahona said. "Not your granddaughter?" she said, looking at the younger woman.

"No!" Denna grinned. "I don't have any grandchildren, yet."

"Jamora is the daughter of Denna's nephew, Jardon," Vaheri told her.
"Her mother is now married to one of the Moonflower's crew members." "Is she coming aboard?" Rahona asked, interested and surprised by Vaheri's news.

The headwoman nodded. "Narta's husband is one of the junior engineers and will be joining us. He's asked permission to bring his family with him." "Well, that will be wonderful!" She looked at the two women who didn't seem to be entirely thrilled at the news. "Won't it?"

"Having Jamora here will be a treat," Vaheri agreed. "But Narta and Jardon did not break up very amicably. They speak to each other because of Jamora, but the rest of the family has had nothing to do with her since she left to live with Wobel." "Oh. Did she do something ... awful? That you're not speaking to her?"

The older woman frowned at the question. "This isn't the Weyr. We frown on marriages breaking up, particularly when one of the parties immediately acquires a new mate." "Oh." Rahona felt heat in her cheeks and thought she might be blushing.
Most of the time there seemed little difference between the attitudes of her new riverboat family and her own former life at the Weyr, and then she would misunderstand something, or assume a point of view the crew didn't share. It always came as a surprise, and a reminder that she was in her husband's world, and not her own. "Yes. I'm sorry. But it will be nice to have your great-granddaughter on board, won't it?"

"That it will," Vaheri agreed. "I've spent little time with her over the past turns. We've tried to respect the times that Jardon is with her, but we occasionally see her for a short time when both boats are in port together. It will give me a chance to get to know her." "How old is she?"

"Almost five turns, and a very pretty bundle of energy." "Younger than Linli and Lihona then."

"Yes, but I've no doubt that she'll follow them wherever they go." Rahona's expression was thoughtful. "Well have to tell them to set a good example." She laughed. "Oh, I _will_ enjoy that."

Vaheri shook her head. "Don't forget – Jamora's been on a riverboat longer than your daughter and could probably teach her a few tricks, and not necessarily good ones." "Oh dear! _Now_ I'm worried." Rahona sounded anything but worried and she looked at Vaheri's daughter. "Are you looking forward to your niece being aboard?"

"Looking forward to getting to know her," Denna said. "Teaching her our particular quilts and traditions. Things she should know, because she's half Sungazer blood."

"That she is," Vaheri agreed, "and a part of us whether she's aboard or not. I want her to feel that and to know that she's always welcome here." "I'm sure she will. You've made me and the children feel that, so I'm sure it won't take long for Jamora to feel the same way."

The riverboat headwoman had spent little time with her great-granddaughter due to the split in the child's family and had little experience on which to base confidence. "I hope you're right."

Last updated on the June 7th 2008

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

That Will be Wonderful!