Love Can't Be Forced

Writers: Ainsley, Vix
Date Posted: 19th March 2009

Characters: Vaheri, Jezz
Description: Jezz seeks out Vaheri for advice on matters of the heart.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 2, day 7 of Turn 5

Jezz skipped along the deck until she reached the dining room then peeked her head around the corner. Yep, she was there and what's more she was alone! The six-turn-old scurried into the common area with a smile. "Hi Auntie Vaheri! Can I ask you about something?"

"Of course, Jezz." The Sungazer headwoman sank onto one of the benches around the table. "What's on your mind today?"

"Welllll, you've bee alive a long, long time right? And you know lots about people and stuff? And men and women? And what makes them like each other?" the girl's wide brown eyes were very earnest as she queried her aunt, who she considered to be extremely wise.

"I _have_ been alive a long time," Vaheri admitted with a smile. "But I don't know that I understand people completely for all of that."

"Do you know what makes them like each other in that special way, you know the way that makes them want to get married?"

That certainly gave the headwoman pause. "I know why some people have married, but I certainly don't know all."

The little girl's face screwed up in thought. "I want Mum to get married," she finally confessed, "But I don't know how to make it happen."

"Oh." Vaheri took a deep breath. "Have you asked your mum why she isn't married?"

"Uh Huh! It's cause my da died. So I asked why she didn't get married again and she said she hasn't found the right man. That's why I thought I would talk to you."

The woman turned a puzzled look to the child. "And what do I have to do with it?"

The little girl shrugged, "Cuz you've lived a long time and seen lots of people get married and I figured you would know how to make someone like someone else that way. _Everybody_ has both a mum and a da now but me," she explained her little brow furrowing. "I don't really remember my da, and I really want to have one of my own. So if Mum would get married then I would get to have one."

"I see," Vaheri answered slowly. "I suppose that it makes sense for you to want a father." She sighed and shook her head. "But there's really no way to 'make' someone get married."

Jezz's pout made her disappointment evident. "But there just has to be something to sort of, you know, nudge a body in that direction. It didn't take too terrible long for Fog and Eliste to decide to get married. Now Tahna and Linli even have a baby brother. I sure would like to have a baby brother or sister."

The Headwoman bit her tongue at that suggestion, thinking that would be a very bad choice at the moment. "Fog and Eliste met and were right for each other. Your mother hasn't found anyone who fits in that way."

Jezz offered a discouraged sigh. "Oh, well, I thought it was worth asking. I sure wish she _would_ find one that fits."

"Your mother probably wishes that as well," Vaheri told her, pulling the girl close for a one-armed hug.

The girl returned the hug, still not quite understanding the situation. If her mother really wished for it, then why didn't she do something about it? If Auntie Vaheri said there was nothing to do about it, though, then the girl figured there really must not be. "Can I have a cookie?"

The woman paused for a moment as if considering. "Would that make you feel better?"

"A cookie always makes me feel better," the girl answered in complete honesty, "No matter what the trouble is."

"In that case, have one to make you feel better. Then take one for yourself and each of the other girls."

Jezz responded with another quick hug and a big smile. It was always a good thing to bring your problems to Auntie Vaheri. Even if they couldn't be solved by a little talk, you still walked away feeling better.

Last updated on the March 19th 2009

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Love Can't Be Forced