I Can't and Won't Part 2

Writers: Chelle, Miriah
Date Posted: 10th May 2013

Characters: Bahji, Rhosyn, Jitarim
Description: Jitarim reacts to Bahji's confession.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 1, day 20 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: E'rae, Solieira; Follows "A Little Shove" and "Making a Difficult Choice"

Having sent someone to go and find Jitarim and bring him when he was done,
Rhosyn chatted with Bahji a bit more as they waited. She informed the girl
about the Weyr's fostering system and how it all worked as well as her duty
to choose the fostermothers. She also inquired as to whether or not Bahji
had seen a healer.

Bahji absorbed the information and had confirmed that she had seen a healer
to confirm her pregnancy, but had not told anyone else of it. She was about
to continue, but hearing familiar footsteps down the hall made her pause.
Any relaxation she might have felt disappeared as Jitarim entered the
office.

"Bahji!" The man rushed over to her, and she rose to greet him, smiling
gently as the familiar arms wrapped around her. "Oh sweet, we've missed
you so. So you've agreed? Rannel will be thrilled! He's been waiting for
word."

Bahji pulled away and shook her head. "Papa, no. I haven't. I'm staying
here."

Jitarim's smile faltered as he gripped Bahji's upper arms. "But..why?
We're your family. You need to be home. Rannel's a good man. He'll
take good care of you. "

"Rannel's youngest son is older than me, Papa." Bahji tried to keep
her voice gentle. "But that's not the point. This is my home now
and.." She shook her head. "You sent me here to be happy and I am.
And Papa..." She took a deep breath, dreading her next words, but tried
to be gentle but firm. "Rannel would not want to raise another man's
child."

Jitarim's jaw dropped and he paled, looking from Bahji and then
to Rhosyn. "No. No...no. Wh.." The fisherman floundered and his
face flushed. "No!" He turned to Rhosyn. "What did you people
do to her? She was a good girl! Now she's some dragonman's whore, right?"

Bahji flushed and grabbed her father's arm quickly. "No, Papa!
E'rae's a good man and.." Bahji never expected what happened
as her father spun and the side of her face exploded with pain.
She gasped, hand flying to her cheek as she stumbled back. Her father
had never struck her before. He'd always been so gentle. Her eyes
filled with tears, but she couldn't have seen the look of horror
come over Jitarim's face at the realization of what he had done.

"Your daughter is not a whore. She is a mother-to-be who is under the
protection of the Weyr. And you, sir, are not." Rhosyn rose from her desk
and came around it rather quickly. The small Weyrwoman was not happy
and her hazel eyes showed it quite clearly. "If you ever wish to see your
daughter again or even your grandchild, you will apologize for the insult
you gave this Weyr and its folk and to her. If not, you may go and she will
remain."

"I'm...sorry. Sweet Faranth, I never meant to do that...Bahji.." He reached
out a hand, looked at Rhosyn and then back at his daughter. "I just.."

Bahji turned her head away, closing her eyes and still holding her
cheek. "Please go."

Jitarim swallowed and looked at Rhosyn, tears in his own eyes. "I truly
am sorry..." He looked at Bahji, his eyes full of shame and hurried out
of the door, head bowed.

Once the man had been gone for a little while, Rhosyn sighed and shrunk
a bit. Walking over to the girl, she reached out a hand. "I know it's
hard losing your family like that but you have a new one now. We
Weyrfolk stick together. Bahji, will you remain with the weavers or..?"
Rhosyn was sure Solieira could find her something to do if not. She was
also remembering when she had come to the Weyr herself, though the
circumstances had been different.

It took all of Bahji's will not to burst into tears. She'd been doing that
far too often lately. She took a shuddering breath, then another, needing to
take a moment to steady her voice. Tasting blood on the inside of her lip,
she winced but was able to speak with a semblance of control. "I know."
She moved her hand from her face. She had been struck hard; no doubt
there would be a large bruise on her cheek in the morning. She was just
glad she wouldn't have to see it as well as feel it. It would have just made
her feel worse. "I'll stay with the weavers." Her voice was feather soft.

"Allright then. You go get some rest and calm down. We'll talk further as
time passes when we need to. You no longer have to worry about this. Go put some
ice on your cheek too." Rhosyn signaled for the girl that had been waiting
to take Bahji back to come and lead her out.

"Thank you, Rhosyn." She nodded. "I will."

Last updated on the May 16th 2013

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I Can't and Won't Part 2