Be Careful What You Wish For

Writers: Miriah
Date Posted: 26th December 2013

Characters: Bahji, Eirlira
Description: There is another prank.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 4, day 12 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: E'rae, Rhosyn

Working in the infirmary was the most utterly boring and disgusting
job that Eirlira could have been punished with. She despised the
bedpans, she despised the whimpers and the groans and the bandages.
And more so, it smelled. It wasn't the smell of the blood and wounds
that bothered her; it was the smell of redwort and numbweed that
permeated the rooms and clung to her skin even after she left for the
day. It was that smell that seemed to never dissipate, that made her
nose wrinkle from the moment she stepped into the infirmary. It was a
sterile smell. Rhosyn had been deviously clever when it came to her
punishment.

But, she decided, there were advantages, though she didn't see them at
first. Eirlira got to see people at their most vulnerable; she was
able to see what bothered people and what made them tick. A big strong
bronzerider who cringed at the sight of a needle, a sultry greenrider
who vomited at the sight of blood, they all came in. And Eirlira
filed their vulnerabilities away with relish. More so, she had access
to them and their histories. All of their histories, if the healers
looked away for a few minutes, which they did. The master healers and
journeymen couldn't watch her all of the time and she had been able to
charm a fair few. The smell and the sounds of the infirmary that she
hated so much were a insignificant price to pay for the information
she was able to purloin. It was worth it.

Even better, she discovered, was that she was able to get her little
hands on a certain hides that told her a special little story. The
blind girl-Bahji (and what a silly little name _that_ was)-was
healing, but was having difficulty adjusting to the loss of her child.
Eirlira snorted. Everyone was so upset about _that_ loss and it was
laughable. Really, what good was a blind girl's child? Just another
brat for the Weyr to feed and while her bluerider may have claimed it
could have been born healthy (she gave an inner laugh at the thought)
did the Weyrleaders really want to take a chance that they'd have
another burden?

She put the hide back carefully and went back to her duties, her mind
in thought. Everyone was so concerned about the little chit and she
simply could not figure out why. She wasn't even that pretty! She
barely had breasts, she was skinny and sweet Faranth, how did a blind
girl even know what she was doing? Maybe that E'rae had a perverse yen
for the disabled. That in itself was disgusting as far as she was
concerned. Who would want a girl who had to be guided in everything
that she did? And more so, she'd seen the girl hobbling around. All
smiles and trying to be sweet. It was sickening. The girl had no
brains and no fire; why was she even at the Weyr in the first place?
Why wasn't she back at her hold?

For some reason, the thought of the simpering blind girl brought a
surge of uncomfortable anger up within her. It wasn't right, she
decided. It wasn't right that this Bahji should get so much attention
from so many when she was a helpless, brainless, weak thing. It wasn't
right that the weyrfolk always talked about having strength, they
coddled that chit! What made her so special? It wasn't fair! She'd
heard about all the visitors the girl got and then the special
investigation behind her 'fall'. Even Rhosyn had gotten involved! It
was stupid!

She began to sweep the infirmary, the brush strokes quick and hard as
her mind worked. Why couldn't that girl have just died? Sure, there
would have been some upset for a while, but shards, after a month or
so, she would have been forgotten. Now, she hobbled around and
everyone felt so sorry for her. Eirlira scowled. Poor blind girl. She
fell, lost her baby and sniff sniff how bad for her.

A soft footfall and the thump of a crutch startled Eirlira from her
sweeping and her sultry brows lowered. From behind a curtain, she
heard a familiar soft voice and the answering murmur of a healer.
Well, she'd be shafted. If it wasn't the little weak chit herself,
come for a check up. Her eyes narrowed into slits and she was
surprised by the sudden surge of hatred that she had for the girl
behind the curtain. The surprise was quickly smothered by curiosity as
Eirlira crept forward to listen.

"So it should be okay then?" The soft, almost melancholy voice made
Eirlira struggle to cover a snort of derision.

"As long as you're comfortable and as long as everything is gentle,
yes. There shouldn't be a problem." The healer's voice held a hidden
smile. "I wouldn't suggest anything acrobatic."

"Oh, no, that's not an issue." Eirlira could literally hear the blush
on Bahji's voice and rolled her eyes with disdain. Pathetic.

The healer continued. "I would give it a couple of more sevendays with
your crutch though after your casts come off. Just to give you added
support."

"I understand." Bahji's understanding voice made Eirlira want to vomit.

"Now you did say you wanted the tea, correct?" At that, Eirlira perked
up with interest. Aha the little chit wanted the tea. So she hadn't
wanted the little child, hmm? Well, well wasn't that interesting.
"I'll be right back with some of the tea and your instructions."

A perverse idea sprang into Eirlira?s mind and a slow smile spread her
cheeks. Hurrying, she darted around the infirmary and made her own
necessary preparations. It was amazing what you could learn by
listening in. In moments, she had a little satchel clutched in her
hand, filled with a blend of herbs that did little more than soothe an
upset stomach. Hurrying back to the curtain, she waited and peeked
through a slim opening.

The healer, a journeyman came in carrying a similar satchel and set it
down on the table. Eirlira, hiding a pleased smirk simply waited, licking her lower lip
in eager anticipation until the healer turned her back to address
Bahji with the instructions. Darting her hand in past the curtain
through the narrow opening, Eirlira snatched the satchel and replaced
it with her own, then hurriedly backed away.

Her gleeful expression was missed by her victim. **Be careful what you
wish for, you little blind bitch.**

Last updated on the January 15th 2014

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Be Careful What You Wish For