Naked Babies

Writers: AL, Chelle
Date Posted: 23rd January 2014

Characters: Briata, Rhosyn
Description: They talk about the baby.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 5, day 6 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: N'vanik, Reeva, Y'gel

Briata

"Briata, this baby is going to have nothing to wear when it comes out.
It will be naked for its first two months of life or more." Rhosyn was looking
around as it occurred to her that she didn't have anything in the way of
baby things. Really, though, she didn't need them. Briata would-it would
be her responsibility. Still, if it was a boy they were covered. If it
was a girl...problem.

"Oh I don't know about that. I'm sure we'll be fine." Briata's smile
played over her lips as she teased her son's chin with her fingernail.
"Why do you hold such concern?"

"Because if it is N'vanik's baby, he'll be over here all the time to see it
and if we just let it run around naked, that won't do." Sighing, Rhosyn
was beginning to be nervous about this baby thing.

"Rhosyn, it's fine, I promise." Briata was glad that Rhosyn was showing
some concern. The woman seemed almost detached about the child.
Granted, Rhosyn was a dragonrider, but still, it was _her_ baby, even
if Briata would spend most of her time with the child. "I already have
some clothes. Besides, you're not due for a while yet."

"It could be a month to a little over, depending. Two months is not that
long." She looked at Briata like she was crazy. And then it hit her. Two
months and she would be screaming in some bed somewhere trying to stay
alive. She sat down in a hurry.

"A month is not that long." Briata repeated in agreement. "It will
fly by and before you know it, you'll have this tiny person in your
arms." She planted a kiss on Brigel's cheek then tickled him. His
laughter gurgled and his eyes crinkled in delight. "And you are a part
of that little person and you'll wonder how in the world you could
ever love someone so much."

The young former weaver lowered her baby to the floor, then turned so
that she directly faced the Weyrwoman. "But that's not what you're
thinking about, is it?"

"No, not really," she admitted though Rhosyn didn't go into detail. She
didn't want to admit fear. This was something women did everyday. She was a
goldrider, a Weyrwoman! Why couldn't she do it? She looked at both of her hands
then back at Briata. This little slip of a girl had done it, after all.

Briata studied the Weyrwoman intently and then offered an encouraging
smile. "It's best to voice your fears. You know you can ask me
anything, tell me anything. It will go no further."

"All right, I have this idea that when this baby comes, it will be quite painful
and maybe something could go wrong. And if it does-not only could it mean a
dead baby, but also a dead me, and a dead Senior Queen. That is not
acceptable." These were her first fears realized-putting her dragon at
risk for her own selfish reasons.

Briata wished that women were a little more forthcoming in the Weyr.
In her hold, she'd experienced birth second hand, had helped the
midwives with small tasks. She'd assisted older women with their
children and gave them breaks. Childbirth was talked about and there
was no mystery surrounding it. However, such honesty didn't seem quite
as prevalent in the Weyr - ironic in her mind. "It will hurt. It will
hurt badly, but it will not be unbearable, though you might think you
can't bear it. And it will end for it will not last forever. Afterward,
you will have a wonderful gift that you worked hard to bring into the
world. As for death, well..." A smile flitted to her lips. "It's more
common to live. Besides, you are far too stubborn to die."

"I was a holder once, long ago. Women do die Briata." Briata had been a
Lady bred, with access to more skilled healers and other things. Rhosyn had
not. "It's what it is though. I just have to wait and see what happens and do what
I can."

"I know women die, Rhosyn." Evidently her attempt at humor had been
ill received, so Briata moved into more sincere words. She leaned
forward to gently clasp the Weyrwoman's hand. "But even so, it's less
common than one thinks especially when the woman in question has a lot
of support." She canted her head first one way, then another. "I know
some pain coping techniques. Would you like me to teach them to you?
And...if you like, I can be there when you're in labor if you want
support."

"Aye I'll learn these techniques." She frowned, considering. "I don't
know if I want anyone in there." No one had ever been in there besides the
healer when her mother had had babies except the midwife. Rhosyn didn't think she
wanted anyone to see her like that. It would be struggle enough.

"That's fine too. You need to be as comfortable with your surroundings
as possible. If you change your mind, however, just let me know."
Briata had wanted Y'gel there and was grateful that he was willing. Of
course, he was a healer - dragonhealer, yes, but still a healer. It had
been nice to have him there, supporting her. "Do you want to work on
the techniques now or schedule a time for later?"

"Let's say later." **So I can avoid it a bit longer** "But really, we have to
get some clothes together. My sewing isn't all that great." She also didn't
have the time to be devoting it to such a chore.

Briata's lips twitched and she rose. "Wait here, please." She
disappeared into the other room which spurred Brigel to cry. She
wasn't gone long and when she returned, in her arms, she held a fabric
wrapped bundle. That bundle was offered to Rhosyn, then Briata scooped up
her son. Immediately the child quieted down to a few soft whimpers. "Open
it."

Watching that little play, Rhosyn waited to open it. "Do you always pick
him up when he cries?" Her focus had immediately switched, considering.

"Yes." Briata shifted the child and her tunic to allow the babe to
nurse. "Babies need comfort. A child confident he is safe and secure
with a parent is a happy child. Go on, open it."

"Right but...just because they cry doesn't mean you should pick them up.
I don't want my kid to learn that all they have to do is cry to get what
they want. Elsewise, it'd always want to be held." Clearly Rhosyn had not
been one to be coddled as a child. She opened it and looked inside. "Oh
that's nice."

"Babies when they are very young cry because they _need_ something."
Briata explained, eyebrows arched upward. "And babies need to be held.
As they get older, they won't need or want to be held as much because
they'll be walking and want to explore." An eyebrow arched upward.
"Are you so worried about clothes now?"

"Mmmmm no." She tried to think of anything else she might have wanted
to bring up. "Reeva says everything is progressing normally. I'll be grounded
fairly soon I think." Judging by the size, she was almost sure. "I'll let you know
when the time comes." Getting up, she got ready to go. "All I can say is
don't mess up my kid, Briata. Faranth knows it's going to have enough
problems not knowing who its father is." The fact that Rhosyn had asked
her to take on the fostering duty said just how much she trusted the girl.
Still, the Weyrwoman was trying to make light of the situation.

Briata arched an eyebrow. She might have said something, but doubted
that the words to come out of her mouth would have been received well
or in the spirit that the Weyrwoman would intend them. Granted, Rhosyn
was trying to be humorous, but her comment brought to mind some of
the issues she had with the Weyr. "I'll do my best." Was the response
that she actually voiced and coupled it with a smile.

Last updated on the January 28th 2014

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Naked Babies