A Discussion on Discipline

Writers: Vanessa T Sommerfeld
Date Posted: 6th December 2007

Characters: Supaka
Description: Supaka and Kessel discuss their daughter
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 7, day 9 of Turn 4

"Watch me, Da! Watch me! I got a new trick." Selka jumped through the waves and turned with a big smile to see if he had seen her.

"Excellent!" Kessel encouraged. "Let's see if you can jump over the next one."

"OK. Watch!" She readied herself for the jump. "Watch!"

"I'm watching," he started to reach for his cup and looked around for the skin.

"Don't you dare take your eyes off her." Supaka laughed to take the sting out of her admonishment. "I'll refill your drink and hand it to you."

He laughed in return but kept his eyes on Selka. "I don't know what I'm supposed to be watching. She's just playing in the waves as she has done since she was able to walk. Where is the new trick?"

"There is no trick, my love. She simply needs to know that she is the center of your attention. Indulge her that. She doesn't get to see you often."

"I know." He had truly missed his family, but Selka's insistence on his constant attention was wearing him out. "Good one!" he yelled, and concentrated on keeping his eyes on his daughter.

~~~~~~

"Selka! Time to eat! You can play more after lunch!" Supaka put the child's plate on the blanket and stood make sure Selka was going to obey. She came, dripping, and plopped down sending sand and saltwater spraying in every direction. "Be careful, baby. We don't want to eat sand for lunch." "Eeew yuck!" Selka laughed and picked up a piece of redfruit.

"So how are Harper classes going?" Kessel asked. "Good." Selka replied, her mouth full.

"What are you learning?" he encouraged.

"Nothing." She chewed audibly.

"That's not true, Selka. You are learning songs about our history. Sing Da the one about the Red Star."

"I don't want to." She suddenly put on the shy face and avoided eye contact.

"OK. You don't have to." Supaka smiled and brushed wet hair out of the child's face.

"You should have seen her at Kateena's wedding, Da. She looked so pretty.and she was so good." A little positive reinforcement wouldn't hurt.

"What did you think about the wedding?" Kessel prompted.

Selka shrugged and continued to chew.

"Oh, it was lovely, Kessel. I couldn't help but think about the day we got married," she said, smiling at the memory. "I just hope she and Swift are as happy as we were.are," she corrected herself and Selka began to sing the Red Star song very quietly.

"It sounds like you and Kateena are becoming good friends." Kessel finished his meatroll and picked up his juice.

"Yes, we really are. It's so nice to find someone I have so much in common with." Supaka took the redfruit from Selka and pushed her meatroll toward her. "We share the same craft and rank, of course, but we both chose to marry old men as well." She laughed as her husband feigned and insulted look at her jibe.

The Red Star song got louder and demanded their attention, so they gave it.

~~~~~~

After lunch the parents watched their child play in the sand. She scooped up a wet handful and watched as it dripped down onto the growing pile she was building.

"We need to talk about her, Kessel." Supaka shook her head to dispel the alarm in Kessel's eyes. "It's nothing serious, but either she is acting out in response to our separation from you, or she is developing a wild side that I'm not comfortable with.don't you dare laugh, Kessel." Supaka was doing her best not to laugh too, but was unsuccessful. "I'm serious. We can't have her running all over the hall doing whatever she pleases. At least on the ship, we had several pairs of eyes looking out for her. I don't recall her getting into mischief onboard, but then again, it's possible that your crew did not tell me about all of her shenanigans."

"She's a child, Supaka. And she's _your_ child at that. You grew out of your wild phase.mostly." He chuckled and she elbowed him in the ribs. "And Selka will too. Just keep on top of her. And don't let any infraction go unpunished."

"Aye, aye, Captain," she laughed and saluted. "I know. I'm trying. I have confined her to quarters several times. It's just that when I confine her to quarters, I am stuck there as well." She took another sip of juice. "I don't mind much when I have work to do, but there are times that I'd love to take her swimming, or walking, but she can't go, so I can't go. I'm not sure who I'm punishing sometimes."

"What about taking away her toys?" he suggested.

"I thought about that, but she gets in the most mischief when she has nothing to do. It's just so frustrating. I suppose I could try it, though.
I'll try anything at this point."

"You are doing the right things. I just wish I could help." He placed her hand in his.

"Would you talk to her before you go? I need her to know that you expect her to listen to me and behave while you're gone. It may not help, but it couldn't hurt." She searched his eyes for understanding. "I just need your support."

"You have it unquestioningly," replied Kessel.

Last updated on the December 8th 2007

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A Discussion on Discipline