Leaving

Writers: AL, Jane
Date Posted: 11th November 2008

Characters: Menore, Mehan
Description: Menore tells Mehan she will be sailing on the Sungazer.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 12, day 13 of Turn 4

Menore was at Mehan's door bright and early the next morning. She rapped lightly upon it, then again a moment later when she wasn't sure if he had heard her or not. She had thought about what her cousin had said and had decided to take the advice. She was going to go on the Sungazer. She didn't think Mehan would like it, but she wasn't sure if it would be because she was leaving or because he would be saddled with overseeing the work on the boat.

"Come in - Oh. Menore? Have you -" Changed your mind? Decided? The captain of the Moonflower couldn't decide on the best way to phrase the question and so shut his mouth and gave the headwoman a chance to speak.

Menore didn't actually completely go into the room but hovered in the doorway and leaned against the threshold, arms crossed over her chest. "I've come to let you know that I'm putting you in charge of over seeing the overhaul." No point in beating around the bush.

He had thought he was mostly in charge, anyway, as captain. "Well, thank you," he said, not really sure where the conversation was going, other than it didn't seem to be heading in the direction of an acceptance of his proposal of marriage.

"I'm boarding the Sungazer and will probably stay with her for the rest of the overhaul." Menore continued. Her gaze flickered around the room then settled back upon the man. "They leave this afternoon."

"You're ... _leaving_?" She couldn't leave - she was the owner. The Moonflower was _hers_. He couldn't actually recall when he had last heard of a riverboat owner travelling aboard another boat. It was that sort of pride of ownership; my riverboat supplies all my needs. Although the Moonflower and Sungazer were close in terms of river relationships, it was still an unusual move and he couldn't fathom the reason for it, though he was certain he didn't like the idea. "_Why_?"

"Why not? You certainly don't need me here. You seem to have everything in hand." Menore shrugged and straightened. "Anyway, I need to go pack. I just wanted to let you know now. Today's going to be busy and I wasn't sure I would have a chance later."

"But of course we need you here. To make decisions." To agree with his decisions, he thought uneasily. Was that why she was going? Because she felt he was usurping her position? It was so much more straightforward on riverboats where the owner was the captain.

"You're more than capable of handling the decision making on your own." Menore smiled a little. Was that all she was good for? Making decisions? Convenience. So very convenient. "Well, I should go pack."

"But what are you going to _do_ on the Sungazer? Do they even have room for you?"

"I'm sure there's plenty of work to be done." Menore assured him as she turned. "And they have room. I'll be sharing quarters with Kellin."

"I don't suppose I can tell you not to go," Mehan said slowly, sure she would ignore him if he did, "but could you at least tell me if this has anything to do with what we discussed? Getting married?"

"I suppose it does." Menore shrugged and didn't turn back to look at him. "I guess I..." She hesitated, then shook her head. "Probably best to spend some time apart and then you'll see how foolish it would be."

"Foolish?" he repeated blankly, disbelievingly. "Foolish?" but he was talking to empty air. Menore was gone, and he had the feeling that chasing after her would achieve nothing. They'd clashed often enough in their roles as captain and headwoman for him to know when there was no point in arguing.

But what else could he do? Because now that the idea of marrying Menore had occurred to him he was convinced it was a good one. And excellent one.

How could he convince her of that if she was off gallivanting around on the Sungazer?

How could he convince her of that, at all?

Last updated on the November 18th 2008

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