Tunnelsnakes and Broken Toes

Writers: Ainsley, Jane
Date Posted: 10th February 2009

Characters: Barli, Lineal
Description: Barli tells Lineal about an unpleasant experience she encountered while at port.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 1, day 6 of Turn 5
Notes: Riverboat Sungazer

It was late when Barli entered the galley intent on making herself a cup of tea. She seldom lost her temper, but was in rare form this night and thought it best to calm herself before she encountered anyone. Lineal's presence surprised her and she was probably a bit short in her query, "What are you up to?"

"Well I'm not snapping at my closest kin, that's for sure," he said idly, lifting his mug so she could see he had just made himself a drink. "What are _you_ up to?"

Barli's face flushed slightly under her brother's gentle rebuke and she heaved a sigh, "Coming to make a cup of tea to calm myself before I bumped into anyone and bit their head off for no good reason. I guess I failed, eh?" There was an apology in her dark eyes, though she didn't offer one outright.

"It sounded like a good plan," he said. "If only I hadn't got in the way. So," he stood aside and let her have access to the stove and kettle on its top, "What's got you in such a mood?"

Moving to make her tea, Barli allowed a few moments of silence before providing her answer, busying herself with the routine task of taking out the tea and preparing the ever ready kettle. She was embarrassed, but really her brother, scratch that, the _captain_ should know what had transpired this evening. "My own stupidity, mostly," she said with a sigh. I accepted an invitation that I shouldn't have to take a look at some new fabrics that one of the merchants has gotten in. The merchant's son is a good ten turns younger than I am, but he's expressed a bit of interest here and there. I hardly thought it would be an issue to come in after he closed to take a look, but really I should have known better." The force with which she slammed down the kettle was testament to the frustration.

"Whoa. What happened?" Lineal asked, his expression hardening.

"He got a bit too friendly, which is easy enough to deal with. I've been around a turn or two. Asked him what he thought he was up to," she explained leaning back on the counter as she allowed the tea to steep. The next part she would rather not repeat, but Lineal needed to hear it. "Then he said that he understood the Sungazer had taken to the ways of the Weyr. He seemed to fancy that a romantic statement because then he tried to kiss me - the tunnelsnake! I stepped aside right quick and headed out, but he actually thought to stop me. Hmph! Well, I would be curious if he decides to take his broken toes to the healer."

He couldn't decide whether what he felt was more anger or guilt - though guilt was ridiculous, but still he found himself apologising. "I'm sorry." It wasn't his fault, or Rahona's. It was the fault of an idiot of a merchant and Lineal was going to make his feelings on the matter very clear next time their paths crossed. "I shall have a few _words_ with him - and his Lord Holder."

Barli poured herself some tea with a sigh. "You have _nothing_ to be sorry for. That merchant's son is an idiot and a tunnelsnake and what he thinks in his tiny little brain is of no consequence to us. I'm a big girl, well able to care for myself. My concern is that he seemed relatively sure of himself which makes me wonder if he hasn't tried something like this before with more success. He wasn't overly forceful, but a younger gal, with less life experience, might have been intimidated. If not for that concern, I think I would ask you to leave it be. He'll deny it of course and we are better off without the trouble."

"We're also better off with people knowing it's not wise to push us around, either," Lineal pointed out. "Did you really break his toes?"

Barli allowed herself an evil little smile, "Yes I did and he's lucky that's all I broke. He'll think twice before he tries something like that again with a gal that grew up on a riverboat."

"Good. And when this riverboat gal's brother and cousins have been to have a chat with him ..." Lineal laughed. "Oh, it's not funny but we do have to protect our own. Nobody else will."

Barli chuckled, "It's been some time since you've played out _that_ particular big brother role for me. Not that I can't take care of myself," she stated her eyes pinned him with a warning look before softening, "But it's rather nice to be looked after and you are right we do have take care of one another." As Barli sipped her tea, she had to curb a smile at the discussion her brother and cousins were going to have with the arrogant man. Oh how she would like to be a crawler on the wall when that transpired.

"I know you can. Presumably you've been doing just fine without me for all the Turns I was gallivanting off at sea."

"Sorry, it could be I'm a tad defensive this evening," she said with a shake of her head.

"But you wouldn't break my toes ... Would you? Your favourite brother? Your captain?"

Barli emitted the smallest chortle, which became a chuckle, which became a hearty laugh. "Well, I might bruise them a little," she finally answered through her mirth.

Lineal laughed with his sister and put an arm around her shoulders. "You can save the toe bruising for the next time we're dancing."

Last updated on the February 16th 2009

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Tunnelsnakes and Broken Toes