A Gentle Admonishment

Writers: Ainsley, Vix
Date Posted: 2nd March 2009

Characters: Barli, Vaheri
Description: Vaheri speaks to Barli about a concern that she has.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 1, day 10 of Turn 5
Notes: Riverboat Sungazer

It was late in the evening when Barli sought out Vaheri, finding her in the galley. "I thought all was finished in here. Is there something you need help with?"

"Not really," was the headwoman's reply. "You know that I just like to check over everything and be sure that all is as it should be." She took two cups from one of the cupboards and then re-latched it. "Join me for some klah on the deck."

"That sounds just right," Barli responded. Things had been rather busy of late and she and Vaheri hadn't had a sit down just the two of them for awhile.

The older woman poured two cups from the pot that remained on the stove, then handed one to her companion. She led the way to one of the chairs placed on the open portion of the desk. Vaheri sank into the chair and took a sip of her klah, sighing in contentment. "Times like this are so peaceful, so calm."

"Times like this are one reason I never would be able to leave the river," Barli agreed, her voice almost a whisper as she listened to the familiar sounds of the night.

"Really? I thought that you were being tempted to do that?"

"Well, they might try to tempt, but _I_ am not to be tempted," Barli replied with a chuckle. Then after taking a sip of her klah she gave Vaheri a sideways glance, "I'd like to know exactly what it is you are hearing about these temptations, though."

Vaheri sipped her klah, still watching over the water. "It's not so much what I hear as what I see."

"And what is that?" Barli asked, not sure if she wanted to hear what the older woman had to say or not.

"I see men who are disappointed and hurting when we leave port."

Barli was taken aback, "Hurting?" Disappointed, yes, there was no doubt, but she tried to keep her interactions friendly and uncomplicated, not offering false hope. She never wanted to hurt anyone, which is one reason she never introduced Jezz to any of her male friends. "I certainly hope that is not the case."

"Often disappointment and hurt go hand in hand," Vaheri responded.

"I will admit that I enjoy male companionship, but I am careful to keep it appropriate and I'm always forthright about not wanting more than friendship. Why is it that they are so keen on making it more?" Barli wanted to know, a bit frustrated with the situation. Oh she was old enough to know that what she was offering fell far short of what many men wanted but it was not like they could not look elsewhere for that type of thing.

"They may hear your words, but you're a single woman spending time with single men. In most parts of Pern, you would be wanting a marriage and children. They assume that your words are just a form of flirting."

"I am not being false with them. Should I feel guilty over their false assumptions? Should I never seek out male companionship, then?" Barli's tone was not angry, but frustrated.

"Perhaps not guilty, but cautious," Vaheri warned. "We are certainly not like the Weyrs, but our women have more freedom than most. This confuses the men who are not as familiar with our ways. Be mindful of that when you seek out your companionship."

Barli blushed. "You're alluding to the run-in that I had with that merchant's son. I was careless there, I will admit." She was still embarrassed to have allowed that situation to arise. Though she did not see the dolt's forwardness as her own fault, there would have been no issue had she not accepted his invitation.

"It created an awkward situation," the headwoman told her bluntly. "And not just for you."

Though some might bristle at Vaheri's remarks, Barli knew that she had every right to bring this up not just as headwoman, but as the woman who had played an integral role in raising Barli. With a nod, there was little the younger woman could do but agree, "I know. I'm far too old to have been caught in such a ridiculous situation, particularly when there might have been repercussions for the Sungazer and crew."

Vaheri nodded as well. "So you'll be more careful in the future?"

"Yes," Barli answered. There was a great deal more she wanted to say, but when it came down to it, she was sorry for her poor judgement. As far as her other male friends, well, she would give that consideration. She may not always agree with Vaheri, but she trusted her, and if the headwoman had seen fit to bring this up, then it was worth a bit of extra thought.

This brought another nod from the headwoman. "Then we won't have to speak of this again."

Last updated on the March 13th 2009

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

A Gentle Admonishment