Smarter Than Most People Know

Writers: Bree, Nici
Date Posted: 25th August 2005

Characters: Badia, Miryene
Description: Badia sees a bruise on Miryene's face and lets her know that if Miryene doesn't take care of the situation soon, Badia will.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 7, day 24 of Turn 3

Miryene's story about how she'd come to have a livid bruise on the side of her face had grown with the bruise itself. By the third day after it had happened, she'd settled on the details of her supposed injury--dizziness and impact with her kitchen cabinet--and was used to telling them without flinching. This was good, considering how very ugly the bruise had grown.

She knew the questions would come eventually, so when she settled down in front of the fireplace with Badia, she smiled self-consciously and broached the subject herself. "I suppose my cheek is a little startling... I'm afraid I had an accident."

"Hmm..." Badia said nothing as she took out her sample of sewing and handed it over. She might be young, however, but most 'accidents' didn't look like someone had punched you. "So tell me, what sort of accident was this?"

"I fell," Miryene replied, examining Badia's work with a smile. "Oh, Badia... this is much better! You might actually turn out to be quite a seamstress!" As far as subject changes went it was weak, but Miryene didn't much care. The Hallmaster might be convinced he'd married a pretty little toy, but Miryene had spent enough time with the girl to know better than to underestimate her.

Badia snorted. "Let's just settle for...capable, Miryene!" She picked up her thimble and slipped it on her finger. "It's odd that you'd fall. Were you dizzy? If so, you'd best see a healer. You're supposed to be in bed or seated."

"I know, but left alone all day sometimes I have no choice but to stand up and move about." Which was certainly true enough. "Journeyman Dikero will be by to visit me again soon. I'll mention it to him then. And I'm trying to spend less time on my feet now, just to be safe."

"That's certainly wise." Badia carefully threaded her needle, pleased that it was getting easier. "You know, I might be very young, but I'm very good at listening, Miryene."

"I don't doubt you are, dear. I think you're a smart young lady..." Miryene smiled at her as she reached for her own mending. "Maybe smarter than most people know."

"I'm glad you see it at least," Badia said, smiling as she watched Miryene start to sew. "It's why I'm sure you know I'm not entirely sure you really fell."

"I figured it was possible," Miryene replied, keeping her hands steady as she sewed. "However, I think that you are also smart enough to know that things are sometimes more complicated than they seem. Sometimes ladies can't be who they really are... even around the men they love."

"I know that better than anyone. I doubt however that, no matter what the general consensus is regarding my husband, that I need worry about...falls were to show him even half of what my true personality might be."

"You don't need to worry about me, Badia." Miryene looked up, her eyes serious. "People do what they have to do to keep those they love safe. Right now, I have four children to think of, and I will keep them safe no matter what the cost."

"You hope." Badia set her sewing aside and looked at the older woman. "Miryene, I'm only going to say this once. Men do _not_ hit women if they're real men. I've seen my normally mild-mannered mother lob a whole pot of food at my father and seen him brush off his clothing, bathe, then find her the prettiest flowers on Pern to fix whatever he did that got her that angry. I'd expect no less from my husband if he ever truly angers me. As to your children, I've got it on good authority that, if you can't protect yourself from harm, it often becomes only a matter of time before you can't protect your children. Now, I'd suggest you correct whomever saw fit to make you 'fall' in such a way or I _will_." She picked up her sewing again and attacked the cloth with gusto. Fall, her arse!

Miryene's expression chilled a little as she looked back down at the sewing in her lap. "As I said. Things are often more complicated than they seem. But I will think about what you said." Though Miryene rather thought Badia might be overestimating her influence over her husband, she wasn't foolish enough to discount the possibility that the girl could start something. She would have to think of a plan to find some place for the children to go to before things got worse.

"There's nothing complicated about it," Badia insisted stubbornly. "I am the wife of the Hallmaster. It's his duty to ensure _everyone_ remain safe here--you think because you are a woman that should be any different? I certainly don't."

"Please, Badia... let's speak of something else." Miryene's voice was even, but it was clear from the slight tremble in her hand that she was extremely distressed.

The young woman fought the urge to scream in annoyance and merely picked up her sewing. Miryene might be done, but _she_ wasn't. "I passed the nursery today--you should have _heard_ the children playing! They were wearing out the adults out quite thoroughly!"

The conversation picked back up as the women sewed, but Miryene could tell by the look in Badia's eyes that she hadn't heard the end of it. And if she didn't do something, Badia would.

~*~

~Nici (nici@triadweyrs.org)
Badia, hall resident, ACH-VH

Bree - bree@triadweyrs.org
Miryene, hall resident, ACH-VH

Last updated on the August 26th 2005

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Smarter Than Most People Know