Button

Writers: Chelle, Suzee
Date Posted: 12th November 2012

Characters: Jylanya, Veerona
Description: A night at home.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 10, day 19 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentioned: Naton

Jylanya

Jylanya sat on her couch with Vee tucked into her side as she read the
little girl a story. She'd looked in the archives first at the Hall
and then at the Weyr for some children's stories. Some of her fondest
memories were of her mother reading to her after dinner. Back then there
had been no thought of all the work that she would have to do later in
life. Then life had been simple and joy filled. One hand stroked the
hair on the small head, then she dropped a kiss on top of her head.
"Love you sweetie," she said softly.

"Love you too Lany," Vee replied without thinking as she turned to look
at the pages. Of course she was just starting to learn to read now. It was
more just recognizing words more than anything, but she was trying. Doing
her letters was a bit hard too. "What's that word?" She pointed to one.

"Can you sound it out?" Jylanya asked.

"Well that's a B....So buuuhhh....tttt......ooonnn...." She squinched
up her eyes and tried to think about it. "Butt-on" was what came out
instead of the correct pronunciation and thinking that sounded silly,
she giggled.

She smiled encouragement and finally laughed with the little girl.
"That's right," she grinned. "Button... very good." Then she continued
to read. "The little stuffed dragon had button eyes and squeaked when
he was squeezed. The little girl held him tight and thanked her daddy
for the wonderful gift. 'Now do you think you can sleep safe,' he
asked." Jylanya made her voice try and go deep to pretend a man's
depth.

"Lany, how come my Da never stuck around?" Vee had never really gotten
all the particulars about that, but she was sort of curious.

That brought up all sorts of reaction in the Headwoman but none of it
that she wished to share. "I don't know sweetheart." She really hadn't
gotten an answer from the Weyr. Of course her own perceptions were
colored by the dragonrider who'd deserted her without so much as a
goodbye. "I can see what I can find out if you want."

"I don't know. I mean, maybe if he doesn't want to find out, I don't, you
know?" She considered it with the very small confines of a young child
without much experience. It was hard. She yearned for a father, but something
told her that hers wouldn't be what she needed. He never had before.

"Well one of the things you have to know about dragonriders Vee," she
said with a soft hug. "Is that they are very busy keeping us all safe
from Thread. It's their job." She couldn't bear the hurt she felt in
her little girl. Jylanya felt very possessive where her foster child
was concerned. "Even if you lived in the same Weyr as your da, you
would still have a foster mother to take care of you."

She didn't understand Weyrlife and never would so Veerona dropped the
subject. Suffice it to say that her father was busy and that was all
he ever would be. She began to trace the pictures in the book.

Jylanya looked down at the little head and her heart broke for Vee.
She could give her a mother's love but not a father's. It was still too
soon to know if Naton wanted more than just the simple joys they now
shared. And it remained to be seen if Veerona's little jealousy would
turn to acceptance and love. "Would you like some fruit?"

"Juice?" She looked up hopefully. She wasn't hungry really, but she did feel
her mouth getting dry. Juice was sweet too instead of water and it was her
preferred beverage.

"Alright," she said and pulled her arm from around the girl to push
off the couch. She grabbed her pitcher of juice and poured a small
glass. "You'll have to brush your teeth again after."

Brushing teeth was an utter pain but Vee didn't say anything. For now she
was getting juice and that was all that mattered. Taking the glass, she took
a sip and smiled.

Last updated on the November 17th 2012

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Button