Family Differences

Writers: Chelle, Miriah
Date Posted: 12th August 2013

Characters: Bahji, E'rae, Werenn
Description: The two of them tell E'rae's daughter the news.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 2, day 16 of Turn 7

With things as they were, E'rae thought it was time to explain to
Werenn that she was going to have a sibling. Of course the little girl
thought that was good fun and he began to think perhaps it was time
for her to meet Bahji since they would have to see each other if
Werenn wanted to see her sibling in the future. Better for them to
begin spending time together now. So he had approached the subject with the
former holder and now he was sitting in his weyr, waiting for his daughter
to come.

Bahji shifted nervously as she knocked on E'rae's door. She knew that
meeting Werenn was necessary, but she almost felt like an interloper
in E'rae's life at the moment. His relationship with his daughter was
already established, and she was new. She could only hope that the
little girl would like her.

Hearing the knock, he wondered which of them it was. "Come on in."

Bahji stepped in, her hands clasped at her waist and then paused. "Is she
here?"

"Not quite yet. Just give it a minute. Here come on and sit down." Since she
had been in his weyr so much, he knew she was already oriented so he
didn't bother with showing her where anything was. E'rae was also careful not
to move furniture. Sometimes, he could forget she was even blind.

It was actually a little bit of time before a second knock was heard. Then
it was followed by the door opening and a head looking inside. Werenn was
a young woman now, and soon would no longer be fostered by her Aunt.
The eleven turn old had not decided if she wanted to Stand or even if she
wanted to craft. She did have assigned chores, however, as well as the other
brats. Walking inside her father's weyr, she saw the woman first then her Da.
Like most children of the Weyr, she understood why he couldn't be around
always but that he was still her blood.

Walking forward, she came to him and gave him a small hug before looking
shyly at Bahji. "Hi." Werenn had not let go yet, unsure of this new person
coming into her life and wondering why it was essential that she meet her.
Like E'rae, she had dark hair, but her skin was lighter and her features not
as chiseled. Her eyes were dark, though.

Bahji sat in the spare chair, finding it easily and lay her hands
in her lap. When the door opened, her head immediately swiveled in
that direction and waited as she listened to the child approach E'rae.
As the child spoke to her, Bahji rose and took careful steps over.
"Hello, Werenn."

"So you're Da's friend. He says you can't see me. Is that true?"
With living in a Weyr, Werenn had seen people who were missing eyes and
blind, but never someone who had been that way from a young age.

"It's true." Bahji nodded slowly. "I can't see anything." She smiled a
little. "But I manage well. I hear that you look very much like your Da."

"Mmm a little. I look like Auntie too. So you were a holder? Like Auntie and
Da were?" The girl continued to watch Bahji, trying to tell how she
was different.

E'rae thought it best to let Werenn ask her questions. Her curiosity at
least meant she was interested which was a good thing.

The girl was certainly full of questions. Bahji's smile was warm
as she moved carefully to sit near where she had heard E'rae. "Yes. I lived
at Sunstone Seahold. My father was a fisherman. But I like it better
here." Her head tilted in Werenn's direction. "What do you like to do?"

"Umm well...I have chores most days and a few lessons here and
there. I like the water and I like to read." She shrugged, not really knowing
what else to say. With her parents most folks expected her to Stand when she
turned 12. She knew her father would support her whatever she did. Even if
it meant going back where her grandmother was.

Bahji's face was wistful. "I wish I had been able to learn to read. You're
very lucky Werenn. You have so many choices available to you."

Thinking about it, Werenn realized Bahji couldn't see to read and she felt
bad to mention it. She looked up to E'rae for help silently. "I'm
sorry...umm...so you didn't want to come here then? I mean..you probably
have more choices here right?"

Bahji kept her smile. "Oh no. I wanted to come here. I decided to
stay. I don't think I've ever been happier. And don't be sorry. Lots of
girls in Holds don't learn to read very well or at all. Besides.." Her grin
sparkled. "It wouldn't do me much good, now would it?"

She had made a funny. Werenn smiled despite herself. "Well that's good.
So umm you and Da are friends right?" Being a Weyrbrat of her turns, she
understood what that meant. She also knew that her father had a lot of
friends but she hadn't met all of them.

"Yes. We're friends." Bahji agreed. "I like your father very
much." **Sometimes too much.** Bahji didn't speak her thoughts, but they
lingered in the back of her mind.

"Yeah he's a nice guy," she agreed readily. E'rae's presence in Werenn's
life had always been a positive. Then again, she hadn't ever really needed
him as a parent, per se. "So, are you living with him or something?" She
was trying to determine why she needed to meet Bahji. Something was
happening here.

E'rae cleared his throat at this, knowing his daughter was confused and the
answer to that question would probably just confuse Werenn. "Ah,
Werenn-Bahji is pregnant. So you're going to have a brother or sister." He
let her digest that for awhile.

Indeed, the young girl became quiet then, thinking about this news. She
wondered then what this Bahji was going to do and how that might affect her.
Was her Auntie going to foster this child too?

Bahji's face flushed. "Oh no, we're not living together." She tucked a stray
strand of hair behind her ear. She hadn't expected that question at all.
Thankfully, E'rae saved her from stumbling over any more words and her hand
fell to rest on her abdomen. But the girl's silence made her nervous. Did
she not like the idea? She turned her head towards E'rae for help.

Unlike E'rae, Werenn wasn't used to being around Bahji and realizing that
she couldn't see her expressions and what she was doing, E'rae tried to prod
his daughter into speaking. "Are you staying here?"

"You mean in the Weyr?" Her brow furrowed. "Well, yes. I'm staying here.
This is my home."

"So you're staying here. And you're having a baby with my Da. And the baby's
going to be around. Is Auntie going to foster it too? Like me?" That would
be really like a brother or sister in her mind-someone who slept with her
that she could see everyday and play with. And she knew that was how the
Weyr worked.

Bahji's reply was gentle. "No. I'm going to be caring for the baby.
I'm not really busy like your Da is and I want to do that."

Her face fell just a little. In her mind, she wondered what was so special
about this baby that it wouldn't be fostered like her? She understood that
her mother had been a rider-she had been busy with a dragon. This woman
wasn't. "So the Weyr is home for you but you won't do like the Weyr does."
It wasn't really an accusation but maybe it was. Werenn turned to her
father. "It was nice to meet you, though. I think I need to go do my
chores now."

E'rae noticed the change in her and heard it in her voice. Unlike a holder,
he wasn't with his daughter everyday. He didn't know her like he would have
so he didn't really understand what was going on here. **Is she jealous?**
Bending down, he got to where he was on her level. "Werenn, what's upset
you? It's okay, you can tell us."

Her mouth was shut and it was clear there was alot going on inside those
dark eyes. For a moment, she looked very much like her father if Bahji could see
it. "I don't know..."

Bahji's face fell and she hurriedly tried to explain. "I'm sorry. I didn't
mean to upset you, I just..." She bit her lower lip. She too had heard the
change in tone. "I'm not Weyrbred, Werenn. I'm from a Hold. And I don't have
a craft, not really. If I can do this, I want to."

"Where were you born?" That brought her around, sort of. Werenn hadn't
really spent time with the holder part of her family except when her
father had taken her to visit. The two of them had discussed her fostering
there when she got older if it was what she wanted.

"Sunstone Seahold," Bahji replied. "But I'm not going back there."

"Da's from Garnet Valley. We're mountain people. He used to be a hunter."
There was a little bit of pride there and Werenn made sure to grab E'rae's
hand.

Bahji's eyes softened and she spoke gently. "Perhaps I could use the help of
a young mountain girl with my child on occasion."

"I don't know about babies. It's just me and Auntie..." Seeming unsure, she
knew she did want to help, but what if she messed things up?

"Well, why don't we work together so you can learn?" Bahji asked
softly. "I think you can do it."

"Allright, maybe after my chores are done. So, when is the baby coming?"
Trying to add up everything in her head, Werenn needed that bit of
information.

Relaxing, Bahji laid her hand on her stomach lightly. "In about four
months now. Maybe less." Her face turned to E'rae, expression warm and
gentle.

"Okay well maybe I can ask Auntie about babies and stuff so I know what it'll be like."
Werenn had seen babies, of course, but she hadn't been around that many.

Bahji nodded. "That's a good idea."

Last updated on the August 29th 2013

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Family Differences