Wouldn't You?

Writers: Dana, Eimi
Date Posted: 6th December 2005

Characters: Larken, Ojisan
Description: Ojisan decides his wife should not be alone so much
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 9, day 5 of Turn 3
Notes: Follows "A Weyr Could Be A Very Small Place"

"Oh, there you are," Ojisan smiled as his wife walked through the door. "I finished my practice early, so I thought we could walk down to dinner together."

She smiled at him as she came closer, a bit surprised, but glad just the same, that he had gotten off earlier this evening. "Okay. Let me just run a comb through my hair. It got all snarled down by the shore..."

"Oh, is that where you were?" he asked with a smile. The harper ran his fingers gently through his wife's hair, smoothing it back for her. "Did you enjoy yourself down there?"

"Oh I did!" Her eyes were bright. "I met a dragon there. I even got to touch him! Well, scratch his eyeridge. Did you know that the dragons make the most peculilar sounds when they're happy? It almost sounds like a...like a hum. Like they're singing."

"Yes, I knew they hummed. They hum when there is a hatching too. That humming shakes your whole body, it resonates so. It is a unique sound."
He kissed her cheek gently. "I'm gald that you enjoyed yourself, my dear."

Larken smiled, deciding not to mention the dragon's rider. Not unless he asked, of course. She wouldn't lie to him. But why mention him? She'd never see him again. "And how did everything go today for you, Ojisan?" she asked, squeezing his hand gently before walking around him to the vanity.

"Oh, fine," he shrugged. "I was giving a few of the students private lessons today to a few of the apprentices. I don't know if Milown will _ever_ learn where to put his fingers on the strings. For a promising scribe, he really doesn't seem to have nimble fingers."

"All lads go through that awkward stage though," she reassured him, meeting his eyes in the mirror as she began to brush out her hair. "They'll grow out of it eventually. No doubt you were like that too once, weren't you?" The tone in her voice grew teasing. "Or were you always so graceful?"

Ojisan frowned a bit as he thought about it. "I was almost at performance level when I was his age. He just doesn't seem to have the talent for instruments. Which is a pity. His voice isn't much better. I think the boy is destined to be either a scribe or an archivist."

She studied him for a moment. Then, after setting the brush aside, she swiveled on her stool and gently took his hands in hers. "This is upsetting you?" She'd hadn't seen him so solemn for quite some time, and he had never once passed up a chance to rise to her teases.

"Well, I will admit that it is a bit disappointed. His father was such a great instrumentalist. And Milown doesn't even seem to care. I asked him how much he had practice in the last few days and he said that he had practiced only once. _Once_. I'm really afraid that living here is distracting the apprentices from their studies."

"But that's to be expected, isn't it? At first, all the apprentices will be distracted, Ojisan. How can they not be? The Weyr is a huge place - new and exciting - full of interesting people, fire-lizards and dragons..."

"Yes, dear, I understand how exciting living in the Weyr must be for you, and the apprentices too. But they must get back to their studies. We have lost so much time after that fire and while we were on the boats. The apprentices must get back to their training." He squeezed her hands affectionately. "Of course I want you to explore the Weyr as much as you like. Just be warned. You might see some things that will shock you."

Larken blushed, looking down. She'd already seen some things... "I know," she murmured after clearing her throat.

He did not like the looks of that. "Perhaps it would be wise if you didn't explore the Weyr alone. I'm sure one of the other ladies would be willing to accompany you." Ojisan frowned. He was determined to make the best of living in the Weyr, but not if it meant harming his wife.

"I'm fine exploring the Weyr alone." She tilted her head up to look at him. "Really, Ojisan. I've been doing just fine."

"It's not that I don't trust you, dear," he said as he touched her cheek gently with th backs of his fingers, "but I think you would have much more fun with someone else with you. They could keep you company and you can chat and gossip while you get your daily exercise. You would like that better, wouldn't you?" And they might be able to protect her from some of the more inappropriet aspects of the Weyr.

She lowered her eyes. "Yes," she murmured. It was important to him, she knew. And therefore, it should be important to her too. But why did she suddenly feel a prick of...irritation? Was that it?

"Good," he smiled and leaned down to kiss her forehead gently. "I will speak to Master Endic. He has a wife close to your age. Perhaps she would agree to walking with you. Yes, I think I'll talk to him tonight at dinner. What is her name... Anacia? Was that it? You like her, don't you?"

She nodded, fighting down that ridiculous feeling. What was wrong with her? She shouldn't be feeling like this. "I do like her." Anacia was the only woman who seemed to be a bit more enthusiastic than the others about coming to the Weyr. Larken hoped she would prove to be more of the adventurous sort.

"There, it's all settled then," Ojisan smiled. "We'll sit with them for dinner tonight and I'll make the arragements. What fun you two will have." He brought her hand to his lips to kiss gently. "That takes a load off my mind."

"Of course, husband," she said softly, then smiled. She didn't like how she had to force it a little. "Shall we go then?"

Ojisan smiled as he tucked his wife's arm around his own, feeling much better and blissfuly unaware of her conflicted feelings. "Yes, let's get there early and save them a seat. I would like to talk to Endic about that new instrumental piece he's working on anyway."

Last updated on the December 6th 2005

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Wouldn't You?