How do you do it?

Writers: Miriah, Paula
Date Posted: 28th May 2013

Characters: U'das, Bahji
Description: U'das seeks out Bahji's advice.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 13, day 20 of Turn 6

U'das was actually seeking out Bahji. She was only blind person he
knew of in River Bluff Weyr and wanted bit of an advice. He found her
working in the weavery. "Bahji, my favourite weaver. Do you have a
moment of time for an old bronzerider?" he greeted and asked.

Bahji turned, her attention caught by the familiar voice. "U'das!" Her
smile was bright, but a bit strained around the edges. "It's been a
long time. I always have a moment for you." Her head tilted to the
side. "What do you need?"

"A little advice," U'das replied.

Her delicate brows arched in surprise. "You want advice from me?" She
waved him in and turned to face towards him. "What about?"

"About being blind. Because I'll joining you in the word of
not-seeing," U'das replied. He had always been straightforward and
wasn't going to change now.

Her brows shot up and she blinked in surprise before she sighed. She
didn't offer any apologetic words; she had hated them when her own
sight had started to fail. It had made her feel worse and she wasn't
going to do that to U'das. She turned to face towards him completely.
"What do you need to know?"

"How do you do it, how do you manage your everyday life without sight?"
U'das asked.

There was a soft sigh. "Practice, U'das. It was hard, starting out. My
sight faded gradually, but it was still hard. I felt helpless, even with my
parents trying to help me. I had to learn how to work without it." She
lifted her hands. "These and my hearing are my allies now. You'll have to
learn how to make them your eyes."

"Is it something that can be taught or do I just have to figure it out
myself?" U'das asked.

Her head tilted to her side. "I can recommend something. In your weyr,
blindfold yourself. Walk around and try to use your hands and your ears to
make your way. Start memorizing where things are. It's a place to start.
Eventually, you'll have to do the same for other surroundings."

"Sounds like you'll end up with bruises first," U'das grinned.

?You do.? Bahji?s answered the humor in his tone with her own smile.
?Banged shins, stubbed toes...I walked into a wall once and then tripped
over a chair.? She paused and gestured to her own room. ?But I can tell you
where everything in my room is. You?re sitting on my chair. My cot is to
your left about four paces. There?s a table to your right against the wall
with a water pitcher on it. It takes me ten steps from here to get to the
door. And U?das...do yourself a favor. Don?t let anyone move any thing
around.?

"Well, I'm probably moving in to a new weyr, so no use start practising
before that," U'das remarked. "You and I, we're in a same boat, we should
stick together," he said.

"There is perfect use in practicing now, U'das. You'll know what to expect
and what to do when you move to your weyr." She gave a prim smile and then
tilted her head to the side and arched a brow. "Stick together how, U'das?"
Her lips quivered and her eyes crinkled in mirth. "Why, U'das, are you
propositioning me?" She knew full well that he wasn't, but couldn't resist
the urge to tease.

"Not in a _that_ way," U'das replied with warm humour. "I'm just offering
my friendship. I still have vision left and perfectly functional dragon, if
you ever want to go anywhere."

Bahji's smile was warm. "I know. You already had my friendship, you silly
man." She paused. "You know, your dragon can help you a bit too. He can
send you images, can't he? You'll not be completely without if he can." She
paused and gave a slightly more strained smile. "I appreciate it, U'das,
but I don't think I'll be going anywhere any time soon."

"I keep it in value. It was just a suggestion," U'das replied with smile
of warmth.

"I know." Bahji took a slow breath. "How long do you have before your sight
diminishes completely?"

"Nobody knows. Even healers can't say for sure. Could be months, could be
Turns," U'das replied with a shrug.

"Well, whatever you may need, I'll be there for you, U'das." She offered a
hand to him. "I can't do much, but I can listen and help when I can."

"I've been told I'm pretty good listener too, if you ignore the snores,"
U'das replied with a twinkle in his eye.

Bahji blinked several times before giving an indelicate snort of laughter.
"You're impossible sometimes, U'das."

"Absolutely," U'das agreed, joining her laughter.

Last updated on the June 4th 2013

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