Didn't She?

Writers: Dana, Eimi
Date Posted: 29th January 2006

Characters: Larken, Ojisan
Description: For the first time of their marriage, Ojisan sees a different side of his sweet-tempered wife
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 9, day 14 of Turn 3

Ojisan put down his guitar as his eyes followed his wife on her fourth trip between their sleeping room and their living room. "You seem to not be able to keep still today, Larken."

She paused, glancing at him, trying to force down the rather biting remark that was dancing on the tip of her tongue. A part of her was mortified for even _thinking_ such a reply - much less wanting to say it to her own husband! - and she looked away again, continuing to pace towards the cabinets. "Does that bother you?" she managed to ask in a deceptively demure tone.

"Well, I am trying to practice this song, and your pacing is putting me off the meter." He watched her walk towards the cabinets and back again.
"Ok, enough with the pacing. Why don't you have a seat and read a nice quiet book?"

**I don't want to _read_...** Larken bit the inside of her cheek and kept her eyes cast downwards, that same part of her that had wanted to lash out at him warring with the other part that had been taught to bend and obey.
She wanted to go out, but couldn't, because Anacia was busy and Ojisan was obviously busy as well...

Shells. She's never felt this frustrated, but this certainly wasn't the first time she'd been cooped up like this! Well, _felt_ cooped up.
Perhaps all the previous times were beginning to build in her...

Grabbing a book off the shelf, she shoved down on those practically foreign feelings and sat stiffly in the chair, opening the sharding book.

Ojisan couldn't quite figure out what made her act so strange. Perhaps it was one of those womanly times... But no, it was too soon for that he was pretty sure. Well, she seemed settled now. He shook his head as he picked up his guitar again and began strumming away.

She saw him shake his head, and her fingers tightened on the book. She tried to read, tried to lose herself in the story so she could forget her frustration, but she just couldn't. So she stared at the page instead.

His patronizing tone and actions scraped at the edge of something in her that she'd never touched on before. Perhaps it was pride. She was twenty-two Turns old - quite old enough to take care of herself! Even if this was a Weyr... Her stare turned into a quiet glare. She'd never felt like this before. Had he treated her like this before they came to the Weyr? Larken couldn't remember.

She shifted restlessly, debating if she should go into their bedroom again or not.

"All right, Larken," her husband sighed as he set his guitar aside. "Would you rather I went to one of the rehearsal rooms to practice? Is that it?"

She glanced at him, a dark brow raising. "What?" But she knew what he meant.

"Well, is it my playing that's bothering you?"

"No, Ojisan."

He rubbed at his head in sudden frustration. "Then what is it, Larken?
You are acting so... strange."

What could she possibly say to that? Strange? So a frustrated woman was strange to him? Shards. She forced her tone to be soft and even. "I'm just feeling a little...restless." Here was her chance for this evening. She took in a deep breath. "Maybe you and I could take a walk later? And get some fresh air?"

He shrugged. "We can go now if you feel like it."

His tone was casual. And that made her even more frustrated - but she managed not to let it show. "I feel like it."

Sighing he set aside his guitar. It was probably good for him to get some fresh air as well. "Where shall we go then?"

She rose. "The beach maybe?"

Ojisan smiled. "That sounds fine. In fact, why don't we go swimming?"

Some of the tension in her eased at his words and smile. "Swimming would be wonderful. The water is probably so warm..."

"Hmmm. We'd better find something to swim in." He gently placed his guitar back in the case and flexed his fingers, stiff from practicing.

Larken followed him into their bedroom, feeling more of the tension ease out of her. She bit her lip and glanced at him as he began digging for their bathing clothes.

A part of her felt contrite for acting so outrageous just minutes before. Who was she to behave in such a petulant manner? But another part of her rebelled against that thought. She had a right to be frustrated, just like any man.

Didn't she?

Last updated on the January 29th 2006

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Didn't She?