Don't Get Hurt (PG-17)

Writers: Emma, Len
Date Posted: 2nd August 2011

Characters: Teseada, G'wen
Description: Teseada and G'wen fight over her deception with the harper Daran Note: directly follows 'What a Tangled Web We Weave'
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 3, day 8 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentioned: Sh'lua, J'nev, D'nev, Cardella, F'neb

Note: PG-17 for language
Rating: PG-17

Teseada

G'wen watched the retreating back of the tall harper and felt anger
and frustration for Teseada. What had she gotten herself into now?
Turning to the girl in question, he asked, "so m'dear, can you explain
what the bloody shards was that game we were playing?"

"He doesn't know about Onnyth," stated Teseada simply. "So many people treat
me differently because of her, and I just want to be normal for once, not
treated like a sharding lady holder!"

"Ahhh..." That was sort of what he thought was going on, and he told
Neath so she could pass it on to Onnyth. "Tes, you're forgetting a
few things though." He frowned sadly at her.

"Like what?"

"For foremost, is this fair to him? I mean I know he's a prejudice
jerk and all, but what about him? And what happens to you when he
finds out?" He came around Neath to stand beside Teseada, not wanting
their words to carry.

"He's a good guy, he'll understand. I'm sure he will. If I explain it
right."

He looked dubious at that. "You sure? I mean, if someone was fooling
you and you found out, how would you feel?"

"This isn't going to go that far, not enough to hurt him. He's not an idiot
bronzerider, he's a harper and will be able to understand!"

}:Mine was hurt by a bronzerider,:{ Onnyth told Neath. }:She needs someone
who will be nice to her.:{

Neath could say nothing to that but give Teseada a nuzzle and feel bad
for her.

"Teseada! Come on, think for a moment." G'wen looked at her with no
small desperation. "How far is 'not going that far'? What if he's
really serious about you and then finds out you just lied to him?
What then?"

"It's none of your sharding business! Stop interfering in my life. I have
more to deal with than a greenrider who can go with anyone they please
without consequence. I'm not the one who has the whole Weyr talking about
their behaviour."

"OH really?!" He gave her a scathing look. "Y'know I was almost
raped--RAPED!-- because of what happened the other week in Sh'lua's
weyr. So don't you tell me I'm just some carefree greenrider! You
think they would have dared that had I been a gold rider like you?!"

"What do you think being the prize in a bet was like?"

"Yeah but were you hit? What the bloody shards did you think that
split lip was all about? And the bruises? Shards, you didn't even
bother to ask me!"

"The whole weyr knew! And then my Da and his running off to another woman -
sure it got me a brother. But that was like a slap on the face in front of
the Weyr and guests when it came out at the hatching."

"You don't think the whole Weyr knew about me?! And to be not only a
running joke but also jackarses thinking they can just come up and
demand a blowjob? It's NOT all about you y'know!"

Teseada took a step back, literally and figuratively. "Shards, what are we
doing G'wen?"

"I don't know..." He dropped his head down so she couldn't see his
face. Neath nuzzled him, crooning.

"I've upset you, Neath, and maybe Daran too." Fast as her temper had risen
it was gone again, all the emotion got out of her system. "I'm sorry."

Reaching out, he hugged her. "I'm sorry too. I just...I dunno...it's
just that was so scary...and no one bothered to ask me if I was okay
afterwards. Even F'neb...all he cared about was what was his weyrmate
going to think. I've just never felt so alone..." If only one person
had cared...but then again, wasn't this how Teseada was treated all the
time? He looked at her with woeful eyes.

She hugged him back. "I'm here now, and I'm asking. Are you okay?"

He mouthed "no" before leaning into her to have a good cry. All the sadness
and fears from the last few sevendays came out, what with what had
happened and also with dealing with Rama's death and Cardella's grief.

"Maybe we should go get a cup of klah and some pastries," she suggested,
falling back into childhood habits that gave comfort.

"Okay," he muttered, letting her lead the way. Neath followed until
they were outside, when she flew over the bowl to be with Onnyth and
get away from these overemotional humans!

As they walked, G'wen got his emotions under control. This problem
right now was all about Teseada, his could wait. Or just learn to
heal, in the case of Cardella and the death of her best friend. He
found a quiet corner of the Dining Hall and pored the klah, letting
Teseada get the sweets.

"If you'd come to me," she said as she sat back down. "I'd have tried to do
something."

Picking at one of the pastries, he said, "it's not just those two,
it's all the time now. I get harassed by men all the bloody time,
all saying how good I can make them feel." He brought his left hand
down hard on the table. "It's like this huge joke for them, everyone
thinking I should be so grateful to be asked to get on my knees before
them. I hate it."

"Do you know what? It's similar in a way to how all the bronzeriders come
calling when they know Onnyth will rise soon. Trying to persuade me that
they are the best thing on Pern and only their bronze will be the one for
us."

"Men..." he muttered darkly. "I still think that idea of cutting
their bits off is a good plan, y'know?"

She laughed, "Maybe it would."

He smiled briefly. "But none of this solves your problem with this
harper fella."

"It doesn't yet, but," she paused. "He's not going to be here that long
really."

Reaching out to hold her hand, he asked, "so what do you want out of this?"

"I don't know yet. It's too early to tell."

"Just don't get hurt, okay?"

"I'll try not too."

"Don't hurt him either." He gave her a look over his cup of klah.

"Hopefully he'll go back to the hall with a tale of a nice little flirtation
with a Weyrgirl."

G'wen gave her hand a squeeze. "Well, for what's it's worth, I'm here
for you. Only..next time, let me know_beforehand_what we're doing!"

Last updated on the August 4th 2011

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Don't Get Hurt (PG-17)