Don't Call Me Sweetie
@fr-dew @watchingforcomets
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(Content warnings for ableism, mention of child abuse)
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Late one stormy night, the wind howling through the eaves, Alba heard the door of the inn open and a hearty *ding!* rang from the service bell on the front desk.
"Coming!"
She and her partner got to the counter at the same moment, both puzzled at the apparent lack of patron.
"Ehem! Down here." The voice that came from something around the level of their knees was slightly raspy, and quite impatient.
Two Tundra heads peered over the counter, eyes travelling down until they spotted two small hatchlings. A short, stocky Guardian girl, and a willowy Skydancer who was waving brightly.
"Uh, just a moment, be right with you!" Yokobik grabbed her wife and dragged her towards the back office, closing the door behind them.
"That little Guardian ain't got no eyes! Why she ain't got no eyes?"
"Dear, don't be rude! Surely you've seen all kinds of things...where you're from."
"I, uh...well...unpleasant business, that. You see, hatchlings born with that sort of, uh, impairment, were deemed by our priests to be unfit. And them that was deemed unfit, in my old clan, was banished to the Boneyard." Yokobik stared at the floor, ashamed at the barbarity that her old family had shown.
"You...you sent children to their death?!?" Alba took a step back, astonished and disgusted by her wife's words. She knew, of course, that Yoko's old clan had different laws and ideas of what was right, but to be confronted with it like this...
Yokobik shrugged sheepishly. "We was told it was the will of the Plaguebringer. There's no arguin' against that where I'm from. Not 'less you wanna get banished, too."
"Well. Ahem. Eyes or not, she's a child, and she and her friend are welcome and safe here, Plaguebringer or no." Alba had her Determined face on, and Yokobik knew better than to argue. Besides, Tova had said she should start confronting her old prejudices.
"Alright sweetie. D'you want a room? Is there an adult with you?" Alba turned on the charm, hoping to make up for her mate's appalling lack of manners.
"Don't call me sweetie. My name is Doshima, and this is Melody, my Charge." Doshima stood up straighter, puffing out her chest, "And it's just us."
"Pleased to meet you Doshima, Melody. How long will you be staying with us?"
"She can't hear you, she's deaf." Melody elbowed her Guardian in the ribs, signing to her that she could answer for herself, dammit. "Yeah, but they wouldn't understand you. They don't speak your hand-language, only I do." Melody sagged, starting to pout.
Turning back to the innkeeper, Doshima said, "We're just passing through."
"I'll book you in for two nights, then, and you can decide if you want to stay longer." Doshima gave a curt nod. "That'll be...50 copper."
Doshima took out a coinpurse and carefully counted out 50 copper pieces, tongue stuck out and brow furrowed in concentration.
"Thank you, young miss. Here is the room key for number 7. Can my wife help you carry anything to your room?"
"I can get it." Doshima picked up her bag and Melody's, traipsing off towards their room. Melody waved back at Alba apologetically, and quickly signed "thank you" before scurrying after her grumpy friend.
"We had better tell Tova about this. Kids travelling alone, it just isn't safe!" Alba was busying herself gathering the softest blankets and plumpest pillows for their new guests.
"I'll go see her tomorrow. I'll ask her what she thinks, but I reckon we should ask Acantha to come down. From the little I saw, the little Skydancer's sign language ain't too different from hers, and I'm sure the youngin would like to make a less...overbearing friend."
