akiko
in
springkink
The Converse is Also True [Foreigner, Bren/Tabini, G]
Title: The Converse is Also True
Author: akiko
Rating: G
Word count: 830
Prompt: May 5 - Foreigner - Cherryh, Bren/Tabini: first contact - I want to get to know you better.
Summary: Tabini takes Bren to Taiben for the first time. (Set pre-Foreigner)
A/N: Sorry this is late! I had a spot of Real Life Interference. Thanks to
ferdelance for the beta!
It had been a long day, and it was barely time for lunch. Tabini-aiji’s train had left from Shejidan just after dawn, and Bren hadn’t slept, even though the aiji’s red car was more luxurious than his own garden-view apartment. Excitement at the opportunity Tabini-aiji was giving him to leave Shejidan and visit another part of the continent, Tabini’s ancestral lands, warred with his exhaustion and won.
The train car had only a false window, covered with velvet curtains. Bren didn’t let his disappointment at being unable to see the parts of the continent that had previously been off-limits to humans show. He made polite small-talk with the aiji while they travelled.
They reached the lodge at Taiben, and Bren followed Tabini (and the aiji’s security and staff) inside. Tabini’s descriptions hadn’t done it justice, he thought. It was--Bren searched his memory for the right word--rustic yet elegant, everything he’d come to expect from Tabini.
“Bren-paidhi, come enjoy tea with me,” said Tabini.
“WIth great pleasure, aiji-ma,” Bren said as he watched Tabini’s staff haul his luggage down a hallway.
Tabini led him to a porch that looked out into the woods, and they sat at a table with two chairs. A servant brought out a flower arrangement to make fortunate three along with the tea and cakes.
Bren sipped his human-safe tea--since it had come from the aiji’s staff, and they knew his requirements--and nibbled a cake.
Tabini looked at him, and Bren thought he looked pleased. He hadn’t completely learned to read atevi expressions, but he was getting better, and he spent a lot of time in Tabini’s company.
“How do you like Taiben?”
“It’s beautiful, aiji-ma. I would like to see the woodwork more closely. The carvings over the fireplace are quite intricate.”
Tabini smiled outright and gave a brief history of the carvings and their symbolism. “Tomorrow, we’ll go hunting. This season’s game is one of my favorites.”
Bren thought it was enjoyable enough, and at least not repulsive. He needed to stay on Tabini’s good side. “I would enjoy hunting with you, aiji-ma, and eating our catch.”
“Excellent,” Tabini said, draining his tea and pouring himself another cup.
Bren noticed that the servant who had brought their tea had not returned. Tabini’s security and his own had remained inside the lodge; nothing unusual there. They were in Tabini’s territory, and the aiji wanted to have a private conversation with him. But the servant’s absence was unusual. Bren didn’t comment on it.
“Bren-paidhi, it pleases me that you are among my associates.”
“I am honored that you consider me so, aiji-ma.”
Tabini laughed. “Your insights into human politics are valuable to me. I believe we will work well together, paidhi.”
“That is my dearest hope, aiji-ma.” Bren reminded himself that Tabini was not his friend, could never be his friend, and quashed the illogical flare of hope that he could. He liked Tabini, even though he knew he shouldn’t, that it led to dangerous human emotions which atevi couldn’t feel.
Tabini leaned into the back of his chair and rested his arms on his legs. “I am curious. Will you indulge me?”
“Gladly, aiji-ma.” Bren’s stomach twisted, wondering what Tabini would ask about and if he would be able to answer without revealing state secrets.
“What is your association with Barb-daja?”
That wasn’t the angle Bren had expected. He kept his surprise off his face. “Barb and I have known each other for a long time. When I go back to Mospheira, we spend time together. We call it dating.” Explaining human relationships to atevi was rather difficult. If atevi were more open about their own, Bren guessed the converse would also be true.
“Do you have a contract with her?”
“No, aiji-ma. We’re not contracted.” Bren wasn’t even sure he loved her, but he couldn’t explain that to Tabini. He didn’t understand it himself.
Tabini shifted in his chair. “I am deeply curious about one more thing.” Bren thought he looked slightly uncomfortable.
Bren swallowed. “Aiji-ma?”
“Would it offend you if I invited you to my rooms this evening? Would Barb-daja file Intent on Us over such an act?”
Bren couldn’t keep his surprise off his face. He wished he were half as skilled as Tabini in keeping his emotions guarded. “I can only speak for myself, aiji-ma. I would not be offended by such an invitation.” Lord only knew what Barb would think. They’d never said they were exclusive, though neither of them expected Bren to find a partner among the atevi. “I don’t believe Barb would take such drastic action, even if it were available to her.”
Tabini’s face brightened at that. “Then, Bren-ji, I should like to learn what humans do when they are dating, and I should like you to teach me.”
“One is honored by the request, aiji-ma. One admits that one is also curious about atevi customs.”
“Then we shall teach each other, Bren-ji.”
Author: akiko
Rating: G
Word count: 830
Prompt: May 5 - Foreigner - Cherryh, Bren/Tabini: first contact - I want to get to know you better.
Summary: Tabini takes Bren to Taiben for the first time. (Set pre-Foreigner)
A/N: Sorry this is late! I had a spot of Real Life Interference. Thanks to
ferdelance for the beta!
It had been a long day, and it was barely time for lunch. Tabini-aiji’s train had left from Shejidan just after dawn, and Bren hadn’t slept, even though the aiji’s red car was more luxurious than his own garden-view apartment. Excitement at the opportunity Tabini-aiji was giving him to leave Shejidan and visit another part of the continent, Tabini’s ancestral lands, warred with his exhaustion and won.
The train car had only a false window, covered with velvet curtains. Bren didn’t let his disappointment at being unable to see the parts of the continent that had previously been off-limits to humans show. He made polite small-talk with the aiji while they travelled.
They reached the lodge at Taiben, and Bren followed Tabini (and the aiji’s security and staff) inside. Tabini’s descriptions hadn’t done it justice, he thought. It was--Bren searched his memory for the right word--rustic yet elegant, everything he’d come to expect from Tabini.
“Bren-paidhi, come enjoy tea with me,” said Tabini.
“WIth great pleasure, aiji-ma,” Bren said as he watched Tabini’s staff haul his luggage down a hallway.
Tabini led him to a porch that looked out into the woods, and they sat at a table with two chairs. A servant brought out a flower arrangement to make fortunate three along with the tea and cakes.
Bren sipped his human-safe tea--since it had come from the aiji’s staff, and they knew his requirements--and nibbled a cake.
Tabini looked at him, and Bren thought he looked pleased. He hadn’t completely learned to read atevi expressions, but he was getting better, and he spent a lot of time in Tabini’s company.
“How do you like Taiben?”
“It’s beautiful, aiji-ma. I would like to see the woodwork more closely. The carvings over the fireplace are quite intricate.”
Tabini smiled outright and gave a brief history of the carvings and their symbolism. “Tomorrow, we’ll go hunting. This season’s game is one of my favorites.”
Bren thought it was enjoyable enough, and at least not repulsive. He needed to stay on Tabini’s good side. “I would enjoy hunting with you, aiji-ma, and eating our catch.”
“Excellent,” Tabini said, draining his tea and pouring himself another cup.
Bren noticed that the servant who had brought their tea had not returned. Tabini’s security and his own had remained inside the lodge; nothing unusual there. They were in Tabini’s territory, and the aiji wanted to have a private conversation with him. But the servant’s absence was unusual. Bren didn’t comment on it.
“Bren-paidhi, it pleases me that you are among my associates.”
“I am honored that you consider me so, aiji-ma.”
Tabini laughed. “Your insights into human politics are valuable to me. I believe we will work well together, paidhi.”
“That is my dearest hope, aiji-ma.” Bren reminded himself that Tabini was not his friend, could never be his friend, and quashed the illogical flare of hope that he could. He liked Tabini, even though he knew he shouldn’t, that it led to dangerous human emotions which atevi couldn’t feel.
Tabini leaned into the back of his chair and rested his arms on his legs. “I am curious. Will you indulge me?”
“Gladly, aiji-ma.” Bren’s stomach twisted, wondering what Tabini would ask about and if he would be able to answer without revealing state secrets.
“What is your association with Barb-daja?”
That wasn’t the angle Bren had expected. He kept his surprise off his face. “Barb and I have known each other for a long time. When I go back to Mospheira, we spend time together. We call it dating.” Explaining human relationships to atevi was rather difficult. If atevi were more open about their own, Bren guessed the converse would also be true.
“Do you have a contract with her?”
“No, aiji-ma. We’re not contracted.” Bren wasn’t even sure he loved her, but he couldn’t explain that to Tabini. He didn’t understand it himself.
Tabini shifted in his chair. “I am deeply curious about one more thing.” Bren thought he looked slightly uncomfortable.
Bren swallowed. “Aiji-ma?”
“Would it offend you if I invited you to my rooms this evening? Would Barb-daja file Intent on Us over such an act?”
Bren couldn’t keep his surprise off his face. He wished he were half as skilled as Tabini in keeping his emotions guarded. “I can only speak for myself, aiji-ma. I would not be offended by such an invitation.” Lord only knew what Barb would think. They’d never said they were exclusive, though neither of them expected Bren to find a partner among the atevi. “I don’t believe Barb would take such drastic action, even if it were available to her.”
Tabini’s face brightened at that. “Then, Bren-ji, I should like to learn what humans do when they are dating, and I should like you to teach me.”
“One is honored by the request, aiji-ma. One admits that one is also curious about atevi customs.”
“Then we shall teach each other, Bren-ji.”