Logs:Counterproductive
| |
|---|
| |
| RL Date: 5 June, 2014 |
| Who: Aishani, Oriane |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr, Monaco Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: Aishani visits Monaco and Oriane because grudges are counterproductive and difficult. And Shani needs options. |
| Where: Hatching Sands, Monaco Weyr |
| When: Day 26, Month 12, Turn 34 (Interval 10) |
| Mentions: Mirinda/Mentions, Azaylia/Mentions, M'kris/Mentions, R'hin/Mentions |
 |
| Monaco's skies may not be seeing much in the way of High Reaches' dragons these days, but Zaisavyth's daughter has never had any reason to feel unwelcome at the southern Weyr - the queen appears above the ocean, reaching out to greet her mother, Evielth, the watchdragon as she lazily circles to land on the beach. For Evielth, a message: her rider would speak to the Weyrwoman when she has a moment. Aishani will come to the Weyr proper when it is time. As always, Iesaryth is polite, but there's a particular manner to her greetings and words today, care taken on behalf of or in advance of her rider. A different set of sands occupy Evielth's attention. It has been only a month since her flight, so eggs are still some time in the future; perhaps this is only an initial reconnoiter, a preparatory engagement. Perhaps it's not, then, for political reasons that the older queen invites Iesaryth's rider to meet hers in the galleries; then again, since when has Oriane ever failed to make a point when she can? Monaco's Weyrwoman has laid out cushions upon the hard benches of the galleries, and has settled upon them with one eye upon the sands, her queen, and the group of drudges hard at work with rakes and buckets - and another upon the stack of paperwork she's brought with her. She's impeccably dressed, as always, calmly unbothered by the oppressive heat so magnified by the combination of early summer and the sands themselves. If Evielth is on the sands for whatever reason, Iesaryth will certainly fly up to the ledges above to inspect the job those drudges are doing, offer her view from above if the other queen would like; she can understand a need to have things just so before one is chained to the place by those eggs. With a rustle of sunlit-water wings, she settles. Aishani is not far behind in entering the galleries, her own clothes typically stylish, though simple today, perhaps in deference to the south's heat. Approaching the cushions and Oriane with easy, long-legged steps, "I appreciate you seeing me so quickly, Weyrwoman." A glance to the sands. "Making sure it's all in proper order?" Evielth is pleased by the offer; the more viewpoints, clearly, the better. She's not a queen who rises often, after all, and that means that each and every clutch is extra important. "Our duties to High Reaches," answers Oriane, in a quietly neutral tone. "I should have anticipated your visit." No further explanation to that remark is offered; the Monacoan Weyrwoman simply considers Aishani for a moment, and then gestures towards the cushion-covered seats. "Evielth is particular about the state of the sands. We'll likely be back several more times, just to check, before she actually clutches." Iesaryth is content to have something to do other than swim and nap on this particular trip. She's wide awake, sunlight sparkling off bright ocean waves as she floats images over to Evielth helpfully. "Ours to Monaco. Should you have? I'm not sure anyone else will be visiting," Aishani notes, in a tone that makes it at least sounds as if she thinks that a bit of a shame. As she nods to Oriane's offer, moving to sit down, she pulls the bag looped over one shoulder off to take out a bottle and offer it over. "I'm told it's good bourbon. I hope that's someone's drink. Congratulations." If not to her Weyleader, to Oriane herself. "I suppose if she's so particular, it's a relief that you don't have do it often, at least." "Jils. There's a patch to the left of you-- no, your left." Oriane's voice takes on a somewhat imperious tone as she directs her instructions down to the sands, continuing the train of information: from Iesaryth to Evielth, Evielth to Oriane, Oriane to the aforementioned Jils. As the drudges hurry into action again, Oriane turns her gaze back towards Aishani, accepting the bottle with a graciously polite smile. "How lovely. No, I don't expect anyone else from your Weyr to visit." Aishani however... "I've always found it a convenient for a senior, to rise so infrequently. Stability is, of course, important to a Weyr." Flickering a look toward the sands to see what is so offensive, Aishani has to give a faint smile up to the ledges before, "It's nothing. And I suppose you saw that coming. The Weyrwoman," not by name, not her Weyrwoman certainly, "Doesn't have it in her to turn out strays. It should make Council interesting." There's a sidelong glance to Oriane, assessing, openly curious before she has to sigh. "So rarely are these things convenient, it seems. It is. It's fortunate. For Monaco." For the Weyrwoman herself, though she doesn't need to say it. That which bothers Evielth is likely all but invisible to anyone else's eyes - but that's not the point, is it? She lets out a rumble of approval as work begins to remedy that which is so distasteful, resting back upon her haunches in consideration. Oriane sets the bottle down, hands resting lightly, now, upon her lap. Her expression is studiously neutral, her smile not especially telling. "We all do as we must - as we feel is right," she answers, calmly. "I certainly cannot speak to High Reaches' perspective; only my own." Though she doesn't. Or, at least, not yet. "Monaco has been very fortunate, certainly." Iesaryth might notice. She's particular in that way, perceptive, watchful. But it doesn't really bother her. She just keeps passing on what she can see. Aishani crosses long legs, nodding as Oriane responds, her dark gaze turned to the preparations on the sands. "I can't say I speak to High Reaches' perspective entirely either, but I can guess. Listen." Arching fine brows, she notes, "Fortunate, though the loss of a wing is something, isn't it. I wonder if any of them are unhappy with that move." She wonders in a slightly exaggerated sort of way. She's certainly in a position to find out. "The wings," Oriane answers, quite simply, "Are the Weyrleader's concern." For a few moments, she's content to let that hang as it is; her attention has refocused itself upon the sands, and upon her queen, who watches so very intently. Then, finally, "I couldn't speak to Savannah's interests or feelings. I trust they will find themselves a home as they will. You, surely, would know better than I." "Of course." Aishani's reply is as simple, that clearly goes without saying, but it's not as if she can't comment. Fingers entwined loosely, leaning forward to rest elbows on her knee, "It's easy enough to find out individually. As a whole, I think I might have gotten something out of it, were I involved in High Reaches' decision, but alas..." She shrugs. "Frankly, I'm surprised there's not a theory this is your way to puppet the leadership. That would be my suspicion, with the flight so close." She can't say it without her expression souring faintly. Oriane notices that souring, surely, though it's not something she's inclined to comment upon. "That," she says, after a moment, smiling in a way that suggests amusement, "would be a very long game, wouldn't it? It would have to be. Unless, of course, I am playing my Weyrleader, as well. Perhaps I am a spymaster general, spreading my influence far and wide." The prospect clearly entertains her. "Can you imagine R'hin as Weyrleader once more? Or perhaps I should be backing a dark horse, one of his wingriders?" With an air of explanation, "I'm awfully paranoid. I sincerely doubt anyone else is. It would be a lot of effort, but any of the wingriders, if they were trusted, would do, would they not? But trust." Aishani looses a hand to wave a finger briefly. "That's the issue there. It would be a good game, if a long one." With another one of her easy little shrugs, she glances toward Oriane to flash a smile. "Long and elaborate, but I don't put anything past anyone I wouldn't be willing to do myself." "Do you play a long game, Aishani?" Oriane's question is light, and accompanied with a smile that makes it so easy for the statement to be casual, entirely without interest. "Games. I have always been entertained by games. They say we leave them behind when we abandon childhood, but..." She smiles. "I have never found it to be so, have you?" "I've learned that there's patience needed for some goals." Obviously. Aishani considers both Oriane and her words, head tilted slight, dark hair spilling over one shoulder. It's beginning to frizz just a little in the summer humidity. "They say there's a lot of things we leave behind in childhood that seem to linger on. But I never had much of a childhood anyway, so I take my fun where I can." A sharp, bright grin. Oriane's smile is too neutral to be telling of much, though the way she inclines her head forward suggests a certain amount of confirmation for Aishani's words. "Ah, yes," she says. "Of course. Well - I would expect nothing less. I've always been pleased that Zaisavyth's daughter chose such an... interesting young woman. I'm pleased that you continue to visit us, despite the potential for poor relations between our homes. We hold no grudges, of course, but..." That grin might have faded, but the brightness in dark eyes hasn't just yet; Aishani nods to Oriane almost respectfully, telling the Weyrwoman, "That is nice to hear. At home, I'm not always considered so interesting. Grudges do tend to be counterproductive." Not that she should talk, really. Nor is she jumping up and down to chat up the new Weyrleader. "Iesaryth does love the ocean so, it would be difficult to keep her from it. We'll be sure to keep visiting even if things are a bit strained. I'm sure that you and Evielth are still concerned for the welfare of some of the pairs who... left." Best to put it that way. "Grudges are terribly counterproductive," agrees Oriane, so very lightly. "And difficult, when it comes to political expediency." She considers her queen, out there on the sands, studying those golden lines. "It's very gratifying, to me, that those who have left still remember their Monacoan roots. Our children are still our children, even when they call somewhere else 'home.'" A pause. "Evielth desires my opinion. But perhaps you'll consider coming here again, Aishani. When Hraedhyth rises?" Truthfully, "You have always said we were welcome." Aishani rises, brushing the wrinkles from her skirt as Iesaryth bids Evielth farewell, leaping from the ledges to alight on the ground outside the caverns. With a nod, looking back to Oriane, "Yes. Of course. I'd rather be somewhere warm if I have to be away. I doubt it will be long." Her smile wry, the best she can be expected to manage, given the givens, "Thank you for the time. Enjoy your day, Oriane. Evielth." She offers the queen a little salute as she climbs the stairs and walks out, she and Iesaryth in the air soon after, and away. |
Leave A Comment