Logs:Divided Loyalties
| |
|---|
| |
| RL Date: 4 February, 2015 |
| Who: Farideh, Edyis |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: Farideh and Edyis make up. And discuss Hold politics. |
| Where: Hatching Galleries, High Reaches Weyr |
| When: Day 28, Month 12, Turn 36 (Interval 10) |
| Weather: Cold. Snowy. |
| Mentions: Wulfan/Mentions, Joremy/Mentions, Cron/Mentions, Gretvyn/Mentions, Tevrane/Mentions, R'hin/Mentions, Devaki/Mentions, Astivan/Mentions, Irianke/Mentions |
  |
>---< Hatching Galleries, High Reaches Weyr(#290RJs) >-----------------------<
Ringing the southwestern side of the hatching sands are ample tiers of
carved stone benches, the lowest of which is some six feet off the ground
-- just high enough to separate wayward hatchlings from unwary viewers,
and vice versa. A metal railing on the outside helps prevent anyone from
falling off; it also extends up the stairs that lead the way higher into
the galleries. While most of the area is open seating, ropes section off
some of the closer tiers when dignitaries are expected; those areas even
feature cushions in the Weyr's blue and black.
The higher one climbs, the more apparent the immense scale of the entire
cavern becomes. The dragon-sized entrance on the ground is dwarfed by the
expansive golden sands that glitter in the light. Everything on them is
easily visible from the galleries, whether that's a clutch of eggs and a
broody queen, or simply its emptiness and the handful of darker tunnels
that lead to more private areas than the bowl. Wherever one sits or looks,
however, one thing is constant: the overwhelming, suffocating heat.
Commands: +list/eggs The galleries is the perfect getaway from the cold weather raging outside, and it's where a handful have escaped to this day. Among them, lounging indulgently and cross-legged on one of the lower benches, Farideh is busy perusing a crudely-bound tome. Her coat is draped on the seat next to her, and her hair is combed up in her usual bird's nest style, if a tad messier for wear. She's concentrating on the words, her fingers perched on the ends of the pages and ready to turn to the next, and notices little beyond her bench of tranquility. Dark brown eyes scan the galleries as yet another individual seeking refuge from the snow and ice of Reaches, makes her way into the galleries. There's something of a familiar smile at spotting the laundress with a book, and settling next to the taller woman quietly; Edyis begins to explore the contents of her bag... It's when the other girl sits down that Farideh looks up from her reading, and mild surprise shows in her hazel eyes. "Edyis," she says, simply, her gaze dropping from the waitress' face to her bag, which she's rummaging through. "You're off work?" Edyis locates the small parcel at the bottom, where often such small packages tend to land, producing a smallish box wrapped in a watercolor drawing of kittens, or well a particular kitten as seen following a sailor. "Yeah, well I figure it's your birthday soon, and even if you are still mad at me, I wanted to give you your present." The box itself housing a pair of blown glass earrings with flecks of gold and green sparkling over their tiny shapes. A laugh bubbles up when Farideh sees the kitten scrawled on the paper, and takes her time, flipping the package over and over to view each part. "Did you draw this? Or did you get someone to?" She doesn't comment on whether or not she's still mad, instead peeling back one portion of the paper. "Another turn gone. Do you remember how we spent my last turnday? I didn't think I would make it in this place for that long," she says wistfully, continuing to rip at the paper. Edyis grins, "I did it, naturally." She nods too to the turn gone by, reminiscing. "I'm not really sure I can imagine Reaches without you, to be honest. You did seem quite determined that you wouldn't stay... though I wonder now. Is that still the way you feel?" The fingers working at the paper still. "I wasn't planning on staying this long, but I suppose--" Farideh has a contemplative expression, her lips pursing in thought. "That place I knew, that place I called home isn't there anymore. It is, physically, but with Wulfan and Lord Joremy switching places-- how can it be the same? I don't know if I can look at Lord Joremy the same. You know?" She frowns and tears off another strip of paper. "But High Reaches has remained consistent this past turn and some. It's more home now than my other one, even if I do still wish I could go back sometimes." It seems she's forgotten that they can make her go back, if they wanted to, but that's neither here nor there! Edyis nods understanding the sentiment all too well perhaps, watching her friend work through the paper. "You know, the new junior is from Igen if your curious about how things have changed, you might talk to her about Igen." About what has changed and hasn't maybe. "Even Reaches isn't constant, but someone once told me that it's the sort of place that gets it's claws into you and doesn't let go." "I heard some rumors about that, but I didn't know she was from Igen." A frown tugs at the corners of her mouth, as her fingers tug at the paper until the box holding the earrings is unveiled. "I wonder if she'd know." Farideh chews on her lower lip and opens the small receptacle, and appropriately coos at what she sees. "They're lovely, Edyis. Where did you get them?" she wonders aloud, holding them up so they can catch the light. "There's a trader family that winters in Nabol, I picked it up in exchange for an interesting story." She smiles, "From the gossip I've heard so far she was Nimae's right hand, impressed in Igen though from a trader family. Whether or not she knows, don't you think it might put your heart at ease a little to find out?" Such a serious topic eclipses the joy over her gift, and she sets the earrings back down in their box for now. "I don't know. I'm worried. Do I really want to know? Or should I let all well alone?" Farideh stares down at the shredded paper and open box in her lap. "It might, but it might well rip it back open again. It's not as easy to get over as you might surmise." "I honestly wouldn't know if such a thing was easy to get over or not. Such things are so utterly beyond my experience that I don't even know them when I see them." The older girl admits a bit shamefully, letting her eyes drift to the empty sands. "I wish I did. At least then I'd know what to say or not to say to comfort you right now." Glancing back to Farideh from the corner of her eye as Edyis rolls her shoulders. "It's something you have to decide for yourself." "No one should have to deal with--" Farideh grapples with the words, and chooses: "Divided loyalties." She sets aside the gift, and its wrapping, to fold her hands together in her lap and stare unseeingly out towards the sands. "Wulfan was our Lord for so long, and Joremy was just-- Joremy. I can't figure out how to reconcile my feelings, and maybe I won't ever." Her shoulders lift and drop, and she tries on a smile for the first time. "How have things been with you?" "Loyalty is a funny word. An impractical word." She murmurs, "Is there anything to reconcile? You care about them both, but caring doesn't change the events that occurred, or what will occur. So you can care about the people, and hate the results of their actions and circumstances. Then again... maybe it isn't that simple." Tilting her head to the side to watch Farideh pulling her heels up to rest on the bench so that her chin can rest on her knees, drawing a breath at the question. "I suppose I'm fine. My brother, on the other hand. Last I heard was called before Lady Tevrane, and according to the sweeps rider was never returned... but I don't know if that is the truth or just gossip. I haven't heard anything since." "I do. I care about both of them, and I hate what Lord Joremy did to Wulfan. But, if I met Lord Joremy again, would I be able to be cavalier about it? Would I be able to contain my upset? I should hope so, otherwise I upset him, but what if I can't?" Farideh twists her linked fingers fretfully. "I saw Wulfan," she says cautiously, "not too long ago, and I couldn't even speak to him. I just wanted to give him a hug and say I was sorry. To apologize for what his brother did. That's strange, isn't it?" She looks at Edyis, with her legs drawn up, and frowns. "I'm sorry, Edyis. What do you think has been done with him? Or what's going to happen to the Hold? Has Lady Tevrane called you for an audience?" Edyis shivers a little, smiling softly, "I don't think that's strange at all." Chin wobbling slightly, "It's natural to feel sorry for someone whose been betrayed by the ones closest to them. To want to comfort that person." She sucks a breath between her teeth. "I think, it was my audience with Tevrane that caused it. I haven't heard anything since." Not looking over, as though possibly afraid to see the reaction. The brunette is quiet for a short space, reflectively staring at the eggless sands over the railing, and when she does speak, it is quietly, carefully. "Will you be sad if Lady Tevrane hands it over to someone else? Will you still call Esvay home? Or do you call High Reaches home, now?" Farideh shifts on the bench and purses her lips, again. "None of it was your fault." "Esvay hasn't been home since Gretvyn died. Maybe since before that really." She murmurs, "If it is in the hands of someone like Gretvyn, someone who cares about the valley and it's people rather than someone who thinks it's a status symbol. Then it is all for the better." She shrugs, "If not then it simply means that I took revenge against my brother for selfish reasons doesn't it? I hated him. I hated that he wouldn't put off the funeral for a day so that the people who loved her best could be there. I hated that he was slowly auctioning off bits and pieces of what was left of our father's legacy. Mostly I hated his pious self-righteousness. So I can't smile and say that I did it simply because it was the right thing can I? Can't say it's not my fault." Edyis states dispassionately, standing unable to sit still any longer. Leaning against the rail so she can finally see Farideh's expression. Farideh claps a hand over her mouth, but can't staunch the burble of giggles. "Oh, Edyis, if it was about caring and not the status, half of the Holds on Pern would be a failure." She keeps on giggling for a bit longer, until it fades off into a persistent smile. "No, it's not your fault he was a jerk and it wasn't your fault he didn't care. Perhaps you expedited the outcome, but if he was truly that careless, I find it hard to believe Lady Tevrane wouldn't have noticed on her own, at some point. No one likes a careless, reprehensible Holder." "It's always nice to know when your ideals are good for a laugh." She murmurs, lips curling at the burst of unexpected giggles. "And I suppose your right, but then again... that does seem to be my life's story. It would have happened regardless." Edyis smirks. "I'm not laughing at you. I'm laughing at the absurdity of Holds," which is surprising that she would admit to that! "It would have." Farideh is certain of that fact, and because they've been talking about sad, serious subjects for far too long: "How are you spending your Turnover?" "Don't know yet. I could just end up bar hopping with Savannah again because that always ends well. Or I may go visit my little brother and sisters." She laughs, with a wrinkle of her nose. "What about you? What plans do you have? Or did you have something better in mind?" "I always loved the festivities at Fort, but they didn't have any last turn. I might just stay here, and take advantage of the lack of crowdedness. All of my roommates are going to High Reaches Hold for their end of turn events. I can have my room to myself and the baths, oh, I bet they're deserted." Farideh sounds too pleased by these simple prospects. Edyis laughs, "I can't remember the last time I had a room to myself. But as pleasurable as that sound... We can do better. Hm." Musing over the possibilities, "Do you want to go to High Reaches Hold, or if you could do anything you wanted for turnover... what would it be?" "No, I wouldn't want to go there. It will be crowded. Truly, I'll be fine. I'll enjoy my alone time, and you just enjoy yourself with Savannah. Besides, I've had enough excitement for one turn, I can't imagine having anymore," Farideh says, unfolding her legs and putting her feet on the floor. "I don't know about enjoying myself... Last turn we got kicked out of Monaco, and there was brawling." She points out. "But suit yourself." Leaning back to enjoy the heat of the galleries just a little longer before work forces her to step out in the Reaches weather. |
Leave A Comment