Logs:Examination Anxiety
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| RL Date: 7 May, 2012 |
| Who: Lirienne, Madilla |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: Lirienne and Madilla work in the Greenhouse, up until Madilla touches on an unhappy thing. |
| Where: Greenhouse, High Reaches Weyr |
| When: Day 17, Month 9, Turn 28 (Interval 10) |
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| Greenhouse, High Reaches Weyr A rustic and unadorned vestibule leads in from hewn spiral steps to a refitted ledge, enclosed by limestone pillars. Sturdy wooden framework captures elongated glass panes, tilted to absorb the most light during the day. The wash of heat from within, lush and humid, persists even into the dead of winter; the air is heady with the scent of fresh-turned soil and various flora. Long, deep troughs of soil line the inner stone wall, planted with an assortment of broad, leafy tropicals - practical and decorative alike. Fruit and vegetable baskets hang from rafters, optimizing space, tempting in reach with a perpetually ripening harvest. A series of stone shelving is devoted to flourishing, aromatic herbs and new green shoots; even the softest touch releases a burst of savory scent from tender leaves. Amidst the greenery, a handful of wooden benches have been scattered, making this a temptingly warm and secluded spot to sit. Shuttered vents serve to regulate humidity and heat given off from a small hot spring recessed into an alcove at the back; a secondary pool with cooler waters siphons off to provide a constant, fresh supply for irrigation. A small potting station nearby is cluttered with watering cans and gardening tools of various uses, with a wooden bin for composting materials tucked underneath.
One afternoon is spent weeding outside, the next hiding from the torrential rains at the very same locale. And in search of hiding while still being useful, Lirienne enters the greenhouse with a small basket over one shoulder and the handles of a tiny pair of snips sticking over one edge. Pausing a moment after closing the door behind her at the sight of the shawl and boots, the redhead calls out, "Hello?" before moving off to the side to put her basket down. Madilla's "Lirienne," is warm, and an obvious invitation-- she straightens from where she's been kneeling so that she can peek through the growth in search of the apprentice's face. One hand raises, too, waving her over even as the Journeyman is saying, "It's just awful out there, isn't it? All that rain. Welcome to another High Reaches autumn." If she's aware of an intention to hide, it certainly doesn't show in her expression, which is as warm as her voice. It is a measure of how much Lirienne has grown that she offers a quick smile at Madilla, before nodding. "I was outside wedding just yesterday. Now..." well, the shrug completes that sentence as she steps in. "The, ah, cooks asked for some herbs - and mint for tomorrow's dinner," she then adds with a faint bit of color as she explains her reason for visiting - or hiding in - the greenhouse. "If I won't bother you?" "Now it seems like anything outside will have been washed away completely," agrees Madilla, with a ruefully amused smile. "Never mind. At least we're safe and warm in here, at least until we need to go across to the caverns, of course." She waves off the idea of being bothered by Lirienne's presence with the same ease as she shakes her head. "Nonsense - it'll be nice to have the company." "Hopefully not. The cook was quite insistant - I promised to get what I could this evening, for the early risers," Liri admits, before she starts to wander through the shelves and risers of plants. "It is a good time for minty things, though. Drowned wherries - I think they were invading earlier," she offers with a thread of amusement in the words. Madilla's low, amused laugh follows Lirienne's last words, and hangs in the air for a few moments even after it has largely died out, before the healer speaks again. Her head has lowered back down to the plant she's working on, her clippers sounding above the drumming sound of the rain outside. "Mmm. Mint tea, mint jelly - it all sounds lovely. I'm sure you'll manage. I suppose they're also beginning to plan for the clutching feast, in as much as they can." "I think I heard something along those lines. Not quite sure what was planned, but I believe she said that they were preparing as much as they could beforehand. Veggies and such precut, I guess?" Liri admits, before finding the mints and starting to take snips here and there of those going, skipping over this or that if they'd already been taken from recently. "Hm. I should see if there is any dried in the stillroom for tea. Might be worth it if people come down with colds?" "It is that season," says Madilla, with a sigh that isn't completely serious: colds are, after all, just part of life. "If you've the chance, I think that would be a good idea. We may as well be as prepared as we can." She settles back on her heels, stretching out her shoulders in a way that suggests she's been here, working, for quite some time. "Much like the kitchens, I suppose. We all do what we have to, to be ready." There is a quiet chuckle, as Liri takes a moment to arrange the mint, mentally counting what she has against what was requested, "At least ours is rather like clockwork. Well, this portion. Midwifery, on the other hand..." Well, that bears a marked resemblance to the upcoming party. The comparison between midwifery and the upcoming party takes a moment to sink into Madilla's brain - and then she's laughing merrily. "Exactly so," she confirms, once she's got her expression back to a mere smile, though it's a fond one: she's probably thinking about her own children again. Again. Then, lightly, "And only a couple of months until exams again." Liri doesn't look up, as she moves towards some of the herbs often used in the kitchen, "Speaking of, how are yours?" There is a pause, then she adds, "Children, not eggs." *snip*snip* "Already? That seems quick." More laughter, followed by, "I hope I don't have eggs that need asking after. They're well, thank you. Lily's reading properly, now, and writing me the occasional note. It's very sweet." And she sounds so, so proud. Setting down her clippers, she draws herself towards her feet but more, it seems, to better stretch than to remove herself. "They always come up quickly, in the end. I'm sure they'll promote you this time, Lirienne." "Already?" That, at least, is honest surprise at the mention of Lily's scholarship, before Liri shakes her head. "It... I don't think..." as she stutters over her words, she turns under a tide of red, before she gets out, "I... should take this over. Before the rain gets worse." And then she's stepping towards the exit. Madilla's mouth opens, obviously as though she has something to say, but aside from a cut-short "Liri--" she doesn't get the words out. She frowns after the retreating apprentice; her expression is unhappy. |
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