Logs:Expanding Horizons
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| RL Date: 31 October, 2015 |
| Who: Quint, Odrick, Alysce |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: Quint and Odrick discuss the Weyr and apprentices. |
| Where: Craft Complex, High Reaches Weyr |
| When: Day 25, Month 2, Turn 39 (Interval 10) |
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A passageway hewn into the rock and heavily patched with cement leads a
short distance in to the bowl wall, with a door on either side. Lit by
regularly spaced glows, the white-washed walls have been covered over by
colorful tapestries, wall hangings and pieces of art made from metal and
wood. To the left of the entranceway, just a single step inside, a spiral
staircase opens out of the wall, leading upwards through the stone.
Further down, a doorway opens to either side of the corridor, while at the
far end, there is a hewn-stone staircase leading up to the residential
quarters, wreathed by two final doors to private quarters and the bathing
room.
The door leading to the east opens into an expansive room that seems to
provide both general working space - with long, bare benches and chairs -
and a cozy lounge complete with over-stuffed sofas and a few fuzzy
armchairs. Three tall windows are carved into the stone, and offer air and
light when the heavy wooden shutters are left open, though the lounge area
has to make do mostly with glows. A hearth at the back of the room
provides both heat and basic cooking facilities. The white-washed walls
are bedecked with decoration - from quilts, to tapestries, to wooden
carvings and metal sculptures.
The western door leads into another passage, off of which the main
workrooms have been built. The loading dock is at the northern end,
leading back out into the bowl, with the rest of the rooms leading deeper
and deeper into the wall. It's been another cold winter's day at High Reaches, more windy than snowing, though that's not necessarily a blessing, either. It's been an unsettled, uneasy day for many, with the pre-dawn keening of the dragons mourning the passing of one of their own. It makes the children especially uneasy, and the morning's younger classes, run by Quint, are thrown over in favor of less classroom-style and more storytelling. It's suitably distracting enough that by lunch time, the children rush from the classroom with their usual enthusiasm. It's probably why, too, Quintus chooses to take lunch in the crafter's lounge, where it's more quiet, and he can imbibe beer in relative peace. High Reaches' most recently posted harper is still settling into his new Weyr life and the keening that woke him up this morning was a little more unsettling than he probably could have expected. Odrick doesn't seem much the worse for wear when he appears, though, heading to pour himself a mug of ever-brewing klah from the hearth. It's not until he turns back to find a seat for himself that his dark eyes pass over Quint and then shift back to him again with more focus. "Journeyman," he acknowledges the older harper with a polite smile, but refrains from imposing further without invitation. Quint's lifting beer glass to his lips when Odrick's greeting comes, lowering it easily. "We're not in the Hall anymore. And you're a Journeyman too," his fellow harper replies, with an easy grin of welcome, gesturing towards a chair in tacit invitation. "It's good to see you, Odrick. It's been, mm," he purses his lips, gives up trying to calculate, and squares his shoulders in quick succession. "How are you doing?" Whether he means, with settling in at High Reaches, or the morning's incident isn't clear, his full attention on the other harper. Odrick steps around to pull out the chair and sink down, his mug dropped to rest on the table with his hands still wrapped around the heat. "Old habits die hard," he begins, then reconsiders with a quick frown. "A poor choice of words, perhaps. But it is good to see you, Quintus." He looks down at his mug, playing at his lip with his teeth, then asks, "That doesn't happen often, does it? That sound? It might be more difficult to settle in than I'd expected if that happens with any sort of regularity." The brief ripple of a grimace from Quint accompanies Odrick's frown. "Not that often. Though -- more at High Reaches than any other Weyr I've been posted to date." If that's meant to mean something -- a warning, or other -- he doesn't follow it up in words. "The flights are far more frequent and unsettling. But that, at least, you adjust to after a while. Is this your first Weyr posting? Second?" he hazards a guess. Warning or otherwise, Odrick takes a moment to mull over the other harper's choice of words before he's nodding. "My first. I was excited to take it. I still am." Just subdued by the unexpected. "Weyr folks have always been kind of fascinating. I can only imagine what it might be like here with the Red Star on the horizon." It's almost nostalgic, the way he says it, even though he's far too young to have ever experienced that particular horror. "I would think they're similar to a firelizard's? But magnified?" The tightening of Quintus' expression, momentary as it is, suggests he, on the contrary, was old enough to experience the Comet Pass, and moreover remember it. It passes, however, and his voice is easy enough, deliberately so, when he says, "I wouldn't risk saying such things around the older riders. They remember fighting it, and most of them get fairly touchy about the subject, even with a goodly amount of alcohol in them," he lifts his beer, lips twisting wryly, like he's speaking from experience. "Somewhat. They describe it as more a sharing, than anything -- and then they all say it's hard to explain, you have to experience it," he shakes his head with a noise of mock frustration. "Surely, only a harper could find the words." It's a light joke, as he takes a sip of his beer. "I didn't mean-- I don't truly want to see its return. And I have no intention of attempting to imply as much to any of the riders. But it would have been... interesting to see the people of the Weyr during that time, you know? From an academic perspective." His academic perspective, to be more specific. Odrick lifts his mug for a thoughtful drink, glancing at Quint over the rim. Then, "You've experienced it, yes? The, uh, effects, I mean. Is it a worthwhile experience?" "There's... records," Quint says, with a carefulness that isn't usual of him, "If you're interested. Personal accounts, some, in the records room." After a pause, he shakes his head, "Not at Weyr. My mother was an artist, my father a handyman. We traveled a lot, to find work. It was safe, until--" it wasn't. "We were... lucky, I guess you could say. We made it to the Igen caves. My father's leg got scored, it got infected, he died." He says it with a blandness that divorces him from the history, fingers tightening around the glass he holds. "Was it worthwhile? No one who'd lost anyone they cared for would ever say that." Odrick nods about the records and his answer is a subdued, "I'll keep that in mind. Thank you." But then he's looking rather uncomfortable, eyes dropping down to his mug. He offers a slight shakes of his head. "I didn't mean-- I'm sorry for the loss you suffered." He swallows with some minor difficulty, but clarifies, "I only meant the flights. If remaining in the Weyr during a flight would be a worthwhile experience." Perhaps less so now, granted. Odrick is quite obviously embarrassed by the misunderstanding. "You didn't make the Comet Pass happen," Quint replies with an easy equanimity that is well-practiced, familiar harper-training. When Odrick clarifies, the other harper pauses for a moment, stunned, and then releases a surprised chuckle. "Well. That was--" he shakes his head. "Ahem. Well. Greenflights happen all the time. Most of the time you won't even notice. Goldflights are... an experience. Awkward, if you don't keep your head about you," the grimace suggests he speaks from some sort of experience, "-- and it isn't easy, mind. Thankfully for you, all the queens at High Reaches have risen recently -- or are too young to." "Of course not." Odrick certainly won't attempt to argue that, but there's still sympathy in the way he says it. He doesn't laugh when Quint does despite trying to look less embarrassed than he did a moment ago. "Plenty of time to become more comfortable, then. Assuming I'm not onto my next posting by that point, which is entirely likely, I suppose." His expression is one that seems unsure whether it ought to be relieved or disappointed by the prospect. Apparently Quint needs a moment to take a good gulp that drains most of the rest of his beer, setting the glass aside with a contented exhale. "Mmhmm. Could be two or three Turns, especially with three queens, now." He sees enough of his fellow Journeyman's expression to let out a wry sort of smile. "Well, until then, maybe between the two of us we can seek to fill old Kharven's shoes, eh? Any time in the last four months I've talked to anyone about changing up the teaching a bit, they mention Kharven. He had... mm, eight odd Turns here on us, though." "And can't they see how much better your methods would be than his?" drifts from the entrance from the bowl, the young woman that speaks bundled into a cream-colored sweater and leather pants that cling to every inch of her legs. Alysce, bearing the knot of her rank, first looks to Odrick, taking in the Journeyman with a shamelessness that leaves the bare glint of approval in dark eyes. Then her attention is back to Quint, reporting to him, "You received a package from the Hall. I left it in your room." Odrick will happily allow the subject to change to things with which he's exceedingly more comfortable. "I've no doubt that we can do a fine job." He won't say better. That would be rude. Possibly even inaccurate. But a young man must be expected to maintain a certain level of ego. "We can probably keep up with the little ones more easily," is even an attempt at something lighter. Odrick looks over at the other voice when Alysce appears, though, unconcerned about the clashing of curious gazes. "Or, at the very least, outrun them," the other Journeyman returns, with a grin. Quint's familiar enough with his apprentice that he recognizes her voice even without turning his head to look, giving an easy laugh. "Indeed! Newness, progress, surely there's amazing things to be done and tried!" his exaggerated reaction is obviously that, regarding his fellow Journeyman for a moment. "Journeyman Odrick, do you remember Senior Apprentice Alysce? Master Allent and Master Scenna's daughter." Surely there's no need for him to emphasize that last. There's a ripple of a reaction, but otherwise he waves away the news of a package from the Hall, gesturing instead to a seat in invitation. "If you haven't already done and tried everything amazing," Alysce comments with her dry humor to Odrick, a slow wink given to the Journeyman even where she meets his gaze. "I was probably still a brat, running around when you were studying at the Hall." Her fingers fall to make a gesture at knee-level, possibly to indicate it, before she claims one of those fuzzy armchairs by sitting on its arm in a casual perch to listen to the two men. He may not recognize Alysce anymore, but he recognizes the name of her parents perfectly well. Odrick sits up a bit straighter and he'll just focus his attention on Quint instead. Not that he seems entirely comfortable with that, either. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Alysce. Now that we're both old enough to remember the meeting. He doesn't comment further on matters of education, his klah becoming more and more fascinating now. "Oh, stop," Quint says, good-naturedly enough, for all that his gaze lingers on the girl and her attentiveness to Odrick, as if to press home the point with a bit of wordless emphasis. "Poor Odrick will think I've taught you to do naught but flatter your seniors constantly," he says, with a shake of his head. "I'll have to introduce you to the other one, too. Ryneton, his name is. Not nearly so esteemed a parentage as Alysce here, but he has an impressive voice." There is the quirk of a smile at the edge's of Alysce's lips and the roll of a shoulder up in a shrug. She only says without any guilt or proper respect for rank, "Only you, Quint, darling. Even if you prefer Ryneton over me. Or his voice, at least." The emphasis is caught and, for once, obeyed, as the girl doesn't give another glance towards Odrick. Instead, she lifts her hand to examine the cuticles of her nails. "Pleased to meet you, sir." "I wouldn't think that," Odrick glances over at Alysce again, as though it's somehow her fault that he has to defend thoughts he's not having, however easy-going the defense may be. "But I look forward to meeting the other. I'm certainly a fan of an impressive voice." Never mind that it's a trait he shares with a good majority of people on Pern. Quint, showing a great deal of restraint, manages not to roll his eyes at Alysce's words. Instead, he addresses his fellow Journeyman: "As are we all. Tell me, were you lucky enough to be saddled with an apprentice too, Odrick? If not -- perhaps Alysce and Ryneton can spend some afternoons with you to expand their horizons a little." That certainly gets through the careless facade of Alysce examining her nails. The young woman straightens, black eyes flicking up first to Quint then to Odrick and finally returning to Quint with the slow curve of a brow upwards. "I won't say no to some afternoons spent alone with the Journeyman," is meant to be suggestive even as it offers a challenge. "But I am sure he has his own duties. And he wasn't the one my parents foisted me on." "Not so lucky, no." The answer comes out before Odrick even realizes that he's opened himself up to 'being saddled' with either of Quint's apprentices on occasion. He realizes it soon enough, granted, but Alysce's take on the matter, that suggestiveness in the way she says it, has the man saying, "No. I wouldn't-- Nothing like that would happen, I assure you. Definitely not." He has his character to defend here. "Oh, no. As a pair, certainly." If Quint hears the suggestive tone, perhaps he's well-used to expertly steering it to better purpose. "Don't let her rattle you, Odrick. She and Ryneton do better together when they're learning, anyway. A little competition is good for them." A beat. "So, what say you?" The flicker of his blue eyes towards his apprentice suggests her comment of her being foisted on him isn't exactly untrue. "Now, Alysce. We learn through greater exposure to many points of view. If I thought I know the whole of what the world had to offer, it would be a different story. But sadly," with a press of hand to his chest, "I am a mere mortal, and my head can only contain so much knowledge. Between Odrick and I," a gesture to his fellow Journeyman, "Mayhap we might teach you a small portion of the knowledge your own parents possess." Alysce huffs out a sound of annoyance, for both Odrick's defensiveness and the twist of Quint's words. For all that she may be on the losing side, though, the apprentice does not go down without a fight as she turns on a coin to agree, "You're right. A little competition is good. I should see what kind of competition he can give you as a teacher, after all." "I have no objections." So long as everyone is well aware that nothing untoward will be happening. Odrick must feel confident that's the case now, though, otherwise he'd almost certainly be saying as much out loud. "I think it would be very worthwhile. I've not had many chances to work with the same apprentices very often." Though surely that's partly his own doing. "Very good," Quint's approving of Alysce's sentiment, and not a little bit troubled by the challenge to his capabilities. It's Odrick that he's watching, however, to see whether his fellow Journeyman might assent or not. The blond harper keeps his expression neutral, at least until Odrick finishes speaking, at which he leans forward to give him a light slap to the shoulder. "Good man, that's the spirit. It's settled then! I'll buy you a beer after, and we can compare notes." He might be joking. He's probably not. Quintus sets hands to his knees, and pushes to his feet, collecting glass and plates. "Well, lunch is nearly over. I'd best get back to it. Odrick -- join us for dinner, won't you, and we can sort out the teaching roster? I'll have -- ahh, Alysce, would you make a copy of Journeyman Kharven's notes for Journeyman Odrick?" It's a lot of notes, and clearly Quint is aware of this. "I'm sure it will be very worthwhile," Alysce murmurs, not quite under her breath, but apparently not satisfied enough with the turn that this has taken to offer anything more than a dry edge to her words. Where Quintus stands, the young woman slides to her feet as well from the arm of the chair, getting ready to follow him subconsciously. She tells her superior lightly, though, "I'll see it personally delivered." There is one last glance from the apprentice towards Odrick, her black eyes lingering once again. By the time Quint stands, Odrick is smiling less uncertainly again. "Dinner, yes. I'll be there." His hand moves to his mug again, wrapping around the remaining heat. "And the notes would be greatly appreciated, thank you, Alysce. My room is up the stairs," he even offers for that personal delivery. "If I'm not there, there's a chair just inside the door where you can put it." There must not be anything in there worth locking away just yet. "Have a good afternoon," he offers to the both of them. The noise Quint makes when Alysce gives that lingering look to Odrick might be warning. But then again it might just be clearing his throat. "Very good. I'll see you tonight, Odrick," with an easy grin to his fellow Journeyman, and a nod -- with a twist of lips -- for his apprentice, Quintus makes his way over to dump his dirty dishes, whistling as he departs with nary a bracing to face the chill weather outside. |
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