Logs:Insisted Preparation
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| RL Date: 2 September, 2013 |
| Who: Alida, Azaylia |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: Alida has a few preventative suggestions in regards to the safety of High Reaches' weyrwomen. Azaylia weighs in, and has a question of her own. |
| Where: Hatching Galleries, High Reaches Weyr |
| When: Day 6, Month 9, Turn 32 (Interval 10) |
| Mentions: Aishani/Mentions, Jo/Mentions, Taikrin/Mentions |
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| Hatching Galleries, High Reaches Weyr 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.
For a moment, there's a drowsy heat that washes over Ilicaeth in a stretch. The second her mind touches on his it's snatched away, thundering drums on the verge of declaring war against the blue-- relaxing only slightly once he's recognized. « She slumbers. Yours... » The queen can't decide if Alida is welcome or not, and as she contemplates her fire grows even hotter at the thought of an intruder. But, « Fine. I will be watching. » Her threat, for that's what it is, rings true once Alida arrives, eyes tainted with crimson as they stare at the bluerider. Muscles rippling beneath her tawny hide, the queen curls even tighter around her clutch. Azaylia, on the other hand, is sprawled along a bench and dozing in the stifling warmth of the galleries, quite possibly lulled by the heavy rain outside. He's nothing but lightly-humored congeniality to his dam's fierceness, Ilicaeth's dozy mindvoice a soft rumbling. « Interested only in Zay. » They're not *his* eggs, after all. Maybe someday. Huh? It takes a little longer than it normally might, given the male's sluggishness, but finally Alida *is* deposited at the entrance to the Galleries, the blue again taking off, and landing on the uppermost of the hatching ledges, if allowed. If not, he'll grumble softly, and glide over towards the warmest spot in the Bowl he can find, roosting there. The blonde well-remembers Hraedhyth's unblinking stare, and the queen rates a respectful little bow before she enters, starts climbing the stairs. Soon enough - at the sight of Azaylia snoozing - Alida looks out/up to where her blue rests, and gives him a mental comment, « Ya' could've told me she was sleepin'. » Gheesh! The Glacier rider wouldn't have bothered her. No, Ilicaeth isn't allowed to land there-- but two ledges over and a few feet back is acceptable. It probably won't hinder his view at all, but it makes the protective queen feel better and that's what matters. Alida's bow changes nothing in Hraedhyth's expression, the dragon stone still save for the sloooow turn of her head as she follows the woman's progress. Several moments pass before Azaylia begins to stir, flinching away from the sands as if nudged, "Mmn? I'm up. I..." A long yawn ends in a squeak, eyes watering as the Weyrwoman sits up, hands running over the wrinkles in her warm dress and leggings. "Alida. Yes. Hello." Forced in an obvious attempt to appear sharp and concious. Hell; it's a decent ledge nearby, out of the rain, and that's all Ilicaeth really wants...aside from being accessible to his lifemate when she's done...and so he readily enough accepts Hraedhyth's re-ridirection to the other ledge. Soon enough, he's splayed down, green eyes closing quickly. Alida however, is simply standing there, poised between staying and going - clearly not wanting to wake Azaylia, but wanting to talk with her, too - and then the other woman's being roused by her own dragon. Giving a hint of a grin at the Weyrwoman's squeak, the blonde soon enough settles companionably close beside the goldie, then murmuring, "Sorry. Ilicaeth didn't pass it on that y'were catching a needed nap." Just like he didn't even bother to reply to his human's small chastisement. At this point, the guard's keeping her eyes on the other human here, not wanting to tempt any reactions from the already over-protective, staring queen. "No, no. It's okay..." A bit more confident in her speech, Azaylia reaches up to tuck stray hairs away and adjust her well-crafted bun. "I wasn't supposed to... It was my watch." She says with some embarrassment, words followed by a rather unamused exhale from Hraedhyth's nostrils. "You... Oh. We need to talk." Not at all authorative, breathless soprano casually brushing the realization aside. Gathering up a few spilled pages of her work, the goldrider takes in a fortifying breath before patting the spot next to her, "Now, what did you want to see me about?" She's clearly in no rush. "Sounds like ya' both need some extra zees," Alida comments in a companionably soft voice. "I'd offer Ilicaeth's temporary services on watch, but..." Shrug, smirk. A look up and over might tell the story: the blue's starting to fall back into a doze, himself, upon that observation ledge. As for the spoken realization from the goldie, Alida's lips twist just a hint, but she has other things to concentrate on, right now, that are more pressing. Still: "Want me ta send fer somethin' ta eat, drink?" Scooting her rump over a little closer to Azaylia's when the woman pats stone, the bluie gets right down to it after some rare pleasantries. "Whadda ya' think about havin' goldriders take some specific self-defense 'n tactical lessons? And bein' *loosely* guarded by specific, hand-picked riders they felt good with?" With a little shake of her head, "Only Tsanth is allowed and I think... Well, there are others who haven't thought to ask." And it's unlikely Hraedhyth is looking for those unnamed few to invade her hatching caverns. Azaylia gives a little shake of her head, "No thank you. I'll go get something in a bit..." Alida's suggestions are left to sink in, lashes fluttering for a moment until, "It sounds like what happened before, with Taikrin and Glacier after Iolene was murdered." Softspoken as always, she remarks on the incident with the ease of history 'long' past. "I'm going to guess that this has something to do with... Fort?" That's when the discomfort sets in, worry pinching her brow. "We... *I* know how important it is ta' ask around *her*..." Alida notes around a dry little hint of a ghost-smile. Yes, she would...though the memory also triggers something darker inside the blonde, giving her reason to almost glower for just a moment before she smooths her expression back to something less angry. Moving past the food inquiry stage of the conversation, the bluie's left to listen to the other woman, and then finally nod once in firm fashion when Fort comes into the picture. "Fort's on guard now, but those renegades got more stones than smarts...so another Weyr might get a 'visit' someday. We gotta protect our own first..." Just in case goes unspoken. "There *is* a difference, though; it wouldn' be exactly like the Iolene incident." The blonde - so often clipped and to-the-point in her interactions - seems to be trying for a bit more empathetic approach with the goldrider, though she's not the most reassuring person, even when trying. "I was thinkin' uv somethin' much more tailored ta' the realities uv' *this* situation, the people involved." Her index finger flicks up for point one, her low alto quickly following. "Ya pick out the *individuals* here ya' trust the most - those with competency, too - 'n assign 'em ta look out fer not only yerself, but those as well." Cue a slight job of her head to the right, indicating those precious eggs Hrae now guards. MIddle finger tick equls point two: "Maybe step up our patrols on the Holds, no matter their size...possibly settle a few uv our folk inta some key positions. Keep the pulse uv' the holders better." Again, just in case of something like Boll, say her candid greens. The guard's thumb flicks up for point three. "The lessons fer goldies'd be given by women only, since this is something that directly affects only females. We have a...a better grasp uv' how ta' relate with one another, deal with things only a woman experiences... physically an' mentally." Pause, think. "It's kinda important that everyone see that goldriders 'r still in control uv themselves, their Weyrs. Again, a female thing." Ring finger for point four: "Only a little off-center; I think that the renegades might be timin' it ta keep away from queen influence 'n bein' caught." It's a lot to consider, and though Azaylia has not been concious long, she doesn't seem to have too much trouble following Alida's words. "I'm... it's nice to see how much thought you've put into this, Alida. It's nice, that you worry." The bluerider's genuine concern is rewarded with a soft smile. But, "We, the Weyr, shouldn't give the Holders any reason to be, or pretend to be, insulted. Spies," Because yes, that's how she interprets the suggestion, "Won't help." With a contemplative tilt of her head, "I don't know that this is only a problem for... women? All the riders are effected when something happens to their weyrwomen." Yes, even the men! There's another pause, several beats as the goldrider continues to contemplate, not looking pained per se, but certainly in deep thought. "An interesting theory. And, we could see if Taikrin is interested in giving anymore lessons- but it..." Whatever she intends to say ends with a little shake of her head. Azaylia's smile, her words of thanks meet with the typical gruff response from Alida, one of her hands waving such off lightly while her head bobs in acknowledgement of what the other woman has to say. She only shrugs at Zay's take on spies, then responding, "Oh, it effects the whole Weyr's inhabitants, yeah. *But*, the ones that've been gone after each time 'r goldriders...women." A pause presages the bluie's pragmatic, "I've been a Guard since I was nine, Zay...long before I formally joined. My pa made sure uv that." Shrug. "Some things I've learned from experience are that - ninteen times outta' twenty, a woman's gonna know how ta handle a woman better, a man men. It ain't inequality; it's just bein' brought up around, steeped in the complexities uv' one's own gender." A questioning look for the darker woman silent asks: 'Do you get what I'm saying?' Still, the blonde continues onward with, "It's mostly women who get abused, kidnapped, raped. Unfortunately, we live with those shitty realities at least in the darkest parts uv our minds all our lives. Men just cannot quite... fathom that mentality. It *does* make a critical difference when trainin', when workin' ta'gether in an intimate group...where yer tryin' ta shore up particular vulnerabilities." As for Taikrin, "Not only her. I'm quite willin' ta offer my own services in whatever fashion. Jo, too, would be a good bet. There's a handful'a others I've been thinkin' about, too. A couple I'm considerin' as primarily guardians're even men." Cue a wintery grin. Oh, wait! She almost forgot point five, which gets a small wriggle of a pinkie, Alida smoothly injecting, "The guards wouldn' be invasive, twenty-four/seven, like they were with Iolene. The goldriders'd be the ultimate voice in what happened with all uv this regardin' themselves...and since bein' constantly under guard produces a seige mentality we don't want, we'd do it more free-form, subtly. Maybe somethin' like drawin' random lots each uv the three shifts per day, 8 hours each shift. That way, nobody but that guard would know who'd be watchin'. " Beat. "And they'd not be hangin' around super close, unless necessary 'r asked for." "I think..." Azaylia begins slowly, piecing her thoughts together, "That I don't want to be guarded." She folds her hands in her lap, lips pursing, "If there are people who want to look after me, or Aishani, I'm not going to stop them." Though the latter might. "It's how some people deal with... things." What happened at Fort, in particular. With a faint nod, "Learning a bit of self defense... that sounds much more reasonable." For whatever reason, the Weyrwoman doesn't seem as riled by recent events-- or it could be that she's all fretted out. With sudden, easy curiosity, "Did you mean to Search at Monaco?" "That'd be up ta you, ultimately..." Alida notes back in even tones to Azaylia. "Like I said, whatever a goldrider wanted - as long as it was rational - is what goes fer them." Pause. "It'd be a sound thing not ta' have goldies show up in the same place at the same time, too, as another protective measure. Not puttin' all the eggs in one basket." The blonde can't help but glancing over at the queen and her eggs, and something slightly fierce and protective flares within her green gaze for a moment before it returns to the other woman. "That's why there'd be less need uv shadowin': the stepped up self defense 'n knowledge uv tactics, how ta handle yerself 'n other in a potentially violent situation. That knowledge ain't a guarantee, uv course, but the self-confidence, self-control it inspires c'n put off a potential attacker enough times before they even get ta ya." In this, the bluerider is indeed the voice of experience, reason. And then it finally lands like a splat of avian crap on her shoulder, and Alida's candid features turn instantly schtum. She seems much more professional now when answering, "No. We wanted some warm water, sun, 'n a snooze." Sigh. "In the end, we got a kid who wanted ta wash Ilicaeth, and an' Ilicaeth that insisted so hard on bringin' the pain-in-the-ass back with 'im that 'e actually glowered at me fer sayin' we oughta' ferget it." Azaylia glances towards Hraedhyth, distracted by the thoughts that escape in a breathless murmur, "It makes us all look so scared." She looks back towards Alida, "Being careful is always a good thing. Worrying people that their weyrwomen are going to be attacked..." Less of a good thing. A hand reaches for Alida's shoulder, fingers resting there gently in the hopes of keeping any argument at bay. "I know you're worried, but it feels a little... too much." For the reasons she's mentioned, though not explained. As for the bluerider's out-Weyr faux pas, "Oh." The Weyrwoman accepts the explanation, excuse, whichever with a gentle, "One boy shouldn't be a problem, but with Monaco..." More importantly, their relationship with Monaco, "...try not to do it again?" What seems like a simple request is made that much more by a faintly stern delivery. "What it *should* make us look is *prepared*, Zay..." Alida comments quietly, but with restrained intensity. "Fear is a great motivator, but people gotta' learn how ta control it, make *it* work fer them. Most let fear get the upper hand, then it controls *them*." Greens peer candidly into browns. "I've spent part uv my childhood, all uv my adult life battlin' that beast. It's a tough one. But trainin', repetition, self-confidence go a long way ta retainin' control." And then that hand grasps her shoulder, and it silences whatever else of argument that might've emerged from the guard's mouth. "Have I got yer permission ta speak with Aishani, Taikrin 'n Jo about what we've talked about, then? I'd lay down that you have yer own limits, wants in such a venture, but Aishani could have her own, too." And then it's back to the boy again, and Alida actually ducks her chin just a bit, feeling oddly chastised and yet not angry, for once. Perhaps Azaylia just knows how to deal with the firebrand, for she's nodding silently, then reaching over to lightly squeeze the Weyrwoman's hand back for a moment. "The kid's weyrbred, lower caverns worker. We got his guardian's okay, the assistant Headwoman's too." She still feels that odd hint of having a finger waggled at her by her mother...and suddenly, conflicting emotions have the guard blushing some, and noting a bit more loudly than she wanted to, "Promise. Gotta go, Zay... Weyrwoman." What's got her in such a tizzy all of a sudden. "If the kid causes any trouble, we c'n send 'im back." Babble. She;s already rising, nearly walking off...if it wasn't for staring Hraedhyth and some leftover propriety. Faint confusion crosses the Weyrwoman's face, "You don't really need my permission to talk to people, do you? It's good to get different opinions on an idea." It is what it is-- an idea. Azaylia hasn't committed to anything so far, as far as she's concerned. Still, the squeeze to her hand prompts a much warmer smile than before, returning the pressure before Alida's quickly rising. The sudden movement has Hraedhyth giving a lurch forward, not actually moving out of consideration for the eggs closest to hers. A soothing shush passes through the Weyrwoman's lips just as she's turning back to the bluerider, "Have a good night, Alida... and try not to worry too much?" The last is said with a knowing quirk to that smile. Only after Ilicaeth and his are gone does Hraedhyth even dare to hope to dream about maybe continuing her nap. "Just wanna be clear, open...'specially since some people're incredibly touchy," Alida notes to Azaylia's confusion. "Especially since these ideas *might* take off, become fact some time in the future. I'll keep ya in the loop, no matter." Smile. "Thanks fer yer time, Zay." The goldie is apparently one of the painfully few people that can draw an open and honest smile from the mistrustful guard. Whoops, forgot about the queen for a second, and Hrae's instant reaction has the still faintly-blushing Alida patting the air before her gently to try and reassure the mother as she steps quickly down the stairs, though she calls over her shoulder, "I don't worry; I plan." Suddenly, the blonde needs a drink. Maybe more. Off she goes, leaving the pair to their hides, eggs, and yes, maybe even sleep once again. |
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