Living Cavern, High Reaches Weyr
Stalactites hang high above this enormous cavern like a jagged chandelier or an inversion of the Spires themselves, but shadows cling to them instead of light. Below lie great tables arranged in rows, each large enough to serve a fighting wing, while in the nooks and alcoves around the cavern's edge sit more sensibly-sized tables, from six- and eight-seaters down to intimate spots for just a couple of diners. The only really open space is around the kitchen entrance, smelling of food and rarely quiet, and by the nearby serving tables with their long buffet of the day's offerings.
Tapestries on the smooth walls -- some faded and others newly woven -- only slightly mute the sea of sound when a meal is in full swing, but they add cheerfulness augmented by the glowlight from wall sconces and the centerpieces of each table. Still, shadows always creep along the ceiling and into the mouths of the exits -- the myriad small hallways at one end of the cavern and, at the other, the twisting tunnel to the bowl near an array of coathooks and and hatracks -- and late at night, when the glows are allowed to dim, the chamber can seem very dark indeed.
Well into the evening, the living caverns are busy enough, but not quite at the crush they might have been an hour or more ago; most people have taken their meal and moved on - but for those who haven't, there's still the last bits of dinner left out on the serving tables, a few dishes still coming out from the kitchen. Though she doesn't have an apron on, Brieli does have one of them - a tray of corn muffins that she carries down the steps after calling a farewell behind her, mug held in her other hand. The tall brunette hasn't quite got the hang of negotiating the tables and clumps of riders and residents just yet, but she gets to the serving table eventually - muffins accomplished. If only the task of deciding what to eat were so simple.
Lirienne wanders into the main dining space, trailing behind her the smell of green things and rich soil, crisp clean air and falling leaves - mostly because there is a couple of that last caught in curls. Slightly damp around the hands and face, the copper-top twists through the clumps and tables, exchanging few greetings with those lingering over their meals as she goes in search of her own. Stopping at one end of the table, she regards dishes available, then looks up. There is a long moment, then she asks the one with the tray of muffins, "Is it only the muffins that came out recently?"
With a glance at said muffins, Brieli has to admit, "I only know about the muffins for sure. I stopped by the kitchens to say hello to someone, and offered to take them out. I'm afraid I don't know beyond that." There's a beat before she admits to the redhead, looking over the table's offerings, "I am a little more paralyzed by choice than concern. I don't know why that happens. Oh, and - you have a few leaves..." The seamstress gestures to her own hair, around her head - but she likely means Lirienne.
Lirienne stands near Brieli, the two at the food tables well into the evening discussing food choices. "The kitchens do well for how many live here," she agrees, sort of, before picking up a plate. At least, until she catches the gestures, then is overcome by a facial red tide. The plate is put back down, so that fingers can catch on curls and tangles - and thankfully, a number of leaves, to be stuffed away - and then the apprentice busies herself with placing a muffin - just one - on her plate.
Toren comes in from the inner caverns and he just finished playing for some of the old aunties and uncles down there. He heads to the food table with his guitar on his back in it's carrying case. He never goes anywhere without it. He smiles at Brieli and Lirienne, "Hello! How are you two doing? What's on the menu for today?"
With a nod - while taking her own muffin - "Mm. Perhaps that's what I'm impressed with." Brieli doesn't notice any red flush on the other young woman's part - or at least, she doesn't /appear/ to, instead just picking something to eat already, refilling her mug. She's about to ask something of Lirienne when Toren suddenly greets them both; with a flash of a smile for the harper, "Corn muffins, at the very least. And a few things that have been out for an indeterminate amount of time."
Lirienne moves towards the pots, and tests a number of them, before pouring herself a mug. "And the klah's hot, uhm, at least." She pushes that towards Torvin after filling her own, before taking a deep breath. "Thank you. I'm Lirienne," she offers towards Brieli, before offering a slight smile, "And this is... Torvin? Did I remember that correctly?" she asks the harper, dredging through her memory for a meeting some time ago.
Toren smiles as he gets his own mug of hot klah and muffins, "Sounds good to me." He gets some other stuff on a plate and he looks over towards Lirienne, "Harper Apprentice Toren. You are Lirienne right?" He asks, "So are you two sitting together?"
"Brieli. Nice to meet you, Lirienne. And Toren, yes. Right." Brieli nods again, this time as if to affix the names in her head. Stay! As she balances her plate in one hand, she glances from Toren to Lirienne uncertainly. "Oh, well. I don't think we'd gotten that far yet. I suppose we could, if you don't mind. You could tell us how things are outside - I don't think I've set foot outside the caverns all day." It's an invitation easily turned down if need be - no pressure.
Lirienne turns, hands filled with mug and plate, then nods at an end of a table. "There - that looks clean and roomy enough, if everyone is wanting. Uhm.. it was nice when I was outside." And with that helpful, descriptive rejoiner, she makes her way towards the table, sliding her dishes not place before following suit to sit.
Toren moves towards the table, "I was inside all afternoon playing to the aunties and uncles to keep them company and anyone else that wanted to listen." He puts his plate and mug on the table and he goes to pull out the chairs for Lirienne and Brieli.
Though Brieli sort of suggested sitting, there's a moment where she looks like she wonders what she's gotten into with the 'nice', etcetera - but she takes her seat along with the other two, setting her plate and mug neatly before her. Though it looks like she wants to start in with her fork right away, she waits; she asks Lirienne, "Were you gardening? I suppose there's not all the time in the world for it before winter." Glancing Toren's way, she nods. "That's a usual day, I expect?"
"This afternoon, yes. Mostly just weeding, however," Liri admits - and fails to mention what she was doing from then until this late in the day, though a bit of cleanup can be assumed. Wrapping thin hands around her mug, she nods to Toren with a quiet murmur of thanks, before tilting her head. "All afternoon? That must have been tiring."
Toren shrugs, 'Nothing I'm not used too. I usually play all day. It's good practice. My mother's flower is doing good. It's just starting to push out of the ground. It's so amazing to watch something like that grow and change."
Wryly, "Weeding. As exciting as mending. Or..." Brieli tries to think of something compelling on the level of those two things, and fails miserably. "Maybe transcribing." With a shrug and a sip from her mug, she starts in on her plate. After a mouthful or two, she slows in her chewing momentarily, trying to track Toren's sentence, then just asks, "Your mother's flower? I'm sorry?"
Lirienne shakes her head slightly, then murmurs, "When you need the numbweed salve, just come to the infirmary - we keep more than enough on hand." A slight smile is offered to Brieli, before she lifts a shoulder, "I find it.. relaxing. At least, when the weather permits."
Toren smiles, 'Yes I'm growing a flower for my mother she works very hard with the children of the weyr and I just want to let her know that her efforts are appreciated...at least by me." He looks to Brieli, "What's wrong with your hand?"
Brieli won't pretend that she doesn't find Lirienne's relaxation methods a little weird, but she tries; "It's something you can do while you think of other things, I suppose. Much like mending. I wouldn't say I find it relaxing, but I do like to... multi-task." She quirks a little grin, liking the sound of that. After scarfing the warm muffin down in a way that's rather at odds with her demeanor and tone, she notes to Toren, "That's nice of you - it's good to appreciate your parents while they're there. And... nothing's wrong with my hand. I think she meant you."
Lirienne hms, "Yes. After all, over-exertion can occur regardless of how often an activity is done." She takes one last sip of her drink, then puts it aside, and stands up. "And speaking of multi-tasking, I should finish a couple of things before bed. If you both will excuse me?" she asks both, before admiting, "I had thought of a couple of things while weeding," as she picks up the untouched muffin.
Toren ohs a little bit, "My fingers are fine. I have build up calluses from all the playing that I do." He waves to Lirienne, "See you later." He smiles, "YahI've gotta think of something to do for my father so he knows how appreciated he is."
"One of my aunts always told me - moderation in all things, yes? And of course, it's nice to have met you, Lirienne. Perhaps I'll see if I find weeding relaxing if you need a hand someday." Brieli offers the copper-haired apprentice a smile as she continues clearing her plate with some little enthusiasm. She gives the other woman a little wave with her fork, then arches an eyebrow Toren's way. After chewing and swallowing, she says, tone a little odd, "I think telling him would be enough."
Lirienne gives a nod to both, then makes her way towards the bowl - steps a little quicker than they were before as plate and mug are left behind.
Toren sighs, "You don't know my father he is very driven when it comes to training. Telling him wouldn't be enough. He'd just nod and say that's nice." He hmms, "It will require more thought."
"I don't know. You don't always get the chance to just - say how you feel. I wouldn't dismiss that opportunity." About to eat another forkful of food, Brieli instead puts it down, takes up her mug instead. Staring into it, "But if you think it needs more thought, you would know. I just think that things shouldn't be... left unsaid."
Toren finishes eating his food and he hmms, "I will think about it, maybe you are right it's best to just come out and say it. I wish I was a better composer so I can put my feelings to music."
Shrugging, "Perhaps you can. If you're determined enough, you can make just about anything happen." Brieli looks at her plate for a long moment before she shakes her head, briskly tucking dark hair behind her ears. "I hate to leave food, but I think I'm done for tonight. If you'll excuse me? I hope you come up with some sort of idea for your father."
Toren waves to Brieli, "Have a good night. I'm sure I'll come up with something."
Brieli nods, offering a brief smile, before she rises from her seat and heads into the inner caverns.
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