Logs:Nice Guys
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| RL Date: 6 November, 2015 |
| Who: C'ris, K'del |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: C'ris and K'del discuss wings, weyrlings, dates, and families. |
| Where: Garden Patio Ledge, High Reaches Weyr |
| When: Day 15, Month 3, Turn 39 (Interval 10) |
| Mentions: Irianke/Mentions, K'zin/Mentions, Quinlys/Mentions |
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| It's already spring in other parts of the world, even just a little further south, but at High Reaches winter has yet to let up; on the plus side, it's not actually snowing today. The bar staff have left blankets on the Ledge for those inclined to sit outside-- K'del's got one spread out on the bench he's sitting at, and there's a brazier not far off providing a little heat. Perhaps the theory is that he's here to work, but for the moment the bronzerider is taking a break, drinking the amber liquid in his glass and staring idly out across the bowl to where Boreal is engaged in afternoon drills. Frostbite's drills have just ended; one can tell by the number of Frostbite wingriders dispersing for the day. C'ris would normally be headed right to the weyrling barracks from drills, but today, it seems he's in no hurry. He heads towards the patio ledge instead, hands shoved into his pockets as he makes his way. And the seat he claims? Is not far from that brazier either, near to K'del though not on the same bench as the Weyrleader. And, luckily for the bronzerider, the bluerider will sit there and keep casting little glances over as he waits for a waiter. Given K'del's present lack of focus, it won't be a surprise that he's aware of the Frostbite riders about, nor that he's aware of C'ris', specifically. He doesn't address the bluerider immediately; instead, as he sets his glass back down, he uses the other hand to shuffle his papers, staring moodily out across the bowl even yet. But then; "Afternoon, bluerider." "Weyrleader, sir," C'ris is quick to answer when K'del greets him, straightening imperceptibly. A hand is drawn out of his pocket to salute the bronzerider respectfully, before he shoves it back into his jacket. But then there's a beat, a moment of silence that the bluerider must deem awkward and want to fill because he's then asking, "Is Boreal the next wing to go, then? Is that what you're considering?" K'del nods, rather than salutes, in answer to C'ris; a gesture that's at least one part distracted, and certainly not especially formal. That might be the end of it, too, except for that question - a question he abruptly straightens in response to, brows lifted. There's a pause, then, lips pressed together as he hesitates over his answer. Finally, "Is that what everyone thinks? That I'll keep culling wings until... until I stop?" His tone is, at least, more curious than offended. "I-- well, I mean, aren't you?" C'ris questions, though there's a note of apology to his words and a wince-smile that he offers to the Weyrleader. But he's quick to add, "I'm not questioning that it's right or anything. Other Weyrs have way less wings than we do and they do fine. I mean, and it's an Interval. So, whatever we need to do--." He holds his hands up in a gesture, empty and with nothing to hide. The short, sharp shake of K'del's head that comes in reply to C'ris' question may easily be taken as a refutation of that possibility, although it could actually be intended to dismiss the need for apology, especially given what he says next. "Having lots of wings can be useful," he says. "More versatile. More diversity. More opportunities for riders to gain promotion. But it's true that we have fewer and fewer riders, despite the best efforts of our queens, and... yes, I expect there'll be more wings retired, in time. Not racing to do it, though. Not really interested in firing people." "I wouldn't want to, either," agrees C'ris in a simple murmur, glancing across the ledge towards where Boreal trains. "But, yeah. I mean-- More people promoted means you have to pay them all for it, too. We don't want to end up broke like other Weyrs." A pause, before he lifts a hand to scrub at his hair. "Or, well, that is what I'd think. But you'd know better." K'del gives C'ris a side-long glance. "You're allowed to have thoughts and opinions," he comments, then, with a note of amusement to his voice. "But you're right. There comes a point where... should a wingleader be paid that extra stipend for having ten people under his or her command? Perhaps not. Imagine we'll end up with more wingseconds, though, as time goes on. Not reason more people can't have two, and that still leaves room for people to be promoted. If we keep three queens, too, that means more weyrlings to train." C'ris points out reasonably in response to whether or not he's allowed to have opinions, "But you're the Weyrleader." Clearly, K'del already knows that, so it must be something else he's trying to convey with that simple statement. But he's eager enough to agree about weyrlings, "Yeah, and we lost K'zin to a wing. I imagine Quinlys will want to replace him, maybe get more, but-- I mean, they are doing a great job, of course. Even with the two clutches." "Doesn't mean I'm the only one allowed to have opinions, or... or that I'm always right, even," points out K'del, but he's smiling as he says it, lifting his drink towards his mouth once more. Of weyrlings, he's more thoughtful, blue eyes studying C'ris over the rim of his glass. "You help out, don't you," he says, finally, suggesting that he does keep up with these things, even if it is entirely possible he doesn't actually remember C'ris' name. "But she hasn't hired you?" "I, uh, yeah. For now." There is a pause, with C'ris' lips catching into the hint of a frown that is rarely used. Then, he admits to the Weyrleader, unasked, "I might have to quit helping, depending. I mean, if things get awkward." He catches himself before he goes further, wincing self-consciously for his rambling. "But no, she hasn't hired me." "How come?" K'del's reply comes promptly, brows furrowed in faint confusion. It is clear that C'ris has no secrets, and yet the bluerider hesitates over K'del's question. He takes a moment to muss at fluffy hair, rearranging it just so, before he finally answers, "Well, I asked her out. On a date." K'del laughs. How can he not? But he's apologetic for it, instantly, his expression suggesting that much even if his words do not. "Did she say yes? Or no? Guess I can see how that gets complicated, though. It can be... difficult to work with someone you care about like that." C'ris flushes anyways as K'del laughs, embarrassed. He mumbles something as an answer, and then louder, he says, "She hasn't, uh, said anything yet. But-- people do it all the time. There are a lot of wingleaders dating their wingseconds, or they have before." He shrugs up a shoulder, though, even as he adds, "And I'm not in her wing." "Sorry," is quieter, and genuine, too, as if K'del is now utterly determined to make up for that laughter, and to put the bluerider back at ease. "No, you're not. Nothing to stand in the way of it, then, unless she... well. Good luck. Honestly." "I'll probably need it," C'ris agrees simply, though his gaze slides away from the Weyrleader back to the bowl instead. But all he adds is a light, "You are a lucky man. Family and a weyrmate and--. They are good things to have." K'del exhales rather than answer immediately, glancing down at his drink-- which he sets back upon the table-- and then back towards the bowl. "Be easier if they were all here," he says, a note of wistfulness audible, there, "but yes, I'm a lucky man. You want children, yourself? To settle down, build a family?" "Sometimes, if it were easy, you wouldn't properly appreciate it," counters C'ris softly, his smile returning slowly as if it belongs there. "But yeah, one day." K'del manages not to scoff at the idea of an interest in Quinlys combined with the idea of settling down with a family; it's there on the inside, though, no doubt. Still; "Mm, that's true. Got to... learn to appreciate what you've got, and the sacrifices that get you there. It can be difficult, sometimes." Of C'ris' ambitions he adds, "Good for you. It'll make Irianke happy, if you can get someone to pop out a few kids for you." There's a certain measure of surprise for the introduction of Irianke into the conversation, especially in regards to his love life. C'ris stumbles over a, "I, uh-- Why?" A pause. Perhaps K'del hadn't thought that one through all that well; he coughs, and hastily explains, then, "In terms of anyone having children. We need to improve the birthrate, encourage people to... well, to do their bit. So not you specifically, just..." People. Babies. More. "Oh. Right." That awkwardness in C'ris' expression still lingers for a moment, but he only adds after a brief pause, "Well, I'll try, I guess. One day. With the right person and when the time is right. If--." Whoops! K'del attempts a reassuring smile. "If it all works out," he agrees. "No rush, right? You don't have to be like me and panic that it isn't happening at the ripe old age of twenty. Don't have to end up with more children than you can count on the fingers of one hand, either." Which is more rueful. C'ris exhales a laugh, but he answers, "That's not going to happen. I'm already almost 29 turns." So old! But he smile at the Weyrleader. "Though having a handful of children and surrounding myself with love and babies-- Well, it doesn't sound so bad." "It's--" K'del begins to answer, and then pauses. "Wouldn't trade my family for anything." Which may be true and also... not-true. "I've got Iska, my daughter, staying with me at the moment, and it's just reminded me of how much I miss, when I'm not around. She brightens my life. But anyway; twenty-nine or thirty-nine, there's still time." "Right, of course," C'ris agrees, tipping his chin in a nod. But he offers another smile to the Weyrleader lightly. "I should get to the barracks to check on Beastly soon. It was, you know, nice to talk to you. Weyrleader, sir." K'del opens his mouth, and then hesitates. He gives a nod, instead, and a smile, too. "Of course. It was good to talk to you, too. Good luck with--" A wave of his hand. You know. All of it. "You too!" Even if K'del's all of it is more encompassing than C'ris'. The bluerider gets to his feet with another salute for the Weyrleader, though he makes his way inside of Snowasis with only a glance towards the bowl, presumably to take the long way around to the barracks. |
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