Logs:Not Friends
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| RL Date: 1 August, 2012 |
| Who: E'dre, K'del |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: E'dre teases K'del with less-than-positive results, but hey, conversation does ensue. |
| Where: Snowasis, High Reaches Weyr |
| When: Day 23, Month 5, Turn 29 (Interval 10) |
| Mentions: Braeden/Mentions, Iolene/Mentions |
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| Snowasis, High Reaches Weyr The Snowasis is rarely quiet, and even then, the high-ceilinged former weyr is kept from echoing by the fantastical booths tucked into its convoluted perimeter. The secluded seating spaces have been shaped from the truncated stalagmites that escaped the smoothing of the main floor, and are both softened and separated by colorful hangings that are thick and opaque enough to make each corner its own private nook. Some of the smaller stalactites still roam the ceiling, their jagged teeth tracing a bumpy, inverted spine to the hearth. There, a thick rug with a low klah table and comfortable armchairs and couches sit, their upholstery and cushions changed sporadically to match the season: bright, light colors in the summer, fresh greens and yellows in the spring, warm autumnals in fall, and clear, rich hues for winter. Small tables litter the rest of the cavern, enough to fit up to four people each, while stools stand along the smooth wooden bar behind which is the passthrough window to the kitchen. Glass-paneled cabinetry behind the bar provides a clear view of the available liquors, the many colors reflecting the soft light of glows tucked into strategic niches around the cavern. Damp-but-not-actually-raining is a good description of the weather at High Reaches, today; still, it's spring and warming up, and that's plenty enough reason for some people to be sitting outdoors. K'del has elected not to join that group, however, and instead sits at the bar with a glass of whisky in one hand, and the remains of a meal on a plate in front of him. He's flirting outrageously with one of the barmaids, who waves the tea-towel she's using to dry beer mugs with in his direction, saying, "Oh, stop, you." It's been a long time since E'dre has entered the Snowasis, but here he is. The brownrider strides in and takes a moment to glance around. Nothing seems to have changed - save for K'del, who is flirting at the bar. E'dre blinks, shakes his head, and makes his way over to the Weyrleader. "I didn't think I'd find you in here," he announces by way of greeting, "Mind getting me a glass?" he asks, flicking his fingers at K'del's whiskey and holding up two-fingers. "Two-fingers worth. No ice. Thanks." He settles onto a stool and glances back at K'del. "I'd heard you were over women these days." N'muir still hasn't managed to whip him into shape enough to be polite to another Weyrleader? Yet there's a Wingsecond knot on his shoulder. "Weyrleader," stresses K'del, without giving E'dre more than a cursory glance, though it would be difficult to miss the way he flinches at that remark. The barmaid sets down her tea-towel to fetch the drink, and K'del watches her go, eyes on that retreating bottom. "Why is everyone so quick to believe that gossip? Hardly matters for me: Iolene knows where my preferences lie, and she's the only one who matters. But pulling an innocent man's name through the mud like that... it's disrespectful. And so's throwing it in my face, E'dre. Or does N'muir not care about respect?" "Sorry, sir," E'dre answers, pushing off of his stool and standing to offer a firm salute and then he stands at attention. "Might I sit down?" He doesn't wait for the answer, only slides back into his seat and reaches for the glass of whiskey that is slid his way. He takes a gulp of it, cradling it in his hands. "I wasn't trying to be rude, Weyrleader. I was just teasing you. Y'know. As old friends. Or maybe we weren't ever that. I did leave on bad terms. As.. well, an old rider." He shrugs and glances at the door, sighing. "I was planning on meeting Leova here, but maybe she got held up. I'll leave you be if you need me to not bother you." A glance towards the flirty barmaid. "Or so you two can go back to flirting?" This time, K'del does turn his head to look at E'dre directly, affixing him with a studying gaze that must, surely, take in the knot on his shoulder, the salute, and all the rest. "High Reaches' duties to Fort," he says, calmly. "No - don't suppose I would have called us friends, E'dre. Seems as though the move has been a positive one for you, though; that's good to see." Beat. "I hope your 'tease' doesn't mean your Weyr is rumour-mongering. I know your Weyrleaders don't think much of me, but even if it were true, it's hardly a criminal offence. And since it isn't..." "I've never really been one for rumors either way," E'dre answers, taking another sip of his whiskey and glancing once more to the door. Still no sign of Leova. He looks back to K'del, "So I really couldn't say who over there might be talking about this or that. Half the time I don't even know my own Weyr's gossip." A shrug, then he adds: "I heard it here, in passing." He shakes his head and then glances at his whiskey in his hands. "Yes, Fort has done wonders for me. It's the right place to call home for Wroth and I." He looks back to K'del. "Never friends? Guess that makes sense. I wasn't the best sort here." He finishes his whiskey and moves to rise once more. K'del hasn't invited the brownrider to say, but nor has he stopped talking, almost as if he hasn't noticed that his new drinking companion is making moves to leave. "We were acquaintances, at best. Wingmates. Would you have called us more?" He seems to have accepted the origin of the gossip, and if he doesn't look thrilled, still, well, at least he's not yelling about reputations (for now). "Well, I'm glad for it, at least. Better our riders move around and do better elsewhere, than stay and moulder on." E'dre resettles himself on the stool and nods to the barmaid when she goes to refill his whiskey. He lifts his glass to K'del, aiming to cheers' with a tapping of glass to glass. "You're right, acquaintances, if that." He takes a sip of his whiskey and sets it down, looking around at the near empty place. "When the weather turns nice here, it's really rare you find anyone inside, isn't it? Funny how things just blur together until you're here again." He shakes his head and settles his glass on the bar. "Things've been well then, here?" This much, K'del is willing to indulge in: the two glasses chink, and then he takes another sip of his, savouring before answering E'dre. "That kind of thing never changes," he opines. "Come spring, everyone rushes outside, whether or not the weather is actually particularly nice. Anything, after winter." He's notably cautious in answering that last question, setting his glass down and adjusting his plate long before he opens his mouth to confirm - a politically neutral remark - "Well enough. Iolene and I have high hopes for the future. Our two new goldriders seem promising." "Well, there you go," E'dre replies, nodding his head. "That's about all you can ask for." He finishes off his second glass of whiskey without much more thought and fully pushes himself from the bar. "Wroth's told me where Leova has gone, so I'm going to go and track her down before I've got to return home." He offers another firm salute, unable to keep the little smile from his face. "You have a wonderful afternoon, Weyrleader. It was nice to catch up with you." He turns and heads out of the Snowasis, whistling a saucy tune as he goes. |
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