Logs:Of Concern 2

From NorCon MUSH
Of Concern 2
"R'hin, there's obviously something -- come back here."
RL Date: 13 May, 2006
Who: Maja, Priya, R'hin
Involves: High Reaches Weyr
Type: Log
When: Day 26, Month 8, Turn 7 (Interval 10)


Your location's current time: 19:29 on day 26, month 8, Turn 57, of the Tenth Pass. It is a summer evening.

You push the hides aside and step into the kitchen. Kitchen, High Reaches Weyr The kitchens of High Reaches Weyr are contemporary, spare and simple in design, free of clutter. The sleek surfaces are a hallmark of the current Pernese style - polished marble and granite, metalwork, and woods. The background colors of the kitchen are light and neutral, allowing for bold tone accessories to take center stage. The lighting and entryway opening treatments are low-profile and minimalist. The hearths have been fitted with modern equipment and simple, sleek metalwork to add an up-to-date touch to the heavily used areas. The polished granite counters are long and wide, allowing for ample work space. The woodwork is lightly stained, bringing out the natural hues in the grain. A simple cording, in the same bold color as the accessories, borders each cabinet door, accenting the room. Two large islands break up the kitchen into work areas: baking center, butchery, vegetable and side center, and the serving organization center. The floor is tiled with large marble squares, each section carrying a different, yet complimentary color to direct the flow of traffic. The entryway into the Living Cavern has been expanded to fit two doors - in and out - each marked with its own identifying color that matches the tiles just inside the doors, to keep collisions from occurring. The cavern itself has been expanded to include breakfast nooks, where residents can sit to eat, while leaving the main kitchen free from tables and the traffic that accompanies a busy Weyr. Obvious exits: LIving Cavern Lower Caverns

Maja comes into the kitchen from the living cavern. Maja has arrived.

R'hin's found a spot in the kitchen, a corner out of the way of the flow of traffic enough that the cooks are content for the time being to ignore the fact that he occasionally darts in to snatch some of the food as it's about to be taken out to be served in the living caverns. He's collected a pile onto a plate, and munches on it idly as he watches the staff bustle around, leaning with his back against the wall.

Maja pushes herself through the 'in' door, a pile of dishes in her hands. An older auntie follows her, thanking her continuously until the dishes are placed into the sink, at which point the auntie trails away. Maja shakes her head, crosses her arms, and begins to head out of the kitchens when she espies R'hin hiding out. The woman weaves her way around to join the other weyrling.

R'hin rolls up a slice of roasted herdbeast, munching with obvious relish. It's probably no coincidence that Leiventh, too, is finishing off his meal out in the feeding grounds. He catches sight of Maja coming in the in door, makes a slight face, but otherwise doesn't move, perhaps hoping she'll pass by without noticing him. No such luck. Rather than draw more attention to himself, he waits until Maja gets closer before remarking in a low voice, amused, "Can't hide from you, vixen."

"Would you rather me leave?" Maja immediately asks, and it becomes obvious she's not in the best of moods. She scoots up next to the wall and crosses her arms. "Shirking off duties?"

"As long as I don't get busted, it's neither here nor there," R'hin evinces a supreme display of indifference, complete with a shrug. A sidelong look takes in her present mood, and in a moment of weakened generosity, he offers the pickings of his plate to her. "Leiventh was starving," he says, as if that's all the explanation needed. Maybe it is.

"Mm," is all Maja has to say about R'hin's reasoning, following that up with a snort at his offered plate-- though she takes some anyway. Herdbeast chewed and swollowed, she notes, "You shouldn't feel so strong what he feels anymore." Another bit of herdbeast later and she adds, "How is Leiventh doing, though?"

"Shouldn't I?" R'hin's voice is markedly even, not so much indifferent now as politely cool. "And you're, what, some sort of expert?" He starts to reach for another slice of the herdbeast, pausing at the question, eyes narrowing, the hiss of anger faint but audible in his voice, "Everyone always asks how -he- is. Well, he's fine, as always. I'm sure he'll appreciate that you asked about him."

Leiventh> To you, Leiventh's tones are somewhat slow, made indolent by the large meal he's just consumed, but his voice is warning, just the same, « R'hin. »

"I go to /classes/, actually," Maja notes, taking more herdbeast-- as though he'd invited her to sample the whole plate. "How are you doing, then? I ask about Leiventh because he's not here in front of me, taking a break. I suppose Vesereth could've asked him, but he's asleep right now."

R'hin's eyes cut away, exhaling, his abrupt agitation visibly disappearing. When he speaks again, any trace of the anger's gone - or at least well concealed enough to no longer be audible. "Take it, I'm not hungry," he pushes the plate in Maja's direction, without answering her question. "I hear you had a conversation with Bayan. Do you believe me that he's not on the level?"

Taking the plate as shoved at her, Maja suddenly finds herself not particularly wanting it. She simply holds it, not responding immediately while gauging R'hin's overall demeanor. "Not well," she mutters, answering her own question. "I did have a conversation with Bayan," she says much more clearly, "And I have come to the conclusion that he is most definitely dealing with something illegal. He was quite ... furtive with me, as you described."

If anything, the lack of any of R'hin's usual pithy remarks is an indicator that something's off with him, though he's otherwise hiding it well, voice even, "He seemed to think strenuous denials combined with alluded agreements are enough to satisfy my curiosity." A faint twitch of lips, wry: "Shall I leave him in your capable hands, then, vixen?"

Maja has the observation skills to note that there is something different, and because of this, she also acts slightly different. She has less insults, though is more alert. "He is very good with twisting words to suit his needs. I'd say he'd have made a good Harper, if he was younger." At his last question, she remains quiet, her eyes losing focus as she thinks. "The more that keep an eye on him, the better."

"Harper," R'hin rolls that possibility around in his head, and dismisses it with a sharp shake of his head. One of the other weyrlings comes in - Priya, the sour greenrider - carrying a bunch of dirty dishes. Pale eyes study her for a moment, before he exhales, slowly. Whatever it is doesn't seem to last long, judging by the next comment he makes: "In my head, when you asked for my help, you were begging. I think you might've been wearing a dress too - but I suspect that might've been a bit much to hope for. I suppose I'll take what I can get."

Leiventh> To you, Leiventh's thoughts are dimmed a little with the sleepy after-effects of a big meal, but he's amused nonetheless.

Maja turns her head about as Priya walks in, watching her as well before she turns back to R'hin-- and is suddenly faced with his next remark. Her eyes widen and she takes a few steps away from him. "Your head is full of disgusting things, and I would rather not know what most of them are. Especially when they're about me."

"You sell yourself short. I don't think you'd look disgusting in a dress at all." R'hin's demeanor is, once more, closed off, guarded, leaning back casually as Maja takes a few steps away from him. "Priya? Now -she's- a different story, the thought of her in a dress? -That's- disturbing," that comment's timing seems calculated, given his voice raises as Priya begins to head past them towards the door, stopping to glare at R'hin, then Maja in turn, as if she's somehow guilty by association.

"The last time I was in a dress was at my father's funeral, and it'll probably take another close funeral to get me back." Maja immediately adds, "and don't go planning a funeral, either." R'hin's comment to Priya earns him a frown which changes to a narrow-eyed stare at Priya to combat her glare. "Is there anything... upsetting you, R'hin?" Maja finally asks, having been bothered for too long by him from something she can't quite place.

With a toss of her head, Priya stalks back out to the living caverns, doing her best to pretend Maja's stare wasn't intimidating, and failing for the most part. R'hin watches her go, before his eyes flicker back to Maja, studying her silently. After a noticeable pause, rather than answering her question he asks one of his own, sober, serious all of a sudden: "Would you wear a dress at my funeral?"

Leiventh> To you, Leiventh's fast asleep, his mind little more than a fuzz in the back of yours. Present still, but unaware.

Maja's lip curls upward slightly, pleased at Priya's signs of intimidation as the guard normally is. The plate in her hands, everything now cold and the woman now full, is placed on a countertop. Maja returns to R'hin's sober question, reacting by stopping mid-stride. After a nudge by a drudge, she finally returns and leans against the wall, furrowing her eyebrows. "Yes," she responds, simply. "But I hope you're not planning on dying anytime soon, R'hin."

A slightly longer pause, then, oddly: "Thank you." Pushing away from the wall, R'hin spreads his hands, "I plan on nothing, that's how I live my life. The odds favor the house, however." The seriousness fades by measures, and as he moves away from the wall, disappears entirely. "Now, if you'd excuse me, I've another person who desperately wants for lack of my personal attention to her irritation." He takes a step or two in Priya's wake, the timing of his sudden 'escape' not at all co-incidental.

Maja nods, cautiously, in response to R'hin's appreciation. She's quite wary at this point of anything he says, and her expression continues to be one of surprise mixed with concern. She grunts as he attempts to escape, heading after him with a, "R'hin, there's obviously something -- come back here."

R'hin, holding up a hand to his ear, pretends he can't hear Maja over the bustle of the kitchen, and blithely continues walking.

You walk into the living cavern. Living Cavern, High Reaches Weyr(#1000RJs) The impressive living cavern is seemingly as large as the bowl that cradles the hatching sands. Rivers of polished wood tables and benches arrow towards a raised platform crowned with a compact version of their sturdy design. Neatly crafted pegs, some fancifully carved, are tapped into holes in the wall and support clothing dangling like lazy sleepers. Woven baskets, both useful and decorative, hang along another wall. Piles of summer fruit give off a shimmer of color and a waft of sweet aromas from their cradling bowls. Hanging sheaves of herbs and spices rustle in the breeze, adding their fragrance as well. Banners worked with the designs of Holds and Halls beholden to the weyr cascade down the walls high above, interspersed with several brilliantly colored tapestries. The clink of cutlery harmonizes with the flowing river of talk and gossip as the weyrfolk gather for a hearty evening meal. Contents: Jemah Large Ale Cask Tray of Bubblies(#6808V$) Firelizard Perch(#5030Jae$) Obvious exits: Kitchen Bowl Lower Caverns

Maja strides in from the busy kitchen. Maja has arrived.

A short while after one of the green weyrlings appears from the kitchen, R'hin steps out in her wake. He pauses near the kitchen's exit to try and catch sight of the woman, almost getting run over by a bustling kitchen worker, and hastily stepping out of the way. "Is there some food emergency I wasn't told about?" he mutters wryly, before he spots Priya and heads in that direction.

Maja immediately follows R'hin, pushing her way out of the kitchen and past anyone who may or may not be carrying food. She trails him towards Priya, Maja putting a hand out to grab his shoulder and try and stop him before he reaches her. "What is the matter?" she hisses.

R'hin stops short of his goal, but only because of Maja's hand on his shoulder. There's a faint, almost inaudible growl under his breath, and he turns in order to shake her hand free - but he's at least paying attention to her. "Have I ever told you," he says, voice low, intent, keeping the conversation as private as one can in the midst living caverns, "That you're very, very nosy, vixen? I've no wish to confide in you, and I can't imagine a single time when I've given you an impression of such a desire."

Maja immediately retracts her hand at the growl, her expression quickly turning into one of insult. The hand makes its way into crossed arms, and Maja grinds her teeth briefly before responding. "I take your obvious" -- exaggerated-- "signs of discomfort as clues that you might very well confide if I ask. And perhaps I am concerned anyway. But perhaps not. Talk to Priya, I'm sure she's happy to listen." She stands there, glaring, looming, feet planted and arms crossed.

Low voices or not, it's doubtful the confrontation's going unnoticed. R'hin, however, seems a lot more at ease with the stance Maja adopts, bearing the anger far better than he did the concern, "Worried, vixen, for me? I'm touched." He taps a hand to his chest, over his heart, motions exaggerated in counterpoint to her comment. "Priya," he says, with slight, mocking emphasis, "Is never happy about anything, except her Esrieth."

Maja watches R'hin's movements with a narrow eye, each breath she takes now a deep calming sort of breath so that she can keep her temper. "I'm sorry you take my concern so lightly. I'm beginning to find that it was misplaced after all. -- And my point exactly." Maja raises her voice to well above 'low', bringing out an arm to motion to the greenrider, "You run to -her-, but she could care less about you. Or is that why you're doing it?"

R'hin's head turns to look in the greenrider's direction, musingly, before turning back. Brows flicker upwards, evincing bemusement as he says simply, "Jealousy does not become you, vixen." As if in counterpoint to her calming breaths, the words are chosen deliberately to have the opposite effect.

Having had her exact feelings pintpointed and shown to her, Maja takes a few steps backwards from R'hin with nothing but astonishment on her face. "You--" she manages, though her mind is now blank, and the second thing that comes out of her mouth is a growl. She turns around and away from him, taking a few steps towards the exit to the bowl.

Although he turns to watch her depart, R'hin does not pursue Maja. If anything, there's a hint of something like relief as she stalks off, and, with a mocking bow to those who gathered briefly to watch, he exits in the opposite direction.

You walk through the archway, into the lower caverns.



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