Logs:Of Questions Yet to Be Answered
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| RL Date: 13 November, 2006 |
| Who: R'hin, Shanlee, Toril |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| When: Day 28, Month 10, Turn 9 (Interval 10) |
| Your location's current time: 19:19 on day 28, month 10, Turn 59, of the Tenth Pass. It is a autumn evening. You stroll up the stairs to the residents' quarters. Common Room(#868RJLs) This small cavern has the crisp smells of a recent cleaning, mingled with its more usual smells of klah, woodsmoke, and people. Baskets of glows are scattered about the room, lighting up dark corners and generally providing a cozy atmosphere. Several chairs sit at a large, round table, and more chairs are against the walls, waiting for use. A large, soft fur is spread out in front of a small stone hearth which keeps the cavern warm for its occupants. Views: South Wing East Wing Balcony Obvious exits: Headwoman's Office Steward's Office Children's Wing DORmitory Lower Caverns Shanlee strolls up the stairs from the caverns below. Shanlee has arrived. The common room is decidedly quiet; most of High Reaches' weyrfolk are packed into the living caverns for the evening meal. It's probably exactly why R'hin's chosen this time to settle himself in the common room, seated in one of the overstuffed chairs in front of the hearth. A sheaf of hides have been set to one side, balanced precariously on the arm of the chair, the Weyrleader himself oblivious as he leans forward, staring intently in the flames. Wandering in from the Kitchen, Shanlee scans the room looking for somewhere out of the way to sit and reflect in peace and quiet. Her eyes catch the Weyrleader obviously deep in thought. "Evening Sir" she offers before heading for a comfortable looking chair away from him in order to afford them both the solitude they were obviously here for. "Shanlee," R'hin greets, recognizing the candidate by voice alone, his gaze shifting from the fire after a moment. "Sit with me, if you will?" he invites, a grin tugging his lips upwards. "It's a day for speculation, thoughts of the future, and much ruminating, I think." Inclining her head slightly, Shanlee makes her back and sinks into a chair. Nodding her head in agreement "Yes, that it has been" an indrawn breath, then a sigh "Although I would say for different reasons when it comes to the two of us". An idle hand fingers the belt tie, and curious eyes flick over the sheaf of hides. "Perhaps. Then, perhaps not so different," R'hin says, casting an obvious, careful look over the candidate as she examines the hides. They look like reports of some sort, lengthy and wordy, the writing small and cramped. The Weyrleader's silent for some time, leaning back in his seat. Eventually, in quiet tones, "Can I ask you, if you found your day of shadowing of some value?" Bringing her attention back to the Weyrleader, Shanlee regards him carefully a moment before replying "More than I had initially thought I would." Green eyes wander to the fire "It answered some questions I had been a little........shall we say concerned about." then back to R'hin "Is there a particular reason you ask?" "I'm glad." And the words are accompanied by a slight exhale, almost a chorus of relief on the Weyrleader's part. R'hin smiles at the question, picking his words carefully. "I want none of you under any illusions about the duties and restrictions that apply to a rider's life. And the possibilities that you may make of it." Toril meanders up the stairs from the caverns below. Toril has arrived. Noticing R'hin's somewhat relieved look, Shanlee gives him a half-smile "I don't think I was ever under any illusion about the duties and restrictions side......" her words trail off a little "It had more to do with the post-thread usefulness in the eyes of the Holders and other folk. What purpose would now be served aside from handy transportation" a slight frown follows the last comment. Eyes lift, and take in the newcomer as interest forms. Toril comes in out of the brisk autumn wind, huddled down into her jacket. She looks around, only a hint of uncertainty showing on her face, before zeroing in on the klah pot by the hearth. Yes, once there is klah, everything will make more sense. She picks her way around chairs in that direction, nodding at people as she passes, and once murmuring an apology when she bumps into someone. She's got a mug halfway filled when she thinks to ask "Ah--this is free to everyone, right?" "One never likes to assume." R'hin half turns in the overstuffed seat to examine Shanlee sidelong, speculative. "Usefulness," he echoes, a little dryly, but seems unwilling to open that particular can of worms at present. "You said you had some questions answered. You have others?" It seems an invitation to take advantage of his willingness. He and Shanlee are seated in front of the hearth, the common room largely deserted with most of the weyrfolk at dinner in the living caverns. The newer arrival is examined with interest, the man gesturing in invitation, "Of course." Eyes still on the girl at the klah pot, Shanlee turns back to the Weyrleader "Well, I did but spending the day with Maja replaced what now seems like pretty rhetorical ones, with new ones that..." she decides that perhaps now was not the time to elaborate on the subject of Maja's work. A chuckle escapes her throat instead "I'll say this though, Candidacy has brought a whole of interesting people and experiences about." Toril wastes no time in topping off her klah with a generous splash of milk and a rather terrifying amount of sweetener. She takes one long swallow and visibly thaws several degrees, wrapping her long fingers around the mug's warmth. That accomplished, she slides into a seat near R'hin and Shanlee, trying not to -look- like she's listening. The girl's last comment draws a smile to her face. "Chore-related experiences?" she murmurs. A knowing chuckle escapes R'hin, as if well aware of Maja's particular hobbies. "Maja, however, is not your... normal rider. I'd imagine she showed you very little of what a typical rider endures?" Whatever the words may imply, his tone as he speaks of the brownrider is one of respect. "Candidacy, I've often said, is about considering your options, and what the future may bring - and preparing yourself for it. Mine, however, is a minority held view." Toril's latter comment earns another speculative look from the Weyrleader, trailing to her shoulder in search of a knot. He's silent, however, allowing the candidate to respond. Surprised that the girl seems familiar with Candidate-type duties, Shanlee hides it behind a wry grin "Yes - and no" she answers before asking in a lazy tone "I haven't seen you around here before?" Giving the girl time to answer she settles herself deeper into the chair and curls her legs up under her. "I don't see why that should be a 'minority held view' - is that not what it's about?" an expression of light confusion flits across her face "That's certainly how I view it." "New t'the Weyr, yeah." Toril's making a conscious effort to keep her drawl to a minimum, with varying degrees of success. "Just came down from the Hold t'day, and been trying to settle in and stay out of folks' way." She catches R'hin's glance, and shakes her nead. "M'not a Candidate, nosir. My cousin Vallek, though, he got Searched two Turns past, an' I visited him once or twice. He said all he ever did was chores. Right whiner about it, he was." Her smile flickers again. "Welcome, then," R'hin says, straightening a little, pale eyes on Toril. "We're always happy to offer hospitality to our Holders." A twitch of lips follows, as R'hin waves a hand to Shanlee's comments. "People expect - and get - different things out of candidacy. Some see the chores as pointless drudgery, and do little but complain-- as with your cousin." He gives a nod to Toril. "Others look at it as knowledge of the many and varied jobs that support staff undertakes. And all the spectrums in between." The slight tip of head the bronzerider gives to Shanlee is one of quiet, pleased acknowledgement of her latter statement. Shanlee's eyes widen briefly at the girl's accent, and while she may have spoken of her cousin, she had still chosen not to identify herself. "The chores aren't that bad, well except for......" a sheepish grin crosses her face as she looks over the R'hin "Tunnelsnake hunting" and can't hide the shudder that goes through her "Awful creatures those." A brief pause to collect her thoughts "Any Candidate who 'whines' overly about the chores, should perhaps rethink the option of Standing - from what I've seen being a rider is hard and at times frustrating work." A hand idly smoothes the fabric on the chair as Shanlee's eyes once again flick to the other girl "I'm sorry, my attention must have been elsewhere I didn't catch your name?" Toril blinks. "S'been a long day, I didn't think. M'name's Toril. Da's a guardsman up th'Hold, Mum and th'sibs work in and 'round the Hold proper. Pleasure to meet you." She bobs her head, taking another swallow of klah. "Vellek didn't Impress, no. Came back home and 'prenticed, said it would've been no good Impressing anyway, with no Thread t'fight. Sour grapes, you ask me. Any job's work, an' a dragon's worth the work, t'my mind." R'hin shifts forward slightly in his seat, nearly knocking the pile of hides balanced on the arm of his chair free. A quick grab secures them, and he sets the pile on floor by his feet. "R'hin, Leiventh's rider," he introduces himself. "Well met, Toril." His head tips, interest glittering in pale eyes. "A guard, hm? Have you an inclination to follow in your da's footsteps, Toril?" Shanlee's comment earns a twitch of lips, as he says, "Dassah seemed to find looking after the children a far more horrifying prospect. Perhaps you ought to swap with her?" Shanlee says "Toril, Welcome" Shanlee smiles at the girl "Well, no matter what he said, I'm sure it was said primarily out of disappointment. And I for one happen to think you're right - a dragon is certainly worth the work" Legs still curled under her, Shanlee leans her head back a little as R'hin introduces himself. Eyes wander back to the fire a moment. Uncurling herself, she stands "I'm pouring myself some klah, would you like some?" she asks of the Weyrleader, then gestures towards Toril "Do you need a refill yet?" Toril nods in answer to R'hin, her braid swaying. "Da's a little wary of lettin' his only daughter in the'guards, but he says if I still want when I Turn eighteen, he'll arrange it. So I do little things 'round the barracks as I can, an' bide my time. He'll come 'round." She glances at her mug before answering the other girl. "Nay, Shanlee, I'm all right, though thank you. Do y'need a proper knife t'make tunnelsnake hunting easier? They're hard t'track when all you've got is a glowbasket an' a few traps, but a good knife makes all th'difference." "Easy enough to say," is all R'hin says of the notion of dragons being worth the work. "I'm fine, thank you, Shanlee. I'm not much one for klah." He scratches at his chin thoughtfully as he regards Toril. "We have a program here called the Ground Watch, made up of residents. They undertake the duties of guards within the Weyr. I'm sure they wouldn't be adverse to showing you some things, if you thought your da wouldn't object." There's a faint twitch of lips, before he adds, "You might do well to talk to a brownrider named Maja, too. She'd have some valuable advice for you, I've no doubt." Returning from the klah-pot Shanlee chuckles "I used to carry a knife for a while once I got here, but soon stopped wearing it" Shanlee re-arranges herself in the chair "I had thought the feline that follows me around would be some help" a look of mock-disappointment on her face "but she ran away at first sight, eventually someone was kind enough to lend me their firelizard, who for the bribe of cookies did pretty well." Blowing the steam off her mug, Shanlee takes a tentative sip, sighing in appreciation. Watching the Toril and R'hin with interest as they chat, Shanlee falls into silence for a while. "That's what I was thinking, sir." Toril nods some more, delighted that R'hin seems to be on her side in this matter. "Da's too much of a presence back home--not that folk are scared of him, but anything I did might be viewed knowin' he's around. S'why I thought I'd come down t'the Weyr for a while, make my own name for m'self. Th'Ground Watch sounds like what I'm lookin' for. I'll have a look for brownrider Maja t'morrow, maybe." His lip-twitching is noticed. "Should I be extra-polite t'her, or just ready t'duck?" And, in a change of topic, "Fire-lizards eat cookies? Thought all they did was gad about and go for people's heads. M'brother's green like to yanked my braid off m'head." R'hin's lips curve upwards at Toril's words, "Ah, fortuitous, then. I'm sure they could use the extra assistance. I'll be sure to mention your name." He pauses to consider the brownrider, running a hand through his hair. "Hard to say. She's... intense," he offers. "She was the leader of the Ground Watch, until she Impressed. Maybe Shanlee can offer you some insight as to our vixen," a hint of amusement in his voice as he speaks of Maja. Shanlee chuckles at Toril's firelizard quip "This one does, probably why he's a little hefty round the belly region" A faint smile still on her lips at Toril's question on how to react to Maja, from what she'd learned about the brownrider Shanlee was sure she'd find that amusing no doubt. "I think I'll reserve comment on that note" Shanlee retorts "Besides we've really only met once." Placing the mug on one of the small side tables, Shanlee leans her head back again, eyes sliding over in R'hin's direction, asks in amusement "You don't drink klah?" Toril looks between Shanlee and R'hin, gauging their reactions to the name of Maja. "I'll be polite," she decides. "And stay out of throwin' range, and compliment her dragon while I'm at it. How do y'not drink klah? How d'you wake up in the morning without it?" She only just manages to keep from petting her mug affectionately. "Speaking of firelizards, I can't imagine that clutch Wilf found is far from hatching." R'hin says, thoughtfully. "Remind me to stay well out of the caverns for the next few days." Shanlee's reluctance to speak of Maja earns a curl of lips, the bronzerider amused. "She respects straightforwardness and honesty, if that helps. Can't imagine why she gets on with me, though." A beat, as gaze flickers between the two with wryness. "I drink klah, I just prefer juice - or wine." Green eyes light up at Toril's obvious shared love of the brew, Shanlee chuckles "I'm sure Vesereth will appreciate any compliments thrown his way." A mischievous tone to her voice "He is male after all." Lifting her own mug and taking a swallow of the cooled brew Shanlee gives R'hin a grin "I don't know much about firelizards and their hatching schedules, but if that's your experienced opinion remind me to join you......think I'll take my meals in the Kitchen for the next few days" Cradling her mug, long fingers wrapped around it, she tilts her head "You're not honest?" Shanlee teases the Weyrleader, glossing over the straightforward bit. Toril wrinkles her nose at the mention of wine. "Beer's better," she says, her own honesty coming through. "Wine's all complicated--drink it with this, but not with this, on and on. Beer, klah, and juice are good an'plain. Fire-lizard eggs?" Curiosity wars with caution, caution wins. "No caverns for me either, I guess. They're sweet as anything when they hatch, but th'last thing a guard needs is a bitty squeaky thing attached to th'shoulder." Her blue eyes sparkle back at Shanlee. "He just said he wasn't honest," she comments, oh so seriously. "Think we should tell th'Weyrwoman on him?" Instead of answering Shanlee's tease, R'hin eyes her speculatively, serious all of a sudden. "Do -you- think I'm honest?" Toril's addition earns a low-throated chuckle. "Ah, Jos is well aware of my many shortcomings, I rather suspect. After all, many of my riders take the frequent opportunity to... -discuss- them at length with her." Shanlee shakes her head "On the subject of wine, I have to side with our esteemed Weyrleader - there's never not a good time for the drinking of it." Placing the almost empty mug back on the side table, Shanlee laces her fingers together across her stomach and regards R'hin with a steady gaze "You have always been with me..." meeting his pale eyes "I'll be sure to let you know, if I think you're not being so." Green eyes drop to her hands, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "And if he's not, y'can feed him t'the tunnelsnakes. Or maybe th'new little fire-lizards. Whichever are hungrier." Toril also sets aside her mug, and steps to her feet, politely not mentioning all these steady gazes. Not her business, really. "I think I need t'go see someone about a corner t'make up my cot in. Happy t'have met you both--an' I will look up brownrider Maja, R'hin. Thanks." She flips her braid back over her shoulder, and heads off. "I'm glad there are some that see the laudable qualities of wine. I had my concerns after our Tillek venture last night." R'hin confesses, amusement lingering through Shanlee's latter words. "I'm sure you will," he says with a curl of lips. "You haven't struck me as one to hold your tongue on a matter, yet." It's hard to say if he means that as compliment or criticism, and his expression isn't really much of a giveaway. He half rises as Toril does, out of politeness. "A pleasure to meet you, Toril. I look forward to seeing you around." Shanlee chuckles "You were worried why?......Surely not about Dassah's reluctance to join in with the sampling of wine" Eyes narrow slightly at R'hin's comment about her straightforward approach to most matters, seeing Toril make her farewells, Shanlee's attention is momentarily averted "It was good meeting you Toril, look me up if you're in need of a friendly face" and waves as the girl leaves. Returning to the subject "I don't make a habit of beating around bush, no point in wasting the time, however......" a wry smile "It does land me in interesting situations at times." R'hin gives the briefest shake of his head, dismissing the topic as he sinks back into his seat. "As for interesting situations, I can well imagine." A beat, as he returns attention to the fire, thoughtful. "Do you get on with most of the other candidates?" Grateful to have the topic changed Shanlee follows R'hin's gaze to the fire, elbow on the arm of the chair chin resting in her hand "Most of them, most of the time" she shrugs slightly "Why do you ask?" "Weyrleaderly interest," R'hin says with a grin. "After all, the future riders of High Reaches Weyr are amongst your number. And I think you, more than any, would be the most likely to be aware of any... issues." A chuckle is followed shortly by a slight frown, this sounded exactly like the question Satiet had asked of her during numbweed harvest. "Aware perhaps........but you know my feelings on talking out of school" green eyes slide from the fire to the Weyrleader "There will only -ever- be two exceptions to my rule. One, if another person is in danger of bodily harm, and Two, if it should bring disgrace upon the Weyr or the work done here." "The latter is what concerns me." R'hin admits, exhaling slowly. He bends to retrieve the pile of hides from the table, rising smoothly. "In any case, I've a meeting to attend. I'd suggest thinking on what questions your day with Maja generated, and to seek someone out sooner, rather than later. The eggs grow hard." Shanlee says "I'll be sure to do just that, although I would prefer to speak to Maja herself" Shanlee answers, watching as R'hin rises "This is my home now, R'hin and I'm to fight for it......but the decision on what to come to leadership with and not to, will not be made lightly of that I can assure you." Lifting her mug to drain it's contents, Shanlee smiles up at him "It was good chatting with you again." "And you," R'hin returns with a tip of head, headed for the stairs leading to the caverns. You walk down the stairs to the caverns below. |
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