Logs:Of the Bond
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| RL Date: 30 September, 2006 |
| Who: Dehlan, Delu, Diandra, Kalliope, R'hin |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| When: Day 21, Month 4, Turn 9 (Interval 10) |
| Your location's current time: 21:39 on day 21, month 4, Turn 59, of the Tenth Pass. It is a spring evening. You wing northwest to land at the Main Beach. You jump down Leiventh's side to the ground, the dragon's sparkling eyes watching closely. Igen Weyr Main Beach This is one of the most popular sections of the Igen Bowl, and the reason can't really be mistaken. The lake to the north provides a refreshing change from the heat that characterizes the climate of this area. A small beach of pumice sand runs along the shore here, making it a nice spot to relax. The waters of the lake are a deep blue, reflecting perfectly the sheer cliffs to the north. The lake looks inviting, and a smaller beach to the north provides a more isolated spot. Eastwards a large field leads towards a pass out of the Weyr, and heading southeast takes you across the center of the bowl. To the south lies the corral. Contents: Leiventh Kalliope Archery Target Obvious exits: Lake Northern Beach Center Bowl Weyrling Field Feeding Grounds Kalliope is standing on a large boulder near the northern part of the beach. She is standing perfectly still. Her eyes are closed and she seems to be concentrating. Slow breaths raise her ribcage and lower it slowly. She seems to be talking to herself softly, narrating whatever it is she seems to be doing. Then, ever so slowly, she begins to move. Slow, liquid, graceful movements. Her balance is amazing as she manages to stay on the boulder with her dancing. The angular figure of Leiventh's form streaks through the Igen evening sky, circling downwards before touching down on the beach, his landing kicking up a small amount of sand. R'hin is without helmet or flying jacket - both of which are secured in the bronze's saddlebags, suggesting he hasn't just arrived from between. The whirling, glowing eyes of the cinnamon bronze unerringly focus on Kalliope, eerily intent in the way dragons can be, and R'hin grins and thumps a fist to Leiventh's hide as he slides to the ground. "This way? Okay." A hand gestures in Kalliope's direction and he walks that way, hands casually pushed into the pockets of his trousers. Pale eyes fix on Kalliope's form with a curve of lips, his approach silent, considering as he watches her. A flicker of something crosses Kalliope's face as she continues to dance. The whole thing seemingly in slow motion. She speaks a little louder. "Good Evening Bronzerider." she says, her eyes still closed. "Not a rider from around here... but familiar with the area at least." she continues. She shifts, turning slightly away from the aproaching rider and his curious dragon. "Someone I know... but I can't place just from where..." she says and turns again, her brow slightly furrowed and she winces just as she turns, the crease from the furrow reaching the bruise on her cheek. Her eyes are still closed. A beat or two of silence bespeaks momentary surprise. "They told me you were out here." R'hin's voice comes eventually, his baritone low and soft so as not to startle. "You look," he considers, pale blue eyes flickering over Kalliope's face, taking in the bruising with a thinning of lips, concluding finally, "Better than the last time I saw you, if a little more knocked up. And that," he seems to refer to the fact that Kalliope's eyes are still closed, "Must prove a useful party trick." Leiventh settles down onto the still warm sands, eyes half lidded, statuesque. His words are all Kali needs. "R'hin." she states and her snap open as her dance takes a small leap off of the boulder, landing gracefully in front of the bronzerider. "Yes. A lot has happened since last I saw you." she says simply. Her tone is not, however, as terse as one might think it would be. It's, in fact, somewhat friendly and there is a smile on her face. "What were you looking for me for?" she asks, catching that part of his comment a bit late. Then, "Not a party trick... Weyrleader." she smirks at the title. "Training." she explains cryptically. R'hin pulls his hands from his pockets with the aim of steadying Kalliope after she lands, though his hands drop back to his sides as she lands evenly. "A lot has," he agrees with a twitch of lips. "I asked about you last time I was here. I took the liberty of sending word to your parents that you were fine." His lips curl into an easy smile that becomes somewhat wry at the title. "I haven't seen you since Fort. Igen's hatching must be getting close. I wanted to make sure you were.. okay." His eyes, like Leiventh's, are intent on the candidate, before his head tips quizzically. "Training? For what?" Kalliope smiles and the smile is even warm. She glances at his hands ment to catch her and it turns to a smirk. "Thank you. Though I doubt they really care." she shrugs that off. Then she smiles again. "Ah, yeah... that had quite an impact on me, certainly. And I'm still terrified..." she blushes, "I nearly fainted when I got to touch the eggs. Yeah... they're saying within the next couple sevendays." she says about the hatching. A nod to the last question. "Training for the sands. If anything should happen that I can't see, I still will be able to keep safe from the hatchlings." she explains calmly. R'hin gives an even look to Kalliope. "Of course they care. Whatever else, you're still their daughter, Kalliope. Blood means a lot." There might be a hint of sharpness to his tone, though he softens it with a sympathetic smile. "And I can hardly blame you for being terrified. Fort, though... well, Igen's clutch is Igen sired, you ought to be fine." A purse of lips bespeaks bemusement at her answer as to training. "Ah. You're taking it very seriously. I hope you're taking the consequences just as seriously." Kalliope shrugs. "They won't be at the hatching and they don't want me to be... never mind. I'd rather not talk about them, ok?" she asks, looking a little guilty for the request. She shakes her head. "I think it will be a long time before I can even /visit/ Fort after that. You know I nearly didn't stand because of it, right?" she asks. She nods. "I am. I've decided if I'm going to do this I'm going to do this right." she pauses, "If by consequences you mean that bronze lump over there? Then yes. And if by consiquences you mean not impressing yes to that too. And if, by chance, you mean consequences of getting my limbs ripped off by a hatchling, well... that's why I'm training." all of which are noted in the same, somewhat droll, tone of voice. A hint of concern sketches over the High Reaches Weyrleader's face, but as requested, he allows the topic to pass by uncommented upon. "I can understand why," R'hin says, expression hardening. "Violence like that... it shouldn't happen, shouldn't be allowed to continue. If it's bred into future generations, hatchings like that when Thread's falling--?" he trails off, low, intent voice softening as he goes on, "I mean none of the things you have suggested. By consequences, I mean, riding a dragon in a time when dragonriders have no purpose. No Thread will fall in our lifetime. Our only goal is to continue the species. Will you be able to be happy, knowing that your potential may go unfulfilled?" His gaze is even on Kalliope as he speaks, head ducked slightly so he can watch her expression. Kalliope nods. "That too is something I was bothered by at the hatching. Though I think the blood got to me long before the logic." she smiles. His response gets a raised brow. "You think that I'm doing this because I want to 'be a dragonrider'?" she asks, her tone almost offended. "I'm doing this because there is a dragon out there who thinks I may have a lifemate on the sands. That there is some... being... out there that could be ment for me, and /only/ me. Looking back, I don't know how I said no to Ayana the first time she asked. There is nothing that will go unfulfilled. It will grow and develop exactly as it is meant to. And if it involves taking a dragon along for the ride? Well then I'm all the happier for it." she gives him a solid look. A low exhale of breath bespeaks R'hin's sudden disappointment. His voice remains low, persuasive, smooth baritones calming, "You misunderstand, I think. The -bond- is not unfulfilling. I mean, have you thought about what you will do after, if you Impress? Will you be able to live the life of mediocrity, of training and practicing for an even that will never come to pass in our lifetime? Forgive me, Kalli, but you don't strike me as someone apt to mediocrity. I see great potential in you," he reaches out, fingers brushing just shy of Kalliope's chin as if to more carefully study the bruise on her cheek, though it also allows him to return the even look she gives him. "And I fear to see it go unused. I'm not sure you understand-- I'm not sure you will, until you Impress. But, you should speak to some of the riders you know." Kalliope's look softens. "I dance R'hin. It's what I love to do." she laughs softly to herself and looks over his shoulder at the dragon behind him. "And I think it might make an interesting sight if my dragon finds it interesting too." she smiles. "You're right. I'll never settle to be mediocre and because of that I never will be. It will become my duty to practice and learn and whatever else I'm taught I need to do. But it won't be /who/ I am... or even what I do." she pauses. "Perhaps it is you who doesn't understand me." she says simply. The hand that brushes her cheek startles her and her cheeks flush with color. "It's fine." she says softly. Diandra ambles over from the center of the bowl. Diandra has arrived. "Perhaps," R'hin agrees quietly. He doesn't follow Kalliope's glance over his shoulder; Leiventh's still, though the abrupt dimming of glowing eyes suggests he closes his lids completely. "Duty, is not the be all and end all of things. There can be more in life. We can wish for something more, plan for something more, if we want it badly enough." Again, tones bespeak intent persuasiveness, and it is clear this is not the first time he has talked of such things. His lips curl into a smile at her dissuading words, and the blush, too. "I'm glad," is all he says, letting his hand drop. He's standing in front of Kalliope, close to the rocks, attention fixed on the candidate. Diandra comes from the weyr, watching the sands before her rather than who's around. One hand on the back of her neck rubs sofly as she drops her satchel to the sands and begins to strip out of her leathers. It's only then that she seems to feel others near and looks up at the sound of a unknown male's voice. Seeing the rider, dragon and her friend Kali.. for some reason it doesn't strike her as at all unique to find her chatting closely with someone, opposite sex or not. She looks to the dragon, since the other two's attention and takes in his look while her clothes find their way to a pile ontop of her bag. Soon enough she's in her swimsuit and digging out a little afghan for the sands and a towel. Kalliope smirks. "Then why do you worry?" she asks. "In case you haven't noticed I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself and making a big fuss about nothing quite well." she grins winningly. "And getting better at talking to people too." she giggles a bit at that. "And have I even bothered to offer my congratulations?" she smiles, warm again. Over his shoulder she spots Diandra and smiles. "Dia!" she calls to her and offers a wave. "Have you met High Reaches new Weyrleader yet?" she says, the tone teasing R'hin a bit. Leiventh seems unaware or uncaring of the scrutiny, his dark angular shape perfectly still on the Igen beach. R'hin chuckles, low throated, amusement curling his lips upwards. "You're of the 'Reaches, Kalli. I'd be quite put out if Igen'd done you a disservice, unavoidable earthshake or no." Judging by the brightness of eyes, he's teasing her now. "You haven't, but I'm not entirely sure congratulations are in order," he notes, wryly, straightening and half turning as she draws his attention to the new arrival, easy smile on his face as pale eyes drift over the newest candidate. A faint snort is evidenced at Kalliope's teasing, "Pleasure to meet you... Dia, was it? I'm R'hin, and that's Leiventh." A nod of head indicates his dragon. Diandra twists to look at the pair over her shoulder before turning fully. "No, but I did hear of the flight. Greetings to you bronzerider." she says formally, giving a little bow of her head to him as her body turns and her way is made over toward the pair. "Congratulations on winning the flight." she says, a hand coming up to tuck a bit of her fiery hair behind her ear as she looks the rider over. "Diandra, but yes, Dia or Dee is what comes out of most. It's a pleasure." she says in offering and then turns her attention back to the dragon. "My honor to you Leiventh." she directs to the dragon as has become her habbit, talking to them directly when they're around. All the new weyrleader's teasing gets him is a tongue being stuck out at him. "The earthshake put a few bruises on me. Nothing worth worrying about... thought the healers seemed to think I needed light duties and at that point I wasn't complaining much... now... now I'm sick of being babied." she shrugs. "Ahh.. yeah, I hear Reaches is in a tizzy about the whole thing." she giggles a bit. She looks at the bronze dragon. "He's not nearly as friendly as Ysofith is." she states when Diandra offers her hello. [Kalliope] The faintest parting of Leiventh's lids are only hinted at by the brief shine of whirling eyes, before it disappears again, the only acknowledgement of Diandra's address. "Diandra," R'hin corrects himself, eyes settling on her knot a moment. "A candidate as well, I see. I hope to make the hatching, but with my new duties, I'll never know what I'll be doing." A beat, wry, "A tizzy is an understatement. Anyone would think I'd been caught drowning puppies the way some of the older riders are behaving." Pale glance flickers past to Leiventh, as R'hin explains, "I wouldn't take it personally. People don't much seem to interest him." His tone is not in the least apologetic, simply informative. Dehlan ambles over from the center of the bowl. Dehlan has arrived. Dehlan steps onto the beach, brushing his boots off before he actually walks closer to the water, and the group he spots there. The man before you can't be more than 20 or so, but his features have lost their youthful softness, as those who know him might be able to spot. His once-round face that now bears a strikingly angular set of cheekbones, a powerful square jaw, and light stubble. His dark blue eyes, smokey and unclear, look thoughtful and reflective, framed by blond hair as they are. He's tall, about six feet, and looks a man who spends much of his time outdoors, working. Powerful shoulders and thick arms are frequently seen crossed over his powerfully muscled chest. He's dressed in simple, rugged clothing suitable for outdoor work and sports an Igen knot. Diandra shrugs a bit. "They each have their own personality, I don't take offense that easily." Her own pale and nearly colorless eyes wash across the rider for a moment. "Are they upset because you're young or is there some other reputation that I don't know about playing a part in the disquiet?" she asks with a grin, the crooked cant of it looking impish on her pixi face. Hearing the movement behind her she turns her head away from the other two and spies Dehlan coming close, a fact that brings a bright smile to bloom across her featuers. "Hey Dehlan!" she waves. Dehlan plops into the sand with a yawn, near the group. He grins at Diandra, "Hullo gang. How's the beach tonight?" Kalliope can't hold in her laughter at Diandra's question to R'hin. "Being young likely has little if anything to do with it. This here is the biggest troublemaker of a weyrling Reaches has had in a while." she says it teasingly. "That and he and a certain friend of mine had a habit of trying to rip each others throats out while he was a weyrling too." she winks at R'hin. Her brows raise as Dehlan joins the group, but she doesn't offer a hello yet. R'hin is standing close to Kalliope, chatting amiably with her and Diandra. Leiventh is a still form nearby, eyes fully lidded, to all appearances asleep by his stillness. "A little of both, truth be told," the Reachian admits to Diandra's query, wry, "I'm young -and- I've a tendency to get under people's nerves - which is less of a problem when you're suddenly one of the leaders of an entire Weyr." His eyes drift past to the new arrival, giving the man a careful looking over. "Evening," he greets easily. Kalliope's comments earn a tip of head and a low laugh, "Oh, he was hardly the only one. I was a pain in the Weyrlingmaster's side-- former Weyrlingmaster, that is." There might be a hint of relish in that comment, too. Diandra raises a brow at Dehlan, "They have you working off shifts again that you're half asleep already?" she asks with a little smirk. "Or are you just getting too old to be up this late?" she adds, smirking and barely holding back her laugh, taking a cautionary step back with her words. Her eyes flicker to the other two and finally settle on R'hin. "Aah, gotcha. Well, it's good that things get shook up a bit. Keeps folks on their toes and alert. Good for you for not being some placid do-gooder and still making good." she cheers with a bit of a toothy grin in place. Delu slides down Boskyth's side to the ground. Delu has arrived. Dehlan winks at Diandra, "Yeah, you got me right." He makes a face, "Hey now. I'm not even thirty yet, don't tease." He grins at her, then nods pleasantly to R'hin, "Welcome to the weyr!" Kalliope smirks. "He's gotten under my skin once or twice." she winks at the young man, apparently forgiving him for such previous indiscretions. She finally glances over at Dehlan and smiles. "Evening Dehlan." she says quietly and raises a brow at the bout of teasing he gets from Diandra. She looks back to R'hin. "Glad of that are you?" she teases. "Placid do-gooder?" R'hin echoes Diandra's words, with precise intonation, lips twitching in distinct amusement. "I really doubt that's something anyone has ever accused me of being." His hands spread wide, before dropping to his side. "'Reaches duties to Igen," he answers Dehlan, almost by rote. Kalliope words earn a low laugh, reaching to touch her arm briefly as he says in his most serious voice, "I do it out of kindness." The expression doesn't last for long, grin breaking through. From the northern beach comes a sleepy figure. Delu, clad in a light white shorts and tunic combo, bare feet digging in the sand as she walks along the beach. A knot of people catches her attention, and so towards them she goes. As she approaches, stock is taken of who is there, ad a warm smile given. "Kali! Diandra, Dehlan." A pause, and a look at R'hin. "Weyrleader." She says, carefully. A smile back to Kali. "May I join you?" Diandra giggles and comes forward after Dehlan's protests, scrunching down to give him a quick hug after her teasing. "Awe, sorry.. I just couldn't resist." she admits, standing again and turning to the others. Seeing R'hin's plunked down as well, she lowers herself down and gets a sandy-butt, not seeming to mind, sitting to Dehlan's side a little. "I won't tarnish your reputation by saying such a thing directed toward you then, Sir." she giggles, still remaining a little formal with the fellow she doesn't really know. Seeing hand hearing Delu come up she raises a hand to wave, "Hey Lu.. good to see you." she says sincerely. Dehlan grins at Diandra, squeezing her briefly, "Yeah yeah, I know, you're a cutup you are.' He replies lightly, wiggling his fingers in greeting to Delu, and shifting on the sand to stretch his legs out tiredly. Kalliope looks at the hand on her arm curiously and looks up at R'hin, trying to catch his eyes for a moment. She is distracted by Delu's entrance and breaks into a wide grin. "Of course you can, darling Greenrider." she says, trying to take the formality out of the greeting. She gives Delu a quick hug before tossing another glance at R'hin. Something has changed in the way they react to each other lately and she's trying to place exactly what happened. She glances at Diandra and Dehlan as they both sit and contemplates it, but stays standing for a moment. R'hin grins easily at Kalliope, but his attention is quickly drawn towards Delu. The greenrider's careful greeting of him does not go unnoticed, R'hin meeting the woman's look in turn. "Ah, if it isn't my favorite Igen greenrider. And oh so formal." Light words are deliberate, head tipped to one side, arms spread wide as if to embrace her words. "Am I about to be accused of doing it on purpose?" An easy grin is given at Diandra's comment, but it seems just a little more deliberate. Delu returns Kali's hug tightly, before looking over at R'hin, with a grin. "On purpose? You? Take responsibility? I would never assume you cable of responsibility, Weyrleader." Tease for tease as she relaxes. "So Diandra... How're you? I don't think we've talked in a while, since before Boksyth's last Flight. I hope we didn't upset you too much?" Diandra quirks a brow and then lets her head fall back a little as she laughs, shaking her head to indicate the negative. "I don't know you well enough to accuse you of anything, Sir.. one way or the other." she teases back. Looking up at Delu she shakes her head and grins, "Not at all, Greenrider. our breif talk the evening before was very.. enlightening, and the words of your inner vixen gave me a lot to think about. I should thank you really." she says bluntly but not able to keep the light flush from her cheeks. Dehlan's eyes widen, "Inner vixen? Oh my." he glances at Diandra with a snicker, "Greenrider illumination. Scary stuff." Kalliope looks between R'hin and Delu. "Another of my friends who is not so much on your list of people you enjoy spending time with R'hin?" she asks, teasing still. She does, however, giggle at Delu's tease to R'hin. "That's something that I hadn't thought of yet. Just how do you plan on /running/ a weyr?" she wonders to the new leader. She looks at Diandra. "His name is R'hin. We did the formal thing... it's weird hearing him called Sir." yet again her tone is light, not telling her what to do in any way. She smirks at the blush. "Yes... interesting indeed." she glances back at Delu then Diandra and again, her eyes settle on R'hin, contemplative. There's a subtle relaxation on R'hin's part as well, at Delu's words, the feigned grin turning more genuine. "I'm relieved to hear it. Your assessment, as ever, is entirely apt." A twitch of brows as he glances at Kalliope, grinning. "Oh, no. Delu and I've sorted out any differences we might've had. There's no bad blood between us, except that she's adamant Leiventh will never fly Boskyth." There's very little of seriousness in him as he says that, as it's followed by a low chuckle. "As for running a Weyr.. I'm kind of working that all out still. R'hin is fine," he adds, "I'm not exactly here officially tonight, after all." Delu grins over at Diandra easily, "My mood have been wrong, and my manners crude, but that doesn't mean anything I said wasn't true. You really are beautiful and rather pleasant to be around." She makes a show of giving the candidate a long and thorough looking over. "Very." She says, her grin taking on a devilish tilt." R'hin's words turn it into a grimace. "He's huge, and from what I've heard, like dragon like rider. No thank you! You've golds to fly, anyway." Diandra looks over to Dehlan and gives a shrug, trying to play it off, despite the pink in her cheeks. "It was the first time I'd ever seen or been around a proddy rider, and comments she made lead me to realize there's a part of the whole.. weyr sexuality I had yet to really face. It was.. enlightening." she mutters. When Delu goes on with her bit of flirting, she can't help but bust up laughing a bit. "You're not making this easy you know, I'm still not sure about my stand on things, but there's a whole new curiosity there now." she chuckles, eyes finally making their way back to R'hin. "I appreciate it, R'hin. I've been sniped at once too often about my lack of formality so I'm trying to be extra careful." Dehlan glances at Delu inscrutably and nods to Diandra, with a brief smile, "Yeah, it's true. It, uh, takes some getting used to, the whole proddy thing. For non riders it's a bit baffling for a while when you first start living with dragon rider types." Kalliope smiles. "Well that's good." she says to R'hin. "You just give a holler if you need any help... I'm sure there will be a time you'll need it with all the support you're getting over there." she says sarcastically. She gives Delu a look. "Delu..." she says warningly. "Take it easy..." she teases. She looks at Diandra and rolls her eyes. She glances back at R'hin as she shivers in the cool evening air. "R'hin, would you care for a little Igen hospitality with a mug of Klah or tea? I should be heading back to the barracks soon, but I usually have a mug of tea to help me sleep first. Since you're just visiting... perhaps you'd like to join me?" she offers. It's casual, entirely just being polite to the new leader. "Delu, are you taking advantage of impressionable candidates?" R'hin accuses, hands on his hips, though he doesn't seem that serious. The greenrider's comment of Leiventh earns a low laugh, pleased at the response. Diandra earns a sympathetic look and a nod, "It differs from person to person. Better to be safe than sorry." Kalliope gets a surprised look, that becomes grateful, "You may come to regret that offer," he warns, smile dimmed slightly. "As for klah... well, I wouldn't say no, honestly. I'll do the gentlemanly thing and walk you back," he offers in turn, holding out an elbow. Amused laughter from the greenrider. Delu smiles more at Diandra, clearly enjoying the teasing. "Curiosity is a good thing." She says, with a bit of a drawl to the words. "Come find me when your not under restrictions, and we'll see what I can do about answering your questions." Kali earns herself a bit of a grin and an arm draped around her shoulders. "I'm always easy." She retorts, glibly. "And R'hin, you know me better than that. I never take advantage of people, she's more than strong enough to look out for herself. She's an Igenite, after all." Diandra holds up a single finger and retorts, "Actually.. Kali's offered to answer any questions I may have without the show and tell, thank you. And I'm not an igenite.. I'm from Tillek." she manages to get out before bubbling into a snicker. Over to Dehlan she adds, "If they're heading in, would you care to join me for a swim and see if you can wake up a little, old man." she winks at her friend, leaning into him with a little nudge. Dehlan snickers approvingly at Diandra's reply, nodding at her, "I'm up for a swim, always. If it's not too cold THIS time." He ahems, "Old? OLD! Ooh, you are askin for it." Kalliope giggles. "Careful Lu, don't offer what you might not be able to give." she winks, not saying any more on that. She raises her brow for a moment. "Regret?" she asks curiously. She give Delu a hug and waves to Dia and Dehlan. "Night guys. See you tomorrow." she says as she takes the offered elbow and heads up the path towards the living cavern. R'hin chuckles at Delu's reprimand, taking it in good humor. "You Igenites are fairly hardy," he agrees. "Good evening, everyone," he adds by way of farewell, altering his steps to pace Kalliope's, letting the candidate lead the way. Kalliope leaves the beach, heading for the center of the Bowl. Kalliope has left. You leave the beach and head for the center of the Bowl. You head over towards the field to the southeast. You walk down the long, winding path to the Inner Caverns. Igen Weyr Inner Caverns(#310RJ) Igen's inner cavern is much smaller than the main living cavern, but still huge by any standards. A handful of new looking tables and chairs are scattered about the room, while one corner hosts three spinning wheels (one new, two ancient) and a loom possibly as old as the Weyr itself. The floor is covered by new rugs, vibrant with color and the work of many Igenites, which makes the cavern warm and inviting. To the west is the clatter and noise of the Living Cavern. The north door's archway bears the word 'Candidates' carved into the stone, while the door to the northeast emits giggles often enough to indicate it's the Nursery. Eastwards is the Residents' Hall, and just south of east are the private rooms and offices for the Weyr Staff. Contents: Kalliope Obvious exits: Stores Bowl Living Cavern Weyr Staff Residents' Hall Childrens' Cavern Candidates' Barracks Kalliope leads R'hin to the caverns in relative silence. She gestures him to a table off to the side in the inner caverns and lets him take a seat. "What do you want to drink?" she asks him, prepared to go fetch whatever he wants and something for herself as well. R'hin's head turns this way and that as they walk, content to allow the silence to reign, taking in the various changes to the Weyr since the quake. "Just klah's fine," he says, sliding into a seat, pushing out the one next to him for Kalliope to take. "How are you getting along with your fellow candidates, anyway?" Kalliope nods and bounds off to the living cavern. She returns with a tray that has two mugs on it and a plate of cookies. She balances it carefully in her good hand and uses her right to steady it as she places it on the table. She takes the seat and her mug, which has tea in it. "Very well actually. I feel like I have a lot of friends in the group." she smiles a bit. R'hin reaches out to hastily aid Kalliope in steadying the tray as Kalliope sets it down. "That's good to know, considering you could end up stuck with them for a Turn and a half in a room that becomes very small indeed," his wry advice is given as he reaches for the mug of klah. "Then again, there's something to be said about a little friction injecting some entertainment into a very long training period." Kalliope smiles gratefully as he steadys the tray. "Sorry... I'm still not supposed to be using my right hand much. But I should be better soon." she smiles again. She looks at the barracks. "It already is too small... I can't imagine a similar space with growing dragons too..." she sighs. "I wish I didn't have to sleep in there..." she adds more to herself than to him. She stares into the mug of tea for a long moment. "You should've let me get it," R'hin admonishes, but his voice lacks a sharp tone. "Oh, the weyrling barracks'll be bigger, to fit the dragons, but once they start growing," his shoulders shift in the faintest of dismissal, brow furrowing a beat later. "I thought they were your friends? You, at least, don't have to worry about finding unpleasant surprises in your cot." Kalliope offers a half smile. "It's not so much the size of the barracks or who's in them... it's how loud it is at night... and how I can't be anywhere just by myself. Or with a friend... No supprises in the cot however... except the occasional pleasant note." she grins but it's weak. "They tell us how importaint it is to sleep... but I think they all forget how hard it is to do in there." she looks at the mug of tea. "I've had to add a little fellis to my tea at night to help me sleep in there." she looks a bit chagrined at that. "I won't lie to you, Kalli. It'll be worse, if you Impress. There are things they don't tell you, that you don't find out until after." R'hin's voice is low, lips twisting briefly. "You won't get any privacy. Physical -or- mental. If you're comfortable with sharing that sort of thing, you won't have any problems. But if you aren't..." he trails off, exhaling slowly. "It's a bond, but it may not always be.. -perfect-. I don't want you to go in like I did, thinking it'd be something other than what it is. I owe you that much of a warning." Kalliope sighs. "I know R'hin." she says and her eyes dart up to look at him. "Though I don't understand some of that...and I do at the same time..." she shakes her head to clear her thoughts. "The whole weyr will know what I'm thinking..." she blushes, "Who I'm thinking about and what about them I'm thinking... but... perhaps that's not always a bad thing. The weyr is open. And I've gotten used to that. I'm just not sure I'm comfortable with every time I look at someone and think they are atractive that it will get broadcast to the weyr." she stares at her tea again. "We talk like it's actually going to happen. I'm not so convinced my lifemate is on the sands out there. One of the eggs was crushed in the quake you know." she adds. "It's not--" R'hin stops, seems to think a moment, then continues, "It's not necessarily like that. It depends on the dragon. Leiventh's hardly interested in what people do, except when it pertains to me. He doesn't... he's friendly with other dragons, but he doesn't necessarily share what I think and feel. When they're young, they do broadcast a bit more, though." His lips purse, eyes distant, thoughtful, as he sips his klah. "I didn't take well to training. Some people don't. Some of it has a purpose, and some of it seems to have no purpose other than to make us behave in a certain way, an -expected- way," there's a hint of disgust in his voice, though it's low enough that even Kalliope might miss it. "I'm not sure I agree with the theory that everyone who is Searched has a dragon waiting for them, but... I suppose we'll see." He offers an easy smile to the candidate, meant to be reassuring. Kalliope shrugs. "I figure there's no use speculating because of that fact." She shrugs. "And I'm kinda tired of all the speculating. I wish the eggs would just hatch so we can all get on with our lives." she sighs yet again. "Well I guess if there is, there is. If there isn't? Well it just wasn't meant to be... at least not this time around." she takes a tiny sip of her tea, as if trying to make it last. "Why were you looking for me?" she asks him, changing the topic. "If you don't... would you stand again?" R'hin queries, even, serious gaze on Kalliope. He tips his mug slightly, swirling the liquid around for a while, grin touching his lips at her query. "I told you. You're from High Reaches. I've grown a certain loyalty to the area. I just wanted to make sure you were okay, and I hadn't seen you since you left the Fort Hatching." Kalliope doesn't answer right away. "I don't know. It depends on what happens here... and who asks me..." she finally responds. "I'm not really from Reaches though. I only got dumped there by my folks and I was lucky enough to hang on long enough for them to get far enough away that I could live my own life." she pauses. "I often wonder what would have happened if I didn't come to Igen the night Kaeryna asked me to stay..." "Perhaps you would've stayed in the 'Reaches, instead." R'hin suggests, with a twitch of lips. "Well, if things don't work out here, you know you're always welcome, assuming you don't mind the cold." With an exhale, he braces against the table, "In any case, I ought to be heading back. Too long away and someone starts sending out a search party. I hope I can make it to the hatching, but if I don't... good luck." Kalliope nods. "I probably would have been stolen back by my folks by now..." she comments. She smiles a bit at the jab. "Thanks. I haven't decided yet. I'll at least come to visit... just to be able to get away for a bit. But I have friends here." she smiles. She takes a deep drink of her tea. "And I to my lumpy barracks bed." she smirks. "Thanks R'hin." she pauses. "It... was really nice to see you." she says softly to him. "Thanks for the klah," R'hin returns, with a grin. "You'll do fine on the sands, I know it. And this," he taps his knot, laughter in his voice, "Says I'm all knowing, all powerful, so it's got to be true. It's good to see you too," he adds, "Maybe try counting something. Cards, or something. To get to sleep," he suggests, off the cuff. "I'll see you later, Kalli." With a smile, he turns and heads for the exit, threading through tables. You walk down a long, winding corridor into the bowl. |
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