Logs:On Trial
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| RL Date: 2 October, 2014 |
| Who: K'del, X'vae, Z'riah |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: The wannabe transfers return with the fruits of their labors for K'del to sample. |
| Where: Council Chambers, High Reaches Weyr |
| When: Day 17, Month 12, Turn 35 (Interval 10) |
| OOC Notes: Slightly back-dated. |
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| Council Chambers, High Reaches Weyr At the heart of this oblong cavern is its meeting table: a long hardwood oval with a mirror's dark shine, High Reaches' sigil picked out in lapis and onyx at its center. Twenty chairs surround it, each softened by an embroidered cushion that's just a little too stiff for complete comfort -- meetings need to be kept short, after all -- with the chair at the table's head, facing the ledge, being somewhat larger than the rest. Interspersed between glowsconces upon the smooth walls, ancient tapestries depict the territories High Reaches protects in a particularly pastoral fashion, all fluffy clouds and fluffier llamas, or else fishing crafts sailing merrily out to sea. Among them is also a natural alcove, its several wooden shelves primarily stocking fine wines and liquors as well as the glasses to serve them, though the lower shelves also hold whatever hidework requires particularly frequent attention. A narrow wooden door leads to the Records room, while the tunnel that extends to the weyrleaders' ledge is wide enough for three men to walk abreast, with just enough kink in it to block the wind.
It would be far more exciting if X'vae and Z'riah were racing in even two minutes late for their appointment with the Weyrleader, papers in hand. But the truth of the matter is that things have been sewn up as neatly as they might since the previous afternoon, so they were left to pace outside until they were admitted. X'vae holds a rolled sheaf of papers protected by an oilskin cover. "Sir," he addresses the older rider and with shoulders holding an air of self-assurance if not cockiness, he approaches the man, offering across the sheaf. Z'riah might have even suggested making the Weyrleader wait a few minutes. But clearly that isn't happening. Maybe that accounts for the mild brood in his otherwise confident manner as he enters with X'vae, echoing the bluerider's, "Sir," with one of his own. Since he pauses slightly further down the table, the letter he carries is laid down and slid within K'del's reach rather than handed directly to him. K'del's expression is neutral, showing no signs of surprise, pleasure, disappointment, or anything else that might be used to gauge his mood on this front. The papers and the letter are acknowledged with a nod of his head, though both are abandoned in front of him, not even so much as glanced as. "What have you got for me?" he asks, quite as if he'd received nothing at all. The lack of a mood gauge doesn't seem to deter X'vae over-much, though there's a brief look of surprise when the items delivered aren't given the bronzerider's attention, but he recovers quickly with only a small side-long glance at Z'riah. "Good will," is his answer after clearing his throat. "With SeaCraft." Beat. "As long as everything works out. But it's a start, anyway." He gestures to the sheaf. "A trade agreement for some luxury goods they and Tillek," See? They are two different entities after all. "-were in want of." The greenrider doesn't look at his friend. His focus is fixed on the Weyrleader, studying the older man while X'vae explains their first offering. His is somewhat less involved, but still important enough to be an offering. "A letter of recommendation from our previous wingleader." The one Z'riah, evidently, doesn't expect having to go back to. Is that a flicker of something at mention of SeaCraft? K'del's clearly trying not to let his thoughts show too much; trying to keep that neutrality. And yet... Those pale blue eyes shift from one Monacoan rider to the other, and then meander down to the papers in front of him. "Hmm," he says, sounding vaguely thoughtful. "Who are your connections with?" X'vae stiffens a touch, "We-- the--" Smooth! He clears his throat. "Sir, this deal was made through our ingenuity and perseverance. We knew one of the sons of the Lord at Monaco Hold, but the rest--" He gestures to the sheaf, where surely there are specific names of all involved, "That was our leg work. It's how we spent our time the past two sevens." Quick work, hence the: "If it pans out," if, "High Reaches riders will be lauded as instrumental in making it happen." He lets his hands find each other behind his back, "If it doesn't, it'll be sorry sods from Monaco sticking their noses where it doesn't belong." A glance to Z'riah: that sounded good, right? Z'riah lets X'vae do most (all) of the talking here because the bluerider is better at that when there's any possibility of bristliness. He's just a nicer person. But the greenrider stands neutrally while he listens, hands clasp behind his back, nodding now and then at what X'vae says. Sounds okay to him. K'del's fingertips drum up against the tabletop; he pauses. Finally, slowly - very slowly - there's a short little nod. "Well," he says. "Nicely done. We'll have to see how it all goes, of course, but... going to give you a trial. You've three months to prove yourselves, here; probation. You pull your weight, prove your worth, you can stay. If not..." His next pause is more careful. "You have to remember that there are other Monacoans here at High Reaches; it's not like I couldn't do checking up on you." X'vae's easy smile breaks in answer to the offered probation. He'll take it and be glad. "Yes, sir!" It's contained excitement. "You won't regret it," he hopes, anyway. The warmth of the smile is, in turn, offered to Z'riah. "I-- we-- don't have anything to hide," but that's no reason to give him the whole run down of everything right here right now, right? Slightly less excitable about this, Z'riah glances from K'del to X'vae and back again. As for the other Monacoans, he says, "They ought to have, at worst, neutral things to say about us, sir. I think we both look forward to getting back in touch with them." Now it's his turn to offer a smile of something like gratitude to K'del, smooth and respectful. "Yes, well," says K'del, who rather looks as though he could say more; could, but for the moment, won't. On a scrap of paper, he writes down a few notes, then slides it off towards the pair of riders. "Take this to the Headwoman. She'll get you set up. I'll have your wing assignments to you by the end of tomorrow. Is there anything else?" It's X'vae's turn to look like maybe he wants to say something more, but he, likewise, chooses not to. "No, sir. Thank you." He looks to the sheaf and adds, "We'll follow up on that and submit progress reports." At least the bluerider has follow-through! It probably say so in the fancy letter from their former wingleader. Nothing else from Z'riah. He doesn't even bother saying so. He just nods to X'vae's expression of thanks and follow-through-ness, and maintains his silence in the probable hope that they'll be dismissed. K'del's hand waves the pair towards the exit: they can go. It's only after they're gone that he'll actually look at the papers in front of him... and smile. |
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