Logs:Oppertunities Over Tea
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| RL Date: 11 August, 2013 |
| Who: Azaylia, Hana |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: While catching up over tea, Azaylia offers to promote Hana-- in a way. Hana needs time to consider it. |
| Where: Weyrleader Complex, High Reaches Weyr |
| When: Day 28, Month 6, Turn 32 (Interval 10) |
| Mentions: Giorda/Mentions, Issedi/Mentions, Z'ian/Mentions |
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| Weyrleader Complex, High Reaches Weyr Only about a man's height from the ground, this low ledge is wide and flat, reached by a set of timeworn steps that hug the cliff face. As the ledge stretches back away from the head of the stairs, it simultaneously broadens out over the bowl and tunnels into the mountain to become a sort of antechamber, from which a passageway winds back to the Weyrwoman's weyr, the council room, the records room and the hatching sands. A small round table is set in a shallow alcove here, surrounded by four chairs that provide a waiting area for those seeking one of the weyrleaders. Another short flight of stairs leads upward from the tapering end of the ledge to the Weyrleader's quarters, while others lead to the further recessed junior queens' weyrs. While it's hard to get a good look at the lake from here, the view does encompass the majority of the bowl and the comings and goings across its span.
Hana comes along when she should, absent any of her pet projects, though a bit of slate is tucked into a bit of knotted belting, and a bit of chalk tucked up behind one ear. A quick peek about is given, just to make sure she's not interrupting anything, before she clears her throat gently. It wouldn't do to startle - and manners has her following that with a cheerful, "Good afternoon, Lady Azaylia." "Hana." Matching that cheerful greeting, Azaylia's smile is perhaps too bright, "Just Azaylia is fine." She likely doesn't even hear the words anymore, already used to the ongoing formality for far too long. "Please, sit." She invites, "I picked out your tea-- it is the one you like, right? If not, I have others." Uncertainty has her pouring her own cup first, the same rich, dark brew she usually has. "How have you been?" Hana gives the Weyrwoman a Look - but doesn't verbally protest the request. Instead, she quietly laughs as her lady is serving her tea (the horror!), "Any tea is fine, though this looks," a pause and a deep breath in, "and smells lovely - so please, no trouble on my account!" She settles in as she speaks, then tilts her head, "Well enough - busy and enjoying the summer. You, m...ay I hope is as well?" Azaylia intends to break all the rules, as far as the relationships of rank go. Good thing she's not really a Lady Holder of the Weyr. Thankfully, Hana isn't picky about one thing, and that's tea. "Oh, good." While their tea is steeping, the goldrider gathers up her papers and sets them aside, lightly crossing her arms atop the table. At least she's not leaning in, but there's a spark of interest as she looks to Hana, "I'm fine. I have a lot to do, but..." Judging from her sudden grin, she doesn't mind. "Which is why it's taken me so long to find the time for us to talk." Not talk, but talk-talk. "It takes work to step into a role - even if one has been doing it for a time beforehand," Hana acknowledges, before smiling a bit. "It is good to be busy with a purpose though, yes?" Her slate is slipped out of the belt, and placed to the side, though the chalk remains where it is, probably forgotten. The smile turns slightly impish, as she does so, the woman glancing up through her lashes at said Weyrwoman. "Well, if we are going to talk, I suppose I should get one question in first..." she trails off. And really, it is a good thing the tea is seeping and the sandwiches lingering on their plate. "Do I need to arrange any new outfits for you... or anyone else?" Because, of course, she's already being asked if there is any younglings spawning. "It's different," Azaylia admits, not hesitant but careful. "I'm... Weyrwoman." As if, even weeks after, it needs to sink in. "You have it right, though. It's good. All of it." Even the bad. Surprise comes and goes, fading with a slow nod, "Of course. What did you want to know?" It's still not clear, at least to the Weyrwoman, what Hana is asking. "I... don't think so? I mean, this sundress is still lovely. And I don't wear much on warm evenings." Too much information born from confusion, her head tilting slightly. Hana chuckles, and shakes her head. "It was more that I was already getting questions on if.. well, I was publicly working on a younglings first set for a while. So I thought perhaps, as a rider, you - and everyone else, it would seem - might know sooner than the norm. Even, perhaps, which kind." There is a pause, then Hana looks up. "Not that I'm betting on such things, I assure you!" It's a moment past 'embarrassingly long' when Azaylia straightens in her seat, "Oh! Oh. Ohhhhh." Lips split from that little 'o' into a smile, "No, I... I'm usually very careful. I... well it isn't as if Z'ian was my first." Soft voice carries no shame in admitting it. "I'd love to have a baby but... when I'm ready." If. "It wouldn't be fair to have a baby and be too busy for him or her." More surprise that turns into laughter, "Are they really betting? Aren't Hraedhyth's eggs enough? And no, I can't see you as the type." Reaching forward, she allows the bag to hover and drip, before placing it aside and adding sweetner to her cup. "Was that all you wanted to know?" Hana's accompanying laughter is soft - and perhaps relieved that the question hasn't led to a belief that she bets on such things. "That was the main question brought to my attention. Other than that..." she tilts her head as she watches the bag drip and such, before reaching to do the same with her own cup, "I do not believe so. Unless there is not enough nibbles throughout the day, along with the tea?" "No, there's plenty." Not plenty, but enough. Since Hana doesn't seem to have anymore questions, Azaylia begins on her own, "Are you... happy? At the Weyr, I mean." Regardless of the answer, though she is interested in it, "Is there something, anything that would make you happier? A duty you prefer? I..." It's now, not when discussing babies or casual encounters, that the goldrider's nerves make themselves known. "You're still my assistant, right? The Weyrwoman's assistant." There have been changes at High Reaches Weyr, which may or may not include Hana, depending on her answer. Hana could end up scolded for the answer she's about to give - the imp mixed in with the utter seriousness that edge her words, "Well, you are half correct, Lady Azaylia. I am your assistant. I wouldn't be the Weyrwoman's assistant for all the white wine in Bendan!" A sip is taken of the tea, then put aside. "Which means, I suppose, that if the Weyrwoman wants me as her assistant, she'd best be you. Presuming, of course, you still want me around - that duty has been quite satisifying, all told." A round about way of saying 'Yes, yes I am still your assistant, silly goose!' -- but still allowing her to slip in that bit of formality. Azaylia looks properly chided, even if that isn't Hana's intention. Smile is torn between amusement and embarrassment, prompting her to be as blunt as she can. "I realized a long time ago why Lady Issedi was so upset to lose you. I want to keep you around for as long as I can. You're amazing, Hana." And has properly spoiled the once hesitant Weyrwoman. Her arms uncross, hands folding atop the table as she tries to make herself clear, "You're still my assistant, but you could be more, if you wanted. You could be Assistant Headwoman and learn from Giorda." The catch being, of course, "I just want to make sure you're happy. And to show that I really appreciate what you do." Her smile is softer now, genuine, as is the touch of her hand on the back of Hana's own. Oh. Oh! That was not what Hana was expecting. In fact, she was so not expecting that, the woman is quiet for a very long moment. The tea is reclaimed at that moment, to take a through, and thoughtful sip from. As Hana's silence persists, Azaylia slooowly pulls her hand back as her brows begin to pinch in obvious concern. "Was it... you don't have to. I'm not dismissing you." Airy voice is careful to stress that, worried that she's gone and ruined their pleasant afternoon. "You don't even have to decide right now..." Just say something, please. There is a shake of the head. "I'm not against the idea, Azaylia," Hana finally says, softly. "I just... wasn't expecting the offer. I'm not even sure... an assistant to you and Giorda?" she asks, making sure she understands the offer - and still, not objecting to it. Also, at least, she adds a tiny amount of sweetner to the tea she's been sipping on, taking notice that she'd managed to skip that step. "In a way," Just as soft and slow, "The Headwoman is the Weyrwoman's assistant. Just not quite so... personal? I don't think Giorda would like to do my hair in the mornings." That mental image soothes some of her worry, a small quirk settling on her lips. "The Headwoman already has a lot of help, if you're worried about taking on too much?" She straightens in her seat, giving a faint nod that pairs well with her renewed confidence, "Think about it. It's completely up to you." "It is an important consideration; equally, I would prefer to continue the duties I have. If such is amendable to the Headwoman, I shall certainly give the idea my full attention." Because, it would seem, Hana's not about to abandon the Weyrwoman for a knot - well - of any kind. Azaylia is touched, visibly so. Her eyes drop down to her cooling tea, reminding her to take a sip-- as distracted as she seems. "I'm sure Giorda won't mind if you combined your duties." One would hope. "I mean, it is up to her, who she takes on. But I can't see why she wouldn't, with your skills and a Weyrwoman's seal of approval." Not quite smug, just that lingering confidence from before. Hana looks up, then lets her smile curl up in a distinctly pleased fashion. "You are finding the knot suiting you then." Where just the presumption of title hadn't, is the unspoken rider. "That is... good." There is a pause, then she lets the pleased air go for one of just pure cheer. "So - I shall think about the offer and perhaps speak to the Headwoman - in the meantime... sandwiches before I get any afternoon schedule changes?" she offers. In response to the knot suiting her, "I... don't think I realized how badly I wanted this... I'm happy to wear it." And so Azaylia does, much more often than she did her junior's knot. As her assistant lets out a breath, so does the Weyrwoman, relieved and happy, "Help yourself. I've already been nibbling..." But she'll do a bit more, as well as have a few cups of tea before their duties pull them away. |
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