Logs:Reverse Stage Fright
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| RL Date: 20 May, 2014 |
| Who: Aishani, Yuzuyu |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: Aishani meets Yuzuyu before the Harper performs in the Snowasis. |
| Where: Snowasis, High Reaches Weyr |
| When: Day 6, Month 11, Turn 34 (Interval 10) |
| Mentions: Azaylia/Mentions |
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| Snowasis, High Reaches Weyr The Snowasis is rarely quiet, and even then, the high-ceilinged former weyr is kept from echoing by the fantastical booths tucked into its convoluted perimeter. The secluded seating spaces have been shaped from the truncated stalagmites that escaped the smoothing of the main floor, and are both softened and separated by colorful hangings that are thick and opaque enough to make each corner its own private nook. Some of the smaller stalactites still roam the ceiling, their jagged teeth tracing a bumpy, inverted spine to the hearth. There, a thick rug with a low klah table and comfortable armchairs and couches sit, their upholstery and cushions changed sporadically to match the season: bright, light colors in the summer, fresh greens and yellows in the spring, warm autumnals in fall, and clear, rich hues for winter. Small tables litter the rest of the cavern, enough to fit up to four people each, while stools stand along the smooth wooden bar behind which is the passthrough window to the kitchen. Glass-paneled cabinetry behind the bar provides a clear view of the available liquors, the many colors reflecting the soft light of glows tucked into strategic niches around the cavern. Late evening has arrived at Reaches, and with it a small crowd in the Snowasis. The drinks flow freely, as does the conversation in the rather packed area. Some seem to be enjoying themselves quite a bit, though who wouldn't when there are drinks to be had and warmth to bask in. Not everyone's quite as social as that though. The Weyr's newest harper finds herself sitting upon one of the barstools and looking like a fish out of water. She's currently dressed in a floor length skirt, blouse, and thick sweater...but her knot and the instrument case at her feet give away what she might be here for: a performance...later in the evening. For now, she's working on downing a bit of juice. Whether the weather is growing colder or not, floor-length skirts are not something Aishani believes in, not outside of a gather or similar formality. The long-legged goldrider is swathed in a slouchy black sweater, bracelets stacked on her delicate wrists, one a fine cage of gold. Her ridiculously short skirt is but a band of spotted feline print visible beneath the long sweater; matching knee-high boots are entirely impractical for dragonriding... and anything else, really. But she looks amazing. Yuzuyu's performing later, Shani's performing now. Always. Her goal is the bar and she weaves her way through the crowd easily, quick to claim the stool next to the Harper as soon as its vacated. A quick, sharp gaze lands on the other woman for a moment before she's hailing the bartender for a drink. Yuzuyu's gaze quickly moves to the goldrider when the seat beside her is taken. Unfortunately, that happens just as the harper's taking a sip of juice. The young woman chokes on said drink, and a quick napkin to the mouth is just quick enough to save her from spilling on her clothes. Is that...how people are supposed to dress here? The harper suddenly begins to look around, and after a moment she begins biting her bottom lip. The more Yuzuyu thinks about it, the more /she/ looks out of place compared to everyone else. But...the harper has a job to do, and there's a reason she was sent away from the Hall. So, after a moment of quiet, she plucks up the courage for a quiet greeting, "G-good evening..." To be totally fair, everyone hardly looks as done up as Aishani, though there's a few here and there. Her particularly aggressive approach to high fashion and high hemlines aren't everyone's thing. And to her credit, if she notices the quiet near-choking on the journeyman's part, she says nothing. Once that's over and she's ordered her drink, she settles herself on the stool to cross legs and look Yuzuyu's way contemplatively. "'Evening." Dark gaze flickering down to the instrument case briefly, she guesses, with a quirk of her lips, "You're the new Harper, I presume? I suppose you could just be visiting, but simplest explanation and all." Her tones are cultured, easy. Talking to people? It doesn't come easy for Yuzuyu. She really is trying to make an effort though, but at first Aishani's question earns a nod and some silence. It's only a few seconds though, and then Yuzuyu nods again. "Y-yes...Um...Yuzuyu, that's my name..." So Aishani might be really intimidating with her high fashion and heels, but she's a woman too which makes it a bit easier for the harper too talk. To calm a bit of social anxiety, she takes a sip of juice (and manages /not/ to choke on it this time) before letting her gaze flit to the goldrider for a brief moment. "I um...what's your name?" Possibly the most mundane and boring conversation on the face of Pern is occurring right here at this very moment. The lack of basic (or awesome) social skills from a Harper might arch one of Shani's fine brows, but she doesn't remark on that as of yet - she merely takes up her liquor and takes a sip. Setting the glass down, she echoes, "Yuzuyu. And I assume that's your specialty." A nod down to the case as she begins to swing one boot idly, giving the crowd a glance afterward, with what appears to be only vague interest. "Oh," as if she'd quite forgotten her lack of knot or introduction or very recent acts of notoriety. Offering a slender hand over the bar, bracelets ringing, "I'm Aishani, Iesaryth's rider." She can't help but grin afterward, if faintly. "Ah um...yes...performing...in general, dance and instruments and s-singing," Yuzuyu stutters with her answer and glances down to her instrument case once more. Her foot taps against it lightly once, almost as if she gains a bit of courage just from that. Of course, that goes right out the window when Aishani introduces herself and names her dragon. Then...well, then there's all sorts of flailing going around. She /almost/ manages to knock over her juice, catches it just in time, teeters a bit in her chair and then somehow manages to throw up a salute that's all sorts of wrong. Her palm faces outward and thumb is tucked into the center of it. Isn't this what you're supposed to do when you meet a Weyrwoman? She's honestly got no idea since Aishani is the first she's met, "N-nice to m-meet you..." Once can practically read the 'please don't be offended' look in her eyes. "Ah." Levels of understanding, of assessment in that one syllable; Aishani's dark gaze sweeps over Yuzuyu again briefly before she withdraws her hand with another soft jingle, picking up her drink instead. For all she seems amused, eyes brightened, her expression is all too sober as she returns the other woman's salute with a raise of her glass. Then she drinks, finishing the glass after; there's a languid wave to the staff: keep it coming. "Likewise. And you really don't need to salute. I'm not the real weyrwoman, as anyone around will be more than happy to tell you. And the real Weyrwoman probably wouldn't want you saluting her anyway." A pause. "I never minded. How long have you been here?" Yuzuyu drops the salute as soon as Aishani says it isn't necessary. Is there relief in her features when the goldrider says the action isn't really necessary? Yes, most definitely. Her hands close around her glass of juice again, bringing it up and draining it off it's contents. "Umm...a-almost two months..." And somehow she's still a social mess like this? There's a long road ahead for this one. "Th-this is my first time performing here..." Which some might take as an explanation to the woman's skittish beaver, but really that's just natural. With a little blink, "Two months." Aishani shakes her head disbelievingly, glossy curls bouncing as she takes up her refilled drink. Glancing back to Yuzuyu, she notes, "I should apologize, honestly. I've had some business keeping me busy, and I usually make it something of a priority to meet with our crafters. I hope you've been getting along well enough." That, at least, seems sincere, though when the harper mentions that its her first time performing here, her lips quirk briefly. "Are you sure you don't want a shot of rum with your juice?" she asks lightly, tone wry. "That's what everyone else around here does." So healthy! "O-oh no, no that's perfectly alright n-no need to apologize," Yuzuyu shakes her head several times and signals for a refill before continuing. "People are...nice here...though um, I uh...always get weird looks when I say that." The harper rubs the side of neck, though things seem to be looking up. She's moving onto real sentences now instead of half-ones. At the mention of rum, there's another shake of the head though, "E-everything is fine once I get up there. It's um...just when I'm not..." In some ways it really is hard to believe this woman can put on any sort of performance, but apparently she it's some type of reverse stage-fright or something. Who knows! Aishani does look amused when Yuzuyu says people are nice at High Reaches, but she merely shrugs to the reaction. "The Weyrwoman is generally what one would consider a 'nice' person. Maybe she's a good influence. She's been known to be." Her amusement fades a touch, though there's her drink to camouflage that, even if her gaze has gone a bit darker, more thoughtful. After a slow sip, she considers the other woman, then gives a nod. "I'll take your word for it. You must know though, that some people might assume you're sort of... putting on an act. To make people underestimate you. Some people think Harpers are always up to /something/." Yuzuyu nods to Aishani's words about the Weyrwoman, but it's to the latter that she really locks on. A blush begins to crawl across her cheeks, equal parts embarrassment and perhaps a bit of unhappiness. "I-I...i-it's not l-like I want t-to be like this!" Her voice has gotten softer and higher, essentially producing a squeak now. Though it's not Aishani she's directing any unhappiness too, more herself by the look on her face. "I-I'm not planning a-anything either. The s-stage...it just...it makes me feel better...." But the concept about making people underestimate her? It isn't foreign to her. "That's why...I try not to stick out too much before p-performances." Of course, here she is talking too Aishani! "Mmm. Of course. None of us can really help the way we are." Aishani doesn't provide any examples of her flaws, but her expression of commiseration is clearly enough to show she /understands/, right? "Nor what makes us feel better, really. And I really don't think you're planning anything. I just know some people can be a little paranoid about Harpers, and what they're doing at the Weyr. Even though Crafters are a necessary part of it." There's a little shake of her head, a purse of lips over her drink. Nodding Yuzuyu's way, "I suppose that makes some sense. Though getting used to not caring what people think might make sense too. It takes time, but..." A little shrug. Maybe she's guessed what Yuzuyu's doing drinking juice in a bar. After a few moments Yuzuyu seems to relax again and takes a sip of her juice, "That's um...that's why I was sent here. They said a Weyr would help me be better socialized..." The harper rubs the side of her neck again before nodding. "A-another rider told me something like that....that harpers are tricky and stuff like that." Though it's difficult to tell whether Yuzuyu agrees with that or not. "If I didn't care what people thought though...I wouldn't have a reason to perform. I-it's fun..when people enjoy it." Aishani can't help but let a sharp laugh go at Yuzuyu's words, eyes bright, grinning. "'Socialized'. The difference between what the Hall and the Weyr might mean by that..." She shakes her head again and lifts her glass to the journeyman a second time, with a wry, "Good luck. As for Harpers, I personally find them perfectly delightful and informative. But yes, some will be convinced you are part of a grand conspiracy when in fact, you'd just like to play. It's unfortunate." With a glance to the crowd to be performed for, she smirks. "They're lucky to have entertainment, this lot. But I see your point." "I um...I'm not sure I want to know the Weyr's definition of socialized..." Yuzuyu's words are said with no small amount of trepidation. Finally she manages a small smile though and raises her glass to Aishani's before taking a small sip. "Thank you...I um...I just hope they like it, and that too many people don't think I'm part of a c-conspiracy..." Yuzuyu seems about to say more when the bartender gives her a tap on the shoulder and points to the area where she's set to give her performance. "O-oh, yes! I um..it's time for me to play, but it was very nice meeting you Aishani." It looks like the harper is about to throw up yet another salute, but she stops herself just in time and instead stoops to grab her instrument case. There's a wave for the gold rider and then...off she goes! |
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