Logs:Settling In
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| RL Date: 16 February, 2014 |
| Who: Ali, K'zin |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr, Fort Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: Ali helps K'zin settle in at Fort. |
| Where: Guest Weyr, Fort Weyr |
| When: Day 7, Month 1, Turn 34 (Interval 10) |
| Mentions: B'rant/Mentions, E'ten/Mentions, Hattie/Mentions, K'del/Mentions, N'muir/Mentions, N'rov/Mentions |
| OOC Notes: Backdated. |
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| It's cold and wintry, and while the ground level guest weyr at Fort has the benefit of a hearth, it's still on the ground, so it receives a bit of a chill, near constant breeze from the bowl. Generally the guest weyr has minimal furnishings at best; today Ali's arriving in a whirl of activity. Behind her, drudges are carrying furnishings - several large throw rugs - a new set of furs and pillows for the bed, some boxes of extra things, and extra wood for the hearth. "I know it's probably a little more spartan than you're used to, but I'll- we'll try and make it homey while you're here," the junior's explaining, somewhat apologetically. Behind Ali, and perhaps occasionally lost among the drudges and their burdens, K'zin is keeping up (when he's not distracted by whatever it is the next one is carrying). It's possible that he hasn't caught everything the goldrider's been saying, but he's stretching his long legs to carry him up to be in step with her. "It's fine, really. You don't have to go to all this trouble on my account. I used to share a closet of a bedroom with four of my brothers. A place to lay my head is really all I need." It's sort of a babble of halfhearted objections. "I'll not have it said Fort is being inhospitable," Ali says, perhaps a little more sharply than she means- there's a faint fluster, before she exhales and amends, "Besides, I- I like doing this sort of thing. Ask N'rov," she adds with a rueful smile. "Tomorrow, I'll find some fresh plants for you, too. And- I used to share a bed with my sisters, but I'm too used to having my own place now. You should get used to having things of your own. Having a home. Which reminds me- I remember seeing a tapestry that reminded me a little of High Reaches. I should have it brought out of storage." The drudges move around, settling things up under Ali's occasional directly, while the junior smiles at K'zin. "You'll have to get used to letting me to things like this. Also, dinner. I have a nice spiced wherry recipe I can try out on you, tonight." "I'd never say such a thing," K'zin is quick to reassure. Not even if it were true. Just think how many people would do him bodily harm after making such a remark. "I only meant I can make-do." This pops out of his mouth before he has a chance to assess whether or not that sounds better or worse. There's a blush on his cheeks by the time he says, "I mean I am used to having my own place." Only then the young man is shaking his head, "No, no, what I mean is thank you, Ali. I just don't want to be an imposition past your cooking." Because he likes that enough to want to be one, evidently. "You're the second person to say that, a about asking N'rov. Is he the local Ali-expert?" There's an ease and gentle teasing quality to the timbre of his voice as he poses the question. "But others might," Ali points out. "And things have never been- at least, not for a while- good between our two Weyrs." It's a sore point that is obvious in her change of tone, and in the way she chews her lower lip briefly. K'zin's words draw her gaze up, and she looks pleased, graciously taking in his thanks with a, "You're welcome. I don't- if you're a drinker, I'll let you make do on that score. I wouldn't even begin to be able to judge. Oh, no- this goes over here," she directs one of the drudges to lay the rug out in front of the hearth, before the bronzerider's question makes her look quizzically at him. "He's my friend," she says, like it should be obvious. "E'ten, as well. And B'rant." Which undoubtedly means they're all recipients of her unintended mothering. "I do drink," is what the bronzerider thinks to answer first, "But not here. I don't like to think what K'del might do to me if I was anything less than a perfectly behaved bronzerider." It probably would've been better for the young man not to articulate the 'why'; it certainly would've been more eloquent that way. "I'd hope others wouldn't comment on how I was being treated," He adds a moment later, "Given that I'm the one on the receiving end and sure to give a glowing review of Fort's hospitality." His eyes follow the drudge's repositioning of the rug before looking back to the goldrider. "E'ten was mentioned as well. But not B'rant. Though, he wouldn't've been since my question was about duties of a clutchsire." His hands find their way into his pockets, looking abruptly a little self-conscious. Completely oblivious to any questions of loyalty it might bring up, Ali asks with a sudden interest, "What did he tell you? K'del?" Stepping over to one of the side dressers, she runs a finger along the top before shooting him a look. "People will always talk. They- you get used to it, after a while." While she says the words and tries to behave with equanimity, there's an air of faint tension to suggest she's never gotten used to that - and might never do. It's K'zin's latter words that make her go still, abruptly. "Oh." A little flustering, and it's probably a good bet she's leapt to a conclusion about comparing notes. It's awkward enough that she abruptly murmurs to the drudges, "I think that's- that's good. Thank you." One of the boxes is left unpacked, and she moves towards it, patting the lid. "There's some- things, in here. I don't know what you- you like, or are into, so I picked a- a couple of books, and some little things to brighten up the place a little." K'zin, on the other hand, is all too aware of the issues of loyalty that the question brings up and the look he gives Ali is wide-eyed and possibly a comedic reproduction of a grazing bovine raising his head from the grass to discover a grinning dragon maw inches from his face. The look is quickly replaced by a flush which is not-as-quickly composed toward something less expressive and more neutral. "Er," is not a terribly eloquent response, however. But he can't not answer; that would be rude, so mumbling, "Best behavior, model of a bronzerider, doing everything asked or expected of me, that kind of thing." There's enough in the manner of delivery to hint there was more, but he's quickly moving on: "It's just that-- well, since this is my first time and all, I didn't want to mess anything up, so asking people who've been clutchsire before seemed a good way to go." If there were other notes K'zin wanted to compare, he doesn't mention them now. He moves toward the same box as the goldrider then, "Books are good. Ras likes them." But not so much K'zin is the implied. "I like to work out," which should come as no surprise given the young man's physique, "And I'm a Smith. Or was. And I draw." Each of these is added pell-mell, perhaps trying to fill in the blanks he's not certain she really wanted to know. Ali's a little bemused, perhaps, by K'zin's expressive reaction - not perhaps understanding the reason for it. She takes his response at face value, not inquiring after more, if indeed she realizes there is anything more. "There's not a lot to mess up- it's actually a lot more dull than people think. I mean- the idea of sitting around and doing nothing is nice, but the reality is- a lot more restrictive. And," she adds with a grimace, "Camping out in the galleries isn't exactly my idea of fun. It's harder too, because Elaruth- she'll not let Rasavyth near the sands. But she's protective enough to look out for both clutches." And if this compromise is unsettling well- there is a twist of fingers around her shawl and a briefly uncertain look. The latter makes her brighten: "We have a training room. It gets a lot of good uses- I'm sure you'll be able to find plenty of sparring partners. And- you draw?" this makes her exclaim in surprise and delight both. "I've- I do a little, but I'm not so good, and I've been practicing for a while. Maybe you can give me some tips? But- not now. I'd like to- I should let you get settled, while I check on the eggs." The look over her shoulder is not-quite-anxious, but still obvious. K'zin briefly looks like he might interrupt but the words move from 'not Ali's idea of fun' to mention of Elaruth's protectiveness that whatever he was going to ask gets lost in the brief grimace that's quickly hid by a turn of his head. He's clearing his throat a moment later and nodding, "I'll have to check out the training room." And another nod, "I don't know how helpful my tips will be, but I can try." One more nod is forthcoming to answer her not-quite-anxious look. "Of course. And thank you again. For all this," a gesture encompasses the homey offerings. "You will let me know if there's anything I can do? With the eggs or whatever really." The last few words come out a little awkward, made more so by the tuck of his hands into pockets, but the tone of the inquiry/offer is sincere. "Of course. You'll be fine, K'zin," Ali says, as she reaches to press her hand lightly against his arm as she steps past him. "Once you've settled in a bit, come by the galleries and you can take a closer look at the eggs." With a fleeting smile, she readjusts her shawl and steps outside. |
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