Logs:Sorting Things Out
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| RL Date: 26 February, 2013 |
| Who: Brieli, Vienne |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: Vienne has a little gift for Brieli and checks in. As usual, the bluerider has thoughts. |
| Where: Records Room, High Reaches Weyr |
| When: Day 6, Month 2, Turn 31 (Interval 10) |
| Weather: Steady, today's snowfall sticks, creating dunes on the bowl floor. |
| Mentions: Azaylia/Mentions, N'rov/Mentions, Taikrin/Mentions |
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| Winter drags on at High Reaches; another day, another snowfall. The records room is quiet as usual, with harpers and scribes working away at the tables and shelves in mid-afternoon industry. Towards the back of the tables, Brieli has one to herself where she's a pile of work to sort into smaller piles. Such is the glamor of administration. As such, her expression is clearly thrilled - if by thrilled, one means bored, but it doesn't deter her industry. Little by little, Vienne is getting used to this whole winter thing. For instance, she doesn't seem to be wearing some innumerable number of sweaters under her coat, so the tailored lines of the wool is much less sausage-casing these days. When she comes into the records room, it's with her posture straight and eyes searching, peering around the quiet room. She also has something that looks like a ledger in her hand. It doesn't take long for her to find Brieli, or for her feet to carry her to Weyrwoman's quiet table. Rather than interrupt abruptly with a greeting, she sinks silently into the opposing seat with a smile and a general air of being willing to wait for a good stopping point. Usually aware of the comings and goings in any room - more so than she needs to be, really - a flicker of Brieli's dark gaze seems to have caught Vienne's presence, for when the bluerider arrives at the table, she's slowing in her sort, setting the last of the hides in one pile. For now. With her own faint smile for the other woman, warm despite that, she asks - at the appropriate conversational level of course - "How are you? Here to get work done?" The ledger - she nods to it easily. "No, just..." There's something shy her smile and she places the ledger on the table, a simple flat thing that doesn't look like it has seen any use. She nudges it past the piles toward Brieli. "I got you something." And when the goldrider opens it, the ledger turns out to be just a study folder for a set of fine stationary with a subtle embelishment along the border and a matching set of envelopes. "I'm well," she replies, content to move the discussion away from the gift. "You? Is it... going alright?" There's no real point in pretending that recent events can be separated from the 'how are you' question, at least not in Brieli's case. Fine brows arch quizzically when the bluerider smiles at her that way, but Brieli pulls it closer and opens it; she can't help but look pleased when she does, smiling suddenly and brilliantly. "Thank you, I... I do write sometimes, for all that we can talk so easily with dragons," she says, touching the pages with fingertips, the barest flush on her cheeks, for some reason. Closing the ledger as if she's afraid something might happen to the paper, she looks up to Vienne with a nod. "Well enough. I... I think I'll need to talk to Azaylia more seriously soon. She wanted time, but... Now I'm not sure how much is her needing time and her thinking she's done something." With a purse of her lips, a shrug, "It would be easier, I think, if we weren't both here all the time." "Save them for obligatory thank you notes, if you need to," Vienne insists with a wide, more wry, smile, showing no sign that she's given this gift with any particular use in mind. "Or write the letters you wish you could send and burn then -- I'd done that," she admits with a soundless, self-effacing chuckle. There is, however, little chance to lighten the mood and mention of Azaylia wanting time sobers the bluerider's expression. "Understandable, I'm sure..." And yes, Vienne too has a 'but' hanging off that statement, unspoken but palpable. "Both here all the time? Do you think more space between you would help?" There's a touch of regret in the twist of her lips, since both queens are chained to the sands. "I try to not to write anything I don't mean to say. But I've been... warned about my words in the past. Burning might be a thought, if I have to get something out. Perhaps some letters are best left unsent. But one for N'rov, I think." The last is almost to herself, with a touch to the ledger again; that might explain Brieli's blushing. And with her own wry, self-deprecating grin, "Perhaps it's only me wishing I could still run off with Iesaryth to Fort or wherever else when I was in need of some time alone, or with someone who's not here. That's the one thing that makes not having... well." She stops, shaking her head. Maybe she's said too much. "I just wonder. I know Hraedhyth can need space. I know I can." "I've found it cathartic. When I was at the Hall, I did it all the time for a while. I'd write horrible things I didn't really mean, just to purge them. And then, well, you can't leave that sort of thing lying around," Vienne says, a widening of her eyes for emphasis. Considering the private quality to Brieli's remark about N'rov, the fact that she's blushing, the bluerider might be ready to let it all go withouth comment. The Weyrwoman's grin convinces her otherwise and, with a brightly cheeky smile, Vienne supposes, "Maybe there's still time." She darts a thumb over her shoulder. "Quick, run, I'll cover you." If only, eh? While the small woman never did make herself comfortable in that chair, still perched on the edge, she does undo her jacket buttons now, brows starting to draw together about the one part of Brieli's comments that she doesn't quite understand. "Not having...?" With a smirk, "No, you really can't. You can only say horrible things, and then it's just really just your word versus theirs." Brieli seems amused by that, particularly given the rumors likely flying around about what she's said or not said or if she actually flies on a broom instead of her queen. And as Vienne makes to cover her, the smirk fades into something of a wistful smile as she wrinkles her nose, telling the bluerider, "Iesaryth wouldn't like it. Leaving, or letting me go. For all she's not really into the eggs, she feels like she should be around." As for the unfinished sentence, she considers the other woman for a moment before, "Not having him here. N'rov. We're not in each other's business. It's perspective. I wonder if things would be the same otherwise." "No, I suppose not. Perhaps when the eggs hatch. Run away, cut your hair, change your name, get a really big tent to hide Iesaryth under: no one will be the wiser." It's a guileless smirk Vienne wears, no red flags. It's just the flippant, logical, next step in the process of running away and the bluerider is already shaking her head at the impossiblity of all of it. "Has he been able to visit much?" she wonders of N'rov, her head canting faintly as she sorts through her own thoughts on the subjects of business and distance. "I think, with anyone, people need space once in a while. No matter how well they get along." Her mouth tightens, though, and she sounds a little more doubtful when she adds: "Or at least, sometimes they think they do." There's a bit of a blink at the bluerider's suggestion, Brieli's dark eyes widening - but as she takes in Vienne's smirk, she mirrors it quickly. "Just for awhile," she says lightly, "Until they come to find us. Or she has to move." For once, she doesn't mind moving on to N'rov, shrugging at the question. "Enough, I suppose. It's hard to say, when... well. It doesn't really matter how long he's gone." That obviously embarrasses her, the fact that she has feelings, ew - she glances down to her work. Clearing her throat, "With Azaylia, perhaps I've left it too long. I rather thought she was upset with me, but... I don't know. Perhaps I'll ask Taikrin. I... don't want to do the wrong thing. I don't like hurting her." "If they started to, what would happen to Gathers?" Brieli mimes shock and horror at such a thought. "We'd have to move around with them, carrying our plates and drinks." There's a little smirk at the idea, looking up to Vienne as she rests her chin in hand, elbow on the table. With a purse of her lips, "No. I just meant more... to see where she is with things. So... when I do talk to her, I know where to start. And I hope it can be like that." There's a pause before, "I always meant for things to be the same. This was meant to be... in name only. All of it." Gathers on the Go. Vienne lets out a bright, if quiet, laugh for that, with a wrinkle of her nose and another shake of her head. Despite generally keeping her voice down, here among the few studious workers, she takes a quick glance to be sure their discussion hasn't interrupted anyone. Her lips work together afterwards, taming her smile in a thoughtful bit of chewing. "I know you do," she says without any doubt. "Hopefully she knows that too. It seems like... you've been keeping your distance for a while, though." And how is that working for her? For her part, Vienne draws in a deep breath, posturing straightening again. "I should probably let you work." The Weyrwoman too glances around to see if anyone's been disturbed - some things, even rank can't save you from, and angry clerks who like to hush you is one of them. Brieli looks back to Vienne with a little quirk of her lips before, "She asked for time. I don't like to... push." But at the same time, it has been awhile, and she knows it. "I sent a cake." Not like that's the same as going to talk to a friend, though. "I suppose it's likely time to check in. And... these won't sort themselves." Though curious now, "What have you been doing with your time, since you've moved here? Other than searching for warm clothes." A flash of a grin. The smile Vienne wears is a little indulgent, knowing as well as Brieli does that they're both aware of the weakness in her arguments. That said, she only agrees lightly when the goldrider considers it might be time. "Maybe," she says. "You would know probably know better than anyone if the time is right or not." There's respect there for what the two goldriders have shared, even if their bond has been tried by the past few months. And since, no, the piles won't sort themselves, Vienne is ready to push herself back to her feet, only to be paused by Brieli's question. "Me?" There's a bit of surprise on her face, another chuckle in her voice. "I did manage to get my wardrobe sorted out, I think." She sticks a boot out to the side, where Brieli might be able to see a bit of her stick leg. "I had some pants made. It's been nice to have... more freedom?" She's unsure if that's the way she wants to put it. She might not love that smile, but Brieli doesn't say anything about it beyond, "I suppose so. It's just..." She has a little sigh before, "It's difficult when someone's so apologetic when there's nothing that's been done? And... I'm not good with emotions. Let's put it that way." Though Vienne's seen proof positive of that even more than once today. Starting in on her sorting again, she does pause to lean over and take a look at the bluerider's pants, with a bit of a smile. "Were you not allowed to wear leather pants at Igen?" she teases. "Or too hot?" No, it's probably not the best feeling when someone smiles like that, but Brieli hides the reaction well and Vienne thinks nothing of it. Plus, there's a certain touch of sympathy that shows up for the goldrider's explanation and perhaps that honest concern will make it easier to forgive her previous expression. "She knows you, right?" Perhaps Brieli's discomfort with emotions won't come as a total surprise to the other weyrwoman. "She's apologetic?" That point seems snag Vienne's curiosity, brings a little furrow to her brow. As for the pants, she releases a breath and looks down to run a hand over her newly sueded knee, her foot finally pulling back in. "Yes, I'm free to wear all the clothes I want." That impish grin makes a reappearance. But more seriously, "They didn't like that I went to the Hall as much as I did. And so whenever I left, they assumed that's where I was headed. It felt..." The former harper doesn't have the right word on hand, so she just makes a little cage with her fingers. With some uncertainty, "I thought so, but it's difficult to say now. I don't know what people have been saying to her." Or what she's assumed. Brieli carefully sorts the hides - probably carefully because her attention is so split. Nodding to Vienne, "She tends to think she's done something wrong, or she needs to apologize for something. It's not usually the case." There's a little laugh, quiet for the room. "And you do." As for the little cage, the goldrider eyes it, with a purse of lips. "I see. I'll try not to assume where you go, when you do." Apology. That seems to keep Vienne distracted, her glance shifting away again for a moment, though her thoughts don't really get a chance to sort themeselves out on the topic. At least not right away. "Sometimes I think it's harder to convince someone of the things you aren't doing than the other way around. It was just... a situation that probably would have resolved itself in time," she admit with frown, though it doesn't seem to be a frown of regret. However, with all that said, she can let her attention backtrack. "If she's apologizing..." Now the bluerider's lashes narrow, because she really is not certain about this. "Do you think she could want some kind of forgiveness? I mean, maybe not from you specifically just..." It's like trying an idea on and realizing the head is stuck in the arm hole. It might not fit, but it's impossible to tell just yet. Brieli has to consider that for a few moments before, eventually, hands beginning to move again, "I suppose there's something to that. People would rather be convinced you're not doing what they think you're doing rather than you are doing what they haven't considered, yes?" There's a little grimace for the complexity of it all, but then she looks up to Vienne again and listens, thinks for another short time. As if she's thinking aloud, but still careful with her words, "She just... may want to know... she's doing the right thing? Doing well? I..." There's a pause before, "I've never allowed myself the luxury of second-guessing." That is complex, yes, and Vienne's glance hikes upward as she tries to follow it. "More like, if you asked if I'd ever been to Bitra and I said no. But if you wanted to believe I had been, no amount of denying it would prove otherwise. Whereas, if you thought I'd never been to Bitra and I said, yes, I was, I could say all kinds of things to prove I had been there. I met this woman or I talked to this man." She pauses to see if that makes sense. "But if you wanted to believe I was there when I wasn't, you could talk to that man and that woman and the fact that they didn't see me would mean nothing." The bluerider has to take a deep breath there, the exhale of it making her shoulders drop a little. She has had this conversation before and it's entirely possible it didn't go well. And anyway, chances are that Brieli is less interested in that whole spiel than in the situation with Azaylia. "She may. I don't know. People have said that a lot lately, 'the right thing', 'what is right'. I don't know what is right. If there is such a thing, I don't think it has the defined borders that it seems to imply." She lifts a hand to the table, just rubbing her fingertips along the edge. "Maybe she's afraid people will see her differently now. That you see her differently." Brieli actually does seem somewhat interested, her sorting hands stopping again as she listens to Vienne, dark gaze thoughtful. "It's difficult to prove you haven't done something," she summarizes, "But simple to prove you have. Even if it never happened. Yes. I have noticed that." She tilts her head to the side as she regards the bluerider for a time, before, "You're quite good at people, but I suppose you'd have to be. And 'right' is what feels right to you, in my opinion, which likely means little to some people you speak to. But some people need confirmation, validation, something." By her tone, she has no need of these things. But then, she did stand up and name herself Weyrwoman. With a quirk of lips, "She's always been concerned with what people think, so I am certain you are not far off." "Exactly," Vienne says with a tap of that finger against the table's edge, a smile for how clear the goldrider makes it sound. "Anyway, it was uncomfortable," that situation at Igen. Meanwhile, she demures whe Brieli pays her that compliment. "I just try to understand. And really, you can only ever guess, no matter how well you know a person. So..." That can mean whatever it means in regard to her skill with people. Luck, perhaps, she means to imply. "'Right' means something different to everyone. It could mean proper or expected, it could mean moral, it could mean advantageous, it could mean.. defensible." She can only shrug. "I don't know Azaylia at all. I've really only met her once. She seemed tired and overwhelmed and worried. Not... herself? At least not in the way she'd been described to me. I doubt that has changed, despite the resolution." And with a twist of her mouth to one side, Vienne is sorry about that. "In some ways, I don't know if she's been entirely herself since she impressed. But are any of us?" Brieli has a slight smile for Vienne at that, offering a shrug. She doesn't have the answers any more than the bluerider does, but; "You seem to guess well, at least. You knew enough that I'd need writing paper, though I suppose it's not a stretch, any goldrider." Resting her hand on the ledger again, seeming both appreciative and apologetic, "I should get this done, though. So I can send it all to the people it's meant for. Thank you, though, Vienne. For checking in." Vienne's eyes drop to the ledger and she lets her eyebrows bounce as that another cheeky smile spreads across her face. "Oh, I have my ways," she remarks for that guess of a useful gift. And she's already pushing herself up from her seat, rolling her shouldes so that her jacket hangs properly and sliding a hand behind her neck to make sure her hair is free with a swift toss. "Good luck," she wishes Brieli, probably for all of it, the sorting, Azaylia and beyond. With a parting smile, she heads off again, leaving the Weyrwoman to her work. |
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