Logs:The Weight of Lies
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| RL Date: 22 October, 2012 |
| Who: Brieli, Madilla |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: Brieli and Madilla are both escaping the cold for the warmth of the greenhouse. But they're working, so it's ok. |
| Where: Greenhouse, High Reaches Weyr |
| When: Day 17, Month 1, Turn 30 (Interval 10) |
| Mentions: Azaylia/Mentions |
| Greenhouse, High Reaches Weyr A rustic and unadorned vestibule leads in from hewn spiral steps to a refitted ledge, enclosed by limestone pillars. Sturdy wooden framework captures elongated glass panes, tilted to absorb the most light during the day. The wash of heat from within, lush and humid, persists even into the dead of winter; the air is heady with the scent of fresh-turned soil and various flora. Long, deep troughs of soil line the inner stone wall, planted with an assortment of broad, leafy tropicals - practical and decorative alike. Fruit and vegetable baskets hang from rafters, optimizing space, tempting in reach with a perpetually ripening harvest. A series of stone shelving is devoted to flourishing, aromatic herbs and new green shoots; even the softest touch releases a burst of savory scent from tender leaves. Amidst the greenery, a handful of wooden benches have been scattered, making this a temptingly warm and secluded spot to sit. Shuttered vents serve to regulate humidity and heat given off from a small hot spring recessed into an alcove at the back; a secondary pool with cooler waters siphons off to provide a constant, fresh supply for irrigation. A small potting station nearby is cluttered with watering cans and gardening tools of various uses, with a wooden bin for composting materials tucked underneath. There's no snow coming down today, but that hardly matters to some people - certainly not someone who's only on her second winter at the Reaches. That might be the reason for Brieli's presence in the greenhouse today; that and the people waiting for Rielsath to clutch in the galleries. She's no stranger to the place though, especially in the colder months, with hidework or with nothing but her thoughts for company, enjoying the warm, close air. Today, she's actually occupied a bench for working, though it's not with any particular industry or enthusiasm, just sheer duty. The sound of Madilla's boots on the spiral staircase precede her arrival, though there's nothing notably loud about her arrival. The Healer has a basket tucked into the crook of her arm, and some gardening shears within it, when she emerges into the Greenhouse, and a low sigh of contentment to go with both. She's surely noticed Brieli, but it's not until she's removed her outermost layers and headed down the path towards the goldrider that she says, cheerfully, "Good afternoon. I hope it won't disrupt your work, if I do some harvesting." There's little Brieli doesn't notice, or at least pay attention to - though there's only a flicker of her dark gaze toward Madilla as she sighs. She can't help but quirk a bit of a smile at that, her own coat and scarf abandoned beside her. It lingers as she glances up to the Healer, noting, "It won't disturb you, if I'm working while you harvest?" she counters. "It's meant to be a place for that sort of thing, not hidework. But I'll live with that and the frizzing both for my skin's sake." Her hair isn't likely as bad as she thinks. Madilla's reply is warm, and comes accompanied by a genuine smile. "Not in the least," she says, stepping past the bench and moving across towards one of the beds a few steps away. "I come up here to do other kinds of work, too. Particularly at this time of the Turn. I like it when it rains." She sets her basket down, and curls her legs beneath her so that she can lean forward and begin snipping off small amounts of the plant in front of her. "Your hair looks fine to me, if that helps." "I've been glad for it on more than one occasion. The snow is still... a bit much. It's exhausting, sometimes." Either the amount, or just the constant presence, Brieli doesn't specify. The goldrider shifts attention from the work in her lap to the bed Madilla is working in, mildly curious. "You've been here some time, and I'm guessing the cold is still an issue. It's not particularly encouraging," she points out, tone light. "And it does, yes. Thank you." Her fingers still brush her dark curls, self-consciously. "More than ten turns," admits Madilla. "Twelve, I suppose. Twelve and a half. And a turn and a half at the Healer Hall before that. It's not so bad, now, though. It gets easier, I promise." She seems both pleased and amused by what Brieli has to say, and turns her gaze back to smile at the goldrider again, for all that her fingers keep working with practiced steadiness. "There's nothing wrong with having a preference towards warmth. And you've the means to go and find some, when you need to." With a wry smile, "I'm not all that sure whether I'll be glad for getting used to it or not, but I'll certainly feel more at home. There's a certain difficulty in that when you're cursing the cold. But twelve turns." Brieli looks down at her work as Madilla does her own, making notes, perhaps copying. "That's an eventful twelve turns, as I found from the records. I hope events didn't affect you too much, though I suppose that's a difficult thing as well, in a Weyr." Her smile shades more towards an honest one as she agrees, "I do. We do. Iesaryth does like her beaches." Madilla seems unsurprised by Iesaryth's predilection towards beaches, and merely smiles, though her gaze has turned faraway - distantly thoughtful, somehow. "It's difficult for anyone to stay completely part from what happens in the Weyr," she agrees, careful in her word choices. "In good ways and bad. We got this Greenhouse, and all the facilities here in the Complex as a result of those meteors, after all. Even now... even non-riders are impacted by the unrest of some. It's our home too, for all that we have no say in the direction of it." Brieli might notice that care, might note it down in her mind, if not her hides. With a brief look Madilla's way, contemplative herself, "I imagine it would be near impossible to try to be unbiased, or not to have an opinion. I don't envy any of the Crafters for even having to make that attempt." Her brows arch a touch at the explanation of the trade-off, though she's surely read about it - but maybe not really thought about it while around the complex. "I suppose it's good to look at it as a positive, in some way." There's a pause before, with her own care, "Do you think that's right, having no say?" Madilla looks up again, surprised, as she considers Brieli's last question - and this time her hands still, dropping to rest in the low curve of her skirt-covered lap. "We have no say in the direction of our own Crafts," she points out. "And most riders have no more say than we do. It would be... there are some, amongst the crafters, who would argue for having involvement. But we're posted here by our Crafts; our loyalty is to them, first. It's simply... frustrating, to spend so long in one place, and to have no voice." She twists her mouth into a wry smile, and admits, "We worry. But it is the responsibility of our Crafts to negotiate in our interests." Seeming merely curious, Brieli asks, "Do you have more... influence, though, if you're at the Crafthall? I imagine that technically one has little say, but in reality... there might be ways to lobby or push things in a certain direction." She shuffles her hides idly, looking over Madilla's way as she notes, "Much as there must be people here that technically have little say but still garner some respect. But I can imagine that would be frustrating, yes. Everyone has to live here." Her lips quirk at touch at the Healer's last, before, "Hopefully your Crafts pay attention to your reports, then. It's difficult enough to negotiate from afar." "I think so," allows Madilla, though she's quick to add, "I don't know for sure. I've only ever been posted to the Crafthall as an Apprentice, and we certainly had no influence, unsurprisingly." She reaches for her shears again, and resumes her work, though she's sidled just enough to the side now that she's not completely turned away from the younger woman. "There has been talk, by some, that the Crafters here should have a single representitive who speaks to our interests - like the Headwoman does, I suppose, but in a different context. But then you would have the problem of who, and the biases that come with it. Herders want different things, sometimes, to Healers or Harpers. Or Weavers. Or Smiths." "It would stand to reason, I'd think. As it does that Apprentices have little say, I suppose." Brieli's not really paying attention to her notes anymore, pencil twirling between her fingers idly. Crossing long legs, she considers Madilla's words, admitting, "I haven't heard much about that, though I don't suppose that it's something anyone would broach with me." Given the givens; Iesaryth. "I've heard similar things, and honestly, there is some sense and efficiency to it. Though that's definitely an issue, the who; it's not as if you can completely rely on a vote, if the posted Crafter numbers aren't entirely even." Madilla lifts a sprig of rosemary towards her nose and sniffs it contentedly, before setting it down in her basket. "One or two more ambitious souls have considered broaching the idea with Azaylia, I believe," she says, sounding quietly amused at the idea. "On the basis that, as a former Crafter, she might better understand. Honestly, though, it seems like a number of them only want it as a platform for making demands. Better service, better-- I don't even know." Her head shakes. "The truth is, we're well served, and... well. Our understanding of politics is limited; has to be. We don't have all the facts, and nor should we. We don't bear that burden." There's a little laugh for the thought of her fellow junior. "I don't know. Azaylia might understand, but I'm not sure how inclined she is to push. I could be wrong, though. She does surprise me sometimes." Smirking, Brieli points out, "At least the demands would be presented by one person rather than several. Forgive me if I like it as a time-saving method." And perhaps, headache-avoiding. There's a assessing glance for Madilla at her last, before, "That's certainly an interesting way to look at it. The facts as a burden. They can be, I'd guess." She doesn't sound like she's guessing, but, "Perspectives are helpful, though. Sometimes from uninvolved parties most of all." "No, I suppose she isn't really a... pusher." Madilla's expression, her glance now aimed so steadily at Brieli, is not quite appraising, but perhaps there's an element of it even so. "I suppose you're right. It is certainly easier to deal with one person over many." Her head tips to the side, and now, as much as Brieli's expression is assessing, so too is the healer's - her mouth opens part way, and she pauses. "Truth is often a burden. Facts. Sometimes, it's easier not to know." She certainly speaks from experience, though there's no bitterness to her tone. "I imagine most leaders still talk their thoughts out, though I suppose there's a difference between the listening ears of loved ones, and those who can-- well try and be more neutral." Brieli's not the sort to ever react to someone's regard, steady or otherwise - something that certainly served her well in the time between getting their own weyr and being able to between, when she was a more frequent sight around the Infirmary. "It depends on how strongly she feels, I think, Azaylia and her pushing or lack thereof. She'd just usually stand up for someone else before herself. Actually, given that, perhaps she might be an excellent advocate." She has a little smile for that, warm enough for the other goldrider. And she's certainly curious about Madilla's experience, but doesn't ask. "Not to know. I'm sure there's always something we'd rather not know, yes? And try to be, indeed. No one can be neutral, but it's nice to see another viewpoint now and again." Madilla's reply is musing, but confident. "I am quite sure Azaylia can be anything she puts her mind to. At least given time to get used to the idea. You're right, though: she is a natural advocate for others in some senses." Dropping her gaze, the Healer turns her attention back to her harvesting, shifting her shears from one plant to another. "They say the truth can set you free, but I'm not convinced that is always true. Some secrets are better kept. Some can only hurt, even when decisions are made for all the right reasons, and may even be the correct decision. Though," her mouth twists once more, "who are any of us to ever say that decisions are right and wrong? Even with the benefit of hindsight. We can't know the alternatives. I've stopped you from working; I'm sorry." "If only she thought so." Brieli has a little sigh, shaking her head after - but she'll leave the subject of the other goldrider alone beyond that, perhaps more interested in the abstract as Madilla muses over her clippings. Swinging her booted foot back and forth idly, as if the discussion isn't so serious, "Truth is all subjective, isn't it? And as they say, hindsight is twenty-twenty; it's easy to say something was for better or worse after it's all shaken out. Iesaryth sometimes thinks she can figure out all the likely possibilities, and she's good at it, but they're infinite in the end." A pause, before, "I've found that my own secrets never weigh as heavily as someone else's. That's maybe the burden. Knowing everyone, everywhere else's secrets and keeping them. And..." With one of her enigmatic smiles, "This is work, in a sense. But." Eyeing said work, "I might want to go be productive elsewhere to free my evening. Not that I've minded the chat." Madilla, too, leaves alone that topic of Azaylia, but her smile - aimed so far into the distance - is undeniably affectionate. "Oh yes," she agrees. "Keeping other people's secrets is the hardest thing of all, I think. As a Healer... But of course. I'm glad our conversation was of interest to you. Helpful, perhaps. Have a pleasant afternoon, Brieli. And a lovely evening." Her smile is a genuine one: warm and friendly. Quietly, "As a Healer, no doubt." There's some little respect for that, before Brieli gathers up herself and her things, offering her own smile, easy and appreciative both. "It's certainly more interesting than what I have to do. And as I said, perspective is always helpful. Have a good afternoon yourself, Madilla. Do let me know if you have any demands." She's a little smirk for that before she takes herself off to somewhere less distracting, and sadly, less warm. |
Comments
Comments on "Logs:The Weight of Lies"Azaylia (Dragonshy) left a comment on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 04:24:40 GMT.
Ooooh. :3 This was an interesting scene. Pure goodness with... Brieli. ;)
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