Logs:Troubling Trends
| |
|---|
| |
| RL Date: 24 May, 2012 |
| Who: Brieli, K'del, Lirienne, Toren |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: Weyrfolk talk about the new developments at High Reaches - and what they might mean. |
| Where: Inner Caverns, High Reaches Weyr |
| When: Day 12, Month 11, Turn 28 (Interval 10) |
| Mentions: Aughan/Mentions, Braeden/Mentions, Tiriana/Mentions, Devaki/Mentions |
  |
| Inner Caverns, High Reaches Weyr Within the labyrinth of interconnected chambers that make up the inner caverns, this large, long cavern serves both as a crossroads and a comfortable place for weyrfolk to sit, talk, and keep a nosy eye out for who's going where. Colorful, seasonal tapestries add warmth to the smooth walls and reduce echoes, while large niches house clusters of chairs, and a waist-high stone shelf along one wall provides a perch for drinks or work for residents on the go. Worn brass hooks often hold jackets or other outerwear with workboots stationed beneath, the transitory nature of the cavern lending itself to being treated as a sort of communal foyer where snowy or muddy gear can be kept outside of living quarters. Smaller, higher niches at regular intervals hold glowbaskets kept fresh during the daytime and allowed to dim somewhat at night. The largest tunnels lead to the main living cavern, to the bowl and to the Weyr entrance, but it's still easy for the uninitiated to get lost within this maze.
K'del's entrance from the bowl quiets a few of the gossipers, some of whom follow him with their eyes as he makes his way past them. Although the purposefulness of his steps implies that he has a destination in mind, he has a few moments to spare, stopping first to engage a group of elderly women in brief conversation. A few paces on, he steps aside, flush with the wall, so that a trio of children can race past him in some kind of game. It's then, as he waits for them to pass, that his attention falls upon Brieli - and pauses there. Some of the gossipers will clear on out completely as the Weyrleader makes his appearance - but some that don't will at least wait till he passes to start buzzing away again. Brieli is observant enough to catch a change in the people around her, following pretty much everyone else's gaze over to K'del. Her dark gaze picks out the elderly women around him, quick enough to move on and start looking busy. Tired, but busy. Yes. Feeling the weight of attention, she looks back to blink and offer a quicksilver flash of a smile, before, "Oh. Hello, sir." "Brieli," says K'del, with a smile that indicates some small amount of pride and pleasure at managing to remember her name. "Ought to offer you my congratulations. Amazing, sometimes, how prospective Candidates end up at the Weyr before we've even had time to Search for them." Busy or not busy, it doesn't really seem to bother him: he seems perfectly content, now, to stick both hands (no more casts! Hurray!) into his pockets and continue to lean against the wall. "Must be keeping you busy. You look pretty tired." With another, wider smile for her name, Brieli nods almost imperceptibly - got it in one. "Thank you. And I suppose it might be the way things are meant to be? Though it was Lujayn that asked me, not one of the dragons. Perhaps you might not have found me otherwise." Unlike some candidates, she's not overly bothered by the difference, noting suddenly, "Oh! I think I have something for you." As she juggles the scrolls to look for one marked 'K'del', "I've been all over the Weyr today, it feels like. They do keep us busy, which is rather nice, actually." She and K'del stand by the tunnel wall in the caverns; him leaning, her looking through messages hurriedly. "Once you've been a rider for a while, you tend to have a pretty good idea of the kind of person who might suit the dragons," explains K'del, even if Brieli doesn't seem bothered by the distinction. His expression changes even as he's talking, however, turning quietly wary as he eyes her bundle of scrolls instead of the candidate herself. "Better not be another 'SURPRISE!' kind of message," he remarks, aiming for levity in his tone but not quite reaching it. "I remember the busy. It's for good reason, though: baby dragons are pretty exhausting, in a completely different kind of way." Speaking of work, Brieli isn't the only white-knot set to tasks - but where hers has her running around, Lirienne's has her, well, covered in soot and the like. Stepping in from the kitchen, the redheaded young woman rubs at her hands with a bit of a rag. "I wouldn't presume to question Lujayn's judgment," Brieli says lightly. "Especially if it makes life more interesting for me? Ah, here we are." The tall brunette offers it over, only hesitating momentarily as she adds, hopefully, "Don't shoot the messenger if it is? Looks to be in-Weyr, at least?" She hopes, but what does she know about these things? Glancing around to look where gossips gathered only moments before, "Everyone seems surprised. Who knew." Her gaze trips over Lirienne; she lifts a hand in greeting. K'del's low burst of laughter, following Brieli's first words, is restrained but not faked; the same can be said of the smile that follows as he extends a hand to take the scroll. Tucking it under one arm, unopened, he promises: "You're safe. I'll read it later. In-weyr, though, that's less likely to be-- surprising or concerning." Brieli's lifted hand draws his attention, sending his gaze towards Lirienne, to whom he aims a nod. "Suppose I should've seen some of it coming, after Braeden's activities at the clutching celebration. Still." Now, Brieli gets a searching glance. "You're from Crom. Do you see it as an insult to Crom, that he'd break the engagement to secure an exile?" Lirienne pauses in her soot-scrubbing to offer a nod to both, though she doesn't say much - catching the question, however, she drifts over to the others, the better to listen in. Playing up her sense of relief, Brieli sags against the wall with a heavy exhale and draws her free hand across her brow, as if wiping off sweat. Saved. "Let's hope so. I'm finding that I'm expecting odd news now and again, and I don't think that's necessarily a good thing." Shifting the messages from one arm to the other, glancing back up to K'del, "There was a lot going on at that party, it seemed. I don't think I understood half of it. And..." She considers the question before, careful, "If I were happy with my life at Crom, or were overly dedicated to it, would I leave? I don't see it that way, but I know some will. They take insults to their Lords as seriously as they might to their own person." Her tone makes it clear she doesn't get it. Brieli's reaction makes K'del smile again, one corner of his mouth twisting in amusement; at much the same time, he's waving Lirienne closer, greeting her with a smile of his own. "Afternoon, Lirienne. Just talking about Lord High Reaches, and the exiles and all." Saying that gives him a moment or two to consider Brieli's response before replying. When he does speak, it's in a more thoughtful tone. "Makes sense. Lord Aughan's not someone I'd like to get on the wrong side of, but no doubt Lord Braeden's got his reasons. Guess this probably means some of the exiles'll be moving on, but if so, he hasn't seen fit to inform us just yet." It clearly rankles. Lirienne nods slightly, then admits, "I.. have spent, uhm, less attention than I might. With, ah, a chance to be assigned anywhere? It seemed best to... involved? With the idea." There is a pause, as she frowns at a streak of soot on her arm, then just gives up on the scrubbing as she looks up. "Will it cause trouble?" "Do they... Are they..." Brieli seems unsure how to frame the question, and doesn't seem bothered by the drift Lirienne takes, bringing the other candidate near. "I didn't get the impression they were terribly organized? Or that the older woman - she seemed to be in charge - makes her decisions quickly, if she's the one who might. Still, it might be nice to know what they're considering. I can see that." With a tilt of her head, she tells the former apprentice, "I might do the same were I in that position." As for trouble, well. Her questioning glance towards K'del says maybe her should answer that. K'del and the two Candidates are hovering near the wall down one of the passages; the Weyrleader is leaning up against it, looking bothered. "Wish I'd known Devaki was involved. He was involved in a murder, disappeared, and now--" Shows up about to be married to a Lord's sister. His answer to that question is a quieter one, presented with a shake of his head. "Don't know. Possibly." Beat. "Probably. These things always seem to, in some form or another. Definitely-- something to watch. Keep your eyes and ears open at the celebration; who knows what'll happen." Lirienne starts to ask what celebration - the question forms on her expression as it is mentioned. However, slight recognition soon follows, and she nods. "It is good we cannot partake of strong drink during this. It will, uhm, help keep tempers on our side of things, at least." By that, she means candidates, of course. Dark eyes wide, "I heard a little about that - about someone being killed." Brieli gives a little shudder, admitting, "I didn't know. That's worrying, certainly... but at the same time, at least you'll know who you're dealing with." If K'del indeed has to deal with Devaki after all of this. She nods a little to his request, tucking a loose curl behind her ear. "I'd imagine someone from Crom will feel the need to say something at least." Raising her brows, she asks Lirienne, "Do you think any of the others might cause problems?" "She was an exile. She helped look after my children." And she was found in K'del's weyr, though he's cautious about actually mentioning that bit. "It's a pity," he remarks, sounding rueful in the wake of Lirienne's remark, "that the same can't be said about the rest of us. Tiriana's going to be pissed." Which probably doesn't mean that K'del is off the hook. "It's all worrying. But-- guess it'll be nice for you guys, to get out of the Weyr once more before the eggs hatch." He's clearly trying to be positive about it, aiming, now, for a smile. Toren comes in from the living cavern with his guitar case slung over his shoulder. He heads over to one of the chairs that are spread out around. He gives a polite nod to the candidates and a salute to K'del, "Hello." He gives a smile before he moves over to sit down and he takes out his guitar. He starts to tune it before he plays. "Drinking always causes tempers to get uncertain - the infirmary always gets a couple of cases after - or during - a party," Lirienne manages to say calmly enough, though she winces at the mention of the Weyrwoman's name, before glancing over towards the tuning harper-type. Brieli tries to follow K'del's lead, summoning a smile of her own. "I won't mind getting out - I don't get to do a lot of travelling, but when I do, I so enjoy it. It sometimes feels wrong to stay in one place for so long." Which is perhaps odd for a holder girl, but who doesn't come to the Weyr with a wandering spirit? Glancing over in the direction of the music and marking Toren, she arches brows Lirienne's way again as she reacts to... something. "Well, I can't see people holding off, unfortunately. Most don't need much of an excuse." Distracted by the conversation at hand, which remains serious despite his attempts as positivity, K'del gives Toren only a vague nod as he passes. "Most people do not," he agrees, with a twist of his expression. "Particularly when the alcohol is subsidised by a celebrating Lord. High Reaches Hold's nice, I guess. Cold. Guess they'll probably have us all in the great hall, if they can manage it, 'less it's cold enough for snow." And even then. Toren starts to play a low slow tune so that he can still hear the conversation that is going on. He's heard of the upcoming marriage between Lord Braeden's sister and Devaki. Even though he wasn't here two years ago he was able to pick up that Devaki is wanted in suspicious of murder. "It should be quiet an event tomorrow, my father was invited to help play at the wedding and he said if I'm good I'll get to help play at the celebration afterwards." Lirienne winces a touch, then nods slightly, before offering a slight smile, "I am, uhm, looking forward to the visit, despite.." she waves a soot-smeared hand, "everything else." "Perhaps people's gratitude for the supply will outweigh any issues they feel like raising. It's a happy occasion, so moods are usually good." Brieli will still try to be upbeat, in her own way. Giving K'del a pleading look, "Please tell me it's not colder at the Hold than here. I don't know that I could bear it. I'm worried enough about the ride there to begin with." Blinking over Toren's way, she asks, "Wedding? Already?" To Lirienne, "Have you been before?" "Hope so," is K'del's contribution to Brieli's suggestion, along with a firm nod. "It /should/ be a good occasion. Promise, it's no colder than there. On the water, too, and that usually helps. You'll be fine, and there'll be plenty of fires, I'm sure." He, too, seems surprised by Toren's words, and remarks, "Don't think they've even given an indication of when the wedding might be. Bet they won't want to draw it out, though, I guess." Lirienne shakes her head, "Not High Reaches. Mostly just the Healer Hall," she finally admits to, before blinking at Toren. Toren nods, "Well of course there is an engagement and there is gonna be a wedding, those things take forever to plan, gotta get the music ready and flowers and food, lots of food." He nods, "Yah when I was about 9 I went with my parents to a wedding between two holders. The father of the girl went all out and both my parents were sent to play. They played beautifully but it took them lots of practice, especially because the bride kept changing the songs until my father put his foot down about it." He looks towards K'del, "Exactly and the harper at High Reaches Hold is friends with my father." Lirienne shakes her head. "The Healer Hall mostly," she admits, before slightly frowning at Toren in thought, before nodding. With a wide smile, "Oh, fires. I love big fires. So festive, really." Brieli does seem honestly cheered by the idea, straightening out of her lean, to continue, bright-eyed, "I think they're so much nicer than just having everything indoors - er, not that I would blame anyone. I'll have to dress for the outdoors, then." Lirienne gets another odd look, bemused by the other girl's reactions, before she looks over Toren's way. "Interesting. Might your father know anything about the Hold that may be helpful to the Weyrleader?" Hint. K'del's fingers run over the end of the scroll tucked so tidily beneath his arm, the one he hasn't opened yet. It's a distracted gesture, one that keeps him from replying to much of the conversation, or even, quite possibly, keeping track of it. But 'Weyrleader' catches his attention, and he straightens. A moment later: "Mmm. There's a point. /Does/ your father know anything, Toren? Any word spreading out of there that might help an in-the-dark Weyrleader?" Toren continues to play and he nods, "I'm sure my father does know a lot of stuff that could help you K'del. You should ask him. He's full of knowledge, he knows just about everyone in Pern. At least it seems that way. I hope I know as many people as he does one day." He looks at Brieli, "I hope I get to play at tomorrow's celebration too, but we shall see." Lirienne looks down at her hands, then frowns a moment, before she shakes her head, "I should, uhm, go clean up." A distracted nod is given to those staying around, before the healer heads towards the baths, thoughts humming just out of sight. The way the Weyrleader runs fingers over the scroll makes Brieli glance down at the scrolls cradled in one arm, perhaps a bit guiltily. With a somewhat regretful expression, "I should likely take the rest of these to who they're meant to go to soon..." Toren's reply has her considering him thoughtfully - though Lirienne's distracted exit has her equally distracted, looking after the other candidate with a puzzled expression. Back to the harper, "I'd think they'd need as many of you as possible. Good luck with it." K'del's mouth opens as Lirienne excuses himself, but his farewell gets cut short as he turns his attention back upon the other two. "Harpers," he says, with some faint amusement, a reaction to Toren's words but not a descriptive one. To Brieli: "Thank you for my letter. I'll track you down later if it's something awful just to blame you for it, promise." Toren smiles brightly, "I'll do my best and show them that High Reaches Weyr's harpers are no slackers." He looks to K'del, "Of course I'll keep my eyes and ears open and anything I hear I'll report back to you K'del." Brieli might just make a little talky mouth with her free hand, miming talking talking talking after K'del says 'Harpers' in that tone, but it's hard to tell, her hand closer to the wall. With wry amusement, "Oh, wonderful. Well, then. Let's hope it's not a declaration of hostilities. Or from the Weyrwoman." With a quirk of her lips, she nods to Toren by way of farewell and starts off towards the Crafter's caverns with much less lethargy than before. K'del makes a face at mention of the Weyrwoman, but despite everything, he's too cheerful to let it linger around his expression for long, and Brieli gets smiled after. Once she's gone, he turns his attention back on Toren, looking thoughtful all over again. "Appreciate it," he says, firmly. "Particularly at Lord Braeden's thing, there could be plenty to hear. But in general, too. More ears the better, right?" Toren continues to play and he smiles, "Sometimes, not if you wanna keep a secret, the best kept secrets are known by 7 people or less, any more than that it might get out. Of course no one notices harpers either unless we are on stage performing." He grins, "Although any more would be giving up craft secrets." "Well yes," allows K'del, with a laugh. "Rather no one knows my secrets. But knowing other people's doesn't hurt me, generally. Usually helps." He listens to Toren's music with idle attention, his head tipped to one side in a considering kind of way. "Not asking you to do that. Craft secrets, I mean. Not a harper, wouldn't want to be. That's my brother's area." Again, his fingers play with the end of his scroll, just barely. Toren smiles, "Everyone would rather that know one know their secrets, but you never know who's listening. Drudges hear a lot, but that's because no one pays attention to them. Children too, especially at a hold. You would believe some of the stuff I've heard." He changes the song to a more upbeat one, "Really I didn't know your brother was a Harper. Older or younger?" "Guess so," allows K'del, but not in a way that indicates he's really thinking too deeply about what Toren has to say; he seems distracted. "Hm? Oh. Older. All my brothers are older. Ander. He's a Journeyman, probably about to walk the tables to Master." His expression is half proud and half... something else. Wry? Rueful? Unsure? Toren ahs, "What's it like to have brothers? I'm an only child. I've heard of him, although I don't think I've had any classes. That's great to hear, your parents must be so proud, to have a Weyrleader and Master in the family." K'del doesn't even have to think about that one; he looks rueful, too. "It's hectic. I've six brothers, in total, and two sisters. Never a moment of peace and quiet, never anything you've done first; someone's always beaten you. 'cept being Weyrleader, I guess." Which would explain that suddenly proud smile. But again, he glances down at his scroll, and sighs. "Really ought to go read this, see what else is going on. Might see you at the Hold, though, okay? Have a good one, Toren." Toren whistles, "That's a lot of kids, I can only imagine and I thought the apprentice dorms were bad." He nods, "Of course Weyrleadeer have a good night." "It was pretty crazy," grins K'del, with a shrug, before he wanders off on his way. |
Leave A Comment