Logs:Worry Less, Drink More
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| RL Date: 17 February, 2015 |
| Who: K'del, Lilah |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr, Fort Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: Lilah invites K'del to join her at the Nabol gather. |
| Where: Nabol Hold |
| When: Day 14, Month 1, Turn 37 (Interval 10) |
| Mentions: Azaylia/Mentions, Devaki/Mentions, Hanne/Mentions, Hattie/Mentions, Iolene/Mentions, Irianke/Mentions, N'muir/Mentions, Nala/Mentions, Nimae/Mentions, Vae/Mentions |
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| Packed snow glitters where the lights of the evening catches, lingering over the rolling hills of Nabol, yet for all the night is crisp it is also clear. None of that is held in the flame and heat of Eliyaveith's mind as she reaches out for Cadejoth's, so near as the golden queen lingers in the domain of his Weyr. « She is thinking of yours, » is more of an invitation than a statement, softer feelings held by her rider than precisely her feelings for Cadejoth. A pavilion has been erected for dancing, warm enough for those inside to shed their coats and lit with the soft lights of glows. And over there, that light casts over the soft figure of Fort's junior weyrwoman, catching on the red-gold tints of her hair that has been swept up. Luxurious velvet drapes her, in a grey that can be called silver, and though the cut of the long-sleeved gown is simple, with a square neck, the heavy fall of the fabric manages to skim hips and only set off the gold entwined in her knot. She has a glass of wine in hand, full, yet her gaze keeps drawing away from the Igen wingleader (bronze one, at that) that she speaks to to drift the gathered crowd, as if expecting something even as the gather has started to taper down into the evening. « He'll get quite the wrong impression if she keeps doing that, » is Cadejoth's answer; teasing. As it happens, however: « We'd like to get out. Perhaps we'll see you there. » Perhaps they will, indeed, though it surely means something has been put along the wayside to allow for it; such is the life of a Weyrleader, father, and friend. Simply - if formally - dressed, K'del weaves his way through the crowds upon his arrival, blue gaze seeking out the goldrider in question long before it actually alights upon her. "Lilah," is what he says, once he has-- once he's close enough to. "You look lovely." Lilah makes her murmured excused to the wingleader as soon as his blue gaze catches hers across the pavilion, already turning away from him to greet K'del with a smile buried in soft lips. "K'del, so do you," is said without even pausing to think about it before she continues with a light offer of, "Should we get you a drink? They may not have much left, but I am sure we can find something." She gestures with her own glass, even as she brings it up to her lips for a quick sip. K'del does acknowledge the wingleader, but it's only in a distracted kind of way; he turns, then, to give Lilah his full attention, offering his arm to the goldrider as he does so. "Guess we should. Even at this hour, it's silly not to enjoy one's self at a gather, right? You're well, I hope." Lilah's arm slides through his easily, fingers pressing lightly against his forearm. There is something thoughtful, too, about the way they brush against the feeling of the fabric, there, as that tell-tale sign of her dragon's interference sweeps over her features. But, the question breaks her reverie, and she answers easily, "As well as I can be, considering. And you? I haven't seen you since the transfer of your new junior. I am sure you're relieved?" It is said as she watches him, through little glimpses as allowed while guiding him towards the drinks. That thoughtfulness goes without comment from the bronzerider; it's difficult to tell if he's noticed, though surely, given the way he's glancing in her direction? "'Considering.' That's an interesting way to put it," contains acknowledgement too, though, along with a slow nod. "Relieved? A little. Though it's always a political thing; hard for a Weyr to learn to trust a new leader, of course. But Irianke's capable and experienced. I like her." "It could be turns before we see a proper tithe out of Fort, given what Astivan has done. I have looked over the records, and their debt, the lack of marks--." But, Lilah doesn't continue, instead dismissing it with a shake of her head. As soon as they near the drink table, even before, her fingers slip from his arm as she extricates herself, though she seems keenly interested in K'del's answer to that. "Capable and experienced. Just what you would want in a junior to help with Werywoman Azaylia's duties. As long as she can trust her, it does not matter what the rest of the Weyr thinks." K'del's grimace suggests he's well aware, though he gesture around their surroundings as he says, "Few turns back, seemed like Nabol would be hard-pressed to get back on its feet, too. Give it time. Though-- that's easier said than done, I know. Seems so out of character for the Astivan who once was, way back when. Felt for him, when he was young and being manipulated. And now..." He pauses in his words long enough to collect himself a drink, adding, only once he's returned, "It'll be difficult for Azaylia. If you were senior, would you trust a newcomer with much more experience than you? But she needs the help." "If I were senior, I do not know that I would accept a junior with that much more experience than me. I do not know that I could trust a junior like that. Not without feeling as if their Weyr only sent her to undermine my authority and position," admits Lilah honestly to the question, the hint of a dry edge to her words even as she does. "They could have sent their young goldrider, rather than this one. The one that just Impressed last turn. That Igen sent this one--." She doesn't finish that, but there is a question in the way she watches K'del, even over the rim of her glass. K'del listens, acknowledging what Lilah has to say with an incline of his head. "Hanne hasn't graduated yet; she needs training, not to support someone. They could have sent Vae, it's true. On the other hand, Azaylia didn't have a Hattie to train under; she had Iolene, who was scarcely trained herself, for the most part. There's also the fact that Niahvth's due to rise, which is a good thing for us, and, as I understand it, Nimae wishes to see how Irianke handles the situation." His lips part, a wry smile hovering there. "But you're right; it's a difficult situation." Lilah's smile is somewhat fleeting, as she murmurs, "And if her Weyrwoman were any other than Nimae, I think anyone would have an easier time taking that at face value." But then, the junior weyrwoman only knows the other Weyrwoman mostly by virtue of reputation, and if one were to consider her own reputation--. She doesn't press that point, at least, as she dismisses, "Eggs and new bloodlines is something to be appreciated. It will be a cause for celebration for High Reaches soon enough, then." "It's not," K'del says, low-voiced, "that I disagree. Not wholly. Certainly not advocating trusting Irianke with my deepest, darkest secrets. But... mmm, new bloodlines, definitely. And the browns and bronzes always appreciate having a junior queen around to chase." A pause; he glances at Lilah, then hastily takes a drink from his glass. "What?" is questioned lightly, a half-smile carried on words and lips as Lilah reacts to that glance-drink combo with a quirk of her brow. She adds, careful in her clarification, "I do not know Irianke. I wouldn't say that she is untrustworthy. Nimae might have plans, but I know that a junior does not always hold her senior's beliefs." K'del's nod allows, "Also true. It pays to be... watchful. Doesn't mean we should mistrust people automatically, so much as... just pay attention." That, of course, is easier to answer than the other, which has his gaze sliding off into the distance before he says, "Just remembered that while brown- and bronzeriders may appreciate junior queens, it does mean you junior weyrwomen get... well. As long as you're not bothered." While he may not be looking, Lilah is watching him, not exactly grasping what he is trying to imply by the way she still curves her brows upwards at him expectantly. But then, she has only had one flight, after all. She questions after a sip of her own glass, pressing quietly, "Get what? Chased? So do greenriders, and far more regularly." "Not sure greenriders get... eyed up in quite the same way," is K'del's explanation. He glances back, slightly abashed. "It's such a status thing; catching a queen. Seems like people're always watching for proddiness, waiting for their chance. But," he allows. "Maybe that's just me. Feeling like it might be a thing." As he clarifies, it chases away any lightness to Lilah's expression, her lips tightening as she slides a look past him and past the pavilion. "Usually they are much more subtle about their attempt to charm the rider as well as the dragon. But then, they haven't bothered us as much in quite the same way, since Eliyaveith's maiden flight--." Whether she is angry about one or the other, there is an edge to dark eyes as she takes a long sip of wine. "I imagine Irianke will have it harder, in that respect." Making a face, K'del nods. "Yeah," he says, glancing off into the distance again. "Guess that's so." He's silent for a few moments, then gives Lilah another glance, mouth twisting wryly. "Sorry for bringing it up," he says, then. "It isn't your fault," assures Lilah at that, shifting back to the Weyrleader to meet his gaze again with a hint of a forced smile. "It seems even brown- and bronzeriders and their dragons care about their offspring, even if it is draconic." She finishes off her wine in a quick gulp, letting it settle on the nearest surface and leave her hands free before she continues, "Let's talk about something else. It's been too long since we've had a chance to make time, and I have missed you." Fault or no, K'del's face remains twisted for a few seconds more before he releases it. But Lilah's suggestion draws a nod, and after he's taken a quick sip from his own glass, he agrees, "And I, you. Seems like our lives are just a little too busy for comfort, sadly. Aside from all the Astivan stuff, you've been well, I hope? Anything of interest to report?" "Except that my Weyrleader and his Weyrsecond drove my only friend away from Fort and to Southern?" That question is bitter, there, for all that Lilah was the one that suggested they switch subjects. "And I still haven't--." She gestures over herself, the fall of the velvet against curves that speaks to something. "My life is the same as ever. And yours? Apart from the Weyr." Bitterness is plainly not what K'del anticipated; he turns a sharp look on Lilah, one that hastily turns into something more sympathetic. "I'm sorry," he says. "Wish there was better news to share. Mine..." A shrug. "Seems like I have less and less time by the day. And... shells. Said things to Devaki I'm regretting, now, and it's just awkward. So that sucks. But-- no, really, things are fine. Mostly fine." "Mostly fine, other than what you said to Devaki," Lilah repeats, her tone softening in sympathy of her own. "Shells, we are horrible at this game. We could at least pretend to be bright, shiny things at a gather. Dance, sneak a bottle off into a private place to laugh and gossip. Something." Clearly, she has disappointed herself, yet she offers a wry smile to the Weyrleader. "I'm very shiny," K'del announces, poker-faced (though not for long). Then, laughing, "You're right. Come on-- let's try and find something fun to do. Forget our worries for a while." Lilah tosses back easily, teasing, "Your hair is shiny. When is the last time you washed it?" But, his words have her sending a sweeping look around the slowly dying gather, before she lifts a finger up in a gesture. She ducks away, back to that table, to grab a mostly full bottle of wine. When she returns, she only tosses a, "Come on. We're going to go make a fort out of snow and dragon wings. And then once we're inside, we can discuss my turnday." In a shining display of adulthood, K'del sticks out his tongue at the goldrider. Her decision makes him laugh, though; no hesitation. "As m'lady desires," he tells her, gesturing onwards. "Let's come up with something less dramatic for your turnday this turn, though, mmm?" "Only something fun," promises Lilah, waggling her bottle at K'del in turn for his tongue. But, the tension has started to ease from the goldrider and with the help of cocooning herself within their dragon's wings and with more liquor and light conversation, well--. Soon, most people would not recognize the lighter, playful side that breaks through in discussing turnday ideas, present company excluded. |
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K'zin (12:59, 18 February 2015 (EST)) said...
<3
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