Difference between revisions of "Logs:Not An Apology"

Garden Patio Ledge, High Reaches Weyr

Partly sheltered by the curving stone overhang, partly exposed to the weather, the wide stone patio serves as a balcony for socializing or just plain drinking on a sizable scale. The repurposed ledge might once have let two large dragons land, but now there's too much furniture for that: two rustic tables with attendant chairs, plus a couple more in particularly good weather, and a wrought iron bench situated to make the most of the view of the western bowl and the lake beyond.

Other changes include rough little niches carved out of the stone walls to hold glows in colored bottles at night, the climbing plant that's being trained to grow up along the overhang, and the blue ceramic pots of flowers that dot the edge of the ledge as a colorful reminder not to fall off.

An archway leads to the Snowasis itself, housed in the ledge's former weyr, while a few wide steps descend along the wall to the bowl.

A layer of patch clouds covers the sky. The air feels cool and damp, but there is no rainfall today.

It's relatively mild for a High Reaches autumn afternoon, and it's not raining (or snowing), which means it's perfectly reasonable to hang out outside and 'enjoy' the weather. Much of Taiga Wing is doing just that, with a couple of beer pitchers and more than enough mugs to go around. The riders are in varying states of inebriation, which they're displaying with easy merriment as a group of them play at dice, others lingering around the edges to watch, bet, and catcall. K'del's obvious amongst them, standing taller (and more sober) than most, his fair hair catching what little sunlight there is; he's lingering towards the edges, hiding his smile with the rim of his mug.

No snow. No rain. It almost doesn't feel like the 'Reaches, except for the chill that reminds E'ten that yes - he's a far cry away from Fort. Thanks to Adiulth, the visiting bronzerider lands in the bowl with a small question directing him to the where the latest round of drinks are being bought and consumed. It's there that his path makes their way up the stairs, pausing just a moment to get his bearings and to find the rider behind his visit. With a polite demeanor and a nod of his head, it's not too long before the darker haired rider comes up alongside the much fairer one along the edge of the gathering. "Fort's duties to the Reaches, K'del. I wasn't aware that I was interrupting your downtime," he says, trying to blend in to a degree but doesn't sound too apologetic about doing so.

The triumphant cry of glee raised up just as E'ten is on his way over distracts K'del enough that he only seems to register the other bronzerider when he actually draws up alongside. "And High Reaches' to Fort, too. E'ten, isn't it?" He must know - not least because there's a twitch of amusement in his gaze, and the acknowledgement that, despite various entanglements, they've not exactly properly met. "Wingsecond's got to make a show of participating at the very least," he continues, low voiced. "I'm happy enough to step away. There a reason for your visit?"

Courteous enough to extend a hand in return greeting, E'ten isn't beyond a sympathetic half-smile as he glances towards the rest of the wing in commentary. "Well met, in a manner of speaking. You would be right," he says, looking back to the gathering with a bit of understanding in his voice. "I know the feeling. And." With a gesture that allows him the direction, "You would be rather right in that question. Did you want to talk here or maybe a little more in private?"

K'del's grip, as he takes E'ten's proffered hand, is firm, and doesn't linger. "Will a booth inside do, if there's one available? Or am I going to wish for something more private even than that?" The older of the two bronzeriders gives the younger an appraising glance, then takes a sip from his beer, letting his gaze drop as he does so. "And do you want a drink, for while we talk? There's spare mugs, or we can stop in at the bar, if you prefer."

E'ten nods briefly, the grip in kind not being lingering but firm. "A booth will do and a spare mug, if it won't short you of any." He's not likely to turn down a good mug of ale, remaining calm for all that he's a visitor and those manners are in play. Not even remarking to the appraising look, even though it's noted by his following words, "Contrary to what you've experienced, I'm rather sensible. Just, not a frequent visitor to these parts of Pern."

"Pretty sure Ali thinks we're both crazy, from what she said," says K'del with a laugh, as he sets down his mug and leans in to the table to grab up another, and fill it from the nearest pitcher. "But I'm also sensible, generally. Despite any impressions I might have given - or other people may have given, for that matter. I've certainly nothing against you." He turns back, offering the filled mug, and then reclaims his own-- before leading the way into the Snowasis itself, where there is a conveniently empty booth off to one side, just for them.

"Good. Then it's safe to say that I didn't come here with the intention of apologizing. Just... to talk," E'ten reiterates, reclaiming his mug before following the bronzerider back to the Snowasis with a shrug of both shoulders. "Granted, I've heard things from your tenure as Weyrleager, but again, this isn't something I'd discuss in such an open place."

Quietly, his expression a mask that doesn't give much away to his feelings on the subject of his leadership, K'del answers, "It's easy to judge from the outside, on the successes and failures of a person's leadership. Much more difficult to understand the realities of it, for better or for worse. Now-- what did you come here to talk about, now we've established what you didn't come to do?" His mug rests between both hands, fingers curved around the ceramic, his chin lifted so that he can regard E'ten, evenly, once more.

"I wanted to be clear on that," E'ten says, setting the mug on the table on front of him but not before taking a brief stip. To taste, if nothing else. "And that you knew that the reason I punched you had more to do a reason rather than thinking all Reaches bronzeriders were all problematic or something else similar. Like I said, the leadership is a different story all together. Knowing why my fist met you in the first place is another matter."

"You punched me because Ali kissed me, and I was still too wound up on the flight to extricate myself. Not my finest moment, I'll grant you." K'del's calm about that. He even adds, a moment later, "Pretty sure I would've done the same thing, in that situation." One of his hands lifts from the mug to rub at the bridge of his nose which does, if a person knows where to look, hold a little more of a bend thanks to N'rov's fist. "So-- good. We understand each other. In general, I try not to hold things that happen in flights against other riders."

With the mug being lifted to his lips for another sip, the gesture finds itself coming up short as the corners of E'ten's lips twitch in bemusement. "Agreed. Flights are an entirely different matter. If I wanted to punch you for the first reason, I would have the chance before the flight or any other time," he remarks before a glint of agreement surfaces as he listens to the remainder of the fellow bronzerider's words. "I could care less who she kisses, K'del. But, you're right about the latter." There. The real reason behind his visit. "I had been given the impression that you had no idea or were wallowing about not being liked at Fort. One? I don't think you're that kind of man. Two? Call it curiosity. I could hardly believe that you would be that unaware. And three," he notes with the amusement rising. "Better me than another punch from N'rov."

K'del's mouth twitches, the idea of another punch from N'rov evidently giving him some amusement, too. "Not sure N'rov needs an excuse. His girlfriend and I... don't get along. But-- had you? That impression, I mean. Shells, no." He shakes his head, firmly, to punctuate the words. "I'm well aware that there are people at Fort who don't like me, your Weyrleaders likely top of the list. Would I prefer we had a better relationship? Certainly. Do I think their antipathy extends to every last Fortian? No. And besides, as long as the Fortians I care about like me well enough, I'm perfectly happy. And to that end... if Ali wants me at Isyath's flights, that's where I'll be."

"Ali had it firmly in mind that I had to apologize for punching you when I don't feel that it's even necessary in the least." Speaking only after taking the sip that he wanted, E'ten considers the older man with a slow nod. "We shouldn't be in the position of apologizing for every single thing, except when it's necessary. Flights are outside of that realm, in my opinion. I can't say how safe it'll be for you to attend every one of Isyath's flights."

"Ali was upset because--" K'del breaks off, evidently electing not to explain the details of any interactions between himself and the goldrider. Instead, he lifts his mug back up towards his mouth, and regards the other bronzerider levelly. "Ought I to say the same of N'rov, should he elect to attend every one of Iesaryth's? I go because she wants us there. Not because I'm trying to steal your queens, or make things awkward. I offered, long time ago, to avoid them, even though Cadejoth and Isyath are so close, and she said no. So I will keep coming, whatever people do to me, or think about me."

"Because?" Once the statement is uttered, it's a natural query to follow up with. Pressing his lips together at the mention of N'rov, E'ten dismisses this particular line of conversation with an absent wave of one hand. Even though his gaze doesn't waver from the other man's. "I wasn't saying that to imply anything /would/ happen. Only that yes, it might be awkward even if not intended. Still, you already know this. You've been a rider far longer than I have, K'del." And that may be very well... that. "I don't know if N'rov intends to be present at every flight of Iesaryth's. What I do know that Adiulth and I will most certainly not be. So, the air's cleared between us. And while not an apology, we're at least on the same page."

"Because she made me promise her something. But it's not quite the way she sees it; in the end, it's fine. Doesn't matter." K'del's chin tightens minutely, after that, but relents, too-- a lower nod, careful and quiet. "So noted. Not like I don't expect it to be awkward. Especially if he ends up catching her one day. But-- we do what we need to." He gives his mug a glance, and then a grimace, and then says, "Hopefully next time it won't be a senior flight he aims for." And since he can't be talking about Isyath... "Right. Yes. No apologies. But we understand each other. Rather be on good terms with you - or at least neutral - than anything else. So. Good."

"Fair enough." Based on promises, E'ten makes no move to press the issue of what was said. "I think he'll be here just because it's Iesaryth. And, I'd rather feel as if I can pay a visit here when and if time permits. But, understanding goes a long way." With a gesture towards the bowl with a noticeable tilt of his head, he says by way of explaining and informing in the same breath. "I should visit one of your dragonhealers while I'm here too. I wanted to check and make sure that R'co and his brown continued getting looked at after the flight at Fort."

K'del's mouth twists. "And I'll be at Fort because it's Isyath-- not because Cadejoth wants to chase tail." He lets that hang for a moment, just the emphasise that which he has already said. "Hope you do come again. Any time you like, not that, of course, I have any say over that these days." He rises, reaching for his mug again, and nods. "Of course, of course. Won't keep you. It was-- good to meet you, properly, at last, E'ten."