Difference between revisions of "Logs:Plants with Purpose"

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.

Though there's no snow today, the winter chill isn't tempting most to stay outdoors, even those of the hardy 'Reaches-bred stock. The greenhouse offers warm, moist air and the heady scents of the growing flora. It must be a rest day for G'laer, since normally weyrlings (even senior weyrlings) have duties to attend to for a fair portion of the usual workday, and yet, here he is. The greenrider is leaning over a patch of herbs, eyes keenly sliding over leaf and stem, but hands remain at his sides. Look, but don't touch seems to be the order of the day.

The sunlight was enough to lure some people out - the cold driving them back in. For once, however, Hana's found herself on the other side of the bowl, layers of shawls working to protect her from the chill - only to be discarded and carefully laid aside once she finds sanctuary within the greenhouse. For once, her arms are empty, not a basket or teapot in sight, and a happy sigh is given once the warmth of the greenhouse starts to sink in.

Since the greenhouse is relatively quiet with only a couple workers tending to chores, Hana's entrance and more specifically her de-shawling draw G'laer's blue gaze away from the plants. He silently observes the rest of the divesting of outer garments then, after the sigh, he shifts his weight and moves toward the auburn-haired woman. As (almost) ever, his expression is serious, lips in a straight line as he offers, "Hana," in greeting when he nears. "Keeping warm?"

Hana glances up, then offers a quick smile, "G'laer - trying to, at least; it is too nice outside, though, so I had to at least walk poke my head outside briefly, and check on a couple of plants. How are you doing?" Shedding the last shawl, she then turns towards the usually flowering plants, though not moving forward yet.

"Well enough." G'laer's eyes follow the last shawl, "Did you make those yourself or demolish the stores?" There's a very slight pull at the edges of his lips, a faint indication of humor though his baritone doesn't carry the tone with it. "It is nice to see Rukbat showing her face after all the snow." He agrees of the weather. G'laer talking about the weather. (Somewhere on Pern, someone would be deeply amused.) "Are they your favorite plants or plants with purpose?" is his next inquiry as his gaze shifts toward the ones she's angled toward.

"Yes, and yes," Hana replies without missing a beat, moving towards the plants, before turning to grin back at the senior weyrling. "I made them, with materials I received from the Stores, and my favorite plants usually have blooms. I like to use them as decoration, when I can." There is a pause, before she admits, "Followed by tea plants, but I have no hand for drying the leaves out properly."

"Decoration." G'laer repeats the word as if it were the first time he was hearing it. "Like..." He trails off, lacking in suitable comparison. "I don't follow," is stated next. What? Make things pretty? Unheard of. But then, look at how he dresses. "Drying them isn't so hard, if you've the right space to hang them." He's silent and brows furrow a moment before he tilts his head just slightly to one side, "Would you like to learn it better?" The art of drying, presumably.

Hana hms, and nods. "For hair, or to brighten up a room in a vase. That sort of decoration," she explains easily enough before pausing at one unflowering plant. She leans in to smell the damp earth and the plant itself, before looking over. "Learn to make my own tea? I.. had not thought to do that. At least, not in recent turns." She straightens back up, then makes her way over.

The skin around G'laer's eyes crinkles a little as his gaze narrows. One might think he were trying to decide if Hana were pulling his leg. But surely he's seen flowers in vases or hair before. "I see." Only there's no real understanding behind the words, and the topic shifts quickly. "Yes." Make her own tea. "I could teach you, if you liked." He offers. It's probably the lighting that makes it seem like his cheeks are a little rosier than usual. Or maybe he came in not long before her and hasn't ridded himself of the cold yet. It can't be a blush, nope!

Hana studies the older man a moment, then offers a quick smile, "For instance, I like flowers in my hair for Gathers, or dancing. They smell nice, and look pretty." She falls silent for a moment, thinking things over, then nods. "I would love the chance to learn how to make tea, although I imagine it may have to wait a time? How much longer do you have of instruction, yourself?

The narrowed look returns, "I see." He doesn't. G'laer's tone offers that much transparency. But then, with the way his hair is cropped short, it's likely he's never given much thought to putting flowers in it. The weyrling does go so far as to then ask, "When you put flowers in your hair for Gathers or dancing... is it... for something?" Apparently, smelling nice and looking pretty don't strike him as purposes in their own rights. The tea-making, though, that's something he can understand. "Only another two months and a handful of days, if they stick to tradition and graduate us when the dragons turn one. I do have time to teach you. It's not like they want us every waking hour." Which explains his lack of riding leathers and that he's here in the middle of the day. "Though, everything for teaching is in my weyr, so you'd have to not mind making the trip up. Do you drink a lot of tea?"

There is a quick shake of the head, before Hana allows, amusement dancing under the words, "You'll just have to see for yourself next time everyone has time for a Gather; I usually end up with my fingers in more than one head of hair, and Bones grumbling about the number of flowers I've stolen." A tilt of the head is given at the mention of the weyr, before she nods, "That wouldn't be a problem, though I would not be able to today - duties to get to soon. Do you know when your next free space would be? And I drink almost nothing else!"

G'laer's nod of agreement is simple. Clearly, this is too complex a concept. "Maybe at turnover. There's bound to be a party somewhere, with dancing." He looks at Hana a long moment, like maybe there's more, but in the end, he simply shifts his weight and talks about tea: "I'm free most evenings, after dinner. If you've an evening that turns out free, you can ask any rider to have their dragon bespeak Teisyth and we'll come down to get you, if we are indeed free." Beat. "Do you have a favorite kind of tea?"

"I enjoy most of them, but lately, I've been enjoying a pale green tea; with berries," Hana admits, before turning around in a circle. "It is nice to see everything so alive - but I cannot wait until the color comes back. And I shall definitely do so, once I get a free evening, G'laer." There's a rueful look, "Which, unfortunately, is not tonight - I need to go check on the Stores before the evening meal. I shall see you soon?"

"Spring does have its draw, but there are nice things in winter, too. It's when tea is best. With a nice fire in the hearth. Maybe even with a warm blanket and a book." G'laer answers thoughtfully, but then there's a nod for Hana, "Of course. As it pleases you." He lingers a moment, a little awkwardly, before turning to head back toward the plants that originally held his attention.

"Or a needlework project," Hana agrees, before looking out towards the entrance to the bowl, "Once more into the cold..." she says with smile, then goes back to mummifying herself in shawls. "Have a good evening, G'laer!" Wrapped and tucked away, the holderwoman then ducks out of the warmth of the greenhouse, and all too soon, steps out into the chill sunlight.