Difference between revisions of "Logs:Questions, Easy Let-Downs, and Promises"

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.

In a total surprising event, it is snowing outside - and if possible, many find reasons to be inside. Hana is one of those, curiously absent lady, lord or babe with nanny - loitering within the inner caverns. A mug of steaming liquid warms her hands, as she studies one of the brightly colored tapestries decorating the walls, a close look given to the stitchery.

Perhaps he's between chores, as Nicky is also inside. He's just leaving the corridor that leads to the residential section, most likely having just come from his own temporary home there in the candidates' quarters. The slight dampness to his curls suggests he's not long out of the baths, and he clips along with his outdoors gear slung over his arm. When he spies Hana, the teen slows, clearing his throat politely as he approaches her. "H-hi," he greets her with a little, shy sort of wave, and a big, toothy smile. "Do you l-like embroidery?"

Hana glances up, then offers a bright smile. "Nicky! Hello - and yes; it is a favorite past-time, though I haven't done any large pieces," she admits, turning so that she's sort of facing both. "I keep considering it, but with the travelling, well - that sort of thing requires more permanacy."

"Maybe, um, make a s-small one, that you can carry with you?" Nicky looks at the tapestry, head tilted slightly to the side as he considers it. Hana, though, is far more interesting, and he soon turns back to her. His smile is coy, and he bites shyly down on his bottom lip before speaking to her. "Um... c-can I, um, e-escort you anywhere, H-Hana? If you're going anywhere, o-of course..."

Hana hms thoughtfully. "I suppose I could; there are lap frames for smaller pieces -- it is always such a temptation though. To try something big and reaching, without going through the smaller steps." Her attention focuses though, on the offer. "Well, I do not have anywhere to be at the moment - perhaps, though, you would like company on your way to your.. ah, next chore? That is what they are having you do to keep things busy, right? How are you liking being a candidate?"

Nicky seems a little disappointed that he can't walk Hana anywhere, but, her accompanying him is the next best thing. "Oh, I'm going to the forge; y-you're welcome to come, but the weather..." He pulls a face - it's pretty nasty out there. "Um, being a candidate is... it's g-good. I-interesting. It's n-not much different to being home, really, just different chores to do." Before they start walking, Nicky awkwardly holds out his arm, an invitation for Hana to loop hers through. "M-may I?"

"You are too kind, sir!" Hana offers with a bit of an impish smile, before looping hers through his. "That's good to hear; with all the rumors going on about fist fights and food fights, I was rather worried," she admits. "And the people? With everyone coming from such far places, it must be interesting."

"I m-missed them," Nicky says softly of the fights, leading off down the corridor. "I like that th-there are so many d-different people, that's the b-best part. It reminds me of being at the Smith Hall again; a-at home, it's p-pretty much the same people, all the time." His arm looped through hers is gentle, a light steering touch. "What about y-you? You m-must meet a lot of p-people, working where you do."

"Actually, this is the first time we've really stepped out, now that Vinien is old enough to be without for a bit; it is certainly the first place I've ever been to, outside of the Hold," Hana admits. "It /is/ rather nice to have new people to meet, and talk to. It makes the gathers and parties much more interesting! Speaking of which, and because I believe in being prepared - Hatching Party. Win, lose, or toss - I demand a dance." She is so making a list for that party.

The party! Nicky clearly hadn't even thought that far ahead, and the mention of it catches him by surprise. "O-oh! Yes, I would love a d-dance - i-it would be my p-pleasure, miss Hana." He blushes a little, and after a beat's worth of silence adds, "Um... do you know what colour d-dress you'll wear?"

Hana absolutely beams at confirmation of another dance partner, "Wonderful! Color? Hm.. I need to wear my slightly thicker shoes, so probably something blue or greenish. They are my favorite colors, after all." So probably, as Azaylia said during the last party, 'The color of a dragon's happiness'.

"B-blue, or green." Nicky repeats the colours with a nod of his head, storing them away. "I-if I wasn't going to be o-on the Sands, I'd, um..." He licks his lips nervously, looking at a tapestry on the opposite side of the tunnel and clearing his throat... twice. "Um... I-I'd like t-to ask if you'd, um, m-maybe c-consider, um, g-going w-with me, and, um..." Nerves! "N-not just d-dancing with me th-there."

Oh. Oh! Oh dear. Hana's steps slow for a moment, as she thinks of a course to take, before slowly shaking her head, "Oh, Nicky. I would like to - I really would. But I am going to be there with my lady and her lord. Will you forgive me?"

"Oh, o-oh no, no-no, i-it's ok, b-because I'm a c-candidate. S-so, um... well, wh-who knows what could h-happen when the e-eggs hatch? I-I might, um... y'know. B-become a d-dragonrider." Weyrling. Same difference eventually, right? Nicky runs a hand through his curls, blushing deep enough for his ears to be colour a rosy shade. "If I'm there to dance a-and you'd like to, I-I'd be h-honoured."

"Well, I'll certainly be up in the galleries, cheering you on," Hana offers, still rather upset at the turn of conversation, "And I would like.. no, I demand, that you honor /me/ with a dance. Dragonrider or no. Promise?"

Nicky nods his head, forcing a crooked smile. "P-promise." It's spoken - stuttered - softly, and he nods to confirm it. "Th-they're saying the, um, h-hatching should be soon? I've been speaking to, um, p-people, and they k-keep saying how the d-dragonets are d-dangerous out there, when they hatch... I-I've never seen it before, but, um, it s-sounds like w-we could get hurt."

"I refuse to believe /anyone/ is going to be seriously injured, and I do believe I'll get my dances," from everyone, shardit! Hana pauses, as they near the entrance where the two will part. "So keep that in mind, and remember. I'm wishing you the best of luck." She draws her arm free, then pauses a moment. Keeping her hand on his arm, she uses it to balance herself and maybe even pull him down a small amount. A faint smile appearing, she then gives a very light kiss on the cheek. Or did she? That'll be left to the imagination as she toodles off, skirts swishing with each step, rather swifter than usual.

Was that a kiss?! Whatever it was, Nicky's... speechless. He watches Hana leave with his eyes huge and his mouth slightly agape, before he remembers that's really not a good look and snaps his jaw shut with the click of teeth meeting teeth. With a soppy grin on his face, he brushes his curls away from his eyes, and trots off to the craft area.