Difference between revisions of "Logs:Agendas"

Kitchen, High Reaches Weyr

Polished marble and granite surfaces, gleaming metalwork and pale woods characterize the vaulted fastness of the kitchen. Several large hearths gape red-mouthed against the outer wall of the cavern, their fires almost always stoked for the constant cooking the Weyr requires to feed its denizens. Sinks line the wall to one side of the hearths, providing ample space to wash large quantities of dishes, while to the other, cabinetry and a deep pantry provide storage space for items commonly needed on a day-to-day basis.

The remaining wall space is taken up by passageways and extra seating: swinging doors that lead variously to the main living cavern, the inner caverns and the storage rooms, a counter-height pass-through for food service to the Snowasis, and a series of nooks equipped with tables and benches for quick, out-of-the-way meals any time of day.

It's well into the evening that finds Jo at the kitchen, finishing up her meal. There's her bronze firelizard, Mime, settled on the edge of the table that she sits, watching everything while the kitchen drudges give her - or rather Mime - the eyes. There's a folded sheet of hide that's before her, most of her attention on that rather than what's left of her meal and her flask that's also on the table.

When Aishani comes into the kitchen, it seems to be with a very specific purpose; she has that 'on a mission' look about her, steps brisk and expression serious. Despite her intent demeanor, when she finishes speaking to the workers and comes away from the hearths, it's with a plate of brownies. There's some cookies too, but mostly - brownies. Apparently, there was a brownie emergency. Once Jo's spotted, the goldrider is quick to take the spot across from her, plate laid down first. Crossing long legs, "Anything interesting?" Then - chocolate.

When Aishani arrives at the table, Jo looks up in time to spot that tray of brownies. Darting a look to the kitchen workers, "And they give me grief whenever I try to score a plate of bubblies," she comments good-naturedly, nodding towards that tray. "Got a cravin' tonight?" She spoons up some of her stew into her mouth before she sets the bowl aside and takes up her flask to chase it down before answering. Jerking her chin to the side briefly, "Latest from one of my bosses," she admits on the hide. Her voice is lower than before, and there's only a brief look behind her. "Ever-keepin' eyes on my enemies, Shani. Waitin'. Watchin'. Studyin'."

"I used to lend a hand in here now and then. Kitchen workers are useful friends. Also, they don't like to say no to me if it's a reasonable request. And I said it'd been a long day. It has been a long day." Aishani takes a large bite of a brownie for emphasis, moodily. "Less a craving than... something of a consolation, I suppose. I went to Tillek." Her glance across the table at Jo is enough to tell the bluerider how that went. With a flicker of a look to the hide, then back up, "Good to hear. Let me know if you need... anything. Or if you hear more on my proposal?" She doesn't sound anxious about it, but certainly curious.

"A drink for yer troubles, then?" and Jo leans forward to nudge her open flask in the Weyrwoman's direction, inviting. "Tillek. A consolation." She catches that glance well enough, a likely answer gotten since her lips thin together. "Anger is still present, cuz of hatchin' results," she can surmise, her tone dry. "Do they mean to go to war, too? Seems like any and all are lookin' for an excuse these days." Beat. "Deetan seems to have acquired himself quite a bit of wealth in his schemes," she decides to give now, looking at the hide. "I've decided that I've want every mark piece of it, for starters. He's still in Boll, accordin' to this. Been thinkin' on his...weaknesses." As to the proposal, she inclines her head to that after a moment before she answers, "I'm awaitin' their response, still. I hope for an answer soon. I'm rather interested in this myself, and hope they somehow involve me. Not that I have much time these days, with Taikrin ridin' our wing raw with these drills. That mock threadfall."

More than happy to take a sip from the flask, Aishani tips back a drink before sliding it back to Jo, looking down at her brownie balefully. "It didn't go badly, not like things with Monaco's Weyrwoman. I didn't do anything too terrible, I think. But I know I said something wrong. I almost got out clean." As if the whole thing were a robbery rather than a diplomatic visit. Quirking lips into a smirk, "No, they're having a wedding. I couldn't get much of the details, but I saw High Reaches' banners there... and yet, somehow, we were still unaware." More brownie. Though money and vengeance are two of her favorite things, and she perks up a bit for both in tandem. "You could likely... get most of it out of him with the right plan," she suggests quietly. "And the right people. Some of those weyrlings seem... possibly useful." Almost a compliment! "And I know how you feel - we do have to fly it as well. But I can't say it's a bad idea. Taikrin's right that we could use it now and then."

There's a lopsided grin for Aishani from Jo, the sentiments mutual as she takes the flask back and tips it to her lips as well. "Things went badly with Monaco's Weyrwoman?" she prompts on that, a brow lifting. She returns to her cooling meal then, though the way she's spooning it into her mouth, she doesn't seem to care that it's gotten cold. On hearing about the wedding, "Their way of thumbin' their noses, maybe?" she drawls in suggestion. "As if somethin' could've been done to prevent the boy from Impressin'. I suppose bein' left out of a weddin's better that them lookin' to start up some ruckus. Ya probably didn' muck anythin' up that's already mucked, darlin'. What is she like, anyway? The Lady." Edeline. There's a brief smirk on her personal plans, nodding once as she comments, "Exactly. The right plan. He's pretty crafty, so I figure I'm only gettin' one shot at this with him. Which weyrlings? I'm curious." Leaning back now on the last, the bluerider takes another drink before setting the flank back on the table and stating a touch too wry, "It's not, but I hear the grumbles. Even in Glacier. People are jumpin' at shadows, now."

After finishing her first brownie, "After Iolene. We had words." Aishani is happy enough to leave it at that, brushing off her hands over the table. Shaking her head a little, tucking glossy curls behind one ear, "No. I mean, yes, certainly not inviting us. But her step-daughter is getting married. So soon after N'gan impressed, and she is angry. Even if nothing could have been done. She's still a mother that lost a child." A pause. "Something's being arranged amongst our Holds, without our knowledge. I've been too concerned with things here, the other Weyrs." She sighs, and takes another brownie. "Edeline seems comfortable in her role, impressive. Intelligent. It's hard to say, she wasn't precisely relaxed." As she breaks a piece off her brownie, "Of the ones you brought in, Sabella and Telavi seem bright. But are they?" Bemused, perhaps irritated. "Can't do anything around here without complaining, someone thinking they ought to be in charge, like it so much fun." Clearly, that's why she's here with the baked goods.

Frowning, "Ya got the distinct feelin'?" Jo prompts upon hearing about the Holds, arranging something. "Or was it somethin' she said?" After a pause, pushing the bowl away from herself, "Those outside the Weyr lookin' to take advantage of this place...nowadays would be the good time to take it. But. There's still a state within to ignore it now. Taikrin's certain K'del's up to somethin' when I spoke with her. Somethin' to do with you, and Azaylia." And, speaking of Azaylia, there's a distinct pause here, too, before she states, "I ran into, ya know. Azaylia. She's changed. Perhaps she's...learnin'. How not to trust as she's been." She also seems to be mentally filing away those words on Lady Edeline with a simple nod, choosing to address the weyrlings named instead as she smoothes a hand over the hide before her. "Sabs has potential," she confirms with certainty. "She has a look to her that will serve her well if she learns how to use it. There's innocence to her face. Deetan likes innocent women. Women he can mold." Speaking from experience, maybe? Then, "I didn' bring in Telavi," she adds now, meeting Aishani's gaze. "Kait did, and I suspect she's here because of me. She's crafty, definitely. I've taken her under the wing, anyway. We used to run with her for a bit, turns ago." Assuming Kaitlin, too. The last earns her a bit of a sympathetic grin, shaking her head. "It's a testament to ya, that nothin' untoward has happened. They'll complain, but they'll soon see that yer good for this Weyr, darlin'. Women like us, we know how to manage, cuz we've been through shit. We know what it's like to lose, so we don'."

"What reason would there be to keep it quiet unless they didn't want us to know? It's not like Holders to keep word of a wedding within their borders. It's strange. I don't like it, and I don't like that I didn't know." Aishani tosses the half-eaten brownie back on the plate to sit back, folding her arms. Narrowing her eyes for the mention of K'del, "He probably is. He's away a lot, and Cadejoth seems to think whatever they're doing is important. I don't trust him either; he's deposed one Weyrwoman and..." She pauses and just shakes her head. As for Azaylia, a little shrug. "Perhaps, perhaps not. She's awfully judgmental for someone with a charmed life." She lets discussion of Sabella's relative innocence pass in favor of arching a fine brow for the information about Telavi; with a nod, "Crafty is certainly useful. And one would hope that they will, but it's more Taikrin I'm concerned about. I'd like it if people wouldn't... expect the worst from her. I feel if a bronzerider ordered this 'threadfall', there'd be griping, but no near-mutiny."

On the talk of the Holders, "Does sound a bit shifty," Jo admits, when it's put like that with a slight grimace and her gaze wavering. "Is there anythin' we can do about it? Maybe...send someone in there to the Holds and sniff around a bit?" She seems to be perfectly fine with suggesting spies and infiltration. Then there's K'del. "Ya think he'll depose ya, too," she finishes where Aishani leaves off, her voice remaining lowered from any prying ears. "It's possible. Also possible that he's been groomin' Azaylia. She was defendin' the man to me, and I got the feelin' that he could do no wrong. Judgemental. Yeah, got that from her, too. I thought maybe she could see reason, but..." and there's a bare shrug, her expression pensive. She snorts on Telavi, the woman reaching for her flask as she remarks, "I didn' hook her for her craftiness, but she's useful. I agree. Remains to be seen on how useful." Beat. Taking a long drink then on the last, she wipes a backhand across her mouth before she answers with a deadpan, "It's more the men than the women. They ain' gonna like anythin' she puts forth, unless it's done with a dick attached. It's what they're comfortable with," and there's an obvious grimace through of that word. "Need to shift this focus away from her bein' female. Maybe this 'thread fall' will be the start of that. Heard about D'nis." Who hasn't, by now.

"I had an escort. I haven't had a chance to talk things over, see what was discovered as of yet. But... we'll see. It wouldn't hurt for someone else to take a look around, but I imagine they'll keep an eye out for dragons now." Aishani purses her lips, looking faintly annoyed with that, but she shrugs Jo's way - nothing to be done. Wryly, "I think that K'del will have a hard time deposing another Weyrwoman, acting or not. I have... a little support from Fort and Benden; not so much that it could be called official, but enough to know any moves might be taken poorly. And I would imagine he'd want Azaylia to be ready to take on duties should Hraedhyth rise first. She can handle the work, it's the rest that everyone ought to worry about." That snort from Jo might arch fine brows again, along with the comment - but she doesn't ask. "Maybe. And examples must be made, if people insist on pushing."

Fingers playing idly on top of the hide, "Then keep the dragons away," Jo counters with ease, her dark gaze on the Weyrwoman. "Put in someone that doesn't look to have ties to the Weyr. There's plenty in the inner caverns that would do the trick. Or someone outside of the Weyr, trusted. The Holds would be none the wiser if a sole trader's passin' through, sellin' pottery and have fallen on hard times." There's a low chuckle on the bronzerider in question then, taking up the flask for a drink as she prompts, to that, "Does he have an outside support, too, maybe? And Azaylia. If he's that determined." She takes her drink when Aishani arches her brows on her snort and comment, fielding a breezy, "Telavi has an agenda. I'm sure of it. Hope to get it discovered, one way or another." There's a little challenging smile to that, the flask briefly raised in a sort of toast that lingers even for the last on people being made examples of. "There's that," she agrees with a nod, musing.

With a faint smile, "And imagine us with a family of traders visiting. Traders that are performers. Perhaps... something could be arranged in time." Aishani looses a hand to tap a finger against her lips, considering, dark eyes thoughtful, narrowed. As for K'del, "It's hard to say. The vote barely passed against Tiriana, from what I'd heard and I've read. He might have used up a lot of goodwill. Or... he might just be trying to make everyone think he's up to something." After all, the goldrider's paranoia might be a known thing. "She'd have to be determined likewise. And does Telavi? Doesn't everyone?" A pause. "I'm curious about anyone that might concern you." As for examples, "Do you think it's likely to do as intended? Or make things worse?"

"Performers, yes," Jo seems to warm up to that idea, her crooked smile saying as much. "Somethin' to think about, if they intend to keep the Weyr outta the loop. Ain' no harm in it, the way I see it." She slowly shakes her head on K'del, on Azaylia, silent for a few moments before she offers the flask over to her wordlessly. "I wonder what can he do, really?" she muses on that finally, breaking her silence. "Turn people away? Those that turn can be turned back with the right words in their ears. Start declarin' himself Weyrleader? We saw how that turned out with Z'ian, and he didn' even declare it. He might bring around those stuck on tradition, but how many in comparison to the whole Weyr? People are growin' tired of the in-fightin'. It's not a novelty anymore for them to sit back and share beers over." There's a wider grin on the weyrling and agendas, though on the next about concerns, "She concerns me, but I don' think she's a threat. She seems taken with me," which seems like nothing new for Jo. "I'm curious about those that concern ya, too, Shani," she returns easily with an incline of her head. "Like these that need be made examples of. Dependin' on how ya go at it, it might make things worse. It might help K'del and those like him. Somethin' needs to be done, though. What do ya have in mind for these examples?"

Straightening, "Ought to have a word with E'sren about that then." Aishani does take the flask for a quick drink, but hands it back to Jo soon enough, pulling the plate back her way, seeming to prepare to go. Fine brows drawing together thoughtfully, she frowns, considering the questions, the bluerider's words before she admits, "I don't know, to be honest. I've asked the same question myself. But I have to wonder." Begrudgingly, "If it were only to keep me up at night, it'd more than I give him credit for." And with a faint smile, "I didn't say she was. Why would one of our greenriders, our weyrlings be a threat? And... I meant the example already made. I didn't make that decision, D'nis, but I stand by it - and if there's no need for further ones, I see no reason to make any." Regretfully, "I ought to go back, figure out if something can be sorted for tomorrow."

There's a slight frown at the unfamiliar name, but Jo nods to it anyway, taking back the flask and closing it up. Leaning forward a bit as she slides that flask into her black jacket, "Ain' gotta answer it alone," she says with a single nod, alluding to those like her that back her. She matches the faint smile then in light of the weyrlings being threats, the convict rider merely returning to that, "Why, indeed." Beat. "D'nis. We'll know the fallback, should any happen." She takes up the hide and folds it up, that going into her pocket too once the Weyrwoman stands with her tray. She nods when Aishani says the last, her easy smile back as she, too, gets to her feet. "I should head out, myself," she says. "Still recoverin' from my turnday over a seven ago. Yer gonna be alright, darlin'? I can always come yer way later, if ya need me."

As she stands, Aishani offers a wide, lovely smile. "Thank you. You know you're appreciated. And I missed your turnday? Mine's coming up - I owe you a drink, at the very least. You should have let me know." After giving a mock stern look - bad Jo! - she holds out the plate, at least offering the bluerider some treats for the road. "I'll be fine," she says firmly, before starting for the living cavern, and presumably the bowl. "I might have company anyway. Have a good night, Jo."

"Sort of snuck up on me," Jo's turnday, rather. "I got thoroughly wasted. Thank Z'ian and my no-good clutchmates for that. But. We'll do somethin', ya and me, for both our turndays. I won' drop a naked, oiled up man in yer weyr as a gift, since I'm sure N'rov wouldn' appreciate it," and there's a wide smile to that, full of its usual trouble. Taking a brownie with a nod in thanks and an immediately bite, "Well, then. Enjoy yer evenin', Aishani. See ya around." She lifts the brownie, then heads out in the opposite direction, the woman taking up a jaunty whistling tune.