Difference between revisions of "Logs:Ride Or Die"

Records Room, High Reaches Weyr

Books. Scrolls. Bound hides. Maps. If it's a record pertaining to the Weyr, it's likely to be in this roughly oval room with its floor-to-ceiling cherrywood shelves, its multitude of slots for scrolls, and its wide drawers for materials that shouldn't be rolled up or folded. A scribe is usually on duty at the tall desk up front with its good view of the room, and is able to help visitors find what they're looking for via the big bound index on its rotating stand. Past the desk, several tables stand in neat rows for note-taking, each stocked with glowbaskets, scrap hide, paper and pencils. Additional lighting is provided by a many-armed wrought-iron light fixture, its glows gleaming through luxurious glass containers in fluted shapes instead of baskets.

To one side of the room, a gap between two sets of shelves outlines where another set once stood, now replaced by a tapestry-covered aperture. Peeking behind the tapestry reveals another cavern, this one likewise full of shelves, but occupied by only a few boxes of older records and a somewhat musty air of disuse. As well, two narrow but solid doors are locked when the room is unattended and a discreet staircase provides direct access from the Weyrleaders' weyrs.

It's a decent night in the records room - and more importantly, it's empty. For once, it's empty. Jo is here, settled at a table and busy at copying down some portion of a map she has tacked out before her. Her black leather jacket is draped over a bench, indicating that she's been here for awhile at least.

Perhaps Aishani has a sixth sense for the quiet in the records room - or maybe she's got a very intelligent queen watching the entrance from her ledge, taking notice of the comings and goings - either way, it's not very very long after Jo is settled in that the goldrider arrives from the council chambers, carrying a bottle and two short glasses. Long legs make quick work of the distance between the entrance and the bluerider's table; rather than greet her, she lets the bottle do the greeting for her, setting it down with a thunk on the wood.

When that bottle thunks down on the table, it serves its initial purpose of drawing her attention up from the sketching. Dark hair mussed up (something usual with her), she straightens and lets the writing stylus pause over the hide to glance from the bottle to its owner before a grin pulls at the corner of her mouth. "That's usually a gesture for courtin'," she notes, nodding towards the bottle before leaning back and letting her stylus rest. "And, I know ya don' swing that way, so I must've done somethin' good. What's the occasion, darlin'?"

Setting down the glasses, Aishani has to laugh, shaking her head. "It's also a gesture of friendship and congratulations amongst my people. And as I'm sure you can tell, my people like to drink. They actually sent this for you, but I thought you might be so kind as to let me try a little. A thanks-for-doing-business now that business is good." As she pulls out a chair and drops into it, crossing long legs at the ankle, she flashes Jo a sharp, wry grin. "My family always remembers its debts." No kidding.

"Ya don' say?" Jo is amused, and it can be told by the hitched-up smile in place. "Yer family is too kind. They didn't have to do all that for me. We're all gonna get somethin' outta this relationship in the end." That's not stopping her from reaching out for a glass, however. "Congrats are indeed, in order," she goes on to add now as she chooses to take up the bottle instead of the glass. "What is it?" and she peers at the label before looking Aishani's way and adding, "How are they doin', anyway? Better than a turn ago, I'd imagine."

"I am told it's an excellent whiskey. It's not my usual drink, so I took my uncle's word for it." Aishani shrugs off her coat, admitting, "It's also nice to have a reason to talk to you. I feel like the different ends of this thing have been taking so much time..." She flickers a look around the room to make sure it is indeed empty before continuing, "That I've barely seen you of late. And they're doing fairly well. Certainly better. Busy, and set up at Crom Hold right now, if you can imagine." She can, and it amuses her by her expression. "How about you and your... projects?" So to speak.

"I'm partial to whiskey," Jo idly notes as she sets to pouring some into the glasses. "Yer family knows me well with this choice. Ya know ya can come to me anytime yer queen can find me, right?" She slides a half-filled glass towards the goldrider with a meaning look to follow it. "Very few are extended that courtesy. I'm glad they're finally on their feet. After all they're gone through, from this Weyr alone....well," she shakes her head at it as she claims the other glass. "Sorry 'bout the silence," she goes on to say about her absense. "Can' be helped, darlin'. Kimren'n Greenfields, mostly. And R'hin. Taken care of some issues involvin' M'ron. Business is very good, though. Maybe too good right now. I need to put in more of an appearance 'round here," she idly notes, looking around them. "Folks're startin' to notice, beyond Glacier."

Thoughtfully, "I might have mentioned that. There's someone who keeps track of such things, or always was under my father. It can make a deal go better, having that sort of information. Information in general." Aishani has to shake her head a little, glossy curls bouncing, to shake off that mild reverie, explaining as she reaches for the glass, "I'm remembering more, since I've been with them. And I do appreciate that, Jo. If you need us, I'd hope you'd call. We have your back." It might sound a little odd, coming in the accent she's made herself have rather than the one her cousins keep, but the meaning is the same. Lifting the glass in a salute to her friend and partner, she drinks before, "It happens. I was with the caravan more than I'd like." And though she does arch a slender brow for the Monacoan's name, she doesn't ask. "I know the feeling. I've been away too much myself, but it's not as if people here are dying to help a Vijay out or buy something from them." There's a roll of dark eyes, but: "I might have someone to help us out, though. I didn't mention you."

"I need someone like that in my corner," Jo related on having someone to keep track of information. "Kait'n M'ron ain' it. But anyway, I appreciate ya sayin' that. Feels good knowin' I've got folks at my back that aren' attached." She grins on hearing she's not the only one missing in action, and when that brow lifts on her naming the bronzerider, "He seems to enjoy walkin' on the wild side with a loose bluerider," is all she says to that, looking amused by it. "I hear ya on those not goin' outta their way'n shit. I ain' exactly someone most look for myself. Who's the someone yer talkin' about? Do I know him? How's N'rov doin'? I'm sure he's been comin' by, hm?" She's downed her glass by this point and is already reaching for another round.

With a grin, "I know I like having Jyani around to do all sorts of little things for me, but she's bound by blood to do so. Other assistants that are competent might want money." Aishani's little cousin is also now Aishani's little teen cousin, and if Jo's seen her around, her mouth has only gotten smarter and her temper surlier for her years. Just like Shani! Aw. As for the explanation about R'hin, she only has a shrug, leaving that topic alone to give a grimace and finish her drink. "Oh, N'rov's by now and then. But mostly, I go to Southern. He's transferred there for half a turn or so." And she makes no show to hide her displeasure. Sliding her empty glass over for a refill, "You know him, I'm pretty sure. H'vier? He has some time and likes money enough to not ask questions, seems like."

"She looks useful," Jo agrees on Jyani with a low chuckle. "Like havin' a sister around, eh? I could somethin' close to that. Kait comes close, but," a shrug is given, the matter dropped. A brow of interest lifts upon hearing about N'rov's transfer, her curiousity piqued as she asks, "Why the transfer south? This his choice or something nasty went down over'n Fort's way?" When H'vier's name is brought up, there's that glimmer of recognition for it along with another chuckle and a lift of her glass briefly towards Aishani. "Yeah, know him. He likes money, do he? We'll see 'bout that. Dunno much about him, but, if ya think he's a good fit, I'll stand behind it." Which, speaking of, she leans forward towards her a bit before she adds in, "Ya know about R'hin recruitin' about the Weyr for some project of his? Workin' with K'del, I gather, though I'm not sure how much."

Smirking, "She can be. And we were always close, so... that's nice, yes." Aishani's tone is somewhat warmer than her words or that wry look imply. After she gets her own refill, she sits back with it, wrinkling her nose Jo's way. "Ali and Isyath went to Southern to take over, since Fort has - had four queens. So he decided to go to help until she's settled in." Her emphasis is on 'he'; it's all on him. Her attention is all for her drink after that, taking a long sip with a sour expression. "As for H'vier, he's disgusting, but he seems to have something shady going on half the time, and is pretending he's in a relationship. He needs to keep himself busy and he wants to get paid. We'll see how it goes with my family first before we try anything that requires a certain amount of trust. But it could make things easier with basic deliveries and message-running." The bluerider's last makes her blink, and she uncrosses her legs to lean forward as well, interested. "No. If K'del's involved, it's no surprise I don't know about it, though. What did you hear?"

"And yer not please 'bout that," Jo surmises on N'rov's choices, her chin lifting as she studies the goldrider from behind her glass. "How chivalrous of him. Perhaps she'll settle in quickly and he'll be back before the first boot gets thrown? Not that it matters with goin' Between'n all, but I can' imagine him wantin' to stay that far from ya down south." Aishani's estimation of H'vier earns hearty laughter from the bluerider before leaning forward and briefly tipping her glass towards hers. "I hear he's makin' quite the run with our bartender, Tayte," and she makes that sound more like gossip than not. "He's entertainin', at least. I was told he practically demanded his promotion outta Z'ian." The last, when it garners interest, has the bluerider looking towards the entrance before she sets her glass down and says, "Well, he was tryin' to recruit me," she lets her know. "I figured ya should know, since, we have a relationship'n all. He didn' give me details, nor did I explicitly ask for'em, but he was puttin' up a hard sell. Just thought ya should know, and I'd appreciate it if ya keep this between us. Ain' exactly sure R'hin has this public knowledge or not." Her look has meaning. "All he told me though was somethin' about helpin' the Weyr. That can be broad. I'd have to leave Glacier for Savannah, at least temporarily. That's all I was told."

"Mm. Well. I'm guessing that you don't like being told things any more than I do." Aishani has a slow sip from her glass before setting it down, resting her elbow on the table, chin in hand. "And yes, the clutches at Fort just hatched, so it should be an issue. I don't have to like it, though." And she's not going to either, no matter what! There's a faint grin for Jo's laughter over H'vier, and she nods, noting, "Tayte is what he said, and a girl. And I suppose he's entertaining. Hasn't held the stabbing against me either, so I suppose that's something." She toys with her half-full glass as she listens to the bluerider give her the low-down, before giving her a smirk. "Who exactly am I going to tell? But sounds like asking an awful lot for not very much. Especially leaving Glacier, I know how you lot are." Ride or die. "I wonder if it would be worth doing just to find out what's going on, though. Being out of the loop is never good."

"He should send ya lots of gifts," Jo suggests for the move. "Wines'n trinkets. At least." She drains her glass through talk of H'vier, only setting it down to say, "I doubt he would have held somethin' like a stabbin' against ya, when he's probably done worse. He's the sort I'd keep an eye on whether he's ally or not." She lifts the bottle and wordlessly offers a refill to Aishani as she moves on to address the last. "I wouldn' leave Glacier, no," she agrees readily with an incline of her head. "I'm most useful there. Yer curious enough to risk somethin' like that, though? Ya think this project will affect us?" She doesn't need to elaborate, the look turning significant.

With a shake of her head, "He'd better do something." It's not all that like Aishani to be so bothered, but there's always something that gets under your skin eventually. Lifting her glass for a top-up, she nods to Jo easily, "Oh, I agree. But just about anyone we do business with is like that. There's not too many people outside of your family you can trust... and sometimes, not even the people in your family." Quirking her lips in a wry smile, she has to give a laugh. "Again, if K'del's involved, I can't see me getting anywhere near it... and what's good for the Weyr doesn't have to be bad for us. I'd just rather know what's going on than not." A pause. "Maybe someone else likely will get recruited that won't mind passing on the odd update." By her expression, she doesn't love the option, but she's thinking.

Leaning to tip the contents of the bottle into Aishani's glass, "Don' I know it," Jo murmurs on family. She would know, too. She tops off her glass then replaces it with the glass before adding, "I'll admit, I'm curious," on K'del and R'hin's project. "I'm wonderin' what sort of task requires a full wing for. Perhaps I can do my part in steerin' him towards one of our own?" She pauses at the thought, idly swirling a finger within her whiskey as she mulls over what she's just said. "Hmmm. Sybile, maybe? She's crafty enough. Or someone younger."

Taking the glass back only to drink from it again - it is pretty good whiskey - Shani has to consider that, gaze shifting to the ceiling, tapping fingers on her cheek. "I'm not sure. Some large scale transport, maybe surveying if there's a thought of any farming or gathering South... Patrolling." The last has her looking back down to Jo significantly. "But I doubt it if R'hin asked you. I don't think anything about you says 'potential guard', yes?" A little shudder at the idea. "And that's a thought. If he'll take one of yours. It could be nothing, but I hate being blindsided."

"Does guardin' panties count?" Jo counters on her being a guard before a snicker breaks free. "Naw. He knows me enough by now. I don't think it's anythin' necessarily bad either. Not with K'del involved, but who knows. We play in the gray area of life, we do. I think R'hin would join us there, but not so sure about K'del. Anyway," and she pauses to take a healthy drink. "If he asks me again, I'll probe for more information. Or I'll send him someone that will meet both his and our expectations. Hmmm, lemmee think on it some. Just thought ya should know, is all. Ya wanna take all this back to my place?" She sets her glass down to get up and start cleaning off the table, working quickly. "If ya wanna finish the bottle. If yer not busy. I have some time before I need to go, and I'd like to spend it catchin' up with ya."

"Not stealing them? Jo. You're shattering my illusions." Aishani assumes an expression of deep sadness, though dark eyes are bright. Shaking her head as she takes another drink, "No alarm bells yet, but I have to admit a certain curiosity about anything that would require your particular skills. And I appreciate hearing about it. I won't mention it, and if I hear anything else..." She gestures to the bluerider. Jo will be the first to know. Setting down her own glass and straightening, "I'd like that. I want to see where your map is at, and I can add my family's new routes if you like. The ones we're telling people about, anyway." There's a sharp grin as she pulls her jacket back on, standing.

Laughing outright at the first, "Plenty of time for that," Jo returns on panty-stealing, winking as she closed up the bottle before gathering up the large map. Once it's put in it's place she returns to the table to collect her jacket and things. "We'll just keep our eyes peeled'n our ears open to the ground, darlin'," she reassures as she shrugs back into her jacket and then goes for the bottle and glass. Her smile is brighter upon hearing about new routes, tucking her sketches under one arm and gesturing for Aishani to proceed out of the room with the other. "The new routes will look great on my map wall," is her thanks, nodding. "Come'on. I think I might even have some decent food up there." With all her stuff gathered, the bluerider is already heading out the door with the assumption that Aishani won't be too far behind.

Finishing her drink, Aishani tucks her own glass in her pocket and follows in Jo's wake, noting, "If you don't, next time we'll just make them send something to my place." Again, an honor not given to all, access to the goldrider's lair. While up in the bluerider's, she's content to catch up on lighter topics for the rest of the evening, add those routes on a ladder herself, and pass on word of Jyani's little project, if Jo gets tired of drinking sometime...