Difference between revisions of "Logs:Of Wisdom, Heroes, and Potential"

Your location's current time: 14:26 on day 16, month 8, Turn 12, of the Interval. It is a summer afternoon.

You wander up the stairs to the residents' quarters. Common Room, High Reaches Weyr(#868RIJLs) This small cavern has the crisp smells of a recent cleaning, mingled with its more usual smells of klah, woodsmoke, and people. Baskets of glows are scattered about the room, lighting up dark corners and generally providing a cozy atmosphere. Several chairs sit at a large, round table, and more chairs are against the walls, waiting for use. A large, soft fur is spread out in front of a small stone hearth which keeps the cavern warm for its occupants.

Views: South Wing East Wing Balcony Obvious exits: Children's Wing Dormitory Lower Caverns

Shanlee meanders up the stairs from the caverns below. Shanlee has arrived.

A warm summer's afternoon finds the common room largely deserted, which is probably why R'hin's ensconced in one of the chairs. A glass of wine sits close his hand, barely touched however. His gaze is distant, thoughts far away, largely oblivious to the comings and goings.

Clearly with some sort of mission in mind, or perhaps seeking out some place solitude. Shan's chosen the common room likely with the hopes that temperate weather will have drawn most outside. A package under arm, the greenrider heads for one of the furthest parts of the room. The weyrleader in the chair is not hard to miss but is however, given a wide berth when it seems he's in his own sort of contemplative mood.

Far above the Weyr, the shadow of Leiventh crosses the bowl, back and forth, as the man's dragon circles high above. Watching, while his rider muses. "Shanlee," the Weyrleader intones her name oddly, quiet and thoughtful, like he's testing it, acutely aware of her arrival. "Why am I not surprised to see you here, too?" Quiet humor laces R'hin's tones as pale eyes settle on the woman, moving towards the package.

Lips purse and steps halt as R'hin speaks her name, standing for several moments so, the greenrider gives a slight shake of head with glance down to the package she's carrying, then changes direction. Halting just short of the chair a faint smile touches her mouth "R'hin." a glance around "Peace and quiet?" this to his own reason for being there too.

"Mm." The murmur seems to be acknowledgement of her query, R'hin reaching for his glass, fingers curling around it, but not drinking. "I'm pleased everyone gets to enjoy the fine 'Reachian weather. Not the least of which because I can have a meal in peace." He chuckles, fingers rubbing thoughtfully at his chin for a moment, before he tips a head towards a chair. It's silent invitation, but not order, and he's practiced enough to telegraph the distinction.

Laughter held low for the stillness of the room, her own more sober mood and likely that of the weyrleader's, Shan slips into the chair indicated. The package is stowed on the floor next to her and likely put out of her mind "And here I come to interrupt that quiet reverie." It's clear she's not being serious however, as she leans her head back against the chair eyes close briefly then slide open to regard R'hin with some speculation. The reason for which comes next "May I ask you a question?"

"Your company is never an interruption," R'hin corrects mildly, lips curving as he studies the greenrider sidelong. "Never an unwelcome one, certainly." The speculative gaze is noted, and curiosity lights in the Weyrleader's pale eyes in turn. "Mm. Of course-- if I can ask a request in turn." A grin curls his lips, head tipped.

"There'll be plenty that disagree there." Shan replies with a rueful curl of smile to not being unwelcome company. Slouching down in the chair and stretching her legs out in front of her, the greenrider fixes a careful look on the weyrleader. Wariness slipping through into the green eyes for R'hin's last but answered in an easy tone "If you think my reply will be of any help."

"I'm not one of them," R'hin retorts with an odd kind of firmness. Dark mirth breaks free as he takes note of her wariness, "Ah, nothing horrible, I promise. I'll go first, then, and if you don't like it, refuse me, no harm." Fingers worry briefly at a thread on the chair's arm, but it is painted casualness to accompany his words: "Have you met the Fortian bronzerider?" He doesn't wait for a response, but goes on, "I'd like to get your opinion on him... and I'd like to make him feel welcome if possible. Comfortable." Which is an odd statement, coming from someone who's made his feelings about Fort fairly clear in the past. Odder, too, that he's been allowing S'kris to train and fly with Glacier since shortly after the clutching.

Shanlee's lips twist wryly "Good to know you're not." The greenrider brings fingers to lace across her stomach and eyes dropping to inspect them idly. After R'hin is finished speaking, she remains that way for a moment then lifts them answering to the first "I've learned the hard way." for his earlier dark mirth. "S'kris?" eyes remain on the Weyrleader's face "I haven't met him yet, no. Seen him around a fair bit." Straightening her posture upward but not changing much else, the dark red head cants to one side "I'll make a point of doing so however. Mind if I ask why?" knowing R'hin well enough by now to know he did little without good reason.

"I've an old notion coming back, one I'd set aside for the lack of an appropriate person." It's hard to tell if R'hin's vaugeness is guarded familiarity, or distracted thoughtfulness. His eyes focus back on Shan with a grin, as he responds, "I'll tell you why, after you've met him. Deal?" He lifts the wineglass to his lips, taking a sip. "You'd a question for me?"

Taking time yet again before replying, Shan watches as the wineglass is lifted. Mulling over the first words and coming up with nothing of her own it's likely curiosity that has her releasing the lower lip that had unconsciously been trapped between teeth. Slowly nodding her consent first then verbalizing it in a low tone "Alright." pause "Do you have a time frame in mind?" her own question likely to be asked once she'd the last bit of information she felt was needed.

R'hin studies the greenrider, taking in her reaction with keen eyes. "No timeframe. I've waited long enough," amusement flickers, here, "And he's here until the hatching."

Once again, Shan gives her agreement "Okay, I'll track him down." Seemingly satisfied she moves onto her own query meeting R'hin's eyes "Why no search wings being sent outside of our coverage area this cycle?" asked easily as his response is carefully watched for, telling in the stillness of the petite frame.

The bronzerider seems pleased, if the firm nod he gives is any indicator. "Ah," amusement colors R'hin's voice, picture of extreme casualness as he sips at his wine - likely as a chance to give him a moment to think. "I was wondering who'd be the first to ask. Should've known it would've been you." The words it would seem are compliment. Instead of answering directly, he turns it around, leaning forward, voice that intent tone of the visionary, "Think about it, Shan. If Thread continues, we'll need the support of all those within our coverage area - people who, like me, like us, had our heads and plans in an Interval. What better way to than to impress the daughters, sons, sisters and brothers of those whose support we need to lobby?"

Madison wanders up the stairs from the caverns below. Madison has arrived.

Shanlee chuckles "Ah, you know me too well already it seems." Slight shoulders shrug this off as legs are drawn back in, the wingsecond canting her head to one side. R'hin sitting in a chair sipping at a glass of wine is once again the recipient of careful study as the redhead opposite him formulates her reply "Actually when a candidate recently asked me that question that's more or less the direction my mind went. As well as wanting to keep our wings close to home with not being able to predict these random Falls." Pausing to give more thought and then adding "The other weyrs are going to need all they can get from their areas too for candidates. So in the end....." a thoroughly approving smile appears ".....a very wise call Weyrleader."

"Well enough," R'hin acknowledges Shanlee's comment with a mirthful grin, nodding slowly as he exhales. "Really. Which candidate asked?" idle curiosity in his tone - but then there's very little that's idle about the Weyrleader's questions. "Don't confuse calculating with wise," he says, "I've not a care for the other Weyrs. Besides, with clutch sizes not yet going up--" and the way he phrases that is odd, like he's counting on it having to happen sooner or later, "Finding candidates isn't as difficult... even with the 'falls. There's always a handful who want to play the hero." A faint note of derision there, but he's trying to hide it.

Wandering down into the Common Room, Madison has a bundle of hides in her hands and she's trying to force herself to read through them. There is a soft grumbling from the walking hidestack and she nearly trips over a knot in the fur near the small stone hearth.. Another grumbling comes as she sits the hides down to rub her leg. "Stupid furs!" She thwacks it with a hand which causes her to cough when the dust comes up from it. "Stupid stupid!"

Rylla walks up the stairs from the caverns below. Rylla has arrived.

"Hhmm? Oh. Ayson, he was a repairman here before being searched so has a fair idea of how things normally work." Shan explains readily enough "Got pretty good head on his shoulders that one." Lips curl into a faint smirk for the next "I beg to differ. Calculation involves weighing up the pros and cons of a situation and then going the route that proves the best for the purposes at hand. Wisdom's little brother." A fine brow lifts upward "You think that's even a possibility? Much as we need it to be so." to increasing clutch sizes. Discomfort flickers about the petite wingsecond "The only hero is a dead one." her words seeming to come out in a dark tone. The sudden, continued muttering of the word 'stupid' swings her head in that direction. Catching sight of Madison, the redhead stifles a groan and tries to sink down into her chair out of sight.

Rylla mutters under her breath, a hide slapping against her leg as she enters. Catching sight of Shanlee, a very trained yet stressed smile curves her lips. Though instead of interrupting she remains quietly by the stairs still slapping her leg with the rolled hide she holds, waiting impatiently for an opening to speak with the red head, her eyes running over the other woman carefully.

"Mm. I'll be sure to seek him out." Odd how the casual words, in R'hin's mouth, seem a kind of threat. Chuckling, dark mirth spells from the man, as he takes a sip from his wineglass, casual. "Wisdom's black porcine, perhaps. As for the possibility--" he grimaces, and shakes his head. "I don't know. I wish I did. It doesn't-- look good. I'm considering some less than pleasant options right now." He's distant again, thoughts far away for a beat or two. The newest, cursing arrival is hard to miss, however, and Madison draws the Weyrleader's attention with a twitch of brows, no doubt as much due to Shan's puzzling reaction as anything else.

"Oh." Madison looks up in enough time as she looks over at the others, holding onto the hides she have in a barely contained manner. She looks between the three people and notices the slouching Red Head. "Hey Shanlee Ma'am." She says, grinning at her as she marches upwards to both her and him. She waves at Rylla with one hand, nearly dropping her hides once again. "Ooof." She grumbles some more. "How're you doing? Thanks for earlier. I'm sorry I was so mad."

Yet another sound catches Shan's attention, some sort of slapping it seems. Swinging her chin over her shoulder, the wingsecond just catches Rylla out of the corner of her eye her tight smile and demeanor returned with a faint trace of a smirk from the redhead. Lifting a hand she's gestured over. What R'hin says draws her attention back "Other options?" the distant look that crosses his features take note of "Another time." is given in a low tone to likely finding out just exactly what was meant. Nope, that slouching hadn't worked as Madison presents herself, hides clutched to herself and apologetic "No need to thank it's my job, no apology needed either." With a tip of head the Weyrleader's way the greenrider tries to draw the candidate's attention to what should have been an automatic response to his presence.

If anything, R'hin seems considerably amused by Shanlee's attempt at concealment, and it earns the approaching candidate a keen scrutiny. "Another time," he agrees with Shanlee, "Who's your little friend here?" He doesn't offer a greeting to Madison other than the study of pale eyes. Rylla, too, is noted, though for her the Weyrleader nods distractedly, turning his wineglass this way and that, idly.

Waiting patently isn't one of Rylla's better traits, and it seem this is no exception to that rule. So when Shanlee doesn't address her with more than a glance, a thining of the greenriders lips becomes evident. "Wingsecond, I have your reports for you." The slapping hides are tossed over before she turns her attention to the waving candidate. "Shells, not again. Can't anyone order the dragons not to search or something? The last thing we need around here are a bunch of runny nose candidates." Once said she glares across at the Weyrleader then tosses her hair in a flippant fling. "Really Darlin' Just send them all home... now."

"I'm Madison, Maddie for short." She looks over to the man finally and she notices that he's got a crazy looking loopy knot. "Oh Shards!" She drops her hides and snaps to attention to which she pulls her feet together, slips on the recently fallen hides, and lands right onto her back looking up at Rylla as soon as she mentions something about Runny nose candidates. "I don't have a runny nose. And weren't you one one too? what if you got killed, who'd protect the weyr then? Or what if you had a baby and wanted to keep it, someone would have to do your work cuz it says in this that you shouldn't do that when your preggers." All of this said from her back before she remembers. "OWwww.."

Slight the roll of eyes R'hin's amusement and words earn him, but expressive of unspoken thoughts it is in any event "This is candidate Madison, apparently Jaireth..." a meaningful pause is allowed for "...thinks she's a good stand for the eggs." Quickly turning to avoid the weyrleader's eyes after that, Shan is just in time to catch one of the hides the others falling to the floor. Jaw tightening, a muscle set to ticking, an upward warning look is given Ryllas as she bends to retrieve the rest "Good Afternoon to you too Rylla." not bothering to hide sarcasm. Madison's accident draws a pained expression from the redhead "While you're right on several of those counts young lady, that's no way to speak to my fellow coordinator and certainly not in the presence of the Weyrleader." Green eyes flick back to R'hin in a 'now do you understand' way.

"Really," R'hin's tone echoes Rylla's almost precisely - it's quite eery, in fact. "Send them all home? You'll volunteer to fly 'Fall without the extra help from now on, will you?" Earnest, querying look is sent the woman's way. "Runny noses are the least of our problems, and if you're not feeling capable enough to handle it--" shoulders twitch, and he glances at Shanlee, almost as if asking her opinion, silently. Finally, a brief smile, but it's polite at best and perhaps a little forced, as eyes drift towards Madison, not apparently bothered by her sudden sharp attention, "Ah," at her name, as if it has some meaning. Or maybe it's the name of the dragon that accompanies her searching. There's amusement in the bronzerider's expression, not in the least bit sympathetic, pale eyes flickering back to Shanlee with a quirk of lips.

"Least I was able to stand on my own two feet Darlin'" Rylla retorts with honey sweetness that belies her disgust at being addressed by one so low, literally at the moment, as Madison. "If this is and example of who would replace me then I best not get pregnant. No one dare." Turning back to her wingsecond and Weyrleader she sighs dramatically. "We best put a ban on any closeness for the next while. For shame too, as I passed by the most scrumptious thing while searching for Shanlee. Tall dark and oh sooo tempting... huh?" Ryl stops short and blinks a few times. "Oh no... not again. I've done nothing to be punished so this time. You'll just have to find another sucker to run about wiping noses this time." Speaking her mind, she forgets just whom she is addressing.

"I wasn't being mean, Shanlee Ma'am." Madison says as she scrambles upwards and takes the hides up into her arms and tries to roll them up like she saw how Rylla had them. When she stands up and looks at Rylla in a terse and sharp manner. She looks as if she's about to speak but she smiles and nods her head at Rylla. "Of course maam. I'm sorry for falling down when you came in." She tells the woman before her, bowing at her.

Leaving Rylla to R'hin, Shan takes the time stack the hides neatly one on top of the other, then bends to retrieve the package that had been lying on the floor to one side of her. The pause in flow of words from the Weyrleader flick her eyes upward the silent query understood, a slight dip of head in agreement with him. Unable to hear the young girl continue to be berated, the wingsecond straightens up slowly and deliberately "Back off Rylla. She's just a child." the tone tight, then back to Madison who makes an effort to at least try a decent comeback. "Madison." her name spoken in such a way as to bring her attention to the wingsecond "This.." a nod toward R'hin "....is the Weyrleader and should be greeted and addressed as such." Clearly the gentle prompt of earlier had gone unnoticed.

"Mm." R'hin's initial reaction is covered up in the deliberate sip he takes of his wine, though cool, pale eyes rest on Rylla. "Better you here, wiping noses, greenrider, than out there--" his hand gestures as if to indicate the lands outside the Weyr, "--taking your particular... brand... of diplomacy to our Holders." Madison's words earn a sidelong look, like maybe she's done something interesting all of a sudden; quiet, chuckling mirth evidenced a moment later. "It's okay, Shan," he's pointedly casual as he addresses the wingsecond, in deliberate contrast to Rylla. "I wouldn't imagine I'm much for competing with attention when our dear greenrider's in the room," a curl of lips as eyes flick to Rylla.

Rylla's task done, the hides delivered she waists little time sticking about to socialize. "Yes a child. Now were bringing in children to try and do the work of a mature person. Will the weyr never learn?" Regarding Madison again she slowly shakes her head. "It's not your fault Darlin that my7 beauty knocked you off your feet. Though do try and fight it next time." Then back the Shanlee she wrinkles her nose. "Children... Playing at being riders. Shards woman you need a good kissing or something to get your thoughts straight." Then R'hin is looked at closely. "Leave it to a male to not have better sense. where a woman to be Weyrleader then this weyr would be in tip top running condition."

"Ohs!" Madison offers as she turns back to the Weyrleader, turning her back on Rylla before she smiles up towards the man, a warm toothy smile. "I'm sory Weyrleader sir. I didn't mean to fall." She gives a half decent salute to the man and bows. "It's a honor to meet you, and to stand for the clutch. Did you know that my great great great great great great great great uncle was a rider?" She nods proudly, puffing up a bit. She turns back to look at Rylla and blinks at her. "You wanna kiss Shanlee?" She wrinkles her own nose and giggles. "OOo, and I thought you liked B'yan Shanlee." She offers, giggling a bit as her cheeks flush slightly before she looks to the Weyrleader. "Don't get mad, sir." She whispers, conspiratorially "It's best to ignore people that make you mad." She points to Shanlee. "She told me that."

R'hin's use of her name draws a quick downward glance to hide the amusement for his ploy then lifting to show nothing more then a totally neutral expression "I'm hoping that at least the riders from -this- lot will have manners, understand diplomacy and teamwork." This is totally destroyed by Rylla's comment to her, lips curl back into what could have been a snarl if not for supreme effort from the redhead, the fingers clenched around the hides whiten at the knuckles. "Don't you have somewhere else to be?" coming out in tightly controlled anger, eyes pinning a hard look on the other greenrider. Madison's little babble shoots both brows upward "What? Where under Pern's blue skies did you get that idea from him. He's a clutchmate! Not a sharding weyrmate!" By now Shan's on her feet and glaring between both Rylla and Madison "Sharding unbelievable!" Turning to R'hin "My apologies Sir, but I find I have something to attend to...." another glare shot at the two ".....elsewhere."

"Funny though, how some of the children are more... mature than the supposed adults." R'hin's gaze on Rylla makes it crystal clear who he's talking about. "Or at least, they both do an equal amount of whining about how life isn't fair, how things should be this way or that and it would be better. Perhaps a woman -would- be better," the bronzerider offers with a twitch of shoulders, "But since it will never happen-- well. Pointless speculation bores me." It's dismissive, a wave of hand given, and Madison receives another look, though more bemused this time. "Uh, well. That's good. It's important to be aware of one's ties to dragonriders." The advice earns a twitch of brows, then a look at Shanlee that's all kinds of amused, particularly at her abrupt departure.

Leiventh> I bespoke Kaylith with « Mine wishes yours to you he will come by to talk... later. He will bring wine. »

Leiventh senses that Kaylith's reply is touched by dry amusement at the edges of her thoughts « Mine would likely need the company and the wine yours will bring. » That the return is rather quick may have something to do with the fact that her rider has not been apprised of this and she has taken matters into her own hands.

Rylla snaps off a graceful salute to Shanlee, her lips curving into an angelic smile. "Yes Darlin' best not go about kissin folks in front of the new children." Though R'hin's words break through her thoughts. "I'll have you know Sir that I'm more mature than most the young things running about here." Her shoulders square and her back stiffens. "Men..." Is all she manages now as she two start to stride towards the stairs.

"I'm not a boy!" Madison calls after Rylla as she marches off and she turns to Shanlee. "Wait Shan, I thought.. I didn't knooow!" She says, yelling after her friend before she sighs and slumps her shoulders. "Great." She turns back around and is face to face with the Weyrleader. Alone. "Uh, I think maybe something do, I have maybe." She gives him a broad toothed grin and begins to skulk out slowly.

Shanlee walks out to the hallway and caverns below. Shanlee has left.

"Are you now." R'hin manages to convey disbelief in the mild response to Rylla, though his gaze is following Shanlee's departure, finally coming back to the other greenrider. Amusement slips through in the abrupt grin as she, too, heads for the stairs. There's a wave of his hand towards the seat Shanlee's vacated, and one could assume it was tacit invitation for Madison to join him. "How old are you, Madison?"

Madison winces sharply as R'hin motions to the chair and she gives a warm smile and nods. "Twelve Weyrleader." She says, hopping up into the chair. It's hard to tell what age she is. She's very small and a little scrawny and sports a fading black eye. "This is a comfy seat."

Rylla misses the look and comment given her as she heads off.

"Twelve," R'hin breathes out the number like he's exhaling regret, studying her with a purse of lips. "You're Weyrbred. You understand what it means that Thread falls for us, now. I'm going to give you a very important task, Madison. Are you ready for it?"

Sitting straight up, Madison snaps to attention. "Yes, yes sir!" She tells the Weyrleader. "I mean, Yes Weyrleader!" She says, looking at the man intently. She doesn't say anything else.

R'hin watches the girl with an intensity that might well be uncomfortable under the scrutiny of sharp, pale eyes: "I want you to go and speak to different riders. At least three-- and find out what scares them about being a rider. Some, you won't be able to get them to tell you, others you might have to coax them a bit, or catch them off-guard... others will gladly tell you. Then I want you to think about what they tell you, and think about what might scare you, and then tell someone-- me, or Shanlee, or the Weyrwoman, if you decide you don't want to be a candidate anymore." Solemn, he adds softer, "And we'll understand, better than anyone, if you decide not to. Can you do that for me?"

B'yan strolls up the stairs from the caverns below. B'yan has arrived.

The common rooms are largely empty, with most folk outside enjoying the warm summer afternoon. They're not entirely deserted, however-- R'hin and Madison are seated in chairs, talking; the Weyrleader has a half-drunk glass of wine in hand, and looks to be in a solemn, serious mood.

At this Madison bristles, and tears come almost immediately to her eyes. She looks down at her lap for a few long moments before she speaks. "Make I speak freely, Weyrleader?" She asks him, her body almost quivering with the emotions that's about to blow up out of her. She looks up towards him, matching those intense pale eyes with her own determined and defiant stare. "My family, my real one. Couldn't take care of me. They waste their lives away. I know that I want to stay. I'll not be scared. But I will do as you say." She stands up and walks over to stand right in front of the man. "So, Weyrleader. What is it that scares YOU about being a rider?" She points her smallish finger directly towards the man's nose.

Among the peacefulness of the room slips in B'yan, conferring over a sheet of hide in low tone with a gray cloaked man. Their steps are slow, but with purpose as they step through the threshold without pause. Something said from the man clearly is not sitting well with the bronzerider, and the sheet he holds gets the brunt of that disgruntlement as he abruptly straightens and folds up the hide for concealment. It's only then that he takes stock of those within the room, his hazel eyes falling first on the Weyrleader with an unreadable expression before shifting to regard the familiar girl sitting with him.

"Please do," the invitation is made without hesitation, R'hin's gaze remaining on the girl despite the awkwardness the tears present. "I know about your family," he says, tones oddly gentle - at least, odd for him. "And regardless what you decide, you'll have a place here at the 'Reaches. But not everyone can, or should be a rider - that's not my call to make. It's yours, and the dragon's. But mostly yours, because you can decide to walk away, and life a full and happy life." He straightens as she approaches, the faintest quirk of lip suggesting he's unsurprised by the sudden question, though any amusement fades soon after, as he gives her query the quiet consideration due, voice low: "The future," he breathes softly, "The future scares me, Madison. That I will lose my riders, one by one, that the dragons won't clutch enough, that we will lose land, people, livestock, livelihoods... that it will spiral beyond even my control. That's what scares me." His voice has faded almost to nothing, gaze distant, a faint shudder running through his body.

"I'm not afraid of the future sir. There will be losses. It will hurt. People will be hurt, people will die. But you cannot dwell on what may happen, only work out what has happened." Madison says to the Weyrleader, her body still bristling with the energy of her emotions being bottled up inside of her as she speaks in a forcibly calm manner. Glancing over her shoulder at the murmur of two men coming in she notices B'yan. The young girl calls out. "B'yan!" She calls out towards him, holding a finger up to the Weyrleader before she hurries over to the other man. "What scares you about being a rider?"

The gray cloak man is looking hard at B'yan when their attention is abruptly brought towards the Weyrleader and candidate. Madison's approach has the bronzerider immediately slipping the folded sheet into an inner pocket of his riding jacket with a guarded glance at R'hin. Then, turning towards his companion, "We'll speak of this later," he says evenly in a clear dismissal as the girl is now within listening distance. He doesn't wait to see if his orders is obeyed, only taking steps ahead and closing the distance to Madison when she speaks to him. "What scares me...?" he echoes, a brow lifting as he glances fully at R'hin, almost as if expecting an explanation for the sudden questioning.

"No," R'hin disagrees, but it's mild, "There, you're wrong. I can't help but to consider what may happen. It's my gift, and my curse." He chuckles darkly, like it's a phrase or a thought often voiced. "I see the possibilities the future holds, and I work to prevent that." He exhales a regretful sigh, as if aware the girl doesn't, can't understand, and leans back to take another sip of his wine, pale gaze trailing her towards B'yan with even expression. A faint tip of head is offered after he catches the man's guarded look, but that's all, something of curiousity and amusement mixed in at the girl's query of the other bronzerider. "It's important, B'yan, that she understands. Doesn't go in blind, with just the thoughts of Harper's tales in her head." His answer is mild, but there's an odd note B'yan's probably never heard in the Weyrleader's voice: guilt.

"I don't like Harper's Tales. They're all about how the handsome man gets the beautiful girl. Well I'm not a handsome man, and I'm no beautiful girl." Although perhaps she's got the chance to be someday. "I know what this means, I'm not a little girl." There, her voice raises in anger and those tears fall down her cheeks as she squeezes her hands into little fists as she looks up towards B'yan. "What scares you the most about being a rider, B'yan. I have to ask three riders. Please tell me, so I can tell the Weyrleader that I'm not a stupid silly little prissy girl who thinks riding is all for fun and games and doesn't understand the meaning of what being searched is." She's visibly trembling now, "Before I punch someone, please." She strains that last one out.

B'yan is regarding the Weyrleader evenly still when he's addressed, picking up enough of the conversation now to deduce the graveness of the topic. That he's detected that note of guilt in R'hin has his gaze lingering longer than it should before he finally breaks it to glance behind him. The gray cloaked man had left him. "No need to go hitting someone when they didn't deserve it," he drawls soberly to Madison, looking back at her as he clasps his hands behind his back. "What scares me most? I'm probably not the best man to be asking something like that, mind," and his glance briefly lights on the Weyrleader. "I could say dying up there scares me, fighting something that has no care whether I live or die through it, but that would seem a bit... redundant after the life I've lived." The bronzerider pauses, shifting his stance before he continues. "It's the unknown, I'll admit. Knowing someone I know could be gone after the next fall. It's knowing a decision I make today could end someone tomorrow. There's too much uncertainty these days."

Once more, there's the sense the girl's done something unexpected, as R'hin's glance flickers to her, thoughtful. "I don't like Harper's tales either," he says, slowly. Pale gaze continues to rest on Madison throughout her speech, and there's even a glimmer of unbidden approval and a flicker of a smile, but it's gone while her gaze is still on B'yan. Soon after, his gaze, too, travels to the other rider, expression even. There's the faintest tip of head from the Weyrleader, like silent, weary agreement, and he takes a deep gulp from his glass.

"It's scary. I know." Madison says to B'yan before she turns to look back towards the Weyrleader. "I'll find the third one for you, Weyrleader." She stomps over towards the man, before she says. "But I won't quit. I didn't quit when Jordan (a teenage NPC/Bully) and his gang beat me up everyday when I was younger. I fought back. I know how to fight, I didn't give up and cry." She tells the man, her face set in determination. "I wont leave Candidacy, no matter who thinks I'm too young." She points her thumb backwards towards B'yan. "His Jaireth thinks I'm good enough. Why isn't the mind of a dragon, a bronze one." She points out. "worth enough?"

B'yan lets the silence linger on his part, looking from Madison to the Weyrleader as she speaks. Then when something said sticks out, "Too young to stand, hm?" he lets out, set to leaning against one of the chairs in the room with pursed lips. To R'hin, "Starting them on their education early, I see," he sends with a measured amount of interest now that he was grasping the nature of Madison's questioning. "Can't help but to agree. Not in these times."

"I know you will," R'hin agrees, thoughtful gaze on Madison again. There's a quirk of a smile, but not at Madison's words, so much as her drawing in of Jaireth. "Dragons work on instinct. His Searching you means you -can- be a rider... but it doesn't answer the question, -should- you be. I don't know the answer to that, Madison... you do. I think you're mature enough to answer that question, but I want you to have the knowledge first, before you decide for sure. Don't just go through the hoops to get to the end. Ask more people, if you have to-- the eggs are still soft, and there's plenty of time." He leans back a little, gaze lighting on B'yan, lips curving into sardonic expression. "You know me, B'yan. She's got the freedom of choice, right now. She won't have that, once she Impresses, not nearly to the same degree... you more than any should understand that, should try and make -her- understand that."

"I should be. Yes, I should be!" Madison says before she turns back to glare at B'yan. "I am not too young." She tells the bronzerider. "Yes, and his instict meant that I could be a rider." She tells them both before she pauses and takes a few long deep breaths. "If I may go?" She asks. "I wish to prove that I belong here."

"You're young," B'yan still seems inclined to point out to Madison, letting some amusement creep into his tone now. "As the Weyrleader says, dragons work on instinct. Jaireth seems inclined to choose you, but he doesn't seem inclined to regard your apparent age." Arms coming to a fold across his chest now as he shifts his focus to R'hin, "Freedom is something that's always taken for granted," he returns, wry, "even from those older. You just don't realize you have it until it's gone. You more than any would understand," and something crooked slants his grin at the end. "I agree, however. They all must be made to realize what it is they are sacrificing."

A little smile from the Weyrleader, though it might be a tad forced. "You can go, Madison," he allows, faint regret in R'hin's gaze as he studies the girl, before he shifts gaze purposely to his wineglass. "Yes," wry amusement in equal measures spring up at B'yan's words, glancing to the other rider. "Have a care, the world will soon end, for we agree at last on something, itinerant," and the little-used title is bestowed again with almost fond reminiscence.

"I can take care of myself. If I can fight off three fifteen year old boys by myself, I can keep thread off me." The young girl says as she looks between B'yan and R'hin and marches to the door before she turns around and Salutes. "Bronzerider, Weyrleader." She turns towards the exits and heads off.

B'yan lets his brows lift and drop once in rapid succession at the Weyrleader's usage of an old title, but it's to Madison that his first response goes to. "That's a first. Comparing thread to young boys," he drawls at her in a sort of tease, watching her turn and leave with interest. He slowly glances back at R'hin then once their alone, letting a faint snort release from him softly. "I'm sure there's still plenty that we disagree on, R'hin," he lets fly with open amusement as he hitches up a shoulder in a half-shrug. "I'm not that cold to turn a blind eye on the trouble that the Weyr's in."

R'hin doesn't return the salute, nor does he make any motion to indicate he had any intention of doing so, pale eyes tracking Madison's departure. "I wonder if that's what Maja was like, at twelve," he says, with an odd kind of marvelling after the girl's gone, more amusement leaking into his expression now. "Trouble," he breathes with a dark kind of laughter, "Yes, I suppose that's one way to put it." He tips his head towards a nearby seat in tacit, silent invitation.

Madison wanders out to the hallway and caverns below. Madison has left.

When the little girl is mentioned in comparison to Maja, B'yan cannot help but to turn to look after her. The smirk hitches up firmer at the notion as he slowly shakes his head. "I have a feeling she may have been," he agrees languidly when he looks away from the entrance. He lets that linger for just a moment longer before he drops his gaze to the seat of R'hin's invitation and takes it. Reclining as he laces his fingers before him at the latter comment, "You tell me," he drawls more soberly, regarding the other steadily. "Are there other ways to put it?"

Chuckling agreement from R'hin, and the moment of shared amusement passes in the silence that follows, though he makes no move to be the first to break it. His gaze is distant again, focused on thoughts far away, though he's clearly heard B'yan's question. Eventually, he murmurs, "Potential." He lifts his hand, palm upwards, "Potential for something great," he flips his hand over, "Potential for something devastating. Two halves of the same mark." It's an oddly familiar way of viewing the world, at least for one familiar with gambling.

"Potential." B'yan echoes the word almost thoughtfully, his brows furrowing along with a tilted head. "I thought you didn't believe in chance. Is this based on decisions that have yet to been made? In dealing with the unknown, the possibilities?" he asks carefully and levelly in a tone used to discuss past business matters.

R'hin's expression is still distant, in an oddly confessional mood, "I believe in chance," he says, amused, "I believe in doing everything I can to tip the odds. To prevent the house winning." He turns his hand back over, palm upwards, then closes fingers over it and lets it drop to his lap. "Decisions that have been made, plans that have been committed to and abandoned, plans to come. The possibilities... the future weighs on me." The words are murmured with dark mirth. "Either way, I'll see out the course, good or ill." With a sigh, he lifts his glass to lips, draining the rest of the contents.

At hearing this admittance, B'yan straightens slowly from his recline in the chair before allowing a slow nod. "As do I," he gives gravelly. "I work hard to tip the scales to my favor, to prevent other occurences from happening." Beat. "Perhaps the world will end after all," he adds with a touch of amusement, "if we can see reason." R'hin's last gets his silence for as long as he can give, then, "Not that I've gone out of my way to say it, and not that you care," he drawls, a corner of his mouth lifting a bit, "but you lead well. Good to know that you proved me wrong on the matter, and that men like you and me do have more than what meets the eye." Shaking his head slowly, "Still don't agree with everything you've done, but it's obvious that you'll do what's best for the Weyr. So, I'll trust you will see out the course, whatever that may be."

Quiet contemplation, and the Weyrleader still does not look at the other bronzerider. Silence, then R'hin says, "I hold nothing against you, B'yan. Not your past, not what you choose to do now," a knowing sort of smile curls his lips. "The Weyr is my concern. And it matters, I care," he counters, "Because I'll use that-- I'll use you if I have to-- to prevent the house winning." He sets aside the glass, and his fingers curl of the arms of the chair, before he pushes himself to his feet, pale, intent gaze finally settling on B'yan. His expression is grave and sober in a way the other's probably not used to. "I appreciate that," he says, sincerely, and its accompanied by a nod more than the usual perfunctory greeting, as if he's conveying silent respect. "Keep an eye on our little Maja, would you?" a glint of amusement creeps in, before he turns to leave.

A dark smirk slips onto B'yan's face before it ebbs at the Weyrleader's words, and he allows understanding to cloud his face. "I'll keep that in mind," he drawls, letting a hand steal over the side of his jacket where the hide is concealed. "As for using me," and the bronzerider leans away, amusement in his eyes as he looks around the room, "I'd prefer the terms 'mutual partnership' to usage. You'd atleast think along my lines if you can successfully convince someone I had designs on them," he adds, bringing up the memory without malice. He doesn't get up when R'hin does, hearing the odd sincerity when a nod in return. His eyes keep that amusement when he answers about Madison with "You know me," the tone roguish and familiar of his itinerant days.

"Yes," R'hin murmurs, at B'yan's observation, "Yes I do." Striding, strong steps carry him across the common room, breathing confidence in his demeanor, the posture of one who has become adjusted to the mantle of leadership, however reluctantly he may wear it.

You stroll out to the hallway and caverns below.