Difference between revisions of "Logs:Filling in the Blanks"

Brieli kept promising Vienne drinks, and there were none forthcoming... until today, at least. Today, Iesaryth will send the tide Oswinth's way, to see if his rider is available for lunch. There's the image of the Snowasis from her rider's perspective, from one of the booths with a drink before her already. It might be a long week. Month. Whatever. In the bar itself, Brieli is in fact in one of the booths, with a drink in hand, watching the meagre daytime crowd with a thoughtful expression, long legs crossed out before her.

Oswinth receives that tide with equal parts welcome and resistence, appreciating the queen's attention and simultaneously fretting and shying away, like he should keep his electronic hum far from all that water. And while, sometimes, vague invitations go right over the blue's head, today he seems to understand immediately and promises the gold that Vienne will be along promptly. She shows up at the ledge's mouth, looking a bit soaked by the cold rain pouring down outside. However, she does seem to have embraced those few degrees of temperature that allow for rain instead of snow, somewhat foolishly since, without all the extra warm layers she is clearly freezing. As her teeth chatter a little, she looks around for her lunch date. Her heels might indeed make some noise as she walks, but her boots are muddy and so when she arrives at the booth, it's with flick of her fingers to display her dishelved appearance and a rueful smile. "So much for trying to look nice today."

Iesaryth doesn't linger long, but seems unconcerned by the combination of that buzzing hum and ocean waves. High tenor light and easy, « Thank you, Oswinth. » She is sure to be polite, always. As for her rider, she seems to have either escaped the rain, or owns one of the oiled coats now dripping on the wall. That doesn't make Brieli any less sympathetic for Vienne's fate; she stands as soon as she's caught sight of the bluerider, calling over to the bartender, "Any towels? And something warm for her?" With a little wrinkle of her nose as she turns back, "Today is perfectly awful. Sit down, maybe they can get you dried off a bit."

Vienne might lift a hand to still the goldrider's call for towels and warmth, but, in the end, both of those things sound mighty fine and her hesitation turns into a grateful smile. She shrugs out of her wet coat, which does help her look a little less sodden, folding it over the back of the booth before she slides in to sit -- carefully, lest those muddy shoes make a mess of anything. "Thank you," she smiles with a little shiver, her hands massaging together in some attempt to warm chilled fingers. "How have you been?" she asks, topical rather than probing, and after that she has to cough into her fist. Getting drenched and frozen was definitely not her best idea ever.

One of the wait staff brings over a few bar towels and a steaming mug of cider, looking at Vienne a touch sympathetically at the cough. But not sympathetic enough to stick around and be coughed on! It's enough to have Brieli offer an appreciative smile, though she shivers a touch as she looks at the chilled bluerider. "Are you sick? I thought I'd heard that... I hope it doesn't get worse." That draws fine brows together in a bit of concern - it'd technically be partially her fault - but she merely answers, with a faint smirk, "I've been better. But not bad. How are you, other than... wet?"

It's with exaggerated relief, just for show, that Vienne sighs and smiles at the staff member, taking the towels and focusing on blotting the drippy ends of her hair. "I was," she answers Brieli. "I'm better now, it's just... You know how coughs can linger." She quirks a little grin across the table, not letting the cold get her down. One of the towels ends up tucked around the back of her neck, as though she's really missing her scarf, and then she can turn her hands on the warmth that cider has to offer. "I'd imagine," she says for the queenrider's remark on having been better. "And Azaylia?" As for herself, "I'm glad that I'm not stuck in my weyr anymore. Have you ordered yet?"

"They can. I imagine you've already been by the infirmary." So Brieli doesn't have to tell Vienne to go. Taking a sip of her own drink, she admits after, "I think I'd rather the snow than rain, this time of turn. At least the snow doesn't melt right off." Once the bluerider's dried off a bit and gotten her hands around the mug, the weyrwoman seems a bit more relaxed - though she's an eye for those sodden shoes for a moment. "Well, let us know if you're stuck again. I'll stop by. It's not far, really." As for Azaylia, she has a shrug that aims for diffident. "I don't really know. We haven't seen much of each other of late. And no, I haven't ordered. I thought I'd wait."

"I'm learning this," Vienne remarks dryly, a brow lifted toward Brieli while the damp bluerider makes a show of blotting one more time. "At least the snow brushes off." One more little shiver, of questionable verity, and then she can take a sip of her cider and settle herself in more comfortably. "Hopefully I won't be stuck again for a while, but thank you. So shall we?" Order, that is. "Z'ian came by. He saw me in the infirmary and took pity on me, brought me soup. It was nice of him. Though kind of... I don't know, embarrassing to sit around with someone you don't know well when you're feeling gross and in your pajamas and hacking up a lung. Maybe it's just as well you didn't come by. You don't need to be sick on top of everything else." She gives the taller woman a smile, but her gaze slips off toward the bar. Maybe she can catch someone's eye.

With a bit of that smirk again, "I'm going to get you an umbrella. Or something." Brieli finishes her drink, setting the empty glass at the edge of the table, as much a sign as Vienne's hopeful glance towards the bar. "That was nice," she can agree, as the waiter comes back their way. "Though I don't know if there's many people I'd actually want to see me sick, no matter how well I know them. It's always a bit embarrassing, yes?" 'Everything else' brings a bit of a grimace from the goldrider, before; "No. I don't think being sick would be all that helpful. It's difficult enough keeping track of everything as is." A pause. "At least I've had a bit of help." Then, the waiter arrives. Brieli orders a pasta dish and a refill both.

Vienne orders a nice big sandwich, not exactly the kind of meal that a scrawny girl might be expected to ask for, and she smile sweetly to the server as if they need any encouragement to do their job. Then she turns back to Brieli, apology in the curve of her mouth. "I don't mean to bring it up. All of that. Everything. I'm sure it feels like every other person you talk to is trying to pick your brain or make a suggestion. I'd imagine it's exhausting." She sips her cider again and shakes her head, ready to put all such discussion aside if Brieli prefers. Instead, she can ask more polite questions, like, "Iesaryth is well?"

There's something of a grin for that smile at the server; as he heads off to fill the orders, Brieli shakes her head a little, trying to forestall that apology. "No, honestly - it's all I think about anyway, all Iesaryth thinks about too. I'm so glad she's in her own head more often than not, it'll be easier when it comes to the sands. But..." She leans elbows on the table, chin in one hand, thoughtful. "I think it's better to hear what people think. Even if it's bad news, it's better than not knowing at all. At least then, you know what you're dealing with, yes? Some people say ignorance is bliss, but it seems like it could get you killed." There's something of a wry quirk of lips before she nods. "She's fine. Getting a bit bulky. I think she'll be glad once it's over but for the hatching. Is Oswinth still all right with the cold?"

Vienne gives a faint nod, sympathizing with the goldrider's preoccupation. "Have you made progress?" she wonders, intentionally vague. "I don't really know what weighs on you most but... there are few things worse than rolling the same thoughts around in your head, over and over, and getting nowhere." She pulls the towel from behind her neck and reaches low beneath the table, probably tending to those muddy shoes, even if she's just going to have to go out into the wet, mucky world again. And meanwhile, when the goldrider mentions getting killed, it actually makes her lunch date laugh. After all, the dark cloud had to show up eventually and that knowing look Vienne wears might just call her on it. "Oswinth seems to be handling it better than I am, at least. I'm trying to make sure he gets a good hot soak once in a while, just in case. Thankfully, he's been feeling all right while I was under the weather."

That takes a moment or two to consider before Brieli notes, carefully, "Some, I think. But there's a great deal of stubbornness around the situation - which would be fine, understandable even. But there's no time for it, no time for... uncertainty. There's external interests, and the longer we seem... young and without guidance? The easier it will be to convince someone that's all we need." There's a faint smile for getting nowhere, and she nods. "It can be frustrating. But I have to believe that it can be dealt with." Vienne's laugh has her rolling her eyes a bit, but she doesn't seem to think it's much of an exaggeration. But Oswinth; "That's good, though I suppose they've thicker hides than we do. And I can only imagine if you were both feeling poorly." She makes a bit of a face as the server turns up with drinks and food; a plus side of being in the bar so early.

"There is," Vienne confirms that external influence with a nod. Though it should hardly be a surprise to anyone that there are a lot of eyes on High Reaches. In the midst of her awkward, under-table boot-wiping, the bluerider's eyes narrow thoughtfully. "Could I... ask you something?" Which, because their timing is always excellent, is exactly when the food shows up. She straights and turns the towels to making sure her hands are clean, fingers behaving gingerly even though there's no sign that mud ever touched them. She also puts on a certain amount of excitement about her sandwich for the server's benefit.

"I can only imagine, for the most part." Brieli seems on the verge of asking her own question before Vienne asks hers, and fine brows arch a touch. Looking curiously across the table as their food is put down, she's quiet until the server has walked away, then unrolls her napkin, fork in hand - though she doesn't do much more than poke at it for the moment. "You can ask," she offers finally, with a flash of a grin. "I hope I can answer."

Her enthusiasm for lunch might not be all show, since Vienne's hands are eager to pick up that sandwich, to turn it around looking for just the right place to start in. But she doesn't take her first bite, yet. It's much more ladylike to finish talking before stuffing one's mouth. "Nothing like that," she assures the goldrider, a knowing grin mirroring Brieli's. There are no pointed questions coming about what the Weyr will do, the outside influences. Rather: "What about K'del? What happened there?"

If the bluerider is about to dig in, Brieli won't feel bad about starting in on her food; apparently she's been looking forward to this too. After a glance at Vienne's sandwich, the sort of thing people do when they wonder if they should have ordered that, she quirks a bit of a smile that will fade a touch at the question; she takes a sip of her drink before, "He's never really trusted me, I don't think. But I was close to Iolene, his last Weyrwoman. I... I think I told him some things he didn't want to hear. I seem to get into that sort of situation a lot." Her tone is wry there.

Vienne might believe Brieli's explanation; it's hard to tell since she's taking a big bite of her sandwich and dealing with balancing the messiness of her appetite with more dainty sensibilites, fingers light, napkin dabbed at her mouth. "It does take time," she muses. "Hearing something you don't want to, assimilating it, getting past it. And I'd imagine all of this is hard for him to begin with, not being able to help. Not that there are many people who can help." She leans in for another bite, but not before asking, "How do you feel about him?"

Kind enough to not look over at how the bluerider's faring with the sandwich - difficult to eat at any time - Brieli spears some pasta and vegetables, looking down at them thoughtfully. "I suppose it does take time to process." Though she doesn't look all that inclined to give the former Weyrleader much sympathy, noting, "If he wanted to help, I'd imagine he wouldn't have left after Iolene died, when he was most needed." Though it's a grudging admission that he's needed at all. "I don't know if he would help, entirely. Iolene had ideas about running a Weyr, and I can't say I disagreed with all of them. He tried to convince me, once, to nudge her back to a more traditional path. I can't say I thought much of him after that."

"She wasn't just his Weyrwoman, no?" Vienne might not have been around to know the extent of their relationship, but she's at least picked up that much information. "People don't always make the best decisions when they're full of grief." But if Brieli isn't going to afford the bronzerider too much sympathy, Vienne is hardly in a position to insist otherwise. She just shrugs a slim shoulder - what's done is done. And really, it's this other stuff, about tradition and new ideas, that seems to occupy Vienne while she chews, her glance moving thoughtfully across the bar. "So you disagreed with him." It sounds very simple when the bluerider says it, and questioning, also. "Do you think he still has any pull with the council?"

With a purse of lips, "No. They were together. They'd been through... a few things together, so... I'm sure it was difficult. I found her. I tried to stop him from seeing her, but... He wouldn't listen." Brieli can shake her head for that, seeming honestly regretful about that - maybe she could have done more. After taking another bite, nodding, swallowing, "I did. I imagine I still do. He doesn't necessarily appreciate different perspectives." There's a pause, considering Vienne for a moment, along with her questions. "No. I think he's burned some bridges there. Not that I can claim any great success myself, but... ousting his Weyrwoman hasn't done much to endear himself to the goldriders, at least. And then there's Fort, but that hasn't changed."

Brieli found her. That knowledge stops Vienne's chewing and she lays a hand on the table just beyond her plate, some impulse to reach toward the goldrider that never actually makes it anywhere near her. Her eyes don't leave her lunch, but they don't see it either. "I didn't know that," she says quietly. "I never stopped to think about it." But the long, slow inhale she has seems to be internalizing that experience now. Her glance flicks up, tenative. "Sorry." For Brieli going through it, for bringing it up now. Better to move on. "He must have had some support to do that ousting, though." She takes up her sandwich again. "And the council knew him as Weyrleader for years." She mulls these things, turning points this way and that to see how they fit together. "What about Fort?" Maybe it's something she hasn't heard.

The weyrwoman only has a ghost of a sad smile for that short reach, though she makes no move to close that distance. Brieli shrugs once, shoulders rising and falling under dark curls. "Better me than other people," she says quietly, as if that makes it better. But she seems to appreciate Vienne's empathy, and she doesn't seem terribly traumatized, just... wistful. If only. "It was an awfully close vote." She moves on briskly enough, though she'll have a sip of that liquor at hand. "It was barely in his favor - so I think things are shaky there, especially as he said he wouldn't chase to be Weyrleader again, but... Ysavaeth rose while they were away." Something of a wry twitch of lips for that, before, "The Fortians are not fans of K'del's. They never really have been."

"I would have thought," Vienne begins, pausing to get her bite of sandwich down. "Given his experience, the faith some people here have in him, that his support would have been helpful, would lend some stability." While she doesn't actually say it, her undertone implies that apparently she was wrong on that count. It is, perhaps, because of this new perspective on things, that the bluerider is quiet now, focusing on her meal though that progress seems to have slowed drastically after the first few bites.

There's a second where Brieli almost responds to that immediately - then pauses to think, head tilting as she sets her fork down. Dark eyes flickering across to Vienne as she sits back with her drink, "It's possible that you're not wrong. Certainly not here. And though it was a close vote, it still went his way. It's entirely possible it could help... But I sincerely doubt he would be willing to lend his support." After a sip, she notes over her glass, "It's difficult to ask for help when someone is so... determined that their way is the right way. Likewise when someone can't stand you." She even says it like she hasn't done much to warrant it, though whether the other woman believes that or not...

"You'd know better than I," Vienne admits easily, nudging her plate away, done and flicking the crumbs from her fingers before she goes for her napkin. "I never flew under him, never saw what he wanted for the Weyr." A regretfully unhelpful frown crosses her features and she shrugs again. Brieli might have the right idea now, taking that drink and sitting back; the bluerider does the same, her free hand laid over her belly as if she expects to feel the outline of the sandwich there. "I don't know if it would be possible," she says with a sigh. "It does sound like he has a lot of... feelings." She might mean it in general or about Brieli in particular. "And I don't know if it would help. If there's anything need for it, even. It just seems like, with the council, anything that would lend authority would help." She's not sold on the idea, though. Not now that she has a better understanding of K'del's place in the world.

"Mm. Well. He has been travelling an awful lot. And I don't know if he's behind the rumors about sending someone from Telgar, but someone here is." Brieli casts a glance around the bar as if some suspects might come out of the woodwork, suddenly. Surprise! Smirking at Vienne slightly, she echoes, "A lot of feelings. Yes. I suppose that's one way of saying it. It's just that... he acts as if everything he's done is beyond reproach, when he certainly has made his share of mistakes. But-- I really don't know." She shrugs a little. "I only know a little of the Weyrs. And... I think there's a few ways to settle things with council, but there's an awful lot of stalling, in hopes that someone will agree to be helpful. I have no such hopes, nor do I think we should be stalling. If there's a thought to replace us, we're likely three steps behind us. The only thing to do is act." She's certain of that, but dissatisfied - perhaps understandably.

"Someone here is behind the rumors or someone here is behind Telgar?" Vienne seeks to clarify, though her eyes move as Brieli's do, that wary glance among the scant lunch crowd, ready to find trouble in its midst. But she isn't in full agreement with the goldrider about K'del's untouchableness. "I don't know," she says with a little shake of her head, a slow sip of cider. "He has a lot of 'feelings' for a man without regrets." But that's probably enough about K'del and she gestures him away with the move of her drink in the air. "I'm not sure that stalling is in your benefit either." She'll agree on that point. "But going to the council as things are..." She chews her lip.

"One of the two? Either it's a rumor at Telgar or it's the truth, but it was a tall bronzerider from here with some interesting requirements of his friends. Azaylia is going to ask K'del about it, but who tells the truth when they're trying to do something behind your back?" Brieli has something of a sour look for that, despite trying to burn it away with the rest of her drink. "When I find out who it is, though..." She doesn't finish her sentence, but the thoughts have her more pleased at least. Setting the empty glass on the table, "Did he say that? Interesting. And I know. Stalling is what puts us in a situation where decisiveness is required. But we have more than one person intent on stopping one of the potentials, and the other has no interest in ruling as anything more than K'del's puppet. He might as well do it at that point." There's a bit of a laugh for that idea, then simply, "I'm trying to change it. But I think there's a lot of concern for what people think is right or wrong and not enough worry about losing our Weyr. There's only so much I can do in that respect."

"Not in so many words," Vienne is quick to say, lest her obversations be attributed to direct quotes. "Just... that's the sense I get." Her mouth tightens and she has to take a moment to consider the goldrider's comments on what brings out the truth and what brings out lies. Beneath the table, she changes the prim cross of her legs. "I'm not sure there's really a matter of right or wrong to be considered here. All the names involved, there's no right answer, and probably no wrong one." And so Brieli might be able to count one bluerider among the people who aren't overly concerned about that point. "It's just a matter of who people can believe in, I guess. Who will have support, both here and away." Her gaze is drifting off again, that philosophical expression taking over. "It's funny, isn't it? That we're all taught to expect the dragons to make these choices clear, that tradition dictates we abide by them. And yet here's a situation where tradition is at odds with itself and somehow taking it upon ourselves, making choices that the dragons didn't, seems to be more comfortable."

With a nod, "Right." Brieli doesn't seem like she's about to go quoting Vienne, at the very least. She'll take up her fork again, if only for a bit more of her lunch before agreeing, "This is very much a situation where there's what's right for right now, I suppose. I just think... if we can't present a strong enough face to council, if and when they call, we won't have much of a chance." There's something of a laugh for the bluerider's musings, short and sharp. Flashing a grin, "I think people like to say that they trust the dragons. I think the reality is somewhat different. Otherwise, Tiriana wouldn't have been deposed in the first place. People will always think they know what to do, know better. Not that I dismiss those opinions out of hand, but..."

"What's right is what works?" Vienne supposes, her own understanding of what Brieli means by focusing on what's right for right now. But those musings about dragon choices and tradition, they have her grinning, too, a chuckle riding in her chest. "Everytime I start to try to pull it apart, it's just more knots. Maybe it's one of those things that you have to stop looking at in order for it to make any sense. Like when you have a puzzle you can't solve and then the answer suddenly comes to you in the middle of doing something else entirely." More seriously, though. "So anyway, there doesn't seem to be any right or wrong. I just hope that when the council comes calling, they don't find too many reasons to linger." Figuratively. "I'd imagine trying to pick someone to install would take forever. That's no way for the Weyr to live in the meantime."

"More or less. I think that's the way to look at it. It's no secret that there's no accepting anyone as anything but 'acting' until there's another flight. It's... surprising to me, clinging to tradition in the way people do - but I imagine it's good to be reminded of that." Brieli seems a bit sobered by the thought, but it passes quickly; she shakes her head, dark eyes brightening. "It's likely that a different way of looking at it might help. I suppose there's always thinking of what I'd do if things were changed somehow. Sometimes, it works." The goldrider doesn't need Vienne's cue to be serious, though - not when it comes to the council. "I'm hoping we'll get some warning. It would be better to sort things before there's a council called, but... we do what we can. If it takes an immediate threat to... stop this resistance, then perhaps it's worth letting it get that far. Then, whoever steps up to fend off the council and defend the Reaches will certainly be heroic." There's a little eyeroll for that - maybe, maybe not. "Maybe it's better for the reputation that way."

"I always like it, hearing that other perspective." Surely, Vienne's smile says, that's no surrpise. Guilty as charged. "Sometimes the voice you disagree with is the one with useful insight, the angle you wouldn't have reached on your own." She eyes her mug then, tipping it, gauging how full it is, perhaps how much she's had. "Isn't the rumor from Telgar a warning? Or do you think that's all it is: rumor." But she has to laugh again when Brieli rolls her eyes. "Oh, I see," she teases. "There are heroics waiting for some lucky soul. The savior of High Reaches." The likelihood of makes her smile impishly across the table. "Do you think it would be enough? A threat? To get people behind one of the brownriders? If that's... even the resistance you're talking about. I'm not sure, at this point, what people really want." She lifts her brows at her cup and sets it down. "But I suppose if someone knew what everyone really wanted, you wouldn't have this problem."

Nodding, "As do I. I might not agree, or it might initially sound insane, but... I would rather know than not, as I said. Knowledge is... important." Brieli is thoughtful again, though it could only be thoughts of whether to have another drink or not, from the way she looks at her glass. "I've taken it as a warning. Not everyone acts when warned, though. Some people freeze." There's a grimace, and she'll abandon her fork again, this time for good, it seems. Watching Vienne for a moment, she tells her after, "People want what they know. What they understand. So, the Weyr wants a pair running things, and the council obviously has some that believe that is best, and are acting on opportunity. It doesn't even have to be the way things actually run, it just has to be what people believe. I think perhaps there's a limit to change that's acceptable. It's sad, but people lack imagination."

And what to my wondering eyes did appear...? Not Santa, that's for sure, but a small wonder of a bar of sorts that was once a weyr, and Alida's finally found it! Perhaps the pale-blonde woman's been in enough other bars to make her wary of even new ones, for she's looking over the place with alert, cool eyes before she enters any farther. As long as no fights or quarrels are occuring, the silent femme steps on light feet into the Snowasis, making certain not to touch anyone, or let them touch her as she wades towards the bar-proper.

It's late in the lunch hour here at the Snowasis, raining, cold and heavy, outside with the midday patrons a bit sparse. At one booth, off to the side, a tall, leggy goldrider and a slight bluerider have been sharing a meal, one that both of them seem to have finished with now, just sitting back and enjoying their drinks. Vienne quirks her mouth to one side. "Change, even in small increments, is still change. I'm not sure it's just any pair they'd be happy with, though. I think there's still some pressure for a bronze, maybe just because there is 'acting' in everyone's title. Maybe that bit of tradition makes it feel more... secure." The pause comes when the smaller bluerider's eyes cast out and snag on the pale woman moving so carefully across the room. Just barely, she inclines her head to draw Brieli's attention. There's no comment, just awareness. "But you may be right. It may be at the point where just having someone, just having the choices made, will be enough to sate the unsettled."

Though said tall, leggy goldrider had seemed to decide against another drink, Brieli exercises her prerogative to change her mind no matter what time it may be, lifting her empty glass to get the server's attention at the bar. "I haven't known a lot but change over my - admittedly short - lifetime. It makes it difficult to have sympathy for those that can't adjust... But I suppose I should try to get better at it. And it's just 'acting', which is why it amazes me that there needs be a bronze at all. But... you might be right." With her focus taken up by drink-ordering, it's only Vienne's tilt of head that has her dark gaze flickering to the new, blonde entry, back to the bluerider. "I wonder if being settled in certain things might make others easier to change."

Vienne narrows her eyes, thoughtful on the topic of 'acting' and bronzes. "It does seem... like it should make it less of an issue," she has to agree. Her glance does follow Brieli's attempt to catch the server's eye, but the bluerider doesn't join in raising her cup. One must be enough. "I think people can handle change better when there is at least something for them to hold on to, something stable to anchor them." There's something about the goldrider's statement, though, that catches Vienne's attention, has her turning her cheek to regard her companion from the corner of her eye as a smile takes hold. "Should I ask?" Because it might seem like Brieli has changes in mind when she says things like that.

The server is at least quick in coming over with Brieli's drink, and quick enough to clear plates if they're done with them. The darker of the pair of women is; she slides what little is left of her food down the table to be taken away. After a sip from the refill, she tells Vienne, "You might have a point, there." If it's grudging, it's not due to the bluerider, but the thought. "The options seem to lack something to most, apparently. Maybe something that makes people feel less... adrift isn't the worst thing." As for the smile, she can mirror that, merely offering, "There's a lot of people that live here their whole lives without once having a say in the way of things. They'd like to have a voice." And perhaps Brieli's interested in giving them that?

Vienne is finished too and, as the server starts taking the plates, she slides her own to him, along with her used towels, a wide smile for thanks. But once he's gone, she's back to the business at hand, brushing imaginary crumbs off the end of the table so that her almost-empty cup has a nice clean space. "Giving them something they've never had would certainly be a big change," she says, brows high for the breadth of that proposal, if not necessarily surprise for the proposal itself. "What would be the anchor for that, the thing that stays the same? Or do you expect with something like that they'd just embrace it?"

With a long sigh, suddenly looking a little tired, and closer to a teenager than not, "I don't know. But I'll have to think about it." Brieli can summon up a smile, though, telling Vienne, "I appreciate the thoughts and perspective. I think it's been helpful, but as you were saying earlier... some things take time to process." She makes some vague circular gesture with her free hand, like wheels turning. But regretfully, "I should get going. I ought to make the rounds down here before getting back to reports. Do you want to take my raincoat? I won't be going back for a little while, and I think I've a shorter trip." And maybe she doesn't want the bluerider to catch pnemonia besides. She keeps her drink in hand as she slides out of the booth. Not like she can't take it with her.

Leaving. Vienne looks toward the ledge for signs that it's still coming down out there, the frown implying that the rain may have given her reason to linger. "No, I'll be fine. I'll have Oswinth come get me; I won't be out long." She swallows that last mouthful of her cider and then inches herself to the edge of the booth, holding her jacket up to see just how wet and gross it is. "I'm glad we got to do this," she says, tossing a smile over at the goldrider. "And if talking helped... it's the least I can do." She has to take a big breath to steel herself for pulling that coat back on, but she does so, shivering preemptively as it settles on her shoulders. But she's brave and sturdy and she can wear a wet coat. She smiles to prove it, standing and flipping her hair free of the collar. "And in the meantime, good luck."

Brieli will still look sorry for her, despite the brave face Vienne puts on. "At least you can get into something dry once he's brought you home. Send my regards, yes?" Plucking her coat off the wall, she folds it over one arm, and flashes a brilliant smile. "I'm glad as well. And I hope I've filled in some of the gaps for you." With her own spin, but who isn't biased? As she starts for the caverns, "Thank you. Likewise." With the rain, though - and she goes about her day.