Difference between revisions of "Logs:A Guard Thing"

Azaylia and Hraedhyth's Weyr, High Reaches Weyr

Accessed via a narrow staircase from the Weyrleader's Complex, or from the broad, sunny ledge beyond, this weyr was clearly designed to be for one of the weyr's junior queens. Spacious, but not extravagant, it boasts a well-sized outer room, narrowing in front the well-sized dragon couch and ledge beyond. Much of this main room has been turned over to a couch and several chairs, which circle the hearth and the blue rug set down in front of it. There's a low table here, too, set in the middle of that rug. A tack-cupboard stands tidily behind the couch, keeping out of sight a rider's paraphernalia.

Three low steps lead up onto a peculiar little landing, just large enough for the brand new desk and set of shelves that have been placed there. Here, too, there are definite pointers to the lived-in state of the weyr: the desk could in no way be described as tidy.

Behind the desk, a narrow passage leads in an inner set of chambers, made up of a sleeping cavern and a private bathing area. A decent-sized bed fills much of the space, the mattress piled high with overstuffed down pillows and comforter. There's a nightstand on either side, and against one of the other walls, a tall, heavy wardrobe made from a dark wood that matches the bed. The bathing area is part of the same cavern, a folding screen shielding the toilet and slightly raised, double-sized bathtub built into the stone, and a small shelf to hold toiletries.

Unusually, the walls, ceiling and floor of this weyr have all been whitewashed thickly, covering the natural stone. The hearth is brand new, too, as are most of the built-in fittings, as though they have recently needed to be replaced.

It's only a day at the most, post-Hatching, and Alida's a little partied out, though not hung-over as she makes for the senior weyrwoman's abode. Hopefully Hraedhyth's back to her usual self, now that all her babies are spoken for. A clearing of throat outside Azaylia's outer hanging presages the blonde's clipped call of, "You home, Weyrwoman?" and then her step further inside if she gets a positive response. As for Ilicaeth, he's his usual self, though this time the gritty blue is also curious, sticking his head inside the goldrider's abode after his lifemate enters, and looking around for the queen with slowly whirling, blue eyes.

Hraedhyth is very much herself, which means that she spends little time actually on her own ledge. There's time to make up with Tsanth, or any of the dragons who've kept their distance for the past sevens. Luckily, Azaylia is home, and though it's in the middle of the day she's getting rather cozy on the couch. Dark blue and fluffy, the winter robe stops just above her knees, lined with short black fur. Long legs untuck from underneath her as the bluerider enters, "Alida. I just made tea. Come in and get warm." Not quite a plea, but there's concern in regards to the awful autumn weather outside. Ilicaeth's curiosity has Azaylia peeking over her shoulder, aiming an amused smile at the dragon.

« Wasn't I next on the dance card? » Ilicaeth asks his rider facetiously with mixed humor and a hint of a sigh when he finds Hraedhyth not at home, the blue then crooning to Azaylia as the goldie smiles at him. Well then, he'll make the best of things, as they are...and unless the Weyrwoman tells him to bugger off, 'caeth simply strides into Hrae's couch, and flumphs himself down upon it, though he takes care not to disturb her various collections. "Jaaaays, Ilicaeth. You got some balls..." Alida notes with her own slightly surprised humor over her shoulder, then continuing towards Azaylia, "Either uv you don't wan' 'im in there, give 'im the boot. I think he's just waitin' ta pounce 'er, 'r somethin'." Smirk. With the other woman's untucking of legs comes a quick wave-off and her alto, "Stay put, Zay. I c'n pour myself a cup. Stay warm." An easy little grin for her hostess presages the blonde's removal of what looks like a kind-of cowboy-esque hat, her riding jacket, and then her somewhat muddy boots before she tracks up the nicer portion of the inner weyr. "Glad ta be done with babysittin' eggs?" Snicker.

"Oh, it's alright..." Though Azaylia sounds unsure, frequent glances sent over her shoulder at the bone-surrounded hollow. "I can't remember the last time Hraedhyth came home to someone in her couch..." But the queen is otherwise occupied, so the worry fades as the Weyrwoman 'stays put'. There's a tea set on the low table in front of couch and chair, stacks of hides next to it though it seems the bluerider caught her in the middle of a break. "To be honest, I love watching over the eggs. And I love that Hraedhyth gets to be a mommy." No sugar needed as all of it's coating every sacchrine word. "Though... I don't like how tense it makes her. And that she scares people." A well timed sip to replace the obvious: more than she usually does. "How're you?"

"Yeah... he figured that after the last time she came ta flop down with him, it was *his* turn," Alida note dryly of her blue, whos head is now sticking out of Hrae's couch, into the passageway. Maybe he's listening for her...or to the two women. Once Alida's done setting her gear aside, the socks-clad blonde is patting her hair back into place, then moving over towards the tea service to pour herself a steamy cup. "You want any?" is inquired of the goldie, the bluerider then bobbing her head to Zay's next words, her lips twitching into a grin. "I think you must be one uv the rarer ones, then. Too hot on the Grounds fer most peoples' tastes, 'cept in winter." A definite pair of nods for words of a tense Hrae trail into the reason the guard came in the first place, green eyes lifting and moving over to catch Azaylia's browns. "I had a solid talk with Taikrin an' Jo about security ideas not long before the eggs started wobblin'."

Azaylia holds out her recently drained mug, "Please." She's not being a very good hostess, letting Alida do all the pouring. Or would she be a worse hostess for ignoring her guest's wishes of staying comfortable and warm? A conundrum indeed. As for the heat of the sands, "It can be too much, sometimes." But that's what frequent breaks are for, not that it kept her away for long. The Weyrwoman runs a hand through her loose curls, not in their usual buns as she's committed to being a homebody today. The rhythmic motions stop as Alida speaks, head tilting as she looks up at Alida with a touch of something maternal. "You did?" The expression breaks as she sits up, "You talked to Taikrin." Far more interesting, "I haven't had a chance... is she doing alright?"

Setting down her own cup and saucer, Alida takes care of refilling Azaylia's proffered one, then inquiring, "Cream, sugar?" As far as anyone can tell, the blonde's perfectly at home doing the work, though she's not the hostess. Noting the goldrider's hand motions, the guard comments, "Nice ta' literally letcher' hair down once in awhile, ain't it?" Her own lies in its typical, tri-part braided plait, except where wisps escape leather ties, a clip. "Mhm..." is her simple, first comment of meeting with the brown and other bluerider, even as she finishes fixing Zay's tea, stepping it slowly over to her. "Seems ta' be. Still our good ol' hardass Wingleader." Smirkie. "She 'n Jo said they'd be willin' ta help with teachin' the finer points uv' defense, offense alongside me if you went along with the idea." Beat. "Didn' tell 'em that you already *had* said it'd be good." Grin. Out of right field: "How'd ya feel about Bones bein' one uv yer instructors, too?"

"Just sweetner." Azaylia answered, the selection of bags carrying Alida's beloved mint, though her own floral drink didn't go well with milk. "Mmhm. I didn't have Hana put it up today. I think she was offended." If only playfully so, the memory of this morning prompting her to smile. Accepting the tea with a warm thank you, she blows a steady stream of air that has the steam dancing along the rim. "Good. I'm glad she's... that's good." The cup is lowered to her lap, fluffy robe keeping her thigh protected from the heat as she considers, "I trust Bones with my life. In fact, he was there when Taikrin taught us some things." That maternal expression returns, breathless voice dropping a tone, "Alida... you're fixating again." A gentle scold.

Sweetener added with a light hand, Alida soon passes Zay's tea to her with a low, 'Welcome," then turning back to further prepare her own. Why of *course* she chooses mint! Word of hair-obsessed Hana's reaction earns the other woman a snicker, a small shake of the bluie's head. "She'll live." The other's word of Taikrin has the blonde nodding a couple times more, her lips remaining close in purposely mute understanding. "Maybe ya ought ta' casually stop 'er soon after a Wingmeetin', 'r somethin'...now that yer not egg-watchin' an' she's settled back down inta' Wingleaderin' again." That's as far as her helpful friendliness will go, especially since Zay's speaking of Bones. "I figured. Yeah, Tai said she'd taught ta extra stuff. All three uv us agreed it'd be even better if you 'n Aishani knew somemore." Just in case. And then 'lida's being accused of fixation, and her head slowly turns away from stirring sweetener into her own tea so that darkly-humored greens meet browns again. Casually, "Call it a guard thing... And no matter how much a rider I am 'r will become down the road, nobody's ever gonna be able ta stop me from bein' a Guard, too. Once and always." No apology, there, though she's giving the Weyrwoman a half-smile, half-smirk. "It's part uv who people like me 'n Taikrin *are*, Zay. Might as well ask us ta' lop off our own heads 'r unbond from our dragons."

"Maybe. But..." The subject of Taikrin's wellbeing is let go with a little shake of the Weyrwoman's head, instead focusing on Alida's ideas. "Okay," Azaylia says with a patient smile, "I'll call it a guard thing. And I know you mean well, but... Give me, us," Whether Aishani or goldriders in general, "Time to think. It's our safety you're worried about. But on top of that, I have a Weyr to run. Duties that can't just stop or be pushed aside, even if I'd like to help you feel better." For it is Alida's concern that drives this, given that Azaylia is still far too calm in regards to her own wellbeing. That smile grows, "I'm not going to ask you to do either of those, just... slow down. I need time." Gentle tone fades into silence as she lifts her cup back up and takes a slow sip.

She remains silent while listening to, watching Azaylia, Alida blowing on her tea after settling down beside the other woman, if there's room, then taking a cautious sip. Mmmm... Finally, she has to bob her head, note around a faint grin, "Okaaaay, okay. Ya have yer time. I ain't worried, either. Just concerned that 'Reaches has the best uv the best we c'n offer." As far as making her feel better, well... Alida just makes one of her 'scoff' faces. Still, she can't quite stop being who, what she is, and so inquires offhandedly, "I ain't ever got ta see ya in action, Zay. How about you 'n me take a few rounds in the trainin' area when the Weyrlings 'r out? Nothin' brutal; just wanna see what things ya have in store from those previous lessons." Grin.

Azaylia is more than happy to make room on the couch, though she'll still be close enough to snuggle. Not that she'd dare. "Thank you." It could be condescending, but from the Weyrwoman it's said with genuine relief and gratitude. Another sip is interrupted by a cough of surprise, "In... action? Oh, no. No. I don't... I learned what I could but I don't like hitting people." Or rolling them over her shoulder, or any of the practical techniques taught to her by Taikrin. "I..." It's the least she could do, "Maybe." Uttered from behind the safety of her mug, peeking over at the bluerider.

Cuddling? Usually, Alida wouldn't even think of such a 'soft' thing around 99.9 percent of people. But...perhaps oddly, she seems to more-than tolerate being so close to the Weyrwoman, and just as oddly not minding just shooting the breeze with her as they sip their tea. When the Weyrwoman stumbles a little at word of mock combat, Alida actually can't help but giggling just a little at her peeking couchmate, then murmuring, "Like I said, no rush. It'll be more an assessment uv how far along ya are in self-defense, I promise." And if the bluerider remains a little longer than she normally would, talks more than typical, why, that's purely due to her still being in a somewhat celebratory mood from the Hatching and its feast, right? Right.