Difference between revisions of "Logs:Gossip"

On a bright and cold day at High Reaches, there's more than a few people who choose to take refuge in the Snawasis for warmth, and perhaps the latest gossip in an eventful week. Late afternoon brings with it the usual rush of weyrlings after training, so the buzz is high in the bar; it's easy to hear bits of conversation passing through the crowd - about the flight, about the meetings called, about what's happening, theories, questions, the relative rightness of it. How other Weyrs might react, are reacting. That could be why Brieli's claimed one of the stools at the bar, where it's easy to watch people come and go, listen, hear them talk as they wait for drinks. Her expression thoughtful, her work folder closed on the bartop before her, she rolls her near-empty glass between her palms, dark gaze far-off. She's likely not listening now.

Whether it's the overwhelming need for a drink or current events weighing her mind and making her forgetful, Azaylia enters the Snowasis without her heavy coat. Caramel complexion carries a faint flush at being so cold and suddenly warmed by the body heat of the crowded bar. It takes some time to reach the bar, and when she does Brieli is offered a quiet greeting the same time a polite hand raises to get the bartender's attention. A quick shake of her head as he reaches for a mug, "Glass of rum and juice? More of one than the other. Thank you very much." Genuinely grateful even in that short bit of interaction, she sits at the stool she has managed to swipe, oblivious to the fact that another rider was right behind her. "I thought this wasn't a place for working?" She'll make an attempt to sound playful.

Blinking over at the other weyrling for a moment, Brieli takes a little while to clue in, before; "Oh. No, it's not open - just here for later, after dinner. Did you specify which you wanted more of?" She nods to the bartender preparing Azaylia's drink as she finishes her own; slides the glass across the bar as a silent signal for another. She glances over her shoulder to spot the other rider, seeming unconcerned with his plight - her friend got a seat - and looks back down the bar with a questioning arch of fine brows. "How are you doing? With... everything?" Everything half the bar is discussing? "Hraedhyth seemed pleased; that's half of your concerns, I'd think."

Azaylia nods, answering without too much guilt. "More rum than juice." For Brieli, but also just in case she wasn't clear enough for the bartender. Luckily, she remains blissfully unaware at the fact that she's inconvenienced someone, else she might actually be tempted to give up her seat. One more glance for the closed records, her own noticeably absent as she leans onto the bar with her elbows. Hands to jaw, head cocked enough towards the other weyrling, "I'm... okay." Unsure, but deciding last minute in order give Brieli an answer right then. "Hraedhyth is proud of her parents, I think. Proud of her blood. It makes her feel like she comes from good stock." To use Herder terms. "And you? And Iesaryth?" Brows lift, expectant. Perhaps hopeful for something.

Wryly, "I just skip the juice." As Azaylia might remember from the other night! Brieli leans forward on the bar as well, arms crossed as she waits for her own refill. With a quirk of a smile, "That makes sense -- about Hraedhyth, I mean. That she'd think in those terms. Iesaryth is well. Curious, as usual. And I've been thinking a lot. I'd like to speak to Io." Who wouldn't though, at this point? Regarding the other goldrider's expectant expression for a moment, she states, less than asks, eventually, "You know this will cause problems for K'del for some time."

Azaylia takes just a moment longer to think about how she must sound, as hesitant as she was. "I'm of course happy for Iolene. And K'del." Hands flutter and shift until twined fingers make an off-kilter hammock for her jaw, body twisting even more towards Brieli. "It's scary- with how some people talk about it." Weyrlings and riders both. "Hraedhyth doesn't like disloyalty." Or what the dragon sees as such. She falls quiet, lower lip ushered in for a bite, "I was afraid of that. But what could he do? It's how the Weyr works." She sighs, exhale carrying with it a gentle, high note. "I'd like to talk to Io too. At least to congratulate her. And K'del, troubles or no. He's hard to track down." She looks vaguely unhappy about that.

With a purse of her lips, "Mm. It's interesting to hear how people talk about it. You should remember who says what." Brieli's voice has lowered a touch as she speaks to Azaylia; both weyrlings are perched on stools at the bar, dark heads bent together as they both lean on the bar and chat. In fact, the whole of the Snowasis seems intent on conversation, mainly on one topic - what's up with that flight, and what's going to happen next? The bartender was smart enough to top up both goldriders - when he returns, he has both the rum straight up and mixed with juice. Quiet until he moves on, Brieli gives her friend a look, noting, "That's what he'll say, but who will believe that he didn't set it up? It's the only way he could keep the spot, and it conveniently happens? Would you believe it, if you were someone else?" After a sip from her drink, wryly, "He'll stay hard to track down, I'm guessing. For a little while."

"I wish I could forget." In this Azaylia sounds sad, naturally quiet voice lowering thanks to Brieli's lead. "So many people seem nice. Then they say things... I wonder how many have even met either of them." The reaffirmed Weyrleaders, that is. She straightens at the bar, newly freed hands grabbing at the tall glass of mostlyrum, pulling it closer. Even after a large mouthful, the weyrling's posture remains rigid. "I'll believe him." Confidence she can't spare herself strengthens her words, "I would believe him." And just like that, Brieli has her deflating with frustration, "I guess he will, won't he?" She accepts this easily enough, taking another mouthful of her drink. "You believe him... don't you?"

Usually if one is trying to not be noticed the Snowasis is a place to stay away from, but with so many people engrossed in their own conversations, and because he's had to bundle up so much against the cold perhaps E'gin feels safe to slip in for a drink. Still, he is careful to keep his head down and not make eye contact with anyone. He notices the two gold weyrlings as he nears the bar, hesitates, but desire for a whiskey wins. Leaning casually against the bar top next to Azaylia he grins at the pair, a two finger wave at the bartender who apparently knows what he wants before he addresses them, "Azaylia. Brieli. You two discussing the latest event too?" Why wouldn't they be, everyone else is.

Frustrated, "Azaylia, but then you know who to look out for, it's important." Brieli doesn't let the edge to her tone last for long, just shaking her head, short hair bouncing. "Of course you would," she murmurs, perhaps a touch skeptically, for Azaylia's assertion - though her question can't be answered until she takes another drink. "I do. But I wouldn't if I weren't here." To be blunt. Immediately tensed and sitting up straight when someone leans into her eye-line, her dark eyes narrow a touch before she's processed it's E'gin; she stands down a little and admits, "A little. Hello, E'gin."

If Azaylia's looking a little tight in the lips, it must be that she's not used to such alcoholic drinks. "You are here. I'm here. People in the Weyr are here." So there is no excuse to say such things, right? That is until she makes one for them in her next breath. "I can't force everyone to think like me. I wouldn't even if I could." The narrowing of Brieli's eyes is caught before Azaylia feel's E'gin's presence herself. A squeak at his words, managing not to spill her drink. Barely. "Oh. E'gin!" Spoken with relief, and a smile as she eases back so as not to get in the way of greetings. "Hi." Hands return to her glass, "Yes, we are. It's kind of hard not to." Even the dragons must be gossiping, still.

Bartender returns with ordered whiskey, and E'gin helps himself to a healthy drink of it. Watching the narrowing of Brieli's eyes, Azaylia's squeak, his eyes fall back on his whiskey, fingers wrapping around the glass which he turns around on its base, as if trying to see how far he can tip it without spilling. Still Brieli's confession receives a lopsided grin, "No need to feel guilty, everyone else is." A pause, before he frowns and gives Azaylia's comment a nod. "Mind if I join you?"

Brieli sighs, looking down into her drink. "There's lots of reasons for people to think differently. Just because you don't... don't lose perspective out of blind loyalty. It's unwise," she points out, mostly to the rum. "And life would be so much simpler if we could make people think the way we wanted, wouldn't it?" Her tone might shade a little wistful. With a wrinkle of her nose for E'gin, lifting her glass in salute, "I don't feel guilty; I was concerned you might be a little over it. I'm sure someone is." Somewhere, perhaps outside of High Reaches. "Will we be pariahs, cut off from the other Weyrs? Will I be called away, South? Fascinating talk. I don't mind." She glances Azaylia's way; does she?

Azaylia's head lowers, "I know." Sounding as if she's been reprimanded, she gazes into her drink. "I'm not saying people are bad for how they think, or anything..." Flustered, she falls silent and instead aims an attempted smile at the brownrider. "I don't mind." And she'll drink to that, still shuddering despite the fruity attempt to mask the liquor. All too soon, there's another squeak. This one turns some heads, as Azaylia stares at Brieli, "They can't do that! They can't make you go back." Desperate while also trying to calm herself, she states somewhat firmly. "Hraedhyth won't let them." So there. Clearly she doesn't mind talking about it, angling a glance towards E'gin, "It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the rumors. Like... Like that Iolene will fire everyone without a reason. The Headwoman, and stuff." ...Shh. Nobody tell her.

E'gin studies the two women as they speak, a slight lift of one eyebrow at Azaylia's tone but he refrains from commenting, responding instead to Brieli, "It would take K'del's approval." It is supposed to comfort her, but who knows considering the relationship between the weyrleaders, it doesn't even look like it comforts him much. "I don't think she'll fire everyone, I hope." A small smile for Azaylia, because if that is the case, he may be on the chopping block.

Gently, glancing around at those turned heads, Brieli assures Azaylia, "I don't think they'll send me back - It's just a rumor I've heard. I've heard everything. Don't worry about it, not yet. And don't feel bad about... trusting people, it's just that you should see others think why they do? So you know?" Now she's seeming somewhat abashed for making the other goldrider feel badly, and freak out a little besides. Taking a drink, then just finishing it, she arches fine brows over at E'gin, seeming skeptical. "I doubt it will happen, but I'm guessing if they made a fuss..." A shrug, who knows. As for firings, "It would take a lot of staff to refill the caverns, were it everyone."

Reassurance in stereo, it's much easier for Azaylia to push aside the very real fear she felt moments ago. More rumors. A pained exhale leaves her, hands reaching up to press at her cheeks, just giving them a press into her skull. "I'm grateful for the both of you." Muffled by the unflattering squishface, finally dropping her arms back onto the bar and letting her face regain it's shape. "It's so hard to tell what's real and what's just stupid gossip. I wouldn't have believed Ysavaeth has risen so soon if Hraedhyth hadn't been the one to tell me." And the tawny gold doesn't seem too keen on lying, especially to her whirling. A nod for Brieli, "A lot of staff, and there aren't enough Islanders, anyway." The other half of that supposed 'gossip'. There's a glance for E'gin as she manages not to say exiles at the last minute, careful not to offend.

"Azaylia..." E'gin chuckles at the muffled comment from Azaylia, "I'm thankful for you to. You make me believe some people are okay to trust." An arm offered in a half hug if accepted. "Sometimes it is hard to tell. I've been trying to stay away from it, but I guess I'll know more soon." Solemnity falls across his face. He downs the rest of his whiskey and taps his glass as the bartender passes by. "I hope she doesn't only try and fill spots with islanders. I think we need a fair shake, but it has to be fair for everyone." He watches the liquid refill in glass, and gives the 'tender a nod, but the thoughtful frown doesn't leave his face.

"That will always be hard to tell," Brieli says wryly. "There's always a bit of truth in gossip, even if it's not much. And aren't enough Islanders... ?" She looks over Azaylia questioningly, going back to rolling an empty glass between her hands, from tips of long fingers to ends of her palms. She's not seeming to understand what the other weyrling means. Swinging her booted feet back and forth as she sits on the stool, she tilts her head as she regards E'gin, asking, "Is there any reason you think you might know soon? Out of curiosity. And I think Iolene might try to be fairer than people would think. She's that sort of person, generally - as far as I know her, from the time I've been here."

Half hugs are unacceptable, if only because Azaylia will turn in her seat in order to make it a full hug. Weyrlinghood has done her well, though she doesn't mean to pop E'gin's back if she squeezes too hard. There isn't much of a chance for Brieli to judge, because in one quick motion she'll have Azaylia's arms wrapped around her in an equally heartfelt, though perhaps gentler embrace. Mmf! "I needed that." Is the only breathless explanation, before she's all but trying to shove her face into her glass. Alas, it's too small. "Oh," A peek for the other weyrling, "That Io would fire most of the staff and replace them with Islanders. It wouldn't be fair." She agrees with them both, "And it makes me think that people haven't even met her, to think she'd do such a thing." A firm nod.

"Ooof!" Escapes a rather surprised, but not insulted, E'gin. Once released he sips at his newly poured whiskey as he considers Brieli's question, "She sent an invitation to some riders, asking them meet with her." Apparently he was one of them. He just listens to her other thoughts, apparently that comment he made about trust doesn't apply to everyone equally. Still the grave look on his face may give away his thoughts on the matter, that and the subtle nod he gives to Azaylia's concern that it indeed wouldn't be fair. "Things are getting better as they are, slowly, but better. I," He pauses, "Worry that this may be a set back, not a step forward. But I guess we'll see." For that he'll offer a smile, and a raise of his glass if only to alleviate the tension he senses, "To the future?"

Now it's Brieli's turn to squeak as Azaylia hugs her, unexpectedly and tightly. Blinking, "Oh! Well. Thank you." As usual, she seems a little uncomfortable with the sudden display of emotion, shifting in her seat awkwardly. There's a bit more awkward as the other weyrling responds; bemused, looking at Azaylia with something of a 'what's-going-on' expression, she notes slowly, "But Iolene did fire most of the staff, and her short list has a lot of Islanders." Just to make things totally clear. Glancing over E'gin's way, her sharp gaze bright, she offers a little smile for the information. "Interesting. It could be good news, you never know," she says, perhaps a touch mysteriously - and though she only has an empty glass, she'll raise it. "We'll see. And hope for the best." For all that she usually can't manage that.

"You'll tell us how it goes?" It's not so much of a request, Azaylia sounding as if she's just thinking out loud. "If Brieli or I aren't invited." She doesn't sound all that sure of herself, though the other gold weyrling could very well be summoned. Brieli's confirmation of what are thought to be rumors have her eyes widening, head tilting, and lashes fluttering rapidly. The trifecta of confusion. "...w-wow." That's all she can muster, looking bewildered even at E'gin's proposed toast. "Uhm. Yes. To the future. And to the health of High Reaches Weyr." Because now she feels that it needs to be said, hoped for, "To our Weyr." She hoists her glass to lightly tap it against theirs before draining the last bit. From the face she makes one can assume that there was no more fruit juice to be found. Still, she motions for another.

E'gin looks back and forth between the two girls, a slight inclination of his head to Azaylia at her request. "I've heard some of the other names, but I don't know if those people had it right." He shrugs, "So I can't really tell you." A soft sigh, "I can't understand firing Giorda." As soon as he says it a look of regret passes across his features and he doesn't explain the statement. Brieli's thought that it could be good receives on a skeptical snort, and the disappearance of half of his whiskey.

"We're not going to be invited." Brieli sounds certain on that, telling Azaylia, "We have other things to worry about - like taking over some of the duties of the fired people for a time, likely." She sounds thrilled about that, really. Clinking her glass against the others', but unable to drink anything, she just sets it aside, not waving for another, not tonight. She gives the other weyrling something of an apologetic glance for bursting her bubble; she looks less sorry for the assistant headwoman's fate. As for E'gin's snort; "I'm just saying. She can't really fire you, can she? It's not really her area of responsibility, as far as I know."

Azaylia doesn't share Brieli's excitement (or lack there of) for more work, instead accepting the fact with a nod. Even if she seems a little surprised by it, "She still has to go through training with us..?" More idle thoughts escaping through rum loosened lips. With a refill on hand, it seems as though the bartender has had a heavier hand with the fruit juice, drink far brighter in hue. She is still a weyrling, after all. "I'm sure Iolene has a good reason." She may not sound it, words carried on a sigh. The young woman shakes her head, "K'del is in charge of the riders." Not bothering to hide her relief at that, "So E'gin isn't going anywhere." A firm nod too quickly turns into a thoughtful tilt of her head, "Unless it's up." What with Iolene's newest acts of Islander favoritism, and all.

E'gin raises his eyebrows at the certainity in Brieli's voice, but doesn't say anything about it. "Oh, now see that sounds like so much fun." A teasing tone accompanies the lift of his shoulder in a short laugh. The refill for the weyrling receives a wary brotherly look, which lifts up to the bartender, and hopefully, in good brother fashion, missed completely by the person he feels protective of. He sighs, "No she can't 'fire' me." Still he eyes Azaylia, "That's not likely." He doesn't explain that comment either. The brownrider has no idea what it could be, but he knows he is distrustful of the whole thing and he doesn't bother to hide it from his features.

Arching a brow over to the other weyrling, "Mmm, that was the plan." Brieli shrugs over at Azaylia - who knows what's happening now? "At least, it seemed to be the plan. And I imagine she thinks it's a good reason, and it may be. Who knows what everyone else thinks? You thought it was a rumor and an awful thing to say. And I don't say that to make you feel bad, Azaylia, just to point out how you can look at things differently, depending on where you're coming from." Now sliding her empty glass from hand to hand, she tells E'gin regarding extra work, deadpan, amused; "I'm thrilled." As for the brownrider's 'not likely' and general distrust of the situation, "Not on good terms, I take it?"

"It's not so bad." Azaylia says with a faint smile towards E'gin, missing his pointed look towards the bartender. "If you're not careful I'll make you tutor me and Bri." Rhyming and the idea of making anyone do anything have her laughing again. It's not terribly distracting, soft as it is. "The worst part is how bored Hraedhyth gets when I'm working." Limited freedom and all, she offers an apologetic glance that's meant for Vysravth, one of her gold's victims during those times. Another sip of mostlyjuice, she shakes her head at Brieli and then nods, one right after the other. "I know you don't. And I can't expect to be right all the time." Any of the times, knowing Azaylia. "It's why I try not to judge. Even if I don't agree... It's hard sometimes, if someone's good name is involved." A soft smile for her friend, not too distracted by her curious glance towards the brownrider.

E'gin simply listens to the two goldriders speak of rumors and thinking and truths, his only offer a smile to the apologetic glance, as if to say, in return, that the brown enjoys the conversation. Silence would probably be a safer choice as all eyes turn to him, and his uncomfortable relationship with the senior weyrwoman, but he responds. "We've known each other a long time." A vague answer that doesn't offer anything one way or the other, the accompanying one shouldered shrug probably says more. Then he relents and gives more, "But no, we don't always -" A pause, "See eye to eye." A sad smile of a man who lost a friend, but who hasn't lost all of the care for the other.

With a slight smile, "It'll get better when she can fly more." Brieli might say this with more certainty than she actually has - who can be sure with Hraedhyth? - but she sounds and looks confident enough. Tucking a stray curl back behind her ear, she glances Azaylia's way, noting, "I think it's in our nature to judge. Might as well not feel bad about it and just try to see other people's points because it's useful. But I do love that you always want to defend people; it's awfully sweet." That is entirely sincere, for all that it's not a very Brieli thing to say. Falling quiet to listen to E'gin, her expression shades from attentive to sympathetic before, "I'm sorry. Sometimes, people look to mend fences when there's new beginnings. No matter how... difficult they are." A shrug. Just saying.

For E'gin's piece of mind, Azaylia seems to enjoy her juice heavy drink more than the first, sipping to savor. She's quiet now, perhaps not used to talking so freely with anyone besides Brieli, and becoming aware of it. "It will. I think she'll like hunting outside of the weyr." She agrees, glad for things that are certain amongst so many unknowns. "Aw, E'gin." A touch for his arm, this squeeze not likely to damage anything. "I'm sure she misses you too." Not that he's said as much, the weyrling may be reading too much into things. There will be a ripple felt for all three, drums pounding hard enough for Azaylia to gasp at their intensity. "Hrae! Sorry, brown weyrling... called Ysavaeth- well." They could ask their dragons if they want to hear the rather crude comparison to a gimpy golden firelizard. Marks dropped onto the bar, she's rushing out of the Snowasis with a distracted farewell, "Seeyoutwobye!" She has a rampage to prevent.

"I don't ..." E'gin pauses, unwilling to have any more of the girls bubbles burst tonight, so he just gives a lopsided smile to the squeeze of his arm, and then she running off. "She is sweet." The brownrider offeres in agreement to Brieli's assessment of Azaylia. "I know, and I'm going." He offeres in his own defense, "We'll see what it is about." He shrugs, though he gives the girl an appraising look as if he suspects she knows something. "...But it is usually stuff about the weyr that we disagree about, and I can't see it just being a personal invitation to lunch."

Watching Azaylia run off, Brieli amends, "Too sweet, sometimes." She watches the spot the other weyrling has disappeared off in for a moment or two before returning her attention to E'gin with a slight, apologetic smile. "I can't help but be concerned, once in awhile. She so wants to think the best of everyone." Which obviously, she does not. Swinging one booted foot again, she folds her arms atop the bar after finally giving up her empty glass, admitting, "I don't know anything. It's honestly just a guess, based on some conversations I've had with her. Besides, who calls for a meeting to start a fight? Unless you're really intent on a formal declaration of war... and somehow, I don't see that as being Io."

E'gin can only agree with Brieli, "But it is good too, some. She balances out a lot of the weyr." But his look of concern matches the other girl's, and his expression softens as he finds some comfort in their mutual concern for Azaylia. "Oh, no I doubt she's out to declare war, especially on me personal. She has bigger issues." He grins, "But I also don't think she's looking to reconcile." For that he even offers a little wink, "Well nothing to do but wait and see what it is, I suppose." He tips his glass towards her and then drains it. "How have you been?" An abrupt change of subject, "How are weyrling classes? Tons of fun, eh?"

With a wrinkle of her nose, "As with most things, I suppose that's true - we can speculate all we like, but in the end, it's all waiting and seeing." Brieli is slightly amused by the wink, shrugging again for the question. "I don't mind the classes or the work, very much. I don't love it, but it is what it is. Iesaryth is a bit of a pain, always wanting the next step to be over with; to be flying further, to be going. I don't really blame her; I have my own impatiences." Glancing down at the folder under her arms, on the bar, she sighs, "I actually should go and work on some of this. I just wanted a bit of downtime before doing it - and to hear what people were saying today, to be honest."

"I think most of the weyrlings are like that. I can't think of one that was okay with not being able to hunt, and then okay with not being able to fly..." E'gin waves his hand in a cicrle indicating it will go on until they have graduated." E'gin nods as she gets up to leave, "I appreciate honesty." A genuine smile is offered before he turns back to the bar and taps his glass again.