Difference between revisions of "Logs:Just Like That"

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.

Usually, it isn't considered polite to intrude upon a weyrwoman in her weyr especially at the late hour and in the middle of winter, but when the local gardener is bedding on the couch in that weyr, and you have a pressing botany question - you make do. So Edyis peers very cautiously around the corner of the Weyr's entrance "Bones?" Softly she calls, peering about for the mass of hair and ink. "Maybe I should have checked the greenhouse."

It isn't Bones who's claimed the couch tonight, but the Weyrwoman herself. Cozied up in her thick winter robe, Azaylia is stretched out in front of the roaring fire, head propped up by a hand as she looks over several papers. Hraedhyth isn't in her wallow, as she rarely is, though there is a firelizard curled up on the swell of the goldrider's hip. "You should have," comes the gentle confirmation, Azaylia peeking over the top of an armrest at the entrance. "He wanted to check up on some new bulbs he's recently planted. Hello." The greeting is warm enough, though she may not recognize Edyis right away.

Edyis eeps! "I'm sorry Weyrwoman I didn't mean to wake you, I was looking for Bones." Scratching the back of her neck, "I'll be sure to check the Greenhouse first from now on. Since I'm here anyway though, do you have a moment?" She can't help but smile at the woman so relaxed.

"I wasn't asleep." Azaylia assures, although her stocky brown firelizard was. Don wakes with a clicking hiss, leaping onto the back of the couch as his keeper decides to sit up. He peeks over the goldrider's shoulders and aims crimson gaze at Edyis, blunt muzzle framed by the goldrider's loose locks. Though there is a soft coo for her 'lizard's displeasure, Azaylia's attention is on Edyis, "Of course. Though... I'm sorry, I don't quite remember your name?" It happens, and so there's only a hint of embarrassment at the fact.

Hissing lizards, and Edyis without a scrap to appease anyone, she mostly regards the hissing creature with equal parts curiosity and caution. "Edyis, one of the former candidates out of Nabol," the aspiring scribe states evenly, "I'm easy enough to forget in a Weyr this size." A dimpled smile crossing her lips. "It's just one question, and it's more of you as a person than as weyrwoman, if it is too personal of course just tell me so, and I'll head off to the greenhouse to catch Bones."

Don will eventually settle, pulling his head out of Azaylia's hair and claiming the back of the couch near her shoulders. "Right, Edyis." Leaning forward, her papers are placed on the low table as she motions for the girl to come closer. "He shouldn't bite, if you'd like to sit?" If not on the couch, there is a cushioned chair close enough for comfortable conversation. "What do you want to know?" With little hesitation, "There isn't much I consider too personal. Or anything, really." It sounds like an honest enough claim.

Edyis nods taking a breath and choosing to occupy a reasonably empty space on the couch. The papers are given a cursory glance, before she takes a breath. "K'del mentioned, that you were afraid of dragons when you first arrived. I was wondering how you overcame that fear." The brown is mostly ignored, as that seems to work best with felines, so it should work for angry firelizards right. "You were so warm with the weyrlings after the hatching, and your own dragon, you must have done something to overcome that fear."

"He'd remember. I was terrified when I first met Cadejoth." Azaylia's smile grows as she reminisces, amusement adding a spark to brown eyes that already reflect the nearby fire. "K'del tricked me into it, too. But, you don't say no to the Weyrleader." At the time. Edyis' question earns a thoughtful tilt to her head as the goldrider attempts to recall how fear turned into adoration. It doesn't take long, "Oh." With experienced hands, Azaylia unfastens the belt of her pastel housecoat, just enough to pull it open. A finger points out the ragged, darkly raised scars on her smooth stomach, modesty of little concern to the Weyrwoman. "It was after Hraedhyth charged me on the sands and did this." Airy voice is cheerful as she decides, "That's when I stopped being afraid."

Edyis leans in listening, "Just like that, she savaged you and you weren't afraid? I would think that would make a person more afraid instead of less." The words are spoken softly, eyes wide as they study the marks. Fingers twitch as though she thinks about touching them, but they don't move from her lap. "Everyone I ask, says something different about them, but how when they hurt you that badly can you bring yourself to adore them so completely?"

"Hraedhyth didn't mean to, not after she realized who I was." Azaylia explains simply, as if it makes all the sense in the world. After shrugging the robe back onto her shoulders, she leaves the belt of it loose, sitting back and letting the fabric fall where it may. She's comfortable, at least. "Just like that." Thankfully, there's a bit more to it than that, "Hraedhyth was my worst fear. After surviving that, I guess I didn't see the sense in being afraid anymore." With an affectionate little smile, "She was worth it." Still is, no doubt.

Maybe it's a rider thing, Edyis still struggles with the concept. There's a breath out, and her forehead wrinkling, the further explanation makes sense at least seems to help at least she's not asking more prying questions. Not immediately anyway. "I imagine it's one of those things you have to experience for yourself to understand?" Her lower lip is bitten, before, "Even with all the responsibilities, the work the stress, the loss of freedom? Impression for you is still worth it?"

Azaylia looks startled by Edyis' question, voice still quiet if a bit firm, "If that's how you see Impression, then it's probably better if you don't experience it." No doubt the Weyrwoman means to sound encouraging as she points out, "It isn't for everyone."

"It's the only viewpoint I have at the moment, and until I have enough data to change that impression, how can I understand the people of the Weyr, or this crazy place I've decided to call home?" It carries more emotion than intended, more frustration than intended. A deep breath, and the wavering vanishes. "Thank you, your answer it did help. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me again." The smile returns.

"I didn't mean to upset you," An attempt to soothe the frustrated girl, Azaylia's even gaze searching Edyis' expression with calm curiosity. "I think you should worry less about data, and more about the actual people." The advice is offered with a warm smile. "I'm glad. And of course. My weyr is always open." Though it's meant for Edyis, there's a sense that the phrase is often uttered with genuine generosity. "If you're quick, you might catch Bones before he heads u[ to the Snowasis for klah." Yes, even at this time of night.

"It's ok, I just - facts are easier. They are honest, no matter how much they vary. People, people are complicated, driven by any number of unseen motivations." it's a half smile. "Which just makes it one more puzzle to figure out." She nods at the invitation, "Ah, I will try that then. Hopefully I can, catch him. Thank you again. Sorry." She stands brushing off her pants, reflexively.

Azaylia's look of concern doesn't linger, although it is there as she listens to Edyis. "Well," Uncertain, "Alright." She doesn't rise when the girl does, instead reaching for the papers that look to consist of names and bloodlines. The complicated spelling of names may be hint enough that it isn't a Holder family tree. "Have a good night, Edyis." As an afterthought, "Tell Bones to hurry home, when you see him? I don't want him catching another cold." With that, she goes back to her reading and allows Edyis to find her way out.

Edyis starts to head out but she pauses, looking at the names. "Whose lineage? If I may ask."

"Mm? Oh, Hraedhyth's." Azaylia sounds distracted, but is happy to answer, "I realized today that one of Fort's clutches will be filled with her grandchildren." No wonder the Weyrwoman is so enthralled by the copied bloodlines in front of her.

Edyis considers the lineages on paper. "Those would probably be best expressed as a board with pins and thread than linear lists of whom begat whom... Congratulations." And with that she sets off in the direction of the greenhouse.