Difference between revisions of "Logs:Fly By Fortification"

Garden Patio Ledge, High Reaches Weyr

Partly sheltered by the curving stone overhang, partly exposed to the weather, the wide stone patio serves as a balcony for socializing or just plain drinking on a sizable scale. The repurposed ledge might once have let two large dragons land, but now there's too much furniture for that: two rustic tables with attendant chairs, plus a couple more in particularly good weather, and a wrought iron bench situated to make the most of the view of the western bowl and the lake beyond.

Other changes include rough little niches carved out of the stone walls to hold glows in colored bottles at night, the climbing plant that's being trained to grow up along the overhang, and the blue ceramic pots of flowers that dot the edge of the ledge as a colorful reminder not to fall off.

An archway leads to the Snowasis itself, housed in the ledge's former weyr, while a few wide steps descend along the wall to the bowl.

Though the sun is out, it's still chilly enough in the early afternoon to chase most people inside the Snowasis. Azaylia is bundled up in warm dress, leggings and clock, able to handle the cold with the help of a steaming mug of something in front of her. While not the only person on the ledge, the rest of her table is empty as the weyrwoman rests her chin in a hand and looks off towards the bowl.

While D'kan had originally ducked into the Snowasis, he returns several minutes later with his own steaming mug, though by the aroma, it's something with heated spiced rum and cider. The first few strides take him toward the stairs, but spotting Azaylia, he slows. Stops. Turns. "Going to guess there's a chair free," he calls over, breath puffing as he gives her a polite smile, pointing a gloved hand toward her table.

The seconds tick by, just long enough for an uncomfortable, yet frequent moment in life. Did she not hear? Is she ignoring him? On Azaylia's end, a similar sensation creeps up her spine as she finally looks around-- was that for her? Misunderstanding is hopefully dashed away by a bright, if apologetic, smile. "Oh! Yes. Please, sit down. Or take the chair. Whichever." She straightens up, reaching for her own rich, chocolatey drink.

D'kan's smile tugs to the side slightly while waiting for Azaylia's reaction, but when it comes, he nods and moves forward, both hands now wrapped around his mug. "It's way too crowded in there for my liking," he adds a few seconds later by way of explanation, tilting his head toward the Snowasis. About halfway into the chair, he pauses. "Or... did you come out here to be alone?" He stands again. "I won't be long. Just wanted to warm up after sweeps."

Azaylia peeks towards the Snowasis, before her eyes slide back up to D'kan, "I'm just enjoying what sunshine we can get." When he hesitates, her hand flutters towards the chair, "Oh no, not at all. It's actually been kind of lonely since I made my decision." She hardly sounds sad about it, smile taking on an amused, knowing quirk, "I'm not nearly as popular as I was a few days ago." Leaning foward, her jaw settles on the bridge of her fingers, both elbows propped on the table. "How was sweeps?"

"That's all right," D'kan maintains, though his tone is bordering on amused teasing. "Popularity is a pretty limited and fickle commodity, anyway. You had good reasons." If this were not Pern, that would have been followed by, "Haters gonna hate." But this is Pern, so instead, as the brownrider settles into the chair for real this time, he says, "Trying to please everyone just means something's going to break again, anyway." He takes a sip from his mug and settles back against the frosty chair. The addition of the hot drink just makes his breath show up in heavier white. "Sweeps were good. Flying with Glacier at the moment. It's a little intimidating, but they're a good group."

"It was nice while it lasted." Strained voice paired with that playful wince reveals that no, no it wasn't nice. At least, not all of it. Azaylia perks up at mention of Glacier, eyes bright, "They're a lovely wing. Hraedhyth and I flew with them for a while, and... I don't know. It felt nice. The queens wing is... different." Disappointingly so, from the sound of it. Not as close-nit, solidarity broken by leadership tension and the fact that retired or pregnant riders are rarely in the mood to show wing pride. "You're right, though. They're a good group." Despite their reputation.

D'kan begins making steady work of his drink, both its heat and probably its shot of rum giving his cheeks a rosier look. "For what it's worth, I liked your decision. Just a lowly weyrling, I know," he adds, eyes twinkling as he grins, "but I like Sisha. She doesn't take crap from anyone, and seems more..." He trails off, gaze dropping as he searches for words, finally picking up again with, "more about the job than the position. Let 'em grumble. She'll get it done." Back to his drink, he seems intent on finishing it in a hurry. Moving on, or just trying to drink it while it's hot?

Instead of surprise, Azaylia has a warm smile for D'kan's words, "It's worth more than you think. And, you won't be a 'lowly weyrling' for much longer." Even using his own words, she can't help but laugh at how ridiculous it sounds coming from her. Her fingers take their time in hooking the handle of her mug, not as rushed as the brownrider seems to be. "Thank you, though. I like Sisha too." It's subtle, but there's a hint of pride for the decision. The speed in which he's enjoying his cider doesn't go completely unnoticed, "Kazavoth calling?" As much a tease as it is genuine curiosity.

There's a nod from the weyrling, acknowledging the "much longer" comment, but he's juuust about done with his cider. And then it's gone. "Kaz? No," D'kan then answers, laughing as he sets the mug on the table. "Work is, though. I'm supposed to do a bit of hidework. Still a wingsecond, after all." That bit gets an easier smile as he flexes his fingers a little. "Just needed to, uh... fortify first." There's another grin, then he gets to his feet. "I'm going to get to that. Best of luck with... well, with everything." There's a small but not entirely informal salute, then he resumes his path back to the bowl and the duties that await.

"Ah," Azaylia is enlightened, lifting her mug in a toast of sorts, "I understand." Not only duties, but sometimes needing a little something to make it easier. After a long sip, "Thank you D'kan. Hope your day is a good one." She sends him off with another smile, choosing to brave the cold just a bit longer. Once she's done with her drink, that's when she heads back into the warmth of the Snowasis.