Difference between revisions of "Logs:New Horizons"

Nighthearth, High Reaches Weyr

With its entrance located between the kitchen and the living cavern, this tiny bubble cavern is cozy, always kept warm and is filled with comfortable chairs and a small round table. At the far end, there's a hearth, outlined in ruddy, aging bricks, where a pot of stew simmers in the evening hours. Generally quiet, the nighthearth is the haunt of insomniacs and those seeking quiet from the bustle of daily Weyr life.

With the weather as beautiful as it is and has been, it's not surprising that the nighthearth is more or less deserted despite the early hour. No doubt the presence of the hearth - though the fire has burned low, it is still relatively warm - has just as much to do with it, though the usual supplies of stew, bread and klah are still available. Amidst the silence, Madilla sits alone, wearing her three-month-old son in a sling in front of her, and sewing, as, beneath her breath, she hums a lullaby.

Old habits die hard though, and as it's always been a habit of Emme's to seek some quiet time at this quiet nook of the weyr she doesn't divert from it now that the weather is warm. The only difference being that she's more lightly dressed. "Madilla, how nice to see you!" is exclaimed, as soon as she walks in and sees the other woman there. Of course, that there is a baby there in her lap only draws the brownrider closer so that she can glance over at the angelic little face. "I... wow, being a weyrling really does cut us off a bit from happenings. I.. congratulations. Boy or girl? Name?"

Madilla's head lifts as she's addressed, her warm smile turning distinctly amused as the brownrider continues. As she shifts her position to give Emme a better view of the sleeping baby, one hand strokes lightly at his brown fuzz and she says, cheerfully, albeit quietly, "That seems to be the way of it. Too busy with babies of your own, I suppose." Her needle gets safely stowed away in the fold of her fabric - it looks like she's making another quilt - as she adds, "Boy. Dilan. Thank you. And how are you, Emme? Rhazekth?"

"Dilan. That's a nice name." Emme traces one pudgy baby cheek with her finger, a soft smile appearing. I mean really, who can be stern around cute little bebbies right? "Oh we're just fine. Both relieved that weyrlinghood is ovr of course. And I was one of the lucky ones who was assigned the wing I wanted to be in." Her lips twist a bit ruefully then, and her shoulders lift in a shrug. "You were humming a lullabye a moment ago, can I ask which one? Music, you know... I like to remember the new ones I come across."

Dilan doesn't really stir - except to let out a little baby sleep-sigh, which makes his mother smile. "I should be congratulating you, too, then. It must be such a relief to be finished. Like walking the tables was, for me." Madilla's cheeks pinken slightly at Emme's mention to her humming, but she doesn't hold back her answer, naming a tune that would be well-known to most Pernese, but not necessarily the exiles group. "It's one my mentor taught me, when her daughter was born," explains the healer. "My parents didn't really sing to us. Are you intending to try and take up your apprenticeship again, now that you've graduated?"

In an effort not to wake the sleeping babe, Emme stops stalking and instead moves to sit in one of the other comfortable chairs. "Oh it is. It is quite a relief. For someone not weyr bred, a big change too." the girl admits, lacing her hands togethr and leaning her head back. "I knew the melody sounded familar. Some of the people working in the nursery sang that one, I remember, when we were all rotating chores to find something that might suit us." The following question gives her pause, but instead of hedging she just nods. "Yes, I do. I imagine it will upset some and shock some others. If they even let me do it. But exiles, we seem to be good at upending the status quo wouldn't you say?" Oh yes, there is definitely a hint of mischief in her voice there.

Again, Madilla shifts her son, but this time only to allow her to settle back in the chair and keep Emme in her sight as the brownrider sits. "Mm," she agrees. "I can imagine." The mischief in the other woman's voice only makes the healer grin; she says, then, "if G'brion could keep up his studies, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to make your way back in, no matter how close to the beginning you were. Particularly if you can get the support of the Weyrleaders to make your case." Beat. "I'm afraid some people will never be able to change their mindsets and see that there's nothing wrong with new perspectives. I wish it weren't so hard for you all."

Emme can't help the snorted giggle that escapes when Madilla mentions getting the support of the weyrleaders. "I'm fairly certain the only thing that the Sr. Weyrwoman will support is whatever will make life more difficult for us. I'll skip asking her. But K'del, and probably Lujayn... they would probably see my point of view." she agrees. Lightly, even. While still a realist, it sems having Rhazekth on her side has done plenty for her confidence. "If they say no, I'll just continue as more of a student and self study until I've annoyed and pestered and driven the harpers crazy enough that they'll see it's in their best interests just to consider giving in. Even a little." Gratitude appears next on the young woman's face. "Thank you. We're managing, I think. You know, I never thought I'd say I miss teaching the children. But seeing little Dilon there... such a cute litle reminder."

Madilla admits, after a moment, that, "I suspect you're right about Tiriana, unfortunately. She's... very stuck in her ways." And yet, there's a faint amount of fondness when she talks of the Weyrwoman. "No, you're not the kind to give up, are you? I wish you all the luck in the world with it." She glances down at her son as she speaks, adding, "They sort of bury themselves in your heart without you even realising, don't they? I suppose it's not the same, but-- if all else failed, could you perhaps assist the Weyrlingmasters? Teenagers aren't children as such, but..."

"I don't so much fault her for that, really. There are some of us, exiles, that are too stuck in our ways as well. I understand why they are though, so it would make me a hypocrite to be angry with Tiriana for it. I am, however, upset at her treatment of Iolene." Emme's lips thin there, her jaw even tightening some. "That's more then a simple slight that she's given us by doing that. She's the Sr. Weyrwoman and should be setting a better example." Ahem; okay, so she flushes a bit after saying that, slipping into the other topic readily. "They do, yes. And I've considered that actually. It wouldn't quite be the same as being a harper, not by far. But, it is something Rhazekth and I would both enjoy. He'd be quite a doting helper with the newly hatched.

Nodding, Madilla seems pleased with Emme's attitude, though her own expression falters at mention of Iolene. "I don't know what to think about that," she admits. "It seems... I don't know. I hope it will work out in time." Something in her tone suggests that she's not entirely confident about that particular idea, however. "Good. Not that I think you should put aside your interest in harpering, mind. But it's nice to have a variety of possibilities to consider, and I know the Weyrlingmaster is always after good assistants. Have you any other particular plans, now that you're-- free, as it were?"

"Io is just so... sweet, and well-meaning. And it really pains me to see her treated poorly. It can't be good for her gold, either. You know?" Ruthlessly shoving the thought out of her mind, Emme nods along with Madilla again. "Honestly, no. I thought maybe I would enjoy having a little bit of freedom. We can go anywhere, now. There's so much to explore. My only real plan is to take a few sevens and savor that, then stalk the Journeymen here until I can speak to them about continuing my harper studies. I've been writing more music in the meantime. It really feels a bit surreal at the moment. You must be so busy right now, taking care of the little one."

"Of course," Madilla agrees, empathy writ overwhelming honest in her tone. "I can't imagine how it must feel. It's... unfortunate." It's more than that, but the healer seems to lack the words to describe it, and settles, instead, for shaking her head sadly. "That sounds lovely, all of it. I'm sure it will be an adjustment, too, learning to work with your new wing." As for herself, the brunette only smiles, tiredly, and admits, "It's harder than I expected, with two. Perhaps I'd forgotten a little, how difficult it can be. But I've had help, of course, and we're managing. They grow up so quickly, too."

"Having the nursery here helps immensely, I would imagine. But still. When they're that little they need so much." Without any real personal experience to speak of on the matter, Emme can only guess. But exile parents are still parents nonetheless, and one learns to recognize the signs of fatigue and business! "Well, if you ever want someone to give you a break for an hour or two I'd be glad to watch over him for you. Rhazekth says to tell you he'll make sure Dilon is well looked after." The additional comment from her brown making her eyes twinkle of course.

"Having the nursery here helps immensely, I would imagine. But still. When they're that little they need so much." Without any real personal experience to speak of on the matter, Emme can only guess. But exile parents are still parents nonetheless, and one learns to recognize the signs of fatigue and business! "Well, if you ever want someone to give you a break for an hour or two I'd be glad to watch over him for you. Rhazekth says to tell you he'll make sure Dilon is well looked after." The additional comment from her brown making her eyes twinkle of course.

Madilla's smile brightens, as Emme speaks, then turns into a genuine grin at mention of Rhazekth. "That's so sweet. Of both of you, I mean. I will keep it in mind, I promise. It's--" She twists her smile, but doesn't look that pleased look. "Hard, handing him over before work, every day. And Lily, of course. When I grew up, all the women together would look after the little ones-- no need to hand them over." Though her expression says, firmly, that she doesn't regret her choice of vocation, not even a little. "Perhaps you'll have one of your own one day, too."

"Of course it's difficult. Even on the Island, knowing the children were all together, parents would balk at needing to hand them over before working. And hard, menial jobs at that." Emme admits, reaching over with one hand to try and squeeze Madilla's arm comfortingly. "Now that I'm free to choose my own mates.... mostly, I may well decide to have children. We were all expected to, of course. So it would feel a bit weird not to. But..." Somehow, she's even managed to confuse herself on that score.

"I can't imagine it's easy for any parent," agrees the healer, smiling down at Emme's hand as it squeezes, and then up at the brownrider's eyes. "I can't really complain; at least my worker is flexible. I'm still able to feed Dilan." The answer to her remark draws an amused smile from Madilla, who adds, after a moment, "When you're ready. Or perhaps not - but at least it becomes your own choice. In some ways... people find it strange, that I am perfectly content to take it on, without a partner to support me. But I do it on my terms, and perhaps that's enough."

"Yes, that's it exactly. It will be my own choice. I suspect I may well wind up doing it on my own terms too. And if that happens, expect one young brownrider at your door asking for advice." Wry, that's what Emme's tone turns in to. "I, for one, don't find it strange at all. Which quite frankly made me rather strange back on the island as well. You seem to be doing a fine job, anyway. So whomever doesn't like it can just go jump off a cliff." The end! "It's been nice to see you, Madilla. Maybe I'll bring some yarn down here next time, see if I can't pick up on how to knit a bit better. But for now, I think it's time for me to head out."

Madilla's expression is approving, as Emme speaks, though not in a condescending way, at least. "If you need it, you know where to find me," the healer promises, firmly. "Thank you, Emme. I'm often down here of an evening-- we should catch up more often. For now, though: have a lovely one. I'll see you soon."