Difference between revisions of "Logs:Of Stereotypes"

Your location's current time: 22:35 on day 26, month 5, Turn 60, of the Tenth Pass. It is a spring evening.

You fly down to land gently on the Star Stones. You clamber down Leiventh's side to the ground, the dragon's sparkling eyes watching closely. Star Stones, High Reaches Weyr The Star Stones stand as a silent testament to the dangers Pern faces, as well as a call to action for the protectors of the planet: dragons and their riders. Erected in a time long past, the Star Stones fulfill their purpose only once every two-hundred turns: to pinpoint the start of Threadfall. The stones themselves seem rather plain: as you look across the plateau your eyes automatically focus on the largest of the stones: Finger Rock. On dawn of the winter solstice, Rukbat will appear to balance on the tip of Finger Rock. Almost a full two dragonlengths away from that rock is the Star Stone itself, an unimpressive piece of work: on it are two engraved arrows. One points east, to the Finger Rock, while the other points a little north of east, to the Eye Rock. When you see the Red Star shining through the Eye, another Pass has started. A lone pair, rider and dragon, stand watch over the comings and goings at the weyr this cool spring evening. Contents: Leiventh Green Selianth and Th'bin Obvious exits: Sky

High in the bowl, Kaylith flies down to land gently on the Star Stones. Kaylith has arrived. Shanlee has arrived.

Leiventh is settled on the star stones, the bronze's statuesque figure a larger, protective bulk near Selianth's. It's late enough that few dragons cross the bowl; Selianth is nonethless wide awake and alert, a brief rumbling alerting the riders to another's approach. R'hin is settled on a rock beside Th'bin, the two sitting amiably silently together. The older greenrider nods towards the incoming weyrling, while R'hin grins, lifting a hand, Leiventh giving a low, rumbling greeting.

Kaylith backwings and lands as gracefully as possible for a newly flying green warbling a greetin to the older green and bronze. Using the footloops, then sliding down her forearm to the ground, Shan grins up at her "Thanks love" before turning and saluting both Th'bin and the Weyrleader. "Evening Sirs" the redhead greets, a wide smile on her face, though probably not noticed in the dark by either.

The sharpness of R'hin's pale gaze on the landing green is, perhaps, softened by the grin that appears shortly after, settling on Kaylith's rider. The salute receives an acknowledging nod from the Weyrleader. "So, you're flying. 'ware the Weyr, hmm?" he's clearly teasing, looking rather relaxed and in a good mood to boot. Th'bin gives a perfunctory, 'Weyrling', before his attention - and Selianth's - shifts to the skies once more.

Keeping close to her lifemate's side Shan smiles "Yes Sir, since yesterday" a slim hand reaches behind her and pats the green lovingly, eliciting a low rumble from Kaylith. "Oh, I think the Weyr is safe enough......for now anyway" the redhead quips, catching the teasing tone. "I've always wanted to see the stars from up here, so Kaylith obliged" not too sure why she felt the need to explain their presence, perhaps because I'daur had warned against flying without supervision. "You are well this evening, Sir?"

R'hin pushes up from the rock with a nod to Th'bin, strolling closer to Shanlee to make the conversation easier - which also allows him to get a careful look at Kaylith, no accident there. "The stars, hm?" the bronzerider echoes, with a tip of head. "Why do they garner your attention so?" A hand is gestured upwards, without being followed by a look. The latter query earns a quick grin, and flippant response: "Well enough, well enough. Hard to complain when you're gifted with a nice bottle of Benden."

Kaylith turns her head in the Weyrleader's direction and whuffles a greeting to the man, before resuming her inspection of the bowl from her new vantage point. Shan shrugs slightly "Not sure really..." a pause "Perhaps because they're always there, always the same?" the light voice ends in a query, though an answer is not expected. "Well a bottle of Benden is sure to bring a smile to most anyone's lips, Sir" a low laugh escapes.

As always, there's a subtle deference the Weyrleader seems to show to the dragons, an acknowledging nod of greeting at Kaylith's whuffle. R'hin's glance quickly shifts to Shanlee, however, with a smile. "It's a comfort to know some things will stay the same, is it?" He pauses a beat, inhaling deeply, gaze shifting to the Weyr's bowl. "All the same, I sense change in the air." The words are accompanied by a thread of pleasure, and his movements are accentuated by a confidence and certainty. "True indeed," the bronzerider allows with a chuckle, "You make it easy to come up with a suitable graduation present for you, Shanlee."

Glancing up at the night sky, a soft sigh is uttered by the weyrling "I guess you could say so.....the one thing that can always be relied on to still be there whenever you look for it" the reply spoken more to the stars then R'hin himself. Bringing her gaze back to the Weyrleader, Shan's brows arch slightly "A change?" curiosity laces behind the green eyes. Her attention from the question is briefly turned to the man's latter statement "Now that would be a most highly prized gift I believe."

"Mm, yes." R'hin is non-commital, not offering any further information, gaze distant, thoughtful. With a brief nod, hands clasp behind his back, attention moving towards Shanlee, pale eyes difficult to read through Timor's marginal light. "Such things are not given lightly, no. Do you look forward to the freedoms now granted you?"

Leaving the subject alone for the time being Shan leans against the warm green side of her lifemate. "Freedoms?" a slightly puzzled note to her voice, as her mind sorted through the various ones on offer. Trying to meet R'hin's eyes in the dark, hoping to find some sort of clue about what he was referring to "If you're meaning getting my own weyr soon and the peace and quiet that will bring with it - then yes Sir. Or perhaps the fact that a drop of wine here and there can now be relished..." a brief nod of the red head "Then, yes to that too."

R'hin doesn't exactly help out with the deciphering of his meaning, only the faint curl of lip appearing as she speaks. "Neither is such a poor thing, I think." The phrasing of his words is odd, deliberately so, and he slants a dark glance towards her, speculatively. "You understand, that some riders may take advantage of your new status. You are a greenrider, but you needn't let the... expectations... of others interfere with who -you- are. I would say something about letting me know, should you run into trouble, but then you are... not one to inform, are you?" the last is said a tad blandly, almost an accusation, but the questioning lilt making it more a bemused sort of question.

Green eyes narrow slightly, though probably not seen by the Weyrleader as he speaks, touching on the one subject likely to set Shan on edge. Levelling her tone, the weyrling fixes a look on the taller man "Oh....-that- freedom" a slight pursing of lips "Though I realise we don't know each other too well, I was hoping that apart from my not wishing to run off crying for help at each little situation I find myself in." a sharp exhale of breath follows "That you may have figured out by now - I'm not like the others." Perhaps word had gotten back to the Weyrleader about her friendship with the Telgari brownrider - a wary look enters Shan's eyes at that thought. "However" the tone seems a little less hostile "Your concern is most appreciated Sir" the words may sound otherwise but no sarcasm is intended.

R'hin takes note of the level tone, though there's a hint of dryness in his tone as he observes, "I realize you are not like the others. That is why we are having this conversation at all, Shanlee." He pauses, as if caught off guard for a moment, before he fixes pale gaze on the weyrling, studying her closely a moment. "It is not crying for help. -You- are my responsibility. And that weighs heavily on me. You, and every other rider here. Perhaps you can take care of yourself - I don't know. But what if that same rider seeks out a hold girl, who has not your... options?" his hand gestures towards Kaylith. "Some change. Others do not." The latter comment elicits a brief nod of head, acknowledgement, and then: "If you do not know how to defend yourself, you should find someone to teach you. Maja. One of the Ground Watch. Myself, even," he allows a faint smile, holding his hand up to forestall any protests: "A suggestion. Not a question of your competence."

Slight shoulders relax the tension they'd been holding, as the Weyrleader speaks. Shan drops her eyes to the ground then sweeps a gaze out over the bowl, folding her arms around herself in an almost protective manner. Slowly nodding she glances sideways at R'hin "I'm sorry.." a hand waves off her previous mood briefly "I just want to stay as far away from the lable planted on most greenriders as possible, so I tend to get a bit defensive about it all." The green eyes drift back to R'hin "That would possibly be the one area I may come to you....awkward though it might be." a breath "As to defending myself?" a low throaty laugh escapes though not filled with humour. "My brother was good enough to train me in the use of both hunting knives and bow - as well as hand to hand combat." a slow smile forms "And I do realise that knives are not an option as a rider, Kaylith should be deterrant enough. But perhaps seeking Maja out is a good idea."

The apology elicits a dismissive wave of R'hin's hand, "No need to apologize. Many find it a... difficult subject to deal with. It was not so easy for me to reconcile myself to, either." A hint of dark humor laces his tone for a moment. "But we are not speaking of me. If you do not wish to be the stereotype, then do not be. I will support you in anything that you endeavor to be, or do. I am not a great or wise person, Shanlee, but one of my... gifts, shall we say, is being able to sense it in others. I would not see it wasted, in you." As he speaks, it becomes apparent there's something different in his voice, in the way he talks. Oddly formal, but with a thread of quiet intensity to it. The latter comment earns a pleased nod of head, hands folding neatly behind his back. "I am glad to hear it. I will not bring it up again, then." It is, perhaps, his own sort of apology.

"I'm not made of stone, Sir." Shan concedes "And likely will have......'close' friendships with the opposite sex - it's just not the motivating factor in my life anymore" strange choice of words from the weyrling, but not expanded on. "You do yourself a disfavour Weyrleader." Shan notes "Wisdom and greatness are never seen by the individual that holds them, which is why those traits sit so well on them." A brief smile forms around her mouth "I'm a greenrider - nothing more, nothing less." amusement flecks her tone at the suggestion of greatness on her own part, though it does bring a thought to mind. "The last time we met....you mentioned needing an assistant." a pause "May I be so bold as to ask, what that would entail?"

A dark sort of laugh follows, R'hin shaking his head. "I do myself no disfavors. I rely on others for the wisdom and greatness you speak of. You see the Weyrleader, Shanlee, you do not see the man." His hands spread outwards, voice softened, accepting. "I am but a mere bronzerider, so very flawed. Nothing more, nothing less." He borrows her phrasing, deliberately, the faint smile perhaps preventing sarcasm. Shanlee's query, however, catches him off-guard, if the sharp, speculative look he gives her is anything to go by. "I did," he allows, after a pause. "Have you someone to recommend?"

"I see more than you think I do." Shan smiles briefly at R'hin's choice of words "Two of a kind then in some ways." Arms still folded though now more for warmth than anything else, the weyrling glances up at the night sky then back over to the Weyrleader catching the end of his look "I might do....depends on the job description." the usual relaxed grin flashes.

"Perhaps you do, at that," R'hin concedes, with a low-throated chuckle. The humor fades by measures soon enough, though, and surprise suffuses the Weyrleader's expression at Shanlee's words. He's silent, initially, considering her with a frank, intent sort of look. "I'd... thought to find a non-rider, honestly," he begins, slowly. "But... maybe." A beat, then, "The job description? To keep my many and sundry appointments in order. You would need strong diplomatic skills, for you will deal with many Lords and Ladies, Craftmasters and Weyrleaders, all of whom have the potential to be as nice as you please, or as arrogant as they wish. Most of all, I would need honesty, and trust. The last, is why I have not found anyone... suitable." Pale eyes rest on Shanlee, as if studying her reaction to his words.

A small frown of contemplation knits the arched brows together as R'hin speaks. "Would a non-rider represent the Weyr best? Understand the needs of both Weyr and Holds alike?" a shrug "I'm holdbred but not hold-minded in a lot ways - so sit somewhere in the middle of the two trains of thought. I'm also young.......which probably doesn't bode well." this acknowledgement of fact doesn't seem to bother the weyrling much "Honesty I think you know I'm good for, trust..." a small silence ensues "Is a two way road, Sir." Looking the Weyrleader directly in the eye, Shan waits a heartbeat "I'm not saying I'm the one for the job - that's your call, but knowing what's required does give it pause for thought."

"A rider's first loyalty is to his or her dragon, Shanlee. Divided loyalties do not bode well," R'hin says, tone matter-of-fact. "But, perhaps you have a point," he concedes, with a shift of shoulders. "Your age matters little to me. Your competence does." Her comment about trust earns a grin that quickly becomes a low-throated chuckle. "Oh, ho. Spoken wisely, indeed. Yes. Another reason I have not found a suitable person." Pale eyes glitter with amusement, however, and the Weyrleader seems oddly cheered. "How about this: give some thought to whether you think you can do the job. I shall speak with the wise man, and we shall see, when you graduate."

"Well that goes without saying, Sir." Shan chuckles "Kaylith will -always- be my first priority, above all else." At this the green opens the lids that had closed during the conversation and nudges gently at her rider, eliciting a fond smile. "Trust as we both know is something earned, not something assumed." a brow lifts slightly. Shan nods slowly "I'll do so......the wise man? Plan on talking to yourself I assume?" the tease is light.

"Hardly," R'hin's tone is dry, but amused nonetheless by her teasing. "I would be a poor counsel for myself. As has been pointed out to me... my advice is not the best, when it concerns myself." His head half turns to examine Leiventh, though the bronze hasn't moved in the slightest. "My loyalty, beyond Leiventh, is to the Weyr. It is a difficult thing, to be beholden to a mistress who will survive beyond you. Who does not care if you do well for her or not. It is something to consider, Shanlee." With those words, he gives a nod to her, and Kaylith, too. "I think I will leave you to consider."

A wry smile twists Shan's mouth "Sounds vaguely familiar." is her reply to holding one's own counsel "Our lifemate's probably know better what's best for us than we do." A sweeping look around the bowl and the tone is serious "This is my home, and now my one true love - whether my efforts to honour it are favoured or not after we're gone, I shall strive to uphold all that the Reaches stands for or will in turns to come." The weyrling returns the nod "Thank you for your time Sir. You have given me a lot to think about indeed."

Although R'hin begins to move towards Leiventh, Shanlee's tone and the words cause him to stop, turn, and watch her for a moment. A twist of lips is given briefly, and he observes, "A difficult path to walk, I think. But not one without its rewards. You are anything but ordinary, Shanlee." The praise is accompanied by something he rarely does: a sharp salute offered towards the weyrling. Then, turning on a heel, he heads for Leiventh's side, mounting smoothly as the bronze stirs to movement.

A low laugh is checked at R'hin's words and the salute smartly returned "Clear Skies Sir."

You hop up onto Leiventh's back, using his foreleg as a step. You rise up off of the Star Stones.