Difference between revisions of "Logs:An Intense Invitation"

Snowasis, High Reaches Weyr

The Snowasis is rarely quiet, and even then, the high-ceilinged former weyr is kept from echoing by the fantastical booths tucked into its convoluted perimeter. The secluded seating spaces have been shaped from the truncated stalagmites that escaped the smoothing of the main floor, and are both softened and separated by colorful hangings that are thick and opaque enough to make each corner its own private nook.

Some of the smaller stalactites still roam the ceiling, their jagged teeth tracing a bumpy, inverted spine to the hearth. There, a thick rug with a low klah table and comfortable armchairs and couches sit, their upholstery and cushions changed sporadically to match the season: bright, light colors in the summer, fresh greens and yellows in the spring, warm autumnals in fall, and clear, rich hues for winter. Small tables litter the rest of the cavern, enough to fit up to four people each, while stools stand along the smooth wooden bar behind which is the passthrough window to the kitchen. Glass-paneled cabinetry behind the bar provides a clear view of the available liquors, the many colors reflecting the soft light of glows tucked into strategic niches around the cavern.

There's something comforting about a drink just as the sun goes down, which is why the Snowasis is steadily beginning to fill up. That, and much like Azaylia, others have finished the bulk of their duties by late afternoon. The Weyrwoman has procured herself a table at the far end of the room, rather cozy given that it's guarded by other bodies. Hraedhyth's presence can be felt throughout the weyr, a protective heat cast over one in all with the sands acting as the hottest epicenter. Still, it's possible to catch a glimpse of the eggs with injured Cadejoth there to help soothe his mate's fury.

It's the first time Aedrielth has been to High Reaches, having not taken the same habits up as the other young queen from Fort regarding visitations, and so she's particularly careful about coming today. Especially with the eggs on the sands, she doesn't even dare venture near the hatching cavern even if she might want to take a peek, her desire for politeness superseding anything else. After giving a clarion bugle to the Weyr she makes a graceful landing in the bowl, pale hide gleaming from a semi-recent oiling. Elise does go in to the galleries to see the eggs, briefly, but because her summons is for elsewhere she doesn't stay long. The Snowasis is her goal and once she's found her way there her entrance is a soft, hesitant one. She's not over-dressed by any means but she made some effort past the usual when she was getting ready, seeing as how she'd be representing Fort, an effort that consists of tailored pants and a pretty blouse with long sleeves and a collar. She wanders through the bar, searching, searching... ah, there. Azaylia is spotted and she alters her trajectory, coming to that table with a big smile. "Weyrwoman," she greets, lighthearted about the title.

Hraedhyth is not pleased by Aedrielth's arrival and she makes it known to the younger gold. There are many factors that keep her from lashing out; Azaylia, Cadejoth, the fact that the Fortian queen keeps a respectful distance from her brood. Elise may not receive the full brunt of Hraedhyth's fury within the cavern, but because she is expected. When Azaylia catches sight of the gold weyrling, she stands and smooths hands down her navy blue dress. Politely, "Elise. High Reaches duties to Fort." And then with an embarrassed laugh, "I'm sorry about Hraedhyth." Not very. "Will a drink help?"

And in turn Aedrielth is not-pleased at, and doing well about it. She'll just sit quietly on her paws in the bowl, making herself small to further show her submission. She tentatively reaches out with soft chimes to simply share who she is, first, like one might hold their hand out for a canine. Not that Hraedhyth is a canine. Oh dear. "And Fort's to High Reaches, and congratulations on your clutch. It's lovely." If there's anything put-on about that compliment it doesn't show, her grin is too genuine, and as for the apology? Elise's hands flap in that 'oh, please' way and she lifts her eyebrows. "Don't apologize, please. And yes, a drink would be lovely, something fruity if it isn't too silly of me? Please, let's sit."

Flames lick at those chimes, too hot but not quite enough to melt metal, given Cadejoth's chains which beat at her own drums. Aedrielth has the warrior queen's attention, an intensity that will linger until they return to Fort. "Thank you. We're very proud." Despite the small number. Azaylia motions for Elise to sit, tucking back into her own seat where a mug of something spiked and chocolatey has been sipped at. "I wish they had been able to meet with Hraedhyth acting more like herself. Still, I'm glad you accepted my invitation. I know things are... strained, at Fort." The Weyrwoman lifts a hand, summoning a server to their little niche for Elise's order. It's promised to be very fruity.

Rather than shrink from those flames, Aedrielth almost seems to delight in them, finding something of a common ground in that intensity. Fae and ethereal as she may be, she holds up well under that ferocity. Elise only sits when Azaylia gives that motion, and in fact it might have been that she was waiting for the other goldrider to sit first. She settles in and clasps her hands atop the table, her chin lifting to try and suss out what might be in Azaylia's mug with a playful little smile quirking up one corner of her mouth. "Oh, yes, well. She understands as well as she can, I think she knows she'll have eggs too someday. And we can always come back after for them to get to know each other a little better. Honestly though I wonder if this isn't the best time for them to meet? People always say a good first impression is important but I always wonder if we saw each others' bad sides first, just get it out of the way," with a sweep of her hand. She might be kidding. Maybe. "And of course I accepted, it was a very kind invitation. I'm happy to be here." As for the strain? Though her eyes might look a little heavy at the mention, her eyebrows go up and she asks, "What strain?" with that little smile in place that suggests it's meant to be a shared joke.

A challenge. Hraedhyth delights in the possibility, weary of having to be so careful, despite the maternal instinct burning her from within. It keeps the queen occupied, testing Aedrielth's limits with the ebb and flow of her ferocity. With her attention elsewhere, more weyrfolk might actually get a chance to peek at the eggs before being chased out. Azaylia lifts her mug in explanation, "Hot chocolate with rum." before taking a sip. Through Elise's humor, there's a faint quirk of the goldrider's lips, "It would make things easier. But I think that's too... honest for a lot of people." She sets her mug down, giving a faint nod, "Right. Let's talk of happier things." With a bright smile, "Aedrielth is quite lovely. Beautiful, from what I saw." Because Azaylia is always happy to talk about dragons.

If it's a challenge Hraedhyth likes, Aedrielth will give her as much, especially if it pleases the queen to be entertained thus. At times she'll even nudge back a little, in that shared space within their own minds, but never more than it takes to gently stoke those fires. Playful, almost, without antagonizing. When Azaylia explains her drink Elise says 'ah', her curiosity satisfied, and moves on. "Sometimes I think /I'm/ a little too honest so it figures my ideas would be too. Still though, it would be easier, and faster." When talk moves to Aedrielth her smile changes, taking on a strange mix of awed and grateful. "Thank you, she's certainly something else. A different kind of beautiful from your Hraedhyth though, I'd like to see her sometime, to thank her. I'm assuming you know what for." Still, there's the lilt of a question at the end, in case she doesn't.

It's a dangerous game that Aedrielth plays. Hraedhyth may not see the youthful prods as a threat, for now. Still, she's grateful to be able to flex her abilities against a like mind, golden influence dancing within her flames. Azaylia lightly crosses her arms on the table, giving an airy sigh, "I've been told I'm too honest. Too..." There are many words, none of them particularly positive, so she leaves it with a gentle smile. "They're complete opposites as for as how they look." Interesting, given their tied bloodlines. "Oh?" It may take Azaylia a few moments to recall, her own eyes widening some, "Oh. I had forgotten." She looks over Elise with new eyes, expression softening, "Hard to believe that was you." The Weyrwoman falls quiet as the server returns with a tall glass, layers of fruity sweetness reminiscent of a sunrise. Once it's just them, "You're of course invited to the Hatching Feast. Hraedhyth may not remember, but you can thank her then."

It's a careful dance, one that Aedrielth doesn't have much experience with but she's proving to be good enough to start. Her fire, the blue stuff that burns so hot within her, writhes around Hraedhyth's and at times it's almost protective. Too? Azaylia doesn't finish and it leaves Elise waiting with lifted eyebrows. When she moves on it's reluctant but she does so anyway. "They are. Aedrielth is so slender it took us forever to work up her muscle so she could fly long periods. And Hraedhyth is so strong and dark. She's gorgeous." Her voice wraps languidly around that word, appreciative of all things that are pretty. When the realization dawns she grins, rolls her eyes, yes that was her all that time ago. "I was lost," she explains with a helpless shrug. That's when her drink comes, and she definitely looks happy to see it, lifting a thanks to the girl who brought it before taking a sip, her eyebrows lifting above the straw for that invitation. "Mm, thank you. I'd love that. Oh this is good. How have you been since she rose? Everything okay?"

A threat and maternal warning all in one, « Careful. » There's a savage itch to unleash on Aedrielth, to chase off the golden challenger. Chains of flower and metal keep the worst of it at bay, vicious flames flickering and dancing with Aedrielth's own power. Azaylia is obviously pleased by the compliment, giving a breathless laugh at its rarity. "Not many would use 'gorgeous' to describe her. I appreciate it." Especially because Elise seems so genuine. As for the past, "I'm glad Hraedhyth could help, in her way. And now look at you." There's gentle pride in her words, smile brighter than it has been in some time. "Things have settled. The Weyr has stable Leadership, Hraedhyth is infatuated with Cadejoth. His wing is healing nicely, and Hraedhyth has earned a few scars. One big bite mark, right here." Azaylia motions to her neck, a single finger sweeping in a crescent. Never mind that the goldrider hasn't answered as to how she's been.

« I am, » Aedrielth lilts, and though her voice is soft and echoes almost like it's not even there, there's a sense of strength there too, not the strength of challenge but an underlying current that speaks of something else. Comradery of a sort, perhaps, or maybe just a newfound something in response to finding so close a mind to her own. "I think most people have a predetermined idea of what a dragon should look like. She's her own creature." Azaylia's gentle pride is met with a warm smile, Elise's turn to be slightly surprised but appreciative. She doesn't know what to say so she doesn't say anything, but the feeling is clear regardless. "I'm glad everyone's healing up. I was terrified when I heard, I have to admit, but mostly just... I guess I didn't realize it could be like that. I mean you read things, but..." The corners of her mouth turn down a little with that motion for the scar, it sounds bad. But she still manages to catch that lack of information. "I asked about you, by the way," she points out, so helpful.

Hraedhyth's affirmative grunt is paired with a more forceful push against Aedrielth's mind. Testing, venting, the powerful display is kept just between the two golds, though some residual heat may scare away the nosier 'Reachian dragons. "I think it's more the teeth. And the snarling." Azaylia teases, not truly arguing with the Fortian weyrling. There's a long pull of her drink, warmth carried on her gentle sigh, "Hraedhyth doesn't like losing her chasers, especially to other males. Her last flight went well, I think because she chose Tsanth." When Elise presses, the Weyrwoman gives an awkward little smile, "I'm fine. The Weyr is doing well--" She catches herself, "So I'm happy with that. It's just been... an adjustment. There's history between the Weyrleader and I." None that she's willing to go into.

"Oh teeth schmeeth," Elise replies easily with a wave of her hand before taking another drink. While outside her queen and Azaylia's are having their little tussle. Aedrielth is more and more delighting in a weird way in the back and forth. That push is effective, she budges, but it's more like a scrape of paws before they dig in for purchase, and in the next second she's putting up some resistance. "Oh I see," her rider is saying, as far as chasers go. It's a part of her new world she doesn't fully understand yet, so all she can really do is absorb this information. The topic of flights has been fine up until now, when her mind dwells on chasing and winning and everything, her eyes wandering off to the side, her up-until-now cheerful demeanor somewhat dulled. Still, she turns it on again for what comes next, eyebrows lifted and smile returned. "Ah, history. I won't pry. I get it. Still though, it seems good for the Weyr. And I'm glad you're alright. If you ever need to talk you can write me. I know we aren't very close now, but I like you."

Elise's dismissive rhyme has Azaylia laughing, likely surprised to find someone else so willing to overlook her dragon's visage. "I'd be happy to answer any questions," As for as the younger woman's pensive demeanor when speaking of flights. "Although Aedrielth has a long time until you have to worry about that." This time it's the 'Reachian goldrider who waves her hand, and again for all of that unspoken history. "It is good for the Weyr. That's what's important." Azaylia is startled for only a moment, eyes brightening along with her smile, "I'd like that. The same goes for you, of course. It's nice to have someone who understands. As a goldrider." Though for now, their discussion turns toward more casual things-- like a certain bluerider. Hraedhyth is content, in her own savage way, to test her granddaughter's mettle. It's all well and good until it's not, someone upsetting the queen in the galleries which has her ordering Aedrielth away. But, that won't happen for a good while.