Difference between revisions of "Logs:Bonfire Talk"

It's been a strange few months indeed -- different, anyway. Savannah's weekly poker games at the lounge, and their weekly darts venture with Glacier have been more haphazard, as has the previously regular meetings in R'hin or Bristia's weyrs. And so, in the name of "sociability" (something that everyone in Savannah agrees is due largely to a certain greenriding former harper *cough Bristia cough*, the wing at large is given a visualization of a relatively remote beach, far south of Tillek. In a scene reminiscent of their flight from Monaco, there's already a bonfire and drinks available, and it's not long before food's there, and casual, jovial conversation starts up. Some of it is focused on their work in Tillek, others discussing High Reaches, or the Weyr at large, some of it purely social. Edyis, by extent of an explicit invitation, is there too -- brought earlier by Bristia, the former harper keen indeed to catch up on all the latest gossip of the Weyr. By the time the sun sets, most are settled comfortably in groups, casually chatting. R'hin's stretched out on his back, one arm flung over his eyes to shield from the no-longer-there-sunset, at a casual glance asleep.

In some ways the fall back into something that seems normal for Savannah seems to be a relief for the young scribe, eagerly accepting the greenrider's invitation despite her innate aversion to bonfires, which she steers completely clear of. Drink in hand and hair down and let loose for once, she is incredibly at home as she discusses the news of the Weyr with Bristia, not too far away from the dozing bronzerider. "All of it is just - frustrating Bristia. I feel like every time I get close to something, close to an understanding, things get all twisted around and just - bleh!" Articulate as ever plopping into the sand. "Take the weyrlings, V'ros? I don't know about Zmeyth but he has absolutely no natural curiosity whatsoever. He'd need a lot of work to be ready for the field, a lot of potential but just balled up in teenage angst." Which probably seems amusing given the age of the young woman in question, "Then to top it all off, some holder brat with marks to throw around on Benden wine is sniffing about the records room, claiming to be Aughan's bastard."

"As if Aughan would ever be so careless," R'hin throws out without moving, hinting that he's been listening to the whole conversation to date. That earns a face from Bristia, who tosses a handful of sand in his general direction, though most of it is scattered by the wind coming off the ocean. Picking up the thread of conversation, the greenrider states, "Not everyone is cut out for this." Whether she means being a rider in general, or Savannah specifically, isn't clear. "As for throwing wine around... my advice, if it's Benden, let him throw it."

Edyis snickers as the sand is thrown. "Precisely my thinking, but he has financial backing coming from somewhere and talks as though Aughan is withholding tithes. Regardless of whether or not his claim is true, it was something I thought should probably be looked into quietly. I'll be happy to drink his wine and tug the story out of him from the weyr side, he's good though, almost charmed me out of the tithing records." Which in her opinion says something, but then again that's only her opinion. She takes a long sip from her drink. "No not everyone is, but you won't see me giving up anytime soon. I'd miss the lot of you too much. There is one though that you may want to consider for Savannah, but he isn't a weyrling. Rh'mis. He had a small spy network in Nabol before he impressed, he's a bit surly but fairly easy to tug along. Could be a very good addition with the right influences."

"Giorda's savvy enough to know if we're being shorted. It's not something that could go unnoticed," R'hin says, this time earning a nudge of toes from the greenrider that jerks him to movement, finally giving up the pretense and sitting up. "He's actually after tithing records?" the Wingleader echoes in bemusement, exchanging glances with Bristia. "I can ask around. What name does he go by?" not, what's his name, as if he might not be using his own. Tossing her head back, Bristia drains the last of her drink, shivers, then stands. "Going to go snuggle up to something warm," she says, as she walks towards the bonfire and a handful of other riders. R'hin, naturally, watches her go, but he's talking to Edyis as he says, "I know the kid," Rh'mis. "He's under Fayla," he adds, more thoughtful than anything, as his gaze finally settles on the scribe, with a knowing sort of grin, pale eyes amused, "Are you the right influence?"

"He's after something, I may have handed him a copy of the major High Reaches Family lineages, you know the one that they keep the additional annotations in?" The one that keeps track of recognized illegitimate heirs and other oddities she means. "Trying to flesh out what he's really after, he seems to be. Of course I concur with you for the most part, It would be hard to hide something like that from the weyr, still it's one of those things that intrigues me. He goes by Weylaughn. Some harper training from his speech patterns, but very - entitled." She chooses. At the last she laughs, studying her mentor for a moment. "Has the student so suddenly surpassed the master? I meant Savannah, but I can see what I can do with him if you'd like. The Nabolese card seems to work well, as does appealing to his ego. He's easier than figuring out A'rist at any rate."

Waving his hand briefly as if unconcerned, R'hin says, "It could actually be interesting to see what he tries, and if anything, it will cause grief for Aughan, not us. Better to keep him occupied than bored -- as long as he can't point to the Weyr as the cause." At that moment of study, he breaks into a dark chuckle, "I meant you have... feminine attributes he might be more interested in, so to speak. You have spent some time with Bristia, after all." And she is the master in that regard, or so his briefly admiring gaze towards the greenrider might well suggest. Tugging a hand through his hair, he grins, "I'll arrange something in a few sevens, then. Get a bit of his measure. He might be... happy where he is."

"That I think I can handle." So maybe it's simply an excuse for free wine, but mention of attributes sends the young scribe into a laugh. "I have spent time with Bristia, she's certainly helped craft me into the woman I am today, but I think it will be a few turns before I can even come close to her level of artistry." For the rest, Edyis nods in agreement. "He could be, but I doubt it. He wouldn't have accepted the job helping me snoop south if he was completely engaged in his current position. "She pauses a moment before another thought comes to mind. "There was something else I was curious about, do you need some assistance with Lilah?" What kind she doesn't specify.

"Yes... artistry," R'hin's approving of that particular choice of words, chuckling under his breath. A twitch of shoulders, as he says, "Men will help you for many reasons. Sometimes it's just because it's hard to refuse a pretty face asking for help, especially if in some part of their brains they like to think they could be the dashing rescuer. Sometimes they want something they think you might give, or they might simply be bored and looking for a distraction. Sometimes it's even out of the goodness of their hearts," but the droll tone suggests the Wingleader thinks that happens far less often than likely. His brows go upwards briefly at her latter question, and he's grinning, suddenly. "She's not exactly the most open of people. Well, not with me -- she seemed far more relaxed with you."

"Well, It seems to be something of a Fortian condition to be chilly toward males. I imagine you're charming and mysterious demeanor is also frustrating for her, probably also what has her attention as well." She pauses a moment thoughtful. "Perhaps it's something Hattie teaches, to be utterly distrustful of males. She underestimates me, so it shouldn't be too hard to make friends."

"Does it?" R'hin's head tilts with interest. "I don't have all that much occasion to interact with Fort these days, but I've always found them rather distrustful. Perhaps it's a cultural thing," his tone is light enough and full of amusement. "If you want to make friends with her, be my guest, though don't do it for me, do it for you, if you want."

Edyis shrugs, "I'm offering because it sounds like fun. I'm also very curious as to why Hattie doesn't trust her. Not everything I do is to keep you happy I'll have you know." He just happens to suggest the most challenging and thereby fun options. "I should know better than to ask what the nature of your involvement with her is, shouldn't I?"

"What do you mean, not everything?" R'hin asks sharply, puffing up and furrowing brow down at her. He can't really keep this expression for long, releasing it in a sharp breath that becomes a bark of laughter. "Well, that's not to say I'm not curious myself -- in the answer to your question, and whatever else you might find." With a shrug of shoulders, he says casually, "She broke into my weyr and tried to seduce me once. It happens," with a shameless sort of smile as if to imply it happens rather frequently. "Best not mention that, I suspect it's a sore point."

Edyis would be laughing except that she's just stunned. "You aren't serious. She broke in and tried to seduce you. Isn't there a lock on the door? How did she get in?" The giggles start then, because she can't hold them back any longer. "Well that would explain quite a bit actually. So now she's seeking out your company when in trouble because she wants in your bed?" She really tries hard not to make it sound as skeptical as it is. "Her taste is fine, but her intelligence I'm beginning to question. Then again someone who hasn't taken the time to measure the options, before trying to rig a queen flight can't be called superbly bright."

"Well, she did have some help," R'hin adds dryly. "I thought she'd wake Bristia, or break my lock if she kept trying at it." With a snort, he adds, "Well, I am irresistibly handsome. You can't blame her, and I am curious. Rig a queen flight?" he echoes, latching onto that with evident surprise. "Somehow," slowly, sincerely, "I highly doubt she did. Or if she did, she failed miserably. Not everyone's quite as calculating as us about things, my dear apprentice," he grins, spreading his hands. "Rigging flights is more of a High Reaches game, anyway. Iolene did it, successfully. Aishani, rather badly, from her perspective. Satiet..." he hesitates, briefly, then shrugs.

Edyis snorts, before lowering her voice. "I wasn't referring to her queen rising early. I hadn't realized it was such a tradition however. I'm referring to what had you and Savannah disappear suddenly the morning after the Monaco gold flight." She tilts her head at the history lesson curious now. "It seemed that the issue being discussed could have been going in that direction, or am I wrong?"

R'hin's expression clouds briefly, before closing down, the air of casualness that follows fluid enough not to seem well practiced. "You're not so good at cheerful parties, are you?" he asks, dryly, abruptly rising to his feet as if unable to sit still, reaching down to offer a hand to Edyis. "Come on. I think it's time for more wine, and to see what we can scrounge for dessert."

Edyis exhales, shaking her head as she accepts his hand. "No I just sometimes forget that I can't simply be honest about what I'm thinking without making people uncomfortable. Wine sounds good." For the rest of the evening she is content to avoid uncomfortable topics, and play the role of charming mascot, content to enjoy good company and good wine well into the night.