Difference between revisions of "Logs:Freedom and Slavery"

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.

Some might say winter at 'Reaches lasts forever. They'd be wrong, but as winter is starting to head toward spring, the near freezing temperatures and occasional snowfall have a way of seeming like it. In winter, one of the best places to be at night is somewhere with a warm temperature and ambiance where one can lose themselves in the nightly crowd and get a good stiff (or limp) drink from the bar. Among the many patrons that keep the buzz of noise constant is K'zin, settled at the bar, staring into the bottom of a now empty cup. His expression is a little melancholy, but there was a greenflight some hours ago, so assumptions might be made about the source.

One thing about winter, it was cold no matter where you went. At least, that's the feeling Edyis had as she set a small pile of wax tablets down on next to K'zin at the bar and ordered a mug of something warm and spicy to relieve the chill in her fingers. The day itself had been punctuated with its own set of thrills, a green chase that still left her with a knot of mixed emotions, largely how she felt about her new home and the circumstances which placed her there. It's really only after she sits down that she realizes he's there, "Oh. I'm sorry - do you mind if I sit here?"

Brown eyes pull from the bottom of the glass that oddly enough doesn't seem to be filling itself and to the face that accompanies the voice addressing him. "By all means." The bronzerider's baritone doesn't hold the same glumness as his face, and even that expression is being edged out by something a little more friendly. K'zin gives the young woman a look over. "You remind me of someone," he decides as he leans forward, chin turning to seek out the bartender's attention.

Edyis arches an eyebrow curiously at the man's assertion, as the bartender brings over her own drink, she takes a lingering sip. "Thank you," in regard to the seat, for the rest. "I would be curious to learn who. I don't have family at the Weyr - unless you ran into one of my brothers at one of the Halls." The tablet is lifted with a free hand and a cursory glance given to its contents. "You seem to be in a state of melancholy," the last, more a statement phrased as a question.

"Possible," K'zin admits of having run across one of her brothers, "But I was thinking of one of my brothers, actually. You look a lot like Zak." Not that he himself is the spitting image of that brother, the conclusion can be drawn since he and Edyis might bear some resemblance, but not a 'spitting image' sort. "But, you know, a lot girlier." There's a flash of a smile that has 'goofball' written on it. For the melancholy, "Yeeeah. Lost a greenflight." Sigh. "Just another day at the Weyr." It sounds like the truth, mostly. Maybe a little hollow. Then, abruptly, "Can I buy you a drink?" He offers, once again looking for the bartender who's busy with yet more clients.

Edyis laughs, dimples evident in the toothy smile. "Well it is nice to know I can be mistaken for a girly boy... I think." She offers, setting the tablet down. Mention of the green flight stirs her recollection of the event, watching the powerful beasts tearing through the sky. The memory again stirs a conflict of emotion, but she suppresses it. "Not a thing that happens to you often then I take it?" She asks with a wry smile, nodding her assent to his offer of a drink, perhaps recalling a certain weyrwoman's advice.

"Just because I said you remind me of someone doesn't mean I could mistake you for them. Especially a brother. There's this thing about growing up with people that makes it difficult, but not impossible, for me to not recognize them." K'zin protests with mock seriousness. "Oh, no. On the contrary, Ras has yet to catch. Now, chasing, that we do often." Maybe too often for K'zin's tastes, if his tone is anything to go by. Finally, the bartender approaches, "What'll it be?" The rider asks of the woman.

Edyis grins almost devilishly at the retort, "Indeed it would be a grievous error that you should start mistaking females for your brother." She listens with interest to the explanation of the chase, and is asked for her preference in drink before she can reply. "Some of that white from the hatching feast if it's still available." Her tastes have expanded in the time she's been away from home at least. "I thought all Weyrfolk embraced their freedoms." she states making note of the tone.

"It would be most unfortunate for my face if he ever found out. He's bigger than me." Which is saying something, since while K'zin isn't the tallest or burliest fellow around, he's well-muscled and tall enough. The man sounds cheery enough saying it though. He makes gesture to the bartender, "And a whiskey for me." He watches as the man takes his empty glass before looking back to the woman. "I'm not sure I'd call being compelled to lust after anyone who happens to ride the green who's glowing no matter the age, gender, or history with that rider freedom so much as slave to dragon lust. As for my actual freedoms, those I embrace well enough."

Edyis whistles low at the thought. He's pretty tall as is, though the second cursory glance at K'zin is more studious than the first taking mental notes of details. "Being Holdbred, I cannot comment on things of a lustful nature as I have no frame of experience to draw on, but isn't it little more than a passing fancy, If what I've read is correct. Still I suppose even riders have to sacrifice something." She twists the stem of her glass studying the pale gold liquid before sipping again. "I'm Edyis." She offers.

After the necessities are taken care of, paying the bartender for the drinks that are so swiftly delivered, K'zin responds with raised brows, "One of the freedoms you have at the Weyr is to comment on things you have no experience with. If you like. For me, it's not so much a matter of how long the fancy lasts as that my body gets no choice in-" It's probably because she's just said she's holdbred that K'zin tries to find a polite way to say: "Where I sheath my sword during that fancy." He moves on from the idea quickly, "I'd think most people would like a say in who they touch, especially that way, even if it doesn't come with the stigmas often found at the Holds." His shoulders shrug as he picks up the whiskey. "K'zin. Rasavyth's rider," is given in return to her offering.

Edyis snickers a bit at the rider's attempt to be politically correct, "You don't need to censor yourself on my account, I've given up all opportunity to be a perfumed lady on some rich lord's arm birthing his vast legacy." She grins, "Its actually more freeing than I would have thought." She gives her agreement, if nonverbally for people having a say who they touch, or are touched by. "And yet here you are sulking a bit for losing, so is this the bronzer ego at work or simply the male need to feel superior?" She teases lightly. "Well met."

"You might be surprised how many women of the Weyr, even without holderly background or aspirations would prefer a man to say something clever instead of 'stick your dick in,'" K'zin points out after swallowing some of his whiskey. She did invite that bit of crassness, though, so there's no apology and at least he's not keeping it up. "My dragon's sulking. I feel it whether I like to or not. And this particular flight-" He considers the liquid in his glass, which is perhaps a hair better than considering the empty glass as he was doing when she arrived, "-it stings a little more than most." It's with a raise of brows that he looks to her, "I'm sure if it was a matter of needing to feel superior, I could find somewhere to get bloodied up. Though that can be hit or miss on how it leaves you feeling in the end."

Edyis doesn't quite shoot wine out of her nose, which is good. Once the wine is choked down she silently reminds herself to never again object to someone censoring themselves. "I see," her gaze more appraising at his explanation, and when the glass is empty it's her turn to pay for drinks as she gets the bartender's attention. "I'm sorry then, that you lost." As for blood, she shrugs, "Never seemed to help my brothers when they were outwitted in their pursuits, but in the end most seem to have pulled out ok." At least, she couldn't complain about their choices in wives.

Brows rise again and K'zin's head cants to the side as he looks at her side-long at what is visible of her reaction. "Alright there?" He asks with some small measure of concern. It would likely have been more, only she's not turning blue, so, no need to overreact. "It's for the best, really. That I lost. But let's not say that 'o' word too loudly. Because that's unfortunately exactly what happened to him, and by his new least favorite dragon. Probably the only one who could beat him at dragonchess." There's a wince, apparently that was worse than saying 'outwitted.' "You were one of the candidates, right? I saw you on the sands, didn't I?"

"Yes fine, just - hadn't expected to be taken so literally." She coughs a laugh. She nods, "I see. Well, losses are fresh opportunities to learn at least." Is all that's offered for the 'o' word, though she is starting to get a feel for the thought processes of K'zin's life mate. At mention of the sands she nods, "A necessary experiment in stupid courage, though as it turns out, less essential than I thought." She remembers her conversation with the weyr woman, about the weyr being open to refugees regardless of whether they stood. A little late for that, but she was happy that she'd faced her fear of the giants, even if only once. With as many changes as she'd faced in the last few months it felt good to do something about them.

"Always be careful what you ask for; you never know when you're going to get it. Like Standing. Stand only if you want to chance walking away with a dragon." K'zin's lips are pressed tight, but there's some amusement in the look, the edges of them turned up in a smile. "A chance to learn is one way to look at it." Probably not the one adopted by K'zin and his lifemate judging from the tone which allows but does not embrace the idea. "Once you're on the Sands, it's just a matter of staying put and not bleeding out. Accepting Search is the scariest part, but they never clue the candidates into that." He talks like he knows. His swallow takes down the last of his drink. "Speaking of things that take some courage though, I've got a bronze ego to wrangle into productivity for early morning drills." He makes the excuse as he stands.

Edyis nods, contemplating the words quietly. "Accepting was actually the easy part, realizing that I might impress, well. Who knows if I will ever try it again." She smiles, "Thanks for the drink, best of luck to you, I should be studying." She lifts the tablets.

"See? That's exactly what they want you to think." K'zin's face is expressive and comedic in that moment and it ends with a wink for the girl a few turns his junior. "Best of luck to you with your studies." He adds before heading for the door leading out to the patio ledge and the bowl beyond, buttoning his riding jacket as he goes.