Difference between revisions of "Logs:All the Possibilities"

>---< Sanctuary, Fort Weyr >-------------------------------------------------<

  Once a complete weyr, buried beneath the mudslide, this awkwardly-shaped  
  chamber has now been cleaned up and protected from the elements by a set  
  of proper doors where the ledge might have been. It's a cozy little spot, 
  all funny little shelves and nooks in the warmly-painted walls, various   
  ornaments sat in each space in the wall, from collections of tealights to 
  elaborate carvings.                                                       
                                                                            
  A third of the cavern is occupied by a large, rectangular storage unit    
  fronted by glass to make a counter-top, behind which lie a series of      
  wooden shelves stacked with crockery and various bottles, a proper yet    
  small built-in oven and a short, stocky cupboard. A selection of cakes,   
  biscuits and pastries are usually available throughout the day, set out on
  the countertop alongside a board detailing the variety of warm drinks     
  available. Small groupings of mismatching furniture sit scattered         
  throughout the remaining free space, lending the place a quaint, homely   
  air. Usually on-duty is Molly or Joy, kitchen girls known for their baking
  skills.

Sanctuary is not quite empty: there are a few people in the smattering of chairs, a couple sitting on a couch talking over a plate of pastries, and X'vin, who is leaning over the counter and speaking in low tones to the girl behind it. Molly and Joy are nowhere to be seen, but the smells suggest they've been here recently, at least long enough to deliver the plate of steaming tarts behind the girl attending the counter, forgotten in favor of company. "You said you were from Benden, before," the girl is saying, pink at the cheeks and leaning to meet him halfway, her arms folded on the counter and her smile coy. "Now you're from Fort?" A long sigh from the bronzerider. "A person can have roots everywhere, you know. Do you think I'd lie to you?"

Seeing as how her usual haunts were a little more crowded than she would have liked, Celestra has somehow found herself in the Sanctuary. Perhaps influenced by the warm and enticing scent of freshly baked tarts. Absent is her drawing pad, in her hands hold only a singular book as she walks through those doors, catching the tidbit of conversation at the counter as she walks up to it. "Well, if you're going to lie, at least try to be consistent about it." the Harper quips, a small smile tugging at her lips before turning to address the girl attending the counter. "Might I get one of those tarts?"

Whatever the girl was going to say in response, her mouth curled up at the corners in a flirty smile, goes away at once when she's interrupted by Celestra. "Of course," she says, then reaches out to flick at X'vin's nose, just missing and promising, "I'll be back for you," before she turns away. X'vin takes it in stride, as is often the case, and so Celestra gets a tipped nod of greeting and a radiant smile. "That would be good advice, if I were lying -- but I'm not. Who can keep track of that? Good afternoon, Journeywoman."

As the girl goes to grab the requested pastry, Celestra leans both arms casually onto the counter, shifting her position so that she angles herself towards the bronzerider just so. His response earns a soft chuckle from the Harper, "Lies can indeed be difficult to keep track of if one were to make a habit of it. Good afternoon, Wingleader." she responds in kind, also dipping her chin in a nod. "So you have roots in Benden and Fort, then?" she asks conversationally. Certainly none of that flirty demeanor the other girl had.

"It's why I don't bother. They're exhausting," X'vin qualifies. "And if you're doing the right thing, well...no reason for it, yes?" For all the rest, the bronzerider's expression turns sly. "You should understand, I'd think," he says without elaborating. Instead he turns to the counter. "Would you be kind enough to fetch me one, too?" X'vin asks very sweetly of the young woman who had his attention only moments ago, much to her dismay. She stiffens slightly with a withering look at Celestra, but nods briskly with a muttered affirmation. "That is, if you don't mind company."

When the bronzerider's expression changes and doesn't elaborate, Celestra's smile shifts into a knowing one. "Perhaps I do." she responds, not bothering to force the subject. Her gaze drifts from him to the girl behind the counter, ignoring the look she gives the Harper. With her attention back to X'vin, Celestra gives a slight shake of her head, "Of course not." When the girl returns with the pastries, she detaches herself from the counter to find a pair of empty seats for them to occupy. "Y'know, I didn't even realize the Weyr had a place like this here. Rather cozy."

"Nothing bad. I just mean, you're from the Hall, but there's something before that. Which is to say nothing of the people who came before you, and what they brought with them and shared with you...." X'vin trails off as he takes his meal up, mouthing something that's apparently comfort if the way the kitchen girl softens is any indication. He claims the seat across from Celestra, plucking at the corner of the pastry and testing it. "There are usually nooks like this. Have you seen Dice? That surprises even me, every time."

"I wasn't implying that it was bad. I was born at the Hall, though my parents are certainly another story, if we go that route." Celestra says, a small grin replacing the previous smile. "Dice?" she echoes, "I'm not sure I've heard of that place." Surprising that she doesn't know everything about the Weyr already, with as much time as she spends with her head in the books. But perhaps not everything was recorded. X'vin seems intrigued by that. "Were you, now? No wanderlust in you, then, I guess? No desire to be different than where you came from?" It sounds almost insulting, like he's poking at her ambitions with a stick, but when he contnues it's clear he isn't. "I guess it's not so odd. I came back, as best I could. We don't wander far for very long, in most cases." He studies her curiously, then says, "You don't strike me as a gambler, so I'm not surprised. You could draw people's faces as they lose their stipends over and over, though. Poignant pieces, or so I'm told."

At X'vin's questioning, Celestra gives a shake of her head. "Unlike some of the others in my craft, no. I didn't seem to fall prey to wanderlust. I am much content with being cooped up in a Records room and surround myself with books, or simply go just outside to fill my desire to draw." The Harper doesn't seem to take his probing as an insult and nods in agreement, "No, most don't. I've only gone as far as Boll for my previous posting, but I'm back up here now." And no objections, there. As he studies her, she helps herself to the pastry, tasting it, and finding it rather good, helps herself to a slightly bigger piece. "Ah, so one of those kind of places." she muses, lips curling in amusement, "That'd make some interesting drawings, to be sure." And this time it's her turn to study the bronzerider, "Do you gamble?"

"Plenty of people find that kind of drive noble," X'vin acknowledges, tearing his pastry in half, then one half in half, and so on until it is in bite-sized pieces that he proceeds to work on. "One of those places, yes. I don't stay there long, but my wingmates make it a habit. I," he says pointedly, "am terrible at gambling. The closest I ever came was Standing at Benden, and I won Besmernyth, if you'd call it that." He wouldn't, if the drollness of his tone is any indication. For all his vanity, he would rather turn the converation back again. "What's your specialty?"

The droll tone of the bronzerider is not lost on the Harper and she chuckles softly. "Not a good habit to have, if that's any consolation." Celestra replies, before popping another small piece of pastry in her mouth. The shift of conversation back to herself receives a short pause as she finishes chewing that tart. "Archives, mainly." is said once that's done, "Though I do have some background in law, as well." Another quirk of her lips. "Some might think it a dull specialty for our craft, but necessary, all the same." And she obviously doesn't find it dull.

X'vin makes an agreeable sound in his throat, chewing and swallowing hastily. "I learned it's easier to give them their vices, than try to convince them of that. You're trained in the art of persuasion, maybe you can." He huffs a small laugh, raising a challenging eyebrow. "Or you can just be around to defend them when the weyrwoman ends up with their money." Of her duties, he has another hum. "Paperwork is a necessary evil, but law.... Mmmm. Did you ever practice much?"

"Probably best to not do that." Celestra says with a small laugh of her own on persuading gamblers not to gamble, failing to rise to the challenge, apparently. "I did, a bit, both at Fort Hold and down at Boll while I was there." the Harper affirms before another piece of pastry disappears. "Not many of my fellow Harpers are much interested in it so we're low on purely Law specialists, unfortunately." Thus her practicing more than one.

"Ah, well," X'vin says, defeated in his gentle goading. "Lilah can be scary, anyhow. I wouldn't do it either." Most of his pastry is gone now, and he settles back in his chair, considering her more seriously. "If that's the case, why not specialize in law, instead? The records and archives will get kept, but if you've the skill and enough desire to specialize twice, wouldn't it behoove the craft. And you, overall?"

Another low chuckle escapes on X'vin's opinion of Lilah, "She can't be that bad, can she" Celestra muses. Oh little did she know. As for her pastry, there's still about half of it left as she's much slower on its consumption. There's a thoughtful smile for the latter, "It would, most likely. I have indeed been giving it some thought." the Harper admits, gaze shifting to her small plate and back up again at the bronzerider. "I guess I feel... mm...more invested in the archives. I've spent much more time with books in history than of politics and rules."

"I think she's fine, but that doesn't mean I would underestimate her," X'vin clarifies for her, making a tsking sound. "She's motivated by goals, and if she owns Dice, I imagine one of those goals is or was at some point, marks." What that says about Lilah, well. For the rest, he is still thoughtful. "You'll have to forgive me, of course. I was never part of the Hall -- any Hall -- but it does seem that the archives will last with, or without you, my dear. But if so few Harpers practice the legal sides, don't you risk losing it? Not the books, of course," he says with a wry smile, "but the art? Larger things have been forgotten. Or, are you just less into the human side of it?"

"Well, from what I've heard of her methods, I certainly wouldn't think of underestimating her. And having goals is certainly a good driver, if anything." Celestra comments after making a noncomittal 'hum' as to that subject. There's only the slightest lifts of a brow on the fact that she also happens to be the owner of Dice. Interesting. Still no real judgement as the Harper has had no real opportunities to speak with her. There's more lift to her lips at the use of an endearment and Celestra can't help but chuckle softly before giving a more solemn nod on the matter of law. "You are quite right, of course. The archives have been around for a long time. The legal side of our craft has only really come into light recently, thus the severe lack of interest." And then a shake of her head. "No, certainly not that." The human side. A thoughtful pause and a small frown. "I guess I'm not really sure what's holding me back."

X'vin has very little to offer on Lilah beyond that - least of all opinions. The gossip mill keeps his relationship with the goldrider quite covered, thank you very much. "Perhaps you should really consider it. You might find it rewarding, if you can find the right cause to back, for the right people, at the right time." He reaches for his plate then, empty as it is, and tugs it closer in some anticipation. "You could be Master Celestra, teaching young Harpers to defend those who don't have the means to defend themselves. With the Interval upon us, I can think of plenty of situations that might warrant that, over tempering hides and rebinding old books about long-dead weyrwoman or Lords."

Celestra finishes off the rest of her pastry as X'vin continues, expression still thoughtful as she stares down at her own now-empty plate. As for her being 'Master Celestra', the Harper can't help but chuckle softly. "Master? A possibility. But even then, it takes Turns to be one. I doubt I'm quite there." As much as she hoped to achieve the status like her own father. "It has been rewarding, the times that I did practice. There is, of course, a delicate balance when it comes to law." And another opportunity may rise soon enough, if her recent correspondence was any proof. "You've certainly given me much to consider in terms of the benefits it offers." And she offers him a grateful smile as her gaze flickers back up to meet the Wingleader's. Though her expression does turn curious for a moment, "And what kind of situations are you thinking of?" For surely he had something in mind when he spoke of it.

"Someone as dedicated as you? No wanderlust, only the craft, only goals? You'll get there. Unless," he says, his tone gently needling, "you decide gambling is for you, and you leave the Hall. Or, hm. You don't strike me as too old for Search, either." His shrug is noncommital as he finally pushes his chair back. "I have nothing specific in mind. But even you probably know that there is...restlessness here. And history speaks for itself. Lord Fax and Ruatha, the holds failing to tithe. Maybe with law, those things could have been prevented." Maybe is the key word there, and he raises his brows to stress it. "Someone has to establish balances before they can be enforced. Why not start now?" He leaves the question dangling rhetorically. "Just something to keep in mind. It was good talking to you, Journeywoman. I should get back to Ailine. I've been very rude, but there's something about a Harper...." Trust that last to fall into flirtatious as he pushes his chair back into place under the table.

"No no. No gambling for me." Celestra protests, giving another shake of her head. And then, "Me? Get Searched? Mm... I don't think I've got it in me." Dragons and Celestra? An odd thought. The Harper had never really considered it, unlike many of her fellow crafters when she was younger. There is, however, a nod of acknowledgement about the current restlessness at the Weyr. The rhetorical question, goes unanswered, as do most rhetorical questions. The flirtatious tone merely gets a bit of a smirk. "It was a pleasure speaking with you, Wingleader. I'll see you... around." She'll just stay here and relax in the meantime. Reading that book she still has and thinking of future possibilities.

"You never know," is of Search and, "I'm sure of it," is for the last. "I still owe you the courtesy of standing still," he reminds her, dismissively. But beyond that, X'vin will let her keep her table and engage her book, taking his plate back to the cool reception of Ailine. It doesn't last long, of course. He smiles and teases the kitchen girl for a whole minute before she's softened, and soon enough they're laughing there at the counter again, where no doubt he'll eventually lure her away from her duties for more fun endeavors.