Logs:Cynicism
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| RL Date: 1 October, 2013 |
| Who: Aishani, Oriane, Iesaryth |
| Type: [[Concept:{{{type}}}|{{{type}}}]] |
| What: Aishani visits Oriane to ask for her involvement in a large-scale goldrider meeting. Oriane is skeptical. |
| Where: Monaco Weyr |
| When: Day {{{day}}}, Month {{{month}}}, Turn {{{turn}}} ({{{IP}}} {{{IP2}}}) |
| Mentions: Tiriana/Mentions, Hattie/Mentions, K'del/Mentions, Mirinda/Mentions, Iolene/Mentions, I'kris/Mentions |
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| One day, when it's cold up North and just starting to get hot down South, just before Iesaryth ought to be putting down her eggs at High Reaches, the queen returns to the skies above Monaco. It's not so unusual that she should visit, sometimes only to sit on the beach and watch the ocean for a time, but what is unusual is the gold's bubbly wash towards Evielth for more than a greeting, curious. Might her rider have a moment for Iesaryth's? She will wait if necessary. If there's a sparkle of amusement for that thought, it doesn't seem to be for Evielth. Riders. Evielth is always pleased to see Iesaryth, daughter of her daughter, daughter of her Weyr; she's friendlier than her rider, though effusiveness is never her way. « She would be pleased to do so, » is the answer, more restrained than would be Evielth's natural wont, but such things, in politics, are often called for. « The day is fine. » That clearly means something to Evielth, even if it's not immediately apparent; a moment later, however, she relents (or something like that), and shares: a paved patio-like area closer to the weyr buildings than the bar, designed for civilised comfort... and presently deserted aside from Monaco's formidable Oriane. Iesaryth seems to understand these things, though she could not be said to be restrained necessarily, only mannered. As she circles her way to a slow and careful landing on the sand of the beach, she is likewise pleased to find the answer so agreeable, the image such a clear one. « It is fine. Thank you Evielth. » She will try to remember, or at least, prevail upon Aishani to remember, the mind she so often uses as something of a filing cabinet as much as partner. It doesn't take too long for the tall dark goldrider to arrive, but when she does, she's dressed for the heat, with winter layers left behind, and carrying a bottle of wine, likely a peace offering of sorts. Once she's in earshot, she offers politely, "Weyrwoman. Thank you for finding time for me." Her dark eyes are calm and observant, but she seems to be waiting... for something. To see how Oriane might react, perhaps. Pleased by this, too, Evielth withdraws, but warmly. Her rider is seated beneath the shade of an oversized umbrella, enjoying the gentle breeze that comes in off the ocean without the heated rays of the sun overhead. She's been working - that much is plain from the stack of papers and reports laid out upon the table around her, weighed down by ceramic weights - but is obviously anticipating Aishani's arrival: her gaze is trained upon the path. "Your visits are always... interesting, Aishani. How could I resist? It must be important, for you to venture so far from home so close to her time. Come. Sit." It wouldn't be like Aishani to not flicker a look across the papers as she comes over to sit, offering forth the bottle first. "I've found it's done me well of late to come bearing gifts," she says, with something of a self-effacing expression, a wryness to her tone. She does quirk a smile Oriane's ways as she notes, "I'd rather that than boring, at least. And I am not only beholden to my own schedule at this point. I'd rather sort a few things out before we can't go far at all." There's a pause as she crosses her legs, letting her sandal swing, trying to put words in order. Careful, "I've been... a bit concerned about the issues there's been with the... assault of goldriders. The idea that it's... just done. I'm not the only one." Column after column of figures fill Oriane's pages, though they may not mean much at an idle glance. The Weyrwoman takes the bottle with a nod of thanks, giving the label a brief inspection before, apparently pleased, setting it aside. "How thoughtful," she murmurs, as much to herself (ostensibly) as to the goldrider. As her gaze lifts once more, she considers Aishani, listening to what she has to say without betraying her thoughts on the subject. "You speak of the situation at Fort," she concludes, at the end. "Not only that situation," Aishani says, after a moment. If there are others that might come to mind, away from Fort and closer to home, she chooses not to bring those up. "But it is certainly the most recent, and quite disturbing." Whether she thinks she could have done better in the same situation, how she feels about those specifics, it's hard to say, but she seems serious enough when she suggests to Oriane, meeting her gaze, "There are, perhaps, ways that we might find to have less to fear from one another. At least." It's likely deliberate that Oriane, too, makes no mention of that other situation - the one that likely still hangs between them in one way or another. "Do you fear other Weyrs, Aishani?" Oriane's question is light. "I do not. Nor do I fear my holds... though it is true that Mirinda and I rarely venture out, officially, without an escort, for all that that is rather more about appearances than safety. What is it you are asking me? Speak plainly." 'Speak plainly' is difficult for Aishani, given her background and such, her general disposition toward putting things in a less-than-clear way, but with a faintly frustrated little breath out, "I do not fear other Weyrs. I dislike uncertainty. It is no longer certain that Pern at large seems to be concerned for our safety, nor is it certain that Weyrwomen cannot be deposed again in the future. With agreements between weyrwomen, at least one of those things can be made more difficult." A beat before she'll admit, "There is likely precious little to be done about safety. But it's a concern." "Many of those who voted in favour of deposing Tiriana were Weyrwomen," points out Oriane, after moistening her lips with a flick of her tongue. "Including myself. Indeed, your Impress was largely a by-product of that deal. Which is not," she continues, shifting her position just so, "to imply that I believe it is anything but a last-resort manoeuvre. But it is a point I must express. I, too, care about the reputation and standing of weyrwomen, and that is why I wish that option left open, for desperate times." "They would have had to have been." Aishani acknowledges this with a nod, a quirk of lips that doesn't seem to indicate she condemns anyone for that decision. "I'm not saying I would see that changed. But much as I've been trying to say, and failing... once a door is open to something, it's difficult to close it. If that option is left open for such desperate times... wouldn't it feel a bit better if the weyrwomen could sort it out, given it is our reputation and standing... and apparently, our very authority in question?" Having leaned forward a little as she warmed to the point, she flashes something of an apologetic smile, sitting back, lifting her hands. "It's just something to consider. I don't think any of us are going anywhere." Hopefully. This point Oriane can acknowledge with a dip of her chin. "I don't have any particular concerns over any of our present Weyrwomen," she confirms. "Or Weyrleaders. Nor does it seem that any of those pairings are in such dire straights that any are considering that trigger - which would surely be a pre-requisite in most cases. Do you believe that the weyrwomen - a title I believe you do not even claim - could agree on anything, in practical terms? Could we sway one in our number, were they to need such swaying? I am not," she adds, after a moment, "dismissing your ideas, of course. Perhaps I simply have a cynical view on the likelihood of a room full of women coming to any kind of consensus." With a wrinkle of her nose, "I think we both know that my issue of semantics really doesn't matter to anyone outside the Weyrs, or likely outside my Weyr." Maybe not inside Aishani's Weyr either, but she's still wearing that knot, by all reports. Waving a hand, "But let's say goldriders? I wouldn't think a group of Weyrleader pairs could agree on anything in practical terms, but somehow it does happen, if by majority. I think there are a few common things that we may be able to agree on. As for swaying a number one way or the other... that is done in most situations of the like. If necessary, I'm sure it can be managed, but I am not considering anything too formal. However, cynicism isn't unwarranted. Nor is it unwelcome. I appreciate perspective." "You are simply... proposing a gathering, then," says Oriane, without turning it into a question - indeed, without her tone altering even minutely. "You and... Fort, I must assume, given your reference to their difficulties, and your connections there. Let us be frank: I see little benefit to Monaco in such an arrangement. We have stable leadership, and largely contented relations with our Holds. I don't know that I would especially enjoy another Weyr's goldriders," she smiles, as she uses that term instead of the other, "inspecting my business, analysing my decisions, making judgments... but I am not of High Reaches, nor of Fort. Perhaps you welcome such inevitable scrutiny. If we receive an invitation, we will attend; I can promise no more than that, and would advise you to keep your expectations low." Nodding once to the Weyrwoman's assumption -- perhaps to both, Aishani swings her sandal idly as she considers Oriane's words. "I don't think anyone especially enjoys such scrutiny. I would hope to avoid that, and instead focus on what can be done in a more general sense. I suppose we shall see how it goes, if it goes." Perhaps for that smile, the goldrider offers up a wider one of her own. "I will do my best. But I don't know that it is my habit to do so. Either way, I appreciate both your time and your thoughts on this, Weyrwoman." As she uncrosses long legs and begins to stand, "I will leave you to the sun and your work, though one sounds better than the other." "Of course," is Oriane's answer, though to which of Aishani's remarks is less clear. "I shall be interested to see what comes of this thought of yours; I do so enjoy observing." Aishani in particular? Everyone? Her expression and tone are too neutral to make that especially clear. "Best of luck with her clutching. We shall attempt to be there when her eggs hatch; we do not forget our own." And she will always be of their own. "She'll let Evielth and Zaisavyth know." Aishani is certain of that, and there's a glimmer of sun on waves to underscore her promise. Content to leave it at that -- so successful for a Monaco visit! -- the goldrider gives a lazy little salute before going back to the beach to nudge Iesaryth off of it, and home. And indeed, days later, the queen has her clutch on High Reaches' sands. Just in time.
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