Logs:Cunning and ambitious
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| RL Date: 29 June, 2013 |
| Who: Rasavyth, Iesaryth, K'zin, Aishani |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: K'zin invites Aishani up for an illuminating conversation. In short, Aishani rocks K'zin's world. |
| Where: Rasavyth's Ledge and Questionably Painted Weyr (K'zin's), High Reaches Weyr |
| When: Day 10, Month 2, Turn 32 (Interval 10) |
| Mentions: Iolene/Mentions, Jo/Mentions, Hattie/Mentions |
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| Rasavyth's Ledge, High Reaches Weyr What a spectacular weyr! Its large ledge boasts a pair of perfect hollows, room enough for a pair of bronzes, and just inside the entrance are a series of shelves cut into the stone, ideal for displaying small knickknacks and keeping everything organized. Questionably Painted Weyr, High Reaches Weyr At the back of the weyr the cavern branches into two good-sized back rooms with a double-sided fireplace occupying the wall they share. The weyr even comes already decorated. It has an ornately carved bed and press in both of the rooms; the front area offers a polished rectangular table and six matching chairs, a set-up perfect for entertaining. Rugs are scattered across the floor, their colors bright and cheery to match the walls. But oh, those walls! Some artistic hand has painted mural on every wall, filled with bright colors and bordered by mixed fruits and vegetables. The mildest murals are filled with exuberant scenes of dancing people, but most of them are of a more... questionable nature. They're certainly not the sort of thing any concerned parent would want their children to see, though they give the weyr a definite party atmosphere. K'zin's weyr is undergoing renovations, the two least offensive murals (food and dancing) have been sanded away and the walls primed for replacement. Iesaryth is still one of Rasavyth's favorite dragons. There can be no mistaking the warmth of his enjoyment for having a reason to speak with the gold, his mind's oozy ocean reflecting sunshine and capping little wavelets of excitement. It's not that he's been absent exactly, just preoccupied with regrettably little time. But now, there is time. For both he, and his rider. It's evening, after the duty day has settled, after dinner has come and gone, but not so late as to be rude. « My queen, » the supple tenor purr comes, « Might you and your Aishani be available? I should like to show you my weyr, such as it is, and my K'zin would like to ask more questions. We think they're best done with drinks and a private setting. If that is disagreeable, or the timing is not right, he can meet yours elsewhere, at another time. » (To Iesaryth from Rasavyth) To Rasavyth, Iesaryth has not been particularly present herself of late; though there's always the wash and rush of the tide whispering around and under the drums of the other queen that currently shares the Weyr, despite human politics. The gold has simply been elsewhere quite often, after the events that have found her and her rider both with so much time, though no less in the matter of activity. At least, that would seem to be the case from the way the fish beneath sunny ocean's waves move and dive, splash tails above water. There's some sense of bemusement more than surprise at the request, perhaps for the nature of it, or the suggestion of locale. « Do you and yours enjoy visitors? She is... less inclined. » To have them, not to be one herself, though a little of that sense lingers. There's some time before, « We will come shortly. » She hopes his ledge is easier than some. To Iesaryth, Rasavyth's cheerfulness conveys in a whip of salty air and spray as it coasts over the ocean of her mind. « Ours is a place meant for visitors and entertaining. » It doesn't exactly answer the question, but the sense of enjoyment and frivolity that coaxes some glittery fish of his own to leap might provide enough of one to be satisfactory. « We were fortunate in size. Though we are still renovating. Perhaps you should forewarn yours that the art on the walls left from the previous occupant is quite... colorful. » The word colorful carries overtones of a sexual nature. « That does not answer my question. » Iesaryth points this out good-naturedly enough -- it's rare that she's anything otherwise -- but she does feel the need to make a note of it. Interesting. She and hers are likewise fortunate in size, as there could be three of her in her weyr, but still: « If one is meant to entertain, I suppose that there's something to that. » Her rider could not be said to entertain, and those that find her entertaining are likely limited. There's that sense of bemusement again, edged with faint humor, and the queen's tones are closer to Shani's for the dry rejoinder: « She will survive. » The pair don't wait forever and a day to arrive at the very least; it's less than an hour before there's the snap and rustle of wings on the ledge. She lands carefully and lightly for her sheer size and bulk. (To Rasavyth from Iesaryth) To Iesaryth, Rasavyth's tone comes teasing this time, playful. « Can you not read between my lines, my queen? How could we not enjoy the company when it is you and your Aishani? » The enjoyment this time is split. Some fish jump, and others swim deeper. One guess which one is K'zin's school. He, in turn, soaks up this insight into the gold's life and her lifemate. « Is it that your Aishani prefers not to invite others into what is private? Into her home? Or is it more? » More than just disliking to entertain in her home, perhaps disliking to invite others into her life? His curiosity is gentle but not without substance, like a deep-water current. Rasavyth must have warned K'zin once he could see the gold through the as-ever pleasant 'Reachian winter weather. At least it's not snowing right now. The bronzerider is waiting just at the edge of the curtains that help block the weather with a pair of steaming mugs in hand. Rasavyth has squished himself off to one side, though it's not necessary, given the expanse of the ledge. Amused, « As you say. » Iesaryth is undoubtedly pleased by the lack of snow -- there's nothing that needs be flicked from wings or hide, nothing to drip off and make the ledge wet. Even if it is already, the queen finds it somehow impolite. Or at the very least, a bit gauche. And her rider doesn't need to bother with hoods or raincoats, just her usual wine-dark jacket with the fur collar attached, and its decidedly non-weyrwomany knot. As Aishani dismounts, the gold notes, « She is private. Period. » That's hardly a secret. Not many people go in or out of their weyr; the goldrider doesn't exactly have a lot of friends. The gold won't point out that Rasavyth need not squish so, but rather settles herself as compactly as possible, tail curled about her. She doesn't like to impose. Her rider seems to care less about imposing, taking the time to look around the ledge as she rearranges windblown curls, faintly quizzical in her expression, even before she's looking the weyrling's way. Once she does, sliding hands into jacket pockets, starting for the curtain, "I don't know why they didn't just make them all like this." Ledges, presumably. Rasavyth shimmers in appreciation of the gold's manners, even though there is no snow to call them into question. « He shall -- we shall endeavor not to cross any lines, but some of our questions boarder on personal. Some might even be personal. We are not certain. » The uncertainty shows in the confusion of his oozy currents. K'zin has shrugged into his knee-length charcoal coat with the double breasted buttons, though they're not done up, to wait. As she nears him, he shifts so the curtain is leaning against his back and he shuffles back to carefully draw it aside, not too far, but far enough to allow the non-weyrwomanly knotted goldrider to pass without having to be uncomfortably close. "It certainly would be more convenient. Some of the other weyrling's ledges' are challenging to say the least. Spiked klah?" He offers, "Spiked with alcohol," in case that needs to be clarified. "The cream kind. I forget what it's called." The queen can allow, « It is sometimes difficult to tell. » With anyone, but Iesaryth seem to think it might be particularly difficult with her rider. She's not bothered, but then, when is she really? The sun shines on the waves, no clouds in the skies above. Yet. The goldrider passes through in a quick sidestep that's faster and more like a dodge than one might think she'd be capable of, but that's another thing that's difficult to tell. "Indeed," she agrees on the ledges, more interested in scanning the place than the klah, at first. When she turns back, she glances to the pair of mugs with some slight hesitation, but she'll hold out a hand to take one anyway. "Thank you. It's appreciated, if I am to be interrogated, yes?" It's pleasant enough, but she arches fine brows K'zin's way, curious. « If you are willing, » The bronze murmurs after a moment of deep consideration; the ramifications of asking such a thing, « I would appreciate any warning you can give should we delve into inappropriate territory. If we do not start there. It is not my intent that this should put them at greater odds, nor that it should in any way bother your Aishani. But I recognize the possibility. » Possibility, though he harbors under his reflected ocean's surface suspicions that it is not, in fact, possible for his K'zin to bother her Aishani; he is not yet significant enough for that. The swift movement earns a little rise of brows from the man, but whatever surprise he might have had is quickly set aside as he hands the mug over, letting the curtain fall behind them. "It's the least I could do since you've volunteered yourself so willingly for questioning." There's an edge of humor to K'zin's voice, though there is an element of nervousness to it. "I realize my last interrogation of you didn't go well, and I'm hoping this one will be less like an interrogation and more like a conversation. I don't really have a couch or anything, and I don't suspect you'd like to sit on one of the rugs with me, so it'll have to be the table, but the chairs are comfortable enough." He gestures toward it, though as the largest piece of furniture in the wide open cavern, it's impossible to miss. Iesaryth can consider that, the constant tide soothing in its ebb and flow, the roar of waves muted. « There is always a possibility. » Of bothering her, regardless of significance. But even so, the queen can at least see what she can do in an effort to maintain some little serenity in this time. It's been hard won, if not on her part. Warming her hands with the mug, Aishani merely holds it for that for a moment, tilting her head slightly as she regards K'zin, dark eyes unreadable. With the trace of a smile, "No one was stabbed." So that means it was mostly a success? Flickering a glance to the rugs before the table, she nods once, seeming amused. "No, I tend to like something to sit on, myself. Inside, at least." Sipping from the mug, she starts over to the table, glancing around again and just... shaking her head, like 'some people's children'. "I'll admit some curiosity as to the topic, but... again, I can't tell you I'll necessarily answer." There's a wave of gratitude for any assistance she can give them. Then, manners! « The wallows are more protected from the elements, if you should wish to become more comfortable. » The bronze offers, there are two. Now that she has landed, he's shifting to be less compact, more comfortable - there's space enough for the both of them on this ledge. "You have an excellent point there." K'zin chooses to take the comment as humor, and perhaps catching the suggestion of a smile, "I was down at a bar in Bitra recently," he begins as he leads the way toward the table where there's a pair of glasses and a bottle of what looks to be fine spirits prepared, "-and there was this untrained singer talking about his run of bad luck with women, and he did a song that highlighted 'no stabbing' as one of his new requirements. The others were..." He starts the sentence, and is interrupted by a blush and he obviously chooses different words than the singer used, "Equally basic." Anecdote is completed as he sets his mug on the table and moves to pull out a chair for the goldrider; manners! "The history books and records are very black and white. I'm trying to understand something... more." The elements don't bother Iesaryth so much if she can watch -- it's not her view or that from the rim, where she still likes to perch regardless. Her appreciation is clear though, for the offer, in the sparkle of sun on water. « Do you watch where they go, what they do? » she wonders. Does Rasavyth pay attention to his neighbors, the other traffic of the Weyr? With a purse of her lips, Aishani says, tone threaded through with amusement, "I'm sure they were." She doesn't need the details. There's some details left over on the wall over there she might not need, but she does a good job of ignoring it all as she takes the seat K'zin pulls out for her with a nod of thanks. She crosses long legs as she sits, mug resting on her knee. Smirking, "History is written by those who figure largest in it. Thereby those that benefit most greatly by a certain perspective. Which is to say, it's all smoke and mirrors." If her tone is slightly bitter, she might have reason for it. « I watch. » Rasavyth confirms, « I listen, as well. Some are very forthcoming. Others, not. Many will speak with me. Some at length. Some... I am still working on them. » But as the ocean's shifts will certainly wear away the rock's resistance, so, too, is Rasavyth certain that he will win out in the end. « I find listening often more useful than watching. When they go, » Between. « I do not know where, unless they tell me. And I'd rather not have to ask. » He wants to be told. Sometimes that want is rewarded, other times unsatisfied. Once Aishani is seated, K'zin takes his own seat, sitting with markedly good posture. His mug is pulled between his hands. "That is, rather, why I am coming to you. It seems to me-- us, that your perspective on many things might be different than how the history books tell it." His grip tightens on his mug, "I don't want to play games with you, unless you'd prefer it that way. Exchanging pretty and carefully chosen words, gleaning tiny pieces of information where they can be gleaned. I'd like to just ask. So I will, but if you want me to play games, just say so and we'll forget I tried just asking," With a breath, he asks, "What was Iolene like?" « You would rather not know than be told? I would rather know. » If there is something Iesaryth really wants to know, there's little to stop her from finding it; her curiosity is such that her innate manners are likely a good thing. She too likes to listen, if some will talk. « I once spoke to all of the queens if they would speak to me, but they became more... circumspect. » Such is the way of things. Aishani, for her part, listens as K'zin speaks -- she's paying attention, her expression thoughtful, as if she's considering what he's saying, what he might not be. After a moment, she takes another drink before, "Much of my historical knowledge is from the same records, but if there is something I can speak of..." A lift and of her shoulders. She'll try? The question darkens her gaze a touch, but not from anger -- after an unreadable glance, she looks to the mug. "Iolene had a different perspective, and it was unappreciated. She lived outside... our society, such as it is, and looked at everything differently because of it. It is likely the similarity we shared. She was a good person." That's not a similarity, from the way she says it. "Why dig up this grave again?" « If I could see once they go, » Far away, wherever it is after the cold of between, « I would prefer that, to know for myself. But I will settle for being told over being blind to the occurrences of the world around me. » There is a curiosity from the bronze for the gold's discussions with those of her color. He doesn't press, but expresses interest in case she should like to share more. « I speak to any that would wish to speak with me. Most of what I am told is trivial. Some is not. » And it is for the some that he weeds through, and no doubt files away (just in case!), the mundane. K'zin, impressively by comparison to their last talk, keeps his eyes on her face, expression neutral but attentive and this time, unafraid, despite the earlier nerves. "Ysavaeth is part of Rasavyth. Iolene is, in the same way, part of this place, my home, that I am also part of. So many things she did and even those things she chose not to do, all her decisions helped shape this place into what it is. I'd-- like to get to know her. Except," The obvious. "I can't. I was hoping you would help me. I want to understand her. I think you were her friend?" Iesaryth could find out in the way she's found out other things, but she's learned over time that it's not really done, nor would be appreciated by dragons or riders. As for the queens, she can allow, for Rasavyth's interest, « It was when I was younger. » As much as that means anything to her, though she can rebuild with memories if need be. « Once you are grown, there is less that is... tolerated. I still speak to some. » Though not all. And she can't disagree that information is useful. Aishani considers her mug a moment longer before drinking from it again, hands cupped around it. Lips quirking slightly after, gaze distant, "Ysavaeth and Iolene were very different. Ysavaeth was... something else." There's something near admiration in her voice. Blinking once to look over to K'zin again, shrugging again, "As close a friend as one can have when lying to them about who and what you are, yes. I suppose." « Ahh. » Rasavyth conveys understanding. « Tacuseth and I spoke once of my youth being useful in that way. Already I have noticed changes. Soon, we will be ready to join the wings. That changes things a great deal more, I suspect. Are there any golds you speak with that I should come to know? I met Elaruth. She was quite pleasant, though suspicious, I think, initially. » "Would you tell me about her? Ysavaeth? How were she and Iolene different from one another?" This last seems to interest him most, perhaps because as must surely be sensed by Iesaryth, K'zin and Rasavyth, too, are different from one another. There's a pause, "I feel like... And I have no experience of course, but I feel like if I was pretending to be someone else for a long time, I would be that person, myself, too, underneath, but also that person. And sometimes they would be the same person. Maybe that doesn't make sense. What I'm trying to say is that if you felt friendship with her, I think that was probably true, even if there were things you felt you couldn't tell her." Even, apparently, big things, like the goldrider's roots. « Elaruth is cautious when there are eggs. » Iesaryth knows and respects that; it's not something she argues with for many reasons, the least of which is it's impolite when one is such a frequent visitor. « She has been kind. » Rasavyth is a bronze, though -- such things, cruising foreign queens mentally -- it might not go over so well. Even in his quickly fleeting youth. Aishani has to consider her words before, carefully, "Ysavaeth had cunning and ambition where Iolene did not. Iolene had... ideas, yes. But I doubt any of what happened was the rider's plan, fully. It's possible I'm wrong on that." K'zin's words have her regard him evenly for a long moment, neutrally, before; "It makes sense. To some extent." The goldrider wouldn't be quite herself without some caveat. A pause. "If I hadn't known Ysavaeth, I wouldn't necessarily have believed it's in some queens to want it for themselves. Perhaps entirely. It's interesting, where those ambitions go. To whom." « I have heard rumors of what made her cautious. It is understandable. » Rasavyth agrees fully with respecting that; it was merely an observation on his part. « I think perhaps she was suspicious of me. » There's flicker of uncertainty, « My queen, might I ask... am I unpleasant somehow? » Rasavyth with his oozy charm, willingness to listen or speak, intelligence, consideration, even... and that niggling sensation that one can't pinpoint the cause of that something is wrong about him. There's genuine concern and doubt in the question, so unique a moment that it has K'zin stopping short of his next question, brows furrowing. He takes a breath, "Cunning and ambition." He echoes thoughtfully, hauntedly. "Was Iolene kind, Weyrwoman Aishani? Thoughtful? How-- how ignorant do you think she was of Ysavaeth's ambition and cunning?" Concern laces his voice now, and he can't seem to hide that. « Some will always find something suspicious if they look for it. Though many have learned to be cautious against excessive interest in their matters. » Iesaryth considers, waves breaking and reforming as the fish swim beneath. « Is it your job to be pleasant to everyone? » It's not quite an answer, for all that she doesn't seem to find Rasavyth particularly unpleasant... but then, she's both brilliant and rather laid-back. Maybe it's just a matter of 'wait and see'. Aishani pauses in the middle of finishing her mug, fine brows arching questioningly as K'zin stops short. There's a flicker of her gaze toward the ledge briefly, then she leans forward to set the mug on the table and ask, "How ignorant do you think any of us can be of anything the other does? But that doesn't mean she was a bad person. Or she really knew what it meant to do what she did. And if she'd been thoughtful, I think she would have thought through to the inevitable difficulties." Ones that Shani had to help deal with; she and Iesaryth both. The queen snorts softly at that. Deceit is not her thing. Sitting back, "I don't know why it happened. I have only my theories. It wasn't worth killing her over, I know that much." « I am careful, very careful never to show too much interest. » Rasavyth isn't defensive, he's simply stating the fact. « In fact, I often only need get a dragon started and they will do the rest. » There's a little shake, as though the whole ocean of his reflection were inside a beach globe and someone just rearranged the scenery, sunlight glittering down to meet oozy blue, « It is not my job to be pleasant, no. I find it helpful, though. » He's aware that she did not answer the question, but he does not ask twice. K'zin has to swallow hard for Aishani's question to him. One that he allows to be rhetorical. He is finally prompted to speech, and shifts abruptly in his chair at her last words, "No, I'm sure it wasn't. Few things are worth killing over. Are--" He starts, and then stops himself, shaking his head. "Sorry. About to ask something I oughtn't. Not tonight anyway. I think perhaps I should quit while I'm ahead, and perhaps you'll consent to come back sometime and we can have another conversation. We can crack open Jo's bottle of the good stuff next time." He nods to where it sits on the table, unopened. Amused, « Some do like to talk. If they do, why not listen. » Iesaryth is pleased with the little shake, the way it shifts the perspective. With a splash of seafoam, « It is helpful, certainly. Though I do not believe anyone can be pleasant to everyone. » Something must irritate someone about even Iesaryth herself, imagine that! She can't really, but she doesn't exactly try too hard either. After a pause, « Yours may need you. » Not that she knows better than Rasavyth, it's just something about the conversation she's been following has given her -- or her rider -- some sense of that. If Aishani's passed on anything to her dragon, one would be hard-pressed to tell. She's just watching, interested in what's going on, even if it's only in K'zin's head. There's a slow enigmatic smile, a nod of acceptance; another time, fine. Though, "Don't ask what you shouldn't. And that woman does get around." A gesture to the bottle as she shifts, stands easily. "Here, or elsewhere. As there was no need for knives. Thank you for the klah, and whatever went into it." Sober-faced, for the knives. It's hard to tell if it's actually a joke. Rasavyth doesn't try to imagine it either. He's smart enough to know the likelihood of that exploration leading nowhere good. Besides, there's a heavy answer to be given now. « Yes. » The weight of the world comes with this single, simple word. « We shall speak. It will not be an easy night, I fear. » Whatever feelings he might have about what brings on this not easy night are kept so well hidden that there's not even a whisper of them in the bright sun as he cheerfully thanks the gold for coming to visit. She is, of course, welcome to his ledge any time she wishes a different vantage point. "I'll try not to. I wouldn't want there to be a need for knives. Yours or Jo's or anyone's. Now or ever." There's humor in his remark, but it's strained by something that is rising underneath it all. He rises from his seat, "May I walk you out?" At least there are always good manners to fall back on. Iesaryth will wish Rasavyth luck, as these things do require a little of it. Or forbearance at the very least. She'd offer help, but there's little she can do, particularly in matters between oneself and one's lifemate. « It will be fine in the end. » It's not necessary, no -- but what harm is there in offering it? As for Aishani... she's a woman who likes her space, and therefore can tell when it's needed. Leaving aside talk of weaponry, she waves off the offer. "No, I know where she is," she assures K'zin, with something of a sympathetic smile, if brief. "Sit, have a drink." She's already on her way out to the ledge, pulling on her hat. "Try to have a good evening." As she ducks out under the curtain, her expression is wry. Good luck with that too. |
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