Logs:Give Me Something
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| RL Date: 26 September, 2014 |
| Who: K'del, X'vae, Z'riah |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: Two Monocoans want to transfer to High Reaches. K'del doesn't want their warm bodies. |
| Where: Council Chambers, High Reaches Weyr |
| When: Day 3, Month 12, Turn 35 (Interval 10) |
| Mentions: M'kris/Mentions |
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| Council Chambers, High Reaches Weyr At the heart of this oblong cavern is its meeting table: a long hardwood oval with a mirror's dark shine, High Reaches' sigil picked out in lapis and onyx at its center. Twenty chairs surround it, each softened by an embroidered cushion that's just a little too stiff for complete comfort -- meetings need to be kept short, after all -- with the chair at the table's head, facing the ledge, being somewhat larger than the rest. Interspersed between glowsconces upon the smooth walls, ancient tapestries depict the territories High Reaches protects in a particularly pastoral fashion, all fluffy clouds and fluffier llamas, or else fishing crafts sailing merrily out to sea. Among them is also a natural alcove, its several wooden shelves primarily stocking fine wines and liquors as well as the glasses to serve them, though the lower shelves also hold whatever hidework requires particularly frequent attention. A narrow wooden door leads to the Records room, while the tunnel that extends to the weyrleaders' ledge is wide enough for three men to walk abreast, with just enough kink in it to block the wind.
Z'riah just loves freezing his butt off outside. He's probably been complaining about it for a while by the time they're waved in. The greenrider is still mumbling under his breath as they come into the council chambers, but he's well-mannered enough to echo the bluerider's salute. Perhaps not quite as crisp, but only because his arms are probably half frozen from standing outside. It's respectful, anyway. That's what matters. Monacoans are not, needless to say, on the top of K'del's list of people he's interested in meeting with, but he's not a cruel man - there's making a person (or people) wait to make a point, and then there's being silly. And so, here K'del is, sitting in his usual seat at the narrow end of the oval table, a stack of paperwork tidily set at his elbow, on his left. The pair of young riders are met with a thoughtful, considering expression; K'del's pale eyes consider first X'vae, then Z'riah, and then return to the former. "Riders. High Reaches' duties to Monaco." A pause. "What can I help you with?" X'vae's cajoling efforts were, no doubt, largely wasted on Z'riah, but it hasn't dampened his near omnipresent good humor. His expression now is an open sort of thing, though there's certainly an edge of vulnerability as he answers the question without any preamble; why beat around the bush? "We'd like to transfer, sir." At least he's direct, and not wasting K'del's valuable time. Since Z'riah isn't quite as into this whole idea of transferring as X'vae is, he lets the bluerider do the talking. Or maybe that's just one of his defaults. So his response to X'vae's words is a simple nod. Yup, that thing he said. That's what they're here for. K'del's gaze flicks back towards Z'riah, brows raised as if in a challenge: is he just going to stand there, silent? He's still looking in that direction as he asks, quite simply, "Why?" 'Why' is a question that X'vae surely was expecting, but it makes his cheeks redden with a blush. "M'kris, sir." It's simple, right, does he need to explain? "It's not--" What is it? He glances toward Z'riah for help. There aren't many times the bluerider is at something of a loss for words, but hopefully both Monocoans know now is not the time for X'vae to go off on some self-righteous tangent. Z'riah meets K'del's gaze easily, no lifted brows or indications that he would rather not be looked at like that. He's perfectly capable of using words. "Monaco is no longer an atmosphere in which we feel comfortable taking orders, sir. We've heard good things from your riders." Although K'del nods, there's something in his expression that suggests he's not wholly convinced by mention of Monaco's Weyrleader; as though he has his doubts. "And why should I take you on? Already took on the whole of Savannah-- and we've two clutches of weyrlings coming up." His expression, now, is expectant. X'vae clears his throat. This is the part where they sell themselves. So there's the obvious pitch, though one the bluerider seems to mean most genuinely, "Sir, I've no doubt we can make ourselves useful to this Weyr. We've not been riding as long as some, but we've four turns out of weyrlinghood. Before-- well, everything," that K'del certainly already knows about, "You entertained a rider exchange between Monaco and High Reaches. I'm skilled with Monaco's search and rescue procedures and tactics and I'm sure there's much more to learn here, but I'd hope I'd bring knowledge enough to compare the methods and improve upon the existing, if that's possible." Certainly, he sounds as though he's willing to put in the work to do it. "And as you've said, you've already taken the whole of Savannah. What's two more who can put in the work to earn their keep?" Z'riah will have to offer his own credentials. As X'vae speaks, Z'riah's gaze shifts there and he doesn't say anything to contradict what the bluerider says, so he must agree. With everything. "I follow orders." It falls a little short in comparison to his clutchmate's experience, but who doesn't like a man that can follow orders? "And I'm loyal to my friends." If not his Weyr. Minor, easily overlooked details. Nothing in K'del's demeanour suggests he's wholly impressed by what's been put forward; he raises one fine brow, glancing first at the greenrider, and then at the blue. Finally, he sighs. "You can get, though, why I have my doubts. Why, given our history... it's not that I'm unsympathetic, but simply, it's got to be more than this. More for my Weyr. What can you offer that I really don't have? We're in an interval; it's not like I need warm bodies." So, his eyebrows say. What else? X'vae's more blue-today eyes widen just a touch; it's probably the first time since his decision to leave Monaco that it's occurred to him that High Reaches might say no. After all, isn't taking in wayward riders the Right Thing To Do? Didn't they take in Savannah? He blinks and misses the appropriate moment to make an answer, letting his gaze slide to Z'riah in his momentary bafflement. And then there's Z'riah, who doesn't expect anyone but X'vae to do anything just because it's the right thing to do. He sees the world in much grayer shades. Probably a lot of dark gray, at that. "We can prove to you that we aren't just warm bodies, sir. If you give us a chance. I promise you." "Can you?" K'del leans forward, ever so slightly. "It's not that I want to say no, but-- it's politics. Got to look after the people I've already got. So," he continues, once again shifting his attention from one to the other, his expression only momentarily sympathetic as it passes over X'vae's look, "if you can make it worth my while, I'll take you gladly. But I need something." Something. Anything. By the time Z'riah has made his promise and K'del more or less accepted, X'vae has recovered himself enough to square his shoulders. "We'll need time." He glances to the greenrider before stupidly saying, "A fortnight should suffice. May we have your leave to occupy one of the guest weyrs in the meantime?" Z'riah seems confident. There's no wilting away from K'del's questioning, anyway. He doesn't try to convince the Weyrleader further, instead nodding along to what X'vae offers as a timeline. "You'll hardly know we're here," is said with a smile that girls probably enjoy, even if the bronzerider aren't typically as impressed. It takes only a moment, this time, before K'del nods. "Fine," he answers. "You've a fortnight. If you've got something to offer me, at the end of it, we'll get you in on probation. Just... we're not Monaco. We don't do things in the same way. We're not unwilling to welcome new people, but you-- well." Well. X'vae's nod is crisp. "We will, sir." That assurance brings a renewal of the bluerider's easy confidence and smile, both of which have been sorely lacking in this interview. "By your leave, sir, we'll go get to work." He sounds now like he knows what he's about. Sounds. "We'll have something," Z'riah echoes X'vae's sentiment, offering a respectful nod to the bronzerider. And, like his friend, he waits for a proper dismissal, but he glances at the bluerider in the few moments meanwhile. K'del presses his fingers to the bridge of his nose, rubbing there as if this - or perhaps whatever else is on his plate - is beginning to give him a headache. "Fine," he says. "I'll expect you back in a fortnight, then. Good luck." His free hand waves, idly; they're dismissed. |
Contents
Comments
Azaylia (01:59, 28 September 2014 (EDT)) said...
Man, I really like seeing K'del be Tough McWeyrlord Face. It was really cool. Interested to see what Z'riah and X'vae might come up with to help change his mind.
Edyis (02:23, 28 September 2014 (EDT)) said...
Hah! This was awesome.
Roz (11:27, 28 September 2014 (EDT)) said...
I liiike it! Warm bodies, indeed.
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