Logs:Jo-Stamped Approval
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| RL Date: 20 March, 2014 |
| Who: Jo, R'hin |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: R'hin has a proposition and seeks Jo's approval on a certain greenrider. |
| Where: Starsmith Hall |
| When: Day 16, Month 4, Turn 34 (Interval 10) |
| Mentions: K'del/Mentions, Telavi/Mentions, Taikrin/Mentions |
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| R'hin inviting Jo out to random places isn't exactly out of the ordinary; there was that trip to Tillek's winery -- ending in being thrown out; a whirlwind in-and-out visit to a small hold down Lemos way carrying some secret package that R'hin never disclosed the contents of, and tonight: an invitation to join him at the Starsmith Hall. The offshoot of the Smithcraft sits near it's fellow Hall and somewhat overshadowed. It does, however, have the advantage of backing onto the mountains, and a small trail has been cut into the mountain to allow ascent to the very top. It's a long trek, mostly for the determined, but it's well worth it: as evening settles in, the various stars begin to appear, making for a vast background to an admittedly cold night. R'hin is rugged up in his borrowed jacket, looking pleased (and mostly not out of breath from the stair climbing): "Ready to help me test these?" he lifts the sack he's carried up with him, for her inspection -- inside is a variety of far seers, some like those used on the ships, some larger. Despite the Glacier bluepair not often around in the public eye of the Weyr (those that know her well, however, always knew where they could find her besides), Jo always seemed to manage to be present her and R'hin's excursions. This night doesn't seem to be much different from any other spent together - perhaps it being a toss-up on whether they'll get kicked out this night or the next. Still, this seems to be one of those lowkey affairs as she in all her black leather takes up the offered sack once the climb was done and indeed gives the contents inside her close examination. "Are we spyin' on pool-bathin' girls or somethin'?" is her agreement on being ready for tests, hefting that sack over one shoulder with ease. "Or do ya have a far more sinister plan for these, darlin'?" Leave it to her to think of any bad thing they can do rather than good. "If you know some places we can do that, then that's next on the list," R'hin affirms with a low-throated laugh. "Are you suggesting I would use these for nefarious purposes?" he says, a hand pressed against his chest and affecting a look of shock and alarm at the accusation. "My dear temptress, I have nothing but good intentions." Of course, it's exaggerated enough to read deliberately falsely, even if the knowing twitch of lips that followed didn't give it away. "But," his hand slides around Jo's waist to guide her to a clear patch of ground, "I'm told the best way to determine which are the best devices are to see how clear the outlines of stars are. If enough of these are good, I can get a good deal for all of them -- cast offs and apprentice made, but sometimes those are enough. If you're lucky," he adds in a lower voice, "I might let you take one or two for your own... use." "I think ya partly hang with me cuz of potential nefarious deeds," Jo counters smoothly as she turns to let him guide her to that patch of ground. "I've yet to be associated with anythin' to do with good, clean fun. So yer lookin' for the best of these to make some marks. Must be a substantial amount to go through all this trouble, darlin'," and she sweeps an arm about, indicating the smithall they're at. She meets his gaze then, looking entertained by his last before she bumps her hip against his and says, "I have nothin' but good intentions," deliberately borrowing his line. "I would use it to watch for onery felines." "I think you're more perceptive than your pretty looks might lead some poor helpless suitor to believe," R'hin retorts just as swiftly, chuckling. "But," his left hand lifts, as his right hand, still around Jo's waist, seeks to slide the edge of that leather jacket up, letting in a cold shock of air against bare skin, "Only partly." Tilting his head, he doesn't follow her gaze when she gestures towards the hall. "Not marks, so much as an investment. Sometimes it pays to see what's coming up ahead -- don't you think? Here, this will do," he gestures down -- it seems dry enough underfoot as he drops to the ground. That the place he's chosen gives them a good overview of both Halls, as well as Telgar Hold, is probably not entirely coincidental. "Felines, hm?" he echoes. "I suppose they can be -- troublesome." Jo can certainly take a compliment. There's that slight tip of her head to it before she says back, "Ya do well to flatter. I haven' gotten pretty looks associated with me unless to get outta an ass-kick 'bout to happen." She nods on his explanation before settling down at the chosen spot, taking a long look about them at the view befoe she glances back his way. "I agree on investments," she belatedly chooses to say then, setting the sack within R'hin's reach. "Useful trait, knowin' how to gain favors. And, someone has to watch out for those pesky felines. Call it my contribution to the Weyr. No need to thank me," she waves a hand as if he truly believed he was going to, though the inflections in her voice remain the same as she says so. "It's outta the kindness of my heart. So we're just checkin' these against the stars, hm?" she reaches in to pluck the topmost farseer from the sack, holding it out to him in askance. R'hin's head tips, amusement in his tone: "How do you know I wasn't only saying it to prevent just such a thing? After all, you could take me." He stretches a hand to take the offered tube from her -- it's a smaller one, with neat folds of metal that lets it go down to a fairly compact size. "Mmhmm," he agrees with her latter statement. It takes him a moment to figure out how to pull the tube out to full size, and he squints through it as he says, "Don't imagine you'd have much cause to look out for felines up this way. Down south, though--" he's sweeping his gaze over Telgar Hold way, "--you should definitely invite me, next time. I miss the warm weather." Jo takes a moment to study the bronzerider from head to toe before answering the first with, "There is a fightin' ring in Greenfields," given perhaps lightly and teasingly. "I've seen ya fight, remember. Don' think I would get in a tussle with ya lightly." The object is handed over and she watches him with it, and his response on felines draws a lopsided grin from her as she leans back on a propped arm. "Perhaps these felines up here come in clothes," she suggests wryly to him. "Missin' Monaco, or just the weather?" When she mentions the Greenfields ring, it makes R'hin chuckle, something sly creeping into his expression as he glances away from the farseer to her. "In front of everyone? I didn't think you were an exhibitionist, temptress. But, I've always been willing to try out new things. Even feline hunting." His gaze lingers on her for her latter question. Instead of brushing it off, he goes silent a moment to consider his response, almost careful when it finally comes: "I miss -- the freedom I have, there. It's a different sort of responsibility, and a different... visibility. Everyone here looks at me, and thinks, Monaco, or former Weyrleader. There, I'm far more invisible. I miss that." Pale gaze flickers to meet her brown eyes, as if searching for understanding. "Exhibitionist, a woman of discretion...." There's a slight one-shouldered shrug from Jo. "Ya can be surprised of what I'm willin' to do, R'hin. I think ya already know that, though," she notes, considering him with her gaze. "Ya already figured that part of me out or ya wouldn' be spendin' yer valuable time out here with me." When he goes silent, she patiently studies him and the far seer in his hands. When he speaks, she doesn't interrupt, and there's a slight nod from her when he mentions how he's viewed back in the Reaches. Running a free hand through her hair before meeting that gaze head-on, "Sort of like me with where I grew up," she tries to relate with a slight frown on her face. "Goin' back there ain' an option when all they'll see is the girl that ran off with a drifter just to get away from her dad. I can imagine how frustratin' that can get, havin' folks harp on yer past. A shame ya can' feel the way ya do in Monaco, here, darlin'. Some folks just have a hard time with lettin' labels go." "Yeah. Like that," R'hin says, holding her gaze while she speaks, then looking away as she talks about labels. He lifts the farseer to his eye again, sweeping across the Halls and Hold both. "Yes well, luckily, K'del's a man who can see value in trying out new propositions. We're trying something a bit... different in Savannah for a while. Playing at... feline in people's sheep. Learning what we can to help the Weyr. E'nest... Enbar, he struggles to keep an even head, but the new weyrling that just joined, Nita, she's smart and quick to adapt. I'd like to tempt you away even for a few months from Glacier -- you're perfect for this sort of work -- I know you're pretty loyal to Taikrin, and I think she'd rebuff my advances," he's grinning a little now, but there's a glint of honest determination in his gaze as he glances at her over his shoulder. "But K'del said I could take anyone, if they want in." When R'hin puts his farseer to his eye, Jo goes for one in the sack to use as well. She chooses one of the smaller ones, Holding it with a few fingers as she brings it to her eye and gives the view a slow sweep. When he mentions the endeavors he's involved in along with the Weyrleader's name, she pauses long enough to move her eye from her farseer to look his way. Brow arches with that ever-present crooked grin as she straightens up and meets his over the shoulder look. "Ain' just Taikrin ya'd have to tackle with, whether I want to or not," she answers now on his offer as she idly adjusts the settings on her chosen farseer. "Certain folks need me in Glacier for certain reasons," she goes on to say. "And yeah, due to hard-earned loyalty. Ya tell me, though," and she leans forward earnestly, "what I can do to lend a hand despite the wing change. If I can, even. As ya may have noticed, I don' stay in one place too long in my days. I do all kinds of favors for all kinds of folks, if I like ya enough." There's definite curiosity in R'hin's gaze at her mention of certain folks. Vagueness is definitely not a thing that sits well with the bronzerider when someone else is using it. "I could make the same accommodations, if that's all that's stopping you. Being in the wing offers you protection. If something were to happen -- it becomes my fault, and I am from Monaco, and can be sent away. It gives the Weyr a way to divorce themselves from the outcome, if the worst were to happen. I wouldn't," he lifts a hand as she leans forward, to brush fingers along her cheek, "Risk you, any of my wing, otherwise." "All that stops me is Glacier and those that need me in it," Jo states easily. "Somethin' tells me that this endeavor of yers is all-inclusive? As in, there would be little room for other obligations outside of it? There would lie the issue. I have....deals," she says carefully with a flick of a hand. "I can' stray from for even a day, both within the Weyr and beyond. Glacier affords me certain freedoms and discretion that's been beneficial for me. Not so much 'bout protection," she goes on to say, bringing her farseer back to her eye. "Ain' 'bout risk, either. Sorry, darlin'," and looking his way, she does appear genuinely so as she leans into his touch. "If only. I can do favors in the shadows for ya if ya need somethin' questionable handled, but probably no more'n that unless things change for me." She looks like a woman with far too many demanding loyalties, and perhaps that burden could be heard in her voice. "The whole point is freedom. There'll be certain investments of time, but you'll be able to tend to things outside of it as you will." Certainly, R'hin knows about the pull of loyalties, and the fact that he goes silent for a moment, studying her expression, attests to that. As is the casual shift of conversation that follows, as his hand drops away and he resumes his looking through the farseer. "Just think on it. It won't be for long, anyway. And -- do you see that? There, third window on the second floor. Is she--?" the only thing to see there at this distance is blurry shadows, but it's a deliberate, easy sort of distraction that one could well make guesses about what was going on. Then, with a shake of his head: "Mm. What do you think of Telavi?" "Freedom is an interestin' word," Jo notes on it idly, pulling from her farseer to set it back down. Glancing at him, "A word that tend to mean different things for different folks. I'll think on it. I'll even consult those that have me. What did'ja--?" The farseer comes right back up and she scoots closer to look in the same direction R'hin is looking. "I don' see any-? Who, Tela?" From one distration to another, and the farseer goes back down in the silence as she seems to be gathering her thoughts on the woman. "She's....well, known her before the Reaches. Before she Impressed. She has potential in the right hands," she says with a nod. "Still does, but I think bein' at the Weyr brings more of her....sweetness out than usual. A good person. Attractive." Pretty much the same words to Jo, the way she says it. "Why, she's yer type?" she asks now with a hint of humor. "Think she's got potential to be in yer wing, even?" "Yes -- so it is," R'hin mutters, practically under his breath, at her talk of freedom. Soon enough, though, he's chuckling briefly, though his gaze remains on her as she talks of Telavi. "The right hands," he echoes. "Are mine the right hands, then?" he asks, as he lifts his own as if for inspection, with a twitch of lips. "Been thinking about it. She's held her own in a situation or two, and it seems a waste to let her stay in the weyrling wing waiting for the next queen to rise when she can be... do, so much more. I do so hate to see wasted potential." Dark eyes falling on the lifted hands for her inspection, Jo leans forward to peer right into them as if the answer would lie there. "Yer capable," she answers shortly after a moment, leaning back with a chuckle. "Look at how ya managed me. Here I am, at the Starsmith," and hands lift to indicate their surroundings, "a place one like me wouldn' be unless to be up to some mess." Dropping her hands, "I think her joinin' would be a good idea," she voices then with an approving nod. "Might be the thing that drives her towards who she could be. I'm glad ya'll met." "Jo-stamped approval. The best sort of approval there can be," R'hin says, sounding pleased. "And well, here, there's still plenty of time and opportunity for mess, although -- I think for once we might get out without being chased out. It could be a nice change of pace, don't you think?" He doesn't reach for another of those farseers, despite claims of them being the reason they are here. "I heard in the lower levels of the Smithcraft hall they built some sort of contraption that generates heat hotter than the sands, and even better than the hot springs. You want to find out if that rumor is true?" He turns one of the hands he holds out over, offering her a palm instead. "Damn straight," Jo doesn't deny that first. She sets her farseer back into the sack before she adds, "A nice change of pace. I'm game. Be good to come home without blood in yer hair one night, right?" No, she's not kidding. She gets to her feet when R'hin speaks about a heating contraption, her interest there in her gaze as she steps forward to take that palm-up hand to cover over it. "Thought ya'd never ask," she teases in response, that smile full of her signature bravado. "Let's go check it out." R'hin, of course, isn't about to abandon his loot -- while one hand curls about Jo's, the other reaches to grab the sack as he pushes to his feet. "I'll race you down? Last one down has to put on a show for the other." He suggests, even if there's not really enough space on the rough man-made steps to pass anyway -- and he seems inclined to let her precede him. With him taking up the sack, when R'hin makes the wager, Jo looks like she really couldn't resist. "I'm expectin' a full show, too," she notes to him in all seriousness. "Even when ya take off-- hey, I think I see that girl again in that window, she-- what's she--?" and instead of finishing, the bluerider is racing on ahead of him with a quickness....and with laughter. Precede or not, she's making the most of her distracting words to pad the playing field. R'hin's low-throated laughter is not far behind her, even if physically he's a tad further back, as if maybe pacing himself on the long trek down. Even if he does so, she'll definitely reach the bottom before him, though the bronzerider equally delivers in putting on quite a show for her, later. |
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