Logs:Of Lessons of Turns Past
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| RL Date: 29 March, 2007 |
| Who: R'hin, Shanlee |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| When: Day 16, Month 6, Turn 11 (Interval 10) |
| Your location's current time: 1:49 on day 16, month 6, Turn 11 of the Tenth Interval. It is a summer night. You walk across the thin strip of land between the main lake and smaller pond, winding through rocks and boulders. As you near the southern bowl wall, the path begins to incline, taking you to a plateau several dragon lengths above the lake against the southern wall. Diving Cliff the worn, stone steps that disappear into this flat area resting high above the waters below. Huddled families of rocks, boulders and pebbles lay strewn around the edges of the clifftop. The sandy center of the half-plateau seems to have been cleared of any debris and the area provides enough room, sitting or standing, for many people. A small journey to the edge of the precipice reveals the true use of this place. The deep, midnight-blue waters of the lake shimmer below in the moons' light, and the shorn patch of rock near the edge proves that many a person has felt the thrill of a swift flight from this clifftop, only to be enveloped by the chilly waters of the Weyr lake. The night is clear, not a cloud to be seen, giving you a perfect view of the stars. The smaller Belior shines in half moon while Timor is a nearly full waning gibbous. There seems to be a light breeze and the summer air temperature feels comfortable. It looks like it might be fun to 'jump' or 'dive' off the cliff into the water. Contents: Shanlee Kaylith Tiqueth Obvious exits: Path It's late enough at night that most of the Weyr has long since gone to bed. Not all of the spire's denizens are dreaming, however: the summer night is warm, and much has gone on lately, so that some sleep is disturbed. R'hin's in casual clothing, pacing his way up the diving cliff, lost in apparent thought. Perched atop Kaylith's forearm, legs curled up under her and a wineskin slung carelessly across her lap, Shan's seems in some or other conference with the little green. With it being so late, the sounds of another approaching is quite clearly heard, though the form not so easily made out in the darkness. The muted sounds of conversation and rumbling stop abruptly "Evening Sir." is called out in a low voice, when it seems Kaylith had informed on the Weyrleader. Momentarily taken aback, the Weyrleader's steps slow, pale eyes fixing on the source of the voice until he can make out the owner. A twitch of lips, and a faint smile from R'hin as he says, "Shanlee," he resumes his path, now directed at the greenrider and her dragon. "Kaylith," he adds, with his customary nod towards the green. "You're both well?" he inquires, sharp eyes settling on the wineskin for a moment as he stops nearby, head tilted. Kaylith lowers her head and inspects the Weyrleader with interest before offering a low croon in return greeting. "You were looking for solitude Sir?" her voice still kept low as if somehow speaking too loud might disrupt any peace to be found on the Cliff. Catching R'hin's glance to the wineskin, the greenrider offers a vague smile "Relaxing, thinking..." as she holds it up demonstrating that actually it's still quite full "Wouldn't mind sharing." "Peace," R'hin corrects, accompanied by a low-throated chuckle as if all too aware of the futility of that wish. His eyes light on the skin as Shanlee lifts it, with a spread of hands, "Am I that easily read?" he asks, grinning as he steps closer. "I wouldn't mind," he admits, his tone becoming more serious. "I'm glad-- that you're relaxing. It's important, not to forget to do that. Now more than ever." Shanlee's quiet a moment "Peace? Does the concept exist anymore?" her tone sounding a little cynical. Gazing out over the bowl for a short while she brings it back to R'hin again a rueful smile on her mouth "No Sir, not so easily read. Just what most of us seem to be finding solace in at times." The greenrider holds the skin out "Help yourself." then lips purse slightly "It's not the same anymore is it? Relaxing that is. Never quite relax, the brain doesn't switch off." "It does," R'hin answers, a little sharply - only because of the alacrity with which he answers. "And it will again." He sounds very sure of himself, as if by sheer force of will he can make it happen. He takes the skin, takes a swig of the wine, and finds a nearby rock to settle on, booted heel pulled up onto the rock beneath him. "Harder," he concedes with a nod, as he takes another deep, appreciative drink, before leaning over to pass it back. "I find running helps me. You focus so much on the run you forget anything else, at least for a short time." A fine brow raises at the tone but Shan doesn't comment on it, Faranth knew Shan had no room to talk when it came to being edgy lately. Arranging the skirt she's wearing around her legs, the redhead leans back against Kaylith once she's relieved of the skin "Not what where we thought we'd be huh?" idly commented and not really needing an answer. A faint grin appears "Not much of a runner. Though if Kaylith doesn't have a fit perhaps I should borrow a runnerbeast from the stables and go for a hard ride...." words trail and it may seem she's finished speaking until "...worked back home." The dragon in question utters a small humphing sound which could be taken either way. "No," R'hin agrees, with a slight clenching of jaw. "I had plans, many plans-- it was going to be great for us, Shan. And now--" he lifts a hand to gesture to the sky, before letting out a slow, uneasy exhale. Pale eyes flicker to the green, then back with a faint tip of head. "You should run with me sometime. It's much more enjoyable when there's competition. Maybe I'll even let you win," he adds, magnanimously, though there's a glint to his eyes that conveys his good humor. "I know." Shan's response is softly spoken to plans for the future "There were so many things..." frustration leaks through as she drops a futile subject. Concern flickers behind the green eyes as a long considering look is placed on the Weyrleader "You're doing good R'hin, you lead us well through this." the more familiar term of address used to offer encouragement to the man behind the title. "You'd let me win?" amusement plays through her tone now "Well then, that's certainly an offer to consider." a more relaxed grin appears "I like to win." Kaylith nudges at the greenrider almost knocking her off her perch "Hey!..." pause as a message is passed. Inhaling a breath slowly uncertainty swirling through her voice "I might have a way to warn the others..." she ventures. "Good?" R'hin echoes, the word radiating bitterness. "We lost two last fall, when we were prepared. And Jorea--" he breaks off abruptly, jaw clenched. Anger's fairly obvious in the sudden rise to his feet, pacing back and forth, though guilt is probably visible in the slow exhale of breath. A slight furrow of brow mars the Weyrleader's forehead, pale eyes fixing sharply on Shanlee. "A way to warn the others?" he echoes, confused. Shanlee's eyes darken "She flew in my wing, I carry that responsibility too." is pointed with some heat though likely directly pointed at the situation more than R'hin "I stood watch over her after last Fall so Dassah could get some sleep for once." With a sharp shake of head, the wingsecond fixes an almost hard look on the Weyrleader "There was nothing you or I could have done to change what happened." pause "Doesn't make it any easier to accept or find a peaceful night's sleep granted." her tone turns gentler "There's no other we'd rather follow into Fall." this including her lifemate. A silence draws out as she reconsiders saying anything right now to warning others. Her attention falls to her hands now idle fingering at the end of her braid "The others. Traders, Halls, Holds, Crafts....about impending Fall." her tone now serious "Might give them time to get indoors or find shelter." R'hin's voice is tight, accepting, "I didn't train them well enough. Or keep up the training. I didn't, because we were in an interval. It wasn't -meant- to happen." He shakes his head sharply at the look from the wingsecond. "It doesn't matter that we -couldn't- have changed it." At her softer words, the pacing ceases, the Weyrleader staring at the greenrider with a twist of lips. "You, maybe. Others don't feel the same as you. And they can hardly be blamed." The faintest twitch of shoulders follows. The latter is latched onto with interest, almost demanding, "How?" "We all carry that blame Sir. None of this was supposed to happen. Shards! The last thing I expected that day was to fly straight into the Leading Edge when Iseuth called. But we did, and we fought and more came home than didn't." anger tips Shan's tone as that first rogue Fall is recalled "And we'll go up every time it falls and do what our lifemate's were shelled for." Heaviness sits through the breath expelled "Could have, would have, should have isn't going to help now." R'hin's next words bring a slight narrowing of eyes "Anyone who doesn't respect your leadership or methods will shortly find themselves on the wrong side of thread. Not following a leader implicitly and without question under such conditions is how people make their 'own' mistakes." that word deliberately stressed. "This is -not- the time for personal feelings over who does or doesn't have rank to come into it." a slim hand waves "Just my thoughts on the subject mind." Lips twist into a half-smile at the last question "Flitters..." the smile widens "They know. They warn, we just didn't realise it. Well I didn't anyway." "Ever the optimist, Shan," R'hin mutters, though the words are spoken without heat, as he reaches for the wineskin to take another generous gulp. "Personal is -exactly- what it is. I've -never- tried to make anyone follow me blindly, without question - I've never wanted to. And now I must ask them to do precisely that." Rough fingers squeeze at the wineskin a little too hard, and some of the liquid sloshes out, before he holds it out to the wingsecond. "Firelizards?" he echoes, dubiously, with a twitch of brows. "Those things are flighty as anything," he dismisses, with a wave of hand. A heartbeat or two follows, before he asks, "How do you know?" "Hmmm...." clear amusement spills into a low chuckle from Shan at the first "No Sir, not really. A good friend set me straight a while back. Cleared my head for me on a few things." a light shrug follows "Dwelling on what was and should have been isn't going to help me, my wing or those I feel responsible for. In fact it'll likely get them killed." the words flat in speech "So now I fight. I fight thread, I fight those that make this 'war' we're in personal and fight to make others see the potential they have." The redhead glance downward strange sadness in her look "I know you haven't, but these are trying times. You got someone to follow without question up there, personal feelings aside and without question. Someone most thought never would. Do you even realise that?" Taking hold of the wineskin, the greenrider takes a long settling swallow before answering the question "I've been speaking to people that have flitter that are'nt riders and they're all saying the same thing. C'len and I saw it that first Fall too." The Weyrleader's silent throughout Shanlee's speech, studying her, expression inscrutable. Warm amusement drifts into his voice, abruptly, "I remember having a conversation about how you were not like others. It's nice to see I was proven right." R'hin's fingers brush Shanlee's briefly as she takes the skin, shoving hands into his pockets as he rocks back on his heels. "I did? Who?" he seems genuinely puzzled. "So," he exhales. "The firelizards know? Hm. But, how many in the holds have firelizards? Not as many, these days. Still, it's worth looking into. See if you can chat to those from Lotriet-- the refugees. If some of them have firelizards, they'd have first hand experiences with it." "Don't know how what I said makes me different. Just trying to make the best of an impossible situation." Shan shrugs "Haven't always handled all this too well." slight sheepishness shows through "Took it out on some that likely didn't deserve it 'til I got straightened out." a wry grin appears "Had to go apologise to a whole bunch of folk." The greenrider cants her head to one side as R'hin pockets his hands "B'yan." is her simple reply to who had followed without question. "That I don't know yet. Perhaps it could be made a priority that any clutches found are distributed amongst the Holds, Halls and Crafts first." uncurling her legs to dangle over the edge of Kaylith's forearm she continues "I haven't been able to track them down. The only free time I seem to get back here is at this time of the day and most 'normal' folk are rolled up in their furs. But I'll make it a priority to seek them out." "B'yan," R'hin's both surprised and amused at the mention of the bronzerider, "Was never a concern for me. He was always going to follow, if it was in his own best interests to do so. He may not have loyalty to the Weyr, but his self-preservation rates highest on his list of priorities. It's the older riders I'm worried about." Pale eyes trail towards Kaylith for a moment or two, before shifting back to the greenrider. "Tell me what you find and," he holds up a hand, "Make it an official report. I believe you, but we need proof before I start putting holder's lives at risk on the flightiness of a firelizard." A smirk curls Shan's mouth upward "Don't let him hear you say that. He's more loyal to the weyr than he'd like to admit I think." this to B'yan's reasons for following. The older riders being mentioned does however bring a frown to knit the fine brows together "I know. I've had a run in with them one of them. There's just no reasoning with some people especially when they won't see this has nothing to do with liking or not liking someone but rather just following orders plain and simple. "I'll do so Sir. It's more a case of them knowing what to watch out for than anything else. At the very least a flitter going nutty will have them running for shelter. If it turns out the flitter was merely uptight about something...." a lopsided grin appears "Then they got some good exercise in. Kasiese....her flitter warned but she didn't realise that's what he was doing. Once they've disappeared...it's too late - thread is falling already." "Perhaps," is all R'hin says, non-commital. His head bobs in agreement with Shanlee's assessment. "Given that, if someone else were in charge, I might feel the same, well-- it isn't that easy." He pulls hands from his pockets, running one over his shaven head. A wry sort of chuckle follows at the wingsecond's comments about exercise. "As amusing as that idea might be, the last thing we need is panicky Holders jumping at shadows and calling in the wings when it's not needed. We're all high-strung enough, I think. Maybe if we get them to keep an eye on the well-trained ones, only-- anyway. It bears some thought. But, I should head back to my weyr before I drink any more of your oh-so-tempting wine, wingsecond," eyes glimmer with amusement, giving a half bow towards the greenrider and dragon alike. "Like the hairdo by the way." Shan chuckles a hand waving at R'hin's shaven head "Interesting look." Taking a last swallow from the wineskin, it gets carefully recorked and settled in her lap "I know. Was just teasing. If too many false calls were made the Holders would stop paying the flitters mind." A thoughtful look hovers "Maybe I could find someone who could help with training them." a grimace forms "Actually I know someone who could help but I'd really rather leave him as a last resort....personality conflict." is supplied on that topic. Pulling her knees up under her chin, careful not to squash the wineskin in her lap, the greenrider grins "You're always welcome, that way I get to share the hangover." a wink follows that. "Sleep well Sir." a salute is given for the half bow. "I haven't forgotten the lessons of Turns past," R'hin says with a wry grin, though he does look pleased at the compliment. He nods at her mention of a personality conflict, lips twisting in silent sympathy. "Well, perhaps it'll give me the excuse to share one of my many hangover cures with you, wingsecond." He responds with her wink with a cheeky grin. "And you, Shan," comes the Weyrleader's warm words as strides down the cliff. "Think I'll remain blissfully stubborn on that note." Shan lifts the heavy braid "That's one thing thread won't be taking from me." The greenrider waves off the sympathy "I might have just the cure for that particular brand of conflict." a smirk fits itself again. "Deal. I'll share my wine, you share your cure." her words likely go unheard as the Weyrleader makes his way back down the cliff. "Come love, we'd better turn in. Early drills tomorrow." as she clambers up the strapless side and the green pair make their own way home. You meander down the path leading back to the lake shore. After tracing the line of the bowl wall for a few dragonlengths, it turns north and winds its way between rocks and boulders before opening up to the lake shore. |
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