Logs:Clutching Dinner Considerations
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| RL Date: 27 January, 2016 |
| Who: Dahlia, Ninwayzan |
| Involves: Fort Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: At the clutching dinner, Dahlia meets the architect of many delectable desserts and recommends he consider the possibility of being asked to Stand. |
| Where: Living Cavern, Fort Weyr |
| When: Day 9, Month 12, Turn 39 (Interval 10) |
| Mentions: N'rov/Mentions, Taylor/Mentions |
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>---< Living Cavern, Fort Weyr(#513RIJMas$) >--------------------------------<
Fort's enormous Living Cavern is a vast, echoing space, with deep set
windows carved into the outer wall to let in light and fresh air. Large
enough to house the entire human population of the Weyr with plenty of
room to spare, the most common use of the living cavern is as a communal
eating and gathering space. Long tables with benches usually line the main
part of the cavern with a table set aside for the Weyrleaders on a raised
dais, as well as other smaller tables set along the walls for quieter
dining. Tapestries depicting historic moments in the Weyr's history and
scenery from the coverage area decorate the walls and lend the space a
warmer feel than bare stone.
To the east, a large doorway leads out to the Bowl, with a sturdy metal
door that can be closed during inclement weather or Threadfall. The
Nighthearth is tucked away in a little alcove near the door. The large
main hearth is used for cooking and for heat, though chairs are often
pulled up nearby for the Weyr's elderly to enjoy the heat. A swinging door
not far from the hearth leads into the Kitchen that shares the wall behind
the hearth. To the west, a passage opens up into the Weyr's Inner Caverns. The clutching dinner might normally be a feast of impressive proportions, but in light of the shortness of the tithes arrived last month, tonight's is simply a fancy dinner. Dessert features prominently as what helps make it fancy, as does the amount of alcohol set out on the drinks table. There are many happy faces, some worried, but all are largely having a good time. Dahlia was late, as might be expected from the dam's rider particularly when clutching was said to have started so late the night before, and her escort has since left her to her own devices which, at present is perusing the offered desserts with a discerning eye and as yet empty plate. Ninwayzan is quite new enough to the weyr to have this be his first clutching dinner. Perhaps not a feast but to his untrained eyes it's quite magnificent indeed. Seated at a table with several other crafters around him he still seems to be seated a bit off to the side by himself. Evidently someone hasn't made too many friends yet among the other posted crafters. To the right is a table of various riders all chatting loudly about the eggs and placing bets on colors already. Ninwayzan's half listening to them as he picks at his plate of mostly eaten food. He's not yet meandered up to check out desserts. Despite Dahlia's discerning eye, it doesn't take long for her to make her selection in the form of a layered dough with nuts and a sweet syrup captured in between the flaky stuff. A drink is taken up as she passes the table and then she's in search of a seat. It ends up being Ninwayzan's table that she ends up at, speaking first with a WoodCrafter Journeyman, all smiles and warmth for those moments before the other woman is excusing herself leaving room for Dahlia to slip into her seat, beside, as it happens, Ninwayzan, who gets a sidelong smile from the tired looking weyrwoman before she bites into her dessert and mmmmms appreciatively. Ninwayzan offers a sympathetic look towards the clearly tired weyrwoman. "G'evening Weyrwoman." he murmurs quietly as she slides into her seat. Noting the dessert picked out he inclines his head. "Good choice." Dahlia isn't unacknowledged by the other crafters, but a few polite greetings seems to be all that's required of her now as the conversation carries on around herself and the baker apprentice. She returns Ninwayzan's sympathetic look with a soft good-natured smile. Leaning a little toward the younger man she confides, with a lift of brows, "The ones with nuts are always my favorite, but in moderation," that last comes with a sigh and it doesn't stop her from taking another bite. "I'm at a disadvantage, apprentice. I don't think we've met, which is strange since I was sure I knew everyone in the kitchens." The invitation to introduce himself is there implicitly. Ninwayzan doesn't miss such an invitation so his next uttered words are. "Apprentice Baker Ninwayzan." naturally she's been seen around by him so he knows who she is despite never having personally met her. "A special treat is deserved though for such an celebrated occasion so I won't tell if you have another one." he says slyly. "Thank you, Ninwayzan," Dahlia pronounces his name carefully but smoothly, smile lingering, "for your discretion." She doesn't move to retrieve another, though, instead taking up her glass for a sip before saying, "And thank you for the sweetrolls N'rov delivered the other evening. They were delicious," she compliments effortlessly (and probably truthfully). "You're Journeyman Taylor's apprentice, is that right?" With a name like his he's quite used to the halting way of being spoken so when Dahlia manages it smoothly he looks a bit impressed. "Yes ma'am, I arrived with Journeyman Taylor when he was assigned here." back to the sweet rolls subject he oohs knowingly. "He really did deliver them then! I suspected he was going to keep them all for himself. I am glad you liked them." It might be guessed that a woman with a knot like Dahlia's, for all her relative youth and limited experience, probably has had quite a lot of practice with all variety of names among other sorts of training. "From Igen Hold, I think? I'm one of the people who helps process the transfer papers, so I'd seen your name but I'm glad to have a face to put with it." She sets her glass down, toying with the stem of it as she grins wider. "It may have been a fifty-fifty shot with how tasty they were, but this time he did deliver them. Were they your recipe?" "Yes ma'am, Igen Hold. Quite the change for me really." admits Ninwayzan. "The sweetrolls I made though not exactly my recipe." he confides. "Journeyman Taylor wants me following recipes more before using my own. Perhaps when I get to Sr. Apprentice." "I can imagine. It took me time to adjust, too. I'm finally down to wearing only two layers of sweaters, but it was three for my first two winters." Dahlia returns with a smile, her voice still quiet enough for this to be a semi-private conversation. "It sounds like a sound practice. I always had to follow my master's germination and planting plans. I'd only just gotten to the point of being allowed to develop my own, with his very critical check-over, when I came here and Stood." She glances briefly toward the other crafters and then at her plate, "Would you accompany me to the desserts? I can't think of anyone who could better advise me on what else to try." Ninwayzan looks startled. "Oh, you were a crafter before....?" briefly he follows her glance towards the other crafters then away. "Of course, I helped prepare most of the desserts up there. It'll be my major eventually." he confides as he stands. His own plate empty he notes. "I should get one or two myself." "I'm sure it's a specialty that will win you many friends," Dahlia says of desserts, rising gracefully and plucking up her plate and drink. She leads the way to the table, with murmurs of "Excuse me," where appropriate and only once they're at the table does she say, "I was a crafter before. FarmCraft. I have more turns crafting than riding to my credit," is rueful. "If you've never thought about the possibility of Standing, it's something you should give some thought to." It's not an offer to Stand, but rather the simple address of the idea. "You look like you're about the age for it." Ninwayzan follows along in the Weyrwoman's wake as they thread their way through to the table. "Farmcraft?" surprise flickers briefly in his expression. "I haven't even peeked at the eggs yet. Figured riders would want to see 'em first." and he was busy with the clutching feast all day in the kitchen. "Possibility of Standing?" he asks startled. "I hadn't even thought of it." "I get that reaction a lot," Dahlia says with a grin, catching the surprised look over her shoulder. "Apparently, I don't seem the type to like playing in the dirt." Only the wink she directs at him says otherwise. "All kinds want to see them. You're welcome to look. It's quite a lot of eggs, so no doubt the dragons will be excited to start finding candidates. It's not a decision to take lightly, but one I would urge you to consider. Before I Stood for the clutch that hatched Taeliyth, I Stood for another and one green wasn't able to find a lifemate among the candidates. Watching her search and not find and finally go between was..." The tragedy of it can be seen in her expression, a loss keenly felt. Shaking her head, she goes on mildly, "I'd hate to see that sort of thing happen to one of this clutch. Everyone your age ought to think about it, whether they're offered the chance or not." Ninwayzan's eyes widen slightly at the retelling of the poor green. "She didn't find anyone? That's horrible." he contemplate this a moment. "I'll certain think about it." he promises. "Though I'm just a Baker. I wouldn't know how to be a rider." The way the weyrwoman inclines her head slightly and closes her eyes confirms that, yes, it was horrible, but she doesn't linger overly long on that point. Instead, she suggests, "Maybe talk with some of the weyrlingmasters or the weyrlings. I guarantee you there are plenty of people who have no idea how to be a rider, but that's what the weyrlingmasters are there to teach." Dahlia's tone lacks push, her manner friendly. She looks to the desserts though, and murmurs, "On second thought, I think I might just slip away to get some sleep, if you'll excuse me?" She does look like she could use some. Ninwayzan bobs his head. "Of course, Weyrwoman. There are times that sleep overrides dessert." though certainly not for him! But for others....perhaps. "Clear skies, ma'am. And I'll be sure to seek out some of the weyrlings perhaps to talk to." if he finds someone his own age maybe! "Thank you, Ninwayzan," Dahlia returns with a smile that shows a little more of the weariness she must feel. "Enjoy the rest of the dinner," she encourages before finishing her drink and slipping off into the crowd, depositing her plate and glass on her way out. |
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