Logs:Near Graduation
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| RL Date: 3 February, 2016 |
| Who: Edyis, Pia |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: Edyis has an early graduation gift for Pia. |
| Where: The Sandbar, Ista Weyr |
| When: Day 2, Month 13, Turn 39 (Interval 10) |
| Mentions: Aishani/Mentions, Jo/Mentions, Lys/Mentions, Mielline/Mentions, N'rek/Mentions, R'vel/Mentions, Yesia/Mentions, Z'kiel/Mentions |
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>---< The Sandbar, Ista Weyr(#447RJ) >---------------------------------------<
Standing on stilts over the water's edge with a broad ramp leading up from
the beach, the thatch-roofed building sits well above the highest tide
line. The walls of the structure are nothing but timber frames, open to
the cooling sea breezes but equipped with hinged panels of woven grass
that can be lowered during inclement weather. Within, supporting pillars
are draped in cast-off nets and shells and myriad tables provide seating
with spectacular panoramic views of the ocean, beach, and the bustling
activity of the docks to the west. A finely polished, sparkling slab of
obsidian serves as the bar and it's smooth surface is etched with
decorative carvings of shipfish and flowers and other emblems of the
tropical location. Shelves behind the bar are lined with bottles and
glasses of various shapes and sizes and hanging in prominent view are
slates listing the menu, beverages both alcoholic and not as well as a
handful of greasy appetizers provided by the kitchen to the rear of the
bar.
Use '+drinks' to see the drink menu.
>-------------------------------------< 2D 13M 39T I10, winter afternoon >---< While it may still be winter in Reaches, Ista is balmy breezes and sunshine the beach and beach side bars already starting to fill with people looking to spend an afternoon in the sea and sand. Akluseth, already freed from those pesky straps is sunning on a sandbar out in the water. His rider, already out of Reachian leathers and into more weather appropriate attire, a sea-green sun-dress and sandals. She's claimed one of the tables at The Sandbar, a large paper wrapped parcel sitting on the table while she nurses a tropical drink of some variety. Dark eyes scan the sky and the beach waiting for the arrival of the guests of honor it would seem. Luishaeth has already visited Ista (and found it wanting; who would want water as clear as that?!), but in this Pia reigns supreme: they are going to meet Edyis and Akluseth, and they are going to enjoy it. The small, dark green thus appears overhead right on time, swerving downwards to land within the bowl rather than on the beach. It means Pia has further to walk to find Edyis; still, she's as cheerful as ever as she approaches, changed into a light sundress of her own. "Edyis! Isn't it lovely here, after all the snow at home?" Water is water. Or at least that seems to be Akluseth's feeling on the subject, and it's a friendly rumble and a soft sea breeze of unobtrusive greeting from the brown to the weyrling pair. Edyis grins when she recognizes the starcrafter's voice and nods with a warm smile. "I thought it might be a nice change of scenery, since winter's finally rolled in back home. Plus the food and the drinks here are decent." There's a gesture for her to take the seat in front of the brightly colored parcel. "How does it feel to have weyrlinghood nearly over?" Huh. Luishaeth plainly disagrees, but perhaps she's disinclined to argue verbally-- or perhaps she'll wait for Akluseth to start it. For now, she launches herself back into the air and begins to head out to see, wings carefully capturing the breezes as she seeks darker, deeper water. Better. Pia, grinning, slinks herself into the offered chair, eyes dropping briefly towards the parcel, and then back up to Edyis. "It feels good," she admits. "A bit like the very end of my apprenticeship, except I didn't know for sure I was going to walk the tables, you know? If I failed. But I know I'm not going to fail weyrlinghood." Edyis laughs, "I very much doubt you would have failed your apprenticeship either." She catches the glance to the parcel, and her smile turns wry, "Have you given any thought to what wing you want to be assigned to? Not that you get much choice in the matter but it's always fun to speculate." Waving over one of the servers to order another round of food and drinks. If we're being honest, Pia very much doubts she would have failed her apprenticeship, too, and likely did at the time... but, well. Edyis' question draws some surprise from the weyrling; "Tundra, of course! I already know I'm headed there-- it's not that I think it was formed because of me, but R'vel has already indicated that was part of it. Thanks to you! I'm looking forward to it. To getting back into my mapping. I have some great projects in mind." Maybe it's the enthusiasm, but Edyis can't help but laugh a little at the answer. "I thought as much, but one never knows for certain." Nudging the parcel closer to the greenrider now. "I didn't have all that much to do with it to be honest, but it's a good experiment, Tundra. I look forward to seeing the results of your efforts. Hopefully your graduation present will go a little ways in helping you achieve those goals." Inside the brightly dyed paper is a large wooden box, that when opened reveals several trays containing inks and pigments. A ruler, compass and sextant have been included, as well as a large sheaf of handmade papers of varying textures and materials along with parchment hides, some appearing standard while others have color to them that might suggest a different animal used than the norm. Pencils, ink-pens and nibs have also been included in their own pull out trays. "You brought it to their attention," points out Pia. "Or, anyway, you brought me to their attention." She's grateful; her genuine appreciation is so-obvious in the warmth of her words and the brightness of her expression, though it's also true that her gaze drops again towards the package, which she opens with eager fingers even though, "Edyis, I haven't graduated yet you kno-- oooh." The sound she makes is one of pure delight, followed by a happy, contented sigh. "It's beautiful," she continues, opening one tray after another. "Yes well, I got my graduation presents early, I figured I would continue the tradition. Besides with areas opening their doors again now that the plague has passed, well better early than late I figure." The sounds earn a satisfied smile from the former scribe, "I was experimenting with different materials for paper and some of the animal hides that Z'kiel brings me from his hunts. Let me know if there's one that works particularly well. You will probably have to experiment quite a bit with sketching while Luishaeth flies to figure out which things work best." Pia lets her fingertips brush their way across the pencils and pens, and then the paper and hides as well; again, she sighs, that tactile experience clearly bringing her some great joy. "Thank you," she says, firmly. "I... just thank you, Edyis. It's perfect. I'll make the most beautiful maps you can imagine with it all, I promise." "Just promise me that you will never come to regret your decision to stand, and that will be more than thanks enough." Edyis comments softly, warmth radiating in her smile. "What projects did you have in mind? I'm curious now." She admits as the food and drink arrive. Sipping from her glass as she watches the weyrling with her gift. "How could I ever regret Lui, however grumpy she is?" There's more than simple fondness in Pia's words when she speaks of her dragon; clearly they work well together, despite their differences in personality. "The big one," she continues, reluctantly letting her fingers slip away from the gift, but mostly so that she can accept a drink, wiping condensation of the glass with her fingertips, "is that I want to properly map all the islands. The western ones, I mean." Edyis smiles, noting the affection. "The Western Isles, forgive me my Geography's a little rusty. Would that include the Island that Lord Devaki came from?" She grins, "You could probably compare your fly overs against the records the Seacraft has, and add in the currents since those are harder to see from the air." "Yeee-sss," is Pia's answer to the question of Devaki and his fellow islanders. "That's right. There may be other islands out there that people live on, so I guess there's probably some reason why the maps aren't great, but... I don't want to land and talk to anyone. I just want to know exactly what's out there. But," she gives a quick, firm nod, "the currents are a good idea. I'll look into that. Good thing I've some connections there." Edyis nods, thoughtfully, "Might find more than just an island of people. Wouldn't be safe to land either all things considered." She tilts her head a moment, "If you run into anything peculiar you can always reach out to us. Or to your wing." Scratching at her chin with a stray thought. "There was a queer rumor that floated around when Aishani was lost, it probably amounted to nothing but." The scribe's brows furrow a little. "Just be careful." "Devaki and his lot were exiled out there," agrees Pia, with a frown setting itself into her face; an unusual look for her. "There could be others like that, though I can't imagine anyone surviving out there for long." Which could be worse, depending on your way of seeing it. She hesitates, then, setting down her glass to consider Edyis. "A queer rumor?" "Or you could have people out there that don't want to be found, there was a problem with pirates a few turns back." She sets the glass down looking at it, closing her eyes as though trying to remember a report page. When Edyis opens them again, "Some thought that Aishani's death was not an accident. Granted for that to be true there would have to be something out there that could take out a dragon in the air, which to the best of my knowledge there isn't." She shrugs, "Logically it isn't something to give any credence to. Just one of those weird rumors that pops up from time to time." Brow furrowing, Pia gives an exaggerated little shiver despite the warmth of the Istan afternoon. "That's an awful thought," she tells Edyis. "I can't even imagine. But, well. At least they died together, whatever happened. Can you even imagine, dying without your dragon?" The last question has the woman swallowing hard. "I can,It has happened a few times. I can't begin to imagine what that would do to Akluseth, or what losing him would do to me." She shakes the shiver off. "It might be a selfish thing to say, but I would be more worried about losing Akluseth than him losing me, I don't think ..." She shakes her head as though to shake off the train of thought. "Really there is no need to discuss such thing, other than the letter to put in with the healers. Just be careful and don't take stupid risks and everything will work out fine." Right? Pia chews on her lip, giving her own sharp swallow in reply to Edyis'. "Well," she says, after a moment. "He'd go between pretty quickly, wouldn't he? They never survive us. But we... we don't have that immediate way out." Dark eyes, so surprisingly serious, study the other rider before she abruptly nods sharply. "Right. And know what it is we plan, if the worst ever happens. Really I think we should discuss something more cheerful, don't you think? How are you, Edyis?" At the question Edyis looks uncertain, "He wouldn't, not immediately, not unless he was absolutely certain I was gone." There's an appreciative smile for the suggestion of a topic change, "I'm the same as I always am." The non-answer given with a wide toothy smile. "I have a few projects of my own that I have to discuss with my wingleader and second first, but hopefully it will do some good. If not I can always focus on stitching books together and keeping Akluseth from chasing every green that glows." It might not be heard, but there is definitely an indignant snort from the direction of the brown. « Do not. » "He'd know, though. How could he not?" Pia's absolutely sure of this. "That's what happens, I thought: they just can't live without us, so the moment we die..." But that's a depressing topic, and one she's already attempted to shift them away from. Her cheerfulness returns, at least, for Edyis' explanation. "Does he win a lot?" she wonders. "Lui's not shown any sign of being ready to go up, but I suppose it could happen in the next couple of months." That is a question Edyis doesn't have an exact answer for, and since they are shifting on, though perhaps to an equally uncomfortable topic Edyis gives an exasperated sigh. "He chases alot, which probably isn't the same thing but," And then there's a look of absolute terror at the realization that Lui could go up. "The weyrling greens, oh Faranth. I forgot about that." Though it's probably not Pia that is the cause of distress. "What if he catches Evyth? I mean he chases Aeaeth just to spite me but I don't think I could handle... just no. No. No no no no no no no. No." Down the hatch with the drink. Pia can't seem to help herself: she begins to giggle. "I'm sorry!" she says, as she begins to take control of herself again. "But the look on your face... is it really so bad?" Edyis attempts to smooth her expression into something less comical, but likely she fails. "Lycinea is not my favorite person in the world, no. I mean," She sighs, "She seems much easier to get along with since she impressed, but on the list of top ten people I would want to sleep with? She's probably 686. And before you pass judgment on me, it's not the female thing that is the issue, I will have you know. It's mostly just the... I mean it's Lys. Evyth is such a sweet heart too, I'm sure he'll wind up chasing if she goes up. Truth be told he'll probably chase Luishaeth if she goes up too, but I get the feeling that you don't have to worry too much about him actually catching." All those words, one after another, and Pia can just laugh again-- but she doesn't seem to be laughing at Edyis. "Well," she says, "what's the likelihood, really? I mean, I don't have any experience in these matters, but it doesn't seem so terrible. Just try and make sure you're outside the weyr when it happens. As for Lui," and for this, she gives a little shrug of her own, "I don't think she especially likes anyone, so Akluseth shouldn't take it personally. I'm craftbred, so this is all weird for me, but... it doesn't seem so bad. I know I'll manage." Edyis manages to reign in the word vomit as she listens, and concern touches the edges of her expression. "You, took care of things right?" Edyis notes gently, "I mean if you got that out of the way generally it isn't too terrible. Not that I tend to stick around after the fact personally very often." Would that sound worse if she were a guy? "What about you, is there anyone you'd like to have catch?" That just makes Pia giggle all over again. "I'm not holdbred," she tells Edyis. "Really, I'm not at all concerned. She'll be caught by whomever she's caught, and as long as they're not cruel, I'm sure I'll be just fine." If there is anyone in particular she'd like to catch, she's not telling. Instead, "Do people expect you to stick around? Or is it just... 'well, see you around!'?" "I've not run across anyone whose been upset that I left. Though I've heard there are some who go for a second and third round sometimes. I never really did it myself because I was seeing someone at the time." She exhales then softly, "Seems to depend on the person really." There's a wry smile, "And don't think I missed that you didn't answer." Pia's turn to ask a probing question: "You were seeing someone? But now you're not?" Edyis blinks a little, as though she herself had not been aware of the tense used. "I'm not sure what you would call it, He lives in a different weyr, and is Wing-second in his wing, so weyr-mating is impossible." A small frown works its way over her expression, "Maybe it's more accurate to say that I don't know what to call the relationship anymore. I care about him, and see him when I'm able, but that's all it will ever be." Pia, sympathetic, gives an abrupt little nod. "Well," she says, "there's something to be said for not weyrmating, too, I think. I'm so very glad to have my own space back-- Lui scarcely counts-- and I know it's been months since we moved in, but I still feel that way. But I'm sorry, if it's not what you wanted, in this case. I hope it works out." Edyis shrugs, "You live and you learn, as tales of first love go, it didn't go poorly." Edyis laughs a little, "I'm not sure I could share my space with another human being for the long term anyway." There's another lift of the shoulders, "As long as he isn't hurt by me being with other people then I think It probably will. Who knows, I've yet to figure out dragon rider relationships, at least not without a flowchart, and about three wells of ink." Pia's laugh, for this last, is merry. "Can you imagine trying to flowchart who has slept with whom, in a Weyr? Given flights and everything?" The idea seems to genuinely tickle her fancy, though she breaks off from that thought to add, "It sounds like you're taking the right approach to it, anyway." "If you had a hide the size of a gold it likely wouldn't be large enough." Edyis agrees, and there's a lift of her brow, "There's a right approach?" Pia chases some ice around within her glass and says, cheerfully, "Well, there's a wrong approach, at least. That would me... weeping and wailing and expecting things to have gone a certain way, and... you know what I mean? You're being sensible, which is my idea of a good approach." Edyis laughs, "I'm so used to things falling apart, that I'm not sure I would even recognize when something was going right anymore." Finishing off her drink. "Just have to deal with everything as it comes the best way you know how I guess. I've never been good at it, but I try." She sighs looking at the glass. "Probably need to head back soon don't we?" "As long as it's the best way you know how," begins Pia, but she's not really good on answers, not really; she just smiles. "I suppose so. Back to the snow! If I can get Lui back here, anyway... she's probably halfway to the mainland by now!" |
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