- Living Cavern, High Reaches Weyr
- Stalactites hang high above this enormous cavern like a jagged chandelier or an inversion of the Spires themselves, but shadows cling to them instead of light. Below lie great tables arranged in rows, each large enough to serve a fighting wing, while in the nooks and alcoves around the cavern's edge sit more sensibly-sized tables, from six- and eight-seaters down to intimate spots for just a couple of diners. The only really open space is around the kitchen entrance, smelling of food and rarely quiet, and by the nearby serving tables with their long buffet of the day's offerings.
- Tapestries on the smooth walls -- some faded and others newly woven -- only slightly mute the sea of sound when a meal is in full swing, but they add cheerfulness augmented by the glowlight from wall sconces and the centerpieces of each table. Still, shadows always creep along the ceiling and into the mouths of the exits -- the myriad small hallways at one end of the cavern and, at the other, the twisting tunnel to the bowl near an array of coathooks and and hatracks -- and late at night, when the glows are allowed to dim, the chamber can seem very dark indeed.
Outside, the air is cool and damp, but promises to develop into a glorious autumn day in the mountains. Within the Weyr's walls, however, that cool damp translates into an almost clammy feeling that hugs the walls of the outermost rooms. Even the living cavern feels a little muggy, when adding the various bodies that frequent it during the breakfast hours. By late morning, however, that is just starting to burn off, due to both the hearth's ever present fire, and the draft being encouraged through the opening to the bowl. Through that opening, enters one Glacier rider, half dressed for riding, while the other riding gear is slung over a shoulder. All of this is dumped near an empty chair before he heads in the direction of the sideboards, in search of klah and leftover breakfast foods.
Hana is already seated at an empty table, her shawl to ward away the damp over the back of a chair and a distinct lack of any needlework (or baskets to carry it) in sight. Instead, it's a half-empty cup of cooled tea, and a slate that has her attention, beyond the occasional glance up. In fact, it's towards the sideboards that usually gain her attention, but that might just be due to the fact folks usually hit that first. A quick blink is given, before a smile appears, and the young woman calls out a simple, "D'kan!" and waves a greeting to the rider.
Luckily it's a slow enough hour between breakfast and lunch that D'kan is well able to catch Hana's call. He lifts a mug of fresh klah toward her, then grabs something quickly to fill his plate before heading in her direction. "Good morning," the rider greets cheerfully as he takes a seat at the table. "Hard at work?" he adds a moment later, nodding toward the slate before he sets to work finishing his klah before it loses its steam.
"Or hardly working - I am debating about procrastinating, or not," Hana replies with a bit of a grin - and totally procrastinating about making that decision before lifting a shoulder, "Just making a list," she disclaims as she moves her scarf from the one chair, leaving them all free for the choosing.
D'kan's soft, answering laugh is his only reply regarding the procrastinating, as his mouth is full of toast at that particular moment. Still, the joke is not lost on him, and once he's cleared the bite with another sip of klah, he shakes his head slightly. "Could have fooled me. What kind of list?" A moment later, he follows up the question with another, "Did you hear about the ban being lifted from the Hold? I mean, I'd assume so... hanging out with Azaylia and all, but..." There is his trademark grin that follows. "Not that we couldn't visit, but... dunno. Feels good."
Hana blinks a moment, then ruefully chuckles, "Actually, I had missed that announcement - I was too pleased with the arrival of the tithes, full and early," she admits. A sip of tea is taken, then a shoulder lifted once more, "Oh, just the pros and cons of an offer. Having a bit of a trouble making up my mind." Wait. Hana, having problems making up her mi... oh, right. Never mind. Carry on, situation normal. She follows that with a grin, "It does sound.. feel good, to know that is lifted though. Even if I haven't gone back, the idea that it is easy to do so, lifts a weight."
"Really, now," D'kan replies with another grin, though this one is a little crooked. "Tell me, did some wayward Holder's son propose marriage? Going to whisk you away? Or are we in dire need of a new headperson? Lots of pros and cons to either." He's most likely teasing, as his dark brown eyes are twinkling a little more than usual.
Hana swoons back, hand to the head, "But he is so handsome and light on his feet," she mocks, eyes closed. Well, briefly. One opens to watch D'kan's expression, before she then straightens up, "And it would be an assistant, as I really only have a limited amount of experience arranging things."
The peeked view of D'kan's expression would be rewarded with a full on smile, chipmunk cheeks and all. The rider washes down another bite of toast, then gives Hana something that might almost be a shrewd look. "I think you're selling yourself short on the arranging bit. But... I don't know, seems right up your alley, if you ask me. Not that you did ask me. Just seems to fit. Probably why it came to mind in the first place." The last of his klah is drained, leaning just a few more bites of toast. "Let's hear 'em, then. Pros and cons."
Hana makes a face, then points at her friend, "You are not helping with the procrastination. Just for that, I'm going to let you take me to the Hold once I get up my nerve... and when I get horribly, horribly sick, I'm aiming deliberately." More detail then she'd normally go into, especially when accompanied by an aimed piece of chalk, but given almost gleefully. That done, she straightens up, "... and that's part of the problem. I know there is more. Alright, though. Hm... pros. I get to tell more people what to do. Cons. People are going to be coming to me all the time to tell them what to do. Pro: I get more responsibility and trust." And pay! "Con: I'll be out of my comfortable area, and learning new things," that she might have no interest in. Or might!
D'kan ducks to the side to avoid flying chalk. Perhaps some lucky child will find it later in the day and add some new art to the walls. "I'm failing to see how that last bit is a con, really," he tells Hana. While his eyes are still twinkling slightly, he sounds serious enough. "I mean... that's how we grow, right?" He pauses just long enough for that last bite of toast. "If you hate it, it's not like you're chained to it forever. It's just like... an apprentice headman or something."
"An apprentice headwoman, thank you very much. And one who will still be making sure Lady Azaylia gets all the help she needs." A very firm tone on that bit, in fact, before lifting her shoulder, "I... just..." she searches around for the source of her issue, before looking off. "Do you think I could, then?" Not that she should, but that she could. "I... we didn't grow up here," she adds, unspoken that they, she isn't really going up in the ranks.
D'kan waves his empty mug slightly for the "headwoman" amendment. Nothing meant by it on his end, anyway. "Of course I think you could," he's quick to answer, "and where we came from has nothing to do with it. I mean, just look at all the people across the Weyr who are in charge of stuff but weren't born and raised here. Or any Weyr. The proof is in your ability, not your parentage."
Hana should really get that at this point, but... well. Same old story - she hasn't. There is a bit of a frown, as she tugs on a loose bit of hair, then nods slightly. Not with certainty, but... maybe. "I... suppose I should speak to the headwoman. See if she even wants another assistant. It is all well and good for it to be offered, but if she really doesn't need another one, well, I can always tell Lady Azaylia thanks."
"I hope you're going to tell her thanks, regardless," D'kan teases, definitely crooked with the grin this time. "And seriously, the headwoman would be crazy not to take on another competent assistant, right? Limited commodity and all that." He tips his mug toward himself as if to verify that, yes, it's empty. He points a thumb toward the sideboard and starts to get to his feet. "I'm going to go top up, then finish my hidework before Kaz and I head out for the day. Let me know when you want to head down to the Hold. Most days I have either the morning or afternoon free."
"I suppose I should probably stop trying to avoid that," Hana muses, before taking a deep breath, and nods. "Thanks for the ear, D'kan - and the offer. Definately don't let me infect you with procrastination - and give my hellos to your Kaz." With a bit of determination, the young woman then gets to her feet with her slate. Some serious thinking to finish off... then off to find a headwoman.
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