Logs:Iceberg
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| RL Date: 5 October, 2014 |
| Who: K'del, H'vier |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: H'vier has been inciting stuff. K'del does what he has to. |
| Where: Council Chambers, High Reaches Weyr |
| When: Day 1, Month 13, Turn 35 (Interval 10) |
| Mentions: Fayla/Mentions, Tayre/Mentions, Tayte/Mentions |
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| Council Chambers, High Reaches Weyr At the heart of this oblong cavern is its meeting table: a long hardwood oval with a mirror's dark shine, High Reaches' sigil picked out in lapis and onyx at its center. Twenty chairs surround it, each softened by an embroidered cushion that's just a little too stiff for complete comfort -- meetings need to be kept short, after all -- with the chair at the table's head, facing the ledge, being somewhat larger than the rest. Interspersed between glowsconces upon the smooth walls, ancient tapestries depict the territories High Reaches protects in a particularly pastoral fashion, all fluffy clouds and fluffier llamas, or else fishing crafts sailing merrily out to sea. Among them is also a natural alcove, its several wooden shelves primarily stocking fine wines and liquors as well as the glasses to serve them, though the lower shelves also hold whatever hidework requires particularly frequent attention. A narrow wooden door leads to the Records room, while the tunnel that extends to the weyrleaders' ledge is wide enough for three men to walk abreast, with just enough kink in it to block the wind. It's K'del's habit to hold a wingleader meeting once a seven; it's mostly just the wingleaders who attend, though sometimes the 'seconds do, for reasons varying from 'their wingleader can't make it' to 'their wingleader wants backup.' Today's was relatively standard; it's winter, so there's not a lot to report from anywhere, though there have been a few new transfers, which has drawn some attention. Seating is assigned, these days, and so it was that there was a note left for H'vier in front of his, instructing (or is it inviting?) him to stay back afterwards to discuss Iceberg. As the other wingleaders disperse, K'del stays in his chair, drumming his fingers upon the table as he considers the sweep reports handed in by Oisa of Boreal. When the wingleaders disperse, H'vier stays behind. He stays in his seat, even, because there's not any really good reason for him to get up yet when they'll be left alone soon enough. He writes down a few notes of interest for himself, then sits back in his seat to turn his attention on the Weyrleader once they're alone. "H'vier," says K'del, once the last of the wingleaders has departed, casting a curious glance behind her as she goes. "Been meaning to chat to you. Hear there's a few congratulations to go around." Well, no. He knows there: it's been a couple of days since Tayte gave birth, a birth he attended; clearly, though, he's resigned himself to a lot of things. And maybe it's easier this way. H'vier doesn't seem entirely sure how to accept that congratulations. From K'del in particular. But he does it as gracefully as he's likely to manage. "Thank you, sir. I wish the circumstances had been different." That probably applies to any sort of congratulations anyone could possibly offer the large bronzerider right now. Funny how that's a theme. Maybe only funny to the people not somehow involved, anyway. "And thank you for being there for Tayte." That probably hurts to say a little bit. "She's my friend," says K'del, with a shrug. "My best friend. Wouldn't leave her to do that alone. Not again." It's tactic acknowledgement that he has let her down before; he's trying to be better. "Have you talked to Fayla recently?" There's a murmur of acknowledgement, but otherwise H'vier doesn't make an effort to linger on the subject of his ex. Progress? It's difficult to tell with him about these things. "Mostly through Morinth. She's been... difficult. Since her daughter was born." Her daughter. He's not even trying to claim the child in private. Maybe it helps that, if rumors are to be believed, he hasn't even met the baby. Silence for a moment. Then, "And you've been making it more difficult." Beat. "Or is it less? Got to assume it's your intention to try and win her wing away from her. Yes?" K'del's brows raise as he asks the question, though his tone is too even to be outright censorious. It could be arrogance that makes H'vier grin after a handful of moments. Or it might just be that even H'vier is not so graceless as to not appreciate K'del's forwardness. "Iceberg is better off under me." It's been, admittedly, basically the same with H'vier as its acting wingleader as it was with Fayla. But H'vier is unlikely to go getting himself pregnant and leaving the wing in a lurch again, anyway. "And Fayla?" K'del doesn't blink before putting that question forward. "And Fayla wants to take care of her daughter." Or something. "She's welcome to stay in Iceberg, if she'd like. But the wing deserves, and desires, more stable leadership." So H'vier, who is clearly super stable, doesn't even seem to intend on considering simply reversing their roles. "Because having a baby isn't stable," says K'del, and this time, he sounds faintly mocking about it. "Because letting your wingsecond look after things for a while, while you manage that, isn't at all acceptable." By the end of it, he just sounds frustrated. "The wing desires change because you pushed them into it. Encouraged it in them. And I hate rewarding that kind of thing." But. There seems to be a but. "Having a baby is fine, sir. Women are good at having babies. And I'm very appreciative of that. But it makes us," men, presumably, "Have to pick up their slack. Even Tayte gave up her knot to have Tayre." And Tayte's job meant quite a lot to her. Perhaps surprisingly, H'vier isn't even trying to be an asshole right now, he's just telling it how it is. He won't, however, actively deny guiding Iceberg's feelings to its current state. K'del's expression suggests he finds significantly differences between Tayte's situation and, well, mothers and babies in general. "It's not my policy to punish women for having babies," he says, a note of sharpness in his voice. "Never has been. Fayla's not someone I-- well, never mind. The point is, however I feel about the situation, she has lost the support of her wing. Ultimately, I've no choice but to replace her." H'vier refrains from commenting further on his opinions of a woman's place in the Weyr. He's either smart enough to realize it's not the wisest course of action, or K'del's last words have simply gained his full attention. He does, however, assume that her replacement is himself. Why wouldn't he? "I'm willing to accept your appointment of a new wingsecond, sir. So long as I'm free to appoint another of my own choosing." Let's just say it goes without saying that K'del would very, very, very much like to be able to turn around and say that he's appointing someone else, right about now. Sadly... he can't. This is so unfair. He lifts his chin rather than answering immediately. "Like you to offer a wingsecond position to Fayla," he says, after a moment. "And if she says no, then to the female member of your wing - presently in your wing, mind - of her choosing. You can do whatever you like with the other, but there will be a woman in a position of authority in Iceberg." Life is unfair. Like him having to offer a position to Fayla. Or a female at all. H'vier's jaw is tight for a moment there, but then he nods his head and apparently that will be that. He won't argue. "Done. Is there anything else you'd like to discuss, Weyrleader?" Or is he free to go now, is probably the real question. That reaction, as subtle as it is, may be enough for K'del to feel at least mildly better about this whole thing. Mildly. Very mildly. He reaches into his pocket, sliding out a tangle of cords, and then lobs it across the table at the other rider. It... could be aimed at his head. Anything's possible. "That's it; we're done. Let me know once you've got your wingseconds organised." Throwing things at H'vier's head would be immature. Fortunately tangles of cord don't hit very hard and the bronzerider might chalk it up to... well, who cares. He has the knot he wanted. That's all that matters. He picks it up with the rest of his things as he rises. "Thank you, sir. Have a good day." And maybe try not to mind giving H'vier something to smile about as he makes his way out. |
Comments
Edyis (04:24, 5 October 2014 (EDT)) said...
Sneaky bastard. Hehehe, Of course, gotta love K'del's concession.
Azaylia (04:28, 5 October 2014 (EDT)) said...
Refreshing! Every once in a while you need a reminder that H'vier's such an asshole. XD Poor K'del. Great scene!
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