Logs:Keeping Busy
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| RL Date: 8 March, 2013 |
| Who: Brieli, Madilla |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: Brieli and Madilla are both doing things they probably strictly don't need to. They talk. |
| Where: Storerooms, High Reaches Weyr |
| When: Day 8, Month 3, Turn 31 (Interval 10) |
| Mentions: Azaylia/Mentions, H'kon/Mentions, K'del/Mentions |
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| Storerooms, High Reaches Weyr Massive in scale, the Weyr's main storage passage connects to the kitchen on one end and the outbound tunnel on the other. Large enough to admit a wagon laden with goods, the tunnel easily permits the unloading and organization of supplies into the various storerooms. Branching off from this corridor are multiple caverns, the nearer two being 'open' stores from which residents can readily help themselves, while the deeper stores are kept locked up tight with a posted sign and inventory hung on a hook outside of each. An alcove next to the public stores serves as a catch-all area for reshelving items whose destination is uncertain; two sets of stone shelving and several bins hold these items neatly until a stores assistant has a moment to deal with them. Though the storage caverns vary in size, shape, and the smoothness of their walls, all belong to the same system: whitewashed walls, swept floors, and most importantly, neatly labeled and inventoried shelves providing ample space to stow all the supplies a busy Weyr needs. Though there's no direct internal lighting, a glowbasket may be brought in from the niche outsde each cavern, the better to ward off pests and the inky dark of deep caves. It's getting late - late enough that there are no storeroom staff around, certainly - but the caverns aren't quite deserted, and that much is certainly obvious: the sound of Madilla's low hum reverberates through the cool, quiet stone. She can be found, without too much difficulty, towards the back of the public stores, her way lit by the glowbasket that she's propped up on one of the higher shelves, as she rummages through a stack of quilts, studying each one in turn with a critical eye. It's fairly common for Brieli to be stalking the storeroom shelves with clipboard in hand, glowbasket over one arm - sometimes even in full dark, with those creepily silent boots of hers, but not tonight. Her brisk, distinctive stride is heard well before it's seen, likely looking for something that the Weyr might be without. It's one of her strange little obsessions, this quiet, tall young woman with a darkness and a competence that's beyond her turns. When she comes upon Madilla, forewarned by sound and light both, she pauses before asking, "How are you?" It seems a reasonable question, given the givens. It's a good thing Brieli's approach is so audible, really, because it rather seems that Madilla is deeply entrenched in whatever it is she's doing, enough so that she only barely seems to register the Weyrwoman until she's right there. Her cheeks are surprisingly flushed, when she turns so abruptly, though the smile that accompanies the turn is certainly bright enough. "Shouldn't I be asking that of you, Brieli?" she wonders, the corner of her mouth twisting upwards ever so slightly. "I'm certainly well enough." There's a bit of a blink, a tilt of her head for the Weyrhealer's response to her arrival and question. Brieli's smile is faintly bemused in return, flickering from the innocuous quilts to Madilla again. "Well, I suppose you might? But I thought the infirmary might have seen a bit of a spike in patients in the last few days." There's something of an apologetic air about her, though what more she might have done to stop a brawl is questionable. "You do seem in good spirits, though. I'm... all right. I feel as if I'm always forgetting about something, though." Madilla looks faintly apologetic, and steps away from the quilts, rather as if she's embarrassed at being caught out at something. A nod marks her acknowledgement of what Brieli says, and she allows, "I suppose there was that, yes. No major injuries, though, I'm glad to report. These things do happen." Though she doesn't sound entirely sure about that, and abruptly shakes her head, as though shaking away an unwanted thought. "I'm trying to be. It doesn't seem worth it, to not be. I'm not surprised, frankly," she adds, continuing on with an appraising glance aimed at the goldrider. "I imagine there's a great deal to keep track of." Lightly, "Hiding your fellis supply amongst the linens, now? I've caught you at it; you'll have to move it all." Brieli sounds amused at the idea, perhaps more amused at the idea that Madilla of all people, might be guilty of filching extra quilts from stores. The horror! The scandal! Though she'll sober a touch for the uncertain note in the healer's tone, pointing out, "Even if there's reason to hear, there was no hearing it then. And... so long past justice done, I can't say that there's much to be done to clarify things now. Nothing that won't make it worse." She looks sad about that, sure. But she doesn't linger on it. Glancing back to the older woman, "Always. Too many influences within, let alone without. Though - speaking of things to keep track of..." There's a pause. "Have you spoken to Azaylia recently?" That tease only makes Madilla's flush darken. "I bring some of the quilts I make to stores," she explains, sounding absurdly guilty over something that doesn't seem like it should encourage guilt. "Since I use Weyr resources to make them. I like to make sure they don't need repairs." She nods uncertainly as Brieli continues, jaw dropping just slightly to suggest that she's about to speak, although she takes her time in actually doing so. "No, I imagine not. And now... the damage is done. A man's reputation." Evidently, she finds that quite troubling, though she'll leave the subject, still looking serious, to add, "Only occasionally. Is something the matter with her?" "That's kind of you. And not something to be embarrassed over. Frankly, I don't think I've touched a needle since I impressed, unless I've needed to fix something immediately. I never much liked to sew, for all I ended up doing it." There's a little shrug, a shift of her clipboard. Funny how these things work out. Brieli considers Madilla's words and her own both before she speaks, fine brows drawn together for a moment. "It's difficult. He was cleared and nothing has changed, but... everything has." There's a little shake of her head, as if it's beyond her. But the topic of the other weyrwoman seems as serious, pursing her lips a touch before, "I don't know. I don't think so, and it could just be... that things are different between us. But she seems... turned down, if you understand what I mean? Muted. I..." A pause, a smirk. "I worry. Though it wouldn't do for people to know that." And yet, for whatever reason, Madilla does seem embarrassed by it, though she smiles readily enough - if only for a moment or so. Exhaling, she agrees, "Everything has. I don't imagine it will be easily forgotten, unfortunately. Even if people don't necessarily believe it wholeheartedly, they will remember." She crosses her arms around her shoulders, pressing her mouth to her wrist for a moment, before lifting her chin again, nodding just once. "I'll talk to her," she promises. "As a friend. I know things have been difficult for her." With a quirk of lips, "People's memories are terribly selective, I find. It depends on how things go over the next turn or so. But sadly, the simplest explanation is the least interesting, so even if it's the truth, no one will care." Shaking her head again, Brieli says lightly, "Maybe someone else will do something more scandalous or horrible in the meantime. It's entirely possible." But by her faint smirk, she kind of doubts it. That gesture of Madilla's, wrist to mouth, gets an arch of brow, but she doesn't ask. "As a friend," she echoes. "But do make sure nothing's wrong. I don't think she's ill, it could just be... everything being difficult. And if so, she could use a friend, I'm sure." But if something's wrong and Madilla happens to be the Weyrhealer, that's great too! Madilla's fingers dig into the wool of her shawn on either shoulder, but she seems more relaxed, now; her nod is easier. "It may not be at the forefront of everyone's minds, forever," she says, simply, "but it will still be there, lurking. But... what's done is done. It's simply a matter of making the best of it, isn't it?" Equally serious, if rather more thoughtful, is her expression as she considers the issue of Azaylia. "I will," she promises. "I suspect it probably is nothing more than that - that everything is difficult. I know that feeling, myself. I'll look after it." There's something in her tone, there, and in the lift of her chin, that suggests she's taking on full ownership of the task: she won't be reporting back. "You're sleeping well enough, I hope?" A bit reluctantly, "I suppose so. Iesaryth worries at it, but I think partially because she's little else to do with her time but think, and talk to her eggs. I suppose they'll know her." Brieli's wry, but fond for that. "The hatching will certainly help lift people's spirits, and if it doesn't, the party will." Her smile is a touch enigmatic at that, but when is the goldrider entirely transparent? Gaze for Madilla appreciative, "Thank you." She doesn't seem to expect a report - when you hand something to a healer, confidentiality tends to come with it, informally or no. As for her sleep, a wrinkle of her nose. "It comes and goes. I was in the other night when you were off. After that, it hasn't been as bad." Something in Madilla's expression softens at the idea of Iesaryth thinking so hard about the problem, rather as though she finds it a comforting thing. All she says, however, is, "I'm sure you'll all be glad, when the eggs have hatched. I find - well, whatever the outcome, there's always so much joy. Disappointment, of course, but the joy." She largely seems to take Brieli's smile at face value, perhaps even missing the enigmatic nature of it all together, and replies with one of her own. More gently, and with a serious look to her eyes, she says, "I'm sorry I missed you. If you need something-- I do have a firelizard. You can call for me that way. I am at your disposal." "I... I will be. Iesaryth misses travelling, and I miss my own visits." It's Brieli's turn to flush, a touch of color coming to her cheeks. "I never thought I would become so used to being able to be where I'd like, when I'd like so easily. But... now, I don't know how I'd manage without it. But the disappointment, even when I was left standing, seemed relatively minor in comparison to the general sense in the Weyr. I'd imagine the dragons have a lot to do with it." With an easier smile, her dark eyes warm, if only briefly, "She'll be happy to meet them. It's all she wants." As for Madilla's last, she shakes her head. Firmly, "I won't allow my... issues to impede on your personal time. You are permitted the little you take. I wouldn't want my time interrupted, and I won't take you from your family." More than she already is. Madilla's smile is knowing, but only in an affectionate kind of way, and the dip of her chin seems to imply that she does understand missing those visits, that freedom. "I've often been grateful to live in a Weyr, where I can... borrow the freedom of others, if you like. Once upon a time, I never imagined the world much beyond what I knew of it, but - things change." It's with a mother's knowing pride that she smiles at Iesaryth's desires, and, quietly, "I understand that very well." She seems briefly to intend some kind of reply, perhaps an argument, to Brieli's last remark, but in the end, her mouth only twists. "A Healer is, in my experience, always a Healer, on duty or off. I'm sure my children will appreciate your generosity, however. It can be a difficult balance." Softly, with an air of admission, "I didn't imagine a lot of things. But as you say, things change." Brieli smiles, but there's a touch of sadness there; there's always bad that comes with good, and the goldrider seems more attuned to that than most. But she can leave that alone, some little curiosity for Madilla's understanding maternal pride. Thoughtful, "I suppose it would be the same. It's not as easy to know what they're like right away with people, but..." It's as if it's the first time any correlation has occurred to her, as if it's the first time any of her queen's feelings for the eggs might have actually resonated with the sober young woman. Huh. Shaking that off, "I can only imagine. Rest assured, that if I am feeling particularly anxious, I will demand your presence immediately. With pounding of fists." She demonstrates on a shelf, dark eyes bright. That admission earns understanding in Madilla's expression, as though she, too, understands exactly how much can go unimagined, for better or for worse. Her smile is for that second topic, the one that encourages her maternal pride. "I imagine there are many similarities. We spend the better part of a turn, wondering-- who will this person be? Of course, I suppose we spend the rest of their lives figuring them out." She drops her hands, finally, letting them slide down towards her sides, apparently heartily amused by the application of fists. "As it should be," she says. "Good." Over a little laugh, "As with dragons, I suppose. But in that case, it's less the parent than the lifemate. Though I suppose Iesaryth will never not want to figure something out." Brieli tucks her clipboard under her arm to make puzzle piecing motions, then grins - as much for that as her imperious demands. "Well, now that that's settled, I suppose I'll leave you to see if there's any fraying quilts in desperate need of care. And I'll go back to worrying that we're low on supplies for the weyrlings, or food. Neither of which are a concern, but checking each helps with sleep." She offers a little clipboard salute to the Weyrhealer before continuing on her way, now humming whatever the hell Madilla was in the first place. Madilla's smile is amused, apparently genuinely so, despite the range of more serious topics that have preceded this conversation's end. "Good night, Brieli," she says, after the goldrider. "Sleep well." The quilts do need her attention, after all! |
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