1/14/2003

10:25 PM

Logfile from K'rill.

 

 

Main Living Cavern (#551J)

Grey stone arches a vast vault overhead, details of the ceiling all but disappearing in the shadows cast by warm, human-height glowsconces and the night hearth's flames; tapestries texture the smooth walls, looking down upon the raised dais, the expanse of tables, the flagstones left cleared for impromptu dancing.

A single broad archway, its carved pattern worn soft with time and passersby's touch, leads west into the bowl; two more, narrower but just as tall, give access to the bustle of living caverns in the south. Predominant looms the builders' masterpiece: the imposing staircase that twines up along the northern wall, leading to the weyr's huge kitchens.

Vintner Harry busies himself behind the 'bar'; nearby hangs the day's 'menu'.

You see Veran, Wit, Legend of O'Sada Egg, and Angel here.

Shyona, Ramon, Adia, R'ish, and J'bal are here.

Obvious exits:

Bowl       Lower Caverns       Stairs       Weyr Tunnel

Moved.

 

More people -- must be dinnertime, or somebody's drills just ended. Ramon rubs his eye and contemplates the nuances of the Fort region -- the ones he can detect, anyway. "I don't know, the Hold's pretty different from the Weyr." He winds up saying this mostly to his mom. His mom will still listen to him. She has to. It's the mom code.

 

R'ish was concentrating on her food, so when she's addressed she looks up halfway through the chewing of a meat roll with that deer in the headlights look. "umm" she manages around the food in her mouth.. holding up a hand as she finishes chewing quickly, and washes it down with a quick swig of wine.. "I'm doing alright, just finished some exercise" she nods "how about you?" she quickly glances around at the group and offers a smile.

 

J'bal comes in a bit chilled, that sweat gels when you go 'between' don't you know. He glances over some of the conversations and happens to land at the one with Shyona and R'ish and a few other more familiar faces.

 

K'rill moves into the cavern, shucking his riding jacket and draping it over his arm as he enters. Well, it is only on his arm for a moment before being placed over the back of a chair. On his way to the kitchens he is waylayed by a drudge who carefully steers him to a table instead. Oh. And so, he sits, blinking owlishly before bobbing his head in greeting to whoever, "Greetings."

 

"Hey," Ramon mumbles back. He's doing a bit of a prodigal-son-returneth thing, on vacation from his hall. He and his mother, Adia, are with Shyona.

 

"Doing good R'ish..doing good." Shyona responds, slowly inclining her head before she takes a sip from her mug of juice.  J'bals entrance is noted inbetween Ramon speaking, Shy offering the first of those a wave and grin as he joins their little dinner party..and then it's onto Ramon.  "It's a change either way.. Going from one to the other." Though in Shyona's mind..she's made quite the leap from one to the other.  And yet one more arrival.. K'rill's, has Shyona offering him a grin and..vague gesture towards the platter on the serving table, "Fresh fish up there."  Couldn't you /smell/ it?

 

J'bal returns Shyona's grin with a broad one of his own. The food is duly noted and once he's unburdened himself of his possesions onto a chair he's preparing himself a plate and then leaning himself against said chair to have a better view of everything that's going on. He doesn't add much yet, prefering to stuff his mouth with that fresh fish. He's making a bit of a mockery of himself as bits of it land on his chin and shirt, but it's that good. "Mmmmm."

 

Adia laughs and winces, just a bit, at J'bal's enthusiasm.

 

K'rill perks and echoes, "Fish?" Eyebrows jack upwards as he glances across to note... Wow, would you look at that? A platter with fish. Of course, now he has to get up again and get it. And so, hands are planting upon the table as he pushes up, turning about to catch himself a plate of fish. Naturally, some fenaggling is required as he scoots around the feeding J'bal, giving him a generous bob of his head in greeting, "Good day there, J'bal. All goes well in your wing?"

 

Ramon cringes some. Don't make J'bal talk. He already has trouble chewing without anything to say.

 

J'bal salutes K'rill with his fork. "Going well," he answers, thankfully after he's swallowed the previous bite. "Everything's been working itself out pretty well so far." During his pause to talk he's cleaned a little of the mess off his chin, he does have manners ... when he remembers them. "And with you and yours?"

 

And all of this over fish.  You can practically see Shyona's lip curl with distaste.  Though humor still tones her words as she shakes her head.  "I'll never understand.." And she rightly won't.  Being that it was..fish.  So, it's back to the others-Ramon and Adia, "So.."  She's only lacking for a moment, before she says, "I hope everyone's day went moderately well?" Small chat.  It fits every so often.

 

Ramon, seeing that J'bal can redeem himself with his social graces, stops gawking. "Pretty dull," he tells Shyona. "Not that that's so bad."

 

K'rill would have Shyona know that fish and the act of fishing is where it is at. Some day, he'll have to show her the joy in a good batch of beer-batter spiderclaw meat. To die for. Alas, seeing as he can't read minds, nor she can read his, this entire thread is moot. Anywho, settling some fish on a platter, tapped with his spork, he is returning to the seat, nodding to J'bal once more, "That is good to hear. Sirocco is going well. Now that we've got Shendti back, it is moving along even better. Up at the crack of dawn for drills. Afternoon sweeps. Flaming practice once a sevenday. We're looking awfully fine next time the Games roll around."

 

Adia hmmphs at Ramon. "Slept in this morning, then went for a walk. The lot of us will be going out when Grey and Imena get back." And, because she's mom and it comes with the job description, she harasses Ramon a little. "It's just /so/ rotten being stuck with the family."

 

One side of Jubal's face comes up in a slight grin. "Ahh so we're talking about readiness for the games eh? Well we've had our practices as well. It is nice to hear that Shendti is back though, was fun being a candidate with her." He finishes off his fish with a little less fervor and a little more cleanliness than the beginning and he pauses his conversations for a moment to go and look at what has been set out for dessert. It must be his lucky day, he's back with some berry pie and a mug of klah. Returning as well to the conversation. "We'll see how the wings come out in the games, from what I've seen we're all on top of our skills."

 

Shyona grins at both Ramon and Adia.  "Dullness can be a blessing..though, you've got plenty of free time.  What about..tomorrow afternoon?  Enough free time left to help and old friend hang from some rocks?"  She's been just itching to take back up that old hobby of hers.  Adia's words earn a curious glance, and a slightly inqusitive, "Oh?  Would this be a good thing..or?"  And an ear is kept out for the conversation around her, mostly K'rill and J'bal..which has her asking, "Any of my fellow ex-weyrlings tapped yet?  Haven't heard much from them on the topic." Nor has she heard about the age-old tradition of..playing cards to win the new wingmates.  Fortians.  You've got to love them and all their quirkiness.

 

Ramon looks at Adia. "Well, do you have plans for me tomorrow?"

 

K'rill cuts up the fish with the spork, chopping it into nice, manageable bite-size pieces. Mmmmm, delicious. After swallowing, he is looking back after J'bal, "Well, I would certainly like to hope so. I'll have to talk to R'ish about seeing if we can get come coordinated drills happening soon. It would only be in all of our best interests." That and so K'rill can show off just how advanced his wing is. Head turns and he is looking back to Shyona, "Ohhhh, yeah. That.

Zephre and I and some of the other 'leaders have a poker game planned soon here." Figure that one out.

 

Adia nods to Ramon. "Beach," she says, lingering over the last remains of her bubbly. "Unless you had other plans?"

 

Ramon shakes his head. "I'm here nine more days," he tells Shyona. "So we'll go another time. Within the nine days. Maybe Aelren would come, I dunno."

 

Wullan enters from the Bowl.

 

Shyona offers a nod and grin towards K'rill, "I've heard something about that.." And..she just might not be able to figure out why they'd be playing poker.  But..it sure would make for some interesting conversation.. "Hm?  Oh.. yeah.  That sounds good, Ramon.  Just let me know when and where.  I'm sure I can get the time off.." Or..she hopes she can.  Offering him a grin, Shy then turns her attention towards the fish eaters.  She just can't figure it out.  Try as she may.

 

J'bal now looks over his pie, if they thought the fish was bad. His fork is raised, he's ready to plunge down and take a bite, and it's on his fork, berry juices dripping a bit ... and ... the bite is cleanly in his mouth and quickly chewed and swallowed. What did you expect him to do?

Adia suddenly looks regretful - here Shyona was inviting Ramon to rock climb (a hobby which Adia heartily endorses), and she's queered the deal.  It's done now, though, so she resolves to make the best of it. "Where do you usually climb, Shyona?"

 

Wullan enters the caverns quite briskly, even for her, each little foot ringing hard against the stone flagstones of the floor.  Stopping suddenly at the edge of the tables, she scans the room as if searching for someone, her dark eyes determined, then, just as abruptly, shrugs and finds her way to the least busy table.  Smiling down at Shyona, she visibly relaxes, then nods to each person at the table.  "May I join you?"  she asks, demurely smoothing her top skirt to avoid showing off her underskirts.  There is a subtle energy about her tonight, though she seems quiescent - as if waiting for something to happen.

 

Ramon scoots over a little bit more.

 

K'rill glances back to Shyona, watching her for a moment before bobbing his head, "Everyone will know after that... but you don't have to worry about it so much." He offers her a quick, but warm smile before reaching to take a drink from his mug. Amazing how it just appeared like that, filled with cider care of an anticipatory drudge. Taking a long sip from it, his gaze is inevitably drawn to the sitting Wullan. Curse that child-hood crush. "Good day, Wullan. You are looking particularly fine today."

 

J'bal calms his eating as Wullan enters, those manners finally triggering. He is of course still leaning against his chair rather than sitting in it, but at least he's looking a bit neater about it all. He offers Wullan a deep nod and a smile with his "Evening."

 

Shyona grins, "Too true. I've already got my wing..so I think I'm safe."  The word of choice? Think.  And, its back to Adia as Shyona offers her a grin, "No no.. He's your son.. this is your time to spend with him.."  The regretful look had been noted..and is returned with one of Shy's.  "I'll catch him another time.  Besides, I really shouldn't be doing that.  It's not..advisable." In her mind, that is.  Wullan's entrance catches her attention, Shyona motioning to a seat as she shakes her head, "Not at all..please, do join us."

 

A particularly harried looking drudge scurries to Wullan's side without waiting for the Weyrwoman's signal, a skin of Benden wine in one hand, a goblet in the other.  She sets down the items carefully in front of Wullan, then is gone into the crowd as if in response to some unspoken request.

 

"She's new to the climbing thing," Ramon says.

 

Wullan gestures for the others to continue eating, nodding back at each one individually.  "Climbing?" she enquires, conversationally, her dark eyes curious.  Pulling the stopper, she carefully pours herself a glass of the Benden, enjoying the aroma before taking her first sip.  "Around the Weyr, you mean?  Or?"  The drudge returns, a bowl of the fish dish and a hunk of bread for the Weyrwoman.

 

K'rill apparently finishes with that fish, dabbing the coating crumbs from his lips with the backs of his fingers. Hey, having bits of bread on your lips simply does't give off the best impression for this stolid boy. He glances back over to his plate, handing it off to a passing drudge before moving on to nurse his cider.

 

"Around the weyr," Adia confirms, not that she was necessarily the person who was asked. "I climb around in our weyr all the time. Kolyath occasionally spots me." The benefits of being weyrmated.

 

Shyona drops her head in a nod, while she lifts her mug.  "Climbing around and abouts.  Never been further than here.  Though one of these days I hope to.."  Which isn't the most advisable thing..but Shyona doesn't exactly think about these things before she says them.  A hand is waved in Ramon's direction, "He's actually one of the ones who got me into it.."  Great way to get your 'friends' into trouble Shy!  K'rill and J'bal are given a glance.. Perhaps it's Shyona digging for support?  "You guys have climbed..haven't you?"  Though..it's pointless as Adia offers her words, "It's fun, though, isn't it?"

 

J'bal holds up his hands in a sorry gesture since he's set down his place, "The most I've climbed is up to Kwaith's neck, and that's more than high enough to me with how much he grew."

 

Ramon nods. "Yeah. We climb cliffs, or sometimes we just hike up the brambly parts."

 

K'rill shoots a glance to Shyona, "Jania once had me climb a tree?" Hey, it is something, isn't it. But he is shooting a glance askance to J'bal before nodding, "And a dragon's neck... Even climbed a few ship masts in my time, but not a cliff." That is what a dragon is for. They just fly you to the top. But, naturally, he doesn't have to say this, the look he gives the junior goldrider is enough.

 

Wullan spears a daintily bite-sized portion of the fish, sniffing it before trying it gingerly.  "Around the weyr, eh?  I haven't been exploring much since I got here," she says, glancing towards the bowl.  "But it might be fun to climb with the dragons cheering us on to greater heights from above."  This said in a musing tone of voice, that impish spark twinkling in her eyes as she regards K'rill.

 

Shyona laughs, "Well..trees are easy. I can climb those in my sleep." Okay..so she can't.  But that's beside the point.  "Cliffs..now those are fun to climb.  And.. I think I do rather well, don't I?" Cue the glance towards Ramon as Shyona includes him in this.. "Oh it is fun.. Though Aiwenth.. well I haven't really had much time to climb since Impressing.  Which is why I want to get back into it.. Seems like I'll forget just about everything I did learn."

 

Adia casts Shyona a sly look. "Great exercise," she advises. "Helps keep you in shape." Adia is pretty trim for her forty-odd turns, although perhaps the perpetual scrapes and scratches aren't so much of a positive fashion statement.

 

That's what Ramon needs to do on his vacation. Lead goldriders in all their hostessy, frilly, perhaps even proddy glory up a cliff in a climbing expedition. He scratches at his eyebrow, contemplating what that would be like -- and then, there's his dad. And his little sister.

 

K'rill peers from beyond the lip of his mug across to Wullan, lip's smile hidden by it but not the one that crinkles in the corners of his eyes. "Well, how about you climb all you want, Wullan. I'll be waiting at the bottom to catch you just incase..." He is shooting another glance to Shyona, smile wry, but he doesn't say a word. He smiles over to Adia, grin warming just the slightest at her words, "I might have to take that advice though." Too much sitting on dragons...

Adia points at Grey and Imena. "And there's our cue," she says, rising from her seat and brushing away the crumbs from her pie. "Pardon us," she says, giving everyone a smile and a wave.

 

At least she can count on Adia.. "Right! Excercise.."  Shy's trying to rationalize why she'd want to go climbing.  It's addictive..and it's all the fault of her ex-Candiemates.  Really.  "And well it's good..mental exercise too.  I mean, what else are you going to focus on other than what's infront of you?"  See? It does make sense.  Adia and Ramon are given a wave, "Good to see you out and about again Ramon..take care.  And same to you, Adia."  Which then has her..sipping her juice.  She's done enough damage for one night.

 

Adia goes home.

 

Ramon slouches out for another rip-roarin' evening of family togetherness.

Ramon heads out into the immense bowl.

 

Wullan shakes a wary finger at K'rill, dark eyes narrowing in mock-pique.  "Indeed, K'rill, you'd be right beside me - I might need a big, strong bronzerider to help me if I had trouble climbing or something," she says in a subtly velvet voice.  She draws a finger down the stem of the wine glass and curls her hand around the bottom possessively.

 

J'bal's eyebrows raise just slightly at Wullan and K'rill and now seems as good a time as any to head for a refill of klah. He's back soon though and sitting in the chair over one from his things. Suddenly he's seem to run out of things to say.

 

Shyona glances away from Wullan and K'rill.  Completely oblivious to anything happening in that direction.  Though she does offer J'bal a glance..and a smile.  "Was the meal good?"  See..he's done eating.  So now she can ask him without risking him choking on food.  Or some other calamity like that.

 

J'bal smiles at Shyona and nods, "It was delicious I admit," he looks just slightly abashed, "I know my manners were horrid when I started, it just tasted so good after a day of flying around. I did a few trips between Boll and Ista for the Enlanders."

 

K'rill looks after Wullan for a long moment, smile turning rather wry, "You know that you can always call to me if ever you need anything, Wullan." His shoulders shrug slightly before he is blinking back to J'bal and then Shyona with a sidling glance.

 

Wullan's mood shifts along with the uneasiness she senses, and a brilliant smile is sent towards the others.  "I know, I can always count on you, K'rill.  I knew that after you brought me that first bouquet of flowers," she recalls, her eyes warm.  "I knew K'rill at Ista Weyr, quite a long time ago, before he was ever Searched, I think.  He used to bring me lovely bunches of blooms that he'd fresh cut - my weyr was filled with them."  She raises her glass in toast.

 

Shyona grins towards J'bal.  A shake of her head offered. "I've seen plenty worse.. trust me.  You just showed..and enthusiasm for your food is all.  Nothing wrong with that."  Or so she says..  Wullan's words earn a glance in her direction, Shyona raising a brow in question, though she says nothing, save for offering a dip of her head in a polite nod. "That was nice of him.." And now her gaze slides back to K'rill.  Almost as if she were judging something.  But..she's too new to this new life of hers.  And..so she's utterly clueless.

 

J'bal smiles and his face softens a bit as he thinks of something himself. It takes a little shake of his head to get himself back to reality. "Sounds like the perfect gentleman." He offers with a grin to both Wullan and K'rill. He belatedly offers Shyona a chuckle. "I appreciate the kindness in describing it."

 

K'rill blinks at Wullan for a moment and then, right then and there, this thirty-something turn old bronzer blushes. Yes, blushes. He takes this moment to take a long drink from his mug of cider, therefor hiding his face. After a moment to try to compose himself with some sort of witty rejoinder, all he has to say is, "Ahh, youthful enthusiasm and a teenager's crush. I'll never live that down will I, Wullan." He draws to his feet, moving as if to lay a hand on the Weyrwoman's shoulder before continuing on to the serving table to find something with a bit more kick to it. Aka, wine.

 

Wullan notices K'rill's reddened cheeks, but makes no comment, instead swirling the wine in her goblet idly while she listens to the other conversations.

 

Shyona would be entertained if she lingered about..that's for sure.  But..there's a certain other calling..and Shyona has no choice but to answer.  "I'm coming.. I'm coming.."  This before she stands and offers a wave to those gathered, "Aiwenth's calling for her oiling.  I should head out now.. thanks for the chat.  It was nice." And..without much further waiting, Shyona turns and departs for the bowl.  And the awaiting dragon therein.

 

K'rill comes back about with a glass full of dark-hued wine this time. He blinks after the junior as she starts out, hand lifting as he offers a wave to the departing rider, Clear skies, Shyona." He takes a sip from his glass, looking over to the others and sending out a query, "Can I get either of you anything?"

 

And then there were three. J'bal politely declines K'rill's offer raising his klah mug as proof he's doing just fine where drink is concerned. "Thank you though."

 

Wullan eyes the dark-hued wine with interest, her own deep ruby Benden sparkling.  "What kind of wine is that, K'rill?" she asks, dark eyes curious.  "Is it sweeter than the Benden?  And no, thank you, I don't need anything."

 

Wullan blinks once, and then rises from her chair abruptly.  "Isabeth is awake," she intones in a distracted voice.  "And hungry!  Yes, hold onto your fighting straps, I'm getting up right now."  She sighs, grinning apologetically to the others before heading out to the bowl.

 

Wullan heads out into the immense bowl.

 

K'rill bobs his head in understanding to J'bal, warm smile making its appearance once more. He is looking back to Wullan at her query, frowning for a moment and then taking another exploratory sip, "Could be?" Clearly lacking any sort of wine palate. He pushes away from the serving table, nodding his head to her -but then she is gone as well. What is with the fleeing goldriders? He shoots a glance to J'bal, shrugging his shoulders. "I'm sure I'll be seeing you later, sir. Good day and clear skies." Head is inclined towards the fellow rider before he starts out as well.

 

J'bal just gets out his farewell to Wullan before K'rill rises to leave as well. He smiles and nods. "To you as well." Might as well check Kwaith now as well.

Y