Monday, October 15, 2001

 

Galleries

The raised platform of multiple tiers sits atop huge natural pillars, smoothed from the passage of countless Turns, to provide seating for visitors come to attend the Weyr's Hatchings.  The seats provide uncrowded viewing of the sands' burning expanse, while above, wide stone ledges afford the same courtesy to draconic guests.  A lone stairway curves its way down through a side archway to the bowl.

**Welcome to Fort Weyr's hatching grounds. To view the sands from the galleries, simply type 'look on sands' or 'look <object> on sands'.**

You see Lars, Galleries Logger, Cegan, Lil Bit, Purl, Celia, Kamen, Anvil, Lady, and Rei here.

Murkat is here.

Obvious exits:

Exit to the Bowl   Viewing Ledges

 

Taire bounces down the stairs with hop after hop after hop. Hey, anything to liven up the mundane -including a trip to the galleries. As she passes each row of seat, her hands thump the back of the rests, 'till she finally makes the railing. And that is where she remains, leaning her body against it as she leans forward to peer at the sands... Hrm -if she were to spit at the sands, I wonder how far it would go, and if it would evaporate before it hit the ground...

 

Murkat is oblivious to everything going on around him, which isn't that much right now. He can be found near the top row of seats, feet propped up in front of him, arms folded across his chest, and eyes of course, closed. Leave to the Steward to be sleeping somewhere out of the way. It's all the stress of the soon to be hatching and having to deal with all the candies, it's practically wore him out.

 

Taire licks her lips, prepared to do the deed, when something stops her. Maybe its the heavy breathing? Or the smell of... Warily, the girl comes about to peer most studiously at the rows of seats. Eyes narrow as she peers up the aisle to see- "Ohhhhhh." This could be an even better way to wile away passing time. Nose twitches once as she starts back up the stairs, intent upon that last row and the unguarded up at the top of them. Stealthy footsteps with her usual soft-soled boots draw her up with nary a sound, its only the odd tinkle of bead striking bead in her hair that could give her away.

 

The sound could give her away, but it doesn't. Seems that Murkat's too deep in sleep to be awakened by such a soft sound. And didn't he find the perfect place to get away to? With the candidates no doubt busy with chores and everyone else likewise working on whatever it is they're working on, he figured he could catch at least one candlemark's worth of sleep. That was three candlemarks ago.

 

But this is Taire, no matter how many nasty chores she gets saddled with, she will always find a way to get out of them and doing even more boring things -like nothing at all. She is just talented that way. But stalking a person is always a good way to spend time. It keeps her feline tendencies in tune. As she reaches just one row shy of Murkat, she steps even more quietly, moving to mount the long bench of seats and walk along the length of it 'til she is just before the slumbering steward. Teeth immediately bite at her bottom lip to hold in a giggle that just wants to escape. The girl steps over the back rest to actually stand on the bench he is on. A moment of silence to make sure all is well.

 

And that is all it takes. Simply the presence of someone hovering over him. It's a fine tuned survival trait that he's managed to develop since he came here. With a start, he opens his eyes, blinking furiously before focusing on the candidate next to him. Sputtering slightly, he realizes who it is. "Taire! You shouldn't sneak up on people like that." Liable to give him a heart attack or something.

 

Taire drops to a crouch beside him, still up and on that bench. Arms drop to rest on her knees as she smiles most happily down to him, "What do you mean sneak? I was tromping around here like a herd of beasts, tickling at your nose, whispering sweet nothings in your ear... and now you finally wake up. Sleepless night?"

 

Murkat shakes his head to clear it before sitting up proper. Letting out a big yawn as he stretches, he shakes his head again, this time at her. "Nah, not really. Just been a busy sevenday." As the first part of what she said sinks in, he turns to look at her, head cocked slightly, one hand idly rubbing his nose. "You were not. I would have surely woken up. I'm not that heavy of a sleeper"

 

Taire just continues to smile at him, amusement quite evident from the lilt of her lips to the twinkle in her eye. "Busy how? And yes, I was. You are that heavy of a sleeper. I coulda painted your face purple and you wouldn't have even noticed. Purple really is your color, you know?" *grin*

 

Murkat attempts to try to justify his statement. "Busy with all the stuff I have to get ready for the hatching. You do remember the hatching don't you?" She should, why else would she be here? At the mention of purple, his nose wrinkles. Idly brushing off his leathers, one can almost hear a growl emanate from him. "I'll have you know my color is black. Plain, ordinary, everyday black."

 

"Hatching? Go figure?" Taire's voice takes on a rather awe-filled lilting, clearing well beyond the means of sarcasm. But then she is back to the teasing tone, "Black? Black is for people who wanna look mysterious, or blend into the shadows... I know a few weavers, and they say that it is a slimming color. Murkat.... are you trying to look slim? You don't have a bit of a paunch, do you?" A beaming grin and she darts a finger out as if to poke him in the gut -just to see if it has the consistency of some very un-Pernese jello.

 

Murkat playfully slaps at her hand as she pokes him. "I'll have you know that I'm in top shape, thankyouverymuch." One would have to be trying to keep up with everything going on around this place. "I don't wear it for it's slimming effect. I wear it because I like it. It's a very...pleasant color. Subtle and ordinary. Not bright and gaudy like some of the colors I've seen on outfits around here. And besides, it looks good on me." There, and now isn't that the most important reason.

 

Taire chuckles as she finally maneuvers about to sit upon her rear, only to kick up black troused legs and allow feet to prop on the back of the bench before them. "Well, I can't wear my usual clothes. You know, with this whole uniform conformity thing. Not like they are particularly gaudy, just useful. I'm not gaudy, am I?" She cants a glance to the side to eye his current attire, "Well, I suppose it looks good on you. But then again, I haven't seen you in red... or purple -you know, you really should try purple some time."

 

Murkat shakes his head once more. "I don't think so. You wouldn't catch me dead in a color like purple. Sounds more like something V'len would wear, not me." He's quite happy with his black, and there's not anyone that's going to change his mind. People have tried. "Nope, you're not gaudy." He looks over her clothes briefly. "I like the colors." Trust him to latch onto darkish, earthy colors.

 

Taire rolls her eyes and moves to nudge him, "I don't mean /now/. I've gotta wear this. We all do -the candidates. Black and white and brown and so very /boring/. I don't wanna look like the others." Although the very visualization of her and Menacion looking the same does cause a series of shivers to roam up and down her body. Ugh. Never imagine that again. "So its just black for you then? Black... black.. shiny black?"

 

Murkat grins as he nudges her. "But it helps us identify you guys. Wouldn't want us to think you were someone important or something like that. This way, we know that you're only candidates, nothing to worry about. Besides, the colors aren't that bad." Glancing down at himself, "Well, not quite. Black, white and silver. But other than that, mostly browns, sorrels, dark greens. You'd never catch me in something like red or purple." Shudder at the thought. "Way too bright for me." Bright means happy and chipper, and that's almost never him. Finally leaning back again, he props his feet on the bench in front of them.

 

Taire snorts, "Ohhh, perish the thought of actually being seen as important. That'd sure put a damper on this whole chore deal." And eventually undermine the entire hierarchical structure of the Weyr. Power to the People!... but that his besides the point. "Dark green?" This elicits an eyebrow-arch on his behalf, "You'd wear green? An unlucky color? Trying to look like some kind of rogue or something? Not even a dark purple... like wine?" 

 

Murkat grins, "We don't want someone confusing you people with someone important like me." One might think he's been spending too much time around V'len, which isn't the case. "Yep, I'll happily wear dark green. It brings out my eyes, or so I've been told." Just another color that looks good on him. "Nope, not even a dark purple like wine. Though dark, earthy reads aren't too bad. You know, like russet, and rust colors."

 

Taire cannot believe she is discussing colors with Murkat, let alone colors that compliment him. Just where is V'len at a moment like this? "Ohhh, so you think you are important... and I'm not? I see how ya are, paying too much attention to knots and such. That would just figure." She'd pop him one in the shoulder on principle, but once more manages to rein in that desire. "And you like to compliment your eyes? Would you also like to wear form-fitting leather pants that hug your rear as well? Or maybe some kind of fimly shirt to show off your chest? Why stop at just the eyes..."

 

Murkat stands up as he brushes off the back of his trous, turning away from her so she can get a better look. "What do you call these?" If they were any tighter, they'd be glued on. "I have a hard enough time as it is getting them on." Ah, the price one pays to look good. "And besides, this is my one of my more conservative outfits. You haven't seen any of my others." Perhaps that could be a good thing? Wouldn't want her doing anything unfiting of a candidate. ;)

 

Well, Taire really didn't have any burning desire to look at Murkat's rear, but how that it is presented to her in such a fashion, she can't help but look. And her eyes go as wide as marks at the sight this presents. "Well... erm... that’s nice." A bit of throat clearing, but her eyes are drawn back anyway -almost as if she can't get enough. He brought it up, "How /do/ you get something like those on?"

 

Murkat gives one final brush as he sits back down, grinning slightly at her reaction. "It is, isn't it." It's more of a statement than a question, as if he knew something secret. "Oh, it's not that hard. One has to practice, it's a tricky business in the beginning." But now he hardly wears anything else. "The leathers are slightly harder to squeeze into than some of the other materials in my wardrobe, but I like them the best."

 

"Canni watch you put them on some time." Taire simply asks, continuing to eye his thighs. Eventually, her gaze drifts back up to him. "You know, I /really/ want a set of leathers. I really, really, really, /really/ want a set of leathers. Some of those riders look magnificent in them... and yours pants aren't all that bad either. But I really want a full set, pants, coat, gloves, boots." Her eyes light up at the mere thought, and she breathes, "Everything." A smile drifts to her lips, "They'd feel nice, they'd be warm... and I'd look cute in them."

 

Murkat grins as he pats her back. "Maybe one day when you're no longer a candidate." Only time will tell. "Well, you're looking at most of the set, jacket, pants, and boots. I have the rest back at my room." What with all the riding he does, it's necessary. "You're right, you probably would look...cute in them." Eyeing her up and down once more, he nods. "I could always talk to a weaver...friend of mine. I bet she'd be willing to make you a set."

 

Taire quirks her lips to the side, "I dunno about black though. Maybe red... I'm told red is my best color, at least that’s what the weavers say. Not bright red, like a darker red. Red leathers...." Ohhh, and yet another wave of shivers take over her form. She eyes him again, well she is actually eyeing his leather, "A set? Really? Ohhh, but I wouldn't have anywhere to wear them. When all this is over I'm going back down to Southern, and there ain't no way I'm gonna walk around in leather. Even I'm not that dumb. The less you've got on the better." Immediately her eyes light up, "Ohhh, I've gotta show you the pants I've been working on. Finished my robe, so I've been keeping busy. You prolly wouldn't like then, cause there ain't a stitch of black on 'em.... but they are made of -get this- 'snake skin." *giggle*

 

Red leathers? Well, she wouldn't be the first one. There's a rider roaming around with one of the brightest pair of red leathers you could ever wish to see. Ah, now dark red, "Well, as long as they're dark red, they don't sound too bad." Watching her eyes traveling, he gives her a playful push. "Don't look at me like that. I'm sure it's against some kind of rule." Nodding sagely, he agrees. "You're right. Even I don't wear these when I head south, at least not during the summer months." A trip south means a raiding of his wardrobe to find something appropriate, weather wise that is. "Sure, I'll take a look at them." He blinks a couple of times. "Snake skin?" This he has to see.

 

Taire chuckles as she is pushed, only to nudge right on back. "Well, you're the one who had to go and show off to me. Shouldn't have been such a show-off. What'd you expect?" Alas, her gaze does sweep away and finally out to the eggs, "Aye, 'snake skin. I've been putting a dent in the 'snake population in the lesser used tunnels 'n I came to find just how pretty some of their hides are, and all so different. So, I asked this rider who used to be a tanner to help me in preparing the skins, so I've been sewing them up to make this pants. I'm nearly done. Dunno what I'm gonna do with them or anything. Or where I'll wear them. But they are awfully nice to look at, and they to shine quite nice in the light. Some of those skins change color, you know."

 

Well anyone who's been in the weyr for even a moment knows Murk's reputation, especially when it comes to women. He expected just what he got. "Sounds like a lot of work. And I didn't know that. Never really bothered to look real closely. When we start to have a problem with them, I just order the drudges to bring me a couple of dead ones apiece. But I've never bothered to look at them other than that." As if you'd catch him in those dirty, out of the way, dark tunnels.

 

And Taire rather enjoys those dark and dirty places. The darker and dirtier, the better. "Well, I'll just have to show you the glory that is 'snake skin. Sure, they ain't all dark and brooding like I'm sure some people would prefer, but rather shiny and nice." A faint grin, "You know, with all this sewing I've been doing lately, one would imagine I'd turn Weaver. I suppose all that practice makes perfect talk means something."

 

"That you will indeed." At the mention of turning weaver, his nose wrinkles. "Nah, you don't want to turn into one of them. Strange folk those weavers." And he speaks from personal experience. "Never saw what they get out of it. All the work, day in day out. Mending tears, creating new outfits. The needle moving in and out. Plus the added danger of personal injury to oneself. Those needles are sharp you know."

 

Taire most vehemently shake her head from side to side, causing her braids to flutter with the moment, "There ain't no way I'm turning to a craft. That might be for some, but it ain't for me. I'm really good at tipping bovines, but that doesn't mean I wanna join the Herders." Go try to figure out that logic. "No, its just practice. The robe, the dress, now the pants. And those pants are looking very fine. Practice. Maybe if I practice more at other things, those will be just as fine... my letters, singing, kissing... carving tubers..." Gaze meanders right on away from the eggs and up to the ceiling.

 

Murkat nods slowly. "Good to hear." Those crafters are a different breed, not that that's a bad thing, just different. "I tried out crafting for a while. Found that it just wasn't for me." More like there were more interesting things than mucking out animal pens. "Wow, sounds like you have a lot of stuff to work on. You know, anytime I can be of help, I'm always willing." He's just nice like that, only don't let it get around. That whole reputation thing again.

 

Taire lolls her head back against the back of the chair, allowing arms to hand limply to either side of her, "Ohhh, would you? That'd be nice. There is plenty of stuff that I'm not good at all, and I really need practice on. I'm getting pretty good with the tuber peeling one, but I simply can't make stuff like Kisha can. And I've been told that my singing those sea shanties isn't exactly the best. I've only done the kissing thing once... but my letters are getting much better. I actually read a note that Jenar game me the other day. But I can use all the help I can get with all that stuff." She frowns slightly, "That’s a lot of stuff... what would you want in return?" Seeing as she is a trader at heart, its typical to make a deal.

 

"Well now..." Murkat's gaze wanders, not really looking at anything, just more or less exploring the sands. "The tuber thing believe it or not I can help you with. I used to work as a cook. Pretty much the same with all the others. I've had experience in all of them." Some more than others. "As for what I want in return, that's a tough one. We'll just have to play that by ear." Especially seeing as there's nothing that he really wants or needs right now. "But never fear, I always collect on my debts."

 

Taire doesn't like the sound of that at all, "Claiming an unnamed debt on a person is a pretty big thing, Murkat." Her head turns to the side to regard him carefully, almost seriously. "You'd better be pretty fardling good at the other stuff for me to even agree.... /and/ be able to teach me well. Otherwise I'll claim you didn't fulfill our agreement. You got that?" But she is a girl who lives by her word, and a trader's word is a good as any written agreement.

 

Murkat shakes his head. "You don't have anything to fear. It'd more than likely be something small, like running a personal message for me if I need it done. Something easy like that." Thinking for a moment, he looks back at her. "But you're right. An unnamed debt is a rather large thing. Lets just say that for now, we'll leave it up in the air and when the time comes to collect, you can decide whether or not you want to do it?" That should suffice. His word is just as good, contrary to popular rumor. "And trust me, I am good."

 

Taire was looking rather dubious and serious for a long moment there, until that last statement. "Ohhh, then I suppose I spoke to the right person then." Her face breaks out into a huge grin, deepening her dimples, and causing eyes to dance with a mirthful light. "Well, I suppose that'll have to do." And without further ado, she extends a hand to him to shake.

 

Murkat reaches out to shake the extended hand. "Well then it's a deal, stated and bound." There, it wasn't that hard to come to an agreement. He really is an easygoing guy. "And of course you did. I'm just a multitude of useful information. Just bursting at the seams to share and enlighten."

 

Taire has this nagging feeling at the back of her mind that she might just have sold her soul, but then again, seeing as Pernese have no religious wanderings, the selling of souls is pretty much well a moot point. "Well, I'm sure V'len would beg to differ with ya on that point. But I don't doubt that you know a might more about carving tubers, as compared to his purling." She lifts a hand up to fiddle with the end of one of her braids, sliding off the silver bead on the end. "Its so nice to know I came to a person so full of knowledge. Just makes me tingly all over, it does."

 

Murkat nods, "It's a rare treat to fraternize with one as enlightened as me." As far as what V'len thinks, pfft. He's not here and Murkat is. "Oh, V'len was a candidate once upon a time, I'm sure he peeled his fair share of tubers." No doubt complaining all the while. "And that tingling feeling has nothing to do with my extensive knowledge, it's just due to the fact that you're around me." Boy, he's starting to sound like V'len. Someone stop him.

 

And Taire simply cannot let it continue any further, "Keep that up and you won't be able to get back out of the galleries, what with that swelled head of yours." She reaches over as if to clout him one on the shoulder, "Don't tell me that you often get offers for students to learn the wisdom of your ways? Or is all this just for my benefit."

 

Murkat lets out a laugh as he slowly shakes his head. "Swelled head? Who do I look like? V'len?" As if something like that would ever happen. "No, I don't offer the benefit of my wisdom to just anyone. Only those...special people that I think qualify." And it's an elite class indeed. "But I decided that you are worthy of my teachings." Though he doesn't bother saying why he thinks so.

 

Taire doesn't exactly swoon at the mere idea, but instead offers up yet another one of her skeptical grins, "And I should be honored and falling at your feet at this great chance, I suppose? Are you sure that an unnamed favor is enough for you?" The girl turns her head to the side, only to cast a couple of sidling glances to him, no matter that she is looking out to the sands.

 

One of Murkat's hands idly waves away her idea. "That really not necessary. But if you feel you must, go ahead and fall away. I won't try to stop you." Turning to face her, he stares right at her, just watching her, his gaze traveling up and down as if she were under scrutiny. "Oh never fear. The unnamed favor shall one day be named. Just not right now."

 

Taire giggles, "Well, then you are talking to the wrong girl. I don't swoon for nothing, at lest not unless I've got a reason to." A smile tickles on her lips 'til she looks back to him, to find him looking at her. Her smile hesitates for a moment, before its right on back again, along with the nudge, "well, you ain't getting anything out of me 'til you fulfill your end."

 

"Hey now, wait a second." he sputters. "I didn't say anything about swooning. I simply said that if you had an undesirable urge fall at my feet, you were free to." That's totally different in his mind. "You're right, I'm not getting anything out of you since I don't know what I want in return yet. But in the meantime, where did you want to start? It's quite a long list that you have."

 

Taire dissolves into giggles at the first part, and it is only when she is finally able to wipe the tears of mirth from the corners of her eyes does she answer, "Sweet Faranth, don't you know a tease when you hear one." Cheeks apple once more, "Ohhh, shells. I dunno. It’s all the same to me. Do you mind if I throw in that tingling thing as well? I want people to tingle when I am near too. Or isn't that a thing that can be taught?"

 

Murkat shakes his head as he watches her, choosing to ignore the jibe, but not missing her face changing colors. "Nope, I don't mind if you toss that one in there as well. I'd be willing to teach you if I could, but I can't. It's just one of those things that happens to people when they're around me." It probably has something to due with the sense of awe that they feel being around such a legend as himself. "I really can't say why."

 

Taire purses her lips as if annoyed, "And here I thought you were the all-knowing one in the weyr... can't help me do one little thing." And then the girl plants her hands and makes as if to rise, quirking a teasing grin to him, "Then what good are ya? Eh?"

 

Murkat blinks a couple of times, watching her rise. "Hey! Wait a second. I'm good for lots of things. Just look at all the things I can help you with." No one's perfect, not even him. And besides, some things just can't be taught, they have to be inside. "Besides, I'm being nice and helping you with everything else. There's just some things that even I can’t do." Hard to believe, but true.

 

Taire turns about to stand before him, hands planted on hips as she just stares down at him, "Well, I'm gonna make people tingle one of these days, you don't think that I won't." And her dark eyebrows arch showily, daring him to challenge her. A quirk to her lips as she considers just what they are discussing and arguing about and about just how silly it is. A long-suffering gaze is cast from ceiling back down to him, "Well, we shall see when we see, if'n you are as good as you claim to be...." Somehow, she doesn't seem quite convinced, as evident in the tone of her words -don't mind the obvious teasing dramatics.

 

Murkat raises an eyebrow as he grins slightly. "Oh, of that I have no doubt. Not a single doubt at all." Sure it's silly, but for anything to be fun, there should always be a little bit of silly tossed in. Keeps life interesting. "But again, you're probably right. I'm not as good as I claim to be, I'm better." No reason to lay it on too thick though. She can get the general idea without him having to brag. Rising, he looks down at her, his eyes meeting her's. Perhaps a silent challenge maybe?

 

Taire smirks as she actually has to tilt her head back to look at him. Just you wait, that growth-spurt is gonna come... "Ohhh, you had better be, /Master/. Cause when all is said and done, your /student/ is gonna best you at all..." a quick count, " four of those things. And won't you be proud..." As for the tingling part, that’s somewhat more difficult to judge.

 

Murkat reaches up to pat her cheek gently. "I hope so Taire," he whispers softly. "That is the goal of ever teacher, that one day the student might actually surpass the teacher. And you're right, I will be proud." As for the tingling part, only time will help her with that one. Time and a reputation of course.

 

Taire quirks a funny glance at him for a long moment, before planting the flat of her hands on his chest and pushing away. "I've got stuff to do." She then turns her back and starts up the stairs, murmuring, "Tuber carving, kissing, reading.... what was the -singing... Never heard him sing a song in my life..." And out she goes.

 

Tuesday, October 16, 2001

 

Steward's Office

The central feature of this room is a wide, heavy desk, directly facing the door.  The desk is a rich, dark shade of brown, made of stark, elegant straight lines, not a curve in sight. The surface is barely visible through the piles of paperwork, some finished, the large majority still being worked on.  The little visible is worn shiny by hours and hours of sleeves and hands rubbing against it.  The two chairs sitting in front of it are smoothly polished and bare of any cushions to soften the sharp lines.  Behind the desk, however, is a chair that contradicts the rest of the room.  Luxuriously padded and covered in soft velvet, it looks eminently comfortable.  Sitting behind the chair is a tall cabinet, stuffed full of filed reports and records.  The starkly done table beside it is also buried in more papers, though room has been made for a tray containing a pitcher of klah, and wineskin and a set of glasses.  The thick carpet in front of the door is worn from countless people walking across it.

Murkat is here.

Obvious exits:

Out   Rooms

 

Taire doesn't bother to knock or announce of any thing of the sort like your typically mannerly person would do. Nope, she simply barges in as if she was the one who worked here. "Murkat," she sing-songs, sweeping in. "You know, I've never been in here before." And thus, she ogles the room before actually checking if the steward is about.

 

Murkat is about, but the real question is exactly where. Peeking out from behind a pile on his desk, he looks around trying to spy the person who so boldly walked in. As he lays eyes on Taire, a silent 'Ah' escapes his lips, he should have known. "Taire. Good to see you again." He rises, walking around the desk to lean against the front of it.

 

"Hey there." The ex-messenger wanders away from the door to poke about here and there, drawing a hand along the line of a chair, fingers itching to pick at the piles of this and that upon that desk. Taire hesitates alongside the desk to bend at the waist and begin to reach for something or another that would more than likely topple the pile of work, "Yeah, nice place... for an office and all. Could use a little something though, but you get points for serviceness."

 

Murkat quickly sets his hand down upon the pile closest to her hand. "Probably don't want to touch that. Things are balanced rather...precariously." Really, there is some order to the chaos, just don't ask him to explain it for he probably wouldn't be able to. "Well, it's practical." And he had it decorated somewhat. He had to considering all the time he spends in here. "So what brings you here?" Not that he's complaining, just basic curiosity.

 

Taire quickly pulls her hand back, only to peep up to him with a knowing grin. Slowly, she straightens back up and removes herself to the opposite side of the desk, only to brazenly plop down right into his seat. One leg drapes over an arm-rest to dangle as she reclines back, to smile across to him. "I suppose to start on our agreement. That and I wanted to see what your office looked like."

 

Murkat chuckles softly as his gaze follows her around. "Well, this is it. Not much to see I'm afraid." An eyebrow raises as she plops down into his chair. If she thinks he's going to be sitting in one of the less comfortable ones, she's wrong. "Comfortable?" he asks with a grin before settling on the edge of the desk, for now. "Ah yes, our agreement..."

 

"Ohh, aye... its a touch high up, but it'll do." Taire's foot continues to waggle back and forth as arms reach up, allowing fingers to interlace behind her head. "We'll have to see about adding some doilies and cut flowers -when they come in season again." Her eyes drift shut as she leans back, savoring the feel of the chair, and grinning at her own words. "Yes, our agreement. Just start with whatever. I'm ready." With dark lashes set against her cheeks, thus blotting out the sight of the rather bland office with closed eyes, she takes a huge breath, "And maybe some scents too."

 

"Aye." he says with an evil grin. "Let us get started indeed." Walking back around the desk, Murkat places one hand on the back of his chair. "And you can begin by getting up out of my chair." Always start at the beginning, then move on. Moving back over to the desk, he leans against it facing her, waiting for her to move. "Next, you can tell me where you want to start." She's the one that wants to learn so she'll have to pick where to start.

 

Taire is roused by the movement of the chair, causing her eyes of flutter open once more. She hesitates for a long moment before dropping her foot back down and then moving to stand. "Just keeping it warm for you." She casts him a faint grin, but doesn't move all that far away. "Ah, shells. I was hoping you would know, seeing as you are the one who is supposed to be helping me." She glances pointedly at him, arching eyebrows, "Ohhhhh, I know. Seeing as you said you are good at such... I think you should show me just how good. Examples. I desire examples."

 

With his chair vacated, he takes the opportunity to sit back down in it, wiggling a moment to get situated. "Examples huh?" Thinking for a moment, he picks up a writing instrument, chewing on the end absentmindedly. "Well, I don't see any tubers around here, nor is there any sheet music in all of these piles of papers. All I've got here are numbers and letters." Lots and lots of numbers and letters. Leaning back in his chair, he props his feet up on the edge of the desk, after pushing things around with his foot for a moment to clear a space. "So that kind of limits our options.."

 

And she would have imagined that a bachelor would have some food sitting about to carve away at. Go figure. Taire quirks a grin at his as she wanders away to poke around at stuff once more. "So, you've got good writing skills? Don't scratch about like some kind of sick wherry? I do know my letters, and some words..." She meanders right on back to the desk, watches Murkat for a moment, and then quickly snap up a piece of his work from atop it, to narrow her eyes at the words or whatever is on the thing.

 

Yeah, but Murkat's not just any bachelor. The closest he comes to having food in this place is the hot pot of klah on the table behind them that's replaced on a regular basis by the drudges. "Well one would hope that I did, considering all the writing I do." Weaving his fingers together, he leans back in his chair, watching her reading. Shouldn't be too difficult since the most recent stuff on the top of his desk are all requisitions that he has to be sent off to be filled. "Find anything interesting?"

 

Taire wrinkles her nose, "Not really. Just a bunch of letters jumbled together...." Lips purse as she stares most intently at what is wrote on the paper, "Reh.... Reff... Radf-" A touch of an annoyed smirk crosses her features as she returns to wind about the desk and approach his chair. She moves to push against his propped-up legs and hitch up a seat upon his desk. Paper is brandished and a finger running along the word 'redfruit', "What’s this one?"

 

Murkat smiles as an eyebrow goes up. "Just a bunch of letters jumbled? What you're holding there is a work of art. A beautiful work of art. Just look how the letters flow, how smooth the lines are.." Ok, maybe that's a bit too much. It is, after all, just a requisition. "Which word?" Kicking his feet down, he leans toward her, trying to read the upside down paper. "Oh, redfruit. It's the kitchen's supply list, as far as what they need from Southern."

 

Taire raises a skeptical eyebrow to him, before she looks back to the paper, lips twitching to move into a smirk. "Well, I wouldn't exactly call this something that a Harper would go into fits of delight over, but I suppose it would have to do. Now, I'll have you know, that I've been practicing my letters, and they certainly ain't all pretty and curly like some of those scribes do -that I've seen on the messages." Not that she has really peeped at them or anything -erm. Paper is cast to the side as she draws a rather large letter in the air before them with her hand, a hesitation, "You'll need to have a sandtable. For me to practice on."

 

"A sandtable eh?" Oh great, something else that he's going to have to find a place for. Reaching for the discarded writing instrument, he points to a stack of papers on the other side of the desk. "Hand me one of those papers and I'll request one right now. We'll get it taken care of immediately." Or just as fast as possible, which here at the weyr, might not be all that fast. If worse comes to worse, he can go 'borrow' one from somewhere.

 

Taire leans over to the side, more than likely managing to dislodge this and that from their correct piles. She takes one up and then bends back over to hand it to him, "Yeah, a sandtable. I used to draw pictures in this one in the classroom at Xanadu. My artistic talent at the time wasn't appreciated as much as it should have been. And be sure to get some -what did you call it? Sheet music? I dunno if you really need to get that, 'til I know how to read it. Its just that I keep getting funny looks whenever I'm walking down the hall singing that one song about the Herders." You know, /that/ bawdy song. "Just something different.... and we'll prolly need some good knives, tubers... Why don't you also ask for another chair just like the one you've got?" Sure, why not?

 

Murkat grins and shakes his head slowly in disbelief as he begins to fill out the request. "Well lets definitely find you something else to sing." He knows which song she's talking about and is only slightly surprised that funny looks are all she's getting. "As far as the tuber knives go, we can get some when we go to the kitchen." Which would make sense since that's where they'll be peeling then. He's certainly not going to teach that part in his office. Eyebrow rises again at the request for a chair like his. "Do you plan on moving in or something?" Talk about an awful lot of demands. Just what exactly did he get himself into?

 

"I hadn't planned on it, considering we've only got 'til the hatching -and then I'm either impressing or leaving back for Xanadu. But either way, I'm not gonna be around here all that long, so its best to make the most of it as we can, right?" Taire idly kicks her feet back and forth as she continues to perch upon his desk, "So, all the better to make comfortable. And have you even /seen/ those barracks. They pack us in there like ovines to be fattened before the slaughter. It stinks. It’s loud. And if you had to sleep in the same room as people like Nial... or Menacion, you'd be wanting to stay out of there as much as possible to. And if I planned on moving in, don't you think I’d have ordered a bed or sent my clothes? Shells. Think, will you?" She quirks an amused grin to him, "That and I don't rightly think you'd let me move in anyway." 

 

Two can play at that game. "No, you're right. I don't think I'd let you move in. I mean, I really don't see a place in this room where you could even fit a cot much less all your clothes and other stuff." Pointing to one of the chairs on the other side of the desk, Murkat grins. "Well, if your barracks are that sparse, a chair like that should be heaven for you. And yes, I have seen the barracks. I helped get them in order before you arrived." Is she actually complaining about the accommodations that he worked so hard on? "Besides, it's a character building experience." Now if that wasn't a line... "You're right. Have to make the most of the time we've got."

 

Taire quirks one dark eyebrow as her smile widens, "Should make you spend a seven-day in my cot and see just how much you like it.... then you can properly set those barracks up for the next group of candidates who come through. Character, my arse... you'd actually learn something instead." Fingers drum on the lip of the desk as she considers, "Anything else that we need...."

 

Murkat simply grins as he goes back to writing. "I'll have you know, P'tala and I checked every one of those cots for soundness before you guys arrived. They are all in tiptop shape." Pausing for a moment, he looks back up. "I dunno, you're telling me. I'm just sitting here writing it all down." Selectively writing that is. Can't give her everything that she wants, that wouldn't be good.

 

Taire would pop him one, but that'd would more than likely mean he would have to start over, "How am I supposed to know -/you/ are the one who is going to be teaching me. You're supposed to be 'good'. I'd've thought you'd know what your are about with this sort of thing. And you haven't even proved yet that you are as good as you say you are with all those things." Arms cross over her chest with authority at the statement, and one cannot miss the challenge imbuing her words and her very posture.

 

Murkat holds up his hands, as if warding off her accusations. "You were doing pretty good so far, I figured I'd see what else you had in mind. It seems like you've thought this out already." At the challenge, he scoots his chair closer to the desk. Elbows resting on top, he supports his head on his folded hands as he leans closer to her, having to look up slightly "And just what do I have to do to prove to you how good I am?"

 

Taire casts a speculative eye across to him, "Well, I thought some of it out. There isn't much to think about when one is sweeping floors and shoveling snow... so, I think about this." Needless to say, she was anticipating cornering him most of the day. Her voice lowers as he purrs, "Murkat, you really have to ask? I'd have thought you'd have figured it out by now. I saw your writing... now the rest?"

 

Murkat tries to smiles just as sweetly as possibly, but with a hint of sarcasm as well. Not moving, he continues to look up at her. "Well," he begins in a sickly sweet type of voice, "If you can find a tuber or two lying around the office, or even a song scroll or such, then we can move on." But he's pretty sure that she's not going to find either of the items laying around here. The smile turns into a more sincere one as he waits for her response.

 

Taire frowns for a moment, a touch confused, "But didn't you just say that you didn't have those around here?" She glances askance, a bit of a frown gracing her lips, as she considers. Her voice slowly eases, "Noooooo. Which is why we need to get some. Save that for later.... Oh!" Head turns back to face him, hit by inspiration and showing it with sparkling eyes and one of those killer smiles, "Kissing. Almost forgot about that."

 

Murkat's eyes light up as she finally begins to get it. "Ah, so now you see why I can't demonstrate. Kinda hard to show you how good I am at peeling a tuber when I don't have one to peel." The same goes for the music of course. However, the mention of the newest lesson throws him back a little bit, both figuratively and literally. Leaning back in his chair, he folds his hands again, trying to regain a bit of composure. "Uh, yeah, there's that too." Is that one of the things that he actually agreed to?

 

Taire quirks a funny glance at him, a giggle perched on her lips and just begging to slide off and tickle the very air, "Aye, that. I've gotta know how to do that too, and well. So....?" She blinks as well, and then her grin grows wider at the idea that has taken root, "You /can/ kiss, right? Because if you can't, then I simply must move on to find another." She murmurs, "Can't do to job properly..." And with that, she starts to scooch forward as if to hop down from his desk.

 

Murkat makes no move to stop her, instead just watches her for a moment, kicking his feet back up on the desk all the while managing to look indignant. "Aye, I can definitely kiss, or so I've been told." It's just not something he's ever had to teach someone before. "And you're right, it's something that you've got to know how to do. And one usually does learn from experience." Thought practice isn't quite the experience he was thinking of.

 

Taire drops her arms to her hips as she comes down off the desk to regard him with a gaze just reeking of skepticism, "So? If you think you are so good at it all, and can do it... prove it." And seeing as this is Taire, and she isn't about to just sit back and let things happen... Nothing better than taking an active position in one's own education. So, the girl steps up to him and then leans forward as if to grab the front of his shirt with fisted hands and plant an extremely inexperienced kiss upon him. Now, it should very well be his turn.

 

"Whoa!" Murkat utters as a hand reaches out in front of him. Perhaps to keep her from getting any closer, yet. "First of all lets work on this," He points down to the hands grasping for his shirt. "You're not trying to haul me away here, so lets loosen up just a bit. The approach is just as important as the kiss, and you don't want to seem to..." What's the word he's looking for? Probably violent. But instead of filling in the blank, he just skips ahead. "Try slow and relaxed. You don't want the boys running away from you."

 

Taire frowns abruptly as pursed lips morph into a bit of a frown, releasing his shirt as she takes a long step back. "See now, that’s what I mean. I'm totally not good at any of that." But he sounds like he is. Arms move to fold over her chest as weight leans onto one leg, "Which is why I need someone to show me or I'll end up looking like a total fool." Yet, his pointers are considered.

 

Murkat pushes the chair back before standing up. Once up, he takes a step, bridging the distance between the two of them, slipping his arm around her. "See, you've got to be gentle." How can he put it into words that the messenger would understand. "Discreet." Which is the first word that pops into his mind, thought there's no doubt better words. "Are you beginning to understand?"

 

Taire instinctively moves away from him, only to come against his arm. "Gentle? Discreet?" Well, that certainly wasn't like her first experience -and she nearly did deck the boy. A reluctant frown crosses her features yet again, "I think so..." With a troubled cast to her eyes, she finally looks up to him, only to banish all annoyance. A hesitant addition, "Softer?"

 

Murkat nods as he thinks he might spy just a glimmer of understanding. "Yes, that's exactly it. Softer." All that rough and tumble is for later, but she doesn't need to hear about that. "Once you've got the approach down, then it's time to start thinking about the kiss, especially if it's going to be the first kiss. The first kiss always leaves a lasting impression, so remember that."

 

Taire nods sagely at the advice. "Um-hmm." Mouth works as she nearly repeats him, "Think about the...?" Her head jerks up to gaze at him rather carefully, "You mean to say that you actually have to /think/ about it?" Well, that is why she wants to make sure she does all that stuff right. "Alright... think about it," yet she still sounds a touch skeptical.

 

Murkat shakes his head, "I mean practice-wise. Don't worry about thinking. It'll just kinda come naturally. It's hard to describe unless you've actually been in the situation before." He stops for a moment, trying to decide on how best to phrase it, and fails miserably. "It's one of those things that just happens. No thought, usually no planning, just...boom." Boy, this is harder than he thought it would be.

 

Taire's frown just draws deeper and deeper. "Okay... wait a moment here. So like you're supposed to think about it for practice, like now... but when you really do it for the first time, it'll just happen?" This young woman is a mite confused, but she will just let it go at that. "Naturally? Then why do I need to so obviously practice it? You saw me a moment ago. I was about ready to smash myself on you." *pout*

 

Murkat grins as he ruffles her hair. "You just answered your own question there." Leaning against the desk, he crosses his hands across his chest. "It was practice, I knew it and you knew it. Think about this for a minute. If you were with someone that you felt strongly about, like maybe love, do you think that you would go about approaching them the way you did me?"

 

"Well, I was just trying to prove something to you there..." Taire looks a little disgruntled as she takes a long step back and to the side, "I... I dunno how I would approach 'em. Well, maybe not... at least not like that." Lips quirk, "Sorry. Didn't mean to try to tackle you or anything." Just being the ever-forceful Taire. Her chest draws with a deep breath, before she starts to the other side of the desk, "I'm thinking that’s enough for today. I looked silly enough."