Fort Weyr - Shenanigan's Lounge
The natural walls of this cavern haven been completely covered and replaced by straight and sometimes curving walls of brickwork. There's method to the madness of covering stone with stone. It's as simple as the electric buzz in the room. New grade electric lights dot the fancy brick worked walls, with wires cleverly hidden behind, allowing more focus to be centered on the rest of the room rather than the numerous strings of wire needed to operate the lighting. Each bulb roosts in a bronzed metal flowering fixture, giving the room a rich atmosphere. Still, the walls are not the only place which has stone on stone appeal. The floor has been run smooth, the surface now slate rock, creating an imperial cast.
Beyond the actual foundations of the lounge, the luxury continues. High backed wooden chairs with padded white seats have been stationed all around the room. Between the individual chairs are benches fashioned out of the same rich wood with pillows made to flatter the cushions. There are low lying coffee tables or end tables near the individual chairs, while there's larger dinning room sized tables with chairs to match scattered as well, giving much variety to those who find themselves in the room. Decorative hangings and framed artwork has been neatly hung around the room, but to offset the meticulous method of the room, there's some pieces that give a sporty feeling to the room - such as a fishing rod or a snow shoe.
Of course, the final appeal of the room comes in the form of it's purpose; athletic competition. There are several games of darts lining the walls, various decks of dragon poker cards available, a large velvet lined pool table centered to one side of the lounge, a mat area surrounded by ropes, and an area that keeps track of all the runner races around the world via radio signal, giving constant updates on the status of the runners. Lastly, there's a bar here, small and built with brick as well. There's usually a bartender on duty willing to mix drinks during the evening hours.
It's early evening around the Weyr, and there are some found within Shenanigan's getting there drink on, playing games of pool, or darts, or perhaps just talking about the day. Abigail is off sitting at the end of the bar sipping at a mug of some ale from the looks of it while seemingly lost in thought from the looks of it.
Ah, to have the time for some leisurely fun and drinks! Rare is the day that Th'ero can savour such a time but on this early evening on this particular day, fate just seems to hand him that chance and the Weyrleader takes it firmly by the horns. With his duties done, Velokraeth tended to, the eggs checked on and his last meeting with Nyalle done, he finds himself drawn to Shenanigan's. Kimmila is away, perhaps on a task ordered by him or with the Candidates (or both) and Kyzen and the twins are with their foster family. Normally he would retire to his weyr for an early night of peace and quiet. Tonight, Th'ero tentatively seeks out socialization. Stepping over to the bar, he will quietly order his usual drink, nodding and murmuring a few greetings to those already gathered there. Spotting Abigail, his mouth quirks into a gentle smile as he hails the brownrider with a half-salute, half-wave. "Evening, Wingleader!"
Socialization? People do that? Or something like it at least. Abigail blinks and glances up slightly. A soft smile is seen and she nods along with offering a half-salute, half-wave back. "Evening Weyrleader, how are ye?" She questions before waving to the seat near her if he would like to sit down. "Would ye like to join me?" Might as well be all nice like!
Most people do and actually crave it! The Weyrleader has never been one for socialization… at least, not before he attained his position. He had to learn to become more social. Th'ero chuckles dryly at her offer for him to join her and he does just that, sliding into the chair beside her. He'll nod briskly to the bartender as his ale is served to him before turning his attention back to Abigail. "I'm doing well, Abigail. Been busy, as is the usual case, isn't it? And yourself? Things are well with Thunderbird?" He would know. He gets the reports on his desk every day, but it never hurts to ask directly, does it?
Abigail is not the most social people around, or sure she has gotten better since being a rider, and then a being a Wingleader an all, still she has her moments of just enjoying being by herself honestly. She nods as she hears Th'ero, a soft smile seen. "Aye, that is to be expected indeed." There is a faint pause at the bit on herself and she tilts her head just slightly. "I'm well." Which tends to be her answer a good amount of the time. "Everything with the Wing is good. Always on sweeps looking of course." She always makes sure that the reports are there every morning, and if there was an issue she would make sure he would know that is for certain.
Th'ero can certainly relate to life experiences helping to mould a person as time goes on. The Weyrleader is not the same man he was almost ten Turns ago. "You're well? That's all?" he goes on to ask, giving Abigail a lingering and curious look as he takes a deep sip of his ale. It's a good answer, but he's going to gently push the Wingleader this evening. "Ahh, yes. Those sweeps. There have been no sightings then?" He won't elaborate on 'what'. Abigail would know that he eludes to the still missing Ustrr and his men. Something that has grated on the Weyrleader's nerves and nagged at him ever since the whole sordid affair reached his attention.
Abigail tilts her head slightly and peers curiously towards Th'ero as he presses the question of how she is. She's been at the weyr how long now? She doesn't open up easily to anyone, perhaps that's her problem. Her gaze lowers a touch and she watches her mug of ale, too bad it won't do any tricks. "Well enough. Breanna is with her father at Xanadu, So'l is off being busy. Not a whole talk to talk about honestly." She's been talking up a good amount of the sweeps lately, which Niumdreoth is thrilled with. "No, no sightings, not a damn thing." Which is nagging her just as much as Th'ero it seems. "I wish we had more of a place to start looking for them, something would be nice to try and follow."
"Ahh, I see." Th'ero answers at first, taking his time in speaking up again and letting a small stretch of silence fall as he nurses a little more of his ale. He is going to push Abigail a little, but he will still be respectful of the brownrider and not be overbearing. He knows of So'l being busy. He's seen the rosters and though he doesn't openly admit to it, the Weyrleader keeps as sharp an eye on as many of his riders as he can. "And how is Breanna? She's… forgive me. How old would she be now?" Polite inquiries and idle conversation, but he leaves it to Abigail to answer as much or as little as she pleases. "It would make our work easier, wouldn't it?" Th'ero admits in a lowered voice, his grimace showing some of the frustration he is feeling and likely shared with the Wingleader. "It makes me wonder if they've not fled to another territory. In which case… they will not be caught anytime soon. I don't know how much longer we can keep expending our riders like this…" Is he giving up? No, but he's also thinking logically. "The snows are melting and the seasons grow warm. Travel will be too easy now… And that may work in our favour." How?
Abigail has asked So'l to not get so wrapped up in things, though she's found her questions fall upon deaf ears it seems, at least to her. It has been some time since they have talked and she's keeping it take way until he approaches her on the matter. Though she smiles at the question for her daughter. "Three turns now. They grow far too quickly I feel." Well he should know that feeling. She nods to the bit on their job being easier. "Aye that it would." It would be nice for a change of pace though. "That is possible as there has been no trace of them, but still makes me wonder which way they went." She is not one to give up on such things, especially with a matter like this. "How would that perhaps work in our favor?" This questioned with a curious tone at the idea.
Th'ero chuckles softly as he takes another slow, thoughtful, sip of his ale and has to tip his mug a bit in agreement to Abiail's statement. "They do! Feels like Kyzen shouldn't be almost six already and the twins are nearing their first Turn! It is making me too painfully aware of the passage of time…" he admits with a smirk to the brownrider and shifting in his chair, he will lean a little closer to the Wingleader to speak in a quieter voice. Both riders are at the bar currently, with the time now early evening and the lounge seeing decent amount of patrons and traffic. Some are playing a game of pool or darts, while others come for socialization. "They could've found a winter camp to hole up in. If they were already so far north, I'd not be surprised if they found a cave in which to bolt into and ride out the worst of the cold season. Once it's clear and warm enough, they'll venture out again and are bound to leave something for us to go by…" Th'ero mutters low to Abigail. See? He still has hope!
Abigail smiles softly and nods. "Aye It does indeed many one very aware of the passage of time." Perhaps something that is something that has been on her mind more lately for one reason or another. She tilts her head slightly as she listens to Th'ero, curious to what he has to say on the matter at hand. There is just a touch of amusement caught, before a soft ah escapes her. "Aye. That would make sense indeed. With winter on the outs and spring here once more they would have to come out from where they have been hold up for supplies." This would then leave trails, evidence, /something/ for them to possibly follow, something to prove that they were indeed there.
"To the passage of time!" Th'ero toasts and drains the last of his ale, setting the empty mug aside with a smirk. He snorts, "Exactly! So we can only hope that that will be their downfall. IF they are still within Fort's territory that is. If they've crossed the border, it'll be another Weyr's problem and Harper Hall will have to seek them for aid." So it will be out of their hands! Scrubbing at his jaw, he then exhales heavily. "It's reassuring that you see along the same lines as I do, Abigail. Because there is talk of sending the Candidates out on a sort of… camping excursion now that the weather is warming and holding stable. I don't wish to deny them but at the same time…" How does he go about explaining that the forests could still be dangerous? After all the trouble he's gone through to assure everyone that they aren't.
Abigail grins at the toast and lifts her mug to agree with that toast. "Indeed!" Her own mug is finished and she is back to listening to what he has to say. A nod is seen at times while her arms fold upon the counter and there are moments while she thinks. "I see no reason to not think that way. It makes perfect sense. Animals in the forest do the same thing after all, when winter is to hard they find places to hide out for better weather. They would do the same thing for certain." At the bit on the Candidates she blinks and glances to him at this before nodding. "True" She frowns a moment. "I wish to go along on this trip, If possible. Extra eyes over such things after all." Plus she has experience in the forest as well. There is a moment and she glances off slightly. "If would please excuse me sir. Something I must attend to. I'll look forward to hopefully tagging along with this excursion." She says this while standing up, a soft smile is sent to the Weyrleader. "Have a good evening Th'ero." This said before she is off, slipping out out and heading to deal with the matter that has come to her attention.