Xanadu Weyr - Clearing
A wide clearing stretches from east to west, the ground packed hard although grass grows across most of it. Trees are strictly forbidden in this space, their danger to the constant draconic traffic reason enough to banish them to the forest that creates a border to the north. Where the ground is less trampled, tiny flowers poke their delicate heads out from their shaded hiding places with upturned petals to wave to whoever may be looking.
The cliff looms imposingly on three sides, stretching upwards all the way up the side of the rock edifice where, high above on Xanadu's Star Stones, the ever-present watchdragon sits on the lonely peak. Directly south is the hatching arena, the large round complex taking up a large portion of the perimeter, a line of trees visible beyond it. Southeast are wide steps leading up to the caverns and eastwards is the large entrance to the Infirmary. Somewhat north of the infirmary is a human-sized archway that has a frequent quantity of traffic — it leads to the Wandering Wherry Tavern. Tucked neatly under the arch, to one side is a tiny wood-frame shop bearing the name 'Petals and Pots Garden Shop'. Southwest lies cliffs where windows for the administrative offices have been cut. Underneath them are the entrances to the crafters complex and the resident's cavern while north and west along the cliff's base, a broad path leads to the feeding grounds. Due north is the spacious trail that leads to the rest of the Weyr - the meadow, the forest beyond.
It is nearly breakfast time at Xanadu Weyr. The resident staff already up and getting things prepared for the day. One of those staff by the knot on her shoulder is Eirwyn. She has a scroll case in one hand and a hot mug of Klah in the other hand as she leaves the cavern into the biting cold morning wind that has blown up overnight. She walks a well worn path in the snow towards the craft areas, muttering under her breath as she goes.
Velokraeth has already settled himself as comfortably as he can in the clearing, the stunted and mishappened pale bronze stretching out to one side after his rider dismounts. Th'ero is dressed for the cooler weather, his heavier riding gear suited for the task and dyed in all somber neutral hues and black. His Fort Weyrleader knot is pinned to his shoulder and while he carries nothing, his arrival here has become almost a thing of routine since the joint work efforts between Xanadu and Fort. Currently, he's conversing with another Crafter, Smith by the looks of his devices and the low, murmured conversation doesn't last long before the two are parting ways and the bronzerider is slowly walking up from the path leading from the Craft area. At the sound of approaching footsteps, he glances up just in time to spot Eirwyn and his heavy and thoughtful frown eases back a little, just a little, into a reserved but polite small smile. "Good Morning." Not exactly the most formal of replies, but he's known to skip it at times and at this hour, he seems in the mood to let it drop.
As she hears the conversation ahead, Eirwyn slows her steps and takes the opportunity to take a drink from her klah mug. A soft sigh escapes her lips as the warmth seeps through her. As she comes upon the man and takes note of his knot she goes to salute him first with her Klah Mugged hand then she aborts that and salutes with her scroll filled hand. "R..Xanadus duties to Fort and her Queens." She gives in a formal greeting to the bronzerider. She glances over to the Bronze for a moment then to the crafter he had been talking to then back to the Fortian Rider. "Is there something I can help you with sir? I would recommend the Klah, its fresh brewed and hot right now and its colder than death out here this time of day…" She suddenly stops herself as she realizes she is rattling on.
Th'ero comes to a slow stop as well, once Eirwyn salutes him and his mouth quirks up a little at the corners when she attempts to do so on the first try with her klah mug. "Well met," he replies in a low and somewhat drawling, accented voice. A brow quirks up when she glances from Velokraeth to the Crafter, who's now made his brisk escape back down the path in the opposite direction. At the offer, he pauses for a moment, staring down at Eirwyn with a neutral, but considering look before his features relax again and he's shaking his head. "I'm afraid not, though you're kind to offer. I was merely curious over something while I wait…" And he hesitates there, aware too that he is rambling a little and hastily switching tracks. "Klah would be quite nice, I think. Are the caverns busy, at the moment?" he asks her instead before snorting softly in an amused manner. "When you live as north as Fort is, this coldness here is warm in comparison." he muses.
Eirwyn meets his gaze directly as she awaits his answers to her offer and queries. "I am one of the assistants to the Headwoman and happy to help you with anything if I can." She offers and glances back at the caverns briefly before looking back to the Weyrleader, "No sir, mostly just the kitchens. The morning rush hasn't quite started as yet. Reckon you beat them by half a candlemark if you would like something." As he mentions the weather in Fort, she can't help but smirk and nod, "I guess so from what I have heard. Snows all year and you can walk right up to the weyrs on the snow banks." There is a faint tinkle of amusement in her tone to show she knows what she has been told bears some exageration.
Th'ero blinks for a moment as another frown creases his brow, dark eyes then focusing on Eirwyn with a renewed glance that meets her's directly in turn before drifting for a studious once over. He notes the knot now more clearly, inwardly cursing himself for the oversight. "Then I thank you for your offer for your assistance," he murmurs in reply, now edging back into formality or at least respectable. "Ahh, good. Then perhaps I will take up your suggestion with some klah. It's early enough to warrant a good mug of it." And if it's this early in Xanadu, it's even earlier in Fort and likely not even dawn yet. The Weyrleader is likely running on little to no sleep. As she goes on to exaggerate the claim she's overheard on Fort's wintery weather, Th'ero gives her a lingering and sidelong look that eventually shifts into one of amusement as well. "Have you now? There have been times that the snowfall is heavy," he admits with enough seriousness in his tone to make it difficult to tell if he's joking or not. "But not quite as high as that. We try to clear it if we can." Then there is a small pause, made only slightly awkward as Th'ero fumbles for something more to add. In his spot in the clearing, Velokraeth rouses a little and grumbles, stunted forearms and feet shifting and flexing as if trying to get comfortable — or he's distracting. The Weyrleader doesn't seem fazed though or even glance towards his lifemate, his eyes fixed on Eirwyn again. "And I'm afraid I've been lax in my respects," he says with a faint and lopsided smile. "Now that I know your rank, what is your name? In case I do require your assistance at a later time beyond a simple request for klah…" he finishes with a dry chuckle.
As he takes up the offer of Klah, Eirwyn glances to the scroll in her hand before tucking it in her belt and leading the Weyrleader back to the cavern. She takes careful steps on the cleared path in case any icy bits were missed on the way. "Always good to start a day with some Klah. Not sure if breakfast is quite ready yet, but can see if they can sort something for you sir if you like." There is a bit of a laugh at the comment of the snow. "I dare say the landings in such big piles of snow would be fun to watch." She declares as she passes the dragon and notes him trying to get comfortable? "Is he ok sir? Maybe he can wait in the hatching ledges? Not all that warm right now but gotta be better than this cold wind." As he asks of her name there is a slight pause before she answers, "Wyn." She finally declares.
Th'ero may have noticed the scroll too late as she tucks it into her belt and once again the Fortian Weyrleader is inwardly cursing his lack of clear observation. Normally he's keener on the little details, but it would seem this morning he is a bit off his game. "Only if it's not intruding on your duties," he replies when she offers. "Though I will pass on breakfast. Klah would do just fine for now." At her laughter, he only smirks but in a good natured sort of way, glancing down for a moment as he walks after her down the path. Not to watch his footing really, but more in thought. "The blues and greens usually take some enjoyment from it," he admits again, "Though we generally try to clear the bowls. Once that snow melts…" Mud. Mud and water everywhere and his expression shifts to a bit of a grimace as he lets the sentence hang. He pauses when Eirwyn comments on Velokraeth, coming to a stop in favor of turning to glance towards where Velokraeth is now settled again. Th'ero frowns, glancing back to the young assistant, "He is fine. His forearms sometimes cramp when he is in one position too long." he says carefully, "An unfortunate downside, really. But he assures me that all is well and that he prefers the clearing." Indeed, the pale bronze rumbles from his spot, oversized and mismatched eyes now turned to pointedly stare at Eirwyn and then his head cocks a bit to the side and there's an almost amused, chuckling sort of chuffing coming from the bronze. "Wyn." Th'ero repeats, his back again to his lifemate and thus missing the exchange. He gives her a long look, as if expecting more or trying to fit the name to her, but he does not pry or question. "Has Xanadu always been your home?" he asks next, merely curious even if it treads a little off the path of polite conversation.
"I reckon she will forgive the delay sir with you being a weyrleader and all." Eirwyn responds to his comments as she leads him finally to the entrance of the cavern. "It won't take overlong to make sure we at least see you with the hospitality of a warm cup of Klah." She replies before turning her gaze back to him as he speaks of the other dragons enjoying the playing in the snow, "That I would like to see for sure, maybe if it gets heavier here one of the locals will play around in it." As he pauses to look at the dragon she glances over to him as well. "Well as long as he is comfortable." At the last question she gives a shake of her head and turns to walk into the Weyr. "Hold bred sir, but figured I would give weyr life a try. Things can get boring if you live in the same place all the time I reckon."
"Perhaps," Th'ero agrees easily enough, trying not to grimace as he's reminded of how much leeway his rank may grant even in a Weyr that is not his own. "And I never doubt Xanadu's hospitality, of which I have been given much over the past few months. It will not be forgotten," he says with a smile that is a little more genuine. Ahh, the joys of inter-Weyr cooperation. As the conversation steers back towards dragons and snow, the Weyrleader chuckles again. "They may or you may witness some rather interesting displays of creative landings." And from his tone and the gleam of amusement in his eyes, there's likely to be more creative blunders then gracefulness. Once so calmly following her, Th'ero seems reluctant now to enter the Weyr itself, lingering again as he pauses to give her another long, thoughtful look. "He is," he assures concerning Velokraeth, who's head is still turned to regard Eirwyn with pointed interest, his fork tail now twitching slightly back and forth. "It could be, but sometimes living in a small place has it's perks. Have you enjoyed the switch then? Not all find it easy to accept." he asks, curious now and then darting a look over his shoulder when Velokraeth rumbles loud enough to be heard across the clearing. It has the Weyrleader exhaling heavily, almost sounding frustrated. "It would seem my time here is short. I will have to take up the offer of klah another day, I'm afraid. However," And he's reaching into his jacket then, hand disappearing but a moment before it returns and is clutching the unmistakable white woven knot. "There is klah in Fort Weyr too. And the offer to Stand for Zuvaleyuth's and Velokraeth's clutch, if you accept. He seems fond of you and insists I extend the offer of becoming a Candidate before we're called back."
"They have been hospitable to me too the last couple weeks, despite the work and all." Eirwyn says with a grin to the man, looking up curiously as he pauses at the entrance. She notes the look between him and his dragon and that the dragon is looking at her still. She looks up back up to him with an open curiosity and appraisal. "Yessir, I have. Met some nice people I never reckoned on. My first adventure I guess you can say." She says as she glances back up to Th'ero, "There are a couple of other holdbred folks here, I suppose that makes it easier as well." There is an arch of her brow as he suddenly declines the Klah, then the white knot is brought out. It takes a few moments for the offer to sink in. Indeed there is a blank look upon her features in that moment before her gaze shifts quickly to the dragon, to the rider, the dragon then back to the rider again, "Oh…" She gasps as the reality hits her. "Yes." She says succintly and quickly once she realized what was going on.
"Have they?" Th'ero inquires gently and the last of their idle conversation to be had before the situation and discussion between them will take quite the abrupt and life-altering turn. "I am glad to hear that you have adjusted well to life in the Weyr. It will likewise make this…adventure of sorts a little easier," he says, trying hard to slip in some humor and not come off too cold or reserved in his attempt to keep things on a serious and duty-bound level. He's patient and silent while Eirwyn struggles with the realization of what that knot and his offer entails and in the end her acceptance has him both satisfied and a little surprised. That was swift! The knot is offered then for her to take and Th'ero offers her another small smile while Velokraeth rumbles his approval from behind him. "You do not need to immediately come to Fort. You can finish your duties for the day, as well as inform the Headwoman and receive her permission. Velokraeth and I may not be able to come back for you, but I have several of my Wingrider's here on patrol with Xanadu's Wings. She will know their names, as would Weyrwoman Thea and Weyrleader Xe'ter, so you need only say when you are ready to go and you will be transported accordingly to the barracks in Fort." he explains, a touch hurriedly as he fights against time to ensure all is settled for her. "And congratulations. It is quite the experience to Stand. Did you have anything more to ask of me?" And he'll linger, likely, to overhear it before giving his final farewells and apologies with it, turning to briskly rejoin Velokraeth who has now roused himself to standing.
Eirwyn takes the knot and looks at it a moment, barely taking in what the man is saying at first but finally she looks up to him. "Yes sir. I better at least get this note delivered or she might say no." Eirwyn says with a half grin and looks to the Dragon and then the weyrleader. "Thank you…" And with that she is tucking the knot carefully away and running off to finish her errand with a bit more bounce to her step.
'The World of Pern(tm)' and 'The Dragonriders of Pern(r)' are copyright to Anne McCaffrey (c) l967, 2000. This is a recorded online session, by permission of the author but generated on PernWorld MUSH for the benefit of people unable to attend.