Fort Weyr - Living Caverns
This cavern, having been created by bubbles in the volcanic flow of this extinct volcano, has a breathtaking ceiling — a vast dome that arches high above the heads of the weyrfolk that scurry around beneath it. A hollow echo can be heard from loud enough noises, and the chatterings of various firelizards are consequently multiplied into a chaotic babble. All in all, the living cavern is a loud place.
Tables are scattered around the room, apparently in no particular order. Over to one side near the kitchens, two medium sized serving tables are constantly spread with snacks, klah, and other goodies. The tables look worn, yet perfectly fitted to the atmosphere of the caverns. In the 'corners' of the cavern, smaller two and four place tables are set up for more private talks or just a less chaotic atmosphere in which to eat.


Zi'on is at Fort. Why is he at Fort? Well, he's got a nice thick stack of papers to deliver to the weyrstaff. But really that's just an excuse. Really he's here to yell at Th'ero for being too important to come see him. But he's not quite ready to head up to the administration complex quite yet. He's building up courage! Also he's trying to get warm and dry. Bleh, snow. He's huddled around a mug of klah, the paperwork in a tied folder on the table in front of him, contemplating just putting a note amongst the papers and telling a weyrbrat to make the delivery.

The note won't be necessary as Th'ero comes striding up the stone stairs from the depths of the Weyr. The bronzerider hasn't changed much, still dressed in his usual neutral tones and black riding gear, though his jacket is folded over one arm. His goal seems to be the serving tables, but he'll never reach them. The Weyrleader had done a quick scan of the caverns, only to double take when his gaze spots an all too familiar face. "Zi'on?" Th'ero has a look of disbelief as he stares the younger bronzerider, but soon a broad grin stretches across his features. And off he strides to join him, unaware of any anger Zi'on may be harboring.

Zi'on looks… well, like he normally does. Plus an extra fur-lined coat and a skull cap with ear flaps. He looks up as Th'ero greets him. "Hm? Oh, Th'ero. Hi." Not exactly the greeting that Th'ero is probably expecting. And not really a polite greeting for a weyrleader, either. Zi'on needs some reprimanding. He pushes the folder across the table a bit. "I've brought you some paperwork from Western," he mumbles a bit. No yelling, yet. Zi'on instead seems focused in on his klah.

It's not the greeting he was expecting and Th'ero's faltering grin gives him away. But it's not like other reunions the Weyrleader has had. At least Zi'on comes bearing only more paperwork; rather then say… a knife or throwing a book at his head. No reprimanding comes, but Th'ero does give the extra jacket and skull cap a questioning look over and deals out some light joking around instead. "It's not that cold." He points out with a smirk, tossing his jacket over the back of a chair before taking a seat across from Zi'on, regardless if the Weyrleader is welcomed or not. The folder is taken, but then carefully set aside as well. "How thoughtful of you." Th'ero muses, before the last of his good humor cuts out and he fixes the younger bronzerider with a serious look, mouth drawing into a thin line. "So…that's it then? I'm to get the cold shoulder from you to?" No pun intended, of course.

Zi'on was a little mad at Th'ero, sure. But he wasn't about to attack him! That would not be good for weyr relations. Plus Zi'on wasn't -that- mad. There's some grumbling about the cold. It's hard to make out, though. "You're welcome," the younger bronzer says drolly. Then he eyes Th'ero from across the table. "I'm giving -you- the cold shoulder!? I haven't even seen or heard from you in over a month. I had to find out second-hand that you'd even moved to Fort, let alone become weyrleader here." Zi'on pouts. "Yeah. That's it, then."

Th'ero never knows what to expect, given the circumstances. But he does seem to relax a little when Zi'on doesn't seem to be ready to throw something or even really yell at him. Weyr relations or not, he's not forgotten that Zi'on is his friend, so the Westerner may be able to get away with more then he thinks. But none of this he shares, the Weyrleader shooting the other bronzerider a shocked, incredulous look. "No one told you? I figured it'd be common knowledge!" Th'ero admits, after a few choice curses. Shock wears off to something of an apologetic look, though it may be a little late. "I'm sorry, Zi'on. I…things were hectic. And I wasn't thinking too clearly. I should have told you."

Zi'on isn't really mad at Th'ero. He's more sad at him. "Well obviously someone told me. But that someone wasn't you! I would have thought I'd be one of the first to know. Instead one of the kitchen girls told me!" He sighs then. "Eh… Not your fault. Guess part of me is just sad you ain't gonna be around Western anymore. I was hoping to be on sweeps and stuff with you. Guess now that's kind of out." He sips at his klah. "So uh, how's Fort and all? Other than cold. You like your new job?"

"Kitchen girl?" Th'ero asks while giving Zi'on a long, searching look before he simply sighs as well and gives his head a little shake. "Yeah, I should have told you. I should have told a lot of folk. But I didn't." The Weyrleader then gives a soft snort, leaning back a little in his chair and giving a slightly crooked smile to Zi'on. "I can still visit. And I may not be Weyrleader forever, you know." He points out, no doubt trying to be helpful in a way. There's a pause and Th'ero glances away for a moment, silent as he watches a few weyrfolk mingle or go about their business. "Fort is… different. There's a lot of history here, but the folk seem welcoming enough." He glances back to Zi'on then and a smirk is given to his last question. "It's been difficult." Th'ero admits while sounding tired as he lifts a hand to scrub along the side of his face.

Zi'on doesn't look like he's going to beat Th'ero up any more about not finding out right away. Th'ero was apparently a man of mystery. "Yeah," he says about visiting. "You sound like my da, now. I bet you'll be busy all the time, though. And the only time I'll get to see you is when I have some important documents to drop off or something." Still with the pouty-face. "History? There's history at all the weyrs. Though I guess since this is the first it's got -more-." Zi'on chuckles a bit. "No kidding. Why do you think I didn't really want the job? I think you jinxed yourself, saying you didn't want to be in charge of anything."

Th'ero gives a bit of a grimace when Zi'on compares him to his father. "Really?" he asks, before sighing again when the younger bronzerider literally begins to pout. "I'm not going to lie. I am busy. Up before dawn and still up way past nightfall. But that's a whole different matter. Yeah, I'll most likely be in Western on duty." There's a pause as Th'ero mulls something over in his mind, before grinning, perhaps a touch slyly. "Everyone needs a break though, to escape. Where else then my home Weyr?" At the mention of history, the Weyrleader only chuckles dryly. "You know what I meant. It was one of the first Weyrs, so like you said, it has more - much more." Th'ero blinks a little when Zi'on mentions jinxes, looking a little puzzled for a moment before he's back to smirking. "Maybe." He muses. "Or /maybe/ I went on someone's advice to visit Fort and my timing is just that poor."

Zi'on doesn't confirm or refute his charges that Th'ero is becoming like his father. Time will tell! He give a forced smile to Th'ero at his mention of vacation. It's the best he can offer really. "Yeah, true." It's hard to pull the wool over his eyes though, Zi'on knows first hand what dealing with a weyr leader is like. "I'll just try to come by while I can." He laughs then. "You apparently do have bad timing. So don't try to pin your weyrleadery misfortunes on me! I bet Jey isn't too happy, though. Enka and I are sort of officially weyrmated now. I've moved most of my stuff into her place, basically."

Forced or not, Th'ero returns the smile with one of his own, though his a little more genuine. Either he's completely clueless to the awkward tension or he's trying to keep it minimal. Easier to pretend things are just fine, rather then face the issue, after all. "Don't worry, I'll try to keep my bad luck from rubbing off on you. Though… you never know?" The Weyrleader teases back, before glancing away again. His expression falls a little and he looks distracted for a moment. "She wasn't, when I found her in Fort Sea Hold. Greeted me with a few thrown books. Suppose I deserved that." That line of discussion though is left to drift as Th'ero is back to focusing on Zi'on with a surprised, but openly happy look. "You have? That's great! What made you finally decide?"

Zi'on knows that this means he'll have to inflict himself on Th'ero a lot more. Hooray! Or something. "Heh. Meh. I'd probably welcome it at this point. I want a better paying job so I don't have to make so much money on the side." To keep up with his expensive habits. Mainly of buying Enka ponies and other things. "Heh. I see. So you didn't tell her either, hm? Or was she just mad about… everything? You two going to become weyrmates then? I dunno if her dolphin or whatever can follow her, or if she can be reassigned." He rubs the back of his neck a bit. "Heh… Iris got weyrmated. I figured it was time to stop dragging my feet." He gets up then, and pulls on his riding goggles. "I should head back to Western and all. I'll see you later, Th'ero."

Th'ero tilts his head a little to the side at Zi'on's remark, giving him a searching look before smirking again. "Careful what you wish for." Is all the Weyrleader replies with before giving a shrug to his obvious lack of common sense of informing those he's cares about. "I didn't tell her. And I think that's what mostly made her so angry." There's a pause, as Th'ero seems to consider something before giving a slow shake of his head. "I don't think so. Not yet. And… Jeyinshi already has been reassigned. She's stationed at Fort Sea Hold. I found /that/ out after she finished tearing me a new one." There's a low chuckle when Zi'on mentions his inspiration for taking the leap forwards. "Well… good for the two of you then. Wish you and Enka the best. And do say hello to her for me? And the others?" Whoever the others may be. As the Western bronzerider rises, so does he, only he's claiming his jacket and (with reluctance) the paperwork. "Take care then, Zi'on. I'll see you later. Either here or Western." And with that, he gives his usual half wave, half salute and strides off towards the administration complex.


'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.