Fort Weyr - Council Chambers
A large table, spacious enough to seat all of the Weyrleaders of Pern simultaneously, takes up the majority of the space in this room. Comfortable chairs are placed at regular intervals around the highly polished table, and writing materials have been laid out at each place in preparation for the next meeting. Along the walls are a series of sideboard tables, meant to hold food and drink for longer conference sessions.
It's been some weeks since Th'ero became Weyrleader, and M'lo has oh-so-quietly resumed the duties he quit while R'oc was still in charge. No one asked him to, no, but no one told him /not/ to, either. Finally, all the paperwork that had become backlogged while no one held the position has been caught up on, and everything is taken care of. In face, Th'ero would've received a lot of papers to sign and approve, from M'lo - delivered by Miki, 'cause she's M'lo's assistant. And here M'lo sits at his desk, going over a list of some kind, dressed in his usual black and brown, with his long braid snaking down his back and three firelizards asleep on the shelf behind him. There's an air of waiting about him.
It has been some time since the Weyrleadership changed and while it wasn't Th'ero's intention to leave anyone in the dark, the bronzerider was overwhelmed. Not today, however, and the Weyrleader has decided to deliver those signed and approved papers in person. Pausing by the doorway, Th'ero lingers long enough to politely knock and clear his throat before stepping through. He's dressed in his usual neutral toned tunic and black ensemble, his hair still shoulder length and a wavy mess. Brown eyes scan the room quickly, before settling on M'lo as he sits at his desk. "I thought I might find you here." He says in not the most formal of greetings, but it seems the only thing that comes to the Weyrleader's mind. And it seems the only thing that Th'ero is going to say, as he hesitates awkwardly, paperwork still tucked up under one arm.
M'lo glances up at the door and instantly recognizes Th'ero. He puts his pen down and flashes a grin. "Weyrleader," he greets the slightly younger man. He pauses for a second and then gestures to the chairs in front of his desk - there are two and they both look comfy and inviting. "Have a seat. Yeah… yeah, I'm here every day." He gives a low chuckle, and shakes his head a bit. "I've been, uh, finishing some things up for you. In case you want to appoint another Weyrsecond, everything is in order." He nods at the papers in Th'ero's hands, everything from menus and food usage accounts to trade budgets and worker complaints.
Th'ero manages to smile, even if slightly crookedly, when M'lo greets him so openly. It seems it's all the Weyrleader needs to snap out of his hesitant nature and with a brisk nod, takes one of the offered seats. Paperwork is promptly offered, once he's settled comfortably. "So I've noticed. I hope these are in order and well…done correctly. This is all new material to me." Th'ero admits with a dry chuckle, before blinking a little in surprise and giving M'lo a long, questioning look. "Why would I appoint another?" he asks, sounding genuinely confused.
M'lo presses his lips together in a strange, awkward sort of smile. "I can guarantee they're done correctly," he assures Th'ero. "But if you feel like you someone to double-check my work, I'm sure you could ask Neyuni." Whether or not the Weyrwoman will be inclined to do so is another matter, though she'll have some time on her hands now that the eggs have been clutched. M'lo blinks at Th'ero a couple of times. "As Weyrleader, it's your prerogative to choose your staff. That includes the Weyrsecond position. If you're more comfortable working with someone else, you can appoint them, and I'll go back to doing… something." He gestures vaguely.
Th'ero looks a little taken aback by M'lo's response, before he's holding up a hand. "No, no. I meant /I/ might have done it wrong. Your work is fine! I meant no offence." he says quickly, trying not grin at the awkward misunderstanding. When more explanation comes his way, it takes all the Weyrleader has not to flinch when his memory recalls just exactly what his position entails. "Of course." Th'ero's mouth draws down into a thin line, his brows knitting together thoughtfully. "To be honest, I'd be glad to keep you as my Weyrsecond." And to back this up, his tone does seem honest; as does the look he fixes the brownrider with. "I've no intentions of ousting you of your position. I… need all the help I can get."
"Oh!" M'lo says, and laughs a little at the misunderstanding. "Well, I can take a look at them, of course. I don't mind." Then he gives Th'ero a warm smile. "I'd be happy to stay on," he says heartily. "Really glad. The pay is very good, compared to other jobs I've had - certainly enough to keep my family comfortable." He leans back in his chair, relaxing a smidge. "So… how's Weyrleadering been for you, so far?"
Th'ero is relaxing now too, enough to settle more comfortably into the chair and return the warm smile M'lo gives. "Good. Let me know if I've botched anything. I don't mind going over details." He says, not quite admitting his inexperience, but it's hinted at. The mention of pay earns a chuckle and an understanding nod of his head. "You have a family?" The Weyrleader asks, simply idly and casually before his smile drops again. A lapse of silence and his next words come slowly, as thought he's carefully choosing them. "It's been… a challenge? There is a lot I've had to take on and adjust to." As guarded as he is, at least Th'ero remains relatively honest.
M'lo grabs a frame on his desk and turns it around so that Th'ero can see it - rather than an expensive photograph, he's got a pencil-drawn portrait of a woman and three children. The woman is recognizably Ely, with her red hair and mismatched eyes, and the two girls are apparently the same age, though they don't look alike. A little boy of about two turns looks like a mini-M'lo but for his ice-blue eyes, one girl with klah-brown hair with moss-green eyes that are full of mischief, and the other has dark auburn hair with brown eyes and a sweet expression. "Yeah," M'lo says, love easily recognizable in his voice. "Ely's my weyrmate, and we've got twin girls, Milana and Daniela, and a little boy, Eldann." He looks up at Th'ero, his dark, slanted eyes curious. "What about you, any family?" He waits patiently through Th'ero's silence, and then nods. "Yeah, I bet it is," he agrees. "I'm kind of glad that Irelanth isn't big enough to chase any golds." He chuckles. "You can have it!"
As the frame is turned to face him, Th'ero leans forwards a little in his seat, taking a few moments to absorb the details before a warm smile returns to his features. "They're lovely. You and Ely must be proud." He says in a low tone, no doubt picking up on the loving one from the Weyrsecond. When it comes to his turn to mention family, the change in the Weyrleader is subtle if one is looking for it. His shoulders tense a little and while he smiles to meet the curious look from M'lo, it's almost forced. "Unfortunately not yet. Perhaps in the future, if time allows." Then the moment passes and Th'ero leans back into his chair, folding his hands neatly in his lap. "I'm surprised Velokraeth caught, to be honest. He's considered small." Th'ero admits with a crooked grin and a chuckle to M'lo's last remarks.
"We're very proud," M'lo agrees, and sets the picture back down with one final look. If Th'ero looks around, he'll see that on the wall next to M'lo's desk is a painting of Irelanth in flight. It's actually really good, though not quite the quality one can expect from a senior journeyman Harper. "Well, you've got plenty of time for that," M'lo tells Th'ero regarding a family. "Ely and I started young. It was unplanned, but pretty wonderful." That's as far as he'll delve into the subject that apparently makes Th'ero so tense. Instead, he steers the conversation into work-related things, offering now to go over the paperwork with his new boss and show him the ropes.
"That I do." Th'ero agrees on the subject of families before letting the subject drop as well. The Weyrleader has probably noted the painting, but will only bring it up if the conversation swings that way. Instead, he takes a long inhale of breath and lets it out slowly as he sets his mind to the task of the oh-so-wonderful paperwork, eagerly jumping in on the offer from M'lo. It may be tedious work to some, but Th'ero at least seems willing to try to grasp it all.
'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.