Eastern Weyr - Southern Clearing
The southern clearing of Eastern Weyr is nearly comparable in size to the main clearing, though it contains a distinctly different landscape. Opening into the feeding grounds and the infirmary it serves as a major area for wing drills and relaxation in the evenings during the cooler seasons. Dirt pathways meander from structure to structure, linking the areas of the weyr well, though sparse grass lines the trails and provides space for entertainment and relaxation. Tall trees to all sides of the clearing offer shade and serve to delineate the boundaries of the weyr from the wilderness. To the opposite side from the infirmary, huts and weyrs have been set up in island fashion. A paved path rings around the back of the bulky hatching cavern that looms overhead, leading towards the crafter clearing and its constant, noisy industry.
The clearing by day is a bustle of activity during the clear weather, the lower caverns folk bringing out their chores to this area for space and fresh air. Summer has struck this coast paradise hard, the heat of the day neary unbareable without the shade and breezes, but the evenings made sweet with the smell of the coast.
It's foggy and warm.
It is early afternoon at Eastern weyr and folks wander this way and that about there various duites, The weyr's baker Tarrin sits silently infront of his cottage silently. For once there is no smoke from the ovens at his bakery. The Baker leans back in a chair, his left arm held up in a sling, a plaster cast can be seen poking out from under the sling.
Fiona's hair is damp and spun into a bun as she exits her own hut. She must have had the late shift last night to have slept so late, but she looks well enough. At least until she spots Tarrin and freezes mid-step, wobbles on one foot, then turns to start that way, "Tarrin. What happened to your arm?"
Tarrin looks up as he sees Fiona approaching and winces at her expression and says, "A pair of /children/ decided to have a food fight in the Common cavern and I slipped in there dropping." he sighs. The way he says children, though does indicate that perhaps they were not actually kids. He reaches up with his good arm and says softly, "The two of them should have known better.
Fiona's lips press into a flat line, "Is this something I need to talk to J'em about or have you handled it? The Weyr may not be the Hold, but some behavior is unacceptable." Her whole expressions says she'll take care of it, alright, but she's trying to be good and sometimes that means letting people handle their own problems, "I do not like having one of my wingmen out of commission due to childish negligence."
Tarrin nods and says, "Well L'im and Kayla did at least come to personally apologize to me about it…" he sighs and rubs his temples, "My baked good are going to be a bit on short supply until I can get this thing off though…" he freezes as he relizes he revealed the names of the /children/.
Fiona's already tight lips go a little white as she just get's tenser, "A /wingleader/?!?" Her voice echoes back off some of the nearer huts and she takes a breath before continuing in a more moderate tone, "I'll assign an apprentice to assist you with your baking. Kayla's just a child, but L'im should sharding well have known better. Do you want to talk to J'em about it or should I? I won't abide a wingleader setting such a poor example."
Tarrin sighs and says softly, "She did come to appologize already I think it may have actually gotten though to her. But words would probaly not hurt." he shakes hsi head, 'I really don't know It was as accident."
Fiona's frown doesn't waver, but she gives a slightly assenting nod, "I would just recommend to the Weyrleader that he take the opportunity with the new clutch coming and the arrival of the next batch of candidates looming that now would be a good time to remind his riders to be good examples for our new residents and the new dragons some of them will soon be bonding with. To uphold a standard of behavior worthy their rank."
Tarrin sighs and says, "Expeically with the prankster that are inevitable with candidate. A wing leader like that might get them going worse."
Fiona nods, crossing her arms over her chest, then uncrossing them when she realizes what she's done, "Exactly. It doesn't need to be about this particular incident." She indicates his cast, "Just behavior as a whole. The last thing this Weyr needs is too much trouble with all we've overcome in the last five turns."
Tarrin nods and says, "I will do what I can to help. I just dont want folks to get into to much trouble. not like they pushed me down or something."
Fiona nods a couple of times, forcing herself to relax, even if she's still frowning, "I'll talk to J'em about the general slipping of discipline I've noticed and how helpful it would be for the wingleaders and wingseconds if he was willing to reinforce their pleas for better behavior. I won't even mention you."
Tarrin nods and says, "You might want to mention me anyways, I am sure he has heard of the incident, S'dan was there as well, tryin to break things up too."
Fiona nods, digging a small notebook out of one of her many pockets, "Why don't you tell me exactly what you remember so I've got my facts straight before I talk to the Weyrleader?"
Tarrin nods and says, "I am not sure exactly what started it, someone tossed something, then Kayla overturned her plate on l'ims head. I got a bit annoyed and tried to storm over to the to drag them apoart.." he sighs, "I would want it told that they came to apologize on there own with out bein promted by anyone."
Fiona nods and makes sure to note that down, "And you said S'dan was there as well? Anyone else who could corroborate if this gets turned into something big?"
Tarrin says, "Yeah, Tequoia was about, and S'dans boy but not sure what ya'd get out of him."
Fiona nods slightly, "So Teq and Kesti as well. Were they participating or just unwitting observers? and do you know what started the fight, by any chance?"
Tarrin says, "I was walking out of the cavern when I heard the first plate get tossed. And well by the time I got back that way food was flyin. Kesti hid under the table and Teq was in shock tring to get them to stop."
Fiona nods and makes a few more notes, "I'm going to try to talk to Teq and see what she remembers. I'll send one of my handier apprentices to help you out with your orders. He's got good attention to detail, but I think he could benefit from learning a little about another craft and getting his head out of the circuit boards. You, focus on healing up, alright?"
Tarrin nods and says, "I will, I am still overseeing stuff in the kitchens, just hard to get things in and out of ovens one handed."
Fiona nodnods, "Of course. And your private sales, too." She taps the notepad gently, "I'll talk to J'em."
Tarrin nods and says, "Not tryin to get no one in trouble, but just don't want anyone else to get hurt for stupidity."
Fiona nods once, "Same here. If I wanted to get them in trouble I'd do the yelling myself, I'm just more worried about the example they're setting. Kayla's always acted out, but L'im's a wingleader, she should know better. Is there anything I can do or get done for you to make things easier?"
Tarrin shrugs and says, "Not really, i have had alot of folks offer help actually, seems everyones got use to havin my treats round here."
Fiona flips the notepad's cover closed with a sharp nod, "Well, then, let me know if that changes. As your wingsecond I consider it my personal responsibility to make sure you're taken care of. I'll talk to my apprentice later today about giving you a hand in the kitchens." Fiona actually looks like she /cares/ even as she starts to stand, "I'm going to go find Teq. You can accompany me if you'd like."
Tarrin smiles and stands, "Why not, don't have much better to do at this point." shifting the sling to a more comfortable possition, "I can't wait to get rid of these things.
Fiona nods a couple of times, "A few months, right? I've never broken anything, but I remember…" Her intent may have been to go find Kayla, but it seems Odin got ahead of her, the one-eyed bronze making for the little weaver girl and making it plain that his wanted to see her. chitter chitter cheep!
Tarrin nods and says, "Yeah, probably, the healers will keep an eyes on it and let me know.." he shakes his head, "Probably won't have to wear the sling all the time though, the cast doesn't go quiet all the way to my elbow..'
Tequoia has just wandered out on her break and is headed outside where it's relatively more breathable? With the heat drying the dyes quicker than they can set, they've been keeping the place pretty humid. She's a little grumpy though, and is walking a little stiffly. So when the firelizard comes chittering at her she shoos him away before realizing it's not her Qui. At which case. She stares at him a moment "Huh?"
Odin flies towards the clearing, then circles back, executing two quick circles over Teq's head, then starts flying that way again. Follow meeee! Fi nods, "That's good. Once you adapt you might be able to continue some duties, then, at least."
Tarrin nods and says, 'I really just need to figure out how to get things in and out of the overs one handed. At least it is my left wrist not my right.."
Tequoia watches the bronze and then just sighs and follows slowly. She winces every now and then, but other than that she just grumbles and heads towards the clearing. "If this turns out to be some silly game, I'll have your wings clipped." Grump, grump. Wince. And into the clearing she comes.
Fiona nods to Tarrin, then turns to Teq as Odin lands, "Oh, hey, I was juuuust looking for you." Her eyes narrow a little, "You okay, Teq? You keep wincing."
Tarrin smiles as he sees Teq approaches and smiles, "Hey there." looking much better then last time she saw him, wrist casted and slung.
Tequoia nods "I'm fine, no worries, just bruised my tailbone a little. Didn't notice it too much until I got up this morning." she notes softly "But, umm. Why were you looking for me?" she asks curiously. "Hey Tarrin, feeling better?"
Fiona frowns a bit, "SO long as you're alright, Teq… care to join us?" Never mind that they were standing, Fi will pull up a chair and re-plop herself in it, "I had a couple of questions for you about the food fight. Just want to get my facts straight before I discuss it with the Weyrleader."
Tequoia nods "I'm fine, perfectly fine." Not that she'd admit more anyways if she wasn't. At the mention of the food fight she frowns and then sighs and then blinks "Weyrleader? I didn't do anything. Honest!"
J'em's ears were burning? Err, maybe not, but he has ventured forth from his hut, which has been a rare occurence since the flight. But now here he is, still lacking a lot of weight, but at least his colour is back. Tequoia's immediate defense upon his arrival earns a raise of his brow. "Tequoia, Fiona." He greets calmly.
"Course ya didn't, Teq. I just want my facts straight about what happened so I don't do anything wrong, ya know?" She glances up at J'em as he appears and grins, "Weeeeyrleader, good to see you. How's Fenrith?"
Tequoia blinks a moment Huh? He's here? She squeaks and turns and He is here. She glances over at Fio over at J'em and then back at Fio. "But, what if you don't like what you hear?" she asks after a moment and shifts a little."
J'em makes his way towards the two women, looking over each one. At Fiona's words, again that scarred brow arches. "Afternoon, Ladies. Fenrith's fine, thank you for asking, he's resting at the moment, waiting for Arolaeth's every beck and call." Poor, poor bronze victim.
Jannen comes tripping along the way about, munching on an apple. He's possibly on his way to the Crafter Clearing but he sees Tequoia and changes course to join her. "Hiya," he says to her, and to Fiona. "Hey! I was jus' lookin' fer you ma'am!" J'em…he doesn't quite know yet.
The corner of Fi's mouth twitches, "Teq, I doubt you're capable of upsetting me that much. I was just wondering if you knew what Kayla and L'im were fighting about." She flips her notepad back open. NOTEPAD. Then nods to J'em, "Good to hear. Don't let her work the poor boy too hard. He looked downright peter'd out after the flight. Hey Jannen." She grins at her not-quite-an-apprentice, "I'm in the middle of a couple of things, but what can I do ya for?"
Tequoia purses her lips a little "Well. I don't know exactly what prompted it. I mean I wasn't payin a lot of attention. Hey Jannen!" she hmms a little "Was eating with Jannen here. And then all of a sudden some rice pilaf lands near me and then next thing I know Kayla's putting her rice on L'ims head and it just sorta devolved from there." she sighs a little "I did slip on S'dan's papers as I was trying to get out of the way. He'd dropped them."
Jannen nods. "Was crazy," he agrees. "Somethin' goes flyin' next thing you know everythin' does," he scuffs his foot into the ground. "I went under the table to eat," he says. Then puts hands in pockets. "Oh, wha' I was lookin' fer you fer? Uh, was wonderin' when I can star' my lessons with you because I maybe can stop learnin' with the weyr kids if I'm well an' truly learnin' with a Crafter?" He's got a hopeful look. He really doesn't want to keep taking lessons with the regular weyr kids, its obvious as he sort of bobs up and down on his feet waiting for her reply.
J'em is listening to the story, quietly contimplative. "Who else was thar?" Weyrleader asks, leaning on his walking stick as he regards not only the women but also the boy as well. Well, the weyrleader is taking names so he can kick butts, or something like that anyway.
Fiona glances at her notes, then back up at the Weyrleader, "According to my wingmembers, Kayla and L'im began the altercation. Jannen and Teq," she indicates the youngsters, "Tried to get somewhere safe, and Tarrin and S'dan tried to break it up, resulting in Tarrin slipping on some of the spilled food and landing wrong. I've been trying to find out what they were fighting about, but no one seems to know and, well, frankly, it's not my place to question either of them." She reaches out to give Teq's shoulder a pat, "Don't worry about it, Teq. You did good and Jannen… well, you have two options. I can teach you some things, but you'll still basically be a Weyrbrat and have to do harper lessons, too, or you can ask me to write to the craftmaster to apprentice you formally, then the only classes you have to take are the ones I say you do. It's up to you."
Tequoia is quiet for a while and then she quietly offers up. "L'im said something about it being all fair in love and something." she notes quietly "And umm, something earlier about Kayla blushing when she came up behind her." She glances over at Fiona, knowing how the crafter is about matters of the heart and all and just waits for it.
Jannen looks over at J'em and gets a look on his face, as if he's considering whether or not he can trust him. Then he nods his head pointedly once and starts talking at a good clip. "The girly tripped an' some food went aflyin'. Then this fella she friends with starts to pickin' fun of her so she gets all upset and puts the whole lot over his head. Next thin' you know more food is flyin' aroun' the place…" You don't spend years as a renegade without learning how to pay attention to your surroundings. To the crafter thing, his eyes go wide. "I…I dunno! Gosh!" Red faced blush at the idea. "Me? A' apprentice?"
J'em tugs a hand through his hair at the offered information, his single eye narrowed a bit in thought. "L'im an' Kayla, hmm?" He growls under his breath, figures it just had to be the newest wingleader he just promoted…and of the Zephyr wing too. "S'ppose maybe L'im needs some safety an' rule refreshin'. Tarnishin' Zephyr's name like that." Hrmph, Zephyr's his baby, dagnabbit! Then the love part is added and he frowns further. "S'why I dunna get 'volved anymore. Feelins always cause bad d'cisions." Mutter mutter, grumble.
Fiona arches a slow brow, "What guy she was friending with?" She glances at Teq, then back to Jannen, seemingly unaffected by whatever Teq expects to upset her, "And, yes, Jannen, if that's your wish your math skills alone are enough to get my recommendation to the craft." She glances at J'em as he ponders, then smirks slightly, "I was glad to hear that S'dan, at least, acted as I would expect of a wingleader."
Tequoia looks startled as she looks at Jannen. "Oo, I missed that. Is she in love with a guy and L'im as well?" Love triangle! And the story grows. "No wonder they were fighting then." she says quietly 'I dunno about the guy though. I was mainly tryin' ta make sure that Jannen here got plenty of food." she notes. She looks over at J'em and sighs a little at his ideas on love. "I've not made any with Shi." she says quietly.
"Wai' minu'! Tha' was a girl?" he's stunned. And then highly embarrassed. "Guess I didn', guess I wasn'…" maybe his eyes aren't as good as he wishes they were. But instead he says. "Must no' have gotten a goo' look at her," he says, looking down. Then he chews on his lips. "I'd like ta be a Crafter ma'am. I just hope I can be good 'nuff. Mum used to say Crafters don' like havin' our folk come aroun'," whoever 'our folk' could be.
J'em nods, taking notes, "Well, S'dan's a good man." And he doesn't just say that because the man is weyrmated to his son or has been a friend for turns and turns. "He's a l'vel head on 'is shoulders." He glances over Jannen as Fiona offers him the chance at apprenticeship. Back to Teq, "Aye, well, y'all're still young, give it some time." Trust him, ayup, he's old and has been through many relationships.
Fiona just shakes her head and shoves images of her sister and L'im down into a metal box and throws away the key. Does. Not. Compute. "Then I'll get on writing that letter, Jannen, and we'll get you started in with Seeley." She glances at J'em, then nods, "He is. One of the best."
Tequoia smiles softly "S'dan is wonderful" Ahh teenage heart throb he is. She lets out a dreamy sigh. Cue hearts and music. I'm glad he's in charge of Flame. He keeps things all safe and wonderful and he's just wonderful and…" she blushes and shuts up now.
Jannen lowers his head with a blush. "Thank you ma'am," he says to Fiona. "I really 'preeshiate it." Then he turns to look at Teq pointedly. "Don't yeh have a fella already?" he complains. "Mush!"
J'em arches his brow again at Teq. Is she swooning over his son's weyrmate? Hrm…"Aye, an' he's p'rfect fer m'boy." Ahem! "Keeps Ury outta trouble." He can't help but chuckle, though. "An' S'dan's dad's nay t'bad either." Muahahaha, talk about gushing!
Fiona looks from Teq to J'em, then back, her jaw going a little slack before she gives a quick shake of her head, "Just… eugh." Something else she and Jannen have in common, it seems, "And don't mention it, Jannen, it's rare to find a worthy apprentice."
Tequoia she can't help but giggle a little at Fiona's reaction "Someday I will have you going mushy over Urc'on" she states firmly and then ohs at Jannen "You'll have fun with Fiona." then there's a little grin "Sigh. I wasn't worthy enough." Oh, she's a brat.
Jannen looks like he would rather vomit than comment upon all the aspects of teenage love being bandied about. Instead he says to Fiona. "Thankee very much ma'am," he says. He's a bit red in the face, weather from embarassment or annoyance of the romancey stuff. Who knows. "Lookin' forward to makin' stuff and figgerin' thin's out."
J'em chuckles softly at the remrk of Teq making Fiona mush over Ur'con. "I'd a'most pay t'see that." He murmurs towards the younger gal.
Fiona rolls her eyes, "Not in a million turns, Teq, but you can keep hoping." Jannen's enthusiasm actually draws an honest smile before she opines, "You say that now, give it a week or two." She glances at J'em, then glares with one eye, "Not. Happening."
Tequoia hmms and starts plotting "Maybe I should have a talk with the healers…." she ponders quietly and then she grins at Jannen "So what kind of things are you wanting to focus on? I almost went Techcraft, but then someone teased me about being Teq the Tech and well then I discovered dyeing."
Jannen shrugs at Tequoia. "Well I'm good at math an measurin', so maybe I can…well now I hardly know!" He blanks. Okay, so maybe he doesn't know as much about how to use math for Crafting as he thought. "Well I suppose thats why I need learnin'," he concludes.
J'em glances between the three younger folk as they start talking about TechCraft stuff, and his nose wrinkles a bit. "Ah, well, s'ppose I should wander back t'check on m'lifemate." Okay, so maybe it's more like he should retreat fromt he confusing tech talk.
Poor J'em. Fi gives him a pleasant enough look, "Well, thanks for your time, Weyrleader. Don't worry about it, Jannen, you'll learn fast." Her gaze flicks back to Teq with a slight narrowing of her eyes, "Who teased you?"
Tequoia rolls her eyes. Quite dramatically. "Just some girl. It's over and done with and that was ages ago." she says and lets out a sigh. "I know I'm a girl and all. But I can hold my own with the others." she notes and then grins at Jannen "Exactly!"
Jannen nods. "Ayup," he says. "Um, I better ge' goin' so I can talk to my teacher abou' this. Thanks again ma'am," he says to Fiona, and then gives Tequoia a wave before running off towards some other direction.
Fiona nods quickly, "You do that. And report to the tech lab tomorrow at ten and we'll get you started on the fun stuff." She glances at Teq, "Which. Girl?"
Tequoia shrugs a little "I don't remember her name. Just some girl." she states "And whats it matter anyways? I wasn't even in a wing then."
"Because I'm your friend, Teq, and I don't like teasing, you know that." Fiona leans back in chair and shoves her notebook back into her pocket, "But don't worry about it, I'm just hovering."
Tequoia nods a little "Well, I understand that, but it was so long ago that it's now kinda funny." she notes "Tell you what. I'll let you hover, if you get gushy over Ur'con." she states impishly.
Fiona glowers at the girl, "I am /not/ getting gushy over Ur'con. There's nothing to gush over. He's my /wingleader/."
Tequoia just can't help it. She starts laughing. Those glowers just give her a fit of giggles. "So? Why can't you be mates?" she asks curiously.
Fiona's eyes narrow even more when the girl starts giggling. Of course she's immune. "What do you mean mates?"
Tequoia grins "You know mates. Weyrmates and such. Just because he's your wingleader shouldn't mean anything? I mean what about people who are mates with a Weyrleader, but ain't the Weyrwoman?"
Fiona's fingers tighten, "Because there's more to choosing to be with someone than just thinking they're cute and nice. I believe in waiting and knowing it's right."
Tequoia hmms a little "But how do you know? What if you end up waiting forever?" she asks quietly. "What defines it as being right? People say Shi and I shouldn't be together, but I like being with him. I'm happy. He makes me smile." A pause and then a quirk of a smile "He irritates me too, but that's okay."
Fiona snorts softly, "You and Shi are young yet. Me and Ur'con? Well, we'll be ready when we're ready, no reason to rush it, either."
Tequoia grins cutely "That's all the more reason to do something about it. Shi and I have more time. And well, Ur'cons not getting any younger." she pauses a moment "Or is it the fact that he riders bronze really color the issue? Or does it make it an issue?"
"Teq, I…" Fi sighs softly, "It's a lot more complicated than that. I'm not ready. Darlth's color was a concern at first, but not anymore. It's me and my need to be sure."
Tequoia tilts her head a little "But what if you wait too long?" she asks after a moment. "Aren't you afraid of losing him to someone else?"
"If he moves on to someone else, then it wasn't meant to be." Fi's got a nice, simple approach and she doesn't sound too upset about it.
Tequoia lets out a sigh. Hopeless, simply hopeless. "No no no, not true. I refuse to believe it. " She cross her arms and hmmphs. "Sometimes people settle for others because they don't think they can get who they want. But then they're stuck with 'em." There's a pause "Some people refuse to settle because they're just… just…" she pauses "Jerks like my brother. "And then sometimes Jerks get those that have been left behind and well, that's just terrible" And that was confusing
Fiona's brows iiinch up, "Teq… I have absolutely no clue what you just said. Ur'con and I aren't together because I'm not ready to be, not because he's a jerk."