Eastern Weyr - Hot Springs Cavern - Side Cavern
Steam quietly creeps along the floor of this smaller chamber, the heat radiating from the great pools nearly stifling. This more human scaled bathing area, practically a miniature of the immense dragon pools that one passes to reach this area. Perhaps eight or nine people could comfortably fit within this area. Stone benches have been carved around the pool, providing sitting area for those wishing to just relax in the hot water. Several secluded 'changing areas' are along the one wall, nothing more than niches really, for those too modest to change within the public eye. Buckets of soap sand reside near the entryway below a towel rack. The best feature, though, is that several holes have been worn away on the far wall, allowing a view of the ocean to the bathers relaxing in the pools. Heavily covered lamps are bolted into the stone walls, providing dim atmospheric lighting for the cavern.
The sounds of an unseen ocean rushing in and out provide a soothing counterpoint to the bubbles that rise lazily to the surface of the pool. Dim lighting filtered through curtains of steam completes the romantic atmosphere of this little hideaway. Springtime has arrived on Eastern Weyr, the flowers budding with wild abandon and all about new growth of the jungle seems to be the theme both in the animal and plant kingdoms
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It's the end of the day, when chores and duties are coming to an end. Silna, however, has been up to something else entirely. From the way she's dressed and the sheen of sweat on her skin, it's likely that she was out in the jungle doing some exploring all day. She strips her sweaty clothes off almost immediately upon entering, tucking them under a bench. Once nude, she runs her fingers through tangled hair and wanders the pools, looking for familiar faces.
It takes a special amount of muck to draw Zahleizjah out to the springs at this time of day. The time of day when other people might actually be here *gasp!* Unfortunately, she's a particular kind of messy that can waste no time getting cleaned up, so she has begrudgingly schlepped her way from the barracks to the springs in an attempts to rid herself of the grime and stench. The Starcrafter wanders in not too far behind Silna, just in the second when her last article of clothing is removed. Sight seen, she's quick to turn away and divert her eyes, blushing profusely like she's never seen a nude woman before. "Oh hey…" she says shyly, wearing shorts and a tank that now match the muddy swathes covering her entire body. Particles in her hair, and that lovely aroma… seems like someone had poo shoveling duty today. She awkwardly steps past the barmaid towards the rinsing pool, jumping in and leaving a sheen of mire as she hops out and heads towards the main soaking pools.
It's the early evening. Silna, having just finished a day of exploring the jungles, is looking rather sweaty and a bit tired. She's entirely naked, having just stripped off her sweaty exploring clothes. She's making her way towards the pool with Zahleizjah, giving the candidate a little smile. "Hey there." She greets, removing the tie keeping her ponytail in place and tossing it aside. "Mind some company?"
Zahleizjah blushes, but works on flashing a quick smile back before her eyes tear away again quickly as they were set. She is fully clothed, yep, a shirt and shorts and somehow she still wishes she could put more clothing on… or maybe put clothes on Silna. She has at least pre-rinsed most of that nastiness before she slips in to the largest, most unoccupied pool possible, sinking in so that only her head is above water. "Company is good.." she says as if to offer as well as remind herself. "How ya been? Hopin' ya drank plenty of water the other night…"
Maeve picks right about this point to enter. She's still wearing her Dolphincraft wetsuit, but is quickly unzipping it, stripping it off just as shamelessly as Silna. Seeing Zahleizjah, she grins at her friend. "Hey, Zahl. Settling in here at Eastern all right?"
Silna smiles a little sheepishly at Zahleizjah, running fingers through her hair to try to untangle it. "Yeah, sorry. I may have had just a litttttle too much to drink." She laughs a bit before her attention is stolen by the latest arrival. She looks Maeve over, smiles, and offers her hand. "I don't think we've met, have we? I'm Silna."
Wetsuit!? Why didn't she think of that!?? Those things have hoods even, and Zahl is instantly jelly of the coverage Maeve has in her attire, watching as she enters, until zippers start unzipping and that thing called flesh starts being exposed. Rum colored eyes flicker as the water ripples across the surface, she looks away but responds "Maeve.. good to see you dear.. and yes, I suppose you could say so. How are you?" She catches that sheepish smile, her own hangdog mannerisms shining brightly as she fidgets and distracts herself by splashing around like some lil weyrmonster. She keeps the waterworks contained to her area, smiling finally and laughing it off "Oh no worries at all.. just wanted to make sure you were alright.. I get nasty headaches if I don't drink water and imbibe."
Maeve grins to Silna, unable to avoid her own examination of the other blonde, and takes her hand. "Maeve. It's nice to meet you, Silna." She slips all the way into the water, just enough to hide things from the nervous Starcrafter. "That's wonderful to hear, sweetie. It's nice to see you here rather than at Xanadu. Honestly, I think you're a better fit for Eastern anyway.
Silna shakes Maeve's hand firmly, then follows the dolphineer in sliding into the warm pool. She sighs with relaxation, stretching out and enjoying the feeling of the water. "Mmmmm. Very nice to meet you, Maeve." Her gaze drifts back to Zahleizjah as she smiles lazily. "Thank you for the concern, but I'm okay. I don't drink that much that often, really…"
Zahleizjah is keeping herself pretty well distracted with all her clothing and small wave making. Head bobbles a little bit a *KERPLUNK* as a flat hand plops in to the water. The little bits of mud remaining in her locks start to float away towards the drainage. "Why thank you Maeve.. s'good t'be here. I really like Eastern so far, though they've got a ways to go when it comes to developing the Starcraft. That observatory spoiled me!" There's a giggle and genuine flash of pearly whites. "I take it you've been good?" She queries before craning towards Silna a bit. Zahl pretends not to hear the Mmmm and nods "Glad t'hear… and we all deserve some inebriated fun from time to time ya?"
Maeve nods. "I can imagine. But, honestly, they're so uptight there… Eastern is so much more relaxed." She turns to Silna. "And how long have you been at Eastern, Silna?"
Silna sits up a little straighter once she's properly relaxed, giving Zahleizjah a little grin after that last comment of hers. "I might've snuck away with a nice bottle of rum, if either of you ladies feel like indulging with me later." She says, smiling at each in turn. She then looks to Maeve as she answers. "All my life. And I couldn't agree more. No place like Eastern. What's life if you can't relax, huh?"
Zahleizjah nods in agreement "Aye.. they run things a bit differently around there.. glad to feel a little more at ease these days. It's been a journey though.. and now another white knot.. I dunno what my fate is, but seems cruel at times. Hows Dolphineering been Maeve?" She sinks the more Silna straightens, though gives a solid smile back. "I umm.. guess maybe just one, but I suppose I should see how I feel after the soak. Twas a long day of shoveling dung for me.. a tropical like beverage sounds tasty.. and yes.. good point, what is life if you can't relax?" That's a good question, she ponders the extent of it for some time.
Maeve grins. "It's been enjoyable, although I'm not entirely sure I'm ever going to make Journeywoman at this rate." As for Silna's suggestion, she nods. "Well, I won't drink any. Alcohol and I don't mix well. But I love the idea of company. My Weyrmate is so busy with her duties as Wingleader."
"A long day of shoveling is exactly the kind of day that calls for a little rum at the end of it." Silna says with a wide grin. "We'll go back to my hut after we soak here, unwind a bit. I think it's just what we all need." Her attention drifts back to Maeve. "Well, drinking or no, you're certainly welcome to come along and keep company. I suppose since she's a candidate, we could use a chaperone." She says with a slightly wicked smile.
Zahleizjah raises a brow "Why's that? Any good craft takes time.. m'sure you're selling yourself short and closer than you imagine." The words that are shared next provoke a slight grimaced frown, head cocking slightly "No alcohol and an MIA Weyrmate.. you're some kinda champ keeping up all them smiles Maeve.." A chuckle and nods agrees with Silna "A little is the key.. wouldn't want to upset any of those eggies out there.. or Tza and Fi for that matter." She gulps "Your umm.. hut? Maybe you have a patio we can sit on since it's so nice out tonight?" A few glances are shot towards Maeve.. her? Chaperone? Self control is too easily exercised for Zahl, she gives the idea a polite smile and keeps her inner thoughts to herself.
Maeve smiles. "Out on the patio sounds beautiful, actually. It's nice out tonight, just wonderful for spending with friends, both old and new."
Silna scratches at her head for a moment. "Well, it's not exactly a /patio/, per se. But I could pull some chairs out in front." She says with a little shrug and a smile. She glances to Maeve, giving her a little wink before she slips under the water's surface. After a moment she resurfaces, pulling wet hair back from her face.
Zahleizjah carries on as if she's not some completely unreasonable prude. "Sounds perfect.. chairs, rum and good company." She takes a couple handfuls of water and washes her face with them, just in time to miss the wink from Silna to Maeve.
Maeve returns the wink, grinning at Silna. "So, where is your house, then? I live with Mahlia, Wingleader of Flame, although technically, I'm assigned to the apprentice barracks.
"I've never met Mahlia, but that sounds lovely." Silna replies, smiling warmly. "My place isn't far from here. It's a little hut alongside one of the jungle trails. Nothing all that fancy, but perfectly serviceable for drinking in front of." She says with a little giggle.
Zahleizjah perks an ear "Mahlia.. oh, I've met her once or twice. Pretty nice lady it seems.. you two are so lucky to have found each other in this crazy place called Pern.." There's a sigh, maybe exemplifying her own loneliness, or lack there of. A smile as Silna speaks of the jungles "Ahh my hut is in that area too.. collecting dust.. these days, but ya.."
Silna gives a goodbye to the departing Maeve, once she is called away. By then, she has largely finished bathing. She drifts towards Zahleizjah, giving her a smile. "She seems very nice. Too bad she had to go… you still up for rum and hanging out?" She asks, hopeful.
Zahleizjah is all scrubbed up too, clothes and all, waving and smiling with well wishes for the departing Maeve. She hopes Silna doesn't drift too close, but that's just her overt shyness talking. "She and her Weyrmate are pretty lovely.." Head leans back for a moment in thought. "I suppose so.. a beverage and some drying sounds pretty great right now. I've got duties to attend to this eve but that allows a bit of free time." With that, she's up and out of the pool, turning her back towards it quickly as she grabs her towel and dries off best as possible.
"I haven't met Mahlia, but Maeve certainly was lovely." Silna agrees. She smiles warmly as she pulls herself out of the pool. Much less concerned with modesty than Zahl, she dries herself off in a leisurely way, then wraps the towel loosely around herself. "Just a drink or two, then. We can tell stories and enjoy the last bits of daylight." She says with a grin. "… Do you always wear clothes in the pool?"
Zahleizjah turns after a reasonable amount of drying and wrapping time, smiling and nodding. "Just one for me.. but yes please.. stories and sunset is always great." The next question catches her slightly off guard, stammering and blushing with a bit of a nod "Well I.. I mean.. I don't usually come to the springs when it's so busy.. but.. Iyya.. guess more often than not. A suit usually, but I was a mess so I figured may as well wash the whole darn get up." She wraps her towel around herself and ties her hair in to a high bun.
Silna offers her hand for the walk back to her hut, still smiling. "So, you don't do the whole weyr thing with the relaxed nudity?" She asks with a little bit of a giggle, idly adjusting her towel. "I can put something on if you're uncomfortable with it."
Zahleizjah shrugs and is at least Pernese Weyrfolk enough to grab her friends hand gently for the walk, smiling back as she responds. "I'unno I mean.. it's fine people are so open.. or relaxed as you say. S'just not for me.. You can stay however y'like dear.. just excuse my blushing please. I'm just not.. experienced like that y'know?" It probably makes no sense, but she tries to explain anyway.
Silna smirks a little bit, expression staying mildly wicked. "Well, as long as you're fine with it, I prefer to be relaxed and comfortable on a night like this." Proving the truth of her words, she sheds her towel at the entrance of the cavern, tossing it in a basket before proceeding out to her hut, still hand in hand with Zahleizjah.
The Starcrafter will steal no glances, looking straight down towards the path as they venture, secretly glad to slip in the cover of darkness in which clothing or not is less discernible.