Down on the Docks

Monaco Bay Weyr - Docks
A thin, windy pathway lined with paper lanterns leads to the sturdy docks made of stone and wood that stretch out into the deep azure waters. A large wall of stone curves around the docks, protecting the small docking harbor from the weather. Nestled against the intersection of docks and land, a large hollow has been carved out of the rock, the formation intended for storage of smaller ships during the worst of Monaco's storm season.


The mid-morning rush at the docks is over, and this spring day finds Kalen in his shorts floating in the water with his dolphin partner after a work out. Atlas is currently pushing the man around in the water in a game they are playing.

Normally you wouldn't see the greenrider Quinn down at the docks - her wing specialises in land-based duties after all! Yet today, the woman could be seen overlooking a particular ship as crates are unloaded from it onto the docks. Her appearance was also far different to how Kalen had last seen her, with her tidied uniform and slick blonde hair combed back. Buckled at her waist is her usual sword, but oddly enough a bronze firelizard is also perched on the woman's shoulder.

Indeed, Quinn seems to be on duty as she scans over some of the crates placed on the docks, hands planted firmly upon her hips. Her bronze firelizard, Oil, is the first to respond to the greeting, taking an interest in the dolphin and fluttering off to swoop over the marine mammal's head with a squeak. Noting her companion's departure, and upon hearing her name, Quinn glances across to the waters and notes Kalen nearby, raising a hand in greeting as well. "Afternoon."

Atlas will blow air up at the firelizard as away to play with it while Kalen swims over to the docks as not to shout, "It is good to see you well again" concidering the last time he saw her she was having some growing pains. "How are you today?" he asks idly watching the green rider work.

While Oil, the firelizard, dives and squeaks at Atlas in turn, Quinn momentarily leaves her duties so that she can approach Kalen in turn so that their conversation isn't privy to the entire workforce at the docks. "Well? Was I ill before?" She muses, not quite catching on the implications. Still, leaning on oneleg beside the water she spares another look for the crates that are being shifted and moved so that she can at least remain observant for anything unusual. "I'm pretty well. Keeping busy. You?"

Kalen looks up at the woman saying "Doing alright, just kinda taking life a day at a time really." He seems at least in good spirits today. Atlas will start trying to jump out of the water to play with his new flying playmate. Kalen gives Quinn a smile "You going to join the diving contest? i heard even S'dny is getting into it."

Quinn watches as a crate is carried from the boat to the docks, listening to Kalen and nodding slowly in response to his comment. She glances back at his question, and gives a slight shrug. "I'm not expecting to. Wing duties come first, I'm afraid." She shrugs, and looks to Oil as the firelizard zips upwards and out of the dolphin's reach over and over again. "I'd like to go, but I don't think I can spare the time for it."

Kalen will frown at her saying "awww, well i hope you do. Do you have time to meet Atlas or am I interupting your work?" he asks looking around her a well as looking her over again.

Quinn looks again towards the dolphin and she whistles sharply for her teasing firelizard, who swoops back down to the woman's shoulder and perches once more. "Sure." She raises a hand to one of the dockworkers and waves in dismissal before turning on heel and striding across to the docks where Atlas and Kalen were.

Kalen is sitting in the water up to his waist while his arms are proping him up on the docks, the latemorning/ early afternoon sky is bright and sunny. Atlas will swim over to get as close to the docks as he can so Quinn can see him. He will say in his high pitched voice "Shell…shine" at Quinn.

Quinn doesn't sit but remains standing at the edge of the docks, arms folded as she watches the dolphin approach. Upon her shoulder, her bronze firelizard squeaks loudly at the marine mammal. Slowly the greenrider looks between Kalen and Atlas, then raises a brow at the words spoken. "Shell shine? What does that mean?"

Kalen smiles at Quinn saying "Your hair, it probably reminds him of the shiny shell beds he likes to explore. It really is a complement, not meant in offense." Atlas for his part does the, 'you know you want to pet me' motions toward Quinn.

Alise has been milling about Monaco for the last couple of days and has found the place to be very nice. A big change from the life at the hall, though not unenjoyable. She makes her way along the docks keeping an eye on the water for any of the pod that she can see now that she's met a few of them. And there it Atlas swimming there, at least she guesses its Atlas, and Kalen as well. Though the woman standing on the docks she doesn't recognize. "Hello." she says to Atlas, Kalen, and Quinn.

Being complimented by a dolphin? That was a first. Awkwardly, Quinn runs her fingers through those blonde locks and clears her throat, debating on whether she should indeed be patting such a.. sweet-talking creature. Luckily, her time to decide is momentarily paused by the approach of another woman, whom Quinn does not seem to recognise either. Stepping back and pressing her hands into her riding jacket's pockets, the greenrider nods to Alise. "Afternoon." She replies.

Kalen grins over at Alise saying "afternoon apprentice Alise, this is Rider Quinn." He makes introductions as part of polite society, as a posed to other journeyman dolphineers that say the man has none. "Enjoying your stay?" he will say to Alise, as Atlas clicks his greeting to the other woman now as well.

Alise notes Quinn's relectance to interact with Atlas, "He really is very friendly." Alise says of the dolphin below in the water. Not a danger to anyone. Her attention is quickly stolen away by Kalen's greeting to her and his introduction of Quinn, "It's very nice to meet you Quinn." she says politely. "I am. The dolphins here are very nice and the people have been very welcoming."

Quinn glances back to Atlas still splashing around in the water at Alise's remark, and scratches her forehead. "It's odd. Like hearing a runner talking to me." She shrugs, turning back to the docks and crouching down into a squat where she could at least reach the dolphin. While her bronze firelizard zips off into the air again, Quinn extends her hand out to Atlas, attempting to stroke him whilst the two familiar dolphineers talk further.

S'dny makes his way down the docks toward the all too familiar bar that sits at the end of the pier. Along the way though he comes across some folks he knows well and some he has seen about but knows less well, "Good afternoon everyone." he says with a smile. He leans over the side of the dock to look down into the water, "Hello Atlas." he greets the dolphin.

Atlas is all about the attention, and as Quinn reaches her hand out he will move to put the big forehead looking part on her hand. His skin is soft and slick from the water, her touch causes him to make clicking noises that almost sound like purring. Sorry S'dny he won't respond as the lady has his attention for the moment. Kalen on the other hand nods and says "Afternoon Weyrleader." He is currently sitting in the water using his arms to prop himself on the docks. To Alise he says "Most people are friendly enough, just be yourself and people will be nice."

"It is strange at first, but then you get used to it. Probably like you had to get used to your dragon talking." Alise says to the greenrider. "They really are very smart even if their language skills seem a touch rudimentary." As with people sometimes they are very smart but just can't spit things out. She looks away from Quinn and Atlas back to Kalen, "I hope so." The weyrleader gets a polite nod of greeting and a "Hello."

Quinn seems genuinely surprised at the texture beneath her fingertips as she's met by Atlas head-first. Gently, the woman caresses the smooth skin of the dolphin with curiosity, having never quite stroked such a 'wet' creature before. A few moments passs where the clicking earns another few brow-raises, but soon it seems Quinn is quite happy with the petting, thankyou very much. She rises up, wiping her hand down on her riding leathers and turns to see Syd approaching. Immediately she fires off a salute, as duty would dictate. "Weyrleader."

S'dny returns Quinn's salute is returned quickly, "Wingrider." So formal today! Though he smiles when he says it. Kalen gets a similar smile, "Afternoon Kalen." The new apprentice that Kalen has brought to Monaco gets a smile as well, "Good afternoon to you as well." Now that Atlas is less busy he turns his gaze upon him, "Nice to see you again Atlas. Have you been behaving yourself?"

A figure cna be seen heading for the docks after making their way along the beach from the direction of the nearby private cove. Within the water is another dolphin who with a few clicks and trills, joins Atlas. Lyzaen steps up on the docks, looking at the crowd there, and offers a smile, "Hey.."

Atlas clicks at Quinn when she departs and says "Thank you.." before he will swim around Kalen to get closer to see the other people. To S'dny he will just say "Slide?" Which gets Kalen to roll his eyes he will nod to Alise, "they will, most people are good hearted when given half a chance." When Lyzaen shows up he nods to her too, "Hey your self, come to give the fearless leader here more dive lessons?"

Kalen's words have been accurate so far. Alise nods her head toward the journeyman and speaks up, "I think that you are probably right." Though Atlas's question about the side has her looking over the edge of the dock toward the dolphin. What is he talking about? Though the question wasn't directed at her so she won't try to give an answer too it. There is room for distraction though when Lyzaen arrives, "Hello Journeyman." she says.

With greetings out of the way, more greetings seem to be necessary as yet another unfamiliar face arrives. Quinn, adjusting her belt and sheathed sword so that they remained comfortable and in-place, lifts her gaze to Lyzaen and curtly nods. "Journeyman." She speaks, adopting the term Alise had. Stepping away from the docks, the greenrider moves to stand beside Syd where she can instead get a better view of not only the dolphineer folk, but also on the original reason she had been here: a boat is moored further down the docks and still in the process of unloading its cargo.

Dori swims fast towards Atlas, only to spring out of the water, and do a flip right over the other dolphin, diving back into the water with barely any splash. Tag, he's it. Lyzaen nods and reaches down to ruffle her brother's hair, "Hey you.." To Alise, a dip of her head is given, "Apprentice. going well today?" She questions, before stepping close to nudge S'dny with her hip, "If he's wanting." The question from Kalen is answered, though Quinn's own greeting draws a smile, "Rider."

The docks are the place to be at the moment it seems. Syd watches Lyz come closer and smiles. Even though there have been some minor introductions he feels the need to deepen them, "Quinn this is Lyzaen. Lyzaen this is Quinn." Doubtless they have heard each others names mentioned, but now they will be able to put a face with the name. "Slide?" he turns to ask Atlas, "I'm not sure that you are supposed to be trying to use the slide." And then Dori arrives with customary flair, "Hello Dori. Tell Atlas he can't use the slide." Though the humans once more are his focus, "I'm not sure I'm ready for lessons just at the moment." Though probably soon. He catches Quinn's gaze toward the boat, "Something going on with the boat?" he asks.

Kalen is now being jumped over by Dori, and is unfased as they do this so often it is almost an off day if they don't. Kal will roll his eyes when he hears S'dny saying the dolphin can't ride the slide becuase as soon as that happens Atlas just chatters in whistles and clicks, and then will race after Dori to tag her and make for open water.

Alise hasn't the slightest idea what the whistles and clicks mean but they do seem to be having fun so there is no cause for concern. With the two dolphins headed out to the open water that leaves her to watch the people. "Yes I am. It's been good to meet so many people here." Alise reports to Lyzaen. All is well from the prespective of the apprentice. She moves to sit herself on the edge of the dock and dangle her feet over the edge.

Quinn shakes her head. "There was a shipment that came from overseas which contained some volatile materials recently. One of the containers caught fire while it was being transported from Monaco so we had to handle the situation and investigate. I'm just making sure there's nothing else that could cause the same problems as before." Letting her gaze leave the boat, the greenrider glances back to Lyzaen and nods, now that she has a face to the name. Her firelizard companion is already off flitting around the dolphins as they splash around, leaving the greenrider to remain as sociable as possible for the present. Being a former guard, it's often tricky for the blonde-haired woman to just strike up a conversation and after a few moments she just goes silent, hands clasping behind her back as she stares off at nothing in particular.

Tag! Dori turns about, and goes back after Atlas, the two circling and swirling in the water, back and forth between the dock and open water. Lyzaen ohs as she's introduced, the smile a quick flash across her lips, "Please to meet you, Quinn." Yep, she's heard of the greenrider, and certainly glad to finally have the chance to put a face to the name. Glancing to Alise, she smiles a little more, "Glad you're enjoying it. Gonna stick around, you think, or go back to the craft hall?" Curious, yep.

Volitile materials…that doesn't sound good. Especially since they are all standing on the dock near enough to the boat. "That doesn't sound at all good." Syd says glancing in the direction of the boat, "Do we have to worry about something like that happening again?" he asks. Though with Quinn on the job he'd bet that it won't. She's very focused and doesn't let anything slip by her. The dolphins aren't making any trouble so it seems he parented them well! Good job Syd! The dolpineers question to the apprentice is a source of curiosity for him as well. Though he makes no comment about it he does listen for her answer.

Atlas will disapear form sight but resurfaces over by the netting still chattering away at Dori about something. Anyone with kids knows the mammals are up to something.. Kalen on the other hand is actual enjoying the company for a change and grins happily at Alise adding on to Lyzaen's question "You are doing really well with the pod here so you could stay.."

Alise is the center of attention unwillingly. The apprentice can feel all the eyes on her and knows that they expect some kind of answer, "I do like it here." she begins. Complimenting is a safe way to start, "I should probably see a few of the other possibilities before I settled down in one spot." The apprentice shrugs. Kalen had mentioned other places too and she does plan to see them. "The dolphins here are fun though." TL:DR The place is good and a possible contender.

As focused as anyone giving the three-mile stare! Quinn is quickly brought back down to Pern at Syd's question, and she gives the Weyrleader a reassuring nod. "It seemed to be an isolated incident. We'll be fine, just taking precautions." She responds, clasping her hands behind her back and returning her gaze to the dolphins plotting and scheming in the water. Again, she's silent whilst poor Alise is subjected to a grilling routine of questions, but after a while the blonde-haired woman feels the need to add her own input. "The Weyr is ideal. It can be busier than some of the Holds, but you'll also have better access to tools and resources here for your craft."

Lyzaen sort of smiles then at Alise's answer, but nods, "You're perfectly fine to check out the other weyrs that have dolphineers working there. As long as there's a journeyman there that can take you on as a student, then visit them all, find the place that really suits you." This she can get behind completely. "Until then, enjoy wherever you are." She's been half listening to the conversation between Syd and Quinn about the ship, a glance given to it before turning back again when something is caught 'said' by the dolphins. Eyes narrow a little before she stage-whispers to Kalen, "Atlas is trying to convince Dori they both should go down the slide… why??" More importantly, how are they supposed to get to the top??

"Isolated incidents like that are good. Let's keep it isolated. We don't need a ship blowing up at the docks. Think of the poor bar…" Syd says joking, of course he'd be more worried about the people and in particular the people that had to fight the fire like her. Plotting dolphins are almost as bad as plotting people. When Lyz chimes in what they are doing Syd shakes his head, "I guess telling him no doesn't work so well." He'll make no comment or put the young apprentice on the spot. Her answer is very normal.

Kalen shrugs and looks over saying "he watched some of the kids play on it and now he thinks he can. and he is sulking because I have taken to scolding him, you are the language girl you talk to him" at least he didnt call her the fish whisperer anymore.

The answer seems to have satisfied everyone so Alise continues to sit on the edge of the dock listening to Kalen and Lyzaen talk about what the dolphins are planning. "I don't think that would be very safe for them. Especially if they fell off the slide." It would be dangerous enough for people, but dolphins are so much heavier.

While further talk of dolphins continues, Quinn is suddenly distracted by a loud crash further down the docks as a crate split opens, sending what appears to be bottles rolling across the wooden platform. With a sigh, Quinn ruffles her hair and looks to S'dny. "Excuse me Weyrleader." She salutes, bowing politely to the other individuals before hurrying off down towards the source of the accident.

S'dny smiles as Quinn goes on a mission to take care of things. Quinn is ever observant. He salutes her as she departs, "Have a good day wingrider. See you soon." Then Syd is left with the remaining dolphineers and of course the dolphins.

Atlas is steared away from the net back to the dock by Dori for now and both dolphins start to try for attention from those on the dock "They want one or both of you to come swimming with them" Kalen says as he looks up at Alise and S'dny saying "it is really ok if you don't want to, they just being around people"

Alise is willing to get into the water with the dolphins. She quickly has hear outwear removeds to uncover her swimsuit beneath. Her clothes are placed gently on the dock where they will be waiting for her when she gets done. She hops in to the water, "I can." she says, as if her actions didn't make her willingness to clear.

S'dny smiles and shakes his head, "I'm afraid I don't have the time at the moment, but perhaps another time. You two have fun though. I'm pleased to have run into you." Then the weyrleader begins to head off back toward the weyr proper.

Both the dolphins will swim over to Alise, for attention Atlas allows Dori first while he will wait for Alise to adjust to the water and being there. Kalen nods approvingly at the apprentice and will give S'dny a nod as he leaves. Turning back to Alise he says "How are you holding up really? I know being in a new place is fun, but it isn't with out its challenges."

Alise reaches out to touch Dori gently and pet her head. She'll get to Atlas eventually. "I don't think I've had any problem so far." she says honestly, "Everyone has been very nice. I got to meet Laria last night and a greenrider named Mal'co. I got to talk to them for a little while till I was called away." And today she got to see S'dny again and Lyzaen and meet Quinn. "Who was that girl on the beach the other day you were looking at?" she asks. That was the one person she didn't really get to talk to before she left.

Kalen nods and says "that is Karmella, i have met her a few times though only in passing. How was meeting Laria?" he asks as he floats there. Dori happily noses the young dolphineer as she gives her attention, Atlas is patent as he knows humans have to do things one at a time.

If Alise had more than just two hands she'd be happy to pet Atlas too but as it is there is only two. She nods at his words, "Ok." After petting Dori for a few more moments she'll shift so that Atlas can have his turn, "It was good. She said I could help her with the dolphin healing thing she's working on if I wanted."

Kalen grins and chuckles saying "see already making friends and intergrating. Good for you dear." Dori will swim over to him and he will pet her giving affection, "what are your hobbies? you can't work all the time." Kalen says to Alise, while Atlas is there giving happy noises when he finally gets affection.

Alise does feel like she has at least gotten out there to meet people around the weyr so far. "I think the longer that I stay the more people I'll get to know and the more friends that I'll make." His next question catches her off guard though. Most of the time she just goes about her work and no one really pays all that much attention to what she does, "I like swimming obviously." You couldn't really be a dolphineer and not like swimming, "I like getting out and seeing nature and maybe dancing a little bit."

Kalen nods and smiles "I like to explore abit myself, there are a couple of places that are really interesting around. There is this one village that was made in the trees but abandoned, it is amazing to go there." he grins and starts rubbing under the chin of Dori, he motions to Alise saying "if you can get behind his jaw there he will love you forever."

"I've never seen a place like that before. I'll have to go take a look at it some day." Alise says as she continues to work on Atlas, taking his partners advice and moving to rub behind the dolphins jaw.
Atlas responds by closing one eye and lists slightly against Alise, he is so relaxed now he stops fidgeing or trying to get more attention. "See there now you have him almost calmed down" Kalen says, might as well teach the young woman while he is here. "now if your slow and gentle you can take a finger and check the inside of his mouth for anything and he won't bite you on accident."
Alise nods toward the dolphineer journeyman, "What sort of things would you be looking for in his mouth?" she asks. Obviously she knows that just like people dolphins can have mouth troubles, "Wouldn't he tell you there was a problem first?" she asks.

Kalen shakes his head "not all the time, some times they can get a parasite there and not even it know it becuase they deaden the skin. Other times like humans they just don't want to let you fix it." he instructs the younger woman.

Alise will take whatever instruction that the journeyman provides and if Atlas were to have anything she will work with Kalen on how to fix it. When the lesson is done she'll depart back to where she is staying while she's here.


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