A Visit to the 'Reaches - April 10, 2001
A'zric takes his sister up to see Yanaleth and Teimornath's clutch at High Reaches Weyr. The pair arrive the morning after a brawl at the Rusted Hulk in Tillek, and just in time to see the demotion of one of the wingseconds.
Zynassa - Tuesday, April 10, 2001, 7:07 AM
------------------------------------------
In the bowl, to the west, E'lan's jaw drops, "Couldn't keep out of the
fight?! I was attacked!" He sighs and gives up, that same scowl on his
features, "Yes, Ma'am. Protocol lecture. And Kandri's got me on dawn watchrider
duty as well as grounded except for duties for two sevendays." He adds
as an aftercomment, if somewhat rudely, "I will not be going to the Seacraft
or Tillek any time in the near future. I have been treated nothing but poorly
there."
You meander towards the western side of the bowl.
Western Bowl, High Reaches Weyr(#880RJs)
Contents:
Br'nal
Dalynn(#8873PJXaceq$)
S'din
Melisandeth
E'lan
Lazryth
Nepenth(#4050JVaps)
A'zric(#11364PJOUce)
Rilsa
D'va
Divya
Behemoth
Yenne
K'nder
Konnevath
St'fen
Kemonth(#7953JVaeps)
Verenth
Kerilinth
Breeze
Minecraft Tent(#11335Je)
Rilsa places her hands on her hips and glares at those present. "Do you realize that the damages from your so called fight is coming out of our tithe? I'm sure the ENTIRE weyr appreciates the fact that they are going to be punished for all of your little run-in." She turns back to E'lan and stares at him. "Wingsecond, you will be going to our beholden areas. They are part of your duties. That is not an option for you."
E'lan notes quietly to Rilsa, "Those beholden areas do not want us there."
Zynassa comes from the direction of the stables, face alight. She announces breathlessly to A'zric, without regard for crowd, rank or even interruptions: "They really are shaggy! Just like Filliana said. And well muscled too. Bet they'll go a long way on a short feed." Then, abruptly she stops and colors, particularly at Rilsa's tone, though it isn't directed at her.
S'din speaks just loudly enough to be heard over the general noise in the bowl, "And proper Wingseconds do not talk back to nor argue with their WeyrSeconds!"
In the bowl, to the east, Abbe meanders in from the candidate barracks.
Br'nal glances at the woman on the other side of A'zric, obviusly perplexed, and then mutters to Yenne, He mutters to Yenne, "... with... wing... Wonderful... the..."
E'lan glares at S'din, then turns to Rilsa and says, "I was told to go away with an entire wing riding Search at Tillek. That we were bothering them. We get to the Seacraft and they tell us they don't want us there. Are we to force ourselves on these people?"
"Gee, really?" is her sarcastic comment. "Everytime 'Reaches goes to the Hulk, there is a fight. And, oddly enough, it is the riders that throw the first punch." Rilsa says. "You will do as you are ordered, Wingsecond. Whether they want us there or not, it is our DUTY to protect them for their own good and so we WILL be there. Thank you, Weyrlingmaster. It is nice to see that some people remember proper etiquette."
D'va hmms and mentions to K'nder and Divya, "Looks like I won't be docking the _Cross_ at the SeaCraft Hall for a while."
Abbe strolls over from the eastern side of the bowl.
Abbe has arrived.
Divya nods to her father and says quietly, "Probably a real good idea. But we can also visit Boll if you need something powerful to drink."
S'din grimaces back at E'lan, "And it seems some people need to muck out a few barracks to remind them of their Weyrling training, WeyrSecond."
Yenne mutters to Br'nal, "I'd... a while,..."
Abbe nods politely to all the riders as she hurries through.
D'va laughs. "Just as long as it isn't that Southern swill -your- brother sent to me. That stuff was worse than drinking day-old klah."
Br'nal nods at S'din's comment and at Yenne's.
E'lan notes again, for lack of etiquette, "Riders did NOT throw the first punch last night. And yes, of course, ma'am. I'm sure I will appreciate being put in a situation where I have to fight for my life and then getting dressed down for it every time it happens, ending up with broken bones, more bad relations, and triple duties to that of a Weyrling! Thank you for forcing me into such situations, Weyrsecond." Oh, he's asking for it.
A'zric waves to Br'nal, "Morning Br'nal, how are you this morning?" He extends his wave to Zynassa, "Find what you were after?" he asks the young woman.
Br'nal nods his head with a bit of a one-shouldered half-shrug. "Well enough," he says. "Just had to see what the ruckus was about."
Abbe wanders through the archway, into the lower caverns.
Abbe has left.
S'din stands very slowly upright, his crossed arms slipping down to hang loosely at his sides. He clamps his jaw shut and eyes Rilsa, however.
Divya mutters to D'va, "... son... And..."
Zynassa doesn't edge behind A'zric exactly, though she does settle in close to his elbow. Wary eyes slip from the discussion around E'lan to Br'nal, and then back again. She answers in a less stenatorian tone, "Yup. I might stop in at the hold and talk to them about crossing breeds." A pause and she asks even lower, eyeing the tenser 'Reaches riders, "Did we come at a bad time?"
Yenne clears her throat at Br'nal's comment, glancing for a moment toward Dalynn. "Fight at the Hulk last night."
Br'nal nods, "So I've picked up on."
K'nder puts a hand on S'din's shoulder. He mutters to S'din, "... handle this...."
S'din half-turns to K'nder, He mutters to K'nder, "Not... lets me at him. He'll... he... Weyrling again... him!"
D'va looks at Divya and says, "He .. well, yeah, I suppose he can. After all, he did have a little help in being driven to pick up drinking, no?" A wry grin accompanies that revelation.
K'nder grins at S'din. "True, that."
A'zric nods to Zynassa, "So I'm assuming you'll want a ride to the Hold too, hmm?" he glances to Yenne, "Have you met my sister Yenne?"
Br'nal blances at A'zric's comment. "Sister? I thought all your sisters were, well, little," he says, holding his hand up to his hip.
Rilsa's eyes narrow dangerously as her jaw clenches. She reaches up and yanks the Wingsecond knot off of E'lan's shoulder. "You have no right to wear this knot with that kind of attitude. You're dishonoring the Weyr, you're setting a bad example to the Candidates by disrespecting rank." For the first time this morning, she's turned from strongly irritated to pure livid. "You are grounded until further notice, rider. Dismissed."
St'fen's jaw drops as he watches the events unfold. "Shells." he mutters.
E'lan arghes with rage, "Of all the people here, you strop *me* of my knot for trying to defend the safety of our riders. Fine. FINE! At least while I'm grounded I won't have to endanger anyone's LIFE!" He storms off, having been dismissed.
Not watching for A'zric's response, Br'nal's eyes are drawn to Rilsa and E'lan. "Shards," he says, softly.
E'lan strolls towards the eastern side of the bowl.
E'lan has left.
A'zric was about to reply to Br'nal before Rilsa's yanking and words, "Oh not good."
In the bowl, to the east, E'lan meanders towards the lake shore.
Yenne turns to Zynassa and smiles. "I don't think we've met. Welcome to High Reaches, Zynassa. I'm Yenne, Temornath's rider." She falls silent when she hears the outbursts from Rilsa and then E'lan. And winces.
Br'nal glances at Yenne at this, and then darts a look back to A'zric and his sister.
S'din relaxes back again Melisandeth's flank and doesn't even turn to watch E'lan stalk off. Though e looks much less angry now.
Rilsa turns and glances around the bowl. "Anyone else would like to add their own comments?" she asks.
Zynassa's eyes flicker to Br'nal, quiet amusement showing in them for a moment, before she nods slightly to Yenne. "I don't think we've met, no. But I'd heard you impressed. My duties to the 'Reaches." A pause as the angry words overwhelm hers. However, not for nothing was she a Lady's fosterling. Her expression doesn't change, and she continues quietly, politely, "Congratulations on your impression, and the upcoming clutch."
Divya's face turns chalk-white at E'lan's departure. She shakes her head quickly and avoids Rilsa's eyes, in an effort not to draw her wrath.
K'nder keeps his face neutral, standing next to S'din.
D'va says "Yes, actually. What kind of wine do you think we should be having with dinner tonight? Hmm?"
St'fen shakes his head slowly.
Trying to put forth a smile regardless of the surrounding events, Br'nal extends a hand to Zynassa, "Haven't seen you in turns, I believe," he grins. "And thank you."
S'din's anger melts quickly away and he looks around the bowl at everyone who arrived during the discussion with a slightly bored expression.
Behemoth peers down at the throng, head cocked for a little rumble
Yenne shakes her head sadly before turning to Zynassa. "Thank you. The eggs are growing hard on the Sands and are well-tended by their dam and sire." She nods to A'zric. "And Temornath has very kind friends like Gelth who bring her treats and spoil her mercilessly."
A'zric smiles, "Not a single fish less than she deserves."
Zynassa crosses palms with Br'nal, and gives him a polite, restrained nod. For all the hullaballoo, you'd think she witnessed such scenes every day - her polite expression remaining interested and inclined towards the clutching pair. "We've met before?" This to Br'nal before she allows a smile to Yenne. "I caged a ride this time, to see the clutch that has all of Ista talking, as well as to peek into the stables." Her tone is a trifle sly on this last.
Lazryth wanders towards the eastern side of the bowl.
Lazryth has left.
Yenne chuckles. "Keep your distance from the black stallion. Evil-tempered brute for all that he's a quality stud. Kicked me when I was a Candidate."
Yenne then winks at A'zric. "Temornath won't want him to ever leave if you keep talking liek that."
Br'nal allows a smile to cross his face at the formal greeting. "Yes, back at Ista, a few turns back, shortly after I'd Impressed, I think. Though I wouldn't have recognized you now without introduction." He eyes the patches, "Moved down to Ista, have you?"
D'va hears no response to his inquiry and shrugs. "Well, I think I'm going to go find out. There -are- other things going on in the weyr, after all." With that, he disappears into the living cavern.
D'va walks into the tunnel to the living cavern.
D'va has left.
A'zric laughs, "I think Isadith would lynch him if he stayed, she needs some spoiling too, but she isnt as lavish in her chatter with him as Temornath is."
Zynassa grins at Yenne, "Actually, I'm hoping to find the one that bred him, or some of his offspring and talk to them about a little project of mine." She then looks back to Br'nal. "A brown, didn't you? Rather... precocious? Out of that first clutch of Gelth's with Neith?" She may not remember names, but at least she can remember events.
Konnevath rumbles comfortingly, and waddles over to his lifemate. Slowly, the color returns to her face and she makes an effort to converse with the others again.
Br'nal nods his head, beaming, "That's Yanaleth all right," he says. "And the sire of Temornath's clutch," he adds, as though that wasn't commonly known.
G'rad wanders out of the lower caverns.
G'rad has arrived.
G'rad strides out, carrying a pair of mugs, brimming, it seems, with what appears to be hot sweet klah. He nods to all as he passes "G'day." but doesn't stop
A'zric explains to Yenne, "Zynassa's got runner breeding on the brain."
G'rad walks towards the eastern side of the bowl.
G'rad has left.
Yenne smiles to Zynassa. "Then Abbe is the one you want to talk to. She cared for the runners before she was Searched. She's also been breeding the stallion."
In the bowl, to the east, G'rad strolls towards the lake shore.
Rilsa strides through the archway, into the lower caverns.
Rilsa has left.
S'din wanders through the archway, into the lower caverns.
S'din has left.
K'nder wanders through the archway, into the lower caverns.
K'nder has left.
In the bowl, to the east, Amilin wanders in from the candidate barracks.
St'fen wanders into the tunnel to the living cavern.
St'fen has left.
Amilin goes over from the eastern side of the bowl.
Amilin has arrived.
Divya waves to the newly-arrived Candidate and clears her throat uneasily. "Can I get anyone some klah? After standing around out here your throats must be dry."
Zynassa nods to Yenne. "I'll ask her when she's not busy with chores then." She protests lightly to her brother, "Well, I need to have something to occupy my mind with, don't I? Besides keeping my niece out of trouble." At Divya's offer she turns greatfully, "I'd not mind some, no. My first trip to the 'Reaches, and I'd like to get to look around a bit. See the eggs too, if that's all right?" She looks back to Yaz, Yenne and Br'nal.
Amilin waves back to Divya and moves to start filling firestone sacks.
Yenne smiels. "Go on ahead, Zynassa. Temornath doesn't mind visitors to the galleries.'
Br'nal says "glances at Yenne, "I don't see a problem with it," he says."
Br'nal motions towards the Hatching Grounds. "Shall we, or do you want to get something to drink first."
Yenne smiles. "Now I'm going to sneak up and have a quick bath while Temornath's resting comfortably. If everyone will excuse me?"
Yenne waves and then slips away.
Yenne walks up the stairs to Temornath's ledge.
Yenne has left.
Zynassa nods to Yenne, "Well met. And once again, my congratulations on the clutch." She shoots a look at the others and offers to Divya, "I'll come with you to get that klah if you don't mind? I'm not really one to be waited on," she admits with a grin.
A'zric nods in agreement, "Klah always sounds good, Br'nal?"
Divya grins and says, "The klah is this way. Plus there is juice on a table in the galleries for later."
Br'nal nods, "I'm game," he admits.
Divya meanders into the tunnel to the living cavern.
Divya has left.
You stroll into the tunnel to the living cavern.
Living Cavern, High Reaches Weyr(#1000RJs)
Contents:
Divya
St'fen
K'nder
D'va
Jemah
Sand Basket
Model of High Reaches Weyr Bowl
Firelizard Perch(#5030Jae$)
D'va says "Now tell me what happened last night, exactly."
Br'nal walks in from the tunnel to the bowl.
Br'nal has arrived.
A'zric meanders in from the tunnel to the bowl.
A'zric has arrived.
Divya leads the way to the meal table and points out two differnt ent klah pots: the 'rider strong' pot and the 'regular' pot. She pours herself a cup from the first one and asks the others what they want.
D'va sits at the back table, with St'fen, sipping from a wine glass and listening to the account of last night's 'activities.'
Br'nal cautions as well, noticing Divya's pointing. "Stay away from the miner brew."
Zynassa follows Divya in from the bowl. She offers, "I'm afraid I didn't get your name, rider? And thank you ever so much for the klah." She grins at Br'nal's words, "I'll go for the weaker version then. Drank it quite a bit at Bitra, but since I've gone to Ista, my taste's changed."
St'fen sips from his cider before answering D'va. That pause is taken for him to sort his thoughts, quickly. "The crafters were dishonoring us." he finally says. "Talking bad about riders. When I got there, there was some pushing and shoving and then someone threw a punch. I tried to break up a fight and ended up in the middle of it." he has decided to answer truthfully. Good choice.
A'zric tags along with Divya, collecting himself a mug and holding it out to be poured into, "Surprise me, I havent met a klah I didnt like yet."
Br'nal shares a grin at Divya. "Want to pour him some of that sludge that Gaeta drinks?" he asks, mischivelously.
Divya pours the normal klah for Zynassa and the rider klah for A'zric. She smiles and says, "I'm Divya, rider to Brown Konnevath out there. One of the few people who didn't get into the fight last night, thank Faranth."
Divya coughs and grins to Br'nal. "Nope, I'm not serving Gaeta's klah. It might climb out of the pot and attack me."
Br'nal laughs at this, leaning over to pour himself a mug of cider.
A'zric looks curious, "Gaeta's klah?" he grins to Divya, "No getting demoted for you today?"
D'va hmms and nods thoughtfully, sipping the wine. "When you say 'dishonoring', or 'talking bad', was it bad like, oh, I don't know.." He drops into a mocking voice and says, "Riders are useless creatures who don't know up from down?' Or was it more like, "Your mother sleeps with a watch-wher?' You see, St'fen, it usually takes a -lot- for verbal abuse to drive anyone into physical contact. Especially when alcohol is mixed. And no matter how people might think of riders when they're sober, inhibitions are thrown away when groups of people start drinking together." He sighs and says, "Listen to me, I'm lecturing again."
Zynassa looks around and snags sweetner and milk - apparently she's one of those that likes her klah doctored. She nods cautiously, and offers, "It sounded as though there was a bit of difficulty." Trust that Holder ettiquite to come out at the oddest moments. Yaz gets a tolerant look. "I hope it gets resolved to the weyr's satisfaction."
Divya shakes her head. "No, sir. I didn't brawl last night. I got a young apprentice out of the line of fire, and it just happened that Konnevath took a shine to him. In fact, Konn wrapped his tail around him and wouldn't let go until he agreed to stand for Temornath's clutch."
Br'nal ohs, at Divya. "Who now?" he asks.
St'fen is forced to shrug. "I'm not really sure. When I got there pushing and shoving was already going on. But I don't think our riders /had/ anything to drink." he argues. "But we protect them from thread and just were there for a relaxing evening."
Divya sips her klah and sighs as it slides through her veins. "Apprentice Sheron. I ran in the bar long enough to yell to Benrak that I was taking him with us, then made my escape. He helped fill a bag with redfins, so Temornath is thrilled to have him."
A'zric eyes his younger sister as if she's grown an extra head before nodding to Divya, "Congratulations."
Zynassa does smile at that, some of the stiff politeness wearing thin. "Well, then at least something of possible good has come out of it already." Eyes flicker over towards St'fen, overhearing the rider's words though she does not comment. The look from her brother goes unnoticed.
Br'nal chuckles again, "I half expect that all of them will bring fish when we let them on the Sands to touch the eggs, later on."
S'rist walks into the cavern from the lower caverns.
S'rist has arrived.
K'nder waves to S'rist from his seat at the Wing's table.
Br'nal takes his cider, leading the way to a table, motioning for A'zric, Zynassa and Divya to join him.
D'va nods. "Aye, we do that, but they provide us with many things that we need to allow us to do our job in fighting thread. It's a delicate balance and neither Weyr nor Hall ever feels they're getting the respect they deserve. So when things reach a boiling point, you have an explosion." He leans over and claps the rider's shoulder. "Put it behind you and be mindful of your surroundings the next time, that's all you have to do."
S'rist strides into the living cavern, what looks to be a runner riding crop in one hand.
Divya slowly walks to the table to sit near the Istan Weyrleader. She doesn't want it to look like she's running from S'rist.
Br'nal notices the Reaches Weyrleader, and hunches down in his seat. Innocent or not, his stride says a lot of what Brin doesn't want to know from.
Zynassa joins her brother, Diyva and Br'nal. D'va's words produce another flicker from her eyes, but again, she remains silent. At least on that subject. If she notices the strategic retreat from S'rist, she gives no sign. Instead she asks Br'nal, "So has the weyrwoman mentioned anything yet about a hatching day? or is it still too soon?"
St'fen manages a smile at D'va's words. "I will. Next time i'll try to get our riders out of there." he takes a bite of food, spirits lifted by the bronzeriders words. He hasn't seen S'rist yet. Or the item in his hand.
Br'nal smiles at Zynassa, "I think it's still to soon to tell, though all the Candidates have been asking about it. The eggs aren't even hard enough to let them on the Sands yet."
D'va grins. "And next time, check the docks. If the _Cross_ is there, I'll provide an alternate getaway." He sips from his wine and looks after the entering Weyrleader.
A'zric settles into a seat, listening ot Zynassa and Br'nal.
S'rist looks about the caverns, slaps the riding crop inot his other hand once, then steps back out, a bit too angry to start talking just yet.
S'rist wanders outside to the bowl.
S'rist has left.
St'fen grins in return. "I'll remember that." his gaze follows D'va's and he just catches sight of the Weyrleader leaving. He blanches. "He was mad?" he asks.
Divya sighs softly at the angry Weyrleader leaves. She says to the others, "Br'nal was probably right about the Candies bringing fish to the egg touchings. It seems the whole Weyr knows of her fixation."
K'nder steps away from the tables and heads into the busy kitchen.
K'nder has left.
Zynassa's eyes follow S'rist's departure, though only for a moment, before she turns back to the others at her table. "I think the candidates always ask that question first. I'd imagine it's only natural." She grins a bit and then chuckles. "Even I've heard of it through A'zric. Though I regret to say I didn't bring any. You should bring Temornath a spiderclaw or two, Yaz. Give her something to play with. A bit small, but..."
A'zric chuckles to Zynassa, "The entire bag on the right side was fish, Gelth always comes with a present."
Br'nal goes silent for a moment, obviously with the image of Temornath and a spiderclaw, his eyes snapping with glee. "You know, that's the funny thing. When I stood, I don't remember ever asking that question."
Br'nal turns to A'zric, hoping to catch up on gossip of the homestead. "How's Germaine? And Isadith? Yina?" he asks.
D'va nods with a small sigh to St'fen and says, "Yes, I believe he was. Oh well, that's to be expected, given Rilsa's reaction."
St'fen nods his head slowly. "True. I'm sure he's furious. Maybe he's waiting untill he is more calmed down to talk to us." he sounds hopefull.
Divya stands up and lets the Istans gossip among themselves while she makes her escape.
A'zric nods to Br'nal, "Germaine and Isa's good, Yina's.. well she's as much a handful as ever, wouldnt you agree Nassa?"
Divya wanders outside to the bowl.
Divya has left.
Zynassa nods wryly. "At least she's not decided to take off into the jungle anymore. And I manage to tire her out at least once a sevenday for that afternoon nap, but it's a near thing."
Br'nal chuckles, "She still running around the Weyr naked?" he shakes his head.
D'va watches his daughter leave and looks at St'fen. "Divya didn't throw a punch? Not one?" He sips more of his wine. "I find that hard to stomach."
Zynassa admits, "*I* try to keep her in tunics, but." She shrugs a bit. "It is hot down there." She finishes her klah and asks politely, "Would you all excuse me? I'd like to go on to see the eggs, and I know you've catching up to do."
Br'nal quirks his head and stands, "If you'll excuse me," he says, sparing a smile for A'zric and Zynassa. "Ah, I'll see you part way there, then..."
St'fen shakes his head. "Not a punch thrown sir. I didn't see her hit anyone."
Zynassa is more than content to follow along with Br'nal.
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