Xanadu Weyr - Caverns
A massive cavern in it's own right, this one has been skillfully adapted for human habitation. The high ceilings have been painted a light, soft ivory, as are the walls where numerous tapestries hang to provide brilliant color and insulation from the stone. The floor has been left in its natural state, pale pink granite speckled through with glittering mica and dark flecks of basalt, leveled carefully but kept sufficiently rough to avoid slips.
The cavern itself is loosely divided into areas, each one set up to be suitable for some segment of the Weyr's population. The most frequently occupied area, however, is the one near the Kitchens where tables of varying sizes provide a place to sit down and eat or chat and a buffet of consumables is almost always kept stocked. Its plain that on most days, this area wouldn't accommodate anywhere near the full population of the Weyr and equally plain that on such occasions when a formal meal is laid out, tables are appropriated from all the other areas.
A big fireplace is set into the wall near the Kitchens as well, several comfortable chairs nearby providing haunts for elderly residents or riders who like a good view of all that happens. Rugs cover the floor in strategic spots, all of them abstract or geometric in design and most in the softly neutral colors of undyed wool.
The time is around noon - not that you could tell it from the sky. Gray has blanketed the Weyr today, looming clouds that seem to grow darker and thicker through the day, looming with a threat of the storm that has just broken loose, a rumble of thunder the warning before rain begins pouring down. Through this rain comes Soriana. She was halfway to the caverns already! They're the nearest shelter, but even though she breaks into a jog, she's soaked by the time she gets there, standing just inside the door to drip… drip… drip…
Yay for rain! Well some people may be thinking this, all but for Idrissa as she is making her way into the cavern. She managed to catch the storm and is now dripping went, along with a book she was carrying, oh great! Rissa pauses and she gives herself a shake, sending some water flying in the process while she grumbles.
Despite the grey sky hovering over Xanadu, Mikal is in high spirits as he jogs into the caverns from outside. Slowing down his pace inside he strides quickly towards the table with food but instead of getting food first he goes for some juice. His spiky hair is dark red today with water indicating he was jogging in the rain, his shirt and breeches splattered with water. A single white strand has replaced his normal knot. "Heya Sori!" he greets cheerfully as he passes her.
At the back croner of the cavern n-talya sits, having arrived just before the storm and having collected her meal, the younge dolphineer doesn't even seem to notice that is has started to storm outside as she flips though a dusty looking book with a slight frown on her face.
Aaaaand water in the face! Gee, thanks Rissa. Soriana splutters for a moment, then gives Idrissa an arched eyebrow before looking to the flyby Mikal. "Hey," she says, her spirits not quite so high yet. They require assistance. So, she heads for the pot of klah and pours herself a large mug with extra sugar, taking a sip immediately. Mm. Okay, there we go. She turns back again, and gives Mikal a second glance. This time, she notices the new knot, and this time, she's cheerful enough to grin. "Oh, hey!" She heads to join him. "Got yourself searched, did you?"
Idrissa glances to Soriana and blinks before grinning. "Sorry Soriana, I didn't see you there." She offers with a sheepish tone while following after Soriana towards the warm drink area. A wave is sent to Mikal and she pauses to look over and ohs. "Hey, good for you Mikal!" This called out while she gets herself a mug of klah.
Draining half the glass of juice without breath he quickly refills it then sips again. Mikal gives a grin to Soriana. "Did. Izzuth wanted to keep me actually. Evidently he thinks I'd give good baths."
Natalya glances up as she hears the congratulations and blinks looking over in groups dirrection she smiles and calls out "Congratulations." as well.
"Sure, sure," Soriana says to Idrissa, but now that she's got klah, it's with a teasing smirk. And besides, there's Mikal's good news! And his strange news, as well. She laughs! "Izzuth already chose his. He doesn't get second helpings." She glances over at Natalya when the dolphineer speaks, and gives a wave.
Mikal is still glowing from the whole search. "Thanks all." he says to those calling out their congratulations. Running a hand through his short hair he now decides to grab some food. "Izzy evidently is a bit of a troublemaker." he points out. "Stole things when he was a weyrling. So I hope he doesn't try to steal me in the night!" he smirks.
Idrissa chuckles and smiles as she hears Mikal and nods. "I'm glad for you. Hope it works out." She offers once she has settled upon a seat next to wherever Sori happen to be. A curious glance is sent to Mikal at the story of how it happened.
Soriana ooooohs. "He might," she says, tone serious except for the grin. "He could snatch you up, take you to some distant island and maroon you there. He'd come by once a sevenday with food, but he'd only give it to you after you gave him his bath." Sori has another sip of her klah.
Natalya stands and moves over to join the group and giggles a bit at Soriana's words.
Mikal considers that a moment. "That could work out. No studies,no chores…" he says jokingly. "Long as he brought plenty of food when he brings it! I do eat a lot." Natalaya is noted and given a quick nod.
Idrissa chuckles and grins at the thought of a dragon picking someone up and takening the person off. "That would be an interesting thought." She smirks at Mikal and eyes him a moment. "That you do, sure you don't have worms or something?" This questioned with an amused tone. She looks to Natalya and waves to her. "Hey."
"Hmmm. This is true. You might eat him out of house and home," says Soriana, then laughs at the idea of worms. "Sooooo not touching that!" she says. "If you want to check, it's all between you." She grins. "But, if Izzuth tries to steal you again, remind him of that. He'd have to feed you to get those baths. That'll likely change his mind real quick."
Mikal pats his stomach then casts a sympathetic grin towards Idrissa. "I think only /dogs/ get worms." he states. "Least I think so anyway." with that he fills a plate and moves to plop into a seat to eat.
Natalya says softly, "thats not true, people can get them too. It is horrible… I hope you don't have them." she says with mock seriousness..
Idrissa seems amused and shakes her head. "Runners, and cattle do as well. From the dirt an all. They have to be dewormed cause of it." She pauses while glancing to Natalya.
Just the perfect conversation to have over lunch! Soriana raises a dubious eyebrow and stays well out of it, sipping her klah. That's all. Sipping her klah. Not. Touching. This.
Mikal wrinkles his nose. "Don't have worms!" he does protest.
Idrissa giggles softly at this, yes she just giggled. "I'm sure you don't. I'm just messing with you Mikal."
Natalya smiles and says, "I wouldn't worry about it." she looks between the others, her studyign forgotten for now, "Anyways, how is everyone today?"
Soriana rises from her chair, though she leaves her klah to claim the place, and goes to assemble a plate of food for herself. Bread, cheese, sliced meat… it's sandwich time. Some greenstuff to go with it, and she comes back to the table. New conversation time? She sits down, then smiles to Natalya. "Oh, I'm fine. Just work, y'know?"
"I'm good." Mikal replies in between bites of food. He's letting the whole worm discussion fade away gracefully. "Got guard duty as first candidate chore."
Idrissa hums osftly and nods at the talk of what Mikal gets to do. "Well, have fun with that." She says softly, pondering while she eyes her mug a few moments.
Soriana hehs. "So, what, are you like… supposed to stand shifts with them? Or is it more just doing the drills and such?" she asks Mikal curiously, then has a bite of her sandwich before adding, "How about you, Natalya? How're you today?"
Natalya wrinkles her nose and says, "Been stuck inside all day, going over lessons on metorology and the like.
"Dunno." Mikal admits. "Was going to ask after I jogged and ate." cause food is always on the to do list before anything else. "Guess I'll find out though."
Idrissa looks amused at the bit that Mikal came for food. "Good luck with that Mikal. Never had to do any of that. I did my beastcraft chores when I was searched that time."
Soriana nods to Natalya. "So what do those lessons tell you about this storm, huh?" she asks with a teasing grin, then hehs to Mikal. "Guess you will," she agrees. "Good luck with it, whatever it turns out to be."
Mikal offers a shrug, returning most of his attention towards food and drink.
Natalya says softl, "Well that it is wet and dangerous to be out on that water in." she giggles and says, "Thats why we are inside today instead of working with our partners."
Idrissa picks up her book and sets them on he table, she goes about brushing some water off that is still clinging. "I almost escaped staying inside all day. When I came out of course the rain started."
Soriana hehs to Natalya. "Good point, that. Though I suppose the water's always wet, isn't it? Too bad you don't get to go out, though… storms can be dangerous for dragons, too, we usually get a few more injuries in the Annex when there's a big one. Hopefully nothing too bad." She hehs to Idrissa. "It was waiting for you?"
"Is it supposed to rain all day?" Mikal asks suddenly. "Guard duty in the rain might suck.'
Idrissa smirks and peers at Soriana while she lets her pen tap against the pad of paper a few times. "Har har… Maybe it did just that." A slight shake of her head is seen. "I hope not. I still have work to do back at the stables."
Natalya says softly, "Form what I was looking at earlier it should probaly stop this evening… if I was reading the stuff right."
"I dunno, I haven't heard," says Soriana, then looks to Natalya and nods, making a bit of a face. "So… most of the day, then." She looks to the doorway, and sighs. "Guess we're all likely to get wet."
Idrissa nods slightly while she glances towards the doorway a well, pondering a few moments. "It didn't look like it was going to stay dark and gray for long. Maybe it'll just blow right by?" Well it is an idea!
Natalya says, "It don't think there is supose to be alot of lightning, with it so it should be ok to go outside, just a little wet…" she says helpfully.
Soriana shrugs. "I dunno. I mean, I still wouldn't want to stand out under any trees, but… yeah, it should be okay for getting work done. Least, I hope it is."
Idrissa blinks and smirks at Soriana. "Well no, I wouldn't suggest standing under any trees." She shakes her head and peers over at Soriana and then glances to Natalya.
Natalya giggles, "you should never stand under trees in a storm, cuase if there is lightning it will hit the trees.
Soriana grins. "Glad to see we're all in agreement on that one!" she says, and takes a moment to nibble on her sandwich. "Hopefully the clouds aren't going to stick around, it'd suck if they were still here for Zah's party."
Idrissa ohs softly and nods at this. "Right.. I was going to talk to Zah to see if there is anything I could help with the party." She ponders while chewing on her lip and glances to Soriana. "Though I have no idea what I could possible do."
Soriana hmmms. "Can't imagine they'd have much need for runners," she says, and grins. "But maybe there's something, I dunno. She's been pretty busy planning it, I think."
Idrissa smirks at that and eyes Soriana. "Oh so funny. I'm sure there is something else I could possible do. Maybe… Help set stuff up, or get things?"
Soriana laughs, and nods. "Probably. Ask her, when you see her next, there's sure to be something or other. Parties seem to have an endless supply of things to be done."
Finished eating, Mikal's taking advantage of the rain to simply stay inside and do some studying. He's got plenty to do since he puts it off so much. So he's curled up in a table off to the side and he's gotten a small stack of books from the infirmary. And so he begins to read. And read and read and read. Every once in a while Elsie pops in above his head to chitter at him but he pays her no heed so she pops back away to go somewhere.
Idrissa nods and smiles. "Sure, I'll make sure to ask her." A glance is sent towards Mikal to see what abouts he must be reading. "So… What you reading there Mikal?"
Soriana nods, and goes to get herself another mug of klah. Because, hey, more klah. It's better than going out in the wet!
Mikal replies with out taking his eyes off the words on the page he's muddling through. A groan can be heard in his tone. "The history of medicine. Normally I like histories." it's really the one thing he likes to read. "But this..is kinda boring." admits the lanky youth. Without looking up he lifts his drink to his lips.
Idrissa ohs while peering at Mikal curiously as she listens to what sort of book it is. "Ya, that doesn't sound like to much fun at all I have to say." It is a rainy day around Xanadu, the rain falling is at least not cold and some may actually be thankful for it as it did help cool the summery day off a bit. Mikal and Rissa are sitting at a table talking, while Soriana is off getting something else to drink.
With the lunchtime storm continuing outside, the caverns have become a refuge for those who don't waaaanna go out and get soaked again. Soriana, for one, has managed to get mostly dry by this point, and she returns to the table with another mug of klah and picks at the remnants of her sandwich before glancing to Mikal. "Like, the who invented what?" she asks.
Continued in New Arrivals