Weyrling Lesson: Whatshisname

Both waking and both dreaming; such a doubt
Confounds and clouds our mortal life about.
But whether wake or dreaming, this I know
How dreamwise human glories come and go;


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Xanadu Weyr - Weyrsecond and Jr Weyrwomans' Office
Office or study? Perhaps this room is a little of both. It is spacious and airy with the big windows opposite the door looking northwards, a perfect aspect when one is this far south. Those windows are framed by dark forest green drapes, soft ribbons and braid in dark, rich gold sewn along the edges to give them a sumptuous look. The back wall is covered by shelves that hold a variety of things - mostly records and reference material as well as writing tools and sheets of hide and paper. Tapestries, including several lovely scenes of the terrain around Xanadu Weyr, cover the rest of the wall-space while a soft, plain off-white rug hides the stone floor. A small, low table sits by the door and usually has some refreshment set out on it.
Several broad desks are arranged around the room, each one set so someone sitting at it doesn't look directly at any of the others. Small screens can be set up on each desk to give a little more privacy and each has one comfortable chair that goes with it. So far, it looks like one desk has a permanent claimant. There are also several other chairs, which can be used by visitors.


In the office of the Junior Weyrwomen and the Weyrsecond, the desk has a series of papers spread out, with names, photographs, and information about the area that this person belongs to. Zevida is sitting beside the desk, legs crossed and looking quite patient as she waits for the two youngest goldriders to come into the office for lessons as they have for the last few times.

Thea knocks lightly on the door, pauses for a beat, then opens it and peeks in. "Shoulda waited I guess, in case Satoris was in—" She grins mischievously. "Okay to enter, Ma'am?" She shifts her notebook and texts to her other arm, one hand still on the door.

Zevida glances up at the door, rolling her eyes at the girl's comment. "Come in Thea." She calls, "Kate should be here soon, as well." She offers as she rises from her seat to do a bit of last minute shuffle of the papers. Kate does arrive behind Thea, quitely even. Fading (somewhat) into the background. "Today, we'll be learning and memorizing the Weyrleaders, Weyrwomen, Lord Holders, Lady Holders, Craftmasters, and Craftseconds of every craft. You should know those holden to Xanadu already. And, perhaps, if things go smoothly, we'll take a visit to one of our Holds for a mock-meeting and see how well you behave yourselves." Though, this is obviously more pointed at Thea..

Thea just smiles at Zevida's eye-rolling, steps in and over to one of the empty desks where she sits, placing her stuff on the surface. As Kate enters, Thea gives the girl a small nod and a half-wave, but keeps her focus on Zevida's opening comments. Behave? She has to do that too? Along with learning all the boring name stuff? She blinks, but doesn't open her mouth. See? Behaving.

Zevida grins quietly at Thea, taking a few of the pictures and spreading them out for easy viewing. She picks up one and starts. "We'll start with Ista. No particular order, really." Not showing the picture, yet, she gives Thea a look. "Who is Ista's current Weyrleader and Senior Weyrwoman?"

Thea sits up straighter, but can't quite see the pictures, though not for lack of trying. At Zevida's question, she shifts uncomfortably in her seat. "Ah, Ista?" She brings a hand to her face, tapping her cheek with a finger, "Oh… I, uh…" She wrinkles her forehead. "I think it is… yes! I remember!" She looks mightily relieved. "It is Jolie and L'ton," she says firmly. So satisfied with herself, she is, she allows herself a small smile.

Zevida glances at Thea with a soft chuckle, settling herself onto the top of the desk and holding up the pictures of K'ael and Sharix, shaking her head. "Jolie is a Weyrwoman, yes. But, not in Ista. Sharix and K'ael are the current Leaders until the next flight or Sharix steps down." The inclines her head. "Make note of the pair so you don't forget and offend anyone. I am not sure of grudges between any of the Weyrwoman, but if there is…" A soft chuckle as she shifts to take two more pictures.

Thea deflates, puffing a sigh of disappointment, "I was so sure it was it was L'ton. It's not L'ton?" She's mildly aghast. She dutifully writes the names down, muttering, "Sharix, Weyrwoman. Ista. K'ael, Weyrleader. Ista. L'ton, is not. Too bad he isn't, he's hot. Or… so I hear." She shrugs, "Oh well, maybe he'll get lucky next time." She giggles softly, then clears her throat. Yes, she's paying attention. And ooh, she has a question. "Ma'am, is it ok to keep a cheat-sheet handy? Y'know with all the changes with Flights and all, well, a slip-up's bound to happen."

Zevida laughs softly, "with as much flights as he has seem to win.. I am not surprised that you thought it was him. Just hope he's not at any of yours." She offers, muttering the last part. "As long as they don't see you peeking, I don't quite see a problem." Because Zevida was not quite good with keeping names, either. "I suggest something.. Not so obvious. Or, just listen to gossip about who has won the flights." A wink, "sometimes the dragons gossip across Weyrs."

Thea's eyebrows twitch upwards just a bit. "Must be the worst kind of luck not to win the really important ones, poor guy." She doesn't look troubled at the mention of her own future flights, just shrugs with breezy unconcern, "Likely better not to know. Gossip is so… " she grimaces, "boring. Cheat sheets might be a help, anyway." Then her eyes grow curious and a bit confused as well, "Why is it so important not to offend— not that I'd do it purposely, mind— the Weyrleaders? Do they really care who knows who is who?"

Zevida shrugs her shoulders, "maybe he doesn't want to win the Leadership ones. Imagine being a leader because your dragon caught the senior." She muses, "why there are some horrid Weyrleaders now. Immature and not ready. Then again, neither are some of the Weyrwomen." She muses, then chuckles. "Well, human gossip isn't as.. Interesting as dragons. I can tell you that. They're more truthful than humans." The question draws a smile and she nods. "It makes Xanadu look better if we know who is who. We can't have someone reflecting us poorly or it makes us /all/ look bad. They could ban anyone from Xanadu from entering their Weyr. Niva does that when she's proddy. She banned Istans from visiting…"

Thea's expression shows the dawning of understanding. "Oh, I see. So that's what they meant when they said you can influence the outcome. And making Xanadu look good makes a whole lot more sense to me than worrying about ticking someone off." She's looking mighty thoughtful, and there's a bit of perplexity growing as well. "The Holds, now. They have no excuse for some of their leaders." Her eyes do a bit of a roll. "Can we can claim temporary insanity during proddy times and all is forgiven?" One could always hope. "Must keep the rest of Pern mightily amused," she adds tartly.

Zevida nods her head, "exactly. We have to make Xanadu look good.. But, if they're in the Weyr, you can yell at them if they tick you off.. /After/ you graduate…" A pause, "but, you didn't get that from me." A glance at Thea and she shrugs, "Holds have it as the sons take over. So, they have an excuse if their leader's son is dumb but his daughter isn't… He could give it to his daughter, I suppose.. But I'm not too sure on Hold life, myself.." Sighing, she shakes her head. "No, it's not really. Why most of us tend not to go out while proddy while the rest of us flee when the others are proddy." A slow grin forms, "I figure people like watching us go proddy…"

"Yelling… is not my way, graduated or no." Thea giggles a bit, adding, "At least not yet." Obviously meaning she hasn't done the proddy thing. She grits her teeth, "Holds seem to lean towards dumb men are better than a smart woman leader." Memories… she shakes them off, giving Zevida a bit of a blink, "Not forgiven? Well, it ought to be! Dragonriders ought by now to understand one another, for Faranth's sake! This… doesn't make much sense." A grimace at the weyrwoman's last comment, "Not too keen on being a spectacle, myself." Ah, dignity. Where did it go? Out the window when she Impressed, apparently.

Zevida grins slowly, "we'll see." She offers, winking. "I never lost my temper for the first time during Weyrling training. Yelled at the Assistant." She muses, nodding her head. "That they do. Weyrs go by the dragons." She smiles, "then the Senior picks the next one. So, it's a bit better.." Shaking her head, she smiles. "Depending on what you do, it may or may not be forgiven. Punching, not so much.. Flirting, yea."

Thea smiles just a bit at that, slyly teasing, "Hope he didn't punch you for it." Likely she knows already the Assistant wouldn't have done that. Her face sobers just a bit, looking troubled, "Unless it's Ysa." She shakes her head, then points out reasonably, "Back home when a drunk punched a fellow, they were over it the next day. Best buds." One hand waves towards the Weyr in a vague gesture, "It's all so… complex."

Zevida laughs, "nah, she was shocked!" A playful wink, "then Avaeth threw a fit and tried to act like a full grown gold. It wasn't any.. Good. At all. The lesson was a disaster. But, she deserved it." A snicker and she shakes her head. "Ysa hasn't punched me. I haven't taken her man.. Sounds like an interesting home though." A pause and she seems to realize how much time they've spent chattering and she gathers all the photos, then handing them to Thea. "You two practice memorization of all the leaders. Be ready for a test next time."

Thea murmers, "Sounds, like an interesting story, if you ever wish to share — in the interest of goldrider preparation, of course." She doesn't comment further on Ysa, but does laugh outright at the home comment, "This place tops the list as interesting. They would never believe it." She stands and reluctantly takes the photos, "Test… yeah, about that… Can I use a cheat sheet?" She heads for the door before she can get bopped. She already knows the answer to that question. "Thanks, Zevida for the… enlightening lesson." Tongue in cheek. She is more confused than before.

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