Xanadu Weyr - Wanderin' Wherry Tavern
It is often whispered, in the crowds that converge here, that a certain Weyrleader was asked what he wanted in the remodeling of the pub that was not so long ago given a refreshing. He muttered back over the rim of his ever-present mug, "I don't care what you do with the place, just so long as there is plenty of ale." With that in mind, cask after cask of ale lines the walls of the tavern, the remodeler's idea of a jest. As they age, the casks bring a real rustic atmosphere to the pub, along with the deeply wooden flavor that seems to be the theme throughout.
The lighting is dim, as it should be in all good pubs, and the tables and chairs are plentiful. A long mahogany bar, intricately carved with runner beasts, stands vigilant duty at the head of the bar, lined with stools for those patrons that seek the bartender's company. Behind it are drinks for those not inclined toward ale, as well as a door leading to the small kitchen where snacks are made and a back room that probably holds yet more ale.
It’s early afternoon, and there is at least one place in all that is Xanadu that a particular Moonian Dolphineer can’t get lost trying to find. Naturally it’s the bar. Tanit’s perched at the bar, with a shit eating grin setting down the poker hand as a very disgruntled greenrider passes over the flight jacket with a mumbled growl of something that sounds suspiciously like Cheater. Of course Tanit’s response is to laugh. “No where to stick the cards in a wet suit buddy, but I thank you. I forgot that Xanadu has actual weather. Tell you what, be a good sport and I’ll have my cousin return it to you after I leave this place yeah?” Green eyes glittering as she shrugs into the to large but warm jacket, eyes as big and pleading as she can manage. It must work, because the man leaves muttering something about women under his breath.
The rule is not to get drunk, right, not necessarily no drinking? That is at least the interpretation Ricki will argue if it comes down to it. Regardless, however, it is with a bit of caution that Ricki is slipping into the tavern, glancing this way and that and making sure there is no one particularly known for tattling present, before she is slipping towards the bar, sliding onto the spot vacated by the muttering man. "Something strong, please.. and fruity." Not particular, it seems, and she stares at her hands where they sit on the counter, still lightly red from her unfortunate day of infirmary chores.
New jacket acquired the tentative progress of one candidate through the bar is watched with a soft grin. “Candidates seem the same no matter where you are, but from what I’ve heard it’s Weyrling hood that’s the real awful part. But, well I won’t tell if you don’t. I think I remember seeing you at the gather with the –“ Tanit pantomimes camera motions and clicking, “Guy. Tanit. Half Moon Bay, Dolphineer.” Extending the hand not scooping up her winnings in greeting.
It takes a moment for it to register that the voice is talking to her, and Ricki jumps a little, looking a little guilty as candidacy is mentioned. A soft blush, and she takes the offered hand, giving it a hesitant shake. "Ricki.. And yes, with Niko.." Glancing across the tavern as she drops her hand, she frowns a little. "Weyrlinghood would require making it through the hatching, and if the dragonets are anything like those eggs.." The drink arrives then, and she settles back, looking slightly guilty as she takes a long sip, sighing softly.
“Niko.” Tanit repeats as though possibly trying to commit the name to memory “Nice to meet you.” For mention of the candidacy or more accurately the reactions to it, sea green eyes just study the woman for a moment. And when she does speak, it’s while reaching for the mug of ale. “Dragons are – strange by nature. Lerith is the noisiest one I’ve ever met. Scared the shit out of me the first time she touched my mind. I’ve never touched an egg but I would guess it’s just as unsettling” There is a roll of her shoulder, “So if you aren’t too keen on having your head poked around in, why stand at all? If you don’t mind me asking?”
"Same.." Ricki offers lightly, fingers curling around her glass, turning it this way and that way in her hands for a moment as she considers the question. "What Leirith does could never, ever have prepared me for that first moment on the Sands." Ricki offers softly after a moment, falling quiet again to take a long gulp of her drink - hopefully the bartender ignored her 'strong' order. A shrug, and Ricki glances over her shoulder at the dolphineer. "I wouldn't mind if they were just.." A pause and she seems to search for a word. "Some just felt terrifying. Some were so.." Hand waves around. "I don't know how to describe it. I felt like I was frozen.. held in place. No one.. no one explained it would be like that ahead of time." And that is a lapse that she is not likely to forget.
“Mm.” The dolphneer nods listening and raising a hand for the bartender to pour another round. “I’m not entirely sure any one knows what they are like ahead of time, just sort of a roll of the dice from what my buddies who have impressed tell me.” Lips purse and a line forms faintly between her brows as she thinks over the words. “It’s kind of like pearl diving in a way I guess. Even with years and years of experience you never know what’s just beneath that shell. At least it seemed that way with the dragons from the last clutch at Half Moon. Can’t say any of them really scared me though.” She shivers, “You are still wearing that knot though.” The dolphineer observes, lifting the mug to her lips again.
As Tanit mentions the last eggs at Half Moon, Ricki perks up just a little, swiveling her chair around to look at the dolphineer straight on. Glance in her hand, she takes a slow sip, using the moment to look her over before tilting her head. "What -were- the eggs like, at Half Moon?" She asks after a moment, leaning forward just a little. "I mean, if they aren't all like this.." And then she is shaking her head, as if it rid it of an unwanted thought, suddenly finding the glass in her hand very interesting. "Yeah, well… Let's say a few people are persuasive."
“I didn’t touch them myself, but a few of my friends impressed.” She tips her chin back looking at the ceiling as if the words were etched in the rafters. “Catwin’s blue is the sweetest thing you would ever meet though, and Adeluth, well he’s kind of an ass which might just be a bronze thing, but much easier to deal with if you dote on him.” She grins, “My cousin’s green is a sweetheart too, but she’s polite enough not to barge in on your thoughts. Aede is too for that matter I’m just best friends with his rider so I hear the complaints.” There’s a smirk and a flash of white teeth in a downright impish smile, “That photographer of yours?” A stab in the dark.
Perhaps that it a bit of disappointment on Ricki's face, when Tanit says she didn't actually touch the eggs, but she does a fairly decent job of recovering quickly. "Someone said that maybe they are just… aggressive… right now because they aren't matured. And that maybe they will be toned down, when they are hatched." A shrug, and a sip of her drink and she nearly spits it out, instead choking on it and coughing for a few moments, the dark red tone appearing on her face due to far more than that though. "Not my photographer.." She counters quickly, though her voice drops. "I don't know what he is." Ahh, seems the drink did at least have -something- in it besides juice.
“I couldn’t say, I’ve only lived at Half Moon a couple of years and I was stationed at Black Moon for nearly half that time.” Tanit laughs, “I think anyone who claims to know everything about how a dragon develops is faking it big time.” But that seems to be an opinion that gets tapped away with a drum of long fingers against the bar. The sorid (read not sorid at all) love affair garner’s a little more interest and a half smirk. “I’d say find out in no uncertain terms, but I have a terrible track record when it comes to relationships and offering unsolicited advice.” Fingers lace together and Tanit stretches almost feline like, settling back into the seat. “I generally just do what I want and then regret the consequences.”
As Tanit stretches, Ricki finishes off her drink, letting the ice clink as she swivels back to the bar, waving off the question of a refill. "Water, please.." She offers after a moment, looking a bit sheepish. "Normally.." She supplies as Tanit mentions regretting the consequences, "I believe that I would rather say 'I wish I hadn't' than 'I wish I had', but.." A shrug as the water appears, and she traces a design in the condensation on the glass. "He seems really.. into candidacy though. I wouldn't want to somehow how ruin it. And.. I.. I don't know if he already has someone." A shrug and she sips her water. "There is a chance one of us will have a toddler stuck in our head soon, anyway." And that really puts a damper on things.
“I’d be lying if I said that a dragon doesn’t change things.” Tanit admits, lips thinning momentarily. “But also… Boys are dumb. And usually into other boys.” Maybe that’s just half moon.
Well, Tanit has succeeded in cheering Ricki up enough to get a snort, which then she is hurriedly trying to cover up with her palm, before dissolving into outright giggles. "I honestly can't argue with that one." She manages, trying to breath deeply and get her laughter under control. "The best thing is, I really wouldn't be surprised if he was." That sobers her up quickly enough, though.
Tanit beams at the snort. Mission accomplished. “You think I joke.” Serious face is most serious, well except for the impish curl at the corners of her mouth. “My advice, enjoy whatever it is as long as it lasts and let it go when it’s time.” There is a softening of that smile, almost nostalgic. “It may hurt but, usually that ache is worth it.”
"Unfortunately, I can tell from your face you really aren't." A soft sigh and she shakes her head. "Sometimes, I just want to push them off of whatever edge they are standing on." Or at least, one in particular. Sipping at her water, she shrugs a little. "I just.. I'm afraid to find out what the answer is. I don't know if its just better to not know at all." And if she wasn't a candidate, there would definitely be more drinking going on.
“If the water’s deep enough below, go for it. Unless they can’t swim. Then make sure there’s a life guard around and go for it.” The dolphineer shrugs, “Only person who can answer that is you I’m sorry to say.” A hand raking through short dark hair with a sigh. “I mean… you could ask Risali for advice but usually that winds up with people awkward sexy dancing.”
"Thank you for the vote.." If she does push someone off a cliff, she is so blaming Tanit for that, you'd best believe that. As she mentions asking Risali for help, there is another snort, another coughing fit, and Ricki is hurriedly shaking her head, waving her hand around. "I think she already thinks *things*. I don't even know what she would do. Probably have Leirith drop us both somewhere we couldn't escape from until we *worked it out*. Whatever that means." We know what Risali thinks it means. Coughing subsiding, she sighs softly and glances towards the door.
Tanit just grins. “Believe it or not I think she does a goodly amount of flailing and what the fuck do I do, too.” The dolphineer will say of the Xandian gold. Well if you ever want someone to talk to or to know which place has the best oysters, just let me know.” She’s not going anywhere, there is still beer.
"I guess I should probably get back to what I was suppose to be doing.." Before someone comes looking for the candidate and finds her in the Tavern of all places. Slipping a mark piece onto the counter, she slides from her chair, "Thanks…" She offers with a nod to Tanit, taking a few steps before she pauses to glance back. "Before I go.. I have to ask.." A sheepish expression crosses her face. "That guy, at the gather. Did he actually win you something?"
The question has Tanit’s expression braced for the worst, until the question is voiced and the dolphineer just laughs. “He did, something to remind me of him at night.” Mirth spilling out in an almost giggle like sound. “To be fair it does, it’s a little peacock that my cat Lime carries around by the neck everywhere. So I kind of wake up with it on my chest because Lime is on my chest with the bird in his mouth.”
Laughter, that is what accompanies Ricki as she turns back towards the door. "That is amazing. Though, I'd be careful if he ever finds it out wakes up with you. He seems like the type to appreciate that too much." A wiggle of her fingers, "Nice to actually meet you.." And then, she is out the door, glancing each way quickly to make a clean escape back to candidate life.