Weyrwoman Worries

Xanadu Weyr - Siebith's Weyrbarn

Covered in rough, weathered wood, aged by the weather and the sun, the irregular grayed clapboards outside of this weyrbarn lend the place has a rustic, masculine charm. White shutters and window boxes overflowing with brightly-hued tangles of flowers on the lower windows and flowering vines twine about the supports for the porch overhang add a feminine touch, softening the stark stone steps leading to it.

The worn stone floor of Siebith's area is just inside the large sliding door. The living area of the weyrbarn has an open, airy layout gives the utilitarian, bachelor-like plain white-washed walls and simple hardwood floors a sense of wide open spaces. A sturdy mahogany-toned table with chairs that somehow manage to match despite their variety accent the earthy, wooden tones of the kitchenette. The same dark reddish hues are in the door at the far side of the barn, as well as in the low-slung coffee table in front of the plush, worn couch. Dusky sea-blue rugs are scattered here and there. Dark golden curtains hang on either side of the many windows and partition off the loft up above, led to by a black wrought iron set of ladder-like stairs. Lilies arranged in glass vases on the tables provide a crisp of white counterpoint to the dark wood tones.

A new addition, the bedroom has walls of the same plain white, but the floors are made of newer wood, still shiny with polish. A four-poster bed of the same red mahogany takes up the most of one wall of the small space, a blue-and-cream linen coverlet spread on the wide mattress. A set of wooden bureaus take up the bulk of the wall opposite while another wall has been painted upon in the very center with a seascape mural, its crisp blue waters and sandy shores. The final wall is graced by a feminine-looking writing desk stacked with papers and bedecked with knick-knacks. Over the bed, a set of stained-glass windows allows golden-brown light mingled with white whorls and blue haze to shine into the room with the rising of the sun, though both panes are able to be unlocked and swung wide to accept lake breezes.


When Kilaueth's communication with the Xanadu golds informed them that her rider was ill, of course the Juniors wanted to go to Rubicon immediately to see her. Those who could, have gone leaving the Weyr in capable hands with Hisolda and the Weyrsecond. The hours pass…

It's nearly dinnertime when Seryth lands in the clearing, her rider remaining motionless atop the gold for a time, gloved hands on those harness clips paused in the act of unbuckling. Thea appears lost in thought, and likely those who know her well, worry. It takes an audible chuff from Seryth to get her moving and her dismount is also not the jaunty swing-round tonight. Her steps are slow, but she finally makes it into weyrbarn, absently removing her helmet, goggles and gloves in the process as she enters the door.

D'had's been kept plenty busy in the hours they were gone now though he's headed back to the weyrbarn. Siebith nuzzles Seryth, offering his assurance to her once Thea has removed the straps and headed inside. Its only a few moments later that D'had is pushing through the door. "You alright?" he asks even before he's had a chance to close the door behind him. Clearly he's more worried about her than the Senior.

Seryth croons, sprawling alongside of her friend Seibith after she's touched noses with him. Thea's that preoccupied that she hasn't thought to head to the nursery for the twins or even taken note that D'had was out there. His voice turns her around and it's clear she is not alright by the strained look on her face, but you know she has to say, "I'm fine" before tears gather in her eyes and she's trying not to bawl like a baby, managing only by sheer willpower to keep them at bay.

D'had comes up, wrapping an arm around Thea's shoulders and holds her close. "She'll be alright," he assures though he's still missing a few of the details on what exactly took place. "She's a tough old bat," it's a loving term really. Right now he's more concerned about keeping things together. "Twins are with the nannies yet," he goes on to note. He didn't pick them up on the way and she doesn't have to worry about crying in front of them.

Yes, the news from Rubicon was fairly sketchy coming through as a terse lightening-crackled, « She lives. » from Seryth to Siebith. D'had's got Thea at 'she'll be alright' and her reserves crumble. The storm of tears, while it is intense, is at least a brief one while she clings to him, head tucked under his chin and face buried in his chest. Gruffly, "Of course she will! You couldn't kill her with an axe." Sniffing, she lifts her head to brush at his collar, attempts a smile that is pale at best, "Oh, your shirt's all wet."

D'had holds her close and tight, not quite sure what to do to comfort her beyond that. Siebith settles down beside Seryth, being the rock outside for the attempt D'had makes within. Perhaps not the reaction she's looking for or expecting from her commentary, but for it Donn chuckles. "Nah, probably right ya couldn't. And a little water never hurt no one," he adds for his shirt.

Thea settles, comforted within the circle of D'had's arms. That chuckle of his has a smile tugging at her mouth in spite of the day's events and her attention lifts from her preoccupation with his collar to meet his dark eyes. "She's settled in the Infirmary. We escorted her back since she wouldn't remain in Rubicon." With a long breath out, she tilts her head towards the couch, "I need to sit down and if I guess correctly, you've had a long day as well." The nannies, it seems are going to keep the children for some time.

D'had nods, "I heard," that she was in the infirmary. He did get some news here and there while he was taking care of other things. "Yeah," he agrees to needing to sit down, letting her go so she can do just that. "Drink?" he goes on to inquire. He for one could use something to take the edge off.

Thea slips from D'had's arms, bracing the toe of one foot against the heel of her other and thus slips out of her boots without having to use her hands while she's shrugging out of her jacket. "Please," she answers in regards to the drink over her shoulder as she heads to the couch. "Whatever you've got that's stronger than wine but doesn't make me gag." Maybe it's a tall order, but there's bound to be something in there. She's still looking shaken and if he knows her, she hasn't told him everything… yet.

D'had nods, stepping off to the kitchen as she removes shoes and jacket and heads for the couch. Two glasses are snagged from the cabinet as well as a bottle of some dark liquor. Not his best whiskey since that's likely one of those that as she put it 'will make her gag', but it will do the trick of taking the edge off. Bottle recaped he brings both glasses with him, handing one over to Thea as he takes up a seat beside her.

Thea, meanwhile has padded in sockfeet to curl up on the couch, tucking her feet under her, propping an elbow on the armrest, chin in the palm of her hand. When D'had returns, she accepts her glass carefully, scooting to lean against him when he settles beside her. She doesn't even ask what it is, just takes a long sip and swallows. No, she doesn't gag, but it burns and thus she coughs softly, silently mouthes, 'wow'. Still, after all these turns not used to stuff like this. Tonight however, she needs it.

D'had gives her a light pat on the back as he slips an arm around her shoulders and lets her snuggle in beside him. Settled he lifts his own glass for a large swig. "The twins can stay at the nursery tonight if ya want," he comments. "Sure they wouldn't mind spendin' the night with some ‘a their friends if ya wanna break from everything.."

Thea nods a silent agreement to this, relaxing against D'had and sips a few more times while the alcohol works, Seryth no doubt aiding the effect from out there where she's keeping in contact with Kilaueth for her rider. Into a silence that has stretched for who knows how long, Thea says, "The healers wouldn't let us in to see her, but they came out and gave report." She lifts the glass, but doesn't drink, fear clouds the green eyes that turn towards him. "They said it was her heart. She- she's only 51, Donn." He knows she's got to be thinking it, even if he is younger than the Weyrwoman.

D'had nods slowly as she starts, siping a little more after he's had that first swig. "I'm sorry," he starts at the word that it was her heart but when she looks at him like that it takes a moment for it to sink in just what she's getting at. "Mine ain't gonna give out on you anytime soon," he replies with a snort.

Thea's relaxed enough now, worried even as she is, that D'had's snort has her laughing, eyes crinkling in the corners. "Better not!" she tells him lifting a forefinger from her glass to point at him with it, "Or you'll be in big trouble." So threatening, no? She sobers, takes another long sip, then braces herself to say, "Nicca's been in with her since she returned. She's… convinced her to listen to the healers. She's retiring." And she'll just wait for him to catch just what -that- might mean.

D'had chuckles lightly and gives her shoulder a squeeze. "Not anytime soon," he assures. As for Niva, "She's somethin' else, been Weyrwoman a good long while. Retiring might do 'er good…" he comments trailing off as it finally registers that if she's not Senior than someone else will have to take her place. "So then..?"

"Well, you don't stress out like she does, so maybe, just maybe you're safe," Thea grins around the rim of her glass as she works at finishing the stuff. Maybe not gag-worthy, but still. It's easier now that her tongue is numb. "Maybe she can relax some now though." Setting the empty glass on the armrest, she answers him easily as she rests her head against his shoulder, a handflip dismissing the possibility of her being saddled with the job, "Oh Zevi or Mianyi will be the new Senior likely. She said whichever gold rises next will be Weyrwoman."

D'had lifts a shoulder in a light shrug before dowing the remainder of his drink and setting the empty glass on the table beside him. "True," he'll agree that far for now. "Hopefully anyway," he adds for the thought of Niva relaxing. Will that ever really happen? "Ya know…" he starts given that hand wave, "Don't sell yourself short. Could be you ifin she said whoever rises next.."

It's a very good thing Thea is not mid-swallow of that drink she'd been sipping. She'd choke. Instead she lifts her head from his shoulder and drapes an arm around his neck. "Haaa. You're funny Donn." Totally relaxed - did she drink enough of that stuff to be slightly drunk? Whatever it is, she's in total denial. "Nooo Seryth won't be rising first. Nononono." With a giggle, she adds, "Besides, we both know how well you get along with Seniors." Which is to say, not at all.

D'had chuckles. She could be drunk, its hard to say how she'd tolerate it given how little she usually drinks. "If you're sure," he'll go with it. "Yeah, well, we both know how well I get along with Juniors too," he teases with a wink before leaning in for a kiss. "Looks ta me like ya've had a long day though. Some sleep might be good."

Or she could be proddy, but don't tell her that. Outside Seryth has drifted off to sleep, her hide gleaming with… it's only good health, yeah. As for Thea, she returns that kiss, lingering if he'll let her. Bed, well, he may have to help her get there. Though whether she lets him sleep right away is another story.

Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License