Xanadu Weyr - Craft Complex
This large area has been painted a soft cream with dark orange trim used as an accent. It's separated into a variety of smaller sitting areas, couches and chairs organized into rings and squares, tables set where they can be used easily. Recessed electric lights in the ceiling provide a warm glow, and a row of angled skylights on the eastern wall above the entrance give some natural light when bleary crafters first emerge. There's often a cart with klah parked off to one side to help with waking up or finishing that important project - or simply to be enjoyed with comfortable seating and good company.
Along the southern edge, an open archway leads to a library of books and records. There's something for every craft, it seems, from tomes of caprine diseases, to Pernese history and law, to gemstone identification, to sheet music, to sea charts and herbal manuals. There's even a few works of fiction, though none of it seems very well organized. Whatever is sought, it's probably here… somewhere. A few desks for studying are tucked in amongst the shelves, each with a lamp to illuminate the reading material. Near that archway, a long table holds a row of computers. They're connected to databases all over Pern, and are available for general use except when the computercraft requires them.
To the north, a pair of double doors open onto a grand hall, the vaulted ceiling designed with acoustics in mind. This space is used for lectures and concerts, rows of benches set up to face the front. Along one wall, instruments hang free or on shelves for anyone with the appropriate skills to use. There are often harpers here, practicing their craft.
A pair of hallways lead back from the western wall, one going to the apprentice dorms and the the private quarters for the ranking crafters posted at the weyr. The other provides access to the various workshops.
Winter is upon Xanadu, leaving the Weyr in cooler temperatures… though it'd be hard to tell what season it is if one comes anywhere near the Smith forges. On this particular day, they're in full swing with Journeymen and Apprentices alike hard at work. There must be some larger order or request to be filled but as to what remains a mystery. Kiena's just finished her 'shift', as it were and steps away for a moment to take a well earned break away from the worst of the heat and clamour. Stripping her gloves from her hands, she'll tuck them into her apron's pocket before pulling a strip of fabric out to use it to mop the worst of the sweat from her forehead and neck. Her hair, tied back and twisted into a bun is no less a mess, with a few strands now clinging damply to frame her face and she looks tired. Who wouldn't be?
From out of the biting cold and into the sweltering heat comes Ashwin. Unwrapping just-bought-today scarf and gloves from around his neck he jams both (All three really, not both) into his pocket with the uncaring attitude of the distracted. Fumbling to open his coat he approaches the forge and already is beginning to perspire from the huge difference in temperture from outside to in. He has to be uncomfortable in all that winter getup but he's smiling. "Hi." He says. "Heard someone was working here who makes things."
Ashwin wouldn't be the first to come in wearing full winter getup and perhaps there are quiet bets to see how long before they cave to the heat among the Smiths. Kiena's mind is not on wagering though to the discomfort of clientele or visitors but more so on something amusing — or what she herself finds amusing from the newcomer's greeting. "Well, you just about named every single Smith's calling card," she drawls, her accent not entirely Xanadian as it's more western and typical of the Half Moon Bay area thought faint. While she sounds a touch blunt, as the bluerider is known to be (along with brash, sharp tongued and temperamental depending on how she's pushed), she does smile in return and tips her head in a welcoming enough fashion. "What're you looking for to be made? I could probably steer you in the right direction then."
All qualities that Ashwin can appreciate. Neither he nor his brown are known for enjoying their share of bush-beating. Shedding his outer layer completely he hangs the jacket on a nail by the door and lets his arms fall into a confident cross. "Sure did. Couldn't think of what else to say. Never was good at the 'hi' and 'bye' stuff, so always took a brisk approach. Trying to turn over a new leaf and be friendly for once. Uphill work, y'know." From his face comes a smallish smile as the forge's firelight reflects off his drawn eyes. "How about you? What kind of things do you make? Any good at jewelery?" His voice and tone are working up to something.
"Y'did just fine," Kiena reassures with a faint snort and dry chuckle. "And I hear you. Uphill is an understatement. Took me Turns to get the hang of it and even then there's just some folk that get your hackles up no matter how sweetly you smile." Not that there will be any sweet smiles from her, though she does smirk crookedly. A brow quirks to the inquiry and again she appears bemused. "Jewelry happens to be one of the many things I dabble in, though I warn you I am only Apprentice level, Senior mind you, but Apprentice all the same. Y'know how it goes for riders." Smith for Turns, yet her priorities are greatly different than that of an average Crafter. "Jewelry I do, but also common tools and… not so common ones. Blades, knives, daggers…" She'll roll one of her hands as if to make it seem that this is common. "Practical things."
Ashwin looks around the forge. It takes him a minute to find a stack of coal crates that he can lean on and over. "Well. I'm looking for something that lots would say is impractical." His half smile is now two thirds. In fact, it's almost full enough to look genuine. "I like your attitude. I hate people in general with few exceptions." Obviously the person he now speaks with seems to be one of those. "Apprentice is fine as long as the work is good." He holds out both of his hands. Each finger save one has a copper ring with a different color of gemstone. The stones themselves are of all shapes and sizes. From out of his pocket he shows slightly smashed ring that is missing a stone and there is a fresh bruise that corrosponds to the same finger. Somebody had a boo-boo. Tucking the ring back into his breast pocket he fishes something out of another pocket. A freshly cut and polished lapis lazuli. "Friend of mine gave me this. Wrecked one of my other ones the same day in fact. Want to make me something? Don't care about style, as long as it's sturdy and seats this stone. All the artistic freedom you could ever ask."
Kiena chuckles again and gives a slight incline of her head in thanks for his compliments on her attitude. "In that we've something in common then. Few exceptions," He being one as well, given she'd probably not be a good Smith if she chased off most of her clients! Another smirk but no bragging follows on her skills, just a reassuring statement of: "All work is inspected by Journeyman or Master before earning a seal. You won't be slighted." As for the rings, Kiena will both study and admire the amount of rings as well as their Craftwork before the wrecked ring is shown. That earns a grimace and a wince. Ahh, such a waste! "Dare I ask how? Artistic freedom is… heh, bold of you to ask of a Smith. You sure you don't have preferences?" The gemstone is given a close look too and Kiena nods as if to approve of it, only to hold up her hand where a lone band sits. No fancy jewels, but the ring is custom. "Rings I can do. I tend to more simplistic work though. Practical, as I said. It'll be sturdy and suit the stone. Only thing I ask is… are you particularly attached to the damaged ring? If not, I may be able to repurpose the metal." Waste not, want not.
"Nope." Ashwin is quick to reassure. "I really don't have preference. I like to have the artists pick and choose what they want. It's an eclectic mess anyway and nothing matches so why not let a little fun be had." His grin now? It's full sized and real. "Just don't be terrible at it." This comes after her own reassurance that her work is inspected and so he absolutely must be kidding. But his face? You'd never know it beyond that smile that just wasn't there before. "I got it caught in a machine being somewhere I shouldn't have been. Probably saved my finger from being crushed." From out of his pocket? The battered ring of metal it reappears. He studies it a second and then expertly flicks it through the air towards Kiena with his first finger. Waste not, want not indeed. "Anyway? Every one of the other nine was made by a different smith. I try and get them done where I find the stones."
Kiena laughs this time and grins in return, "Terrible? Please, don't insult me." Not that she is in the slightest even if she can't quite read Ashwin's full expression. Maybe that reassurance was part of a spiel she has to recite to any potential commissioner! Who knows. Another winced grimace, "And there's why I hate half the machinery out there — at least some of that higher tech nonsense." Traditionalist much? Kiena will catch the ring as it's flicked through the air, taking a moment to examine it before safely tucking it away while nodding her thanks to Ashwin. "Interesting way to go about it! I'll be happy to work something out for you then. Do you prefer to see sketch work of concepts or… full trust for me to just — heh, pardon the pun but — forge ahead?"
"Mm." It's a non-commital grunt to the last of Kiena's questions. "A little preference towards sturdy and you already covered that. Last one saved my finger so the new one shouldn't be any less." He's still leaning over the coal stacks and doesn't seem to have noticed that he's gotten dust all over his fine clothing. Silly Ashwin, never should have taken your jacket off in here. He winces at the punnage. "Forge on." He has his chin cupped in his hand now with his elbow on the top of the crate. "Hear you, too. Mostly because there isn't any of that machinery around here. I don't mind the new high-tech electronic stuff? But that steam and combustion stuff that has come out since I was a kid? No, no and just no. Gives me a headache." He lets his smile get bigger and then it drops fully off of his face to be replaced with pokeresque nothing. "You ever come out of here?" He wonders. "Not that I know you or anything." He phantomines a bun behind his head. "Kinda pretty with the hair all askew and all. And the soot under your eyes. Should come get a drink sometime. Once the deal's done and complete and the ring's in my hand. Business befre anything else and all." He turns to leave after gathering his jacket. "I'm a rotten scoundrel that never amounted to any good. Lots of stories." That grin? Right back on his face Left on top of the crate? More than enough marks to pay for the job and the stone. "I'll see you later. How many days before I come back for it?" He's halfway out the door already and waiting.
Kiena won't be the one to tell him of his error with the coal stacks though perhaps there's a flicker of amusement. Lesson learned? She shakes her head, "Xanadu has it's fair share of new-tech but keeps it realistic. I've… never been one for the fancier things or non-practical gadgets that often have a Techcrafter salivating at the mouth. Wasteful — and headache inducing. But I am also from a hold where most post-AIVAS advancements are highly frowned upon. To put it lightly!" Kiena snorts and at his questioning if she ever leaves, she laughs short and gruffly. "Yeah, I'm not rooted here. Don't like to stick too much to routine or I go a little nuts. Which is surprising, given I was Weyrsecond once." Until she lost it on the Weyrleader at the time — not a time she's entirely proud of but there it is. His compliments are met with another smirk, "Flatterer. Think I can see a bit of that scoundrel in you but I'm a sucker for a few good stories — and drinks. Business before all else." Those marks will be quietly gathered, quickly counted and found more than satisfactory. "Mhm, that you will!" Kiena muses before frowning in thought. "A sevenday, though I'll try for less. Depends. Sometimes other priorities overtake my Craftwork but generally I can get it done in reasonable time. You've a name?" Kind of late to ask but better late than never? Even if he's half out the door.
Ashwin actually laughs this time. It's an unexpectedly pleasant sound in his stony demeanor. "Flatterer? Only a little. Certainly didn't need to tell any lies this time." He shrugs on his coat and makes a face at the coal dust. But the unhappy look is taken over by stone after little more than a second. "If I was really trying for flattery, I'd have saved that for negotiating prices." Then he's out the door except for his head. "Ashwin. Of no particular place. Brown Rinxyth's." And then he's gone out into the storm with only the smell of flattery left behind.