Xanadu Weyr - Caverns
A massive cavern in its own right, this one has been skillfully adapted for human habitation. The high ceilings have been painted a light, soft ivory, as have walls hung with numerous tapestries that 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. The stone is carefully leveled 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 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. It's plain that on most days, this area wouldn't accommodate anywhere near the full population of the Weyr, instead feeding people in shifts as they come off duty. On occasions when a formal meal is laid out, tables are borrowed from all the other areas.
There's also a big fireplace set into the western wall, 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.
Exits lead off in all directions, the largest an archway to the northeast that leads outside. Near it there's an alcove with hooks for coats and shelves for muddy boots. A tunnel to the east goes to the infirmary, and a set of stairs just a little south of that lead up to the offices and administration area. To the south, a long and sloping tunnel leads down to the hot springs. The kitchen is off to the southwest, while the residents' quarters are reached by tunnels going west, deeper into the cliff.
The grass is blooming, the avians are chirping, and the weather is absolutely gorgeous this evening - but not everyone is intent on being outside. Now that the dinner rush has slowly started dying off, V'ayn makes his way out of the kitchens and into the caverns. The baker carefully makes his way to the buffet of food and claims a careful selection before moving on towards the fireplace. There's a slight groan from the man as he settles into one of the comfy chairs and leans his head back. Dark circles are apparent under the bakers eyes and for a moment he simply rests there. He'll /eventually/ get to eating his food - but that might take a second.
It is gorgeous out isn't it?! Really, there's plenty of reason to be out and about, but there's just as much to be in, such as it being too dark to work and bellies that rumble. Is M'ti sad to have missed the crowds that come with dinner being all laid out fresh from the ovens and such? Not particularly, no. Sure, things have been sitting out longer, but it was easier to maneuver and there was practically no line at the serving table. With his overburdened satchel slung across his chest, the greenrider makes for the noms, looking rather world weary a bit himself. The Journeyman woodcrafter knot on his shoulder and the hurry to his steps could easily explain the tired without necessitating much explanation, a plate grabbed along with a bit of this and that, a mug of klah as well. Then he turns and scans the space for a place to park himself, picking a table relatively close but still within eyeshot of the man at the hearth, one that thus far he's failed to make note of beyond 'that spot is taken'.
AH spring! What a delightful time, everything out there fornicating as if it's the last fornication season on Pern. Or the first. Either way, the onset of longer days and spring weather has the dragon's around looking MARVELOUS. Shiny, healthy hides, radiating springs warmth. Except for Neifeth, she's only radiating total hatred for anything and anyone within 1/2 a mile of her physical self. The extra time spent soothing the nastier than typical dragon has meant Evi is late to every meal, today marching in wearing less clothing than usual. In contrast to her regular fully covered up self, today, the greenrider is in a sleeveless blouse, black, which is a far cry from her usual colorful attire and tight green suede pants. Pants. She's never in pants. Rarely? Picking over the food, Evi sighs, glaring and grumbling before tossing herself in a chair near V'ayn with a huff. From the pocket of her comet wing messenger bag, a flask appears, and she takes a long swig of something alcoholic yet overbearingly fruity smelling. M'ti is looked over from head to toe, lips puckering out. "We've met, right?" Head canting to the side in curiosity.
The weather may be nice, but that doesn't really change N'on's attitude much. He's an outdoorsy type even in the dead of winter, so the summer really just means longer days and more time to be outside. He arrives at the caverns looking windblown and a bit tired from a long day of work. It's an almost universal condition, these days, and he heads straight for the tables to gather a plate for himself and something to drink before heading for the nearest empty table. He'll probably notice there are people here he knows. Eventually.
V'ayn's eyes open as he hears the huff next to him and immediately his gaze settles on Evi. He doesn't /actually/ seem to register at first and his face looks as if he's examining a stranger. One..two…three seconds and then the baker /finally/ realizes that he knows this person. "Ah…Evi?" The man's low voice holds a hint of hesitance, "Everything alright?" Because things certainly don't /seem/ alright. He'll follow her gaze towards M'ti and it's suddenly like deja vu because he's doing almost the same thing. V'ayn is /sure/ that he's seen this crafter before but can't quite pinpoint it. His brows furrow together slightly and he stares, somewhat rudely, at M'ti. Hey - people look different after 7 turns! At least among all of these semi-strangers there's one person that seems to be consistent with his usual self. For some reason V'ayn looks slightly relieved when he sees N'on and the baker lifts a hand to wave. All of this is just a /bit/ much for the baker in his wearied state.
A morsel poised at his lips, M'ti looks up as Evi enters and sure enough the light of recognition instantly flickers right off the bat but not to such a degree perhaps that he's able to place her as to when and where. As it was rude to stare, not to mention might be taken the wrong way considering how she's dressed, hazel eyes are dropped and food is shuttled off into the place it needs to be before being slowly chewed. It's only when a voice is directed towards him that he looks up again and even then it take him a moment to find from where, tracing the sound back to Evi as he swallows. Then, he squints, "I think so…?" he says, though appears to be having a little trouble placing where, the woman's knot perhaps not so helpful to him though he does give it a nice long appraisal though, "…you seem familiar." He just can't seem to place her, dang it! He's so busy trying to figure Evi out, that N'on passes him by unchecked and very well might remain thus a bit longer, before he seems to realize that someone else is having a 'I KNOW I KNOW YOU FROM SOMEWHERE' moment. His gaze darting to V'ayn and there's a blink, then much of the same long staring. Is it contagious? Apparently so, because with the man's wave backwards M'ti can't help but glance that way and stare he does again. While the greenrider might have changed considerably in the last seven turns, the other two guys in this sudden blast from the past hadn't. Not really, anyway. At least not enough that he doesn't seem to be having much trouble recognizing them shortly there after. That much is perfectly clear and suddenly his food is a hell of a lot more interesting, even if its not about to magically transport itself into his mouth, which it looks like he's trying to do now. Will it there, by thought alone.
Evi's posturing is on the edge of hostility, arms crossed over chest as she plays with the top to the flask absentmindedly. V'ayn is given a quick glance, eyes sweeping across his face with a sigh. "No? Yes? Ask again later? I don't like tonight's dinner." Biting down on her bottom lip, opening up her flask again to sniff at whatever is inside. N'on is spotted with V'ayn's wave, and Evi perks up, smiling in that direction before rocking back and forth agitatedly. Blurting out, rather loudly at V'ayn, words flowing from her mouth fast as if she has to be in a hurry to be able to spit them out. "My friend said I should still be your friend, so if we were friends, then that shall continue." One beat, two, eyes on M'ti as she tries to figure out who he is, but still speaking to V'ayn. "You are Welcome." As if her friendship is a great prize, the reply makes her sound terrifyingly similar to Neifeth. Varequoth would recognize the snotty superiority in the biting response. "Are you avoiding someone? I mean, the food here is terrible today, the worst. Eating that way can't be on purpose." Rude, forward, overly harsh with a hint of laughter in her voice that's not the bubbly young person she normally is. Standing up, Evi strides over, all confidence as she slips into a seat across from M'ti with a flourish of hand and a wiggle of shoulders. WHO IS THIS PERSON.
N'on glances up from his food just in time to catch no fewer than three familiar faces. M'ti's perhaps slightly less so, but nevertheless… N'on smiles vaguely and waves, but the more intent examination is reserved for Evi. He takes in the pants, the revealing top, and the general…attitude. It all adds up to just one thing, and N'on is no dummy. Slowly, he rises to his feet and gathers up his food. He can take it to go! With an apologetic glance to V'ayn, he starts trying to make his silent way to the exit. Time to hide, N'on!
V'ayn narrows his eyes slightly when M'ti looks away and the baker's lips press together in a thin line. The thoughtful look on his face eventually passes and he hazards a guess, "Mathis?" At least this is the name that the baker used to know the wood crafter by! The longer he thinks on the name the more sure of it he is. Unfortunately, any thoughts M'ti had of going unnoticed are promptly ruined by Evi, who V'ayn is also talking to. Though talking might be a strong word for it. Mostly he's staring at her with furrowed eyebrows, "Um…thank you." His attention wavers once again to N'on only now the greenrider is leaving and that truly seems to snap V'ayn out of his weariness. Immediately the baker is on his feet and taking two steps forward as if to follow the man - but something stops him. There's a frustrated glance towards the exit and for a moment he just stands there at a loss.
Don't mind M'ti, he's just really appreciating the aesthetic value his miss-mash of assorted selections, eventually picking at something before scooping a small portion of it up with his fork and taking a bite. Chewing, happens? Though whether or not the greenrider was actually tasting anything is anyone's guess. He's doing his absolute utmost to remain as small and quiet as possible, though he does glance a few times in the direction of Evi as she answers the man speaking to her. The man he totally knew, the two of them in fact, but has the presence of mind to keep to himself regardless of how obvious it might be. In some things timing is everything and so M'ti does not choke when Evi suddenly slides into the seat across from him and looks at him like that, shoulders hunching little by little before he peeks past the ridge of his brow. A brow that bears his, concern, at his current predicament. However, when 'Mathis' is spoken aloud, M'ti looks up automatically towards V'ayn in that way one does when their name is called. A single drumbeat of pause, eyes back on his plate, and then he nods. Yes indeed, Mathis be he. Or was. Still is? Anyway, he's not about to get involved in why N'on was over THERE and now leaving, nor why the baker is THERE and getting up and indecisive and nope. Nope. Nope. Not his business. Though, Evi? Well, "Um…are you okay?" he asks, hesitantly.
The sudden departure of N'on illicits a pout from Evi, still focusing on M'ti but rolling her eyes. Watching the other greenrider eat, you'd think she was watching something far more pleasurable as her lips are licked and there's a sniffing motion before shaking her head harshly. Suddenly a bluerider from Ista comes over and sits next to Evi, the teen turning and cocking her head at the man before turning back towards V'ayn. "I have no idea what's into people today, no respect for personal space." Pressing the man back with her hand she stands up and stomps, staring at the ceiling in frusturation. The question gets a whip of her head, "Me? Oh yes, food allergies." Smarmy and certain, self-satisfied in a way that is revolting and downright rude. In a moment everything comes into focus, "Um. I- I think I have somewhere to be, i'm dreadfully sorry. Things have been. Things. Stuff has been stuff." Before racing out the door she turns around to M'ti, "I'm sorry, I have to go, there's. We'll meet again. I'm sure. Or not." WHat a strange woman. Weyrlife is at least never boring.
V'ayn offers the start of a brief smile in M'ti's direction and even starts heading in that direction - but it seems that fate has other thoughts today. Varequoth has apparently deigned to let the baker in on exactly what is happening and suddenly the man is looking quite disturbed. He carefully narrows his eyes in Evi and the bluerider's direction before dipping his head in a swift apology to Mathis, "It was…good to see you. We should catch up." Only he is growing more distracted by the second. With much difficulty he's able to stand in place until Evi is gone and then the bronzerider is swiftly pointing himself in the opposite direction. It's not an easy feat.
There are times in which M'ti can be dense, but not so much after things start happening and he gets a clearer picture of the goings on. The bluerider and woman before him get eyed, but determined not to get involved, he looks up in time to catch V'ayn's smile and apology. The smile that the Fortian greenrider gives in return is faint, but no less genuine, bobbing his head once. Yes, they should catch up. Hazel eyes track the retreating form of N'on and then the roll sitting on the edge of his plate, a thing that is poke at with his fork. No escape for you, bready goodness. Sure, it might take the sudden evacuation due to Evi— who earns herself a perplexed nod— before he gets to eating it, but it would be consumed before too long. Heaving out a heavy sigh as all depart, M'ti shakes his head and gets back to sating his body's demand for fuel before heading out himself and probably not anywhere near any open spaces.