Xanadu Weyr - Main Docks
Jutting out from the land are the platforms that make up the main dock of Xanadu Weyr. The extruded plastic makes an odd sound when footsteps echo across it. From this dock, two others protrude taking opposite directions, each for a special purpose.
The clear summer's day is drifting on into evening, the sun dropping towards the horizon when a small skiff drifts up to the dock. The skiff has a single mast, the paint is chipping and peeling, the deck littered with all manner of /stuff/, but she's not sinking and her name is 'Shadowbay'. Against the dock, the young man who captains her tosses a rope over a piling and pulls it tight, lashing it expertly before doing the same at the aft of the boat, and then climbing onto the dock to stretch. Arms over his head, the lanky teen's stomach shows when his ill-fitting, ragged clothes pull up high enough.
With clipboard in hand, Kera scans the invoice sheet then looks through the crate's contents. Shaking her head, a little note scribbling across the page and she signs her name. A few quick words with one of the dockworkers before he goes on to other tasks, leaving Kera to get the crates moved later. With that business done, she turns her attention towards the end of the dock, spotting someone tying up to the dock. Moving towards the dockend, the boat is looked over, then the young man at he stretches into his landlegs after being on the water. Nodding with a wave when she's close enough to speak without yelling "G'day, welcome to Xanadu."
Reid's green eyes shift, focusing on the…knot…rider…alright…with a slightly crooked grin. "G'day," he echoes with a little smirk, giving her a head to toe once over. "Xanadu, huh? Alright then." As if this isn't quite where he'd planned to be. He stretches again and rolls his shoulders. "Know a good place to get a drink, lady?"
Kera 's brow lifts to the sailor, his words giving the impression he had no idea where he tied his ship to. The ship is looked over again, probably to see if it's staying afloat or not, muttering 'Shadowbay' to recall the name later. "Most definitely Xanadu. You sound as if you weren't sure where you docked your ship." She can't help but flash an amused grin and chuckle "There are several places actually. Cafe, the tavern, lots to drink in the caverns as well." She gestures back towards the beach. "The cafe is just off the beach that way."
Reid's grin is crooked and wry as he chuckles, pushing fingers through his hair. "Sometimes just gotta' let the currents take you where they will, lady," he rumbles. "Join me for a drink? You're nice on the eyes." Eye candy and booze. "Wherever it's free, that's what I want," he adds.
Kera shifts the clipboard back under her arm when it slips from gesturing up the beach. She turns to start back up the dock, since any place for the man to get a drink will be on dry land, "Well, I have heard that phrase before, just not meant so…literally." Canting her head back towards the old boat the currents brought him in. A little startled at his complement, she covers with readjusting the clipboard, nodding agreeably "If free drinks are what's in order, then the cavern it is. It's a short walk." Stepping on along "I'm Kera, scrubber and oiler to Moncerath."
Reid grins wide when she accepts, and the teen lengthens his stride to catch up with her. "Reid Shadowbay," he says proudly, tugging on his tunic with another grin and a shake of his head to get sandy hued hair out of his green eyes. "You a greenrider then?" he asks, peering at her knot.
Kera nods cheerily "Ah, so tis your family's boat?" A thoughtful frown creases her features as she thinks "Shadowbay,….sounds like a nice, quiet little cove." Shoulders lift and she shrugs off the thought quickly, "Nice to meet you Reid." Another quick nod given. "Aye, I guess I am. Still not used to being called a rider actually. I'm also an apprentice in the Healer Hall."
Reid frowns sharply, his tone equally firm. "She's /my/ boat." As for Shadowbay, the teen shrugs, then gives her a curious look. "What…did you just get your dragon or something?"
Kera glances over to Reid, not even attempting to hide the surprise at his statement. "Ah, no offense intended Reid. I've not met many boat captains. But the few I have, they had many more turns of grey hair and craggy wrinkles." Flashing her fingers towards the young man "And you hardly fit that description. So congratulations on your accomplishment." Nodding to add to her point, a small shake of her head is then offered. "Not 'just' got her, no. But we've just recently completed all our training. Getting used to new duty schedules and things."
Reid looks at the greenrider suspiciously for a long moment, before he shakes his head and grins once more. "Ahh, so you're graduated and all that sh - that stuff?" he says, correcting his language.
Kera dips her head gently a time or two, smirking a bit when he autocorrects his language. "Yea, bout a month back. Been a bit of a transition." She wiggles her fingers towards a couple of kids playing at making a sandweyr then peers back to Reid, "So what brings you to Xanadu? Besides wanting to test the local drinks of the area."
Reid tucks his hands behind his back and rolls his shoulders again, stretching them out as they walk. "I already said, just seeing where the currents took me." His look to her almost dares her to press the issue.
Kera continues on along the beach with the visitor, not at all perturbed by the brisk manner. "Well, where did the currents bring you from? Did you tie up at Rubicon recently?" Brow lifts curiously at the idea, and she gestures for Reid to follow her along a path off the beach.
Xanadu Weyr - Caverns
A massive cavern in it's own right, this one has been skillfully adapted for human habitation. The high ceilings have been painted a light, soft ivory, as are the walls where numerous tapestries hang to 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, leveled carefully 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, however, 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. Its plain that on most days, this area wouldn't accommodate anywhere near the full population of the Weyr and equally plain that on such occasions when a formal meal is laid out, tables are appropriated from all the other areas.
A big fireplace is set into the wall near the Kitchens as well, 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, a big archway the largest and that leading outside. Shallow stairs to the west lead to the offices and administration area while tunnels to the east lead to the infirmary, kitchen and resident's quarters. Southwards, a sloping tunnel leads down to the hot springs.
Reid frowns at her as they walk into the caverns, the teen moving ahead of her and not even holding open the door for her. "Why do you care?"
Kera lifts a brow at Reid question and shrugs "I have family very near there, there are a couple of dolphin docks just off the shoreline. You may have been there. Simple as that……thanks." That last bit murmured as he holds the door open. The air is cooler than outside and she waves to faces that look their way. "Just back along here." The greenhealer leads the young man towards the table laden with pitchers and glasses. Grabbing a couple and passing one to Reid, she adds juice to her glass. "Help yourself, there is plenty." Her head cants towards the food as well.
Reid steps aside when she enters, so he can follow her towards the drinks. Taking the glass, he scouts along the table until he finds some liquor and gives himself a little splash of it, before adding juice to it. "Thanks." He eyes the food, eyes widening. "Shards and shells." Look at it all! Quick steps have him grabbing a plate, cutting in line, and grabbing for food. This, that, the other, he piles it on.
Kera grins at Reid's reaction and gets herself a little plate of food and a bowl of meat, she has no doubt her little brown stomach will appear soon. While the sailor gets his food, Kera turns her attention to finding a table. It's not that hard to do since it's past midday meal and most of the chairs or benches stand empty. Meandering a few tables down, her things are deposited, but instead of sitting, she waits at the end of the table to be easily spotted and waves Reid over when he finishes.
Reid gets all the things and his drink, winks at an angry girl in line, and walks over to sprawl into a chair across from Kera. "Y'all got a good setup here," he says, gazing around the cavern thoughtfully. "Might have to stay a while."
Kera sinks into a chair when Reid spots her and heads towards the table. Nudging plate, bowl and glass to where she wants them, her gaze drifts towards the most likely lizards perches for her brown. Oh well, he'll show up when he's hungry. Smiling agreeably to Reid when he settles across the table "There are definitely worse places to be." A certain swamp comes to mind. "You should find the Headwoman if you'll be staying on. She'll be able to help you get sorted out."
Reid begins shoveling food into his mouth, pausing only to burp. At least he turns his face away. "Headwoman. Nah, I'll just sleep on my boat." That's okay, right?
Kera takes a few bites from her plate, wiggling her fingers and flashing a nodding smile to couple people she knows passing the table. Back across the table she peers again. "Ah, the Dockmaster then. He shouldn't be too hard to spot. I've no idea what the docking fees are though."
Reid purses his lips with a frown. "Ain't got no marks for any sharding fees. I'll anchor offshore then, if that's the way it's got to be." He continues to shovel food in his mouth, his manners /sorely/ lacking.
Kera shrugs "Maybe offer a few candlemarks helping the dockworkers in exchange for tying up at the dock all night." Just a suggestion. Letting the hungry young man eat for a moment or two, she pipes in. "Do you fish alot? from the boat I mean."
Reid eyes her from over his food as he eats. "Fish? Uh, yeah. It's a boat." The /duh/ is implied there, and he even rolls his eyes a bit. "You fly a lot?" It's meant to be sarcastic.
Kera flashes an annoyed look towards the visitor that til now she's been nothing but polite to. "Calling that a boat is being generous, doncha think?" See, she can be rude, sarcastic too. Shrugging at the eye-rolling Reid. "More than I used to." If she was gonna ask anything else, which is doubtful, it's cut off by a chittering she recognizes and a brown lizards soon settles on her lifted arm. '
Reid frowns abruptly, his eyes narrowing. He doesn't say a word more. He just stands, gathers his plate and drink, and storms off outside. Don't mess with his skiff!