Xanadu Weyr - Clearing
A wide clearing stretches from east to west, the ground packed hard although grass grows across most of it. Trees are strictly forbidden in this space, their danger to the constant draconic traffic reason enough to banish them to the forest that creates a this and sharp border to the north. Where the ground is less trampled, tiny flowers poke their delicate heads out from their shaded hiding places with upturned petals to wave to whoever may be looking.
The cliff looms imposingly on three sides, stretching upwards all the way up the side of the mountain where, high above, Xanadu's Star Stones and the ever present watchdragon sit on a lonely peak. Directly south is a massive tunnel, fully wide enough for even the largest dragon to fly down. Southeast are wide steps leading up to the Caverns and eastwards is the large entrance to the Infirmary. Somewhat north of the Infirmary is a human sized archway that has a frequent quantity of traffic — it leads to the Tavern. Southwest lies the low ledges currently belonging to Xanadu's queens while north and west a broad path cut by the side of the cliff leads to the Feeding Grounds and due north is the spacious trail that leads to the rest of the Weyr.
One problem is solved, and others present themselves. That's always the way of it. As night falls, the current problem seems to be a solar panel that just isn't performing up to Jethaniel's satisfaction. …not that it's going to be performing at all, what with the growing darkness, but then… he's been here for, oh, hours. More or less oblivious to the comings and goings, too, just tracing circuits and testing the currents and connections.
Oh, Daoi is most definitly there, and looking more and more grumpy as time passes. Grumpy, and more than a little antsy. "You know… soon you're not even going to be able to tell if it's functioning. So, let's call it quits for the night." Apprentice giving orders to a journeyman? Nah, just suggestions. At least she's still handing him over tools as he needs them, and snagging them back as he absently moves on to the next set. "We haven't even eaten dinner…" That statement has been increasing in frequency, the mention of dinner, especially as the normal time passed.
Enter on scene a large miner, heading out of the caverns with hand thrust deep into pockets. Derin would be that miner, and he doesn't look too amused by whatever has him rushing back toward the forest. "I'm comin', I'm comin'." He mutters to himself. Hey nightfall plus rushing back to forest, that likely means shift is starting soon, ayup.
"Mmh," goes Jethaniel in response to Daoi's complaints. "Hmm," goes Jethaniel in response to the solar panel's condition. Between them, those two words make up a good ninety percent of his recent communication. The lack of light makes his nose creep closer, ever closer to the circuitry. Eventually, he reaches a point where he can no longer distinguish the resistor colors. "Hmm. I don't suppose you've a lantern?" he asks Daoi hopefully. Because, well, maybe she'll have a lantern despite the fact they set out in the middle of the day. Maybe? They could keep working! He trains that hopeful look on the apprentice, utterly oblivious to the rushing miner.
"You're gonna zap your own nose" is muttered. Not that anything she says actually registered in that labrynth of a brain he has. "What's with journeyman /never/ listening to me." Grump. Heck, she'll flop down on the ground now, even young knees get tired of crouching eventually. "Nope, no lantern, sorry." Even if she /did/, no way she's giving it over. "And that's blue, not red." Better to not let the man fry the circuitry by connecting wrong wires. Then they'd never get to leave.
Derin nearly trips over a Daoi? "Oh, hey Daoi." A peer at the man peering at the circuitry. "H'lo." The large miner kneels down beside the apprentice a moment. "Hey, I kinda gotta dash, search and rescue stuff. Raincheck on dinner?" And whether she sgrees or not, she gets a kiss from the journeyman miner. "Catch ya later!" And he's up and off towards the forest again to retrieve his wher.
Jethaniel appears oblivious to the complaints, and yet as soon as Daoi mentions a technical problem, he notices. He peers closer for a moment. Yes, closer. Somehow he manages it. "Ah, so it is," he says, and gets things reconnected… adequately. Not to his satisfaction, not to judge from his frown, but at least it won't explode. It'll even work! Within tolerances! …but it could be better. From there, he methodically goes about closing up the panel, even as his apprentice is near-trampled. He looks up at the sound of a voice, blinking at Derin in the darkness before the miner runs off again.
Daoi squeaks as someone enters that 'close proximity' bubble while her eyes are trained on that silly colored circuitry. Glancing up there's a definite grin and a sheepish "Sorry… work." Cheeks color a nice red at the kiss, eyes darting to Jethaniel before she mumbles a "Yeah, raincheck." Ahem. Kisses are one thing, casual public kisses apparently haven't entered 'non-embarressing' realm yet. "We done?" The eagerness to leave has dampened somewaht in her voice, but the audible rumble from her stomach proves that dinner /is/ still needed.
Oh yeah, Jethaniel saw that kiss. Aaaaakwaaaard. On the other hand… he doesn't seem to particularly care. Or if he does, he doesn't say anything about it. "For now," he answers, and slowly stands up with a long stretch. So many cramped muscles he didn't notice until now. At least he's coming out of Fix It Now mode. The sound of a rumbling stomach makes him smile, and he adds, "Come, now. To dinner with us." Assuming, of course, that there's anything left this late. Still, he starts off in that direction after picking up one of the toolboxes.
Oh, there's always /something/ to eat. Even if it's just stew sitting in a pot and slowly overcooking. "You know I /did/ have dinner plans, and they weren't with you." Maybe the girl's slightly mortified by the PDA witnessing, but she can't hold the grumping down. "For tonight? That's better than 'for now." Rolling up onto her knees she quickly gets up on her feet as well, brushing the grass from her clothes with limited success.
"Hmm," says Jethaniel at the mention of Daoi's dinner plans. His eyes flick briefly toward the forest in which Derin disappeared. Aren't there rules about apprentices and relationships? He's pretty sure there are. There are around the Crafthall, at least. Fortunately, he's distracted again before the thought can go /too/ far. "For tonight, yes. We'll check the readings tomorrow morning."
Probably are… but really, she wasn't skipping work for a dinner date. In fact… she skipped the dinner date for work. Something that still doesn't seem to create /much/ pleasure. "Morning? Afternoon'd be better right? I mean.. give it some time in the sun first." The girl's starting to inch towards the cavern entrance now, toolbox shut and in hand.
Jethaniel gives due consideration to that. Afternoon, hmm? "Perhaps you're right," he says, beginning toward the caverns himself. He's quiet for a few moments as he ponders, then nods. "Yes, afternoon. After all, I did want to examine the wiring near the stables, and morning will have most of the runners out being exercised."
Oh, there's a grin appearing on Daoi's face at the agreement. Then there's a little blink and a sigh. "But… I fixed those a couple sevenday's ago. Someone rewired them stupidly, crossed a couple connections. But… they're fine now!" Really… there haven't been more complaints, have there? Least they're almost to food, there's got to be /some/ good thing happening.
"Oh?" says Jethaniel. "Very well, then. You need not be there tomorrow morning; I'll merely look them over myself." Just a test to make sure they're up to his specifications, that's all! No pressure. He continues on, heading towards the caverns and then down the stairs by the light of electrics.
Daoi doesn't seem too reassured by that. In fact… there's a bit of a grimace. They… worked when she fixed them. It might have been a /little/ haphazard of a fix. "Yeah, I'll take the morning off." No need to be there, at all. Ever. "Actually, I'm gonna go drop off the tools at the crafthall." Poor stomach, ignored. And with that? She scampers off.
It's a morning off! And a surprise inspection. Whatever could be wrong? Jethaniel blinks as Daoi goes running off suddenly, then shrugs as he continues down the stairs. _He's_ going to get dinner, at least! Tasty, tasty dinner, or at least overcooked stew and half-stale bread. It's okay. He'll ponder a technical problem while he eats.