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 border to the north. Where the ground is less trampled, tiny flowers poke their delicate heads out from their shaded hiding places.
The cliff looms imposingly on three sides, stretching upwards all the way up the side of the rock edifice where, high above on Xanadu's Star Stones, the ever-present watchdragon sits on the lonely peak. Directly south is the hatching arena, the large round complex taking up a large portion of the perimeter, a line of trees visible beyond it. 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 Wandering Wherry Tavern. Tucked neatly under the arch, to one side is a tiny wood-frame shop bearing the name 'Petals and Pots Garden Shop'. Southwest lies cliffs where windows for the administrative offices have been cut. Underneath them are the entrances to the crafters complex while north and west along the cliff's base, a broad path leads to the feeding grounds. Due north is the spacious trail that leads to the rest of the Weyr - the meadow, the forest beyond. At the far edge of the clearing, beside the trail leading to the forest sits a clocktower.
It is early afternoon at Xanadu weyr, the sky above grey and cloudy seeming to be threatening rain. Most of the weyrs residents have fled indoor to escape the impending weather. Natalya winds her way slowly along the path coming up from the meadows approaching the caverns, seeming in no particular hurry.
Kera comes from the direction of the infirmary, a loaded basket clutched under one arm. The other holds a some paper that she looks at frequently. Pausing her steps suddenly, she looks around critically for a few seconds before peering sown to her paper once more. With an annoyed huff, she turn the opposite direction and starts off once more, her gaze darting up and around to get her barings before checking her notes again.
Natalya smiles as she spots Kera and turns in her path to approach her, "Hey there." noting her semi lost apperence, "Need help finding someplace."
Kera looks up from her notes and smiles when she sees Natalya coming closer. "Most definately. Natalya, right?" She gestures to the basket filled with tagged wrapped bundles. "I'm supposed to deliver these to those on the tags." She gestures around the clearing. "I think it's to help me learn my way around." Kera chuckles a bit.
Natalya smiles and says softly, "That is probably a great way to take care of it." she smiles, "If you need any help finding something just let me know, I'd be more then happy to help." as she steps up next to Kera to peer at the notes.
Kera grins and tilts the note for the other apprentice to see. "Well, this one here I could use help on." She gestures to the names she means. "Says they can be found in the 'ole aunty' corner." Kera cast a confused little frown. "Do you know where that is?"
Natalya smiles and nods, "It is where the old aunties like to hand out together and gossip." she giggles and motions towards the caverns, "It is over this way." motioning Kera to follow her, "Probably better if we head inside anyways. looking like we might get rain.
Kera flashes a relieved smile, and steps right along with Natalya. Glancing up at the mention of rain, she blink with a chuckle. "I probably wouldn't have noticed til the drops polnked down on my head with how lost I been since arriving. But I'm sure I'll figure things out soon enough." As she follows, her attention darts here or there still. "I had thought things were busy at the river Hold, but this place is just plain hectic."
Natalya chuckles and says, "you get use to it really, there are just alot more peopel here." as she leads Kera inside, "You will be use to in no time at all. If not just ask. Most folks around here are great and will help you out."
Kera 's head bobs into an agreeable nod. "Everyone's been very friendly." Readjusting the basket on her arm, she waves and offers a smile to someone she met earlier. "I've not had a chance to explore around yet, but are there any gardens here?"
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.
Natalya nods as he moves into the the caverns and nods, "There is a really nice garden I will show you after the storm passes if you like." she smiles softly and says, "The aunties like to sit back over there."
Kera sidesteps a group of weyrbrats darting by and laughing as they enjoy whatever game they are playing. "Peering over to where Natalya pints out, she nods "I'll just go deliver these then and maybe it's time to get something to eat since we're here and all." Flashing a cheeky grin, wiggles her fingers towards the aunty corner "Be right back." And with that, she rushes off and finds the aunties. She spends a few minutes doublechecking each bundle against her list before handing them over to each patient, having them sign her list.
Natalya nods and says, "Sounds like a great plan, I will get us a table." as Kera moves off to the Aunties. She turns to the serving table, getting a small selection of food to bring back to the tables.
Kera finishes handing out the prescribed bundles and makes room in her basket in the process. With that part of her task done, she smiles and waves to each aunty before turning her thoughts to food. Standing back for about a minute, she finally steps into the line. Grabbing a couple of meatrolls and some fruit, she sets those down in her basket, freeing her hand for a full mug. After that, she starts looking among the growing crowd for Natalya.
Natalya raises her hand to try and wave Kera over and smiles, "So how are you liking it here so far?" looking to the other young girl curiously, "I know it can be diffrent moving someplace new.
Kera spots Natalya and gently brandshies her mug to show she sees. Making her way through the crows and tables, she makes it to the other apprentice's table and eases down. Settling her food on the table, she then stows her basket under her before grinning to the other girl. Her cheeks suddenly redden as she glances around before sighing and confessing. "Well, I fell out of my cot this morning when a dragon roared. Took me a minute to remember where I was."
Natalya chuckles and smiles softly, "Yeah they can be alittle startling when they do that." she smiels and looks about, "Worst though is when one of the golds go up." she shakes here head, "Talk about a racket…." she smiles and leans back into her chair. reaching for a piece of fruit to nibble on.
Kera blushes a little more as takes a couple of bites of her food and sip her drink. Tipping her head a bit, she chuckles. "Well, hopefully they won't be doing that in the middle of the night."
Natalya nods and says, "you never know when they will go up, any time of day." she smiles and says, "It really isnt that often." she giggles.
Kera takes a few more bites as she watches those around the table and those coming and going before her attention goes back to Natalya with a grin. "So when you aren't doing your duties, what kind of entertainment is there? There was not much to be had at the Hall."
Natalya smiles and says, "Well sometime there is dancing at night, and folks like to swim alot." she thinks, 'It really depends on what you like to do."
Kera considers as she finishes her roll and begins on her fruit. "I pretty much grew up in the water, pretty hard not to if your mom is a Dolphineer." Flashing a grin to the other apprentice she goes on. "To be honest, I don't know how to dance a step, but I like to work in gardens." She scrunches her nose a bit and chuckles "One of the masters at the hall could never understand how someone who strives to be a healer, likes to 'grub around in the dirt'. His words, not mine."
Natalya says, "Actually I knew another healer around here that was very intrested in herb and the like for healing." she blushes a bit, "On of the projects I have bee working on is cateloging the local sea plant life for maybe healing purposes…"
Kera chews thoughtfully for a few seconds, not missing Natalya's change in demeanor as the topic moves to seaherbs. With a nod at the idea, she smiles "Sounds like a worthwhile project. I know some water plants are used for seasonings. But it wouldn't hurt to make a listing of medicinal seaherbs. So, how's the project going?" Arching a brow to the other girl "Who's the other healer you mentioned?"
Natalya smiles and says, "Her name was Enid, I haven't seen her in a long while though." she frowns a bit and thinks, "As for the project, it has been taking a long while. I am waiting to hear back from the tech crafters on some of the things I need…"
Kera nods "I've have to add that to my list of people to keep a look out for." She taps her head briefly to point out where the list is before taking a bite of fruit and grinning. "Well from what I observed of you the other day, your Journeyman keeps you rather busy, so the waiting might not as long, hopefully."
Natalya nods and says, "The project is really my baby." she blushes, "I know I am to young to make journeyman but." she smiles, "It is just something I really want to do. And well if it helps you all with healing and even the bakers with out food then it is all the better right?"
Kera grins. "We may still be young apprentices, but everything we do now should help when the Masters and Journeyman get together and decide who or if anyone should be promoted, right?"
Natalya nods and says, "Exactly." she leans back and says, "Both of us are doing important work." she nods and smiles, "Saving lives in the end."
Kera nods with a cheery grin. "Speaking of important work, you mentioned some gardens that need exploring I believe?" She looks uncertain suddenly. "Unless I'm keeping you from your duties. Certainly don't want to be you in trouble."
Natalya grins and nods, "Not at all, I am done for the day, if you want to brave the weather we can go and check it out." she smilse brightly.
Kera gives it a moments thought "Well, if it's about to rain, the gardens will always be there tomorrow. Perhaps you could show me around and fill me in on who best to avoid, when the cooks put out the bubblies at their warmest.." She flases an amused wink to her new friend.
Natalya giggles and says, "Oh actually it is really good to come in just after sun down, the baker likes to put out fresh bubblies for the sweep riders that do late sweeps then." she grins and says softly, "But if you would like to go out, alittle water wont hurt me." the dolphineer grins and says, "I am in the water more often then not after all.
Kera gather's up her things and takes a few more drinks from her mug. "Now see, that little bubbly timing tidbit just might save a life one day." She tries to look all serious, but her cheeps lift into a grin despite her best efforts. "Whenever you're ready. I can turn this basket in later, so lead the way."