Xanadu Weyr – Beach
The unerring range of subdued white rises and falls in a multitude of sandy dunes, creating an endless amount of tiny valleys constantly demolished and rebuilt by the frequent arrival or departure of a dragon. Smoothing out as it slopes gently to the edge of the deep blue water, the sand darkens and a shell here and there stands out for children to collect. The beach itself is set along a low cliff - the height lessoning as one heads eastwards, blocking a portion of the beach from direct access.
The wide wide stretch of water opens up to the east, the far distant shore way beyond the horizon and the beach curves ever so slowly round to east and west, distant arms of land embracing the wind-ruffled Caspian Lake. East leads up to the mouth of the Rubicon River, where the protecting cliff is merely an arms length higher then the sand, and beyond that, a winding road leading out of Xanadu's territory. Westwards, the beach narrows as the cliff swings out, leaving a path wide enough for dragons in single file before cutting in to the sheltered cove designated the Weyrling Beach. However, cut in the cliff face to the north are a variety of rough, wide staircases, providing access to the clearing and to the meadow.
Afternoon sunshine bathes the beach, the autumn air is warm, pleasant, with just a hint of coolness to it. D'son ambles along the tideline, pants rolled up to the knee, tossing the odd rock or shell into the waves, a stick trailing a long line through the sand, a groove visible some distance behind him. Inimeth isn't visible and the bronzerider doesn't sport his knot today, nor a jacket. Just a long-sleeved shirt also rolled up at the cuffs.
Taking advantage of the fine weather is one junior weyrwoman and two tots that look to be nearly two turns old. All three are wearing shorts and lightweight shirts, apparently aiming to enjoy the sun, sand and a bit of water. Really now, the plan is for -just- a bit since she's got the both of them to watch. They're just arriving on the beach, although for one of them it's more like a mini-explosion. Muir is running in a v'tol line for the water in that sort of awkward baby run that's fated not to last, while Thea carries a chortling Marella under one arm following in the active boy's wake, one hand reaching for the lad in a vain attempt to slow him down.
Walking along in the opposite direction, far enough up that she only occasionally has to skitter further out of the way of a particularly energetic swirl of surf, is Ashkeia. In a long skirt today, and her knot affixed to the shoulder of her shirt, the apprentice carries a note- or sketch pad of some kind. Her attention is directed down, an avid interest shown in those swirls of water when they push up over the sand. Lifting her attention in a brief check to make sure she's not about to collide with anyone or anything, a pleasant and somewhat vague "Good afternoon," is offered to the man with the stick, a passing politeness. The sight of a chubby toddler garners a brief smile, no more.
Ashkeia gets a brief smile as D'son passes and a nod. "Heya," he greets her and drops the stick, quick steps forward carrying him towards Muir, one arm extended to interrupt the boy's path to the water and scoop him up. "Hey buddy, you're outpacing your mama," he teases the little lad with a grin, aims to tickle him. Seems he knows the kid. "I've got him, Thea," he calls over in the goldrider's direction and turns back toward Ashkeia. "Come down to draw?" he asks her with a nod towards her notebook.
It's easy to see why Muir is so wiry with all the energy he displays as D'son scoops him up. He squeals, writhing although whether it's an escape attempt or delight, it's hard to tell. Thea draws up with a breathless, "Thanks D'son!" and a smile for his intercept while she's shifting the dark-haired girl on her hip. Sea green eyes flicker with mild curiosity to Ashkeia, "Hello." Her tone, while welcoming carries a questioning note as her gaze slides to the shoulder knot the girl is wearing. "You must be one of Moria's." It's a guess really, her brows sliding upwards indicate this as she adds easily, "I'm Thea." She isn't wearing a knot either and leaves off titles in her introduction.
"To study," Ashkeia clarifies, turning back for the question rather than continuing upon her way. Closing the cover of her book, she gestures towards the surf. "Patterns in motion are difficult to accurately capture in a still image. Yours?" A nod and a glance take in the captured tot, as well as the approaching woman and her equally young burden. Shaking her head, "I'm studying etching, not blowing. Ashkeia. Well met."
Grinning, D'son shakes his head. "Nope, hers and D'had's, but I've known them since they were tiny, right kiddo?" Dels fake 'drops' Muir, aiming to get another laugh out of the kid, then swings him up onto his shoulder, a hand lifted to steady him. "And look who suddenly got all tall!" He looks back over at Ashkeia, nodding. "Lots to learn for glasscrafting and yeah, you're right. Hard to make something that moves around a lot hold still, even just on the page!"
At Ashkeia's question there's a laugh from Thea and it's surely that combined with the effort to catch up with Muir that has the junior's cheeks pink. Her mouth is open to set the younger girl straight but D'son gets there first. It's primarily amusement that laces her voice as she ahhs, "Etching. Nice. Welcome and well-met." Muir is quite pleased with his ride, and new perch, crowing with glee, dark eyes glittering over the bronzerider's head at Ashekeia while Marella curls one arm about her mama's bicep and regards them all serenely. Thea is silent while the two speak, opining quietly, "Perhaps it depends on the medium."
Ashkeia laughs quietly as she watches the antics, her fingers twitching as if she's tempted to immediately reopen her sketch pad again. "It's conveying that sense of motion where there isn't any, that I'm hoping to accomplish." At the actual verbal welcome, she inclines her head towards Thea, looking pleased. "I've only recently begun working with the acids, so I expect it will be some time before I find out if I can achieve my goal in etchwork. Paints, as a medium, are far easier to work with." Shifting her weight, she glances down briefly, then back up at the cheerful quartet. "Well. I don't wish to interrupt the leisure time of friends. I hope you enjoy the beach."
With Muir temporarily settled, D'son continues to keep a guarding and balancing hand up to keep the toddler in place. "Nice to meet you Ashkeia. I'm D'son, bronze Inimeth's," the bronzerider offers over and nods as she explains about art media. "I like to draw, though most of what I've done is usually diagrams. Patterns. And not the ocean kind." He holds out his free hand toward the glasscrafter as he makes his introduction. "Oh shells, I was just walking along, you're not interrupting," he hastens to assure.
An uncertain smile tugs at Thea's mouth, "I don't know anything about acids and glass, Ashkeia, but I had painting as part of my harper lessons back in my home hold, so-" she tilts her head to one side while the shoulder not supporting Marella lifts in a slight shrug, "-I'll have to take your word for it." She's quick to agree with D'son, "Don't run off the beach on our account. I'm just trying to wear these two out." A rueful grin stretches her lips as she adds with a sly twinkle D'son's way, "Evenings are less grouchy when they're tired." Oh, she names no names, but likely D'son understands just who she means.
"So I gathered," Ashkeia notes with amusement for the bronzerider's name. The offer of a hand does stay her, however, at least long enough to meet it with her own. Curiosity holds her in place a bit longer. "What kind of patterns, then?" To Thea, the younger woman's smile returns and humour fills her brown eyes. "It's challenging, but I won't bore you with technical details and descriptions." She gives a nod, though still appears somewhat uncomfortable for lingering — that akwardness of a stranger out of place. Tentatively, "They do seem to just generate more energy rather than lose it, at that age."
Thea earns a knowing look and a grin in answer to her own look. "Ohh so someone's still getting grouchy like that?" he asks but turns his attention back to shaking Ashkeia's hand. "These guys? Yeah, they're like wind-up toys. Go go until they wind down."
With a laugh bubbling, not at all dismayed in not having an impromptu glasscraft lesson on the spot, "I'll have to stop by the workroom for a demo then." As if agreeing with the girl's assessment, Muir wriggles on D'son's shoulders and that's Thea's cue, her pale eyes slide from Ashkeia to D'son, merry lights dancing in them as her arm reaches for the bronzerider to hand her son over, "As grouchy a proddy dragon if he doesn't get enough sleep. So I'd better let him have his ramble." And when Muir is down, she lets the boy's sister go, takes her leave with a cheery wave and herds them down the beach likely resulting in all three getting tuckered out.
Having her question ignored puts Ashkeia more firmly into awkward territory, her expression becoming even more uncertain. "It was nice meeting you," is said hastily for Thea as the woman takes herself and her children off. "And uh, you as well, D'son. Enjoy your walk. I must return to work." A couple steps backwards and then she turns, hastening off in the direction of the Weyr complex.
Muir's dismount involves some zooming and a set down to the ground with a tousle for the boy's hair. "See ya, kiddo," he tells him and waves after Thea as she goes. "Have fun. See you around, Thea." Dels nods as Ashkeia excuses herself. "Hope to catch you again sometime," he says pleasantly, bends to pick up his stick and ambles on.