Siebith's Weyrbarn
Covered in rough, weathered wood, aged by the weather and the sun, the irregular grayed clapboards outside of this weyrbarn lend the place has a rustic, masculine charm. White shutters and window boxes overflowing with brightly-hued tangles of flowers on the lower windows and flowering vines twine about the supports for the porch overhang add a feminine touch, softening the stark stone steps leading to it.
The worn stone floor of Siebith's area is just inside the large sliding door. The living area of the weyrbarn has an open, airy layout gives the utilitarian, bachelor-like plain white-washed walls and simple hardwood floors a sense of wide open spaces. A sturdy mahogany-toned table with chairs that somehow manage to match despite their variety accent the earthy, wooden tones of the kitchenette. The same dark reddish hues are in the door at the far side of the barn, as well as in the low-slung coffee table in front of the plush, worn couch. Dusky sea-blue rugs are scattered here and there. Dark golden curtains hang on either side of the many windows and partition off the loft up above, led to by a black wrought iron set of ladder-like stairs. Lilies arranged in glass vases on the tables provide a crisp of white counterpoint to the dark wood tones.
A new addition, the bedroom has walls of the same plain white, but the floors are made of newer wood, still shiny with polish. A four-poster bed of the same red mahogany takes up the most of one wall of the small space, a blue-and-cream linen coverlet spread on the wide mattress. A set of wooden bureaus take up the bulk of the wall opposite while another wall has been painted upon in the very center with a seascape mural, its crisp blue waters and sandy shores. The final wall is graced by a feminine-looking writing desk stacked with papers and bedecked with knick-knacks. Over the bed, a set of stained-glass windows allows golden-brown light mingled with white whorls and blue haze to shine into the room with the rising of the sun, though both panes are able to be unlocked and swung wide to accept lake breezes.
Late spring finds the rains continuing, this afternoon is no exception with a steady drizzle interspersed with spates of showers from the low-scudding clouds that drift just above the new-green of young leaves the trees are now sporting. The Weyrwoman is dressed for the office but not in it today, her dark hair neatly coiled but her shoes kicked off for comfort and the spicy-sweet scent of cookies mingled with the aroma of freshly brewed klah filling the airy space of the Weyrbarn to hopefully offset the grey and dismal day outside. Weyrmate and children are absent, but it seems that Thea is expecting a visit, for the table is set with pretty pink lace-edged napkins, small ornate plates of blue and gold and a vase of cheerful yellow flowers as a centerpiece.
With the invitation received, Briana made her way through the weyr with Sahazyth. The gold providing some protection from the rain as Briana walks under a wingspar. Though by the time she arrives her shoes at least are well sodden. The gold steps into the barn as well, but only up to her neck. "Reporting as requested Ma'am." Briana says with a salute to the woman and a shake of her head to dislodge any droplets. She pulls off a slightly damp jacket and hangs it over one arm.
The state of Briana's shoes might well explain why Thea's feet are bare and her own shoes are left over near the door. As the Weyrling enters, the Weyrwoman is removing a sheet of cookies from the oven, her head turns over one shoulder as the sound of rain fills the Weyrbarn. Thankfully the water dripping off Sahazyth's head is landing on the stone area Siebith uses for his couch, so no harm done yet unless it stays open. There's no surprise on Thea's face; Seryth is out in the wallow not minding the rain in the least and has likely announced the arrival as the two made their way off the Coastal Road. "Hello Briana. If you would, please leave your shoes by the door?" A flicker of a glance given to the still-open door and she smiles, "We'll have to shut that. I'm afraid she won't fit inside but Seryth will keep her company." Cookies are piled onto a plate, a delicate china pot snagged before she heads out of the kitchenette and over to the table. "I hope you like caramel and nuts. And I brewed klah, but if you'd prefer, I can make some tea?"
Sahazyth bobs her head to Thea's words lowers her head to wuffle Briana before stepping out of the barn to join Seryth. Briana nods her own head at the instructions giving and bends down to unlace her boots and set them and soggy socks by the door before closing it behind her and heading in. "Sounds perfect Ma'am. At this point anything warm will be good. Klah is fine." She says as she approaches, "Smells wonderful. Anything I can do to help?" Briana asks as she comes to the table, her golden eyes taking in the set up of the table. "Is it a special occasion I don't know about?"
Thankfully there's a warmth to the floor; the Weyrbarn's heating unit is designed to radiate from under the polished floorboards. There's a soft, fluffy hand-made tufted rug under the table in which to burrow toes in. Thea waits until Briana joins her at the table, then makes a graceful 'be seated' gesture, a warm, "Thank you, but no; everything is ready." She sits after her guest does, a brow lifting slightly at the question, but her attention is in pouring klah into the fragile-looking teacup opposite her, then into her own. As she sets the pot between them, pale eyes lift to gold with a hint of amusement as she answers, "You could say special, but you should know already after the talk N'shen had with the Weyrlings the other day." She nods to the cream, sweetner and cookies in turn, adding, "Please, help yourself." There's a beat of silence then, "I'm to go over the things that N'shen didn't touch on. Things that will differ from the green-riding pairs. But, before I do, do you have any questions about any of it?" All said easily, casually with no hint of the awkwardness the whole subject must surely cause a holdbred woman.
Briana finally sits as her help is not needed, burying toes into the fluffy rug to warm them. "Nice Weyr…" She says with a look around the room, leaning a bit to get a look at the whole area before looking back to Thea. As the teacups are set out, Briana reaches for her own and wraps slender fingers around it, blowing over the top to cool it enough to drink. Once her feet are warm, she shifts a bit to tuck one foot beneath her and takes a sip of her drink. "Ah yes, the talk…It looked like a couple would faint from it. P'rel turned positively purple. I have been with a boy, but I will admit to being a little nervous about…well I trusted that one and the not knowing…" She says giving a little shiver of her shoulders, "But he says you are more or less…blended with your dragons then, so maybe it won't be so awkward?"
"Thank you. It is home," Thea says simply. While busying herself with adding cream and sweetner to her own cup, the spoon tinking musically against the china as she continues conversationally, "D'had built the addition, had people in to consult and do the decorating as a surprise for our weyrmating." She too wraps her fingers about her cup, sipping while Briana speaks. She says nothing about the response other Weyrelings had but there is a sympathetic grimace for their discomfort. "Hmm. Well…" The cup is lowered, the brown liquid seems to absorb her attention and she is silent, gathering her thoughts. Slowly, "It can be like that, yes. Though it's different for every Rider, the mindlink is the strongest at that time." Her eyes lift, the expression in them veiled, "You're pretty much the dragon until the deed is done. Awkward… comes later."
Briana looks about the weyr as Thea talks about it, nodding in appreciation. "Nice gift.." She says with a half smile as she looks back to her. "I suppose I sorta understand, I mean, there were times Sahazyth took control during weyrlinghood and I felt like…I was just…" She starts, trying to explain the feeling, "Like I was just along for the ride, but didn't have any control." She finally says before tilting her head to the last bit, "He mentioned babies and stuff. I know about the herbs, didn't know between did the same. Well…I am still a little young for that I reckon. Is it any different with a gold then with any other colour? I mean…does he have to stick around for when she clutches and stuff or is…" Ok some awkwardness here, skirting around other questions.
"It was, yes," replies Thea with a soft smile of reminiscence on her lips, her eyes flickering about the space before returning to the other girl. Oh the Weyrwoman is quite aware how awkward this all is. Wryly, "Briana. Forgive me, but there's just no way to… prepare you for the experience. It's going to be, ahhh… intense." How to put into words the tumult of emotion and desire that will grip her when her lifemate seeks to rise? For nearly a full minute she visibly gropes for words. "There's nothing like it," she finally says faintly. This is quite likely the first ever flight-talk she's had with a Weyrling and it shows. She takes a cookie, concentrating on breaking the thing in small pieces. "Herbs will prevent a pregnancy if you take them regularly. Between aborts. It's something you'll want to work through in your own mind. Because the longer you wait, the more it will affect you and the harder it will be. It is labor, after all. And you will likely spend time in the Infirmary during and after." With a deep breath, she steadies herself, leans forward to tap the Weyrling on the arm gently. "But back to the Flight. One thing is imperative. You must keep enough presence of mind to keep her from eating flesh. And she will want to. You cannot allow her to override you on this. You must force her to blood only."
There is an intensity to Briana's look as she watches the Weyrwoman. A mix of fear and anticipation there that she can not hide. The anticipation perhaps mostly due to overcoming the unknown. One hand rubs at the scar on her other arm almost unconsciously as she thinks about all this. There is a nod about the betweening for abortions, "Reckon I will just stick with the herbs till I am ready." She finally says and takes a slow steadying breath herself. "Yeah…blooding only. He mentioned that. All the energy without the weight. Reckon she will need to go higher than the greens?" She asks having never really seen a flight, but only have studied them.
That emotion in the other girl's eyes nearly undoes the careful reserve the Weyrwoman has sought to maintain. She seeks to give a soothing reassurance with, "It will be all right Briana." The words are not uttered as a false promise, but with a firm sincerity. "If you let it be. Always remember it is for her; she needs this. It is her instinct, her joy to rise. Her kind cannot continue without it. And she certainly would not be happy denied it." There's a nod of approval for her resolve regarding the herbs. "She will rise to the height she needs if she bloods well. But in general they do fly higher and further than the greens do, yes." She cannot quite hide the pride in her tone as she glances out the window at the two queens out there in the rain. Her attention shifts back to Briana. "Her flight will result in a clutch, and as you asked about the sire staying to keep the brooding queen company… well, some do - along with their riders; others do not." She shrugs, a wry grimace that speaks volumes as to whether the winning bronzerider hanging about Xanadu's sands has been awkward for her. Oh has it ever! "You'll be sure to see that the rider is situated in a guest weyr should he be from somewhere else. Ocelara or I will help you, if need be."
Briana nods to the woman's words, though she still rubs at her arm. "I trust Sahazyth and will do anything for her. This I can do as well. She has sacrificed for me already. At least I ain't a virgin I suppose, I have the memory of a nice time as well with someone I like." She says with a shrug of her slim shoulders though obviously this all weighs on her mind a little. As much the unknown as anything. The girl follows the woman's glance to the golds in the rain and Briana noticely relaxes, her eyes unfocusing for a moment as they make a connection. Finally the connection breaks and Briana looks swiftly back to Thea. "So I offer to them, but they don't have to stay? Ok…I will talk to Ocelara about that and look over the guest weyr as well." She says as if just setting those in her mental checklist of things to do. "What was it like your first time?"
"And you will yet again," Thea rejoins firmly. "Flights don't have to affect your personal relationships, if the two of you can be mature about it. At least Riders can understand." There's a tiny, ever-so-brief pause while she corrects with a small intake of breath, "Or they should." A pained expression mars her features, there and gone so quickly it could almost be an illusion. "You don't have to offer at all if you don't want to," Thea says tartly about the sire's rider. A slightly vindictive smirk finds its way to her lips and she's likely got a few specific people in mind as she says, "You might be caught by someone you can't stand. However, if the bronze stays, we can't very well have the person sleeping in the Observation Level. Just know that if it's someone you're uncomfortable dealing with, Ocelara and I will see to him." She takes a deep breath and smiles reassurance, "We're here for you." A reminder that Briana is not totally alone in all this; there's a sisterhood of sorts. Woe to the rider that crosses it! The Weyrling's question at the last there prompts a shuttered expression in Thea's eyes. She drops them to her cup, lifts it and says, "I'm holdbred." Abrupt is the end to the comment and the silence stretches perhaps to an uncomfortable degree before she speaks again. "It was neither private nor personal. I was already in the Infirmary when Seryth rose. Screens can only do so much to, ah… shield." Ice green eyes flash briefly as she adds dryly, "The healer on duty the next morning was aghast." Snort.
"Or if they can't stand me." Briana says matter of factly. "I think it might be a blessing for an outsider to win the first time, very few of the browns and bronzes in my class talk to me still save for Ers'lan and Pol." She says with a wrinkle of her nose, "I think it would be weird with Lan since we are friends and all." She starts before shaking her head and looking back to Thea. "Thanks, its good to know I won't be alone no matter what happens. Part of me just wants to get that first flight over with so I know what to expect." She says with tight humour in her voice. At the mention of being holdbred, Briana nods, having come to learn what that means around a weyr. Her own life, perhaps much a mix of hold and weyr life, but without the dragons. Though certain…facts of life…were not exactly hidden around the caverns. "Oh goodness, I can well imagine. I surely remember the first time I saw people together and well it was…a shock."
There's a nod for the sentiment. One never knows how the rider of the sire might react either. "Or the browns, though it's fairly rare that they catch," Thea corrects herself at the mention of Ers'lan. "Sometimes a friend is more… considerate afterwards," she notes with a funny catch to her voice. Clearing her throat quickly, she adds, "A relationship of mutual respect and trust beforehand does help to smooth out the awkward when you wake up with…" Her hand flicks the obvious vaguely. "No one -saw- us," she grimaces that clarification. But oh they certainly heard! "I never bring them here. And it's up to you what you do, but I tend to use the guest weyr near the Feeding Grounds." Coughing, she moves on to the most crucial thing on her mind: "You'll need to learn Sahazyth's cycle - and the signs that she's nearing her time to rise. We keep to the Weyr for a few days beforehand to avoid incidents. You don't want her rising away from the Weyr." Her brow wrinkles as her brows squinch together. "If you are at a hold and she *Betweens* to the Weyr without you, it could be -very- awkward. Or dangerous for her because you won't be there."
Briana nods at the mention of the browns, "He is a strong brown and they are close…I suppose it is possible and yeah, I suppose a friend is better than someone you can't stand." She says with a little shrug as she thinks through these eventualities as she sips on her Klah. Her eyes unfocus again and Sahazyth looks up towards the weyr for a moment as they talk. Finally she looks up again. "Yeah, I can imagine that would be bad. When should I expect her to go up first? I think I read that it was later than the greens?" She wrinkles her nose a bit, "Yeah I think I would want to do that too. Reckon I want my weyr to be…My weyr." No clouded memories of strangers in strange positions.
"Golds are slower to reach maturation than their green sisters, so you can expect her to rise for the first time somewhere around the age of two turns. At least you won't have to deal with it as often as the greenriders do?" Thea offers as a sort of consolation with a small lift and fall of her shoulders. "Golds rise roughly every two turns, sometimes less often. The Dragonhealers speculate that is because Thread no longer falls." The sound of her cup clinking as she sets it back on her saucer fills the silence as she bends to consult a small notepad by her own place setting. "Oh! After Sahazyth rises, she'll gradually become more egg-heavy and awkward in the air. She'll be grounded by the Dragonhealers before she cannot fly safely, just to be cautious, until you are familiar with her limitations." One forefinger rises in warning, "Flights can be rough with the competitive nature up there. Injuries can occur. You'll learn to inspect your queen as soon as possible and have her seen by the Dragonhealers promptly if necessary."
"Thats a plus either way." Briana says with a light laugh. She certainly seems to have been realaxing more in the last month or so. Settling into the junior duties of a weyrling with relative ease or at least with eagerness. Something to focus on other than the stares and bets. "Ok, will definately listen to the dragonhealers and get her checked up lots till I get used to things." She says with agreement as she reaches for a cookie, seemingly to take most of this in stride. At the mention of being egg heavy though she gets an odd look on her features, "Sometimes I feel a stitch in my arm when she is strained, do you feel it? When she is egg heavy?" She can't help but ask of the Weyrwoman, her golden eyes bright with curiosity.
There's a slow smile growing on Thea's mouth for the Weyrling's taking of things in stride. "I feel her awkwardness when she walks and the sensation of her in flight is different. Sluggish. When she clutches I certainly feel her discomfort," the Weyrwoman shares as she leans back in her chair. Which reminds her, "Some queens want their lifemates with them on the sands day and night when they're brooding. Others do not mind spending some time alone while you eat and sleep. I usually take a mattress and table up to the Observation Level at least until the eggs have hardened." She pours another cup of klah, lifting the pot in a silent offer to fill Briana's cup as well. "There's no 'right' way to do it, the two of you will find what works for you."
"Sorry for all the questions, I guess I just want to be prepared." Briana says before taking another sip of her Klah. "What will happen will happen, only thing I can do is be prepared." She says with a slight shrug. "I have been talking to people on the list. I met a rider named K'ael…he seems to have done it all. He has been good to listen to, even if his bronze accidently taught Sahazyth bad hunting technique, at least Azaeth fixed it in the end." She smiles a bit at that, "He seemed to speak very highly of Search and Rescue…" She starts before tilting her head, "Will the golds be allowed time with the other wings if needed?"
Thea gives Briana a slightly confused look, "No need to apologize for asking questions. That's why I am here, to answer what I can. Ask as many as you wish." Her smile following that assurance is wide, her manner more relaxed. "I do hope you feel prepared - as much as possible anyway. No book learning can substitute for experience, but." She laughs softly, "We all learn by doing, eh?" At the mention of 'the list' and then K'ael's name, she puzzles, aloud, "The list?" Her face clears, "Ah the one of who runs what area and what they do to run it, yes?" Still perplexed by the connection, she adds, "K'ael doesn't run anything? He's a good man, though. And yes, you certainly will be spending time with each wing for a weyrwoman should know what each one does. For the most part though, your training will focus on what Nova wing does and I'll have you shadowing both Sianne and I on Hold visitation. Later, you'll be training with Search and Rescue. All the weyrwomen will learn the techniques."
Briana dips her head at the first part , "Sorry Ma'am. I won't apologize for questioning no more." She smiles a bit at that. "As best as I can be I reckon. I ain't scared about it like I once was." She says before nodding to the question of the list and K'ael, "Oh I know Ma'am…just got to talking to him about different things and it came up. Reckon he wants to be a wingleader from what I hear." She gives a shrug, "Don't know much about him though save he seems nice enough and his dragon helped teached Mine to fish." She says with a half smile at that. There is a nod though at the duties she will be given, "I will help as best I can. I ain't afraid of heard work."
With that, the topics shift away from Flights and more to weyrwoman’s tasks. When Thea’s finally sent Briana off, she remains at the table for a time, elbows on the surface, eyes closed to shut the rest of the world out, while her fingers massage her temples. A final mutter caps the session with, “I –really- need to learn to delegate.”