Dinner Has Its Own Dinner
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Xanadu Weyr - Stables

The Stables of Xanadu Weyr are composed of one long building, lined with box and standing stalls that are kept thoroughly clean by the resident grooms and stablehands. Runners nicker and neigh at everyone who enters, save for the obstinate ones that just flicker their ears in indignant curiousity that they dare not make visible. The foremost stalls near the door to the Barn Yard are the grand box stalls which are home to the prized runners of Xanadu, as well as the most pregnant, those which are so far along that they require constant observation by the Herders, so as to ensure easy foaling.

However, the primary design of stall which lines the broad pathway that is covered in saw dust which is the main avenue of the Stables, is that of the Standing Stall. Many runners are in the standing stalls, with ropes strung across the front so as to keep the runners from leaving their designated containers. A few hay bales sit here and there along the avenue, some of which act as seats for the stablehands and grooms on their breaks, others as snacks for those runners who can reach out their necks far enough. Buckets and baskets of grooming supplies, brushes and combs, and the like also sit here and there, occassionally knocked over by a wayward hoof or inquiring muzzle.



Evening and there's still errands to be run. Zevida is, in fact, doing those errands. One of which leads her into the Stables. Hands are folded carefully behind her back as she makes her way through, carefully examining each area that comes close to her person. The stablehands and Beastcrafters are all given a very careful look over before she continues on her way.

Amelia's on food-duty this evening, and the barnyard is buzzing with a cacophony of activity and noisy, hungry critters. Currently Amie is in one of the chicken coops, delivering a mixture of cracked corn and ground up grain. The birds are eager to eat, even to the point of aggression in the case of the geese in nearby pens. As she notices someone not particularly familiar passing through, she calls out a warning before Zevida gets too close to the hungry geese. "Mind the pens, please!"

Zevida tilts a careful look to Amelia, lifting a brow. "If a bird comes after me, I won't hesitate to feed it to Avaeth. She's not particularly fond of birds, but…" There's a shrug, thoughtful as she waves a hand in a dismissive manner. "Then again, the kitchens were looking for another bird for dinner tonight."

The Beastcrafter finishes doling out food to her first coop and moves to another set of chickens. While switching pens, she takes a closer look across the way and recognizes the weyrwoman's accoutrements. Following Zevida's comments, she laughs for a moment. "Well, they are, as always, welcome to collect. Though we'd prefer they not disrupt the gaggle unity- there are certain birds that are much better candidates than others for dinner. Were you sent to collect? Are they after a goose or a chicken?"

Zevida smiles slightly, "of course. I don't know much about the birds, myself." A pause and she considers, "chicken. The one in the kitchen ran into an unfortunate accident this evening when someone wasn't paying attention to where exactly they were placing it. They're still cleaning the mess now."

Amelia grimaces. "Right then. They certainly can make a mess." She works on feeding the chickens, while peering over them thoughtfully. "This is the kitchen pull pen, so you can have your pick of the flock. Will you be wanting a carrier for the trip back to the kitchens?"

"Quite." There's another smile for the woman, more cheerful this time as Zevida settles into a more relaxed stance, watching the other. "A carrier would be wonderful, actually." She moves closer to the pens, watching a few of the birds with a thoughtful frown.

Nodding, Amelia empties the last of the food out for the chickens, and gestures over them. "Any particular one take your fancy? I'll fetch a carrier while you pick." She smiles back at Zevida and lets herself out of the pen, then promptly trots into the stable to fetch a carrier. Shortly she returns holding a small wooden carrier, and looks at the weyrwoman questioningly.

Zevida nods, "how about this one right here?" There's a gesture towards one of the bigger birds who is more selfish with the food than the rest. "Looks like it'll be better for us all if we take him." There's a look to the other woman and she smiles widely. "Thank you for your help."

With a grin, Amelia nods. "He's a good choice. The rest of the flock is, I believe, about ready to see the last of him," and still smiling, she lets herself back into the pen, sets the carrier down, and picks up a handful of food. She inches toward the young yet plump rooster. "And you're welcome- it's part of what we're here for, after all."
Zevida laughs, "it does seem that way. Someone's too selfish for his own good." She watches Amelia lure the rooster with a chuckle. "I hate touching chickens that still are living… And that have feathers."

"What's that?" Amelia asks as she moves toward the bird. The rooster is not ready to give up his own meal to become the weyr's, and when Amelia gets close enough to make a grab for his legs, he favors her with a bite on the wrist. Not to be undone, the Beastcrafter makes another- faster. And this time there is a flurry of feathers, squawking indignity and her arm, rooster leg attached, is making an arc up and away from the other chickens in the coop. Before she can get too scratched up by the free leg and beak, she grabs the other leg and, moving quickly to the gate at the same time, she tucks the rooster under her arm and holds him firmly so he isn't a danger to her nor to Zevida once they exit and she begins placing him into the carrier.

Zevida continues to watch with an expression that looks… Quite disgusted at the sight of the struggle with the bird. The woman closes her eyes and then offers a very slight smile once the bird is caught. "Nothing. Nothing. I don't envy your job, but I am thankful that you are here. Very much so."

The rooster is a strong one, but Amelia doesn't let him have the best of her; he is, after another brief struggle, at last safely in the carrier. The apprentice latches it securely and tests the straps. They'll allow Zevida to carry without concern about the rooster attempting to bite or scratch. Amelia smiles and holds it out. "I'm thankful I could come back and be here to do this," she smiles even as she starts wiping off dust and feathers from her clothing.

There's relief once the rooster is contained and the smile returns to a more relaxed one, nodding thankfully as she takes the carrier. "It is not a job that appeals to me, but… Everyone has the jobs that they love, even if it's different from what someone else may enjoy. Thank you for your hard work." The woman inclines her head. "Keep up the wonderful work and I'm sure I'll see you again at some point."

Amelia nods quietly, cheeks flushing just a bit at the compliments. "Anytime, Weyrwoman. We're here to help the weyr." As that seems to be the dismissal, the apprentice picks up a full bucket of mixed feed next to the goose pen and resumes the feeding duties, though this time with greater caution as well as speed- those pesky geese are very hungry!

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