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 and southwest is a wide tunnel, carefully roped off to avoid accidents.
Moria and Tresha, along with a pair of burly smithcrafters, make their way into the caverns, the smiths carrying a large crate between them while Moria and Tresha make sure the path is clear. Approaching the store room, Moria waves the smiths to a halt and indicates that they can set the crate down beside the large door. "Thank you both very much," she says as the smiths dust their hands off. She receives a smile and nod from each as the men head back out to the clearing. Tresha, meanwhile, is looking around anxiously to see if Niva has arrived yet.
With a note in her hand, Niva appears from the direction of the offices, talking over her shoulder to someone or other as she goes - something about just having to wait, before she's turning her attention to what lies infront of her instead. Catching sight of the smithcrafters passing by, she turns to follow them, glancing at the crate as she closes the distance, nodding to each of the young women in turn. "Glasscrafters.." She says with a smile, eyes dropping once more to the crate.
Tresha spots Niva just before she speaks, and has a moment to hiss to Moria, "She's here!" before straightening and bowing to the Weyrwoman. "Ma'am, we've finished the commision, and it's ready for your final inspection," she says, eyes sparkling. Moria nods at Tresha's words before stepping forward to bow in turn, adding, "And as expected, it was accepted for the final part of our journeyman projects, and we were granted the promotion based on the work." Tresha smiles, nodding rapidly in agreement.
Niva nods to each in turn, a smile widening on her face at the news of their promotions, inclining her head to them. "Well, then congratulations to both of you." She says with a nod, turning to slowly walk around the crate. "I would think that if your Masters' approved them, I won't have any complaints about them, you know." A good natured wink, and one hand rest lightly on the top of the crate. "And I'm sure Lady Ryeira will appreciate them as well."
Moria blushes, but Tresha doesn't - the younger journeywoman responds, "It's one thing for the technical presentation to be accurate, ma'am, but we of course wanted to be sure that the appearance is everything you were hoping for." Moria nods her agreement and reaches to touch the crate. "Everything is packed for shipping, but the top layer has one of each item ready to be inspected. They are as close to identical as we could manage."
"It gives them character, to have each one a little different - and it shows the personal effort put in." Niva comments, as if to dismiss their worries about slight differences, nodding to both and moving to carefully open the top of the crate, carefully shifting the overlay of material to glance over the pieces. A finger tentatively runs around the edge of each, hmming and nodding - approvingly.
Moria and Tresha both fidget nervously, glancing at each other as Niva inspects the pieces. At her approving indications, both begin to relax. Moria offers as Niva looks at the plates, "We had a lot of fun forming the etching plate for the plate symbols." Tresha chimes in, "We don't normally get a chance to etch anything that complex, but it was worth it!"
"I think that you both did a wonderful job." Niva says, punctuating her words with a nod, carefully settling the material and the lid back down as she turns to look at the two Glasscrafters. "And, I'm happy that it helped you both with your promotions.. I'm sure Lady Ryeira will love it." Glancing back down at the box, then once more at each glasscrafter, she pauses, thoughtfully.
Moria smiles in delight and Tresha lets out a litte whoop, quickly smothered with a hand over her mouth as she blushes and giggles. "Sorry about Tresha," Moria says with a grin for her exuberant friend. "She was really nervous, with how many pieces there were," Moria finishes. She meets Niva's gaze, tilting her head slightly. "Is there anything else we can do for you, ma'am?"
"Well, you both insisted that as Apprentices, you weren't able to take compensation, but neither of you are an Apprentice any longer. And, its certainly not nearly enough, but as you both seem bound and determined to avoid the subject.." Niva shakes her head, hands sliding into pockets, before a closed hand is offered to each of them, palm down - with a 2-mark piece in each one. "A.. token of my gratitude. For you - not for your masters."
Moria ohs, blushing as she accepts the mark. "I can't really say no when you put it like that," she murmurs, glancing at the mark and slipping in into a pocket. "Thank you very much, ma'am." Tresha, finally getting her giggles under control, dips Niva another bow and accepts her payment. "Yes'm, thank you. I appreciate the opportunity to help out."
Niva laughs softly at Moria's blush, shaking her head and having a hand at both of them. "Thank you, both, for your hard work. I'll be sure to tell you how she reacts." Niva promises, before glancing at the crate, and waving a hand to them both. "I'll get someone to come take care of this. Go enjoy yourselves. Think of something fun you want." And the clearly satisfied Weyrwoman pats the box once before sending a passing weyrling off to find some riders to move it.
Moria and Tresha both bow again, murmuring their thanks once more before turning and moving off toward the clearing, talking quietly together but with much animation.
The description of the set of glass dishes made for Ryeira can be found here.