Workshops - Xanadu Weyr
Some crafts are ill-suited to being tucked away in a cavern, too loud or too dangerous to be desirable. They've been clustered here, out in the meadow away from others. The central building is made of stone and glass, the roof shallow as it slopes away from the thick central ridge that holds forges and kilns for smiths, glassworkers, and others.
The smith forges are loud, dim and hot; windows here are covered with soot or have been replaced for safety. The large common area holds the main forge lodged against the central wall, with bellows at the ready and a chimney rushing high to open in the ceiling outside. This is the area that the apprentices are taught in and are able to use. The nearby wall clasps a vast and unspecialized collection of tools, while the built-in shelves of another wall host jars of nails, crates of wood and metal scraps, spools of wire, sacks of sand, and heavy bins of Cromcoal, all decorated with a fine coating of grime and sawdust. To the other side of the main forge, set against the outer wall, there are separate forges for Journeyman and Master use, each one kept clean and neat, even when in the midst of a project.
Further back there are heating systems and molds for metal and plastic alike, and a set of machines used to grind gears and cast various parts. There's a pump to bring up water for quenching, though it won't stay cool for long given the heat this workshop holds even in winter.
On the other side of the broad central wall is the glass shop, brightly lit through the heat-resistant fixtures and many windows that show off the skills of the crafters of Xanadu Weyr. That central wall and the one opposite it are both lined with kilns and glass forges for the glasscrafters to do their work. The portion of the room near the main entrance seems to be devoted to teaching, as a number of mobile diagram boards have been erected there with desks arranged in semicircles around each. The central portion of the room serves as the production area, with barrels of sand and various additives arrayed beside several long tables and charts, and finally, the back wall is made up almost entirely of cabinets and storage shelves.
There are other workshops scattered nearby, smaller buildings for the various other crafts that are better suited to be where the wind sweeps out over the sea and carries fumes and smoke with it or for those who need to catch their breath after the din of the forges.
Spring is in bloom outside but inside the workshops, it may feel more like the height of summer! Especially if one is working by the heating systems or in any of the designated spots for Smithcrafting. Which is where Keruthien has been much of the morning, toiling away over his own work queue, while also directing a few Apprentices to their own tasks. He’s not been a Journeyman long, so it still feels strange for him to be giving instructions or being sought for anything, but he’s adapting! And some would wonder just how he pulls it off, given his usual nature. Yet around his work, he’s entirely devoted and if there’s one thing in life he takes seriously, it’s that. With a heavy sigh, he straightens from his work, pulling off a glove so he can wipe the back of his hand over a sweat covered brow. “Hey! Watch things for awhile, eh? I’m stepping out.” he calls to his nearby Crafter, who merely nods understanding. Shedding the other glove and his work apron, Keruthien will stride out from the main workshop and somewhere just outside, where he promptly takes in a long, deep breath of fresh air and exhale with a pleased sigh. Ahh, much better!
During is turns in Xanadu the workshop would never have been high on the list of places most likely to find D'had. It would have been nearer the bottom really. Even though he hasn't called the southern Weyr home in many turns now doesn't mean he doesn't have occasion to visit or that he doesn't still know anyone there anymore. Thee old bluerider nods to a woman before she disappears back into the workshop and and he turns, either in preparation to head off or maybe just find a place better suited to waiting.
D’had won’t be able to escape far before he’s spotted and Keruthien doesn’t even spare a second glance to be certain he’s got the right person. “D’had?” he calls out, already striding forwards to close the distance between them. Does he have time to spare? He does now! Because once he’s got the older bluerider’s attention? He’ll grin almost ear to ear, beaming and without shame as he goes on to spread his arms wide. “Hey, grandda!” Probably not what he wants all but shouted out loud but welcome to the energetic whirlwind that is Ruthien! Because if D’had isn’t making a break for it, he’s going to assume that means it’s a-okay to try gathering them into a fierce hug.
D'had turns a glance at the sound of his name, and no he's not about to make a break for it upon spotting the boy young man. A smirk of his own grin returned, and a shake of his head for the welcome. No, not exactly what he wants shouted and while he's not as animated for the greeting, he will return that hug, leaving Keruthien with a pat on the back. "So now what's this?" the question directed towards the journeyman's knot which gets a flick.
“Oh, this thing?” Keruthien’s mood is hardly doused or affected by the lack of enthusiasm on D’had’s part. If anything, it’s encouraged by that flick and he steps back to give the bluerider some space. Shoulders lift in a lazy shrug. “Guess I made an impression on the right folk and they saw fit to let me walk the tables! Pretty great, huh?” he grins wryly. “Not been at it long but I’m getting the hang of it. Little more freedom, y’know? So!” His gestures animatedly, first towards him and then the area in general. “What’s got you here, of all places? And Xanadu?” He barely pauses for a breath, before forging (pun only half intended) on. Jokingly, that same hand is placed to his chest. “Did you come to see me?”
"Well good on you," D'had chuckles for his answer on the knot. While he may not be overly enthusiastic about it all he is proud of him, that much such be clear enough. "Nah," he teases for the idea of coming to see him. "Why'd I do a thing like that?" the words shared with a grin. It wasn't the only reason for his visit however, but a happy accident of location. "Droppin' some things off," would be the reason for Xanadu, "And figured I'd see a couple people long as I was here."
Keruthien doesn’t even let him finish speaking fully, before interjecting with his playful addition. “I knew it,” he says with very feigned disappointment. “You’re here to see them, aren’t you! Ellie and Ezzie…” His half-sisters, with no actual blood relation to D’had at all, which is all the more reason for him to use it as a joke. No wonder his siblings can only tolerate him so much! Then he’ll come back around, brightly curious and peering with too cunning of a look to the bluerider. “What sort’ve things?”
Oh, two can play that game. "Well they are prettier than you," D'had replies with a smirk that breaks the mock seriousness of his answer. Not that he wouldn't stop in to see them if they wanted, but he would be more likely to search out their brother who he is related to. A shrug follows for the question then, "This and that, think there were a couple of dresses or something." Clearly he didn't pay that close attention. "Stopped into see a jeweler, but what've you been up to?"
GASP! Keruthien’s right on the game, adopting quite the affronted look that turns insulted, though mirth lurks beneath that blue gaze of his and in his tone. “As if! You’re seeing me fresh from working in the forges! That’s not a fair comparison at all! I happen to draw a lot of attention,” he brags, without shame, and that might not be him playing, either. Clearly D’had didn’t pay attention and neither is his grandson wholly invested, until the mention of a jeweller. Then his grin morphs to something wry and impish, as he flows back to a more half-serious air. “Oh, y’know. This and that,” Okay, so he’s parroting a bit, too. “Working on my queue Craft-wise, a few projects. Funny you should bring up a jeweller… because I am one. Oh, jays — you didn’t send that pretty thing to looking for one, did you? Poor girl’s probably confused, now.” Clearly, he’s implying himself again, as though Xanadu doesn’t have a healthy population of reputable and skilled jewellers.
D'had chuckles, reaching up to muss the boy's hair, "I'm sure you do," draw attention that is. Whether that's a good or bad thing, he doesn't say. "Did too when I was your age." There's that, but the question could remain. As to the jeweler and the girl, "I mighta." But if she's confused the one of them might have fix that later. Ah well. "And ya might be, but looking for someone a little less fresh from the walk for this one." No offense intended.
Keruthien doesn’t duck away from that mussing of his hair, even if at the tender age of twenty he should be too old for such things! “Yeah? You got any stories to share then or words of sage wisdom?” he teases, grin still well in place. No offence taken, though he’s very intrigued now and doesn’t bother to hide it. “Oh, now you gotta share this commission of yours! If I’m not up to snuff, just what’re you intending to ask for?”
Far too old, but D'had has enough on him (be it in general, or in turns) that that doesn't seem to matter. Then again, D'had probably still does that to Ruthien's dad, so… As to that commission, "You'd probably do fine, just not used to you being one." There's that. Maybe he just didn't think of it. "Just some old things needs a little fixing." Stories and advice? He has plenty of stories but, "Lets just say I had plenty of girls around, hmm, and leave it at that."
“Why’re you being so vague!” Keruthien counters and accuses, but it’s done with laughter and good humour. There doesn’t seem to be a mean bone on him, though anyone who’s known him long, knows of the temper he can wield in the very rare occasions. It takes a lot, but it’s happened! More laughter too, along with a clasped-pat to the older man’s shoulder. “Leave it at that, huh? You say it like you should be ashamed and I should be ashamed for wanting to hear it. Ah well, suit yourself!” Shoulders lift in a shrug and his hands spread helplessly. “I’ve gotta get back to it.” Right, he’s got priorities here! “Y’know, if you’re gonna be sticking around a bit… we can get some drinks, maybe? Dinner too, if the drink isn’t your thing!”
That's for him to know apparently as D'had simple ignores the idea of being vague. Ignores or avoids perhaps, but either way there's a nod for the return to work. "Ashamed? Never," the rider chuckles. "I'll let you get back to things and save those stories for that drink." He does enjoy one of those every now and then, even if some might not. "I can find something to keep me busy til later."
“Perfect!” Keruthien’s back to his previous energetic self and clasps his hands together. Grinning, he’ll tip his fingers in a lazy salute. “Until later, then! If plans change, well… y’know where to find me! Otherwise I should be finished here in the next two candlemarks or so. Meet up at the tavern, eh? They’ve got some great seasonal grub to go with the drinks.” He’ll only wait for the affirmative from D’had before offering a quick wave and striding off back into the workshops. Probably whistling as he goes too, a lively little tune.