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 is sprawled gracelessly across one of the comfortable chairs by the fireplace. In her lap rests a sketchbook, open and full of technical diagrams for glasswork. The crafter is not paying any attention to the sketchbook, however, as she stares into the low flames of the fireplace, chewing her lip thoughtfully. On the back of the chair, Mulgrave has stretched himself out, tail dangling down one side and chin resting at the edge of the other. Trina is nowhere to be seen, as is normal for the irritable green firelizard.
M'nol enters slowly, Bloodstone perched on one, very dirty shoulder. For the first time since he was searched, the lad is completely covered in dirt and dust. Trying very hard not to shake it everywhere, he makes his way to the night hearth and pours himself a mug of klah, the dirt on his goggles well-obscuring the room.
Mulgrave raises his head as M'nol enters, watching with open curiosity as the rider crosses the room. Mulgrave trills a greeting when they pass nearby, jolting Moria out of her thoughts. "Who is it, Mulgrave?" she asks the bronze, blinking at him. Mulgrave gives a softer cheep and continues to look at M'nol. Moria follows the firelizard's gaze and notices the rather dirty brownrider. "Shards, what did you get into?" she asks, loud enough to be heard but certainly not shouting.
M'nol jumps slightly, scattering dirt around him like raindrops, when Moria addresses him. Pulling his goggles up out of his face he turns towards her and takes a sip of his klah before croaking out, "Sandstorm on sweep… what about you? Just like the caverns?"
Moria shakes her head at his question and motions to the sketchpad in her lap. "I was thinking about a project. The chairs here are more comfortable than those in the craft complex," she explains. "How bad was the sandstorm?" she asks, tilting her head much like Mulgrave is doing as she regards M'nol. "It certainly made you quite the mess."
M'nol makes a soft hmmmmmm sound, glancing at the sketchpad, "They /are/ more comfortable here…" He shrugs, "Just a big sudden storm. Sand got everywhere 'fore I could even land." The motion of his walk implying sand in some rather uncomfortable places as he pulls up a chair and sits, "What kind of project?"
Moria nods, stroking the soft surface of the chair with obvious contentment. "It is a relief to have such comfortable chairs to work in. Makes concentrating mich easier," she says. Mulgrave chirps his agreement, turning so he can watch M'nol as the rider seats himself. "It's not a big project. Just trying to figure out how to make something work out."
Bloodstone chirps back at Mulgrave, exchanging gossip and things he probably shouldn't be sharing. M'nol peers at the drawings with some interest, "Make what work out? I don't know much about glass-crafting."
Mulgrave chirrups in delight as the other bronze gossips with him, happily sharing his observations. Moria, oblivious to her bronze, flips the notebook so Morl can actually see the sketches. They are of what looks like a globe of glass, except that there is something inside the sphere. "I'm trying to find a way to blow spheres of glass, and insert various things inside them before they are sealed, without breaking the glass or causing it to skew out of form," she explains, indicating the sketch. "I'm thinking I'll have to start with liquids, but I'd like to be able to make some with layers of colored sand for paperweights and the like."
M'nol makes another soft hmmming sound as Bloodstone gossips away, "I… really wouldn't know, but it sounds /fascinating/… are they like bauble or do you have some purpose in mind?"
Moria says, "As I said, they would make interesting paperworks and decorative pieces." Mulgrave slips down the back of the chair to perch on Moria's shoulder, coiling his tail around her throat and balancing with the help of one paw gripping her hair. "What do you want, Mulgrave?" Moria asks, stroking the bronze fondly. He peers at the drawing, then at Bloodstone, and chitters excitedly. "What was /that/ all about?" Moria wonders aloud, glancing between the two flits.
M'nol nods slowly, "Well, if you ever figure it out I might buy one." He grins, then starts as Bloodstone's tail wraps tighter around his neck as well, chittering back. M'nol looks at both flits and shakes his head slowly, chuckling, "Probably don't want to know…"
Moria nods, continuing to pet Mulgrave with a soft smile. "I'm sure your right. I always have to wonder what they say to each other," she comments, and Mulgrave chirps in seeming agreement. "I'll let you know if I manage to get something made," she adds, glancing back to M'nol. "Are you done with your sweeps for the day?"
M'nol grins as Bloodstone echoes Mulgrave's chirp, "Considering some of what Faraeth spread around while we were still weyrlings, I just hope never to have to explain that to someone again." He chuckles a little, taking another sip of his klah, "Thanks… I'd be Phy might like one… and if she doesn't the flits will." Another gulp of klah, then, "Thank Faranth, yes. Just a bath and hopefully catching Phy after her shift for dinner."
Moria nods her understand as M'nol speaks, smiling warmly. "I'm sure you're quite relieved to be past that, hmm?" she asks as she closes her sketchbook. "Well, I'll let you go clean up. I hate to say it, but you really look like you could use it," she says with a grin.
M'nol grins, the dirt on his face cracking some, "I don't doubt it… haven't been /this/ dirty in ages… I'll probably go through a whole bag of soapsand for this…"
Moria chuckles, shaking her head. "It's not quite /that/ bad," she reassures him, rising with a hand on Mulgrave to keep him from pulling her hair. "Might take a few cycles of water, though, I'll give you that."
M'nol grins a little bit more, "Yeah, that's for certain…" he chuckles and stands as well, "It was nice talkign with you while I drank, though."
Moria nods, answering, "It's always nice to have a bit of company," she agrees. "I'll let you know if anything comes of that project. Have a good day," she finishes, moving toward the exit to the clearing.
M'nol smiles, "Thanks," then he nods, moving towards the exit to the bathing chambers, ready to be rid of the dirt. Quite ready.