Xanadu Weyr - Caverns
A massive cavern in its own right, this one has been skillfully adapted for human habitation. The high ceilings have been painted a light, soft ivory, as have walls hung with numerous tapestries that 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. The stone is carefully leveled 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 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. It's plain that on most days, this area wouldn't accommodate anywhere near the full population of the Weyr, instead feeding people in shifts as they come off duty. On occasions when a formal meal is laid out, tables are borrowed from all the other areas.
There's also a big fireplace set into the western wall, 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, the largest an archway to the northeast that leads outside. Near it there's an alcove with hooks for coats and shelves for muddy boots. A tunnel to the east goes to the infirmary, and a set of stairs just a little south of that lead up to the offices and administration area. To the south, a long and sloping tunnel leads down to the hot springs. The kitchen is off to the southwest, while the residents' quarters are reached by tunnels going west, deeper into the cliff.
What day is it? What TIME!? Does it matter? Not really. At least the season is keeping coherency and everything else can be ignored (to a degree). As far as his exhausted, addled mind can parse, it’s light outside but as to what stage? Who knows. There’s only so much time afforded to a weyrling’s ‘escape’ from the barracks and training grounds and why waste it on trivial things like TIME OF DAY? The moment Kihatsuth fell into a deep sleep, Ru'ien made a run for it (potentially literally). It could be the caverns weren’t on his agenda, but the smell of FOOD lured him and thus, here he is. Currently seated at an empty table and inhaling his prized assortment of delicacies at an alarming rate. At one point, something doesn’t go down quite right and he thumps himself on the chest with a curled fist and much throat clearing.
Learning to take care of a creature who is literally in your head has been a bit of a challenge for V'ro, but certain things have fallen in to place easier than others. Rushing around to take care of his basic needs as calmly as possible so as not to wake the beast is one of those things he's gotten a grip on pretty quickly. So it's with a plate of food in hand that he's looking for a quiet seat. What he finds instead is Ru'ien trying not to die because of his poor life choices. V'ro nearly drops his plate on the table with the other weyrling and reaches to smack his fellow helpfully on the back. "You're going to wake her up with all that drama." Which her? Probably both of them. If Kihatsuth wakes up freaking out about her rider choking to death, Koth will probably wake up, too. No bueno! "You good? You need a drink? Healer?"
Ru’ien lifts his free hand to wave off V’ro’s concerns, as he clears his throat one last time and then inhales deep and calmly. “I’m fine! No, really. All good!” Cough. He’ll flash a broad, mildly faltering, grin towards his fellow weyrling and then gesture for him to sit. Seriously, he’s not dying (yet)! “Guess I picked up a bad habit with all the… y’know. We don’t get much time.” Chewing is not something he’ll try to skirt around! Belatedly, he scoffs. “I dunno. Kihatsuth might’ve found it hilarious? She’s, um… unpredictable that way.” To say the least. He’ll turn back to his plate, ignoring the flushed color to his cheeks from all that coughing. Yeah, that’s why he’s flushed! Ahem. “So… Koth must be settled and sleeping if you’re here. Grabbing a bite too? Or just wanting a change of scenery?” Both?
V'ro doesn't waste time second-guessing the other weyrling when Ru'ien assures him he's going to be okay, and he sits down in the next seat over, pulling his plate closer and already gathering a bite on his fork. "Koth would just think I'm a sharding idiot. Especially after all that fuss telling her to chew her meat." Okay, it's hit or miss whether she actually remembers that, but V'ro can still imagine and that's close enough. "She's asleep, thank Faranth. She's still convinced there's somewhere she can sit in here, so it's hard to come when she's not passed out." His grimace only lasts long enough to shovel food into his mouth.
“Okay, now that you put it that way,” Ru’ien chuckles under his breath, with an edge of tired to it. “Definitely glad I didn’t wake anyone up. We’d not hear the end of it for… however long it takes them to forget about it.” Cue a smirk and a slightly more animated stab of his fork for emphasis, as he takes a (much smaller) bite. “… do you think that’s ever happened? Wonder what would go down if they got in but couldn’t get out —“ Wait, no. NO, he shouldn’t be thinking these things! “Never mind! Forget I said anything,” he mutters hurriedly. “Before they pick up on any ideas.” Never mind that ‘they’ are or SHOULD be asleep but lets not risk it, right? A few more bites (CAREFULLY chewed!) and he’s peering over at V’ro, curious. “How’re you holding up?”
Careful to chew his own food because it would be extra embarrassing to choke on anything now, V'ro shakes his head at the idea of thinking about any of that stuff even as Ru'ien suggests forgetting it was ever mentioned. That's definitely safest. If you don't acknowledge something, it can't happen. Thems the rules. "I'm doing okay, I guess," he says after swallowing, already gathering up another mouthful with his fork. "Not feeling so much like some silly girl that's gonna cry for no reason about everything. I don't even know where that came from, Koth isn't like that." Which only leaves him, and that doesn't sit particularly well. "You? Kihatsuth seems a bit of a handful."
Let’s face it, there’s going to be quite a few embarrassing moments and extra ones throughout weyrlinghood that choking while speed eating will seem like nothing! As for the unspoken rules, well, Ru’ien is visibly relieved when V’ro gets it. Thanks, man! He can breathe easy over that now too! “Oh.” he states at first, since he’s busy devouring food — not that it stops him from talking around a mouth half full. “That happened to you too?” Wait. What? “I mean, it was way more overwhelming than I think anyone could ever explain.” Stab stab goes that fork and he’ll take a moment to think, while swallowing that next bite. “Doing better and she is. Her moods… no. I dunno if that’s even it she’s just…” Chaos? “Yeah, a handful. At least she’s not tripping so much on her talons now.”
Clear green eyes flicker over at Ru'ien, studying him a bit more directly while he swallows again. "Glad it wasn't just me. Seemed to be going around." Not that V'ro took a census or anything, but they do all live together. "Don't want to think what it'll be like when she is a mess." Whether he means emotional about something he can't fathom, or proddy, or what is anyone's guess. "I'm not sure I expected them to be so… unique?" It's a polite way to put it, but not necessarily on purpose. "I'm not sure what I was expecting. But I wouldn't give it up for anything now." He does expect the other weyrling to know what he means.
“Nope, wasn’t just you. Guess we all just adjust in our own ways,” Ru’ien shrugs lightly and smiles crookedly; this isn’t news, is it? He exhales softly, taking a moment to wolf down a little more of his food before fixing his gaze back on V’ro. “Yeah, I know what you mean but that’s probably why they got us so focused on the bond and… bonding?” He’s probably forgetting a few words or likely figuring it’s not relevant to repeat what they’re likely getting drilled into their heads already. Oh, he does get that meaning too, to judge by the way he grins like a punch-drunk fool. “Mhm. No regrets.”
V'ro smiles, too, and he's content to eat in silence for at least a few moments, shoveling in as much as he can do safely. Then, no regrets, but, "What do you miss the most? I can't wait to just be able to have a couple drinks after a long day again." Like, he could totally just let the other greenrider eat in peace, but where's the fun in that. Fortunately what he misses isn't something that will be forever changed.
Ru’ien is content enough to polish off the last of his food, even going as far as to (rudely?) pick up a few crumbs. Waste not, want not? There’s a chuckle and a wistful sigh, as he leans back a bit, gaze wandering skywards for a moment as if reminiscing. “Yeah, I’d not mind that. Drinks, a few games of cards, some good ‘ol fun…” Whatever ‘fun’ may be, it sounds remarkably specific and yet broad. Smirking, he’ll lower his gaze again and shrug, idly. “I guess my Craft? I mean, I’ll eventually get back to that too but it feels weird to have been gone from it. It’d be nice too, if I can just do things and say things and not worry that it’ll end terribly… not that I’m saying it’s terrible, trying to keep Kiha happy but…” It’s tiring, okay? He’s not use to guarding himself or his actions! “It won’t last forever. Eventually we’ll get some sense of normalcy going.” Right?
"Fun," V'ro agrees with a wistful sort of sigh that would probably offend Koth if she were awake to hear it. Feel it. Whatever. "One day we might even look back and miss this." The laugh he snorts to himself might not entirely agree. But they'll probably at least look back on it fondly. "Whatever way, it will get normal, yeah." Of that he's sure. Life experience doing a variety of uncomfortable things speaking, perhaps. Most of his attention refocuses on finishing off the rest of his plate, part of it keeps curious tabs on the other weyrling. "We should get a drink together. When we can." It's not a weird totally premature suggestion, okay? He's being friendly or something.
All of the above? “You think? Shards, that’s tough to even imagine at this point,” Ru’ien admits with a scoffed breath of laughter, but the grin he shares this time is more akin to his usual ones and not so touched by sheer mental and physical exhaustion. “Mhm, just gotta slog through it, one day at a time. I’m not used to having to look ahead. Never liked to and never liked to look back so… guess I’ll just apply it to this as well. One day at a time…” And they’ll all get through it! At least, that’s the plan. Their dragons might have others. Oh, V’ro, be careful how much you offer! Ru’ien tends to take things and run with them. “Deal. The moment they let us off the restrictions, we’ll go get a drink! Then, we’ll bring the others in.” Pre party, you in? “Do you play cards?” Have an offer met with a question!
"Of course I play cards," answers V'ro as though any other possible answer would be tragic. "I'll hold you to it," says of their drinking plans with a grin. Something not dragon-related to look forward to is always nice, and this will surely be that for V'ro. "I think we'll get along well," declares the former trader. "Suppose we ought to get back before the girls wake up and start looking to entertain themselves, though, hmm?" Work, work. Don't mind his complaining, he totally loves it, if only because Koth.
“I think so too!” He was sold on the thought the moment V’ro agreed to playing cards (and even hinted he knows HOW!) — okay, so maybe the haunted house was the real starting point! No matter the details, Ru’ien nods his agreement, though his sigh is a touch reluctant. “Yeah, can’t escape for long, eh?” Not that any of them really want to but this was probably NICE while it lasted! There will be more times, down the road, of course. For now? He’s pushing to his feet, collecting his dirty dishes and gesturing for V’ro to lead the way. “After you?” he remarks, mildly teasing. If luck favours them, they can walk back leisurely. If luck doesn’t favour them, well… RIP boys?