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.
Midday, and winter has settled in in full force at Xanadu. The air is cold and dry, the sky cloudless, and everything else seems to be simply gray - the lake, the trees, the ground. However, at least a little bit of color has been been installed in the caverns to try and brighten them up - tapestries apparently dug out of storage, for Niva's currently watching the installation of one, tilting her head to one side inspecting it, talking to the young man setting it up.
Nikalos wanders in from outside, hands shoved into the pockets of his pants, looking slightly glum. That expression clears, however, as the installation of the tapestry - or rather, the woman supervising it, catches his eye. She needs no identifying mark, after all enough people have told him who to look for that her description is all but engraved on his eyeballs. Chin jutting forward stubbornly, he pulls his hands free and strides quickly across the cavern, clearly intent on intercepting the Weyrwoman. "Lady," he calls softly as he comes within earshot, "may I please beg a word with you?"
A wave of her hand, and Niva is indicating that the tapestry should be shifted a little more to the left, before the hand is lifted in the direction fo the voice as if to say, 'Please, one minute'. After the tapestry is settled, she takes a step back, before she nods firmly, approving and dismissing the helper - only then does she turn to look at the petitioning party. Glancing over him, she arches an eyebrow curiously. "Yes?"
Once he knows he has her attention, Nikalos is all patience. Folding his hands at the small of his back, he eases back on his heels, clearly prepared to wait as long as he needs to on her pleasure. As her gaze turns on him, his own blue eyes light up, and he offers a slightly apologetic smile. "Weyrwoman, I beg your indulgence for my interruption," he begins, his voice pitched low. "I have been seeking you for… a time now, and I didn't want to risk losing this opportunity." He trails off at the end, head tilting slightly to one side as he waits to see what response his words garner.
Niva arches an eyebrow at the young man as he stands there, and begins to explain, before she's turning to motion for him to walk with her around the outside of the caverns, the Weyrwoman taking the opportunity to ensure the other tapesteries have been hung to her liking, motioning her hand for Nikalos to continue. "And what can.. The Weyr do for you?" She asks as she pauses infront of the next tapestry to look back at him, arching an eyebrow, curious at his answer.
Nikalos follows in her wake, hands remaining at his back as he strides silently behind her. "I come seeking a job," he replies bluntly. "I'm looking for a place I can work and feel… comfortable. I have many skills I can offer the Weyr, and I can offer references from other places, if need be." His eyes meet hers boldly, but his tone is nothing but respectful.
Niva lets her eyes follow the bright lines of the tapestry as she listens to his words, her attention shifting to avoid giving away any clues as to her reaction. "And.. what type of job are you looking for?" She asks, eyes darting to him for a moment. "Hunter? Cook?" A hand waves in the direction of the young men picking up the tools they used to hang tapestries. "A handyman? A scribe?" She pauses. "Do you have any skills, to go with references?"
"Whatever suits the needs of the Weyr," Nikalos replies, somewhat blandly. "I can sew, I am skilled with computers, both using them and working on them. I can read and write, and I know my numbers, and some higher mathematics." Here he pauses with a shrug, turning away from her towards the tapestry, though his eyes are too unfocused to actually be seeing it. "I have studied with the harpers, though I wouldn't ask me to sing if you love your ears. I can organize and file and keep accounts. Heh." And here his lips curve in a self-mocking smile. "Do any of those skills suit your needs, lady?"
"Certainly, there must be something you prefer." She counters, though his mention of computers and higher mathematics has her arching an eyebrow, nodding slowly. "I have no complaints about my own assistant, despite her.. choices at time, my daughter does do a thorough job." She dismisses that option, before turning back to him. "However, I do expect that another male in the office would keep D'had sane, if you felt you could work with the Juniors, and our Weyrsecond."
"Prefer?" Nikalos pauses, giving her an odd look. "Lady, with all due respect, if I knew what I preferred, I wouldn't be in this position." His smile turns a little whimsical, and a little sad. "I have wandered Pern looking for somewhere to belong. I left my family, my childhood home, because I didn't feel right there. Everywhere I have been, I have felt… lacking. So." He makes an absent, aimless gesture with his hand. "It would be my pleasure to serve in any capacity necessary. And I do enjoy office work," he adds, with genuine pleasure in his smile. "It can be… challenging… at times."
"There should be a free desk in there, though I would advise you to be comfortable working with ladies, and to remember your manners. There are six of them, and you'll only have one other on your side." Niva comments with an arched eyebrow, as if stating it clearly to let it sink in. His explanation, however, does earn a nod, and she does flick her fingers. "Should the office not suit you, I'll be happy to talk other options with you. There's likely enough of them, provided you enjoy it here."
Nikalos's lips curve in a slight, soft smile. "My lady, I assure you. If my mother heard me being impolite to anyone, woman or man, she'd come from Boll to box my ears. And she'd hear, I have no doubt." Inclining his head respectfully to her, he folds his hands behind his back again. "I am certain that the office will suit me perfectly, and I hope I will be an asset to your staff. Thank you."
"Mothers have that way about them, I assure you." She replies, a little bit of a smirk crossing her lips as she nods. "If you need anything, I am sure they can get you settled, or you may ask Vivian for advice, she's been my own assistant for a number of turns now." A pause and she glances at the next tapestry over, frowning a little as it hangs obviously crooked. "If you would excuse me.." She offers, nodding once more before turning to find the young men responsible.