Random Log: Rennu meets Bronzerider M'gan
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Xanadu Weyr - Wanderin' Wherry Tavern

It is often whispered in the crowds that converge here, that a certain Weyrleader was asked what he wanted in the remodeling of the pub that was not so long ago given a refreshing. He muttered back over the rim of his ever-present mug, "I don't care what you do with the place, just so long as there is plenty of ale." With that in mind, cask after cask of ale lines the walls of the tavern, the remodeler's idea of a jest. As they age, the casks bring a real rustic atmosphere to the pub, along with the deeply wooden flavor that seems to be the theme throughout.
The lighting is dim, as it should be in all good pubs, and the tables and chairs are plentiful. A long mahogany bar, intricately carved with runner beasts, stands vigilant duty at the head of the bar, lined with stools for those patrons that seek the bartender's company.


Neferennu is sitting at a table with a plate of finger food in front of her. Her hair hangs in limp strands down her back, still damp from being out in the pouring rain. A notebook and stylus are also on the table, with drawings of a torn dragon wing of one type and notes on how to repair that type of tear. Her eyes however are not on the notebook, but instead closed with her head in hands, elbows on the edge of the table.

M'gan comes in, and quickly sheds his hood and cloak, hanging them up near the door. "Ok, I know you don't like staying out in the rain. Go see if you can find an empty weyrhouse and use the shelter there." His eyes refocus, and he goes over to the bar. "Wine, please. The Benden pressing from five turns back if you have any." While waiting for the bartender, he looks around, and notices the tired looking girl at one of the tables. When the bartender hands him the glass, he takes it, then heads over to her. "Are you all right?"

Neferennu had heard someone come in but didn't move. The tavern is almost completely empty so it wasn't hard to hear. At the question though, she still doesn't move for a moment then slowly lifts her head and opens her eyes. "Huh? Oh, yeah…I'll be fine." Her eyes turn down to the food plate and she slowly reaches out and takes a cold meatroll, but doesn't it. "Please sit down. The rain probably won't stop for a couple more hours." Her eyes have turned to the notebook, but there is a slight smile on her lips even if her voice is a bit strained.

M'gan nods, and glances over at the notebook as he sits down. "Hmmm. Dragonhealing studies? No wonder you're tired. I've seen the apprentices from the school at Ierne, and it looks like a lot of work.

Neferennu sighs and shakes her head. "Oh, it is a lot of work but I've gotten used to it. No, I just spent the past couple hours with the new weyrlings helping to purge constipated dragonets, mend scratches, help teach about cracked hide to those who came from outside the weyr…yadeyadeyada…" Her hand makes movements to exaggerate the fact that she was doing stuff other than actually doing lessons. "I have an oral exam on torn wings tomorrow and haven't gotten a chance to study until now." Finally the meatroll is eaten and she looks up, looking a bit surprised at who she is looking at. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you weren't from around here." Him mentioning Ierne didn't seem to seep far enough into her mind.

M'gan chuckles. "It's all right. I can understand completely. It reminds me of when I was a Techcraft apprentice, all the work I had to do back then." He offers his hand with a smile. "I'm M'gan, rider of Bronze Perianth. Ierne's duties to Xanadu and her queens."

Neferennu smiles a bit more and takes his hand, shaking it a bit before sitting up straighter in her chair. Her voice still sounds a bit tired though. "It's been a long day. Hopefully we stressed the pain a dragonet will have to endure if they use their wings too early. I still have to be ready to help repair torn wings though in just a month, just in case." Another sigh and she takes a piece of browning cut fruit from the plate. "Thank you for your comment, but I'm afraid you should've said that to one of the leaders, not to me. I'm just a lowly trainee and resident." A soft chuckle as it was a slight joke and she smiles a bit more. "So what brings you all the way from Ierne?"

M'gan chuckles. "Just visiting, actually. And, my dear, I'd substitute lovely for lowly in that sentence. You're a very beautiful young woman." He takes a sip of his wine. "What's your name?

Neferennu blushes slightly. "Neferennu, or Rennu if you please." Her hands are pulled back into her lap after she grabs another meatroll and her red wine from the table. "I don't know about very beautiful, pretty maybe. Why would someone as handsome as you want anything to do with a dragonhealer in training?"

M'gan chuckles. "Oh, I'm not particularly handsome. If I were, I might actually have a weyrmate at the moment." Still, he shrugs. "Actually, I saw someone who interested me, and sat down to talk to her. It's a pleasure to meet you, Neferennu. The name's from Ancient Egyptian, isn't it? (repose)

Neferennu looks a bit shocked. "Oh that's right, you said you were a techcraft apprentice. Yes, it is ancient egyptian. Supposed to mean beautiful eagle-eyed woman or some such thing." A wave of the hand to dismiss the meaning of her name. "Ah, no weyrmate?" She takes a sip of her wine, taking her fingers on the glass. "I suppose that isn't so unusual, though I would've thought it would be before I moved here. I quickly found out many riders don't. Especially L'ton." A shudder at the thought of how close she came to being together for a night with the man. "I'd heard some riders would take any woman to bed any time but that is just ridiculous."

M'gan chuckles. "Oh, I've heard of him. How many children is he up to now?

Neferennu shakes her head. "I don't know. All I know is at least two riders in the transport wing are now pregnant by him and our weyrwoman has banned all Istan riders from the weyr. Hopefully that will blow over when Kilaueth rises again." A sour look comes over her face as she thinks about thinking what to plan to do when that flight comes.

M'gan nods, frowning. "That's an….interesting…response. I take it that it's just a case of a proddy Senior, and nothing more?

Neferennu hms and gives a shrug. "I don't know. I wasn't part of the argument but I overheard it. Apparently half of the transport wing is effectively grounded from between for another turn."

M'gan hrms, and shakes his head. "Not exactly rational at the moment. Yup, that sounds like a proddy rider." He shrugs, and sighs. "Still, at least I'm not Istan, so I'm not banned.

Neferennu nods slowly and reaches for another meatroll. "Yes, well at that is true. I just am not ready for another senior flight."

M'gan looks concerned. "Don't handle them well? I know the emotions can be overwealming at times

Neferennu sighs. "The first time experienced it I was unprepared and went and hid all day. The second time I ended up with a cavern boy, who I seem to end up with during flights. Don't really see him otherwise."

M'gan nods, understandingly. "But you don't have feelings for this boy?"

Neferennu shrugs slightly. "Not really. I mean he would usually not be my type. I tend to get involved in my work and he tends to shirk work any time he can. Of course at 12, I guess I can't blame him but still…"

M'gan nods. "He's still a bit young. Of course, you're young as well too." He shakes his head. "I was thirteen when I experienced my first mating flight. It was about a turn before I impressed Perianth. It's still a bit of a blur, though. The next morning, I woke up, and found myself in bed with one of the other apprentices my age, a good friend of mine.

Neferennu snorts. "Well, yeah I guess I am still a bit young. However, let's just say I'm glad I don't remember much of the flight sex I've had. Whenever I look back on it really wasn't all that great." A large drink of wine before she grabs a slice of buttered bread and takes a large bite.

M'gan chuckles, nodding. "I agree. I've always felt that it should be tender, caring. Flight sex is too animalistic for my tastes. I prefer what I honestly consider lovemaking.

Neferennu hms and then shrugs. "I've heard of it supposing to be tender and caring, haven't found that yet. Oh well." Then she suddenly blushes. "Oh my, why am I telling you all this?" She begins to slouch in her chair, still embarrassed at telling a complete stranger about her love life.

M'gan smiles again, and changes the subject, as he glances over at your sketchbook. "Hmmm. You have a very nice hand, very fine touch. If you decide not to become a Dragonhealer, perhaps an artist?

Neferennu takes a minute to recover and then looks down at her notebook. "Well, I suppose I could do drawings if I wanted. I've been interested in dragonhealing and gold infertility for turns now. Ever since I found records in the computers at Landing that some golds were having problems." Another swig of her red wine and she finishes off her bread. "Go ahead and look through it if you want." This is said through chewing her bread.

M'gan nods, as he takes the sketchbook, and starts to flip through it. "I have a friend who was down here for a long time because of her gold seeming to be infertile. She's up at High Reaches now, though.

Neferennu nods slowly. "That is why I left my home at Landing and came here. To study why golds are having fertility issues." A slow drink of the wine and a swirl of it before she speaks again. "So, what do you do at Ierne?"

M'gan shrugs. "I guess you could say I'm a bit of a beach bum. I mostly do odd jobs, mainly transporting or taxi flying.

Neferennu hms and smiles a bit. "So you do mostly transport huh? Do you do any transportation of almond oil from the Northern continent?"

M'gan shakes his head. "I've not done any so far. I tend to work more as a courier for papers and the like. Are you looking for some?"

Neferennu shrugs a bit. "I've been making herbal massage oils. I have to bring in almond oil for them from the Benden or Nabol area I think. I have enough for another batch, but it is slow to get here by boat."

M'gan nods. "I could go get you some if you'd like.

Neferennu moves one shoulder and then stands up from her chair. "You can if you want, I'll pay you for it of course. I won't need any more for another month, but I'll need to order more soon if it is going to get here in time by the usual route. Plus, I don't want to put you out when you aren't part of this weyr anyways. More wine?" She motions to his glass and still has a hold of hers in her left hand.

M'gan stands as well. "Let me get it." He nods. "I can get a couple of kegs down here for you in about a sevenday, I think

Neferennu reluctantly hands him her glass. "I like red, not white." Then she slowly sits back down in her chair and thinks, fingers tapping her chin. "Well, I don't think I can afford more than one keg at a time. I don't sell enough to buy more than that. Plus, I don't have the time to make any more than I am."

M'gan nods, and returns with two glasses of the same Benden red vintage he was drinking earlier, handing you your glass. "Here you go. And one keg, then? All right. I'll get it down to you in a few days.

Neferennu nods and gives a larger smile as she takes her glass back. "Thank you. Oh…" A russle in her marks bag and she pulls out 2 marks. "Here, this should cover the cost of the keg. It was 1 1/2 marks last time I bought one."

M'gan refuses the marks. "No. My pleasure, Neferennu. Consider it a gift

Neferennu shakes her head. "No, at least take it to pay the crafters up there. It is part of a business technically, I can't let you give me a gift of a keg of oil that I will then turn around to sell as massage oil." She sits up straighter and gives him a bit less than a glare.

M'gan nods, sighing. "Oh, all right." Still, he smiles. "You're a strong willed young lady.

Neferennu snorts. "You better believe it. I may have been fostered but my foster mother made sure all of us knew good business practice."

M'gan chuckles. "I like that. Too many women I've known have been shrinking violets, not willing to stand up for themselves

Neferennu chuckles and takes a drink of her wine. "Well, I do still do that in many things, but to have someone buy more supplies for my side business is where I say no."

M'gan nods. "Hmmm. I'm surprised you've not been searched yet. How long have you been at Xanadu?

Neferennu blinks. "Searched? Oh no, I haven't been searched. Though I was mistakenly put on the candidate chore list about a turn ago. It took me two weeks to explain I was not a candidate." A shake of the head at the memory and she takes the last piece of cheese that looks to be getting an oily film on it. "Why do you say you're surprised? I've been here for about two years now."

M'gan smiles. "Honestly, you've got qualities that would make you an outstanding rider. Indeed, dare I say, an outstanding Weyrwoman. You've got a strong will, not willing to let someone push you around. You're studious and organized, and a hard worker. And, at least from what I've seen, you're a very diplomatic person.

Neferennu hms and shrugs. "I don't know about that. Besides, it is all up to the dragons when they hatch and I haven't been Searched yet." Another drink and bite of the cheese. "Plus, I've only been to Igen weyr to pick up my basic dragonhealing supplies. Ended up picking up a firelizard while there too."

M'gan shrugs. "Well, I'd put marks on you being searched at some point in your life, you never know. And if you've got a proddy Senior, it may be very soon

Neferennu sighs. "I don't know. We do have a proddy senior, but also one of the other golds is close to being proddy too." Another drink of wine and she leans forward. "Do you really think I would get searched? Doesn't it mean something that I haven't gotten searched already?"

M'gan shakes his head. "Until you're too old, it doesn't mean a thing

Neferennu lets out a long sigh and sits back again. "I don't know. I know many dragonhealers are also riders, but…" Another sigh of not knowing and she takes another drink, finishing off her glass. "I guess we'll see. So, how long are you staying?"

M'gan shrugs. "Well, I was thinking of heading back to Ierne soon, but I could stay a bit longer.

Neferennu smiles. "Well, it is up to you. I was going to go see if there were any sweets to be had. Besides, if I drink a 5th glass of wine it is going to hit me hard and I'll be worse in the morning for my oral."

M'gan nods. "Well, I've heard that the Xanadu kitchens are famous for their sweets.

Neferennu chuckles. "Well, not as much as Fort, but fairly close. Though I don't think the kitchens are back open yet, but we can go check the caverns. That is if the rain has slowed enough to get there without getting soaked." With this she gathers her notebooks and stylus.

M'gan stands, and goes to get his cloak, offering it to you. "Here, this'll keep the rain off.

Neferennu looks at the cloak. "Nah, I'll be fine. Plus, I'm a good amount shorter than you and would get it all muddy anyways." She opens the door to take a look outside.

M'gan sighs. "At least let me carry your notebooks and the like so they don't get all wet.

The rain has stopped, but now it is misty and warm with lots of humidity. That is the view from the door.

"Oh look, it's actually stopped raining." Rennu comments and steps out after handing her stylus to M'gan. "Here, I'll let you carry this. The notebook itself will be fine I think." With that she is out in the clearing and headed for the caverns.

You head into the Caverns.
Xanadu Weyr - Caverns(#8800RJs)
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.

M'gan leads the way into the living caverns, and heads towards a table full of food.

Neferennu follows M'gan and sets her notebook down on a table near the unlit hearth before heading towards the food table as well. "Let's see what is there today…" Her eyes look over the usual bubblies with different fruits, then some candies, and some sugar-covered roasted nuts. "Ah, they have sweet pecans. I love those…" A small bowl is grabbed and a handful of the nuts dropped in.

M'gan nods, although he gets a plate of sweetrolls for himself.

Neferennu moves back over to her notebook with her bowl of nuts, pulls a chair out with her foot, and sits down. "So, I forgot to ask, who did you come to visit?"

M'gan shakes his head, grinning. "No one, actually. It's just sometimes I have to get out of Ierne

Neferennu raises an eyebrow and pops a pecan in her mouth. "Well, I can understand that. I go out onto the paths to harvest herbs about every two weeks or so. That is when I get an entire day off to take my runner on a walk."

M'gan nods. "It's nice to be able to get away, and see what's going on. Whether it's at another weyr, or just out and about near where you live."

Neferennu smiles and nods. "Yes, I agree with you there. I like to get away and be alone occasionally. Then there are other times I have to find someone to be with."

M'gan nods, slowly. "I know the feeling." He shakes his head. "I guess you don't have anyone special either?

Neferennu sighs and shakes her head slowly. "No, I don't. Yeah, I've been with a couple guys off and on, but no one that really tickled my fancy for more than just a night in the sack here and there. Luckily I'm on that birth medicine and have finally gotten into the habit of taking when I get up, that I shouldn't have to worry about having a kid for a while."

M'gan nods, smiling. "Well, you're pretty enough, you could have any man that you want.

Neferennu snorts. "Maybe, by why would I? I don't want to be like some, going after any guy." Another pecan is popped into her mouth.

M'gan blushes. "I was just saying you could. I didn't mean to imply…" He trails off, his voice apologetic.

Neferennu smiles and shakes her head. "No need to be sorry. I just asked why would I want to? I remember reading about Kylara and how she lost her dragon, and the rumors of why. If I was to make a good weyrwoman, as you say, I wouldn't want to be that arrogant. Besides, the man will show himself in time, if he hasn't already." She winks and is definately flirting now, taking a pecan slowly into her mouth. Then her face turns to one of curiousity and then shock, the earlier pecan hitting the floor. Her eyes and head follow a man who she saw leaving the kitchens with a bundle in his arms, pieces of paper sticking out of the bundle. "Wait a second, I haven't seen him here before. What is he doing taking a bunch of paper from the stores?" Yet she stays seating, remembering her promise not to get hurt.

M'gan looks up, and over at the man, eyes narrowing.

Neferennu shakes her head and closes her mouth, picking up the dropped pecan and setting it aside. "I'll report it to Ysa, one of the junior weyrwoman to whom I'd promised to keep a look out." Her head turns back to look at M'gan, but her face is still contorted into a curious/worried look. "I guess I'll have to go check my oils again tonight. I've been scared they will start taking my oils next."

M'gan nods, and stands. "Would you like for me to see you to your room?

Neferennu smiles. "If you wish. I'm over in the resident dorms off the clearing. I don't think they'd mind if I take the pecans with me. Unfortunately I'll be up late studying for my orals tomorrow, which means I'll have a light on after others go to bed." A look of regret, since that is what she gets the most flak for. Too bad she doesn't have her own room, or get to sleep in the dragonhealer annex or something.

M'gan nods, and stands, offering his arm to you

Neferennu chuckles and takes his arm right after picking up the notebook and putting the stylus over her ear. Then she has to turn back and pick up the bowl of pecans before she leaves them behind.

M'gan chuckles, and gets the bowl of pecans for you. "Well, if you ever want to go down to the school at Ierne, all you have to do is let me know.

Neferennu smiles. "Well, I might just take you up on that sometime. Though it probably won't be anytime soon. Not until the weyrlings get a bit older."

M'gan nods. "True. And if you ever need a place to study, let me know as well

Neferennu smiles and nods, as they walk out towards the clearing. "Thank you for the offer. I may come study more about herbs and their uses in oils than dragonhealing. We'll see if I get any decent days off soon."

Xanadu Weyr - Residential Housing(#8776RAJL)
This is a broad hall, lengthy and spacious. Many doors lead to the private quarters of various residents and each has a name plate, board or card set on them. Two big sets of double doors lead to the dormitories with cubicles for residents who do not need rooms and a door at the far end leads into a bright a spacious nursery where the Weyr's small children can be left safely while their parents go about their work. Set between doors is an assortment of chairs and benches, some comfortable and other not.
Lights are spaced between the large windows, for illumination no matter what the weather outdoors, each of the glass-paned structures having large, heavy drapes which can be pulled over to keep the warmth in during the winter.

Neferennu steps inside and turns to M'gan. "Thank you for walking me back here. Just send me a message when you're coming back down here, especially when you pick up that almond oil. Oh wait…" A quick jog to her cot on one side of the room, and rummage through another notebook, she grabs a piece of paper and returns to M'gan to hand it to him. "This is whom I've been buying my oil from. Just give him this, which was my order I sent to him, and let him you know you picking it up for me. I do appreciate you offering to do it." With this she leans over and kisses him on the cheek.

M'gan nods as he takes the sheet, and blushes at the kiss. "I will, and I should have it for you in a couple of days.

Neferennu smiles. "Thank you." Her hands on his shoulders. "You have the marks I gave you for it right?"

M'gan nods, and pats his belt pouch. "Yes I do, Neferennu.

Neferennu nods and retracts her arms to her sides. "Ok, good. I suppose you should get back to Ierne now right?" Even though she is smiling, her eyes betray that she almost wishes he could stay a bit longer. Apparently she has enjoyed talking to him.

M'gan thinks for a moment, his own eyes betraying much the same thing. "I could stay a little while longer.

Neferennu smiles so large she beams and motions him further inside. "In that case…" Her legs take her to some chairs that are in the corner and she lifts one off the stack and sets it down near her cot for him. "Go ahead and sit down." Then she rummages through her trunk of clothes to find another notebook to hand to him. "In case you are interested in what my oils do. I don't have many, but I've started experimenting with making perfumes and scent gels, where I use alcohol for the perfume and aloe for the gels."

M'gan nods, and settles down, starting to look through the notebook. "Hmmm. You've really put some thought into your recipes.

Neferennu nods and her smile lessens a bit as she goes into more detail about how the herbs are prepared before being put into the oil. "It was nice of Ysa to help me crush the lavendar flowers and seeds a couple weeks ago. If I had found out before that that her baby had broken one of her ribs, I wouldn't have let her but oh well. Oh, and I made something to help me stay awake during those long days or for those that need to stay awake." She gets up and rummages through her trunk again, pulling out a small bottle of a brownish gel. "It's aloe with ground cloves and pepper in it. I made it really strong." The Pernese almost-equivalent of ammonia. "I wouldn't suggest letting a dragon sniff it though. It might overwhelm their sense of smell for a while." The vial is handed to him before she settles down onto her cot and pulls out a piece of paper. "I better send a note to Ysa about that man now before I forget." Within minutes it is written up, her green firelizard is woken up and given the paper and shown an image of Ysa.

M'gan nods, and carefully opens the vial, cautious not to actually put his nose over it, and waves some of the fumes towards himself, then makes a face. "Quite pungent."

Neferennu nods. "It is." She says absently and takes the vial from him and sets it on her cot before opening up her dragonhealing notes to study them. "So besides doing transport and such, what do you do?"

M'gan chuckles. "Draw." He pulls a small sketchbook out of one pouch, and hands it to you. The sketches in it aren't as good as yours, but he's definitely got an eyee

Neferennu flips through the sketchbook and whistles at some of the drawings. "Some of these are really good. Have you ever thought about selling some of your drawings?"

M'gan shakes his head. "No… I do them for fun. If I sold them, it wouldn't be fun.

Neferennu raises an eyebrow and looks at him. "Are you sure? I started my oils for fun, and even though I still sell them, I still find it fun. Drawing I don't find as fun." She hands his notebook back to him and then puts her hands on her lap.

M'gan nods, and ponders it for a moment. "Well, I guess I could try it.

Neferennu shrugs slightly and smiles a bit. "It is just a thought. You could make some extra money selling some drawings here and there like I do with my oils. True, I don't make much profit after I pay for my next batch of bottles and supplies, but I have enough to buy myself a good gather dress now."

M'gan nods. "Have you picked one out?

Neferennu ohs and shakes her head. "No, I haven't had the time to go ask the weyrweaver what kind of designs they have. I've been pondering taking a trip up to Telgar where a fashion weaver is posted. Kagora I believe her name is. I just haven't come up with the time to get up there."

M'gan nods, and can't help blushing a little bit. "I could take you up there if you'd like

Neferennu creases her brow in a curious look. "You could? Well, it is probably too late for me to go now. Maybe on my next day off, which isn't for another couple of days. I don't want to put you out or anything."

M'gan shakes his head, smiling. "I wouldn't offer if I didn't want to do it

Neferennu smiles. "Well, I better get to studying for my test tomorrow. Come find me the next time you are at the weyr?"

M'gan nods, and gently takes your hand, raising it to his lips, and kissing it gently. "I will, I promise.

Neferennu smiles and squeezes your hand before letting go. "Clear skies M'gan. Give my regards to your bronze." Then she looks a bit stumped as she can't remember if he rode bronze or brown for some reason.

M'gan nods. "I will, Neferennu." He blushes slightly, as he stands. "It was….really nice talking to you.

Neferennu smiles and blushes a bit herself. "It was good talking to you as well. Have a good flight home."

M'gan nods. "And you don't burn yourself out studying." He glances up at you, smiling, then looks back to the ground.

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