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.
Thea is sitting at one of the tables. There's a box of jumbled broken toys on the floor beside her. She's working on one of the toys with a fine tool, trying to pry off a cracked metal piece. "Wish Aradir were here. He's good with stuff like this," she mutters.
Neferennu is still feeding those coming in for a late dinner. "What can I get you?" This is said to Thea with a smile.
Thea looks up from puzzling over the toy. It takes her a moment to register Rennu's question. "Can you get me Aradir?" Seriously said, but then her lips widen into a smile and her eyes crinkle with humor. "He's worked on clocks. Can't be much different than these." She eyes the serving table. "I ate, but if there's something really sweet and unhealthy, get some for both of us?"
Neferennu laughs and shakes her head. "I'm afraid I can't get Aradir for you, but he might be done with chores soon and come join us." There is a look around the almost empty caverns before she disappears back into the kitchen. A couple minutes later she returns with a plate, two stickybuns on it. "Just cooled out of the oven for tomorrow." There is a small wink as if to say don't tell anyone, before she sits down across from Thea. "So, why are you working on those toys anyways?" A piece of one stickybun is torn off and munched on. Luckily her hair is pulled back so it won't get sticky from the food, and there is no Venom around to do it for her.
Thea's eyes brighten at the sight of the pastries. "Yum." The pry-tool is abandoned with glee as she reaches for the other bun, "Thmmcks." She's talking with her mouth full and her mother would be horrified. She chews and swallows before answering Rennu. "Well, I stopped into the nursery looking for Aradir and they asked me to toss these toys out. Such a waste! I think they can be fixed." She pokes at the thing she's abandoned. "I don't even know what it is."
Neferennu blinks and looks over at the toy, then gives a nod in a welcome gesture for the buns. Another piece is broken off and munched on as she looks over the toy, even pulling it toward her to look at it from all angles. "It almost looks like it should be some kind of animal." Then toy is then set down and there is a shrug. "It is a waste though. I assume you didn't find Aradir."
Thea snorts at that with a grin, "If I'da found Aradir, there'd be much more repairing and less puzzling going on." She frowns, "Likely Satoris snagged him for his oh-so-important rock-moving venture." She takes anther bite and chews, thoughtfully studying the thing. When her mouth is clear she adds, "One of the kids told me it used to make animal noises when you pushed this button."
Neferennu snorts herself and then eats more of the sweetroll before eating. "Maybe, though I think Aradir probably offered to help. He likes to do things like that. I don't actually have anything against Satoris personally. I can understand his frustration with some of the those brought from other areas that don't think they need to work. I just took offense he thought all candidates were that way." Her tone is calm and then there is a shrug, before more sweetroll is eaten and the toy is taken again, pressing the button that was pointed out. Nothing comes out. "Hrm. I should send see if my mother could help with that, if we can figure out what it was supposed to be. She works with technology, but I honestly don't know of what kind."
Thea sets aside the toy. She's concentrating on her sweet for now. "Frankly, the miner just baffles me. He's dedicated to his profession, but the man needs to pull his head out of the tunnel-vision he's in and see that there's a life beyond work." She nibbles for a moment or two. "I mean, going on off about me being lazy and assuming I would freak during survival camp. Hmph! He doesn't know I trekked High Reaches and slept outside many a time. Never asked a thing about me." Then she half-laughs. "I think someone's set to lure his head out of the rocky depths at least for short reality checks."
Neferennu just nods and lets Thea rant on, though there is a chuckle at the end. "You mean the weyrwoman Zevida? Yes, I think so. Did you hear the tone in her voice when you mentioned Saige possibly having a crush on him? Ooo, I hope we didn't get her in trouble." Another piece of the sweetbun is taken before she leans back in her chair, trying to get all the stickiness off her fingers. "Well, I understand he is dedicated but still, that doesn't mean no one else is. I was taught a little bit about how to move through a forest to get a close view of the wildlife, had to help butcher animals for the hold once or twice, so I know my way around. My foster parents really wanted all of their children, male or female, to have a good rounding so we could honestly choose what we wanted to do. Mind you I never had to eat bugs, but hey, you survive. Though I agree with him on one point. Some of those younger ones should never have accepted to stand. If all they do is whine, I don't want to have to deal with them when they don't watch their dragon enough and their dragon gets hurt. Then again, with the one senior in the annex, I probably would get hit with that one." Then there is an apologetic look and another piece of the bun is taken, now almost gone. "Sorry for the rant. I don't dare do it in front of anyone else right now though. I just wish everyone would believe that they day I disrespected Satoris I was sick and tired of rankers thinking they are better than everyone else and can tell everyone what to do without actually asking or being polite about it."
Thea shrugs, "They'll grow up. Or die." She looks troubled at the mention of Zevida, "Well I didn't know she felt that way about Satoris until we talked last night or I'dve warned Saige." She finishes the last bite of her roll and licks one finger after the other, thoughtfully adding, "Maybe Satoris was having a bad day too." When Rennu mentions Rankers and politeness, "I guess we're all learning how to live within the new status of Candidate. Rankers never bothered with polite when I was an apprentice at Weaver Hall."
Neferennu snorts and eats the last of her roll, taking one look around the caverns again before swallowing and answering. "They don't care about polite at the annex either, usually. Though most of the time something needed to get done at that instant. I suppose Satoris was having a bad day as well, but still… I stil had other chores to do, I was there to help just to get away. I didn't need to get another lecture, but we lost all our cots over it. I guess I should just hide the next time and never come out." There is a bit of acidic tone in that last comment, as if there was more to hiding than just having a bad day. Back to losing her friendship with Ysa maybe? Hopefully over the turns things will become at least civil between them when Ysa isn't drunk and distracted by R'miel.
"Well we all did. I think there was a breakdown in communications." Thea looks confused at the acidic tone, but lets it pass for the time. "The only rules the Search Rider gave me as No sex, no getting drunk and you'll have chores." She laughs softly. "Trial by fire, I guess. We're wiser now at least?" Then she sighs. "I'm finding life at a Weyr is ever more complicated than I'm used to."
A man appears in the entrance to the kitchens and calling over to the candidates. "Hey, whichever one of you had dishes duty didn't show up again. So get in here and help!" He then disappears back into the kitchen. With this, there is a sigh from Neferennu and a "yes sir" before she turns to Thea with a smile. "Yes, I think there was a miscommunication and at least we know better now. I better get in there since this chore is done. I hope you figure out how to fix those toys." Now she stands, takes the empty plate, and heads into the kitchen, grabbing an apron at the entrance before heading towards the sinks.
"See ya." A casual wave is added to it and Thea's back to studying the toy. "I think I'll just take this box to the Barracks and see if Aradir can apply his know-how to assist me." And she drops the gizmo into the box, sweeps all the tools along with it, hoists the box to her hip and trucks on off to the Barracks. Best get while the gettin's good.