J'van wanders in, in search of a cup of klah "Hello, Ileysn. Enjoying the weather?" Chilly as it is, who could?'
Ilesyn, eating mushy legumes, raises her head; "Hello, yourself, Weyrleader. Enjoying it as much as anyone can - I actually quite like the cold, anyway. And yourself, how're you?"
J'van grabs a couple of 'rolls to go with his klah, since he's always hungry, and flops down into a seat to grin at the mindhealer. "I don't like the cold, but I don't dislike it. Eliwys is the one who suffers the most, it seems. Myself, I'm doing well. Thanks for asking. What's that?" He points to the mushy stuff and bites into a crispy meatroll.
Ilesyn lifts her spoon to let it drip the green mush back into the bowl, a disparaging grimace given to the meal. "Mushed up legumes, I've been told. A patient of mine believes she's addicted to the stuff, and I'm attempting to discover exactly why should would be." Expression indicates that she's not having much success. "I'm glad to hear that you're doing well, of course."
J'van shudders at the dripping mess "Ew. Obviously she's lost her mind, if she finds that appetizing. Though I must commend you for the lengths you will go to in order to help your patients." He smiles "Sorry to say, I've no need of your talents."
"My thought, too," agrees Ilesyn, dropping her spoon -- which sinks into the gooey mess, disappearing completely. "I do try. It's amazing what you can discover, when you try and put yourself in your patient's place. You don't? I had your Weyrsecond at my desk, a few days back, to talk to me about Mindhealing," she comments, calmly, a glint in her eye. "Very interesting."
J'van offers you a meatroll, then raises a brow "S'vilen? Is he feeling a lack in the mental faculties?" is wondered "Or is the stress of being my weyrsecond getting to him?" Either way...."What was so interesting about it, though? Or can't you discuss it?" If you can, his curiosity is killing him.
Ilesyn raises her right eyebrow, as if considering this thought -- wagering her safety in disclosing private information. Finally, she shrugs, "Actually, besides some guilt at not having enough time to really care for his son, I think you're lucky in having a very well rounded, if pacifistic, Weyrsecond. I wouldn't worry." She winks, adding, "He only came in to try and find out what the Mindhealing business was all about, I might be wise to add."
J'van laughs "Oh, is that all? I don't think he needs another job, to be honest. What with being a wingleader, weyrsecond, /and/ a father...he's pretty filled up, in my opinion. But s'long as you two had a good chat." He grins "You sure he wasn't trying to find out about the mindhealer, though? He seems to have a preference for women of that particular line of work..."
Ilesyn laughs in response, agreeing, "I'd say he's pretty busy, myself. Could be a stress, though, which could take its toll in the long run. Make sure he doesn't work too hard, will you? I suppose the same goes for yourself." She crosses her hands in front of her, pushing the bowl away. "Find out about the Mindhealer?" Eyebrows raise, lips breaking into a smile that shows the gabs in her teeth, "Hardly. He might have a thing for Healers, but I doubt that he's got a thing for this one."
J'van chuckles "Oh, I try never to work too hard...no harder than I have to. And S'vilen can do the same, s'far as I am concerned. I think I'll order him to spend more time with his son. If it seems like work, maybe he'll commit to it. The man positively exudes responsibility, you know." Shudder "Makes me feel insignificant. Anyway." He bites into another meatroll "Why do you think he doesn't have a thing for you? Already taken, are you?"
"Then he's certainly not a chip off the old block," agres Ilesyn, noting, "I think that's wise of you, not to work any harder than you have to. I see far too many too serious people in administration, and they end up losing every thing of enjoyment in their lives, and end up in my room, sitting in my chair. Bah." Her eyebrows raise, as she comments, "I'm hardly the most attractive of women around, I'm sure you've noticed, and I doubt he knows me well enough to be attracted to my intellect and personality."
J'van eyes you thoughtfully, chewing on a bit of meatroll, then swallowing. "You aren't, perhaps, the most beautiful woman on Pern, it's true" He notes, being honest. "But that doesn't necessarily follow that you aren't attractive. And if rumors are to be believed, Bronzeriders don't care what their partners look like, just that they have someone in their beds at all times." He grins, to show its a joke. "Besides - looks aren't everything."
Ilesyn, with a toothless grin, decides, "At least you *are* honest about that much - not that I much care about my looks. Mind is more important, and doesn't fade with age, unless you get really senile." Her eyebrows raise nonetheless, as she asks, "And what constitutes attractiveness, in that case? -- Oh, and I'm sure you're just another of those, Weyrleader. In the dark, no one can see a thing, anyway." Eyebrows waggle, as she nods, "They're not, no."
J'van chuckles "That's it exactly. There's nothing wrong with your body, Ilesyn - nothing at all.." he repeats, eyes roving it in true appreciation. "And you aren't a complete loss to look upon either." Is added teasingly "But unfortunately, I'm a reformed bronzerider - Eliwys keeps me well satisfied." He finishes his meatroll, then takes a sip of klah. "But the mind is more important. I've gone to bed with many a stupid person whose prettiness would make your breath freeze in your throat - and I have to tell you, the morning after isn't all that much fun. They do a lot of giggling." He grimaces "I'm sure you aren't aware that having someone giggling in your ear first thing in the morning isn't all that pleasant..."
"Reformed or not, there's still something of a bronzerider in you," retorts Ilesyn tartly, upon catching a glimpse of the roving eye. "But I certainly haven't caught S'vilen in such an act of bodily observation." Her nose wrinkles, head giving a short nod of agreement, as she comments, "So I've heard. I must admit, none of the men I've ever woken up with have actually *giggled*, but I suppose a grunt is on much the same level, when it comes down to it." She rolls her eyes, "There's nothing less attractive - not even my face." She winks, amused.
J'van nods "Exactly....I'm a great believer of conversation between lovers." he agrees, before smiling "And once a bronzerider, always a bronzerider. I think they choose us because we have roving eyes" He means the dragons, of course. "And S'vilen's younger than I am. Given time, I'm sure he'll be much more likely to find beauty in the most unlikely places..."
Ilesyn comments, tartly, "I'll believe that when I see it, I admit. Your Weyrsecond honestly doesn't seem to be the type." Grinning, the Healer notes, "Conversation between lovers sounds ideal - although as yet, I've evidently not had the luck of it. Something to try for." Aim high, and all that. "Oh, I see - so that's the requirement to ride bronze? I'll remember that, next I place bets on hatchings."
Matiaal ambles in from the easternmost lower caverns.
Matiaal walks out from the direction of the Residents' Cavern, sighing to himself as a sad expression lingers on his face. His two firelizards are on his shoulder with their eyes whirring a orange color, shifting from talon to talon to show their uneasiness. A rather large bag is slung across his shoulder, hanging from there on his back.
J'van grins "I didn't say it is, I just said it seemed to work out that way. S'vilen is more of a ladies man than I was or am." He points out. "But I did have my time..." He takes a sip of klah. "Anyway...that's my take on the subject. You aren't a beauty, but you aren't unattractive. And that's my final word on the subject." Care to argue with him about it? His eye catches movement, and he glances over "Ah...I see our wayward smithcrafter is back. Hello, Matiaal." He grins "Ilesyn, it looks like he might need some of your services."
Ilesyn laughs, head nodding sagely. "Ah-hah. I will keep this in mind, all the same. And thank you for your take, and your word; I find it all quite fascinating. Just another addition to my reportoire of mindhealing ideas. Another paper to consider writing, for my Journeywomanship." She trails off, refraining from argument, to tilt her head towards Matiaal. "Oh, I've known *that* for a while. Sexual frustration, although it looks worse than ever. Still not getting satisfaction, without the real thing, Matiaal?"
A rather large man appears behind Matiaal, keeping a close eye on him. The man's facial features are rather young, only a Turn or two than Matiaal's own age. There is a Journeyman Smithscrafter knot on his shoulder, making sure it's visible in everyone's line of sight as the man adjusts it. Matiaal himself doesn't wear a happy attitude or expression. "Sexual fustration? Hardly." A scowl appears as he jerks a thumb over his shoulder at the new man, "Him." A nod of formal greeting to Ilesyn and J'van.
J'van eyes the newcomer with interest "Ahh...you are the new journeyman come to oversee this apprentice, is that it?" No wonder Matiaal looks like he'd like to die. "Ilesyn, his problem definitely isn't sexual frustration - not yet, at any rate. But I'd say he's been working overhard..."
Ilesyn's lips twitch in amusement, "My mistake. That was the *old* problem. This is the new one. Welcome to Fort," she adds, towards the new Journeyman, welcoming -- sort of.
At first, the Journeyman eyes J'van with somewhat disgust in his expression until he notices the Weyrleader knot on his shoulder, and the disgusted expression disappears with an pleasant one. "Yes, I am the Journeyman assigned to watch this..." A slight pause.
"Apprentice." Matiaal mumbles something at J'van but makes it clear soon enough from a Journeyman glare. "Yes, sir. It's hard work, Ilesyn." Then he sighs and takes a seat at their table, plopping the heavy bag on the side of the chair as his firelizards take a different perch. The journeyman does so as well.
J'van raises a brow at the journeyman's change of expression. "Not what you expect in a Weyrleader, perhaps?" he wonders. "My apologies, but I'm not changing the way I am for you. I'm J'van, Fort's Weyrleader. Welcome to the Weyr. I'm sure Matiaal will help get you settled in.." He notes, then waves a hand towards his tablemate "This is Ilesyn, a mindhealer - she might be of some use to you in dealing with your..charge."
"Well met," Ilesyn pipes up, grinning broadly. Her gaze is amused, especially as she asks, "And why do you need a Journeyman to look after you, Matiaal? You've been having some trouble, then?" She lets her hands rest upon the edge of the table, leaning back in her seat, the bowl of mush legumes pushed away fruther. "Hard work, I'm sure, Matiaal."
Matiaal gives a rather big sigh and looks at the Journeyman and asks in a soft voice, "Permission to speak freely?" The Journeyman gives Matiaal a hard long look. "Go ahead." The journeyman nods at Ilesyn, "Well met, Mindhealer, Weyrleader." Matiaal nods, "Thank you. Well, Ilesyn, I put my arms around her from behind and kissed her neck." Realizing he didn't say who, he quickly adds, "Thera, that is. Several sevendays ago and the Craftmasters called me back to the Smith Hall and lowered me to an Apprentice status and made me do chores there for a sevenday." Sigh. "I was assigned latrine duty and laundry duty, dish duty as well."
J'van shrugs "Only what you deserved, breaking your own rules as well as helping Thera break ours," he points out, before smiling at the journeyman "But if he's had to work that hard, he's most likely learned his lesson, right?" One could hope. "Truly Ilesyn, hard work can be a useful tool for teaching a hard lesson."
Ilesyn rolls her eyes. "I'd hope Thera, since she's the one you've been mooning over for so long." Stretching, she adds, "Oh, I see. Permenant ego damage, and no doubt a loss of self respect. Your plight is very sad, my dear Apprentice, very sad." She glances back at J'van, "You're right. He *does* need a Mindhealer. -- My thought, exactly, J'van. Very necesarry."
Matiaal nods at J'van, "Yes. I most certainly learned my lesson." The journeyman gives Matiaal a glance but turns to J'van, "Yes, sir. He did work rather hard at the Hall, from what I've seen anyway." A smile. The first! However Matiaal blinks at Ilesyn, a smirk as he decides to play along with a sad expression, "Yes, Mindhealer. I've lost all of my self-respect..." Sigh. "My ego will never return to as it was before. Never. I'm a changed man now. You might as well throw me in the rotten vegetables and call me useless." The journeyman only gives Matiaal a long stare with a disbelieving expression. "Ehh.. I'm going to my room, I already know where it is. I've been here before, I'm not going to stay for this kind of behavior from you, Apprentice." Roll of his eyes as he stands up and saunters off to his room. "Bye, Ashe!" calls out Mati as he turns back to Ilesyn.
J'van eyes Matiaal with disgust "Shells, man - do try not to make me lose my dinner. This nauseating display of melancholy is enough to sicken even /my/ iron cast stomach." He gives a nod to the journeyman, "I've a mind to join you in leaving if /I/ have to listen to this. Ilesyn - do you have anything that can put him out of his misery ...or me out of mine if I have to listen to much more of this drivel?"
Ilesyn eyerolls, agreeing, "That's as bad as my manic-depressive patients. Matiaal, get a grip, if you please." She rubs at her temples, watching the Journeyman go, in approval. "Get that self respect back, if you please, and rapidly, or I'll subject you--er, the worst happy treatment I can find. -- If only, J'van, it might be nice." Gag. She smiles.
Matiaal returns back to normal with a chuckel and smile, "Glad to see I still have a trickster's ability to fool." The apprentice idly gets up and trots over to the serving table as he grabs himself a plate of meatrolls and fruits. A glass of juice is fixed and soon Matiaal is back at the table with his new food. "So how has the Weyr been in my absence?" He looks at each while he bites a fruit and chews it.
J'van continues to look at Matiaal with disgust. "You know, it's that kind of thing that'll get you kicked out of a Weyr." is muttered as he stands, draining his klah mug. "I've no time to tell the news of the Weyr to someone who goes about playacting all the time." He notes. "Ilesyn, I suggest you do what you an with him - if you can. Goodnight."
J'van walks off westwards to the bowl floor outside.
Ilesyn raises an eyebrow after J'van's retreating back, commenting, "He'd never make a Mindhealer. No sense of adventure." Her head turns back to Matiaal, who is graced with a long, thoughtful glance. "How has the weyr been? As mentally unstable as always, I dare say. No different."
Matiaal doesn't seem too affected by J'van's abrupt departure, "Goodbye, Weyrleader!" is called out in J'van's direction as he turns back to Ilesyn. "I don't playact all of the time. Just thought I'd give you a taste of your overemotionalism." Narrowed eyes at Ilesyn for a moment as he rips chunks off the fruit, chewing. "Obviously our dear Weyrleader cannot..." A wave of his hand with a grin on his face, "Stand me. Hmm, well, that's your mission, isn't it, Mindhealer? To turn this Weyr into a strong and stable mental place, hmm?"
"Overemotionalism? I hardly think so. You're not very easy to work with Matiaal, I'll have you know. A real adolescent." Ilesyn stands, stalking from the room, as she adds, "It is -- but you're not making my job any easier."
You amble southwards to the infirmary.
Posted by Louise at January 29, 2003 01:49 AM