February 3, 2004
Trouble is made in the kitchens, Serriena is peevish about something - and Emani makes R'hyn an offer that he can't quite accept.

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"Syrup in hot water," repeats R'hyn, a little impatiently; he's in one corner, talking to one of the cooks with some frustration evident in his stance. "And a little brandy. Look, I know it sounds funny, but..." He coughs, covering his mouth with his hand. "I can't afford to lose my voice."

Kiora putters in with an empty bowl, trailing mournfully after a cook. "I just want some bread to take back to my weyr, if it's not a problem, please?" Said cook heads off with the bowl to fulfill Ki's request, and Ki skitters along after her. "Lots of rolls. Big big rolls. And some milk. Can I have some milk, too?" And look! It's R'hyn, who Ki spots only because she nearly runs into the cook he's speaking to. "Oh. Um. Sorry. 'scuse me -- you getting bread, too, sir? You can have some of mine if she gets back quicker."

The cook is giving R'hyn a long and unfriendly glance, his head shaking. "Sounds like a vile thing, to me, and I'm not doing it, I'm sorry." It's a quick step back that saves him from being crashed into by Kiora - at least in part - and he gives her a scowling glance. R'hyn flushes. "But-- Oh, hey, Kiora." His voice sounds kind of scratchy, and he shakes his head. "No, not bread. I just want this tonic-thing. For my throat." He coughs again.

Kiora makes a face at the cook as he leaves. "Wasn't nice of him. Rolls aren't icky." She blushes, then, as she realizes that's not what he wanted. "Oh. Well. You're sick, then?" Ki's eyebrows knit as her expression shifts to one of concern. "Or gettin' there? Can't you maybe get it from the healers? Certainly they'd give it to you, if you're sick, sir -- um. If you're sick."

"Getting there. Unless I get my-- stuff. Thing. Tonic. Whatever." R'hyn makes a face, noting, "I don't think the stuff the healers give works as well. This... it kind of lines the throat, and makes it stop hurting." Coughing into his hand, he adds, "Mother used to give it to me."

Kiora aws softly, and rocks back and forth on the balls of her feet. "Well. I hope you get better soon, sir." It slipped! "Maybe you should ask another cook? Or one of the nannies. I bet they can get it." She nods sagely. "Some cooks're nicer than others, I guess."

R'hyn sidesteps vaguely, then glances up, eyes somewhat hopeful. "I bet they'd get it if /you/ asked for it," he says, almost slyly. "You have rank. Want to try?" For once, he's leaving the 'sir' alone.

Kiora peers suspiciously at R'hyn. "I bet they'd get it for you if you asked a different cook yourself."

"I'm not well liked in the kitchens," R'hyn insists, expression almost shifty. "Er, at least, not since Rhyena was sick and I bugged them all the time for special foods." Guilty.

Emani comes in from the living caverns with the door swinging behind her.

"I ask for stuff all the time," Kiora states, apparently not at all up for this 'send the goldrider errand-running' business. "Even before. They still get huffy with me. You should ask yourself -- if you don't then ... then if they say no to me there won't be anyone left."

R'hyn shakes his head. "But they won't say no - they won't, I assure you. If you, ah, ask for a mug of hot water, a little dish of syrup, and a glass of brandy. Separately. Or -- you ask for the brandy, and I'll ask for the syrup, and I bet there's hot water outside!"

Serriena comes in from the living caverns with the door swinging behind her.

Emani ducks in to the kitchens under a tray being carried out at the same time - a narrow miss. She gives the girl carrying it a dirty look, eyes narrowed. She steps out of the way of the traffic in and out, scanning the room.

Kiora shakes her head. "I'm not gonna do it. I just asked for bread, and they'll wanna know why I'm asking for brandy, and I'm not gonna tell them I'm asking for you. S'your job to ask for your things, sir, and my job to ask for mine."

R'hyn's expression by any other name would really be a sulk -- he'd probably just call it disappointment. "Fine," he grouses, turning around and backing towards the door. "I'll do without, and--" he coughs, again, a whole flurry of them that turn his face slightly red with exertion. One of the cooks glares at him: germs, in the kitchen!

Emani marks both Kiora and R'hyn, and looks as if she's about to greet them before their discussion starts; then, she pauses, taking a step forward to listen. Brows arch at the coughing fit. "That doesn't sound good," she says, helpfully. "What's all this about? And shards, why bother asking for it? People're so busy round here that you can g-" Er. "I mean - What's going on?"

"R'hyn won't ask for stuff for his cough," Kiora clarifies for Emani, moving to pat R'hyn uselessly on the back. "He's sick. But one cook said no so now he wants me to do it 'cause I'm a goldrider, which isn't really nice at all, I don't think. Then he started coughing." R'hyn gets a very wary look. "I hope he doesn't keel over or somethin'."

*WHAM* That would be the door as it swings open and hits R'hyn smack in the face. Serri was on the other side of the door, on her way through as it seems he was on his way out. Of course, with R'hyn's face blocking the door, she can't get through. And when she realizes there was someone on the other side, a look of horror crosses the weyrwoman's face. "Oh Faranth!"

R'hyn backs up slowly, clutching his nose, which isn't broken, but looks kind of red and sore. "Ow," he mutters, turning well away from both Kiora's patting, and Serriena's door maneuvers. "/Two/ cooks said no," he insists, in a voice muffled by his hand and nose. "And they'll yell at me."

"Oh Faranth!" Serri pushes through the rest of the door, peering around it. "I'm sorry!" She exclaims. Then her eyes spy her victim R'hyn. "Oh R'hyn I'm so sorry!" She covers her mouth in sympathetic horror. "I am so so very sorry," she repeats. "I didn't know anyone would be there!"

"Well, shards, Kiora, what good's being a goldrider if you can't get stuff for it?" Emani fairly chides Kiora, looking disappointed. Then, as R'hyn gets whacked by the door, she takes a step back and widens her eyes at Serriena. To R'hyn, "Well. I could get it, if you -really- want it. But it'll take me a little while..." She starts eyeing the cooks for a likely candidate.

"Did she break your nose?" Kiora sounds absolutely horrified. "I hope she didn't. They'll get mad if you bleed in the kitchens." As a good, hygenic example, she blows a raspberry at Emani.

Emani is terribly mature and sticks out her tongue in return. Nyah!

R'hyn waves his free hand airily at Serriena, though he doesn't try and say anything. Thankfully, his nose doesn't seem to be bleeding, either, but he doesn't let go. "'mani's right! Could you? Brandy, hot water, and syrup?" He starts off on another stream of coughs, eyes watering, his hand halfway between his nose and mouth, attempting to hold both.

"And some cloths." Serri hurries to move. She's not hesitant about borrowing one of the towels and dipping it into some water. "R'hyn I'm so sorry." She says this again apologetically. She holds the towel out for him. "Here, hold this to your nose. Oh Faranth... what a sharding mess." And again, "I'm so so sorry.."

Kiora glowers at the both of them. "No. I will /not./ It's mean to ask me to do that, 'cause then you'll just get used to it." Serri gets an unusually sour look, too. "Don't bother him, ma'am. Oughta learn to take care of himself."

Emani looks enormously pleased as the bronzerider backs her up, but hasn't stopped looking; she offers one of the younger men passing a bright smile. She watches Serriena fuss over the man with arched brows. She glances over to Kiora, nose wrinkling. "Yeah, but you do a lot of work and stuff, right? So you -deserve- the odd little thing. Why not?"

R'hyn looks a little strange, accepting the towel and holding it over his nose - especially since it covers most of the rest of his face, as well. "I /do/ take care of myself," he insists, muffled more than ever, glowering in return at Kiora. "So there."

Listening to their conversation, even though worried, Serri manages to catch on to important facts. She proves herself an adult by taking charge of the situation. "Hot water, syrup and brandy." She points to a kitchen assistant. "You, yes you," She says when she is given a startled look. "Go get syrup and brandy." Pointing to another one she states, "If you don't already have hot water boiling, I want you to make some right now. Got me?" And then to add fuel she reminds, "Don't forget what happened to the other guy who no longer works here." The one she was blamed for firing them (or something).

"Can't even ask a cook for brandy," Kiora huffs in her own defense, though Serriena gets a disappointed sigh as she so promptly requests what the bronzerider wants. "S'not /me/ who's getting anything, Emani, it's R'hyn. So I shouldn't have to ask."

Emani points to Serriena, looking over to Kiora triumphantly. Then, at her second point; "Well. I dunno. He'd have owed you a favour, then. And you could totally hold it over his head for a really long time." She twists 'round to shoot R'hyn a brilliant smile, noting, "Not that -I- would." Right.

"Of course you wouldn't," says R'hyn, still clamping tight on that towel, though he sounds less in pain, now. "Sure." A grateful glance is made towards Serriena; he coughs again, though whether it is for drama, or an actual cough, it's hard to tell. "No, but it'd be /nice/, Kiora. /Nice/. A weyrwomanly thing to do!"

"Will you two please be quiet," Serri states, casting a scornful glance at Kiora. "Kiora I'm shocked at you," her tone is very disappointed sounding. "R'hyn needed assistance and you refused it." The brandy and syrup are the first objects to come forth, the hot water following a few moments later. "While I don't approve of using our titles to get what we want, sometimes it is necessary." And to R'hyn she asks, "Will you please tell me which cook refused to give you this?"

Kiora nearly stamps a foot in irritation, but instead just balls her hands up and huffs. "That wouldn't be nice, either, I don't think, and if you just want me to do it 'cause I'm a weyrwoman, R'hyn --" She pauses, and pouts at Serriena. "R'hyn didn't need any help. Just had to ask a question is all, and if he can't do it himself, that's not my fault."

Emani hops up on a nearby counter, crossing long legs. She stretches one out idly, brushing sand from her knee. "Well, you'd think they'd give it to anyone, if they weren't feeling well..." Casting a suspicious glance at R'hyn, she continues, "Unless they did something to make the cooks mad." A pause, then; "Y'know, he's got the stuff now. No big deal. No need to make a big ol' fuss."

R'hyn finally drops the towel, gives his nose one last rub, and then shakes his head. "I did ask, and they refused to give it to me. It was just a favour, nothing huge!" Another grateful glance is spared to Serriena, as he puts his concoction together, and indicates the cook with his right thumb. "Him. No, I didn't, Emani! 'least, not this time. Just months ago."

Serriena moves over to speak with the cook. After a few words, some which the cook picks up a big spoon as if to try and look menacing, he backs down. Whatever Serri says, though it can't be heard, has an effect on the fellow. He looks over at R'hyn with a small glare as if this was his fault, but Serri commands his attention. She points a finger to the aides as she speaks, probably arguing a point from the shaking of her finger. Then back to the guy she points and finally her hand comes down. A few moments later, she walks away, looking for all the world like she just ordered a personal dinner, instead of actually taking on the cook who towered several inches above her.

Kiora just looks grumpy, and picks idly at her bowl of rolls when it finally arrives. "Only asked one person." Ki pouts for the sake of pouting, now.

"Yeah, but they have -long- memories, darlin'," Emani says to R'hyn, covering a yawn with the back of her hand. "How'd you get yourself sick, anyway?" As if it's his fault. She watches Serriena return with arched brows, then she turns to Kiora. "How're you, anyway?"

"Two!" insists R'hyn. "I asked /two/." He grimaces, nodding sagely at Emani. "I know. I just asked for invalid food a couple of times... I mean, Rhyena was sick, and she needed things!" Admittedly, he looks a little guilty over the entire thing. "Uh. Thanks, Serri. Look, Kiora, that's what Weyrwomen do!"

"Rhyena's sick?" Serri looks alarmed. "Why didn't anyone tell me?" All her other focus on R'hyn drops as she worries about their daughter.

R'hyn blinks at Serriena once, then shakes his head. "No! When she was. You know, ages ago." He adds, belatedly, to Emani, "Dunno. I just--" he breaks off to cough again, "started coughing. It'll go away, now that I have this." He indicates his drink, which he sips intermittantly.

"Fine," Kiora replies, picking at a different roll now. "I'm fine, I guess -- and it's not what /I/ do, R'hyn. S'not what my mom taught me." She blows another raspberry. "Now that I got my stuff, guess I better go. Nice seeing you all." Or not. Grump. Ki skitters out, bowl in hand.

Kiora heads through the swinging wooden door to the living caverns.

Emani assures R'hyn, "I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Maybe they're always in a bad mood or somethin' That drink's gonna get rid of it?" Kiora's abrupt departure warrants a curious look, then a shrug.

"Don't scare me like that R'hyn. I've enough to worry about," Serri scolds gently. She looks around a moment, wiping her hands on her skirt. "What did I come in here for?" She asks out loud. "Oh yes.." She heads over to the board where all the menu notes are mixed in. She adds something to a note.

R'hyn watches Kiora go with a bland expression upon his face, then smiles at Emani. "/I/ didn't think so. I think they must be..." he glances around, warily. "I mean, is it that much trouble? Yeah, it'll soothe it, make me stop coughing. Not sure why." Apologetically, he adds to Serriena, "Sorry. I..." He flushes.

Emani glances between the two riders, with a vague interest. Returning R'hyn's smile, she shakes her head. "No, don't think it would be that much trouble. I mean, they're -supposed- to help people out and stuff." She eyes his drink, murmuring, "Wonder why -- Er... don't think he was trying to scare you, ma'am. Just mentioning something that happened awhile back."

"There we are," Serri finishes writing it down. She turns to view R'hyn and says, "When you give me the correct apology, then I might forgive you." Her voice is cool and impersonal when she imparts that information. To Emani, her tone is warmer as she says, "No he's not trying to scare me..it was merely my mistake in listening." She glances at R'hyn and says, "let me see your nose. I want to make sure I didn't damage it."

R'hyn, nodding quickly, says, "It's not as though they're not supposed to feed us, and all." The cooks are ignoring the little group, now - probably a good thing. R'hyn's brows raise slightly at Serriena's cool words, though he says nothing. "I don't think you have, Serriena. It hurts less, now."

Emani continues to look between the two as if their interaction is endlessly interesting. Her brows furrow briefly, then she shoots Serriena a slight grin. "Well, it happens." She uncrosses her legs and starts swinging them back and forth. "Maybe they're in a bad mood 'cause they have to cook all the bloody time. That'd make me mad. And looks like it might bruise," she points out.

"Yes well let me see it," Serri instructs, stubbornly. "I don't want to be accused of beating up bronzeriders and attaining one more ugly reputation to fight off." She looks over at Emani. "That is their job. Just as you must have a job. And where is that?" She reaches out to try and see R'hyn's nose.

"Goody," says R'hyn, vaguely. "I'll get to have a black nose. That's sure to raise a few eyebrows - especially when I say Serriena did it." Her words draw a slight wince, but he lets her see his nose. "Sorry. I didn't mean it like that." He drains the entirety of his glass, hot water and all, and makes a face - he coughs, then subsides.

"Wow, I'll be popular. Witness to the event and all of that." Emani seems pleased with the idea, smiling, tossing her hair back. "And maybe not black. Like, more purple, I bet." And that's -so- much better. To Serriena, "Yeah, well. I wouldn't like their job, know what I'm saying? Just sayin' that'd put me in a bad mood for sure."

Serriena prods at R'hyn's nose, checking it carefully. "Might bruise a little," she peers closely at it. "If you see a healer they can help give you pain killers for it." She lets go of him and says, "It's just one more thing I'll have to deal with along with everything else." She glances around, "I suggest we move from the kitchen before we make these cooks even more angry." Serri does pick up the syrup and brandy, taking those with her.

The night grows late, midnight fast approaching on this summer evening. The air is heavy and thick with humidity - windless 'neath a sky peppered with idle clouds. Being summertime, it's humid and uncomfortable. (75F, 24C)

"Fashion statement," allows R'hyn, with a black note to his voice. "Yeah - glad I'm not a cook. All right, all right, we'll go to the caverns. My nose is fine, it doesn't even hurt much, now. Just... shut up." Her words - or part thereof - seem to have a blackening effect on his mood, as well as her weight on his nose.

Emani pushes off the counter easily, hopping to the floor again. "We'll find you a shirt to go with it? Loud in here anyway, feel like I'm half-shouting all the time." At R'hyn's last, she shoots him a curious glance before she starts for the caverns, adding, "Probably a good plan. They have knives."

You head through the swinging wooden door to the living caverns.

Emani comes in through the swinging wooden doorway from the kitchens.

R'hyn pours himself a glass of water at the serving tables, presumably to wash down the less than delightful taste of his mother's hoem remedy with, then selects a table at which to sit. "A shirt? That'll be... loud in a different way. Why must Serriena be so..." he glances back, to make sure she isn't in hearing distance, yet, "Nasty about things?"

Emani trails along after, in no hurry. "Well, you work with what you have." She sinks into a seat next to him, also glancing to see if ther weyrwoman's in ear shot yet. "Ainsley says she's not-right. You know." She taps the side of her head, glancing at him significantly.

"Purple isn't really my colour," R'hyn insists, indicating the hair. "Only certain shades work, and it's-- um. A pain. And all. Is that what Ainsley said? I'm not surprised. Of course, it's Ainsley's fault that Serriena is mad at me, but I do think she's right." Grimacing, and rubbing at his nose, he notes, "Ainsley's pretty smart about people."

"Yeah, but match isn't just the -same- colour. Could be - complimentary." Emani gives a little shrug, then nods. "She did. Or implied it. Or something. Anyway, she seems a bit - odd sometimes." She rests her elbows on the table, chin in hands, still eyeing the kitchen door vigilantly. "She seems to be. I like her."

R'hyn admits, around the edge of his glass, which obscures his words just a little, "I suppose. I wouldn't know much about that kind of thing, I guess. Mother always said I looked good in blue or green, so..." He indicates his clothes with a vague motion of his hand. "Yes. She can be. I... I think I like the Weyrwoman. She's efficient. But she creeps me out, a little, sometimes."

Emani leans over slightly, ostensibly to hear better. "Don't pay much attention, then? Well, they do look well enough on you. Couldn't tell you, I only know what looks good on me." Big surprise there. She turns to ask, blue eyes curious, "How does she creep you out? I think she's pretty fun."

Serriena comes in through the swinging wooden doorway from the kitchens.

R'hyn's lips curve into a brief, knowing smile. "I'm sure you do. It's important, for a young woman, like yourself. Have to catch a man, and all. Look good." He sets down his glass, hesitating. "Well... it's the way she smiles at me. And how she can convince people to do things they don't want to. I don't know." He scratches his head, frowning. "She has power."

Serriena has a cold cloth pressed to her forehead as she comes out of the kitchen, having lingered there for a moment. She makes her way over to a table and sits down, looking tired and worn out.

"'Catch a man.' Hardly ever want to -keep- 'em, you know." Emani returns the smile with a wicked grin of her own, while her gaze tracks Serriena across the cavern. Back to the bronzerider; "Well, that's what people need to do to get stuff done, right? But yeah, she does." She sounds intrigued, and not a little bit admiring.

"Of course not," R'hyn allows, with a vaguely embarrassed smile. "It's the chase that's fun, I guess? I wouldn't know." He turns, as Emani's gaze goes behind him, and nods briefly at Serriena, listening to Emani. "Guess so. Sounds as though you wish you could be like her. Er," he hesitates. "More like her, I guess."

Serriena just sits there with the cloth and then removes it. She folds it and puts it on the table. Propping her hand in her chin, she doesn't look nasty or mean. She looks very lost and somewhat lonely.

Emani considers for a moment, all seriousness. "Well, it depends. Sometimes. And sometimes people get boring. Sometimes you just wouldn't want to spend a lot of time with a person. I mean, maybe be interested in keepin' on at some point... And you should give it a go, find out. Chasing is fun." She also nods to the weyrwoman, then; "Yeah, maybe. She's just - good to talk to."

R'hyn glances at Serriena curiously, though he says nothing. "Mm, I suppose," he agrees to Emani; "Guess I've had less of that problem. I mean..." He hesitates, then trains off. "Well, never mind. Maybe, when you're older, and stuff - it kind of tends to make more sense, then." Nodding slowly, as he takes another sip of his water, he concludes, "Is she? I don't really talk... I listen."

Serriena glances over at Emani and R'hyn. Her gaze lingers for a moment on R'hyn's face before she looks away. She stares at the food table, lost in thought apparently.

"When I'm older? I'm not all that young." Emani's interested now, head tilting to one side. "What makes more sense? And she is, sorta." She pulls a face, looking over at R'hyn. "You talk enough. If you're in the mood for it." Serriena's glanced at by her as well, brow furrowing for a moment.

"More like my age. You know, when you're approaching thirty. You start thinking about settling down." R'hyn seems to have entirely forgotten the age he is supposed to be. "I guess. When I have something to talk about, and all."

Emani looks at R'hyn, amused, mouth quirking into a little grin. "Near thirty? Not that near, as far as I remember." Her tone's light enough, teasing. Maybe she didn't notice - or doesn't really care all that much. "Yeah, I noticed. Not that bad at talking. Bad at taking compliments, sure, but..."

Serriena stands up and walks over to a corner where a rock has been mounted along with a plaque. "Bess where are you when I need you," she peers at the rock, asking the question aloud to no one in particular. "You were always so..cheerful."

R'hyn turns pink. "Well. Getting nearer, I guess. You start thinking about it, when it gets closer." He takes a hurried sip from his glass, then adds, "Well. I'm better than I was. I used to turn pink answering questions in class! And, especially, when I as an Apprentice." He seems to be watching Serriena out of the corner of his eye, almost nervously.

"Mmm. Sure. Well, we'll see." Emani doesn't seem overly concerned, but perhaps enjoys his turning pink a bit too much. "Apprentice?" Then Serriena's voice draws her attention. She watches her briefly, bemused, then turns back to R'hyn. "Well, I was thinkin' of a walk," she says, casually. "Can stay too. Either's good, but just mentioning."

After a moment in which Serri gives pause at Jalani's stone, the weyrwoman turns and begins to walk out. She stops long enough to say, "R'hyn could you come by my weyr later? I need to talk to you, please."

"I was a Harper," R'hyn begins, interrupted by Serriena's pause. "Er, of course, Serriena. Whatever you like." Once she's gone, he turns back to Emani, frowning slightly, "Wonder what that's about. Oh. A walk? You want, uh, company? I could go for a walk. Unless, of course, you'd rather be alone, and all."

Serriena walks out towards the bowl, looking less assertive than she had been in the kitchen.

Serriena disappears through the narrow tunnel to the bowl.

Emani watches the weyrwoman as she goes, shrugging at R'hyn. "I don't know. Don't know her so well. A Harper." She wrinkles her nose. "Sounds like a lot of work, but good for you. I mean, if you liked it." A quick grin, then; "Sure, I'd like company - but honestly," she lowers her voice - "I thought you might have wanted an excuse to leave. Looked uncomfortable."

"I didn't like it much," R'hyn admits, quietly. "But Mother thought it would be good for me. I had a Voice, see." Hesitantly, he nods his head after Serriena. "She, um, makes me nervous at the moment. I don't know what's up with her. I thought we were sorted, and... I'm thinking maybe not. Though, I did kind of insult her."

"Do you still? Have a voice." Suddenly a bit more serious, Emani regards him as she asks her questions. "And did you? I guess, maybe - Maybe some things take some time to get sorted. Especially if things are complicated."

"Well," says R'hyn, coughing into his hand, "Not quite as much. It broke. So, it's not bad, now, but it's not... you know, brilliant." He watches Emani, head tilted to the side, eyes flicking this way and that, even as he watches. "Guess so. It was a mistake, to agree to what Ainsley asked, I think."

Emani nods a little, twisting a slight grin. "Doesn't have to be brilliant. Neither do you," she says, with an uncharacteristically reasonable tone. "What'd she ask you to do?"

R'hyn's surprised shows in his eyes - and upon his face. He smiles. "No, true. I like to sing, sometimes, but for myself. So that's all I need; not brilliance." Nose wrinkling, he admits, "She asked me to speak to Serri about the way she'd been acting. Disrespectful, rude even. It was making the leadership look bad. Serriena, uh, didn't take it well. I lost my temper with her."

"Yeah, pretty much. If you don't make yourself happy, no one else will. People don't usually care for much but themselves." Emani shrugs diffidently for that - what do you do? - then nods slowly. "Well, it happens, y'know. Especially with people you're close to or were close to. S'why I fight with Winnie all the time, probably. I mean, aside from the fact that she's a pain."

"Often true," agrees R'hyn, ruefully. "That's how we manage to hurt each other so easily. Sad, really." He presses his palms to the tabletop, adding, "It's easy to get at people you know well. Because you know all their ins and outs, yeah?"

"I wouldn't say she -hurts- me," Emani says, a little defensively. "But get at, yeah. When you know people, it's super easy. Too easy," she says, wrinkling her nose and glancing across the cavern.

R'hyn waves his hand around, quickly, "Yes, of course. You're too thick-skinned to be hurt." He glances back at the Jalani stone, and then the door. "Yeah. Far too easy."

Emani manages to -not- react defensively again, but does narrow her gaze at him briefly. Then, a smile. "Well, whatever. It'll blow over eventually. All that stuff usually does." She follows his gaze to the door, then decides. "I'm gonna get out of here. If you want to come, you're welcome to."

R'hyn erms, quickly, "I don't mean that in a bad way, of course. It's a good thing. Not being bothered by things, most of the time." He glances at the door again, hesitating. "Er. Well. Do you want me to come? Because I don't want to, you know, burden you."

Emani stands, and stretches languidly, arms up over her head. "Yeah, I guess. Anyway." She relaxes down into her usual slouch, and grins at him. "Wouldn't ask if you were gonna burden me."

"Yes, but..." R'hyn shrugs his shoulders, finally. "For a little while, then. Helps me put off going to Serri's -- not to mention that I do like your company." A quick smile there, though an honest one.

Emani fairly beams at that, then tilts her head towards the tunnel. "Okay. I don't mind being an excuse, either. Let's go."

Emani disappears through the narrow tunnel to the bowl.

You head out through the narrow tunnel to emerge in the bowl.

R'hyn hurries out of the cavern after Emani, adding, "I, er, don't seem to be good with saying things that can't be taken badly, do I?"

"I know you didn't mean it like that. I was just teasing," Emani says, walking slowly into the bowl, tossing her hair back over her shoulders. "Look - was wondering if I could ask you something."

R'hyn keeps more or less in pace with Emani, smiling hesitantly. "Oh, good. I mean, yeah... Er, sure. What is it?" He turns to watch her, brows raising slightly.

Emani glances over at him with another one of those bright smiles of hers. "Thanks," she says. She unhooks one of her sandals from her belt, and toys with it idly. "So - I know you're looking to settle down and all. Not too interested in that myself, but I can see how some people'd like it. Anyway, I get this idea you like me alright - and I like you alright. So, was wondering what you thought about - nothing permanent, right? - but maybe having a good time for awhile. I mean, I can think of worse ways to kill time." A slight smile at that.

R'hyn's face goes from faintly pink to bright red, and his mouth opens and closes, much like a fish, for a few seconds. "Er," he says, when he finally manages to get his mouth around words. "I... I /do/ like you, Emani. You're nice, and fun, and all. But..." He coughs nervously. "I'm kind of already-- that is to say, Cardixa and I are--" He stops. "You know."

"Does that bother you? Doens't bother -me- any..." Emani seems faintly confused, then her eyes widen. "Oh - oh you're doing that - that exclusivity thing." Her nose wrinkles, if briefly, then; "Oh, well, nothing wrong with that. Sorry, hope there wasn't any 'moral dilemma' there or anything." She seems almost entertained; certainly not upset. "I'll admit to disappointment."

Midnight comes and goes on this summer night. Occasional clouds pepper the otherwise clear sky, drifting idly in a light breeze - barely enough to stir even the finest hair. Being summertime, it's humid and uncomfortable. (73F, 23C)

"Well. Kind of. I mean, we haven't talked about it, but I'd feel kind of strange," babbles R'hyn, still red. "But, you know, if things don't work out, I'd quite... like to."

"Well, -I'd- say if you haven't talked about it, there's nothing you can't do - but then, I would." Emani turns to watch him, more amused now, with a wicked smile. "Whatever you need to do... And that would be nice. To be kept in mind. But good luck with that, y'know? I mean, if you're looking to get into something serious."

R'hyn actually manages to smile, though the blush is ever-present. "I'm not surprised," he allows, that smile turning into a grin. "I will. So, we'll see. Not that I'm, you know, trying to get out of the relationship. Because I like Dix a lot, and it's good. So, you know, guess we'll see."

Emani grins, elbowing him gently. "I mean, nothing's been -decided- yet. It wouldn't really be all that wrong. -- Eh, I'll stop." She grins, adding, "Don't know her so well, but she seems okay. Can never tell how thing'll work out, though - that's true I guess. Are you guys alike or something?"

"Oh, shush," says R'hyn, pleasantly, laughing. His blush slowly begins to recede, as he adds, "She's -- no, not nice. But she's Dix. She's got a softer side. We're pretty different, actually, but it seems to work, somehow."

Emani nods, considering that as she looks skyward. Her brow furrows. "Well - that's good, I guess. Maybe there's balance or something - I just don't see wanting to spend that much time with -anyone-."

R'hyn, watching the ground, suggests, "Perhaps you just haven't met the right person, I guess. I don't know. Maybe I'm just easier to keep pleased. Occupied. Whatever."

Emani glances back to him, watching him watch the ground. "Well, maybe," she allows. "Can't imagine only one person at all, but I guess I can see how it'd be nice to have someone think you're pretty even when you're old." A serious nod, then; "Hey, maybe. Or maybe that's just the way you are. Which is fine, even if it makes -my- life difficult." She sighs melodramtically. "Anyway, I want to check on this one case I'm assisting with before I go to bed. Have a good night, okay?"

Emani heads into the large, arching entrance of the outer infirmary.

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