July 26, 2004
R'hyn makes his first public appearance, meets T'ren, and then discusses battle plans of a kind with Oki.

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You head through the tunnel to emerge in the living cavern.

Willa beams brightly and waves her hand a little dismissively. "Oh, it's nothing at all. I have to play the new stuff for someone. I mean, I may as well play it for someone who will appreciate it. Not like all these people just ignoring me. I mean, what's more important? Gossip or music?" Rolling her eyes she taps a finger on her gitar and scowls down at it. "Anyway. Well, at least it makes things interesting?"

It's dinnertime and everyone and their cousin's brother's best friend is here. Even more then normal the cavern seems full and loud. Everyone has something to say about the last couple days and are voicing their opinions, not loudly, no, but there's a lot of people talking quietly. Willa is seated near the hearths, as usual. A mug rests beside her on the ground since that is where she sits and Emani has recentely joined her. Although she sat at a table, being more picky and all.

Rumour has it that R'hyn arrived, officially, this morning; now, entering the caverns, he looks more than a little lost - both in terms of facial expression and body language, and the ghastly, voluminous sweater he's rugged up in. A few people go silent as he passes, and a few more whisper beneath their breath, and though definitely self-conscious, he ignores them, and makes for the serving table.

Emani spears some more food thoughtfully, noting, "I know what -you'd- say. I guess it depends what your priorities are. But, y'know. I still like music." She takes a quick drink from her cup, then nods. "I suppose it does make things more interesting - which is good. I'm not exactly sunshine and happiness when I get bored, so. Better to have stuff to do." And as the buzz kicks up, Em catches word of the arrival, and peers serving table-wards with a bright, wide smile - likely one of the few in the cavern reacting as such. "Well, shoot. He's here."

Willa listens to Emani quietly and nods her head here and there as she chews on the end of her ponytail. The change in the crowd draws her attention and she peers around. But, being short and on the ground sort of precludes her from seeing much. So, she looks up to Emani and asks, "Who is here? I can't see. I hate that." She cranes her neck, but doesn't exactly, you know, stand. No, no.

R'hyn avoids all eye contact, as he fills his plate with stew and bread, and a healthy side-serving of greens. Balancing a mug of water, and his cutlery, in one hand, and the plate in the other, he turns around, apparently attempting to seek out a friendly face within the room, without actually meeting anyone's gaze. Finally, he takes a few hesitant steps forward, stepping past several of the fuller tables in search, apparently, for an emptier one.

Emani leans down to Willa, murmuring, "The Weyrleader." Truth it may be, but why bother saying it too loudly at the moment? Ahem. She watches R'hyn a moment before sighing heavily - so hard done by! Dropping her fork and standing, she wanders over to the bronzerider, eyeing him critically. "You have -got- to find yourself some better clothes."

Willa blinks and peers around again once she's told who is here. But, still, standing seems a bit overrated. She's all comfy before the fire and has a nice pillow to sit on. When Emani moves off she cranes her neck again and finally gives up. Pulling herself up with a muffled complaint she sits down at the table recently departed and watches, strumming a song softly.

"Emani!" R'hyn nearly drops plate, mug and cutlery all, but his expression is definitely relieved. "I-- yeah. Mother made it for me. It... I haven't had time to do better." He flushes, eyeing his shoes. "Are you sitting somewhere? Mind if I join you?"

Emani grabs R'hyn by the arm of his hideous sweater, pulling him along behind her. "I would be totally annoyed if you didn't. If there's still just the one chair, I'll do the floor thing or somethin'..." But as they return, miraculously, some spaces have opened up. Imagine that. Willa gets a grin as she takes one of the now empty chairs, dragging her plate and mug over. Look what I brought!

Willa spits her hair out because it seemed to have found its way into her mouth. Filthy habit. Disgusting. Who would do that? She smiles cheerfully and waves to the returning and new arrival. Biting her lip she clears her throat and sits up a little straighter. Good first impression. Yes, there we go. The song she's playing is paused as she bobs her head respectfully.

R'hyn makes every attempt to keep up with Emani's pulling, and keep hold of his food; luckily, he manages to get it set down on the table before anything spills. "Er. Good," he responds, a little lamely, as he takes one of the empty seats. Willa, though given a hesitant glance, is greeted with a nod of his own. "Hello there." Confident and well-spoken he does not - at first glance - seem to be.

"That's Willa - she's one of the Journeymen here." Emani figures the gitar should tell the rest of the tale. Moving right along - "Willa, R'hyn." Satisfied that she's done her job, she starts in on her food again, though the new weyrleader does warrant a slightly concerned glance. In a lower tone, "Seriously, stop looking all nervous - not helping - are you okay?"

Willa tips her head and spends a few minutes studying R'hyn. She tries to do it covertly, but doesn't do such a good job. She doesn't openly stare, but comes pretty close. When she seems to realise what she's doing she shakes her head and grins cheerfully. "It's a pleasure to meet you!" she says brightly. "And, congratulations! She's right," a nod to Emani. "People will get over it. It's silly. I'm sure you'll do a fine job!"

"Pleased to meet you," says R'hyn, a little hastily - smiling as broadly as he can (which does have the effect of looking a little... contrived). "I--" He listens to both, then nods. "Yes. But I've been here for hours, and gotten nothing but dirty looks - and I haven't really even taken up duties, yet. This is not, exactly, what I intended."

Emani looks as if she's been there - Sing it, brother. "Yeah, I know. But it's reality, so. Have some dinner and think about it after you've eaten." Willa gets a quick, grateful look for the help. To R'hyn again; "It's actually not so bad. After awhile." She ducks her head to eat some greens and perhaps cover the slightest grin that surfaces - but when she looks up again to take a drink, her expression's pleasantly neutral.

Willa waves her hand about and rolls her eyes. "Oh, please. Like they weren't going to be upset considering who it was who rose first?" she asks with a snort. "I just want you to know that those of us here from harper will support you fully." She pauses and then adds thoughtfully, not slyly at all, noooo, "Well, there's one as might not, but he'll come around I am sure. One way or another." Shrugging she falls silent and looks down at her gitar as she begins to play. She's going to get sick of these calm, soothing pieces soon. From cheerful to help cheer people up to calming to, with any luck, not incite riots.

R'hyn nods, slowly, as if he doesn't quite believe it - but is desperately trying to. "I guess," he concludes. "I understand the... upset. I mean, we-- /Ista/ has the same. But it's not really our fault. You will?" This, to Willa - and relief, in his expression. "Thank you. It's a start." Finally, he picks up his fork, giving Emani another, somewhat dubious, glance. "What are the better bits?"

Emani waves her fork at Willa, nodding. "Mm! She's right, you know." Another quick glance to the harper, this time rather impressed, then away. "There was gonna be as much of a problem either way. You don't make it any better or worse, really." Now concentrating pointedly on her food, she answers R'hyn's questions oh-so-casually. "Oh. You know. When you're not freezing to death, the snow can be okay. Some of the people're all right. Things like that."

"I am always right," Willa says to Emani without sounding at all like she is joking. "I can't help it, that is just how it works." She smiles cheerfully and adds a few flourishes to her song at random. "The weather here is lovely. I don't see how people can stand the heat. The heat is terrible. I love the weather here." Chewing on her lower lip she considers something, forehead scrunched up thoughtfully. "Mostly it will just take time," she begins and then offers, "I've been here awhile and if there is anything at all I can do to help you or the new weyrwoman do please let me know. I would be honored to assist you." Another one of those cheerful smiles, doing her best to look friendly and helpful.

R'hyn, his mouth full of meat, merely nods his head quickly as he chews. "Erm," he asks, once he has swallowed, "how can you be in the snow and not freezing to death?" He shudders involuntarily, admitting to Willa, "I'm /used/ to the heat. The cold is just strange. It does get warmer in summer, right? Much warmer?" R'hyn's too distracted to take much note of Emani's answer in depth, continuing instead to say, "That would be... good. Really good. Thank you-- Willa."

"I'll keep that in mind," Emani notes to Willa. Because - how can it hurt, really? "I miss the heat," she adds, mournfully as she finishes the last of her meal. "But yeah, R'hyn. Time. Let me know if you need anything too. I won't even demand -much- in exchange," she says lightly, grinning. And if he's too distracted to persue the line of questioning, so much the better.

Willa blinks and then shudders. "The heat is terrible. I hated the heat. I was so happy when I got posted here." Another smile and another song before she does the same rapid nodding of her head again. "Oh, it's positively hot here. Really it does! Just not in winter. Winter it gets cold, but that is just a good excuse to stay inside and be warm. Definitely. And, you get used to it. I never got used to the heat. Terrible, it is."

R'hyn, for a moment, actually has a genuine smile, as he shakes his head in response to Willa. "I'll never understand that. The heat is wonderful. Where were you posted, before here, then?" He cuts up a tuber into carefully sized pieces, adding to Emani, "I bet you drive a hard bargain as to what /much/ is-- but thank you. In the meantime, I'll have to see about this time business. Never was good at waiting."

Emani waves grandly at R'hyn's concerns about her terms, noting, "Oh, don't worry. I won't take unfair advantage of you. You never -let- me." She fairly pouts, then lifts her cup, content to listen to the other two talk for the moment.

Willa takes a few minutes to answer the question. It's rather a long time to just say where you were posted before. Finally she just shrugs and says with a little grimace. "I was posted at Southern Hold for three turns after I walked the tables. I was so happy to be out of there. Especially to come back here. Well, my cousin was here, you know? Well, you don't, of course, but I just said." Smiling brightly she plucks at a few strings and then ducks her head as she adjusts them some, even if they don't really sound like they need it. While doing this she peeks up at Emani thoughtfully, finally shaking her head a little.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Emani," says R'hyn - but there's a laugh to his voice, and his shoulders shrug. "You know how it is." Chewing in a mouthful of tuber and greens, he turns his head, listening to Willa, and nods slowly as she speaks. "Ah, I see. So you're Fortian by-- birth? You have family here, anyway. Much better to be in a place with your family, I think."

Emani blinks big blue eyes at Willa over the cup - what? - and listens to the harper's answers with some interest. To R'hyn, making as if she's in a sulk about the whole thing; "Yeah, yeah. I know."

Willa sighs heavily and shakes her head. "Well, my cousin? I don't think he'll be here much longer." Chewing on her lip she appears to be hesitating before finally saying, "N'wyn's my cousin. But, I didn't grow up around here. Well, around here. A cothold nearby. I fostered here for a few turns before I went to the hall. So, well, I am not really attached. Well, that is I am, you know? Well, perhaps not as I just said. Anyway, mostly, I just would like things to settle down. It's rather hard to entertain people when they don't want to listen. What is the use in being here if I cannot play?" She pouts some, not doing nearly as good a job as Emani does by a long shot.

R'hyn, now surrounded by pouting women, hesitates before responding to either. "I can't imagine you're short of alternatives," he teases Emani, not without a faint blush. "Ah." His attention focused on Willa, he considers. "I see." He is, apparently, a little discomforted by this, and goes silent for a moment. "Well, yes, I can understand that. I used to be a Harper, myself -- if you can't play, what's the use?"

Finola comes down the steps and out the tunnel from the galleries.

T'ren comes down the steps and out the tunnel from the galleries.

"Er - no, not really," Emani answers, much more vague about her admirers than she might usually be. She finishes her drink, arranging her plate and cup as if she's getting ready to go. Glancing at Willa sidelong, she notes, "Music's always nice and Willa's pretty good at figuring out the right piece to play."

Willa sits up straighter and abandons her attempts to pout. She's no good at it anyway having the sort of demeanor that so naturally falls to cheerful. "Really?" she asks a bit excitedly. "Once you're all settled in perhaps we could play something together? Oh, not in public. Umm. Oh, well, I mean, I'm not trying to sound, you know, but it would be nice to have someone around to occasionally play with." Sighing she adds, "The other harpers don't always have time. Always going on about teaching and all that. As if just performing and learning new songs and composing is not just as valuable a way to spend time. I'm sure you'll be quite busy for sometime, but do consider the request." Emani's words cause her to blush just a little and she mumbles something or other, sounding embarrassed. Still, she smiles brightly at the other woman.

Ok, so, see? It's dinnertime. Right near the end of the middle of it and the place is full still. Most people are done eating, but hey. There's the new weyrleader sitting near the hearths with Willa and Emani and isn't that interesting? Well, not really, but he might do something or other and no one wants to miss it so they linger over their meals instead of dispersing.

T'ren and Finola exit the galleries into the living caverns, an odd thing since there isn't a clutch on the Sands at the moment. T'ren is carrying a tray with the leftovers of a meal on it and Finola is wearing a hat and mittens knitted of the ugliest woolen materials and is laughing until she notices R'hyn is back at Fort. Nudging T'ren she takes the tray from him to return it to the kitchens.

R'hyn sounds surprised, as he responds to Emani - his voice is kept rather low, but given that everyone else is murmuring rather than speaking loudly, it carries a little, "Oh? Really? I'm surprised. Poor taste on their part, then." His plate is empty, aside from a few pieces of gristle from the stew, and he pushes it forward. "Not leaving, Emani? -- Oh, Willa, sure. I... haven't really sung much, in turns. But it would be nice, when I have time."

Tray is taken, T'ren is nudged and he blinks a bit, stopping mid sentence to look around the caverns to try and figure out what is earning him this nudging from Finola. Caverns are still crowded, so he's made to be a liar on that front, and then the hearth area is spotted. Harper Willa in her usual place, there's the hottie dragonhealer, and...... ooooooh. His expression falls and he raises a hand to rub at his eyes a moment, calling after Finola, "Something to use this in would be great," small vial is held up.

Emani returns Willa's smile with a bright one of her own. Given the crowds, she doesn't notice Finola and T'ren's entrance. Might also have something to do with the fact that she's picking idly at the hem of her sweater. She shrugs to R'hyn diffidently, murmuring, "Oh, no big deal, really. I'll - uh - explain it later. And I might just head out - but you know where to find me, yeah?"

Willa tilts her head over to the side and once she's gotten a yes from R'hyn she starts to play again. Chewing on the end of her ponytail her attention is torn between watching the caverns and keeping an eye on her fingers as if they might start messing up again. Bad fingers. When Emani mentions leaving she looks up and smiles brightly. "It was nice to see you again! I'll come see you as soon as I get that new song figured out. Promise."

Finola turns around with the tray in hand and nods to T'ren as she disappears into the kitchens for a few moments, returning with a steaming mug of something that she hands to him. Looking around at the crowds she gives T'ren a long look and asks "Do you want to sit down?" Looking back towards the nighthearth she offers a wave to Willa as a small figure goes tearing by in a group of children with a "Hi Mum!" as the herd of weyrchildren make their way to the food tables.

R'hyn, curious, peers at Emani. "Ah. Sure. Okay. I-- yeah, I think so. I mean, if I can find my way there, but probably. So I'll see you around. Nice to see you again, and..." He trails off, shrugging, but smiles. "Thanks." Now finished with his meal, he picks up his mug, sipping it as he listens to Willa play; given the lack of attention he's paying to the rest of the caverns, it's no wonder he misses Finola and T'ren.

T'ren takes the mug with a murmured thanks and then shrugs slightly as Finola gives him that long look. He does look around though, hunting for a couple of free seats, "Sitting. Yes, that'd be good about now," he mutters, finally spotting a couple and leading the healer in the appropriate direction.

Midnight comes and goes on this winter night. Snow falls steadily down from a featureless layer of clouds overhead, the windless weather leaving large flakes to fall silent and soft. Sound seems muffled and dampened: Things seem quiet and deserted in the snowfall. The winter air is cold and bitter. A thin, seemingly permanent layer of snow and ice covers the ground. (15F, -9C)

Emani picks up her plate in one hand, standing. She grins to Willa, nodding. "Good to see you, too. And thanks again for that." R'hyn gets a quick, firm pat on the shoulder before she grabs her coat, heading away from the hearths. "See you both later!" she calls. As she drops off her dishes the weyrsecond and healer both get a quick nod, then she shrugs on her coat and heads out into the snow - who knows why.

Emani heads through the tunnel to the bowl.

Willa wrinkles her nose a bit and peers down at her gitar. "That makes no sense," she mumbles to herself, replaying the last couple measures with a few variations. This earns a satisfied nod from the harper and she hums along to the song. It's possible she spotted Finola and the wave, but she's much too busy playing to return it. Or maybe she did miss it. It doesn't look like she's paying much attention. She watches Emani leave looking a bit curious, but she doesn't remark on it.

Finola takes a seat at the small table, suddenly wishing she had gotten a drink or somthing to do with her hands so she takes her time pulling the ugly mittens off her hands and leans back with a groan "This has been the longest day." Getting back into healer mode she nips the vial out of T'ren's hands and upends it into the mug of steaming water for him "Drink it down quick, it's strong so it should be pretty bitter."

"She didn't used to be so... well, she didn't use to hide anything," murmurs R'hyn, in a tone that is probably audible to Willa, but won't carry much further. Emani's departure is enough to make him turn and watch her out. He catches sight of Finola - a familiar face - but doesn't seem to place T'ren; both get only a short glance, before his gaze turns back to his own table.

T'ren slouches in his seat like a child, taking the mug back from Finola and, after taking a deep breat, drinking the contents down. A bitter face is made and he grumbles, "Why can't you find a way to make it taste better?"

Willa tips her head over to one side and peers up to look at R'hyn. "I'm not sure exactly what you mean," she answers quietly. "I'm not entirely sure she's settling in well. Well, anymore then anyone else. It's so sad how that happens. But, well, people are like that. You know, not her, but everyone. Well, that is. Hmm. Right." She grins a bit sheepishly and returns to her playing, starting to hum again after a few notes.

Finola rolls one shoulder as if stretching out a stiff muscle and chuckles at T'ren's expected grouching "We are running low on the mallow I use to sweeten it so only the real children get the better taste." She waves to one of the children leaving the living caverns, this time at a walk, under the guidance of one of the nannies. Turning her gaze to the nighthearth table she leans forward to murmur something towards T'ren.

R'hyn nods, after a pause. "Maybe it's just that. It's just that-- she usually seems to talk about everything. I don't think she really got a choice in coming, so. That would probably make a difference." He glances at the Harper, kind of thoughtful, and finally, in a low voice, asks, "So. Er. What should I know-- about people."

T'ren just makes a yuck face at Finola and then shifts in his seat so he can catch her words more easily. A slight frown crosses his face as he listens carefully, eyes flicking over towards the hearth area and then back to the healer at his table. He just shrugs a little, murmuring back quietly, "I guess there weren't as many as people had hoped." The hot water mug is raised and stared into with a grimace, "We need wine," he states.

Willa peers around some, nodding on occasion when she sees someone or other. She tilts her head over to the side far enough that her ear rests on her shoulder. She continues playing some song or other as she lowers her voice when speaking. "People in general?" is asked. "Or are you looking for specifics. Now, you should understand, I am hardly the type to listen to gossip or repeat rumors. Truly. I've no time for that at all." Smiling innocently she hums a few notes.

Finola makes a face at T'ren "Didn't you have enough wine last night? We don't need wine, I'm so tired right now that one cup will have me giggling like a weyrling." She casts a speculitive glance towards R'hyn and Willa and murmurs quietly "Have you seen Geraine after this morning at all?"

R'hyn, leaning closer to Willa, snorts softly. "No, of course not. No Harper would ever share a few rumours - totally out of character. I just... I know nothing about things here, nothing except the very basics. Is there anything that I really ought to know, to help me try and-- smooth things out, or whatever?" He bites his lip, looking hesitant.

Willa almost stops playing, but other then a few stuttered notes it's almost not obvious. So, continuing to go from one song to the next she smiles brightly at R'hyn. "Well," says quietly. "I might have heard a thing or two. Now, mind, I wouldn't repeat anything I heard to just anyone. I'm not the sort to talk out of turn. But, I think an exception can be made on occasion. For the good of the weyr, of course." Biting her lip she sighs. "There are some people, riders and staff who are less then pleased. Not just about the, err, current events but the arrivals and such. Talk of the sort I am sure you heard at Ista only in reverse. Most people will come around at least some easily enough. I think. The weyrlingmaster is new enough you can probably not have too much of a hard time." She pauses and starts to say something else before stopping. "Maybe I could, well, take some time tonight to write a few things up? Things I might have noticed? So I don't forget them. But, for now. . .there's someone I think you might consider warning the new weyrwoman about."

T'ren shakes his head at Finola, "No, we need wine." He seems to think this is a very good idea and heads for the serving table. He speaks quietly to one of the lads manning it this evening, pointing momentarily to the heart area. When the lad returns he's carrying a skin and more than two glasses. The brownrider takes the load with ease, striding back to the table he was sharing with the healer, "No, haven't seen her," he mutters back, "but I think it's a good idea to introduce ourselves to the new weyrleader," he jerks a chin in the direction of the hearth where R'hyn is now talking quiet seriously with Willa.

Oki comes out of the tunnel from the bowl.

Finola looks astonished at T'ren's words but after a moments thought she stands up and takes off her coat, draping it over her chair before giving the brownrider a nod "If you really want to. Lead the way." she says with a gesture to the night hearth.

"Thank you," says R'hyn, just as quietly. "If you-- could? That would be great. Anything, really. I just need some kind of... Oh? Who's that?" His eyes narrow slightly, his hands, sweaty by the looks of them, gripping the edge of the table nervously.

It's amazing how many people can find a reason to wander into here. Gossiping and spying has nothing to do with it at all. R'hyn sits with Willa near the hearths speaking quietly and T'ren and Finola were sitting together elsewhere, but T'ren is now leading her over to the hearths as well. The crowd murmurs here and there, keeping an eye on things.

Oki keeps her face averted, really, carefully weaving her way through the crowds to find something to eat. While not quite unfriendly, her expression is one the discourages random conversation. A quick glance is given to those in the caverns, seeming to pause on R'hyn, before swinging back to gathering plateful.

Willa glances after Emani and comments softly, "Oh, I'm sure Emani could tell you more about him then I. Considering they are either going to kill each other or be sleeping together soon enough." Rolling her eyes she wrinkles her forehead and appears vaguely puzzled by this for a moment. Finally she shrugs a bit and continues, "Well, anyway. When I saw Kiora the other day N'thri showed up and seemed, hmm, less then. . .what's the word? Charitable towards her. I don't think he's popular enough to cause a lot of trouble, but she should probably avoid him for a bit." She starts to say something else, but pauses, rethinking it and just smiling cheerfully instead.

T'ren weaves his way through the crowd, briefly nodding to any of the riders that greet him. If they try to stop him for conversation he gives a murmured excuse so that he can continue towards the hearth area. He moves as quickly as the bodies and his load allows, finally appearing near the table that R'hyn is seated at. Wine skin and glasses are set down with a 'thunk' and he offers the bronzerider a smooth, albeit a tad forced, smile, "Good evening."

Finola gets less of a hassle in her move across the living caverns then T'ren, possibly because at this time of night nobody really wants the healer to notice that they hadn't put any greens on their plate or that they are on their third or fourth tankard of beer. Her greeting to R'hyn and Willa is somewhat warmer then T'ren's but she is definately displaying the usual 'healer detachment' "Hello you two, how are you doing this fine winter evening?"

R'hyn digests this information carefully. "Ah," is all he says - though it's almost possible to see the cogs moving inside his head. "Well then. I--" he breaks off; T'ren and Finola's approach has finally attracted his attention, mostly with the thunk of wineskin and glasses. He pauses - his eyes seek out the Weyrsecond's knot - then allows, quietly, "Good evening. T'ren, is it? And Finola -- hello. We're, well, at least /I/, am all right."

Willa smiles brightly at the new arrivals and waves cheerfully. "Good evening!" she welcomes. "Me? Oh, I am just wonderful, thank you for asking. I'm afraid I was forcing the new weyrleader to listen to my playing. I was forcing him to be a captive audience." And, that's all. Nothing else. She smiles again, a bit blankly and offers, "But, don't let me keep you from talking. I'll just play something nice and quiet for it." Which she does, head ducking down and hair lodged between her teeth to chew on.

Oki makes her way through the crowd again, balancing her full dish carefully, and approaches R'hyn's table. Naturally attracted to the fellow Istan, her mulish expression shows that she fully expects to be turned away. "R'hyn," she greets a bit more warmly, "Good evening." The others get a curious look, except T'ren who gets a more respectful greeting.

The harper is eyed very carefully before T'ren nods at R'hyn, "Yes, sir," he replies carefully, "T'ren." He takes a slow breath in and then lets it out, "I, er we rather, were hoping we could join you for a moment," Finola is nodded at before he continues, "have a glass of wine and," he trails off, not entirely sure what else he had in mind now that he's arrived.

Finola looks at T'ren for a long moment and picks up the thread of his speech easily "We were hoping you would have a glass of wine with us for a toast for new beginnings" she says with a smile for the harper and new weyrleader. Gathering the glasses she offers one empty glass to R'hyn and Willa before making eye contact with T'ren and nodding to the bottle.

R'hyn has gone a little stiff, and a little pale, and distracts himself quickly by waving a quick hello to Oki -- "Oki! Do sit with us. Please." If that 'please' is a little desperate, it's only a very little bit-- but maybe his expression shows it a little more. Taking a deep breath, he turns back to T'ren, "Please, just call me R'hyn?" Hesitance. "Of course. It's good to meet you." He accepts the glass from Finola, adding, "That's an excellent idea."

Willa shakes her head at the wine glass and nods to her gitar. "No hands free," she says cheerfully. "Besides, I had a couple glasses yesterday. That's more then enough for me. Have to keep a clear head. Otherwise my fingers don't behave." She smiles again and bobs her head up and down before humming quietly along with her playing.

"Certainly," Oki says, setting herself in an empty seat and getting her food situated. She's content to eat quietly for a moment, absorbing the conversation without looking like she's paying much attention.

T'ren opens the wineskin with deft practice and pours a glass for Finola and himself before pouring one for R'hyn. Holding the skin over Willa's cup he asks "You're sure?" before tipping the skin up and replacing the top "To new beginnings then" he toasts with an ironic lilt to his voice.

Finola accepts her glass and offers Willa's unwanted one to Oki "To new beginnings" she chimes in before taking a seat carefully next to Willa. "You can take a break for a few moments certainly?" she asks the harper with a beady look. "You'll wear your fingers to nubs if you keep playing, shells I haven't seen you without an instrument in your hand as long as I've known you."

R'hyn lifts his glass to the toast, though not without a moment of hesitation. "And a bright future," he adds, somewhat lamely, but with a definite caution; he has to at least /try/ and avoid further offense. "Willa seems to have more dedication than I ever did," he remarks, generally. "Oki, have you met T'ren, Finola and Willa? This is Oki," he adds, to those named, with a nod towards the bluerider.

Oki hesitates for only a fraction of a second before taking the drink offered by Finola, "Thank you." She lifts the glass slightly, and says with a small smile, "To new beginnings." Shaking her head in answer to R'hyn's question, "No, I haven't yet met anyone. Not had a chance."

Willa's head tips up and she regards Finola with a blinking stare. Finally she just shrugs, still playing. "I'm here to entertain," she says merrily. "That's why I was posted here. I can hardly do that if I am sitting about doing not a thing. I don't play always. Just, it's good to have this handy in case I suddenly want to play. Or someone needs a song. You never know when someone needs a song." There's more blinking as she turns her attention to Oki. "Hello!" she greets brightly. "You must be new too! Welcome to Fort. If you ever want to hear anything let me know. If I don't know it I can surely come up with a copy to learn from in a few days." Any comments on her dedication are waved away without actually waving, it's just sort of how she smiles and shrugs.

T'ren takes a long drink from his glass, then settles into a seat beside Finola, draping an arm over the back of the healer's chair. Oki is nodded at, "Well met," gets offered quietly before he turns his attention back to R'hyn, "Did you get all your affairs settled at Ista then?" Idle conversation as he toys with his glass.

Finola offers her hand politely to Oki, well the one not holding a glass that is "A pleasure to meet you" she says automatically. She quickly lables the bluerider as another Istan by the slight difference in accent "How are you liking Fort so far?" Willa is given a smile and a shrug "If it makes you happy, play away" she says urbanly. T'ren is given a smile as he takes the seat on her other side and she listens quietly for an answer to the question he posed to R'hyn.

"Oh. Well. I suppose you have, now?" R'hyn sounds almost a little breathless - but he's smiling. Kind of. "Yes, I did," he agrees to T'ren. "Spent some time with my daughter, packed up my things. I'd like to meet with you and Geraine-- tomorrow morning? Will that work? There's obviously a lot, you know, that we need to, uh, talk about." He sips at his glass uneasily; his expression seems to suggest he's not all that keen on the taste.

Oki gives Willa a bland look accompanied by an equally bland smile, "New, yes. Thank you for the offer. Perhaps I will take advantage of it in the future." Finola gets her attention briefly, "Can't complain, really. I haven't received my wing assignment yet." Her lips quirk a little, "It's much colder here."

Willa can't help but smile even more brightly when Oki returns her smile so. Humming quietly, well, around her hair that does seem to find its way into her mouth more often then not, she ducks her head and idly adds a flourish here or there to her song.

T'ren leans forward in his seat, arm coming off of Finola's chair back as he does so. His wine is sipped at as he listens to the various conversations floating back and forth amongst the women, but his attention is solely on R'hyn. As he listens, he nods and then a brow arches, "Tomorrow morning?" He frowns, hmmms a little, really puts on a bit of a show of trying to decide if that will work or not and then nods but once, "Yes, sir, tomorrow morning should be fine for a meeting." He looks down at the glass in his hand, then back up at the new weyrleader, "Of course, I can't answer for Geraine."

Finola sips on her glass of wine rather quickly while everyone is talking and after a few minutes finds herself blinking at the empty glass. Her warning to T'ren earlier was certainly true what with the lack of sleep the night before topped by a busy day and a glass of wine come crashing together to make her exhaustion complete. She watches R'hyn and T'ren converse quietly, paying attention to not only that conversation but the one happening between Oki and Willa.

R'hyn takes another quick sip of his wine, as he draws his free hand off of the table, letting it rest on his knee beneath. "Oh, excellent. Let's say-- the Council Chambers, three hours past dawn. Of course - I'll send a message to Geraine. I've not yet had the pleasure of meeting her. -- Oh, Oki," he breaks into the conversation, turning to the bluerider. "I checked it up. You'll be in B'den's wing."

"Ah. I haven't met him yet. Thanks for finding that out." Oki's lips purse slightly, but she keeps her expression contained to that of affected ennui. She, too, listens to the conversations rather than being an active participant.

There's a brief flurry of excitement near the tunnel leading to the lower caverns. A rather dour looking older man actually wearing his journeyman's not in harper blue comes storming in. He asks several people a question and is pointed towards the hearth. Willa is just finishing one song when she notices the disturbance. She finishes up rather quickly and rises abruptly. "Oh, well, look at the time!" she says cheerfully, quickly. Gitar tucked under one arm she smiles brightly around the table. "It was a pleasure to see you all. And to meet you all. Really. Oh, dear. But look at the time. I did promise to copy a song for someone before retiring." As the other harper nears Willa looks around for an escape. Finally bolting for the kitchens a few seconds before the other fellow arrives and peers around the table as if looking for someone.

Willa heads up the steps to the kitchens.

T'ren's eyebrows draw into a scowl as R'hyn announces the time of the meeting. He drains his glass and sets it on the table a little harder than necessary. Finola's tiredness gives him the perfect reason for pushing back his chair, "Yes, sir," manages to get pushed out past gritted teeth, "three hours past dawn." He rests a hand on Finola's shoulder and gives it a squeeze, "You look tired, Journeyman, let me help you to your room." As R'hyn gives Oki her wing assignment, the brownrider lets out a sharp laugh, offering the bluerider a sympathetic pat on the shoulder, "I hope you're up on your drills," is all he states as he makes his way towards the lower caverns.

Oki shrugs her shoulders, "I can't say I've ever been up on my drills." She gives a smile that's akin to bearing her teeth, "But then, I always did stay in trouble for that."

Finola raises her hand to her mouth to politely cover a yawn and was just about to excuse herself when T'ren does it for her. "Why thank you, Weyrsecond." she says with a little amusement at his use of her title. Giving R'hyn and Oki a smile of farewell she turns and makes her way through the thinning crowds towards the lower caverns with T'ren in tow.

R'hyn's expression takes on a slightly guilty note, but he doesn't stand down from his elected time. "Excellent," he says, smoothly, nodding his head. "I'll see you tomorrow, then. Good night, T'ren, Finola." He peers after Willa only belatedly, and stares slightly blankly at the Harper who approaches. "Good thing you won't be in my wing," R'hyn teases Oki, dourly. "Or maybe not. I haven't really meet B'den, either - only in the flight."

T'ren can be seen shaking his head slowly as he walks with Finola into the lower caverns, the last words R'hyn and Oki probably catch are something along the lines of, "that poor poor girl." and then he's disappeared.

T'ren heads through the short, sloping tunnel to the lower caverns.

Finola heads through the short, sloping tunnel to the lower caverns.

"He can't be worse than Cardixa, can he? She was pretty harsh and I'm more than capable of handling myself. I did manage to handle E'van, ne?" Oki sips a bit of the drink Finola gave her. "I guess it's really true. We're stuck here."

R'hyn, glancing after T'ren, frowns. "I have no idea. I guess you'll find out. If it's any consolation, Cardixa's also in that wing-- at least, she is now. Shouldn't... well, it can't be too bad, right?" He sets his wine glass down with a thunk upon the table, and sighs. "I get the feeling this meeting tomorrow may be more trouble than it's worth."

R'hyn adds, after a pause, "Yes, we really are. Stuck. No where to run."

Oki busies herself pushing the food around her plate. "I guess." She looks up, half-curious, "What are you discussing in the meeting? You sure picked an early time. Even I would grumble about that." The last is said in a slightly teasing tone of voice.

R'hyn gives his wine glass a little half-hearted push, and sighs. "How to run the weyr, more or less. I mean, I know they both resent Kiora and I, but we have to work together. So. It's all about figuring out how things have to work." He adds, sighing again, "I figured the early hour would make me look strict. In control. You know? But I think I've just made him hate me more."

"No, I think you took the right route." Oki casts her gaze around, lowering her voice. "I mean, you have to show strength." She waves her fork at him in emphasis before shoving a bite into her mouth. "I'm glad I'm not in your shoes. You're path is going to be a hard one."

"Really?" R'hyn looks - at least for a moment - quite pleased. "Well. I guess I /am/ in charge. So. Make them move to my timetable. Yes." The pleasure fade to a grimace, as he nods. "Tell me about it. I hate early mornings." Pause. "But-- yes. In general." He gives his wine another glance, then lifts the glass and drains it in a single gulp. "Blech. I hate that stuff."

Oki lifts an eyebrow, "You hate wine but you just downed it like a thirsty man?" The corners of her lips lift in a slightly feral smile, "Yeah, you should make them jump. The quicker they realize that you are the leader, the faster they'll jump when it's really important." She shrugs her shoulders, "Seemed to work pretty well for E'van when he came to Ista."

R'hyn glances at the empty glass, making a face. "Yeah, but now I feel slightly light-headed, and that makes everything seem less bothersome." His eyebrows raise. "And being like E'van is /just/ what I want. Most of me would rather tame them with... kindness, I guess. You know, win their support through trying to meet them half-way. But I guess that won't really work, not if they're inclined to hate me. I don't think I've ever been hated before."

Oki takes a deep breath, "No, I don't think they hate you. They resent you for the power that you now have." She tilts her head, eyeing him assessingly. "You've got to squash those 'nice' feelings and show them your harder side. I can help you with funneling you information?"

R'hyn glances around the slowly emptying caverns, and finally nods. "Maybe." Swallowing, he picks up the empty glass, playing with it as he talks, "Right. Show them who's boss, and they'll have no choice but to go with it-- they can't really get rid of me, unless they kill me." He blanches, but then adds, "Yes. That would be good. I tried asking Willa, but-- yeah. Please."

"I think Istans should stick together," Oki comments, fiddling with her own glass. "They can't kill you or they'd have bigger problems. All you can do is show that you can be un-bending but fair." She taps her teeth with her forefinger, thinking. "You should probably make things uncomfortable -- like this early meeting you have -- to keep them off balance."

"Yeah. So do I," agrees R'hyn, nodding quickly. "Right. That makes a lot of sense. You're good at this, Oki." He's smiling, his glass set down again, his free hand drawn back up to rest upon the edge of the table. "Any other ideas? Early drills I can do, too. And..." He trails off, thinking.

"Am I? I guess it comes with watching people," Oki gives him a conspiratorial wink, "in all ways. Or maybe to get the best pie when you're the second youngest hones one's skills." She nibbles her lip, "I think you should probably keep your upper leadership separate. Give your wingleaders separate assignments. Keep them busy and on staggering schedules. If they're working a lot and unable to all meet, that should prevent an insurrection. Or, at least an organized one."

The depth of the winter night settles in, long and dark. Snow falls steadily down from a featureless layer of clouds overhead, the windless weather leaving large flakes to fall silent and soft. Sound seems muffled and dampened: Things seem quiet and deserted in the snowfall. The winter air is cold and bitter. A thin, seemingly permanent layer of snow and ice covers the ground. (16F, -9C)

R'hyn swallows a mirthful laugh, though his lips quirk into a funny smile. "Ah, yes. Important skills to pick up when you're young - and keep sharp." Twining his fingers together, he nods. "Extra drills, and sweeps -- and make the Wingleaders write reports on /everything/. Surprise inspections, too; that way, they'll be worried for their positions."

Oki nods her head, "See? You're pretty good yourself. Make them submit reports, yeah. Daily, weekly, wing assessments, how long threadfall lasted, how many threads were missed, yada yada." The last of her dinner is eaten before she adds, "At least you'll have Kiora to count on. She's an Istan."

"When inspired," says R'hyn, with a shrug. "I'm not very good at thinking things out by myself. So-- a report on each wingmember, their strengths and weaknesses. On the basis that we need to build balanced wings. And, of course, I'll be doing the same thing for my own wing." He allows a little half smile to set itself back onto his lips. "Kiora? Yeah, I guess. She's going to need a lot of propping up though, I think. She's no more a natural leader than I am, /and/ she has less experience."

"I did remember thinking she was a little on the creampuff side. Nice enough, though. I haven't had much contact with her since weyrlinghood." Oki pushes aside her plate, "You'd better learn to think like this or surround yourself with people who can give you sound advice."

R'hyn coughs into his hand, amused. "Creampuff. That's a good way to describe it. She's kind of dim - but yeah. Nice." He takes a long, deep breath, and finally nods. "Steep learning curve, I think. I don't /have/ anyone to lean on, this time 'round. Well. There's you, there's Dix, and probably a couple of others. Hopefully, it'll be enough."

Oki grins, "Any Istan worth being called an Istan should be reliable enough to lean on. Unless they've turned pro-Fort." Obvious prejudices still color her thinking. "Steep, but not impossible. While you seem to want to lean more toward the non-confrontational side, you're unlike Kiora in that I think you have the backbone for the job." Another grin is flashed at him, "Again, better you than me! I rather like flaunting authority. I'd never want to -be- authority."

"I hadn't even thought of that possibility," says R'hyn, suddenly worried. "No-- I don't think they would. They might not care either way, but they wouldn't actively change sides. Sides. How awful. We're all - kind of - Fortians now." His expression, once more, turns pleased at Oki's complement, "I hope so. I do-- well, I /want/ to make this work. It needs to, so I'm going to do it, however I can. Personally, I'd rather just follow the authority quietly and without incident - but hey."

Oki shrugs indifferently, "It's possible. And one you're going to have to consider or you'll be ineffective. Do you think E'van would accept that all Istans would blithely stay on the right side of things? When confronted with a situation, just ask yourself what he'd do." She snickers, "See, in that you and I are different. I never want to just follow authority. I can't help it. There's something in me that balks at times."

R'hyn holds his breath in for a long time, and when he finally exhales, his whole body seems to slump with it. "You're right, I guess. Yet another thing I need to try and keep in mind. It all gets really complex, you know? I guess I do understand, kind of, why E'van did all the things he did." Nodding, slowly, he smiles, "Which is good. It takes all sorts. Just... don't ignore my authority all the time, mmm?"

Oki tilts her head, "It's like a big tapestry really. You've just got to make sure you weave all the threads so that the end picture is you and you have the control." She gives him an innocent look, "Of course. I never openly disobey, really. It's much more fun to be subversive. But you're also a friend. That makes all the difference." Sort of.

"You'd better watch out, or I'll just hand you a new knot one day," teases R'hyn, whose cheeks have gone red - mostly, for once, thanks to the wine he's drunk. "Well, you're not even in my wing, so we'll probably get along just fine, then... Mostly." He grins.

Oki lets out a mock gasp, "Responsibility?! Never!" She leans back in her chair, answering him with, "Mostly. I only really have issues with overbearing, pompous idiots. And since you're not of that ilk, we should get along fine."

R'hyn laughs, waggling a finger towards Oki. "Just you watch out, then. Mmm. Good. Just warn me if I start getting... stupid. Or something."

"Certainly. I'll make sure to keep you on track. So far, you're doing pretty good." Oki shakes her head, "Nah, you don't want me in responsibility. Who would keep me accountable? Myself? I do much better work when I'm an unknown. Then I can be that much less obtrusive and be more effectively nosey."

"Good," says R'hyn, grinning. "Ah, so you'll just be my watchdog. Of pompousness and stupidity, and of everyone else. You are, certainly, much more useful to me as you are now, than as a leader-- I really need to be able to keep up with the things that no one wants me to know about."

Oki nods her head slowly, "It's a good thing to need to know. It's when they suddenly turn nice to your face that you need to worry, I think." She stands and stretches, "I guess I'd better head back to my weyr. Rhavinath's waited long enough for his oiling and I'd not want to be late for my very first drills." She winks to show just how unconcerned she is about that.

R'hyn smirks, biting at his lip. "But of course. I'll see you soon, Oki."

Oki dips her head, "Always." She flounces out of the living caverns.

Oki heads through the tunnel to the bowl.

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