The sneaky spread of knowledge.
Who: Roa and Navan (NPC)
Where: North Weyr
When: 12:21 on day 4, month 9, turn 3 of the 7th Pass.
What: Navan discovers a problem with certain records and brings that problem to the attention of the Werywoman.
4/27/2007
At High Reaches Weyr, it is 12:21 on day 4, month 9, turn 3 of the 7th Pass.
Lunch happened in the Living Cavern as per usual and, as is a bit more common since the mess with Five Mines, Roa and R'vain were down eating together and fielding the quiet questions that some small percentage of the Weyr populous was willing to bring to them, rather than whisper among themselves. After lunch finds the weyrwoman at her desk, Tialith reclining out on the ledge. She's working on the mundane task of checking the inventory of stores against what's meant to have come in through tithes over the last two sevens. The weyrwoman, that is. The dragon is just asleep.
What brings Navan from out of his domain is not something he would discuss in a public setting. So, while he was not seen at lunch by anyone he seems to have known when the weyrwoman returned to weyr. There is little that will bring him out of where he lurks, but work is one of them and so with a small selection of pages in one hand, rolled up so nothing on them is visible, he approaches the door leading to where a dragon snoozes and a weyrwoman works. His knock is brisk and unhesitant. He is a man on a mission.
The reply comes quickly. "Come in," from the woman at the desk. She scoots back her chair, twisting to see who has arrived.
The door opens and the head of records steps in with a determined sort of set to his expression. Navan closes the door and focuses immediately on Roa rather than look around the room like someone else might. "I am sorry to interrupt, but there is something of a problem that I have been made aware of." Right to the point in case she gets some idea he might wish to small talk.
Brows lifting, Roa pushes all the way out of the chair. "Good afternoon, Navan. All right. Shall we sit?" She holds out a hand to gesture towards the couches around a low table.
Navan inclines his head and pauses before moving to seat himself. "Ah, forgive me. I hope you are well today, Weyrwoman?" Navan has a little shoulder Corin as well that chides him for not being sociable. He listens to it when he must. This time he listens, asks the question, and then removes himself to the couch where he waits for Roa so she might sit before he does.
"I'm fine, thank you." Perhaps Roa is a bit less concerned about proper manners than shoulder Corins, or at the very least, she lacks one of her own. After she sits, brows still lifted, the weyrwoman waits for Navan to continue with his business.
Once she has sat, Navan does as well. The rolled up pages in his hand settle in his lap. "I received a letter recently. Regarding a problem with one of the records returned with a student who had finished Caucus." His voice is quiet, it must be where his daughter gets it from. But unlike hers, his never falters or sounds less than firm or sure of himself. "I did some checking with other records held here for students and I discovered it was not an isolated problem."
With a small nod, the weyrwoman asks, equally softly, "What was the problem you encountered?"
Now he holds out the roll of pages that was held carefully in his hands. She is meant to take them, clearly. "These were the problem, Weyrwoman." Navan keeps whatever he is feeling in check. "Not all of the records had these. It took me some research to discover the pattern, but it appears as if these were only added to records that were due to return with their bringer in the next couple of months."
Leaning forward, The weyrwoman takes the rolled hides and gently unrolls them. Her eeys flick down each page, flipping through them and then returning to read the first one more closely. What color Roa's skin normally holds is now gone. It is a moment before she speaks. "How many do you suppose left the Weyr with these? How many did you find waiting to go?"
Navan shakes his head slowly, the first movement since he handed over the pages. As she looked at them he sat, observing her. "I could not say. I am not sure how long this has been going on. But this is the first I have heard from anyone about the problem so I imagine not so very long? I cannot say with certainty. Those were found in twelve items. I fear without contacting the homes of every student who has returned there is no way to know for sure how many or even how long this has been going on."
"All of these," Roa asks, lifting up the hides, "distributed among the twelve items. And do you have any idea who might have done so?"
Again his head shakes and Navan lets out the softest of sighs. "I do not even know who might have access to such records to have done so. We certainly did not have them here at the weyr. None of my senior recordskeepers have had anything to do with it and the others. . .no. I am not sure who might have done it." He, he lies very well. It's as if he is entirely clueless.
"No, I can't think who might have gotten such things," Roa murmurs, studying said things again. "I'd like to keep these, if that's all right. You'll notify me if you find any ohers or if you hear of any others showing up in different places?"
"Of course, Weyrwoman. If I discover who has done it I shall bring it to your attention immediately." Navan glances at the the records in her hand and then nods once. "It is probably best, yes, if you keep them. There is no sense having them laying around somewhere unsafe. In the letter I received I was told a letter had been sent to the Headmaster as well. If you would like me to determine if anything else has been discovered I would be pleased to assist you."
"I'd greatly appreciate that. You'll let your recordskeepers know, if they come across any of these, they're to bring them directly to you or to myself. I think we ought to keep this investigation as quiet as possible. Faranth knows we don't need the whole of records wondering who was up to this mischief." Roa's eyes lift from the hides to meet Navan's squarely and for a single beat, she only looks at him. Then, with a blink and a faint smile, "Forgive my manners," maybe she does have a shoulder-Corin, "would you care for anything to eat or drink, now that you're here?"
He meets her gaze with his own steady one. Nothing is given away. It's a shame he's got no way to help. "I will do so. We have already been through part of records. So far it seems as if just the Caucus records have been altered. However, until we have been over everything I cannot be sure. I have just my most trusted people working on the review so as not to let on something might be wrong. I am merely calling it an internal audit. A way to make sure everything is where it should be." He's so crafty. The question makes him have to blink and consider. "Oh. Something to drink might be appreciated, Weyrwoman. Of course, I do not wish to remain any longer than I must. I am sure you are busy."
"We are always busy. Sometimes company offers time we wouldn't otherwise allow ourselves. I've juice, water, tea and klah. Wine as well, if you'd prefer." Roa inches forward and up onto her feet, waiting for Navan's request before moving to fetch anything.
"Juice will be fine, Weyrwoman," Navan replies easily. He sits and waits for the drink to be brought to him. "Ah. Corin asks me to remember to offer our congratulations on your pregnancy. Children are a blessing."
It is juice, then, that will be poured from a pitcher beaded with condensed water. Two glasses are filled, one carried over and handed to Navan. "Relay to Corin my thanks as well, then. A blessing, are they?" Roa's blue eys twinkle just faintly before she looks away. "And, at times, a trial."
Taking his glass, Navan dips his head in thanks before taking a drink. "I shall pass along your words to her. Will you foster the child? Ah. I apologise for seeming to pry." He takes a drink to cover up the prying and when he is done he is once more fine again. "A blessing. They are a wonder. Wonders, sometimes, are a trial to get through, but it does not make them any more wonderful."
"Hmm," is Roa's comment about the wonders of children, although she does smile faintly. "No. I mean, I imagine he will have to spend a portion of the day being watched by others but, um...well. No. We plan to raise her ourselves." She pauses to take a sip. "Miniyal is your only 'wonder', isn't she?"
Navan smiles is approval at the lack of fostering. "We didn't foster her either. Although in the long run- Well, each child comes with their own ways. It's good I think for parents to get to know this children. They brought them into this world after all. It seems a shame when they are just sent off right away on their own as it were." He holds his glass in one hand, the other resting on his knee. "Yes. We never had any more. We tried, but were never so lucky again."
The weyrwoman studies her own drink, the faint smile lingering on her lips. "I wouldn't precisely calling it sending them out on their own. It's more like...arranging to give them a different family if you think your own won't be able to commit to the time needed." She glances up again. "You must be very proud of her."
"Still, I've always felt strongly about a child knowing where they come from. It helps them to understand what is expected of them if they see what was expected of those who came before them." Navan speaks as he watches now the weyrwoman. He's much better at this than his daughter, not shying away from eye contact when offered and appearing unbothered. Always unbothered. "I am pleased she has finally got a path to walk on." Which is not quite the same thing, but quite close.
"And yet these texts remind us that not all parents agree with or demonstrate what came before," Roa says with a small laugh. "Still, I agree that knowing where one comes from helps a person realize where they must yet go." She sets down her cup to carefully roll up the hides. "A unique way of putting it," she notes idly.
Tipping up his glass, Navan finishes his drink before leaning forward to set the glass on the table. Preparing for his departure, but not yet rising. "She is a unique person." Which is one way of putting it. "Perhaps this will be good for her. We shall have to wait and see the same as her I suppose."
For Navan's assessment of his daughter, Roa laughs. "Yes," the weyrwoman agrees, "that she is. But, we can support her while we wait." A small shrug. "If we so choose." Roa also moves to stand, the polite hostess aiting to walk her guest out.
Once on his feet, Navan gives the weyrwoman a little half-bow. "If we choose," is his answer as he moves for the door. "I am sorry to have had to bring a problem to you, Weyrwoman. I shall remain atop the problem and make sure it is taken care of as quickly and quietly as possible."
"I'd appreciate that. Please let me know if you need any other assistance." She walks with Navan to the door, hides still curled in one hand. "Thank you for alerting me to the situation." She holds the door open for him, offering another smile, small and intended for reassurance. "Good afternoon, Navan."
"Good day," Navan offers as he steps through the door. Once on the other side his head shakes and as he walks off he speaks a final sentence although it's like Roa might only get to overhear it and he speaks it only for himself. "They are a wonder."
She waits until the door is shut and then, quickly, Roa slides the bolt home. The hides are dropped so the weyrwoman can lean up against the door, shoulders impacting wood with a sound *thud*. Her hands come up to cover her face, and the word she groans, repeatedly and with fervor, is not the sort meant for polite and proper company.
Where: North Weyr
When: 12:21 on day 4, month 9, turn 3 of the 7th Pass.
What: Navan discovers a problem with certain records and brings that problem to the attention of the Werywoman.
4/27/2007
At High Reaches Weyr, it is 12:21 on day 4, month 9, turn 3 of the 7th Pass.
Lunch happened in the Living Cavern as per usual and, as is a bit more common since the mess with Five Mines, Roa and R'vain were down eating together and fielding the quiet questions that some small percentage of the Weyr populous was willing to bring to them, rather than whisper among themselves. After lunch finds the weyrwoman at her desk, Tialith reclining out on the ledge. She's working on the mundane task of checking the inventory of stores against what's meant to have come in through tithes over the last two sevens. The weyrwoman, that is. The dragon is just asleep.
What brings Navan from out of his domain is not something he would discuss in a public setting. So, while he was not seen at lunch by anyone he seems to have known when the weyrwoman returned to weyr. There is little that will bring him out of where he lurks, but work is one of them and so with a small selection of pages in one hand, rolled up so nothing on them is visible, he approaches the door leading to where a dragon snoozes and a weyrwoman works. His knock is brisk and unhesitant. He is a man on a mission.
The reply comes quickly. "Come in," from the woman at the desk. She scoots back her chair, twisting to see who has arrived.
The door opens and the head of records steps in with a determined sort of set to his expression. Navan closes the door and focuses immediately on Roa rather than look around the room like someone else might. "I am sorry to interrupt, but there is something of a problem that I have been made aware of." Right to the point in case she gets some idea he might wish to small talk.
Brows lifting, Roa pushes all the way out of the chair. "Good afternoon, Navan. All right. Shall we sit?" She holds out a hand to gesture towards the couches around a low table.
Navan inclines his head and pauses before moving to seat himself. "Ah, forgive me. I hope you are well today, Weyrwoman?" Navan has a little shoulder Corin as well that chides him for not being sociable. He listens to it when he must. This time he listens, asks the question, and then removes himself to the couch where he waits for Roa so she might sit before he does.
"I'm fine, thank you." Perhaps Roa is a bit less concerned about proper manners than shoulder Corins, or at the very least, she lacks one of her own. After she sits, brows still lifted, the weyrwoman waits for Navan to continue with his business.
Once she has sat, Navan does as well. The rolled up pages in his hand settle in his lap. "I received a letter recently. Regarding a problem with one of the records returned with a student who had finished Caucus." His voice is quiet, it must be where his daughter gets it from. But unlike hers, his never falters or sounds less than firm or sure of himself. "I did some checking with other records held here for students and I discovered it was not an isolated problem."
With a small nod, the weyrwoman asks, equally softly, "What was the problem you encountered?"
Now he holds out the roll of pages that was held carefully in his hands. She is meant to take them, clearly. "These were the problem, Weyrwoman." Navan keeps whatever he is feeling in check. "Not all of the records had these. It took me some research to discover the pattern, but it appears as if these were only added to records that were due to return with their bringer in the next couple of months."
Leaning forward, The weyrwoman takes the rolled hides and gently unrolls them. Her eeys flick down each page, flipping through them and then returning to read the first one more closely. What color Roa's skin normally holds is now gone. It is a moment before she speaks. "How many do you suppose left the Weyr with these? How many did you find waiting to go?"
Navan shakes his head slowly, the first movement since he handed over the pages. As she looked at them he sat, observing her. "I could not say. I am not sure how long this has been going on. But this is the first I have heard from anyone about the problem so I imagine not so very long? I cannot say with certainty. Those were found in twelve items. I fear without contacting the homes of every student who has returned there is no way to know for sure how many or even how long this has been going on."
"All of these," Roa asks, lifting up the hides, "distributed among the twelve items. And do you have any idea who might have done so?"
Again his head shakes and Navan lets out the softest of sighs. "I do not even know who might have access to such records to have done so. We certainly did not have them here at the weyr. None of my senior recordskeepers have had anything to do with it and the others. . .no. I am not sure who might have done it." He, he lies very well. It's as if he is entirely clueless.
"No, I can't think who might have gotten such things," Roa murmurs, studying said things again. "I'd like to keep these, if that's all right. You'll notify me if you find any ohers or if you hear of any others showing up in different places?"
"Of course, Weyrwoman. If I discover who has done it I shall bring it to your attention immediately." Navan glances at the the records in her hand and then nods once. "It is probably best, yes, if you keep them. There is no sense having them laying around somewhere unsafe. In the letter I received I was told a letter had been sent to the Headmaster as well. If you would like me to determine if anything else has been discovered I would be pleased to assist you."
"I'd greatly appreciate that. You'll let your recordskeepers know, if they come across any of these, they're to bring them directly to you or to myself. I think we ought to keep this investigation as quiet as possible. Faranth knows we don't need the whole of records wondering who was up to this mischief." Roa's eyes lift from the hides to meet Navan's squarely and for a single beat, she only looks at him. Then, with a blink and a faint smile, "Forgive my manners," maybe she does have a shoulder-Corin, "would you care for anything to eat or drink, now that you're here?"
He meets her gaze with his own steady one. Nothing is given away. It's a shame he's got no way to help. "I will do so. We have already been through part of records. So far it seems as if just the Caucus records have been altered. However, until we have been over everything I cannot be sure. I have just my most trusted people working on the review so as not to let on something might be wrong. I am merely calling it an internal audit. A way to make sure everything is where it should be." He's so crafty. The question makes him have to blink and consider. "Oh. Something to drink might be appreciated, Weyrwoman. Of course, I do not wish to remain any longer than I must. I am sure you are busy."
"We are always busy. Sometimes company offers time we wouldn't otherwise allow ourselves. I've juice, water, tea and klah. Wine as well, if you'd prefer." Roa inches forward and up onto her feet, waiting for Navan's request before moving to fetch anything.
"Juice will be fine, Weyrwoman," Navan replies easily. He sits and waits for the drink to be brought to him. "Ah. Corin asks me to remember to offer our congratulations on your pregnancy. Children are a blessing."
It is juice, then, that will be poured from a pitcher beaded with condensed water. Two glasses are filled, one carried over and handed to Navan. "Relay to Corin my thanks as well, then. A blessing, are they?" Roa's blue eys twinkle just faintly before she looks away. "And, at times, a trial."
Taking his glass, Navan dips his head in thanks before taking a drink. "I shall pass along your words to her. Will you foster the child? Ah. I apologise for seeming to pry." He takes a drink to cover up the prying and when he is done he is once more fine again. "A blessing. They are a wonder. Wonders, sometimes, are a trial to get through, but it does not make them any more wonderful."
"Hmm," is Roa's comment about the wonders of children, although she does smile faintly. "No. I mean, I imagine he will have to spend a portion of the day being watched by others but, um...well. No. We plan to raise her ourselves." She pauses to take a sip. "Miniyal is your only 'wonder', isn't she?"
Navan smiles is approval at the lack of fostering. "We didn't foster her either. Although in the long run- Well, each child comes with their own ways. It's good I think for parents to get to know this children. They brought them into this world after all. It seems a shame when they are just sent off right away on their own as it were." He holds his glass in one hand, the other resting on his knee. "Yes. We never had any more. We tried, but were never so lucky again."
The weyrwoman studies her own drink, the faint smile lingering on her lips. "I wouldn't precisely calling it sending them out on their own. It's more like...arranging to give them a different family if you think your own won't be able to commit to the time needed." She glances up again. "You must be very proud of her."
"Still, I've always felt strongly about a child knowing where they come from. It helps them to understand what is expected of them if they see what was expected of those who came before them." Navan speaks as he watches now the weyrwoman. He's much better at this than his daughter, not shying away from eye contact when offered and appearing unbothered. Always unbothered. "I am pleased she has finally got a path to walk on." Which is not quite the same thing, but quite close.
"And yet these texts remind us that not all parents agree with or demonstrate what came before," Roa says with a small laugh. "Still, I agree that knowing where one comes from helps a person realize where they must yet go." She sets down her cup to carefully roll up the hides. "A unique way of putting it," she notes idly.
Tipping up his glass, Navan finishes his drink before leaning forward to set the glass on the table. Preparing for his departure, but not yet rising. "She is a unique person." Which is one way of putting it. "Perhaps this will be good for her. We shall have to wait and see the same as her I suppose."
For Navan's assessment of his daughter, Roa laughs. "Yes," the weyrwoman agrees, "that she is. But, we can support her while we wait." A small shrug. "If we so choose." Roa also moves to stand, the polite hostess aiting to walk her guest out.
Once on his feet, Navan gives the weyrwoman a little half-bow. "If we choose," is his answer as he moves for the door. "I am sorry to have had to bring a problem to you, Weyrwoman. I shall remain atop the problem and make sure it is taken care of as quickly and quietly as possible."
"I'd appreciate that. Please let me know if you need any other assistance." She walks with Navan to the door, hides still curled in one hand. "Thank you for alerting me to the situation." She holds the door open for him, offering another smile, small and intended for reassurance. "Good afternoon, Navan."
"Good day," Navan offers as he steps through the door. Once on the other side his head shakes and as he walks off he speaks a final sentence although it's like Roa might only get to overhear it and he speaks it only for himself. "They are a wonder."
She waits until the door is shut and then, quickly, Roa slides the bolt home. The hides are dropped so the weyrwoman can lean up against the door, shoulders impacting wood with a sound *thud*. Her hands come up to cover her face, and the word she groans, repeatedly and with fervor, is not the sort meant for polite and proper company.