Opinions
Location: Weyrleaders' Office
Time: After Dinner on Day 20, Month 8, Turn 2
Players: Vanya and Roa
Scene: Vanya wants assurances. Roa attempts to provide them and gets a whole new problem dumped in her lap.
Weyrleaders' Office,
Much of the formal and informal business that concerns the weyrleaders is conducted here. As such, an effort has been made to keep this chamber comfortable out of respect for the long hours of work required to keep the Weyr running. The walls are bright with tapestries and the floors warm with thick rugs. A large sandtable holds pride of place in the center of the room, one half covered with a sheet of glass to serve as a writing surface. A second, smaller table holds whatever writing implements and record hides are needed by the staff. The chairs that ring this area are thickly cushioned but otherwise undecorated.
The stairs that led into the complex from the bowl continue up to the right, taking one into the Weyrleader's weyr. A large tunnel to the left curves down to the senior Weyrwoman's weyr, broken only by the smaller tunnel that leads to one of the junior's weyrs. The last tunnel, opposite the entrance, leads to the second junior's weyr.
It's evening, after dinner, and the communal office of the weyrleadership is mostly empty save for the newest and smallest member. Roa sits at the sandtable, using the glass covering as a place to settle hides which she is quietly reading through. Her elbow is on the table, hand balled into a fist that her chin rests.
There is a soft knock on the door, and Vanya waits outside, trying to decide if this is a fool's errand or the smartest thing she has done since the beginning of this entire mess. The door seems to be open a little, and the healer gives it a gentle push, perhaps to see if there's anyone in there. "Hello?" she calls, hesitant, ready to leave if no one answers.
Roa looks up, blinking slowly as her gaze darts around and finds the figure peeping in the doorway. "Vanya?" the weyrwoman queries. "Come in, please. How can I help you?"
Breathing a sigh of relief -- or maybe just breathing to attempt some control over her nervousness -- Vanya enters the office, closing the door behind herself, but not latching it. "Good evening, Weyrwoman," she says, offering a respectful nod. "I ..." Hesitant now, then squaring her shoulders. "I find myself in a quandary, ma'am, and in need of some -- well, I have things which are troubling me, and I need to speak with someone who can, perhaps, clear up a few things." The words are spoken slowly, and the healer doesn't approach the sand-table too close. "I don't know as you can, mind you, but you are spoken of highly as someone who can be trusted."
The little weyrwoman gestures towards a chair on the opposite side of the sandtable, and her head cants to the side a little as the healer speaks. "Am I?" Roa asks with a little laugh. "That's kind to hear. Please, sit if you like, and tell me what's troubling you." The hides she was perusing are pushed into a tidy little stack and set aside.
Vanya moves forward, then sinks into the indicated chair. "I really don't want to disturb you, but there comes a point when a person can no longer go on alone," she says, voice calm but soft. "Essdara is a close friend of mine, and she tells me you are to be trusted, and so ... so that's the reason I've come to you." A breath, exhaled slowly. "I'm not certain where to begin, and if I'm confusing, please tell me and I'll try to clarify things." A pause then. "It's about ... D'ven." A beat. "I think there might be an attempt to shift blame for Aivey's actions onto him."
Slender brows lift just a little bit. "D'ven?" Roa queries. "That's...an interesting place to try and put any of Aivey's crimes. Especially considering how willing she has been to confess to them. Could you explain, please, what you mean by that?"
Vanya has the grace to look ashamed. "I mean, ma'am, that he was the one directing her, not E'sere," she says, adding, "and that's my fault." Another breath is taken. "After E'sere was poisoned, I was distraught and not very ... well, you saw for yourself I wasn't in a very stable mindset. When the arrest happened, I was shocked and couldn't believe --" A swallow. "I fell prey to rumors that began circulating after Weyrwoman Yevide's death, and began to try and make sense of it all. I came to erroneous conclusions because of a visit D'ven paid me the afternoon before E'sere was poisoned." Her lips compress. "Some very wrong conclusions that made sense to me at the time, but have since been explained."
Roa's hands come up to clasps together on the sandtable. "I see," is offered quietly. Neutrally. "Well, if it puts your mind at ease, no one other than you has brought up these charges to D'ven in any serious manner. I don't believe they're being considered. Half of the crimes Aivey is accused of occurred while the Wingsecond was still at Benden. There is simply no evidence to support such claims. But, I do appreciate your bringing them to my attention."
"Yes, ma'am, I know that now, but I do need to make you aware this came out during an interview with E'sere's advocate, Master Ysidro," Vanya replies, her brow creased. "He seemed very interested in why D'ven came to me that afternoon, and why I was concerned over what D'ven said to me." Again her lips compress. "I did my best to tell Master Ysidro that my conclusions were wrong, but I'm not certain he believed me." Another short pause, then, "I've told D'ven why I suspected him, and why I said some things I said to Aida during an argument. It was wrong of me to listen to rumor and gossip, and doubly wrong of me to have ever thought D'ven capable of such duplicity. I don't want him dragged into this, if it can be prevented. He doesn't deserve that."
"Well," and Roa's fingers uncurl a bit so one can tap lightly at the backs of her knuckles as she considers, "It is Master Ysidro's task to defend his client. I expect he shall do so to the best of his ability. To that end, if it seems plausible, D'ven may be mentioned by him. But, there will be a Harper who speaks for the Weyr as well. It shall be his or her job to create a case against E'sere, and I suspect that if such accusations are unfounded, they will quickly and successfully be dispelled." After all of this solemn talk, a tiny smile creeps into the corner of Roa's lips. "D'ven is a big boy, Journeyman. I think he can handle a bit of muttering about him, if it all turns out right in the end."
Vanya nods, apparently slightly relieved at this news. "I understand that, and I just felt troubled that another innocent person could be dragged into this mess. I'm not certain I was the only one to consider the possibility of D'ven being involved." But, she nods. "There's also a matter of my personal involvement with E'sere. That's sure to come out at the trial, and I just want someone to know that no matter what my feelings are for the Wingleader, I won't lie for him. I know you have no reason to believe me about that, but it's true. I've seen what lies can do to people's lives, and whatever I'm asked, by whomever I'm asked, the answer will be the truth."
"It is, yes. I am afraid that such things tend to get uncovered in trials. But," Roa pauses to exhale softly, "if you will, as you say, speak true, that is all that can be asked or expected." There is another quiet moment. "He will likely be in the room when you testify. Be ready for that."
"You mean E'sere will," Vanya remarks, more statement than question. "Yes, I thought as much, but I really don't know anything other than what he's told me when we talked." There's a faint hint of color on her cheeks. "I don't want to believe he's guilty, ma'am. I admit I don't want to think he lied to me, or led me to believe things that aren't real." The healer smoothes her hands down her skirts, trying to speak calmly and composed. "The things E'sere said gave me hope that he could end these troubles. Made me believe in him. If I was wrong, I'll accept that, but until he's proven guilty, I still see him as a good leader." She pauses. "I'm sorry."
"Yes," Roa confirms, "I mean E'sere will. It is his right to be present at his own trial. I do not see, Vanya, why you -should- wish to believe someone you care for is guilty. You are entitled to your views and your opinions on him, and certainly you are in a more difficult position than many others, emotionally. But, I believe the truth will be revealed at the trial." The weyrwoman cants her head a touch to the side, "I only ask that you do, as you seem to be doing, attempt to prepare yourself for the worst."
Vanya nods again. "Yes, but there is the fact that he might /not/ be guilty, ma'am." She looks down at her hands. "Everyone seems so eager to find him guilty, it's almost like he's already been tried and convicted. It's like no one wants to see it any other way, consider nothing else. Like even if there's evidence to the contrary, he'll /still/ be found guilty because people want to find someone to blame things on. I want to believe this trial will be fair, but when so few people are willing to even give the benefit of the doubt to a person, it makes it look ... well, like the truth doesn't matter." This seems to be the crux of her troubles. "Please, ma'am, please tell me it isn't like that. That there /is/ going to be justice in this."
"People want a resolution," offers Roa gently. "And E'sere's arrest provided it. It is easier to see him as guilty because that means the attacks will stop. The Weyr is safe again. But, I assure you, our interest is not in finding a scapegoat but in convicting a guilty party. If E'sere is innocent of these charges, then he will be found so. If he is guilty? The same. But, as I am not responsible for prosecuting or defending, as I am only a witness..." that tiny smile returns, a bit apologetic, "I am entitled to my own opinions, too."
This seems to satisfy Vanya, and she even offers a small smile in return. "What will be will be, and the truth will out in the end," she says honestly. "I thank you for that, ma'am, and whatever happens will, I hope, be for the best. I have always tried to avoid politics and such. I'm a healer, and when I see pain, I want it to stop. I wasn't here for many of the events which transpired, and I never wanted to be involved in any of this." She takes another deep breath. "It seems as if I am, at least by association." A glance down at her hands. "One last thing. Aivey -- when I saw her, she had a bad stomach wound. She said she stitched it herself, but it hasn't healed right. It's infected and will eventually kill her if it's not treated. I know she's responsible for hurting and killing all those people, but if the wound turns septic, she won't live for trial."
There is a small nod for Vanya's words about the trial and politics, no comment offered for them. It is when Aivey is mentioned that Roa's neutrality dips into a frown. "I wasn't aware she was so badly injured. I..." her lips press together as she thinks. "Moving her from her cell will not be possible. But I will see about arranging to have a healer see to her there. I would have done so sooner, if I had known."
"She didn't want to show me, but I noticed she was favoring her side and ... well, kind of forced the issue. I left her some numbweed, and offered her willow bark, but she's of the opinion she's dead already, so what does it matter?" Vanya looks at the Weyrwoman. "I know she can't be moved, ma'am, but if there were lights moved into her cell, I could help her." She moistens her lips. "I don't think she'll hurt me. She had the chance, and didn't take it. She said she liked me because I'd helped her before with a bad cut on her hand." Obviously, word has not filtered down to Vanya regarding the escape attempt. "Above all else, ma'am, I'm a healer. I can save her, if it's not already too late."
"I'm afraid Aivey has already proven that she will, indeed, attempt to hurt someone if the opportunity arises. Should you or another healer be permitted to see her, she would have to be bound and shackled. There is no other option." Roa continues her faint frowning, that finger tapping her knuckles at a slightly faster tempo. "I will speak to the Weyrleader and Weyrwoman about it."
"She would have to be sedated, ma'am, because the wound has to be reopened to drain the corruption," Vanya explains. "Bound and shackled won't matter, as long as there's access to her abdomen. Otherwise, the infection will spread and she stands a good chance of dying before --" Vanya stops, lips pressed together. There's no need to finish that sentence. "Which might be a blessing for her, but would hardly satisfy justice." Vanya nods, though, and doesn't press the issue. "I'm willing to take the risk, ma'am. That's all I can say." She nods once more. "Thank you, Weyrwoman. You're very kind to give me so much time. I know you're busy, so I won't keep you any longer." She appears to be ready to rise, and take her leave. "If there's anything you wish to ask me, you know where I can be found."
The frown deepens as Vanya explains what would be necessary to tend Aivey. "It's that serious. I see. Well, then." Roa inhales and breathes out in an audible 'huff'. "Thank you for coming to see me. If I have any questions, I'll be sure to ask them, Journeyman. Please feel free to do the same."
"Thank you again, ma'am," Vanya replies, her nod respectful. "I will be sure to bring any other concerns I have to you." There's a difference in the healer as she rises and steps away from the chair, offering a more formal bow to the Weyrwoman. "My duty to Tialith, please." And then the Journeyman is exiting the office as quietly as she arrived, the door closed to the precise distance it was before.
Time: After Dinner on Day 20, Month 8, Turn 2
Players: Vanya and Roa
Scene: Vanya wants assurances. Roa attempts to provide them and gets a whole new problem dumped in her lap.
Weyrleaders' Office,
Much of the formal and informal business that concerns the weyrleaders is conducted here. As such, an effort has been made to keep this chamber comfortable out of respect for the long hours of work required to keep the Weyr running. The walls are bright with tapestries and the floors warm with thick rugs. A large sandtable holds pride of place in the center of the room, one half covered with a sheet of glass to serve as a writing surface. A second, smaller table holds whatever writing implements and record hides are needed by the staff. The chairs that ring this area are thickly cushioned but otherwise undecorated.
The stairs that led into the complex from the bowl continue up to the right, taking one into the Weyrleader's weyr. A large tunnel to the left curves down to the senior Weyrwoman's weyr, broken only by the smaller tunnel that leads to one of the junior's weyrs. The last tunnel, opposite the entrance, leads to the second junior's weyr.
It's evening, after dinner, and the communal office of the weyrleadership is mostly empty save for the newest and smallest member. Roa sits at the sandtable, using the glass covering as a place to settle hides which she is quietly reading through. Her elbow is on the table, hand balled into a fist that her chin rests.
There is a soft knock on the door, and Vanya waits outside, trying to decide if this is a fool's errand or the smartest thing she has done since the beginning of this entire mess. The door seems to be open a little, and the healer gives it a gentle push, perhaps to see if there's anyone in there. "Hello?" she calls, hesitant, ready to leave if no one answers.
Roa looks up, blinking slowly as her gaze darts around and finds the figure peeping in the doorway. "Vanya?" the weyrwoman queries. "Come in, please. How can I help you?"
Breathing a sigh of relief -- or maybe just breathing to attempt some control over her nervousness -- Vanya enters the office, closing the door behind herself, but not latching it. "Good evening, Weyrwoman," she says, offering a respectful nod. "I ..." Hesitant now, then squaring her shoulders. "I find myself in a quandary, ma'am, and in need of some -- well, I have things which are troubling me, and I need to speak with someone who can, perhaps, clear up a few things." The words are spoken slowly, and the healer doesn't approach the sand-table too close. "I don't know as you can, mind you, but you are spoken of highly as someone who can be trusted."
The little weyrwoman gestures towards a chair on the opposite side of the sandtable, and her head cants to the side a little as the healer speaks. "Am I?" Roa asks with a little laugh. "That's kind to hear. Please, sit if you like, and tell me what's troubling you." The hides she was perusing are pushed into a tidy little stack and set aside.
Vanya moves forward, then sinks into the indicated chair. "I really don't want to disturb you, but there comes a point when a person can no longer go on alone," she says, voice calm but soft. "Essdara is a close friend of mine, and she tells me you are to be trusted, and so ... so that's the reason I've come to you." A breath, exhaled slowly. "I'm not certain where to begin, and if I'm confusing, please tell me and I'll try to clarify things." A pause then. "It's about ... D'ven." A beat. "I think there might be an attempt to shift blame for Aivey's actions onto him."
Slender brows lift just a little bit. "D'ven?" Roa queries. "That's...an interesting place to try and put any of Aivey's crimes. Especially considering how willing she has been to confess to them. Could you explain, please, what you mean by that?"
Vanya has the grace to look ashamed. "I mean, ma'am, that he was the one directing her, not E'sere," she says, adding, "and that's my fault." Another breath is taken. "After E'sere was poisoned, I was distraught and not very ... well, you saw for yourself I wasn't in a very stable mindset. When the arrest happened, I was shocked and couldn't believe --" A swallow. "I fell prey to rumors that began circulating after Weyrwoman Yevide's death, and began to try and make sense of it all. I came to erroneous conclusions because of a visit D'ven paid me the afternoon before E'sere was poisoned." Her lips compress. "Some very wrong conclusions that made sense to me at the time, but have since been explained."
Roa's hands come up to clasps together on the sandtable. "I see," is offered quietly. Neutrally. "Well, if it puts your mind at ease, no one other than you has brought up these charges to D'ven in any serious manner. I don't believe they're being considered. Half of the crimes Aivey is accused of occurred while the Wingsecond was still at Benden. There is simply no evidence to support such claims. But, I do appreciate your bringing them to my attention."
"Yes, ma'am, I know that now, but I do need to make you aware this came out during an interview with E'sere's advocate, Master Ysidro," Vanya replies, her brow creased. "He seemed very interested in why D'ven came to me that afternoon, and why I was concerned over what D'ven said to me." Again her lips compress. "I did my best to tell Master Ysidro that my conclusions were wrong, but I'm not certain he believed me." Another short pause, then, "I've told D'ven why I suspected him, and why I said some things I said to Aida during an argument. It was wrong of me to listen to rumor and gossip, and doubly wrong of me to have ever thought D'ven capable of such duplicity. I don't want him dragged into this, if it can be prevented. He doesn't deserve that."
"Well," and Roa's fingers uncurl a bit so one can tap lightly at the backs of her knuckles as she considers, "It is Master Ysidro's task to defend his client. I expect he shall do so to the best of his ability. To that end, if it seems plausible, D'ven may be mentioned by him. But, there will be a Harper who speaks for the Weyr as well. It shall be his or her job to create a case against E'sere, and I suspect that if such accusations are unfounded, they will quickly and successfully be dispelled." After all of this solemn talk, a tiny smile creeps into the corner of Roa's lips. "D'ven is a big boy, Journeyman. I think he can handle a bit of muttering about him, if it all turns out right in the end."
Vanya nods, apparently slightly relieved at this news. "I understand that, and I just felt troubled that another innocent person could be dragged into this mess. I'm not certain I was the only one to consider the possibility of D'ven being involved." But, she nods. "There's also a matter of my personal involvement with E'sere. That's sure to come out at the trial, and I just want someone to know that no matter what my feelings are for the Wingleader, I won't lie for him. I know you have no reason to believe me about that, but it's true. I've seen what lies can do to people's lives, and whatever I'm asked, by whomever I'm asked, the answer will be the truth."
"It is, yes. I am afraid that such things tend to get uncovered in trials. But," Roa pauses to exhale softly, "if you will, as you say, speak true, that is all that can be asked or expected." There is another quiet moment. "He will likely be in the room when you testify. Be ready for that."
"You mean E'sere will," Vanya remarks, more statement than question. "Yes, I thought as much, but I really don't know anything other than what he's told me when we talked." There's a faint hint of color on her cheeks. "I don't want to believe he's guilty, ma'am. I admit I don't want to think he lied to me, or led me to believe things that aren't real." The healer smoothes her hands down her skirts, trying to speak calmly and composed. "The things E'sere said gave me hope that he could end these troubles. Made me believe in him. If I was wrong, I'll accept that, but until he's proven guilty, I still see him as a good leader." She pauses. "I'm sorry."
"Yes," Roa confirms, "I mean E'sere will. It is his right to be present at his own trial. I do not see, Vanya, why you -should- wish to believe someone you care for is guilty. You are entitled to your views and your opinions on him, and certainly you are in a more difficult position than many others, emotionally. But, I believe the truth will be revealed at the trial." The weyrwoman cants her head a touch to the side, "I only ask that you do, as you seem to be doing, attempt to prepare yourself for the worst."
Vanya nods again. "Yes, but there is the fact that he might /not/ be guilty, ma'am." She looks down at her hands. "Everyone seems so eager to find him guilty, it's almost like he's already been tried and convicted. It's like no one wants to see it any other way, consider nothing else. Like even if there's evidence to the contrary, he'll /still/ be found guilty because people want to find someone to blame things on. I want to believe this trial will be fair, but when so few people are willing to even give the benefit of the doubt to a person, it makes it look ... well, like the truth doesn't matter." This seems to be the crux of her troubles. "Please, ma'am, please tell me it isn't like that. That there /is/ going to be justice in this."
"People want a resolution," offers Roa gently. "And E'sere's arrest provided it. It is easier to see him as guilty because that means the attacks will stop. The Weyr is safe again. But, I assure you, our interest is not in finding a scapegoat but in convicting a guilty party. If E'sere is innocent of these charges, then he will be found so. If he is guilty? The same. But, as I am not responsible for prosecuting or defending, as I am only a witness..." that tiny smile returns, a bit apologetic, "I am entitled to my own opinions, too."
This seems to satisfy Vanya, and she even offers a small smile in return. "What will be will be, and the truth will out in the end," she says honestly. "I thank you for that, ma'am, and whatever happens will, I hope, be for the best. I have always tried to avoid politics and such. I'm a healer, and when I see pain, I want it to stop. I wasn't here for many of the events which transpired, and I never wanted to be involved in any of this." She takes another deep breath. "It seems as if I am, at least by association." A glance down at her hands. "One last thing. Aivey -- when I saw her, she had a bad stomach wound. She said she stitched it herself, but it hasn't healed right. It's infected and will eventually kill her if it's not treated. I know she's responsible for hurting and killing all those people, but if the wound turns septic, she won't live for trial."
There is a small nod for Vanya's words about the trial and politics, no comment offered for them. It is when Aivey is mentioned that Roa's neutrality dips into a frown. "I wasn't aware she was so badly injured. I..." her lips press together as she thinks. "Moving her from her cell will not be possible. But I will see about arranging to have a healer see to her there. I would have done so sooner, if I had known."
"She didn't want to show me, but I noticed she was favoring her side and ... well, kind of forced the issue. I left her some numbweed, and offered her willow bark, but she's of the opinion she's dead already, so what does it matter?" Vanya looks at the Weyrwoman. "I know she can't be moved, ma'am, but if there were lights moved into her cell, I could help her." She moistens her lips. "I don't think she'll hurt me. She had the chance, and didn't take it. She said she liked me because I'd helped her before with a bad cut on her hand." Obviously, word has not filtered down to Vanya regarding the escape attempt. "Above all else, ma'am, I'm a healer. I can save her, if it's not already too late."
"I'm afraid Aivey has already proven that she will, indeed, attempt to hurt someone if the opportunity arises. Should you or another healer be permitted to see her, she would have to be bound and shackled. There is no other option." Roa continues her faint frowning, that finger tapping her knuckles at a slightly faster tempo. "I will speak to the Weyrleader and Weyrwoman about it."
"She would have to be sedated, ma'am, because the wound has to be reopened to drain the corruption," Vanya explains. "Bound and shackled won't matter, as long as there's access to her abdomen. Otherwise, the infection will spread and she stands a good chance of dying before --" Vanya stops, lips pressed together. There's no need to finish that sentence. "Which might be a blessing for her, but would hardly satisfy justice." Vanya nods, though, and doesn't press the issue. "I'm willing to take the risk, ma'am. That's all I can say." She nods once more. "Thank you, Weyrwoman. You're very kind to give me so much time. I know you're busy, so I won't keep you any longer." She appears to be ready to rise, and take her leave. "If there's anything you wish to ask me, you know where I can be found."
The frown deepens as Vanya explains what would be necessary to tend Aivey. "It's that serious. I see. Well, then." Roa inhales and breathes out in an audible 'huff'. "Thank you for coming to see me. If I have any questions, I'll be sure to ask them, Journeyman. Please feel free to do the same."
"Thank you again, ma'am," Vanya replies, her nod respectful. "I will be sure to bring any other concerns I have to you." There's a difference in the healer as she rises and steps away from the chair, offering a more formal bow to the Weyrwoman. "My duty to Tialith, please." And then the Journeyman is exiting the office as quietly as she arrived, the door closed to the precise distance it was before.