Tea
Who: Aida, T'zen and Yevide
When: Day 3, month 3, turn 2
Where: Weyrwoman's Weyr
What: Aida drops by for one of the conversations that are becoming a habit. T'zen drops by too, still far from convinced about the new leadership. Yevide repeats something that's becoming a refrain.
North Weyr
This is the sanctuary of High Reaches' senior Weyrwoman. It's been decorated in shades of blue and green with the occasional splash of sunny yellow for contrast. As with the Weyrleader's weyr, it's divided into sections according to work, leisure and rest. The desk and scroll-shelves take up a corner of the weyr with the sitting area in the opposite corner, brightened with hand-woven rugs done in a square key pattern. The bed is small but filled with soft quilts and sheeting.
To the right is the archway that leads out onto the ledge occupied by the Weyr's senior gold. It's large enough for her and for a number of slightly smaller visitors. Directly opposite the entrance tunnel is a smaller tunnel hidden behind a thick curtain. The air is warmer around that curtain, hinting at the tunnel's destination.
Obvious Exits:
Northern Sky (NS) Hatching Sands (HS) Out (O)
Mid-morning, and morning tea is in evidence. Yevide and Aida are seated on two of the chairs pulled around the Weyrwoman's low table. The queenrider has one foot pulled up onto the chair so the sole rests flat against the cushions, and is resting her chin on her knee; it's the pose of a confidante, and her warm smile is focussed at present on the girl from the infirmary. Her arms are looped around that knee, one palm spread under one of G'thon's saucers, her fingers curled through the handle of a delicate tea cup.
The entirely relaxed sprawl has been set aside for now; Aida is at least trying for something besides utterly lazy. This translates out to her sitting with her legs tucked up beneath her on the chair, her weight resting up against the arm. Her teacup is held with attentive care, fingers not only through the handle, but the rest of her hand wrapped around it. Dropping bad. Still, she is relaxed and calm, even a bit cheerful, though her words are more in the realm of serious than perky. "Not that I think that it'd actually do any harm to eat tunnelsnakes, mind. If there's no difference in the taste?" A shoulder is shrugged, and she sips from her cup. "If it makes them feel better...really."
A shadow crosses the ledge. Then comes back, and remains, ultimately greeting its owner- blue Uneth. Not quite landing, he hovers as T'zen scrambles down the neck straps and takes a final leap to the weyr entrance. Uneth immediately moves away, but not before properly greeting the nearby gold dragon. T'zen straightens from his landing, needlessly brushing off his leathers, and peers into the weyr. "Ah. Hides for Weyrwoman." He waves a thick packet. "Some runner just plopped 'em in my lap."
"If half of them knew what I used to eat growing up, they would be startled at best." Yevide's warm alto is wry, her words punctuated by a slow sip of her tea; ginger and citrus scent the air. Her blue eyes leave Aida's face, shifting up to settle on T'zen; they crinkle at the edges as her smile broadens in greeting. "Set them down on my desk, please. Standing still can be a dangerous passtime, I've discovered. People load me down with things to do whenever I try it." Her chin comes up, and T'zen is subjected to a moment's inspection. "You are the young man who was so quick to assist Roa. T'zen, is it not?"
Shifting around enough to look over when she hears a familiar voice and sitting up, Aida's face just lights up. *Bright* smile. "Hey!" The greeting is entirely chipper, it is. There's even a little wiggle of the fingers of her free hand in his direction. With that accomplished, she settles back down into her seat, staying turned so she can watch both he and the Weyrwoman. For now, she falls back to silent.
T'zen manages not to toss the packet at the said desk, though it does land with an audible thump. More careless than anything. T'zen gives the weyr a cursory glance, and then focuses wary eyes on the Weyrwoman herself. But he's got a grin plastered on his face. "Aye, Weyrwoman. Seems I need no introduction." Eyes then flick to Aida and her cheerful greeting, and his grin widens a touch, giving her a nod.
"No introduction at all," Yevide returns, uncurling her fingers from the handle of her tea cup to reach up, tucking a curl more firmly away into the gauzy scarf that binds back her hair. "You have been pointed out to me, T'zen. Can Aida and I tempt you with tea? She has been regaling me with horrifying stories about the things that may have found their way into my meals. She made the tea herself, however, so I think in that we are safe."
"Yes, please, join us," Aida agrees with Yevide, sitting up entirely and setting her cup down carefully, starting to slide to her feet. "I'll get you a cup; it's ginger based, so it isn't your typical tea. You'll probably like it. It's got an interesting sort of bite." There's a brilliant smile flashed first at Yevide, then over at T'zen. Apparently, him joining them is a reason for yet more cheer. She's bubbly today.
Great. Tea. T'zen peers at the dainty cups and then the nearby tea effects, scanning for something more familiar. Of course it's not here. With Aida's encouragement, T'zen nods slowly, "Ah, sure. Thank you." He finds an empty seat, and settles into it, while looking back at Yevide. "Pointed out, eh? For what?" The man chuckles at the question, though he watches the weyrwoman closely.
"For either bravery, or foolishness, depending upon the teller," Yevide replies to T'zen, watching Aida as the girl comes to her feet. "Also, I am told, for an acrobatic display worth making the effort to see. You might fetch T'zen a mug perhaps, Aida. There should be some at the end of the sideboard." There's something approaching affection in her tone as she addresses the girl, watching her movements for a moment before returning her attention to T'zen once more, and re-settling her chin on her knee. "For what would you be known, T'zen?"
Giving T'zen a reassuring look, Aida moves over to put the kettle back on. There's a moment of stillness at the word 'foolishness', a pause in her step and a hint of tension in her shoulders -- she only barely avoids speaking up in obvious protest. She ducks her head a beat later and nods agreeably to Yevide's suggestion of a mug, moving to do just that, quietly. Successful tongue holding.
Ah. That sort of pointing out. But the bluerider laughs out loud. "Seems I'm getting both ends, lately." T'zen folds his arms, and simply beams at the Weyrwoman. "If'n by acrobatics you mean me in the air, then I would agree," continues T'zen in smug tones. "Uneth and I top the skies 'round here. And I'm already known for that." Add a dallop of confidence with smugness.
"That is what they tell me," Yevide agrees, once more lifting her cup to her lips, lashes lowering as she holds a mouthful in her mouth for a moment, pushing her cheeks out so she can swill it around, then swallowing. "I have been getting both ends myself, and therefore I am inclined to sympathise. Are you hungry? I believe I have cookies, also from a guaranteed safe source."
Relief touching her expression just as briefly as that indignation did, Aida smiles to herself and fetches a little packet to dump into the mug. The mug is brought over and set down on the edge of the table, and then she's sliding over to peer at the kettle. Boil faster. Or in other words, she's staying quiet, making the tea and listening to the other two speak.
"I'm sure you have, Weyrwoman," the bluerider replies easily, and can't keep his grin from turning a touch sinister. "Us folk what're native to these parts just aren't getting any answers 'bout why we're graced with two Igenite leaders." He raises his brows at the mention of cookies. "I'll take one. Safe? Not been havin' trouble with food, have ya? That's a right crime, there." He pouts, for all he's amused at the notion. Messin' with food is a low blow. He glances over at Aida curiously, for all she's being silent. Seems as good a time to ask, with the Weyrwoman and a healer assistant nearby. "So, ah.. What's the word on Roa? Haven't.. heard."
"Your past leadership arranged my transfer," Yevide observes mildly, turning to regard Aida for a moment. "On the mantlepiece, Aida, there is a small basket? I think you might feed T'zen the contents safely." It's the bluerider she's studying, however, blue eyes drawn back to him once more. "Your Weyrleader's bronze was the strongest, the fastest, the most wily. That is how we riders choose our leaders. He has also served as an extremely capable Wingleader for many turns, and has three decades of riding under his belt." There's a sing-song note that suggests she's reciting, and on the heels of her words, she wrinkles her nose, warmth returning to her smile. "We are not Igenites any more." Another sip of tea before enlightenment comes. "I am told my food might not be as safe as it has been. I choose to eat, regardless. I was not built to be as slender as some of the Caucus girls." That smile dims faintly at his final question, the curve of her lips lessening. "She is well. I have regular reports, and I am told she will recover to full health."
His initial statement earns T'zen a Look of Doom. Aida eyes him for a moment before she looks back to the kettle. Designating the water as hot enough, she pulls the water off and brings it over to pour the mug full. Kettle is put back where she originally retrieved it from, and then she's heading over to pick up the basket from the mantel, pulling it down and peering into it before bringing it over to set it down within the bluerider's reach. Still silent, she moves over to flop down into her chair again and reclaim her tea, offering both a more subdued smile. Serious topics mean not beaming.
T'zen's eyes narrow, frown deepening as Yevide confirms a connection with 'past leadership'. The mug finally arrives, steam wildly escaping in the cool air, and T'zen focuses on it. He listens silently as qualifications are rattled off, picking up the mug, and sniffing the aroma carefully, trying to judge it before tasting it. And then nearby food. He reaches in the basket almost absently. He finally raises his eyes to the Weyrwoman, continuing his streak of wearing his opinion on his sleeve. "Not Igenites no more? We'll see, won't we?" But his expression changes once she moves on to the topic about Roa. He can't mask his concern for the Telgari goldrider. "Good," he says, dropping his eyes to his tea once more, and finally testing a sip. "Been meanin' to pay her a visit. But I knows she's been kept company." He sighs. "Any word from the guards investigating." That statement brings his eyes back up, intently studying Yevide.
A respectable collection of cookies remain, some dusted in sugar, others sporting colourful suggestions of fruit concealed inside. Yevide uncurls, planting her foot on the floor once more so she can lean forward to pick one out for herself. "Not Igenites no more," Yevide confirms for T'zen; for all his bold opinions, the Weyrwoman is regarding the young man with something approaching approval. Certainly there's warmth in her gaze, appropriately dimmed as Roa remains the centre of discussion. "She's kept company, and she has guards for company as well. They continue to investigate, and they report to us." No word at all is forthcoming on just what the guards actually say. "Captain Jensen has my confidence."
More silence from Aida; she sips from her tea, she leans over to steal a cookie once she sees that's certainly what's in the basket. There's absolutely no attempt made to mask that she's being attentive to the conversation and to the two speaking. Whatever reactions she's having to her observations, though -- that's a little harder to tell. Her smile is mild, she's back to calm, and...there is tea. And cookie. Life is good.
T'zen munches away at the cookie. He didn't even look at which one he grabbed. And another careful sip of tea. He finally glances over at Aida. "This ain't half bad, Aida. Don't tell no one I said that. I still take klah, any day." And then back to Yevide, nodding slowly. "Well. I'm wantin' to talk to the Captain m'self. Maybe I will. And visit Roa. She could use visitin', I assume?" He fidgets slightly in his seat, sipping again at the tea.
"Without frequent exposure to new experiences, the soul withers," Yevide intones, undermining the wisdom of the statement with the gleam in blue eyes; they crinkle at the corner as she smiles, and she uses one finger to gather up the crumbs from her lips, licking it clean before she speaks. "Visit, and if Roa is rested, no doubt Aida and her ilk will let you through to see her."
"Said what?" Aida asks of T'zen innocently, giving him a blank look before she flashes an impish smile and sips from her own tea. The smile fades at the last statement from Yevide, and she gives a light shake of her head. "They've guards on her, or did, my last shift -- /I/ can't even see her. I'm not certain on the restrictions there. It's likely," and she glances back to T'zen, "That you could. But I can't promise."
T'zen looks back and forth between the two women, and nods. "Then perhaps Jensen is who I see first," he muses. And then shrugs it all off, setting his mug of half-drunk tea down on the table, and replacing the empty spot in his hand with another cookie. He gives a nod to the Weyrwoman, and a flash of a grin at Aida. "So, I best be runnin' off, if you don't need more of me."
"Perhaps the Captain constitutes a safer bet," Yevide agrees, popping the last of her cookie into her mouth, and humming her delight as she bites down; if her foot on the chair didn't signal imperfect manners, all doubt is removed when she continues with her mouth half full. "If you can convince," - here she pauses to swallow, then speaks on - "the Captain to let you in, you'll be deserving indeed. Thank you for sparing us a moment, T'zen."
"It was good to see you," Aida chirps, lowering both tea and cookie and flashing her own grin to T'zen in turn. "Are you going to be somewhere I can find you later this afternoon? There's some stuff I wanted to talk to you about, later." There's another glance cast over towards Yevide, and warm amusement flickers through her eyes.
"Sure, Aida, sure," T'zen casually replies with a wave of his hand. Which doesn't say much. But he grins at the girl again, and then turns the same on the Weyrwoman as he stands. "Anytime, Weyrwoman," comes the automatic response. Sincerity not that readable behind his insta-grin. And off strides the bluerider, with full purpose, up until he reaches the entrance. There he wavers suddenly, wandering back and forth between choices, before lazily taking the route into the still-empty hatching caverns. So much for being on business.
Yevide is silent until T'zen has departed, head turned to regard him as he retreats. It's not until he's out of sight that her laughter sounds, warm and low as her speaking voice. "Well, another admirer there, I should say. I win them over so well, Aida, do you not think?" A quirk of her brows, a dry note to her voice that's reminiscent of G'thon. She's picking up habits.
T'zen has left.
Lifting her cup of tea after T'zen in something of a salute as he goes, Aida watches him until he's out of sight and then turns her attention back to Yevide. The woman's words? Have her promptly making a face. "He'll come around," she says, tone certain. "They all will."
"Ah, Aida, you can do better than that." Yevide wags a finger, then loops it back through the handle of her tea cup. "They will not all come around, and it would be foolish to think so. They are not all required to come around. Enough will, however. I have great faith in our Weyrleader."
"I'm young, and allowed to be foolish and naive," Aida points out, putting on another impish grin and bringing her cup up for another careful sip of tea. "I don't understand what they think they're accomplishing with their disapproval besides making life difficult for themselves in the long term. You're here now, and no amount of tunnel snake instead of beef is going to change that."
"Young?" Yevide laughs once more, finishing off the last of her tea, and leaning forward to set down her cup and saucer. "How old are you, Aida? I should say by your age I was a wife and mother, my life filled up with responsibilities." She claims a cookie, pulls her foot up onto the chair, and settles comfortably once more. "But you are not so foolish and naive as you pretend, if you can spot how foolishly they behave."
"That's what I keep getting told," Aida points out with amusement, shrugging one of her shoulders as she shifts her own posture back to curled-in-chair in response to Yevide's own shift. "I'll be eighteen turns in the near future." A chuckle. "Call it habit, rather than foolishness. I play the reassurances game enough that it's become instinct." Her cup is waved around vaguely, and then she's actually frowning. "I can spot it, but I can't understand it. I don't care if they *like* you; that's completely beside the point. But by not shifting promptly to be as supportive as they can be, they're actually feeding the problem they're griping about, and really only hurting themselves. It's /stupid/."
"Eighteen turns soon? What would you like for a gift, then? You must think of something nice," Yevide instructs her young protege, lips once more curved to her easy smile. "Listen to yourself, and you will hear your own answer. They act irrationally. It is a rare man, or woman, who can make a decision based purely upon logic. I am not sure that I trust those who do. J'cor will win their hearts as well as their heads. I have great faith in him." Her smile now is almost private; she turns her head as she speaks to regard the packet of hides T'zen set down. "He is a very good man. I suppose I ought to see to this work. The morning is wearing on."
There's an arch of an eyebrow at the direction to think of a gift, but Aida doesn't respond otherwise; it's the rest of it she focuses on. Her cup of tea is finished, and she moves to slide to her feet. A few of the cookies are pulled out and set within Yevide's reach, and then the basket, her own cup, and T'zen's mug are put where they belong. "I like what I have seen of him," she says, her frown still lingering. "And I'm sure he will. The situation simply disturbs me. So much energy put towards something pointless."
"That is our nature, Aida. To exert a great deal of energy toward very small things." Yevide falls silent for a moment, pulling a face to rival the younger girl's earlier efforts. "I sound like Lord Fort, the Headmaster. Another cookie is absolutely called for. Do enjoy the rest of your day, my dear. I shall see you when I come to speak with Roa, I expect."
"I'd rather they be positive very small things," Aida counters, finishing picking up and then finally flashing over a smile. "I'll see you later, yes, and I will do my best to enjoy the rest of mine. Take care of yourself, please." A flippant little salute is offered over, and then she's heading in the direction of out, following the path T'zen took. Time to go.
When: Day 3, month 3, turn 2
Where: Weyrwoman's Weyr
What: Aida drops by for one of the conversations that are becoming a habit. T'zen drops by too, still far from convinced about the new leadership. Yevide repeats something that's becoming a refrain.
North Weyr
This is the sanctuary of High Reaches' senior Weyrwoman. It's been decorated in shades of blue and green with the occasional splash of sunny yellow for contrast. As with the Weyrleader's weyr, it's divided into sections according to work, leisure and rest. The desk and scroll-shelves take up a corner of the weyr with the sitting area in the opposite corner, brightened with hand-woven rugs done in a square key pattern. The bed is small but filled with soft quilts and sheeting.
To the right is the archway that leads out onto the ledge occupied by the Weyr's senior gold. It's large enough for her and for a number of slightly smaller visitors. Directly opposite the entrance tunnel is a smaller tunnel hidden behind a thick curtain. The air is warmer around that curtain, hinting at the tunnel's destination.
Obvious Exits:
Northern Sky (NS) Hatching Sands (HS) Out (O)
Mid-morning, and morning tea is in evidence. Yevide and Aida are seated on two of the chairs pulled around the Weyrwoman's low table. The queenrider has one foot pulled up onto the chair so the sole rests flat against the cushions, and is resting her chin on her knee; it's the pose of a confidante, and her warm smile is focussed at present on the girl from the infirmary. Her arms are looped around that knee, one palm spread under one of G'thon's saucers, her fingers curled through the handle of a delicate tea cup.
The entirely relaxed sprawl has been set aside for now; Aida is at least trying for something besides utterly lazy. This translates out to her sitting with her legs tucked up beneath her on the chair, her weight resting up against the arm. Her teacup is held with attentive care, fingers not only through the handle, but the rest of her hand wrapped around it. Dropping bad. Still, she is relaxed and calm, even a bit cheerful, though her words are more in the realm of serious than perky. "Not that I think that it'd actually do any harm to eat tunnelsnakes, mind. If there's no difference in the taste?" A shoulder is shrugged, and she sips from her cup. "If it makes them feel better...really."
A shadow crosses the ledge. Then comes back, and remains, ultimately greeting its owner- blue Uneth. Not quite landing, he hovers as T'zen scrambles down the neck straps and takes a final leap to the weyr entrance. Uneth immediately moves away, but not before properly greeting the nearby gold dragon. T'zen straightens from his landing, needlessly brushing off his leathers, and peers into the weyr. "Ah. Hides for Weyrwoman." He waves a thick packet. "Some runner just plopped 'em in my lap."
"If half of them knew what I used to eat growing up, they would be startled at best." Yevide's warm alto is wry, her words punctuated by a slow sip of her tea; ginger and citrus scent the air. Her blue eyes leave Aida's face, shifting up to settle on T'zen; they crinkle at the edges as her smile broadens in greeting. "Set them down on my desk, please. Standing still can be a dangerous passtime, I've discovered. People load me down with things to do whenever I try it." Her chin comes up, and T'zen is subjected to a moment's inspection. "You are the young man who was so quick to assist Roa. T'zen, is it not?"
Shifting around enough to look over when she hears a familiar voice and sitting up, Aida's face just lights up. *Bright* smile. "Hey!" The greeting is entirely chipper, it is. There's even a little wiggle of the fingers of her free hand in his direction. With that accomplished, she settles back down into her seat, staying turned so she can watch both he and the Weyrwoman. For now, she falls back to silent.
T'zen manages not to toss the packet at the said desk, though it does land with an audible thump. More careless than anything. T'zen gives the weyr a cursory glance, and then focuses wary eyes on the Weyrwoman herself. But he's got a grin plastered on his face. "Aye, Weyrwoman. Seems I need no introduction." Eyes then flick to Aida and her cheerful greeting, and his grin widens a touch, giving her a nod.
"No introduction at all," Yevide returns, uncurling her fingers from the handle of her tea cup to reach up, tucking a curl more firmly away into the gauzy scarf that binds back her hair. "You have been pointed out to me, T'zen. Can Aida and I tempt you with tea? She has been regaling me with horrifying stories about the things that may have found their way into my meals. She made the tea herself, however, so I think in that we are safe."
"Yes, please, join us," Aida agrees with Yevide, sitting up entirely and setting her cup down carefully, starting to slide to her feet. "I'll get you a cup; it's ginger based, so it isn't your typical tea. You'll probably like it. It's got an interesting sort of bite." There's a brilliant smile flashed first at Yevide, then over at T'zen. Apparently, him joining them is a reason for yet more cheer. She's bubbly today.
Great. Tea. T'zen peers at the dainty cups and then the nearby tea effects, scanning for something more familiar. Of course it's not here. With Aida's encouragement, T'zen nods slowly, "Ah, sure. Thank you." He finds an empty seat, and settles into it, while looking back at Yevide. "Pointed out, eh? For what?" The man chuckles at the question, though he watches the weyrwoman closely.
"For either bravery, or foolishness, depending upon the teller," Yevide replies to T'zen, watching Aida as the girl comes to her feet. "Also, I am told, for an acrobatic display worth making the effort to see. You might fetch T'zen a mug perhaps, Aida. There should be some at the end of the sideboard." There's something approaching affection in her tone as she addresses the girl, watching her movements for a moment before returning her attention to T'zen once more, and re-settling her chin on her knee. "For what would you be known, T'zen?"
Giving T'zen a reassuring look, Aida moves over to put the kettle back on. There's a moment of stillness at the word 'foolishness', a pause in her step and a hint of tension in her shoulders -- she only barely avoids speaking up in obvious protest. She ducks her head a beat later and nods agreeably to Yevide's suggestion of a mug, moving to do just that, quietly. Successful tongue holding.
Ah. That sort of pointing out. But the bluerider laughs out loud. "Seems I'm getting both ends, lately." T'zen folds his arms, and simply beams at the Weyrwoman. "If'n by acrobatics you mean me in the air, then I would agree," continues T'zen in smug tones. "Uneth and I top the skies 'round here. And I'm already known for that." Add a dallop of confidence with smugness.
"That is what they tell me," Yevide agrees, once more lifting her cup to her lips, lashes lowering as she holds a mouthful in her mouth for a moment, pushing her cheeks out so she can swill it around, then swallowing. "I have been getting both ends myself, and therefore I am inclined to sympathise. Are you hungry? I believe I have cookies, also from a guaranteed safe source."
Relief touching her expression just as briefly as that indignation did, Aida smiles to herself and fetches a little packet to dump into the mug. The mug is brought over and set down on the edge of the table, and then she's sliding over to peer at the kettle. Boil faster. Or in other words, she's staying quiet, making the tea and listening to the other two speak.
"I'm sure you have, Weyrwoman," the bluerider replies easily, and can't keep his grin from turning a touch sinister. "Us folk what're native to these parts just aren't getting any answers 'bout why we're graced with two Igenite leaders." He raises his brows at the mention of cookies. "I'll take one. Safe? Not been havin' trouble with food, have ya? That's a right crime, there." He pouts, for all he's amused at the notion. Messin' with food is a low blow. He glances over at Aida curiously, for all she's being silent. Seems as good a time to ask, with the Weyrwoman and a healer assistant nearby. "So, ah.. What's the word on Roa? Haven't.. heard."
"Your past leadership arranged my transfer," Yevide observes mildly, turning to regard Aida for a moment. "On the mantlepiece, Aida, there is a small basket? I think you might feed T'zen the contents safely." It's the bluerider she's studying, however, blue eyes drawn back to him once more. "Your Weyrleader's bronze was the strongest, the fastest, the most wily. That is how we riders choose our leaders. He has also served as an extremely capable Wingleader for many turns, and has three decades of riding under his belt." There's a sing-song note that suggests she's reciting, and on the heels of her words, she wrinkles her nose, warmth returning to her smile. "We are not Igenites any more." Another sip of tea before enlightenment comes. "I am told my food might not be as safe as it has been. I choose to eat, regardless. I was not built to be as slender as some of the Caucus girls." That smile dims faintly at his final question, the curve of her lips lessening. "She is well. I have regular reports, and I am told she will recover to full health."
His initial statement earns T'zen a Look of Doom. Aida eyes him for a moment before she looks back to the kettle. Designating the water as hot enough, she pulls the water off and brings it over to pour the mug full. Kettle is put back where she originally retrieved it from, and then she's heading over to pick up the basket from the mantel, pulling it down and peering into it before bringing it over to set it down within the bluerider's reach. Still silent, she moves over to flop down into her chair again and reclaim her tea, offering both a more subdued smile. Serious topics mean not beaming.
T'zen's eyes narrow, frown deepening as Yevide confirms a connection with 'past leadership'. The mug finally arrives, steam wildly escaping in the cool air, and T'zen focuses on it. He listens silently as qualifications are rattled off, picking up the mug, and sniffing the aroma carefully, trying to judge it before tasting it. And then nearby food. He reaches in the basket almost absently. He finally raises his eyes to the Weyrwoman, continuing his streak of wearing his opinion on his sleeve. "Not Igenites no more? We'll see, won't we?" But his expression changes once she moves on to the topic about Roa. He can't mask his concern for the Telgari goldrider. "Good," he says, dropping his eyes to his tea once more, and finally testing a sip. "Been meanin' to pay her a visit. But I knows she's been kept company." He sighs. "Any word from the guards investigating." That statement brings his eyes back up, intently studying Yevide.
A respectable collection of cookies remain, some dusted in sugar, others sporting colourful suggestions of fruit concealed inside. Yevide uncurls, planting her foot on the floor once more so she can lean forward to pick one out for herself. "Not Igenites no more," Yevide confirms for T'zen; for all his bold opinions, the Weyrwoman is regarding the young man with something approaching approval. Certainly there's warmth in her gaze, appropriately dimmed as Roa remains the centre of discussion. "She's kept company, and she has guards for company as well. They continue to investigate, and they report to us." No word at all is forthcoming on just what the guards actually say. "Captain Jensen has my confidence."
More silence from Aida; she sips from her tea, she leans over to steal a cookie once she sees that's certainly what's in the basket. There's absolutely no attempt made to mask that she's being attentive to the conversation and to the two speaking. Whatever reactions she's having to her observations, though -- that's a little harder to tell. Her smile is mild, she's back to calm, and...there is tea. And cookie. Life is good.
T'zen munches away at the cookie. He didn't even look at which one he grabbed. And another careful sip of tea. He finally glances over at Aida. "This ain't half bad, Aida. Don't tell no one I said that. I still take klah, any day." And then back to Yevide, nodding slowly. "Well. I'm wantin' to talk to the Captain m'self. Maybe I will. And visit Roa. She could use visitin', I assume?" He fidgets slightly in his seat, sipping again at the tea.
"Without frequent exposure to new experiences, the soul withers," Yevide intones, undermining the wisdom of the statement with the gleam in blue eyes; they crinkle at the corner as she smiles, and she uses one finger to gather up the crumbs from her lips, licking it clean before she speaks. "Visit, and if Roa is rested, no doubt Aida and her ilk will let you through to see her."
"Said what?" Aida asks of T'zen innocently, giving him a blank look before she flashes an impish smile and sips from her own tea. The smile fades at the last statement from Yevide, and she gives a light shake of her head. "They've guards on her, or did, my last shift -- /I/ can't even see her. I'm not certain on the restrictions there. It's likely," and she glances back to T'zen, "That you could. But I can't promise."
T'zen looks back and forth between the two women, and nods. "Then perhaps Jensen is who I see first," he muses. And then shrugs it all off, setting his mug of half-drunk tea down on the table, and replacing the empty spot in his hand with another cookie. He gives a nod to the Weyrwoman, and a flash of a grin at Aida. "So, I best be runnin' off, if you don't need more of me."
"Perhaps the Captain constitutes a safer bet," Yevide agrees, popping the last of her cookie into her mouth, and humming her delight as she bites down; if her foot on the chair didn't signal imperfect manners, all doubt is removed when she continues with her mouth half full. "If you can convince," - here she pauses to swallow, then speaks on - "the Captain to let you in, you'll be deserving indeed. Thank you for sparing us a moment, T'zen."
"It was good to see you," Aida chirps, lowering both tea and cookie and flashing her own grin to T'zen in turn. "Are you going to be somewhere I can find you later this afternoon? There's some stuff I wanted to talk to you about, later." There's another glance cast over towards Yevide, and warm amusement flickers through her eyes.
"Sure, Aida, sure," T'zen casually replies with a wave of his hand. Which doesn't say much. But he grins at the girl again, and then turns the same on the Weyrwoman as he stands. "Anytime, Weyrwoman," comes the automatic response. Sincerity not that readable behind his insta-grin. And off strides the bluerider, with full purpose, up until he reaches the entrance. There he wavers suddenly, wandering back and forth between choices, before lazily taking the route into the still-empty hatching caverns. So much for being on business.
Yevide is silent until T'zen has departed, head turned to regard him as he retreats. It's not until he's out of sight that her laughter sounds, warm and low as her speaking voice. "Well, another admirer there, I should say. I win them over so well, Aida, do you not think?" A quirk of her brows, a dry note to her voice that's reminiscent of G'thon. She's picking up habits.
T'zen has left.
Lifting her cup of tea after T'zen in something of a salute as he goes, Aida watches him until he's out of sight and then turns her attention back to Yevide. The woman's words? Have her promptly making a face. "He'll come around," she says, tone certain. "They all will."
"Ah, Aida, you can do better than that." Yevide wags a finger, then loops it back through the handle of her tea cup. "They will not all come around, and it would be foolish to think so. They are not all required to come around. Enough will, however. I have great faith in our Weyrleader."
"I'm young, and allowed to be foolish and naive," Aida points out, putting on another impish grin and bringing her cup up for another careful sip of tea. "I don't understand what they think they're accomplishing with their disapproval besides making life difficult for themselves in the long term. You're here now, and no amount of tunnel snake instead of beef is going to change that."
"Young?" Yevide laughs once more, finishing off the last of her tea, and leaning forward to set down her cup and saucer. "How old are you, Aida? I should say by your age I was a wife and mother, my life filled up with responsibilities." She claims a cookie, pulls her foot up onto the chair, and settles comfortably once more. "But you are not so foolish and naive as you pretend, if you can spot how foolishly they behave."
"That's what I keep getting told," Aida points out with amusement, shrugging one of her shoulders as she shifts her own posture back to curled-in-chair in response to Yevide's own shift. "I'll be eighteen turns in the near future." A chuckle. "Call it habit, rather than foolishness. I play the reassurances game enough that it's become instinct." Her cup is waved around vaguely, and then she's actually frowning. "I can spot it, but I can't understand it. I don't care if they *like* you; that's completely beside the point. But by not shifting promptly to be as supportive as they can be, they're actually feeding the problem they're griping about, and really only hurting themselves. It's /stupid/."
"Eighteen turns soon? What would you like for a gift, then? You must think of something nice," Yevide instructs her young protege, lips once more curved to her easy smile. "Listen to yourself, and you will hear your own answer. They act irrationally. It is a rare man, or woman, who can make a decision based purely upon logic. I am not sure that I trust those who do. J'cor will win their hearts as well as their heads. I have great faith in him." Her smile now is almost private; she turns her head as she speaks to regard the packet of hides T'zen set down. "He is a very good man. I suppose I ought to see to this work. The morning is wearing on."
There's an arch of an eyebrow at the direction to think of a gift, but Aida doesn't respond otherwise; it's the rest of it she focuses on. Her cup of tea is finished, and she moves to slide to her feet. A few of the cookies are pulled out and set within Yevide's reach, and then the basket, her own cup, and T'zen's mug are put where they belong. "I like what I have seen of him," she says, her frown still lingering. "And I'm sure he will. The situation simply disturbs me. So much energy put towards something pointless."
"That is our nature, Aida. To exert a great deal of energy toward very small things." Yevide falls silent for a moment, pulling a face to rival the younger girl's earlier efforts. "I sound like Lord Fort, the Headmaster. Another cookie is absolutely called for. Do enjoy the rest of your day, my dear. I shall see you when I come to speak with Roa, I expect."
"I'd rather they be positive very small things," Aida counters, finishing picking up and then finally flashing over a smile. "I'll see you later, yes, and I will do my best to enjoy the rest of mine. Take care of yourself, please." A flippant little salute is offered over, and then she's heading in the direction of out, following the path T'zen took. Time to go.