Chores and lounging (Open!)

[Invisible]

It seems, thought Genet, that the duties of a candidate were about the same as the duties of a wayward daughter. At least it was a different place and promised more…differentness to it. Anything was better than being stuck at home still. She was quite sure that if G’tet had not saved her from boredom she’d have perished from it.

Which is what I might do now, she thought with a quiet sigh. At least the view was better. Today she was staring down a basket of mending that she had dragged outside to work on. Likely it would have been easier to just sit and mend with the other people down by the laundry. There was even a group in the living cavern, but Genet preferred being outside.

A spot near the entrance to said living cavern had been found and she was content to work slowly and pause often to admire the scenery. Overhead dragons soared and on the ground she could watch riders and residents go about their business. Farther away she could make out the wagons of the Caminar and those were given as much attention as anything else that might distract mind from fingers.

Setting aside the torn shirt that would just go back into stores anyway she reached for a pair of trousers. Staring at the tear in them she shook her head. Clearly someone who was too large for them had tried to squeeze into them. At least it was almost lunchtime. That would be a welcome break especially since she kept jabbing her finger with the needle due to not paying attention.

[ignisfatuus]

Wood. What a remarkably useful and invaluable substance wood tended to be. Wood of any colour, any hardness, any size had countless uses. It could be burned, it could be used to build a plethora of buildings or objects, it could be carved into something, anything at all. With just the smallest iota of imagination, wood had endless possibilities.

This was partially why it was something of a problem for Jansen when his supply of this precious material ran out. While it was usually ubiquitous while on the road, in the confines of the Weyr (especially for one who did not wish to venture out further towards the Weyr) it was somewhat more scarce. Jansen went to his father with his quandary, secretly hoping that he would be kind enough to give his son some of his vast horde of wood. But alas this was not the case. In fact, he just laughed in Jansen's face and told he to go get some more.

It was thus that Jansen's started his grand adventure! Off he went on his most epic of quests with only his trusty knife to aid him! As the sun rose higher in the sky, almost reaching it's peak, Jansen left the safe confines of the Caminar camp with wary eyes and a cautious air. One never knew where the dangers and pitfalls of the world, of the Weyr may lurk.

The first thing he noticed, (and only really noticing properly for the first time too) was how the vast Weyr Bowl was largely devoid of large vegetation. Now while this made practical sense for the Weyr folk, Jansen was not in the mood for sense! Oh no! He want high adventure, He wanted intrigue and most importantly! He wanted wood!

So off he went, going further and further a field from the camp. Over head there were dragons. Their presence still unnerved him slightly in such large numbers so he tended to keep more towards the edge of the Weyr bowl. As his eyes scanned the Bowl for a third time, he spotted his target. A fine Yew tree which, unfortunately was reasonably close to the Weyr. He failed to miss the entrance nearby and the girl sat there, his mind was too preoccupied with playing the great adventurer. So off he went, darting behind cover when he saw some and scurrying ahead when there was none. There was no denying the fact that he was still a big kid at heart.

Before he knew it, Jansen had reached his mark. While there were a few sticks that lay on the ground that he could make something of, there was nothing that would warrant his coming here. Though as he looked up through the various limbs of the tree, he did spot a promising branch. It was not too thick and had cracked somehow and was hanging down lower than it obviously should have, holding onto the tree with dear life. Jansen was certain that if he climbed up there, he could free the branch in question. Then he would have to haul it back to the camp but that shouldn't be too difficult considering it's relative size.

With reasonably little effort, Jansen made his way up into the tree was deftly traversing from limb to limb to get to the limb he wanted. Once he got there, he saw the broken bit that had already come away from tree was in bad condition but the rest of the wood seemed usable. Out came the knife and Jansen hacked at the wood that still held branch to tree until it looked like he could snap it off. With a little effort, and a little more hacking and a bit more effort, the branch came free and tumbled to the ground, with a fair bit more noise than Jansen had anticipating. Wincing slightly as he heard the final crash of it hitting the ground, Jansen started to make his way down the tree to recover his haul. Then his foot slipped and he lost his footing, ending up on the ground with a very loud THUMP that he felt through ever inch of his body.

'Owww...' Jansen simply lay there, winded and in pain, silently cursing his carelessness.

[Invisible]

G’tet whistled cheerfully as he crossed the bowl. He had nothing else to do today but enjoy the summer weather and perhaps find his sister for some game or other. It was not hard to imagine her desperate for a break from candidatehood. He had his own troubles with it and it was a brother’s job to look out for his little sister. Even if he was only older by mere minutes. Are you done eating yet? I want to find Genet.

In the feeding pens Kalpeth lifted her reddened muzzle from the remains of a herdbeast. Genet? Oh! Your sister. I am done. The words were offered to her rider as she took a last mouthful of meat before ignoring the carcass. The dust from her take off covered the last of her meal as well as others not so close to being done in a fine layer of Telgar dirt. G’tet continued his walking as his green finished up in the feeding pens. The bowl was quiet enough for him to notice the sounds of Jansen’s work.

This would be why when the crash occurred he was able to locate the spot it had come from. Kalpeth? Some idiot may be hurt. We’d best check before doing anything else. It would never do to have some poor candidate lying about with a broken leg. That the crashee might be Caminar did not occur to him. Mostly because, while he wasn’t strongly against them, he had no use for them. Breaking into a jog he made his way to the tree and the Caminar lying under it just as Kalpeth came in for her landing. What are we doing? There really was no use being annoyed at her inability to retain things. He was still somewhat shocked she had remembered Genet.

He might be hurt. Let me see. G’tet moved closer to the man on the ground and crouched down. “Hey, there-“ And then he got a good look at the man. “Fellow,” he finished after a brief pause. “You alright?” Behind him the large green settled down to observe with slow whirling eyes.

[ignisfatuus]

Jansen lay there completely still, eyes closed tight. Thoughts of moving had yet to surface in his mind. All thought was focused now on the dull, mild pain that he felt throughout due to his body's absorbing the impact without being braced or prepared at all. His ears were still ringing slightly from it all when some one spoke, their voice breaking through the stunned trance he had been in with a start that caused him to groan quietly. He could tell quiet clearly from the voice that they were one of the Weyr folk and slowing opening his eyes served to confirm that assumption.

'Aye... I'm fine.' Jansen said through gritted teeth as he sat up. His movements at present were somewhat slow and awkward as the pain had become a dull ache now and his body did not seem overly fond of moving. Just like Jansen was not overly fond of being found in such a state by a plantado. Urg, just his luck. Embarrassment and irritation along side the complaints of his bodies did not leave Jansen in a good mood. So much for high adventures.

I'll just get up and go. Come back for the wood later, or talk Kaim into getting it for me maybe. Jansen thought as he started to get up. Then with a cry of surprise at the sharp, intense pain that shoot up through his ankle when he had put even the slightest weight on it. Oh no...oh no. ohnoohnoohnooo. Jansen looked at his foot in slight horror at it's sudden decision to prevent his hasty escape from this Rider. Then colour rose in his cheeks when he realised that he had no choice but ask this man for help.

'I...er... um,' His discomfort was painfully clear for anyone to see 'seem to be less fine than I initially thought...' Jansen lowered his eyes, finding himself unable to look this man in the face anymore.

[Invisible]

Caminar, shells. Why couldn’t he just have been some stupid candidate larking about in the tree? G’tet kept his thoughts concealed and just assumed a relaxed air. His lips twitched upwards into a smile that welcomed the other man to join him rather than seemed to be directed at him. What happened? Kalpeth craned her neck forward to try to get a better look. Why is he on the ground?

G’tet looked over his shoulder at the green who had inched forward to try to see since her questions were not being answered quickly enough. He fell. Faranth knows what he was doing up in the tree. “Hey, happens to the best of us, fellow. I’m G’tet and that nosy creature behind me is Kalpeth. Why don’t I just give you a hand up and we can get you to the infirmary?” Standing up the greenrider held out his hand so that Jansen might take it and leverage himself up.

Yes, bring him Kalpeth directed as she continued to try to see better. I’m going to G’tet told her with an internal sigh.

[ignisfatuus]

As the dragon craned her neck to get a better look, Jansen couldn't help but fell like some sort of a side show to be gawped at. He recoiled slightly, not liking the amount of attention he was getting, or rather who he was getting this amount of attention from.

There was a small part of his brain telling him this man was just being nice and polite and that he, Jansen, should respond in kind. But this part of his brain was overwhelmed by the part that had learned to distrust and dislike plantados. Not to mention his frustration and embarrassment left him wanting to get away, hide or at very least be alone. If only he hadn't hurt his ankle! Then he would have been away like a shot.

Jansen raised his eyes to the outstretched hand that was offering to help him and unconsciously his fists tightened. He shouldn't need this - this G'tet's help. Though while he shouldn't, the truth was that he did. Jansen unclenched one hand and quickly pulled himself up, despite numerous bodily complaints at the swift movement. The young Caminar let go of G'tet as soon as he was upright, trying to stand on the injured foot.

With a small yelp, Jansen found himself holding tightly onto the green riders arm so as to no end up crumpled on the floor once more. Gingerly he tested his foot once or twice more, wincing each time before swearing under his breath.

'G'tet? Thanks (said somewhat begrudgingly) for the help... I-I should probably head back to the camp though... I mean, people probably wouldn't want me in the Weyr anyway' Jansen worded it in such away as to make it sound like the Weyr folk wouldn't want him there, rather than his not wanting to step foot inside that forsaken place. But this man was currently his only help so he had to do his best not to alienate him.

[Invisible]

“Didn’t catch your name,” G’tet said with a grin. Because it wasn’t given, of course, but the greenrider would not point that out. He just kept that charming grin in place as he watched the Caminar stand up, pull away, and then come back to him. Like a dance he thought with amusement that he shared with Kalpeth. Not the sort to enjoy any sort of dance with me I imagine, but who can object to a nice looking man on the arm?

I do not object Kalpeth put in as she shuffled to one side. He can stay. I think him staying is not the question, Kal. We just need to get him checked out to be sure he doesn’t try to blame this on us.

Kalpeth’s tail twitched behind her as she watched the two men. Let him stay. And then she lost interest in the whole thing and lifted a foot to lick at a bit of blood that dried on a talon after lunch. That is when it hit G’tet what she was saying. The pair did not usually get sent on search. Kalpeth had not the endurance of mind to do it. But she had been sent out before this was realized.

He knew better than to argue as she would likely not even remember what they were arguing about. A small step was taken forward to see if the man would follow. “Nonsense, we’ll get you patched up and help you to where you need to go.” Which was truth enough. The harder truth was what came next. “And, err, speaking of where you need to go. Kalpeth thinks it should be here with us. You know, what with the eggs and all.” Clearly I need more practice at this. At what? I itch.

[ignisfatuus]

Jansen couldn't help but roll his eyes a little when G'tet asked for his name. True he probably should have given it freely already but he did have more pressing matters concerning him. His name did not seem overly important at present but he gave it none the less.
'Jansen' Very matter of fact, to the point, rather unlike how Jansen usually was in all honesty.

If Jansen had been less preoccupid, he have been most bemused by the faintly erratic actions of the Green. Her attention flitted from one thing to another at astounding speed. To be bonding to such a creature might get tiresome. But for now, he paid no attention to her in the slightest. In fact, as he took a very awkward step forward to keep level with G'tet (he really didn't want to end up face first on the floor) his mind travelled back to the wood that just lay there, begging to used. Should he say something now? Or maybe he could see if someone could at least fetch him a bit if he got stuck in the infimitory. Or he could just get some on his way back. It wouldn't do to waste such fine wood...

At the mention his being 'here with us' his mind snapped back and threw a fleeting glance back at the dragon for a moment. That had almost sounded like he had been searched but that was just silly, right? His brain playing tricks surely. Him, be a dragonrider? Ha! Being here the short while he had been already was starting to drive him stir crazy, let alone live here.
"Why would I stay here? I can't carve eggs and being stuck here this long has been bad enough...'

[Invisible]

Caminar. G’tet wondered if they were all this hard to search. Who got searched? Your sister, right? Yes, Kal. Genet did. That’s exactly right. Very well done. The rare flashes of memory were always encouraged with much adoration.

“Well, there’s always a chance you won’t have to stay,” he pointed out to the limping man beside him. “Nothing says when it’s all over you wind up having to stay. But it’s a chance. A chance not many get.” He glanced over at the man and grinned. “You’re not scared of taking a chance are you, Jansen? Not with your tree climbing ways. The other candidates won’t bite. One of ‘em’s even my sister.” He saw no reason to stop the stream of chatter. He liked to talk, after all, and he had a captive audience.

“Been here long? Since the beginning or later? Do seem to be plenty of your folk showing up, doesn’t there?” G’tet looked around the bowl. In the distance he spied his sister, but he wasn’t sure if she would help or hinder this operation so he left her be for now. “Besides, in case you were not aware,” he continued with a sly teasing tone, “Dragons can go anywhere. No need to be stuck here but for drills and the like. “

[ignisfatuus]

Jansen gave a derisive snort 'I'm not scared, I just like always being on the move is all. It doesn't feel natural staying in one place for any length of time.' The pain seemed to have lowered some of Jansen's natural barriers against any one who was not Caminar. The pain and the fact this man was helping him. After all, his experiences with holders had usually been either violent or on purely business terms. People tended to like what the Caminar had to offer but not the Caminar themselves.

G'tet did like to talk. But Jansen did not mind right now, it took his mind off how annoyingly unresponsive and difficult his body was being. "My caravan was one of the first to show up. That was my fault. Or the holders, depending on how you look at. But the other Caminar turning up has made me feel more at ease here. Though it's sad that we have to take refuge...' His thoughts were taken from the sorry state of the Caminar at present by the mention that dragons could go anywhere. That had, he must admit, caught his attention. But he was Caminar, and loved the usual Caminar way of life. Nothing could replace that, could it?

[Invisible]

The greenrider nodded his head as he listened to Jansen talk. It was the perfect response, he always thought. Designed to get them to talk more and show you were listening. He was an expert nodder having practiced it for some turns now. “Tough times all around,” he replied with a shake of his head. Not so good at that as he liked to encourage. “The Weyr’s not exactly doing well since we haven’t turned you all over for whatever it is those holders want to do.”

Those holders. As if a mere four turns ago G’tet were not just another holderboy. Well, be that as it may he had nothing but amusement now about those people. He may have been, but now he was not. Now he was Kalpeth’s and that made him better. “It’s a whole other kind of freedom. The best kind.” He cast another look at the Caminar before focusing on where they went. The bowl was busy enough he didn’t want them to bump into someone else.

“You know,” he continued with a quiet chuckle. “Kalpeth doesn’t choose many. You’re the only one she’s even looked at this clutch let alone paid attention to.” The ego was never a bad place to go, he thought. Even if he misjudged the other man there was no way he could take offense at being told he was special.

[ignisfatuus]

'And you shouldn't turn us over either.' Jansen said sharply. The angry spark that appeared in his eyes clearly showed when he decided to try and restrain his more volatile emotions from what appeared to be one of few decent plantado. 'None of us have-would take their children and handing us over would simply lead to their beating us for their incompetent child care.' The anger had changed to bitterness of one who had experienced first hand 'whatever it was those holders wanted to do.' For all Jansen knew, those holders might go one step further than just violence in order to get the information that none of them had: the location of the missing children.

Even though he was keeping most of the weight off his bad foot, each step that Jansen made pained him and that was starting to take it's tole on his body. Even though he kept his demeanor pretty much constant, the colour was starting to drain from his tanning face and his breath was getting a little heavier.
'To be honest it looks like she doesn't pay much attention to much, not for long anyway.' Jansen said with a small smile as he pushed thoughts of the holders out his head. He had a lot of bad feelings about all that right now. Yet thoughts of dragons now confused him. The idea of impressing was appealing, but leaving the Caminar and remaining at the Weyr was not.

'Are there many candidates for this clutch then?' Jansen asked, hoping to get G'tet talking. Save his brain from thinking. There was too much conflict in his head right now to be good.

[Invisible]

“I won’t be doing anything,” G’tet answered with a grin. “Not unless ordered to anyway. Not my decision to make. That’s up to the weyrleaders and not a task I’d want anyway. No matter what someone’s going to be unhappy.”

He was not so oblivious as to not notice the state of the Caminar with him. “Alright, mate, let’s have a rest yea? We’ll get a healer to come here and check on you.” Not that I can run fetch one he thought with a sigh. This fellow’d likely crawl away before I can get back. Casting his gaze about as he talked his eyes settled on his twin once more. And an answer presented itself. “She notices everything. That means she has to always be on the lookout.” There was pride in his tone, as if there was nothing wrong with Kalpeth at all. And, to him there was not.

“Ho! Genet!” They were just close enough that she heard him and put down her sewing to rise to her feet. Rather than move closer she answered him the same way he’d called to her. “What?” It was not exactly polite to holler across the bowl, but the twins had their own idea. “Fetch a healer, yea? Bring em back here!” Glad of a chance to stretch her legs Genet spared everyone her questions and darted off for the infirmary.

“And that is what sister’s are good for,” he said to Jansen with a sly smile. “But, to answer your question, there’s about average. A few more because of the queen egg and all. But they’re just girls so no threat to you or any of the other fellow out there. Fighting dragons ‘re for men. I tell you, you want to help your people? You stand for the clutch. Will do good and if you impress…who knows. Maybe a bronze’ll find you and any bronze can make his rider weyrleader. Then you’re the one making policy.”

[ignisfatuus]

Jansen had to laugh a little (and only a little due to the slight bruising he'd gained from his fall) as he flumped down in one of the most graceless manners possible. "All this fuss just because I needed more wood and acted like it was a grand adventure." Jansen said more to himself rather than his companion. He sat there with his injured leg laid out straight and the other bent so he could rest his forehead on it. He also loosely draped his arms round the bent leg, one hand on top of the other, both resting on his foot, just below the ankle. He just sat there for a few moments, listening to G'tet talk and breathing deeply.

It wasn't like Jansen was a stranger to pain and injury, but this was the first time something relatively minor inhibited his movement. Once again he wished he could just walk (or run) off. Things would be far simpler then. But no, he had to hurt his ankle like the fool he was. In a way, it was a shame that G'tet had sent his sister to get the healer, he might have been able to make a break for it if left alone, abait a slow one. He would have managed something at least.

'It would be nice to be help them in some way more than just passing on genes I guess...' It must be the pain... It's almost as if I'm thinking about this seriously. I'll surely come to my senses once my leg is seen to. Surely. The prospect of helping the Caminar long term was tempting, but there were a lot of 'what ifs' involved in it all. He'd have to impress, and a bronze at that. Then become Weyrleader.

[Invisible]

“She’s fast, Genet is,” G’tet said in a reassuring tone. As if all that might be bothering the man was the injury he had sustained doing whatever he was. Ah, gathering wood. Well, that explains that anyway. “Will just be a moment for her to drag someone out to see to the foot. Then you can hobble on in.”

In where was the question. G’tet crouched down again so he wasn’t speaking down to the man. “No risk, no reward,” he says in a quiet tone that’s one part seductive and two parts soothing. “Think of all you can do. What’s it cost you? Healers’ will probably want you to stick around close to them anyway, right? So you spend a few sevens playing with the other candidates and then? A couple hours and it’s all over. Then you know.” He pauses when he spies Genet approaching with an annoyed looking healer.

“If you don't then you’d never know,” he finishes in that same whisper he used before. Standing up to greet the healer he greeted his sister with a tug of one of her braids. In return she squealed and slapped his arm.