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Post by Alsivor on Jun 19, 2008 6:33:13 GMT -8
(A day or so after The Assignment - Late morning)
Aleda did not often choose to avail herself of the amenities provided in the Weyr's lower caverns, but she'd felt a little rattled and off-kilter since the meeting with J'fel and the other riders and didn't feel much like the company of her people. Plague. The mission to stop it. Her mouth thinned and she drew the mug of hot klah closer to her, inhaled its steam deeply and willed her shoulders to relax. It was strange really, she already felt some kind of invisible chasm opening up between herself and her family. She had a secret she could not tell them about.
Idly she plucked at the list of things she had set forth for herself to do. Already she had told her father that she was walking out far to collect plants and would be away from the Weyr for a few days. He'd gesticulated and yelled that it wasn't appropriate for her to go alone. She'd waited him out for once and then simply told him that this wasn't negotiable and she would see him soon. Then she'd gone to her wagon to put away things that needed putting away, started to take out the things she thought she would need to take with her. Her cover wasn't even much of a lie, she was going to need to go collecting as soon as possible. The sabedoria tapped her fingers restlessly on the table, nails making a light snicking sound against the hide. Perhaps Th'ane would take her. That idea curved her mouth into slow, sensual smile. Just like the old days.
The list stared up at her demandingly. It was very long and she pulled her thoughts away from far pleasanter things, took another sip of her klah and picked up the pencil to cross off items one and two, ignoring the mild amount of traffic through the cavern.
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Post by Invisible on Jun 19, 2008 7:06:14 GMT -8
It had been impossible to keep everything from his sister just like G’tet knew it would be. Still, he thought he’d managed to be vague enough so as not to cause any trouble. Well, it wasn’t his fault J’fel had picked him now was it? No, it was not. What did you get picked for? Did we win a present? No, beauty. Finish your meal and let me find something too. The greenrider entered the living cavern and looked about for anyone he knew. Anyone not his twin. At first no one stood out so he headed over to pile a plate with whatever was being offered and grab a mug of klah. Once this was done he looked around once more and then noticed Aleda sitting by herself.
Sauntering over her way he set his plate down near her before asking, “Room for one more? Or were you expecting someone?” He wasn’t sure if it was proper to call her by her name, but he’d had no luck remembering how to pronounce her title. Seemed safest to just ask with no name at all. Who does not have a name? I have a name. Yes, you do, Kalpeth. Which was said at the same time as the green supplied, smugly, It’s Kalpeth. G’tet chuckled and then turned it into an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Kal’s being her usual self. I’d offer to introduce her before we go, whenever that is, but she’ll just forget you again.”
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Post by Alsivor on Jun 19, 2008 7:20:54 GMT -8
The sound of G'tet's plate scraping onto the table lifted Aleda's eyes and she smiled a welcome as the greenrider made his inquiry. "Of course, G'tet, yes? Please forgive me if I do not have all of your names yet." There was a certain charm in her smile, though faint traces of lingering tension marred the corners of her mouth and narrowed the lines of her eyes.
"I am expecting no one, but pleased enough to have /your/ company," she emphasized lightly and pushed her mug out of the way a little, drew the hide over and left it where they could both see it. "Getting ready," she said simply without further explanation.
His words about the dragon made her brows quirk with amusement. "She will not remember? Truly? I did not realize that the tales about dragon memory were so ... extreme. Still, I would be honored to meet your ... Kal." The sabedoria's brows knit a little. "Is that not an unusual name for a dragon?"
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Post by Invisible on Jun 19, 2008 7:34:55 GMT -8
Once permission was given G’tet sat at the table and offered a wide grin to Aleda. “Ah, G’tet, yea. And it’s Kalpeth, sorry. I just always think of her as Kal.” His eyes went to his plate, but for now the food was ignored since it wouldn’t be polite to stuff his face and talk. A few minutes conversations before a bite or two would cause him no harm.
His eyes shifted to the list tapped and he grinned. “I imagine you would have more to do than me. I just had to convince my sister to not fret about my being gone to long and let my wingleader know we’d be absent. Which was not so easy since we’ve no way of knowing how long we’ll be gone. Aleda, yes? As to dragon memory, Aleda, well Kalpeth’s special.” You are so right I am. Who are you talking to? “Kal’s memory is a little shorter than most.” Which is, of course, like saying a rattlesnake is only a little more poisonous than an earthworm. “It’s not as bad as it might be made out by others though. There’s something refreshing in knowing every day you’ll get to see most everything be new to someone. It’ll keep us young I imagine.”
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Post by Alsivor on Jun 19, 2008 7:41:21 GMT -8
"Kal/peth/," Aleda echoed with a little wry look of apology, "of course. A strong name," she opined further and nodded, making another little face about letting people know. "Yes. I had to be very ... firm with my father," she explained a spark of humor lighting in her eyes for the understatement.
"Ah, shorter than most." One elbow lifted and propped itself on the table and she rested her chin in her palm, giving the greenrider her full attention. "Young at heart, always. How very interesting. Yes, I would like to meet your Kalpeth, even without hope of being remembered." Aleda ran her finger down the length of the list idly. "I may need some help with some of these, actually." Her head tipped to the side slightly. "Would you perhaps be able to spare some time?"
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Post by Invisible on Jun 19, 2008 8:23:53 GMT -8
“How can I deny one lovely lady’s desire to meet another?” G’tet said with a wink to the Caminar. “We shall make time for introductions before the date of departure. Kalpeth loves meeting people. She’s ‘met’ my sister almost every day since she arrived here.” Attention drawn to the list once more he glanced at it once more. “Oh, sure. Happy to lend assistance and if it’s something I can’t help you with I imagine I can get you to the person who can.”
He grabbed at something on his plate and came up with a roll which he took a bite out of and chewed before speaking again. “Family though. That can be tough I suppose. I haven’t had to worry about my father for the last four turns. Kalpeth handled that for me. What all do you need?” Because clearly no more needed saying about family.
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Post by Alsivor on Jun 19, 2008 9:57:37 GMT -8
A little flirtation never hurt anyone and Aleda smiled back warmly for that wink, chin still propped on her hand. "I will guess that it's simply not in your power to do so," she teased him mildly, letting go of some of the tension she'd been feeling in the last twenty-four hours. "And I look forward to that meeting then. And your sister? You are from the Weyr then?" Her gaze dropped back down to the list and she nodded. "I ... may have some difficulty convincing your stores persons to ... let me have this... and this ..." she pointed on the list and shrugged one shoulder loosely. "Because of course, all Caminar are thieves and ruffians." She made it a joke by the tone of her voice and the smile along with it.
Aleda drew her mug upward again and drank long, set it down again and nodded. "Especially when you have a very traditional father who doesn't think an innocent young lady like me should be going about anywhere by herself. Thankfully I have been managing my father for a long time." The remark about Kalpeth tipped her gaze back up to the greenrider, dark eyes seaching his face. "Kalpeth handled it?" Apparently this is not clear to Aleda at least.
"Mostly, healer supplies in quantities beyond what I have on hand. I need little for myself, it is my prospective patients that concern me."
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Post by Invisible on Jun 19, 2008 10:58:00 GMT -8
Flirting with G’tet could certainly do no harm as he did it in a less than serious way. He never seemed to mean a thing about what he said to whomever he spoke to in that teasing tone. “Not from the Weyr, no. From a small hold in the territory. I was searched four turns ago. Same clutch as the Weyrleader came from.” Which sort of implies the Weyrleader is something of a kid even if G’tet is only a turn older than him. “My sister was searched for the clutch this time around. Well, I arranged for her to come here. Before my parents forced her to marry someone old enough to be her grandfather.” Making a face at the thought he chuckled. “I’d never have heard the end of it. We’re twins, see? We always looked out for each other.”
When she seemed unclear about Kalpeth he grinned widely. “Oh, by picking me on the sands. Truth me told, I might be closer still had she not been a she. But, there’s always that stigma attached in holds to those simpering she-boys on green.” The way he said it left no doubts that he found the whole idea absurd. “As for stores, don’t worry about that. I can make sure you get what you need. Wouldn’t do to get where we’re going and not be prepared. Would certainly defeat the purpose. If it’s on your list we’ll get it for you.”
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Post by Alsivor on Jun 19, 2008 11:53:27 GMT -8
And Aleda just enjoyed the banter. "Ohhh plant----holdbred I mean." She nearly used the Noestacan to his face and grinned at him apologetically though he'd likely have no idea why. "Four turns a rider. And the Weyrleader as many." Her eyes dropped down to her list, something thoughtful shifting across her face. "He is a very young Weyrleader ..." which could mean age or other things too. Her nose wrinkled up at the word "marriage". "Something else I beat off with a stick in countless arguments with my father." She paused and looked back up at the greenrider. "G'tet - do you feel more free at the Weyr than in your home?"
She considered his next words with a hint of sympathy on her face, eyes going a little distant then refocusing on him. "It seems every place has its prejudices." Finally she smiled, wide and warm again for his promise. "I thank you deeply for that. There are things we will really need if we're to succeed."
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Post by Invisible on Jun 19, 2008 12:10:58 GMT -8
He might not have known what she was going to say, but G’tet was sharp enough to laugh. “Oh, I figure you all got as many words for us as we do for you fellows. Most of em not polite or fit for saying. Of course, it’s not fair since you can pronounce yours and ours and we’re not so lucky.” He winked again before busying himself with the consuming of nearly forgotten food.
G’tet was a fast eater which is not to say he was messy or rude about it. Just that he likely learned at a young age to eat what he could before someone snatched it from his plate. When he was done he pushed said plate back and grinned. “The Weyr has its issues, that’s the truth. No place is perfect. But I certainly am freer here than back at home where I’d be bent over planting or something equally dull all day. Never see another place most likely. Here I can go where I want and so long as I remember my duty I can spend my free time how I will.” One finger tapped against his cup as he considered his words. “I suppose if she doesn’t impress you’d have to ask Genet about the sort of freedom a non-rider feels they have. Well, any resident, but she’s holdbred like me so would at least know that difference.”
Her thanks were waved off with a smile. “Oh, I’m not going to have things fail because of me! The poor little greenrider and all.” Again with a chuckle to show he would not be disparaging himself or his lot in life. “Not to mention if I’m already going to be getting trouble for daring to search one of you fellows I may as well go further and help you out.”
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Post by Alsivor on Jun 19, 2008 13:07:15 GMT -8
"You fellows ...." Aleda repeats musingly and her lips purse for a moment. "Doesn't that word also sort of mean ... 'brothers in arms'?" She might just be playing around with words here. There's a moment's hesitation and then she cleared her throat and continued in a low tone of voice. "The word I was going to use ... is not necessarily unfit. It means hmmm ... 'rooted' or 'planted'. Because you do not move from one place as the Caminar do." Beat. "Of course becoming rooted isn't really viewed as a good thing, but there are worse words one could use."
Politely, she did not watch him eat, letting her eyes drift just over his shoulder when he took a bite, or across the caverns. "Freer than on a hold ... I would be interested in your sister's view on things. Freedom seems a relative thing sometimes." Her brows drew down briefly then she picked up the list and folded it into her pocket.
"Poor little greenrider? Oh! Ha. You are making a joke." Aleda's smile flashed across her face brightly again. "In trouble for Searching a Caminar? Are you? And I appreciate the help. When you are done perhaps we may go?"
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Post by Invisible on Jun 19, 2008 14:37:26 GMT -8
“Fellows? Dunno, it’s just…fellows. A fellow is a guy, a group of guys are fellows. Gals not usually, but they can be lumped in. Some of em anyway.” G’tet frowned for a moment as he gave it thought. Then he shook his head and laughed. “Too much thinking. Well, I guess I was rooted. Still am only I got a longer reach of the vine now, yea? Kalpeth and I can go all over, but it’s here that’s home. Suppose it’s how I was raised, but I wouldn’t feel the same without somewhere to call home.”
He grabbed the last of a slice of meat from his plate and shoved it into his mouth before standing up. “All done,” he said after a hasty swallow and grin. “Can introduce you to my sister too. My younger sister and don’t listen to what she might say otherwise. But, that will be later. I’m sure she’s miserable in candidate chores at the moment.” Which amused him enough to bring out a laugh. He picked up his plate to drop it off in the proper spot before they left. “Well, some aren’t too pleased is all. But, what can you do? I mean, Kal doesn’t get sent out on search because she’s forgetful enough to be a pain so when she notices someone I have to pay attention. It’ll pass. It always does.”
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Post by Alsivor on Jun 19, 2008 16:34:15 GMT -8
"Mmm. So. I am not a fellow," Aleda mused lightly, grinning over at the greenrider sidelong. "Home. Home is my wagon. Or wherever my people happen to be at any given moment. Home is not a place but ... a state of being, I suppose."
She smoothed out her skirts and rose when the rider did, nodding about his sister. "That would be lovely. Do lead on, good greenrider." Aleda's smile turned wry again. "Indeed, there are prejudices everywhere ..." she murmured softly and moved to follow G'tet.
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Post by Invisible on Jun 19, 2008 19:03:40 GMT -8
“Ah, I suppose it’s different for those of us who did not grow up in a wagon? I understand about home being a state of being because for me anywhere Kalpeth is would be home. But I still want to have a place. It’s those roots showing I guess.” Once Aleda was up G’tet dropped his plate off and nodded his head as he grinned.
“Then it’s Kalpeth and Genet you’ll meet. Once we get whatever it is you need. Don’t you worry, if you need it, you’ll get it.” And what I’ll say when asked about why I’m shepherding around a Caminar woman I’ve no idea. Are we herding? I don’t like watching beasts I cannot eat. No, beauty. We’re not herding anything. I’m just trying to-Oh, nevermind. Want to meet my sister later?
You have a sister? Yes, I would like to meet your sister! Is that who you are with? G’tet chuckled. No, it’s not. And for his chuckle he offered Aleda a grin. “Sorry. I don’t mean to keep, well, Kalpeth talks a lot. I don’t know how much experience you have with riders? But I don’t mean to be rude if I seem to be paying attention to something else.”
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Post by Alsivor on Jun 19, 2008 19:51:24 GMT -8
"Mm, of course. And that likely makes riders unique too. A foot in both worlds," Aleda mused thoughtfully, something clicking behind dark eyes. "Thank you for that look into your world, G'tet." As the walked through the caverns towards Stores she listened to the greenrider talk. "Genet. That is a nice name. Another strong name. May I ask what yours was before you became what you are now?" As he reassured her again about their supplies, she smiled warmly. "I'm sure you'll take care of it." Confidence, even though his knot was only threaded with green. A little flattery.
His apology only made Aleda smile all the more widely. "Very little, really," she said with barely contained amusement, thinking suddenly of Th'ane's hands and she had to look away to mask the expression on her face. When she looked back she only nodded. "I will consider this an education in the ways of riders: expect much seeming talking to oneself. Because of the dragon. Especially Kalpeth." Yes, she was teasing just a little, but she hoped he would take it the right way.
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