Making Rounds (Wide Open! All welcome!)

[Omnia Munda]

The rest of what Ramla would give him, J'fel figured, would be acquiescing. He nodded - it was not too regal a motion to call nodding - at each detail: the hall will be cleared and furnished; wine will be provided.

But then the headwoman was 'hesitating' to bring something up, and the weyrleader knew well enough from her cues that she wouldn't hesitate long. He arranged on his face an interested expression and propped his elbows on the arms of the chair, the better to lean slightly forward. She would know she had his full attention, less charming and more intrigued than before.

And he went on looking like that, in exactly that pose, for a good five seconds after she'd finished.

Then J'fel straightened. His smile was even and easy, not too wide, nor crooked. "Yes," he replied, well-satisfied. "I know."

Then the weyrleader shifted forward in the chair, lifting a hand to turn over the fingers in a supplicative gesture. "Is there anything I'll need to see to beside the guest list and invitations, Ramla?"

After all of her turns of residency and service, the headwoman was, as much if not more than Aderes, the Weyr in a human body. There was an almost possessive note to the boy weyrleader's use of her name.

[Invisible]

The issue could have been pushed, but Ramla thought it not wise. She had said enough for now. Certainly her plans could be ruined if she seemed too against those people that needed to be gone. So Ramla allowed J’fel to not comment further on the Caminar and sat in silence to give his question serious thought. “I believe I can handle anything required of me, weyrleader,” Ramla told him with a little smile.

His using her name was expected as it was his right. “I shall have everything prepared. Will you be wanting to look things over before hand?” It was a question that had many right and wrong answers. Her serene expression and demeanor of utmost calm did not hint at all as to which answer she might be looking for.

[Omnia Munda]

After a nod to Ramla's confidence, J'fel flattened his palms to the chair's arms, elbows raised, the exact posture of a man preparing to get to his feet. But he paused; perhaps he sensed the question to come. In any case, it came, and he subsided a moment to smile, his reply thus seeming considered though not deeply so. "I will leave the details to your satisfaction." The smile broke briefly into a grin, as though he enjoyed such play of words. "And I shall see to it you know how many to expect."

He feinted at rising, but stopped again, barely yet seated. Again he gave the headwoman a taste of his eyes at their best, lashes downcast and gaze raised: "May I count on your attendance, at least for the first one?"

[Invisible]

Ramla considered it all a game to the weyrleader. Her thoughts strayed to other tasks as she was never able to do one thing at a time. Still, she told herself, if she could not keep up with the boy weyrleader she should retire now. His rise and then pause had her smiling at him. The answer given to her caused the smile to widen and once more she inclined her head to him. “I shall see to it that you are not disappointed, weyrleader. I will await your note before finalizing things so as to be prepared for all who will come.” Although, truth be told, she would likely have everything settled before that. A few minor portion adjustments or extra seats would be easy to handle. Best to get it all done as quickly as possible.

When J’fel started to rise again she let out a laugh that matched the amused sparkle in her eyes. “Really, weyrleader. Are you trying to see how many times you might make me rise up and down?” She shook her head and then took up her tea cup for a small drink before it was set down back on the table. “I should be honored to attend the first and any others you might be able to accommodate me at.”

[Omnia Munda]

Of his feints J'fel made no mention, but to the headwoman's mention of them he did offer a twitch of smirk couched in the corner of his pretty mouth. "Very good," was all he said, a little king quite contented. On that he rose, getting fully to his feet this time, then propped a neatly bridged hand on the table so that he could offer the other out for the headwoman's. No salutes here: evidently the weyrleader would have them clasp hands on their plans, like men.

[Invisible]

If the weyrleader was content with the way things were decided Ramla had nothing else to add. Out loud at any rate. In her head she had already begun figuring out numbers and the demands this new assignment would put on her already scarce personal time. When J’fel actually stood Ramla did as well. There was no fussing with clothes or hair as if sitting would put them out of place. There was simply the standing to appear as graceful that way as in what passes for her formal repose. Her hand reached out to the one offered to her. “It was a pleasure speaking with you, weyrleader,” she told the young man because she had learned a lot from their conversation.

[Omnia Munda]

J'fel had mastered the businesslike handshake. Perhaps it came naturally, though since it was stark contrast to the languid characteristics that were dominant in his demeanor, it might be easier to believe he'd learned it since Jordeth won him the weyrleader's knot.

"And with you, Ramla," he said over their clasped hands. "Thank you for the tea."

He showed himself out, an air of satisfaction tangible in his wake.