A Meeting of the Minds

Writers: Chelle, Anaria
Date Posted: 5th September 2010

Characters: Mardria, Rhosyn
Description: Mardria checks in with the Weyrwoman and shares an idea.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 10, day 23 of Turn 5
Notes: Mentioned: Solieira, Umera (NPC), K'sedel

Soravath circled the Weybowl of River Bluff Weyr, while conferring
with Orlaith. Mardria could hear the green dragon requesting
permission to land on the Gold's ledge. After a few moments, Soravath
landed on the Weyrwoman's ledge, jerking Mardria slightly. Soravath
was over 60 turns old, and had lost some of the grace and ease of a
younger dragon. Mardria made a mental note to take Soravath to the
dragonhealer later and have her arthritic joints checked out. Mardria
dismounted slowly to avoid causing trauma to her own joints, and
adjusted her riding leathers. She didn't want to look like a slob in
front of her Weyrwoman.

Rhosyn was inside, resting for the moment. There were hides scattered
around her that she needed to go through and look at, but for the moment
she was enjoying bread and cheese with juice. "Come on in, Mardria.."
She knew Orlaith wouldn't let anyone get by without letting her know.
Glad the stone walls meant for a cool weyr, she was barefoot, sitting in
the floor on huge pillows.

Mardria entered, glad for the relief from the heat. It was midday, and
Rukbat was high in the sky. "Good day, Weyrwoman, my greetings to
Orlaith." The greeting seemed incredibly formal coming from Mardria,
who often eschewed the authority of "younglings." She produced a skin
of fine red wine from her riding belt and offered it to the Goldrider.
She liked the new Weyrwoman, and was glad to have a leader that wasn't
stuck up, and overly ladylike.

"A woman after my own heart," Rhosyn replied, getting up to produce
glasses before sitting back down and pouring. "Well met. So how are
Soravath and yourself?" It was important to check in with the older riders.
Their knowledge was useful and they were an asset to the Weyr even if they
couldn't complete regular duties any longer.

"I am meeting with the healer later today, I think." Mardria
mused. Talking about her dragon was one thing that made her very
serious. "Her last mating flight was a bit strenuous and her take offs
and landings have been pretty rough ever since then. Other than that
we've been well, helping out with the Weyrlings, tending to the
Aunties, hoping to have some of Orlaith's little ones flapping around
the Weyr soon," Mardria stated with a mischievous grin.

"Mm good..R'syl is an interesting fellow. I do think an appointment is
warranted though. If her joints are getting harder to deal with, it'll be
good to watch. We don't want any brittle bones that can break." Switching
gears, she sipped some of the wine, tasting it fully. "I don't know when
she's going to make up her mind, but she's too fascinated with all the new
dragons still to think about going up."

Mardria nodded, winking at Rhosyn. "Lot's of handsome bronzes here
indeed." She thought for a moment. "So how are you liking it here? Not
too hot for your tastes?"

"The heat is definitely an issue, though I'm getting used to it. I take more
baths though and I've started running off to the beach when I can." She
grinned. Rhosyn was pretty sure she'd shock them all if she walked around
naked all day. **The sunburn would be wicked** "Otherwise, I think it's going
to work out. I like being able to be myself."

"That's good. It's bad to try and pretend to be someone you're not."
This was a subject Mardria was an expert on. "So I wanted to ask if it
was possible to do a social event for some of the older members of the
Weyr? Maybe even incorporate some of the other Weyrs as well? It
often feels like there are so many things to celebrate the young..."
Mardria trailed off. She hated thinking of herself as old, per se, but
much of the Weyr's activities catered to the younger audience.

"What sort of event?" Rhosyn was curious. She didn't know about inviting
riders from other Weyrs, but it sounded interesting.

"Well, we had originally suggested a singles event - for non weyrmated
riders. It can often be hard on those of us who have lost a weyrmate
to meet new people, especially at an advanced age and when your dragon
can't or won't rise to mate anymore. But it would just be nice to get
together with other people our own age, play some dragonpoker,
reminisce with others who remember how things were before the
plague..." Her voice dwindled off as she reminisced.

"We being...? And how many people are we talking?" She continued to
sip the wine as they spoke, biting into cheese she had already sitting there,
which she had offered to Mardria with a gesture.

"We being my friend Umera and I. She's a Greenrider here." Mardria
paused to consider the numbers, chewing a piece of cheese
thoughtfully. "You know, I don't know how many older residents the
Weyr has. I'd have to do a tally. There's the full Wing of riders,
some older craft Masters, all the Aunties and Uncles... I don't wager
it's too, too many though."

"Well I don't see a problem with it. Just ask the Headwoman to see
about reserving the Dining Cavern. You might want to do one here
first..just River Bluff folk and see how it goes before we invite other
people though." She waited to hear Mardria's thoughts about that.

"Yes, we could do a trial activity, see if we have demand - if people
are actually interested. Then maybe consider expanding it a bit at a
later date if they are." Mardria smiled. "I like that idea. And most
of us older ones are off to our cots early too, so the Headwoman
wouldn't have to worry about us causing a ruckus all night. Well...
except maybe me...."

"I might just make an appearance to make sure the Weyr isn't falling
down around my head due to wild parties." Rhosyn chuckled. "Just
ask Solieira and tell me when it is. Maybe we can even dig an old
harper or two up to tune."

Mardria feigned innocence. "Us!? Damage the Weyr!? _Never_!" She
pondered. "An old Harper would be nice... they could play the old
teaching songs and ballads. Not those new songs the Harper Hall has
put out recently," Mardria stated with disgust. "I will go speak with
the Headwoman as soon as I can schedule a time!" She stated, nodding
to herself. "Thank you, Weyrwoman, you have been most helpful!"

"On my good days," she finished off the wine and got up. "Well it's
time to get off my big rump and go do some real work. Let me know
how the appointment goes mmkay?" She brushed her bottom off and
hunted for her sandals.

"I will definitely do that. Nice talking to you, and thanks again,"
Mardria said as she exited. She was glad that Rhosyn genuinely cared
about the older residents of the Weyr. **C'mon Soravath, let's get your
hide down to the healer.**

Last updated on the September 23rd 2010

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

A Meeting of the Minds