Keeping Up With the Times (E'rro)

[Ember]

"What am I supposed to do if all of you are depressed?" Neph told her firelizards and dragon tiredly. "Nevermind, you all just stay here. I'm going to get away from...this." She waved her hand at the inside of her new weyr, gesturing at everything and nothing at the same time. Part of the gloom was the change of location, of course, but she thought that the new weyr was actually something of an improvement. Selenitas was home though. It was where her friend was, where she'd Impressed all her mindmates, where she'd met...humph.

Didn't matter anymore though. What she had at so-called Burimyu was all she should focus on. Aside from her depressed mindmates (who so weren't helping her mood) she had...E'rro and most of Legatus. And yes, E'rro was counted separately from them because of all of them she knew him better than simply a wingmate. The Legatus members were only really counted because some of them had gone feline hunting with her that one time.It was a pretty fragile bond and certainly not making her lighten up at all.

That left her only one option if she wanted to distract herself from everything. She'd go find E'rro and...well who knew what would happen then. She couldn't play with him, innocently or otherwise, and she wasn't so sure she could be open with him either. She'd think of something when the time came. She considered sending one of her firelizards in search of him because she was bound to get lost if she wandered around for too long but decided against it. Why not get lost if she couldn't find E'rro? It would be something to do at least.

It was probably about midday so she checked the dining area first but wasn't too surprised not to see him there. It was still a tad early for lunch anyways and E'rro was a hard worker so he was probably still doing something. Hmm, what exactly did the council members do during the day again? She was considering where it would be best to look for the man within her limited understanding of Burimyu's layout when she rounded a corner and walked into someone. "Aa-oof! Watch where you- oh, hey E'rro," Nephele said, looking up at her target from the floor.

[Tashe]

What did Council Members do during the day? Why, they scoured the tunnels making maps, until they found old architectural layouts in the archives that is. Needless to say, this particular man was covered with dust and spider webs, but hopefully not the spiders themselves. E'rro loathed spiders. He thought they were creepy little things that all deserved to die even though he wasn't generally afraid of them. As he rewound the large spool of bright red cord - something he'd found randomly in one of the deserted rooms- the Brownrider let his Firelizard try and clean him. He was safe in the knowledge that if she found any bugs, she'd probably eat them. She was a weird creature to say the least.

It took a few minutes to finally reach the end of the line, even less to detach the end and tie a white bow next to the red one that was already hung. He used different colored cords to signal which tunnels he himself explored and charted. Red meant untouched while white meant charted. Yellow cords were tied to signify an uncompleted exploration and black meant danger. Fortunately, none of his tunnels yet sported the black bow. All of his signal markers were left on corners, and were usually found on the outskirts of the main usage areas. Meaning, farther from the areas with the most Burimyuan foot traffic. Balancing the spool against his leg, E'rro dusted himself off and rolled down the sleeves of his signature black undershirt. He had long covered the small glow basket he kept with him and attached it to his pack, to which his shirt was also tied. Why he even bothered to wear one was beyond him. He always got hot when he walked for long periods of time.

Picking up the spool he balanced it on the shoulder not sporting a fat Green flit and began to walk through the better known tunnels, in particular the ones that would lead him to lunch. The different corridors and off shoots were counted and taken according to what he thought was correct, though he had to double back once because he took a right instead of a left. After that he didn't run into any more problems... well, until he was nearly knocked off kilter as he rounded a corner. Flapping his arm and jumping backward to regain his balance the Wingsecond hoisted the spool back into place, as it had begun to slide off of his shoulder. Feather was cheeping in protest but quieted quickly when she saw who they had run into, immediately flapping and landing promptly on the woman's shoulder and preening her hair. Perhaps she had food? Feather liiiike.

E'rro's reaction wasn't quite as enthusiastic as his flitter's had been, which was actually quite normal. He covered the few steps that distanced them and offered the Greenrider his free hand. "Nephele. Hello. You always seem to know how to make your presence known. Need some help?" The Rider whistled at his flitter, who just as quickly abandoned her nuzzling to cling to his shoulder. Although she liked the human girl, her's was always the bestest. "I'd ask you to accompany me to lunch, but it looks as if you are just coming from the hall. Do you know what Hoayamae is making today?"

[Ember]

Nephele blinked in surprise as a familiar-ish weight settled on her shoulder. Right, E'rro did have a firelizard..."Hello beautiful," she complimented the green quietly. She then turned her attention to E'rro again. She was quite accustomed to firelizards perching on her. Assuming the green didn't bite or claw her there was no harm in leaving her be. "Mm. I do try," she responded playfully. It wasn't entirely a lie either. If she wasn't noticeable on occasion how could she ever move up in the world? While not as obsessed with it as before, Nephele still liked not being an existence easily dismissed.

She accepted the outstretched hand (hiding her surprise at the gesture) and let the brownrider help her up. Speaking of brownriders...how come she seemed drawn to them in some way or another? Bronzeriders were the most influential males, generally speaking, but she always felt a bit more personally conencted with brownriders. Oh well. Once again she was on her feet and the firelizard was off her shoulder so she could look at E'rro more closely. He was...quite dirty wasn't he? It was kind of amusing.

"Actually, I haven't eaten yet so I'll come with you. When I was passing through it seemed to be some kind of meaty soup. Probably wherry, herdbeast is a bit heavy for lunch. But E'rro..." Nephele paused, more obviously looking him over. "Are you sure you want to go eat like that? You're covered in dust! Mae might not appreciate you trying to add an extra ingredient to the food she prepared." There was a slightly playful note in her voice and she showed a small, though still fake, grin.

[Tashe]

Being already coated with dirt, E'rro didn't mind the skin to skin contact, the grit dampened the reaction and reduced it to an almost negligable twitch. At the mention of soup the Brownrider's stomach growled in anticipation, exclaming it's indignity of being fed only a stuffed bun since the morning hours. He looked down momentarily at his abdomen. "... apparently my stomach wants to consume an entire herdbeast. But, Wherry Soup will have to do." If it was a stew, it would be even better. But with the lack of supplies, they had to ration everything out until more could be procured in secret from Blossom Hold. E'rro looked up and focused his gaze on the Greenrider. "I'm sure Hoayamae won't mind, as long as me being covered in dirt means she doesn't get lost again." He brushed a few cobwebs from his shirt. "Anyway, look at it like this... any dead bugs that fall off me is just more protein in our already lacking diet." Feather chirped in agreement. She herself prefered those slender flying bugs with the four thin wings, they were spicy and crunchy. Mmm. She was making herself hungry.

"Lets go then. I honestly don't think I have the patience to go and wash up, maybe they'll let me strub my hands in the dishwater or something." Stepping around Nephele, the Wingsecond strode away toward the Main Hall, which might he add was about twice as big as Selentias's. It could easily fit all of the Selentias Riders and Weyrfolk with room still to spare, or at least he thought so. Either way, it was definately a longer walk from the main entrace to the tables closest to the food serving area. Depositing the spool of thread on the end of a random table, the Brownrider busied himself with convincing one of the volunteer cooks to let him use some water. Eventually, he succeeded in getting enough to wash his hands, which was really just fine with him.

After that was all said and done with, he collected a bowl of soup (not stew, for which he was momentarily bummed) and a few pieces of meat, sitting down at the table he had claimed for their party of two and a half. Feeding Feather a strip of meat, he waited to start on his own food until the Greenrider had joined him with her bowl. "So, how is everyone adjusting on your end?" This was said between a mouthful or two of soup. Apparently, he was actually starving...

[Ember]

Nephele giggled softly at E'rro's growling stomach. Hungry indeed. When peoples' stomachs made noises like that they really shouldn't keep it waiting. The idea of extra protein though..."Lots of people say that but it's still gross, y'know? Well, as long as you don't shed any critters in my soup I don't much care," she commented dryly. She wasn't keen on eating with a dirty person, if she were being completely honest, but she'd let it go because he was exploring her new...home. Hrm. Being hopeless with directions as it was, his exploring was greatly appreciated.

As he stepped passed her she turned on a heel to follow. She considered calling her pets for the meal as well but it would be a simpler affair without them around. She could bring them food after she ate and then leave them be again. She waited as E'rro at least washed his hands before getting food before getting her own bowl as well. She was surprised to see some simple bread baked to compliment the meal. Well, it was filling on it's own. She snagged a couple pieces before joining her companion at the table.

She was about to take a bite of the bread when E'rro spoke. She paused consideringly before sighing slightly. "They're not," Nephele said bluntly. "Four depressed mindmates are not fun. One's missing his mate, two are mourning the one we lost, and Nuoth...well...I'm sure she'll pull out of it sooner or later." The green was a bit touchy about her moody periods. Nephele wouldn't be the one to outright say it if the green wouldn't. "I was actually escaping them when I bumped into you." And wasn't that just wrong, having to escape your own mindmates?

[Tashe]

Using his napkin to wipe the corners of his mouth, E'rro nodded slightly as Nephele answered his question. "We knew that it would take time to adjust, especially for those who lost those close to them." He would know. "Hopefully everyone can start to look forward to what we need to do to get back, rather than look back on what we cannot change." He shifted his gaze from Nephele to his firelizard, she had hopped off of his shoulder onto the table and was looking at the pieces of meat with intention. Picking one up, he offered the Green a large strip so she could keep herself busy with tearing it up. "As for me and mine, I think I'm the one suffering the most. Ismaroth is used to being uprooted." He rubbed Feather's neck before taking a bite of soup.

"I had to leave Nuisance behind. It hurts that he's not right here and Feather misses him, but I feel like he's still alive. If he's anything like his name, he'll have bugged someone into adopting him until I return. I bet he's with a pretty girl. That little bug." He sighed. Not having Nuisance around was like having a little hole cut into his heart, for he had grown so accustomed to the Blue's voice invading his mind. E'rro was sure that he would have felt something if the Salamandyr was killed, holding onto the hope was the only thing that really kept him from breaking down. That and working his ass off. It helped take his mind off things.

"Unfortunately with winter's arrival and the early snows, the time for mourning has almost come to an end. If we are to survive everyone will have to help out. Not to sound morbid or grim, but thats the truth. We can't just rely on Blossom to help us through, they already have to pay tithes to Selenitas and make sure their people have enough food to last through till spring. I think this winter will be especially hard on the Dragons." Herdbeast wasn't something they could easily just keep around, not until they found a suitably hidden place inside Burimyu or out. "I doubt the snowstorms here will be as bad as the ones in the North, but its possible if we get a blizzard we'll be closed off from any supplies Blossom does happen to send." Pausing as he ate some more of his soup, E'rro tapped his heel against the ground as he thought. "Mm. Here I am talking your ear off about issues that I intend to bring up at the next Council meeting... I don't suppose you have anything you'd like me to bring up? Or any ideas?"

[Ember]

"Mm," Nephele grunted noncomittally. She could be extremely good at wallowing in the past, especially if she had depressed minds attached to hers. She looked at E'rro in genuine interest when he mentioned that he was the one taking it worst. That didn't quite sound right. He was keeping bus- ah. Now she understood. That could be a sign of people having problems. Feather seemed mostly fine and she could take his word on Ismaroth. So...really? She was still mildly surprised the seemingly unshakeable brownrider was disturbed.

A moment later he revealed why and she made a small "ah" of understanding. She could only imagine what it was like to have a mindmate alive but out of range, and for such a long time. She could understand the emptiness having lost two of her own before though. She didn't have many people she cared about - Erilena and K'sel (if she were being honest) were two of theme - but E'rro was making his way in there. Hearing that the man was troubled...she couldn't help but, rather uncharacteristically, offer genuine support. "You'd know better than me how resourceful salamandyrs are. We'll get back and you'll find him leading a mini 'mandyr army or something, causing trouble for the weyr's women," she commented, lightly enough to indicate it was in jest.

"Snow? That's something I never wanted to see again. But you're right that it's going to get harder." She dipped her bread in the soup before taking a bite of it. When he asked her about any issues she shrugged. "I hate to suggest it, but maybe we could consider stealing tithes. Blossom won't be able to support us alone, as you said. Also...maybe it's the shock from the move but no greens have risen yet. We'll have to find a way around that." Just some more stuff for E'rro to worry about. And because she was soemwhat concerned..."E'rro, don't wear yourself out too much worrying about everything on your own. You have the other council members, and other people here too."

[Tashe]

"You have no idea." He shook his head with a slight smile, stirring his soup with a spoon. "We'll go back and find he's single handedly raised a 'mandyr army and somehow driven the Wastelanders out or to insanity. Whichever comes first." Yeah. That was probably what the little sneak was up to. No one knew better than him what the Blue could do and enciting a rebellion with the help of the Bronze 'Mandyrs was not out of the realm of possibility. He had helped Lust string underwear in the main hall before, so the power of Mandyrs should never be underestimated... but still, having Nuisance out of range was difficult. It was probably why he was volunteering for things left and right, just to keep himself busy. Working his mind so it didn't have time to sit and remember the Salamandyr. Itching the side of his arm the Wingsecond took another spoonful or two of soup before he nodded in response to Nephele.

"Stealing tithes... could be an option. I think it would have to be a last resort though. I'm sure if we extend a hand to Selenitas Hold they'd be willing to help, but it'd be dangerous. Hyphen might help." He shrugged. "If it came down to it, I'm sure none of us would have qualms about stealing the tithes from Lighttower or Southern." It wasn't uncommon knowledge that both of those Holds held no love for the Weyr, so if their tithes never made it? Eh. It wouldn't make much of a difference. "As for the Greens... well, on the other side of these Mountains is a large desert. If we send the Greens out there with their riders when they start to glow it should cut down on a frenzy of males that chase. We still have to decide exactly how we're going to address this, I think its coming up in the next council meeting. If not, I'll bring it up."

He broke a cracker with his teeth, chewing it into a swallowable size then popping the other half into his mouth. "Mmnn." E'rro cleared his mouth before he continued. "Yeah. I might be trying to keep myself busy but I know my limit. Most of what I'm doing is for the council anyway." He did whatever Ka'rys needed him to do, without question. He was the council's third wheel and workhorse. E'rro touched the side of his nose. "Its nice to know I have support when I need it though."

[Ember]

Nephele smiled a bit when E'rro agreed with her deduction of his 'mandyr. Still, any amusement that idea brought was likely pretty short lived. She might have offered to send one of her firelizards in search of his salamandyr but she wouldn't risk one of her pets again. Plus there were probably a couple others whose salamandyrs were stuck back at Selenitas and she didn't want word getting out that she'd helped one person but not others. She could do no more for E'rro.

"Selenitas Hold, huh...They might help but they also might not. While they support Selenitas Weyr a lot, I'm not sure they'd do the same for a group like ours," Nephele added grimly. "We have nothing to offer them. The Lord Holder appreciates the protection of the Weyr a lot; I'm pretty sure that's why they're so supportive." She had lived there for a bit after making her way to the south so she did understand some of their mindset. Really, she had never intended to wind up at the weyr. She had been trying to get away from Benden Weyr at the time.

Nephele openly grimaced at E'rro's suggestion. "That sounds absolutely terrific," she sighed, sarcasm most definitely present. "I suppose we'll do what we have to though." She liked beds, thank you very much. She took another spoonful of soup only to realize she was pretty much done. Well, she could stick around until E'rro finished at least. "Mmhmm. If there's anything you think I can do, let me know. Speaking of which...if you need another pair of hands for healing I'd be willing to learn. Ae'on says I'd probably be horrible but what does he know?"