Work, work, all day long... (Open)

[Ivy]

Tavis wiped the back of his hand across his forehead and set the shovel he had against the stall wall. Though he hadn't been assigned to the stables as a chore, he still found himself here. There weren't many runners but he didn't mind, he felt more at home amongst them than he did the dragons and dragonriders inside the Weyr anyway.

Grabbing the water skin off his belt he took a swig and then dumped some over his head to help cool him off. It wasn't overly hot outside, but with all the hard work he'd been putting in over the past two candlemarks, it felt hot to him. Clearing the stall he went over to one of the occupied ones and held his hand out for the runner to sniff before he pet her muzzle.

Idly he considered his situation. He had been working a mere sevenday ago at a stable in Selenitas Hold, wanting to earn some marks so he could make his way to the Weyr. Now here he was at the Weyr - and all he wanted to do was get out of here. He'd found out his father, V'is, had died turns ago in threadfall. Figures.

Walking over to one of the empty stalls he kicked the straw around until it was in the corner. Plopping down he leaned back and closed his eyes, deciding to get in a nap before that harpy of a Candidatemaster hunted him down.

[Rei]

Nysania gave the bay gelding she was riding a final pat and then slipped off him and onto the ground. The Weyrhealer had taken to riding during the afternoon hours when she could get the time. Mostly because Nyssk despised the runners. Why would hers want to ride one of the inferior beast when she could ride him? Why would she want to spend time with the brainless ones when she could spend time with something intelligent? The complaints and snappish comments went on and on.

Thus Nysania merely went out and rode the runners when her large blue wher was sleeping in the apartments. He still threw a fit when she got back because he could smell the runners on her but no way was the Weyrhealer stopping something she loved so much just to cater to her overbearing mind leech. Sometimes she wondered why she put up with him. Answer. She really had no other choice. Exasperating creature though he was she still loved him.

Leading the borrowed gelding back into the stables the larger woman tied him up and proceeded to take her time brushing him out and picking out his feet before she walked him to cool him down and then led him into his newly cleaned stall. Stroking along his face as the runner took a long drink from his water bucket the Weyrhealer moved to put his halter and lead away and clean up. Finishing with that Nysania straightened and took a deep breath of the stable scent. It was a comforting smell, reminded her of home and her own runner who she had been forced to leave behind. The stable had become her little retreat from the weyr general and she was loathe to leave it just then. So the older woman moved stall to stall, talking gently to the nickering runners and paying them each a bit of attention.

Finally Nysania came to the stall Tavis was sprawled in and she gave a short chuckle before speaking in a friendly tone. “Now then boy. You sure aren’t a runner.” Her near golden brown eyes fixed on the boy in a friendly way. “Or if you are you look to be a really tired one. You aren’t shirking your chores are you?” She asked him in a slightly teasing tone. Sometimes young people had quite funny reactions and she was curious to see how this one would react. Candidate by his knots. Hmm.

[Ivy]

Tavis opened his eyes at the voice above him and was met with the vision of an older woman. An older, curvy woman. True her curves might be due to her overall weight - but its not like the 16 turn minded that. He was just happy to be woken up by a friendly voice instead of that harpy Elisabeta. Just thinking of the Candidatemaster made him shudder a bit as he sat up. A light flush colored his cheeks as he did his best to make eye contact instead of staring at... ahem, certain areas of the woman's anatomy. Shaking his head, his curly black hair bounced a bit around his ears and he offered a shy, somewhat nervous smile.

"No ma'am, not a runner. And no on the chores shirking as well. Was just resting my eyes for a moment." His flushed cheeks turned a tinge darker at the insinuation he was trying to get out of his chores. Did he really look like he was lazy? "Name's Tavis, am I in your way?"

Standing up he brushed the straw off his clothes and stretched. Right hand stole up to tousle his hair to make sure there wasn't any straw clinging in his curls before he shoved his hands in his pockets and gave another shy smile.

[Rei]

Nysania watched with amusement as the boy sat up and blushed. Ah then she had surprised him. Tapping her riding gloves against her thigh she chuckled as he scrambled to defend himself. Poor dear. She hadn’t meant to embarrass him. Golden eyes dancing with mirth the Weyrhealer replied in a cheerful tone. “It is quite nice to meet you Tavis. My name is Nysania. I am the Weyrhealer here. I help run the infirmary with Kalierre. You don’t have to look so uncomfortable dearie. I was simply teasing you.” A warm smile greeted the candidate after her words. “It looks like you have been working quite hard. Everyone deserves a rest. Have you mucked out all these stalls yourself?” A quick look was given the stable area before her eyes again rested on the dark haired lad.

“You most certainly are not in my way either. I just got back from a ride and as I was walking past I saw you laying in here. Curiosity gets the better of me at times.” Nysania examined Tavis for another moment before she decided that she should probably stop cornering him in the stall. Backing up she half turned and stuck her riding gloves in her pocket. The woman was going to just go back to the apartments and Nyssk but well what harm was there in talking to the boy a bit? It wasn’t often that she got to interact with people outside the infirmary. Besides. Maybe he would be interested in working in the infirmary a bit? Kalierre never turned down willing help and neither did she.

“Your knots say candidate. Tell me Tavis are you here for the dragons or the whers?”

[Ivy]

"Aye ma'am I did." He replied when he saw her look along the row of stalls. The sweat on his brow and clinging to his clothes could attest to how much hard work he'd already put in this morning. As she continued to speak his demeanor shifted slightly, he seemed a bit more at ease though not completely. He was still tense from being surprised from his little nap, and he wasn't the most comfortable around strangers - especially those that were weyrfolk.

"A Candidate... more like a captive actually. The Searchrider took me from Selenitas Hold. True I was coming here, but not to Stand... not very thrilled about it either. But if I try and take off or refuse I'm sure she'll sick her demented Green after me..." His sentence trailed off as he realized this woman, this Nysania may be friends with Elisabeta - and he may have just dug himself a very deep hole. Clearing his throat his cheeks went a tinge red and he looked around nervously, as if the Greenrider would jump out of the shadows and assign him a million more chores for the day.

"Whers would be better than dragons, though I'm hoping I fail to Impress and can just leave... No offense, but the way Weyr life goes, especially how certain aspects of relationships are handled... are just not acceptable in my opinion." His tone was somewhere between hard and biting, and soft. He wasn't trying to offend the healer, obviously. He just felt he should explain why he didn't want to be a rider or handler.

[Rei]

Nysania gave Tavis another warm smile. “All those stalls on your own? You do deserve a bit of a rest then.” Hard worker and very respectful. Yes so far she really liked this lad. Moving out of the stall and back into the barn proper she motioned for the candidate to follow her before she reached for the skin of water she always kept with her and handed it to him. “Afraid it’s only water but you are more then welcome to it.” With a soft smile the Weyrhealer waited for Tavis to speak, eyes fixed on his face as she listened to him. Poor lad that sounded more like a kidnapping then a search. Temporary irritation flashed through the woman at that thought. Completely hold born Nysania did not by any means completely agree with the way weyrlife ran. Which made living here both interesting and also irritating.

At any rate it caused her to sympathize with this poor holder boy. “I see. Sounds like you have had a time of it. To tell you the truth I’m not all that fond of some of the riders here either.” Smiling to try and reassure him she shook her head. “I was born at Fort Hold believe it or not. Lived there up until just a little under a turn ago. Spent my whole life at Healer Hall really. I didn’t come here to impress anything.” At this she snorted. “I actually came to replace the Weyrhealer via Healer Hall’s instructions. I ended up at a wher hatching. Really there just in case of a mauling and this little pain in the rear baby blue wher stumbled up to me and decided I was his even though I was not a candidate. Unfortunately it seems bonding cannot be reversed and I’m still stuck with the irritating creature.” There was a subtle fondness to her tone despite her words however. For all his annoyances she still loved her wher. Whether it was because she had no choice or was forced to was up for debate sometimes. The blue pair sure had an…interesting relationship at times.

Another smile was offered Tavis. “Oh no worries sweetheart. I completely understand. I’m not too cracked on how some of the relationships around here are handled either. It was a bit of a culture shock when I first came here let me tell you. Still is at times. But this is how the weyrfolk live. It’s just a different culture I guess. One us holders might not have an easy time excepting it but it’s the only way they know how to live. If you look closely in fact you can normally tell which riders are holdborn vs. weyrborn most of the time. Of course those riders have mostly had to adapt to the way things are handled here but some hold habits and beliefs die hard.”

A mild frown was given Tavis. He was hoping to age out hmm? Nysania wasn’t sure how often that actually happened. Chances are he would impress at some point, like it or not. “If you really wanted to leave hun I’d say you should ask to. But the truth is under our current leadership I’m afraid you might very well be a prisoner.” With a soft smile she shook her head. “Whers are a good sort and the handlers are a great bunch. Our life is very laid back, unlike the riders. If you would like I could show you around the handler apartments? You could even meet a few handlers and some whers and see what you think? It would give you a different perspective at any rate.” Plus give her a bit more time to get to know him and see if he would also be interested in an infirmary apprenticeship.

[Aftershock]

Samael was just finishing grooming a relaxed pinto, running the finishing brush across the runner's black-and-white coat in long strokes, using his sensitive fingers and well-trained muscle memory to make sure he didn't miss a spot. His bright blue eyes looked out across the runner's back, the cloudy pupils staring at nothing in particular. He used his free hand to brush a stray curl from his forehead as he heard Heimdall scuffling around near the corner of the stall. The large canine, though only just over a turn old, was already tall enough so that Samael could touch his back without stooping, and at the moment he had found a mouse sneaking through the pinto's stall and had cornered it, his hindquarters in the air as he looked at his tiny playmate.

Even in play, however, Heimdall was nothing if not vigilant, and when he saw Samael's feet approach the brush-filled bucket, threatening to trip him, a breathy, rumbling "hruf" left his muzzle, warning Samael of the danger. Returning his attention to the mouse between his paws, Heimdall discovered the mouse had rudely had a heart attack at being trapped between the massive paws, and he cocked his head and nosed at the tiny, still form in confusion.

As he was nearly finishing grooming the runner, suddenly Samael and Heimdall cocked their heads simultaneously, overhearing the conversation between the Candidate and Weyrhealer. Concluding the brushing, Samael felt around for the brush bucket with his foot, finding it quickly and depositing the brush inside before dusting off his white cotton open-collared shirt and brown slacks, assuming they were covered in runner hair (though he could not see if he was). Kicking his toes against the ground a few times to try to knock loose any possible errant runner droppings from his heavy leather boots, he clicked his tongue and Heimdall abandoned his dead little friend and plodded over, placing his back directly under Samael's lowered hand.

Proceeding slowly but surely out of the pinto's stall and down the aisleway, with Heimdall nudging his master as necessary to guide his steps away from any obstacles, he eventually reached the stall wherein Nysania and Tavis were chatting. "Excuse me," he interjected, in a quiet, but strong voice as the two emerged into the stable aisleway, "I couldn't help but overhear you two talking about Candidacy and Impressing, and I felt I needed to say something." Samael turned his sharp-featured face in Tavis' general direction, and said, "Tavis, was it? I don't mean to seem rude towards someone I barely have gotten to know, but I think you may be thinking about Candidacy and riders the wrong way. Thread threatens us all, and without dragonriders to battle it, none of us would be here. It's a special calling to defend those who are unable to defend themselves," he continued, patting Heimdall as he spoke, who wagged his tail at his master's praising, though he did not understand the words, only the intent behind them.

His voice growing a bit stronger and more fervent, he then said, "It's a great honor to be chosen to possibly become a dragonrider... o-or a wherhandler," he added, bowing his head slightly in Nysania's direction. "Some of us would give a lot to be able to have such a chance, though fate may have denied us," he continued, making a minor gesture to indicate his eyes. His expression hardening a bit, he then said, "It just seems a bit of an insult to those who's chance to be a dragonrider was stolen from them to try to give up on your own chance," he concluded, grief and anger warring behind his clouded blue eyes.

[Ivy]

Tavis took the offered flask of water gratefully, drinking deeply from it before offering it back as he wiped the back of his free arm over his mouth. A soft smile tugged at his lips, ah so she understood how he felt. Still she seemed like she'd adjusted fairly well... Maybe it was because she had a wher, and not a dragon? He wondered idly if the affairs of wherhandlers differed greatly from dragonriders.

However before he could answer he would like to take her up on the offer to see the handler apartments - he couldn't help but blush deeply when she said that (he was a young man after all, and his mind immediately went a direction he was sure she hadn't intended) - they were interrupted. Turning a bit to face the other person who had been hanging around the stables - how he hadn't noticed him before was beyond him.

He listened as the other one spoke, noticing immediately the dog with him as well as his eyes. It was obvious that the young man couldn't see. The stables were a bit dangerous for people in good health, a nervous or frightened runner could do some serious damage to a person... so what was he doing here? Was he nuts? As he continued speaking Tavis' arched a brow, his smile had faded. As the boy finished Tavis shook his head a bit, "I apologize that life didn't give you a chance to do what you obviously really wanted to. However some of us had different plans for our lives - being Searched is an honor, I'm sure, but being kidnapped is not. I'm not suited to the life in a Weyr."

His tone was one of annoyance. Why did he have to explain himself to this boy? He didn't know Tavis, who was he to judge him or his desire to be far away from the Weyr? Turning his attention back to the woman Tavis forced a small smile, "As I was about to say...", he gave a pointed look at the other young man, "I would like to see the apartments and your wher, if that would be alright..."

[Rei]

Nysania was rather enjoying the company of this young lad. He had a good head on his shoulders. It wouldn’t be a bad thing to get him more involved with things like the infirmary. Might do him some good too. Being cooped up in the stables for all this time couldn’t be very good for him. The infirmary wasn’t easy work like people seemed to think and besides it would give Tavis a chance to interact with some more of the weyrfolk. Maybe he would see that they weren’t all so bad that way. Could do him a world of good. Yes the Weyrhealer decided that after she introduced him to Nyssk and explained a bit about the handlers and how things were run there she’d officially invite him on as an apprentice.

Before their conversation could go much further however they were interrupted by a young man that Nysania could not remember meeting either. Hmm there were clear disadvantages to being part of the night life. The older woman stayed silent as Samael spoke. Still she couldn’t help the way her eyes drifted to his and her own widened in slight surprise. Well then judging by the cataracts on his eyes the poor thing was blind. That explained the canine a bit then. The healer had never been much fond of canines though nor was she afraid of them so Heimdall was given a brief look over before her attention went to the boy’s words. It really wasn’t her place to interrupt so she stayed silent and waited for both boys to finish before speaking herself and addressing them both.

“That’s the thing about people. Everyone views things in a different light and everyone has a right to their own opinions. I think that no matter what the topic you’ll find that not everyone agrees.” Deciding that that was the most she was going to say on the matter for now Nysania offered Tavis a reassuring smile. “Good. I’m happy you decided to accept. I’m sure Nyssk will like meeting you.” So perhaps that was a bit of a white lie but her wher would behave at the very least. Turning back towards Samael she cleared her throat. “Now then I don’t think we have properly met. I’m Nysania. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Do you always come here by yourself?” It seemed rather wrong not to include the poor blind boy.

[Aftershock]

Samael's brows knitted in annoyance at the boy's response. "Not very loyal to others, this one," thought Samael, and responded, "If you do not like it here, why do you not leave? I'm sure you could live a good life in Blossom Hold, I know I did. Perhaps they'll even let me take your spot." A mirthless smirk followed his last words, though of course since he wasn't facing Tavis it might have been hard to tell it was directed at him.

As Nysania cut in, Samael relented, his expression returning to neutral as he responded, "True, Weyrhealer Nysania." Smiling at what he assumed was confusion on her face, though obviously he couldn't see it, he added, "I've been to the infirmary a few times since I've been here, and I've heard your voice and matched it to people who've said your name. You might not have noticed me, as I can be easy to overlook with all the greatness of riders and handlers around me... plus, they don't like Heimdall around the infirmary, so I don't go unless I absolutely need to." He patted Heimdall as he mentioned him, and in response the large canine wagged his tail happily, his tongue lolling out. Presenting a hand in Nysania's general direction, though he was off by quite a bit, he said, "My name is Samael, it is a pleasure to make the acquaintance of a real wherhandler." Smiling shyly, he added, "I work here most of the time. The runners don't mind Heimdall, and he keeps me from getting into trouble. It's difficult to find other jobs for someone of... my infirmity..." he added with a bit of a sigh.

[Ivy]

Tavis rolled his eyes when Samael asked why he didn't just leave. "Obviously you've never met Elisabeta. She's a harpy. Horrid woman. Forced me to come here to be a Candidate. I doubt I would make it far if I tried to leave. Next time you listen in on someone's conversation you should make sure you listen to the whole thing."

Rude? Perhaps. Tavis didn't feel sorry for the boy, even if he was blind. He could tell by Nysania's tone she did though - and he cringed a bit. Great, now she was going to think he was a horrid person for not walking on egg shells cuz of the blind boy. There goes the one friend he may have made in the Weyr. Hoping he could make up for it, he cleared his throat. "I'm Tavis, by the way. Its been a long day... I'm sorry if I came across a bit harsh."

Was he truly sorry? Maybe, maybe not. Did it matter? Not really. He just had to seem sorry. Nodding to the dog - not that Samael could see his nod - he offered a bit of a smile. "Nice canine. What did you say his name is?"

[Rei]

Nysania was aware of the tension between the two boys but as there seemed to be little she could do to fix it currently she let it be. They would have to resolve it together. She could mediate if needed but little more then that. At least the tenseness was receding a little as they continued to speak. It wasn’t completely gone no, but it seemed to be on it’s way out. She could mention to the blind boy that it would likely be impossible to Tavis to leave now that he had been searched but as the boy had already restated that fact again the Weyrhealer stayed silent. Instead her attention turned back to the blind child as he spoke.

An eyebrow rose as Samael said her name. She hadn’t remembered telling it to him… Ah there was the explanation. When one was blind the others senses usually developed much better and by the way the boy moved and spoke he had probably been blind for quite awhile if not his entire life. It was amazing what the human body could overcome if you gave it a chance. “I see.” Stepping forward and taking his hand she grasped it tightly and returned the handshake. “Well it is nice to meet you properly Samael, and Heimdall as well. I think I might have caught glimpses of you before. You’ll have to forgive me for not remembering. The infirmary is a very busy place and I run the whole thing. So I’m afraid things start to blur together at times.” Her tone was gentle and friendly like the smile that he wouldn’t be able to see. She would have to communicate in tone what he could not sense with his eyes.

“Heimdall is a sweetheart I am sure but yes I frown upon animals being in my infirmary unless they are dragonic and being treated there. Nothing against him of course but it is unsanitary and people have allergies to things like canines and felines. Dragons and the like are quite hypoallergenic.” Because they didn’t have the fur and dander like felines and canines did. But as a rule all pets were banned from her disinfected hallways. Smiling she included Tavis in the gesture so he would not feel left out before continuing. “I’m happy you have found a place here Samael. I’m sure if you spoke to the headwoman she could find you some more things to keep you busy. There is always work to be done somewhere.” With a decisive nod she smiled at both boys. The older woman seemed to be quite immune to their back and forth comments and in a way she was. Boys would be boys after all.

[Aftershock]

At Tavis' words, Samael forced a smile in the general direction of the boy, and said, "It's all right. I apologize, myself, if I came across a bit preachy. Candidacy is a very... personal matter, to me." He still didn't like the boy, but in Nysania's presence, he would at least try to be more civil.

To Nysania, Samael smiled genuinely, and responded, "There's no need to apologize, ma'am. With so many dragonriders and wherhandlers around, it's easy for a simple weyrfolk like myself to go unnoticed, and I'm sure you're very busy." In response to her apology about Heimdall's unwanted presence in the infirmary, he again replied, "It's all right about Heimdall, too. I understand completely. I wouldn't bring him in with me, but I cannot move around without him, else I trip on something or run into something and injure myself further," he added with a wry grin.

Finally, Samael put a hand back on Heimdall's back, and said, "I apologize for interrupting you. You've probably got a lot to do, Weyrhealer Nysania. It was certainly nice to meet you, though," he added, purposefully not mentioning Tavis in either the "having a lot to do" or the "being nice to meet you" departments.

[Ivy]

Tavis stood there quietly as he waited for the Weyrhealer and the blind boy to finish talking. As the conversation lulled a bit he wiped his forehead on the back of his arm. "If you'll excuse me Nysania, I need to get back to the Candidate Barracks." He put extra emphasis on the word 'Candidate' just to irk the other boy.

Smiling he nodded to the older woman, "I look forward to meeting your wher though, you know where to find me whenever you're free to show me around."

With that he left, walking around Samael and his mutt on his way out - not saying a thing to either of them.

[Rei]

Again Nysania fought the urge to sigh as the boys made subtle digs at each other. Ah young people. Was she ever like that when she was younger? Certainly not. But that could probably be attributed to the fact that she spent her entire teenage years at Healer Hall. Her job had literally become her life from a very young age. Not that she minded that fact at all. It was her one and only true love. Healing. There had never been room for much else. She had, in a sense, been forced to make room for Nyssk, though she would never admit to disliking this fact. The Weyrhealer did at times find her wher a bit annoying. Okay more then a bit.

As both boys said their goodbyes she smiled at Tavis and then gently put her hand on Samael’s shoulder. “It was nice to meet you Samael. I hope to see you again at some point. Next time you are in the infirmary ask for me okay?” Giving his shoulder a light squeeze she nodded to Tavis. “Of course dear. I’ll bring Nyssk around and you can meet him rather soon.” With a friendly smile, and still ignoring the tension in the air, she exited the stables and chuckled to herself. Ah young men. How easily she had forgotten the pissing contests they liked to get into at that age. Hopefully with time and maturity that would change. Pity men acted like boys for most of their lives. Laughing to herself Nysania set her feet on the path to the handler apartments.

(End Thread)