..allowances for thoughtful sorts..

Igen Weyr - Living Caverns
Second only to the Hatching Sands in size — although its walls are not so nearly circular — the living cavern is filled with numerous tables, almost too many to count. Most bear markings by rank and Wing, though there are a couple of dozen free for anyone's use. The Weyrleaders and other ranking residents have the table farthest from the kitchen and hearths, although the hearths are kept as low-burning as possible, just enough to keep the stew pot that always hangs for late-night nibblers at a good temperature. Favored drinks, particularly iced klah and juice, are kept on ice and interspersed at various food tables scattered about, along with baskets of rolls and fruit. There are, of course, scheduled mealtimes, and at certain points of the day the available fare slides into the menu for the nearest meal, be it breakfast, lunch, dinner, or late-night snackings, but the staff has long since acknowledged that people will sit to talk and nibble here at all hours. In the cooler parts of the evening in particular, the cavern hosts games of chess, checkers, dragonpoker, and others. Several degrees are knocked off thanks to the Technician Craft's new cooling system. There are several 'places' that you can find a seat at.

Morning finds the caverns of Igen Weyr bustling with people as riders and weyrfolk alike set about to getting their first meal of the day. This of course includes candidates and as such Zorya. The blonde makes her way out of the serving line with a few things on her plate, before and after her a handful of others who wear the white knot of candidacy as well.

Though small of stature, she's not exactly easy to miss with her sparkly jewelry and ever-bright eyes. Nalissi smiles and walks into the caverns, nearly bouncing with each step, rocking on her heels when she has to pause to allow for the passing of other traffic. Her nose finds the food and she falls into line for it, peering around folks now and then to see what might be there. "Rider nearly talked my leg off.. " she mutters to herself, "Now I'm starving..and behind schedule."

Zorya soon finds a seat at a reasonably empty table. Setting down her plate she stifles a yawn with a hand to her mouth as she settles into the chair before beginning to pick at her food. A bite or two in and the girl looks up to cast a glance across the room. Looking for someone? Perhaps, but it could just as easily be just looking.

Bracelets jangle and while the low hum in the caverns likely covers it, those close enough might notice as she passes by. Her plate is not filled so much as dotted with food, a few different things and she takes a mug of klah then spins about in a playful fashion, looking for a seat. She passes near Zorya and gives the young woman a smile, "Morning," she says in a friendly manner, taking a seat not far from her.

"Morning." Zorya returns in an equally friendly manner, a smile of her own flashing across her features for a moment as well. The food on her plate is more pushed around than eaten for the time being.

Nalissi wastes no time eating, not piggishly or without manners but she does eat. A sip of klah washes down the first round of tastings and she smiles contentedly then looks to Zorya, "It's better when it's fresh and hot," she says with a wink. A slender arm extends and a hand is offered, "Nalissi," she says with a smile.

A smile pulls back to the blonde's lips, turning towards Nalissi and extending her own hand in return. "Ah'm sure it is." she agrees. "Zorya." she adds her name for the other's reference as well. "Guess Ah'm just not all that hungry yet." she says with a bit of a shrug. "Still gettin used ta being at a new place again."

Nalissi shakes the hand, daintily, then smiles, reaching for her mug again. "A new place? Just moved in then?" she asks, taking a bite, then turning her head back to Zorya. "I'm in a new place nearly every day.. though…I guess some aren't new anymore since I revisit.." she muses.

Zorya nods slowly, taking a bite and swallowing before she elaborates. "Yeah. Not used ta moving around so much. Was hardly back at Ista it seems before Sianne was asking me ta stand for the clutch here." A hand reaches for her own glass, though water instead of klah, and the girl takes a long sip. "What is ya do then?" she asks curiously.

Earrings sway as her head nods in understanding, "Oh I see.. a candidate then.." she says then she brightens and sets her mug down. She holds out a hand, an with it an arm, displaying rings and bangles. "I make jewelry.. see.." and she holds up one bangle, a scrimshawed piece, detailing a dragon and rider, "I do these..and sometimes little mosaics with gems and other things." Her head turns and her hair is drawn back to show her earrings, "Most any kind of thing like this though..I'd love to put something sparkly on a dragon!" she says with a laugh. "Like.. charms on the straps or.. a pretty band on the tail.. who knows.." she nods, mug retaken.

Zorya nods, an mmhmm of agreement made at being a candidate. "They're beautiful." she says giving the compliment as she looks over the items the woman displays to her. A light laughter rings at the mention of sparkles on a dragon. "Some of 'em are probably more open ta that than others." she chuckles. "How- how much would somethin like that go for?" she hesitates at the question, indicating with a slender finger one of the bracelets. "Might have ta think about pickin something up for my cousin."

Nalissi beams at the compliment, "Thank you! Well yes some of the dragons aren't as vain as others..some not as playful.." Her head bobs. "Oh well.. depends the situation and such, "I have others made up and enough stuff to make a few more.. custom if ya want." Brows lift, "A gift huh?" she asks.

Zorya laughs a bit more, nodding at the dragon commentary. "Oh no, wouldn't have ta be anything custom." she assures. That would certainly cost far too much for her, the thought clear enough as she makes her reply. "But yeah, a gift. Figure Ah should have her somethin when she comes ta visit."

Nalissi hrms, "Thoughtful sort," Nalissi comments to herself, aloud. "I always make allowances for thoughtful sorts.." and she winks. "This'd be why I'm not rich." She opens her satchel and pulls out a ring that holds bangles on it, in various metals and designs, some bearing mosaics, some set with single gems, some with scrimshaw work. "Look these over if you want.. pick one.. what do you do when you're not standin'?" she asks as an aside. Barter!

"Ah joined the harpers not too long ago…" Zorya replies simply, reaching over to take the ring of bangles as it's offered. The soft metallic clang stopping and starting a bit randomly as she browses through them. "What bout somethin like this?" she muses, separating out a rather plain silvery band from the group. Some simple, clean designs wrapping it but nothing overly ornate.

Her hands clap together excitedly after she hands over the ring, "Ohh, a harper! Do ya sing?" she asks. "Or dance? I'll bet you do..you need anklets.." she taps her chin and tilts her head to look Zorya over. "You'd be walking advertisement..if you'll take an anklet or two.. or something else sparkly for yourself.. you can have the bangle for nothin'.. buncha harpers get wind of jewels and I'll be selling more than I can make!" Besides..who doesn't like free?!

"Both actually…" Zorya replies, blue eyes blinking back to the smith from the ring in hand. "Specializing in dance actually," Beat. "But Ah'm still just an apprentice." There's a bit more blinking at the other's excitement followed by a shake of her head. "Ah couldn't…" Free? Oh yes, everyone loves free, but not everyone's so willing to take up the offer.

Nalissi beams, "How wonderful.. I hope to catch a performance sometime!" A pout. "No? Sure you could..ok..a mark?" she says playfully. "You'd be doing me a favor.. tell you what.. you pay what you think is fair.. but I still want you to have some anklets or something for yer hair or something shiny.. or lots of things!"

Zorya can't help but giggle. "Ah dunno that Ah'm up ta doin performances just yet." she remarks. She did just say she joined not that long ago. Still an apprentice and all, and not exactly getting as much training at it being a candidate now. "But someday." That much she'll agree to. Looking over the bangles in hand again the girl is silent for a moment longer before finally giving a nod as she hands the grouping back. "A mark seems fair enough."

Nalissi giggles too and then nods her head, "I don't forget much," she says with a wink, "I'll hold ya to it." Her face lights up again and she nods, "Take what ya want then.." she says then like a good salesperson leaves Zorya to do her choosing. She gets out another loop of anklets and a little jewelry box that opens up to reveal trays of other various pieces. The jewelry smith goes back to her food, content to let the harper browse.

Zorya's food on the other hand is all but forgotten as the girl sets to looking over the newly displayed treasures. Eyes only at first, but after a moment the girl pulls the ring of anklets a bit closer, flipping idly through the bunch until she finds a pair that are much like the bangle she'd first picked out. Not overly elaborate but beautiful in their simplicity. "Just these then, Ah think." she finally settles.

Bright eyes cut to Zorya and she nods, "Good then! I'm glad you found something you like." She gathers up the items and begins to put them away, pausing to rub a finger over one or another, fondly. "You know I remember making each one.." and she glances to the ones Zorya has chosen. "Those.. I made those a turn ago.. I'd run out of glass and beads.. run out of gem-bits.. just kept working at them though.. see how the metal is bent just so on those tiny pieces? Picks up the light like a gem facet.. they'll sparkle." She nods.

"They really are beautiful." Zorya remarks, one hand slipping to her pocket to search for the agreed upon mark. "Ya must have spent an awful lot of time working on some of them." All those little details, they couldn't have been easy. "Ah'm sure my cousin'll just love it." she bubbles, having warmed up to the woman much more since their initial greeting.

Nalissi sighs happily and nods her head, "You're very sweet to say it but thanks.. I just love each and every one..if I mess up it goes back to the pot to get redon." She eyes the satchel then closes the flap and pats it, "I hope she does, if she doensn't get her to the healers immediately, she's touched in the head!"

Zorya chuckles. "Ah'm sure she will, but if she doesn't…" the girl just leaves it at that with a wink. Straight to the healers it is, teasingly of course. That said however the mark is found, a moment taken to pluck a bit of fabric fuzz from its edge before the piece is handed over in exchange.

Nalissi takes the mark and tucks it away then exhales, "Now see.. fate had me here late.. and it ended up being on time.. I love how that works," she says with a laugh. She sinks in her chair a little, relaxing and sips on her klah.

Zorya slips her purchase onto her wrist for safe keeping until they can be properly stored. "Good to meet ya…Nalissi was it?" she half asks, uncertain if she's gotten the name right. A short pause until she's corrected if mispronounced, "Ah should be goin though. Chores an all…" Ah yes, candidacy.

Nalissi watches her put the items on and smile wide. "Yes, Nalissi.. and well met, Zorya," she answers. "Chores..ick.. I remember chores.." she says, nodding. "Good luck here! See you again sometime!"

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