Ista Weyr - Living Caverns
Large enough to house the entirity of the weyr's population at one time, the cavern set aside to house the very heart of the weyr's life is a grandoise, somewhat circular affair, filled with rows of long tables. Bustling and busy, it is a rare moment indeed when there is not someone at work or leisure in here; the long trestle table by the kitchens is perpetually filled with plates and trays of food, a pot of something always bubbling upon the mahogany hearth, ready to fill the belly of any hungry resident or rider. Although a high table is set aside for seating respected dignitaries on formal occasions, most of the tables here are not designated to any particular group— rather, all levels of Ista's population eat together, intermingled across the broad cavern.
Great tapestries have been flung down the walls, orange and black borders remarking upon Ista's heritage, the age-faded hangings depicting scenes of importance to the Weyr— the erruption of the volcano; the first clutch; the view from the star stones, over forest, dark beach, and glistening waves of blue. Propellor-like fans have been affixed to the ceiling in more modern times, cooling the cavern on the hottest of days. Passageways lead up the stairs to the kitchens, down a second flight of stairs to the lower caverns, and out into the expanse of the broad weyr bowl.
Morning finds the caverns lively with people coming and going, either hungry or filled, plates clanging, voices lifting now and again with laughter and conversation. Zipalla is sitting at a table pinching off little bits of a meatroll for a little green that chitters around on the table in front of her. "Ok Promise..goodness..it's not like I ever DON'T feed you.." she says with a grin at the pretty girl. Her eyes flick to Zorya as she waits for her cousin to join her, "Bring me a pastry?" she calls out.
Riley is meandering through the caverns. If meandering means being tugged by an ear out of the kitchens and being given a rather firm shove by one of the kitchen workers. And so the boy ends up in a pile on the floor, albeit with a huge smirk on his face, as the woman returns wordlessly to work.
Zorya laughs, yes cousin and firelizard are amusing. A nod ensures that she did hear the girl's request and an extra pastry is added to the rather under-filled plate already in had. A few pieces of toast with jam and Zipalla's pastry, a glass of water in the other hand and Zorya makes her way to the table where the other girl is already seated, slipping in across from her. "One pastry." she notes, sliding the plate over for the girl to take it.
Zipalla looks down at her little green and shakes her head, watching her go after the meatroll like a famished refugee then she catches motion out of the corner of her eye and turns her head. Riley? Her jaw drops open and she blinks up as Zorya approaches, murmuring a "Thanks.." before she looks back around her cousin to the heap on the floor, a blush creeping up into her cheeks. She giggles a bit and tugs at Zorya's arm, "Well.. guess you're meeting Riley today.." she says turning her toward said heap of boy.
Riley sits there for a minute. The smirk is still on his face before he's picking himself off the ground to stroll through the tables until he happens to see Zipalla turned around, and then she's the goal. Nothing just happened. Reaching over her shoulder he grabs the pastry, taking a bit. "Thanks." He says with a mouthful.
Zorya blinks first, but that that blush is noticed and the girl follows the other's gaze towards the approaching boy. Thoughts go unsaid, though she does raise a brow towards he cousin before he's there joining them.
Zipalla grins at Riley and then over to Zorya she says somewhat quietly, "That's him.." stating the obvious. When he snatches the pastry she huffs playfully and pokes at his arm, "You're welcome…and good morning.." she says then just smiles. A breath later she's glancing to Zorya, "Riley this is Zorya, my cousin, Zor, this is Riley…"
Riley at least swallows before responding to Zorya. "Zorya. Right." He says, looking the older girl over as the rest of the pastry is shoved in his mouth, and he's wiping his hands off on his pants.
Zorya laughs lightly, "Nice ta finally meet ya." Zorya replies, a smile dancing on her lips as she regards the pair for a moment longer. "What brings ya here?" Since it seems the right thing to ask first and Zipalla hasn't told her, or at least hasn't that she remembers.
Zipalla watches Riley and Zorya and then settles back in her chair, eyes drifting up to the boy. She doesn't say anything, content to let Riley answer for himself, really unsure how to answer that anyway, huh.. A blush lingers on her cheeks but finally starts to fade as she pulls out a chair to offer him, eyes flicking to it briefly.
Riley notices the chair and is flopping down into it, before shrugging at Zorya. "Didn't wanna be at Fort no more." And then he's look at Zorya, narrowing his gaze slightly. "Why're *you* here, then?" Fair's fair. And then he's giving Zipalla a smile.
"Reason enough." Zorya notes at the answer given her, though as the question is turned back… "Ah have family here." she replies reasonably flatly, if a touch snippish in tone. The answer is given, but the girl doesn't look up from spreading jelly across a piece of the toast on her plate. That done she tears a bit off with her fingers and places it in her mouth to chew.
Pale eyes flick between Riley and Zorya at the exchange and Zipalla tilts her head some, a brow quirking. She catches Riley's smile and returns it then sort of blinks a little at Zorya, she has snippytone.. Hmmm. "Zorya's a Harper…she can dance beautifully.. and sing.. she's so talented.." Zipalla says proudly of her cousin, a smile given to her then her gaze falls back to Riley. "Doin alright?" she asks him as sort of an aside.
"My head hurt for days." Riley complains, when he's asked after, once again eying Zipalla's plate. Anything else good there? Zorya doesn't get another look, or another comment really. "Why's she angry, Zippy.." He asks though its loud enough the other girl probably heard too.
Bite in her mouth swallowed Zorya pulls another bit from the slice of bread in hand only to blink up towards the pair at the boy's question to her cousin. "I'm not angry." though it's said with a hint of annoyance at the thought, which may only serve to make his point rather than hers.
Zipalla grins a little at Riley's answer then she pauses to give him a did-you-just-ask-that-out-loud look and glances to Zorya. "Probably more a little sad than mad, Zor? Missing your friends maybe?" and she reaches over to pat Zorya's arm, though she's altogether unsure if that's wise at this point.
Riley just blinks back at Zipalla, clearly not worried that he did actually say that outloud. "Where were you that you're missing people?" Riley asks, still peering with more interest at Zippy's plate than antyhing else. "Cause you sound angry."
Zorya jerks her arm to pull back a tiny bit at the touch. "Ah'm not missin anyone." she notes rather pointedly towards her cousin, and then to the boy, "Ah was a candidate for Igen's hatching," if he must know, "And Ah'm not angry." Annoyed now, yes. But not angry. "Maybe I should just meet ya later Zipalla." she adds after a momentary glance between the two even as she moves to stand.
Zipalla stares up at Zorya a bit wide-eyed and nods her head, "Ok.." she answers then curls her hands down into her lap and looks at her little green, blinking her eyes a few times. She looks up again as Zorya stands and she straightens in her seat as if to move to follow until she says she'll meet her later and she sits back, "You have to go?" she asks.
Riley looks at Zorya with a bit of surprise. "You stood?" He questions, before looking from Zipalla to Zorya. Maybe he's just bad at listening. "I can let you *girls* be." Riley counters, starting to scoot back in his chair, even if he's trying to get in a quick squeeze of Zipalla's shoulder as he does so.
Zorya nods, lingering uncertainly. To stay or to go… "Ah did." she replies to the boy's question, though a glance goes towards the other girl. A shake of her head for Riley, "Oh no, you stay. Ah have things ta do.." she notes lightly, a glance towards Zipalla, "But Ah guess Ah could stay for a bit…" If she still wants her too that is, given the look her cousin receives.
Zipalla nose wrinkles and looks over to Riley, then Zorya, guh, what is the deal? "How about both of you stay and we enjoy breakfast.." she says, now sounding a little perturbed. "Riley.. I'll get you something.. you two.. arm wrestle or something.." she says with a smirk and she's up out of her seat in a flash, headed to the buffet table.
Riley will arm wrestle! As Zipalla is leaving the table, he's staring after her for a moment, before looking back at Zorya, and moving to put his elbow up on the table. "You ain't going to *always* have her, now you're back, right?" Is that why he's being mean? Even then, he's hitting the table a bit. Arm!
Zorya just watches after Zipalla for a moment before there's more commentary from the boy. "No, Ah ain't." she agrees on that. "Ah could jus go back ta the hall if ya'd like." she adds, blue eyed gaze sharp as she peers at him across the table. A brow raises at the silent demand, "Ah don't wrestle…" she notes, idly placing that forgotten bit of toast into her mouth.
She's not gone long and when she returns to find no one has won or lost she huffs. A plate full of pastry, meat rolls, fruit and cheese is set before Riley and when her hand draws back she rests it on his shoulder a moment. Awkward, she pulls it away and hrms, "I gotta run back to my room for a minute.."
Riley glances up at Zipalla as there's suddenly a plate of food and her hand on his shoulder. Now he's distracted from his lack of armwrestling, nodding as she goes off. Then, however, Zorya gets a look as he's pondering which pastry to pick. "I don't want you to go back. Just don't want you to take her 'way."
Zorya's gaze flickers to Zipalla's return as well. A slight nod for the girl as she notes her leaving. Hopefully she'll be back sooner rather than later… Once she's gone however the harper's gaze drifts back to the boy. "Ah ain't gonna take her 'way more 'an anyone else."
Zipalla returns to the caverns headed for Zorya and Ri…her brows furrow as she glances down at her cousin and retakes her seat. "Where'd he go? Did you beat him?!" she asks then giggles. She soon quiets however and turns a sort of curious look to her cousin, "You ok, Zorya? You and Riley seemed to.." and she bumps her fists together, "Knock heads.."
Zorya lifts her shoulders in a light shrug. "Ah don't know." she says with a sigh. Where he went? Its not like he told her. There's another shrug as she finishes off the last bite of her toast. "He must like ya. He was 'fraid me bein back, Ah was gonna take ya 'way from him."
Zipalla perses her lips, she'd hug Zorya but based on earlier.. uhm..no. "Well that's silly..did he SAY that?" she asks with a little blink. "I wish I could help you…well not help I'm sure you don't need help.. just.." and her words trail off, a sigh as well.
"Well he said he dun want meh ta take ya 'way. So that's what it sounded like ta meh." Zorya replies with a sigh. There's a long pause before she looks back towards Zipalla. "Jus' what…?" a mix of confusion and curiosity coloring the question.
Zipalla frowns a little and shrugs her shoulders, "Well I guess I sorta envisioned all of us being friends.." and she looks toward the door. Her eyes flit back to Zorya and she smiles softly at her, "I guess I wish I could cheer you up.."
"Oh…" Zorya nods slightly. She then blinks, confusion becoming the primary emotion on her face at the second of the comments from her cousin. "Well.. Ah don't need cheerin' up.."
Zipalla tilts a look at her cousin and hrms, "Well ok.. do you have a firelizard?" she asks, seemingly out of the blue, but knowing Zip, there's a logical reason behind it. "Maybe now that you're back you can teach me how to dance.. I tried it some but.. I look like a long legged duck.." at least that's her perception of herself.
Zorya giggles a bit at the image of the other girl's thought. "Well Ah can try…" she agrees. "Maybe we could do some now?" she offers.
Zipalla giggles too then her smile brightens to see Zorya giggle. "Oh really? I'd love that.. where is best? The beach? Our room?" she asks, extending a hand to the little green who flits up to perch on her shoulder and curl at her neck.
Zorya nods, "Sure," she agrees with a glance towards the caverns entrance. "There's more room at the beach.." she remarks, turning back with a smile. "Might be better there. Or on the plateau or somethin'."
Zipalla nods excitedly and stands, "Lets go then!" she chirps and heads for the door. "Won't Riley be surprised when I learn how to dance!" she says as she runs out the door.
Ista Weyr - Plateau
The low volcanic plateau stretches out around you. From here, one can get a clear view of the ocean, the corral and forests that surround the small bowl of the Weyr. Several sets of wide stairs lead down to the beach at different points. The gates leading into the Weyr are near the corral. Well, one of them actually leads into the corral and the other makes use of a new fence, cutting a path along the southern edge of the corral. From the Corral, there is a small, thin and rocky stream flowing its way over the edge of the plateau down to the beach.
A large expanse of more than a hundred acres, the fenced-in Corral sits on the plateau, half in the bowl, half out of it. There are entrance gates in the fencing. Half in the Corral, there is a watering pond for the animals that's fed by pipes from a set of underground tunnels. For an overflow, and to keep the water from stagnating, a little stream has been cut at the western end of the pond, that flows across the plateau, and down to the beach below. The nutrient-rich grasses are kept trimed fairly short by the grazing of the animals, and look like a rich, verdant carpet.
Zorya smiles, laughing as she moves to follow her cousin outdoors. Arriving at the plateau she sends a glance around, "Okay… well.. what'd you wanna learn?"
Zipalla immediately kicks off her boots and wiggles her toes, "Hmm….well.. first of all..how to dance with a boy.. you know.. just a regular dance.."
Zorya hmms, bending down to slide her sandals from her feet. "Well Ah guess first what do ya know bout it? Anything?" It seems the most logical place to start at any rate. Shoes removed she straightens once again to face the girl.
Zipalla faces her cousin and then giggles. "Well I know that this.." and she puts her arms out and steps back to arm's length, putting her hands on Zorya's shoulders, "Is a very boring way to dance…"
Zorya giggles, "Yeah. Kinda.." she agrees with a bit of uncertainty. "Haven't done that mucha this myself." she notes, taking one of the girl's hands and sliding it down her her waist while picking up the other from her shoulder. "Can do this.."
Zipalla laughs and nods her head then one hand curls at Zorya's narrow waist while the other rests lightly in her hand, "Have a remedy for an uncooperative partner?" she asks in a giggling snort.
"Find a new partner?" Zorya suggests with a smirk. "Really, Ah dunno. Ask your da maybe?" is her real suggestion. "LIke Ah said, haven't done much a this myself. Jus a lesson or two at the hall."
Zipalla nods and smirks, "I like the partner I have..he was jsut afraid of da.." and she giggles some. "More lessons than I've had.." she says firmly. "You dance with Ma'kai?" she asks with a wink.
Zorya smirks at the mention of her uncle. "Yah, well if Ah was a boy tryin ta date his baby Ah'd be scared a him too." she points out with a laugh, taking a step back with one foot and pulling the other girl along with her. At the following remark however, her expression falls flat. "No."
Zipalla is all smiles and giggles til her lighthearted teasing grounds Zorya's mood. She winces inwardly then sighs, "I'm sorry Zorya.." she says quietly, holding her head up, "Well lead already!" she chirps, change of subject is good.
Step, step, turn. As Zipalla pronounces that the dancing should commence Zorya does just that, leading the other into a short waltz like movement. Most of her attention however is focused on the steps. Hey, normally she's not the one doing the leading.
Zipalla follows, mostly unfaltering though she nearly steps on a foot now and then. "You can visit you know.." she says, yup, she just can't stand the thought of Zorya unhappy, must fix. "Or send Luna with a note..or.." and she quiets, hopefully just in time not to get whapped.
Zorya simply nods. "Ah know." she returns, leading the dance on. Left, right, back, forward, quarter turn. Repeat in various groupings of three, changing up the pattern every so often. "He said he'd send Aisling a letter ta bring me when's convenient." said rather blandly as if somehow uninterested.
Zipalla follows and moves, step turn, step..err..step…yikes. "Oooh.. good then.. you can keep in touch then we'll go back for graduation.." she muses. "Maybe by then you and Riley won't be growly with each other..and we can get him a present!"
The unpatterned pattern continues, with a few missteps on Zorya's part as well as she tries to avoid Zipalla's with a giggle. "Zipalla..?" she starts, "Would ya be mad if Ah decided ta stay at the hall fer awhile?" the question asked even as she avoid the subject of boys.
Zipalla is looking down then she blinks up at Zorya, "You mean.. sure.. I mean.. no.. I won't be mad.." she answers, her feet halting. "I just thought you might like.." and her shoulders lift, "Anyway, whatever you want, was just an offer," she says softly then steps back. "I really gotta get going, I'll see you later, err.. around, whenever.." and she nods her head, turning to grab her boots.
Zorya blinks, "Um…" Okay, so that didn't quite go how it might have. "Right.." she agrees, "Later then." She might have said something else but as the other moves to leave she lets her go.
Zipalla turns and nods her head, "Not a problem..you can have the trunk.. I don't need two, just tell me when you get a room and I'll have someone move it wherever." She smiles, but it's forced, and her eyes betray a sort of bewildered look about them but she just nods her head. "It's good you're back, anyway."
