Who

Tauna, T'quil

What

T'quil's in search of information: who better than archivist Tauna to help him find what he needs?

When

It is afternoon of the twenty-second day of the fourth month of the seventeenth turn of the 12th pass.

Where

Archive Library, Southern Weyr

OOC Date 18 Jun 2019 23:00

 

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Archive Library

Where once books reigned supreme, this open space is now dominated by a stalwart skybroom reaching to the sky through a broken ceiling. What was once evidence of collapse is now ornately carved with engraved ivy, matched by a clever contraption of stone that allows the gap to be closed in inclement weather. A small garden occupies the space around the tree-trunk, all manicured bushes and flowering shrubbery enclosed by a grated gutter. The walls are lined with bookcases, while a spiral staircase leans on the western wall to wind upwards to the second level. Tucked in the corners and scattered in the main areas are tables and chairs, cafe-style, and comfortably worn overstuffed armchairs. It is the perfect place for individuals to gather, to enjoy the offerings of the food-cart or a spirited conversation.


It's shortly after lunch, and the air in Southern's archives takes on a semblence of peace. It's quiet, organized and just how Tauna likes it to be. She walks through the rows of shelves and hides, tending to the order she loves so well. But, one can only walk the rows so many times before actual work calls. She returns to her desk, where sits the recent histories she's been writing on the local wildling clans. She returns to transfering her notes to a bound hide book, the sound of her quill scratching through the air. A few others work here too, silently moving their way about. Peace and order, it's the cream in Tauna's klah most days and she isn't afraid to lay glares on any who might disturb said peace and order.

T'quil is well used to moving without causing a disturbance; it's a skill valued among healers as well as archivists. He enters almost silently, the more so because the break in the wet weather enables him to wear sandals and light clothing instead of his boots. He's been here before, but not that often; he's more likely to head for the healers' area in search of reading matter than to come here. He looks around curiously, then pauses to admire the tiny garden around the tree before he starts to wander the banks of shelving, reminding himself of what's where and trying, largely successfully, not to disturb the peaceful atmosphere.

One better bet that Tauna lays eyes on every person that comes in through the archive doors, even quiet ones. And so, it's nothing new when she lifts her eyes to T'quil's entrance. However, not being a face she sees frequently, her eyes follow him instead of returning to her work. After a few moments of this, she marks her place and rises, following him until she can speak quietly, but still be heard. "Pardon me sir, is there something I can help you find?" She folds her hands in front of her, eyebrows rising in question.

When he hears the voice behind him, T'quil lets out a quiet sigh. He'd really rather wander for a bit before being pounced on. However, he does have something in mind, if nothing terribly specific, so when he's turned to face the archivist, polite smile fixed to his face, he explains in a suitably low voice, "I was wondering if you kept any texts on dragonhealing here. Something on dragon anatomy, for preference?"

Tauna seems relieved when T'quil asks after dragonhealing texts, at least he's not another Telgari asking her about bawdy shanties. "We have a small section on Dragonhealing, and I do believe there are a few hides here that illustrate a dragon's anatomy, if you'll follow me please." Tauna turns and heads just a few rows over and to the back of the row. She waves at a singular shelf, though it is packed with hides and hide-books. "It's not much but this one here…" She pulls a large tome of fthe shelf. "Might have what you are looking for." She offers the tome while giving a critical eye to T'quil.

T'quil takes the heavy book with both hands. "It looks as if you have plenty to get me started, thank you." He moves to the nearest table and lays the volume down, then opens it and scans the list of chapters before turning a few pages. "Ah, this looks like a good introduction, which is what I'm looking for to start with. If I decide to study further, I can explore the rest, but for now I'm just looking for some basic information, and - well, to find out how much is really known." He frowns a little, realising that he's come unprepared, at least in part. "I could usefully take a few notes, too. Is there by any chance any scraped hide available?" He means hide that's been scraped clean for reuse, more suitable for a student's notes than the good new stuff.

Tauna nods. "Aye, I can bring them to you, we keep some around for that." T'quil wouldn't be the first to show up without writing utensils. "Are you thinking of becoming a Dragonhealer?" It might seem a silly question to ask, but she doesn't want to make any assumptions. "Were you a healer before?" Another seemingly silly question, "I'm betting dragons are a whole 'nother kettle of fish compared to humans…" She really isn't good with small talk, our Tauna.

"Yes, and yes." T'quil smiles as he answers Tauna's questions. "I'm trying to get some sort of feel for the subject before I decide, though. And I think you might be right on the third count, too. You only have to look at the green blood, more than one heart, two stomachs and faceted eyes - to say nothing of the wings and the tail. I learned a little bit as a weyrling, but I want to know more now - and work out how much I'd have to learn if I did decide to take that path." He is identifiable as a greenrider by the knot on his shoulder.

Tauna nods along as T'quil speaks. "It's important to make an informed decision before going into a new field of study, I respect your approach to it young man." There does seem to be a bit of a friendlier air about the woman now that she knows the man is here to study and not disturb the peace of the archives. "My name is Tauna, I'm the Sr Journeyman in charge of the Archives. Please do let me know if you need anything else. I'll grab you those hides and something to write with now. I'll be but a moment." And with that she's off around the corner, though her moevements can be heard as she goes about fetching things.

"Thank you-" T'quil gets no further because the archivist is off in search of supplies for him, so he sits down and turns his attention to the tome on the table. He'll concentrate on that until she returns, first reading the chapter headers again, the better to plan his study, and then turning to a chapter entitled, 'Skeleton'. It starts with a diagram showing the bones of a dragon, which he studies avidly - until his eyes drift to the caption below it. Then he frowns sharply and starts to scan the chapter in search of an explanation. His index finger rests on the words that have given him concern: "Conjectured structure of dragon skeleton." After a while, he turns back to the beginning of the book and searches the title page.

Tauna is fairly quick in her work, soon returning with hides and writing utensils. After setting them on the table next to T'quil, she tries to peek at what the rider seems to be confused about or in search of. "Is there something within that tome I might help you find? I had a good read of it while I was restoring it about a turn ago." She might not know it cover to cover, but she has a general idea of where things are.

"Ah, thank you." T'quil's hand moves to the writing supplies, and he moves them further onto the desk. "I was just wondering how recently this was written. Whether it reflects our current understanding of the subject, or an earlier state of knowledge. I found a diagram that seemed to be based on conjecture rather than investigation…." And that's a strange thing, to his way of thinking. "A big job, to restore a book like this."

Tauna sighs. "It is an older tome, but you won't find too much more than conjecture when it comes to this." A look of discomfort crosses her face and Tauna looks mildly ill. "The only way to know for sure how a structure works is to get to the innards and well, that just doesn't work with how things are." Not only do dragons ::between:: when they die, well, the Pernese don't exactly support surgical help…and they couldn't if they wanted too, no bodies to research. A morbid thought, all together.

Isn't it just. T'quil purses his lips as he mentally constructs the same line of reasoning for himself. "I see. You mean that there are not the opportunities to study, say, a skeleton that there would be with human beings." Scruples or not, one finds human bones on occasion, and it's reasonably easy to work out where to find, say, one's own ribs. "That is definitely something to be borne in mind." He sounds rather dissatisfied, however. "Thank you, Senior Journeyman. I shall have to give this some thought as I read." There's a finality in his tone that might suggest he wants to get on with studying now.

Tauna bows her head in T'quil's direction, knowing well the need for focus when studying. "Very well sir rider, do let me know if you need anything more." She waits but a mere moment before moving off and back to her desk where her own work waits. Soon it is as if Tauna had never moved at all, immersed in her work as she is.

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