Most avoid the bones of the old Southern Weyr. It's said to host ghosts and mysterious happenings. But for those who don't hold to such superstitions, it's a grand place to gather things of the natural type. Phaedra, a young and ambitious healer apprentice is of the latter kind of person, and has been venturing further and further in, searching for herbs and spices and things that aid the performance of her craft. Things have begun growing over the bones of the old weyr, and a lot of them are edible or medicinal in nature,. It's an odd way to spend a rest day, but Phaedra has ever been short on friends, and well, her craft is her focus. So, herb gathering is a constant hobby. It's hot and humid out, but the jungles provide shade and cool places to rest. However, coming upon the beautiful sight here, amongst the willows, takes her breath away and she stands still, just taking it all in.

Though she'd deny it up and down if questioned, Idara's one of those who's decided that ghosts definitely exist. So why she's wandering around the old Weyr, given the rumours of its haunting, is quite a question! In a similar vein to Phaedra and her healer's eye for the plants growing here, Idara has her much less craft-trained eye on the plants growing free and wild. She's gathered an armful already, purples and blues predominant in the bunch, and her pace has slowed as she comes across the grove of willow trees. She hasn't seen Phaedra yet, but the sound of her feet on the grass may give her away - or, at least, be a warning of someone or something in the vicinity!

Phaedra is near deaf to the sound of Idara's approach, she's so wrapped up in the beauty of the scenery around her. However, noise cannot forever be ignored and she does eventually catch the sound of steps in the grass. It has her creamed klah colored eyes turning in Idara's direction. Phaedra herself won't be hard to spot in her brown trousers and boots and tan top. She's got a basket on her back full of her spoils for the day. She waves in Idara's direction, a friendly sort of smile on her face before it goes back to it's usual state.The action shakes her a bit out of her revery and she begins gathering wild herbs again. Perhaps Idara will join her.

Idara's heart jumps into her throat when her gaze turns from one of the willow trees to a waving person, eyes opening wide. A ghost?! But no: this figure is very much tangible, and she has in fact seen her before. Heart still beating fast in her chest from the surprise, she schools her expression and loosens her grip on her flowers, having tightened her arms to her chest in fright. Since the other woman seems to be busy with something, Idara wends her way over rather than expecting the healer to come to her. The basket is eyed, though its contents seem more mixed than her bouquet of wildflowers. "I didn't expect to find anyone else out here," the blonde comments as she comes to a stop near Phaedra, by a short bushy plant with numerous pale blue flowers growing on it, which she considers.

Phaedra looks up when Idara approaches and smiles…sort of. "Most don't. I don't much expect other people when I'm out here either. But herbs and medicinal plants grow abundantly and I don't have to compete with the other apprentices for them." Phaedra eyes the flowers. "Gathering a boquet?" SHe clumps some dirt around the roots of a plant before wrapping it in linen and gently putiing it in her basket.

Idara catches that sort-of smile, and returns it with a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. With her picked flowers held in one arm, she carefully kneels to use her free hand to pluck blossoms from the plant. "That must be frustrating, to compete with so many for the same resources," she observes in a conversational tone, managing to resist an eyeroll at the healer's question for her. Well, duh. "I do like to have flowers around my bed. It does brighten the dormitories up." She doesn't have a high opinion of those living quarters, it would seem.

Phaedra nods. "Makes sense. Those dorms really are quite dreary. I can appreciate utilitarian, but they almost take it a step too far." Apparently they agree on something. Keen eyes spot another good patch of herbs, so the young healer moves a few feet forward to begin harvesting. "PLan on sharing? Looks like you could fill three or four vases with that lot." SHe flicks her gaze back at Idara, hands working at the herbs below.

Idara sniffs delicately. "Sounds like they treat apprentices no better." She's collected enough flowers to be happy with what she has in her arm, and rises, smoothing her skirt once she's upright again. She watches Phaedra move away, and if her path happens to carry her in a close enough proximity to chat, well isn't that just convenient. Share? That catches her by surprise. Sharing what she's collected? "I have a number of vases," she says pleasantly, while she approaches the marble obelisk to have a look at whatever the patterns on it are.

Phaedra shrugs when she can answer again. "Well, it helps to know I'll have my own rooms when I walk the tables." Idara's mention of vases only recieves a small nod in acknowledgment. Someone as utilitarian as Phaedra has a hard time understanding the simple pleasure in things like having vases of flowers around. But, she won't judge others for doing so. However, it does spark a question in the young healer. "Where do you get your glass made? Is it craft made? Imported?" It's an odd thing to ask, and she isn't giving a reason for asking really.

The patterns are no more obvious in their meaning up close, and Idara dismisses them, turning away to watch Phaedra at her work instead. Although there's a flash of jealousy in her face when the woman mentions getting her own rooms, she doesn't show it in her words, opting to reply to the question rather than comment on the housing situation. "Oh - a mixture of both. Some are from home, ones I commissioned while I was living at Southern Barrier. I did buy one in the craft shops here though, a rather lovely one with a slight blue tint. Very cleverly done."

Phaedra nods. "Perhaps I should make my way to the Barrier sometime. Good glass is hard to come by and I'm in dire need of a few more storage jars, and clay just won't do." Phaedra may not notice the flash of jealousy, as tuned into her work as she is. She does take a moment to look with her next question though. "Is your Crafter fairly priced? Apprentices don't make much in the way of trade or marks really…"

At least on this matter, Idara feels like she has the upper hand. "Oh, it was rather expensive I'm afraid. The technique to get that particular shade of blue was rather complicated, so I was told." She looks down at her armful of flowers, idly moving some of the blossoms about to make a more pleasing arrangement. "Though I imagine you wouldn't need something quite so fancy if it's for storing - what would you be storing in them?" It's asked casually enough, but she does flick a look over at Phaedra. A healer. what do healers keep in jars, anyway?

Phaedra nods. "I suspect it was, but you are right, I need nothing so elaborate, just plain glass, I'd even take imperfect glass, so long as it sealed tightly. I find my herbs and salves store better in glass than in clay. Particularly the salves, which tend to absorb into the clay pots." Because plain fired crocks are all she can afford. Glazed ones are much more expensive.

Phaedra's answer isn't as morbid as, perhaps, Idara was expecting. "Oh, no doubt they have imperfect glass available," she comments, apparently finished fiddling with her flowers and giving a satisfied little smile at how they look. As if they're still going to be in such an arrangement by the time she's got back to the Weyr, not to mention putting them in their vases, but…anyway. "There are probably plenty of attempts by the newer crafters, before they've perfected the technique." She's sounding rather blase about it; she's never perused those items herself, of course.

Phaedra nods. "Well thank you, that is helpful information indeed. Those /are/ pretty." Phaedra wraps her most current batch of herbs and drops the parcel gently in. Reaching back, she can feel her basket is getting quite full. "Oh bother. I'm going to need to run back to the Weyr, I've filled up and need to uload." She looks around, she'd been ushered here by a willing rider. Within a couple of moments, she spots him skyward and hails the man with a wave of her arm. The bluerider soon decends, landing in the clearing far enough away not to spray the girls with detritus. "WOuld you like a ride back?"

Idara's smile is that of a person who well knows she's done good work. "Yes, they are." How she's got here is unclear, and she makes no more to elaborate. The offer of a lift, however, is met with a bright smile. "If there's room for two on that helpful blue, I'd be most grateful." She'll give the blue's rider some sweet smiles too, once they approach.

Phaedra nods. "Aye, Elouth has plenty of space. And it's a short flight." She leads Idara over and introduces her to Elouth and his rider Dr'ter. They are soon airborne and headed home. Dr'ter makes sure both get home safely and in a timely manner.