Who

Va'os, Rielle

What

Rielle makes a pit stop in the stables and finds that Va'os has had a similar idea.

When

It is late afternoon of the first day of the seventh month of the twelfth turn of the 12th pass.

Where

Stables, Southern Weyr

OOC Date 19 Nov 2017 07:00

 

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"What's your fecking Weyrsecond good for if he can't hold things down for a little while so you can stay sane?"


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Stables

The stone stables of Southern sweep breezily in arches and vaulted ceilings, done in the same architecture that figures so prominently within the inner caverns. A half-loft in the back shows neatly stacked hay bales, the sweet scents from the fodder drifting down to commingle with the aroma of runner and leather and sweat. There, broad box stalls house inhabitants safely away from the fancies of dragons: nickers and restless stompings fill the air, nirvana to those so inclined.


Rain rain and more rain. Could Southern's winter be any more predictable? At least the stables are reasonably warm and provide cover from the wet weather. Nothing seems amiss here, with most of the stablehands and workers gone for the day and a few runners still within their stalls. What *is* odd is that a certain bronzerider is lurking by one of those very stall doors. And is… the Weyrleader talking to himself? Surely it's not to the mare who is contentedly munching away on some hay!

It's not immediately clear what brings Rielle to the stables, though it is clear that she's been outside for some time. Shrouded in a profusely-dripping oilskin, her dark hair caught up in an equally drenched runner-tail, the brownrider ducks inside and lets the door close, pausing to catch her breath before peering around. A familiar-sounding murmur draws her eyar as she pulls the slicker off and gives it a few shakes, hanging it up on a nearby hook before venturing a little further in to see who's around. She watches Va'os at the stall door for a bit, an amused smile curving her lips before she saunters a bit closer. "She's the one you've mentioned before, I take it?"

Va'os isn't expecting anyone to sneak up on him while he murmurs just about anything and everything to the mare. It'd kind of be endearing if it wasn't strange. But who could blame him? He can't be 'on' as Weyrleader everyday and every waking hour and not be expected to stay sane! Or… that's his excuse anyhow. So here he is and now he jumps at the sound of Rielle's voice. "Oh, hey! Uh… hey, Rielle! Wasn't expecting you here. Ah ? you alright? You're soaked." The mare? Va'os grins crookedly and nods. "Yeah. That's Innocence." The runner barely flicks an ear at her name, but she's a good looking mare. Good bloodlines and a pretty blue roan to boot.

Rielle giggles softly when Va'os jumps; she hadn't been trying to startle him, but she hadn't exactly been trying to announce her presence either. "Why would you expect me here?" she teases, coming up beside him and casting an appraising teal gaze upon the mare. "I'm fine. Just misjudged a break in the weather. I wanted a walk; I was doing hidework for way too long. But I didn't get out quick enough. Thought I'd take a side stop in here to warm up for a bit before crossing the Bowl again. Obhaeroth is laughing at me right now." She shivers slightly as she observes the mare, giving a little grin. "She's lovely. Though I'm not surprised; you described her that way."

"Well…" Was Va'os just about to make a joke about the loft and finding Rielle in there? Maybe. And maybe he gets a good dose of 'don't do it, man' from a certain bronze. So it'll just taper off into an awkward snicker. "Smart to duck inside for a bit. Why is he laughing at you? And I guess it's just your luck then that I'm here to ah… keep you company!" That's innocent enough to say, right? He leans against the stall door for a moment, gaze turning back to Innocence. "She *is* lovely. Guess I am good at describing her at least, eh?" Inhaling slowly, his exhaled breath holds a wistful note and he turns to rest his back against the stall instead and give his full attention to Rielle. "There are days I kind of miss that life. It felt so much more… simpler."

Va'os might take a chance on it next time; she just might joke back! At any rate, Rielle will wonder at the awkward nature of that snicker and draws close when he goes into his lean, slipping her arm around his waist as she tucks herself against his side. She isn't really concerned about any others coming in; it's raining, after all. "It is just my luck," she agrees, and chuckles again as she rises slightly on her toes to give him a quick kiss. "He's laughing at me for getting caught in the rain, that's all. Thinks my weather eye should've been better." She sighs, shrugging subtly. She doesn't miss the wistful note to Va'os' tone, humming thoughtfully as she rests her head against his shoulder. "I don't suppose you might have a rest day coming up sometime soon?"

Va'os will slip an arm around Rielle in turn and clearly not seem to be overly worried either on who may see them here. It's not like it's a huge secret about their relationship, as it were. He doesn't seem to care either that she's soaking wet; his riding jacket will shield him from the worst of it. Leaning down to return her kiss, he will laugh at her explanation. "That sounds almost like something Tsiroth would've told me. Weather is fickle! Just when you think you have it pinned down…" Why does it also sound like he's talking about Threadfall patterns? Even now, he can't leave 'work' well enough alone! He scoffs, tilting his head to look down at her. "Do Weyrleaders get rest days? I feel like that's…flirting with disaster or something."

"I'm pretty sure they're allowed. What's your fecking Weyrsecond good for if he can't hold things down for a little while so you can stay sane?" Rielle scoffs, and lifts a hand to rest on his chest, tapping a finger in the middle of it. "Listen, Weyrleader. As your unofficial personal Healer, I'm going to do what I can to make sure you stay healthy and fit, and that includes your head. So insist on your damn restdays if you have to, aye?" She's serious, yes, but there is a clear cheekiness to her smirk and the glint of teal eyes that shows she knows she can't really make him do anything. She can be a pain about it anyway, though. More quietly, she adds, "It's not our job to have things pinned down perfectly, just enough to be prepared." But enough skirting around something that's clearly work related, even if it's not being outright named.

Va'os pretends not to be so easily swayed. "Well, I mean… D'wane just stepped up to the plate. It'd be a little unfair if I just bolted on him now?" With no warning (it's tempting, okay?)! Brows lift and his gaze darts down to where Rielle is prodding his chest with her finger. Uh oh! He takes her "threat" and message seriously but with his usual dose of goofy humour. "Okay, okay!" See those hands he's lifting? He yields, woman! "Can't argue with a Healer!" Smirking, he gives her a look. "Surprised you didn't pull the Wingleader card but I guess I could've just trumped you too easily on that, huh?" Hugging her closer, he will lower his head just enough to place a brief kiss to the top of her head, rain soaked or not. "I know." he murmurs to their not-work but work talk. "And I'll consider the restday. Seriously." Since he's been going close to non-stop since Tsiroth flew Khaly.

Rielle simply shrugs at Va'os' first assertion. "Aye, but bronzeriders have to be used to sudden leadership changes," she points out. "He's been at it long enough now that I don't think it'll be too much of a trial, so long as he gets in his restdays, too. Everyone needs them." Always about balance, this woman! As for the matter of the 'Wingleader card,' she just smirks and shakes her head. "Aye, exactly." She lets her eyes drift shut, happily accepting the kiss to the top of her head and snuggling closer. She's really not that wet apart from her hair; the oilskin bore the brunt of it. "So," she asks upon a sigh, "what are you doing the rest of the evening?"

Laughter follows Rielle's reasoning and the sigh that follows is more carefree and relaxed than he has been for days. "I was kind of joking," he teases her. "I know he can handle it or I'd never have gone through the trouble of snaring him." Right out from K'vvan's grasp! Good humour continues into the chuckle that follows her inquiry. "Was debating leaving it open or catching up on a few things…" That sounds like 'work' again. He'll ward off any scolding from her by lifting his hand again and moving away from the stall. It'll disrupt their closeness, but he's not meaning to escape her tonight; that his hand reaches for hers says as much. "Why don't we get some drinks? Go warm up. My treat… my weyr?" His offer will be followed up by a wry grin and a quick wink.

"I'm obviously too cold to pick up on your joking right now," Rielle drawls, giving another little shiver as though her words cued it. She's about to insist Va'os leave his evening open since he presents it as an option when he staves off her words and straightens, taking her hand in the process. "That sounds much better than the shenanigans I was going to suggest," she replies, beaming her own grin. "Drinks and warming up. And forgetting that we wear these damned knots for a while. Mostly the warming up." She's not even going to try refraining from purring that one. She's cold! And if there's one thing that sounds even better than the baths right now, it's him.

"Wait… What were you going to suggest?" Va'os actually wants to know and he'll leave it to Rielle to tell him or not as he leads them out of the stables and back into the wintry cold and rain. Need there be any further debate or discussion? She agreed and he's a man of his word (in most regards)! For tonight, he'll enjoy her company and definitely forget those damn knots both of them wear. Unless, of course, disaster comes knocking but fate could very well leave them alone at least for one night!

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