Who

Linny, G'tan

What

Linny and G'tan end a tour of the Holds at Vtol Swamp Hold - not a favorite spot for a few…'stinging' reasons.

When

It is late afternoon on the 1st day of the 8th month of the 4th Turn of the 12th Pass.

Where

Vtol Swamp Hold, Igen Coverage Area

OOC Date 17 Apr 2015 06:00

 

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Seriously, who lives out here?


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Vtol Swamp Hold

This small hold is a solid bastion of stone in the midst of the murky wetlands of the Igen River. However, the constant moisture and verdant crawl of insidious mosses, vines, and clinging plants gives the place a distinctly decrepit and even creepy feel. Stone and dirt paths wind between trees and buildings with a seemingly permanent seep of water emerging between rocks and gravel, pooling stagnantly in any low spots along the way. Living fully up to it's name, the population of vtols in this swamp settlement is annoyingly high in the warmer months, and the hold Healers have made something of a specialty out of repellant salves, soothing lotions, and bite and sting treatments made from local flora. This is not a locale anyone voluntarily lingers at on a regular basis - unless one was born here. Or nearby.


Ever since G'tan was given his special knot, Linny has taken the initiative to schedule meetings in order to introduce Igen's newest Weyrsecond to the Holders within the Weyr's coverage area. Shaking hands and kissing babies, Pern style. Today on the campaign trail is Vtol Swamp Hold, and it's not just a coincidence that it's the very last place left for them to go. Then there's the fact that the junior weyrwoman has been unusually quiet and subdued during this particular visit, not quite the bubbly and vivacious woman she's been on previous stops. And so now, on their way back to Zinakoth and Kaelidyth, Linny keeps that trend going, silent as she walks with her hands clasped behind her back, eyes locked on the view in front of them.

As a pretty naturally laid-back guy, G'tan hasn't complained much about going around with Linny to do all this hand-shaking and baby-kissing. He hasn't made too many cry, so that's a win! Doing so in Linny's company isn't any hardship; they've established that they work together pretty well thus far. But he's done it enough that the junior weyrwoman's subdued manner on this trip is noted, and he has a feeling it doesn't entirely have to do with the sticky humidity and constant need to swat at insects. Seriously, who lives out here? The swamp holders are interesting people, determined and a bit eccentric in certain matters (so maybe he understands Tija a little more), but a bit more down to earth than some of the other holders he's met. Walking the damp gravel paths among the twisted, thick-trunked trees and mossy stonework with Linny, he can't help but find an odd beauty past the inconveniences and appreciates the hardiness it takes to exist here. Yet he doesn't comment on it, letting the goldrider walk in silence for a while. Eventually, though, he does have to say something. "Somethin' on your mind?" he ventures, clasping his hands at his back as well and slowing his pace slightly.

At his words, Linny's lips press a little bit more together, but it doesn't take her long to murmur a cryptic response with, "This is where she was from." Assuming, of course, that G'tan knows this she that the weyrwoman speaks of. Finally saying the words out loud seem like a release, as it's followed with a large sigh from the petite woman, shoulders lifting and falling with the action, and she finally seems confident and comfortable enough to look around, though certainly not to marvel at the landscape's beauty. "For so long, I avoided this place, not just because of the blight and the death, and not just because of Sofia's kidnapping." There it is, the final little piece in Linny's puzzle, sparing him a quick glance as they continue their walk. "But because I didn't want to remind anyone that I existed. That I had gotten my daughter back. I didn't want someone to think they could do the job properly this time."

It does take G'tan a moment, but he makes the connection eventually. A woman being staked out for Thread soon after Sienna returned with Sofia was not a difficult correlation to make. He remembers one of the things he and F'in had discovered during their own search for clues - a small container of badly blended bug salve that he thought might have been from around this area. He hadn't been sure whether or not it was helpful. Maybe it wasn't. But to know there had been some sort of connection is intriguing. He isn't entirely sure he follows Linny's line of reasoning, a crease of concern forming between his brows as he looks over and down at the goldrider. "Doesn't seem like anyone's holding a grudge," he notes, glancing around as though to check for eyes on them. "Things are doin' better here… No one's got a reason to try somethin' like that again, and we wouldn't let 'em get that close again, anyway." He may not be certain whether he's helping or not, but he does mean what he's saying, surety of his words sharp and bright in the eyes trained on her as they continue on.

"Oh, I know," she's quick to reply, flashing a smile up at him before turning her gaze straight forward once more, and she lets her hands fall loose along her sides. "And I know it's not fair for me to hold a grudge against them for something that wasn't their fault. It's still just…a sore spot for me." A slight shrug, and then she's back smiling up at the bronzerider, arching questioning eyebrows up into her forehead. "In any case, what do you think? How're you holding up with all of this?" she asks, waving a hand around to indicate all of the meetings they've had ever since he became Weyrsecond. "They seem to like you." And that means something, considering how stuffy Holders can be.

G'tan crooks a lopsided smile in return to Linny, nodding. He can't imagine it will ever not be a sore spot for the goldrider. At her question, his brows quirk, his head subtly tilting in consideration. "Well, I feel like I'm holding together alright," he replies, making a show out of prodding himself as if to test for cracks. "No one's found a chink in my armor yet, I think…" Smirking, he stops the act, tossing a hand easily. "I'm thinkin' it's not so bad. I hate politics, but I'm not afraid to jump into them if I have to. If they like me, good. If not, don't care…but I'd rather make a good impression. Might be tempted to punch a few of 'em somewhere down the line, but I expect you and Sadaiya and Mayte'll keep me in line well enough." And considering certain other bronzeriders, the concern level over that is probably pretty low.

"Well, I'd be careful of that expectation. While I've never punched a Holder," which heavily implies Linny's thrown more than her fair share of punches at various other people, "Mayte punched F'dan after Rhiscorath's flight, so if I were you, I'd allow Sadaiya to be your morality compass." Which is just a good general rule, as well. A corner of the weyrwoman's lips curls up more than the other side as she slides a rather amused look up at the bronzerider, reaching a hand up to scratch at the back of her neck. Damn bugs. "Honestly, it's not so hard. You'll figure out what Holders need ass kissing and what Holders you have to be a hardass with. And more often that not, if you need to meet with a Holder on F'dan's behalf, I'll be there, and I have all of them wrapped around my little finger." Though the mischievous glint in Linny's eyes should clue him in on the fact that that's at least partly a lie. She's certainly not everyone's cup of tea, but when it comes to diplomacy, pleasing Holders, and doing what's best for the Weyr, she's an expert.

"Yeah, but after a flight, I'm thinkin' that might be somewhat excusable," G'tan deadpans, though the glint in his eyes serves to show just how amusing he finds the subject. Something decides to start trying to snack on his left bicep, prompting him to reach over and smack at it. He only succeeds in giving himself a light red spot, eliciting a snort as he reaches into a belt pouch to pull out some of the repellent salve the hold is rather renowned for producing. The impish cast to Linny's gaze earns a laugh as he goes about rubbing some of the stuff into the bared parts of his arms. "Now how do you manage that, Linny?" he asks, a strong undercurrent of teasing to his tone. "Might have to tell me your secret, delegate a little."

Teasing though the question may be, it brings about a rather serious look upon Linny's face as she watches their path, giving a little rock a kick out of their way. "It's something you'll either find come naturally or you'll throw that knot back at F'dan. What we do, it's not for everyone. It's an art form, reading the room to figure out if you need to be serious or if you can joke around. How to keep your face unreadable as you internally scream obscenities or jump for joy. I was probably better at this in the beginning, after I first impressed Kaelidyth, but then again, everything was different in the Oldtime." To say the very least. "Diplomacy back then relied heavily on cleavage and charm." And the look given to G'tan then so clearly states how good Linny knows she was at that. "You wouldn't have worked out," she jokes, using her chin to gesture at his own chest.

Although he sobers as he listens to Linny, the curve to G'tan's lips remains as though faintly amused. In truth, he's just absorbing; it's a somewhat default expression, though he realizes he may have to explain that at some point. The joke brings back his smirk, and he looks down at himself, pulling his already snug shirt taut to outline the broad, well-defined cut of his chest. "You don't think?" he asks, feigning dejection for a moment before cracking a winning grin at the goldrider. "I can do the charming part, though." Straightening his shirt, he gusts a short sigh. "I know I've got a lot to learn still, but I'm confident I can handle it, Linny. I like to joke, but I think I've gotten pretty good at reading when to keep it locked down. Got my ass flamed at enough when I was younger for it." That doesn't mean he doesn't slip sometimes, but now he has a chance to practice his discretion a little more.

"Oh, I know you can handle it. F'dan never would've considered you if he didn't think you were up to it, and believe it or not, I trust our Weyrleader now, so I'm not left wondering at all why you're walking here beside me." There's conviction and honesty in Linny's tone as well as in every line of her face as she looks up at him, squinting slightly as light batters her eyes, or maybe there are bugs swarming, or some sick combination of both. "But if you ever need help or advice or want to talk or vent or anything, please feel free to come to me." Which reminds Linny of something as her eyes light up, excitement brewing. "Oh! So I had a meeting with a Tannercraft Journeyman the other day, and he brought me a proposal that could be beneficial to both the Weyr and the Bazaar. I can give you the scrolls to look over, if you're interested, and then make sure to give them to F'dan when you're done. I really think it's a great idea." The weyrwoman leans in, as if she needs to keep her words a secret out in the middle of bloody nowhere. "He talked about wanting to pay the Weyr for scraps of hide that the dragons leave in the pens."

Another smile is tilted to the petite goldrider at G'tan's side along with an appreciative nod. The news about the Tannercraft Journeyman, however, earns a curious narrowing of his eyes. "Sure," he says of the scrolls, a brow arching in thought. "So…he wants chewed on hides?" He's never seen Zinakoth leave scraps of skin behind, though there have to be some dragons who do. Maybe it's like people and bread crusts - some eat it all, some leave the outer bit behind. "Is there a shortage of the usual stock, or is he thinkin' it'll be more efficient or something?"

"I think he just wants to develop a relationship with the Weyr. Provide jobs for people in the Bazaar. It's genius, really, and I'm not doing it justice at all by trying to describe everything that's involved with it," Linny explains with a light laugh, all while reaching a hand up to swat some insects away from her face. "I'll have them sent over to you tonight. But for now, what do you say we go and get you some drinks? You've done really well over the past couple of sevens, and I think drinks are the perfect reward." Not just a drink, but multiple. Just…hopefully not one for every Holder that they visited. The petite woman smiles up at him, expectant brows lifted up into her forehead along with an expression that just dares him to say no to her. "C'mon, my treat." There aren't many things Linny enjoys more than drinking in the afternoon (and the things she does enjoy more cannot be mentioned).

More swatting, and G'tan remembers he probably ought to offer his little container of repellant salve to Linny. He does so with a grin in reply to the goldrider's offer, the lid retained so that she can get into it easily. "As long as it's away from the clouds of vtols," he agrees with a snort. "Sounds good. Thanks, Linny." He'll just follow her wherever she has in mind, leaving the matter of the Tanner for later. Making it home with a comfortable buzz will be a nice precursor to a little light reading.

Linny takes a little and puts it on her exposed flesh, which really is only her face, neck, and her hands, since dressing appropriately while introducing the new Weyrsecond is a must, handing it back to him with a laugh. "Hopefully we don't get back to Igen in the middle of a sandstorm. Wouldn't that just be our luck?" To be attacked by bugs only to be pelted by sand. And so the pair make their way back to Igen and warm up a couple of chairs in the Cantina for awhile, definitely for more than just a few rounds if Linny has anything to say about it. Let's just hope by the end of it she remembers to actually send G'tan the scribes she promised.

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