Who

I'dre, Vosji

What

Vosji and I'dre check in.

Some euthanasia talk.

When

It is evening of the fourth day of the tenth month of the sixteenth turn of the 12th pass.

Where

Oasis Inn, Igen Area

OOC Date 14 Apr 2019 04:00

 

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Oasis Inn

Tucked into a small fold of foothills along the road leading from the Weyr to the Central Pass, this inn truly is just what its name implies - an oasis for travelers coming from either direction. Stabling and board are available - though the boarding comes at a price, since there isn't much of it. The most well known part of the Inn is the tavern - a rustic bar built of solid skybroom and furnished in dark, oiled wood, leather, metal, and glass. Though well used and sometimes abused, the furniture is also well cared for and maintained, and the food and drink draw many a rider in alongside the travelers. The decor is eclectic, consisting in hangings, rugs, carvings, and other things from every region of Pern, bestowed upon the owner in barter for lodging. The atmosphere isn't one of a dive; it's cozier than that, though there is just a touch of harmless shady to be found - particularly in the evenings.


As the sun sets and evening begins to close on another fine and tolerable clear autumn day, the Oasis Inn is seeing only a minor influx of patrons to the infamous tavern. Sitting at one of the tables pushed to the farthest wall, I'dre is leaning forwards with his elbows resting on the edge of the tabletop. His head is lowered, brows furrowed heavily in thought as he ignores the drink in front of him. It's hard to make out all his features, with the way he's purposely 'hiding' himself but trying not to be painfully obvious. This is definitely not his usual haunt but there are reasons he is here! Outside, Mhiruth has settled himself as close to the crater lake as possible, head craned to peer into the depths at times but showing no interest in swimming.

According to Iskanzivoth, Mhiruth is weird — how could anyone possibly not have an interest in swimming. Presumably he had his rider with him, but he's strapless as he passes Mhiruth physically and with a mental touch of his ironclad ship sailing through the younger blue's mindscape and offering a soft greeting horn at the same time and slides into the water. It's more a soak than a swim, but it's definitely all about being wet. His rider has gone into the Inn instead, swerving around a few people to get herself a drink — it's a really dark beer — and slide into the seat across from I'dre without a word.

Mhiruth has his reasons! Just… don't ask him about it because the answers are always convoluted and mildly dismissive. He will, however, greatly enjoy watching Iskanzivoth swim and live vicariously through the older blue! That greeting is met with a mental touch of his own, the ship welcomed to his eerie mirrored lake where the passage barely makes a ripple on the glass-like surface. Back inside the inn, I'dre waits until Vosji has settled herself before lifting his head and meeting her gaze. It's obvious why he might be 'hiding'; one side of his face is sporting fading bruising while the bridge of his nose and bottom lip. "It's not what it looks like," he mutters, reaching for his drink as he grimaces. "Thanks for coming out this way, though."

"Maybe it is what it looks like, because all I can say it looks like for sure is that you have a bruise on your face. Or a number of them," Vosji points out wryly, refusing to comment on assumptions that may have been made about whether or not he was in fights. She may or may not have made them; she isn't copping to it either way. For all she knows, a dragon swung its tail out and smacked him. "I like it out here, and was glad for the excuse. Iskanzivoth is greatly enjoying the lake." And being so confused about Mhiruth's lack of participation in the swimming, but if he wants vicariously, he will get conceptual reports of the experience. "Plus, the beer is better than Last Call's — what's up?"

It never crossed I'dre's mind to use his new training as an excuse! His lips press into a tight, grim line and it's obvious I'dre's struggling briefly with his temper and not to go snapping off the first reply that comes to mind. This is Vosji after all and he actually respects her. "Yeah," he admits, lifting a hand to gesture to the bruised mess. It hurts him in more ways than one! He's prideful, after all, of his looks. "I had to go pay a visit to… a certain someone. He was lucid and then not. His fits are getting worse, Vosji." No name given or further details, he assumes she remembers his past and the individual he speaks of. "It's not a bad joint, this place. Rustic? Is that the word?" He's happy enough to push the conversation elsewhere, even if briefly. "Mhiruth enjoys the water too." Just not in the same manner as Iskanzivoth but the younger blue is pleased as punch at the conceptual reports, all but silently humming in delight.

"Ah," comes out of her mouth very softly as she listens, and then allows I'dre to change the subject briefly. Vosji should have guessed at that possible cause as well, but it had simply slipped her mind. Callous, perhaps, but … "Rustic, yes. Iskanzivoth is happy to be helping Mhiruth enjoy the lake, I think," she says good-naturedly, then swerves right back into: "You had to, or you wanted to? That's not judgment, simple curiosity. He's being managed by healers, or is he on his own?" That last question she never did think to ask before. Either way, I'dre's isn't the only expression lined with displeasure anymore.

Not terribly callous, as I'dre never speaks of his dragonless father and so that memory could fade. He doesn't seem the least be troubled that she says little on the subject; in fact that's partly why he ever confessed to her in the first place! He trusts Vosji not to make a dramatic deal about it. "Mhiruth is enjoying his company. We'd all know by now if he wasn't," he admits with a faint smirk. Shoulders lift into a shrug. "He's been on his own, he's out in the sketchier parts of the Bazaar where all the forsaken go. Healers can only do so much and I dunno. What option is there? Locking him up?" Brows furrow again and I'dre's opinion on THAT is clear as day. With a sigh, his posture relaxes again and he slumps back in his chair, drink in hand. "Sorry. This is depressing conversation and I don't want you dragged into my business. So…" What now? "How've things been? You're going to be busy enough soon, right?"

Vosji's grim expression becomes grimmer as she listens to where I'dre's father has ended up. She hadn't forgotten so much as just not kept it in memory, and as someone who has seen compatriots of her own, clutchmates even, lose their dragons — "Yes. Locking him up is an option. Letting him be with his dragon is another," and she is trying to keep her voice so neutral, but there's evidence if you look closely that she might think that is the preferable one. If I'dre wants to leave it there, well: she has said her piece, there it is! "Yes. We've got seven-month-olds from Zsaviranth and there will be babies from Rajakhelath and there will be some overlap — busy enough I should be expecting another headcold any minute."

I'dre inhales sharply at the suggestion she lays out, gaze narrowing before it drops away. He licks at his lower lip, as his body tenses like a coil down to the curl of his hands; one into a fist and one tightly around his drink. Clearly, he's considered it too but that doesn't mean it's anywhere close to easy to entertain. One heartbeat, then two sees him releasing that tension in a heavy sigh. "… I can't." he mutters, drowning the rest of what might've been said with half his drink. Moving on! "Not too bad an overlap? At least the first clutch will be more or less independent when the next batch come around. Which won't be a big group…" Blinking, he gives her a curious look over. "Headcold? Are you prone to them?"

While Vosji is tempted to press, it is an easily put-aside temptation; I'dre has moved on and Vosji will move on along with him as a properly supportive friend-mentor-quasi-sibling should. If he can't, he can't. Even if she wants to know why he can't, she won't. "Prone to them when stressed, yes. I get sinus infections and headcolds and drive Miel up the wall," though that's more because she refuses to treat them with anything other than tea. "And yes, Rajakhelath was kind enough to keep the numbers down." Kind to her, not to the wings so much.

« He can see the reasoning behind the act of mercy but cannot bring himself to grant it by his own hands. » Mhiruth will ease that temptation and fill in the blanks, effortlessly slipping in to touch upon Iskanzivoth's mind to deliver this. He is not troubled, the skies of his mind achingly clear and calm. « So he keeps visiting in hopes the answer will be clear. Instead it's more of the same. » Vosji is definitely the mentor-friend-sibling type to I'dre and, while he'd never admit it out loud, very much needed. "That… well that really sucks! I just thought it was the seasons or something. Guess your assistants are used to it, by now?" he muses, a smirk curving his lips once more. He scoffs a bit, "What, by choosing a brown to catch her? There was that sandstorm too! Didn't think I'd get as much hands on experience with flayed dragon-hide as I did but…" His hands spread out. There you have it?

It's appreciated by Vosji and Iskanzivoth both, and Iskanzivoth is careful to include that sentiment wordlessly before adding, with a gentle turn of metal gears, « We could do it for you. But not without consent, so I'm not sure that helps as much as it might … » It's Iskanzivoth volunteering based on experiences they've had in the past, though, and not Vosji playing relay because she's back to actually focusing on I'dre: "They are, and they get tired of it," she admits. "And I was thinking more about the sandstorm, since if I recall correctly she's had larger clutches with a brown before — and Lukoith has had larger clutches before, too. But choosing to rise during a small-scale natural disaster turned it into a much more substantial one. And see? Experience for you as well, and I believe no one has permanent scars. The eggs are healthy."

Mhiruth is quiet for a long time before he speaks again in as hushed a manner as one can be when speaking telepathically. « I do not think he would want the burden to be on her hands either. Can a Healer not be the vessel? » Or did he possibly misunderstand the offer? I'dre is currently unaware of his lifemate's 'secret' conversation with Iskanzivoth and Vosji by default. Will be be angry? Probably. For now though, he is calm and all would agree that is the better option for their current location. "Why do they get tired of it? It's not like it's your fault for reacting to stress!" he points out with a huffed breath. Seriously! "Or are you one of those who changes entirely when you're sick? Like a mean drunk only… more miserable?" He's teasing a little now, before his mood sobers again and he nods reluctantly. "Guess that's true. Could've been worse."

« They can, » Iskanzivoth confirms, nonchalant, « Someone will still need to make the final delivery. » To be with one’s dragon you do need to be ::between:: after all. Vosji, in her defense from I’dre, is at least not paying attention either. Iskanzivoth’s all on his own after relaying that first piece of information. “I,” she says, “Just drive them up the wall because I don’t go to see healers. I don’t see the point. It goes away, and I soothe it with teas.” Not decongestant ones, so maybe that’s why nobody can stand it. And maybe it’s that she never remembers to sleep either … “No one has ever said I’m any meaner than usual. And Seniors plus a small younger class shouldn’t make me snitty either.”

Mhiruth considers this and, with a gentle chord of violin, comes to a decision. « Thank you. I'll work with him on the matter. Maybe if he is merely the one to make the final delivery and not the deed itself, it will settle better on his heart in the time it takes him to heal from it. » With that settled, he is content to look back at the waters or observe more of the soak/swimming on Iskanzivoth's part. "Wait, wait…" I'dre's going to stop Vosji right there with an imperious wave of his hand. The other is still holding his drink, which he'll get back to once he's said his piece! "So you're one of those? Avoiding the Healers like the plague itself?" He finds this incredibly amusing for whatever reason, a low rolling laugh escaping him. "I bet you nag others to go to the Healers, huh!" LIKE HIM. Only… not because he was sick with a virus, BUT STILL!

"Oh, no. I would never." Vosji can say this sagely in part because it's true: she never tells anyone to go see Healers, just as much as she doesn't do it herself. Unless it's for an injury. Or, yes, mindhealing, which is an entirely different department. But illnesses she'll let everyone avoid, and even she tries to face injuries on her own by herself unless they get too bad. "Unless someone is actively decompensating mentally or bleeding out in front of me, I assume that is their own business. Weyrling safety is a different matter." YEAH I'DRE, that was weyrling safety. "But for an illness, I don't see much merit to bother the infirmary." Iskanzivoth erases the painful topics from his mindscape to replace it with more soothing waves, swaying his tail back and forth in the water to create real ones as well. « I hope, » he says, and it's just there: he hopes. He just hopes.

DETAILS, VOSJI! Details. I'dre is just being a bit of a prickly thorn with his humour and mostly because he knows Vosji can take it and not lash out at him (which just turns ugly, really fast). "Well, I would hope you'd get someone help if they were bleeding out," he muses around the rim of his drink, nursing a little more of the liquid within before setting it aside again. "Figured." On the issue of weyrling safety! He chuckles, shaking his head. "And fair enough. So aside from being absorbed in Weyrlingmaster duties for the next Turn or so… how've you been?" The woman behind the rank! All that sombre issue surrounding him? Ignored. I'dre must really like her if he's not focusing on himself!

"The next turn, the last turn, the next forever," Vosji says, but she's amused by it — and pleased. Why would she ever want anything else for herself? Some people might weary of teaching; Vosji, despite having never seen it as her future when she was a young fighting rider, takes to it like moths to flame but less destructively. "Is there much of a 'me' outside that? I don't have a headcold yet. My younger daughter's animal-collecting tendencies haven't driven me mad yet, either. It's much better than when she was little. Then the animals were not so much things that people would normally keep as pets." If Pern has lake amphibians, it was a bunch of those. But really: Vosji doesn't have a personal life, so I'dre may just know there isn't much to discuss!

There's safety in that though! Vosji is safe, personal life or not. It doesn't open up much avenue for conversation but for I'dre? That's okay! He chuckles, "Okay, point taken but still. Figured I'd check in regardless! And your daughter sounds like a handful but in one of those odd 'aww, she's adorable' kind of ways… wait. How old is she?" Maybe he should've checked on that before just assuming the girl was still below the age of ten!

He's close but not quite there as regards Uzala's age, because: "Twelve," Vosji answers. "I'm thankful I didn't raise her. Well, I'm thankful I didn't have to raise either of them, and that has nothing to do with their personalities." It has to do entirely with hers. Teaching she's good at — with adults. Caring for little kids? Absolutely no thank you. "And you wouldn't be the first to tell me I should probably get a personal life, Iskanzivoth being the worst of it, but a personal life is tiring. And distracting. And the next person who tells me to go on a date is getting elbowed in the ribs hard enough to bruise." So … that's about where her personal life is, seems like. "As for Zali, I think she should be able to apprentice to Herder soon and turn those tendencies into being an actual qualified animal breeder."

See how quickly I'dre's closing his mouth? He was definitely going to make a joke along the lines of Vosji finding someone — probably more crudely as he's not exactly about 'dating' either! "I think I'm bruised enough for the next sevenday, so I'll just… shut up." Mhiruth's probably tsk'ing him mentally too! Shame, I'dre. Shame. "Honestly, if you're happy the way you are Vosji? Screw 'em and what they say!" Which has always been his motto but in hyperdrive and thus why he's in the position he's in when it comes to being unfit for a fighting Wing. "Heh, if she's already showing such a keen interest then why not?" It doesn't bother him that Vosji so openly admits to never raising her children; he's never had any hangups about being a weyrbrat and his issues with this father are something else entirely. "And it's not like I'd not be a complete hypocrite if I judged you. Not like I have a life either, y'know? I got my training now and Mhiruth and that's about it." Except he makes no mention to that rider he 'bonded' with during their lengthy recovery and that of their lifemate too.

Vosji would not have given birth to them if she had to raise them; it's that simple and thankfully no one ever expected mothering from her. "It would definitely be odd if you judged me," she agrees, "But I probably wouldn't have contributed too much to your bruises. You're not trying to tell me that having a weyrmate will improve my life." And admittedly it might, because if she lived with someone they'd make sure she ate, but there are also all sorts of negatives. "Having a friend or three is important, though — and you have me at least." And she does have a few friends, they're just mostly also colleagues.

"Do people actually say that to your face?" I'dre sounds as incredulous as the expression he gives her. If anyone was to do that to him, well… it'd not be pretty? He's made leaps and bounds as far as his general attitude but that doesn't mean he can't (or won't) relapse under certain conditions! Her last comment brings a scoff and suddenly he's finding an interesting pattern in the wood grain of the table to pick at. "Yeah," he agrees, at least giving a fleeting smile for their 'friendship'. It fades with his next words. "It's not for lack of… trying? I just — I don't get along with most folk. Half my clutch siblings are wary of me," For good reason. "And I don't blame them? There was that rider too," He hesitates, then shrugs. "They have their own Wing though and life. Now that they're not, y'know, stuck in the infirmaries."

People definitely say that to her face, but Vosji doesn't do anything more than nod once, take a sip of her mostly-now-disappeared beer and let I'dre keep talking. Letting him carry a conversation usually works well for them both. "But your clutch siblings, for the most part, do care about you," she points out, because she knows as much. Or at least she knows — or assumes — Zetali and Xanthee do. "If you made a friend with work, and you kept them company, which it sounds like you did, I doubt they'll just drop you. Most riders aren't so heartless as all that." Says a relatively heartless rider — but it's in context.

I'dre isn't in the mood to argue and will mostly grunt a uncertain agreement to Vosji's reassurances. Typical guy response, there! He doesn't immediately pick up their conversation either. Not until he's drained the last of his drink and set it aside to be collected by whoever's job it is to do it here. "Maybe that's my problem," he mutters. "I lump everyone together and forget that riders aren't likely to be the kind of people I surrounded myself with for awhile." Or more like he has to stop being so abrasive and closed off! Still. He's not moping melodramatically and that's a plus! "Yeah. I kept them company. It just kind of… happened." Which is as far as he'll admit that it had an effect on him. He'll let Vosji make her own connections! "Should we think about heading out to the lake, soon? Not that I'm rushing our chat but…" There wasn't a plan to stay here late and he knows if he doesn't leave now, he might not until morning!

"It could be." Vosji the idea-bouncing wall does not force her own opinions on these things by putting forth a firm yes or no! Nor does she mind being grunted at, since most of her friends are guys and, well, that is what happens. There's a hint of a smile to that confession of his, too. "It seems like a good thing that happened. It is okay for you to reach out and see how they're doing, you know." Just in case he wasn't sure, which … it's I'dre, he may genuinely have not been sure. "And yes, I think we should probably not keep drinking until we forget to leave." Same wavelength on that common problem. Especially since the longer Iskanzivoth gets to stay in water the harder it is to get him out of it.

"I dunno. I… don't want to presume." I'dre looks uncomfortable at that confession and maybe something else had happened but he's not going to delve into that! Which is why he's relieved that she takes up the offer to head out, even if he's a touch disappointed for the night to be ending already. At least, until he caves and goes to one of his usual vices for comfort — if Mhiruth doesn't stop him. "Sounds good to me. Come on, let's go before we lose anymore of the light outside." Pushing back his chair, he'll stand and wait for Vosji to join him before heading out. No doubt they'll discuss this and that on the way but it can be assumed that their return home to the Weyr is uneventful.

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