Who

Divale, Selaine

What

Deciding to check out the tea room again, Divale happens across Selaine and the two have a good chat… mainly centred around a certain bronzerider

When

It is evening of the seventh day of the tenth month of the ninth turn of the 12th pass.

Where

The Tea Room, Igen Weyr

OOC Date 27 Dec 2016 05:00

 

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The Tea Room

This shop is easy to miss from the street. It bears the same striped awning that most shops have, this one in shades of lilac and sand, but it has no sign save for a plaque of sandstone hung beside the door, on which a teacup has been carved. When open, the heavy curtain that covers the doorway is pulled aside to allow entry. After stepping through, one will find themselves in a tiny space decorated with classic desert touches.

The walls are whitewashed to increase the sense of light within but the floor is tiled in hues of blue and green, with each tile bearing in its center a brilliant red lotus. There are only five small tables, all of them of dark, heavily carved wood set low to the ground. To sit at one requires reclining on the plethora of pillows and cushions and layered rugs provided for that purpose; each seat is provided with a carved wooden back-prop to rest the pillows against, for those who want spinal support. Tea is served from the service at the rear of the room, where a tiny smokeless hearth keeps water heated, and a row of trays are kept loaded with teapots, tiny cups, and containers for sweetener. There is a small selection of fruits, breads and cheeses also available for those looking for a snack but this is not a place for heavy meals.


This time around, Selaine has successfully maneuvered the side streets without incident. Somehow. It was possibly still light out when she'd first arrived, but darkness has since fallen as the pregnant greenrider relaxes within the confines of the tea room. She sits, alone, at one of the five tables. The aroma that floats within the small establishment is quite calming, a complete contrast to the dark alley that leads up to it. Tea is poured into the accompanying cup before Selaine takes a sip. A satisfying sigh escapes her as the warm liquid goes down. There's also a small plate of assorted snacks on her table, which she helps herself to every now and then.

Now, one could wonder as to why Divale was out wandering the side street at nightfall and why, of all places, she steps inside the Tea Room, because surely there's a reason? And of course it has no link to a certain conversation with one particular bronzerider earlier that afternoon in the cantina. Nah, must be purely coincidental that she's here! Dressed in clothing suitable for the weather but of a more androgynous to masculine cut, Divale is clearly not on duty this night. Once she's entered, she'll pause to scan the inside with curious interest and it's then that she spots Selaine. She'll offer a vague, but small and welcoming smile. "Evening," she murmurs. "Mind if I join you?"

The atmosphere of the Tea Room is generally quiet, only filled with soft murmurings of its patrons and the occasional clink of ceramic. Even the entrance of new people does not call upon it much attention as it is simply a curtain that leads into the establishment. Thus, Divale's presence is not initially noted. Selaine isn't really expecting to meet or see anyone she knows here at this time of night. The murmuring voice of the brownrider is the only reason the greenrider lifts her head to look at the newcomer, mild surprise behind her blue eyes. "Oh. Good evening." Selaine returns, voice soft. A vague gesture at the rest of her table even as she offers Divale a small smile. "Not at all. Please, have a seat." She'll wait and watch the brownrider settle before asking with a curious tilt of her head, "What brings you here?"

Divale dips her head in a respectful nod to Selaine as the greenrider welcomes her and, with that strange smile of hers still in place, she'll move to arrange a few pillows and cushions and settle herself down. "Some free time," she begins with as her excuse. "And curiosity. Only came here once before and didn't quite get to enjoy it as I'd hoped." She gives her a look then. "And you? What brings you here, again?"

While Divale busies herself with her seating arrangement, Selaine pours some tea into an empty cup before scooting it over to the younger woman. A sip of her own tea is taken when her inquiry is answered, nodding slightly in understanding. The smile on Selaine's lips widen ever-so-slightly when Divale asks the same of the greenrider. "The tea, of course." Her little cup is lifted. "And the atmosphere. Quite pleasant, don't you think?"

Divale looks surprised for a moment to have the cup scooted her way, but that soon turns to an appreciative smile and nod to the greenrider. "Thank you," she murmurs as the cup is taken carefully into her hands. Gently blowing across the surface, she'll take a small sip while peering across to the other woman. A brow quirks, but it could either be for the flavour of tea or the answer she receives (or both). "I'm used to making my own, of sorts, that I've never bothered to come here. That good, is it?" Clearly she's not going to form an opinion quite yet based on her small taste. She casts another look about the room before settling her gaze on Selaine again. "It certainly has its charms. Peaceful. Though I have a feeling you don't come here for the social aspect?"

"You're welcome." The words are murmured back as Selaine's cup finds its way back to the greenrider's lips for another sip. It's cooled enough that she doesn't worry about burning her tongue with it. The tiny cup is emptied with the last and is placed back on the table. Selaine's gaze is rather thoughtful as she looks down at the teapot and then around the room as well. "No, not really." The social aspect, that is. "I come here alone, most of the time. I think it's a combination of the tea and the atmosphere. It's not really the same at home." And the tea L'xan got her is primarily for her morning sickness. Doesn't really taste the best. "You make your own tea?"

"So you're looking for quiet and peaceful but not necessarily the isolation of privacy in your own weyr," Divale murmurs thoughtfully while still keeping her gaze on Selaine. There's another sip of the tea and a little furrow of her brow as she looks down. From the little lapse of silence, it's as though she's trying to place the flavour of it. There's another vague and small smile given to her for her question. "I was a healer aide where I came from prior to being here and being Searched. Much of my knowledge is with herbs. I've learned to brew mostly medicinal things but there are some that are harmless. Simple teas." Nothing fancy. "Wouldn't vouch for them to taste as good as anything here, mind you."

There's a hint of amusement with Divale's observation but Selaine does give her a slow nod. "Yes, exactly." More tea is poured into her cup, the steam lifting visibly in the dim lighting of the tea room. The greenrider does not seem to mind the lapse of silence, simply helping herself to the tea and snacks as Divale gathers her thoughts. Blue eyes lift to look across at the other woman when she speaks up to answer Selaine's inquiry. There's clear interest in the greenrider's gaze. "Quite a useful skill to have, regardless." She notes before taking another sip of her tea. "I don't trust myself with these kind of intricacies… I'll spend the marks. And I'm trying to take advantage of my relative mobility." Before she gets too big and can't travel the sidestreets safely.

"It is a useful skill and it has served me well so far," Divale's content to work slowly on her drink and notably she does not touch the food. There's a bemused smirk that follows her admitting to preferring to spend the marks. "To each their own. There's a bit of irony too, given my skill and where I was from." At least for a short while. She subtly tilts her head as she gives her another curious look over and it may very well be an excuse just to study her in a manner that's not so innocent. "You've some time yet to go before you reach that state, don't you?"

There's certainly a spark of interest when Divale touches on her origins, though Selaine doesn't pry. She's always had the philosophy that people will talk when they want to, though sometimes curiosity does tend to get the best of her. "I've still some months, yes." She'll confirm as her free hand moves absently to her belly. "But since I can't drink, I'm making do with tea right now." She gives the brownrider a wry smile before taking a sip of her tea. "Oh, you're in Parhelion, right?"

Divale will get along just fine then with Selaine's philosophy, given she's not one to freely share much of her past. She earned her nickname Puzzle well. "Ahh, yes," she sympathizes perhaps about the lack of drinking, even if she's not one to partake in that herself (or is slowly building a taste for it). "You're mindful which teas you're drinking, though?" It's meant to be a gentle inquiry but it may come off a little rough, though she does offer a vague smile. "That's right. One of the newly graduated pairs from the last clutch." The accelerated one, after the tragic 'Fall that decimated Hogback. Divale's also playing dumb, knowing full well that L'xan is in her wing and that she's already aware of some form of a connection between the two.

Selaine's nose wrinkles comically with Divale's inquiry even as she looks down at her little teacup. "Um… yes?" There's teas that she can't drink? Oh dear. The cup gets placed down on the table slowly as she clears her throat slightly. "Ahh, that's right." Selaine recalls the day of their graduation now, though she only vaguely remembers Divale's face amongst the many others. The greenrider fidgets a bit in her seat, a little bit more ignorant to the interactions between L'xan and the woman before her, though the bronzer has certainly mentioned Divale, though not by name. "Not that I think you'd have reason to just tell him but… please don't tell L'xan that you ran into me here." A sheepish smile is given to Divale. "I don't think he'd be very happy knowing I'm here at this time of day."

Divale doesn't look as though she quite believes her when she answers in an affirmative. "Good. Most teas are fine, it's only when you start going for certain herbal blends and even then most are just avoided out of precaution and may, in fact, be fine." she cryptically alludes to. She'll, however, continue to enjoy her tea with hidden amusement. Now she's bringing up L'xan and her brows lift in mild surprise. Already too late! She let it slip to the bronzerider already but she'll keep that tidbit quiet too. For now. "Why would he be upset if you're here? It's not as though this is a shady establishment in the worst part of the bazaar's side streets?" she muses wryly.

Selaine looks rather relieved when Divale informs her that most teas are fine. And thankfully, the blend she happened to be drinking at the moment was not herbal at all. A very flowery blend, actually. Reassured, she picks the little cup back up to take another sip. "Oh. Well. That's good to know. Thank you." She'll totally trust Divale's judgement, considering the younger woman was a healer aide, she surely knew her stuff. "Well, not here exactly." Selaine clarifies, "Just the fact that I'd traveled through the side streets at night at all. For tea." Because he'd brought her tea. But it was herbal tea, though it was unlikely he'd know the difference.

"You're welcome," Divale murmurs in reply and, after another sidelong look to the woman, goes on to offer: "I could make a list of what's best to be avoided?" So much trust but while she's no Journeyman, she does have considerable knowledge, just nothing that can be formally recognized. She doesn't usually go about flaunting what skills she does have, for various reasons. "Mhm, I suppose I could see that as a reason to be a little concerned but not upset? Again, this is not the worst of the side streets… but perhaps still best to avoid at nightfall. I've been told ever since I came here to be cautious of the Bazaar but I still firmly believe there are more dangerous places in the world."

Blue eyes light up excitedly at Divale's offer. "Oh would you? I'd really appreciate it!" Selaine then realizes her voice got a little too loud in her excitement and her expression becomes sheepish as she sends out an apologetic glance to the other patrons. With a glance back at the brownrider, her expression changes into a thoughtful once more as she takes a sip of her tea. "True. There are certainly more dangerous places. Still, the side streets in the evening is probably a place a pregnant woman should avoid."

Divale dips her head respectfully, "I'd not mind at all," she murmurs and takes another small sip of her tea before setting the cup down again and slumping back rather comfortably against the pillows that make up her seat. There's a bemused smirk for her sheepishness, a low chuckle following her next words. "I'm sure they'll forgive a little outburst," she gently teases and sobers in the next breath. "This is true as well. Not that I've any say in what you do with your time, but perhaps avoid lingering here until nightfall if it can be helped?" What sobers her comes a few heartbeats later after some thoughtful consideration. Maybe she's enjoying the greenrider's company enough that she doesn't want her 'surprised' later. "About L'xan not knowing? He… might already know. I'd spoken to him earlier and I'd no idea that you two knew each other." So. Oops? "Or that he knew of Ypsilani."

In a much quieter tone, Selaine nods appreciatively in Divale's direction. "Thank you." There's no mistaking the sincerity of it. The gentle teasing brings a light flush to her cheeks even as she takes a sip of her tea to cover up some of the embarrassment. "If I can help it, I'll try not to." Selaine returns with a wry smile as her cheeks recover. She can't help it if she happens to crave the tea… Though perhaps next time, she'll just drag L'xan with her if she can. And then Selaine's eyes are widening at Divale's news. She winces ever so slightly. "Well damn…" Now she can expect him to come storming (not really) into her weyr to grumble to her about it the next chance he gets. "Well… I can't really blame you for that. And Ypsilani… " Selaine sighs softly. "That's always a weird subject."

Divale grimaces for that wince and it could even be considered close to apologetic even if she doesn't utter the words. "Just figures with my luck there was some connection," she mutters, looking all too comfortably sprawled where she sits, her gaze now lingering longer on the greenrider than before. Her smirk returns, vague as always. "It's funny sometimes how, in a Weyr with so many folk and riders, it's not as hard as one would think to cross paths in such a manner. I'd have no idea if I hadn't brought up coming across you the other night." Again, her mood sobers as the conversation turns back to the dragonless woman. "I'm beginning to understand that it's often difficult to mention her."

"Well… you know how sometimes they say that it's a small world? I'm really beginning to think it holds rather true." Selaine offers another wry grin, fingers playing with the little teacup in her hand. "Or perhaps Faranth has it out for me for having originally hid my pregnancy from L'xan and now anything involving me finds its way to him." Her shoulders lift in a rather noncommittal manner. As for Ypsilani… Selaine's expression darkens ever so slightly. "Especially in front of L'xan. As for myself… I'm not quite sure how to act around her. I've never met a rider that's lost their dragon before… Do I act normal? Show sympathy?" This time, she shoulders lift helplessly.

Divale chuckles dryly, "Don't think I've heard that saying before," Or she'd forgotten it. "But it's fitting. Better to think it that, than fate just toying with us all." She tilts her head a bit and rests now with her hands folded loosely but neatly in her lap. "You hid it from him?" she echoes back in an attempt to gently pry for more, though she won't push the greenrider too far. "They've history then, as well?" So many questions but her features darken a little too with unease and uncertainty. "Your guess is as good as mine. I'd meant to go visit one here… Neryk? Could never bring myself to do it. Wasn't even sure if he'd want a random stranger checking in. What would I say? Offering condolences just sounds… hollow."

With her teacup empty, Selaine moves to fill it once more even as she replies to Divale's inquiry with a slight nod. "I did at first, yes. Our relationship was a bit… strained, at the time. So I tried to hide it from him for as long as I could." Though the greenrider's hard put to figure out if it was more complicated then or now, though its not something she voices to the other woman. It's as much as she's willing to reveal for the moment, anyway. Another nod for Ypsilani's connection with L'xan. "Wingmates, apparently. Or so he's told me. Beyond that…" Yet another shrug. There's a knowing look and a nod that accompanies Divale's sentiments. "Exactly. Better off just not saying anything, in that case."

"Wouldn't that have just complicated things further? Keeping it a secret for so long?" Divale's approach is on the blunter side of things, but she's not entirely known for her level of tact in all cases. She grimaces, "I've come to learn that holding secrets generally does not end well." Laughable, given her past and nature. "They've a habit of coming around and biting you in the ass. Someone always finds out or eventually reads between the lines." A faint note of bitterness has entered her tone, but is gone in the next moment as she exhales softly. "I assumed it was something along those lines…" And she pries no further about L'xan and Ypsilani for now. Grim topics seem out of place here and between them.

"Maybe it would've been better if he thought it was someone else's child and not his." Selaine grimaces ever so slightly, more so for the harshness of her own words and not Divale's bluntness. "Well, you can imagine then that he was certainly not very happy when he confronted me about it." While the greenrider might notice the bitterness in Divale's tone, she says nothing, assuming it was connected to the other woman's past — again, not something she was going to pry into. A simple nod for the subject of L'xan and Ypsilani, willing to let that particular topic drop for now as well. "Do the two of you speak often?" Divale can probably assume the topic is now about her and L'xan, given that she's apparently spoken with the bronzerider recently.

Divale's grimace is probably telling the moment it twists her mouth into a thin line. "Don't think that'd have been much better… but perhaps? I confess I'm not exactly, ah… well versed in relationships." Not that it stops her from sharing her opinions on various situations. She scoffs a bit for her admitting to L'xan's displeasure in confronting her and the brown rider's reaction will make perfect sense soon enough. There's a slight clearing of her throat and she'll move to sit up a little straighter in that nest of pillows she's made for herself. "Well… in a sense? We're on better terms of late. I didn't exactly make a good first impression." To say the least.

"No, it probably wouldn't have been better." Selaine admits as she places her teacup down and leans back against her seat of pillows with a soft sigh. There's a wry smile for the brownrider. "I'm not really, either. Still, I feel like people are bound to make mistakes every now and then in any relationship. Romantic or otherwise." A brow does quirk upward curiously at the way Divale scoffs in regards to what she reveals about L'xan's reaction. "Oh?" The tone of Selaine's voice clearly shows her interest in the subject. Considering their interaction, it's hard for the greenrider to imagine the other woman giving a bad first impression… though their initial meeting hadn't been the most pleasant, looking back. "Mind if I ask what happened?"

Divale chuckle is quiet but leaning more towards genuine than before. "To that, I'll agree," she murmurs and under Selaine's renewed interest, she just gives a faintly wry smirk to mask the unease lying beneath. Not that she's sharing any big secret, but it's not exactly the most flattering story. She hesitates, clearly weighing on the choice whether to politely decline or admit to her faults. In the end, she decides to share. Best to tell her side, rather than leave the greenrider wondering and go to L'xan for the story instead. "Rather complicated, but the short of it? L'xan had arrested someone I knew and I'd my concerns but went about it all the wrong way. I'd not had a good run in with my Wingleader and in my frustration, turned on L'xan. I wasn't very pleasant and neither was he and it wasn't my finest moment. We've since… come to better terms. More or less." They can at least talk now without her desiring to soundly throttle him, is what she's alluding too.

Selaine is silent in between her inquiry and Divale's answer. She reaches out to the plate of snacks to grab a piece of cheese and nibble on it absently. The only reason the greenrider asks is because the situation has L'xan involved, and it makes her really curious. Divale's assesment is rather accurate in that Selaine probably would've gone to the bronzerider for answers if Divale was unwilling. That seems to be unneccessary as the other woman speaks up. Selaine is a good listener and does not speak up during Divale's tale. The expression on the greenrider's face is rather thoughtful as she recalls L'xan's frustration a while back with his work. Perhaps they were related? She never did really ask him about it. "Well, all's well that ends well, right?" Selaine offers with a small smile. "L'xan's usually a pretty forgiving person and a pretty good judge of character. I can't imagine that he'd hold it against you if it were that bad." So she thinks… though she likes to think she knows him relatively well by now.

"Given it could have gone much worse? I'd say so," Divale agrees with another one of her vague, small smiles in return. She'll hesitate again before answering her, though her brows are furrowed a little in thought as though she's considering what the greenrider shares on L'xan and applying it to what little she's witnessed herself. She must agree, as a small nod follows. "There was a gesture he did, concerning that person I knew, that surprised me but it helped smooth things over. I'd not have expected it and it made me realize I'd perhaps misjudged him." Severely. As for the grudge? That brings a little more of a wry smirk to her lips. "We'll see." Divale can be a nice enough person, as she has been with Selaine and others. That can, however, rapidly change. She gives no hint to her duality, however and only moves to stretch her legs as she prepares to stand. "As pleasant as this has been, I've best be on my way. Will you be lingering here much longer?"

An almost satisfied smile graces Selaine's lips when she sees that Divale agrees with her judgement. Considering what she thinks of the man, she is quite pleased to have people that see relatively eye to eye. "Considering what you said about your first meeting, I can't say I'm surprised that there was some misjudgement on either side. I'm glad that things are at least a little more amiable between the two of you." If only because she now knows both parties involved. Divale's last comment only gets a small smile as Selaine watches the other woman stand. Another sigh (something she's been doing a lot, lately) follows Divale's question. "Considering how long I've been here… I should get going. And take advantage of your company since you're here." So she says with a wry grin even as she moves to get up as well. "If you don't mind, of course." And she's already paid the marks for her little set-up.

"A chance of further company with a woman such as yourself? I'd never pass up that opportunity," Divale's remark would be better spoken coming from a gentleman but in the moment the brownrider slips up in her reserved manner and teases instead; only it's not entire that either. "And you're welcome to take advantage of …my time," Slight falter there, as she realizes how poorly worded that was but there's a wickedness beneath the sheepish smirk she gives. Sorry, not sorry. Once on her feet, she'll come around to offer her hand to Selaine, sobering now, at least to some degree. "This way at least, L'xan won't be on either of our cases?"

There's a flicker of surprise at Divale's teasing remark but Selaine just ends up chuckling good-naturedly as she takes the offered hand. It is with a grateful smile that the greenrider gets up with the other woman's assistance. "Thank you. I really do appreciate it." For Divale's time or help getting up? Both? Selaine looks back almost forlornly at her tea set and then around at the Tea Room as the pair make for the exit. "I'm not so sure he won't be, regardless." The greenrider notes a little grimly, mouth set into a straight line. "Still, one can hope." Divale gets a wry grin as the pair exit through the establishment's curtained doorway.

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