Who

Ulrika, Violine

What

Violine is having a tough day, Ulrika offers an ear over lunch.

When

It is seventeenth day of the second month of the first turn of the 12th pass.

Where

Southern Weyr, Living Caverns

OOC Date 06 Mar 2019 08:00

 

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Living Caverns

Grand and spacious, the cavern curves high aloft in a naturally-vaulted ceiling that soothes any sense of claustrophobia. Rich woods line the cavern floor, varnished and stained a rich mahogany, while round tables scatter about, candlelit and intimate. The largest table lies southerly next to the sideboard, long trestles that seem oriented to providing for the Weyr's youngest. The rich blue of the Azov can be seen from a distance in good weather, when the heavy stone doors covering the entrance are allowed to stand open.


It might not be precisely lunch time, but it's near enough for Ulrika. She trudges in from outside, damp from being out in a short bout of rain, but no worse for wear. The guard-Candidate waves at someone before she ducks fully inside, taking a moment to wipe her boots off on a side rug and shake off the worst of the wet. Lunch isn't completely laid out, but the important bits to her are. Once she's sufficiently dried, she ventures to get her plate, a simple assortment of meats and veggies with a glass of water. Finding a seat isn't hard, either, with people only just starting to filter in. She sits somewhat near the serving tables and tucks in, her expression pensive.

Violine was here this morning for breakfast and has come back after an intensive firelizard healing clinic which left her a bit worse for wear. Firelizards are not people, and the one she got to work with was not exactly… friendly? Scratches pepper her hands and her expression is one of relief mixed with annoyance. Firelizards are clearly going to be something she has to work at, which, is not what she's used to. She's always the top of her class, and today… not even close. Like at all. With all this knocking around her head, she moves in for a rosemary roll, some citrus, and a few dressed greens. As she sweeps the caverns for a seat, she spots Ulrika and her gaze sticks. She looks so familiar… moving to take a seat opposite the candidate, she narrows her eyes and tries to place her. "Have we met?"

It takes a few moments for Ulrika to pull out of her thoughts but, when she does, she snaps to awareness with a quickness. "Aye, we have," the Istan replies with a stiff nod. "You were digging up roots or somesuch similar," she recalls, though she sounds a little uncertain on the particulars. "There was another fellow there, too, but I don't think he was much interested in your work. I'm Ulrika." There's no complaint about sharing her table, though; there's plenty of table to share and the guard-Candidate is only taking up a little bit of it. "Looks like you've had a rough day already." She motions with her fork, indicating the scratches.

It all comes flooding back and she cracks a smile. "Ahh, yes. The jungle. You've got that beautiful bronze." She says this and then immediately darkens. "Though if I'm on duty in the infirmary you should probably ask for someone else if he needs any medical attention." Because apparently, she is THE WORST at it. Her expression darkens and she mutters something to herself before spearing a couple leafy greens and cramming them into her mouth, chewing with glum efficiency. She swallows and looks down at her hands with a snort. "Yeah, apparently, I don't have the 'touch'." She could blame the little green who left those marks but she's a logical young woman, and she saw her other classmates do just fine. Clearly, she's still seething. "I don't get it! I'm good at everything!" Okay, like, not, everything but most things healer-related. And she admires firelizards, she would LIKE one someday. "Now I have to go dig up some old hides explaining firelizard husbandry and handling." Which just adds to her work load. A piece of citrus is slid into her mouth and she looks over at Ulrika as if noticing her again for the first time. "I'm Violine, by the way."

She listens, as she does, and there is a wry quirk to the corner of her mouth - but it's mostly an expression of empathy. Ulrika nods just a touch, confirming, "Aye, the spotted bronze is mine. Ebbe." Though, fortunately, there's no sign of either of them, despite the presence of meat. With any luck, they're occupied elsewhere, snitching from someone else's plate. The Candidate sucks her teeth in thought and takes a sip of water before replying, "Well met, Violine. And I'm sure you're better than you think at it. Some firelizards are just trouble, no matter what you do. I've seen some that are worse than feral felines, for all that they're bonded to someone."

Violine smiles for the sympathetic words as she takes a bite out of her roll, chewing thoughtfully. "You know," she says, a spray of crumbs dusting the table before her and one hand gesticulating the remaining roll about. "You're right. I think I got the unruliest beast in the bunch." Or at least, that's what she's going to admit to. Another bite and she brushes the clinging crumbs from the corners of her lips. "I bet Ebbe wouldn't have scratched me," she mutters, but that's a vanity talking. She just thinks he's good looking and would never attack an admirer. She refuses to admit she may just need to actually study more. As she finishes her roll, a green pops into being directly in front of her and she nearly topples over in fright. "Sharding hell," she chokes as she struggles back into a composed position and the little firelizard squawks at her. "That's my journeyman's, I've got to get back." Luckily not the offending lizard from earlier. "Nice seeing you again, Ulrika. And, you know, thanks for letting me talk… at… you." Sometimes, you just need a good soundboard.

To her credit, Ulrika doesn't crack a grin or laugh at the poor woman's present misfortune; between the distress and the fright and the sudden appearance of a green firelizard, it's a lot to process. "He wouldn't, I promise. Nor would Hemming, for all that he fusses more than any gold or green I've ever seen," she adds. "They're good fellows, really, and maybe next time you can have a try at patching them up or pretending to, aye? They'll make fine, fake patients if you have a need for it." But, this is all a fairly quick interjection, as it seems Violine is already in a hurry to go - and, for her part, the Candidate's also on the clock for lunch. "Have a good rest of your day, Violine. Chin up, aye?" She'll even salute at the woman, to hopefully send her off in even better spirits.

Violine takes the salute to heart, and the offer. "I may need all the extra credit I can muster. I'll see if I can rotate some of your chores in the infirmary and possibly sneak in a little wing bandage practice." This is turning out to be a very beneficial interaction. With a small wave, Violine heads out after the gliding flit, if still somewhat wearily.

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