Who

I'dre, Xanthee

What

Spring cleaning celebration at Kurkar Hold, and a couple clutchmates, I'dre and Xanthee run into each other.

When

It is sunset of the tenth day of the third month of the sixteenth turn of the 12th pass.

Where

Glowlight Grotto, Kurkar Hold

OOC Date 06 Feb 2019 05:00

 

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"Decided to come check things out here too, huh?"


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Glowlight Grotto

The immense glowlight cavern gleams with a constellation of little lights, all the walls and ceilings shining in tones of nebula blue. Water drips from the luminescent ceilings, gathering down below in a great cool calm inner lake. A series of walkways wind across the water, where they meet at last in a landing toward the back. There a latticed pergola shelters low tables of lacquered wood. Just outside the pergola, and before the back wall, a space has been cleared and tiled in dark and light squares, as if they formed a life-size chessboard. The banded stone of the back wall has been chiseled into a damaged bas-relief of people and animals at play. A draconic sculpture rises out of the relief into full-fledged statuary, its taloned hands cupped to hold glows.


Outside and above ground, the sun has begun to set and the clear skies darken to nightfall. Down here in the depths of Kurkar, however, time is meaningless. Where shadows and dim light are expected, however, it is quite the opposite on this evening! With the spring cleaning in full swing, it also brings festivities and revelry as well. Lanterns have filled the underground lake and gardens, though here in the grotto, the glows are ever present. More have been added to augment the ethereal look of this cavernous space and some lanterns have been carefully hung and placed to add to the overall atmosphere rather than detract. Most who come this way are passing through or pausing just long enough to examine the curious finger foods and snacks laid out; many are local inspired treats and others have little twists to old favourites. I'dre had never been underground before and while the initial moment of his arrival here was unnerving, he's adapted now ? so long as he doesn't think about it too hard or too long! He wasn't alone when he first arrived here, but mingling with the thicker crowds out by the lake and gardens wasn't suiting his tastes. So he left and wandered here, navigating the walkways to the furthest landing where he's now seated by one of the low lacquered wood tables. He snagged some of the food, though much of his plate remains untouched at this side. Similarly, a board game of sorts also rests in front of him and he idly works one of the smooth pieces along his fingers, lost in his thoughts.

When Xanthee heard that there was something going on in Kurkar, cause she hears everything, she got the itch to check it out. Never having been to the underground Hold before, it was just the excuse the greenrider needed. Unfortunately Mal had to work late, so she's solo in this adventure, but he's there in spirit, having taken her to explore a few of the caves closer to Igen on several occasions. This is probably why Xan doesn't seem at all bothered with the thought of being underground, or it could be the awe-inspiring vista of the Glowlight Grotto as she steps into it. "Wow!" she says, dumbstruck and maybe a little louder than intended since it seems to be amplified within the cavern. Meandering around a bit, she finds that table of local foods and grabs a plate, depositing a few samples of the different offerings. Then she decides to explore the walkways while munching on something fried and crunchy, on a stick no less. Wandering aimlessly, she comes across a very pensive looking I'dre and it piques the girl's interest. "Eigth mark for your thoughts?" she asks gently with a curious smile, hoping not to startle him.

Her amplified reaction is not the first (or last) one to be uttered! Most visitors unaccustomed to the underground hold tend to voice their amazement (or dismay) audibly and luckily it's not that quiet in the grotto. Maybe if she'd been in the tombs, it'd be entirely different? I'dre's eyes blink back into focus at Xanthee's approach and greeting and he smirks, huffing a little in bemusement. "If that were true, I'd be a rich man right now…" The game piece he'd been idly toying with is set back to the table's surface with a soft click and promptly ignored as he peers up at the young greenrider. His head tilts in a welcoming invite for her to sit and nothing in his posture or expression hint that he's in one of his prickly moods; if anything, he seems calm. "Decided to come check things out here too, huh?" Tilting his head back a bit, he'll cast his gaze around the grotto, subdued in his awe but not trying to hide it. "… can you believe that the local holders here actually lived in this place undiscovered for Turns? I didn't think Kurkar was as big as it was, either."

"Yeah, I never did get that expression, my foster mom always used it…uses it…" Xanthee falters for just a second before putting that smile right back into place. His inviting head tilt is taken up gratefully as she takes a seat, setting her plate with the snack she'd gathered in front of her on the low table. She's very pleasantly suprised that I'dre isn't in one of his prickly moods, but she will certainly not complain, just maybe raise a raven brow a touch in curiosity. "I did. Mal's rubbed off on me, I love exploring underground places! And I've never been to Kurkar before." His next prompts some light nodding of her head slightly, "Oh I can believe it! There's so much more going on under the surface of this world than most people know." Yup, someone's Miner betrothed has most definitely rubbed off on her. "I remember wanting to come out here when it was first discovered, but I was only thirteen..or maybe fourteen at the time and had no excuse."

I'dre quirks a brow when she falters but he doesn't press her for it or even tease and that thread of conversation is neatly whisked away. That touch of curiosity from her is blatantly ignored, despite his brow furrowing for a fleeting second. What? Can't he be (kind of) happy? "Huh." he mutters in reply to her statement, glancing down at his plate again and poking at one piece of food rather dubiously. "So your guy is a… miner then?" There's some hesitation there but otherwise he sounds confident in his assumptions. "Living in a Weyr I think made us a little accustomed to places like this. I'm trying hard not to remind myself though that there's Faranth knows how much rock hanging over my head right now." He gives a feigned shiver to play up the 'heebie jeebies' hint, though he gives a slanted smile in amusement after. Kidding! Sort of. Nodding, he'll finally brave to sample the food he snagged earlier and makes a low sound in his throat that sounds somewhat like a surprised compliment. Not bad! "Mhm," he mumbles around a mouthful before swallowing. "And now you've got the easiest way to access this place. Funny how that works, huh?"

"Yes, he is, I'm suprised I haven't mentioned it before," Xanthee puzzles, cause she does talk a lot about her man, some would say too much…but never to her face. This relaxed, sorta happy, bluerider is a new experience mostly, one that Xan secretly hopes means that things are looking up for him. "Oh I agree. It wasn't that scary the first time Mal took me into some of caves, but I had a couple moments where I thought the same as you, good thing he's so good at distracting me." She watches Idre sample something before looking down to her own plate and deciding what she's going to brave. His last distracts her from her choice though, as she giggles softly, "Oh I know. It wasn't too long after that I first stood actually, back then it was the freedom I wanted, the adventure." She shakes her head with a light chuckle, "Oh man, I would have been a horrible weyrling at fifteen though, so I'm glad Liowyth took her time to find me."

"You could've," I'dre admits with a crooked smirk. "And I might've forgot. Lots happened over the last while and my memory… isn't the best." Which is a half-lie and likely just him trying to be nice and not ruin the good he's built up so far. Maybe he has changed a little, whether by his own doing or the influence of another (or others), but either way I'dre is not his usual abrasive self. That part of him still lingers and is showing even now in subtle, fleeting, changes in his expression or the shift of his posture but he's keeping it at bay. For now. "Guess that's the ticket then and there's enough going on down here to pass as 'distraction'. Did you bother to go see the lanterns by the lake? Just seeing a lake under here is weird," he mutters, while popping more food into his mouth and masking the scoff he voices. "Also," he swallows again to speak clearer. "Heard there's tombs not far from here and something called the 'maw'. Whatever that is?" Shoulders lift in a shrug. "Dunno if I'll explore that far. I was here with someone…" Realizing he's rambled, he stops and coughs. "Anyways." Nothing important there. "You really thought being a rider brought freedom and adventure?" He casts her a bewildered look, more out of an effort to get her NOT to ask about his own blunder.

Accepting his memory excuse easily, Xanthee waves it off with a dimissive gesture like it's no big deal. Picking up another morsel form her plate as well, she pops it into her mouth and chews thoughtfully as he continues. Shaking her head when he asks about a lake, she looks intrigued though, waiting for her mouth to clear before she answers. "No, I didn't pay much attention when I heard there was food back here," Xanthee admits a little sheepishly, "But I will definitely head back that way and check it out." His next though gives her pauses as a shiver runs through her, "Tombs?" she asks with a bit of a squeak, "I don't think that's really my cup of tea to be honest." Actually even the thought has the greenrider paling slightly. "And the Maw sounds ominous. Maybe I'll ask Mal, I think he's been down here before," she muses. But she's not too distracted to miss when I'dre drops that juicy little tidbit and the girl's eyes light up like it's her Turnday come early. He doesn't honestly think he's going to get away with switching the subject that easily does he? "Someone huh? A friend someone or…." she trails off, remembering their last conversation and his strange questions then, and she's jumping to some conclusions.

I'dre smirks, "Don't think it's a lot of folks cup 'o tea but I can't help but be morbidly curious. Guess if you're trapped down here and got nowhere else to put them…" The concept of a tomb is foreign and strange to him too but he doesn't dwell on it very long. It's not exactly the cheeriest of topics and he's trying to be 'good'! "Doesn't it? Some of the holder folk here don't even seem to like mentioning it." Granted if he ends up going to investigate, he's likely to really feel the crush of claustrophobia or just back away when faced with an open hole to Faranth knows where! No shame in it, right? He gives her a flat look when she brightens like that and though his eyes narrow into a glare, he relents with a heavy sigh. "A friend," he stresses, keeping his gaze levelled on her as if to challenge her to claim otherwise. "We've just been hanging out a lot. They've been going through a lot of shit and a difficult recovery from a bad Threadfall. Figured they'd enjoy coming here." Which doesn't explain why I'dre is here alone.

His thoughts on the tombs and maw, whatever that may be, are met with a smile and polite nods, "Well that's certainly mysterious, I wonder why not…" But the girl's curiosity about that doesn't last long when I'dre is giving her such delicious morsels about this friend of his. "Oh really? A friend…" she matches his emphasis but there's a twinkle in her eyes that says she doesn't quite believe him, but his levelled stare keeps her from going any further. "That's great. Friends are a boon, for sure. And good for you for looking out for someone like that. I'm sure that your friend really appreciates it." Tilting her head to one side, Xan just regards him for a long moment before shakig her head a little bit, "You keep surprising me, bluerider," she says almost as an afterthought. But then she realizes he's talking about bringing this person here, but he's alone. "So where did they go then? I didn't mean to disturb you on your….outing with your friend." Yes, Xanthee is incorrigeable.

"Yeah," I'dre stresses again with heavier emphasis, his eyes still gazing daggers at Xanthee though lacking any real heat. "A friend." Truth be told, that he's even admitting to having a friend is something ground shaking, given his lone-wolf behaviour most know him for. Sure, he's worked with folk, hung out with some but it's always been at an arms length. "You make it sound like I don't have friends." He mutters next, giving her a smirk. "Or didn't. So why do I surprise you?" It's genuine how he phrases it, even if his delivery is blunt. Her further questioning is met with a roll of his eyes and a frustrated click of his tongue and some of his prickly nature rears its head. "Does it matter?" he snips, while crossing his arms over his chest and allowing an awkward silence to fill his lack of reply; only to then break it after a handful of seconds. "Because," he sighs, gaze dropping away uncomfortably as his jaw sets in defiance to some unspoken conversation. Xanthee can have Liowyth thank Mhiruth for his silent intervention later! "They ran into some of their wingmates and I don't do big social things. It didn't feel… right? They're a good rider, looked up to. I'm just…" He scoffs. "Well, I'm me. Didn't want to screw things up for them, so I went off to explore and found this place."

"I didn't mean to imply you had no friends, I just know you never really warmed up to any of our clutchmates," Xanthee replies with a shrug of her shoulders, her smile fading slightly as her brows crease for the next, "Just the changes I've seen since we were in weyrlinghood together. It's a good surprise, truly, I want nothing but the best for you and Mhiruth." Her emerald gaze meet his, to try and portray her sincerity more deeply. But then the 'old' I'dre seems to slip back into view, but the greenrider does not let his prickliness dishearten her, or that awkward silence. She'll patiently wait through it, smile fading as she takes on a more neutral demeanor. "No, it doesn't really matter. I was just making conversation." His reasoning is met with a soft sigh and a look of symphathy even though he's looking away now. She shuffles just a bit closer on her chair, her voice dropping to keep the conversation to just them. "I'dre…You are you, not the things you've done, or how you've acted. Maybe those actions haven't always met with the best results, but you're trying to do better, even a blind person could see that. They like hanging out with you right? You're helping them through a really rough time, something I don't think the I'dre I knew in candidacy would ever do." She pauses to take a deep breath when her words get a little a little passionate. "And you say they are a good person, like you're excluding yourself from that. But you are a good rider, and I'll let you in on a secret…" she leans closer, dropping her voice again, "I look up to you, because you took a difficulty you were having and turned it around into an opportunity. Learning dragonhealing, helping others to ease their suffering…" the greenrider's voice grows thick for a moment while her eyes brighten significantly. "I couldn't do that, that's for sure."

Cue an utterly confused look on I'dre's features as much of what Xanthee tells him soars right up and over his head. Even in the eerie lighting, it's not hard to miss that he's just not getting it but is too painfully aware that he should be. He glances sidelong to her, skeptical and unsure but he doesn't snap at her or make any barbed, heated commentary. Even when he's further stunned by her speech and that 'secret'. For an unsettling moment, he says nothing and little changes in his distant posture until at last he scoffs and some of his hardened expression softens. "Damn it," he mutters low. "Are you and Vosji exchanging tactics and notes? That pep talk almost matches some of the ones she gave me…" It sounds like he's being condescending but he's not. It's the truth and it's I'dre's awkward way of saying 'thank you' without actually coming out and saying it. He's at least relaxed his shoulders again, though his arms remain crossed over the front of his body. Giving her a long searching look, his features ease back again and enough that he can smile faintly. "I dunno, Xanthee. You might not be able to handle the physical healing but I think you'd make a good healer in another way. It's not just bodies that break and if you've got it in you to see good in me, well… who am I to argue that?" Even if it sounds like he's still perplexed over why she'd bother and he now voices his own thoughts against it. "You shouldn't look up to me." It's a weak protest but he finds himself unable to keep from voicing it.

I'dre's first has a blush blooming on Xanthee's cheeks as she waves off the comment but secretly takes it as a compliment. Igen's Weyrlingmaster is a woman she greatly admires, as well as being the mother to one of her half-sisters, who she still needs to meet, but that is neither here nor there and definitely not relevant to the task at hand. The way his body language relaxes after that puts a smile back on her lips as she relaxes back into her seat as well. "Not even a bit, but I am flattered you would think so." When he goes on to talk about different kinds of healing, she blanches slightly and shakes her head, "No." It's a very firm refusal and those bright emerald eyes of hers are dabbed at as she tries to premtively get rid of any excess moisture before she makes a real spectacle of herself. "I know you meant well I'dre, but I've been around enough mind-healers to know it's not for me," she won't elaborate as she averts her eyes a bit, blinking furiously as she takes a couple of deep breaths. "Anyway, I hope your friend comes back for you. I think I'm going to get some more of those crunchy things on a stick." It's a feeble getaway ploy, the greenrider is aware of this, but suddenly all the good cheer seems to be sucked out of her and all she wants to do is go home.

If he wasn't confused before, he definitely is now as she throws I'dre for another loop when her mood changes. He's at a complete loss on how to handle it, even though he opens his mouth to say something, he promptly closes it. "That's fair," he murmurs after a moment but tries not to flinch on how lame his words sound, even to him. There's a quiet sigh, but rather than grow bitter over chasing her off, he does his best to give her a smile and look of understanding. "Thanks and good luck finding more of the skewers…" It's an awkward farewell but he's trying to salvage what he can of it. At this rate, he's definitely gaining quite the tally of 'uncomfortable parting' moments! Tapping a few of his fingers against the table, he smirks as he picks up one of the game pieces again. For a brief moment, he looks ready to suggest that she come back to play a round but the offer is never made. Instead (and much to Mhiruth's disappointment) he murmurs a quiet, "Clear skies, Xanthee."

Getting to her feet, Xanthee's smile kind of returns, although it doesn't quite reach her eyes. She can sense his confusion though and looks down at him with a sigh, "You didn't say anything wrong, truly. This is my issue." And she places her hand against her chest in emphasis, holding his gaze if she can for a moment longer, a poignant spark in her eyes. "Yeah, I hope I do, i think I'll bring some home for Mal to try." That's what she really needs, a nice cry in her Miner's arms and all will be right with the world again. She lingers briefly when he picks up that game piece and it looks like maybe he has something else to say. But when it turns out to be the traditional farewell of riders, she just nods her head softly, "Clear skies, I'dre," she chimes back before turning on her heel winding her way back towards the food table for a quick stop before getting out of there and back to the Weyr in short order.

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