It's midmorning, and the kitchens are all a-bustle as those inside prepare for the midday meal. Of course, this also means the courtyard is bustling, as workers arrive for their shift, or step outside for a moment's break, or head to the well to retrieve a bucket of water. And in the midst of it all stands Ca'elian, awkwardly large and looming with a scowl upon his face as he waits for… something.

Could it be for someone? Usually the courtyard is THE place for some escape but not today. I’dre steps out from the same entrance that some of the workers use, earning him stares for his being there. Ignoring them, he’ll squint a bit even at the midmorning light. Hungover? Possibly. And for once, he won’t be the only awkwardly tall person in the room! Look, they’re kindreds already. “You got a complaint or something…?” he grumbles to Ca’elian, once he spots the bronzerider… or can focus long enough to read his expression.

Awkwardly tall bros! Only Ca'elian is no one's bro (except maybe Tuanhjaliteth's?) and he seems deeply uncomfortable in the presence of swiftly moving people. His shoulder twitches a little every time someone comes too close to his personal space bubble. "I was promised a-" He cuts himself off. "I was promised something. I'm waiting. You?"

I’dre doesn’t seem to mind the flow of traffic and just arrogantly expects everyone to move around him. Now that he’s not cringing so much at the sunlight, he’ll peer narrowly at the bronzerider. “Huh.” It’s a grunted answer, curious but not prying. “Long night.” he grimaces. “Thought to eat… decided against it.” And apparently detoured through the kitchens themselves? Eventually, curiosity is too much or he just can’t resist needling the man. “This ‘something’ important? I’d be worried on being fleeced.”

Ca'elian's scowl deepens as a woman comes within inches of his body, and he glares his point at her oblivious back. Another step is taken to be out of the bustle, but there are too many bodies in too many places. It's difficult to keep track, although is gaze does dart about trying to keep an eye on everyone at once. When it finally lands back on I'dre, he answers with a distracted, "Seems like a waste of a night." He's a massive, muscular man in the middle of the courtyard, surely he can't be that difficult to go around - but apparently he is, as people keep coming too close. "The kitchens don't fleece people."

“Never a waste!” I’dre scoffs gruffly, eyeing Ca’elian like he’s the strangest thing he’s seen all morning. “You only live once. Why, what do you do? Practice being a good rider?” Bronze is implied in the edge to his voice. Darting a look to the kitchen entrance, he frowns. “You were promised food? Jays, you made it sound like something far more interesting.” His assumption was way off the mark and he can’t help but look a touch disappointed. Or maybe he’s feeling queasy again?

"It never hurts to practice." Or do a thousand push-ups alone in your weyr rather than associate with other people, whatever. Ca'elian's gaze narrows slightly on I'dre, and perhaps there's a hint of superiority in the way he views the other man. "That one life won't be long if you don't practice." Another glance goes toward the entryway, hoping his savior will appear to bring him whatever it is that he's waiting for and save him from this conversation. "I never said it was food."

I’dre levels Ca’elian with a narrowed look of his own, as if challenging that superiority without too much male posturing. “What’s it matter to you, anyways?” he snipes. “Leave off the lecturing.” It’s a warning, because there’s only a few people he’ll tolerate getting the rundown from! Where’s Vosji when they need her? “What else comes from the kitchens?” he counters again, just to be an annoyance. Then he grins humourlessly despite the chuckle under his breath. “Unless it’s a favor? You got an eye on one of the girls?” Bronzerider.

Ca'elian sports just a hint of Tuanhjaliteth's cockiness as he answers, "I'm just making an observation. You're the one jumping to conclusions." Somewhere, the bronze is so proud. Ca'elian didn't even have to use his fists! (Not that using fists is a bad thing, either. The situation might call for it.) "Utensils? Tools? Any number of things." There's a thread of frustration under his voice, but given that it's always there, he's actually remarkably calm. "A favor?" He stares blankly at the other man. "No."

I’dre would love it if Ca’elian would use his fists! That’s something he can handle. Who needs words? Mhiruth can be disappointed all he wants later. “It’s what I do,” he replies, almost smugly and doesn’t appear to be turned off from their (lack of) conversation. “Uh huh. You could get those things yourself or from the stores.” That blank stare and the curt answer have him scoffing again. “Uh huh.” He moves but not away like he might hope! He just going to sit down on that bench, now that it’s cleared.

Tuanhjaliteth would love it too, which is how Ca'elian knows it's probably a bad idea. That, and the amount of administrative paperwork they'd both have to deal with in the aftermath, not to mention the fact that I'dre's blood would get all over him. Gross. "That's too bad." He doesn't sound disappointed, merely annoyed that this conversation continues. "They're busy, so I made a request. I didn't want to interf-" At that moment, a young woman emerges from the kitchens, carrying something small and flat that's carefully wrapped. Ca'elian accepts it with a quiet 'thank you,' careful not to come in contact with her as he takes his prize. He peels the wrapping back a bit to reveal… a cookie. Yes, he was waiting on food, and now that he has it, he makes his exit without another word offered to I'dre. Take that!

Who cares about paperwork? It’d be worth it. Until he’d undoubtedly earn Vosji’s disapproval with it and then he’d not be so thrilled with himself. Ugh, when did he start caring? He’ll watch the exchange, maybe a little bewildered (or maybe the thought of cookies make him want to toss his). “… alright then.” he grumbles as Ca’elian just leaves. I’dre makes a little mental note and, when he’s feeling up to it, leaves as well and that is that.