Sunshine and Daisies {Open}

[mittens]

Pale light trickled into the weyr, Rukbat still low in the sky, the morning indeed young, just after dawn.

Already, two occupants of the Weyr were up, and had been for some time now. Ziinyth figited on her couch, grumbling and nosing at the pots of oil on the ground beside her. The Gold queen had no mind to sit still, much less waste precious time that could be spent sunning, or even swimming. Oh a swim sounded just wonderful right about now, somewhere warm, sandy, with lots of little flits! Oh yes they were so very good at cleaning her!

"Zi, I bathed you last night, before bed, and you are perfectly clean as it is. You are not going to go swimming and wash off all the oil I'm rubbing on!" Kisa looked up from her work, one rag draped over her shoulder, another clenched in her hand, both stained from the oil.

//But... I want to go swimming. It's only fair.// The big Gold lifted her wings grudgingly as Kisa poked one.

"How is it fair dearheart? We have things to do around here, and judging by your coloring I'd rather you didn't go running off anywhere. We are supposed to be /here/ when you rise." She dipped her rag into a pot of oil and started working it into the joints of Ziinyth's wings, feeling rather proud of how the Gold gleamed and shone. Yes, Ziinyth's color seemed much more vibrant, richer in hue, deffinately a sign of rising, and ocassionally the mild-mannered queen would get snappy with another dragon, or even Kisa. Not the most pleasent of beasts at the moment, and from the way Zi spoke of going swimming today was going to be another snappy one.

Kisa sighed, leaning against the golden hide for a moment with and sliding to the floor. "You know, if you were a smaller dragon this would be easier." She'd try to shove aside thoughts of swimming, not wanting to Rile Zi.

If I was smaller, I'd be a Green. Do you want a Green?

"Never." Kisa had to laugh, and the sound was quickly joined by Ziinyth's deep rumble of amusement, and agreement.

[elainsie]

Although it had been a few days since the new riders had arrived at the Weyr, Zaira had yet to introduce herself to Top Point's new Weyrwoman. It had seemed every time she had been about to, or had plans to seek out Kisa, that some one else needed her. Zaira knew it had been over 4 Turns since the Weyr had last had a Harper, and it seemed as if the Weyr occupants expected her to do all of the past 4 Turns work in a sevenday. That had left her with little time to unpack all her things, let alone to go around and make friends.

However the morning before when she wa having her breakfast and usual morning chat with Morga, the older woman let slip that the Weyrwoman was also an early riser. With this knowledge Zaira had decided to approach the Weyrwoman in her own weyr.

With a sharp knock on the door Zaira stood back waiting for an answer, running a hand down the skirt of her tunic, smoothing out an imaginary crease.

[mittens]

Kisa looked up, a little concerned to hear a rap at the door. Had something happened? With a groan, she pushed off Ziinyth, rising to her feet and walking briskly to the door. In general, early morning visitors seemed to bring bad news. But what could possibly have gone wrong?

//Nothing. I would know, it is my Weyr.//[/i] The Gold turned her head, eyes swirling a deep blue-green, the many facets each taking a different aspect of lighting.

/Of course, but don't you mean our Weyr?/ Kisa looked at the dragon curiously, a stray lock of dark hair falling from behind her ear to veil her blue eyes. Silly dragon, but then again...

//Fine. Our Weyr. Anyway, stop staring and answer the door. You'll make everyone think we're not very social.//

Rolling her eyes, Kisa made her way to the door, pulling aside the heavy hide that hung from the framing to look out. A face she didn't know, but was sure she should be able to place, looked back at her. Kisa's nose wrinkled as she thought, and while the Rider was thinking, Ziinyth gave a rumble of amusement, also a way to draw attention to herself. The long, slender neck arched coyly, and she tilted her wedge-shaped head one way then the other. "Good morning! I uh.. I don't think we've met. I'm Kisa, and the conceited overgrown Green is Ziinyth. Don't mind her."[/b] Kisa gave a wide smile, stepping aside and gesturing for her guest to come in, while Zi gave a snort and flopped her head on her paws to sulk. [/size]

[elainsie]

"Thank you. Good morning Ziinyth, your hide is looking dazzling, may I say" Zaira gave her respects to the gold as she followed the Weyrwoman in. "No we have not met, that was why I sought you out so early, it's just I've been so busy, as I am sure you must have been equally, settling in and getting used to the Weyr. I'm Harper Zaira," she extended a hand. "I thought it was best to introduce myself early on as we will have to associate frequently, what with the records. And have you seen the state they are in? Well it's going to take time to get them all up to date and neatly sorted," Zaira looked around the weyr. "I like what you've done with this, it seems very cheerful. Are you settling in well? I'm new too."

Zaira realised then how much she had said without even pausing for breath, and pressed her lips firmly together to give the other woman a chance to respond.

[mittens]

Kisa gave a laugh, already taking a liking to the Harper, and nodded. "They are in a horrible mess, I'm a little suprised to know you have any time at all to come visit me."[/b]

Ziinyth gave a proud warble, lifting her head back up to preen at a wing. Well, she too liked the Harper, if compliments were to be had! Perhaps Kisa would have this Harper come sing sometime, that was what Harpers did, wasn't it? She sent a quick qestion to Kisa, curious about that matter, to find that while Harpers did sing, though not many or often (That was another branch entirely, and the Singers were trained for it), they kept records, played music, and a litany of other droll things that Zi quickly tuned out. Singing was much more interesting, though perhaps a bit of music would be fine as well.

"I've done my best with the room, I arrived shortly after..."[/b] She trailed off with a grimace, mentally kicking herself for bringing the subject up, and used Zi's interest as a way to change the subject. "Do you play anything? Zi and I enjoy music, and she's pestering me. I think she's taken a liking to you, though I'd advise against handing out compliments to her. I'd hate for her head to get so large it didn't fit into our weyr."[/b] She teasingly looked at the Gold, who simply blew a breath of hot, spicey smelling air at her rider and blinked mildly. [/size]

[elainsie]

"Hmm that could be troublesome in a mating flight, having an enlargened head. But Ziinyth is definitely a magnificent Queen, I'm sure there'll be many compliments more paid to her." Zaira bowed her head to the gold.

"As to what I play, I am a deft hand at the pipes, if I do say so myself, and I can play a resonable gitar. I also have some voice skills, nothing to rival the likes of the Singers, but enough to get me by with a ditty, or a Ballad. I'm glad to hear you enjoy music, I do enjoy performing, unfortunately thre has not been much occassion for such around here." Zaira was not one too be so modest as to hide her skills, if someone asked they must want an answer. And the young woman was only more than happy to oblige. "Have you any skills with instruments yourself?"

[mittens]

Kisa shook her head, and for a moment her smile faltered. Quickly it was pulled back up, though her eyes didn't reflec the feeling so well. "Alas, I wasn't fortunate enough to receive any training, or much exposure at all in my youth. I did listen in when the Lord Holder had his celebrations, though I think it was a rather poor excuse for music."[/b] She shrugged, absently running a hand lightly over the long sleeves she wore, to be sure they were there and covering the heavy scarring. They were, of course, even so early in the morning she'd been sure to dress herself in long garments out of habit.

Ziinyth gave a snort, stretching her neck out to bump her nose lightly against Kisa before heaving herself to her paws and padding out to the ledge, saying she wished to sun on the rocks. With a welcoming bellow to any dragon who was awake, and anyone who wasn't for that matter, she leapt from the ledge, her wings giving a opwerful downward stroke, and then glided the rest of the way to one of her favored places.

Kisa watched for a moment, always awed by her dragon in the air, before turning back to Zaira. "If you need any help with the records I'd be happy to help you. Ziinyth's a big girl now, and doesn't really need me to watch her all the time like some dragons."[/b] The chance to look things over would also be of use, she had a lot of history to catch up on. "Though I'm sure there are some Riders who'd have a fit if they knew. Oddly they seem to think I need help from everyone, just because I'm new."[/b] She chuckled, her eyes taking up a playful, friendly light again, and she brushed the irksome strands of hair out of her face again, tucking them behind her ear.[/size]

[elainsie]

"Well if you ever find yourself at a loose end for an afternoon, I'd be more than happy to teach you a few cords on the gitar, or how to play the pipes. Once you start to play it is very easy to pick up." Zaira was trained in not just music but in reading a person, another branch of the Harper Hall, although one she had not excelled at. Still it was clear there was something about the Weyrwoman's past that had been dredged up inadvertedly.

"Any help would be brilliant, but I can understand if you don't have time. Although there is really nothing better than spending an afternoon amongst dusty hides, trying to decipher atrocious hand writing." Zaira gave a sardonic smile.

"Yes, the riders. I saw the welcoming party when you first arrived, and I apologise for not being amongst it. There's something about overly huge crowds that I do not find enjoyable, and had I been you all I would have wanted was to have time to settle in. Still I'm sure they mean well. And everyone will want to know you, they'll be looking to you to rally their morale."

[mittens]

At the prospect of learning to play something, Kisa brightened, almost like a child offered a special treat. It would be lovely to learn to play just a couple of songs on the pipes, and surely Zi would be pleased. Knowing the Gold, no one would be permitted to bother her durring a lesson, for Ziinyth would try and eat them. The thought of her dragon standing guard over them made Kisa laugh softly, and she lifted a hand over her mouth as she did, eyes crinkilng in the corner. "I can see it now, you and I would be having a little lesson, and Zi would stand over us snapping at anyone who dared to disturb. Silly thing."[/b] She shook her head, and once more the bothersome bit of hair fell into her face. She'd leave it be, at least until she got around to plaiting it, or just putting it up in a knot. "I know, not only do they want me to raise moral, but to repopulate the Weyr, bring the world to order, and stay sane while doing it all. I think the both of us are in the same boat around here, honestly."[/b] She gave a conspiritorial wink, already releived to have Zaira around, and that this was the Harper she'd be working with as time went on. Kisa thought they were getting along wonderfully, and was feeling fairly friendly to the woman, though they'd make an odd pair standing side-by-side. Kisa at close to 5', and Zaira at towering over her by close to seven inches. [/size]

[elainsie]

The Harper laughed at the image Kisa described, "Well the offers always there, I probably have a spare instrument or two I could give you." Zaira could not believe how well this meeting was going. She had had a few preconceived ideas about the Weyrwoman from the bits of gossip she had heard, and yet Zaira was pleasantly surprised. It was unusal for the Harper to get along well with other women, the Harper Hall had greatly illustrated this, and yet perhaps the women of the Weyr were more accepting. After all they participated in flights, surely they were more relaxed about such things, and not prone to the petty jealousies suck as Donya had shown.

"You definitely have your work cut out for you. But if I may offer a word of advice, don't let their expectations concern you. From what I can tell you seem competent, and of course your Weyrleaders back at East Cliff must have had faith in you, or they would never have chosen you. And of course you have me. I can be your eyes and ears in certain circles that you may not associate with." Zaira gave the woman a knowing smile.

[mittens]

Kisa nodded knowingly, thankful that she had at least one person in the Weyr with faith in her. Perhaps, once Ziinyth had been caught and a new Weyrleader declared, everyone would settle down. Now that she thought of it...

She'd been meaning to have a wing drill, and it had slipped her mind for the past few days. With a sigh, she looked about for something to scribble a note down on. With nothing at hand, she'd have to remember. Hopefully she could get to that later today. If not, deffinately tomorrow. She may well leave the wings as they were, but she wanted to see how everyone flew. A bit of firestone would have to be aquired as well... /Zi? Would you ask some of the dragons to have their Riders grab some firestone? We'll be doing drills in a bit, and I want them ready./[/b] The Gold sent the message out from her sprawled out place on a large rock. "Say, if we get around to it, would you like to watch the wings drill? I'm not sure when, but if you aren't already around, I could ask Ziinyth to let you know when it happens."[/b] Kisa smiled at the Harper again, with Zaira on the ground, and Kisa and Ziinyth in the air, there was little that would be missed in mistakes. A hopeful situation, as the other riders would need to focus on the task at hand, and couldn't really take notes or report everything that happened. Also, it would give Zaira a chore out in the weyrbowl, rather than alone with the ancient records.[/size]

[elainsie]

"I'd love to. It's been such a long time since I've been to a wings drill. My father used to bring me along and I'd watch him practice. Of course this was all before I was apprenticed to the Harper Hall. But yes give me the signal and I'll make sure I am there." Zaira did not mention that it would give her a good opportunity to look at the riders of the Weyr also. She had been so busy that she not had a chance to see how the men from this Weyr differed from her usual Harpers and Holders.

"I suppose I should be off now, I'm sure you have many things you wish to do before the drills, and I have to prepare for the one class I have later today. Thankfully it's the older students who are more patient than the younger children and a lot less noisy. Thank you for letting me, it was a pleasure to meet you." Zaira's sincerity evident in her tone.

[mittens]

Kisa nodded, happy to know she'd have Zaira around later. "I'm thrilled to have finally met you Zaira, and feel free to drop by anytime you want. I've had more fun this morning now than since I've been here."[/b] She gave a devious grin to the Harper. "If you need any help, don't be shy. I'd be more than happy to give you a hand with whatever."[/b]

Kisa was a little sad to know that Zaira was going to have to leave, but there was always the matetr of breakfast, and anything else in the Weyr that happened, as well as organizing the comming drill, and finding Zi to finish oiling her. That Gold had better not go swimming, or worse, get dirty.


((Sorry this is short, multi-tasking now.))[/size]

[elainsie]

Zaira gave a bright smile at Kasia's words, "Thank you. I'll be seeing you later," and with that the Harper took her leave. As she walked back to her own weyr the Harper could not help but feel elated. She had not wanted to come to Top Point, everyone had spoke stories that only the worst riders were sent here. Not to mention the cold. And yet this was the second instance that she had gotten to know someone at the Weyr and found them to be friendly and approachable. Maybe there was a place for her here after all and she would not despise the two Turns she was required to spend at Top Point.

((Np, mine is just as short if not shorter))

[mittens]

With Zaira gone, Kisa went ahead and ran a comb through her hair, pulling it into a knot at the base of her neck and hunting for her riding gear. Remembering it was stored in the lower caverns, it had been in sore need for a cleaning, she sighed and grabbed a jacket, strolling out of her weyr and down to find Zi's straps, all the while wondering just how much she could get done today, and if she'd manage to work out a schedule for learning to play pipes.

Zi gave a happy croon mentally, and was more than pleased thatKisa was seriously considering learning to play. It would be so nice for when they had free time to spend with eachother! Gleefully she rose from the perch and trotted off to where Kisa would be appearing eventually with her strps, doing her best not to get her tail or legs dirty as she went.