It'll Be A Long Night... [OPEN!]

[tiddler]

It was late. There was no one around to speak of, and all was quiet. The room had a hushed feel to it, as if expecting something to happen at any moment. For all the souls that called the Weyr home, parts of it could sure get lonely at night.

It was Cezine’s imagination that ran away with her as she carried a pan of ashes out to be dumped. She had the dubious pleasure of being on night hearth duty; since it was, in fact, night, there wasn’t much to do really. There was only one other person about, a cook who did her part to keep the stew pot full throughout the wee hours for those who came off other nightly duties and wished for a bite to eat before retiring. It was her job to see to anyone who came in, clean, and do whatever else needed doing. Really, she didn’t mind the work so much; she was used to it. There was always work needing to be done around the Weyr.

It was the sheer aloneness. In all truthfulness, Cezine was really a social creature. She enjoyed being around other people, liked bustling crowds and rousing conversation. Without the sounds of living, it made her somewhat jumpy. Which was why she was keeping busy now, making her own noise as if to compensate. It wasn’t that she couldn’t stand silence; that wasn’t it at all. There was just nobody there. It was something of a difficult concept for some people to grasp, she supposed, but being in an empty room by herself gave her the creeps. She was always used to being around others, even if they didn’t talk. Being able to hear and look at someone was much better than having a room to herself.

Ashes dumped, she returned to the hearth, leaning over to poke the embers to life after lying on more wood, her other hand idly brushing a loose strand of her deep, wine-red hair from her face. It was bound in a long plait down her back, but there were some strands here and there that escaped, mostly around her face. Her dress was simple, nothing out of the ordinary, made of homespun material and likely sewn together by her own hand. She was an industrious and rather independent girl, the sort who did everything on her own that she could. As the coals began to crackle and the wood to smoke, Cezine straightened and set the poker upright by the hearth. Sighing, she glanced around the room. She’d cleaned, helped the cook, refilled the stew pot… unless someone came in, there was nothing left to do.

She looked at the door, an almost hopeful expression on her face.

[thedreamerlady]

N'zule often appeared by the night hearth. He was, to put it simply, something of an insomniac. He didn't sleep enough, certainly not by his dragon's reckoning, and when he was suffering through one of his sleepless nights, not even a warm body in his bed would keep him in his weyr. He wandered about the Weyr, talking to anyone who would listen, and keeping himself entertained.

Tonight, he was well dressed, with a fancy red shirt, and dark brown pants. He enjoyed very deeply the embroidery on the shirt, and smiled, thinking of how much he forgot the perks of having a drudge Weyrmate. Other riders didn't know what they were missing.

Tonight, there was a girl by the Night Hearth. N'zule brightened happily. He could take some of the snacks, and have conversation without searching. At least for now. After the wing practice he'd had today, he didn't want to quest about, looking for anyone. He just wanted some company, until he thought he could fall asleep.

"Hello." N'zule said loudly, striding into the light of the glows, currently able to keep the stiffness at bay enough not to limp. Wing practice should never be that hard.

"How are you doing this fine night?"

[tiddler]

Cezine didn’t even have time to be startled as someone walked through the door just as she looked toward it. Instead, she sprang lightly to her feet from where she’d taken a seat, a welcoming smile spreading across her face. “Good evening! Is there anything I can get you? Some wine, perhaps?” Many of the older riders often enjoyed a glass of wine by the fireside late at night; some of them were kind enough to converse with her, but some just wanted to be left alone. Which was fine, although it left the girl wondering if burdens became heavier as one got older. She wasn’t sure she wanted to find out. But back to the present, she took a slightly closer look at the man, tilting her head somewhat and causing a few short spirals of her hair to fall against her cheek. He seemed to be moving a bit stiffly…

Rather than remark on it, however, the girl simply motioned to one of the comfortable chairs by the hearth, her smile brightening as he greeted her. “I’m doing well. And yourself?” This time, her scrutiny was focused more on his face and his build; having grown up in the Weyr, she was at least familiar with most, if not all, of the riders. Wasn’t this man a green rider? What was his name? She chided herself silently for being unable to recall, then employed a tactic she hoped would solve the issue without making it obvious. “My name is Cezine; did you just come off duty?” Her tone was polite and conversational as she regarded the rider with blue-gray eyes. She would leave if and when he dismissed her, but from the way he’d greeted her, she was willing to bet he’d come in search of a conversation. Which made the girl all the more glad.

[effluo]

Eisu stretched on her stool, finally looking out one of the rare windows that was permitted within the stone walls. Yes, she had pulled a few strings, but she knew it was well worth it to have her desk in front of that window within the infirmary. Looking down at her hides, she glanced out the window again.

Yes, it was late. Yet she did not feel ready to retire. Her mind was too thoughtful and there was still much work that could be done. Sure, it did not require being done tonight, but there was no reason to put it off. Besides, Eisu always felt better when someone was in the infirmary who was more than just a helping hand.

Her stomach growled a little and she put a thin arm around it and smiled a little. Why not? Food would be a good thing. Standing up, she put her blue shaw over her shoulders and straightened her long skirts before checking on those sleeping under her care. Once sure they would be alright for a short time, she made her way down to the night hearth.

Stopping in the doorway, she let her eyes adjust to the light of the hearth and took note that there was only two in the room. Guess it was later than she had thought…

[thedreamerlady]

"No, I just couldn't sleep. Tonight would be a miserable night to have Watch Duty." N'zule smiled. He'd managed to avoid watch duty after any strenuous Wing Practice, at least for now.

"And the offer of wine would be much appreciated. If you have anything that's warm, that would be the best." Spiced, heated wine. Delicious, and it relaxed the muscles. "I'm N'zule, rider of Green Delith."

Settling his (not so) old bones into the chair, N'zule eyes jerked up at a sudden noise. There was another girl in the doorway. Well, wasn't this interesting! Everyone was gathering in the Weyrhall tonight.

"Greeting." He called over to her. "Are you going to come join us?"

[tiddler]

Cezine looked up as someone else appeared in the doorway, smiling over at the other woman. “Good evening. Is there anything I can get for you?” Ordinarily she would have waited to see what she said, but this time she moved away, into the kitchens. She could still hear if the other woman called something out, but odds were she’d have to make two trips anyway. Might as well go ahead and get the first out of the way, right? Within moments, the girl came out of the kitchens carrying a tray loaded with several mugs filled with steaming wine. She set it down on the small table amid the chairs, looking up at the green rider with a smile. “Here you go. Hot spiced wine.” She turned her head to look over at the new arrival. “I brought some for you as well.”

Straightening, the girl turned, setting her deep, wine-red plait swinging across her back as she made her way back into the kitchens. This time when she returned, she came bearing a tray of food; slices of cheese, a few redfruits, a warmed meatroll, and several warm, spiced rolls were set next to the tray of wine. Standing up, Cezine’s gaze flicked from the trays to the people before she clasped her hands in front of her and gave a little smile before turning toward the woman. “My name is Cezine; if there’s anything I can get for you, I’d be happy to.” But, since it didn’t seem like there was anything else one could possibly need right now, the girl took one of the chairs for herself, motion at the other. “Come, sit with us!” Although it could have been taken as a command, her friendly tone and expression made it an invitation. With that, she turned her smile on N’zule.

“So you’re a green rider.” She reached out and picked up one of the gently steaming mugs, blowing on it before taking a sip. The wine was delicious, and it hit the spot on a chilly night. “How long have you been bonded to Delith?” Although she’d lived there her entire life, Cezine didn’t know every single rider and dragon by name; perhaps it was something she should work on. Yes, that sounded like a worthy project; she might be a dragonrider herself some day, and it wouldn’t do to not recognize one of her fellow dragonriders, would it?

[thedreamerlady]

N'zule grasped his cup lightly, ignoring, for the time, the food. The warmth and lovely taste of the wine was not to be ignored, or wasted. He didn't know the other girl who had entered, and decided to ignore her for now, just in case she had something else she wanted to do, or just wanted alone time.

"Me and Del have been partners for the last sixteen turns." N'zule added, with a still besotted smile. He loved his little, little green wonder, and she him.

"Are you a candidate, then?" N'zule asked suddenly, with an interested look. "My own niece Impressed Green, not that she was trying, back when the Queen Egg was laid."