Meeting Charyl (High Reaches Weyr Living Cavern) - L'ren - May 24th, 2007

High Reaches Weyr - Living Cavern

This, the central living space of High Reaches Weyr, is a massive cavern lit from above by a pair of massive electric chandeliers. Sconces line the stone walls as a supplement, their bulbs burning brightly day and night, while the chandeliers are turned off after most of the Weyrfolk are snug in their beds. Tapestries hang between the sconces, some abstract works while others depict Threadfall or long-ago Hatchings. The cavern is filled with long rows of wooden tables, their knotted surfaces cut from whole skybroom trunks. The huge stone hearth is set into a corner of the cavern, the warmth it exudes keeping the cold outside at bay. Even in the depth of night, the cavern is never wholly empty, and a pot of klah is kept simmering for even those who keep the strangest hours.

To the south, the subdued lighting of the lower caverns can be seen, while westward is the kitchen.

Lunch time in High Reaches in the last throws of winter (it's spring everywhere else, but what are you going to do? It's going to snow when it's going to snow) means lots of people huddled together for warmth, as well as the hearths being well occupied. Which is a pity to a certain tailor, hobbling her way in slowly with the help of crutches. This weather always makes the Boll born crafter a little slower to move. Deciding that it'll take her long enough to get to the larder table,and then into line that it's rather likely that someone's going to vacat a seat by the fire, she works her way across the caverns, coming from the Lower caverns.

L'ren hurries into the lower caverns, shivering. His first stop is the hearth, though the crowds of people deter him somewhat. His second thought is to get a nice warm mug of klah, but that looks kind of busy as well. He pushes his glasses up on his nose, frowning indecisively, before heading to the hearth. And changing direction midway to get some klah instead, and maybe something to eat. "Er, hello." he says, as the change in path brings him across the path of the hobbling tailor.

Charyl gives something of a smile, perhaps a little brittle, perhaps a lot understanding. "Hi. You look about as cold as I feel. Oh and welcome to High Reaches….I'm Charyl." As it would seem, the greeting committee today. But that gives her the chance to pause and slump against her crutches in the most uncomfortably looking way possible. There's even a loud crack emenating from the deep recesses of her back as her posture changes, and the wincey-face turns into more of a melty face.

L'ren offers his hand to be shaken, then hastily withdraws it as soon as he realises Charyl's hands are occupied with her crutches. "Ah, it is quite chilly, yes. I'm L'ren." he states simply, not looking entirely comfortable, and it's not just the cold. "I, ah, are you alright?" he asks, wincing as he hears the loud crack. "Should I get you something, or?" he offers, uncertainly.

Charyl shakes her head, "Unless you can some how bring back my old body, I don't really think so. Oh that actually felt good, I've been waiting on it to slide back into place all day." Unlike the greenrider, she seems as at ease as possible. Or at least not socially fussed or flustered. "Well met L'ren. You know, now that I think about it if you'd do me the kindness of carrying a plate for me, I might just have to love you forever."

L'ren doesn't seem entirely sure, that crack sounded fairly painful to him, but he's not going to press the issue. "Ah, well, if you say so." he says, frowning slightly still. Carrying a plate however? That, he can do. "Of course, of course. I can carry a plate, happy to." and then he pauses, "Ah, no offense, but you do look like you could use, well, food." and then he blushes, a combination of hoping he hasn't overstepped his boundaries with that last comment, and Charyl's 'love you forever' remark.

Charyl sighs and grows a little pinker in the cheek reigon. "I just can't seem to get my weight back on. I miss all my curves. I used to be fat, happy and sassy. Now I'm just kind of crippled, bitter and lonely and you probably don't really need to know that. I'm sorry, my tounge and brain are not infact connected."

L'ren shakes his head, trying to put on a reassuring smile, but he's not very good at it. "Maybe in time? These things take time, or so I hear." So, wait and see? "I, er, well. You look alright? Ah, just a little on the, well, thin side." he manages, though he's not sure how to react. "You can't be that lonely." But he avoids the crippled and bitter parts of that statement. "It's a big Weyr, lots of people about." he frowns slightly and admits, "I'd be lonely too, if, well, Reonth." and then he shakes his head. "I'll come visit, so you won't be lonely." is his bright idea.

Charyl sucks in air through her teeth in something resembling a thoughtful hiss. "I don't know. It's been over a turn and several surgeries later and nothing seem to improve. And….trust me. I….I haven't had a steady relationship with anything other than my sewing machine and some looms in turns…." She lets the thought drift off right there and then she giggles a little shaking her head, "Surely you have btter things to do with your time than come here and keep me company. Like anything else."

L'ren shakes his head, "Nothing I can't put off. I'm working as a harper at the moment, studying archives, and history. Putting things off for a few days isn't going to make much difference." he pauses thoughtfully, then adds, "Well, unless I need to interview someone and they die. Happens a lot, unfortunately. The most interesting people to talk to in my field tend to be those who've been around a while, seen a lot, even remember tales their great-grandparents told them." and he adds, "I spent most of my time poring over dusty records at all hours. Not much company in that." he shrugs slightly, and glances to the bowl. "If it weren't for Reonth…" he trails off with a blush.

Charyl's eyebrows flash upwards for a moment in interest. "Really? What kind of people do you interview? I don't know that I would count as interesting, but I've lived a couple of different places. Granted, I'm not really what anyone but a six turn old could consider to be older….But if you're going to be here trying to keep me company….then I guess we could make it worth your while?" It's odd, thinking that she might be a Person of Interest in the scope of history. Not really something she's thought about to be honest.

L'ren seems to think about it for a moment. "Mostly older people. Sometimes I come across someone who's had a passed down tale of thread, that can be interesting. Makes me all the gladder for the times we live in now, though." he shudders. "But usually it's pretty small stuff. For every one that may have had an affair with a Lord Holder's great-grandmother, or may have been weyrleader, there are twenty that have washed a Craftmaster's socks." he frowns slightly at that, but continues, "But it's interesting when I can do it. Generally I spend more time cooped up with dusty records than I do actually talking to people. But anything can be of interest to future historians, no matter how interesting it seems at the time."

Charyl considers for a moment as she switches postions, things grinding and crackling along the way. She doesn't seem concerned, however. "I don't know that I'd be any use to you. I had a pretty boring childhood, went into a craft because it seemed the thing to do, married a man I didnt really know to force myself to get over someone I loved very deeply. Lost the husband at sea, came here, devoloped a…..friendship with the Weyrleader and then then nearly got crushed to death in an earthquake. Since then it's been surgeries and physical therepy and wondering why I haven't moved back to Southern Boll yet. I guess that just seems like alot in twenty six turns because I did it, but I'm sure you hear far more fantastic tales all the time."

L'ren winces at the grinding and crackling, doesn't seem like he'll ever be used to that, or that he wants to be. "That's still more interesting than many tales I hear. And far more interesting than my own tale." Though he doesn't go into that at the moment. "I think that would be a perfectly worthwhile use of my time, to come here and hear your story." And yes, he is saying that in part just to keep Charyl company, but also because he's telling the truth, and she does have an interesting past. "It may take several visits though, I can only record so much at a time."

Charyl giggles a little and nods, "That's alright, I can only talk so much at a time. And I can't talk with the sewing machine going because I can't hear over the motor. But I can't sit to do that for very long anymore anyway so….people have been getting more embroidery and tablet woven bands out of me lately. "Maybe you can tell me some of what you've done and gone through, surely with your turns of riding along there's got to be *something* interesting in there." She's not the most tactful girl, is she?

L'ren blushes, and shakes his head, "Not really. My parents are riders. I apprenticed to harpers, as I preferred to read about long-dead people, rather than spend time with the ones around me. I was searched, to everyone's surprise. And I impressed, which was even more surprising. We graduated, went into transport riding. Reonth loved the water, and water landings, which got us in, er, a bit of trouble." he grimaces, but shrugs, and continues, "So we transferred, and I went back to studying at the Hall, though I was based in Telgar, and then Ierne, for Reonth. I got promoted to journeyman, and have been studying the past ever since."

Charyl cocks an eyebrow. "What about romance? Surely there's something more you're not telling me. Some great love in your life other than dusty archives? Friendships?" She gets kind of an odd look on her face. What is it about dusty old crafter-riders? Alright so Peej isn't exactly old, but he's certainly dusty. And was even more so when she met him. "Any other hobbies? Can we sit down? I've just about reached my standing limmit." Indeed her arms are shaking and she's having to concentrate to keep upright.

L'ren blushes, and avoids the first part, the romance question, at least for now. "Ah, well, I had friends. Have. I have friends. Mostly other harpers in my field." he admits, with a little shrug. "And we, well…" he frowns slightly, then admits, "We have a little writing group. That's kind of a hobby, isn't it?" It doesn't fall under his speciality, so, maybe? Finally though, he says to the romance question, "There was … one. She was a greenrider, and I was practically a boy. She… It didn't last…" he frowns, and admits, "There've been others, but none that knew how I felt. I'm not exactly… forward." He blushes, and then to take attention away from his tale, he nods over to a pair of recently vacated seats by the fire. "How about we sit over there?" he suggests, then asking, "Ah, do you need a hand?"

Charyl shakes her head, addressing the notion of sitting before she responds. "No thanks, just somewhere to sit." There's a concetrated look of actual pain on her face as she forces her legs into motion. And while she's taking her time getting to the seats picked out she chatters, "They say that fortune favours the bold, but I'm not so sure about that. I used to be bold, and now look at me. A phsycial wreck and a spinster to boot. Maybe you are better off. Maybe you aren't. I just know that I'm sick of being alone and that no one is going to be interested once they hear what all is wrong with me. But friends are good when you can see them every so often. I've got two friends, both of whom I never really get to see because they're too busy and important. I've been in love once myself and….it didn't work out either. But that's what happens when you find out that his parents have arranged a marriage for him." As she sits down, there's more grinding and popping and cracking and even some groaning before she sighs miserably. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be so…..dreadful. I used to be a much better, happier person."

L'ren frowns slightly, but follows Charyl over to the seats. "You won't be alone, not forever. I've only just met you, but you seem like an interesting person who's fallen on some hard times. I mean, seriously, before long you'll be beating the men away with a stick." he tries a smile, but it doesn't quite come out right. "Honestly, if that greenrider had been more like you… Er, um…" he blushes suddenly, and shakes his head. "My point is, lots of people will love you for /you/. Maybe not for your body, but for you. And do you really want someone who loves you for your body?" he pauses, and takes a deep breath, "Ah, sorry, little peeve there. Before I impressed, and had Reonth to keep me in shape, I was … scrawny." He's not exactly a muscle-man now, either, but Reonth has indeed kept him fit. "And that greenrider I was talking about? Left me for a stronger, more handsome, I /suppose/, man."

Charyl cuts him a hard look. "Darling, I've never beaten away men with a stick, I've always had to chase them. Well, except for the one time, but….that's another story for later. yes, people will come to love you for who you are, but they won't get to know you if they don't like what they don't see. People are fairly shallow when it comes to that in the general sense. So really, I want someone who's going to love my body as well as the rest of me. I want a man who is going to crave for the taste of me like the taste of a fine wine, but not just my body because its a wreck. But the rest of me too, though right now that's all a wreck also…..You're so sweet, but L'ren…..really….I don't blame people for not wanting to be around me right now. I don't want to be around me either, but I just can't go away from my self."

L'ren blushes, and looks kind of uncomfortable and unsure of what to say. "Well, I want to be around you, right now. Seems like you could use another friend, and I could use one who isn't Reonth, or a harper, so it's good for both of us." he says, nodding slowly. "And I'm obviously willing to get to know you, or I wouldn't be here." he's still blushing as he continues, "So you can think what you want, but I'm not going anywhere. At least, not until I've heard your life story, and that could take a while. Who knows, I might even reveal something about myself." he again attempts a smile, and it comes out better than before.

Charyl nods, "I could, to be honest. One that's actually going to be around. Peej is busy being Weyrleader, and I can't get mad at him for that, and Barashyn is Apprentice Master of the Tannercraft. Not to mention the part where he's got a weyrmate who's a goldrider in Ista. But once you've heard my life story are you going to stick around? I mean….at least come visit more than once a month?" She's hopeful, because she really is starting to like the guy. But she's not going to offer him any kind of benifits package without knowing that he's actually going to be around to collect on them. "I have a bad habbit of being attracted to men who are married to their work, you see." And then befriending them. And in some cases, surviving earthquakes with them, but that's another thing entirely.

L'ren has to think for a moment, because he's not one to promise things that he can't deliver. "Sure, I can visit now and then, if you still want me to by the end of it. Sometimes people prefer to avoid me, after I've dug up certain memories that they'd rather not remember. But you seem strong, you'd have to be to survive what you've survived, so I think it's safe to say I'll be around for a long time to come." he finishes, with smile, although he blushes at the part about being attracted, and can only manage, "Ah, I like my work, I don't know that I'm /married/ to it. I gave it up to be searched, after all." Although he later returned to it, and is now more of a harper with a dragon than a rider.

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