Joshi comes in to the gallery with a small sack in her hands. She's there to check the eggs out from the glance she gives the sands. One hand reaches into the bag she carries and she pulls out something popping it into her mouth and chewing on it. She heads to one of the benches and sits there, popping pieces of whatever is in the sack, into her mouth and looking at the eggs.
Livia is settled comfortably in the bleachers towards one corner, nicely shadowed and looking quite content with her feet up on the railing. The arrival of another lookie-loo immediately draws her attention and she calls quietly, "Whatcha eating? Can I have some? I'm famished."
"Sure," Joshi gets up and moves down the bleachers until she reaches the brownrider. She grins at Livia and holds out the sack, "I got these from baker hall earlier. Sweet Apples." She offers out the sack which proves to be filled with dried apple fruit that's been sprinkled in sweetener and cinnamon. "They're very nice... offered me two bags of sweetener when they heard about our little plight here." She sits down, casually making the comment.
Livia's hand pauses in its reach for the bag and she wonders, "Did you take the sweetner?" Her hand recoils, scratching her nose absently as if she had an itch.
"Did I say I took it?" Joshi asks in return. "You know Sarai made that decree that we can't take anything offered by anyone else." She snorts at the very idea. She holds the bag out, "They did give me these sweet apples though, but I don't think that counts...."
The corners of Livia's mouth twitch downward as her brows furrow and she waves off the bag. Shame of shame, apples being her favorite and all. Regretfully, she confesses, "I can't take those. I know it doesn't seem like much, but I've sworn off sweetner in any shape and form until this thing is over. Sad too, I really miss cake."
"You have sworn off sweetener?" Joshi looks - well shocked -- and who wouldn't be knowing Livia's stomach's reputation. "I don't believe it..." she says with amazement in her voice. "In fact.. I don't believe you.. come on," she pulls an apple slice from the bag. "Have one... they are delicious." She holds it out for Livia.
Livia folds her arms over her stomach and shakes her head, "No, I'm serious. I can't. No sweetner, no exceptions." She frowns a little more, "Don't you feel weird eating that, when the Weyrleaders are so adament about the sweetner thing?"
"Not at all," Joshi says taking the apple and plopping it into her mouth. She chews on it and swallows, saying, "They said you can't bring sweeteners, not things already sweetened back." She reaches in and offers out another tempting bite. "Besides.." *Grin* "I share." So it all works out in the end - according to the tone of her voice.
Livia glances at the bag and states, "Unless you have enough in that bag to share with everyone in the weyr, then I can't have any. Really." She rubs her head and sighs quietly. "Might as well get used to eating big bowls of bland gruel."
"And deny yourself? And your stomach?" Joshi sits and says, "Such a shame really. And to think I was offered two bags of sweetener that I couldn't bring back because of Sarai's decree." She shakes her head, "Shame." And with those words, reaches in for another apple piece, dropping it in her mouth and sucking on the sweet taste of the sugar and cinnamon. "Even the Weyrleader thinks she's gone wherryheaded."
Livia gives her head another good rub and frowns, "Somehow, I don't think M'val thinks that. Any that's not the way to talk about your Senior Weyrwoman. It all makes perfect sense to me."
"Now I'm not saying I agree with him," Joshi says, "Well okay so I do.. but not that I think Sarai is utterly stupid, but you have to admit Livia," She sighs, "She is being stubborn. And her stubborness is making all of our sweet tooths to ache in hunger..."
Livia rubs the bridge of her nose in a wearied gesture, "I think she's doing the right thing. Besides, there are plenty of desserts coming out of the kitchens still that aren't filled with sweetner. Truth be told, I'd rather have a bowl of fresh fruit than some baker concoction anyway. So people can't stand their klah straight? They should learn to accept what they have available to them. We lead a good life, because of what we do. Maybe everybody should stop taking all that for granted and stop complaining just because they don't have any sweetner. At least they're still alive. They ought to just try being happy for that for awhile before they go on to complain about petty things." The tired way she states it gives the impression she's been saying this a lot lately.
"But listen Livia," Joshi says, cupping a hand over her ear, "Do you hear it?" She asks looking at the brownrider seriously, "The nursery is filled with the crying of little children who cannot have an afternoon cookie treat because of this. They are helpless to understand why suddenly we would give them such treats that do not satisfy an empty belly." She continues on, "The old aunties no longer have the sweet biscuits to stir in their afternoon drink, that softens gently with the liquid so that their poor and weakened teeth can chew through what may usually break their teeth." She's impassioned in her moving speech. "We riders can leave the weyr to sneak out and get our sweet craving fulfilled elsewhere when on trips of leave, but what of the residents who must stay here with this dull, lifeless fare that is provided? Why should they suffer when the Weyrwoman herself, can leave the weyr, and go fulfill her sugar cravings at other weyrs? How do we even know Sarai has /NOT/ left in the middle of the night to go stuff herself on cakes, candies and cookies elsewhere?"
Livia's eye twitches slightly, her jaw muscles tightening as she replies, "It wouldn't be such a cruelty if the people who reside in this weyr hadn't been so careless with their abundant over usage of sweetner, we wouldn't be in this predicament in the first place. If I, who's appetite is practically legendary, can forgo sweets for a couple of sevendays, you would think the average person would be able to show a little bit of self restraint. It's not really that hard, for Faranth's sake!" She takes a deep breath and adds, "And Joshi, I'm asking you as a friend, please don't talk like that about the Weyrwoman around me, okay?" Twitchtwitch goes her eye.
"I'm sorry Livia," Joshi denotes, apologetic tones, "I will hold my tongue where the Weyrwoman is concerned, for your sake as well as hers." She fishes in the bag and retrieves another apple crisp and eats it. "The eggs will be hatching any day now won't they?" she queries, changing the subject to the sands.
Livia doesn't exactly relax, her stance in her seat rather rigid. Nothing like the comfortable sprawl of her original state. Still, she looks at the sands blankly and nods, willing to agree, "Very soon, I think. Well, not like tonight or anything. But I think soon. I hope soon."
"Within a sevenday I bet," Joshi promises, "The two candidates Wilanth deigned to bring back are hopefuls to be." She grins. "I think Wilanth likes to be picky so she knows they'll impress." Then, noting the rigidness of her companion, she sighs and sets aside her bag saying, "Livia relax... if you don't I'll force a back massage on you..." this threatened playfully, trying to tease Livia back to her side.
Livia responds rather moodily, "Back massages, sweetner coated apple chips...Are you trying to sway my resolve or something?" She pauses, and sighs, rubbing a hand over her face. "Sorry. I'm sorry. This whole thing has me out of sorts." And to show she's really sorry, she relaxes her stance, slouching back on the bleacher again, a wearied visage so unlike her normal cheerful demeanor.
"Seriously.. if you need a massage I'm more than willing," Joshi says with a grin and a wink. "And as for swaying your resolve... well that depends on if you're willing to be swayed my dear." Joshi waggles her eyebrows up and down suggestively with a laughing grin. "Perhaps I'm trying to win you over to the dark side...with Wilanth and I." She rubs her hands together, "And you have influence on the weyrlings..." She's definitely teasing Livia now.
Livia smirks a little, and only a hint grumpily, "Oh, my resolve will never be swayed. Besides, Hicerth is too good to be coorrupted. And the weyrlings are almost out of my hands, so you stand to gain nothing for your efforts." Less grumpily, at least. Must have missed some meals today or something.
"Mmhmm," Joshi says, "But you could be weakened with bribes... I know you could," she taps her bag. "I've got a bag full of bribes here for you along with something else." She taps her jacket that she's wearing, indicating something else. "And actually I gain quite a bit, as I think you are not a wasted effort Livia." She smiles.
Livia's gaze falls on the bag again and she just looks at it for a long moment. She looks up after a moment to regard Joshi, an odd sort of expression clouding her features. "Do I even want to know what this something else is?"
Andreana climbs into the stands.
Andreana has arrived.
Andreana just seems to be wandering about, eyes wide and curious. Apparently, it's exploring day for this new Igen resident. She's just seemed to realize she's stumbled into the Hatching Caverns as she climbs into the Stands, and turns to observe the long expanse of Sand below her. "Wow.... So /this/ is where dragons Hatch." Is said... Well, not quite softly. She's not aware of anyone else yet, you see.
"Well of course you do," Joshi leans forward and says, "The thing you want is--" She breaks off as a group enters the galleries and pulls back slightly from Livia and dusts her jacket off. "It's something to be discussed another time, another place..." she says with a last thrown wink to Livia, "After all, it's not like you'll be able to take me up on the offer for I think another sevenday or two." She nods towards the sands, "Hicerth being such a devoted daddy and all."
Livia's brows draw towards one another in a sudden obvious concern, which she doesn't voice at the moment. Instead, she looks towards the sands and agrees, "He is devoted, isn't he? He's a good boy." The comment of Andreana gets her attention, her head turning to look towards her, putting whatever thoughts she had in her head out of the way for the moment.
Joshi smiles smugly, having gotten the better of Livia - or so the look on her face would suggest. She calls out a cheerful and chirpish, "Good eve to all of you... would you like some apple crisps?" She picks up her bag and holds out the half empty bag, "All are welcome to have some sweets." And a glance thrown to Livia as if 'see? sharing!' was implied.
Andreana glances over at the two riders, and jumps a little, blushing considerably. "Oh, riders, I didn't mean to interuppt, really I didn't." She fidgets nervously, not quite sure what to do.... Until Joshi announces the crisps. "Treats?" She asks, incredously. "You have... Sweets? But I thought those weren't allowed now." The look she's giving Joshi is curious, and suddenly respectful.
Livia, who had begun to relax a few moments ago, suddenly clenches her jaw, and generally looks Displeased. She straightens up in her seat again, as if she had a stinger in her britches. She states in a hard sort of tone, "I'm not sure that bringing those back here was a good idea, Joshi."
"Oh get off the ticker Livia and don't let your panties get in a tight bunch," Joshi says, "I told you, I share and you are more than welcome to have some. " She holds out the bag towards Andreana, "Yes sweets - we're not allowed sweetener, not sweets that have already been prepared," she says. "That my dear is not included in Sarai's decree.... so have one!" This directed at both Andreana but her gaze is directed at Livia as well, including her in the offer of temptation.
Andreana raises an eyebrow at the rider, and carefully takes just one. She bites into it, and gives a sigh of happiness. "Oh, this would be wonderful hot with ice cream." She murmurs, wrinkling her brow. The look disappears, and she smiles at Joshi. "Thank you, rider."
Livia visibly bristles. And more than her hair. There goes that eye, twitching like mad. She just stares at Joshi and states in a dangerously quiet tone, "You and I have been friends for a long time, Joshi, so I'm going to ignore any comments containing my panties out of respect for that friendship." Fortunately, she doesn't move from where she sits.
Joshi looks surprised. Especially since Livia is bristling. "Livia," her voice quiets. She tucks the bag away out of sight. "You really do dislike this don't ya?" She frowns, "What is the matter Livia?" Then glancing around she says, "Should we go elsewhere or will you answer me here?" She turns her body towards her friend in concern and says bluntly, "You never have been bothered by my teasing before, but Jays! You're acting like I've hurt your feelings and I didn't mean to, but I know you're made of sterner stuff than that. So what's wrong my friend?"
Andreana jumps, frightened by the tone of the other rider's voice... Livia, it must be? Then Joshi must be the one offering sweets. "Oh, ma'ams, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to offend you..." She says, softly.
Livia opens her mouth, a reply ready on her lips, but the appology of the girl she doesn't even know catches her and she stops. Again, she rubs her eyes, taking a deep breath, and when her hand comes away, she's all smiles. Just like that. Smiles and sunshine. She shakes her head, "Nothings wrong. See?" To Andreana, she quickly offers, "Don't be sorry, you didn't cause any offence. I'm sorry, I don't think we've met..Hicerth's Livia." A hand is offered politely.
"I don't believe you," Joshi says bluntly, giving Livia a disbelieving look, "But I won't ask you now... " She turns and offers a smile to Andreana and "Joshi of green Wilanth here at Igen. Ya new here?" She queries giving the girl a once over look.
Livia glances out towards the eggs, hiding her somewhat shamed expression before she turns back to the other two with that poor abused smile back on her face. She decides, "I ought to really do something more productive than sit here and count eggs again and again. Sorry, all those numbers do strange things to my head."
Joshi gives a swift glance at Livia, a piercing look trying to read the other woman. But it won't do any good here. "Livia, will you come with me later to my weyr?" she asks while waiting for Andreana to finish the crisp and answer her.
Livia glances at Joshi and shakes her head, "The last time I was in your weyr, I woke up on the floor under your bed. Besides, I have to go run. And I don't like to be unavailable to the weyrlings. What if there's something important that they need me for?"
"This won't be like the last time," Joshi promises, "And this time you won't be staying the night, but I really do wish to talk with you..." her voice trails off and she says softly, "I'm worried about you." Admitting to her feelings of concern. And then her voice tightens as she says, "And don't tell me not to be, because you're my very best and I'll always worry about you no matter what." One corner of her lips raises in a smile at that admission.
Livia hesitates a touch, and hmms. "Well. I am going to tell you not to be, whether it works or not. Because I'm fine. But if you won't accept that, then can we schedule some time to talk after the weyrlings have graduated and I have a little more free time?" Nevermind that she's been sitting around counting eggs for who knows how long...
Chayil climbs into the stands.
Chayil has arrived.
Joshi tilts her head examining Livia and says, "No..." Objecting to waiting so long. "But," And now the greenrider heaves a big sigh, "I suppose I'll have to wait won't I?" She turns her head to look at the sands and mutters, "Unless I kidnap ya or something..." Weyrlings come first, eggs second - life in a big long third.
Andreana smiles softly. "You're well met, both of you. I'm Andreana, and yes, greenrider, I'm new here." She finishes her crisp in silence, listening to the other two talk, and watching them both quietly, head cocked. Especially that last Joshi quote.... About Weyrlings, Eggs, and life... Humm... Munchmunch.
Chayil walks inside, wearing her usual trousers beneath a simple sleeveless shirt. Probably a nightshirt. "...right, Qeturath, all right, I'm here. What is it?" she asks through yawns, from the top of the stairs. "Oh, for pity's sake. No, you do not have anything /on/ you. Don't you remember your bath earlier this... Oh, uh... hi." Yes, it's only after making herself a spectacle that she realizes that /people/ are here while she's in her nightshirt (and nothing under it, thank you), barefoot, and tousled from tossing and turning. Quickly, the small rider crosses her arms over her chest.
Livia gives Joshi a glance again and comments, "Weyrlife is a busy life." She starts to say something to Andreana, but the arrival of the complaining goldrider draws her attention and she tries not to chuckle. It would be disrespectful. Instead, she coughs into a hand and nods her head, "Evening, Chayil."
"Evening weyrwoman," Joshi says politely, throwing a cheeky grin at Chayil and her 'state of dress' or rather 'undress'. "Qeturath drag you out here this late?" She smiles at Andreana and says, "Well met young lady." And her gaze ends up back on Livia, giving a rather stubborn look even if she doesn't say anything to that rather chinese fortune sounding comment.
Andreana glances at the Junior Weyrwoman, a little awed and more than a little shocked. "Good... Good evening, Weyrwoman." She says... Then thinks better of asking for another one of those crisps, no matter how good they were. Head whirling a bit, she sits - overwhelmed as much by the heat as the activity.
Chayil endeavors to better cover herself while appearing casual, though when attempted simultaneously, at least one of these two items is going to suffer and fail. Nevertheless, she gives Andreana the polite nod one always gives strangers, before answering Joshi. "Yes, she did. She's convinced that she's got something on her. A spot, she claims. There's no spot." She gestures out towards the dragon to illustrate her point. "No spot. Never is. But you know how it is." Another smile makes its way towards Andreana and she belatedly says, "Oh, it's too late in the day to be formal or nervous. Good evening, whoever you are, I'm Chayil, that's Qeturath out there, and welcome to Igen. I see by your knot that you're one of us, and I apologize for not meeting you sooner."
Andreana chuckles at the weyrwoman, though common sense would usually tell her not to. "You are well met, weyrwoman Chayil. I am Andreana, new to Igen of course," she grins, "and very pleased to meet you and your gold." She glances out at the gold on the sands, and stiffles another chuckle. "She must be very interesting for the Candidates to do their... Egg touching thing." She looks a bit confused.. Is that right? "The Candidates do Touch the Eggs before they Hatch, don't they?" Careful, she might confuse herself.
Livia shakes her head slightly at the tale of the goldrider and looks back at the sand, perhaps to avoid Joshi's glance. She comments to herself, "That's a girl for you." Despite it all, she's still got an uncomfortable stance regardless of her smile.
Chayil nods again, just a little down-bob of the head. "Yes, they do. Several times, in fact, if they can be stolen from their chores." She slips easily onto the bench near all these others, in whatever space is open. "What's a girl for you, Liv?"
Joshi lets out a small yawn. "It's a little late to be egg touching Andreana," she says chuckling. "But perhaps you'll see it before they hatch." And then just because Livia made that comment she agrees with Chayil in asking, "Yeah..what's a girl for you Liv?" Only her question seems to have more interest in a different type of answer.
Livia's gaze snaps aside towards the two other riders and shakes her head, "What? Nothing. Sorry. I forget what I was talking about." Her smile falters a little as she looks away towards the sands again, sitting uneasily on the edge of the bleacher.
Andreana smiles at Joshi, but fidgets uneasily at this turn in the conversation.
Chayil glances between Joshi and Livia, and as Livia takes the better part of valor, clears her throat and asks Andreana, "So, now that we've met, where did you say you came from... ah, Andr...Andreana, did you say?"
"Oh you're no fun Livia," Joshi makes a face at her and then stands up, picking up a small bag. "I will bid you ladies a farewell." She covers a yawn with her hand.
Livia smirks faintly and comments drly, "I've been hearing that a lot lately..." She grimaces faintly and shakes her head, "I'll see you later, Joshi. Have a good evening."
Chayil lifts a hand to wave towards Joshi. "See you in the morning, Joshi? Sleep well, you and Wilanth."
Andreana smiles at Chayil. "The Fort Hold area," is the answer to the gold rider's question. "And Andreana is my full name... Most call me Andie, for short." She smiles softly at Joshi then, as the woman gets up to leave, raising a hand in farewell. "Clear skies, green rider. And sleep well."
"Thanks," Joshi holds out the bag to Andreana, "Want the rest of these?" She questions, her stance ready to leave, from the way she's turned.
Andreana raises one eyebrow, and smiles prettily. "Thank you, Joshi. I'll make sure they're put to good use." She grins at the green rider. "Thank you." She says it sincerely. "Sleep well."
Livia watches the bag being held out sort of oddly. Of course, everything about her has been odd tonight, so that's not really any big surprise.
Joshi hands over the bag and says, "Your welcome... I always like to share." And then she waves, actually has the nerve to blow a kiss to Livia before heading out of the caverns.
IgenW-Sands>> In the bleachers, Since, of course, Andreana just saw Weyr life in all its glory. Well, in about twenty percent of its glory.
IgenW-Sands>> In the bleachers, Livia watches the girl accept the bag, and watches Joshi blowing her kisses, but instead of responding with any playful replies, she just peers after the retreating greenrider. Distractedly, and belatedly, she adds a half-hearted, "Yeah..always happy to help."
IgenW-Sands>> In the bleachers, Andreana grins at Chayil. "It's been a bit rough, to be honest, weyrwoman, adjusting to sedentary life, but I could not turn Weyrwoman Sarai down when I was handed a knot...." She smiles, quickly stashing the bag away behind her. "But everyone has been so warm and helpful." She blushes, shyly. "I like it here."
IgenW-Sands>> In the bleachers, Chayil's brow lifts. "Sedentary life? What /have/ we got you assigned to do? Normally, new people are given fairly demanding work, just to see if they're serious about staying here."
IgenW-Sands>> In the bleachers, Andreana laughs. "Oh, it would be demanding enough, for someone large Hold bred, I might assume, but after taking care of runners and all sorts of beasts and trotting along with a Trader's caravan, there's little you could do to truly over work me."
IgenW-Sands>> In the bleachers, Livia's foul mood rears it's ugly head again as she gives a quiet hmph under her breath, turning her gaze back to the sands with a determination to play nice, by keeping quiet.
IgenW-Sands>> In the bleachers, Chayil listens to Andreana attentively, though one foot sneaks over and nudges Livia's boot as she utters a quiet and somewhat reassuring, "Hey." It's what friends do. Then she makes response to the new girl, noting, "Then I guess your only real adjustment will be a social one. I hope you're finding people as friendly as I know they can be. Is anything frustrating, or frightening, or..." she quickly glances back by the way that Joshi had left, "maybe confusing?"
IgenW-Sands>> In the bleachers, Livia gets that shameful sort of look again, and tries to be helpful by smiling at the girl. Of course, it doesn't come out quite as well as her previous smile mask had, this one sort of a grumpy smile. Frightening, really.
IgenW-Sands>> In the bleachers, Andreana nods at that. "Confusing, definitely. There's so many people!" She shakes her head. "And... They have such strange ways of interacting. Of course," she blushes, "I've never, ever been so close to a dragon in my life... And I still haven't gotten to touch one yet, though that's all right, just being near them is enough." She's babbling, she's sure of that, because that look on Livia's face is not the more reassuring one she's ever seen in her life. "And... It's kind of strange sleeping in a room night after night, when I'm used to sleeping under the stars alot, with the animals... But... It's all right. I like it." She smiles nervously.
IgenW-Sands>> In the bleachers, Chayil considers all of that, focusing on Andreana's newness and talking mostly to her, though she doesn't seem unaware of Livia; simply letting the brownrider settle down without confronting the grumpy-guss. "The interactions. You mean the way people don't bow here, as much as in holds? That's kind of hard for some to remember not to do. Or do you mean the more personal interactions? Those can be a bit startling too, if you're not used to those sorts of things. But don't be nervous. No one will expect /you/ to do the same things, unless you want to. It's your own choice, how you want to relate to people." She ducks her head slightly to see whether Andreana's catching the subtle hint of live and let live.
IgenW-Sands>> In the bleachers, Andreana nods, listening quite carefully to the gold rider's words. "Well.... Some of it is just... I don't know. The way some riders are quite formal to some other riders, and some aren't... And... Oh, it's just all the people!" She finishes, flustered. "I come from a small cothold. I've been to many places. But even Fort Hold, for all it's granduer, wasn't quite so confusing as this!"
IgenW-Sands>> In the bleachers, Livia goes back to staring at the sands for awhile, trying to not scare the girl anymore. Finally, she hops to her feet, leaving her jacket where she was sitting and heads for the exit, muttering something about running.