Participants:
| Date: | July 28, 2011 |
|---|---|
| IC Date: | Month 6, Day 23, Turn 3. |
| Location: | EW: Bath |
| Synopsis: | Kaskan catches up with Nenienne for a long-overdue apology. |
| Rating: | PG |
| Logger: | Kaskan |
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
Nenienne
In her late teens or early twenties, Neni has a youthful face clear of acne or other teenage maladies. Her eyes are gray and her features rather plain, perhaps slightly on the pretty side. Her brown hair is cut short, not even reaching her shoulders, and curls in the back. She is about 5'7" and her build is average, her propotions indicating that she has finished growing.
Neni is wearing a modestly-cut black short-sleeved blouse and black leggings. Although her clothing is naturally undecorated, glints of dust from the metals she works with are scattered about, especially in the front. Her undyed wherhide boots are not free from the speckles either. On her shoulder is a red knot tied to indicate a journeyman of the Smithcraft. — 23 turns
Kaskan
Thick wisps of ebony fall in half-hazard lengths to shadow rugged features, over-long layers typically in disarray as they feather pale blue eyes, flare about his ears and tickle the nape of his neck. Full lips precede a square-ish jaw, which often bears a dusky shadow of its own. Scars from too many fights mar what would be a handsome visage, most notably one that splices across his left brow stopping just short of his eye. A slight hitch ends his left ear in an oddly curved shape, though it's usually hidden beneath his hair. Darkly intense, his bearing is defensive and watchful, wiry muscles having filled out to create a solid, sturdy frame. Not overly tall, he is a grounded, immovable rock - just as thickly guarded on the inside as he is thickly muscled on the outside - a deceptive impression that suits him well for the panther quick grace that's displayed when he's on the move. – 20 turns
ROOM DESCRIPTION:
[ Eastern Weyr: Baths ]
Underneath the upper set of hatching sands, this cavern is fairly large in size, though it is dwarfed in comparison to others nearby. A natural hot spring, the steamy water has been diverted into one large pool - capable of holding about twenty odd people - and several smaller ones around the edges. Shelves have been set up along the northern wall, lined with different scents of bathing salts, sweetsands and oils. Under the shelves are benches where folk can dress and undress. Even given the tropical nature of the climate, this is still one of the most popular places in the weyr.
LOG:
Kaskan takes a single step into the baths and stops, light eyes narrowing as they search the steamy cavern. Now that he's allowed brief forays on his own one of his first priorities was to hunt down the crafter and after a few inquiries he'd been led toward the baths by those who'd seen her pass. "Nenienne?" he ventures to call out after a moment.
Nenienne is submerged down to her neck in one of the smaller pools, her eyes closed and her expression mostly blissful… though still not smiling. Upon hearing her name called she starts, her eyes opening quickly, and looks over in that direction. Seeing Kaskan she relaxes again, saying, "Hello, Kaskan."
Blue eyes snap in the direction of Nenienne's voice and Kaskan saunters slowly forward, his gaze sweeping the other pools as best he can to ensure no one else is around. Reaching the crafter's pool he sees a bench and sits, expression stern as he tries to hide how short on breath he is already. The thickness of the heated air doesn't help. "Hey Nen. How're you?" The baths seem like a strange place to be having a casual conversation but hesitation holds back his true intention so he falls back on polite banter.
Nenienne contemplates, then says, "Pretty well. Triff says that she doesn't think I lost any motor control with the injury, and she says I probably only need a few more days of physical therapy."
Lips set in a firmer line at Nenienne's reply. Even though it's good news it hits the heart of why he sought the woman out. One hand rises to scratch at his temple, the bandage that had wrapped his head for so long still leaving a ghost of pressure even though it's gone now. Shifting slightly he adjusts his other arm, which hangs in a sling. "Good. I'm so glad to hear that," he says at last. An awkward pause follows, then he looks to her at a tilted angle, long-ish bangs obscurring his view. "Nen. I… I wanted to tell you… that I'm sorry. I'm sorry you got wrapped up in things. If anything had happened to you… I'd never forgive myself."
Nenienne nods, her typical frown neither lightening nor deepening. After looking as if she's about to speak several times, she finally says, "I believe you."
Kaskan drops his good hand to his leg, elbow braced on his thigh as he leans forward slightly, dark lashes dropping over his gaze as he looks down. His voice lowers even though they are alone, emotions adding to the thick air that makes it harder for him to breathe. "I thought I'd go mad when they left me to go find you. I would never have told them, Nen." A quick glance darts to the woman in the pool, then drops again. "They were asking so many questions… guessing… searching for a connection I realized later. They remembered you. When they said your name I guess I reacted and they caught it. Then they said awful things… made threats… and I lost it." A frustrated sigh escapes, the burden of guilt having ridden heavy on his broad shoulders since that night. "When I heard you'd been hurt… well, I wouldn't blame you if you hated me."
Nenienne shakes her head. "I don't. I'm not sure I want to know how you got that figurine, or how you know those two. I'm pretty certain now that it is white jade, and it's hard to imagine how anyone short of a Lord or Lady, a Master crafter, or a Weyrwoman or Weyrleader can just happen to have one, especially with that level of detail."
Kaskan looks up, interest peeked in the wake of a sense of relief. He'd both dreaded and sought this conversation for so long, frustration building as he was restricted to the infirmary for recovery. Since she said she doesn't want to know he merely shrugs, lips pursing, but the flash of chagrin that shadows his brow is telling enough. "Well I'm just glad it's out of our hands now, and those men are no longer a threat to anyone."
Nenienne nods thoughtfully, then asks, "You mentioned that the figurine was meant for someone. WHo did you end up giving it to?"
Kaskan hesitates a moment, automatically fearful of sharing details about the ill-fated carving. But then he realizes it doesn't matter anymore, and that he owes Nenienne answers. "Max is taking care of it." Vague enough, but still an answer. Lifting his chin, Kaskan's expression changes as he looks more fully to the woman. Wracking guilt has waned, though some of it's shadows remain, but the set of thoughtful determination is back in it's usual place amidst his rugged features. "Nen, we've come up with a cover story to avoid too many questions. It wouldn't be good if the truth got out. Can you still keep this a secret? I mean to the casually curious, of course, not your masters if they ask." Again his hand rises, this time to scrub at his scruffy jaw. "I'm not saying to lie but just to avoid telling anyone about it."
Nenienne thinks this over for a long while, then says, "I imagine I'll owe Master Jarvys an explanation, at least. What is the cover story for everyone else?"
Kaskan sighs then, getting the made-up facts straight in his head before relating them. "Jhorn snuck off to meet a girl at Landing. I went after him. A wild feline spooked the runners and I fell down a ravine while Jhorn's ran away with him still on it." Slate blue hue regards the woman closely.
Nenienne mmm-hmmms. "And how does what happened to me fit in? Did I try to grab one of the runaway runners?"
Kaskan blinks, obviously not having thought of that. "Well damn," he murmers, chin dropping and over-long layers slipping forward again. Where's Max when you need him? Dark brows rise as he looks up again. "Would that work for you? Max said he would speak to his men and L'han so no one will be spreading what happened to you in the smithy."
Nenienne shrugs, then asks rhetorically, "Would anyone believe me if I said that?"
Kaskan is quiet a minute and the silence fills with the soft lapping of water. Mentally leaping to access the validity of the question he instantly realizes that he shouldn't be checking her out while in the baths and possibly giving her the wrong idea. Pale blue eyes dart away immediately, but then wander back and carefully remain at face level. "Crazed runners would be hard to contain even for an experienced handler, so sure, why not?" is returned in the same rhetorical tone.
Nenienne says, "Because it's hard to imagine me trying to stop a runner." Her voice is tinged with humor. "Although I could say it was reflexive from growing up in a cothold, of someone pressed the issue."
Kaskan is relieved yet again to hear the amusement in her tone and an echoing smile hovers about his lips. "Maybe you're just the hero type."
Nenienne hmmmms. "I suppose so. You never know until you're in that kind of situation. Or so I'm told."
Kaskan sits up straighter, drawing in a strained breath. Sitting down has helped but all the walking beforehand took its toll on his bruised lung. A smile materializes and tilts to one side as he nods firmly, feigning sincerity through obvious amusement, "I can see it now - the Mighty Nenienne, wielding her handy Smithy Hammer, to the rescue!"
Nenienne says, "More like, the idiot Jewelry crafter trying to grab the reigns of a stampeding runner."
Kaskan can't help barking a quick laugh at that, causing him to cough lightly to catch his breath. Smoothing his expression he raises his palm to her, donning the faux-serious expression again. "I will beat anyone who says so down with my staff, I promise."
GAME: Save complete.
Nenienne ponders. "All right, that's a deal. I'll say I tried to grab the reins of one of the runners, and it wracked my shoulder out of alignment."
Kaskan nods, letting humor drift away on the curls of steam that rise from the pool. The urge for fresh air beats at his chest so he sighs and gives the woman a regretfully grateful smile as muscles tense to rise. Grateful for her cooperation, but regreting the necessity. "Sounds good. Nen… if I can ever do anything for you please don't hesitate to ask, ok?
Nenienne nods. "I will." From the tone of her voice, she's doubtful that she'll ever need to.
With one final nod Kaskan rises, rolling the shoulder that supports his bandaged arm and plucking at his shirt self-consciously. Though the material is thin it's begun to feel heavy against his chest, a mental reflection of his troubled breathing. "I'll let you get back to your bath then. G'night, Nen."
Nenienne says, "Take care. I'll see you around more, hopefully?"
Kaskan pauses in turning to leave, giving the soaking crafter a mischevious grin through those wandering wisps of ebony. "You bet! I'm a free man - finally!" And off he goes, causing whorls of steam in his wake.
