Copies (Jay)

[Kaya]

| 75.05.05 | Weyr Archives | Afternoon |

It had been almost two months since her talk with T'kar. There were things going on in the shadows that had yet to reassert themselves, mercifully. But she needed better eyes. Rilora stood in the back of the archives, ancient papers resting on the desk in front of her. She found some solace in the records of old, the reminder that the past was not too different from the present. People came and went, troubles sprung up and were solved away, and the world went on. She had in front of her the telling of a political snafu between Fort and her Weyr under Isodae's leadership. Some hurt feelings and poor word choices, it seemed. But in the end things worked out. They always did.

They must. Rilora stared blankly at the walls as her mind wandered, waiting for the harper to arrive. She had asked him to come make some copies, and to look into some old songs that had been written at the time following the War. Uplifting, moral caressing songs. The less bold ones, but the songs that slowly coerced even the most unwilling face to smile. In the midst of the rainier than usual winter, the Weyr needed something to hold on to. No. Well- I need something. I can't be the only bleak one.

Cirryyth, is your rider soon to arrive at the archives? Archith inquired, sensing her Rider's wandering mood. It was a little desperate, but so were the times. At least they weren't such gloomy thoughts as they had been lately. It had been hard enough to get Rilora out into the crowds she usually thrived in, if a little clumsily.

[Jay Kitten]

W-what? Um... Yes. I mean... I think so? The Tiger obviously had his mind elsewhere, other than on his Riders whereabouts. Such was normal for the pair, they often did their own things considering the red-headed man was often quite busy either entertaining or pouring over records or his latest creation. But in this case, he was partially right, V'ridian was jogging toward the Record Room as the two dragons spoke.

He arrived maybe two minutes after the question was asked; and, in a light pant, he opened the door and spoke: "Sorry I'm late, m'lady. I do not wish to keep one so brilliant and... Oh, shells I'll cut the flattery. I'm late." He gave her a lopsided grin and quickly slid into a chair nearby her, flipping over a few of the papers that only they usually cared to look at.

"...Seems to me like much hasn't moved since you were last in here. ...Where is that page? Oh shard it all."

He frowned, not normally looking so discombobulated as he was now. Then again, they probably both were, holding positions of great responsibility after all. But now that they were both here, he took a second to calm down, leaning back in his chair, and stroking his chin, catching his breath. "All right. Just let me know what you need, M'lady, and you know I am there." Always the charmer, but that was how he was. She knew that, so he didn't save her the pleasantries. His long, cherry locks were a bit out of sorts, he looked like he'd actually been late after all, and it appeared to be completely out of accidental circumstance. Why, though, it could be anything. She'd just have to ask if she really cared.

"So, is there something you wished me to find? Something you wanted recorded, jotted down, plotted, written?" He ran fingers through his hair, and waited for a reply.

[Kaya]

He'll be there shortly. Archith mentioned to Rilora and with that was drawn back into her own task of the moment. It seemed that someone had outgrown their weyr, contrary to expectations, and needed a new place. It was something she was perfectly able to do, save write down the change. Cumbersome records.

Rilora returned to looking at papers until V'ridian's bright face surrounded by colorful hair came around the door. The forthcoming honesty from the Harper brought a smile to Rilora's face. She appreciated the acknowledgement of her supposed title, it had been several turns and Isodae had said not of taking it back, but it was still odd to grow into. Something like growing up, never feeling truly older until much later.

"It's the archives, not much moves," Rilora commented, seeing he'd picked up the papers from the conflict she'd been reading about. Not what she had in mind for him to work on. She focused enough in her own list of things that needed doing and fixed on conveying them that she simply figured that he was late of no accord. If it was urgent he'd have brought it up already, Archith would likely know, and the whole Weyr would be in a rush to spread information and- well, it wasn't that.

She was glad for V'ridian's upbeat mood. "Something for you to find, how very apt," Rilora mentioned. He'd hit the mark, though perhaps indirectly. "I have two tasks that require harper skills: one on the record, and one off of it. You are as most harpers, able to listen well and keep your lips sealed?"

[Jay Kitten]

The man paused for a moment to think through what might be required of him for the moment. She hadn't summoned him with a reason, so he figured it could possibly be a simple task, one that might only require a candlemark or two of his time. But then she mentioned to him that he had been correct about locating something for her. What came next, however, surprised him.

"Off the record? M'lady, I do hope you know I do not intend to run afoul of anybody. If it is a personal favor you need, do try to keep it in good taste." He offered another smile, and then broke into a small laugh. "I of course only mean that as a disclaimer. Whatever you need, I will assist. Whether I step on a couple toes... Well, what am I saying? You have not even told me what you need yet. Listen I shall." V'ridian was anything but a gossip, he in fact despised the practice as much as the action itself. Hopefully, the news wouldn't be too disconcerting, if she wished to share a secret with him, or if it were a task, that he wouldn't have to get his pretty hands dirty.

With another glance to the scrolls before them, he pulled one up and skimmed it, something he had seen her reading before. Trying to gain knowledge from the past, was she? Had something happened? Interesting.

[Kaya]

"Good," Rilora said in time when he stopped speaking. She hadn't meant to set him alert, but perhaps it would help him to listen better. "We need your ears, and your eyes. This is to be entirely secret, and thus I want no records of it. As you're aware," Rilora paused to crane her neck and scan the room. As before, there was no one else, "-there have been some rather unsavory things that have happened at our Weyr. Some information, strictly need-to-know, has come to my attention and the Weyrleader and I have been trying to gather what we can of it. But our efforts alone are not sufficient. We suspect that this group, whoever has been behind these murders, is rather large if not capable with fewer among their number. It's not so easy to tell those who would help us apart from those who would like to see us dead or under their thumb. We have good reason to believe that there are actors in Cliffside that answer to this group. We just don't know if they've made it into the Weyr yet. So far it seems quiet, too quiet with all our poking around records but I have tried to be rather discrete about it."

Rilora took a deep breath. "That said, you are our Weyr Harper. No one has a better view of our people than you. We need your help, to make sure our Weyr stays clear of spies and if you're willing, if you would find a way to investigate Cliffside as well, I would be most grateful. T'kar is investigating the Hold, I have the Weyr business on my task list. If you need help, supplies, even unwitting bystanders to help you blend in, we can provide that. This is a serious threat, a slow moving one, but a serious one. I want to see this disease cured or cut off before it gets any worse, and I think you're the man to help us. Are your orders clear, V'ridian?"

Too much?

No. Came the short answer from Archith.

Rilora stood up straight, adjusting her shoulders and hoped for the best. Mental note, don't forget the songs. If it's not too much...