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Post by Na Qaiah on Feb 20, 2012 17:14:54 GMT -5
Shammy was busy today cleaning the Dining Cavern. It was her turn on the Candidate chore roster. She wasn't supposed to be doing this alone. It happened, some one was late or just skipped out thinking no one would notice. She wasn't upset about being alone today, for some reason she was enjoying it. There was always a flit or two hanging around looking for handouts. She never tried to touch, but she had been known to leave a treat where it could be easily gotten to. She was becoming a flit favorite for these treats.
Today there were several little greens, a couple of blues and one gold up on the rafters or flying around. There were several riders sitting at the table discussing formations and such so she figured they were a wing that was taking a lunch break after practice and some of the flits would be theirs.
She didn't disturb them but she did keep the three pots of Klah full that were on the table. She even brought a plate of fruit and sweet rolls and left them. Shammy knew how to be invisable so her presence didn't seem to bother the riders. Someday she knew she would be here herself so she listened and made mental notes on some of the problems and suggested solutions.
She hummed as she worked, it made things go faster. Sometimes the flits hummed with her it always made it nicer with their harmony. When Shammy was done with her shift, she grabbed a tray and added a few flit goodies onto a seperate plate before sitting down. Soon the lunch crowd would be here, but for now everything was clean and fairly quiet.
Her shift was over just as she finished the last table. She grabbed a tray with a few things she wanted to eat, making sure to add a seperate plate of things just for the flits, last thing she grabbed was a steaming cup of Klah. As she settled to eat she noticed the flits interest. She thought she regonized the Gold one as Precious. She was Captain Loghans flit. She came down for a quick nibble. "Here you are Precious." Shammy said as she put a small piece of meat roll where the tiny gold could reach it. As the flit enjoyed her treat, Shammy waved to a couple of fellow Candidates that had just ented the Dinning Cavern. She hoped they would join her.
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hbk
Queen Rider
--heartbreakkid--
Posts: 224
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Post by hbk on Feb 20, 2012 18:26:05 GMT -5
F'ren had been calling for Arty, his still young blue firelizard. The creature was less than a Turn old and F'ren was already having trouble trying to train the little beast. He'd thought that a firelizard would work the same way as a dragon, but they didn't, not at all. Still, the incredibly tiny blue flit had already wormed his way into F'ren's heart and the brownrider found himself beginning to worry when he couldn't find Arty.
Stepping into the Dining Cavern, F'ren took in the freshly cleaned floors and tables, obviously the work of Candidates, he thought, since he clearly remembered having those chores when he'd been a Candidate.
Scanning the Dining Cavern, people were beginning to filter in for lunch, but F'ren's eyes stopped on a table where a single girl sat. There, perched on the table and begging for a treat, was Arty.
Striding over to the table, F'ren shook his head, "There you are, you little begger." He said, and when Arty heard his friend's voice he turned and looked at F'ren with a chagrined duck of his little head.
"I hope he hasn't been pestering you." He said to Shamara.
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Post by Na Qaiah on Feb 20, 2012 18:53:57 GMT -5
"Oh no he's fine." Shammy answered the brown rider honestly. "I always have a few flits around when I am done cleaning in here then settle to eat. I love them all and they seem to know it. What's his name?" She asked. "I hope you don't mind that I gave him a treat." She said suddenly nervous. She never thought anyone would mind, it never entered her mind until now that it might not be ok.
"I'm Shammy." She said sticking her hand out in introduction, hoping he wouldn't be too angry with her. No one else seemed to mind. She really did need to find out who she needed to speak to about getting a flit egg of her own, maybe that would help. Impressing would help too she figured then she would be too busy to wonder about flits for awhile.
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hbk
Queen Rider
--heartbreakkid--
Posts: 224
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Post by hbk on Feb 20, 2012 19:43:45 GMT -5
F'ren accepted the Candidate's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, "Pleased to meet you, I'm F'ren of Aloroth, and the little guy," he nodded his head towards his blue firelizard, "is Arty." Pulling a chair out across from the young woman, the brownrider sat down and began gently scratching Arty's small head knob, an exact miniature of his dragon cousins.
"And feel free to feed Arty treats any time he's around. I can tell that he enjoys it and there are times when I'm at drills or doing Weyr duty that he can't come with me. It's nice to know that someone is looking after him." F'ren eyed the gold firelizard that was perched near Shammy's plate, "Who does she belong to?" He asked curiously.
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Post by Na Qaiah on Feb 20, 2012 20:36:12 GMT -5
"Pleased to meet you, my duty to you F'ren and to brown Aloroth, and of course little Arty. I'm a Candidate and I hope to be blessed with a little one too some day, after I impress of course." She answered as he sat down. "Thank you for not being mad about my feeding him. He's really polite. You have done a good job with him I think." She added as she broke off another treat for him and Precious.
"This beauty is Precious, she belongs to Captain Log an of the Dragon Shield. He is around here somewhere or she wouldn't be here. That or she has figured out I'm a push over for a pretty face." She added with a grin
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hbk
Queen Rider
--heartbreakkid--
Posts: 224
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Post by hbk on Feb 22, 2012 12:48:28 GMT -5
F'ren barked out a little laugh at the mention of Precious's reasons for coming to see her. He felt sure that the firelizards were much like dragons- gluttons for comfort. Therefore if they could find someone willing to pay them some attention and feed their little pot-bellies then they would happily travel the distance to see Shammy every day. At least they're getting some exercise in the process. He thought idly.
"Well Shamara, I just came to collect Arty but it's been my pleasure meeting you. I'm sure I'll see you again the next time the little guy goes missing." F'ren said as he stood and patiently waited while Arty scrambled up his arm to his familiar perch on the brownrider's shoulder.
Happily the small, light blue flit curled his tail around F'ren's neck and chirruped a farewell to Shammy.
~*- Kethemar - *~ Candidate
Kethemar's normally easy going face was pulled into a frown as he stalked into the Dining Cavern. One of his first days here and already he'd screwed up. Someone he'd gotten confused with the chores schedule and instead of helping in the Dining Cavern he'd ended up down at the fields helping pick numbweed. Idiot, idiot! He thought to himself.
The moment he stepped into the Dining Cavern Kethemar could tell that the place was spotless. The floors and tables practically gleamed with cleanliness which only served to make the Candidate feel even worse. Shards, he didn't want the Weyrlingmaster to think he was some sort of lazy good-for-nothing. While Kethemar usually just did whatever he pleased there was shardin' rules around the Weyr that could very well determine what sort of positions you held as you advanced.
Even though he knew it was a certainty, Kethemar planned on being the best Weyrling in his class if he Impressed and he didn't want messing up his Candidate chores to hinder that.
When he saw Shamara, Kethemar headed over to her table, "I am so sorry Shamara," he'd met the other Candidate briefly the day he'd arrived at the Weyr, "I got my schedule mixed up and ended up down at the numbweed field instead."
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Post by Na Qaiah on Feb 22, 2012 21:38:02 GMT -5
"Oh, hi Keithemar. I didn't check to see who was to join me today. I understand how getting the schedule mixed up goes. I did the same thing for three days until someone came looking for me. Did you know there was a difference in feeding pens? There is, trust me." Shamara answered laughing.
"Grab a plate real quick and come sit, we will go over the chores to be done in here, then next time you can just get to it with out having to get these instructions. Ok?" She asked. She really did understand about the chore roster for a new Candidate. It wasn't really hard to find yourself lost in someplace new.
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hbk
Queen Rider
--heartbreakkid--
Posts: 224
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Post by hbk on Feb 23, 2012 0:14:29 GMT -5
~*- Kethemar -*~ Candidate
"I'll take you up on that offer, thanks Shamara." Kethemar said with a grateful smile to his fellow Candidate. Pushing up from the table, the fishercrafter sauntered up to the service table, his loose-hipped stride clearly giving away his background on ships.
The service table was lined with piping hot food, prepared expressly for the lunch time rush that was sure to follow. Kethemar was found himself getting in line just in time since several dragonriders came in at that time and got in line behind him. Overhearing their conversation about Threadfall, Kethemar couldn't help but find himself secretly admiring their lives and hoping that he would get to experience it.
Grabbing a plate, Kethemar picked up some tender cuts of herdbeast meat that that had been roasted in brown gravy. Once the meat was on his plate he spooned a generous portion of mashed tubers and fried greens onto his plate. Delicious.
Pouring himself a cup of klah at the end of the service table, Kethemar took his lunch back to the table where Shamara was sitting, "Allright, Shamara, explain away!" He said as he tucked into his food.
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Post by Na Qaiah on Feb 23, 2012 12:30:27 GMT -5
"When you first come in, there is a small cupboard between the service tables and the kitchen, its down the hall there on the right. That's where you will find your cleaning supplies, bucket, soap and rags. You can take the bucket into the kitchen and fill it, there is always hot water in a big tub by the wash station. Don't dip your bucket into the tub, use the container that's hanging on the wall next to it. I can't tell you what it is because it changes every day, I guess it depends on who is on duty first." Shammy said smiling. She liked this boy already, not many would bother to come find her to apologize.
"Once you have your bucket full, you go back to the cupboard to add soap, its not like sweet sand at all, its very strong, if you add to much, or you add it before filling the bucket you will have a slippery foamy mess that runs over the sides of your bucket every time you put your rag into it." She said laughing. "Guilty as charged." She added. "I've put a small shell on a shelf in the cupboard, no one pays any attention to it and so far no one has thrown it away. If you use that for a scoop, its the perfect amount. The soap is kinda liquidy, they make it out of wood ashes and animal fat. It can burn if too much is used, but man does it clean. I've used some on my clothes a few times that have gotten bad stains on them and it comes right out." Shammy said thoughtfully.
Anyway, there will sometimes be dishes left on the tables, not often as most are nice enough to try to clean up after themselves. Once you have had to clean up a bunch of nasty messes it kind of makes you remember how nasty it was and you wouldn't want to clean it up again, so you don't leave one like it for the next Candidate." She said making a face and shaking her head.
Shammy took time to take another bite, then a sip of Klah before continuing. "You can leave your bucket and rag on the end of the first table while you get a dish tub from the kitchen. They are brown and under the sink. You use these to go around and put the dirty dishes in from the tables. You will regonize them once you see them. You put your dishes in one over there when you are done eating. Its our duty to take the full ones back to the kitchen and to bring out empty ones no matter where you are in cleaning the tables. Someone else washes them. That's part of the duty we will have when its our turn in the kitchens." She said pausing to take a sip.
Once that's done its quick work on the tables. You wipe them down starting from one end toward your bucket. Scrape the smaller crumbs on the floor and put the bigger ones in a pile at the end of the table until you are done wiping the benches and chairs down. I choose to wear this apron with the big pockets so that I just put the bigger pieces in them so I don't have to make as many trips to the trash can that's by the dirty dish bins. You never ever wash a table with anyone sitting at it, you wait and go to the next. As long as your bucket is on the end of a table, no one will sit at it until that bucket is gone. Once that lone person is gone from the table, put your bucket on the end of it and go from there. If its a table you just finished and that was the only person sitting there, I will leave my bucket where it is and go clean up that spot. No need to re-wash the whole table for just a few that used it." She said nodding.
"I leave the floors to last, but as I go I make sure to pick up the bigger stuff and put it in my pocket as I go. Our shifts won't start at the beginning of a rush like the lunch crowd that's coming in. We usually start about two hours after the normal eating times. This gives us plenty of time to get everything caught up before the next meal. There will always be someone in here eating, but you don't have to stick around to clean it all up. Like today, I had gotten every table at least once, but there was a few still in here. I've done the floors and now I can go. It usually takes two hours and you are done no matter who is left in here." She said smiling.
"Once done with the tables, you take your bucket back into the kitchen to empty and clean it. Empty the apron pockets into the trash bin, then take it and your rag and put them into the dirty linen basket at the back of the kitchen, someone from laundry will pick that up. You put the bucket back into the cupboard and grab the broom and a funny looking thing that you will use to sweep the crumbs and things into before emptying it into the trash. We don't have to empty the trash in here, a drudge comes for it regularly, if its full, just say something to a drudge when they come to refill a food tray and they will take care of it if someone hasn't already done it. Once the floor is done, you can put the broom and that collector you swept it into away. We don't have to wash the floors, a drudge will do it at the end of the day. Shamara said smiling.
"That's it, you are done for the day. It doesn't matter how fast or slow you are, two hours max and you are done. How ever, if you can't get at least most of the tables done, and that depends on if there is riders having a meeting or meal after wing practice, someone will be breathing down your neck about it. Today was easy, there wasn't many people in here is why I got done so fast. It really helps when there is two of you, you start at one end and meet in the middle, then start over. It goes fast really, and you get to hear lots of conversations from riders on what problems they had during wing practice, and several others giving helpful hints and suggestions on how to correct it. I have learned tons." She said taking another bite and drinking some more of her Klah.
"When you are done, I'll show you where everything is, then you will be ready to help me tomorrow. I'm going to get more Klah and a sweet roll, they just put fresh ones out. Do you want one?" She asked standing up.
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hbk
Queen Rider
--heartbreakkid--
Posts: 224
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Post by hbk on Feb 26, 2012 14:46:32 GMT -5
Kethemar was sure that his mouth was nearly hanging open as he listened to Shamara talk. Shards the girl knew a _lot_ about cleaning the Dining Cavern and it sounded as if she had the chore perfected to an art. It was obvious to the fishercrafter that Shamara was someone who noted small details and he would bet that whenever she did something it was done right. It spoke a lot about Shamara's character and personality and immediately Kethemark knew that Shamara would be a trustworthy friend and fellow Candidate.
"Oh yes, I'll take one, thanks." He said with a polite smile to her inquiry about a fresh sweetroll. So far Kethemar had met any other Candidates as kind and considerate as Shamara. There's no way she can't Impress. A dragon has got to want a rider like that. He thought to himself.
When the young woman returned Kethemar once again greeted her with a smile, "Thanks so much, Shamara. It sounds as if you've really got these chores down. How long have you been a Candidate?" He asked as he pulled apart his sweetroll and pushed a piece into his mouth.
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Post by Na Qaiah on Feb 26, 2012 19:15:46 GMT -5
Smiling, Shammy headed over to the sideboard and grabbed four of the fresh sweet rolls. They were her down fall, the fresh ones were that is. On her way back she grabbed a pot of fresh Klah too. When she reached the table and was greeted by a real smile from Kethemar, she couldn't help it, she gave him the same kind in return. She put the plate of rolls on the table then poured them each fresh hot Klah before sitting down.
"Not that long really, Oh I've been here awhile, and I seem to remember things easily. One of the drudges showed me how to do this job, and 'SHELLS' that girl could waste so many steps and take forever to do something. As I followed her around for two days, I was so wore out by the end of my shift I had to soak for 2 hours in the bathing pool, and I didn't eat for days. I decided that there had to be a better way of doing things. So I talked to the headwoman about doing things different. She told me that she wasn't happy with that drudge and that it was ok to try something different if I wanted to." Shamara answered with a shrug. She was silent for a few minutes as she bit into her hot roll.
"I guess she watched me one day as she couldn't believe it didn't take me six hours to finish the Dinning Cavern. When I was done with my shift she took me aside and praised me for a job well done and how efficient it was, and would I please train the others in how I did it so that there wasn't near the mesh with people wanting to eat and some one cleaning up still. So, that's how that came about and I have trained others too. I guarentee if you follow this, the head woman will appreciate you and don't be surprised if she doesn't offer you special treats, or gives you something special to wear for a reward." she added grinning. Taking a sip of her Klah, Shamara relaxed more then she had in a long time.
It was nice to know someone from the north could be a nice person, she wasn't sure she would like any of them. If this boy worked as hard as he listened, he would go far in making points with his superiors and the other Candidates. "Tell me where you are from and about your life there. You don't have to if you don't want to. But I'd like to know." She asked Kethemar sincerely.
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Post by parallel on Feb 27, 2012 13:56:32 GMT -5
Marlaey was sitting at a nearby table in the Dining Cavern and smiling as she watched the comings and goings of the weyrfolk. It was good to be out and about again. Elynth was curled up in her weyr, having a sleep after her oiling which had taken forever. Marlaey's arms, though used to the strenuous task, still burned from the effort of it. Sipping at some light tea she watched as two candidates and a brown rider she knew to be F'ren. It always made her happy to see fellow riders interacting with candidates, it gave the younger ones hope. How well she remembered her nerves from those days!
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Post by Na Qaiah on Feb 27, 2012 15:09:32 GMT -5
Looking up, Shammy noticed Marlaey sitting by herself. She decided it was a good time for the newest candidate to meet a gold rider, weyrling or not, it was helpful to know these things. She gave the girl a big grin. "Kethemar, have you met many of the Weyrlings yet? The girl sitting at the table near us is Gold Weyrlingrider Marley. Her beautiful golden ladies name is Elynth. Marlaely, my duty to you and Elynth, this is one of our newest Candidates from the North. Meet Kethemar." She said politely. Tishu [/color] Candidate from the north Tishu was starving. She had stopped to check out the map then just followed her nose. Once she entered the Dinning Cavern she stood a moment in shock of the size of the room. Not knowing what to do she watched as several came in, taking note of what she was doing she decided she would follow suit. Grabbing a tray she got in line. After getting a plate and eating utencils, she started down the line. The shear amount of delicious looking food was stunning. She couldn't remember seeing this much food. She started by taking a little tiny bit of a few things. When the drudge asked her if she was on a fast, and then told her to eat up, did she realize that everyone else was filling their plates. She was so used to eating very little this too was a shock. She stuck to taking a little of almost everything. Many of the food here she didn't regonize so she didn't want to waste any. At the end of the line, she filled her cup with steaming Klah. What a treat this was going to be. She knew what it was, but she rarely drank any leaving the warming brew for the stable owner and others. Looking around, she spotted a lone girl sitting by herself near a boy and girl that were sitting by themselves. She regonized Shammy as another Candidate, at least she was in the barracks briefly earlier. As she walked up to them she heard Shammy introduce the lanky boy as a northerner too and the girl as a gold weyrling rider. Stopping at the table she greeted them. "Hi, I'm Tishu and I'm new from the north too. Karoon actually. You really have a gold, and may I join you?" She asked introducing herself. She nodded to Shammy and Kethemar making sure to include them in her introduction. "I remember seeing you earlier for a few moments, Shammy isn't it?" She asked the dark headed girl. "Yes, I'm Shamara or Shammy, pleased to meet you Tishu. Welcome to Refuge. Your life here is going to be totally different." Shammy said grinning.
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hbk
Queen Rider
--heartbreakkid--
Posts: 224
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Post by hbk on Feb 29, 2012 17:28:22 GMT -5
Kethemar dipped his head in greeting to Marlaey, "It's a pleasure to meet you Marlaey." The Candidate had yet to see a gold dragon up close. From what he'd heard though there had been a gold dragon killed at some other Weyr around here so they kept a close eye on the Queen dragons at Refuge. He doubted he would ever get the opportunity to be up close and personal with one.
Before he had an opportunity to answer Shammy's question another Candidate joined them at the table, this one named Tishu. It made Kethemar wonder if there wasn't going to be more boys standing- he'd yet to meet very many male Candidates.
Hearing that Tishu was from the North sparked Kethemar's curiosity a little, mostly because he wasn't show how many Northern Candidates would be showing up, "I'm from Tillek Hold. I never got to see Keroon but I've heard that it was a beautiful area." He said politely, "I was a fishercrafter," he answered Shammy's previous question and then flicked his eyes towards Tishu, "Were you apart of a craft?" He asked.
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Post by Na Qaiah on Feb 29, 2012 21:20:01 GMT -5
Shammy sat back and relaxed a bit. She nodded when he told her about being part of the fishercraft. That explained his unusual gate. She decided to let the two talk a bit while she ate, she was starving. She caught Marlaey's eye and smiled at her, but didn't try to speak. She waited for Tishu's answer.
......
I was head stablegrunt, runner healer and crap shoveler. I left my runner to come here." She answered Kethemar grinning sitting down with Marlaey. "Marlaey, may I meet your gold sometime? I've seen some big ones way up high sunning themselves but its not the same thing. In fact until today, I haven't ever seen a dragon." She answered laughing.
She really did want to see a golden one close up, actually any of them close up. They smelled so good and felt wonderful under your hands. "Say, do you think that the healers might need a hand, I know runners, but I would love to learn dragon healing." Tishu asked quietly, her eyes sparkling as she looked back and forth between all three.
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