Painting Presents

Ista Weyr - Living Caverns

Large enough to house the entirity of the weyr's population at one time, the cavern set aside to house the very heart of the weyr's life is a grandoise, somewhat circular affair, filled with rows of long tables. Bustling and busy, it is a rare moment indeed when there is not someone at work or leisure in here; the long trestle table by the kitchens is perpetually filled with plates and trays of food, a pot of something always bubbling upon the mahogany hearth, ready to fill the belly of any hungry resident or rider. Although a high table is set aside for seating respected dignitaries on formal occasions, most of the tables here are not designated to any particular group— rather, all levels of Ista's population eat together, intermingled across the broad cavern.
Great tapestries have been flung down the walls, orange and black borders remarking upon Ista's heritage, the age-faded hangings depicting scenes of importance to the Weyr— the erruption of the volcano; the first clutch; the view from the star stones, over forest, dark beach, and glistening waves of blue. Propellor-like fans have been affixed to the ceiling in more modern times, cooling the cavern on the hottest of days. Passageways lead up the stairs to the kitchens, down a second flight of stairs to the lower caverns, and out into the expanse of the broad weyr bowl.

The caverns are unusually empty at this lunchish hour, but with most of the refugees finally moved back into their own homes and the residents still working just as hard it's not too surprising that Shorynia manages to find an empty table, food and paperwork in hand, at which to eat. The glass of wine from which she sips vanishes slowly as she marks out dates and times on the papers before her.

Chaton slides in after she's been sitting for a few moments. He snags some grilled herdbeast and continues on to grab a table next to his love. "Hey Shory." he says, no tickles or anything. He gently puts his hand on her leg. "How're you?"

Shorynia blushes gently over the placement of his hand, but doesn't complain. Instead she turns, smiling at him, "Hey, Chatty. I'm doing pretty well. I've actually got the delivery schedules figured out and locations for them mapped out. If I have my way I'll always know where things are in the caverns now.

Chaton grins. "Well, that's good for you. Are you going to share these maps with everyone else?" he laughs and gently squeezes her leg. "I told you that you're smart. Who else would have figured out all of this?"

Shorynia giggles, blushing more deeply, "It was nothing… and I'm making a copy for Ysa this afternoon…"

Chaton shakes his head. "No, it was something. You're something. That's why I decided to get you this suprize we were talking about yesterday. Are you ready for it?"

Shorynia gawps a little, looking around the caverns at the other people enjoying their food, then smiles at him, her face still a light shade of pink, "If you say so… I'm ready for most things you throw at me, aren't I?"

Chaton grins. "Usually." he taps Mercury on the nose and watches as the little flit *zooms* out, and then *zoooms* back in, and perches smugly on his shoulder. Praise me. Chaton grins. "Just a second."

Shorynia watches Mercury zoom around the room. Somewhere along the way Queen gives him an irritated chitter. She smiles softly at Chaton, "I suppose I could spare one second of your company."

Izarra pokes in that second later, carrying something large and square covered with a drop cloth stained in paint. She gently sits it at the corner of the table next to Chaton and Shory. It easily rests against the table corner and the floor, being rather large. She smiles faintly. "Ah… here y-you are." she says.

Chaton pats Mercury's nose. "Good boy." he says, smiling. "Thanks Izzy." he nudges Shorynia. "Well, are you ready?"

Shorynia smiles, nodding to the harper girl she doesn't really know, then to Chaton, "I… I think so." She glances back to Izzara, "Did he put you up to something, Izzy?" she uses the name he used. It seemed safe at the time.

Izarra smiles. "N-no. He a-asked and… and I said I w-would." she nods, happy that the girl used the name she perfered. She pulls the cloth away from the canvas, revealing the painting beneath. It's a casual scene, with the night sky as a background, twin moons full in the sky casting a pale lighting upon the two figures in the foreground who are standing upon a grassy hill. The figure on the right is the smaller of the two, with long black hair, deep brown eyes, and a beautiful complexion. The figure wears a low-cut, bright yellow dress, and is standing next to a slightly taller man with dark red hair. The man is facing her, their hands intertwined, palms against each other. There seems to be a bit of a wind blowing, as their hair suggests. The man is gazing lovingly down into the girl's eyes, and the girl is looking up at him sweetly. Four flits fly in various places in the sky, watching. In the lower right corner, in a delicate silver-inked signature is the name "Izzy Baker" and below that, in a light green, "Chaton and Shorynia." the title.

Izarra steps away from the revealed painting, so they can get a better look at it.

Shorynia is struck silent for a moment before she manages to stutter out, "It… it's beautiful… I… thank you."

Chaton grins and squeezes her leg again. "Your welcome." he chuckles.

Izarra blushes and shakes her head. "I-its nothing."

Shorynia levels a gaze on the young harper lass, not even realizing how much of a hypocrite she's being when she sternly tells the girl, "It's amazing work and you should be proud of it. There are few artists of your quality around now that a computer can print an image in no time. But this… this is unique and personal."

Chaton covers a small laugh with a cough. "Well, I'm glad you at least like it."

Izarra flushes crimson. "Well… I-I've always l-liked to paint… s-so I d-do… I guess."

Shorynia smiles gently, "Well, I appreciate it. Is it oil or acryllic?"

Izarra 's flush calms down a little, at the gentle smilings and the talk of her favourite subject. "I m-make my own p-paints and inks. T-they're oils."

Chaton has no idea about painting, and such, so he just busies himself seeing how identical the Shorynia in the painting, and the Shorynia beside him are.

Shorynia smiles, "That's very impressive. Maybe you could teach me some time?"

Izarra smiles and bites her lips. "I… I would, If y-you would like."

Chaton chuckles. "I think you should learn, Shory. Just think about it. Body-painting." he nods knowledgeably.

Shorynia glance at Chaton from the corner of her eyes, "Maybe you should learn too, since you have such good taste in art."

Chaton pshs. "Oh please. I'm only an artist when it comes to stitching something together."

Chaton nods at the painting. "Want to go hang it up in our room?" he asks, smiling.

Shorynia smiles, "I'd love to, that is if this nice lady doesn't wish to maintain our company."

Izarra smiles lightly. "No, I u-understand. P-paintings h-have to be h-hung. I'm g-glad you like it."

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