[G] [P] [EVENT] 744.09.12 | Root Problems

Wynera hummed to herself as she peeled a carrot. She had visited her dad and B'jin the night before and while the greenrider could no longer sing, he still seemed to find comfort in playing the guitar and entertained them for a while with song after song. She quietly sang along to the ones she was confident about the words but was still too shy to fully belt out a song in front of a Harper, no matter how much of a part of the family he was. But it was the last song B'jin played that had stuck in her head, despite not knowing the lyrics--if there were any--though she was content humming the melody as she worked.

People were starting to come down with the change of season colds, especially among the lower cavern workers who lived and worked so closely together and those in the barracks for Candidates and weyrlings. Wynera had finally tried barracks living herself after deciding her social life was blooming and her mom deserved more space of her own after raising two kids--even if A'tay was a show off and had to Impress years ago. Despite her new living arrangements, she had yet to fall ill and since she loved cooking and knew her way around a kitchen, Wynera had been recruited for long hours helping where she could as they were short-staffed.

That morning, as the main staff finished serving breakfast, she was tucked off to the side as she worked her way through carrots and potatoes for several large batches of soup that would soon be simmering the day away. There was typically a large pot or two of soups or stews on the go anyway and more to come once winter settled in, but it was currently a simple yet effective dish for the sick and so it was in high demand already.

As she set her carrot down with the other cleaned ones, Wynera took a moment to look around for her peeling partner. She knew she had arrived early so doing so much alone wasn't an issue--she was just curious who she'd be working with. Not that it mattered. She got along well with essentially everyone and knew her fellow Candidates and even some of the younger and lower dragonriders well and any one of those people would likely be stuck with such a menial task. Although, she could easily see A'tay or T'ryn lending a hand despite now being Weyrseconds simply because they wouldn't want to bother someone or be seen as not doing their part. Rolling her eyes at her brothers, Wynera picked up the next carrot and started humming another tune.

Geric was exhausted, he hadn't been sleeping well, he was behind on his letters back to the Harper Hall, letters to Ullie, and he couldn't remember the last time he picked up a guitar. He suspected it was his own fault, he'd been trying to help out in the creche so he could try and prove to his brother and Quilriana that he could be a good dad. And if he could prove to them he was a great parent, then maybe one of them could tell Lord Habraxel that his grandson was in good hands.

Helping in the creche meant he could practice singing the songs at least, practice teaching. At least that had been the theory. Instead he was burping babies, soothing tantrums, playing very silly games, making random voices, and constantly getting various fluids and sticky substances on his person. At least nap times were nice. Really the worst part was that little Rax had been quite fussy the past few nights when he'd gotten him home from the creche, and that meant he couldn't even get any sleep in the weyr.

That was why when someone stopped by the creche to ask if they had anyone who could help out in the kitchens he'd agreed. Maybe getting some time away from all the screams and giggles and requests to be picked up would help him feel a bit more revitalized. After sending a note to Quilriana so she'd know he wasn't at the creche that day, he made his way down to the kitchens to find out what he was going to be helping with.

The exciting world of vegetable peeling was in store for him from the sounds of it. He sniffled slightly as he walked over to the table with the vegetables and grumbled softly to himself. "Great, allergies acting up too." And here he'd been hoping that Telgar wouldn't tickle his nose seasonally like Fort had. He blinked as he realized the blonde woman already working at the table was humming. "Nice song."

Geric came alongside her and grabbed a carrot before he got a better look and blinked. "Oh hey, Wynera. You're helping out in the kitchen too?" He was so tired he couldn't even remember if they were on good terms or if he'd made things really awkward last time he'd seen her. Was that one of the times he'd been drunk? He sniffled again and tried to focus on peeling his carrot.

Wynera gave a little squeak at the short compliment that startled her. At least, it did sound like a genuine one and not sarcasm. She was debating whether or not she should say thank you since it wasn't like she wrote it or maybe explain where she learned the song when the owner of the voice came into view and all thoughts scattered. "Geric! I wasn't expecting you. Not that I knew who to expect. I just knew someone would be joining me." Why was she rambling? Was she being awkward? Why? Just because they had hooked up a few times in the past and didn't cross paths too much in the day to day life of the Weyr didn't mean there was anything to be ashamed of, especially given the fun they had had. Right? It wasn't just her? No! She wasn't going to be one of those girls that doubted herself after the fact. It was fun for both of them with no strings attached, and they were both busy people with different friend groups so getting together for normal interactions didn't always work out.

But she was happy to see him as he was attractive and genuinely seemed like a good person. So he earned a smile as she swapped out carrots again. "I like cooking so I always jump at the chance to help out, even if I'm usually relegated to peeling, chopping, or stirring. You wouldn't think it, but stirring the large pots is quite the work out! Not as much as churning butter." Wynera made a face at the task she did her best to avoid. It usually meant getting up early and was exhausting. "Mylorah actually volunteered for that job regularly before she Impressed. It's why she has such nice arms." Her sister had nice everything if she was being honest in the way she compared herself regularly to the older woman, but Geric was probably already aware of that. It was hard not to notice Mylorah.

"Anyway, I volunteer a lot in the stables as well so I hope the horses understand my absence lately." While horses didn't communicate like dragons, thanks to Fetch, Wynera was convinced they were intelligent and had their own ways of conveying emotions and recognised people and even had their favourites. "Do you ride?"