Read 'em and weep

Western Weyr - Recreation Cavern
This large cavern is painted a pleasant shade of pale blue-green, with purple highlights along borders. Western Weyr's badge is featured in a twin tapestries hanging on either side of the entry. Directly inside the doors and to the right is an area with bookshelves and a long computer desk for the public computer. Several chairs line the desk so that people waiting for the computer may pursue other studies. To the left of the entrance is a sitting area with a chess set built into a table.

Along the wall to the left is a bar, set up against the storage closet. Tall metal chairs with bright purple and blue-green cushions line the bar; beside the bar is a pair of gambling machines. Prior to recent renovations, the bar was set up on the other side of the room in front of a huge mirror inset into the wall. Now that mirror is behind a slightly elevated stage featuring a piano recently built by the Harper Hall and transported to the islands. Several music stands and musician's chairs are stacked against the wall, for use when Harpers or weyrfolk desire to perform.

Along the wall opposite the entrance are dart boards, each with a set of couches and chairs nearby for relaxation between turns. And all throughout the room are sitting areas with similarly constructed couches and chairs, all featuring blue-green or purple fabric. Short, darkly stained wooden tables are centered inside each sitting area, for games, food, drinks, and whatever else weyrfolk need. Near the center of the room is a large, long table useable both for crafty pursuits or table tennis, and interspersed throughout the room are card tables with wooden, cushioned chairs.

Winter evening in Western is not exactly as dramatic as winter can be elsewhere, particularly on the main continent. There might not be cold blustery winds and piles of snow, but that doesn't mean that the Recreation Cavern is anything different. Still plenty of folks who have their mugs of klah — or booze or whathaveyou — as they cozy up to games of chance and luck. One such player happens to be seated at one of the gaming tables, surrounded by a fair number of greenriders like so many attendants, her eyes on the cards she's holding in front of her. "Raise you two," Enka declares, tossing two chips into the center.

Zahleizjah has spent most of her day wandering about Western, attempting to get her wits about her and figure out her new home. Much of this time was spent lost, meandering about the beach area, deep in the weyr to the records room and now for her favorite find of the day the Rec Cavern. She might still be underage, but she knows how to have fun and wanders straight for the dartboards. A few are thrown, with adept aim hitting a nice grouped set near the bullseye, but night quite in it. Her eyes scan the happenings nearby, catching the excitement at the closest table as a brownhaired woman raises on her hand at a table of riders. The last dart is tossed and she takes a few steps closer to the table to see how it plays out, silently spectating for now.

"Just fold already," Enka flutters her eyelashes at the brownrider across from her, distinctly causing an unfair advantage with her horde of attendant greenriders and well… her lovely charm. "And then I can call it." The goldrider slaps her cards down on the table. "Read 'em and weep." Man, she's rather viciously predatory tonight. Leaning back in her chair, Enka snaps her fingers at the bar tender, sending one of the greenriders off for a glass of something syrupy and sweet looking. Glancing around, the weyrwoman surveys the crowd, her gaze landing briefly on Zahleizjah, and she smiles wryly, tilting her chin in greeting to the younger woman.

Zahleizjah smirks as the woman commands power and attention at the table and takes the hand, eyes lit up with the thrill of the game. Then, the person who's poker skills she was admiring looks her way, grin and nod are both returned and she says "Well played ma'am." The hubbub at the table keeps her from saying anything to the preoccupied losers of the round who are huffing about. A few wispy locks are tucked behind an ear, she is slightly shy, blushing, but interested so she takes another step closer. "S'alright if I watch the next hand?" is squeaked by meek voice.

Power. And attention. Yep, see there's this aura that just /surrounds/ Enka. Or maybe that's a proddy glow. Hard to say. With the arrival of the drink, Enka accepts it with a humorous smile, fingers wrapping around the glass as she takes a sip. "Why thank you," she inclines her head slightly, something of a bow, without actually doing so, tossed in Zahleizjah's direction. "I'm feelin' lucky tonight." she gives the other woman a smile, and a magnanimous wave. "Sure, sure, pull up a chair, can we make room for …" a pause, clearly waiting for the name to be supplied.

Zahleizjah bows her head in thanks, eyes looking up to the card player. Hand quickly shoots out as her offer is accepted "M'names Zahleizjah of Telgar Hold, starcrafter, new to Western as of this very sevenday" One hearty but summed up introduction, she still holds some characteristics of the younger self she has been starting to grow out of, and she plops in to the open seat. Swirling amber eyes are wide, hardly blinking and she grins, watching the action up close.

Enka chuckles lightly. "Quite a mouthful of a name," the goldrider remarks. "Well then, make some room for Zahleizjah of Telgar Hold, starcrafter, new to Western as of this very sevenday." A pause, teasing humor reflected in gray eyes as Enka regards the starcrafter. "Although for brevity's sake, shalle we just call you Zahleizjah?" Another sip of syrupy sweet drink is taken, Enka flicking her other hand at another player at the poker table before she leans forward to rake her earnings back to her section of the table. "Well, shuffle and deal the cards, man." This is followed by another sip, and a drolly query for the starcrafter. "Think I'll win this round too?"

Seryic makes his way slowly into the rec room glancing slowly about as he walks, the young beast crafter nods to the few he knows here as he slip between the tables, he mutters a soft, "Evening." as he nears Enka and Zahleizjah's card table, looking as he is going to move past them.

Zahleizjah beams, her mouthful of a name repeated a few times leads to a little giggle "Y'can call me Zah m'am. I think you'll win this one too" she nods sizing up those around the table and eagerly awaiting the spread. "What's yer name?" How else would she ask, but suddenly her attention is caught by the only semi-familiar face she knows around here and she almost squeeks "Seryic yes?" Wide smile widens even more "M'just watchin a lil poker action. My new friend here.. ummm" she looks to the woman, not yet knowing her name "S'taking em with Bitran odds!"

"Zah it is," Enka bobs her head in a pert little nod. "'Fraid I haven't got much of a nickname, but since my name's so short, it might as well be one." a chuckle is given, the glass drained with a long pull, and then set down on the table. "You can call me Enka. Most folks do." Although a lot of them add 'Weyrwoman' on to the front of that, but that needn't be said aloud, now does it? "Evenin'," Seryic's greeting is returned, Enka drawing each of the cards that are shuffled towards her into the palm of her hand, turned so that nobody can get a good peek at them. "Well, wish me luck," that cheeky grin is tossed towards both starcrafter and beastcrafter.

Seryic smiles and says, "Bitran odds?" he glances towards the game of chance and smiles softly, "Good luck Ma'am." he nods to Enka before returning Zah's smiles and says, "How are you Zah?" moving to stand nearer the pair.

Zahleizjah perks a brow and says "Well met, Enka" examining her, yep, she's gotta be the only Weyrwoman named Enka around these parts. Zah takes note and adds an extra layer of respect, though staying quiet so as not to distract. Chair is scooched over so the gent can have a seat next to her "Yes, Bitran odds as in favorable y'know.." she blushes looking at the boy "M'good, thanks.. 'ow are you"

Chips clink against the table as Enka places her bet, a clatter of chips falling across the green fabric, her eyes flickering briefly towards her cards, carefully scrutinized. "Well met, then." Zahleizjah's words are returned, somewhat absently now as the goldrider focuses instead on the game. "Hopin' for the best odds yet," she remarks as an aside to the two watching her, as well as the attending greenriders — she's got a crowd, see.

Seryic smiles and says softly, "I am doing alright thank you." he keeps his voice low as he watches the game progress.

Zahleizjah tries real hard to not peek at someone's cards, it's a lot different than playing with friends back at Telgar, but she's happy to at least kind of be part of the action. Now that Seryic is here, and she's met someone new it's sort of like she has friends. Glum home-sickness is hidden as her eyes stay fixed on the game between stealing glances at the boy "I bet you've got the best odds about m'lady…" two glasses of redfruit juice are ordered from the next passing dredge.

Enka shuffles chips, cards flickered between her fingers as she scrutinizes them closely, a thoughtful pout to her lips. It's good nobody is peeking, unless of course, someone happened to be peeking at some of the other players' cards to see if they had a better hand than the goldrider — but then again, that would be cheating, and that's just not how a good player operates. "Sure hope I do," a wry look is given to Zahleizjah before all bets are placed, and Enka finally tosses her cards down. Winning hand again. Hurrah. "Although I'd probably better quit while I'm ahead."

Seryic smiles and says, "Nice hand." he nods to Enka and says, "Allways best to step out when you are ahead, things have a way of turnin on you if you dont." he notes Zahleizjah look and smiles to her and says "How are you settling in?"

Zahleizjah keeps her game face on, even if she had peeked, she knows to never let it tell by your expression. Two mugs are delivered, she hands one to Seryic and says "Good t'see y'again. Been settling in alright.. haven't done too much exploring yet. You?" before taking a long sip and tilting cup to the side so she doesn't miss how it plays out . Glass is set down to clap her hands together as Enka wins another "Well done again, n'definitely a wise choice."

"Thank you, darlin'," Enka flashes Seryic a quick wry smile, scraping her chips back into her lap with the air of a very satisfied winner. "It sounds like sound advice, quittin' while you're still ahead in the game. Next hand could be my undoin'."she grins a little, and begins to stack the chips one atop the other. "Lots to explore here at Western," Enka remarks to both starcrafter and beastcrafter. "I know when I first got here, I spent days just wanderin' around."

Seryic smiles to Zah and says, "I have been doing ok. It is good to be home, though I am havin to explore againt to rember what is where." he chuckle softly. and nod to Enka and says, "May go do some more of that exploring in a bit. he looks to ZAh, "Would you care to join me?"

Zahleizjah tilts her head and glass towards the Weyrwoman "Well here's to Western, what are some of your favorite place Enka?" A sip is taken and she leans back in her chair,pushing back a bit to open up their side by side spots against the table. "Been going through the starcraft records, impressive Records Room.. n'the hot springs are also quite lovely. I should get out more.. this is a pretty good place too I suppose." Her ramble is thwarted with another sip as she looks at Seryic, near spitting juice as he asks. It is muffled to bubbles and she looks at the boy and then back at Enka "I suppose that'd be an alright idea. M'sure Enka has plans for her winnings that youngins like us should probably let her tend to."

Clink, clink, little chips stack higher and higher as the Weyrwoman gloats — gloats… is that too strong of a word? — over her winnings. "Oh, there's plenty of places that I simply adore," she grins at Zahleizjah with amusement. "You've mentioned the hot springs, you been to the radio room yet? Or taken the elevator up to the rooftop gardens for some fresh air and greenery? If you fancy some fun, the Tiki Lounge isn't too bad either." there's a sage nod from the woman, her fingers caressing over the stacks of chips. "Oh yes, I suppose you two could go explore, while the night's still young and all." There's that cheeky grin again. "I'll just ummm… count my winnings and cash 'em in."

Zahleizjah smiles and slowly pushes to a stand, curtseying with a bow of the head, she rises and smiles at the Weyrwoman, "Thank you Enka, much appreciation for letting me sit in on your skillful poker playing. Rooftop gardens sound like a great place to start. Hope to see you again soon, maybe you can teach me a thing or two about card games some day?" She looks at the boy, semi-shyly, pinking at the cheeks and chuckling as well.

Enka inclines her head, once more a not-quite-bow, but definitely an acknowledgement of the starcrafter's words. "You're most welcome," comes her reply, drolly put. "You're certainly welcome to watch me any time, although I can't promise that I'll always win." She'd certainly try though! "Do enjoy." there's a wry smile for them both, before Enka scoops her earnings into a bag, and drawing it closed, rises to her feet, murmuring her thanks to her fellow players before she too departs, with her coitrie of attendant greenriders.

Seryic smiles back shyly to Zahleizjah and says, "Well…ummm….Lets see if we can manage to find that rooftop garden then?"

Zahleizjah grabs his hand and smiles once more to the Weyrwoman before following him out "Yes, let's" she says, slightly uncertain of her decision.

Seryic smiles sheepishly, seeming pleased that she took his hand and moves for the exit to the rec room, heading to try and find that elevator.

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