Belated Hatching Feast

[Minajerie]

Llanwreth was a doll. First he was a perfectly mannerful dragon while eating his fill. Then he was the perfect gentleman when she went to bathe him. He was even slightly embarrassed to see her in the nude! (Cuz, well, she had to get cleaned up too, so why not kill two birds with one stone?) He even was very helpful with the predicament of what she should wear. After all, she was a swordswoman, so she liked her pants... but this was a hatching feast- of which she was one of the impressed candidates to the hatchlings. So didn't that make her one of the special guests along with Llanwreth?


Plus, it was very hard to coordinate a nice outfit with her screamingly fiery red hair.

Mine, I think I found just the thing for you to wear... you will look very... pretty in it. The young brown had his nose in her bag, the clothes overflowing. Llanwreth pulled out a backless black dress and laid it on the bed. He then tugged out a dark green and brown sash. Both things she had practically forgotten she had.

It had been an impulse buy for when Rayn went dancing. She liked dancing, and the black dress had a flare to it's skirt. It wasn't perfectly modest- it showed half her back- but it could be worse. She accepted it and put the dress on, then looked curiously at the sash.

Tie it around your waist, mine. The green looks nice with your hair and the brown is... well... the brown is for me. But it still looks nice.

Rayn smiled and hugged the brown. Oh, Llanwreth! How did you get to be so good at this stuff? You make me jealous! But I love you soooooooo much!! Thank you! I think this is perfect. I even have an amber necklace. It should look nice with the sash. Rayn gave Llanwreth another loving squeeze before letting him go and finishing up getting dressed.

Unfortunately her hair was to short to do much with, so she simply brushed it so it looked nice and left it at that.

"Okay! Lets go Lllanwreth!" The brown had been relaxing by her bed and hopped up once his mine said they were ready.

Rayn was a little hesitant at the door, but the feeling lasted a whole 2 1/2 seconds before she was smiling and walking through the doors, her attention drifting through the room before landing on the food table and then back to Llanwreth.

"Lets get something to stuff our maws with, shall we?" She laughed at the surprised look her dragon gave her and she shook her head. "You are to silly. Or perhaps not silly enough, which makes you silly."

I don't understand your logic... but apparently no matter what I am silly?

"Yes, my silly brown." She leaned down and gave Llanwreth a kiss on his snout, and sh could have sworn it looked like the dragon blushed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I suppose this means we have to go to the hatching feast? S'yer wasn't happy and was glancing through his clothes for what might be 'suitable' for the feast. There wasn't much. He tended to avoid feasts and gathers like the plague. Why? Because at home the girls knew him and flocked to him like we was Benden wine. He hated that.

Of course. As the only bronze to hatch this hatching, it is expected that my mine and I will be there. Since you are my chosen, we must go. The bronze watched S'yer with reproachful eyes. They would go, even if the bronze had to drag him there.

Since S'yer was taking to long to pick clothing Perilth chose for him. They would not miss half the feast over his mine delaying the inevitable. The white shirt, the black vest with the seemingly bronze embroidery. Black pants, black belt with bronze buckle. Take down your hair and brush it. Hurry, I wish to leave soon.

S'yer sighed. Well, at least he didn't know anyone here. They wouldn't flock the normal way... hopefully. He got dressed in what his dragon chose, and grudgingly unwrapped his hair and brushed it out, leaving it loose to brush against his back. "So we're going now?"

The bronze walked around his mine and gave a draconic nod. You are ready, let us go.

S'yer let out another sigh. Well, he went, but he didn't willingly mingle. He just staked a spot near a corner and sat there. Perilth wasn't too happy.

[Spirithawk]

Christae was standing near one of the tables after speaking with Dark Moon's Head Cook about the state of the supplies. Her face was almost expressionless save for the worry line in her forehead. Dark Moon would need to replenish its supplies soon after this feast but the Head Cook had assured her that she had not cooked anything that would last for a while until the supplies were replinished. The food that had been cooked would have perished anyway.

She was about to make her way to the High Table where she belonged when a Harper stopped and introduced herself.

"Well met Hester and welcome to Dark Moon Weyr. Your musical talents will be most welcome. I believe we have a former Journeywoman of the Hall here as well. I shall have Kaith bespeak Anassa's Priath to see if she intends to perform as well. Our hatching went very well considering the fact that it was a gift from Ista. Such a great gift is impossible to repay."

Priath says that Anassa already has her pipes in hand and she also brought her guitar so that answers your question.

Please have Anassa find me.

Christae smiled. "My dragon informs me that Anassa already has her pipes and guitar so she intends to play tonight. I hope that the two of you will honor us with your music.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anassa nodded, not surprised that Christae had asked if she would be playing. She was a little surprised that she was being summoned, however. She rose from her seat among the wingriders' tables and made her way to the place that she had last seen Christae helping organize things. Many of the new riders were already here and she remembered the Hatching that had changed her life so completely with fondness as she saw the still wondering faces of the new riders.

"You summoned me Weyrwoman?" She asked with a bow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Anassa, I would like you to meet Harper Hester. She has offered her gift of music tonight. Priath informs me that you already have your guitar and pipes so I hope you will play with her tonight to entertain us and our guests."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anassa bowed. "It would be my pleasure Weyrwoman." She turned to Hester, her green eyes alight with excitement. "It has been a long time since anyone from the Hall has come here. How long have you been Harper at Caspian?" Respect tinged her tone even though as a dragonrider she was ranked higher than the Master Harper. The woman was still a Master of the craft that Anassa still held close to her heart and intended to continue in her spare time.

[Kino]

Tanwen stood up straight from leaning over the food table when Z'ayr's familiar voice sounded in her ear. She looked over towards him just as he popped the food into his mouth, the unfamiliar smile still present on her expression. "Yeah," she said, "Thanks." Vessayith looked up to the boy standing next to Her's with whirling eyes, and Tanwen glanced down at her as she put some more food on her plate. "Her name's Vessayith," she offered for Z'ayr.

Oh! He is nice, Mine, very friendly, and someone you like talking to? I like him too, tell him I say hello!

Tanwen rolled her eyes once. "She says hi," she said.

I said hello, Tanwenmine! Tell him I said hello. Dinayth is funny too, he called His an idiot. What's an idiot? Is it someone very funny? Will you ask him for me? Ask him if he is someone very funny.[/color]

He can be.

But [/i]ask him, Mine? Please?[/color]

The entire transfer of the comments had happened in only a short moment. Tanwen sighed once, then looked back to her friend. "She wants me to ask you if you're funny." The dragon beside her trilled a little. "I'm sorry," she glanced down to her, then back to Z'ayr. "If you're someone very funny. Apparently I have to give you her questions word for word." The girl rested a hand on the dragonet's head for a moment. "I told her you could be, but she wants you to tell her."[/size][/font]

[panther]

He’d spent far too long getting ready, as always. His hair was immaculate, his outfit neatly fitted, and extravagant in all of the right places. He wore a shirt, that was just shy of Harper Blue, edged in a golden pattern that was subtle, tasteful yet showed class. Trousers were the closest brown he could find in his chest to match his newest companion, Garisath of course. He wore a necklace, a delicate chain with a golden feather on the end, perfectly made, and so real looking, it could have almost been taken from a bird, and just dipped in gold. Ez stretched, slid his hands through his many bangles, and tugged on his boots. He felt ready now.

Come on…. Please?[/i] the hatchling was excited, bustling with energy, having only woken up from his sleep within the last ten minutes. I itch a little though, just on here The young brown nosed his front right leg. Making an odd noise, and relaying his mild irritation to his bond, making Ez scratch the equivalent arm.

“You know, seriously? Don’t relay that, I don’t want to look like I’ve got fleas whilst you’re growing, that would do me no favours at all.” He shook his head, approaching the hatching with a bottle of oil, he delicately applied it, and washed his hands thoroughly afterwards, so as not to get any on his perfectly preened self. Looking over to the brown, he stood before the hatchling, “Ready?”

Yesssssssss! The hatchling tore away heading for the door, making Ez laugh. He jogged a few steps to keep the Hatchling happy. Ez couldn’t help but liken the dragon to an over eager puppy with a voice. And also, stunningly good sense, but, that wasn’t the matter at hand.

--

Ez entered the feast, he smirked, the event made him feel remarkably comfortable, like he’d just slipped back into an old regime. He greeted all, smiling and waving as he did so, he took his congratulations, thanking each one for them, and feeling completely and utterly at home in this crowd of people. Garisath crooned appreciatively, and warbled every now and then too, Ez couldn’t help but feel the excitement rising in him now, echoing that of the little brown one. He so loved a good event. It made for such good air, good conversation. The only sin of it was, he wasn’t allowed to partake in several of the other festivities he usually would have, to name a couple, wine, and fine company. Well, of course the company was fine enough, but he wasn’t within the realms of permission to ‘accompany’ them… he grumbled slightly, but this made Garisath concerned, and he didn’t want to spark that, the less the hatchling knew of Ez’s antics the better – at least for now.
Now, where were the people he knew around here? Salina, Dh’nen – he’d love to congratulate him, he’d not seen him since the hatching began, first to impress! Imagine! He smiled warmly.
clutch friend?[/i] the brown asked,
Yes, Dh’nen, he impressed a blue of your brothers, the brown seemed to accept this,
He is nice then? Not like that dark brown one? Who hurt that blue?
Yes, Dh’nen is nice, and I expect his bonded will be just as good hearted as his Rider, and completely unlike that vicious brown.[/i] Ez kept that part of the conversation incredibly personal, and didn’t voice it for fear that, D’car was nearby, he didn’t want to make enemies, not this soon…

[panther]

Hester smiled in a girlish manner, you’d not quite believe she was the age she was. Not that she had any intentions of enlightening people as to that fact. She liked looking young. She dipped her head as the Weyrwoman spoke of her talents being welcomed, “Thank you Werywoman, your reaction is a delight to see.” She kept her smile lingering, “Annassa? It would be wonderful to have some one to play with. I don’t often get the chance back at home,” Of course she referred to the Harper halls. About her wrist was tied a perfectly Harper blue ribbon, that she kept to just highlight the fact she was a harper when she wore such an outfit as she wore tonight, obviously her knot depicted it too, but, it was a little fun.

She greeted Annassa with perfect objectiveness – though it tended towards a more friendly response, afterall, she was a woman of music! And what more could she want for? “ah, yes, three turns now, though it feels as though Caspian is a part of my life now. Anyway, we shall play together yes? Your Weyrwoman informed me that –“ she paused, realising that in her love for her music she had forgotten to excuse herself and thank the Weyrwoman once more for allowing her attend,

“Ah, my apologies Weyrwoman Christae, thank you for allowing me to attend, you have put on a wonderful event here, even at such short notice.” She bowed, Almost as though giving the Weyrwoman her excuse to leave. She turned back to Annassa enthused with their conversation, “Your weyrwoman informed me that you have your pipes and guitar, perhaps, you would join me first in an upbeat ballad? We could both play on pipes, just to set the mood a little? Jovial and frivolous I think would go nicely, and liven up the air in here a little?” She suggested to the Harper turned Rider.

She shook her head and laughed, “It’s nice to meet another Harper too, I have trained a few journeymen and women in my time at Caspian, and a few of the locals hold some promise, but it’s not the same as being back at the Hall.” In truth, she missed Versin most, he had been her play partner, and between the pair of them, they had held the crowds utmost attention, and they were quite reknown for it at Dantra, any event they both attended, any invited would arrive, and the gathers had been scintillating! She did miss him greatly. “Though I do not envy you, I do not think I could leave my craft behind…” she gave a slightly torn smile. “It is a shame you lack a positioned Harper. Perhaps I shall have to invite a friend down here.” Of course she was referring to Versin… He would make a wonderful addition here.

[Shekru]

Having been mostly out of sight and out of mind for a long while, Dh'nen had, in truth, been very tunnel-visioned. Despite the roar and clamor of the hatching, the transplanted fellow had found it all to easy to get lost in the new - and wonderful - bond that he had been entered into. Fed to fullness and mended, Rodhaketh lounged beside his rider as Dh'nen pulled his nicest wardrobe on. Predictably, 'nicest' was a relative term, and while there was dust in the folds of his trousers, they at least looked better than what the lad had been wearing when he was on the sands.

You are late. It has already begun, I can hear it. Rodhaketh spoke, slightly smug. He knew that his cared little for punctuality, at least for this event. He was, after all, attending to more important things. Like the blue. And that suited Rodhaketh just fine. Besides, Rodhaketh knew that the formality of the feast was just that - a formality. And he did want rest. The stitchings in his wing ached a bit, and he knew that if he slept through the pain, he would be fine when he woke.

"I know. It's all right though, I'm sure there will be more than enough food and talk when I get there. You're going to be all right for a while? I'd rather not leave, but I know it's sort of.. expected that I be there. I think, anyway." Dh'nen fastened the buttons on his shirt until they clutched at his throat. Wetting his hands in a bowl of water, he smoothed the tousled locks of his hair back into a somewhat tamed mess and shook the droplets from his fingers.

Of course I will. Though if it were not for this wing, I would be outside already. You're sure that one- A brief image of Rhia was shared between blue and rider - knew best? This had better heal soon.

A quiet chuckle tumbled from Dh'nen's lips and he nodded. An unnecessary gesture when your conversational partner can hear your thoughts, but motion was part of Dh'nen, and that wasn't going to fade quickly. "Yes, I'm sure. She's been at this a bit longer than you and I, my friend. Well, how do I look?" He stood back and spread arms wide. Clean shirt, clean trousers, boots dusted off, Dh'nen thought he looked all right.

Ridiculous.[/color] Though Rodhaketh apparently didn't agree. I do not see why your normal clothing is not acceptable for this.[/color]

"Me either, but I think this is one of those things I'll learn by doing. Weyrs are odd." Dh'nen had said. He grabbed the pail of oil and gave the blue's hide a good layer before Rodhaketh curled up for sleep. Then, Dh'nen headed for the feast.

Not a few steps in, he spied the red-headed fellow and crowed, joyfully, "Ez'ki! We've done it! Congratulations, my friend." A hand clapped on Ez's shoulder and Dh'nen's lips were spread with a smile that almost seemed unnatural on his face. It was clear he didn't do it often.

[Akki]

He took a deep bow when introduced to the green, “It’s a pleasure to meet you Vessayith. Please treat Dinayth well.” He straightened up and popped another piece of food into his mouth. “Do you think anyone will think I’m fat if I just stay here all night and hoard this food? By the way Tanwen, you’re looking fabulous tonight!”

“Am I funny?” He repeated with a slight frown and furrowed eyebrows. He didn’t think he was really, it was a tough question. His eyes lit up though when Tanwen told him that she said he ‘Could be’. “Really? You think I can be funny sometimes?” The comment seemed to make his entire day and he quickly wrapped his arms around the girl in a hug. “Tanwen, if I was straight I’d swoop you off your feet and run away with you!” He crowed happily before unwrapping his arms. He turned his attention back to the green, “I suppose I can sometimes be funny?”

Dinayth cocked his head to the side, examining the green in front of him with curiosity. She was definitely an interesting critter. He’s not very funny, to tell you the truth. He tells bad jokes and has a bad fashion sense. He confessed to Vessayith.

----

Faine whirled away from Relina when V'ael made an appearance, quickly wrapping her arms around him. She pulled away, taking a step back. "Congratulations V'ael! I was so happy when I saw you Impress!" She was glad that her friends had Impressed even though she hadn't. She hoped that she would meet the other people who were left Standing so she would at least have a vague knowledge about them.

She looked down at the olive green and waggled her fingers at the creature. "It's nice to meet you Aeydrith!." She looked back up at V'ael and grinned, "She's so cute. I may have to steal her from you."

She shrugged off V'aels condolences and let another grin take over her face, "It's okay. You guys Impressed which is good enough for me!" She'd be far more crushed if Relina or the boy in front of her hadn't Impressed. She wouldn't have been able to smile so easily then.

[Marnark’tranarprol]

Ragule bent at the waist in a stiff bow... stiff more because of his joints protesting the motion more than any other reason. Ragule was not a man who kept his collar too tight, after all. "Lady, Sir." He greeted, in response to thier introductions. Wherhandlers ... well, he might have suspected that, by thier pallor. And it did explain a lot. However, it did not explain everything.

"No, actually ... it was not merely the color of your skin that concerned me. But also some of the finer nuances of body motion and expression ... coupled with an underlying coloring that has nothing to do with skin tone. It concerned me a bit ... though less now to know that you are both wherhandlers. So, I guess my question stands, but to a less severe degree ... are you both quite well? You look slightly sickened. As if by thoughts of circumstance or possibly a stomach bug?" Ragule asked, mildly. "I do hope that everything is well indeed."

Though he was also aware that they had had him at a slight disadvantage. They both had known who he was, though he hadn't known who they were. Apparently news of his arrival had traveled fast and far indeed, if even the wherhandlers of the nearby hold knew who he was on sight. He could help but feel that he needed to get a grasp on who everyone was a lot faster than he was, even though experience told him that only time would do that. And he had a lot more people to learn, whereas the locals had only one - him. It still left a body feeling rather silly most of the time.

"Are you freshly arrived, or were you in attendance for the hatching as well?" Ragule asked. "It was a ... busy ... hatching." He offered.

[panther]

Danae furrowed her brow, Ragule was making her concerned now. So, it was the pallor of her skin that had caused concern, but coupled with her habits? Well what could that possibly be? Then realisation washed over her.

Pushing away her blush as he said something of not being as fine as her, and she refused to meet his eyes, she was slightly hoping he would have stopped with that now.

“Oh forgive me Ragule, I meant for no concern on your part, but I certainly have no stomach bug, they’re flitters,” She informed, a jovial laugh following, “I’m a bag of nerves is all, I’m meeting her Lady Weyrwoman tonight for the first time, and it’s important that Handler and Rider get on, seen as our bondeds are cousins, it would be nice if our institutes could be of such to one another.” Her words cool, and nicely worded, not that she had practised those words for the Weyrwoman, not at all. “As for Alder? I doubt it is that he has a stomach bug, I’m sure he would have been vocal about such a gripe to me, perhaps,” A pleasant way of putting the fact she thought he’d whinge about it. “It could well be the fact that my nerves are rubbing off to him,” She looked up at him, “Though, perhaps he is unwell, and hasn’t said anything of the sort to me?” She looked up at him, trying to snatch his attention back.

“We arrived the night before last, we were supposed to be in attendance of the hatching, however I myself was not present, regrettably, I was asleep, the hatching - as a surprise – caught us off guard, and by the time the humming of the dragons had disturbed Danask’s sleep, the hatching was all but over.” She shrugged, “It was a shame to have missed it, I’ve only ever seen two hatchings of dragons, of course, wher hatchings are much different.” She responded, “And yes, actually, so I heard.” She certainly had been keeping her ear to the ground for all sorts of news and gossip about this place. “A bronze, several browns, and even a mauling of a candidate and of a dragon – that’s not common place amongst dragons now is it?” It was amongst whers. Wher candidates were known to be put under a healer for a several nights after their blood pact. And occasionally, if a wher hatchling was so inclined, he could all but kill another wher in hatching Much more violent and bestial species where Whers..

The worst incident she had heard of though, with a wher candidate being mauled, was when one tried to impress a native southern wher… that had ended in disaster. The boy was in excruciating pain for weeks, and it took him about half a turn to get back on his feet, and he didn’t even succeed in impressing the wher! It had been disastrous for him.

[Minajerie]

Andilay didn't mind mingling. However, as a person who was shy about first meetings she would have to stick to people she knew and hope they would introduce her around. Unfortunately, she had met few of the poeple at the weyr. Le sigh.

Once she passed the threshold of the feast she scanned the throng of people to see if she could spot anyone she knew. She glanced two heads of red- in seperate places- one of which was obviously Rayn. She didn't feel like minopolizing the new riders time just yet though, and continued looking around, easing by groups of people with a grace that was natural to a swordswoman. As was her posture, that of a slack dominant hand and one hand resting on the hilt of her sword. It was a habbit, the resting hand would grab the scabbard when a quick draw was needed. It was... convenient.

Hmmm? The healer that had helped her earlier was here. Perhaps she should go thank him for his care...

---

Admin's Note:[/hr] She tried to remember if she had already, but pulled up a blank. Too much happened at once. Andilay shrugged internally and decided to just thank him, again if it was so. He was talking to two strangers- well practically everyone were strangers to her, but she believed they were strangers to the weyr. She could be patient, and decided to wait close by. Just close enough to be able to catch the healers attention next, once he was done chatting with these newcomers.

[panther]

Ez turned sharpish, the hand and the voice indicated only one person, he beamed as he turned, “Yes! We did didn’t we?” flinched slightly as Dh’nen clapped him on the shoulder, not used to such rough admissions of friendship. But he was glad to see Dh’nen happy, the boy had seemed quite lost back at the lake, where as now, he seemed like a man, a grown man all sure of himself – naturally this would falter, as did any transition, but Ez would be there nonetheless.

“Congratulations to you too, Dh’nen.” He gave a bow, indicating some level of respect before mild laughter interrupted the display, Dh’nen seemingly was infecting him with some sort of giddiness. He paused, breathed deeply, trying to remove a stupid grin from his features, and failed, he knew it would fade, but he never wanted the feeling to fade. “A fine blue! The first to impress as well! And to think you were only listening to him a few seconds before.” He smirked, looking down at Rodhaketh, kindness in his eyes, “He’s a fine lad, you did well there Dh’nen. What’s his name?” He asked his bond.

Ours seem to know each other, Garisath posed to Dh’nen’s Blue. Then changing his attentions fleetingly to his bonded, We know them Ez’ki?
“Ah, yes, Garisath, this is Dh’nen, we met here at Dark Moon before the hatching, and you’re to get along with his blue, he’s not like … some of the others.” Ez chose his words delicately.

The brown allowed both his rider and Rhodaketh to hear his words, Then I believe I can do that The brown sounded excited, thrilled almost. But then he was the excitable sort. Ez could tell that much already.

[Xennai]

A dark brow arched as Alder heard of the healer's revived concerns. It wasn't just their skin then? Well, he wondered what it was that could seem to indicate ill health, whether it be those nuances of his or otherwise. He felt fine, however. He didn't think there was much to worry about--in that arena.

In another arena, however, there was much cause to worry. Eyes flicked back toward Weyrwoman and Harper to see that Hester had been introduced to another woman and they seemed to be getting along quite fine. Alder also noticed that the Harper's attention was focused on the other female and not wandering as his had. So, she'd not seen him. Good, good.

He glanced down at the mention of his own name, rapidly trying to figure out what exactly the topic of conversation was about. Ah, they were still on illnesses then? He hadn't been distracted for too long. A soft smile met Danae's attempt and he squeezed her arm. "You know me well, my Queen. I probably might have complained to you, but never here." Because he didn't want her to worry more than she already was. "As it is, I am feeling quite fine."

Dark head inclined to Ragule, a gratified smile lining his handsome face. "My thanks to you, Master Healer. It is good to know that there are men yet who care for others instead of themselves. It is a noble calling, one I can only wish that I could have found a liking for. Instead, I'm just a wher handler." Instead, he only protected all of the people within an entire Hold from harm. Not that he would say that.

Alder nodded, concurring with Danae about the hatching, and then leaned forward, eyes intent. "I heard that there were some people there who were rather indisposed. I heard one girl went into almost complete shock, almost passed out right after the Hatching. And then there was the girl who was mauled." Alder seemed concerned as he leaned closer to the other male, frowning lightly. "Is she all right?"

[Xennai]

Mine, why do you worry so? Calormeith is here with you. Calormeith will stay with you. Yet you feel sick. Are you going to have the sickness? The blue, a strange color, but very handsome nonetheless, sidled closer to his rider, nudging at her knee, trying to raise her from the funk she'd seemed to descended into.

Zigana reached out to stroke Calormeith's head, shocked, as she had been since the Hatching had concluded, that she had indeed Impressed and had achieved that which had seemed impossible. Head shook lightly, lips quirking. "Do you mean am I going to get sick?" she corrected aloud, glancing down at the hatchling with amusement. Even simply talking with Calormeith was making her feel better.

Yes. I meant that. Calormeith replied readily, sitting on his haunches and watching Zigana with whirling eyes. Why do you worry, Zigana-mine?

Zigana sighed, reaching out to stroke the blue's eyeridge, which she'd found to be one of his favorite spots. "I am worried because I don't like being around lots of people. It makes me nervous and, yes, it does make me feel sick. It's just not a good thing for me."

Everyone else is there, the blue pointed out, trying to be helpful and utterly failing, though he didn't know that. And no matter that you are nervous, I will be there. You will be there with me. That is what counts.

Zigana laughed lightly, cupping the weyrling's head and dropping a kiss to it. "How right you are." She shook her head and stood, dark skirt swirling around her. She adjusted her top and looked down at the hatchling. "All right. Let's go."

A few minutes later, Zigana and Calormeith entered the Feast. Zigana looked around nervously, feeling the butterflies somersaulting in her stomach. Rather than being dragon-sized though, they felt like flitters and that in itself was miraculous.

Told you so, Calormeith murmured smugly.
Shush you.

----------

R'fael sat at a table, having already dived headlong into the Feast. It'd been so long since there was a massive joyous event and he was going to enjoy it. There with a few of his pals, he nursed a glass of wine, appreciating the jokes and the stories that were flung his way.

The handsome brown rider seemed in a better mood than he had of late and one of those pals of his, a blue rider with a certain mouth on him, commented on it, wondering aloud if R'fael had "gotten any."

"Oh, for Faranth's sake, shut the shards up!" The brown rider laughed, pushing at the blue, eyes rolling. His handsome face was alive with humor. "I'm not gonna be any happier if I was rolling around in the furs, K'lael, and you know that!"

There were general guffaws and laughter, jokes and other snide comments. R'fael bore them all, noticing a head of red in the crowd. It did turn out to be Ez, and not his cousin or any of the other redheads within the Weyr. R'fael watched him, watched as he conversed with one of the other weyrlings and awaited his turn. Some congratulations were in order.

---------

She sat alone at an unoccupied table, barely aware of the fact, barely aware of the festivities going on around here, aware really of nothing except the mug of klah in front of her.

Salina had cleaned up, albeit reflexively, and now sat at the Feast, freshly bathed and clothed but still looking the worse for wear. Golden hair may have laid flat, her gray tunic and brown trousers may have been pristine and cleanly pressed, but there was still an air of neglect and the unpolished about her.

A finger dipped into her drink, swirling it about mechanically, simply for the sake of something to do. She didn't want to smile. She didn't want to act happy. She didn't want to do anything except sit there and wait for the night to get over with so she could begin forgetting about what happened and so she could begin to figure out exactly what she was going to do.

Idly, Salina wondered where Ez was. She figured her best friend might still be getting ready. He always was such a peacock, strutting around and showing off. He might already be here, accepting thanks, socializing, being Ez. Well, she was happy for him. She was very happy for him. He deserved Garisath immensely. The brown would have his claws full, but she thought he might keep her unruly best friend in line. That, or join him. It was hard to resist such charm and charisma.

Salina sighed softly, rasing her finger and sucking the liquid from it. She glanced up cursorily and then back down, into the watery brown depths of her klah. It was the only safe place to look without feeling like she was being stabbed repeatedly.

[panther]

Ez Grinned like a fool. He knew it, but just as he had finished speaking to Dh’nen – well for one moment at least – He had spotted Salina, she was wearing grey, he frowned, smile fading almost immediately. He looked on her, pity blooming in his chest as he did. “Dh’nen – I’ll be back in one second, I just need to go grab some one out of her misery. He shook his head, rolled his eyes, and moved through the crowds, weaving delicately, a wink placed here or there, casual as anything – of course.

Yet, one person, he slyly avoided, it wasn’t an obvious evasive manoeuvre, it was subtle, as was a lot of things with Ez, a surprising amount in truth. But the subject of his avoidance? A tall, dark, gorgeous and now fellow brown rider. He pushed the thought to the back of his mind, it would hardly be the palce to be seen in the man’s company. He growled at himself for even thinking about something else. It was like torture. He couldn’t! and he wouldn’t… that was it, self control. Behaviour… yet it still irked him.

“Salina…” He called, and gave a disappointed look to his seated golden haired friend, “Come on hun, come meet Dh’nen, he impressed the first hatched blue, you’ll like him, honest, please? Then, when the Harper plays, will you dance with me? We haven’t danced since I was about thirteen.” He smiled in a pleading manner, extending a hand he looked at her, all clothed in grey, it was sad. He tried to flick through his memory of his own clothes. He frowned, he couldn’t think of anything… oh… actually, yes he could, he kept it tucked in his mind for a moment later.

“Sassie… please, I know, I know it’s not what you expected. But. Please, you’re dragon wasn’t there… She’ll be spectacular, and in the mean time? You have to take advantage of the fact I’m not allowed to be… well…” He shrugged, “intimate.” He was gutted at that fact. But Garisath was more important at that moment.

[Xennai]

Salina glanced up as her name was called and a lightness, a happiness, graced pale features that had so recently been embraced by gloom. Seeing Ez always cheered her up. Her feel good charm. His tone of voice, though, wasn’t doing much to help her feel better. It made her feel pathetic, smaller than she was and wherryheaded. So she made a smile come to her face.

“I’d love to. I know if you like him I probably would.” She accepted his hand and stood, head only coming up to his chest. She felt her normal twinge of annoyance for her lack of height before she looked up at him, fingers twining with his. Easy and effortless. That was the way they were together. She didn’t even have to think when she was around Ez. She just was. A soft, light laugh left her as she pushed against his chest good-naturedly. “Dance with you? Why, Ez, you really must be feeling sorry if you’re offering that. The only reason it’s been so long is because you hated the one time we did dance!”

Salina’s stomach gave a nasty twinge. Wincing, she almost cowered as he brought up The Dreaded Subject. Hadn’t they been over this enough already? Had the—disastrous—talk in the barracks not been enough for him? The blonde resisted the urge to cover her ears and talk loudly in order to drown out what the blue rider was saying. She glanced up at him, happiness gone, the shadow stealing over her face again. “I know, Ez, I know. It’s okay, it’s okay. I’m fine. Really, I am. It’s all going to be okay.”

She glanced up at him again, amusement alighting. She patted his cheek, eyes rolling, chuckling. “I think some restraint will be good for you, sweetie. You need to be able to check yourself…learn to hold back…be able to be satisfied with nothing.” She laughed, patting his belly now. “You’ll be okay, Ez. It’s just a Turn or two.” Oh, she was being wicked now.

[panther]

He felt a little more normal as she placated him with a smile. She was so handsome when she smiled, it just brought her to life. He took her hand, smiling all the while. She pushed him, and he feigned as though she had meant to push him away, and that it hurt him emotionally. But the good feeling that was resting over him won through, and a grin blistered through any shroud of otherwise pretence.

She talked of the dance, that stupid dance they’d shared many turns before. When Ez was a bumbling fool growing into his teens, and his long legs, and staggered like a new born foal. “Well yes, but narry the point, I am grown now, and believe me I’ll not be made a fool of again.” He warned her in a mischievous way. OF course he had learned to dance, women loved it, and well… he loved women – so it seemed like a logical way to woo a woman, by giving her something she loved. “I’m glad you’ll join us Sassie, I hate to see you glum. It’s so not your forte.” He petted her hair softly, fondness in his eyes. She spoke of being ok, and that she would be fine, “Good, because you will stand for the gold egg. Even if I have to have Garisath chase you all the way to the sands, or even haul you there myself little lady.” He smirked, humoured air of condescension

He didn’t give her a moment to reply, and turned instead on her mention of him learning ‘restraint’. He rolled his eyes to Faranth and shook his head, despairing of the situation at hand, “You and I both know I won’t[.i] last Turns. Shards, I didn’t even manage my candidacy without..” He faded off, realising two things. Firstly that he hadn’t actually discussed this with Salina as of yet, and secondly, that this was hardly the place to discuss it… He bit his tongue, then dramatically changed the subject as they approached back to Garisath, Dh’nen and Rodhaketh.

“Salina, this is Garisath – as you know” Garisath chirruped and then crooned to the female, taking to her warmly already, but then he was friendly enough anyway. “Dh’nen, Salina, Salina – Dh’nen. Salina’s lived at the Weyr all her life, and Dh’nen’s travelled all of his,” He introduced with some thoughtful extras, “And I’ll allow Dh’nen to introduce his own new bonded.” He smiled to his friend, then, leaning in with a soft whisper to Dh’nen – “She’s lovely, don’t go to harsh on you’re judgement of her, she didn’t impress, and she expected to…” He informed the other, hoping the Blue Weyrling would be kind to his long term friend.

Is she happier now Ez’ki?
I believe so, but we must strive to keep her happy. Posing it to the brown as though it was a task, a quest, a mission.
We shall! I shall! Though, that one-[/i] He indicated an image of Rhia – obviously so far unconcerned with either her name or rank to be remembered in his young mind, would not have you talk to her?[/i] Obviously the brown held some confusion over what had happened earlier, over why Rhia was strict upon him.
Ah, not quite, Rhia – the Weyrling Mistress, and so she’s sort of my teacher in all things dragon – doesn’t want me and Salina to be … he fumbled for a word that could get to the dragon, and imply the right sense. relating. Though, she’s wrong, because Salina and I are close friends, like Dh’nen and I. As Ez mentioned Dh’nen to Garisath, Garisath responded with an image of the blue and his bonded, Ez nodded, and sent a general well done to his dragon for remembering. The dragon trumpeted, happy to be understanding what was going on.

[Akki]

K’ael twisted his way through the crowd of people gathering, the green following at his heel. He hadn’t realized that he was hungry before this moment, but now if he looked back on it he remembered that he hadn’t really eaten anything at all today. With a table filled with food in front of him, this seemed to be a perfect opportunity. He picked up a meat roll and began to eat it, scanning the room. Oh Faranth, he really did feel old as he noted all the now fellow Weyrlings, From his guess, they all seemed to be in the Seventeen Turn around. That meant he had four Turns on them, and that felt awkward. He finished off the meat roll, a sigh slipping out of his mouth. He was an old fogey.

Come. You need to socialize. Osaith said, as if scolding her Mine. K’ael looked down at the green, “I beg your pardon?”. He wasn’t used to mind speech just yet, preferring to simply talk out loud to the green. The dragon snorted, frustrated You need to talk to the others instead of moping about your age. As she spoke she nipped at his pant leg, trying to direct him over to someone he could talk too.

He sighed again, knowing the green was right. If he didn’t want to feel awkward about being older then everyone, he should meet some of the other Weyrlings so he could talk to them at lessons and such. He looked around the room, spotting a girl with a brown dragon. Ah, there we go. He walked over to her and stopped just a bit in front of her. “I’d like to offer you my congratulations.” He said with a soft smile before adding, “It was the first time I’ve seen a female Impress a brown so it was quite interesting to see.” He laughed, hoping he wouldn’t creep this girl out.

[Minajerie]

Rayn hadn't felt like mingling just yet, so she was boredly drinking some punch- she didn't care for alcohol- when a male voice spoke to her. Her first reaction sent a deep frown on her face. Even though she was being congratulated with a kind and cheerful voice- it was still a male one.

She turned, about to tell this male where he could shove his congratulations when she recognized him. He was the new greenrider who had helped Andilay off the sands when she was hurt. He was a healer. This knowledge effectively demolished her scowl, and she gave the man a small smile instead- how odd of her. It was only slightly forced.

That's right mine, be nice.

Rayn cleared her throat and decided to ignore her dragons comment, instead answering her new uh... clutchmate? "Thank you, I'm told I'm the second female brownrider of the weyr, after the Weyrling Master. Congratulations are in order to you as well. What a wonderful green. She's truly stunning." Rayn turned her hard gaze to the hatchling, and her eyes softened. She loved creatures, small or large. They were so much better than regular people.

[Akki]

When the girl had first turned around, she didn’t look too happy and K’ael was beginning to think that this was one giant mistake. He was quickly trying to think of ways to back off before he was scolded or something. However after a second, the look disappeared and was replaced by a small smile. That was much better, K’ael didn’t feel as worried now.

“That’s quite an honor.” K’ael admired. There were very few female brownriders out there, this girl was quite fortunate. Osaith perked up at the compliment and crooned at Rayn. She was a green and greens like being given compliments. “Thank you. Your brown is very handsome.” He returned with a smile, surveying the light brown who was quite regal looking. “Oh, right. I’m K’ael and she’s Osaith.” He stuck out his hand, a slightly bashful grin on his face as he remembered he hadn’t introduced himself yet. This wasn’t going so badly he couldn’t help but think.

This is going well. Osaith told K’ael quietly before turning her attention to her clutchbrother. Mine is nervous, he’s not used to the Weyr. She explained to the brown.

[Marnark’tranarprol]

Ragule listened intently to what was said, and then inclined his head slightly in a respectful nod. "Ah, alright. I understand, then. Unfortunately, there is little I can do, to ease such an ailment. Other than to suggest that you keep breathing, that is." A smile flickered across his face easily. "We don't need anyone passing out, after all, much less someone of your distinction." Ragule stepped aside, before looking over to Alder as he spoke.

The Healer nodded, firmly. "The mauling victems are all quite alright, dragon and human alike. The Weyrwoman knows her stuff, I have to say. Some needed stitches, but not all, and even those were not nearly as bad as they could have been. In fact..." Ragule paused a moment to look around, but did not see what he had expected to see. "... I think they're all here. I am not sure, though ... I was not paying attention to the crowd for a bit, there." He admitted.

He smiled at them both, and inclined his head again. "It was a pleasure to meet the both of you, this day, and mayhap we meet again ... but under good circumstances!" He laughed lightly, well aware that a lot of people got to meet the Healers ... but not usually on happy terms for it. He gestured toward the hall at large. "Please ... do not allow me to hold you up any longer, I am sure there are people you must see." Especially, if the case was giving the poor woman flitters-in-the-belly. Ragule rather suspected that Alder had a similar affliction, though for different reasons. In any event, it was not something that he could help.