Belated Hatching Feast

[Minajerie]

Rayn clasped his hand and gave it a firm shake. It was a swordswoman hand-shake, strong. She nodded acceptance at the introduction.

"It is a pleasure to meet you K'ael, Osaith. My name is Rayn, and this is Llanwreth. I think he is quite handsome as well." Rayn particularly liked how he had complimented her dragon. She loved the creature like no other.

Llanwreth turned to his clutchsister. Mine is in the same position. She said she was scouted rather recently- she was a swordswoman. I apologize if she comes off as... gruff. The brown seemed to almost shrug before giving his bonded a little nudge.

Rayn looked down at Llanwreth, a questioning frown on her lips. What? I thought I was being polite. Do you want me to bite his head off? I can. Oh! I almost forgot!

"I have to thank you. You helped my sword sister off the sands earlier today."

[Akki]

While Rayn’s handshake was stronger, K’ael’s was softer – almost more nurturing. There was also something reassuring about it, he had developed that handshake specifically for patients of his at Caspian Hold.

“And it’s nice to meet you and your dragon.” K’ael replied with a smile. Llanwreth was quite the mouthful of a name but the dragon almost seemed suited for it. He brought his attention back to Rayn as she spoke, a slight frown on his face as he tried to recall the girl he helped. Ah, yes. The girl who was mauled by the brown. “Sword sister?” He asked with genuine curiosity. He had never met a swordsperson before, Caspian never had one there.

“Is she your actual sister? Or just partner in the trade?” Oh yes, his interest was definitely captured now. “Please, don’t thank me though. I was really just helping out, MasterHealer Ragule did most of it.” K’ael laughed, not wanting to take any gratitude that he didn’t deserve.

Mine is not very gruff. I hope they can be friends though. Osaith replied, as if the level of gruffness their Mines had would affect everything.

[Minajerie]

Rayn shook her head and curled her hand lightly that she had used for the handshake. It had a lingering feeling.

"She is my sword partner. She was working alone for some time before she met me and my... family. She propositioned a partnership and I accepted. Now we are as close as sisters, thus, why I call her so." This was a subject that she didn't mind talking about. It was what she knew.

"And you helped her, that is good enough for me to owe you thanks. Good will goes far in my opinion." Rayn shrugged. She would never smack down a good deed. It was a discouraging action that may result in no other good deeds coming about.

Llanwreth thought about his clutchsister's comment before replying. I have a feeling they will get along. There is balance in this atmosphere. He gave a nod as if very proud of his wise statement.

[Spirithawk]

Anassa smiled. "Fun and lively it is!" She picked up her pipes and waited for the other Harper to begin. The woman was, after all a Master and deserved her respect. She picked up the tune easily and smiled as she heard Priath's humming in her mind.

Love why don't you come to the entrance and hum with us?

As long as I do not cause too much trouble.

I don't think you will. Come, join us. The green glided from her ledge to stick her head in the cavern entrance, her crooning hum joining the song that her rider was playing with the other Harper. The drudges simply skirted around her, used to hearing the humming dark green.

[Spirithawk]

After everyone had left and gone to their respective places and the Hatching Feast was underway late that afternoon, there was a shake and shudder. This egg was one of the ones that the Weyr had assumed was "dead". It wasn't dead. It's occupant was just smaller than the others and not quite as strong. She was, however, VERY determined. She wanted out and she wanted her chosen to feed her.

Her nose finally poked out of a hole she had managed to claw out of the tough egg shell. Her nose was a hunter green and as she steadily worked her way out of the shell, the rest of her hunter green body could be seen. The shell finally fell apart, in tiny sections because she had been working it it so hard. There were lighter streaks of green along her hide that blended in with the hunter green streaks, not as defined as camoflauge but enough so that she would be hard to find in a field of grass if the grass were tall enough to cover a dragon. She would be the smallest of the greens hatched here today. She was spunky and very stubborn. She would always be loyal to her rider, assuring her rider that she loved her often and providing support whenever she thinks her rider needs it.

She rested a few moments, her eyes whirling red. She was not as exciteable dragon as her sisters but that was mainly because she was tuckered out after getting out of her shell. She would never be as energetic as some of the other dragons but she would have a spunk that kept her going even past her endurance. She finally rose, holding her wings out awkwardly as she trotted out of the Hatching Grounds into the tunnel that led to the Lower Caverns, crying out for her chosen.

Drudges took one look at the little creature and scattered, remembering the stories about the brown that had torn up his brother and another Candidate. A bonded dragon was one thing. Those could think. Hatchlings were controlled by hunger and the need to find their chosens.

She made her way to the Dining Cavern, somehow knowing that her chosen was going to be there to find her. She hadn't worked her way out of that egg just to let the fact that her rider wasn't on the Sands daunt her.

[Akki]

He nodded as she talked, answering his endless questions. “That must be nice, to have someone so close to you. Especially if you’re candidates together.” He noted before frowning at his words and softly adding, “I’m sorry that she didn’t Impress.” It was probably a horrible feeling not seeing someone you consider to be your sister Impress while you did. He felt vaguely guilty for Impressing Osaith when he wasn’t meant to be a candidate. He stopped thinking such thoughts though when the green nipped at his pant leg once again, silently chiding him.

“I can only imagine your job to be quite difficult.” He said, still interested in what her and Andilay did. It all seemed so new to him. A bashful smile appeared on his face as Rayn replied, “I’m just glad I could help. And glad that she wasn’t injured any worse. That was a rather brutal mauling.” The brown had been quite ferocious but maulings were to be expected during a hatching.

Oh yes, I agree with you Clutchbrother. You are quite smart. The green replied, also bobbing her head up and down.

K’ael looked away from Rayn from a second as the music picked up. He recognized Hester from Caspian Hold though he never really spoke to the Harper much while there. He wasn’t expecting to see her here though, that was for sure. Soon another girl joined in on the music, a dragons hum also joining in moments later. “Oh, would you like to dance? Mind you I’m afraid I only have nimble fingers, not so much feet.” He laughed while making an offer. He wasn’t all that good at dancing but enjoyed doing it when there was a feast and such.

Once again his attention was diverted as a dragonet entered the cavern, no one by her side. It took a moment for K’ael to realize that the dragon hadn’t Impressed, not yet at least – her churning eyes gave it away. “It seems the hatching hasn’t quite ended.” He mumbled, rather shocked as he nodded towards the green.

[Minajerie]

Rayn shrugged at the apology. "I think she knew. It was so odd, she even had me stand closer to the eggs. Like she wasn't expecting an impression. Sometimes, I think that Andy is really special." She couldn't help the sad and slightly crushing look on her face as she said the next words. "I... I don't know how I would have handled it if she had been hurt worse. I remember her reaction when I was hurt... it was so earnest and worryful. And at the same time she called me an idiot for not paying attention." Rayn couldn't help but laugh a little here."She is a tuff person."

Rayn was a little surprised by the music, but more surprised at the offer to dance. She liked dancing, even though she didn't do it often.

Do it mine. That dress is made to be danced in. Have some fun. Live a little.

Rayn smirked down at the brown. Oh, haha, little man. Like I don't live enough already.

Not in this you don't. Enjoy it.

I think your a little too young for that comment. Rayn shook her head and offered her hand to K'ael. "Okay then. I think I can cover up that clumsiness with my sword grace."

When the dragon came in it took Rayn by surprise- but not SURPRISE! Surprise, but more- Why is that there? Surprise. She couldn't help the next thought that escaped though. "This could be bad, it's far to crowded for a unimpressed hatchling to find her mine. Andilay better not get mauled again!"

[Sparrow]

((*shoves Belior and Sh'rel into room before dragonet gets there*))

Sh’rel entered the Hatching Feast with a morose looking Belior both were dressed in their best if not a little wrinkly gatherwear. The Brownrider wore dark brown trousers and a clean white shirt his hair tied back in a small low runnertail. It was clearly early in the night as not pieces of his hair had escaped the wherhide restraint. Belior wore black pants and a Harper blue dress shirt.

The boy had been called to the Northern Continent to deal with some family matters and Sh’rel had volunteered to take the boy. The hatching had occurred unbeknownst to the pair. They had not been sure when Igen’s clutch was going to hatch but Sh’rel hadn’t expected it that soon.

“Don’t worry lad, there’ll be other hatchings. And seeing as I heard no dragon went between the dragon meant for you wasn’t in that clutch.”

Belior was cheered up a bit. At least no dragonets had gone between he would’ve felt immensely guilty for that. “Still… it would’ve been nice to be there… you know…”

Sh’rel had to agree, despite the occasional maulings Hatchings were an amazing event to witness. Each and every one reminding him of the incredible bond he had with Rolaranth. “Just be patient… I had to go through 4 hatchings until the 5th one Rolaranth chose me…. The slow poke.”

Belior simply nodded in response to this. Though, his mood was brightened a bit. Sh’rel gave the boy a gentle shove farther into the Cavern to go do whatever it was that candidates did these days. Shards, he felt old. Soon enough this feeling was forgotten as he nursed a mug of ale which would not be the last of the evening.

--
Belior ambled through the crowd trying to find someone he knew. All were bound to be impressed now right? Surely he couldn’t be the only one not to impress. However, if he had to look on the bright side, and there was a tiny bit of a bright side, he did not have to face his fear… yet. Something green caught his attention near the entrance. He wasn’t really sure why… it was probably just another weyrling entering with his or her new dragonet. Right? Wrong… Belior’s mouth dropped as he realized the dragonet was unaccompanied.

He grabbed onto the person nearest to him, Faine, and whispered “Look.” Belior wasn’t sure why he was whispering or even if the girl had heard him.


((And yes lame excuse for why he was away but I had a brain fart, kay? And He grabbed Faine because... Akki is here at the momento )

[Akki]

“I’m sure she will Impress next time.” K’ael said softly, trying to comfort the girl as she spoke of her friend. The saddened expression on her face didn’t seem to suit her personality and the Journeyman Healer didn’t want to see it there. He grinned as Rayn laughed slightly and found himself chuckling with her. “I should hope so if she’s your sword partner. I’d imagine you’d have to be fairly tough for such a job.” They probably made Healing look like children’s work.

Osaith sat and stared at Rayn, waiting for her response. She glanced over at Hers and crooned ever so softly. I think you’ve gotten the hang of socializing. K’ael smothered a grin. He knew how to socialize just fine, it was just nerve-wracking when you’re at a Feast filled with people you didn’t know.

K’ael took her hand and laughed, “Please do. I’ll need lots of cover, I’m afraid. Two left feet, you see.” He was exaggerating a bit, he wasn’t that bad of a dancer. He just didn’t dance very often so it took him a few minutes to get back into it whenever he did. He was happy though, that she accepted. He’d look like a fool if she had said no.

He looked back at the green. “I’m afraid there’s not much we can do even. If her Bonded is in here, we can’t shoo her out. Hopefully everyone will just stay out of her way so she can find Hers quickly.” He’d hate to see another mauling, especially if it was this girls friend. Andilay had more than enough excitement for tonight he thought.

----

Faine was scanning the room, just watching the activities going on and such. Music picked up and people started to dance which was always fun to watch. Especially when a super drunk person wanted to dance. Faine found that great amusement.

However her attention was diverted when someone grabbed onto her, whispering into her ear. Someone else might have panicked slightly that they were randomly clung onto, but not Faine. She clung back and whispered, “What am I looking at?”. It didn’t take her long to figure it out of course. Whispers picked up and a few people began to point as the green dragon continued to search for their Mine. Faine’s mouth turned into a perfect circle, captivated and shocked at the same time. “It’s a dragon! A green dragon!” She pointed out to Belior even though it was rather obvious what color the dragonet was.

This was all very exciting. Who would it Impress too? She looked around the room, scanning. She wasn’t even considering herself to be an option, to caught up in trying to bust this mystery.

[Minajerie]

"It takes a strong constitution certainly." Rayn nodded and smiled a little bit. "But, it saddens me that sometimes we kill. I don't mean that they didn't deserve to die, most of the people we let go alive often deserve to die, it is just a sad thing. The extinguishing of a life. So, I think those who follow the sword, have to be tuff, to be strong. Because death... death is heavy."

Rayn frowned and batted at the air as if to get rid of the sudden dank atmosphere. "Lets not talk of the dirty side of a sword. Lets dance!" At this Rayn truly let her face break out into a smile and she tugged K'ael onto the dance floor. "I'll do my best to make you look good, ha haa!" She couldn't help but laugh a little.

Be careful mine.

The brown turned to his clutchmate and gave a draconic smile. I think they like each other. They should make great friends, don't you think?

[Sparrow]

Marletta entered a bit late for the Hatching Feast having gotten Issaeyith’s approval of her outfit and general appearance. She smiled as she left the temporary barracks Well I’m glad I’ve got your approval at least. The Weyrling had spent over an hour trying to decide what to wear and then even longer fixing her hair which she just ended up wearing down as usual. Marletta had chosen to wear an elegant strapless white dress that trailed to the floor. A bit of green beading started just below her bust and continued upward in a fern like pattern. (http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/edressme_2060_96861302 kinda like that but the beading=emerald green) Marletta had noticed that slowly but surely more and more of her clothes in her wardrobe were green. It wasn’t a conscious choice on her part it just seemed to happen.

Marletta made her entrance shortly after the newly hatched green had entered. She had thought that the dragonet was someone’s who had just entered but clearly this was not the case. This was not good. Marletta took a step back towards the entrance away from the hatchling.

---

It took a moment for Belior to notice who he had grabbed, it was a girl from his candidate class. Had she impressed? He didn’t see a dragonet around her feet he had to assume no for now. Belior let go, “Er sorry… Faine? It’s Faine right?” He thought he remembered her name…

“I thought… I heard all the eggs had hatched. And another one was brought in… wasn’t that supposed to be a gold?”


((Annnd it's bed time it's almost 4 am XD))

[Kino]

Well I think he is someone very funny! Vessayith replied to Dinayth, eyes giving a happy little whirl. She paused then, tilting her head a bit. But if that is not what an idiot is, then what is an idiot and why do you call Yours one? She straightened her head, looking up to Z'ayr and then over to Tanwen. And what is fashion sense? Mine, do you have it? She looked back to Dinayth. Does Mine have fashion sense?[/color]

Tanwen grinned at Z'ayrs reply. "I think Pern would stop spinning before you turned straight," she said. When he looked back to Vessayith and replied, Tanwen actually started laughing a bit. He'd gotten a chuckle out of her in the past, but this one had none of the underwoven sarcasm that those had had - perhaps just the happy afterglow of impression, but maybe with Vessayith there her personality would show through a bit more.

"You know," she said, looking back up at Z'ayr. "She only asked because she thought an idiot was "someone very funny". "[/size][/font]

[Shekru]

"Rodhaketh, and I'm under the impression he was listening more than I was." Dh'nen answered Ez'ki with a bright laugh. He was joy-filled, and still dizzy with the events of the day, a far cry from the brooding, melancholy lad Ez had met first. A change, certainly, but not necessarily a bad one. "And your fine brown! Garisath." Dh'nen repeated the name, still beaming.

So they do. As Yours probably mentioned, they met before they became Ours. It is a goodness. Rodhaketh gave back to Garisath, and agreed to the 'getting along'. While not as excitable as the brown, there was a determination and strong sense of comradarie that the blue revealed to Garisath. His intentions, it seemed, were amiable and long-term.

The name 'Salina' left Ez's lips, and Dh'nen turned his head to look toward the indicated girl. Brows lifted. Clearly, she was not at all what he had been expecting. Before Ez introduced her, Dh'nen did his fair share of gawking and smiling nervously. A deep bow was offered the girl, and he said, "Pleasure to meet you. Ez mentioned your name, and I'd been looking forward to meeting his friend. Though he failed to mention that you were as lovely as you are." Faint red stole into his cheeks, but the hush in the cavern had him turning around to eye the green that had suddenly appeared.

[Xennai]

Salina laughed as he defended himself in the dance they’d had several Turns gone. Golden head shook, hand squeezing his, as she chuckled softly. “I’m sure you won’t. Faranth only knows you’d probably be a Master if there were such a thing. After all, everyone knows dancing is the way to a woman’s heart.” Eyebrows waggled before her hair was being stroked and he was saying sadness wasn’t exactly her expertise. How right he was. She didn’t think she’d ever been this low before. Oh, there’d been occasional instances when she’d felt nearly crippled by the unforeseen events. In a few hours, though, it had all seemed so ridiculous. This was far from any sort of situation she’d ever before experienced. And rather than being crippled, she felt broken. She felt as if some part of herself had snapped off, been cleaved in two, been ripped apart. Her confidence was severely shaken and her fear had abounded. Not Impressing had been her worst nightmare for Turns. And it had come true…

Shaking off the thoughts, she nodded lightly, neither in agreement or disagreement, not that Ez knew that. She wasn’t sure she could Stand for the last egg that had come, so sensationally, but she knew that she should. She should, even if she wasn’t able to stand it, even if she felt like she was going to faint at any second. But she should. It was one last chance and she was desperate for it, even if she wasn’t sure what would happen should she fail yet again…

Attention spun back to Ez as she blinked, startled, turning toward him, mouth opening. She’d heard rumors of her friend and the brown rider R’fael, but to hear them confirmed, even just slightly, was an entirely different thing. Eyebrows drew down slightly and she was about to jump on the topic when she was introduced to Ez’s friend. She focused her attention on that, though she was undoubtedly going to talk to the brown rider at her side about some very specific things when they had the time.

Her first impression of Dh’nen was tall. She was used to this being the very first thing she noticed, though. Being so small did come with a degree of monotony. Looking up at the blue rider, she thought he was about a foot taller than her, give or take. He also had rather unusual eyes. Thoughts of his personal appearance flew out the window as she noticed the staring she was receiving. Light pink tinged her cheeks as she smiled, just a slight curving of lips. She was about to answer when she noticed that everything seemed much too quiet for a Feast and turned to see a hatchling, green and unattended, wading through the crowd. The piteous squeal could only mean one thing—unbonded. Salina’s gasp was soft, quiet, and immediately lost in the high cavern. Oh dear Faranth, what was happening now?

[panther]

Hester smiled, in her element once more, she picked up her pipes, slowly took a breath, before tapping her foot to a quick beat in her mind, setting the pace for Annassa, then, she began. And upbeat and jovial it was! Hester watched the crowd as she played, when she wasn’t too involved in her music.

---

Supporting his regular long, tan wherhide coat, underneath a well fitted, filigree detail of a lighter colour, and golden buttoned, royal blue waistcoat, a high neck off chit shirt just visible beneath it. Plain, dark wher hide trousers tucked into dark brown, soft hide boots – which had been freshly cleaned. Thick dark hair had been swept back off his face, warm brown eyes as excited as the newly impressed. Y’rael had joined the occasion!

He surveyed the room, the music had begun – then seemingly he was just on time. The room was full of colour, happiness and bright young minds. He smirked, and a fair load of good-looking females. A spring in his step, he wound a path through the people, congratulating here, and there, saying ‘well done’ to those he hadn’t seen impress (which was most, if not all of them). He smiled, and was pleasant to everyone, but not lingering too long in any one person’s company. He didn’t really know anyone here, and so, his resolution for now, was to scope out the room, check out who was who, listen and learn. And then – maybe after… ten minutes? Nab the attention of some small group, and wow and impress them – as always. Afterall, why wouldn’t they be impressed? He was a fine specimen of a Bronze Rider! He grinned haplessly to himself. He tapped his foot, slightly off to the beat, good thing he wasn’t a musician, for he really wasn’t to hot on the rhythm thing. He could dance well enough, but other than that? Not much.

But, then, he’d not be adverse to some one talking to him, that said. He was always welcoming attention. Either way, he still enjoyed himself far too much at occasions like this.

---

Danae smiled to Ragule, “It was a pleasure meeting you too Ragule – and my apologies for causing you concern, it was not meant as such. Though I’m sure that Dark moon weyr has a fine healer on their doorstep. And now you’ve stolen young Khael away from us, we might have to be paying visits here every so often. She smiled, nodded in K’ael’s direction, he’d always been a sturdy healer from what she had heard of him. Glancing up at Alder, she added, “But aye, we shall make sure that the next time you meet us, that it is under good circumstances. Hopefully!” Her smile was gracious, warm and friendly, playful even.

Again, before he left their company, she bid him her thanks, “Though, you also, do not be a stranger, and if you’re ever in Caspian – no matter the time of day or night, come visit, we’d like to show you around our little place.” She grinned, and again bid him farewell. And smiling at Alder – flitters relieved substantially after their conversation with the Healer, “He’s lovely, I’m glad they have a good healer here. “ She grinned, taking a glass of wine from a passing drudge, and smiling her gratitude.

Seemingly, she was all full of smiles now, beaming around her, perhaps happiness was her disorder, would a healer be interested in such a complaint? She imagined not, and giggled to herself as she took a sip. Then, she noticed – the Weyrwoman had left the company of the Harper of Caspian (a few of Caspian’s own here tonight! How wonderful!). She tugged on Alder’s arm, slipping from him as she began to wind herself a path to the Weyrwoman.

“Weyrwoman Christae?” She inquired – knowing her inquiry was correct even before the woman continued, “Weyr Handler, Danae.” She extended a hand, “I am glad to meet you at last. I hear naught but good about the Weyr, I must say, it made me curious.” She smiled, bowing to the woman, feeling a little perky at that moment, the happiness still infecting her.

---

“Of course! I will not be found wanting in any respect like that, if there is a way to woo a woman, I know it” He grinned manically, proud and devastatingly happy with himself. Well that could only end in tears.

Garisath made soft noises in his throat, approval and agreement to the blue, he spoke to the blue, Well I am very glad to hear that. The brown felt a small glow of a heart warming feeling.

Ez smiled to see two of his friends meet. How wondrous was this? He smiled contentedly, and thought about how Dh’nen blushed to her company, how sweet. The blue rider was having a Sweet thing for his friend. He smirked. Then mentioned, heavy with sly suggestion to Dh’nen, “Told you you’d like her.” He smirked, nudged his friend’s elbow, looking at the weyrling to make sure Dh’nen got the implications.

[Xennai]

Alder thanked Ragule as well, letting Danae doing much of the talking. He was watching her now, attention riveted rather than to the newcomer. The woman seemed much more relaxed and certainly happy. He frowned, wondering if she’d drunk any wine before he’d come. Brows crinkled and he nodded to the Master Healer, smiling automatically as he waved. His thoughts, however, centered about the gold handler at his side.

He hoped she hadn’t been drinking. If Danae had…well, they both knew what had happened the last time that she had—it was the reason she had been so squirrelly around him before they’d entered. He watched her, trying to remain surreptitious, and smiled, nodding. “Yes, they are indeed very lucky to have such a man. He seems very loyal to his craft.”

Danae certainly was much happier now, all beaming smiles and giggles. Alder frowned lightly, and then noticed where her attention was directed—the now unoccupied Weyrwoman. Dread filled him for a moment. He felt his arm being squeezed and watched her take a few steps away. Before she could reach the other gold bonded woman, however, he was by her side, plucking the wine from her grasp and grinning. “Thanks, darling. I’m just going to take this,” he indicated the wine glass, “and myself over to that table over there while you go knock ‘em dead.”

Alder watched her for a moment, watched as gold bonded met gold bonded. He slumped into a seat at the table he’d pointed out, taking an idle sip of Danae’s wine. He watched the redhead for a few moments before his eyes wandered and he caught sight of Hester. She was playing—he hadn’t even thought that the music had started—a serene look on her face as she did. The bronze handler smirked, taking another mouthful of wine. Danae and Hester…Hester and Danae. Pros and cons to both of them but he couldn’t even compare them. Even in the limited time he’d known them both, they were both two completely different women. And he was right smack dab in the middle of them, literally and metaphorically.

[Spirithawk]

Christae turned as Hester and Anassa began playing the music. She smiled when Priath's treble hum filled the cavern along with her rider and the Harper's pipes. She stopped when she saw a stranger approaching her. The paleness of the woman's skin and something about her told Christae that she wasn't dealing with the parent of one of the new Weyrlings. This was one of their special guests. The ones she had yet to greet.

"Well met, Wher Handler Danae. I am happy that you were able to come. Please forgive me for being such a horrible hostess and not greeting you when you arrived. I hope your accomodations were adequate. I apologize that we didn't have more to offer you. Our Weyr is still recovering from the recent hurricane."

[panther]

Danae looked forlorn as Alder walked off with her glass, turning back to the Weyrwoman, expression fading back to a careless smile.
“Hardly Weyrwoman, you’re overworked, no Weyrleader to aid you, and here you are, flourishing as well as you are, that’s a good way to be! And fear not, no harm no foul, as long as Danask sees no light, the abode is fit enough for me. I have no complaint.” She smiled warmly, fingers finding nothing to do, but clutch together before her. “Ah, yes, fortunately the Wher hold was spared mostly from the hurricane, though Danask did make it quite obvious she was not content that the Wherry she had lined up had managed to escape. She didn’t like that one piece.” Danae told the Weyrwoman.

“How are things here then? I hope the Hurricane hasn’t caused too much of a disturbance for you.” She silently thanked the fact that the majority of the Wher hold was underground. Hurricanes affected surface level, an of course the fact that the wherhold was built into the ground generally – helped the upper parts survive too.

((blame the quality on my poor/over excited mood x.x))

[Akki]

K’ael could sympathize with the girl. He knew what it was like to more or less take a life. With some of his patients, they were too badly hurt and simply couldn’t heal. When they passed away he couldn’t help but think it was his fault, in some way. Thoughts of If I was a better Healer… and such. Death was heavy indeed.

“Yes, I agree. Today is a night of celebration and not remorse.” He replied as he allowed himself to be steered onto the dance floor. He grinned at her final comment, quite lgad that Osaith had convinced him to go talk to someone. He didn’t want to spend the entire feast all alone and now it seems he didn’t have too. He twirled the hand that was holding onto Rayn’s so he could spin the girl around once. “That’s about the extent of my dancing knowledge. Twirling.” He laughed.

Oh yes, I think they will. We’ve done a good job of raising them. Osaith wasn’t even a day old and she already felt like a mother figure to K’ael.

---

She nodded as Belior asked if her name was, in fact, Faine. “Yup! And you’re Belior right?” She asked back. She didn’t really know the boy other then seeing him around every now and then. She frowned slightly; she hadn’t seen him on the hatching sands. Did he miss it? Sleep through it or something? She was curious but didn’t want to ask in case it was a delicate situation.

She turned her head back to the green dragonet. “There were two eggs left on the Sands, I thought they were dead though. And then a gold egg was brought in.” She explained, thinking. “Do you think one of the dead eggs wasn’t really dead? And more importantly, do you think the dragon will get trampled if it crosses on to the dance floor?” She watched as feet stomped and jived, dancing to the music.

----

Dinayth fell silent, surveying the green. He could have fun with this. An idiot is when you like people of the same gender. He explained, though it was an obvious lie. He couldn’t help it though – the green seemed easy to tease. At her next question, he looked up at Tanwen – taking in the clothes she was wearing. Yes, she has fashion sense He decided with a bob of his head.

“You know, it’s tempting to turn straight just to see Pern stop. Then again, girl cooties? No thanks.” The last part was said with a grimace that was a mixture of horror and disgust. He smothered a large grin when Tanwen laughed. It was a nice laugh and he felt blessed to have heard it – it was a shame that the girl didn’t laugh more often. He frowned, “Wait. Does she think I’m an idiot then?” Oh great, just his luck to have a newly hatched dragon think he was an idiot.

He shook his head, clearing his thoughts before turning his attention back to Tanwen. “Now Tanwen, you can’t stick around and let me chat you up all night. You should be out there flirting with some guys! Straight guys!”

[Ranuu]

Needless to say, Elayne was at once the most sobered and intoxicated person at the feast. She'd had. . . such a. . . wonderful time since arriving here. It wasn't that people were ignoring her, though she sometimes wished they would; being ignored was something Elayne could handle. . . dealing with attention was new to her. She didn't like the fact that nobody was really trying to get to know her. It was all going through the motions. A 'hello' here, a 'how are you doing, Elayne?' there. It was so blatantly fake.

To top it off, when she finally got to stand with the other Candidates on the sands, it was as if she wasn't even present. She was sure that, if everyone present were to write about their experiences in one place, like a message board, she wouldn't even be present in the event. Unnoticed even by the dragons, the girl continued to float on in her own little world of seclusion, and naturally did not impress.

It was easy to hide an open wound, if you knew what to do. And it was easy to escape from the emotional pain with something as simple as a razor and some privacy. Not that anyone noticed- nobody ever did. It still hurt, but at least her head was clear, with the wonderfully heady wine that she continued to consume at this feast.

When drinking, Elayne was one of those odd few that became even more reserved. She didn't become boistrous, she didn't tell people that she loved them, and she didn't start fights. The girl would sit silently in the corner until she had decided she had enough, and then she'd silently slip away, just as unnoticed as she had been all along, and go to sleep in the first place she found that was comfortable.

The loneliness was unbearable. Not that anyone cared. Nobody ever cared. Another drink, please. Another empty glass on the table. More of her cares left at the bottom, mixed in with the two or three drops that stuck to the sides. Her worries soured the wine, but she didn't care. Just like everyone else.

Nobody cared.

She didn't even really notice when the baby dragon came in. She was lost in her own little world, accompanied by the wonderful buzzing of her brain, and the knowledge of a well-wrapped leg, with a nasty cut in it. Those razors could be sharp.

What was the point? And more importantly, who cared?

~*~

On the other side of the spectrum, T'ran was having a wonderful time! He rivaled Elayne on a level of intoxication, but just barely. And, again on the other side of a different spectrum, he was a roaring drunk, entertaining to the end.

At this moment, he was standing on top of a table, arms out to keep his balance. Some of the workers who weren't connected to the dragons were around, listening to his stories. Half of the things he said weren't real in the least, and were being made up as he went along, but it was all textbook history in the hazy mind of T'ran. And, being such a charismatic storyteller, he just KNEW everyone believed it.

"And then I, I, I slayed the tiger with a spoon," he continued, squinting at a light. It was a candle, but he didn't know that. "And... and... it fell over on its... it's side, you know? And I stabbed it again, and gold started falling out. I was all, 'Wait, what's going on?' you know? And then... it started raining."