Feast and festivities

[Spirithawk]

Christae checked in on Uslanee to make sure things were running well in the Kitchens. The spit canines were being watched carefully by one of H'lan's daughters. She was too old to Impress but she had wanted to stay in the Weyr. Things were going great and soon the feast would be in full swing.

The guests were beginning to file in and sit at the extra tables set out for them. Christae would be sitting at the Head Table with Miya and the Wingleaders. The only chair that would be empty was Sh'iron's. There would soon be a transfer bronzerider joining their ranks but he was not there yet. J'yil would be taking the bronzerider's place with his brown Prawth.

Christae sighed. Sh'iron should have at least made it to the Hatching no matter how bad things were between them. The pair had been fighting and he had gone so far as to chastize her in front of the wings. Kaith had been livid but there was nothing the Queen could have done because she was brooding over her eggs. There had been murmers of dissent among the riders that was not just because of the missing egg. There had been talk of the WL shirking his duties. Christae hadn't been too happy about him being gone so much on "Weyrleader" business. He spent more time with the other WLs than he did leading his own wings.

The Weyrwoman shook her head. She would not let those thoughts mar this day. All of the eggs had hatched out safely and the room was full of beaming family and friends and happy dragonriders. The Queen was munching on a wherry buck. Her color was bright and she was crooning with contentment.

Uslanee's army of drudges came in bearing platters to place on the tables out in the Dining Cavern. Soon the tables were groaning under the weight of the platters. The Harpers were on the dais tuning their instruments. The Harper Hall had sent Harpers to join the Weyrsinger on this happy occasion. Christae wondered if the Candidte Anassa would sing.

She impressed to green Priath.

Oh! That is true. Well she will not be singing tonight then. She will be basking in the joy of being a dragonrider. I remember now. She had that dark forest green hatchling.

Kaith went back to enjoying her food. Christae had a few moments to herself. None of the proud parents had gotten the courage up to come to the Weyrwoman yet. They knew she was busy.

[Miki]

Kia couldn't believe it. She had actually forgotten where the Lower caverns were. She had to roam a large portion of the Weyr before she came across it. Of course, all Kylath did was laugh at her bonded.

Maybe you should help.

[glow=red,2,300]You'll find it eventually.[/glow]
Kia frowned, not liking her dragon's attitude. But what was she going to do?

Kia did, nevertheless, find it. She ran in to see a few scattered guests and drudges hurrying to place the food platters. She ran up to the Weyrwoman and bowed quickly and a little disrespectfully. It didn't occur to her at first that it was the feast. She looked carefully and then back at Christae. She didn't know exactly when the eggs were to hatch and it seemed tonight was supposed to be special.

Kia put two in two together and nearly hiccuped in shock. She looked at her riding gear and then sheepishly back at the gold-rider. "Forgive me for my lack of proper... attire." She gave a little shrug and looked out to the Weyr. A few more people were coming. "I suppose I should change?"

[Spirithawk]

Christae looked up, for an instant not recognizing the dragonrider in front of her. Her eyes flicked to the woman's shoulder knots and her eyes widened. "Kia?"

They returrned not long ago.

Christae stood and embraced the younger dragonrider. "Welcome home! I wish you could have seen the Hatching but that can't be helped. Yes you should change and come enjoy yourself on your first day back. Tomorrow I will give you your riders' knots. The others have already received theirs." She laughed. "Listen to me, you aren't back ten minutes and I am rambling. I will have to see Kylath later and see how the beauty is doing."

The WW's face had more worry lines than before but they smoothed away when she smiled. She gestured to the klah and rolls that were being passed around. "If you want something to eat to tide you over you know you can always help yourself."

[Miki]

Kia supressed a laugh when the Weyrwoman looked at her in a confused way. She stood patiently, though, being respectful. Her smile widened, imprinting dimples on her tan cheeks, as Christae realized who was standing before her.

When Christae had released her Kia lost her respectful posture. She stood more relaxed and listened light-heartedly to the rider. When the weyrwoman had finished she nodded.

"Shall I go to the same room, then? Or do I have a new one? I suppose I'll have to find it." She gave a light chuckle and looked to where she assumed her dragon was waiting. Kylath had grown a negligible amount more while they were gone. She was definitely as big as most bronzes now, perhaps a bit bigger. Kia had not tried to give her dragon any firestone since the incident. She would have to settle with being in the Queen's wing which she could settle for. She had continued her learning to use a flamethrower while in Ista Weyr.

This gave her a though. "Oh, Weyrwoman. When I return here I must tell you what I've learned in Ista. But first I should go so I have time to clean and dress. I do not want to look disheveled for this. After all, the new Weyrlings do not know me."

Kia looked out again to where her dragon was. The dragon was old but still had not flown. She was maturing fairly slowly which might of been why she was growing for so long. Kia wished there was an older copper for her to compare Kylath's growth too. She didn't know if this was normal or not.

Kylath sensed Kia's discomfort.

[glow=red,2,300]Mine?[/glow]
I'm fine.

[glow=red,2,300]You are sure?[/glow]
Yes. Relax.

[Spirithawk]

"Oh, your things were moved out of the W'ling barracks and into one of the empty weyrs. We chose a larger one because Kylath looked like she was going to be a large dragon but if you don't want that one you are welcome to choose another one."

"Your report can wait until tomorrow. You just got back. Just go dress. Kaith can give Kylath the location of your new weyr and I will see you at the feast. In fact, I have to change myself."

Kaith sent the visual to the younger female and then launched herself sluggishly to fly to her weyr. Her belly was bulging from the meal she had just consumed. Christae had let her eat a bit more than usual because she hadn't had much of an appetite while she was brooding.

[Miki]

Kia nodded her head respectfully. "Very well." She spun on her heel and walked leisurely out of the lower caverns. Her dragon was waiting for her. Kia swung her arms around. She hated wearing the heavy riding gear for too long. "Okay, Kylath. You know where we are going, right?" she asked out loud.

[glow=red,2,300]Of course I do. That was the point. Now hurry.[/glow]
What was with that?

[glow=red,2,300]I am hungry and I would like to get a quick meal.[/glow]
Fine.

Kia climbed up Kylath's outstretched arm and settled herself on the dragon. She didn't bother strapping up. She told her dragon to go and Kylath obeyed all too well.

Kylath flapped her wings several times just to rise into the air. It was harder to start flying when you didn't take off from a ledge. Once she reached her wanted height she went foreword fairly quickly, swerving dangerously around whatever was in her way.

Calm down, Kylath. I am not strapped in.

The dragon slowed a bit and looked around. She found what she was looking for and flew slowly up.

[glow=red,2,300]Slow enough for you?[/glow]
Oh, shut it.

Kylath landed on the ledge. Kia slid off but did not let Kylath leave until she had undone everything on the dragon. She did not want the blood of her meal on it. Kylath waited impatiently and took off right after Kia approved.

While her Copper ate, Kia took off her gear. She slid the helmet from her head and let her hair fall. It had grown out a bit since she was last at the Weyr. It went a little past her shoulder blades and was cut sloppily and unevenly. She needed to get it cut again. She decided she liked it short. Her hair had also gotten darker, as it was destined to do. It was a light brown now but still had a few of the blond streaks scattered among her locks.

Kia was eager to bathe. She had been up all night and most of the day assisting Ista and then flew back to her home, wanting to get home. She went to her bath and got everything ready including laying a towel beside the bath. She went back to her bag to get a brush and pick out her clothes. She laid her final decision on her bed and went to the bath.

She loved the warm waters and felt she could finally relax. Kylath finished eating while Kia bathed but went looking around the Weyr a little. She only flew over it before returning and laying on her ledge. Kia barely acknowledged her dragon's return. She stayed in the bath a long time before finally rising, figuring she would be late if she stayed any longer. She reached for the towel and wrapped it around herself. She grabbed the metal comb and stuck in the mop on head. She pulled on it and it slowly lowered through the many knots.

Once she had finished combing her hair, Kia put it up in a ribbon so it wouldn't get her clothing wet. She put on her dress quickly and decided on what to do with her hair. It was starting to look untidy with all the jagged edges. She thought it would be best to put it up but she didn't like how she looked with her hair up. She decided to leave it down. She grabbed a clip with a small copper dragon plastered on. She pulled a piece of her hair on the left side back and clipped it up. She admired the clothing and figured it would do well enough.

Kia didn't like dresses. She found them hard to maneuver in and felt very confined in them. She knew she'd have to live, though. The dress was very nice, after-all. The base color was a light blue that looked better with blond hair rather than brown but still nice, nevertheless. A white spiral had been embroidered in. It started at the left corner of her chest and crossed in front to her right. It went around the back and finished at the bottom of her dress which was mid-shin. A second layer, which was white and had the end of a blue spiral, went further down to her feet. The collar did not hug her neck. It wasn't extremely far down but was a fairly wide oval. The sleeves ended at the middle of her fore-arm. The dress was very corset-like at the top but she made sure not to make it too tight. She didn't want a repeat of what had happened at a feast she had been at before. The end puffed a little but she didn't want her dress to be too heavy. he shoes were simple and light blue. There was a very minute heel at the back and it was rounded at her toes. Most of the top of her feet would be shown in the way it was designed.

"Okay, Kylath," she called, "I am gonna walk to the feast soon."

Kia waited for a response but never got one. She looked at the Copper and realized the dragon had fallen asleep. "Kylath!" she yelled almost instinctively. Luckily, the dragon was not in a very deep sleep. She woke up lazily and looked around. "The feast," Kia said to remind the dragon. She and the dragon had a short conversation and Kia left while Kylath sat perched on the ledge.

[Tenma]

A brush ran through Miya's pitch black locks. She was sitting down on her bed.
I remember our hatching feast. Were there this many candidates? I don't remember that. Reinath said into Miya's mind.
If there were they all left. There are only three of us left.
Four. The gold interrupted.
What do you mean, four? There is K'dan, T'rin, and me. Miya replied with confusion.
Kia and Kylath came back. Didn't I tell you that?
I don't think so. Miya sighed. Truth be told I am not sure if I want them here or not. We never really got along before. Miya pointed out.
Reinath snorted. That wasn't it and you know it. Sorcha and you don't get along. We were just jealous. Reinath chuckled in the back of Miya's mind.
You will never get me to admit it. Miya huffed.

She put her brush down and took out a dress and slipped it on. It was mostly white, almost a pale yellow, with a gold trimming around the neck-line, sleeves, and at the bottom. She smiled, satisfied with her look. How do I look? Miya asked.

Reinath stuck her head into the room from her position on the ledge. Her many faceted eyes whirled as she looked upon her beloved bonded. As beautiful as ever. Reinath replied.

Miya walked over to the gold and scratched her eye-ridges. With a smile, she turned around and left her Weyr. She walked down to where the feast was being held. She entered, noticing that it was still fairly empty but people were trickling in. Her dark brown eyes turned toward the table where she would be sitting, then looked around for someone she knew, preferably T'rin.


******************************

Nira placed a delicate hand on her beloved Siarath's muzzle. Her brown eyes turned back to her weyr. Her eyes settled on the bed and she sighed. She really missed R'dal, her weyrmate. She had been so happy when he was allowed to come to Dark Moon Weyr, but it hadn't lasted for long. Earlier that day he had to go back to Ista Weyr. His family was there and he missed them. He told Nira he loved her, but it wasn't working. He had to go back to Ista and they both knew it.

Don't worry mine. You will find another. Besides, there is a hatching feast. You should be joyful. Siarath reminded her rider.

Nira couldn't help but smile. "You are right." She said aloud. Nira pulled out a gather dress. It was a light green dress with a black stripe going from her left should to the right of her hip on the front. There was also a thick black line around the bottom of the dress and a thin black like around her waist. She brushed her hair and walked to the feast, with a true smile on her face.

[Spirithawk]

((you are supposed to wait at the Barracks for Rhia..you can just cut and paste the part with the W'lings onto a post in the Hatching topic and just add that they waited for Rhia...i had put that in one of the posts as instructions...she would come back for an inspection))

[Akki]

Akki was in her weyr, shoving herself into a ankle length dress, in a hurry to get to the feast. It wasn't that she didn't want to be late, but she wanted to see if Uslanee needed any help getting ready. It seemed only fair that she offered to help her out, after all. She'd be pigging out on the food and drinks later on, no doubt.

You have time, go slower. You'll trip on your dress, and get hurt. Ebbeth said, pointing out this fact. He rather not have his rider lying on the ground in an injured daze. After all, death by dress doesn't seem to appealing. Akki rolled her eyes, but did slow down. She was trying to put on a long, blue dress. Not a light blue, but not a very dark blue either, just a blue, and Ebbeth pointed out that he approved of the color for obvious reasons. It would have been a rather plain dress, except for the fact there were no sleeves and at the top of the dress was a gold stripe. And to match that gold stripe at the top, was one at the bottom. The gold seemed to stand out wonderfully against the blue.

"I'm almost ready anyways, so I don't need to hurry too much more." She said, quickly fixing her hair. She left it down, there was too much of it to put it up but she managed to make it partially wavy with some water. "There." She said, as she looked at Ebbeth who nodded his approval.

Moments later she was at the feast, peeking at Uslanee and said with a grin and a wink, "Uslanee, do you need or want any help? I'll gladly offer my services. After all, I'll be the one eating the food soon enough.". Besides, she was waiting for more people she knew to come to the feast before sitting down at a table to loudly chat with them.

Ooc|| The dress I described is the one I drew her in on the picture of her in the writing/ art thread. x) I'm cheap that way.

[Tenma]

((Okay, I fixed it.))

[Miki]

Kia pulled at her dress. It kept ruffling up. She walked quickly to the Lower Caverns, her stomach rumbling. She needed food so badly. She was a little early but that was okay.

Kia stepped into the caverns, her shoes making a light pit pat. She looked around and saw Akki walk back. She did not follow the bluerider. Instead she inconspicuously grabbed a roll and nibbled happily at it.

The cavern was beginning to fill up. She couldn't wait to see all the new Weyrlings, most of whom she never met. And she was excited to see all the handsome new dragonets.

[Kandarra]

T'rin strolled into the Dining Cavern, looking for a place to sit and dressed in his gather best. He wore a red-gold tunic embroidered with bronzeish threads over a white shirt with straight-tailored long sleeves. His hair, of course, wasn't behaving like it should and stuck up, but he had done it to the rest of his hair so he didn't look too bad. His green eyes surveyed the room, watching the activity but also looking for Miya. He spotted her across the room; she also seemed to be looking for someone. He hoped it was him, and stepped in her direction.

[Tenma]

Miya spotted Kia nibbling on a roll. She sighed before heading over there. "Welcome back to Dark Moon Weyr, Kia. I hope Kylath is doing well." Miya put on a fake smile, but she didn't even bother trying to make it look genuine.

Miya noticed T'rin looking at her. She hadn't realized he had been walking towards her before. "She put up one finger, saying she would be there in a moment. She turned back to Kia. "Was all well at the other Weyr?" She asked. Unfortunately, Miya didn't remember which Weyr Kia had been staying at.

[Kandarra]

T'rin saw Miya approach another woman and hold up her finger. He stopped walking, giving them their privacy, then wondered who the other woman was. He scrutinized her form; there was something familiar about her, but he couldn't figure what..

It is the copper rider. She and Kylath have returned.

K--Kia's back? T'rin grappled with that for a moment. He hadn't even known if she was coming back.

Yes. I think I will greet Kylath. Amparath, out of T'rin's view, flew to where Kylath was. Good evening, copper sister, he said, out of his rider's hearing. It is good to see you home.

A smile settled on T'rin's face. So there were four, then. Four riders from his group. There had been so many, and now there were so few.. But Kia was here, with Kylath, and they had one more. He hoped desperately that the newest weyrlings would have more graduate; they needed every one of them for Fall.

He waited patiently, wondering what business Miya had with her, and if she would be civil. Miya had always seemed to have a problem with the copperrider.

[Miki]

Kia looked at Miya in mild surprise. She didn't expect a hello. She didn't bother to be too nice. She didn't much like Miya's attitude and she felt confident. "Really, I expect you were wishing I didn't come back." She smiled to herself but kept a straight face outwardly.

"We are both well," she said. She waited for a couple moments before adding, "And you and Reinath?"

Kia looked around at where Miya had glanced. She spun hastily to see the bronzerider. She nearly tripped over her dress but managed to catch herself before she flung her arms around. She lifted her hand as if he were farther than he was and waved joyfully. Then she motioned for him to come closer.

Kylath turned her head sluggishly. She was tired from her meal. Her eyes brightened, though, at the sight of her old friend. She remembered when she was a little smaller than the bronxe but now they were at least the same size.

[glow=red,2,300]Hello, bronze brother.[/glow]
She was almost mocking the way he had said but in a playful way, of course.

[glow=red,2,300]It has been quite a long time. We were in ista for longer than we had expected.[/glow]

Kia could hear her dragon speaking. the copper didn't bother to keep it out of Kia's head. The rider rolled her eyes mentally and tried to block her out.

[Tenma]

Miya noticed Kia's surprise. Miya didn't expect that kind of reaction, maybe suspicion but not surprise, but she didn't show her own surprise on her face. "I am a Jr. Weyrwoman now. Besides, you have been gone a while, whether I want you here or not I won't be rude about it." Miya explained, fake smile still on her face.

"Reinath and I are both well. She has grown quite large, but not larger than Kaith." She explained. "What about Kylath, how large has she grown? She is the first copper after all. Did you know that another copper has hatched in this past hatching that we are celebrating today?" Miya tried make a conversation, but she didn't know how long it would last.

Miya raised an eyebrow as Kia stumbled before regaining her balance and waving, quite furiously. It was Miya's turn to look to see who Kia had spot. She noticed T'rin and assumed Kia noticed him when Miya had looked at him. She didn't say anything. She was outnumbered 2 to 1, since T'rin probably wanted to come over here originally.

[Miki]

ooc;; You mean Kia, not Miki. ::

Kia was aware Miya had become Junior Weyrwoman. She figured it out. She was still Miya to her, though. She smirked slightly, trying not tobe too obvious. "Well, I suppose you cleaned up since I left. Christae whip you into shape?"

Kia knew she was provoking Miya but she couldn't help it. She wouldn't treat her like she was fragile. No, she'd rather talk comfortably and see how far Miya could go.

"Well," she began but then paused. She looked back at T'rin to see if he was doing something special for Miya was looking. She shook her head slightly to get focused and turned back to Miya. "Kylath has grown since you last saw her. She is at least the size of a fairly large bronze now but not as bis as Kaith, of course."

[Tenma]

Miya glared at Kia.
Hold you tongue, mine. Reinath said sternly in her head.

"I'd assume she is full grown then, it has been two turns since their hatching." Miya did not reply to Kia's first sentence. She knew if she snapped back Kia would also reply and they would go back and forth and now was not the time to stir up trouble. "Has she flown yet?" Miya asked, wondering how often a copper would fly. Since Kylath was the first copper, the way other coppers would be are going to be based off of her, at least until the new copper matures and their are others too.

[Akki]

Akki would have waited longer to see Uslanee's answer on her offering of help, but she turned around to see who was at the feast already, to see if the Weyrlings had entered yet. But when she turned around, she wasn't expecting that she'd see Kia there chatting with Miya, she expected to see a crowd of people chatting loudly to one and another about their favourite dragonet that hatched. Her hand flew to her chest and she gasped in surprise, she hurriedly pardoned herself and walked as quickly as one could in a dress to where Kia stood.

When the blue rider was behind Kia, she couldn't help but fling her arms around the girl and squeal, "KIA!", in excitement and happiness. The girl was taller from when Akki last saw her, and she could only imagine how large Kylath was now. "I've missed you! Where have you been? You look different now! How's Kylath? I can imagine she looks different too? How is she? Has she flown yet?" Akki said, talking quickly in her excitement before slowing down for a moment and said, "Oops. I'm interrupting something here aren't I?". After a moment of thought she nodded to herself, "I think I am. I'll wait over there?". And with that said, she released her hug on Kia and stepped a few steps back with a embarassed grin.

That was classy Ebbeth said with a chuckle to his rider who shushed him in return. Greetings Kylath, it is good to see you back here. I hope you and your rider are faring well. Ebbeth said to the copper dragon as a greeting. "I wish the weyrlings would hurry up. I can't wait much longer." Akki said to herself as she looked around while standing still.

[Kandarra]

After debating for a moment whether to actually go over to Miya and Kia, T'rin decided he would. As he walked over to them, he saw the bluerider Akki practically tackle Kia, and smothered a grin. He stepped up to the group, though, just as Akki turned around and left. Raising an eyebrow, he bowed first to Miya, then to Kia, and addressed the copperrider.

"It is good to see you back, Kia," he said warmly. "And a good evening to you, Jr ww," he added, nodding to Miya and giving her a secretive smile. He turned back to Kia, not wanting to seem rude at her return. "How fares Kylath? And yourself? Was your time at Ista well-spent?"