Feast and festivities

[Wolf]

He was barely paying attention to anything that Akki said to Christae, though he was paying close attention to her facial expression's as he tried to read her inner emotions. R'xis didn't reply to her, frozen in place. He stood up straight, setting his shoulders back when Akki waved her hand in front of his face. It brought R'xis back to reality... some. "Akki," he breathed, lowering his voice to a whisper, "I don't think that I can do this. For my entire life Wolf was the only one that I've been able to talk to, the only one that seemed to understand me-if even only a little. Then when she left... Well, you get the idea. None of the girl's in my Hold were like you Akki, I know that's a cheesy line but it's true. No other girl's on Pern are like you, and trust me, that's a good thing." R'xis couldn't help but spill his feelings to her, it was all he was capable of doing at this time. "You brighten up a room, turn a horrible night into a good one. No one can resist your charm, everyone responds to you in such a positive-manner. No other guy's may have said it but I'm sure they have feelings for you Akki, they'd be crazy not to." He looked down, staring down at the floor while he chuckled softly; as if recalling a memory to mind. "Your so modest about it too, I love that about you." A frown marred his happy expression, wishing he would have used a word other then love... but...
Tell her, Ersith privately urged him.

"Akki," he said, thinking it was the hundredth time he had most likely said her name. "I love you." 'Am I out of my mind?' he wondered, not because he wasn't sure about how he felt but because he had actually 'told her.' Even before he had known her name he had liked her, having been in a group of Wolf's friends at the time-when he was new to the Weyr. He didn't want to make the mistake of leaving without seeing her reaction, but watching her was killing him inside. He could have sworn that not only he, but Ersith as well, was nervous.

[Akki]

Akki blinked once, and then again before snorting with amusement. "No other girls like me? Trust me R'xis, if there was we would have banded together by now and created this huge team of Akki's that would probably be taking over Pern right now.". Of course as soon as that came out of her mouth, she pictured her and Ebbeth leading a group of Akki's and Akki look-alikes all on different colored dragons. It was a nice thought, except for the whole taking over Pern part. She'd probably accidently ruin it.

She held up one finger and said, "I brighten up a room because I normally accidently set something on fire.". And then, another finger went up. "I can only turn a horrible night into a good one because normally I'm the one who made the night horrible in the first place.". And then finally, another finger joined the other two. "They respond to me in a positive manner because no one wants to see a depressed Akki. We're not very good people to be around when we are depressed."

A small frown tugged at the corner of her lips slightly, "Modest? Me? Come on R'xis. I'm probably the least modest person in the world. I could name plenty of people more modest than me. All I'd have to say is 'Everyone on Pern' and whabam. There's everyone with more modesty.".

R'xis caught the blue rider off guard, and not only off guard but also made her realized what an awkward situation this was to be in. No one had ever told her that before, at least not seriously. She wished she could laugh, and say that he was joking but it was obvious that he wasn't. She fell silent, staring at R'xis with a blank look, body shuffling ever so slightly. She was partially hoping Ebbeth would fake an emergency, get her out of this situation but the blue was curious to see her reply. Akki lifted the bottom of her dress ever so slightly with her hands and said quietly. "I'm sorry R'xis, you can't. You'll get in trouble, Ersith will too. I don't want that. Sorry.". And with that she turned around and slowly walked away from him, lifting her thumb nail to her mouth and biting down on it as she tried to clear her head.

[Wolf]

R'xis was stunned, completely stunned. Not even a... that's nice? Nothing, at all? He attempted to swallow but couldn't, clearing his throat as best he could. As she turned around he felt his entire head spin, as if he'd had too much wine to drink. What was he really to expect from her? She couldn't kiss him there at the feast-even if she would-and the Weyrwoman had just warned them about these displays of romantic feelings toward one another. He turned around and ran, yes ran. He ran as fast as he could, having planned to run as long as he could before realizing that Ersith could probably not keep up. He looked back, spotting the brown chasing after him at top speed.
Go ahead Mine, wherever you go, I go, Ersith said, sounding very much so afraid.
Okay, was all that he replied with, actually feeling like he was going to cry. 'I must be weak, shards...' he thought, feeling completely unstable.

The boy and his dragonet left the feast, side by side, not even knowing where they were headed, all they hoped for was that they got there soon...

[Akki]

Akki felt bad, she really did. But it was complicated. How could a girl always so happy and optmistic reply so oppositely when someone told her that they loved her? It was definitely a mystery. She didn't know what to do, she chewed on her nail slightly making it seem like if she chewed on it long enough, everything would magically heal itself. But it wouldn't. Well, at least her nail wouldn't do that, she might be able too though.

She turned around to face R'xis, looking down at the floor and said softly, "I'm sorry R'xis. I really am. I like you, alot. More than alot. But you can't love me, at least not now. It'd be too complicated. Ersith isn't ready, and maybe I'm not even what ever that means. We can't be more than friends right now, it'd break the rules. You'd get in trouble."

But the boy didn't hear any of this. Because when Akki looked up, she didn't see R'xis staring at her with wide eyes. Instead she saw him running, running away from it all with Ersith at his side.

[Spirithawk]

((please give me a chance to respond tomorrow...i cant focus on reading right now because my head feels like its about to split open))

[maira]

((ooc: RL sucks. That's all I'm going to say.))

IC: Jessa's heart was in her throat at the scene that was unfolding. Why was this happening now? Wasn't the hatching feast supposed to be a fun, light hearted affair? She couldn't help but cringe at the raised voices and raging tempers. Not even realizing she was doing it, Jessa sidled closer to V'koran and took his hand in hers.

Aylith was just as nervous as her rider and she too scooted closer to a comforting male. Once she had her rosey copper body pressed firmly agains Verith's, and once she was on the opposite side of him from all the bad things happening she asked him, What's going on? Why's this happening?

*****

Where had he gone? C'adyn couldn't see him anymore. *Shardit!* he cursed mentally as he searched the room for his greenrider. Unable to spot L'von anywhere, C'adyn finally gave up and started wandering the crowd to search.

The voice of reason then sounded in his head, I could always ask Zalith where he is you know. Hith was being a know-it-all but for once C'adyn didn't give him a hard time about it. Desperate to find L'von, C'adyn begged, Please?!

C'adyn only had a moment to wait before Hith relayed an image, from Zalith's point of view, of where the newly impressed green pair was. They were in a corner on the other side of the room and L'von looked scared. Hissing under his breath, C'adyn pushed and shoved his way through the crowd as gently but as quickly as he could manage. It only took him a matter of moments to reach them, but when C'adyn saw the fear in L'von's eyes for himself he berated himself for not being faster.

In an instant he was kneeling beside L'von and was brushing the hair back from his forhead, out of his eyes. Worry clear on his face he asked the greenrider, "What's wrong? Can I help somehow?" *Oh please let him say I can help!* C'adyn pleaded mentally, it just tore him up to see L'von so frightened.

[Kandarra]

Zalith was nearly as scared as her rider, sharing his emotions and not knowing what was going on. She was about to contact Hith when he contacted her, and she quickly showed him an image of her distraught rider. He had his back against the wall and his arms folded on his knees and his chin was resting on his arms. His face was hauntingly pale and his mind was racing to block out the arguing and angry words and tension.

*They were always fighting and pushing each other around and that's why I left and now it's here and--* His thoughts were interrupted by sudden movement in front of him and someone touching him. At first he jumped, starting to scramble backwards, but when he realized who it was he practically collapsed into the bluerider, burying his face in his neck. He clung to C'adyn for a few moments and then said, "I just want it to stop.." He pulled back and looked up at the bluerider with a pleading, frightened look in his eye as the arguing went on.

-----------------------------

V'koran felt someone at his side, then squeezing his hand. He turned slightly and saw it was Jessa. He squeezed her hand and smiled weakly as the tension rose. "I was worried," he said in a near-whisper. "I wasn't sure how close you were." Right now they were a fairly safe distance from the altercation.

I do not know, Verith said, nuzzling the copper dragonet and twining his tail with hers for support. But everyone is so angry. I do not like it.

"I think it's almost-- oh!" V'koran said as the weyrwoman knocked the main guy to the floor. He watched the men regroup and then decide to leave, with much relief in his own mind. He squeezed Jessa's hand again. "I think it's okay now."

[maira]

More than a little relieved to feel her clutch-brother's tail twining with her's, Aylith nuzzled him back and answered quietly, I don't like it either. She then looked up at her rider and was comforted to see that at least Jessa had relaxed a bit. If Jessa was okay, she would be too.

When V'koran expressed that he'd been worried about her, Jessa's heart did a now familiar flip-flop and despite how tense and nervous she was about what was going on around her, a small smile flitted across her lips. She didn't have the stomach, or nerves, to watch the fight so instead she watched the crowd. When V'koran said he thought it was okay, Jessa finally turned her attention back to the fight and sighed with relief. Sagging a bit as the tension left her, Jessa leaned her head on V'koran's shoulder and asked quietly, "Is this a bad sign? This bad thing happening at what was supposed to be our happy hatching feast?" She wasn't sure if she believed in signs but Jessa really hoped this wasn't one...

*****

When L'von jumped and almost tried to scramble away from him, C'adyn put up a quick mask against the rejection. He'd done the wrong thing by touching the greenrider the way he had, by brushing hair out of his eyes. Or so he thought until he suddenly had his arms full of L'von and was essentially being snuggled, though not for any pleasant reason.

After his own initial shock, C'adyn wrapped his arms tightly about the other man, one hand smoothing L'von's hair and the other gripping the borrowed tunic. Quietly C'adyn shushed L'von and whispered, "Its okay," over and over again in hopes of comforting the younger man. When L'von finally pulled away after saying he just wanted the fighting to end, the look in L'von's eyes scared C'adyn witless. How was he supposed to react to such raw emotions in a man he barely knew? Granted, he wanted to get to know L'von much better but not this way.

He wanted to do nothing more than wisk the younger man out of the crowded angry room and off to his weyr or somewhere else quiet and safe. Unfortunately that probably wouldn't be the best idea. Eventually things would settle down and then L'von would be expected to be a part of the party.

Then, coincidentally things did settle down. Curious he tried to look through the crowd to see what had happened but all he could tell was that one of the agressors had wound up on the ground. Good.

Turning his attention back to L'von, C'adyn leaned in and hugged him close. Softly he told him, "It looks like its over now." As he pulled away to look at L'von again to make sure he was okay now that things were settling down, C'adyn gently laid a kiss on the other man's forehead. What on Pern had made him do that he wasn't sure. All he knew was that he wanted badly to protect L'von and he went with his instincts on just how to show the other man that. He also really wanted to know just why the fighting had scared his greenrider so badly. Nobody should have to feel like hiding in a corner to escape a fight they're not even part of.

[Spirithawk]

((I agree...RL does suck))

IC:

Christae felt bad for ruining the night for the brownrider and Akki. She really did, but she knew that if the two continued on the route that they were going on they would hurt themselves and their dragons. Ersith was not ready to face the emotions that would stem from those two. It was better to break his heart now than to let his dragon get hurt and have him regret it for the rest of his life.

Why must things be so hard?

I do not know my chosen, but I know it will get better. I will talk to him.

Thank's love.

It is no problem.

Christae smiled and moved through the crowd. She had asked the drudges to bring her a plate of food to the High table and while they were doing that she circulated among the guests, reassuring them that the incident was taken care of and would not happen again. Soon the dancing would start and by then the dragonets would be sleepy. The new riders would be gathered up to bring them to their dragon couches in the barracks and then their riders would return to dance if they wanted to.

[Tenma]

J'kel noticed Akki in R'xis's arms. His smile faltered for a moment, before he turned his attention back to Wolf. J'kel chuckled as Wolf rambled on. He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly as she continued to compliment him. "You make it sound like we will never see each other again. Don't do that." He mock pouted, but could only hold it for a few seconds before a smile lit up on his face. Jorath gave a dragonic grin at Serinth's words. They just had a fake fight over that same topic.

J'kel couldn't help wandering back to Akki and R'xis's conversation. He knew it was bad to spy, but he felt very uneasy. He knew they liked eachother and J'kel was not a fan of relationships. He started choking on air when R'xis confessed his love for Akki.

Mine. Mine, what is wrong? Jorath knew something was wrong with his mine, and that the weyrling was not merely chocking. He could feel the riders unease through their link and it was also causing the blue to feel unease.

He missed whatever they said next but he did notice Akki looking upset and R'xis running off. What had happened? He wanted to go over to Akki, but then what would he do. He was unsure about these kinds of things and didn't think he would help at all.

Mine, just don't worry about it. Besides, you are now ignoring Wolf. The blue pointed out.
J'kel realized that the blue was right. "Sorry, 'bout that." He smiled, referring to the small cough attack.


((Bum bum bum.... Had to do that cause I said that in real life when R'xis said I love you to Akki. I have a habit of doing that aloud even when alone.))

[Akki]

Akki sighed, and shrugged to no one in particular. This was bound to happen anyways, it was just a shame that it had to happen at the feast. It was supposed to be a memorable event for R'xis, and it still was just not in a very good way. Shaking her head very slightly she picked up a glass of klah and sipped on it. She didn't know if she should go after him, he probably didn't want to see her right now.

She didn't even know that at the moment Ebbeth was chatting with the boy. Nibbling at a sweet roll, she vaguely wondered if Christae felt bad and her eyes searched for the WeyrWoman, ready to offer the woman a wink in order to let her know Akki blamed no one for what had just happened other than herself. But instead her eyes caught J'kel staring at the little drama that just unfolded between her and R'xis. She stucked her tongue out at him and mouthed the word 'Eavesdropper'.

[Tenma]

J'kel caught the words Akki mouthed and blushed lightly. Great, he had been caught. Now the blue-rider would probably feel worse. After all, if she was upset about something she may not want other knowing. J'kel focused all of his attention back on to Wolf, hoping she didn't notice anything.

((Short. It is like a continuation of my last post...I guess.))

[Kandarra]

L'von focused on C'adyn while the fighting went on; the man was concerned, that was easy to see, and the fact that he was rather attractive helped, too. L'von put aside the knowledge that he was a grown man and let C'adyn comfort him, because it was helping whether he was ready to admit it or not.

As the fighting seemed to wind down, C'adyn pulled him into a big hug, and then while pulling back, kissed him on the forehead. L'von froze. He looked around to see if anyone had seen. This was fear of a different kind, and it had bits of nervousness and insecurity in it. The greenrider's face flushed. He wasn't used to all this physical closeness already, and he couldn't remember anyone kissing his forehead in his life. And now it was this bluerider who he had only met sevendays before.. and what would anyone say if they saw? L'von was confused, and a little bit scared, but at least now he wasn't thinking at all of the fighting. He swallowed with a bit of difficulty and stared rather speechless at C'adyn.

He's not angry, just scared. He doesn't want Yours to go away.. at least, I don't think he does, Zalith said to Hith, since her rider couldn't seem to speak.

--------------------------

V'koran sighed as Jessa spoke. "I don't know if I believe in signs either, but let's just hope that this isn't one. It does kind of add to a bunch of other rather unpleasant events. I wonder if there's some kind of pattern with the events of Hatchings and the next Turn..." He couldn't help it, he was thinking of scrolls again.

[maira]

Before he had a chance to call himself all sorts of bad names, Hith's voice sounded in C'adyn's mind. Don't even start you big wherry headed fool. You're not stupid unless its for thinking you did something wrong. Zalith told me that he doesn't want you to go away so whatever you do, don't run away from him now!
Sharding blue, how come he always had to be so logical? This once, C'adyn let it go. Then, in a quiet and slightly sheepish voice he told L'von, "Sorry bout that, I'm just worried for you and I acted before thinking how you would feel. If I offended you I really didn't mean to." This time it was C'adyn's turn to look at L'von with pleading eyes. *Please don't send me away,* he begged in his heart and his mind.

Hith was not necessarily surprised at his rider's feelings for L'von, he was a bit worried by how quickly they were taking him over though. Hith had only seen C'adyn fall for somebody once before, a disasterous time in regards to C'adyn's heart, and it hadn't been nearly this quick. Curious, he shared his thoughts with Zalith and asked if her rider had similar feelings. He wanted to know now, just in case it ended, once again, in C'adyn being rejected and having his heart broken.

*****

Once things started to calm down and go back to normal, Jessa realized that she was holding V'koran's hand rather tightly. Worried that they would get in trouble for such a show of emotions, especially now that they were weyrlings, she reluctantly dropped his hand and took a couple steps away from him.

Kneeling down near Aylith, Jessa asked the rosey copper dragonet, "Are you okay now?" She'd felt her soulmate's unease during the fighting but Aylith had gone to Verith for comfort rather than her so she hadn't worried overly much.

Aylith turned to look at her rider and nuzzled her cheek before answering, Yes, I'm fine. Verith is strong and would have protected me, just as his rider would have protected you. They are good.

Jessa smiled and caressed her dragon's head then down her long neck before standing back up. Looking to V'koran she smiled warmly. It was so reassuring to know that Aylith seemed to feel in her young heart about Verith at least something resembling how she felt about his rider.

[Kandarra]

L'von was still staring speechless at C'adyn when the bluerider started apologizing. He was worried, L'von knew that.. and he acted before thinking. Which meant that.. somewhere under his thought processes... something else wanted to.. kiss his forehead? That strange thought and wondering what exactly it meant displaced the fear and now he was just confused.

"It-- it's okay," he started, having to clear his throat. "You didn't offend me. I'm just not used to, well," he paused, fidgeting a bit and looking down, "touching other people. My family didn't hug and so.." He trailed off, not sure of what else to say. He glanced up at C'adyn, and the look in the other man's eyes puzzled and scared him anew-- he couldn't place it but it made him melt, a little. Not able to help himself, the corner of his mouth turned up a tiny bit.

I think he does, Zalith said, but he's scared and it's hard to tell through that. He's trying to hold it off a little but if he's not scared anymore then he might not be able to.

-----------------------------

Now that the fighting had completely dispersed, V'koran turned to Jessa. "We never properly greeted each other," he said playfully, winking at her. He bowed low, his neck-length hair falling in front of his pale eyes. "I am V'koran, rider of brown Verith." He knew he was being completely silly, but some tension was still hanging in the air and it needed to be broken, at least for himself.

[maira]

Was that a hint of a smile? C'adyn's heart began to race with hope, even though it was apparent he had made L'von uncomfortable the man was still smiling at him even if it was barely. He'd take what he could get! He answered the miniscule smile with his own broad one and he stood up and held his hand out to the younger man and said, "Well, since the fighting is over, why don't we go mingle with the rest the weyrlings huh?" Then, hopefully, he added, "I'll stick around if you want me to."

*****

Jessa smiled and blushed at the playful yet formal way V'koran addressed her. It eased whatever nerves she'd had and she answered back just as formally, "Its an honor to meet you V'koran of brown Verith." Then with a curtsy her mother would have been proud of, Jessa introduced herself in the same manner. "I am Jessalyn, rider of copper Aylith." Wow, that sounded so weird! She was a dragonrider.

The realization hit Jessa and it both sobered her and left her even more excited and giddy than before. She now had a life long responsibility to another living creature but when that creature was the other half of herself, how could it be anything but good? Sure, there would be times that they would be in danger, lots of times certainly, but it would be worth it on so many levels. Who knew that running away from her Hold would result in such an amazing new future for her? All she'd wanted to do was go find her friend...

[Kandarra]

"Why, it's very nice to meet you, Jessalyn," V'koran said, his eyes dancing. "We seem to match tonight." His face suddenly went mock-serious. "It must be a sign--" His voice lowered. "That we are to dance when the music starts." He couldn't take it anymore and chuckled, though he was completely serious about the dancing. He'd never been that good at it, but this was his Jessa and skill didn't matter.

We have silly people, Verith said to Aylith, not without affection.

----------------

L'von took the other man's hand and pulled himself up. "Well, since my family won't be coming, I think it's alright if you stay. I won't have anyone else to converse with."

Thank you for not letting Yours leave, Mine feels better, Zalith thanked Hith.

[maira]

She couldn't help but laugh, V'koran's attitude was just how he'd always been. Just because they were dragonriders now hadn't changed a thing. At his declaring that since their outfits matched it was a sign that they should dance, Jessa nodded seriously. The serious look didn't last long though. After only a moment she was smiling again and told him, "I haven't danced in ages, please don't laugh if I've forgotten the steps okay?"

Aylith agreed entirely with Verith's observation of their riders and answered, Very silly people but they're ours so they're perfect in their own silly ways. She was beginning to get sleepy again what with all the excitement finally having subsided. Her tail still twined with Verith's, Aylith nuzzled his shoulder then lay down next to him getting as close as her gangly legs and wings would allow.

*****

Hith was happy to hear that Zalith's rider was feeling better as that meant his rider would feel better too. To answer the young green he just told her, Our people need a lot of help some days. Mine tends to need a little more help than most sometimes but he's a good man and he always thinks of other people before he thinks of himself. If he had left he would have fretted over how L'von was until he saw him next and I just told him he'd be stupid to leave. For once he didn't argue with me and he stayed and now they're both happy. It worked out.

Unaware of how his dragon was badmouthing him, in the most loving way of course, C'adyn went on smiling at L'von. When the greenrider said he could stay he couldn't have been happier. As soon as L'von was upright, C'adyn let his hand drop back to his side and then took up a spot beside the greenrider and asked, "So greenrider L'von, who should we go mingle with first? Or do you want to just wander and find some food to nibble on until the main part of the feast?"

[Wolf]

Wolf took note of J'kel's coughing fit but at the same time R'xis's words had reached her own ears. She stared at Akki, even after her brother had fled from the feast. 'I should have payed more attention to him, then maybe none of this would have happened.' Her thoughts were cramped with different angles, all of which pointed to how this situation could be her fault. Serinth-now distracted from her conversation with Jorath-watched her rider with concern.
Would you like to go after your clutch-brother Mine? I wouldn't mind and I'm sure that our friends would understand. Wolf had the urge to say yes, still staring directly at Akki. Once she realized how Serinth had worded her question she held back laughter. We didn't hatch from eggs love. Do not worry about it. I do not want Christae to be disappointed in me for leaving when so many have gathered for this occasion. R'xis has Ersith with him, so I know he'll be alright. she sent back. 'I wish I could be the one comforting him but...' Wolf bit her tongue inside her mouth, discouraged. When her focus returned to J'kel she could see he was looking at her.

"I know we'll see each other again," she told him. The enthusiasm she once had was now gone-much to her dismay. Her phony smile was a mirror to her true feelings, "it's been an interesting night..." Another thought popped into her head and she waited for Serinth to question her about it, like she always did.
I'm sure J'kel is just concerned about her as a friend, the Gold said, her comment having been more of a statement rather then a question. Maybe... Wolf replied in a hush tone. 'And maybe not... Oh well, not as if I care, I'm surrounded by friends. What more could I possibly want?' Her stomach kept turning over and over anxiously as she prayed for her brother.

[Tenma]

((Haha, this is getting all twisted up. I didn't realize how my post had sounded, but oh well.

Sorry, I don't know what to post right now, maybe I will add on later, but I needed to say that.))