J'red and Hikanth Arrive!

[kestrel]

Overhead in the skies above the Weyr Bowl, a dragon blinked out of 'between', spiraling lower and lower towards the ground as it prepared for a landing. As it drew closer towards the ground, it could easily be seen that the dragon was a large Bronze-and it obviously had a rider.

Backwinging and landing rather gracefully for all his size, the Bronze dragon lowered himself and made it possible for his rider to slide with ease off of his back and onto the ground. With a 'thump' that kicked up only a small portion of the dust his dragon had when he'd landed, the rider of the Bronze hit the ground, landing on his feet and landing so that he would not jar any muscles in doing so.

*We have arrived, at last! Would you have me announce to this Weyr's dragons that we are here? I believe we would be noticed more easily if I did that. At least I would. I do not think you are much to notice.*

The Bronze's tone was merry, filled with the excitement of their arrival to their new Weyr, as well as a hint of mischief at his words to his bonded.

"Very funny, Hikanth," the young man replied, giving the Bronze a sidelong glance, before looking around the Weyr Bowl. The young man, who went by the name of J'red, shielded his icy-blue eyes from the brightness of the sun overhead, as he tried to see if anyone at all was here. Hikanth hadn't had a half-bad idea. However, he didn't really want to disturb anyone if he didn't have to. Especially not if they were busy. He was sure someone must have seen them land here-at least the Watch-dragon or a Wher. He didn't think, therefore, it was necessary to publicly announce their arrival as if it were some big occasion.

*Did you ever think that maybe it is? It's not every day a Bronze so fine as myself comes to join a Weyr!* Hikanth was obviously speaking 'all in good fun', but J'red only smirked slightly and gave the large dragon a pat on the side, continuing to look around.

The Weyr looked nice enough-a good size, and it likely had interesting people and dragons to meet. Not that he was the greatest with people, but he wasn't horrid, either. He could hold his own, in either case. He muttered something under his breath, unsure of how to proceed. Perhaps it was best to just wait here-someone had to have seen them, as he'd thought to himself just moments before. There was small chance that they hadn't been spotted, and the wisest course of action was to just wait here, in the place they'd landed.

*We could do that...or I could TELL them we are here, then there's no excuse for not coming to greet us!* Hikanth obviously wanted to announce their arrival. His rider, however, was having none of that just yet.

"No-we should just wait until we know if we were seen or not. It's not exactly polite to just bellow out that we've arrived, as if it were the most important thing in all of Pern going on right now in this Weyr. If no one comes in about ten or fifteen minutes...then you can let someone know we've come, all right?"

Hikanth lowered his head and said in a mock-sulky tone,
*Oh, all right....but I'll hold you to that, and I hope no one does come because then I will have been right and should have announced we were here so we didn't waste our time just waiting here!* The Bronze's large head was raised once more, as he watched the skies and area around them to see if anyone was indeed coming over to meet them...

[Spirithawk]

A giant golden dragon erupted from *Between* bugling a greeting to all of the dragons under her reign. Her tone was triumphant and demanding. She wanted all of her subjects to know that she and her rider were successful in their mission, and that the weyr would not suffer from the lack of Weyrleader.

The golden Queen's hide gleamed in the bright Southern sun, almost blindingly bright to the riders and dragons beneath. People began to leak out of their weyrs and the caverns to see what the fuss was all about.

A few of the people took one look at the Weyr's Queen and the new bronze sitting in the Weyr Bowl and ran to began preparing a feast. A new rider and the success of the Weyrwoman's mission was a cause for celebration, one that the Weyrfolk would take advantage of. It had been too long since the last Hatching and the nearly botched revelries that had taken place.

The presence of the new bronze was not lost on the Queen and the beaming woman that rode her. Kaith bugled loudly in greeting to the new bronze, her tone almost flirtatious. Like the other Queens on Pern, she was nearing her cycle again and although she still had several months, almost half a turn to go before she rose again, it wouldn't hurt to attract prospective mates. She was, after all, the largest Queen on Pern. The high and mighty Northern Weyrs couldn't boast the largest Queen and two junior Queens in less than 3 Turns.

My greetings to you bronze, and to your rider as well. I am Kaith, Sr. Queen of Dark Moon Weyr. My rider is Christae, Weyrwoman of DM. We extend an invitation to your rider to join us at the High Table this night for a celebratory feast. We celebrate a great victory. You will learn more this night.

The great golden beauty spiraled down to land a few feet away from the new bronze as the weyrfolk began to gather around to hear what their Weyrwoman had to say. Christae was beaming as she unhooked her riding straps after the Queen settled down in the Weyr Bowl. A toddler sat before her, and she unsnapped the straps from the little boy and waited for someone to come so she could slide him down.

"Bronzerider." She called out. "I would appreciate it if you could help me set my son on the ground." For once the WW's face was not drawn into lines of worry. Bright brown eyes danced with joy and triumph. When the Weyrfolk realized that their missing "prince" had been returned, they erupted into a cheer.

"We showed them big weyrs that we can hold our own in the games! We showed them that our WW is just as good as any of theirs." A few of the riders shouted from the growing crowd.

"Welcome to Dark Moon Weyr Bronzerider!" A few called. "Welcome home Chiron!" A few others called. The toddler that Christae held on her dragon's back squealed with glee when he saw some of his favorite babysitters running forward to greet him. He squirmed in his mother's grasp and he laughed.

((Grins....sorry if you meant him to have a quiet welcome..we need to liven things up here and I figured this would be a good time to implement some of the plots that are brewing))

[kestrel]

Ooc: I don't mind at all! Livliness in a Weyr is what keeps it going! XD

At the bugle of another dragon just overhead of Hikanth and himself, J'red looked up in time to see a massive Golden dragon covering the light of the Pernese 'sun'. Hikanth, more than a little pleased to see so fine a specimen of a Golden dragon overhead, bugled a greeting right back at the Queen, just as enthusiastic. J'red smiled slightly, but he himself kept quiet until the Weyrwoman had landed a few feet away. However, needless to say he was startled beyond belief as the crowd suddenly started gathering and shouting things that he had no idea whatsoever about. Thankfully, however, Hikanth quickly relayed Kaith's news to him.

*The Queen says that we will learn more about what is going on tonight. They are holding a feast! I do not think it is merely in our honor-what a pity!* The Bronze said this last with a tinge of mock injuredness, and J'red had to smile at that. Hikanth could always make humor from just about anything. Today he was in high spirits, so it certainly kept the witty humor coming.

To the Queen Hikanth made a lovely draconic bow, and sent back,
*congradulations on your victory-whatever it was I am quite sure it was a magnificent conquest! Rest assured we will be more than honored to join you at your High Table-you and yours. Forgive me if I was speechless for a moment-I was merely stunned by your radiance.* There was a twinkle in the Bronze's eyes that could not be mistaken-Hikanth could be charmingly flirtatious if he took a fancy to a Gold-and J'red realised with some embarrassment that the Bronze had instantly taken a liking to this one.

Well, she was the largest Gold he'd ever set eyes upon-that was for certain. He could see how Hikanth might be quite taken with her. He wondered if Hikanth would want to give chase to this Gold-likely he would, from the way he was looking at her. The very tip of his tail twitched back and forth gently-another sign of his amusement with this Queen. He was able to get a better look at the Dragon's rider as he walked towards the Queen, and the first thing he happened to notice, seeing as how she sat higher above him, was her legs. They were very nice legs, he realised. Long, and with a nice shape. His color reddened just a tad as he realised he'd been analysing the Weyrwoman's legs! This was not a good way to start off! He doubted she'd noticed, however, because he hadn't been staring exactly. For better measure, though, he quickly looked up to where her face was. She also had nice eyes-very expressive looking. His own were an icy blue and most people could not help but stare. But this Weyrwoman had very nice eyes herself-they were rather warm looking.

*At least you are looking at her face now, and not her legs,* a mental voice cut into his thoughts, and he reddened again, wanting to tell his dragon to shut it but concentrating on what the Weyrwoman had just said. Son? She had a child then, did she? Well, that was to be expected from a Sr. Weyrwoman. So, instead of giving it much further thought, he complied, reaching up to receive the toddler from her, and giving her one of his quirky smiles (the one the ladies found cute, but he didn't know this!) and merely nodding curteously. He hadn't exactly had time to do much else-no sooner had she landed than had she asked his aid to help her get her child down. He supposed he should be honored at being asked to do this-surely there were others around that knew her and her child better? Well, he would take it as a compliment, then! The gentle breeze blew strands of his jet-black hair away from his face, as he waited for the child to be handed down.

He heard a few voices in the crowd welcoming him to the Weyr, though he could do naught but smile over his shoulder at them and nod. Well, they were certainly a happy-sounding, lively and friendly bunch. He could appreciate that-and he couldn't wait to hear what all this was about. They were welcoming whom home, precisely? It seemed not to be the Weyrwoman, but her son! What could possibly be going on here? His curiosity was piqued, to say the least!

[Akki]

The lively blue rider was sitting cross-legged in her room, nibbling, absent mindedly, on a piece of long gold colored hair. She had realized earlier that day that her room that her room was becoming almost unbearably messy again, despite her good attentions vow to keep it clean from the last time this had occurred. She now had to decide where exactly she should start her mass cleaning when a metal click caught her attention, it was the sound of teeth coming together. She knew that sound well by now, it was her small blues way to catch her attention. Peering at her dragonic companion over her should she noticed that his attention was now turned toward the Weyr Bowl. There's a bronze dragon in the Weyr Bowl. And his rider, of course. Newcomers. Ebbeth said, curiosity obvious in his voice.

Akki opened her mouth, about to say something along the lines of 'We should go greet them' but before a word could come out, a large bugle cut her off. Kaith's bugle. "Christae's back!" Akki said, nearly yelling as her excitement over the new rider was almost forgotten. Tripping over her feet as she stood quickly, she clambered onto Ebbeth's back and had a few seconds to get comfortable before he pushed himself off the ground. Ebbeth angled himself, heading toward the commotion in a slow descent. "Hai! Ebbeth, that bronze is better looking than you." Akki jested good naturedly as the blue disagreed and stated that ' Clearly you are mistaken, the sun is just making him appear so. It's a trick.'.

Ebbeth landed, taking a moment to make sure he didn't accidentally squish anyone who was rushing out to greet their Weyrwoman as Akki scoured the area, throwing a quick smile toward Hasima and her yellow, Rimith. Akki slid off of Ebbeth's back, yelling out Christae's name as she squeezed between two people. A speech that rose up from the crowd reached her ears, about how their weyr was just as good as any other and she threw her voice into the growing cheers of the people of Dark Moon. She finally reached Hasima, and threw her arms around the girl, yelling "Christae is back! Kaith is back! Chiron is back! And we have newcomers!". Her blond hair mixed with the girls dark hair as she spun them around. It had been so long since she had seen Christae so happy, so at ease and the rider welcomed that sight more than anything else. She hated to see her long time friend in such a state of worry, or panic.

Peering over Hasima's head, and making sure she didn't step on Rimith, she eyed the bronze rider and his dragon and decided that they were good people, especially since the man had just helped Chiron off of Kaith. "We'll meet him at the feast tonight." Akki said, nodding to herself as she watched Ebbeth give a silent bugle, a celebratory bugle.

[Spirithawk]

OOC: Akki, Christae didn't make a speech. That was a bystander.))

Christae smiled out at her loyal weyrfolk, grateful for their continued support. She froze slightly when she met the icy blue eyes of the bronzerider, momentarily taken aback by the keen appraisal and the hint of interest in his eyes. Was she just kidding herself? Did she honestly think that just because high and mighty Sh'iron did not want her anymore that she was completely undesirable?

I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. Sh'iron was slime and you will see. Time will tell. The dragon was enigmatic. Chiron cooed and bounced on the dragon's back, bringing his mother's thoughts back to the present. "Down you get little lordling of the Weyr." She said with affectionate amusement. She leaned down with the two Turn old toddler in her arms and handed him down to the bronzerider. "Careful bronzerider, he squirms."

Kaith turned to the bronze. Why don't we talk a bit more about my radiance? She flirted outrageously with the bronze. Your name would be nice my fine bronze. She fairly crooned. Her rider's face blazed with color as she heard her dragon's provocative comments to the new bronze.

~Kaith!~

What?

~Give the poor dragon a chance to get into the Weyr good before you turn your charms on him.~

He hasn't met Reinath yet and I am determined to see that he doesn't care when he does meet her.

~As if he could ignore your magnificence. Kaith preened at her rider's praise and the attention of all of the Weyrfolk. Christae waited until the bronzerider stepped back so that she could leap down from her dragon's back. She slid her dragon's straps off, certain that the Queen would rather be free of all encumberances to sport around with the other dragons. The giant Queen launched herself into the air, twisting and turning in happy aerial acrobatics.

Christae turned to the rider who held her son. "I thank you for your aid Bronzerider. I am Weyrwoman Christae, rider of Kaith and mother of Chiron. I apologize that you find our weyr in such a state of dissarray but I extend you a heartfelt welcome. Thank you for replying to our summons for riders willing to transfer. I also regret to inform you that we no longer have a Weyrleader here. I serve as both Weyrwoman and Weyrleader at the moment. Our previous Weyrleader resigned from his post and Kaith has yet to rise."

She smiled warmly. "Listen to me, rambling on about things that can wait until your things have been settled in your weyr and you've had a cooling fruit drink. There will be a feast soon and as my dragon said, we would be honored if you joined us at the High Table. We can talk more about the events taking place in DM then. For now, you may choose any of the larger weyrs that are not intended for the weyrwomen. We have a weyrling Queen that will be needing one of the spare ww weyrs and I am certain we have a weyr big enough to suit your fine bronze. Just choose which one you want and then tell the drudges. They will bring your belongings up and clean the place while we are trading news."

[kestrel]

Ooc: Hey there-sorreh it took me 'till today to post-life's been keeping me really busy! X( Hey Pirate-you give me a good oppertunity for Tikal's introduction! lol* I think I'll put him into this post, too!

J'red, having dealt with his own younger sister back at home in his Hold, was quite used to dealing with younger children. His sister was actually eight years younger than him-at least his younger one-and he'd had to watch her since he was eight turns old. In truth, he was a tad nervous with other's children-only lest he doubt himself and fear he might do something wrong and bring down the wrath of the parents of the child upon himself-and had had minimal dealings with male children, in particular. However, he had to smile at the beaming face of Chiron, as Christae handed the child to him. Indeed, the child did squirm, but seemed to be quite joyful and therefore J'red merely smiled and held the young boy while he waited for the Weyrwoman to dismount herself.

When she had, he was pleased to find that she was taller than he'd first thought. Dismissing that fact-for why should that matter? He was not prone to thinking about these things, let alone caring which woman came to which height. As she began speaking, his attention was taken off of the child he held and diverted to her. She had a strong, clear voice, as if she were used to addressing people with both confidence and poise. He hoped he was not looking as if he were observing her too intently. He did not want to give the impression of being improper, regardless of the innocence of his analyzations, she might take offense, and this was not a good way to start off with the Weyrwoman of his new Weyr. Regardless of what he might've been thinking along the lines of, however, Hikanth was not. He could feel the Bronze pracically glowing with the Gold's compliment-and how did he know?

*She called me 'fine bronze'!* Hikanth practically startled J'red out of his wits with his rather loud announcement-privatly to him, of course! *I told you, J'red-I am a fine bronze, and Kaith agrees.* He sounded smug, though J'red knew it was half a guise-Hikanth liked to pretend he thought much of himself, and while he had a lot of pride he was not a conceited dragon, to say the least. So J'red just sighed and focused his attentions back on Christae, who was speaking to him now.

Hikanth turned his attention back to Kaith-something J'red could see he obviously had no trouble doing!-and sent back,
*I am Hikanth, my Queen-but my name is not so important, is it? Not as important, surely, as yourself?* Hikanth ignored J'red's mental sigh, and went on, *there is too much to say about your radiance and loveliness, my Queen, to be discussed here. Perhaps in a few turns I will have been able to tell you all there is to say of it?* He would have gone on, but for the Gold's obvious excitement and livliness with the situation going on.

J'red, ever the good judge of character, found Christae to be an energetic and enigmatic woman. He found himself wondering exactly what sort of Weyrwoman she was-it seemed that she was well loved by the people of her Weyr, however. To J'red, this said much in her favor indeed! If she was so loved by the people around her, she must be a good Weyrwoman and a good person both. He was a little startled when her Gold suddenly took to the air and began performing aerial acrobatics-she certainly could move swiftly and gracefully for so large a creature!

*Indeed she can! I am most impressed!* The voice startled him, as he'd gotten lost in thought again, and he glanced over at his Bronze and sent back,

~Yes, I can tell you're impressed, Hikanth. But remember this is not just any Gold you are dealing with-I don't doubt you're already enamoured with her, but she is the Weyrwoman's dragon, and therefore deserves respect.~

Hikanth snorted indignantly, and sent back,
*She has my respect-all of it. As well my admiration, however. She is a fine Queen and I like her attitude as well as the look of her. I think she is more than worthy of my attentions.*

J'red ingnored Hikanth for the time being, focusing on replying to Christae. He was rather overwhelmed, in truth, by all of this. He had not expected such a situation to arise like this, so he decided he'd better take things one step at a time, lest he get lost in the going ons. Throughout this all, he had still been holding the rather energetic Chiron, gently bouncing the happy child up and down while he listened to the words of the Weyrwoman, his mother.

"It is my pleasure to aid you in whichever way I can, Weyrwoman," he began in reply, and then, "your son is a healthy, strong boy-I can well imagine he will make a find Dragonrider when he grows older!" He smiled at the young boy, and then continued, "you owe no apology, and I am sure that your Weyr is run just as well by you as it would have been with your Weyrleader. Your people seem to love you and that in itself is enough to convince me that you are a great Weyrwoman, my lady." He looked toward the Weyr, then, at her mention of selecting a Weyr for himself and Hikanth. "I am honored to be a participant in your celebratory feast, as is my Hikanth. As for the choosing of a Weyr, I am certain I won't have too much trouble finding a suitable one here-it looks like a large, fine Weyr to me. I just hope I don't impose upon anyone during my stay here," he added, with a smirk that said he spoke partly in jest.

J'red was easy enough to get along with, and usually gave no trouble to anyone who did not ask for it. He preferred not to argue with anyone, and he had not had any problems with anyone in his other Weyr. He paused a moment, pondering what she'd said-no Weyrleader? It was not a wonder that she would have had her hands full! Running a Weyr was no small task and yet he could see that she looked the part of a strong individual who could handle it well enough on her own. However, it was always easier when there was a Weyrwoman and a Weyrleader. Everyone knew this to be so. He then realised he still held her son, and she had not yet asked for him, so decided perhaps he should offer the toddler back to her.

"Your son, m'lady?" He offered Chiron to her, after a friendly ruffle of the boy's hair. He was surprised to find himself quite at ease with the child, but the boy was quite 'cute' and J'red had to smile at the enthusiastic mannerism he had.

[pirate]

Layden had been heading off to the Lower Caverns to hopefully grab a bite to eat between meals. He was a growing boy afterall and he seemed to be eating more and more everyday. However his attention was drawn away from the tantalizing scent coming from the lower caverns by the large gold dragon bursting from between and into the air above the weyr bowl trumpeting excitedly.

The boy glanced up holding a hand up to block the sun from his eyes, he could tell now that it was the Weyrwoman with someone very small sat before her. Some one very very small he realized as the great queen was getting closer to the ground. He had no idea who this person, or toddler he now figured, was but his attention was once again diverted to the grand bronze that was also in the Weyr Bowl.

Strange that the bronze obsessed boy had not noticed the bronze dragon and rider first but now that he had he couldn’t take his eyes away from the bronze behemoth. The bronze was the biggest he’d seen, even bigger than his father’s bronze Oldsereth.

Layden somehow found himself near a few people he had actually met at the Weyr so far, Hasima and Akki. He cast a quick side ways glance to Akki as he asked, “Who is he?” and he pointed to where the bronze rider was holding the toddler. Akki seemed to be the one to ask, for she seemed to have /some/ idea of what was happening. Layden, being a recent newcomer to the Weyr, was completely lost in this new development.

((figured I should throw Layden in since I haven't RPed in awhile ^#^))

[kestrel]

Meanwhile, there was another new face in the ever-growing crowd of people gathering in the Weyr bowl. A boy of seventeen turns was picking his way carefully through the throng of people, trying to get in closer for a better look. Suddenly, and quite without warning, he saw the large, Golden dragon shoot up into the air and begin to do maneuvers in the air. He had to smile at its antics-seemed to be excited about something, though he wasn't quite sure yet. The words from the woman he'd identified as being the Weyrwoman only stated that she'd won some sort of 'victory'-he had no idea of what she was talking about, though she was the one he'd come here to speak to. Perhaps now was not the best time, however. At least he'd finally gotten here, regardless of all the odd happenings that were apparently going on.

He finally got close enough that he was one of the people close enough to hear what was being said-over the noise of the voices around him, however, he only managed to gather that the young man with the Bronze dragon was a newcomer, and that there was to be a feast-to welcome him, or to celebrate whatever was going on, he wondered? He narrowed his eyes-which were sapphire blue on the outside and icy-blue around the pupils-and tried to get even closer. He might as well try to hear what was going on, even if he didn't get a chance to speak to the Weyrwoman right away-maybe he could approach her during the duration of the feast. He made his way forwards, but just as he was reaching the front ranks, someone bumped into him roughly and he tripped, in turn bumping rather abruptly into someone in front of him. With a 'oomph!' he collided with the other person, nearly falling himself but managing to steady himself at the last minute, though barely! He quickly shot out a hand to prevent whomever he had crashed into from falling, his reaction quicker than his mind formulated it. Luckily, he grabbed the person's arm-another boy-and managed to prevent them falling, or tripping, or whatever his 'crashing into him' might've done.

"I apologize-I didn't mean to bump into you-someone just about knocked me over, and I almost did the same to you, in turn..." he explained. His voice was pleasant to hear, a voice that might've been good for singing or storytelling-but with a hint of lightness to it that could've indicated a mischievious sort of charachter. He straightened his white headband, and dusted himself off, looking irrately behind him to see if he could spot the person who'd been the offender. However, he or she was indistinguishable-there were just too many people here right now.

The boy he'd bumped into he'd just heard ask another person-a young woman-who someone was. Hopefully they wouldn't 'chew his head off' for him nearly knocking the boy over. That wouldn't be a good way to get any favoritism from anyone here, knocking people about like this. However, it had been an accident and though he couldn't really find the person who'd caused this to begin with, it was no harm done.

He brushed a strand of long, crimson hair aside, and took a better look at who was standing in front of hm. The girl looked like she could have been a Dragonrider here-the boy? He wasn't sure, but the way he carried himself said otherwise.
'Probably a Candidate, too,' he mused, and someone I'll perhaps be standing with, therefore! He offered a hand, hoping to smooth things over, and said,
"I'm Tikal, by the way. I've just arrived here-I was looking for the Weyrwoman, and obviously I've found her. Though I seem to have found you, too!" He gave the boy a wry smile, and the girl he'd thought might've been a Rider a polite nod. They looked like decent enough people, and he was sure that it would be a 'no harm done' type of occurance. It was an odd way to meet the first person he'd met here in such a manner, however!

[Akki]

Akki was busy grabbing Hasima's hand, lifting it over the girls head and spinning her happily as Rimith crooned with excitement, too busy to notice Layden's appearance right away apparently. However, when she heard someone speaking to her, she turned with her eyes wide as her hand fluttered to her heart. "You can't do that to an old woman Layden! Sneaking up on them, I mean." Akki said, pretending to scold him as she waggled her finger in front of his nose. Apparently anything above twenty turns was considered to make a person old and brittle in the blue riders supposed opinion.

She threw an arm around Layden's shoulders, apparently forgetting any negative events that had occurred last time they met. "Ah! Right, you're new-ish here. You see, it goes like this." Akki took a deep breath and prattled on. "Our old Weyrleader snatched away Christae's baby, accusing her of being an unfit mother which is a shardin' lie. After some planning, and some unhelpful ideas that were mostly thrown in by me and J'kel, blah blah blah happened." She said, waving her hand in the air as she skipped some details. "Point is, Christae is back with Kaith after confronting our now-hated Weyrleader and has brought back her child with her. He's the short, little one near her if you couldn't tell. Anyways, to answer your question..." She paused for a moment, taking another deep breath. "The bronze rider is some new guy that had just came here and I have no idea who he is at the moment. But I'll find out at the feast, that I can promise you. I have a knack for rudely barging into places or conversation if I'm curious enough. Which, as of right now, I am.".

Of course she could have said 'I don't know who he is.' and could have skipped that lengthy speech, but with all honesty, just where was the fun in that? Akki was just about to turn her attention back to the strange rider when she felt someone bump, or maybe collide was a better word to describe it, into Layden. Tightening her arm around the boys shoulders, maybe in hopes of steadying him even though it was obvious her arm would do nothing, she peered around him to see what, or who, had just run into Layden. "Watch yourself." Akki said with a nod and a wink to the new boy, "This is how people lose eyes and toes. And fingers also, if you're not careful enough. And we don't want any body parts laying around on the ground today. They're a nightmare to clean up.".

Now, she didn't exactly know whether Tikal was introducing himself to Layden or both of them, but she never passed an opportunity to not talk to someone. "I'm Akki, of blue Ebbeth. And this," She signaled to where Hasima stood, "Is Hasima and Yellow Rimith.". She snapped her fingers as she realized something. "Right, Layden! You never met Ebbeth have you? He's the big old mute blue blob of dragon over there." She said with a grin as Ebbeth gave an indignant huff to her introduction of him.

[pirate]

Layden rolled his eyes as Akki shook her finger at him right in his face. She didn’t look all that much older than him, as far as he could tell she didn’t look but a couple turns older than he was. “You’re not that old Akki,” he said in a bored sort of way he really wanted her to answer his question but he knew from talking with her previously in the Candidate’s Barracks that she wouldn’t answer without a long winded explanation that had nothing to do with what he had asked. He wanted the answer right away.
The muscles in his shoulder tightened as Akki put her arm around his shoulders he didn’t really like to be touched. Although he was impatient for his question to be answered he was quite curious as to what had happened before his arrival at the Weyr. Layden glared up at Akki when she suggested that he didn’t know which one was the child. “I can see that.” He replied annoyed. The boy rolled his eyes again at Akki, why’d he ask her in the first place? Oh right he was one of the few people he’d met in the Weyr… there was Hasima there but she didn’t talk. Better too much talking than none at all, he did learn interesting bits of information from Akki though, if he didn’t tune her rambling out. He heard Akki say she’d find out who the bronze rider was and Layden nodded, “Thanks.”
Just then he was hit from behind and he stumbled forward a bit. He felt Akki tighten her grip around his shoulders and then a hand grab him by the wrist. It might’ve been an accident but Layden turned to look at the offender with a fierce look upon his face. “You should be more careful,” Layden said crossly even as he was pushed by someone else. He didn’t seem to realize that with so many people crammed around trying to see what was happening that it was nearly impossible not to get pushed or shoved. Layden cocked his head to the side as Tikal introduced himself as if he was trying to hear better, there were a lot of people talking around them. He waited as Akki introduced herself and the silent Hasima, he cast a glance over to the girl, when would she speak up? Layden turned his attention back to Tikal, “I’m Layden,” he said pompously.
((Sorry it took me so long to respond, and sorry for how bad it is... I had to finish packing up my stuff, I typed this on the car ride and now am sitting in the hotel lobby fighting to get internet connection. I won’t be around much these next few days. But I'll check in as often as I can so I won't hold up anything.))

[Spirithawk]

OOC: ((Not to harp or anything but I noticed a few of you using years instead of Turns. Try to remember that we are in Pern and we try to follow the terminology. I'm not fussing, just reminding ))

Kaith crooned, raising her gleaming head high and proud at the bronze's compliments. Perhaps later after all of the excitement has died down you can join me on our fireheights and we can discuss this more. Come Hikanth, join me for a bit of fun! I would love to see your flight skills. There was a hint of suggestion in the Queen's mental voice. "I do believe our dragons have completely forgotten decorum at the moment." Christae murmered. She glanced around, noticing that everyone was making a lot of noise, talking and laughing. It was something she hadn't seen in her weyr for almost a Turn now.

"I think our Headwoman will like to tan my hide for disrupting the serenity of the Weyr." There was a hint of sarcastic amusement in her dancing brown eyes and the tone of her voice was bland, completely at odds with her facial expression. A few of the other dragons had joined Kaith in her aerial acrobatics, staying well away from the giant Queen and each other so that they did not clip each other. Their happy bugles and croons added to the cachopony of sounds. The Weyr's firelizards joined in on the fun.

Christae couldn't help but notice how easily the bronzerider handled her rambunctious son. Sh'iron had been awkward with his son at best even though he did try. That was one of the few things he tried in after he lost interest in DM. Then, almost as if he was reading her thoughts, he began speaking about her son. Christae beamed at the praise dealt to her child. He and her dragon were her pride and joy. The Weyr and her dragon came first only because they were her responsibilities and her dragon was her soulmate but her son was very important to her.

"He should, with two WLs for his parents. Though we all know that that doesn't always tell." She blushed when he complimented her on the fact that her people loved her and that he was sure she ran her weyr well. "One does what one must to survive." She said softly. There was a flash of pain and anger in her eyes, anger at her former love for leaving her to deal with a troubled weyr all on her own with Threadfall immenent.

In the air, Kaith growled, sensing the anger from her rider. For once, the giant Queen wished she was able to chew firestone and flame so that she could char the bronzerider who broke her rider's heart and stole her child. She sent soothing thoughts to her rider, not wanting bad memories to mar the happiness of this day. Do not let him ruin your day my love.

~I won't.~

Christae took a deep breath and the merriment returned to her brown eyes. Her mood was helped by the compliments the new bronzerider payed to her weyr. She laughed, catching his attepmt at humor. "Impose? My dear bronzerider, that is nonsence. You are a welcome addition to our weyr, you and your magnificent bronze."

Christae looked startled when he offered her the toddler back. "My apologies bronzerider, I had quite forgotten that you were holding him. You were so at ease with him." She took the child into her arms and bounced him on her hip for a while. "You have a way with children. I don't believe I caught your name." She smiled warmly at the newest addition to her weyr. Chiron tried to grab a handfull of his mother's short hair.

"No no sweetie, no grabbing Mommy's hair." Chiron giggled. "Big." He said, pointing up to the dragons. "Big big." Christae laughed, a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Aren't we the grown little man. Mommy missed you. Look at you, I don't see you in a few sevendays and already you are talking like a big boy!" There was a loving croon in the WW's voice.

Chiron tilted his head, and then gave a gap-toothed smile at his mother. "Down." Christae laughed and set the toddler on his feet. He quickly made a beeline for some of his favorite people in the weyr, patiently dealing with the kisses and pats on the head of those he passed. The weyr was enamored with the little toddler. It was easy to see that he was a prince in the weyr.

"Ak-ki." The child said, trundling up to the bluerider. "Up. Up. Up Ak-ki." He said the name in two broken syllables but it was the bluerider's name. He held his chubby little arms up as he made his imperious little demand. Christae couldn't help but laugh. She knew he would be fine with her people.

"Well, they will keep him occupied for a while." She tossed her short hair back. She kept her hair trimmed just above her shoulders and it was almost time for another haircut. She didn't have time to deal with the long brown locks she used to maintain. "Do you have any questions for me?"

[Akki]

"No, I suppose I'm not /that/ old. However, I'm still older than you. Respect your elders." She said as she admonished, with a wink towards Hasima who smiled and giggled for a second. She removed her arm from around his shoulders and frowned slightly, "I was just making sure that you knew that. I mean, it could be easy to mistake the little boy as a short WeyrWoman. You never know.". "I thought he was a short WeyrWoman." Hasima said in a quiet voice and with a grin, glad to be part of (Well, near) the conversation that was taking place. "See? Look at that Layden, it's an easy mistake to make." The blue rider said with a wicked smile.

"Stay near me Layden at the feast, and I'll push you at the bronzerider where you can introduce yourself. Deal?" She said, sticking out a hand for him to shake. She watched as Layden shot what looked like a death glare at the boy who crashed into him coupled with a 'You should be more careful.' and butted in with a, "Hey, hey hey. Layden, that's no way to treat people. You'll give this Weyr a bad name and we'll have no choice but to string you up by your toes until you learn your lesson.". She glanced over at Hasima and rolled her eyes with a crooked grin, she had a feeling Layden was going to be one of those stubborn and moody types. It seemed to take her awhile to get this, sadly.

A grin broke across the riders face as Chiron waddled up to her. She knelt down, scooped up the tiny boy and lifted him, letting his legs swing in the air as she securely held him. Fixing him so he fit comfortably into her arms she said happily, "Ha, you remember me! And here I thought I would be another face in the crowd.". She lifted one hand and tweaked the toddlers nose and said with a fake sigh, "One of these days you'll have to say my name with only one syllable. I never noticed it before but the 'Ak' in my name sounds like someone is either choking or coughing something up.". She shook her head at that realization and rolled her eyes, "I'll have to thank certain parents for that.".

[kestrel]

Hikanth seemed more than pleased to obey the Golden Queen's wishes, and, taking a few steps away from where Christae and J'red were, spread his wings. In one powerful downstroke of draconian wings, he was off the ground and into the air-his tail was the last thing to leave the earth below. Several more pumps of his wings put the Bronze dragon up in the skies with Kaith, and he was quite adamant on showing her his 'flight abilities'. He by no means missed the undercurrents of her implications-and knew that there were always usually contestants for the Queen in her flights. With a Queen this large and spry, even if there were no contestants save himself, he would have to do well to impress her and keep up with her. Once up to the height where she was in the air, he did a full loop, executed in a perfect circle, and then flew completely upside down for a few seconds, before switching to sidewards, then dove straight down until he was just above the tallest person, and with a powerful downstroke shot stright back up to join her once more. It was obvious he was rising to meet her proverbial challenge, showing her that even though he was large he still had the maneuverability of a smaller, faster dragon. Once he was there, he replied with eyes swirling light blues and greens at a medium pace,
*You honor me, my Queen. I should very much like to join you on your fireheights whenver you so choose.* His bronze hide shone with good health and care in the Pernese sun overhead, catching the rays and reflecting them from his well muscled frame down onto the onlookers below.

It was J'red's turn to have his color reddened. It was true-Hikanth seemed to be completely enamoured with Kaith and to have forgotten where he was, only concentrating on her and her alone. Of course part of the bronze's mind was always with his rider. However, J'red had never known his lifepartner to be so enraptured by another dragon-Gold or no. Part of him was actually worried. Like most young men his age, he'd been with a woman before. However, that was a mere dalliance of a younger age...sure he'd thought he'd loved the girl, but he knew better now. This was something that he didn't know quite how to feel about. He could tell that when Kaith did rise, Hikanth would not be persuaded to not give chase. In fact, he knew the bronze would give it his all-and for Hikanth giving it his all meant that-given the Queen's feelings on it-he would succeed. He reddened further, trying to wipe thoughts of this from his mind.

He'd only just met the Weyrwoman Christae. He hardly knew her and unlike his enamoured dragon though he had a natural interest in her based upon her personality-and the fact that he did, in fact, find her an attractive young woman-he did not know her nearly as well as she should like. What if Kaith suddenly rose and...shards! Hopefully before that happened he would get to know her better, and there were likely to be contesters for the Golden Queen. Perchance nothing would even come of it. Why was he even thinking of such things at all? He composed himself, reminding himself that just because Hikanth was interested-and, if he was honest with himself, she had his curiosity piqued-that it didn't mean that the Weyrwoman would return such interest. He did not believe in interest based on superficial means, either. There was, however, something about her composure and the lively light in her eyes he was drawn to. No matter. He would keep such things to himself and show her respect and not follow the 'lack of decorum' Hikanth was showing. There wasn't even any point in him scolding his bonded. From what the Weyrwoman Christae was saying, it went both ways. His lips twitched in a small smirk at this, and he managed to reply in an undertone,
"yes, seems that way, doesn't it? They are young, healthy dragons, however-and I hope you do not take offense by it, m'lady. Hikanth...he does not usually behave so. It takes a great Queen indeed to catch his attentions. Please, take it as a compliment and not an insult to your Queen that he is forgetting himself." He gave a slight bow, and then grew quiet momentarily as she spoke once more.

J'red was a very intuitive and empathic person. He could see both the anger and pain that flashed in her eyes-even if it was only momentarily, it had been there. He was certain of it. However, this only made him want all the more to know about what exactly had gone on in this Weyr-and what had happened to her. Two Weyrleaders? He wasn't quite sure what she meant by that, either. Whose son was Chiron's? He had a feeling he would find out more at the feast-it was what she had said, after all. He decided now was not the time to ask exactly what she meant by that, and so instead of replying to her comment on that, he just gave her a sympathetic smile, and replied gently,
"yes, one does. By the looks of it, you have overcome the odds-you have survived whatever situation it was. You and Chiron. The only thing to do now is to move forwards. There is much in life that is good, and therefore it is not worth dwelling on the past. You have your son, your Weyr, and your dragon. That is more than many people can say." His smile broadened then, as she reassured that he would be no burden, and there was a small glint of amusement in his eyes as he said, "I thank you for your feelings on myself and Hikanth-though I would not let him overhear you calling him 'magnificent'. It may go right to his head-along with whatever your Queen has already been saying to him."

Quite obviously J'red was speaking in good humor, and went on,
"my apologies, Weyrwoman-I forgot myself and didn't give it. I am J'red of Bronze Hikanth." He had to smile at her comment about him being 'good with children'. That was only half true. He was good with some children, not all. It depended on the child. And so, "well, I had a younger sister growing up. I was often the one to watch over her while our parents worked at their crafts. I supposed I am used to them-this doesn't necessarily mean I am the best suited person to deal with them," and here he added more quickly, "not because I don't like them, or know how to deal with them-but because they are people, too, and therefore they may not all like me as I like them." He grinned, adding, "though I like your son well enough thus far, and if he likes me as well I should consider myself so lucky." He watched as the toddler headed towards the crowd, only to be picked up by what looked to be another Dragonrider. With that he looked back to Christae, his brows furrowing as he went over any questions he might have for her that could be best answered where they were. Perhaps it was rude of him to be taking up all her time when there were people that knew her better yet than he did? So, he voiced this concern.
"I do have questions, Weyrwoman. But I don't wish to encompass all your attention when there are others here who are rejoicing at your return and likely have things they themselves would like to say to you? Perhaps they wish to give you greetings and have words of their own with you? I would not wish to get in the way of that..."

J'red was not a selfish person, and though he was quite pleased that he was receiving the honor of the Weyrwoman's attention, he could hear the people from the crowd welcoming her home-her and her son, it would seem. If they wanted a word with her, he would not stand in the way. However, he would need to be shown where the empty Weyrs were. He wasn't too sure of who would show him that, and therefore, "however, if you would be so kind as to find someone available to direct me to the empty Weyrs of which you spoke?" He wasn't even sure if that was something she would not have done herself. But the circumstances of her return suggested that perhaps she would be too busy at this time to do so, so might've sent someone else to do so-perhaps another rider, or a drudge, even?

~~~~~~~~~~

Tikal was a little taken aback by the look in Layden's eyes when the other boy turned to face him. He was ill-used to people responding in the manner the boy did. 'He should have been more careful'

---

Admin's Note:[/hr] Not to mention the boy gave his name as if he were someone whom Tikal should have already known and been in awe of or something. However, though Tikal wasn't quite used to dealing with characters such as Layden, it didn't mean he couldn't. He grinned widely at Akki-Bluerider, hrm?-and then turned to Hasima, blinking once in surprise as he heard the words 'yellow' rider, and his eyes widening as he turned to face her. It wasn't only the fact that the Bluerider who'd just introduced herself as 'Akki' had said that this girl rode a 'yellow'. Had she meant Gold? It was the appearance of the girl she'd just introduced as 'Hasima'.

Tikal had seen a lot of people in his lifetime. However, Hasima was in a class all her own. The girl was so skinny that she looked quite unhealthy, and her hands looked too big for a girl's hands. Tikal was far from a judgemental person, but it struck him that this girl looked as if she could not possibly ride a dragon! She looked ill, and gangly and even frail! Her pallor was paler than any he'd ever seen, and her black hair didn't help that any. He was a quick one, however, and nodded politely to the girl, hoping she hadn't caught his look of surprise-and hoping she would think that it had merely been because of the fact that Akki had said she rode 'yellow'. He would deal with one person at a time, however, and so.

Tikal returned his attention to Layden, and replied cooly and with a slight smirk,
"Layden, hmm? Should I have heard of you?" He paused, putting a hand to his chin as if thinking, and replied, "sorry, but I have not. As for watching where I am going, I didn't see you there-I saw the lovely Bluerider and the other Rider, but I wasn't really paying attention to you. My apologies, compared to them you can't blame me for not noticing you, can you?"

Tikal had made it so that if the boy tried to say anything, he'd come off as insulting to the two Riders who clearly outranked him, or as more of a pomptuous person than he'd already come across as. Tikal had no liking for conceited nor pomptous individuals, and therefore if they wanted to behave as such-unless they far outranked him, which this boy quite obviously did not-he would not put up with their attitude 'problems', as he so saw it. He could understand how Layden could be a tad put off by his almost knocking him over. However, he'd explained what had happened and apologised, and didn't see any further need for more apologies, or for the boy's attitude. So, instead of saying anything further, he turned his attention to Akki and Hasima. He nodded appreciatively to the Bluerider for her comments to Layden about his mannerisms. It was good to see that at least the Riders seemed to be nice enough.

Flashing Hasima a smile, he asked,
"did I hear correctly, and your Bluerider friend said 'yellow'

---

Admin's Note:[/hr] I haven't ever heard of a yellow dragon before. Might I be so fortunate to see 'her' later?" He put a little bit of questioning into the 'her'. He wasn't sure if a yellow dragon was a male or female. Unlike many, Tikal wasn't fazed by hearing someone had a dragon color that he'd never heard of before. He was very openminded and therefore such a thing, in his books, could be possible. To Akki, he queried, "I see the Weyrwoman is quite busy. Do you know who I can speak to about having come here as a Candidate? I was searched and sent here because I was told your Weyr has need of Candidates." He grinned, and then added, "hopefully I'll get lucky enough to impress. If not, there's always next hatching, hmm? Maybe I'll even get a firelizard or something while waiting for it to happen." He shrugged noncholauntly, as if to say he didn't care either way, and brushed a long strand of crimson hair back out of his blue eyes. [/font][/size]

[Akki]

Akki was busying herself cooing at the little boy that was nestled in her arms, and Hasima was busy crossing her eyes at both Akki and Chiron. So, they both missed the wide eyed look that Tikal gave Hasima. Which was probably good for Tikal because otherwise the blue rider would make a comment and Hasima probably would have turned a vicious scarlet color. In fact, they were both so busy trying to keep the toddler laughing and listening to Akki comment about how much he had grown that they also missed the analytical look that Hasima recieved. However, she did lift her head in time to see the nod and flashed an small smile at him in return.

Akki raised her head when Tikal began to talk to Layden and couldn't help but grin slightly as he more or less told the boy off in his own way. A strangled giggle popped out of Hasima's mouth, she didn't mean for it to happen but it was one of those giggles. The kind of giggle you got when you saw something either funny or embarassing that you just couldn't supress the giggle and no matter how hard you tried to, it always ended up coming out anyways. How could someone not laugh at the way Tikal responded to Layden about his cold look. Akki caught Tikal's eye and rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out slightly at him with a grin.

Hasima nodded slightly as Tikal asked her about Rimith and the dragons odd colouring. "Yes, yellow." She said softly with a smile. And when she was asked if he would be able to meet the dragon later she looked down beside her. Rimith had come with her at the beginning but now the yellow had wandered closer to the dragons so she could watch and bugle at them with admiration and glee. Hasima looked around her for a second, seeing if she catch a glimpse of the familiar pale yellow. Not seeing any, she turned her attention back to the newcomer and nodded her reply, that yes, later on he would be able to see her if he wanted.

"Oh, yeah. I suppose she is busy. Only slightly though. I mean, she only has the entire weyr in front of her dancing in happiness." Akki said with a laugh. She placed a finger on her temple, and tapped it as she thought. "Well, you could ask Rhia." She pondered out loud before snapping her fingers. "Or you could talk to me. I'm petty good at sending messages to people." She said with a grin. She pulled a face as the boy mentioned fire lizards and warned him, "If you see a green flitt come this way. Run as fast as you can. His name is Sargon, and he'll never stop bothering you.".

[pirate]

(( Way late I'm sorry *hides* Oh and sorry about using years too *hides again* Brain is failing while at college not a good thing o.o"))

Layden frowned again when Akki mentioned that he could’ve mistaken the toddler for a short Weyrwoman. Now who would do that? When Hasima amazingly piped up to joke around Layden shot her a surprised look. Once again she had amazed the boy who thought that she couldn’t speak. He shrugged as Akki remarked upon Hasima’s comment. No use in arguing more with her she’d just keep talking.

“Really you would do that Akki?” He asked of Akki sounded more excited than he meant to. He’d met and spoken to several bronze riders at his weyr so there shouldn’t be anything to be that eager about. None the less this would be the first bronze rider he’d meet at this weyr and he wasn’t sure what he’d say to the man when and if Akki did push him over to the rider. He grabbed Akki’s hand and shook it saying “Deal!”

“They wouldn’t really do that,” Layden replied to Akki not believing her threat of being hung up by his toes. “The Weyrwoman wouldn’t allow it.” He hoped. The lad narrowed his eyes at Tikal as he began to speak. Slowly it occurred to him that Tikal had trapped him. He opened his mouth hoping a smart reply would make it to his mouth but he wasn’t quick enough for this new boy. He frowned and crossed his arms across his chest mumbling something incoherent.

((annnnd sorry it's so short ))

[kestrel]

Ooc: no worries, pirate! Least it's here now! XD Likes your char-funneh. XD As for short posts? I've been so busy lately I haven't been doing my daily posting. *sniffles*

Tikal had only meant to make it clear to Layden that he didn't put up with people behaving that way. So tempted as he was to grin at Hasima when the girl giggled at what he'd said-though that wasn't the reaction he'd expected to elicit from anyone here-he simply discreetly glanced over and gave her a quirky look, and then replied with a polite nod,
"I would love to meet her, and get better acquainted yourself, Hasima." Tikal, though not overly a flirt, was still a bit of one-especially with new girls whom he was still trying to figure out what they'd be to him-friend or other potential. The girls had always liked him back in his hold, and he'd made sure never to make them uncomfortable, overstep his boundaries, or be obnoxious. Instead the boy came off as charming and witty, and that's the way he preferred it. Better to have a girl like you as a friend or have a crush on you than to have her think you were a pervert! Which, mind you, he was not. He just liked girls better than most boys, and some girls better than most! Hasima intrigued him. She was not really that pretty, too skinny for his tastes, and she seemed rather plain. However, he would have liked to get to know her better for all that she seemed quite different-and this Akki seemed quite fun, though she was a Rider. He liked Dragonrider girls, though. There was something attractive about a strong-willed woman with brains and looks! Hasima was a Weyrling, though he could honestly muse over how she'd managed to impress. He wasn't quite sure what dragon chose a girl who seemed almost afraid of her own shadow, by what he gathered. He liked mysteries, however, and she was, to him, a bit of a mystery!

Turning his attentions to Akki, he replied,
"well, whatever is most convenient for the people of the Weyr, I'll go with. I don't want to bother anyone seeing as how everyone seems to be celebrating the return of your Weyrwoman. I'm a Candidate, however, and I wouldn't mind being directed to where I'll be staying." He then finally looked over at Layden, and asked, "are you a Candidate too, then? If you're headed back to the rooms anytime soon, perhaps you wouldn't mind showing me where the boy's section is located? I assume we don't room in the same section as the girls," he added, with a rather saucy grin at Hasima, who seemed to be his new interest, for reasons that would be unknown to anyone else, likely.

He didn't want to make enemies here, and if Layden was a Candidate chances were that they'd be standing together. He had the air of someone who might very well be, since he obviously wasn't a Weyrling. The way he was excited about meeting a Bronzerider hinted at that even moreso. The boy was at least in a good mood about some things, and Tikal happened to be somewhat in awe of the Riders too. He didn't care if he impressed or not, though he thought it might be something he'd like. He could have gone either way. He had had a decent life back at the Hold. Impressing was priviledge he'd be more than happy to have, but it wasn't the end of the world to him if he didn't. Obviously to this boy, it might have been, however...he knew how some felt about impressing, and what they felt like if they failed to. He had a feeling that this boy wouldn't be left standing, however. His enthusiasm must have been noticable, and he was sure a dragon would choose him before it chose himself, anyhow. He smirked quietly to himself, and crossed his arms, waiting for Layden's reply.

[Akki]

Akki frowned, "Of course I would do that Layden. Would I really give up an opportunity to introduce someone, especially if it involved pushing them? Never. If I ever did, it must mean that I'll be dead the next day. Letting go of Layden's hand, she shifted Chiron so she could pump her fist into the air. "Huzzah!" She exclaimed in excitement. "I'm more excited for this feast then you guys will probably will ever understand." She confined to them. Akki grinned at both Tikal and Hasima, casting them a wink. "No, the Weyrwoman probably wouldn't. However, who says she has to know? She's awfully busy today Layden, she might just be too busy to notice a candidate hanging from his toes."

Hasima smiled shyly at Tikal as he shot her the quirky look and bobbed his head in a nod. She couldn't help but smile, even if it was a small smile. Tikal seemed to be like Akki in a way, he seemed to be one of those people that you just couldn't help but smile at them no matter how much you didn't want too. Hasima flushed slightly and nodded in agreement and said hushedly, "I'd like that also.". She scratched her leg using her other foot and smiled down at the ground. Akki poked Hasima in the ribs slightly, "I say, Tikal and Layden, that our goal tonight is to put some meat on Hasima's bones before she rots away into nothingness.". The rider had noticed that at feasts Hasima just nibbled on the food, and maybe with the help of these two candidates they could shovel it down her throat and perhaps, just perhaps, get rid of that sickly glow her body weight was giving off.

Akki pondered for a moment and then said with a nod, "Then probably talk to me. Rhia will probably be off celebrating tonight, and also, I already met you so it's easier.". She paused for a moment and grinned unabashedly, "Also I have this thing. It's called 'I-love-to-meet-candidates-itis.'. It's a terrible disease you know. It forces me to meet and chat with all candidates that I can possibly find.". "If Layden decides he doesn't show you where to sleep because he's too busy chatting away with bronze riders, I'll be more than happy to show you." Akki offered, in what she hoped was helpfully.

Hasima placed three fingers on her lips and smiled almost slyly at Akki and couldn't resist but commenting on something. "Oh I don't know Akki, we had our fair share of times in the guys barracks." She said in a hushed tones, but said it loud enough that everyone could probably hear it if they were actually paying attention. Akki laughed loudly, never before had she heard Hasima saying anything with such innuendo behind it. Actually, she couldn't remember when she heard the girl talk that many words, as a matter of fact.

Ooc| xD Ohgod. All I'm doing is short/ bad posts right now. IAMSOSORRY:c

[Kandarra]

((Hun, that was not short. And sorry I'm late... loooots of stuff going on, including a boy.))

Uslanee had heard the dragons' bugles but hadn't really thought anything of it at the time-- dragons often would trumpet for seemingly petty reasons. However, when her staff started disappearing, she knew something was up. She walked out to the weyrbowl, seeing worker after drudge after worker gathered around. Her eyes narrowed.

"Get back to work, all of you!" she shouted, throwing her voice so it seemed the work of a woman twice her size. "There's a roast and I expect it not to burn! There's bread ready to be taken out! What about my chopped vegetables?!" For such a thin woman, her bellows echoed around the bowl and many could be seen scurrying back into the kitchens and away from her wrath.

The crowd much cleared, she could see the focus of it-- Christae and a man who looked to be a rider. As she approached, his shoulder knots signaled him as a bronzerider, and because she had never seen him before, she gathered that he was new.

"Good day, WW, bronzerider," she said politely, bowing to her weyrwoman first and the new arrival second. "Are you simply visiting or here to stay?" As she asked this question, she saw Kaith and what was obviously the man's bronze dipping and diving in the skies. Looks like he's staying, she thought, hiding a grin.

[Spirithawk]

Kaith ignored the mortified reprimands from her rider as she watched the bronze show his abilities. It was almost as if she were a holder appraising a string of runners or herdbeasts for sale.

I like to know what my prospects are.

~ That doesn't mean that you can put him through his paces and be so obvious about it.~

He doesn't seem to mind. There was amusement in the Queen's tone. She executed a sideways spiral and then climbed the skies to dip and dive. None of the weyrfolk were alarmed by the dragons' antics. They were used to dragons swooping down upon them from the skies.

"Be offended? My dear bronzerider, my own dragon is behaving with as much tact as your own!" Amusement suffused her tone. "I was merely mortified and afraid that YOU would take offenceat MY dragon's behavior. Indeed they are quite young and I would prefer Kaith flirting than depressed over the desertion of her mate and his rider."

"I do believe that Kaith and I will take Hikanth's attentions as the compliment they are and I hope that you and your fine bronze will do the same. I suppose our lack of bronzes has made Kaith quite testy and she is not quite acting like herself now that she has a prospective mate to show off for." Christae was astonished when she felt her cheeks warm when she flippantly remarked about prospective mates. For Faranth's sake, she was a WW! She shouldn't be embarrassed by such things. She chuckled. "I am simply glad that you are not taking offence."

Her face darkened slighty when he mentioned the trials she and her family had overcome but she forced the memory from her mind. "I suppose you are right in that aspect. My hardships would not be so hard to bear if it only affected me, but this involves the entire weyr and that makes Sh'iron's desertion and kidnapping of our son all the harder to bear. As you can see, Chiron is almost like a prince here and it really lowered Weyr morale when Sh'iron publicly accused me of being an unfit mother and took our son back with him to Benden." Christae realized that her voice was bitter and she was marring the day with dark thoughts again. "Forgive me, this is supposed to be a time of revelry!" She shook her head and tried to force herself into a better mood.

"It is a pleasure to meet you J'red, and I extend that same sentiment to your dragon as well." She said with a twinkle of amusement in her eyes. "Most of my siblings were not so much younger than I that I had to take care of them. I was one of the middle children and the elders took care of the younger ones while we middle children helped around our farming hold in Igen."

"Chiron is usually an amiable child. He is very sociable as you can see." She smiled. "Akki, our bluerider seems to be his favorite person though he seemed to like you as well." The child in question was cooing and babbling to Akki and Hasima, unconcerned with the noise.

"Nonsense. It is my job to welcome you to the weyr and answer any questions you may have. I do not wish to take you from meeting your new fellow dragonriders, however. I can have one of the drudges show you the way though I would hope that you will join us once you have settled."

Christae beamed triumphantly when the Headwoman appeared. "Uslanee please don't be too hard on them. They are happy! It is good to see the weyr happy again. After the feast is ready and served, I would like for the drudges to join us at the feast. Chiron is with Akki now. The Harpers were able to plead our case admirably. The Master Harper himself told Sh'iron that he had no right to take Chiron from me without due cause."

[kestrel]

J'red had to smile at the Weyrwoman's affirmations of feeling precisely as he was. Really, they were both grown people, and Dragonriders, at that. Their dragons were not, indeed, so old that they had forgotten what it was like to, as Christae put it, flirt unabashedly. If she had not taken any offence, that was all that mattered. He quickly reassured, therefore,
"well, since neither of us have taken offence but have taken it as it should be-complimentary-let's just let our dragons do what they will, and concentrate on your joyous return to your Weyr with your son." He smiled in the youngster's direction, before looking back to the Weyrwoman as she began to speak once more. Had he caught a reddening of coloration in her cheeks as she mentioned 'prospective mates'

---

Admin's Note:[/hr] Well, it was all he could do to keep his own color down. He was aware that, thus far, at least, Hikanth was the largest Bronze he could see here. Surely the other riders would have come to see the return of their Weyrwoman, with their dragons come to greet the Queen? Was he, then, the only Bronzerider of respective age present? So when Kaith was to have her flight...he swallowed, a little nervously, at that thought. He would have to put all matters regarding 'flights' out of his mind. He needed to show this Weyr that he was worthy of being a respectable and liked Dragonrider. He knew, from what he was hearing, that this man who'd been their Weyrleader had not been a good example to them of what a Bronzerider was supposed to be about. And that was putting his Weyr first, and taking on responsibility as a rider of a color that might one day work with the Weyrwoman. J'red had no fantasies or dellusions about himself ending up as a Weyrleader. It was not something he'd ever really given much though-he had been a Wingleader in his previous Weyr-albiet not for very long since they had many Bronzes and he was transferred-and he had done his best and come off with very few injured riders and-thank Faranth-no deaths in his wing. But Weyrleader was something different altogether, and not somewhere he'd ever seen himself being. He could follow orders more easily than give them-perhaps because he was ill-used to it?-and yet when he was made Wingleader he had not hesitated to give orders that were beneficial to his wing. Yes, he was good at giving orders if they were for the good of others. That he was certain of-but if they were just given to order around, or have someone do something he felt he could do himself...then came the 'quieter, shyer side' that Hikanth liked to tease him about.

As he listened to the Weyrwoman speaking about her son and the incident, he could tell that it had affected her in many ways-all negative. She had a darker, more disturbed and upset look about her when she addressed Shi'ron and his treachery. He certainly couldn't blame her, and was pleased, in truth, to hear her mentioning not only herself but her Weyr. He could clearly see that Chiron-and there was a close approximation in names, was there not? Shi'ron and Chiron?-was valued and loved by all the Weyr. However, he had expected nothing less, considering it was the Weyrwoman's son, after all. Still, Chiron seemed less shy and more at ease in his home than many quieter, more withdrawn and shy children he'd known. He seemed to be fully integrated into his Weyr, and comfortable around people, even in larger groups, and so,
"well, your son is back now, and though Shi'ron may have won battles, it is you who have won the proverbial war, my lady. As for your son-I see that he is well-loved...as well as well-socialized." He grinned, then, and went on, "I would not trouble yourself about it-the past is not really important, but rather the future is what should be the focus, forgive me if I am speaking too freely. But it seems you no longer need worry about what happened, since your son is back and all seems to be well, now. It is quite obvious you can handle the Weyr on your own until you have a new Weyrleader," he paused, and then, "yes-it's a time to celebrate, to be certain."

He turned to look over to the person whom she'd mentioned, 'Akki'. He nodded and replied, "he does seem to like her very much indeed-and perhaps he only senses that I am at ease with him, and so that puts him at ease? I won't deny that I do happen to like children well enough. Even if I had no brothers and only sisters, my sisters played with the boy children just as readily as the girls, as is apt for young children. At least until they hit the age where they think that the other has some contagious disease, anyhow," he said with a good-natured chuckle. "I am sure I shall get along with your son just fine, my lady-it seems to me the same holds true to everyone here."

He nodded politely and replied that it was a pleasure to be at the Weyr, and he was just as pleased to have met her and her lovely queen, before going on to say with a smaller, curt nod,
"I should like very much to get my things into whichever Weyr is free, and then join you all directly after. I just need to be pointed in the right direction, and I will only be a short while. I did not bring anything overmuch that cannot be put quickly away into drawer and shelf with ease. If, however, someone might direct me to the dining hall where the feast is...

---

Admin's Note:[/hr] Otherwise I may potentially stray off in the wrong direction!" He glanced up for a moment at the skies overhead, where Hikanth was still 'showing off' his aerial maneuvers for the golden Queen. With spins and loops and dives and bursts of speed, J'red had to at least admit his dragon was in good form... [/size][/font]