Candidates Report! Roll Call

[kestrel]

Although Raska's expression never changed, what Rhia had said was at least making a minor impression on her. Rhia was a rider and would be her CM and WM. Therefore, make Rhia upset, and she'd be stuck doing disgusting chores even the drudges didn't like. Well, she didn't want that, to say the least, and therefore she merely bit her tongue and took the words without comment. Besides, Rhia actually made it easier on her by turning away from her when she was done speaking. With a heavy sigh, she was about to reply to Tieler, but Rhia beat her to it.

The newcomer boy caught her eye, as physically she definitely approved of him. However, she regretted that thought the second she caught him looking at Tieler's bared mid-section like it was lunch. Then, to further that opinion of him, he next made a comment to her about 'taking out anger'

---

Admin's Note:[/hr] Well, he was due to be socked, whether the Candidate Master was here or no! She took a step forwards, but Rhia spoke before she even had a chance to get a word in edge-wise. As she listened to Rhia's words to both Leander and Tieler, she felt a twinge of what might've been liking or at least some degree of respect for the woman. Sure, she was a stick in the mud so far as being strict as could be, but her sense of justice was rather sound. Besides, it saved Leander from a black eye or broken nose. So really, she had to at least be grateful for that-it might have been more trouble than the perv was worth. However, her cold and dirty look that she shot him was enough for her at the moment. She wondered how Tieler would react to Rhia's words. Did the girl have the sense to just go change and button it, or would she make a huge scene? She wasn't sure on what grounds Tieler operated. She didn't think the girl was stupid. However, she knew that Tieler was prone to acting without even thinking, and was very rash.

~~~~~~

Kaiya was quite surprised by the way Raska and Tieler had acted. Sure, she'd seen troublemakers like the two of them before, but never thought people like that would be ones to be chosen as Candidates! She frowned slightly, but didn't have much time to think on it as a voice broke into her thoughts. She turned to Zuhayr and then pointed to herself, looking around to see if he'd been addressing someone else other than her, and then asked curiously, "who, me?"

She spotted Riler and gave him a big wave and a smile-at least there was one friendly face she recognized! She had been feeling a tad nervous because she realized that though she lived in the Candidate barracks, the only other girls there she'd never even met yet! Well, she'd met Wolf and Riler, and even J'red. But she now bit her lower lip softly as she realized there was no one but Riler there that she knew. She didn't think she wanted to know that girl named Raska, or the other, Tieler. The one who'd introduced herself as Marletta seemed to be all right, though. Were they the only girls here? Then she spotted another girl running across the courtyard, one she'd never seen. Was she even newer here than everyone else? She made a mental note to go say hi when she got the chance.

~~~~~~

Rhiyo was glad the attention was off of him, and stood there uncomfortably, wishing that someone he knew was here. He looked around at the other boys gathered, and tried to decide if he wanted to go up to any of them-or even the girls-and introduce himself. He didn't much care for the way Leander was acting with the two girls that he didn't know up front. He wasn't the sort to judge or dismiss someone based on something like that, but it made him a tad more weary of choosing Leander to go up to. He noted Zuhyar, however, and decided that he looked rather friendly enough. What could it hurt to say hello to the other boy? So, he quietly walked up until it was obvious it was Zuhyar he was walking up to, and then said, offering a hand, "hi there, I'm Rhiyo." Well, it wasn't as if he could think of anything better by way of introduction. That would have to do for now. He tried to remember what R'xis had told him about people all being nice here. He doubted everyone could be, but still, he didn't let that phase him any.

~~~~~~

Tikal noted Khris sitting down, and settled down himself nearby, though he kept his one leg out straight and rested a hand casually on one knee. He figured they'd have something they had to listen to that Rhia would want them to do, or to know. Might as well make himself comfortable! He gave Khris a grin and a wave, and then whispered, "quite an interesting gathering already, eh?" He motioned his head with a jerk to Tieler, Leander and Raska up front, who'd just received a very public chastising.

~~~~~~

Kestrel recognized Khris, but when Tikal went up to the boy and sat down beside him, she backed off once more-and nearly bumped right into Hirako, who ran up behind her. She turned around quickly an apologized. "I'm sorry-I didn't see you there..." She spotted a boy near Hirako whom she didn't recognize-nor did she recognize the girl, since they'd never met. She smiled weakly, then added, "I'm Kestrel."[/size][/font]

[Wolf]

Tieler didn't show any emotion on her face as Rhia spoke to her in a discontented manner. She merely held her head up high, watching Leander out of the corner of her eye. He was way easy on the eyes, she'd have to make a mental note of his name, she wouldn't want to miss any opportunities. She wouldn't be her if she didn't take at least partial advantage of him. She couldn't believe that Rhia was actually demanding she change. She had in her right mind to go tell her where to put her orders but instead she muttered something under her breath and turned back to the Barracks smartly after saying in a monotone voice: "Candidate Tieler..." Before she left she shot Raska a look that said she wasn't too pleased with how things were going so far. While in the Barracks she looked around for a newer shirt, one that she hadn't mutilated. She pulled off the current one and pulled the new one over her head, feeling weird now that she was far less exposed. She rolled her eyes, storming out of the Barracks angrily. Her face was reddened, more so matching her hair now, furious that she couldn't talk back to the Candidate Master.

She's just like the Journeyman's and Master's, if not harsher, she decided. She knew that Rhia was just doing her job but even so... She felt a bit better when recalling that both Raska and Leander had been scolded severely as well for the way they had spoken. She took up where she was standing before, in between Leander and Raska. She hoped that Raska was in the same frame of mind as herself so that she had some one to vent with later on. She still couldn’t believe that the both of them had met in such a way they had and were now standing here together as if nothing of the sort had happened at all.
~~~

Leander lowered his head, "Ma'am," he said with a saddened voice. "I apologize if my words were taken as grotesquely as they may have sounded. I can assure you that I only had the girl's best intentions at heart," he explained. He kept his face straight, having to look down again because a smirk was tugging at the corner of his lips. "Plus," he added humorously, "I'd frankly be disappointed if after the nine months my lump wasn't born."
His gaze returned to Tieler when she came back, and he whispered to her quietly, "Don't worry, I still know what's under there." He chuckled to himself, feeling quite amused by how things were going already. Then, when Tieler elbowed him in the stomach for his comment he coughed a few times, holding up a few fingers to Rhia. "No harm done," he wheezed. He winked one eye closed, coughing a few more times, bending over. He then up righted himself while brushing his bangs back out of his eyes again. He looked over at Raska, her glare having gone over his head earlier. He nodded to her politely, his hands together in front of him.

When Leander had been back at the Harper's Hall he'd gotten away with more then he should've and was quite good at getting himself out of any situation. He knew how to pick and choose his words carefully, having a quick mind. At the same time he was most often hard-headed boy, and said stupid things that got himself in trouble in the first place.

[Akki]

Zuhayr happily rolled his eyes at Kaiya’s response and waved at the girl. “Of course you darling. There’s no one behind you, so I must be talking to you.” He replied cheerfully. He could never really manage to stay silent, especially in a large group like this. Everyone here was a stranger, so it seemed like a good opportunity to meet a few people before the Candidate Master told them everything they would need to know. It was like a five-minute party before it turned into a business meeting. He grinned apologetically as he noticed the girl looking around, “Whoops, sorry. I’m keeping you from the others.”

When Zuhayr noticed that Rhiyo was walking in their direction, he just assumed that the boy was walking towards towards Kaiya. He’d simply figured that they knew each other and wanted to talk, but he was in their way. He took a step back, giving them some room so they could talk. However, then Rhiyo appeared in front of him and offered his hand to the boy. And who was Zuhayr turn down a boys handshake? Zuhayr grinned crookedly, and grasped Rhiyo’s hand and shook it. “I’m Zuhayr. Charmed. I just got here a bit ago, what about you?”

Ooc| Ahh:c Soshort

[Kino]

[Ahahah. Okay so, I'm a genius, right? I totally DID NOT forget about my own character. But I mean, if I hypothetically did, don't go too hard on the poor boy xD; He got lost is all! Really. Here, he'll tell you himself.]

Kiran had woken up that morning with every intention of getting to the courtyard on time. In fact, he'd already been on his way by the time the bell had been chimed. Unfortunately he hadn't been in the Weyr for long at this point and so he didn't know his way around very well at all. He'd been to the Weyr in the past, to deliver herdbeasts, but that only extended to the hunting pastures. Inside was an entirely different story.

Eventually he'd come across a few drudges going about their chores, and he'd gotten directions out of them with a few polite questions. However, now that he was actually walking into the courtyard it looked as though he had to be somewhere among the last to arrive. Kiran squinted an eye lightly and lifted a hand to adjust his headband and subconsciously brush some hair out of his face as he made his way towards the Candidate Master. She would have been easy enough to pick out on her own, but considering he'd walked in just as she finished scolding a few other candidates she stuck out even more.

"Greetings, Dragonrider," he said as he stepped towards her, giving a polite nod and being a bit more formal in his speech simply because of how late he seemed to be. His parents had been farmers, but they'd brought him up well enough for him to know his way with words. Some would probably even call him charming at times. "I apologize for being so late," he went on, lifting his head to look at the Candidate Master, "I'm afraid I don't know my way around the Weyr very well. It won't happen again."

Kiran blinked once, realizing then that in the wake of his apology he'd forgotten about introductions. "I'm Jilstherakiran," he said, offering a small smile afterwards and adding, "You can call me Kiran."

- - -

Khris had looked over to Tikal as the other boy sat down beside him, offering him a lopsided grin and a nod in greeting. He realized he probably hadn't given off the best impression when they first met considering how unwell he must have looked that day, and he was hoping to amend that impression with his usual friendly attitude.

"I'll say," he agreed with Tikal. "They probably think they're unbeatable or something - that sort of attitude gives way too much bravado." He shrugged. "They'll learn," Khris smiled lopsidedly again, "You know, if that talking to hasn't taught them already."

[Spirithawk]

"Next time you have something to say about me Candidate, have the courage to say it to my face." She told the Tieler's retreating back. She raised her eyebrows as Leander explained himself. She couldn't hold back a burst of laughter, almost choking on it when he mentioned his lump being born.

"I must give you credit for that Candidate Leander, that was a good answer, however, do not believe that you will get away with such impertinence the next time." Her voice held a note of mock sternness but she couldn't keep her mouth from tilting upwards in an amused smile and her eyes danced with laughter.

She turned to the boy and girl who had just arrived. "Candidate Marletta, Candidate Kiran, a pleasure to meet you. I am certain you will learn your way around the Weyr quickly. Since it seems not everyone knows their way around, I will include a tour as part of your lesson today." She wrote their names down on her hide and then called her flitt. "If you will be patient for a few minutes, there are a few more that should be arriving and I must send a message to someone."

Rhia raised her arm as a tiny silvery-green flitt emerged from *between* to land on her outstretched arm. "Find Akki." She said softly, picturing the bluerider in her mind. She pulled a small slip of hide from her pocket and tied it to the little green's leg. "Find Akki."

[kestrel]

Raska didn't miss Tieler's look in the least, and reciprocated it with a meaningful one of her own to let the other girl know she felt precisely the same way as she did about this all. She watched Tieler storm off to the barracks, only to return a few minutes later donning a shirt that she was rather sure Tieler had had to go digging for. From what she'd seen, the two shirts Tieler had worn were cut to look the way they were. It must have been a style Tieler preferred and the other girl would have to have cut the shirts like that-she'd never seen them made that way, anyhow. However, the shirts had a ragged look at the bottom as if they'd been improperly mutilated. The hem lines were not sewn, and though Raska only made her own clothing, she made a mental note to either teach Tieler to sew, or maybe, if she was feeling bored, offer to do it for her. The shirts could have looked like an actual unique style rather than a chopped up shirt. With that in mind, she glanced over at the perverted boy, Leander, after he made his little comments to Rhia. Well, she had to smirk at his statement, because in all honesty it had been funny. She even stifled a chuckle, observing the boy for a moment. He was attractive enough, and seemed to have some wit under the obnoxious attitude. She didn't know whether to sock him or like him, which was unusual, but she supposed she could do both, really! She was already growing bored, though, wondering what Rhia had in mind for them that she'd asked them all to meet like this.

~~~~~~

Tikal laughed at Chris' words, and then shrugged, and admitted, "I doubt that talking will have even phased them beyond the fact that they won't do anything too remiss so that they won't be lablelled with the chores of greasy dishes and latrines!" Then, when Leander spoke up, he chuckled. The boy had wit enough, that was apparent. Tikal could grow to like someone who had a sense of humor like that, for it was something he liked in friends. Tikal then admonished, "in either case, I wouldn't recommend getting on that pair's bad sides, not at all. Seems they are of the rougher lot, and I personally have no interest in turning their attentions to me."

Tikal didn't like trouble, whether it was being the cause of it or getting into it with anyone else. He preferred minding his own business unless he'd reason not to, and that was the way of it. He was too laid back for arguing and fighting, it just seemed pointless to do so, unless you were defending someone else who needed it. Well, most people these days could stick up for themselves, and therefore didn't need it. All the better for him, he supposed, for it kept him from feeling obliged to intervene. Perhaps it was being trained to be a healer his whole life. He didn't like things that ended in any form of pain, physical or emotional, and therefore did what he could to prevent such things.

~~~~~~

Kaiya tried to refrain from laughing at Zuhyar's way of speaking and acting. She had no clue that his preference was towards men, and so thought it a particularity of his. Nonetheless, she smiled at him and then nodded politely as she went to say hello to Riler, leaving Zuhyar to talk with Rhiyo.

Kaiya reached Riler in a matter of moments, and then said with a smile, "so, how've you been? Seems we'll be Candidates together, and Weyrlings, too, if we're lucky enough to impress." She personally thought that Riler had a better chance of impressing than she did, but she was resolved to not think much of whether she impressed or no, just hope that Riler and she both would. Kaiya had always dreamed of getting a gold like Wolf had. But when it came down to it, she didn't think she would care what she got in the end. She knew that some girls went in wanting a green, and got a gold, and the same went for those like her who had always dreamed of riding gold, and then got green. So, in the ending outcome, she thought it'd be extremely lucky if she impressed at all.

~~~~~~

Rhiyo shook Zuhyar's hand with a smile, and then replied, "I arrived just before the Gather was held. I'm obviously a Candidate too, since we're all Candidates who came here." He rubbed the back of his head, coloring slightly for having stated the obvious. Then, he added, "did you get settled in your room in the barracks yet? I could show you where they are if you haven't found them yet," he offered.

Rhiyo hadn't met anyone who wasn't completely straight. Even less than Kaiya would he have had no idea that there would exist a person out there who liked another of the same sex. Even if he had met anyone, he wouldn't have remembered them in either case, so, to him? Zuhyar was just like everyone else, individual in their own ways. Besides, after having met Akki and Hasima, he'd learned just how different people could be!

~~~~~~

Xyrion had quite literally just arrived at Dark Moon. He'd been greeted by a drudge upon entering the Weyr, and she'd inquired as to whom he was. He'd handed her his letter of transfer and Candidacy, and she'd given him directions to the Candidate's Barracks, as well as to the courtyard, where she informed him the Candidate's Master had summoned all the Candidates. Well, he was late, but since there was nothing he could have done about it anyway, since he'd just gotten to the Weyr. So, he wasn't about to worry. In fact, he wasn't even going to bother rushing it, because he was late already and a few more minutes? Wouldn't change the fact that he was late. So, while he followed the directions the drudge had given him, he looked at his surroundings. He supposed he could get used to this place. He had been brought up in a Weyr, after all, so it wasn't like he wasn't used to them or anything. With a sigh, he continued walking towards where the Candidate Courtyard was. He was secretly excited and thrilled to have a chance at impression. He'd never thought he'd have the chance, and he loved dragons more than anything, save maybe firelizards. Not that he didn't love all animals, but to impress a dragon? It was awesome. As he mused on the fact that he was here as a Candidate, he began to walk faster, not because he'd planned it but because his mind was now occupied with other thoughts. Finally, he could see a group of people already gathered, and could identify who the Candidate Master was without any troubles at all. He walked up to where she was, and simply said, "just got here. I'm Xyrion, transfer Candidate." He made a deep bow, not intending to stand until she acknowledged him. However, he hoped that wouldn't be long, because standing there like he was seemed a bit more troublesome than he liked. He would have preferred to be lounging in the grass like the pair of boys he spotted who appeared to be chatting amongst themselves. He withheld another sigh, even though he was a bit curious as to what precisely was going on. He spotted two girls with another boy near the front. They were kind of cute, though they looked like snobby little wherries. He smirked where no one could see underneath his bowed head. Maybe appearances were deceiving? He doubted it, but what did it matter anyhow? He was here to impress, not to make friends or whatnot. There was some stupid rules about girls and guys anyways, not that he cared. They may have been stupid but he'd nothing to gain by ignoring them. Xyrion shot a sidewards glance and noticed a very pretty young girl near the back, with another boy. Well, there was one maybe worth breaking the rules over, if she was half as cute in personality as in looks. She had lovely red hair and even from here he could see emerald green eyes. He retained the smirk, no one was worth risking impressing over. He knew his priorities, and she wasn't one of them. None of them here were.

[Spirithawk]

Rhia looked up from the hide she was reviewing. "Welcome to Dark Moon Weyr Candidate Xyrion. I hope that you enjoy your stay here. I will be with you all shortly. I am waiting a bit longer for the rest to arrive, if there are any and I am also waiting for someone else. You may mingle with the rest of your peers until I call you to order."

[glass]

Renton woke with a start, sitting up suddenly and looking around to get his bearings. It took him a moment to realize where he was, expecting at first to be looking out his own window that faced the mines and wher quarters at Dantra. He would likely never get used to that bell they used to signal things here, it sounded too much like the bell used at his native hold to signal thread fall or trouble in the mines.

He got up quickly and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes as he slipped on his boots, making a crude attempt at tying his laces then just tucking them in next to his feet. He threw on a tunic that smelled and looked clean then made his way to the courtyard outside where he should have already been at least twenty minutes ago, to judge by the time candle in the candidates barracks.

He jogged most of the way there before realizing what a mess he probably looked then stopped to run his hand through his hair a few times in an attempt to straighten it. It was probably fine, he was usually a fairly clean person anyway so he couldn't look all that bad to start with, really. Still, he knew how important first impressions were and since he had only been in the weyr for about a week he had not yet met the candidate master, though he had probably seen her in passing.

As he approached the courtyard and saw there were already quite a few people there he slowed down to a walk, not wanting to look as though he was in as much of a hurry as he was. Then again, it might be a better idea to seem hurried so he would have less of a chance of upsetting the candidate master. Then again... Well, best not to worry about it. Worrying about little things always made his stomach feel funny, it wasn't pleasant...

"Uh... Hello. Sorry I'm so late. I overslept a little." This was punctuate by a large yawn which he muffled with the back of his hand. He was having trouble adjusting to the schedule here. His father had been part of the night shift in the mines so he and the rest of his family usually didn't get up until rather late in the day. He smiled a bit sheepishly and took a place next to a few of the other candidates.

[Riler]

Riler was pleasantly surprised to see Kaiya approach him and begin talking to him. He was getting a little bored simply sitting there by himself, though he was interested in all of the other Candidates. Looking around made him realize how little Candidates he knew, most of his friends here at Dark Moon were already Impressed. He needed more Candidate friends.

“I’ve been great,” he said as he stifled a yawn, “tired but great.” He smiled shyly at Kaiya’s remark about if they Impress. Teasingly, he said, “If? No, you’re too smart and clever to not impress. I’m positive you have nothing to worry about.” He nodded once, grinning. Fooling around, he pointed to himself, continuing. “Me, on the other hand, I have a great deal to worry about if I want to Impress.” He winked at Kaiya. “Naw, I’m pretty confident I’ll Impress.” He then realized how egotistical that probably sounded, and his face blushed a little bit. “Maybe I’m just over-confident?” He smiled, looking at you for a comment to his inquiry of his own confidence.

“I’d be pretty happy to Impress anything,” he said, ‘anything’ meaning ‘any color’. “Bronze would be best…” For a couple reasons it’d be best. In his opinion, they were the best-looking male dragons—the best looking, in his opinion, being the Golden Queens. Also, if he Impressed a Bronze, then maybe in the future, he’d be able to become a Jr. Weyrleader. He felt confident that it was a position that he could do well in.

As he finished talking, he couldn’t help but see an unfamiliar face enter the courtyard and then began to join with the other Candidates. He looked at the new person, who looked about his age—and also, Riler noted with a smile, looked as if he just jumped out of bed; Riler wouldn’t have been shocked if he had, it was early. He gave a wave to Renton, signaling he wanted him to come over to him, calling out to the kid “Heya! Are you new here at Dark Moon Weyr?”

Well, he thought to himself happily, this was one way to make new Candidate friends.

[Spirithawk]

OOC: No thread now Glass, not yet anyway. Just to let you know

[Wolf]

Tieler didn't say much of anything, seeing as she didn't really care for Rhia to hear any of her private conversation. When Rhia told the Candidates that they could talk amongst themselves she whispered to Raska in a barely audible voice: "So she controls whether or not we open our mouths now too? As if." She smirked at the black-haired girl hoping that she'd have a few more interesting views on the Candidate Master to share with her. She looked Leander over before looking behind her to see what other Candidate boys there were. From what she had seen so far the pickings were fairly slim since most of their personalities didn't correspond to her own. Then she watched as a new boy came running up, and she observed him much like she had Leander. For her this was a common thing to do and most times people didn't have much to say when they spotted her doing so. A familiar voice then broke in to her assessment of Renton, Riler's. She looked over at the familiar face, raising an eyebrow at him sceptically. He thinks he can make a new friend, how cute, she thought sarcastically. She didn't say anything aloud to the others, perfectly fine with just staying alongside Raska. To her it was far better to be with some one who was of the same mind as she so that she didn't feel as apt to punching some one's face in. Plus, committing a violent act would be extremely unwise here.

Her gaze diverted to Raska and then she shot her eyes over to Riler and Renton, as if saying something with out really saying it. She knew that Raska would recognize Riler as well, though she wasn't sure about the girl's thoughts on him seeing as most of her time had been spent on Akki-fainted from too much wine. She loved being able to signal things worldlessly.
~~~

Leander gave another one of his infamous smirks, bowing to Rhia like he had in the beginning. "Yes ma'am." He was glad that he could get a laugh out of the seemingly serious Candidate Master. He liked her already. As he was coming out of his bow he saw Renton come running up out of the corner of his eye. Yes, funny, seeing as he didn't always have his eyes clear to see out of. "Renton is it?" Leander asked, grinning. He then turned right around, seeing another boy that was calling out to Renton as well. "Well, look at that, you're already well liked and people don't even know you. That's a good sign, you're a lucky fellow indeed." He cleared his throat, putting a fist to his mouth. He then extended his hand out, "Leander... Me, yep, that's me.” He didn't even stop to focus on what came out of his mouth when he spoke to some one; his words just flowed, though more often then not seeing as he spoke with out making any proper sense at times.

He hadn't forgotten about Tieler and Raska, no, surely not. He looked back at the girls, winking his blue eye at Raska in particular since she appeared to him to be the most infuriated currently. He didn't understand why either of these bright young ladies wasted there time on angered emotions when they could just make light of everything and have a good time with whatever was thrown there way. The entire world was Leander's bowl of soup and he loved the flavour. This is going to be a great place, he decided, looking from Renton to Riler curiously, his hand still extended for the newest arrival to shake.

[Kino]

"You don't have to worry about that," Khris replied to Tikal. "They don't seem like the sort I'd go out of my way to talk to." The boy smiled lopsidedly then, sitting up and resting his hands on his ankles once more. "You're probably right though. And in that case they might be worth watching - they'll probably be getting into trouble a lot. If it's anything like now, it'd at least be worth a laugh.

"I'm not too worried about 'getting on their bad side' though. I'm sure my height doesn't make me look it, but they're at least a few years younger than me." Khris rolled his shoulders in a shrug. "I'm not saying I'm an amazing fighter or anything, but I am good at getting out of the way." Pretty much, Khris was fast. It was one thing that he'd always had going for him.

- - -

Kiran gave a quiet sigh of releif when Rhia told him and the girl that had gotten there before him that it was all right they were a bit late. He smiled when she explained what they would probably be doing that day and gave a nod. "A tour sounds wonderful," he said, giving one other polite nod when she asked them to be patient. Once she'd written his name down the taller boy stepped easily to the side and out of the way of anyone else who might be arriving.

After stepping to the side he happened to glance around at the others in the courtyard and noticing Kestral standing off to one side. She looked like she may have been talking with another candidate, but that had never stopped him from interacting with someone - particularly an old friend! Kiran stepped over to where Kestral was, offering up one of his warm smiles as he got nearer. "Hello Kestral," he greeted.

[kestrel]

Tikal smirked and then said with a lazy grin, "I wouldn't go out of my way to talk to those two either." When Khris admitted to being a few years older than the two girls, however, Tikal looked a little amused, and asked blatantly, "how old are you exactly? I'm sixteen turns, myself." Then, he added with a grin, "oh, I'm sure height has nothing to do with fighting skills, I know that much. There are people shorter than yourself who could take on someone twice their size if they have the mind to do so." He then admitted, "I don't prefer fighting, myself. I'd rather not deal with it, thank you very much! Dodging does seem a better idea than throwing punches back and forth."

~~~~~~
Xyrion stood up and walked over to the left of where Tieler, Raska and Leander had been standing, and stood there with his arms folded over his chest, looking bored. He stared out across the courtyard, wondering exactly how much time they'd have to spend waiting for other Candidates to arrive, precisely. Not that it mattered, because he had no where better to be, seeing as how he'd only just arrived. He had taken off his knapsack full of belongings and put it on the ground beside him, and now he deviated from staring blankly out into space to looking at the girl standing beside him, though she was too busy talking to the black haired girl to notice. She had red hair too, like the other girl with green eyes. He liked red haired girls well enough, he supposed. This one had an odd, blindingly red coloration to hers, and he wondered briefly how it had come to be like that, before giving a sigh, and a bored yawn. He had no intentions with socializing with his so called peers. If they wanted to talk to him, they could feel free to do so. However, he had no inclination to go up to any of them and start conversing. He was perfectly comfortable where he was, ever the silent observer.

~~~~~~

Kaiya reddened slightly when Riler said he was sure she'd impress, and why. She shook her head adamantly back and forth, her red hair swishing back and forth softly, as she objected, "me? I'm not that intellegent, at least not so much as some, and less so than most, I think." She smiled thankfully at him anyway, and admitted, "I really hope I do, though!" Then, a little sadly, "I think there are lots of people, including you, stand a better chance at impressing than I do." When he said he was confident he was, she nodded enthusiastically, "I think you will, too!" Then, realizing she'd said it a bit loudly, she said more quietly, "you will, I'm sure of it." She was, however, not in the least surprised to hear Riler wanted to impress Bronze. Though, in truth, she thought it suited him a lot. She couldn't suppress a lighthearted laugh, however, when he said he wanted Bronze, for she knew his feelings for Wolf and didn't know his other reasons for wanting one, and so she kept her thoughts to herself, admitting a little more shyly, "I've always wished I could impress Gold." She paused, and then shrugged slightly."I suppose every girl dreams of getting a Gold, though." She smiled softly, adding, "I don't think I will, though. Wolf is really fortunate..." she kept a soft sigh to herself, for she didn't envy her friend in the least. She wasn't an envious type of person. She was merely stating a truthful fact about how she felt. Most girls only dreamed of getting a Golden dragon, Wolf actually had one.

~~~~~~

"You got that right," Raska said quietly in return, giving a derisive sort of 'heh'. She smirked wryly, commenting, "she may think she's got the upper hand because she's a rider, but one day we'll be riders too, and she won't be so haughty then." She didn't like people who thought they were superior just because they held the title of dragonrider. "Who does she think she is, anyway? We're Candidates, and I have no doubt you and I will impress. Probably something better than a dull old brown, too!" Of course Raska was just spewing spiteful words. A dragon was a dragon and Raska had no preferences in what she got, she just wanted one. However, for emphasis she had used rank in her words, though from the way she said it Tieler ought to know it was just words. Sometimes, that was the fun in insults, that they were just words, but words used efficiently for desired results. She'd not admit she thought it was impressive that Rhia was CM and WM both, or that she had a dragon. She snickered when Tieler motioned to Leander and Riler. She was about to say something crude about the pair, but was stopped short when Leander winked at her and she saw that he had two different colored eyes! Unbeknowest to her, a very slight blush colored her cheeks, as she glared back at the boy coldly and then with a 'hmph' turned back to Tieler. She didn't really not like Riler, the boy was easygoing and he'd been rather nice to Kero, to boot. However, it wasn't in her nature to 'be nice' to everyone. She barely knew him so he wasn't excluded by any means from her verbalizations. Instead, she snorted and said "the perv and the prozzak boy. Wonder what they have to be so happy about." She just realized she'd made reference to a Terran drug and that Tieler might not have gotten it, so she explained, "prozzak-Terran drug that makes you excessively happy all the time," with a quirk at the corner of her mouth.

Raska had studied every possible thing she could about Terran. That went from medical books to fantasy books. They were so hard to come by, but the same person who'd taught her Terran fighting had compiled a library of copies of such books. There may not have been many, but she had read the ones he had there over and over. She meant to find out if there were any in this Weyr, because if there were, she couldn't wait to find them.

[abean16]

Shino walked up amongst the group of other candidates, Hirako doing the same as Shino. She introduced herself and checked in with the Candidate Master. Hirako didn't like admitting that she was lower than someone else, but she had to do it for the sake of rank. The candidate master was a rider, and by far, that made her their superior.

"Hello, my name is Hirako." She greeted with a polite bow. Shino did the same afterwards, only in his own words. He didn't know why they were called here, but whatever the reason, it had to be important to be calling all of the candidates to one place. He looked around, noting Raska, Tieler, and those being scolded.... He didn't know them, but knew he would, eventually, get to know them.

[Akki]

Zuhayr grinned at Rhiyo, “There’s an awful lot of candidates here aren’t there? I won’t lie, I really wasn’t expecting this many.”. Zuhayr let out a low whistle and admitted to the boy, “I’m quite jealous. I wanted to go the Gather and had plans too, but in the end I didn’t. The person I was going to go with ended up backing out.”. He was going to go with a guy from where he used to live and they made the plans and everything, but as it turned out the lad was worried that they might get jeered at and eventually asked not to go. Zuhayr really had no problem with admitting he was homosexual, but never really said it out loud unless asked directly. He figured it was up to other people to decide whether or not if he was, or if he was just a friendly person to everyone.

Zuhayr grimaced, “Well. I pretty much just kind of hurled my stuff into a room so I’m hoping it was the right one? I was in a rush to get back here, haha.”. He lowered his voice and cast a look at Rhia, “I didn’t want to get scolded. I think she could beat me up if she felt like it.”. He looked over Rhiyo and was positively ecstatic that he had met the boy. He seemed charmingly nice and he was rather cute in Zuhayr’s opinion. Couldn’t go wrong there. He looked around and watched as a steady flow of people came in, “Three’s loads of guys here.”

After a few moments of Rhia sending her flitt to fetch her, Akki appeared in the courtyard with Sargon perched on her shoulder. She stifled a yawn and fixed her rumpled clothes as she walked up to Rhia and flashed the woman a grin. “Well, Gylfie found me. He ran straight into me and then either got tangled in my hair or though it was a nice place to nest. Not sure which one yet.”. She looked at the amount of candidates and raised an eyebrow at the surprising amount that there was. “Ohhh dear. That’s quite a handful you got yourself Rhia.”

The blue rider pretended to flex, “I’m here to offer you all my bodily strength that I have to offer. I can help whip these youngin’s into fine people.”. She let her arms fall down to her side and shook her head, still in slight disbelief of the amount of people. Had they ever had that many before? Or was there a sudden trend of ‘Let’s all go to Dark Moon since it’s amazing’ goers?

[Sparrow]

Marletta smiled, “A tour would be great, thank you,” the girl bowed her head to the candidate master before turning her attention to her peers. There were only a handful of people she recognized and of those she had only spoken to a couple. Now came the crucial decision, should she talk to those she already spoke to or try to meet some of the other candidates. She eyed Raska and Tieler in the corner looking like they were conspiring against someone, or two someones as they were looking at Riler and Leander. Marletta had spoken to them at the gather but that had all started with a fight. Not a strong way to start a friendship, she thought. Though, she hadn’t many friends back at Ruatha so she wasn’t sure what type of people she would get along best with.

Her hazel eyes scanned the crowd and noticed that everyone had already gotten into groups with those they had met earlier; she really did not want to butt into their conversations. Finally, she snaked her way through the crowd to Tieler and Raska. “Morning Raska, Tieler” she said nodding to both of them. Marletta smiled, hopefully not looking too cheery as she knew that would annoy Raska. She eyed the new shirt Tieler was wearing but chose not to say anything about it, “So, besides the tour do you have any idea what we will be doing so early this morning?”

[glass]

ooc:// I know no thread. I read the info thing. I figured they had drills. It’s close to a pass, isn’t it? I always assumed there were drills and things just before a pass… So everyone’d be ready. ^_^;;

bic://
"Renton.” He nodded, “That's right. Nice to meet you. And yes, I’m pretty new. I just got here a week ago, from Dantra Hold.” He said, approaching, taking the offered hand and looking around at all those already assembled. Judging from the bit of conversation he’d heard so far it seemed a few of the girls were a bit disrespectful, but he would try to be nice anyway. No point in disliking someone before you even know them. Maybe they were just kidding, though by those tones… ‘No, no, concentrate on what’s in front of you’ he silently scolded himself and turned his attention back to those closest to him.

“Dragon’s are so much more majestic than mining wher.” He added, looking around at the few who were perched around the weyr in various places. He really did love looking at them, they were spectacular. Just being in the weyr would be enough for him, he had never even dared to believe he’d be there a few weeks ago. Impression was just too amazing to think about.

“Does anyone know why we’re here, yet?” He asked them, looking at the candidate master apologetically with another slightly sheepish smile, incase she had heard him ask. He really didn’t want the woman upset with him already, and he had no idea if she had a temper or not…

[Spirithawk]

OOC: Most of the holders are resisting, I should put that, so almost all of the holds don't have drills. Of course you could just say that it was one of the few that believed. I just wanted to make sure.

"Candidate Renton, Candidate Hirako, welcome to the weyr and I will be with you shortly to explain what this is about." She wrote their names on the hide and returned to her own thoughts.

Rhia looked up and laughed at seeing the flitt entangled in her friend's hair. "I am sorry Akki. She likes to sleep under my hair and unless I braid it she makes a mess of it. Thank you for coming." Rhia called to the little green softly and was answered by a chirp. She reached forward to help untangle the little thing from the other rider's hair.

She motioned the bluerider off to the side to where her charges couldn't hear her. "Akki, I need to ask a big favor of you. Christae gave me the ok but said it was up to you. I have a lot of Candidates, as you can see, and I also have this current crop of W'lings as well and I need to spend more time focusing on the w'lings if I am to keep them on schedule. I was wondering if you would like to be Assistant Candidate Master. I would introduce you to the Candidates as such so they have a bit more respect for you. Some of them are downright rude but that had better change, and quickly." There was a steely glint in the brownrider's eyes. "Anyway, I would provide you with lesson plans and stay with you unless you are certain you can handle them. I notice that you greet most of the newcomers anyway and I do better with the w'lings. You would have to take over when the W'ling training and Candidate training overlaps. Eventually, if you want the position and have all the training I can give you, I will step down from the position and just be WLM. That is only if you want though. At the moment, I need some assistance." Rhia tried to keep the pleading note out of her voice. Akki was perfect for the Candidates and she really needed to focus on the W'lings. Not to mention she was one of Christae's eyes and ears for trouble stirring in the weyr. There were just too many candidates to handle at once. That way when they were doing training exercises, Akki could take half of them and she could take the other half. If the woman refused, she would have to make do, but she was hoping that Akki wouldn't.

[kesomon]

The notice that had been posted on the barracks door hadn't been caught by young Kaelin, particularly for the matter that she had not spent the past few nights within it's walls. Old friends tended to provide more homely comfort than the foreign, strange quarters of a dorm, and when she opened her eyes this morning, her sleepy eyes registered the emerald hues of Altoth's warm hide.

She lay there, snuggled in warmth and the ticklish bristled fur of the blanket that had been draped over her shoulders, wondering lazily what had woken her up. A second sharp, distant ring of a familiar bell had her sitting bolt upright with a gasp.

A low chuckle from across the small personal weyr had her face flushing all the way from temple to shoulder as she pushed off the fur and scrambled to her feet. P'mar walked over with a warm cup of Klah in hand.

"Not that late," he reassured. "Didn't want to wake you."

"You're a beast for letting me sleep here," she retorted, gratefully downing the hot drink as she slipped her boots on. "Do you know what they'll say about me for being seen leaving? It'll cause a scandle."

P'mar shrugged dismissively, knowing the candidate hadn't had a restful night's sleep for ages. When he had found her curled up, exausted, against Altoth's side, as he so often had found himself, he had left her to sleep. "Let them talk." He waved his hand in a gesture that shoed her towards the door, embracing his own mug as he leaned gently against Altoth's shoulder. The last thing Kaelin saw as she shut the heavy door behind her was the loving caress his hand made against his dragon's eyeridges as the beast crooned softly.

The sleep-mussed young girl managed to make her way down the steps and out into the green without falling or slipping on the stairs, but her face began to heat up as she reached the already gathered group, aware of a few stares. "Sorry I'm late, ma'am," she mumbled. "I was not aware of the time. Candidate Kaelin. At least, I think; I'm not sure I'm in an official candidacy capacity here."

[Torva Anian]

Ooooo, what to do, what to do? Kallan danced from one foot to the other and in a small circle as he couldn't contain himself. He knew he probably wasn't supposed to be here, I mean, no one had specifically said not to go in there but ... Kallan glanced from one end of the hallway to the other, completely confounded. He was utterly lost, and to make matter worse, he was hungry! Well, the bell for the Candidate meeting had rung as well, but the food! Ah, the little pies, meats, cheeses oooh don't forget the klah either. The sounds of his stomach growling echoed in the corridor.

He chewed on his thumb nail contemplating what would be the better step. The best thought that came to mind was he probably shouldn't have decided to explore without a glow. It was completely dark here. Oh sure there was a little light, enough to see his dirty feet but that was about it. In fact he'd manage to rip a big hole in the knee of his right leg and get a bad bruise. .... wherry headed ancients and their corners.

It had been the ending of the night's meal when Kallan had wandered into these endless passageways. In fact that's what started it. One drudge mentioned that it was Impossible to know every single pathway under the Weyr, that it was just too much. Well, naturally he took that as a challenge and packed up some food and water to take with him to just take a peek.

Kallan had thought he'd be the hero of the Weyr. He would be able to take anyone through to anywhere! He'd be like the bestest guide ever and well....they'd just have to give him the greatest dragon ever for such a service. Surely the Queens of Pern would be indebted to such a valiant explorer. Well, it was kinda hard in the beginning, and his water went by pretty fast. Peanuts weren't the best choice for traveling food, he mused. And after that he got pretty lost and then Quiote left him. Dimglow of a lizard, Kallan wouldn't have gotten lost if the flitt had just stayed ... well maybe.

He jumped from one bare foot to the other a few more times before dashing to the right. It was better than just standing still.

(( I'm going to assume that they're kinda near the Weyr and there is an opening somewhere ^^ ))

After three turns the light got blinding for Kallan's night vision. He pressed on and was soon out of that death trap. Why the dragonriders just LET little Candidates wander in there he wouldn't ever figure out. I mean, it's dangerous in there! If you get lost you could so totally die. He coughed and skidded to a halt as he saw a huge group of people gathered nearby.

"No, no really I wasn't lost. I was," he pauses as he coughs from the dust that is coating him, "erm...just looking for my fire lizard. He ran in there. But I wasn't lost so a search party is highly unnecessary, I do thank you for your concern though." He grinned broadly at all the different people. Wait...weren't they just a little young...oops. There was probably the Candidate meeting not his rescue meeting. Well, wasn't this just a little embarrassing. Ah well. Maybe he'd get to eat...well water sounded way better right now.