A triumphant entrance?

[Carnage]

Bugling to the watchrider as he left Between, Yanmeth spiralled a few times upwards before setting into a smooth glide vaguely downwards. The Weyr looked just as he'd been given the picture and he could see other dragons lounging about. Perhaps it was time to attempt to be more forward with others and join in in some activities... There were, after all, some nice looking greens about. Maybe he'd be lucky here in a flight. Responding to an unspoken commend by his rider he started a faster downward spiral, reaching the ground fairly fast. He snapped open his wings at the last moment and backwinged gracefully to the ground, standing poised with wings spread for a moment before realising dragons were looking at him and snapping them shut again.

R'al jumped to the ground and was immediately knocked over by the great bronze head that swung to burrow under his arm.

"Oh for Faranth's sake Yan, that won't work! It hasn't worked since you were a hatchling but a few sevendays old and it certainly won't work now!"

Getting to his feet he reached to scratch the eyeridges of the now abashed bronze, and turned to inspect his new home.

Well, it's certainly picturesque enough, and plenty of girls about

A roguish grin spread across his face as he looked, probably blatantly obvious to everyone but he couldn't help it. It looked good here and he hoped he could make a difference to the Weyr, no matter how small...

[Wolf]

Wolf was crossing the Weyrbowl, reading a piece of leaf paper in her hand that detailed the supplies that they’d need from the Hold. There was both food and medical supplies on the list; it was good to keep a stock of things in case anything unexpected came up. Wolf scrunched up her nose when a cold wind blew past her, blowing her hair all about. She blew her bangs out of her face, pushing them aside so that she could continue on reading the list in hand. She could have easily gotten a Messenger to run it to the dragonrider who’d offered to go personally to the Hold to see to it that the right supplies were brought back, but she’d welcomed the exercise. She’d have gone to the Hold herself but it wasn’t a common duty of hers, and she guessed that it’d best be left to one of the more experienced riders. I need to learn sometime, she thought, dwelling over her now 17 Turns. Where had the time gone? She had been a mere 14 Turns up on arriving at Dark Moon. So much has gone on since then. She smiled, her thoughts running right off of the paper and to her impression day. Then, an even colder wind blasted against her face, and she knew that feeling well.
Wolf raised her head, stopping to watch Yanmeth land. Another Transfer? she wondered, eyes lighting up. It seemed that they were getting a few lately, and she welcomed each and every one of them, glad for the extra bodies. The Weyr was short on riders, just about everyone knew that. It’d grow; this new arrival was clear evidence of that. She waved once R’al had dismounted, crossing further along the Weyrbowl until she was standing before the dragon and rider pair. The two seemed to be engaged in some-sort of private moment so she politely waited. She placed her one hand over the other, the list firm in her grasp.
“Hello,” she smirked, nodding first to R’al, and then to his Bronze. “I haven’t seen a new Bronzerider in Dark Moon for quite some time, it’s refreshing.” In her head she was commenting to herself about how young he looked, why, he was likely still a teen. “I’m Wolf,” she introduced herself, hoping that not too many found her name to be uncommon. All she knew is that the creatures had been of a canine form up on earth. That was all she knew, never having heard more about them. “Junior Weyrwoman, rider of Gold Serinth.” She extended her free hand to him, her smirk still plastered up on her face. Boys, she thought, snickering within’.
Serinth bugled a greeting to the newcomers; up on the ledge. The Gold had wanted to bring the scroll to the Hold also, always willing to do just about anything for a stretch of her wings. The Gold was smaller than the Senior Gold, Kaith. Given that she wasn’t done growing, Wolf never told her that her size was permanent. Though, the pair had gotten used to Serinth being recognized as a smaller Queen. No matter, it’s her heart that counted. Greetings Bronze kin, I’m Serinth, and my rider is Junior Weyrwoman Wolf. Welcome to Dark Moon Weyr, I hope that you enjoy your time here.

[kestrel]

It had only been a couple of days ago that T'kal had impressed at Kaith's hatching, but since then, his mind had been busy and full of questions and concerns. Not the least of which was Weyrling lessons.

Usually they were briefed on what to do the first sevenday or so. Allowed private time to get used to their dragonets, get used to the new bond. True, it felt like it had always been, and he'd already forgotten in so short a span of time what it had been like to be without the tiny white in his mind and by his side. However, it was also a learning experience. For the first sevenday he would feed, oil and bathe his dragonet. Make sure Sarcth got his sleep, and was cared for with his basic needs. However, Sarcth wasn't really like the other dragons. Even the smallest dragonet was over double Sarcth's size. Two feet long.

Two feet long, the size of a full grown firelizard. If T'kal hadn't impressed him, or seen him with his own eyes, he wouldn't have thought it possible that a dragonet be so small. It was true that Sarcth would grow-he'd looked up the records and seen that there had been other dragonets, though so few that he'd really had to dig through the records to find them, that were white. One of them had been born here at Dark Moon, and had transferred out. That meant Sarcth would one day grow large enough to carry him, and be considered at least a somewhat proper dragon. He would be small, though. If T'kal were even remotely lucky, Sarcth would be as small as the smallest greens. It was likely, though, that he'd be a few feet smaller than even that. Even now, he held a compiled personal list of dragon growth sizes and charts, and information that he'd copied, all about white dragons. There was records of the first white to be hatched on Pern, right up to the one that had been hatched in Dark Moon. One thing was common: they were all small, and needed to be cared specially for in the first turn or so of life. They all graduated Weyrlinghood at least a full turn or two after their clutchmates. They all seemed to have a special sort of bond to firelizards, their close kindred. But there was also not so great writings. Many people doubted them, and didn't think them proper dragons. It made whites fiercely determined little dragons, and most of them had an urge to want to prove themselves. Well, the information he'd taken was useful. He walked slowly so that Sarcth might keep up with him, quietly reading aloud to himself.

"The smallest of the greens reach twenty feet in length, but are agile and easily able to carry their riders, though many leaner greens lack the stamina of the larger ones, the larger ones being on average no more than 25 feet...hrm...didn't know five feet could make so much of a difference..." He continued on, "whites are generally a few feet smaller than a green, but some have been known to hit the 20 foot mark on rare occasions. Most don't get past 18 feet, however, with the smaller sizes being only fifteen feet in length. Still, upon maturity they seem to have no trouble carrying their riders. Perhaps this is because they are more compact and contain a lot of muscle in so small a dragon. However, it is not recommended that a rider join his dragon in flight until it is 3 Turns old. Doing so may result in injury or strain to the dragon..." he trailed off, looking down at Sartch. It was hard to imagine, looking at the tiny dragonet, that he would ever be fifteen feet, let alone twenty. He continued reading. "Most whites are hatched out at about two to three feet in length, with greens being five to six feet in length. By the time a green is two months in age, it ranges from nine to twelve feet in length, with whites being about six or seven feet in length. Some even reach eight feet, if they are fortunate enough to be on the larger end of the white scale." He chewed his lower lip, continuing walking along. Sarcth was doing his best to be quick so that his bonded could at least walk at a semi-normal pace. However, T'kal didn't want to push him too much. He would much rather go at the dragonet's pace than have Sarcth try to match his.

He pointed to a drawing he'd copied out of the charts, and knelt down for Sarcth to see it, saying with a grin, "see here, Sarcth? The chart says that if you are cared for well and come from a larger gold's clutch, you could reach the size of a small green!" He laughed lightheartedly, and then, "you come from the clutch of one of the largest golds on Pern! I bet by the time you're four Turns and matured, you'll be as big as a green, and more muscle to you, to boot!" He was fairly confident in this. He had all sorts of growth rate charts, and even if Sarcth was not 20 feet, he had faith he'd be at least 18 or 19 feet. That wasn't bad at all! Still, he would aim for 20 feet, because Kaith was so large and all the factors in the scrolls and charts said that it was possible. He pointed to a notation on the side of one of the scrolls, and then announced, "largest white in Pern, 22.5 feet in length. We're only shooting for 20 feet, so I think you have a great chance at it, all considered."

He didn't get a chance to say any more, though. Suddenly, a bronze dragon he didn't recognize blinked out of 'between', landing in their Weyrbowl. It was rare to see the arrival of a new bronze, unless there was a flight going on. So T'kal was rather excited to see what was up-a new transfer, maybe? That would be great!

*Can you pick me up, mine? I want to go meet the big bronze dragon!* The little dragonet's voice was filled with excitement, as he tried to run and ended up almost tripping over his own feet. He might be small but he was just like every other gangly hatchling. Not having grown into their legs, the back ones often were a bit longer than the front, and when they ran, they pretty much did so in a 'hopping' motion that often had disasterous results!

T'kal grinned and scooped up the small dragon in his arms, and set off at a jog for the nearby bronze. Then, he spotted a gold-wasn't Kaith, so must have been their Junior Weyrwoman's, Wolf. He pointed at her, and told Sarcth, "see there, Sarcth? That's Serinth, and she's the junior gold in the Weyr." Sarcth seemed pleased, and replied happily, *yes, I know, mine. She was at my hatching. She's so sparkly!* T'kal blinked and then chuckled. "Yes, sparkly...that's one word to describe her."

He didn't say any more until he caught up to the two riders and their dragons, and then, brushing back a strand of his crimson hair, he announced, "hi there! We saw you come down and Sarcth here wanted to say hello!" He put down the dragonet, who all but pranced up to the large bronze, craning his neck to look all the way up at Yanmeth's large face. *Hi there! I am Sarcth, and you are very big! Everyone is bigger than me, though. So I am used to it,* he told Yanmeth, and then craned his neck to look over at Wolf's Serinth. *You were at my hatching. How do you become so sparkly?* he asked, blinking in the bright light that shone off the smaller gold's hide. His tail waved back and forth, as it was obvious he was excited and trying to contain it.

T'kal sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, and then, offering a hand to the new bronzerider, he said, "I'm T'kal. Sarcth is my bonded. Pretty awesome, isn't he?" Though some might have figured that people would look down on the smaller dragonet, T'kal sounded as proud as a mother hen with her chicks. Obviously Sarcth knew he was different from other dragons, even his clutchmates. However, if he did, he certainly didn't show it.

[Carnage]

Yanmeth looked up to teh Gold who had spoken and blinked.

Greetings to you, golden one. I thank you for your welcome. I am Yanmeth and my rider is R'al

He turned his head to R'al as he spoke to the Jr Weyrwoman that had approached them.

"Thank you... Wolf" A slight pause, a rather short name for a Pernese but not too bad to say... "I am R'al, we are transferred from Southern. I've heard this is a different place to li..."

He trailed off as someone with a large white firelizard walked round the corner... Wait, was that a dragon?

---

Admin's Note:[/hr] He held out a hand to the rider and bemusedly shook the offered hand, glaring at Yanmeth to behave.

What is... he? What are you please? Why are you so small?[/colour] the bronze blew through his nostrils at the little white dragon. My goodness R'al look at that!

R'al coloured, Yanmeth had gained the same talkative streak as him and he wasn't shy on broadcasting. Mind, having to turned up to funny coloured dragons, he could see the bronze's point. Shrugging weakly, he aplogised as best he could whilst trying to shut his dragon up.

[Wolf]

Wolf blushed a bit, noticing the pause before her name. She gave a differential shrug, giving his hand a brief shake before releasing it. She smiled and listened, raising an eyebrow at him when he stopped midsentence. She didn’t notice that T’kal and his White Sarcth were approaching until she heard T’kal speak behind them. She jumped a mile high, flipping around. “Shells-,” she cut short, feeling as if she’d shrunk at least a hand. “T’kal!” she grinned, forcing out a chuckle. She turned back to R’al, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. How many times was it now that she’d been startled? Too many to count, she was far too antsy. She looked from Sarcth to Yanmeth, and then back to R’al, blinking her eyes a couple of times as she processed the exchange of gestures and embarrassed looks. The pleasure is Mine to welcome you and yours Yanmeth. Serinth grumbled, not liking the responses given to Sarcth.

“Yes, well, T’kal,” she spoke out, addressing the boy. “This is our new Transfer rider from...” she trailed off, leaving an opening for him to jump in. “And his name is R’al, and here we have Bronze Yanmeth.” She took a sharp breath in and then let out it out rather loudly.

Wow, you are small, but I am too-for a Gold anyhow. As for your question young hatchling, of that I can’t be sure. I think it has something to do with constant bathing, though really it could just be a hereditary thing... Serinth had never considered why she was so “sparkly,” as Sarcth had put it. Indeed I was at your hatching, a fine hatching it was, and you were quite the brave one-breaking out as you did. I’m Serinth, if you haven’t already been told, and my rider is Jr. Weyrwoman Wolf. Serinth knew that T’kal had really been the one to do the breaking out for the little one but even so, Sarcth deserved some credit for not giving-up.

Sarcth is rare, and his clutchmother is my own, Serinth announced aloud. Wolf looked up at her bonded, wondering if perhaps she had been offended. “Come down from there my love, land in the Weyrbowl.” Wolf was glad for not having to back up, the group was on the other side of the Weyrbowl, giving the Queen plenty of room to land. Serinth beat her wings twice, going up, up. Then she performed a graceful downwards spiral, back winging to land gently, her wings pumping before she snapped them shut and walked a bit closer.

[kestrel]

T'kal smiled good naturedly. He had figured this sort of thing was bound to happen sooner or later-he just wished it was a little less of the sooner, and more of the later. He knew that Sarcth knew he was smaller than any of his clutchmates. He'd at least told the tiny dragonet that much. However, he had given Sarcth full confidence that this was perfectly okay and normal. That there were other whites out there, and that he stood a good chance to reach a decent size. Now, however, he got a bit of a confused feeling from his dragonet, after the Bronze bespoke him. Then, too, there was a sort of hurt feeling, as if somehow the little dragonet's pride had been wounded. However, Sarcth gave his reply, and T'kal had to smile.

*I am a dragon, just as you are,* the white said, puffing himself up to stand as tall as he could, looking Yanmeth in the eye as best as he could, and then, *I am small because I was hatched this way, but T'kal says one day I will be as big as a green, and besides I am a white dragon, and we are special.* T'kal could feel the little dragon's pride. Yes, he had maybe over-emphasized that Sarcth was special because he was white. He wanted to give the dragonet confidence. After all, it would be hard on him not to graduate with his clutchmates. Hard on him to take so long to reach full size, and a wound to his pride that if thread came in two turns, he would not fight it with his clutchmates up above. So, it was a good thing, perhaps, that he had a chance to speak up for himself now.

"You heard him," T'kal announced."He's a white dragon, and one day, he'll be the size of a green. For now, he's the smallest dragonet in the Weyr, but he's got enough personality to make that seem unimportant," he added, grinning. He was proud of his little partner, and when Serinth spoke up aloud, he could feel the small dragonet's chest swell with pride again. Serinth had, after all, just confirmed that they'd come from the same clutchmother. That alone was a factor which gave Sarcth much hope-Kaith was huge, and that gave him a far better chance of being amongst the larger 18-22 foot long whites. The smaller ones were usually 15-18 feet long. He bet Sarcth was 20 full grown. Didn't hurt to hope, anyways...

*That's right-Kaith is my clutchmother,* Sarcth announced proudly, *and she is the biggest gold in all of Pern! So too, I will grow big, because I am a dragon, too!*

T'kal laughed, and then, in answer to Wolf's query, "I transferred here from Ciorram Weyr. I was told Dark Moon needed more Candidates, so I got a ride on in and stood for Kaith's hatching. Never expected to impress first time standing, though.

*Serinth, T'kalmine helped break me out. I could not have done so without him. I was very tired, but I knew he would come for me, so I waited. Now we are together, and he made me have strength to come out.* He quite obviously liked the gold, for when she landed he trotted over to stand by her, his step more lively than before, and his head held high. Apparently, he was thankful she had acknowledged him in such a kind manner. T'kal smiled-prospective friends were definately good, that was for certain!

[Spirithawk]

OOC: BUMP