Morning sunshine (Open)

[Rei]

Sel’n stretched and swung his legs over his bed; he grabbed a pair of pants off the cold floor and pulled them on before walking out into the main room of his weyr. About time you got up lazy. I itch. Kaaoloth’s voice resonated inside the rider’s mind. Sel’n turned as the large brown swung his head into the entrance of the weyr. He was sprawled out on the ledge taking full advantage of the sun’s warming rays.

Sel’n strode over to his beast and rubbed his eye ridges earning a pleased croon from his bonded. “Lazy? Look at you sprawled out like a spoiled feline.” The rider intoned well humouredly. Kaaoloth snorted and pulled his head back. Nevertheless I have been up since sunrise and I itch. The brown added again in a plaintive tone.

“Ok ok Kaao. I get it. I’ll bathe you today.” Sel’n said reaching for the pitcher of redfruit juice on his table. He took a swig straight from the pitcher and made a face. It had soured great. “Perhaps we can rope someone into helping us.” The brown rider stated as he poured the sour juice over the ledge. Kaaoloth rumbled in agreement. It was hard for his to bathe him alone due to his injury. The brown stretched and got to his feet. You are hungry Selmine let us go to the kitchens. On the way back we should visit the barracks. Perhaps some of the young ones will help?

Sel’n rolled his eyes at the brown’s suggestion. Candidates meant noisy excited brats. He wasn’t looking forward to having to talk at all, never mind answer a million questions from eager dragon hopefuls. Still more than one person would be of immense help, there was a lot of the brown to bathe. He strode back into the weyr donned his boots and fetched his riding straps. After giving them his customary scrutiny for wear or damage he fastened the straps to his beast and mounted. The brown needed no encouragement as he vaulted off the weyr ledge and glided in the direction of the kitchens.

As Kaaoloth back winged to land he crooned a hello to two greens who were sunning themselves in the sandy soil outside the kitchens, no doubt waiting for their riders. As Sel’n dismounted Kaaoloth settled onto the ground to wait for his rider. “I’ll be back in a few minutes Kaao.” Sel’n stated as he strode away from the brown and into the kitchens.

The brown rider stopped and survived a few tables before picking an empty one close to the door. He gestured at a candidate and gave her a list of things to fetch. As she bustled off he settled to wait tapping the heel of his boot against the floor.

[nightingale]

Breakfast was already proving to be quite an ordeal for Keirin. His agoraphobic baby flitter had turned out to be much more of a handful than he had imagined, and so simply getting her to come into the dining area with him had been a challenge. Now she was flooding his senses with dread at the thought of moving more than two paces away from the doorway.

"Come on love, they won't hurt you."

He murmured soothingly to the tiny green, wincing as her baby-sharp claws dug into his neck. The trembling creature let out a pitiful little chirp, waves of terror rolling off of her as she watched the comings and goings of the crowded breakfast hall with whirling yellow eyes. Oh, there were just so many large people! Oh, and so loud! Surely Hers could see that she was by far the tiniest creature in the entire room! Kei forced himself not to sigh, giving the green's head a reassuring stroke.

"Nobody is going to eat you sweetheart, now come on. We'll only go in a little ways, okay?"

The young man took the uneasy lack of argument from Lamb to mean that she would go along with that idea, but only very reluctantly. Keirin made his was slowly and gently toward the table nearest to the doorway, and already had his hand on the back of the chair closest him before he realized that there someone was already seated across from him.

"Oh, excuse me sir."

He said, embarrassed. He retracted his hand and smiled apologetically.

"Would, ah...would it be alright if we sat with you? Lamb is still very much afraid of being in the middle of things and I don't think I'll be able to get her much further into the dining hall."

[Rei]

Sel’n had noticed the boy immediately even if the young lad had failed to notice him. The brown rider regarded the flitter with an interest bordering on boredom. The little thing was charming sure but did they really have a use? The Weyrleader seemed to think so. When the candidate reached for the chair Sel’n said nothing, with the amount of trouble the boy was having with the flitter it would have been extremely rude to stop him. I think they are nice. Kaaoloth stated from outside. You think everything is nice. The rider retorted teasingly.

When the candidate balanced and asked for permission Sel’n nodded and gestured for the boy to sit. Lamb huh? It was a fitting name for the flitter as she seemed very meek. The brown rider neglected to speak to the boy and just waved another server over. “This lad would like some breakfast and a bowl of meat scraps for the little flitter.” The brown rider stated in a flat commanding tone. The nervous girl nodded and turned to Keirin. “What would you like sir?” She asked in a polite singsong voice.

As the lad voiced his order Sel’n looked him over carefully. If he was lucky perhaps this boy would be willing to help with Kaaoloth. If so they might be able to skip the trip to the barracks. I hope he agrees I want to see the little cousin up close. The rider rolled his eyes. You have seen plenty of flitters up close what makes this one special? Nothing I just like flitters. Kaaoloth stated simply in answer, before shifting into a more comfortable position. It was likely that his would be a bit so he might as well make himself comfortable.

The rider suddenly realized that the boy might constitute his eye roll as rude. Turning to the lad he offered a hand. “I am Sel’n that large brown lump outside is Kaaoloth. He has to put his two cents into everything.” The brown rider said by way of explanation, shaking his head in mock annoyance.

[Rowana]

Toumke groaned as he approached the dining hall. From the droning noise from inside, it was probably full of people. Crowds were not the reluctant candidates favorite things. He had hoped just to get breakfast and leave, but now it might be more complicated. Well he was usually ignored anyway, so maybe it wouldn't be so bad. He slipped as quietly as he could inside, which wasn't very quiet at all, but it was soon drowned by the bustle of the morning meal.

Toumke didn't plan on staying, so he edged around the tables towards the kitchen. Hopefully they would just give him some klah and a meatroll and he could go back to the barracks. He had chores to do later, but until then he could eat in peace. His plans were foiled, however, when his clumsy feet betrayed him. As he rounded the first table, his foot caught in the legs of one of the chairs, currently occupied by an older rider. While he did manage not to upset the chair, he didn't quite manage to catch himself. He fell in a startled tangle of confused limbs. Now his groan was clearly audible as he tried to regain some dignity. So much for coming and going unnoticed.

[nightingale]

Kei's grin widened with relief as he realized that he hadn't offended, and he slid gratefully into the chair opposite Sel'n. Lamb crooned timidly, pressing herself against the boy's neck as she examined first the rider, then the serving girl with whirling yellow-green eyes.

"Ah, just whatever you've got an abundance of. I'm not terribly picky."

The young man told her kindly, offering her a reassuring smile that, to his dismay only seemed to make her even more nervous and red in the face. He turned back toward Sel'n as she scurried off, just missing the roll of his eyes, and gave his hand a firm shake.

"Candidate Keirin. It's an honour to meet you sir."

Would it be apropriate to say hello now, Lamb questioned Hers. She would never want to be rude...and this rider had been very kind in asking for her breakfast...

"Ah-ha ha, and this is Lamb."

He chuckled, feeling the pinprick of flitter claws through his sleeve as Lamb scurried down from her place atop his shoulder and onto Sel'n's hand. She chirped softly, twining her tail around one of his fingers for balance as she lifted herself up onto her back legs, bringing her curious green eyes a scant two inches closer to the man's face.

Suddenly, there was a loud crash. The tiny flitter was back on Keirin's shoulder instantly, trembling and watching with whirling yellow eyes as Hers leaned over to one side and examined what appeared to be another young man. But why was he on the floor? And where had that awful, frightening sound come from?

"Hey, you alright?"

Kei asked, biting back a chuckle as he watched Toumke try to right himself. The poor fellow -well, at least it was just his pride that was hurt.

[Rei]

Sel’n nodded in approval as the boy shook his hand and gave his name. This lad would do well on the sands and probably in the wing to. He respected authority and gave due respect to those senior to him. Yes he had gained the brown riders approval. The lad’s little lizard, having been introduced, clambered onto his hand and raised her head her emerald eyes whirling slowly.

Sel’n raised his hand to stroke her as he felt his chair shift under him and heard a crash as someone stumbled and fell to the stone floor. Lamb, having been startled by the noise, had launched herself from the riders hand and glided to her bonded’s shoulder.

The older man got off his chair and strode over to the boy offering his hand in assistance. Clumsy lad.

[Rowana]

"Mm fine" Toumke mumbled, though in truth he wanted to vanish into the floor. How could he have been so clumsy! Now everyone had noticed him and they probably thought him a fool. Trying to hide a growing shade of pink in his cheeks, he took the rider's offered hand and pulled himself to his feet. He had considered refusing the help, but decided that he had been rude enough already by interrupting their conversation.

"Thanks," he said, more clearly. "Sorry." He shifted uncomfortably and did not meet their eyes. Maybe now that he was up they would forget about him and go back to their discussion. Then he could get back to sneaking away with his breakfast before half the Weyr new he was there. He inched backward subtly, hoping they wouldn't think him rude for trying to slip away. He didn't want to embarrass himself any further by lingering.

[nightingale]

Keirin did his best not to chuckle at the boy's obvious embarrassment when Sel'n helped him to his feet. As much as he hated to admit though, it really had been funny.

"Ah, maybe you should sit with us."

He offered, gesturing to the empty seat next to him. It seemed unkind to send him off after having made a fool of himself, especially when he and Sel'n still had an entire breakfast table to themselves. Lamb trilled her agreement with the boy's reasoning, peering shyly around his jawline at Toumke.

"I'm Keirin, and this is my flitter Lamb."

He offered, casting a small glance toward the rider across from him. He hoped he hadn't overstepped his boundaries by inviting the boy to sit with them. He didn't know much about Weyr hierarchy after all.

[Rei]

Sel’n ran an eye over the clumsy lad, he seemed uncomfortable. Well if he wanted to leave far be it from him to stop him. You are being rude Selmine. He could be a possible bather. The rider almost laughed but managed to hold it in, although a slight smirk did play across his face. Kaao you opportunistic lump always looking for ways to make things better for yourself eh. Not true mine I am simply looking out for both of us. With two strong hands to bathe me you can laze as much as I. The rider had to shake his head at that statement true as it was.

Sel’n was saved from having to offer the self destructive boy a seat for the other lad had already offered. He waved away Keirin’s questioning glance before speaking. “Yes you are welcome to join us. I am Sel’n rider of brown Kaaoloth.” He pulled out a chair for the lad just as a few candidates approached the table with laden trays. “Thank you.” The rider stated politely as they placed the trays within easy reach of the three and left.

Sel’n gestured to the food. “Go ahead boys. There is plenty for all of us.” Why are you being so nice now? Kaaoloth asked in a questioning tone. Come on Kaao according to your advice I have to be some semblance of sociable if you want your bath help. He felt the browns unspoken agreement as he began to fill his plate. “So either of you interested in getting some firsthand experience with dragon care?” he asked in a flat tone, before taking a bite and chewing slowly. Smooth Selmine. Sel'n totally ignored the sarcasm in his beast's tone.