Hatching Feast: Christmas Clutch

[dragon]

E'yan nodded, at T'rid's to the point reply. He really did appreciate that ... E'yan was rather the sort to enjoy gatherings, people, talking, laughing. And by the looks of T'rid, the Weyrleader did not. Which meant E'yan really didn't want to spend much time with the sour man. There were better things to spend his night doing. "No, that's all." He replied, to T'rid's rather nastyish remark. Without another comment, E'yan walked away from the Leadership table, and reimmersed himself in the crowd... or what was soon going to be a crowd. E'yan looked around, hoping to find someone peacable enough to talk to, that wasn't liable to ruin the whole night.

~~~

C'oar stood there rather silently for a moment as the girls ran off and left him ... he wondered if he should follow, but then decided not to. Not only was he not invited, but everyone was liable to think he thought he was a girl, too. And that was definitely not the case. C'oar knew who and what he was. And it was a little odd that most of his friends happened to be girls. He didn't mind ... but it made hanging out with friends a little awkward.

Okay. More than a little.

C'oar rubbed Storm's side for a moment, thinking. What could he do, now? There really wasn't anything for him to do except stand there and look bored. Danar wasn't here. Pepsi wasn't here ... though he kindof had to admit he was glad Pepsi was missing. And Saeo and Raylin had both just run off and left him. That left ... nobody.

Shards. He really needed some new friends. Or someone to talk to. Something. C'oar only then noticed Ke'rin walking up. This was someone he really didn't know ... but that could be remedied. He sort of looked willing to interact, anyway ... and didn't look like he was going to bite. "Hi." C'oar answered, before glancing after the girls again. He noted that Jermayan had showed up, and was talking to Saeo. He knew that was so going to make her night.

But he was glad to know she wasn't so bad off she couldn't show up ... she couldn't be hurt too terribly. He looked at Ke'rin again. "I'm C'oar." He offered, by way of self introduction. "I just Impressed brown Frosstyth ..." He wasn't sure if he was supposed to say that, but he'd heard riders include thier dragons ... so ... and the weyrlings all did need to get to know each other. All C'oar knew about Ke'rin was that he had impressed, too.

[Tashe]

"Paw!" Reaching out so Soleil could preform the trick, Saraina, praised him once more before giving him another piece of meat. A voice, as well as a pair of boots, interrupted her thoughts. Glancing up from the young canine, the Bluerider settled her gaze on the intruder, but decided not to hold it against the Elder. "I wouldn't put it past 'er... Down!" The canine looked as though he was going to jump up on the old lady, and that wasn't going to do. "Its Saraina mum, an' this one with the dazzlin' eyes, is Soleil. Sure is, 'E likes a good pet." Watching quietly as the old lady greeted her young male, Sara eyed the little Green flitter hanging from her shoulder. "I'd be careful of yer flit, Soleil likes ta' chase 'em."

--
Wagging his tail as the grey two-legged female came closer, he was about to jump up to greet her when his lead female tugged on the hide that kept him close. When all four paws were on the ground, Soleil panted happily as the two-legger bent closer, whining slightly. He wanted to pet! Would the female scratch him behind the ears? She smelled funny, not like his Master... his Master smelled like the scary flyer that lived in their home. But it was an okay smell, it was interesting and distracted his nose. Like the thing on the old female's shoulder! That smelled like the scary flyer thing but was smaller. It was one of the pup-flyers! Oh, he liked to play tag with the pup-flyers! Would this pup-flyer play with him? Woofing hopefully, the young male wagged his tail even harder. Funfunfun.

Those noises again. Why couldn't the two-leggers talk normally? The Canine sat back and panted, tilting his head to the side while trying to figure out what the old woman's noises meant, but to no avail. It would make everything better if the two-leggers spoke like he did.
--

"Soleil, no. No chase." She saw him eying the Green hopefully, and normally she'd let him go at it, but Saraina didn't want her Canine to hurt the woman in his eagerness. "I'm sure 'E'd give ya a lick if ya scratched 'im behind the ears." Returning the womans wink with a smile, the Bluerider reached back and tossed a piece of fruit at one of her chuckling friends. They all knew she was being nice because the woman was older, but they didn't have to be so verbal about their amusement.

[nightingale]

Ke'rin smiled warmly, trying to ignore the panicked scrabbling of Lamb's needle-sharp claws on his neck. It was no easy task.

"Ah...Ke'rin. I impressed bronze Jaymith."

He said, raising one hand to still his agitated flitter so that he could focus on remembering just what his name was and which dragon he had impressed. The young man wasn't sure he liked the idea of introducing himself as a bronzerider just yet. It just seemed...presumptuous. He didn't want anyone to think he was trying to impress them with the colour of his dragon...

"And...this is Lamb...ah, sorry, she's a little nervous. Just say hello sweetheart."

A nervous little warble sounded behind the boy's ear. Slowly, the flitter poked her tiny, electric green head out to examine C'oar and Storm with nervous yellow-green eyes. Oh, they were very big! But Hers liked them, yes? They were nice? Oh, they knew green Raylin and green Farryl, so she was sure they were very nice...but oh, oh big...where had the very large bronze come from? She did not remember having any bronze clutchbrothers.

"That's a very nice flitter you have there."

He commented, just as curious as to where the creature had come from.

"He's not from Zesa's clutch is he?"

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

Saeo's focus had shifted abruptly from finding a place to sit as she realized two things -first that she would have to make a second trip for the rest of her friends, as they didn't seem to be following and second, that the dessert table contained an impressive array of bubbly pie that smelled absolutely fantastic. Of course, she hadn't the time to do much more than pause in thought as to which matter required her more urgent attention before she felt someone tapping her on the shoulder. She glanced over with a curious expression, wondering who -ohshellswhatwashedoinghere?!

"Ahh..."

She murmured, flushing a deep scarlet as she was rendered momentarily dumb by Jermayan's hypnotically gorgeous brown eyes.

"I'm fine...they stitched me up on the sands...well, just a few stitches really. Most of the scratches didn't even need to be bandaged...so, it's nothing to worry about...thank you."

She smiled shyly -an expression that would seem decidedly out of place on the girl's expression by anyone who knew her. She gave Raylin's wrist a desperate little squeeze, silently begging her her to think up some excuse to get them out of there before she passed out cold.

[topaz]

C'vin glanced at the doorway as people continued to file in. Turning his gaze to the Weyrleader absently, the Weyrling noticed he was not in the usual festive mood that Feasts brought about. Of course T'rid's good moods were far and few between, as far as C'vin could discern. As Rinnel's first question reached his ears, C'vin smirked slightly at the Wherhandler's obvious discomfort with the ceremony. He couldn't blame him though. Whers and their handlers usually didn't see so many people because of the odd hours they kept. At least that's what C'vin figured. He had only seen a few whers in his lifetime, and their handlers seemed equally scarce.

"Well that all depends on the Weyrleader and his speech really. Some of them just go on and on, you know. But Weyrleader T'rid doesn't seem to even want to be here, much less give a speech. I'm sure it won't be too torturous." He said teasingly, a pleasant smile on his face.

To the Wherhandler's second statement and question, C'vin raised an eyebrow slightly. The Weyrling was surprised at how mocking the question had sounded at first, but he quickly chalked the notion up to his own embarrassment about the mauling. His smile faded slightly, but still lingered faintly as he answered. "Yeah. There was quite a lot of blood. But luckily for me," He lifted his injured shoulder slightly, as if testing that he really was well enough to be at the feast. Thinking back to the Hatching, and the shocking number of maulings that day, he continued. "..and the others, the Healers took action right away. Thank Faranth for them, eh? That poor girl..uh, Pasine I think. She certainly wouldn't have made it if they had not been in the Stands already. Close call, even so." He nodded slightly, looking absently at the table setting in front of him.

Reverting to the man's actual question, he added in an affirmative tone, "Numbweed helps a lot too." He chuckled softly.

[ladybug]

Rilyer glanced up as a bluerider passed by, taking a cup of wine. Automatically, his gaze swept over the man's scars, but he was only curious. There had to be a story behind that. He also took in the man's clothing, his eyes picking out the detail of the carved buttons. He appreciated good clothes, and took an instant liking to this man because of it. Rilyer didn't recognize the rider, but that wasn't surprising, because he missed meeting a lot of people being basically nocturnal.

"Some Hatching, wasn't it?" He commented, his expression somewhere between a grin and a grimace, for that was exactly what the Hatching had been. "Did you get to see it all?" If the rider hadn't, Rilyer would be more than happy to fill him in with much flare.

***

Burena's eagle-eye zoomed in on one of the weyrlings who was taking up position along the wall a few feet away from her. Adopting a bright smile, she slid down a few steps, ending up right next to him. She mocked surprise at seeing him, as if he had suddenly popped up from nowhere.

"Oh, hello! You Impressed, didn't you? Blue, right?" She grinned, quickly squashing the spark of jealousy that popped up when she mentioned the Impression. "Congratulations. What's your dragon like?" She was all curiosity about the weyrling dragons. Judging by their actions on the sands, they were all different, just like people.

[antinanco]

If Ieoha had known that Saraina was simply humoring her due to her age, she would have been both aggravated and pleased at the same time. True, today’s youth were finally respecting their elders, but she didn’t think she needed the soft treatment! In reality she probably did, but in her mind, shardit, bring on the world!

Anyway, there was no way that the auntie was going to get inside of the bluerider’s head, so none of this occurred to Ieoha. Instead she brushed the warnings aside with a little shrug and a, “I wouldn’t worry, Laef isn’t going to be giving anyone much of a chase in this lifetime.” Laef swayed again with the motions, but remained rooted to the spot. Her sharp pinchers wouldn’t let go unless she was wrenched from the spot, her bonded knew. Actually…

Ieoha did just that: she worked her nimble fingers inbetween her dress and the flitter’s pincher-like claws, then wrenched them apart. Taking the still snoozing flitter into her hands like a platter, she offered it to the dog. “Well, such a cute name deserves a cute flitter, right Soleil? Go ahead, sniff her, poke her, lick her, just don’t bite her, okay sweetie?”


---

“Feh,” Rinnel snorted, rolling his shoulders in a careless manner and slumping back down into his chair. While the thought of a Candidate being mauled and failing to achieve their dreams appealed to Rinnel in a selfish sort of way, but he wasn’t totally heartless and did feel some sympathy for the girl, whatever her name was. He guessed in the end the two emotions neutralized each other to make one big blob of I-don’t-really-care.

Looking over to the new Weyrleader as the Weyrling pointed him out, Rinnel noticed the unenthusiastic slump that the two currently shared. But, in true hypocrite form, the poster angered him. Sure, Rinnel could be unwilling, he was just a tired greenhandler. But this man, this supposed leader, was expected to be a figurehead for the Weyr! He was the one to lead everyone, everyone to fight Thread or else all would perish. He had the best of Rinnel’s fantasies and was shrugging it off like he had a green wher attached to his butt.

Lip rising in a scowl, Rinnel commented, “Well, not much of a Weyrleader, is he? I guess I should be thankful for his stupidity.” Her turned to C’vin, a knowing smirk suddenly appearing on his face unexpectedly, “Though I guess you don’t need to worry too much about it, right? What did you Impress? A br-blue, right?” He nodded to himself. Yes, that seemed right. He had almost said brown, but changed his answer last second. “So you don’t have to worry about the ol’ Weyrleader, right? They change faster than the wind. Just kinda sit back and not have to worry about things.” He was actually interested to know for once, having found a connecting point with the Weyrling: they were both low-ranking in the color spectrum. Really, he was just desperately searching for a confirmation of his own actions, to know he wasn’t alone.

[/font]

[hseru]

S'lain shook his head in response to the question.
"I'm afraid I was on patrol during the majority of it, but I have heard... rumors. They're rather gruesome, truth be told." He reached a hand up to brush easily through his hair, unknowingly leaving it a bit mussed afterwards as it refused to settle again.

Taking a light sip of the rosetta, the bad taste in his mouth soured the wine a bit, and he grimaced.
"I know maulings are common, but from what I've heard, they were excessive this time. Of course, the stories are probably exaggerated due to the nature of gossip." He shrugged lightly. "Next you know, I'll be hearing about how while the hatching went on, a wherry gathered the nerve to try and invade the sands, taking an egg with it for reasons know only to itself." He grinned a bit at his attempt to lighten the slightly dour mood of the conversation.
If I were you, I'd refrain from making jokes. You're not good at it. Hiding the twitch his eye wanted to make, S'lain gave a small grunt. You are unusually naggy today. Did you sit on broken egg shells while sleeping?Only if you put them there.I just might!

Giving his head a small shake to clear it of the private conversation, he coughed lightly. Swirling the wine in his cup, another sip reassured him that the wine had returned to its usual fruity flavor, and his smile came easier. Nothing like good wine to soothe unhappy thoughts, and unhappy dragons.

"Ah, excuse my horrible memory, but I don't think I've seen you around before, friend. I'm S'lain, rider of blue Jaxith." The introduction came as if the thought had just occurred to him.

[weaving]

If there was anyone who looked like they didn’t want to be there, it was T’rid. I’fael quickly realized that and so rather than continue a conversation with the Weyrleader, he chose to simply nod politely to what the man said. While he didn’t dislike T’rid, the brownrider certainly had little respect for the man as far as leadership went. It seemed he felt that way about the majority of the leaders of Selenitas, something that worried him. Well, he’d do his best to ensure that these new weyrlings did not come to think of this behavior as acceptable because it certainly was not. “Enjoy the rest of your feast Weyrleader,” he murmured with a slight tilt of his head before turning his attentions to Kaegan who looked as though she’d make better company this evening. He didn’t know much about her, which was better than having the entire weyr go on about her childish antics.

“It was rather gruesome; you’re glad to have missed it. It certainly wasn’t something that I would want to see again.” Oh, but he would have to be reminded of it every day. Hopefully the hatchlings would be far less inclined to attack others now that they were impressed, but the fact that they could still cause trouble worried him. He could only brace himself for lessons and hope that their riders had a good control. “It seems that you have no one to sit with you Weyrwoman. Would you mind if I took up that role? A young woman such as yourself should not be left alone this evening.” It might sound like flirting to some, but for I’fael it was simply courtesy. His eyes flickered toward the empty seat where the junior Weyrleader should be at, yet another great leader of Selenitas, before looking back to Kaegan. He smiled softly as though to reassure the young woman that his intentions were pure.

----------

Saeo’s initial reaction confused Jermayan, who blinked owlishly at her. That was an awfully odd way to greet someone, wasn’t it? Or perhaps it was normal and his brain was simply too tired to process it properly. Either way, he was rather confused, which showed plainly on his face. He would have normally cared but was simply too tired. He was able to pay attention to her when she finally answered his question, nodding as she told him what Dorava had done for the girl. Still, she should have come in to the infirmary afterwards, but, no matter. He imagined that she was rather excited after impression.

“It sounds like they did a fine job. Just make sure to restrict your movements for the next sevenday or so to prevent the stitches from ripping. Clean it thoroughly as well; if you stop by the infirmary, they should have some ointment that you can apply to minimalize scarring and allow your healing skin to stretch. I’d say come back in about two sevendays to get your stitches removed and then you should be fine.” After speaking, Jermayan smiled again. It had taken quite some effort to get all of that out without slurring, but he’d managed, and so while the smile was partially for Saeo it was also for himself.

He stood there for a few moments before realizing he didn’t even know her name. Well, better late than never. “I’m terribly sorry, but I don’t think I ever learned your name. I’m Jermayan.” He offered his hand to shake hers upon giving her his name, fully aware of the fact that he should stop talking and get some food so that he could sleep. He was too much of a gentleman to leave so abruptly however; thankfully Saeo didn’t seem to be much of talker, which meant that they would quickly run out of things to say, offering him an easy out.

[Rei]

Raylin watched the exchange between Saeo and Jermayan with polite interest. From Saeo’s reaction this must be the man she was crushing on from the infirmary. She stifled a giggle as she gently pried her wrist from Saeo’s grip. “Ah you two have met before. In the infirmary actually.” Raylin tilted her head and allowed her hair to spill over her shoulder. “While you are explaining things to her why don’t I go and get you some food? You look famished and I bet that’s what you came down her for.” With that she whirled around and strode to the food laden tables. That should give Saeo sufficient time to get to know the boy. Vega crooned and rubbed his head against his. She was happy tonight so he was also extremely happy.

She made it to the tables without incident, piled to plates high with food, and grabbed to glasses of wine before striding back to the twosome and placing the plates and glasses on the table with the ease of someone used to serving large groups. “Here you are.” She gave a light smile before turning her head and looking back at the two a look of mock surprise on her face. “Oh I think I just heard C’oar calling me I better go see what he wants.” She winked at Saeo before trotting off into the crowd. Now what was she going to do to occupy her time? She settled for heading towards the dance floor to watch the dancers. At least it would entertain Vega.

[topaz]

C'vin took another glance over to the Weyrleader as Rinnel spoke of him, then turned back around and nodded. "Yes, blue Mallowth." He said rather proudly, a soft smile spreading across his face as he searched for his dear dragons mind.

Are you in a better mood now, Mal? Haven't destroyed too many of my things have you? He asked in a teasing, yet sincerely concerned tone. Oh well, your furs...are quite rumpled. And I chewed off one of your boot straps. But it was the old pair, the ones you don't really like. The Hatchling said sweetly, as if that fact would make it okay. Oh well, good thing! The Weyrling remarked sarcastically. A mental whine reached the boy's ears next. I couldn't help it. I'm just so bored up here. But I think I'll go wander around by the river now. Maybe I'll catch me a fish! I really am terribly hungry. C'vin sent a mental sigh, and then warned his dragon in a stern, serious tone. Alright, but don't go too far into the river. You still don't know how to swim well enough yet. Just up to your elbows, if that. I don't want to run out of here to save my own drowning dragon! The sound of dragon laughter reached C'vin's mind, and he couldn't help but smile slightly. I bet I'm a better swimmer then you are my C'vin! You don't even have a tail! Oh shush, I'm a very good swimmer for your information. Now seriously Mal, not too far. I know, I know already! I'm not a dimglow.

Returning to his human conversation after just a moment, C'vin continued. "T'rid isn't really much to be proud of, more like a spoiled, overgrown child who hasn't gotten his way, but at least it's something, right?" C'vin doubted his own statement just as soon as it left his lips, but he let it go. "Hopefully he'll be gone by the time me and Mal are ready to fly Thread. Then we'll only need to hope we don't land in his wing. That must really be a job, answering to him directly as well as flaming spores from every which way." He sighed. "Although I hear his dragon is much more likable." He shrugged, and glanced to his other side, eyeing the other Weyrlings, and then the long banquet table.

"Shells, I almost forgot how hungry I am." C'vin chuckled. "Would you like anything? I have to get extra for Mallowth anyway, the great vacuum that he is." He snorted in a laughing manner, a slight smirk on his lips as he waited for an answer.

I heard that. The blue said sourly. I'm sure you did! And you are! Don't try and deny it. The dragon huffed indignantly, and refocused his attention onto the tiny silvery fish he was now so diligently stalking in the river shallows.

[dragon]

C'oar nodded, and smiled slightly. "Nice to meet you, Ke'rin." he said, before inclining his head slightly to Lamb "And miss Lamb." He added. She was almost cute, the way she was acting, if she hadn't been so truely terrified. "This is Storm ... and he's not from that clutch. I found his egg by accident, after Zessa's hatching." he explained, reaching up to pat Storm's head.

Storm cooed for a moment, before being interested by Lamb. He absorbed all the petting, and then scrambled across C'oar's shoulder, to take a flying leap and land on Ke'rin's shoulder. Poking his head around behind to where Lamb was hiding, he crooned his own polite greeting.

C'oar watched Storm go, and then shook his head. "Sorry about that." He reached over and plucked the silly bronze off the bronze weyrling, and restored him to his own shoulder again. "He's not old enough to have learned anything yet." He apologized.

He looked around at the crowd again, and watched Saeo talk to Jermayan, noting that Raylin had fetched over meals ... and then wandered off. C'oar watched her go, and wondered where she was going. It was rather unusual for the two girls to seperate like that. For a moment he considered going after her, to see where she was going. But that would be awful rude, to just wander off away from someone who was talking to him. He looked at Ke'rin again.

[nightingale]

Had it been possible through even the most remote stretch of imagination for Saeo to incinerate her friend on the spot, she would have done so without blinking. That traitorous wretch was leaving her stranded in conversation with the one human being in the entire Weyr that she simply could not force small talk with! Ooooh, she was just asking for a wakeup call involving a bucket of sour milk...

"Ahhmmm...it's Saeo."

She murmured, accepting the hand offered to her with as much strength as she could muster. She was thankful that the silk gloves she'd chosen to wear would mask the trembling and sweating she was doing beneath them. Thank goodness for purfume...

"We haven't actually met. I think Raylin is just thinking wishfully because she wants to get back to the party."

She was hesitant to sit down, despite the place setting that had already been laid out for her. The setup was just so obvious, and the last thing she wanted was for Jermayan to sit with her out of pity or sense of duty.

"Ah, you probably have somewhere to go. Please, don't let me keep you."

She murmured quickly, forcing a pleasant smiled onto her face. It was probably for the best -she'd rather scream at Raylin while her betrayal was still fresh in her mind.

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

Lamb chirruped fearfully, pressing herself tightly against her Bonded's neck as Storm's head came near to her. Oh! He was just so very big! However, the flitter's good-natured greeting seemed to take the edge off of her fear. He was friendly...perhaps bronze Storm would be friends with her? Yes? She warbled curiously as C'oar came to fetch him, tilting her head as if to get a better look at the boy. Oh yes, they both seemed very nice. Very nice indeed.

Ke'rin had noticed quite early on the way that C'oar kept glancing around the room as if some other pressing matter required his attention. He couldn't help but feel a little hurt by the gesture -perhaps mentioning Jaymith had been a bad move? He hadn't thought his impressing a bronze would be that big a deal...

"Ah, something on your mind?"

He pressed gently, his eyebrows lifting ever so slightly into an inquisitive arc.

[Rowana]

T'ke had been busy watching several of the other conversations, including one where a girl seemed like she would faint at any moment, so he didn't realize it at first when someone started talking to him. He stared at her blankly for a moment, as if trying to comprehend why anyone would be talking to him. "Oh...um..." he stammered, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly. "Yes and thank you. He's quite the cheerful one actually." He managed to say that much without stumbling, giving him a small spark of confidence to continue.

"I'm sorry," he went on. "I don't remember your name." He held out a hand, out of a need to be polite. "I'm Toumke...I mean...um...T'ke." He caught himself hurriedly. This name change would take getting used to. He spoke softly and shyly. Talking to people was not his strong suite, especially talking to girls. This would be only his second conversation with a girl, in fact, and the first one had been much different.

~

Farryl stifled a giggle as she watched Saeo and her handsome healer friend from the safety of a distance. It looked like they were hitting it off fairly well, despite the fact that her friend looked about ready to be sick. Farryl moved around to catch Raylin as she left the scene. "That was rather sneaky," she commented in amusement. Now the two were stuck with each other and Saeo had no escape. Yes, Raylin was a clever matchmaker indeed.

[Avu]

He zoned out almost as instantly as the attention was turned off of him, scowling at his wine as if it had personally offended him in some way before he picked it up, eyeing the bright red hue, sipped carefully. That I'fael and Kaegan were talking about the Hatching next to him - and that he might be expected to throw in his thoughts - completely was missed by the Weyrleader, T'rid staring morosely at the tablecloth as he swallowed the mouthful of wine and took another, leaning back in his chair, head tipped forward, his gaze focused blankly on the table in front of him. What was he thinking about? Answer: Absolutely nothing. He'd considered talking to Corinth, but frankly, the bronze would likely as not reprimand him for his lack of enthusiasm about the Feast, which would be beyond irritating. If Corinth so wanted him to be a good Weyrleader, then maybe the bronze should somehow stick his head in here and give the speech instead of forcing him to.

Shouldn't you? Corinth remarked.
T'rid started violently, nearly upsetting the wine goblet and carefully placing it on the table. Shouldn't I what? he hissed back, irritated that the bronze had been eavesdropping on his thoughts.
I can't help it, he answered plaintively, When you're upset, you're much more open. Shouldn't you give your speech now?
Muttering a curse, T'rid flicked a brief glance around the room. I haven't thought about what I'm going to say...
Then think. Think fast.
I think I need to go use the ch -
You are /not/ going to hide out by a chamberpot for the duration of the Feast.
Wrinkling his nose, T'rid sighed in resignation, moodily picking up his wine glass for another sip.

What would the speech be about? Ka'rys's had been short. Well, he'd just have to see if he could beat that. T'rid groaned mentally as he finished the last sip of his wine and then rose to his feet. There was too much conversation for him to expect a tap on his wine goblet to be heard by all, so he dropped that and went straight to talking. "Excuse me, everyone, if I could have your attention for a moment..." A very short, brief, pointless moment. "I'm sure everybody, or at least most people, witnessed the Hatching, so there's no need for a detailed minute-by-minute story about it. Congratulations to those who Impressed, and to those who didn't, we hope to see you Stand again. The Feast is laid out, so...pray continue stuffing your faces now."

Plopping himself back down and signaling for more wine in the same motion, T'rid leaned his chair back absently on two legs, wondering how soon he could leave and still insist he'd been there for the majority of the Feast. If only these people would all get sick simultaneously and bolt. Then there'd be no Feast and he could cheerfully leave. He wasn't going to eat anyway. Perhaps he'd grab a meatroll on the way back to his weyr, but otherwise, he'd just...sit here, admiring the tablecloth, sip wine, and glare at whoever bothered him. Simple and efficient.

[Rei]

((Total Fail))

Raylin spun around as Farryl approached and gave the girl a wide smile. “Wasn’t it. I am sure she will be tying to get me back later.” The older girl laughed and Vega thrilled happily. Opening his wings and launching into the air the pale flitter whirled around the dancers and crooned encouragingly to Farryl and His. Wouldn‘t they join him? “Why Farryl I do think my Vega is offering a dance it would be rude not to accept.” Her eyes twinkled merrily as she gently pushed the younger girl towards her flitter.

Vega twirled around Farryl and chirped to Tille before winging back to His. Landing on her shoulder he gave a questioning chirp. Why was his not dancing. Raylin laughed as she stroked her flit’s soft hide. “You don’t dance alone silly, and girls don’t dance with girls.” She explained tapping him on the nose. Raylin gave a searching glace around the dance floor. “I don’t know about you Farryl but I could use something to eat. Shall we?”