Precious Stones Graduation

[Tashe]

The room below him was buzzing with the chatter of Weyrlings and the invited, it certainly was a day for excitement and celebration. It had been a while since he had been able to have the honor of passing students into the next stage of their lives, and it was particularly rewarding when it was his own students graduating. The Precious Stone seniors had worked hard for this day to come, they deserved and needed it, though it would be hard letting them go. Sighing as he adjusted his tunic anxiously, F'rah knew the time for handing out the Graduation scrolls was drawing closer. He was proud for Saraina and Gina, but the fact he was proud of his whole class outweighed any favorites he might have. Shaking out his long hair, which needed to be cut before the day was out, the Weyrlingmaster looked down at his speech once more. It wasn't very long, but at least it was to the point, he knew that most people didn't care for long winded congratulatory speeches anyways.

Pushing back a few stray hairs from his face before turning his gaze back to the large room, the Wingsecond cleared his throat before placing a hand on the podium. "May I have all of your attention please. The Passing Ceremony is about to begin. Can all the Graduating Weyrlings take their appropriate seats and the Junior Weyrlings behind them. Everyone else is welcome to stand or sit wherever they feel comfortable as long as it is behind the Junior Weyrling sitting area. Thank you." Stepping down from the podium and motioning for one of the pre-chosen Junior Weyrlings to uncover the basket of scrolls and set it on the table to the right of the podium. The Weyrlingmaster would begin the ceremony as soon as everyone settled down, and the Seniors took their places.

---

Stretching her arms above her head in exhaustion, Saraina couldn't help but rubbing her eyes also, even though she received a smack on the shoulder for doing so. Rolling her tired eyes in disgust as Gina fretted that her makeup had been ruined by the rubbing, the Blueweyrling picked at the gown she was wearing. Light and dark purple, it definitely wasn't one of her favorite colors, but it was so much better than the white gowns the men were being forced to wear. Purple and White, the Weyr's colors, how traditional could you get... they could at least change the colors up every once in a while. Shaking her head as Gina turned her fussing over onto some other poor being, Saraina turned her attention to F'rah as he began to talk. Picking herself up from the chair she had been sitting in, the Blueweyrling snatched up her friend's arm before dragging Gina to the Senior chairs. "Lets go brindlebrain."

---

"Sara stop touching your face, you'll ruin your makeup I worked so hard on." Smacking her friend's shoulder as the Blueweyrling began to rub her eyes, Gina made sure that the makeup hadn't smeared. "You look fine, stop picking at your gown..." Making this comment even though she knew it would go ignored, the Greenweyrling sighed unhappily before moving onto one of their friends in the class. Trying to hide her anxious fidgeting, Gina made sure that the boy's robe's were almost perfect before stopping to listen to her Cousin speak. Squeaking slightly as she was dragged from her current project by the arm, the Weyrling stumbled along behind Saraina before righting herself and huffing. "I can find my seat perfectly well on my own." Huffing once more before taking her seat, Gina shifted her gown around herself before crossing her legs.

---

White. Of course the damn things had to be white, Selenitas was such a perfect fit for the color, clean and almost completely innocent. Looking at his cap with disgust as he rotated it by two of the corners, E'rro watched as the tassel flopped from one side to the other before going upside down and then starting again. The tassel was like his life, he had started at Benden gone to attack Selenitas but ended up staying by force and now he was starting all over again. His life had been turned upside down and now it was either live at Selenitas or not live at all. Squeezing the cap slightly so that it bent in a convex fashion, the Brownweyrling stopped before it was bent permanently. He had gotten over the despise he felt about being stuck here, it had smoldered into a strong dislike. He would serve Selenitas, but they would only get what he gave them, it would not be his absolute best, not by a long shot. It would only be enough to survive by. He would do what he was told. But only what he was told, nothing because of charity. Standing as everyone was instructed to take their seats, E'rro rolled his shoulder before selecting a seat in the back of the Senior's area. Maneuvering himself down into the wooden chair, the Brownweyrling yawned before turning his attention onto the Weyrlingmaster.

[glamourie]

He was... exceedingly nervous. Why, K'lir didn't know. It wasn't as though he had to do anything hard -- as far as he knew. Yet as he took the seat he'd been assigned in the Senior Weyrlings section, K'lir fidgeted, staring pointedly at the tops of his dress boots as if they offered him an answer. Maybe it was because he was dressed up that he was so spooked; he didn't know. The outfit didn't look bad on him. White robe-gown-thing (he was deluding himself into thinking it was a robe but it looked like a dress), but it wasn't bad. They were lucky to get him into it, too. K'lir only owned one pair of gather finery and his had been ruined at the Gather at Selenitas Hold, when his firelizard and two of Rawign's had killed one another -- he was still quite shaken up by that incident. It was too big for him, the gown was -- by about three sizes, really. So he settled for looking considerably younger than he actually was, and squirming. At least so far no one had commented. He'd brushed his hair from his face, the longer strands tucked behind his ears. He was trying to look presentable. He really was...

... He was shaking. The realization irritated K'lir, and he settled for folding his arms over his chest and quite pointedly staring downward. He could feel and see squirming around his wrist. Showoff had insisted on coming with him and K'lir couldn't bring himself to care that he was risking getting himself in trouble; Calistoth and Showoff were all he had left. Troublemaker was gone. The thought sent cold chills down his spine and he closed his eyes. He wanted to lean against Beka or K'ran, but there was a limit to what he felt comfortable doing in public. Such blatant displays of weakness were unacceptable. So he sat, in silence, and he stared; he tried not to focus on the empty feeling somewhere in the back of his mind and the guilt that he had failed a creature who loved him for no reason than because he was him. It was not a comforting thought, to believe that the one firelizard that cared so much for him was... gone. For good.

He wasn't up to dealing with the public or groups. He intellectually knew that, even as he moved one hand to rub his fingers over Showoff. If he could've, he'd have asked to skip the Graduation; he wasn't entirely sure he wanted to be around perfect strangers let alone in front of a crowd. Beka would kill him. So would Calistoth. He inhaled.

Today is our day. Stop thinking about that.
I'll never understand how you can be so... cold, Calistoth. That firelizard loved you, too.
And he would've been proud of us. Stop being a deadglow.

Squinting, K'lir lifted his head slowly and looked around. As much as it pained him to admit it, Calistoth was not incorrect. Troublemaker was the sweetest brown on Pern and he would've been happy to perch somewhere far out of the way to watch, and be proud of his humanthing. It was just so hard, in some ways. He should've been there. Where was Beka? He needed someone to lean against.

Thoth will be here, or I will punish him.

Cold comfort, that.

[randi]

I don't want to be here. It was the single thought Alaid had been sending at Aorath since her getting changed into the nicest clothes she had, not wanting to wear the robes that had been offered still. The weyrling didn't look all that great, but she wasn't about to complain. Surely, wearing a plain shirt and skirt, she wouldn't be singled out compared to the girls who were dressing elaborately or the boys in their finest. Looking at the chairs that had been set up as well as those present, the fearful girl almost fled, but Aorath wouldn't let her.

The young green had been fighting an uphill battle with Alaid since she had told the girl to get changed, and every step had beat out a new wave of fear and discomfort that Aorath had soothed as best she could. However, she did not find it an easy task. Hers didn't want to be there, to be stared at or brushed aside, but just to be let alone. Had Aorath thought that it would be better for her to skip, she would have spoken to F'rah, but, as it stood, the dragon thought it better to let Alaid stand before everyone as she graduated.

You will be fine, Aorath assured her for what felt like the millionth time as Alaid glanced up to see who was there already and who was not. Spotting Gina, she wanted to move towards her, but seeing her near someone who was apparently her friend made Alaid shrink. She didn't want to intrude on the other's happiness, not in the least, especially when she could make it to her assigned seat and wait until this was all over. After all, hadn't Gina done enough already, like getting her to stay? She didn't deserve to be bothered by her, not even the slightest bit. Alaid was grateful now. Even if she was still afraid, confused, and felt uncomfortable most times, she was still grateful.

The plainly dressed girl sat down in her seat, away from anyone currently present, which filled her with dread, as that meant that there would be more people to come. Her eyes fell, focusing on her hands as they clasped, silent in everything, not wanting to drag attention. If she was lucky, this would be painless, and then she could get back to Aorath and be as alone as she wanted to be.

[missa]

You. Are. Going. You are not leaving Calistoth's on his own, and besides, i don't want to be a weyrling forever BekaMine. It wasn't often Thoth ordered her around, and Beka was startled by the firm note in his voice. What part of she didn't want to go, didn't make sense to the blue? Anai was settled on her shoulder, talons curled into the fabric of the white tunic Beka had managed to find. It was starting to really bug her, she couldn't hide this from Lir much longer, if longer at all.
"Please Thoth?"

It was obvious who won as Beka finally showed up, relieved to see not many others were there. Yet frustrated that she'd had to come at all, the others were dressed up, but Beka flatly refused that part of the deal. Anai instantly trilled happily from her shoulder, fluttering her wings in excitement at Lir. Her Lir. Or Calistoth's Lir, but Anai liked to think she could get away with liking K'lir just as much.
"Yeah, Lir." Muttering this to the green flitter, who purred right back at her bonded and chirped a hello to Showoff. It was only that Showoff was Lir's that she even tolerated the salamandyr, but he wasn't... That bad.
"Lir, hey.." Unsure what to say, Beka merely smiled slightly, allowing Anai to do all the talking as she crooned almost adoringly at K'lir.

*

I can't believe we're finally graduating! Rielana practically sung mentally as she rushed to be with every one else. Unlike some of them, Rielana lived for events where she could talk, even if she didn't dress up or make herself pretty, a simple dress was enough for this. It didn't matter what she wore, after today, she'd officially be a rider. Completely. It didn't really sink in, not entirely. After all, what more could she think about? Excitement had boiled everything else out.

It's exciting! We get to fly in a proper wing, we'll be all grown up! Jeminorth responded instantly, longing to be with Rielana as the green weyrling practically skipped to sit next to absolutely anyone. She didn't care where she sat, as long as F'rah didn't talk too much. It was going to be a vain wish though, Rielana had figured out that F'rah usually did talk alot, but not without a purpose. Speeches were never interesting though, maybe that would keep him from saying too much. Afraid his graduating students would fall asleep on him.

Twisting in her seat to see if C'lryn had showed up yet, Rielana was momentarily dissapointed by the lack of his familliar face as yet. Oh well, he was far more punctual than she was, and if Rie could manage to be on time, surely he could too.

*

Aren't you excited LiMine? Ith asked curiously as Religna made her way tot eh graduation ceremony. Of course, the green already knew the answer, but if it kept Hers talking, it was always good. As it was, the reply was the one she'd been waiting for,
Of course. IOf course she was excited, who wouldn't be? She was finally graduating. Weyrling no longe,r but rider. Ith was fully grown, her flight had proven that rather simply.

Slipping in to join her fellows, Religna didn't look up as she sat next to Gina, smiling very slightly before turning her eyes to F'rah. The sooner this started, the sooner it finished, and she could go back to Ith. Easy, completely easy. It didn't require conversation of any kind, since F'rah was going to be doing all the talking, and Ith at least was very happy that her rider was not a weyrling after this. Ith didn't really see a difference, but that was probably why she wasn't in charge of anything.

[boober]

Cezine could hardly wait, which was possibly why her steps were rapid as she hurried to meet the others. Her heart was hammering, but not from nervousness. There was a fluttering in her stomach that was more pleasant than it wasn’t so she didn’t worry about it. Having known that graduation would be close at hand, she’d saved some material from her Gather dress to make another for this occasion. It was shorter, with short gathered sleeves, but it suited her. And it especially suited the green rider’s mood right now, oddly happy and bouncy. But she refrained herself from skipping to her seat, settling instead for a light, brisk walk before plopping into her seat and folding her legs, running her hand across the gold material of her skirt. She could hardly wait.

Straightening, Cezine fastened the loose robe over her dress. She wore it loosely, wanting the dress she’d worked on to show. After all, what was the point of having done all the work on a dress only to have it covered up? She started to reach up and rub her forehead, but stopped at the last minute. She’d found some cosmetics she could borrow and had made good use of them. And it showed, her lips darker and her eyes seeming brighter than usual. The change wasn’t dramatic, but it was definitely noticeable to anyone who saw her more than once or twice a month. Scolding herself for being so fidgety, she wondered briefly if E’ri would show up, though she didn’t turn to see if he’d already shown up or not. If he came, he came. If he didn’t, oh well. She knew he was busy, and didn’t really expect him to be there. Right now, she was much more interested in her fellow graduates and in seeing who of them was already present.


Guh, it had to be white! C’lryn trudged toward the barracks in his robe, looking down to make a face at the garment. Although he clearly thought white wasn’t his color, it only made his tan and dark hair more apparent. But there was no telling him that.

Stop complaining. If I chose you despite how poorly you wear white, what have you to worry about?

Ha. Ha ha. Who taught you how to give pep talks? Because you stink. Despite his words, a bright grin broke out across C’lryn’s face at his bronze’s words. He could feel Minoath’s quiet amusement and knew that the dragon was not being serious… at least not completely. But shells, he’d be glad to get out of the robe! And he’d be glad when the whole thing was over; he’d made certain that Darling and (especially) Bite had stayed behind in the weyr. Darling hadn’t put up much of a fuss; the gold was in a nesting mood, preoccupied with poking her head into various spaces looking for the perfect nesting place. But still, he missed the little queen’s almost constant weight on his shoulder. Bite, on the other hand, he didn’t dare bring around this many people. He’d had to sneak out while the green salamandyr had been occupied.

C’lryn wasn’t sure if flits were allowed or not, but he wasn’t willing to take the chance; he knew Bite would feel compelled to try out her newest insult on whoever was closest, and that would not have a good result in the least. Sure it would please Bite, but she’d be the only one.

Thoughts of the cantankerous green fled his mind though as he sought his assigned seat, but his eyes roved elsewhere. Picking up a familiar face, the bronze rider grinned in Rielana’s direction and gave a thumbs up as he sat down. Yeah. This was going to be great. He had a surprise for her afterwards, too.

[ryanne]

R'lor looked at himself in the mirror, having one of his weird moments of contemplation. He was going to graduate. He was going to walk into the room filled with all the other weyrlings and then cross across in front of everyone and receive his graduation scroll. It was...odd. Part of him was ecstatic that he was finally ridding himself of weyrling duties and ascending to a level that actually called for respect in the weyr, but the other part of him was almost scared to walk across and get his scroll. He didn't know what to expect.

Yes. He's lived in the weyr and he'd seen countless riders go about their daily schedule...but it'd never been him. Weyrling life was easy. You were told what to do and when to do it and how to do it. There was no "maybe it worked like that" or "I might have to do that." He was told exactly what his day was going to be usually. Of course, he'd grown quite skilled at avoiding the set schedule, but he still knew what he was getting in trouble for when he did shirk off. It was simply odd...okay...and a bit scary to think that the security of a set schedule was getting ready to be removed. He didn't like it.

But he loved it. Finally he was going to get freedom.

He tugged on his tunic, making it fall properly before leaving the mirror and trying to shed his confusing feelings. It was just another step in his life like deciding to join the candidate barracks. It was how his life was going to go and he couldn't do anything to change it. R'lor was just going to have to accept it and move through it and do what he did best; goof off and enjoy it. So that was what he was going to do.

He looked over at Yiminth, clucking his tongue jokingly. Come on, wake up ya old lump, he urged, the look of love in his face undeniable despite his words. The brown growled softly before waking up completely, Can I go? R'lor laughed. You couldn't fit in the room. You asked me to wake you up so that you could hear it. So I woke you up. I'll see you soon, okay? Yiminth didn't bother to reply. Instead, he just nudged His a bit, sending him out the door and to the massing weyrlings, finding his seat.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Graduation day, Viviath informed her rider matter of factedly. Her rider was already awake, but she remained firmly wrapped in her furs, trying to deny the day that it was. She didn't want to go stand up in front of everyone. It was weird. She was a center of attention with her young, but already mature green. The only one that she felt was going to share the spotlight with her was her roommate and her roommate and her weren't exactly...close. She just didn't want to get up there and have everyone focus on her, wondering what she'd been through and if she could be trusted.

I trust you! she tried to reassure her rider, still unsure of what else to say. Hers was usually happy, especially now after she'd made such great friends with the one that wasn't a Mine. She didn't understand why she was so scared now. You need to go, Mine, you're going to be late![/i] the green informed her rider, a hint of desperation on her voice. The confusion and almost despair in Hers' mind reminded her dragon of other times when Hers had gotten really scared and she hadn't been able to help her. She didn't want to be helpless. She wanted Hers to be happy. She thought it was a happy day. Now she was confused.

Zylia rolled off of her cot, tugging her dress straight. She'd already gotten ready then huddled back in her furs, trying to ignore the fact that she was going to have to walk in front of everyone. She was fine if it was just her friends or even a bunch of people she didn't know. But she knew these people well enough to know that they knew she was from Benden and would wonder about her. She didn't want to be wondered about. It wasn't high on her list of things that she liked.

Viviath cooed to her softly and she just sighed. Glancing at herself once in the mirror, she bit her lip and made her way to the graduation, taking her seat and trying to stare ahead pointedly. She did not want to be there. [/size]