But in retrospect...

[nightingale]

Saeo watched with unreadable, sun-stained eyes as the dying light played across the eggs out on the hatching sands. She'd spent the better part of the last two days in the visitor stands near Aslath's newest clutch. It was her hope that if the infant dragons got used to her being near, Hers might have an easier time finding her when she hatched out. So far though, she was having very little luck identifying her dragon's egg. She knew it was there -it had to be there somewhere- but the simple fact was that she was going to have to live a stress and anxiety filled life until hatching day.

From her position near the entrance, Saeo couldn't quite see all of the eggs, but she didn't dare cause a stir by moving to the other side of the stands. Aslath had been exceedingly patient with her constant hovering thus far, and the last thing she wanted to do was insult the queen -and so she'd turned to imagining. Her dragon's egg was probably right behind that large brown one with the spot. It would be red...no, probably green... maybe a yellow-green...and with some sort of contrasting speckle pattern...it would be quite different from the rest of the eggs, that she was sure, and she'd know it was hers the moment it came into view...

She sighed, stretching her tense back muscles out with an audible crack. Waiting really was the hardest part.

[Rei]

Danar made the long trek to the grounds in silence. He was a bit apprehensive after all there was a Queen egg on the sands so Aslath was bound to be more protective than usual. Danar entered the grounds gave a deep bow in Aslath’s direction and proceeded to climb the stands.

That was when he noticed her, another girl sitting in the stands with a look of absolute concentration on her face. What was with girls and the hatching grounds? As the lad approached he cleared his throat before speaking so as not to startle her too badly. “A Queen hopeful huh?”He said in a warm friendly tone. Why else would she be here?

The candidate took a seat a few feet away so as not to make her uncomfortable. He studied the eggs for a few minutes his eyes resting on the dark brown one with the curious red splotch. That one had to contain his bronze. It was the second largest on the clutch after all. Yes that was the one he would touch first at the touching. “You ladies at each other’s throats yet? Things in the girl barracks always get cat fighty when a Queen egg is on the sands.” He chuckled and ran a hand through his hair before continuing. “That’s why I thank my lucky stars I was born a male. We all just hope for a dragon no fighting there, just silent brooding.”

[nightingale]

Brought back from her musings by the creak of boards shifting on the staircase, Saeo cast a curious glance in Danar's direction. Oh, another candidate here to admire the new clutch? Well, she couldn't fault him for that. She after all, had barely been able to pull herself away in time for curfew yesterday.

The girl listened politely at first as the young man questioned weather she hoped to impress the clutch's queen, murmuring that it certainly was a lovely egg and that any girl would be honoured to impress it's occupant. As the conversation went on however, she felt herself growing increasingly insulted and annoyed with the way that he seemed to be judging her before he even knew her name. It was probably a mixture of stress and genuine feeling that triggered her reaction, but it unmistakably hostile.

"I'm sorry...but you simply cannot realize how supremely condescending you're being, because if you did I would have to label you the most pompous, egomaniac I've ever encountered in my life."

He was Weyrbred, she was absolutely certain of that. The children of riders were by far the most arrogant of all the candidates she had met thus far -as if they thought that it was their birthright to impress a dragon.

"Why is it simply because I was born into a female body you automatically assume that I am required to not only scratch out the eyes of my fellow candidate, but also pine over the single queen egg on the sands?"

She turned on him, gripping the edge of her seat with both leather-clad hands.

"Do you honestly think that a proper queen would even consider impressing to someone so petty and selfish? And I'll have you know that any one of the girls I share quarters with would be thrilled to fly a fighting dragon -me most of all! So I'll thank you to keep your crude stereotypes and judgments to yourself!"

She was glad that he had chosen to leave a gap between them on the bench -it saved her the trouble of finding a new seat. She simply swung her knees to one side so that most of her back was to him, and set about pretending that he wasn't there.

[antinanco]

Ieoha had nothing to do. With a fortnight off of crèche duty for caring for Laef, she had been left with nothing to focus on besides a lazy baby flit. Tapping on finger on the Main Hall’s table impatiently, she grumbled to herself. Had King been this lethargic? She didn’t think so. This was a worrying sign.

The green flit in question, who was currently slumbering sprawled out on her bonded’s head in a fashion that made her look like a flitter skin hat, shifted in sleep so that her tail was hanging in Ieoha’s face. The auntie laughed unexpectantly, causing a few heads to turn, and fiddled with the limp appendage.

It wasn’t Laef’s fault, poor thing. She was really just angry at herself for not having formed any lasting friendships at the new Weyr. Even Rinnel had drifted away from her thanks to his nocturnal lifestyle. Well, today was the day to go out and make new friends! She left the Hall with her discarded meat bowls and skin-oil bottles left for the drudges to clean up.

About a candlemark later, Ieoha appeared confidently in the entrance to the Sands. Usually she didn’t bother too much with Hatchings (they were for young’ns, after all), but after having just received a cousin to the great beasts it seemed like a fitting place.

Her flitterskin hat was still in place when she entered, but when it felt the exceedingly warm rays of the Sands’ sun it awoke. The auntie felt shifting on the atop her noggin and glanced up only to see a very wakeful Laef stretching her angular joints. Ieoha was ecstatic! This was fantastic progress, and she rewarded the fire-lizard with bountiful amounts of attention.

Finally the two finished their attention session and Ieoha scouted for people to socialize with. Two teenagers, probably Candidates, popped into her view first and she energetically shuffled her way over to the pair.

“Hellooo kiddos!” Ieoha called exuberantly to the two and was accompanied by a much punier trumpet from Laef, “Staking out prospects, are you? Well, let me tell you, having a relationship won’t help your chances! Got me kicked out of Candidatedom, yes it did. Well, so did many other things, but that’s not the point! No Smooching on the Sands!”

She cackled rather insanely, thoroughly enjoying barraging the Candidates for a crime they were innocent of. And their expressions were sure to be priceless, she just had to wait a few seconds…

[/font]

[Rei]

The lad’s mouth dropped open in surprise as the girl drilled into him with about as much remorse as a dragon showed his meal. Shards what had he done to deserve her outburst? “Whoa whoa there slow down missy! When did I accuse you of being petty and selfish?” He queried in a level tone. He really wanted to explode and if she had been male he would have, but fortunately for her his mother taught him to respect females no matter how insufferable they may be.

“I am sure you would be happy with any dragon most normal people would be. As for the fighting amongst the females I guarantee you it will start.” The conviction in the lad’s voice was unmistakable. Whether they admit it or not all girls wanted a Queen of that he was sure. Queens were power as bronzes were power. What human didn’t desire power on some level or another?

He was going to continue but a creaky, scratchy, shrill voice interrupted him.Danar whirled around to identify the new comer and an old crone came into view. Great just what they needed a crazy old lady with a flitter in tow. Aslath was sure to kick them out of the grounds now. The burly lad threw an apologetic look at the Great Golden Queen.

“Lady we were most defiantly not kissing. She is far from my type.” He remarked in a casual tone to the old woman. Then he paused and his body stiffened whoops if he didn’t piss the gloved girl off beforehand that probably just sealed the deal. He apprehensively turned toward his fellow egg watcher. “No offense intended.” He added in as close to a friendly tone as he could manage. Shards that Pasine girl had been loads easier to talk to.

[nightingale]

"Well for your edification, she doesn't give one dragon shell what you think of her!"

The girl growled, rising from her seat and casting a hate-filled glare over her shoulder at Danar. She started off toward the far end of the stands, assuring herself that Aslath had delt with ignorant males before and would understand her need to be far, far away from this one.

Idiot boys, she thought bitterly as she picked her way along the narrow wooden staircase. And what exactly what his type? Tall, green-eyed blondes with huge breasts, fake laughs and personalities that consisted of little more than 'nice', 'quiet' and 'gracious'? She felt the corners of her eyes begin to sting, and clenched her jaw grimly to force the sensation away. Who needed boys anyway? All she needed out of life was her dragon -provided of course that it wasn't already laughing at her from inside it's shell.

She wouldn't be surprised if it was.

She found herself a high vantage point near the center of the stands from which she could see Aslath's clutch in it's entirety. She plunked herself down gracelessly on the bench, pulling one knee up to her chest and resting her chin against it. Stupid boy...

Realizing that she hadn't quite succeeded in willing her tears back into her skull, Saeo dabbed at her damp eyelashes in an attempt to keep her eye paint from smudging. The last thing she needed was to look as wretched as she was beginning to feel.
She cast the briefest of glances back down at Danar and the old woman who had greeted them. Oh shards, she thought as she suddenly recognized Ieoha from the flitter hatching. That was the creche woman, wasn't it? Nice move Saeo. Now she's going to make both of you stand down there on the sand and apologize to one another, then to Aslath, then she's going to report you to the candidatemaster...

[antinanco]

(( Haha, pretty much. ))

Ieoha was astonished! Was this really the state that Candidates today were left in?! They could barely get along with each other, nevermind having to fight Thread! This needed fixing, now.

“Young lady!” she shrieked, he shrill voice easily covering the distance between them with a demeaning tone, “Though by the way you are acting, I am barely able to call you that. You are acting like a spoiled weyrbrat!” Her stance was one of dominance and anger, with both hands on her hips and a green flit flailing on her head. All poor Laef wanted to do was to sun herself! And now she was being flung aroung as her bonded swung her head in disgrace, eye flashing white with surprise and caution. With a disapproving chitter aim at no one in particular, the fire-lizard was forced to hop off of her perch and glide to the nearest bench back. There she was finally able to relax, lids drooping over placid blue eyes.

“Come down here now and apologize!” Ieoha gestured sharply with one hand at the ground while the other remained on her hip. “And you-“ She turned her vengeance now on Danar. None would be spared. “You, young man, need to respect your elders. My name is Ieoha, but you shall refer to me as Ms. or Crèchewoman Ieoha.” Her sharp hazel irises fired imaginary lasers at the Candidate and she leaned in close. “Also, your skills with the women need some fine-tuning. Apologize for stereotyping female Candidates and referring to a lady as if they weren’t standing right next to you!”

With her tirade finished for now, the crèchewoman withdrew and waited for her orders to be filled out. She had to deal with this nonsense all the time in the nursery, but with teenaged Candidates? And on her vacation, worst of all! Tsk. The Candidate Master would be hearing about this, but not as a tattle-tale, oh no. She was going to chew them out as well, not teaching the charges proper manners! Honestly, it disgusted her. She would have rather had them making out than this.

[/font]

[Rei]

Danar frowned as Saeo left, had he seen tears starting to form. He certainly hoped not. Shards he had made a huge mess of the situation. The burly lad watched as Saeo stormed off and positioned herself near the center of the stands, where she proceeded to wipe her eyes. Great! She was crying. His mother would be so ashamed. Danar had half made up his mind to follow the girl and apologize when a shriek echoed across the grounds. His head snapped back to the old lady on the sands who was now positively fuming.

Oh boy Aslath was going to be pissed. That was his only thought as he watched the Crechewoman rant and felt the blazing anger in her eyes. Anger he most defiantly had earned. Her flitter was being tossed this way and that as if riding out a storm on a boat. In different circumstances Danar might have laughed but seeing as he was the object of the woman’s anger he disinclined to do so.

When Ieoha demanded his presence beside her Danar grimaced and obeyed, making his way down the steps slowly casting glances at Saeo, Ieoha, and Aslath all in turn. He was outnumbered three to one not counting the male eggs sure to be on the sands. He couldn’t see this ending well for him at all. Danar ran a hand through his hair. Shells.

[nightingale]

Saeo was unpleasantly reminded of the classrooms she'd left back at Selenitas Hold as she trudged her way back down to the bottom of the stairs. She detested the fact that she was being treated like a child, but really, how could she protest? She'd just thrown a fit and then wandered off to sulk as if that would make everything right again -Jays, what must the dragons think of her now?

Oh, shards girl don't start crying again! Take your punishment like the dragon rider you keep claiming you'll be! She bit her lip hard, trying to clear her thoughts so as to gain firmer control over herself and the emotions that seemed intent on making a fool of her.

Miserable would have been a good word to describe the girl's expression as she hung her head low in a vain attempt to hide behind her hair. Humiliated was another -and the truly wretched part was that she couldn't even think what she was to be apologizing for. Experience told her that offering an apology for something not even considered an offense would only worsen her situation, and so when she reached the ground she set about silently examining a small pebble near her foot, grimly awaiting whatever reprimand was coming her way.

[antinanco]

Ieoha’s expression softened slightly as both Candidates appeared truly remorseful at her chiding. They were so rueful that they’d hadn’t even said a word. If she wasn’t searing mad, the crèchewoman would have laughed. She still had it, after all these years. Good

Hefting a sigh, the auntie raised her chin as the two arrived and her eyes lost part of the anger they had before. Though she still retained the governing air, the anger was gone. She reproached the two one final time, “I’m surprised Aslath hasn’t eaten all of our heads on the spot, with all this drama. Thankfully dragonets can’t hear anything through their shells.” This was not a widely accepted fact, but Ieoha vehemently believed it. Why did they only Hatch after the Weyr was vibrating with humming? “With any luck the two of you have learned how to treat others. You need to learn how to work as a team to fight off Thread, and other menaces….” She trailed off for a moment as her eyes clouded with memories of an entirely different yet similar life.

“And now apologize to each other,” she reminded in a suddenly soft voice. Hopefully if the two had ever been addressed this way they knew they’d be off the hook once they did this one action. And if they didn’t, well, there was still a glimmer of the fuming fire that had occupied her eyes minutes before.

[/font]

[Rei]

Danar held back a sigh of relief as Ieoha’s voice turned soft. He had barley dodged that bullet. He had heard enough from the weyrbrats to learn that this woman was no pushover no matter how old and fragile she seemed. In fact by Danar’s reckoning she could be just as scary as an enraged dragon. Old people were full of suprises.

The lad tilted his head to regard the gloved girl when he realized that he didn’t even know her name. Shells. If he spoke now he risked looking like a complete dead glow. Ah well no helping it now. He straightened up and let a small smile play across his broad jaw. “I’m sorry I was a moron. Name’s Danar.” He thrust his hand out at the girl and let it hang suspended in mid air. Would she accept his apology? If not oh well it wasn’t as though he needed her approval to survive.

[nightingale]

Saeo kept her eyes focused on the ground, but accepted the hand offered to her. As it was, her hand was so small by comparison that she found it rather difficult to shake properly. Nonetheless, she put in the best effort she could muster, then folded both hands behind her back.

"Saeo. I believe we've already met."

She murmured, raising her chin a fraction of an inch. His name had tipped her off -this was the same fellow who'd mouthed off to Shmee at the clutching. Well, at least he was consistant...

"And yes, you were a moron...but it was unkind of me to shout at you. For that I apologize."

She desperately hoped that Ieoha would be satisfied. This standing about awkwardly was sucking the life right out of her. All she wanted to do at the moment was slink back to the dormitory and soothe her bruised ego with whatever bit of sweetness she could lay her hands on -maybe ask Raylin and Farryl if she could borrow Vega and Tille for a bit of a cuddle.

[antinanco]

Ieoha was pleased with the two. True, the apologies were far from perfect, but it was progress. With a relieved sigh she lowered herself into the seat next to Laef and rested her cane one bench over. The little green slumped half on the back of the bench and half on her bonded’s shoulder, sprawled out in an awkward position that looked like it was impossible to sleep in. But Laef managed to find a way and soon she was lost to the waking world once more.

Looking at the two Candidates with her merry-near-insane look returning, the crèchewoman suddenly burst out into laughter. “Sit, children, sit! Sometimes I forget I’m not the only ones whose legs grow weary,” she cackled. Though, it wasn’t really an order like before since she had lost all domineering aspects. Now she was just an old lady looking for company.

“You’ll get your fill of Standing once those eggs out there start Hatching, I’m sure. Are you two first-timers?” Her eyes glitter mischievously and the next sentence was in a sing-song voice. “I could give you some good hints, you know!” Ieoha moved her cane once more in case either one took her up on the offer.

[/font]

[Rei]

Danar raised an eyebrow as Saeo dubbed him a moron but otherwise didn’t react. It wasn’t worth it at this point. “I’m Danar.” He stated simply before falling silent. Now what? The lad kicked a bit at the sand and let his eyes roam over the grounds. He was rather surprised Aslath hadn’t kicked them out yet. She seemed calm enough from her position curled around her clutch. Perhaps she was in a good mood today?

He was drawn away from his scrutiny of the Golden queen when Ieoha bade them to sit with her. Shrugging in acquiescence he proceeded to sit a few feet away on the same bench next to the green flitter. The candidate turned his head to look expectantly at Saeo. She wouldn’t leave him alone her would she?

Danar then turned to the old woman and managed a small smile. “This is my first time standing yes but I have lived in the weyr all my life.” He raised his head proudly at that statement before continuing. “Tips? Have you stood before?” It was a little hard for Danar to picture the old woman as ever having been a young girl, although she would have had to have been at some point.

[nightingale]

(( Whoops, I said that Laef was Farryl's flitter, didn't I? Better edit that... *fracking tard* ))

Saeo was somewhat startled, but not completely confused by Ieoha's sudden shift from threatening to cheerful. It was easy to understand that anyone who dealt with children all day couldn't afford to hold a grudge if they valued their sanity. She chose to sit on a bench one tier lower than the others, facing backward so she could see both without any difficulty. It was difficult to have a conversation when everyone was sitting in a line -and besides, she quite liked having her own personal space to cool off in. The mention of dragons hatching had perked her up considerably, but there was still a glint of hurt in her eyes.

"It's my first time standing also."

She informed Ieoha, absently brushing her hair back as she studied the woman's lethargic fire lizard. She would be cute, Saeo decided, if she would just do something.

"I was searched in midsummer...I didn't realize that you were a rider."

Her confusion echoed Danar's. She had been under the impression that riders hadn't the time for occupations such as child rearing -and more importantly, she couldn't remember ever hearing that Ieoha had a dragon.