Hatching Feast

[Administrator]

Shmee grinned at S'rei's positive response to her idea. "Are you sure you want to pay?" she asked teasingly, putting her head on his shoulder. She was quite looking forward to this picture! She'd hang it up on her wall, and it would be a good way for them to remember their family through the turns-- and if something ever separated the pair again. The thought was sobering. Hopefully, nothing like this would ever happen again. But she could never tell with C'leon. One thing she did know, however, is that she was always going to make sure that they would never be separated, ever. She would protect their little family, and she was positive S'rei would do the same. Trying to make her thoughts cheerier, she thought more about pictures. They could do more if their family grew more, she thought daringly. If they had more children, they could go back for more pictures, and do more family portraits. She smiled as she rubbed her head against the man's shoulder. It would be a cute way of remembering their family through the turns.

Hearing S'rei begin to speak to Kaegan, her blue eyes flickered over to the girl. She smiled at her again. She felt a bit bad-- this girl was clearly lonely here. Slowly moving her head up, she gave S'rei a patient look. "Now Rei, don't embarrass her!" she laughed, then gave him a very pointed look. She didn't truly believe he would flirt with someone, but she wanted the attention to be on her. So long she had waited to be back with him, and hardly a day had passed that he was complimenting the other girls. Surely he remembered that Shmee could be possessive? "Thank you, Kaegan," she told the girl warmly. Turning down to Shei, she delivered a swift kiss on the babe's red head. "I'll get us some food, Rei. Just don't flirt with the poor girl too much," she added, winking at him.

She didn't know why she kept saying his name so much. Lots of times, she found herself saying it unneeded in conversation. It wasn't even on purpose, either-- it was as if she missed saying his name. Now that she could, she was always saying it. Shards, how she had missed it.

Bustling over to the food, she grabbed two plates, and started filling them with a mixture of greens and meat. Humming as she moved toward the large spiced wherry, she bumped into Ricil. "Oh, sorry!" she exclaimed, and she smiled weakly at the girl. She couldn't say she recognized her, but she hadn't gone out of her way to meet people since she had returned from Benden. Or maybe this girl was just a holder who had come to watch the Hatching. "What's your name?" she asked cheerfully, grabbing the knife. Driving it into the wherry, she began to positively mangle the poor thing. Frowning, she sliced at it violently. "Shard it," she muttered. "I'm terrible with meat-cutting," she explained absently. Looking back over at her weyrmate, she called, "Rei, I'm having some difficulty here." Well, this was quite stupid of her, wasn't it? She blushed, her pale cheeks turning the faintest shade of pink.

Aslath grunted, immediately migrating over to the beach. Sprawling out, she closed her eyes. The cold air of oncoming nightfall felt so good after the heat of the Hatching Ground. Hers would be in there for quite a while, so resting here was nice. The roar of the waterfall was like music to her ears after it had been so muted in the Hatching Ground! Absently, she crooned. Her hatchlings were strong and beautiful. Benden could only dream of having such fine dragonets. And a queen daughter... She snorted. Probably she would almost be as good as she was! Unlike those stupid weak dragons from the North, the kind that would allow bronzes to dominate, allow their riders to attack other riders, allow their Weyr to steal hatchlings...

A familiar voice broke through her anxious thoughts, and Aslath opened one curious eye. Salenth?[/color] she inquired after the voice. She paused, unsure of what to think. He had not tried to say anything to her since he had come back, landing in her Hatching Ground. Then they argued, and then he ignored her. He had made her angry, but what could he expect? She rumbled, uncertain of what to say or do. There was a long moment before she responded, I suppose you may.[/color] She closed her eye again.

[rynnti]

Desi grouchily shuffled over to the chest that contained all of his clothes. He knew there was still some light outside, and he was not at all excited to be up so early. It was common courtesy for the wherhandler to attend the Hatching Feast, and he didn’t mind warm food for a change. Usually, by the time he made his way to the kitchens, the pickings were fairly slim and almost always cold. Shards, did he have any appropriate clothing? Almost everything was dirty from working in the mines. You certainly couldn’t attend something as fancy as a Hatching Feast in dirty work clothes. What wasn’t dirty was either bright green or bright blue, and he certainly couldn’t go to the Feast in that. Outside of the candidate he met in the blue wherhandler’s room, Desi hadn’t really met any women at the Weyr. If he was going to be somewhere where he could meet some new women, he did not want them confused regarding his sexuality. He had a dark green outfit stashed away somewhere. S’dar had bought it for him at a Gather. Naturally Desi had hidden it almost immediately afterwards. His brother, in general, had a better sense of fashion, but Desi was too stubborn to acknowledge it. Unless, of course, he was in the mood to impress the ladies. “There it is!” Desi exclaimed, pulling the desired outfit from the bottom corner of his trunk. S’dar, despite dressing himself in very feminine clothing, wasn’t bad at picking out something with a more manly touch. And it was tailored to fit Desi! His brother had really outdone himself two Turns ago!

Dessk yawned as his handler’s rummaging around woke him up. What were they doing up so early? The sun would clearly still be outside! Had His gone crazy? Seeing the fine green fabric dangling from Desi’s arm, the watchwher began to piece things together. Clearly there was some kind of going-on at the Weyr tonight. The orangey bronze wher chirped at his handler, letting it be known that he had been woken up. “I’m sorry, Dessk. I have to go to the Hatching Feast, it’s kind of a big deal.” He stroked the side of the watchwher’s face before climbing out of the pants he had slept in and into the pants he intended to wear for the Feast. “You should really go back to sleep until I come back,” he warned his Bondmate. The last thing he needed was for the bronze to get bored and either tear up Desi’s belongings or go out for a stroll on his own. Neither were very desirable. Indignant at such accusations, even though they were both likely should the wher succumb to too much boredom, Dessk snorted and laid his head back down on his couch. “I don’t want to hear it, Dessk.” The wherhandler smiled as Dessk deliberately yawned. “I’ll bring back some of the meat for you, so you don’t have to sulk like that.” This news managed to brighten the bronze’s mood a little bit. “I should get going now. Sweet dreams!” Desi scratched his watchwher’s eyeridge before carefully making his way out of the wherhandler apartments.

As he entered the Main Hall, he was greatly disappointed that it was already becoming quite crowded. That just wouldn’t do. Now he was going to have to force a path to the food, and then sit with people he didn’t know. He could try to get a table with some ladies, but chances were that most of them would be dragonriders. As much as he might like them, Dessk certainly never would. Desi blamed that on his brother and Edenth. The bronze wherhandler gathered up various kinds of food on his plate, making sure he grabbed some extra meat for Dessk. He sat down at a table that only had a few occupants. “’Lo,” he greeted them, only half expecting an answer.

[ricil]

Her mind had been ahead of her actions. Ricil was thinking about sitting down to eat (she scolded herself for her gluttony!), when she bumped into someone else, an older woman. The teenager stammered an apology, only to realize the other woman was doing the same.

"What's your name?" the woman asked.

"Oh.. um, Ricil," she replied. "I recently moved here from Lighttower."

Ricil wasn't the most outgoing, but she wasn't exactly shy, either. She smiled faintly as the other woman tried and failed to cut the wherry. "I'm no good at it, either..." she said to her, rather obvious, explanation.

She decided to wait around as the other woman called someone else over for help. After all, the wherry just smelled too good to pass up.

((Blah, post was a little shorter than I'd liked. Oh well...))

[reqqy]

A group of three entered the dining hall leisurely. One was immediately recognizable, and by her, the second. Selenitas-born and bred greenrider, sister to the former Weyrleader and dear ‘friend’ of Weyrlingmaster F’rah, Laurannna was her usual ravishing, energetic self. She flashed a grin at her various admirers as she and her companion swung Miguel by his small arms every couple of steps, the young boy giggling delightedly. This companion might have been sister in figure, and though her hair was straighter and a shade darker – though she stood a head taller – it took little imagination to picture them as having shared the same genes.

Laurie caught sight of her tall oft-time partner and flew across the floor, heedless of propriety. She allowed his solid frame to halt her headlong dash. Her arms wrapped tightly about his waist, she beamed up at him, the flash of delighted emeralds nearly exactly matching the trim of her pale cream dress. “Rah! I’d so hoped to see you here. I’ve been positively lonely,” she added with a pout. Nevermind that Lauranna had been the one to withdraw; it had always been her way, when it came to handling loss. Although, just as last time, she’d mourned a brother who wasn’t dead. S’rei had a preternatural ability to come back from the grave, or so it seemed.

At that moment the other woman caught up to the greenrider with Laurie’s son in tow. She smiled, the expression gentler and far less exuberant than any of Laurie’s. “You’re doing well, Weyrlingmaster?” It was the voice of Kalierre, but she hardly looked like the young, overworked dragonhealer who haunted the infirmary. The form that always seemed hidden beneath baggy, practical clothing was now swathed in a gown of deep burnt orange, the bodice a green still darker than Lauranna’s eyes and lined with gold and black. There she wore her knots, artfully concealed so as not to draw attention to them, along the line of her waist. Kali might well have said more, but Miguel chose that moment to take interest in something else, and he slipped away without a word. Lauranna made as if to go after him. Raising a hand, Kalierre shook her head. “Don’t worry. I’ll see what he’s up to. You’ve got some catching up to do.” Offering the pair a wink, she glided after Miguel’s bobbing head as he darted through the crowd.

In fact, Miguel apparently was intrigued by two ‘baby flutters’, as he called firelizards and salamandyrs, and was making a beeline for the table that housed the new goldweyrling and her growing posse of admirers. Kalierre arrived in time to sweep the boy up into her arms. Miguel squawked in a fair imitation of a firelizard, his brows drawing down dangerously. Just a little longer, and he could have touched it! The dragonhealer ruffled his hair, though she smiled pleasantly at the gathered young people – and P’nor. “Savitri. You’ve gathered quite a following,” the woman commented quietly. Savitri was one of hers, and that would always be the case, even when Hepaticath came of age. Healers didn’t tend to follow the normal ranking system within a weyr, anyway. You simply did not anger a healer. Very unwise.

“Congratulations.” Thinking back to her own Impression, she remembered the gold hatchling who’d approached her – who she’d turned away from to aid the bleeding girl on the sands. Kalierre would gladly take her darling Phremath over a gold any day. Practically running the infirmary was more than enough responsibility. But she knew how delighted – and likely exhausted – Savitri must be. “And to the rest of you, as well,” she added, including Liassa and M’ritz. “Take care of them. I don’t want to see any of your new lifemates in my halls anytime soon,” the woman concluded severely, though her tone was quiet enough.

***
“Yes, I suppose it is, Kaegan. I’d hate to have to kill you to protect Miguel’s innocence,” the man returned, managing a flat, dry tone, though he couldn’t quite keep the humor out of his eyes. He’d ignored Shmee’s warning words entirely. The junior weyrwoman was fun to mess with – always had been.

S’rei came to regard Shmee with dismay. “Don’t flirt with her? But Shmee – don’t you know I have to make up for lost time?” A theatrical sigh punctuated the comment. He must really be relaxed today, he thought wryly. Must be the fact that he wasn’t fully awake yet. Watching his retreating weyrmate with an appreciative smile, he glanced surreptitiously over at Kaegan. “The woman spoils me.” True enough. Shei fidgeted in his arms, and the bronzerider set to tickling her, the child’s face growing quite red after a few moments as her little limbs flailed wildly. He never took his eyes off his daughter as he inquired, “So. This ‘friend’ you spoke of. He wouldn’t happen to be male, would he?” S’rei glanced up briefly to flash her a knowing grin.

Unfortunately, the conversation with the young weyrwoman – they were all young, but he didn’t bother to make that distinction at this time – was truncated when Shmee’s voice carried across the floor. S’rei glanced up and tried not to laugh outright. She couldn’t cut the meat? Made him wonder how she’d managed to survive these last months, if she couldn’t feed herself. The bronzerider rose, deliberately taking his time as he strode over to his weyrmate and exchanged Shei for knife and fork. His amused smile shifted to include Ricil, the giant of a man casually moving behind Shmee to capture her between his arms as he bent toward the wherry. “You’re trying to force it,” he told the Weyrwoman softly, the words themselves completely innocent, though his voice had deepened a tad.

“Remove the wing and the leg. See?” His lips had somehow managed to come to hover by her ear as the limbs dropped into the platter. “Now it’ll cut easily.” S’rei removed meat from the bones in neat slices. His voice lowered. “It’s all about finesse, Shmee.” He winked at her, then turned his full attention on Ricil. “Did you want a slice, miss?”

Salenth wasn’t sure how to react to Aslath’s response. It was so long in coming that he’d actually changed flight patterns, fully intending to return to his lonesome vigil beside the waterfall. And when it did? The words were welcome enough, but she spoke them with such reluctance that the bronze was almost angered. Almost. He supposed he could understand, in a way, why she’d been so upset. It was just rather hurtful when he’d been looking ahead with such anticipation, only to find his joy squashed in the face of her fury.

The bronze circled the beach. He decided to take his time approaching her. The Feast would last a long while, and anyway, it might allow him to at least look at her for awhile longer before she sent him away in another fit of pique. Diving, Salenth hit the ocean water at an angle, the fading light playing off his dark scales brilliantly. His lean form cut the waves easily. After a few minutes of battling the waves, the male finally strode up onto the beach. He came to settle not far from Aslath. Not far, but certainly not close enough to touch.

Your children. They are beautiful, Salenth stated, by way of apology. They will make this weyr strong. He wanted to ask after his offspring, but decided against bringing something such as that up. The quiet extended. It wasn’t comfortable, per se, but neither was it nearly as awkward as he might have expected. And you. Are you well, Aslath? Once, he wouldn’t have needed to ask. Once.

[ravenmane]

Athol chirped quietly as Savitri gave a frustrated sigh. He wasn't doing anything wrong, and wasn't it nice that he had even chosen to say hi? Well, it was better that he had said hi instead of that little monster that His had accidentally Impressed. The flit chirped again before hopping off of Savitri's shoulder and onto her lap. Instead of leaving as the Blue's owner was hoping, Athol decided it was time for a nap.

P'nor could feel a ball of embarrassment grow in his gut as Savitri greeted him and when Athol refused to leave her presence. No doubt the newest Goldrider was a bit irked by his rank and his pet, and at the moment, P'nor was too. He would rather be as far away from any Goldriders as possible, but sadly, stupid and very curious Athol had decided to befriend the newest Jr. Weyrwoman. "Yes, he is. Athol likes to make friends with almost everyone. There are some people he just doesn't like." The Bronzerider shot a glare at the napping creature, and from where he was, Squee also glared furiously at Athol. Bad! The small 'mandyr chirped rapidly at Athol before darting onto P"nor's head to watch everyone.

At that very moment, P'nor wished he could pop between forever. His face turned a bright red, but luckily the momentarily busy 'mandyr luckily didn't notice how nice and pink his owner's face was. The man was saved by the arrival of another of the new Weyrlings, and for that, P"nor would be forever grateful. "Hello, Liassa, M'ritz. Pleased to meet you." P'nor smiled at the two Weyrlings as he heard their names. "The one on Savitri's lap is Athol, and this little monster on my head is Squee. Don't ever have anything p-i-n-k around him or he will go nuts. The poor thing is obsessed with that dreadful color." Thankfully, Squee chose that time to remove himself from his guard post (aka P'nor's head) and to continue watching the mutinous Athol. Bad! Squee squawked at Athol again. Having fun, Mine? Not on your life, Cyanth. I can't believe Athol had to choose her to befriend. Why not another pretty woman? Maybe because he is aware of what will happen when Hepaticath Rises. Cyanth's voice was teasing, but his words left the Bronzerider, who happened to be much older then Savitri, very uncomfortable.




[[The best I could do right now.]]

[ryanne]

Liassa noticed the look of relief on her friend's face and she quirked her eyebrow in response, clearly indicating that she wasn't sure that she was fond of the company either. It wasn't that any of them were bad people, she just wasn't sure if she was in the mood to meet a bunch of new people. She was fairly certain that Savitri wasn't, especially with her injuries. Liassa had noticed that healers dealt really poorly with injuries. They were too used to being the caregivers to turn around and be the patient. She wasn't sure if Savitri was the same way, but she had a feeling that the girl wasn't taking the uselessness of her arm very well. "I'm sure that Tiaeth will be more than happy to play with Hepaticath. I'd ask her now, but she's asleep," she responded, thinking of the little green that was curled up on her dragon couch. Liassa knew she'd have to get back there before she woke up or the little one would be highly upset. "Well met to both of you," she responded, smiling at the two contrasting men. M'ritz hardly qualified to be called a man, but now that he had a dragon, she knew that he would grow up quickly. P'nor...hmm...she hadn't gotten a good read on him yet. Maybe she would ask A'noan about him. She was sure to get a highly biased answer, but maybe she'd be able to sort through A'noan's harsh words to get somewhat of the truth.

She didn't even notice M'ritz struggle for her name. She had been too busy trying to figure out the situation. But at the brown weyrling's request to give her a new nickname and his rueful admission, she couldn't help but agree. "Sure, I don't mind. At least you remembered the first half?" she offered up, trying to make him feel a bit better. She wouldn't have been able to place his name if she hadn't specifically kept up with who had Impressed. She was only a green weyrling, but she felt it was important to know her fellow classmates. They were going to be together for a while. And it was always nice to stay on good terms with all of them. She might not be in the mood to socialize, but she was going to make sure not to offend anyone. It was just better to stay away from situations and attitudes that would gain her enemies. "I think that's starfruit," she answered his question. Her mother probably would only put out redfruit and starfruit and the skin definitely wasn't the characteristic red.

"I'll remember that," Liassa replied to P'nor. "This is Lock," she indicated the brown salamandyr on her shoulder. "He probably won't move unless I feed him," she admitted. He looked a bit embarrassed, but she still wasn't sure if she liked him very much. A bronzerider coming up to a new queenrider? That was highly suspicious. It wasn't too hard to instruct a well-trained flitt to attach itself onto Savitri and then pretend to be embarrassed about it. Liassa knew how rankseeking bronzeriders were. They made sure to start their overtures when the goldriders were young. It wouldn't be long before the bronzes were trying to make friends with Hepaticath. She felt sorry for Savitri in that regard, but she knew that her friend could handle it just fine.

[Administrator]

Shmee turned around and stuck her tongue out at S'rei as she stood at the wherry. Stupid man. Was he trying to tease her on purpose? Well, she thought irritably, she would pay him back for that! She knew Kaegan was far too young for him, yes, but it still bothered her that he would be bold enough to mess with the girl in front of him. She sighed. She hated it when the attention wasn't on her. Chewing the inside of her lip, she forced a smirk as he came over. Turning to Ricil really quickly, she raised an eyebrow. Did this girl not know who she was? She clearly was either new or not from here at all. Chuckling a bit, she replied cheerfully, "I'm Shmee. Nice to meet you, Ricil!" Ah, so a new person. That would explain it. Hopefully, Shmee didn't come off as intimidating. Back in her early days as queenrider, that probably would have been something she strove to do, but Shmee now knew that to do so would actually be foolish. She wanted to come across as someone who was kind, friendly, but a powerful figure... Yet she doubt that was happening, she thought wryly as she wrestled with the wherry.

Chuckling at Ricil's remark, she nodded. "Yeah, I never learned to cut meat right- usually, it's prepared, and if not, I would ask my friends to do it for me, but I got overly excited today, and forgot..." Her voice trailed off, and she was silenced as S'rei approached. Instantly, his smile made her grin as she took the babe into her arms. "Sorry to disturb you with your, erm, talk with Kaegan, but I'm destroying this poor wherry," she told him, carefully putting emphasis on the part about Kaegan. She gazed at him intently for a moment as she bounced Shei in her arms. Quickly to Ricil, she introduced the newcomers. "This is my weyrmate, S'rei," she said happily, leaning close against the man, "and this is our daughter, Shei." It felt so good to be able to introduce themselves like this! Shards, she should've been able to do this long ago. She smiled at Ricil quickly, before turning her head to watch as he cut the meat with a lot more finesse than she did.

She couldn't help but smile to herself as she felt his lips near her ear, speaking in a soft, low tone. It was almost tickling in her ear. Watching as he neatly cut the meat, she met his gaze with a look of mild amusement. Was he flirting with her? She couldn't tell, but hardly had time to ponder before he once again returned to acting "normal." Sighing, she leaned on him, resting her head on his arm. "Finesse?" she repeated, her voice full of laughter. Then, in a lower voice, she murmured, "Prove your finesse later. Behave here." She returned the wink.

Frowning, she looked at the crowd. She would have to speak soon; she needed to hand out promotions and such. "I should get up to talk soon," she told S'rei. Chuckling, she said, "Get Ricil some meat. She has trouble with the stuff, too." She paused, then added, "Please?" in a much softer, sweet-sounding voice. "I need to eat a few bites, then get ready to tell people their promotions. Then I can finish eating and get some dessert..." she told him, trailing off. She winked again.

Aslath said nothing as Salenth approached. If he wanted to say something, he would be the first to say it. After all, he had been the one to approach her, hadn't he? Flicking her tail in a bored manner, she heard a soft splash of water. That would have to be Salenth. What, was he too good to sit with her? Was he trying to impress her? It would take a lot more than that to make her impressed! Refusing to open her eyes again, she kept them that way even as she heard him plodding up the beach a few minutes later. She merely grunted as he came near her.

She was silent at his words. Was he mocking her? He had not sired the clutch, but she did not understand what made him so angry about it. It wasn't her fault. She didn't think he was coming back, not that she would've been able to control when she could Fly! They are strong and beautiful.[/color] she acknowledged after a moment. Well, if he was mocking her, she would intend to have him know that she had no remorse over the fact that she could have wonderful children, even though he was not their sire.

At his next question, she did open her eyes, and flicked her tail impatiently. I am well enough, I suppose,[/color] she replied coldly. However, I admit that I have been much better before. You have not tried to speak to me since the first day you first arrived back here.[/color] She didn't ask this as a question, but merely a statement. She knew she had banned him from the Stands, but he had not argued. He had backed down easily. Did he not think her worth the energy?

--

Lura sighed where she sat. She had cut up little bites of food for Liralla, and the babe was happily eating them. "Pie?" she inquired after eating two little chunks of meat. Lura chuckled, shaking her head. "Not yet, sweetie," she cooed, messing the girl's light brown locks. Zirian hissed again, and Lura frowned.

"Zirian, if you can't behave, please go back to the weyr," she said sternly. The green growled, quickly shooting out her head to bite Lura's finger. "Faranth! Zirian, off!" Her voice was quickly rising in alarm the flitter clung, piercing flesh. Zirian had never bitten her like this, even on the flitter's angry days. Zamora, Zanna, and Istery all flew about, chirping anxiously. Istery landed on Liralla, spreading his wings as if warning Zirian to stay away from his bonded. Zanna and Zamora were chattering at Zirian, trying to make her let go, but she would have none of that.

Gritting her teeth so as not to scream out as the green persisted tearing at her finger, she tugged at the green. Liralla, distracted from her meal, looked up in alarm. "Ma, Zeer bad!" she stated, her little blue eyes welling up with tears.

"Don't worry, 'Ralla, it doesn't hurt at all," Lura gasped, but tears were already spilling down her cheeks from the pain as Zirian was mangling her finger. She needed to get out, and get the green off her finger before she ripped the finger off the hand. Feeling sick to her stomach, she continued tugging as hard as she could at Zirian, but to no avail. The green seemed positively latched on to her finger. How was Lura going to get someone to watch Liralla? Looking around quickly, she bounded as fast as she could towards the closest person she saw. It was a wherhandler, from his knots, and she couldn't say she knew Desi that well, but it would only be for a few moments.

"Hey, can you watch my daughter for a moment? Something's wrong with my flitter," she hurriedly explained in a gasp, trying to hide her increasing panic. There had to be something wrong with Zirian. She was never this violent toward anyone. She grunted. "Faranth," she cursed. Zirian had hit bone halfway down her finger, and she felt as though she was going to throw up. "Get a healer," she added, rushing out the door to get outside, with Zanna and Zamora close in tow. They were screeching at the green as their bonded was moaning with the pain as she tried prying Zirian's jaws off of her finger. However, there was an odd foam in Zirian's mouth. Something was definitely wrong with the green, and it frightened Lura.

[Ruby]

As'lin was NOT happy about leaving Stillith, and the blue was even less happy than that. After the impression, the new Bluerider had not released physical contact with his Blue, already aware that the relatively private Stillith would be crushed if As'lin so much as looked the other way. Much of those first hours remain to As'lin only as memories of Stillith- although he had met many of the other Weyrlings, he was sure they paid as little attention to him as he did to them.

But now As'lin had to leave his dragonet and go to a party. A party where he knew next to no one. Normally he would relish this sort of experience, but this time... well, Stillith was more important than any of these transitory friends, and As'lin just wanted to stay with him. But no, he was required, and As'lin felt worse trying to trick Stillith into sleep and sneaking out than telling him straight up. So he did, and felt like both his and Still's worlds were ending. Surprise! Eventually he did sooth the Blue into sleep, and then dressed in his gather finest (haha, right, he was distraught- he just put on a nicer white shirt and light pants) and went to the Hatching Feast, hoping simply to eat and leave.

He filled a plate as soon as he could make it to a food table, realizing suddenly that he was starved. Laurie- the only familiar face so far, besides a handful of nameless Weyrlings- flew across his vision, and he grinned a raised a hand to wave, only to have her move on without even an acknowledgment of his presence. His face settled back into a slightly pained expression as he brushed Still's sleeping mind, then he turned his attention to finding a seat.

There was an open one at a table where a Wherhandler (by his knots) was sitting with a few other apparently uninterested people. As'lin headed over, a Rider woman ran over, frantically said something As'lin couldn't hear to the Wherhandler, and took off, a green firelizard clamped to her finger. As'lin had seen them about the Weyr, but had never seen one bite- weird. He went for the table anyway, sitting across from the man and the little girl, glancing in the rider's direction. "What was that about? Is she going to be ok?"

[kysseh]

Blowing out a small sigh of frustration as the flit steadfastly refused to leave her shoulder, Savitri managed a patient half-smile for M'ritz's futile attempt to chase off the little bugger. "I think he's too stubborn for that," she said, setting her jaw in a grimace as the flit made his way down to her lap to get comfortable for a nap. Had she not been so tired, she would have used pure force of will to threaten the flit right off her lap and back where he belonged. As it was, she did not wish to expend that sort of energy. "Thank you, M'ritz, but no. It might encourage him to stay," she said a bit wearily, not wanting to encourage the flitter to make her a permanent perch. Shadow caused enough problems as it was; he needed no encouragement.

Turning a weary and frustrated look up toward the bronzerider, all thought of rank and propriety discarded, Savitri simply shook her head, a few tendrils of hair flipping around on her cheeks. "I wish he didn't like me," she said honestly, giving him a humorless smile. The blush on his face and the use of her first name confirmed her worst fears that he knew exactly who she was. She pursed her lips, wondering what the most polite way of telling him to shove off was. In the end, good upbringing overtook the instinctual urge to shoo him and his irritating pain-in-the-buttocks pets off. Her patience was sorely tried, though, so she turned away, sighing as she glanced down at the slumbering flit. "I'll return him to you as soon as he decides to let go. I'd rather not get more scratches from trying to forcibly remove him."

She gave Liassa and M'ritz a suitably apologetic look and then took a few more bites of fruit, gratefully swallowing down the sweet bits. Shards, but it felt better to have food in her system, even if the swallowing made her chest ache even more. She felt better, even if she most certainly did not look it. "Hepaticath is sleeping too. She fell asleep almost as soon as her belly was full and she discovered which couch was hers," she remarked dryly, though her expression was gentler at the thought of her mindmate curled up and slumbering.

She turned to M'ritz to inquire how Origoth was doing when a squawk and a flurry of movement alerted her to some new arrivals. Twisting as much as her bandaged torso could allow--which was not much, unfortunately--the healer-turned-weyrling offered up a broad smile at the familiar sight of Kalierre and an unfamiliar little boy. "Kalierre. Good to see you again," she said with a genuine smile, hoping the healer had not yet heard about the fuss she had made in the infirmary. Healers truly did make awful, awful patients, and she was by no means an exception to that rule. "Thank you. I don't think I'll be around the infirmary as much, but I'll do my best. Hopefully, it won't be for treatment for myself or Hepaticath." The last statement was made rather ruefully, though she doubted Hepaticath would have as many blunders as her mindmate. Savitri seemed to attract trouble about as well as she attracted followers.

[Kisha-Ra]

‘Excuse me.’ R’aro mumbled to the others at his table and slipped out of his seat to follow Lura. He’d never want the greenrider to know but hee did like her, in a friendly way, he added hastily to his thought, he really couldn’t imagine anyone being more than friends with the intimidating greenrider even though Liralla’s existence suggested that some had been more than friends with Lura once.

Shaking himself to dismiss that rather disturbing thought R’aro hurried out the door. ‘Lura?’ he called after the rider and put on a little speed to catch up to her now that no one could see him. ‘What’s wrong with Zirian?’ There were three sudden cold drafts as R’aro’s firelizards arrived and took up shrieking at Zirian. ‘Um…sorry about that.’ He added, instantly embarrassed.


J’on returned to his room with both shoulders full of annoying stitches, well they weren’t really full of stitches in fact there were only a few in each shoulder where the brown dragonet had dug his claws in deepest. His eyes slid instantly over to the slumbering form of Rinagth. The dragonet twitched in her sleep sending blasts of shimmering gold to catch the glowlight, J’on smiled, it was easy to see why Rinagth thought everyone should pay attention to her.

‘Hey, dimglow, don’t just stand there gazing at your dragon.’ A shape on the other side of the room resolved itself into O’dan, dressed in his very best black trousers and a short sleeved shirt that was bordered with an abstract pattern in black thread on the green fabric. J’on was amazed to find he could remember watching his friend set that pattern, he would have thought Impressing Rinagth had driven such small things from his mind.

‘I’ve got some clothes out for you.’ O’dan added. ‘Hurry up and put them on or we’ll miss all the good food and I don’t know about you but I’m starving.’ J’on nodded vigourosly and turned to his clothing. He dressed with unseemly haste then stopped and looked wildly around the room. ‘Wraith is curled up by Rinagth’s left elbow.’ O’dans voice broke into J’on’s thoughts yet again.

‘Alright then, let’s go!’ J’on dashed out the door leaving O’dan to trail behind.

[rynnti]

“Of… Of course!” Desi replied, unsure of how he should be reacting to the green flitter who was trying to mangle the poor woman’s finger. He tried to get a decent look at the small creature, but he was no healer. All he could see was a little green flit attempting to rip off its poor owner’s finger. As she dashed out, he stood up, standing right behind the babe, and began searching for a healer. He knew there would be at least one nearby. He looked around, trying not to be too frantic. Knowing that he had to go find a healer, but also that he couldn’t leave the woman’s daughter behind, Desi scooped up Liralla carefully. Much to the wherhandler’s dismay, the babe began to protest. “If we go find a healer, I’ll get you some bubbly pie,” he offered her, sighing in relief when that seemed enough to calm the babe down temporarily. As he turned around to begin his search for a healer, he noticed the weyrling sitting across from him. “I actually don’t know what’s going on, but I’m fairly certain we need to find a healer,” S’dar informed the young rider. This really wasn’t the time for him to be just sitting around like that. The firelizard was doing a good job of amputating part of the greenrider’s finger. “Help me find a healer,” he told As’lin. His voice was sounding more authoritative than it normally would, but he really needed this kid to help him out. Realistically, he should have watched the babe at the table and had the weyrling search for a healer, or leave the babe with the weyrling and search on his own, but it was too late. The babe was already in his arms and expecting some pie.

Desi walked around everywhere he could, checking knots left and right. There! He had finally found a healer. He was fairly certain that Kalierre was more of a dragonhealer than a person healer, but she had to have a basic knowledge of the latter to be the former. He had almost missed her knots, skillfully incorporated into her outfit along her waist, but a quick double take had assured him that the knots were indeed there. He felt bad going up to ask her for help, but that was mostly because he didn’t want to be a part of the large group surrounding Savitri. He didn’t know who she was, but the large gathering clearly meant she was the new goldrider. It was kind of hard to jump to any other conclusion regarding the young woman. Bouncing Liralla up and down a little bit, the wherhandler walked very briskly towards Kalierre.

“Excuse, miss, but a greenrider just dashed outside with her firelizard firmly attached to her finger, and I think she needs your help. “ He shifted Liralla around a little bit, thankful that the young girl was doing a really good job of being calm. As soon as she realized that Kalierre was a healer, Desi expected her to begin throwing a tantrum for some pie. Hopefully her mother wouldn’t mind an early dessert for her daughter. “She gave me her daughter and ran off that way,” Desi explained further, pointing in the direction Lura had left. He bounced Liralla a little bit as she began to become antsy. He hoped the healer would be on her way to Liralla’s mother before the girl started to demand her promised pie. He hoped that this woman wouldn’t leave her child with him as well. Desi could handle one babe, for the most part, but two was probably too much for the bronze wherhandler.

[ricil]

Shmee? She had heard that name before.

Where...?

Oh, shards. She had been talking with the Weyrwoman and not even realized it!

As Shmee confirmed it, mentioning being due to talk soon, Ricil blushed at her faux pas, not that it was too much different from her usual blotchy complexion, just more red than usual. She could tell just fine, though - her face felt like she had been sitting in the sun for hours.

On top of that, she was talking to dragonriders. She was afraid they'd turn on the snob any second now. She steeled her feelings against whatever may come their way, and gathered up the courage to speak.

Or, at least, she tried to. Her mouth didn't seem to work. Not to mention she was fairly sure "S'rei" wasn't the name she'd heard for the Weyrleader last conversation she'd had back in Lighttower, but she wasn't entirely confident, leaving the only positively correct titles to be "dragonrider" or "bronzerider".

"N-nice to meet you," she stammered as Shmee introduced them, opting for neutral and not adding a title at all. Hopefully, she didn't come across as rude.

She felt her face heat up even more when the raven-haired Weyrwoman asked her weyrmate to cut her some meat, too. Funny how that had been just fine before she had learned who she was talking to.

With a nervous laugh, she admitted, "I didn't know who I was talking to at first. I wasn't rude, was I?"

She was not pleased with her apology. For one, the laugh had come out sounding more like a squeaky, girlish giggle. No doubt that would be talked about behind her back...

She found her appetite had diminished significantly, in the face of nervousness. She hoped S'rei didn't cut too much wherry for her.

((Haha, she's so awkward. I don't think I've ever had so much fun with a character so ordinary.))

[reqqy]

Poor thing looked confused. It was almost enough to cause S'rei to drop the playfulness and act his age. Blech. Age. I never knew you were so vain, Mine. Shut up. Salenth, however, hadn't had nearly as much opportunity to get up in S'rei's craw since the bronzerider had moved in with Aslath's, and he was reluctant to let this one go. It's only a difference of ten turns. I figure you've got about five good ones left before she realizes you're falling apart and moves on to a newer model. Need I remind you that you're far older than Aslath?[/i][/b] So? The best catches the gold. If I'm less than the best, it won't matter how old I am, the bronze responded dismissively. I'm not even in the running outside of flight, anyway. Had it been a conversation between two friends, S'rei likely wouldn't have noticed that a touch of rue had entered into Salenth's words. It wasn't.

Shmee was speaking, though, and the bronzerider let that slip go. He affected a mild pout. "What is it with you and insisting I behave all of a sudden?" he responded in a stage whisper. S'rei proceeded to goose his weyrmate, turning away from her and to Ricil, his expression the picture of perfect innocence. "Wherry meat?" he questioned the girl, gesturing toward the food on the platter with his knife hand, but, before he could say anything more, the Weyrwoman turned back to him. S'rei's brow lifted. Couldn't she see that he was already in the process of helping this Ricil? Oh ho. So now she was trying to flirt, was she? His facial expression reverted to a pleasant neutrality. "Good," he responded. "I like pie."

That was when the child at his side spoke up. S'rei smiled down at her. "No need to worry. Shmee's a terror pregnant, but otherwise she'll just find it amusing that you didn't recognize her. Silly thing, thinking people would recognize her." He sniffed, and continued to speak about the Weyrwoman as if she wasn't standing right beside him, his child in her arms. "Doesn't look much like a weyrwoman anyway. Too young. Too short." His hand came to rest on her head to emphasize his point. No, the goldrider wasn't all that short, but anyone looked like a munchkin compared to S'rei. He directed his gaze back to Shmee, an incredulous look coming to his features. "What are you still doing here?"

That was a little low. If he'd cared to sire every one of Aslath's clutches, he might have reacted worse. Instead he just found it disappointing that she so obviously was trying to wound him. Why had he come to the beach again? He was trying to be good, and here she was taking whatever shots she could think of. Not very kind of her.

Salenth stared at Aslath openly. What was this? A case of selective memory? Part of him wanted to argue, to surge up in righteous anger. He had attempted to speak to her. She'd chased him from the sands on his return. She'd completely ignored him as he made sure she was eating, as he spoke to her outside the sands. Then, when she finally did decide to respond to his attempts to bridge the communication gap, she'd verbally attacked him with such tenacity that he'd grown weary of her presence altogether. Salenth had more than tried. He didn't argue with her, in the end, though he did emit a low growl, unable to fully suppress it.

The bronze's tone took on a frigidity that nearly matched the gold's own. It's good to know you're well.

***

Smiling gently, Kalierre nodded at Savitri's response. "I'm sure the other apprentices will be grateful if you make a point to play it safe," she added, the amusement in her tone clearly indicating that she'd gotten an earful from the beleaguered healers-in-training.

At that moment, Miguel apparently decided that he was tired of being held by this woman, his little legs flailing out in a surprisingly strong kick that caught P'nor on the shoulder. The boy let out a boisterous wail and sunk his fingers into Liassa's hair. "Stop that!" Kali hissed sharply as she tried to both step back and disentangle the weyrling's hair from the child's fingers. Miguel subsided with ill grace, though he gave the hair another yank for good measure.

She'd only just managed an apologetic smile when a classic 'tall, dark and handsome' with wherhandler's knots approached her. Kalierre wasn't the sort to think that random strangers would come up to her proclaiming their love, but she was just a tad disappointed when it became clear that she was being singled out because of her profession. That was, until she heard what he had to say. A frown touched full lips, her dark eyes instinctively moving toward where she would have been able to see Lura had a wall not been in the way. "That's not typical behavior for a firelizard." Kalierre knew who they were talking about because of Liralla, as I'ir had been the only healer who could rival her in expertise until his death left Lura and their daughter without a man in their lives.

Miguel wriggled again, and Kalierre found herself looking down at him, perplexed. She couldn't treat Lura...or whatever she would need to do...with him to watch over as well. This man had been entrusted one child already, hadn't he? Looking from As'lin to Desi and back again, she turned on her charm as best she could. And it wasn't half-bad when she truly tried, truth be told. The woman had a classically beautiful face, even if she typically didn't try for a feminine touch. "I'm so sorry, but could you watch Miguel for a moment as well? I promised Lauranna I'd take care of her son, but..." She shrugged apologetically. "I'm sure she'd be happy to take him back, but I really need to check on Lura. Do you mind?"[/size]

[Ruby]

At the Wherhandler's command, As'lin jumped out of his seat, leaving his plate practically untouched in his eagerness. He hadn't realized that flits could bite hard enough to get down to bone, but clearly the woman had been in pain. Maybe it was an emergency after all. With a wove through the crowd, not really knowing who he was looking for, but checking every knot he saw anyway. He remembered that a girl who impressed had been helping a boy who had been savaged, and started searching the crowd for her.

Eventually he found her and headed that way, only to see that the Wherhandler had found another one, who was a full Rider instead of just a Weyrling. So As'lin stopped next to Desi, who was already doing the talking, hoping he could still be somehow useful. That didn't seem like it would happen, until the little boy the Healer was holding started squirming. He kicked a Rider in the head, and attacked another Weyrling's hair before the healer could get him calmed.

Of course, As'lin would have taken the baby to help the Healer with or without the charm, even though he was not great with kids. But the word "Lauranna" piqued his interest even further. So Laurie had a son, did she? "I'll take him," As'lin offered, with a meaningful glance at the Wherhandler's already full arms, and a smile for the little boy. "Hi, Miguel," he added to the child, offering his arms for Kalierre to place the boy in. As'lin immediately received a kick to the gut for his efforts, but he took the Weyrbrat nonetheless, bouncing him a little. "Go on and help Lura, I'll take Miguel back to his mama, I know who she is," he added in the Healer's direction.

As the boy was already getting heavy (and squirmy), As'lin went back to the table he had originally sat at, shooing a stray Flit away from his plate. He set Miguel next to him, and started offering the little boy different bits of the food he had served himself earlier. He kept an eye out for Laurie, too, but didn't see her. Still's sleeping mind seemed to shift slightly as As'lin thought about the woman and her Green- and As'lin realized something awful. Laurie had a son, but not only that, she also had a green dragon. The kind that Blues flew. Mortified, As'lin froze for a second- long enough for Miguel to bite his finger, trying to get the bit of meatroll the Weyrling held. Sucking in his breath, As'lin resumed his seated search for Miguel's mama, as the boy smiled and chewed his meatroll.

[Administrator]

Shmee couldn't help but let out a squeal as S'rei goosed her. She blushed, bouncing Shei as she did so, but it didn't hide the smile that began to take over her face. She liked S'rei being this way. He wasn't ripping her apart- this was the flirtation of a lover. She opened her mouth to respond, only his attention had turned to the girl all over again. Shmee pouted and tapped her foot impatiently. Stupid man. Did he think he could do that and get away with it? Returning back to him, she forcibly snuggled against S'rei's body. Shei gurgled happily, grinning a toothless grin at her father. At least the babe found some enjoyment, she thought in amusement. She was relieved that Shei didn't seem to be too bored here. For now, anyway. She hoped S'rei would hurry with cutting the girl's meat. It had seemed like a good idea those few seconds ago, or maybe she was too caught up in the idea of being nice. Well, whatever it was, it was costing her precious minutes with S'rei.

"Don't worry, I'm not offended," she told Ricil teasingly. However, she glared at S'rei very pointedly. She had come very close to saying something along the lines of, Well, we don't /have/ to risk it... But she refrained. Not in front of Ricil. Irritated slightly that he was talking as if she wasn't there, she cleared her throat very loudly.

"S'rei, don't be so childish," she scoffed as his hand rested on her head. Her lower lip stuck out in a pout. "And I never left, you stupid man," she growled. Yet she didn't move. Instead, she stealthily slid a warm hand up his back, beneath his shirt. She would torture him, she decided firmly. He wouldn't get away with teasing with her so easily. Innocently and carefully so Ricil wouldn't notice, she gently rubbed S'rei's back, kneading it with delicate precision.

As if she was doing nothing, she went on. "I happen to think I look very Weyrwoman-like," she commented lightly. "I look authoritative and... mature..." She smirked as her hand slowly glided southward, slipping only slightly past his belt line. Part of her was a bit nervous of doing something like this after their last encounter, but another part of her wanted to try again. And what better way to test him than by doing this? Then again, last time she tested him, she had gotten so much more than what she had bargained for... She paused, bringing her hand back up his spine.

She smiled at Ricil. "Well," she said, it looks like I should get ready to give the speech. Come on, Rei. It was nice meeting you, Ricil!" she said cheerfully, sliding her hand out of S'rei's shirt and tugging at his back to lead him back to the table.

Aslath caught that growl. Her eyes whirled more intently, gaining more red. What had she been thinking, that he would ever try to come back to her for real? So why had he come here just now? Part of her wanted him to just leave, since all he was doing was being rude. She flicked her tail angrily. Honestly, what was she supposed to say to that remark? Was she supposed to say "Oh, they would have been so much better if /you/ sired them!"? No, of course not! She was agreeing that her children were good-- did he want them to be weak, just because he didn't sire them?!

This infuriated her. Who do you think you are!?[/color] she demanded, her temper clearly rising. You ask to sit with me, and I say you may. You call my children beautiful, and you growl when I agree. Did you want me to disagree to soothe your aching ego? I happen to /not/ agree. It doesn't matter who sired them, but they are my children and my pride. Accept that or leave now.[/color] She hissed. The nerve of him!

She loved all her children. It was hurtful, too, that Salenth was being such a hatchling about it. Yes, she was upset that he hadn't been around for her Flight, but she couldn't regret her beautiful younglings. Ciceroth, too, wasn't a bad sire, even if he wasn't destined to be her weyrmate. And the fact that Salenth was being so shallow... it stung.

--

((Rynnti, just so you know, can you please not RP Liralla? I'm super anal about that. xD Thanks<3))

Liralla shrieked as the strange man picked her up. Istery was confused, swooping around the two anxiously. Hers was distressed, but Hers' dam had allowed this man to do this... He was so confused! Crooning to Liralla, he nuzzled her head as he hovered beside them. But not even pretty thoughts of bubbly pies could calm down the babe. She wanted her Ma! Liralla began to bawl. "MA!" she screeched, making the closest tables begin to wince. But by most, she was ignored. They were used to unhappy little babes in the Hatching Feast- too many little children wanting their bubbly pies instead of greens. Liralla was no exception.

Still crying even as Desi bounced her, she reached a pudgy arm out for Istery, who continued cooing to her. However, she did pause when they reached Kalierre. Seeing another woman, her crying quieted, but didn't cease. Whimpering, she reached out for Kalierre. "Ma, wan' Ma!" she sniffed, hiccuping from her crying. All the commotion, and suddenly being passed to a stranger, was so scary! But this lady seemed nice. She looked more like Ma than this man did. Not to mention that this lady had a babe in her arms, as well. She was clearly better than this man.

Lura, on the other hand, was now outside, leaning over the rail and facing downward to the river. She was sweating profusely, still tugging at Zirian, trying to pry her jaws off of her finger. The blood was now running down her hand in a fierce flood, but even still, Zirian refused to let go. Zamora and Zanna were squeaking angrily and in fright. Their little minds couldn't connect to Zirian's at all, which was scary to them. Neither could Lura, but her main concern now was getting the green off her finger first. Gasping as she tried changing tactics, she began to shake her finger, hoping this would send the green flying.

Instead, it made Zirian attack her finger even more fiercely, and Lura bit into the neck of her tunic so she wouldn't scream. She didn't want to interrupt the Hatching Feast, which was a joyous time, with her screams of pain. Groaning in pain as she vainly shook her hand, she nearly threw up in an instant. There was a snap, and a long, loud moan of pain. However, Lura managed to not scream somehow, and wouldn't have even if her tunic was not restraining her. Zirian screeched triumphantly, dropping Lura's severed finger to the ground. Tears streamed down her face, but something odd came over Zirian that minute. Her maw, covered with a yellowy foam and Lura's blood, opened and let out a blood-curdling screech. Her eyes whirled a pained orange-yellow, and one wing stiffened. With her other wing being the only one able to move, Zirian flapped it vainly, but to know use. She was in pain, and there was no other option.

She winked between.

Lura moaned again, and Zamora and Zanna let out a keen for Zirian. This time, Lura did throw up, bending over the rail into the river. Her finger was forgotten, laying some feet from her. But her Zirian was gone... One of her little bondeds...

Anemith pushed her mind protectively against hers. It was frightening-- the little green cousin was gone, Lura was in pain, but everyone else in the Weyr was so happy just a mere few yards away from Lura. Oh Mine, it is all right... It was not her fault she was like that... She always loved you! And /I/ love you so much, you will be all right...[/color]

Lura was feverish, shaking and unmoving where she want bent over the railing. Zirian always loved her... but something went wrong in the end. Something was still wrong. Lura wiped her forehead with her bleeding hand, where it seemed that she didn't notice that her finger was missing. There was a cold pain in her heart where Zirian used to be. Something was just so wrong.