Hatching Feast

[ravenmane]

Relief washed over P'nor as Savitri spoke, and the Bronzerider made a move to bow, but the fiercely kicking Miguel decided the nervous and embarrassed Bronzerider deserved to be kicked. Savitri would probably thank the toddler for that. He thought grimly before smiling and gratefully leaving the table. As he strode away, P'nor didn't even give Savitri a second glance although Squee was very interested in the girl since Athol was content to stay with her. Hopefully, the annoyingly hideous creature would stay with the pretty female. Squee looked up at his Bonded hopefully and chirped, Ugly-Squashy gone, yes? P'nor grimaced with annoyance and veered from going to a table to the food line. "No, Athol will be coming back even if I have to drag him off of that Goldrider's lap."

Squee crooned rejectedly as P'nor spoke. Ugly-Squashy not gone, yes? "Yes," came the sharp comfirmation. It was all the salamandyr could do not to go back and pester Athol, but the thought of making the pretty lady angry was not what he wanted to do! P'nor sighed quietly as he gathered a fair portion of food which consisted of meat for both him and Squee, a chunk of bread, some fruit, and two bubbly pies. Squee eyed the desert hungrily, and P"nor had to hold the food away from him so that the 'mandyr didn't try to take it. "Be good, and you might get a taste." If I'm good, do I get a taste? Cyanth chuckled teasingly. A taste for you is a whole pie, Wherry-Brain! P"nor shot back in a teasing tone.

***********************************************

Do I have to go? Yes. Go make a friend. I don't need one. Yes, you do. Sk'ler grimaced as he came to the conclusion, the conclusion he always came to when fighting with Triniath, that he had lost, again. "Fine! I'll go to the stinking Feast." Triniath rumbled contently as his rider finally caved in. Good. Make a friend. Another grimace crossed the Senior Weyrling's face as he slowly made his way to the small chest that contained his meager amount of clothing. "Better save up my marks to get something decent for this events." The boy muttered quietly as he finally located the only real decent attire he owned.

After he had slipped into the chosen clothes, he kept an eye on Bolli. The usually calm and serene creature had been acting different, and any difference in either Triniath or his fire-lizards worried Sk'ler to the extreme. "Well, how do I look, everyone?" Soltun nuzzled his Bonded's cheek, Joolree crooned apprecitively, and Bolli simply stared strangely at Triniath. "Bolli, what's the matter?" The blue fire-lizard wretched his gaze from Triniath to look up at Sk'ler. For a moment, the Weyrling thought he something strange, totally alien, flicker behind the Blue's green-blue gaze, but when Bolli crooned with delight, Sk'ler believed he had imagined it. "Well, you three, wanna come to the Hatching Feast?" Joolree was quick to join Soltun on Sk'ler's shoulder,s but again, Bolli was slow in responsing. I better take him to the Healers tomorrow. I think that would be good.

When the fire-lizard joined the other two, Sk'ler strode out of his weyr and began making his way towards the Main Hall. Nothing really happened, but just as they were nearing the Feast's location, Bolli tried to make Soltun give up his customary place on Sk'ler's shoulder. He hissed at the much larger Brown, but Soltun glared at the Blue so menacingly, Bolli quickly launched himself into the air Sk'ler glanced up at him, worry etched in every line of his face. "You can stay up there until we get to the Feast." His voice was stern, and for a moment, Bolli almost looked remorseful. It was when the small group finally arrived at the Feast that things began to go down hill. Sk'ler ahd quickly located a table that was on the edge of the crowd, and he had snatched up a piled plate of goodies along with a second plate to put the fitts' food on. The Weyrling had begun to feel kind of funny, and the cause of it eluded him like the smoke of a fire.

As Sk'ler began plopping some meat slices on the second plate he had taken, Bolli boldly snatched Soltun's meal. The Brown hissed angrily, but this time, Bolli didn't back down. He calmly began to tear the slice into manageable bits as he cautiously watched both Joolree and Soltun. The Brown and Green stared at the younger fire-lizard with perplexed expressions as though they couldn't believe this was really happening. Bolli was purposely ruining the pecking order, and the usually accepting Blue's actions were not very well taken. Soltun had always been the calm, laidback leader with Joolree next in line and then Bolli. Sk'ler watched the three fire-lizards helplessly as he tried to figure out what was wrong. Trin, something's wrong with Bolli. I do not know what is plaguing him. I wish I knew. Sk'ler responded quietly. He liked peace, and Bolli was disturbing what peace the BrownWeyrling had. Suddnely, Sk'ler was drawn out of his thoughts as Soltun squawked from shock and pain. Sk'ler gaped at the scene, wishing he could disappear. Bolli had bitten Soltun for no reason except that the Brown had tried to get his food back. Sk'ler quickly grabbed Bolli and lifted him up so that he could look the Blue square in the face. "What's wrong with you, Bolli?!" All Sk'ler got was an angry red stare.

[Kisha-Ra]

Lura didn’t appear to have noticed R’aro, or maybe she was too focused on getting Zirian off of her finger to reply, whichever it was R’aro stepped forward to help, only to be mobbed by his own distressed firelizards. ‘Stop it! Settle down! OW!’ R’aro did his best to fend of his terrified, ‘lizards, though why Zirian should upset them so much was beyond him. In desperation he reached his mind out to Idith. Idith, please make them stop! The young dragon’s mind was drifting on the edge of slumber but roused for R’aro.

It is done.[/color] Idith replied instantly alert to his chosen’s distress. What upset them?[/color] the bronze hatchling inquired though he doubted he could do anything to help.

Zirian bit Lura, it looks bad. Encumbered by flitters R’aro moved forward again only to be stopped in his tracks a second time by sound, a snap, a pained moan, and from Zirian a blood chilling scream that set R’aro’s firelizards trembling and pressing against his skin wherever they could. A cold finger of fear dripped down the young man’s spine as Zirian dripped foam from her maw and made a pitiful attempt at flight. His gut told him what would happen next, freezing solid even as Zirian vanished between and set the other ‘lizards keening.

As his three greens left his shoulders, Jinka and Telba into anxious patterns of flight around him and Lura and Insi gliding to the ground to dart after something on the ground, R’aro took the last few steps to the railing and reached out to touch Lura’s shoulder. A movement from Lura caught his attention and he realized why Zirian had let go, and what the flitter had dropped before she took her last journey between. ‘INSI!’ he roared, catching sight of the malformed ‘lizard sniffing something even as he clamped a hand around Lura’s wrist. Need a healer… he thought.

Insi leapt backward, she hadn’t been sure whether she wanted to pick up Lura’s finger anyway, it didn’t smell good, it smelled like Zirian had before she had gone between. The pale green backed off and chirped inquiringly at her minething, he was supposed to think of things.

Insi’s chirp brought R’aro’s attention to his firelizards. ‘Healer.’ He croaked, thinking of Kalierre, the only healer spring to mind. ‘Get the healer.’ For once all of his flitters understood and acknowledged him, instantly chattering and vanishing.

In the hall Jinka gave a triumphant cry. There was the one her minething wanted! The bossy green led Telba over the crowd while Insi blinked in and out of between over peoples heads. Jinka hovered directly in front of Kalierre and gave a commanding chatter.

[ricil]

((I would've posted this yesterday, but my cable - thus my Internet - went out. Sorry for the short post, I forgot everything I had thought up in the interim. -_-'))

Ricil was a little embarrassed as she came to the realization she was intruding on something, though she couldn't tell how, exactly, she was an intruder when she had, as far as she could see, been first and bumped into Shmee by mistake. She barely registered returning Shmee's parting sentiment, because, shortly after she had left, a trio of firelizards popped into the hall and began chattering, one darting frantically between the solid world and between.

"Um...Are they supposed to act like that?" Ricil asked, trying to follow the erratic one.

[ryanne]

Liassa could tell that all Savitri wanted was to eat and get away from all of this. M'ritz wasn't helping much, but he was at least being nice and trying. His attempt to shoo away the flitt was just pitiful. Lia wondered for a moment if she should just pick the little one up and hand him back to his bonded and then tell them both to get lost, but she didn't want to look pushy. After all, Savi was the new goldrider, not her. If she wanted something like that done, she'd get it done herself or ask someone else to do it. She didn't need Lia doing her work for her.

The bronzerider was absolutely ridiculous though. Talk around the kitchens was that he wasn't a bad guy. He was the last of the bronzers that she had expected to go after the queen. Before the hatching, she'd calmly joined discussions about the new goldrider and who maybe would try to make a pass at her for power. P'nor was at the bottom of that very long list. So she was surprised, but anything was possible when Flying and power was involved. The easiest way to get ranking was to just put your dragon in the right place at the right time and rubbing elbows with the newest goldrider and winning her affection quickly was a nice way to get your dragon a better possibility at getting that spot at that time. Lia thought the idea of it all was abhorrent.

Liassa grinned at Savitri's comment, glaring at P'nor only for a second before letting her laughter spread to her eyes and looking back at her friend. "Tiaeth sleeps and eats as of right now. That's about it. You know how she was at the hatching? That's how she is now." Her beautiful little green had curled up within her shards, letting Hepaticath have a look at the candidates before heading over there herself. She'd already shown her respect to her gold clutchsister, which was good. Liassa would hate it if Tiaeth and Hepaticath didn't get along well. Savitri was one of the few female candidates she could stand. Lately, she'd found that any other females tended to get on her last nerve with their inability to think any deeper than 'shard it, I'm going to break a nail doing this chore.' At least some of the males knew how to suck it up and get the work done.

Of course, Liassa couldn't talk much. She'd found that she'd been sleepier and sleepier lately. She'd try to not let it affect her work ethics, but sometimes it was really hard. She just didn't feel like she had any strength. She ate and she ate, but it didn't help. And usually in the mornings, she just threw it up. It was frustrating. She made a note to talk to Savitri about it when they got a moment alone. She might know what was happening. A small nagging part of her mind gave a suggestion, but Liassa ignored it. It was too unlikely. She'd just ask someone who would be able to give her a logical answer, who was trained at this sort of thing.

Oh, great, more people. Liassa smiled at the new arrivals. Oh she loved children! This one, however, didn't seem very happy. Apparently this new woman was a healer, and, if she read the knots right, a weyrling as well. "Hello, I'm Liassa and I don't plan on it. Tiaeth doesn't seem like that sort to get herself in too much trouble," she introduced herself after her and Savitri's small exchange was over. Then suddenly the little boy decided her hair was a good handhold, pulling it from it's bun behind her ear. Grimacing, she held still as the woman tried to remove the child's fingers. A sharp pull and a lot of mess later, her hair was free.

The sudden movement and appearance of a new person almost drew another sigh from Liassa. But then she heard what he had to say. Automatically, her hands went to Lock, pulling him down from her shoulder and placing him in her lap. The brown squawked indignantly, but then settled down, returning to sleep. Nothing seemed wrong with him. Her eyes were still concerned, though, as she looked back up at Kalierre, hoping that she would have an explanation. It seemed, though, that she didn't. This was not good.

[reqqy]

Kalierre should have been in more of a hurry, but a flitter bite usually wasn't all that serious - if somewhat unusual, admittedly - and she had to be sure Miguel would be fine with someone else for awhile. Because of all the distractions, she hadn't greeted Liassa's reply with more than an approving smile. Nor did she gift P'nor's hasty retreat with more than a passing glance. Grateful to find that this As'lin at least knew who Laurie was, Kali passed the lad over to the boy. Tell Reysalth that Miguel is with Swillith's, will you please? If she asks, just tell her that I was called away. I'll take care of it, Mine, the green agreed amicably.

Just about to turn and hurry off to find Lura, Kali was surprised when little Liralla, whom the wherhandler still held, reached out to her and started pleading. The dragonhealer paused for a few precious seconds, undecided. Liralla would likely get in the way, and there was a chance that she might panic at the sight of her mother bleeding. Yet it looked like she was about to wriggle right out of the wherhandler's grasp. Lura certainly didn't need the added stress of a missing daughter. It might calm both of them down, to have each other, as well.

Reaching out, she lifted the child from his arms with care, adjusting so she could leave a hand free. "Let's go find Mommy, sweetheart," Kalierre murmured. That was when a green flit approached, others on its tail, and let loose on her with a bombastic wave of flitter communication. The dragonhealer shook her head. "You're going to have to be more clear, and I have some things to do." Of course, with all this commotion, Lust decided to make an appearance, poking his head out from beneath Kali's sleeve. Chirpy-face loud, he complained, his words, as per usual, a general broadcast. Luckily, he was in something of a langorous mood as evidenced by his droll tone, and wasn't thinking about attacking the boisterous newcomer just yet.

Rolling her eyes at all the annoyances she seemed to have attracted in the space of a minute, the dragonhealer wended her way through the press and toward the doors of the hall. As soon as she came upon the sight of Lura and R'aro, however, her demeanor visibly changed. What in Pern? Lust was down and sniffing at the finger in the span of a few seconds, not about to be outdone by a mere flit. "Don't you touch that," Kali commanded sternly. Then, because it was Lust and Lust hardly ever listened to commands, she added, "It will make you sick. Rumbly tummy. Not good. You'll feel bad for days." This gave the salamandyr pause, but he still wasn't willing to give up his place by the digit.

Immediately putting the child down, she threaded her fingers into Liralla's. "I'm going to go help your mother now." Then, crouching, she looked the young girl directly in the eyes. "You must be brave for Mama. It will make Mama scared if you scream, and it might hurt her if you try to hold her, or make her hold you. Do you understand? You can hold my leg if you like. Or you can stay with that nice man over there." The greenrider nodded in R'aro's direction. "But you must be brave for Mama and Auntie Kali, kay?"

As long as the young child didn't go hysterical on her, Kalierre decided to focus her attention on Lura. On the bleeding woman whose finger lay on the ground. A flitter had done that? It was - mind-boggling. The dragonhealer bent to wrap the finger in a small square of cloth she'd been carrying up her sleeve and deposited it in the line of her sash. They might think of reattachment later. Perhaps. Right now, she needed to get the blood stopped and figure out what was going on with this firelizard.

The woman's hand fell on Lura's shoulder, urging her to turn enough that she could see what remained of her finger. "It's all right," she stated, quietly. "I'm here to help you. Can you tell me what happened?" Even as she said this, she lifted her skirt, extracting a small pack she'd strapped to her lower thigh just in case. Another glance at R'aro. "Please, get some juice for her. She's lost enough blood that she'll need something to restore some of her natural sugars."

***

"That's why I asked you why you were still here," S'rei returned, wrinkling his nose at his weyrmate. It seemed likely that he would have stuck his tongue out at her in a less public setting, so petulant was his tone. That was when he noticed her hand sliding down his back, below the line of his trousers, and he stilled so as not to give it away. His greys still darted to Shmee's face in surprise, however, one brow rising as if to ask what she thought she was doing in the middle of the Hatching Feast? S'rei wasn't particularly known for his self-control in this department. But the Weyrwoman did nothing to answer the unspoken question, instead talking of how mature she was. The man could only laugh at that.

Ricil hadn't yet answered his question, and suddenly Shmee was tugging at him. He gave the girl an apologetic smile - teasing between Shmee and Rei had always tended to get in the way of things when they were in a more festive mood - and turned to follow his weyrmate like a well-trained pup. A very well-trained pup. Coming when called. Following when told to follow. If only he had a shred of pride...That made S'rei chuckle to himself, and momentarily distracted him from the sway of her hips. Minx. Always teasing him.

Had it been just a couple months ago that he thought he'd never be back here? Seemed odd.

***

While his mindmate was well and truly occupied - and clearly enjoying himself - Salenth was about a tick away from actually attacking the queen of the weyr. Of course he wouldn't actually raise claw against Aslath. Even if they'd had no history, she was a gold, and it was against his biological laws. However, that didn't change the fact that he wanted to.

He'd wondered what she could possibly have to be angry about this time, considering she was the one who'd more or less rejected him and continued to attack him even when he tried to extend the metaphorical olive branch. Now he knew. And it thoroughly, overwhelmingly infuriated him. Enough to have even S'rei pausing in concern. Things usually went the other way, but not today. Salenth? The bronze ignored his mindmate in favor of the creature who was the source of his ire.

Your children are beautiful! I wasn't growling about the hatchlings! I was growling at you, you overbearing wherry who continues to see things however you please. I tried my best to take care of you when you were on these sands, despite the cold shoulder you turned to me, and I talked to you despite the fact that you ignored every attempt I made to strike up a conversation. When we finally did have one, you nearly took my head off. Now you try to say that I never made any of those attempts at all. I haven't been ignoring you! It's been quite the opposite. And now you have the temerity - the audacity - to insult me in so base a fashion. I am not some jealous hatchling who would not be proud of the new additions to the weyr simply because I didn't sire them. In fact, I don't think I ever want to sire your children again. Grow up, or find yourself a new bronze to pursue. I'm sure Ciceroth will be willing. At least until you start tearing him apart!

Salenth got up, clearly intending to leave her there on the beach and go nurse his hurt feelings.

[Ruby]

Kemma wasn't sure what to do with herself. In theory she liked feasts, but every time she actually attended one, she got restless. What seemed like fun to begin with turned out to be sitting around and occasionally talking to someone, which Kemma often considered a waste of time. The only worthwhile thing to do at a feast was eat. So Kemma kept eating. She had already made it through about two plates of real food, and had started on some bubbly pie. She knew that it was no good for her figure to eat this much... but she hated sitting idle! If it wasn't for the coming announcements and her recent promotion, she'd be long gone. But if Shmee wanted to introduce her to the Weyr as the new Candidatemaster, she'd better be around. Maybe she could slip into the kitchens for a while and help them cook or clean or something...

Absolutely not, Mellith interrupted.

Kemma frowned, her eyes going blank as she entered the conversation with her dragon. What! Mell... you know I hate sitting still! How come I have to be here while you get to play with the Weyrbrats? At least I can be helpful!

Not after we spent so long picking out your gather finery! I will not have you soil it by spilling dirty dishwater all over it. And its not my fault you decided to become Candidatemaster right before a hatching.

Kemma sighed and smoothed out her dress. It was true, she and Mellith HAD spent a long time picking it out. Mellith had been arguing for a slim fitting green dress that highlighted Kemma's chest, but the Greenrider argued that as she'd gained weight recently, it might be better to go with a corsetted black and grey number to flatter her curves (and hide her flab). It had been quite a production, requiring Kemma to model practically her whole wardrobe for Mellith before the green finally agreed on the black-and-grey.

Sighing, Kemma smoothed a napkin onto her lap before tackling the pie once again. Fine, I'll behave. But isn't there anything for me to do that won't get me dirty?

Oh, go find a weyrbrat or something. There's bound to be several around. That will keep you occupied.

That was a good idea! Kemma quickly finished her pie, wiping her chin. There were no babes immediately in sight, so she bussed her plate herself, her eyes searching for the chubby fist or tiny head of hair that would give her something to do. She had no such luck at first, but pretty soon spotted Laurie's little Miguel, sitting with a new Weyrling she (shock!) didn't know. Well, she'd have to fix that.

Sidling up to As'lin, she said, "Hello, I'm Kemma. Is that little Miguel you've got there? He's gotten so big!" Taking the bit of meatroll Miguel was chewing on, she tore it up into smaller pieces to the boy could actually chew them up, and sat herself next to As'lin on the bench.

***

As'lin was only too happy to have Kemma's help. He really didn't know what to do with a baby, and Laurie was nowhere in sight. "Hi, Kemma. I'm As'lin," he replied to her greeting, but then left her to the babe. She seemed to be on top of things, and she even got Miguel to eat- something As'lin had been failing at. He resumed his search for Laurie, even standing up briefly to scan the high table, but he still didn't see her. The Greenrider whose finger had been bitten was also nowhere to be seen... As'lin wondered if she was alright, but knew there was nothing he could do about it.

[margexx]

J'ferMine, you worry too much. How will I ever get a handsome weyrmate if you never make any friends? Ranth teased as she nuzzled her rider, her eyes whirling with a content green. We've been here a long time and nothing bad has happened, why would something bad happen now? The green asked curiously, again nuzzling J'fer.

Said rider sighed heavily, reaching up to scratch Ranth's eye ridges. "I'm not saying something bad will happen, Ranth. But it's never bad to be cautious." J'fer explained, frowning lightly. "There are a lot of people at Hatching Feasts." And although the greenrider was already dressed in his best clothes, he was still debating on actually heading to the feast for that very reason. "I know nothing's happened in the past Turn, but still..."

Ranth snorted, ruffling her rider's hair as she did. Mine, caution is allowed, but you are not being cautious. You are being scared and worried. Relax J'ferMine. You need to make friends here. You are so lonely here. She stated firmly. Now come. I want to go find some handsome males and I'm not leaving you here. With that, the petite green started toward the weyrledge, J'fer reluctantly following. Once Ranth had reached the edge, she paused and allowed for J'fer to climb on, before she made the short flight to the ground. Now you go make friends. I'm not coming to get you until you do. Ranth stated firmly, accenting her words with a sharp nod before she turned and again rose into the air, rising high and circling, on the watch for an alone and handsome male to talk with.

J'fer watched her go before he turned back toward the dining hall, grumbling to himself about his stubborn dragon. Still, he knew she only meant the best. The greenrider frowned as he finally entered the hall, finding it even more crowded then he'd of thought. His bright blue eyes scanned the crowds, searching for someone who wasn't already occupied in a conversation and wouldn't mind talking to him. He knew Ranth well enough to know that she really wouldn't come and get him until he at least spoke to someone else. But in this sort of a crowd, how was he supposed to find someone to talk to? Well, maybe it'd be easier just to wait for someone to approach him, the greenrider thought as he made his way through the crowd to grab a drink off the table and then headed for the corner of the room with the least occupants, eyes continuing to scan the crowd.

[ryanne]

I’m going to sleep. Why aren’t you with the other weyrlings?[/i] Vomath asked, his voice calm but with a tired edge to it. He was stuffed full of meat, but he didn’t understand why His was in the barracks, but none of the other cluchsiblings’ were in the barracks. His needed to leave as well. He shouldn’t stay back when none of the others were. It didn’t make sense. I don’t really want to go. I’m tired, C’ralt replied, beginning to climb on the dragoncouch with his dragon. He didn’t want to leave his Vomath just yet. It was too soon.

Go, Mine, you shouldn’t stay with me, he urged, turning away from his rider. He refused to let His stay back because of him. It wasn’t right. C’ralt sighed, he really didn’t want to get dressed up. He didn’t really have much to wear. Go, he repeated, nudging his bonded mentally. C’ralt sighed. “Fine,” he muttered, throwing on a newer tunic and pulling on his boots. This was going to be awkward.

Arriving at the Feast, he gathered his food, only grabbing a bit of fruit and tubers. He wasn’t that hungry and he was only planning on staying until after his dragon fell asleep. He really just wasn’t in the mood. Looking for an empty seat, it took him a while to find one. Finally, he resorted to grabbing a chair by an unassuming looking man. Managing a weak grin, he looked over at the rider, “Good food?”
[/size]

[margexx]

Well, that was fast. J'fer blinked, turning his eyes away from the crowd and to the boy who had spoken. "Well, judging by the way the others are eating it, I'd have to guess yes. I myself haven't actually eaten any of it yet." He smiled, warmly before he remembered Ranth's promise of not letting him into the weyr until he met someone. "I'm J'fer of Green Ranth. What might your name be?" There, hopefully that would be enough for her.

He had seen this boy, if he should even consider the much taller male a boy, around before and thought he recognized him from the Hatching that that just happened. "You Impressed a blue, right?"

[Administrator]

Shmee smirked wickedly at her weyrmate as he followed her. Rubbing Shei's arm, she yawned. She should probably get started with the promotions so she could eat, then sleep. "Rei, can you take Shei and put the food on the table?" she asked distantly, holding the red-headed babe out to the man before he could even answer her question. "I have to go promote some people." Wiggling close to S'rei, she moved her head up to kiss him briefly. "When I get back, I'll eat, and then I'll want to go to sleep with you next to me." She leaned her head into his body, wishing she could keep his warmth even up on the stand. She wished fervently that he was Weyrleader so that he could be. But no, even Ka'rys hadn't even bothered showing up. So Shmee was alone again. No matter- this time, she could just return to S'rei was she had finished. Inhaling deeply, she breathed in his wonderfully calming scent. It seemed like forever since she had enjoyed it.

She broke the contact after a moment, and took the moment to locate her notes for the promotions. Glancing it over briefly as she walked to the stand, she looked down at the box there that waited. It was full of new knots for the promoted. She really hated seeing S'rei down under the title of wingsecond, but she had no choice. She sighed, climbing on to the small, elevated stand. "Attention, everyone!" she announced with forced cheer. She, like many of the other people in the room, didn't know that something odd was beginning to happen to some of the flitters, so she went on without and hesitation. Anyone who didn't notice the flitters would have to look up at the Weyrwoman to see what would be said.

"First off, welcome everyone to the Hatching Feast!" Shmee stated, her tone dignified and, in her humble opinion, quite mature. "I would like to congratulate all of the weyrlings who Impressed at this clutch. I hope everyone gets a chance to congratulate them and acquaint themselves with the new riders." It was quite a successful Hatching, she thought proudly. She needed to arrange a meeting with the girl who Impressed the queen at some point... But not now. She was giving a speech. She let the people applaud for a long moment. The newest dragonriders deserved their applause.

"I would also like to congratulate our wherlings, whose whers have now matured!" She paused to await clapping for them this time. "I'm extremely pleased with having not only knew dragonriders, but a batch of our own wherhandlers. They will be a helpful asset to our Weyr. Congratulations!"

Beaming down at everyone, she continued on. "I also have more congratulations. We have new Wingleaders and wingseconds to promote! For the first wing..." She bent down, picking up a set of Weyrleader knots and wingsecond knots. "For the Maelstrom Wing, the Wingleader is our Weyrleader Ka'rys of bronze Ciceroth." Her voice was oddly cold as she spoke. Stupid man didn't even show up to accept the Weyrleader knots. She would much rather have S'rei keep the knots, but that was simply not able to happen. "The wingsecond is D'ran of brown Thorith." She scanned the room, looking for D'ran. Everyone who had come to the feast and who had been promoted was expected to come up to take their knots. She waited for the applause to die down as she grabbed another set of knots.

"In the Cyclone Wing, the Wingleader is our Junior Weyrleader R'non of bronze Rath. The wingsecond is N'tia of bronze Kirayuth." Her displeasure with these riders was again expressed in a cold tone. She didn't care for either of them. But they were the only choices she had-- they had very few bronzers who could do well. Another glance around, and she sighed. R'non wasn't here, either. How typical-- the two Weyrleaders weren't here. Still, she held out knots to N'tia.

"In the Tsunami Wing, our Wingleader is A'noan of bronze Ermieth. The wingsecond is K'nam of bronze Bearinth," she went on. K'nam, she supposed, wasn't terrible, but A'noan was older and more experienced. She hated A'noan. She always had. But he was experienced, she hated to say. She felt a bit of unsettled feelings coming from Aslath at that moment, but she dismissed it. It was hard enough to stay happy during this speech, and she didn't want Aslath to weigh her down more.

"Finally, in the Blizzard Wing," she concluded, holding out the next set of knots, "Our Wingleader is P'nor of bronze Cyanth, and the wingsecond is S'rei of bronze Salenth." It was heavy, announcing that last one, but what could she do? Her eyes locked with S'rei's, apologetic and distraught. But she couldn't betray that emotion to the rest of the crowd.

"Congratulations to everyone tonight!" she said. "Now please enjoy the feast!" She stepped down from the platform, automatically slumping. She hated how everything was becoming. Why couldn't things be like she wanted? But no-- she always had to care for the good of the Weyr. Her own needs were worthless.

--

Aslath hissed at Salenth's stinging words. He simply did not understand! How dare he speak to her like this?! Openly insulting her like this was appalling. If he truly cared about her, he would never say anything like this. His words drove under her hide like a wildly burning clump of Thread. How dare he say this, how dare he tell her to remain with Ciceroth?! She growled. Then, to add insult to the insult, he then moved to leave! Her growled raised in pitch, and was a clear sign of danger.

Like a long, golden serpent, she darted her head out as he turned away, clamping his tail in her teeth. It wasn't hard enough to draw blood, but hard enough so that he wouldn't be able to remove it without cutting himself on her teeth. You are not leaving,[/color] she commanded, snarling through his tail. When she was sure it worked, only then did she release him. Her eyes glowed a deadly red.

You insult me, you treat me like I'm an idiot. Do you not understand anything?! When I have a clutch, most are smart enough to back off. But you came and landed right in with me! I did not even let the sire on the sands. And I haven't seen you in /months/. You return, no explanation, just in time to land on sands you were never invited on! And then I discover later that you were here even before then?! You never told me you were here![/color] She hissed again, rage completely overcoming her.

Then you show up here. I was hoping to perhaps reconcile. I /do/ get crazy on the sands at times. Perhaps you had a good reason that I was too hormonal to see. But no, you mock me by complimenting the children you know you did not sire, then get insulted when I agree![/color] She was quivering in anger. What is the matter with you, that you think so shallowly that you see only yourself and put /my/ feelings in the back of your own! Do you not understand how much you have /hurt me/?![/color]

She was seething. I spent months /alone/ because you disappeared! Not with Mine, not with you, but /alone/! Mine gave me no images except darkness! It was like living in /between/. There was no comforting body of my loving weyrmate. Then he shows back up again months later, expecting things to be the same! /Then you turn around and insult me!/[/color] Finished with her words, she stormed into the water, the water rippling in angry circles at her legs. She hoped he rotted between.

--

Lura shuddered. Anemith's comforting presence pressed straight at her mind, slowly trying to help fill the hole Zirian left behind. The pain, like a delayed reaction, spread up her hand and her arm. Letting out a sob at the pain and her loss of her flitter, everything seemed to happen in slow motion. A boy came darting toward her, and Lura blinked slowly. On a normal occasion, she would rather have flung herself between than allowed someone so see her in such a weak state, but the pain and sorrow was blinding her. "Redaro?" she choked out. The fact that he was now a weyrling seemed to slip her mind. Clenching her teeth as he grabbed her wrist, she reached out, seizing his tunic with her other hand.

"Zirian's gone," she gasped out to the boy. She didn't care if he knew already or not. The fact made her eyes brim over with tears anew. Anemith tried to warm her mental state with comfort, and the two remaining flitters nuzzled her even as they turned gray in grief at the loss of their friend. "Faranth, she... she bit off my..." Her coloring became even more pale, and she felt for a moment that she would be sick again. She shook violently in shock, but she managed to remove herself from the railing. She pulled R'aro down with her, still clinging to the boy's shirt out of need. She felt as though her hand was on fire. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, but she was too out of it to determine why.

Liralla brightened slightly as the lady took her. She wasn't as familiar with men considering she only had her mother, so a feminine body was much more comforting if her mother couldn't be there. Nevertheless, tears did not stop rolling from her silvery blue eyes. "Go Mommy?" she asked tearfully. It was scary, being abandoned by Lura so suddenly.

Letting herself be carried, Istery followed close behind. He wasn't going to abandon his bonded-- he wanted to make sure this lady wouldn't hurt her. Liralla nestled into Kali's body, comforted by being carried. Naturally, she wasn't happy at being put down. "No!" she whimpered, desperately trying to cling to the healer, but she it wasn't up to her. Put down on the ground, she started to cry, with little sobs sounding like a siren that would get louder and louder. She didn't stop until Kali was looking down at her very seriously. Liralla brought her thumb to her mouth, sucking it in distress.

"Help Ma?" she sniffed. Despite her inability to understand everything Kali said, she understood the basic gist of what she was saying. "Okay," she replied, her lip continuing to tremble. "Ma and Auntie help." Choosing not to go over to the boy, she clung to Kali's leg. If she had recognized R'aro, she may very well have joined him, but Kali was more a comforting presence.

It was surprising that Liralla managed not to scream as she approached her mother. The tears still fell, though they seemed to be remaining from the scare at being left with a stranger. "Hurt?" she asked anxiously, pointing to Lura's hand. "Bad hurt?"

Lura was still holding onto R'aro for dear life. But at Kali's touch, she looked over at the woman blankly. She felt hotter, and could feel herself sweating more, but it was nothing. Nodding blankly, she extended her hurt hand to Kali shakily. "Z-Zirian bit my finger off," she said slowly. "Then... Faranth." She gulped, and her eyes flickered up to R'aro as Kali ordered him to get juice. She shook her head slowly as she pulled herself away from him.

Trying again, she started from the beginning. "She... Zirian had been acting odd the past couple days. Not normal. She was so much meaner... Tonight, she bit me, and wouldn't let go. She..." She shuddered involuntarily. "She was... foaming. At the mouth... And... and shards, she didn't know who I was." She wiped at her eyes with her good hand. "When she... She bit off my finger... then she..." She shuddered again. "She kind of... froze up. She couldn't move. She went between." Another sob released itself from her system. Zirian, and the suffering of those last few moments... All alone...

No, Mine, she didn't have to be told that she was loved. She already knew,[/color] Anemith crooned comfortingly. This elicited another round of sobs.

Liralla remained silent as Kali instructed, though her little blue eyes were flowing at her mother's distress. Still, she resisted. She had to be brave like the lady told her to be.

[ryanne]

C'ralt laughed awkwardly at his response, staring at his food. He wasn't huge on meeting new people, but he'd always thought it was awkward sitting next to someone and not talking with them. For a moment, he wished that he had found a seat that was a bit more isolated, but he pushed that thought from his mind, focusing on giving J'fer a small smile. "I'm C'ralt of the --" he was interrupted by J'fer's next question before he could finish. The irony of the question drew a more genuine smile from him.

"Yes, I did. Vomath in fact. He wouldn't let me stay in the barracks since everyone else was out. I just wanted to sleep," C'ralt commented a bit offhandedly as he looked at his food for a moment. He just realized that he really wasn't hungry but he would feel quite awful if he wasted all this food. Biting back a sigh, he picked up the redfruit, taking a bite out of it. He was careful not to drip the juice down his chin. That would be very embarrassing. Despite all his attempts, a small drip inched out of the side of his mouth. Grimacing, he put the redfruit back, sticking out a tongue to catch the sticky liquid before it made a bigger mess. "This is such a mess," he commented, a red blush appearing on his cheeks.

He really didn't like embarrassing himself, but he usually dealt with it better than this and he almost never blushed. It was just the new dynamics of the weyr. He didn't know exactly his position here and Impressing had thrown off any semblance of order he'd managed to create. He was back at square one, not knowing what was acceptable or not. He almost wished that he could take Vomath with him and return to the field where he was able to comfortably boss around his siblings, where he knew his place. But that wasn't an option, so he'd just have to adjust, and stop acting like a timid fool.

[margexx]

J'fer chuckled softly, "Ranth wouldn't let me stay in my weyr either. And she's promised not to take me back to it until I make a friend." He sighed, pausing to listen to Shmee make her annoucements, applauding when it was appropriate. But he soon turned back to C'ralt, giving the weyrling an amused smile.

"You seem to be handling it pretty well." He comlimented with a friend grin. My, that blush was cute. Still, C'ralt was a weyrling and probably didn't even swing that way, so J'fer pushed the thought aside, smiling. "Where did you live before you were chosen as a candidate? Or are you weyrbred?"

[ryanne]

C'ralt laughed at J'fer's dragon's rules. He had a feeling that Vomath wouldn't care if he made any friends. He just didn't want him to stay when the rest of the weyrlings were gone. Vomath loved him, but he wasn't going to let him hide. He understood as much, but he still wished that he was back with his new dragon, curled up sleeping. "Well, I suppose you can tell her you did," he commented back, grinning a bit. If he was going to be here, though, he wasn't going to push people away. J'fer was being quite nice. And he wasn't even treating him like he was below him. J'fer was a full-rider and he was just barely a weyrling. He still was unsure about the weyr hierarchy, but he didn't think that was normal. He shrugged it off, though, he didn't mind.

With the announcements, C'ralt smiled, trying to remember the names. He knew enough to know that he needed to remember not to cross those people. "Thank you," he said, his face threatening to flush again. He wasn't usually this, well, this idiotic. So he just shook his head before grinning again. "I'm holdbred. I got here not too long ago. It was just a small little cothold. What about you? I haven't seen you around, but that doesn't mean much." He laughed a little, "I haven't met many riders around here yet."

[margexx]

J'fer's smile warmed. "You know, I've been here quite awhile, but I think you're the first that I could actually call a friend." He admitted, relaxing. Ranth was right, he did need to get out and talk to people more. I told you so, J'ferMine. You should listen to me more often. The rider snorted, but continued to smile.

Turning his attention back to C'ralt he nodded at the information, before frowning lightly as he replied, "I'm Weyrbred. I transferred from Benden about a Turn ago." Well, more like ran away from Benden. The rider smiled as C'ralt laughed, "I haven't really gotten to know many riders either, so we're in the same boat."

[Kisha-Ra]

R’aro didn’t bother to correct Lura about his name, it wasn’t that important right now, especially not to her. ‘I know, I saw her. I’m sorry…’ R’aro murmured, and patted her shoulder in a useless gesture of comfort with his free hand, not knowing what else to do. He cloudn’t even work out whether her high temperature and shaking was from shock or some kind of illness, both maybe?

There seemed to be no comment he could make about her finger somehow he felt that ’it’s over there’ would not be a helpful or comforting thing to say at the moment. Instead of saying anything he allowed himself to be dragged down to sit on the ground, not that he had much choice if he wanted to keep his grip on her wrist and prevent her from losing any more blood. There seemed to be nothing he could do or say that would help so he sat with Lura, shaken by how frail the normally formidable greenrider seemed, and hope his firelizards would be able to get their message across.

Inside Jinka hissed in frustration. Why did her humanpet want this one? She was clearly to stupid to understand simple communication. Or maybe not…she was going the right direction anyway. Jinka hastened to get in front of Kalierre and trill encouragingly as the human approached the door. Telba trailed along in the wake of the healer, adding her note of encouragement and Insi just flashed between again, this time to return to her minething.

R’aro looked up at the sounds of his flitters, approaching footsteps, and Liralla’s voice. There was a great relief in seeing Kalierre, even if the first thing that happened was her salamandyr examine Lura’s severed finger in the same way Insi had. He was only too happy to obey an order at the moment and as soon as Lura released his shirt he headed back to the hall, keeping his pace down to a fast walk. Lura would probably be mortified if anyone else saw her, actually she’d probably be mortified that he’d seen her in such a state when she recovered from the shock. He tried to look as if nothing was wrong as he collected a cup and a pitcher of juice and headed back outside.