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Dragonriders of Pern Shop Captain
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 Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 7:46 pm
Healers had been sent to the hurt. The corpses were removed from the sands. Things had settled as much as they were going to so soon, and the hatching feast began inside the largest dinning hall the Weyr had.
It was late evening by time everyone arrived. Food was everywhere, of all sorts, for man and dragon alike. In the center of the room was a table where those of high rank were to sit such as the Weyrwoman, the Weyrleader, the Wingleaders and so on.
Other tables were placed in front of it, some full of food, some not. Those that were empty soon would be covered with the plates, elbows and weary heads of candidates and riders alike.
The Weyrwoman had much to say, but she would wait for everyone to get settled before she said it.
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Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 8:05 pm
It was over. The blue had Impressed, and it was over with. The manner in which he had finally Impressed might have been amusing, if the girl hadn't taken such a sharding risk to do it. And if he hadn't hurt so many. If he hadn't killed anyone. B'ram knew better than to hold maulings against the dragonets who dealt them out, and he'd seen deaths before, but that didn't make it any less tragic. He had Nachith, but that didn't make him any less upset. He knew that such events were normal, but he'd never been able to brush these things off. This time was no different.
He was lucky - not just that he had Nachith, but that he'd no longer been on the Sands when the last egg had hatched. He could have ended up dead or injured just as easily as the other boys, but he was not, because Nachith had chosen him. He'd not been close enough to be in danger.
"Come on, Nach," he said with a sigh, rubbing between the blue headknobs fondly, and together they headed to the feast.
Now that things were quiet again, Nachith was back to normal, unconcerned about how Jounoth had Impressed or who. No, he was busy being slightly annoyed that His was moping, and keeping an eye out for for Lofrewth and Deprith; the first he wanted to see, the second he wanted to avoid.
Do not be sad, Mine! the dragonet told B'ram. You must help me find my Lofrewth, and there will be plenty of girls for you, too! Maybe Lofrewth's is one. Wouldn't that be fun?
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Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 8:05 pm
Arolon's arm was reset, put in splints, wraped in bandage and put into a sling. Seeking comfort food, he decided to join the feast. Even after all the carnage he was a growing boy with a roaring appetite. He felt regret for those who died but he wasn't too sad, despite living here so long he really hadn't known them personally. He loaded his dish with food one handed. The selections were all freshly cooked and made his mouth water with anticipation.
He sat himself down, before some of the others came and there weren't any seats left. His table manners were good, he had to eat slowly since it was all one handed. He chewed with his mouth closed, swallowed before talking to anyone. He wanted to make a friend or two here, not to mention congratulate the new riders. Except for that last blue, he wasn't going near him or his rider. Maybe he'd meet another candidate who hadn't impressed like him. "What an interesting hatching, wasn't it? Gory but at least no dragon betweened. Two stand impressions too." He commented someone who sat next to him as a way to start up conversation.
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Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 8:21 pm
Uuni was not thinking about the maulings on the sands, nor of knowing that a few deaths had been under the claws of the last blue. Her head had still been spinning as she'd make her way after the other Weyrlings.
Makereth had been checked over, and would continue to be, and it was, strangely, the only thing on her mind. She'd been told before that healers would be assigned, but it was such a foreign thing to see that it had put her on alert. The last thing she needed was for Makereth to suddenly drop dead.
As vocal as ever, Makereth let out a chirp and looked back at her, trotting forwards a few steps and then falling back to match her own. After the the raging blue had Impressed, Hers had sprung right back into action.
The happiness, fortunately, was very contagious, and by the time they'd reached the large hall, Uuni had put on a smile that was more strong than it was weak.
Ahead, she could see Belram and His, and behind was someone else who she didn't think to look at. The sight of food was a bit discomforting, but other than that, life was good.
"I haven't been to a hatching feast in almost two turns," she whispered down at her dragon. Which was true, considering she'd skipped out on the last one.
There are so many people, Mine! They are looking at us! And it was clear from his mental tone that Makereth was more than happy to be looked at. If they thought he'd been great at the hatching, they would be in for a surprise in the coming days. Makereth was going to use this as a learning experience, and His better be taking notes! Too many people to plot pranks for, and too little time.
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Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 8:39 pm
Trista wasn't really in the mood to talk right now. Mostly she felt like skipping the hatching feast altogether. She needed to process what had happened during the hatching and she needed to do that alone.
But if she didn't have at least a little something in her stomach she would probably pass out. So tiredly she made her way to the hatching feast and settled down with a plate of food at one of the candidate's tables not even cognizant of who was around her. She lifted each bite to her lips chewed and then went for the next in a mechanical fashion trying desperately not to think of anything. For any time she let her mind drift it would bring up images of the carnage she had witnessed that night.
When she had finished enough to satisfy herself that she wouldn't faint due to lack of food or dehydration, Trista pushed her self up and made her way from the hall heading toward the candidate's bathing area and her bunk in that order.
Tomorrow was another day but for now she needed to sleep.
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Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 8:39 pm
Sharath had insisted Amelia clean up some – that she look the part she now held – and the ensuing chaos at home had made the poor girl late. Reeling from the demands and growing impatience of Sharath and the proud shock of her family, she’s wandered back to the feast with the little queen guiding then way.
“I’ve never eaten with riders before,” she mused out loud, glancing at Sharath as they paused on the threshold to the feast and looked over the tables. Without thinking, she headed for the general table.
Sharath moved along beside her but when their path diverged from the one leading to ranking table, she stopped and fixed Amelia with an even gaze, Mine. That is the wrong way. She glanced over to where the other goldriders were and fluttered her wings expectantly.
Amelia paused, smoothing hands down her leather pants and adjusting her loose-fitting white blouse, and glanced at the weyrleaders. “Really?” Another look at the young queen confirmed that and she nodded, “Alright. But I want to say hello to the others… I don’t know anyone. C’mon.”
Sharath harrumphed but followed suit, seeing it as an opportunity to present herself to her subjects – for they were, already, her people. Lifting head high, she walked with a confident gait as Amelia neared the other newly chosen riders.
“Hello~ Quite the Hatching, hmn? I’m Amelia.” She smiled broadly then glanced at Sharath, “And this proud one is Sharath.” At a loss as to what the etiquette of such things were, Amelia rather hoped she was going about things right – ignorance was no excuse.
You are right. Sharath replied easily, casting her gaze over the other dragonets, Greetings.
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Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 8:41 pm
The idea of sitting at the Weyrling's Table was a strange one to Ra'ffer, standing strong and tall at almost six and a half feet. The young man stood quietly at the edge of the large hall, thankful for his equally quiet and watchful dragon, who seemed content as they made their way as unobtrusively as possible to the least visible corner of the table. It was, however, one with the best view, and closest to the serving part of the kitchens and Weyrleader's table, in case he was needed.
The two seemed to have already fallen into comfort with one another, unlike the shocked adjustment some of the others were making.
Mine, when Awunrayth and Hers arrive we must greet them.
Of course, Kalth.
At that moment, the gold and her rider approached, and Ra'ffer's smile was welcoming at the sight of her. Amelia was a worker, he knew, just like himself. It seemed like they were both surprising the Weyr this evening.
"I am R-r-ra'ffer, and this one t-t-tells me he is Kalth. We were unsurprised by y-y-y-your Impression, ton-n-n-night." It was a long statement for the muscular young man and he seemed to be done speaking.
Kalth lifted his head from where he lay, nodding respectfully to his clutchmate, tone relaxed.
Hello, Sharath, such a lovely feast in our honor tonight. You must be pleased.
In fact, the moment Rieta entered, Ra'ffer would stand to pull back a chair for the young woman, gaze on the floor, head down so she didn't have to get a good look at him.
"W-w-well m-m-m-met, would you j-j-j-join us?" He didn't know the girl's name as of yet, but he was sure to find out. "I am Ra'ffer." It sounded strange, but right on his tongue.
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Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 8:51 pm
Where were Kyllae and Lofrewth? Not sitting down. That was for sure. That wasn't fun. And while they were still waiting for things to calm down...that meant they could have fun. Kyllae, and Lofrewth, had discovered that games of chase were great fun. Kyllae had long legs, and could jump over things and had height, so she could see things farther ahead. Lofrewth was four-legged though, and full of energy, and could run under tables when Kyllae had to go around.
Laughing like a little girl, Kyllae jumped over a chair, nearly running into someone even as she slipped past. Any questions the stranger might have had could be answered, or perhaps only made worse, when a small, but bright green dragonet came clattering across the floor, legs working like mad to keep up with her bonded.
Kyllae, realizing by now that in straight lines, Lofrewth was faster, made sure to keep her path curvy and unpredictable. Lofrewth had to slow down when she changed directions, otherwise when she tried to brake, she would slide across the floor a deal, and waste time, and thus allow Kyllae to get farther away. And that was unacceptable. Lofrewth wanted to win! But more importantly, she wanted to have fun! Good thing Kyllae made that easy for her.
<> she shrieked with delight as she got particularly close to Kyllae's heels. Kyllae shrieked in mock fear, and did a complete reverse. Turning around and running the other way, heading straight for the other, new weyrlings and their dragons. Maybe they would slow Lofrewth down! Lofrewth was slowed by Kyllae's abrupt change of direction, and almost fell when she tried to turn around too quickly. She quickly gained speed though, once she was righted, and ran as fast as she could. She would catch Hers! Before the feast started! That was her goal, and she wanted to see to it.
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Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 9:39 pm
Rieta walked into the hatching feast, quiet, for once, with her own thoughts. There was a dragon next to her. Her dragon was next to her. Her beautiful, sweet, intelligent, elegant, kind, loving--
Mine. Mine, that is Kalth and His. You must greet them. But gently, mine. Please.
And Rieta, shaken back to reality by Awunrayth's gentle prodding, lifted her gaze to find that a seat was being held for her, and she was being greeted. Oh, and there was the queen, and her rider. Oops.
"Well met, everyone!" She boomed, taking the offered chair.
Gently, mine.
"That is, it is good to meet you all." She added in a slightly more subdued tone. "Ra'ffer, I'm Rieta."
The smile she offered him was broader than the one she'd offered the other weyrlings at large, open and apparently taking little note of his stuttering or his looks. This was Kalth's Mine, and Rieta was going to like him. She'd already been assured of that. "I've been told we're to be the best of friends. Good." She thumped the table happily, "If I'm not going back to the farms, I'll need someone to talk to, hey?"
Kalth, I have missed you. Mine is loud, but she is sweet. You will like her.
Rieta took a breath, and there was a sigh in there, somewhere, as she reached down to stroke the dragon at her side. She looked to the others that had arrived with a hopeful expression. "I'm sure we're all going to be great friends." And then, with a bit of her usual force and noise, "Of course we will!"
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Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 9:53 pm
As he peered around for thw two greens who so occuppied his mind, Nachith was momentarily interrupted when the queen arrived. Hello, Sharath! he replied, lowering his head respectfully. I see you found a very good Yours.
As a blue, greens were the only girls for him, but he would be an absolute fool to not pay a certain amount of flattering attention on a gold as well. A queen was a queen, after all, and he knew as well as everyone else that this queen in particular was one proud lady! Mine, do not look too much at Sharath's, he advised B'ram, though the boy was in fact doing no such thing. They are not for us.
"Hello," said B'ram, a smile finally reaching his face at the opportunity to meet someone new - a goldrider at that! - and he offered his hand in greeting. "I'm B'ram, and this is Nachith." It was a pleasant feeling, to give the new, honorized version of his name. He'd've been lying to say that he hadn't decided on what it should be a long, long time ago.
He would have greeted Rieta as well, but was cut off by a delighted cry from His.
Look! There she is! And oh, Hers is a girl! Just like that, Nachith's attention went from Sharath to the striped green now dashing directly towards them on the heels of her bonded. Lofrewth! he called, There you are! I have been watching and watching for you! Hurry here so that Yours can meet Mine!
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Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 10:23 pm
Deprith sniffed in disapproval at Lofrewth's and her rider's actions as she and Hers entered the feast hall. She had pestered J'lin into taking a quick bath and some clean clothes. And by "clean," she meant something straight from the cedar chest not something picked up off the floor, shaken, and sniffed! J'lin lost his shirt after his dragon tore a hole in it with her claws after he refused to change it, since it was the first thing he happened to pick up. At least this one looked clean.
But here at last, Deprith held her head high as she walked next to Hers, pleased that he was at least presentable. For now. Soon she would change his habits and would personally rip and tear any piece of cloth left on the floor! That will certainly teach him to pick up after himself!
J'lin grabbed a plate and heaped it up with food, much to Deprith's chagrin. J'lin! Do not take so much! She scolded, a flicker of orange appearing briefly in her eyes. You do not need it. Take some vegetables too! No wonder you're so short!
J'lin could feel his ears burning. But I am hungry! Have you even tried to eat vegetables? They're bland! He gave himself another helping of meat, biting back a yelp as his dragon pricked his leg with one of her talons.
Do not argue with me, J'lin! You will get them and you will eat them and you will enjoy them!
"Tch! You wish," J'lin retorted sourly, making to leave the table when a thought occurred to him. A very important thought that gave the impression that if he didn't do as His commanded, his room would be in tatters. His time as an apprentice Wrighter didn't include picking up splinters piece by piece and magically restoring them back into a table.
Tired and sore as he was from the events that happened earlier, J'lin gave in and took a portion, then headed towards the Wyerling table alongside Deprith.
Ah! Mine! Do you see that blue? Her rider stopped, earning another scolding look from her, followed by a roll of her eyes. He is not THAT one! That is my foolish Nachith that likes the foolish fool Lofrewth. Stand up straight, don't slouch, and do NOT embarrass me in front of him! Now go greet Sharath.
He sighed. This was going to be a long night, and the quiet disapproval he felt didn't make things any better. He was headed in that direction anyway, so -
Stand up straight and smile! Stop slouching!
- yep. He sighed, resuming his half-slouched posture and wandered to the table, setting his food down at an empty place and nodding to Amelia. "Hello. I'm J'lin and mine here is Deprith. It is a pleasure to meet you, and all." Was that right? He waited for Deprith's correction, growing with shock when it didn't come. A glance at her revealed that while she nodded her head when he introduced her, her attention was on Sharath... and Nachith behind her.
With a shrug, he sat down and began eating.
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Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 10:31 pm
Finally the show was over and the new path to life had just begun. It was still quite a strange thing to have this change happen to him. He hadn't expected now that he actually had time to reflect. With the events having past by, he finally got a few answers to the puzzles that been plaguing him on the sands and what was amazing was now that he thought about it; the last egg he had touched on the sands - the one that he had almost missed! She helped him get out of the egg patch at the end of the day. That had been Regedth all along. He remembered feeling a sense of closer to all his questions when he had left her egg. He walked with her and placed his hand on her as they did. It was the same feeling he had on the sands...closure to the questions. She was his answer.
Her reassuring pat with her tail poked him out of the depth of thought he had started to spiral into. R'ysan....Mine...I'd like some of what their having. she said to him with a eager sound in his head. He glanced up and realized that they had made it to the Feast and over there was their seats. He hardly remembered the walk from point A to point B! It seemed like several others of the new weyrlings were well ahead of them but at least it gave him an idea of where to go.
Ok Regedth, lets sit over there. Looks like I get to eat too. I'm starved. he thought to her and they made their way to an open chair close to the feasting others. He'd give her some of the meat of course as she wished but his stomach had become a growling demander on its own. As soon as he sat down he pick up a morsel for her and she daintily took it.
Now it was his turn thankfully and he quickly took a sweet roll and bit fast upon it. The sweet food tasted like heaven in his mouth and that feeling left Regedth quite pleased since she was learning more about him too. Men have smaller bodies so I guess they get hungry quicker.
Aye...we do Regedth. he said somewhere between the sweet roll and the rich meat pie slice with a tall glass of water to wash it down. Once he was at least feeling more human again, he looked up and saw Trista already leaving. He could tell by her posture that she was dissapointed. Would he have felt that way if he hadn't impressed? Mmm...he wasn't exact sure because he hadn't put any expectation on himself. He hadn't felt like he would have been an acceptable choice. But...he had been wrong.
Yes, you are a fine choice for me and no one else. We have so much to do and you can get me so many things I can't on my own. I don't care what anyone else thinks about you. You're Mine...R'ysan.
He smiled at her and then glanced around to see if there was anyone else he knew. Three of the new Weyrlings were people just acquaintances really. He didn't know them much beyond their names. Actually, most of everyone he met were just acquaintances. But ah...that would change in time. He wasn't going to worry about it for now. Life was too short and he...OH...some Beer! His hands reached for a mug as the tray came by grabbing the cold one quickly! His lips pressed against the mug and he closed his eyes like a connoisseur taking a sniff first and then tasting the head....pulling back he licked his lips and looked at the mug.
"Mmm...full body..." he said under his breath then finally sipped into the liquid itself taking a slow draught. "Not bad!
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Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 11:12 pm
Amelia’s gaze settled on Ra’ffer as he greeted and blossomed into a genuine smile, not at all noting his stutter but rather patiently waiting for him to finish before responding, “Heyo~ Hello Ralth, you’re a courteous one. I like that.” She nodded to the dragon, recognizing the way he’d wandered through the crowd before choosing his rider, “Really? Because I most certainly was – I was expecting to simply watch a Hatching and go home with tales of adorable dragonets…. And now… well.” She laughed and glanced as Sharath who was staring at Ra’ffer intently, judging him it seemed, “I definitely have stories to tell. I just wonder… if I’ll be able to help out my parents still. They were quiet shocked when I headed home and Sharath announced herself to them.”
Sharath, meanwhile, nodded with approval at the way Ra’ffer conducted himself and moved her attention onward. Her rider was being treated with the respect she deserved and so she needn’t straighten a wayward subject out. That was a good start, and a wise thing. Her attention settled on Ralth then and she nodded her agreement. Amelia was pleased with this one and he was, thus far, also courteous – paying proper homage to a queen, I am. Though there are not enough in attendance yet. Introductions must be made and those who lag behind do me a disservice.
When the pair’s attention shifted elsewhere, Sharath bristled, eyes whirling with annoyance as the green greeted the blue before her. None-too-subtly, the gold stepped into the green’s line of sight and regarded her with an even gaze, Greetings. It’s best you address all of your comrades – am I so difficult to see? To emphasize the baited comment, she fluttered her still small wings.
Amelia blinked as she felt that ire stir in the bond and glanced at the green, also thinking it rude she had greeted the blue without acknowledging Sharath. Even her rider had said hello… speaking of rider, Amelia smiled at the newcomer and nodded, “Pleasure to meet you as well Rieta. I’m Amelia – and this is Sharath…. Sharath, c’mon, I’m introducing you.”
The gold tossed her head and straightened her shoulders, standing proudly though she did not answer Amelia – a fact that was easily seen by the confused look upon the excavator’s face. Brows drawing down together, she set a hand, still a little hesitant, upon the young gold’s head played fingers over her head knobs, “Sharath?”
Nachith called out then and while Sharath held her place, she turned her head to bob an acknowledgement of the blue, a smile coming to her features as her rider was praised, A very good Mine. Thank-you. Yours is a worthy one as well, Nachith, I approve. Of course her opinion mattered, it was the right one after all – words to be heeded by all.
Returning her gaze to Awunrayth, it remained fixed there with an intensity and patience much like when she’d first hatched, Pay your respects.
Amelia, unsure of how to handle the tension between the two dragons shook her head and tightened her grip on the gold’s headknob, Hey… don’t fight. This is a party for everyone.
Yes, it is. However, I will have my respect first. She replied without looking up.
Before Amelia could respond, however, B’ram greeted them and she broke into a smile as another joined the fold, “Hey there B’ram! I’m Amelia. I thought we might be late but it seems everyone’s arriving now… that’s good.” She took his hand and shook it with a strong and calloused grip.
And again, another greeted her! Amelia turned, attention drawn to yet another person as she greeted them as well. Shaking her head she wondered at going from hardly spoken to to being greeted foremost. It was a heady experience.
Picking up on Amelia’s emotions, Sharath smiled, You are a goldrider, my rider. It is only what you deserve, Mine. I would not allow any less.
Amelia chuckled at that and again stroked her dragon, finding she quite enjoyed having another to fall back on… and someone, she felt, who truly cared about her; even if said person was driven, stubborn, and royal.
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Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 11:32 pm
The Queen had arrived. Uuni glanced back as the gold made her way by and didn't bother to say hi. That would only lead to more trouble.
Makereth, however, was chuckling in his mind and looking at all of his other clutchmates. There were so many things to do here. He paused to smirk at a boy who had settled down to food before trotting ahead and winding around Rieta's legs once before skirting back to Uuni.
The girl had her hand out when the blue went up on his hind legs to bump it with his nose. Eyes whirling green, he seemed not know with who to start and looked to her for approval.
Uuni was finally catching on and she passed him a grin, making her way towards the commotion that surrounded the gold before she was distracted by something out of the corner of her eye.
It wasn't like her to intrude, it really wasn't. But no one else was paying any attention to Raysan, and somebody had to bring it up. She'd heard a lot of nasty stories about betweening and she didn't think Raysan wanted a tiny mistake to end his other half.
Winding her way through people over to him, she lifted up a hand and curled her fingers around his mug. "You sure that's a great idea?" She raised a brow at him and offered him a light smile.
Uuni! Shoes! Uuni glanced over at Makereth, who was waddling in a very unsneaky fashion under one of the tables headed in a very bad direction.
That was the green that had screeched at Nachith, right? While she was watching, Makereth had somehow made his way undetected to Jaylin's shoes and had reached out with his head to take one of the laces inbetween his teeth.
It was hopeless to think that Jaylin wouldn't feel the pressure on his shoes before Makereth had them all unlaced and untied, but the little blue was going to try, and if he got caught, all the better! Or maybe Jaylin would walk around all night with his shoes untied and not notice!
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Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 5:50 am
Awunryth took the admonishment by lowering her head, but without any real apparent fear. I am sorry, Sharath. I should have found the words to tell you how lovely you are, and how happy I am for you and Yours more quickly. Please, if you are upset with me, do not let it ruin your enjoyment of the evening. We have found Ours, tonight. Nothing must spoil it. If you like, I will leave so that you need not be angry.
And Rieta, who had planned to return the goldrider's greeting and then begin to say her hello's to the newer arrivals, waited. With impressive silence, for her. Apparently they might be leaving the party a bit early. She was still smiling though. Dragon scoldings, memories of the deaths on the sands. Nothing could ruin the night. Not now that she had Awunryth.
((I've got to run for the next eight hours. If Sharath is still angry, they will leave without a fuss, and say hello to everyone on the way out. If she forgives Awunryth, just assume they're eating quietly, I suppose.))
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