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 Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 2:17 pm
Location: Malvren Mess HallThe investigation has uncovered a great many rumors, but not very much fact in its initial stages and wisdom has brought those intent on uncovering the truth behind the assassin to the Mess Hall. What better place to start then where the weyrfolk gather to talk and rest while they eat? The hall is relatively empty when the group arrives, with the cooks busy in the back preparing the next round of food for evening meals. A youth sits sleeping by the fire at one end, a thin blanket draped over his shoulders, a pair of riders stand near the food conversing but their rough-and-tumble body language is a warning to keep your distance. At an empty table, a portly, red-faced cook busies herself with tidying up after the meal, stacking plates and and gathering cups and utensils. When she looks up, she spots you and smiles, giving a wave. "Hello loves! How're you this evening? Are you lot hungry? There's fresh rolls coming out of the oven in a few minutes if you want to wait." Investigation Week 1 Only the NPC described in the last (third) paragraph may be interviewed.
This is an ORP that will be lead by Staff - staff will be posting responses based on the posts received once or twice a day, each character can post as they want but the NPC response will not wait for all to post before answering.
Feel free to ask whatever questions that your character would ask!
Remember that this is an investigation about the Mystery Man who assassinated two ranking Riders and tried to kill a third.
A Hint: Look for relations between rumors and things said but remember not everyone knows the truth! Think about the answers you receive!
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Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:35 am
Stepping into the hall, Bolth hot on her heels, C'rci eyed the small group of riders conversing quietly to themselves. Beyond that the hall was rather empty though the soft clack of utensils and cups alerted the partners of the cook near the end of the table. Smiling C'rci recognized her from the many times she'd been slated with kitchen duty and lifted her hand in a wave when the older women spotted her. Picking up her pace C'rci reached the woman, Bolth bounding ahead to greet the cook with a low friendly chirrup.
"Ooh those rolls sound absolutely lovely. Would you like some help with that Ma'am?" C'rci asked voice cheerful as she moved to scoop up a few extra plates and cups that had been left for a second trip to be collected.
Good morning Ma'am. Bolth greeted the cook as well, the little blue balancing on his hind legs to snatch a cup from the table in his mouth intent on helping. Eyes whirling blue and green the hatchling pranced alongside his rider doing his best to turn his charm factor up to aid her.
"If you've got a moment while we wait I'd love to chat. Catch up on the news of late and you know how Bolth loves a good story." C'rci replied flashing a fond smile down at the steely blue who gave a muffled warbling croon of agreement back that was somewhat distorted with a cup in his mouth.
And you always do have the best stories Ma'am. I love to listen them with Mine. The blue complimented the woman while mentally nudging his rider to take the cue. They'd come into this with a plan thanks to C'rci, but both rider and dragon knew that this would take a touch a bit more delicate then she possesed. In this C'rci trustingly depended on Bolth to smooth over her rougher spots with his own wonderful charm.
"Having a hatchling tends to keep you a bit out of the loop. It's so starkly different from wherhandling, but I wouldn't trade it for the world." She began hoping to steer conversation towards her subject of interest as Bolth rubbed his head affectionately against her side, the two painting the perfect cute little picture of young dragon and rider with their smiles.
Now move in on the topic Mine. Careful, this is a diplomatic game not a competition. Bolth mentally reminded his rider doing his best to soften her wording.
"Speaking of wherhandlers, the ones at the Weyrs have been pretty secretive and quiet of late." C'rci began as she set the plates and cups she'd been carrying aside to be washed and bent to carefully take the cup that Bolth had been carrying. Lifting a hand she gently scratched the blue's eyeridges, a smitten smile on her face.
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Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 12:50 pm
A tallish woman with short platinum blonde hair entered the room just as C'rci started speaking. Her rank knots marked her as a crimson wingrider, and the horrific twisted scar that completely covered the lower right side of her face and the right side of her neck marked her as a timerider veteran. Her sharp green eyes were currently studying a list, and she was chewing absently on a thumbnail. About half way across the room she paused with her head cocked, dropping both hands loosely down by her sides. Bolth eh? So this was one of the youngsters she was going to be working with. She didn't know the girl beyond recognizing her from the recent hatching, but then she know very many names on her list at all.
As the weyrling stopped speaking she moved towards them once more, her boots clipping out a swift rhythm on the stone floor. Coming to a halt she bowed smartly to the trio, straightening up to stand erect but at ease. "Good ladies, good dragon, I hope you do not object to my joining you." As she spoke a small pale blue firelizard appeared from between and swooped down to land on her shoulder, crooning to all present and rubbing up against his mistress' neck. Kleos smiled warmly at the little beast - the expression was slightly twisted by the tough scar tissue on the right side of her face - and reached up to stroke him. "I am Kleos of crimson Moriath," she continued, "and my small friend is named Ice."
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Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 1:41 pm
Adi's foremost intention in going to the Mess Hall was to eat - she was so, so hungry! She'd gotten rather distracted earlier in the day and missed lunch altogether, and just hadn't had a chance until now to make up for the mistake, and it was already almost dinnertime. Secondly, she was very interested in gossiping...granted, she was always interested in gossiping, but today moreso than usual!
Both those purposes, however, went right out the window when she spotted one of the new Weyrlings and her adorable baby blue. The young wingrider all but squealed and rushed forward, gushing, "Oh my goodness, how precious! How cute are you?"
"Ooohhh." It was hard not to just hug him straightaway, but she knew better. He might not like that, after all. Wringing her hands together to stave off the temptation to just reach out and pet him, she finally seemed to remember that she hadn't paid any attention to the people yet. "Oh, sorry! Hi! I'm Adi, blue Mazamath."
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Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 3:37 pm
Mine. Another rider approaches, her marks are very strange. What do you suppose happened to her? The Blue pondered spotting Kleos long before she got close to his rider and offerering a soft trill of greeting to the woman.
C'rci had been helping set aside some of the dishes and had just finished her task when the other woman approached. Alerted to the woman's presence by Bolth she turned nodding politely and offering a warm smile to the woman in greeting. C'rci had seen a few thread scars on some of the dragons and older riders, but this ones scarring was by far the worst she'd seen yet. Which explained why Bolth thought the scars were 'markings' like the stripes all over his little body. It was then that C'rci was very grateful that Bolth hadn't been aquented with thread scars yet. The blue had a distinct and powerful fear of C'rci around, near, or close to thread and anything associated with it. She was doubly grateful that Bolth was too distracted prancing up to the woman and leaning back on his hind legs to place a clawed foot on the older riders knee, lifting his head to trill once more up at her in greeting.
"I have no objections if our fine cook here doesn't." C'rci answered remembering Bolth's encouragement to use compliments to get the information she wanted. Stepping forward she offered a hand in greeting to Kleos.
"I'm C'rci of Blue Bolth, the lovable little fellow currently chattering at you. He's very friendly." She introduced herself pausing when a low hiss echoed from the wild red mane of hair that surrounded her face. Lifting her hands to her neck she very carefully unwound and detangled from her sleeping spot a little grumpy hatchling crimson who with a little coaxing prowled down C'rci's extended arm to sit with her tail lashed around her owners wrist to be held out and greeted.
"This is Fasha. She's a bit of a spitefire, but a real sweetheart once you get to know her. So long as you don't unexpectedly hug me she's pretty harmless" C'rci spoke introducing her lovely little pet. Fasha herself was currently eyeing the blue Ice with mild curiosity and then once she'd felt she'd been propperly fawned over slunk back up her owners arm to curl herself up around C'rci's neck and fall right back asleep. In the mass of the girls red hair the crimson was practically invisible.
I'm friendly. Mine says I'm the friendliest dragon in all the Weyr. I like flightless ones, dragons, and the little shiny flitter cousins. I haven't met the wher cousins yet, but Mine before she was Mine used to work with them. Bolth spoke to Kleos, his eyes whirling his typical happy blue and green as he spread his wings a little for balance.
What neither rider nor dragon had been expecting was the sudden squeal and gush of high pitched compliments. Both C'rci and Bolth nearly leaped out of their skins as the two in complete unison turned to face the oncoming rider.
Bolth loved to socialize and be affectionate, but so far he was typically used to his riders deep, calm, and silent love. C'rci was a woman who preferred to show how much she cared rather then say it so such an onrush of compliments all aimed at him was a rather new experience for the blue. Though with the kitchen drudges and other members of the Weyr tending to do the same thing he was slowly getting used to it. The first time he'd all, but tried to merge himself with his riders legs.
Sitting back on his hand legs, tail swishing the floor, Bolth cocked his head up at Adi quizzically and let out a little curious trill. Even C'rci had to admit with a chuckle that Bolth really was just so sharding cute.
Mine? Bolth questioned glancing over at his rider who simply motioned him forward with a smile.
Go on. I know you want too. She encouraged him mentally smiling at the sheer flush of love and joy that came off her lifepartner at her urging.
"Hello Adi of blue Mazamath. I'm C'rci of Blue Bolth, the fine rider to my right here is Kleos of Crimson Moriath." C'rci spoke politely getting the greetings out of the way. It was all too clear where the other riders attention laid and C'rci couldn't blame her one bit.
Specially not with Bolth all, but bouncing up to Adi to bump her his little head against her legs and chirrup at her.
You may pet me. I like my eyeridges scratched. Bolth replied to Adi happily giving her an open invitation to touch him. The wingrider would find the blue's hide extremely soft and firm, C'rci's constant and careful oiling much to Bolth's pleasure reflected well on her hatchlings hide making him practically gleam.
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Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 7:14 pm
Wykla strolled in from the outside and paused in the mess hall entrance to let her eyes adjust. There was always someone here. Didn't seem to matter what time of day it was. Her odd colored eyes took in the people currently in the hall. Her eyes flicked over the sleeping youth. He'd learn better than to sleep there when someone played a prank on him or the cooks kicked him out away from the hearth. One slept in one's room.
Her eyes moved on to a couple of riders. Like she'd want to join them. Wykla blinked lazily. That left the group gathering around a cook. She wasn't sure of her welcome by the cook given her reputation in the kitchen, but there was others there. A chirp in her ear from Boreal sitting proudly on her shoulder drew her attention closer to the group. One of the hatchlings were there and more specifically firelizards. I remember when you were that small Kameth. She mused as she wandered slightly closer.
I was small Mine? The blue sounded indignant and ruffled his overly large wings. She laughed to him. Aye, maybe not that small. Getting closer Wykla spotted a familiar rider. She nodded politely to Kleos, about to greet her when another rider started gushing sickeningly at the blue. She watched with a barely veiled disgusted expression. That rider had impressed to one of Kameth's blue brothers. She should be doing that to her dragon, not someone else's.
Kameth rumbled in her mind. He likes the affection, he replied. His would never do that. Wykla reached up to pet the humming Boreal. Her eyes darting from riders to cook and back. If anyone was an expert on rumors, a cook would certainly be. Her repute in the kitchen meant it was better to encounter one out here.
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Dragonflight Pern Captain
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Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 6:03 am
"Ah yes a Story" Annabelle hmmed over the options while continuing to pick up plates here and there . "Been lots of chattering about lately, suppose that's natural given the circumstances lately" The large women pondered mostly to herself.
Juggling the armful of plates Annabelle bustled over to set them on the counter for washing, moving carefully so that her rather bulky size didn't trip her up. She smiled down at the little blue - baby dragons were just darling don't you think? She was sure she had a tidbit sitting around here somewhere to share with him - Annabelle always had a tidbit or two laying around for young children and dragons alike and after a few moments of puttering about she found what she was looking for, handing the meat roll over to the little beast before wiping her brow and addressing the blues future rider.
"Can't say as I've noticed dear, the wherhandlers have always been a lot unto themselves and they mostly come around at night" She told the youth with a smile before turning her attention to the clicking sound of rapidly approaching boots.
"Of course not Wingrider!' Annabelle told the other women "Would you like some Klah? Theres some on the stoves just now, freashly brewed!" She offered with a wide smile and sweeping gesture towards the stoves before reaching for clean cups, clearly with the intention of handing out Klah.
Adi's arrival was met with a slight chuckle and Annabelle reached for the the plate of fresh rolls that a younger kitchen worker brought out, pushing them towards the other girl - it was hard not to know the more outgoing of the riders and if she recalled correctly she certainly hadn't seen Adi at lunch today. "you must be absolutely famished dear" She told the older blue rider who still seemed to be gushing over Bolth.
Letting the riders converse among themselves for the moment a shadow at the door drew Annabelles attention and squinting her eyes slightly she recognized Wykla. "I hope your not here to help cook dear" She greeted the rider with a smile - and was more then a little bit thankful that as a rider Wykla had outgrown being sent for such duties - there had been more then a few less then steller dishes created at the hands of that girl. Thankfully Wykla was a much better rider then she was a cook.
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Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 4:40 pm
When C'rci introduced Kleos, Adi chuckled. "We've met! Kleos and I are in the same wing. It's good to meet you, though, C'rci."
Then little Bolth talked to her, and she gaped down at him in delighted surprise. "Ohh, a talker!" Since she'd now been invited to do so, she was more than happy to scratch the Weyrling's eyeridges. "And a pleasure to meet you too, Bolth."
"Thanks, Annabelle!" The young woman beamed her gratitude and wasted no time in grabbing one of the rolls. Food, at last!
Mazamath, snug in their weyr, was unbothered by the way His fussed at the young blue - her sheer enthusiasm for anything and everything was endearing, occasionally amusing, and what had drawn him to her. She fawned over him day in and day out, and if she wanted to coo at baby dragons (or baby whers, firelizards, canines, or humans for that matter), it was fine by him. Whatever made her happy!
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Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 5:14 pm
"Good to meet you as well Adi." And C'rci grinned her dragons mirth seeping into her own smile as he crooned and chirruoed shifting under Adi's scratches. His eyes whirling a happy blue green at her touches.
Good scratches. The blue purred contently then seeing the offered treat he turned. Bolth pausing from being petted on rose to his haunches to carefully take the meatroll from the cook's hand giving her a trill of appreciation as he settled back down to being petted. All the while happily munching away at his treat. He hadn't really been all that hungry, his had fed him not long ago, but he did love treats.
Careful Bolth. Don't make yourself sick eating too much. C'rci warned protectively, she wasn't all too fond of Bolth's habits of accepting food. True she worried about him getting fat, but both of them ran extra laps outside of classes to help build up the young dragons muscles. No what she really worried about was with all the murders and rumors going around that someone might slip the trusting blue something he shouldn't eat. Though Bolth had yet to grasp the idea that there might be bad people out there who'd want to hurt a weyrling C'rci had at least managed to convince him only to take offered food when she was around to check and make sure it was safe.
But it's good Mine. Annabelle cook makes the best meat. He replied swallowing the last of the roll and C'rci helped herself to one of the ones on the platter thanking the cook.
"The real trick is getting him to shut up, but he's such wonderful company I hardly notice the chatter." C'rci replied to Adi's exclamation and chuckling at the woman's sheer mirth. Deciding to let Bolth enjoy the attention for the moment she turned back to the cook.
"Yes I would think there would be a lot of chatter with the way things are. The idea of someone like that assassin on the loose has had poor Bolth practically scared out of his hide with worry. Won't let me get more then an arms reach away from him." And she lowered her voice during the last part as if to keep the talk of the assassin from young dragon ears. Of course Bolth knew exactly what the two were talking about and could hear every thought in his riders head as his eyes shifted yellow with worry.
Turning away from Adi for the moment the steely little blue returned to his riders side pressing against her and rubbing his head on her thigh.
"There there Bolth. I'm not going anywhere." She assured the blue reaching down to stroke his head a look of such complete love and utter adoration seeping through the mask of calm she usually wore.
Then looking back up at the cook she continued. "You wouldn't happen to have heard anything of interest Miss? Anything unusual?" She asked, the blue at her side letting out a very quiet whimper as he pressed to her side with worry, wrapping his tail and body tight around his rider.
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Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 6:09 am
"Oh, Annabelle hears everything that comes through the kitchens!" Orlina volunteered, suddenly popping up in the entrance to the kitchens. She glanced at C'rci's company and suddenly fell deadly quiet, smiling amiably at them, but with a bit more reserve than her words had implied she would have.
"As far as the wherhandlers go, they have been gathering a lot more to talk about security, recently," Orlina offered, her voice soft and faintly shy. "Though... I haven't really seen them doing much to 'better' security other than that. They're just... talking. No added patrols or anything. I'm Orlina." She added the last to the three riders, with another smile. "C'rci's friend."
She glanced back to Annabelle and gave the cook a big grin. "Haven't you heard any new rumors, Anna? Something to help our special team along? Anything about strange folk skulking about, looking suspicious?"
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Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 6:56 am
Bolth clung to his rider glancing from her to Orlina clearly torn. He wanted to greet his riders friend, but he also didn't want to leave his riders side. Luckily for the blue though C'rci solved this problem for him by stepping up to Orlina and throwing an arm round the younger girls shoulder to give her a quick hug and a smile.
"My friend indeed and in the future the best rider a dragon could ask for." She replied giving the girl a small warm grin, a low pleased rumble coming from her throat only accenting the wherspeech she tended to mix with her normal talk.
Orlina friend! And now that his rider and his second favorite person were close Bolth all b ut sprang onto Orlina's feet greeting her with great joy as he switched from rubbing against his rider to rubbing against Orlina then back again as long as the two women stood close.
Chuckling C'rci shook her head at the blue. Not even full grown and already surrounded by ladies, if only those of the unwinged variety unless you counted Fasha who was currently rumbling low in her throat at her owner having her arm around Orlina.
"Hush girl. Orlina is my friend." C'rci soothed breaking up a bit of her roll to feed to the irritable crimson who reached her little head from her owners hair to pluck the pieces daintily from C'rci's fingers before returning into hiding.
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Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 9:17 am
Annabelle pursed her lips and nodded in agreement when C'rci mentioned how the recent events had put her little dragon on edge "Well can't say as I blame him really, poor dear...I think everyone was a good deal shook up" She stated in a sympathetic tone.
"Oh I don't now if I would put any stock in some of the stories that come through here - lots of it is just riders sounding off to make themselves feel better. Haven't gotten much in terms of proof as far as I can see." She stated before glancing over at Orlina as she popped in from the kitchens - good youngin that Orlina.
"Now if I were looking for suspicious folk you know where I would look? The Holdless that's where! Bunch of no good heathens those people" She stated firmly, smacking the spoon she had picked up into the palm of her other hand in irritation at the mere thought of the Holdless and the troubles they liked to cuse. Yep to Annabelle this seemed like just the sort of mess they would get caught up in.
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Dragonflight Pern Captain
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Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 9:40 am
Kleos nodded her thanks to the cook and poured herself a steaming cup of klah. Curling her hands around the mug the rider closed her eyes and brought it up to her lips, inhaling the rich fragrance before taking a sip. When the cook spoke again she opened her eyes and lowered the cup, a thoughtful frown on her face. "Holdless? You think one of them is responsible for the attack? Have you heard of their numbers increasing in the area recently?" If so that was worrying; as a girl from a small Hold she knew all too well what a menace the wretches could be.
Moriath informed her rider with a feeling of great distaste at even thinking of the male. she added,
Moriath did have a point about how much W'lin had benefited from the death of Benden's queen and as for the chaos the attacks here and at Trine had caused, well that could be advantageous to Benden's position too or could just be out of hate. He was a fool if he was behind it all though; the Thread would return soon, a threat seen by no living person save those few who had ridden through time in search of mystweed. Rubbing her face Kleos took another sip of klah and wondered just how stupid and power hungry W'lin might be.
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Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 1:56 pm
Wykla gave the cook a wry grin. "Nah, ya'll know better than to ask me to help in the kitchens." They had remarkably put up well with her failures. Ask her Mine. The blue encouraged his rider. She nodded and came a bit closer to Annabelle. Her comments caught her attention. "Say what have you heard about holdless? Are there lots of them around?" Wykla wondered what they might have to gain from an assassination.
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Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 5:53 pm
Z'en had been pacing in between oiling and feeding Kataith. He'd been discussing all night what he'd found with her, it set him on edge and for the usually shy boy, it made him more nervous around people he didn't immediately recognise.
"Calm down Mine, it does no good at all pacing like that. We must think this through before you go rushing off to the nearest authority" Scolded Kataith when his oiling had gotten too rough. "Take what you've found to this meeting and talk it over there, with others that may have found something. That way you can put the pieces together with others and not fluster so much on your own" she said soothingly.
Z'en knew she was right, the time he had spent fretting over his discovery, could have been better spent elsewhere. He smiled and hugged her, careful to avoid the really oily patches. "I know Kataith, let's go and eat and we'll talk it over with the others" he said, then led them both down to the hall in time to see the cook ... Annabelle he thought her name was, slam a spoon down in her hand and speak of the Holdless. He walked over, looking at those who might be in his 'team' of investigators. "I...don't think it was the Holdless" he said nervously, glancing the way of Kleos, trying to catch her eye since he knew she was the ranking member of their group. That was who he should bring the find to.
However he didn't get far when his horde of flits descended and began circling the air above the table. True that 6 wasn't all that many but when they all came together (even the very lazy Mud) Z'en groaned. Viska and Draska, the two greens, instantly set about flattering the cook and making adorable noises in here ear. Swearing they were starving and that she smelled of foodfoodgoodyes? ... the others found roosts along beams, directly above the leftovers.
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