Welcome to Gaia! ::

Kalya wanders in her green dress swaying loosely from her hips and a small flit hanging around her neck like a necklace. She looks around at the hubub and skirted around a man who seemed to have had a little too much to drink. Keeping to the walls she decided to get closer to the harper who was singing a fun tune about the firelizards.

Lemurrin wove his way through the crowd, a fire-lizard on each shoulder. He wore his best tunic, in Harper blue, of course, and a lovely new pair of boots, a Turnover gift sent from his family's hold. The two flits were highly excited; it was their first time in such a crowd. Grenna squawked and buried her little head into Lemurrin's hair. Brownie was calmer, but his eyes whirled orange and his claws kept digging into the harper's shoulder. At this rate, I'll need shoulder-pads! he thought, trying not to let the flits distract him too much.

Kalya's eyes widened when she saw a familiar face. Name... name...? she ponders quickly before putting on a smile and making her way over to him through the tables. If only I was better at names

What was that my partner? The sleepy voice interrupted her thoughts

Oh nothing dear heart She smiles inwardly Just trying to remember a name.

Lemurrin's memory, however, did not fail him. "Kalya!" he called out, recognizing the healer girl's lanky frame. "Kalya, is that you?" The harper stood on tiptoe and waved, careful not to dislodge the hatchling flits who protested anyway.

The voice reminded her and a smile birst on her face as she hurried a little faster towards him. "I haven't seen you in turns! How are you doing?" Her firelizard, woken up by her motions screeched protestingly before noticing the others on the blue shoulder of the Harper. "Oh this is Azure, he is a new adition. Well... and Tarlith." Her eyes brightened at the mentioning of her dragon-kin.

"Ah, so that's why you disappeared from North!" Lemurrin chuckled lightly, "I'm surprised we haven't run into each other yet before now; I've been here since the last clutch was hardening on the sands." He gestured at his own flits. "Of course, now I've these little nuisances to watch over!"
Brownie chirped and bobbed his head at Azure in greeting. The little green was more vocal, warbling and twitching her wings at the blue.
The harper shook his head, amused. "Behave, you two, or it's back to my room you go! Shall we find a spot to sit down?" His attention went back to the rider.

"More like I was brought here for some extra training and then was accepted as a candidate and it went from there." She smiles down at him and then grins. "Not that I am complaining. Things are very different now with a dragon to take care of. I am still keeping up with my studies and training though. Healing is needed often in the Weyr, though dragonriders can be much more fussier." Shaking her head, Kalya picks up her cup and sips a little more of the wonderful vintage she had managed to snag. Possibly a Benden, she wasn't too good at discerning but new it was light and fruity, just to her tastes.

"I wouldn't complain, either! I was a candidate at the last Hatching. Alas, it appeared my weyrmate wasn't in that clutch!" Lemurrin made a good-natured grimace and shrugged. "How's the wine?" he asked, angling towards a relatively un-occupied table.

She took another sip before offering the wineskin she had though to snag towards his own cup. As they sat down she mused. "Its actually rather nice. I would love to know where it is from as I don't often enjoy wine and this one is particulary good." She winked goodnaturedly at his grimice and added. "With that voice of yours I am surprised you didn't manage to charm a whole fleet of weyrmate. Although I definatly would not mind a private performance before you do get a partner. They are quite a handful. They never seem to stop eating!" She gave a warm laugh, a blush rising to her cheeks. "I don't think mine will ever grow into his tail, it is longer than his body."

Lemurrin blushed at the compliment, taking into account Kalya's wine-rosy cheeks. He accepted the cup and took a few cautious sips. "Oh, this is a good one! Nice and smooth." He pushed his hair out of his eyes and winked at the flits. "These two eat enough on their own! And they're so pitiful when they're hungry; I can only imagine a dragon creeling at me for food!"
Grenna perked up at the magic word and nipped at Lemurrin's ear. "Ow! Naughty little beast, you are!" He grumbled and pulled out a couple of the meatrolls he'd taken to hauling around in his pouch for just that contingency.
The green tore into one meatroll wildly, while Brownie picked at his own rather delicately. Lemurrin rubbed at his ear, wincing.

Seeing the offerings of food, Azure perked up, his eyes whirling orange, interested in the meat infront of him and creening slightly, suddenly hungry. "Ahh, now you have set mine off." Kalya grumbled in jest before producing her own meat roll that she had remembered to save. Suddenly a screech filled the room as another bronze whirled into the room, carrying something golden in his paws. Startled she looked up, her eyes widening as she recognized the flit. "Oh no!"

"Oh, and who's this?" Lemurrin asked, laughing. He kept one eye on his own pair, still happily devouring meatrolls.

Looking up she grimiced. "That would be Nicker, the most mischievious and moraly deprived flit I have met." She shook her head, "and a thieving streek as long as he has lived." Watching him as he flited from one corner of the room to another she sighed. "I do hope that chain is one of mine."

Lemurrin grinned. "He's got sticky claws? Oh!" He smacked his forhead lightly. "I didn't properly introduce you to mine." He stroked the brown flit's lithe back. "This little gentleman is Brownie, and," he poked the little green's distended tummy, "this is Grenna."
Brownie nuzzled his master's hand, and Grenna nipped at his fingers playfully.

"Pleased to meet you," She nodded to the flits before turning her gaze upwards, trying to will the loud bronze down into her grasp. "Good new though..." She squinted at the golden chain dangeling from his paws. "I do believe that one belongs to me for once." Poking a finger at the harper, "be glad your two aren't bronzes."

Brownie ducked his head politely, almost bowing. Grenna chittered and thrust her head forward, demanding her eye-ridges be scratched.
Lemurrin shook his head in mock despair. "Cheeky little miss!" He winked; his comment could have been towards the flit, the blue-rider, or both! "I've definitely got my hands full! My shoulders, too," he remarked, referring to the flits' preferred perch... digging their claws into his tunic.

Kalya scratched the green's eye ridges and watched the eyes close in pleasure. "Ahh but I wouldn't trade my two. Even for all the golds and greens in Pern" The blue took up his customery perch around her neck while the bronze, either board or jealous, came down to grab some of the left over meatroll, finally letting go of the necklace which Kalya skillfully nabbed. A twinkle entered her eye as she smiled towards the harper. "There is only one other thing Nicker loves than shinies and that is music. I'm surprised I have not heared you at this gather yet? Did you get a segment this turn-end?"

Grenna leaned into the caresses happily, the first set of lids sliding across her whirling eyes. Brownie perched on Lemurrin's left shoulder and rubbed the boy's cheek with his nobby head. Lemurrin patted the brown idly. "Well, no one asked me to sing, but I'm content to sit back and watch. I haven't sung for these little nuisances yet, but I have noticed that dragons tend to like music. Rather nice to know their little cousins enjoy it as well!" He tipped his head back and swallowed the last of the sweet wine.

"Well maybe you can give us all a private performance later." She grins and then finishes her own cup before getting up a little unsteady. "My I had forgotten how strong some wines can be." She giggled and then looked to the harper. "Would you be a dear and help me to my weyr. If I'm not to much of a bother that is. In exchange I have a few herbs that, when brewed, will help with the morning after."

"You alright there?" he asked, standing as well. "I'll give you an arm to lean on, Kalya." Lemurrin clicked at his flits, who promptly disappeared between. "Figured it'd be easier without them trying to cling to one of us." He offered his arm, as promised. Granted, the pair looked a bit strange, since Kalya was several inches taller that the harper, who was also very slight in build. "Lead the way, blue-rider," he said gallantly, "as I've no idea where your weyr is."

Managing to get there, Kalya pushed the few of her belongings that were covering the bedroll to make some space in that corner and deposited them in a small basket. "I was planning to get my washing done." She added apoligetically. The two firelizards wheeled around the room before busying off to drape themselves over the large warm bulk of the blue in the other room. She glanced over there lovingly before giving the harper a warm hug. "Thank you so much gallant Harper. You must come to visit, you know where I'll be." She chuckles, face flushed from the wine and gestured to the bare walls of her weyr. "If I'm not here I am out on rounds, or feeding my weyrmate."

Lemurrin hugged her back, a bit awkwardly. "Sleep off that wine, Kalya, and I'll keep an eye out for you around the Weyr. If you ever want a visitor, you could try sending the flits for me." He headed to the door, then turned and bowed in the general direction of the blue out on the ledge. Even if he was sleeping, it was best to show a dragon respect. "Goodnight, blue-rider, and happy Turn-over." As he left the weyr, his brown and green appeared above his head, chirping about something-or-other, and followed him back to his own quarters.

Kalya ran though her weyr. "Where did my bag go? Love have you seen it."

I cannot see where anything is in your room dear. The patience voice came. You have seemed to destroy any semblance of a room, it is now closer to a nest.

"Got it!" The tall girl ran out of the room only to run back in with a half grin at her partner. "Going down M'lord?" She patted at the eye ridges that were turned towards her and then climbed nimbly up the smooth back. She had already checked her harness and now she had her healer supplies, just in case, she was ready to go.

Her eyes picked out the other dragons who were chosen or had chosen to join in the hunt. A brown two greens and two blue, a good combination for a feline hunt. She twisted in the straps a little as she craned her head to check her pack was on tight and then settled down to enjoy the descent. Feeling the powerful muscles flex as her weyrmate dropped from the sky her eyes sparkled in anticipation for the much needed outing.

T'bell looked somewhat nervously at the assembled group before him. Ugh, what must they think, being put under the orders of a greenrider.

It will teach them humility. Liliath rumbled with amusement, placing her leg out for T'bell to vault onto her back and straightening when he took his seat.

"Maybe so, love, but they all rank above me. L'cian especially." T'bell checked his harness and fretted quietly to himself, patting Zephyr when he trilled curiously into his ear.

I am not the only green. Liliath arched her neck, of the opinion that she was the prettiest even if she weren't the only of her colour. I will give them their location.

The image the green dragon sent them would put them in a V formation above the clearing. T'bell looked over his shoulder, making sure that everyone had gotten their location, and raised his arm as the signal to take off. As soon as he dropped it Liliath lept into the sky, causing a squawk from Zephyr, and took her position as the point of the V, rather pleased with herself. T'bell patted her shoulder and waited until the wing was in the proper position before giving the signal to go between.

Kalya chuckled slightly seeing the discomfort on the greenriders face. Being the youngest here she was used to getting info from the other riders. Have you the picture my dear? She patted her partners shoulder as she impressed upon him their position.

I see all I need M'Lady came the reply as a chuckle rumbled through the blue's throat

They took to the air again and went between Kalya slowly counted as she didn't feel the nothingness all around her. That moment left her breathless when they came back out and she shuddered, trying to shake off the cold of between.

Do you see anything Tarl? The red-haired woman strained to see the ground below her.

Nothing as of yet came the reply, the blue's eyes whirled with excitement as he scanned the land through the forest.

The movement of the runner beasts alerted the pair to the approach of the felines. At the command of the green dragon she held her position before with a whoop of excitement Kalya encouraged her weyrmate to dive down towards a streak of silvergold. The wind rushing through the few loose strands she had not braided wipped into her face as they dropped like a stone.

They'll never know what hit them. Kalya grinned as she felt the dragons muscles bunch up to slow the descent abruptly.

Well I am swifter than them the smug dragon swung his head around to align himself for the charge. Nimbly he snapped out his wings and braught himself out of the dive. The feline was already running towards the cover of the trees and he pumped his wings to gain speed.

Suddenly it changed it's mind and turned towards a different corps. Tarlith veared around following the path of the feline as it hurtled across the glade. A little further and he would have it in his jaws. Kalya leaned forward as she mirrored her partner, both minds consentrating on the same target.

A dark shadow leapt from the right, yowling with it's claws outstretched at the dragon. It was nearly invisible again the night, and not the intended target. The distraction it caused allowed its' paler companion to change direction once more, and the dark one raced off, directly under the dragon, into the nearby cover of the copse. Its companion, however, had angled itself back into the open and was aiming for its' original destination once more.

Tarlith reared up his forequarters to get away from the suddenly attack to his flank. His wings brush against the ground, causing him to land in the scrub with an ungainly thud. Wipping his tail around he hoped to connect but the dark feline darted under his belly, safely out of range. Bringing his head around he saw the dark one dive back under the copse away from his reach.

To the right, the right! Kalya could see from her vantage point that the pale feline had changed direction once more. I think it is still after something. She felt herself lurch as Talith's attention swung back towards the center of the clearing where the pale feline was dashing across.

I am more clumsy on land The blue grumbled as he considered leaping on his intended pray. Making up his mind he bunched up his powerful back muscles in preparation of the pounce. His long tail twitched slightly as he judged the distance between the fleeing feline. With an explosion of energy he kicked his back feet and launched himself off the ground, foreclaws streached out towards the feline. It was a hit or miss situation, Kalya lay low on his back to give herself support, glad she had checked her riding straps before departing her weyr.

The cat had the advantage on the ground, and Tarlith narrowly missed the beast, earning only a feel of its' tail and a sharp yowl in respose as it swerved. It was cocky now, the trees lay a sprint ahead and on the ground a dragon was no match for a feline.

Missing the feline by a handspan, Tarlith used his momentum to take to the air. He beat his wings firmly, sending clouds of dirt up to where the slight breeze caught it and whirled it around. Quickly he followed the path of the departing feline, making a beeline towards the closest strand of trees in hopes of heading it off.

"Shards!" Kalya exclaimed as she watched the pale furred animal slip from her weyrmates grasp. The wrenching movements of the dragons takeoff cut her leather straps into her own hide but it was the cloud of dust and dirt that caused her to loose site of their pray. For now she would have to trust on his instincts and just hang on for the ride.

Skimming low across the ground the blue managed to catch up to the feline and extended his forearms as means to sweep it off it's feet. He hoped that if he missed his jaw could do the trick. The pair raced across the clearing directly into a collission course for the thick wall of trees. Putting every last bit of energy into his speed the blue accellerated to cover the lessening distance between preditor and prey. It was going to be close and if he missed it would be the trees that would be taking the brunt of the fource. Hang on dear heart Tarlith made a sweeping grab at the feline now below him, a few moments and they would reach the end of the clearing.

The tiring beast managed to dodge a completely fatal blow from the dragons claws, but was sent rolling across the ground nonetheless. It didn't get up from where it stopped, whether from exhaustion or injuries it couldn't be told.

Tarlith backwinged, rising up to miss the trees. Swinging around he saw the feline laying still and bugled with sucess, his eyes whirling red with the excitement and energy expanded. He landed neatly to the side of the body and turned his head towards it, nosing curiously. Kalya undid her riding straps and slipped off her weyrmates back to take a look at the large furred being. "His fur is beautiful Love."

It looks like very nice Tarlith mentioned before swinging his head round to get scratched by his rider. But I am hungry so can we hurry? His plainative voice made Kalya laugh, shaking off the tension of the battle.

"You are always hungry Love." Kalya scratched his eye ridges once mroe before climbing up his back and securing herself. "Lets get this beast to the other clearing... And then you can eat."

A few lights began to show themselves through the trees and in a moment a small group of holders trooped through into the smaller clearing where the blue, green, and brown rested. They were carrying glow lanterns, and the lone female in the group carried a small bag. All were relatively young, no older than 15 turns. A rather short boy waited anxiously for the exchange between Tarlith and Kayla before stepping forward with the lantern. "Miss dragonrider?"

"Call me Kalya" She answered absentmindedly as she struggled with the feline before realizing who she was talking to. "Ahh light, Many thanks young one." She peered at him closely before smiling slightly. He reminded her of herself when she was younger and first saw dragons. With a glance towards Tarlith who had swung his immense head down to investigate she added, "Would you like to scratch his eye ridges? He especially likes attention."

Tarl's eyes whirled a mesmerizing blue as he reguarded the short child before lowering his head so he could reach.

Suddenly the air around Kalya's head was invated by darting firelizards. The bronze immediatly hopped onto her shoulder and quizically cherped at the carcass on the ground before turning to wards the boy near the larger blue. Roller, however, darted around his eyes whirling as he sailed through the air performing acrobatics in the excitement.

"Roller, calm down." Kalya tried to coax the flit with a bit of tendon that she deftly sliced from the feline but to no avail as Nicker scrapped at it and tore the meat from her fingers. "Shells! Nicker thats stealing!" Kalya scolded before taking another piece of meat and trying again with the little blue.

"Scratch...him?" The boy shifted nervously at Kayla's offer. "Would I be allowed to?"

A rumbling chuckle was heard comming from deep within Tarlith and he lowered his head down, gently pokeing the child between the shoulders with his broad nose.

Kalya looked over from where she was skinning and smiled. "It was his idea. He wants to say thank you."

Thank you? The blue joked, I just want you done faster so I can eat it. The light is helping this process... and anyway, I itch.

The dragonrider threw back her head and laughed. "You silly wherry." Kalya shook her skinning knife at her weyrmate. "Anything to get some meat isn't it." Turning back to the boy she nodded some encouragement before turning back to the task at hand.

The boy let out a quiet 'yipe' at the poke, stumbling a bit out of shock before recovering himself and facing Tarlith. "Th-thank you?" He stuttered, raising a hand experimentally in case it was to be bitten off. When no jaws closed around it he tentatively skritched the blue's eyeridge. "You're w-welcome then."
He turned his head suddenly, hearing his name called from the group with the herd, and reluctantly withdrew his hand. "I have to help, or Da will have my hide." He gave a greatful smile to the bluerider and scuttled off, ready to tell stories about how he'd touched the dragon.

Completing her skinning she tugged at the newly dressed fur and smiled. It would look really nice on her wall. Or maybe as a bed fur if it ever got cold here. She glanced at her weyrmate and heart heart swelled with pride. It was from his hard work that she got this wonderful fur.

Yours too, you know. The blue looked down at Kalya, but it was worth it. That creature was very taisty.

Kalya couldn't help but laugh while she packed everything away and climed back for a well deserved shower.

Kalya had been nearby, collecting herbs, when she heared a comotion going on near a place of water that Tarlith regularly washed in. "Hmmm...? Thats odd...."

A sleepy voice entered her mind causing a smile to move across her dirt smeared face. What is odd?

Oh nothing much, just a commotion going on nearby. I am going to investigate. Kalya started to make her way through the underbrush as she headed towards the noises.

Probably just a bunch of over excited flits. Tarlith, not even opening his eyes, turned back over in his slumber.

With a loveing look, Kalya glanced over her shoulder to the concealing corps of trees. Lazy thing. Then shaking her head and calling Nicker to her shoulder she set out to unravel the mistery.

Feronamth crooned as best he could appologetically to both Moth and her rider. He hadn't expected to displace quite so much water with his landing.
"You okay?!" C'tari called with true concern to the bobbing Farin. You trying to drown her? He scolded... but his face broke from it's anger at the expression on Feronamth's face.
The bronze paddled as slowly as he could until his foot found the muddy bottom and then he stood there, as still as he could watching Farin with his swirling paniced eyes.
C'tari sat atop Feronamth, blinking the dripping salt water out of his eyes, he pushed his brown black locks from his face. His good riding leather completely drenched. The pair couldn't have been a sorrier site.

As if nothing were amiss Sisao appeared back out of between and landed on C'tari's shoulder, letting him know how un-pleased she was that there was a large dragon in her favorite sunning spot, but how nice a little bronze there was and so on and so forth.
C'tari tried to wave her off, wanting to keep Farin in sight.

The woman shook her head, blinking against the surf. "I'm half urchin. I will live." She spoke, pushing one of Vera's claws off of her shoulder. The traumatized creature gave little notice to the other flitt's arrival, her eyes beat red and swirling. This water wasn't to be trusted.
Farin arched her eyebrow, finally pushed back to an extent where she could more accurately see the dragon and rider without the glare of the sun. Although their landing had suggested otherwise, the pair certainly didn't seem like they were out for a day of beaching. The woman bobbed her head, closing her eyes with a critical glance. "Your leather will strangle you if you get it wet like that." Another small wave pushed passed them, and Farin spit out a bit of seawater. The small gold migrated up to the top of her head, deciding the water was trying to reclaim her again. She sighed, and shook her head, allowing a small chuckle to slip past her.
Onshore, Moth let out a low, groaning yawn as she sunk her head back into the surf, rubbing her chin against the murky bottom. Fleckin went down with the head, bobbing back up a few seconds later.

Kalya came across a small hillock that overlooked the good sized patch of water. There she saw the two dragons as one placed it's head back benieth the liquid blue. One she recognized as Moth and realized that Farin should be around, the other she racked her brains for a moment trying to remember before Feronamth seemed to pop into being. She hadn't formally met the rider yet but Tarlith often enjoyed giving her a running notation of what was going on in the weyrs. She was too often busy with her duties or herb collecting to keep up with things. She looked down at her carry sack before deciding to come down and greet the two riders. Streching herself she realized it had been a while since she had relaxed.

"Don't tell me about the leather cracking... tell him." C'tari gave Feronamth a loving whump with his heal.
Sisao, he waved the flit off again as it circled trying to land on his shoulder, gave Feronamth a wonderous picture of a long stretch of protected beach. "Looks like we should consider what is long and expansive to a flit before making such desicions."
This beach seems well suited to you. Feronamth commented to Moth.
C'tari slipped his riding helmet off and shook his short scraggly hair. Not really wanting to take off immediately. The cold of between would not do to help the state of his riding gear. For a long moment he looked around and wondered if they should just fly straight back now, or try and dry the gear before taking off. Feronamth my friend, now what do we do?
Sisao did not like the constant swatting of her bonded and feeling quite indignant swifted back over to the little bronze. She darted about him, playing little teasing games of catch me if you can.

The woman shook her head, which did good to dishevel more of her hair then she felt acceptable. Farin reached forward and pulled at the knotty mass, glancing back absently towards Moth onshore. "They do have minds of their own. Of course, dragons don't need to worry about the ill effects of salt water on cloth." As if in agreement, the green rose her head from it's resting place in the surf to snort, and shake.
As the little green Sisao flitted off wards, Vera resettled her position/death grip on Farin's shoulder. The tiny pin-points of her claws were beginning to draw blood, although it was unnoticeable with the constant thrushing of water. The parti-colored creature peeped, her eyes still untrusting of this shifting expanse of blue.
But although Vera did not seem to be enjoying the outing, Fleckin quickly found this to be quite the profitable exploit. The little green dived by as he floated about on the blue, and pleasantly, he darted off after her. He had plenty of play drive after all the flitt-nagging the small queen had been doing recently.
For a moment the skimming flitts caught Farin's attention out of the corner of her eye. She angled a peculiar glance, watching her own make a fool of himself as he dipped and dived in erratic fashions to attempt to make even the dragons impressed at his maneuverability in the air. The woman shook her head, for a moment a crease passing across the corner of her eye.
"I regiment the amount of faith I put into my own. I never have made a jump based off of a flitt's image." She remarked, treading precariously in the water. "But I don't get many pictures of places in the first place. A lot of food." She muttered, although the tone of her voice betrayed her pleasantry towards them.
Back amongst the dancing flitts, Moth took the time to resettle her position. She stretched out her left wing to soak up some heat through it, and curved her head against a lump of sand. She paid them no heed, although she was aware that the bronze one was trying to look rather clever.
It is a small beach. Moth responded to the dragon off wards. But Farin enjoys the water, and it is safer here. It was questionable as to the green dragon's logic of such matters, but with the swale of rocks a couple of meters offshore, it did appear less wave struck.
One of the green's eyes reopened, and it angled back towards the rockside. Another person was approaching, but she didn't see the reason to alert her rider of it just yet.

This was just the sort of sport Sisao needed to ease her nerves from her bonded's swatting and the large green laying in her sand. She dipped, dove and turned on a mark using the sea breeze like the great queens often used thermals. Being small, even for a green flit made her quick changes of direction not only easy but graceful.

"It was Feronamth's idea to follow her. He trusted her, and I trust him." C'tari shrugged, she had been right about leading them to a flit clutch once, too bad they had been a day late.
Feronamth had still not moved any more than the ocean made him since he had taken up this particular position. He stared idylly at the water in front of him. It swirled in odd patterns around his bulk and waves broke against him. He had never just sat in the ocean before and it was quite the experience. The ocean is powerful he remarked to no one in particular.
C'tari hooked his helmet to a saddle strap and begun un-bottoning his riding jacket. It was getting warm just sitting there soaked a dragon back in the sun. He could already hear the lecture about his gear when he finally returned to the weyr. He looked around for a good spot to have Feronamth fly to to drop the gear when he spotted Kalya coming down the mountain. She looked familiar but he couldn't place her. He knew Moth and Farin, even if they didn't particularly know him. But he just couldn't place this new face.

Her bag slung over her shoulder swung slightly from side to side with her motions as she hopped lithly down the rather slippery rock side. Nicker took one look at the flits in the air before taking off to mingle and gerrt. Kalya stopped for a moment to watch as the bronze darted to and fro before turning back to the path, winding her way down to the narrow beach. "I was collecting herbs for my racks when I noticed a commotion. It looks like you have everything under control now though." A grin spread over her face and her eyes shone with merriment. A complete contrast to the more calm and serious posture she took while in the weyr. Being outside was good for her. "I am guessing this hidden spot is found by many" A giggle escaped her lips, "usually not at the same time though."

"Apparently so." The woman tapered, although the constant thrashing of the shifting water made most of it come out as a simple splatter of bubbles and foam. Vera, who still clung to dear life upon her Raft's shoulders, eyed the other bronze carefully. Now there were two of them? How had that happened?
Fleckin, being the amicable fellow he was, spiraled forward and carefully observed this other creature, bickering about in silly flitt language and beating his wings in show. But almost politely (as though he were capable of such emotions), he flitted back over to Sisao, spiraled around her, and squeaked more introductions, although whatever was really going about seemed mostly a mystery to the peculiar habits of the tiny dragon folk. Whatever was happening, Vera privately seethed, she didn't approve, and she'd scold the gallivanting fool when he dared come and flirt with her, that Fleckin. The little queen dug her nails into Farin's shoulder and privately squabbled to herself. Jealousy, then, was not lost to flitt kind.
But hardly anyone really takes care in flitt actions, and the great creature closest to the horde batted hardly an eye at the fleeting creatures. The green resounded and yawned, stretching her jaw and shifting against the sand.
Behave. A quick jab slipped past Farin's mind.
'I am behaving.' Farin mumbled inwardly.
But as a precaution, behave.
'Do you even know that word?' Farin idly retorted, shifting her eyes to the side.
I can feel what it means, Love. The green replied privately in tune, and lightly (and perhaps threateningly) slapped her tail against the sand. But with a snort, the green reminded herself that presently there was another inhabitant upon the shore. Apologetically, she rumbled at the blue rider along the foam line, and privately reminded herself to behave as well.
Taking a swallowing breath, Farin dipped her head beneath the water, and swam a bit towards the shore to be in an area less combated by the water, and at least a place where she could hold her footing and hear the other rider on the shore. Once she could indeed stand and have most of her midsection above the water, Farin turned looking out back towards the thrumming ocean. It was rather rough for such a pleasant day.
Still unsettled on the tan woman's shoulder, the small flitt quickly found herself exposed now that the water had retreated to the Woman's waist. Quickly she folded her wings and entangled herself in Farin's hair, using her oddly colored form to attempt to blend in, and hide away from these strange people.
"Herbs?" Farin questioned, turning her head towards Kalya. "For cooking or healing?" The woman asked sidley, her head glancing back to the water as if she'd forgotten asking anything at all. But a kink in her neck seemed to imply she was listening.

Sisao couldn't believe her luck. Two bronzes in one place, and both here to play with her. She greeted and whistled at the new arrival spinning and dancing around him.
Watching Farin swim Feronamth suddenly perked up, She is a better swimmer.
As if trying to ignore his dragon's comment C'tari scanned the cliff walls and chose a nice wide open spot to land and dry his gear. A small discussion later and making sure Farin was plenty clear, the bronze gave the down stroke to take off. As it was, they were weighted down in the water, and it took several srokes more than it normally did to pull himself off the bottom and free of the surface. Great globs of silt and mud plopped and clapped noisily back to the ocean from his feet.
Once airborne the pair caught a brief glimpse of Tarlith well hidden in the trees. If he didn't remember people, he knew dragons and instantly recognized the blue and bid Tarlith a hello via Feronamth, who retorted that the blue was busy sleeping.
Feronamth landed neatly on the cliff's edge, now above the other two riders and he began the task of removing all his gear and lying it out as neatly as possible to dry in the shade. Already damaged by the ocean, the last thing he needed was sun cracking.

Nicker soared up into the air and spun around lazily a few times. Many many interesting things to see. He snapped at a passing gnat before streacking down suddeny and backwinging smartly before he hit anything, before rising back up on the currents.

"For healing. A lot of my supplies were used up during the sickness," a pained look flitted across her face, "And I have been gradually replenishing them." She looked thoughtful for a moment. "Some time soon I need to go with the others and help out with the numbweed harvest. I believe the wery's stores are pretty low, I know mine are." She makes a small grimice at remembering the smell that usually acompanies the harvest and then grinned. "Now that Tarl is here to help out though, things may go faster."

Enjoying the silly flitt games, Fleckin darted back and forth between the two, jabbering on about something, but at the same time making sure to look good while he did it. He was quite the conventional ham, but unfortunately for him, his good show didn't attract all that much attention from non-flitt residents. For a moment he paused, bade an apologetic bleak to the other two, and circled around Farin. The small creature who hid behind the Woman's hair hissed lowly as he fluttered about, attempting to lure the small queen out of her hiding place so she could come play as well. Her bitter ways were a bit daunting for the amicable fellow, and with a flitt's show of a sigh, he batted back over and began to do another assortment of tricky dives and falls in tune to the other flitts' movements.
With the waves still rocking against her, Farin occasionally moved to the side with the force of the shifting water. For a moment her hand lifted upwards and freed one of Vera's tightly clasped claws from her simple swim top. The little flitt released it with a grunt, and curled tighter against an nonexistent hiding spot. "There's a new healer in the Weyr." Farin idled, turning back around. "She has some shot or something or another. But perhaps she could help gather herbs. Although I can't say I know much of what's involved in the actual gathering process."
Her head tilted back towards the bronze as he lifted off, and landed on the ledge above. In the wake of his movements spurred a small course of rippling waves, which quickly dissipated almost as soon as they were created. But Farin trained her eyes upon them for the remainder of the bronze's flight over.
Still a bit flustered over the size of the beach, the green rose to a standing position, and stretched out her wings. Mindful, still, of the woman on the beach, and the diving flitts which seemed to be conducting some sort of flitt business. The green snorted and folded her wings back up, pushing against the rock wall to awkward a little more room on the beach. It was impossible to fit the bronze upon it, but at least she reasoned it'd make for better room for the riders.

Once everything was set upon the ground Feronamth leapt off the cliff and bugled as he soared out over Moth below and out into deeper waters where he figured he could easily dive below the water. Which is exactly what he did. As natural a swimmer as any dragon Feronamth darted after little fish for a moment before surfacing far out beyond the breakers. He treaded on the surface, swimming happily in the waves.
C'tari found the path that Kalya had taken and skittered down it, now wearing only his swimming pants and riding boots. He smiled and nodded at Kalya, always finding it so strange to meet other riders for the first time. Having somewhat known, or at least known of their dragons it made him feel strange, as if introductions were simply redundant.
Sisao trilled in joy to see her bonded down on the beach and immediatly went to him to tell him of the wonderful bronzes she'd met. He waved her off when she attempted to land having before felt those claws sink into unprotected skin. She balked at idea that she would hurt him and dejected flew a quick and threatening circle around him and Kalya before flying back to the bronzes to tell them in her little flit ways of the whoas of her life.

"Yes, I believe I have met her." Kalya pondered, bringing a face with hopefully a name but it escaped her for the moment. Tarlith could be helpful in that department sometimes but he was happily asleep in a nice sunny patch.
Turning to see the other rider come down the path she nodded a greeting before adding. "I don't think I could ever stop following my healers path, though there may be a day I will not have time to devote to it completely, I am still a place where I can do the most that I can to aid the Weyr." She smiled and glancing around she placed her carrysack in a safe location doffing her tunic in the process. under it she was wearing a loose wrap and shorts. Pulling a piece of leather from her bag, she tied back the rest of her hair, the braids knotted into place afterwards. "Though, I believe it is rather warm right now so I may join you."

Before Farin could have much objection to being around so many people at once, Moth beat her wings and hopped off the cramped beach, deciding to follow the bronze into the water offshore. She wasn't much of a diver, and instead landed like a silly kind of water fowl upon the surf, sinking down before popping back up, using the curve of her wings to keep herself floated. She snorted affectionately in the direction of the perplexed woman, and twined her neck around to rest upon her back.
Bobbing her head, the woman shook, rubbing a finger against her temple. But despite this show of private events between rider and dragon, Farin had no objections to others. She was typically in the best of moods when about her element.
Back onshore, Fleckin bleaked sadly at Sisao's tragic happenings. The Woman didn't oftenly shoo him away, but the little Vera on her shoulder had recently taken a dictator-like clasp upon his bonded's right shoulder, and gave Fleckin rather nasty nips when she was cross with him. (Which was almost perpetually.) He did another dive, and squawked a little more, listening to what else Sisao had to gibber about.
As Fleckin babbled in a silly flitt manner, the cross little queen was just beginning to realize that the Woman seemed to be deciding they needed to be drowned again. Vera didn't dare let go of her neck, and continued to watch the water with dubious eyes. And the Bigs in the water. She had seen what the bronze could do with that water. Dangerous things they were. She scolded quietly, and sniffed.
"It is good weather." Farin remarked, glancing upwards.

C'tari kicked off his boots and pushed his hair pointlessly behind his ears. It had a mind of it's own and was not about to stay there. "It is quite warm, too bad the water isn't as nice as the day. Not that it bothers them at all." He smiled at Feronamth and Moth floating off at a distance. He dove into the water and swam beneith the tumbling waves until his lungs began to burn and he had to surface.
Feronamth scolded him for the manuever. You should not hurt yourself so. he hissed. Sometimes he thinks he is a fish. Feronamth's eyes whirled with undertones of orange as he commented to Moth.
Sisao broke from her whining to swirl around where she thought her bonded was under the water. When he popped up, and she decided he was okay, she turned to fly to play with her bronzes, but in doing so passed very close to Farin and noticed the little queen. She trilled a quick hello and then glided on the next breeze back to her sumersaults.

"It is definatly a plesent day for a swim." Slipping into the water, Kalya felt around the sandy bottom with her toes. Keeping her feet safe from rocks until she got out to where she felt comfortable. It lapped around her waist as she moved her arm lazily through the water. "The last time I went swimming it was an accident. I was on a small skif my foster-cousin owned and we got caught by bad currents." She mused for a moment before adding. "I remember the dol-fins mostly... doll-fins, not ship fish apparantly." She lapsed into silence looking up into the air where Nicker was showing off again.
The little bronze had decided this female was more interesting than his usual company and had proceded to try out his own version of a love song. Not that he ever learnt how to sing well and it came off as an impression of a varaiety of bird calls...

Farin moved out into the deeper water, now that the other riders seemed situated in the surf. With a sigh she sunk down until just her shoulders were above the water, and began to shift her hair about so it did not look so bedraggled. Vera squeaked and fought back, attempting to keep as much of the Woman's blond hair between her tiny clawed hands as possible.
"Vera." Farin bristled, and tugged her hair away. The little flitt peeped and decided to crawl into the back of the woman's swim top. Which, needless to say was quite an uncomfortable feeling. Farin shuddered as the claws passed over her shoulders, and to rid herself of this new attachment to her top, she sunk a bit deeper into the water to force the dejected flitt to higher 'ground'.
As Sisao passed by, Vera instantly ducked away back into the hair, wrapping her tail around the Woman's neck and scolding the little green for noticing her. Fleckin swung over to where the little one was having a fit, and attempted to relax her with some lazy dives. This really only enticed her to more hostility, and the bronze darted back over to the other pair in a haphazard fashion.
But this new display of interest from the other bronze sparked a bit of competition in Fleckin. He squawked and beat his wings; settling himself down on the sand to spread them and strut along the beach shore. But he regimented exactly how much he showed off to the pair, knowing well that Vera would be quite jealous with his behavior.
"You don't see too many doll-fins around these areas, with so many rocks." Farin spoke, seating herself on the sandy bottom. "Not this time of year, anyways. They would always follow the fishing boats up through the harbor though." She glanced over towards Moth floating precariously in the rocking water. "She's about as much beach as I am. But I would say that went for most dragons born south."
Farin would rather be a fish. Moth commented with a side glance, kicking against some cool current which passed on by.

"You know, for all the times I've been swimming I only once came across these doll fins." He treaded water easily, then put his head back to try and float but was soon over taken by a crashing wave. He sputtered a bit to the surface, then took a deep breath and dove to the bottom, which was not as far away as he had thought. For a brief moment he found his face in the mudd, but with the moving of the water he soon scrapped his cheek against a much rougher and sharper rock.
Feronamth bugled at the sudden pain of his rider. He raised his wings as if to try and take off, but C'tari soothed him as he turned and pushed off the bottom. It was nothing worth getting upset about.
But C'tari surfaced at just that moment, a small stream of blood ran down his cheek. He was more embarrased than hurt to have injured himself so stupidly. He was a much better swimmer than this. He was too old for making silly mistakes. "Perhaps I should go lay on the beach with my gear." He shook his head and wiped the stinging tear on his face. Just another thing for the Weyrleader to get after him for.
Sisao, ignoring the queen and diving back to her playmates, had been quite enjoying the bronze's song, and had indeed added her own little voice when C'tari went face long into the bottom of the ocean. With a shrill squeak she darted back over to the spot she had last seen him. When he surfaced she chided him like a weyrlingmaster who has just seen the cracked straps on a yearlings gear.

Feronamth's sudden bugle momentarily jarred Farin, who kicked against the water and instantly started to look around for what was amiss. Mirroring her rider's emotions in a more subdued form, the green rose her head and snorted against the dripping water, before catching wind of what had happened.
C'tari hurt his face. He is fine. Moth rumbled, and she settled, sinking a bit into the blue.
"Ah." Farin chuckled, and shook her head. She laughed quietly not out of any particular sadism towards the scraped rider, but out of a exhausted relief that it wasn't more then that. Thread hadn't been falling in the south for some time now, but nervous jabs of when that time would come still knotted up the older rider's system.
To Vera, this whole matter was cause for a near break down. Now the little green Sisao was screaming, and the Big had yelled so loud. Coupled with the sudden pang of worry she had gotten from her bonded, and that Fleckin ignoring her... She peeped and simply collapsed on Farin's shoulder, letting her wings go slack against the tan woman's neck. Had Vera not had near twelve consecutive mental break downs during the process of a day, it might have brought concern to Farin.
"Eh." Farin spoke against the surf, glancing towards the shifting dragons. "It'll just look like you got into a bit of a bar fight. Except with a rock." She pushed one of Vera's claws out of her shoulder. It flopped motionlessly in her private drama. "Either way, salt water is good for wounds."

Kalya was startled with the sudden bugle and suddenly lost her footing which caused her to be dunked into the water. She came up spluttering and shaking the water out of her ears, her hair now clinging to her back. Her feet grasping the rocks on the bottom once more, she stood back up and smiled appoligetically to the other two. "I'm sorry, I never learnt how to swim..." Noticing the gash on his cheek she added, "I have a salve that will heal that right up if you wish." As if to cover what she had previously uttered she turned and started to clamber out of the water. "I keep it around if I happen to get caught near any needlethorn."

C'tari dipped underwater to keep his groan from being audible. Those salves always burned a bit, as if the salt water didn't. He came back up spitting the salt water out of his mouth. "I should..." he shook his half curled dark hair out of his face then swam with the waves back towards shore until his feet touched. Then he followed Kalya up the shore to where the salve was.
Feronamth took this moment to stretch out his wings and relax again. He paddled slowly with his great feet. The fish swam around him with great curiosity.
Sisao, landed neatly on his shoulder when she was done scolding him, and pushed her little head against his good cheek. But it didn't take long for her to tighten her grip and sink her claws into his shoulder.
C'tari pried her free slowly and carefully. Mostly to avoid her reacting and sinking her claws in deeper. Little pricks of blood showed where her claws once were as he released her back into the air to float on the breeze.

Farin inaudibly chuckled, evident only by the slight shift of her shoulders. It was best to leave the thought of salve out of her mind, so she waded out a bit farther into the surf, looking down at her dark toes in the partially transparent water. There were small fishes, or perhaps tiny insects, floating about. They didn't seem to have much nektonic inclinations about them, as the surf battered them and twisted them into all sorts of funny little fish (or insects, as it may) tornados.
Vera shifted, realizing at long last her drama had been completely and utterly ignored by her Woman. Dejectedly she rose her head and made a piteous cry, and Farin absently lifted a finger for the small gold-white creature to fondle. It soothed her somewhat, but she kept her red tinted eyes straight upon the rocking water, which was now up to Farin's chest.
For a moment Farin narrowed her eyes at the horizon, thinking privately to herself. Moth shifted a bit out, poking her nose up from the water, and snorting in a burst of wet mist. She snapped her jaws once, and rumbled, before sinking her large blocky head back into the blue undulation.
Another squeak fathomed itself, and Farin tilted her neck to the side to allow Fleckin to land on her left shoulder. Vera idly flicked her eyes towards the pragmatic bronze, but did not put up more of a fit then that. Both seemed rather drained, although there was still an obnoxious glint in the little creature's eyes.
The woman turned, and walked back towards the shore, where C'tari was managing his wound, and Kalya was no doubt looking for the before mentioned salve. Perhaps it would be better to see what was about, then to distract herself with too much thinking, which she was often prone to do.
You are the only person I know to worry about nothing. Moth rumbled.
'Well Love, I am the only person you know.'
Although the green's head was under water, her tail lightly slapped at the surface in recourse. Privately, Farin smiled and shook her head.

Kalya rumaged around in her carrysack, through the many pockets that had been sewn on the inner walls. She took out a small package wrapped in large leaves and tied with a perquilar knot. "The knots and the wrapping material lets me know what is inside." She explained as she took a few herbs from several packages and pulled out a mortar and pestle. "It won't take long to make this. I have often used it for myself and the flits when they get themselves stuck. Especially that one." She gestured with her head at the bronze that was showing off still in the sun. Her hands worked feverishly as she hummed slightly before scooping the greenish residue and holding it up to her nose with her fingers. Making a small face she smiled at C'tari. "Well it doesn't smell like a bed of roses but it's not too pungent." Deftly she smeared a small ammount before taking a scrap of cloth and tidying her handywork so the salve was just on the wound. The dragonrider could feel the slight tingeling as it started to work.

He fought the urge to rub at the bandage. He had a really bad habit of scratching things when he shouldn't. To get rid of the feeling he shook his head like a wet wherry, spraying salt water everywhere. He smiled appologetically at Kayla, but it wasn't as if she wasn't already wet. We should head back namth my love.
The water feels good, and the fish tickle my feet. He blew bubbles and then rolled several times dipping below the surface.
I'm sure it does, but the gear is probably almost dry and we don't want it to crack before we have a chance to oil it up. Not to mention some oil for you before you crack too.
Feronamth surfaced rumbling in his throat at the pleasureful idea of being oiled down and nodded a mental goodbye to Moth before stretching his wings and beginning the dragging take-off from the water.
Sisao suddenly noted that her two bronzes seemed busy elsewhere and began trilling to herself softly as she rose on the wind. But seeing the big bronze taking off she realized her play on the beach was going to be cut short so she took that moment to see if she couldn't catch a fish or two before heading back. She flew very close to the top of the water, moving up and down with the waves, looking into the clear water before finally seeing a fish close enough to the surface. With one swift dive, she missed royally and barely made it out of the way of the following wave. The water was too clear, and the fish were deeper than she thought.

Kalya shut her eyes as the water drops came flying at her, scrunching her shoulders in reaction. She opened them again in time to see his grin and smiled back at him plesently. She noticed the slightly unfocused look of a rider talking to their dragon and for a moment wondered when Tarlith was going to rouse himself.

At that moment a blue flit darted in warbling with a sudden shreak as he almost barrled into the rising dragon. Turning tail he swooped streight to Kalya wrapping around her throat in a death grip.
Kalya grasped hold of the startled firelizard and attempted to untwine his strangle hold when Copper, noticing what had transpired, decided to dart down and challenge the blue for rights to Kalya's neck. A few loud complaints later the blue suddenly relaxed and fell limp into the dragonriders arms who looked down at the flit and shook her head.
"You two are so loud sometimes." She winced at the answering shreak before it subsided to a quizical cherrup. "I take it that Tarl must be awake?" She murmered at the blue who peversly stayed limp in her hands. Quietly she probed her companions mind who seemed like he was finally awake, if a little drowsy.
What have you been doing? It has gotten so noisy around here. Tarlith asked plainitively as she got the mental feeling of a giant yawn. He streached and shook out his wings, a rising flock of wild flits exposing his position.

Farin nodded the brow of her head towards the other rider's dispersal. It would probably be time for dinner shortly, she absently reminded herself, although she still had no inclinations of returning home quite yet. There was still time to try and attempt some fishing, regardless. It was her hope to eventually get her flitts, at least Fleckin, to score some fish for her. It was an unlikely prospect, but it was a lovely thought.
Up on the surf, Moth rumbled a goodbye to the departing dragon, and with a yawn, settled herself back beneath the water. A good portion of her barreled body sunk down beneath the waves now, leaving only the very tip of her large snout poking through the surface.
All the flitts suddenly bursting from the treetops caught Fleckin's attention. He snorted and wiggled the end of his tail, calculating some silly flitt thing. Vera cared not to look.

Kalya laughed and nodded in the direction of the commotion. "It looks like Tarl has decided to rise and shine." The love in her voice for the big 'beast' was unmistakable. Hush, dear heart. We just had some visitors that's all. She added back to the blue dragon.

Visitors? Tarlith rose up onto his hind legs and flapped his wings a few times before leaping into the air with a rush. He swung around to where he had noticed the commotion by the waters and then neatly landed on the cliffs above. Ahhh visitors With a bellow he greeted Moth.
"Showoff." Kalya muttered, smiling wryly at Farin as she looked back. "I should be off soon, now Tarl is awake. The herbs still need to be dried and processed." She nodded towards her gathering bag. "It was very nice meeting you again."

Out on a gathering, Kalya was in the sky when she heared the news from Tarlith. It looks like our queen has decided to clutch. The smug voice came to her. He swung down to alight on the grouns long enough for Kalya to slip off before jumping back into the air to take his place amongst the other dragons.

Kalya took off at a run towards the sands, hoping that she had not missed too much. Her herb bag slapped against her shoulder and she placed carefully in a shady alcove before hopping over the sands to the seats above. The heat of the sands burned her feet so she hurried over as fast as she could, minding to stear clear of the rather watchful queen. Seeming a lot bigger then she remembered, especially compaired with her Tarl, the gold dragon was actually a little frightening in this high state of agitation. Kalya hurried over to the stands, not wanting to spend too much time dwelling on the eggs until she was a safe distance away, who knows what an angered queen might do!

During the comotion of all the other weyrfolk entering the grounds, Roller decided to materialize with a loud squark and decided to tuck himself around her neck, head firmly in Kalya's hair. Worried that Nicker would soon to follow, with an even bigger ruckus, she decided it would be better to call him first. Unusually, he came, purching on an open spot on her shoulder that wasn't taken by the blue flit. With her two smallest of her brood under her watchful eye, Kalya breathed a little easier. Lithely, the blue dragonrider hopped up the first few steps before looking around at the gathered people. Noticing a few familiar faces she decided on one she had not had the chance to chat to for a while. As she drew close to Lemurrin she hailed him with a wave.

*****

Pulling a thread through a jerkin she was working on, Amanari considered this a very peaceful morning. Both Segan and Leyann were out doing a few chores, well Segan was doing the chores, Leyann would be helping when she could. She thought fondly of the two she was fostering at the moment. The tanner looked over towards the egg that was sitting near the fire. While not quite sure how long watch-weyr took to hatch, she was sure this one was nearing it's final stages of development. Suddenly, hearing a comotion from outside, Amanari looked up from her work as Segan rushed into the room.

"Dragons, Humming! Ephia is laying!" Segan garbled his words in his excitement. before looking contrite when he noticed the expression on Nari's face.

"You mean Ariath, not our Weyrwoman... and where, exactly did you leave your sister?" The tanner frowned, shaking her head slightly at the neglect in his exhuberance.

"She is in the stands already with one of the dragonriders. I asked him to take her up so she wouldn't miss out." He almost hopped from foot to foot partialy apoligetic tinged with a partial impatiance. "You can see for yourself, come out and see the laying." The tall yough almost pulled his foster mother out into the bright sun and the loud noises of the bowl floated towards them.

Nari shook her head and rolled up the jerkin she was working on befor estuffing it into a large pocket of her apron. "I guess I must if I am to find out if Leyann is fine." She grumbled slightly in jest as she almost matched the boy stride for stride towards the sands.

*****

The flash of Kalya's brilliant red hair caught Lemurrin's eye. He raised a hand in greeting, momentarily disturbing little Grenna. The harper waited for the green to settle before patting the ledge next to him. "Have a seat, Kalya," he mouthed, not wanting to make noise and annoy Ariath. The queen seemed decidedly cranky, hunkered over the eggs like that.

Brownie chirped a greeting at Roller and Nicker, projecting cheerful images and half-thoughts at those arriving.

"Thank you." Kalya smiled warmly before turning her attention over to the queen who was decidedly the most impressive guardian Kalya had seen. "So had a chance to count how many? I heared that the going bet was around 15, though I have heared both higher and lower." She shook her head lightly. I'm glad I am not there, I would be frantic with worry. Though really I don't see why, those dragons just kind of know what they are doing." She glanced over to the harper with a slight grin, "So you're hoping to be down there when the time comes? I am sure you will become a dragonrider, even Tarlith agrees."

How can I not, he belongs in the Weyr. The voice gave a draconic shrug which made Kalya narrow her eyes and glance over to her weyrmate in the wonder of maybe he knew something she did not.

Turning her attention back towards the cluching, a warm expression ran over her face as memories of her own impression floated up to ther surface. "To impress is the biggest most wonderful thing... It will be wonderful to get to show you how much so."

Lemurrin craned his neck, trying (and failing) to catch a glimpse of the eggs. "There were 5 that I saw when I got here, and I think there have been at least 2 more since then." He smiled at Kalya. "I'll be down there on the sands, yes. And I thank you for your vote of confidence." A stray thought intruded and he added, "Tarlith, too." He followed the bluerider's line of sight and bowed his head slightly at the dragon.

When she mentioned Impression, the harper's fire lizards both chirred happily. Lemurrin grinned much broader than usual at the memory of the flits' hatching. "I've had a taste of Impression, although I can only imagine how much stronger the bond is with a dragon."

Grenna squeaked rather indignantly, as if impressing her wasn't enough for anyone! For she was a green, and just as good as that Big Green -she projected a distorted vision of Liliath- and..! Brownie squawked at the little green, who flitted her wings, almost chastened.

Lemurrin scratched the pair's headknobs fondly. He thought about telling Kalya what he'd been.. hearing (over-hearing, really) but hesitated.

"Yes, the flits hatching had to be a rather big occasion for myself also. Though I was lucky, I got this one first." She pointed towards the blue that was wrapped around her neck. "Roller was a good practice for the terror that followed." She shakes her head causing Nicker to squarp suddenly before seteling back down on his perch. "If I had not already gotten Podge and Nugget... I mean Kalesk and Kesk, I believe I would have drawn the line after I got him." She smiles before her mind puts two and two together... "Am I talking outloud when I chat with Tarlith again? I though I was better about that now..." She mused for a moment before shrugging and adding, "Well it doesn't really matter. Mind playing tricks I guess."

Lemurrin bit his lip. "Actually, um.. You didn't say anything out loud. I just.. knew what he said in response." His face flushed, knowing how ridiculous he must sound. He had to be imagining these things.. right? The harper mirrored Kalya's shrug, trying to regain his composure.

Grenna squeaked at Roller and Nicker in a friendly manner. Not feeling terribly social, Brownie stretched out across Lemurrin's shoulders, tail wrapped loosely around his neck.

Kalya blinked a few times as her mind caught up. "I believe I have heared of a... talent like that. You mean to say you can here my Tarlith?" She seemed a little confused on how that was suppost to work, but then again, she never could quite get the hang of mindspeakign anyway. "Shards! That is so amazing." She grinned, her face bright with curiosity. "Can you read minds or just listen to thoughts?"

Lemurrin's face flushed. "I.. I've been hearing them. Dragons, I mean. Lots of different ones. I try not to intrude..." He rubbed his forehead. "But no, I don't hear the riders. I hope no-one minds... You're the only person I've told." The harper laughed in spite of himself. "I suppose the dragons know!"

"That would explain Tarlith's recent smugness." Kalya laughed slightly and she glanced over towards her weyrmate. "Well then, Lemurrin, I feel honoured to be the one to hear about it first." Kalya looked seriously into his eyes before smiling slightly again. "I guess this just proves it... you have to be a dragonrider... and the dragon that chooses you has to be that one." She points to a mottled green/gray one that was closest to the crowd with a chuckle. "OK, so I am not the one to be guessing which egg will hold your partner. But I get the feeling I'll be calling you L'murrin soon."

A slow smile spread across the harper's face. "It actually feels good to tell someone. At first I thought I was going crazy or something, before I figured out it was dragons I heard in my head." Lemurrin gazed out across the sands at the eggs, wondering what each egg held. "L'murrin? Hm. I think I like L'mur better." He nodded and his two fire lizards chirped their approval

"L'mur hmmm.... Yes that definatly sounds better than L'murrin. Quicker to say too." She watched as the queen released a few more eggs, still keeping all under wraps. "I wonderhow long it will be before she decides to let us find out how many eggs will be on the sands." the blue dragonrider mused as she watched the queen dragon. "Tallith seemes very pleased with himself doesn't he" she added with a grin.

I would too if I was him. Tarlith ventured his own opinion causing Kalya to chuckle.

Lemurrin grinned at Tarlith's remark. And would you want to fly a queen? he thought at the blue, daring for the first time to speak to a dragon directly instead of merely overhearing random comments.
Brownie queeped at the harper, as if questioning his judgment in questioning a Large One. The boy scratched the little brown's eyeridges fondly, wondering if Tarlith could actually hear him. Did this work both ways?
"Anyway," he said to Kalya, "I'll be very interested to know the results of this clutch!"

Tarlith rumbled with laughter A Queen, now that would be a challange The blue dragon bugled into the air, causing Klaya to look upwards with a quizzical expression. When she heared about the comment a scared expression appeared on her face before quickly being replaced with a slightly forced chuckle.

"My my, now that would be a sight to see." She shook her head slightly. "Especially considering Tarl is about two head smaller than the smallest blue."

Unless you count my tail in that measurement. The indignant reply came. Lemurrin got the feeling that this was a consistant jibe between them. The expression of their mental banter was lighthearted.

Turning back to the matters at hand, Klaya mused for a moment. "I should get my bag up to the cooling rooms." Glancing around for a drudge, she found one who had just finished giving out a few drinks to the parched visitors. Skillfully, with the practive of working with others, she described where she placed the bag and where it was suppost to be delivered to. "There," She uttered when she was done. "At least the herbs don't have to wilt while we wait for her goldeness to finish." A low chuckle escaped from her lips.

Grenna squeaked, as if alarmed at the thought of a blue flying a queen, and nibbled at Lemurrin's hand.

Lemurrin smirked at the brief exchange, comforting the little green in the process. "You've been out gathering herbs, I take it?" he asked, his eyes flicking over the departing drudge. "Oh no, does that mean you'll be boiling numbweed soon?" his tone switching to mock-horror. He ran his hands through his hair and patted Brownie, who was still firmly attached to his shoulder. Brownie's eyes whirled slowly, glowing teal, clearly not bothered by the threat of stinking numbweed.

"No. Luckly I am speared that for now." She wrinkeled her nose in disgust as the rememberance of the smell came to mind. "Actually by gathering the lesser easy to find herbs I'm usually able to skirt that duty." Her eyes glanced over to the departing drudge and she added in a softer voice. "Mostly right now, I am replenishing the weyr stocks from our loss just recently." Her voice almost caught in her throat as she rememberd the times she had lost people to that illness. Shaking her head of the sadness she reminded herself that this was a happy day, not to be shadowed by what had passed.

A start of a new begining Tarlith chimed in, a little distressed at the turn of though Kalya had just passed through.

"Yes, my heart, you are right." Kalya smiled softly.

Lemurrin nodded. The plague had been hard for everyone-- he could only imagine what it was like for the healers who lost patients. "Your fine blue here has the right of it," he said, patting Kalya's back comfortingly. "New dragons and riders are just what we need to lighten the place up a bit. And don't forget the festivities after a Hatching!" The harper grinned and mimed strumming at a guitar.

"Ahh yes, the festivities." Kalya grinned, "Your going to have to hope your dragon have a good voice. Especially if he is anything like you." She poked towards his imaginary guitar. "I'm sure you would make a great duet. Or maybe a quartet." She playfully petted one on the eye ridges causing her own to sulk with jeleosy.

Grenna and Brownie squeaked in unison at Kalya. "Hm, can dragons be tone-deaf?" Lemurrin waggled his eyebrows at the bluerider, holding back a laugh. "That would be just my luck, now, wouldn't it?" He scratched his head, provoking his flits to nibble at his hand, chittering at being disturbed.

"True... just like it was my luck to get the most accident prone dragon I have ever met." She smirked as she recounted how during his first year, Tarlith never seemed to keep off his tail, usually resulting in plowing his head into the ground.

It's not my fault I have such a regal tail. The blue huffed a little, like a child when his foster mother tells his baby stories.

Lemurrin saluted in the general direction of the blue. "Yes, 'regal,' of course!" He kept his tone light in order to keep the dragon from feeling mocked... if dragons were sensitive to that kind of humor. The harper looked out across the sands at the Queen. "Any idea how much longer she'll be at this? I figure you'd know more about clutches and hatchings than I." A n** at his ear made him correct himself. "Other than fire-lizards, that is," he amended.

"Actually..." Kalya grinned appoligetically, "I am about as clueless as you." She shook her head slightly. "The time before was all a blurr. I'm not sure if I could remember details. Wasn't suppost to be the one to impress actually." She remembered dropping down onto the sands to help a girl who got clawed pretty bad by another hatchling when she had felt a hit to her shoulder. Standing up she had taken a step back only to watch as the little blue tripped over his tail to get to her. "I was so nervous, not knowing what my Mother would say but it all happened so fasty I could not stop it... not that I would now." She loked up at the blue who was now sunning himself on the ledge above. "As for a clutching, I have never seen one yet for flits or dragons." She drew her knees up. "This is my first." An unusual look showed around the corners of her eyes, as if she was begining to understand the joy that the flight of dragons could bring.

Lemurrin nodded thoughtfully, rather tired after all the excitement. A voice in his head made him jump. "She's done!" he whispered to Kalya, poking her shoulder. "Shells, look how many!" He stood up, trying to see over people's heads. "At least 30, I'd say," he remarked after a quick count.

Grenna and Brownie zipped between, peered at the clutch, and popped back before Ariath could notice them. The silly flits bombarded Lemurrin with visions of eggs-- any number between 10 and a few dozen. The harper swatted at them playfully. "Yes yes, there's a lot of eggs. Now scoot before the queen notices you!" With a disconcerted chirp, both fire lizards went between again, presumably to gossip with others about the Large One and her clutch.

Nicker and Roller took off also, helpful in their own way. Kalya laughed as she too got bombarded with images of eggs from the flits before thanking them so her mind wasn't so cluttered. Tilting her head to the side she heard the official total cresting over the crowed like a wave of excitement. "You are right there Lemurrin, there is 38 it sonds like. She jumped up and gave him a hug. "And just think, your partner must be down there." She looked down thoughtfully, gazing at the motteled pile that was finally clear from draconic wing or tail.

Lemurrin hugged the bluerider in return. "It was nice to see you again, Kalya. And thanks for your understanding." Movement across the Sands caught his eye. "It looks like there are candidate lessons, so I should get going." With a wave, the harper strode off in the general direction of the feeding grounds.

Kalya nodded, brushing a plait back as a few loose tendrils tickled her face. "Have fun at the lessons." The dragonrider grinned, remembering how everyone had been surprised when she had not taken them. She had learnt fast after though. Kalya looked up at her blue who was still sunning himself. "Lazy thing..." She chuckled, turning back to find her bag and deal with her herb.

The bulk of Tarlith was the focus of Kalya's attention as she oiled and scrubbed at the thick hide of the blue. It took a moment before she realised the thrumming that was eminating from the dragon under her legs and the rider looked up with a slight frown. Love...? She questioned the disruption of her thoughts.

It's Ariath. She rises Tarlith turned to face his weyrmate, eyes whirling a deep purple. He swung his head back towards the opening of their weyr and shifted slightly.

Kalya shook her head and wrapped her arms around her chest, worn fingers digging into her shoulders as she remembered the last flight. The chaotic emotions that had coursed through her mind and body had been unnerving and she wasn't keen on repeating that.

With a worried crooning, the blue turned back to his rider and nudged her gently with his large snout. I will stay... they are already in flight. He was very matter-of-fact as if he knew that the bronzes and browns would not let him have a chance and was content to watch the acrobatics.

Kalya nodded slightly as a weight was lifted from her shoulders. At least this mating would be one to watch from the outside instead of winging with the flight. Although... this time she shuddered slightly more delicatly as a slight flush rose to her face. She rubbed her arms to get rid of the goosebumps that had rose on her flesh and, picking up the last of the oils she slid down her werymate's back onto the ground. Looking up she wispered, "I only have eyes for you Tarl."

Tarligh rumbled in appreciation and agreement before standing and making his way towards the ledge to watch the events leaving Kalya to change and wander down to the bowl.