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It was a beautiful funeral, and a very fitting tribute to Alumanth and Hers. G'brel had not personally known the rider pair, but that did not matter. They were part of the Weyr, and she had seen the dragon and her rider about. Had witnessed Alumanth's tragic death. As much as she may have wished it, that scene would be forever etched into her memory. The incident would likely be known for ages to come.

I do not understand the atmosphere here, Lifth remarked, noticing the hateful glares that the Benden riders and dragons were receiving from both members of Trine and Malvren. He had received the full story from His (or at least all of it that she herself knew) after the Hatching feast, and had even seen the Crimson dragon's end through her memories, yet he himself did not share the same feelings of animosity toward the riders as the rest. In the Blue's mind the blame lay solely on the Bronzerider who had started the fight as well as the meddlesome Healers who had been stirring up trouble. They direct their anger at the wrong individuals. The Benden riders and dragons are here to pay their respects just as the Malvren ones are.

I know, Lifth, G'brel replied with a sigh, stroking the Blue's head. It is just difficult to separate logic and emotions sometimes. Even I feel some bitterness toward them despite knowing that it wasn't there fault. Other than being here anyway, but even that had to have been ordered by their higher-ups.

That odd Bronze is still here, he observed, watching as the dragon stood almost protectively over his fellows. And they will be leaving in a few days time. Shall we go greet them? Lifth didn't particularly like conversing with others much, no, but the foreign Bronze struck him as enough of an oddity that he wouldn't particularly mind bidding him farewell.

G'brel almost wanted to laugh. Somehow I think you are the only dragon here who might be willing too. Very well then, but let's try not to make any scenes.

I have no intention of doing any such thing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tereth wasn't as fully objective as the newly hatched little Blue. He and His may not have witnessed first-hand the events of the dragon battle as G'brel had, but they had still heard the cry, had seen and smelled the ichor, had known Alumanth and hers personally-- even if somewhat distantly. The Brown grieved for the lost pair strongly, and couldn't help the bitterness he felt toward the Benden lot for having brought about this tragedy with their mere presence, despite it being indirect. If their Weyr had not shunned the Atypicals so strongly, perhaps that fight would have never started. If they had not even been their to begin with-- invading their space and thinking nothing of it-- the Bronzerider would not have been able to cause the double death. His eyes whirled grey and red and orange (mostly grey) just as they had on the night of the tragedy.

Tereth, please try not to glare at them too much, S'ren thought to his dragon as he mingled in with the crowd. His feelings were much the same on the matter really, but unlike his dragon he did not show or react to them as easily. Despite all of the hurt and angry feelings that the pair shared, he remained cool and collected on the outside, only letting show enough grief that was proper for the occasion. I know you're not the only one, but it would be best not to start any more fights. Especially here.

I am not starting any fights. I am simply expressing my displeasure with the Invaders, he replied, letting the Benden dragons see his emotions quite clearly as he looked the lot over. I am glad they come to mourn and respect Alumanth and Hers, but I am not feeling any kinder toward them just yet.

Turning his gaze off of the Benden dragons, Tereth instead began to idly scan the crowd and see who all was present. There were many familiar faces, but one particular head of red-hair walking toward the Benden group caught his attention. What was she doing going that way? The Tanner-turned-rider would forever be a source of intrigue and mystery to him. It has been a while, he remarked, bespeaking her and her crimson directly, his eyes changing to a softer blue now. Congratulations to you both on finding one another.

~~~~~~

By this point Lifth and His had made their way through the crowd and over to where Galvanth stood with some of the other Benden dragons. The Blue was the one in the lead while mostly hung back and watched from the background. It is good to see you here, Galvanth, the dragonet greeted politely, raising his head up to look at the great Bronze before him. I am glad that you and your companions have come in spite of hard feelings of many.

Abigail had been conversing with one of Malvren's Riders when S'raid's voice cut smoothly in and she blinked, smiling apologies to her conversation partner before turning to the bronzerider. She regarded him for a moment, a glass of Benden Wine in her hand and dressed as formally as the weather allowed. It was hot and humid that day and she did not envy some of the riders their formal apparel.

"I imagine you regret the fiasco, S'raid." She replied, a touch of a smile on her lips and her tone pleasant enough, "Blood and tempers run high regardless of the location, bronzerider, and despite how sore the loss of Crimson Alumanth was, I believe it will serve as inspiration for all Weyrlings who hear of it. Self control and exercising wisdom is of great importance among the ranks." She sipped her wine then, swirling it as he inhaled its lovely bouquet, "I expect you are eager to return home? I have heard our warmth is somewhat unbearable at times."

She'd spent hours practicing what she might say to the Benden riders should they approach and it was a good thing she had! Though she seemed composed, inwardly Abigail was trying to mighiest not to appear too friendly or too aloof. Tolerance now would impact political ties in ways she couldn't yet imagine. That S'raid was formally apologizing on Benden's behalf was appreciated but it was not the Benden Weyrleaders themselves.

"So tell me... has your stay here changed your views at all?" She asked, the words bold for being so sudden. One might argue she could plan but on a speaking basis, she was, perhaps, not quite as skilled. "I noticed your bronze cooing at the weyrlings on their Hatching Day."

She lifted her gaze beyond S'raid for a moment, breaking eye contact, as she caught sight of Eirlyn eyeing them. Arching a brow she looked back to the bronzerider, awaiting her answers. Eirlyn, however, broke off her conversation and was mingling her way closer, intent on hearing the exchange.

And providing back up if needed. Of the two, it was Eirlyn who had the way with words. Together, the two Weyrwomen were a fearsome duo.

Scarath's head comes up. 'Oh look Mine! It's a bronze. Lets go say hi.' He gets to his feet and starts to waddle towards the older Benden dragon. And waddle he did, His had stuffed him as full as he could, until his belly bulged. That was ok, since that was the way it should be. S'kor chuckles. He'd explained the events to his dragon, but apparently Scarath wasn't satisfied yet. "Relys, Scarath wants to go talk to the Benden bronze. You want to come?"

Relys grins and shakes his head. Waving his comrade off after his dragon.

Galvanth had drawn his wing over Yvoth once more, for the Green seemed to need reassurance. It was not a mark of favor, really, so much as a certain protectiveness that came with having someone smaller who required it. When the Blue dragonet approached him, however, he softened, and lowered his head to regard him. It is good to be here, though so many are unhappy to see me. I am happy to see you, Lifth. You are a sensible dragon, and I feel that you will go far. Of course, he probably felt that way about all of 'his' babies. I understand their feelings. Though I am not the Bronze who ended her life, Alumanth was killed by a Benden Bronze, which I am. He did not like their feelings, even if he understood them.

Where was his favorite Moira? He had not seen her yet. Surely a new Queenrider would be present on such an occasion. S'raid, who still stood before Abigail, suppressed a grimace. Dratted Bronze. "It can be difficult to endure," he allowed, a faint trace of a smile on his lips. It was a polite smile, a social smile. Not a true one, but he had so few of those. "I expect I will miss it when the snow falls, but, ah, not sorely." He was treading on difficult ground here, and he knew it well. They would walk a delicate line, neither excessively warm, nor excessively cold, forever caught up in a dance of words and gestures until she decided to end it.

"Indeed, it will be an excellent learning experience for those new weyrlings-- no doubt they will be all the better for it. I must say, my views have been somewhat softened toward Atypical dragonets in my time here. I can see that they have their uses, and it is obvious that the rapport that they share with their riders is much like that of any other pairing. You seem to have divined that they are, hmm, talented in various ways, and I have heard that Malvren, along with Trine, puts those talents to use."

As always, he needed to say enough without saying too much, and it was always a bit hard to gage when he might be going overboard. "Ahh, Galvanth. I think he has taken it into his head that he wants dragonets of his very own. I've never seen him more delighted to see young ones before. I dare say he has taken a few of them under his wing." Silly creature, always causing him more trouble than preventing it. "While not every Bronze seems to have a strong paternal instinct, they are, after all, potential fathers, each and every one of them. I suspect he is beginning to realize that."

The implications were... interesting. "He thinks that it is all very dignified." The bright young woman with the bubbly personality-- Inaari, of Gold Ianath, Galvanth supplied after a brief pause. What would she bring to this? Just then, he heard an entirely too familiar voice. Moira. It is my best Moira! Galvanth bugled, and then subsided with a sort of embarrassed shuffle when S'raid turned to send a Look in his direction. The Bronzerider quickly turned back to the Weyrwoman, pretending that he wasn't slightly fussed by Galvanth's exuberant greeting of her. "You'll have to forgive him. He's quite fond of her." He did not add that he didn't understand why that might be.

In the next moment, Galvanth was attempting to crane his head all the way around to look at the girl in question. I have looked for you all of this 'Funeral'. I could not find you. Were they too many to see? He made a rather mournful sound, touching his great head to her small one. I will miss you, my best Moira, he informed her, eyes whirling an unhappy grey. The last time that color had been seen was when Alumanth had blinked between... and immediately following. Could it be that the Bronze was saddened by his upcoming departure? Do you see, I have found a friend-- he has found me. He is Lifth.

I suppose that connection would lead to some troubles, Lifth agreed on the matter of Galvanth too being a Benden Bronze. Still, you and your fellows have done no wrong and simply followed orders. I see no reason to fault you for that.

Lifth and G'brel both were quite surprised by Galvanth's enthusiastic greeting of the new goldrider. "Moira--?" the young teen had started to question before watching in surprise as the girl proceeded to climb up the Bronze's tail without a care in the world. What in Pern--?!? Judging from the way he greeted and reacted to her, they knew each other fairly well. Ok, you're right, Lifth. He is an odd Bronze.

Of course I am right, the Blue replied to His privately before turning his attention onto Galvanth and Moira once more. I take it you two are familiar with one another then? The question was only to the Bronze, although he did eye the queenrider curiously. What an interesting development. It would give him much to think on later.

Yvoth seemed a little less distressed under Galvanth’s wing. Or at least, she didn’t fidget and look worried about quite so often. She sat on her haunches, tail wrapped around her. When the little dragonet toddling toward them. The tip of her tail flicked, but she stayed otherwise still, trying not to seem innocuous as she felt.

And then… Moria happened. Yvoth swiveled her head around to watch the girl clambering up the bronze’s back. Her eyes whirled a brighter color at the ludicrous sight. Mine. This girl is silly.

K’la paused to decipher just who Yvoth was talking about. She glanced toward her dragon. You are not for climbing, she answered in a warning tone.

Of course not. But she is silly. The green rose carefully and moved out from Galvanth’s wing to watch from a few dragon-steps away.