Welcome to Gaia! ::

"No problem." Dezima assured her friend. "'sides, not like I have any family members to look for anyways. So I can put all my effort into helping you!" She nudged her friend playfully while keeping an eye out for Brynja's family, but gave their newest arrival most of her attention now.

Where Larth showed himself off in subtle ways, Microth was just happy to greet Gneisth. That is good to hear! Have you met your barrack mates? Larth and His are ours.. The green giggled a little at this. Larth was very funny to share living space with. And Hers was happy to be paired up with His. It all worked out so nicely! I slept well. And haven't tried it yet. Is it good? Have you tried it? She blinked blue eyes at the brown, glancing back towards Hers once, as if making sure she was still there (though she knew she was without looking) and let her gaze dart around to the others around them before returning her attention to Gneisth.

Dezima nodded towards B'nen. "Nope. Never formally. Though I'm preeetty sure I've seen you around the Weyr. Are you weyrborn?" There were so many people she had seen since she was only able to walk that it was very possible that B'nen was someone she'd grown up around yet not managed to actually meet him. "Hello to you, Gneisth." Dezima added politely to the brown when he was introduced by his rider. Mention that his brother was Impressed to bronze Stromath was dually noted. But the fact they were twins! Dezima giggled. "Oh! I will certainly do my best to try and tell you two apart. Unless you try to confuse us on purpose. That's pretty awesome you two Impressed together!" And in a clutch with twin golds, no less! It really was quite amusing.

Pectolath promptly relayed the message back to Winderick and Pyth. ”My brother Zurith and His F'law are coming to sit with us. They have graciously offered to bring food for Ours. Pyth, what would Your's like? Is there anything you would like, Winderickmine?” He felt proud of Pyth, Zurith and himself, the three of them already working as a team to help their riders.

A bit surprised by the sudden addition of another rider, Winderick looked over his shoulder, forgetting Persephone's remark in the confusion. He studied F'law for a moment and looked at the plate in his hand. Since he had been talking to Persephone the plate was still empty. He struggled for a moment. The offer was... well, he didn't know what to make of it exactly... it was nice, he supposed, but he wondered how F'law could carry three plates by himself. Winderick was planning on getting his own food anyway. "I don't want to put all the burden on him. I can carry my own food."

This bothered Pectolath. Winderick was already off to a rocky start with Pyth's rider and he didn't want F'law to get the wrong impression of him. He tilted his head this way and that, thinking hard. ”Perhaps... you could bring food for F'law?”

This fresh insight from his dragon startled him even more than the unexpected company. Winderick didn't normally do things for other people. His philosophy was to leave other people's business to other people, but he had to agree Pectolath's suggestion was fair. "Okay, that sounds reasonable. What does F'law want?"

Pectolath, his small head dizzy with new information, relayed the message back to Zurith. This was beginning to feel like a big responsibility. The blue stood up straight, determined to do a good job.

The half chewed morsel that she tucked into her cheek was all but forgotten when Winderick bristled. Oh she had done it again hadn’t she? She had never been the best at expressing herself adequately with words, she always, was misinterpreted regardless of how hard she attempted to structure her sentence. She hadn’t been speaking badly of anyone! She hasn’t! Tears instantly began to well up at the corners of her eyes and clung to her long black eyelashes however Persephone made sure that she didn’t allow herself to make any noises whatsoever, she was overreacting and she knew it. Adjusting her waist so that her back fully faced the junior weyrling the shorthaired brunette exhaled softly and found herself falling mute.

‘Pactolath, yours has upset mine--- Please excuse me,’ stepping away from her clutch-sibling Pyrth exhaled in a snort when she passed Winderick, wrapping her tail around the slender girl the green crooned softly towards hers in the most comforting way possible. ‘Persimine, dry your tears you need to smile and be at your very best! Look another one of my brothers wishes to join us mine, His ask what you would like to eat. He shall bring it for you, like a gentlemen.’

Shielding her bright green hues against Pyrth’s neck Persephone murmured something akin to gibberish into her freshly oiled hide, however her mind state her garbled words perfectly. Bejeweled blue eyes swirled for a few moments as she nuzzled and rubbed her snout against that of the small figured girl in effort to comfort her, she already was so apprehensive about going to the Feast and now she had gone and grown upset, so far she was off to a very rough start.

‘Zurith-brother, Mine states that anything that yours wishes to bring would be welcome, she is not picky. We shall make ready a spot for all of us to be seated and comfortable at. Isn’t that right Persimine?’ Pyrth commented then nudged her lifemate in the side as if trying to motivate her into doing the helpful task. Rubbing at her already swelling eyes Persephone nodded in compliance and quickly spun on her heels, there were still plenty of spots open. A bright grin slowly spread across her face as she set to work claiming three seats for her and her fellow riders.

Winderick paid little attention to Persephone. Even if he wasn’t distracted by his mental conversation with Pectolath he wouldn’t have known how to help her. Emotional people made him uneasy, they weren’t rational. If he tried to say something to her, no matter how good his intentions, it could just as easily backfire and make her more upset than before. Better just to wait until she calmed down. However, when Persephone started to leave he did look a bit concerned. Once Pectolath explained where they were going he felt relieved. He didn’t think his remark was something to get upset over. He had scolded her but it didn’t seem like a big deal to him. Someone has to set a good example. He looked up at F’law and waved, ready to get food for him as soon as Pectolath told him what he wanted. The whole arrangement seemed a bit silly to him but he was willing to go along with it anyway.

When the last of the Weyrlings filtered in and the group had been assembled, the Weyrleader stepped inside and set the knot board on a side table. Watching the youths mingle and get to know each other made him smile, already noting the colour politics at work – the blues and greens mostly together, the metalics and browns together elsewhere. How quickly people fell into the traditions of the Weyr, regardless of their original lives.

Bemused, the man stepped up to take a glass of wine from the Head Table, currently filled with Wingleaders, and turned back to those assembled, tapping the side of his glass with a spoon as he cleared his throat. It was a surprisingly dainty gesture from the gruff and robust man but as soon as a few gazes turned to him, he spoke up, loud and commanding, like his dragon – it was not hard to see how the two had come to be a pair, “Good evening! Your attention. Attention here!” A brief pause followed in which he made eye contact with a few of the weyrlings, “Alright. I am W’lin, rider of Bronze Bruinth and Weyrleader of Benden. Due to the untimely and tragic death of the late Goldrider Kestril, I will be filling in for her for the time being.”

“First item on the docket is this: Because we no longer have a Weyrwoman, I will be taking up leadership of the Weyr as a Regent while our two fine young golds grow. That means I will be mentoring you,” he gestured to the two goldriders in the crowd, “until such a time as one of your Golds Rise to claim leadership. Benden is negotiating the transfer of another gold into our ranks but that will take some time – at least until we find the culprit from Malvren. Mine is the highest authority in the Weyr until otherwise noted.” The way he phrased it made it seem to be a temporary arrangement but a Weyrleader did not often find himself in the seat of absolute authority of a Weyr even so. W’lin was not so swift to give that up quite yet.

“Now, the main purpose of my standing here is to address the new Weyrlings. Your bonds are new, fresh, wondrous things. Do not prove yourself unworthy with stupidity and juvenile acts. You are dragonriders now, sworn to protect and serve Pern. They may be small now but your dragons, and you, are the fighters of our future – if you fall, who will ensure the safety of Pern? Think about that a moment,” He smiled as he reached behind himself and set the glass down and settled his arms, “Congratulations to every one of you. It is a great honour to stand among the riders, to take a place among our wings. To do that, hwoever, there are a few ground rules. One: No sex. Doing so will confuse your dragon prematurely and you will jeopardize the safety of yourself and your dragon. We all know what a dragon without rider is like… imagine a Rider without their dragon…. Imagine yourself without your lifemate.” He swept his gaze over those assembled, noting the general negative expressions, “It’s not a fate I would wish on even my greatest enemy. To avoid becoming one of those unfortunate souls, follow that rule: no sex until told otherwise. No alcohol until otherwise noted – and you shouldn’t be drinking excessively anyway. Follow the rules of the Weyr and you’ll go far. Don’t… and you’ll end up in places you don’t want to be. It’s as simple as that. We’ve lost Weyrlings before – don’t be one of them.”

“The Golds will train under me and I will be instructing classes as well, so expect to see me at a few of your lessons. Which, by the way, start tomorrow at Dawn. The Weyrling Master will see to it you get a good introduction on how to properly feed, oil, and care for your dragon. Chores also resume for all of your tomorrow, regardless of colour. Report to the Weyrbowl near the Wherry pens at dawn, dressed and ready to work. If you need anything at all, ask another rider or one of the Candidates, they will assist you. If there is something wrong with your Dragon, go to the Healers’ office immediately.” W’lin’s tendency to speak in lists made him seem both dry and efficient in his orders, perhaps a holdover from commanding the wings.

“Again, Congratulations to all those who Impressed! We expect much of you, the pride of Yirath. A toast.” He selected his glass again and held it aloft, “To riders and Benden’s future!” Sipping deeply, he let that be the end of his speech and a dismissal of attention, allowing for everyone to return to their activity.

A'in smiled amusingly as he heard that there was a no sex and alcohol in effect for them. It didn't matter to him, but he wondered if a prank could be pulled. His mind wandering and he missed some other stuff.

Mine, why are you thinking that? We shouldn't do that to them. After this can we...Oh we are being taught by the leader? I have an itch now and am hungry again. He turned towards Troiseth and smiled. "Well I guess the Weyrleader will be training us on some things. I wonder how the new queens are doing? Have you tried talking to them, I don't even know their names or Theirs. At least not really."

K'en and Stromath both turned their attention onto the Weyrleader as he tapped his glass and began to speak. It didn't surprise the teen that W'lin would be filling in for Kestril until one of the new goldriders could take her place. After all, he was the Weyrleader at the moment, so it only made sense.

And yes, their new bonds truly were wondrous things; K'en had no intention to do anything that would even remotely jeopardize that. Granted, he'd had no real 'plans' for sex in the foreseeable future anyway, but even if the opportunity were to arise he would not be so foolish as to risk the well-being of Stromath over it. He would also be sure to avoid drinking, as instructed. The directions being given them now were no light matter, and the new bronzerider fully intended to follow them.

Lessons were beginning at dawn though? Hm, it seemed they would need to make sure not to stay at this feast too late tonight then. Ready for your first full day of work, Stromath?

I am not concerned over the work. Together we will finish what needs to be done.

K'en couldn't help a small, fondly proud smile as he glanced down at his partner. He couldn't have asked for a more perfect dragon. Once the speech was over, he turned his attention back onto N'mol and K'har. "If you two will excuse us; Stromath is overdue for some feeding." It was a feast, after all, and while socializing with peers was important they should at least attempt to fill their bellies first. Especially since his dragon seemed rather disinclined to mention his hunger himself.

The food was not going anywhere.

Except into the bellies of other, perhaps, K'en thought back wryly, patting his dragon as he led him over to the meat table. He'd get his own food once Stromath was taken care of.