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Alerea was happy to meet Lu'reni, but she had to admit it was rather strange. The green rider before her was a little overwhelming, especially when the petite blond found herself being pulled closer in to what could have been a hug.

Now that was something she hadn't felt nor given in seemingly Turns. It wasn't that Alerea wasn't affectionate, hardly the case at all! But to be so open in public at Igen Weyr, with all its tough attitudes, gangs and general judgment meant that hugs were seemingly in short supply. Furthermore, being raised near the sea and with other seamen, fishermen and shipcrafters meant coddling wasn't exactly the norm. To find some one like Lu'reni, who might be open to affection, was . . . odd.

And a little much to take in all at once.

Still, she was a refreshing change if perhaps a little silly. But Alerea smiled happily up at her regardless, looking away from Lu to her very pretty green dragon. Even though the green dragon was significantly smaller than Skelath, she was still big in comparison to a person. To have two dragons within feet of her, Alerea couldn't help but cherish the moment.

It was very unlikely she'd be in such particular good company, draconic and rider alike, anytime soon. "Well it's a great pleasure to meet you, Lazulith," she addressed the green, trying not to feel rather awkward at the prospect of talking to a dragon. She'd never done it before and part of her wondered how much the dragons around her could 'hear' in her head. . .or what they thought of being addressed by others.

She wasn't afraid of the dragons, hardly, but she wasn't used to directly speaking to them either.

"And you as well, Skelath." She added too, offering a respectful bow to the great bronze. Glancing back to Lu'reni, the petite thing gave a little chuckle before adding, "I've been here a few sevendays before Ether Impressed. Unfortunately, this is the warmest welcome I've received from anyone so I quite thank you all." Her words were sincere, though not at all bitter or upset by what little Igen had offered her. Like those at her hold, she didn't need to be coddled . . . But a little friendliness never hurt anyone and was always welcome her way.

“Ether,” I'ver rolled his eyes, but kept his opinion of the Jr. Weyrling to himself. Another of the Weyrwoman's brood of children with issues of entitlement. It would be a shame if Alerea failed to impress a queen when Ether had managed to do so. I'ver idlt wondered whether or not someone had kicked that gold's egg before it had fully hardened.

Mine will not think ill of the young queen, Skelath rumbled, nudging his rider. For all his disagreement with weyr leadership, the bronze was as obedient of a queen's word as every dragon was obligated to be. Any ill words spoken of a queen were subject to his verbal wrath, even if he might let comments about her wishy washy rider slip by unpunished. I'ver smirked at Skelath's blind loyalty, but thought his halfhearted apology nevertheless.

“And those that don't warm up,” he shrugged, “Probably aren't worth caring two shards about anyways. The good is there in some of them.” The smile he gave Looney was pleasant enough, but there was a bit of sadness in it. Her ability to see the good in others often left her incapable for judging them as they really were; selfish, inconsiderate pricks, “Just don't let yourself get dragged into their games and you'll be fine.”

Lu'reni knew quite well what it was like to be the object of scorn, even from those who were supposed to be her closest allies. Her weyrling training had been quite miserable, and she spent many nights hugging onto Lazulith and crying onto her hide. The dragon was much smaller then and an excellent cuddler, but the process grew old. Lu was strong, yes, but she was also sensitive. She wanted happiness and prosperity for all! Was that really so bad? At any rate, she assumed that the harassment would stop after her Impression -- who would dare question the word of a dragon? And yet they did, mostly from the metallics and the browns. She found most companionship in her fellows greens, perhaps because it was the hide color given the least respect. In a team, it was important to have all walks of life with all kinds of talent and responsibility. Couldn't those haughty bronzeriders see that?

Of course, Lu never said these things. There was enough darkness and cruel words being spoken in the Weyr. She did not need to add her voice to their number. Even more, Lu would never -- and had never -- complained of the treatment she received. It was all worth it to have Lazulith in her life. She had never felt so complete, so loved. At that thought, she reached out for Lazulith with her mind, focusing on the positive, bubbling energy of the dragon. In the water, Lazulith pumped her wings and then dove under the surface -- a dragon-version of the butterfly stroke, perhaps? It made the rider smile.

Like Skelath, Lu definitely did not believe in speaking ill of the new goldrider, but she didn't like to speak ill of anyone so it wasn't much of a stretch. She also did not rebuke I'ver at all for his comments, which she would have if she completely disagreed...

"I stood. I Impressed. There isn't much anyone can do to change that now." She smiled wider, as if this was some great loophole she had found in the system instead of simply being, well, what happened. "I believe you would make a great rider. So does Lazulith." The dragon popped up her head at the sound of her name, but went along with her rider's words. She liked most everybody so -- sure! Why not?

Now, if Alerea actually did Impress at some point, Lu'reni thought she might seek out the girl to warn her of the things to come -- of the tricks riders liked to play. Like releasing tunnelsnakes all in your Weyr... or swiping your riding gear... or dying all your white tunics pink... or peeing on your -- well, it was over now, right? Right! Immediately, Lu switched her mind back to more positive things, like the beautiful sun, the lapping of the water, and the company of two good people.

With praise from not one but two riders, and two that seemed to genuinely mean what they said, Alerea felt both honored and humbled. She didn't want it to get to her head, not that she DID have much of an impressive ego, but it was nice to know she might possess some qualities to make it in Igen. She didn't except to Impress a queen, mind, but finding any dragon a suitable match was something she did hope for.

Then again, what Candidate didn't believe them capable of Impression? There was still a great mystery when it came to what attracted a dragon to a person, from personality traits favored to their child hood upbringing. No one could ever know, and as far as her teachings told her it was always the same; no matter how unlikely a match, the dragon always knows best. Quite vague, and Alerea still had no idea what to think or act like during an actual Hatching. The first one had been quite a blur, really, but hopefully she'd be better prepared for the next one.

For now, she'd stick it out and enjoy what time she was offered at the Weyr. There were good moments, not all were sour or harsh. . . like now. Meeting I'ver and Lu'reni truly was a good experience.

"Reprieve or not, you'd think they'd learn that women on fighting dragons can be worth their weight. . . Besides, with all the men on dragons, you'd think a few more females around might be a pleasant relief!" Her green eyes danced with wicked good humor, bemused by what her teachings had told her. If every green rider was male, wouldn't that displease the winning blue, brown or bronze winner's rider? Oh, but the two could take that in whatever context they wished. . .she wasn't saying anything, just that men might like women and more women might mean some happier men? Dragon rider or not. . .

Ah, but there were women at Igen. And if they weren't oggling every bronze rider or golden egg that came along, they were factioned with some group or giving their praises to another bronze riding family. And, if Alerea could remember any of her own upbringing, most men in her hold preferred a broken in lass. . one who kept her eyes down, mouth shut, and worked hard.

Needless to say, though Alerea was a great worker, she wasn't one to keep her mouth shut in any situation. Short as she might be, she was just as good as any one else, thankyouverymuch.

Being dragged in to the water, the girl gave a little chuckle of surprise. Swimming huh? Well, she had some time before evening meal and lessons. . . why not take a few? She was soaked enough already. Naturally a water baby, the girl did give a grin as she bobbed up from the surface after dipping underneath the bronze dragons tail. Peeking up from the other side, she gave a chuckle and added, "I think it's quite a charming idea, actually. A good way to avoid the heat of the afternoon, at any rate."

I like this one. Skelath thought as Alerea spoke of the benefits of female riders.

Me too. I'ver grinned as he shared the sentiment.

“And that, my dear girl, is why Skelath doesn't chase greens. I don't know if you've seen some of those male green riders, but...” I'ver winced jokingly and patted the bronze's head fondly, holding tightly to one knob as Skelath tried to gently tip him back off into the water.

I do not chase greens because I am bronze. I am meant to chase queens.

“And for that I am thankful. I've no interest in playing Hide The Tunnesnake.”