Welcome to Gaia! ::

The rest of the night after the Impressions had been left for the riders to get acquainted with their new life partners. Barracks were assigned and oil and food liberally dispersed. Congratulations were given to each of the new Weyrlings and a few words of of wisdom here and there.

During the day, while the hatchlings stretched their wings and ate like gluttons, the kitchens were hard at work preparing that night's feast. Thankfully it was a good, efficient crew and the vast spread was both ready and waiting for when the summons came.

Each Junior Weyrling was stopped at the door and greeted by the Weyrleader and Weyrwoman, a tray of rank knots beside each. It was an uncommon practice, for the Weyr's highest authorities to give out these marks of prestige but Eirlyn had long ago insisted and personally greeting her new riders. It helped forge loyalty and friendship - something no one could really argue with.

H'trel had been amicable to the proposal and so, had joined the Weyrwoman in these last few Turns as a second to greet and promote the children-turned-adults.

When the last of the Candidates were through - prompt attendance was expected - the Weyrwoman sought her place at the Head table along with H'trel. Eirlyn did not sit down, however, as she waited for the Weyrlings to get settled. Very much a proponent of get-work-done-first (and get more play because of it), it wasn't long before she clanged the side of her wine glass.

"Greetings! Can I have your attention? Attention!" She called, pausing briefly, "Excellent. First of all, congratulations to all of you on Impressing. The people at this table are the ones responsible for running the Weyr." She went around the table, introducing each of the Wingleaders and the Weyrleader, ending with herself, "However, let me be the first to say it: today your life has been flipped upside down and spun around. If you don't understand what I mean now, in a few days you will, trust me."

She smiled, meeting the gaze of each of the riders, lingering for a second longer on the new goldrider, "Your dragons are vital parts of this Weyr, you are vital parts of this Weyr. Without you, our Riders, there is no defence against Thread. You are Dragonriders of Pern and the next generation of guardians. Keeping this in mind, your safety is of paramount importance. As such there are a few ground rules to go by: One. No drinking until further notice. You are bound to your dragon - your confusion is their confusion, stress Yours too much and they may go Between and get lost. I do not want to see that tragedy strike any of you. Two," She held up a second finger, "You are all now celibate until further notice. No one is to have sex until we clear you. Again, the emotions and sensations of such things may confuse your dragons - especially the more sensitive ones - and you may lose your dragons. Three. Obey the commands of your fellow riders, teachers, and superiors. You may be riders now, but you are new... utterly untested. I will have no fatal foolishness from you."

The serious tone fell away as she dropped her hand and raised the wine glass high, "Welcome to the fold Junior Weyrlings!" The toast was had and Eirlyn sat down.

However, it seemed the obligatory lecture was not quite yet over as Weyrleader H'trel stood to address the Weyrlings next. "You have my welcome, Weyrlings. I would like to add that your lessons start one day from now. Oil, meat, and sleep are your best friends - these will be the hardest days of your life, but also the most rewarding. Be careful, be devoted, and Yours will grow strong. Do not be too proud to ask for help if you need it - consider which is worth more: your Pride or your Dragon. Even now, I suspect the answer is clear." He arched a brow, knowing the truth of that. Inside ten minutes, new riders would never consider a different life. "Your lesson masters report to me, this also means I know when there are shenanigans so don't press your luck too hard. Understood? Work hard, play hard, and it will all pay off."

He grinned back at Eirlyn, a private sort of smile, and the two exchanged glances before H'trel finished his little speech, "Eat well my friends! You'll need your strength!"

Thus the Weyrlings were dismissed and left to enjoy the Feast. Of course, any one who wished to speak to the Weyr's Ruling Powers were welcome to.

Upon meeting the Weyrwoman and Weyrleader when receiving his knot, K'tor no longer felt small in the face of everything. With Lalaith by his side, he was more certain than ever at his place in the Weyr. He changed the knot on his shoulder before the speeches, though he kept his tinkerer knot stashed safely away. It was still quite important to him, even if now irrelevent.

Mine, we must speak to them again, so they know who we are. Everyone will know eventually, but they are a perfect place to start.

The day following the hatching had been very exciting. He and Lalaith had a bunk to themselves, and the solitude was much welcomed. Lalaith probably wouldn't do well having to share anyway... But he was just excited to know that he had a place to go where he could truly be alone with her. Can I eat first? We forgot about lunch, remember? Well, my lunch anyway. I'd very much like dinner. Lalaith huffed in response.

Yes, well, eat. I can't have you hungry while talking to them. You must be in prime form!

Ralae was frustrated. Her fine hair would not stay in place no matter what she did and to make matter worse, Zabreth had found her brush and made off with it, hiding it. Now neither of them could find it. Running her hands through her hair and grinning a nervous grin to her dragon, Ralae started to head out of her new barracks when she stopped.

"Zabreth! Guess what?"

The green stopped and looked up. What? Does it involve food?

Ralae laughed and wrapped her arms around herself. She was thin like a switch and her body just as taunt. Warm brown eyes danced as she realized she had more to celebrate. "No silly! I had my naming day while you were getting ready to hatch! I am a whole nother turn older! How about that?? Your Hatching Day and my Naming Day practically the same day. We were definitely meant to be now!"

Sitting pretty like a holder's canine, Zabreth tried to digest and understand what hers had said. Thinking carefully and trying to figure out the words, all she could come up with was, So... This involves food?

Laughing, Ralae came down to her dragon and kissed her on the nose. "Yes, food and drink are in order! Come on silly girl."
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When they reached the entrance, Eirlyn and H'trel were there to give them their first rank cord. Of course, Ralae knew who her Weyrwoman and Leader were! That was like asking if she knew the names of Pern's moons. Ralae herself had no real dress clothes so she had rummaged through the weyr's clothing and found a nice soft green long sleeved shirt and soft brown pants. Instead of being barefoot like usual, the girl was in sandals.

"Thank you, Weyrwoman. Zabreth and I are so happy to be here! Did you know, I just had my Naming Day? I totally got the best present ever. And we will take good care of each other..."

Luckily, the next new Weyrling had pushed them on ahead cutting off Ralae's chance to ramble and make any sort of unfavorable impression on two of the most important people in her new life. Sitting down, she spotted Rhilira and waved madly. Getting up, she tried to move closer and ended up being on the opposite side of the table near the group of green weyrlings. Immediately cheerful and smiling, Ralae looked at the boy who had Impressed, from what she was told, shortly after her. "Hello! I am Ralae and this is Zabreth. I don't remember seeing you before? Are you from the Weyr because we are and don't worry! If you aren't then I don't mind helping you where I can..."

Just then both leaders rose to make their speeches and girl and dragon were both focused intently. Then the food came out. A rumble came from girl and dragon alike.

Ralae. Can I eat now please? What are you eating? Is it good? Can I try? The little green pestered.

"Um. I don't see why not?" Ralae responded as she dropped a piece of roast for Zabreth to try. The mental response was one of pure pleasure. Turning back to the boy, she continued her verbal assault. "I saw this girl I knew Impress. Hey! Rhilira! I knew you could do it! Congrats."

Ralae was pleased when the boy addressed her and now she had to juggle two conversations, which for her was no problem at all! In fact, she could probably find out all she needed to know by the time dinner was done. The Weyrling Master had said that bunks would be assigned when dinner was done with and Ralae had heard from one of the Sr. Weyrlings that colors were normally grouped together unless the little ones had attachments from the shell.

"Well, K'tor! It is good that you Impressed yes? Your Lalaith is so bright in color. Zabreth wants to try my food so I gave her some roast." Never mind the fact that she had already given Zabreth's name. Ralae was a bundle of energy. "So, maybe you should give your dragon something to eat? I don't know but it's true all the do is eat, sleep and itch. Almost like babies. Do you have any siblings? I do but I was fostered out."

By this time, Rhilira had called out and waved to her. Pleased to be remembered and not ignored, Ralae's face was one big grin and with post-Impression glow. "Galianth has such pretty colors on her. Who knew there were so many shades of green?"

Zaybreth piped up from her slab of roast. What's green?

"Um, you are silly goose." Ralae replied and grabbed the bowl of tubers as it came around. Taking a healthy scoop, she passed the bowl along to the others to try. "Tubers are my favorite. I like them mashed with butter and spices, yum!"

Zabreth looked at Lalaith and at Galianth before looking back at herself. Confused, the green tugged at her rider. How can I be green if they are green and we are not the same? Oh! What's that?

"You are green and they are green because green is a color. And colors can look different like dragons do. Wanna try some?" Ralae asked. Dropping a spoonful on the floor, she peered down under the table and saw the other two dragons. "Hello there! Do you want to try tubers as well?"

Curious, Zabreth scooted next to Lalaith and looked her over. Her eyes were a happy shade of green close to her hide color. This clutch sister of hers was so bright and shiny... You are not green! You are shiny. I shall keep you with me! I like shiny.

A'urel brought in Pumuth at the end of the bunch. He wasn't in too much of a rush having lived in the Weyr so long, nothing ever started 'on time'. And well, with Pumuth beside him now, he just really wasn't wanting to focus on anything else but him. Not that he didn't have a lot of questions, he had PLENTY but Pumuth didn't seem the type to be ready for them all at once. At least, not on the first day out of the egg.

So yes, A'urel could wait on those things. And has he walked in, he could hear the Weyrwoman start her speech. The first rule - wasn't that hard and he could see the value in not confusing his dragon. Check! The second rule - Sex? Ok. Well that one should be easy enough considering he hadn't found any guy that he couldn't live without. Plus, it seemed only logical that Pumuth wouldn't quite get sex yet. Ok...Check! Both rules passed A'urel mental screening. And well, he pretty much had heard these things before at other feasts but now that he was connected with Pumuth, he could understand completely why those rules would be important.

He rubbed Pumuth neck and listened to the other additions to his new found life. Oil, Meat and Sleep. It all seemed easy enough but he realized right away that he'd have to really put his nose to the grind stone because such tasks could get boring so quickly. But Pumuth was depending on him! Such a change for him because he couldnt' afford to be lazy with Pumuth.

You'll take good care of me right? asked Pumuth with a head that leaned upon A'urel thigh.

"You bet I will. A'urel answered back even if he had to read off every ounce of lore he knew to keep himself from slacking. Of course, there was still a lot to learn and he would probably have tons of questions in the near future but for now...He took Pumuth to the nearest table and found a spot for himself and kept and arm around Pumuth as his other hand finally got to snag something for himself.

You're stomach is a pit, Pumuth. thought A'urel with a tender smile. Now I get my turn then if you're hungry after I'm done, I'll feed you again.

Pumuth let out a dragon yawn and laid his head in A'urel's lap. The little guy was finally a tad tired. At least, A'urel could finally fill his own belly after all these hours.

A'urel eventually glanced up at the other candidates but really didn't know any of them well. He had certainly seen most of them but didn't know them. He had to wonder what life in the barracks was going to be like with this bunch.

It was the day after the hatching and Wykla was still in the candidate barracks. The hatching feast would start soon. She sits facing the mirror but sees almost nothing. Her eyes are closed to mere slits as her brush runs rhythmically through her long black hair. brsss, brsss, brsss. The sound is hypnotic. With a start Wykla comes to herself, she'd have to face all those new riders and dragonets. It was now or never. She rises slowly to her feet. Slowly, so as not to limp, she heads to the feast.

At the entrance she nods respectfully to the Weyrleaders. At least I didn't have to help get this feast ready. Was her only thought before she passed them and made a face. No, I just had to scrub countless pots. Once past the leaders, Wykla looks around. Maybe she didn't know most of the newly Impressed well, but there was one for sure she wanted to congratulate. At first she hadn't been sure if she was happy for Ralae or angry. Wykla didn't want to drive Ralae away, there was something about the older girl that she liked.

The Weyrwoman looked up as Tiepet approached them and smiled at the greenrider pair as she set her glance down, turning slightly towards them. The girl's nervousness amused Eirlyn and she nodded, "Why yes, I do suppose those things were mentioned. What can I do for you?"

Could you ask what Hers' name is, love? She thought to her dragon and the gold replied with a hum of agreement.

Filanth, what is Yours' name? Dragons easily picked up the names of their kin but humans' names were something more difficult... most forgot anyone but Theirs' in a matter of days.

H'trel also smiled at the brave pair but he continued to sip his wine as he waited for a reply. If the girl wanted to talk, she'd have to learn to talk without being prompted at some point anyway.

A'ly could barely believe her tired eyes at the sight before her. She had never seen a feast like this in her turns, only just having come to Malvren fairly recently, and the sight was truly something to behold. She would probably have felt it more keenly if she hadn't stayed up most of the night with Fanth, making sure he was properly oiled and fed before she tossed the day's outfit off and drifted off into sleep in the strange new surroundings. It was such a sudden change, that the Hold girl almost didn't know how to react to everything going on, except that her fidgeting fingers couldn't conceal the excitement in her that refused to be exhausted.

Fanth, however, was feeling at the top of his game, and eying everyone they passed with a sharp eye, giving His a snort and making comments about those he was seeing.

Mine, look at that girl with her bow-legged walk. Such an awkward position.. did she fall on her head as a child? or.. Oh, Mine, look.. that boy has the girth to rival four of you.. As rude as the comments were, A'ly was still young, and pressed her hand over her mouth to keep her giggles from growing too loud.

She nervously shushed him as they approached the two leaders of Malvren. They presented to the Weyrwoman and the Weyrleader and accepted their place among the others. It was so.. crowded, the place thrumming with people milling to and fro. A'ly's face broke into a silly grin, which clearly showed off the gap between her front two teeth. Once the two were seated, the leaders of the Weyr stood before the masses and delivered their welcoming speech, ticking off the rules for the Jr. Weyrlings as they went.

A'ly didn't see a problem with any of them, really. She'd never had much of a taste for alcohol, having decided firmly at the age of twelve turns after taking the wrong glass in the kitchen that she really did not care for such things. The celibacy thing brought the tickle of a laugh to her throat.

Who has time for that anyway? Honestly! The blue gave her a look that conveyed fervent agreement.

We have better things to do than that anyway, Fanth answered, and she grinned. No wonder she liked this dragon so much - they thought exactly alike! When the speech was finished and the people began to mingle around, A'ly turned towards her companion.

What shall we do first, Fanth? There's lots of people here to meet! Why not check up on your clutchmates? She suggested the first things that came to mind as her eyes scanned the room. People milling around.. meet others, maybe? A few dragonets here and there.. why not see how they held up on their first night out of the shells? Fanth snorted softly and nodded his head towards the tables.

I want to eat first, he said, and started off towards the tables without giving her a chance to reply. Her stomach rumbled, and A'ly admitted that she was rather hungry, and followed after him with a slight frown crossing her face.

He was awfully quick to dismiss meeting others! I wonder why that is?