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With the firelizards still avoiding the weyr, word calling for the wherhandlers to come to the lower caverns was carried by word of mouth. There was nothing official about the request – it was simply to talk. There was concern about how security had failed the night of the weyrwoman’s murder and the finger-pointing and suspicions towards their own were disturbing to ignore. More than the question of how though was who? And what had happened to the Ancientcrafter as well? What could be done if the mystweed stock continued to fail, and what danger, if any, threatened the gold hatchling twins?

Zhac said none of these things of course – he didn’t need to. A serious looking and plain-faced man, the handler simply asked those he knew and came across in the corridors of the weyr if they had time to come to the cross caverns supply room to talk over recent events. Eventually he came across a bored looking handler apprentice and sent the lad off to the hatching feast to spread the word there, just in case any of their team had wanted to take part in the festivities as well. Eventually he came across Lukah and left his friend to take over.

It started as the hatching feast began winding down deep into the night, though it was of course a comfortable hour for the nocturnal whers. The cross caverns supply room was a low-ceilinged, large, and circular room that glowbaskets could never quite fully light (which was also appropriate). At the end of a long corridor, the room was simply where the outlying, smaller storage rooms of equipment, dry goods, and gear connected into a central hub. A number of unsorted sacks and crates were scattered about, serving as impromptu furniture for those that would arrive. Towards one end of the room, Zhac had commandeered a few crates for a few platters of cold fingerfood left over from the hatching, and a short distance from there were several bowls of meat (not unlike that given to the hatchlings earlier tonight, though of a less-superior cut) for those whers that would be soothed by tidbits. It wasn’t glorious by any means, but had whers ever been?

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((This RP is open for all wher handlers and apprentices. The whers themselves are welcome as well, though if they're of a more aggressive sort it's fine to leave them behind. Riders, candidates, and other weyrfolk aren't barred from coming, but they weren't invited so if they do come, they should have a reason for it and probably be prepared for some weird looks. =3

Feel free to assume there's a few NPC handlers here as well. Everyone just go ahead and get settled in. This will get turned towards discussing the meta events after some meet and greet.))

Zhask had wandered through half the room, sniffing and peering behind sacks, for several minutes before finding the place to her satisfaction. Content, the gold wher had returned the most open portion of the area and laid her great mass across the cool stone floor, leaning her weight against an unfortunate crate that groaned as the wher’s heavy shoulder shoved against it. Every since the weyrwoman’s death and the ghastly screams of the queen that had echoed throughout the weyr, Zhask, who was usually remarkably complacent, had been discomfited and temperamental. She’d had another restless spell when the hatching had ended with the death-symphony of the dragons and the noise had filtered discordant and ill-sounding through the caverns below, but now the usual dappled blue hue had returned to her eyes, as if she had sensed a return to order. As the bronze – her bronze – entered the room, her eyes whirled in quick pleasure and she warbled a solicitous greeting in return. Without bothering to get up (she was a gold after all), Zhask crooned, calling her companion to her side, or at least her part of the room.

Zhac, who had been sitting uncomfortably on a crate, smiled slightly but with real appreciation at the joke. He could have answered in turn, remarking how he thought the poor lighting and cold food accentuated one another, but the humor died before even gaining sentence structure. Comedy just wasn’t something he did. “Folks should start turning up soon. Has Skybreaker come back yet or are the firelizards still scattered all across Pern?”

Erie had to leave Erisk behind, the Green wher was being particularly tempermental lately and Erie was worried that her Wher might be Proddy and with there being other Whers probably at the meeting she didn't want any accidents, Erisk was .... at the best of times aggressive, more than once the green had taken a swipe at another wher or a person going past these last few days and after the Weyrwoman had been killed ... while she was on duty no less, she was taking NO chances for Wherhandlers to be held in contempt and a Wher that was particularly nasty was probably NOT a good idea to be taking our of her kennel right now, in fact she had been forced to chain Erisk up because the Green had gotten so overprotective since that night that she barely let even Tsubari near, let alone the young Tsubarisk.

Erie found herself hoping that the new wherhandler was there, she was in no mood for nonsense tonight but somehow, seeing Tsubari always made her feel a little better. (even if she wasn't ready to admit she liked him as more than just someone she knew). Entering the room her eyes scanned it, looking around and spotted the Gold Wher, Zhask and she was doubly glad she'd left Erisk back at her kennel, if the Green was proddy the result might not be good if the Gold was too, and she knew that the Gold Wher had a thing about 'Her' Bronze and might take offence if Lukask paid Erisk more attention because of her near readiness. She didn't see Tsubari yet but she did spy one of the newest Wherhandlers and gave her a small nod when the girl looked towards her.

Zhac raised a hand in greeting toward Nysoh. “Glad you came,” he answered, and it was true enough. He only rarely came to the woman’s little parties, and usually left early when he did arrive, but she knew the weyr well and her wher was easier than some to work with. Well, in his opinion at any rate.

Zhask, on the other hand, tilted her head at the green and sent out a low rumble of displeasure at Nyossk’s preening. He was hers. It was a halfhearted display, however, as she neither rose or took further action and tucked her especially stunted and mangled wings against her sides.

As the newest little blue arrived though, the gold’s interest peaked again and, still refusing to move from her claimed spot on the floor, sent out a gentle call of welcome. Not mine? she doubtfully asked her handler.

Zhac, glancing at the small wher, knew she was asking if he was one of her children. No, but nice, he answered. He noted a mild disappointment from his wher, but spotting Erie entering without her wher he gave a tight smile and approving nod in her direction. He considered it a mark of a good handler that knew the weakness of their wher enough to keep them from having the chance at making mistakes. They were a good pair – feisty, but capable.

Tsubari was busy trying to keep Tsubarisk in his place. "I know you are upset, but we can't have you charing into the meeting." The brown wher gave him a muted angry glare. "Besides, I am sure Erisk couldn't go. You know how she is." These were said and thought at the same time. His flits stayed on his bed, not wanting to be a part of the arguement going on. Tsubari grabbed the chain and put it on his wher, just in case. "Arie and Errand, guard and warn me if he gets off that thing."

He jogged down to the cavern, not wanting to be the last to arrive. As he entered, the teen noticed that a couple of the other new handlers arrived. He also took in that Erisk wasn't there and smiled, but saw the other green that was preening. It was a good thing he left Tsubarisk in his kennel. He nodded to all and took up a spot where he could see almost everyone so far.

Nyosh watched the whers, relatively at ease with it all. When Zhac spoke, she gave him a smile all for him. "Thanks. It'd be foolish not to come if you could, I think." This really was an important matter for them. That didn't mean the whole meeting had to be doom and gloom either.

The flirty green handler returned Lukah's handshake firmly. "Don't we all? It's the sign of a good wher community that we can come together and talk about stuff. Even unpleasant stuff." She left him to great the other handlers coming in.

Then a couple more handlers came in. One without, and one with a baby. She gave a wave to Erie, and had to grin at the baby. So cute! Nyosh made a click noise toward Alianarsk in greeting. Moving to a spot to sit, she spotted Lynd. A fellow green handler. If there hadn't been such a serious matter, Nyosh thought it almost could have been one of her parties. She really needed to throw another one soon. Her head nodded to Tsubari as he found a spot to settle.

Nyossk tried a few more poses to get a further reaction out of the bronze. No? Was he sure? Oh well. She clucked submissively to the gold. The green went to bump her muzzle softly against the gold and bronze in greeting. It was good to see them!

Before she got any further though, the presence of new whers distracted her. And babies! Nyossk crooned happily to her fellow whers. She had to go over and say hello! Energized, the green went to tap muzzles with the babies. A familiar click drew her attention.

Nyosh clicked again once she had Nyossk's attention. It wouldn't do be upsetting everyone right away. At her signal, the wher came to her side and laid sedately at her feet; though her eyes kept darting to the other whers.

Erie noted the nod from the Goldhandler and returned it somewhat politey. She was in no mood for casual conversation however, they had all been called for a metting of some sort and Erie yawned, not long having woken up she wanted this to get underway and be done with so she could get back on shift with Erisk. She was already working doubly hard with the Wher, often extending her patrols from the moment the sun went down to just before it began to rise in the morning. She was more tired lately as a result and a little snappier but her eyes grazed over Tsubari and she had to smile, it seemed Tsubarisk had been too frisky to bring out tonight, well, she could take some time out of patrol later to help the pair, Tsubarisk liked Erisk so she hoped the Green was in a better mood later on Erie guessed she might have gone back to sleep. "Tsubari!" she called and waved him over, no doubt surprising him and catching him off guard with how friendly she was appearing to be.

Tsubari turned when he heard Erie calling his name. A little shocked at the friendliness, he walked over to her. "Erie, you are looking more ragged than normal." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "You two really shouldn't be pushing yourselves so hard. We will get the person."

As he talked, Zhac started to talk. It was the most that he had ever heard the handler say at once, but it was straight to the point. What could they do to help out better? He didn't notice anything strange at the hatching, but maybe that is what they wanted.