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"I still don't see why we had to come!"

Zetath growled, spiralling down towards the ground to land with a heavy thump, wings mantled as he glowered around.

Z'iv felt the rumble of his lifemate's growl as much as heard it and let out a heavy sigh, the black never would be at peace with it. "Well anyway, we're here now, may as well try to enjoy ourselves." Shaking off the problem with Zetath's already thwarted ambitions the lithe rider yawned and stretched before jumping lightly off his dragon's back and scanning his immediate vicinity for somebody to talk to; wasn't often you got to gather and gossip with people from different Weyrs!

"Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr." Zetath growled again.

"Ha!"

As Halith appeared high over Southern Weyr, accompanied by several other Trine dragons who had helped direct them there, Cetalese took a deep breath to release the restricting feeling of icy between. Below her, the watch dragon bugled a challenge and was replied to by the Bronze of the group. After a moment, the Bronzerider signaled the okay to them just as Halith relayed that the watchdragon had said they could land. The warmth of Southern was a balm and would have calmed Ceta even if she wasn't already one of the most steady people on the planet, and Cetalese enjoyed the warm wind as Halith speedily dropped towards the areas that had been clearly designated for visiting rider landings. Cetalese resisted a smile and tightened her grip on her riding straps.

Halith, it isn't a race, she chastised lightly. Ceta was grateful to see the other Trine riders were waiting for them to go first. Even as senior weyrlings, Halith still hadn't mastered the concept of "slowly" unless it was over-exaggerated slowness for a game.

Sorry, Cetalesemine, Halith apologized. She backwinged slightly and the ground hurtled towards them a little more slowly.

They landed with a small lurch, a bit less gracefully than Ceta could have hoped for. She waited for Halith to settle, then unstrapped and slid flawlessly off her back. She gave the Green a pat on the side.

Thank you, darling. Why don't you find a ledge and some other Trine dragons while I look around a bit inside. I'll meet you outside when I'm through.

I think I see Zetath already! Halith exclaimed excitedly. She seemed to forget that Zetath was not one of the more tolerant dragons from her Clutch. I can see him first!

All right. But be careful! Ceta thought-shouted as the Green excitedly took off. Don't run into anyone else!

I won't, Cetalese!

Ceta shook her head, but left her Green to it. Hopefully, she wouldn't get her wings fouled on anyone else's dragon. Things were already tense as it was; she had only taken a few steps and already she felt the weight of eyes on her and noticed the strict split between the riders of different weyrs standing around outside. She glanced over at several riders with knots in Benden colors and caught them watching her go by and speaking under their breath to one another. She wondered how they would have looked at her if she was wearing Malvren colors. Not kindly, she imagined.

She was glad she had thought to tell Halith to seek out the company of those from their own weyr. It might not stop her from trying to make friends with dragons from other weyrs, but it might postpone it until Ceta was back with her and could temper the situation. More than before, Ceta wished Eliza had been able to accompany her. Being alone right now was not advisable or comfortable. Still, she didn't let her observations slow her steps, and she proceeded into the

With so many people around-- it had been a great turn out, which was no big surprise given recent events-- Cetalese hadn't heard D'lin's footsteps coming up to her specifically. She jerked her head over to look at him and relaxed slightly as surprise came to her face.

"D'lin!" She was surprised the rider had managed to spot her in the crowd, unless he had been specifically looking for her. Her thick, dark curls were still pulled back into a tight ponytail from her ride, though her helmet was residing in one hand at the moment. It wasn't as if she would have looked different from any of the other riders at that point.

She smiled slightly at the rider, internally a bit relieved that someone from Trine had located her. "Good morning."

Despite Halith spotting Zetath, Ceta would be surprised if they found too many more of their Clutchmates among the faces here at Southern. The Weyrling Master had frowned strongly at the idea of any of them leaving the weyr, although no one had expressly forbidden it. Of course, Halith had begged and begged, and considering Cetalese was interested in seeing somewhere other than Trine in her lifetime, she had finally caved and agreed to go provided they were not the only riders going (which they hadn't been). Having a full rider with her now, though, soothed her lingering fears that upon their return the Weyrling Master would be displeased with them. As long as she stuck with a full rider-- even if he was nearly her age-- she thought it might make the situation more safe.

"When did you and Plexith arrive?"

((V'al and Lerath - Trine))
V’al and Lerath had arrived with the other Trine riders, though they’d waited until their wingmates had cleared the skies before the blue suddenly tucked his wings and dipped sharply for the landing area. Towards the end of his stoop his dark wings flared and his body bowed so he landed softly and without momentum. It wasn’t simply a matter of showiness – as the blue landed he did so with his right forefoot curled close to his chest, and it was clear that a more angled landing would have resulted in a stumble if he’d had to use the foot. As the young man dismounted, he favored his right arm as well, though his hands were obscured by rider’s gloves. It had been nearly two turns since the Timing mission that had left them with threadscore on coordinating limbs, but it had clearly done nothing to hold the pair back. V’al, though only seventeen, had filled out in his time as a rider, and Lerath was clearly sleek and deft in the air past the point even blues were expected to be. His eyes were keen and whirling brightly as well. It had been a long time since he’d been around dragons from other weyrs, and V’al had told him it would probably be a long time until he had another chance. It took no great observation, however, for him to spot Aerith’s hide, and he called out spiritedly. You are the white! I have heard of you – my name is Lerath.

V’al, who had been focused on checking a strap across his dragon’s chest, glanced up for a moment. I don’t think they’ll let her fly Thread when the time comes, he noted to His, though of course the tiny dragon could be useful in other ways. He also recalled the pair was from Malvren – which Trine had formally withdrawn from. As devoted as he was to his home, the political move wasn’t one he cared for in the least. Times were too tense to break with allies, and to his thinking it was Benden that needed to be watched and defended against.

"A little bit before you did I think - You know Plexith, he has to get here early in case something important happens" He told Cetalese with a fond rolling of his eyes at the devoted if sometimes a bit to ambitious bronze. "Anyways he told me that some of you Sr. Weyrlings had shown up so I figured I'd make myself known - just in case, although to be honest things have been pretty civil so far" And D'lin rather hoped it stayed that way, things had been hard enough lately - the last thing anyone needed was fighting between the Weyrs on top of the already tragic events.

"How have you and Halith been?" He asked as they walked long, he recalled the organized chaos that was Weyrling lessons, especially once flight and lessons on going between were added into the mix - he couldn't imagine having to go through all of that at the same time that so much drama and uncertainty were also playing out. And then of course there was still the lingering threat of thread which everyone agreed was coming closer and closer.

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'Someone says they have heard of me' Aerith interrupted Mercy's thoughts the dragons voice caught somewhere between pride at being so recognized and trepidation due to the tension of current happenings. 'Well..are they being polite?' Mercy inquired after a few moments of thought. While typically she would have simply urged Aerith out to meet the others you just couldn't tell now a days the way things would go - although she rather thought that left to their own devices the dragons would all get along fine, it was the riders opinions who seemed to slant the way things went. For the most part anyways.

'Yes they seem to be' Aerith responded 'He says his name is Lerath, can I speak with him?' Mercy didn't know enough about the dragons from other Weyrs to recognize the name but as Aerith seemed to think they were being polite she didn't see the harm in letting the dragons converse, really she didn't like the current split between them all and there was certainly no point in stirring the pot right now 'go ahead love, just remember to be polite - your representing Malvren today' She reminded the dragon, glancing around to see if there were any riders she knew that she might speak with.

Aerith didn't need any more urging then that and quickly shifted her focus to Lerath. 'You have?' She asked him 'My name is Aerith, it is good to meet you Lerath' She chirped at the other dragon before taking a moment to greet her clutchmate as well when he bespoke her in a cheerful manner 'Hello Maz!'

"We've been doing well." Ceta moved out of the way of a passing Southern rider. She wouldn't mention Halith's poor landing skills if he hadn't seen them already. They had a bit more to learn about flying, but Ceta wasn't worried. They just needed more practice. She would have to convince Halith to actually buckle down and get some kind of work done in that area, even if drills weren't Halith's idea of "fun."

Greetings, Zetath! Halith exclaimed as she dropped into place next to him. She managed to restrain her bugle at the last second, so it came out as a slightly more choked sound deep in her throat. I am glad to see other Clutchmates have come!

Distantly, Halith felt Ceta's surprise and that she was conversing with someone, but she hadn't finished with Zetath yet; she could see who Ceta had found later. Where is Yours? she inquired, noticing the Black had also let his rider roam free somewhere.

As Zetath made his reply, however, another familiar face joined them and Halith, forgetting herself, did bugle this time.

Plexith! Hello! Cetalese, Plexith is here as well! And Neptanth! We could have a full game! Halith was so beside herself with excitement that even she didn't seem to know what game she was talking about.

Yes, dearest-to-my-heart. I know, Ceta responded calmly, smiling. D'lin already found me. I'm sure we'll see more faces from Trine before we go, too, so please try not to greet them all like that. I swear I heard you from where I am.

"I believe Plexith has found Halith." Cetalese turned to look over her shoulder back the way they had come as they continued down the hall, heading nowhere in particular. When she returned her eyes to him she smiled again, small though it was. Everything with her was more muted than it was with other people. "How have you been?"

((Tsubari: Benden Wherhandler.))

Tsubari thanked the rider and his dragon as he was dropped off. He was unsure of how well it was leaving Tsubarisk at Benden with Erie, but it was better than having the brown here. He looked around and shuddered at the sight of the white and black dragons. It just wasn't natural for them to be around. He turned to find a spot or maybe another from Benden to talk to. It was rare for him to leave the weyr and even more so now that there had been two attacks. The young handler was wondering what the leaders where talking about. It was even possible that he could over hear something. Moving towards a shady area, he went to go watch and listen.