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Hekate was far from happy. The last couple of days had been rough ones for her with the traitor blue, the tunnelsnake and the fire. No one had come out unscathed from such an ordeal be it physically or emotionally and she still held herself personally responsible for failing to be able to talk the poor creature that could barely be called a rider anymore into returning with her. Not that she could really blame him too much, but Trine couldn't be worse then whatever Keller did to the poor man. Giving Z'fer's hand a squeeze back and the man a nod she let go to allow him to join the other wingleaders. Hekate herself made a beeline for her dragon.

If Hekate was far from happy Devith had only been dragged along for love of his rider and was content to lay in the sun his back to the activities as a whole and ignore its existence unless otherwise addressed or bothered. He did however spare a bugle of greeting for Calanoth before dipping his head to greet his rider.

Mine I do not like it here. We should leave. Devith rumbled in his rider's mind even as she lifted a hand to gently scratch the growing dragon's eyeridges.

I know Devith. We won't stay long. I'll ask each Wingleader about their wing as quickly as possible and then we'll go. Easy as that and I'll have kept my word to Z'fer. Hekate explained with a sigh drawing a cheep from Baron perched on her shoulder as the little brown looked at her quizzically. At least the usual no firelizard rule didn't apply to this lesson and she could keep her fair in tow except Lady. The eldest green was a touch too protective and dislike or no Hekate didn't want the little firelizard flying for Mercy's face if the woman drew her ire.

From the folds of her tunic baron got a pair of sleepy answering cheeps from Maiden and Countess as the two little greens peered out of the folds at their friend. "Hush you too~" Hekate shushed gently grateful that at least Prince who hand draped himself around her neck like an overgrown silver gorget had the sense to behave himself and only stare at his surroundings with sleepy interest and occasionally preen.

Only for you Mine~ Devith whuffed with a sigh as Hekate ran her hand along his neck checking the fading bruises on his side for something to keep her occupied.

"Do they still hurt?" She asked tenderly resting her hand against the fading marks as Devith's hide twitched under her touch.

Only a little Mine. I am far more resilient then most. The silver crooned low to Hekate his eyes whirling a deep blue and green with love as she gently stroked his poor marred hide.

"It'll be all gone soon. At least you have a bit of battle damage to strut before the greens with." Hekate replied with a chuckle as she grinned up at her dragon.

Despite healing threadscores, S'kor was feeling fine. He rather approved of Mercy's idea. Letting the senior weyrlings meet the prospective wingleaders and seconds. He strolled leasurely down to the clearing with his large dragon in tow. Walking was easier for now than flying. S'kor glanced at Scarath. "I've no idea if there will be snacks much less if anyone will share." True none of it was his cooking, but that never stopped the bronze from sampling.

He rumbled, he wasn't always after the treats. I would like to meet the possible new wingriders as well Mine. Scarath replied solomnly. He knew His was going to answer questions and felt that he should do the same for any dragons.

S'kor nodded acceptance and stepped into the clearing. "Find a place to park yourself I guess. I'll see where Mercy wants us." He headed over to join the group. Nodding to Z'fer, Hekate, and Dizzian as he passed. "Mercy, S'kor of Scarath here. Where would you like us?"

D'lin/Plexith

D'lin supposed that he could be forgiven for moving a bit slower then normal these last few days. He'd made sure to wrap the wounds on his side good and tight so that every twist and turn didn't pull at them...but that didn't stop them from complaining if he moved to quickly. He wasn't however as badly off as Kleo's had been and he was glad to see her up and about when he arrived. "Good day everyone." He greeted the small gathering with a nod to each in turn as Plexith settled himself close by the other dragons, rumbling his own greetings to all of those present.

Mercy/Aerith

'There you see, I told you people would show up' Aerith told Mercy with an air of justification in her tone as she lifted her head to regard the approaching riders and dragons.

'Yes I know, your right..as always.' Mercy replied with a smile before giving Aerith one last pat and turning to greet the arrivals, Smiling to Z'fer and giving a rueful look towards Devith where he lay sulking. "So I see, but she doesn't have to be happy about it as long as she takes the information to heart." Mercy told the bronzerider, though Mercy was already fairly certain which wing the silver rider would choose regardless. "Thanks - next lesson will be the flying lesson you know." She told him, her order of grounding still stood as Hekate had done nothing yet to show remorse for her impulsive actions earlier..but perhaps today she would, or she'd ask a thoughtful question. At this point Mercy wasn't going to be picky about the women's redemption. She'd get her in the air...and then she'd be her Wingleaders problem.

"Any of the chairs here at the front should be fine S'kor, thank you for coming." She welcomed and thanked the second bronzerider as he approached. And then Kleos was here - Mercy hadn't seen her friend in a long while, things had been busy...but she promised herself that she'd rectify that problem as soon as she could and make the time to catch up with her friend.

"Kleos! I'm glad you could come!" She told the women warmly, she might have hugged her except she was worried about hurting her and she gave her a bright smile before turning to greet D'lin with a smile and a nod. "D'lin, welcome."

Some of the students were arriving as well and unless she missed her guess a couple of nosy candidates - which was fine, it was really never to early to start thinking about your future and she waves and nodded to them. "We'll get started in just a few moments, we're still waiting on someone." N'mol had yet to show, but it was still early so she wasn't all that worried about it.

At Moriath's approach, who to Aerith eyes was simply the most marvelous dragon on all of Pern, the white crooned a happy greeting and stood to nuzzle her friend. 'Moriath, it has been far to long, are you wounds healing well? How brave you were to fight that traitor.'

[Carltis]

Having been a very good boy and done all of his chores in record time, Carltis had been able to get away to come and observe this cheerful little circus. Thumbs tucked into his belt he watched the little gaggle of rankers cluster together and wondered what they were discussing. Maybe they were comparing boo-boos; the majority of them looked rather battered but then that wasn't really surprising given several of them had been involved in fighting the tunnelsnake, he was still rather bruised from that himself as a matter of fact.

Minor aches however were not going to put a dent in his viciously cheerful mood for today, oh happy day, he got to listen to the great and mighty wingleaders talk about how special they were! He looked forward to seeing what tactic each used to try to draw people to their wing. He predicted words like unity, sacrifice, teamwork and phrases such as 'everyone counts!' featuring heavily. United we stand, too. Oh, and probably dragonmen must fly etcetera etcetera. In short he was expecting platitudes and either self aggravation or noble modesty ad nauseum. If anyone was actually honest and said 'look we're all more or less the same, just pick whichever one of us you find least objectionable, or perhaps the one with the knots colours you like the most' then he would eat his hat if he had a hat, which he didn't and so he would have to settle for just being extremely surprised.

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[Kleos & Moriath]

Moriath rumbled deep in his chest, her eyes flashing as red as her hide. she said privately to her friend, tones bitter and frustrated. she indicated Hekate with a mental image to Aerith, The sting of failure was almost more than she could stand; she couldn't remember ever falling so short of what was required before. She was Moriath, the greatest dragon on Pern... and yet she had failed.

Kleos gave Mercy a tired but genuine smile; had they been alone in an informal setting she might have reached out to touch her arm, but as it was she contented herself with another incline of her head. "When a friend calls I answer, Mercy." In any case, it benefited her to be here; if she was to attract fresh blood to her wing she could hardly fail to appear for an event such as this.

"Likewise, Z'fer," she went on, turning back to the bronze rider and lifting her chin a little so that she could look the towering man in the eye and give him a wry smile. "It has not been an especially good time for us of late, has it? I hope that our streak of poor fortune has come to an end now."

Z'fer chuckled. "Not at all Kleos. I'm putting my marks on a bronze to hatch first. We could use the luck." Z'fer watched as a few more bodies entered the clearing. Candidates. Why were there candidates here? He recognized one scarred face- and turned away. He didn't belong here. He didn't deserve Z'fer's recognition.

"Trine's last clutch was small but we should at least get a rider or two out of it. Plus those from Malvren who made it here." He continued as if he hadn't seen the sour faced harper hovering at the edge of his vision.

.......................

Ailin waited patiently for the meeting to start. He felt less intrusive as other candidates appeared. Carltis, another harper, caught his eye first and he lifted his hand in a wave. He wasn't surprised once he thought about it to see the other young man there. Carltis' feelings on traditional hierarchy weren't exactly secret. Ailin wondered if he was here to make a scene, or observe as Ailin was. Of all the people there though, Carltis might be the one to ask the questions Ailin wanted to hear.

Ailin looked down at Jerint in his arms and whistled low and quiet, the little blue flit echoed his notes with intense focus. It was a simple, well known ballad taught to all children growing up. The Duty Song seemed fitting, for better or for worse. They worked through the first verse before Ailin took a small tidbit from the snack table to reward the flit.

...........................

Dizzian was beginning to feel awkward just sitting there by herself. Since it seemed that the Wingleaders weren't about to start any time soon she left her seat and meandered over towards the dragons. She grinned when she saw Hekate, glad to see her friend really was there and looking rather pleasant as she called a young man over. Dizzian raised an eyebrow and grinned at her friend, leaning in to whisper before the boy arrived. "You really do have a type don't you?" She teased. Hopefully humor would keep her friend in good spirits. In a louder voice she added. "Courath says hello."

Courath returned Devith's nuzzle happily. ~ We are well. Mine is handling the recent events better now that she is calm. ~ The green rearranged her wings, a feeling of anticipation radiating off of her. ~ Not yet. ~ There was a hint of challenge in her mental voice. ~ But we will be paying close attention to what the Wingleader's say. Our choice will not be made lightly. ~

You look fine, NawaMine. You needn't fuss at your hair so.

The young rider frowned, but listened, and rested her hand on her dragon's side instead as they walked. First impressions are important, Ri. This is important.

Rioth rumbled his agreement and twitched his half-and-half tail, scanning the meeting site as they approached - two of his clutchmates were present already, as well as three adult bronzes and a crimson. And Aerith. He and His respected her and Hers a great deal. I know. We always make a good impression, and this will be no different. We will see what kind of impressions they make.

When they drew near, the black extended a polite greeting. Courath, Devith. He dipped his head to the white then. Hello, Aerith. Thank you for organizing this excellent opportunity. I trust you and Yours are well?

Greetings, he offered to the rest of the gathered adult dragons, dipping his head again and flaring out his wings slightly in a gesture that bore some resemblance to a bow. Beside him, Nawa curtsied. The other riders seemed mostly occuppied with conversations already, and it would be rude to interrupt.

D'lin

"They are both fine dragon's, I'm sure the clutches will be nice and healthy, I expect Abigail's condition led to the smaller size of the last one." He added to the conversation, recalling how the Weyrwomen had been comatose at the time. He couldn't say anything about the bloodshed however - no one would really know the disposition of the hatchlings until they broke free. One could hope for a good nice tempered lot but he'd seen his share of angry ones as well. "In any case I expect a crimson clutching should be good luck regardless, doesn't happen often.I think the last time was at the same time as Plexith's clutch actually." Of course he chose not to mention the other things which had happened then.

Noticing the arrival of another Weyrling and her bonded D'lin smiled and nodded to the young women as she curtsied. Even as Plexith rumbled a pleased greeting to her dragon for his gesture. 'Greetings young Rioth, it is good that you have come.' The bronze bespoke the black - such a gesture required a personal greeting to Plexith's mind.

Mercy

Glancing around the gathering she saw a few more trickle in and decided that she had better get things started before someone said something to offend someone else - always a problem when you got a large group together.Smiling at Kleos one more time for her comment - if only all friends were as supportive as the Crimsonrider, the world would likely be a far better place and giving a wave to Nawa as she appeared with Rioth, Mercy turned her attention to getting this wagon rolling.

"I think we can get started." She told the Wingleaders with a smile, surely they would go an find their seats before she addressed the Weyrlings - and candidates - that had shown up. "If everyone would take their seats I think we are about to get started." She spoke up, motioning to the chairs before waiting patiently for everyone to take their places so that she could begin the introductions.

Aerith crooned reassuringly to Moriath, rubbing her head along the larger dragon's neck in an attempt to soothe her. 'That one causes trouble for mine too' Aerith spoke of Hekate, sharing the events of the last lesson with the older Crimson in a series of mental images that she recalled only because they were fresh on hers' mind. 'But you were still very brave, no one can fault you, I"m sure that creature will think twice about coming back here again.'

At Rioth's greeting and words Aerith turned her head to regard the young black, giving him a chirp of greeting. 'We are good Rioth, thank you, it pleases mine to see you and yours here.'