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Kalendol had been looking forward to the feast, even managing to get a new outfit to wear just for the occasion. <Mine, do I glisten beautifully enough?> The dragonet beside her hummed hopefully, glancing up at her rider with curious fascination. Kalendol had spend a great deal of time oiling the dragonet until she was just as glossy as the girl herself felt. 'You look ravishing as always, Kynigoth.' The teenager smiled at her newest and dearest friend, scratching the top of her head with gentle happiness. Taking a deep breath she looked down at her outfit. It wasn't too different from her normal wear, though she'd not donned the tattered and worn out travel cloak she usually pulled over herself.

Kalendol was dressed in a thigh length, crisp, cream colored shirt, with an embroidered belt around her waist, a small jewel sparkled green on the belt, and ornate markings were gently etched into the leather band. Her father had in fact made this belt for her mother as a sort of "proposal" to moving in together. Now, it was hers, and she was thrilled that the gem within it matched her dragonet's scales. She'd donned a pair of skin tight riding pants in a dark color, similar to her everyday pants, and then sighed softly as she looked at the boots before her. Two pairs, one she'd made while with her "teacher" in the shop, and the other she'd made when she was younger, her first pair. The newer boots shone black in the dim light of the room, and she fidgeted a little. 'How fancy do you suppose we'll need to dress, Kynigoth?'

The dragonet was preening when her's spoke, so she had to roll her eyes to look at the woman with a sort of puffing of her chest. <Mine, you'll have to look your best to be seen with me.> The pale green teased lightly and nudged her rider lightly. <Try your new ones?> Kynigoth suggested, much to Kalendol's chagrin. The teen stuffed her feet into the new, shiny boots and frowned a little. They felt so very different from what she was used to. Not cheap feeling. Looking at Kynigoth she quirked an eyebrow, 'Well?'

<You look perfect, Kalendolmine.> The dragonet hummed in approval and then shook her head, <May we go?> Kynigoth seemed to be prancing in place with excitement. 'Yes, let's go.'

------ now ------

The girl was standing at the 'bowl, her eyes widening in wonder. It was so very different from what she was used to at home. The pale green at her side was inwardly squealing as well, <Mine! So many people! So many secrets waiting to be discovered!> She hooted in delight and pranced into the shindig, looking over her shoulder expectantly. Kynigoth was overly excited for this event. At Denath's bugle, the pale green seemed to lift her head all the higher, stretching her wings with slow determination. Kalendol gently lay her hand on Kynigoth's back, wary of all the festivities.

Anali was, most notably, not standing close to where the Weyrlings entered, not handing out rank knots or offering pleasantries. That was not her job, not anymore. Oh, she was very much interested in the Weyrlings - had contributed what she could to the party, in fact - but was as careful as ever to distance herself as much as possible from the traditional image and roles of a goldrider. In accordance with that, her clothing was clean and well-made, but simple, nothing but a plain white shirt and brown skirt. I like this better. I won't lie, I do miss the fine clothes, but otherwise...

Oh, please. You would lie, if anyone could hear you but me. Still, if I remembered the old way more clearly, I am sure that I would prefer this as well, Banshidheth agreed (more or less), watching the Weyrlings filter in from where she had sprawled her not insignificant form. She was less carefully posed than she had been at the Hatching, noticably more relaxed but no less poised and no less attentive. Her blue-green eyes were fixed on the new pairs in attendance, assessing each dragonet thoroughly. Though she had faith in the Weyrlingmaster, she wanted to see for herself that they were well, each and every one.

There were speeches, and rank knots, and it was boring. This looks much more enjoyable.

Then go and enjoy yourself, if you like.

Soon enough. There's no hurry.

As you wish. The Queen left off speaking to her rider, and addressed the young dragons: Good day, little ones. I hope that you and Yours are well, and that you will enjoy what so many came together to do for you.

Malta and Poecileth

A feast, a feast, a proper feast! Malta couldn't remember the last time she'd been to one. Of course, it didn't come cheap – when Keller hadn't paid for the whole thing, Malta was all too happy to contribute. She had no stores of alcohol or anything, but, being thrifty, she had wages that she had saved up and could think of no better use for them than buying the weyrlings and the people of Benden weyr something nice for the party. Nothing specific – she had just added her marks to the funding coffers.

As a rider and a healer, she had connections in many of the holds, and she used them as best as she could – with her dragon's supportive help – to bring in many of the items and some of the people. It was a rush of activity that left her no free time to spare - exactly what she liked.

And finally, the feast day arrived... and it was time to celebrate. She had decided – unusually enough – to put some cosmetics on, and was dressed in her best: or, rather, her one major splurge purchase of the past. Mostly un-worn at all, it was a white dress that seemed to fit her better and better each time she put it on. For the first time, she was confident in how she appeared.

Poeileth was pleased at this change.

Malta joined the applause as the weyrlings arrived, her dragon rumbling in suit.

said Poecileth, watching the crowds with delight.

“I think it will too!” said Malta out loud. Mingling was not her strength, but she had decided to try this time and not be horribly awkward. That was usual. Today was unusual, and she would let it be so. For the time being, though, she watched from the side, drinking some of a non-spiked beverage, watching to see who she felt comfortable approaching...

Jikkiri and Langoneth

the brown complained, staring with red-eyed misgiving at all the people and dragons.

“But I do!” said Jikkiri, waving happily. He was soaking up all of the attention, practically basking in it.

said the brown, But he had promised.

“Yes, I did promise.” reassured Jikkiri, “We leave when you get tired. Don't worry, so, my beastie, I'll take care of you...” his eyes widened, “Ooooo, look at all the food!” There was so much food, so much of everything, and Jikkiri was very excited about it all.

Jikkiri was dressed in nice clothes, nothing fancy, but they were fresher and brighter than he had ever had before. He loved it. Langoneth had a bandage on his massive shoulder but was otherwise plain, as plain as a dragon could get. He wanted to be as unnoticed as possible.

He growled at the attention, moving closer to Jikkiri as he did so. he bared his teeth reflexively as his mother spoke in his head, and was about to send his usual mental snarl of keep out at her when Jikkiri laid a hand on him. “Tell her 'Thank you'.” he said, “From me.”

he grumbled, turning to Banshidheth

An image of Jikkiri, his Jikkiri, waving pleasantly. His Jikkiri was good, sweet, perfect, and his. And it was him that said the words that followed.
was what he said, in all it's eloquence.

~I think you are under-dressed Chosen, it is all right?~

Balkath worriedly asked, for all that he stepped proudly and sported scales as well oiled and glittering as most around him, showing off his unusual light blue colouring.

Shalev offered a one shouldered shrug and sent reassurance to the Blue. She too stood and moved, not proudly for that suggested ego, but surely and with confidence. What did it matter that her shirt was green and as unornamented as her brown leather boots and trousers. It was all relatively new.

~They said no dress code. I am clean and everything is in good repair. They don't keep the likes of you and I around to look pretty wingbrother.~

~This is so.~

The Blue agreed, nodding once, reassured. Perhaps coming dressed to impress would have done just that, and an appearance of wealth and therefore implied power might have been able to be used as a future bargaining chip.. But they were not trying to manipulate in such a way. Of course not. They would be seen as a pair with integrity, honesty and a lack of pretentiousness. Perfectly in line with the new system. That wasn't the point either of course.. At this point the Blue gave up before he upset himself, choosing instead to respond to his mother.

~Greetings from me and Mine, Mother. We will enjoy and endeavour to be worthy of it.~

"Food?"

~If it's okay.~

"You may as well enjoy the part Keller contributed for you lad."

~I wonder if we'll see him here?~

~I don't know Chosen. It would seem proper for him to come, but perhaps he is too busy for parties?~

~Could be. Lets get some food then have a peer at the stalls, I still have some marks left.~

Shalev took a few hunks of meat off the nearest table, she fed a few to Balkath before trying them herself.

With a sigh of pleasure, Kalendol took Anali's hand and gave it a quick pump. "The pleasure is all mine, Anali." The girl grinned from ear to ear and then looked at Banshidheth. "And a pleasure to finally greet you in close proximity, Mighty Gold." Kalendol grinned. She was prone to unknowingly be a flatterer. Kynigoth hummed at being acknowledged by the rider of her mother.

<Please impart to her my pleasure as well, Kalendol.> Even a dragonet, she knew that it was polite not to speak to a rider who was already bonded directly. "Kynigoth wishes me to tell you she's pleased to meet you as well." Kalendol smiled and then felt a blush creep on her cheeks. "This is some party. Hard to believe it's for all of us." She laughed, trying to make small talk.

Kynigoth looked towards her mother now and her tail curled slightly in happiness, <Are these sorts of things common, Mother?> The little green asked, her thought speech filled with open awe.

Vesin had happily got pulled along with her sister to the kitchens early that morning, even if it meant being awake early. Yet, now that she had Xibath, it seemed like she always had to get up early for one thing or another. She didn't mind though, she felt happier than she had the whole beginning of her life. It was as miraculous as other riders had said. Once finished in the kitchen, she happily went and scrubbed off all the grime and took her time doing Vos' hair in intricate braids wrapping around her head. Ves had chosen something much more simple for her hair, though keeping signature braids. Even if it wasn't a big braid, she would always have some kind of braid in her hair.

Vesin had been a little put back by Killakeeth's insisting that BOTH the twins look their best. The gold's green eyes had told her that there would be no arguing with that fact and she resigned herself to it. Dressing in much the same clothes as her twin, Ves delighted in the green ribbons in her hair that was one of the few ways people would be able to tell them apart, besides their little dragons of course.

Xibath rumbled happily, taking her own delight in the green ribbons in Vesin's hair. She commented to Vesin as the twins finished getting ready.

Ves smiled at Xibath's comment and when they were ready to go, she was almost a mirror image of her twin, except with the green ribbons and green dragon at her side.

Xibath couldn't deny the pleasure it brought her seeing all the people of the wherhold come together to make this happen for the newly impressed pairs. If they could come together for this, there's no telling what could happen.

Vesin sensed a sort of wonder and curiosity, as if she wanted to form a plan to try it out. She said with love. As Vosin pointed out Anali and Banshedheth, she dipped her head politely at the pair. SHe couldn't help but smile at all the people her sister pointed out. "It is amazing isn't it? We'll have to go try one of all the treats we made!" She giggled. They hadn't been allowed to while helping make them but now they were fair game.

Mother, and we hope we can plan some time for ours to meet. Mine has a twin sister that impressed Killakeeth. It's very odd seeing the same person, and knowing its not.> Xibath remarked honestly to Bandshidheth.