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Though the kitchens had not been quite sure what to expect earlier in the day, by early evening they had done the Weyr proud. Cooking for nearly two thousand was not an easy job, with the Weyr’s population swollen by the Hatching, but a fine job had been done. There were mounds of bread, each crust scored with the emblem of the Weyr. A positive herd of roasted herdbeast and scores of wherries had been cooked and carved beautifully, and pies both tiny and massive sat with crusts of pastry streaming, with tureens of sauce from cinnamon to dried plum and honey mustard. Hard boiled eggs stood in great pyramids, seasoned with vinegar and parsley, and others had been stuffed with cheese and more fresh herbs.

There were massive pots of fish stews, and some of the very largest grilled fish that Pern’s oceans had to boast. There were ten or fifteen different types of cheese in great wheels, and baskets full of shelled nuts to be freely picked from. Hot spiced white bread stood high, flavoured with anise and fennel and mastic, as well as a few kitchen staff who were making fritters with any fruit they could get to hand. It was a season of plenty, and the Weyr intended to celebrate. A massive subtlety in sugar of a rearing dragon, wings beating and jaws opened for a roar, stood at a table. Careful inspection revealed hatchlings gathered about its legs, proudly painted with fruit juices and other suchlike things in every shade that dragon hide came in. There were custard tarts and sugar pastries, and three different sorts of cheesecake, and many other things that there was no space to describe, and since mid-afternoon the wine and beer had been running freely for all.

The bowl heaved with life, tables and chairs dragged out to make a good showing of places to sit (with much of the formality of everyday life forgotten in celebration) - though not many were sitting, as dancing had begun. Both the Weyr’s harpers and a group who had been flown in for the event from the Hall were playing brightly, and many couples spun and danced with delight.

The Weyrlings - who had been put down for a nap for most of the day - had been given the usual dire warnings: no sex, no drugs, no drink. If they chose to do something like that, the consequences would be on their own heads… and the potential loss of their new life mates. They were also warned to take their bondmates (if they were indeed coming, and not remaining safely in the barracks) straight back if they became stressed or distressed by their many admirers.

At what passed for the High Table, O’ail was feasting Lady Regent Tanathi along with Weyrleader Eo’rah and her Weyrmate - and by this point in the evening, she was attempting to explain to a wide-eyed Drathi how to put together a sweep wing, using pebbles found somewhere and wine dripped on the table to illustrate her points. Apparently, the politics was going well.

Ja'line had infact been drinking on and off since the moment the Hatching ended and her companions managed to get their hands on some prized bottles from under the noses of the busy kitchen staff. Suffice to say she was in high spirits when the harpers struck up the first tune, grabbing the nearest partner who would have her for a turn about the dancefloor.

Between then and now, she had managed to make it back to her weyr long enough to change her clothing into something more appropriate for the occasion and now Ja'line sported a long overgown of olive green over a creamy kirtle with a light brown leaf woodblocked trim and her hair was pinned up haphazardly in a beaded net. Underneath, as was her usual habit, she wore her uniform hose and boots. She'd just felt strange without them. All in all it was a modest ensemble made to look expensive to anyone who didn't know exactly what they were looking for. The only actual piece that had required her to save was the hairnet sporting bronze colors glass beads where each thread met.

At the moment she was in the arms of one of the timeriders or rather; he was in hers. After some awkward shuffling where they tried to figure out the differences between their styles of dance Ja'line had got fed up and decided that she would be the one to lead him rather than the other way around. The small blond seemed to not object much to the arrangement and within moments proved he was at least a competent follow when it came to the basic steps. By the final flourish of the song they were both grinning and with a bow from one and a curtsy from the other, Ja'line left the poor flustered lad alone to find herself a refreshment before she dove back in.

~............~

Pagerell's cheeks were pink with exhertion and while his dance partner (a rather spirited young greenrider with oddly colored eyes) sought refreshment, he only sought fresh air. His fondness for warm attire was ill suited to dancing the night away and as he made his exit through the main entrance, he stripped off his outer layer revealing just a thin sleeved black shirt and his quilted navy doublet underneath and took a deep breath of the chill air.

~ Are you enjoying yourself my heart? ~ Venaith called from above, his echoing voice warm in Pagerell's mind.

~ I am. It hardly seems to matter that I am one of 'them' when everyone is so happy. ~

~It shouldn't ever matter. Are we not all dragons and riders? Have we not lived here for long enough to put those differences aside? Those who still hold onto their prejudices are not worth our time and consideration. I am glad that even if it is just tonight, you are able to enjoy yourself free of those concerns. It is well past time you've enjoyed yourself. ~

~Thanks Venaith.~ Page smiled from where he stood, watching the weyrfolk arrive in groups as mixed as if rank didn't exist. ~How is Issi doing?~

She sleeps and is content.

~............~

Other than their candidate uniforms, Cai had only one set of clothing and nothing that could be considered formal wear. Laufeth watched them dress with a critical eye.

"What is that look for?" Cai glanced over their shoulder at the infant bronze while they carefully buttoned every little button going up the length of their doublet and sleeves.

Have you nothing better?

"These are in fine condition. I don't need anything more than required." Deft fingers flew down their sleeve from elbow to wrist. Cai had had plenty of practice dressing themselves and generally required no aid (unless Jemi or Wen were there to 'offer' their services).

Laufeth narrowed their eyes. ~ Something better will be required. To gain the respect we deserve we must look the part of leaders, not just act the part. People are stupid and must be led with the most obvious of clues. While I naturally need no help in that department, you do. ~

Cai had stopped with their tunic tugged halfway down their chest to stare incredulously at their dragon. Laufeth gave a mental chuckle and stretched from where he had been reclining. He coiled his body around Cai's knees. Think of it as another form of the armour you wear... No matter. It will be a lesson for later. Tonight we will simply observe. I will make my decision in the morning. ~ He had already done quite a lot of observing in the few hours he'd been free of his shell. Clothing appeared to be a large determining factor in who held rank around here and who didn't. It was a simple enough step to the young bronze's mind.

"We'll see who will be teaching whom come morning." Cai reached a hand out and stroked Laufeth's bright headknobs before buckling their belt in place. "Let's go find Jemi and Lanceth." Hopefully they would be able to meet up with Wen later at the feast. It was their first time since coming here that they hadn't all stayed in the same barracks. Cai felt a pang of regret at that.

C'tis was fairly sober, which was quite amazing considering how many people had tried to press drinks into his hand and drink toasts to the hatchlings with him.

He had changed since the morning and was now wearing his dress uniform, which was heavy on un-marred black leather with handsome subtle designs tooled onto it. Given that this was a party not a parade he was also wearing a couple of gold rings, one set with a shimmering piece of blue opal, and a pendant that matched the opal ring. C'tis didn't go in much for jewellery and was in fact wearing pretty much his entire collection at the moment.

Having spent some time with friends and wellwishers he was currently making his way to the High Table; it was probably only right and proper that he pay his respects to the fine folk there, and for pay respects to read 'observe them and speculate about questionable stuff they're probably up to'. Besides he actually rather wanted to meet Igen's Weyrleader, if he wasn't so loyal to his own home - shaff Ista and its memory - then he would be really rather keen for a transfer to the desert Weyr.

Once that was done with however... well it would be interesting to meet the Weyrlings, right? He knew Cai - ish - they were Re'ka's squire and he'd meet the girl who'd Impressed that last brown but he wasn't sure of most of the others.

_______

Bereck had done two things directly after the hatching.

Thing one: sew up new rider's face, instruct her to return twice a day to have it cleaned, not not get it wet, not to fiddle, etc.

Thing two: send plain wooden cane from the infirmary's stock and far too many marks to one of the Weyr's woodcarvers with instructions to make it look half decent by the afternoon.

After that he'd gone to bed.


The feast was just getting into gear when he emerged from the infirmary cavern rested, bathed, no longer sore and cranky, and as ready for big noisy social gatherings as he ever was. Crowds or no however it was nice to celebrate a successful clutch and the food smelled irresistible.

For the occasion he had opted for a dark green doublet of middling length, white hose, short boots, and of course his master's knots on his right shoulder and plain white knots of a discharged rider on his left. The doublet had been quite expensive; it was silk, it had wide slashed upper sleeves - paler green inside - and filigrees gold buttons. The buttons had actually come from an older garment which had been completely ruined by ichor a few turns ago when an emergency interrupted festivities but there was no need to point that out to anyone. Honestly it all felt like a bit much, as did the couple of gold rings and the belt with the decorative gold buckle, but such things were expected of one and besides, it meant that people were slightly less likely to run into him. The cane meanwhile had turned out to be a reasonable success; the woodcarver had honed it into a slightly more elegant shape and had turned the featureless grip into a dragon's head complete with jade eyes.

The final 'piece' of the outfit was draped around his shoulders, watching the goings on with interest in her jewel-like blue eyes. Aorta was a bit heavy to have up there comfortably for long but, like the expensive clothes and jewellery, she made an impression. Besides, she was warm and did away with the need for a cape at present though he might have to have one fetched for him later.

Bereck had been making for the food tables when the firelizard sat up a little taller on his shoulders and chirped a greeting, simultaneously flashing an image of Aurata and a vague impression of a human there too at her own human.

"Ah." Bereck pause, scanned, and yes there was R'soua. Well if Aorta had spotted her daughter the other gold could probably spot her in turn, and then it would be up to R'soua whether she simply waved or came over to say hello. Much as he liked to spend time with his former squire Bereck had no desire to 'cramp her style' at a party.

Nash was not one to overly worry about what people thought of him. The usual sole expectation was that he show up clean. So after making sure the new riders face was sewn up and finished his shift, he had headed down to the baths and soaked. Afterwards he spent a bit of time digging through his chest of clothes, searching for something that did not have questionable stains.

His clothes tended to browns and blacks because stains didn’t show as well and his line of work till now had him up to his elbows in mud, snow, and blood. He finally settled on a raw linen shirt, undyed but smelling lightly of lavender and mint. A doublet of deep brown, on the verge of black and a pair of hose in olive brown followed. He braided his hair anew and attached the small silver wing charm with black enamel. His dress boots that reached nearly his knees and his journeyman healer knots graced his shoulder in a sprig of color.

Harbinger settled about his shoulders, the green rather content and giving soft trills as he scratched her chin as he walked about the crowd, heading towards the table that held food and eyeing up the cheesecakes. He gave a soft hum of decision and decided he could get food in a moment. He was going to have a slice of cheesecake.

Br'en while not drunk was very pleasantly buzzed and such was merry. He was dressed in smart ink black hose with gray piping, his riding boots had been polished to a shine, and his doublet was bright sky blue. His accessories though were a hodge-podge of random shinny items. His right wrist was loaded with various metallic bracelets, copper, brass, and iron making a clashing symphony of noise. A strand of clear glass beads had been attached to his hair, which was a curling mess of coppery brown.

He was drinking, fruit juice and had a plate of crusty bread and slices of wherry. Crest chirped at his ear, stealing bits and pieces while Br'en wasn't looking and generally being a little nuisance.

~............~
Sleuth hmmph, the plump green landing outside the festive area and let her partner slide from her berth in a tumble of ivory, grass green, and a glitter of gold. Yevalee was sporting a doublet of grass green, with slashed sleeves with ivory inserts, made out of linen. Spotless ivory shaded hose and black riding boots, he did want something different then plain jane boots but they would do.

Gold hoops dangled from his ears, an impression gift from his twin and a necklace of twisted braided silk in grass green, champagne, and ivory encircled his throat, and a pendant dangled from the center. Solid pale green jade and a dragon carved in shell inserted into the stone. It wasn’t good graded jade but the workman ship was good and the backing was silver.

Sleuth said, considering the outfit and nudged her rider towards the festivity. The green sighed, mournful, eyes whirling as she took in the crowd.

Yevalee gently stroked her nose before heading towards the party.

V'den and Suuyeth

enthused the tiny blue as he trotted alongside her, revelling in the delightful activity of the party around him. He was so glad that, being as small as he was, he could fit into all the fun! Suuyeth found that bit especially juicy. Scandalous, even. And very, very sexy. Oh that lucky gold! She had been caught by quite a handsome and virile blue!

Chirped Suuyeth, turning towards where Malcarreth's much bigger head peered in.

“No.” said V'den quickly, “Not here.”



In truth, she didn't want her dragon to go about putting his ideas in other dragons heads. Things were bad enough with a blue catching a gold, she didn't need more issues with blues catching blues. While nobody but her cared, she did care. It was half prejudice – that a male and a male should not be together, especially not with dragons – and half practicality – that any dragon, from this time or her own, were likely to squash her tiny blue.

Suuyeth thought that over. he gave Malcarreth a last appreciative look.

How about no? That was not a pickle that V'den wanted to deal with. Ever. “Maybe.” she said.

Her bondmate ignored her, as he often did, so no offense was done or taken. he said, looking over the young dragons, he said, his luminous eyes widening, he said, turning in Goliath's direction.

“No, hang on...” V'den exclaimed, but he was off. She followed after him, grimacing. Suuyeth called out to the massive hatchling as he approached,

V'den winced. The least he could do was show tact, but then again, he wouldn't be Suuyeth if he did. She prepared herself for damage control.

'Come along, Catoth. Let's go get some food and mingle a little.'

'Food, sure. Mingling -- debatable.'

When it came to this whole party business, the brown was a little more hesitant than most. It wasn't that he didn't like them. He just preferred to be in the company of a small group, rather than large crowds like the pair saw at the festivities. Dutifully, he followed alongside Qyprenna as she pushed herself up from the table and made her way to the piles and piles of food. Cheesecake was calling her name, but she put a bunch of other delectables on her plate as well: a few pieces of meat, a couple spoonfuls of veggies, and a roll or two of soft bread. The newly Impressed weyrling also grabbed herself a flagon of juice, and then scanned the crowds of people.

One pair in particular: Poecai and her blue, Goliath, caught her eye.

Not wanting to carry around a plate full of food, Qyp decided to play it smart. She set it down back at the table she had found, and then turned back to the guests yet again. With a wave of her hand, she motioned for Catoth to follow, and she made her way over to her fellow weyrling. Poecai, at least as far as first glances go, seemed a bit out of it, she noted. She was probably still flabbergasted over the hatching. Everything did sort of happen so fast, after all.

'It's good to see you more excited and happy.' This was directed at Goliath, and Catoth's tail waved from side to side slowly, but steadily at the sight of his blue clutchmate. 'Qyprenna told me you were a bit hesitant around some of our siblings,' he went on to say, moving up slowly to get a better look at his brother. Goliath certainly lived up to his name, that was for sure. The two of them were the same size, more or less. It was a bit unusual, given blues were smaller than browns, but Catoth clearly didn't mind. 'Don't let them get to you. Or if they do, let me know. I'll tell them off for you.'

Catoth seemed comfortable with speaking toward Goliath, and that made Qyprenna happy. Smiling and not wanting to interrupt her dragon in what they were talking about, she turned to Poecai with a beam of both happiness and thankfulness. "I wanted to thank you," she began by saying, her hands moving to rest behind her back. "For back at the hatching. What I did was foolish, but you were the only one who decided to help, regardless. That means a lot to me. Thank you." Her eyes drifted back toward the dragons momentarily, before she turned back at Poecai and chuckled.

"Congrats on your Impression. Your blue is quite the handsome one, and he's the size of my Catoth, which is interesting! It's so exciting, right? To finally have our own dragon partners! It's been my biggest dream."

Qyprenna quieted down after that, her words trailing off into silence. She had said quite a bit in just a short time, and the last thing she wanted was to put Poecai off. If anything, she wanted the opposite -- she hoped that the two of them, perhaps, could be friends. She hadn't really been close to many of their fellow candidates, so new friendships would be a breath of fresh air, truth be told.

'Perhaps we can be friends, and our riders, too? I'd enjoy that,' Catoth told Goliath with a definite nod of his head. If they were friends, there was a better chance that their riders would become friends, too. That was the brown's logic, anyway. It seemed straightforward.

Re'ka was planning to be drunk but she was holding off on serious drinking until she'd seen and congratulated her squire. There was a pleasant buzz of wine in her blood though and her face was flushed from several spirited dances with pretty ladies, and one with a pretty visiting man which had been a misunderstanding on her part but it had been great fun and he hadn't been (much) insulted by her mistake so all was well.

For the occasion Re'ka had chosen one of her favourite red doublets. It was short, very short, and so she was wearing a matching codpiece too because she could. Her shirt and her hose were light creamy coloured, the former decorated around the cuffs with a bit of embroidery, and as she swept a bow and stepped away from her latest dance partner a few bronze bangles rattled about her wrists.

Breathing hard and unfastening a few of the buttons on her doublet Re'ka made her way to the food tables to get herself another goblet of wine, peering around herself as she did so in search of a flash of gingery stubble or a pair of shiny headknobs. A lot of the Weyrlings seemed to be arriving now so she guessed Cai would be along soon, and one of the many advantages of being as tall as she was was that she was pretty good at spotting people in a throng.