Hatching Feast = Food

[stolenhart]

He smiled at her, glad he could be helping her out. He didn't add that if the stories and songs weren't popular the Harpers would quit reading them but maybe her stories would become popular. No need to rain on her Hatching day as it were with such downing news as that. "All I ask is that write you some things about the war ending. Dragons have better uses than to be killed in battle". Siten's ideas might get her in trouble but S'fet's ideas would get him killed. He felt that dragons could be put into use ferrying people, as messengers, even as plow beasts and runners. What fun would it be have the dragons race? The Weyrs did it as training exercises but couldn't it be done for fun? Every rider in the Weyr would kill S'fet if he so much as uttered turning their precious dragon into a plowbeast. But why not? The dragons could plow a field faster than a runner or herdbeast or heck, even lighting fires in the bellows. Their voices added to a Harpers. They had infinte uses outside of battle. "I just think well", he blushed unsure of whether to tell her what he thought. She would not want to shackle her gold to a plow of that he was sure.

[saidaltam]

Siten nodded. "Batle has its purposes, but too often, and, truly, most often, it's senseless, and that poor blue rider earlier..." She shook her head. "If I could capture the feeling that filled the sands at that moment, the sound of that dragon's cry..." She shuddered and furrowed her brow. "There must be words that can..." She trailed off, then shook her head. "But you don't need to hear all this. This is a cheerful occasion. We should be discussing happier things than war and death. Somber thoughts are for tomorrow."

And she was just positive that Isiloth would see to it that she kept her feet on the ground and her head out of the clouds, when she woke up. This was a beautiful evening following the sobering events of the Hatching, and while she knew that it was a night to be enjoyed, she also knew that it wouldn't last, so she intended to take every minute she could to thoroughly enjoy herself.

[tariala]

L’rel thought about attending the hatching feast for all of three breaths. That was when he felt Faralith drop off into deep sleep, and suddenly nothing seemed better than curling right up beside her and taking a nap himself. It wasn’t as though anybody’d miss a green weyrling. He stroked one of his dragon’s beautiful forest green wings again, and dropped into his cot, one hand still touching her as he drifted off.

Oridale had retreated to her room for a jag of hard crying, then repaired her face, changed her clothes, and took herself off to the hatching feast that had been prepared. She smiled to see two of the new weyrlings dancing, glad that someone was having fun at what was meant to be a celebration. Even if the new goldrider wouldn’t get to enjoy herself for long. Oridale didn’t envy Siten her new duties, or the dangers that came with them. Or even the dragon herself anymore. If she really wanted to Impress, she’d just have to wait for a more compatible personality to come along. There was a good chance of that, yet. Southern still lacked an abundance of queens, and she would still be young enough to stand when Isiloth matured.

The brunette fingered the folds of her light blue gown and watched the proceedings with temporary contentment. For now, everything seemed peaceful. Now if only someone would ask her to dance…

[kat]

K'ian had hardly wanted to leave Nemyath's side, but she had fallen asleep along with most of the other hatchlings, after parading around a bit, of course! She was certainly the most lively dragonet K'ian had ever seen, and not for the first time was he glad that she would likely not be used in direct fighting...not unless she grew more than he thought she might, which was doubtful. She'd been the smallest green there, and no green that wasn't at least medium sized took a large part in the actual fighting. They couldn't take his, and would just...end up like that blue had.

K'ian shuddered as he thought of what had happened to that other young man's blue dragon. It had been heart wrenching, and the man had actually gotten on the boat with that girl who'd been exiled with her green. Something else to mar the hatching day...it had been full of bad omens, really. Still, the gold had impressed to a Southerner girl-whom he had to remind himself to go congratulate-and he'd gotten his precious green...that was all he wanted to think about.

He took up a plate of food, his grumbling stomach reminding him of just how hungry he really was. He'd fed his hatchling green, but not himself. He was no ill mannered sort, to begin eating quickly and messily, but instead took a bit of everything and began to eat slowly, enjoying the meal. He noted a few around who hadn't impressed, and walked over to Oridale, noting that she'd been on of them.

"Hey there," he began, and then, "nice evening outside, don't you think?" He was aware some people thought all men who impressed to greens must be into other men. However, this wasn't at all the case, and often men who impressed brown or bronze ended up bedded with men who impressed green-and they were by no means homosexual. He preferred women, and was rather dreading when Nemyath rose. It was something you just didn't talk about, though. It happened, it happened a lot, and you just let life go on and made it clear what your preference was-his was defiantly women.

[accelerando]

♥ ildessmor ♥
Now if she touches like this
will you touch her right back
Now if she moves like this
will you move like that
shake, shake, shake
SHAKE, SHAKE IT

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I

[/b]ldessmorsmiled as the older girl turned to her. It seemed like she was surprised, for some reason, but nevertheless, it was nice to be talking to somebody from the same hold as herself. However, when she referred to the earlier events, the smile faltered on Ildessmor’s face. What happened earlier was certainly... surprising. she said, after trying to come up with a word that would describe the events.

T[/b]hen again, it wasn’t like the events were so small that they could be described with one word. What had happened took everybody by surprise, with the exception of that one girl who had hopped onto a dragon. Who had she been, anyways? Shaking the thought from her mind, she heard the other girl’s question, and thinking back, she said I think her name was Brogan. Ildessmor said, after a moment of silence.

I[/b]t was just then that a boy approached the two of them and asked Siten to dance. Smiling at Siten’s delight, she quietly moved away from the two of them. Detouring past the table of food, she picked up a drink before sitting down on one of the many benches. She should mention something about unfairness of having the girl’s who impress to blues and greens sent away to Siten, she thought absentmindedly as she watched the swirling colors before her.
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[tariala]

Well, it wasn’t the dance she’d been hoping for, but she’d take it. Oridale smiled at the boy, who she was fairly certain had Impressed that first green. A bit of a shame really, because he was kind of cute. But greens only Impressed to men who preferred other men, like her father. Right?

“If I were in your shoes,” she smiled back, “I’d think it was a nice evening *anywhere*.” Not that she envied him a green, specifically. But the weyrlings present seemed so happy with their new bonds, and that she did envy, just a bit. “It sure beats earlier, though.” Her smiled faded a bit, as she thought about the aerial attack and the dragon death. Then she firmly shook her head to stop such thoughts, and smiled apologetically at K’ian.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be bringing up such things at your hatching feast. What was your green’s name again? And what have you shortened your name to, if I may ask?” Not that she’d ever known his old name- she hadn’t mixed much with the female candidates, and the boys even less. But this was a politer way of not having to admit that.

[kusuri]

D'mon sipped his wine quietly.His brow was furrowed as he watched the new weyrling traipse about the dining hall.Had those eggs been worth it? Only time would tell.If the events surrounding their Hatching were any indication,these bonded pairs had a lot to look forward to.Though the feast looked festive,there was an air of gloom in the room.The death of a dragon and the loss of a fighting green to a women had hit the weyr heavily.He sighed and nursed his wine.He noticed the current Weyrleader skip off to the call of that damned Lord Holder.Hadn't he any pride!? The arrogant man's shoulders stiffened.If his Hatath ever flew the queen and he became Weyrleader, he would see to the end of this fealty to the holders.Holders were meant to serve dragonmen,not the other way around!

[saidaltam]

Siten's stomach took the opportunity to interrupt her delighted reverie by rumbling irritably at her, and she paused, looking down at it, then looked back up and blinked. "Hrm. Should probably take care of that," she mused, looking around. "Being as we're at a feast and all." She smiled impishly at S'fet. "Thank you very much for the dance. Excuse me."

Brushing off those brightly coloured skirts, Siten rose and slipped across the grounds to the food, mind still very much in the clouds. If nobody knew it was a girl telling the stories, and they could actually be received, she would have the exposure she needed, and if she could manage to write them subtly enough, it seemed unlikely that anyone would ever reject them on grounds of their content. She knew the next few turns were going to be hectic, and that her responsibilities would only grow exponentially after that, but she was certain she'd be able to manage some free time, if she tried.

Entirely heedless of just where she was going, Siten bumped directly into a chair as she passed. Startled, she hopped back. "Sorry!" she exclaimed, coming back to reality much more firmly than the simple, mostly ignorable rumbling of her stomach had brought her.

[kusuri]

The bronze rider's chair lurched and wine spilled down his once immaculate dress tunic.His neatly brushed brows furrowed and he turned a fearsome scowl on the one responsible.D'mon's fierce expression smoothed away as the girl apologized.He recognized her now! The new Weyrwoman! Siten was her name,right? It was hard to remember a girls name after the hectic hatching He turned on all the charm, his teeth spread in a grin as he accepted her apology.
"It is not often one gets to meet the Weyrwoman in such a way.I am D'mon, rider of bronze Hatath.It is a pleasure to finally meet you. "
He bowed,tunic dripping red wine onto the floor.

[saidaltam]

Siten blinked, startled by the man's response. She'd bumped into him, spilled his wine, messed up his tunic, and his response was to set a bright smile on a previously annoyed face? "A pleasure," she replied slowly. "I really am sorry. And a red, too. That's going to stain, isn't it? Oh, dear." Immediately, she began casting her mind around for exactly how to go about replacing the garment. It looked expensive, and money was, indeed, an object, for the low-born, holder-bred girl. Perhaps someone could loan it to her, or maybe she'd be able to find a 'prentice weaver just making their journeyman walk and still working to establish a name who'd make a deal with her.

Come to think of it, where DID dragonriders get their marks, anyhow? They had to come from somewhere, didn't they? The question gave her a moment's pause, before she remembered the situation and the smiling, wine-stained man before her.

There was something about the way he smiled that set her just a little on edge. There was no proper reason for it, other than that momentary flash of irritation when he'd first turned, and she was probably being unreasonable, but it was there, nonetheless.

[kusuri]

Typical.The woman is worried about cleaning the thing rather than getting to know him.But it was to be expected.Women were only useful for cooking and cleaning anyway.A gold rider just had the extra duty of being a broodmare.She seemed genuinely worried though,so he tried to set her at ease.
"Do not fret Weyrwomen.I have plenty of other garments to replace it with.How about you,are you alright? You hit my chair rather hard." He waved his hand arrogantly,as if to dismiss the dirty clothing.Looking down at her from an imperious angle,he awaited her response,eyes sharp.

((D'mon being a jerk and FAIL POST x( ))

[saidaltam]

Siten seemed a bit surprised by the question and considered it for a moment, but only for a moment. "Bruised, at most, and that, not for a day or two, yet. Nothing of significance," she replied. She did bruise rather terribly, but it generally looked far worse than it actually was, and if she wasn't accustomed to bruises by now, it would be a very noteworthy problem. "Are you certain you're not upset?" she asked, rather bewildered. She had, honestly, expected him to be quite upset indeed, and really, she had to wonder why he wasn't. "D'mon, you said? At least let me grab you a new glass. What were you drinking?"

Let it never be said that her mother had not seen to it that she was instructed in basic courtesy, at least! She may not be any high-born belle, but she could handle simple good conduct. Besides, he'd said bronzerider. She was going to end up spending enough time with all her bronzeriders that she supposed she may as well start getting a feel for them--for this one, at the very least--rather immediately.

[kusuri]

His face formed the perfect expression of concern as she told him the extent of the damage his chair had done to her. At least she isn't like other women, or I'd have to be carrying a wailing creature away. The wine had mostly dried,giving his shirt an artistic splash of color.If D'mon wasn't such a neat freak,he would have enjoyed the new pattern.
In regards to the Siten's question, he was in fact still irritated.He wanted to change his tunic promptly,but this was the new Weyrwoman he'd do well getting to know her.Hatath could be the queen's future mate after all.If he turned her toward his ambitions and goals,then maybe,just maybe, he could implement his plan sooner than he thought.
"Weyrwoman Siten, I'm not upset in the slightest.It is just cotten after all.And I'd be glad to take you up on your offer of more wine.Any brew here will suit me.Only the finest is brought out for a hatching after all."

[accelerando]

♥ ildessmor ♥
Now if she touches like this
will you touch her right back
Now if she moves like this
will you move like that
shake, shake, shake
SHAKE, SHAKE IT

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I

[/b]ldessmor had been sitting at the table watching the festivities going on around her. Glancing around herself at her surroundings, she was having an enjoyable time until she saw him. She had to do a double take at first to make sure that it was in fact the same man, but after that, she shot the man daggers. She still didn't believe what he had tried to do, and if his dragon hadn't helped Ildessmor, there would have been no way that she could have escaped.

H[/b]owever, the next thing that happened made Ildessmor do a double take. Siten had bumped into the man's chair and had spilled bright red wine all over the man's tunic. Smirking a bit at that, she turned her attention away. It wasn't like he didn't deserve it, it was the complete opposite of that, in fact. Glancing back at the unfolding scene, her expression hardened when she saw what happened next.

H[/b]e was charming the pants off Siten, that's what was happening. Standing up, she brushed the dirt off her dress and put her cup down. Making her way over, she stood beside Siten, before tapping the other girl on the shoulder. Could I speak with you for a moment? she asked Siten as she ignored the man sitting in front of her. There was no way he would be stupid enough to try anything in front of such a large crowd.
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[saidaltam]

Siten nodded. "I should let you go change. I can't imagine that's comfortable. I'll get you a new glass of wine, and you go put something dry on. Promise not to spill it, this time," she told D'mon wryly, then nodded to Ildessmor. "What is it?" she asked, then nodded toward the table with the wines laid out. "If you don't mind heading that way while we speak?" she suggested mildly. She didn't want to be rude, but she had said she'd fetch a glass of wine for the bronzerider, after all, and besides, there was an assortment of meatrolls and other small finger foods beside the wine, and she was quite hungry.

As she made her way toward the wines, keeping her pace accommodatingly for the be-gowned young woman, her mind was flickering over the situation at hand, first Ildessmor, and then D'mon. She had had little luck in making an assessment of the sparkling, brilliantly pink young woman, and most of what she'd concluded was that the girl was only just coming into herself, but she was withholding judgement until further interaction.

D'mon was a whole different story. On him, the issue was not an inability to make assessment, but that she was genuinely confounded. He seemed very polite and agreeable, to say nothing of forgiving, but he also seemed very rank-conscious, and she couldn't help but think she'd seen a flash of annoyance before he'd recognized her, which made her wonder if his generosity was not entirely for Isiloth's sake, and was nothing of her own.

[kusuri]

D'mon almost flinched when he saw the blonde creature approach.He recognized that girl! It was the one he'd tried to...Shard it all!But who would believe her? He was a bronze rider after all.And Candidates were known to fool around while they could,because after Impression,they'd have to wait two or three years before they could have sexual intercourse again.But there was always the chance they'd believe her...
You wish.Your world is crumbling around you every second.His dragon hissed,his deep voice ringing with pleasure. The rider and dragon were still at heads with each other over the...Incident in the forest as D'mon had yet to apologize to his beast.The only visible sign of his panic was the tight tendons in his neck and an increased pulse rate.He continued to smile politely,his face showing no recognition of the girl.
"Of course Weyrwoman Siten.I'll hold you to your word."
He inclined his head respectfully toward both young women and swept away.What would his future hold now?

[accelerando]

♥ ildessmor ♥
Now if she touches like this
will you touch her right back
Now if she moves like this
will you move like that
shake, shake, shake
SHAKE, SHAKE IT

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● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

I

[/b]ldessmor nodded in agreement, it would be better to get away from the man after all. Walking beside Siten, she waited until the man was out of earshot before she began to speak. I know that this might sound... untrue or something along those lines, but you might want to be a bit wary of him she said, an involuntary tremor going through her body as she thought of what had nearly happened to her outside on the weyr face.

G[/b]lancing around her, she lowered her voice before continuing. I was out for a ride when he tried to... take me by the lake. she said, hoping that the other girl would understand what she meant. If it wasn't for his dragon, I would have been harmed. she concluded, glancing at the other girl. She knew that it would be hard for Siten to believe that a dragon rider had tried to do such a thing, but at the very least, she was warned now.
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[saidaltam]

Siten collected the wine glass, filling it with a red, as D'mon had been drinking before, and nodded as she listened to Ildessmor's story. She was quiet for a long moment, and then said softly, "Stay away from him, especially outside of groups. I'll keep an eye on him. He doesn't dare so much as raise a hand to me. Not with Isiloth. However, I'll be cautious, nonetheless. There's no need to be imprudent, after all. Take someone with you when you go on rides. If you can't find anyone, perhaps S'fet will go with you. He's the lad who usurped me, earlier. He's kinder than he looks, and he'll behave, if I'm any judge of character. If he so much as says anything to you, tell me immediately."

She wasn't altogether certain that she believed the girl's story, but she didn't discount it, either, and she wasn't about to be foolish about this. She knew such things happened. Shards, it had happened to her, once or twice. Lower class women living alone were high risk targets, after all, and it was just as well that she had developed a knack for evading truly dangerous situations. This girl, though, seemed the sheltered and protected sort, so she supposed it was probably new to her, and while the fact that such things occurred, and that a rider would, if she were honest, likely be allowed to get by with it, sent a surge of anger shooting into her, prudence demanded she keep calm. She'd never know the truth if she overreacted, and even if it was true, there would be no value in making herself a fool on her first evening with Isiloth.

"Listen... I know nobody else was happy when Isiloth impressed, and I know you're all looking at going home, or back to whatever life you came from, but... well, you don't all have to. The Weyr has, traditionally, always made a place for those Candidates who do not impress, and ... hmm... I want to see a few things changed that may make that more comfortable, though it'll take some time, I admit." She paused, then added, "Besides, I'm the only female rider in the entire Weyr. The only other women here, long term, are the lower caverns women. It's a very isolated existence. If you, or any of the others, want to stay... Then stay. If anyone objects, short of the Weyrleader, I'll find a way to make it happen."

In all honesty, she didn't really know how she'd do that, but wasn't that what Isiloth meant? That she was to be the Weyrwoman, now? And a Weyrwoman had an obligation to serve and govern her Weyr--and part of that included seeing herself kept healthy and sane, and speaking to no female but Isiloth, who was little more than a child, no matter how much Siten loved her, was hardly going to be good for her sanity. Besides, she did have plans for the Weyr, and she would need girls who had enough backbone to stay, despite the social implication that they should not, under what protection she could offer, to help her see it executed.

While she was there, she also snatched up a bit of food. Not to be rude, but she was hungry. Isiloth had eaten. She had not. Surreptitiously, she saw a bit into her stomach before it saw fit to growl again.

[kusuri]

D'mon quickened his pace just as he passed out of eye sight.Practically running to his weyr,he lept into his chest and pulled out the first article of clothing he could grab.He wrenched it on,not caring if it matched.His clothing was all finely made(secretly he got his wares from Southern Boll),so he didn't have to worry if they weren't formal enough.He threw his wine stained shirt into a trash pile and spun to leave.But as he was turning he caught his dragon's eye.The bronze was reclining on his stone couch,watching his rider intently.Guilt washed over the man,as he saw his dragon's hide was cracked and grey tinged.He walked briskly over and scratched an eyeridge.The bronze hummed and leaned into the hand,accepting the silent apology.The brunette straightened his shirt and walked calmly back to the feast.Being back on good terms with his bronze made him feel calmer,more collected.But this feeling soon vanished as he was insight of the two young women.How much had that wretched beast said to the Weyrwoman and has Siten believed her?He hovered at the door,his green tunic making his gaze seem intense.There was nothing he could do now and he must continue to get to know the new Weyrwoman.When he saw Siten move toward the wine and food,he loped over.He was careful to betray no expression except polite enthusiasm for the drink.The goateed man spoke warmly
"I see you have kept your promise Weyrwoman.I shall gladly take this drink off your hands."
He carefully lifted the cup and drank to keep from asking about the conversation she had with Ildessmor.That would be very suspicious after all.

[saidaltam]

D'mon's sudden appearance quite startled Siten, who had been selecting another meatroll, and she nearly jumped out of her skin, though she managed not to spill this drink. Pressing a hand to her chest, she scooped up the meatroll. "Of course I did," she replied, smiling politely and making a point of lodging her conversation with Ildessmor in the back of her mind. "What kind of Weyrwoman would I be if I couldn't keep a simple promise?" Making a bit of meat roll disappear, the newly fledged Weyrwoman paused to consider her situation before saying, "I was just discussing the problem with how many candidates are now standing around the Weyr without a single hatchling on the sands. I know many are planning to go home, but we were just discussing whether or not it's truly necessary that they all leave. After all, hasn't it always been the tradition of the Weyr to take in anyone who wishes to stay? Positions are always available, and where they are not, they can be made, after all," she observed, gesturing mildly as she spoke. She paused to cast a curious glance over the bronzerider, noting momentarily how intense his gaze seemed, then asked, "What do you think?"

She was very curious, too, to hear what his answer was. In part, it was out of a desire to assess what sort of man he was, and what views he held, but part of it was to help her judge the validity of Ildessmor's story, and part of it, too, was to see if she could gauge whether or not he would be honest with her. That, especially, interested her.