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Candidate Rinis

It was early. Nothing new for Rinis as a candidate she was use to rising with the sun. Chores to do, lessons to study. Her first order of business as every morning was feeding Chaek. She was steadily popping pre-cut chunks of meat into his eager maw. The young woman smiled fondly to herself, thinking that soon the eggs would hatch and potentially twenty-five new riders would be feeding their dragonets like this for the first time.

They were nearly done when a brown came in for a landing. It wasn't the most graceful one she'd ever seen done. When the brown dragon gave a greeting call, her brown Chaek reared up on his haunches and returned it in a much higher voice. Rinis smiled and gave a wave toward dragon and rider. They were feeling perky this morning.

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Vosin and Killakeeth



Things needed to be done early. Vosin chose to rise with the sun. Not before the sun mind, but with it. If the sun wasn't peaking above the horizon, she wasn't peeking out of her covers. However it was up, and so was she. The same could not be said for her dragon. If she was given her choice, Killakeeth would sleep almost the whole day away. The only way Vosin had been able to drag the large dragon from her large sandy wallow on the beach was with the promise of food.

The pair wandered slowly toward the feeding pens. Vosin pondered once more the eggs on the sands. It was getting closer to hatching, and she could sense the energy in the air. Riders, dragons, and particularly candidates were eagerly awaiting the call. She had been amused when Western decided to open its gate to High Reaches Weyr for their candidates; even more surprised when those stiff necks came. Granted it was an extra chance to find their dragon that they otherwise wouldn't have.

"What did you think of the candidates?" She asked the plump gold pacing by her side. Killakeeth gave a wordless rumble, then, I am glad they are not standing for my clutch. Vosin's lips twitched, "don't let Vimiath hear you say that." Why not? She shook her head, "you wouldn't want anyone saying that about your eggs would you?" Vosin knew the real problem was that she hadn't been able to go out and search for more candidates herself. She hoped Talela was doing well.

Killakeeth rumbled in amusement, completely distracted by a browns less that graceful landing. It was perhaps a bit too early for cheerful greetings though. She hadn't even eaten yet.

Ah, darling YaralaMine, we are no longer alone, it seems others have heard my morning song and joined us. Vorzeth preened for a moment, his eyes swirling blue and green as his large neck and head spanned down to the level of the smaller Blue's. Merry met, Diesteth. You and Yours are up early this fine morning. He rumbled contentedly at his Wingmate, eying the blue and then the woman atop his back before raising his head at the sight of the Gold making her appearance. Raising his neck to it's lengthy limit, he let loose another long roar that echoed in the quiet morning air in greeting. Good morning, beautiful golden one! He sounded off toward Killakeeth.

"You are so incredibly loud..." Yarala murmured, a hand coming up to her face as she shook her head at her beloved Vorzeth's antics. But a smile pulled at her lips and she turned in her saddle to look toward Nicara. "Good morning, Nicara! Not getting too wet in this rainfall, are you?" She teased, her dark eyes hiding mirth at Nicara's disheveled appearance. Though, as she stated this, her hands reached up to pulled back at the tangled mass of dark and saturated hair.

It was almost impossible to keep her hair from tangling, but she was certain later she would take a comb and oil to it to tame it thoroughly before bedtime.

But! The day was just beginning and this was not the time to think of warm beds! Vorzeth rumbled in his chest in amusement at rider's thoughts, and he shook his body from tip of nose to tail tip, making Yarala grip the saddle and let out an exasperated gasp, giving the great dragon a scratch on his neck-scales.

With only so many restdays available to them as candidates, Mattavi never wanted to waste a minute of one, waking up up well before dawn to make her way out to the shore and spend as many hours as she could out on the water. She might have made a home here at the Weyr, but there was a part of her heart that always resided on the sea.

There was a sheltered bay where she kept her boat tied up. Of course, it was open to general use of the Weyr as well, kept for those who needed to keep up with their craft between their other duties. Lex had given her the boat as a present, when his fortunes had taken a turn for the better. She hated to say it, but piracy suited him more than she cared to admit. Of course, having seen the darker underbelly of the legal shipping industry, she couldn't much blame him for not putting his faith in legitimate seacraft business.

She pulled the rope she was holding until it snapped taut, the sail catching the wind and speeding them out across the waves in a wide arc back towards the shore. The weather wasn't great, but it wasn't so bad that it would interfere with her sailing. Still, it wasn't raining when she'd set out that morning, and she was soaked to the bone now, her light clothes providing little protection.

She was happy to see that there were others willing to brave the rain that morning as well. The brilliant sunrise certainly made up for it. Raising a hand to her eyes, she waved up at the dragons flying overhead, grinning at their antics. She banked sharper towards the shore, jumping out in the shallow water (it's not like her clothes could get any wetter, although she did take her shoes off first) to drag the small vessel onto the sand. "Lively morning, isn't it?" she said, saluting towards the riders.

A grin pulled at the large dragon's lips, baring his fangs, and yet the swirling colors of his eyes bid that he was of warm spirits, and a rumble vibrated in his chest that made Yarala herself laugh softly. The morning beckoned us to rise before the sun to watch it's glorious dance through the heavens. The rain was... unexpected. Just a chill upon the scales, no? He mused, before sweeping his great head upward, shaking it up and down as he answered the Golden dragon. My rider and I are under the opinion that it does not hurt to spread the wealth. If we as dragons are meant to thrive like we did in older times, we must find strong Candidates for our kind to Impress to. There are some vibrant minds among the Candidates of High Reach. Alas, we could run into the prospect of weak ones among both Western and High Reach Weyr. At the approach of a young Candidate, his large head swept around, coming close to the ocean-soaked child (or child in his large eyes). They shined brilliantly in the sunlight, the colors shifting blue and green in his uninhibited amusement and clear happiness, as if his statement was in front of him, though which it was this Candidate might represent - weak or strong - it was still too soon to know.

Yarala shook her head, her dragon acting more like he did a year ago in his weyrling state of gangly puppy-like curiosity and delight. Granted, now he could actually fly on those large wings, though the bore him poorly and he still had not quite mastered their underlying strength. She was still proud of him, and watching him every moment was a treat when she knew that he was hers. Hers only. She mulled over Nicara's question and shook her wet head for a moment, laughing uncharacteristically. "The long stress of the past few sevendays has made me weary, and something... something about today. I could not stay cozy in my weyr waiting for the rain to stop!" She turned her eyes down to those below, and in a tested motion, she unclasped her legs from the saddle and pulled herself free, and without a signal, Vorzeth's great body crouched close to the ground, allowing his rider to slide down to his elbow and then slide oncemore to the ground. Yarala took a few steps, pins and needles spreading through her legs as she finally stood again on solid ground. The Brown spread his wings slightly and Yarala welcomed the cover of his wings from the rainfall as she strained water from her locks.

Vorzeth raised himself slightly, his eye still pinned on the Candidate in his sights, her name... he picked it from Yarala... Mattavi. Hello little Candidate... though I reckon to say you're the most... saturated Candidate I have seen.

Candidate Rinis

Maybe the rider hadn't noticed her, but the dragon certainly had. Rinis jumped slightly as the gold spoke directly to her, slightly upsetting Chaek. She hadn't expected that! Confused she ducked her head and mumbled an apology. She wasn't use to other dragons speaking her. Not even her friend's blue spoke to her. So why would a gold?

She looked up as another candidate arrived. By sail? Apparently. Rinis would rather have a nice party to attend. Something where she could possibly dress up a bit. It always made her feel better. With the light rain, some people might be staying inside and start an impromptu party. She'd need to go look after she finished oiling Chaek.

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Vosin and Killakeeth

Vosin inclined her head slightly back to Nicara. She smiled at her words about no fancy flying during threadfall. "That shows he's agile and smart; and good sense on your part. He stands out well in the morning light." She was thinking of possible shows, but with thread falling rider's free time was severely curtailed. Pity. She'd have enjoyed watching him perform acrobatic stunts. Vosin sensed Killakeeth speaking to someone else, although she didn't hear what was said specifically, then sensed her attention shift back to the dragons.

Killakeeth listened with interest to the blue. Two? That's not bad. She gave a feral grin, showing her teeth. The Touching was..... lively. While she hadn't watched it specifically, she'd heard the commotion. What a great show it must have been for Vimiath to nearly eat a candidate. She gave a large snort, they will get over it should they wish to Impress.

Her attention turned to the brown, ah! So we are stealing candidates from High Reaches? And they don't even know it. What fun! Her eyes whirled green. Yes strong candidates are preferred over weak ones. This will be a good test to see who has spine to return. Oh she was going to enjoy watching this hatching. Yessssss. If Vimiath nearly ate one, think of what her hatchlings were going to do. Killakeeth couldn't wait.

Vosin noticed another candidate join the wet group on the beach. They sure were all over the place. She'd noticed they became more.... obvious? perhaps was the word, when a hatching was about due. She waved to the girl.

Vorzeth lifted his head and snaked it around to face the new faces of more Candidates. His eyes shone with mirth, enjoying the multitudes gathering moreso than his rider, who leaned lightly against his leg. She scratched at his leg lightly, making his great tail's tip flick at the lovely feeling, his inner eyelid closed momentarily as he relished the scratching, an itch sated that he didn't notice. Ah, more little ones to join our foray. He mused as Yarala stood up straight oncemore and walked over to stand next to his head, which was almost as large as his rider's 5'8" height. "Good morning, Candidates." Yarala said, her tone polite and filled with energy. She remembered the nerves that spread through her when she had watched the Hatching and the indescribable elation that filled her when Vorzeth had chosen her forever to be His. "Its a pleasure to see so many awake this morning, particular to you wonderful Candidates. How goes the lessons for how to care for these great beasts?" She said, her mind seeming to open like a filing cabinet, ready to share all the knowledge she had gleaned from her years in the Archives. Vorzeth bumped his great head against her and a light grin appeared on her face as she laughed. "I don't think they want to scratch you, you giant baby." Vorzeth huffed heavily - his breath could easily push back any who didn't have good balance in front of him. But the rain is making my hide itch! He complained balefully, letting out a groan, his mood tangible as one who was just trying to be amusing to pick on his rider.

Yarala laughed at her lovely brown, rubbing his cheek lovingly, her gaze warm as she turned her attention to Oerlen. "Today feels like a good day, after this rain passes and sun finally decides to clear the skies of these clouds, I think we should find something to do with all this morning energy maybe!" Vorzeth snaked his head away from Yarala and closer to Oerlen in an attempt to receive more scratches from others, especially enticing younglings who needed to get used to giant dragons up close and personal.

Candidate Rinis

She looked up as another candidate arrived with a cheery greeting for all. All in all, she was quite content to remain where she was and watch the others. Rinis chuckled quietly as the brown appeared to beg for scratches from those gathering around. She would have been happy to provide him with scratches Too bad about this light rain though. Hopefully it would clear out before the morning wore too far on.

She looked curiously at the brown's rider. "Did you have something in mind? I might be game." It might be fun to tag along with a rider if they needed help or something.

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Vosin and Killakeeth

She nodded at Nicara's careful statement about the Touching. She knew what the woman was getting at. It was a good sign for an active clutch, yet were the candidates worthy of it? "Excellent!" Indeed. One shouldn't have to worry about a Touching or Hatching. Do you think the candidates will behave themselves at the Hatching?

Vosin grinned and chuckled at Oerlen's bright greeting. "Paused on our way to the feeding pens. I should exercise her afterwards." Which she knew the dragon would dislike. Vosin tried to not let her get too fat. Some days it just wasn't worth the battle. "What brings you out on a drizzling morning like this?"

Killakeeth turned her head to eye the young man who hailed the group. Good morning young one, she replied to Oerlen. Vosin looked over at Yarala also curious. "If you need an extra transport beast, I'll volunteer Killakeeth." The gold gave a mock snort at being called a transport beast.