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Ticene and Green Metlath

Metlath was practically vibrating with excitement. It had taken all of her willpower to remain at least somewhat still while her rider had been tended. Apparently, and infirmary was not somewhere that she could play. At first she hadn't planned on listening. She was agile enough not to cause a problem. But then Ticene had looked at her and smiled, and the young green couldn't find it in her to misbehave. Instead she had sat at the young woman's side and waited. Her full belly made it somewhat easier to wait. Tic was largely silent as her dressings were pealed away, her skin was cleaned, stitched, and redressed. The shock had thoroughly worn off, and so had the heady euphoria of impression, which unfortunately left only a lot of pain in it's wake. Metlath's mind was a welcome distraction. The two didn't really speak as such. They just explored each other's minds. Ticene was tentative as she explored, while Metlath moved through the woman's mind without a hint of trepidation. This was where she was meant to be. How they had always been meant to be.

Unfortunately for the green, once they were released from the infirmary, her waiting was not yet through. Then they had to return to the barracks so that Ticene could change into something a little more suitable. Her candidate robe had been thoroughly shredded. By both dragon claws and healers needing to poke and prod. What remained looked as though it had been used as bandaging anyway. The infirmary had given her simple clothing to wear until she could get to her own things. Metlath hoped that then Ticene would feel more like herself. There shadows of the day still lurked in the young woman's mind, no matter how hard the dragon worked to chase them out.

Metlath had been the main orchestrator of Ticene's outfit. The green didn't have an eye for fashion, but she knew what Tic liked and she knew what she liked. The hatchling thought that they should match, so was very selective. Dark, close fitting pants (a little looser around the hips than they needed to be thanks to the bandages) were her first choice. When it had been pointed out that most women would be rather elegant dresses, Metlath pointed out that Ticene was not most women. Who needed all that flashy stuff to look good? They were amazing regardless. Why bother with all the extra dangly, shiny, whatevers? A long dark tunic, that hung loosely enough to not be any trouble to Ticene's injuries and that Metlath thought matched her well enough was the next step. The final touch was a sash, a bright streak of green that matched her own. That way they were a perfect pair. Both simple and awesome.

Now the time had finally come for them to actually reach the festivities. It was all so exciting. The moment they walked in Metlath actually bounced with joy. There were so many people! Look at the colours! The music! It was all so wonderful! The green rose up onto her back legs, stretching as high as she could and giving a delighted 'hwonk' of greeting. Sisters! Brothers! I am here to celebrate with you! Isn't it all wonderful? Metlath's definition of brother and sister did not stop at the dragons that shared her ichor. All those that had hatched on the sands she reached out to, her mind sparking out and brushing excitedly against any that were open to hear her. Beside her Ticene looked at the shouting green with a mix of embarrassed amusement. She really should put a stop to it and usher the green off so she wasn't making a scene. Yet how could she fight with the happiness just rolling off of the ecstatic dragon?

As Moirath got righted by the big handsome dragon her eyes remained a happy green blue mix. She leaned in and gave the bronze head a nuzzle before the head was moving away. At Samodith words, she drooped and little lines of yellow crept into her eyes. She hadn’t meant to slide into anyone. It wasn’t like she had done it on purpose. But the warmth from the dragon alleviated her worry and she went back to being cheerful. Bouncing back over to Veltanna she told the dragons, I am quite all right. A little tumble is good for the spine! She had no idea if that was true, but it sounded nice didn’t it? Maybe if yours gets cold, Samodith, she can use a tablecloth to keep warm. It would work right? Moirath had no idea how mortifying that might be to someone.

Veltanna gave a salute and then shifted a little. “She is perfectly fine. No pain or discomfort.” She might be a bit crazy, Veltanna thought, but physically fine. Crazy has it’s advantages! “She is simply very excited right now. She means no harm.” The last was directed at the little angry green. Veltanna had felt that spike of worry and didn’t want this to go any further. Telling the truth seemed to be the best way out.

K’ienn of bronze Yisketh

K’ienn saw the instant affront in his son’s face, but the boy didn’t act on it. That was already far better than he’d reckoned. “You did do well. You chose to be there for her.” He didn’t bring it up, but his mind flashed back to the green who’d gone between. If a certain conversation had gone poorly… that would have been his son’s dragon, too.

He looked down at her blue-eyed face with deep consideration. He hadn’t ever really looked at a green that closely, but there was a first time for everything. There was something so purely feminine about this one, and even though she was clearly on the defensive, he could sense her warmth. He wouldn’t presume to speak directly to a newly-Impressed dragonet, but he sent a thought of sincere thanks to her as he said aloud, “I’d venture to guess that she needed you, too.”

He glanced aside at Orri and gave him an acknowledging nod. He recognized him as a candidate and had seen him with his son more than once, but did not demand an introduction. There would be no demands of his son today.

Euryale

While her lifemate may have been carrying on, Theath was far more calm and had settled herself alongside her other lifemate, softly intertwining their tails. The green dragon was her usual calm self, silent and watching the crowds of people and dragons coming and going. It did not miss her attention the arrival of Rhianth, and for a moment the dragon's eyes whirled yellow with worry. The gold looked positively dreary and dull in color and a wave of empathy rushed over Theath. Oh, how she wished to comfort the mother, on this special day - and yet she was an outsider here. One who would likely never be allowed back due to the actions of one from her home, and that saddened her hearts. Theath might not have ever been the sort for travel, but she knew that Hers would deeply miss their Repeat.

Miryath. She whispered to her sister, to get the other green's attention. This one mourns the loss in a different way, I think. Curiously she tilted her head, unsure of what more to think or say. Ours mourn as well, though we have only gained.

Euryale could feel something going on between her dragon and A'star's, but whatever it was she dismissed it. "Spe...speaking of our son, where is he?" The sobbing was still going to continue once the boy arrived, oh yes, but it had to be done in front of Yurastar for the point to be made clear. "I don't see Bump either."

- - ---

Yu'star and Bronze Nevidenth

Yu'star sneezed suddenly and looked around, wondering just who was talking about him. He hadn't made any friends or enemies in High Reaches (that he knew of) to merit gossip. Yet. Weird.

"You know I don't make promises I can't keep." Yu'star's words were soft as he viewed his sister down in the hole for what was probably the last time. He was going to be staying here, she was going back to Western and....a small, sick part of his heart wished she could just stay down there forever and not leave him. He'd come to High Reaches with the hopes of becoming a rider here and living apart from his family, not entirely separated until fate said otherwise. "But like Nevidenth says I'll be in good hands. He's a fast learner even though I've already had a knife go through my foot at the hatching."

My mouth was full. Nevidenth hwuffed and peered down at Aryale as though the conversation he was having only with Yu'star could be heard by her. Next time I'll move you out of the way before either of us can get hurt. I know what to look for. Yu'star wanted to say there wouldn't be a next time but he couldn't honestly do that. Knowing him there would be plenty of next times and so he just patted his dragonet affectionately. Anyway, you take one of her hands and I will let her hold on to my neck. We can pull together and get her out.

Yu'star paused and frowned. "Errr, are you sure? You're barely a few candlemarks old and Aryale isn't exactly light." The jab at his sister was all in good nature, even if he winced at the end of it while expecting verbal retribution. "Nevidenth says he wants to try and help pull you up."

Nicara & Diesteth

Even looking out across the gathering it just seemed like so many people were here. Of course she'd grown up in a Weyr so seeing large groups at both gatherings and feasts was normal, but High Reaches seemed to have twice the number, was that even possible? They always had been one of the more prepared Weyrs on Pern in the turns before thread had returned and now Nicara was beginning to see why.

Her head dropped a bit as she sighed with the realization that this was a great place for anyone to grow and learn as a dragonrider. It would be perfect for Roana and her new green, but would it be so wrong to dream that she could have been at Western too? She'd learned perfectly well there and held them in high regard because of it, that being one of the reasons she couldn't quite stomach the tension that was boiling beneath the surface of all this. She had been trying to swallow the idea of losing Roana simply because one mouthy dragon spoke to the queens in a disrespectful manner, standing for all of Western in that moment and tarnishing them all as a result. It rankled more than she cared to admit and it wasn't just because Ro would be gone.

As she started to dive further into her thoughts, steps stilled and standing alone surrounded by people enjoying themselves, a body suddenly collided with her and lifted her up off the ground. Eyes flashing wide she turned blood red as she realized who was spinning her around, embarrassment, joy and sadness flooding her until Diesteth reached out gently to ease them all. "I'm so glad they thought we were respectful enough to come. I almost cried thinking I'd never see you again." Nicara said quietly, trying to swallow her tears as she smiled widely for her beloved redheaded piratesailor. Though the angle was odd and she was still spinning she wrapped her arms around Roana and pulled the girl's forehead against her own so she could at least hide her blush for a moment as she composed herself.

"So, I saw this beautiful little green from afar, but it's time you introduced me to her properly." She said after a few moments, her voice still quiet. Though she was bursting with excitement to have Roana in her slim arms again she didn't want to look as though she were being inconsiderate in any way that might have her removed and her nerves shone through her dragon's still yellow eyes as he watched with an undercurrent of elation.

Sinders Path

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Ri'ven & Hoath

You spent far too long with them today, you didn't even wash and oil me. I look like a mess, how can I leave my ledge to even be seen tonight? Hoath was not at all amused but his vocal discontent fell upon deaf ears as his 'so called' rider loaded down a plate without him. All day the tall redhead had spent his time checking on wounded candidates, helping them heal, fixing what he could for them and just generally ignoring his poor dragon who's hide was so dull. The brown wasn't going to take this lying down... even if he was in fact lying on his ledge in full sulk mode as he couldn't join the party. You were oiled yesterday you needy beast, today is about the newest members of the Weyr and not your ego. Besides, I couldn't sit back and not help when I have the skills to aid healers when they were working overtime. Even my little bit can be of use. Ri'ven actually laughed despite himself, knowing full well the big brown could tell he was doing just that.

Shaking his head a bit he shoveled food in his face wearily, the day had been long and while there had been tons of joy there had also been quite a bit of pain this day as well. So many hurt candidates, a pair lost on the sands, positions lost, connections strained. It was a nightmare and all he'd been able to do was help the best that he could for as long as he could, but even he could wear out after a while. Though Hoath was complaining in his mind still, just a constant stream of grumbling, it was all halfhearted because he could tell the large redhead was worn down. It was time to unwind for the day, it was time to eat and dance and enjoy himself. It was time to do anything that might distract him.

Surely at a feast there would be something to distract him from how worn out he was!

M'yk and Dobrokhoth
M'yk had hesitated to attend the Hatching, largely because he'd known Dobrokhoth was still upset about the unaffiliated bronze who'd sired Fianth's clutch, and he didn't want to give him a fresh opportunity to seethe about it.  But he'd insisted that it would be disrespectful to the clutchmothers not to attend, and had promised to be on his best behavior, so M'yk had relented.  And Dobrokhoth had been on his best behavior, right up until that foul Western bronze had insulted them all.  Had he been anywhere near him, which sadly he had not been, he'd have bitten him.  Hard.  As it was, he'd had a few choice words, and had been spitting mad ever since.  With tensions running high, attending the Feast was right out; better to just take him out flying, and avoid even the slightest possibility of trouble.

But no matter how upset he was, Dobrokhoth loved parties, and hatchlings, and he wanted to go! (And maybe keep an eye on all these disgraceful foreigners, just in case.)  No amount of begging or pleading, however, made any leeway, until he mentioned, You know, Rykin was down there.  On the Sands.

Wait, what?!  Why would Rykin have been there, unless-

Why had no one told him?!

You can't expect people to tell you things if you won't speak to them, his dragon had supplied smugly.  For all that he loved His, he had especially stubborn of late, and the brown had taken to needling him at every opportunity.  Even he could see that he was being ridiculous!

But still, if Rykin was a candidate, how had he missed him until now?  Not that he had much of anything to do with the candidates, admittedly, but no matter how big the Weyr was, he couldn't possibly have managed to miss his brother for however long...or could he have?  Some asking around over the course of the day explained it - he wasn't a High Reaches candidate, so he must have come over as part of the exchange.  On the one hand, it was a relief to know that he hadn't been so oblivious as to miss his younger brother, and a reassurance that Rykin probably hadn't been deliberately avoiding him for some reason - the sevenday the Western candidates had been here had surely been quite a busy one, after all.  On the other hand...he hadn't Impressed, so he'd be going back to Western.  All things considered, he was torn between being pleased that his brother had been Searched, inconvenienced that it was to another Weyr, and put out that no one had bothered to tell him.

So it was that he did actually head down to the Feast - and it was the first time in awhile he'd had to dust off his better clothes, Faranth - although he'd insisted that Dobrokhoth ought to stay on his ledge, well away from any possible trouble, which meant that he got to hear all about it on his walk down to the Dining Hall.  By the time he got there, he was on the verge of relenting.  A little.  Noting which dragons were where in the Bowl, he offered, If you stay near Eveleth and Siloth, you can come down. That would ensure he'd be on his best behavior, without a doubt.

Thrumming with happiness to be allowed down to the party, the dusty-shaded brown wasted no time in winging his way down, approaching Eveleth and the fringes of her entourage with a respectful-but-amiable posture, eyes whirling blue-green. Mother, he thrummed in greeting, with friendly, polite touches for anyone else nearby.  And acknowledgement for his esteemed wingleader, too, of course! Siloth.

Inside, M'yk set to looking for his brother, and spotted him soon enough, with...company.  Unmistakable company, in a red dress and with-

If I have to behave, so do you. Amusement rippled across his mental link with Dobrokhoth, which actually didn't do much of anything to help.  Not that he'd have waded into that mess regardless - no, for now he was going to go find a drink.  He needed one.

Tahirah of Brown Taoloth


Taoloth watched his green sister closely, offering a warm embrace and gentle feeling towards her. Are you tired dear sister? It had been a very busy day for all of them, quite an adventure as well. I am quite surprised that those from Western were allowed to even visit after what the bronze did. Honestly, Taoloth had found it all very amusing. If you had a problem with something you didn't say something right in front of everyone, you had to wait for time to pass, perhaps even sow discord among others. Never let it be known you were the master mind behind it, but that bronze had seemed to be all brawn and beauty without any brains.

For her part, Tahirah was watching Rune with a bit of an analytical eye. Her friend smiled but there seemed to be a tiredness underneath it all. "It is amazing." Her blue eyes looked down at the little brown that was still seated by her legs, eyes always whirling blue with flecks of purple towards her. When Rune mentioned her twin Rhys, Tahirah couldn't help but watch her friend a bit more, she didn't really know what Rune was going through. Her family was still alive and she had only been away from them for a turn or so. "Have you been able to talk to him any?"





Dr'cul of Blue Harneth

Raelin's voice had Dr'cul turn his head to look at the woman. "Hmm." His eyes moved to look at everything and everyone once more. "If it were only so. I wish I did not have to be here but Harneth would not stop his incessant prattle about being polite." He was a rider now and not truly practicing his craft anymore but it was still something he liked to work on and try to make sure he was always on the top of his game. Who knew when his skills might be needed after all. "What do you think of the new clutch and those that are joining us as weyrlings?" He had heard of the bronze that had killed that young man and the little green who had been meant for him. He was curious to see just what that bronze was like and who would impress a creature like that.

Saith Harneth bent low to his sister when she neared him, speaking to him. The blue did see the strange cloth boots she was wearing and cocked his head at them but did not say anything, not at the moment. Mother is the best person to be there for them, aside from father after all. There was a wistful sigh as he shook his head. It will just make visiting one another so much harder. I worry more for father then anything, he loves mother so.

He couldn't stop the snort that came out at the mention of western. To think of the nerve of that...bronze....If I find out that he ever thinks of mother that way... He shook his head some. I wish mother had been able to come here as well. She would be treated as would befit her station. He couldn't help the question that came out now. Saith, dear sister, just what are those things that you are wearing upon your feet?





L'ius of Tierth

Hearing his father's voice Tierth let out a little honk and once more grabbed L'ius sleeve to drag the boy along after him. The sandy haired young man had to scramble to keep himself from falling to his feet because he had been side-tracked during the wait.

While standing there by Tierth, L'ius had been scanning the crowd, looking around at everyone. He knew there was no one there to celebrate with him, his aunt and uncle were dead, his sister was on the Western continent and their father was...well who knew were. He was still curious to see the happiness and even sadness upon some family members faces. It was during this course of things that L'ius had caught sight of Zelaya, though he didn't recognize them right away. They had moved through the crowd and into the feast hall quickly and L'ius was wondering some if he had almost imagined what he saw. Of course then Tierth was pulling him along after him and towards the brown that was his father.

Once before Kronoseth, Tierth released L'ius sleeve and moved to his father. Father! Look at mine! Tierth had gone up to nuzzle against Kronoseth before he moved to prance some around L'ius drawing attention to the young man. Doesn't he just look the picture of a perfect Knight? We are going to help save the world!

For his part, L'ius couldn't help but be a little intimidated by standing in front of the brown father. He knew he wasn't at risk for anything, knew he would be safe but well, it still felt a little surreal that he had impressed.

Alone? Oh! So, a secret? Skerath could be kinda secretive. And moody. Was she going to tell Mama she loved her in private so no-one else would hear? Perfectly reasonable! Alegriath sent her sister a burst of love as she was bumped along towards Kronoseth and let her be. For the moment, at least.

I'm here with Papa, she chirped to her mother as she bounced her foreclaws atop one of Kronoseth's. Papa, can I ride on your head first, like that blue did before? So I can see you both, and everyone else, and give you proper snoot boops! The white was filling to burst with enthusiasm and love, but she knew her time was fleeting with her parents; and so while others feasted on food, Alegriath engorged on quality time.

And surely her snoot boop would help Rhianth's mood! It had helped her rider's! It was a magical touch!!

Do you want to dance? she asked her parents, tail wiggling. Or should I sing something? Or... What would make them happiest?

- - -

She hesitated for a second before taking Iathe's hand and shook it. Her hands were gloved against the cold, but one finger (the pinkie) seemed to crumple into an empty space the size of a digit as they did.

"Um. Arlie," she mumbled, this time to the air where their hands had met. She bobbed her head at the question and tried to smile at the comment, but it was strained. Alegriath sent her another soothing touch, but still...Arlie had never gone this long among this many people without her sister. Nevermind the fact that she was still emotionally tender after the Hatching.

"Sorry. I-I'm still getting used t'it all...It's, um. Nice. Having someone else." Though even as she said so, Arlie felt a stab of guilt.