Welcome to Gaia! ::

The usual flurry of activity for any afternoon at a Weyr had been disrupted for a time for many - those who had stood in hopeful silence or watched on as little ones made their way across the sands to find those they would make the rest of their lives with. For others, between excited peeks at the sands, there had been work to do - and oh what delightful festivities that work would yield.

For the new Weyrlings, they'd be shown to their new home in the barracks where they'd have time to settle in and, if they so wished, prepare themselves for the Feast to come. Those who preferred some solitude would be allowed to remain without an ounce of guilt, though the Weyrlingmaster assistants would check in to make sure they were not left wanting in their own needs. Even if celebrated alone, the Feast was in their honor.

Between Casgar’s elaborate preparations, which were always sublime, and the efforts of many busy cooks from both Weyrs the tables threatened to give way under the mountainous bounty of food. Steamed, grilled, spiced, even thinly sliced and salted morsels of fish were hardly the beginnings of such offerings. Igen-style curries of caprine, herdbeast, and even wherry drew similar amounts of temptation alongside fluffy, flat breads and freshly roasted tubers. Rumps and shoulder cuts of meat that had been smoked and roasted and packed with vegetables and spices of their own had been carefully sliced and laid out for easy taking. Regional mixes of fruits and vegetables, sliced, mixed, and some even cooked themselves had been strategically placed between complementary dishes, practically begging to be scooped up themselves. Similarly, towers of carefully crafted desserts had been erected - bubbly pies, tarts, puddings, and things even beyond the imaginations of some less food-fulfilled would tempt the greatest of sweet tooths. From drinks to desserts, only the finest and tastiest things had made the cut to be presented today.

For those who hadn't desired to stay for the festivities, nobody would be shamed into either coming...or for leaving early after eating. For some candidates, this was a time to recover and prepare to wait again. To vent disappointment and move on. For some, it had been their last chance.

But for those who did feel the need to live up the night, Harpers prepared their songs and instruments. Room was left for dancing and talking both inside and out - there would be no need for crowding. Except perhaps to wait as the Weyrleader made her toast to the newly minted Riders of Western Weyr and to usher them into their new lives.

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OOC & IC Rules
1. The Cocktail Clutch Weyrlings are allowed to participate at the feast! For anyone who doesn't wish to participate, they can settle in the Barracks. Weyrlingaster(s) and Assistants will be there to check on them.

2. Cocktail Clutch Weyrlings and Candidates have been given time to change into party-appropriate clothing. High Reaches Senior Weyrlings are not allowed to attend.

3. Cocktail Clutch Weyrlings do NOT get to drink, do NOT get to have pants feelings, do NOT get to get into tussles or fights. Candidates may take comfort however they see fit and are under no such restrictions--though fighting at a party will likely land them in heaps of trouble.

4. High Reaches Guests are allowed to attend provided there is a reason for them to be there--this could be helping in the kitchens, helping transport guests/visitors/Candidates, bringing over once HR weyrlings things and setting them up in the Barracks, etc. They can also come if they are family to the Candidates, or a lover/partner/date. Western Weyr is trying to make amends for some of their previous behavior, and is expected to put their best foot forward.

Wingleaders are expected to keep their more troublesome/vocal wingriders in line or else--Hestina's orders.

High Reaches has also been notified to keep the peace. This is a chance to continue to smooth over some of the edges and make peace with their alliance.

5. Eating can happen anytime, though the Harpers probably won't start dancing immediately. There'll be time to scarf down food, before space is made indoors for couples to take a turn on the dance floor! Weyrlings are allowed to dance provided they don't do anything to get them worked up, ifyouknowhatimean.

6. The Western Weyr Weyrlingmaster's will be checking in weyrlings. Orioth will be there in case any babies need a wing to huddle under. The Weyrlingmaster Second and Assistants will also periodically be watching/checking on the new pairs. Do not hesitate to reach out to any of us if you baby dragonet needs something!

7. That said, while baby dragonets are allowed into the Lower Caverns to be with Theirs (they are still small enough) they are expected to behave and not run wild. Any adult dragon can still order a baby dragon around, even the golds; while golds have command abilities, as a weyrling, they are STILL lower rank than even an adult green purely due to being a baby. Weyrlings don't officially get true rank until they graduate. This goes doubly at Western Weyr, as a gold is looked upon no differently than any other wingrider.

8. Remember, though, IC Action/Drama = IC Consequence! If action must be taken, please remember it is done so because of IC reasons and shouldn't be taken personally. That said, don't bring in characters just to cause trouble because you, as a player, think it's fun; that can spoil things for our other players or cause what we do to be shut down early. Please just try to have fun! Remember, this is a Big Deal for new weyrlings, and all guest and visitors in attendance; if you were lucky to come to watch and celebrate, you are one of the rare few on Pern to do so. The vast majority of Pern NEVER gets to see a Hatching in their life, much less stand as a Candidate for one.

9.It is well known in a Weyr that baby dragons are known to act fierce and/or be dangerous before they find Theirs. The dragonets that injured/killed folks on the Sands will not be treated any differently than those who didn't; it's not taken as a personal offense. While it's clear the family and friends will be affected, and even spectators, at the end of the day dragons and riders know the hard rule--it happens. It's not a rarity, it's not a surprise, it's common. Dragons who haven't Impressed can be volatile, and every Candidate who enters the Sands knows this. The Weyr will mourn and grieve the loss, certainly, but the dragons themselves won't be treated poorly or differently and they certainly won't be punished or shamed. It's a sad loss, certainly, but it was a risk every Candidate accepted when they agreed to stand

10. Have fun!

Fahn and Alenciath

Maybe someday the weight of her decision would make Fahn think again of High Reaches more than that her cousin was there. But the present was too wonderous, too perfect to dream of a future anywhere else but in the beautiful blue eyes of her dragon. As she changed, putting on her cleanest and nicest clothing, Fahn couldn't help but keep peering back down at Alenciath to confirm she was still there.

And I will be every time, Alenciath promised with a wave of love that brought her to her knees to embrace her dragon again. There was no uncertainty in the bond. Even the idea that what counted as her nicest and cleanest clothing for a feast was, perhaps, not exactly as fine as what the others would have been wearing was swept away. That means you can eat and not worry about ruining your clothing by spilling on yourself!

And didn't Fahn deserve to eat her fill? Of course she did!

It also meant Fahn was one of the first Weyrlings ready to go, and both woman and dragon swept out the barracks and off towards the Feast like a tropical storm that had stirred up without warning and nobody was ready to buckle down for yet.

Alenciath ran ahead of her, step growing quicker and quicker as she got closer and closer and spotted shapes that were known in her hearts more than in her eyes. Mama! Papa! Daddy! she called out barely ahead of time before she screeched to a halt in front of whichever of the three had come into sight first, half bouncing as she began to circle with Fahn falling in behind her not long after - but clearly not worn out in the least. Not yet. Not ever.

Marty and Anakumath

Marty had come to appreciate hatching feasts a bit more since she'd impressed. They felt a touch less like a self-pity party, less like she was hoping food would fill an emptiness she'd never known the vastness of until Anakumath had swept in to fill it herself. Nice food tasted better shared with the love of one's life and admittedly there were dishes that tasted better when eaten on the sands of her birth-home. Even if the flavor of memory was less strong than in the company that had made them.

It was good to remember things. But it felt better to be loved - and she could feel it radiating like a sun off of her dragon, who had found a comfortable spot out by the beach to enjoy some company of her own and to feel the warm ocean water like a delicacy against her hide. It was different than the colder waters of the mountains - though they were no less delightful in their fresh, crispness.

Perhaps she would find a familiar face or two to catch up with. At least, some that didn't begrudge her for putting herself out there to find her perfect match.

------

M'nr and Cordrath

M'nr was, admittedly, more excited about food than the rest of the festivities. A hatching was an honor, always, but his enthusiasm was merely a slip of a thing compared to the absolute pride he could feel from Cordrath, who had settled awkwardly outside to try and get another look at all of the little ones who would be filing in soon enough.

And of course, perhaps get a moment with any of his children.

Look at them all - you've done so well, Cordrath practically beamed as much as a dragon could to Khamaith in particular, though his love would wash over Baihath as well. Admittedly, the third parent on the sands was one who was unknown to him, and the bronze was not eager to be too familiar, too quickly, and risk offense. Thank you for taking care of my daughter, he offered instead to Turoth, friendly, but cordial.





-----

F'gon and Farvath

It had been some time since Farvath had enjoyed hatchings the way he once had - it was a familiar ache between both man and dragon. But this hatching had brought many things with it and he'd watched his grandchildren stand with nothing short of pride. That one of them had left the sands with a fine bronze had left Farvath nothing short of smug. Of course there was at least one little one that knew a fine boy when they saw him!

In the time before the Feast, F'gon had taken the time to make a brief appearance at the Weyrling Barracks with some clothing for his grandson to perhaps find something he liked well enough - "But I want a proper introduction to yours later, alright?" Sure, he could have lingered, but wasn't pomp and appearance part of the fun of such introductions?

Admittedly he was so old he couldn't remember much more of his own Feast than the smug showing-off of his dragon and wanting to have eyes about him as he did so. So he wanted to afford that to Zhay- Zh'gan - if it so pleased him as well.

So he'd await the time, and keep an eye out for any other familiar faces that may have welcomed a moment with their grandfather as well.

Li'tt of Vuurth

Vuurth was a touch more excited to see the dragons of High Reaches than Li'tt was - there had been a certain veneer of judgment some had turned his way when of course he'd preferred Western Weyr when he had his blue dragon. He'd quickly piled such people onto a short list of those he would avoid, if they'd dared come if only for the sake of politeness.

The last thing the Weyr needed was for him to get into a fight with an old enemy. The last thing he needed was to get into a fight rather than appreciate his date - who had been ever so kind enough to indulge his company. If he'd over-dressed a little, however, it was definitely to make sure certain people saw he'd thrived.

And because she deserved to have nothing but a handsome man's arm to hold onto, if she so desired.

"Do you enjoy such festivities?" Li'tt asked Iafri softly, already starting to plan out the evening ahead of him dependant on her answer.



-----

Josen

Josen was, perhaps, the less sullen of the pair when it came to how everything had ended up.

"Waiting again," he said, as though Serrekhar didn't already know that and wasn't at least emotionally on his third bottle of feels-bad-man-juice about it. As though so many delicate little greens hadn't fluttered his heart. If Josen hadn't been tough enough to redirect it, his sensitive heart would have started down a spiral of wondering if there was something wrong with him for not having fallen similarly in love with every dragon that hatched.

On the flip side, however, there was delicious food and Josen was happy to pile it all up onto his plate to indulge. Hey, he was a growing baby boy! He deserved to enjoy it all!

"Man, all of these curries look amazing......do you think if I mixed them all on my plate it'd ruin the flavors?"



Fahn would have gasped if she heard it.




-----

Matotoka

He'd patched the worst of his feelings back together, mostly because it was hard to feel too down when he'd had little pings of love and support sent his way. That had made it an easy enough choice to come and celebrate with food.

Celebrate what? Well, Matotoka had decided to celebrate something. Just nothing specific. Celebrate good company, perhaps, even if he was maybe being a rather impolite young man by looking over food between trying to see if he could spot a familiar goldrider who would perhaps enjoy it with him.



-----

E'mel and Brieteth

Brieteth was content to settle wherever Loreleth had decided to be, seeing little need to be down below in the festivities where E'mel had all but been summoned to watch the Harpers as they prepared. It was a love he'd never really be rid of, and he got a certain amusement out of (with permission) holding out his firelizard, Lyre, to the instrument in question and announcing 'It's you!' to her lack of understanding.

It was just a way to pass some time, of course, as he wasn't exactly eager to whisk his dragon back to High Reaches - and E'mel had found that passing the time was rather nice in the right company. Fortunately, visits for Brieteth were usually to someone who came with built-in company.

One of these days, however, he'd need to make the man agree on somewhere they could agree was their 'spot' to meet up at so he'd not be left trying to find him when there were many exciting distractions about.



----

Veena

They'd made it through another hatching without a candidate dying - which meant the event was overall a happy one as far as Veena was concerned. Especially as it seemed a dragon had finally deemed to choose another of her...well... children. She'd not put on airs and pretend that she didn't consider Aerden just that.

But of course, she needed introductions to the handsome blue who had sought him out. Which was why she hadn't put herself into the busy throng that was now investigating the spread of food, but closer to the entry so she could see him when he stepped inside.

Ty'nan and Bllue Chinanazith

When Ty'nan arrived at the Feast, cradling blue Chinanazith in his arms, the party was well underway. "Perfect timing," he grinned to whomever was nearby, but most especially to Chinanazith. He'd had a bit of difficulty getting ready -- partly due to having to piece together a decent outfit, and partly because he just wanted to snuggle with his dragonet. Chinanazith himself had been in no hurry, saying things like The party is right here, Mine! It will be a nice, relaxing cuddle party. But in the end they both decided that seeing their clutchmates was more important, so here they were.

Ty'nan looked around, a huge grin on his face. This was going to be fun! He gently placed Chinanazith on the ground, where the dragonet promptly sat down. "C'mon, Chinny, you can stand. Go visit your brothers and sisters. I'm sure someone will want a cuddle pile."

Heaving a sigh (even though his eyes were still gently whirling a happy blue and green), Chinanath got to his feet in a leisurely manner. You're right, Ty'nanMine. It's more fun to relax with others, after all. With that, the little blue ambled off toward where his parents were lounging. Mama, Papa, Daddy, he crooned at Khamaith, Turoth, and Baihath, booping noses with each in turn before flopping at Khamaith's feet in pure contentment.

Chinanazith wasn't tired, he wasn't injured, he was just... chill. And that calm relaxation oozed through Ty'nan like a sunny day at the beach.

Teohe and Tiossith

There, my dear, I believe you are quite in order, Tiossith had pronounced after giving His a final once-over before the Feast, But we really ought to find you something in blues one of these days. How much more fetching would we be beside each other if we matched? Ah, but don't fret - I know exactly the thing for it! I'll have a little chat with Hyglath while he's here, and be sure he mentions to His that you are in need of something new.

Teohe had been horrified. Tiossith! Don't you dare! We- I'll be just fine with what I have.

You may be fine, but that doesn't mean you don't deserve better still. And besides, it was just your nameday, and while a firelizard egg is very thoughtful, you are a young lady, and you have certain needs. The blue hadn't been willing to hear any further protest on the matter, and had turned and strutted off on his way to the Feast so that he might inform a certain bronze of this particular need. And there were others to see, as well! Less so his clutchmates, as he saw them all day, every day, but also his sire and dame, and he very much wanted a look at all the visitors from High Reaches.


Sylfie and Hesperith

Sylfie would have been perfectly happy to stay home at High Reaches, if it weren't for her handful of friends at Western, and of course Hesperith, who took the opportunity to visit her clutchmates. Early on, they had avoided such visits, as Hesperith had been concerned - rightfully so - that her spending time with Braraith's would have been counterproductive, as she had nursed a hopeless crush on the brownrider for Turns. Now, though, that had faded, replaced by another, and so it was safe enough to visit. And Hesperith did enjoy it, not just for the company, but for the seaside locale.

Sylfie had fussed a great deal about what to wear; when she had dared to wear something a bit outside of her comfort zone at the Feast for Zenobiath's clutch, she'd felt even more self-conscious than usual, and though E'ros had been exceedingly complimentary when he'd swooped in to rescue her from looking anxious and lonely, she wasn't sure she was ready to revisit the outfit. So she'd fallen back on her old standby, even if the skirts were a touch heavy for the summer.

Hesperith settled herself on the beach, the picture of contentment at the edge of the waves, warmth and happiness rolling off of her. Iweth, Braraith, won't you both join me?

She understood if her brother wouldn't be comfortable with the additional company, but the invitation was there, and very much heartfelt.

V'ime of green Rhodonth

Getting to the feast in a timely manner was apparently very important to Rhodonth, but so was making sure V'ime was presentable. He'd never washed and dressed faster than he had that evening and he had half a mind to tell his new dragon that if she hadn't waited so long to hatch and find him, maybe they wouldn't be rushing. But the thought had only just formed in his mind before Rhodonth was scolding him for assuming it was her fault that they were in a rush. No no, it was him! His attire wasn't properly cleaned nor pressed, his hair was a mess, his nail beds were dirty, oh, the state of his shoes...

But here they were, Rhondoth walking daintily beside a nearly scrubbed raw V'ime. His clothes were...fine. Clean and pressed but certainly out of style by a few Turns and threadbare here and there. They suited V'ime just fine but Rhodonth had turned her nose up to everything and had to settle. No matter, she'd be debonair and regal enough for the both of them. Her little head was held high and her tail didn't drag on the ground as they approached the little gathering of siblings before the three parents. V'ime hung back as Rhodonth approached her parents, giving them each a loving nuzzle and croon. She glanced at her siblings as well that had gathered, a decent little cluster of them.

Ilaorunth, you are looking beautiful this evening as always, my dear. Yours has dressed to match your hide perfectly. My compliments. Alenciath, Cordrath, so lovely to see you.

As his dragon socialized V'ime glanced around, looking for an empty table to sit at. They among the first of the new riders to arrive but there were already quite a fair number of weyrfolk mingling around the food. He just wanted to grab some grub and find a quiet place to sit, but he knew Rhodonth would be upset if he left without her.

Raen, Mindhealer (Western, She/Her)

Hatchings were always wondrous things, full of hope and dreams come true for some... but also sadness, and even great pain for others. Physically and emotionally, it could be a challenging time, and while Raen might not be suited to stitch the guts back into a mauled candidate, she knew how to soothe the mental scars of trauma and fear better than most. The feast was not the place to minister care to others, of course, but as far as watching the crowds, seeing who indulged a little too much, or too little... It could be a grand way to suss out future people to talk to and check in on.

This hatching had gone better than some, better than most, really, in that regard. No one dead, no hatchlings lost between. A rousing success, some might say. And so for once, Raen hadn't really planned to do much in way of her quiet work tonight. It would be nice to let her hair down (or put it up, rather) and simply enjoy the evening. Try some good food, have a dance or two, maybe. Nourish the body along with the mind, and celebrate the Weyr's newest riders-to-be. Tomorrow, perhaps, or the next day, she would check in on the girl that had been mauled, and see how she was handling it. One never knew with the bad wounds, what kind of trauma might lurk... but Pern needed all the potential riders they could get, with thread growing worse by the turn. Losing a candidate to fear or remembered pain might someday cost them all a needed rider, and so it was better to be sure.

For now though... the golden-white and flaky fish, steaming brightly from the tables, drew her into the throng.