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Post by **Auria (etc)** on Aug 23, 2008 8:23:35 GMT -5
Penna was exhausted. She was dirty. She felt ill. She was starving. And once the call came out that the hatching feast beckoned, she didn't know what to do first.
So first, and foremost, for her Darling, despite Penna's other appetites, was always her first priority, she saw that Plianth had winged her way contentedly to the feeding pens. Then, to the comforting sound of screaming herdbeasts, Penna returned to the Weyr.
There was no way she was going to climb the steps to their old weyr, and no way she was going to interrupt Plianth's feeding (she'd be at that for hours, of course), so she returned to the little bathing room in her Hatching Grounds alcove. On the way in, she spotted wraithlike shadow-drudges cleaning up egg shells and heard their curses at the heat and steam.
She thought about calling to one of them to man the pumps for her bathing tub, but decided she wanted privacy more than help, and ran a luke warm bath for herself. The temptation was to linger, but the combination of her own ravenous hunger and Plianth's turned cleaning up into a fast-track, and she was soon, hair still dripping, heading for the food. She staggered slightly in the hallways, and several times had to stop and lean against the wall. The heat had really done her, and she stopped and wiped sweat from her eyes.
The smells from the feast revived her somewhat, and the sight of an iced fruit salad at the near end of a serving table quickened her steps. She piled a plate with fruit and sweet yoghurt topping, and thought for half a moment about looking for either L'kas or M'kel.
Instead, her stomach won out, and she headed for the closest empty seat, snagging an iced wine cooler on the way.
Tipping the glass back, she drank half the wine before digging in to her first course, promising her stomach that there would be more courses to follow.
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Post by Felina on Aug 23, 2008 8:40:09 GMT -5
((Get your butt in here, Meah.))
Miladath had told him. The 'person with the very pretty Silvrith' was named I'nk, a name that could easily have been derived from Iraink. She didn't know what the original name had been; it was a bit of a failing in the dragons. Not that A'mnir particularly minded. A'mnir. It was almost as pretty as his old name, half-forgotten already in the constance of his chatter with the lovely green who had, bizarrely, chosen him. He had to wonder a bit, though, about the implications of that. That little subconscious niggling that had been in the back of his mind so often, he had to wonder if it was in truth more prominent than he had thought.
But he was getting sidetracked again. It was difficult to concentrate with his head pounding as it was, and the back of the chair he had chosen was probably the only thing keeping him from toppling over. He really should have stayed in bed today, but seeing Miladath, that little thought just melted away. I'nk. He needed to prove to himself that it wasn't his half-brother, then everything could just go back to being normal.
Or, well, as normal as life could possibly be after Impression. Perhaps not so normal after all.
But man, was it worth everything. Of course it is, my Am'nir. But should you not go to bed and find this boy some other day? I am sleepy as well, and it would be so nice to go in the sun and just take a nice, lovely nap.
Is that your concern for me, or simply that you're tired? Because if it's you, you know, I'm not really all that hungry... The growling of his stomach, however, said otherwise. Or, well... Sorry? But food's really nice and all, and you already got to eat.[/b]
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Post by B'kay on Aug 23, 2008 9:11:12 GMT -5
C'train, the last to Impress, was one of the lingerers, still feeding his precious Rhobith (and sharing bits with little Rapture as well, who had worked very hard during the Hatching), as most of the others headed out to the feast and elsewhere. He could see the stands, now mostly empty ... or at least the nearest portion of them, and looked around to realize that the two large shadows that had been the parent dragons were also gone.
He stood for a moment, looking into the fog as cleanup crews drifted ... for they certainly seemed to be drifting shadows in the mist ... in. His hand automatically caressed the amber-gold headknobs of the large brown dragonet who stood quietly beside him.
What is wrong, C'train-mine? You seem ... undecided. Rhobith's thoughts came through with slightly confused curiosity, for "undecided" was certainly not something he himself would experience often.
C'train smiled at Rhobith, and his grin widened as he realized that Rapture had curled up between the dragonet's wing, and was sound asleep. "It's just--" he began aloud, and then remembered that he had no need for words, --that I don't know where to go. I wasn't a candidate, so didn't live with the others. I live over in a small weyr above the runner stable cavern. And there is certainly no room there for a dragon! I'm dirty and I smell--
Well, yes, you do....
The Beastmaster laughed out loud, --Thanks for that confirmation. I need to clean up, get into some decent clothes, and find a place for you while I go get some food.
He frowned slightly, for he certainly had no desire to leave Rhobith's side. Not now, not ever.
Others of my clutch are at the feast with their riders, the brown stated matter of factly, and I intend to go as well.
Rhobith turned and headed for the tunnel that led to the Bowl. I smell air this way, and I smell beasts, so we will go now, and you can change, and I will wait for you, and then we will go feed your hungry belly.
It took a moment for C'train to move, but then he trotted after his dragon, chuckling. Oh yes, this was going to be an interesting experience!
**
When he came back down from his ... former, he guessed, but where WOULD he live? ... little weyr, clean and with a light gauze tunic and lightweight breaches on, and sandals on his feet, looking pressed and smelling much better, Rhobith was curled up napping in a pile of clean straw in the stables. He wouldn't fit in there for very long, of course, but C'train marveled at the young dragonet's ingenuity.
The brown woke immediately, and rose, still balancing the sleeping firelizard between his wings.
Hand on Rhobith's neck, C'train entered the dining cavern to the sound of a hungry, happy, chattering crowd, and looked around. Many seats were already filled, but there seemed to be plenty of places where a weyrling could sit and a young dragonet make themselves comfortable. He filled a plate quickly, hoping no one could hear his growling stomach, and found a place nearby, smiling shyly at the people already seated farther down the table.
Rhobith was wide awake, eyes whirling with curiosity, his head turning every which way. Many of my clutchmates are here, he said, and then broadcast to whatever dragons where nearby, to C'train's embarrassment, Hello, I am Rhobith and this is my rider C'train-mine. Who would like to come sit with us?
Oh, yes. Interesting, indeed!
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Post by Monkeyfuzz on Aug 23, 2008 11:26:10 GMT -5
Aylana had made her way to the food table and was putting some food on her plate. Her dragon was scouting the area to see whom to go chat with. A dragon's declaration of their presence turned his head, and he was quite surprised to see a man that he recognized from his rider's memories. Aylana-mine, who's that?
Who? She questioned, as she put one last piece of food on her plate, then turned around.
The one with my brown clutch-mate, Rhobith. He gestured with one wing to the pair.
The girl's eyes widened once they landed on Caltrain- C'train. Oh! That's Caltrain...he was my boss- well, master, really- when I was a stable hand.
Well, what are you waiting for? Let's go greet them! the blue cried and immediately started moving over to them.
"Wait! Al!" she called to him, then sighed and cautiously followed him. For once in her life, she was to be starting a conversation- well, no, that wasn't true, because technically her optimistic blue was.
Hello, Rhobith! the cobalt-swirled sky blue dragonet greeted happily, stopping before him and his bonded. I'm Aladath, and this is my bonded, Aylana, he introduced them easily.
"Hi," she said with a faint smile. "I...Didn't know you impressed, Caltrain." Oh, wait! That wasn't his name anymore. "I mean, C'train," she corrected with a slight sigh. This was...odd. Perhaps the word was different? Though, if you thought about it, this whole experience was different. And her life would be different from then on. Different seemed to be tacked onto her forehead now. And she welcomed it. To an extent, anyways.
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Post by B'kay on Aug 23, 2008 15:21:17 GMT -5
C'train was trying to focus very intently on the fascinating array of meats, tubers and vegetables on his plate, and pretend that his dragon wasn't calling the attention of all his clutchmates to them, when he heard a familiar voice.
"Oh, Aylana, hi," he said as he looked up, feeling slightly relieved to see it was someone he had grown familiar with, for social graces were not his strong suit. And then he saw the blue dragonet....
This is Aladath! Rhobith said excitedly to C'train, as he stretched out his neck to touch muzzles with his brother in greeting.
"Were YOU the 'girl in the stands chosen by the blue' everyone was buzzing about?" He grinned, the gap in his teeth showing comically. "I had no idea ... couldn't see much through that sharding fog. I guess we both had a bit of a surprise today, didn't we? This is Rhobith!" he finished with pride, his eyes shining as they lingered on his handsome brown. "Your Aladath is quite the striking young fellow, isn't he? Please ... join us!"
He pulled out the chair next to him to stress his invitation. "Say ... maybe someone has told you ... The other candidates, well, they would all have had weyrling barracks rooms prepared for them. Do you know what we're supposed to do?"
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Post by meah on Aug 23, 2008 18:02:19 GMT -5
I'nk, we must go to this feast everyone is buzzing about. You are hungry.
I'nk sighed and smiled affectionately at Silvrith. Even if Sill was naive enough to believe that the thread-droppers weren't real, he was still I'nk's Silvrith, as he was so fond of reminding I'nk whenever the word thread-dropper crossed the boy's mind. This was absurd, though. They couldn't go to a feast with all those thread-droppers around.
Mine... Silvrith muttered exasperatedly into the boy's mind. You must eat, and this food will be safe, if they are feeding it to these 'thread-droppers' you fear so much.
The dragon kept to himself his belief that his was full of nonsense, because he loved his I'nk, even with his strange quirks and paranoia.
Come on, I'nk. We will go to this feast.
I'nk sighed, remembering the last thing close to a feast he had been to. It was for his brother, no, his mother's son's birthday. Andy had been I'nk's best friend up until about three weeks before that day, when Andy had turned into a thread-dropper with the rest of the family. Even their mother was a thread-dropper, although I'nk hadn't known it yet. Sometimes, he wondered to himself if he could ever get Andy back from the thread-droppers.
Meanwhile, Silvrith was quietly observing his. I'nk had very little control over what Silvrith did and didn't see, and the dragon caught a glimpse of a face that seemed oddly familiar considering he'd never been to the hold where I'nk grew up. He really had no desire to go, but if his decided that they must go, such as to rescue this friend Andy, they would, of course, go together. This friend's face was the one which caught Silvrith's eye.
Mine, I have seen this boy before. His wasn't listening, because I'nk was too busy contemplating how to rescue his brother from the thead-droppers. MINE! Your brother is here. I have seen him. He will be at the feast, you will see.
I'nk had stared at Silvrith for quite a while, or so it felt to both of them, as emotions raced through him and into the dragon. The boy was scared for his brother, and he was excited. What if Andy had escaped and he had come looking for I'nk to see if he was alright? That was the real clincher. He was going to go to the feast.
This plan placed him standing idly near a table with large quantities of food on it, watching out for Andy. I'nk had gotten taller than Andy since he'd been gone. Andy was quite small compared to the nearly full-grown I'nk. That was sad, because I'nk was the smallest person he'd ever met, which didn't amount to many people.
Standing by his side was Silvrith, who had Sidhka sitting on his shoulder, chattering at him. Sill didn't think it would be the appropriate time to tell his that the flit was a vain, silly creature, but she wasn't the one talking to him in his head. Instead, he sat next to his and searched for a boy he had seen once.
It occurred to I'nk that Silvrith was, rather than looking for Andy, looking for an older boy who rather looked like Andy. This happened at about the same time that Silvrith realized that I'nk was looking for the Andy he'd known many turns ago. Sill...you're looking for an older kid. Andy's only like six turns old.
Silvrith stared at his incredulously. It dawned on him that I'nk hadn't gotten to watch his siblings grow up, so that might account for some of his lack of knowledge that all children grew. Still, his was very daft.
While I'nk was staring off into the crowd, looking for a small child, Silvrith was searching for the boy he'd seen only once before. It was a few moments before he saw the young man, for that was what he was, sitting collapsed in a chair beside the green Miladeth, who he sent a brief inquiry to before gently pushing I'nk towards the chair with his tail.
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Post by Monkeyfuzz on Aug 23, 2008 19:14:55 GMT -5
'Girl in the stands chosen by the blue'? Her eyes widened at this bit of information; seems she had created quite the stir and hadn't even realized it. Yet it made sense, for all the commotion Aladath had made clambering up the stands then falling down them after he finally spotted her. Aladath peeked over at her whilst rubbing muzzles with his brother, happy to converse with a sibling that was as happy-go-lucky as he was. He wondered why his life-mate was already dwelling on the hatching, this soon, but didn't interrupt her thoughts, or her conversation with Rhobith's.
She smiled at him, easier now. "Oh, it's fine. I wasn't around to see you impress; I was surprised when Aladath pointed you out," she spoke while sneaking a glance down to her blue while she spoke, introducing him as well in one nice bundle. Once leaving her new love, her gaze settled on the chair he pulled out for her; only after hesitating for a second, she took the invitation, glad to get off her feet. Not that she'd been on them all day; but the heat had made them sore, even if she hadn't put pressure on them with her weight.
"Well..." she paused, mulling it over. "We'll probably have to track down the Weyrlingmaster and ask him about it. Do...you know who that is, by the way?" she asked sheepishly. She was only a stable hand, after all! Was, Aylana-mine, was, Aladath corrected her gently. She smiled at him. "I wasn't really paying attention to other than the Weyrleaders at the stables," she admitted.
So, Rhobith, what do you think of this feast! Look at all of our clutch-siblings! It's good that they all made it through the heat, he said conversationally, beaming around at the area. It was funny that the pair had impressed to two people who weren't exactly socially inclined even though they themselves were.
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Post by B'kay on Aug 23, 2008 20:17:58 GMT -5
C'train couldn't help smiling when Aylana said she was surprised to see him. "You're not the only one who's surprised to see that I Impressed," he said quietly, turning his smile to his brown. It lingered on his face as his gaze rested there, watching the clutchbrothers interact.
He returned his full attention to Aylana when she asked about the Weyrlingmaster, however. "Ah, that would be B'kay, of bronze Syth ... you've probably noticed him, he's that very dark bronze that almost looks like he's shaded black in some light." A shadow crossed his face. He'd never gotten to know the Weyrlingmaster, but had heard things about him recently that made him reluctant to seek him out. He lowered his voice slightly. "I'm told he's a bit of a grouch since the Weyrleader gave Penna B'kay's weyr and demoted him to an unfinished cave down by the lake." He looked around the room, but didn't spot the bronzerider among the growing crowds.
The feast is fun! Rhobith responded, and as he did so, the little brown firelizard between his wings woke and chattered happily. There is so much to see!
Rapture leapt to the table and helped himself daintily to a bit of roast tuber from C'train's plate.
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Post by **Auria (etc)** on Aug 23, 2008 20:31:30 GMT -5
Halfway through her third plate, Penna's appetite began to slow down. She poured another cup of wine from the flask, and sat back, listening to the pleasant music from the harpers who sat in the corner. One was playing a soprano pipe that sounded very like birds singing in the background, and she couldn't help smile.
It was then that it half-registered to her mind that the chairs around here were all still empty. Although a number of people had politely congratulated her on her dragon's wonderful clutch, none had chosen to sit with her. She glanced around for the Weyrleader, and for L'kas, the only two people she'd really developed any rapport with. A drudge with a pastry cart passed behind her, eyes lowered, and stopped when Penna reached out, smiling.
"Dessert, mu'um?" the girl asked, not returning the smile.
"Just a little," the queenrider said quietly, and helped herself to several small fruit tarts, a creme-filled puff and a small square of some delightful looking flaky thing with berries and powdered sweeting on top.
The drudge set a cup in front of Penna and offered to pour klah, but Penna thanked her and said no. The wine would wash the sweets down just as well.
Sighing as the cart moved on, Penna nibbled at the treats, and sipped her wine, refilling the cup as needed. She let the sight of beautiful hatchlings, all her darling Plianth's children, wandering about with their newly bonded, comfort her. Even if she, Penna, might not be all that well loved, the product of her Queen would always be treasured. It occurred to her that weyrlings probably wouldn't be allowed to bring their new lifemates to the feast ... but she was glad Araelen had no such restriction. Though lonely, Penna was, thanks to these young dragons, content.
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Post by Shikai on Aug 24, 2008 3:40:06 GMT -5
A’clayr had been glad indeed to get out of his candidate’s robe, which had been clinging quite uncomfortably to him by the end of the hatching, and into the nicer clothes he rarely got a chance to wear. It wasn’t that he couldn’t, really, but he would feel quite out of place in his finer clothes, from his days at the hold, now that he lived at the weyr. But now he was off to the hatching feast, to reintroduce himself to the weyr not as a candidate, but a weyrling, bonded to the handsome brown dragonet that walked beside him.
Without a doubt, Atoth was the best thing that had ever happened to him…yet why did he feel so uneasy? As the post-impression bliss had begun to wane enough to restore A’clayr’s ability to think, he found himself unsettled by the presence of another entity in his mind. He quickly found that it was difficult to hide anything from Atoth, who wasn’t at all pleased by his rider’s reluctance to share all his thoughts. Yet A’clayr didn’t let his disquiet show, nodding in a friendly manner and casting a cheerful grin toward all those he passed in the halls.
Why are you doing that?[/color] Atoth said, turning his head to look up at A’clayr’s face as they walked. Doing what? The weyrling answered, with a quizzical glance at the young brown. Lying.[/color] A’clayr’s brow furrowed, uncomprehending. But I haven’t said anything, Atoth! I don’t mean with words.[/color] The brown answered, his young mind unable to find the terms to describe what he meant, but A’clayr grasped what his dragon was trying to say, and turned away from his dragon’s scrutinizing gaze, fixing his eyes on the wall of the corridor. I don’t know…this is a happy day. I ought to be happy. I am happy! Just…oh, I don’t even know. I wouldn’t want to ruin the occasion for anyone. He responded, his mental voice quiet.
The dragon snorted. There’s no reason you can’t act upset if something is bothering you. Well, why don’t you tell me what is wrong?[/color] A’clayr’s eyes didn’t move, remaining on the stone rather than meet the concerned, whirling eyes of his dragon. It’s nothing. A’clayr-mine![/color] The brown replied, growing exasperated. A’clayr? That’s my name now, is it? It’s strange having a new name… The weyrling replied offhandedly, but Atoth wasn’t about to let his change the subject.
Mine, this is silly. I am your dragon! Since clearly you don’t understand what that means, let me elaborate for you. If something is troubling you, you will share it with me, and I will listen. Likewise, I will hide nothing from you. That is how this will work.[/color]
A’clayr looked down at his dragon, unable to keep the expression of guilt off his face. Atoth was so young, only shelled that very day, how could A’clayr possibly burden him with his anxieties? Your burden is my burden, A’clayr-mine, whether you would have it so or not. It is far more distressing that you are unable to confide in me.[/color] A’clayr winced. However had Atoth sensed his innermost thoughts? Surely there was a way to think that wasn’t audible to one’s dragon, perhaps he just wasn’t doing it right. What a strange notion, that there was a wrong way to think. A’clayr didn’t understand, he had known that the bond between dragon and rider was strong, but how was he to know that his dragon’s presence would be woven into his own, impossible to fool? Igrainth and Lucaith had seemed much more…innocent, somehow; he doubted they were constantly pressing their riders for access to all their thoughts. Despite his age, Atoth didn’t act like a young creature in the least. What’s more, Atoth saw through his every façade, saw straight through to his core. Why was that so frightening?
The brown dragonet suddenly moved in front of A’clayr, preventing him from moving forward and forcing his rider to look at him. Mine,[/color] Atoth began gently, with a sigh, I like who you are. I knew who you were before I chose you, you could never deceive your Atoth! All dragons are different just as all people are different, and the relationships between dragons and riders will not always be the same. I apologize if I am not what you expected, but you must stop this secretiveness if we are to thrive together. You have nothing to hide from me, why can’t you just trust me? I promise I will never let you down.[/color]
A lump rose in A’clayr’s throat as he looked into Atoth’s eyes, and he quickly ducked down a vacant side corridor, slumping down against the wall as he fought to regain his self control. Atoth followed and lovingly nuzzled his sitting rider, which only made the pain in A’clayr’s throat greater. Alright…I guess we’ll try it your way, then. Old habits die hard, you know, and I suppose I’ve grown accustomed to keeping a certain distance. It’s just a bit unsettling then to feel so…exposed, I think. It’s not fair to you, Atoth, I know it isn’t, but I can’t help it. You’re the most wonderful dragon there is, without a doubt, and you deserve better. Atoth exhaled, his nostrils blowing warm air at A’clayr’s face as he sent loving emotions to his rider. But not better than you, better from you, mine! There, this is just right, actually, see? Worrying about hiding from me, for whatever reason, will only cause you distress. This conversation was quite inevitable, and I rather thought it would be better to deal with sooner rather than later. Now, whenever you are ready, perhaps we can proceed to the hatching feast?[/color]
A’clayr clasped his arms around the brown neck, gently stroking the wonderfully soft, smooth hide. I’m sorry… He said softly. Yes, what a fool he was, treating his very dragon, his lifemate, as he would just another person. Atoth was a part of who he was, and loved him unconditionally, responding to the worst of A’clayr’s behavior with only care and reassurance. Certainly it would take some time to get used to being so intrinsically linked to another creature, but it was a good thing to be accustomed to, well worth the effort.
“Shards, but I’m being such an idiot.” He said, with a somewhat bitter laugh. “After all, here I am with the most wonderful dragon in all of Pern, and what am I doing? Faranth, why am I such an emotional mess today? Must be the hatching, I suppose. I’d better stay well away from the wine, eh?” A’clayr flashed a wry grin at Atoth, clambering to his feet. “I ought to be at the feast, showing you off to everyone!” With that, he left the small corridor, moving toward the Lower Caverns again. And Atoth? Yes, mine?[/color] I’m…I’m glad to have you. So very glad. And it’s rather nice…to have someone who knows and understands me so well. And accepted him anyway. I’ll try my best to be a good rider for you. Faranth knows you deserve it.
The dragon merely gave a light snort in response, and A’clayr smiled softly at his brown. Yes, he could get used to his. Well, never completely used to it, for he was sure that the wonder of their bond would never fade, even if they spent a hundred turns together. Relishing Atoth’s presence in his mind much more than resenting it, A’clayr entered the Lower Caverns, proud of the brown at his side, and looked for a familiar face as he tried to decide where to sit.
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