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Post by sorra on Jul 20, 2010 10:23:18 GMT -5
S'tex smiled when J'sen invited the others over. He quickly slid down a seat to allow more room around the table. It would be great to get to celebrate with the other weyrlings. He couldn't believe how many of his friends that he had made since coming had managed to Impress. "What a day!" he said cheerily.
Calyssa caught sight of Luna and motioned the girl over. She knew Luna was almost as shy as Roni, but it wouldn't do to have them sitting by themselves. She turned her attention back to J'sen as he sat down himself. She waved at her father who was surprisingly sitting with J'sen's family before giving the new bronze rider her full attention. Her eyes widened at the sight of the necklace. "But..." she started, not sure how to respond. "Are you sure?" she whispered. "It is beautiful."
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Post by Kendrall on Jul 20, 2010 10:42:27 GMT -5
J'sen nodded, watching Calyssa's eyes widen with surprise. Earlier when he looked at his own family, Calyssa's father was sitting with them, so the nod his own father gave was an indication both men had approved of their children's relationship. J'sen knew his father didn't quite agree with the lack of a formal bond such as marriage within the Weyr, but Jaylen trusted his son enough to have his Amonth outperform and outlast his competition to catch Calyssa's Freyath each time she Rose.
"I'm sure of it," J'sen replied softly, offering to place the pendant around Calyssa's neck. "My father approves of you, and my mother and sister adore you. I know we can't formally declare ourselves as weyrmates, Calyssa. Not yet. But I do want you by my side, and I want to be by yours."
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Post by sorra on Jul 20, 2010 11:12:26 GMT -5
S'tex glanced down at his father. He was glad to see that things had cooled down a bit since the Hatching. He had been worried that something was going to terribly wrong. He smiled as he watched J'sen and Calyssa. He had finally come to the realization that J'sen wouldn't hurt Calyssa and she was happy with him. That was all that mattered to him.
Calyssa slowly nodded, a smile lighting up her pretty face. She turned around, so he could put the necklace on. "I thank you," she whispered. "You didn't have to." She giggled softly. "I think my father finally got over the shock and approves of you too," she said. Her face flushed slightly. "I would like that. And a Turn won't be that long. Of course I don't know if reds are closer to greens or golds in when they mate," she softly. Hopefully someone would explain that to her.
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Post by Jazzeh on Jul 20, 2010 14:52:45 GMT -5
Toniel gave everyone a small, polite smile as she passed them, nodding in response to their congratulations for a good clutch. She was proud of Aylinth for her clutch, even despite the new colors that had cropped up. That might be a problem in the future when it came to assessing them for wing placement. Hatchlings were all so small it was difficult to tell how large they would be at full maturity. It remained to be seen if the colors matching those of the firelizards was a coincidence or if they were indeed exactly the same. If they were...Quindara would be joining the ranks shortly. It didn't necessarily bother her, but she wasn't sure how Q'del would feel about it. She'd rather not have the tension right now, especially with Cybele having only them to rely on. But Chandrath was due to rise soon, so hopefully that was a problem that would soon be fixed.
The goldrider gladly took a sip of the wine, finding it to be very light with a sweetness she was not used to. It was very fine wine, and she wouldn't be surprised if it was the best vintage they had in their stores. She caught sight of G'rett leaning to whisper into Quindara's ear and it gave her a sense of foreboding. She wasn't completely unaware of Quindara's reputation around the weyr, but for a Candidate to so openly be courting a rider, a Wingleader nonetheless, was not good. If she wasn't careful, she could easily be pulled in, especially given her heightened sexuality, and cause problems with her dragon. She could cause her to rise early or worse, send her between! So if Toniel's gaze was a little troubled as she peered over her wineglass or if she distractedly took in more of the wine than she intended, she had reason.
F'har beamed at the compliments he was receiving, so proud that he had a dragon to call his own. He had never imagined it feeling so great! "Huh, that is kinda strange," he agreed. He tried not to think of what would have happened if the boy had not been at the Hatching. They had seen what that would cause. He could never forget the keens of the dragons as the gray went between forever. The gray that should have been Terahar's. With moisture stinging at his eyes, he blinked rapidly and nodded at his brother, his smile faltering slightly. "Yeah, let's get some food," he said and forced thoughts of his triplet aside. He also made sure to bow to the Weyrwoman and gave her a polite, boyish smile before bolting after K'von. Once he saw the food, his mouth began to water. But then there was the logistics of trying to get food. Maybe he could still clasp the plate in the hand of his broken arm. Well, nothing left to do except try it!
Lyrensa nodded at the other woman, glad that she didn't poke fun at her or get angry. She took Kia's hand and shook it. "Yeah, her name's Brigith," she said with a hint of pride in her voice. She felt her blush receding as she caught C'olt's appreciation of her gown and his compliment. As he mentioned the drunken revelry that was likely to occur, she nearly groaned. The last thing she wanted was to be stuck on clean up duty. Thankfully she had Impressed, or her time would be expected in the infirmary taking care of headaches and the various scrapes and bruises that came with the courage and sense of invincibility that wine gave dragonriders. They were already the saviors of Pern and the last thing some of these twits needed was an extra dose of liquid courage.
Before she could introduce herself to the older blue weyrling, C'olt did so for her. She eyed him a little bit surprisedly as he mentioned she would be walking the tables soon. It was possible that her studies had gotten away from her and she'd lost track of how far she'd gotten into her apprenticeship, but he made it sound as if she might very well become a journeywoman tonight! That would be a surprise she wasn't sure if she could handle, not after the overwhelming joy of Impressing her very own dragon, even if Brigith was a strange color. She smiled at C'olt as he suggested they sit. She did so, carefully tucking her dress beneath her as she did so. As a lock of dark blond hair fell into her eyes, she shook her head to remove it from her line of vision. "So, C'olt, you and Aromath must be very near to graduating weyrling training," she said as a conversation starter. Most dragonriders were all too happy to talk about their dragons and now that she had one of her own, she understood why.
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Post by fellis on Jul 20, 2010 15:03:09 GMT -5
Kia was slightly relieved when C'olt told her that Lyrensa was a Healer. That explained their association well enough. Still, she was a little irritated when C'olt suggested that the weyrling join them. Shouldn't Lyrensa sit with some other new weyrlings? Kia shrugged it off, not wanting to seem like a jealous harpy. After all, C'olt didn't technically belong to her. She couldn't claim that when their relationship was "off" more often than "on." She took a seat and grabbed a glass of wine when a server passed. "I'm starving. I could eat a herdbeast!" She exclaimed, lacking C'olt's dramatic flair entirely.
M'lym squirmed a little as Meera looked him over. He had chosen the outfit hoping that it looked good, but he didn't really know anything about clothes. He was glad that she approved of it. "I just spoke to E'lon, and he said that Danuth is doing well. She's quite the charming young green," he said with a smile. It seemed like Danuth would grow into a strong, proud green dragon.
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Post by sorra on Jul 20, 2010 15:08:04 GMT -5
Meera shook her head. She had to remember to be careful, so she didn't make him uncomfortable. She hoped one day though that he would feel at ease around her. He was one of the few that she felt comfortable with. "Well, thats good. I'll have to make a point of congratulating him," she said, taking a sip of the wine that M'lym had given her. "Danuth was a very pretty green."
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Post by Kendrall on Jul 20, 2010 16:37:11 GMT -5
Junior Weyrling J'sen
J'sen all but cheered when Calyssa told him her father approved of him, but instead of cheering, he slipped the finely wrought chain around her neck and fastened the clasp, then waited for her to turn around again so he could see how it looked against the hollow of her throat. He gave her a warm smile but it faded into puzzlement when Calyssa said she didn't know if Reds were similar to Greens, or to Golds. He shrugged. "A fair question," J'sen replied. "I honestly couldn't tell you, but both Grays Impressed to Lyrensa and to Rushera, and that Silver to Quindara. The only other Red was to Cheriss. So, I don't know if any of them will actually clutch. Perhaps G'fal or someone else in the Leadership might know."
He waved to Luna cheerfully, indicating she, too, was welcome to sit with the others gathered at this particular table. From what he knew, he and Calyssa didn't want to leave anyone else out from the camaraderie that was common amongst Weyrlings, and J'sen was determined to do whatever he could to see his fellow Junior Weyrlings through to their graduation.
------------------------------------------------------------ Senior Weyrling/Journeyman Healer C'olt
Waiting for Kia and Lyrensa to seat themselves before he himself took his chair, C'olt raised his own goblet to toast the ladies. "To friendship, to life," he offered, taking a long sip of wine before sitting, returning the blonde woman's smile then chuckling at the brunette's exclamation of being so hungry she could eat a herdbeast. C'olt turned to beckon one of the drudges over, and leaned over to speak quietly to the young fellow. "See to it these ladies are served first, will you?" he asked. Leaning back until he was sitting upright again, he nodded at Lyrensa's question, letting a smile come to the corner of his mouth as he watched her shake her head to remove a stray lock of hair. "It won't be too much longer," he said. "I was rather surprised when I was allowed to Stand even though I was still in quarantine. I'll never forget the moment Aromath hatched, looked at all the males, then all the ladies, then finally came over and looked at me with those rainbow eyes of hers." He sighed fondly. "Of course, I knew some would expect me to, well..." His green eyes shifted, as if he was unsure if he should say it, but he pressed on, clearing his throat. "Personally, I find it rather abhorrent. But, Flightlust does tend to make you do things you normally wouldn't. So does being drunk, for that matter." C'olt took another sip of his wine. "And I would much rather be drunk and be somewhat in control rather than not have any control at all. Although my Aromath has been acting a bit strange lately. I'm not sure what to make of it."
He looked at Kia. "Kia? Would you care to share your tale with one of our newest Weyrlings?"
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Post by sorra on Jul 20, 2010 16:49:42 GMT -5
Calyssa stayed turned the other way until she was sure that J'sen had the necklace clasped. She then turned back around to face him. "So?" she asked softly, wondering how it really looked. It was even more special because it came from J'sen. She nodded a little. "I guess. Although maybe they don't know either." She shrugged a little. "I guess it doesn't matter though," she said with a smile. "She's a female and you Impressed a male, so that's all that matters," she said happily.
S'tex rolled his eyes. He couldn't believe his 15-Turn-old sister was so smitten with someone already. But oh well. It could be worse. "The necklace is pretty, Cal," he said as a few of the others weyrlings joined them.
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Post by Jammi on Jul 20, 2010 20:15:55 GMT -5
Cheriss and D'mar had little to no clue as to who was with who, and gossip like that. Really the twins could careless about gossip. So quietly the ate their feast, or at least as quietly as a cook could while sampling another's work. After finding a few that they liked, Cheriss asked her twin to find more of the favored dishes.
Quite used to his sister's silent commands, D'mar wove his way through the crowds to the laden tables. There he lingered searching for the favored treats and locating new things to try. There certainly was quite a spread.
Meanwhile back at their corner table, one of the two new red weyrlings watched the crowd around her. There was all sorts of good looking men around, far more than she was used to back home. Catching more than one eye as they took in her dress, Cheriss soon found her self turning almost the same hue as her gown. Cheriss was thankful that her over protective brother had missed those stares.
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Post by Kit on Jul 21, 2010 15:25:34 GMT -5
Arktos grinned rakishly and the pleasing amount of skin that Kiyoni's gown exposed. "Well, thank you, but I doubt anyone will notice me, when you're right there. I hope I don't have to break any faces to defend your honor," he said teasingly. Though, he would do it quite gladly if the opportunity came up. He smiled at her. "Are we ready to go? I'm starving, and the food is always good at these feasts." Forge agreed, settling onto his pet's shoulder with a chirp.
Arkysk was out on the ledge, drowsing. He was slightly annoyed that he was never invited to these things but Eliwodth would be keeping him company, so he kept his complaints to a minimum.
K'von piled his plate his plate high with food, helping F'har as it was needed before sitting down with most of the other weyrlings. The girls all looked very pretty in their dresses. "Hey everyone, congratulations on Impressing," he said with a grin. "Oh, and this is M'thos, he Impressed from the Stands." M'thos waved shyly. There sure were a lot of them, and he recognized some of the others were sitting with other people as well. That girl who'd Impressed the silver was sitting with another rider, a Wingleader by his knots.
Quindara laid a restraining hand on G'rett's arm. "I wish you two would just lay off each other. This isn't the time of place for a fight." She didn't know what either of their problems were anyway. She knew G'rett had been upset over Coth's loss to Demnoth in the Mating Flight, but she didn't see why it still bothered him. G'rett had her now after all, and she was a sight better than Toniel, who, buy all reports was a bit on frigid side. And as for her brother, if he didn't approve of her relationship, he could shove between. She was an adult, and she knew what she was doing. She would never endanger Artemth. The silver was so soundly asleep right now that it would take a natural disaster to wake her, she was sure.
Cybele smiled at T'tarel. "Thank you, I suppose most everyone is here, and I'm quite hungry." She was gad for his company really, most of the other riders seemed intimidated by her, and were stiffly formal. Even those rapscallion twins from the weyrling class had been respectful. Although, they had just lost the third triplet and perhaps that had matured them a little. And then the elder had broken his arm as well, it was a tough time for that family.
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Post by sorra on Jul 21, 2010 15:50:14 GMT -5
Kiyoni grinned at Arktos. The dress had gotten the reaction from him that she had hoped for. Rivi carefully landed on Kiyoni's shoulders, being careful of her skin. "I don't know," she smiled. "You look pretty dashing tonight." She shook her head, her blue eyes dancing. "I would rather not have that happen." Although she had no doubt that he would keep his word if he had too. "So, shall we go, dear Candidate Master?" she asked playfully, winking at him.
"Hi," Calyssa said cheerily when the others sat down.
S'tex smiled. He had met the twins but he hadn't seen M'thos before. "Well, congratulations, M'thos," he said with a smile. "I'm S'tex and that's my sister, Calyssa."
"Hey, Cheriss!" Calyssa said when she saw the other girl who had Impressed to a red.
T'tarel smiled and led the Weyrwoman up to her seat. "I would say you are right," he said, looking around. "It looks like most everyone is here." He couldn't understand why everyone seemed so stiff around Cybele. She seemed quite pleasant and besides, she had just gone through a horrible time with losing her mate. No one could really blame her for that.
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Post by Kendrall on Jul 21, 2010 16:32:25 GMT -5
J'sen nodded in approval, a soft smile coming to his lips. "It looks beautiful on you," he said warmly. He then listened as Calyssa gave her opinion on not knowing if Reds would clutch...but that it didn't matter to her, as she Impressed to a female and he to a male. J'sen blushed, but had to laugh heartily when Calyssa smiled at him. "Aye, that's all that matters. Though I can see Amonth stretching his wings to catch the wind and move quickly, much like ships raise full canvas to boost their speed, when he gives Chase to Freyath. He probably won't let her out of his sight."
-----------------------------------------------------
C'olt caught sight of one of the newest Weyrlings, Cheriss, if he recalled, in a stunning red gown as she passed by where he, Kia, and Lyrensa were sitting. He raised his goblet in salute to her. "Congratulations on your Impression," he said. He noted her blushing, her cheeks nearly as red as her dress, prompting him to grin at her before returning his attention to the ladies sitting with him. As if in mock offense, he merely blinked at his companions, then lowered his voice softly. "What? Can I not congratulate another of our newest Weyrlings? Besides..." C'olt leaned forward to look into Kia's and Lyrensa's eyes. "I think I like the current company a whole lot more." He winked at them, then leaned back, taking another sip.
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G'rett sighed as Quindara laid a hand on his arm, as if restraining him. He placed his own hand on top of hers and squeezed it gently, giving her a warm smile. "You're already aware of the fact I've never gotten over Coth's loss to Demnoth in the last Flight." He sighed, letting the smile fade only to be replaced by a bit of frustration. "I'll be honest with you, love. I once had feelings for Toniel, but she never reciprocated them. Faranth, she's not even bothered to return Q'del's affections to my knowledge. That woman is so tightly wound up, she's afraid to let anyone into her life. Everything to her is strictly on a professional level. I would have thought she could exert a bit more control over her Aylinth, but that Gold is so wrapped up in Demnoth it's sickening."
"The first time I laid eyes on you, Quindara, was at the last feast. I wanted so badly to come over and introduce myself to you it took every bit of willpower just to restrain myself. I knew I had to wait for you to Impress then survive your training as a Weyrling before I could pursue you." G'rett searched Quindara's green eyes with his own. "Our meeting that day at the lake was no accident. I've fallen head over heels for you, and you've been the only woman - nay, lady - to give her heart back to me in return." He emphasized the word 'lady' for a reason, knowing there was a significant difference between 'lady' and 'woman'. "I love you so much, Quindara...I feel that words simply can't describe it. I've wanted you as my weyrmate and lover just as much as I wanted to be yours from the beginning. You've now Impressed to the only silver female that we know of. I watched Toniel's reaction to Artemth's Hatching. I've heard rumors how Artemth is nearly the equal to Aylinth or Chandrath. I know she'll never openly admit it, but Toniel is probably concerned you're threatening her status as Weyrwoman's Second. Q'del, on the other hand, doesn't like the fact I'm paying attention to his sister, even though you're old enough and mature enough to make your own decisions. You and I would never dare cause permanent harm to Artemth. We're not wherrybrains. If your brother or Toniel want to say something about us, they do so at their own peril."
"I made a promise to be at your side, Quindara, and I'll gladly keep it until my dying day. I know I've probably said this before, but I mean it. I want to wake up with you in my arms each morning, and have you in my arms each night in bed. Knowing Coth, he'll do the same for Artemth when she matures, wanting to be at her side each sunrise and sunset. He'll fight every time just to win her." G'rett then lifted Quindara's hand to his lips, and he kissed it softly, his eyes never leaving hers.
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Post by sorra on Jul 21, 2010 16:53:48 GMT -5
Calyssa smiled at J'sen as she touched the charm that had settled against the hollow of her throat. "Thank you again, J'sen. It's beautiful," she whispered. Her eyes were sparkling like the gem in the necklace. She hadn't noticed the others around them. At the moment she only had eyes for J'sen. And thankfully Freyath was sound asleep, so the little red wouldn't be bothered by Calyssa's thoughts at the moment.
S'tex rolled his eyes with a chuckle. Yep, there was no hope for his sister. She was smitten. He turned away from them and turned to talk to D'mar. "How's your green doing?" he asked the other weyrling.
G'fal smiled as he watched the weyrlings interacting with each other and the other riders. So far they all seemed willing to work with each other. He could tell there was a few shy ones, but that was normal.
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Post by Kit on Jul 21, 2010 18:17:16 GMT -5
Quindara shook her head."I know you don't like my brother, but don't speak ill of Demnoth. He's a charming dragon who dotes on Aylinth." Demnoth spoke to Quindara occasionally, he was such a happy, carefree spirit, she couldn't fathom how Q'del had managed to Impress him, but she wouldn't have anyone say negative things about the bronze. Demnoth didn't have a mean or conniving bone in his body.
She smiled when he described seeing her at the clutching feast. She had seen him too, she wished she'd asked him for a dance then. But that was neither here nor there. "You know I love you, and I'll have you with me as soon as Artemth is ready. So you can stop being jealous over Toniel. I hope you're wrong about her thinking I'm trying to usurp her though. I don't want her place, I just want my rightful place, and I want them to allow Artemth to clutch. But that's a Turn away from now." He kissed her hand, and she smiled, her eyes fixed onto his brown ones, trying to transmit all the love and trust she had for him but could not put into words.
Q'del sat at the head table, trying not to scowl at Quindara in between drinking the very delicious wine. His frequent glances at Toniel showed that she was watching them too, and seemed worried. Well, G'rett had just better watch his step. Q'del somewhat regretted promoting him though he couldn't deny that he was doing a good job. It just rankled. The wine was making his head a little muzzy.
Then he saw G'rett kiss Quindara's hand. The looks they were giving eachother were nearly enough to set the room afire. Something had to be done. He had to warn her, her dragon was too young. He stood, waited for a moment to make sure he was still steady on his feet, which he was, thankfully, and then stalked over to Quindara with a furious expression.
Of course, he perhaps ought to have thought about what he would say once he arrived, but he hadn't so he simply frowned for a moment, and Quindara turned and frowned back. "What's your problem?" she said, not loudly, but enough so that he could hear.
"I... I think you're behaving foolishly. Acting like that could send Artmeth between," he said in a surly voice.
She stood and faced him, shorter than he by several inches but still formidable. "First of all, Artemth is soundly asleep you deadglow, and wouldn't be bothered by a kiss on the hand even if she were awake. And furthermore, butt out of my life. Since when do you have the right to tell me who I consort with?"
"I'm just looking out for you," he replied angrily. "It seems you'll consort with just about anyone."
"Why are you always such a sharding prick?!" Quindarta stepped towards her brother menacingly.
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Post by Jazzeh on Jul 21, 2010 18:42:19 GMT -5
Lyrensa was pleased to see that C'olt was such a gentlemen, even if she got the impression that he did this for any lady he came across. Still, she saw the way his mouth quirked into a smile and it was waking up a pleased, giddy feeling in her. She still was having a hard time getting over the shock of seeing his long honey-blond locks for the first time. She wasn't so sure about his opinion on the homosexual relations that most male greenriders had to experience, but then again, it meant she wouldn't have to share. Whoa...wait a minute there. Share? You can't even have any kind of a relationship with him, Lyrensa. You just Impressed, she had to tell herself. But it was going to be difficult to contain herself, especially with those green eyes...she found that she didn't even know what he was saying anymore until he wasn't looking at her, but at Kia. "Oh, I'd really love to hear," she said quickly, averting her gaze to the blue weyrling.
F'har was so grateful for his brother's help in piling his plate high with food. It all looked so delicious and he'd hate to not get to taste some of the dishes because he didn't want to go through the trouble of going back for a second plate. He spotted the twins who had also Impressed at the Hatching, one of which was a male green weyrling like himself. "Hey, I'm going to go talk to D'mar," he told his brother and M'thos before he wove his way gingerly through the crowd. "Hey D'mar! How's Sionnth doing?" he asked excitedly. It was good to have a fellow male green weyrling to bond with.
That nice floaty, heady feeling had began to build in Toniel's head, undoubtedly an effect of the wine. It had her relaxing ever so lightly, though to say she was relaxed in the way that other people relaxed would be a lie. She'd never been very relaxed, maybe once or twice as a child, but that was so long ago. She glanced from Quindara and G'rett to Q'del and was concerned about a twitch in his jaw that had cropped up. It wasn't really that noticeable, but given that she knew the situation, she had been watching him closely to see his reaction.
Her eyes took in the sight of G'rett's lips brushing against the back of Quindara's hand and it shocked her. The audacity of it! If G'fal knew, he would surely have some words with the couple. And what about Cybele? She couldn't possibly condone this! As Q'del rose beside her, Toniel's worry peaked. "Q'del," she said softly, her voice a warning. She had the feeling he was about to do something rash. "Q'del, it's the Hatching. Don't." But he wasn't listening to her or the volume of the crowd had covered up her whispery voice. She could only watch as the Weyrsecond walked towards his sister, an unhappy expression on his face. Nervously she downed the remainder of her cup of wine and had drained half of a second glass shortly after. Please don't let this end badly, she thought to herself, knowing such thoughts were futile.
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