Toasting joy and drowning sorrows (Hatching Feast)

Kiry had taken up a position, almost behind Melieste, having decided the older girl was the one to follow. She smiled nervously as the other girls, some of which might not have realized she was a girl beforehand from her clothes and hair, raising a tentative hand in greeting.

Leocera, Leszande, Yosra. She committed the names and faces to memory carefully, envying that the others had spent time getting to know each other before. Hopefully none of them would see her as an interloper, coming from out of the Stands and stealing a dragon meant for a friend.

E'zen swallowed hurriedly, not having expected Br'son to turn to him so soon, not with the Weyrleader on his other side. "I'm not sure it's amusing so much as..." he gestured and shrugged, clearly his words not up to the task. "She's very, very pleased with herself. Not smug or vindicated, but..." another shrug. "As though no one has any choice but to match her own opinion of herself, I guess."

Sidran nodded, not entirely surprised. Gaveth had some of that same streak, and she wouldn't be surprised if it had intensified, since the riders from Eastern appeared.

***
Yosra smiled slightly in response, the expression so much easier in the afterglow of Ferradith's addition to her life. "Nice of you. You all look wonderful." And true that was too - she wondered briefly if she looked as glowy and star-eyed as the rest, then forgot about it. "Let's not wait for them longer," she added, turning so the weight of her shout was toward where they boys were and not directly in the face of her now classmates, "OI, T'rcev! Get your boys moving!"

She was, as mentioned, hungry. Use your strengths.

K'zariel hadn't moved, or at least he hadn't moved much.  He was sitting up, instead of leaning on his knees, the clothes T'van had given him in his lap.

"Really, Zar.  Do we have to drag you out of here like that?"

"No.  I'm getting up."

But he still didn't move.

Frustrated, Ty was ready to haul him up bodily when Tr'cev reappeared with his flask.  He gave the younger weyrling a look, wondering where he'd gotten such a thing, but accepted it with a murmured, "Thanks."

Of course, getting Zar to take a swig was the next problem he faced-- he couldn't easily just dump some of the flask's contents down his brother's throat.  Not easily, anyway.

Remembering the occasion they were supposed to be preparing for gave him inspiration, and he finally held the flask out to K'zariel.  "Here, Zar.  A toast to all of us that Impressed today."

Zar blinked a moment, his gaze drawn from his sleeping queen to the flask thrust into his field of vision, and he seemed to find some bit of fine motor control.  "Oh, yes.  To all of us!"  The words still held a bit of dreamy preoccupation, but he tossed the flask back without question… and immediately started coughing and sputtering.

"Shards, Ty, what did you just give me?" he grumbled, his voice creaking a bit around the words.  Thankfully, he hadn't dropped or spilled the flask, and T'van returned it safely back to Tr'cev when K'zariel handed it back.

"It worked, didn't it?" Ty grinned at his brother, slamming the lid of the weyrling queenrider's trunk shut.  "You were spacing out a bit.  But you need to get a move on, now.  We're going to be late to the feast."

Frowning at that-- he had no idea what his brother meant about spacing out, since he'd just been watching Klaroth sleep, hadn't he?-- Zar looked down at the shirt, trousers, and waistcoat in his lap.  He had no idea how they'd gotten there, but at least he had something decent to wear.  "All right, off with you, then.  I'll join you in the common room in a moment."

Well, it would be more like a couple of moments, as he had to run to the bathing rooms and splash some water on his face, tame his dark, slightly curly hair a bit, before he felt he was presentable.  But, he was true to his word, and actually got ready, instead of falling back into Klaroth.

Giving her one last look as he shoved his feet into his boots, K'zariel couldn't help the soft smile that formed on his lips as he watched the rise and fall of her side as she dozed on, oblivious to his attention.  If only they didn't have someplace to be…  But he was weyrbred, and knew about the usual protocols.  While neither he, nor Ty had much family, others among them would.  And this was only the second Hatching the canyon had seen.  Everyone-- the smuggler population, especially--  would surely appreciate the celebrating, since it would feel more like a real Weyr that way.

"Zar!  Are you coming?"

Rolling his eyes, K'zariel pushed up from his cot.  "Nag, nag, nag," he called back through the curtain to his alcove, just before he pushed it aside and stepped through.  "All right.  Are we all ready to go, then?"

The shirt and waistcoat weren't fancy, but for random bits of embroidery on the vest-- silvery thread on a deeper blue fabric.  If he hadn't had it for a few turns, someone might have thought he'd dressed to match his new station.  But K'zariel would never have presumed to think he'd Impress a titanium queen, not in a million turns.

Nor did he do big or flashy.  If someone thought worse of him because he didn't entirely look the part, well, so be it.  He was a dragonrider, now, and that was what mattered.

Z'phver ushered H'nar toward the doorway as Yosra called in to Tr'cev. "We're coming... never leave a man behind!" He winked at H'nar and laughed. "A feast in our honor and the girls are done before we are." He said with a shake of head.

To which H'nar replied, "Well we do wear more clothing to these things. Takes a lot longer to put on a suit than a dress. And our shoes are more difficult. I also have at least as much if not more hair than some girls."

He made a good enough point that Z'phver couldn't be too upset by defeat. It wasn't a competition but it kind of felt like it should be. Next time, they would be ready first. If he had to forcibly move some of the guys himself.

As they walked out of the men's side of the Barracks, Z'phver smiled at the young women, "You are all looking beautiful. Too bad we're on restrictions for a while ladies. I know some of us are hard to resist..." And being cocky was totally okay when you were actually nervous. Best way to deflect the nerves as to appear like you didn't have any.

"Did Kalabria leave already?" He asked, a slight amount of disappointment was not hidden from his tone.

H'nar laughed and ran over to Leo. "Aren't you all dressed up? How are we going to have fun stuffed up like a Lord and Lady?" He said quietly so the other Weyrlings didn't hear him. He didn't want anyone to think they planned to spoil things for the whole group. Hana just liked to live on the edge and thought everyone else needed a little shock and chaos in their lives.

Aivirth responding a little late to his sister because he'd been busy watching H'nar get ready, Yes but I don't think they know how to have a real Feast without us. The Queens are sleeping. We are small. We can make an appearance. I'll know exactly where H'nar is.
His tone was conspiratorial and soft. Aivrith was quite sneaky when he wanted to be. He didn't see it that way of course. Why would anyone leave the best of the dragons alone at night when they weren't sleepy? And then to go to a celebration that was in his honor? He wouldn't hear of not following the Weyrlings after they made it clear he had to stay.
H'nar says we must stay here so naturally we should go.

Z'phver and his sweet words made Kiry blush bright red, and she ducked back behind Melieste again, looking down at the soft slippers she was wearing. Once again, she didn't really know many of these people. Some were complete unknowns. Either way, it was painfully obvious to all that she was a girl now, something she hadn't minded hiding.

She did play with the ends of her hair, though, a little smile on her face. Maybe attention from boys wasn't THAT bad.

Melieste caught Kiry's movement and deftly stepped to the side. "Everyone, this is Kiry, of green Veridith. She Impressed from the stands, so you might not have had an opportunity to meet her. Kiry, this is everyone, except Kalabria. I wonder if we can catch her before she goes in? What a coup for all of us to arrive together! Seems like it would set the perfect tone for the class, don't you agree, K'zariel?" she asked. She turned to smile her most dazzling smile at the other queenrider, though she was careful to let her body language project that she was talking to a peer, not a superior.

***

Tr'cev, too, had snickered at the titan weyrling's face when he tasted Da's old rotgut. It seemed that flask did the trick. He took a moment while K'zariel was finishing getting ready to stash the flask back in his press and emerged just as everyone was ready. He heard Yosra's call, and grinned as they joined the girls in the common room.

"You clean up nice," he said in a quick undertone to Yosra. He'd managed to sidle himself up close to her. "I never would have guessed..." Then he gave her a cocky grin and a wink that would probably be fairly devastating in a few Turns, once he'd grown a few inches and his voice settled down.

Xandan lifted his glass and grinned at his fellow mourners/remaining candidates. It hadn't taken him long once returning to the now significantly emptier candidate quarters. He'd bathed, changed, and gotten started on the drinking such that he had a nice, maintainable buzz going. When the feast had begun, he'd been one of the first in the buffet line, and now he had a fine plate of food for his troubles.

"To Next Time!" he called out, not for the first time that evening. He didn't mind, much. It was a fun thing to toast to, and sounded much better than saying "to the losers!".

It was all a matter of perspective.

Kiry blushed even more vibrantly when Melieste thrust her into the center of things, and she quietly said hello to her new classmates. The girls were easy, but the boys she had a difficult time raising her eyes to meet theirs. She'd never actually looked like a girl, or even tried to act like one, in front of boys, and now that she did she was both parts excited and terrified.

"Yes, food," she agreed, trying to not sound too excited, even though everyone had to be hearing her stomach growl. (Or was it theirs growling?) "I look forward to meeting Kalabria."

Kalabria was waiting, in fact, for the others outside of the Mess Hall. Although it might not have been ideal to do so, she was able to verify who was there and if it was time for them to come in. When she saw the group of them coming toward her, she waved. “The Weyrsenior and juniors are in their positions and it looks like the Weyrleader too. So we should be set to go in and wow everyone.” Well maybe some of them more than others. She wasn’t really concerned about it though. Some were a little less concerned with looking nice than others and that wasn’t a problem it was just a difference in personality.

She was a little nervous at the moment to go in and be in front of everyone. Kalabria wasn’t used to people taking much notice of her at all. Not that she was too shy to overcome it but she was a little more quiet than Melieste and the other girl was older. She could easily be overshadowed. ((pun maybe intended))

*~*~*~*~*~*

Sh’lor took no time getting ready and despite the insistence of Imioth that he should look the part of the Queenrider’s brother, he didn’t much feel like getting too dressed up. He did eventually get coaxed into wearing something nice by the thought that the weyr leadership would notice if he put in the effort. He did want to be seen and noticed. Thought of when promotions came along. He didn’t want to be left in obscurity forever.

When Imioth was right, which was rare indeed, he tended to feel a little stupid. The past months following Aliseth’s flight had been difficult ones for him. He didn’t like that people pulled away from him just because they thought he would say something offensive. It was appalling that so many people made assumptions about him based on K’brien’s actions. Well he most certainly had to show up and he had to show up looking great and welcoming his sister as a new Queenrider. Yes, he would have to be seen supporting mutant dragons.

The young man took out his nicest outfit and began to get dressed. It wasn’t as fancy as some but he looked good in it. The shirt was a black long sleeved button down with a brown vest and black pants. His shoes, barely worn, were also an almost shiny black.

He combed through his short hair quickly as his blue bordering on gray eyes flicked over to his brown. The beast was a little extra attentive tonight. What was going on in his head? Shaking the thought off because he didn’t think there was any reason to expect anything important to happen concerning the brown tonight he straightened his shoulders and moved forward.

Once he had arrived at the Mess Hall, he waited for the Weyrlings to show. Once they did he would make it a point to approach E’zen and Asteriel. For now he took a place at the table with his wing but he wasn’t interested in talking much.

J'ril noted the fancy dress with a bit of a sneer.  "Well, if it isn't the lady of the hour."  As if she deserved recognition for any of the day's proceedings-- that had all been the work of the shadow queen.  His half-sister's smoke had simply provided his genetic fodder for the clutch.  "How may I be of service to one as esteemed as yourself?"

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

A bit mystified, and surprised Lezsande hadn't wanted her to completely change, Leo allowed her sister to add the little touches she felt necessary.  She had to admit, they weren't too awful.  And it was nice to be wearing something of their mother's, tonight of all nights.

At least none of it would prevent her from running or whacking Hana upside the head when he needed it.

And if he said one thing disparaging about her appearance, she was definitely going to let him have it.

Keeping quiet for now, she followed Lezsande out into the common area, then grinned in welcome.  "Oh, hi, Meli," she greeted first, automatically shortening the shadowrider's name.  Melieste was just so… prim and proper.  "And hey, it's the greenrider!  Kiry, you said?  I'm Leo.  And this is my sister, Leszande.  It's awesome to have you as part of our class."  Hopefully the girl would be a fun addition-- the weyrling quartzrider was pretty sure there was at least one dud among the bunch.

Hana would probably agree, she was guessing.  And she might have asked had she not snorted in obvious amusement when she saw him emerging from the boys' side of the barracks.  "Did you pick that out?" she asked, wondering if it was his own clothing, or borrowed from someone else.  At least she was wearing her own!

-----------

We will obviously make it more fun.  They need us there, Cairnth agreed with her brother.  So yes, we will go.  But we will wait for them to leave, so we can follow and pounce on them in surprise when they aren't looking!  

She didn't want their riders to catch on to the plan, though, and so figured they should hold tight until they left the barracks.  In the meantime, they could see if any of their siblings wanted to join them.  Is anyone else awake?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Beginning to check on his sleeping queen mentally now that she was out of his sight-- something she hadn't been once since the hatching had ended--, K'zariel only vaguely heard Melieste's question about arriving together.  He nodded absently in response, wondering if anyone would mind if he checked on Klaroth one last time.  He barely got a glance before His brother hustled him out of the barracks so they kept up with the others.

"You of all people should be there, you know, Zar," T'van murmured quietly as they walked.

"We all Impressed," the weyrling queenrider shook his head.  "Not just me."

Ty raised an eyebrow.  "Sure.  But Klaroth is a titanium."

Maybe it would hit him later, but for now, K'zariel just shrugged.  "There've been titaniums before."  And his was still slumbering peacefully in the back of his mind...

Knowing it wasn't in his brother to be ambitious the same way Melieste was-- all he'd wanted was to Impress regardless of the color--, and figuring it probably hadn't hit him yet, Ty let it go and urged the queenrider to walk faster.  "Come on.  The others are going to leave us behind."

-----------

The Mess Hall was already abuzz with happy chatter and people enjoying good food and drink by the time they arrived.  T'van nodded to Kalabria when they joined her, wondering if she'd seen her sister or R'fariel yet.

K'zariel, for his part, gave her a smile, though it was mostly the parental sort.  "Congratulations, queenrider, since I don't think I had the chance to say it before."  Or, rather, he'd been too preoccupied-- something Ty had called him on earlier, even if he still wasn't sure what his brother meant.  "I'm sure Kyabree's proud of you."

Asteriel faced him squarely and ignored the bait of his words. He wanted to fight someone and she was the only one here. She breathed softly.

"S'riel gave me something long ago but....he erred. You were always his son, his pride. You deserve to wear this." she said and lifting her blue eyes to meet J'rils, she held out her hand.

Shimmering softly in the light, the silver band firmly held the square tiger's eye that S'riel had worn for so many turns. It was a man's ring, simple but beautiful.

"There is nothing I would demand of you." she said and her voice was no louder than that of a butterfly landing on a rose.

"We do not have to be enemies, J'ril. I am not Casriel."

"To next time!" Navarik said, lifting his own glass. He knocked it back with enthusiasm and followed it with a bite of beef. The wine was rich and sweet, the meat salted and tender, and the night was still young. He was back in his old clothing, which by Faranth someone had washed for him, which put him in but brown pants and a off cream shirt. Nothing fancy, they had plucked him off the road and he didn't own much besides. He picked a slice of fruit off his plate and savored it.

"Xandan?! They tell me our senior queen will rise soon! Who do you think will catch her." he asked.
------------
Z'ash took the seat with a eager look upon his young face, glad for the camaraderie and the inclusion. He let his brown eyes go from Sidran to Casriel. Each seemed to stand as if the need be more than any bronzerider must be. He nodded but his eyes moved on for Teagan was seated at the high table. He smiled softly and raised his hand to wave at her.

"The hatching was rather amazing." he said to Jah'vi. "Three queens at one hatching, have you ever heard of such a thing? I was so surprised to see a Titanium queen!"

Yosra resisted the urge to ruffle Tr'cev's hair, but winked back in reply. "Guess I just need a good cause." Hanging out with him, the tease was clear, wasn't enough. Ferradith, however...

She wondered, without any particular opinion either way, if they would stay together or go their separate ways, once inside. This group had been enough to wrangle, just getting to the dining hall - but there was some reluctance there, to not have the companionship of her new peers. Curious.

***
Leja raised her glass in answer, giggling after she finished drinking and realizing all of the sudden she was...rather tipsy. And even though that cute new candidate had shown up, she had something important to do - the new weyrlings had arrived finally, as well.

She took a deep, steadying breath, told the boys she'd be back (she was fairly sure she said it outside, not just in her head), and made a very steady path to where her sisters were, shining and lovely and looking a people apart. She didn't want to dive in the way of the new queenriders and so waved, a bit awkwardly, at Leszande and Leo. She wanted to congratulate Melieste and Z'phver as well, but family first.

Once she was sure that all the new dragonets had been fed, watered and oiled completely, Ashrah relaxed a little and as the new weyrlings readied themselves for the coming feast night and celebration, she changed her own clothing. Smoothing a curve hugging gown the color of red wine, Ashrah let her blond hair curl about her shoulders. She was a handsome woman, strong and powerfully built. The red fabric brought out the green of her eyes and her smile was generous as she approached the ground of gathered weyrlings.

"I'll allow a few more moments for last minute primping and then I will escort you to the Hatching Feast. It is customary for the Weyrling Master to present the newly Impressed to the Weyr leadership. Queenriders, I would like to lead the procession. That means K'zeriel, Kalabria and Melieste in that order. Once I have presented you, the Weyrsenior and Weyrleader will likely give you an address. Once they have given you their words, you are free to go eat and socialize. No drinking, no touching. Let's move out, troops." Ashrah said and with that turned to lead them to the Mess Hall.

Hesriath, you are on point, my love. Ashrah said as she departed.

The scarlet dragon rumbled her agreement and turned her own mind to that of the young dragons.

Go to your good rest, young ones. Tomorrow, we start your training. Hesriath said, warmth saturating her voice.

Melieste had been a breath away from correcting Leocera on her name when Ashrah had arrived and given them their directions. So she just desisted with a smile and fell into line. Perhaps tonight was not for making corrections and causing friction, anyway. Zillath seemed to feel that it was very important that she be of one accord with her classmates, she recalled with a smile. All prickles and edges, that one. But such depth of soul-consuming love...

The shadowrider shook her head and and forced her mind to focus. She could moon over Zillath later. Now she had work to do. She lined up behind the other two queenriders (and why had Ashrah picked that order, anyway? Something to find out. Surely a queen was a queen... or so they'd been told repeatedly during candidacy. Were things to be different now that they'd Impressed? For Melieste would absolutely NOT stand for anyone not giving Zillath her due...) and fixed her brilliant smile in place.

***

Tr'cev waited until the queenriders were in place, then discreetly (at least, he thought it was rather discreet) tried to be among the next few to line up. His stomach rumbled rather loudly, and he was ready to make their grand entrance and get some food.

Sidran sat up, catching sight of the Weyrlingmaster and her newest charges. "Ah, here we go," she said, looking interested - though she for sure left her hand comfortably on Br'son's leg for the moment. It was hidden by the table, so why not?

***
Yosra paid no attention to the order they lined up - she was just ready to be there. The thought of food, despite the blood she'd so recently scrubbed off her hands, was far far far too tempting to worry about anything else.

***

Vianne looked at a plate piled comfortably high with one of each pastry and sweetbread on offer. She had allowed her sweet tooth quite a bit of free reign, once she got used to the pace of workouts and drills. "So how will this work, oh weyrbred family?" she asked whichever of her classmates was nearest. "Will the new ones run errands for us and clean our cots?"

The weyrling quartzrider knew that would never be the case, but it was fun to dream, while waiting to toast their two particular classmates responsible for the evening.

Bast slipped in just ahead of the new weyrlings, more out of luck than any planning. He was walking pretty steadily, all things considered, and though he'd been warned not to drink (losing blood and adding alcohol wasn't a good order of events, allegedly), he was sore and beat up and best solution to that, in the home of these smugglers, was drinking.

So.

He plopped into the seat Leja had left a moment before and grinned at Xandan and Navarik. "What're we drinking?"

Teagan saw Z'ash and waved back, a slightly embarrassed smile on her face. Part of her wished she could be seated with her class, and not in the center of it all where it was so obviously that she was the youngest.

Plus, if she was honest with herself, it could get a little boring.

Jah'vi caught Z'ash and his wave at the little queenrider and hide a smile. Now that they'd seen what a shadow and a smoke could do, perhaps it was time to see what a shadow and a bronze would bring. Considering the wide assortment from this pairing, could the influence of a bronze sire bring back the other colors?

He was about to answer Z'ash when the new weyrlings entered, and he had to grin. He still remembered being that dazed and confused, walking next to Br'son after they'd all Impressed.

Only one of the old guard, though, he thought sadly, eyes falling on the girl he'd helped down from the stands. The new colors all seemed to be stout and fine specimens, but he felt a pang of sadness. Once again he remembered the old days, which weren't even that old truly, when the skies had been filled with a rainbow of colors.

Well, maybe that would happen again. And speaking of greenriders, Ashrah looked stunning. Trouble squaked from his place on his owners shoulder, an annoying sound specific to only his firelizard it seemed. He rubbed his ear and gave him an annoyed glance, and considered sending him to go and curl up with Nolinth. But as he remembered, Ashrah had been very enchanted by the annoying thing. So the bronze would stay, he decided, patting his head gently to keep him quiet while they waited for the leadership to speak.

Xandan grinned at Bastiaan and Leja, then frowned as Navarik's question penetrated his alcohol-fogged mind?

"Eh? Rise soon?" He said, slurring just a little. "Catch her? I s'pose tha's th' Weyrleader's job, innit? Sidran, there? Her cobalt... Whasisname? Gaveth, right? Won't he sire Yllaveth's next clutch. Bein' th' Weyrleader an' all."

Then Bastiaan's question followed suit into Xandan's brain, and he lifted his flask with a grin.

"Wine and Lightning, my friend! Wine and Lightining for our injured warrior!" He roared it like a toast, and tossed back another mouthful of fire.

***

Br'son unconsciously (or perhaps intentionally. He didn't really want to think about it...) tightened his quadriceps under Sidran's touch. But there was Ashrah at the door with the new weyrlings, and so he forced himself to focus.

"Ah!" He called out, projecting his voice over the rather noisy crowd. "Weyrlingmaster Ashrah! Who do you bring to the feast tonight?"

It was silly, perhaps, but Br'son had been trained to appreciate the art and utility of ritual. It was a formal introduction of these weyrlings into weyrlife, though some of them had been born and bred among dragons. They'd never before been Dragonriders, however, and that made this an occasion worth marking.

***

Melieste waited rather impatiently for Ashrah to start introducing them. Like the others, she was hungry, and felt a bit strange not being next to Zillath. But that, of course, was silly. She needed to be at the feast, to see and be seen. To take the measure of the Weyr and start to work for the benefit of her dragon and her class. Zillath would expect no less, she was certain.

Even if the shadow queen had looked so peaceful as she slept in a beautiful curl of darkness...

***

Siona wove through the crowd, smiling and listening to what people said and didn't say. Interesting mood tonight, she thought as she looked for someone she knew. The Wherleader, perhaps, or perhaps another rider of her acquaintance. She'd like to see what everyone's impressions of the Hatching had been... No pun intended.

Ashrah raised her chin at Br'sons voice and her face gave generous smile.

"Weyrsenior. Weyrleader. Allow me to introduce you to...the Thread's Bane Weyrlings." the scarlet rider stepped aside to reveal the group of newly Impressed young people, queen riders leading the procession. She crossed her arms and smiled as eyes turned to look at her newest charges.

'Bright Hope and Thread's Bane.' Ashrah thought with pleasure. With three more queens, it took the Weyr to a total count of six. Six breeding females, albeit three of which were in their infancy.

'I am going to need to pick an assistant Weyrling Master.' Ashrah thought. That could, of course, wait until after tonight. Greens eyes caught Jah'vi looking and she looked back, a little too long and deep. Warmth stirred in her.
-------------

"Thread's Bane! That is a good name." Z'ash said, standing from his chair to get a better look at the newest dragonriders. He had grinned when Teagan waved back at him, taking it as a sign there was no strangeness between them after their initial meeting. He was thankful for that.

------------------

Casriel turned and her Wingleader's knots swung heavy as she did. Thread's Bane...the class that boasted three queens and two colors no one had ever seen before. It had given them all more knowledge and blessings than they could have anticipated. Casriel had mixed feelings about the introduction of heavier males but what was done, was done. A part of her still felt that the cobalt riders of the world had lost something that day and wondered how Maraxith would fly against a Citrine or a Tungsten.

'Time enough before those little ones get old enough to chase. Yllaveth will go up before they ever get off the ground.' she thought. Casriel only had one rival for Br'son and Yllaveth, which was Sidran and Gaveth. She did not believe there was one bronze dragon left of Pern who could outmatch Maraxith.

'I suppose if we Cobalts can keep on foot up on the Bronzes, I could be something close to satisfied.' she thought to herself.

Then she spotted K'zariel and T'van. Casriel noted that Asteriel was still not present and she had yet to see R'fariel either. It wasn't like Asteriel to be late, especially for something like this.
-----------------------
Navarick shrugged, he had no idea who would be the favorite but he suppose if the Weyrleader's Cobalt had caught Yllaveth once, he could do it again. Especially if the Weyr favored the union, so went the saying. He lifted his wine again and drank deeply.

"Just getting the lay of the land, so to speak." he said, smacking his lips when he finally came up for air.

"Wine and lightning," Bast snorted, knocking back his easily procured drink and gasping a little on the back end. Smooth - but with a bite. Just the way he liked it. It was nice to have a toast to him, though he wished it had been the toast all those shining new dragonriders got...well. Next time.

"We taking bets on Weyrleaders, then? I pick the bronzer, over there." He pointed in the vague direction of Jah'vi. Or Z'ash. Either. Both.

***
Dividia slipped into the cavern while all eyes were on the new weyrlings, pausing just behind Siona. "Ready for a drink?" she asked, hint of a smile in her voice.

***
"Ah," Sidran said, pleased. "Welcome, weyrlings," she added, voice pitched to carry. They didn't need a speech - they needed food, and to relax a little into their new lives. Though she might seek out the citrine and tungsten riders - well she knew what it was like, Impressing with a dragon whose precedence and skills were unknown. Though, she wondered a bit idly, neither seemed to have quite the crushing drive of cobalts...but it was early, still. "You are much needed, and our Weyrlingmaster exactly the person to make you ready." She inclined her head to them, smiling.

***

Leja hesitated a bit awkwardly when it became clear there was a ceremony happening, and then when it appeared to be over, she waved, trying to catch one or both of her sisters' attention.

Melieste beamed, her head high and eyes bright as she entered the dining hall and felt the gaze of the curious Weyrfolk on her. Certainly, she'd known many of them for a little while now, but things had definitely changed. She was a Queenrider, finally, as she'd always intended. And she'd be lying if she didn't admit that it felt delicious to her.

Melieste had never been a fool. She knew that some people were put off by her naked ambition, but there was far too much to do in this world to worry about pleasing everyone. Impressing Zillath had been her destiny, and she wouldn't apologize for knowing that at an early age.

But now that she was here, she fully intended to be what Zillath and the Weyr needed. So she smiled broadly, with joy in her eyes, and concentrated on putting out an air of friendliness and approachability.

She smiled at the Weyrleader, and dipped her head when the woman gave her welcome, even as her eyes tracked over Br'son, E'zen and Teagan. Melieste promised herself that she'd find a way to speak with those three at some point tonight. There were things she needed to know.

Soon. But, food first, she decided, as her stomach growled again. Food first, and then politics.

***

Br'son applauded at the introduction of the Thread's Bane class and stood alongside Sidran.

"Indeed, welcome, Thread's Bane. We are all very glad to have you among us. Please, enjoy yourselves. Eat and mingle, but listen to your Weyrlingmaster. I know from personal experience that she's a taskmistress of the highest order. Your day will begin earlier than you'd like tomorrow!"

A ripple of laughter went out at that, and Br'son grinned at the crowd before glancing back at Sidran and taking his seat. That signaled the waiting staff that they might begin uncovering the buffet dishes and allowing people to come through the line. Tradition dictated that the Weyrlings be allowed to eat first, but they'd best move quickly. Dragonriders didn't enjoy waiting for their food, usually.

A server with a tray of meats approached the Dias and offered selections to Br'son. He rather absently took a few slices, as his attention was still locked to the Weyrlings.

"Well, E'zen," he said with a bit of bite in his words. "Will you and Teagan begin training these three queenriders tomorrow or the next day?"

The Weyrsenior looked over at his 'second then, and enjoyed a moment of pure, sweet, cold revenge.

***

Tr'cev followed the others to the buffet line and loaded up his plate the way only a 12 Turn old boy could do. Then he took the laden dishes to the nearest table and sat as quickly as he could before beginning to eat as if his stomach had been empty for days.

After a moment, he remembered that as a Dragonrider, he was expected to conduct himself with a modicum of social grace and paused to look around and see if any of his classmates had joined him.

***

"Like you read about," Siona replied to Dividia, with feeling. She gave the smuggler turned Wherleader a grin, and then arched her eyebrows. "So," the quartz rider asked. "What does Divisk think of the new hatchlings? He did watch the Hatching, I assume?"

***

"Nah, it's a new age," Xandan said, aware that he was basically talking out of his rear end. "Bronze can't match Cobalt in a Titan flight! Can they? Has it ever been done? I really don't know any of these things," he admitted, and lifted his glass again.

Maybe he should eat something...

Nah.

Cosenne leaned back in her chair and surveyed the new weyrlings as they walked in. An interesting lot, all of them. She remembered Melieste from when they were candidates together. The girl had finally gotten her queen, though not, perhaps, the one she'd intended. That thought made Cosenne smirk.

Then she caught sight of a particular Wingleader and her trademark hairstyle. Cosenne's smirk deepened, and she grabbed the skin of wine she'd been nursing and got to her feet. No real finery here, just skin-hugging leathers dyed an inky black, left open to show the deep V of her décolletage. She strutted through the crowd, aware that she was taking some of the attention off of the weyrlings and not particularly caring, until she came up alongside Casriel.

"Glass of wine to celebrate, Wingleader?" she asked, her voice a low purr. "And how does Maraxith this evening?"

E'zen laughed - a bit of a chuckle, really, but a laugh all the same - and then it trailed off when Br'son's expression became clear. "You're..." The Weyrsenior was serious. Was he? He was. He was? The smile faded as well. "I don't think the Weyrlingmaster will want me in her business while we're still in training," he said, but uncertainly. Surely it was a joke. Who would want him to teach anyone?

***
"He did not," Dividia replied, shrugging. "He had a tunnel to be in." Divisk wasn't nearly as...fond? something of the shadows compared to their titanium leader. She thought it had something to do with their similar level of near-ferality, though perhaps it had to do with one particular shadowrider's feelings toward her, which the wher picked up on. Either way, it amused her probably more than it should. "But I was there, and it seems like we'll be up to our heads in baby dragons before long, all these queens about."

***
Sidran ran her hand down Br'son's arm before stepping down from the dais. She'd be back before long, but it was right that she say hello to the new riders, greet the new queenriders and ensure they knew to visit the dais, and also sneak a dessert ahead of the second-dinner.

Equally important, sometimes.

***
"All's fair in flights and Weyrs," Bast pronounced in reply, pouring them all another round. Because: why not?

“Thank you K’zariel. Congratulations to you as well. I know that Kyabree and R’fariel will celebrate enough for all of us tonight.” Which would be no surprise to anyone who knew them. Kyabree as far as family went, was the most likely to let loose. Also the most likely to have fun even when the occasion wasn’t in her honor. Kalabria was far more serious than her sister but she was not quite as apt to judge those who did have fun as Sh’lor and Brielody might. In her not so humble opinion both of them could use a little fun in their lives at the very least once a Turn.

As Ashrah explained, her hands went to her dress, smoothing the front of it though the gown was perfectly fine without it. She must look so awkward coming before a stunning beauty like Melieste and after a much older man with decidedly attractive features. She didn’t really think anyone would notice her much, in the middle. Maybe they would though. She would have to be careful. The Weyr was filled with people who had agendas and would use her to try to obtain them. If her father’s cruelty toward her sister and other mutant riders taught her anything, it taught her that even people you think care about you can turn on you in an instant. Trusting people not to do that was difficult, would always be difficult, so she had to study them all.

Deep breath in, she began to follow the Titan rider out trying not to hesitate or to look over her shoulder at the others. She didn’t think any of the Queenrider Weyrlings should be placed over another. However, she knew they couldn’t all walk out first as it might be confusing for people watching. Next time they would have to switch up the order.

As they were presented and all eyes were on them, she wondered what everyone must be thinking. Three new Queenriders, two new colored dragons and only one dragon of the original five colors. While they were being watched, the red haired girl didn’t know how to act. She wasn’t like Melieste. She wasn’t going to put on a show for them. What they could see of her was a younger girl in a pretty dress and that was all they needed to see really.

Kalabria waited until they were released and then wasn’t sure she was hungry. She might have something light but she didn’t feel like eating much of anything heavy. Were they supposed to sit on high with the leaders? She noted the extra seats there. But then she thought that some of the others were newer here and might want to sit with the other Weyrlings. So she took a seat at a mostly vacant table instead. Her mind turned toward Ohanith, still not quite processing everything that had happened.

Taking a sip of water, she looked down at her plate, nibbling a little bit at the warm roasted wherry on her plate.

Z’phver knew that Devakith would want him at the front of the line. He didn’t like being last as it was. He much preferred being first or among the first at any rate. He walked in just after the Queenriders and in front of Tr’cev. He wondered how long they had to wait when they were presented. He grinned, perhaps just a little overjoyed at his own good luck. Thread’s Bane! It had a wonderful ring to it.

He like the others went to get food as soon as he was allowed loose to do so.

Unexpectedly, Rhaenthwor and Drethon walked over to him. The older man giving him a gruff and short hug. “Well done my boy.” Z’phver looked up at Rhaenthwor who shrugged and smiled. It was nice to see them all together for a moment at least. The Wher handler had plenty to keep busy with most of the time and his father, well he was often doing whatever Avidian needed him to which was more often than not none of anyone else’s business.

His father was here now, he supposed that was what was important. And Rhaenthwor. Though he wondered if it was really in support of him or just for the food and female company? Not that he could blame him as he was probably close to done with restrictions. Ugh, restrictions. He’d better stick to not having wine and behaving. Besides, he’d be up early!

“Devakith is something, isn’t he?” Drethon added, trying to get some conversation going rather than being overly warm. He wasn’t a very touchy feely sort of person, even if Z’phver seemed to crave that sort of affection.

Rhaenthwor, as usual, saved them from more awkwardness. “Alright, well, little brother, we just came to congratulate you. I’m sure there are people you should be getting to know better.” He indicated the new Weyrlings.

Drethon nodded and moved away without Rhaenthwor.

The Wherhandler walked through the throng of people and toward the cool isolation of the walls. He didn’t really like crowds or at least he didn’t like being in the middle of them though he could easily see over most of those gathered there being so tall, it didn’t mean it was easy to maneuver around. He didn’t mind people coming up to talk to him though he seemed to have a reputation of being unapproachable somehow or maybe he just looked intimidating? It couldn’t be Rhaensk. She was perfect and behaving herself at the moment in her cave where she had to find things he had hidden for her.

Z’phver sat down at a table at long last and began to dig into some food, he’d sat down near Kalabria and wondered if any of the others were inclined to sit with them.


Sleeping Tianrith crept into her thoughts even as she waited in line. Lezsande wasn’t in a hurry to be first or last for that matter. Rather she just waited till she ended up somewhere in the line up. She enjoyed having everyone’s attention called to them. They were special, they were among the few dragonriders of Pern now and it was amazing. She couldn’t think of anything that would honor her mother more than by becoming a dragonrider herself.

When the announcement was over, she rolled the name Thread’s Bane around her head for a while. It was interesting and thought she wasn’t sure she could be the bane of anything, she rather hoped if it were possible that it would be Thread that feared them and not the other way around.

It was not unlike her to be less than interested in the food. She’d eaten before her bath and didn’t feel that hungry!

“Hey Leja!” She smiled, catching her sister’s wave. Lezsande was a little sad that her sister couldn’t join them.