Let the Feast begin! (OPEN)

[hrsegrl]

Xyrath lounged on her couch as her rider put his red button up shirt on. "You were right, it goes perfectly!" The man finished the last button and tucked in the shirt so that it met with his khaki dress pants. His dark brown shoes shined with time spent polishing. J'mie was arguably one of the best dressed riders at the Weyr. He spent a lot of time trying to look and be the best that he could be.

The feast was about to begin after what had been a very interesting Hatching. His lean figure made quick strides out of his weyr and towards the weyrhall. Tonight there would be great food, wonderful company and amazing music. He could only hope to find someone amiable enough to enjoy the dancing with.

Looking around he noticed that there were still many people not at the Hall yet. He walked towards the Alpha Wing Tables and looked to see who was there. Maybe he should have bet on the dragons this time. It seemed that was all anyone was talking about. The Bronze being first to Hatch was certainly a surprise and the girls impressing so much today.

Dragons always knew though so he could not fault them for their choice. Women did create holes in wings which made him uneasy about times of Threadfall. Now was not the time to think of such things. Now was the time to celebrate the continuance of Dragon Kind! This was going to be a fun night. It will be, Aliath has outdone herself on this clutch.And you my dearest are always right. To this the dragon said nothing for she knew that she was.

[starshine]

Kess had taken the time to bring Claralth back to the barracks. She had made him comfortable and was certian that he was fast asleep before heading to the feast. The impression had taken quite a bit out of her and some food would definitely help.

The hall was large, Kess made her way to the kitchen. She returned with a bowl of stew, a roll and a cup of juice. She passed tables, making her way to the weyrling section. She took a seat among the others and took a sip of juice.

[Redden]

It didn't take long to get Niddalath settled in and to fall asleep. After watching the brown sleep for a bit, taking in all that just happened Nanyaa managed to pull her self away and head to the hall. If it wasn't for the fact Navace would probably have come look for her she would not have gone. For a moment she wondered if anyone would even notice besides him then she shrugged not really that concerned. Much to her dismay, but not surprising the hall was filling up and filled with chatter.

Gathering a cup of water and a piece of fruit she stood at the front of the hall looking around with a dilema. Navace is at the Candidate table and she is no longer one. Feeling helpless and getting anxious she simply stands there waiting to see if he'll notice her, silently hoping no one else some how notices her just standing there before he does.

[fadingmemorie]

Taking her seat at the Weyrleaders' Table, Gaelle surveyed the scene. People slowly gathered, still discussing the results of the day. First, the Impression by so many females, and then the surprise gold. Aliath had kept the egg from everyone, even her rider, and the Weyrwoman was not sure she liked that in the least. But she would worry about Aliath's secretiveness later. Tonight was a party! She sipped at her mulled wine, watching. Harpers sang and played, her folk danced and made merry. No doubt they would be going to their beds with their weyrmates. "Must be nice," she muttered under her breath. E'dian would probably be up late again, studying material from the Records Room. She'd be sleeping alone, again.

She watched the newly-Impressed trickle in, and noted that some must have fallen asleep with their hatchlings. Remembering the day she Impressed Aliath, she also remembered not having been allowed to go to sleep after feeding the ravenous hatchling. That Hatching Feast had seemed to be all about her and Aliath, with reason. Aliath was the last queen when she hatched. Everyone had wanted to examine the baby gold, who reveled in the attention. Gaelle had tolerated it, amused.

The Weyrhall grew slowly more crowded as folk began their evening. It had been the first hatching in two years, and they were determined to have a good time.

[LyricalBlue]

He had only taken enough time to change his tunic before heading back to the hall. The Weyrleader paused at the entrance and took in the display. Glows lit even the recesses of the massive hall, and E'dian could help but notice that even with the whole of the Weyr in attendance, the hall still looked empty. Cheery, but empty. Gray eyes glanced over the crowd and up to the High table where Gaelle sat. Young as spring she may be, but she looked the part of Weyrwoman sitting there.

With a sigh he made his way through the crowd and up to the high table. E'dian bowed to the Weyrwoman and then took the customary place beside her. Within moments, a druge came up and presented him with a tray of herdbeast and tubers. E'dian gratefully piled his plate high and nodded his thanks. Even as a grown man for many turns, he was more or less perpetually hungry.

Placing a hand absently on Gaelle's leg he leaned over to speak quietly with her. The Hatching had gone well, if somewhat unexpected in its results.
"Eighteen new dragonriders. Well done my dear. And a gold and bronze to boot."
He said nothing about the rider being his daughter, in reality all they shared in common was their blood. E'dian had known nothing about her until after her mother had died and as a bronze rider, he hadn't the time to raise a child anyway. E'dian also said nothing about the bronze choosing Evalos, now Ev'os. It simply wasn't his way, and no doubt his brother would fill in the shoes despite his attitude.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was a candlemark or so before Iaslia had gotten Nisurath settled down to sleep and had cleaned up into a dress worthy of the Hatching Feast. They hadn't known what she would Impress, so the dress was a neutral gray, almost silver really. A simple cut, it hung around her slim form and fell in long lines off her waist. It was modest for the girl, she normally wore things that were a tad more ostentatious. But, everything was different now.

The gold egg that Aliath had been hiding took everyone by surprise, even seemingly, her rider. And no one expected Iaslia to Impress her, well at least that was what she thought. And now, Nisurath slept soundly in the Weyrling Barracks. Iaslia swallowed at the thought of the creature, to be her partner for as long as they both lived. She worried though, Nis was so thin... And her color was so strange, she'd never heard of a gold that was that pale.

Iaslia looked around the Hall with indecision. She'd never really been close with any of the other candidates aside from her cousin and her uncle, but as she looked around, Iaslia could not catch sight of either of them. With a quick decision she decided to simply head to the Weyrlings' table and caught sight of Kess there. She slipped into the seat next her cousin quietly.

[hrsegrl]

The energy in the Hall grew more excited as the Weyrwoman took her place at the Head Table. J'mie glanced up at her a moment and thought she looked a bit troubled but quickly tossed the notion aside. Why should she be? The clutch was excellent and all seemed from a distance to be in good health.

It was indeed time to celebrate. The greenrider looked up to see an old friend of his and began chatting about the wonderful Hatching and how he should have placed bets this turn since nothing was what it seemed.

-------

Havalie had changed into a pretty light blue dress and had taken the time to wash up. At a feast one had to look as good as they could manage. The newly impressed girl had a hard enough time leaving the sleeping green to come and now that she was about to enter the very crowded hall she wished she had stayed with Sarenth.

Her mother had made her promise to come see them at the feast no matter what happened. Havalie scanned the room but could not find them and she still saw no sight of Caselo who absolutely loved feasts. What could be keeping him? She had been hoping for an amiable dance partner for a couple of dances though she did not intend to stay long.

It did not occur to her at first to go directly to the Weyrling Table. She would feel out of place there since no one in her class liked her much. Green riders were not exactly looked up to either. Now that she thought about it, Havalie dreaded who might be at the table so in her timidity she walked toward the food tables and started to pick up some green vegetables.
-----

Ev'os entered in great state of course. He was well groomed for this position and he certainly made sure he looked it. The deep green color he wore was not often seen on the superstitious sort. Ev'os did not believ in superstition. His black pants matched the shirt well and he had his hair brushed and washed. He did not worry about his clothes most of the time but in these instances it was necessary.

Out of the corner of his eye he caught his father, boasting and drinking about his sons and granddaughter. As if he could take all the credit. He barely new Iaslia. The only one that knew her well enough to claim her as family was himself and of course Kess though that was on her mother's side. Family was overrated anyway. No one would have cared about him if he had not impressed.

He did not immediately sit at the Weyrling Table first he looked up to the Head Table and watched his brother and the Weyrwoman. He was ambitious but any hope of him achieving Weyr Leadership was dashed so long as the Golds were related to or in a relationship with his brother. Those were thoughts for another time. For now, he would join the others, plotting his way up the chain was better done in the prescence of Rovanoth anyway.

He took a seat next to Iaslia with Kess sitting on her other side. "Good evening ladies. Congratulations." Ev'os was starting to contemplate what to eat. Wherry would be nice but he may just be in the mood for some good old herbeast...

[starshine]

Kess was sitting back in her seat, her legs crossed under the table. She wasn't often comfortable in formal clothing, and while her dress was simple it still drew attention to her body. It was a shade similar to her dragon, not that she had known Claralth would be blue, or that he would be such a rich sapphire tone, blues and silvers simply suited her skin best. The garment was sleevless, with a v-neck and a belt around the waist. It flared off at the waist, ending just below her knees. A pair of simple black flat shoes finished her outfit. She had unplaited her hair, re-braiding it loosely, allowing tendrils to wisp around her face.

She grinned at her cousin when the girl flopped into the chair beside her. "Congratulations Cousin!" Her voice was excited. Her smile grew wider revealing her white teeth. She took a sip of her juice as Ev'os joined them at the table.

"Good evening ladies. Congratulations." He seemed to be in a good mood, and was actually acknowledging her existence. She gave him a heartfelt smile. "Congratulations on you as well!"

~~~~~~~~~~~

A'rik arrived late to the feast, he had taken the time to stop in the barracks and change into something more fitting of a special occasion. Black slacks and a clean blue shirt was simple yet impressive enough. He then made his way to the hall. The energy was vibrant. A Hatching was always the ticket for celebration. He stopped at a serving table and picked up a cup of mulled wine. A party is a party, reason enough for a nice drink.

He scanned the room between sips of wine, finding several people he knew. He took a moment before deciding in the direction of the head table. Perhaps a congratulations was in order for the weyrwoman and weyrleader. He passed by behind them, resting a hand on back of Gaelle's chair he leaned in. "A very merry hatching to you both." His smile was bright, and tone was full of joy and respect for the both of them. "And a congratulations to you, Gaelle, on Aliath's extraordinary and beautiful brood." He turned to E'dian and flashed him a grin, then straightened back up, giving them both a nod.

[Redden]

With a heavy sigh she realized Navace was not at the Candidate table yet... he wasn't even in the hall for some reason. He must be late or looking for her, or at least that's what she decided to believe. Surely when he gets here he will come up to her, right? Slowly she makes her way to the weyring table, a few were already there and she didn't know what to do. Who do you sit by when you really do not know anyone? Looking at them she felt slightly under dressed compared to some, all she put on was a black long sleeve shirt and her nicer brown slacks.

Why must these things be so complicated, Navace isn't even here to make them complicated and here she is complicating it. With a shrug she sits down where there is a decent sized space. Eyes to the table she listens quietly to the other weyrlings and sips her water, rolling the round red fruit in her hands absently. Where is Navace?

[wonder123]

Hirith's appetite seemed to match his size. T'van had been one of the last to leave the feeding buckets with his newly impressed Hatchling, which meant he'd been later than the others in settling into their new home. The Feast had been the talk of the Weyr as soon as the last Impression had been made, but there was at least one candidate - no he was a weyrling now- that was not looking forward to it.

T'van hated large groups of people.

It wasn't so much a matter of being claustrophobic. T'van had been through tunnels, dense forests, and all matter of things in his old life. But the idea of having to chit-chat with so many people who only looked at you depending on what color you'd gotten.... It seemed like a great big game to them all. People were going hungry - or even dying - at Southern and other places all over Pern. His own stomach could wait.

You're going. You really don't have a choice. Besides, what is there to do while I'm asleep? This came from a comfortable Hirith. T'van couldn't even glare his defiance at the dragon, he was too proud of him. In his opinion, he'd gotten the best out of the bunch. Him, just a holder lad. That'd show 'em.

He finally shrugged into a tan tunic before straightening his dark leather belt over his breeches. His outfit was rather plain, although he did think his belt matched Hirith's hide quite well. They were a part of the wardrobe that had been loaned (meaning, donated...Trevan hated to think he was charity though) when he'd arrived. He swallowed his pride and went to the Feast just as his brown drifted off to sleep again.

His eyes did a quick sweep of the Hall as he arrived. His only line of defense to the petty conversation was half-way across the room. He made a bee-line for the food table.

---

R'lec had dismissed the Hatching with boredom until the surprise ending. Only one bronze in the entire clutch? And eveyone was expecting for this to rebuild the Weyr from its sorry shape? He scoffed. Myneth would have been a much better choice.

Well, there had been a new Gold. That had perked the bronze and his rider right up. R'lec had carefully marked the young woman who would one day become the Junior Weyrwoman. She would be one of his main focuses tonight.

He entered into the Hall with several other wingmates. V'rant went straight to another clump of riders, and soon had a cup of the finest wine in his hands. R'lec was not so hasty. His eyes alighted on the Head table. The once nauseating couple had hit a snag, if he could read the Weyrwoman right. Was E'dian not the man she had hoped and dreamed?

It was time to pay his respects.

"Weyrwoman, Weyrleader." His smile was a full one as he approached the pair. "Congratulations on such a fine clutch. And you, my dear, and Aliath never cease to surprise me. How'd you manage to keep the gold a secret?"

[fadingmemorie]

R'lec came to see the Weyrleaders, and Gaelle noticed a sparkle in his eye. He was certainly a handsome man, and she smiled as he congratulated her. "Interesting, that gold egg. She managed to keep it even from me, much to my chagrin. I suspect she wanted dramatic intent," Gaelle replied wryly. The gold's secret concerned Gaelle, and she wondered what else the dragon may omit. "Did you enjoy the results of the hatching? What do you think of the many female Impressions?"

She was aware of E'dian slightly tensing to her side, and she laid her hand over his, squeezing it once tightly. It was his clutch too, Xialanth's mating with Aliath resulting in the bountiful results in offspring. Bronzes and a gold were an impressive sight for a first clutch.

[LyricalBlue]

The rivalry that existed in those moment was nearly as heated as a flight, though perhaps, much more controlled. Hard, gray eyes watched R'lec with their usual aloof manner.Let Gaelle handle R'lec, she was the Weyrwoman after all and E'dian was not so insecure in his position to worry, yet. When A'rik leaned in behind Gaelle's chair, the Weyrleader clapped a hand on the solid brownrider's shoulder.
"Yes, larger than anything Arizith ever laid, and a gold none the less."

He patted A'rik once more on the shoulder before removing his hand and turning back to R'lec. E'dian nodded, chuckling lowly at the thought of Aliath hiding that egg away. Yes, that had been interesting. He found himself wondering if she had hidden the egg because she was not sure it would hatch. Based on what the gold had looked like when she hatched, E'dian thought it entirely likely that Aliath had sensed that something was wrong with that egg.

When Gaelle's hand tightened around his, E'dian checked himself. It would do no good to alienate R'lec. They must only be rivals when Aliath flew to mate, in all other times, they must be comrades in arms. R'lec needed to have more to do than to court after the Queen all the time. Queen... Nisurath. E'dian's face went slightly pale and he squeezed back on Gaelle's hand. Nisurath, if the little Queen lived... in two years or so she would be rising to mate. The Weyrleader looked about the great hall trying to catch sight of his daughter.

Two years. E'dian ran a mental tally of the few bronzes and found it not at all to his liking. N'sian was too old, L'kus was lost in his own world, R'lec... Ev'os was her uncle. The Weyrleader sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Plus, he did not see Aliath being the sharing type.
"With two Queens, we are going to need a few more bronzes."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Iaslia leaned across the table to help herself to the generous portions of meatrolls and other goodies laid out for the Feast. She had been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't even noticed Evalos... no Ev'os's now, approach them. The redhead found herself jumping slightly in the seat when she heard his voice and Kess's quick response. Startled green eyes focused on her cousin then uncle. This was really turning into a family affair. With her father the Weyrleader, her uncle Impressing another Bronze, no doubt old E'valn was having the time of his life right about now.

"Ah! You too Ev'os! Rovanoth looks fantastic!." She bit her lower lip in an uncharacteristic show of uncertainty. "But I don't think I've ever seen a Blue as pretty as Claralth." Like her father, and most of those raised at the Weyr, she never forgot a dragon's name. Humans though, were another matter entirely, she only remembered the ones she had to or that impressed her. Luckily, that list was rather small.

Of course, no one had said as much about Nisurath yet. But then, no doubt, most were just glad she ate and made it back to the Barracks in one piece. Frankly, even Iaslia had treated the hot tempered Queen as if she was made of glass. The girl was fairly sure the Queen stood upright on will power alone. She huffed and pushed hair out of her face, worries for for a time other than the Hatching Feast.
"Did your hatchlings get bedded down alright?"

[Redden]

She listened quietly to the other weyrlings talk for a moment. Wondering if she should speak up, it after all was such a great and wonderful thing that just happened. Where was Navace? If he was here she'd be able to speak up with out second guessing herself. She takes a sip of her water as she debates. Oddly enough she knows who most of the people are at the table, she just never spoke up and talked to any of them unless nessesary.

Finally she does speak, "Congratulations to everyone... Especially you Iaslia, I don't think anyone expected a gold." Suddenly it registered that Iaslia had asked a question to the others and she completely by passed it. Silently scolding herself she looks down the table at the others from the corner of her eye. The look on her face is soft yet confused, as if she can't believe she spoke. "I... just hope everyone does well..."

[wonder123]

His plate was too laden with food to pile anything else on. T'van had no choice but to finally join his peers at their new table. He felt eyes on him, but no one had spoken to him yet, at least. Where was Toress?! He usually never missed an excuse to drink? Unless these Weyrfolk had actually made him work for once in his life instead of gambling in the back of the forge. The weyrling's tight lips actually twitched at that thought. It'd do him some good.

Still, he should have at least escorted Anessa here.

His hazel eyes came up from the plate he was carrying long enough to scan the room for his precious little sister. The Hall was crowded, so if she was here, she was hidden from view. They'd spent little time together since their actual arrival, T'van realized. He couldn't even say what she'd been doing.... Lost in his own thoughts, he finally claimed a place at the far less occupied half of the table, ignoring petty conversation for two meat rolls.

---

"Like dragon, like rider, so I hear," R'lec winked. His eyes flicked to E'dian for a moment, then back to Gaelle. Oh, he was playing a dangerous game with these two. If he wanted his own wing, he had to mind his manners with the other bronze. If he wanted the Weyrwoman....

Maybe sensing the challenge, E'dian had spoken up.

"Indeed. But what is there to do until the next Hatching? I suppose those lucky few of us will have our work cut out for us, don't you agree, sir?" The flow of conversation flowed back to the day's earlier events. At the mention of the weyrlings, R'lec threw a look over his shoulder at them.

It was good to appear interested in the new blood.

"It was definetly a surprise, I have to say. But who are we to second-guess a dragon's choice? They've all proved right in the end." Still he was a bit uneasy about that girl with a brown. Suppose she saw herself to be a wingsecond some day? A girl on a thread-flaming dragon, ordering the men underneath (and not in the way R'lec preferred) into formations....It was outrageous to say the least.

"I suppose we'll see how they'll turn out in training."

[fadingmemorie]

The tension was rising, and Gaelle noticed it. E'dian appeared to be attempting to keep from staring down the wingrider, and R'lec nonchalantly glanced at the new weyrlings. "I suppose we'll see how they'll turn out in training," he said. The Weyrwoman thought she noticed the ghost of a smirk on R'lec's face, but she ignored it. He seemed conflicted over the girls' Impressions, but then, discretion was the better part of valor, and R'lec kept his true thoughts to himself. Gaelle cast a sideways look in his direction, wondering where else his feelings were.

"That, we will," Gaelle said, placing her eyes on the new Impressions as well. "It will be interesting to follow the new gold." She turned to E'dian. "Iaslia is my age, isn't? Or a little older, I thought," she asked. That might prove to be a problem when it came to Gaelle's word over the new goldrider's. Nevertheless, she smiled. On the other hand, it could also be fun to have someone her own age with a gold dragon there to talk to.

Inside, Gaelle was amused. E'dian and R'lec seemed to have kept their Mating Flight rivalry. The young Weyrwoman expectd it to fade, but like the clutch, it had only matured in the months since Aliath rose. Neither were outspoken, however; the rivalry was contained by snarky remarks and quickly-cast looks. Gaelle saw no reason to bring it up, since it wasn't really a problem and both men were still completing their duties to the Weyr. But still, she wondered if there was any substance to the bickering.

[starshine]

A'rik took another sip of his wine. "Well you three enjoy the feasting, I am off to do some feasting of my own." He grinned at them before moving on to the Alpha tables. J'mie was there along with several others. The table was decked out with roasted beasties and root vegetables. A'rik flopped himself into a chair and placed his glass on the table before him.

"Happy feastings" He grinned at the men at the table. They all seemed to be in good spirits, as they very well should be. A Hatching was a joyous occasion and seemed to be just what the weyr had needed to lift its spirits. He spooned a good portion of meat onto his plate then went in for the vegetables. With his plate in front of him he dug into the meat first. His favorite part of the feasts at the Weyr was the food.

~~~~~~

Kess was peckishly prodding at her meal. She took a nibble at a roll then looked over at her cousin.

"...Blue as pretty as Claralth." She swallowed before speaking. "Thank you cousin." She grinned. "Nisurath's got quite the color to envy over as well. That pale golden hue is marvelous." She was being sincere, her cousins dragon while thin did have features to impress. A strong will for one and of course her beautiful hide. Kess placed the roll back on her plate and took a sip of her juice.

T'van approached the table and sat a few seats away. She flashed him a grin then extended her congratulations. "How wonderful T'van. Congratulations on Hirith. He's quite impressive"