Dangrous Meals [Itona; OPEN]

[E]

It took the sisters a few wrong turns before they found the WeyrHall and even once they did they found themselves standing in the doorway for a long moment watching the small clusters of people dispersed throughout the room. While it was not the busiest part of the day, there were enough people to already have the sisters uncomfortable.

Deltontai lead her sister around the edge of the room, avoiding groups until she finally spotted two men picking up bowls and dishing themselves out food. Watching the table a minute, the men moved away and a woman brought up a large pot, replacing an evidently empty one. A few more steps brought the girls to another pause along the wall as they watched a woman walk up, helping herself to fruit on the table and a glass with liquid inside.

“Well it does seem to be available to anyone…” Del said quietly after a moment. Biting her lower lip, she clenched and unclenched her fists as she studied the large room again. Very well, they’d try to get some food and see if they got in trouble for it. “Guess we’ll just… help ourselves…”

Moving forward to the table, Del had to step out of a hurried man’s way but managed to make it to the bowls unscathed. Flushed, she took up a bowl then peered inside the pot curiously.

[Rowen]

Itona nearly bumped into someone as well, but managed to avoid it by taking a quick step back and then dashing forward to her sister. She peeked in the bowl with her sister then looked around. "Is it safe?" she whispered, she was eying the fruits, but was standing close to her sister instead. She looked back in the pot. "What IS that?" Rekka was still speaking softly, but she clearly had no idea what all of the mixed ingredients were.

"It's soup. What do the two of you think you are doing?" The voice came from behind them, jumping Itona turned to see a woman standing with her hands on her hips. Her hair was pulled back and tied behind her head, likely to keep the long strands from getting in her way. "We.. we were just.." Itona couldn't finish she stared at the woman like a deer caught in the headlights.

[E]

“I…. I think I see a tuber in it….” Del said just as softly as her sister asked. Just as her sister had, Deltontai jumped nearly a foot in the air before spinning around. Hands already clenched into fists, she stepped protectively in front of her sister to meet the woman before them. They hadn’t even touched the food yet, could they really already be in trouble?

After hearing her sister’s stammers, Del spoke up – forcing confidence into her voice. “We were told there was food for us. Everyone else was helping themselves.” Lifting her chin defiantly, Del all but dared the woman to tell them they were in the wrong.

[Rowen]

Rekka blinked, they clearly were unfamiliar with the way things were run around here. The one before her was clearly a fighter, and the other seemed more sweet. Rekka looked the two over slowly. They'd recently been bathed, is this what one of the others had tried to tell her? She'd been preoccupied making sure dinner was done and served, and that there was enough that she hadn't really listened. The look in the fighters eyes had Rekka staring at her, an itching feeling sank in that they were not from any hold, or craft, and they definitely were not from the wyer, that left one place, the holdless. That would explain the tattered clothes Rekka supposed, they were already being mended Rekka had made sure of it.

"Yes, you help yourself to the food, but if you linger in front of it others will surely become agitated, a hungry rider is not something to contend with. Hunger affects many in different ways, some become impatient, and unwieldy. I'm asking why you are taking so long to get your food and move to a table." Rekka moved to the side of the girls picking up a fruit and holding one out to each girl. "I'll expect you two to eat at least one fruit each day. It's a requirement." Rekka managed not to smile, she wasn't telling the whole truth, but they did look like they could use the fruits, the tunics were big on them.

Itona eyed the fruit then reaching out a hand took on and rolled it around in her two hands checking for any holes, bruises, or bad spots in the fruit. She did it out of habit, she was used to picking the fruit from the trees, but on occasion they had to pick up the fruit off the ground and Itona had learned what to look for that might make the fruit bad. Itona looked at Dela then at the woman. "Thank you.. We're just.." "New." Rekka waved a hand. "I know, I know most people here, I've lived here my whole life." Rekka half smiled. "You'll get used to it no worries."

[E]

Deltontai reached out and took the offered fruit only after her sister had, still unsure about the woman. Listening to her words however, Del finally picked up a bowl and scooped out some of the contents. If all else failed she would have time to puzzle out what exactly was in the so called ‘soup’ when they were sitting at one of the many tables.

Bowl in one hand and fruit in the other, she watched the woman for a moment before looking down at the glasses. Putting down her fruit, she quickly poured what looked to be water into one before tucking the fruit under and arm to carry everything.

“If we were quick enough, does that mean we get a place to sit as well?” She said, probably sounding a little more snappy than she meant to the helpful woman. Letting out a sigh, Deltontai fought to calm herself. “I’m sorry I just don’t know if you have to sit somewhere special…”

[Rowen]

Rekka smiled, and waved a hand encompassing all the tables in one gesture. "No, you sit with whom you want. They wyer is a close bunch, everyone has their friends, though some prefer to be to themselves. Don't be surprised if some come up to you. You're new, people will want to know you." She had filled a bowl and cup and handed it to Itona who had stood there watching. Itona's eyes widened as she tried to juggle the three items, and barely managed not to drop anything. Rekka picked the fruit up from Itona's hand, replaced the cup properly in Itona's hand and then set the fruit in the crook of Itona's arm.

"Sit where you like, with whom you like, be nice or mean to who you want, but I do suggest not making the wyerleader upset with you overly much. He's a nice guy and all, but.. Some people you just don't cross openly. Dragonriders have much pride if I recall.." Rekka looked thoughtful and then shrugged. Someone called Rekka's name and she turned in their direction seeing a leaking pot Rekka's eyes widened. "We just had that pot fixed! What is the wyer coming to!" She gave a wave to the two girls before heading toward the disaster zone to take care of it.

Itona stood there staring then looked at her sister with wide eyes. "WHO was that?" She was completely left stunned after that encounter, the woman had been the kindest person Itona had met, she'd told them how things were, seemed to genuinely care if they got in a fight, and given a warning before she walked off. Did she plan to expect a favor later? What in the world was going on with these people were they always like this?

[hrsegrl]

((Hope you don't mind if I cut in here))

The young man had watched the two newcomers enter eagerly. Caselo had heard rumors all day about some holdless girls the Weyrleader found. From a distance, they were both fairly good looking with dark brown hair. One had more of a stern look to her than the other but it was obvious to him they were sisters. They must have been washed well when they arrived because holdless were rumored to be quite dingy.

Now as it was his chance to say hello he got up from his table and approached them as they spoke with the Headwoman. Caselo felt the more people he knew the happier he would be. He had just approached when he heard Itona's comment. Stifling a chuckle he spoke up,

"That my dear was the Headwoman, Rekka. She is in charge of the Lower Caverns and reports directly to the leader of the Weyr, the Weyrwoman. Of course the Weyrleader is the one who found you. He is one who is mated to the Weyrwoman. I would think its quite the opposite of the logic normally found in Holds. "

He smiled his warm, charming smile. "If you want to join, a few of the Candidates for the next clutch are eating together over there." He did not point but inclined his head in the direction of several young boys and one or two young girls. "They may ask a million questions but keep in mind none of us have been to a Hold before." He had to include himself in that statement. Mentioning Holdless was too touchy a subject around here to bring up so he did not say a word about their previous status. Besides he was not sure they were up to sharing their lives before here with anyone and who was he to argue?

Caselo's only concern was that his friendliness would throw them off and make them not want to join him with the others. Happy people sometimes came across too strongly. Anyone who knew Caselo understood it was just his nature to be convivial. "Of course if you'd rather have time alone, I would understand completely."

[E]

Deltontai turned toward the new voice giving the young man a cautious look up and down. He was just a few inches taller than her and he easily had more weight to him than she did, but she did not think it would be much of an advantage. Deltontai was quick and she used her speed to her advantage.

His explanation brought Deltontai’s eyes up find his own grey-blue ones as he continued to talk. So much information was making her head hurt terribly. Hands full and stomach rumbling again, Del let out a sigh before biting her lip and looking over her shoulder to Itona. “What do you think?” She asked before returning her gaze toward the mentioned ‘candidates’. It would be good to watch the people, but was she read to watch from the seat right next to them?

Studying each of them in slow turn, Deltontai finally added, “They don’t look too threatening and I could handle any of them if need be….” The last part was for her sisters knowledge only and Del stiffened visibly as her eyes darted back to the young man next to them. She had already forgotten he was there to hear the comment as well.

[Rowen]

Itona jumped at the new voice, couldn't these people walk a little louder? Or maybe they were walking normally and all the sound in the room was just covering up the closer sounds distracting her. She stared at him her eyes going to his legs, she still felt she might be able to outrun him but it would be more a contest then the other holdless who Itona had easily out paced after she took to her running. She looked up when he mentioned a table and followed his gesture and looked toward them.

It would be good to get to know people quickly, so Itona knew who she faced at all times, Del took on her opponents with her body, Itona took them on with her legs only. However, these people seemed to be different Itona would test the waters by eye and ear for now. Her mind was still processing information as it was piling in, and it really was a lot, why not add to the already large stack.

She looked back at the man when Del spoke, noticing her sisters stiffening in front of her. "And you are?" Itona asked as she stepped up beside her sister brushing her arm gently against her sisters arm. If he commented on what Del had said she would feel bad for him, and hopped that he didn't because she didn't think they'd take kindly to one of their people being engaged without warning.. Del had done it before, but Itona always worried, so attempted to steer his thoughts away from her sister by giving him a smile. It felt strange on Itona's face especially around a stranger, but it would do...

[hrsegrl]

They seemed to him like wherries being hunted down by a dragon just then. Why were they nervous? He had no idea what they had lived through and so it was hard for him to understand the need for worried glances at one another or the words that followed them. He decided not to push either of them on what she meant by take any one of them. Fighting was not permitted at the Weyr and there were severe punishments for those who did so, such as not being allowed to stand for a clutch.

To a Candidate that would be the worst thing that could happen. The sterner woman was a bit menacing now that she had spoken. Thankfully, he never really lost his wits in these situations. There were always people who got easily ruffled. Especially greenriders who were moody at times. Turning his attention to the more affable of the two young women.

"My name is Caselo, I'm a candidate for the next clutch as I'm guessing you two are as well. They must be hoping for a Gold egg." He smiled back at Itona. She seemed to be making an effort to be cordial and he could certainly get along with someone who made an effort. Her sister seemed a little too determined on the group to really be thinking much about being nice. "And you are?"

[E]

Deltontai had turned her gaze back toward the indicated table and was watching it carefully. They seemed to all know each other and everybody was relaxed. In fact, the longer Deltontai watched the group, the less she thought they had even noticed the newcomers yet. There were a few who would look up, but were quickly engrossed in the conversation again. That put the woman at a little more ease.

Turning back to the conversation at hand, and listened to the young man who introduced himself as Caselo. The name was strange on her tongue, but she tried it out anyways. “Caselo,” She said, after a moment putting on the seeming title with it. “Candidate Caselo. My sister is Itona and I’m Deltontai… I…”

Looking back to her sister, Del frowned. He had said they might be able to stand as a candidate but had not confirmed it really. “I’m not sure where our place is here… He mentioned the possibility of being candidates, but at the time the true offer was simply a place to stay.” The look Del gave Itona was one of help. She wasn’t sure if she was explaining anything right – or if they even needed to explain anything to this Caselo… but Itona was making an attempt and it was Del’s duty to support her sister.

[Rowen]

Itona watched her sister, she was as uncomfortable with the new comer as she was, but they did need to make the effort. They didn't know how long they would be here, and it would be good to have some people that they could at least semi relax, not that they ever completely relaxed unless it was just the two of them. Itona set the thought aside as she gave her sister and encouraging smile then looked down at the things in her hands. "Ah, we should.. sit." Itona glanced toward the offered table then back at Caselo.

If he didn't lead them over to the table Itona was not going over there. She was NOT going to approach strangers, not after this day.. It had been long and bumpy and Itona was well ready to be with just her sister. Soon she promised herself, soon she would be able to relax and go over what had happened today in her head. When she did that, she might be able to make some sense of the events.. Maybe. Itona blinked realizing she'd been staring while thinking and looked to the side realizing Caselo had been watching both of them, after all he was talking to them..

[hrsegrl]

Introductions were a good start, he told himself, although his stomach was near to grumbling in irritation. He had forgotten to eat this morning and now the rest of his day he would feel completely starving. "Interesting names. Delontai and Itona, its a pleasure to meet you both. If Weyrleader E'dian mentioned Candidacy that pretty much means you'll be permitted to stand if you wish to and in the meantime you certainly have a place to stay."

To himself he thought, in fact I doubt you'd ever be permitted to leave. Can't have you sneaking off and telling people we actually exist. Especially if you really are Holdless. No that would be too dangerous a risk. His right hand reached up and ruffled his dirty blonde hair off of his forehead while he managed to hide his thoughts from his facial expressions. Moving on he said, "Whatever you decide. No one in the Weyr will force you into something you don't want to do. Except chores which every non-rider and anyone not a journeyma or higher has to do in order for the Weyr to continue running. Everyone takes care of everyone here. We're the largest family you'll ever meet." He grinned amiably and began to walk towards the Candidate table.

Setting his tray down he silenced the others with a look and mentioned in a cool voice, "Everyone meet Delotai and Itona. Please don't badger them with questions they've only just arrived and are I'm sure, famished." The looks that the other younger Candidates shot him were filled with dissapointment but compliance. They were hungry too at least. Caselo motioned the young women to two emtpy seats across from him.

[E]

Deltontai could not help but raise her eyebrows as Caselo gave the table their names and instructions to not badger them. So this man was a sort of leader among the candidates? Or at least he had some sort of seniority with them. She moved to the seats mentioned, taking the one closest to the rest of the candidates so she was between them and Itona. Putting her things down, she looked around carefully before looking back to the young man before them.

“Thank you.” She said, if a little stiffly. Turning her attention to her bowl, she allowed her sister to speak with the young man. Everything that was happening, all the information, people, sights – it was all slowly taking its toll on Deltontai and she felt her head begin to ache at all the tension. She would welcome their own space and a chance to sleep without people around. But first, the food.

[Rowen]

Itona sat down carefully she shot her sister a worried glance recognizing Del's posture. She gave Caselo a weak smile trying to reassure him if he felt at all that Del didn't like him... Well it was because Del probably didn't like him, or it could be she didn't trust him... Itona wasn't sure. She picked up the fruit and bit into it she chewed slowly savoring it as she watched Caselo. After swallowing the first bite she managed one question. "Anything we should know?"

The fruit was a delicious treat and Itona couldn't help herself from savoring it as she slid a glance at her sister to make sure she was eating. If Del didn't eat Itona might just have to take the food with her to take care of her sister. Whenever Del was like this Itona felt helpless and useless, she could only hope it wouldn't last long. A nights rest usually cured it, and that's all Itona wanted right at that moment.