Little wonders - Hatching feast ((OPEN))

[Jenth]

After all the excitement of Hatchings, there always came the Feast! Eighteen little hatchlings had now joined their numbers but only one would be the major topic. Normally only a queen was singled out, but this time it was Bronze Razuth who was the first of his color known to take a female as his Rider. The Weyr nearly hummed with the talk and gossip from the stone foundations themselves. But Inolyn was one who was somewhat unphased about it. It was curious and exciting! The dragons always knows however, and nothing could be changed. Times of Pern had been changing for years, this was only another event to prove it.

Inolyn had changed out of her plain normal clothes she had chosen a more festive dress, fitting for the only event that came close to a Gather these days. She had chosen Harper blue trimmed in violet, as it showed her status as well as her usual particapation witht eh entertainment. This was maybe the 2nd or 3rd hatching she had stepped forwards to mediate, but it was the first for her dragon which made it all that much special.

"Welcome Everyone! Its been a big day with a few surprises, but we have eighteen new Riders join out numbers today. So raise your glasses in a toast; to our new riders! Clear Skies!"

[Amejisuto]

Angelischielhad gotten Razith fed - ignored everyone around her. Had even made her family get sent off. Much to the dismay of her siblings. But her mother and stepfather surely understood. Her eyes locked ahead ofh er stern and firm as she dressed. Razuth sleeping rather quietly on his new bed. The new rock bed for him - new quarters for her. As a Bronze Weyrling she had to share quarters with no one, mostly because the higher ranking dragon usually got places with the others of their kind - but she was the first female Bronze rider. She wouldn't have a roommate in her Weyrling Quarters.

Which was fine with her. Because she was not really used to the way people treated her now. It was bothersome indeed - even a few of the Riders looked at her funny. As if she was some kind of freak. These worried thoughts awakened Razuth who sent her calming thoughts. Slowly getting up from his cot he stretched out. Curling his tail around his legs rather regally. Angel my dear, you must dress to impress tonight. You must show them all we are the best pair. You need to put forward your [best. For me and for yourself.

This was definitely the voice of the bronze partner she was coming to know and love. She went to her chest and pulled out the outfit her parents had handed her before she went to her new chambers. She picked up the tunic, it was a dark blue. Almost midnight black color. Expensive fine woven fabric. There was a pair of leather trews - that were custom fit to her sizes, a dark brown leather. She also had a pair of new boots - and a belt to go with it. Her stepfather must have ordered them. There was longer sleeves to the tunic - and a lowset bustline. Making it have a feminine appeal to it. With long bell sleeves that had tassels on the ends. It was indeed a Gather garb.

She put the garments on and cinched up her new belt. Throwing on her usual waist pouch assemblage - the young br-Bronze Rider looked towards her bonded. "Shall we go?" She asked. The bronze nodded and regally carried himself as the two of them made their way to the feast. They were swamped when they got there - and her family was first in line.

[Sparrow]

I want to go meet Razuth.

No. Kora knew she shouldn't go into the Hatching Feast with a frown, but it was definitely hard to keep herself from scowling when Nayarath would not hush about Nyocia's newest conundrum. He's not going to be allowed to chase queens, so you're not allowed to flirt with him.

But I want to meet him!

You can't fit in here anyways. Thank Faranth for the dragons being enormous. Nayarath pouted, but that was an argument the Gold couldn't find a way around. Lilac was occupied in the weyr with Nayarath, babysitting Squeak, and although Soot had accompanied Kora, he was hardly a reliable spy. Kora did smile slightly as her dragon withdrew, and it was well-timed- Inolyn was raising her voice in a greeting to everyone attending.

Kora had no real plans for what she would do at the feast. Meet a few of the new weyrlings, maybe find Karisna and see how she felt- all that girl's talk about not Impressing at her first hatching and not being worried about it, and now she hadn't. It was ironic.

You want to hear something else that's ironic? Everyone but the Weyrwoman is greeting Razuth.

Then I'm sure poor Angel is crowded enough already. Nayarath grumbled at that reply; Kora distracted herself by helping Soot hunt down his favorite snacks. It wasn't often the little Tan escaped the command of the two queens in his family, and he was going to take full advantage of it.

[Amejisuto]

Meagen was ready for a Gather, so was egg heavy Hope. She had people offering her marks again - like they had before. But Hope didn't believe that the clutch should be done like that this time. She had let it be known that she wanted to lay them and share them with the Weyr. Through her patterns of images and happy thoughts. Which is what she would do.

She had dressed in her best riding gear- it looked spiffier then anything else she had. Her hair was twisted up and out of the way and she knew that Toath was amused at the situation. She looked around and noticed the Weyrwoman. Approaching her respectfully - and smiling. "They were in an uproar when I impressed a Brown. I wonder what will happen to her and the Bronze?" She said as she looked towards them.

"Do you think it was something I might've said in my lessons?" She commented idly. NO! It is not your fault my dear Meagen. You only aided them in learning teh Weyr.
((Morriamia and Nixsha will each get their own posts as well XD))

[Sparrow]

"They'll be bothered even more than Gwen and Tyrth, as you can already see." Kora frowned. A White dragon was exciting, but odd colors... well, they weren't new. Seeing one that had shown up long ago in Pern's past had been all that got Tyrth his attention. The traditional colors, however, had remained traditional. Bronzes Impressed to men. This seemed to Kora as a far more shocking change.

She gave Meagan a surprised look when the CandidateMaster more or less said it could be her fault. "Where did you get that idea? Of course not. It's up to the dragons, not something someone said to a Candidate." As far as she could tell, Meagan had been doing an amazing job as CandidateMaster anyways. There was no reason she would be at fault for Razuth Impressing Angel.

Overall, Kora would rather not be talking about that, but it was sure to be all that was on anyone's mind. She needed to think about it for a while first, but Hatchings really were not days for the solitude required. I blame your daughter.

You have no right to insult my offspring until you have one of your own for me to reply about.

I was kidding, dear heart. Kora shook her head. Nayarath only got a joke if it was her own.

[ShadowReine]

B'can strode into the feast. He was not going to let the female bronzerider bother or embarrass him.

What would they do if Razuth caught Nayarath? Of course, they could skirt around that by trying to keep him from chasing. Sending him out of the Weyr whenever the gold rose. Yet, if there was one female bronzerider, there would be others.

The queenriders were generally safe from ending up waking up next to other women...although Toath was large enough, B'can mused, to have a chance with a violet.

The second Inolyn finished the toast, he moved to her side. He was never quite sure whether he had a place there or not. For this night, though, it was really appropriate that the rider of the sire sat with the rider of the dam, and he was certainly not getting any impression he should avoid her.

Far from it.

"They did well," he murmured to Inolyn as he approached her.

--

Kari did not want to be at the Hatching feast. She did not want to even think about there *being* a Hatching feast. She felt oddly drained. Emotionally drained, the exhaustion of standing out on the Sands for hours catching up with her without the elation of a new bond. The dancer wore one of her dancing dresses rather than more traditional Gather garb. It was lighter, more comfortable, less corsetry. However, she did not seem to be in the mood to dance.

Rather, she had found a corner and was sitting in it, nursing a glass of wine and trying not to look like she felt. Not so much disappointed, not so much upset.

No. She was just too sharding *tired* for a party right now.

[Faerie Fyre]

You look fine.

J'reth fussed just a moment longer in front of the mirror before looking through the open door where Labby was watching him. The bronze's hide was slightly dull, but he exuded an air of excitement that might have something to do with the Hatching that had taken place earlier that day. Hatchings were always an exciting time, and this one was particularly good. Labyrinth had spent this event curled up with his silver-green and purple mate, Venuth, while J'reth had been with his Pet, his Cerri.

For the Feast, the bronze rider did not put on his finest tunic and most elaborate vest. Between himself and his Cerri, if anyone was to shine, it would be her. He had given her a gown not long after she graduated from Weyrling lessons, and with luck, he would get to see her in it tonight.

"Okay, okay. Are you coming, Heddle?"

Hoggle.

"Whatever."

The lame lizard looked at His Human, then at the hulking brown who already occupied one shoulder. He pumped his chin up and down in an affirmative, and spread his wings to glide from the tall mirror to his human's shoulder.

"Time to go see our newest sister."

Yes, sister. The brotherhood of bronze riders had been infiltrated by a woman, and J'reth might just be the only bronze rider who didn't mind. Angel had been a Harper before Impression, and while it wasn't unheard of for a bronze to Impress a Harper, it was rather unorthodox. The unheard of part was a bronze Impressing a woman.

In the Lower Caverns, he sought to find this new sister. It wasn't difficult - she seemed to have a rather large family who all stood by their daughter. He made his way towards the knot of people, avoiding those standing and talking.

Labby, would you ask Razulth to tell Angel that I am here?

The big bronze acquiesced, reaching out to greet the hatchling.

Little One, would you please inform Yours that Labyrinth's J'reth would like to speak with her?

His left eyebrow climbed his forehead as the bronze used a rather unorthodox introduction.

Very funny.

[Jenth]

"About even numbers all round, the Weyr has to be happy with that." Inolyn smiled brightly at B'can, it was finally time he made more of an appearence. It wasn't like she and Jorindath had done all the work, the sire generally had some input when it came to the quality of the clutch. All Jori did was grow and lay them, which was hard enough work as it was. At least the piece of Harper in her still loved to host and entertain, so being in the spotlight wasnt such a big deal.

"I think the question is wether or not Apolloth can keep it up!" She wouldn't mind Apolloth catching again. Actually she would greatly welcome it. Both human and dragon pairing worked well together and that was the only thing she could hope for.

[ShadowReine]

B'can would...he realized he did not want anyone but Apolloth to win next time.

That was a bad thought for a rider, and he thrust it somewhere aside, deep within him. He would not turn into a jealous freak, especially as he wasn't sure, quite, whether he loved the woman. "Two bronzes is good for a tan-violet clutch. Actually, the clutch skewed large."

Dragon instincts were odd when it came to reproduction. They did seem to have this way of knowing what the Weyr needed. "And they all hatched, too."

No queen, but he had certainly not expected one of those.

[Jenth]

"Your right, but its not like we have any way in knowing what hatches from the eggs." Turning around she signalled to one of the harpers, hinting that she was stepping aside for now. Inolyn only stepped up for fun anyway, they couldn't force her to stay even if they wanted to. A queenrider first and a harper second, it felt so free to be balance the things she loved most in her life.

Leading B'can to the side of the room she accepted an offered wine glass, but bearly stopped for a moment. Half the room seemed intent of crowding poor Angel and her bronze, so finding a spare seat wasn't that hard to find. By the looks of things they nearly lost a few hatchlings today, whether through difficulty of finding their lifemate or struggling to hatch. They had been lucky today, she only hoped that luck would continue to favor them.

Settling her blue-purple skirts Inolyn let out a long sigh, a lock of brunette hair slipping from behind her ear. All the time she had put into having a nice dress to wear. However tonight wasnt about her, not even about Jori, it was about the new hatchlings. "I dress up much too much for these events..."

[kandykat]

M'ran walked into the dining hall, smiling proudly. It seemed like he had a fine bunch of new weyrlings to teach. The female bronzerider was a surprise, but from what he knew of Angel, she wouldn't be any trouble. He did have to wonder if the next Gold to hatch would Impress to a boy, though. Now that would be even odder than a bronze Impressing to a girl!

Soon he would have to begin lessons, but tonight he was just enjoying a party like the weyrlings. He picked up a glass of wine and sipped at it. Seeing Kora and Meagen standing together, M'ran went over to greet them. "Well, that was an interesting Hatching," he said with a grin. "Meagen, I just hope you've prepared them all for weyrlinghood," he said, his tone more teasing than serious. He knew that Meagen was a good Candidate Master, and he didn't have any concerns about that.

***

E'skin's face was aglow as he walked into the dining hall. He had never felt happier. No one was going to crowd around him, but he didn't care. It still seemed to him that Carath was the best dragon that had hatched today. He couldn't have found a more perfect match.

He made a circuit of the room and noticed Karisna standing alone in a corner. "Hi, Kari," he said, bounding up to her. "I'm sorry you didn't Impress! But I'm sure there will be a dragon for you in the next clutch." He patted her shoulder reassuringly. He felt so happy that he didn't want anyone around him to be gloomy.

[ShadowReine]

B'can shook his head. "I don't agree, Inolyn. I think you look fantastic."

And he had to admit, it felt very good to be here, pretty woman next to him, celebrating...sure, it wasn't their celebration, but...

"Angel's going to have a difficult time of it," he added, almost thoughtfully. "There are plenty in the Weyr who won't really want to accept her. Never mind that there was a time when *blues* didn't Impress to women."

Perhaps the increasing flexibility was related to the new colors, perhaps not. "But...well. A bronze doesn't choose somebody who can't handle a bronze."

--

"Your green is gorgeous, E'skin. And don't worry about me. I still think it was because there were relatively few females...guess I'm not meant for a male dragon." Which wouldn't surprise her. She was a pretty female person, after all. Then again, a *bronze* had bonded to a girl this time. That wasn't supposed to happen.

And now she'd seen Razuth better, he was definitely, ineffably, not the tan she had personally suspected him of being.

No. He was bronze from nose tip to tail tip. She did not envy Angel. "I admit I'm jealous, but I'll deal with bit. I'm far from the only one, after all."

[Inkith]

J'kel walked in to the dining hall, filled with pride he had never felt before.

A bronze. Kulith. I can't believe it.

Well you better start believing it. It might get a bit tiring if lots of people have to explain it to you...

In a good way

Good.

J'kel sank into a seat watching everyone.

I wonder what Angel must be feeling right now? She must feel really proud.

She should be. Only deserving people have one like me. Although, you got the best one. Kulith said jokingly.

Hey, if you say that a bit louder someone might actually hear you. But you are the lucky one. Not everyone can be like me... He sighed sarcastically.....

Ha ha.
____________________________________________________

Transiit walked in, her face glowing with pride.

I am glad I have you, Lanth. This was probably one of the only times Transiit had voiced compassion. But there was still a bit of her in the statement, as it was still short and to the point.

I am glad I have you to, mine

Transiit was so happy her life had changed forever. With someone to share it with...

[Jenth]

Inolyn blushed a little at his compliment with a small giggle, but said nothing about however. "I think everyone should let it rest. Yes, its unusual but there is nothing we can do. There is a female bronzerider, stranger things have happened. Look outside, half the dragons in the Weyr are 'different'." Inolyn's tone was quite sharp, as if she was sick of hearing all this already. Its all everyone cared about, however both she and Jori felt the rest of the pairs were being ignored and forgotten. Did anyone care if the girl was already confused enough about her impression without everyone poking, prodding and crowding her on the subject?

Dont let it upset you, come outside. The night is beautiful. Jorindath sat with Apolloth who had bearly left her side since she left the Sands, happy again to be on her ledge again. It actually sounded like a good idea. "Come on B'can, lets go celebrate with the proud parents. I'm surprised I havent heard any gloating from your tan yet about having bronze sons."

[dragonkat34]

Turath came in, with S'ven trailing star-struck after his tan.
S'ven had slipped on a nice dark brown tunic and tan-colored pants, changing out of the messy white outfit he'd worn to the hatching.
He looked around, and Turath stopped in front of him. S'ven caught up to the haughty tan, now, and looked around for his family. He saw Miri come in with Dalarath, the green looking prim and pretty, but hiding behind his adopted sister anyway, and headed towards her.
"Hey, Miri!" She'd decided on getting rid of the 'a' at the end of her name as more than a nickname, and Turath had called her by this shortened version of miria already.
Why not, i see no reason that not to call her by an honorific, girl though she is, she is also your sister. Turath told His.
S'ven smiled, and hugged Miri. Dalarath made a squeaaking noise, and hid in the folds of Miri's flowing purple skirt.
"Hey, S'ven!" Miri grinned at her younger brother. " I see Amma and Pa over there, let's go say hi! They'll want to congratulate us, of course." She didnt mention that they would be much happier about s'ven's Tan Turath than her Green Dalrath, but dalarath was the lovliest green she'd ever seen!
Of course, Mine, I am yours and you are mine! I am perfect for you and your for me... but my tan brother is so big!
They headed over to their family, where their mother, father, and one of their older sisters waited impatiently for them to arrive.
They skirted around some of Angel's relatives.
Miri half-smiled in her direction, raising one eye brow, and following s'ven. Dalarath had awrmed up to her larger brother, and the two were walking together in front of them.

[Sparrow]

N’ren set his loaded plate of food down and then sat down himself, next to J’kel. “Congrats on getting a Bronze,” he said, smiling at the new weyrling. “It was an impressive clutch.” Jorindath was an impressive queen though, and he could think of no faults with Apolloth either. Good parents, of course, just worked out with good offspring.

There had only been one surprise in this clutch, unless people were shocked by the reappearance of Teals and Charcoals as well. A female Bronzerider… N’ren had glanced Kora’s way when Razuth Impressed, and she was only looking more unhappy now at the Hatching Feast.

“I think you’re kind of lucky. I definitely don’t relish Angel’s position, but it would be nice to have someone to distract all the attention from yourself.” Johannesth had hatched in only the second clutch to hatch Tans. They had gotten their fair share of inquisitive folk.

Kora’s preference- as a normal, male Bronzerider- would be another plus for J’kel. How odd to have to think about that.

[Inkith]

J'kel was surprised when the rider came and sat next to him, congratulating him on his impression. Not many people actually talked to J'kel, he was a bit shy....

"Thanks, I agree it was an impressive clutch.... And I agree with you, I don't like attention that much, but I feel sorry for Angel, she will have a lot ahead of her..."

Angel was already swamped with people. She would be the center of most of the discussion from now on...

J'kel loaded his plate of food, much like the Tan rider sitting next to him. The adrenaline had taken a lot out of him and he was feeling ravenous.

[ShadowReine]

B'can laughed. "That's because he's been directing the entire stream at me. Plus, Apolloth has always felt tans were at least as good as bronzes, if not better."

Meaning he was gloating about the tans too. If he ever sired a queen, he'd be insufferable. B'can was not entirely certain that he could...not a gold, anyway. But a violet...a violet was within the realms of possibility. He did, though, move to follow the violetrider outside. "And yes. But then, I recall my own Hatching feast and even with the congratulations shared...I think the rest are going to be better off."

And those left Standing? They would have their chance, surely.