You walk toward the bustling Weyrhall.

Auralia, with juicy plum in hand, sees no need to pass by the serving table, and instead meanders towards a group of wingmates, bypassing the candidates with a scrupulous glance, a hmph, and no greeting whatsoever.

Kayjay smiles gently at Stella. "Take it easy? Alright?"

Kayjay walks toward the Courtyard.

Stella heaves a sigh as Kayjay leaves, her blush fading.

Collaidhi smiles at Stella, " I can't imagine not eating meat for that long... any reason why you did it? "

Alianne is standing near the doorway. Or rather, leaning /on/ the doorframe. Stew in her hand, eyes are cast curiously around, a nod offered in farewell to Kayjay, a second offered to Auralia in greeting.

Aithne glances at the greenrider, her gaze considering before she turns back to Stella, "That really wasn't so bad...was it?" Course she wasn't the one explaining.

Auralia does belatedly offer Alianne a nod in return, but the other candidates are instead glanced back at. Meaningfuly. She obviously doesn't know them. Balancing on one out of four of the legs of her chair, she pretends to lean into talk with her wingmates, but something might tell someone that she is, indeed, listening to another conversation.

Stella wrinkles her nose at Collaidhi. "I can't /stand/ meat. It's disgusting." Then she looks at Aithne, raising an eyebrow. She nods. "It is when you have to admit you've been a fool."

Collaidhi blinks and her eyes go wide,.." but... it's so tastey. I guess I just never met anyone who didn't like it before "

Alianne isn't carrying on a conversation. As if that wasn't already obvious. Stew finished off, Ali glances down into her bowl a moment, waiting. Hearing Stella, she looks up. Again, she looks ready to say something, actually saying nothing.

Stella ughs, but manages a smile for Collaidhi. "It comes from a living, breathing creature. That's what disgusts me about it." Then she glances curiously at Alianne. "Yes?" She's not going to let her get away with the silent act this time.

Aithne considers for a moment, 'How many turns ahs it been since you ate meat?' She asks before she turns her attention back to Stella, 'And So far it hadn't been any trouble has it? So, how could you be stupid?'

Alianne shakes her head at Stella, pursing her lips for a moment. "Nothing. Absolutely nothing." That she's going to impart with, anyways. Bowl of once-stew is brought into the kitchens, from whence Ali returns, plopping herself down into a chair at a lonely table.

Stella sighs. "It's been 9 turns. And I was stupid in thinking that the major increase in hard work wouldn't cause me any problems." she replies to Aithne. she still looks curiously at Alianne, an eyebrow raised.

Auralia wrinkles her nose -- a sure indication that she's listening -- and swings about on her chair idly, somehow (Undoubtbly on purpose) ending up facing some of the group. "Meat's good." A pure carnivore here. When she can help it. So she interjects into the conversation, with a grin.

"I prefer greens, myself." Aithne notes, 'Meat is okay...I guess.'

Collaidhi hrms as she listens, then adds,.." but dragons eat meat, and we think it's natural and good for them.. why would it be so bad for us to eat meat too? "

Stella grimaces at Alianne, shaking her head. With a sigh, she stands up to pour herself a glass of juice, /much/ steadier on her feet. Sitting down again, she looks at Collaidhi. "But that's different." Don't ask her why, it just is.

Alianne isn't that bad. Is she? Sitting back in her chair, propping it on two legs, she crosses her fingers in front of her, laying this new assembly on her stomach. Hunter green optics flick from person to person, Ali resuming her listening guise.

"Is it?" Auralia interjects blandly, pushing herself right into the conversation now. "I wouldn't have thought so. We need meat in our diet, for some reason. Ask the healers about that. To make our bodies work. Or something." She's a little hazy on this, "So do dragons." Satisfied, she lets the legs of her chair fall back onto the floor.

Collaidhi wrinkles her brow and just looks confused. " ah well... I think I'm going for a swim to cool off after I put away my cup. Anybody wants to join me is welcome "

Collaidhi empties her cup and trundles back to the kitchen with it, returning a few moments later.

Aithne nods her head quickly to Auralia,'That was what the healer said...she needs the meat....He didn't explain why thought...just said meat alot.'

Collaidhi strides over to the Courtyard.

Auralia tilts her head into a quick bob of a nod towards Collaidhi, "G'bye," which she misses, completely, and makes a face. Towards Aithne, she nods once more, saying, quietly, "Ah. Of course. Well, it's true. Honest." As if they'd believe her more than a healer.

Stella nods guardedly to Auralia, then wrinkles her nose at Aithne's comment muttering something about Healers and *between*. Frustration vented, she smiles slightly at Auralia.

Aithne turns to Stella and asks solicitiously, "How do you feel, now that you have had a bit of meat?" Maybe its like a miracle pill.

Auralia leans forward, her hands propping up her head, all the easier to listen to the conversation, returning Stella's smile with a brilliant, beaming grin. "That's right, do you feel much better or something?"

Stella says "Better, actually." Stella admits reluctantly to Aithne and Auralia."

"I knew it!" Auralia announces, triumphant, "It's a miracle, honest. You should never go without meat again. It's very important." Her head nods up and down, up and down, enforcing her point. "You should eat even just a little bit every day. 'Specially when it's closer to the hatching and all. Wouldn't do to feel sick on the sands."

Aithne turns her head to consider the greenrider...trying not to giggle at her announcement before she looks back at Stella, 'See?'

Stella wrinkles her nose, but nods to Auralia. "I'll remember too." She chuckles slightly. "If only to avoid having Largon follow through on his to shove it down my throat.

Aithne snickers softly,'I think he would do it too.'

Auralia does her best IKP (Important Knowledgable Person) act, and looks at Stella wisely, "You do that. It's important." As if she hadn't stressed that enough. Her eyebrows raise, however, and she wonders, "Why?"

Stella shrugs to Aithne, and seems a bit confused as to why he would bother.

Long distance to Aithne, Alianne, and Auralia, Stella sorries for her messed up poses. Please insert a 'and Auralia' in there. :)

"Why?" Aithne repeat in confusion, 'I dunno...becasue he doesn't want to keep catching Stella? Because he is worried about her...I don't know exactly why.'

Auralia listens, head cocked, and finally shrugs, "Odd, that. Ah well. P'rhaps he likes her?" Waggling of brows ensues, "In that certain way?"

Stella shakes her head. "Surely not." In this she seems convinced.

"In that certain way?" Aithne repeats again..someday she may come up with an original thought, 'What what would that be?" She asks, only the slight flickerof mischief in her eyes betrays her.

Auralia repeats, very slowly, pausing to grin at Stella, towards Aithne, "In that certain way. As in, you know?" A pause, and impatiency takes over, "As a girl and boy kinda thing."

Aithne makes a big show of realization, 'Oh! /That/ certain way' She glances over at Stella, 'You may be right.'

Alianne lets her chair fall back on the ground. And not, lightly, either. Seeming to have fallen into a daze, the candidate cringes at the loud *pop* the chair made upon impact. A sheepish grin is offered, cheeks flushing with a bit of color.

Stella just shakes her head slowly, obviously certain that that isn't the case. Though in truth, how would she know? "I think it's just to keep me from almost passing out." She starts, and then grins over at Alianne.

Auralia continues that friendly, cheerful waggling of her brow, and half-hidden giggling, and then stops. Blinks. "Iesath!" She whines, making all sorts of faces. "Shard you sharding beast." Ooh, what fun. The wingsecond looks up, looks around at the candidates, and sighs, "Folks. I hate to do this. But...Iesath calls. And when the Lady calls, one runs to answer." A wave, a flurry of riding jacket, and off she goes.

You walk over to the Courtyard.

[Spam deleted. Iesath arrives at Island River.]

You spy a convenient stretch of meadow far below and vane your wings for landing.

+*> Vitali glances up as a dragon pops intot he sky. His runner shies, and he steadies it with a calm voice and firm hands.

+*> Iesath lands, with a flurry of wings and a gentle backswing. Her neck stretches out towards the runner, huffing hot breath towards it. Heee -- fun! The rider, high up in her ridges, makes faces. This, it would appear, is not unusual. "SAATH! You say we have to get plums for Belira, and look at you now. Hmph."

+*> Vitali soothes, "It's okay, easy, easy." The nervous beast rolls liquidy brown eyes as it parnces in a circle under his tight rein. When it slows a moment, he springs lightly to the ground, to take it firmly in hand by the bit. He strokes the animal's sweaty neck and grins at the rider up so high. "Hey there!" he calls cheerily.

Auralia oh! There's someone down there. Not just a runner, see. "Sigh." Yes, she said it, rather than did it. "And more sighs. I'm sorry for Iesath. She's a pain." The green huffs some more, and by the rolling of eyes from above, communication ensues. "But hey there, yourself."

+*> Vitali laughs out loud, "Not a problem! I know that what the dragons find funny and what poor Teke finds funny aren't always the same things!" He pats the beast on the shoulder as it rolls its eyes in discomfort.

One riding glove drops steadily down, and Auralia's face peers over the edge, staring at it. "Sigh. I'll have to come down now. No matter." She nods, further, grinning towards Vitali, "Aye, aye. And Iesath just adores playing with runners. Because she's so much more intelligent, she claims. I have my doubts." Her straps clank a little, and she adds, "Oh! Southern's duties t'Island River. Auralia's the name."

+*> Elaive walks along the rutted road. However, as she spots the dragon, a little sqeak comes out of her throat and she stops dead-still a few dragon-lengths back.

+*> Vitali grins, "Well, she doesn't have much of a contest in Teke... he's strong and fast, but that's about it!" As he twists about to keep the runner from circling him in its anxiety, he offers an elegant bow to the rider, and says, "Island River Hold's duties to Southern Weyr and her Queens," with a twinkle in his eye.

+*> Vitali spies, from this angle, a pair of legs from the other side of his mount. He straightens and spots Elaive, and waves her over.

Auralia calls down, with a laugh, "I'd curtsey, but it's kinda hard from up here." And so it is. The greenrider adds, with a grin, "Hello!" Towards Elaive, of course. "Southern's duties t'you, as well." Returning to the conversation, she adds, "I'd say it doesn't matter much in runners. Long as they do what they're told. Not that I'd know a good runner from a bad."

+*> Elaive skittles sideways towards Vitali, a grateful look in her big blue eyes. Coming up beside him, she flashes a bright smile, then turns to curtsey to the rider, murmering, in an over-awed tone, "Our duties to Southern, Ma'am."

Ma'am? Where? "Ack! Is Telinda or someone here?" Auralia jumps in her seat, sitting up straighter, and peering around. "Odd, I don't see anyone here. Sath?" The green warbles, very much amused, but her attention is still very much fastened on the runner. Peer, peer.

+*> Vitali's grin spreads a bit, showing his perefctly straight, shiny teeth. "Ah, Teke's a good one. Just got a little left behind in the race for brains." And, indeed, the horse seems to be settling down now, bumping up against his handler. "What brings you to Island River?" He asks, curiously.

+*> Vitali chuckles as Elaive slips up beside him, and he asks her in a voice somewhat lower than that to which he has been calling to the dragonrider in, "Whatcha doing way back there, silly girl? This is where the action is!" He looses a hand from his runner's reins, and reaches to slide his arm around her waist.

"Plums," explains Auralia, with a frown, "Josy'n'I came to pick them only a couple of days ago, but Belira wants more of them, and Iesath was awake, and wanted to get out, so I was volunteered. I was having a good conversation with the candidates, too." Ooh, sense that bitterness.

+*> The tides shift.

+*> Teke whickers, tossing his head, maneuvering to get behind his rider...maybe that monster will eat Vitali first and leave him alone! Vitali receives a sharp nudge in the back from the runner's muzzle, and exclaims, "Hey!" with a surprised laugh. He turns his attention back to the rider, "Too bad you had to come all the way out here... but it's not so far a trip from up there, now, is it!"

+*> Elaive bats her lashes at Vitali, her demeanor clearly conveying her gratitude at the big strong man protecting her from the scary dragon. Once she's made eyes at Vitali for a moment, she looks back at the dragon and rider.

"Not really," agrees Auralia, smiling brightly some more towards both young persons. "It could be worse. If we didn't know the between image, it'd be a lot worse." Fluffing about with jacket and her one remaining glove, the greenrider moves about, pulling herself into a position to jump down.

With a parting pat, and whispered word of love, you slip down Iesath's side, barely using the straps, and her offered foreleg, with much practice at this. A moment later, your feet touch the ground again, and you lean up to touch 'Sath's head softly, as she leans down to nudge you gently.

Vitali winks at Elaive with a little squeeze, "I won't let that big beast eat you! Just stay close to me, and you'll be safe," his tone conveying more than a little good-natured mischief.

Iesath moves her muzzle closer towards the runner, still huffing happily. Chase the runner! Auralia watches, in amusement, "She hasn't acted this way in turns. Always the mother. Usually, anyway." She shrugs, grinning broadly, and diving down to retrieve lost glove. "Here it is. Wouldn't do to loose it or anything." Gloves in tow, she looks between the two young people, "What're your names, anyway. You never did introduce yourselves," she adds, meaningfuly. "No polite."

Vitali looks stricken, pulling his hand away from Elaive to place his palm against his chest. "My apologies! My name is Vitali, and this," nodding toward the pretty girl, "Is.. Elaive," she declares after only the briefest of pauses.

Elaive blushes a lovely shade of pink, with a quick glance at Vitali at his hestitation. She looks about to pout, then he comes up with the right name and she dimples.

"Pleased, and all that," comments Auralia in return, glancing between both once more. "You're both native? Any good at picking plums?"

Teke tugs at the reins, tail swishing rapidly, the tip flicking like a whip. He stomps his hoof, and tugs again. Vitali scolds, "Silly runner. You *stand!*" The beast does so, though his eyes roll no less. To the rider, he replies, "I am indeed native, or at least, I've lived here long enough to be considered one, but unfortunately plums aren't my specialty. I never had that much interest in them... except to eat, that is."

Iesath stares at Teke, rumbling smoothly as her tail swishes about. "Indeed," agrees Auralia, "I'm not much of an expert, but I've picked 'em, and eaten 'em plenty of times. They're mighty good to eat, indeed." She pauses, glaring at Iesath, who rumbles once more, and strains her neck closer towards Teke.

Elaive nods and looks around, "I've picked plums before." She looks sidelong at Vitali, with a hint of teasing in her voice, "It's not very hard."

Vitali grins at the dragon, then at the girl beside him, "In that case, you must instruct me, for I am -most- apt to learn with you as my teacher. I'm sure I'll be an excellent student, and do everything you say. And if we help our good Rider here, she can get back to her conversation the sooner, and will probably like that, as well."

High overhead, Qurinath emerges from Between with a blast of cold air!

High overhead, Qurinath soars downwards for a landing.

Qurinath rides the coastal breezes downwards to settle on the grass.

Vitali bursts out laughing, "A flood of dragons today!" as poor Teke goes into a renewed fit of runner-style paroxysms of panic.

Qurinath peers around at the people gathered, offering a warble of greeting while her rider unbuckles

"Wonderful!" Exclaims said rider, beaming brightly as she turns around to shove gloves into the carry bigs on Iesath's straps, "That's just wonderful. It can't be too soon for me, no offense to any of you." She pauses, as Iesath turns her head to warble towards Qurinath in greeting, and nods towards Jilian, and then adds, "I like it here, but I'd much rather be home."

From up on Qurinath's back Jilian has left.

Jilian slides off Qurinath's back.

Jilian has arrived.

Vitali nods, eyes shining. "No offense taken, of course! And I am sure we'd be happy to help you..?" He trails off, just then thinking to check with the girl he has just volunteered.

Jilian slips off Qu's back and lands with an ease that speaks of turns of practice, "Honshu's greetings, " she offers to everyone, unbuckling her jacket and shaking her long hair out.

Auralia pauses in her stowing, and her conversation, to bob her head towards Jilian and call out, "Southern's to Honshu as well, of course! We're going to pick plums, do you want to come?" She turns back, leaning against Iesath's flank to listen, and watch Vitali, while the green behind her continues to stare at Teke curiously.

Vitali smiles cheerfully at the new arrival, "Island River's greetings to Honshu," then adds, "You here for plums too? Or just to scare Teke?" he asks, clearly intending no offense, only jibing his nervous runner with a nudge withhis elbow.

Elaive watches the second dragon land, with her eyes wide as saucers. Belatedly she looks up at Vitali and nods, "Of course I'll help." And this time she properly introduces herself to the new rider, "Island's to Honshu. I'm Elaive."

Jilian blinks a bit uncertainly as her eyes flit from person to person, "I just came to get out of the weyr for a bit, " she admits, "I didn't mean to startle anyone."

Vitali introduces himself as Vitali, after an approving beam for Elaive.

Auralia half-bounces on the soles of her feet, grabbing a floppy straw hat out of one of the bags, for all that it's dark and night time. Shoving it onto her head, she announces, "If'n you want to come," towards Jilian, "Feel free to join us. It'll be fun," she adds, coaxing.

Jilian smiles slowly to Elaive and then to Vitali, "Jilian.." she offers, "This is Qurinath." she says, patting the green hide lovingly

Vitali smiles to the dragon, "Well met, Qurinath and," looking back to the green's rider, "Jilian. Don't worry about startling anyone... Elaive and I are brave, aren't we?" he asks the girl, then goes on ahead without waiting for an answer, "And Teke's scared of clouds, much less dragons."

Elaive nods politely, "Well met." She turns her eyes on the Southern rider, "The sooner we start, the sooner we'll be done." Her eyes on the dragons hint that perhaos she means that the sooner they start, the sooner she'll be away from the frightening creatures.

Vitali pats the beast's neck, "Not exactly a dragon, but a fine runner, a fine one," he speaks almost to the animal rather than the people, in a soothing voice. He turns a bright smile on Elaive, "You're right, of course. Let me get down my packs." He turns to his runner and unties straps on the saddle to free his light saddle-packs.

Jilian smiles and bends down to remove her boots, "Thanks, maybe I'll join you in a bit.." she says (translation: Player's at work and needs to finish audit)

Water rushes softly as the tides turn.

"And since it's already mighty late, we should start at once. Jilian? Coming? Oh." She pauses, "'kay, see you then.The greenrider starts along the path, humming loudly as she goes. No, wait. Make that singing. "Plummy plummy plummy picking, fun for everyone! Let's all go and pick some plums, 'cause it's fun and fun and...hmm."

Vitali nods to Jilian, "See you, then," with a friendly smile. His smile widens a bit as Auralia begins to sing, and he walks along behind her, Teke in tow.

Elaive giggles, her dimples appearing once again. Her eyes shining brightly, she starts off after Auralia with a bounce in her step, skirting the dragons.

Auralia leads the way through the trees, eventually leading towards the orchards. "Plums!" She announces, loudly, with broad grins all round. "Lots of lovely, pretty plums. Juicy too, I bet."

Long distance to Auralia and Elaive, Vitali laughs, works for him! Poor Jilian, she's in the middle of the plum orchard will she or won't she!

As the trio comes into the trees, Elaive reaches up to pick a plum. She tosses it into the air and catches it gently, "Are we allowed to eat any of them, or are they all for the Weyr?"

Vitali grins. "I guess I take 'em for granted, having them so close at hand. It's so easy to snitch one from the kitchens or ride through the orchard and snag one off a branch!"

Auralia looks striken, her hand even stops as she reaches towards a plum. "All for the Weyr? That means I won't get many." Horrible thought, that. "No, eat away, I imagine." She busies herself, dropping plums into her bag with the due care these fruits deserve.

Teke nibbles at the bags Vitali carries, much more at ease now that he's away from those scary creatures! Vitali yanks the bags away from the prying muzzle, "Hey! Well, YOU carry them!" He ties the packs back onto the saddlestrings, and withthat, vaults up onto the runner's back. He guides Teke beneath a tree, and sets about stretching his arms for the higher plums, where the've hung on longer and are fatter and juicier.

Vitali asks, "You come down here often for plums? Or did you just run out since the last time we brought any?" as he plucks fat fruits from up high.

Elaive looks at the rider and her bag, then at Vitali. She smiles, suddenly, and lifts her skirt to tuck the corners into the waist-band, making a convenient place to deposit the plums. In goes that first one.

Auralia reaches up to take a bite, and stops, turning towards Vitali, "Often enough, I suppose. I like 'em, Josy likes 'em, and seems like half the Weyr does, too. So we take more than our fair share, I must admit." She almost blushes, adding, "It's a shame, really. We should leave 'em to others. But it's hard." As she leans down to bite into the plum once more, a triumphant bugle splits the orchards, and green head pokes its way in, peering through the trees, and sending a flurry of plums falling all around. Auralia yelps. "Iesath!"

Elaive yelps, with presumably different emotion than the rider. She quickly puts a treetrunk between herself and the green heard, though the dragon is not that close to her.

Vitali's runner lets out a trumpet of his own, rearing onto his hind legs. Vitali clamps down with his knees, and forces the horse forward, back on all fours, but not after his head strikes a VERY well fruited branch, and as he wheels Teke around, plum juice runs in rivulets down his face, gumming his hair with sticky plummy pulp. He laughs. "That dragon of yours must get a real kick out of runners!"

Iesath's head pokes through the branches, her breath hot and wet. But it's not Teke she goes after this time. No, no, no. Instead, she reaches her head and neck through branches, causing more downfall of flums. Auralia watches that in horror. The waste! "She must, huh?"

Vitali holds the reins tight in his left hand, running his right exploratively over his head. He plucks a scrap of purply plum skin from above his ear, and chuckles, "There's a few your Weyr won't get... You didn't have to leave THOSE ones for us, though!"

"Sorry!" says Auralia with a laugh, gathering up plums to put into her sack, all the while keeping a sharp eye on Iesath. Who is, oddly enough, staring at Vitali. Intently. And huffing, even more. At least that amazing rain has ceased. For the moment.

Vitali keeps his eye on the great green head, in case of any further startlements. He vaults off Teke's back, keeping the reins long and slack, prefering not to be caught too close if the animal panics again. He looks up at the dragon, "My poor Teke will never be the same, thanks to you, my dear! See if I ever breed better hunters out of HIM now..." he laughs.

Elaive skitters away to another tree. Vitali can't protect her, if the dragon's interested in him. She'll pick plums over here. Her skirt gradually fills as she picks efficiently, keeping a close eye on that green dragon.

Vitali shakes his head, but stops quickly as plum-juice droplets fly in all directions. "Oh dear..." he sighs, still half chuckling in amusement. "Sorry to have ruined your plums. At least there are more," he says.

Iesath glances towards Elaive for a long--okay, short moment, and then her attention moves towards Vitali. Back to Vitali. She huffs, rumbles, and then Auralia says, slowly, "She says she's glad. He's boring. She wants some life. She says you've got life." A frown crosses her face, "She says she wants to take you home. So that you can bring life." Another frown.

Vitali's brows arch, disappearing beneath the sticky shock of thick black hair that falls over his forehead. It takes a moment for that to sink in, and he asks, "Your Weyr's on Search, isn't it." It isn't precisely a question.

Auralia pauses for a moment, and then nods quickly. Just once. "Yes." It isn't precisely an answer, just an affirmation. Iesath keeps staring.

Elaive peers around the trunk at Vitali and the dragon, picking forgotten for a moment. She mouths, "Search" and her eyebrows lift.

Vitali stares up at the green, "If you're extending an invitation..." he speaks to Iesath, continuing after a moment's hesitation, "It would be my honor."

Vitali cant' keep down the grin that slips in from the side, "And you're right, of course... he can't help being boring. But he's a good runner."

Iesath lets out yet another triumphant bugle, and settles back, moving her head out of the branches. "I suppose we are. Sharding green." She tilts her head into a nod, adding, "What will you do with him, if you come back with us?" She stops, "I mean, when you come back with us."

Auralia adds, slowly, "We should probably get back as soon as possible, too. It's late, and Belira wants those plums."

Vitali glances at the runner prancing at the end of his line, "With Teke? Leave him to the stable. They take good care of the runners, I won't have to worry over him. I know he'll be well taken care of." He does seem slightly regretful, though, as he slowly inches the reins shorter to bring the runner closer to his hands.

Vitali nods, "Of course..." he agrees. "I can run him down to the stables, and grab my pack... I don't need to pack, that'll save you some time- I was just preparing to go on a trip to visit my parents at *their* Weyr."

Auralia nods, grabbing at the edges of her sack, "Good oh! We'll get moving, then." She glances towards Elaive, noting, "I'm sorry. I wish I could take both of you back. Obviously, though, I can't. You could come along for the ride, if you wanted?"

Vitali finishes, "So I'm already all packed up to travel," as he places a hand on the runner's withers, then springs to its back once more, keeping the reins and his seat firm. "I'll jus take him down. Won't be but a minute." He says, nudging the runner into a brisk trot. Teke responds almost over-willingly, obviously wanting nothing more than to get away fro that dragon!

Elaive's eyes go round and she shakes her head quickly, "No, no. I'll be just fine here." Her glance at Vitali is regretful, perhaps, but it looks as though she'll get over his departure pretty quickly.

Vitali continues down the road to the southeast, and soon disappears through the tall reeds.

The thick scent of marsh mud grows weaker as the moons' influence pulls.

Auralia nods once more, leaning up against Iesath, and pulling the plums over her shoulder. "Right. He might be back, remember. It's entirely possible."

Vitali comes down the road from the southeast.

Elaive apporaches Auralia, with her skirt full of plums, "Maybe." She gestures with the skirt, "Do you have another bag for these?"

Vitali returns, this time on foot, with a pack slung over his shoulder. In one hand dangles the saddlebags he had been filling with plums- they bulge promisingly. His hair has been swiped at with a damp cloth, or so it would seem, though it is clear he didn't waste too much time on it.

Auralia tosses Elaive another sack, motioning towards it, "Toss 'em in there, thanks." She grins brightly towards the girl, turning to grin towards Vitali as well. "Well. I suppose we should go, then." Iesath rumbles, obviously in agreement. Very much in agreement.

A hand placed on an edge of Iesath's straps, you swing yourself up, standing on her foreleg for only a moment before swinging yourself up the rest of the way. She watches you, warbling excitedly, happy to be flying with you once more. You lean over to pat her neck affectionately, and she warbles again, eyes whirling happily.

+*> Vitali shakes his head, with an expression of disbelief. "So fast! It's all so fast! Well, Teke'll be all right, and I'm sure you're right, we should get back." SHe glances back at Elaive, with a broad grin. "See ya around, cutie!"

Vitali climbs up Iesath's side, using her straps carefuly to swing up to the higher neckridges, to perch between them behind you.

"It's always so fast," Auralia muses, as she turns towards Vitali, "Know how to strap yourself in, I assume?"

Vitali manages to climb up with some modicum of grace, he clearly has ridden before.

+*> Elaive empties her skirt into the sack and holds it up the mounted rider, overcoming her fear just long enough to hand it off.

Auralia leans down to grab the bag from Elaive, nodding in thanks to the girl as she stows it with her other bag, "Thanks, El." She says, brightly. "I hope we'll meet again."

Vitali nods, grinning, "Sure." He hikes the bag over his other shoulder as well, one arm through each strap, so as to keep it secure against his back.

Auralia watches, smiling, "Excellent. I suppose we'll be going, then."

+*> Elaive quickly backs up out of the way of the green for her takeoff. She waves enthusiastically, "Bye! Bye!"

Vitali straps himself in, and checks the snugness. Satisfied, he waves down at Elaive. "Bye, El!" He winks at the girl.

Auralia buckles herself in, and Iesath lowers herself, tensing, and ready to go. She goes, Auralia waving goodbye.

Wings fan with enthusiasm as you vault high into the air over Island River.

+*> Iesath disappears into Between.

[Travel spam deleted. In the Lakeside meadow.]

Auralia unstraps, grabs her plums, and dismounts, whistling.

With a parting pat, and whispered word of love, you slip down Iesath's side, barely using the straps, and her offered foreleg, with much practice at this. A moment later, your feet touch the ground again, and you lean up to touch 'Sath's head softly, as she leans down to nudge you gently.

From behind Auralia on Iesath's 'ridges, Vitali unstraps and gets down.

Vitali slides down Iesath's side, using the offered foreleg and straps as a guide, finally reaching the ground with a light thud.

Vitali glances back up at the green, "Tahnks you, Iesath."

<Southern Weyr> Auralia welcomes Vitali to the Weyr!

Iesath rumbles loudly, curling up, as her rider moves towards the barracks, making no mov to help Vitali with his things. Of course, she is carrying all her plums and all. "This way!"

You walk over to the Candidate Barracks.

<Southern Weyr> Kinoa hullos :)

<Southern Weyr> Aithne woooos! Congrats! And welcome ;)

Vitali walks over from the Lakeside Meadow.

<Southern Weyr> Vitali waves Hi!

<Southern Weyr> Niare says, "Welcome!"

<Southern Weyr> Kayjay says, "Welcome Vitali!"

Vitali follows Auralia, looking all about as he walks.

Auralia leads the way into the barracks, making faces at all the mess. "-We- were much more tidy. Much, much more tidy. Hmph." The greenrider sighs, nodding towards the free cots, "Choose one, and settle yourself in. Make yourself at home. It is, after all, your new home."

Vitali hides most of a grin, agreeing, "Of course you were. You know how candidates are these days!" He heads toward the free cots, and after a moment, shrugs and drops his pack down onto one of them. "One's as good as the next, I suppose!"

"Indeed," agrees Auralia, dropping her bags of plums for a moment. "Well. I suppose Kayjay and Baelen are in charge of you now. But I get to torture, too. Ask them for help, if you need it. Any questions?"

Vitali laughs. "Is THAT what I'm here for!" He shakes his head, "How do I know which ones are Kayjay and Baelen? Or just ask someone and get pointed along?"

Auralia frowns. That's a good one, actually..."Ummmm. I dunno. You got me there. No, that's not true. Baelen has a fancy knot, 'cause he's steward. And Kayjay's just nice." That ought to help a whole bunch. "Oh, and the usual. No leaving the weyr, and no drinking, and stuff. No sex, either."

Vitali's brows leap into his sticky hair once again at that last rule. "That's an interesting one... what's the purpose behind that one?"

Auralia looks slightly bored. Amused, too. "The purpose? So you don't have any special relationships that could hinder Impression."

Vitali nods, "Makes sense. Fair enough. Okay, No drinking, No leaving the Weyr, No sex. Got it." His grin returns brightly.

Auralia smiles, "Wonderful. Anything else?"

Vitali shakes his head, "Can't think of anything at the moment... I am sure the other candidates will know the answers to most of my questions, at least for the first couple days, if I come up with more."

Auralia smiles, hoisting her bags once more, "Wonderful. Any questions, come talk to me. Or Kayjay. Or anyone, really. We'll help. And, g'night!"

You walk over to the Lakeside Meadow.