All references to worlds and characters based on Anne McCaffrey's fiction are copyright © Anne McCaffrey 1967,2000, all rights reserved, and used by permission of the author. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, by Anne McCaffrey, used here with permission. Use or reproduction without a license is strictly prohibited. For more information, visit the Worlds of Anne McCaffrey.
04-05-00: Revelations
B'roughs chuckles. "Oh there are always piles of paper... most of them are just on /my/ desk. I do need...
B'roughs chuckles. "Oh there are always piles of paper... most of them are just on /my/ desk. I do need to organize some wing practices. We've got more games comming up..."
Allowy spies her irrepressable Harper friend moving up the stairs, as well as Dominic, who she met last night. Boy, that man can really table dance! Yesirree. She waves to them both. "Hello Dom, Hanneke!
Many more people begin to arrive on the scene so its best to just put on a happy face and make merry with the festivities. "You sound like you have this problem alot more than I do Allowy."Dalas tells the girl as he looks out onto the sands,"Looks like Tajiath is starting to feel rested enough to continue with her clutching."Nodding his head out towards the gold.
Hanneke's expression shows positive pride, as she trails another group of apprentices--mostly different from those she came with to the first part of the clutching, with a different Journeyman leading them. "Allowy, hi!" she greets, tripping her way towards the row of seeting inhabited by the Harper group. "So exciting!"
Dominic tosses nods left and right as he steps down the tiers, greeting pretty much everyone even if he doesn't know 'em. He's being sociable. "Hi, nice to see you, glad you could make it, long time no see, hey there.." Finally, he reaches the bottom row and flops down to take a seat, propping his feet up on the balcony. Phew! Long day.
On the sands, Tajiath takes a moment to pause in her painstaking preparations, lumbering with increasingly difficult effort over to Mnemaxath and rumbling deep in her throat. The reddish-golden hues of firelight flicker across her withers as she settles, stretching her neck toward him. Highlights of orange distress match the oncoming contractions that threaten, but are outweighed by the calmer blue that dominates her whirling gaze. It hurts, but all will be fine. At last, it will be done.
S'fina claps her hand together and rubs. Not making a load sound but the action added with a smile looks rather manic. "I agree, Cant remember the last practice we had which was not a formation sweep.."frowning then before going back to her smiles she chuckles. "Yebanth was so miffed when we missed seeing the Fort Games, I hear it had interesting moments.." As Tajiath moves so S'fina attention goes to the sand, but after a moment its back with the wingleader. "rather you than me then with the paperwork..though you know if you want me kind of..help more? wile you care for Adria, I can.."
Tania, local Weyr-drudge, trots up the stairs glad to be free for the next - oh, well, until she's caught skiving duties. She slides barely noticed (or so she hopes) into a seat, tucking her rough black hair back behind her head in a crude knot.
T'paz appears at the top of the stairs in the very back of the galleries.
Allowy nods to Dalas, and smiles, "I'm going to go say hi to Hanneke. You're welcome to join, if you like? And yes..maybe that gold egg will come tonight, hmm?"
On the sands, Mnemaxath rumbles soothingly to Tajiath, wings riffling a bit as he leans forward to rub along her neck, tender in his caress as he tries to help her relax.
Chandelle looks up and wave to T'paz "Hay" she says to him nuzzled in the arms of her friend T'mas and turning back to the sands.
B'roughs nods. and chuckles. "Inigoth was certain he could have flown circles around all of them all at once..." Which is why he didn't go. "Adn I'd appreciate it. I haven't had as much time as I like with Adria. I wish I did."
Still standing close to the rail thats closest to the ledges, Dalas shakes his head,"I think I will stay here see who comes in from Fort and what not, besides I have a good vantage point here, I can see the eggs pretty well and most of the sands."Not sure but maybe Dalaena will join him again tonight and they can watch the rest of the clutching together that will lift his spirits a bit.
Gold egg? Tania' ears perk up, and she watches the Queen on the Sands closer, crossing her fingers. She'd put a bet on with that drudge - what's her name? Ah, yes, the new one... Lotty. She'd bet a good half mark that there'd be a gold egg this time around, and as it's her last 1/2 mark she doesn't want to lose it. She taps the shoulder of a rider sitting in front of her with a dirty finger. "Will there be a gold egg?" She asks quietly, her voice unusually soft.
T'paz sees the crowds here, and quietly finds a seat. He hears Chandelle's greeting, turns his head, and waves to her and T'mas. He continues to examine the faces, seeing friends and strangers. Good, a fine audience for a clutching.
Allowy nods to Dalas, and graces his shoulder with a stroke before she moves away, filing through the crowd to smooth out a spot beside Hanneke. "Hello again, and you said it! This is exciting. Got a better view this time?" she queries the harper.
On the sands, Katarra sips from a mug, resting in a make-shift chair that was hastily brought out to the sands until a more comfortable one is brought down from her weyr. With an overly-casual air, she turns to smile at D'san as he enters. Even so, every other glance goes back toward the dragons, a watchful glance. "Just in time, I think," she says. If her gut feeling is correct...
Hanneke bounces up and down within her seat, the eternal wrath and discomfort of those in her group placed upon her--how embarrassing is she! Giddy with delight, the young apprentice, waves a hand Allowy as the other girl approaches, "A bit better, as long as the eggs aren't hidden, or something. That's no fun, then."
S'fina laughs lightly as Yebanth confirms that Inigoth probably could. "Well, I have an idea that Inter weyr games would now be too competative.." A snort from outside confirms Yebanths feelings before she goes back to what she was doing..nothing! S'fina on the other hand turns to not to B'roughs. "When your free some time perhaps we could get some wine and talk and what-not. perhaps find M'ydd too?" she offers as she sends a wave to T'paz, who she notes entering.
Sitting in front of Tania, the evil bronzerider B'nhead answers the drudge, "Not a chance. No gold this time."
On the sands, Heat shimmers across the sparkling black sands, the reflected lights of the glowbaskets playing tricks on watching eyes as it bounces off metallic hides and shining shells. An air of expectancy lingers, growing thicker and thicker until, finally, with a growling moan, Tajiath rises and turns her back on a nearby furrow she has prepared in the sand - just in time for the arrival of the night's first egg.
On the sands, Tajiath lays: Tufted Avian Familiar Egg
On the sands, Ruffled brown, streaked pompously with tan and white, dominates this egg's feather pattern. Not quite oblong, it's plump, almost round. With a slightly superior air, it nestles in it's own little nest of sand, disgruntled by the tinges of light that play across parts of its surface. No peace for the nocturnal indeed! Almost indignant streaks of yellow dominate one end, like two eyes and a beak. They glare out defying anyone to approach like a crotchety old coot just /waiting/ to be awoken from his nap.
On the sands, D'san smiles as he comes across the sand, carrying a plate filled with sandwiches of every kind possible - either he's hungry, or he wanted you to have a choice. "Here...brought you something to eat. The cook's made the specially" He notes, before looking out over the sands. "Is she ready again?" He wonders, then nods "Ah..looks like. She just clutched."
B'roughs shrugs and nods. "I know. I just haven't had time... and it's hard to find a rider who doesn't want to be found." He grimaces. "Meaning I'm short another wingsecond." He shrugs. "Ah well. I'll figure something out."
S'fina chuckles and with a wink adds. "waith till Yebanth goes proddy, shell find Seienth for you..she became fond of that one for quite a while, before Olkeryth went and swept her out the sky.." Chuckling then she smiles. "Im sure you will you know..but first, look after Adria yeah?" she offers, smiling as she thinks about her long-time friend.
Shabheh frowns, tutting as she gets her reply. "Just my luck..." she mutters, thinking of her best way to wrangle out of the bet. She slumps back into her chair, taking the half mark from her pocket and flipping it in her hand, catching it.
Allowy shifts in her seat, gripping the edges of it with her fingers to steady herself. She looks out and far down to see the strange looking egg that just issued forth. Hmm, that one is just as unique as the others, the feathered patterns making an almost recognizable form...like strokes from an artist's paintbrush. "Mmmm, that one looks like it's made to fly.."
B'roughs nods seriously. "I most definitely will." He's probably going to be a bit /over/ protective when it comes right down to it. "I'm not planning on doin' anythin' but." His vague country drawl comes out slightly as he reasures her. He and Adria have been friends for a long, long time as well. Since before inigoth.
Listening to the rumble of the conversation in the gallery is always interesting both at clutching time and during a hatching. A bit of talk here and there about the colors the eggs hold, how many there will be and who may be chosen to stand for them, even some talk of who may impress from those who seem cock sure that they will be searched for the eggs. Its all very interesting in deed to just sit back and listen to, maybe even to close your eyes and see if you can distinguish who is saying what. Still no sign of last nights companion, Dalas just watches the sands and the eggs as they are brought into this world.
Hanneke attempts to gain herself a better glimpse of the newest egg by standing up entirely, which works for only a second before someone behind makes a loud, annoyed comment. She earns a scowl from her Journeyman escort, and sinks back into her seat, disappointed. "Meanies."
On the sands, Katarra's sea-green eyes widen, alighting on the sandwiches. "Oh, how thoughtful - thanks!" she says, beaming. "I don't think I've had a bite to eat today, waiting for Taji to... oh!" Her comment is cut off as Tajiath lays the first egg. Pausing to admire the distinct shell, and share a proud moment with it's mother, Kat then turns back to select a sandwich. Remaining on the edge of her seat, she takes a small bite, keeping watch at the same time. "Mmm, perfect, remind me to thank the cook!"
Another rider pokes her scabby face out from the crowd, a very dirty set of leathers adorning her lanky frame. With a wry grin in B'nheads direction she approaches him and lays down a few marks, "I'll bet there's no gold, not even the slimest chance!" spouts D'nerd.
Kyla pauses at the top of the stairs, trying to find some familiar faces. Ah, there. "Dom.." she greets, edging closer to him, stepping over feet and legs. "HOw's it going? Got hung up at sweeps..and then couldn't seem to get myself out of the baths." Green eyes twinkle as she settles next to him, curls still damp.
S'fina smiles and nudging her friend she smiles. "And with such positive thoughts, what an atomsphere to be in for a clutching.." her face slightly flushed as she watches the sand, does not all riders like moments like these. Running fingers though her hair and watching the eggs for a moment she suddenly thinks. "Maybe she would appreciate heading to healer for a moment, I would recomend Saldia to you..she was wonderful!"
On the sands, Once again, the eggs waste no time in making their grand entrance. With quick, efficient movements, Tajiath scoops out another dip with her powerful foreclaws. Fortunately it's plenty wide, for two eggs arrive in swift procession, rolling gently into their new bed.
On the sands, Tajiath lays: Sapphire Rose Egg
On the sands, Deep sapphire, dark in its clarity, radiates from egg's center outward along shell's curve, paling into the pure brilliance of azure to illuminate the etched illusion of a rose in full bloom, each tanzanite-traced petal delicately carved with loving accuracy. Seeming alive, the rosette-like orb pulses a vibrant violet-blue, its mesmerizing elusiveness compelling and attractive - almost addictive - as it emanates a strength and power completely out of place within the fragility of its physical being. There is an indestructible quality to the ovule, a timeless durability that is at the heart of the egg's fascinating allure, although a faint hint of unconscious malevolence resides inherent within such purity, born of imprisoned greatness of unimaginable magnitude.
B'nhead rolls his eyes with a scowl at D'nerd, "I already bet that. That's what I've got my marks on. No gold. Find someone else to bet with." D'nerd's a moron, in B'nhead's not-so humble opinion. Then again, most everyone alive is a moron, according to B'nhead.
On the sands, Tajiath lays: Silver Chalice Egg
On the sands, Silver purity radiates outwards from the egg's shell, its convex shape refracting whatever light dances across its surface. A deeper hue, more gray than glinting seems to indicate a depression along one side of the egg, as if it were a bowl that could hold liquid, though it is obvious that the egg's shell is smooth and not sunken in. Glittering jewels appear to decorate this orb that seems more chalice than egg. Pale sapphires gleam amidst fiery opals, deep green beryl and pale purple amethysts.
T'paz watches the Tufted Avian Familair Egg appear, and grins. It wasn't that long ago that he was watching another clutch. He applauds gently, and snags a small mug of something from a passing drudge. He notes the conversation between B'roughs and S'fina, hearing something about agility in the air, and competitions and such. A small sigh escapes him, with a ruefull grin. Well, bronzes may try to be agile, but it just don't work that well. Sip sip...ah, gud cider.
B'roughs grimaces then nods. "yeah, I'd love to have her go there, but I'm not sure she's up for a flight that long... Do you think I could bring Saldia here? Do you think she'd be willing to come?" He's half watching the clutching, half ignoring it. but the two eggs are indeed noticed.
Hanneke lets out a giggle of delight, straining forward in her seat as she espies the two newest eggs--"Ooh, those are *beautiful*. How spiffy!" A groan sounds from the apprentice nearest her, who turns away as if pretending that she doesn't know Hanneke, while Hanneke calls out, "Amazing!" Oh, groan.
Allowy grins at Hanneke, then gasps as two eggs emerge side by side! What a pretty pair they make, such vivid hues. This is even more thrilling to watch than before. When her harper friend sits again, she whispers, "Very pretty!"
Dominic smiles as he sneaks an arm around the small of Kyla's back, "You should've told me you were going to the baths.. I could've used one myself." He is kinda stinky at the moment. That musky 'guy' smell after a hard day's work. If you go for that sort of thing, he's putting it out there. "Spent the whole day doing last minute fixin's around the Barracks, so they're ready for when the Candidates start rolling in."
On the sands, Mnemaxath helps Tajiath bury eggs while his lifemate feeds the gold's rider - D'san grins down at Katarra "I figured you hadn't...hard to do when you are pandering to a dragon on the verge of clutching some more eggs, hmm?" He notes, taking one of the ample sandwiches for himself "Mm..You are right. She outdid herself this time." Is said through a mouthful of roasted 'beast, done to perfection, and spicy condiment.
S'fina applaudes along with others as her eyes watch the golden queen with her two new eggs. A smile goes to T'paz as she catches the grin but she continues the conversation with enthusiasum. "I could ask her? Im to take Saerin to D'ron tomorrow for a time so I'm that way. Ill get a message to her or something? I dont see why she shouldn't, she had said she liked Ista when she was here last.."She shrugs then adding. "if im not /too/ busy with paperwork.." What sarcasum!
"Beautiful, simply amazing that ones color."Holding up the sapphire shell that hangs around his neck. Could it be an omen? Does he believe in omens? Well the colors are close to the same at least. Then he remembers where he found the egg and who all was with him. B'roughs, Mesopha, Adria, Audria....he ticks off names kind of lingering over the last one his memory going back to the not so /very/ long ago. Dalas carresses the sapphire shell between finger and thumb as he watches the sands and Tajiath continue with her clutching.
D'nerd stands still a moment as if trying to run her addled brain around all the possible combinations of thought in response to B'nhead's terse reply. Instead she just claps him on the back with renewed abrasiveness, "Y'uh! Well I bet there's two gold eggs then!" she utters in triumph. No one will have made that challenge!
B'nhead turns halfway around in his seat, "You say there'll be /two/? Okay, I'll bet you there won't be two. Ten marks says there won't be two. Deal?" And don't touch him with your grubby hands. D'nerd has cooties.
Kyla smells him, yep, but she's smelt worse. Like that time Niabeth had thick tail..ewwww. And regurigtated firestone ain't that lovely either. "Sorry love. Didn't really think about it.." Brow creases slightly at the mention of candidates, "Oy..them again."
On the sands, Katarra swallows hard as two eggs decide to arrive together, some of the strain put on Tajiath coming through their shared connection. Taking a deep breath, she lifts her chin, forces a smile, and turns it on D'san as she nods in agreement of his compliment of the food. Flicking her wrist at imaginary crumbs on her lap, she gives the lace a straigtening tug before attempting another delicate nibble on the sandwich. Even under pressure, some things are just too good to resist.
Zureile appears at the top of the stairs in the very back of the galleries.
Allowy scoots over a bit, making more room for Hanneke as she bobbs up and down, on a virtual spring. Her own eyes narrow a bit at those rude Dragon riders betting behind her and back aways. Can they be even more annoying. With a twist of her misbehavin' carrot orange hair, she turns to watch Tajiath's efforts once more. At least until the Harper apprentice in front of her and Hanneke screams out in youtful bliss, so excited to see the newly arrived eggs that he drops his cup of juice on another bench-mate.
On the sands, The area beyond Tajiath's growing clutch is shadowed more than any other by the cavern walls, piles of sand, and multiple eggs already laid. It is here Tajiath chooses to go next, heaving her tired frame to an already formed dip and straining with renewed vigor to deliver another round shape to the clutch. Flames leap as she flares her wings, sending dancing shadows in all directions. Delicate sails curl tightly to her side, only allowing brief glimses of the egg as she remains possessively nearby, secreting the egg under piles of sand.
On the sands, Tajiath lays: Where Shadows Lie Egg
On the sands, A shadow near the furthest stony curve of the grounds is dark, darker than the Istan black sands. Within this void of light lies an object, buried in its entirety as if to protect it from sight and touch, mysterious and elusive. The faintest glimpse of color touches a curve of shell left lying to prying eyes - if one were close enough. Fiery red deepens into a brazen base, flecked with the pulsing subtlety of bullion. It casts its own light, though perhaps it is only the reflection of the minimal illumination that reaches this furthest niche of the sands. Silver and black marks flicker and fade - at times blazing bright, at others dampened to almost invisibility - revealing and than hiding an ancient language, a dark promise of imprisonment, bound within a flaming ring.
Even Hanneke isn't that bad. She straightens, passing a glance towards the apprentice in front of her and Allowy, although her gaze is turned, resting for a moment upon the newest egg; "I can hardly see it," she complains, twisting within her seat. "Can you, Allowy, can you?"
T'paz moves closer to S'fina and B'roughs, interested in their line of conversation, though he keeps one eye on the sands, and yet another on the various anxious faces watching intently, as if to Impress them from the Galleries. Ah, me. He remembers all too well. The bone rattling thrum of the dragons around the cavern suddenly is very loud to him, then it subsides.
At B'nhead's offer, D'nerd revels! Yes, he bought the bait! She'll surely win a whole wagonload of marks now. Then she can buy the best gather dress of all, that floursack number that S'not has been trailing around. Her crusty covered hand slaps the seat besides B'nhead in rollicking fervor. "Y'eah! Thas' what I like to hear! Bet's on!"
Zureile scuttles her way up the steps like a frightened crab, nervously narrowing her eyes as she finds a seat next to Hanneke. /Of course/ only the upper seats were empty, and "What'd I miss?" She pants, trying to catch her breath.
Dominic grins at Kyla, "Someone's gotta get matched up with those eggs. What're you supposed to do with all those eggs and no candidates?"
Allowy shakes her head to Hanneke, scooting over again to make room for Zureile, "Hi..Reile. Oh...now that eye doesn't look /too/ bad! My, I thought it would be much worse." She nods to Hanneke, "Yes...but he's just excited."
B'nhead shudders at D'nerd's exuberance, "Yes, yes, bet's on. Now can you please clam up for once? You're giving me a headache. And stop sitting so close to me." Cooties, you know.
Kyla chuckles as she shifts in her seat. She pulls a skin of wine from /somewhere/, kinda amazing anything was hidden in her outfit. "Dom, it's wine again..ale just doesn't do well in a skin. As for the eggs, I'm sure Katarra wouldn't mind spending eternity on the sands with Tajiath." Yea, right?
B'roughs chuckles. "you won't be, I've got it under control, just need a couple of things tallied. Tis all, and I've got... other... duties to attend to tomorrow." He chuckles. "I'd really appreciate it."
Zureile shrugs her shoulder and probes tenderly at the swollen patch of flesh. She doesn't really want to talk about it. "Have you placed any bets? Oh, I forgot," she says, digging into her pouch and counting out a small handfull of marks. "These are yours from yesterday."
That conversation over candidates seems to be comming from Dominic and Kyla least he assumes that he can't really see who made the comment but that is a good point. Soon there will have to be candidates to stand for those eggs. Dalas remembers standing, the hot sand beneath your feet, the joy over seeing the eggs hatch, the all too devestating feeling of being left standing when all the dragonets have decided on who they wanted to be lifemates with. Sure its a hard thing to cope with but not something he would have ever given up or ever probably would give up. To be able to be a rider is some folks dream and a nightmare to others.
Dominic flashes a crooked grin, "Yeah, so long as D'san keeps bringing her food, Katarra can stay down there as long as she wants." Eyes drift as Reile scampers by, Dom trying to catch a glimpse of the eye that supposedly doesn't look too bad. But, the scampering was too quick. And Dominic would have to turn around in his seat to get a look, now that Reile is up at the top. And, frankly, it's just not worth the effort.
"Eggs!" notes Hanneke to Zureile, bouncing up and down within her seat. "Three of 'em--I think? And one that I can't really see; looks almost red coloured." She twists again, attempting to get a better glimpse, but fails,
S'fina chuckles and smiles. "Sure thing." As she watches the eggs, smiling so she catches T'paz looking this way. Smiling and waving she removes her jacket from the vacant seat beside where her and B'roughs are sat. Turning back to the bluerider then she smiles, Curious. "Galavanting(sp?) off again tomorrow eh?" she asks openly showing her curiosity.
D'nerd happens to turn her yellowy eyed gaze upon Dalas as he muses about hot sands and burning feet. Her raggy leathers breath new and interesting scents to the crowd as she rudely pushes a few people aside to scramble over the bench and down to where the Healer sits. With a grin that's missing a few key teeth, the rest being brown and jaundiced, she mouths, "Hi there, cutie? Have a gurl to sit with? Hows'bout me?" she spews.
T'paz grins, then rises to his feet quietly. Trying not to obstruct the view of those behind him, he heads towards the vacated seat, even though he knows that duty will call him off soon. At S'fina's querry, he turns to B'roughs and adds "Yer off again? Where to?"
Kyla tucks a frazzled curl behind her ear with a sigh, "Why do the sands have to be so miserably hot." Green eyes sweep the familiar black terrain. "There was some fool that stood with me that refused to wear sandals." She shakes her head in disbelief, "What an idiot.."
On the sands, Katarra giggles suddenly, and leans over toward D'san. "You think she has those eggs close enough together? When I asked she said 'the better to keep a close watch on them'. As if someone is going to run off with an entire egg!" Tajiath snorts, swatting her wings at the air and apparently making yet another comment, by the grin that sneaks up on the corners of Katarra's lips. She quickly takes another bite of sandwich.
B'roughs shrugs. "don't know yet. Most likely yes, but this time I will be back." Last major galavanting he did ended him up in southern for 3 turns. "Mostly just some errands to run, probably out to Tillek..."
Okelani listens, really, currled at the back of the galleries once more; while she can't fall asleep just yet, a hand is waggled in Reile's direction in a way of greeting. She's not about to move just yet, more watching eggs roll out, listening to the oohs and ahs of the crowd, and trying desprately not to sleep. Heat is good for that, even though most would find it unsufferable.
On the sands, Still lingering near the newest egg, Tajiath continues to carve out burrows that make the eggs difficult to distinguish. Her tenuous tail, which deepens to the color of glowing ember ashes, keeps in almost constant contact with one egg or the other, curling about the round shells protectively. Lowering herself to the ground, she pauses there a moment as ripples flow along her bronze-kissed withers. They seem to last too long for just one egg, and such proves true as she moves about to cover them, revealing flashes of two new deliveries.
On the sands, Tajiath lays: Deadly Nightshade Egg
On the sands, Dark luxuriant green sweeps out from the loam core of this egg, like leaves from the earth. It exudes a calm dampness, a forest cool, and a rightness of location. It exists. It belongs, simple and serene. Yet across it ruffle streaks of clashing cinnamon, a more ominous side to the flagrant fragrance. As if disturbed by the wind these streaks lash out, bitter as poison against all that would dare try to remove it, or worse yet use it. Forest hues smother cinnamon in the aura of forest mystery and forest protectiveness, a blatant secret, a delicate strength, a helpful herb or a noxious bane, depending on how it is used.
Comming out of his revelling in past experiences, and seeing the gaping maw of the rider who jumped up beside him, Dalas gasps a bit, then to be polite he says,"Sure you can stand here with me if you like." Then backing away just enough so as not to be rude he asks,"Came right here from patrols did you?" Taking in the remarkable perfume of the rider.
On the sands, D'san laughs at the thought of it "Much less two at at time. One is more of an armful than most could handle.." He notes "And they only get bigger." He shakes his head, looking over at Mnemaxath, who croons as he scrapes sand away from an egg only to push more back against and over it. "A certain bronze seems to be doing an adequate job."
How hot are they? They're so hot.... Dominic nods to Kyla, "Was it J'rk? He seems like the kind of person who'd forget to wear sandals on the sands." Dom would've said B'nhead, but the bronzerider is within earshot, and no one wants to see a scuffle right about now.
On the sands, Tajiath lays: Stardust Egg
On the sands, Unimaginable depthless fathoms of cosmic darkness coat this egg, lit only by tiny pinpoints of light that lead the misguided traveler home. Various hues of hope and strength from the palest pink to royalist blue give forth their sparkle in innumerable degrees of brightness. Glistening, vivid, burnished they ever shine - sprinkled generously across that vast blanket of darkness. Waiting to be gathered, their power harnessed, swept up by magics unknown and gathered close, slipping through fingers with silk-like grace like fine grains of glittering sand.
Zureile gives a small smile at Hanneke's exuberance, then rubs wincing at her sore neck and back. She /hurt/ today; her entire body felt like one massive bruise. Sweat already making her tunic stick to her, she cranes her neck in an attempt to see the activity on the sands, her gaze purposefully not falling on the familiar blonde head of the man a few rows ahead. As far as she's concerned, he doesn't exist. Nope. She doesn't even notice him. Nuh-uh. Not at all.
Allowy smiles at Reile's aching maneuverings, and she gives him a light touch to show her sympathy before jolting up in her seat in a stance worthy of Hanneke to see the two new eggs appear. "Hanneke....oooo." she weakly manages
Kyla shakes her head, before quaffing from her skin. After a moment, she adds, "No." a giggle burbling up from within, "Was Ua'rk.." The notorious WL, just ask Jeretta.
Looking sideways over at Okelani, Zureile offers a smile of welcome. How could the girl even /think/ of sleeping with the oppressive heat surrounding them all. Waving her hand in a beckoning manner, she laughs and calls out, "Okelani! Come over here before you fall asleep again and miss the rest of the hatching!
With her thin lipped orfice closing enough not to vent more delightful stench upon the helpless Dalas, D'nerd nods in something akin to actual coquettishness. He is a cutie, unnhunh! Her rotten tomato red tongue slides out to moisten her equally unhealthy looking lips, "Huh..huh, yah..how'yd guess? Do I look tired, n' worn out?" strips of frayed leather rustling among her clothing.
Hanneke positively beams, pointing towards the newest eggs even as Allowy speaks, "I see! Ooh, but they're lovely!" Her enthusiasm is horribly childish, as is her constant movement, but her face retains it's adult vacuousness.
Trying his best to accept the company of the unwashed female rider, Dalas attempts to move back from her just a little bit,"So you managed to impress one of those little dragonets did you."Wondering how the dragon could possibly stand to have this thing on its back. "What color was it that you impressed?" He asks her as he moves just a little more closer to the ledge, hoping that he doesn't fall off.
On the sands, Apparently easing somewhat on her sudden paranoia, Tajiath circles around her sandy couch and draws to the side of her mound closer to the galleries. There she scoops out a deep hollow, still betraying a bit of secretiveness. A few moments pass as she inspects the area, making ready. A curious crooning vibrates the air as her head swivels to locate Mnemaxath. As she kneels down beside the newly dug hollow, another egg rolls onto the sand.
On the sands, Tajiath lays: Death Tarot Card Egg
On the sands, Colors of midnight, from the darkest blues to the rich, shadowy blacks, cloak the blunted curves of this egg in mysterious bleakness. Yet subtler colors - from the grays to the darker than the deepest ruby reds, are constantly changing the black-drop, the hope of escape from eternity of this dismal despair resting on the wispy shoulders of a smoky haze. Yet nearer to the cradle of the diamond-dust sand, one can faintly see the traces of bleached white, twisted to form the outline of a skeleton.
T'paz watches as D'nerd begins to drool over his friend Dalas. He knows most of the riders, and figures that Dalas, experienced as he is with Weyr life, could use a little rescue, here. He rises silently, and moves silently behind the pair. With a small effort, he clicks into his rogue gear, and purrs gently into D'nerd's ear. "Hey girl." he whispers sensuously into the mass of matted hair and earwax. "Did I hear you say that there some...betting afoot here?" He moves into her eyesight, conviniently stepping between her and Dalas.
Allowy catches her breath at the sinister qualities of the most recently hatched egg, but then again the view is so fleeting at this moment, what with Hanneke moving about, and that spill the juice boy hopping around in front. She sighs, and leans against Reile, hoping for a more agreeable look from his angle. "Augh..I can't see, another egg?" Her eyes move backwards to see if Okelani has made it down yet, hopeful she hasn't fallen completely asleep.
Hanneke's view is hardly better than Allowy's, and still she shifts, earning many nasty glances from her Harper companions on her own row, which she returns with genuine innocence--what ever is the matter with them? As one nudges her, she nudges them back, causing her to miss the newest egg. "Is it?" she queries of Allowy, glancing towards Zureile in a similar question.
A shudder passes down D'nerd's bent figure as T'paz sails in with the calvary, aiding Dalas by sheer good charm alone. Her rheumy eyes take on a dreamy quality, although what crawly infested dreams she would have is better not imagined, and she favors the other rider with a clutch on his arm, a little finger panky! Ooooo, what a live one! "Heh...oh...yes..wull, dere sure is! I bet there's gonna be two eggz!" she drools, trying to purse her vile lips into something resembling sexiness.
D'nerd continues, "Two gold eggz!"
On the sands, "She's getting tired," Katarra tells D'san, leaning forward on her seat. Having made as quick work as possible of the scrumptious sandwich, the rest are momentarily forgotten. Suddenly the stiffling air feels especially heavy, her light summer dress clingy and tight. Licking her dry lips, Katarra turns as soon as Tajiath confirms yet another perfectly laid egg, and pours herself a quick drink. Her eyes meet D'san's as she looks up.
If Allowy is looking for a better view from Zureile's seat, she's not likely to find one. From her vantage point at the back of the galleries, Zureile is missing the majority of the activity below on the sands. Of course, the tall, overweight journeyman who had parked himself directly in front of her didn't help much at all. Sighing, she tries to lean the other direction, craning her neck and peering over his thick shoulder. When that doesn't work, she tries kneeling on her seat to give her heighth, only to be shouted down by the crowd. Pouting slightly, she flops back down in her seat. "How should I know? I can't see /anything/."
Dominic casts a sideways glance down the row, seeing T'paz make his move on D'nerd. Leaning closer to Kyla, he mumbles quietly, "T'paz must be really desperate... I figured he'd have better taste."
On the sands, D'san nods, lookikng down at Katarra again and smiling "I think you both are." he notes mildly. "Did you get any rest at all last night?" he murmurs, brushing his fingers over blonde hair. "It's a strain. But you'll have several seven days to relax, with nothing but sand-sitting to do."
Kyla glances over her shoulder at T'paz and D'nerd, a shudder of revulsion slipping over her body. "The woman is vile. I swear she's been here since Faranth hatched." Quickly she turns from the scene and drops a kiss on Dominic's cheek. "You are much more my type."
With a mouthed /thank you/ from Dalas, as D'nerd turns away from him, he can get back to his thoughts. Dalas considers the rider abit again, how is it that one such as she could possibly impress a creature as magnificient as one of the dragons, were there such things as demented dragons, dragons with mind debiltating disease that they would choose such creatures to be lifemated to. He isn't sure but he is glad that his old friend T'paz came to his rescue though how he knew to be there is another story.
Dominic's all grimy and /still/ gets a kiss from Kyla. He's the man. The king. There is none higher. "Awwww, you're just saying that cause you have to live with me."
On the sands, Tajiath holds her head high as she finishes with the latest addition to her clutch, and nudges it gently with her gleaming claw. The egg moves slightly, settling even more firmly into it's nest. But the golden sails that hang at her side droop slightly, the flickering of her tail not as lightning quick as earlier in the clutching. With a long, drawn out sigh, she drags her forearms across the sand, making a trench that paves the way for one, last, mighty release.
On the sands, Tajiath lays: Dreaded Black Cauldron Egg
On the sands, Rough charcoal dominates this egg, like the surface of a cast iron Cauldron. A single streak of pure black, lined with harsh, jagged silver runs in a lightning bolt line from bottom to top, like a crack where there is no crack. Faint red tinges the underside, as if it rests on top of a lit fire, or smoldering coals, like an ominous portent of things to come. It waits, simple, unobserved -- strange, with secrets only time will reveal. A faint ting of smoky gray tinges the top, like steam rising out of the fire's heat.
"Hey I could just leave you on the bowl floor," Kyla teases Dominic, before she adds wryly. "Though I think Nia would leave me, not you." A little pout crosses her lips, "What have you done to bewitch my lifemate?"
Allowy pouts, and taps her fingers together, folding and intertwining. No...I guess Zureile doesn't have a better view at that. She settles for a running narration from Hanneke, that girl is always exclaiming and crying out at the right moment, she's bound to say something telling that will fill her in on what's going on. "Can you see, Hanneke?"
T'paz is REALLY glad that he travelled with Harpers and Enlanders for a long time. It gave him the ability to project any impression he wants to. With herculean effort, he laces his long, strong fingers with the smaller, grubby digits of D'nerd, and - bracing himself - he stares deep into the 'rheumy' eyes and says. "Two Gold eggs? Hmmm..." he moves his nose to within a finger of hers, not flinching a whit. "I'll lay half mark against. You ... game?" he trails a hand along her jawline, ending on her chin, which he pinches - playfully. (All this time, T'paz has been motioning to Dalas behind his back that he should GET OUT OF RANGE!)
"No," admits Hanneke, not quite sulking, as she peers again towards the sands, attempting to view the latest egg. "Ooh! It's kinda--grey, and stuff. Weird. I can't see properly."
Dominic shrugs his shoulders, answering Kyla, "I think I called her 'pretty' once. That seemed to do it." Flattery will get you everywhere with Niabeth, apparently.
Dalas seeing the hand motion from his friend Dalas makes his way up towards the front of the railing and even closer to the ledge the dragons watch from, least this way he can duck down and be out of sight of the disgusting rider. How T'paz could get that close to her putrid breath and not even flinch is beyond him, still he finds a spot to hide and squats there close to railing and able to see the sands still.
On the sands, Katarra smiles wryly at D'san, an unspoken affirmation of his guesses. "We'll both need it, to be sure," she says, tilting her head toward him. With Tajiath's last effort, she stands, sensing the intensity of the moment and lending her mental support. Her shoulders slump slightly as the egg appears, safe and sound - the last of it's kind for this go around. "That's 18 eggs," she says proudly, turning to smile at D'san. "Not bad for an interval clutch."
Dominic grins, squirming a little at the tickle, "Yeah, a /lot/ shy. But Dalas's bet is even more shy. He had thirty. So, all bets are off. He keeps his marks, and you get yours back." Everyone wins.
D'nerd's throat makes a funny catching noise, sort of like a rusty windvane on an abandoned cothold, grinding and so annoying! Much like D'nerd's caustic breath-laced reply to T'paz's quite skillful checkmate move. She nods her frizzly dandruffed head, and presses that beak of a nose, the hairs pratically growing out like weeds, to the rider's own. "Mmmm...ooh yesh! Ha...ha..One haf maark, yor on!" Oh, what a site. D'nerd's in luuuv.
Dalas looks at Dominic as he hears the tally,"Well looks like our bet is null and void there, although you were closer to it than I." Looking on the sands as best he can he looks to see if perhaps his other bet is a winning one." Can you see if there is a gold down there?" Looking at Tajiath as he makes the statement, perhaps she is hiding it.
Hanneke mouths the number, then says it out loud, "Eighteen! Oh, isn't that wonderful, Allowy? I'm so excited. Think of all the candidates they'll have, and all the pretty dragons, eventually. I wonder if one of them was gold; I don't know if one was gold, because I couldn't see." She pouts, visibly, then relaxes her face into it's usual grin. "Journeyman Tessin says we can stay around, for the celebrations!"
Kyla hmms quietly, before adding, "You can keep em to buy me more gifts." She winks at Dominic, "Sounds good to me." Hand rumples her still damp curls, "So are we moving towards the LC? And somewhere cooler?"
B'nhead jumps from his seat as Tajiath finishes, turning to look around the galleries with a hateful smirk on his face. He's just way too smug. "No gold! I /told/ you so! Where's my marks? Pay up! Ten from Dalas, ten from D'nerd!"
On the sands, D'san smiles "A nice round number....Mnemaxath is pleased as well." he notes. "As am I." His hand slides to Katarra's shoulder, rubbing. "Don't forget to take some time off the sand every once in a while."
Maybe it was the yell that woke her. Regardless, Okelani pops open an eye, to take in the raucous B'nhead, before giving a snort. What /is/ he yelling about? Just as well that she's awake, as Capri makes his presence known, a soft creel demanding food. "Hn. Alright, alright," is given softly, even as she trundles back toward the caverns.
Okelani walks down the stairs to the entrance.
Allowy nods warmly to her exuberant Harper friend. "Oh..definitely! That certainly seems like quite alot to me. I'm so glad you can actually stick around for the afterglow, wasn't that wonderful? I don't envy Tajiath though...it looked very difficult. She should be rightly proud, what a night!"
Dalas looks a bit skeptical,"How do you know there isn't a gold down ther B'nhead, we haven't heard any news to the contrary yet." He tells the rider not wanting to lose his marks to B'nhead again.
Dominic sits forward, stretching his arms above his head, trying to stifle a yawn, "Yeah, I guess we can go to the LC... I'm not gonna stay long, though. Pretty beat." Lots of work had to be done to get the Candidate Barracks up to snuff. The last batch of candidates must've been pretty rowdy.
Hanneke hadn't even thought of Tajiath, and now, her face falls. "Oh, the poor dragon! It must hurt like human labour, and mum says that that hurts like anything! Just imagine!" Her overuse of exclamation is quite audible, following a long shake of her head. "Oh, but it was wonderful, yes. I'm glad, too; I almost couldn't even come at all." A glance is given towards her Journeyman escort, who avoids her gaze entirely.
Kyla didn't beat Dominic, nope. Ahem. She stands with a stretch, her sweater rising to show off that lovely tanned stomach. "Ok, but I wanted to see you table dance." she adds with a grin.
On the sands, Katarra snorts delicately, if such a thing can be done, and nods firmly. "As soon as she's sound asleep, I'll be heading straight for the Living Cavern. Have them bring some ice up from storage, will you? I just might jump in a bucket of it." A light chuckle escapes, the soft amusement in her eyes at odds with the weary shadows that lie beneath.
D'nerd barely hears B'nhead's cry of victory, her whole attention and dirt flaked existience is centered on the comely face of handsome T'paz. Her scabby hand drobs her money bag though, certainly prime territory should B'nhead want to snatch it up.
B'nhead scowls at Dalas for being right, "Fine, be that way, I'll just have to collect at the hatching. You're just delaying the inevitable."
T'paz feels the nose of the -nasty- rider bump his, and doesn't even blink. He glances around, and sees Dalas has made good his escape. Whew. Now...here comes the tricky part. "Well, 'm thinking....'dear'...that the shows done now." With a smooth motion, he reaches around her shoulders and turns her towards the sands. He presses his lips against her filthy cheek, and whispers. "Did you catch what the final count was? I wasn't paying .... attention." With that, he sends a quick, urgent request to his Lifemate. He turns to the Sands, feigning trying to find the Gold or not.
Allowy smiles, briefly catching Kyla's words of affection for Dominic, flashes of his rendition of The little Weyrboy that could darting through her depraved mind. Yes, another table dance would be loads of fun! Still, she could do without the brawl that enused after. She looks to Hanneke, and smiles, adding a bit of a grimace as the thought of the feeling Tajiath might have had during Clutching overtakes her. "Hmm, I'm sure it was worse, can you imagine having 18 children in one night!!!"
Dalas knows that it might not take that long to find out if one of the eggs is a gold,"Surely Tajiath will reveal if a gold egg is on the sands before the hatching."Thinking of how queens usually coddle the gold eggs and seperate them from the other but either way, he will wait till after the hatching to pay up with B'nhead. For now Dalas will make his way out of the heated galleries to someplace much cooler.
Jestine walks in.
Dominic eyes that lovely tanned stomach for a moment before he rises to his feet, grinning, "I'm much too sore to be dancing on any tables tonight, Kyla. It'd be the most uninspired, boring dance you'd ever see." Maybe a shuffling of the feet, a clap of the hands, and weakly singing, 'Do the happy dance, do the happy dance, do the happy dance.'
On the sands, D'san grins, and nods "Better to use it to chill drinks then your body, Kat. You'll catch cold otherwise, and be thoroughly miserable." He cautions teasingly. "Which would make being on teh sands rather unfun.."
Hanneke winces, her eyes indicating a horror of sorts--"Oh, Allowy, imagine that!" She shivers, lifting herself to her feet; "Are we going to the caverns?" She ignores her escort, shifting herself to her feet.
With her hair maintaining its always ratty look, D'nerd shakes her head. She doesn't know how to tell one gold egg from a brown one. It was lucky enough that her dragonet bumped into her, or she might never have impressed the sickly but sturdy creature. Still, she loves her lifemate Scrabyeth.
Allowy nods to Hanneke, a disgusted glance at D'nerd and company. She scoots after the Harper, all too glad to leave the lovebirds in peace. "Mmm, right behind you.."
Kyla laces her fingers through Dom's and leads the way through the milling crowd. "Might have to have you do that on our sidetable when you feel properly motivated." Green eyes sparkle at the thought, "Maybe some ale will help."
On the sands, Tajiath, tired or not, -has- to make sure that every single egg is within her close range and perfectly set before she'll even let a wing touch the sand in rest. Her pacing packs down the sand around the clutch, while other movements send the removed heaps up around the shells. She stops often to look toward Mnemaxath, no doubt communicating some parental opinion by the mumbles and grumblings that come from her burnished gold throat. The few eggs she laid behind her bed, the ones most in shadow, are given special attention, and then hidden as she finally seeks the hollow that will serve as her couch. Multi-hued facets reflect the various hues of growing blue-ish green as she grows calmer, keeping the entire clutch in sight as long as humans remain in the galleries.
Hanneke pauses, admitting, "Er, you'll have to go first. I'll get lost!"
Allowy chuckles, "Ok...ok.." scuttling down the stairs
Allowy walks down the stairs to the entrance.
[Scene change: Living Caverns]
Allowy smiles, and waves to Okelani as she traipses in with Hanneke in tow. "Hi! Sorry, we didn't mean to miss you up in the galleries. Was that a rare experience, or what?"
Kyla enters from the Weyr's bowl, outside.
Dominic enters from the Weyr's bowl, outside.
Hanneke smiles brilliantly towards Okelani, whom she doesn't know, as she follows, at a bounce, Allowy into the Caverns. "You know your way around so well!" she exclaims, envious of Allowy, as she adds, "It was *wonderful*, wasn't it?"
Kyla walks in, trailing Dominic, hands still laced. "But you have to do it na...." Her voice trails off as she realizes just how large the crowd is. "Anyway, it should be a late turnday gift for me."
Okelani sits, curled up in a chair, feeding scraps to a rather complacent brown. When one is willing enough to sit and wait, it looks like they eventually get what they want. Who knows which one is being trained between them, even though the girl is the one that looks at the comment. "Hm? Yeah, I guess." The Bakercraft isn't that far from Telgar, and going their for their clutchings and the like wasn't that difficult. More people enter, and the cook's brows furrow, before she nudges a chair toward the two entering girls. "Take a seat, and a drink. Shardling hot in there, and you'll probably need it."
"Another turnday gift? Yeesh." Dominic shakes his head with a chuckle, "Alright, but you're going to owe me some pretty great gifts when it's /my/ turnday."
Allowy nods in agreement with Hanneke, her eyes mirroring her excitement. "Mmm, so many colors in the eggshells, can you imagine. I don't know how you can tell which one will be what color before they hatch. It's a mystery to me."
"I don't think you can," decides Hanneke, ducking as her Journeyman escort arrives into the cavern, shifting herself slightly behind Allowy. "I didn't see a gold, unless the gold was all hidden. What do you think?" She nods aimiably, adding, "I hope I get to see the hatching."
Kyla gives Dominic a little wink. "As if I'll mind? Besides you get gifts like that all the time." She tugs him along, perusing the sidetable and the goodies laid out for all to taste. "Hmmm mango cookies." A few are nab along with a cool glass of white wine. Cookie is used as a pointer, "See they have an Ale cask tapped for the evening."
"Yeah, well... you're right." For Dominic, every day's like his turnday. Makes turndays anti-climactic. Eyes follow to the keg, "Yeah, I brought it in last night. It's the High Reaches stuff." Dominic's brand of choice.
Allowy laughs, and then notices Reile. She scrambles to him, and takes his arm delicately, "Ahm..over here, Hanneke, Okelani and I have been waiting for you!" She turns to Hanneke, "I wish I knew...but seeing the Hatching would be fantastic. I think, however, that I need to get back to Fort Hold very soon..."
Kyla darns, to think she missed Dom lugging around a cask. "Welp then you deserve a mug." She sets her things on a nearby table, "Want anything else?" See, she's offering to serve, how sweet.
Hanneke beams towards Reile, waving her hand with giddy excitement, as she responds, "Oh, I'll have to go back tonight, too." She avoids the glance of one of the apprentices in her party, "But maybe I can come back, for the hatching! Sometimes, they let us do that."
Okelani listens, though it's an absent thing at best. More in keeping away a snout that appears all too dangerous... no matter how tiny it is. Of course, that changes when Allowy all but tackles Reile, one brow quirking in confusion; that soon turns to a brief bout of pain as Capri gets a bit too close in his feeding. Hand jerked back, finger shook as if that'd take away the pain, she gives the brown a look before that hand waves in Reile's direction. "H'lo." Least there's no new bruises.
Allowy takes a seat once more, and smiles in distraction, unable not to overhear Kyla and Dominic's loving exchange. She grins at that, and thinks to herself. Ugh, no beer for her tonight. Reile, Allowy hopes, will also wish to avoid the stuff. Would be safer that way..
Dominic is deposited in a seat, which is good, cause he's tired. Grinning at Kyla, "Nah, just the ale is fine. Oh, and some of those cookies would be nice. 7 or 8. Maybe 9, if there's enough to go around."
Zureile lets herself be dragged over to the table, feet shuffling slightly. Her tunic is stuck to her body with the sweat from the sands, and the comparative cool of the Living Caverns is refreshing. Easing herself gingerly onto a seat, she looks at occupants of the table, grinning at Okelani's predicament. "Hurts, doesn't it?" From their perches on her shoulder, Leo and Ariesca begin to croon hungrily. "Got enough to share?" she says, motioning to Okelani's bowl.
Kyla slips her way through the crowd, yelping slightly as B'nhead whaps her on her derrier. "Hey!" she swats back at the leering rider. "Never did understand what you saw in that dragonless whimp." he mutters to her. Kyla just sneers back, not deigning to answer. Mug of ale is captured, and she returns to Dominic, detouring around the bronze rider. "Here you go.." Absently she rubs the offended body part, wincing slightly.
Piscene sniffs the air, smelling food as well as many other fellow fire lizards! It must be a party! With a swoop, she alights from Allowy's shoulder and plops down beside Leo, wherever he roosts.
Hanneke distances herself from her group to move towards the serving table, pouring herself a glass of juice with a bubbling ease--no hesitance about eating away from home from this young apprentice. With juice in her hand, she returns, watching the actions of firelizards with a beaming smile. "They're so cute!" Hers stay put; evidently, they know what's good for them.
Okelani at least refrains from sticking her finger in her mouth. Eeew. Lizard drool. At least the lizard looks somewhat bashed for biting, before crawling toward the bowl. "Yes, but I didn't think he..!! Oh no you don't," is given to Capri, before she nudges the little brown away. "We'll have none of that," is commented softly, even though she nods to Reile. Unwilling to move from her crouch, she adds, "Plenty. I only asked for a little...." And got a lot. A whole lot.
Allowy grins at the others, and at the fair of fire lizards swarming about. They, apparently, are in a jovial mood as well--which seems to be the case for just about everyone, including the ill mannered rider B'nhead. There's something to be said for that, she's just not sure what. With a slide of her seat, she rises also, in search of some good, harmless redfruit juice.
Dominic's eyes squint at Kyla's exchange with B'nhead, overhearing the comment. Watch the jaw clench. Hear the teeth grind. The mug of ale? It's set down on the table, undisturbed. "That does it. I'm going to go over there and give him a piece of my mind." A touch of red flows to Dominic's cheeks as he gets back to his feet, pushing up his sleeves to go beat the living crap out of B'nhead.
Kyla thinks it reminds her of when her brown flit Loki, got his tail stepped on by Niabeth. Hey, it was an accident. The greenrider chews the inside of her lip, debating..let B'nhead get his butt kicked, or intervene. "Dom.." there she tried, "Stop..." So what if it wasn't loud enough for the drudge right next to her to hear.
Hanneke gathers herself into a seat with confidence, swinging her legs about the bottom rungs of the chair as she sips at her juice with a careful, smooth touch. Leaving no stain about the edge of the mouth, she draws the cup away, setting it down upon the table. "Ooh, no. What's he going to do? Ooh!" How exciting. Hanneke can't help but allow her eyes to follow Dominic; she doesn't mean to stare.
Dominic ignores Kyla's somewhat lame attempt -- admit it, Kyla, that was half-hearted -- and stalks over to where B'nhead sits. The bronzerider gets a none-too-gentle tap on the shoulder, and an order from the lad, "Get up, B'nhead."
B'nhead watches Dominic plough through the cavern towards him. With an evil smile, he mutters, "I've been waiting at least half a turn for this." He sets his own ale mug down and cracks his knuckles. T'mmy, the bluerider near him, mutters, "It's not worth it B'nhead. D'san will be furious if you fight now..at the clutching." Meaning it's ok to other times?
Allowy returns with redfruit juice in hand, just in time to see the Dominic accost B'nhead. OH, what's this now? Some trouble? She flashes a glance to Hanneke, and sits quickly, making sure to get far away from the area of the soon-to-be-scuffle.
Zureile laughs as she snatches food from the bowl to stuff down Leo and Ariesca's creeling mouth. As the noise begins to abate, she notices her table's interest in something happening behind her back. Turning to the left, as she can't see out of her right eye, she gets a view of Dominic standing up and confronting a bronzerider. Eyeing B'nhead, she sends up a silent prayer that the he will be able to accomplish what she failed at so miserably. Twisting back around and standing up, she walks over to the bar and pours herself a cup of juice.
Hanneke queries of Allowy with a frown, "Who are they? Why are they going to fight? Ooh--exciting, and yet horribly scary!" She gives a romance-enfused gaze towards the pair, beaming brilliantly as her eyelashes flash. "Oh!"
Okelani pauses at the sudden grousing from nearby; at least she had the clarity of mind to put the meat /on/ the table at let Capri attack, rather than getting her own fingers chewed again. "Uhm....?" Is this really necessary? A fight, in here? "You know, it's really not worth it," is piped up, but only for the rest of her compatriots at the table to hear. "I mean... Dom is Kyla's weyrmate, right? That's kinda the whole battle right there." If one can call this... that.
Kyla watches the pair closely and final stalks towards them. "Stop it, both of you, or I /swear/ I'll have Niabeth come in here and SIT on you." Green eyes narrow on B'nhead, "Besides.." and without any further ado she backhands him across the face. *Smack* That had to hurt. "/I/ want to do that. Keep your filthy hands TO YOURSELF." Dom is tugged back to their table, leaving B'nhead sputtering in his seat.
Allowy just looks at Hanneke for a moment. Oh, that's right. She's not a party to last night's events. Well, there's a tale that is not easily related in one mouthful. She decides to go with the short rendition, "Well, Dominic is the one..well, yes, what Okelani said. The other is ..some rude rider...I don't know him. But he sure is crude."
Zureile speaks up, anxious to see the fight ensue, though she is trying hard to seem disinterested. What /that/ man does is none of her affair. He doesn't exist. "Let them fight it out. It's their right." Hearing commotion behind her, she turns just in time to see B'nhead get backhanded, and droops visibly as Kyla drags Dom out of harms way. Bummer.
Hanneke nods, her eyes wide with both delight and fear; just to be a contrast, which both fade as Dominic is dragged back towards one of the tables by the greenrider. "Oh, they're not going to fight. Oh, that's good, I suppose. Mother says that fighting is very bad." She takes a long drag at her cup, swallowing daintily.
Dominic pokes a finger at B'nhead as he's tugged away, "Touch Kyla again, and I'll break that gigantic nose of yours." Dammit, she just ruined his chance to protect her honor. He calls out to the bronzerider, "And if you think I'm such a wimp, then show me sometime. I'll be happy to prove you wrong!" Under his breath, he practically growls at Kyla, "You shoulda let me have at him..."
Okelani doesn't quite boggle at Reile, but it's close. ".... Reile?" Oi. And he seemed like a nice guy, too. Brows furrow, if only faintly at the whole affair, before she slumps a little more in her chair, nudging a few more tidbits of meat toward Capri. The brown doesn't notice the commotion, only rearing back on hind legs, 'pouncing' its prize before gobbling it up. One would think it was hungry, for all it ate a few hours ago.
Allowy releases a sigh of relief...now if she can just get off this island without being involved in another confrontation, all will be well. Still, she has to admit all the ruckuss is interesting. "Reile, Hanneke is traveling back to the Halls later, with the Harpers. I'm going to join her. Did you want to come, or do you have other plans," she inquires.
T'mmy attempts to be a good friend and places a hand on B'nheads shoulder. "Stay /put/" he hisses. Hey he's seen Kyla mad before, he wouldn't sic her on his worst enemy. "You know you are walking on thin ice as it is. D'san still hasn't forgiven you for threatening that Rider from Telgar." The bronze rider deflates slightly in his seat, settling on glaring at Dominic in response. "She's too good for him.."
Hanneke beams towards Reile, adding -- and no, that isn't an adoring glance she gives the boy -- "It'll be fun! 'sides, I bet you'll have chores and things that you should've been doing back at the Hold. And it's *boring* when none of you are around." Just because Hanneke's good, and goes to her classes.
Correction, she's too good for B'nhead. Kyla doesn't hear the remark since Dominic is panting to be released. "Another time." she snaps at him, "Shard it if I'm going to let him ruin this night." Or any for that matter. Placing herself between Dom and B'nhead, she grins up at the tall lad. "Maybe I can do the table dance tonight.."
Reluctantly swallowing her dissappointment at not seeing Dominic pummeled, Zureile turns the rest of her attention back to the table. "Oh, I'll come. I've had enough of," her one good nearly flickers toward Dominic, but she manages to control it, "of Ista." She grins at Okelani. "Though I will miss your food. Is there any way I can persuade you to come with us?"
Dominic actually wouldn't argue with B'nhead on that last point. Dropping himself back into his seat heavily, still tensed up, he grumbles quite a bit, "One of these days, I'm gonna clobber him." He shakes his head at Kyla, "No dancing for you, nope. Not when he's here to appreciate it." Since when is Dominic allowed to give her orders..?
A shadow of hurt flickers across Kyla's eyes. "I meant in the weyr." she finally manages curtly, hand plucking up her wine glass. "And you can have those cookies. Suddenly I have no appetite."
Allowy ponders whether or not Reile has developed delusions of grandeur, due in part to the pummeling the chair gave him the other night. She grins anyway, "Yes, you're much in demand..."
With furniture everywhere...
Oh ho... was that a touch of hostility? And well, it seems Reile is surrounded. Well, at least with two that are about to get away. And only two, even as Okelani shakes her head in the negative, a smile just tugging at the edge of her lips. "Sorry... but there's still a few things I need to do here everyday. I can't just... up and leave." Besides, no tainted meat means more scraps for Capri, who is all but dozing on the table. She can't help but to wince at the display betweeen Dom and Kyla, though nothing is said for the nonce.
"Whatever." So much for that perfect night, huh? Dominic has basically regressed to pouting as he tosses back his ale. His pride is wounded. He was primed to deliver a beating, and had his hand stayed. Kyla got to get her smacks in on B'nhead, but Dom is left without. It's tough to swallow.
Left without WHAT? Kyla's standing by him, not that beast over there. Quietly she cradles her swinging hand in the other, wincing audibly. "Shells..never knew it hurt so much to hit someone." Green eyes watch Dom sulk, "Shoulda let you hit him." Maybe that will pull him from his pouting. Ah but this will. She slips into his lap, straddling him so she faces him. "Kiss it better?" A hopeful smile emerges.
Allowy feels a bit of a light mood overcoming her. She leans over across the table to ask Hanneke, "You know, you're a Harper and I've never heard any of your songs or writings. Would you perform one for us here, tonight? It's a special night, Tajiath had quite a clutch." She grins quite expansively, hoping the normally vacuum glanced Hanneke will be up to the task.
Zureile pouts slightly. "I'm certain we could find you plenty of work at the hold..." her voice trails off. Looking up, her grin returns full force, and she winks at Okelani. Of course, having forgotten that her other eye i