August 11, 2004
Nhiameth rises during an awkward dinner.

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You head through the tunnel to emerge in the living cavern.

R'hyn shivers, wiping drizzle off his face and hair as he steps in from the cool, spring evening. Tidily, he hangs up his jacket on one of the pegs near the door, and hastily shoving his hands into his pockets, he heads towards the serving table, waiting - a little impatiently - in the queue for dinner.

Asoelian moves into the 'caverns not soon after R'hyn. She too is slightly damp, though for once in an apparent good mood as a smile is worn while she brushes damp hair off her face. Having no coat or other extraneous wear to leave upon a peg, she simply rubs her hands over her face while angling her steps towards the food line. Coming into step just behind R'hyn before a glance is taken over her shoulder and back out towards the bowl. Apparently looking for someone in particular who isn't spotted. And such finds that grin strengthening on her face before she absently murmurs, "Keep the storm away and we'll be fine."

R'hyn focused very much on the lengthy queue ahead of him, doesn't notice Asoelian as she falls in place behind him. Still, one of the few in line who isn't in a quiet conversation of some kind, he catches her comment, and half turns. In a voice that indicates more confidence than his expression would suggest, he asks, "Is it supposed to storm, then? I thou-- the rain is /cold/."

Asoelian takes a half step back from R'hyn as he speaks to her, near lightly bumping into someone else making their way past the lengthy line waiting for food. Though she's only momentarally caught off guard, she does offer a brief shake of her head. "I hope it doesn't. Had too many of those lately." Storms, that is. As he states the rain is cold, she gives him a mildly amused look before her head comes down in a small nod, "Rain's sort of funny that way, isn't it?" Sounding serious, though looking anything but, Asoelian barely manages to keep the grin from her features before she clears her throat, "'least it's not snowing?" A plus, in her mind. Even more of one since there wasn't thunder.

R'hyn turns a little pink at Asoelian's physical reaction, but smiles hesitantly. "The hail," he agrees, making a face. "You don't get that, at Ista. But-- I suppose you're right. At least it isn't snowing." He moves up far enough to be able to pick up a tray, and holds it gingerly.

"You don't get a lot of things at Ista from what I hear." Asoelian seems to agree with a faint, if not amiable nod of her head. "'course the same could be said for here, so I guess it works out." That tangent is haulted as she reaches for a tray as well before standing on the tips of her toes in an attempt to see what was at the tables by way of a meal. "Snow I can handle. 's not so bad. It's the rest that's the problem." She then states before dropping back down onto her heels and glancing towards R'hyn. Perhaps for the first moment she notices that knot, and now it's her turn to turn pink before she's studying him again.

"We--" R'hyn hesitates, and smiles, turning pink again, "/They/ get tropical storms, which are spectacular. But otherwise, lots of sun. It's a nice climate. Here-- it's cold, and there's snow, and then it's slightly less cold and there's hail. I'm hanging out for summer." Hastily, he adds, "But it's not so bad. The rest? What do you mean?" The line moves forward again, R'hyn following, which results in his missing her glance at his knot.

Sh'ang comes out of the tunnel from the bowl.

Jorli comes out of the tunnel from the bowl.

Sh'ang comes in shrugging out of riding gear and dropping his jacket on a wingmate's table. His expression is rather grim and he barely nods to the greeting the other rider gives him.

R'hyn and Asoelian are waiting in the long line for dinner, talking quietly, and moving forward every so often. They've /finally/ gotten trays.

Asoelian's keen enough to pick up on that initial hesitation, and it finds her gaze narrowing in brief consideration. Whatever comes of such is held back in favor of offering a small nod of her head. Cautious now and quite respectful of that slight distance she seems to place between herself and the other. "Cold all year 'round?" She asks, glancing curiously towards him to see how he'd recieve such a statement. As for 'the rest' comment, Asoelian shifts her plate into one hand and shrugs a shoulder, "The rest. Things that you get with each place.. y'know, the usual." She pauses, "Why, what'd you think I meant?"

Regallan comes out the short, wide tunnel from the lower caverns.

Jorli slips in with the vague air of one not quite certain of her surroundings, not an uncommon appearance all things considered, but hers a bit more noticiable than the Istan transfers who've been around for a while. Making her way through the room, her attention is caught by the calling of her name by one of said transfers and thus, with a relieved sort of smile moves over to that table for a brief chat.

Sh'ang heads up the line, and gets a greenrider to pass him a roll to munch on while he waits. The resident behind the greenrider gives Sh'ang a sharp snap, and gets a wave of his hand in return. He wasn't cutting, he's just starving. Bread in hand, he heads back down the line, inclining his head fractionally to R'hyn. "Sir."

"Is it really?" R'hyn tries very hard not to let his face fall, and manages - with some effort - a small smile. "Oh." He reaches up to scratch at his stubble, and adds, "Well. I suppose one gets used to it, right? Erm, I wasn't really sure what you meant, but okay. That makes sense. The... idiosyncrasies of each place, and its people." The 'Sir' word doesn't fail to draw his attention; R'hyn rapidly turns about, faintly pink, and bobs his head quickly. "Er-- Bronzerider."

Regallan stomps her way indoors, shrugging off her jacket as she goes. Riders are dually noted from the corner of her eye, taking a moment to bob her head in thier general direction before moving on towards food, glorious food.

Asoelian, R'hyn and Sh'ang are all in line waiting for food and occasionally talking, while Jorli is moving off to a table to talk with someone.

Asoelian once more looks as though she's caught between two emotions. The only truly visible one is slight shock. The reason's for such aren't made apparent as every attempt is made to hide such. R'hyn's question is what has her finally offering a brief purse of her lips and another small shrug, "I'm thinking it is... haven't see much different, at any rate." Aso pauses however, as Sh'ang greets R'hyn, and her gaze turns to follow the bronzerider before it once more reverts back towards R'hyn, "I doubt you have a choice on whether you want to or not." More blunt than was intended, though the statement is an earnest enough one.

Sh'ang eyes the Weyrleader's stubble. His expression remains polite, though there's something about his eyes that shows a hint of distaste at this slight concession to the rules of grooming. At Asoelian's last comment, his lips give a twitch. He says blandly, "Sir, I was on sweeps for South Boll - one of their far lying cotholds found another burrow from that last fall. It got most of a planting field - seedlings hadn't been set out yet - but they wanted the weyr to know. Apparently sweepriders missed it." That the cothold groundscrews had also missed it was obvious, but he doesn't state that. "They were quite... agitated."

Jorli snitches a piece of fruit off the plate of the rider she's talking to, though his amused admonishment sends her continuing on towards the line for food. Spotting R'hyn in line she leans up on her toes as if to call out a greeting, but noting also seeing he's already engaged in conversation with more than one person holds that thought, instead making an idle, polite greeting to Regallan since they're moving in the same direction. "Evening.

Regallan falls into line, shifting restlessly from foot to foot "Evening, heard if the cooks were letting the candidates help with the cooking again tonight? Someone put live spiderclaws in the chowder the other day."

R'hyn gives Asoelian a long, vaguely confused glance, and finally nods slowly. "Ah." He lifts his hand to rub at his chin again, as if attempting to mask his own reactions with some kind of activity - the line seems to have come to a standstill. "Er, get used to it, you mean? No, I suppose not." A lame kind of smile crosses his face, rather self-conscious. This fades, rapidly, at Sh'ang's words, though his reaction is certainly sincere. "Oh, no. Of course they were. Thank you for passing it on-- we'll, well, yes. Deal with it." Shades of scarlet. Jorli, for the moment, goes unnoticed.

Kiora comes out of the tunnel from the hot springs.

Asoelian, R'hyn, Sh'ang, Jorli and Regallan are all in line for food, occasional conversation is held between smaller groups of people and individuals.

Asoelian finds a brief smile lighting her features for R'hyn's words. His movements as well earn a brief study before she falls relatively silent. Likely given Sh'ang's look and his later words. The total of which have her once more regarding him with only the smallest frown on her features. Such fades however, as she notices more and more people joining the food line, and she's left to lift back up onto the tips of her toes to see just how long of a wait was left.

Sh'ang's body language, at R'hyn's reaction to his news practically screams 'And /this/ is what ended up as our /WEYRLEADER/?!' However, his expression remains as bland as before, and he nods. "I also cautioned them about the greens near the outer buildings. They were creeping up. You might want to mention that to the wingleaders, sir. The holds seem to be lax about it, now that planting time is here." He nods politely to Asoelian, touching fingers to forehead in a little salute, along with a smile, and starts to make his way to the back of the line for food.

Jorli smiles at Regallan's question and rolls her eyes skyward, her expression hinting that it's not so much at being asked the question, but by the fact that it needed to be asked. "I didn't really notice, I doubt the chore schedule's been changed just because someone was being a pain. Closer supervision, though. Probably."

"Yes, I'll do--" begins R'hyn, but as Sh'ang starts to move towards the end of the line, he breaks off, instead mumbling something entirely inaudible beneath his breath. Thankfully, the line moves forward again - and quickly, this time, as though whatever was holding it up has been cleared. R'hyn hastily begins to fill his plate with greens.

Kiora scoots along from the galleries entrance, trailing a bit of sand for her first few steps. She eyes the queue, and, trying her best to look cheerful and nonthreatening, putters along to the back of the line after Sh'ang. What a lucky man.

Regallan bobbles her head in understanding, "Oh, i guess that's a good think then. Me I grab my food and head back outside." Tipping out of line to peer up it, checking to see whats going on in front of her "Looks like some good stuf tonight."

Another amused look crosses Asoelian's features for Sh'ang's expressions and his words towards R'hyn. Fortunately the girl has learned some form of tact and rather than commenting on such, she bites her lip. It's then that R'hyn moves forwards and so she follows. Moving to select food off of various dishes when the opportunity for such comes. It's a slightly idle comment that's offered to him, most innocent in nature. "Hard to believe some clumps were missed by your riders. I wonder what'll come of it if it happens again."

Jondeval comes out the short, wide tunnel from the lower caverns.

Sh'ang ends up behind Regallan and Jorli - until the Weyrwoman ends up behind *him*. Graciously, he inclines his head to her, gesturing for her to preceed him in line. "Please, g'head." he holds up his half-munched roll in explaination. "I've already pilfered enough to keep me from expiring before I get there." He nods to the girls, "And I think there's some wherry tonight. My favorite. And Rivergrains."

R'hyn, attempting to look Very Busy as he fills his plate, has an almost invisible wince at Asoelian's words, though he graces her with a response. "Yes. It's definitely something to be looked into. Of course, their groundcrews need to be more careful, too." His expression is kind of sour at the whole exchange, a single glance made backwards towards Sh'ang, as his head shakes. "It better not happen again. More drills."

Jorli seems to take Regallan's word for it since she doesn't move to try and see what's up on the tables. "I wouldn't expect anything else." Sh'ang's addition to the conversation causes her to turn slightly to acknowledge him, and at the same time notice Kiora. A smile of recognition crosses her face and she nods slightly in greeting to the Weyrwoman. "Kiora..." a hesitation then correction, "Weyrwoman."

Asoelian provides a slight murmur of, "Mm." Towards R'hyn for his comment, likely given the reason that she looks quite busy as she selects yet more food and piles it atop her plate. Though as she seems to reach her fill of such, she hazard's a glance towards R'hyn yet again. Briefly considering of something and almost tensely biting her lip before adding yet another idle comment of, "Oh I'm sure that'll clear the matter up. I think it must've just been a mistake or.. bad vibes is all." Encouraging, or seeming to be as much, yes.

Kiora blinks owlishly at Sh'ang, shaking her head at his offer. "Oh, no thanks, you go first. It'd be rude of me, and I should be more patient, anyway." Jorli's greeting causes Ki's beam to brighten, and she waves a bit in greeting. "Kiora, please. Nice to see you."

Regallan twists around, tipping her head towards Kiora "Greetings and Goodeving ma'am" but that's about all she gets a chance to say as it's her turn to start filling a plate "Oh fresh greens, roast wherry and mashed tubers." with each food named some is plopped unceremoniously on her plate.

"Yes," says R'hyn, after a long pause, as he adds another slice of wherry to his place. "That's exactly right. These things happen - we just have to try and make sure that they... don't keep happening. We're all still settling in." He comes to the end of the table, and, having picked up a glass of water, turns about to consider the caverns, and a seat.

Sh'ang says lightly, "With such excellent company," he indicates the ladies near, "How could I quibble? Though I'm ready to share the rations if we're in danger of starving out here." His tone holds a hint of amusement before asking, "And how's Siramyth adjusting to her new hatching grounds? And you," he indicates Jorli as well as Kiora, "Getting to know the place a bit better?"

Faelan comes out of the tunnel from the bowl.

Jondeval runs out of the kitchens followed swiftly by a few outraged yells as he tosses a hot pastry from hand to hand to cool the treat before trying to take a bite. Quick as a wink the boy ducks between two tables that hold tall riders to hide his form from the red faced man glaring about from the kitchen entranceway.

Faelan dashes into the cavern, leaving wet footprints behind. She doesn't bother with the line, but zooms on up to the table to see what's for dinner.

Asoelian adds a piece of wherry to her plate as well, her gaze absently trailing over the drinks before she choses her standard mug of juice. R'hyn's comment isn't immediately answered, though such is done to gain the opportunity to simply decide the most tactful way to answer such. "I'm sure," She states with a slight pause at the beginning, "Things'll work out in their own manner." There's yet another pause as she glances towards him to garner a reaction, though she pulls away from the food table with both plate and mug in hand. Her gaze set on trying to find a nice little corner to stash herself into.

Jorli nods in acceptance of Kiora's correction as she steps up to get a plate and food. "I haven't gotten lost today," the answer to Sh'ang's question is given with good-natured amusement and an emphasis on 'today'. The items for her plate match the ones of Regallan, "But then, oddly, I've never gotten lost in a storeroom anywhere and that's where I was working most of today."

R'hyn, balancing his tray carefully, nods quickly. "We can only hope," he agrees, though not with much confidence - even if he does attempt a somewhat bland smile. "Nice to chat with you..." he breaks off. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name?" He seems intent on looking in the other direction as he asks.

Regallan shuffles down the line, spooning fruit onto her plate then dropping a roll onto the plate as well to finish off her meal. Quick hands grab a mug of juice then she's off to sit and eat "I didn't know I was delightful company, You get lost here too? You and Wynne would make a good team then."

Geraine comes out of the tunnel from the bowl.

Kiora seems to relax a bit, twiddling her thumbs as the line moves along. "Siramyth would fuss more if she didn't have eggs to watch, I think," she replies thoughtfully. "But they've put her in a much better mood." Jorli gets another mild beam. "I still get lost sometimes. Too many ways to get to the same place, I think. Kinda puts me off. But it's nice when you start sorting stuff out, isn't it?"

The bland smile is caught, and returned with a small, almost helpless seeming shrug of Asoelian's shoulders. "It's possible. It's possible it'll all work out." Though there's a certain lack of belief in her own words. Not quite foreboding, so much as highly doubtful. The inquiry for her name is met with another hesitant pause and an unsure shifting of her steps further away from him. She haults in such before simply offering, "You can call me Aso, if you'd like."

R'hyn turns back to consider Asoelian, sighing quietly. "Let's have some confidence, mm?" he murmurs, though he doesn't seem to have much himself, for all his attempted bright smile. "Aso. Well met. And I-- well, I suppose you know that already. Have a good meal."

Faelan ignores the grumblings of those in line as she does a snatch and grab for dinner, gravitating towards the good things, and none of the healthy. She takes her plate and ducks between two riders, then checks out the cavern to see who to bug with her dinner time.

Jondeval ducks his head behind a brownrider as the cook looks around the cavern one more time and retreats. Smirking at the success he had in nicking the pastry Jon takes a bite of the flakey crust and looks around curiously, his brown eyes lighting on Faelan and he wanders her way "Hey"

Entering from the bowl, Geraine, runs a hand through her short waved hair, her eyes immediately scanning the caverns. Spotting various types around the room, she nods to those who acknowledge her as she strips her jacket off. Then its off for some sort of food.

Sh'ang quickly fills a plate with wherry, greens and a few other odds and ends. "Funny," he commends to Kiora and Jorli. "I thought Ista was supposed to be riddled with back caverns and stuff. Of course, Fort's more spread out, so... Well, if you need a tour or anything, just let me know. And it's good to hear Siramyth's not a particularly broody queen. Nice size clutch too." The line has gotten progressively shorter, and so the bronzerider brightens on seeing Geraine, "There you are. What do you want to drink, I'll get it."

Asoelian's unable to catch that small laugh that comes, more amused than insulting. "I've confidence, though I doubt-" But no, Asoelian'd not travel down that path. His last comment is what finds her giving a small cant of her head towards him, "You as well." Half given that ability, she moves towards the free seat she'd spotted at one of the tables off towards a corner. Even more so given the ability, it's that seat she claims before she settles her dinner and drink before her.

Geraine looks up at Sh'ang's voice, a smile appearing on her face before she can stop it. "Wine if its available," she decides, offering to take the plate. "Were you sitting any place in particular?" Seeing that the bronzerider was speaking to Kiora and Jorli, she nods to the pair, a pleasant look on her face.

Jorli chuckles softly at Regallan's comment, "Lost might be an overstatement, but I've gotten turned around a couple times." She nods at Kiora, "It is, certainly easier to concentrate on what you're actually supposed to be doing if you're not worried about figuring out where you're supposed to be going to do it." Picking up a glass, she nods at Sh'ang, "It is. But, they're familiar warrens. I got lost there once or twice, too." Turning to scan the room, she gives a little wave to the riders she was talking to earlier since they're heading out. "Seems more crowded," she notes idly, "but that's probably from not knowing many people."

Faelan grins at Jon, still having hay stuck in her hair and clothes from some mischief or other. "Hey. Nice pastry sneak there."

R'hyn, still standing still after Asoelian departs, gives the girl's retreating back a long, curious glance, his head shaking. Still balancing his tray, he finally meanders off in the other direction, attempting to seek out space at a table. It carries him nearby the dinner line, his eyes lighting as he catches sight of Jorli - to whom he waves, Kiora as well. If they notice him, they'll see him hastily indicating the table he's just stopped in front of him.

Sh'ang shakes his head at Geraine. "Dumped my jacket with some wingmates, but they're long gone - took forever to get through the line. So wherever you like. White? Or red? I think it's the Tillek tonight," he warns.

Jondeval grins impishly back at Faelan "Thanks, they just came out of the oven. Whatcha been up to, you look like you went rolling around in a runner stall or something."

Regallan twists her way to a table towards the center of the cavern, that's where she stops, sets her plate down and seats herself then waves at Jorli "There's a free seat here if you want to sit here."

Kiora begins fixing her own plate, heaping it for the most part with rivergrains and rolls. "It was a nice clutch, thanks," she offers belatedly. Then Geraine's there, and Ki manages another mild beam before turning to look out at the caverns. "Much more crowded than usual, at this hour, I think," she adds, nodding in agreement with Jorli. "But R'hyn's over there. I'm gonna go see if he minds if I sit with him. Looks like someone's got you a seat, too. Choices, choices." She grins, and then scoots off towards the Weyrleader's table.

Geraine grimaces faintly, shaking her head. "Just get something that'll be tolerable, how's that sound? I'll hunt down your jacket then sit with Kiora?" She gives him a long look as she says that before turning to do just so. Apparently she'll decide his fate. Finding and scooping up his jacket, she heads toward her fellow goldrider's table. "Mind if I join you?"

"'course not, Geraine," Kiora calls, not daring to look back lest she fall on her face. "Gonna sit with R'hyn," and since he's already in front of her, it won't hurt to look inquisitive. "If you don't mind?"

R'hyn's barely set his plate down and sat down himself before Kiora arrives, and he hastily nods his approval. "Go for it. And good evening," he murmurs, distractedly, as he unrolls his cutlery from their napkin, and sets the latter on his lap. "How'd that meeting go this afternoon, with the Headwoman? Supplies all right?"

Faelan watches the small group gather, and decides to grace them with her presence. Isn't that nice of her? Without asking, she plops into a chair at the table where R'yhn and the others are settling.

Jorli notes R'hyn's wave and gives him a smile of greeting and a little wave with her glass, but apparently decides to take up Regallan's invitation. An attempt to fit in with the population and downplay her Istan connections no doubt. "Thanks," she says, finally reaching the table Regallan called from. "I'm Jorli, by the way."

Sh'ang fetches a couple of glasses of Tillek that aren't *too* acidic, and turns around to look for Geraine and their dinner. As he spots her with Kiora and R'hyn, the lines about his eyes tighten faintly. Once more into the breech. This oughta be good. He moves towards Geraine casually.

Regallan offers a cheerful grin between bites of meat "I'm Regallan or Reggie like my da calls me."

Never having been one to weather crowds well, and quite finished with her meal, Asoelian finally draws the empty plate and mug into her hands before pushing away from her seat. Making room for other's to claim her now vacated spot as she winds her way through the various people moving about. Her plate and mug are deposited in the proper place for used utensils before she moves back through the crowds, her path angling towards the inner caverns that she soon disappears into.

Asoelian heads through the short, sloping tunnel to the lower caverns.

B'myr comes out of the tunnel from the bowl.

Geraine settles into a seat not quite across from R'hyn or Kiora but still in conversation's reach. Glancing back toward Sh'ang, she gives him a significant look as he nears her. "A bit of quiet conversation will be nice tonight, hmmm?"

R'hyn misses Jorli's wave, but doesn't seem to object to her absense; he's rather occupied in the eating of his dinner, one small mouthful after another. Geraine is greeted with a short nod, Sh'ang with a brief glance, and a bare tilt of his head.

Kiora settles into her seat, smoothing out her skirt a bit before digging into her meal. "Went okay, I suppose. Wasn't awful, at the very least. Things seem to be going alright." Kiora takes a few bites of rice before speaking again. "Heard something about groundcrews went I went by before. Nothing awful happening, I hope?" Another bite, and Ki tries to smile and swallow at the same time as Geraine arrives. The result is a slightly unpleasant grimace. "Quiet's always nice in general, I think."

Sh'ang obediantly sets Geraine's wine down in front of her and slides into the next seat. "Of course. I've already reported in from sweeps," he glances down the table at R'hyn, though doesn't return the tacit greeting, "So no business talking."

Faelan munches on her dinner, both ears open to the conversations around her. She even gives Kiora a grin, thankfully after she's swallowed her last bite.

Jorli cuts up her meat while nodding at Regallan's introduction. "Well met, Regallan. Or do you prefer Reggie?" Taking a bite of her dinner, she then tacks on another question of the small-talk variety. "What do you do here at the Weyr?"

B'myr tries to keep his entrance quiet, skulking around the edges of the caverns until he can get himself to a skin of something strong. He keeps himself toward the nighthearth while sipping slowly from the skin.

Regallan looks up from her plate where she was attacking her fruit "Reggie is fine, me I'm a stablehand though mostly I help take care of the herdbeast herd."

Regallan flinches as her name rings out over the noise "Uh oh I've been spotted." quickly the girl jumps up and makes for the bowl "G'night to all." is called as she departs.

"Siramyth still doing well?" Geraine asks Kiora politely before cutting her eyes toward Sh'ang. "Thank you for the wine." She might have added more but her eyes go a touch distant, her lips tightening as they do.

"Good," says R'hyn, quickly, avoiding any follow-ups - he seems to be following Geraine's lead, now. "We'll talk about them later, okay? Just some things we'll need to work on." He carefully piles some river-grains on his fork, leading it to his mouth, and chews. Out of the corner of his eye, it seems, he notices B'myr, though a hand half-raised in greeting is dropped again, given the man's apparent intentional solitude.

Kiora makes a face at Faelan, doing her best to be subtle though it doesn't quite work. She nods, though whether it's to R'hyn or Geraine or just a general admittance that yes, Ki is trying to pay attention, is unclear. "Siramyth's fine, yep. Very excited about all the candidates starting to come in, I think. Nice to have her so relaxed, really. People ought to be more relaxed." Ahem. She doesn't seem to have spotted B'myr, though that might be a good thing for the greenrider.

Jorli nods at the answer from the other girl and chuckles understandingly at the departure, giving her a little wave as she departs. Left to people watch, she notes B'myr's entrance, watching the greenrider for a moment before turning to watch the table with the senior rider-types. Generally, there's entertainment to be found while doing that.

Faelan giggles at Kiora's face making, and returns the favor, puckering her lips and putting her hands to the side of her face. They move in time with her lips to form the gills of her fish face.

Sh'ang glances up in time to catch R'hyn's half-wave to B'myr, and follows his gaze. Eyes assess the greenrider for a moment, and then he turns back to have a bite of wherry. "Welcome, dear heart," this to Geraine as he says, "Kiora was telling me that Siramyth's pleased to have her eggs on the sands, and as such isn't brooding quite as much over the move. Good size clutch too." This offhanded compliment is directed somewhat at R'hyn.

Geraine smiles over at Sh'ang before nodding. "Yes, I've been out on the sands with Kiora to take a gander at the eggs." She frowns, a touch confused by the fish face that Faelan is offering to Kiora--the hand motion caught her eye. "It is an excellent clutch."

B'myr picks up his skin again and makes his way toward the middle of the caverns, passing tables and making remarks at male and female alike. He of course wends his way past Jorli and her table, making some interesting comments while winking and flirting not-so subtly.

R'hyn, apparently more comfortable with his dinner than the company, lifts his head briefly to nod. "Oh, yes, good sized clutch," he agrees, the pride evident in his voice. "It's a good start, to rebuilding the wings properly. Some promising candidates too, I think."

Jorli shifts her attention when B'myr comes by. Her expression indicates confusion until she notices the reactions of a few nearby riders, "Hey, B'myr." She greets with a grin, as if she sees nothing odd in his behavior.

Kiora catches Faelan's fish face out of the corner of her eye, and does her best to supress a giggle. "Things seem to be working out," she chimes in, doing her best to remain dignified in her present company. If anyone's uncomfortable, she hasn't yet spotted it, though the food does seem to be distracting her a bit. "The eggs seem to have put everyone in a good mood," Or not. "And I haven't heard anything bad about the candidates, either. Things seem settled, for the moment." To Ki, of course.

Sh'ang takes another bite of wherry, chewing as his gaze happens across B'myr. A faint line crosses his brow and he turns back to the conversation - or stilted lack thereof. But on the way he too catches sight of the fishy face, and bursts out laughing. Dignified? Sure, but there's a fishy face to be seen.

Faelan grins at Kiora, and then, dinner done, gets up from the table, bumping into R'hyn as she does so. Lacking manners, she doesn't excuse herself as she dashes off, leaving her dinner plate behind.

B'myr winks, "Hey gorgeous." With a thunk he leans his elbows on the table and takes a long swig of whatever he's got in that skin. If the scent of his breath afterward is any indication, it's rather strong.

Geraine turns in her seat to follow the dashing child as she exits the area, shaking her head and not quite managing to hide the smile on her face. As she twists, she spies B'myr and something about his behavior causes her to frown. "Anyone seen Nhiameth lately?" she asks in a sotto voice.

R'hyn, his hand nearly landing in his plate as he's shoved, peers after Faelan in disgust. "Manners!" he gripes, though Geraine's question quickly distracts him. "Hm? Oh. Arisvath says she looks pretty - but he's not interested," he adds, hastily.

Jorli calmly takes a bite of her dinner, eyeing B'myr with mild amusement. "How's it going?" Pointing towards the skin with her fork she shakes her head slightly, "Seems like serious stuff, that does. Any good?"

Faelan heads through the short, sloping tunnel to the lower caverns.

Sh'ang shakes his head. "Been too busy. One of the transfers, right?" He shoves in another slice of wherry, hiding mouth behind napkin afterwards. He's still starved, and if there's going to be a greenflight, he may never get to eat.

Kiora squeaks after Faelan, dusting a few stray bits of rice from her skirt. "Siramyth hates girls in general, so she wouldn't know anything," she offers usefully, chancing a glance back at B'myr. "But he's acting a bit off." So Ki returns her attention to her rice, as it's much easier to deal with. R'hyn just gets a pleasant beam.

Geraine clucks her tongue, glancing sidelong at Sh'ang with a press of her lips before looking to the Weyrleaders. "Of course. Easier to just not worry about it." If her voice is a touch sharp, well, she looks a bit tired.

"B'myr. He's the candidate coordinator," supplies R'hyn, glancing around to get another glimpse of the greenrider, his expression unreadable. "Greens rise all the time. I suppose it wouldn't really surprise me."

B'myr eyes the skin and shrugs, "I'm doing fabulous ... and it's good ... though there are better things." With a wink he moves off and toward the familar faces of R'hyn and Kiora and their tablemates.

Sh'ang ahs at R'hyn. "Llannith's dumb as a post when it comes to searching. Not that he would admit that. No wonder I hadn't met him yet." He gives Geraine a quizzical look, and breaks off part of a roll for her.

Lhanuenth> Nhiameth works with the rain, standing near the fence to the pens and letting the drips glide off her glowing form. Her eyes are scanning the beasts in the herd.

Jorli shakes her head with a grin. "I'm sure there are," is her comment before giving B'myr a little wave in reponse his wink and turning her attention back to her meal.

Kiora just mumbles something about A'raz under her breath. "B'myr's real nice," she adds, a bit more clearly. "I like him. We were weyrlings together."

Geraine takes the bit of bread and offers Sh'ang a small smile, shrugging at him. "Well, it won't take /that/ long, I'd imagine."

R'hyn, glancing up just in time to see B'myr approaching, remarks, "Guess you will, now-- B'myr! Don't you look nice." He gives the greenrider a pleasant smile, though his eyes shift to Kiora at her mumbled comment, brows raising.

Sh'ang's brow furrows at Geraine, trying to decypher her comment. "What won't?" He nods to B'myr, "Well met, finally. Hear you're herding candidates. I'm Sh'ang, Llannith's rider."

Waverly makes her way into the room, smiling warmly to those she passes as she goes to grab a roll and a drink. She pauses for conversation with an older woman, chuckling lightly in between nibbles.

Kiora smiles at R'hyn, looking weary but rather relieved. B'myr gets a brighter beam and a quiet 'good evening', and then Ki sets herself to finishing the last of her meal.

B'myr pulls over a chair and sits, grinning at R'hyn and nodding, "Thank you!" Sh'ang gets a nod, "Ahh I'm B'myr in case everyone saying my name hadn't helped you out on that one and yeah I am ... they're a good bunch!"

Geraine watches B'myr as she sips at her drink, absently nibbling at the bit of food she received from Sh'ang. No need for commentary from her; she's content to merely watch the happenings at the moment.

R'hyn takes a quick sip from his mug, and sets it back down again, still smiling. "How's Nhiameth?" He tidies up his knife and fork, setting them together on the edge of his plate, and pushes it away, his napkin placed on top.

Sh'ang says drily, "I'd figured. Good to hear about the candidates. Llan's never really searched be... fore. Doesn't... have... the knack." His attention is beginning to fog out elsewhere, eyes on the greenrider.

B'myr has thrown himself back in his seat, hand clenched tightly around the wine skin, "Shells, she's good." His breathing is coming in shorter and shallower gasps.

Faelan comes out the short, wide tunnel from the lower caverns.

Faelan bounces on back in, from whatever it is she'd gone off to do.

Kiora twiddles her fingers. "Greens are always best," Kiora says absently, misinterpreting B'myr with glee. "So I've seen."

Waverly finishes up her conversation and glances about the room, eyes narrowing as she peers, searching. Lips purse as she does not find what she seeks. A finger taps against her cup idly. Sighing softly, she moves towards a table, getting ready to take a seat when she spies Faelan. Her lips curve upwards in a warm smile and she offers the girl a wave.

R'hyn's eyes go blank for a moment, and finally, he lets out an "Oh". He half-smiles, glancing at B'myr. "She's off, then. Greens do fly well-- terrible, really. Arisvath can never catch them. His luck... seems to be elsewhere." Flush.

Geraine's eyes cut toward Sh'ang again. "Ah. Llannith's chasing then?" Her voice is remarkably tart at that and she rubs at her eyes. "Should we move people along then? To a more private location?" Holdbred.

Faelan spies the wave, and bounces on over to where Waverly is. "Hi again. You know, that's a good way to say your name, isn't it?" She returns the little wave, with a grin for her bad joke.

Sh'ang's pale brown eyes have muddy tints now, though they sharpen and hone in on B'myr. His pedestrian, ordinary looks shade to something far more predatory. His entire bearing shifts, curling slightly, becoming more sinuous, shoulders angling forward towards the greenrider as his hands clench slightly on the tabletop in an effort to keep himself grounded. Geraine's question is answered, if distantly, "Mmm hmmm."

Waverly laughs and wrinkles her nose, a hand reaching out to ruffle Fae's hair and stopping short. "N'thri calls me Wave. Did you eat?" she asks, a brow lifting, a bit oblivious to the goings on at the other table for the moment.

Faelan eyes the hand, and ducks away from it even though it stopped. "Yeah, but now I want a pastry. What about you?" She seems oblivious to the flight tensions going on.

R'hyn, easily, though a blush has readied itself upon his face, shrugs his shoulders. "So long as they get out of here before the catch, it should be okay, I think." He seems remarkably pleased not to be involved, and takes a lazy sip from his mug.

B'myr tries to nod at R'hyn, dropping his skin as he graps onto the chair. Geraine's comment seems to register as he turns his gaze from Sh'ang and the other gathering riders to nod at her, "I'm sorry."

Kiora smiles reassuringly about R'hyn, though it's a bit belated. "Sorry about that," she says uselessly. "Arisvath. Just the way things go, I think." She pushes her hair back, turning the smile on Geraine instead. "R'hyn's right. So long as nobody's making a scene. Sira's flights were much more embarrassing, really." When in doubt, laugh at Ki. Or something.

Sh'ang pushes up from the table, movements slow and measured. He can still think, obviously, and is mostly occupied with directing Llannith above. Even his voice has a predatory undertone as he murmurs, "Guest weyr, hm?" Still, he's not moving anywhere until B'myr does.

Smiling reassuringly at B'myr, Geraine shakes her head. "If it would make him feel better, let B'myr lead them off toward the guest weyr. Just in case things end quicker than expected."

"He's good at it," says R'hyn, simply, and with a shrug. "Only flights he ever wins. I'll live." More than that - well, present company is not, perhaps, the best place for such a discussion. "A'raz and T'yari came with, her first flight. /That/ was embarrassing. -- Yes, of course. Whatever works for B'myr." His eyes fall back on the greenrider, consideringly.

B'myr's hands stay tight on the chair until he's standing and he can let go of the chair. A few riders try and grab him but he pulls away from him and he tries to make his way toward the Lower Caverns and eventually the Guest Weyr before Nhiameth is caught.

Waverly gives a lopsided smile of apology to the girl and then nods. "Sure," she replies. "That sounds good." Dusting off her skirts, she moves to follow the girl. "So what do you do usually?" Her attempt at getting to know more of the child is resumed, fingers lacing as her hands clasp and rest against her skirts.

Kiora turns a rather vivid shade of pink. "Bit more than embarrasing, I think. T'yari hated me, afterwards. A'raz woke up in my weyr with a hangover --" Off B'myr goes, though, and Kiora waves after him, more out of habit than anything else.

Faelan shrugs as she passes by the group she'd eaten with earlier. She targets the pastrys and wiggles her way past a couple of other residents to get one. After a moment's thought, she snags a second and wiggles back out to offer it to Waverly. "Do? Just stuff. You know."

Sh'ang doesn't reach for B'myr, and glares back the riders near him that do. He hisses something under his breath at them, and the Fortians who should know better back off, throwing startled looks his way. He follows along with the rest, staying to B'myr's left and giving a single look back at Geraine before Llannith swallows him again.

Waverly laughs as Faelan slips through though the sudden exits do catch her attention briefly. The pastry is presented though and Waverly's smile returns. "Well.. when I was your age stuff was climbing trees and helping around the home and cooking and watching over my younger brothers and sisters. But that's not the stuff you do, is it?" she asks. Holding up the pastry, she nods. "Thank you."

Faelan licks her fingers after passing off the pastry. "Climbing trees is fun when there are any. Here there's just rocks to climb, but that's fun too."

Geraine watches after Sh'ang, her jaw tightening a bit as she does. Clearing her throat, she turns away and stares hard at the glass of wine before her, twisting the stem back and forth as she does.

Kiora fixes Geraine with another reassuring smile, sneaking a roll from whatever plate is nearest and offering it to the other weyrwoman. "Rolls always make me feel better."

"Never mind," says R'hyn, consoling, a little belated -- he seems to be following the flight through Arisvath, who is apparently watching. "Hey--" he says, as Kiora grabs a leftover roll from his plate. His gaze follows her motion, and he breaks off, smiling almost shyly. "But I thought..." he frowns, considering Geraine in surprise.

Geraine smiles half-heartedly and says, "Thanks," quietly before twisting the proffered roll between her fingers. Her eyes flicker up toward R'hyn, a challenging look in them. "Everyone assumes."

"I'll getcha another one, if you want," Kiora offers R'hynwards. To Geraine, she notes, "You got lucky, at least, in one way. Inashanth's blue, after all."

R'hyn flushes scarlet, and ducks his head. "Sorry. I shouldn't listen to gossip." For what it's worth, he does sound properly contrite. "No, no, it's okay, Ki."

Geraine doesn't make any move to eat, lowering her eyes back down to the roll. "Gossip lives and breathes at a Weyr. Its natural to listen to it."

Kiora peers warily between the both of them -- she's missed something, apparently, though that's no surprise. "If nobody gossiped, there'd be nothing to talk about, really. Or at least a lot less."

"Yes, but..." begins R'hyn, hastily lifting his head to make another quick glance towards Geraine. "Your personal life is your own. It's not my place to comment on it. So."

"Yes, it is my own. There's very little that I have that's truly private, however." But Geraine's only a little bitter.

R'hyn's head is ducked again. "Unfortunately, that's just one part of-- you know." He wrinkles his nose, and adds, "The flight's over. If you'll excuse me, I have some things to attend to." Terribly embarrassed.

Geraine's eyes unfocus as she makes a silent inquiry. At the news, her expression clearly falls and she runs a hand through her hair. And is now the focus of quite a few eyes in the caverns. Knowing this, she pushes to her feet, leaving Sh'ang's jacket behind. "If you'll excuse me," she says with a quiet dignity. Clutching her jacket to her chest, she heads away from the tables and out toward the bowl.

You head out the tunnel to the bowl.

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