Hatching Feast (open!)

[Omnia Munda]

The feast celebrating the hatching of Telgar's latest clutch carried on well into the night.

The living caverns had been well prepared during the hatching for the swell of visitors, weyrfolk and riders that would soon crowd in for the feast. Telgar's finest drapes and tapestries were hung, each work telling in imagery part of the Weyr's long history. Great hardwood tables had been lined up along the wall, boasting the best that summer bounty could offer - and if tithe was not so rich and foods given to the Weyr were not of such quality during the interval as they would be in Pass, never was it less apparent than at this particular event. Wine was offered alongside the ales, beers and ciders of which the region was so proud. Everywhere glows and lanterns glimmered, light playing from fire and phosphorescence gold and green upon the decorated walls and the faces of the feasters.

More tables, benches and chairs invited the Weyr's guests and residents alike to mingle, sit and dine. A posted harper and one who'd come for the hatching had just stopped their music to confer about a change of pace and a few of the weyr's staff were slowly clearing tables back from an area that would be offered for dancing.

Bets were being resolved and gamblers' debts paid at some tables while at others holders and riders argued about some of the hatching's most impressive moments: a Caminar on bronze, a new queen for Telgar.

Finally the weyrwoman and weyrleader made their appearance. Dressed for the occasion now rather than in the clothes that had seen the sweaty heat of the hatching grounds, they came in together, the young man's arm poised beneath the woman's lithe fingers. With his free hand J'fel raised a gesture toward the feasting tables and tilted his head toward Aderes to murmur, "Would you like to go first? I'll find us seats."

[Invisible]

She was going to murder him. Right where he stood. No matter his excuse. Genet had hurried off the sands glad to be released from their dry heat and made short work of her things in the barracks. The problem was…well, she had no where to put them. Tying the end of her bag off she carried it with her to the baths where a quick, if vicious for thoughts of her twin, scrubbing cleared away sand and sweat from her. She was still damp as she dug out the one nice dress she owned and struggled into it, giving it near tear inducing tugs over wet skin. Once it was in place she ran her fingers through her hair and made sure her pendant was in place. Then she looked at her bag again and sighed.

G’tet, I am so going to kill you. I don’t even have a place to put this. Frowning she slung it over her shoulder and headed for the living caverns. There she found a little spot in the corner that looked as if it would not be used and dropped it. Some people had arrived, but she didn’t really know any of them. Not enough to start with them in the search for her brother. It was more daunting knowing she might have to sort out her own bed tonight. She’d been promised by her brother a place in his weyr for the night if she did not impress. They would stay up playing games and finally getting a chance to really spend time together now that candidate chores were over. Instead she wasn’t sure what to even do.

As more people arrived she did more lingering in the background. She tried to remember the names of her brother’s wingmates but drew a blank. She’d never even known his wingleader’s name. When the smell of food got to be too much she gathered a plate and a cup of wine to settle at a table. There was nothing to do but wait. Something was wrong. It had to be wrong because G’tet wasn’t there. If she couldn’t ask his wingleader she’d just ask the man who had better know. And so while she waited impatiently for the Weyrleader she listened to the music and ate very good food. Maybe when the dancing started someone would ask her. If not she’d just have to ask someone instead. Genet wasn’t so shy she would miss out on dancing just because the men here might be too stupid to ask her.

[dragon]

J'rad

J'rad took a look around the room, his face near emotionless at this moment. He kept thinking to himself what a fuss it all was and how crowded the room seemed and so far a good portion of people had yet to come in. J'rad was beginning to wonder just how he got tricked into coming here.

Yes. Just how did you get pulled into going to such an event. It's unlike you to purposely appear in such a populated and...cheery place. Who twisted your arm this time? J'rad's now emotionless face began to show how annoyed he was now becoming. I believe the one who "twisted my arm" was you Arcaith. I don't know how you convinced me to go, but here I am. With any luck you won't pester me over such things for awhile, as you claimed. Yes, yes. I promise I won't pester you to go to such events for awhile. But there was a hatching after all, which I can't believe you didn't attend. Your duties may soon require you interact with these new dragonriders and I believe it was you who agreed it may be worth it to check up on them.

J'rad couldn't help but agree with the bronze on that point. He wasn't known to be a social person, considered something of a wild card, but he was tolerable when it came to his duties as a dragonrider. J'rad took a seat away from the others, propping an arm up on the table and resting his cheek on it, watching the ongoings as he let out one audible, annoyed sigh.

[Tabula Rasa]

Elegant in a long gown of light gold and a translucent wrap of a complimentary hue, Aderes stepped into the room alongside her weyrleader, one hand resting lighting on his arm. They paused briefly at the entrance so they might notice and be noticed in turn. For J'fel's soft words she offered him a small smile and a nod. "That would be lovely." The young weyrleader made his way towards the tables and his lady drifted, instead towards the sumptuous feast.

She didn't put much on her plate; just some tubers, some vegetables and a single slice of wherry. She made her way towards the sitting area with smiles and nods for those who wished to offer congratulations of Pelegaoth's fine clutch. Aderes paused, however, near a solitary bronzerider who looked more like he was attending a funeral than a hatching feast. "How now, J'rad?" she offered with a warm smile. "That's no face to wear during a celebration. What's the matter?"

[dragon]

J'rad would have been annoyed and noted how irritating it was that not only did he have to attend this celebration but now he'd be pestered by others. However he'd caught himself all too quickly before he made such a blunder, realizing almost immediately from the voice that it was the weyrwoman. J'rad sat up straight and his expression changed slightly to a better one, better for J'rad being a more emotionless or serious expression. "I assure you weyrwoman Aderes, I wouldn't be here if I knew another solution for shutting Arcaith's persistance that I attend these more...social events", J'rad's tone, as much as he tried to remain straight faced, had a hint of sharpness behind his words. It wasn't likely directed at the weyrwoman as it was more likely directed at his dragon. "Change of subject, if you don't mind. How did the hatching turn out? Anything impressive or worth noting turn about?", J'rad spoke, changing the tone of conversation to something he would actually be comfortable talking about, which was usually weyr business. He figured such bits of information may help his main reason for being convinced to come here. Arcaith knew how to play around J'rad at times, and this time it actually worked. If Arcaith could smirk, now was probably a time he would.

Business as usual? Must you always be such a bore? You would lock yourself in your weyr if you knew you could survive in such a way and probably enjoy yourself. Your such a weird one, J'rad! J'rad simply gave an irritated look, too bad he couldn't aim it at Arcaith. Go entertain yourself Arcaith. I've not the patience to deal with you at this moment. You want me to go to these things and socialize a bit? Well I'm here and I'm talking to the weyrwoman. You got your wish, so buzz off. The dragon gave an audible snort, though not likely heard since the dragon was lounging in their weyr. Always so rude. Fine, have it your way. I did get what I asked for. I suppose I can't ask for more or hope it be the way I pictured it.

J'rad gave a mental sigh of relief. Sometimes Arcaith just wouldn't quit pestering him. But today it seemed both sides were achieving their own victories. J'rad once again turned his focus on the weyrwoman, though his gaze had never really left her.

[Xinnai]

Salina stepped into the festivities glancing around, looking for anyone she knew she could talk with as they ate. She was looking particularly for Ez, but it appeared he hadn't come up yet. She laughed a bit, imagining him fussing and preening for such an occassion. That would be so like him.

She brushed at golden hair, still slightly damp, tucking it behind her ear as she moved farther into the room, gleaming freshly from the bath she'd had to remove the traces the Hatching and feeding Deoneth had left upon her. She smiled tenderly at the thought of her little gold, whom she'd made sure was sleeping before she'd left. Deo was utterly tired out from the events of the day and what seemed like the absolute pounds of food she'd consumed. She'd rushed to bathe after she'd fed Deoneth, changing into the bright peacock blue dress she'd bought at the last gather, thank Faranth for it. She felt slightly conspicuous, a little bit ostentatious in it, but it'd been begging to be bought and she'd had the marks for it.

She moved towards the food, suddenly ravenous after the long day. She'd forgotten about it all during work and then the Hatching...Her head spun dizzily now from the lack of food and she quickly got together a plate with tubers, vegetables, wherry and fruit. She grabbed a cup of klah and quickly slid into a seat. She glanced around once more. Just where was Ez? She'd thought for sure he'd be here by now...Sunny head shook slightly before she was forking up her dinner and began to eat, nearly as hungry as Deo had been earlier.

She smiled at the thought of her little gold once more, still feeling the buzz of excitement as she remembered just how very fortunate she was. Eyes went slightly hazy as she checked briefly that the little queen was indeed asleep. She didn't want to be gone from Deo any more than was absolutely neccessary. Just thinking of the creature made her turn to absolute mush. Ez had been right, after all. She had gotten her queen. And he'd gotten a blue! That was just fantastic. She sliced up a piece of wherry and ate it consideringly, leaning back, leg crossing over the other as her foot kicked at her skirt idly. Well, it had been such a fabulous and absolutely tiring day. But she felt ready to celebrate, felt that energy surrounding her, a slight substitute to her absent best friend. She picked at klah and took a small sip, needing the slight pick-me-up it provided. She was fully intending to celebrate tonight-supposing that Deoneth slept soundly through it.

[neopanther]

Ez’ki was just about finished, he had taken some time over his appearance, naturally, he would not be seen dead wearing anything as drab as that candidate robe. It had taken a lot longer though, it seemed Xyruth was intent on playing with any and all of his clothing. A few terse words were shared, Xyruth sulked a little, but his attention span had his mind marauding off on various other devious misdoings, but Ez’ki was rather unfussy, even if it was the hatchling impervious desire to de-clothe his cot, and tangle him within the long sheets.

Hurry up....

Anyone would think you wanted rid of my Xyr. Ez'ki smirked as she continued.

He wore an elegant shirt, a dress shirt, left open to about the mid of his chest, within the collar of which was a deep navy blue colour. He paired with wait a pair of pants that were nicely fitted, tugging on his boots over the very top of them. He looked, pushed his hands through a few accoutrements, bangles, bracelets and such, on he stopped, and paused as he put it on slowly, and very last. A chipped blue enamel bracelet, scuffed and worn, but it made him smile nonetheless.

I’m bored

A belt of a perfect crimson adorned his waist, edged in silver, intricate pattern in a silken lighter thread perfect to highlight that femininely slender for he had, and figure too. He pushed a feew rings onto the odd finger, moved to his hair.

Come on![/i]

Various paraphernalia crept into those all too long red locks. Bands of silver, with delicate designs, that perfect silver designed feather from the Caminar a few turns previous woven in their too, silk a twilight blue, found its way into a braid of his.

I'll see you later then little one.
Xyruth was taken from his mind by the time his bonded was ready, Little one? Prugh![/color] The dragon exclaimed in distaste, and then continued to his point You realise that in the time you have taken to get ready I’ve managed to do a great number of things.
Like what Xyruth-love?

Ez'ki made his way to the enormous room that was to hold the feast as the blue listed his adventures within Ez’ki’s cot.

The feast was indeed grand! People, noise thrummed through the room. He could see him loosing the little dragon in this mess, if the dragon had come, perhaps it was a milcly appropriate concept in that case.

and then I pulled the white thing from my wings and claimed my victory!
Well done. But Xyruth? try and behave whilst I'm gone?
I done well.He paused as he gloated, his eyes opened wide, disliking the idea, lots, but mine!
No buts, Xyruth, I don't want to pay for anything you've broken in my absense..[/i] Ez’ki replied to his bonded, his seriousness completely displayed.

He skimmed over the crowd with his eyes, several of the impressed, and the un-impressed were already there before him. The Weyrwoman, and Leader respectively, were duly there.
“Saaaassiiiieee” He called as he caught sight of a certain new junior weyrwoman of Telgar.

[Tabula Rasa]

The weyrwoman canted her head just slightly to the side, her pale brows twitching upwards at J'rad's reply. Her expression, if placid and calm, did not seem especially pleased by the bronzerider's words. "I do apologize," she offered with another hint of a smile, "for the imposition of a celebration. Pelegaoth and her clutch extend their apologies for so inconveniently hatching."

She shifted her plate carefully from one hand to the other, the first palm red with the heat radiating down from the food and the pottery it rested atop. "I must confess to being a bit biased, bronzerider. I'm afraid I found the whole of it rather noteworthy. Perhaps it was simply personal attachment." Aderes dropped her gaze and affected a demure mien before peeking up again beneath her lashes. "I'm sorry for whatever pressing duty kept you from attending and observing for yourself."

[Invisible]

The food was good and Genet was just finishing up a second plate when she spied the Weyrleader. Even after drinking her own weight, or so it seemed, in juice she was still thirsty. She had just gotten a second cup of wine and was sipping it slowly. Not used to drinking alcohol the last thing she wanted to do was make a fool of herself. Unintentionally anyway as she was quite used to making a fool of herself because it beat being bored.

Should she go talk to him now? No, that would be rude. She should let him sit down. She should let him eat. G’tet would never forgive her if she embarrassed him in front of the Weyrleader by being rude. Genet sighed heavily and watched more people arrive. None of them were the person she was looking for so she dismissed them. Finding the Weyrleader again she let out another sigh. He needed to sit down already then for she was resolved not to pounce upon him until he had done so. But as soon as his butt hit a seat she would be demanding, well, maybe not demanding, to be told where her brother was.

It probably had something to do with that secret he’d told her about. Some special mission no one was supposed to talk about. But telling his twin surely had not counted as talking about. Not that Genet would mention knowing about it because she didn’t want to get her brother in trouble. Not when he was already in trouble with her. While she waited she noticed the drain on her wine and frowned. Had she really finished it all already?

[Omnia Munda]

Normally, when a man watches a woman closely and adoringly, it is said that he has eyes only for the object of his interest. So it might be said that J'fel had eyes only for Aderes, but to have said such a thing would have been slightly less than truth.

J'fel had eyes for Aderes, certainly. He watched her closely and adoringly as he moved between the tables, absently accepting and returning greetings and salutations from his wingriders as he passed them by. Ostensibly he was looking for a good place to seat himself and reserve a seat for the senior weyrwoman, too, but his attention was quite divided: like an apparition she moved, like some gracious spirit, pausing now to grace J'rad with her lovely presence.

But the young weyrleader was aware peripherally of the murmur that stirred through the feasters when their newest weyrwoman at last appeared, and it was partly because of Salina that it could not be truthfully said that J'fel had eyes only for Aderes. He watched Deoneth's rider make her plate; he watched her choose her seat, too.

She'll be taking the congratulations of the whole Weyr if she's wise - and you'll be her weyrleader, not her suitor, if you are, warned Jordeth, making J'fel grin widely. He wished for a drink, but turned his grin instead toward a pair of his wingriders just seating themselves for a second course of supper at a table and arranged with a few words of hello-and-congratulations to seat himself and, presumably, his weyrwoman with them.

Finally the weyrleader took his seat, gesturing with large motions as conversation about the hatching struck up between himself and his friends - they were miming Guiyath's impression, it seemed, the taller of the riders miming himself as the tiny Th'dis to great comic effect. Still, J'fel kept a corner of his attention upon the vision that was Aderes elsewhere in the cavern; still, he kept a corner of his mind devoted to Salina, too. It was probably because of these women, these things that kept his attention, that he had no idea that he was being watched in turn.

[Invisible]

As best she could Genet tried not to fidget while she waited. It was impossible of course, but she didn’t want to seem overeager. Or like she was seeking the Weyrleader out for some reason other than what she was. As one foot tapped impatiently she kept an eye on what J’fel did. Looked at women, how typical. Still, he was now doing it while seated so here was her chance. Before he was attacked on all sides by well wishers and fawning women. Ugh. Some women had no self-respect.

Rising to her feet Genet left her plate and her cup. The latter if only to make sure she didn’t drink more wine. After she was done talking she would get more juice. She was still incredibly thirsty. Well, hadn’t she been doing the talking for everyone? Making her way through the crowd she narrowly avoided having her toes stepped on and sent a scathing glare at the already inebriated rider who had nearly run into her. Some people…

In her mind she rehearsed what to say, going over it again and again and again until she was sure that once she spoke she would do fine. Unfortunately when she reached the Weyrleader’s table and was standing by his chair she folded her arms over her chest and cleared her throat. Oops, the little part of her brain devoted to self-preservation got out before Genet spoke. “Excuse me, Weyrleader? What did you do to my brother?” One foot tapped on the floor like she was scolding an errant child. In the back of her mind she winced and thought G’tet is going to kill me. If someone else doesn’t first.

[Omnia Munda]

In J'fel's mind, Aderes seemed to be surrounded by a cloud of light. That their weyrleader was somewhat smitten with the older woman was not news to these wingriders who were among the young man's favorites, however, and their mimicry was turned from Guiyath's impression to sappy, lovelorn faces designed to make the weyrleader sputter. To this end, J'fel's friends were nearly successful.

But he was interrupted in what he'd been about to say to them - something laughing and harsh and proud despite his embarrassment - by the sound of a voice beside him, and J'fel waved a hand in flippant dismissal at his buddies so he could attend properly - after getting his face straightened out - to the question he'd been asked.

'Attending properly' amounted first to providing an echo. "Your brother?"

J'fel worked the grin off of his lips. Obviously the chestnut-haired young woman was upset, or at the very least frustrated. Slowly the weyrleader's expression wound its way from jovial and celebratory to respectfully thoughtful, but still he couldn't quite place the girl's name. A candidate, he thought impulsively, and licked his lips. Gentle. Genny. Gentet.

"G'tet." The greenrider's name fairly shot out of J'fel's mouth; his brows shot high in punctuation. "What did I do to him? I haven't done anything to him. Why do you ask?"

[Xinnai]

As Salina bent to her plate again, the blue feather tied within her hair danced just into the corner of her vision, making her smile as she ate a small piece of fruit, leaning back in her chair to study her fork as that blue feather danced, making her smile turn towards an emotion as yet un-named as she remembered the giver of her little tote and the memories that went along with it.

She was forking up another piece of meat when she heard a long call that made her smile vibrant as she looked up, eyes glowing with her delight. “Saaaassiiiieee.” Only one person would ever call her that and indeed, there he was, looking dashing with all his finery and accessories to go along with it. She grinned over at him, motioning for him to come over to see her. She really did not feel like battling her way through the sea of people to reach him, only to walk back.

To her side, just out of the corner of her sight, she thought she could just see Genet talking with someone. Her brother? Head turned in just slight curiousity and she saw just who the object of Genet's apparent frustration was with. It was impossible not to recognize their Weyleader and Salina sent her attention snapping back to Ez'ki, stubbornly not looking.

[Invisible]

“Yes, G’tet who else would I be-“ And that’s when Genet remembered she was not at home. She at least had the grace to blush at her assumption her and her brother would be known to all. Not that the blush stopped her from speaking. It was all well and good to occasionally be embarrassed, but one must never let it interfere in the task at hand. Clearing her throat she managed the least apologetic smile, more smile than apology truth be told, before continuing.

“Well, someone had to have done something to him,” she points out as she eyes the Weyrleader steadily. He may be handsome and charming and she certainly was aware of this fact, but that did not change her mission. Nor would it get him away from answering her demands…questions. They were questions. One didn’t demand of the Weyrleader especially when they have not even the lowest place of their own. Although, I guess failed candidate is pretty low she thought with an almost chuckle. Clearing her throat she continued to tap her foot on the ground. “He’s not here. He wasn’t at the hatching and he promised he would be and why wouldn’t he be? And there’s only one person who could keep him away.”

That would be you she thought. It was so very hard to keep quiet about what little she knew. G’tet did not share the details of his mission, having at least that much sense, but she did know about it. Genet did her best to keep that knowledge from showing on her face. Unfortunately it didn’t quite work and there might have been something about a bit of smugness in her hazel eyes that could give J’fel reason to wonder if she knew something. Unaware of her own betrayal the former candidate said, “And it was very cruel. He was the only family I had and now- Well, it was very not nice.” If her tone slipped a little into childish perhaps it would be dismissed as emotional drainage from being left on the sands. At least she did not stick out her tongue like she wanted to.

[Omnia Munda]

Genet's smile didn't do anything unpleasant for her face and, embarrassed and apologetic as she might or might not be, J'fel smiled back, the loft of his brows seeming less arch and more intrigued from a change of expression reflected in blue eyes below.

"I apologize," said J'fel despite that expression, and due to that enrichment and lowering of his voice he was wont to do when he wished to seem serious, the young man sounded a little like he meant it.

He lifted a hand into the back of the chair beside him and nudged it back from the table; a quiet 'pardon me' to his wingriders excused him mostly from their conversation and left him free to turn his own chair toward the one he'd just moved. There: a space in which weyrleader and candidate might confer.

It was space, too, in which part of his mind could whirl away at variations on names that started with 'G' and ended with 't.'

"I certainly didn't mean to be cruel," he murmured, urging her to accept the seat with a gesture. "What he's doing is important to everyone."

Get, Ges, Gel, Gem - J'fel's smile abruptly became a sharp grin. "Nevertheless, I'm so sorry that he didn't get to see you stand, Genet." Perfect. He tilted his chin down and his gaze up, lashes long and eyes endless, all the handsome charm she was wary of. "How can I make it up to you?"

His wingriders were studiously not watching to see if Genet would take the chair. Yes.