December 18, 2001

Weyrling Training Area

Devoid of light and sunk deep in shadows, an immense natural arch marks the entrance to the weyrling barracks. The bowl floor has been worn smoothly level from innumerable Turns and dragons' passages. A pile of wherhide strips stands under a rocky outcropping; further down the wall lies the flamer station, all throwers' nozzles clamped tightly shut. Firestone sacks, both tautly full and limply empty, lean against the wall next to the entryway, some distance from the ashpit and its greyly revolting contents. Beside the ashpit hunkers a veritable hill of firestone, its color ranging the gamut of shades from darkest black to a weak, whitened grey. Ancient lava flows have created several natural bubbles in the stone, one or two possibly large enough to contain a person or even more -- if a way could be found to enter a 'bubble'.

The brilliant colours of the gold, red and orange leaves burst forth from every tree and the sweet smell of late harvest hangs in the air as autumn in all its glory comes to Fort.

You see Pwylth, Dorvath, Amnerith, Sullaketh, King, and Riaeth here.

M'lan, S'lan, N'cion, V'len, and Th'nial are here.

Obvious exits:

Central Bowl Weyrling Barracks Feeding Grounds Northeastern Curve

Taire

Shadow swathed is she, this svelte girl is but a wraith in form with her sinewy build and dusky features. With weyrlinghood comes sacrifice, thus her beaded braids are no more. Instead, straight locks of russet-stoked seal are shorn fairly close in a pixie's fey ruff, lacking but a single curl yet rich with silken shine. Autumn's fallen beauty: sundered golds, jaded greens, and lost browns collect to pool in the irises of her feline-lilted eyes, rimmed with dark lashes and set well above dimpled cheeks. Figure is drawn with a height not many young women can boast of as the burgeoning curves of adolescence are becoming rather pronounced. Yet, she is a daring sylph by all accounts with muscles borne of an active life and a silent grace not yet tamed.

Adorning her left ear is a single earring of copper, a hoop of such indolent pride that the girl wears it with equal brashness.

A simple knot of black and brown braided with a single strand of brindled green is fastened to Taire's shoulder, designating her status as a Weyrling at Fort Weyr.

Wherhide jacket is rather simple, all told: cut trim at the waist and padded comfortably with fleece that shows true at her lapels. A fine white lawn drapes loosely from her shoulders only to be sinched close to her waist. Neckline plunges low, only to deny any peeping view with a loosely criss-crossed shoestring lace as sleeves extend down to just beyond her wrists with liquid ruffles. Simple, all told... 'til you looks down at her legs. Its as if she was poured into them, sliding close to her form to leave not much to the imagination. Iridescent periwinkle, sun-stoked lime, haughty pumpkin, glossing to a depthless burgandy. Pants are created of a patchwork of skins, showing the beauty that exists in kaleidoscope of tunnelsnake skins. Rei perches on Taire's shoulder.

Taire looks to be in her late teens.

She is awake and looks alert.

Drustanth exits the looming shadows of the barracks.

C'ra slips off Drustanth's back with a sigh.

Gwaedoliaeth exits the looming shadows of the barracks.

Isryn exits the looming shadows of the barracks.

Keryna goes home.

And so it is that the time has come. It looks pretty prosaic, so far, but then M'lan was always more fond of tradition than lots of bright pretties. he's standing with S'lan in front of the weyrlings, and asks S'lan, "All right, S'lan. Shall we do a final inspection?" In spite of the crowd, the man's not paying them any attention. No, his gaze is upon the weyrlings as they begin to file into place, his low baritone conveying slight amusement.

S'lan smiles and nods to M'lan even as his eyes roam over the weyrlings.

L'lia exits the looming shadows of the barracks.

Th'nial files into place along with his fellow weyrlings, but it's V'len that he stares at with a stupified look. What's that get up? Cocking his head, he shrugs. Seems things change a lot in two years. "Like the feather," he tells the bronzerider casually before stepping up to stand beside Riaeth, ready for inspection. And if his leathers are too tight, blame C'ra.

Meelay appears from **BETWEEN**

Taire patters out of the barracks, somewhat trailing after the others. She isn't paying any bit of attention at all to where she is going, far to busy tucking things in here and pushing stuff down there. You know, the typical trials and tribulations of new leathers... the pretty kind too. Fingers clutch onto the wait of her pants to tug them up hard, nearly tripping into Th'nial as she does so. "Watch where you stand," she mutters accusingly as she slides into line, fairly done with her fidgeting.

C'ra actully turns and takes an appriciative look at Th'nial's leathers, then blinks once she realizes what she is doing with a bright red blush. Putting a hand to her mouth, and clearing her throat, C'ra turns to the other side, and offers a sideways grin, before looking forward, and waggling her fingers at Yevgeth. Yevgeth, she likes... M'lan, she's trying to pretend really isn't there. S'lan's not so bad... Clearnign her throat again, C'ra adjusts her jacket, and half lounches against Drustanth, almost looking sly.

N'cion sneaks out of the barracks. Oy. He couldn't dissuade Amnerith from having him wear his new leathers. Not off to a good start, here. They're too tight. They feel that way, at least. Though other people say that's the way they're supposed to fit. Ahem. Just...meander on to the back of the crowd with Amnerith.

V'len is here, oh yes. After all, these weyrlings are no doubt here to pay homage to him and his glorious lifemate. He's looking dapper... well, he's convinced of it anyway, and he stands with studied casualness by the other importants of the weyr. A smart nod is offered Th'nial, feather bobbing. The feather is his very own touch, after all.

L'lia walks in from the bowl, quickly walking up to the other weyrling masters, standing and looking over the weyrlings. Looking at the leathers that are quite lovely. "Much nicer then my first pair." She looks over to V'len clutchmate and smirks a bit. Same as always. If only he had impressed a green.

Isryn's spine is ramrod straight, although not with the intention of standing at attention. She glances once or twice towards her fellows, but the smile - if that's what it is - makes a very swift departure. Fingers betray a brief, uncomfortable twitch at the buttons - new outfits are an unknown quantity for her - before she lets it be, eyes forward and twitching settled by a firm bump of her heels.

M'lan can't help it: he really can't. Looking over the weyrlings, he murmurs, "Nice leathers, C'ra. Isryn..." He pauses, and smirks at N'cion, "Good leathers there. I bet N'i likes them." He continues to walk along the way, his footsteps quiet as he makes this comment or that, before returning to the front of the line again.

Th'nial oofs slightly as Taire plows into him. Turning his head, he hisses, "Bah, you should watch where you wal-" He stops midsentence and lets out a wolf whistle. "/Niiice/ leathers." And there's that old Nial leer to go along with the words. And just to make Menace feel better, he whistles at him too. Perhaps N'i's a bad influence. Winking at C'ra, he poses slightly before turning his attention back towards M'lan.

C'ra is nudged slightly by Drustanth, and manages a bright smile back to M'lan. Tugging at her jacket again, C'ran nods. "They work well," she murmurs, flashing another smile to Isryn. "Hey, girl. Loosen up, else I"ll be forced to drastic measures," comes the comment with a wink. C'ra's just trying to be her usual nice self, right...?

Taire briefly considers handing Nial a black eye to go with the one she gave him before. Fingers twitch as if they would just love to ball up into a fist, but seeing as she is being ogled at now by this person and that... and about to be graduated, she manages to hold herself in check. But that glance she levels at Nial promises things to occur later. With a sniff, she turns back about, looking a touch bored.

S'lan follows along after M'lan and also makes a few comments on the leathers, and returns with M'lan to the front.

V'len is eyeing the leathers, too. Hmmm. Apparently, this crowd isn't into the rural woodsman look made so popular down at Xanadu. "I have nice leathers, too. Just, well, didn't feel like wearing them. White, with bronze trim." Elvis of the weyr, yup. "But you all look quite nice. Zotzy even." Brow is raised in Taire's direction, and a smile is flashed to C'ra. It'd be mighty nice if he got shown some appreciation for all that time suffering on the sands... especially now that they're graduating, right?

N'cion twitches silently, not deigning to reply. Silent, imperial dignity. Right. Why are they being paraded out like this, again? Lambs to the slaughter, that's what. His leathers /are/ sort of foresty. But he doesn't look like a woodsman. And neither does V'len. Twitch. Twitch. Nervous? Of course not. Really. Twitch.

Chuckling softly, M'lan looks them over, "Those involved here are going to be entering a new stage in their lives. Not merely weyrlings, you will be riders at the weyr-- full members who will have responsibilities, and privelidges commensurate with those responsibilities. You will also be asked to join the Wings, as the Wingleaders and Wingseconds decide who should go where."

Th'nial is all atingle at that silent promise... Taire mad means he can probably sneak another kiss. He'll just have to make sure N'i's not around this time. Black on black clings easily to his wirey form, more muscular than it was two turns ago. As M'lan starts his speech, he straightens his shoulders and stands proud and tall, Riaeth rumbling her approval next to him. This is what it's all been building up to, all the work and sacrifice.

Isryn's eyes dart swiftly at C'ra, narrowing. "Drastic measures?" she echoes, the question laced with a note of suspicion. M'lan gets the intensity of her gave then as she tries to stand straight ... and twitches. And fidgets. And tries to go still as stone whenever someone looks her way, but not moving has never been her forte.

L'lia looks over the hide bound weyrlings, "For once I'd like to see the baggy look?" Baggy clothes do keep in heat better... But is she one to talk? No. She has the tight leather motif as well. She now listens to M'lan, she must remeber everything...

Taire purses her lips, leveling a glaze to V'len. What's his problem? Dark eyebrows arch showily for a moment before just the faintest of tickles of a grin pull at but one corners of her lips in a deliberate softening. Chin lifts as M'lan speaks, hands dropping around to clasp loosely at the small of her back while listening to him. And then she realizes that Nial is standing a bit straighter as well. Bleh. That'll never do. And immediately shoulders slump, just to be contrary.

C'ra turns, grinning broadly at Drustanth at this proclomation. After all, that Blue is a flyer! He was MEANT to fly, and he -CAN-! No doubt everyone will be fighting over Drustanth. Looking up, just in time to catch V'len's smile, C'ra actually smiles back, wrinkling her nose with the broad grin, before tapping the side of her head. "Loose the hat, V'len. The rest isn't so bad," then she's leaning against Drustanth once more, glancing over the rest of Weyrlings graduation. C'ra laughs at Isryn and winks. "OH, tickle you, here and now... pillow fight when I find one... ducking you in the lake. Haven't decided it. Have -FUN-," she comments, turning her gaze to N'cion. Wagglinga finger, she takes him on, "And that means you, too. I wouldn't want to be forced to oh... say... do a repeat of the Th'nial incident with you, would I?"

V'len nods sagely, feather bobbing. "Priviledges. Yes. You earned them, so you should enjoy them, I say. I encourage that!" L'lia gets a little glance and then a broad smile. "You prefer the baggy look? Like.. this?" V'len nearly swirls, showing off his outfit, but whipping off the hat, hiding it behind his back at C'ra's suggestion. He'll lose whatever the womenfolk don't like. No problem there.

Amnerith is quite the contrast to N'cion. She's cool, calm, collected. Serene and tranquil. Insert poetic name of japanese water lillies painting here. N'cion twitches, glaring at C'ra. "You try, and I'll..I'll..I'll..." Pause. "You'd better not try pulling anything cute or funny. Or you'll regret it." Twitch. He casts a furtive glance towards Amnerith. Nope. She's not glowing yet. Phew.

A wry smile flickers over M'lan's features at C'ra's words: he shakes his head to himself, before chuckling, and turns back to both. His hands are outstretched, and he murmurs, "Now, you will be assigned your weyrs in the next sevenday or so. Expect them to need some work, though."

S'lan watches, listens and smiles as M'lan begins to speak in a mode that even he has always found it hard to stay awake in. He glances as all the weyrlings and wonders what is going through each of their minds. HE grins as a bunch of unspoken looks seem to pass about the group.

Th'nial cocks his eyebrow. Th'nial incident.. there's a Th'nial incident? The things he misses when he's not looking. "Weyrs" Nial mouths silently and grins at Riaeth, winking at his dragon as he carries on a silent conversation, looking over his shoulder once to peer at Taire and laugh softly before turning his attention back to the green and nodding. Cocking his head, he flushes slightly and peers towards M'lan and nods again.

Isryn turns a look on C'ra that can only be described as frosty. "I don't need to have fun," she mutters in a voice meant for the bluerider alone. "This is an important moment." Freeeee! Free at last! But though she may be thinking it, she won't say it. "Painting," she murmurs under her breath. "Lots of it ..." And ideas begin to glimmer briefly, plots and plans.

Taire begins to fidget. Standing and listening to M'lan speak about the glory of becoming a rider isn't exactly how she would prefer to be spending her day. But, this is graduation. Fingers pluck at the bottom of her riding jacket as she waits for him to get on with things. C'ra's words are afforded yet another of those eyebrow-arches as Nial is so deliberately ignored that its obvious.

C'ra shrugs off Isryn's icy tone, only to flash more of a smile. "You need any quilts, let me know. You know I'd love to help. And I'd offer to help paint, but it'd have to be when Drustanth is feeding. I don't -dare- let him loose with paint, just yet." Wrinlking her nose, C'ra winks again, obviously the woman didn't notice the frosty look or the tone. Ahh... now Taire needs some comforting. Glancing back to the front, C'ra offers Taire a wave, a smile, and a wink, before pretending to listen. Where is that sharding pea-shooter when you need it?

L'lia holds back the laugh she has been mustering, the five-o-clock shadow is what through it over for her. "Oh it is lovely. Maybe I should go for something similar?" Said to V'len regarding his outfit. "I'm sure it would make you mother proud." Or maybe not? Hmm. Turning back to the weyrlings she continues to listen.

Of course, M'lan would rather be elsewhere, too. But traditions have to be upheld, after all. He nods at each, and asks, "All right, I want each of you to be sure to be careful-- more accidents happen after this point than at any other time. Who here has looked over the weyrs around the bowl?"

Th'nial has and therefore raises his hand. Hey, he can play the ignore game to, and studiously ignores Taire as he tries to impress M'lan with his diligence.

Fun is something that happens to other people. Rumors alone. Friend-of-a-friend-got-it type things. N'cion's never heard of the word before. Standing stiffly at attention, N'cion raises a hand silently.

Taire quirks a rather quizzical glance C'ra-wards at all of this attention. Ah, but that rather infectious grin of C'ra's seems to be catching upon this greenrider as she flashes a dimpled grin right on back. Weyrs? The girl perks at the mention of a place for her very on. She only has never had one, ever. Trust her, she has been looking. She begins to rock back and forth, back and forth, rolling from the balls of her feet to the heels and back again. And her grin is still ghosting at the edges.

Isryn is caught off-guard, staring at C'ra for a heartbeat before chin jerks up and her gaze continues to focus off in the distance. "Maybe." But ... the bluerider *winked* at her? What exactly is going on, here? It takes her a moment to hear M'lan, but her hands goes up with the others.

C'ra stretches casually, and just happens to leave her left arm in the air. "Oh, yes. Drustanth and I just LOVE flying, and had to check out the open weyrs. Need to find a proper launching point, after all." The right hand scratches at Drustanth's eyeridges. "Oh, yes, I did see that. Perhaps you -SHOULD- show her how well you fly. That will impress anyone!" she comments quietly, but more loudly than she intended, to her lifemate.

M'lan shakes his head to himself: he watches ISryn curiously, noticing her changed demeanor before smirking to himself. "All right, I want everyone to come over here. Isryn first, then C'ra, then Taire..." He lists off names. "S'lan will be presenting you with your new knots..."

Th'nial jostles everyone to line up right behind Taire... he likes the view from this angle. "Hey Taire," he comments almost casually, "Never noticed how pert your - oof." Riaeth nudges him, sending him bumping into the other greenrider. Straightening, he frowns at the adventerous green. "You did that on purpose," he accuses.

C'ra saunters forward, then pouts slightly as Th'nial is paying attention to Taire. Turning, C'ra nods emphatically at Drustanth. "I know, I know. Don't worry..." As she walks past to line up behind Isryn, the bluerider actually snakes her hand out to attempt to pinch Th'nial with an innocent whistle before smiling deviously at Isryn. "Those leathers really look good on you, Isryn. Want me to come by sometime and plait your hair? We could put in some beads to match the leathers, that really would be lovely, and it -was- so much fun durring candidacy."

Taire briefly unclasps her hands to reaches up to comb fingers roughshod through her hair, which only manages to ruffle it up beyond any sort of order. She glides into place behind C'ra, casting the bluerider a most pleased wink. And then Nial had to go and ruin her sweetly sublime good mood, but opening his big mouth. Head cocks back as she mutters over her shoulder to him, "And that's about the only view you'll get. So you better enjoy yourself while you can." As she comes back around, its really hard to miss that wolfish grin.

Isryn glances over at M'lan, gaze flickering more past and through him than regarding him before she moves on ... though there is definitely a note of, "what the shells are *you* looking at?" in her expression. She takes a deep breath, hands betraying another twitch of nerves as hastens to the fore of the group. She's got her back to C'ra, perhaps not entirely by coincidence. "I don't need beads," she says without looking back.

N'cion twitches again. "Well, I don't know, I think you would look nice with beads in your hair." he comments innocently. "Add a touch of...um. Beadiness to your outfit?" Twitch. Quick glance: Good. Amnerith still isn't proddy.

S'lan smiles as Isryn comes forward with the other weyrlings in tow. He reaches out and removes the knot from the shoulder and replaces it with a new one, one that designates her as a full rider of the weyr. "It has been a great pleasure.

M'lan watches each weyrling as they step up, and nods to S'lan as they each get their knots. He gestuers, and waits for S'lan to do as planned. The knots are thrown high in the air and with a *WHOOSH*, Pwylth suddenly exhales firestone. The weyrling knots are burnt to ash, and M'lan nods his head: so he likes a bit of drama now and again. As ash falls, M'lan says to the weyrlings, "Congratulations."

C'ra is nearly touching Isryn, but then, it could just be eagerness to graduation. Instead, she leans forward and to the side, even as S'lan is talking to Isryn, and looks at the greenrider curiously. "All right, no beads if you want, but come on, give me a smile, hmmm? We're friends, right?" Then, with the hint of a shrug, C'ra leans back, stretching again, to look over her shoulder and smile at Taire with a soft chuckle. "I doubt he's going to leave you alone... I think he's ... desperate," she murmurs conpiritarily to the former messanger.

Menace is making Nial's eyes ache with all that twitchiness. Turning from the other greenrider with a shrug, he gives Taire his own form of the wolfish grin, "Oh, I can live with that. After all, it's a very nice view." And the Taire can't punch him from this angle, either. All in all a good deal by his reckoning. As ash rains down on him, he forgets Taire and just enjoys the moment, whooping and hugging Riaeth's muzzle as she leans down to croon at her rider.

S'lan has disconnected.

Taire blinks as her knot is wisked off and burnt to a crisp? But she wanted to save it and... use the thread for something or another. Ah well. As the heat from the flame wafts over her. She smiles to C'ra as she speaks, and then the girl's jaw drops, obviously insulted. "What do you mean by desperate?" Oh! She shoots a glance at Nial, casting quite the scathing glance up and down his form before her nose wrinkles. She might even stamp her foot at C'ra's comment, but instead pouts 'til Sukie nudges her with the dragon's muzzle. *huff*

Isryn jumps back at Pwylth's burst of flame, composure shattered at the unexpected move. This causes her, however, to bump against C'ra. "Faranth!" She pushes away with unwonted haste, arms tight around herself. "We're friends, right ..." she confirms in an undertone. "And graduated!" This last is a whisper, covertly touched with wonder.

N'cion jumps a few inches into the air at the whoosh. Slightly on edge. Who, him? Of course not. Merely..um...gaining altitude to check for any dangerous fires. Right. "Graduated." Menace mutters with an undertone of disgust. Freedom for N'i to chase him. Oy. He glances at Isryn. Looks like he isn't the only twitchy one.

M'lan set your short title to 'Dragonrider'.

You paged Aryion with: From afar, Taire grins. Isryn is proddy. And when Drus is around proddy dragons, he gets 'proddy' too :)

Aryion pages, "really? Thats great.. hehehe.."

>> (Fort Weyr) Riaeth slips in on a triumphant breeze, her bugle echoing through the weyr. <<We are done! We a full riders and dragons, now!>> <<

>> (Fort Weyr) Drustanth thinks, << Drustanth rumbles like distant thunder, an echo of Riaeth's sentiments. <<Yes! Now we can -REALLY0 fly!>> >> <<

"All right, then. You're all free to go. I'll be taking care of certain things, there's a party in the caverns. Eat, drink, and be merry." M'lan adds, "I'll be in in a little bit."

Riaeth hikes off towards the center of the bowl.

>> (Fort Weyr) Amnerith filters bright sunlight through a canopy. << In title, at least. But what's in a title? >> A rider by any other name would still smell as gross? <<

Riaeth enters the Weyrling area, wary of ... things.

C'ra starts to reach out, a hint of concern on her face as Isryn bumps into her. But as the greenrider pushes herself away, C'ra blinks, and lets her arms drop to her sides. "Drustanth doesn't smell like firestone, or something, does he? You're jumpy. Wanna get some wine? That might calm you down a bit, Isryn. This isn't like you." For a moment, C'ra seems her old self, but then she hears Taire's comment and looks over her shoulder with a large blink. "Oooh! No, I didn't mean to insult you, Taire. It was meant to tease Th'nial... " A glance at Isryn, then a glance at Taire and Th'nial, and the blue rider ... actually looks ... torn between what to do!

Riaeth disappears into the expansive barracks.

M'lan goes home.

Th'nial looks stunned for a moment, then grins again and heads towards the living cavern for the celebration.

Th'nial hikes off towards the center of the bowl.

Taire clearly frowns at C'ra. She and funky Isryn can have each other. Desperate? Pah! "I'm cute. I'm a very nice catch. Guys /like/ me -not /desperate/ guys" She speaks this outloud more to convince herself, what with all of the failed propositions lately. *sniff* And so she stalks off to the caverns to drown her sorrows.

"Wine!" Isryn exclaims in a suddenly fervent voice, a grin finally making an appearance across her features, though a painfully brief one. "I'm fine," she continues in a testy voice. "Just fine. Wine," she repeats in a firm voice. Good idea, this.

You hike towards the center of the bowl.

You hike towards the Living Caverns.

You head into the living caverns.

Living Cavern (#400)

Flawlessly carved archways highlight the uniform walls that extend upwards into the cavern's near total darkness above. The night hearth abides beside the largest egress, while along the northern span a handcarved staircase ascends into the kitchens. To the east a dais supports the long Weyrleaders' table; smaller table-boards align the walls nearby. The heart of the room is distinguished by gray flagstone flooring, whose skillfully interlocking slabs have been worn level by the passage of countless bootheels through the ages.

You see Wing Assignment Board here.

Th'nial is here.

Obvious exits:

Bowl Lower Caverns Tunnel Kitchen Game Room

Sullaketh> N'cion snickers at Taire. "So you wish. All I've seen is your abysmal failures." Ouch. Cruel, no? With relief, he slips across the bowl towards the Living Caverns. Looking slightly mournful. It's times like these that he wishes he /did/ drink alchohol.

N'cion walks in.

Sullaketh> C'ra blinks and looks between Isryn and Taire, her mouth dropping open. OH no! What did she say now. Gulping and looking back at Drustanth, C'ra hesitates, then ums... "I'll see you there, then, Isryn," before trotting off after Taire. "Hey, Taire, wait! It was a misunderstanding!"

Sullaketh> C'ra hikes off towards the center of the bowl.

C'ra comes in from the bowl.

Sullaketh> Isryn hikes off towards the center of the bowl.

Keryna comes up from the outside tunnel.

C'ra comes running in, having left Drustanth to go off and try and impress the dragons. "Hey, Taire... wait! I mean it! I didn't ... well, I didn't mean what I said 'bout Th'nial... not applying to you. But I do want you to stop and talk to me. Come on... what'd I do!" C'ra's blue eyes are wide, and looking like she's about to burst into tears or something she's so upset. Eyes flash around the room, and she runs forward, grasping at some fruit. "Come on, I"ve been practicing my juggling, that's got to cheer you up, watch!"

Taire is just going to curl up into a little ball and die now. She did just catch N'cion's comments as well, just as she was leaving, and they didn't help matters any. *sniffle-sniffsniff* "Where is that fardling wine?" she practicly demands, stalking over to wherever it is placed to simply help herself. C'ra's calls are heard, and ignored. Be happy that she isn't going to take a swing.

Isryn comes in from the bowl.

Sullaketh> Drustanth looks around, watching his lifemate run after Sullaketh's rider, before looking over at the Green. <<She was just trying to make a joke...>> he rumbles, before looking at Gweadoliath. <<You look nice, is Isryn oiling you every day, or is that your natural tone?>> Okay... so hanging out with Yevgeth wasn't the best idea he's had.

Th'nial settles in admist the feast and listens to the music, enjoying the relief that comes with finally being a full-fledged rider. His fellow weyrlings are greeting easily as Nial makes himself at home and flirts outrageously with the female serving girls. Is Taire watching? He's heard about her little quest and is a bit affronted that she never thought to ask him. Raising one brow, he drawls, "Well Taire, didn't know you cared." As for C'ra's claim, he doesn't dispute it. Nial is desperate... and he's going to binge on everything!

Sullaketh> Sullaketh doesn't even deign to respond to Drustanth's commentary. Nope, she just turns her head to the side and finds the buzzing of vtols so much more interesting. The sisterhood shall remain united.

N'cion slinks in on the fringes of the crowd. "Watch out for flying fruit." He warns the room at large. "C'ra's going to juggle." Time to indulge in...prune juice. Who bets that he'll be the only sober rider an hour or two from now?

Sullaketh> Amnerith flicks her tail idly. << Now now. Calm down, dearies. It's perfectly all right. Make an effort to be more cheerful. It's healthy. This is a joyous occasion, remember? >> She directs a slightly disdainful look at Drustanth. Ugh. Pickup lines. And awful ones, to boot.

C'ra blinks at N'cion, and tosses one of the pieces of fruit at him. "I've been practicing! Honest!" Then she turns at Taire with a deep sigh, and walks towards the rider, holding out a piece of fruit. "Come on, eat up. What's bothering you so much? You know I"m not gonna laugh, no matter what it is. I didn't realize I could say anything that would upset you, Taire, honest."

Sullaketh> Gwaedoliaeth croons softly, the cool undertones in the sound turned to gentle ripples. <<Thank you ...>> And green casts an almost covert look back at herself before her head snakes around to the fore again. <<Both.>> Somehow, being mysterious doesn't work quite as well as it might.

Sullaketh> Riaeth exits the looming shadows of the barracks.

Sullaketh> Kourin disappears into the expansive barracks.

Keryna steps in quietly, doing her best to not be seen. She had stood at a far distance at the riders' graduation, curious more than anything. The small herder takes a seat in a far corner, her first voluntary venture out of her stables and room. She idly wonders where Fyn- F'ox is at but dismisses it rather quickly. Keryna smirks as the greenrider warns about flying fruit, a light smile dancing on her face. Quietly she takes a glass of wine and sits back, watching.

Sullaketh> Drustanth rumbles a chuckle. At least it was a response. Shrugging his haunches, Drusanth bobs his blue head at Amnerith. <<And of course, you got the heart of the matter right on the first guess. Do we really need to be in bad moods and rub off on our riders?>> Drustanth lounges slightly, <<They are still impressionable,>> he comments knowingly. And, with a large draconic grin, Drustanth looks back at Gwaedoliath, <<Well, she has taken very good care of you. You should be glad for it.>> Then, with a hint of playfulness, Drustanth addresses everyone else in general, <<Shall we let our riders be the only ones having fun, or shall we do something entertaining? I've been trying to stand on my forelegs, everyone could watch and laugh as I fall down... I don't mind.>>

"Juggling?" Isryn inquires in a dubious voice, cutting a path through the room to the wine and pouring herself a full glass with a shot look around her that just dares comment from any brave soul. It is a little-known truth that wine is also useful as a weapon, if need be. She takes a sip, and a positively blissful sigh sneaks out unawares. "Perfect."

Taire practically drops into her seat, huffing as she does so. With her inattention, whatever wine that she managed to get a hold of laps at the rim of her glass, dribbling over to stain her fingers. The girl's gaze locks onto Nial, but isn't really seeing him... and then C'ra continues on. The bluerider wants to know. Well, she'll find out. "I don't wanna be a virgin anymore. And nobody wants to help me with that. And then you said about being desperate, which obviously a person has to be to be interested in me. And I try and try and try and here I sit... a virgin. And Sukie is gonna go proddy at any time now," *glance to Isryn*, "and I really just wanna pound some sense into people." *sniff* Well, C'ra asked.

Sullaketh> Riaeth cocks her head as her rider might, having picked up that little tick of his. <<Is it hard, standing on your forelegs?>> She's the adventurous sort. <<Let me try to... you first, so I can see how it's done.>> And the smart sort. <<Then I'll try.>> But not too smart.

Sullaketh> Amnerith bobs her head graciously. << Precisely, my dear boy. Although some of our riders may be sourpusses-->> a prim undertone of censure, there <<--there's no reason for us not to treat this as a happy event. >> She directs another odd stare at Drustanth. << How...crass. Surely we can think of more cultured things to do. >>

N'cion ducks, letting it splatter against the wall behind him. "See what I mean? She hasn't even started to juggle and the fruit is flying. Flee in fright." He circles around the fringes of the group gathered there, sort of hiding. And calling out comments every now and then. He hides out near Isryn. She's safe. Not scary like C'ra. Or Taire. Riight. And she's far away from N'i.

Sullaketh> Gwaedoliaeth studies Drustanth half wary, half intent, before attention goes, perhaps too smoothly, to the smallest speckle of dirt on her claw. Tending to this, she remarks, <> If he disagrees with this, he gets marks off on the green's invisible list. Amnerith gets a narrow look. <<Such as?>>

Sullaketh> Sullaketh continues to find entertainment in the fluttery buzzing of a pair of vtols as they frollic about her muzzle. If a dragon could go cross-eyed... She airily adds in a comment here and there <>

Th'nial doesn't want to be pounded, but the other bit... "Really Taire, I would've helped you out with that little bit if you ever asked." But she didn't... which rubs Nial raw. Seems she asked everyone but him. Rising, he goes to stand behind the sulking rider and adds in a soft voice very close to her ear, "Who knows, you might even like it." Straightening, he dodges flying fruit and laughs, "How long have you been practicing, C'ra dear?"

Sullaketh> Drustanth chuckles and turn sto Amnerith, tilting his head to the side. <<We eat live herdbeasts and drip blood everywhere. And you're calling -that- crass?>> Then, attention is turned to Gwaedoliath, his eyes narrowing. <> Some greens are just odd, then he turns to Riaeth and Sullaketh, brushing his chin on the ground in a bow. <<First, I pull my tail up to my head like this, to get my body moving in the right direction,>> explains the blue as he demonstrates, then wings are beaten, to get some lift to his body, precarious as it is. Barely, he manages to get on his forelimbs, <<The tail is important for bal....>> THUD! Drustanth flapped his wings too hard, and tipped over, and is now laying on his back.

C'ra blinsk a few times at Taire, her cheeks starting to color. "Um, yes, well that problem... you know, I understand, Taire. And... I'm older than you, so I've really got no excuse I suppoes." Um... how does one handle this situation... obviously not by one's self. After all, Taire's a girl, and C'ra's a girl. That's -WRONG- right? Looking around, C'ra frowns at N'cion, then blinks, before smiling at Taire. "It's your choice... but I've got this idea... just... if you want, ignore Th'nial for a little bit." Turning around, C'ra winks over her shoulder. "Practicing -what-, Th'nial?" she asks a little TOOOOOOO sweetly, before stalking off after N'cion.

Isryn shoots a look right back at Taire. "What are you looking at me for?" she demands. "I can't help you with the virgin thing." One shoulder jerks up to form a small barrier between herself and approaching greenrider. "I won't be your shield, N'cion," she says flatly, sliding to one side. "Have at him, C'ra," she invites, sipping wine.

Keryna goes home.

Sullaketh> Amnerith is caught off-guard for a moment. << Ah, well, we could certainly... >> She flounders for a moment before recovering her composure. << Take a nice swim in the lake. Go for a sightseeing tour of the surrounding area. Discuss and exhort the virtues of weyrs in certain parts of the bowl. >> She shoots another dirty look at Drustanth. << Hardly. It's a necessary function of life. If we did not eat, we could not live. >> Can't dispute her logic. << How clumsy of you. Perhaps you ought to practice more. >> She suggests.

Sullaketh> Riaeth blinks slowly before a draconic grin spreads across her dainty features. <<Oooh, that looks like fun! Let me try, let me try!>> Graceful as always, she rises and emulates Drustanth's movements, but where he actually held the stance for a few seconds, she fails completely, and just as gracefully, lands upon her back, letting out a chortle. <<Oooh, lovely! What an adventure!>>

Taire continues to pout, bottom lip coming out which causes her dimples to deepen. "Guys simply must like me. Shardit! I'm cute!" She takes a long drink from her wine, it more than likely going straight to her head for all of the denial of such spirits for so long. Her lips twist to the side as Nial leans close. Instead, the girl simply must have answers, so she kicks one booted foot out to send a chair away from the table in a clear invitation for the fellow greenrider to take a seat and then asks him point-blank. "Are you desperate?" Notice the liquid puppy-canine look in her eyes.

Sullaketh> Gwaedoliaeth sniffs softly, a flash of ire surfacing for a minute. And Drustanth takes a dive in her estimation ... but his clumsy manueverings seem to hold uncommon interest, the green pondering something. <<The taste of live herdbeasts is a rare pleasure,>> she remarks in a glowing purr of liquid purples.

N'cion blanches. Oh shards. C'ra's heading his way. "Hey! I don't need you to be my barrier. This was just a...comfortable spot to stay." Sidestep again. "Errr.. Hi C'ra." Twitch. "Nice weather we've been having recently, isn't it." He clasps his hands behind his back.

Sullaketh> Sullaketh wuffles her nostrils, causing at least one of the vtols to disappear. Ohh, protein. As Dru contorts himself, she cants her head to the side to watch for entertainment value alone. << No self-respecting dragon should do such. You look silly >> And then he fell over << You're going to feel that in the morning >>

Sullaketh> Drustanth looks around, moving his neck, even while he stays on his back. <<Yes, but admit it... each one of you thought about laughing!>> Drustanth puffs up his chest at this. Really, he -has- been talking to Yevgeth... though, Yevgeth would never stand on his forelegs, nor lay on his back like this. <>

C'ra gives N'cion a toothy grin, and gives a shrug. "Not really. A bit cold 'cept by the lake... the steam off the lake is nice though... " C'ra wrinkles her nose, then steps closer to N'cion... before she reaches out, grabs hold of the poor twitching green rider, dipping him low, before smacking him with a big, long kiss. Just as she pulls away, C'ra whispers, "That's from Taire.. you should go return the favor..." Why! Her tone was even sultry!

Sullaketh> Amnerith whuffs. <> It looked interesting, though. She's going to drag N'cion out into the far reaches of the bowl and make him watch her practice until she gets it right.

Th'nial was going to answer, but then she told Taire to ignore him. Silly C'ra, "Practice giving people ill-advice, C'ra. Why should Taire ignore me if I can... help her?" Taking the invitation, and being rather smart for once, he shakes his head. "Look, if I was desperate Taire, I wouldn't be here with you, I'd be with one of the serving women. You know how they like to get their kicks with the freshly graduated weyrlings." In fact, Nial gestures towards one brownrider practically panting as he follows a comely girl lower into the caverns. "I'm not that bad.. I have standards." Really. Shocking, but true. "But you know," and Nial can't believe he's saying this, "Your virginity isn't something to be gotten rid of.. your first time should be something special, Taire. Something meaningful. Sex is empty without feelings."

"Sure ..." Isryn's lips twitch into a cool smirk as she drifts away from her clutchmates, wine-glass clasped in her hands in a possessive fashion. She nearly manages to drop it at C'ra's move. "Better her than me ..." This from the greenrider who might normally be sulking. Brows arch at Th'nial's words, her voice coming out in a low drawl, "I didn't know you were capable of such complete and utter hypocrisy, greenrider ..."

N'cion twitches again, pondering the advantages of backing up versus holding his ground. Pride demands that he stand his ground. "Yes. Yes, it is. Balm--mmprhph!!" He flails for a moment, trying to break free. Eeeekk!! Twitching violently as he jerks backwards with enough force to land flat on his bum, he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. "From..../TAIRE/..!!" Ick! Eww! Ack! He glares venemously at C'ra, shuddering. "I flatly will /not/."

C'ra looks around, and shrugs at N'cion. "What? She doesn't bite... and don't yell like that. It's rather rude, you know." C'ra sniffs at N'cion and turns halfway away from him. "You know, I used to think better of you. Now, I see you're as big an idiot as Th'nial, trying those stupid lines on Taire. At least -YOU-, I thought, would understand the predicament she is in, and would be ... kind enough to eleveate her worries for her. She -IS- your friend... right?"

Sullaketh> Gwaedoliaeth continues to inspect her paw, making quite sure that everything is in order ... ah. Yes. Quite well. A slow look up at Drustanth before she concedes, <<it was thought about, yes.>> Very soft, a hint of timidity lingers in her mindvoice. <<I've seen worse, Amnerith.>> And the bite is back.

Taire takes another sip of her glass, practically slurping at the contents as she peers at Nial from beyond the rim. Actually, some of what he is saying might even be effecting her. Maybe she is that desperate herself. "Well... sure. I mean, that'd be awfully nice. But... I dunno when Sukie is going up, and I'd really rather not happen then so...like... what am I supposed to do, Nial?" Her voice nearly trembles at the end. Good thing is is utterly and completely oblivious to what is going on over with N'cion at the moment, far to wrapped up in herself -like usual.

Sullaketh> Sullaketh curls her head to the side as she continues to peer oddly at Drus << Sure... >> If a dragon could roll her eyes, that's what she would be doing at this very moment.

Th'nial sprawls in the offered chair and raises a brow in Isryn's direction, "What do you mean hypocrisy?" Leaning back he crosses his arms, "I'm speaking from experience, my first time was fast and awkward in the loft of a holder's stable with his daughter. It was wonderful, but when it was over, it was empty." That and Nial knew little about technique back then. "It's much better if you actually care about the person first." Shaking his head, he commiserates with Taire, "I'm not sure, it's your call. But don't do anything you might regret out of desperation."

Sullaketh> Riaeth is still on her back, unsure of how to get up. But well, the view is so interesting from this angle. She's never seen the roof like this. Tucking her paws inwards, she studies her fellow dragons from her new point of view. <<You all look so tall when I'm like this.>>

Sullaketh> Drustanth is quite happy, and the emotion filters easily through his rumbling chuckle. <<Yes... but there seems more sky to fly in,>> he comments to Riaeth first. Ahh... being the center of attention of a group of soon to be, if not already, proddy greens!... Drustanth is in HEAVEN! <<Well, I just want to see people laughing here. Tension isn't good for the riders. They need to learn to have fun, too...>>

Isryn quirks an eyebrow. "It seems to mean that if you can generate those sort of feelings for everyone you've slept with, you must be badly devoted to half the world," she says to Th'nial, a trace of poisoned sweetness in a cool voice. "Either that, or you haven't learned to take your own advice." She sips the wine placidly, seeming serene in the midst of all this.

N'cion just glares up at C'ra, flat on his rear on the floor. Anger. Anger is good. Anger makes things easier. "/Me/? What makes you think I would know? Or have any sympathy? She's annoyed me relentlessly since we first met! Taken every opportunity she could get to humiliate or poke fun at me. And what makes you think I'd..I'd..." Shudder. "With /her/."

C'ra glares at N'cion, and swings her foot into his thigh as -ard- as she can. "Don't you -DARE- talk about my friends that way!" Then, she spins towards Th'nial, her blond hair bouncing with the force. Stomping loudly across the room, C'ra glares at the greenrider with her blue eyes, nearly burning red, until she is close enough to pull back her hand, make it a fist, and swing at Th'nial's face. "Shut up! Just shut up, will you? You're scaring her! Just because you don't understand what she's going through, doesn't mean I"m going to let you take advantage of her!" C'ra is yellinga t the top of her lungs, huffing now, with her anger. How -DARE- they do this to -HER- friend! How dare they!!!

Taire frowns, heavily, most of which is directed at Nial's direction. "And just how on farlding Pern am I supposed to find a person that I /care/ about before Sukie rises? Eh? Eh? Why do you think I've been asking all the guys that I know? And get turned down every single time!" Nope, we aren't quite so sulky any more. Oh no, now we are getting a mite ticked at the injustice in this world. Arms cross just under her chest once more as she just sits there and... sits. Off in the background, the buzzing of N'cion's voice continues to drone on and on. And then C'ra is swinging at various people. Oh. Oh! "C'ra!"

Th'nial peers crossly at Isryn, squaring his shoulders. "And what do you know of my past? Nothing... you're just making assumptions. All of the women I've been with, I've been fond of." Even Nial admits he never loved them, but he truly did like them. "I'm not some -" but Nial's words are cut off as C'ra's fist connects with his eye. Oy, another shiner from this. Taire's bad luck. Reeling, he rises, anger evident in his stance as well. "Now wait a minute! I'm not trying to take advantage of her! I'm trying to do the right thing here, and still I get pounded. You all are shardin' mad, all of you." Mad, he whirls and adds, "Oh sure, you ask everyone but me, don't you Taire? And after you know that I... I.. well... I like you." There, he's said it. "You tease and taunt, but anyone but me'll do, won't it. Well fine, I try to be noble and I get a black eye for it... isn't that the way of the world." Now it's Nial's turn to pout.

N'cion howls in pain. Sharding boots. "YEEEOOOOWWWWW!!!!" He grits his teeth, resisting the impulse to cradle his injured leg. That's going to be one /big/ bruise come tomorrow morning. Instead, he climbs to his feet, wincing at the sharp stabs of agony from his leg. "Come back here, you!" he growls, hobbling after C'ra with fire in his eyes. Time to administer suitable chastisement. (Insert ominous crash of thunder here).

Sullaketh> Suddenly, Drustanthe is spinning, getting up to his legs. A deep rumble sounds in his throat, and the blue wings and hop/flies towards teh Central Bowl.

Sullaketh> Drustanth hikes off towards the center of the bowl.

"Some? Some what?" Isryn demands, leaving her pedestal perch by the wine to stalk over towards Th'nial, though she stops pointedly on the other side of the table, eyes flashing, glass held like a weapon. The fact that another argument riots through the room has escaped her attention, as has Taire's interjections. She wants an answer. It may not even be about her, but she feels entitled to egocentricism.

Sullaketh> Riaeth rises quickly, if a bit less gracefully than normal and speeds towards the bowl, rumbling her dismay. <<Mine is hurt!>>

Sullaketh> Kourin exits the looming shadows of the barracks.

Sullaketh> Riaeth hikes off towards the center of the bowl.

Sullaketh> Gwaedoliaeth hikes off towards the center of the bowl.

Sullaketh> Amnerith hikes off towards the center of the bowl.

Taire is stumbling out of her chair at all of the kicking and punching going on. "Hey. Hey!" She is staring wide-eyed at Nial at the punch, and then at th words that follow, and she is simply flabbergasted. In a somewhat weak squeak, she manages beyond the cacophony, "You like me?" *blinkblink* And then she is wheeling on C'ra for wounding him, "What'd you go and do that for?!" Hand balls into a fist to aim in defense of Nial's honor, only thing is that hand is holding her glass of wine... and so a very liberal amount of burgandy wine is tossed in C'ra's direction.

Sullaketh> Outside the Living Caverns

Sullaketh> The jagged rock face continues in its endless quest around the great oval bowl. Lava-pocked and mineral-rich, the walls climb ever up in their attempt to touch the sky. The black maws of dragon weyrs dot the curved wall at odd intervals, where brilliant flashes of draconic color brighten the sober backdrop of granite and mica. Below stands the entrance into the living caverns, its archway honed to perfect symmetry and smoothness by ancient techniques long since lost.

Sullaketh> The brilliant colours of the gold, red and orange leaves burst forth from every tree and the sweet smell of late harvest hangs in the air as autumn in all its glory comes to Fort.

Sullaketh> You see Nidheith, Drustanth, Riaeth, Gwaedoliaeth, and Amnerith here.

Sullaketh> Obvious exits:

Sullaketh> Central Bowl Southwestern Curve Hatching Grounds Living Caverns Ground Weyr

C'ra stumbles backwards within reach of N'cion as not only do Th'nial's words shock her, but the liquid from Taire's glass lands mostly on her. Blinking, but not bothering to wipe the burgandy away, she stares at Taire. There isa pained expression on her face. "But... but... I thought he was just going to hurt you... use you and dump you... I just wanted...I mean..." C'ra whimpers and looks around, shaking her head as she puts her hands over her ears. "I was just protecting you...I thought you were my friend..." she whimpers.

Sullaketh> Gwaedoliaeth hardens for a moment, a narrow gaze cast towards Amnerith. <> And that, according to her tone, is that.

A green's rumble of dismay is heard outside in the bowl, Riaeth having long ago grown too large to follow her rider into the cavern. Still, her dismay echoes through the cavernous room. "I'm okay, Ria, really I am." Nial takes a deep breath and calms down. "It's no worse than before. Remember, when Taire hit me?" Turning to Isryn, he sighs, "I'm not just some boytoy that goes from woman to woman as a vtol would do a flower." Taire is given a blink of surprise and a flush, "Yes, ever since candidacy..." But he wants to change the conversation and quickly. "I don't use women, I never have." Or if he had hurt some, it was unknowingly. "I try not to hurt them, C'ra. And that's the last thing I want to do to Taire." Nial isn't the bad guy here... really he's not.

Sullaketh> Drustanth turns to the two greens talking about him, snarling. <> And back the blue's attention goes to the opening to the Living Caverns.

Sure he is! He's a meanyhead who needs to be spanked. Spank him, Taire, spank him!

Wait...he'd enjoy that too much.

N'cion isn't paying attention to the sudden revelation from Taire and Nial. He's busy limping up behind C'ra and grabbing her. "You're coming with me, missy." he growls, dragging her roughly off towards the nearest chair. "You do /not/ hit people. Over things like that. You do not hit people. Period. Or kick them." The guard speaking, here. "And it's time you learned the consequences of that." Limp. Wince.

Sullaketh> Riaeth is stationed as close to the door as she can get, wings flairing in dismay as she lets out a worried bugle. <<Mine is in trouble in there. Why won't he come out?>> Shaking her head, her tail lashes with dismay as she bugles once again.

Taire is getting stars in her eyes, and only for Th'nial. Ohhh, a boy actually likes her, and /admitted/ to it. This is a first. She examines his face most thoroughly before she comes to the realization of what she just did. Oh... She blinks from her wineglass back to C'ra, "But... but he said he liked me and I just, I just didn't think, C'ra." She bites at her bottom lip before reaching over to take up a rag and sort of offer it up to C'ra, hopefully. But she is being wisked away by N'cion. "Hey! Hey there! Unhand her, you beast!"

Isryn decides to use the rest of her wine for her throat, swallowing it with a backwards fling of the glass. "Buck up, C'ra," she addresses shortly. "There's no point in crying at the drop of a hat." She slides away, escaping chaos for a moment for another glass of wine. "Kiss him," she advises further, over her shoulder. "It distracts him."

Sullaketh> Amnerith loiters further out, watching the other dragons. << It's nothing major, Riaeth, darling. They're just having a bit of a scuffle. A little rough and tumble. There'll be some bruises in the morning, some ice needed, but everything will turn out for the best. >> Nice and cheerful. Congenial host.

Sullaketh> Gwaedoliaeth hates to agree with another living creature, but she certainly stands on Amnerith's side from her mannerisms, the way she curls up at a distance to watch. The only thing that appears to be missing is a dragon-sized tub of popcorn.

Sullaketh> Sullaketh follows in after the others, nearly growling << So help me if any of your riders dismay mine >> The wrath of Sukie shall be unleashed, and that simply would not be a pretty thing. But it is a wrath that is quickly quenched as she airily adds << This is all far to silly, if you ask me >>

C'ra offers a little yelp as N'cion starts to haul her off, but she is blinking at Taire, looking even -MORE- confused than ever. Taire just threw wine in her face, and is now offering a towel. This distracts the blue rider enough that she only wiggles slightly against N'cion. "You were being mean to my friend... I protect my friends..." she repeats, the phrase becoming a mantra to her.

>> (Fort Weyr) Drustanth is far from amused. <> he says with a deep certainty that threatens to shake the rocks from the mountains! <<

Sullaketh> Drustanth is ignoring the others. He wants to protect C'ra. He wants to comfort C'ra. He just wants to take her away from this mess. She doesn't need this. She needs to learn to relax, have fun... amoung other things... not this.

Sullaketh> Riaeth's tail still lashes... <> Cocking her head slightly, she blinks her third lid slowly. <<But it is fading...>> Settling down on her haunches, she peers quizzically towards the cavern. <<Lifemates are strange. Are they always this... volitile?>>

N'cion is armored in forewarning. The same tactic won't work again. Instead, he just shoots a dirty glare at Isryn. "You stay out of this." Drag. "Protect does not mean beat up other people." he growls. "Especially if they're not offering any sort of physical harm. You do not kick or punch people. For any sort of provocation. That's not protection. That was bullying."

>> (Fort Weyr) Nyrloth rumbles irritably, awoken from slumber by the ranting and raving going on. << Silence! >> comes the hollow bass command, and swirls of black ash spiral into whirlwinds, lashing out in anger. << Listen to your betters. >> Unspoken, but not unthought, is the word brats. Fort's resident tyrant is not amused. <<

If N'cion's look was dirty, Isryn's is positively rank. "Why, thank you, I think I will," she says, "and it seems we've all had enough of this for the evening." Dashing the wine glass on the floor, she grinds her heel on one of the remaining pieces and sweeps for the exit in a way not in the least bit dampened by the lack of a long, black cape or similar attire ... then pauses. "C'ra! Get your dragon *out* of my way!"

Th'nial settles back into the chair, watching Taire somewhat worriedly. Well this is a first, he proclaims his feelings and she goes chasing after another. Turning to Isryn, he sighs, "I suppose it's too late to salvage the evening, isn't it?" Studying the ruin of the table, where puddles of wine litter the top, he adds, "I do believe we owe all of this drama to your lifemate, my dear."

Taire blinks after N'cion and C'ra, blinking at the bluerider. "That really was nice of you, but you didn't have to do it. I can take care of myself." All of this comes out in a rather sing-song voice. And then she start to wonder just what N'cion said that she missed. The girl casts a glance back over her shoulder to Nial, fleetingly. And now Isryn is storming about?

C'ra blinks a few more times, now trying harder to get away from N'cion. "Leave me alone! I'm just going to leave!" C'ra shakes her head violently, "No, Drus, get away from the door." Blue eyes flash at Isryn, shattered reality there. She thought Isryn was a friend of hers... perhaps she really is all alone with Drustanth... though, he is all she needs. It was nice thinking she had friends to protect, though. One fist is swung half-heartedly at N'cion's arm. "Let me go you brute! I just want -OUT- of here!"

"Good." N'cion mutters, letting C'ra go. "No more hitting people, understand? Or else I finish." Whatever he was going to do, at least. "Yeesh." He slumps into a chair, refusing to cradle his injured leg. "Shells. What a graduation." Mutter.

"I haven't the faintest idea what you mean," Isryn shoots over her shoulder to Th'nial, eyes narrowing. "And it might not be ... if I had the slightest interest in you." An implied proposition, a slam and a self-compliment all in one. Talent. She relaxes for a moment. "Thank you, C'ra ..." she unbends enough to offer.

Th'nial sniffs at Isryn, "You'll figure it out, Izzie." Nial can be dreadful when he puts his mind to it, just ask Taire. "You're a smart girl." As many are making their exit, Nial rises and heads out as well. Riaeth needs consoling, and now he has to rework his tactics with Taire. He never meant to reveal his feelings. Now she has the control and Nial's not sure if he likes that.

N'cion has disconnected.

Th'nial departs the cavern, walking out into the bowl.

Taire is upon the cusp of either quizing Nial more about this liking thing.. or running to C'ra's defense... when abruptly she is apparently not needed in either quarter. So, she just stands there looking rather silly. "Errrr."

C'ra turns, glaring at N'cion for a moment, before she starts to wipe at tears falling now. Gulping deeply, blue eyes dark around quickly, before she just turns and rushes off. She needs her own lifemate right now. Why is this all so hard? She was just trying... Whimpering as she goes, at least she'll calm Drustanth down and stop him from trying to open up the cavern.

C'ra departs the cavern, walking out into the bowl.

If the argument has left, Isryn has no reason to storm out, and so she slinks back in, her gaze off in the distance as she moves to procure herself another glass. "Fun," is all she says.

Taire frowns heavily as she moves over, slowly approaching Isryn. "You wouldn't happen to know if all weyrling graduations are like that, hrm?" And Taire didn't throw a single punch,but came awfully close.

Isryn shakes her head. "I don't think so," she admits, staring deep into the glass before she pours it. "I mean ... what just happened, Taire?" she asks in a tone that seems to think the other must have some idea.

Taire shrugs her shoulders as she sidles up to Isryn to commiserate or whatnot. "I wish I knew. It was one thing after the other.. and we are supposed to be full and responsible riders now?" Just /what/ is the weyrlingmaster thinking?

Isryn stiffens as Taire approaches, then relaxes with a small sigh and an ease of her shoulders. "I don't know," she admits. "I suppose maybe we'll get better when we're in separate wings." She looks drolly amused. "But what's this about it being *my* fault?"

Taire vaguely remembers that part that at no point was Isryn involved in any of the harsh words or swinging fists. "Who said that?" she frowns, sighing deeply before tugging here and there at her shirt to right it once more.

Well, maybe a few of the harsh words, but only on the periphery. Isryn jerks her head towards the not-so-dearly departed Th'nial. "He did," she explains briefly. "I wouldn't worry about it, Taire." That ... seems to blanket everything.

Taire frowns deeply, "/He/ said a lot of things." And it is only now with the figure gone that she is starting to come to her senses, whatever that might entail. "We shouldn't take any of them to heart."

The old rider quips, "He wants a piece'o ye. I'd give it to that C'ra lass instead, throw 'em for a loop."

Isryn coughs softly, though her eyes glint for just a heartbeat. "I think the man has a good idea, Taire," she remarks, sipping placidly at her wine for a moment. "And no, we shouldn't. He needs a good crack upside the head." A hint of something bloodthirsty wanders through her voice.

Taire eyes the older rider. That wouldn't exactly improve her situation any. She needs a /man/. And soon. "C'ra? I... she's like one of my big sisters." And that just plain creeps her out to no end. Wherry-bumps coarse up and down her arms and she is quickly banishing that thought. "Well, C'ra sure walloped him good."

Isryn cocks an eyebrow. "And that sort of thing isn't done except in the backwaters of Tillek ... you have a point," she allows with an unusually precise tapping of one nail along her glass. "True. Granted, in the wrong place."

"Maybe he'll have a right fine shiner tomorrow. Maybe it'll get even more green than when I smacked him one." Taire entertains this thought for quite some time, her grin widening at the prospects. "Sullaketh just needs to hold off for a bit more though." Maybe she won't go proddy at all? Wishful thinking.

Isryn snorts softly. "There's a sight I'd pay marks to draw ..." she remarks, a trace of a smile there ... and then gone again. She's almost through her glass, too. "Hmmm. Well. No telling when any of them will go up."

"No, there isn't," Taire agrees, eyeing Isryn warily. Something just isn't right here. "Sure was funny how we all got so crazy like that though." With with a wink, the girl takes a step in the direction of the exit to the bowl. "Who knew being a rider could be so... fun." Ayep, only she would term what just happened as fun. With a grin and a wink, she starts walking out.

Message 62 of 62 on *Rumors (#1538):

Date: Wed Dec 19 07:14:50 2001 CET

From: C'ra (#3577)

To: *Rumors (#1538)

Subject: What a PARTY!

The Graduation Ceremony for Fort Weyr's latest clutch of werylings seemed to go rather well. There were the usual distractions of trying to keep the young ones, who have been cooped up far too long, standing still and staying silent. But all in all, the ceremony went smoothly which each weyrling, getting their knots of full-dragonriders.

Things went bad at the celebration afterwards. And they didn't even seem to start out bad. There was some boistrous behavious, some secrets revealed, in trying to patch up hurt feelings. However, words were uttered between the greenrider N'cion, and the bluerider C'ra, something about the greenrider Taire, which left N'cion on the floor, with a grown bruise to his thigh from a devious kick that C'ra delivered.

-THEN- the blue rider turned on greenrider Th'nial, who had been talkign to Taire, something about: making the first time special. As soon as the bluerider was in reach, she hauled back, and landed a blow to Th'nial's face, the man will surely have a black eye from that!

Things just degraded into a general brawl as Taire threw wine a C'ra, then started appologizing, and the bluerider going on about: protecting her friends. N'cion hauled C'ra over to a chair, and looked ready to spank her, before finally he relented as everyone else was breaking up, letting the bluerider run off, past a rather -ICY- and not-so-nice Isryn. (Who put a vtol in her leathers?)

Just another, typical graduation. Right?