A Night To Remember (Hatching Feast)

[Lark]

Inali looked around the dining hall in awe. She was always amazed at how easily the staff turned it from normal drab Trelis dining hall to this amazing sight. Along the stone walls, tapestries had been hung portraying dragons fighting thread and one even of a hatching occuring. Lining the tables were candles and bowls of delicious fruit and vegetables. The kitchens were busy with the sound of cooks finishing up the entreys, and in a corner the harpers were plucking their instruments as they prepared for the feast to begin. Kierah was among them, and the Weyrwoman went up to her friend and the four turn old girl at her skirts.

Smiling warmly, Inali wondered if that girl was an omen for what grew in her own body at that very moment. T'rian had been...interesting upon finding out. Though the whole hatching had everyone on edge. The three new colors, two Sub-Queens and a new middle ranking male were getting along well enough with their clutchmates. Emiath especially though was being watched carefully, but the Garnet had shown no signs of harming anyone again...except perhaps for his own rider.

Inali had yet to recieve word from other Weyrs about the strange dragonets, however the young Weyrwoman had to remind herself that this was only the second day since they were born. Looking out a nearby window, the dark haired girl sighed as she watched her lovely Gold out in the Weyr Bowl. Curled up in the shallows of the pool there, Loraketh was basking in the setting sun. She was glad to be free of the sands for once, but this wasn't the same as flying with her rider. Inali unfortunately couldn't go between anymore, and Loraketh hissed with the impatience.

Ignoring the Gold's mini-tantrum, Inali turned back toward the hall. People were finally starting to come into the room and moving to her weyrmate and the Junior Weyrwoman, Inali cleared her throat. Roaring softly, or somewhat softly, Loraketh did her part to gain the room's attention for Hers. "We're here today to celebrate the birth of many new dragons, as well as welcome the first of three new colors. Though we do not know where this will lead, we do know that it can only strengthen us. Sahelli once told me when I was first starting my own training that change wasn't to be feared. Instead one must embrace it with open arms and adapt one's self to it."

Pausing here, the Weyrwoman looked around the large room and slowly reached for her goblet. To her insatisfaction it wasn't filled with wine, something she could probably use right now, but the girl knew that was probably for the best. Putting it out in front of her in the air, Inali smiled slightly. "We will embrace these three and their clutchmates. Sub-Queens mean more eggs, and dragons," here she looked at not just the Garnet and his rider, but all the weyrling, "of any kind mean more protection for Pern. It is in this that I wish you all the best of luck in your training. Learn well young ones, for your future is ours."

[shinska]

Aela wondered what she should wear to the feast. After all she was guessing she was a Junior Weyrwoman now. Isn't that what Sub-Queens meant? The girl shrugged and continued looking through her dresses for the right one. With a dissatisfied sigh. Not a single one of them seemed to be perfect for the feast. Aela wished she had asked her mother for a couple of her dresses for this occassion, but then again Aela's mother was bigger than she was so she wouldn't have fit in them anyway. Aela had tears in her eyes. She had nothing to wear. Just then she felt a nudge from Talath.

"What is it my sweet?" Aela asked her Obsidian gently.

Without a word the Obsidian pawed at something that was in a package. Aela remembered that her sister had given it to her before she had left the Halls. Curiously Aela opened the package and her mouth fell open. Her sister had given her one of her dresses for such an occassion. "Oh Lesstaliah I love you so much!"

Crest appeared at that moment, crooning. Aela knew she just had to thank her sister for giving her the dress. "Crest you are to send a message to my sister at the place you were born."

At the mention of that Crest immediately knew His meant the Halls. He waited as Aela wrote the note and disappeared between. Aela turned back to the dress and held it against her. It was wonderful, but what did Talath think of it?

For once the Obsidian had a bit to say. Your sister has good tastes and she obviously loves you very much. I agree whole heartedly with the choice of dress she had given you.[/color] With that the Obsidian fell silent and only displayed her emotions through her whirling blue/green eyes. She did indeed like Hers' sister's dress.

Aela smiled and put the dress onto the bed. It was a simple dark green dress with trailing sleeves. It also had a gold parting and gold trimmings. In fact the dress was so magnificant that Aela was sure to turn some heads. Then she went and took a quick bath before the feast. She wanted to look well for the feast and to show certain someones how well she could look. The girl blushed at the thought and then shook it away.

Finally, once she was clean the girl returned to her bedside and put on the dress. It was magnificant indeed. A croon came from her bed and she turned to see Crest had returned. Aela read the return note from her sister who said she would get a reply to their mother. Aela was very excited. She couldn't wait to see what everyone would say. Once the dress was on she put her best shoes on and left her room. You can come if you'd like. Aela thought to her Obsidian.

No. I am tired. Save some food for me.[/color] Then the Obsidian curled up in a ball and closed her eyes.

You are nothing, BUT a stomach you know that? Aela responded good naturedly. Talath had the grace to not respond.

Aela walked through the Weyr and into the Dining Hall area where the feast was taking place. The first thing she did was grab something to drink. Then Inali began speaking. Once that was done Aela raised her own glass to the cheer and went to the Weyrwoman's side. "Weyrwoman Inali. During the Hatching Talath said she was a Sub-Queen. Would that mean I am a Junior Weyrwoman or just that she would Clutch like a Golden Dragon would?" The girl smiled to Inali and waited for a response, all the while waiting for R'hard. More blushing ensued.

Aela's dress.

[kitsuneko]

Hatching Feasts are one of those special occasions when it is appropriate to pull out the good dresses and jewelry--unfortunately for Iskra, who would have preferred to go down to the feast in something a bit more comfortable than a dress. But it wasn't up to her and she was supposed to set a good example for the rest of the Weyr, so she slipped on a deep red, low-cut dress and fixed her hair into a more presentable bun, and she left for the Hatching Feast.

Not before picking up her huntyre chick, Darija, however, who was cawing urgently in her hunger. Not sure whether the chick was strong enough yet to clutch onto Iskra's shoulder, she instead decided to carry the chick in the crook of one arm to the feast. There she would be able to show off her new pet, as well as feed the hungry creature.

Maeleth was out in the Weyrbowl already, taking in the last light of the sun with the Senior Queen and several other dragons. Iskra could just make out the gold's form as she entered the dining hall. Was her hide a little brighter than usual, with an extra glow to it? Or was it just Iskra's imagination? Probably the latter, she thought to herself as she sighed and looked around the hall.

The staff had really outdone themselves, transforming the regular dining hall into something entirely different for the feast, and despite herself, Iskra was impressed. She spotted Inali near one of the harpers, a friend of hers by the looks of things, and gave a courteous nod which she wasn't sure Inali even saw. She didn't approach the Weyrwoman, though.

Darija was starting to get impatient again, judging by the way the chick was cheeping at her impatiently, and Iskra took a side trip into the kitchens to get her something to eat. They were busier than normal--no surprise there--but the majority of the work was done and the cooks gave her enough scrap meat to keep the chick calm. By the time she entered the dining hall again, the number of people inside had swelled, and it was clear the start of the feast was imminent as Inali walked over to begin her speech.

Iskra couldn't help the way her attention wandered as the other goldrider mentioned the sub-queens and sub-king that had appeared in the hatching. Why had these new colors only shown up now? Was it due to the approach of the red star and thread? And if that was the case, would Maeleth start to lay these new colors as well? Iskra scowled. She knew nobody knew the answers any more than she did, but it didn't help her mood any.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

"Are you sure you don't want to come to the feast, Kaith?" R'hard asked his brown dragon even though he had a feeling he already knew what the answer would be. "You and the other hatchlings are allowed, you know."

Kaith snorted gently. Why would I? It's too much bother, and then I'd have to like, talk to people and stuff. I just want to sleep.[/color][/i]

R'hard grinned wryly. Well, he couldn't say he hadn't expected that. He knew the brown dragon like the back of his hand, even if he'd only hatched a day ago. R'hard, rider of brown Kaith. He was still getting used to the idea, but he was grinning as he walked into the dining hall. There was already a decent-sized crowd inside, and he spotted several other weyrlings and knew he wasn't the first to arrive.

It didn't take long for Hari to find him. He wasn't sure where the fire lizard had been--probably begging for food from some of the guests--but as soon as he spotted R'hard, the brown flitted between only to reappear in front of R'hard and perch on his shoulder. The weyrling reached up to stroke his pet's head and smiled. "Hello to you too, Hari."

He took a seat as the Weyrwoman began her speech, but he kept looking around to see if there was anyone nearby who he recognized. Once Inali had finished, he spotted Aela approaching her and R'hard grinned. He made his way through the crowd to where the Weyrwoman and sub-queen rider stood. "Good evening, Weyrwoman Inali," he said politely and then turned to Aela.

He blinked. He'd never seen her dressed up so nice before. "Hey, Aela. You look...nice," he said, trying not to flush. "So, how's Talath doing?"

[Zero]

From his spot outside his weyr, S’val watched the soft glow of lights from the dining hall dance across the jagged walls of the bowl. Patting the large, bronze leg of his sleeping companion he stepped in from the steadily darkening night and into the dim glow of his quarters. Sighing, he ruffled his hair as he took a look at what his choice of clothing for the evening were. S’val had never been one to leap for joy at the chance to dress up when it came to moments of importance, he just didn’t see what all the hype was about. Another sigh escaped him, only this time he rubbed at the day old stubble along his jaw before making his decision and grabbing a crisp black tunic with a dark bronze trim.

Don’t know why it always takes you so long to decide on something to wear, S’valMine. You pick the same nearly every time.

Pulling the cloth over his head, S’val nearly jumped out of his skin as the rough voice entered his mind. He shot a glare at the darkened sleeping quarters of his dragon. “You know I don’t particularly enjoy large gatherings. I thought you were asleep anyways…” Brushing a few flecks of dust off his trousers he pulled on his boots and smoothed his hair back as best as possible.

You won’t impress a mate if you’re late. A steady rumbling one might take for a draconic chuckle slipped into the night air. The Rider shook his head with a huff as he walked from his quarters without another word to his companion who was in an unusually good mood.

But the thought of being late did stick in his mind and made him quicken his pace down the hall towards the dining hall. Slowing his pace as he entered the hall, S’val said a silent prayer that he hadn’t been late and began to make his way around the hall. The Jr and Sr Weyrwomen were in attendance and S’val had been just in time to catch Inali’s pre-feast speech to those gathered. A chirp distracted him from his thoughts on what the Weyrwoman had said about the different colored eggs as a familiar colored brown flit perched on his shoulder. “Hello, Reign…causing the Cooks any trouble this evening?” Standing mostly off to the side and letting his back rest against the wall he gave the troublemaking flit a nice scratch as he let his gaze drift over the new weyrlings and the rest of those gathered for the hatching feast.

(I'll get to Ry's half of the response tomorrow)

[Lark]

(Ooc: For Shin and Zi, J'dol and Aela can have an extra lesson with Inali and Iskra as a special cluther thing...>.> Just explaining how they should act and what to do and whatnot. It just won't be till later on when they're older. Do know though that they are regularly getting an extra lesson a weekish like a Gold weyrling would. We're just not rping them all lol.)

Inali looked over as Aela came toward her. The Obsidian hatchling wasn't with her, but she new her instantly nevertheless. The Weyrwoman should know who the future clutchers and their riders were after all. Pulling a strand of dark hair away from her face, the Gold rider bit her lip. Well wasn't that a delemma? Would the new Sub-Queens be able to take a Junior Weyrwoman position? I do not think so My Lady. They do not have the same authority as a Gold does. Though.....they certainly are no Green. Crooning affectionately in the minds of her two daughters, Loraketh fluttered her orange tinted wings and lifted her head.

"As far as Loraketh says, and I trust her judgment completely, the two Sub-Queens do not have the same authority over other dragons as Golds do. Though they do clutch and have much more authority than say a Bronze would. Perhaps they would be a part of a new class? Most likely equal to any of the younger Junior pairs, but definitely above anything else. We would need a name for the group though." Inali paused to laugh lightly and moved to put a gentle hand on Aela's shoulder. She didn't want her to think that she was putting her down after all. "Perhaps you and J'dol could think of a name for our new division? You two would be the start of it after all. Also, since they are clutchers, you'd be doing a few classes with myself and Loraketh as any Gold Rider would."

------

N'kron groaned out loud and pulled his fingers through his hair...again. Looking down at the skittish brown at his feet, the weyrling shook his head. Why did he sharding come here? He could have just...NO! He was not about to think that staying home to be forced into a marriage was better than this! What's wrong Mine? Ildardeth's smooth and quiet voice rolled across His' mind. Nothing's wrong! N'kron snapped impatiently at his dragon and growled slightly under his breath.

Okay...sorry for asking N'kronMine. Should we hide, or go sneak in the shadows? It's safer there... Sighing harshly, N'kron didn't answer his dragonet and instead just reached down to scratch the jungle cat markings on his head. The brown answered with a croon, which meant at least for now he was happy. Would it be okay to talk to my siblings Mine? Or would they not like that? Is it better to just stay here and not be seen? "Nope, come on. If I'm going to spend the rest of my life here, I might as well get to know some people." Warbling, Ildardeth nuzzled His' leg and followed behind the boy.

-----

Kierah was finally finished with the preparations for the band. Smiling, the young woman grabbed onto her daughter, tickling the girl lightly before releasing her body. "Momma, Momma! Dance for me Momma!" Laughing, Kierah nodded her head and handed the four turn old a red scarf. It was thin and sheer, about as long as Kierah was tall. After all, this wasn't made for decoration. As Leotie took the other end, her mother called for her tree firelizards. White, Green and Brown blurs zoomed around her figure as the band started up a semi-fast tune and Kierah took her position with her daughter. One movement led to another, and soon the two dark haired people, harper and weyrbrat, mother and daughter were twining around on the dance floor. Red silk between them and three firelizard trilling as they wove around the clothe.

[shinska]

Aela turned when R'hard greeted her. She smiled at him and said, "Talath is doing well. She's the one who noticed this." She indicated her dress. "It was a gift from my sister for something like this." She loved the dress, but the feast wasn't just about her. The girl was about to ask her friend about his Brown when Inali spoke. She whispered to R'hard, "One moment." Then she turned back to the Weyrwoman. She was explaining the Clutching and the Sub-Queen position. There. Her question had been answered. The young girl dipped her head respectively and said, "While it would have been nice to have been a Junior Weyrwoman I am not upset that Talath and I won't be in that position. Though I look forward to helping name the new division."

She looked at J'dol and said, "It should be something that would be recognizable for us." She smiled and then asked, "Weyrwoman Inali we don't have to come up with a name right at this moment do we?" If not then at least she and J'dol would have a Turn to come up with this new name for the division. She felt small paws land on her shoulder and she look to see Crest. Well hello you little monster. Where have you been hiding yourself? Stealing scraps from the Kitchens? The girl smiled and waved her Firelizard away. "Go have some fun." Talath is there a baby Huntyre in our room?

Talath was slow to respond and then replied. A whiteish colored bird is in here. Is that what you mean?[/color]

Aela smiled and replied. Talath meet Hunter. He's a Lunar Huntyre. His mother is Pepper, a Forest Huntyre. I got him a short while before your Hatching. What is he doing?

He hopped onto my body and curled up. I think we're going to be sleeping together. Goodnight Aelamine.[/color] The normally quiet Obsidian responded. Then she too fell asleep, but kept an ear open for Hunter in case anything happened.

The girl returned her attention to R'hard, J'dol, and Inali. Crest had disappeared into the crowd. She just hoped that the Blue wouldn't annoy anyone. It was hard enough that he may have stolen some scraps from the Kitchens, but here at the feast she didn't want him to get into trouble.

[Akira]

T'rian smiled and waved to a couple of people as he entered the dining hall. He knew he was late, but he had an excusse...this time anyways. He had been working on some paperwork that he had forgotten to do before the hatching. Good evening Inali my love, and it is nice to see all of you weyrlings doing well. His voice easily carried over the noise of the other people in the dining hall, reaching the ears of the Weyrwoman and the weyrlings.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Akira was glad that Yazhith was sound asleep in their room when she walked into the dining hall. She just wanted to come and grab a quick bite to eat, and then get back to her blue firelizard, and her green dragon. She nodded slightly when she heard the Weyrleader's words over the noise of the croud. She grabbed a small plate of food, and sat down at a table that seemed mostly deserted. She was glad that so far nothing had happened to draw anyone's attention to her, and was hoping that she would be done eating, and back in her room before Yazhith even knew she was gone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

N'ck clapped in congratulations to the other weyrlings, especially the ones that had impressed the new colors. N'ckMine, after we eat I would like to be oiled again. Kitcheth's bright voice entered the young man's mind and made him sigh and hang his head with the young dragon's request. Alright you bottemless pit. We'll go to the baths and oil you up after the feast alright? Kitcheth slowly nodded his white head in response to his rider's words. The white dragon gratefully took the scrap of meat that His had given to him, and gulped it down very quickly. Feasts were one thing this white dragon could definately get used to.

[Zirin]

“I think this will do,” J’dol announced aloud to no one in particular as he studied himself in the mirror. Assuming after so many failed attempts that this hatching would be no different from the rest, he had not bothered to bring his dressy clothing. As such, he had to make do with what he had with him, which was a clean pair of work pants and boots. J’dolMine, as my rider you simply cannot go to the feast wearing such… unacceptable clothing. Kayath whined from her stone couch, her eyes never leaving the young man. She huffed in annoyance, I want to be remembered for how wonderful I am, not for how sloppily my rider dresses, especially for such a special occasion. J’dol rolled his eyes at her, earning another huff. He knew she was right and that he should have chosen something better, but there was just nothing in the clothing he had packed that would work. Kayath shifted her gaze to the barracks entrance. Someone comes J’dol. Jaks sighed, hoping the person wasn’t looking for him; he was almost late as it was and a distraction would just make matters worse. A familiar bugle from outside gave him the answer he needed.

“Father!” J’dol began as the bluerider walked into the barracks. The man was holding a carefully wrapped package in one hand and was look rather smug with himself. Bit took off from where she had been curled on the bed and landed excitedly on J’mol’s shoulder, cheeping happily at him.

“I had a feeling you hadn’t brought anything to wear on special occasions, it appears I was right.” Despite being in his nineteenth turn, J’dol was still more than happy to show his father affection, and sheepishly accepted the package that, without a doubt, contained dress clothes. “That aside, congratulations on impressing a, what was it… sub-queen? A little unorthodox I suppose, but she is quite the beauty.” Kayath crooned at the man, pleased with his compliments. She liked the man, and informed J’dol of such, who passed on the message with a chuckle. Time was beginning to run short, and despite wanting to spend time with the father he hadn’t seen since coming to Trelis, he knew he needed to get going. J’mol saved him the trouble of deciding by excusing himself.

J’dol quickly changed into the proper dress- a simple, almost black tunic with vibrant, but not overpowering green trim. Kayath and Bit both voiced their approval of the outfit. Are you coming along Kayath? It looks like a bunch of the other dragonets are staying behind to sleep. He asked silently. The Topaz paused to decide, but was interrupted by a draconic yawn. I do so wish to visit my adoring public, but I am rather tired… If there are any of my siblings there you MUST come get me. Understand? With a chuckle, Jaks agreed and left for the feast.

Arriving moments after the Weyrwoman began speaking, he hung back to avoid being seen as he tried to make his way to the other weyrlings. Normally he was fine with making a grand entrance, but there were times to avoid such things, and this felt like one of them. He made it to the weyrlings in time to hear the other sub-queen’s rider - Aela was her name? – ask about their rank in the Weyr. It was something that Jaks had been curious about as well, since he wasn’t sure what he, as a male, would one day be called; Weyrwoman was NOT a title he wanted. He gave a wink to R’hard as well, not wanting to look rude for ignoring him. His posture relaxed noticeably as Inali explained the new colours’ ranks. He was actually relieved that he wasn’t going to be lumped in with the goldriders; he had always considered himself manly and the idea of being a ‘queen’ irked him on a base level. J’dol shrugged as the topic of naming the rank for the subqueens, not particularly interested. If he had things his way, the rank would be named after him, after all, he was a perfect being.

“As long as the title isn’t too girly,” He replied, “I don’t really care what we’re called. I guess something can be figured out.” At a warning from Bit he refrained from attempting to hit on the obsidian rider. Darn weyrlinghood and its restrictions! Well, regardless of the rules he was allowed to look.

[kitsuneko]

It was a nice dress, but before R'hard could do more than smile, they were distracted by the weyrwoman. He nodded cordially to the rider of the other sub-queen, J'dol. He didn't try to eavesdrop, but he was still close enough to the conversation to get the gist of what they were saying. It was about the sub-queens, and the exact rank their riders would hold. It was a tricky question; he wondered what they would agree on.

He realized Hari was getting impatient and restless on his shoulder, his eyes whirling more rapidly with curiosity as he eyed the crowds around them. And at the same time, R'hard's stomach startled to rumble. This was a Feast, after all, there was more to do than just talk.

"I don't know about you, but I'm ready to get something to eat," he said with a wave, and after filling his plate full of delicious food, he sat down at one of the tables where some of his new fellow weyrlings sat, not particularly caring who, and dug in. Hari chirped cheerfully and as usual, took a meatroll for himself to snack on before craning his head around to look at the other people at the table.