Hatching Feast [All Welcome!]

[Tahki]

The Hatching Feast

Welcome to the Hatching Feast! Congratulations to those who impressed and those that didn't will have the next Hatching to look forward too. All characters are welcome to attend. So put on something pretty and come mingle!

October 29th, 2595; Evening

---

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The first clutch of New Shura had hatched without a hitch. There had been a few surprises in the bunch such as the two stand impressions and the revealing of a rare white dragon. The kitchens were full of nothing but happy gossip and a general warmth of pride over what had been accomplished today. Tables were arrange and set with platters of the most mouth watering food. Wine had been broken out from the cellar and the harpers had started tuning their instruments.

The Weyrling master had directed the newly bonded pairs to their new barracks and allowed them to settle in. It had been an early morning hatching and she was certain that half of the poor kids who had been exhausted waking up for it, were probably dragging their feet now that the excitement was done. Once their dragons had their fill of meat, they were allowed to drop into their new beds.

Giving the entire Weyr a chance to settle down until dinner, the Hatching Feast began. The Great Hall was decorated and beginning to fill with people from every part of Pern that wished to join in the festivities. Representatives from the Holds were here and Weyrfolk who needed a good break from their chores began grabbing plates. Now all they needed were the lucking Weyrlings!

[Batman]

Cercy had put Tinseth to bed, all full and happy. The girl took a quick bath, to get all the blood and sweat off of her, happy to be in the Weyrling Barracks, if you could call them that. All of them were ground level weyrs, so she pretty much had her own space. It was nice.

The bath wasn't huge like most of the weyrs where grown riders and dragons lived, but it was hers. She smiled, leaving her stuff on her bed for now. She was hungry, and the feast was starting. She pulled on a new shirt, and skin tight dark blue pants. The green rider knots stuck out on her shoulders nicely.

With that, and a quick primp of her hair, into a ponytail, she left for the Feast. It was a good day, she was just sad that her brother hadn't Impressed as well. Still, he seemed super happy for her, and that made her happy.

She wouldn't stay long though, she was tired. And she needed to get a good sleep because her newly hatched dragon would be looking for food early in the morning! So she slipped into the Great Hall, and looked around. Time for her to eat!

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

Draym pulled on some clothes. He wasn't really paying much attention. He had the fore-sight to lay out some new garments to the side of his bed before this all happened. So he sported a comfortable pair of trousers, and a nice, silk-like shirt, dyed a silvery blue.

He was happy for Kyra and his sister, but he still felt kind of empty. Oh well, nothing to dwell on. He was going to go and have a good time. With Kyra, and Cercy. Mostly with Kyra, he hoped. Maybe they could sneak off and have a little alone time in the middle of the feast.

With that he walked over to the Great Hall, slipping in and of course, picking Cercy out right away. The girl was hard to miss, that's for sure. Draym chuckled and walked over, grabbing a skin of the Southern Wine, and flopping down next to her, shoving the skin into her hand.

They could drink a little, and her not try to molest him. Kyra would join them shortly, or he hoped.

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

Kilk rushed to change, pulling on some nicer clothes. He would make an appearance at the Feast and grab some food, but he had Infirmary duty. So was the problem of being both a Candidate and a Journeyman healer.

So he ran to the Great Hall and slipped over to the food, grabbing some on a plate quickly. He sat at an empty table and began to devour the few slices of wherry meat that he lobbed onto his plate along with a few meat pastries and one or two fruit filled pastries.

He wouldn't be around long, but he smiled and nodded at people that passed. Congratulating those that had newly Impressed as they walked by him. He wore his Journeyman knots tonight, only seemed fitting.

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

Taril was not going to the feast tonight. She decided instead to go and find some fun in another place, opting to get into something naughty instead of something fun.

Of course for her, naughty was more fun that anything else.

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

S'ril had dragged himself out of bed. He had made himself presentable, and all to go see his little friend. The new White rider. And the only of her rank, she probably didn't even have knots to wear at the moment!

Still, he smiled, hopping down off of Drith at the front of the Great Hall. She would be along soon, probably, so S'ril just found himself a table near two young people. A girl with green knots, must have Impressed that day, and a boy that looked a lot like her. Siblings probably.

Shame the boy still had Candidate knots. Oh well, there would be another clutch! S'ril was curious to see if the White was gendered, or not. He would have to ask.

[Ramba-Cat]

Ruteakyra rubbed Angeth's headknobs as the little white gave a small croon of contentment. Ruteakyra was ready for the feast; dressed in a white dress with hints of silver, and her hair pinned back in a way that, for once, made her look older than her actual age. It was just her luck though, that instead of Impressing a normal colour, she Impressed the first gendered white of the Weyr, and at her first hatching no less!

Poor Draym hadn't Impressed, Ruteakyra knew that they would probably have very little time to see each other over the next month or two, possibly longer. And Ruteakyra wasn't likely to want to risk the sanity of her dragon for a little bit of fun, or a drop of wine. She gave a small sigh, before leaving for the feast, Angeth staying tuned into what was going on.

Oh, while you're there, go scout out my bronze clutch sibling, and the brown! Do you think the brownrider will be there? The one you were on about? S'rell or S'ril or whatever? He should be, to congratulate you on Impressing! Angeth exclaimed. Ruteakyra gave a small giggle.

Head out the clouds, dearest, it'll be a while before you'll even be up in the air, let alone being chased by the big dogs. Bronzes and browns would probably prefer a dragon who was a little...bigger. While you may have an unusual hide colour, you need to focus on improving your skills and flaming ability. The small girl replied, pausing outside the dining hall.

I won't be chewing firestone. Flaming is for the fighters. Came a somewhat snappy response. Ruteakyra blinked. Not chew firestone? Only Golds got away with that...right?

Ruteakyra sighed and shook her head, entering the hall and looking around. She spotted Draym and Cercy - the girl had Impressed Green, right? And not long after, spotted S'ril. She waved to him, unsure of who to sit near. Well, the tables were close, she could sit with S'ril and still have a conversation with Draym in a normal tone. Besides, the twins could always move over to S'rils table anyway. That option was offered when Ruteakyra gestured with her head.

"Congratulations Cercy!" The small girl said on the way past, taking a seat on S'rils table that was close to Draym's.

"You were right! I Impressed!" Ruteakyra exclaimed to S'ril.

[Batman]

S'ril jumped and coughed a bit, smiling at his little friend. Drith had shown a bit of interest in this odd White dragon. From what he gathered, it was gendered.

"I told you that you would, Ruteakyra! And you Impressed to a White! What are the odds, huh? Is it a male or female?" The brown rider tilted his head a bit and smiled, noticing behind his sweet little friend that the boy sibling near them was smiling at her. Like he knew her well.

Leaning in, S'ril didn't even get a chance to whisper about it before the boy slid over to the seat next to her.

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

Draym had left Cercy for a moment and slipped over to talk to Kyra. He smiled at her.

"Congratulations, Kyra. I'm extremely happy for you!" He placed a hand on her knee under the table before giving her a kiss on the cheek. He was happy, but a part of him wanted to just steal her away for the night. There was not going to be much time to be together for a long while.

Still, he didn't move his hand as he leaned away, gripping her leg gently as he nodded over to S'ril. "My name is Draym, nice to meet you sir. I take it you've met Kyra before?" He smiled at the man, seeing the knots on his shoulders. Brown.

[Dev]

A'lar was already at the wine, liking the good choice the cooks had chosen for this Feast's go-around. The man was certainly very cheery, looking forward to meeting the new Weyrlings, no matter the color they Impressed. Dragons were dragons! And so were Riders. Always a fan of these Gatherings, A'lar was prepared to make the new riders welcome, but vouched to wait until a few more arrived.

-x-x-x- -x-x-x- -x-x-x-

Fyr'an wasn't there at the Feast, and if he did show up it would be much later in the evening. He was presently asleep in the Weyr with Nairth, who had missed him when he was away helping with preparations for the Feast and the Hatching itself. She wanted to monopolize her Rider once more, and Fyr'an had welcomed the rest.

-x-x-x- -x-x-x- -x-x-x-

Larimar had decided to attend as well, it was only customary. He was currently sitting at one of the tables, chatting with another Bluerider casually. He wasn't very engaged in the conversation, but the Rider sure did. If someone more interesting stepped into the picture he'd gladly take the opportunity, but from what it looked like he would possibly have to excuse himself early from the Weyr.

-x-x-x- -x-x-x- -x-x-x-

Val'c was exhausted. Feeding Gabrith had taken a lot longer than some of the other dragons, he just kept wanting more! The Dragonet's excuse was that as the best Bronze in the Weyr he must grow up to be a very strong dragon. Strong dragons needed a lot of food. Val'c had to sigh at this, but unknowingly stroked the pale dragon's ego by feeding him a bit more. When Gabrith was full, Val'c started to move his things into his new home in the Weyrling Barracks, finding him much different from the other Weyrfolks' quarters. By now Gabrith was fast asleep, and Val'c was ready for a nap as well.

When he awoke he found he was almost late for the Feast, a blush of embarrassment crossing him when he found the time out. It wasn't often that Val'c dressed up, he mostly put on clothes that were nice, but he could get dirty if he had to. So putting on his nicest clothes was a bit of a reach for the Weyrling. Taking a quick, warm bath, he started to get ready. Wearing straight black slacks, they didn't do much except accent his heavy riding boots that he was still breaking in. A clean shirt went over this, dyed in an almost darker purple hue which he wore a fancier jacket over to complete the look. It was the only set of nice clothes he owned. His new Bronzerider knots were placed neatly at his shoulder, and he smiled despite himself.

Very nice, commented Gabrith with a huge yawn. It seemed that his moving about had woken the dragonet. You are sure to impress that White Rider or some of those Greens. How could they not be impressed though, knowing you are my rider and the very best.

"I'm not that great, Gabrith," Val'c replied, but walked over to scratch the Bronze's eye ridges in thanks. Even if his big talk was a bit selfish, the dragonet gave him confidence. The Bronze appreciated the scratch, but snorted otherwise. He had chosen best, and that was that. Gabrith also seemed very curious for the goings-on at the Feast.

You must keep me updated, insisted Gabrith, and Val'c could only chuckle and nod. It would keep him happy. Walking to the Great Hall, he was only a few minutes late, but he dressed up very well. He looked a bit older in the clothes, they made him seem taller. It complimented his handsome face well. Upon entering he saw that Valdis hadn't quite arrived just yet, thinking she was settling her dragon down still.

However, he did spy Cercy. After a moment to gather himself he walked over, a smile on his face. "Hey Cercy," he told her, "Congratulations on Impressing!" It may have seemed odd, the Apprentice Healer Impressing as well when just about a week or so ago they had been cleaning the Lower Caverns.

-x-x-x- -x-x-x- -x-x-x-

K'ren was much the opposite story. He was already up and at it, keeping himself going even when Ivith was deep in a full belly induced sleep. When Ivith awoke, K'ren was checking himself in the small mirror their Weyr had.

You look quite distinguished, answered the steely Blue, accepting his choice of wear, Surely you will make others notice you. If that is what you are going for.

"That's the idea!" K'ren responded with a grin. "After all...I've never met anyone here. I wasn't even a Candidate! I want to get to know at least one person here. It'd be nice to have more friends to talk to after all." K'ren nodded, fixing up the last parts of his clothes and dusting off his pants. He had chosen to wear blue tonight to honor Ivith, which the dragon took very good pride in.

Well, if anything too serious happens, you can come right home. Best to stay out of any scraps, advised the Blue and K'ren patted the dragon's foreleg.

"Don't worry Ivith, everything will be okay," responded his Rider. With that K'ren was off to the great Hall. Once inside he saw that people were still flooding in and he felt a bit out of place. Dear...who to talk to first...? It was getting so crowded!

[Zephyr]

Aren’t my babies just gorgeous? They’re all perfect, even little Angeth! Ever since the hatching ended, Lilian had had to listen to Gritorth’s gushing about her offspring. It had taken the young gold long enough to rise, now her rider was going to have to listen to how wonderful the babies were for probably nearly as long. If she had to tell the truth, though, the young woman didn’t really mind. She had taken so long to rise, and Lili blamed herself for the majority of that. She didn’t see any harm in letting her lovely gold gush about her babies. After all, they were quite gorgeous. They are beautiful babies. Congratulations, Ri. The affectionate nickname she gave her dragon slipped out most of the time in private, and sometimes in public if she wasn’t watching herself. Not that it mattered. It was no secret that Lilian adored Gritorth…and vise versa.

Lili had taken a quick pit stop before the hatching feast. She had thought about forgoing a shower so she wouldn’t be late to the feast, but she doubted that she would be, and she quite thought the new weyrlings would be far too busy thinking about their new mindmates to notice that she wasn’t the first in the room. She had never wanted to be the first for anything, and weyrleadership hadn’t chanced this particular trait of her’s. So, after her bath, and after she had dressed herself in a stunning white dress, she made herself presentable and made her way to the hatching feast.

The first thing she noticed was that a few of the weyrlings had arrived. Pausing at the entrance, her eyes flitted around the room. No D’rin? Hm. Reaching out to her dragon, she noticed that the massive gold was nosing around the weyrling barracks, interacting with her few babies who were actually awake. Ri, can you find Hilorth and ask if D’rin is actually going to make an appearance? Not that she minded attending the feast on her own, just somehow, she felt more soothed when he was around. The gold’s mindvoice sounded somewhat concerned as she answered back. I can’t find him. Would you like me to try harder? Sighing lightly, Lilian shook her head…even though her dragon couldn’t possibly see this. No. It’s alright. If he isn’t coming, there’s nothing I can do. Enjoy your babies. Gritorth uttered a mental croon and Lilian stepped into the room.

As she walked to her place, she stopped to speak to each of the weyrling’s present. First Cercy and Val’c, who were, thankfully, already standing together. “ Congratulations you two.” She presented them with her very best smile, touching the girl’s shoulder for a second. “ You guys look exhausted.” She said with a happy smile. “ Don’t worry about staying for the entire feast. You’ve fed your new lifetime companions, now feed yourselves and then get to bed. Tomorrow will be a big day for you.” She laughed lightly, winking at Cercy for a moment before excusing herself and making her way to the next weyrling she saw, namely Ruteakyra. “ Hello.” She said, beaming. “ Your little white is gorgeous. Congratulations, really. I’m sure she’ll grow into a fine dragon. If you have any concerns, you’re free to come to me anytime. Faranth knows Gritorth gave me her fair share of headaches.” She would extend the invitation to the rest of the weyrlings later, but for now this would do.

[Ramba-Cat]

Ruteakyra grinned. "Angeth's female." Then her smile faltered a little bit, turning into a slight frown. "However she insists that she doesn't want to chew firestone...I don't know if there have been white females before, but are they clutchers?"

The small girl doubted it, after all, Angeth would grow to be tiny compared to a Gold! She flashed a smile at Draym as he kissed her on the cheek, but turned her head away as the Weyrwoman approached.

"Oh! Thank you ma'am, it is an honor to be partnered to one of Gritorth's children!" Ruteakyra replied, wondering if the weyrwoman had heard what she had just said to S'ril. It didn't matter too much, maybe Angeth would grow out of it?

But what if she didn't? What then? Would Angeth and Ruteakyra be scorned as useless?

[SummerRain]

Amadahy was late. Not surprising though, given how she had been feeling after the Hatching. She had changed into a skirt-and-shirt combination, a black, ankle length skirt with the usual shirt with the Candidate knots on her shoulders. She didn't entirely feel like going, but she knew that it was customary to go to the feast after a Hatching. She sighed quietly as she made her way to the feast.

Emerald flew to her shoulder. She nuzzled her owner softly, sending an image of Amadahy on the sands with another clutch. "Not helping, Emerald," Amadahy said softly. Emerald let out a soft whining sound. Amadahy smiled slightly. "Sorry... I just wish that I had been Impressed... That little White is gorgeous... I would have liked her to Impress with me..." Emerald let out a cooning noise. Amadahy had to laugh at her fire-lizard. She entered the Great Hall, the Senior Weyrwoman catching her eye first. The sight of the Senior Weyrwoman with the Rider of the new White dragon made Amadahy's heart sink again. Why had she come to this...?

[Jellybean]

Valdis had heard that her brother had also Impressed, he'd apparently gotten a Bronze. Good for you, brother-mine. She hadn't a chance yet to seek him out to determine if there was any truth in the rumor or not. The girl had been excited to introduce Winteth and Arnmaer, once she had done so, she wished she'd refrained.

The green's eyes instantly went from swirling with blues and greens to reds when she caught sight of the comparably tiny gold firelizard. Winteth, what is wrong with you? It's just Arnmaer, I'm her person just as I am your person.

Winteth started growling and hissing when she was told that her girl was stupid enough to have bonded to a gold even though it was just a firelizard. Why is it here? I'm better than it is. I will be able to kill things. All it is good for is breeding. Breeding takes away from killing. I will kill it if it breeds with any of my males. I will kill anything that has eggs with my mates. Winteth's tail was swishing violently to and fro by now, catching Valdis across her legs anywhere from below her knees to her ankles.

Go, Arnmaer. Find Ciel and my brother. I've got to put this little beast to bed. The firelizard popped out, knowing she quite possibly was in danger. Valdis was starting to lose the Impression wonder. At first she thought that Winteth was the greatest thing ever Hatched, I am the best thing ever Hatched. Better than sliced bread even! "No, you are not! You are a spoiled, egotistical wherry-brain! For the love of Farranth, why couldn't you at least get along with Arnmaer?!"

Who is Farranth and why do you want it's love? Is it another Gold thing? I will kill it if it is!

Valdis let out a slightly hysterical laugh, "You cannot kill what is dead and what has been dead for hundreds of turns. But yes, for your information she was a Gold." Arnmaer was a handful at times, but at least she didn't want to kill everyone and everything all the time! "You need to just go to sleep, Winteth. I've got chores to attend to." There was no way she'd spend any more time than absolutely necessary with this monster. As she left her new quarters a sleepy, I love you, Valdis. entered her thoughts. Valdis sighed knowing it was true, I love you too, Winteth. Now, get some rest sweetling.

Several hours later Valdis checked on the sleeping Green and found Arnmaer curled up with her, "Didn't expect that..." She whispered to herself as she put on the yellow dress that matched Arnmaer's hide color. Again she decided to leave her hair loose, she looked at the green weyrling knots and decided against wearing them, "Just for tonight I want to simply be me. Not weyrling, not rider, not candidate, just myself." The girl didn't think she'd get into trouble for not wearing them and if she did, she could simply tell whoever noticed that she'd been too tired to remember them.

She entered the hall, searched for, and found her brother. Somehow he'd gotten close to the Weyrwoman. Valdis chuckled and shook her head slightly, "Did not expect him to work so quickly in an attempt to get to the top of things." She walked over to him, glancing about for T'rust, unaware that her hips were swaying in the way they do of a woman who knows what she wants and is determined to get it.

She waited until he had a free moment before speaking to him. "Hello, Val'c. So it is true then? You Impressed, and a Bronze? Is he amicable? Winteth certainly isn't. She's determined to maim any Gold. Even threatened Arnmaer!"

[Batman]

Cercy smiled, jumping up and hugging Val'c hard, squeezing him. "I can't believe you Impressed! To a bronze!! You're so lucky Val'c!" She giggled and slipped her hand to his, holding it excitedly as the Weyrwoman approached.

"Thank you ma'am! I'm so happy! Tinseth is so adorable, thank Gritorth for me? Her babies are so precious!" Cercy felt like she was babbling and blushed as Lilian said not to worry about staying the whole time.

"I'll go soon, Weyrwoman, I promise. I just need some food and time to talk with some of my friends!" She smiled and watched as the only Gold Rider in the Weyr walked over to where Draym was sitting with some girl who Impressed the White.

She tugged on Val'c's arm. "Come on, lets go eat!"

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

Draym jumped when the Weyrwoman came over, blushing and removing his hand from Kyra's leg. He didn't want to get the girl into trouble. So he smiled, dismissing his red cheeks with a smile.

"She is very lucky, Miss Lilian. I'm glad my friend could Impress." He smiled and looked over at the rider sitting with them. He apparently knew Kyra already. The way she talked to him, he must have given her some advice. This made Draym smile. He was glad Kyra had friends other than him.

Now she would have at least nine more, if the Weyrlings got close.

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

S'ril frowned a bit.

"You know, she might could clutch. Sounds like she would rather do that than chew. Firestone makes female dragons infertile. So maybe she won't chew so she can clutch? I'm not too sure though, Ruteakyra."

Apparently, this boy was important to her. Maybe she had made a friend, though they seemed a little more affectionate.

S'ril waved at Lilian. Smiling as she went around to the new riders. "Hey, Lili, where is your other half? D'rin not going to come see all the new riders?" S'ril winked up at the Weyrwoman. He was a good bit older than her, as well as the Weyrsecond. They were at least acquaintances.

Drith had a little bit of a thing for Gritorth, but then again, that wasn't uncommon. Gritorth was a Gold, and male dragons all seemed to want Golds. Still, S'ril would feel weirder about bedding Lilian than he would even feel about some day bedding Ruteakyra.

Weird, but true.

[Ramba-Cat]

"Clutch?" Ruteakyra replied, blinking at the thought. Not a lot of eggs would come from a white clutch, she was sure, but it would certainly help out Gritorth with rebuilding the dragon population. Even if all Angeth clutched were greens and blues, they were just as needed as the rest of the dragons.

"Perhaps if there was a need for a mini clutcher to help out Gritorth, now is the time. Not as useful as another Gold, but I'm sure Angeth won't take anywhere near as long to mature as a Gold would. And she's small, so she could fit in the corner of the Hatching Caverns if she ever had a clutch when Gritorth did and the Gold was willing." Ruteakyra mused out loud.

She was certainly excited for the future, even if Angeth didn't end up clutching. She had a dragon! It still hadn't sunk in!

---

He had certainly Impressed the most handsome dragon ever to have lived. Sure, the white was pretty, but T'rust had a blue that was just so magnificent. He dressed as the baby blue dragon slept, before heading off to the feast.

T'rust had been busy all day, caring for the blue who certainly found it fun to admire the lady dragons of the Weyr. Firth had certainly taken a shine to Winteth, "the prettiest green from his clutch". As if by coincidence, the first person T'rust saw at the feast was Valdis, talking to her bronze-rider brother. Without any hesitation, he moved over to her.

"Congratulations." He said to her, green eyes watching Valdis' face, before flicking to Val'c. He nodded his head in a sign of respect. After all, the other must have had something to make a bronze choose him, right?

[Dev]

As Cercy latched onto him, he didn't quite expect that or the huge squeeze of the hug that accompanied it. "I'm having a hard time still believing it myself," he admitted, although found he was grinning. What then surprised him even more when her hand was suddenly with his and after a small moment, he did press back.

Before he even knew it the Weyrwoman herself was there next to him. It was quite a nervous encounter as he hadn't quite expected to be greeted by Lilian. Shards, he hadn't even met her properly until now! Putting on a smile, he nodded at her words of Congrats. "Thank you," he replied, and agreed wholeheartedly at the exhaustion bit. Tomorrow would be harsh for sure...but very much worth it. "Gabrith is wonderful. Gritorth deserves all the praise."

Val'c felt relieved when Valdis showed up. "Yes, it's true," he replied to her asking if he had indeed Impressed a Bronze. He chuckled at her dragon's antics, and shrugged. "Gabrith thinks he's the best in the Weyr, so I suppose you could say that?" He loved the Bronze anyway, and he was sure to at least curb that ego a little bit by the time he was full grown. Winteth's loathing for Golds must as well too.

When T'rust came up to Congratulate his twin, he caught the accepting nod from the Weyrling and he nodded back, smile still on his face. "I'll catch you in a few, okay Valdis?" he answered as Cercy was already tugging on his arm. He would definitely see his sister later. Not to mention it seemed like the new Bluerider Weyrling wanted to speak with her.

Not to mention food was on Cercy's mind as her words directed him to his empty stomach. "Alright!" he answered her as they made their way over to the food, Val'c feeling Gabrith's intended confidence as his walk was a strong, proud stride. Well, he was pleasing the Bronze by being with Cercy as well! Being as she was a Greenrider now. A double win on his part.

[faerie]

D'rin had been scarce the past month or so, participating in weyr events rarely. He had even missed most of Gritorth's first Hatching, which was a sin almost unforgivable. Benden certainly thought so, and she filled his weyr with an angry scolding.

"I know," he rasped distractedly, scrutinizing his head in the polished mirror. He had slight stubble on his jaw, and would need to shave in the next few days to preserve his unique hairstyle. There wasn't time to do it now, though. The Feast had already started.

The Weyrwoman is looking for you, Hilorth reported. The bronze's mental voice sounded just as faded and raspy as D'rin's. He had faced a difficult month, too.

"I know," D'rin repeated dully, tugging his shirt to remove a rumple that threatened to wrinkle. The presentation wasn't perfect, and nowhere near what Shura's Weyrleader should be, but it would do. It would have to, because there wasn't time to change anything.

Time to face the music. And his Weyrwoman.

---

Dae had been caught away from the weyr when Gritorth's clutch began hatching, and arrived just in time to watch a little white Impress a fragile looking girl. Once the Hatching had concluded with a green Impression, the candidates that Impressed became her responsibility.

She had directed her newest class of weyrlings to their new barracks, and stayed to answer whatever questions they might have for her. The Lagoon had a blast exploring the new dragons.

Get prettied up, Dae. I will wait for any questions.

The weyrling master hurriedly applied enough cosmetics to hide the dark circles of insomnia under her eyes. With her nocturnal disturbances hidden, she slipped into a Feast appropriate gown. This one was light green, and cinched at the waist with a dark green ribbon. Perfect.

"Let Lilian know I'll be right down?" Hatching Feasts took up a lot of time, so it was lucky that the Hatching itself had taken place so early in the morning.

[SummerRain]

Asosa knew she was late. She had been patrolling the skies, as she had been told, and had been too far from the Weyr to arrive in time for the Hatching. She would have to apologize to Lilian and Gritorth for doing so. She managed to slip into her room to change into her formal uniform; an ankle-length black skirt and a beige shirt with her Green knots on the shoulders. She decided to leave her curls down. She wasn't surprised to find that Azorith was already asleep. They had done a lot of work this day, and Asosa knew that her partner was tired. She also knew Azorith would tell her when the Green dragon woke.

As Asosa walked into the Great Hall, she immediately looked around for the Senior Weyrwoman. They had Impressed at the same Hatching, which had left its own bond between the two. At least, Asosa felt that way.

As she approached the Weyrwoman, Asosa dipped her head in respect. "I must apologize for missing Gritorth's Hatching," she said formally. "I was on patrol and Azorith received the message after the Hatching had already started. All the hatchlings Impressed?"