Dawning of a Brighter Future [N&D Graduation Feast]

[Zen]

A’zael

A’zael honestly couldn’t be more pleased with how things were going. It was more than he’d hoped for at this point, really. Things were finally taking a positive turn and Mavros’s chances of surviving the Pass were growing far more promising. The graduation of the class from the timing it mission marked not only the success of that venture, but also the first time Mavros was forming a new Wing since its founding. It left him in overall quite an elated mood as he pulled on the black and violet brocade jacket that finished off his finery. Each of the silver fastenings depicted a dragon in flight if one were to look close enough. It was somewhat over the top, in his opinion, but a Weyrleader had to dress the part, or at least that’s what B’rax had told him back when he’d first attained the role. He didn’t imagine he’d be keeping the jacket on for very long if he got any dancing in, anyway, which he certainly planned on. The matching vest he wore over a fresh white tunic would have to be enough for most of the night. Shells, but he was excited.

At the feast, he stood from his place at the high table when it seemed an opportune moment to offer his customary congratulations that he had offered at the last two graduation feasts, looking over the table that had been set for the graduating class, keeping it short and sweet as usual, for who wanted to listen to droning speeches when there was celebrating to do? “This class represents so much for Mavros. Any rider would tell you that the love of your dragon is worth any price, and you all certainly proved it, seeking your dragons through time itself. When you returned you brought hope with you, and now as you join the Wings and strengthen the Weyr, you do it again,” he raised his glass in toast to the class, “Tonight we celebrate Mavros’s newest riders and a brighter future for the Weyr!”

He returned to his seat as the clapping for the class died down, and shortly after the harpers began to play. Today was a good day, with so much worth celebrating, and for once A’zael was able to put his worries aside and just enjoy it. At least for tonight.

No’va

He and Aldy had gone to get his family for the feast a bit earlier and he’d spent some time back home - well, back in Tidewalk, since Mavros was his home now - before he’d brought them back to the Weyr. Fortunately his mother had gotten most of her dramatics out of the way back in the Hold so she was less likely to embarrass him come the feast. She’d been so disappointed she couldn’t be there to see him Impress, and honestly, No’va had been disappointed about that as well. But with the timing it mission, it just hadn’t been possible to have his family there. So he was both glad and a little apprehensive they would be at the graduation feast. He still didn’t really like the idea of everyone knowing who his family was. Joia hadn’t treated him any differently after finding out, which was a relief, but he doubted everyone would be like her. Or maybe they would, because they had gotten to know him for who he was first, rather than who he was related to. He may very well find out after tonight, he supposed. Hence the apprehension.

He sat between Joia and Vitra at the table that had been designated for the graduating class and considered the merits of introducing Vitra to his family. He really didn’t want her to treat him differently, but… he didn’t think she would? But would it be weird? He liked her, a lot, and even though they were just friends… right now, at least… wasn’t introducing someone you liked to your family kind of a big step? Shells, but it was all sorts of confusing. He’d never had feelings for a girl before and he wasn’t quite sure what to do with them. He certainly hadn't told her about them. What if she didn’t want him to feel that way about her? It wasn’t like he could just stop. The Weyrleader’s congratulatory speech gave him momentary distraction from those confusing thoughts and he couldn’t help but grin at finally being called riders rather than weyrlings.

The harpers started to play and he glanced at Vitra, leaning into her playfully, “You owe me a dance tonight, okay?” And then because he felt a little embarrassed singling her out, he nudged Joia on his other side as well, adding quickly, “Both of you.” He then shoved a sizable bite of herdbeast into his mouth in further attempt to hide his momentary embarrassment.

Alyx Taxx

[tovaana]

Muze :: Green Rylath

Her fingers played with the supple fabric at her thighs, looking down at herself and trying to imagine what she looked like to others. The blurry looking glass hadn’t helped and didn’t quite show all of her. Both hands crossed her body and held her bare shoulders for a moment. It wasn’t like she hadn’t worn shirts with short sleeves or sleeves that flipped up in the breeze, but this felt purposeful. Even more surprising – it had been her mother who had commissioned the dress. She was going to wear what she had worn to the most recent gather, but had been surprised to find the dress on her bed with a note. Unbeknownst to her, it had been V’than who had slipped in and delivered the parcel.

The dress was green – a shade of green that was surely in her dragon's hide, and had little varying sizes of speckles that covered it, reminiscent of her dragon. It was perfect – made her feel pretty and it was comfortable. Besides her bare shoulders, she wouldn’t have to feel self conscious at all at her party. Well, not only her party, but she’d never been to such a big party that celebration was even partial to her. They had impressed back in time, and the feast had not been what she had heard they usually were.

Her shoes were her nicest pair of flats she owned and went over to Rylath who dipped her head down to meet her human. “I wish you could come. This party is just as much for you, as it is for me.” I would like that very much, but you should have just as much fun without me. I will be happy here, or maybe I’ll go find some of my siblings. Do not worry about me, Muzemine. Muze smiled at her green who was always trying to make sure Muze would be happy. “You are perfect, you know that?” She beamed and hugged her dragon's face and then backed up. “You like my dress? I kinda look like you!” She did a little twirl, but the dress had not been meant for such gallant movements – but it did not bother Muze at all, she was so happy she would have been just as happy in her plain cream dress. Oh yes, it is pretty.  The green said, a little inquisitively, her head tilted questioningly – not making the connection of the color of the dress. “Just the color silly, and I have some speckles, just not as many as you.”

Coyli made a sad chirping noise. “You could come if you wanted.” She said, patting the pale flit as she headed out and toward the feast, knowing very well the flit would not be showing up in a place so crowded.

She made sure to find her brother to show him her dress, to which he complimented and gave her a hug. He hadn’t actually seen the dress, so at least he hadn’t had to feign surprise at what it looked like. She moved on to the food and chatting with friends, settling a table with the other graduates, smiling and nibbling on food. She realized she was so nervous and excited that she couldn’t stomach eating too much.

V’than :: Brown Saruth

It felt all very surreal, and it wasn’t until A’zael’s words that he realized that… he’d done it. He hadn’t even meant to become a rider – and yet there he was, graduating with his brown. Vavithan, now V’than. Sometimes he still felt like he was dreaming, sometimes he felt like he was losing himself or grasping at the past, and other times he felt like he was finally getting it. He wondered if there would be a day when he would forget what it had been like to live at home with his family and working on boats? As a full fledged rider he would have even less time to go back home, except for his day off… perhaps every other day off he’d go visit. Next time he’d see if Muze wanted to go with him… just to see how their mother was doing.

He glanced over at Muze who was picking at her food, but she seemed happy – really happy. Originally he’d come for her, but now he needed to figure out what he was doing. He watched the dancing begin, glancing around to see if Riasu was nearby. He wasn’t the best dancer, he knew a few basic steps and moves to go along… it would be enough to be close to her and have some pleasant catch up chat. He glanced back at Muze… perhaps he’d introduce her to Riasu too, though as what – a friend? That he didn’t know.

Maz’ru :: Blue Quilath

He did not feel particularly grown up. Isn’t that what riders were? Like adults with adult-like responsibilities? He felt like a boy still, one who enjoyed music – like the music that was playing and he watched them play, wondering if he had continued to journeyman, if he would have been placed in a place like Mavros. He hummed lightly to himself, shifting his attention to Sio who was near him and smiled to her, letting her know he was going to go get some more food. It was a feast was it not? He did enjoy dancing – and he did have the desire to try asking a pretty girl to dance maybe. Ever since the awkward kiss with Sio, he hadn’t really had a desire to replicate such awkward moments… but perhaps it was because they had inherently known they were siblings. It was worth a shot anyways, and it would distract him from looking for his father’s head of red hair. Maz’ru had off-handedly mentioned the graduation feast and had sort of invited him. The man had seemed excited for him and had said he would try and make it work. Maz hadn’t told Sio, thinking of how she felt about G’der and it just seemed like it would rain on her parade… and it seemed that they weren’t telling each other everything anyways, so it didn’t seem like that big of a deal.

He wore Mavrosi colors, dark pants and a lighter patterned silk shirt. He had Sio help him pick it out at the gather he finally had the chance to sport it. Though, he had left the first couple buttons undone and rolled up the sleeves, he hadn’t liked how formal it made him feel. He made his way back to the table, but paused for a moment, watching a couple on the dance floor take the stage light for a moment as they did a couple of twirls into a dip. He smiled, letting himself get lost in the fun of the event, not thinking in the moment about what ‘graduating’ meant to him.

kevna

[kevna]

Vanisha 

The smile she had worn so far had been glued to her face, unwavering, and long-time practiced. To most, it would seem authentic enough, in fact she doubted anyone, except possibly No’va and her mother would notice the lack of genuineness in her face. She should have known. She should have remembered. It was impossible to avoid him, he was sitting right across from her. Degranik. She had to have been born under the red star for all her luck. Her mother sitting next to her had been merciful, carrying the conversation for most of the meal.

Vanisha had learned enough from the man she could have married during their polite exchange. He seemed genuinely happy with Relaena. Why wouldn’t he be? She was a beautiful bride, and he was easy to dote on. She would have doted on him. He had said something sweet about his bride, and it had felt like the twisting of the knife already in her heart. Isha hadn’t been able to keep her cheeks from reddening, and she had looked down, letting her long wavy red hair hide her face. It could have been her he spoke about. There was still a part of her that blamed herself. Obviously, she hadn’t been interesting enough, pretty enough, and the list could go on. Now, she was probably going to be saddled to Hasallan. There was already talk of her getting sent to Keroon to live with her uncle so that negotiations could move forward and a pit formed in her stomach at the thought. Hasallan she had found to be childish and a little petty-not the husband she had hoped for. Her eyes found Degranik again, and she looked away just as quickly.

She was relieved when the Weyrleader congratulated the graduating class, grabbing her attention and her thoughts. She clapped politely, her smile transforming minutely as she searched and caught sight of her little brother sandwiched between two girls. He looked happy too. Everyone was happy. She was even more grateful when the music started, and she prayed to Faranth that someone would rescue her from this painfully awkward situation and whisk her onto the dance floor. It was probably too much to hope that No’va would do so, he was so innocently naive. Her eyes cast about, expressing her desire as quietly and properly as she could.

Siorreya - Green Amagetith

Siorreya enjoyed people watching at big gatherings, but her eyes were less watchful and more searching. She sat next to Maz’ru, and Ny’x, feeling ill at ease. Had it just been her, or had she seen a mess of red hair a little while ago? Messier then Maz’ru’s, redder then his… She fingered the soft skirt of her dress, shaking her head at Maz’ru as he escaped to get more food. "How are you going to dance if you stuff yourself?" She called after him teasingly. Boys could eat so much. Maz'ru had been polite enough, and she didn’t care to think more on what had transpired between her and Pod-Podrell not Pod-in front of him, especially not right now. She had focused mainly on eating quickly so she would be ready for the dancing, giving polite comments when appropriate and joking around with a carefree attitude. But the red hair in the crowd… It plagued her. Ny’x seemed to babble a lot, making up for Sio’s quietness, and the greenrider did remember Ny’x’s blue was shy and avoided people as often as possible. Maybe the bluerider was starved for attention? Shards but she was getting bored. She let her hand smooth the soft green pleated skirt of her dress again as she listened to Ny’x’s words. But her mind was on A’zael’s previous words. This, right here, was it. She was graduated. She was a full-fledged greenrider. She felt for Amagetith who had grown bored of the feasting.

If you are bored of her attention, why don’t you dance? Isn’t that why you got the dress? The green stated, obviously distracted by whatever she was up to. Sio smiled and looked down at the simple off the shoulder green dress. It hugged all the right curves, and when she twirled, it would show off her thighs. It was perfect for dancing. I will… You are being good, right?

Aren’t I always? I'm just going to play a game... Sio rolled her eyes, not even willing to say anything to that. The music had started, and she let out a little excited noise, standing and scanning the room for a suitable partner. She could ask Maz’ru, but in the end, they spent way too much time together. Even if they were siblings. She noticed Asirikai surrounded by a group of holders, chatting easily, and quirked a mischievous smile. Nah. Not yet at least. Who knew if the man could dance anyway?

“Excuse me, Ny’x, I think this is my song. I’m going to hunt down a handsome young man.”tovaana

Kekoa - Candidate

He ran his hand through his curls, making sure they hadn’t fallen out of place, then straightened the cuffs of his loose white shirt. The harper blue vest did what the shirt did not, which is show off his lean figure. The shirt he left a little unlaced at the top, in order to show off his smooth muscled chest. His pants finished off the ensemble, just plain black dress trousers that showed off his legs. He looked the part, now it was time to play the part.

The music started and immediately he stood, moving to place his gitar he had had strapped to his back near the other harpers, and then immediately directing himself toward a young woman he had kept his eye on. He had seen her in the candidate lessons, Yvinka was her name if his harper memory was still intact, and she had had quite the mouth, figuratively and literally. In fact, the curve of her lips was just an addition to her other curves, and he couldn’t wait to hold her, if just for one dance. Of course, if she would give him another later on… He could hardly refuse.

He had been looking forward to this feast, looking forward to his promised dance with Ceela Plus, there were a few other’s he had his eye on. Maybe the delectable red head sitting at the highborn table-though he knew that could cause trouble, so he’d wait till she was already on the dance floor. Or that sassy small blonde… What was her name again? Siorreya. Shards, he was grateful for his memory. So many options. But this one was first. And maybe last, depending on how well it would go.

“My lady,” He tapped on her shoulder, his smile as charming as ever. “You look as if you were born to dance, and I would love to show you off. Would you do me the honor?” He bowed eloquently, his eyes admiring her dark hair, almost as dark as his own. 

Zen

[tovaana]

Ceela;

One was always fashionably late. Besides, when late, one missed the boring speeches and people were usually done with food and ready for the real fun of the party. She was sort of hungry, but that was never her draw to a party. It was the fun, dancing, and men dressed up in their finery. She herself didn’t like looking fancy, but there was something about men in uniform. Also, she had already nibbled on food while she had helped prepare for the feast in the kitchen, despite cooks getting after her for testing them. She had told the cooks she was just trying to be helpful! Indeed, their gratitude.

She swished her dress playfully as she walked, coming to the entrance where she found Treyvin who looked all shades of uncomfortable. He looked like he was about to turn back too! “Oh, no you don’t.” He startled at the sound of her voice, like she’d surprised him. She ignored it and grabbed his hand and pulled him into the feast after her. “At least get something to eat! I worked so hard. Just for you!” She teased with a grin and he rolled his eyes, since obviously the party wasn’t for him and she could hear him sigh, and maybe groan as she set him in the food line and abandon him there. There, her work was complete! Now for some fun.

She grinned and batted her eyelashes as she made her way through the crowd, especially whenever a handsome man spotted her flitting by. Who knew if she’d make an impression and maybe they’d come find her later to ask her to dance. Most men, though, who wanted to dance were already dancing. Her eyes scanned the tables and they were drawn to a very nicely black and white embroidered suit. There was a vacant spot next to him, but it was only a half a spot, well, she was always up for a challenge.

She lifted a leg, slightly un-lady like, and saddled in sideways sitting sideways in the spot, facing the man. Oh, not just fancy – but ruggedly handsome. “Hello there. Surely you’ve finished eating by now. There are women waiting for handsome men like you to sweep them off their feet in dance. Surely there’s one that has caught your eye?” The people behind Ceela had been annoyed by Ceela’s dress material that had bunched and had scooted to make room, but she didn’t shift accordingly, both not knowing they had moved and enjoying the close quarters with the man.

The blonde tilted her head, her loose curls shifting with the gesture and wiggled her eyebrows, giving him a come-on sort of grin. It was a 50/50 chance that he’d be game for a dance and take the hint. Even rarer was a man so obtuse that he didn’t get the hint… she supposed that wher handler would have been those sorts of people.

Zen

[Zen]

Yvinka

The one thing her father would ever indulge her in was dresses. Appearances were important for a girl, after all. Unfortunately when Yvinka had made her hasty getaway via dragon to Mavros, she’d had to leave most of them behind. They tended toward bulky and she’d mostly just stuffed whatever she could into two sacks in her hurry to leave before anyone found out what she was doing. But she had managed to stash away one of her finer dresses. It was lighter weight so it was easier to stuff in with her other things, so thank Faranth this celebration was happening indoors or she’d likely be mighty cold wearing it. Likely she wouldn’t really have the marks to buy a new, warmer gather dress for some time. The dress in question was a more understated pale, dusty blue color, but the style was everything Yvinka loved about dresses. Light and flowy, it made her a wonderful sight while she danced, and she loved how it felt swirling around her legs with every step. She’d done her hair simply - as she preferred it long and loose, mostly - with two small braids starting at her temples and merging into a single braid at the back of her head. Her dark hair was otherwise straight and free, draped over her bare shoulders.

She was quite excited to be at her first Weyr celebration, particularly as her father wasn’t around to dampen the mood with his incessant nagging about how a lady should act. It wasn’t as grand of an affair as the wedding gather at Jask, but it was more… intimate, with everything contained in the dining cavern like this. She liked the atmosphere. When the Weyrleader spoke, she couldn’t help but eye him. He sure was handsome, wasn’t he? She realized she’d seen him once before, playing gitar and singing during one meal or another in the dining cavern. He had a nice voice too. He’d drawn quite a nice little crowd of women to listen to him. She’d been doing chores in the kitchen at the time, but she’d snuck a quick break to listen for a few moments before she was called back to work. She’d just thought he was a harper or something.

Shortly after he finished speaking, music started up, and Yva was quite eager to find herself a partner. She’d eaten light, because dancing on a full, heavy stomach was never a good idea. Better to snack throughout the night as she worked up an appetite between dancing. She popped one last piece of fruit into her mouth as she turned slightly to watch the first few dancers join together to enjoy the music. She watched a few men walk by, considering the merits of each. A lady waits to be asked to dance, she could hear her father’s stupid voice, acting like being too eager to dance meant more than it did, and rolled her eyes. She was about settled on going to ask someone to dance when a voice and a tap on her shoulder had her turning. She recognized Kekoa from lessons, of course. He wasn’t really someone easily ignored or forgotten with how… animated and outspoken he was. Not to mention he seemed like he carried a gitar everywhere and was playing it more often than not. He seemed fun, and charming, and he was handsome to boot.

She giggled at the compliment, more than happy he had asked her to dance, and stood from the table to offer him a dramatic curtsy in response to his bow, “It’s as though you read my mind, sir. Here I was just wondering where I might find the perfect partner.” She giggled again as she noticed what he was wearing, “We match! Clearly we were meant to be.” She gave him a coy smile and added, “Dance partners, that is.” Of course, she might just let him steal a kiss or two if it felt right. She often let boys steal kisses from her during dances, if they were bold enough and actually had some skill on the dance floor. Finding young men that actually knew how to dance decently could be difficult and there was nothing quite so disappointing to put her out of the mood as to have a poor partner. If Kekoa could dance at all like he played that gitar of his, she didn’t think she’d be disappointed. She held her hand out for him to take, ready to follow where he led, if he was up to the task.

kevna


Kisoraz

He had debated the merits of wearing something more neutral to the feast, given it was Mavros-centric. Would it be inappropriate for him to sport Mirran colors, particularly if he was trying to become Mavrosi? Sort of. Such a strange predicament he found himself in. In order to secure his place in Mirrish society he had to leave it. But he decided in the end that it didn’t really matter what colors he wore. It didn’t have to be associated with his home, it could just as well be because he liked the colors. Besides, he had nothing in Mavros colors yet. Perhaps he should ask his mother to send him something from Mirran’s weavers. Ruth only knew when he might have the chance to commission something, and just what sort of quality he would get outside of Mirran.

This would be his first celebration at Mavros and he was curious how it would compare to the graduations in Mirran. His mother always did a bone casting for the class as a whole, and then the newest Mirrish riders got a private casting from her as well. She was quite well known for her talent at reading dragon bones and to get a casting from her was quite an honor. He wondered if the Weyrwoman at Mavros did the same thing, but then… Mavros didn’t really have a Weyrwoman right now, did they? Would their Interim Weyrwoman take over the task? Or perhaps it was broader custom for the casting to be done by the most talented reader of rank in the Weyr and in Mirran that just happened to be his mother. He’d never really thought about it before.

So he was disappointed and mildly confused when no casting was done at all. In the few months he’d been at Mavros he had thought it was odd how little he had heard about anyone casting dragon bones - which is to say not at all. He had thought perhaps it was just more of a private affair at Mavros, or only done for special occasions, but apparently not. And he was beginning to consider the fact that perhaps they did not cast at all, which was… baffling. He also noticed the lack of weyrlings that were normally assigned to serve at the high table in Mirran, but that was less surprising as he had yet to hear of any sort of separation of ranks at Mavros. They all simply considered themselves Mavrosi and there seemed no higher or lower caste as back home. It was very odd, but he was starting to grow used to that at least. Of course Mavros was only a couple turns old… would it take some time to get proper castes established? The more he learned of Mavros, the more he felt rather woefully unprepared to be here and do what his father expected of him. Things were just so different….

He sighed lightly, poking at his food a bit. Well, he would need to Impress a bronze before he could really put anything into motion, and his hope for Impression was dwindling rather quickly. Mavros had fewer golds than Mirran, which meant fewer chances to Stand before he grew too old. But his mother had read a future for him here, so it must be so. It was the last hope he had to cling to. He was just taking a bite of his food when suddenly someone squeezed in beside him and startled him out of his thoughts. He stared at the young woman in surprise for a moment before recognition dawned on him. She was a fellow candidate. Ceela. He chewed his bite of food as she spoke and had to hold back a laugh at her boldness so he wouldn’t choke, or spew food everywhere in a manner most uncouth.

A soft breath of laughter escaped him after he’d swallowed and had a drink of wine to wash it down, “Indeed, there is one that has caught my eye quite handily… and she seems quite impatient.” He wasn’t used to women being quite so forward with him, but he was no stranger to a little flirting, “I suppose I ought to be a gentleman and not keep her waiting any longer?” Maybe a dance would be good, help him clear his head a bit and not get so lost in thinking about how different Mavros was. Unless it was customary for women to lead dances in Mavros, in which case he would start to wonder if he should assume that everything was just opposite here. He stood and held out his hand for hers, “Would you allow me to sweep you off your feet, Ceela?” He wondered if he even could. Ceela was quite a vibrant young woman from what he’d seen of her. He just hoped he could keep up.

tovaana

[Taxx]

Vitra of Blue Tucseth

Vitra couldn't have been more excited about all of this if she tried. She'd come so far and tonight was like the final step in fitting in as a rider: the graduation. She had further to go, of course, but the progress she'd made already was sometimes enough to make her have to stop and think about it. Two Turns ago she'd been a nobody, the child of a bronzerider and a holdfolk- not even old enough to be given a say in what she wanted for herself yet. Funny, how a mere hour had changed all of it, and the incredible timing mission that had kept her father from claiming her again until it was too late. So many things could have gone wrong, but so many had gone right instead, and she was practically bouncing as she entered the dining hall that was filling with the rest of the Mavrosi who cared to show for the ceremony.

K'zar, she was glad to see, was standing by one of the entrances to the bowl, arms crossed and looking rather closed off. He most likely wasn't going to stay long, she knew; neither he or Lepsuth were much for socializing, but she was glad that he'd at least showed up for a little.

Happy enough to plop herself in the seat next to No'va, waving at him and Joia as she did so, and then popping up a moment later to wave at Aleni as she spotted her older sister already at a table and then craning to try and spot T'vir, failing to notice him through the mass of people and sitting once more. She'd find him later. Smoothing down her skirt again, she sat.

When A'zael stood, and the noise died down, Vitra fixed her gaze on him, and she felt again the joy of finding her place here, far from Benden Hold and her parents, true, but among new friends and her brother and sister- and Tucseth, of course. Without him none of this would be possible, and she was pretty sure she'd never forget the memory of his bow and the bright invitation to play with him, the moment when her future had set her firmly along this path. Applause rang out, for her as well as the rest of the graduates, and the grin that stretched across her face refused to fade.

Music started, and Vitra glanced over at No'va as he nudged his shoulder against hers and told her she owed him a dance and then she couldn't help blushing. "Sounds good to me," she agreed, and she couldn't quite help a flicker of gratitude that she'd taken lessons. Before everything, but she remembered though it'd been a while since then. Food first, though, and she was all too eager to dig in to the dishes offered.
Zen Alyx
--
L'rey of Bronze Codrath

Sitting at the end of one of the tables designated for the graduating weyrlings, L'rey glanced around at the people; a mix of riders, weyrfolk and crafters, mashed together in a Weyr not yet ten Turns old, and felt like he belonged. Tillek wasn't his home anymore; he couldn't go back except to visit. He would have been happy, he was sure, but he was happy here too, like this. And tomorrow, he could visit Reyloran and Wyliva and tell them both about this, about his becoming a full rider, and soak up their praise too. Part of him wondered if Treyvin was around- maybe he could find his half-brother later and see how he was doing.

A'zael's speech over, another burst of pride at the achievement, and L'rey pushed back his chair. He wasn't in the mood to keep still, and enough people were beginning to mingle that he didn't feel too self-conscious about doing the same. And he was glad, after a moment, to spot Treyvin as he'd hoped, throwing up an arm to wave, to attract the other's attention to him as he went over.
tovaana
--
K'zar of Green Lepsuth

This was too many people. Too much noise, except when A'zael had been talking, and he twitched at the abrupt round of clapping that filled the cavern as he finished. The green was curled on her couch in his weyr, very much present in his mind, and K'zar was dressed in nothing more than his day-to-day outfits. He didn't plan on staying, but he thought he might get a good plate of food before heading back to the weyr to enjoy it in peace. He pushed off the entrance he'd been leaning against, arms uncrossing as he moved forward to claim a plate and some of the food on display, contacting Lepsuth to let her know he'd be back soon; while this was meant for him, as part of the graduating group of riders, he was nearly ready to be back where he knew it'd be quiet to enjoy the meal in peace.
kevna

[kevna]

Kekoa - Candidate

His eyes moved from her dark braids to her dress as she turned to face him, and he enjoyed the way the dress swirled in response. Her theatrical curtsy still had a flare of elegance to it and his smile widened, at her words. He offered a hand to her, and with his other placed it on his chest. “Perfect? Here I thought I had found the superlative partner.”

He looked down at himself with her excited exclamation, reminding himself that he too wore blue. Harper blue, not the pale blue she modelled, but blue all the same. He allowed himself a better look at her own gown, the way it showed off her shoulders and hugged her waist, shaking his head and laughing at her modest smile and worded addition. “Of course, dance partners.” He raised his eyebrows suggestively and gave a small teasing smirk. He didn’t mind being meant to be with a beautiful woman-at least for tonight. But he was always careful when dancing around words like that. He didn’t seek to encourage talk like that, he hated the idea of leading a woman on. One reason why being a dragonrider was so appealing was the lifestyle, the looser morals and non-commitment. He grabbed her hand and twirled thrice onto the dance floor, and once there pulled her in close without losing form. He enjoyed the slowed song’s melody, but focused instead on the alluring woman in his arms, at least the song gave him plenty of opportunity to hold her close. With perfect tension of course. He had to look good, who knew what other lady could be watching.

"So, Yvinka. Did I read your mind, or did you read mine? The way you pulled me in so effortlessly… What other secret powers do you have? I have a feeling I may need mercy when it comes to you.” He led her in the first of the steps, testing her ability to dance as he threw in extra moves effortlessly. The music prompted him, it was like each chord hinted at what move he could do next, and his muscles reacted without extra thought. An inept man led his partner right at them, and Kekoa smoothly adjusted, pulling her in closer to him and spinning to avoid collision. He could feel the brush of elbow lightly against his back, alluding to how narrowly they had avoided impact.

“See, he couldn’t help it too, the way he almost hit us.” He tsked a few times. “You are like a gold in flight, and we your humble bronze and brown beggars.”

Zen
Siorreya – Green Amagetith

She had spotted K’zar leaning at the entrance earlier, quietly watching and not partaking in the feast as of yet. The way he had had his arms crossed had apprised her of his strength, and now she wondered if he had any grace. He was quieter, and the thought of teasing him had come to her mind a few times, though the opportunity had never presented itself. Until now…. Now seemed as good as any, and maybe she would be able to rope him into a dance. If not, she wouldn’t be heartbroken, the song had a more moderate pace, and she liked the faster paced songs. Now as she searched for him, she spotted him heading for the tables, and she felt a mischievous smile come over her face.

She didn’t hear Ny’x if she said anything in response, the way she headed off in K’zar’s direction with decisiveness didn’t leave much time for listening. She weaved in and out of people, her eyes trained on him, not paying too much attention to who bumped her or vise versa. She walked right up to the tall man, inserting herself in front of him and blocking his path as best as her small form could. Her hand came up as if to rest on his arm, and she gave him her best impression of earnest genuineness.

“K’zar, I-I can’t hold this in any longer. You need to know… I am irrevocably love with you and want to have all your babies.” She blinked up at him three times, before a burst of giggles erupted from her chest.

Taxx

[tovaana]

Ceela;

He clearly hadn’t finished eating, but she waited patiently as he finished and politely responded. “Indeed, there is one that has caught my eye quite handily… and she seems quite impatient.” Her eyes got big and she gestured to herself, leaning back a little. “Why, you’re not talking about me are you?” She said, her feigned shock turning easily into an uncontainable grin. And she scrunched her nose momentarily and shook her head when he said he shouldn’t keep her waiting. “Not if you were a gentleman.” She said, not quite shifting and waiting patiently. She could to be patient, steadying her foot that had almost started to tap to prove her otherwise.

He finally got up and offered her his hand and her heart did a little flutter of excitement at his wording. Perhaps she should have approached him sooner to get to know him better. She knew most of the candidates and remembered… most of their names. Kisoraz was easy to remember, perhaps because he seemed to stand out – dressing fancier than most and acting proper… Ceela liked talking to all sorts of people, even the boring ones, but she was drawn more readily to those who fed her energy, like Yva, Sio, or Kekoa. His wording had been cute, charming even. 

She took his hand, “I thought you’d never ask.” It seemed cliché, but his phrasing had been too – taking her words to ask her to dance. She placed a hand in his and used it to pull herself from her unlady-like position and let him escort her to an empty spot on the floor. She sidled herself into dancing position, placing her other hand on his shoulder which was surprising smooth from the nice material that his coat was made from.

There was that moment at the beginning of a dance when either party would be tempted to start really boring questions- or small talk. Ceela preferred exciting dancing or exciting talk, and not knowing what sort of lead dancer he was going to be, she jump started the conversation. “Will you tell me a story?” She asked, keeping her body firm enough to be moved, but relaxed enough to let him take the lead. Zen

Treyvin;

He hadn’t been about to leave, he told himself as Ceela escorted him into the mass of colors and textures that bombarded his mind. He had tried putting up mental blocks, but it really didn’t matter in gatherings where everyone was so close in proximity. The only mercy was that most everyone was having a good time, so at least the feelings were running similar wave lengths… and it wasn’t as heightened like an event that happened in spurts, like hatchings. Though, sometimes when a certain popular song came on, a burst of excitement would have his stomach rolling.

The tall boy went through the line rather numbly, taking small portions of food, just in case something happened and he wasn’t able to keep it down. He turned and his eyes glanced over the tables and caught the waving hand. It was L’rey. A smile flickered on his features, like a candlewick flicking to life, that his half brother desired his company. His long legs took him to where his brother was standing. “Hey, congrats.” It had dawned on him a few days before the feast that this was not only his friends’ graduation, but also his half brother’s graduation. Treyvin felt the distinct bit of a jealousy that was his own lift its ugly head from the smothering feelings that pressed in around him. He wished he could just be happy for L’rey, but green jealousy kept splashing its influence whenever he thought of his brother on a bronze from the Timing adventure… the same adventure he had gone on, but come back empty handed.

“Is Codrath upset he couldn’t come to his own party?” He asked with another small smile, picking up a roll from his plate and taking a bite to try and keep his body busy and not think too much about the conglomerate of feelings that were knocking on his mental door. Taxx

Maz’ru :: Blue Quilath

Maz simply smirked at Sio’s comment. Clearly she didn’t know much about men and their ability to consume food. It was a rare day that Maz’ru actually felt full. Though, perhaps this was partly due to hanging around Siorreya. She always ate quickly and was done before he was even half way done eating. He never had time for seconds during meals – but this, this was a feast. And he was going to eat. He’d finish this plate and then he’d dance off some of the food and go get more.

When the red head got back to the table, Sio was gone and he felt a little wave of relief. At least he could finish the plate properly without feeling rushed in any way. He enjoyed his plate of food, glancing around for any flash of red hair that would indicate that his father had showed up at the celebration. Then...was that it? He had seen auburn hair between bustling people and he froze mid chew as he shifted to see if he could see through the crowd of people around tables eating and conversing. He absentmindedly finished his plate, not enjoying it as much as he had hoped, and stood up, going through the tables in the direction he thought he had seen a flash of red hair.

He closed in on the table full of important people and saw the red head – catching her eye accidentally. No, it must not have been his father, just this young woman. She seemed to be looking out and about, her eyes gentle and maybe pleading? He felt a little awkward staring and realized his mistake and the only way to fix it. Maz’ru approached the woman, trying not to glance around at the people who were dressed far more elaborately than he. “Could your company spare you for a dance?” He asked, a small half smile as he held out his hand to her. He had meant to do this anyways, and upon nearing her pale skin and long red hair were striking. kevna

[Zen]

Yvinka

Yva couldn’t help the soft giggles his flattery drew from her. Shells, was he going to flatter her all the while they danced? She certainly wouldn’t mind. She didn’t think she was an overly vain person, she didn’t need to be flattered, but she certainly wouldn’t deny any amount of compliments that anyone might want to lavish her with. Of course it was hard to know how genuine they were, coming from Kekoa, with the way she had seen him flirt with just about any woman he interacted with. But she wouldn’t hold it against him because she enjoyed flirting as well, and just because someone was free and easy with praise didn’t mean they didn’t mean it.

“Mm, it seems we’ve both gotten lucky tonight,” she replied with a hint of a suggestive smile of her own. She was quite aware of just what the phrase ‘getting lucky’ meant and had worded it that way on purpose. Even if she’d never actually gotten lucky herself. Flirting and teasing, kissing and even the allowance of some wandering hands, these were things she had done, but the threat of an unwanted pregnancy had kept her from having the full experience she might have otherwise wanted. But that was before, before the Weyr, before she had easy access to dragons and a favor from a rider friend of a quick trip between. Here… who knew? It was rather freeing to think she no longer had to hold back, if she didn’t want to. And Kekoa was handsome and charming and easy to fantasize about.

When he grabbed her hand and twirled them to the dance floor, she laughed gleefully. The twirling was one of her favorite parts about dancing, particularly in this dress. And when he pulled her in close, that was another of her favorite parts. Her hand rested lightly on his shoulder as she gave herself over to him, allowing him to guide their movement rather expertly. She had been right, she wasn’t disappointed. She giggled softly, “Well, if I told you, they wouldn’t be secret anymore, would they? You’ll just have to wonder… and hope I’m feeling merciful.” Her amber-brown eyes narrowed slightly as a playful smirk pulled at her lips.

He started adding extra steps and she could only grin with excitement. Shells but it had been a while since she had found such a skilled dance partner. Sadly, she hadn’t had much luck at the Jask gather. While she had found suitable partners, Kekoa certainly put them to shame. The way he led made following rather effortless and the easy way they moved together only made her wonder if they would make as wonderful a pair in bed. Shards, he really was easy to fantasize about. Coincidentally it was right while she was having such thoughts that he suddenly pulled her in closer and a soft gasp of surprise escaped her as she wondered for a heartbeat if he really could read her mind, until she saw how close another couple had come to colliding with them as they slid by each other.

She laughed, more at herself and her silly thoughts than anything, though he could just as easily interpret it as laughter at his words. More flattery, comparing her to a gold dragon in flight. With a breathy laugh she cast a glance up at him through half-lidded eyes, “If that were the case then it would appear that you’re the one winning. Some might even think you’ve already caught me, holding me like this….” Her hand slid off his shoulder and down to his chest briefly as she pressed herself against him but for a moment before relaxing back into his hold again, her hand sliding properly back up to his shoulder once more as she smiled as innocently as she could muster, “But the dance is really just another part of the chase. The night is still young and it’s far too early to let myself be caught just yet.”

kevna

Kisoraz

He gave her an easy smile at her rather rhetorical question, answering it anyway, “I don’t know who else I could be talking about. You’ve captured my attention rather completely.” And as she said, he wouldn’t keep her waiting much longer because he did consider himself a gentleman. As they moved to the dance floor and she placed her hand on his shoulder, he settled his own at her waist, and was surprised by her sudden request. He laughed softly, “A story…? And here I was half hoping I might get one out of you.” Less story and more information, but it hardly mattered as she had asked first, so he would oblige. “Very well… let me think a moment.”

He pulled her gently into the first steps of the dance, finding a nice rhythm for them in the song, and decided on the first tale that came to mind, “Once there were two brothers, twin sons of a Lord Holder. They were inseparable and they even looked alike. They were like two halves of the same whole, to each other. But one day they were Searched, the both of them, and their Lord father allowed them to stand for only a single clutch.” He moved them along with his story just as much as with the music, and leaned her back into a dip as he took a dramatic pause in his story, pulling her back up to him as he began again, “Only one brother Impressed, to a fine bronze, but the brother that was left standing was heartbroken in more ways than one as his father forced him to return home after the hatching, separating him from his brother for the very first time in his life.” And here he spun her away from him, as if they were the brothers in the story being separated, though he never let go of her hand and pulled her back to him a moment later.

“But the brothers promised they would find their way back to each other before they parted and each was forced to find their own path in life without the other. Turns passed but they did not forget their promise, and as the Pass came to an end and a prosperous and peaceful Interval began, the brothers finally got their chance to fulfill it. They wanted to create something new, something that had never been done before, a place they could lead into a bright new future together. So they made Mirran, the very first Weyrhold of Pern, and they served as the very first Lord and Weyrleader in a tradition of joint leadership, and the Weyrhold flourished under their rule.” He ended his tale with a soft smile as he couldn’t help but recall the many times his mother had told it to him while he was small and having trouble sleeping. There were longer, more detailed variations of the way the Founding of Mirran had been turned into a story for children, and a teaching ballad as well, but he thought the short bedtime version suited the moment just fine.

He had never danced to the story before and it had been rather fun making up flourishes to go along with it. He looked curiously down at Ceela, “Was that to your satisfaction?” It was honestly strange to think that someone might not know the tale, but he supposed mothers outside of Mirran wouldn’t tell their children Mirranese bedtime stories, would they? He chuckled then, “I hope I didn’t put you to sleep. It never failed to calm me at bedtime. Perhaps I should have chosen a different story.”

tovaana

[tovaana]

Khrowlos;

“Ah, yeah.” He said quietly, looking in his clear looking glass that he had spent many marks on in order to get a good look of himself while getting ready for his days. This was his first large event since coming to Mavros, it was almost like they knew he had arrived, waiting so that he could enjoy the party. He did enjoy parties, and he still needed to find himself a ‘crowd’ to hang out with. This would be a good opening for him, to scope out the different groups of friends, perhaps find people like him…though, if he was going to be honest with himself, there was no one like him. It was what made him, him. He rose a dark eyebrow, looking at his pale powdered face – a light makeup that smoothed his complexion, not enough for anyone to notice that he was wearing anything at all. His fingers played with individual gelled hairs, adding the smallest bit of clear sparkle to his pale hair – an expensive bit that he only used for events like this.

He turned around in the looking glass, looking for wrinkles or discrepancies in his attire. His wore white pants, held up by a woven white belt – and tucked in was his pale blue detailed button up shirt. There was no rhyme or reason to the color of his shirt, except that it set off his clear pale blue eyes. Instead of a traditional suit jacket, or even the fancy longer ones, his was a sort of short cape that hung off his shoulders and clipped on to stay on. It was also white, but with elaborate ash gray stitching that mimicked the color of his dyed hair. Yes, he thought as she completed his slow spin, he looked perfect. Now he could focus less on his outward appearance and more on the party ahead of him.

Khrow didn’t like to think too much about the party being for dragonriders, or that he’d be surrounded by many of them tonight. A Weyr wouldn’t have been his first choice, but he hadn’t had many choices… and it wasn’t like he had to stay in Mavros forever. It was just a stepping-stone in his life. Even so, he was determined to make the most of it, whatever that meant.

In the dim lighting of the halls he looked almost ghost light with all his pale attire. He moved gracefully, his cape lifting with each stride, his face presented a pleasant smile as he nodded to people in passing as he made his way. He made small talk with a man who was headed at the same pace toward the Dining Halls and looked a tad uncomfortable, glancing at his attire, but seemed to relax with Khrowlos’ easy countenance. They parted ways as they hit the Dining Halls and he got in line to get food, picking at select fruits and a small piece of meat on his platter. He glanced up as the Weyrleader celebrated the new dragonriders – he watched him intently for a moment, but not because of what he was saying, that he sort of tuned out… he looked rather familiar… He shrugged it off when his words ended, instead he continued people watching while chewing on slices of red fruit.

There was the obvious table where the more ‘chosen’ people sat, probably Lord Holders and other royalty. He would feel most comfortable mingling with them, but he was sure they were just visiting, momentary friends, when he needed to find people in the Weyr to be his people. He was distracted momentarily by the dancers moving nearby rather gracefully and with surprising talent for being in a small unnotable Weyr.

With a desire to show off his own skills, which he only had because his holder friends spent enough time dancing for fun, he scanned and filtered people out by dress and beauty. His vision paused on the sight of a champagne dress – a pale dress that would complement his own pale attire, yet still set them apart individually. He moved in a straight path, most moving on their own accord, the rest moved as he asked politely if they would move in a quiet voice. Once he reached the spot where she was sitting, probably with friends, he rose his voice to catch her attention.

“Dear lady, would you do me the honor to grant me this dance, as well as your name?”

Zen for Mizao

Ceela

Ceela smiled openly at his comment, since it had been her intention to catch his whole attention. She really hadn’t been sure if he’d be really responsive or not, but she also hadn’t had enough time interacting with him to know. She was pleasantly surprised as he pulled her in rhythm with the dance, even if it was a tad predictable. She enjoyed being surprised, but she also just enjoyed dance as it was – being close to one's dance partner and getting to know one another. However, as predictable the dance was at first, she was surprised at the length of the story. Usually her partners would tell short stories… very short, from their youth or something from their past. This seemed… like an actual story of some sort.

As the story started she started imagining what it would be like if she had a twin sister that looked like her, how much fun she could have had! She’d always wanted for a sister like her older two sisters had had each other. She was so caught up by the story, that his dip took her a little by surprise, but her experience told her to keep relaxed and to go with his flow. She listened curiously, not overly obtuse by the way his story and dancing skills were overlapping. That, if anything, was impressive enough for Ceela to enjoy the moments dancing with Kisoraz.

“Put me to sleep? Your dancing wouldn't let me.” She said with a soft short laugh and shook her head. “I’m impressed and… that was a bedtime story?” It resembled a bed time story the way he told it, but it sounded like it was sort of a history of Mirran. She didn’t know much about it, but suddenly felt like she knew a lot more of it just after one story. “I also like to think I've heard most stories, but this...I’ve never heard it, but I guess I was told Weyr stories more than Weyrhold stories.” It was an interesting idea, the merging of a hold and Weyr – wasn’t that sort of what Mavros was? “So, I assume you’re from Mirran then? Or you just have a strange fascination for their bedtime stories?” She posed teasingly.

[kevna]

Vanisha - Daughter of Tidewalk Hold

For a moment she feared she was out of luck, and her seeking gaze would become apparent to her companions, but even as she resolved to give up, a trained smile on her face, soft green eyes connected with hers. Relief flooded through her chest as the man-boy?-either seemed to understand her silent plea or responded to the eyes meeting and turned in her direction. She averted her gaze so not to stare deeming it highly inappropriate to do so, and smiled at something the man sitting next to Degranik quipped about whers. Degranik had a wher… She swallowed as the rest of her laughing companions, itching to stand and meet the man halfway, to quicken her escape. But that would be against everything her mother had ever taught her.

Suddenly she felt his presence as her back, and she turned, a wider, more genuine smile lighting her face as she looked upon the freckled face. He had a low, kind tone as he asked her to dance, politely, she noted. She looked to her mother, whose attention had also been diverted to the man behind her, looking-more pleading-for permission. Her mother smiled kindly and waved her hand gently with a “I think we’ll manage well, have fun my dear.” Vanisha let out a relieved breath, and took the man’s hand with her own, using it to assist her in getting up. She adjusted the layers of skirts expertly, almost unconsciously, while she got a good look at him. She couldn’t tell the age; he could very well be of age with her or possibly younger, though he was pleasantly tall.

“Thank you, I love dancing. I am Vanisha.” She gave him a courteous, elegant curtsy, the skirts of her elaborate sea blue dress splaying out nicely. She barely refrained from playing with the silvery gray pattern on the dress that stretched from bodice and tapered out around her upper thighs. She wanted to give him her nickname, but realized it was definitely not appropriate. As she allowed him to lead her to the dance floor she wondered if he knew Novarel and took a chance. “I’m Novarel’s sister-oh excuse me-No’va of brown Alduntulath.” She realized her mistake almost immediately and felt a blush creep up her own freckled cheeks and she looked down briefly, wanting to hide her face in the folds of her hair, but looked up back at him and gave another smile instead. It wouldn’t do for the daughter of Tidewalk Hold to hide, not while in plain sight. Shards but she wanted to.
tovaana

Kekoa – Candidate

He caught hold of her phrasing and laughed outright, beyond pleased with his first choice of dancing companion. She was a tantalizing tease. Just how lucky was to be seen, but he did like to think Faranth looked down on him rather favorably more often than not… “I truly agree, my Lady.”

She was a wonderful follow, not too tense as to block his movements, but her tension did allow her to follow along effortlessly. Lucky indeed. He imagined they made quite a pair on the dance floor, and enjoyed the thought of how good they must look. Yes, she was quite a woman. Her giggle was almost music to his ears, the light sound bringing to mind chords, though her words retained his attention, the possible song in his head dissipating as quickly as it had come. He chuckled, delighted by her unwillingness to share, oh he just loved a challenge. “I change my mind.” He shook his head, a seductive grin lighting his face. “I hope you give me no mercy.” It came out as a sultry challenge, his eyes narrowed in on her. “I’m sure I can find some way to coax your secrets out.” His promised murmur coincided with his thumb caressing her shoulder blade.

He couldn’t miss her soft gasp when he drew her in, but assumed it came from his abrupt movement. Could she really be surprised by his action though, with their playful banter? Desire swept over him at the way she looked up at him, her breathy laugh, and he licked his lips slowly, his body continuing their slow promenade. Shards. Her words-the way she pressed herself up against him-it was a good thing his body automatically moved to the music because… Shells.. He forced out a laugh, though this one was lower and rough as it escaped, and he shook his head, unwilling to look way from her. “Don’t worry Yvinka, I have plenty stamina to last the night. I can be very patient.” Another promise, with double the meaning, and he gave her a wink. He twirled her and brought her back in smoothly, allowing the music and the movements to distract from the simmering desire he had to twirl her off the floor and out of the room. He could be patient. “If you won’t give away your secrets, yet,” he added the last word, remembering his first promise quite clearly, “surely you will tell me something else about yourself? Desires, hopes, dreams? Anything, I beg. I must know more.”
Zen

Tak’ril – Bronze Agureyth

He had sat in the back corner while he ate, along with a few other fishermen he had previously served with before he had been searched, though he had made sure to position himself in such a way that he could see her clearly. He was too far away to make out her bright blue eyes, but his memory served him well enough. At least he could see her smiling and laughing, sandwiched between friends. She looked so happy. It still surprised him each time he saw her, and he imagined the new spark she had had in her eyes since she had returned with Tell. He had finished eating and had stood with the intention of going up to her. But the music had started and had discouraged him causing him to retreat back to the wall where he could lean and continue watching her. Surely, she would want to dance, and he was a poor partner for the dance floor. He struggled with wanting to be close to her and avoiding the crowd of people milling around her. They had placed the graduates in the middle of all the bustle. Which they should be. They were the ones being honored.

Just go to her. You look like a stalker.

Tak’ril blushed and avoided his gaze from his subject. I do not.

You sort of do, mine. Why hesitate?

There were just so many people. He was terribly awkward in crowds; he just didn’t want to ruin this moment for her. He didn’t respond to the bronze, but his eyes moved back to look at her. His folded arms allowed his hands to feel the soft shirt she had made him. It was the nicest thing he had ever owned, and it felt right to wear it to celebrate her. He had chosen his nicest pair of riding breeches to go along with it. He had taken the time to shave, but hadn't bothered with his hair, and it was windswept from their earlier ride. 

Riasu – Candidate; Zenelle - Green Verdath

Riasu had taken to Zenelle immediately. Her loving maternal nature made it easy to love her and confide in. She had found a friend and confidant in the woman, which was one reason why she sat with Zenelle and a few of the other dragonhealer apprentices. The other reason was she couldn't sit with Lo'qui. Not since... Her Betweening with Jarath. Riasu refused to look for him among the crowd, though she wondered how angry he could possibly be at her still. It didn't matter. 

“You look just… ravishing Riasu. I suppose you dressed to impress that handsome brownrider you’ve told me all about?” Zenelle's quiet teasing voice brought a laugh to her lips and her eyes automatically found the burly man at the graduate table. “What this old thing?” She waved her hand over the dress, and her eyes came back to the short woman. It was gorgeous in it's simplicity, though just as bold as her summer gather dress she had worn to the Jask celebration. This one was more suitable for the cooler weather. The long sleeves protected her arms and if she adjusted the slit that reached mid-thigh then her legs were protected as well. The dress was designed to show off how long her legs were, and it accented her thin waist perfectly. She supposed she could have bought something with Mavros’s colors… She had had the time since getting here and had even been planning on it. But the fight with Lo’qui and their continuing issue over it had made her pause in doing so. She still warred within herself as to whether or not she should stay… A man alone wasn’t reason enough, no matter how sweet or handsome he was. But… she had also started making friends, and it was nice to escape her mother’s fearful attitude. There were still so many reasons to stay. She felt a gentle hand on hers and Riasu looked back to Zenelle, whose eyes were watching and measuring her.

“I do hope you stay. You have so many talents that Mavros could use. You are a natural with dragons.” Her gentle voice was kind, and Zenelle never ceased to amaze her with how perceptive she could be. It was that motherly side of her, surely. She smiled and nodded. Still, she didn’t know Riasu’s secret, though she was starting to think it wasn’t a bad idea to tell the woman. “I’m still… considering all my options.” Her eyes swiveled back to V’than and she noticed him looking about as one of her fingers grabbed a braid that had fallen in her face and pushed it back in place to lie next to the rest of the braids. She smiled and waved, trying to catch his attention. “You know Zenelle, I may just go and visit with that handsome brownrider. Will you excuse me?” Her friend nodded, and Riasu stood, walking towards V’than with a bright smile on her face.
tovaana

[Zen]

Yvinka

Blinking up at him in surprise as he took back his previous words, instead daring her to show no mercy with him, Yvinka tossed a wicked grin his way, “Oh, I can be merciless if you prefer. I can just use all my superpowers and make you helpless before me. Then you’ll just be begging me for mercy….” Her voice took on a rather dramatic, but playful tone as she imagined herself as some daring villainess from stories she’d been told as a child. There was a sort of thrill in imagining a man begging for her…. She laughed to herself, sure that Kekoa could manage some very dramatic and amusing begging indeed. But when he spoke of coaxing out her secrets and she felt the light touch at her back, a little tingle of anticipation ran down her spine and she found herself wanting more of those little touches of his. Shells, but she was going to be the one that needed mercy. Her inexperience left her rather vulnerable, particularly as she was sure Kekoa had plenty of experience to draw upon.

She once more cast as innocent a smile as she could muster up at him, “Hm… I look forward to seeing just what methods you might use in pursuit of my secrets.” She didn’t really have any, to be honest. She was rather open, generally, though she found that this little game with Kekoa was amusing for now and was more inclined to make him work for information about herself. And she really was interested in just what he might do to earn her so-called secrets. His assurance that he had plenty of stamina to last the night had her fantasizing again at his clear double meaning. Shards and shells, she really was going to be in trouble if this kept up. Here she had thought she would enjoy some harmless flirting and party the night away, but flirting with Kekoa was seeming less and less harmless.

Honestly, she chided herself, she’d never let a man get to her like this. Was it just because she felt more free to act on her impulses here at the Weyr that she was suddenly finding it harder to hold herself back? It wasn’t like she’d never traded flirtatious banter before. If she ended up in bed with Kekoa at the end of the night, she certainly wasn’t opposed to the idea, but shells, she still wanted to enjoy the celebration first! If her mind kept getting lost in these silly fantasies, however, she wasn’t going to last very long at all at this rate. Get ahold of yourself, Yva! Surely he would make a good choice for her first time, though? Ugh, stop. For all she knew, if she dragged it out long enough, he might just get bored and find another woman to spend his time with. No need to get ahead of herself.

He twirled her away from him briefly and it brought her back to reality, thankfully. She almost wasn’t prepared for it, as lost in her thoughts as she was getting. When he pulled her back to him, she couldn’t help the gleeful laugh. She did love the twirling. Perhaps it was girlish but she didn’t care. “Oh, please do call me Yva. The only time people call me Yvinka is when I’m in trouble… I’m not in trouble, am I?” a wry smile pulled at her lips as she looked up at him, mustering innocence once more. His plea to know more about her made her giggle softly, “Should a lady give so freely of herself simply because a man asks?” She tsk’d at him, then laughed again, “Desires are rather personal things, don’t you think? Perhaps you’ll discover them with the rest of my secrets… if you manage to find a way to coax them out, as you said.” Her gaze came to rest on his lips for a moment before she forced them back up to his eyes, briefly wondering what kissing him would be like. She had become a rather avid collector of kisses. She could only imagine he would be quite good at it.

There was no harm in telling him more about herself, and yet he had said he didn’t want mercy, so she was left debating whether she would so easily give up any information or whether he would be forced to work for it, but her open and chatty nature made it difficult for her not to share something. “My hopes and dreams… hmmm… I just want to be able to experience life and have fun without anyone to tell me no, or how I should be living. Fortunately for me I’m rather well on my way. You see I-” she stopped herself, biting her lip lightly, and giggled, teasing, “Oops. Almost gave away a secret. My tongue is too unruly.” Truthfully she had no issue finishing the thought and telling him, but he had made a rather alluring promise to coax her secrets from her and it would be no fun at all if she just gave them away before he’d even tried.

kevna

Mizao

Sitting with Aleni and Karo, Mizao was enjoying the food and waiting for a proper moment to find Joia. Their friendship was still… well, it wasn’t like it was before Impression, that was for sure. But she couldn’t not congratulate her on her graduation, even if things were still a bit strained and there was just this distance between them that hadn’t been fully bridged yet. Of course, she could see the whiterider sitting with the rest of her class in their place of honor for the celebration, but approaching her was another matter. She seemed at ease with new friends and Mizao didn’t want to make things awkward by inserting herself, and any issues that were still between them, into a place where Joia was happy.

She sighed, wishing things hadn’t gotten so complicated, and clapped along at the end of the Weyrleader’s congratulatory speech. For now, she thought it might be better to just Joia enjoy her moment without her complications. She would find her later so she didn’t risk possibly ruining her entire evening if things were just awkward and didn’t go well. Finished with her food for the time being, she turned in her seat to watch the dancers while she waited for Aleni and Karo to finish eating. So it was difficult to miss the man that approached, tall, pale, and striking. He reminded her of E’rik, though his hair was certainly far shorter. She had half a mind to ask the brownrider later if his brother had recently come to Mavros.

Though, as he stopped to address her, it seemed she would have a chance to ask the man himself if she was so inclined. She wasn’t used to such attention from men. Ever since she’d Impressed Wendiloth most of the attention she’d gotten hadn’t exactly been positive, and she’d never been one for attention before. But there was no getting away from it, being a woman riding a brown. Dancing with someone as… unique as this man was sure to draw attention their way, but she couldn’t very well turn him down when he’d asked so nicely, could she? And she had been hoping someone might ask her to dance, who was she to be so picky about who it was?

With a quick glance at her friends, she stood, smoothing the skirt of her dress self consciously, and offered the man her hand, “I would love to dance…. I am Mizao… of brown Wendiloth.” Perhaps he would shun her as many others had upon realizing she was a brownrider. It wasn’t like she could hide it, with her dress knots pinned to her shoulder with a delicate silver brooch in the shape of a stylized dragon she had made during her time at the Smith Hall. She fought against the urge to tell him it was fine if he had changed his mind. She was really trying to work on the self deprecating tendencies she had in her interactions with men. She was a dragonrider, a brownrider, and though it was still difficult to get her head around, it brought her on a level equal with men, even superior in some instances, and she was very much still getting used to not simply deferring to men in every instance anymore. Wendiloth was uncertain enough as it was… it fell to her to find confidence enough for the both of them.

tovaana

Kisoraz

He was certainly glad he hadn’t lulled her to sleep with the tale, though it had mostly been a joke. If she had managed to fall asleep in the middle of their dance, that would have spoken volumes about his poor skill at the activity, and he liked to think he was half decent at it, anyway. His mother had made sure all her children could perform to an acceptable level on the dance floor and he did enjoy it. “Mm,” he made a sound of confirmation at her question, “It was one my mother often told me as I fell asleep.” He sighed dramatically at her admission of never hearing it, “Well, though I’m of the opinion everyone ought to learn Mirran’s history, I suppose it isn’t so.” He was only half joking, really, though his sigh had been playfully overdramatic on purpose.

He chuckled at her teasing question, “How did you know I was a collector of Pern’s bedtime stories? An odd hobby, I know.” He shook his head, amused, though confirmed rather needlessly, “I am indeed from Mirran. We - they - have an agreement with Mavros, sending occasional candidates and riders, and other supplies, for the redwood that grows here, and in Charin. So, here I am.” He tilted his head slightly down at her, “And where do you come from then? Mavros is far too young to have many born natives, and certainly none old enough to be candidates.” He would like to know more about where she was from as well, to see if it was more comparable to Mavros or Mirran. But then, Mavros was the only other Weyrhold on Pern, so it was entirely likely wherever Ceela hailed from was completely different from both. “Hm… I gave you a story of my home, why don’t you give me one from yours? It doesn’t need to be a bedtime story. It could simply be about your time there. I’m rather curious, you see… before coming to Mavros I had never left Mirran. Things are very… different. Is Mavros much like your home?”

tovaana

[kevna]

Siorreya - Green Amagetith

She couldn’t tell if he was angry or amused, though from the looks of his impassive face, she was going to guess closer to displeased then not. “Goodbye lover!” She squeaked through her laughter and then she backed away and then turned on her heel and ducked behind a few people, hiding as quickly as she could from the large man. She was quickly pacing herself away from K’zar, when she noticed a red mop of hair. She did a double take-it wasn’t Maz’ru’s hair. Her blue eyes widened as like eyes met her’s, and G’der started moving towards her.

“Shards and shells.” She muttered under her breath. What the shells was he doing here? She twisted on her heel again and made a beeline away from him as quickly as possible, ducking between people and threading through groups. Her height made it easy for her to lose herself in the crowd, and she gave a smug smiling, looking over her shoulder to check and see-but what she saw only confirmed her suspicions. G’der was looking around blindly, unable to see her. Her triumph only lasted a split second as she came into contact with a mountain, and let out an audible “oof,” as she lost the air in her lungs.

She shook her head and used her hands to push herself away from her object of impact, placing hands on abs that felt all to familiar. “By the shell of the first egg, you are a wraith.” She muttered, looking up into Podrell’s face and pulling her hands away quickly as if burned. Her body already felt warm just at the simple touch. She took another step away, so she didn’t have to angle her neck so sharply to look at the much taller man, quirking a challenging brow at him. Where had he been? She hadn’t noticed him before, and it was almost like... “Have you been avoiding me, Podrell? You have yet to congratulate me on my promotion.”

Zen
Kekoa - Candidate

The image of him begging only made him smile and shake his head. She was teasing, obviously, and he wondered if she ever followed through with her threats. He hoped so. “I’m not one to beg, but for you, I may make an exception.” He gave her a teasing smile. He didn’t think himself a proud man, and as such, begging was no worry for him. Still, he had never had to beg before. He wondered if she would hold out long enough to actually make him beg. She seemed willing enough, those alluring eyes and dark hair, and he was convinced he would make her his for the night. Well, most of the night.

“Hm… I look forward to seeing just what methods you might use in pursuit of my secrets.”

Her comment issued forth a smirk, but he didn’t say anything. Mystery could be given in words as well as a lack of word, and he let her imagine as she would. Imagination could be much more powerful than words, and with Yvinka he hoped so. Her gleeful laugh brought another broad unhindered smile to his face, and then she was asking if she was in trouble and he couldn’t help but laugh. “Not as much as I am with you in my arms, Yva.” He tried out her nickname, finding it to his liking. She was captivating in a magical way, and her nickname was much more musical than her full name.

Her answer to his question was, at least in his opinion, incorrect, and unable to help himself he shook his head. He caught the way she glanced down at his lips, hinting, but if she could be elusive, he could be too. Well, at least for a little bit. Shards, but it was hard. “Ah, my lovely Yva, desires are often mistaken as personal, but they are far from that.” He pinned her with his eyes, wishing they weren’t in the middle of the dance floor surrounded by a whole bunch of people. He made do as he twirled her out, but before she could fully turn he let go of her hand and stepped in behind her and grabbing her waist and pulling her against him and then leading her to the waltz in their new position. He bent his head down and murmured, “Desires are… intimate. Very different.” He enjoyed this position a little too much, but most women had trouble following in it, and so he took a step back all too soon and grabbed her hand to gently lead her into finishing her turn.

The song was coming to a close, a shame, but he would find her again after a little more fun. He had made a promise to Ceela and he intended to keep it. Yva even seemed like she would share more of herself, and he let out a guttural moan of disappointment when she caught herself. This woman. At the rallentando in the song, the promise of closing, he pulled her in smoothly and gently, tightly holding her against him, slowly lowering her in a dip. He leaned down and teased her ear with his lips, his voice low, “I’d like to know just how unruly that tongue is, but don't worry, I'm patient. You know Yva, I too have superpowers, but they won’t be secret from you by the time this night is through.” He moved to brush his lips over her cheek in a feather-light kiss, his hand then traced down her back to her waist, allowing her to finish the dip in a grander arch of her back if she wished. He firmly but elegantly pulled her back up as the music ended, but not before caressing his hand back up her back and then shoulder blade. He sighed, offering his arm to lead her off the dance floor. “And you should know Yva, I never say no.”

Zen

Asirikai – Lord Holder Candidate

Getting to know holders on land was different then on a fishing vessel. Holders each had their own ambitions for their families, their home, and their income. Fishermen normally only had one ambition. Fish. Fishermen understood that working together, gathering as much fish as possible, is how they took care of their families, survived, and flourished. United in one purpose. Well, that’s what he was working towards, getting the fishermen, holders, miners, beastcrafters, in essence everyone, all towards one purpose-bettering Mavros.

One man working a large fishing vessel would be impossible. Even twenty men all working separately to try to get the vessel to sail without communicating their goal would be near impossible. But when all came together in open communication, not only could the ship sail, but fish could be caught. Mavros was the ship, and Asirikai’s further ambitions would be the fish. Getting the ship to sail came first, and that’s why he sat at the same table as Vashemin. He didn’t like the man, but like him or not, the man was the holder elect. His poor connections could be overtaken easily, and that’s what Asirikai was trying to do. It helped that Vashemin was completely useless and highly inadequate for leading. Still, he had been elected, and the connections would be useful.

He didn’t bother laughing at the poor joke that Vashemin told, and he noted that some of the other holders looked to him and responded in kind with no humor. Steps in the right direction, and it boosted his pride. The man was an imbecile. His eyes found a small figure darting elegantly among the crowd milling about and didn’t pretend to continue to listen to the Holder Elect. His attention was on her, and had been off and on for a good deal of the evening. He was waiting for the interaction between his dear nephew and the girl, he doubted they would be able to stay away from each other and was Asirikai was going to have a little fun when they did. Nothing too serious, he would just ask her for a dance. Just rile the slightly younger man by holding the woman close, maybe tell the girl just how poor of a fit she was for him, and Pod for her. Nothing but the truth. It would be his only fun, and then it would be back to business, lingering with the crowd, giving his greetings to the Lord of Tidewalk Hold, and asking for a dance from his red-headed daughter. Anything to better his chances of becoming Lord of Mavros. But a little fun could hardly hurt-and so he waited, biding his time, watching-mingling with other’s his eyes occasionally glancing in search of the green dress and blonde hair. A small, amused smile overcame his lips as later in the evening his patience was rewarded and he noted the short blonde before Podrell. His patience was always rewarded-he started making his way toward them, slowly, waiting for the perfect slow waltz to come on so he could take full advantage of his dance with the fiery Siorreya.

[Zen]

Podrell

While the celebration may have been Weyr-centric, much of the holder population had taken the opportunity to have some fun and enjoy a decent spread of food that was all too uncommon at Mavros. Podrell wasn’t going to miss the opportunity either, and it would be a fine place to mingle. Of course, being in the Weyr also set him on edge, particularly as the celebration was being held in honor of Siorreya and her weyrling class and the likelihood to run into her was high. He had no time for her nonsense and could not risk it, not here, not in front of so many people. Several Lords were in attendance; he had seen Degranik of Jask, Reageren of Charin, and Divano of Tidewalk, though he couldn’t imagine why the Southern Lord was here. As far as he knew, the man didn’t have a son in contention for the Mavrosi Lordship, though he had played a part in spreading the word of it to the other Southern Holds, so he clearly had some investment in the Weyrhold. Then again from what he’d heard of Tidewalk’s relationship with their Weyr, he could very well just be acting to spite them.

With so many important people in attendance, he could not afford Siorreya’s shenanigans, or his lack of self control around her. So he had been keeping an eye out for her so he could avoid her if at all possible. He was also quite aware of his uncle’s attendance, and he could not afford another confrontation with him here either, so he was doing his best to avoid him as well, and the avoidance of the both of them sort of went rather hand in hand. He was sure if Asirikai could, he would try to use Siorreya against him here… it was imperative he stayed away from her. So far it had been easy enough to do, chatting here and there with various people as they sampled food and watched the dancers, enjoying the music, staying well away from the newly graduated riders.

He was just turning, excusing himself to fetch a glass of wine, when someone ran right into him. It took him a moment, taking her in, and he blamed the impact for the way his breath caught in his throat momentarily. Had he ever seen her dressed up like this? Certainly not since they’d been reacquainted, not since she’d become a woman. She looked… shells. Her words brought him back to reality as she seemed to be blaming him for their collision, just as she had the last. He couldn’t help but tease in return, because he wasn’t about to tell her how stunning she was, “Well, look at you… you almost look the part of a lady. I didn’t even recognize you. I might not have if I wasn’t getting so used to you charging headlong into me. One would think you’d have learned to look where you’re going by now.”

When she called him out on his avoidance of her, his brow rose as he affected apathy, “Am I supposed to follow you about like some sort of lovesick puppy? I didn’t realize my congratulations meant so much to you. My utmost congratulations to you, my dear Siorreya, in the beginning of this newest chapter in your life.” He chose a rather overdramatic wording laced in sarcasm. As if she cared whether he congratulated her or not. Honestly. A smirk pulled at his lips then, “If I’d known how much it meant to you, I’d have left a note for you this morning. I do hope you found my last… and that I’ve been treating you well in your dreams.” Her green had told him that she dreamed of him. It was certainly satisfying to know, seeing as she pervaded in his own dreams more often than not. Fortunately for him, he had no dragon to reveal such information to her.

Yvinka

As Kekoa relented that he just might beg for her, she couldn’t help but imagine his sweet, soft pleading in her ear and it made her more than a little warm to think about. Shells. Her imagination really was running wild tonight. And when he had nothing to say about what methods he might use against her, it only drove her to more fantasizing. It was getting terribly hard to stay focused when her mind kept wandering off like this, chasing after these tantalizing ideas he inspired.

“Not as much as I am with you in my arms, Yva.”

His laugh and his words brought her back and she offered him a teasing smile, “If having me in your arms is such trouble, you must be a glutton for it or you’d have released me by now.” She rather thought it was the other way around, anyway. She was quite enjoying the way he held her, and as it occurred to her that the song must come to an end at some point, disappointment flitted through her. Still, she did have other plans for the night… but it would be quite a let down if Kekoa found another woman to spend the night with. Well, she supposed she could always find someone else too if it came to it….

The way he looked at her when he spoke of desires had her breath catching briefly. Shards. Before she could recover enough to make any reply, he spun her and pulled her in close in a position she had rarely been in while dancing. She was hardly used to it and it left her feeling rather vulnerable. Shells, he was too good at this. He was completely throwing her off. Oddly enough, part of her enjoyed it because it was so… new. She was very rarely caught so off guard, while dancing or flirting. His statement about desires being intimate had a small smile pulling at her lips, “My statement stands… if you’d like to know me intimately, you’ll have to wait, I’m afraid.”

It was about all she could do just to muster up that response, and she was somehow both relieved and disappointed when he returned them to a more normal position. It had left her feeling rather at his mercy, and there had been something sort of thrilling about it. She was just as pleased to have gained some ground back, however, when she caught herself before giving away her ‘secret’ and he made a displeased sound in response. She might have made some comment on it, but he pulled her in suddenly and she recognized the starting position of a dip. She’d learned that one rather quickly, as it was rather awkward not to be ready for it… when she’d been younger both she and a number of partners had fallen when trying, simply because they were too young and inexperienced to know how to do it properly. Her arm slid up around his shoulders and she shifted her weight to her inner leg as he leaned her back, keeping himself much closer than other partners had in the past.

His breath on her ear sent a slight shiver through her, and his promise about his ‘superpowers’ only led to further imagination. His lips brushed her cheek and his hand at her back granted her just a little more of those light, teasing touches. When he finally pulled her back out of the dip she felt more than a little breathless. He really was too good at this. Boys had touched her in more intimate places before, but somehow his soft caress on her back had managed to send her mind into a fog. Shards and shells. She supposed that told of his experience more than anything. Silly boys that didn’t know what they were doing and clumsily pawed at whatever they were allowed could never make her feel like this. How did he make her want more from such a simple caress? It had felt more intimate than about anything she’d experienced before.

He sighed, offered her his arm, and she blinked up at him as that silly haze in her head started to clear, letting out a breathy laugh at his comment about saying no, “Mm… I don’t suppose you do….” The dance was over. How disappointing. But then, she didn’t think she could handle another dance with him… not unless they took it somewhere far more private. She offered a dramatic sigh of her own as she took his arm, “And now that you’ve ruined me for other men, you’re going to leave me?” She shot him a grin, not at all opposed to returning some of his flattery, as she was sure it was true enough, “I can’t imagine I’ll find another dance partner that could possibly compare. You’re by the far the best I’ve ever had.”

Letting go of his arm, she took a few steps backward and away from him, still grinning, “The chase is still on… I wonder if you’ll catch me or not?” She sure hoped so. “Maybe if you can find me again before the night is over… if one of my many other suitors doesn’t catch me first.” She laughed, as he’d been the one to suggest that other men were drawn to her just as he had been, and with a wiggle of her fingers in a wave goodbye - for now, at least - she forced herself to turn away before he could draw her back in and ruin her plans for the evening. She supposed she ought to find L’rey and congratulate him before she got too lost in her own fun, even if she was certain dancing was ruined for her now. How was she supposed to find a partner that could satisfy her after that? She might have to find some other way to entertain herself.

kevna

[tovaana]

Maz’ru :: Blue Quilath

He spent his days with female riders – not that they were crude in any way, but Sio wasn’t exactly a ‘lady’ so to speak. The way this woman moved was different and made him feel more self-conscious at the table where a few eyes watched – especially the parents, or at least the woman he assumed was her mother who had spoken. He offered a momentary polite smile to any that glanced his way as she took his offered hand.

“I’m Maz’ru, of Blue Quilath.” He returned with his own name as she offered her. “Well met, Vanisha.” He led her to the dance floor, realizing immediately his mistake of asking a holder to dance, someone who would have infinite more experience than his meager lessons as a rider. Of course, he had gone to gathers and had enjoyed dancing with girls – but he had been young and he’d been more interested in getting to be close to the girls than actually knowing the dance. At least he had had some experience as a rider and at gathers, but he was still distracted by this nerve-wrecking thought that it took him a moment to register what she was saying – that didn’t help his nerves at all. Great. The sister of No’va – he glanced in the direction of the graduation table and caught a glimpse of No’va before moving her into the dance floor. He wasn’t sure how his brother would feel about Maz’ru dancing with his sister… but at least he could claim innocence? He hadn’t known – it wasn’t like they looked that similar… though now he could see the resemblance. Why would No'va care greatly anyways if he just danced with her? But he couldn't help but think of the irritation he felt at Podrell as his attentions for Siorreya. 

“Oh yeah, No’va’s in my class.” He said lamely with a nervous smile, too distracted by his own thoughts to recognize her embarrassment. “This happens to be my graduation feast too. Aldy and Quil came from the same clutch – er, well, different clutches actually… hatched the same day, they’re cousins.” His face creased as he remembered who was from which clutch. He also felt Quilath’s presence enter his mind, completing the distraction that he had been looking for G’der before asking Vanisha to dance. ‘Yes?’ He thought, his impatience clear in his thoughts, wanting his blue to leave so he wouldn’t mess up the dance as he stiffly lead the fellow red-head across the floor. I apologize for interrupting, but I couldn’t help but notice you did not use my full name. Or Alduntulath's. ‘I never do Quil.’ Quilath thought about this for a moment, as if Maz’ru had never said this before, but Maz’ru wasn’t in the mood or position to really show him how many times they’d had the tiring conversation. He supposed he could call him by his full name, but it seemed silly and too formal. ‘If you get to elide my name, I don’t see why I can’t shorten yours.’ Yours was rather long. Besides, having a dragonrider name is proper. Now, you should stop ignoring your dance partner, that is not proper. He blinked down at the woman in his arms, realizing he had done exactly what he had tried not to.

“Oh, sorry, I’m not ignoring you… my dragon can sometimes be distracting and a pain.” You could throw in some positive attributes as well, it would be more accurate and polite. Maz’ru just sighed and smiled, shaking his head.

V’than :: Brown Saruth

He took a last bite of his food and glanced up again, searching more actively to find Riasu’s dark complexion. He stood up, abandoning his plate and as he did so, his eyes were drawn to the red garbed woman waving at him. He grinned, forgetting to excuse himself from the table when he noticed just how well the dress fit Riasu’s body. Like moth to flame he moved toward her, but was cut off by a man surprisingly taller than he. While there were men who met his height or only an inch or two from it – rarely did he meet men who were actually taller than him. He stiffened as the man cross his path and took the path he had seen through the gaggle of people and got to Riasu first.

He just stood there for a moment, shocked – hadn’t Riasu been smiling and waving at him? Or had it been to someone else? The shocked emptiness filled with a pang of jealousy and flash of irritation that he curbed with tightening fists and releasing them slowly. It left him feeling confused as he stood there for a few moments, but it hadn’t changed his mind whether or not he would approach – and it wasn’t until he got his legs to take him over and force a circle on the conversation that he realized that the two had familial similarities. He remembered suddenly that Riasu had talked of a brother.

“Hey Riasu.” His eyes trailed from the annoying upward glance at Lo’qui back to Riasu, where he felt himself get lost, keeping his eyes glued to her eyes so he wouldn’t get lost in the folds of her dress. He felt a rash boldness, forgetting that it could be her brother and perhaps hoping to ward the man off if it wasn't. “You look beautiful.”

Lo’qui :: Bronze Jarath

Over the past days that had stretched into seven-days, Lo’qui had gone between wrath and conflicted regret for reacting and saying such harsh things to his sister. He had made a trip back to Ierne, but it had only gotten the Weyrleader to laugh in face and his words, “Afraid that you’ll lose her, will you?” echoed like a doomsday taunt in his mind. His face had flashed in contorted anger in the moment, but had relaxed itself, instead calmly and sternly reminding the Weyrleader of their deal. Lo’qui threatened that he would go back to Ierne too, but he wasn’t sure if the brownrider Weyrleader had believed him, since Lo’qui hardly believed in the words himself. He didn’t want to leave Mavros- he had slowly gathered his children there, shocked and yet also not surprised that his littles’ mother hadn’t come storming for them yet. But, having his children wasn’t enough, his sister reminded him of their father, and even their mother sometimes. He knew for Riasu’s sake that they shouldn’t lure their mother…

He sighed, the memories of the past weeks tiring on his mental state. Fighting Thread helped him forget, but only until they had to go between and the trauma of his dragon going between without him would come back like a stabbing wound. It was getting better, but he couldn’t bring himself to fully forgive Riasu – as much as he understood why she had done it, he knew he’d get over the trauma of feeling like he had almost lost his dragon and sister… but he wasn’t sure he could get over that she had gone behind his back to do it. It made her like everyone else; untrustworthy. He didn’t want to believe it, but perhaps his love for her had made him blind to see it. So, was it his pride or love that wanted her to stay in Mavros?

He caught sight of her and watched her for a bit, deciding whether or not to approach her. She was easily spotted in her red garb and it was the painful shade of the Weyr they had left and he hoped it wasn't a thread... She waved at someone, getting up – but in his mind he saw an opportunity to intercept and finally have a conversation. “Hello, dear sister.” He murmured, a soft smile stretching his face. “It’s been too long, and I dare say an apology is overdue.” But he dared anyway, his features becoming more serious and searching her face for how she was reacting to his presence.

Then suddenly a breath later, they weren’t alone and he glanced surprisingly at the brownrider that had joined their conversation. It seemed rather rude, until Lo’qui remembered Riasu’s warm smile and wave – it clearly hadn’t been for her brother, he hadn’t thought it would be for a boy, well, man. He seemed somewhat young, but clearly a man, not a boy. A flash of protective brotherliness passed through him, but his eyebrows rose simply in shock, controlling his reaction to what felt like an intrusion on personal matters. Lo’qui glanced at his knots as the man said hello, pretty much ignoring Lo’qui.

“I’m Lo’qui, nice to meet you…”

The burly man glanced at him with a half smile, “V’than. Brownrider of Saruth.”

Ah, so it seemed his sister had a thing for brownriders… or did brownriders have a thing for Riasu? "Well met, brownrider." He said, his eyes looking over at Riasu curiously. 

kevna

Khrowlos;

He watched her face intently, hoping to perceive her thoughts in the little movements that were made, like the conscious smoothing of her dress. As vain and shallow as he was, could be thoughtful if he thought it was worth his time and intentions. She was self-conscious, but she needn’t be, unless she wanted to be conscious of the attention that he was sure they’d receive. She and her dark hair was the yin to his yang, and he was sure everyone who would watch them would be able to tell.

Mizao, it was a soft name for a soft feminine creature as herself. It was fitting. The pauses between her words made him wonder if she was as shy as she was self-conscious. His eyes flitted to her shoulder where the delicate brooch rested, testifying of the truth in her words. His eyebrows lifted the barest at the thought he was interacting with not only a beautiful woman, but a rare one indeed. Intrigue prodded him as he smiled and took her offered hand, kissing it softly, his blue eyes still glued to her.

He slowly unbent, offering her assistance to get up. “Well met, Mizao.” Well met, indeed. He supposed having a female brownrider in his collection of friends would give him the type of prowess he preferred, better than the proud gold and bronzeriders. “Forgive me on my manners, I haven't introduced myself, have I? I’m newly arrived at Mavros, a journeyman healer.” He led her to the dancers and paused, turning to face her, “I’m Khrowlos, and if you would love to dance, then I am here at your service.” He bowed a short angle with a smile and then offered a dancing pose to sweep the lady off her feet. “Why don’t you tell me a bit about yourself?” He suggested with a smile that he hoped charmed her as it had others.

Ceela;

It seemed a strange tale to tell a child, though it had the intrigue of a good story – there wasn’t enough magic or excitement, and she doubted she would have asked for the story on repeat as a child – or even as an adult. She chuckled at his sigh and the idea that everyone should know the history of the Weyr-hold. “Well, now I know.” She said with a teasing grin.

“Here you are.” She echoed, looking at him curiously. “Then you must feel at home in Mavros being a Weyrhold too.” Ceela said, assuming that the similarity between the two meant they were similar in all other aspects. “I’m from Southern.” She said with a smile that faltered as he described his home being ‘different’ from Mavros. “Do you mean the weather? Or something else?” Wondering what could possibly be different – or perhaps the way the Weyr was led? Was there a brownrider as Weyrleader? Sometimes that could shake things up a little.

There was a story she wanted to tell him, but it didn’t have anything to do with what he wanted… Practical stories didn’t interest her as much as fantastical ones. “Never been out of Mirran? Well, I suppose I didn’t get far from Southern either. I just can’t believe there are people who have never felt Southern’s hot sun or sand, or seen its beautiful blue waters. Oh, there are beaches here, but they’re nothing compared to at home. I miss being able to just pick fruit from the trees on the edge of the beach, or finding exquisite shells.” She’d gotten lost, her eyes looking beyond the man she was dancing with and into the world back home. She still hadn’t told an actual story – because she wanted to give him a taste of her home before she dove into her own story; they didn’t exactly had enough time for her to go too in depth for her story, so she would have to abbreviate and maybe get the chance to tell him details after their dance.

“My story though, is about a girl of a bronzerider. She had many older siblings and was often identified by either her prestigious father or siblings. This girl grew with the hot sands of Southern as her home, but many a night she’d spend holdless, just to escape her reality and discover things no one else had. She longed for adventure and for something more and decided to run away. So she did, on the back of a ship- not knowing where she’d end up.” She stopped there, she hadn’t had the ability to lead the man and emphasize certain parts in her story like he had. “How do you think my story ended?” She asked with her mischievous gaze.

Zen