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Jiriar scratched at a cheek absently, a grin still stubbornly clinging to his face even as he mused. "No fun at all... Shards, though, now I'm worried about getting sick later." That was just what he needed; he was sure the Queen would appreciate him vomiting all over her eggs if the Hatching was anytime soon. It'd be an interesting way to die, at least! A way to 'be remembered' as he remembered joking with Notos. Hm. He wasn't paying much attention to anyone at all right now, stretching slightly.

"Can't blame you, dear cousin. Sounds better to just sit back and watch instead of actively participate..." Oh, but that mite of a girl had caught his eye, and Jiriar had to chuckle at her enthusiasm. Was she the girl Sovann had mentioned competing against?

She was trying so hard to make things go well, and it just seemed to be exploding! Inaari wasn't quite sure how that one girl was sick, but it must have been the boys' klah. The normal stuff, nor hers, had ever made anyone sick! This brought renewed enthusiasm as she gazed into the bowls and did a mental tally of votes.

There could hardly be enough votes for everyone here, so she must go to work! It wouldn't do at all for these Candidates to stand around and goof-off while she was trying to do something serious! Rubbing damp hands into her apron, she scooped up more cups of klah, and looked around.

Not far away was a grinning boy, who seemed to be eying her with speculation. That was good enough for her, and she swooped over, beaming, hair curling around her face gently from under the kerchief. "Care to try some klah and vote? It's very important you know!"

Nandeli was saved from creating another disaster by the arrival of Jessmet, who seemed to have a good handle on the situation. "Thanks Jess. I'll leave it to you then." Nelioa had a bucket, some tea, and a man to take care of her. Things would work out just fine. Smiling to herself, the Nose left the little congregation that was surrounding Nelioa and headed back into the centre of things. It was time the commentator returned to her rightful seat.

And her timing was perfect. No sooner had she hopped up onto her chair did she spot that infamously sketchy gay Harper slinking over. Aha! The flock of boys must have attracted him! But Nan was onto him, have no fear. None of the boys would be dragged away to some dark classroom on her watch. She was saved the trouble of having to go and get him when he started towards the water pitcher. Nan's smile turned rather devious as she called out from her perch, "Good morning Harper Marko! I see this fine crowd of boys has attracted your attention!"

Astri was immediately put at ease from the friendly greetings of the other Candidates, and she took the proffered cup of klah gladly. "How early did you all get up to begin brewing this?" She took in the smell of the klah happily, already feeling more awake and alert. She didn't like it when her senses were dulled, even if it was just from sleep.

Before sipping the klah, however, Astri gave it a suspicious look. She didn't entirely trust the others to not be up to some mischief. "Okay... What will this klah do if I drink it? Runs? Pepper in it? Something that will make me throw up?" Her question was directed towards Inaari, who had handed her the klah. She tried to look mock-serious, but a grin was splitting her face never the less at the antics of the others. "And should I root on my fellow girls in this contest?" There was a conspiratory look on her face. Oh yes, Astri wanted in!

***

Z'nal had been directly addressed by one of his charges- one of the young men, at that. He had noted that this lot seemed particularly precocious, and probably prone to pranks. As such, he did not wholly trust the cup of klah he was given.

"I'm not against to a cup of klah... No. But I'm not stupid either boy. What did you put in this?" No one said that Z'nal was a particularly kind person, and he wasn't about to stoop to that level today.

The look of shock that swept over Okassis's face at the Candidatemaster's sneering distrust was wholly convincing (as any trader accused of offering a sub-par product should seem). "This? By the egg, I didn't put a thing in it, sir! I'll swear that by anything you want," he answered, lowering the cup a few centimeters in the air. And he was being nothing but honest, too - turning, Okassis shot a desperate frown at Inaari, trying to signal to her mournfully between the cup and Z'nal, he won't try your klah!

Beaming at the other girl over her shoulder, she beckoned her closer to speak. Two birds with one stone, this was great! Maybe if she could sneak a hint..no, that was dishonest! But they were just so snooty about being right. And her age. And her backround. Inaari wanted to win!

"You should always root for the girls! I heard once that there's nothing a boy can do that a girl can't do better. As for additives, not in that cup!" The blond made a face. "That's my klah. I can't tell you which pot, but that cup is totally safe, if you like good strong klah!"

Spinning back to the smiling young man, she pressed the klah on him. Now this was what boys were supposed to be like! Very nice, no matter how old or young the other person might be. She responded with a broad smile of her own, freckles stretching and smooshing all over her face. "Well, another couldn't hurt, just to make sure you got your vote right. I'm trying to win this competition, so to spread around more klah only makes things better, doesn't it?"

For some reason, Okassis was also gesturing at the Candidatemaster with something like dejection and alarm. The teen couldn't quite tell which, but...wait. Was that her stuff?! Oh no, this was what she'd been waiting for! Desperate to make new friends, but also to impress Old Grouchy, Inaari was torn, and instead lightly tugged on the two to follow her over.

"Master Z'nal, is there something wrong? It would be so nice if you could join us and help decide a vital factor in the kitchens!" That should do the trick, right?

Z'nal was an equal opportunity mistruster, but he decided to give Inaari the benefit of the doubt. There was something earnest and innocent in her expression. He didn't buy it from the boys- not for one second. But having his own daughter had made him rather soft to the faces that those of the feminine gender could make, and he found himself dutifully taking a sip.

Much to Z'nal's surprise, the klah was actually quite good. He normally didn't like it quite so strong, but that hardly seemed like a complaint. Many did like it that way, and quite honestly, it probably would seem to the casual observer that Z'nal did. It just fit better in his overall personality.

"It's good. Strong," he admitted grudgingly. He still wasn't entirely ready to trust what the lads had brewed up.

"I'd like to remind you all that I have jurisdiction to punish you, should you put something in my drink." He couldn't let them think he was getting soft now, could he?

***

Astri's grin widened and she took a sip of the klah. It burnt down her throat in the best of all possible ways. It was strong, which was how she liked it. Enough to kick up even the laziest herdbeast. That was the way klah should be.

"It's really good! I like a strong klah. It gets me up on the early mornings. I don't know how I would have survived without it." With a chuckle, Astri found herself following Inaari, eyeing the Candidatemaster. He looked to be enjoying the klah... As much as pleasure let itself be shown on that man's face.

"I think he likes it," she leaned over, whispering in the other girl's ear. "I wouldn't trust anything the boys gave me though."

Davian was dragging his twin sister, Davril, through the Weyr by the hand a grin on his face. Davril was laughing her free hand lifted up and helping the young blue flit on her shoulder keep balance. "Davian, what's the rush? I'm sure it's not over yet." She chuckled again as her brother looked back at her with a grin. "Well they have to run out of klah sometime and I don't want them too before we get there." Davril just laughed again and tried to keep up with her brother. She could tell the blue flit was slightly nervous and she glanced at him stroking his small body. Don't worry Eventide, I'll keep you safe. There was a small chirp in return and the blue flit rubbed his head against her cheek, and her mind was filled with warm loving feelings.

Davian stopped them a few feet from the edge of the crowd that had gathered, still pulling Davril along by the hand. He had been looking forwards to this since he had heard about it yesterday, a Klah-Off. He was sure antics would ensue. And it looked like they had, the pair had gently pushed their way to the front of the gathered Weyrfolk and looked at the scene before them. One girl looked sick and Davian made a note to not try whatever klah she had had. Glancing around he spotted the three pots of klah and grinned turning to Davril. "See, Dav, this won't be that bad. It's just klah." He had no idea what he was getting them into.